As everyone clapped, élysia rose and curtsied in thanks.. When the clapping died down, she began, “Sirs and ladies, I am deeply honored with the privilege of reciting the history of the interactions between Lársh and the Feyns. Attend to what I say, for it is said that ‘what is forgotten in the past will reemerge anew, ’ and we do not want our descendants to reap the consequences if we forget the mistakes of the past.
“Many ages ago, our world was first formed by Lightness. With his servants, the Renía, he created the world and the vast expanse of the Void beyond. He brought into being the First Ones and many other creatures whose existence is only known in legends or the secluded corners of our world. In the First Age, the feyns were created. There were six pairs, and to each, he gave specific powers over nature: fire and water, animals and plants, light and dark. Over each pair, he placed several of his servants who were to help and teach them how to use their gifts. They were instructed to use their gifts well and warned never to use them to kill each other. This marked the First Age of our world.
“For a time, the First Ones grew and learned, delighting Lightness who often walked among them, for he desired their company and showed them new ways of doing things. Seeing Lightness’ love for the First Ones and theirs in return, certain Renía became jealous and rebelled against Lightness. They and their leader Lucíen were exiled from Féyndom, but they continued to nurture their hatred of us and our world. Thus, when the last of the faithful Renía had finished their task and were taken from our world, the Dark Renía returned. Garbed in light and hiding their true intentions, they captivated the children of the First Ones by telling them they could teach them even greater wonders than their parents were taught and that Lightness desired to keep them from reaching their full potential so that they would remain under his power. Beguiled by the Dark Renías’ flattery and promises, the children of the First Ones hearkened to them. The Dark Renía showed them many things, but they also taught them how to use their gifts for evil, resulting in many killing each other.
“In the end, the Dark Renía enslaved the children and deprived them of their wings, the symbols of their freedom and the key to their gifts. Because they no longer could use their gifts, the feyns forged swords, shaped bows, and learned to wield these weapons. The cruelty and tyranny of the Dark Age can be read in the legends and tales that remain today. Many feyns were enslaved, tortured, and slain for the Dark Renía hoped to corrupt the feyns so that Lightness would be forced to destroy them. In the end, what happened was not what the Renía expected.
“Lightness knew of the Dark Renía’s actions and that they were sullying his creation, hoping he would be forced to destroy the feyns because of corruption. Instead of destroying the feyns, however, Lightness decided to destroy himself in their stead so that he could let them remain in the world he created.
“Lucíen murdered Lightness at the Circle of Standing Stones that lie in the northernmost lands. Thinking Lightness vanquished, Lucíen took Lightness’ throne as his own and sat upon it. His victory was short-lived, only lasting for one day. Lightness returned to life and destroyed the beauty of the Dark Renía so that the feyns could see them for what they truly were: dark and evil-hearted. He then banished them from Féyndom again and created the barrier that separates our planet from the Void. Then he freed the feyns and taught them himself. Eventually, he left but promised to assist them in the future when the Dark Renía would attack. This marked the start of the Second Age.
“Mantol, one of Lucíen’s followers, came and attacked our world, enslaving the feyns living near the Forest of the Shadows. Lársh came with him and set up his dwelling in Nimph’s Vale, renaming the tower that stood there to Náglash. Grimnoth, another Renía, slew Mantol and freed the feyns from him, ushering in the Third Age. Lársh was spared, for he had successfully deceived those living near Nimph’s Vale that he was harmless. During the prosperity and peace of the Third Age, some of the Southern Plainsmen and O’acians became close allies with Lársh. With them in his armies, Lársh began the Great War and enslaved all of Féyndom, except for the Northern Lands and the Obwán Mountains. Ch’lant defeated him in the Valley of Thunder and brought about the Golden Age, which has existed since.
“It is common knowledge to all that Lársh stole one of the Orbs that the Renía gave to the First Ones when he conquered Vier’endale. Which kind of orb was unknown until now. Since he has returned, we know that he did not succumb to the mortal wounds he received from élten, the disguised Renía who shot him with her bow. Therefore, he must have stolen and used one of the healing orbs. I have proof that he did!”
“My good friend élberteeth recently was in the Obwán Mountains, hunting for a black deer and investigating the area surrounding the Valley of Thunder, per my request. She was able to examine the caves nearby, particularly the Cave of Orósis, which was used by the Obwáns on hunting expeditions in the past, before the battle took place there. In the present age, the caves were abandoned due to the shift in the Obwán’s hunting grounds. élberteeth was able to confirm that Lársh had taken refuge in the cave after he escaped his pursuers. She found several items of interest for not only historians but also for our purpose of providing irrefutable proof of Lársh’s return.
