Adrian’S World: Saetoria

By RAFFA

In a setting of an era long past, called the Ancient World, is a group of nations and kingdoms on the brink of a devastating war. Amidst this is a struggle of good and evil, and a select group called the Gathering that is charged with a mission to rescue a princess and destroy a mysterious pendant only one of them can carry in secret. With changing allegiances, tales of love and revenge, and the unmasked traitors first appearance, Saetoria is the first book in the Adrians World trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490733357

RAFFA

Raffa is a short-story author, novelist, and poet. He has several titles in the works. He lives with his wife and three children in Washington, DC, and is reachable at [e-mail].

Book preview

ADRIAN’S

WORLD

SAETORIA

RAFFA

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© Copyright 2014 RAFFA.

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ISBN: 978-1-4907-3334-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-3335-7 (e)

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CONTENTS

The Dialogues

Castle School

The Elvish Forests

King Ellefin And Queen Luzia

The Pendant Of Illerand

Orren

A Northern Territory Skirmish

Ismea

Tracking The Gathering

Free The Rebels! Free The Rebels!

The Evil Emperor

The Northern Territories Unite

Dangers Ahead

The Land Of Giants

The Hundred Fires Night

Two Elves In Trouble!

The Ismean Council Votes

The Gathering Scatters

The Shadows Are Here

Saetoria

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THE DIALOGUES

B efore the frames of the Ancient World were set and its inhabitants, soil and everything from them were molded, there were hosts of spirits called Malakhim—that served in the heavens. Before them, at the start of everything, even before light and darkness was Eloh, from whom everything followed. Eloh commissioned his helpers, all nine orders of the Malakhim, to mold the heavens and all that lay beneath it, and a beautiful world slowly formed. However, one of his brilliant campaigners sought another path, one that, in vain, challenged good itself, and sought power to rule over Eloh.

"Lucious, your light-bearing grows dim. Why aren’t you helping in this great enterprise?" Eloh said.

Perchance were Mika’el not accorded all of my light, I would be of help!

"But Lucious, none of the light that gifts the Malakhim is theirs. Don’t my gifts satisfy you?"

Lucious would not reply to Eloh.

"What troubles you, that my work would be impeded thus?"

I will not serve! I will have instead all the nine orders of the malakhim do another work!

"Will you not relent in your malice for an instant and regard your decision?"

An instant is all I need to see what has been hidden from me!

"Nothing is hidden in your home of pardes."

Pardes is no longer my home, for I depart.

"Lucious, do not choose a place for yourself set outside pardes."

I will gather an army that will build another home.

Eloh was grieved by Lucious’ decision.

Thereafter, Lucious sought to rule the entire nine hosts of Malakhim, and a fierce battle broke out. Mika’el whose face was always true to Eloh, amassed a strong host that vigorously defended Pardes. Lucious, setting out to win over Malakhim commanders Raffe, Jibril and the nine hosts, failed. However his evil genius, won over a large number of adherents, and his campaign was such that his battle would ensue for a long while, even when facing defeat. After a time, when his expulsion from Pardes was set, he sought another conversation with Eloh. The choice Lucious made would deny him ever meeting and enjoying the company of Eloh again. From outside the gates of Pardes, that were guarded by Mika’el, an impenetrable gulf was formed that made it impossible to cross from his end to Pardes again.

Mika’el, tell Him, I seek His power and will attain it! Lucious cried out.

He knows what’s in your heart Lucious, and know from I, that you shall fail in your endeavors!

I will interfere with His work and tear apart His creations, and set one end against another.

Yet you shall not prevail for all power comes from Eloh alone!

But doesn’t every one of His subjects get to choose between Him and me?

True, yet they have chosen against you. Whatever He permits was, is and will always be outside your influence.

Yet I know, a time and another has been granted me, for His work doesn’t end yet!

From here time is eternal and its limits do not bind. From there you will always lack, and be consumed with hatred.

I demand one more meeting with Him.

Even that joy will be denied you forever!

Thus the gates of Pardes remained shut for those who sought not the ways of Eloh. However such a fate was always in the hands of His creation who could freely decide to respond to or spurn the love Eloh lavished upon them.

