SALVATION FOR THE FALLEN Chapter 11

The three of them entered the Diova Gruss Tavern. Even though it was long past the normal dinner hour, many of the tables still held those Angels that remained behind from their dinners. They were talking and getting caught up on the happenings around the village.

Deamon looked around seeking the faces of people he didn’t know. There were two people towards the back of the place that he didn’t readily recognize. He made a mental note to find out who they were and where they were from. His eyes continued to scout the room looking for Kat. Now, there was a woman who made friends quickly and seemed to get lots of information while serving the tavern’s patrons. She was probably in the back kitchen helping Earnest with the clearing up. He made a mental point to ask her what she knew about the two strangers. He also had to get caught up on any recent gossip going around town. One of his jobs, as Master of Whispers, was to keep track of the goings on around the village. Then he would be able to help keep not only the Angels safe but Larien, too. Kat was in the perfect place to hear things; people having too much to drink end up talking too much or she’d flirt with them and they would start bragging. He always followed up on each tid-bit she gave him. No matter how small it seemed to Kat, all were important to him.

Larien was searching for the council members that needed to be told of the impending meeting. She spotted Carl clearing a table over by the hepzabilas. She didn’t find Zigaroth anywhere in the main room. She would have to ask Carl if he was in one of the rooms upstairs. Caro was here with her twin sister, Cat. It looked like they were finishing their dinner and having a bit of Carl’s apple pie. Susana was over to the left sitting with Saori and Bernardo. The three of them looked like they were in a deep discussion. Their faces were intent and their voices low. Good, it looked like she would only need a courier for two people – King Sylvain and Zigaroth.

Finn was tuning into the thoughts of those left in the tavern. While he knew many of the Angels by name from stories Larien shared with him when she came to the wood, he needed to put faces to those he “knew”. He was hoping that by reading their thoughts, he would be able to put faces to their names. It was a little game that he liked to play. He really enjoyed surprising people he first meets if he can call them by their name before they are formally introduced. He quietly chuckled to himself thinking of the fun he would have with the Angels this time around. He knew the council members since he had been to several meetings over the past several hundred years and they already knew of some of his abilities. However, this was a first battle for an all-out assault on the Angels’ castle that he could ever recall so more Angels would come into contact with him. Ha, ha, ha. He also didn’t think all of the Angels knew how Larien came to live among them and not with her own kind. Not that he minded her not living with the elves because it gave him certain advantages that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy should she actually live there. Now if he could have the authority to make the really big decisions, he would be a very happy man. But the only way that would happen would be if something happened to Larien. Finn pulled his thoughts back to the problem at hand, thinking he would analyze the other thoughts at a later date when he could think them through more clearly.

“I’m going to get a tankard of drink, Larien, while you round up your people. Do you want anything from the bar?” Finn questioned the two people standing next to him.

Deamon responded to Finn’s request first, “No, none for me, merci. I would like to see if I can catch up with someone to ask them a couple of questions. Larien?”

“Nothing for me either, Finn. I see Carl over there so I will alert him to the meeting. Caro and Susana are also here so I will chat with them quickly to put them on the alert. We should be able to go on to the meeting in a few minutes.” Larien was already moving in the direction of where Carl was. “Enjoy your drink, Finn.”

Each one went their own way. Each was wrapped in their own thoughts. Each had their own agenda to reach.

Larien walked back to where Carl was clearing the tables. He looked up and smiled when she approached. “Hello, my Queen. How are you today?”

“Hello, Carl. I am doing well. I worked in the garden earlier today. I should be having some produce for you to use in a few weeks’ time.” Carl glanced up and looked across the room. Yes, there was Deamon chatting with Kat and, if he wasn’t mistaken, that looked like Finn at the bar. Larien continued, “Deamon found me at the glen after my gardening.”

Carl stopped what he was doing when he detected a change in her voice. “What’s wrong? Please, sit down and tell me what is on your mind.”

