Veldynon Quest

Heiling Warriors

The sun was rising, casting its warm, amber light across the horizon as three figures

emerged from the forest, leading their steeds towards a lush valley nestled between three

towering rock walls. As they entered the valley, the horses' hooves thundered against the ground,

sending echoes bouncing off the walls.

The valley was a sight to behold; a riot of colors and textures, as flowers bloomed in

profusion along the banks of a gently flowing river. Trees of every shape and size lined the

banks, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The rock walls towered above them, their jagged

edges sharp against the sky, casting long shadows across the valley floor.

As the riders and their horses drew closer, the statues at the center of the valley began to

move. The stone Heiling warrior king and his queen rose slowly from the ground, their features

chiseled with an unyielding determination. They towered above the riders, a silent sentinel

guarding the entrance to this sacred place.

The three riders halted, their horses' nostrils flaring as they took in the imposing statues.

Elric and Dragamir exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to make of this unexpected

development. Only Balen remained calm, his eyes locked on the statues, his expression

unreadable.

As the statues towered over them, the rising sun illuminated their features, The stone

warrior king clutched a mighty sword in his hand, while his queen held a shield emblazoned with

their family crest. The air grew thick with anticipation as the riders waited for the statues to

speak, to reveal their purpose and intentions. The statue's eyes open and turn to peer at the three

riders.

The warrior queen studied the three men before her, and said at last, her voice like gravel

grinding against stone, “Your names and origins.”

Balen in staunchness spoke, "Balen, son of Leavold, of Zilmonor." Balen turns his head

slightly towards Dragamir and Elric and nods his head for them to speak.

Dragamir with courage speaks, "Dragamir, son of Gilead, of the isle of Udes."

Dragamir looks at Elric and gestures with his right hand for him to speak.

Elric says, "Elric, son of Sur, of the forest of Oden."

The warrior queen demands, “Your reason for entering Pyrrosmirror.”

Balen, taking a deep breath, speaks with quiet determination. "We come seeking answers.

"You seek the Seven Stars, yes?" she asked.

Balen nodded, "Yes, we seek an audience with Gavri and Lior at the Seven Stars."

She says, "You three seem to be of different origins, yet your purpose is the same.

"We come from different lands, my queen, but we share a common purpose. In hope of

finding Chymir, Alysandre, and Rin the daughters of King Carac of the Kingdom Eldonstone and

his people.” Balen replies.

“Enter.” Speaks a regal voice from the king warrior.

Suddenly, a gaping archway appears in the rock face, framed by a halo of ethereal light.

The air inside the archway is cool and damp, and a soft glow emanates from countless candles

flickering along the walls.The floor is smooth and polished, reflecting the light and casting

dancing shadows across the pathway.

Balen slowly moves his steed towards the entryway of Pyrrosmiror once he passes the

warrior king and queen he disappears. Elric follows close behind. Dragamir and his steed walks

into the land of Pyrrosmiror.

The path ahead was long and winding, seemingly endless beneath the faint light of the

candles. As they continued forward, the candles finally began to fade, and a soft, golden light

appeared ahead. An opening in the sandstone cliffs revealed a sparkling stream meandering near

their base. The dusty red earth beneath their hooves shifted and sighed as they made their way

towards the welcoming oasis. The air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the sweet scent of

wildflowers and the gentle burble of running water.

The sky was a shade of light, unnatural crimson, streaked with wispy clouds that seemed

to dance across the heavens like ethereal spirits. A gentle breeze caressed the land. As the horses

finished drinking the men guided their horses carefully along the narrow path that led to a circle

of standing stones.

As they drew closer, Balen pointed out the circle of light that pulsed gently above it. "The

magic in this place is strong," he explained to Dragamir and Elric. He continues "It's what allows

us to travel between villages. The stones themselves are like gateways, connecting to ones near

other villages."

As they drew closer to the circle, the light seemed to intensify, bathing them in a soft,

ethereal glow. Balen urged Uriah forward, guiding him toward the center of the circle. Elric and

Dragamir followed closely behind, their hearts racing with anticipation and fear. When they

reached the center, Dragamir entered the circle of light first, his silhouette briefly illuminated

before disappearing into the shadows.

Balen glanced Dragamir, offering him a reassuring smile. "Don't be afraid," he said

softly. "It might feel strange at first, but trust me, it's safe."

As Balen spoke, Dragamir felt a strange tingling sensation spread through his body. He

closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever was to come. When he

opened them again, he found himself standing in a misty, ethereal landscape. Elric appeared next

with his steed, followed close behind by Balen and Uriah.

