HOME | DD

Description

Chapter Three

“The Fallen Immortal.”

    The very idea that she would soon be face to face with the fallen Immortal Raisa made Woodcutter Twenty’s body go cold. He was described as a terrifying being who wanted to take all the Grand Immortals had built and destroy it for his own means. Raisa was a deceiver, a trickster that waited to find weakness in the hearts of all who lived in the sanctuary to lead them astray. The island of shade was a place used by parents to keep their children in bed at night. The threat of being delivered to the island was enough to give nightmares to just about everyone.

    Enthan lead Woodcutter Twenty along the shore to a small dock. There were two fishers and they eagerly fell to their knees as Enthan approached. He bade them to rise and met them with a kind smile. “Rise my children, we need one of your vessels to head to the Island of Shade.”

    “The Island of Shade?” One of the fishers asked, balancing his fear or the island with the fear of refusing a command by a Grand Immortal.

    “Do not worry.” Enthan replied. “I will protect you and no harm will come to you going to and from the island.”

    “We can leave at once.” The fisher replied, seemingly satisfied with the promise of protection, he turned and with the help of his companion readied a boat.

    "If you don’t mind me asking...Enthan..." Woodcutter Twenty asked. "Why do we not...travel as we did before to the island."

    “A few reasons actually.” Enthan said as he carefully got in the boat, his weight barely moving it despite his massive frame. He sat and gestured for Woodcutter Twenty to sit across from him. “It takes a lot of concentration and effort to move like that and it is more difficult over water. Also, the island has a powerful warding on it meant to keep who is within from accessing the power of the Grand Tower. Besides, you did not seem to care much for it.”

    “It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.” Woodcutter Twenty admitted. “But then again I have not experienced much.”

    “Such is the life of a mortal I would imagine.” Enthan replied. “Even the longest lived of you is but a blink in the eye of one of us. We have made plans that span thousands of years and employ patience that most minds could not even dream of. What is one day, or one week compared to such a thing as that?”

    Woodcutter Twenty nodded. “Not very much indeed I would imagine.

    As the boat reached out further from the shore, Woodcutter Twenty looked over and could see the high walls of the City of Paradise. From her village if you got the right angle, you could see the top of the wall and a few spires beyond but not much more. From the lake you could see the north side where there was no wall. It was a splendid sight filled with pristine white towers with silvery rooves. They surrounded the central Grand Tower like disciples lined around one of the Grand Immortals. Tears began to form in Woodcutter Twenty’s eyes for she had only imagined what it would look like from this angle.

    “You have never seen the city like this?” Enthan asked.

    “The jobs in the city are of the highest coveted by us.” Woodcutter Twenty explained. “Those who walk with the Grand Immortals are blessed by the Book of Tasks. As a woodcutter it was rare that I even found my task to reach the gates of the city.”

    “Ah, well enjoy this sight then.” Enthan commented. “For what is behind us is grander than what is ahead.”

    The trip to the Island of Shade took hours, the loch became choppy the deeper it became. The two fishers manned the small sail and rutter as if they were out deep at sea. Sight of the mainland and the city was long gone and ahead a thick fog clung to the waves, leaving little visibility where they were going.

    “Have you been to the island before?” Woodcutter Twenty asked.

    “Only the bravest fishers go close to the island.” The fisher on the rudder replied. “It is somewhat of a rite of passage for the young fishers to take boats out and see who dares to go the closest.”

    “How close did you get?” Woodcutter Twenty asked.

    “I swear I saw it.” The fisher replied. “Came out of the fog like a predator. I held on as long as I could but turned back almost instantly.”

    “Well stay your rudder today my child.” Enthan said as he raised a hand toward the bow. An unseen force eliminated from his glowing orange hand, cutting through the fog like a knife, revealing a small island in the center of the loch. It had no structures, no topography, just long grass and tall trees. None of the Envaii spoke, locked in their task of staying on course and believing that they were safe despite all their thoughts to the contrary.

