Chronicles of Fardel: The Rise of Syphon

Kephiyr woke to the sound of fire popping and Eloff handing out breakfast.

"You slept in, by about half a hour. We're going to need to be going soon, if we want to reach the edge of Zolon by sundown."

"Sorry usually I'm up sooner, don't know what happened."

"No matter, eat some breakfast quickly and we'll be off."

After a quick breakfast they set on the road again. Airidel hummed a tune quietly as the cool breeze blew through the land. Their trip was done mostly in silence and fairly hurried. They didn't meet a soul on the way, though they did see a large herd of Buffalo and a few deer. Not long later they seen mountains on the eastern horizon. These mountains were the Eastern edge of Zolon's border, where Zolon met Gutok. The two are ever at war with eachother. As a result the men of Zolon, especially those living close to the wall, are exceptionally strong.

"I want to stop at the carpenter Meni's house, he is the father of my friend Bren. Maybe Bren is there or he can tell me where he is. We can hopefully stay with him tonight." Kephiyr said.

"Fair enough, how long has it been since you seen Bren?" Eloff asked.

"Oh, since before I lived at the castle."

"Long time, do you think he will remember you?"

"Bren will remember me for sure, and he's one of the kindest people I've ever met."

There was a sudden silence as thunder rolled through the clouds above. Lightning flashed and a light rain began to fall.

"Well any more stories of the old days? Like of Pelishty, Ceth, or Corth?" Doon asked.

"Well technically Ceth and Corth were both part of Pelishty they just outlived it." Eloff answered.

"Trust me, Pelishty is better off remaining dead. It was a cruel and merciless country. Death was a common punishment for many different offenses and the death was rarely quick. Usually it was made as a spectacle for the public." Airidel said.

"You mean as entertainment?" Kephiyr asked.

"Yes, depending on your crime you were forced to fight for your life against other convicts. This would never stop you would fight over and over until you died. You might be fed to wild beasts, burned alive, gutted alive, you name it. One thing they were creative with was ways to kill." Airidel said.

"I thought the elves ran Pelishty? Never figured the elves to be brutal." Kephiyr said.

"No, the elves were just why Pelishty was so dominant for so long. Humans were in control, though the elves were just as much to blame. Pelishty fell only one hundred years before the last trial of fire." Airidel said.

"How was it finally conquered?" Doon asked.

"It wasn't, it imploded. The elves and wizards were the backbone of Pelishty. Most of the wizards left to join us in Elcor. There became such discord between the different sects of elves that they split. The men of different families seemed to have the same discord. Without the elves and the economic advantage they brought the men were quickly at eachothers throats. Pelishty slowly decayed until it was all but a memory. The men of that land went their separate ways going to the islands, and became the three island nations. The different sects of elves became Farmell, Hemen, Naru, and Elton." Airidel said.

"Elton? Never heard of them." Doon said.

"They didn't exist long they were utterly destroyed in the last trial of fire. Have you heard of the valley of ash?"

"Yes I have."

"That was Elton. They say a dark creature stalks that valley still."

"So this trial of fire stuff; it's not just a myth?" Doon asked. Eoff and Airidel exchanged glances.

"I wish." Airidel said.

"How much further to the city, I'm getting soaked out here." Kephiyr grumbled.

"If we gallop we could be there in a half hour." Eloff replied and they began to gallop as the thunder rolled over head. Doon shouted up.

"Well, how did Phemon come about then?"

"Why so inquisitive?" Airidel shouted back.

"I like history; and a lot of it remains unexplained."

"About three thousand years later the elves tried to rejoin. Those who remembered Pelishty and particularly the amots seen it as a threat. They tried to wipe the elves out. Most of the elemental elves fled to the desert and formed Phemon, the rest in order to keep peace, sign a covenant to never join forces again."

"Who needs a history book when you have people who seen it?" Doon laughed.

"You won't find most of this in history books. The books are written by those who've hanged heros and they change the history to their liking."

"That's a sad thought. What about the Dwarven archives? Are they accurate?"

"As accurate as possible. Though difficult to find certain details unless you know where to look." Eloff replied.

They finally rode into the largest city since Ithen. This city was right on the edge of Zolon's eastern border and protected by a twenty foot wall. This wall stretched from the mountains in the south to the sea in the north-west and had one gate which was in this city. It was built mostly of stone with about a quarter of the buildings being wood. Most of them were great towering buildings. The city's name was Athen, it had a sister city to the south across the Montuay River that flowed between them. It's name was Jeru, these two were the only big cities in the whole of Zolon save for Ithen.

After asking some direction they found the house of Meni. They knocked and were greeted by the sound of ferocious barking.

"Down boys down. Buster, Praxair heel." Came a voice from inside. Meni opened the door and initially thought they were customers.

