The Veredor Chronicles: Book 03 - The Gate and Beyond (13 page)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Eben stood with Princess Apherah on the banks of the Adira River. They had found a quiet place where several large willow trees grew up beside the water. It was the first time he had been alone with her since his return. He was transfixed by Apherah’s beauty. Her hair fell like silk beside her face, and her ocean blue eyes stared up at him with a shining brightness that only added to her beauty.

‘I knew you would come back,’ she said softly, reaching out and taking his hand. ‘All the people of Irvaria are calling for you to be named the Ecorian Emperor. The Ecorian Empire will return. Truth and justice will govern all the lands of Veredor. King Ignis and Prince Armida agree with the people. You will be the Ecorian Emperor, Eben.’

Eben looked from Apherah out toward the slow flowing water. Even though he knew what she was saying was true he still did not feel that he could rule an empire. In his heart all that he wanted was a simple life. He had no desire for power or to rule the lands.

‘I’m not sure if I can be an emperor. I don’t know the first thing about ruling an empire. I grew up in a small village, far away from the courts of kings. All I want is a simple life.’

Apherah moved closer and smiled. ‘That is why you should be an emperor, Eben. All men who desire power do not deserve it. Power should only be given to those who do not want it, because it is such people who have the strength to rule justly. I grew up in a royal court. I will always be by your side.’

Eben drew her closer, and just as they were about to kiss he caught sight of movement in the water. Suddenly five figures emerged and glided across the surface toward the bank. Eben knew instantly that they were mer and were the same mer he had met beneath the ocean with Casimir. Apherah was startled. A moment later Casimir arose out of the river and walked toward the bank. He was surrounded by glowing light and looked vibrant and full of energy. The mer followed the Astarian.

‘Eben Ecorian, we have come to show our appreciation,’ said Casimir as he reached the shore.

‘Casimir, I wasn’t sure if I would ever see you again.’

Casimir bowed and smiled. ‘I believe this will be the last time that we meet in Veredor.’ He looked to Princess Apherah. ‘I am pleased to meet you, Princess Apherah,’ he said as he bowed again.

‘This is the Astarian Casimir, and these are my people, the mer,’ said Eben.

‘I am delighted to meet all of you,’ said Princess Apherah.

‘And we are honoured to meet you,’ said a beautiful mermaid.

‘It seems that Veredor has passed from the Astarians to men and mer. Fiora’s Bridge was crossed,’ said Casimir. ‘I no longer can pass through the Cosmic Gate at will. Veredor has now formed a relationship with men and mer. You found the secret to Fiora’s Bridge and saved our world from the Prince of Shadows.’

Eben nodded and smiled. ‘Did you know this would all come to pass, Casimir?’

Casimir shook his head. ‘How you managed to cross Fiora’s Bridge still remains a mystery to me, yet I knew, in my heart, that you had a gift, Eben, and I can see that this gift will be handed on to your descendants. Alas, I will not be in Veredor to meet your descendants, for I must leave this world forever.’

‘Where will you go?’ asked Princess Apherah.

Casimir smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘My lady, there is a place far across the cosmos. I have only seen the fields of flowers which grow at the entrance; since my youth my heart has harkened for that place, and now I know the time has come for the long journey.’ He looked from Apherah to Eben. ‘Only the Ecorian can open the Cosmic Gate. Would you allow me to leave Veredor, Eben?’

‘Of course, but I will be sorry to see you go,’ said Eben, realising the significance of the last Astarian departing.

‘The time of the Astarians has passed. A new age has arrived. Men and mer will prosper and Veredor will forever shine as a world of peace and hope in the cosmos.’

****

Three months later Eben and Apherah rode through the forest to the north of Clemensdale. Behind them rode the Royal Ecorian Guard which consisted of ten Tabarian Knights and two knights each from the realms of: Ortaria, Ateria, Irvaria, Vastoria, Scaldonia, and Iarthar. The leader of the Royal Ecorian Guard was Sir Conleth, a Tabarian Knight, who was a hulk of a man with a long red beard and a deeply weathered face.

Eben looked back to Sir Conleth. ‘I would like to go on alone from here. I think that twenty fully armoured horsemen entering Clemensdale would unnecessarily frighten the village folk.’

