The Legends of Lohrendore: Book Iii: a War for Peace

By K. J. Stinnet

As the third and final chapter of Lohrendores epic trilogy, Rishan, Caile, along with their friends, journey into the mysterious Western Woods in search of the final piece to their preparation puzzle: the mythical mountain-tip land of Ghlorinna and the home of Khors kin. And after being reunited with some old friends there, Rishan and his new lieutenants are finally able to formulate a battle strategy for the war to end all wars. Little do they know, however, that the enemy has been equally busy preparing more than a few surprises for them and has already begun to make its first move in this legendary game of chess by attacking an asset that none of them had ever thought to defend. The fates will soon be decided and a great price will be asked of all those fighting for life and freedom as the war for peace begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524514792

K. J. Stinnet

K.J. Stinnet grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, but moved to southwest Florida in 2009, where he and his wife currently reside. K.J. started writing The Legends of Lohrendore trilogy in 2006 and has since moved onto writing a variety of other gripping novels. He created Lohrendore hoping to inspire others to take chances with writing stories about their own dreams. K.J’s dream is to see his stories become motion-pictures someday. “I wrote my stories as though I could see the movies playing in my mind. I purposely used a great deal of detail so that hopefully my readers could also see them as they read along. – K.J. Stinnet”

Book preview

THE

LEGENDS OF

LOHRENDORE

BOOK III: A WAR FOR PEACE

K. J. STINNET

Copyright © 2016 by Kevin Stinnet.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2016910731

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-1480-8

      Softcover      978-1-5245-1481-5

      eBook      978-1-5245-1479-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 06/30/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

550388

CONTENTS

Chapter 11 Leap from the Taloran’s den

Chapter 12 Black Banners

Chapter 13 Into the Western World

Chapter 14 Conqueror meets King

Chapter 15 The Battlefield

Chapter 16 Remembering the Future

Epilogue

Si vis pacem para bellum

As the third and final chapter of Lohrendore’s epic trilogy, Rishan, Caile, along with their friends, journey into the mysterious Western Woods in search of the final piece to their preparation puzzle: the mythical mountain-tip land of Ghlorinna and the home of Khor’s kin. And after being reunited with some old friends there, Rishan and his new lieutenants are finally able to formulate a battle strategy for the war to end all wars. Little do they know, however, that the enemy has been equally busy preparing more than a few surprises for them and has already begun to make its first move in this legendary game of chess by attacking an asset that none of them had ever thought to defend. The fates will soon be decided and a great price will be asked of all those fighting for life and freedom as the war for peace begins.

MAP-1.jpg

CHAPTER 11

Leap from the Taloran’s den

Mormilia was a mountainous land comprised solely of huge jagged rocks and every piece was razor sharp and slippery making it an impossible landscape to traverse, whether on foot or with a horse. Many of the granite stones were far too large to climb, and as a result of the constant rain and the accompanying humidity a thin layer of mold and grime covered every inch of it. Unfortunately, even the smaller stones were deadly to try to walk on because their jagged edges were like wet blades; and because they were simply scattered across the ground as loose debris you could easily twist your ankle if you tried to walk on them, after which you would fall to the ground where the stones would tear you to shreds.

The air throughout the range was reminiscent of a bog or marshland with damp fog floating everywhere, and peppered throughout the expanse were small pools of quicksand made from the mold and loose dirt. Now because the ground deep beneath the mountain was always moving, every once in a while a large gaping fissure would open up between the stones and hot magma would ooze out and stream down the mountainside burning everything it in its path.

The northern face of the range looked out over the expanse of Lohrendore, while the southern face watched over the vast flats of The Deadlands. The Deadlands was a barren desert, hot and dry, and with very little vegetation except for the six or seven oasis’s scattered over the hundreds and hundreds of miles. The Deadlands once acted as a prison land where men, women and beasts who had committed heinous crimes against, not just Dhenor, but all of Lohrendore were sent to. Their sentences were indefinite.