“Among the first of these proofs is this! It was found pinning the charred remains of a skeleton to the stone wall.” élysia held up a long, curved dagger for all in the chamber to see. The handle was black as night and carved like a hawk’s clenched foot. The sunlight that fell from the skylight gleamed blood-red upon the dagger’s wavy edges and revealed dark, fiery runes that glowed harshly from the blade. “This–,” élysia continued as gasps of awe and horror rose from the council members, “this is Lársh’s dagger. The runes say ‘Lársh, Lord of Nimph’s Vale.’ He used it to kill someone, possibly a curious peasant who saw the Orb’s light and went to investigate. He must have not cared to take the knife with him when he left the cave. How the body remained unnoticed all these centuries is a mystery. Nearby lay this.”
élysia showed the Council a white oval stone that shimmered in the light. Chárlotte could see the dark outline of a dancing figure etched on its surface. “This is a stone from a clasp of Lársh’s cloak. I have compared the engraving in the records of illustrations here and have verified that the symbol belonged to and was used by Lársh.
“These are the proofs that élberteeth brought back, along with her written descriptions of the cave when she found it. I will offer these items to the library for scholarship and study. If you wish to examine them later, I will have a presentation set up in one of the library wings. You are more than welcome to look over them yourselves.These proofs explain why Lársh is here and prove that it was a healing orb he stole in Vier’endale.
“This knowledge—that he used a Healing Orb—is both hopeful and dangerous for us. Since he has tethered his life to the Orb by using it, he has made himself weaker than ever. We can now kill him ourselves if we steal the Orb and destroy it. No longer will we have to wait for a Renía to lend us aid in slaying him for he has made himself as close to mortal as is possible for a Renía. However, we will first have to find and steal this Orb from Lársh if we want to slay him. Then, we will need to travel into the Void, to the Pit of Ring’gall, the only remaining Endless Pit in existence. There, the Orb can be destroyed, and with it, Lársh.” élysia curtsied and sat down.
The ambassadors’ faces were troubled at her words. Some ambassadors glanced toward Chárlotte and shook their heads in uncertainty, as if they were not sure she could do what élysia implied. Each glance fell on Chárlotte like a weight, for she knew what they expected from her. She was not sure if she would be able to meet their expectations.
The Mayor rose, saying, “Time has passed swiftly, and noonday is upon us. We must pause for rest and refreshment so we may consider the words that have been shared with us and what we must do to defeat Lársh. I wish to invite all of you to the dining hall to partake in a meal.” He rose, walked to the doors, and opened them. He went out of the chamber without a word, evidently wanting them to follow him.
Chárlotte rose from her seat and smiled. Not because she wanted food—although she was hungry—but rather because she realized how the Mayor knew it was noonday. Any ordinary feyn would have thought that the unique design on the floor was just for decoration, but the design was also used to tell the time. As the hours had drifted by, Chárlotte noticed that as the sun rose higher, the diamond shone brighter. As the diamond shone brighter, the gold designs glowed almost imperceptibly and the silver stars shone. When the Mayor announced the refreshments, the diamond was glowing, sparkling! Blues, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and violets hovered in the air above the brilliant jewel, dancing like small merry stars. As she considered it, she decided it was a very elaborate way to tell the time. None of the ambassadors appeared to have noticed it or to have considered commenting about it.
éltoth rose after the Mayor left and approached Chárlotte. Presenting his left arm to her, he asked, “May I escort you to the dining hall?”
“You may,” she answered, a shy smile showing itself as she slipped her arm through his.
Leading her from the Chamber of Stars, he guided her to the dining hall, a long room whose walls were carved as if there were rows of trees running along its length one either side. The rest of the ambassadors followed in groups or pairs. The Council entered the same dining room that the Mayor had taken éltoth into on the morning after the Leafton’s party. Unlike that day, the long table was now completely set with pyramids of fruit, various meats, desserts, and many flagons containing wine, juice, and other liquids. At the farther end of the table, the Mayor was already seated, and two chairs had been placed on either side of him. éltoth escorted her to one of these, and she sat down in it. He, in turn, took his place in the other. The queen of Oceanus had a throne made of coral on one side of the table, a little further down from Chárlotte. Many of the ambassadors sat with their kindred, and Chárlotte’s friends were scattered around the table.
