The Elven Sky (1)

The Elven Sky1

In a land far from now a world lies in peril, a world with unimaginable horrors. In a castle high above a disastrous town, lie many old scrolls telling of a hero now long forgotten. This hero sits in that very same castle alone awaiting his death… or so he thinks. 2

Together the small, forgotten, deserted, castle and the ruined desecrated town far below once were apart of a Palace. This Palace a beautiful and peaceful place ironically was called the Palace of Peace. Everyone knew about the palace that it was the biggest building that was ever created. At the same time it was the greatest place, for within its walls there was magic that had never even been thought or dreamed of in the wildest of wildest dreams. Yet it seemed that no one could remember who it was created by, or for that matter what happened to it. No one knew its location, most thought that it sunk into the sea thousands of years ago. Though there were some that believed that it sunk into the land itself. For one day it was there and the next it wasn’t, no one had any memories of what happened. So no one knew what happened to the greatest building that any creature had laid eyes upon. For many it was the beginning of a war that was never ending, for without the palace the land was weak and without defense.3

Prologue4

The night was quite and peaceful, no birds called and no crickets chirped, nothing moved not in the field and not in the forest this was how it had been for a long time. For the night this land was too quite, and yet in the distance past the town, down this road, something sounded in the soundless night. The sound was of heavy and ragged breathing, and snapping twigs. The road twisted here and there and further in there running for its life was a child, three Groths where not far behind the child and they were gaining ground fast. Groths, if they were seen by an outside would have appeared to be like a grotesque personification of evil. They stood on four legs, but their legs did not end in paws or hooves like other four legged animals, but in almost human, demon-esque, clawed feet and hands. Their skin did not appear to be skin at all, but some sort of black liquid. The skin would literally drip with shadow, and its eyes released a soft, yet horrifying, red glow. These are the weakest ones form of the Night Creatures. Some speculate that they were once human. Most of the Night Creatures are not known for few beings have ever survived attack to speak of what the creatures look like or even appear to be. All beings are being careful because Groths, though strong and terrible have one food that they prefer; flesh, the soft skin of human’s but especially that of the elves some with their wealth of untapped power. The Groths, along with the other creatures, come from an island not far off the coast of a port town. It is questioned as to how the night creatures have come onto the mainland, for they have an intolerable fear of water and cold, and so they should for they are not capable of swimming. It is also unknown how these creatures made such a comeback after the war.5

As for the young child, still being in his prime isn’t saying a lot for a human, if that were the case, but it’s not. He is one of the last young males of his colony a great forest colony. 6

As the years passed more and more of the Elven population began to drop. Then about a year ago there was a devastating blow a third of the Elven population was destroyed, although what remains of the elven is still twice as many as Humans. The war destroyed many homes and lives and when the people won, the creatures of the night still roamed freely. The only people who ever stood a chance died by in horrible accident, and the one person who might have been able to help disappeared. The boy is one of three Elven born three decades ago. So far only two others were born after him, that doesn’t matter to him now. The main reason for this is being that his whole entire colony was destroyed two nights ago.7

Chapter 18

No Home9

The boy is what elves call in the stage of young and innocent. Though, the young have been far from innocent for a long time. The child now leaving the forest followed closely by the three Groths entered the outskirts of the village known as ‘Dreaming Meadows’. The village now desolated and no longer holds the dreams it once did. 10

The child ran through the small town looking for anything that he could use as a weapon or anything that might be of help to him. Around the corner of a house, the boy paused, and then redoubled his efforts in speed for there ahead of him was a large group of people.11

The group of townspeople knew it was one of the ‘civilized’ people for it was wearing something. The creatures of the Night never wore anything or at least the lower ranks never wore anything, the higher ranking creatures would never be caught running from such ‘weak’ creatures. The simple fact is that they are not alive yet not dead, not allowed within a house unless invited or if the owner is dead, and lastly as morning rolls around, they simply disappear. The creature’s home is always night for they return there once morning breaks, as if by magic which is of course very probable in this place.12

The boy knew that the people would accept him, because of the simple fact that the people survived simply on information that is passed around about the beasts and the future of the kingdoms and that of the Island. As he approached the group he realized that the people had everything from bows and arrows, to people blowing fire. As he closed in on the group the beasts stopped, though they were hungry they weren’t hungry enough to take on a large group of people even if the people were weak most worked in the sun and could defend themselves fairly well. As soon as he got to the people they all herded into the overly large tavern built for town meetings and gatherings in general. 13

The tavern had many tables that were for the travelers that use to frequent this place before the roads became too dangerous to travel during nightfall. These same tables had been pushed aside to allow more room for a meeting that had been occurring before the boy had stumbled into town. 14

There were very few elves among the people. Elves only came to live in the towns of humans for three reasons, either they were there by choice, which few ever were.  They had been exiled by their people, or they had a very high price on their head, too much to even want any other elven to be even remotely close to them. 15

As the boys eyes adjusted to the dim light of the tavern, he noticed that one man in particular came forward to talk. He was much younger than most but he had an air of arrogance that allowed him to take charge of the happenings16

“What is your name and species?” the question rang through the room creating a silence that filled the room as the people waited for the boy’s reply. As the boy took his hood down, a silent aw went over the room. The hood fell to reveal a pair of blue eyes, along with pointed ears, and blond hair, all typical of elves.  17

“I am Elven, from Black Colony, my name is Vindel Wipel.” He sat down taking in a long breath after running for almost a half hour. He hadn’t gotten any sleep at all in the past two days. His eyes drooped slightly as he looked over the inquiring crowd.18

“That was the name of the great Elven prince that died at the beginning of the Late Nights.” The man looked quizzically at the boy sitting before him. “So can you tell us what you are doing out so late and so far from home?” Black Colony was at least a three days walk and Vindel made it in two days. Most of it he had traveled on the run with the Groths in hot pursuit on almost every turn.19

“I came here because it was the only place that was close and still had elves left. I also came to tell of a grave loss for all of Elven kind.” He sighed with a hint of sadness and ragged breath. 20

“Dawn?” the man spoke his voice was rougher than before. Something glinted off the shirt of the man that stood before Vindel and he realized that the man before him was the sheriff. 21

“Yes,” an Elven woman answered coming to stand next to him. The woman’s hair was braided and came to her mid back her crystalline eyes, shown in the dim light of the tavern. She wore a simple dress it was of a lighter color but hard to decipher the exact color in the dim light. Her face appeared young and supple but in reality she was much older than anyone within the tavern that night. Her eyes pierced the young man making him shiver with her hatred but as her eyes turned on the child, who was easily twice the man’s age, her eyes showed all but kindness and some of the sorrow that she also felt at the lose of their kind.22

“You know this, ‘kid’.” The sheriff spoke with harsh tones and many shied away from the sound of his voice, the last word he spoke with distaste. 23

“No, but I will take full responsibility of him.” Dawn said helping Vindel to his feet. “Before we go, Vindel, you might want to tell them what has befallen our kind.” Vindel knew that Dawn knew, because all of Elven kind can feel when others die. He also knew that since he was a soul survivor that words should come from his mouth. To stall any rumor that might begin. Though he felt that any rumor would be better than the truth of what he had seen. Vindel paused in his way to stand knowing that this would take a few minutes but not wanting to sit down for fear of not rising again for weariness consumed him to the bone. 24

