Chronicles of Fardel: The Rise of Syphon

In the early morning, before the sun had risen, the elves stealthily surrounded their helpless victims. They were sleeping, the guards they had posted had been quietly taken out. With none to warn them the elves were practically on top of them before any of them noticed. They made quick work of several thousand of them before the remainder ran out the gates with the elves close on their heels.

Unknown to most, Doon was among them and fled alongside Abah. Abah had grabbed him only just in time and they crouched behind a tree as the men fled out the gate. Most of them were falling before they even got out the gate.

"Quiet, let them chase the men out, then we make a run for it." Abah whispered in his ear, clasping his hand over his mouth. Doon trembled in fear as a man fell dead not far from them.

After several minutes as the sounds of battle died down they quietly snuck out the gate behind the elves. They could see their armor glistening in the moonlight, some distance away but not enough for comfort.

"I knew Carlon's plan to take Farmell was foolish, we should've waited for more troops. Where is he anyway?" Doon said in a trembling voice. Just then a flash of light roughly a half mile away showed them where Carlon was.

"Extra troops were sent for, but Carlon wanted the element of surprise. Had they seen more troops coming we would've lost that. He thought we could hold it until they arrived. But you're right it was foolish." Abah said as they began to quietly trudge along hoping to go around the elves flank unnoticed.

"So if you knew it was foolish why did you go?" Doon asked.

"Orders are orders, besides somebody had to keep the future King alive." Abah said gruffly.

Just then the elves broke off into several groups, picking off stragglers and cutting off their retreat. They were forced to run SouthEast toward the Lebannon forest instead of toward Zolon. Another flash of light lit up the sky, now further away, but enough that it gave them away. Soon they were running across the Iren Fields with elves not far behind. Tripping over old unseen foundations of ancient forgotten buildings slowing their escape. When it seemed all hope was lost, they blindly fell into an old cellar. The old rotten overgrown wood door gave way and they fell into pitch darkness. There was a sudden splash and the sound of scurrying rodents as they hit the ground with a groan.

"Are you injured?" Abah said trying to pick him up, they were standing in a calf deep puddle. The air was moldy and had a scent of old urine.

"I hit my head, I'm a little dizzy but I think I'm alright. Where are we?" Doon replied as the elves got to where they had fallen in.

Abah clasped his hand over Doon's mouth again and as quietly as possible drug him out of the line of torch light. Their breath came out hard and they began to feel the fall a bit more. Torchlight lit up the water beside them.

"I think they fell down in this old dungeon, should we go after them?" An elf said, not sounding too keen on the idea.

"No, if they're down there they have the jump on us. If we climb down they'll kill us before we reach the water. Post a couple guards at the top, at least until we've routed them all." Lieutenant Luwts said.

The sun was beginning to come up as they slowly made their way away from where they had fallen in. Feeling along the wall, cold and aching, they made their way inch by inch. After some time light began to come in here and there, not enough to really illuminate, but enough to steer by. What seemed to be old beds, a few bones, some rocks, and some old rusty gates were vaguely visible.

"This must be one of the old Pelishty dungeons, they kept slaves down here." Abah said as they looked up at a few grates in the ceiling and a few other raggedy wooden doors.

"Do you think we can reach any of those doors?" Doon asked shivering.

"If the stairs leading up to them aren't rotted out yeah. Honestly we're lucky we didn't fall on stairs."

"Yeah well I think we fell on the remains of what used to be stairs. Wasn't a whole lot better."

"Better than hitting multiple times at least it was just one big smack." Abah said, Doon gave him an unseen glare.

The doors however either had no stairs left or the moment they put weight to them they collapsed. However they did manage to make a torch out of some old wood and a raggedy old blanket and a little fuel. After looking around it was quite evident that it had once been a dungeon for slaves. Some of which had never left as their bones littered the floor. Doon could only imagine what could have possibly gone on there at one time. It was a very large room capable of housing possibly a thousand men. What looked like huge trays with old ropes lay in various places, probably for lowering food down through the grates. Little guard would have been needed as all the exits would've been locked.

