"Prandoran Chronicles: Chapter 13" by Keith D. Brooks Jr.

Patheus stood in the early morning shadows of the golden trees of the Crystal Forest pondering the news that his son, Paladea, had sent from Triad Keep. The great crystalline city of Valessandria still slept in a blanket of night, but the sky above held a hint of orange heralding the approaching dawn. A rather large eagle swooped down from the canopy above and flew over Patheus, screeching as it went in search of breakfast. As an elf of the ruling house of Taraleval, it would have been inappropriate to show deep emotion in front of the palace help, so he had taken a long walk out among the trees away from the palace. He stood on one of the many crystal bridges that connected the palace with the rest of his fair city and marveled at the beauty surrounding him.

He could still remember his grandfather telling tales around the fire at night about how Valessandria was built. The first elves to be exiled from the glorious mountain of Edren, where the fabled Stream of Life was said to pour from its peak, came to this spot drawn by the beauty of the tall golden Calida trees with their soaring trunks that reached toward the heavens and their huge leaves that covered the sky in a canopy of gold. When the sun hit the golden leaves the forest floor glittered and shone brightly, even from far away. The large forest was a wondrous place and the elves decided to build here amongst the golden forest. However, they swore not to cut down or otherwise harm any of the trees. So instead, with the help of their greatest magicians, the city was built among the trees in concert with the living world around them.

The metropolis was built high off the forest floor so as not to disturb the woodland creatures that called the forest their home. Built in a spider web fashion (only vertical instead of horizontal) the city was built on a foundation of pure crystal that shone brightly in the sun mixing with the golden hues of the canopy above. Crystalline strands stronger than any rope or metal hung from the trunks of the Calida trees connecting the foundations to the trees some sixty feet in the air.

The capital was a patchwork of city blocks hanging between the trees each connected by crystal bridges. In the center of the mighty city sat the Palace of Eternal Light, so named because of the way the tall crystalline spires reflected radiant light at any time of day or night. The Palace shone as a symbol of the strength and serenity of the Elven nation, and was the seat of the ruling house of Taraleval. On the eastern and western sides of the city, a giant ramp was built from the forest floor to the crystal gates surrounding the capital and the only structures sitting on the ground were the pens that housed the livestock and large gardens that were tended with great care. The harvests were stockpiled in large bins within the city walls.

From his vantage point through the tall trees, Patheus could see the Lurian river that flowed around the outskirts of the Crystal Forest, and further on still he could barely make out the shape of the Wall of Paladria that surrounded the southern and eastern borders of Taraleval, cutting the Elven nation off from the rest of Prandora. The wall had stood there on the horizon for more than four hundred years and Patheus despised it. The sight of the wall only served to remind him that his people had abandoned the rest of the world when they could have used his people's help the most. However, if had anything to do with it, things would soon change.

With negotiations with the human king of Tarangora he had bartered a deal that would, with a lot of luck and patience, open up relations with the outside world once again. Already there was talk of dismantling the Wall of Paladria. Patheus stood on the bridge and watched as the suns first rays peeked over that wall. The sunlight caught the crystalline bridge just right, and together with the golden leaves above, light played along the bridge creating a rainbow effect that hung in the air over the city.

Patheus heard a rustling from below and he leaned over the arm of the bridge he was standing on and saw two beautiful white stags, both with a head full of horns, far below on the forest floor. They were eating the foliage around a great Calida tree and both looked up as Patheus looked down upon them from sixty feet in the air. They stood there a moment staring at the Elven ruler with large liquid eyes then darted off through the woods and under the crystal city. Sunrise could not be more beautiful than here.

His thoughts drifted to his son, Paladea, as the deer disappeared from sight. When the human king Atrateus Anwell spoke with him almost two years prior, they had agreed to meet on neutral territory. Border Lake was a large inland lake that bordered the countries of Taraleval, Tarangora, and Agros. On this lake, the human king had built a fortress of stone on the lake's only island. He had originally planned on the fortress to be a lookout point where the humans could live and keep a vigilant eye on their border.

Atrateus felt it fitting that the castle be the site of peace negotiations between his lands and the Elven lands. Atrateus even invited the dwarves from Agros. Tarangora had had open relations with the dwarves for some time now, but the thought of his county opening relations with them seemed impossible to Patheus. However, he trusted in Atrateus who was very well versed in diplomacy, and acquiesced to the king's invitation.

After a week at the Border Lake castle, in which Patheus also met the Dwarven King, Ghorham Hardwolf, the three of them decided that a council be formed between the three nations. A representative from each country would travel to the fortress now called Triad Keep and live together on the island. The hope was that disputes between the three countries would filter through this council and that the representatives could use diplomacy and logic to work out disagreements between them. The council would also act as a watchdog keeping an eye on all three races.

Patheus had entrusted his only son as the Elven council member and had sent him to the castle over a month ago. Jarrett Anwell, the human king's nephew had already been living at Triad Keep for several months. The Dwarven member was unknown to Patheus, and he hoped that Ghorham would have the mind to send someone who would take on this role with some seriousness and forthright.