“Well, about two days ago just as dusk came, everyone was heading inside. Out of no where fire started to burst from the very homes we lived in, many of the people died in that instance. It was like that fire had a mind of its own, it was all consuming leaving only ash no one started it. We all had known of magic some of us even used it but this, this was unlike anything that we could have ever imagined. It wasn’t just that the fire appeared to have a mind of its own but it also looked different. Fires are normally orange and red even yellow… this… this wretched fire was as black as night and just as deathly mysterious. About half of the colony survived this onslaught of fire.” As they heard this there was a relieved sigh from the crowd, but as he continued the horror just grew. 25

“It was like they were actually being smart. They let us think we were safe and when we truly relaxed they attacked. Just like the fire, they came from all corners of the woods, crushing anything that got in the way, one after another. A man took the younger ones, me included. We ran into the woods as fast as we could I did not recognize anyone of the children, but then again at the time I had been on the opposite side getting… something for my father I can’t remember what exactly now. 26

“There were so many I could do nothing but keep going. As morning came the man sat me down “I do not believe that the rest of us will make it. You have the ability to travel this distance because of what happened to you when you were younger you are stronger.”  He knew that if I could get away and relay a message. That it might not happen to other colonies and villages. So I left knowing not one of the children would survive the night.” He finished it in tears knowing that everyone he grew up with was dead, and that his parents would never know their son or what was to become of him. That he, from a whole colony was a lone survivor. At that moment many of the townspeople realized just what the boy had been through and that the boy was no longer a simple carefree child. 27

It was the silence that only happened when a chill crossed a room for all to feel, a moment of dread, and that was exactly what it was, Death. A word constantly whispered, a word constantly heard, and is now and forever in play. 28

“Come Vindel I’ll take you home and get cleaned up.” Dawn said to break the silence. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he followed her out of the room. He spoke such a whisper that was barely louder than a coin falling in a room, but such that it was the room was so silent that the coin hit marble so that it echoed throughout the room. 29

“I have no home.” 30

Chapter 231

The New Home32

It has been five years since the night that Vindel stumbled into this small village. No one has ever come from his colony. Word came that he was the soul survivor from his home. 33

He has found a new home now in this small town. He is learning about Elven Right and many other things from Dawn Constell whom is an ancient Elven and is the one of the two Elven in this town. The other one lives in the castle up on the mountain, however many people think that he is dead. Vindel is entranced by the castle ever since he heard the story of how the prince died and the hero disappeared from the face of the world. He has a feeling that the elf in that castle is waiting for something to come and get him, but that something wasn’t death. 34

The town was small not including the castle, the tavern and a few stores the place was quiet and efficient in living a practical life. There was a stable, that housed most of the town’s horses, and there was one point during the year that horses would be brought in and sold, during the day of course. All of the houses were within the town limits there were few that wondered from the town, for fear of getting lost and facing the creatures that roamed the night. It was thus that many of the villagers feared for the children that liked to stay out beyond dusk and travel deep into the forest. The villagers had decided that it was time to implore the tactic that many elven had used to keep magic from entering a place.35

“Vindel, we could use your help out here right about now.” Dawn yelled from outside. 36

“Coming.” Vindel yelled in answer.37

Outside of town the villagers had been building the iron posts that were required to bide evil or dark magic, like such creatures as the Groths. Though there were many more kinds of creatures far more vicious that could and would travel these woods. The people were hoping to finish the circle today, so that the Elven Right of Protection could be placed to complete the circle of protection. There was much he had yet to learn, but by the aspects of Elven he was learning tremendously fast. Now that it was getting close to dusk they had to stop. 38

The Elven Right of Protection would only work if those who were singing were the only ones presently out of the houses in that certain area. He had heard it many times and was ready to sing. The other part was concentrating on the protection of the people in the village but Dawn was taking care of that part of the right. The verse went as follows:39

All sprits hear my call,40

Protect this land,41

Protect these people,42

Protect all within the iron posts,43

Protect all those with good in their hearts,44

Keep clean these streets for one more night,45

For this is my Elven Right,46

And by my Elven Right it is done.47

To complete it must be sung three times, but on the third time the sun sunk unusually fast and darkness swept the land, as if by speaking ensued anger from the devil and the very evil that the light claimed to fight. Across the field came ugly, putrid, and fast, creatures that could only be referred to as Hell Dogs. They were formed in the memory of wolves, but there was no long or short fur that graced these bodies to cover up slight deformities. Their skin seemed to be held together by threads of shadows and their eyes burned brightly with unnatural terribly white fire in its depths. Freakishly large claws followed by mutated feet, led to the garnished skin and in some places seemed to have been burned right to their insides, where the dark blood like substance dripped from a still heart. The heart had been stilled by the evil that coursed through the creatures body. By the time Dawn and Vindel were on the third row of the last verse the dogs were almost upon them.48

“Let’s go, no time to finish.” Dawn turned and ran past the houses, and the tavern, and went straight for the trail leading up the mountain and the ever present resident of the castle. All the while repeating the Elven Right, Vindel only a step behind was in tune with her the whole time, keeping a good distance from the dogs. The two of them finished just as the two dogs cleared the last posts, the two of them continued their trek up towards the castle. Now using all the energy for breathing and running could put more distance between the dogs and themselves. The creatures were fast but not as fast as elven seasoned runners, even in winter a well nourished and rested elven could outdistance most of the night creatures.49

Coming around the last turn, they came to iron gates of the castle, rusted slightly with the mar of time but not overly much, so as it appeared that once magic had prevented the rust but as the years seemed to pass the magic ebbed and would soon die leaving the iron gates to all but rust away. ”Inside, now.” Dawn yelled to Vindel. Once they were both inside Dawn slammed the gates shut. Dawn, soon followed by Vindel, plopped on a bench at the base of the fountain between the castle doors and gates.50

Chapter 351

The Castle52

As the two Elven companions walked to the front door they heard the Hell Dogs howling for reinforcements, both of them had a feeling of dread. The two couldn’t go back so the only way left was forward through the castle. 53

The castle that lay before them had a look of evil and danger. “I suppose we’ll have to spend the night, come on let’s go.” Dawn motioned that they should get walking. Dawn walked towards the front door with Vindel following close behind. 54

The front yard was in shambles, in a way that only five decades of neglect could do. All over the outer walls of castle were beasts, each one different and more intricate. Though with the passage of time and storms the beasts had become all but nonexistent, the beasts told the story of a great race that at one time ruled the land and guided its people. But just as cruel as time so was the winds of storms as the forms of the past had all been but destroyed, from their once superior place on the walls of this darkening castle. A fountain graced the front yard and like the beasts on the castle walls the fountain had crumbled, dried of water, with the tides of time the gargoyle that had once graced the center was now almost gone. The only piece that betrayed anything of its once glorious existence was one of his feet and a part of his opposite leg, the rest had been all but been smashed and blown away.55

