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The Eyrie snarled menacingly as Morgan, Lana, and Cassie
slowly backed away from him. They had not expected to be attacked upon entering
the gate, and were still trying to recover from the shock of suddenly being confronted
with a fierce old green Eyrie None of them knew what to make of it, and it was
a while before any of them responded.
"Excuse me sir," Cassie's voice quivered as
she spoke, but her eyes remained steady and practically glowed with a strange
light. "We would like to enter. My name is…" but she was interrupted by a sharp
gasp from the Eyrie
"Caesius! I had no idea. Please excuse my ferocity.
It is my job to protect Emrallis."
"Oh!" Cassie replied surprised at his recognition.
"Don't apologize for doing your job. We understand don't we," she said looking
pointedly over her shoulder at her unnerved friends. They both nodded mutely,
still trying to recover from the sudden and frightening appearance of the Eyrie
"My name is Aergon, and as I have already told
you, I am the Guardian of the Gate. If you will follow me, I can take you to
the Palace itself."
The threesome followed Aergon along a walkway
that spanned between the trees. As he led them towards the center of the forest,
he told them a little of Emrallis's history.
"Emrallis was built by a band of Eyries who
traveled here to escape from their numerous enemies. They voyaged here from
somewhere to the north, but the exact location has been lost in the annals of
time.
The Eyries soon established themselves in this
part of the country. They became renowned for their talented mages and seers.
It is believed that most of the prophesies that are still known today originated
form Emrallis and its occupants. Including, I might add, the legend of the Eye
of the Storm." At this Morgan and Cassie exchanged quick glances and then turned
their attention back to the Eyrie's story.
"The kingdom flourished and was famous all over
the land. It was lead by a wise and good king, Aerias, and his kind queen, Aerian.
Times were good, and everyone lived peacefully. Never before had the land yielded
such bounty, and those living here prospered. But, as always, such times must
eventually come to an end.
The king's younger brother, Aergath, was neither
wise, nor good. He was, in fact very greedy and plotted to murder his brother
and the queen. Unfortunately, his plan was partially successful. The king was
killed, but his queen escaped. It is said that she fled into another world.
The kingdom fell into disarray after the king's
death. He had no children, so his wicked brother was the only heir to the throne.
He destroyed all that had been accomplished during his brother's rein by taxing
the people unmercifully, and taking more from the land then it had to give.
One by one the inhabitants of Emrallis left
to escape the tyranny of Aergath. Eventually, Aergath fell ill and died alone
in the Palace. Emrallis was left forgotten for far too many years.
About fifty years ago, an Eyrie and his clan
happened to stumble upon it again and since then, we have been trying to restore
it to its original splendor. The land was spoiled, and it will take a long time
to heal. But it is healing." He finished his story with a faraway look in his
eyes.
Cassie looked at him and asked quietly, "Are
there still mages and seers here?"
Aergon smiled and said, "Yes, m'dear. There
are a few descendants of the original mages and seers who have found their way
back here."
"Good," Cassie replied, "I would like to speak
with them if I could."
"I think that can be arranged for one as awaited
as you Caesius. They wish to speak to you, too. That's why I'm bringing you
there."
Cassie's eyes shone with excitement, and Morgan
noticed the same glimmer of light that had been there when she had first spoke
to Aergon and when she was fighting with Pravus. Those eyes held so much life
and brightness. Morgan shook himself and followed Aergon.
Ahead, looking majestic despite the vines and
weathering, was an enormous castle carved out of the trees themselves. It was
complete with turrets and battlements, and the only thing that seemed out of
place, was the fact that it sat several hundred feet above the forest floor.
"It's beautiful," breathed Lana, who up until
now had remained silent.
"Welcome to the heart of Emrallis," said Aergon
proudly. "She's seen her fair share of ware, but she's still a regal thing."
They walked through the massive doors and into
a vast hall. Stairs led up into the heights of the towers on either side of
the hall. The walls were even more intricately craved than the gate had been.
They showed scenes of Eyries and a strange looking place that could have been
the place they had came from in the first place. Once elegant tapestries hung
in shreds telling of a time when the castle had been full of splendor and riches.
"I will take you to a place where you can spend
the night," said Aergon as he ushered them down the hall. "You can stay there
until tomorrow. Then I will take you to the mages and seers."
