Braket's People a Tale Worthy of a Telling: Part 2 the Lost Light Elves

By Robert Crisp

The book continues the tale of Braket or Drumlin Caddis, Sentinel, on his adventure with his friend Brambling. Brambling becomes the second sage of the age and leads a militia force against the Dark Elves. Drumlin Caddis meanwhile is helping Ylfe, a Light Elf he befriended in Arturos Barrow, a place where they were both searching, but for different things. They face the dragon, Gorgan, together and search for Ylfes lost elves. They discover them in a most unlikely spot, but there are other dangers and enemies to overcome before the tale reaches its climax.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477225929

Robert Crisp

Robert Crisp was an extraordinary man: a Test cricketer described by Wisden as "one of the most extraordinary men to play Test cricket"; a decorated soldier (DSO, MC); a journalist who founded the South African newspaper, Drum, and wrote for The East Anglian Daily Times and The Sunday Express; an author, a mink farmer, an adventurer, a charmer. In short, a man of many talents.

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© 2012 by Robert Crisp. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   08/28/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2590-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2591-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2592-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

1   Sad farewells

2   Happy reunions

3   Return to the dragon’s den

4   The mammon’s secret

5   The march eastwards

6   Gorgan

7   The battle of the fringelands

8   The lord Vanir

9   Dokkalfar’s demise

10   The Elven Rite

11   Return to Farcledra-on-Moor

12   An alliance

13   Crossing the great water

14   The great stone circle

15   Changing course

16   Far Isle

17   Braket

1

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Sad farewells

The journey westward to Kernow was without mishap, although there were two sightings of Great Corax. The birds were far off in the east and didn’t appear to be searching for them at all. The little group did take cover however; they knew it didn’t pay to be complacent. When they reached the river Stein, they found it swollen following a recent good season storm, but they managed to cross it where they’d crossed it previously, just above Stein’s Cauldron. They didn’t have any problems similar to their eastward crossing when the Melinae almost took Drumlin Caddis over the spout, though it did however; bring a shudder or two to more than one of the party.

You’ve had a bad experience here, Drumlin Caddis? Ylfe asked him.

Yes, I was almost taken over the falls by an enemy on our journey east he answered.

I thought it may have been something like that Ylfe replied.

What do you know of it Ylfe? Silfin, who was retrieving their gear after the crossing, asked.

Ylfe knows quite a bit said Drumlin Caddis looking at Ylfe and smiling.

Indeed my lord Sentinel, I do. I think you know that’s why I agreed to accompany you west where you could regroup, gather your thoughts and return with me in order that we may search together for our friends.

That, and the lizard both, my good Ylfe replied Drumlin Caddis. You know we can’t forget her now.

Ah yes, she too must be sought. Although methinks she will be the easier to find than the Losalfar, the Light Elves.

Unfortunately that may be so. Have you recovered the rope? Drumlin Caddis asked turning to Silfin.

Indeed I have my lord he replied with a smile.

Good, let’s be off then. We still have many leagues to go. With that they set off again for Farcledra-on-Moor.

There was quite a mixed gathering waiting to greet them when they arrived back at Farcledra-on-Moor, with Brambling, Lundar and a Melinae at their head. Brambling and Drumlin Caddis embraced on seeing each other whilst Sithian, Sergan and Silfin were welcomed like returning heroes by the Kernowians; with wreaths of heather stuck on their heads. Lundar took Drumlin Caddis’ hand and greeted him like an old friend, an old noble friend that is.

My lord Sentinel the Aesir beamed. Welcome back. There are things to discuss, but first you and your brave companions must rest and have some victuals. I will ring the bell just after the darkness, if you please.

Yes Lundar that will please. There will be much to hear and much to say, but firstly there will be introductions as I see some new faces here.

Aye my lord, the ranks of our allies grows and we expect greater. But enough of this for now, there’ll be more time when the bell calls my lord. Lundar turned and went back to the chamber in the Aelfheim.

Come Ylfe, come Brambling, let us to Gadwall and the board. Farewell for now my good friends he said to his three companions.

Farewell for now my lord Silfin said as the three of them bowed low and then turned for their heims, followed by a crowd of youngers who were all cheering them.

How goes Gadwall? Drumlin Caddis asked Brambling.

She fares ill I’m afraid. I don’t think she’ll witness another whole moon.

Brambling, this is Ylfe of the Lost Light Elves. Ylfe, this is Brambling, second Sage of this age and a very dear friend. Drumlin Caddis introduced the two of them.

Well met Brambling Sage, though I wonder at your years.

I’ve newly acquired my title, master elf. It was as much a surprise to me as to anyone else, that I can tell you.

Yes but you are worthy of that title Brambling Sage. Yours is the staff of Temnink. They chatted as they made their way down to Gadwall’s heim.