It had taken most of that first week of meetings for Patheus to warm up to the Dwarven King. There had always been bad blood between the two races, but Ghorham insisted that Patheus was to blame for the hardships the dwarves had endured for years after the War of Magic. The very first day, the Dwarven king demanded that the Elves pay restitution to his country and the peace talks almost ended there. It took the rest of the day for Atrateus to convince Patheus not to leave at once, and in fact, it took months of negotiations between his son, Paladea, and the king's nephew before Patheus agreed to slowly open up trade with the humans and the dwarves. Now, it seemed to Patheus that his dream of opening his borders to the world once again would finally come true.

Then came the troubling news from his son in the wee hours of the night.

A loud screech split the quiet tranquility of the dawn and tore Patheus from his thoughts as the eagle returned from its morning hunt and flew back up into the canopy of the tall golden trees surrounding the city.

A slender green tinted hand softly touched his shoulder, and Patheus turned from the great bird to see his wife, Aviana, standing next to him. A cool breeze wafted through her golden hair that shone in the shimmering light of the dawn and her fiery amber eyes lingered on his. She reached up and gently caressed her husband's pointed ears and ran her delicate fingers through his dark main.

"What troubles you, eonya*?" she queried seeing the worry reflected in his steel-gray eyes.

Patheus made an effort to smile warmly at his bride and reached down to kiss her softly on her ruby lips. "It is nothing, dear eonya, just troubles of state playing through my weary head. Nothing to be concerned about."

Aviana hugged her husband tightly then looked into his sullen eyes. "You've never been a good liar, Patheus. I think that is why my father let us marry at such a young age. He always said, 'You must have at least a hundred and fifty years under your belt before you have the wisdom to choose a partner for life.'"

"I think ninety-eight years was too long to wait as it was," Patheus stated succinctly. "Besides, your father also said at one point that I would amount to no good when I grew up. And look at us now." He raised his hand to indicate the beauty all around them. Could you think of a better place to raise a family and live fat, happy lives." Aviana mockingly hit Patheus in his right arm.

"Are you calling me fat?" she laughingly quipped.

Aviana was anything but fat, Patheus knew; her beauty could stop an army of men in their tracks, and he considered himself lucky to be mated with her. They had been childhood companions from rivaling houses, but they never let the petty quarrels between their families keep them from becoming fast friends, and later compatible lovers. Aviana's father was furious at first, and Patheus' mother had actually threatened to move them from Valessandria, but it did not matter to him. Patheus had been in love with Aviana for as long as he could remember.

When he had asked her father for permission to marry Aviana, her father had asked what Patheus thought of the rivalry between his family and theirs. Patheus decided to tell the truth. After an hour of ranting about how he thought that the rivalry was pointless and that he held no ill will toward either party, Aviana's father had taken Patheus to a local tavern and together they both got drunk. The next day, Patheus was given permission to marry Aviana with her father's warm blessing. Over the years, their marriage had actually brought both families closer together, even if old feuds came up every now and again when the men drank too much, or the women gossiped; the fact that Patheus had worked so hard for his family to become the ruling house in Taraleval helped as well.

Patheus stood, holding his wife in his arms, bathed in colorful lights as the sun rose over the tall Calida trees. Elves began appearing in doorways as Valessandria woke from its peaceful slumber and greeted a new day. Patheus kissed Aviana on the head then looked into he amber eyes.

"Eonya, I have urgent business that I must attend to."

Aviana smiled up at him. "Of course, my husband. I have business as well. Go. But remember that we are to have lunch with my feyonyas** this afternoon."

"How can I forget," Patheus smiled. "I know they will not."

Aviana left her husband and walked back toward the beautiful crystalline palace. Patheus turned from her and walked across the bridge into the heart of Valessandria. He passed several buildings all made from wood that had been scavenged from fallen Calidas or were otherwise brought in form other woods far away. Shops were opening up and merchants and peddlers were setting out their wares for the morning market. Patheus ignored the looks thrown his way. He walked on and passed several inns and taverns, but he did not enter any of them. Finally, he came to a large stone building, sitting in the middle of a crystal plaza.

A sign with the words 'Guild of Wizards' scrawled across the top and a picture of a staff carved into it hung over the double stabledoors that led into the building. He grabbed an iron knocker on one of the doors and let it fall. The knocker clangedloudly on the iron door. After a moment, the top half of the door swung inward and a tall flaxen-haired Elf stood behind it. She looked at Patheus with eyes that seemed to bore into him.

"Ah, The Elven monarch graces us with his presence. How may I humbly be of service this fine morning?"

"I wish an audience with Rasuria."

"Rasuria is still waking," the female elf replied. "Come back this afternoon." She began to close the top half of the stabledoor, when Patheus put a hand up to stop her.

"He will see me now."

"Presumptuous, are you not? We magicians have always held our own council. You do not rule us."