His works continued, and in the East of the vast Southern Seas, there was formed a world, the Ancient World, with large masses of lands beautiful both in their riches and abundance of fruit. Its lakes sparkled in pure waters, rivers wound courses throughoutthe entire world, there were mountains both tall and foreboding, and climates that ranged from harsh to habitable. There were lots of animals, from wild goats, sheep, boars, and bears, to huge sea animals and soaring birds in the coldest airs of the highest mountains. A small group of tall people inhabited the very heights of the Saetorian Mountains, which were easily the largest and most magnificent of any mountain ranges. These people called themselves Saetorians, and it seemed they were as old as time itself. They live on the snowy peaks and the misty clouds of the entire mountain range. As they grew smaller in number and older in age, they moved up even higher, and watched the world form below them. As early as the Saetorians were the Brownies, who interacted with the Saetorians and sought to live off the land far and wide. Their hearts were restless for adventure and exploration and eventually they sailed West.

Hundreds of years later, the Elves, who were descendants of the Saetorians, arrived from the North-East and settled among the forests that stretched from the foggy shores of Edorria to the Estland Island, from the Ismean Isle to Norssia. These elves branched into smaller groups. Though the Elves remained, Fairies, and Pixies evolved into related descendants living largely on the eastern edges of the Elvish Kingdom. The Brownies, had moved further west by now and sailed beyond Edorria, leaving behind a small group of descendant offspring from their relations with the Saetorians. The settlements continued with the Norssians north of Estland, the Dwarves in the Goben Mountains, and the Giants who also came from the East and settled below the Saetorian Mountains, and from West came the men of Westia, the Dramenes and the Gellessians. From south the Firrins settled behind the huge curving mountain range called the Nethernon Mountains. Of all peoples, the Elves were the most numerous and developed a strong army that didn’t travel much but established peace that reigned for many years. Trades flourished amongst different peoples, and even games took place that further brought all together. Some, like the Firrins, who had been displaced from their lands many times over, sought refuge in the harsher climes below the Marshlands at first, and then closer to the Twente islands in the south. They grew distrustful of others and soon out of necessity developed raiding parties as a temporal measure to help feed their nomadic families. They had more of a greedy eye than a malicious one, so truces were successfully set up amongst the Southerners and the Firrins: but ever since then the Firrins had been referred to exaggeratedly as the Firrin vandals.

No sooner had this happened than stories began coming from the Norssian fishermen, who usually ventured far away across the vast oceans of the White Seas, about a ruthless people, tall and gray who had a standing army larger than all the Ancient World’s own. Their armies were branched into ranks each bigger than the entire legendary Westian Army. Even a full assault against them by the Elves stood no chance. Years of silence followed these first reports, and eventually the kingdoms and nations of the Ancient World forgot them, and went about their ways. Then came tales from the Saetorians high up in the mountains that these men were of a kind so evil that no good was to be found in them. Their evilness was complete, yet none was worse then their emperor’s whose malice and vice knew no bounds. His power was given to him by dark forces whose restless search for power and destruction instilled a fear worse than death itself, for they took souls as well. From the far reaches of the Saetorian Mountains to the edges of the Firrin lands a distant Darkness gathered due East and South, and slowly approached west each year.

Suddenly the peaceful alliances crumbled, and in fear and distrust, kingdoms built up barriers, none as high as the Gellessian Wall, which was as high as the red tips of the Goben Mountains to the east. The Dwarves withdrew to themselves and built large networks of tunnels and cities under the mountains, which were sealed shut, and rarely opened. From the Gellessian Wall, soldiers on watch, saw the Firrins scatter towards West, as far as the marshlands just beyond the Walls and then head south, away from the threat gathering in the east. Every animal fled west and the only ones that remained were the large, dark ochre Nethernon dragons, which had no friends, and feasted on the smaller bright red Estland Strait dragons, who were themselves a vanishing food source. Soon, from the northern tip of the Nethernon mountain ranges to the south a terrible army camped. They never attacked, and years full of fear and expectations passed. It was during these times that the Gellessian phrase, Atop the Gellessian Wall, whoever stares long enough east, sees the dark future, was coined. These people called themselves the Nethernon people, and they sent out spies to survey the land and know its peoples. Every rare season horrible creatures darker than the night’s shadows, were unleashed from Nethernon. They were fast travelers and ruled the starless nights. Anyone that met them was brutally dispatched, and their souls lost. These horrors had a name that was rarely spoken and even then only fearfully: Neers. Such was the fear that their legends inspired that the easiest way to cope with their terrors was to form a conviction that they didn’t exist and were only idle tales of witches and their ilk.

