Through the Valley Part 1

Joby tore through Archway Forest as if his life depended on it, which, in all truth, it probably did. 1

He had done what he could to close the forest from his pursuers, but he didn’t know how long it would hold. He was out of practise. Once, he had been a good Closer. The talent had run in his family, taught to him by his father. 2

But now, as the trees shifted gently around him on the edge of his perception, he doubted his strength. He could already feel the energy leaving his body. He had forgotten how hard closing could be. 3

A mile or so behind him, the soldiers gave up their pursuit. They had been running in circles for the last half an hour. 4

It was hours later before Joby allowed himself to rest, but even as his body crumpled into the hollow of a large oak, his mind was anything but still. Pictures of his parents flashed before his eyes. They were scared and screaming. Soldiers swarmed through the tiny village of Archway, destroying everything in sight. Fires raged through the ramshackle houses. 5

The army had arrived from the city of Belheim a week ago. Talks had begun between the captains and Archways elders. Although there had been a military presence, life had carried on with an air of normality. But after a few days of uneasy truce, the soldiers had stormed the village. The talks broke down, and the place was reduced to chaos, swords flying.6

As one of the last remaining Closers, Joby had been privy to more information than most. Although he was only eighteen years of age, his father had told him much. The soldiers had been sent by Lord Belheim, in search of information relating to the whereabouts of an ancient and powerful artefact. Hundreds of years ago, the Elder Council of Archway had been given the task of guarding the Orb of Drakken. Knowing how destructive it could be in the wrong hands, they had hidden it as far away as possible, and kept the location secret ever since. The knowledge of where it was hidden had died with the elders. 7

Just before his father had closed his eyes for the last time, succumbing to the wounds of battle, he had told Joby what to do. 8

“Find Alissa Flayme at the Guild Hall in Winlay. She’s our only chance.”9

And so Joby had fled from Archway to make the perilous journey to Winlay, the hope of the whole land balanced precariously on his small shoulders. 10

Alissa surveyed the students in front of her with a smile. They were all gazing up, wide eyed, awaiting her next words. 11

“So, does anyone want to try what I've just showed you?” she asked. Immediately, a girl at the front shot her hand up. Tanith was a keen student. Born a Water Walker, she was determined, even at the young age of eight, to become more. 12

“Yes, Tanith. Come on up front and give it a go.” Alissa encouraged her with a wink. The small child stood up from her chair and made her way to the teacher. The reversal spell she was about to try was advanced, and she gritted her teeth with resolve. On the table in front of Alissa lay a rat. Alissa had cast a silence spell on it, and for all intents and purposes, it may as well have been dead. Tanith’s job was to reverse the silence spell, and reanimate the rat. It was hard enough for Alissa to perform such magic, despite being a skilled Restorer. For Tanith, it would be near impossible without many years of training. Very few were born with a natural skill for it. Alissa’s job was to eek out the natural hidden talents of her students. 13

Tanith stood in front of the table, and took the rat in her hands. Raising it to her lips, she tried to open her mind and reach into the animal. Gently, she blew onto the rat, the fingers of her mind clawing desperately at the barrier between them. Only Alissa noticed the creatures tail flicker. 14

The chapel bell rung, breaking the tense air in the room. One by one, the students filed out. Tanith placed the rat gently back on the table and left, her head hanging with disappointment. Alissa sat for a moment, considering the lesson. Maybe Tanith did have some raw talent as a Restorer after all. She should perhaps offer private lessons. 15

Uncrossing her slender legs, Alissa reached for the rat. Holding it tight, she raised it to her mouth and felt her thoughts dissolve the silence spell. The rat began twitching as her warm breath hit it. Placing it on the floor, she watched it scamper away. 16

“See you next week, Whiskers.” She called after it. 17

Alissa was still at her desk, making notes for her next class, when a loud thump at the door made her jump. Instinctively reaching for the long sword next to her, she uncurled her body into a fighting stance. The handle turned and the large wooden door began to swing slowly open. Alissa flexed her fingers on the hilt of the sword, enjoying the familiar sweep of adrenalin coursing through her body. It’s been too long, she thought, since I felt the thrill of battle. 18

