Wielder's Fate (26 page)

“I’m glad for your help.”

Darian was the most skilled swordsman he had ever met.  Only Blaize came close.  Traven was very grateful to have the elven warrior at his side.

“So, when I reach the mountain, the first portion of the trial comes to an end?”

“Yes,” Darian continued.  “Once you pass through the two poles on the far side of the clearing, the warriors who are trying to stop you cannot attack anymore.  They will kneel down and bow to you, accepting that you are a superior warrior.  The first part of the trial will come to an end.  I will have fulfilled my duty and will wait at the base of the mountain for your return.  When you return successfully, I will be accorded a piece of your honor for having been the first to support you.  If you haven’t guessed, my father was the companion to his brother.  That is part of the reason he has such a high status among the elves.

“When you reach the base of the mountain you must relinquish your practice sword.  You will then proceed up the mountain with only the clothes on your back.  Most warriors choose to begin the trial wearing a warm cloak so that they will have something warm to protect them on their journey up the slope.  You will not be allowed to bring food, supplies, tools, or weapons of any kind.  The candidate is only allowed their own knowledge, physical prowess, and determination.”

“How long does it take to reach the cave?” Traven asked.

“If you hike and climb at a rapid pace it can be accomplished in two days,” Darian answered.

“Two days!”

“If you move quickly.  It then takes about half a day to descend the mountain.  Some candidates have returned in two and a half days but most take three to four days to complete the trial.”

“One would have a difficult time lasting that long without food or water,” Traven observed.

“There is no rule against eating or drinking,” Darian explained.  “Just because you cannot bring certain provisions with you does not mean you are deprived of them.  Mount Morian is sacred.  Thus, nothing is allowed to be brought onto it.  However, you are allowed to drink from the streams, forage for food, and create any tools or weapons you desire.  It is essential that you utilize the resources around you in order to survive.

“First you will need to fashion some type of spear.  It will allow you to defend yourself and perhaps catch food.  There are plenty of wild beasts that live on Mount Morian, so you will have to be wary of them.  Fire is forbidden on the sacred mount.  If you do catch food, you will have to eat it raw.  I would suggest eating roots, berries, and grubs to sustain you.  There is a plant that grows on the lower slope of the mountain that has small white and yellow flowers.  The roots of it are very nutritious.  There is also a bush that has dark purple berries that are tart but edible.  I would spend part of your first day on the mountain gathering enough of these to sustain you on the rest of your climb.  If you are lucky, you will also find enough grubs to help give you more strength.”

The thought of eating grubs made Traven squeamish, but he knew better than to completely disregard Darian’s advice.

“After a full day of climbing, you should reach the edge of the tree line,” Darian continued.  “From there until the cave there will be little vegetation or shelter.  You will be at a high enough elevation that the snow never melts.  It will be cold, and the elevation will make it harder for you to breathe.  The second full day will by far be the hardest.  You will not be able to stop or you will likely freeze to death.  You must continue on until you reach the cave.”

“How will I find the cave?” Traven asked.  “The mountain seems big enough that I could spend the entire day just searching for it.”

“It is said that the cave is easy to find,” Darian replied.  “There is only one straightforward path up the mountain, and it follows a stream.  The stream passes directly into the mouth of the cave.  That is your ultimate destination and is easily recognizable.  It is called the Cave of the Eternal Flame.  They say the entrance to it resembles the jaws of a mountain cat.”

“I hope all your information is correct,” Traven mused.

“It is,” Darian replied.  “I heard it from the lips of my uncle, the elf king himself.”

“I suppose that’s a reliable source.  What do I do when I reach the cave?”

“All that is required is to pick one of the brilliant red flowers that grow just inside the entrance and return to the base of the mountain with it.  However, the Cave of the Eternal Flame holds life changing secrets.  You will want to discover them before returning with the flower.”

“What kind of secrets?” Traven asked with curiosity.