The Nethernon emperor schemed of a way to control all peoples and at the same time till the riches off their lands. Under his edicts, the Nethernon army took the Ismean Isle by force from the Elves, who keeping all their valuable marksmen and women, had quietly withdrawn into the Elvish forest without a fight, shoring up support for the bitter end. Forests were burned, and a strange salt from the Nethernon Sea was dug into the acquired land, which never produced fruit again. Prisoners were forced to build an entire city on the Ismean Isle, on whose courts sat false judges. A people that were distant descendants of the giants inhabited Ismea and became known as Ismeans. Under threats of war all kingdoms were encouraged to send legates, and establish courts and a body of unifying authority, called the Ismean Council. This council sustained itself by establishing a tax of all produce for itself. The Nethernon lands were exempt. Small pockets of brave rebels, stubborn to the very end, fought back, and formed resistance boundaries. The Westian knights whose general was in exile, had moved quickly south, largely scattered and hidden around Three Falls City, and in their pastimes resorted to breeding the finest steeds and hounds in all of the Ancient World. These knights along with their revered reputations as the most skillful hand to hand war combatants, brought about the beginning of the resistance.

The South Dramenes was also hostile to the Council’s authority, as was most of the Gellessian Kingdom. An entire Nethernon garrison kept the Norssian Kingdom in check, and in a few years only two peoples still held out openly against the Council’s laws. The Elves and the Saetorians continued the old barter trade that existed during peaceful times. Since no one had ever been to Saetoria nor could anyone reach it, they knew of peaceful security that the elves never had. A war more terrible than any seen was fermenting, and all the while, unknown to the whole world except to the Saetorians and Elves was a secret they were bidding their time upon. This secret they were holding out on was under threat. The endless libraries in the Ismean Isle. and those in Saetoria spoke of the non existence of the Brownies, a distant branch of Elvish ancestors, but it didn’t say anything about a remnant of Brownies called Edorrians, who lived in a prosperous land near the foggy Edorrian coast west of the Elvish Kingdom. With this chain of events began the impossibly dangerous journey undertook by a small group of people representing the Ancient World.

Looking skywards, Saetorian Elder Humilitus conversed with Eloh.

O Creator of all above and below the heavens, hear the words of your Saetorian son.

Speak, my friend.

I mean not to call attention away from your works, but one thing I seek to ask.

Speak, Humilitus.

My fellow elders and your daugther Astrid, have sought to ascertain if the time is ripe for the search for the bearer of the mark.

The time is indeed here that calls for the search.

What would you have me do?

Send one or a trustworthy group throughout the Ancient World to seek the bearer, and send them to Saetoria.

The Elders having prayed over this matter will send out an old trusted elvish friend to look among his kind and perhaps any distant relatives of the Brownies that held the mark, when they carried the gift of the pendant of Illerand. Alas we all betrayed your generosity and did not use your gifts well. Thus some have become cursed to their custodians.

Well said. Look west for therein lies your bearer.

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CASTLE SCHOOL

F rom the long peal of the school bells, the school ringer was clearly enjoying himself; after all it was break time. Moments afterward, the two school playgrounds were filled with rowdy students eager to take a brief respite between one boring class and another. A few groups began playing quick games hoping they would be over when the bells rang again fifteen minutes later. Hey Adrian! yelled Ravi, a plump boy from one end of the school yard, We should tell the headmistress to let Jeren keep the bell ringer job for another term!

That would be great Ravi! He always gives us an extra minute or two. shouted a slender boy named Adrian.

That wouldn’t be right Adrian. scolded a girl who was squeezing through a crowd of yelling students from under the school archway. Twenty minutes, would mean less time for Astronomy.

Galena’s spoken! said another student in mock respect before she quickly disappeared into the throng of gray and blue uniforms milling around. After struggling through the crowds, Ravi, reached a small group of four students who were busy comparing notes.

Astronomy next… . and then double music and lunch break. muttered Aries, a tall boy with a wavy shock of hair.

It always gets hectic before they let us home for the holidays, added another.

Don’t worry it’ll be fine. We’ve got Adrian’s help in music and science, right ol’ boy? said a third hopefully.

