"a novel chapter 1" by Kristie C Pace

CHAPER 1

In the past there were no great relations between races, and a rumor was spreading of great evil in the Far East. To secure friendships between the different races, the elves with their vast knowledge and skill, forged a single gift for those few that ruled the various races.

A precious stone, circular in shape and the purest of blue. Swirling lines of every color set in gold were etched like the gurgling brooks and the roaring waters of a great river across the surface. This stone was set in a granite table in the center of a Keep surrounded by high walls and guarded by the best elven archers. In this stone was placed the magic of the elements, the powerful magic placed in the stone was their gift. A

promise of their protection if the races came in need of the elves, it was there. The leaders of the other races took this offer with open arms and relaxed under the wing of elven protection. But unknown to them, the magic in the stone, being made and given by the elves, could only be used by the elves. But not just any elf, only descendents of the High Elves could wield the powerful magic the stone held. Making the stone useless to any one else.

Thousands of years have passed, kingdoms have fallen, and friendships have broken. The gift that once brought peace and protection has been unneeded and forgotten.

It was finally the day, the whole town had been looking forward to it. Large carts full of packages of all shape and size had been coming in to Callorn. Everyone knew where they were headed, Lilyr Hill. It was just about a week ago when almost each person in Callorn received an invitation to a most grand party. It was very exiting, a party being held at Lilyr Hill was a queer thought because the only people living there was Old Dwalin Xanthus and his daughter Elora. Dwalin Xanthus was a quiet man rumored to be a retired wizard, and those who got a rare glimpse of the inside of his small home told stories of grand rooms filled with ancient books. Not the sort of place you would think to have a party. But the party was at Lilyr Hill all the same and the excitement in the town was growing as three o’clock drew near.

A loud rapping announced that someone was at the door, more then one person at the sound of it. Loud voices could be heard out side. A tall graying man walked slowly to the door, leaning slightly on a wooden staff.

"It better not be more early guests or I’ll take away their invitation" he grumbled to himself as he walked at a leisurely pace to the door. The talking outside stopped as Dwalin turned the doorknob and opened it just enough to see who it was standing on his doorstep.

"Xanthus, you old fool, open the door and stop spying. It is your Dwarven brothers, come on important matters" a deep, gruff voice spoke and Dwalin flung the door open.

"Thank the Galiana you’ve come" Dwalin said and beckoned them to come inside.

"Aye, and a long way we’ve come too" one the dwarves spoke. His voice was not so deep.

"Xanthus, who’s at the door? Not more early guests is it? Well if it is I'm sure they’ll regret it." Elora had walked into the entrance hall to see who had arrived and was startled at the sight of the two dwarves. They were nearly identical, both short and round with long bright red hair, their beards barely passed their waists giving away that they were young dwarves, two braids each from the tops of their mustaches to the tips of their beards decorated the glossy mass of hair. (Dwarves take great pride in their beards and keep them in good care) Both had a gold band around their forehead and fur vests over a leather outfit trimmed with green and gold. At each of their sides held by a waistband was a double-headed axe, well taken care of by the shine of the metal and engraved runes.

"Elora, these are good friends of mine, Bael and Killi sons of Caer" at the mention of their names they bowed deeply. "Caer, incidentally is the son of Thor who is ruler at The Halls Mifandor." Both dwarves puffed out their chests and looked very proud to have this title.

" It is an honor to meet you, sons of Caer" Elora bowed just as deeply as they had before leading them out of the hall and into another room.

" What is this important matter you have come to me about? And all the way from Mifandor at that" Dwalin asked beckoning to them to sit at a round table "tea? Food?" the dwarves refused and insisted that they had just ate but Dwalin asked Elora to bring some tea anyway.

"Do you know the Foretelling of the Stone?" Killi asked, his face hard and serious.

"Yes..Yes I know it,

One and a reflection of himself,

Of Two with magical arts

One of them will wield the Stone,

Two of leaf and limb

And One mortal man

But in the end one of them

Will give their life to save all

"They were written in stone and placed in the halls of the three great races when the Stone was made, it was a prophecy, a telling of the future. Why do you talk of this?" Dwalin sipped the tea Elora had brought after he recited the old words.