During the time of Delthas, many of the soldiers of Dhenor had become villains but most were that way because Delthas had actually ordered that they be. In his mind, Delthas was convinced that a constant state of inebriation and belligerence was the best way for soldiers to maintain a prepared-state, and considering that Delthas would just as willingly go to war with the Dark One as he would his own personal servant, he certainly had a sound reasoning for keeping his men prepared. However, just before Arthon assumed the throne he banished the spoiled soldiers and their families to the prison lands and ordered that a guard post be positioned at the two passageways from The Deadlands into Lohrendore’s main lands; one to the west of Mormilia and the other along the coast to the east.

Over time the soldiers and the prisoners banned together and formed their own army, and by sharing with the prisoners their special skills and elite training, the soldiers quickly formed their own elite fighting force. Their goal was to wage war with every kingdom in the surrounding lands, and by defeating them they would grow in arms and numbers. The only force they vowed to never touch was that of Dhenor – at least not until they had formed a force capable of defeating them with a single strike. For years they fought and slaughtered countless surrounding towns and villages until soon their goal for vengeance was replaced with a bloodlust and greed for riches, and then even the proud soldiers became nothing more than a pack of lowly smugglers, reckless thieves, and pompous pirates. But after Arthon’s death, Kalith recruited the smugglers as his own and gave them back their coveted Dhenor as their new base.

*     *     *     *     *

This particular evening was dark and the entire sky above Mormilia was covered by a ceiling of thick, black, rolling clouds. A fierce wind swept through the jagged mountainside battering the loose rocks and dust and throwing them everywhere. Every once in a while a bolt of lightning shot through the dark ceiling, and after each shot came a brief boom that would last for nearly a minute before dissipating.

Three goblins armed with swords and spears forced Tyreun up the treacherous slopes and tall cliffs. Time after time, the sharp edges of the stones cut deep into Tyreun’s hands and arms and legs, and each time the pain caused him to lose his focus, of course it seemed like it was only when this happened that the wind would blow its fiercest and try to pull him off the rocks and down the fatal slope. And then, after he would recover from each near-death scenario, the goblins would kick and beat him with the bottom of their spears and swords, and if he did not get up immediately they would use the very tips of their blades and stab him in his calves and shoulders.

At one point the goblins climbed ahead of him to a massive steep cliff (which was really just a large fifteen-foot wide flat slab that jutted out from the mountainside), and when finally Tyreun made it to the edge of the cliff, hanging on by just his hands as the wind ripped violently at his sides, the goblins prevented him from climbing up by stabbing and slashing at the stone around his hands forcing him to remain hanging over fifty feet of nothing but air. Finally, after nearly five minutes of tormenting Tyreun, the goblins allowed him to rise. The moment he made it atop the level, Tyreun rolled over onto his back panting and gasping for air. The goblins would have forced him to continue but they were laughing so hard that they could barely stay standing themselves.

Tyreun took the opportunity and tried to relax and catch his breath. After staring up at the ominous black sky for a few moments he looked in front of him near his feet and saw one of the goblins standing there near the edge of the cliff. The goblin was still laughing hard, so hard in fact that he was grabbing his stomach and using his spear for support. The other two goblins were standing behind Tyreun; they were beginning to come down from their laughing spree and were looking up to the top of the mountain behind them, mapping out their path. Despite all that the cretins had done to him, forcing him up the hill and beating him along the way, Tyreun really had no feelings of vengeance or malice toward the three; rather he was merely exhausted and a little bored, and so he gave the goblin one last look and then gave him a quick kick with his right foot, sending the creature screaming over the edge.

When the other goblins heard the third screaming, they quickly turned and found him gone. They then looked to Tyreun who was still lying on the stone trying to catch his breath.

The first goblin snarled and barked at Tyreun and then began to move toward him to strike, but the second goblin restrained the first and then said something to him in their native tongue. When the second was done talking he turned back to the crude path up the mountain and began climbing again. The first goblin however walked over to Tyreun and prodded him with the backend of his spear several times until finally Tyreun rose to his feet and continued following the second goblin up the path.

