Storms of Creation: Shards of Light

By Brian Eiss

Dahlin knew the darkness was coming, but with it always came the light. It has been that way since the beginning of time and there has always been someone there to fight. Although the light has always managed to prevail, this time may be different. The Brotherhood that Dahlin has sworn to serve has grown weak and comfortable. He alone can carry a living limb from the Tree of Life as his companion and his powers have allowed him to see the truth of the creatures that surround humanity. He has even made a few odd friendships along the way.
On a dark and stormy night a child is born, but which one is he? Is he the child of light or the darkness returned? Dahlin must chose - life or death, light or dark? Unable to destroy a human life, Dahlin rescues the child stealing him from his family. Entrusting the child with his sister, Dahlin is off again. Fifteen years later, the darkness rises. Goblin hoards and a rejuvenated Verani Nation rally behind an unknown force confirming that the boy he saved is the child of light and the darkness is growing within another. Dahlin must protect and teach Kane all he can before the final battle rages. But he does not have to do it alone. Others will help him, but will it be enough?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Eiss
• Release date: Jan 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466036222

Brian Eiss

Brian Eiss was born in 1973 just outside of Philadelphia, PA. The youngest son of a Lutheran Pastor, Eiss went on to become a pastor himself and currently serves a Lutheran Congregation in Northwestern PA. He is married with a daughter and a son.

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Storms of Creation:

