Vold's Tale

By Voldemars Adminis

A tale of how one man running away from the world finds a valley full of creatures long forgotten. Magical creatures such as the dragons that protect the residents of the valley. Elves and Dwarves who live and work together. Centaurs who enjoy a party and Unicorns that only wish to live in peace. He even finds the woman he was destined to love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Voldemars Adminis
• Release date: Feb 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781999056100

Voldemars Adminis

Worked as a commercial printer for most of my 60 plus years of life. Wrote poetry when I was young but never thought it was any good. I wrote a weekly newspaper column for three years. Was a Scout leader and love the outdoors and all animals. Have a group of deer that regularly visit my yard in the small town I live in. Now that I am retired have time to write down all the images and stories in my head. Never had faith in my writing till I met a very special girl, who convinced me to at least try. Now I enjoy getting my thoughts down that I am at it full time.

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Vold's Tale

Published by Voldemars Adminis at Smashwords

Copyright 2018 Walter J. Scott

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each additional recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Prologue-

I am going to hike into the Wilmar Wilderness, and not sure when I will be back. If you could go down to the Sheep Creek, parking area, in a week and pick up the van, I would be grateful. If I am gone longer than that, I will find my own way home. There is no point in my vehicle sitting there to be stripped and robbed. I asked, as I looked over at my long time younger friend. He looked puzzled, but agreed as I handed him my spare key to the van, before I added, There is a good cabin, two days hike in and a few days there, should get my head cleared.

There was no reason to tell him I had no intention of returning. As far as I was concerned there was no more reason to live. I did not believe in religion, as it was taught in any church. I had tried but with all the contradictions. Love each other but hate and kill others. Keep the family, yet the scriptures glorified incest. I did believe we were being watched over, but it was not by any God or divine being as man taught us.

Are you going to be alright alone, or you meeting someone there? asked Joe.

No one else, but I will be fine. I have planned this for a while now and made sure I took everything into account. Even bringing my parka, in case it snows. There will be others along occasionally and I will leave a plan with the Park Rangers. I smiled as I said it, as I knew the Rangers would only know I was hiking in and a friend would take my van after a time.

You are not a spring chicken anymore Vold. You sure you can handle this?

Look Joe, I just need you to pick up the van, if I am not out in a week. If I am, I will send you a text from the Ranger station. OK?

No problem, buddy. Just making sure you will be alright.

I will be fine. I have it all planned and am ready. I have to go, you take care of yourself. Say hi to your parents for me. I stood and dropped a few dollars on the table to pay my share of the food and drinks.

I will Vold. See you later, and have fun were the last words my close friend said. Not knowing we would never meet again. Not in this lifetime anyway.

Yes I had it all planned. I would take five days supplies with me and walk seven days into the mountains. I knew I could never willingly take my life, but once before I had almost starved, so I knew that I could do it again, and if I could get totally lost in unknown terrain it would be better. I had a basic idea of wilderness camping but no idea what plants were edible or not. If I was lucky I could get a mountain lion or bear upset and they would do the job and get a free meal too.

There was nothing left for me so it was time. I refused to become a vegetable and waste away in a hospital or some care home where no one would visit anyway. I had a woman who said she cared and in her way she may have, but I needed more and could not get it in this life, so I had to move on to the next. I needed to be more than just some nice guy who helped everyone and never got anything in return. Money was not what I wanted and false friendship I did not need.

While I still could, without interference, I will take my life and since I truly believed in reincarnation, I will find out what is in the next life for me. Everyone knew when I was supposed to return. None knew that day would never come. Now all that was left was to wait till my leaving date came around.

Chapter One

With my pack on my back and a sturdy walking stick in hand, I headed off towards the high mountains, many miles ahead, along the well worn trail. I left my vehicle locked in the parking lot, knowing that in a week my friend would find it, and take it home as we had agreed, when we last met. With the sun just coming up and at my back, I walked through the trees, hoping I would get a long ways from civilization. The birds were singing and with the occasional rustle of wind in the trees. I smiled and walked on. Many would think it strange that I was happy about going to end my life, but I was, and started to hum an old song about backpacking.

