Chapter VIII: The High Priestess of Elienor Clan
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The place was the size of a cottage, with a large living area and small rooms opening off it. The rugs on the floor looked old and tattered and gave out a stale and pungent smell. The space contained nothing but some metal chests and a small table surrounded by round wooden chairs made out of the trunks of oakwood trees, on which, sat 2 dark-haired women.
Stone and Ragen were imprisoned in a wooden cell. The cell was small and sparsely furnitured, providing a clear view of the living area. It contained only a small wooden platform on which Stone was now lying on. The ground was layered with dried grass and hay where Ragen lay on, unconscious after the nasty blow to the back of his head. Stone was gaining consciousness now. He caught whispers coming from the living area, soft and sibilant, but couldn't make out the words in his state of semi-consciousness.
"Who are these 2 men? Are they spies?" One woman asked the other.
"I don't know. The guards found them coming from the direction of the troll den and decided to capture them for further questioning. The high priestess also said that the guards found the LightBringer Sword on one of them, but it was broken. If we can get the location of the other half from the 2 men, we can reforge it and use it against our enemies."
Stone was now fully conscious. His chest still throbbing from the broken ribs that he suffered; a big bruise now formed on the back of his head. He touched his waist, only to find that the LightBringer Sword was gone.
"Hey! Who are you? Why did you attack us? Open the gate!" Stone shouted.
"So, you've awakened. Report to the high priestess now!" The woman said.
"My name is Ribba, my friend that had just left is Thiaan. We suspect you are in cahoots with the trolls, the wretched beings that destroyed our homeland."
"What?!" Stone didn't know whether to cry or laugh. He can only curse his own bad luck for having been embroiled in other peoples' business.
"We're not spies. We're travellers passing through the forest when we were being attacked by the trolls. We're the victims too." Stone tried to explain his situation.
"Tell that to the high priestess." Ribba dismissed his pleas and began to head out of the cottage.
Stone sighed. He didn't further try to convince her as he knew that whatever he says will only add to greater suspicion. Anymore pleas would only fall on deaf ears. Ragen was awake now, rubbing the ugly bruise as he sat up.
"Where are we?"
Stone shrugged his shoulders. "We're about to speak to their high priestess soon. Maybe we can prove our innocence then; they think we are spies of their enemies."
At this moment, a woman with long and light flowing hair walked into the cottage, with Ribba and Thiaan following closely behind. The woman wore a white long gown made of silk and cotton. She walked in with such demeanour and grace that Ragen was stunned by the extravagance and the sheer beauty of the lady that just entered. She must be the daintest thing under a bonnet in this world, he thought. As she walked towards them, her hazel-coloured eyes caught hold of Ragen's; the essence of inner and outer beauty radiates through the pair of light-brown eyes. Eyes, the pair of sharp, clear eyes seems to bore through Ragens', looking and searching through his soul, mind and heart for his deeds, sins, thoughts and feelings. She held his sight for some time. Within a few moments, Ragen backed away and bowed politely as he could no longer maintain her gaze into his mind.
Now she turned to Stone. Stone couldn't see closely, but sensed that something was not right. She now walked towards Stone, images of how they were attacked and held captive by the trolls flashed before her as she approached closer, so close that they were soon only a breath away from each other. This time, she was a bit shocked, for no other man could withstand her gaze for so long and remained unfaltered. She backed away.
"Unlock the gate! I want to speak with them." She said.
"But... It's too dangerous, we still don't know the identities of these 2 men!" Ribba protested in concern for the priestess' safety.
"I can see it in their eyes. They are good men."
Ribba nodded and went forth to remove the chains to the cell room.
"The both of you may leave now." She said.
"My name is Shaiya, High Priestess of the Elienor Clan. Ribba told me you were being attacked by a group of trolls and I can see it from your eyes that you are no liars. Please pardon my guards for treating you this way, they were not sure whether you are friend or foe."
"I am Ragen from Draga and this is Stone, from LeonCita."
"The Elienor Clan?" Stone questioned.
The people of Elienor Clan had lived in Wonder for many years, and peaceful it has been. They were the largest clan in Wonder and were charged with the defence of the city. Until a month ago, an army of trolls attacked the city. They were formidable enemies, brutal and vicious, not to mention the 5,000 more men that they brought with them. The trolls were merceneries hired by them on the way to Wonder. The Elienor Clan were not their match and were forced to retreat into the forest, set up camp here and wait for an opportunity to retake the city.