Shards of Light

Author

Brian K Eiss

Published by Brian K. Eiss

at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Brian K. Eiss

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Table Of Contents

Prelude - Something Stirs

Chapter 1 - The Darkness And The Light

Chapter 2 - The Brotherhood

Chapter 3 - Questions Answered

Chapter 4 - Home Again

Chapter 5 - The Verani

Chapter 6 - Gone Again

Chapter 7 - The Graven Blade

Chapter 8 - Days To Remember

Chapter 9 - The Death Craven Yan

Chapter 10 - Promises Made: Promises Kept

Chapter 11 - Hands Of Death

Chapter 12 - Swordplay

Chapter 13 - A Humble Servant

Chapter 14 - Nightmares Gone By

Chapter 15 - Another Departure

Chapter 16 - Light Unleashed

Chapter 17 - A Creature Called Bale

Chapter 18 - Darkness Overwhelms

Chapter 19 - Daylight Breaks

Chapter 20 - Legends

Chapter 21 - Introductions

Chapter 22 - Leverage

Chapter 23 - Awakenings

Chapter 24 - Hagamore

Chapter 25 - Passive Invitations

Chapter 26 - Draquli

Chapter 27 - Confessions

Chapter 28 - Beckoning

Chapter 29 - Desperate Regrets

Chapter 30 - Reunion With An Old Friend

Chapter 31 - A Single Crack

Chapter 32 - Secrets Better Kept

Chapter 33 - A Time for Fear

Chapter 34 - Spying Eyes

Chapter 35 - Brothers And Friends

Chapter 36 - Another Crack

Chapter 37 - Fight And Flight

Chapter 38 - Defenses Break

Chapter 39 - Left Behind

Chapter 40 - An Eye For An Eye

Chapter 41 - A Deserted Home

Chapter 42 - Old Wounds Are Hard To Heal

Chapter 43 - Loss Of One So Loved

Chapter 44 - The Bowles Of Hell

Chapter 45 - Granik Vey, Granik Hon

Chapter 46 - My Brother's Keeper

Chapter 47 - Old And New Friends

Chapter 48 - Darkenss Grows

Chapter 49 - Loves Long Lost

Chapter 50 - Eyes Opened

Chapter 51 - Grace And Glory

Chapter 52 - Lost And Found

Chapter 53 - Reunions

Chapter 54 - The Dragon Discovered

Chapter 55 - The Rite of Farewell

Chapter 56 - Alliance Renewed

Chapter 57 - For The Life Of A Sasquani

Chapter 58 - Prophecy Revealed

Chapter 59 - A Sliver Of Light

Chapter 60 - The Chalice Of The Creator

Chapter 61 - The Time Has Come

Chapter 62 - What Lies Ahead

Chapter 63 - Crossing Over

Chapter 64 - Matter Of Life And Death

Chapter 65 - Kings And Princes

Chapter 66 - Darkness Comes

Chapter 67 - The Journey Together

Chapter 68 - Brand New Enemies

Chapter 69 - Final Preperations

Chapter 70 - The Thief Comes Unexpected

Chapter 71 - Blood Will be Shed

Chapter 72 - One Becomes Three, three Becomes One

Chapter 73 - Marshall Ladic

Chapter 74 - The Wages Of War

Chapter 75 - Finally Face To Face

Chapter 76 - Storms Of Creation

Chapter 77 - For The Dawn

Chapter 78 - To Rescue A Friend

Postlude - When Darkness Rules

Prologue

Something Stirs

Dahlin huffed through his nose trying to get rid of the smell of death. He hated that smell more than anything else, but he couldn’t allow that to distract him now. He could sense something was different as he surveyed the dark forest that was almost thick enough to hide Tal Nari from view. Knowing what he needed to do and that his own powers would not be enough on their own, Dahlin called out to creation from within himself then clenched his teeth together so hard he was sure one of them would break. Every muscle in his body tightened as he screwed up his face waiting for impact. A searing hot bolt of lightning shattered branches and split trees chaotically on its way toward him. Maybe summoning its power wasn’t the best idea, but it was all he could think of at the moment. Even though he hadn’t fully mastered the powers of nature quite yet, the risk was worth the reward, and he needed something. Confidence, his father taught him, confidence and Sanctuary were the keys to overcoming ones shortcomings in tense situations and since Sanctuary had been shattered the moment Dahlin murdered his mother, confidence was all he had left. Everything from the moment Portrim disappeared and left him no choice lead him to this place, to this moment, to this night where sheer power and hate met hope and compassion.

His staff, Amber, tugged his hand forcing herself into the path of the pure white energy pulse. Not so much to protect him, but so she could absorb the power it had to offer. Amber burned in Dahlin’s grasp as fingers of lightning danced up and down her length making the hair stand up on the back of his neck. His arm convulsed uncontrollably trying to contain his companion as she screamed in pain. Just as Dahlin thought he could hold on no longer, just as Amber’s agony became unbearable, the lightning disappeared with a crack and the night paused. Before he could recover his composure, torrential rains began to fall. Luckily for Dahlin, Amber recovered more quickly and sheltered him from the raging storm leaving him untouched. Dahlin could hear the farmers of Tal Nari scurrying through the darkness tying down the last few lines over the hay and slamming barn doors shut. Gentle wind grew into a gale instantly uprooting trees and hurling stones against the simple farmhouses. Even a few windows shattered in the squall.

Dahlin cocked his head to the side and slightly upward studying the night. Something in the air changed and he sensed it down deep within the core of his being. Quickly his mood shifted as reality spun. There was hatred in the air itself. Bitter resentment filled his stomach turning it violently and pushing him to the brink of vomiting. Dahlin was unsure if his tempermental shift was due to the moment or if it was a reflection of what was to come, but he swallowed hard and turned his attention back to the task at hand. The winds howled over Domin’s Peak, the large western rock formation that towered upwards often into the clouds themselves, in a way that had never happened before. Slivers of orange light struggled to slice the darkness from within the walls of the dozen houses as candles became the only comfort in the tangible murk that fell like a blanket over everything.

The harder the wind blew, the more evident it became that there was something unnatural going on. There was an unholy nature to the way this night was unfolding as families huddled together from the evil that the villagers could sense was on its way. One house, one very dark house stood alone. It wasn’t any farther away from any of the others, but the wind almost seemed to be pushing this particular house away from the others.