Cassie was surprised at how tired she was. She
had not realized how late it was, or how much energy the day had taken out of
her. She gratefully collapsed into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
Lana however, was not having an easy time getting
to sleep. She kept tossing and turning and feeling haunted by an impending danger.
She had no idea what this meant, but what ever it was, it wouldn't leave her
alone. She went to the window and looked outside. Her dark eyes searched the
blackness for any sign of danger, but she saw none. Aergon had told them that
this was a safe place, and that they would not be harmed, but Lana did not feel
so sure.
Outside the wall of trees, a dark shadow passed
angrily back and forth. His quarry had evaded him again, and he did not like
it. The thick tree trunks were doing their job, and doing it well. The dark
form let out a chilling cry of rage and flew into the night.
Lana felt the presence leave and relaxed slightly.
She fervently hoped that it wouldn't return as she fell into an uneasy sleep.
Cassie woke up early feeling refreshed and well
rested. She sprang up and went to the window for a look outside. She looked
out across a vast expanse of trees. The early morning sunlight filtered down
through the leaves casting emerald beams of light onto the forest floor.
Cassie stretched and decided to see if any one
else was awake. She went to her door and met up with Morgan. He looked as revitalized
as she felt, so there was no need to ask how he had slept. Instead she asked
him if he had seen Lana yet.
"No, I haven't," he replied. "I just got up
myself. I was going to see about getting a little breakfast."
"Sounds good," said Cassie.
They were just getting to the top of the staircase
when Lana appeared. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the skin
was pulled taught across her face. "Lana!" Cassie exclaimed rushing forward,
"Are you okay? You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night."
"I slept," she said wearily, "but I didn't sleep
well."
"Why what's the matter?" Morgan asked concernedly.
"Cassie and I slept wonderfully."
"There was something wrong last night. I felt
an evil. It wouldn't go away until late last night. I think it was after you
Cassie."
Cassie felt a chill run through her body as
she looked at her tired friend. It had to have been Pravus that had haunted
her last night. He must not have been able to get in though because she had
not been bothered by him.
Morgan looked worried. He was lost deep in thought
as the trio made their way down to breakfast.
When they entered the hall, they were surprised
to find a huge table laden with food. There were plates piled high with sausage
and ham. Tureens were filled with gravy and biscuits steamed on silver platters.
Pitchers were filled with rich juices and cream. Several bowls were heaped with
ripe pieces of fruit.
Cassie, Morgan, and Lana stared in amazement
at the mountains of delicious looking food. It was the most food any of them
had ever seen in one place.
"If this is breakfast," Morgan whispered to
Cassie, "then I can't wait to see what dinner looks like." Cassie laughed and
nodded in agreement.
"Honored guests," said Aergon heartily, "help
your selves. Breakfast is served." There was a rush to find seats and start
eating. Aergon laughed as they started eating like they hadn't tasted food for
days.
It was wonderful. Everything was rich and flavorful.
Cassie had never tasted so many kinds of fruit. The food must have been imported
from all over the country.
After breakfast, Aergon offered to take them
to meet the mages. "They have been anxious to meet you ever since they heard
of your coming."
They were led into a small antechamber and told
to wait until the mages were ready. After a ten minute wait, an ancient Kau
ushered them into a narrow passage. It soon became cold and the torches lining
the hallway began to flicker. An eerie chanting and hollow drumming soon reached
their ears.
The scene that met their eyes was strange and
bizarre. Cloaked figures played animal hide drums and chanted around a fire.
The flames burned green and gave off a sharp acrid smell. The chanting began
to crescendo, and the intensity of the flames increased. The noise escalated
into a roaring cacophony.
Cassie's head felt like it would burst if the
sound didn't stop soon. She swayed on her feet, and would have collapsed if
it wasn't for Morgan's steadying hand on her shoulder.
Suddenly the sound stopped, and the room was
consumed with silence. A voice boomed, "So you have come at last, Eye of the
storm."
Cassie stood feeling very odd. The silence pressed
in around her, and there was a strange buzzing in her head. The booming voice
had shaken her, too. She swayed on her feet as the room swam around her. The
last thing she remembered was falling into darkness.
To be continued...
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