A few hours later, Tyreun and the two goblins finally made it to the top of the ridge where there was a little flat spot of bare ground. The goblins stood guard on either side of the path while Tyreun began to look around.

The first thing Tyreun noticed was that the wind had calmed and the temperature was much more comfortable here than it was on the rocks. An eerie feeling suddenly ran through Tyreun’s mind; something was wrong. To his right, to the west, he could see the ridge continuing up for a few more miles until finally it peaked a few hundred feet above where he was standing. To his left he could see the ridge declining down to the east toward the sea. The ridge itself was quite a marvel of nature. Large razor sharp rocks jutted up between each other as a result of the volcanic activity; their arrangement mirrored interweaving fingertips with one sharp chunk pointing upward to the south and then the next to the north, and so on all along the ridgeline; in fact for as far as Tyreun could see the only spot of exposed ground was where he was standing.

He turned and looked out to the north, behind the goblins, but could only see a shadow of Lohrendore’s main lands as a result of the dark clouds and the fact that it was all so far away. He tried to find the citadel of Rhalgolnath to the east down near the foothills, but the terrain of Mormilia varied and there were several large mounds and hills that blocked his view.

He then turned back to the south and looked out over The Deadlands desert. Everything beneath the sky, from the dark haze that seemed to cloud the air to the occasional lightning bolt followed by the low rumbles, all sent chills of fear and anxiety through Tyreun’s mind. Then suddenly he noticed something strange. The ground of The Deadlands desert, the entire mass of flat barren plains for almost as far as he could see, was moving. But before he had time enough to try to come up with an explanation, he suddenly heard a voice speak from behind him.

Beautiful, isn’t it? asked the familiar, growling voice.

Of course Tyreun did not have to turn around to know who it was, and, because he knew who it was, he had no intention to. What is? he asked grudgingly. "Everything about this place speaks of death and despair; though I suppose it is does stand to reason that you would label such hideousness as ‘beautiful’…"

Perhaps, replied Sheeve casually as he walked up to Tyreun’s right side.

…or perhaps it is my father trying to regain what remains of his soul, added Tyreun sternly.

But Sheeve did nothing to refute Tyreun, mostly because he was growing tired of the argument. For little over a week now Tyreun had been his prisoner and had tried countless times to liberate Falan’s soul from his bodily-prison. Instead, he decided to change the topic. I trust my soldiers gave your journey up no spoil?

"Well…no more than I gave him," replied Tyreun with the tiniest grin, referring to the one goblin he kicked off the cliff.

You seem to enjoy fighting, said Sheeve as he turned back toward Tyreun.

"I enjoy living, replied Tyreun as he finally looked Sheeve in the eye. And if fighting you and your so-called master helps to keep my friends and me alive, then I accept the mission gladly."

"And what if keeping yourself and your friends alive meant that you had to fight no one?"

Tyreun paused for a moment. Of course the idea sounded intriguing but he almost immediately knew that it was too good to be true. "…I am tired of these games," he responded with an angry snarl.

"THIS IS NO GAME!" shouted Sheeve, fiercely.

Surprised, Tyreun took a few steps back and nearly tripped over a tiny stone that was sticking up from the ground.

Sheeve waited for Tyreun to respond.

Tyreun took another moment before finally replying, "In such a fiction, I promise you, you will have long since expired; for our peace is contingent only on your war, and if you are not here to fight then we will have our prize."

Sheeve took a moment in silence, smirking and leaving Tyreun’s mind to wander with dread. It is for such a future that I have brought you here this night…

Again, Tyreun’s expression turned to complete befuddlement and he waited for Sheeve to explain.

"How much do you remember…of your mother?" asked Sheeve cunningly.

Tyreun’s eyes went wide, though he wasn’t sure if he was surprised or terrified.

Seeing Tyreun’s reaction, Sheeve smiled again, satisfied. He then closed his eyes. I have seen memories of a woman, he began, a beautiful woman standing in the middle of a stone room amidst the evening’s moonlight.