Why here? Why now? Was it really happening tonight? Did that Druid Seer know what she was talking about? The smell of death filled his nose again as she crossed his mind. Question after question raged through Dahlin’s mind as he gave himself to the odd power that continued to try to distract him. Pressing his mind forward, there was a task that had to be completed and it had to be done by him. Breen should probably be with him, Fain as well. Dahlin knew this night was about to change the course of reality, or at least the way people looked at it. His brothers in arms should be there as well, but there just wasn’t time. As the last farmer rushed into his home slamming his door shut and shoving something large up against it to keep the wind from blowing it back open again, Dahlin emerged from the tree line that sheltered him.

Untouched by the raging winds, Dahlin floated from shadow to shadow until he was leaning up against the wall of that one house, that one place that seemed to be the focus of everything creation had within it. Approaching the door, a sound stopped Dahlin in his tracks.

A terrible scream filled the night for the blink of an eye, then silence again. The wind that seemed intent on destroying the house itself, and all who were within, drove that scream up the side of the mountain and out of the valley completely. Dahlin pressed his ear up against the door to hear more of what was going on inside. Hoping beyond hope that every fear, every concern, and every reason that he was there, hoping it was all wrong. The prophecies couldn’t be true; they just couldn’t be, could they?

Just as Dahlin thought the silence behind the walls might confirm his hope, he heard what he had dreaded. The wind stopped instantaneously, and it felt as though creation held its breath. The air left Dahlin’s lungs and his strength waned as he fell to one knee. Using Amber to keep him from completely falling to the ground, Dahlin steadied himself and wiped the tears from his eyes. He never thought a baby’s cry would cause him so much pain. His heart ached for what was to come. Not for the child inside, but for the one who must come next. It was there that the real pain would begin. One could not exist without the other, dark and light, good and evil. It was there that Dahlin and all who loved him would know what true loss meant. His mind raced with all the possibilities. Which side would this child be on? What of the other? There was supposed to be two, the prophecy demanded two.

With his last ounce of strength Dahlin pulled himself to his feet. Everything around him was still, so still there was no sound at all. The pounding in his chest seemed to echo off the mountain walls. What do I do now? The thought shattered his reality. Do I walk away, pretend this never happened? Do I take the new life inside? Could I kill an innocent child even though I know what it might become? Which child is it? The one to scourge creation leaving a trail of blood in its footsteps, or was this the one to bring peace and reconcile all to himself? How will I even know? Amber began to burn in his grasp. Conscience battled duty deep within him. It was a duty that he never enjoyed in his line of work. It was also a conscience that had gotten him into a great deal of trouble more than once. But the life of a child? No matter what it may become, I just can’t do it. Dahlin thought to himself.

Since his first day in the Brotherhood, the council taught him to take the life of anything that wasn’t human was simple killing. To take the life of a human, though, that was murder. Unfortunately, the lines were not so clear this time. Never before has darkness used human form blurring everything he had ever been taught. No child could be that evil from the beginning, could it? The question burned in his mind. An idea like that went against everything that he was trained to believe. But the life this child may live could be evil unlike anything creation had ever seen before. Hands of the Creator, which one is he? Dahlin asked the night.

If this was the child to bring peace, then he must be protected; but if he was the one to bring pain, could his path be altered? Could this young life be saved from a path of evil incarnate? The tangled web of questions that cluttered Dahlin’s mind suddenly became clear. The decision was made. Dahlin knew what had to be done if there was any way of saving everything he had come to love. Two fluid steps and the door shattered at the end of his staff. Assessing the situation with unbelievable speed and accuracy, Dahlin flung himself at the first adult form he saw. The child’s father had no time to react. Dahlin soared over the wooden table and chairs landing a foot in the perfect spot on the man’s chest propelling him backwards against the wall rendering him unconscious. The father’s body crumpled to the floor with a surprisingly loud thud while Amber danced above Dahlin’s head spinning and weaving intricate patterns that could barely be seen in the dim candle light. Just above the father’s heart, the end of Dahlin’s staff barely stopped in time. Not another. Dahlin mumbled to Amber, We swore we would never take another human life again. He never really intended for those words to actually be audible, but he held this precept so highly that he didn’t care that he could have just given himself away.