Far up in one of the windows, the windows clouded with water spots from rain years past, was a face, a face long forgotten by the very time that had cruelly destroyed so much of the castle, the face appeared young but the lines betrayed the age and anger of the person. The face looked upon the Elven below with pure hatred. 56

“I was run out of every place on island by this kind now they’ve come to kick me out of here as well.” Unknown to this man was the happenings far from the castle walls. Since the four and a half decades of his solitude the world has drastically changed, not only that Night Creatures have started to appear more vibrantly since his disappearance. 57

Inside the castle the first room that Vindel and Dawn enter was the Great Hall, this room large in the aspect that it was only an entranceway. It is one story tall with faded red carpets and over five in a half decades of dust covered everything from the carpets to the ceilings. It had parts of soldier statues standing along the both sides, not one of the statues was complete. It had many symbols some were missing others were rusted beyond recognition. At the end of the hall was a large door. To the right and left were smaller doors. 58

Rain could be heard starting to pour down on the castle. They looked at each other and for the first time realized that the torches were lit since they entered the castle. Dawn motioned to the door on the right the two of them headed for the door. On the front of the door which neither noticed was a tea set.59

Upon opening the door they saw a kitchen, which was also already lit. The kitchen had every cooking possibility of fire and stove. It also had many other finer qualities, like the huge bakery area, the meat area, some doors leading to other rooms that led to the bottom maze of the castle and lastly a set of stairs, heading for the stairs and up to the second floor. The other doors that weren’t for the use of the kitchen were locked.60

At the top of the stairs was a long corridor with many doors and short hallways leading deeper into the maze of the castle. The castle had appeared to be small but from the look of the hallways and the places that they had seen so far it looked so much larger. 61

The first door had a feather pen writing on parchment it was unlocked, within led to a study the lanterns were more dimly lit in this room than in the hallway. The study had been cleared of most of the work that had once occupied it. There were a few book shelves that still had some of their original books. Dust covered more here and there and less in other places proving that there had been many books that had been removed over the years that the castle had stopped being cleaned. The books had records of what had gone on throughout history. Closer inspection revealed that the books that pertained to the early Late Nights were missing. Dawn inspected the desk and found a key that had been hidden part of the top drawer. There wasn’t much more to be seen in this specific room. Vindel was studying the fire when Dawn called him. 62

“Come, we should get moving.” Vindel nodded forgetting about the fire. Had he continued his search of the fire he would have seen the glint shine through the passageway behind the fireplace. Many of the doors that they tried were locked for some reason and some doors leading to other parts of the castle were blocked by stones or by other objects that had been edged into or on the doors.63

The next unlocked door also had a carving it was that of a map simple not at all intricate. The room was completely dark for about two seconds and then it lit in a blaze of glory. To both of there surprise the room was a den. There wasn’t much to the room it was more a meeting room than a den. There was a large table with many chairs and a broad map of the whole country that had been etched onto the table itself. The island was portrayed underneath the dust in all it’s once glory, just like the castle some of the island had crumbled away leaving it little of its former magnificent self. 64

On the walls hung four flags, two on one side of the room and two opposite those. The flags seemed to be a collection of the leaders from a time when there was war, yet the only recent wars were that of the night creatures. The first was so sullied and destroyed that it could hardly be recognized for what it was. Most of it was gone, leaving a slim piece far above the floor boards of the den. Gold and green could be seen among the dirt that encrusted on the thick fibers of the flag, the more of the dirt and dust that was removed revealed a creature. The head was the only thing that still resided there, a noble dragon with a look between both peaceful and angered. The one that adorned the wall next to it had a little bit of the corner missing. When the dirt was pushed away a silver border ran around a black background. This flag having much more than the previous flag, revealed that of a horse that rose on its hind legs giving the admirer a feeling that it was coming alive. Upon further inspection the faded silver horse was more magic and pronounced then that, with a horn that rose from the creatures forehead making it not just a horse, but a unicorn. The flag that hung opposite the first was so tarnished that the original coloring was long lost along with most of the flag itself the outer rim was all that was left, it may have been that of scarlet and bronze. There were three things that were on the outer rim that allowed the observer to deduce the creature that had been burned away. The clawed front eagle feet sticking out on the bottom right, the lion tail that curled up on the bottom left side, and lastly the beak of the eagle that lifted towards the sky on the right hand side. A gryphon that would have been a sight in scarlet if someone hadn’t decided to burn it. For a moment the observers wondered who could hate something so beautiful to destroy it in such a way. The last flag that hung next to that one seemed to be alive for although it was dirty it seemed to retain some of the old magic that it had been given when it was made. The dark blue sat nicely against a dull but clearly real orange. The figure could almost be clearly made out behind the dust. The sea serpent looked back eyes dark with the depths of the waters that it would reside in. the creature itself seemed to be alive despite the fact that it would never move or close its eyes to the dust that collected on the fabric.65

The chair that sat at the head of the table was not very intricate but left much up to the imagination of what the artist was truly capable of. The marble that the chair was made of was a simple design but the edges and how comfortable stone could actually be when carved a certain ways. The chair was the only one within the room and it seemed to be attached to the floor in some way beyond that of the stone that anchored it. The room seemed as if it had been used more recently than the previous room. 66

Dawn turned and left the room as soon as they had entered. Vindel on the other hand found that the flags seemed really familiar to him, especially the last one. Vindel looked around the room as the rain poured against the window. Lightening lighted the sky and thunder rolled as Vindel quickly left the room not wanting to be alone. Although he wasn’t a child he still had some of his childhood fears. 67

The last door that was unlocked, a book that appeared open carved into the door. The room lit in a blaze when they entered. The companions had to shield their eyes from the eagerness of the lanterns. It appeared that they were eager to be lit once more. Their presence was a simple reason for the lanterns to come to life once again. The room was covered in shelves that traversed to the ceiling. Some off the books were placed on the table others were missing totally. It was small compared to the other rooms but the amount of books that could be fit in here was barely feasible for its small area. 68

“Do you think that we might be able to stay here? I mean this looks very comfortable.” Dawn shook her head.69

“No someone lives here… we both know that and I would rather go to him then he find us here.” Vindel nodded. He picked up one of the books that lay on the table. The book was titled “Poems: history untold.” Vindel didn’t have time to examine it further for Dawn motioned them to continue their search of the castle. Replacing the book on the table Vindel followed his mentor out of the room.70

As they turned around the next hall there were balconies, all down the hall, over looking the ballroom. There were a total of four doors in this hallway, two doors on either side of the stairway. The grand staircase led to upper rooms, and another led to the ballroom below. 71

The first door to the right was an entrance room that led to two winding hallways and beyond that were the guest rooms the amount that were here were immense, what baffled the two was that it almost appeared that the rooms overlapped but no matter how many rooms they entered not one was the same. The other three doors were just like the first leading to even more guest rooms an unimaginable amount, none of the doors connected or came back around to themselves. The carvings on these doors were a little more intricate revealing a woman and a man depicting it as a guest room. There were two canopy beds, dressers and chests in every one of the rooms. There was nothing interesting in these rooms for either of the companions to pay attention to. Together the companions decided that they would save the upper area for later. Looking over the empty ballroom left nothing for them it wasn’t small but needed no attention for there was nothing unusual for there attention to be needed below.72

