Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls (65 page)

Rema was well to the fore of her however and with his mind in a different place for suddenly he saw wrapped around the Bulbane tree in the shadows, a massive serpent, its colour and texture so matched the tree on which it coiled, that it was but another branch. Its sheer size was overwhelming, as thick in girth as he was to shoulder height, and its enormous length could not be easily seen for it was so well disguised and entwined about the tree. Rhynos could not see it. Rema was sure it was invisible to him, and he was now but a dozen paces distant from the deadly creature.  He halted and took aim.

At that moment a cry from behind came as a warning. Ryhnos turned and saw him standing there. For the merest fraction of a moment he stood and then both he and Cordia from behind came upon him in a blur.

In the time between heartbeats Rema saw it all unfold. He aimed his arrow now full drawn, to a place just a cubit behind the serper’s massive ugly head, and watched it fly. He saw it pass by Rhynos’ ear and the wind of it wash over him, he who for all his great speed had no ability to dodge such a deadly shaft. He saw the arrow punch through the serper’s heavy scales, disappearing completely inside the huge body as the great snake leapt in pain, and with a mighty writhing began to fall from the tree.

Cordia saw it then, for once death was upon the serper it could no longer hide, and she withheld her deadly blow to Rema’s neck by the barest margin and pulled the blade up as it swung so that it cut the air above his head instead. Rhynos too saw her change her blow and her gaze which suddenly cast beyond him to the tree. In a blur he turned and watched in stupefied amazement as a sudden understanding dawned upon him as the huge serper tumbled to the ground and commenced a mighty soundless writhing, until by the time the others had run up it lay still and lifeless, its eyes open but unseeing.

They all of them stood in silence for a long time, and gazed upon the terrifying creature.  Finally Cordia spoke.

‘Rema Bowman you had done a great thing here today. You stood your ground despite my attack; you saw what we could not, for none can easily see this creature when it lies in wait, and further you have killed it with a single shot to the heart which is beyond my comprehension at this time. I salute you.’

And with this heartfelt statement still echoing clearly across the valley she took her sword and lifted it vertically before her eyes, holding it with both hands upon the hilt at her waist, until as some set time passed, she swept it down and up again. The others except Rhynos all did the same in unison. And then the swords were sheathed, and they looked to their leader who stood silently before them.

Rhynos said nothing, but after a time in which no one spoke but in which a nervous anticipation grew upon them all, he faced Rema and spoke as one who now saw things from a place which gave a vastly different view.

‘Rema Bowman, I am in your debt. More than this I owe you my life. I confess that I have ill-judged you and too easily dismissed your ability and indeed your strange quest. I am at times given to hasty action and clearly too easy judgement. None I know, or have ever heard of in AlGiron has ever done such a thing as this just now. I saw not this fell creature and yet you did. You hit the heart in a single shot. There is much I have to learn from you and your friends. I ask forgiveness for my shallow ways. I too salute you.’

 These words were offered truly, and then he too saluted Rema in the manner just witnessed by the others. Rema smiled in humble acceptance of their tribute, and spoke somewhat earnestly in response.

‘I thank you for your words. I have much to say and need to talk with your Elders as soon as possible for there are evil things at work in Revelyn which AlGiron cannot ignore. I only wish now that my good friends and I be escorted in haste to a place where I might talk with those
Edenwhood
whom you serve.

They found shelter for the night in a large village by a deep lake of the most pure clear water any of the travellers had ever seen. Many bulbane trees were scattered along the shore and each was home to a family of
Edenwhood.
Large fish swam easily in the shallows and rose to be fed in the twilight by those who chose to walk happily about by the water. Small boats were rowed gently back and forth, whilst the happy sounds of laughter and lilting conversations filled the air. Other homes could be seen across the waters, for their lights reflected like scores of fireworms hovering above the depths.