The sun was off to my left and high in the sky when I came to a stream and stopped to have a drink. I wasn't hungry, but was hot and thirsty. I was not in great shape, but it did not matter. I took a long drink of the water, which was clear and cool. A deer stepped out of the trees a few yards downstream, she glanced at me and then took her drink. She looked at me again, before she went back into the trees. I took that as my cue to move on toward the snow capped peaks again. Following the stream I wandered along humming. Other than the trees whispering in the wind and a few glimpses of wildlife I was alone and loving it. In my forty odd years on this planet I never had felt so alive or happy, as I did now.

Many hours must have passed, when I noticed the long shadows. I realized that soon the sun would be gone and I had better find a place to spend the night. Just off the trail was a very small clearing that had been used as a campsite, so I strolled in and took my pack off. I found a few fallen evergreen branches for my mattress and laid the sleeping bag on them before I looked for dead fall for a campfire. In a short time I had a small fire going and felt warm and cozy. I had a bit of freeze dried food for my meal, then laid down to rest but I fell asleep quickly. I do not know how long I had slept, when a loud shriek woke me. It was totally dark, with only the stars in the sky at first.

I jumped up, realizing I had not gotten into the sleeping bag. Again I heard the loud shriek from overhead. Looking up I saw a large shadow. It looked like a bird, but I had never seen any bird that large before. Not even a giant condor was that large. It must have been the size of a small aircraft. I pinched myself to be sure I was awake. I was. The shadow glided silently west, toward a pass in the mountains, which I suddenly noticed were no longer a long ways off. I never realized I was that close to them, but obviously I must have put in many more miles than I thought. I sat there for a long time trying to figure out what I had seen, but never came to any conclusion that made sense. The fire had gone out long ago, and the sky was getting lighter, so it was time to pack up and move on.

I looked around for the worn trail, but it was gone. What the heck? The creek was still there but I only saw an animal track was along side it now. I wondered what had happened to the well worn trail, that would have led to the cabin, at the lake on my second day of hiking? It was very curious and confusing. Since I had intended to get lost in these mountains anyway, I shrugged it off and headed toward the mountain pass the huge bird had flown to. It was as good a destination as any and I really did want to find out what I had seen. If that was possible. So after filling my canteen with water, I strolled off along the narrow track.

My pace seemed faster and I did not seem to tire, as I had usually after long walks. Although I was going up all the time and the trail I followed narrowed, I felt no exhaustion. I actually felt invigorated, as I walked through the trees, which suddenly opened into a large meadow, full of wild flowers. It was as beautiful as any picture. I walked on, doing my best not to step on the flowers, which gave off a heavenly fragrance. Stopping at the other side I took a cool drink from the trickle of a stream and made sure my canteen was full, as from here on it would be a lot steeper, going up hill and there would be no more trees as I was at the tree line now. I had never hiked this high before, but knew I had to keep going to find answers to the things I had seen earlier. I had some time before night would fall, so I started along what seemed like a slight trail to me. I had made it almost to the top of the pass when the sun started fading, so I rolled out my sleeping bag on a level spot, under a ledge of rock. I rummaged through my pack and found that I was out of food, which was strange as I was sure I had more freeze dried food with me. Guess I would be going to bed hungry tonight and with no wood around would be a cold night but the ledge would keep me out of any breeze that would come up. I was just below the snow line, so hopefully I wouldn't get wet from my body heat. I sat for a while thinking of the strange happenings of the last day, but knew I needed to rest and could not think, so I slid into the bag and was soon asleep.

The sun was very high when I woke near a blazing fire, there was a huge piece of meat on the spit over it. I sprang up totally confused, as I was on a grassy rise overlooking a very large lake. I thought I must be going crazy. I know I was high in the mountains last night, but now I was in a valley with the peaks all around me. There was the sound of birds singing in the trees. Birch, fir, aspen, which were familiar, but there were fruit trees too. Apple, orange and even lemon trees, that I know you can't grow in the mountains. I heard a rustle in the bush and as I looked in that direction, I had to rub my eyes several times, as a giant of a man strolled out toward me. At least eight foot tall, and nothing anyone would call attractive. In fact am sure he would be what I would call an ogre, the true definition of ugly, but that was not possible, was it? He wore nothing more than an animal skin around his waist and was very muscular and hairy. From the smell, I doubt he washed much or had his matted, shoulder length hair cut, ever. In his arms he carried a bunch of large branches, which he snapped easily, with his hands and tossed on the fire, while barely glancing at me. He took out a large blade and cut off a piece of the meat. He grumbled something I did not understand as he thrust it toward me. Timidly I took the hot meat and thanked him. As I ate what tasted like beef, but not quite, I asked him where I was and how I got there, but all I could make out from his speech, was the word 'Guardian', or at least I thought that was what he said. It was a word he used several times, but there were no other words that he spoke that made any sense to me. A strange language that this person spoke. I have heard many languages, but I just could not place this one. Stranger still was the fact that he seemed to understand me perfectly.