" It has begun, the words glow red hot as we speak, the evil we have feared has come to power in the east, in…… Matinumi" Killi whispered the last word after a short pause then hastily looked around.

"We must reach the other races, the men and the elves.." Killi cut of Dwalin.

"The City of the Stone has not been taken. The elves will not give in, good at that they are" he said those last few words with a grumble that made Dwalin smile.

"Two of the six kingdoms of men have been taken, the lesser kingdoms, stormed by Orc and shale. We have been to the other four; they are in a good way, as are the halls of our brother clans. Dwalin…Bael and I are the one and the reflection, And you are the one of magical arts I know you are, who the second is and why a second was named I know not" Killi said all this then sat quietly waiting for Dwalin to respond.

"This is news, disturbing news at that. But… I cannot go; I am old, to old for this. Today is my two hundredth birthday! I am sorry, I do not know who the other of the magical arts would be" Dwalin looked sad at this and the table was silent for a moment.

"I will go, although… I know not where to" Elora had been standing in the doorway her long auburn hair falling all about her.

" I thought it would be so, if you choose to go then it is you the foretelling names"

Killi and Bael stood and bowed. A sudden knock at the door startled them and they all jumped, Dwalin looked at the time.

" Three o’clock! My time has flown, time for the party. I suspect the guests will be a bit grumpy for being left on the front step" Dwalin smiled and walked out of the room.

" Well we best be getting ready, we will head off at dawn tomorrow" Said Bael, then walked after Dwalin followed by Killi.

Dwalin could be heard at the door telling the guests to go to the side field where a many tables had been set up and laid out with the a most grand assortment of food. As night grew closer more guests arrived, some bearing small gifts for Dwalin. He was thrilled at this and made a few notes to invite them to the next party. When it looked as if everyone had finally arrived, Dwalin stood and rapped his staff on the table next to him.

" Your attention please, attention!" The noise and talk died down immediately

" I have much I wish to say, but on account this is a party and you all most likely want do dance and be merry I will only say a few words. During the many years that I have walked this earth I have seen extraordinary things, times of war and times of peace but nothing compares to the life I have lived here in this lovely town full of kind and generous people." Dwalin clapped his hands three times and smiled at their surprised faces when a flock of pure white doves flew elegantly from where there had just before been a basket of blood red apples, he nodded towards the musicians and music started up. When the sky grew black and stars were the only lights in its black mass fireworks were set off giving a wonderful display of colors and shapes. The people were happy and most were drunk as they danced to the music or sat and talked with old friends.

" Xanthus, this is a splendid party but we must leave, I know Bael said we would leave at dawn but it is a six day journey to Evandre. The elves wait for us." Killi was talking in a low voice as to not rouse any eavesdroppers. Two dwarves at the party had already made some commotion.

"I know Killi, I know" Dwalin chuckled as he looked over at Elora. " Look at her. Surrounded by young men. I think she has danced with each of them at least twice."

It was true, Elora stood by a table talking and laughing with a large group of young men, she radiated with beauty, her auburn hair shimmered in the firelight and her electric blue eyes shone with laughter. She caught Dwalin’s stare and excused herself to go sit with him. The boys looked disappointed but soon found other girls to dance with.

"What are you two talking about in hushed tones?" Elora sat down gracefully at the table.

"Killi was just telling me of his hastiness to leave’ Dwalin said and sipped his drink.

"It is six days journey to Evandre, we must get there as soon as possible" Killi talked gruffly as he leaned close to the table. Elora sat in silence for a few minuets before saying,

"I understand, we will leave in a moment. Let me pack and change out of this dress and into some traveling clothes. While I do that, you might want to get a hold of your brother, it does not look like he shares you enthusiasm to leave." Killi turned and looked at where Elora was pointing and gasped. Bael had had too much to drink and was now standing on a table waving his empty mug and leading a group of men, who had drank just as much as Bael, in a loud song. Killi glared at his brother but stayed seated next to Dwalin. Elora held in her laughter, even when Bael fell off the table and rolled into the nearby pond.

"She has grown very beautiful, Xanthus. Like her mother" Killi commented after Elora had gone to the house.

