Veldynon Quest

EnterVeldynon

The staircase wound deeper into the earth, the air growing cooler and more damp as they

descended. The walls were adorned with carvings of ancient battles between dragons and

knights, the dragons always victorious, their wings spread wide as they soared above the carved

hills and valleys. The light from the narrow window high above became a distant memory,

replaced by the flicker of torches set in sconces along the walls.

"What kind of evil do you mean?" Dragamir asked, his voice hollow in the confined

space. Can you give us an example of something we might face?"

Balen stopped, turning to face them as the torchlight danced across his features. "The evil

I speak of is that which seeks to keep you from your quest. It may come in many forms: doubt,

fear, temptation, or even distraction. Or lies, that come in many shapes and sizes, designed to

make you question your purpose or your abilities. Whispers or thoughts that you are not meant

for this task, or that the quest is not as important as it seems."

Dragamir asks, “Do we have a choice in accepting or declining the quest and what are the

consequences for each choice?

“You always have a choice, and there will always be a consequence to that choice. Will

you turn and go out the way you came never to return, or will you go on knowing that there will

be evil that awaits you on the other side. I was not always blind and old, my young friends,"

Balen replied with a sigh. "I have seen many things in my life, both wonderful and terrible. But I

have never forgotten my love for Chymir, King Carac's eldest daughter, and the day she was

taken from me." His voice grew distant, as if he were reliving the memories in his mind.

Dragamir leaned in, intrigued. "Taken from you? What do you mean?"

As Balen spoke, Elric and Dragamir exchanged glances eager to hear the rest of the tale.

I am truly a young man such as yourselves; brought upon this state you see me in because of a

choice I made.” says Balen.

In a sad and lonely voice Balen replies, “Chymir, King Carac’s eldest daughter and I were

engaged to wed. When Leavold came and took

her, her sister’s and the people of the village. I was not here to protect her; and I was f*******n to

enter Veldynon.”

“Have you been to Veldynon before? Asks Elric at the same time

Dragamir asks. “Why were you f*******n?

“I came with my father to Eldonstone castle; while he spoke with King Carac, I explored

the castle grounds and came upon his daughter’s walking in the garden. On my father’s departure

he told me I was to stay here to become friends with King Carac, his daughter’s and the villagers.

I was more than happy to oblige him. For I truly desired to get to know Chymir and hoped to

make her my own. A week before Chymir and I were to wed, I visited my father to invite him.

He was angry with me for choosing a maiden from this side and forbade me from entering

Veldynon again. When King Carac told me what Leavold did; I entered Veldynon and instantly

became blind and old and was pushed back by the mist. I have not entered Veldynon since, today

is the day I will return.”

Elric states, “Leavold is your father!” Balen nods his head in agreement.

Balen steps off the last stairs With renewed determination, Balen creeps forward, his

boots silent against the damp cobblestones. He reaches out and gently pushes the tapestrie away

from the wall revealing a dark, musty room beyond. The light comes from a single candle

flickering on a dusty mantle, casting eerie shadows across the walls. He takes a deep breath,

then steps into the room.

The air is thick with the scent of mold and ancient books, and he can feel the weight of

history pressing down on him. The walls are lined with shelves overflowing with leather-bound

tomes, scrolls, and strange artifacts. In the center of the room stands a large, ornate desk, its

surface covered in papers and parchments scattered about haphazardly.

Balen approaches the desk, and goes around it, revealing a hidden door set into the

stonework. He hesitates for a moment, debating whether or not to open it. The key in his pocket

seems to burn against his thigh, urging him forward. Taking a deep breath, he takes it out of his

vest pocket with a key like no other key. It has an old rustic look about it with the bow round and

fat with three stems that separate into odd positions making it obscure and defiant to the laws of

physics and each stem has unequal bits in which intricate patterns lay.

Balen goes to the door and with his hand feels around to find the holes the key goes in. At

the top of the door in the middle he finds them, he gently pushes the three stems into their places

then turns to Elric and Dragamir.

“What is your choice? Asked Balen. Dragamir and Elric look long and hard at Balen then

at each other nodding their heads in agreement.

Elric with boldness says, “I will go.”

“And I,” Dragamir says.

Balen sighs a sigh of hope as he turns to the door and inserts the key into the lock and

turns it slowly. There's a click, and soft glow begins to emanate from the keyhole and the door

swings open, revealing a dimly lit sky beyond.

As the door opens slowly, mist emerges from the other side and encircles Elric, Dragamir,

and Balen guiding them forward through the door. The door shuts quickly once Balen enters

Veldynon.