     A small dock came into view, built of stone many generations ago. It looked like no one had set foot upon it in centuries but was constructed to withstand the test of time for those who proved brave enough to have a task to use it. The fishers silently brought the boat to the dock and tied it off to a stone mooring post, but they did not set foot off the boat.

    “You will wait here.” Enthan said as he effortlessly stepped off of the boat and onto the dock. It took all of Woodcutter Twenty’s courage to climb up and do the same. The dock felt cold under her feet and her heart raced so fast she could feel it through her entire body. The fishers sat down in their boat, stowing the sail and taking out previsions, not knowing how long they would be waiting.

    Enthan glided over an overgrown stone walkway deeper into the island. Woodcutter Twenty kept up, careful to keep her footing over the stone that had been pushed astray from the years of growth beneath. The path was overgrown but the branches and foliage seemed to recoil away from the Grand Immortal as he passed.

    Soon the pair reached a small stone building in the center of the island. It was tall and narrow consisting of a massive door and the shell to house it. Enthan did not even raise a hand, the door slid down to the ground as he approached. He went inside, the light of his body rapidly disappearing as he went down a set of stairs beyond. Every fiber of Woodcutter Twenty’s being wanted to stop, to turn and run the other way but she fought to continue. She had learned that her body did a well enough job of doing what had to be done even if her mind was not ready to follow. Once inside the door the world became one of near darkness. Woodcutter Twenty focused on the light from the Grand Immortal to find her footing and stayed close less she lose sight of it.

    The staircase went down for what seemed like forever, the light from the outside soon became but a spec above. Woodcutter Twenty felt as if she was in another world, descending to the chaotic purgatory beneath the lock and the sanctuary of paradise. Eventually Enthan reached the bottom and blue magic torches began to light up by themselves. The floor was made of stone, pristine and untouched at all by time and the elements. The light cast by Enthan seemed to diminish slightly as they walked, as if something was drawing the power from them.

    “We are beyond the reach of the powers of the Leylines.” Enthan explained. “Any immortal being can only draw what power is given, and we give very little. Though I cannot currently draw much, I have brought power with me and will continue to do what needs to be done while we are here.”

    As the lights lit up a massive keep could be seen. It was like a fortress with high walls and prolific metal gates. As with the door on the surface the gates opened for Enthan, but this time closing behind him as he and Woodcutter Twenty passed beyond them. She followed closely, trying to push out of her mind the fact that the most evil creature in the Book of All resided within. Dark ideas began to race in her head. What if she was to be sacrificed to Raisa or fed to her as punishment for her deeds? All manner of ideas flowed in her head, each more terrifying as the last.

    Deeper and deeper into the dark fortress the pair went, before reaching a large high ceilinged inner sanctum in the center. It had a myriad of tables scattered around, each covered with all manner of items that defied Woodcutter Twenty’s imagination. She knew the Grand Immortals had tools and materials far beyond the caretakers but none of it made much sense.

    “Enthan.” A deep voice called from behind one of the desks. A figure slowly rose, bathed in orange light like Enthan but far more subdued in intensity and colour. Their horns were sharp and ragged, their hare as wild and on their face rested a long chaotic beard. Their robes were damaged and looked like they had not been mended in years. The figure stood nearly half a head taller than Enthan and he slowly came out to face the pair. “How long has it been since you have interrupted my work with your obnoxious face?”

    “Not nearly long enough. Raisa” Enthan replied. “I will not use pointless words. “This Envaii has encountered creatures from beyond the boundary wall.”

    “Alright then.” Raisa said as he glided toward Woodcutter Twenty, causing her feet to lock in place as if my force. He went down to one knee, looking her deep in the eyes with his piercing gaze.

    Woodcutter Twenty did not hesitate, did not have to focus and began recalling everything that had happened from the beginning of her day. She left out no detail and spoke as precisely as she could. She described where she was, what she heard and what came next. She relived it all in her mind and her mouth shared it. Every detail, every drop of blood. She recounted everything up to loosing consciousness and only then did Raisa speak.