After such a hard day’s travel all were happy to find such a tranquil place in which to be refreshed.  A good meal and a roaring fire thereafter was heartily welcomed, and they slept soundly once more,  waking feeling even further refreshed than their first morning, when all had remarked at some point on a strange sense of renewal. It was agreed that AlGiron had a remarkable effect upon good health. Even the reserve of Ofeigr seemed loosened for he had begun to offer comment and response in a manner which the others found most pleasing.

They travelled hard without incident that second day, and as the shadows merged to darkness found themselves on a crest which stood high above a large township spread along the western edge of the massive plateau.

‘Welcome to
Alderyn,
’ said Cordia warmly. ‘This is our leading city and it is our destination. If we travel further we fall far, down into your lands!’ She chuckled at her wit, before continuing more seriously.  ‘This is where the Elders live. We are expected.’

Rema did not ask how, but it seemed reasonable that a people as gifted as the
Edenwhood
would have their own ways of sending important messages when the need arose.

‘The treehomes here are well ordered,’ Serenna made comment, for she had seen that there were avenues and wider paths throughout the town along which the trees were growing as if by design.

‘We are longer lived than you,’ Cordia replied and so we grow our homes. ‘A parent will plant a sapling for their child where the elders deem it right,  and by the time of maturity it is often ready to be carved into the treehome to match their desire.’

‘But that would take three score of summers surely,’ said Scion who found the thought amazing.

‘Fourscore is usual, ‘Cordia replied.

‘How long have you lived?’ Serenna inquired of this lovely graceful Edenwhood.

Cordia smiled. ‘Oh I am still young; my maturity some would say is still before me. I have lived three score and ten summers.’

At this the five companions drew a breath, for by any judgement she looked not much more than a score of years.

‘Our Elder, Anderlorn  passed two hundred this very season, ‘Cordia continued, ‘and his equal, our Eldres Kreilliorn is but a handful of summers younger.’

This news surprised them all greatly.

‘This AlGiron is indeed a remarkable place,’ muttered Scion as he surveyed the scene below him. ‘Homes which are grown to one’s desire, old age pushed back for youth which continues beyond imagining. How long do you people live?’ He spoke more to the air than to anyone in particular but Cordia heard his musings and replied quickly.

‘Three hundred seasons is old age indeed for
Edenwhood.’
She paused and no one spoke a word.
 ‘
Come let us go on for Rhynos is waiting.’ And with that the party entered
Alderyn
.

‘They were indeed expected for as they rode into the town of
Alderyn
small groups of
Edenwhood
stood silently watching them, and their sombre demeanour and whispered conversations which Rema heard, gave him cause to realise that they were anxious about their coming, and were wondering what might be the end of it.

He realised then that if he were able to convince the Elders of AlGiron to aid his quest then the cost to this wonderful land and its graceful people would be heavy indeed. Many of their best would never return. As they rode deeper into the town he sensed that the darkest mood was directed towards him, and his heart saddened greatly.

What great grief do I bring to you Edenwhood?
he wondered.

As they approached the massive western escarpment the Bulbane trees were replaced by stone dwellings with heavily thatched roofs, for as Cordia pointed out the soil was thinner here and so along the edge of the cliffs the buildings were of a hand cut stone, and so beautifully pieced together that the blocks seemed to be as one. They entered a large stone-walled compound between two high and mighty iron gates which were guarded by two huge
Edenwhood
soldiers who remained unmoved at their passing. Within the gates the land was flat and well grassed, and sloped gently down to the very edge of the
Edenwhood
world. No large or impressive buildings could be seen, for it seemed mostly open space and pleasant grass. Their mounts were taken and led to a low stable complex to one side which formed one wall of the compound. Several large Sycthercats were roaming about on the rich green grass, under the care of their attendants and the setting sunlight gave a soft golden tone to what appeared to be a most peaceful setting.  The three cheerful
Edenwhood
soldiers who had accompanied them on their traverse of AlGiron disappeared with the animals, and two soldiers in ceremonial dress appeared to escort them to the edge of the cliffs where a large flat and very ancient platform of huge stone slabs had been constructed. It stood far out above the void. They climbed a dozen steps, each a cubit high and walked out upon it.