"Do you think this place was punishment for bad slaves?" Doon asked.

"Likely, this was home. Families would live in these, usually several different owners. The leftovers from what their owners ate was lowered down by sections that they owned, or rented more like. We still have things like this in Zolon, though slavery is outlawed now. Now they're used as prisons."

"I'm guessing they had just as much to fear from their fellow slaves." Doon said looking at a skeleton, Abah gave him a knowing glance.

"To an extent, although fatalities were rare I'm sure. Serious injuries or killings could have bad repercussions. However small injuries, lack of food, rape probably common."

"Well how do we get out of here?" Doon asked.

"Well if we can get through one of these rusty gates, it should lead to some passages and eventually back up to the surface."

As Abah and Doon trudged through puddles they began to hear tapping sounds, as if someone was tapping on the walls with long nails. They looked around and seen nothing. They scanned what they could see, which wasn't much. Then suddenly one of the gates randomly swung opened with a clang. Both men jumped and after a few moments of silence they moved toward it. Abah moved the torch around the small passage. It was only wide enough for the men to walk single file with stone walls.

"Do we follow it?" Doon said in a trembling voice.

"You got a better idea?" Abah said smugly.

"Oh I don't know, but walking down a creepy tunnel underground with magic gates that open without hands or wind... not very high on my to do list."

"Ah, where's your sense of adventure?" Abah jested. As he did they heard the tapping sounds again, behind them. Looking back they seen what almost looked like cat eyes glowing in the dark. Only they were roughly seven feet off the ground.

"Creepy tunnel it is." Doon said and they quickly went in and shut the gate.

They moved quickly looking back periodically, but to all appearances whatever it was wasn't following. They followed the path which winded for most the day. Close on evening they came to a door that emptied out into the Lebannon forest. The forest reminded Doon sharply of the Forest of Illusions, only there was no fog.

"No trail, I don't suppose you have a compass?" Doon asked.

"Nope, but if we go in any direction it's good."

"I don't see how that's possible."

"We run into Ruden, the sea, the Iren Fields, or the valley of bones. Ruden is an ally, Iren Fields are probably empty and fastest route home. The sea or valley of bones wouldn't be ideal, but wouldn't be bad."

"Can't imagine a valley of bones is good."

"It's not even a true valley, more like a plain with some rolling hills. Ruins and old bones scatter the landscape. But nothing to be afraid of."

About that time a horrible shrieking sound came from the passage behind them. It was high pitched and followed by what sounded like running feet. Fear gripped both of them and they began running blindly. A fog seemed to roll in behind them, moving faster then they could run. Soon it overtook them and engulfed the their entire sight.

"This isn't a natural fog, is it?" Doon asked as they hid side by side, backs against a tree.

"No, I've never seen fog do that before. Never move that fast, or come that suddenly." Abah replied. He attempted to look across the landscape for any threats. However, all he could see was a few trees, the rest just a white mist.

"What way do we go?" Doon asked.

"Pick one, I don't have a compass, your guess is as good as mine." Abah said angrily, obviously annoyed that Doon kept asking the same question.

"How bout whatever direction that things isn't." Doon replied, breathing hard and attempting to see where it was.

"Well, it could be anywhere... so let's just keep going and hope for the best."

They walked through the day and into the night, never escaping the fog. Periodically the creature would chase them a certain direction for a distance, never allowing then to fully see it.

"I think it's herding us like cattle to the slaughter." Doon said panting after several hours of walking and running.

"It must be herding us toward the Baylon Sea, any other direction we would've come to the end of the woods by now." Abah put in.

"Why? There's nothing there, just trees and water?" Doon replied.

"How should I know why? I'm just saying, and what makes you think it's got a location in mind? Maybe it's just trying to tire us out so we can put up a fight."

"I don't know, it feels more sinister then simply a hungry beast. I think if us tired is all it wanted it would've attacked by now."