It was exactly like before except that there were rooms on the opposite side of the hall. The first door that they came to had an unusual sound coming from behind it. Vindel stopped short of opening the door, most of the animals that lived in these areas were destroyed or run out of there homes. Vindel being his curious self reached for the door once again, as he did the scratching stopped. As he started to turn the doorknob, a sound came from the other side Vindel soon recognized it as a dog’s bark. Then without hesitation Vindel pulled open the door. Out of the room came a young wolf, black with pure blue eyes. It was old enough to take care of itself, but obviously not old enough to know when to run. It also did not appear to be undernourished and it was friendly to them.73

“How could an animal more less a wolf survive in this castle without the ability to open the door?”  Vindel was mostly talking now to hear his own voice. 74

“Well, the only way that I think it would be possible is if that someone was still alive.” At that time he looked at her realizing the same thing at the same time. Vindel entered the room and picked up two swords. The room literally had every weapon ever created. The room was from what he could gather was a battlement supply room, he should have guessed from the swords crossed on the front of the door. A few of the rooms that followed were just like before locked and without keys they could not enter. Even the key that Dawn had swiped from the desk earlier did not do any good.75

The next door also had a carving like every other door in this hallway some hacked off and others just faded and lost. The carving was of a bed with a maid standing beside it. Upon opening the door the room had many bunk beds, with little room for much else. The beds were so close together many more were fit into the room. The chests that sat at the foot of the bed, were nothing beyond wood cut, sanded and nailed together. Although they were beds many were in such a state that they could never be fixed or even get close to them without them falling to pieces. 76

Dawn walked inside and opened a chest, but Dawn’s treasure hunt ended with only the dust that flew forward from the bottom. Dawn ushered both Vindel and their new companion out the door. Dawn closed the door quickly behind them, almost as if shutting the door would stall a demon rising from hell. There were more locked doors and more hallways that were shut off from the companions just about when they were about to turn around and retrace their steps they came to an unlocked door.77

The door had a carving something like a spa on the front. It was interesting to see that upon opening the door it wasn’t a spa but it was large enough to be a pool. The pool was now dried of water, as if it just soaked up all of the water that had once filled the immense space between the walls. Vindel did not wish to look further for the place gave him the creeps. The place reminded him too much of home, his old home the one that was now gone. It had a small spring and empty water beds or pools reminded him of his empty heart and that’s one thing he didn’t need. He turned and quickly left leaving the inspection up to Dawn. She emerged a few minutes later. She shook her head and together they continued on down the hall. 78

Heading down the stairs they came to a padded room there were some wooden weapons on one side and less sharp but still deadly weapons hanging on the walls around the room for easy access. This room was used for training the soldiers of an entire army. Looking around the room it had little furniture, with even less of decoration. To the right was two more doors Dawn took notice of the doors the first had a carving like the one they had seen earlier of the maid except it was a soldier Dawn gathered that this room led to the soldier’s quarters, the second did not and was locked.  79

The door that was directly across from the stairs was the only other one that didn’t have a carving and was unlocked. Through it they stood in the very same room that they had started in, what they assumed to be The Great Hall, apparently they had gone in a big circle.80

“So we have checked most of the castle, that of which was unlocked,” he stressed unlocked for it had angered them both that so many rooms were locked. “Should we check that door too?” Vindel asked it was a rhetorical question. The only door that they had not checked was as tall as the Great Hall itself. 81

The room that they entered was two stories tall it was a plain white color. It gave off some hue of blue, a room that appeared to have little life and gave many people the chill of an old world death, it was the Ballroom that they had come across earlier. The wolf started barking and suddenly run towards the stairs and up it.82

“Wait,” Vindel screamed running after the little black wolf with Dawn not far behind. The wolf ran up the stairs and out of the ballroom, it headed straight on and up another set of stairs leading them into one section of the castle that they hadn’t entered. The carpet that was on the stairs was also starting to fade, but as they reached the top of the stairs the lights dimmed as if wanting to warn them that this was a place they should not be and hence should not see.83

In this hall there were seven doors and at the end of the hallway the wolf was barking at the last door. As they walked down towards the wolf, as they got closer the red carpet started to slowly lose the dust, something that they didn’t notice. Finally reaching the door there was no dust on the carpet at which they were standing. It was like the carpet was brand new, a blood red that was more vibrant than even the deepest fire. They had passed all the other rooms for they guessed that they were locked and at this point it really didn’t matter for who they searched for both knew was behind that door before them. 84

Vindel put his hand on the doorknob and started to turn it. When they entered, the wolf bounded to a chair, the chair was in the center of the room facing the fireplace in the opposite direction. The chair being the same blood red as the carpets, it was tall enough that the companions wouldn’t have guessed that there was a person sitting there until he spoke “So what brings you lovely people to my home?”85

Chapter 486

The Fallen Hero87

“We entered your home because we need to wait out the…” Dawn paused looking for something other then the reason that they had really sought shelter, “storm.” Dawn said the words without even a nicety in them. The person whom Vindel hoped was a man rose from the chair and turned to them. The man that Dawn now looked at, she had only seen once in her whole life. He was once a great man to be praised over but now…88

“So you just came to get away from the storm, correct?” the man did not turning his head from the fire. The wolf climbed under the chair and made itself comfortable. 89

“Yes, we did.” Vindel answered him to hear the sound of his voice. Though when he said it to him it sounded much younger then he looked. 90

“Tell me what your name is?” The man was still staring at the fire without making a slight movement. Vindel knew now without a doubt that they were in more danger here then outside with the Hell Dogs. 91

“I am Dawn Constell from Silver Water Colony, and this is Vindel Wipel the last surviving soul from Black Colony.” Dawn sounded like she had just retorted information instead of giving an introduction. 92

“Did you say Vindel, the name of our prince, he’s dead.” There was a saddened sigh and a pause before he continued. “Though you were born in the same town I bet you look totally different,” for the first time since they’ve been here it actually sounded like he had a touch of emotion in the man’s voice. “Vindel, would you do me a favor, and come over into the light of the fire so that I may see your face and compare it to that of an old man’s memory.” This time there was no mistaking it was there, absolute sadness in his voice.93

“Sure,” Vindel walked up past the old chair that the man was standing in front of, stopped and took down his hood. For some reason he knew what to do. He stood there waiting for the man. There was a soft chuckle from the man as he stepped forward. When he looked at the face of the child elf of only 35, he saw it the same unsure, unchallenged, and strong soul that he saw in the young prince. The man’s face went ghost white, another one had shown up at his doorstep maybe this time he’d make his past mistakes right. “Sir, are you okay?” Vindel asked when he looked at man’s face the man looked back down and took in all that the child was, strong and fast. Not the fighter that he needed to be. So it was a good idea for him to take the child on.94

“Yes I’m fine. Hey kid do you know how to use that sword?”95

“No… but I can learn.” Vindel answered the old man with the bright face of a child. The man laughed at an idea of such child’s innocence in life.96