The door swung open, and the figure of a young man half fell through. His clothes were filthy and ripped, and his hair matted with sweat. He looked about a week away from dying of starvation. 19

“Alissa…….. are… you…. Alis.. sa?” his voice sounded as exhausted as he looked. Stunned, it was all she could do to nod. The boy smiled before falling to the floor, unconscious. 20

Joby awoke a while later, to find himself laid on a bearskin next to a roaring fire. The smell of warm bread hit him, and his stomach contracted painfully, making him aware of how long it had been since he had last eaten. Struggling to sit, he looked around him, as his eyes adjusted to the firelight. Alissa was sat opposite him, watching intently. He got his first proper look at her. No more than five foot two, she was incredibly slender. Dressed in a brown tunic and green leggings, with long black boots on her feet, the waist length vivid red hair was the only thing remarkable about her. But any doubt about her was snuffed out when he looked into her eyes. They burned with a passion and intensity that only the real Alissa could possess. 21

“It is you!” he murmured, gazing at her. 22

“I've made you some food. Eat, then leave.” Alissa had no idea who he was, and didn’t care to find out. The last time a stranger had come looking for her, she had ended up travelling to the far flung city of Mountain Cairn and fighting an army of trolls. She still had a six inch scar on her left arm to prove it. 23

She had moved to Winlay years ago, after life as an adventurer had taken its toll. She had built a life there now. She had a job and a home, things she had never possessed before. She was happy. Sure, the urge for travel and battle hit her sometimes, but she could control it. 24

Joby sat up straighter. He reached for the bread and cheese she held out for him, and spoke between mouthfuls.25

“No! I won’t go. You have to listen to me!” his eyes burned into her. “I've been sent to find you from Archway. We’re in trouble.”26

Alissa’s attention was caught with the mention of Archway. She knew how important the tiny village was. She knew the story of the Orb. 27

“Why do you need to find me?” she asked the question, fearing she already knew the answer. 28

“My father told me you could help us.”29

“Your father?” Alissa poured two tankards of mead and passed one to him. He drank gratefully.30

“My father is, was, Jediah Trevai.” 31

“The Closer?” Alissa’s eyes widened. “But, that would mean you……..”32

“It would mean that I am a Closer too. Yes.” Joby answered the unfinished question. Seeing the look of disbelief in Alissa’s face, he realised he needed to prove himself to the woman. Taking his tankard, still half full, he stared at the rim, forcing his energy into it. With shaking hands, he turned it upside down. Not a drop fell. 33

“Gods! You really are Trevai’s son.” Her voice was an incredulous whisper. 34

“Yes, I am. And I need your help.” Against her better judgement, Alissa felt her curiosity piqued.35

“What is it you want from me?”36

“I need you to show me where the Orb is. I need to get it before Lord Belheim does.”37

“Belheim is after the Orb?”38

Joby nodded gravely. “They have already destroyed Archway looking for it. They won’t give up.” 39

“I can tell you where it is, but I can’t take you there.” Alissa stood and paced the room, dismissing the possibility of any further cajoling on Joby’s part. Sensing he had gotten all he could from this stubborn woman, Joby nodded. She watched him for a moment, then walked to a desk on the other side of the room. Running her fingers along the smooth panels of wood, she located the secret catch and released it. A small drawer popped open in the side. Reaching in, she removed a rolled up parchment, and threw it to Joby. He caught it deftly, and carefully unrolled it. Inscribed upon it, worn with age, was a map. 40

Alissa crossed back over to him. Crouching next to his slight frame, she pointed at an area of the map marked with a broad X. 41

“That’s where we put the Orb.” She told him.42

“You put the Orb there?” his eyes widened with surprise. Alissa felt a glow of something akin to pride.43

“Yes. Many years ago, I escorted the Elder Council of Archway to Sun Down Valley. We hid the Orb in a cave there. It has lain safe for centuries, until now.”44