Since I was here, I had every intention of exploring this strange yet beautiful valley. I rolled up my sleeping bag. When I picked up my very light pack, I realized it was empty. All I had left was a knife, that was on my belt and the small hatchet I had brought to chop kindling for a fire. My large axe, matches and spare clothes, were gone. Somehow I knew my companion had not taken my things, but I asked him anyway. Again he said 'Guardian' and nothing more. Not being able to understand a word he said, and knowing I would not discover why these things had happened here from this kind, yet not so bright man, I finished getting ready to leave. I thanked him again. I turned and started to head north, but he grunted something and pointed in the opposite direction. As much as I tried to go north, he blocked my way and kept pointing south. So with no choice, as there was no way I could push pass him, I strode off in the indicated direction. He didn't try to stop me, but stayed and watched me. I assumed it was to be sure I went the way he wanted. I waved to him and walked through the bushes and south on the road there. I wondered why he was so insistent I go this way. It did not matter as I would still see this lovely valley I found myself in.

The dirt covered road, seemed very well worn and wide enough for a car, or maybe a wagon, as I somehow doubt there was ever a car in this place. There were slight ruts along the centre but they were not deep so I had to assume there was a little traffic here. As I strolled along, I tried to figure out what had happened to all my supplies, and me. I had started my hike in what was early fall but here it looked more like mid summer. Everything was green and beautiful around me. Flowers of all sorts were in full bloom, trees in full foliage, birds singing all around and such fresh, clean air. This was such a perfect place that somehow I knew, I would never want leave. I had not walked far when through the bushes I glimpsed what I thought were horses, but they looked huge, like Clydesdale's and they moved so quickly, that all I ever saw was a blur. I stopped and strained to see them through the bushes, but I could see no more, so soon I went on again.

The road was bending away from the lake. I heard a stream ahead and then saw a bridge, as I came around a turn in the road. It was a very well built wooden bridge over a wide clear stream. I stopped for a drink and the water was very cool and almost tasted sweet. I decided to sit under a large oak tree and just enjoy the beauty around me. I must have dozed slightly for what had to be many minutes. I was brought to reality by the sound of hoofs on the road. I rose and went up to the road to see who was coming, thinking maybe now I would get some answers.

It did not take long to see that I must be dreaming or I had lost my mind. Coming down the road, side by side, were two, obviously female, because they wore no clothing, centaurs. I caught myself rubbing my eyes again, as they stopped beside me. They said something, but again in the same language I had heard before from the ogre. They saw that I did not understand them, so they indicated with their hands, for me to come with them. In for a penny, I thought. I followed the ladies down the road and it was soon that I saw a tower over the trees. It seemed that was where we were going. The female centaurs kept chatting away as we walked on, occasionally glancing back to see if I was still following. I got the impression they were having a bit of a chuckle about me. I wasn't sure and didn't really care. I just wanted to find out where I was, or, if I was dreaming all this, I didn't want to wake. This was a much better place then the war filled, greedy world I left behind.

Looking up as we approached, I saw that the tower, was larger than I had realized. I always thought there would be a clear area around any watch tower like this, but here the trees were very close to it. The centaurs opened the large doors, indicating that I enter. I walked into a large bare room with a very large, wide staircase going up against the back wall. There were doors on either side of this room, that lead to other rooms, I gathered. No decorations or anything else was visible.

I was a bit shocked as I looked back, as the doors closed with the help of a large hulk of a man, and I use that term loosely, as I recognized him from this morning. After closing the doors, he motioned and shocked me again by saying, Follow. The first word I had totally understood since I arrived in this strange valley. More questions and no answers. The centaurs had disappeared through one of the side doors so I hustled after my new friend who was already a long ways up the very wide, massive steps, so I had to really move quickly, to catch up.

It was a bit strange to call this person a friend, but I was more comfortable with him than anyone else I had ever known. It was hard to explain but here it seemed that all treated each other with respect and caring for who they were and not how they looked.