Dahlin turned, crouching directly over the body surveying the room once again. No one else was there. A tiny flicker of light came from down the hall through the cracks in a small wooden door. There was no sound at all, not even the post-birth cries assaulted his ears anymore. Dahlin sped down the hallway and launched himself against the door using Amber to propel him faster than he ever could have achieved on his own. Once inside the small and humble candle lit room, Dahlin surveyed quickly. A small bed was pushed up against the far wall to give room for the intricate design drawn in blood on the floor. Dahlin recognized it right away, the Overisk. An imperfect circle represented the connection of all life to one another. A line divided one side from the other separating the darkness from the light. The five pointed star contained within the circle had many meanings. Sometimes it represented the five fingers of the Creator himself, but more often it represented the five great nations: Draq, Verani, Sasquani, Dwarf, and Elves. Sometimes the star had six points including the Human nation into it, but it was obvious that whatever made this Overisk did not consider humanity in their numbers. The design was known only to those who have been schooled in the religion of the ancients. What Dahlin did not know was if the Overisk was there to destroy life, or to consecrate its journey. One candle in the center of the design gave off an eery red light that illuminated the lines of the bloody symbol and the newborn child that lay within.

Something shifted in the shadow and the feeling that filled Dahlin was that it wanted to stay there. Stepping forward to stand in the center of the Overisk and over the child, an overt sign of disrespect, Dahlin caught a glimpse of what was supposed to be a legend, a story to scare children and nothing more. They were called shadow people by most. Their proper name, however, the name known only by a few, which included Dahlin and the Brotherhood, was Draq. They existed in the shadows, a conglomeration of human and dragon that only could be noticed out of the corner of your eye, unless they wanted you to see them. Half dragon, half human, they had the best of both worlds; the cunning of humanity mixed with a dragon’s savage brutality. If one was schooled in the right way, though, it was possible to get the upper hand, but that only happened when darkness prevailed. At least that was what the legends said. Their dark nature was supposedly almost impossible to destroy unless you were skilled enough to take your chances in the pitch black. Luckily, Dahlin had prepared for this moment on the slim chance that the Draq were real.

Paying no attention to the mother who was sleeping off her painful labor or the child that gently cooed beneath him, Dahlin allowed Amber to begin spinning. He knew their weakness, the one weakness that could rid creation of this creature forever. As Dahlin began to conjur the most powerful spell he had learned, his reality twisted within him. If the creatures were real, then so were the stories, and if the stories were real, then he was about to destroy a brother. There was no time to ponder his new found identity, that the order he was sworn to serve were direct descendants of the creature that now threatened his life, and the life of the child.

Just before his staff swiped within an inch of the candle flame, Dahlin got a good look at what he was about to enter the darkness with. The emerald scaled face oddly reflected the flickering light giving prominance to a blunt and slightly turned up nose perched on a barely noticable snout. Deeply set blood red eyes pierced Dahlin’s peripheral vision causing his skin to crawl as a frantic panic washed over him like the waves of St. Vale. Dahlin fought his nature clinging to the calm that Sanctuary offered, or what was left of it anyway. Dozens of needle like fangs flashed off the candles flame as the beast roared in rage. There was no fear in the thing and why would there be, only one human before Dahlin had ever been strong enough to kill them.

Dahlin knew that since this creature was real it would have recognized him right away; after all he was the last of their order. Skillfully, Dahlin kept the hood of his cloak in the perfect place to keep his face hidden the entire time. With his last fluid movement, and just for fun, Dahlin threw back his hood so he could look the Draq in the eye. For a moment, Dahlin detected a sense of respect in the eyes of his prey, a nod almost. Cocking his head to the side with a confused look on his face, Dahlin paused. Noticing his hesitation, the Draq grinned in satisfaction that his deception had worked. The beast leapt fluidly. Dahlin recovered quickly as the Draq’s wings filled the room above his head, again causing Dahlin chills with its unnatural scream.

