Chapter Six

It was on the sunny morning when Lord Blakeney found that the amulet he possessed was only a fake, a sham designed to trick him. His fury knew no bounds, and he was stalking round the council room while the council remained surprised.

"He... took the real amulet?" said a younger man with a pot belly.

"Yes, you fool! His powers must have been used to cloak the amulet he possessed, which would make it impossible for me to know it was really missing. This bought him some time, and we have no idea which direction he went. Blast him and his secrets!" the Lord said as he pounded his fist on the table.

At that moment the door burst open, and several men with broadswords entered the room. One of them held a dagger next to Blakeney's neck and said, "Better not to try anything, Blakeney... You've had your day in the sun. The time is ripe for a new rule! The revolution is upon you!"

Blakeney burned with wrath already, yet more bubbled to the top. But there was nothing he could do right now about this. The entire council was led down to the bottom of the Tower of Ittendom, where they were jailed in the crypt below the tower.

The room was black and Blakeney felt about with his hands. He called out, and was answered. He made his way over to the others. "The traitor must be up to something, he put them up to this!" he whispered with cunning, for he knew the young revolutionaries might be listening.

"Why do you think he is involved?" said another.

"You twit! Do you not know that he needs the time to get further away? He is bent on getting as far from us as possible. Of course he is behind it. That would make the most sense. Or are you not a rational man, but merely an idiot?!"

"Hmmm" said the other. "I see. Well then there is only one..."

"Only one thing to do!," interrupted Blakeney. "We must develop plans for an escape. And use the only thing we have as a weapon... our arts of magic!"

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(to be continued)

----continued below----


There was a knock at the door. Chalmers looked at the wizard, whose expression was one of surprise. Slowly, Chalmers grabbed his sword from his side and peered out the window into the darkness. Then, he moved his hand to the door, and opened it.

Outside was a group of people of a different race. Their skin was darker, their hair more coarse, and there were two men and a woman. The oldest man with a coarse, black beard leaned closer. He spoke in a different language to Chalmers.

Chalmers answered back in the same language, and they had a conversation. He motioned them into the house, which was already crowded as it was. They sat by the firelight and talked for some time. Finally, the oldest gave Chalmers something wrapped in a bundle, and the three walked back out into the night.

Chalmers opened the bundle. Inside was a small cake and three gold coins. "These are gifts from the people of this forest. Those were people of the Naneen tribe, which has been making their home in the forest here for many hundreds of years. They were here long before this land was settled by the people of our race, but even longer ago, the Elves once inhabited this forest. At any rate, they told me something important." Chalmers frowned and turned to the wizard.

"They said you bring a great evil through this land. They said their chief physician, who is to us, a kind of magician, had told them that the evil would pass through the forest tonight," said Chalmers.

"No one should know it is here!" said Lefleur. "I am the only one who knows. I've not even told Pete."

"But still, the item you must be bearing is creating some disturbance of sorts. I believe you should do what is right regarding this," said Chalmers.

The wizard nodded in assent. He held the amulet out in his hands, passed his hands over it in several motions, and spoke some strange words. Immediately there was a shock of light which shone in his eyes and exploded in the air between the boy and the wizard. As the sound was loud, Pete was shook up. The wizard nodded, looking tired, and said "There, it is done. Perhaps I should have taken more precautions. Yet I did not know there were any magicians of that caliber out this way," said the wizard.

"They are from another time. To them, we are strangers here. They learned from the Elves much about magic, but only on the light side. Not the dark. They are on the same side as you and I," Chalmers said, smiling benevolently. "Yet I fear that evil treads closer than you think. I assume you are making for someplace far away. Be careful on your journey." Chalmers lifted his hands up. "Even though it may be very hard to sleep after such an excitement, I think you and the boy should take some rest. Here, I will give you a sleep powder which grows in the high hills among the bushes. I will stand guard over you and watch, for I fear evil may follow you. So rest tonight, and in the morning we will talk more."

The wizard nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, Pete, try to get some rest. I will do the same. We have a hard day's ride tomorrow. Indeed we may ride through tomorrow's night! So gather yourself together, and rest."

Pete spoke up. "Well I've never seen anything so bright in my life as those sparks! I have many questions, but ... yes, thank you," he said as he took the powder in his hands and ingested it, following it with a cup of water which Chalmers handed to him. He gulped it down and began to speak. "But tomorrow I will.. ask.." With that, the boy began to fall asleep. The wizard moved his head to a small pillow and covered him with a blanket. The fire still burned and the room was comfortable.