"Who leads these trolls and these evil men?" Ragen asked.
"I don't know. But he uses very powerful witchcraft to turn himself into a man of rock and stone so hard that our weapons were not able to penetrate it. The city is now occupied by this 'man of rock' and the men that he brought along with him. The trolls were given Langthorne forest as their new home and they brought along with them large amounts of gold, weapons of all sorts and food sufficient to last them for some time."
"The men must have been ordered by Diantre to attack!" Stone interrupted.
"We have nowhere else to hide, except to share the same cover with our arch enemies. Our clan faces extermination if we do not do anything. We have only 200 of us left, and all are loyal to me. Many of our people have fled after losing the war; led by Captain Dremor, they left just a day before you arrived and have some 800 men and are moving towards the city of Pattavium as we speak." Shaiya sighed.
"That is why, I hope to find the sword of LightBringer, in hope that it would change the tidings." Shaiya said as she took out the LightBringer.
"I'm sorry, Lady Shaiya, but the sword is useless without the other half, and we are still searching for it." Stone replied.
"Please, I hope you can tell me where the other half is. And give this half to me as well. I promise I'll return it to you once victory is achieved." Shaiya said, her hands clutching Stone's.
"We have no idea. We're heading into Wonder to get more information." Stone said as he shook his head.
Shaiya looked helpless. She sunk into deep thought, now that her hope has been smashed.
"Don't worry, we'll think of something I'm sure. We'll stay to help." Stone said.
Ragen smiled.
"How many trolls were there? Ragen asked.
"About 1,000. They now live deep in the forest."
"I think I have a brilliant plan, Stone." Ragen said.
"And I have one too. I believe we think alike?" Stone added.
"We'll make use of the trolls again. Two can play the same game. We'll use the trolls to fight them." Stone looked at Ragen.
Both men started to laugh.
"Argh!" My chest..." Stone writhed in pain as he had laughed too hardly, totally forgetting about his injuries, his hands now hugging his chest in agony.
"You're hurt. Come, let me heal your wounds." Shaiya said
Stone lay on the wooden platform. Shaiya lifted the mithril armour, revealing the torso and the lower chest, now starting to swell and redden as a result of the broken ribs. She covered the wounded area with both hands. Stone shivered. He could feel the smooth, soft hands placed over his torso; a warm, soothing white light radiating from her hands with increasing intensity. Within moments, the wounds started to close and heal and the broken ribs rejoined. Stone was now as good as new. She retrieved her hands.
"I've never seen such wizardry in my life, that is amazing." Ragen exclaimed.
"I think that is the only thing I'm best at; I am bestowed with the ability to heal and close wounds since young. I am no warrior or fighter like the both of you are, and yet I have to lead the men to battle to reclaim our lands. I'm afraid I'll only bring them to their deaths." Shaiya sighed.
Stone now sat up, feeling for his own chest and torso for any injuries. But he could find none and he wasn't in pain anymore.
"Can you heal my ailing eyes as well?" Stone asked Shaiya.
"Your eyes? What is wrong with them?"
"I am blind in the light."
"But how...?"
"How can I still move around so effortlessly?" Stone interrupted and cut her sentence.
Shaiya nodded
"My day blindness has helped me develop my other senses, making them more sensitive and enabling me to react to changes in my surroundings more quickly." Stone replied.
"All right, I'll try." Shaiya said.
Shaiya took a deep breath and covered his eyes with her hands. A white light glowed brightly.
"Try opening your eyes and see now." She said.
Light gradually entered his eyes. "Thank you very much!" Stone smiled and said; before him stood a stunning and ravishing beauty.
"You are most welcome. It is the least I could do for your help against the people who took my homes."
"Lady Shaiya, can you arrange a meeting for tomorrow night with the head troll Inoyue? Just say that Mister Bear's friends has news of the 2 men and we have something to offer that would be irresistable to them." Stone said.
"Please, the both of you can call me Shaiya." She said.
"Shaiya, I'll need you to come with me tomorrow night."
Shaiya nodded.
With that in mind, she said: "It's late now, let me see you to your rooms now, or do you want to remain in this pig-sty for the night?" She laughed, so naturally and captivatingly.
