Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Fourteen: Andalar Valley

The early light of dawn would not make its presence known for at least four or more hours. Quietly, Brenna lay upon her back, reliving the last seven months of her life. Shortly after finding the stone, she had become ill. Chills, mixed with bouts of high fever, had wracked her body mercilessly. She had experienced a period of profound weakness that had followed her illness, which lasted for more than a week.

Throughout Brenna’s ordeal, she was visited in her dreams by Donora, a woman most patient and kind. The lady bit by bit had taught her many things. The images were so vivid, and the revelations so profound it seemed as if it was only yesterday.

“Brenna, the illness which rages within you is known as the Melding. Child—Your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves are fusing with the stone you found. Once the process is complete, you and the stone will be as one. You will be part of the stone; the stone will be part of you.”

Her mother and father, fearing she was nearing death’s door, had maintained a constant bedside vigil. Throughout it all, Brenna never once mentioned the stone she had hidden inside her cedar promise chest. The weakness she initially felt, was gradually replaced by more energy than she ever had before.

The stone was now affixed to her staff by metal tendrils. They extended from a base of silvery vines and leaves, which crowned her Anaya wood stave. Softly, Brenna had sung in Estanay, the high speech, and it had caused the change. Strange, she had first heard the light lilting tongue as a child, yet it had flowed from her lips fluidly. It had been only the beginning.

“Child, in this world, exists a power called A’keen.” It flows from the Goddess Elliana throughout the world to all creatures of the light, both large and small.”

Brenna had turned to face Denora, filled with unbridled curiosity. “Can all creatures use A’keen?” she had asked excitedly.

“Some creatures can’t use energy. Some use it slightly and accomplish little with it. Some beings can utilize more A’keen. Thus, they accomplish greater things with it and so on.” Denora had paused for a few moments as if waiting for her to digest what she had been told so far before continuing. “Once in a great while, a rarity occurs wherein a child is born who can use A’keen to its highest degree. These individuals walk a much higher plane, and they accomplish a great deal more with a small amount of power. They are known as Neeri or Blessed Ones, and they can open many more doors of knowledge.”

Brenna had trembled. She had already somehow sensed some of what she was hearing in her mind. Excitement and foreboding had struggled for a foothold within her at the time.

“You Brenna, are a Neeri. You are the first Neeri to walk upon Aederan in five thousand, three hundred and twenty years. I—Denora, was the last Neeri to do so before your arrival. I must teach you what you need to learn to prepare you for a war that’s approaching.”

Staring at the floor, Brenna had suddenly felt sick to her stomach. “There must be some mistake. I did not seek to possess this power,” Brenna had stated. She had suddenly felt weak and vulnerable.

Denora nodded in understanding and sat on a stone bench in front of her. “Dear child, few in this world ever truly choose to travel the higher paths. The stone chose you because Elliana blessed you with a gift, which until now has lain dormant. Only madmen truly desire war, yet understand it is swiftly approaching.”

Brenna had listened quietly, feeling small and helpless.

“The future of everything you hold dear on this world lies within the growing shadow of evil. All life here balances upon the keen scales of chance, where belief and deeds may still affect the outcome.” Denora walked over to stand before her.

Brenna nodded her head. There appeared to be a great deal more for her to learn about the history of Aederan than she ever dreamed possible. “What else do you have to tell me?”

“If you choose not to accept your place, the world will die,” Denora explained. “Only through the courage and sacrifice of those such as you, may the world yet be saved. The choice is yours and yours alone!”

“Who is the evil one?” Brenna asked, with a great deal of trepidation.

“For there to be good, evil must also exist. Elliana represents all that is good upon this world, and Bemenah, her brother, is the basis of all evil. He desires this world and wants to have it for his own.”

In silence with bowed head, Brenna had trembled for a few minutes before she looked at Denora with tears in her eyes. “Alright, tell me what I must do. I will fight Bemenah’s forces with all of my heart, body, and soul!”

“Well done, Brenna. Your fears are more than justified, for the perils will be many. Within you, the Goddess Elliana will build a wellspring of power to defend Aederan from evil.”

With a nod of her head, Brenna managed a weak smile.

“Child, the future is not yet written. Within you, exists great untapped raw power, far greater than what I possessed. To reach your true potential, Neeri, you must first learn to control your powers.”

“I understand,” Brenna had said in a lowered voice. She was feeling drowsy.

Once again, the Neeri experienced the heady rush of free, unhindered travel. Suddenly, she appeared on a white marble balcony, which overlooked a clear rushing river fed by a spectacular series of waterfalls. The Sun glistened brightly from the surface of the flowing waters.