"You'll have to be patient, Fanden and I are behind schedule I know. If you want to lodge a complaint talk to Fanden, I just work here." He began to shut the door.

"I'm actually an old friend of your son Bren. I was wondering if you could tell me where I can find him."

Meni opened the door completely and came out. He was a huge burley man standing six foot eight with arms the size of Kephiyr's thighs and broad shoulders. His deep growly voice lightened just a tad as he greeted them.

"Forgive me, Fanden and I are always busy between carpentry and masonry, I assumed that you were disgruntled customers. You won't find Bren in Zolon. He moved to Wolden, got training as a healer and a potion maker. Bunch of hocus pocus mumbo jumbo if you ask me, but he excelled at it."

"Well we will be heading that way, do you have room to lodge us for the night?"

"What sort of fool do you take me for? Lodging folks I don't know in my own home, how absurd!"

"You do know me, I'm Syphon, this is Doon son of Kelpon, Eloff the founder of Elcor, and his wife Airidel."

"Eloff and Airidel I trust, I trust you Syphon, I don't trust Kelpon."

"I am his son, and even I don't trust him." Doon interrupted.

"Indeed." Meni paused long studying them. "I'll ask the little lady wait here." After a few moments and some muffled talking Meni came back out.

"Alright, come in. I hope you brought your own supper cause we've already ate." Meni said opening the door.

Kephiyr was taken back by Meni's dogs, they sounded large but nothing like this. Each dog was nearly five feet from foot to the top of their head and each had three tails. They had pointy ears that stuck straight up adding another three inches to their height. Buster the male was nearly pure white and the female was white and black. Each wore a strange collar with a green gem on it. They seemed to respond to Meni without a word from him, most of the time.

"I've never seen dogs like these before."

"Aye, not likely to again, they're quite rare. Especially good for battle."

"Why is that?"

Meni looked at Buster who immediately fetched him a knife, and then at Prax who fetched him a five inch thick piece of wood. Without hesitation Meni stabbed Buster with all his strength. Buster only swayed but didn't flinch. Then he moved back the fur to revealed hardened scales instead of skin.

"They are nearly impervious to weapons. And watch this." He held the wood by Prax's tails which she immediately sliced into pieces. Then he pulled back the reveal what almost looked like three swords for her tails.

"And that's not all." He looked at Prax who promptly revealed four inch razor sharp teeth and five inch cat-like claws on each foot.

"I wouldn't want to be on their bad side that's for sure."

"They're called armored war hounds, but they also make great companions and watch dogs."

"How did you train them to be so in tune with you?"

"Their collars and my necklace give us a psychic link. I can hear their thoughts, they can hear mine." He revealed a necklace that looked much the same.

"Where did you get them I'd love a dog like that?"

"Well I found them as pups, but I do have one pup left over from their last litter."

"Really! How much?"

"These dogs are worth six hundred sheckles a piece, but I'll cut the price in half for you. And because it's difficult to take care of two, don't wanna try and provide for three."

"Done." Kephiyr immediately started counting out his sheckles as Meni fetched the pup. The pup was already about two feet tall and was jet black with emerald green eyes.

"Has he got a name yet?"

"Her name has been Bear, cause she has a massive amount of strength for her age. But she's young enough you could change it if you like." He handed him a necklace and put the collar on Bear.

"Bear, can you hear me? I'm your new owner."

"Yes, I hear you. But we are companions you don't own me." Bear responded and licked him.

"Fair enough, I like the sound of that better anyway."

"Me too."

"Wow that's amazing I can hear her voice in my head, and she responds to my thoughts." Kephiyr exclaimed.

"She won't respond to all your thoughts, just as you won't hear all of hers. You have to consciously direct your thought toward her and visa versa." Meni said. They sat down to their dinner and Kephiyr shared a good portion of his with Bear. Then they turned in for the night.

They woke early and headed for the gate. The sun was barely rising as they gazed across the Iren Fields. A mist was in the air and it almost made the fields seem a haunted place. Herds of Buffalo could be seen in the distance, and to the south the gates of Gutok stood. Like a spike of evil in an otherwise beautiful landscape.

"It sure is a big world out here." Bear leaned up against Kephiyr and he patted her side and rubbed her back.

"It's not all that big, it's much smaller then you'd think." Kephiyr responded and mounted Brendor. They all mounted their horses and headed Northwest toward Farmell. The ruins of Ceth and Corth were just on the edge of vision, tall weather beaten towers loomed in the distance. Farmell's wooden wall was also on the edge of vision a little more then a days march. The journey was quiet and uneventful. Bear chased a few small snakes and had to be pulled back so they wouldn't be delayed. They made camp again about five miles away from Farmell and had a quick dinner before going to sleep.

By mid-day they had reached Farmell's southern gate. Farmell's wall were huge logs roughly twenty five feet tall and spiked on the top. Inside you could see enormous evergreens that dwarfed the walls.