Patheus sighed deeply. He had always thought it odd how Elven wizards were allowed to reside in Elven lands with no allegiance to any ruler. But, it had always been this way, and to break the tradition now would call undo criticism of his kingship. It was already on shaky ground after he had announced that Taraleval would soon open relations with the outside world. Many of the Elders decried this plan saying it would reign down disaster on their country. When Patheus let the Elders know of his plan to begin dismantling the Wall of Paladria some of the council members actually called him a traitor, but the others reigned in these outbursts and cooler heads prevailed. If he were to go around ordering wizards about, who freely gave of their powers to help better the Elves way of life and protect their homeland, well … he could imagine the outcry.

He swallowed the anger building within him … at the female wizard. "It is quite important that I be allowed to see Rasuria. Please, if you would only let him know that I am here, I am sure that he would see me."

"I will tell him of your intrusion, monarch, but I shall not promise that he will see you now. He sees people in his own time." With that the wizard slammed the door shut leaving Patheus on the other side, fuming.

Patheus paced back and forth in front of the two doors for what seemed like forever. Finally, as he turned to leave, the doors opened and the female wizard with the pale-yellow hair walked out into the sunlight.

"It would seem you were right, monarch. Rasuria has been expecting you this morning." Patheus wondered whether the old wizard had heard the same news that he had, but with wizards, you never really knew. "He will see you now."

"Thank you," the Elven ruler stated, and he walked into the gloom of the guild.

Once inside the guild the female wizard led Patheus through a maze of halls until at last the Patheus stood in front of an open door.

"Do come in, Patheus of the ruling house," a deep voice escaped from the darkness beyond. Patheus took a deep breath and entered the dark room.

The room was large and for the most part empty. Two torches sitting in wall sconces cast their light throughout the dimly lit room, and in a far corner sat what appeared to be an old elf. His ethereal green skin glowed softly. The elf set cross-legged on the floor surrounded by dozens of large pillows scattered about the room. He had long graying hair that cascaded around his sagging shoulders and he wore a glistening white robe. It was his eyes, however, that caught Patheus' attention:

They glowed a deep fiery red.

Patheus stood there staring into those eyes. It was like when he was a child and he stared into the fireplace at home with the burning embers crackling and popping, hypnotized by flames. He could not take his eyes from them.

Then Rasuria blinked and Patheus took a deep breath and looked away.

"Please," the old wizard said, "sit beside me." Patheus felt compelled to comply and he set on a pillow near the old man. "I know why you have come."

"Then you know that I need a Seer to make contact with the Eternal One."

The ancient Elven wizard stared at Patheus for long moments with his glowing red eyes before finally answering. "I will do as you ask, but you must answer one question for me."

"W-what is it that you want to know?" Patheus asked apprehensively.

"Do you do what you do now for your people, or for you?"

Patheus stared at the old Elvish wizard for long moments before finally answering. "My people have a lot at stake at the moment. After four hundred years of isolation from other races, I feel that we have lost our way; that we have turned our back on the world. I fear for my people." Rasuria stared up at Patheus patiently waiting for the ruler to continue. "I suppose I want to do this out of a need to bring my people back into the world. However, I would have to say that my answer, truthfully, is that I do this for them … and for me."

Rasuria's wrinkled face broke out in a wide grin, and the wizard wiped strands of gray hair from his eyes. "Well done, monarch," he rejoined, then added, "You were never a very good liar."

Menendia stood by the fountain in the middle of his garden, listening to the soft gurgling water that flowed from its top. He wore an old pointed hat that looked as if it was made at the dawn of time and leaned on an old withered staff staring out at the tall canyon walls surrounding the library. The morning sun was coloring the canyon with hues of yellow tinged with red, and the cliffs looked as if they were awash in flames. The ancient historian had been standing in the garden since before dawn, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the glorious morning. He would be cooped up most of the day in his small chambers, writing the history of the world as he had been doing for—how long had he been chronicling Prandora's history?—he shook his head to clear his mind. There was no since in ruining the splendor around him.

Two servants were tending the garden, but otherwise the historian had the place to himself. He breathed deeply and sighed contently. He noticed the broken statue of a dolphin standing near one corner of the garden, and he reached up and scratched at his long white beard wondering why it had not been repaired yet. He would have to inquire about it later in the day.

A sudden noise interrupted his thoughts and Menendia turned and saw a young female wizard dressed in purple robes descending the stairs from a veranda overlooking the garden. She made her way to the historian and calmly bowed to him before speaking.

"I am sorry for the interruption, my lord, but a Seer from Valessandria has contacted one of ours and is requesting an audience with the Eternal One."

"Valessandria?" Menendia pondered this information for a moment. "This must have something to do with the elf that attacked Gasada. Tell the Seer that I will be there as soon as I can."

"Yes, my lord," the wizard bowed again then turned to leave.

"Oh, and Claresta, have someone bring my breakfast to my chambers, I feel I may be too busy this morning to eat in the dinning hall."

"Of course, my lord," Claresta said then quickly ascended the stairs and disappeared behind two doors.

Menendia took another long look at the canyon walls around him and heaved a sigh. "Ah well," he muttered to himself. "I shall have to return tomorrow morning to enjoy the sunrise. Pity. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain." With that, he slowly walked up the stairs to the doors leading into the library and entered leaving his beautiful garden behind.

*Eonya- Elvish for mate; husband and wife

**Feyonya(s)- Elvish for parent or parents