    “There are many gaps in the great boundary wall.” Raisa explained. “Much of it relies on natural topography or mountains to make up a truly epic amount of distance. There are countless places small groups can get through.”

    “That is why we rely on the guardians that patrol the wall.” Enthan replied. “As well as the power of the Leylines that would destroy any creature that attempted to cross it.”

    “When was the last time you had seen a guardian?” Raisa asked. “Even before you put me on this island, they were hard to come by. When you shut this area off from the rest of the realm you just assumed they would patrol in perpetuity? They would pass on these jobs without your support or your guidance for a thousand years?”

    “Even so.” Enthan retorted. “The Leyline magic would protect us.”

    “Well, it should.” Raisa laughed. “But I think you know all too well that it isn’t. You are being very coy and clever using this Envaii to give me as little information as you think you can get away with, but I know the secret. You assumed that the other towers are generating power to use and maintaining the protections set in place so long ago. I would imagine you have already checked. How much power is coming in from the other towers.”

    Enthan paused, as if surprised that is deception was so easily seen through. “None. It is as if the other towers either are not generating or are disconnected from the network. Our power not only powers Haydonvale but all of the protection of the boundary wall.”

    “And it very much is not built to do that.” Raisa replied, his voice amused. “I imagine that many have turned theirs off or no longer have the means to use them properly.”

    Enthan sighed. “That is pretty much the situation.”

    “Ha!” Raisa said as he stood and leaned on one of his tables. “So, you came here hoping that I would have some sort of quick fix that would save you from actually doing anything serious to change things. Well, I am delighted to tell you there is no quick fix. The system was designed to require a minimum number of towers generating at any time. Each tower multiplying the power of the next and then the next and so on. Our tower is one of the strongest, but it was not built to maintain this load for very long and I imagine it’s probably been doing it for many years.”

    “Do you have a solution?” Enthan insisted. “Or do you just intend to gloat?”

    “The only solution is to go to the other towers and see why they are off or disconnected.” Raisa commented. “But I would imagine that there is not much power for you to draw from and there’s no way you can store enough for the journey.”

    “That eventuality has occurred to us.” Enthan admitted. “That is why we plan to send you.”

    “You are going to allow me to wander the lands by myself?” Raisa said as he crossed his arms. “I doubt that.”

    “We have discussed offering you a deal.” Enthan replied. “You will be given freedom to do the task but not in your immortal body. You will create a mortal form to make the journey. This form is to be approved by me and will not be given the ability to cast magic either from the Leylines or other sources.”

    “I would need to give it magical attunement.” Raisa pondered as he stroked his beard. “For will need it to make any repairs needed.”

    “You may give it any skill needed that does not come across as dangerous to us.” Enthan replied. “You will be susceptible to my personal scrutiny. If you do this task and manage to reactivate the Leyline network, we will reward you with not only your immortal body back but freedom to rejoin us in the city.”

    “I would be a fool not to accept.” Raisa said with a grin. “Not like I have much more going on. I will need an assistant and companion.”

    “That is acceptable.” Enthan nodded. “We will pool the caretakers for someone who suits the task.”

    “That will not be necessary.” Raisa replied as he pointed a long finger to Woodcutter Twenty. “I want that one.”

    “Woodcutter Twenty?” Enthan asked, his face contorted in confusion. “But she is just a woodcutter, not suited to such work.”

    “She has killed beasts from beyond the wall.” Raisa replied. “From what she has said she is by far the most interesting Envaii I have ever seen. I will settle for her and no other.”

    “So be it.” Enthan replied, as if the decision carried no weight or second thought. “Woodcutter Twenty will accompany you on your quest. I will make preparations for your immediate departure after your new body has been approved and created.”

    “It will take only a day or two.” Raisa replied as he looked to Woodcutter Twenty. “This is going to be fun.”

    “Fun…” Woodcutter Twenty managed in response, knowing little of what was going on but understanding enough to know for certain that no matter what awaited her outside the sanctuary of paradise it was very unlikely to be much fun at all.