The wizard spoke. "Chalmers, the boy is ignorant of so many things regarding our journey. I will tell you more about it tomorrow, before I leave." He took his own powder, and went to sleep in the corner of the room. Chalmers stood guard, peering out the window, listening to the night, his sword at his side.

Chapter Five

The boy Pete Draenen followed the cloaked wizard along the trails within the treeline of the forest. This was a path he had not ever taken, and he realized he was in strange country. Unbeknownst to Pete, but not to Lefleur, silent eyes watched in the forest. There were watchers in the woods, all their minds were bent on the amulet that Lefleur possessed. Sooner or later, there would be trouble brewing.

As they crested the hill they came to a small house. The roof was simple and the building crudely constructed. A light was lit within. Slowly, the door opened, a wandering eye peeped from the shadows. "Charles... Charles, is that you?"

"Yes, Chalmers. I come to you in need of counsel and a place to rest."

The big man named Chalmers laughed heartily. "Another fix you're in, I suppose. How many is it this time?" He laughed again.

"I would have you know it's been decades since the last time I needed your assistance," the wizard retorted.

"All the same, I am glad you've kept in touch." Chalmers laughed, "Because I know you're into something foolish if you're here on some purpose or other."

"Games, must we?" said the wizard teasingly. "We have just come from Dayhue. I've brought his boy along with me for his aid."

"Chalmers is the name," said the big man, one huge hand gripped Pete's in greeting. "As you may have guessed, I'm the person Charles comes to when he's in a bind. Which he is again!" and he roared with laughter.

"Pete. Pete is my name. I want to say, I've not been in these woods in my entire life. Are they relatively safe?"

"Well, I can see that you've taken precautions," Chalmers said, gesturing at the broadsword. "You'll need it in this part of the land. There are wild creatures about,
ravenous beasts who hunt for blood. Stay on your guard here, and no mistake," he said with a hard look on his face. "It is not safe to travel here."

"The woods - what are they called?" asked Pete.

"Well stop asking questions and come inside, for Pete's sake. Hey. Wait a minute, your name is Pete, and I've just said 'for Pete's sake.' " The husky man roared again. It was apparent that he was a good-natured sort of fellow.

"I've never heard that one before," said Pete sarcastically. "But I can feel the heat within. You've a fireplace."

"Yes, many years I've lived here in comfort. But I'm a tough man and can protect myself. I'm glad you've stayed with me this night. Otherwise you might have fallen at the hands of the beasts. I assure you that you're safe with me." said Chalmers.

The wizard sat in front of the blazing fire and rubbed his hands for warmth.

--------to be continued-------

Chapter Four

It was nightfall and Pete headed out into the darkness. He heard a single whistle, and ran again to the tree. There stood the tall figure of the man he knew only as Mr. Lefleur. Lefleur was a strange man and Pete didn't know much about where he came from. He only knew that as long as he'd lived in Dayhue, Lefleur had been a friend, almost a mentor to him. Now we wondered what was on Lefleur's mind.

"Thank you for coming, Pete. Times are before us in which we must be wise in all our actions. I must tell you that we must go, now. We must leave Dayhue behind. We've got to make for my friend Chalmer's town of Dunhollow tonight!"

The old man looked down and saw the glint of the broadsword. "We're going to need that," he said in a whisper. He seemed to be thinking to himself, almost as if he were pondering the blade. He began again.

"Mount up on the horse I've brought you. His name is Archus, and he's very fast. If you have all your things, we're off."

With that, Pete mounted up and took off, quickly following his friend through the clearing to the forest line beyond.

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The morning broke over the mountaintops of Darhad. Bathed in a rich glow, the meadows and trees surrounding the Tower of Ittendom made the area lovely. Inside his chamber, one at the top of the Tower, Lord Blakeney awakened from uneasy dreams. He sat up in his bed, his pulse racing. He scened out his dream: it was almost forgotten, but the bits he remembered were very clear. He saw the amulet before the Council, then he saw it turned to broken bits and scattered to the wind. The last thing he had seen in the dream was the face of the Wizard Lefleur.

Startled by this dream, he felt more or less at ease. He looked for the amulet in his bureau and found it still there. But he wondered. He remembered that the precious stone in the amulet was tough like a diamond, not easily cracked. So he got a large hammer and proceeded to pound on it. It smashed before his very eyes.

Burning with rage, he raced to the window, leaning out of it, he screamed "Lefleur! You traitor!!!"

By this time, the wizard and the boy Pete Draenen were miles beyond Ittendom.

Chapter First: Beginnings

Out of the brambles and brush, on the dirt road, a black steed came rushing after nightfall. Its rider was ushering the horse on with great speed. As it rounded the last few corners, the tall rider pulled it to a stop. Then he got down and secured the horse to a post. He strode towards the door of a large building and entered quietly.