Sir Conleth nodded. ‘As you wish, Emperor.’

‘Thank you, Sir Conleth.’ Eben then looked across at the Empress who was riding a large white horse.

‘We will discreetly protect all the entrances to the village,’ said Sir Conleth.

Eben then turned back to the Empress. ‘Shall we go?’

They rode along the forest road until the forest came to a sudden end. Ahead of them were lush grass covered hills. The road followed the base of a shallow valley and passed by several small farmhouses. An old farmer, with hair as white as snow, was smoking a pipe and sitting on his wooden fence. He took the pipe from his mouth and waved.

‘Is that you, Eben?’ he asked as the horses approached.

‘Hello Serg,’ said Eben, riding slowly up to the old man.

‘By Tiernan! I never thought I would see you again, my boy. Where have you been all this time?’ asked the old farmer as he jumped down from the fence and stepped toward Eben and Apherah.

‘I went to look for my parents.’

‘Did you find them?’ asked Serg as his bright blue eyes looked to Apherah.

‘I travelled all the way to Irvaria searching for them. Unfortunately they passed away long ago.’

‘I am sorry to hear that,’ said the old farmer.

‘Serg, I would like you to meet my wife, Apherah. This is Serg of Clemensdale. He has always been like an uncle to me.’

‘Well, you look like a sweet young woman,’ said old Serg, bowing low.

‘I am pleased to meet you,’ said Apherah, sweetly smiling at the old farmer.

‘Oh, I am so happy you found yourself such a beautiful wife, Eben. Vera will be delighted. Let me get my pony; I want to come with you to town. This is the most exciting thing that has happened in years around here.’ Old Serg spun around and ran back to his barn. A few moments later he reappeared and was riding on a shaggy old brown pony that looked a little too small for him.

**

Serg led Eben and Apherah into the village. Seeing the little cottages with their small flower gardens filled Eben’s heart with happiness. The village folk were all thrilled to see him and cried out greetings as they passed by.

Apherah looked over at Eben and smiled. ‘Clemensdale is beautiful, Eben. You must have had a delightful childhood,’ said Apherah, her eyes glowing with joy.

‘Eben!’ cried a man, running out of a store up ahead. Eben could see it was the baker, Gallus. Gallus ran over as Eben jumped down from Swiftwing. The old baker hugged him. Gallus was a short man with a large pot belly and a round happy face. ‘We thought you would never return. I must tell Vera. Come with me; this is an occasion to celebrate!’

Apherah dismounted, and they followed Gallus to a small cottage situated directly behind the bakery. Gallus burst through his front door and shouted out. ‘Vera. It’s Eben! He’s come home!’

A moment later Vera rushed from the front door, tears flowing from her eyes, as she dashed across to Eben. ‘Eben! You really have come home!’ Old Vera embraced him so tightly that he nearly tumbled over. ‘I thought the worst had happened to you. I think I have to sit down.’

Vera and Gallus led Eben, Apherah, and Serg into the small cottage. Vera quickly tidied the small wooden table and pulled up some rickety old wooden chairs. Eben sat down with Apherah as Serg prepared some tea for the company.

‘Eben, it has been much too long. Where have you been all this time?’ asked Vera.

‘I don’t know where to begin, Vera. Before I tell you the story I would like to introduce you to my wife, Apherah.’

Vera warmly smiled and took Apherah’s hand. ‘Oh, what a lovely woman you found to marry. I think I am going to cry, Eben.’ Vera wiped the tears away from her eyes.

‘I am pleased to meet you, Vera,’ said Apherah kindly.

Meanwhile Gallus poured them all some sweet Clemensdale tea from Vera’s pot. ‘Where have you been all this time? I’m sure you have a tale to tell.’

Eben looked across the table at Gallus and smiled. He took a sip of tea before beginning his story.

****

In the city of London, across from the entrance to Covent Gardens Station, there is a place where three trees stand. On a mild summer day a tall young man in a long coat stood leaning against the trunk of the smallest of those trees. Hundreds of people passed by, but no one took much notice of the dark haired man standing there quietly. With a happy smiled Cassiel watched the people pass by before moving on.

