The Veredor Chronicles: Book 03 - The Gate and Beyond (9 page)

‘We must wait for the snowstorm to pass,’ said Meara. The company removed their ice covered cloaks and laid them against the wall of the cave. They then huddled close to the fire.

‘I have never felt so cold,’ said Cassiel as he held his pale hands near the fire.

‘Tomorrow we will arrive at the Star King’s cave,’ said Mostyn. ‘We are about two hours from the entrance. He is not known for his hospitality, but we can hope for a warm welcome.’

The blizzard continued for the entire day and into the night. Mostyn’s magical barrier and fire kept the cold at bay. The company slept that night in the warmth of the cave. By morning the icy weather had passed. As the sun rose across the mountains Eben stepped out of the cave. He looked out at the majestic vista of towering snow covered mountains that surrounded the thin ledge. Many questions flowed through his mind; chief among his question was how he could cross Fiora’s Bridge. What was the secret? A few moments later Red walked over and stood beside him.

‘Quite a view,’ said Red as he stared out at the beams of light reflecting off the mountainsides.

‘Beautiful,’ said Eben. ‘I hope the day will never come when men have to leave Veredor behind.’ Eben lifted his eyes and looked to the cloudy sky above.

‘That day will never come,’ said Red confidently.

‘You are always optimistic, Red.’ Eben had realised that much of Red’s character had been formed by the hardships he had faced early in life. ‘The snow falls from the clouds onto the mountains. It then melts and flows into the rivers. Eventually the water reaches the sea. All life depends on the flow of the water and that flow starts up here in the mountains. Everything in Veredor is connected, but for some reason men were not accepted by Veredor. Understanding this riddle is the key to us defeating the Prince of Shadows.’

‘I have no idea,’ said Red, shaking his head.

A moment later Cassiel came and stood with them on the ledge. ‘Have you ever seen such enormous mountains in all your life?’ he asked as he stared out with wonder in his dark eyes. ‘We must be close to the height of the range. It’s like standing on the roof of Veredor.’

‘It’s cold up on the roof,’ said Red.

‘Enjoy the cold while it lasts. Soon we may be facing the heat of dragon fire,’ said Cassiel.

A few moments later the rest of the company exited the cave. They were ready to move on. Mostyn led the way. They followed as the track continued along the ridge and then drove deeper into the mountains. The wind had ceased, and the bitter cold of the previous day had passed. The company made good progress throughout the morning. The mountain path led them around several massive peaks and then followed a high ridge covered with ice. The ridge led them to the side of the largest mountain they had seen since entering the Great Mountains.

‘This is it!’ exclaimed Mostyn.

They continued onward, and the trail led them around the side of the mountain. They came upon a large opening in the side of the mountain. Several mountain eagles circled high in the sky above the entrance. Mostyn led them up to the opening. It was about twenty feet wide and thirty feet high and looked to Eben like a natural cave.

‘No wizard of the Fire Order has ever entered this cave before,’ said Mostyn as he took from his pack a small oil lantern and proceeded to light it with a magic spark that danced on the tip of his finger. ‘We must be cautious. The Star King may not welcome our arrival.’

King Ignis, Duke Egil, and Red also lit their lanterns. It was then agreed that Eben should lead the way forward. Eben mounted the unicorn and rode slowly into the dark cave. The shimmering glow of the unicorn gave off a subtle white light that illuminated the way. The company followed closely after Eben. The cave took them deep into the mountainside. Eben rode forward and the way gradually descended. For at least ten minutes they continued. The cave was becoming damp, and Eben could taste moisture in the air.

Suddenly the way opened into a great underground cavern. The company stared out at a large lake that was directly in front of them. The ceiling of the cavern was made up entirely of glimmering crystals and reached hundreds of yards above the still surface of the lake. They stood at the edge of the water. It became instantly apparent that there was no way onward. The lake was about three hundred yards across, but they couldn’t clearly make out the opposing bank due to the lack of light.

Meara raised her hands; a bright white light ascended and lit the entire cavern. The crystal ceiling shimmered magnificently as the light reflected back. Eben looked out across the water and saw there was no bank on the other side, nothing but a cavern wall. His eyes scanned the edges of the lake, but there was no way onward.

‘Is this it? Is this the home of the Star King?’ asked Meara, looking to Mostyn.

