Prince Gideon: Chronicles of Illúmaril Vol 3

By Gary Caplan

This story is about a hero who through hard work and perseverance and with allies has built up two cites in lands that were his ancestral lands. Until recently and with a non aggression treaty in place such construction would not have been possible. Unfortunately close to completion he must leave his city as a situation in the north west ca

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781648956393

Book preview

Chapter One

New Kir’ Kiriath

John Gideon Finelen looked over the land. It was a sunny day with some clouds in the distance. The city looked beautiful, extending north and west into the valley. The mountains along the south and southwestern side were majestic and provided a natural defense. The tower he was standing on had been recently finished. As an Alor lord, he was responsible for the safety of his city and its people.

Kir’ Kiriath was growing larger each year. Lord Finelen had started development over the ruins of his ancestors’ ancient home ten years ago. The land had begun to prosper and was returning to its former glory. The sounds of construction and building permeated the air, people hammering and sawing. As he looked out, he could see Earth giants or some wizards using elemental forces to help lift heavy beams.

Before it was like a curse had settled over the region. Many strange and dangerous creatures and even some of the Dark Lord’s darkspawn dwelled there that had to be forcibly removed. Over time, Gideon had developed many allies who helped him with varied projects, including restoration of this region. Now after restoring some of his land birthright and reclaiming the region and constructing several towns and restoring two major cities, Kir’ Kiriath in the north and Kir’ Barad city state in the south, they were becoming prosperous after millennia of abandonment. These were once great Elven cities, and parts were wrapped in wards and protections that had miraculously preserved several small sections.

Gideon was a scion, a direct descendant of the once High King Lith-Gilad who ruled parts of this region long ago. Gideon had only learned of his lineage just over twelve years ago. He looked at the construction again, blinking his blue eyes and enjoying the changing skyline. His sandy blond hair blew in the wind as it was getting longer. Even being only part Alor, Gideon was tall and agile and strong. He had amazing stamina to endure hard quests and long days. He possessed a charisma, which, when he used it with conviction, garnered him new friends. He also possessed a cunning intellect he had used to learn new skills to keep himself safe after he was informed of his lineage. Lord Finelen was one of many lords whose territory was separated. The Alor did not fight amongst themselves for land, so they might have more than one territory and several cities established over time in different areas.

One of the building engineers and foreman approached.

The set of support structures and basements for the outer battlement towers are about finished, Lord Finelen, said Ferris as he brought a document for Gideon to sign so he and his workers could get paid.

Ferris was a middle-aged man with silvery hair and hazel eyes. He was from the great city of Taros. Ferris had skills, but the population in Taros was vast, and he was considered an exceptional builder, but with all the competitive nature in Taros, he had not been able to work on amazing projects like he could do here in this new Kir’ Kiriath.

Good work, Ferris. That keeps our projects on schedule, replied Gideon. He took the proffered pen and dipped into his blue inkwell and signed the completion documents. Well now, the towers need to be built up over this next week.

Yes, sir, we are starting that even now, said chief engineer Ferris before he bowed briefly and left.

Gideon continued to survey the construction projects. He had several engineering and construction guilds supporting the construction projects. He looked over toward a building that was about to start construction. He watched as one of the more impressive Alor spellweavers he had hired began his spellweaves, and the stone in piles nearby began to move, and colored sand began to swirl and form into walls. Gideon noticed the Alor’s artistic skill as the elf began to shape the walls into aesthetically pleasing rooms and buildings.

The process took several minutes, and along the way, others with stone-weaving skills added to the building process. According to the construction plans, this structure would belong to the Order of the Shield. It would be one of several buildings that the Order would operate.

Gideon watched as one began the warding process to make the walls resistant to fire and even explosive energies that perhaps a darkspawn enemy might release against the building. Across the street, the support rails for the zedrul were being laid down to support travel of the citizens to this section of the city. The zedrul reminded Gideon of trains from his time on Earth; this zedrul, however, was magnetically pushed along. It was a Norgtor design. Gideon had friends from many races, and he enlisted a wide variety of builders. His old friend and ally, Pyne Callandon the Gilthonalal of Noordlindien, suggested he use different methods of power for the city.

Pyne was a powerful Norgtor lord and spellweaver. He was only two and a half feet tall and looked younger than his very old age. His hair still had a golden sheen, and his green eyes saw more than most. He was one of Gideon’s wisest advisors.

Gideon thought back and recalled this city’s history briefly. Kir’ Kiriath had been attacked long ago by the Forces of the Dark Lord, and its people scattered. The ruling family fought a courageous battle but were either slain or forced to escape. There were few known descendants of Lith-Gilad’s family as they were hidden, some for a time even beyond Illúmaril, like Gideon. Senior leaders in the White Council, the Order of the Shield, the Order of the Platinum Griffon, and a few others know the whereabouts of these few descendants. These Orders were ancient organizations that had started just before the time of Lith-Gilad’s rule during the first age.