“They say that in the cave an elf learns who he truly is.  That is all anyone who has entered the cave has ever replied with when asked what they found.  To understand who you are is an essential truth to comprehend before you can hope to justly rule over others.  Some of the elves who reach the cave cannot handle what they find and lose their minds.  If an elf is able to complete the King’s Trial with his mind intact, he has proven that he is a skilled warrior, he is strong enough to overcome the most difficult challenges, and he is intelligent, wise, and not afraid of truth.  Thus, an elf who overcomes the King’s Trial is worthy to be a king.”

21

“Do you have any other questions?” Darian asked with an excited light in his eyes.

“No,” Traven replied.  “I think I understand what I will face and what I need to do in order to overcome the trial.”

“Good,” Darian said as he stood.  “I would suggest returning to my parent’s house.  There you can rest and eat a good meal before you begin the trial.”

“Lead the way.”

Traven followed Darian back through the tunnel and into the amphitheater.  Giselle followed silently at his heels.  The giant arena was now empty.  He followed Darian up the steps to the top and out into the forest.  They passed many elves along the paths back to Darian’s family’s home, but Traven didn’t really notice any of them.  He was lost in his own thoughts.

Despite Darian’s warning that the trial was indeed difficult, the elf had explained everything as if it was simple.  Traven had no illusions that it would be simple.  When he had thought he could use the ambience to aid him, he hadn’t been overly worried.  Now, he was very concerned.  If the greatest of the elven warriors had difficulties completing the trial, he knew it wouldn’t be easy.  He had an idea of the difficulties he would face in fighting the ten elven guards and ascending the mountain.  However, he had no idea how to prepare for a magical cave that caused people to lose their minds.  The fear of the unknown troubled him the most.

Before he realized it, they had arrived at Darian’s home and were passing through the trunk of the giant tree.  They entered the courtyard and headed towards the main building.  Celeste was waiting for them just outside the door.

“Congratulations,” she said to Traven in greeting with a sad smile.  “Now you have the chance to die on Mount Morian instead of at the hands of the galdaks.”

“Do not be so pessimistic,” Darian said in reply.  “I have complete confidence that Traven will survive the trial.”

Traven wished he felt as confident as Darian did.  He was nervous and scared of what lay before him.  He only had a few hours to prepare himself mentally for a challenge that others spent months or even years preparing for.

“But he cannot use the ambience,” Celeste said.  “I have no doubt he could easily accomplish his goal with his incredible magic, but how will he survive without it?”

“The same way he survived before he began wielding the ambience,” Darian replied.  “Did you know he only began using the ambience at the beginning of spring?”

Celeste looked between her brother and Traven.  The skeptical look on her face made it clear she did not believe him.

“It’s true,” Traven confirmed.

“You two are not jesting?” Giselle spoke up from behind.

“No,” Darian replied seriously.

A strange smile crossed Giselle’s face, and she shook her head in wonder.  Celeste turned her attention from Traven back to Darian.  She pointed a finger directly at her brother’s face.

“Did you talk Giselle into devoting herself?” she demanded.

“Of course not,” Darian replied quickly.  He glanced back at Giselle, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.  “This is ridiculous.  Why all the questions, Celeste?  Traven needs to rest and prepare for the trial.  He plans to undertake it at midday.”

“So soon?” she asked with surprise.  She turned her head and looked Traven earnestly in the eye.  “Are you sure you want to do it?”

He felt the strange sensation he had felt the previous evening when he had first met her.  He hadn’t forgotten Darian’s advice and quickly averted his eyes, breaking the compulsion.  The feeling almost immediately disappeared.

“I have my concerns,” Traven replied, “but it is something I must do.  Every hour I delay, my people are suffering.  I may already be too late to save the city I traveled here from.”

He glanced back into Celeste’s enchanting eyes and was grateful to not feel the compulsion this time.  She smiled back at him and shrugged her shoulders.

“If you must do this, I will make sure you have a meal that will sustain you in your quest,” Celeste said.  “Come and help me, Giselle.  I want to talk with you.”

Giselle looked to Traven for approval before taking Celeste’s outstretched hand and disappearing into the house with her.  Darian ran his hands through his hair and turned to Traven.