“I like you kid, my name is Sir Farley Aril. If you want to learn, I can teach you to use it along with many other things.” Vindel looked at Dawn for an answer, but Farley stopped him with his outstretched hand. “Don’t let anyone tell you not to just because they don’t trust me. Tell me do you want to learn more then just ‘Elven Right’.” His voice was indifferent and showed both anger and resolve but at the same time it showed kindness.97

“Yes,” Vindel answered truthfully still unsure of this man but thought, ‘well if he’s a knight he can’t be that bad, can he?’98

“Alright, then let’s get you cleaned up and ready. We’ll start tomorrow.” Farley whistled, and ghost-like servants appeared. “I’d like you to meet my friends there called memory callers. They are the castle’s memory of servants. They have been taken care of the castle.” He said turning himself and Vindel around to face Dawn. The look that Dawn gave him was a look that could have scared the dead, and made them flee to hell for sanctuary.99

“Looks like they haven’t been doing a very good job, now have they?”  Dawn stated sarcastically, while still holding the look she originally gave him. The grip that she had on the sword was turning her knuckles white.100

“Well I’ve been preoccupied, and so have they. Would you please get Vindel ready for tomorrow while Dawn and I have a chat?” As he said the last word a second chair appeared, the same as the one that was already in the room, and a dozen servants pushed Vindel out of the room. 101

When morning came, Vindel rose to find that he was in a room he hadn’t seen before. Looking around the room his search provided that he was sitting in a large bed much larger then any other bed he had ever seen a large chest sat at the foot much more decorated than the ones in the training quarters. The room had all sorts of decorations most of the decorations had some type of symbol he didn’t understand there was even a smaller version of the flag that had been in the meeting room in here. The serpent looked almost as if it was watching him. Vindel could tell that the Memories had tried to bring back the original color but for some reason it just wasn’t working. Next to the dresser there was a mirror that had a small dusty area that the Memories had missed. He rose from the bed and on the chest were some clean clothes for him, a light blue tunic and a black pair of breeches. 102

After he got dressed, there was a knock at the door. “Come in” he yelled, Sir Farley came in. He was dressed in a similar outfit and in the morning light Vindel had a good look at him. His blond hair was braided and his green eyes had a very determined look in them. Farley was wearing a grey tunic and black breeches also. Now Vindel could see his face, because the curtains to the room were pulled open. His face was almost as white as a ghost he was without a doubt elven. He was very much still in his prime for elven but he was in the other half of it for there were some lines on his face showed the subtle markings of the elder. Vindel had never told anyone not even Dawn that he had a tail it appeared out of all the elven he had known no others had it. Sometimes he had wondered if there was some reason for it.103

“Now that looks much better, compared to yesterday’s clothes,” 104

“Where is Dawn, I want to show her these cool clothes.” Vindel regretted the question as soon as he asked.105

“We had an argument, and by the time I got up she was gone. I’m sorry, but she doesn’t trust me. As far as she goes she has good reason to, too. Maybe I should have told you last night.” Farley sat down on the bed.106

“Tell me what?” Vindel asked sitting next to him, he might not be innocent but he still appeared as a child so he still had a look of innocence.107

“It all started some years ago when I joined the army of elves. It was to support the Elven Prince in his newfound leadership. I flew through the ranks of soldiers beating all that I came across be it in combat or in magic, and before I knew it I was a captain. Now there were these soldiers that had become captains that the prince himself chose to be knights of the court his special court, a court that would die in the protection of the royals and his family. When I was chosen I found that the prince wasn’t even old or experienced, he was but a child it was crazy but these people followed him I soon saw why. He fought with a different kind of style and determination but also he could somehow bring the people hope that they had never had. Though all of this was true I couldn’t turn the offer down, because it would be a disgrace. So I did what was expected of me, I took the oath. Now I wish I hadn’t.108

“It was about four decades later we had creatures that were attacking, at night. But by that time I had become known as the greatest knight in the world. I also became the captain of the knights as I was the strongest and the only match that the prince had in the group. It was also known at the time that we were at war with humans. So we went to fight the creatures it was in fact the worst mistake we ever made. All of the army, including most of the knight’s were killed. We were at the end of the rope that is when I thought that it would be a good idea to talk to the prince. I headed for his tent walking through the other tents and fields seeing the dead and the dieing some that would never see or fight again. The tent seemed small now and I remember looking at the sleeping guards wondering why they would be sleeping but not waking them up and walking past them to get inside the tent.109

“When I entered the prince was arguing with a woman. When I entered the room the woman turned and saw me, I don’t know if it would have been different if I hadn’t walked in there at that time but apparently she had been enraged enough to turn and throw a knife at the prince. There was no way to save him it entered right between the rips and slammed into his heart. The woman disappeared and through the smoke I heard her laughter and sometimes I think I can still hear her laughter today. The knife would not come from his chest I knew the knife too for the knife was not just any knife but the knife that I had lost in battle and as I held the prince’s dying body in my arms I knew that I would be banned from the castle if not the whole country. I decided to leave and come here this place I was had heard was a safe haven and has been since, but before I could even think of coming here, I headed to the place where the witch lived. I found the woman who had killed the prince and created the creatures for some reason she seemed weaker than she had when she had killed the prince. Her cabin was by the lake not far from here. Killing her was the greatest thing that I could have done for the people for she was the root of the creatures and their evil.” Then Sir Farley looked at Vindel and saw the confusion in his face. “What is it Vindel?”110

“Well if you killed the original source of the beasts, than can you tell me why they are still destroying our world? I mean last night we weren’t trying to escape the storm we were trying to escape what are called Hell Dogs.” Vindel sat remembering last night and how lucky they really were. 111

“That’s… well impossible…” Farley stood for a minute before he spoke once more. “I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We will wait till night and see what happens. Okay.” Farley said. “But for now lets go get breakfast, then start your training.”112

Chapter 5113

Training Day114

For the first day of training they went over all the aspects of the sword, how to hold it, where to step, what moves should be reflex, and what moves are imperative to know. Once they were both tired and out of breath Farley decided that it would be best to head up a little vocabulary, reading, and writing, heading to the library which was the last door in the eastern hallway.115

Beyond the library and around the outside of the castle were passageways that led to the towers each in coordinate to be called the towers ruled by direction north, south, east, and west. The way that the castle was build allowed for improvement once more people returned, but for now it looked comparatively small to Starlight castle. The castle in reality was much bigger this Vindel knew so as he wondered how big the castle really was.116

“Sir Farley how big is this castle?” Farley paused in his steps then continued taking a deep breath.117

“Well this castle is much bigger then it looks I gather you figured that out.” Vindel nodded. “The castle is size is small but the amount of rooms that have been fit in an area is amazing. The castle might look small but the fact that there were spells placed to make it larger still are very much intact yet some are falling apart which is why I have locked some of the doors. There are three common rooms, more than a hundred guest rooms but the spell for that will soon fade sooner then the rest. It took a lot of work to make that section but there are more guest rooms below. The ones that you saw were for family and friends and believe me when Starlight castle and guests came here they needed the rooms. There is only one library, and one meeting room. There is a training room and a court yard.” When Vindel heard this he was confused there was no court yard that he remembered coming across. “Remember there are many places in the castle that you haven’t been to, yet. Besides the castle is just as magical as the spells that are within it.” 118