He held the chair out for Larien to sit down and pulled another out for himself. His eyes were intently watching the changes cross her face. He could tell by her quiet demeanor that this was very important news or she would not have sought him out in such a secluded area of the tavern. She would simply have said hello and waved her hand at him. Adding Larien’s mannerisms to the fact that both Deamon and Finn were here did not give him a good feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Larien reached across the table and rested her hand on Carl’s arm. “We are soon to be under attack, Carl. Deamon has informed me that three armies are advancing on the Castle Angels. They are not coming from just one direction either but one army each from the east, south, and west.” Larien could tell that Carl was about to talk when she continued, “We cannot meet them on the plains as they are too close for that and,” Larien’s voice lowered further, “orcs are within their ranks.”

Carl’s sharp intake told Larien that he understood the seriousness of what she said. “Carl, I am calling a Council meeting now to discuss our strategy. I need you in attendance. Finn has already sent word for Tuls to meet us there. I need to send someone to tell King Sylvain. Is Zigaroth upstairs by chance?” Carl shook his head no. “Then I need to send for him, too. I will have Caro and Susana on stand-by in case we need their expertise.”

Gravely, Carl replied, “I will be there. Let me take these dishes to the kitchen and let Earnest know that I have to leave. I think we should wait to tell the Angels what is about to happen until we have the plans in place. Am I right, Larien?”

“Yes, Carl, you are. They will know soon enough and this way they will have a good night’s sleep at least. We can ring the bells at first light.” Larien patted his arm as she got up. “We will get through this challenge together. Our Angels are good, strong, and dedicated fighters. We also have a little warning which most villages don’t have due to Deamon’s informants.”

Carl looked deep into Larien’s eyes and still read something there that she wasn’t voicing. “What else is bothering you, Larien? You and I go back a very long way and I can see something in your eyes that you are not sharing with me now. What is it?”

“You are far too observant, Carl. There is something more but it’s not something I can put my finger on. Finn and Deamon were giving each other strange looks at the house. Their conversation ended quickly when I came out of the house. There is nothing I can put my finger on right now. And you know Finn can block me out so I cannot read him and I still cannot read Deamon. So, they could have been talking and I wouldn’t know what it was about. I just feel,” Larien hesitated trying to find the right words to use, “unsettled, I guess.”

“Go, and let Caro and Susana know and send the news to Sylvain and Zigaroth. I will just finish my work here and be right over to the Council Chambers. You will discover the cause of your unrest soon enough, I’m sure, Larien.” Larien gave him a weak smile. Carl stood and started to gather the dirty dishes and finish clearing the table as Larien left to deliver her news to the others.

created originally 7 September 2011

SALVATION FOR THE FALLEN Chapter 8

Larien Arcamenel was enjoying the day out in her garden. The days were getting warmer and she had to clear out the old debris to make way for the new sprouts and plantings. She always enjoyed puttering about in her garden. Larien knew that her body would rebel against the strain that she would put on it by pulling weeds and planting, but to see the new beds with green growth was worth it to her. She was already thinking ahead to when the perfume from the flowers would permeate the soft summer breezes and warm nights with their heady fragrances. The herbs would be used for her Angels to heal and help keep them healthy. The vegetables always tasted better fresh from the garden than purchased in the marketplace. If her crops were plentiful, Larien would be able to give those to her neighbors in need or take them to the tavern for Earnest and Carl to use. She gathered her baskets and gardening tools from the planting shed and looked over the garden area to decide where she should start first: flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

As Larien started working in the herb beds, she let her mind drift back to earlier days and the celebration the Angels had at the Diova Gruss. The Angels had been excited about beating Corvintheus and his army. She felt saddened that she had to be the one to tell them the true nature of the battle and the real reason that Corvintheus was fighting in the first place. Although she knew that Corvintheus brought this sorrow to her friends by his righteous greed and impatience, she still felt responsible for having to be the one to possibly change their thoughts about him as a demi-god.

Why would Corvintheus fall so far from grace, from the demi-god that all knew or thought him to be? Larien had a problem trying to figure out the difference between what she knew of the demi-gods and what she saw take place on the battlefield. The demi-god Corvintheus is about protection, courage and honor. He watches over those who uphold his virtues and pay blessings honoring him. Knights and paladins religiously believe in his teachings and follow him devoutly. By following him, the knights express a belief in chivalry and spending their lives protecting those around them with their strength, both through their battles and by their will. Corvintheus teaches that the “Road of the Warrior” is filled with many difficult choices which define the course of one’s development. It is important that they understand the ways of the world so they can guard themselves from false temptation. False temptations! It seemed to Larien that he might be the one to fall into his OWN false temptations.