" Yes." Dwalin gave a great sigh and turned to Bael who had just come up to the table.

" Well, it looks like you’ve had enough. Are you ready to be going?" Dwalin said when Bael reached for another pitcher.

" Be going? Now? But I’ve just started to have fun!" Dwalin moved the pitcher out of Bael’s reach while he was distracted.

" It doesn’t matter. We are leaving as soon as Elora returns"

It did not take long for Elora to gather the essential things and change. When everything she needed was put neatly in her pack she stood in the room and tried to think of anything else, her head jerked slightly when she remembered something. Elora knelt at an old chest, running her hand over the top, feeling the smooth wooden texture and fingering the graceful symbols carved on the edges before opening it. Inside wrapped in a white cloth was a magnificent sword, the bright silver metal was feather light and engraved with attractive elvish writing with many beautiful jewels on the hilt. She sheathed the sword and put the belt around her waist then hurried out of the house and up the hill to the table where Killi and Bael were arguing and Dwalin was waiting patiently.

"I don’t see why we have to leave so early, dawn would be fine!" Bael was trying to reach the pitcher Dwalin had moved while he continued to argue with Killi.

"We’ll be expected to leave at dawn, if we leave now we get ahead of anyone who would be following us" Killi said this with great urgency and frustration.

"Who would be following us?" Elora asked when she reached the table taking Bael and Killi by surprise.

"Don’t you worry about that, it is just a precaution." Killi reached out and patted Elora’s arm and stood up.

"Never can be too careful" Bael stood also but wavered and had to sit down again.

"Perhaps I need another drink" Bael looked around for a glass but Killi pulled him up and pushed him in the direction of the road.

"It is a great task you have chosen, please be safe." Dwalin did not stand but only leaned heavily on his staff. He looked very old for a moment.

"I will return, I promise" Elora gave Dwalin a kiss on his cheek then turned to leave.

"Elora, wait,’ Dwalin stood and walked over to her " here, take this. You know how to use it but use it only in great need" he handed her a small leather pouch with a cord to hang around her neck.

"Thank you" she looked into Dwalins eyes as a small tear trickled down his face. Enola kissed his dampened cheek then turned and jogged up to where Killi and Bael were waiting. They walked up the rest of the hill then Elora turned and waved goodbye to Dwalin before following Killi and Bael over the hill and out of sight.

The three travelers walked on all night and did not rest until an hour or two before morning. Elora slept while Killi took watch, Bael had passed out as soon as Killi would let him stop walking and they had to carry him and all his belongings out of the road. Elora dozed for about an hour before she woke abruptly with an eerie stillness around their camp, the air was a cold that chilled her blood and Killi was crouching petrified, looking out to the road, behind one of the many large oaks that hid their camp. Elora wanted to go up to him and ask what was going on but something inside her told her not to move or she would be found. From what, she did not know and did not care to find out. She saw a shadow pass in the light of the rising sun that shone through the spaces of the trees and pause there searching for something. It took a step forward, and paused searching again. Another step forward, then another, Elora’s heart was racing, she wanted to close her eyes but dared not to, afraid she would never open them again. The shadow was coming closer; Killi silently drew his axe. Then in a blink of an eye the shadow was gone and the cold lifted. Elora sprang from where she was laying and ran up to Killi.

"It was so cold and silent, what was that?" Elora asked, as the forest noises came back to life, Killi was still looking out at the road still silent and unmoving. Elora reached out and touched his shoulder and he turned to face her, startled.

"It was a Shale, minion from Matinumi. The Evil that grows there has large armies of them. They bring fear and death where ever they roam." Killi turned from the road and walked to Bael.

" I see it didn’t bother my brother." Killi shoved his brother a bit waking him from his sleep.

" What? What’s going on? I had an awful dream just now. It was really cold and dark…"

"A Shale came by, it was looking for us, we are lucky it is daylight or it might have stayed longer." Killi helped his brother up then began to gather up the packs and blankets.

"Where are we headed? I could use a good drink and a soft bed." Bael was looking through his pack for some food as he said this.