‘No,’ said Mostyn. ‘He has built this lake to protect himself from the Fire Order. I can sense there is a way forward; however, the cave onward is completely submerged beneath the lake.’

‘Is it possible to swim?’ asked King Ignis.

‘No, it’s impossible. No one could swim so far.’

‘What about your magic?’ asked Duke Egil, looking to Mostyn.

‘I am of the Fire Order, not water,’ said Mostyn, shaking his head.

‘What about your magic, Meara?’ asked King Ignis.

‘I can freeze water to create bridges of ice, and I can move water, but I cannot move an entire lake.’

‘Then we cannot proceed. Maybe we can wait here for the Star King to come out,’ said Duke Egil gruffly.

Eben leapt down from the unicorn and went to the edge of the water. He closed his eyes and reached down to touch the surface. He felt the icy water and several gentle ripples crossed the lake. He focused his mind, and a moment later the water started to part. The company watched in amazement as the water retreated and a tunnel formed.

‘Eben, you’re a wizard!’ said Red. Eben didn’t answer. He focused his mind and the tunnel extended forward across the bottom of the lake and into the submerged cave on the opposite side.

‘He is of the mer,’ said Meara. ‘So it is true. The mer can manipulate water.’

Eben stood up and looked back at the company. ‘We should move quickly. I’m not sure how long I can hold back the lake.’

Without delay the company entered the tunnel through the water. They moved quickly forward and were amazed by the suspension of the water around them. They crossed the bottom of the lake and entered the cave opposite. The cave descended for a little time and then took a turn to the right and ascended and widened gradually before ascending for some time. Directly ahead they could see a dim light. The cave led them into a small cavern.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

On the far side of the cavern was a giant man seated on a huge stone throne that was hewn out of the mountain itself. The man, if he could be called a man, was dressed in furs and was at least ten feet in height. His long grey beard descended to his knees and his white eyebrows were thicker than any Eben had ever seen. His large grey eyes stared at them as they entered the cavern. He examined the company with an expression that was similar to a child examining ants in a garden. When the unicorn entered the chamber his eyes shifted and revealed a flicker of interest, but his curiosity quickly faded away.

The company stared at the Star King for several moments before Eben stepped forward. ‘My name is Eben Ecorian. I greet you with respect, Star King. I have come to seek you
r help. The Prince of Shadows has returned to Veredor. He has brought armies of monsters. Our race is threatened as are all who are good in Veredor.’

The Star King stared at Eben from behind his bushy eyebrows and remained silent. An entire minute passed and nothing was said.

‘Will you hear our request?’ asked Eben, thinking that the ancient one wouldn’t answer at all.

The Star King shook his head and looked down. In a deep grumbling voice he answered. ‘What is it to me if men are destroyed? Men have only given me trouble since I arrived in Veredor thousands of years ago.’

‘Don’t you want men to survive? Do you want the good of our world to be destroyed?’

The Star King laughed heavily. ‘Ecorian, have you not seen the evil that men do? I would question your assumption that men are good. Men seek power, men build walls and barriers, men exploit the vulnerable, and men feed off the innocent creatures of Veredor. No, Ecorian, my opinion of men is that they are not good.’

Eben was shocked by the Star King’s answer, but he quickly gathered himself and thought of a reply. ‘But men can be good. Men can choose to do what is right.’

‘That may be so, yet mostly they choose not to. There was a time when the Astarians hoped that men would make such choices, yet they did not then and they will not now.’

‘You refer to Fiora’s Bridge?’

The Star King laughed again. ‘You know of what I speak, Ecorian. Yes, I refer to Fiora’s Bridge. It was not crossed, and as far as I can see it cannot be crossed, at least not by any man from Veredor.’

‘Why not?’ asked Eben, hoping the Star King could shed some light on the matter.

‘Because the Cosmic Gate is built from the essence of Veredor. For thousands of years I have also tried to pass through the Cosmic Gate, but I, like you, am not of Veredor. To control the Cosmic Gate you must be in relationship with this world because the Cosmic Gate is fused to the essence of Veredor. To be in a true relationship with anything requires something that men, by their nature, cannot give.’

‘What must we give?’