As she waited for everyone else to be seated, Chárlotte reviewed what had been said. Unlike élberteeth had thought, the Schi’leons had not caused trouble. Instead, it had come from the Natálians and the Bayers. Even though the situation had somewhat been resolved, Chárlotte could sense that there was still tension between the tribes, possibly even lingering doubts about the loyalties of the Bayers. Out of all the tribes, the ones in the worst straits were the Bayers and the Schi’leons. The Northern tribes that had been untouched or ignored by Lársh would have to give them aid as soon as they could. How that would happen, she could not begin to plan for. In the end, that would not be her responsibility: her task was to destroy Lársh.
“I hope they don’t send me out to fight against Lársh by myself,” she thought. “They would not do such a thing, especially since it is dangerous and I’m.. well... a woman. There must be something else that I will do.” Chárlotte shuddered as her mind considered the other possibilities.
When everyone was seated, they paused for a silent moment, as was the custom at every meal, and then began to eat. Chárlotte was sure that many of the ambassadors were thinking about the issues that had been brought up in the Council because they took their time with their food. Some were staring ahead of them as if lost in thought, and others were talking with those seated around them. At least four or six conversations were going around the table.
There was a man from Teardrop Bay seated beside Chárlotte, and they were having a quiet conversation between themselves. The man was full of news and told her many tales of the doings in his town. She answered his questions about herself and told him in return many of the events in the Sunset Islands. They each were interested in medicine, and their conversation turned to that primarily. Eventually, they returned to the topic of the Council.
“What are your thoughts about the day’s proceedings so far?” asked Chárlotte after a lull in their conversation.
“Well, so far I trust it will be a success. The beginning has been rough, but then all gatherings of the tribes have been that way. It is a relief to know that you are present. Although, I must admit that there was some disappointment among us that you are a woman.” The man looked at her to see if she had been hurt by his words. “We were just not expecting that.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“I understand,” answered Chárlotte with a smile to show him he had not offended her. “We all thought that Ch’lant would be a brave man who would somehow kill Lársh in combat and save us all. We never imagined that Ch’lant would be a woman—a woman who never sought a responsibility like this. Now that it is so, I guess our plans will have to change accordingly. Though since only Renía can kill Lársh outright, I guess we must use his other weakness instead.”
“My mind has been mulling over that same thought ever since élysia’s recitation. Normally, Renía can only be slain by another Renía unless they are compromised. Lársh has done this by using the Orb to heal himself, and therefore, it is his greatest weakness, probably guarded jealously for fear that someone would think of stealing it and killing him.
“If we were able to enter Nimph’s Vale and steal the Orb,” the man continued eagerly, his mind leaping from idea to idea as his thoughts unfolded, “we could destroy it! He would expect Ch’lant to face him in battle and be surprised when he discovers Ch’lant in Náglash itself! ”
“It is far more dangerous to do that though—to enter Nimph’s Vale,” said Chárlotte with a grimace and a shudder at the thought. “One would walk into Lársh's very lair!”
“Yes, but it is the only way to kill him unless you were a Renía yourself. The Council must approve the plan first, though. If this plan were chosen, it would be a success as long as it is kept a secret. What do you think of it?”
Chárlotte thought for a few moments and did not let one single detail of what would happen if she agreed escape her. Obviously and logically, she would be at the very heart of the plan. If she sneaked out of the Sunset Islands, Lársh would think that she was still there and would not fear what she would be doing. “You’re assuming that he already knows that you are here,” she thought to herself. “You do not know that for certain. The attack could have just been a coincidence.” Until he realized what the Council was doing, she would be safe, especially if someone pretended to be her while she traveled. Then she would have to find some way to enter Náglash, steal the Orb, and destroy it. If she went into battle against Lársh, she knew she would not make it. She had neither the experience nor the strength to lead men and women into the battle. Above all, she was not a Renía. She was not sure how she would enlist the aid of one in any case. She turned the matter over in her head again before finally answering the man: “I think it might be the best plan we have right now unless there is another, better alternative that we have not thought of.”
Clutching her hand, he said eagerly, “You do? Would you support me if I proposed it to the Council?”
There was a subtle pause between them, a moment of hesitation, slight yet palpable. “I will,” agreed Chárlotte. She felt a strange sense of foreboding afterward and wondered what the consequences of her decision would be: how they would affect her and her friends. The future she could not foresee, but she knew somehow that she had made a decision that would change the rest of the war and her own life, for good or for ill.