The first two floor landings opened to a small foyer or so it looked, with several doorways but the doors were all were closed and my friend had continued up so I hurried after him. So many steps I thought they should put in an elevator but assumed electricity was in short supply here. When I arrived at the third level, my friend indicated for me to come to the settee across this large well furnished room. It seemed to take up the entire level. A large four post canopy bed stood at the far wall. There were two settees and two large easy chairs next to two huge bookcases at one side and what I assumed was a dining table on the other with eight wooden chairs around it. All looked like it was from the middle ages or at least what I would picture of that time period. There were four tall narrow windows with stained glass, equally spaced to allow light in.

My ogreish friend, said You wait here. Myriansinta come. Tell all. And with that he was down the stairs and gone, before I could say a word. Since I had nothing better to do I strolled around the room and looked over the books on the shelves. Maybe if it took a long time for whomever it was to show up, I could find a good book. As I browsed the shelves, I saw books in many different languages. Some I recognized but others were foreign to me and all the books seemed very old. I soon gave that up and wandered around to see what else was here. I open the wardrobe to find many fine clothes. All were very frilly and seemed to be from the past. There were some shoes with buckles and nothing else. There was a door I had not noticed before so I opened it and looked into a small room with a brass tub in one corner and what looked like a toilet in the other. Nice to know I won't have to jog a mile to the outhouse. Closing that door I heard hooves on the steps so I went toward the steps as one of my female companions came up onto the landing.

She smiled and asked if I would like to eat. Shocked again, I asked her how she spoke English now, when she and her friend didn't when we met. She simply said, Myriansinta allows it. You eat or no? I said yes, but just a little. Not sure if she heard the part about a little, as she wheeled on her hind legs, and was clattering down the steps, gone in a flash of hooves. It was only a couple of minutes before she was back with a tray of hot meat, a long loaf of bread and a bowl of fruit. Much more than I could eat alone. She put them on the table and without a word was gone again. I didn’t see any utensils so with my hands I ripped off some meat and placed it on the piece of bread I had broken off. It tasted good but I could not place what it was but it didn’t really matter. I ate more bread and meat, till I was full. Looking over the fruit, I did recognize all of it. The pomegranate I took and ate, was sweeter than any I had ever had. After I finished eating, I washed my hands and wondered how long I had to wait here for whomever it was that was coming to see me.

I strode over to and up the small stairs that continued up. I wanted to see from the top of this tower. At the top of the stairs was a small, well more normal sized for me, door that opened to a large bare platform, it had a waist high stone wall around it. The sun had gone down but to the north I could see the lake, shimmering in the moonlight, which came from the biggest, brightest moon I had ever seen. The stars were so numerous and that is one thing I loved about being away from all the light pollution of the world I had lived in. There was what looked like a twinkle far across the lake. I couldn’t be sure it wasn’t just a glint off the water, but it was lovely. Off to the east was another glint of light and what looked like buildings but again, in the moonlight it was hard to tell what it really was, if not just shadows playing on my mind. I saw what seemed to be large birds in the distance, but had no idea what kind of birds they could be. To the south and west the mountains loomed above me so there was not much to see there. I was determined to come back up in the morning but for now I just wanted to sleep.

Upon re-entering what I assumed to be my room, I noticed the meat and bread were gone but the fruit was still there, so I took an orange, peeled and ate it. There was a jug of water by the bed and before I lay down, I had a drink. I could not get over how sweet and cold the water was. I lay down on top of bed and realized that I have never been so comfortable or happy in my entire life. I had seen and been part of so many strange things, yet I did not panic or feel scared. Other than some confusion by what I had always thought were fantasy creatures, I felt so at home here. It was a good place to die, and with that thought I drifted off to sleep.

I woke to see sunlight coming through the windows and hear birds singing outside. I felt more rested than I had in more years, more than I could remember. Getting up I had another drink of water and took an orange. Wanting to see the area in the daylight, I strode up the stairs and was treated to a warm sunny day. The few clouds, high in the sky were large and fluffy. Looking down and out I saw many trees with birds fluttering to and fro. The lake was such a sapphire blue, that it seemed to twinkle. I could see for miles from up here and was so fascinated with the view that I never heard the wing beats from behind me.

Suddenly I felt the heavy brush of air as the huge creature landed right behind me. I turned with a start, and gazed up at the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. It was everything I thought