THE GUIDEBOOK TO VEREDOR (Spoiler Alert)

GLOSSARY

Alber
– Alber is a kingdom situated in the north of Veredor. The Kingdom of Alber was founded in the First Age. The Kingdom of Alber, for the most part, remained distant from the affairs of the southern kingdoms of Veredor. Alber was often invaded and occupied by the Kaznor Empire.

Alblan
– The people of the central kingdoms of Veredor are mostly descended from the Alban people who arrived in Veredor in the Forgotten Age and formed a colony in modern day Irvaria.

Astarians
– The Astarian race are the original inhabitants of Veredor. Most Astarians, but not all, are similar to men and mer in appearance. They brought all the lesser creatures to Veredor and planted all the forests, but they never had the power to create life, only to nurture it. They were given Veredor as a new home by an even greater and mysterious being. Most Astarians could see the Cosmic Gate and cross between the realms of the cosmos. They do not die unless they are killed, and they are extremely powerful. Their skill with magic is far beyond the level that can be gained by men. Most of the Astarians were killed in the wars of the Forgotten Age.

BL
– Refers to the ages before liberation and the return of the Ecorian Empire.

Blue Caps
– Blue Caps are small humanoid creatures that look like miniature men. They came to Veredor with the Astarians at the time of the first arrival and were considered by Astarians as uninvited stowaways. They are ambivalent towards the Astarians, but they dislike men because men often exploited Blue Caps and forced them to work in mines as slaves in the first ages. They are commonly about two feet tall and live in tunnels and chambers deep underground. They form large communities in remote places and are extremely territorial. They will attack a trespasser always with the intention of capturing their opponent. When they capture men they take them deep underground and force them to work in mines until they die; however, they will often release captured women and allow them to return home as they have no traditional grudge against women.

Callidus
– Callidus was one of the few Astarians who survived in Veredor until the time of liberation. He resided at the northern edge of the Great Mountains between the Kaznor Empire and the Kingdom of Alber. He had little to do with men and mer throughout history. The Prince of Shadows hunted Callidus on his return to Veredor. Callidus attempted to contest the Prince of Shadows but failed. The evil Astarian offered Callidus a place as his prime servant, above all others, if he would bow down and worship him as Lord of Veredor. Callidus accepted and gave his soul to the Prince of Shadows. He was given the Sword of Midlight as a reward for his service.

Carlin
– The Fiorian Carlin was one of the most prominent Fiorians before the return of the Ecorian Empire. Carlin was a true hero and said to be one of the greatest swordsmen who ever lived. Carlin singlehandedly overwhelmed the Northern Sorcerer Azagord and imprisoned him beneath the Citadel of Zyran. Carlin remained in Ortaria after the birth of Eben Ecorian to protect the young Ecorian when Kaloren went north to rescue Elons Ecorian from Zarkanor. Carlin became aware of a secret threat to Ortaria by an unknown enemy who he suspected was an Astarian. He organised another Fiorian to take Eben Ecorian to be protected by Erako, a former Fiorian Knight. Carlin and several of his Fiorian companions were killed in an ambush set by the Astarian Callidus on the coast of Ortaria.

Casimir
– Casimir was an Astarian who lived beneath the sea. He was a friend to the mer and ocean sprites. He was aligned with Fiora over the question of men and mer in the Forgotten Age. He opposed the Prince of Shadows in the wars of the Forgotten Age. His skill as a warrior was secondary to his great wisdom and knowledge of ancient lore. He remained with the mer beneath the sea during the later ages and was the last remaining Astarian who opposed the Prince of Shadows. He is also known as the Old Man of the Sea.

Chalai, The
– One of the Seven Relics of the Astarians. The Chalai gives the carrier physical immortality. It played a major role in the wars of the Forgotten Age and a minor role thereafter. The Star King stole the Chalai from the Oran Oracle, and he attempted to use the power of the Chalai to open the Cosmic Gate. Kaloren threw the Chalai into a lake. It was later found by the mer and taken to the Astarian Casimir. Casimir hid the Chalai in the depths of the oceans.

Circle of Night, The
– The Circle of Night were an assembly of powerful Northern Sorcerers and Skathean Knights who governed the Kaznor Empire from 401 BL until the sorcerers Baramak and Azagord rose to power in the year 28 BL.