Inside, he took off his hat and cloak and moved towards a long black table. Oil lamps burned in the alcoves. An even taller man with a grizzled white beard rose to greet him, then sat down. The rider seated himself and began to speak.

"I suppose you are as sure of yourself as you seem, but I can hardly believe the events as they have occurred. You knew danger awaited you, and to have sought and to maintain the item is folly. I mention also that you have upset the council. This madness is yours, Charles. I depart tomorrow."

The old wizard gazed down at his friend. After all, they had been kinsmen in life, and seekers of a new world. A world without strife. He reflected how close they had been, with no secrets.

"I meant to tell you sooner, Lord Blakeney. I had to make sure I could use the magic to find it. Many of the secrets of the amulet have been lost to fire and war, buried deep within books of ancient lore. The finding of the library of old was a surprise. Therefore, I could not have found it and told you immediately."

"And why not? As potentate over these lands I am entitled to all information regarding the well-being of my people. I could have introduced this evidence to the counsel and found..."

"Ah bah, the council would never have understood. And I believe you don't either."

"I do! I protest your insolent tone. Whatever you thought I did not know, I did know the amulet existed. It is not important what you think the council can understand. What you have done is very foolish. I must leave tomorrow, to inform the others. It cannot wait."

"I see. Perhaps you are right. Maybe it is the council's business to decide." The old wizard said in a hollow but believable measured tone. He knew it was in his best interests to stay calm. He felt it was important to keep the majority of what he knew hidden. It would simply be difficult to explain it all, and besides, he had a deep secret of intentions he knew must be kept silent.

He reclined and sat in his chair. The room was askew, with many documents on parchment upended and strewn about the table. Papers and writing implements were littering the floor. It had been Lord Blakeney's intention to find the amulet, and take it back to the council. So the wizard LaFleur had made a fake amulet. A decoy, until his plans could take shape. His grand plans of the future. A future in which he would be master of the amulet.

Chapter Three

The bright Sun gleamed over the mountaintops of Darhad, streaming light down on the valley below. The early morning dew was ensconced on the blades of green grass. The small rivulets branching off from Runnye River trickled past a small house nearby.

Pete Draenen rubbed his eyes, brushing the sleep from them. He went into the kitchen where Guerthe, his mother, was making breakfast. Reclining in one of the chairs at the table, he questioned her.

"It is high time I finished my education. Would it be too much to ask if I could attend the college of tradesmen this year?"

"Never mind that, Pete. We've still got the crops to get in, and you know your father is very highly thinking of teaching you metallurgy here at home. You know the Corps needs such work, and that it is profitable enough," she said.

"But profit is not my aim," Pete said with a frown. "Metallurgy is so boring. Why does he want me so badly to be a welder, concerning myself with something I have no interest in doing? Isn't it bad enough that I have to stay here on the farm for another year? I knew nobody would care about my dreams."

Guerthe paused at the stove, where some eggs were already done. "You know how much it means to your father. I'd hardly suspect we could spare you this year, anyway."

Pete looked up meaningfully. "I guess it doesn't matter what this education would mean to me."

Serving the eggs and a nice side of bacon, Guerthe said, "I know this is something you have in your heart, dear. Why you want it is beyond me. But I hear you, and I understand it is important to you. Just one more year..."

This was the way it always went, Pete thought. He supposed he just had to buckle down, and finish the year out. That's what they had said last year, though. It was going to be hard for him to do again, he thought as he munched on the crisp bacon. He mulled it over for a while, then got up and went out to the fields.

High in the hills, a ways off, he heard a high whistle. He immediately perked up, and began running over to the old oak tree. When he got there, he panted for breath and put his hands down on his knees.

Standing next to the tree was an old man in blue robes. Clasped in front was a metal buckle. The man was taller than Pete, which was not saying much, and he had white hair and a moustache. He looked at Pete in a mysterious way. Pete wondered what it could be that he was summoned for.

"Welcome back, Charles," he said with his features puzzled, his eyebrows raised.

"Thank you, Pete. I only came to tell you I'll be leaving soon." said the wizard.

"Well, what is that to me? You're always off on some adventure or other," Pete said with a grin and began laughing. "I'm surprised you didn't come to tell me you were back from another one." At this, Pete paused, and began to wonder. "Unless there were some reason you needed to tell me before you left. What's on your mind?"

"Yes, Pete. Yes. I've come to tell you that I'm off on a mission. The mission is my own, but I need you with me. Do you remember what I told you about the ancient elves? Something important has happened. I cannot tell you all of it, at first. But I do need you to come along, this time. Do you think you can manage it?"

