Once Forgotten 3.9

“Alexandria Elarya.” The robed man said reverently. “It has been far too long.”

“It is good to see you as well, Alduwan Sidonra.” She replied.

He turned his gaze fell on her three children, inspecting them as they stood at attention, showing respect for one far older than they. “Ah, Algard, Karanie, Jintus. You three have grown much since I last saw you.”

The three clasped their clenched fists and bowed their heads in respect. “May the Light of The Mother shine forever.”

Alduwan gave Alexandria a smile. “Still teaching the Old Ways, are you?”

“As long as I shall live, I shall see that they are not forgotten.” She answered.

Alduwan’s smile deepened. “I wish the rest were like you. In fact, I wish you had stayed at Sanctuary.”

Alexandra gave a sigh and looked out over the sea with a sad gaze. Her dwelling was up on a high hill that overlooked the ocean and surrounding forest. “You know I couldn’t stay. You also know why I had to leave.”

“Is he even still alive?” Alduwan asked.

The Elder gave a shrug. Though she looked no older than thirty, the very way she moved spoke of untold ages. “I don’t know. Thyrin was never one to stay in one place. He is not dead. I would know if he was. My guess would be that he is somewhere in the Mountains of the Drax.”

Alduwan frowned. “Hiding in plain sight?”

“Guiding, not hiding. If anything, he would be the Queen’s Adviser.” She smiled. “You know how he always manages to get himself involved with politics.” A frown crossed her face. “Enough evasion. Why have you come here?”

“The M’rachtkenta are entering into Thyninairinn. No doubt you have had problems with minor demons? I saw those three performing a cleansing ritual. We need you to return.” Alduwan said.

“The Northern Continent is where things are happening, and soon, the rest of our world will feel the effects. Darkness is spreading. A shadow is being cast on our world. It will not be long now before the Fallen Gods break free of their prison.”

“Which is why we need you to return. Ardis has called a conclave of Elders.” Alduwan replied.

Alexandra turned to him, her eyes wide. “A conclave? There hasn’t been a conclave in…”

“Five millennia, yes. And he says that we should’ve met long ago. That we should have continued to watch over the other races. He said that you were right.”

Alexandra said nothing, but turned to her three wards. “Go pack your things. We must be off within one hour.” The three siblings saluted and hurried off. She turned to Alduwan. “I hope we still have time. War is upon Thyninairinn.”

***********************************************************

“Where in Alphairria is he taking us?” Brint muttered for the nth time. Rya glanced at him. They were sitting on a log on the bank of a stream. Nadar had been guiding them through a dense section of forest for the past three hours, with no signs of stopping except for the occasional break. Even now, he was pacing several feet away, obviously eager to move on.

“I’m not sure. All I know is that he’s on our side, and he wants us to see something. Or something. I’m not sure. He doesn’t read like you or anyone else. In fact, he reads like….” She was cut off by Nadar.

“Let’s move! You’ve had your rest, and you both are far stronger than normal folk! In fact, there’s hardly anything normal about you. Or me, come to think of it.” Nadar said as he began to walk off. The two fell in step behind him. The forest grew dense around them, would grow sparse, then dense again. Shadows fell as the sun sank behind the Mountains of the Drax.

Rya stopped in a clearing and gazed off at them. They were several leagues from the mountain range, but already they rose high above all else. Natural towers formed at the creation of Thyninairinn. “I grew up hearing stories of those mountains. I never…” She broke off. Nadar smiled at her as he came back to where she stood. Brint stood on her other side.

“You never thought they’d be this majestic, this magnificent. You’d heard the stories all your life, yet you never thought that anything could be grander than you imagine. It’s a common misconception. Everyone thinks that what they imagine could never be as it truly is, but the truth is that some things are far grander than they could ever imagine.” Nadar spoke, his voice sounding far away. “But come. If we stay too long, those mountains may crumble while we dawdle.” And he marched off. Brint frowned again.

“He may be on our side, but he sure is odd.” He whispered.

“And I’ll only get odder as we totter. Which is exactly what we’ll be doing once darkness falls and we aren’t where we need to be. So, let’s move!” Rya laughed as Brint tried to figure out how their guide could’ve heard him. Rya hurried to catch up. “So, where exactly are you taking us?”

“We are in the Shadow of the Drax.” Nadar replied, a smirk on his face. Rya stopped dead cold so suddenly Brint walked into her. He grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling over.

“What’d he say?” Brint asked.

“The Shadow of the Drax.” Rya whispered. “We are in the Shadow of the Drax.” Nadar had stopped a few feet away.

Brint’s face paled. “The Shadow of the Drax?! Don’t you know the stories about this place?!”

“Indeed I do. In fact, I know them very well indeed. But the two of you must see.” Nadar replied casually.

“See what? The horrors of this place?!” Brint asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“The horrors died long ago. It is the memory that haunts this place. Nothing more.” Nadar answered. He frowned. “At least, they should have, yet you never know. Best be on your guard.” As he said this, he suddenly stopped, dead still. His eyes widened as he stared ahead of him, the blood draining from his face. “It can’t be….”

Rya and Brint came up next to him, trying to see what he was upset about. Before them, there were only trees, shrubs, and…..a very odd statue. It stood about twenty feet from them, and it almost appeared to be that of a man in a cloak. The two frowned. Something wasn’t right.

Rya whispered out of the corner of her mouth. “What is it? What is that thing?”

Nadar swallowed hard and whispered back, his voice barely audible. “That would be a gargoyle.”