Closing his eyes, Dahlin sighed, lowered his head, and began to chant. Time slowed as he began internally conversing with Amber. She was his friend, his staff, his trusted companion, and a living limb from the Tree of Life. So many battles, so many close calls, so many times their connection was almost severed, yet they survived together. The movement of Dahlin’s lips stopped instantly replacing their motion with a smile that again danced across his face. Normal light meant nothing to these creatures. Their only weakness was a powerful and rare spell known as 'The Creator’s Light,' and only one with a staff made of the Tree of Life could live through it being conjured. Dahlin didn’t need to open his eyes; he knew exactly what was happening.

Fingers of lightning wove an intricate pattern straight up from the end of his staff until it met with the ceiling. Claws dug into the soft wooden wall and ceiling as the Draq pulled itself back from the light. Dahlin yanked his head up and opened his eyes just in time to see the Draq’s wings begin to disintigrate from the energy. Hovering for a moment, the Draq opened his mouth and let out a hiss that sent a chill up Dahlin’s spine. There was no more time. Dahlin tapped Amber against the floor to finish the spell. The light that eminated from her multiplied, dancing, growing, and weaving its way in every direction blanketing the ceiling with white hot fire that would not burn anything it came in contact with unless it was a creature of the darkness. The Draq’s scream lasted only for a second, and then his job was done. Crackling flashes of Draq flesh floated like snowflakes and disintigrated before hitting the floor. Dahlin mumbled again and lowered Amber’s tip to the candle in the center of the Overisk and re-ignited the flame.

Taking a moment to clear his head, Dahlin turned his attention to the mother. Her labor left her barely alive. Dahlin was sure that the Draq would have killed her had he not arrived when he did. The child made no noise as if out of respect for what had just occurred. Dahlin studied him from a distance. There was nothing about this child that made him stand out, nothing marked him as evil or good. Dahlin could not decide how he felt about that fact. Bending down to get a closer look, the child suddenly focused his eyes to meet Dahlin’s, smiling a gentle smile. Dahlin knodded in agreement with his course of action knowing the child needed to leave this place. For a second all of the weight that held him down the last few years lifted as the child giggled. Infants this small are not yet able to smile, yet alone laugh. The laughter lifted his heart, causing him to smile himself. Sliding the backs of his finger along the child’s perfectly plump face, Dahlin wondered how the next step would play out. If this child was darkness incarnate then that meant that Dahlin would have to destroy him, and that was a thought he simply could not bare. So for now, in Dahlin’s mind he was the light and that was just the way it was going to be.

The presence of the Draq meant the shadow people were aware of the child’s presence and, more importantly, they knew where he was. Either they were here to destroy the one who would bring peace, or to raise and nurture evil’s intent. If they were here before him, then they would surely come back. They may have already sent the next one to finish whichever ritual they were trying to complete. The child needed to leave; he needed to be somewhere safe. Dahlin thought only for a second. There was only one place where he could be watched, and where he could be protected, even potentially from others within his own Brotherhood. Sis will know what to do with you, Dahlin whispered into the child’s ear as he carefully lifted the child from the floor.

Dahlin needed to deliver him quickly and get back to the Order or his absence would cause suspicion. A week or two could be explained away as deep meditation, but more than that and the council would start asking questions that they were simply not ready for the answers. This night already found him out ten days and it would take at least four to five more to get back to Nadir after leaving the boy in St. Vale with Janine. Dahlin knew he would be making this part up as he went along. And so it begins, Dahlin said softly as images of his mother and father appeared in his mind. It was because of them that he was there and it was only because of them that creation now stood a chance at surviving. The reality of his task fully set in as the blankets surrounding the baby suddenly became soaking wet right in the place where Dahlin’s hand supported the giggling infant. Rolling his eyes, Dahlin sighed, hung his head, and made for the gaping hole that once held the front door.

Chapter One

The Darkness and the Light

A bright flash penetrated Dahlin’s eyeslids, and then darkness returned. Shooting up out of his bed landing hard on the creaking old wood, Dahlin watched as the candle flickered then died. A few short steps, a wave of his hand, and light filled the room again. A smile crossed Dahlin’s face quickly followed by a small chuckle. He was always on edge these days, always on edge. He laughed at himself that a simple draft and a candle flame could set him off. He regained his calm and strolled towards his humble desk. The few hours that he got at night to immerse himself in his studies was now the only time that brought him peace. Reaching out for something greater than himself seemed to drive away the weight he now carried with him almost constantly.