‘Such things are obvious to the innocent and hidden from the powerful,’ grumbled the ancient one. He then slowly stood up and took his wooden staff which had been perched beside his throne. Eben could then see he only had one hand. The Star King then slowly walked toward the company. ‘What a powerful group of men you have gathered together, Ecorian. I am sure they make you feel safe. Do you think they are powerful enough to challenge the Prince of Shadows? Do you think they can protect you from such deadly enemies?’

‘We are powerful enough,’ said Duke Egil boldly.

The imposing giant stared down at Duke Egil and laughed again. ‘Perhaps you are; nevertheless, I am sure the Prince of Shadows will test your strength, and you may find that you have less power than you think.’

The Star King then stepped toward Eben. He slowly moved his staff forward and gently tapped it on Eben’s plate armour. ‘Tell me, Ecorian. Is the purpose of this fine armour to keep your enemies out or to keep you in?’

‘Of course my armour protects me from my enemies,’ replied Eben, feeling the question must be a riddle.

‘Do you wear your armour when you are at home with your friends and safe behind the walls of Faircastle?’

‘No,’ replied Eben, wondering what the Star King could mean.

‘Why not? Why not wear armour to protect yourself from your friends? Do you trust your friends enough not to wear your armour around them?’ asked the ancient one as if his question was quite valid.

‘That makes no sense; why would I wear armour to protect myself from my friends.’

‘I see,’ said the Star King as he looked away. ‘Walls, barriers, weapons, armour; it’s all the same.’ The Star King then walked back to his stone throne and sat down. ‘I cannot help you, Ecorian. The time of men in Veredor has finished. It would be best for you and your brave companions to leave and return to your homes. Celebrate and enjoy your final days before the Prince of Shadows destroys your race.’

‘There must be a way!’ said Eben, a tone of desperation in his voice. ‘Fiora’s Bridge must be crossed. Surely the problem with men can be cured.’

The Star King looked up for a moment and pondered Eben’s words. ‘A cure has already been found but not by a man from Veredor.

‘Then why must Fiora’s Bridge be crossed again?’

‘Each man must walk the path. Each man must climb the mountain. If you want to stay in Veredor you must do what was never done.’

‘But I don’t understand how to do that!’ said Eben.

‘Then you simply cannot defeat the Prince of Shadows,’ said the Star King impatiently. ‘Now you must all leave my home before I become angry. My patience has been tested long enough. You should be aware that I do not appreciate visitors.’

Mostyn stepped forward. ‘We came here to ask of you a favour. Could you open a gateway for us into Zarkanor?’

The Star King groaned deeply. His large grey eyes widened and revealed his anger. ‘A wizard of the Fire Order comes here to ask for my help. How times have changed! I have already helped you by not killing you for trespassing. If not for the Ecorian I would have already crushed your bones to dust. As a gift I will allow you to leave peacefully. Do not ask me for anything or I will make you wish you never entered this place.’

Mostyn was silenced and stepped back to join the company. For a few moments nothing was said.

‘Perhaps there is something we can give you in exchange,’ said Eben.

The Star King laughed deeply for quite some time. ‘There is nothing I want from men. There is nothing that men can give me, not even you, Ecorian.’

Eben reached into his armour and drew forth the Sun Stone that had been given to him by the mer. He held up the glowing crystal so all the company could see it.

‘See this stone I hold. It is the Sun Stone of the Astarians. Would you open a gateway for us if I was to give this to you?’

The ancient one stood up and stared wide-eyed with wonder at the crystal. ‘You would willingly trade the Sun Stone for this simple task?’

‘If you would open a gateway for us to Zarkanor,’ replied Eben.

‘For ages I have dreamt of the Sun Stone. Long has it been far from my grasp in the depths of the ocean. Indeed, for this I will open a gateway into the Fortress of Zarkanor. Yes, for this I would give anything.’

**

The Star King came down from his throne. ‘Follow me. I will take you to the Chamber of Gates. From there I will open a gateway to Zarkanor.’ The giant walked to the right side of the chamber and touched the wall of rock with his wooden staff. Instantly the rocks parted. They groaned and cracked as they formed an entrance into a secret tunnel that led away from the main chamber. The Star King looked back at the company.

‘I have never taken anyone through to the Chamber of Gates. Now that I have the Sun Stone I doubt I will come this way ever again. Follow me.’ The Star King’s entire demeanour had changed; his eyes were glowing, and he walked forward with a sense of vigour and purpose. Eben was first to follow, and Meara came quickly to his side.