Abah began to answer, the look on his face implied anger, but before he could a high pitched shriek filled the air. The sound of feet running toward them permeated their ears, and Abah shoved Doon and they both started running again. Not long after they came to a log cabin in the middle of the woods. They quickly rushed inside and slammed the door. The creature, whatever it was, paced back and forth on the porch. It scratched at the door and then it was on the roof clawing at it. Abah and Doon worked as fast as they could, throwing tables and other furniture in front of the windows.

"What if this is where it wanted us?" Doon said, trembling slightly from fear.

"Where it can't get us? No, you're overthinking this, it's just a beast."

"A beast that can conjure an unnatural fog, and herded us perfectly all day to this exact spot! Maybe you're not looking into it enough!" Doon yelled.

With that the beast left and all was quiet outside again.

"Well make yourself comfortable cause I'm not going any further until I get some sleep." Abah said and plopped down on a couch.

"Who do you suppose made this cabin? Out in the middle of nowhere?" Doon asked, but Abah ignored his question grabbing a book that was on a small table and lighting a candle. After reading it for a bit he gave Doon an answer.

"Hoff built this cabin, this is his diary. Latest entry is dated thousands of years ago though.

"Hoff? Why does that name ring a bell? What's it say?" Doon asked.

"I've managed to dig a new burial sight, but with most of the world burying their dead, and mending their own wounds. It seems I alone am left to care for the once great city Isria. Even Eloff has left the charge, inspite of his dear friend's death there, I think it is too much for him to bear. Arden is still missing, I fear the worst, but if any could survive it would certainly be him. Though I fear he may be trapped or even taken prisoner. In these days of rebuilding and mourning, those who seek power see their chance and take it ruthlessly. Looting, riots, and murder have become a daily normal from what I understand, the lack of leadership and law is just as deadly as the trial we have only just survived. Also, on a side note, Kaz has been snooping around here lately. How or why is beyond me, but he isn't attacking me. At least not yet, just watching, yet I feel his anger brewing. I may have to get Eloff's help in this task soon because of him. Elemental elf or not I don't dare to face Kaz alone, I know that even with my power and battle knowledge I am no match for him. Then it says the date which was August 15th 0001. Signed Hoff. I'm guessing 0001 is just after Pelishty fell right?"

"No, the years start over just after the trial of fire. So the last time he was here that we know of was just after the last trial of fire." Doon replied

"What was Isria, I don't recall ever hearing about it?"

"I'm not sure, but the way he writes I would guess it was a military city. Destroyed during the trial of fire perhaps. Do you think the creature that's been chasing us is Kaz?"

"Anything is possible I guess but if it were intelligent and as powerful as Hoff says why not just come in after us?"

"Okay you have a point there. But what if it's not trying to kill us, what if it just wants us afraid?"

"Well mission accomplished, but either way, I got a roof over my head and I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Abah rolled over on the couch and Doon began to explore the cabin.

He took the candle and walked slowly up the taking in the musty smell. His thoughts pacing. Old cabin, new furniture. Hoff supposedly hasn't been here for thousands of years, and Kaz whoever he is, possibly still in the vicinity. Then his thoughts strayed to Ember, Abeh, and Ollen wondering if they were alright. Abah's soft snoring cam from down stairs and he glanced down toward the dark room, it felt ominous.

"How is it all the interior is new if nobody's been here for ages?" He whispered to himself running his hand through his hair. Slowly making his way up the creaking stairs he found a room with a new bed. Suddenly he felt very tired and he cast off his shoes and laid down setting the candle on the night stand. Upon rolling over he felt something wrap it's arm around him. He shrieked and instantaneously he jumped out of the bed snatching up the candle with a swift motion. He seen and old bearded man with piercing blue eyes staring at him.

"Are you Hoff?" The man made no answer, Doon leaned in closer. His clothes were new, but he noticed the man was not blinking, or breathing. He shivered and screamed louder, realizing he'd just been held by a corpse.

"Will you stop yelling I'm trying to sleep!" Abah yelled out.

"Abah, Abah come up here!"

"Maybe I would if I had a light!"

Doon ran back downstairs and grabbed Abah.