Aries got the highest marks last term so let’s give him a turn to help the group!

No help fellows, you can all pass the tests, they aren’t that hard, said Aries, his shock of hair swaying lightly in the morning breeze.

Any plans for the holidays, guys? panted Johanes who had caught up with them.

Back to shepherding, said Adrian.

I’ll be helping at my father’s farm as usual, said Aries with an eager look in his eyes.

You’ll probably see a lot of me, Adrian, said Ravi shepherding too, same row.

You moved to turtle row? asked Adrian happily.

Lucky you Ravi, added a girl named Neema who was on her way back to classes, I hear the blue turtles are an incredible sight!

I’ll be catching up on next term’s classes I guess. What a waste of holidays! My mother would hear none of it, groaned Aran.

I heard that elvish girl’s back this term for classes, Neema said.

There are many Elvish students at Castle School in case you didn’t notice, shot back Ravi.

I mean Miss know-it-all, silly! I am surprised none of you remember her at all. She topped classes ever since she joined in third class, moved on to the Elvish Kingdom to take more classes that aren’t offered in Edorria, and now she’s back. Neema said with a look of exasperation.

You mean Cassia? asked Galena as she rushed back to classes.

Yeah, she’s already one year ahead of all of us, but she’s only in school this year to brush up on music-you know Edorria offers the best classes in music and… Neema noticed that she was alone and might as well have been talking to the school walls. The school bells rang briefly but furiously as the schoolyards emptied once again.

Ms. Astridis, the Astronomy Teacher, strode into the sixth grade class, which abruptly fell into a hush. She always had a presence that could keep the naughtiest student in check. She was one of the oldest Edorrian Teachers at Castle School.

She began quickly, This day’s test counts towards your final score. Several more tests will form a part of your total mark for the second term. Today we shall learn about the Ancient World’s moon and its effects upon Western shores of Edorria. Soon most students were fighting sleep and trying in vain to concentrate on the subject. Astronomy practicals were many times more interesting; they consisted oflooking through many prisms and surveying the vast skies during early Thursday evenings. This being in the morning, not much could be gleaned from the skies; therefore pages of homework were usually assigned on this Friday mid-morning due the next Friday. After what seemed like hours the lesson ended, and the students were mercifully let off without any homework before second term exams. Music lessons were more interesting, with a couple of students joining from other classes.

Cressedo, the elvish music teacher was a specimen of liveliness, often overcome with his love for a lovely tune and an eager student. He was agile and lithe for an aged instructor. Clearing his voice for attention he began, Class as you can see we have some new students who will be joining us for the tests to supplement their term work which they already completed elsewhere. We shall go over the tunes in the highest pitches of your flutes. As we start-from the second score of the ‘tumbling stones tune’ remember no tricks or dark music! Anyone disobeying will have marks deducted from his or her finals. This last part he whispered sternly, looking at almost every one of the twenty five students in turn. Tell me, what position does the player handle the flute when preparing for the ‘ tumbling stones tune’? There were fidgeting movements as the class raked their brains. A hand shot up from the back.

Yes Adrian? said Cressedo.

In the farthest back position, with both hands’ middle fingers readying the flutes’ notes.

Good. replied Cressedo.

Another hand shot up. It was Cassia.

That depends if he is starting the tune or accompanying in the first score, in which case he waits for the tempo and assumes the prior hand position.

Excellent Cassia, you’ll also please answer the next one-er-why is dark music forbidden and who set that edict?

Dark music is forbidden because its influences derive from wishing ill upon a desired subject, and using dark techniques to disarm an opponent whether in defense or in unwarranted aggression. The edict banning dark music outside classrooms in Edorria and the Elvish Kingdom was formulated by the Elvish Queen Elvar in 1203, and ratified by Edorrian and Elvish councils in 1270, in the volume The Ancient World’s Edicts, that reside in the Elvish Library at Illerand. said Cassia.

Did you take note class? Well done Cassia. We shall now turn to page fifty-eight of your elementary Music History books and read out paragraphs in turns starting from you Jonathan. the class was still shooting looks of disgust and disapproval toward Cassia, the new student, who effortlessly ignored all the withering looks cast in her direction.