"If you don't mind, can I talk to you at the treehouse at the entrance to the camp?" Shaiya said to Stone.
"I have some questions that I would like to ask and also I'll return the sword to you."
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The treehouse was built some 40 feet above the ground, set admist the canopies of the dense forest. The nest-like treehouse looked weak on the outside but its visual delicacy belies its structural strength, for they can accomodate families of up to 10people. The treehouse that stood high before Stone was unfathomable. He looked up into the sky, but couldn't make out the shape and the size of the treehouse. A ladder lay before him. It was made of thin poles with retches cut as loot-holes. Wild vine was then used to tie the ladder to the platform of the treehouse, going through the holes and securing the poles together which acted as the steps.
Stone started to climb up the ladder, constantly looking at his feet to make sure that he doesn't step into nothingness. As he climbed higher, a cold breeze slapped on his face; Stone looked downwards, only to be welcomed by unimaginable darkness that would only be comparable to the depths of Hell. He shuddered as the wind blew across his face. The treehouse was built to monitor the trolls movements in the day; but now it was deserted as it was too dark to see far. It was dark, the only source of light were the numerous stars that dotted across the horizons.
Soon after, Shaiya arrived.
"The stars shine brightly tonight." Stone said.
"Perhaps not so enough to shine through these dark days." Shaiya sighed.
"Your friend, Ragen, he is brave and courageous; but I also sense fear in his eyes. In yours, I see hope and promise, that you will lead us mortals out of the dark hands of Diantre."
"You hold me in high regard, I am flattered." Stone responded.
Shaiya smiled.
"Here, I think this belongs to you." Shaiya handed over the sword to Stone.
"Tell me, how did you find the sword and why do you need it?"
"It was Ragen's, he found it. But he feared he would succumb to its power hence he gave it to me. The sword is now my only chance of standing against Diantre, it was he, who killed my parents. This pendant, was the last thing that my mother left for me." Stone said as he held his pendant in his hand.
"I'm sorry." Shaiya said.
Silence.
"...The plan, will it work... hiring the trolls to help us? What is it with the bear?"
"Don't worry, you'll know soon. I'll convince them tomorrow. But I'll need your full cooperation." Stone said with a reassuring smile.
"It'll be day soon, I'll catch some sleep here. The wind is good and the stars are too fascinating to give it a miss. You'd better sleep too."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stone and Ragen were imprisoned in a wooden cell. The cell was small and sparsely furnitured, providing a clear view of the living area. It contained only a small wooden platform on which Stone was now lying on. The ground was layered with dried grass and hay where Ragen lay on, unconscious after the nasty blow to the back of his head. Stone was gaining consciousness now. He caught whispers coming from the living area, soft and sibilant, but couldn't make out the words in his state of semi-consciousness.
"Who are these 2 men? Are they spies?" One woman asked the other.
"I don't know. The guards found them coming from the direction of the troll den and decided to capture them for further questioning. The high priestess also said that the guards found the LightBringer Sword on one of them, but it was broken. If we can get the location of the other half from the 2 men, we can reforge it and use it against our enemies."
Stone was now fully conscious. His chest still throbbing from the broken ribs that he suffered; a big bruise now formed on the back of his head. He touched his waist, only to find that the LightBringer Sword was gone.
"Hey! Who are you? Why did you attack us? Open the gate!" Stone shouted.
"So, you've awakened. Report to the high priestess now!" The woman said.
"My name is Ribba, my friend that had just left is Thiaan. We suspect you are in cahoots with the trolls, the wretched beings that destroyed our homeland."
"What?!" Stone didn't know whether to cry or laugh. He can only curse his own bad luck for having been embroiled in other peoples' business.
"We're not spies. We're travellers passing through the forest when we were being attacked by the trolls. We're the victims too." Stone tried to explain his situation.
"Tell that to the high priestess." Ribba dismissed his pleas and began to head out of the cottage.
Stone sighed. He didn't further try to convince her as he knew that whatever he says will only add to greater suspicion. Anymore pleas would only fall on deaf ears. Ragen was awake now, rubbing the ugly bruise as he sat up.
"Where are we?"
Stone shrugged his shoulders. "We're about to speak to their high priestess soon. Maybe we can prove our innocence then; they think we are spies of their enemies."