"Hoff's corpse is laying in the bed upstairs!"

"Ha ha is that all, so you snuggled up to a corpse find a different place to sleep it's just for the night."

"No, you don't understand! There was no smell of death, his clothes are new, he's not decomposed at all. This happened recently, very recently."

"Show me." Doon took him up and showed him the body. Abah examined it closely for a few minutes looking over the skin until he found what he was looking for.

"No, this wasn't recent the body has a preservation incantation on it. It keeps the smell away and the body will not decay."

"Okay, then explain the new clothes do they have a preservation spell too?"

"No, not mention clothes like this didn't exist in his day. He's a trophy, and the killer has likely changed his clothes multiple times."

"You mean someone actually comes in and changes his clothes?"

"Yeah, pretty sick huh." Abah said with an uncomfortable chuckle. A su9dden piercing shriek was heard outside, they both ran to the balcony. They seen nothing but black at first, then up on a tree branch roughly twenty feet off the ground they seen eyes looking at them. The thing shrieked again, a piercing shriek that hurt their ears, and it jumped down landing with barely a sound. They quickly barricaded the balcony door and drew their weapons looking nervously a8t eachother. 9

"If an elemental elf had no power against him, what chance have we got?" Doon whispered.

"Chance or no chance I'm not going down without a fight!" Abah said back angrily. Suddenly there was a tapping on the front door, like somebody hitting the door with something metallic softly, yet hard enough to dig into the wood. Tap, tap, tap it moved across the wall, it was circling the house now like a vulture tapping on the cabin the whole way.

Then it was on the balcony just outside from where they stood, tapping on the door and staring in through the window at them.

"Trapped like a rat, my prey, ready to join my other trophies." The thing said.

Doon gulped but Abah only yelled back and hit the door with his sword.

"How will you kill us if you can't even get in!?" Abah yelled, knowing full well the beast was toying with them like a cat with a mouse.

"If I kill you..." the beast clicked his teeth and shook his finger. "Too quick, can't savor all the emotions, no this is more fun." His eyes glowed green for a moment and he chanted under his breath. Hoff's corpse stood up taking a sword that had laid hidden he swung at their legs. They jumped back and Abah beheaded him. Immediately after they heard a commotion down stairs. Flooring coming apart and slow moving footsteps.

"Doon get behind me!" Abah yelled but Doon couldn't hear him, he was in a trance.

Doon stood in a Barren land, a mountainous desert, everything seemed distant or faded. Kaz stood before him, tall and menacing.

"Now you know where to find me, when you're ready. And I will make your dream of ruling the world a reality."

"What of my comrad?"

"Expendable, as are you, if you think I need you you're sadly mistaken."

"I will return, when I'm ready, you can use me as your vessel, only save both of us alive now." Doon said, Kaz smiled grimley.

"Agreed." He took Doon's hand and Doon felt a shiver run through his arm and down his spine. Suddenly he was back in the cabin, Abah was yelling at him while trying to keep the door closed. Several corpses were banging on the opposite side. A portal suddenly opened behind him and Doon grabbed Abah and jumped through it. The corpses weren't far behind, the portal closing only just in time. The screams of the corpses echoed briefly in an empty land. A few tattered buildings dotted the landscape, off to their right were some mountains and immediately behind them a forest. Thousands of dry human bones scattered the landscape.

"Where are we?" Doon asked shaking slightly.

"I'd like to know where that portal came from, but I know where we are. We're in the Barren Lands just East of the Iren Fields. That is the Lebannon Forest." Abah replied

"How do you know?" Doon asked

"The bones, it's a dead giveaway, pun intended." Abah laughed. "Now about that portal, how did it get there?"

"How should I know?"

"Well you were in a trance and then suddenly you weren't and you're throwing me through a portal. I'm not a simpleton, you made a deal with him."

"Only to save us, I won't hold up my end."

"Fool, do you really think he's someone to just let you not keep a deal? No matter for now, if we follow those mountains we'll get back to Zolon. My condolences my friend, when he comes to collect."