Sighing heavily, Dahlin took a moment to survey his surroundings. His room was modest. As Dahlin looked around he suddenly became aware of how sparse his belongings were. Everything that he owned was contained within the fifteen foot by fifteen foot space he called home. He never complained that his bed was a full two feet shorter than he was and it never bothered him that his window looked directly at a carved stone wall. As he visually searched the room for something that he felt a strong and personal connection to, his eyes met his own staring back at him in the small mirror that hung on the wall.

For an odd moment, much unlike his normal behavior, Dahlin took a moment to explore his own features. His gentle wavy hair was surprisingly long now, well past his deceptively broad shoulders. There was always just enough hair on his face to give him the appearance of age, while at the same time not enough to make him look old. His hair framed his face in such a way that the scar that ran the length of his chin from the front just off to his left then back down along his jaw toward his neck softly disappeared. Following the path of the scar he noticed the next one at the base of his neck flowing over his shoulder. Suddenly he thought of the last. Lifting his shirt he ran his fingers over three straight lines perfectly spaced spanning the entirety of his ribcage. Cursed wolf, he mumbled. I will return the favor the next time we meet. Looking back up, his eyes met his own once again.

Dahlin’s eyebrows carved definitive lines over his bright green eyes that began searching for answers within himself. With one hand on the wall and the other rubbing his forehead, Dahlin wondered to himself, When is it safe to see them both again? What excuse can I give the Brotherhood to get away this time? Five trips each a month long over the last few years had already pushed the bounds of the Brotherhoods leniency. As if he was about to answer his own unspoken question, his expression became overwhelmed with a look of desperation searching for another believeable lie. The knock on his door brought him back to where he was, and to the depth to which he was involved.

There wasn’t much space left in his tiny abode when Dahlin opened the door. The small, unassuming man standing in his doorway had an extremely somber look upon his plump, round face. His light green hooded robe barely touched the ground because of the extreme roundness of his belly. Dark eyes relayed strong contempt for the brother he was sent to retrieve. The council needs to ask you some questions, he growled while twisting his face, ending with a very sarcastic my brother. Dahlin could no longer hold a straight face as they both burst out laughing. Neither one could contain their familiarity.

Yes, my brother, Dahlin said through his laughter, I am coming. I think you have put on a little. Have you gained weight, my friend? Dahlin patted Fain’s belly as he reached for Amber inside his mind. She leapt from the wall searching for Dahlin’s waiting hand.

Turning to find his tunic that was so dark it was actually devoid of all color, Dahlin spun throwing it over his shoulders, his hood automatically covering his head and face. So what is it this time, Fain? What does the council think I have done now? The two clerics entered the hallway, Dahlin’s door softly latching behind him. The corridor was more than adequately lit by the few lanterns that hung from the walls. Fain giggled as he shook his head. Rumor has it that you and that staff of yours can bring an end to the drought in the southern tier and stop the rains over the western plateau that has killed more than two hundred in the last week. Turning the corner, Dahlin’s right hand emerged from his robe and firmly grasped the right shoulder of his closest friend. It’s true my friend. If I can get a woman to knock on your door once a year, then I can do anything I guess.

By the way, how is that sister and nephew of yours? I didn’t get a chance to see them two months ago when I was in the Port of St. Vale.

Fine, just fine. Janine is surviving as a single mom, hiding her pain and struggle well. Kane is doing well in school, although his talents seem to be better suited in other places. Dahlin said longing to see Kane again.

So you still plan on bringing him in to be tested by the council then? We haven’t had a novice in the order in 12 years. I’ve met the boy Dahlin, and I’ve got to tell you, I just don’t see it. But, then again, you’ve proved me wrong one or twice before, Fain said with a look of trepidation sliding across his face.

Once or twice? Dahlin interrupted, stopping directly in his tracks.

Do we need to do this now? You need to know what you are walking into, Fain said as they continued down the hall.