At this moment, a woman with long and light flowing hair walked into the cottage, with Ribba and Thiaan following closely behind. The woman wore a white long gown made of silk and cotton. She walked in with such demeanour and grace that Ragen was stunned by the extravagance and the sheer beauty of the lady that just entered. She must be the daintest thing under a bonnet in this world, he thought. As she walked towards them, her hazel-coloured eyes caught hold of Ragen's; the essence of inner and outer beauty radiates through the pair of light-brown eyes. Eyes, the pair of sharp, clear eyes seems to bore through Ragens', looking and searching through his soul, mind and heart for his deeds, sins, thoughts and feelings. She held his sight for some time. Within a few moments, Ragen backed away and bowed politely as he could no longer maintain her gaze into his mind.
Now she turned to Stone. Stone couldn't see closely, but sensed that something was not right. She now walked towards Stone, images of how they were attacked and held captive by the trolls flashed before her as she approached closer, so close that they were soon only a breath away from each other. This time, she was a bit shocked, for no other man could withstand her gaze for so long and remained unfaltered. She backed away.
"Unlock the gate! I want to speak with them." She said.
"But... It's too dangerous, we still don't know the identities of these 2 men!" Ribba protested in concern for the priestess' safety.
"I can see it in their eyes. They are good men."
Ribba nodded and went forth to remove the chains to the cell room.
"The both of you may leave now." She said.
"My name is Shaiya, High Priestess of the Elienor Clan. Ribba told me you were being attacked by a group of trolls and I can see it from your eyes that you are no liars. Please pardon my guards for treating you this way, they were not sure whether you are friend or foe."
"I am Ragen from Draga and this is Stone, from LeonCita."
"The Elienor Clan?" Stone questioned.
The people of Elienor Clan had lived in Wonder for many years, and peaceful it has been. They were the largest clan in Wonder and were charged with the defence of the city. Until a month ago, an army of trolls attacked the city. They were formidable enemies, brutal and vicious, not to mention the 5,000 more men that they brought with them. The trolls were merceneries hired by them on the way to Wonder. The Elienor Clan were not their match and were forced to retreat into the forest, set up camp here and wait for an opportunity to retake the city.
"Who leads these trolls and these evil men?" Ragen asked.
"I don't know. But he uses very powerful witchcraft to turn himself into a man of rock and stone so hard that our weapons were not able to penetrate it. The city is now occupied by this 'man of rock' and the men that he brought along with him. The trolls were given Langthorne forest as their new home and they brought along with them large amounts of gold, weapons of all sorts and food sufficient to last them for some time."
"The men must have been ordered by Diantre to attack!" Stone interrupted.
"We have nowhere else to hide, except to share the same cover with our arch enemies. Our clan faces extermination if we do not do anything. We have only 200 of us left, and all are loyal to me. Many of our people have fled after losing the war; led by Captain Dremor, they left just a day before you arrived and have some 800 men and are moving towards the city of Pattavium as we speak." Shaiya sighed.
"That is why, I hope to find the sword of LightBringer, in hope that it would change the tidings." Shaiya said as she took out the LightBringer.
"I'm sorry, Lady Shaiya, but the sword is useless without the other half, and we are still searching for it." Stone replied.
"Please, I hope you can tell me where the other half is. And give this half to me as well. I promise I'll return it to you once victory is achieved." Shaiya said, her hands clutching Stone's.
"We have no idea. We're heading into Wonder to get more information." Stone said as he shook his head.
Shaiya looked helpless. She sunk into deep thought, now that her hope has been smashed.
"Don't worry, we'll think of something I'm sure. We'll stay to help." Stone said.
Ragen smiled.
"How many trolls were there? Ragen asked.
"About 1,000. They now live deep in the forest."
"I think I have a brilliant plan, Stone." Ragen said.
"And I have one too. I believe we think alike?" Stone added.
"We'll make use of the trolls again. Two can play the same game. We'll use the trolls to fight them." Stone looked at Ragen.
Both men started to laugh.
"Argh!" My chest..." Stone writhed in pain as he had laughed too hardly, totally forgetting about his injuries, his hands now hugging his chest in agony.