Tyreun’s brows furrowed and his upper lip began to quiver.

"She’s walking over to a small straw basket situated in the middle of the room…a cradle. Now I see her reaching into the cradle and lifting up from it a tiny thing swaddled in white cloths. Sheeve’s smile slowly became sadistic and crazed. She holds the angelic infant close to her chest, guarding its precious head under her chin as she begins to slowly sway her body back and forth, cooing the babe back to sleep. Her smile grows with each passing moment; it’s as if she’s holding her own heart in her hands, protecting and nurturing it with her adoration. And now I see a man approaching and walking over behind her. He wraps his arms around the sides of the woman and over the back of the child, holding both of them close to him as he and the woman smile."

Tyreun realized what Sheeve was trying to do. He could adopt the memories of those he had possessed. …mother…father… he whispered to himself disheartened.

Here Sheeve opened his eyes and his expression of confidence and sadistic joy suddenly turned to confusion and frustration. …there is…something…something that they share…a feeling…

Tyreun’s rage and anger suddenly diminished for a moment and was replaced with curiosity as he continued to listen to Sheeve’s last words. Then suddenly he realized what was happening. It was so simple. Because Sheeve’s very existence represented everything in the world that contradicted that feeling, he could not even so much as utter it. And more so, trying to do so apparently left the demon weakened and vulnerable. But Tyreun realized that he couldn’t allow Sheeve to see that he had noticed the anomaly; the demon’s plan was to cause him pain and until he could figure out the angle he decided it best to play along.

Sheeve finally opened his eyes and looked back to Tyreun and found the young captain swimming in sorrow. Seeing that his plan had succeeded, he continued. It doesn’t have to be that way, he began, "you can have them again – both of them."

Tyreun looked over to Sheeve and the demon walked over to the southern edge of the cliff as he gestured Tyreun to accompany him.

Again Tyreun noticed the ground of the desert shifting. Soon, however, he realized that it was not the ground that was moving but rather a mass walking atop it – the army of smugglers.

What would you do…to have your family restored?

Tyreun looked over to Sheeve standing to his right; his eyes went even wider than before as he realized what Sheeve was asking him to do.

*     *     *     *     *

Rishan and Fellis were invited to a great feast, a celebration of their arrival and the newly-formed alliance between Shohntala and Dhenor – though really it was just an excuse for the Shohntalans to continue their usual frivolities. The Taloran officials moved into a side room that was even larger than the main gathering room. A series of about twelve ten foot crescent-shaped concrete tables were arranged forming a large circle in the center of the room. Conk sat at the far end of the circle, opposite the door, and the rest of the officials sat around him saving only six chairs empty (three on either side of him).

Rishan seemed unable to stop smiling. He was elated that the Shohntalans would welcome them, embracing Dhenor as their friend and him as her king. The Taloran officials escorted both he and Fellis into the large room, decorating them with all sorts of jewels and necklaces (though unfortunately most of them were made of seaweed), rare stones and seashells. They gave Rishan a crown made of shiny blue coral and Fellis a tiara made of some sort of shiny silver or pearl; it was so shiny that it looked like it was made of thousands of tiny diamonds.

Be gone! ordered Conk in his usual jolly manner as he walked round the tables to meet his guests; of course the Talorans didn’t understand the language so he quickly repeated the order in their native tongue and immediately they scurried away. Well, would you look at you two! began Conk as he stood back from Rishan and Fellis with a silly smile on his face admiring all of the glittering adornments. Now I can see the true king and queen of Dhenor. Come, your positions have been prepared.

Conk gestured for Fellis to go ahead of Rishan and him. A Taloran servant was waiting with Fellis’ chair pulled out and ready for her to sit. Rishan quickly placed his left hand on Conk’s watery back and the Taloran king immediately stopped and looked back to the small boy behind him.

Pardon me, your highness, began Rishan with a smirk and a whisper, "it’s about this king and queen business."

Realizing that Rishan was apparently trying to be covert, Conk bent down toward him and replied with an equal whisper, What of it?