These thoughts were all going through Larien’s mind as she continued to pull weeds and turn the soil. One particularly hard, deep-rooted weed was resisting Larien’s attempts to free it from the herb bed. After digging deep and giving it another firm tug, Larien felt the weed explode out of the earth, sending dirt up into her face and onto her arms. While it startled her, it also brought back the memory of a picture in her mind – the flash of blinding white light on the battlefield! Corvintheus and Aurelius were both there fighting before the flash and both were gone after it. Larien tried to remember exactly what happened on that battlefield. Something was teasing her memory.

She sat back on her heels and closed her eyes, her hands resting on her knees, her body stilled and trance-like. She took herself back to that day on the battlefield. Larien felt the sun beating down on her skin, the weight of her healing bag over her shoulder, her clothes sticking to her body. She closed her eyes in anticipation of what else she would remember, her heartbeat increasing its tempo. She could smell the sweat from fighting soldiers and the stench of dead bodies slowly decaying on the ground around her. She heard the clash of metal sword blades hitting other blades, other weapons, and other body armor. She winced remembering the OTHER battle sounds – the cries of those in pain and those dying! She shivered at her cruel and haunting memories in spite of the warm sun caressing her skin. Someone, she couldn’t remember who it was, was fighting Corvintheus, and as his sword blade thrust into the demi-god, she remembers seeing his image flicker between that of the demi-god Corvintheus and that of the Rebel Aurelius. Then came the immense ball of energy and the blinding flashes of white light. In the blink of an eye, Corvintheus was gone and so was Aurelius. She looked, as did other army members, and no one was able to find the bodies of either man lying anywhere on the battlefield. As Larien sat in the dirt in thought, she felt that it had something to do with the flickering images. WAIT! That was it!!! Flickering images! The Corvintheus that the Angels battled was not the real demi-god but had to be Aurelius in some magical disguise. Why had she not noticed this before now? If the Corvintheus battling his people, her Angels, was the magical reincarnation of his image and was really controlled by Aurelius, the message that was being sent to the people of Valeria and the Castle Angels now made sense. Wasn’t that the same message that they heard the Rebel Aurelius speak when the Angels battled him many months ago? Oh, the pieces all began to finally fall perfectly into place.

Larien shook herself from her memories and went back to her garden. She now had to contemplate what she should do with this new insight to their battle. Should she keep it to herself, share it with the people, or share it with just the Council members? As she dug at the weeds under the warmth of the sun that afternoon, she battled with herself as to her next course of action, taking her frustration out on the weeds. Larien decided that, for the time being anyway, she would keep it to herself and momentarily wait. Since no Angels had lost their lives and those injured were healing well, she felt that it was alright to keep her thoughts to herself before revealing them to anyone else.

She continued working until the shadows from the surrounding trees grew longer, stretching their shadowy branches across her completed herb beds. Larien knew it was time to clean up. As she slowly stood, her back stiff from bending, she perused her handiwork. The beds were all cleared and looked inviting, waiting for the coming plants that would fill in the bare places. The baby sprouts now had room to grow and spread out. Yes, this was a good day’s work. Maybe one more day of work in the flower and vegetable beds and she would be done. Larien took several trips carrying her filled baskets to the far back corner of the garden and threw the weeds into the fenced area. She would let nature do Her work over the next year, after which she should have some lovely new earth for next years’ plantings. She stored the tools back into the shed for the next use and went into the house.

Galeran Glen with its warm waters and soothing surroundings beckoned to Larien’s spirits and stiff body. What a wonderful ending to her day of strenuous work! She packed up a change of clothes and set off for her oasis. It had been a few days since her last visit to her little piece of heaven on earth. It was also the one protected place that she could go to which few could find their way. That was due, in part, to the magical properties of the glen that dated back to when she was a little girl. Her father, Farren Arcamenel, knew early in Larien’s life that she would need a place to call her own that was safe and protected from evil influences and where she could go for peace and healing. He also had placed it between the lands of her people and the Castle Angel’s Keep so that she could visit the glen no matter where she was – with either her elven people or the humans. And Larien, over the years, continued to keep Galeran Glen safe from outsiders. She could literally count on one hand the number of people that actually knew their way to her special glen – her brother Finn, Zigaroth, and Mark. They were also the only ones that had been granted the ability to see the special portal leading to the glen from Wildon Woods.