“Welcome to Andalar Valley. You have progressed to the point where I can fully reveal where you are. Sheltered among a range of vast mountains, known as the Veiled Pillars of Andalar, lays this valley,” Denora explained reverently.

“I—had no idea such a place existed.” Brenna continued to study all around her.

“Each time you felt you were dreaming since you discovered the stone, you were being drawn here by Mind-Slip. The Andalar Valley is inaccessible by land or air, due to its protective wards,” Denora revealed.

Brenna turned to face Denora, puzzled by her comment. “How did I enter, if it’s not accessible by land or air?”

“During mind slip, your astral-self travels here and unlocks the gate, enabling your entry. Once your astral-self enters, your physical self can follow, or it may await your return, depending upon your desire.”

“What is this place?” Brenna asked.

They followed a gently sloping walkway from the balcony to an extensive garden growing along the river’s shoreline. “Andalou Valley is a focal point where all the knowledge of A’keenic studies exists. Within this valley, life and death have no meaning,” Denora explained.

Brenna looked at Denora. “Life and death have no meaning?”

“Here, mages, enchanters, and Neeri of the past and present may meet and live together, to further the cause in the battle against evil. Those who have died in the physical world can choose to exist here and add to the good of the world below.”

Brenna turned and surveyed the vast garden, which started at the edge of the river and spread outward for a considerable distance. Walkways made of the same smooth white stone of the bridge wound through tall trees and a multitude of flowering shrubs and plants. Scattered among the trees were flowering plants and green grassy glens. In the center of the garden, individuals sat at delicate white tables, enjoying various foods and drinks.

Denora led her into the entrance of a massive gray limestone structure, and Brenna now walked along a corridor lit by oil-lamps. Their journey ended in the white stone training room. Before they were a polished white stone pedestal about four feet tall, above this was a slowly revolving golden amulet and chain, suspended in midair a couple of inches above the polished stone surface. Set within the charm was a yellow stone, within which golden flecks of light slowly swirled.

“Brenna, this is one of the lost Speaking Stones of Megdenar. It has been set aside for you to wear. You shall journey to faraway lands, and all must understand what you have to say,” Denora explained while looking at the gem.

“How does it work?” Brenna gazed at the scintillating shimmers of golden light within the stone. She soon realized the glimmering flecks had a mesmerizing effect and forced her attention elsewhere.

“Contained within the stone’s crystal structure is an enchantment, which enters the minds of all who are listening. The spell is designed to alter perceptions, thus those who hear you will be able to understand what you are saying. When those affected come near others, the enchantment propagates seeds of itself within their minds, spreading the effect.”

With shaking hands, Brenna removed the amulet and placed it around her neck.

“Are you ready to continue your lessons?” Denora asked.

Brenna shook her head no. “First, I would like to ask a question. I am learning to wield and channel A’keen. What is the power called which Dark Binder’s wield?”

Denora turned away from her for a minute. “It is only natural for her to want to learn more about the enemy. Perhaps, it would help her to place matters in a proper perspective. Yes—I agree. She is naturally inquisitive, which is a good thing, for she has much to learn.”

Her teacher turned to Brenna once more and stood before her with a pleasant smile, with her staff at her side. The dark power is called Maktenag. It is anathema to all living creatures who are bound to the light.”

“Bound to the light?” Brenna asked in a lowered voice.

Denora paced back and forth for a moment and turned toward her. “When the Great Mother Elliana created the world, she created many sorts of birds, fish, and creatures to fly, crawl, jump, and run upon Aederan. These creatures are called Creatures of the Light.”

“Where does dark power come from,” The young Neeri inquired, pensively.

“It flows from Bemenah to the Seat of Araeontis in Agwamar, which is a portal realm Bemenah has created. Its sole purpose is to stabilize and augment the flow of Maktenag to the Eye of Despair, here in Aederan.” Denora bowed her head in silence for a few moments, before turning towards her, again.

“What is the Eye of Despair?”

“It is a large blood-red crystal, which disperses Maktenag around Aederan.

Brenna nodded quietly in response.

“Now, are you ready to continue with your lessons?”

“Yes.” The young Neeri answered.

“Now, listen carefully. To engrave the excine circlets of power upon your staff, you must concentrate and say these words—exactly as I say them,” Denora said solemnly.

Brenna meticulously engraved the symbols into the white wood of her anaya staff, which Denora made appear in mid-air. In the light, lilting tongue of Estanay, the Neeri repeated the words of power her teacher had spoken. Each new circlet she completed, increased the surge of energy flowing from her to her staff. Each rise of energy seemed magnified when it ebbed back to her. While the Neeri continued, her body shimmered with a silvery-blue light. The glare of light from her eyes filled the high-ceilinged room where she sat.