A bit anxious and unsure of how to answer, Rishan paused for a moment and began shifting his weight from side to side, and then replied, Well, it’s just that… he then gave a nervous little giggle and a cough, …you see…

"You are not king?" asked Conk.

"No, no, I am. Well, at least…I am going to be."

"But you are heir to the throne, yes?"

Yes, I am.

Then I’m afraid I do not see the issue.

Rishan gritted his teeth nervously and stared directly at Conk. …it’s Fellis.

Conk turned and looked to Fellis. The young girl was sitting in her chair surrounded by a handful of Taloran women who were all busy fixing her hair and placing tiny rubies and pearls throughout it, and draping her with beautiful garments made of light blue silk. She remained a bit anxious but was showing her gratitude for the hospitality by smiling and nodding every other moment. Still confused, Conk returned to Rishan, Yes?

Rishan wasn’t quite sure how to phrase what he was trying to say. She is not…we are not…

You are not joined?

Rishan grinned slightly and slowly shook his head both amused and ashamed that he had not said something sooner.

I see, began Conk with a chuckle. Well, I suppose that’s just something you’ll have to work on then, aye?

Rishan looked up to him and smiled.

Conk too returned him with his own smile and then escorted him to his chair next to Fellis.

When Rishan sat down to the left of Fellis he looked over to her and watched as the Taloran women continued to decorate her. By now nearly all of Fellis’ apprehension, anxiety, and distrust had melted away and she was practically glowing. Rishan smiled. He then remembered seeing her in the cabin in Athalda and again how beautiful she looked there. When he noticed her left hand resting atop the table he reached over and placed his right hand atop it and held it gently. When Fellis looked over she saw Rishan smiling charmingly at her, and so she leaned over to him and kissed him on the cheek; it wasn’t a quick kiss though, she held her lips against his cheek for at least a couple of seconds before breaking away.

A moment later Conk walked by behind Rishan and gave him a firm pat on the back, congratulating him. He then stood in front of his chair and addressed the room in his native tongue. He said several sentences-worth to them but never once did they respond, or even move, rather they simply continued to listen, and so Rishan and Fellis did the same. The pair soon realized that whatever Conk had said must not have been that important because the servants immediately began to wheel large carts of food into the room.

I couldn’t tell you exactly what the Talorans were eating because it was some type of ocean food (and there’s a pretty good chance it was still alive even after they had ingested it) but for Rishan and Fellis it was one of the most repulsive smells they had ever experienced; and so naturally when the two large, silver, dome-shaped covers were placed in front of their tables, Rishan and Fellis braced themselves for the worst. However, the moment the covers were removed and the steam spilled over onto the table in front of them they were instantly rushed with an array of rich, pleasant smells that were filled with hints of mouth-watering meats, spicy herbs, and fresh fruits. When finally the steam dissipated the pair were delighted to find two whole honey roasted chickens covered in gravy and fruits and herbs; there was one for each of them and surrounding each chicken was a border of green lettuce, cabbage heads and carrots; tomatoes, strawberries, and oranges along with other types of meats like salt pork, corned beef, and more. There were even two additional trays brought over for them that were filled with long loaves of breads and tiny cakes and strudels. Rishan and Fellis were so surprised and entranced that they could not even close their eyes; though fortunately the steam acted to lubricate them anyway.

But…how…? Rishan stammered.

How did I know what your kind eats? added Conk.

I told them, said a familiar voice from behind them.

When Rishan and Fellis turned around they saw Gabe walking through a secret door that was made to look like part of the grey stone wall, and following behind him was Onum.

"Recall that I was not always here, so when I realized that eating their food might soon become detrimental to my health I decided it was time to teach them how to make a few things that I could actually survive eating."

Rishan quickly stood, respecting Gabe and Onum, but Gabe stopped him.

No, please. Please, you must not spare such behavior for my sake. No, you must eat now. He then gestured to Onum inviting him to take a seat to the left of Rishan before taking his own seat two positions down to the right of Conk.