“Thank you!” gasped the man, kissing her hand and continuing to hold it tightly. “Thank you!”
Chárlotte smiled and extricated her hand from his grip. “You’re welcome. We will see if the rest are supportive of your proposal.”
“I would not be surprised if the idea is already being discussed among the ambassadors because that historian hinted at it already,” continued the young man, “It is Lársh’s only weakness that we can exploit ourselves. I must go to my companions and share this plan!” Excitedly, he rose to his feet and made his way toward the lower end of the table.
For about an hour, the meal continued. After everyone had finished, the Mayor rose and suggested reconvening in the Chamber of Stars. Again, Chárlotte was escorted by éltoth, and she once more found herself listening for many hours to men’s voices arguing over how she would destroy Lársh. As the arguments and ideas flew about the room, she could see that they were getting nowhere, for each idea had one fault: Lársh was a Renía and thus could not be killed in the usual fashion, by a feyn’s hands. She waited for the young man to speak, but as time wore on and he never rose, she knew she had to do something. Finally, she rose and raised her hand for silence to speak. A solemn hush fell over the chamber, and they stood still, waiting for her to speak.
“Sirs,” Chárlotte began in a loud voice, “we are wasting precious time fighting over faulty ideas when we could do something more productive! There is another way to kill Lársh, but I will let the gentleman who disclosed it to me speak of it. If he would rise, he could tell us of his plan.”
The young man whom Chárlotte had spoken to at the table rose nervously and cleared his throat. “Ahem..I have a plan—a plan that will work,” he began. Chárlotte noticed his face paling from fear.
“If it will work, why have you not spoken up sooner, young man?” demanded a gruff voice.
“Because I was afraid to speak and supposed that the plan was so obvious that the other ambassadors would think of it. I was mistaken about assuming such a thing. Forgive me for this. With your consent, I shall tell you of my plan.”
“Well then, begin speaking. We’ve already wasted enough time,” replied the gruff voice. “We shall listen.”
“Before I disclose this, I believe that this plan, chosen or not, should remain a secret because it depends entirely on secrecy. Therefore, I charge every person in this room not to tell a soul about anything I am about to say. You may discuss it among yourselves privately, outside of the hearing of anyone or anything that could betray us. élysia explained Lársh has the healing Orb in his possession and has used it to heal himself. By using the Orb, he has weakened himself, and we should use this to our advantage, for up until now only the Renía have been able to slay each other. Now, we can slay a Renía by destroying the very thing that has made him weak. Therefore, I suggest we send Ch’lant and some companions to steal and destroy the Orb.”
“That is a very logical idea,” replied the same gruff voice. “Indeed, it does resolve the problem of killing Lársh. But what if Lársh figures out that she is not in the Sunset Islands and discovers the plan? How will she get there? Who shall help her along the journey? Most importantly, what does the lady think of your idea?” The gruff man, a Schi’leon, leaned back waiting for someone to answer his questions.
“I think it is a better plan than any of the others that have already been proposed,” returned Chárlotte before anyone else spoke up. “As to your other questions, they are important. If someone in the Sunset Islands pretends to be me, I am sure it will fool Lársh—for a time. That is, at least, if he knows I am Ch’lant. As for how I can get there, I shall ride, walk, run, fly, and swim to accomplish the task. By what route we will follow, that remains to be decided upon before and during the journey. I can get aid and fellow travelers from among the Council members. What we need to do now is decide if this is a good plan or not. If it is not, then we must propose another.” With those words, she returned to her seat.
“Well spoken,” whispered the Mayor to Chárlotte. “Now, gentlemen,” he continued aloud, “you have heard what has been said. Is the plan good or bad? Should it be changed, or shall we look for another?”
For nearly a half hour, the ambassadors discussed what was presented before them. Finally, an elder rose from among the Darklings, saying, “We have discussed it among ourselves and have found the proposed plan to be very pleasing. We do suggest, though, that a committee of the wisest and oldest men here be selected to choose Chárlotte’s companions and advise the travelers on their quest. My companions will only agree if these conditions are satisfied.”
The rest of the tribes rose and voiced their agreement with the Shadowlander’s proposition. Then the proposal was taken to a vote and passed. The next course of action was the ambassadors’ decisions on who was to be a part of the committee. When the decisions were finally over, the light inside the room was dim, for the sun was sinking in the eastern sky.