Today, as Larien journeyed to her glen, she missed having her father around so she could go to him for guidance. She really needed to ask his opinion on how she should handle her insight to the battle between Corvintheus and the Angels. While she lost her father during the Dragon Wars, she still remembered him as a wise and understanding man, a just and noble king, and a warm and loving father. There was rarely a day that went by when she did not think of him and wonder what he would do or say if he were faced with the questions being posed in her life and the guidance she gave. She wanted to be like him – understanding, wise, just, noble, strong, and well-loved. Larien hoped that, given time, those people that looked to her for leadership and advice would compare her favorably to her father, King Farren.

As she made her way through Wildon Woods to the portal that would take her to the glen, she noticed that the sun was getting ready to set. While Larien could not see the sun sink into the horizon, she could see the effects of its actions. It was painting the clouds’ undersides with tinges of pale gold at their centers, then blending that into pinks from light to dark, and finally feathering the clouds’ edges with a pale purple. It made the clouds so exquisite and they seemed to glow with their own life force as they changed with the setting sun, their colors intensifying. This color of sunset always made Larien smile. When she was a child, whenever the sky and clouds were this exact color, her father would always ask her what the color of the sky was. He would tease her when she told him that the sunset was “sky-blue-pink” by telling her there was no such color as sky-blue-pink. Larien would always tell him that there was too and all he needed to do was look up at the sky and it was painted there for him and the world to see.

When the sky’s colors were at their most intense deep blues, pinks, and purples, she broke from the woods and into her special getaway place – Galeran Glen. Larien stood transfixed as her eyes took in the glen. It did not make a difference how often she came here. It always seemed to be able to take her breath away and Larien could find new pleasures. It could be as simple as the way the sun reflected off the water, or a new flower pointing its head through the moss, or a butterfly gracefully hovering in the air. It was a source of healing for her, whether it was for her body, her mind, or her soul. She could come here and let the tranquility soak into her very being. Here she could be free. She could be Larien; just a woman without titles, without worries, without responsibilities, without a past, and without a future. To her, it was a haven where time stood still and nothing existed beyond Galeran Glen.

Tonight the sky, in its sky-blue-pink glory, was reflected in the water pools giving back a mirrored image to the lazy clouds. The clouds looking down from their vast heights could see just how beautifully unique they had become, transformed by the setting sun. Their images rippling in the water gave them a special and unique motion, their colors blending together in the water. Even in the fading light she could make out the rock formations that formed the waterfalls that surrounded the pool and protected the glen’s secrets. Time and the cascading waters had worn the rock faces smooth and covered those not directly under the falls in thick layers of verdant green moss. Small blue and yellow flowers grew in the crevices giving splashes of color over the rock formations. Larger bushes and plants in pinks and reds and oranges grew where the rocks were bare of moss and their roots could find rich soil. Sometimes when Larien came, the sun would be shining at just the right angle, reflecting prisms of rainbow colors which danced all around the falls as if the fairy folk themselves were dancing between the droplets, playing tag. The honey bees could be heard buzzing around the flowers, and the butterflies floated effortlessly in the air. The falls themselves held a secret, too. There was actually a chamber-like area behind it where you could sit and think or stand and bathe without being seen from the waterfall pool. Larien smiled to herself thinking of all the times she would disappear and her father didn’t know where she went – or so she liked to think.

For now, she climbed the rock steps to the largest rock. This was dubbed her “thinking rock”. It was covered with a thick mossy cushion and large enough for her to do whatever she wished – contemplate life, dry off in the sun after a swim, sleep if she were tired, or lie down and look at the sky and watch the clouds make formations of rabbits or birds or other things on a lazy, sunny afternoon. She also liked this boulder because part of it was close enough to the edge of the waterfall that she could reach her foot or hand out and let the water run over it before hitting the still waters beneath and the other part jutted out over the pool making her feel like she were floating on an island. The sound of the running water was calming to her spirit, its flow like a heartbeat - slow, steady, and constant as it made its way down the rocks and into the pool. Sometimes she would go behind the falls so she could watch her world through the curtain of water, pretending she was playing hide and seek with the fairy folk dancing on their rainbows.

