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.