“But how can that be possible? It would make you over three hundred years old!” Joby was confused. Alissa merely smiled. 45

“Things aren’t always as they seem, son of Trevai.” She said, reaching to push the copper waterfall of hair away from her face. Joby gasped as he saw her ears. 46

“You are an elf?” 47

“Indeed I am.” She replied. “I may have already seen a few centuries pass, but I like to think I have a few left in me still.” 48

Joby chuckled. Judging by her obstinate nature, he could well believe it. 49

“You won’t reconsider and come with me?” he knew his question was futile, but he had to try. Alissa shook her head. Defeated, he sighed. It seemed he had a long and lonely journey ahead of him. 50

The next morning saw Joby refreshed and ready. Alissa, although refusing to accompany him, had at least given him enough gold coins to buy a sword and shield from the blacksmiths. He was no expert at using them, but they were a comfort to have none the less. Feeling like a man, he set forth for the city gates. The sun was just crowning the horizon, illuminating the world in a fiery embrace. Joby patted the leather pouch hanging from his waist, feeling for the map. Taking a deep breath, he marched past the guards at the gate, and out into the wide world beyond. 51

Songbirds sang in trees as he walked a path leading to the Sapphire Mountains, beyond which lay the Sun Down Valley. A huge pine tree stood in a fork in the road before him, its trunk as thick as a mans torso. He walked up to it, feeling the rough bark with his fingers. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered if it would be the last time he would stand in the sun, enjoying the beauty of such a simple thing. His fathers face flashed before his eyes, and he shook such thoughts from his head. He had come of age now. He had an important mission. There was no time for such silliness. 52

He had travelled no farther than a half mile towards the mountains when he heard the sound of horses’ hooves behind him. They were gaining on him at a rapid pace. Belheim’s guards! he thought in panic. Frantically reaching for the sword at his side, he misjudged his grasp, and the blade sliced painfully through three of his fingers. Yelping in pain, he dropped his weapon and fell to the ground, scrabbling desperately for it. 53

From close behind him, he heard a laugh that sounded like diamonds falling from the heavens, and turned to see Alissa Flayme astride the most beautiful horse he had ever seen. Hair ablaze in the morning sun, she looked magnificent, and every inch the fabled adventurer and warrior that she was. 54

“Good job I changed my mind,” she laughed. “It looks like you’re going to need all the help you can get.” Reaching down one slender hand, she helped hoist him onto the horse behind her, with a strength that was seemingly impossible for one so slender. 55

“Here.” She handed him a rag from one of the saddlebags hanging at the stallions’ side. “Use this for your hand.” 56

“You changed your mind?” Joby unsteadily bandaged his hand, trying at the same time to cling to the horse. 57

“Looks like it, doesn’t it. I decided that I couldn’t have your death on my conscience.” Alissa kicked the horse into a gallop. “And besides, I was there at the beginning of this whole Orb thing. It’s only right that I help end it.” 58

They travelled in silence until nightfall, both lost in thoughts of what lay ahead. But it was a companionable silence, with both grateful for the other’s presence in their own way. Finally, when the stars filled the sky with their intricate embroidery, Alissa reined the horse to a stop. 59

“We will camp here tonight.” She said. She slid lithely from the horse, followed by Joby in a less dignified manner. As she took blankets from a saddlebag, Joby took in the view. It was breathtaking from so high up in the mountains. He could see Winlay in the distance, reduced to towering shadows in the moonlight. The air smelt fresh and clean, not like how it did in Archway. For the first time he was aware that there was so much more to see in the world, away from his tiny village, the only home he had ever known. 60

“Why are these called the Sapphire Mountains, Alissa?” he asked suddenly, turning to face her. She had spread the blankets on the ground, and was foraging for wood to make a fire with. 61

“You don’t know?” she seemed surprised and amused at his lack of worldliness. “Look, I’ll show you.” Taking her sword, she moved over to a clump of rock, and brought the weapon down hard. The rock split beneath the blade, revealing a glimmering substance that looked like oil in the dark. Joby joined her next to it. 62