Castle School was Edorria’s only school big enough to accomodate a significant number of Elvish students as well. It was an Edorrian school that as held in higher esteem than all elvish schools. It wasn’t a surprise therefore that Elvish students made the long trek from their kingdom at the beginning of each of Castle School’s three terms every year. Some of the teachers were also elvish, part of a long tradition of good standing between the Elves and the Edorrians who had coexisted for many generations. A growing number of students were from Edorrian-Elvish parentage. Most of the teachers forsook marriage to give themselves more fully to the task of running the schools’ ever increasing needs. These teachers stayed in their dwellings on the school grounds during the holidays. The Edorrian teachers formed a Council that elected the leader of Edorria, who took the title King or Queen. The Edorrians who were largely farmers, had a say in every process in the election of the Council and also that of the king or queen.

The gently rolling hills brought in cold breezes off the sea, into the clusters of Edorrian villages that hugged the hills, and curved into rows on which the farms were lined up. Among fields colored in shades of green hues and brooks flowing over moss covered rocks under low overhanging trees, wild roses, berries, and fruits of every kind, played children beneath the cloudless sky. They were looking after flocks of sheep that dotted the hills. It was a lazy day: the beginning of the hot season.

Why do all the children love the shepherding jobs apart from flutes? asked Adrian’s mother Esther.

I think they want to see less of us! her husband Tobias mused.

Young Adrian’s really the best shepherd, isn’t he? she said.

I hope he does come back early today. He shouldn’t teach his brother and sister that lateness habit. said Tobias.

He’s got good shepherd friends doesn’t he? Cosimo, Aries, Ravi, Johanes, Jeren, Aran.

They like him, the whole of Edorria does, said Tobias proudly.

They both looked out into the distant hills, beyond the orchids and vineyards of their farm, and thought about how happy and carefree the children were.

Back at Castle school, a group of students gathered.

Ravi ! Where is Adrian? called Cosimo.

I don’t know he was with us a while ago said Ravi, standing next to Jeren, Aries and Aran.

Is he daydreaming again about the bronze Edorrian rose Cassia gave him? said Alvin with a chuckle.

Let’s find him after one more game of Edorrian Tag. said Cosimo as he led the way, through the low grass, to the distant meadow, near where some sheep had wandered. He stood at the middle of a long patch of short green grass and called out Jeren first! The simple game worked better with a large crowd, and started when one student, a caller, yelled out another student’s name from a crowd waiting at the end of the field. This student would try to run across the field to the other side without getting caught by the caller. If he made it across to the other end of the field, the rest waiting on the opposite end would run collectively across the field to join him. The caller would still try to catch one of them. It was obvious the caller’s chances were better when challenging only one student. When the caller caught a student and counted to ten, the student would join him in calling a name from the crowd waiting at one end of the field. This boisterous game played by the boys was very popular. However none of the games rivaled the favorite Edorrian pastime of playing flute which was played by both the boys and girls.

The sun was slowly dipping, tinging the distant waves of the sea a dark yellow that slowly darkened into a red that shimmered as the sea lapped the coast. It was a beautiful sight that the countrymen fondly called the Edorrian sunset. Indeed all of Edorria stopped to take in the breathless vista and before turning in for the night. Adrian was seated on a small hilly mound lost in thought, a flute in his hand, when the others found him.

Adrian, we had better get the sheep back soon, before the foxes and jackals bother them. said Cosimo.

I wonder if our friendships will last when we grow up. said Adrian.

What are you talking about? asked Ravi.

You know, the promise we all like to make about remembering our friendships forever… said Adrian with a faraway look in his eyes.

Friends forever, yeah I remember that. said Jeren.

Well your friends say we should go back! shouted Aran herding some sheep back towards the farms.

Aren’t you even going to stay for the blue turtles? asked Adrian.

Some other time! Aries said yawning.

Along the coast of Edorria, small blue turtles slowly came out into the shallow shores along the coastline, navigating them well, even in the night fog.

You are late again, Adrian said his mother.

I’ll do better next time. Adrian said looking down.

Did you see the turtles? asked his brother Basil and sister Anna in unison.

No, but we have a long school holiday so I’ll see some again another day. he answered.