Cosmic Gate, The
– The Cosmic Gate is a mystical barrier forged from the essence of Veredor that protects Veredor from creatures of darkness. The Cosmic Gate was built by the Astarians at the end of the first wars of the Forgotten Age. Throughout most of history only the Astarians could pass through the gate at will. The Astarian Fiora sealed the Cosmic Gate against the Prince of Shadows at the end of the Forgotten Age.

Desert Knights
– The Desert Knights were formed in the year 625 BL by Sir Grecob, a respected Vastorian knight of the time. Their original purpose was to free Vastoria from Skathean influence and to bring peace and justice to the lands. The primary mandate of the Desert Knights is to protect the people of Vastoria. Desert Knights always wear black and cover their faces with metal masks. They exclusively use the curved single edged Vastorian sword in battle.

Dragons (Great)
– There are three varieties of dragons. The first and most powerful were the Great Dragons (not to be confused with wyverns and lindworms). The Great Dragons of Veredor were allied with the Astarians in the Forgotten Age. There were originally dozens of dragons, but most died in the first wars of the Forgotten Age fighting against massive armies of wyverns and other lesser known creatures of darkness. At the end of the first wars of the Forgotten Age only five dragons remained in Veredor. The remaining five dragons withdrew from Veredor soon after the end of the Forgotten Age. The dragons instructed the first Northern Sorcerers.

Draugs
– Draugs are described by the Astarians as dream shadows from the outer darkness. They do not exist in a physical body. They are living shadows that can move through solid objects and are often invisible to human eyes. Draugs can influence the thoughts of men. They can create dreamlike illusions. They can be killed by magic and flee from the goodhearted. Ri Draugs are particularly powerful draugs who can possess and enslave the minds of men and other creatures through temptation and desire. They do this to consume the essence of their victims.

Ecorian Arbiters
– Ecorian Arbiters were the precursors to the later monarchies of Veredor in the time after the end of the Ecorian Empire. In order to rule Veredor justly, the Ecorian Emperor chose ten Ecorian Arbiters to govern the provinces of the empire. They were good and noble men who were revered by the people. They were all loyal to the Ecorian Empire. After the apparent death of Aluin Ecorian without an heir, the Ecorian Arbiters became the kings of the ten monarchies of Veredor and divided the Ecorian Empire. Several monarchies continued to claim lineage from the Ecorian Arbiters until the later ages. The bloodlines of the Ecorian Arbiters were considered to be truly noble and such a claim was often used to justify a right to rule.

Ecorian Emperors
– The direct descendents of Jerial the Just who was the first Ecorian Emperor of Veredor. They were revered emperors who worked for the good of all. The Ecorian Emperors vanquished evil from the lands and worked closely with the Fiorian Knights. They were revered by all and good to all. The first two Ecorian Emperors carried the Sword of Light, but the sword was lost in the River Siarglas in southern Iarthar. The last Ecorian Emperor was Aluin Ecorian. The continuation of the Ecorian line was unknown to the Ecorian Arbiters and hidden from them by the Fiorian Order, as by the time it was discovered the Ecorian Arbiters had already claimed power. The lineage of the Ecorians was protected and hidden throughout the later ages until the birth of Eben Ecorian.

Ecorian Empire
– The greatest empire in the history of Veredor. The Ecorian Empire was formed by Jeriel the Just who became the first Ecorian Emperor. The Empire spanned all the Southern Lands of Veredor from the Eastern Ocean to the Merhome Sea.