Larien needed to stretch her body and relax the tension she felt from the day’s gardening. She stood at the water’s edge and slowly disrobed. She took her time, letting each garment fall from her fingertips to cascade around her feet. She reveled in shaking the worries and cares and tensions with each garment piece she removed. She lifted her face to the darkening sky and closed her eyes trying to clear her mind and relax her muscles. She felt free! This was Larien’s time. She stepped to the edge of the rock overlooking the pool, raised her arms in a diver’s stretch, and dove into the water, her body slicing through the dark waters without a splash, without a sound to disturb the early nightfall.

created originally 5 September 2011

SALVATION FOR THE FALLEN Chapter 7

Earnest had taken a stamina break and was on his way back to the battlefield when he heard the horn sound three long piercing blasts - the battle was over. Corvintheus and his army were defeated by the Castle Angels and friends. Rather than continue on his way to the fighting, Earnest changed direction and went to his tavern, The Diova Gruss. It was always the first place the Angels would stop on their way back to their homes and he felt he should prepare for his patrons’ arrival. They always lingered over a pint of cool ale while they regale the others of tales from the battlefield, compare wounds, and brag about how many of the enemy fell by their swords. It was a place to laugh and unwind with friends who understood the hardships of battle. But most of all, the tavern was a place for the Angels to gather and check who was alive – a roll call of battle survivors.

As Earnest predicted, the Angels began arriving in small groups. The Diova Gruss started filling up with battle-worn Angels; some with bandages, some with crutches, some with blood-stained clothing but all with the weary relief of victory. Those that had been injured sat at the tables and others stood around talking. As Earnest filled order after order for food and drinks, the laughter became freer and the noise level inside the tavern increased. He liked seeing the place like this. Not that he liked battles because of the toll it took on the warriors, but that they felt comfortable to stay, mingle, and share. THAT was always good for business!

He took a quick look around him as he kept pace with the demands. Deamon was here and was sitting with his twin brothers, Deamon666 and Bone Face. They were sitting along the back wall by the hepzabilas and keeping to themselves although it looked as if Kathryn was hobbling towards their table to join their group. Deamon saw her coming on her crutches, her right leg bandaged tightly, and offered his chair to her. She had sustained a nasty wound and Larien had told her to not put her weight on it. Caro and Cat sat two tables to the left from them and were chatting with Bernardo and Susana. Bernardo had his left arm in a sling. King Sylvain was at the table in the corner and it looked like he, Tian and Yiel were in deep conversation already. Miro and Jovan were at the end of the bar already enjoying their drinks, laughing loudly, and slapping each other on the back. Stefan, Monah and Iva came through the tavern door. Jovan glanced up and saw them approaching. He waved them over to join Miro and himself. Stefan had his head wrapped in bandages, the blood still seeping in a small pool through the gauze. Iva was favoring her left foot and slowly limped over, leaning heavily on the single crutch under her arm. Actually, the Angels had fared well in their fight with only small injuries and no deaths.

“Hey, Earnest, can we get a pint all around for our table?” Poul was sitting at the closest front table with Alina, Becky and Russ. All four had varying amounts of blood spattered on their clothes. Russ’s left sleeve was torn close to the shoulder and a pink stain could be seen underneath. He didn’t seem to be bothered with any discomfort by the wound, although it probably needed to be dressed before the end of the night.

“Sure, I’ll bring them right over, Poul!” Earnest shouted back. He turned and started filling tankards with fresh ale.

As he carried the four mugs over to Poul’s table, the door open and Carl, Butch and Zigaroth came in. All three men had a look of seriousness about them and not the jovial back-slapping and laughter of the other patrons. They headed for the corner table on the right side of the dining area, the furthest from any of the other occupied ones.