“Let it be done as you say, sir,” said éltoth in response to one of the ambassadors. “Meanwhile, I propose we depart for the rest of the evening and reconvene tomorrow morning. Is that time enough for the committee?”
“Yes, that is time enough,” answered one of the men.
“Splendid!” exclaimed the Mayor, rising. “This Council meeting is dismissed and will reconvene tomorrow morning at dawn. I must remind everyone to not discuss what has been said here in public or to anyone who is not in the Council. Farewell and get some rest!”
As soon as the Council was dismissed, élberteeth beckoned éltoth aside, and they spoke in whispers to one another in the quietest part of the room. Meanwhile, élysia, Moon’sheen, and Chárlotte embraced one another, exchanged thoughts about the Council, and waited for élberteeth to join them. The day before, they had agreed to go to the Haven’s Glade together.
A while later, élberteeth joined them. Smiling, she praised Chárlotte for her conduct during the Council: “You would have made your parents proud if they could have seen your resolve.” As they entered the courtyard, she added in a whisper, “You had better hide your Heartstone, Chárlotte, for it wouldn’t do to have anyone see it as we go out.”
“I will,” returned Chárlotte. Quickly, she slipped the jewel underneath her dress, making certain that her coat was completely buttoned up this time as she walked outside into the chilly evening air.
They went toward the stables where their horses had been taken by the stable master. As Chárlotte entered, she sniffed the musty scent of hay and animals mingled together and felt the pleasant warmth from the horses. Milky-white, moonlight-gray, chestnut-brown, and jet-black horses peered over the stall doors as they walked by them.
“Where is the stableman?” asked Chárlotte after a few moments.
“Over there,” replied élysia, pointing out a man who was sweeping steadily at some stray bits of dust and hay at the farther end of the stable. “Hello, Jeffery!” greeted élysia. “Your stables look immaculately clean, as usual. We have just returned and were wishing for our horses. Could you get them for us, Jeffery?”
“Sure, élysia,” replied Jeffery, who was an old friend of hers. “They will be ready shortly. Feel free to look at the others while we work.” Putting away his broom and calling for Rudney, the stable boy, he began to saddle and bridle their horses.
As they waited, the girls wandered through the stable, petting the horses’ noses and talking to them. élysia was the one who interpreted, for them, for she was fluent in the Animal Tongue. Chárlotte wandered far from the rest, who were conversing with one of the Schi’leons’ black mares. It was telling them of his rider and their adventures in the forests of their homeland. When she reached the end of the row of stalls, she paused mid-step, inhaling sharply.
In one of the last stalls before her, a great, white mare stood, but it was unlike any other horse in the stable or that Chárlotte had ever set eyes on. From the center of its forehead, a long, delicately formed, silver horn stood, surrounded by a few locks of white hair. It had a long, flowing white mane, and from its chin, a single lock fell. The mare shook its head, tossing its mane about. Seeing its strength and beauty, Chárlotte found herself stunned until the unicorn turned its head to hers. It was then that Chárlotte saw its eyes, intelligent and golden.
Somehow—Chárlotte never could explain it, no matter how often she would try—she seemed to know the unicorn. It was like seeing an old friend whom she had forgotten but whose face she remembered; or rather, it was like a ghost of a memory had been resurrected, but its relevance had been worn away with time, leaving only the image of those golden eyes burned into her mind. The unicorn whinnied and stretched its neck towards Chárlotte, recognizing her. Chárlotte stepped forward, reaching out confidently to stroke the unicorn’s face. How long she stood there, she did not know, for she was oblivious to all other sights and sounds save the unicorn before her.
“Chárlotte! Chárlotte,” she heard Moon’sheen call from far behind her, “the horses are ready; come on quickly!”
Sighing, Chárlotte turned from the unicorn. She felt reluctant to leave such a beautiful beast, but her friends were ready to leave and...
“Bye, sweetheart,” said the unicorn in the Feyn Tongue. “We will meet again soon enough. Go on to your friends.” The unicorn nudged her shoulder with its nose.
“Goodbye,” replied Chárlotte. She did not know why the words had come so easily from her lips, but it seemed only natural that she should have said goodbye. Dazed and wondering if she was seeing things, she rejoined her friends. Before they rode out of the stable, though, Chárlotte looked back. She hoped, deep down inside, that what she had seen was real.
There, further back in the stable, she could see the unicorn. It shook its white mane. The flash of its silver horn in the lamplight was the last thing Chárlotte saw before she turned back to face the sun slowly sinking into the eastern sky.
Thank you for reading!