Great king, began Onum standing respectfully at his seat and facing Conk with his right hand against heart, It is my truest honor to affirm you as my friend and as a friend of Dhenor’s. As I am sure Rishan has told you, it is unfortunate that we must seek your aid in this desperate time. He then paused for a moment gesturing Conk for permission to address the rest of the room. And with a brief nod of approval from Conk, Onum turned to the rest of those that were gathered there and continued. Kalith has decimated much of our lands and our way of life. For the few that he has not yet stolen away their freedom he threatens them into lives of fear and trepidation. Here Onum paused for a moment and lowered his head in shame. His reach stretches farther than I could have anticipated, he then lifted his head again, and I fear that soon he will call upon forces from beyond our territories.

One of the Talorans stood and responded directly to Onum, but Onum could not understand the language and so Gabe offered to translate the statement.

He says that such hearsay does not come as a surprise to them…that it has been for such a reason that the Talorans have chosen isolation… Gabe hesitated for a moment, shameful of what the he was about to say next, "…and therein found peace."

"Peace? rebuked Fellis, and what of the harbor people? Do they not pose a threat to your perfect metropolis?"

This time Conk translated Fellis’ words to the room, and with obvious reasons her opinion was met with irritation and hard feelings by the few dozen gathered in the room.

Ellaya is being steered by the finger of Sheeve, continued Fellis, and in turn, Kalith. How much longer do you think you will be able to hide from them?

Again, the perturbed Taloran stood and began rebuking Fellis. By now Fellis felt that she had learned enough from the Taloran’s body-language to deduce the substance of what he was saying, and before Gabe could begin interpreting she responded to the Taloran. "The water!?! she questioned with a chuckle. What have Kalith’s soldiers to fear of water?"

Much, replied Conk quickly but plainly.

Fellis quickly turned to Conk who was sitting to her right. Strangely though, because by comparison Conk was so much larger than she, even when he was sitting he was still much taller than her forcing her to have to look upwards a bit.

Kalith’s forces cannot withstand purity in any form, he continued, and there is nothing more pure than our crystal seas.

And as long as we remain under them we will be safe… added a deliberate female voice from the front of the room.

When everyone turned toward the main doors of the chamber, which were now open, they saw a petite woman standing there; and yet, unlike your average woman, this one was even more beautiful in that her skin was as white as a pearl and she was wearing a flowing robe made of seaweeds. She began to slowly walk into the room and around the side.

"…yes, we will be safe. She then looked over to Onum and smiled gently. Like you, my dear wizard, I have also sensed Kalith’s spread over our realm. She then returned to the rest of the room. And so long as we remain here, we will survive his strike. She then turned and began to look over the faces of the Taloran officials who were all nodding their concurrence with her words. Lohrendore, however, will fall and all of its inhabitants will perish."

Silence fell over the entire room. One of the two Talorans who was arguing with Fellis now sat with a sense of shame; the other was also shamed but because he was a member of their military he tried to hide it by sitting tall and proud in his chair.

A few seconds passed before Conk noticed the befuddled looks on the faces of his three guests and realized that an introduction was needed. My new friends, he began with a smile, I present to you Shaiohna, my sister.

Fellis and Onum smiled and nodded, but Rishan stood and walked over to Shaiohna. Shaiohna held out her hand to him with her palm down. Rishan took her hand and placed the top of it against his forehead.

Everyone in the room was surprised to see Rishan do this. Unbeknownst to Fellis and Onum, this was the customary greeting between Talorans. Conk and Shaiohna looked at each other briefly and smiled, impressed and satisfied to find that only the true king of Dhenor would have the genetic memory of their customs.

You honor the memory of your fathers-past, young Rishan.

Remember that Rishan had not yet introduced himself, but Onum and Fellis simply attributed this to the Taloran magic and smiled.

My lady, stammered Rishan.

Shaiohna gently placed both her hands aside Rishan’s head and gestured for him to look up at her. You carry in both your heart and mind a great hollow. I see it coursing through you like a chilling breeze. But you can be the wall that stops it; the tiny candle that withstands its gale.

