A Story Once Told
You can't help
but be quiet when the old elf speaks. He sits upon a small wicker chair
with a high back to support his aged and worn body. A trading party of
elves came from the North several days ago and set up a small town seemingly
over night on the west bank of the river Thyn. You've been attracted to
town to hear the stories of this old elf. Sages from all over the land
have come to here the stories of Elernwold the wise, an elf some say who
is over one-thousand years old.He sits quietly before you and clutches
his walking stick with all of his strength.
The children, elves
and humans alike sit quietly in front of him. While you and the other older
folk sit around tables with your favorite drink in front of you. As you
take a sip he begins to speak.
He raises
his aged hands and thrusts them in front of himself, " Like lightning the
river flowed. It came from the peaks of Cyrsith Everana and gushed down
into the mighty River Yernes (Yern-ez). It had all ready rained for 5 nights
and on this sixth day it continued to rain. Sitting in her small room of
her cottage Ariel stared at the rain outside her window. Likewise Prince
Ferron stared from the Tower of Sun past its magical wall into the outside
world. It was there he could see the rain drops, for it was always sunny
around the tower.
He pauses as he begins
waving his hands. Thin beams of light form one green and another yellow.
They intertwine and bend into a heart. " So was the love for Feron and
Wylith. Fate, destiny, all of it had blessed them. In three days they would
be wed. Three days! In those three days it seemed as if the Gods had left
these two. Ariel's cottage was destroyed. Its once intricately carved walls
were burnt to the ground. It was assumed by the wisest diviners that she
was killed for they could not find her body. During this time Prince Ferron
became locked in the struggle with the orc king Malkar the Black Horned.
The evil army attacked the high elf city of High Water without remorse.
Admist his grief the Prince was called by duty to take his army garrisoned
at his Tower to aid the dieing city. Was all hope lost?", he pauses and
looks gloomily. "Friends, children. Hope was lost. The city fell. Present
day its ruins can be seen surrounding Fort High Water."
Pictures form in
your mind as if by magick. Suddenly all becomes clear as the images of
the cities towering buildings over shadowing the rivers which flow on both
sides of its high white stone walls. The story passes with stories of valor
on the battlefield. That day the orcs were repelled but slowly as time
passed the cities defences weakened to the point where the city was over
run.
You
stare in awe in horror. What kind of story is this for him to tell? Suddenly
a small elf boy drops a piece of parchment in your lap which jolts you
from your thoughts. You read it, it says:
Your service is requested brave
ones. Please wait till everyone leaves tonight.