Dragamir inhales deeply, feeling the weight of the sandstone walls pressing in on him

from all sides. On the walls of the sandstone is art of a people with skin of different shades of

emerald, covered in patches of moss and lichen that seemed to grow organically from their

bodies. Their eyes were piercing shades of gold. Elegant clothing made from natural materials,

such as linen and wool, dyed using colors found in the forest. The art tells stories of their life,

their loves, and their struggles.

Balen gazes at them intently; he has always found solace in these caverns, built by the

Heiling people long before his time. Balen speaks fondly, looking over at Dragamir and Elric,

“The Heilings are a species of trolls that have a unique ability to commune with the spirits of the

earth.”

The walls were covered in intricate carvings and paintings, depicting scenes of trolls and

other mythical creatures interacting with the natural world. The air was thick with the smell of

damp stone and a faint whiff of something wild, untamed. It was as if the spirits of the Heiling

still lingered in these halls, their presence palpable.

Elric drawn to a particular section where the carvings seemed to glow with an eerie

luminescence. As he approached, he realized that the light was coming from the gemstones

embedded in the walls, their facets catching the dim light filtering in from above. The trolls of

that species, known as the Heiling, had mined these gemstones long ago and used them to

decorate their sacred spaces.

The carvings themselves depicted a scene of trolls and dragons engaged in a great battle.

The dragons, towering beasts of legend, were shown breathing fire and clawing at the trolls, who

fought valiantly with swords and spears fashioned from stone and wood. The trolls seemed to be

winning, driving the dragon's back into a corner of the cavern. In the center of the scene, a lone

troll stood before a great gemstone, holding it aloft as if to use its power to defeat the dragons

once and for all.

“The Heiling Prince Helios is a great warrior.” Said Balen.

“Is a great warrior?” Elric said, confused.

“ He would be a great ally to have against my father and Vadym.” Said Balen as he looks

amongst the gems in the sandstone wall.

He reaches for one that looks exactly like the one depicted on the sandstone wall. It is

smaller in size as he gently digs it out of the wall with a small blade. Balen walks towards the

carving of the Heiling prince and brings forth his right hand holding the gemstone to the

Heiling’s prince’s head.

The sandstone wall swifts and swirls as if liquid soft and yielding.

Helios awakes stepping out of the stone as if emerging from a dream. Balen gently presses the

gemstone into his hand. Helios takes hold of the gem and presses the gemstone into the wall

calling forth his Heiling people. They awaken and step out of their stone prison. Surrounding

Balen, Elric, Dragamir and Prince Helios they stare in wonder and awe.

The sandstone behind them glowed softly, as if lit from within, casting a warm, golden

light upon their faces.The air hummed with an energy that was palpable, electric.

The Heiling prince began to sing his voice deep and resonant, echoing off the cliffs.

"Pyrrosmiror.

Pyrrosmiror.

Long ago Heiling Warriors fought an enemy of great evil.

With strength and faith in the Elect.

Heiling Warriors, Heiling Warriors.

Protect Pyrrosmiror.

Pyrrosmiror.

Pyrrosmiror.

Heiling Warriors, Heiling Warriors.

Protect Pyrrosmiror.

Pyrrosmiror.”

As the last note faded. A Heiling maiden steps forward and sings.

“Pyrrosmiror.

Pyrrosmiror.

Heiling Warriors, Heiling Warriors.

Elect protect Pyrrosmiror’s Heiling Warriors.

Pyrrosmiror.

Pyrrosmiror.”

After the sound of her singing fades, the Heiling people surrounding the prince and the

maiden sing softly. Their voices rising and falling in perfect harmony, the sound was so pure, so

ethereal, that it seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality, reaching out to touch something

ancient and primal.

“Elect, Elect. Protect Pyrrosmiror.”

The sandstone walls seemed to emanate their own unique auras of energy. It felt like the

very stones beneath their feet were vibrating in anticipation, as if they were part of something

greater, something ancient and powerful.

Their voices rose and fell in a chant that was ancient and yet somehow familiar, a

language that felt like it sang straight to the soul. The words seemed to echo throughout the

entire complex, bouncing off the sandstone walls and filling every crevice with their power.

Heiling people sing almost silently.

“Elect, Elect, Elect

Protect Pyrrosmirror

Great Elect hear Pyrrosmiror. Pyrrosmiror.”

The air itself seemed to shimmer and warp, the sandstone glowing brighter than ever

before. A sudden flash of light filled the sky, the sandstone wall vanished and Pyrrosmiror

appeared, a safe haven for those who stood on the side of the Elect.