Both Dahlin and Fain seemed to float down the stairs, reaching the bottom quicker than they should have. Turning to face each other at exactly the same time, neither spoke. Dahlin brushed his hood off of his head so that he could look his long time friend and brother in the eyes. Fain spoke breaking the slightly uncomfortable silence, You keep secrets my brother, Fain said bluntly turning his eyes away and toward the floor. I’ve known if for years now, but I have always accepted that you don’t play by the rules the rest of us follow. I can understand that there are things that you hide from the council. Lately I have come not to trust them myself, but why from me? Since the first day we stepped into this place, you have been the brother I never had. But you stray, my friend. I am worried. Breen has disappeared completely and the council wants answers. For the first time in thirteen years Dahlin could not look Fain in the eyes.

The Darkness is moving my friend, Dahlin answered forcing himself to keep his eyes on Fain’s face. Things have been set in motion that cannot be stopped, but they can be changed. It is safer for you if that is all you know for now. You will be a part of this my friend. Probably more than you will ever want to, but you will be a part of it. Dahlin turned and walked the few steps to the Council Chambers entrance and placed his hand on the latch.

Wait, Fain said as he looked around a few times shuffling up next to Dahlin quickly. They want to know what is going on. They have never been satisfied with your explanation about the death of your mother, and your father for that matter. They want Portrim back, and they want to know why you leave for such long periods of time alone. Make sure your story makes sense, or I fear I will never see you again.

Dahlin took his hand off the latch of the door and sighed. Hanging his head, Dahlin walked over to his long time friend, threw his arms around him and whispered, I am prepared my friend. And so shall you be. Blessings and peace. A firm grip from both hands on his friend’s shoulders, Dahlin turned and opened the door to the Council Chambers. The door closed behind him, and Fain headed back to his studies, not sure if he would ever see his friend again, but for some reason, he was pretty sure he would.

*******************************

Blood splashed across a small wood fire that struggled to illuminate the distant and barely visible walls threatening to extinguish its flame. It boiled and cracked as it quickly coagulated allowing the full fire to return. The heat was more intense than it should have been for such a small fire. A loud thud softly echoed and faded into silence yet again. Bradish, Bradish! Where are you? The voice was deep, harsh, and foreboding. An ancient wooden door creaked as it was pushed open.

Yyyes, my mmmaster. Cccoming Lllord. Bradish stepped into the light of the flame, revealing his distorted face. Long pointed ears stuck straight out from the sides of his oval shaped head. The point of his nose wasn’t nearly as long, but long enough. His slumping stature gave him a height just short of most humans but he appeared to be much shorter. What does yyyour dark hhheart dddesire? Bradish stuttered, folding his long fingers and huge hands just over his slit of a mouth.

It seems I have made another mess. Hagen growled from somewhere in the black void of shadow as a severed human head appeared on the end of a sword at the farthest reaches of the light. Tell me, what of my potion? Have we made any progress? Hagen asked as the sword scraped against something solid enough to remove the head from its length.

We hhhhave most of ttthe items my lllord. Scales fffrom a dddragonfish, llleg of a bat, hhheart of an elf, hhhe didn’t gggive that up eeeasily, I’ll tell you. Bradish snickered as if he had said something funny. He cleared his throat when his amusement went unnoticed. Looking down and pulling a piece of parchment out of his huge fur coat and held it close to the the scorching flame. We hhhave all the other pppieces, and it iiis being wwworked on as wwwe speak. I mmmust beg pppatience, my lord, ttthis is a very pppowerful pppotion.

And the other matter?

The ssscholars believe, mmmy lord, ttthat in order to dddo what you ask, we must fffind a ssstaff from ttthe Tree of Life. Ttthat iiis the only ttthing pppowerful enough ttto rrresurect and ttthat is wwwhere we hhhave a ppproblem. Bradish answered awkwardly.

Explain. Hagen commanded gently communicating an eerily unstable calm. Bradish shifted, his dark eyes darting through the darkness.