-

Description

Chapter Three

“The Fallen Immortal.”

    The very idea that she would soon be face to face with the fallen Immortal Raisa made Woodcutter Twenty’s body go cold. He was described as a terrifying being who wanted to take all the Grand Immortals had built and destroy it for his own means. Raisa was a deceiver, a trickster that waited to find weakness in the hearts of all who lived in the sanctuary to lead them astray. The island of shade was a place used by parents to keep their children in bed at night. The threat of being delivered to the island was enough to give nightmares to just about everyone.

    Enthan lead Woodcutter Twenty along the shore to a small dock. There were two fishers and they eagerly fell to their knees as Enthan approached. He bade them to rise and met them with a kind smile. “Rise my children, we need one of your vessels to head to the Island of Shade.”

    “The Island of Shade?” One of the fishers asked, balancing his fear or the island with the fear of refusing a command by a Grand Immortal.

    “Do not worry.” Enthan replied. “I will protect you and no harm will come to you going to and from the island.”

    “We can leave at once.” The fisher replied, seemingly satisfied with the promise of protection, he turned and with the help of his companion readied a boat.

    "If you don’t mind me asking...Enthan..." Woodcutter Twenty asked. "Why do we not...travel as we did before to the island."

    “A few reasons actually.” Enthan said as he carefully got in the boat, his weight barely moving it despite his massive frame. He sat and gestured for Woodcutter Twenty to sit across from him. “It takes a lot of concentration and effort to move like that and it is more difficult over water. Also, the island has a powerful warding on it meant to keep who is within from accessing the power of the Grand Tower. Besides, you did not seem to care much for it.”

    “It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.” Woodcutter Twenty admitted. “But then again I have not experienced much.”

    “Such is the life of a mortal I would imagine.” Enthan replied. “Even the longest lived of you is but a blink in the eye of one of us. We have made plans that span thousands of years and employ patience that most minds could not even dream of. What is one day, or one week compared to such a thing as that?”

    Woodcutter Twenty nodded. “Not very much indeed I would imagine.

    As the boat reached out further from the shore, Woodcutter Twenty looked over and could see the high walls of the City of Paradise. From her village if you got the right angle, you could see the top of the wall and a few spires beyond but not much more. From the lake you could see the north side where there was no wall. It was a splendid sight filled with pristine white towers with silvery rooves. They surrounded the central Grand Tower like disciples lined around one of the Grand Immortals. Tears began to form in Woodcutter Twenty’s eyes for she had only imagined what it would look like from this angle.

    “You have never seen the city like this?” Enthan asked.

    “The jobs in the city are of the highest coveted by us.” Woodcutter Twenty explained. “Those who walk with the Grand Immortals are blessed by the Book of Tasks. As a woodcutter it was rare that I even found my task to reach the gates of the city.”

    “Ah, well enjoy this sight then.” Enthan commented. “For what is behind us is grander than what is ahead.”

    The trip to the Island of Shade took hours, the loch became choppy the deeper it became. The two fishers manned the small sail and rutter as if they were out deep at sea. Sight of the mainland and the city was long gone and ahead a thick fog clung to the waves, leaving little visibility where they were going.

    “Have you been to the island before?” Woodcutter Twenty asked.

    “Only the bravest fishers go close to the island.” The fisher on the rudder replied. “It is somewhat of a rite of passage for the young fishers to take boats out and see who dares to go the closest.”

    “How close did you get?” Woodcutter Twenty asked.

    “I swear I saw it.” The fisher replied. “Came out of the fog like a predator. I held on as long as I could but turned back almost instantly.”

    “Well stay your rudder today my child.” Enthan said as he raised a hand toward the bow. An unseen force eliminated from his glowing orange hand, cutting through the fog like a knife, revealing a small island in the center of the loch. It had no structures, no topography, just long grass and tall trees. None of the Envaii spoke, locked in their task of staying on course and believing that they were safe despite all their thoughts to the contrary.