The last school day of the third term that finished off the school year was known for pranks pulled sometimes on the Teachers, but mostly on fellow students. For a while there were competing pranks pulled off to get the coveted acclaim among fellow students of the most outrageous prank of the school year. This year there was one target that was sought after by many classes: the new student Cassia. Emeri, who was known as a trickster had an idea proposed to him by his gang, that was so daring he wouldn’t allow it. However, two naughty elves, Baltasar and Restu, went ahead and planned to get back at Cassia, for making fun of their grades in front of the others at Castle School. It did not matter that she was two classes ahead of them. At first they thought about tricking Adrian too, the student class mate Cassia seemed so fond of. Deciding against it for now, they pondered how else they would get back at Cassia. One day shortly after the school term, Baltasar and Restu were wandering dangerously far beyond Elvish territories outside the northern elvish town of Estril. They were searching for pixies would dabbled in fortune reading games with witches that wondered outside Estril. These witches made a living off the forbidden games that were increasingly popular with pixies, elves and fairies.

Balta and Restu. You asked for a powerful witch who could cast a strong spell for you. Well I found one just for you! said a pixie with a naughty look on his face.

Where would she be, Milles?

Do you see that tent, that’s larger than the others? She’s there. A new witch in these parts, they say she’ll be popular in no time. I say you both see her before she hikes her fees! Tell me why are you looking for spells?

Don’t worry Milles, but thanks for the help, you’ll know soon enough.

Reaching the tent that very day, the two elves wondered in and saw wafting around the tent, wisps of orange, gray and yellow smoke. It was a strange sight.

Ah! Two Elves. You both look half pixie to me. How can I help you?

We want a strong spell cast on someone.

I have many spells, some that cause serious harm, others that turn their subjects into animals, and…

We don’t want to cause serious harm, just something like…

Like making her loose all the hair on her head! Restu chuckled.

Yes, that would do it! Baltasar laughed out aloud.

The witch studied them carefully, without revealing her face behind a veil. And who would this subject be?

She’s a student, and she’s one of the elvish royalty. said Baltasar.

Don’t say too much. whispered Restu angrily. They noted that the witch had taken gleeful notice of their story at the mention of the royal.

Could you tell me her name that I would fix a nice spell just for her?

No, that we cannot do! answered Restu flatly, just a small spell alright? Nothing serious!

I leave in three days and shall not return for a while. If you can get me the subject I shall cast the spell so that she will not remember who brought her here, and the spell will wear off soon after you invoke it!

That’s a good idea! they yelled in unison, before handing her some gold coins obtained against elvish law by traders in the Northern Territories. In two days they had managed to trick Cassia to go to Estril to recover her flute which was stolen a few days earlier. In disguise they had her put into a sack and delivered to the witch, who would release her back in Estril, and wait for her gold coins the following day. Upon going to the tent on the third day as planned, Baltasar and Restu, did not find the witch, nor did they hear from Cassia. A massive hunt was started by the royals and it took another day before one of the markswomen, Ellia, learned the truth from the two elves who had tricked Cassia into going to Estril. Having the elves brought before a distraught King Ellefin and Queen Luzia, they tearfully recounted the whole story. Upon hearing all, they were banished from elvish territories until they returned the Princess. This story reached Edorria, and all at Castle School were shocked to learn that one of their own students had tried to pull such a prank. With a stern warning Emeri and his gang were told that any other pranks would result in expulsion from the school or even worse measures.

Turtle row, Purple row, Pebble row, Green row, Northern row, and all the rows all over Edorria turned in for the night. However lamps were still lit, in some hills far away in the center of Edorria. Near King’s row, a large group of men and women were hurrying discreetly towards the King’s farm. They were Edorria’s teachers, and each was wondering why they were summoned to the King’s farm in the middle of the night. But hurry they did, and before long, they gathered outside the farm.

For a moment all was quiet, except for the chirping crickets, and small night creatures busy in their calling choruses. Teresia, the lead teacher, hit the gate a couple of times with a stick. It seemed as though, the rest of the surrounding villages and farm rows heard the din, before a burly farm help arrived holding a lantern high. He approached the gate, with a pair of vigilant dogs. Without a word, he looked the small crowd up and down, and then opened the gate. He led them down the long weaving horse paths, towards a large farm, with a bigger barn house past a pond and a few benches left out that suggested some meeting had taken place. They reached the front door after a while, and realised that the burly farm help had left them and qiuetly disappeared into the darkness with his dogs. Teacher Teresia mustered up her courage again and knocked at the door with her large knuckles. A silence was followed by some heavily shuffling feet. The door was opened laboriously, by the king himself. His face looked withdrawn and haggard, as though he had been pondering many ideas without solution. A quick smile remedied the first impression, and he quickly ushered them into a spacious hall, with tables and chairs already drawn up.