“Women confuse me,” he stated.  “Come, you should rest.  In the mean time, I will find you a proper cloak.  I will fetch you when the food is ready.”

Traven thanked Darian and returned to the room he had slept in the night before.  He unbuckled his sword, laid it in the corner, and climbed up into the hammock to try to sleep.  He was tired after his demonstration of power in the amphitheater, but sleep wouldn’t come.  His mind was too occupied with the trial that lay before him.  With Darian fighting beside him, the first part of the trial would be interesting.  Traven didn’t doubt he would receive a few bruises and welts, but he supposed he would be able to get past the ten elven guards with Darian’s help.

He certainly wasn’t looking forward to the second part.  He disliked traveling alone through unfamiliar territory, and it would be even worse without supplies or a proper weapon.  Sleeping on the ground without a fire or proper shelter wouldn’t be enjoyable either.  His only consolation was that the ascent should only last two days.

As for the third part, the cave worried him most of all.  What secrets could a cave reveal to a candidate?  What could show him who he truly was?  The mystery of the cave caused all types of strange ideas to flit across his mind.  He was occupied with entertaining these strange ideas when he finally dropped off into a fitful slumber full of nightmares.

He shot awake and fell out of the hammock as a knock sounded loudly on the door.  Darian opened the door and began laughing as Traven pushed himself up off the ground and rubbed his eyes.

“I thought you would have figured out the trick by now,” Darian said, full of good humor.

“I have,” Traven replied groggily.  “Your knock startled me awake in the middle of a bad dream.”

“A vision?” Darian asked, growing serious.

“No,” he answered.  “It was just a normal dream.  Is it already time to eat?  I feel like I just shut my eyes.”

“It is time,” the elf confirmed while nodding his head.

Traven began for the door, but Darian stopped him.

“You might as well leave your possessions here now and avoid having to walk back up to this chamber after eating.  They will be safe here until you return after completing the trial.”

“Am I allowed to keep my boots on?” Traven asked sarcastically as he began emptying his pockets.

“Yes,” Darian replied with a chuckle.  “You are allowed a shirt, pants, shoes, and a cloak.  All else must be left behind.”

Traven bent over and pulled the dagger from his boot after having emptied his pockets.  He set the dagger on the small shelf next to the rest of his possessions.  He felt uncomfortable without his sword at his side, his dagger in his boot, and the healing stone in his pocket.

“Did you find me a warm cloak?” he asked.

“It is waiting for you downstairs,” Darian replied.  “Let us hurry and eat.  We want to allow the food time to settle before we defeat the ten elven guards.”

Traven glanced over his possessions, wishing he could take his sword with him.  Resigning himself to his fate, he descended the stairs at Darian’s heels and followed him into the dining room.  Celeste and Giselle were already seated next to each other on one side of the table.  The other side had two plates loaded with food.  Celeste motioned for them to sit down and eat.

“Aren’t you two going to eat as well?” Traven asked as he sat down.

“No,” Celeste answered.  “It is too early to lunch.  We will dine later.”

Darian began eating in earnest, and Traven followed suit.  His stomach was unsettled with the task before him, but he was hungry and knew this would be his last good meal for the next couple of days.  He ate a variety of nuts, vegetables, and a large slice of venison.  There were also two freshly baked rolls.  He finished the delicious meal quickly.

“Did you like it?” Celeste asked when they had both finished eating.

“It was delightful,” Darian responded.  “But it was not fit to be considered a last meal,” he added with a sly smile.

“You assured me Traven would be victorious,” Celeste said.  “Trusting in your judgment, we have decided to save the feast until after Traven returns from the mountain.”

Traven was glad to hear that now Darian wasn’t the only one who believed he would succeed.

“Are you ready?” Darian asked.  “The sooner you begin the trial, the sooner you will have the armband.”

“I’m ready if you are,” Traven said as he stood.  “Thank you for the meal, Celeste.”

Celeste smiled warmly.

“Let us not waste any more time,” Darian stated as he stood and walked from the room.