"Be on your guard, do not tarry in Farmell. The elves are kindly to strangers, but Farmell has had frequent disputes among locals. Different families have been fighting eachother for the last seventy years, these disputes are sometimes fatal. You don't want to be caught in the crossfire." Eloff said.

The gate opened and they noticed that Farmell had wooden buildings on the ground and tree houses as well. All the buildings were beautifully carved with the elven star and depictions of nature.

"Why are they hostile toward eachother?" Doon asked.

"It's primarily two factions that believe two different ways. Yet close enough to the same belief to cause friction." Airidel replied.

A beautiful waterfall fell in the distance just behind a set of trees.

"That waterfall marks our one hundred miles to go." Eloff said.

"One hundred miles?" Doon sighed.

"Not today. There are four waterfalls through Farmell from North to South. The palace lies between falls two and three." Airidel said.

"We'll get an Inn for the night." Eloff said.

"There seems no break to the city." Doon said.

"It doesn't, all of Farmell is one large city." Eloff replied.

"And a well defended one at that." Kephiyr said looking up with a smile at the bridges connecting every tree together.

"Yes, imagine those bridges and tree houses full of Archers and warriors on the ground. It's well defended but not impervious." Eloff said.

"When are we stopping, I'm tired." Bear prompted Kephiyr and he jumped off Brendor and gave her some Jerry and a drink.

"Here in just a little bit, we just have to go to the Inn." The Inn was up in the trees and they all got their own rooms. Bear cuddled up to Kephiyr and they fell asleep.

The next morning Kephiyr was forced to cook breakfast as Eloff had actually slept in. Afterward he came and knocked on Eloff's door, and he opened it blinking.

"You're late, we need to get going soon."

"Yes, sorry I tend to sleep in when I... Um no matter we'll be out shortly." Eloff shut the door. "Dear, get dressed we slept in."

"I think you're probably happy he didn't finish that sentence." Bear said who was at his side.

"Ewe, actually I hadn't thought about it until now. Thanks for that."

"Your welcome." Bear said with a little giggle. Kephiyr couldn't tell if she didn't catch his sarcasm or if she was jetting back. He handed her some jerky and got her some water and sat down to eat. And tried to picture anything except Eloff and Airidel together.

"What are we eating?" Eloff asked walking into the room.

"Biscuits and gravy, sunny side up eggs, and bacon." Kephiyr said without looking up from his plate.

"You guys must have slept real good you're never up this late." Doon said.

"Your friend doesn't have very good senses, doesn't he realize they..."

"Please, don't finish that thought Bear, I don't want to think about it."

"Yes, we slept well." Eloff said and started dishing up.

"So where are we going today?" Bear asked.

"To the palace, we should hopefully be there by sundown. It's a long journey though do you think you can keep up?"

"Yes of course, in fact I may wait for you slow people there."

"Oh really, well I personally hope you stay by my side, I enjoy your company."

"I enjoy yours as well. I'm not too sarcastic for you?"

"No, you're not, I had a feeling you were doing that on purpose."

"Yes I was, I find it funny how you people are so uptight about a natural thing."

"I just don't want to picture it."

Bear giggled and they finished their breakfast.

When they got into the main part of the city Kephiyr was surprised at the crowds. Farmell was quiet at evening but in the day it was very busy with both elves and wildlife. Deer walked unafraid through the streets, and several types of birds flew this way and that. There were also badgers and big armored ant eaters and chipmunks and squirrels. There was a constant chirping sound.

"Those chirpy things in the trees sure are annoying." Bear murmured. Kephiyr laughed.

"They're called squirrels, they're your kinds longest standing enemy for that exact reason."

They headed north taking it fairly easy, not that they were able to rush with the crowds. They took in the sights and sounds of the forest city.

"The animals here, it's like they're one with the people." Doon said.

"Hunting is not permitted Farmell at all. Doing so would land you in deep trouble. Thus the animals are not afraid." Eloff replied.

"They keep it this way so people will come to see the animals. And thus also spend money. Farmell is the safest place to observe many different types of animals. And also be close to modern accommodations." Airidel said.

"Yes, I can see that, I've already lost count of the types of animals I've seen. But what about the internal fueds, doesn't it effect them?"

"To an extent but the elves of both sides are careful not to harm the animals."

Most of that day was spent in silence, the travelers taking in the sights. Everything from snakes and deer to bears and lions, all tame to an extent. When they reached the palace close to nightfall Kephiyr was surprised at how it was able to stand.