Hello Teachers, it’s good to see some Edorrians inconveniencing themselves for the sake of all of us. the king said.

Heronas one of the teachers managed to respond, actually this was convened by…

A quick clearing of the throat cut him off politely, and the king then took the small seat at the head of the table, and began to speak.

Madams and Sirs, I have called you to seek your counsel on an urgent matter, having their full attention made him puff up his small frame a little more, you might know that Elludin, the Elvish wanderer, is expected during his usual visits this coming rainy season. I recieved word from farmer Darius, as you know he lives on the furthest farm of the furthest row-Peach row I believe, and he says the Elves are sending Elludin a trifle earlier than expected.

Why what is the urgent business about? asked teacher George, who had a reputation for being very talkative.

We have always believed that the world consisted only of Edorrians and Elves. said the king pensively looking at Edwin, the History teacher, apparently this is not the case. We’ll have to revise things. You see, the message passed on to me simply said that this had to do with the plight of the Elves and the Edorrians, and that only we could help.

There was silence. Everyone knew that Elludin only visited Edorria on serious business, but he hadn’t passed by for almost a year and a half. The most frequent contact between the two peoples was the year long barter trade in which eastern Edorrians traded goods with the Elves, and this helped sustain the two communities.

Did the Elvish king send him? asked Teacher Heronas.

We shall find out shall we not? snapped back Teresia, and suddenly everyone started to argue.

Listen! yelled the king," you haven’t understood the message at all! If we aren’t the only ones in this world then there must be other people who are not so nice. We have never had an army because we don’t need one. If something this serious is troubling the Elves, then Edorria’s fate is uncertain. In fact this could mean the end of Edorrian sunsets, and the imprisonment of our peoples.

That is an outlandish statement, O king, if the sun sets on Edorria and doesn’t rise again, that will mean the end of our peoples! shouted Edwin.

Amidst nervous murmurs, Teresia stood up, We don’t know the message Elludin will bring. It might be a pleasant one; it could simply bring greetings from the elvish king.

Their king sent some greetings only months ago. king Ellefin said.

Even if it is bad, it surely isn’t anything like the preposterous ideas going around! George said. Another round of arguments rang out, and all were yelling their lungs out, in the hope of being listened to.

Suddenly there was a frantic barking from the dogs the teachers had encountered earlier. This was followed by some shouting. A loud voice yelled Who goes there on business at this dark hour! It was the house help. A smaller voice answered back and all was quiet. All in the hall stood still and looked at the door, the teachers sat back on their chairs, and the king approached the door. Before he could open it, the farm help had yanked it open with his large hands. Standing next to him and the growling dogs, was a wispy thin tall Edorrian farmer, with his trembling hands clutching his wide hat which he had removed. Very surprised at seeing everyone in this late hour, he surveyed the crowd, and looked back incredulously at the farm help. It was farmer Darius.

Just passing on a message O king. An elf messenger told me to let you know that the morrow shall come with the elf Elludin. It took me three days to come here, and I couldn’t have come sooner, sending word by mouth was not a good idea. It seemed a secret message you know, he said realizing then that he probably shouldn’t have mentioned it before the teachers.

That’s all right Darius, it seems that someone has inconvenienced himself for the good of all. said the king with a nod to the Teachers.

Make sure that Darius has some rest in the king’s guest quarters, and he can leave whenever he so wishes, after he has partaken of the chef’s dishes. Also send him a bound sheep and a pony which he shall ride on. said the king to the farm help.

Thank you O king. said Darius as he retired.

Why don’t we have lambs as well. said George.

Because I am not yet finished with you all. replied the king.

It’s getting on, and I was wondering if we could also put up for the night and have the chef send us of first thing in the morning. suggested Heronas.

All right, but don’t take advantage of my generosity. said the king sternly. Since these are school holidays, and you all have no scholarly engagements, we shall meet back in this hall tomorrow, to prepare a presentation.

The king’s cook ushered them all into the guest’s quarters, which were in the upper level of the farmhouse, just above the hall. There was a long corridor with many doors on each side. The one at the end was occupied by farmer Darius.