Vindel nodded and looked at the paintings on the hallway. This morning there were a lot of different things that were happening than yesterday. Where as there had been little if no decorations on the walls of the hallways there were now somewhat decorated, it was a good try even though most of the pictures and statues were barely cleaned or badly burned.119

“So no one ever taught you to read?” Farley asked as they climbed the grand staircase.120

“Nope I never learned it was to come later on in my education.” Replied Vindel as they went to the library. 121

“Well there’s no time like the present to learn. What did you learn so far in your classes?”122

“Well a lot of the kids were slower then me, so they were about to move me into a single class. So far I have learned every language that the Elven race spoke including the woods, and the birds. It wasn’t really hard for me to understand.” Vindel talked like an adult although he looked to be about ten years old.123

“You learn exceptionally fast for an elf at your age. The fact that you are still small doesn’t bother you does it?” Farley was looking around the room for a certain book that they would need.124

“No, not really, I might be small but I’ve learned to be fast. My mother always told me that the best things sometimes came in small packages. Then she’d say that I was one of them... I miss her,” Vindel walked over to the table and picked up the book that he had been looking at earlier. “Is this book important?” Farley looked up and over the room at the book Vindel was holding.125

“No it’s just a selection of poems from a group of poets that have been around for a long time.” Vindel nodded and flipped through the pages as the companions sat at the table and started the lessons.126

The two of them spent five hours hitting the books. By the time they went down stairs to train with swords, Vindel had learned all 32 letters of the English alphabet, and almost all of the Elven written letters. Farley had a thought ‘everything I know this child could learn in a matter of a few years. All my one hundred forty three thousand two hundred and fifty years of experience this kid could learn in less then ten years… Amazing.’ As they walked to the training area Vindel knew he would spend most of his years here, in the castle above Dreaming Meadows. 127

“Did you know that the prince was your age when he was first recognized in a chess match being not only the youngest ever, but being the very first to defeat the greatest chess mind in all the world?” Farley quizzed him as they left the arsenal pit and started down the hall. 128

“Did you know that the prince was the greatest chess player?” Vindel retorted to Farley.129

“So now we see all and know all eh.” Farley striked back as they took place in a normal fighting stance.130

“Well what do you expect I learn from the best.” Vindel came to the right and was cleverly blocked be Farley. 131

“You’re a tricky little four foot guy aren’t you?” Farley stated taking a back slash to Vindel. 132

They spared this way for about two more hours rambling every now and then about this and the other thing. A bell rang making a most pleasant echo through the castle halls. They looked at each other and realized that the bell they just heard was a calling for a late lunch. As they walked up the stairs toward the dinning room they heard the familiar sound of the wolf heading toward them from one of the bedrooms. The tapping of her nails on the cold marble floor was not far from them now. As they turned the corner the wolf howled in welcome. 133

“Well hello to you to Rouge, how are you today.” Vindel knelt and placed his hand on her head and scratched. 134

As they came to the dining room one of the female servants opened the door disappearing as the door closed behind the companions. The smell that came from the dinning room to there nose's was that of a feast. The table was set with some ham, potatoes, corn and so many other foods, most of which Vindel did not have a name or recollection for. 135

“It looks like the servants are doing fine in the way of supplies. Can I ask you what do we call them instead of servants like names?” Vindel asked as Farley as they took their seats.136

“Well if you hadn’t already guessed these are all female.”137

“Yes, why exactly is that?”  Farley wasn’t expecting him to ask but since he did Farley answered.138

“Well these were the only ones that really wanted to come back, I mean all three of them died here in the castle and have kept it safe so in payment they are allowed free roam as memories. They just happened to like cleaning so much that even after they died they continued on. The first one with the red scarf is Anne, the second one with the white scarf is Mary, and the one with the black scarf is Diana, easy names to remember.” Farley finished his sentence then started to eat the food that was put in front of him.139

“If there are only three then how come so many can appear at different times?” Vindel asked starting on his own food, listening to his new mentor intently.140

“It all depends on how mush work needs to be done. See since it is the houses memory it could be the same person doing many things at one time that is how it works.”  Farley answered talking around his mouth full of ham. 141

The rest of the lunch was quiet, because each had a theory to analyze over, Farley thought over how much time it would take for people to realize what Vindel had come for and how long it would be before he left again, and Vindel wondered if he was ever going to know everything he needed to know. After lunch they headed outside for some fresh air, when they finally came outside the fountain of stone with the gargoyles seemed a little cleaner then when Vindel first arrived and for some reason it appeared to be different from the first time that he had laid eyes upon it. The smells that assaulted Vindel’s nose was that of flowers and trees that he had never known and that weren’t from these parts. 142

Vindel looked down the trail to see Dawn coming up. As she came closer he noticed she had a bag. Vindel acted like a little child seeing a favorite family member. Dawn smiled seeing the childishness of Vindel once again, it was good to see that even a child so tormented and out of sorts with the world could be happy it meant that it really was possible for Sir Farley to change.143

“Hi, Dawn.” Vindel said opening the gate and running the last few feet to her. When he reached her she dropped the bag and gave him a hug.144

“So tell me how the training is coming.” Dawn asked with a smile.145

“It is coming just fine for your information.” Farley said before Vindel could answer. “Didn’t expect to see you so soon.” Farley’s voice was cold and hatred loomed in the near distance of his voice. Dawn shook her head slightly.146

“Well I couldn’t exactly leave him up here when he is my responsibility. I said five years ago that I would be responsible for his actions and I meant it unlike you.” She said to him with a sneer her voice turning just as cold if not more so then his.147

“HEY. You two quit arguing this is my decision and mine alone neither of you are responsible for me I have been old enough to take care of my self since the night my colony was destroyed, and on the fact that I am no longer a child. The truth is that I have seen the worst of the world. Now stop fighting like humans and work out your differences like elves.” Vindel told them both sounding for the first time like the adult he felt like. Now the two of them looked at each other and both felt like the children they had sounded like. Vindel turned around and went back through the gate and sat down near a tree. The tree was an oak and seemed to give as he came over, all of the plants seemed to be alive and for some reason they liked him. Everything in this castle and around it was trying to please him for some unknown reason.148

Dawn came and sat down next to him. “I know you are no longer a child and you never were since the day I met you. I see you every day and although you look so much like a child, I see it now you no longer are or ever will be again. You have seen the cruel world, something that no one should see especially a child.” She sighed then continued. “I brought your stuff up here because I believe that you will stay here for many more years to come. Besides I think that I have delayed going home long enough. So if you ever are near Silver Water stop in and ask for me. Now be good and remember all that I have taught you and keep your nose clean.” With that being her final words, Dawn hugged Vindel, rose to her feet, and headed down the trail not once looking back. Farley watched as she left not saying a word to her or her to him. There had always been bad blood between them but he missed her company more than he had realized and as she walked away he realized how much he had really missed out on. If Dawn had of looked back she would have seen Vindel’s face light up as he removed the sword that she had once told him of, a sword that she herself used in a war long ago, a war that had raged for almost a decade. A sword she said was broken long before his time and was even once held by a warrior of the gods. When he pulled the sword out of its scabbard there was a note, and this is what it wrote:149