The palace was up in the trees and it was so large Kephiyr thought there must be fifty trees growing through it. The winding staircase up to it was made of wood and covered with a living carpet of plants and flowers. Each step on the staircase seemed to produce a new and wonderful fragrance. When they reached the top there was a thin layer of see-through gold as the floor. Design had been put into it to make it seem like a giant leaf of a tree. Two guards stood by the entrance to the palace. They were wearing a teal blue colored armor with the elven star etched in gold on the helmet. The helmet came to a point in the back. The breast plate looked as though it was set in layers. They wore a golden cape that draped around them. The cape was a magical cape, in any part of them that the cape covered seemed to disappear.

"Good evening gentlemen, I have traveled far to see your jarl and his wife." Kephiyr started.

"We know, your accommodations are ready. You will see the jarl and the lady on the morrow." The guards called the quartermaster to take them to their rooms. As they followed him Kephiyr was amazed at the beauty of the palace. Nearly everything was overlaid with gold or silver and that which wasn't was carved wood. The carvings were of various types, animals, plants, ships on the ocean. These carvings were on every wall, ceiling, and floor. The whole of the palace was like an interwoven tapestry. Almost as if there was rhyme or reason to it, yet it all fit together at the same time. The quartermaster brought then to their rooms.

"If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to give me a ring. If you pull this cord here it rings a bell in my quarters. Will there be anything else you need at the moment?"

"No, good sir, thank you for your service."

Kephiyr gave him three sheckles and they turned in for the night.

Kephiyr stood staring at the stars, the city was alive with sound around him. Yet he was unable to look around, he wasn't sure why, perhaps he was just too captivated by the stars, which were exceptional. Then suddenly he noticed that the stars began to move and change color. Swirling in circles and changing between white, blue, red, and green. A hush came over the city around him but still he couldn't look. Faster and faster the stars swirled then suddenly they stopped. Without warning the stars began to fall from the sky and the silence around him changed into sheer terror. People were screaming, running this way and that. The sound of explosions filled the air and he was lifted up into the sky. He woke up to Bear licking his face.

"You were screaming in your sleep." She said.

"Really, that's odd it wasn't even that scary of a dream. Still I can't shake the feeling that there was more to it."

"Well it's still night, perhaps you should go back to sleep."

"Yes perhaps I'll get some insight into what it meant."

However he did not conclude his dream and woke up to the sound of Eloff knocking on his door.

"It's time to go see the jarl, wake up."

"Alright, I'll be out in a minute just let me wash up." He replied.

"May I come too." Bear asked snuggling up to him.

"I think you'd better wait here, it is the jarl afterall." She sighed and rolled over for him to rub her belly. He rubbed her belly a little then kissed her head and washed up to see the jarl.

As they approached the throne room Kephiyr noticed a white wooden double door. The door was carved more beautifully than any other and was blocked off by a golden chain.

"Where does that door lead?" He asked.

"That's the room of visions, only high ranking elves are permitted inside." Airidel replied.

"Would you be allowed in then?"

"In the one at Naru, yes. Here I would not be permitted. Every elf country has a room of visions."

They came to the entrance of the throne room and Eloff greeted the three guards warmly.

"Effen, Ethoras, and Nolan. Three of the best warriors and biggest scalywags I've yet to come across. How have you been?" He punched at them playfully.

"Effen! Wow the Queensguard, following in your father's footsteps I see." Kephiyr said.

"Do I know you?" Effen replied.

"It's been a very long time, my name now is Kephiyr but when we were friends, you would've known me as Syphon."

"Syphon! No it can't be! Syphon the peasant boy is Kephiyr the wraith slayer?"

"The same."

"Well you certainly have done well for yourself. Last time I saw you, you didn't even have a bed or a roof."

"And last time I saw you, you drank and smoked a lot. You worked hard at partying, now the Queensguard."

"How are you the Queensguard when there is no queen?" Doon asked.

"Don't look too much into it, it's just a title." Effen replied.

"Well it's been great to see you after all these years. However, I do need to go see the jarl."

"Of course, perhaps sometime we'll have a few drinks?"

"Definitely, I'll look you up when I'm not so busy."

Effen opened the door into the throne room and they stepped in. Jarl Melek and his madam Lileth sat on their thrones in a wide open room. The floor was the same living carpet as on the stairs leading up. Behind them arching windows looked out over the Ara sea. Lileth had very long golden hair that reached her hips and sky blue eyes. She too wore a small silver crown and her robe was white, blue, and gold with vines and the elven star imprinted on it. When she spoke her voice was both soft and strong. Like the sound of a babbling brook and pounding sea waves all at once.

"This is our gift to you wraith slayer. Arnen the bow of our kings." Lileth said, rising and handing Kephiyr a beautiful long bow made of dark wood. Vines and the elven star were etched in gold on it.

"It is a blessed bow, not just an average bow. It has many powers that we ourselves are bot even fully aware of." Lileth said smiling.

"Thank you your grace. And now we ask your leave."

"You have it."

Kephiyr and Doon left, but Eloff and Airidel stayed a moment longer to discuss a few matters about upcoming events.