At all three of Edorria’s towns, the word had eventually leaked out that Elludin was back, and sooner than his usual time. It seemed that farmer Darius had not kept his mouth shut. All sorts of rumors went around as to the nature of Elludin’s visit this time. Maybe he came to announce some important barter trade decision. Perhaps he came to announce a gift from the elvish king to the Edorrian king: a gift for the people. Or maybe his news wasn’t good at all. Despite every eye on the look out for him, no one saw him arrive. He came in the cover of darkness, and lodged at the king’s quarters. After a day the king’s announcer set the date for a public speech, three days after. That was a very short notice, for all Edorrians to gather by the small hill next to the king’s farm. So groups of families and farmers represented the numerous rows that made up Edorria. The three towns, Nambalē, in the north, Remmas, near the western coast, and Ainn in the center of Edorria, and therefore very near the king’s farm, turned out in large numbers, some thousands in all. In fact some wondered if anyone had remained at the farms.

It was a clear sunny day, and people started arriving before the cockerel had his moment. Some came from as far as the farms on Peach Row in the north and Purple Row, named so because of the southern flowers and plants of that hue, and the dark moss of greens and purples that adorned boulders and stones on the rivulets’ edges. Not all could make it; some had to attend to farm business. The king’s farm help had his hands full trying to keep the people from the edges of the king’s property. Before the morning grew long, the elvish traveler, accompanied by the king made his way to a high spot before the masses at the bottom of the hill. The king made a few introductory remarks before Elludin took to the stage, amidst cheering. His stern face, marked with lines of age and wrinkles that came from a life, long lived in far flung tales and adventures.

Elludin took some time to gather himself, and then began I will make my remarks brief. We all know that the Edorrians and the Elves have lived together for generations, and have come to learn about each other, trust each other and help each other in times of need. Yes, though the elves are more than a hundred times the number of Edorrians, you are all viewed with respect and dignity. There is one matter that has come to pass. This with terrible consequences, if we do not work together. With the crowd’s rapt attention, he followed, firstly, there are other peoples and nations in this world besides us… there were gasps, and murmurs of dissent. I know it was the duty of the Elves to educate all friends about the world, but perhaps you should be happy that you did not know more than the happy lives you all enjoy. You see, we have sought alliances with many groups of people to ensure our safety against marauding enemies, more terrible than you can imagine. In short, to keep the peace of this world, we have had to strain our resources and send our delegates far and wide to placate others with a different view to the world from our own. Five months ago, princess Cassia whom you all know very well, was kidnapped and parted from her entourage, as they made their way towards Norssia through Estril. Through a lack of vigilance, the pixies and fairies, on our Eastern borders allowed this to happen.

Someone from the crowd shouted If you have treated us this way, then how do you expect us to help you in anyway! the crowd cheered, and the king looked embarrassed.

If we don’t act together, than the coming gloom will mean the end of Edorria as well and you can even start forgetting about your Edorrian sunsets. The crowd sat in silence.

How can the Edorrians help? Some of the most humble and kind of heart are among them, and we desire the best to help us in our journey to win the princess back He then went on to explain the world and its peoples, as the farmers, teachers and children listened in astonishment. Since we are looking for one of good heart and one strong in childlike faith, I will start with the children.

You will not steal one of our children for the purpose of the Elves, one shouted.

Send one of us strong men and leave the children alone!

Only one of them has the mark in his eyes. said Elludin impatiently.

What kind of mark? the king asked curiosity getting the better of him.

One that can wear the pendant of Illerand without resisting its charms, and use it to find the princess

The pendant exists? shouted an Edorrian.

I thought that was a fable, passed on to our children as stories! another shouted.

It exists and, on behalf of the king, I am sorry that its truth should come about this way.

If it is true than anyone will give up everything, to have their hands on it. It is worth all the treasures in the world put together! said the king.

They are not looking for its material beauty alone, but mostly because it contains goodness, and the wearer will discover the secrets of the world. It is the Creator’s wish that it remains in good hands. However it has a power that corrupts its wearer. It is a matter of time before the princess’ captors get to know its whereabouts from her, for she knows where it is whenever she leaves the elvish kingdom.

Why didn’t your king or queen use it themselves knowing the enemy would find it harder to capture her or it? a voice yelled in the crowd.

"It cannot