Pete looked doubtful. Then he began to think. If he left, his parents would need him. But he really didn't want to stay here on the farm, where life was so boring. He was young, and full of life, and an adventure sounded like just the thing he needed. Not only would it be fun, he could also learn something. Something about the elves. That alone excited him. He was always fond of elves.

"I'll take you up on it," he said. "I can meet you after nightfall."

"Thanks for this, Pete. I'll meet you by the running brook. Bring a pack of clothes. I'll supply the food. And your broadsword. We'll need it."

Broadsword? This adventure was getting better, minute by minute.

"Right," Pete said. "I'll be there. Just use your whistle, and I'll find you."

With that, LeFleur left and Pete went back to the farmhouse. Yes, things were beginning to change.

Back to the Council

The black steed bearing Lord Blakeney raced back to the Tower of Ittendom. The wind blew his long brown hair back over his shoulders. Grasping the decoy amulet in hand in a small muslin pouch, he felt the urgency of getting it back to the council. Yet it was unbeknownst to him that it was not actually the magical talisman he thought it was.

As a Lord, Blakeney was recognized as a member of the council, the government of the land of Dayhue. The council were men concerned with governing, yet it was also an order of men drawn from the past ages. The blood of magics ran in their veins, relics of old that few were privy to. Only the wise, or those trusted by them, were knowledgeable about this rare gift the council possessed. Lord Blakeney was a wealthy landowner, and the Tower was on the north side of a huge tract of land near his castle.

As the steed raced on well past midnight, there were watchers in the woods which Blakeney was oblivious to. The seekers of the powers held in the amulet were awakened. Its power had risen anew. Their spies lie roundabout hidden in these woods, among other places. As agents of a horrible master, they faced death if they were discovered. Their master was impatient and enraged, but he was biding his time.

Lord Blakeney pulled the steed to rest and raced towards the Tower. He passed through the secret entrance, muttering a name which only few knew could open the great door. He quickly ascended the spiral staircase. The whole of the trip to the top took several minutes. At last he arrived at the Grand Hall of the Council of Dayhue, and entered.

Throwing aside his cloak, he stepped through the door into the Council Hall. At the head of a large table he sat down, and in front of him were the other council members. They had been alerted that a meeting must take place, and take place now. So they brushed away the sleep from their eyes and assembled immediately. Lord Blakeney motioned his hand to gain their attention.

"Friends, I come back to you from the Wizard's keep, many miles east of here. A friend who has long been held in esteem by this council has been acting alone in pursuit of one of the great powers of the old ages."

The men looked at each other in surprise, wondering what he could be talking about. They murmured to each other, until again Blakeney raised his hand.

"Now, I know you have questions. I am afraid I do not have all the answers. But I tell you, not only is the talisman a great power, perhaps one of the greatest, but also I have brought it back here, tonight." He held forth the amulet, and all remained incredibly quiet, gazing at it.

It was a bright gem, with facets cut into it, surrounded in a metallic sphere, with undulating spirals wrapped round the circle, made of steel. It was suspended from a long metal chain. Though it was very small, the other members did not recognize its large importance yet. They did not know which talisman it was.

"Friends... brothers, I hold here the magical talisman of centuries long past, known in the annals as the amulet of Grinnwyne."

Another man spoke up. "The amulet of Grinnwyne? Of Grinnwyne the Great? The ancient Elven king?" The council members were astonished.

"Yes, the very same. It has become clear that the Wizard has been very resourceful in finding it. I fear perhaps he did so out of pursuit of its power. I know that you would have him banished, but I would seek to allow him to remain in Dayhue, he is not to be punished. After all, he did give me the amulet freely. So I would have him to be allowed to stay here. He is a powerful ally, and we need him here."

The men began to speak to each other, creating quite a stir.


"I second that request," one said.
"Thirded," said another.

"Let it be noted that the motion has been thirded. We will now proceed to take a vote. All in favor of the Wizard LaFleur remaining in Dayhue, as an ally of the council, what say you?"

"Aye," said all except one.

"All opposed?"

"Nay," said one man, known as Rochester.

"The motion passes, then," said Blakeney. "It will come to pass that we can ally the amulet with the other talismans we have in our possession. With this combination of magics we will have the ability to protect our people for many years. I am glad to have brought it safely into our keeping. Brothers, I suggest we all go back to sleep. I am exhausted, and tomorrow we can continue. I bid you goodnight."

Blakeney stepped out, and the council members went their separate ways.

While they were dispersing, the wizard was using his time wisely. He was making preparations for a long journey. After a few hours he would depart. Where he was going was known only to him.