Revelations in the Keep
1028 Words
The three came into the gates, the soldiers staying to tend the horses, and send out messages.
The structure appeared deceptively small from a distance, but as I approached, I realized that it was a formidable fortress. Built by the Dwellyn and bestowed to an ancient Rii monarch, its size was still impressive even after all these years.
The rooms went down and through the earth, spreading throughout the subsurface of the city, like a great, inverted tree, the real size of the city was now seen. Massive statues, taverns, stables, shops... A massive forge, then in the middle, a beautiful castle, made of onyx, diamond and emerald. The doors were like pearls, golden and blue lights illuminated everything.
Individual rooms were assigned to each member of the party, where they found fresh clothes and a relaxing bath waiting for them.
"I could get used to this" Aeliana sighed in comfort.
There was a knock on the door...
"Having fun?" Catherine entered, now wearing a red dress, with gold and black seams. Her long blonde hair washed and combed, with a silver chain headband, wrapped around, holding her hair back.
Aeliana was wearing a black dress that was provided for her, her dark hair pulled back. She looked at her friend, now like a stranger.. "There's a lot I don't know about you, isn't there?" She asked.
Catherine smiled, brushing her hair behind her pointed ear...
"You will soon learn..."
"Your ear!" Aeliana exclaimed "Are you an elf?"
Catherine almost giggled, "No, my friend. Let's go eat before that pig Flynn eats everything.. he's been down there for an hour now. I will explain everything". The two laughed, and headed to the great hall.
The two women entered the hall
"Where have y'all been?" Flynn exclaimed, in-between bites of some form of large meats "What is that?" Aeliana asked, salivating.
"They call it Deredeas" he said
"They spared no expense for us" Catherine laughed " Rare... Dragon Haunch... The Elyon trade with Rii now"
"They call themselves Vyn now" a voice from the other end of the hall stated.
"The Elyon and Cayn are now one peoples"
Catherine smiled "interesting.... I must come South more often" she laughed "Hello Aravi "
A tall, woman, skin dark as night walked to the table. She was wearing a white dress, a gold necklace with an ocean-blue stone, her hair was so blonde it was almost white, her eyes impossibly blue.
Flynn dropped his cup, surprised by her beauty
"The Queen!" Aeliana punched Flynn, who was mid-bite, as she bowed.
The Queen stifled a laugh
"I am Aravi Sydola Taeyeon! Eldest of the eldest, keeper of the buried throne, protector of the farmlands... Queen of Rii. Eat and drink your fill, we will discuss a great many things after our meal." The Queen walked across the room, seemingly bowed to Catherine, then took her seat at the head of the table.
Catherine nodded at the two, and they all went and sat nearby.
"Call the scholar" Avari ordered.
In walked two men, carrying a table with a great book on it, and set it down near the head of the table. Another man brought a strangely shaped chair, and set it before the table.
A door opened... An aged Saytr walked in, with a cane. "Cole" Catherine said "I was hoping we'd meet again, you old goat"
Cole smiled "Sorry M'lady, but I serve Rii first"
Catherine smiles back "I understand completely" she paused...
Tell us the story of clay and water...
The Saytr nodded, sat down, then opened the book.
OF CLAY AND WATER
In the beginning there was nothing the void grew and pulsed, then collapsed upon itself.
This collapse created The All.
Alone, The All took a piece of the void, and pounded it into a great sphere, there, on the sphere it built a foundry.
As The All crashed down to this new home, pieces broke off these pieces came to life, and took forms. These were the children of The All
"Let us create a world here" The All decreed.
The Children of All stepped forward...
Eros, the first laid down, encompassing the sphere with his great size, and joined his essence to the sphere. "These are now the mountains and hills" Cole interjected
Valas, Dove into the low areas, and fell to pieces, creating all waters.
Tetra, laid out her cloak, and seeded all plant life.
Korid broke himself into millions of pieces, creating all animals. Countless others came forward and gave themselves to this new world. On and on....
Until only six were left...
The six children of The All
Lyra: mother of the sea peoples, Fairies, merpeople, and leprechauns,
Teryn: father of the tree people, dryads, Bear-men, Saytrs, gnomes and halflings
Aria: mother of dragons, gryphons, harpies, and all that fly
Kael: father of centaurs, minotaurs, great eagles, and all of the forest's mysteries.
Terra: he who created the trolls, ogres, goblins, giants, the Elyon and the Cayn
Faun: also known as the black... Creator of Shades, vampyres, shadow beings, black magic, and the smoke-kin
The All called to the six, "go forth into the world, and each bring clay and water"
Teryn brought back white clay from the North
Lyra brought red clay from the west
Terra went South, and returned with black clay
Faun went to East, and returned with yellow clay
Kael returned with brown clay
Aria returned with grey clay
The All took each, and formed six of each.
With a shout, The All breathed a spark of life into these forms..
Man was born....
This was the beginning.
The Saytr sat back, tired from the long time he just read.
"Well read Cole. Excellent job." Said the Queen "Any questions"
Aeliana sat up "The six children... They are who we call the watchers?"
"Correct" Catherine replied.
"But I don't understand" Flynn spoke up, "why must we know this?"
"So you will understand the truth" Cole answered...
"Shall I continue?"
"Skip to Rise and Fall, please... Then The fall of Illia, and The Battle of The Glade" Catherine requested.
"As you wish" Cole replied, half bowing in his seat.
- Writer