‘You never told me that you possessed the Sun Stone,’ she said as they followed the Star King down the long tunnel.

‘Casimir told me not to mention it to anyone. He told me to give it to a person who I would meet with only one hand.’

‘Then Casimir knew we would seek out the Star King,’ said Meara. ‘He must have also known we would attempt to infiltrate Zarkanor. Let us hope that the Prince of Shadows does not see what Casimir can see, for he also has the Astarian ability to see what is hidden.’ Meara’s eyes looked to the Star King who was leading them onward. ‘The Sun Stone is a powerful relic of the Astarian people. With the Sun Stone he will be able to pass through the Cosmic Gate and find his way back to his home across the cosmos.’

They came to the far side of the tunnel which opened into a chamber with a perfectly domed ceiling. The shining floor of the chamber was made entirely of smooth crystal. The chamber was about forty yards in diameter, and the ceiling was about as high as the room was wide. A gentle light drifted up from the crystal floor and lit up their surroundings. The company all entered the chamber.

The Star King walked into the centre. ‘Zarkanor is a mighty fortress. Nothing, not even Faircastle, compares to it,’ said the ancient one. ‘I come from a world of builders and was brought to Veredor by the Prince of Shadows thousands of years ago. Over the course of a hundred years I built Zarkanor as a home for the Prince of Shadows. However, I was betrayed; when I had finished my task he refused to send me back to my world. I grew angry and attempted to force him to keep his side of our arrangement. Unfortunately, I was no match for the Prince of Shadows. He cast me out of Zarkanor. I was left for dead in the wilderness of Veredor where I wandered for many years. I then agreed to help the Astarian Fiora in her ongoing battle with the Prince of Shadows. I built the Fortress of Shidon in the north so she could contest the Prince of Shadows, but I did this only out of a desire for revenge.’

The Star King looked to the ceiling and raised his wooden staff. A blast of bright white lightning shot up from his staff and struck the top of the dome. It swirled for a moment and then disappeared.

‘The Prince of Shadows is entirely evil and desires nothing but power. If you do not stop him he will destroy Veredor.’ Again he lifted his staff and a second blast of lightning shot up and struck the height of the dome. ‘Zarkanor consists of three mighty outer towers, each a fortress in their own right. At the centre of the three towers is a central fourth tower, the mightiest fortress in all of Veredor. Your enemy will be waiting for you there. I will open a gateway into the lower levels of the northeast tower. From there you should be able to find your way onward. The gateway will remain open for an hour; only you can re-enter the gate, it will be invisible to all others. If you enter the gate from the other side it will take you back to the hills to the east of Faircastle.’

Again he lifted his staff and a mighty blast of lightning shot out. This time the raw white lightning didn’t dissipate. The pure lightning circled the dome ceiling at a blistering pace. The Star King held his staff up and the swirls of lightning gradually descended from the ceiling and back into the staff. He then vertically cut the air with his staff. A few moments later he reached forward and pulled apart the space in front of him like he was pulling back a curtain. He created an opening in thin air that led into darkness.

‘Are you ready, Ecorian?’ he asked as he looked back at the company.

‘Yes,’ replied Eben.

‘All your companions must go first. After you hand me the Sun Stone you can also go.’

The company walked forward and one by one they stepped through the gate into the darkness beyond. Last of all Eben was left with the unicorn. He then handed the Sun Stone to the Star King. The ancient one smiled as he lifted the glowing crystal in his hand, and his large happy eyes examined it closely.

‘Thank you, Ecorian. For a long time I have waited for this moment. I shall now return home to my people.’ The Star King then looked down at Eben. ‘I hope you understand the way to overcome the Prince of Shadows. Remember what I said about walls, barriers, armour, and weapons. Perhaps you will see the way across Fiora’s Bridge.’

Eben reached up and shook the hand of the ancient one. He then stepped toward the gateway with the unicorn at his side. ‘I hope you journey home brings you happiness.’ The Star King smiled one last time. With these words Eben and the unicorn stepped through the gateway.

Instantly they arrived in a dank and gloomy basement. A foul stench of rot permeated the room. The company were standing around and waiting to make a move. The room was small and looked to be an abandoned cellar. The only contents were many smashed bottles of wine. The stone walls were covered in thick mould and several rats huddled in the corner, frightened of the newcomers. A single tunnel led up and out of the cellar.