Wwe can’t fffind any, my lllord. There are ssstories that dddrift ttthroughout time, lllegends of a secret bbband of hhhumans who fought for the Cccreator. Aaa ffew of these hhhhumans used ssstaffs ccculled from the Tttreee of Lllife as their wwweapons. The stories end though, wwwith those hhhumans and their ssstaffs being dddestroyed by the lllast of the dragons. As fffar as we can ggguess, there aaare none llleft. Bradish cringed in anticipation of what reaction might come. The silence he received was almost unbearable.

Deciding not to wait for the rage he had grown use to over the cycles, Bradish jumped in quickly, There iiis one rrrumor ttthough. Aaaa rumor of one hhhuman who wwwalks with a staff by hhhis side. No one is sssure though. Surely if tttthe ppprophecy that the dying dddruid ssseer gave you is tttrue, ttthen so must the rrrumors be. Ifff there iis a bbboy who will bring your eeend, then. . .

I told you never to speak of her lies again! Hagen bellowed as Bradish cowered away burying his face into his chest. The end of me? Preposterous. But, if I am to take my rightful place as ruler of this world then I need them both. The voice was barely more than a whisper.

But wwwe have no iiidea where to fffind them, my lord, I, I, just don’t think . . .

Find them! The command echoed off the unseen walls. Find them NOW and bring them to me! The final shriek ended with a loud crash. Throwing himself forward, Lord Hagen revealed himself into the light of the flame. His pale face, half human, half something else appeared out of the dark void. Straight, black hair that looked wet hung the full length of his face and trembled as he shook in rage. His eyes were as black as the darkness that surrounded them. His nose was slightly pointed and his ears were clumped and deformed.

Bradish scurried from the room in fear of his master’s irrational anger. Lord Hagen stood to his full height, slightly above that of most humans. Stretching out his arm he placed his long fingers into the flame itself. As the flesh began crackling he mumbled to himself, Soon my human brothers, soon. Then you will regret what you have done to me.

Chapter Two

The Brotherhood

Once inside the small anteroom, Dahlin studied the knobs on the next set of doors that stood before him. This part of the process was familiar to him. Take a seat in the anteroom until one of the Council came to get him. Usually Dahlin could judge how much trouble he was in by the amount of time it took before he was granted access to the council. A short amount of time meant he was in a lot of trouble. The longer it took, the more at ease Dahlin would become because that usually meant a simple inquisition.

The waiting room was a simple place, probably to place more importance on the exquisite nature of the council room itself. Small and rectangular, the anteroom had ten simple chairs lining the two shorter walls on either side, and the longer wall with the two large doors Dahlin had used to enter the room. The last wall had an intricate mural painted on the walls almost hiding the door that entered into the Council chambers. The painting was brightly colored and quite beautiful, but there was barely enough light in the room to get a good look at it. On prior occasions, Dahlin had enough time to engage a simple illumination spell that allowed him to truly see the story recounted on the wall. The history of the Brothers of Creation was as intricate as the painting.

In the time before time was time, the Creator became bored. With no one to share existence with, the Creator formed the land and sea with the heavens and the lights above them. The Creator then placed humanity upon the world to share in all that he created. But humanity quickly became full of themselves and the powers the Creator had given to them, invoking the wrath that would ruin humanities relationship with the one who formed them. Quickly, humanity began fighting amonst themselves, some choosing to live in the light, others hid their deeds in ths shadows. Humanity split into five groups each with a leader.

The Brotherhood believed the Creator not only created everything good, but he also conjured up all kinds of evil in the world, even creating the Lord of Darkness to lead the war that would erradicate humanity from existence. Orcs and trolls, demons, dwarfs, fairies, and the list goes on. All creatures were created to destroy humanity effectively erasing humanity forever. Many races though, like the dwarfs and fairies fought their created nature to fight alongside humanity. The mural ended with the hand of the Creator reaching down to humanity from the heavens. Unfortunately, it has not yet been decided if that hand is coming to destroy humanity and all of creation with them, or to lift humanity and the worthy races from this existence to the next. The Brotherhood of the