The Alor developed a construction plan of decorative interlinking stonework, the ancient style that was in use millennia ago. Gideon, upon the advice of some of his friends especially from Laurelin Leaflock and Lord Melorin and his sister Almaren, revived those techniques. The bridges constructed were very decorative and even served a defensive purpose. The large stones were fashioned and cut so the seams between the stones were tight and resilient.

The outlying bridges were used to interlink the towns as river-cross bridges. They could also be collapsed by pulling some keystones in a specific way. The bridges were useful for those living in one of the provinces boarding Morthaurnan. In case of attacking forces moving toward a major city, the bordering towns had a fortified section and would act as early warnings of approaching enemy troops.

The ancient stonework techniques also included water drainage and aqueduct and cisterns to release excess water and store and even filter it for later drinking. Gideon included these stonework styles in some retro-designed sections of his city. However, most of the city’s construction followed present techniques and was augmented with spellweave-imbued and reinforced stone or woodwork.

Lord Gideon Finelen and several allies had returned to the region several years ago and began to reclaim and rebuild. He looked around and noted several finished towers on the other side of the valley, and the main castle and surrounding citadel was complete. Gideon looked down the hill from the architects’ table and saw one of his old friends, Laurelin Leaflock, approaching.

Lady Leaflock was a tall and quite beautiful Alor Lady. She had the Alor almond-shaped eyes and elongated ears. Laurelin was one of the first female Alor whom Gideon got to know during the course of his early travels. He thought of her as a beautiful Elven ranger. Her hair was a shiny golden shade, she had crystal clear blue eyes, and she was athletically graceful and powerful. At one time in the past, he considered marrying her. He and Laurelin had remained friends, and over time, she become an exceptional ally, helping him with various projects ever since they met.

Gideon, I hope you are in good spirit, she said with a smile as she grew closer. She was wearing her officer’s uniform for the Order of the Horn. She was one of that Order’s senior knight captain commanders.

I am, and seeing you today improves my mood, said Gideon, smiling.

The Order of the Horn has done you a small favor. That group of goblins that were harassing your incoming supply lines beyond the mountains has been defeated.

That is good news, Laurelin, thank you, said Gideon. Less problems for me and the Order of the Talisman to deal with.

Well, the Unicorns, both winged and ground, wanted to run out the problem makers, replied Laurelin. The Dark Lord created many creatures, and even though they hid themselves partly underground, the Order of the Horn and its spellweavers were still able to rout and remove them.

I am glad you elected to have your component of the Order do some annual training here in the province, said Gideon. Actually, seems several of the major orders have camped out here over the past few years for some kind of training.

Well, establishing an Alor city this far north and one of the closer cites to Morthaurnan Province gave us good reason, said Laurelin. Oh, by the way, how is Almaren faring?

Gideon paused then smiled. He had been courting Lady Almaren for the past few years and finally got up the nerve to ask her to get engaged. Well, she has been working with the Order of the Shield to remove any remaining dangerous plant life that seems to have been causing problems as the towns expanded away from the citadel.

Laurelin nodded as she said, Probably more residual darkspawn that had hidden in the small ravines not more than a day’s march to the town’s edge. I heard the Order of the Shield was heading that way.

Gideon replied, Yes, and I was informed a few days ago that they found and cleared out a small nest of wood wights when they ranged out towards the denser forest region, acting on some information the forest wardens had sent out.

I thought we had removed any undead from that region, said Laurelin. Oh, perhaps we can head back to the citadel.

Gideon nodded, realizing he had other tasks to get done, and began following Laurelin back toward the main citadel. I too believed we had removed most of the Unlife threat, but somehow it’s like the problems crop up. Gil believes it’s either the residual energy that Mordru conjured then sent across the land when he used the Quellium crystal fragment, or some subtle interference from the Valharri or the Urshkaar lords as the truce we have with them is tenuous anyway.

For a moment, Gideon thought about Gil Gallow; he was still one of his mentors. Gil was an amazing Alor warrior and a knight of Renown and one of his original companions along with Laurelin.

Laurelin replied, I agree with Gil, he sees things very tactically. That energy that Mordreu conjured then released had to be eliminated over time as it never really dissipated. As it affected our Free Peoples alliance and the forces of darkspawn, it was something new, and back then for the first time, we were all fighting Mordreu’s rampaging undead.

Gideon said, I was surprised then that Unlife force was so extensive. Now after finally achieving mastery level in the arcane arts, I understand more about what happened that day.