As they started to pass the counter, Jovan raised his glass and shouted for all in the place to hear, “Corvintheus and his army are dead! Cheers to the Castle Angels! Another strong victory for us all!”

Those within the tavern looked up from their various conversations at Jovan’s toast, raised their glasses, and yelled back almost in unison, “Here, here!!”

With everyone in the Diova Gruss yelling their toasts from table to table, they did not hear the arrival of Larien Arcamenel, the Angels’ Elf Queen. Earnest was wiping down the counter and happened to look up because the breeze from the door opening wafted over him. Larien looked at him and smiled a weary smile. He nodded back at her weak greeting. He thought she looked tired and worn, as if she was carrying the weight of the Angels on her shoulders. Earnest watched as she took stock of those already celebrating, her eyes focused on Russ’s arm. She stopped at his table.

Larien knew that Russ had not come into the tent to have his wound dressed. It didn’t look too bad from here, but it still needed to be cleansed. She put her small hand on Russ’s good shoulder to get his attention.

Startled, Russ looked up at her and smiled, “Hello, my Queen. Would you like to sit and celebrate with us?”

“I really should look at your wound, Russ. As a cleric, you know how quickly infection can set in. Let me at least clean it.”

“Oh, I will be alright,” Russ replied, excitement over the victory still strong in his voice. “Come, sit down with us. You have been very busy these last few nights. I don’t think that you slept more than a couple of hours as you were always awake when I left for a few hours and you were still awake when I woke up. We cannot have you falling ill!”

Larien briefly closed her eyes and when they opened she quietly agreed, “Thank you, Russ. I think I will sit as you suggest.” She smiled. Russ noticed that her smile did not reach her eyes.

Russ gave her his chair as he left to borrow one from another table. He had known Larien for a long time and knew that there was more on her mind than just weariness from healing, something about the battle – maybe about Corvintheus. If she were true to form, she would tell them about it before the night was over. He would place bets on it if he could get any takers. He chuckled under his breath, like anyone really would! They knew her just as well as he did!

Earnest brought another glass to the table, placing it in front of Larien. After a couple of sips, she started talking softly.

“Do any of you know who we just battled?” As she looked around the faces of those at her table, she could read the confusion her words brought. “Corvintheus, the leader of the army we just defeated, is a demi-god.”

Poul exclaimed, “Corvintheus was a demi-god?” His voice increased in volume – his facial expression shocked, “You mean to tell me that WE, the Castle Angels, just defeated a demi-god?” His animated actions attracted the attention of the other Angels. They ceased talking, one table at a time, and all turned to the table with Poul and Larien. Larien could feel their eyes swivel towards her; a look of puzzled amazement and confusion could be found on their faces.

“Yes, one of his army caught hold of my ankle on the battlefield. I gave him aid to ease his pain. Before he died, he told me about his leader, Corvintheus. Corvintheus’s quest was to rule this land with absolute righteousness and power. He also felt that kingdoms are built on sacrifices and that those sacrifices would be made by anyone who would not follow HIS path. He is no longer the man that people worship for THAT Corvintheus would not oppress those that strive for their own form of righteousness. The demi-god has, in his impatience with us mortals, turned to oppression and tyranny in his attempt to unite the land.” Larien’s voice became quieter as the Angels leaned closer. “You know the blinding white light that we saw on the battlefield?” she continued after several nodded their heads that they had indeed seen the flash of light. “That was Corvintheus disappearing. There wasn’t any trace of Aurelius either. I searched for their bodies but couldn’t find them. Both of them left their army behind to fall to our swords. All those we just killed were sacrificed for Corvintheus’ misguided righteousness and greed.”

Larien continued, her voice weary from the stress and strain of the last few days, “Even demi-gods can become evil under the guise of helping people. The Castle Angels will need to continue to prevail against these injustices and overcome these evils. We need to continue to fight for those that are oppressed. We need to bring light and truth so it will overcome the darkness that may encompass our world. We need to continue to fight with our convictions against those whom we feel will destroy us. Let THIS be our pledge and our toast this night.”

The tavern was quiet and those Angels within its walls could still hear Larien’s words echoing in their minds as she stood and slowly made her way out the door and into the dark night.

created originally 1 June 2011