Dear Vindel,150

I gather by now he has taught you to read. Well now I sit here knowing that you are a great child even for so young. Yes, this sword was broken, but I had the black smith remake it with titanium he folded it over so it is stronger then it has ever been, and then mark it with a spell so that it would ring to your hand alone and so that only you could use it. I knew that Farley would get you to stay as soon as we entered the castle. I am glad that you have found a place in the world. 151

Sincerely yours152

Dawn 153

P.S. Don’t worry about me well see each other again soon, hey maybe one day you’ll come to my rescue. Love ya.154

“So can you tell me what that was all about,” Farley sat down next to him inspecting the sword.155

“It was an someone giving away a dream. Shall we continue training?” Vindel said getting up and grapping his bag at the same time. Farley watched and knew that Dawn had given up more than a dream she had given the future of the world for him to train, and this time he hoped that he proved her actions justified.156

“After you.” Farley followed Vindel inside. 157

The rest of the day was the same as the morning reading, and learning languages, and training with weapons. Vindel had already learned so much but his need to learn was vastly becoming evident to Farley as the learning became further complicated by all he would ever need to know. As night came the two of them went outside to see what would happen next. There were not many people in this world that truly understood the creatures of the night and there were none that really wanted to, besides those who had to fight them and even then it was on a need to know basis.158

The sun sunk fast and true to Vindel words the Hell Dogs appeared right were they were the night before. 159

“Well it looks like we have some guests. Mary, could you bring me a torch and some wine.” Farley called over the howling of the Dogs. Mary disappeared back into the castle kitchen.160

“This is no time to be drinking.” Vindel stepped back but Farley stopped him.161

“Don’t worry they can’t get through the gates,” Farley received the torch and wine from Mary.162

“I’m not afraid they’ll get through, I’m afraid they’ll jump over.” And almost on queue the two dogs jumped over the gate. Farley drank some of the wine, then put the torch to his mouth and blew out fire. The fire reached the dogs just in time, and where the dogs should have landed only ash remained to fall.163

“That was your first lesson on fire,” Farley said walking inside. Vindel didn’t want to look around for although he was old enough to know better he still felt that the darkness could hold horrors he didn’t want to see and in that fear he was truly merited. 164

Unknown to the two was off in the distance was a person cloaked and flouting, high up in the sky, watching there every movement. The figure didn’t seem upset or even rattled by the attack it was just a watcher to see what was happening and to report back that was all it was there for. When the companions disappeared inside the castle, the figure disappeared into the darkness that surrounded it. 165

Chapter 6166

The Gift167

It has been ten years since Vindel first stepped into the castle, a castle that had been waiting to be reawakened by the correct hands. Hands to guide it into a great castle and an even greater empire, and it waited patiently while the elven boy grew to adulthood. Within those ten years he’s grown up to be a very agile Elven, to make up for all the growth he had missed when he was younger. He has learned everything that Farley wanted to teach him. For the past two years he has read almost all of the books that the library holds, to further his understanding of the world. Rouge is still alive and has had two cubs, Vindel named them Sky and Storm. Sky is a pure white wolf with blue eyes, and Storm is jet black, also with blue eyes, and upon his forehead rests the shape of a small drop of water. 168

Today, Vindel finished another book, replacing the book back onto the now spotless shelf he walked outside the now spotless room. Through the corridor, and down the stairs, he stopped, walking into the ballroom for the first time since the night he arrived. It was because of a feeling he had maybe it was of future peril, when he first stepped foot in the room running after Rouge.  Today, was different, Farley was in a corner of the ballroom with Anne, Mary, and Diana. As Vindel walked down the stairs he saw Farley moving his hands about the room. Farley then caught sight of Vindel, turned said something more to the three. Farley turned and came over to Vindel the three disappeared in a hurry.169

“Hey,” Vindel’s now had a more mature sound to his voice and he was now in many ways considered an adult among his people though he was still young. He was six feet three inches, and he has long blond hair and the blue eyes to match. 170

“Hello, bookworm.” 171

“So what’s going on in here?” Vindel made the look of a child looking over towards where the girls had been. Farley came over put a hand on his arm and lead him to the entranceway and away from the project that Farley had the girls working on. 172

“Nothing at all, just a small surprise. I wanted to talk to you. If anything should ever happen to me, I am planning to leave everything including my title to you. Which means this castle, all the areas around it, and everything within is yours and much more then you can even begin to imagine.” Farley was leading him towards the kitchen where a small table and chairs sat. 173

“Don’t say that, you know I am going to leave to find if anyone else from my village survived the attack. Besides I thought that this castle wasn’t yours I thought that it was the Kingdom of the prince that you were protecting.” Vindel sat opposite of Farley. 174

“I know, but you don’t understand I have this feeling that very soon the past is going to come crawling back on us. Besides this was a summer house to him and he gave it to me when I became one of his knights as a land holder somewhere I could come when I found a wife.”175

“What do you mean the past?” Vindel ignored the part about a wife Farley had never even looked at a woman. Not that there were any woman to look after or to that is other then the memories.176

“You remember the night ten years ago, when I told you of the sorceress. There was a part I didn’t mention. There was a little Elven girl.”177

“Yeah so.”178

“Well this girl was different, instead of blond hair she had black hair, and those eyes piercing right through a heart seeing the very end of the truth.  She had watched me come in and kill the older woman. She just stood there in the doorway of the room not moving, but in her face there was nothing. There was no remorse, no fear, no anger and most of all there was no sadness. I left knowing that not killing this young child she would later return to claim my life. I remember when I killed the woman that she was weaker it was almost as if the child didn’t care and maybe she didn’t. So I came here to wait for her to come and get me.” He looked at Vindel, “I thought I was ready ten years ago but now, I know I really am. I would gladly accept my fate, because I have now given the world a greater gift, then I could have ever imagined.” Farley rose and started to leave.179

“What was the gift Farley?” Vindel rose to his feet.180

“You.” Vindel turned his head up just in time to see Farley leave. A sound came from outside, a sound Vindel heard every night now. The Hell Dogs jumping the gate and Farley burning them. As Vindel walked up the kitchen stairs, Sky and Storm at his feet, he’d go to the South tower and watch the stars. The South Tower was the only one without a roof that still had most of the wall left it was also the only tower that he couldn’t see the ruins of his home colony. The one place he never wanted to look at to see the ghosts of his life. 181

Ever since Dawn left, he came to the tower to think it opens his heart and mind, and lets his spirit fly. Now as he stands there looking out over the land, it was comforting to feel the wolves’ fur at his feet and the air at his back. The ground below was a forest but beyond that was the edge of the desert. Even from here he could tell that the heat in the summer was worse. It was almost that time again he looked over the forest and to the lake. Here on the mountain at the tower gave you the best view and at the one side you could just make out the sea but it was just barely. As Vindel looked out over it his mind started to wonder. ‘How long must I be alone’ he thought ‘how much must I endure before it comes to an end?’ Vindel rose and headed down the winding stairs, the wolves still at his feet. 182