“What is it?” he breathed, reaching out to stroke the icy cold smoothness.63

“Sapphire, of course. The whole mountain is made of the stuff.”64

Joby was awed. 65

“Can I take some?” he asked. 66

“Not now.” Alissa replied. “You should rest, not start mining. You’ll need your strength for travelling. But I have a ton of the stuff back home. You can have some of that when we get back.” 67

Joby looked up at her. “You really think we will make it?”68

“Of course we will.” Alissa stood, uncomfortable with his need for a reassurance she couldn’t be sure of giving. “Now, lie down and rest.”69

By the time Joby awoke, Alissa had already packed up the camp and was sitting on a rock, sharpening her sword against it. She looked up as he stirred. 70

“Good morning.” She motioned towards a small tin pot on the ground. “I made you some food. It’s not much, just some berries and stuff, but it will do you good. Once you’ve eaten we can get moving.” Joby nodded and reached for the food. 71

“How long before we get to the valley?” he asked. 72

“We should reach the mouth by sundown, with a little luck.” Alissa replied. Not wanting to know why they would need luck, he simply carried on eating. 73

When he finished, Alissa packed away the tin and his blanket, and they mounted the horse once more. Every muscle in Joby’s body ached, but he gritted his teeth and didn’t complain. Alissa seemed no worse for wear, and guided the horse through the mountains like she knew them as well as he knew Archway. 74

Within a few hours, they came to the top of a high peak. A huge chasm ran below them, so deep that Joby couldn’t see the bottom, only large jagged rocks protruding upwards, mist swirling around them. Between them and the next mountain on the other side of the chasm was a broken and rotting bridge, made of planks of wood secured by rope on both sides. Joby’s heart sank. It looked like it could crumble under the next breeze, let alone hold up the weight of two people on horseback. Alissa seemed to share his thoughts. 75

“This wont do.” She muttered, dismounting, and inspecting a plank of wood on their side of the bridge. It was worse than she had thought. “I was fine the last time I crossed, although I suppose that was a few years ago.” She laughed at her own joke. Joby didn’t share her humour. 76

“If we try and cross that, we’re going to fall and die.” He stated the obvious. “Can we get round another way?” 77

“No.” Alissa shook her head. “That’s Rock Tooth Drop down there. It’s as wide as the mountains. There is no other way across.” 78

“Oh.” Joby was defeated. “I suppose that’s that then. We will have to turn back.”79

“Gods, you give up easy!” Alissa exclaimed. “I thought you had an important job to do. Are you really going to admit defeat because of one rotten bridge?” 80

Joby stood, angry at her mocking tone, and embarrassed that he looked so weak in front of her. 81

“Well, what do you suggest we do?” he challenged. 82

“You’re not the only one with special abilities, you know.” Alissa lowered her body to the ground, and pressed her face onto the wood. He heard her breathe long and slow into it. His vision shimmered slightly, and the wood began to heave before his eyes. The cracks became smaller, the dry, grey colour gave way to healthy brown. The ropes, frayed as they were, became whole again. Before long, the bridge looked as good as new.83

“That’s better. More like how I remember it.” Alissa stood up, brushing down her leggings. Joby just gawped at her, open mouthed.84

“How did you do that?” he asked. 85

“Simple.” Alissa replied. “You can close things, right? Well, I can restore them. It’s harder with things like this rope, something that has never lived. But wood, animals, even people sometimes, it’s fairly straightforward with a bit of practise. I just put back what it once had.” She shrugged, as if it was an easy concept. 86

“I see.” Said Joby, even though he didn’t. “So you’re kind of like a healer?”87

“Kind of, I suppose.” Alissa helped him to mount the horse again, and followed him up. “Well, let’s test this bridge out then.” 88

The bridge held out fine. They made it across without a hitch. Joby sat straight and didn’t look down, whereas Alissa made a point of noticing everything.89

“Wow! Look at that rock Joby. How sharp is that! I bet if you fell on it, it would go straight through you.” 90