     A small dock came into view, built of stone many generations ago. It looked like no one had set foot upon it in centuries but was constructed to withstand the test of time for those who proved brave enough to have a task to use it. The fishers silently brought the boat to the dock and tied it off to a stone mooring post, but they did not set foot off the boat.

    “You will wait here.” Enthan said as he effortlessly stepped off of the boat and onto the dock. It took all of Woodcutter Twenty’s courage to climb up and do the same. The dock felt cold under her feet and her heart raced so fast she could feel it through her entire body. The fishers sat down in their boat, stowing the sail and taking out previsions, not knowing how long they would be waiting.

    Enthan glided over an overgrown stone walkway deeper into the island. Woodcutter Twenty kept up, careful to keep her footing over the stone that had been pushed astray from the years of growth beneath. The path was overgrown but the branches and foliage seemed to recoil away from the Grand Immortal as he passed.

    Soon the pair reached a small stone building in the center of the island. It was tall and narrow consisting of a massive door and the shell to house it. Enthan did not even raise a hand, the door slid down to the ground as he approached. He went inside, the light of his body rapidly disappearing as he went down a set of stairs beyond. Every fiber of Woodcutter Twenty’s being wanted to stop, to turn and run the other way but she fought to continue. She had learned that her body did a well enough job of doing what had to be done even if her mind was not ready to follow. Once inside the door the world became one of near darkness. Woodcutter Twenty focused on the light from the Grand Immortal to find her footing and stayed close less she lose sight of it.

    The staircase went down for what seemed like forever, the light from the outside soon became but a spec above. Woodcutter Twenty felt as if she was in another world, descending to the chaotic purgatory beneath the lock and the sanctuary of paradise. Eventually Enthan reached the bottom and blue magic torches began to light up by themselves. The floor was made of stone, pristine and untouched at all by time and the elements. The light cast by Enthan seemed to diminish slightly as they walked, as if something was drawing the power from them.

    “We are beyond the reach of the powers of the Leylines.” Enthan explained. “Any immortal being can only draw what power is given, and we give very little. Though I cannot currently draw much, I have brought power with me and will continue to do what needs to be done while we are here.”

    As the lights lit up a massive keep could be seen. It was like a fortress with high walls and prolific metal gates. As with the door on the surface the gates opened for Enthan, but this time closing behind him as he and Woodcutter Twenty passed beyond them. She followed closely, trying to push out of her mind the fact that the most evil creature in the Book of All resided within. Dark ideas began to race in her head. What if she was to be sacrificed to Raisa or fed to her as punishment for her deeds? All manner of ideas flowed in her head, each more terrifying as the last.

    Deeper and deeper into the dark fortress the pair went, before reaching a large high ceilinged inner sanctum in the center. It had a myriad of tables scattered around, each covered with all manner of items that defied Woodcutter Twenty’s imagination. She knew the Grand Immortals had tools and materials far beyond the caretakers but none of it made much sense.

    “Enthan.” A deep voice called from behind one of the desks. A figure slowly rose, bathed in orange light like Enthan but far more subdued in intensity and colour. Their horns were sharp and ragged, their hare as wild and on their face rested a long chaotic beard. Their robes were damaged and looked like they had not been mended in years. The figure stood nearly half a head taller than Enthan and he slowly came out to face the pair. “How long has it been since you have interrupted my work with your obnoxious face?”

    “Not nearly long enough. Raisa” Enthan replied. “I will not use pointless words. “This Envaii has encountered creatures from beyond the boundary wall.”

    “Alright then.” Raisa said as he glided toward Woodcutter Twenty, causing her feet to lock in place as if my force. He went down to one knee, looking her deep in the eyes with his piercing gaze.

    Woodcutter Twenty did not hesitate, did not have to focus and began recalling everything that had happened from the beginning of her day. She left out no detail and spoke as precisely as she could. She described where she was, what she heard and what came next. She relived it all in her mind and her mouth shared it. Every detail, every drop of blood. She recounted everything up to loosing consciousness and only then did Raisa speak.