"Well, the closest place form here is Bray, I used to go there with Dwalin for the summer festival, that was when he was much younger" Elora was looking at a worn map when she said this and traced the marked road leading to dot labeled Bray.

"We should stop there for a night, how far is it?" Killi took the map in his hands and studied it.

"A little less then two days from Callorn, so we should reach it by nightfall today if we start now and follow the road" Elora mentioned.

"Hum, we should probably stay off the road for now. We can keep to the side, behind the trees." Killi handed the map back to Elora then shouldered his pack and headed through the trees.

" Don’t want to meet another Shale do we?" Bael let Elora go ahead of him so she was between him and Killi as the walked through the woods towards Bray.

It was strange. He was standing by himself in the center a vast field, his hair pulled back behind his pointed ears and his leather armor with his great bow and quiver of arrows with him. He stood alert and surveyed his surroundings. To his left a dark cloud was slowly forming on the horizon, red lightning flashed within its deep core. Clear sky was else were and to his right were three people far in the distance. With his sharp eyes he could see that two of them were quite short and stocky and the other was tall with long dark hair. A girl, with two dwarves. Everything was becoming out of focus and he fought to keep the picture clear but it was to late. The scenery faded into black and he opened his eyes to look at the curved ceiling of his bedroom. He closed his eyes again hoping to fall back into the dream. It had been almost two weeks since he had first been to the field. And every time he returned something was different. The black cloud continued to grow larger and closer and the three travelers were closer then ever. For a whole week they had been dots on the horizon. He wasn’t going back, not right now at least. The high elves had asked him to tell them about the dream on a regular basis. It was important, somehow it was connected with the recent events. He got up and changed into his leather armor and traveling clothes and went out side, taking his bow and arrows with him.

The sun was on the horizon when they reached bray and the sky was ablaze with color. The dusty streets usually filled with merchants and people buying supplies were quiet and the street side vendors empty as the day turned to night when everyone finished their business and went to the inns for a few drinks. They passed a few inns that were filled with people but they chose a not so busy inn called the inn of the rising star. Conversations died away as Elora, Bael and Killi stepped into the inn. Dwarves, especially two with the company of an elf, were rarely seen out of their kingdoms especially together. Most people went back to their conversations when the three of them approached the bar but Eloras beauty had attracted some unwanted attention.

"One room please" Elora asked the innkeeper when he approached them.

"Sharing a room? Why share a room with them?" a loud boisterous voice sounded, halting all other talk. "When you can share a room with me?" he laughed loud after he said this. Elora turned and saw a tall, muscular man. A shaven head and a small beard, he was sweaty, dirty and had a sleeveless top, cloth pants and a large belt on made up the vulgar man. He stood from his chair and began to walk slowly over to Elora. Killi and Bael stepped forward between him and Elora to shield her.

"They are my friends and guards. I trust them more then I would ever trust any one like you" Elora said defiantly with her head high.

"Bold words for a little girl" the man reached over the dwarves to touch Eloras face but she moved back out of his reach. "Don’t be rude now"

Bael and Killi took their axes from their sides and even though the man was three times their height they stepped forward and pushed the man away from Elora.

" You leave her alone, you have to right to talk to her that way"

Bael growled at the man,

"Aye, whether you like it or not" Killi gave him a swift jab to the gut with the butt of his axe when he said this making the man step back a pace with a ‘oof’.

" You better watch it little man, or ill squash you like a bug" he took two steps towards Killi to grab him by the neck but abruptly found a dagger at his throat.

"I believe they told you to leave the woman alone, I suggest you respect what they say. Or you may regret it." A soft but commanding voice said. The man put up his hands and backed away. Nodding to his friends, who had sat and watched the entire spectacle without doing anything, they all left the bar.

" Thank you… for you assistance, may I ask your name?" Elora looked the man over quickly. He was well built with narrow shoulders and a long face; it had obviously been a couple of weeks since the last shave. His light brown hair barely brushed his leather-clad shoulders. At his waist was a large finely crafted sword, which he tried to hide within his deep brown cloak.

"You may, but not here. Can we talk privately?" Bael and Killi gave him a menacing look to were he added, "including your companions"

" Of course," turning to the inn keeper she added "my room please"