Gadwall was sitting up in her bed when they entered her heim. A welcome burning was waiting for them in the hearth-grate with her large kettle bubbling above it.

My lord Sentinel Gadwall beamed at them. How now I feel lighter at your return, and you come with such a traveling companion. Welcome to my heim, seeker of hope. She lowered her head towards Ylfe.

Gadwall, this is Ylfe, seeker of hope, as you so rightly noted. Ylfe, this is Gadwall, Sage of the People of our second age. Drumlin Caddis presented them to each other.

Gadwall Sage, it is an honour for such as I to be made welcome into your heim. I feel your presence is weakening and so the honour is greater felt. A great host awaits you at your journeys end, and I wish you well.

Yes, my weariness makes itself felt heavier with each passing darkness, but I’m happy to have waited for your face to grace my heim.

You are a most gracious hostess Gadwall Sage Ylfe bowed low to her.

Some victuals and sweet herb tea are called for Brambling was in the process of saying when Fleotan entered from the hearth, with a large tray full of delicious looking victuals of mouthwatering appearance.

I’m afraid that if you’d like an enjoyable mug of sweet herb tea with your victuals, Drumlin Caddis, you’ll have to brew it yourself. This is Fleotan, my prentice. He’s a very reliable and perceptive lad, but he hasn’t yet worked out the intricacies of brewing a good mug of sweet herb tea. Even Gadwall prefers to abandon her bed in order to make it rather than upset her equipoise, uneven as that may be. Brambling explained.

No matter Brambling Drumlin Caddis replied. It’s been a while since we enjoyed sweet herb tea made in the correct fashion. It won’t take me long to provide you all with some. And so they sat around Gadwall’s board and enjoyed a wholesome feast. Even Gadwall vacated her bed and sat in her huge chair by the hearth-grate, not only in order to enjoy Drumlin Caddis’ famous sweet herb tea, but also for the conversation that followed the feast.

Brambling began by telling of Orin and the Melinae, of how they’d been deceived by Dokkalfar and of their return to their heims. He also told them how the Melinae were now rebuilding, not only their heims, but also the friendships and alliances with the Kernowians, and of the one pusend of spear and two pusend of bow that they had in training. Which brings us to the Ryelanders he said before Drumlin Caddis could ask. There is a force of four pusend on its way here even as we speak. They are being led by Gunnar and we are expecting them before the moon begins to wax.

That’s excellent news. What about Gael? Has word reached there yet? Drumlin Caddis replied.

Kendik sent some of his family, they’re the best Kernowians on the water, but it’s still too soon to hear word from them. Gadwall interjected as she had Fleotan pour her another mug of Drumlin Caddis’ sweet herb tea.

I would have loved to have gone with them Ylfe spoke softly, dreaming of boats and open water. The Light Elves loved the great water. There were none better. Is that not so, my lord Sentinel? Ylfe looked to Drumlin Caddis, who in turn smiled a knowing smile.

Where will they all be billeted? Fleotan asked Brambling, then immediately wished he’d not spoken.

That, Fleotan, is the self-same question that I intend to ask the Aesir at the convocation. Brambling answered him.

His sweet herb tea requires more work, but his mind is up to strength. Gadwall said. But what of the happenings in the east, my lord she asked Drumlin Caddis.

The lizard has flown for now Gadwall. She disappeared over the great water to the south and hadn’t returned ere we left. Another problem is the clamouring of the assassin birds, the Great Corax. They are not known for their gregariousness, as you know, but they were gathered in a great clamour. We even saw one deep within her den by her side just before she departed.

That is disturbing news. The bell will be calling us shortly I suspect, so we can discuss more of this in greater detail after the convocation she murmured, then beckoning to Ylfe to join her by the hearth-grate, said to him So, Ylfe, tell me more of your search of hope. He went and sat by her side besides the burning and began telling her of his, as yet, fruitless search.

The tolling of the bell suddenly ceased them in their chores and discussions and beckoned them to a very noisy Aelfheim. The Top Table had been extended slightly to allow Orin and Oster, his lieutenant, access as well as Ylfe. Lundar began the convocation by introducing and welcoming Ylfe to the meeting, Orin and Oster were already known so they got down to business. Thank you all for your promptness. Firstly I will inform my lord Sentinel and those others present who are not yet privy to the happenings here at Kernow since their departure, as well as the plans we have prepared. Lundar paused. I will be brief but precise, as I know my lord Sentinel has much to tell us. He went on to explain about the Ryelanders and of there being no news as yet from Gael. He invited Orin to explain the Melinae plans for their part in whatever it was that was to manifest itself around Kernow, if indeed, anything was. Eventually Drumlin Caddis rose and addressed the convocation. Friends he said quietly, there was no need for a loud voice, the auditorium was silent. I have returned from the east with my three brave Kernowian companions. A murmuring of agreement and nodding of heads greeted these words, and then silence again. "We