    “There are many gaps in the great boundary wall.” Raisa explained. “Much of it relies on natural topography or mountains to make up a truly epic amount of distance. There are countless places small groups can get through.”

    “That is why we rely on the guardians that patrol the wall.” Enthan replied. “As well as the power of the Leylines that would destroy any creature that attempted to cross it.”

    “When was the last time you had seen a guardian?” Raisa asked. “Even before you put me on this island, they were hard to come by. When you shut this area off from the rest of the realm you just assumed they would patrol in perpetuity? They would pass on these jobs without your support or your guidance for a thousand years?”

    “Even so.” Enthan retorted. “The Leyline magic would protect us.”

    “Well, it should.” Raisa laughed. “But I think you know all too well that it isn’t. You are being very coy and clever using this Envaii to give me as little information as you think you can get away with, but I know the secret. You assumed that the other towers are generating power to use and maintaining the protections set in place so long ago. I would imagine you have already checked. How much power is coming in from the other towers.”

    Enthan paused, as if surprised that is deception was so easily seen through. “None. It is as if the other towers either are not generating or are disconnected from the network. Our power not only powers Haydonvale but all of the protection of the boundary wall.”

    “And it very much is not built to do that.” Raisa replied, his voice amused. “I imagine that many have turned theirs off or no longer have the means to use them properly.”

    Enthan sighed. “That is pretty much the situation.”

    “Ha!” Raisa said as he stood and leaned on one of his tables. “So, you came here hoping that I would have some sort of quick fix that would save you from actually doing anything serious to change things. Well, I am delighted to tell you there is no quick fix. The system was designed to require a minimum number of towers generating at any time. Each tower multiplying the power of the next and then the next and so on. Our tower is one of the strongest, but it was not built to maintain this load for very long and I imagine it’s probably been doing it for many years.”

    “Do you have a solution?” Enthan insisted. “Or do you just intend to gloat?”

    “The only solution is to go to the other towers and see why they are off or disconnected.” Raisa commented. “But I would imagine that there is not much power for you to draw from and there’s no way you can store enough for the journey.”

    “That eventuality has occurred to us.” Enthan admitted. “That is why we plan to send you.”

    “You are going to allow me to wander the lands by myself?” Raisa said as he crossed his arms. “I doubt that.”

    “We have discussed offering you a deal.” Enthan replied. “You will be given freedom to do the task but not in your immortal body. You will create a mortal form to make the journey. This form is to be approved by me and will not be given the ability to cast magic either from the Leylines or other sources.”

    “I would need to give it magical attunement.” Raisa pondered as he stroked his beard. “For will need it to make any repairs needed.”

    “You may give it any skill needed that does not come across as dangerous to us.” Enthan replied. “You will be susceptible to my personal scrutiny. If you do this task and manage to reactivate the Leyline network, we will reward you with not only your immortal body back but freedom to rejoin us in the city.”

    “I would be a fool not to accept.” Raisa said with a grin. “Not like I have much more going on. I will need an assistant and companion.”

    “That is acceptable.” Enthan nodded. “We will pool the caretakers for someone who suits the task.”

    “That will not be necessary.” Raisa replied as he pointed a long finger to Woodcutter Twenty. “I want that one.”

    “Woodcutter Twenty?” Enthan asked, his face contorted in confusion. “But she is just a woodcutter, not suited to such work.”

    “She has killed beasts from beyond the wall.” Raisa replied. “From what she has said she is by far the most interesting Envaii I have ever seen. I will settle for her and no other.”

    “So be it.” Enthan replied, as if the decision carried no weight or second thought. “Woodcutter Twenty will accompany you on your quest. I will make preparations for your immediate departure after your new body has been approved and created.”

    “It will take only a day or two.” Raisa replied as he looked to Woodcutter Twenty. “This is going to be fun.”

    “Fun…” Woodcutter Twenty managed in response, knowing little of what was going on but understanding enough to know for certain that no matter what awaited her outside the sanctuary of paradise it was very unlikely to be much fun at all.

-