Laurelin said, Well, that is not such a problem now. However, Gideon, I have heard a report that a portion of the Order of the Horn is being mobilized to go to Urzan Province as the Northmen from Cymoria have begun to harass the borders.

Gideon said, I have not done any recent missions with the Order of the Platinum Griffon or the Order of the Shield, so I am not up-to-date on activities in the western lands. So, some Northmen from Cymoria Province are causing problems.

Laurelin said, It’s more than just the Cymorians, it’s the Numerians as well, and the report mentioned some type of internal unrest. Those provinces are not part of the free people’s pact.

Gideon stated, I may have to get more acquainted with other regions history. When I attended the prestigious Tyle University Academy of Mystical Arts, I did not have the historical background of most other students as I was, as you recall, hidden on a world known here as Kara, and locals called it Earth.

Laurelin said, Then briefly, those provinces are independent, and there was a problem in ancient days as the Tauri were not successful in gaining the level of respect they have elsewhere, and also due to Valharri or other darkspawn influence. We Alor never made strong alliances with the clan leaders in Numeria or Cymoria Province, so they stayed neutral in most instances. Ragan the Red or one of the other Tauri can give you the details if you want.

Gideon nodded.

As they approached the outer citadel, Gideon noticed that the defense crystals were being examined by the city watch. These crystals would power a device that projected a barrier if the citadel was attacked. Defenses placed along the outer wall in most Alor cities were secured in fortified, well-defended areas. These areas also held other types of crystals that powered devices that projected long-range lightning or streams of fire or blasts of freezing cold at those who would attack the city.

Gideon could see one of his officers instructing new crew on the firing properties of the weapons on one of the turrets that had been opened into firing mode. In the sky as they walked, several Griffon riders from the city’s watch were heading back from a training patrol.

He said to Laurelin, looking up at the Griffons, Reminds me of the time I was training with the Order of the Platinum Griffon as a new Sphenate.

You got a great deal of training with that order under Lorien and Quirvell, and as you progressed, under Lord Marshal Garenthal.

You’re right, Laurelin, I did, replied Gideon, although most of what Gilthondral Garenthal taught me was more about using the power of the Talaxis. Gideon still sometimes thought back to the Earth terminology, so he equated the title Gilthondral with Grand Duke.

Like me, you owe some service still to the orders you pledged. With me it’s presently the Order of the Horn, and the Order of the Platinum Griffon, and the Order of the Green Owl, and of course, to you, Lord Finelen, for the land you granted me to start my plant nursery and keep.

You earned the lands for all the various things you do around here, he said, smiling. Besides, our system is set up to give lands to get help with farming or defending the area, so I choose all my friends to grant lands and also to some who offered support or skills in exchange for some ancestral lands I and my many times great aunt Lady Faiella have recovered here in Calendor Province.

I thank you, said Laurelin, that the lands are not too close to the city so I and my sisters can shepherd the various plants and animals without much distractions.

You are more than welcome, Laurelin, said Gideon. Like you, I have to split my time here with obligations of service to the Order of the Platinum Griffon, the Order of the Shield, and my own new Order of the Ancient Talisman, as there is an Order of the Talisman already. Of course, I cannot forget my somewhat less-time-consuming obligations to the Blue Lodge and Red Lodge, the White Lodge and Green Lodge.

Well, Glade Gilding and some of your Tyle University school friends got you involved with the mystical lodges, said Laurelin, but you have not yet earned enough time with any lodges to take the honorary title color and add to your name, like Glade the Blue.

Gideon smiled. Well, even you assisted some lodges in the past, but I need the aid of the lodges to bring initial education to this region. At least until I can finish establishing our university here.

They walked farther into the citadel, moving gradually toward the inner castle. Stores and shops with various peoples of Illúmaril moving about. Gideon saw representatives of all the peoples of Illúmaril as he had wanted diversity in his cities.

Laurelin said, Yes, that was long ago for me helping the lodges and teaching or establishing a lodge house or larger lodge facility complexes, like in the huge city of Mindon or just about any other great city.

Gideon nodded. He recalled the life span of an Alor could be vast as they were virtually immortal, and diseases did not affect them. Gideon was not a full Alor; he had some human in his lineage.

They walked past the city’s Lodges Street. Gideon looked at the Yellow Lodge building as he passed, and the Red Lodge building was not far away. Gideon recalled the rather large lodge complexes that were full city blocks that the lodges had in the great city of Mindon that he first visited when he came to Illúmaril.

Gideon said, I plan on providing more funding and space for the lodges to establish large knowledge teaching facilities as in the other major cities. I even left space for them to expand from the initial starting buildings they have. The Red and Blue Lodges have three buildings they work out of, and the other arcane lodges are already building more.