Entering his room his last thoughts were, ‘this castle knows many secrets I wonder if they can be unlocked with time.’ Vindel fell into a deep sleep, with the sound of howling hell dogs outside his window.183

Chapter 7184

Goodbye185

Walking down the hall taking in his last look at the castle and how much cleaner it looked since he arrived. He walks through the rooms remembering every mark, and every object. Everything in the room was now imprinted in his brain, everything from the furniture to the walls. As was with his memory not that he really needed to take one last look for every room and everywhere he had gone since he had been fully trained was stuck in his mind like a picture. As he came to the library he found his favorite book lying out. This book was black with a gold border and a cloth ribbon for a book mark. The book held a poem he loved to read over and over again.  He picked the small book up and put it in his pocket. He looked over all of the books knowing each of them by heart now having read them all in the course of his stay which had seemed almost impossible at the time.186

Leaving the room without looking back, heading towards the south tower for some reason unknown to him at that moment he stopped. Turning around he stared to the north. For some reason he had never stepped foot in the north tower he had never really wanted to see the runes of his home. Now as he stared at the door, beyond would lead him to the north, something beyond it called to him. He walked almost in a trance to the door. He opened it and walked up the stairs and beyond, he was standing on the top of the stairs looking directly at the window. Sitting on the window sill was a woman cloaked in a dark red cape and hood. The figures head was slightly turned as Vindel came close. As if the figure had been expecting and waiting just for him to appear, something moved and there hanging off the sill was a tail like his own.187

“The time is coming closer you know it’s almost here. Soon, very soon all will become clear to you. You will see what darkness really is and what part you are to play in the story’s end. For now, though, you are not quite ready.” The figure jumped into the air and disappeared into the nothingness. Leaving nothing but the blowing of the wind, and the popping that filled the space that the figure once took up to betray that it had ever been there. Within seconds after the figure’s departure Vindel became aware and wondered how he had gotten up there, there was a faint memory at the edge of his conscious though he couldn’t place it. When he tried to grasp at it his memory and senses became foggy and he pulled away letting it sit for a further examination at a later date. As his senses cleared and he stared out the window he saw what was left of his colony, or rather did not see. It was gone, it almost seemed like Black Colony had never even existed, as if it fell of the face of the planet. Vindel was down the stairs and out the door faster than anyone would ever think possible, his speed had increased ten fold and he was not an elven to be trifled with. 188

Vindel headed for his room hoping to find some consolation in a familiar setting, but he found no comfort there. Packing the last of his belongings, which was not much in the time he had lived there, a small bag that consisted of his sword and a few sets of cloths. He didn’t like to have a lot for it bothered him to have something that to look at, even though he liked the sound of something being his he didn’t want to be attached to anything. Being attached to something was a weakness, a weakness he didn’t like to have, for it left him open to attack and without attachment he was much more dangerous for he was willing to give up much more in a battle for life. 189

Leaving the room that had been his, the only place he could really call a home. He felt nothing, just the emptiness that he had felt since he stumbled into the small town and away from his home. Without a family or anyone that really cared about him he had no one in turn to care about. It almost seemed as over the years the emptiness within him was waiting to either absorb him, or destroy him. Yet there were a few people that wanted him to survive in the world people like Dawn and Farley, for them he kept going kept fighting and would continue to fight no matter the cost. 190

He was heading down the hall and came down the ball room stairs. About halfway down the stairs he stopped and looked around. The room was like space like the nothingness in his heart but it was different in the way that it had planets and stars, comets and asteroids, dragons covered the wall and floors so that you could not tell the floor from the walls or where the ceiling was for that matter. The feeling it gave was a void but it was a void that was swallowing all and creating a place of peace instead of pain.  There was at type of light that came from it that he would always be missing, almost as if the room was the other piece of his soul that he was searching for and the simple manifestation was enough to tell him that he would find the other half of his soul out there somewhere. The balcony’s had drapes and the red carpet on the stairs looked as they should have been a red that rivaled a fire’s brilliance.191

“I had them work on it all night, I new you were going to leave today. I could tell by the look in your eyes last night. Still a child wanting to explore and see the world, maybe somewhere deep down a hero waiting to emerge.” Farley came to Vindel as he stepped down from the last step. Embracing each other they stood there for a minute just examining the finer pieces of the painting the way a serpentine dragon looped around a planet with a grim face and the way another’s claw closed in a protective grasp around a planet  with rings that generated different colors.192

“I’ll be the old man still has some kick in him.”193

“Watch your tongue I can still beat you at chess.”194

“Ya I know and I love this room.” Vindel looked around at the way all the colors seemed to just seep from the walls, it was not at all like they had been painting, and the look was very real. As if stepping off the stairwell had made him step into the reaches of space itself.195

“Well, by the way you avoided it I thought you hated it. So I decided to brighten it up a bit.” Vindel smiled it was nice to have a room represent the way he felt.196

“Just a bit,” Farley said leading him to the entranceway197

“Just a bit,” Vindel leaned on Farley hoping that this was not the last time that he would see the old elven grump. 198

“So tell me now just how far am I going to go?” Vindel wondered if Farley knew where he was going and the glint in his eye told him that he knew more than just where he was going but when he was coming back.199

“Forget it,” Vindel knew that Farley would never tell him where he would end up unless he needed to know. “I want you to take Sky and Storm they need to see the world with you, besides having them with you will allow you to sleep more. Though it seems that they need it as much as you do, for staying here is only allowing their muscles to become stringy and weak. ” He smiled at Vindel then continued. “If you stop and see Dawn tell her that I said hi and that I am… well… that I am sorry.” Farley said as he handed Vindel a bag of food for the trip. “For everything.” Farley seemed to have this look in his eye like he wasn’t all to sure of what he was supposed to say but needed to say something so Vindel let the whole thing slide, knowing that the two would resolve the problem eventually they were after all old friends the best if he understood all of the stories he had heard and read.200

“Farley, I’ll be coming back and don’t forget to let Rouge out.”201

“Yeah, yeah anyway I want you to have this… well because it was mine and you're going to need it.” Farley handed him black cloak as they stepped out the door. 202

“Thanks” Vindel said. 203

“Good bye Vindel,” Farley now had no regrets about dying now. He was ready today, tomorrow, whenever death decided to knock on his door.204

“Goodbye Farley,” Vindel said as he closed the iron gates. Before Vindel left he had made a new protection spell that covered the whole castle including the sky, so that the Hell dogs couldn’t jump over the gates. Even though Farley detested the new protection for it left him with no fun and now that Vindel was gone he had nothing to take up the time in his day.205

Now Vindel, Sky, and Storm headed for the town not looking back to see Farley and Rouge walk inside. Nor to see off in the distance a hooded figure shimmering in and out of existence. To the untrained eye it was nothing out of the ordinary, but to an elven with years of experience it was the coming of an end specifically the beginning of the end of time itself. 206