‘We are to wait here for a span,’ Cordia explained after a short conversation with the escort in her native tongue. The five companions were overwhelmed at the beauty which surrounded them, for where they stood was even more impressive than the view from the eastern cliffs. The height here was even greater, the clouds seemed further below. High above, shinning eagles soared on the great air currents which rose up the sheer rock face. They were so high that the setting sun still caught their pure white plumage and they shone and sparkled with each graceful turn and swoop.

‘Those are tame eagles,’ Rhynos explained, and can be flown by some of our kind who are small; your size Rema Bowman. We train our youth for this, and it is a great honour to serve for ten summers with the Eagles of Alderyn. I have a son who is currently one of the fortunate few.’ He spoke proudly, standing looking up at the birds so high above.

Beyond the clouds below which seemed to cling close to the cliffs, the land of Revelyn stretched endlessly to the far horizons in every direction. A gloom covered the land now and Rema shivered involuntarily for it was as if the shadows spoke much of the darkness which was creeping upon the land. A darkness which seemed far deeper and stronger rooted in evil mystery than anything which had previously come to pass.

To each side they looked down upon a most amazing sight, for all along the cliffs on either side of the massive platform on which they stood, were windows and balconies, cut from the cliffs, a clear indication of a huge underground complex of rooms and halls. Some distance to their right side, and cut down into the very edge of the escarpment could be seen a series of huge half circle steps, each lower one smaller than the one above, and at its base a large flat platform. Serenna inquired of Cordia what this impressive structure was used for.

‘We
Edenwhood
love to sing and tell stories. We act out legends and we perform for each other. That is a place of gathering for all, and it is a most wonderful place for as you sit upon those steps, you look out over the ever-changing vastness and are entertained by those amongst us who have a gift for such things. It may be that we can visit there if you are to stay longer in Alderyn. The Elders might wish to have you see what our best can offer. I do hope so for you will be greatly amazed.’ Cordia spoke with such honest enthusiasm that Serenna hoped she might indeed be granted such an experience.

At that moment they were directed by one of the attending guards to follow him. They returned to the centre of the open compound, and now, approaching from lower down it was apparent that here was a low stone-walled opening which led below ground. It was a very simple entrance to the complex into which they were ushered. Immediately they entered, down a staircase which seemed to widen with every step, the visitors were amazed at the beauty which confronted them, for they had all assumed that such a cave system would be rudimentary at best.

‘Did you ever see such carvings?’ Scion said in quiet reverence.

‘Or these murals and paintings, the colours are breathtaking,’ said Serenna as she turned around and around in amazement, for the walls and ceilings were all decorated either with carvings or paintings of the most incredible detail. Polished wood furniture seemed to fill all the spaces between the paintings, and the floors were all hand laid marbles which almost glowed so smooth was its surface.  Everything was lit by the most remarkable soft blue light emanating from seemingly scores of precisely shaped rocks set in individual niches in the walls.

‘We call this Luminaura.’ Cordia explained as they went, referring to the amazing lights.  It is found deep within the caverns of northern AlGiron. If it is left in the sun by day then by night it gives off this soft glow by which we light all our underground dwellings.’

‘Changing all these each day would keep more than a few very busy,’ said Rema touching one gently as he passed. It imparted a faint glow to his finger which faded quickly, as he watched in awe.

‘It is a good task for some,’ Cordia replied with a smile. ‘One learns that service is a skill we all need to master.’

They descended several levels until a long corridor appeared to one side. They were then each shown to a private room consisting of a bed chamber and a living space which opened onto a balcony cut into the massive cliff, and which joined all the rooms. The furniture was clearly for ones of large stature, but it was by no means unmanageable, in fact they all thought the large beds looked most welcoming. The attending guard informed them that they should be ready in two spans as he would return then at which time they were to be taken to meet the Elders. He lit candles in each bed chamber clearly marked with red lines for each span before leaving each with a stern warning to be ready for his return.