Elons Ecorian
– Elons Ecorian was born in the Gerish Highlands of Scaldonia. He was raised in a remote settlement by a Fiorian Knight named Roarna. Roarna was given the task of protecting the Ecorian lineage and the Sword of Midlight which was carried by the Ecorian. He trained Elons Ecorian in ancient lore and swordsmanship. As a young man Elons aided Roarna to infiltrate Kaznor in order to gain knowledge of the sorcerers Baramak and Azagord. Roarna and Elons later travelled south to Emeril. When Baramak invaded the Far Western Lands Elons went to the aid of the Irilian Order and the Kingdom of Iarthar. He was revered as a hero by all in the west and fought off the sorcerer Baramak’s first attempt to take control of the Southern Lands. On his return to Emeril he met the Fiorian Kaloren who had recently become the Gatekeeper of Emeril. At this time news came that Ortaria was under attack by the Northern Sorcerer Azagord. Elons Ecorian went west with Kaloren and a group of Fiorian Knights. Elons and Kaloren fell in love and were married in Stonehaven. They continued on to Ortaria as husband and wife. They battled Azagord and forced him and his army out of Ortaria. News arrived that Baramak had renewed his attack in the Far Western Lands. Elons went west to contest Baramak, but he was captured by Baramak and Callidus. Elons Ecorian was then taken as a prisoner to the Dungeons of Zarkanor.

Emeril –
Emeril is a fortress belonging to the Fiorian Order. Emeril was built in 1382 BL by Teodric as a home for the Fiorian Order. The secret path to Emeril is situated above the source of the Adira River. The fortress is built atop a mountain and has towers that reach high above a lush secret valley deep in the Great Mountains.

Erako the Hermit
– Erako was a knight of the Fiorian Order and a friend of Carlin and Roarna. He was a great warrior who fought alongside Kaloren in the liberation of Vastoria. He grew tired and old and retired to Clemensdale, a remote village in the wilderness of southern Ortaria. He later became the guardian and adoptive father of Eben Ecorian; however, he never knew that he was protecting the last Ecorian.

Eriulan
– The people of western Veredor are mostly descendants of the Eriulan colony. The Eriulan people settled in the land of Iarthar when men first arrived in Veredor after the first wars of the Forgotten Age.

Fiora
– Fiora was the most noble and goodhearted of the Astarians. Fiora carried the Sword of Light and was the greatest warrior of the Astarian people throughout the Forgotten Age. She battled the first invasions from the outer darkness and led the Astarians to many victories. She was considered the greatest of the Astarians in battle. She was a friend to men and mer and convinced the Astarians to bequeath Veredor to the two races, as there were few Astarians remaining after the first wars of the Forgotten Age. She founded the Knights of Shidon which later developed into the Fiorian Order. She battled the Prince of Shadows at the end of the Forgotten Age and sacrificed her power and essence to seal the Cosmic Gate against his return. Soon after sealing the Cosmic Gate she left Veredor to men and mer and never returned.

Fiorian Order, The
– The Fiorian Knights were founded by Toranah the Mystic in the year 2500 BL. Toranah was the last remaining knight of the Knights of Shidon. The Fiorian Order fought for the good of all people in Veredor and worked tirelessly against the powers of darkness throughout the ages. The Fiorian Knights focused their training on gaining a clear and true understanding of life. The Fiorian Knights use the same skills that were taught to the Knights of Shidon by the Astarian Fiora in the Forgotten Age. Fiorian Knights often live for hundreds of years due to a secret method of meditation taught to the Knights of Shidon by Fiora.

Fire Order, The
– The Astarian Lumen saw the good that Fiora had done for men by forming the Knights of Shidon. Lumen decided to teach men Astarian magic. Men could use the method of the Astarians, yet not to the same degree as the Astarians. The Fire Order was founded by Lumen’s students. They built the Tower of Fire at the northern edge of the Old Guardian Mountains at the sight of Lumen’s former home. Throughout history they remained aloof and were rarely seen outside of their stronghold. They are considered the most powerful of the three southern orders due to their system being complete and mostly unchanged from Lumen’s original teachings.

Gargoyles
– Gargoyles were made by the Astarians in the first wars of the Forgotten Age. The primary role of a Gargoyle was to protect the abodes of the Astarians. They are not living creatures as they were formed by the magic and craftsmanship of the Astarians. Several Gargoyles remained until the time of liberation.

Ghouls
– Ghouls are evil spectres who serve the Prince of Shadows. They were brought by the Prince of Shadows to Veredor when he first returned to Veredor after he spent an age wandering through the Desert of Eternal Loneliness. They were used by the Prince of Shadows to hunt down the Astarians who opposed his claim to rule Veredor. Ghouls were considered very powerful adversaries. They were also used as the personal guardians of the Prince of Shadows.