"You're hurt. Come, let me heal your wounds." Shaiya said
Stone lay on the wooden platform. Shaiya lifted the mithril armour, revealing the torso and the lower chest, now starting to swell and redden as a result of the broken ribs. She covered the wounded area with both hands. Stone shivered. He could feel the smooth, soft hands placed over his torso; a warm, soothing white light radiating from her hands with increasing intensity. Within moments, the wounds started to close and heal and the broken ribs rejoined. Stone was now as good as new. She retrieved her hands.
"I've never seen such wizardry in my life, that is amazing." Ragen exclaimed.
"I think that is the only thing I'm best at; I am bestowed with the ability to heal and close wounds since young. I am no warrior or fighter like the both of you are, and yet I have to lead the men to battle to reclaim our lands. I'm afraid I'll only bring them to their deaths." Shaiya sighed.
Stone now sat up, feeling for his own chest and torso for any injuries. But he could find none and he wasn't in pain anymore.
"Can you heal my ailing eyes as well?" Stone asked Shaiya.
"Your eyes? What is wrong with them?"
"I am blind in the light."
"But how...?"
"How can I still move around so effortlessly?" Stone interrupted and cut her sentence.
Shaiya nodded
"My day blindness has helped me develop my other senses, making them more sensitive and enabling me to react to changes in my surroundings more quickly." Stone replied.
"All right, I'll try." Shaiya said.
Shaiya took a deep breath and covered his eyes with her hands. A white light glowed brightly.
"Try opening your eyes and see now." She said.
Light gradually entered his eyes. "Thank you very much!" Stone smiled and said; before him stood a stunning and ravishing beauty.
"You are most welcome. It is the least I could do for your help against the people who took my homes."
"Lady Shaiya, can you arrange a meeting for tomorrow night with the head troll Inoyue? Just say that Mister Bear's friends has news of the 2 men and we have something to offer that would be irresistable to them." Stone said.
"Please, the both of you can call me Shaiya." She said.
"Shaiya, I'll need you to come with me tomorrow night."
Shaiya nodded.
With that in mind, she said: "It's late now, let me see you to your rooms now, or do you want to remain in this pig-sty for the night?" She laughed, so naturally and captivatingly.
"If you don't mind, can I talk to you at the treehouse at the entrance to the camp?" Shaiya said to Stone.
"I have some questions that I would like to ask and also I'll return the sword to you."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The treehouse was built some 40 feet above the ground, set admist the canopies of the dense forest. The nest-like treehouse looked weak on the outside but its visual delicacy belies its structural strength, for they can accomodate families of up to 10people. The treehouse that stood high before Stone was unfathomable. He looked up into the sky, but couldn't make out the shape and the size of the treehouse. A ladder lay before him. It was made of thin poles with retches cut as loot-holes. Wild vine was then used to tie the ladder to the platform of the treehouse, going through the holes and securing the poles together which acted as the steps.
Stone started to climb up the ladder, constantly looking at his feet to make sure that he doesn't step into nothingness. As he climbed higher, a cold breeze slapped on his face; Stone looked downwards, only to be welcomed by unimaginable darkness that would only be comparable to the depths of Hell. He shuddered as the wind blew across his face. The treehouse was built to monitor the trolls movements in the day; but now it was deserted as it was too dark to see far. It was dark, the only source of light were the numerous stars that dotted across the horizons.
Soon after, Shaiya arrived.
"The stars shine brightly tonight." Stone said.
"Perhaps not so enough to shine through these dark days." Shaiya sighed.
"Your friend, Ragen, he is brave and courageous; but I also sense fear in his eyes. In yours, I see hope and promise, that you will lead us mortals out of the dark hands of Diantre."
"You hold me in high regard, I am flattered." Stone responded.
Shaiya smiled.
"Here, I think this belongs to you." Shaiya handed over the sword to Stone.
"Tell me, how did you find the sword and why do you need it?"
"It was Ragen's, he found it. But he feared he would succumb to its power hence he gave it to me. The sword is now my only chance of standing against Diantre, it was he, who killed my parents. This pendant, was the last thing that my mother left for me." Stone said as he held his pendant in his hand.
"I'm sorry." Shaiya said.
Silence.
"...The plan, will it work... hiring the trolls to help us? What is it with the bear?"
"Don't worry, you'll know soon. I'll convince them tomorrow. But I'll need your full cooperation." Stone said with a reassuring smile.
"It'll be day soon, I'll catch some sleep here. The wind is good and the stars are too fascinating to give it a miss. You'd better sleep too."
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