They continued to walk up into the central castle area, citadel guards or members of the Order of the Ancient Talisman saluting Gideon and Laurelin, hand over chest, as they passed. Gideon would pause to nod back in acknowledgment. However, once passing into his personal residence part of the castle, Gideon had arranged things to be less formal, and it was considered a no-salute zone.

Laurelin looked at him. Finelen, I heard you arranged to set up a water skelt team. You do recall I do like to play that sport.

Gideon said, Yes, I do recall, Laurelin, and I did arrange to set things up, including a large arena, and we will have a city leagues competition and will eventually submit a city champion team for competition with other city water skelt leagues.

Laurelin said, It’s good. I noticed you are taking the entertainment options and city activities more seriously. I can remember a few times over the years that you would go water surfing after some stressful event.

Gideon replied, Well, I am less caviler than I was when I would go surfing. It was really something that I did back then that helped me to relax.

Laurelin said, Yes, I recall the first time you rather abruptly did that, it upset a few people, including your aunt Faiella, after you wanted to go surfing immediately after helping defeat the Chaos Lord Nossus Thoth over a decade ago instead of joining the victory celebration.

Gideon sighed. Oh, everything was so new to me then, almost unreal. I used that to escape from my new reality.

Laurelin smiled and said, Yes, as I recall, you did seem a bit overwhelmed at times, but you had many friends to support you. Lady Faiella hid her disappointment.

Gideon said, I think Corthrondral Talmor was a bit upset too, but he hid it. Maybe he read my mind, he is telepathic after all, and realized what would help me at that time.

Laurelin replied, Lord Talmor is wise and would have given you the benefit of your interest at that time.

Gideon nodded thoughtfully as they walked past the outer entranceway.

The main castle reminded him of a cross between Arundel castle and Neuschwanstein castle on Earth, only much larger with a nearby garrison and multiple support buildings. They were greeted by Castellan Nindorel at the entrance to the part of the citadel that had Gideon’s growing private residence in this fortress home, as well as many other buildings. Nindorel was his chief steward for day-to-day operations of his living area and the central keep.

Nindorel said, I was notified of your return, my lord. You have court visitors from the Order of the Platinum Griffon, including Knight Captain Commander Lorien, and a message crystal from your ally, the High Baron of Hindale. I left the message crystal in your study, my lord.

Laurelin, please join Lorien. I will go look at the crystal and then join you both as Lorien is here for more city planning and defense issues to support the various orders who want more land space.

Laurelin patted his back and smiled. It will be good to chat with Lorien, and we can compare ideas before you arrive.

Gideon headed to his chambers. They were still a bit sparse and not overly furnished as exterior construction had been more important. His personal study was large and included several bookcases and various artifacts and magical devices that he had acquired or bought. The message crystal was on his desk.

Gideon sat and looked at the crystal. He picked it up and held it in his hands and then activated it with his will and set it into another crystalline holder attached to a large and thick mica viewing area. This image-enhancing and enlarging device would allow a larger, more easily viewable image. It would be more life sized than just viewing by looking into the crystal.

The image of his friend Ber’nord appeared. Gideon remembered this huge bear-sized man as a longtime friend who had gone on several quests with him over the years. Several were minor adventures and even a few epic ones. Once Ber’nord and his dragon Estoth had rescued him in flight when his own Griffon was injured by deadly magic.

Ber’nord was a baron of the Dalelands and an honorable warden of Ashkelion. He and many of his clan were dragon riders. Ber’nord had joined forces with Gideon and his Companions of the Sword, helping the Order of the Platinum Griffon against the darkspawn years ago.

Ber’nord’s image smiled, and the message began. Ber’nord was a muscularly built large man. He had dark hair with white streaks at the sides and hazel eyes.

Gideon Finelen, I am happy to have received your invitation to your Ascension ceremony to Hyrendal. You will be a prince of the elves now. I plan on attending your ascension ceremony. I had no doubts you would achieve that eventually, said Ber’nord as he smiled. I hope our mutual friends will be present as well. Perhaps one of my elder brothers will soon reach a similar princely rank, although my father is selective, and most of us have not really expanded our farms, mines, and fortresses to earn further rank.

Gideon thought about Ber’nord’s father, Gir’ard Uthudain, an Aharonal or king of the Dale Lands. Gideon had made an alliance with him and became friends with Ber’nord and another of his brothers. There was even a Hindale legation house here in Kir’ Kiriath with a small dragon contingent.

Gideon mouthed in a whisper, At least you have your father.

Ber’nord continued, "I look forward to saluting you and seeing what Glade Gilding and Gil Gallow have been up to. And I hope to see the ever beautiful and elegant ladies, Laurelin Leaflock and Almaren Arangul. As for myself, I am in excellent health, although one of my brothers is having some skirmishes with some