Rishan slowly nodded his head and replied, Very well.

And fear not, Shaiohna continued, your journey comes with more aid than you know.

Rishan tried to smile but he was still doubtful.

Shaiohna turned and looked to Conk who was apprehensive about committing his people to a war that was not necessary for them to wage, and so he simply lowered his gaze to the table in front of him, neither confirming nor denying her non-verbal request.

I’ll say this much for you, began Gabe, you certainly have proven yourself a worthy foe for the enemy.

Rishan looked over to him, smiling, but puzzled.

You nearly broke the enchantment I’d placed on our prison.

What? asked Rishan, What do you mean? What enchantment?

Even Onum moved himself up to the edge of his seat, listening with curiosity like a hungry panther watching its soon-prey.

"I had designed that structure to withstand all forms of magic. A brilliant idea, even if I do say so myself."

One can never be too careful when dealing with outsiders, added Conk with a grin, and so I asked Gabe to place a charm on the prison that would prevent the use of any magic.

Onum wanted to ask Gabe so many questions about Gabe’s ever expanding list of skills, but somehow he realized that Gabe wouldn’t discuss it, at least not in this setting, so he held his tongue.

Rishan looked to Onum and noticed a curiosity that matched his own, but he too decided not to press the matter and so he returned to Conk. But the question remains. Have we proven ourselves enough to earn your aid?

Conk hesitated for a moment, his apprehension continuing. You have proven yourself worthy of being my guest – you all have. And as my guests, I insist that you sit and eat now. You will take refuge here for some time.

Rishan wanted nothing more than to press Conk, but he could tell that such an obviously sensitive matter would require a great deal of time and finessing, and so he contented to beginning his meal.

Likewise, Fellis and Onum began eating theirs.

*     *     *     *     *

As he continued to eat, Rishan watched Conk and Gabe conversing. Because of all the commotion and the brilliant display of entertainment by the Neons in the center of their circle of tables, Rishan could neither hear what they were saying nor deduce from their body language the subject matter. At one point Gabe took out from one of the large side pockets that were sown into his coat a large tube of paper (which was likely a blueprint or map of some kind). Rishan slowly propped himself up from his chair slightly by pushing his hands down on his chair’s armrests in an attempt to see a little better. As you could probably imagine the maneuver didn’t help much, and to make matters worse, Conk soon noticed Rishan’s curiosity in his peripheral.

Immediately, Conk turned to Gabe and spoke to him. Gabe nodded his head as he listened to Conk, and when the Taloran king finished Gabe gathered up his documents and began to walk toward the front doors.

After the celebrations had finished and the light coming down through the sea-ceiling above the city began to dim, the Taloran officers began to disperse.

A group of the handmaidens escorted the travelers out the dining room and back into the gathering hall where they first met Conk.

Fellis could tell that Rishan was still angry that their discussion with Conk had not gone better. What do you suppose will happen? she asked Rishan.

But Rishan simply shook his head slightly and bit his lip.

Whatever happens, we must hold to our course, said Onum.

But after Emin’roth…who else can we call upon now? asked Fellis.

This time neither Rishan nor Onum responded. Onum simply nodded his head, realizing the gravity of the situation and the need for fast action, but Rishan couldn’t stop thinking about Shaiohna and what she said to him. He realized that if anyone was going to help influence Conk and the Taloran officials to help them, it was going to be her.

The three followed the maidens through the gathering hall where they first met Conk and to the back wall to the right of the door that led to the long staircase. There, one of the maidens reached out and touched the wall activating the magic and transforming it into a giant block of water. After passing through the water, they were led into a long hallway that spanned for at least a hundred yards from left to right. All along the nearside of the hall was a simple wall, the same smooth grey marble as before, but on the far side there was only a railing; a simple iron railing, but an important one because it kept any passersby from falling off the edge and down the sheer-drop to the ocean floor at least a few hundred feet below. Beyond the railing was the most incredible view, a panorama looking out over the entire southern