Wielder's Fate (25 page)

“Was that a threat?” the elf king asked sternly.

Traven wasn’t sure how to respond.  His stunt didn’t appear to have inspired the elf king with feelings of admiration.  The regal king appeared angrier than ever.  Traven hadn’t meant it to be a threat, but he had known it might be taken as such.  He definitely couldn’t say he had done it to inspire certain beneficial feelings in the onlookers.  He decided that the best course of action would be to ignore the question.

“The galdaks could turn on the elves at any time.  I am a master wielder trying to protect my people just as you protect yours.  It would benefit both our races if I stop the galdak wielder.”

Traven paused before continuing, hoping his comments would help to persuade the king.  However, the monarch appeared upset and unmoved by his words.

“Are you still determined to oppose my request for the armband?” Traven asked.

The elf king’s eyes narrowed.  He seemed perturbed that Traven hadn’t answered his question.  While the elf king’s gaze was decidedly hostile, a noticeable change had been wrought in his advisors.  Some were still staring with awe at Traven while several were glancing back and forth nervously between their king and the wielder.

“The power you manifested does not change what I said earlier,” the king stated firmly.  “You may be a wielder, but I cannot allow the armband of endurance to be worn by anyone other than an elven king.  I would feel like a traitor to my people, and that will not happen.”

Several of the elf king’s advisors shook their heads slightly as if they didn’t agree with his words.  It was obvious that the previous unanimous opposition to his request had changed.  Traven felt a spark of hope, but wasn’t sure what else he could do to take advantage of the changing sentiments.  Behind him, he heard Darian whisper something to his father.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Darielle nod with a thoughtful look on his face.  Darielle took a step forward and bowed slightly.

“Your Highness,” he began.  “You mentioned that only an elf king was worthy to wear the armband.  Would you be willing to extend the honor to someone who had survived the King’s Trial?”

The elf king opened his mouth to answer but stopped.  The anger in his eyes faded and was replaced by a thoughtful expression.  He turned and looked at his various advisors.  Some shrugged while others nodded their consent.  There was only one who shook his head no.  The elf king then returned his gaze to Traven.  He studied him for several moments before continuing.

“Given the current circumstances, I could agree to that,” the elf king stated.  Whispers began sweeping through the crowd of onlookers.  “I would never allow the armband to grace the arm of an unfit individual.  If the Wielder Traven completes the King’s Trial and survives, he will have proven his worthiness.  I will agree to lend him the armband of endurance for a period of one hundred days if he completes the trial.  I have spoken.”

The elf king then turned and strode back into the tunnel from which he had entered.  His advisors quickly fell into place behind him and disappeared down the tunnel as well.  Excited discussion began all over the amphitheater.  Traven let out a sigh of relief.  The king had actually agreed to lend him the armband of endurance.

Nonetheless, the relief was tempered by knowing he had to survive something called the King’s Trial.  The fact the elf king had changed his mind implied that the trial would not be easy.  He turned to Darian with a worried smile.

“Do not begin celebrating yet,” Darielle stated.  “I was as overwhelmed with your recent display of power as everyone else was, but your strength in the ambience will be of no help during the King’s Trial.”

In the stands above, some of the elves began streaming out of the amphitheater.  However, many of them remained where they were and continued staring down at Traven.  The intensity of their silent attention made him more uncomfortable than when he had been the object of their derision.  He was anxious to find out about the King’s Trial, but he wanted to go somewhere more private where they could talk about it freely.

“Can we go somewhere else and discuss it?” he asked as he looked around uncomfortably.

“Certainly,” Darielle stated as he followed Traven’s eyes to the elven crowd still staring down at him.  “Let us take the tunnel.”

Traven was surprised at Darielle’s suggestion.  He had thought the tunnel was for the king alone.  He didn’t think the elf king would be happy with them heading into the palace uninvited.  He hesitated as Darielle confidently strode away into the tunnel.

“Go ahead,” Darian said from behind him.  “The tunnel leads to one of the palace courtyards.  You have to remember that my father is the king’s brother.  The palace is a second home to him.  No one will question his authority in taking us there.”

He accepted Darian’s explanation and quickened his pace to catch up to Darielle.  The din of the crowd almost completely disappeared as he stepped into the tunnel.  He appreciated the silence and the closeness of the dirt walls after the noise and openness of the arena.  The tunnel was much shorter than it had appeared.  It took a quick turn to the left and opened up almost immediately into a small garden.

Traven followed Darielle past two elven warriors standing as guards on either side of the entrance.  Darian had been right.  The guards smiled in greeting to Darielle and remained at ease as Traven and his devotees walked past.  The garden was full of blossoming flowers of various shades of red and yellow.  The sweet smell of the flowers permeated the small garden that was surrounded by tall wooden walls covered in vines.  Darielle led them through the garden to several benches.  Traven sat down thankfully.  His recent display of power had left him weakened.

He looked around the small garden and located the somewhat hidden door that must have connected to one of the palace buildings.  Darielle sat down on the bench next to him while Darian and Giselle sat opposite them.  Traven noticed that Giselle’s face appeared flushed and that she was still breathing more rapidly than normal.

“What’s wrong?” he asked her.  “Are you okay?”

“I am fine, Master,” she answered as more color came to her cheeks.  “I am still recovering from your display of strength in the ambience.  I had no idea how powerful you were.”

She looked from him to Darian sheepishly and then down at the ground.  He was still curious to know why the beautiful elf had decided to swear devotion to him, but he knew that there would be plenty of time to discover that in the future.  She was a friend of Darian, and that was enough for him for now.

“Thank you for your help and suggestions,” Traven said to Darian and his father.  “I was afraid the elf king wouldn’t change his mind.  Now that he has set his terms, I’m eager to complete the trial and take possession of the armband.  How long will it take and how soon can I begin?”

A look passed between father and son.  Giselle looked up with an expression of worry on her face.  Traven’s stomach dropped as he realized how difficult the others viewed the trial to be.  Nevertheless, he hoped it wouldn’t take too long to begin the trial.  The Kalian Army could only hold on without his aid for so long.

“You can begin the trial whenever you are ready to,” Darian said, taking the lead, “but the King’s Trial is not something to be taken lightly.  I believe the king so readily agreed to lend you the armband if you succeed because he does not think you will survive the trial.  Few elves undertake the trial, and even fewer survive it.”

“My son speaks the truth,” Darielle added.  “I was surprised when he asked me to mention it to the king.  I, like my brother, do not think a human can survive the trial.  It is a rigorous test of skill, stamina, and intellect.  The only elves who undertake the trial are those who wish to be considered for the position of elf king.  That is why it is called the King’s Trial.  It is considered a sacred rite to prepare the elf for kinghood.  If the warrior survives the trial, he becomes eligible to be the next king of the elves.  Are you willing to sacrifice your life in an attempt to complete the trial?”

“Yes,” Traven replied uneasily.  “If it is the only chance I have to win the right to wear the armband of endurance, I have to do it.”

“I want you to understand just how difficult it is,” Darielle continued.  “In the last fifty years, only fourteen elves have been brave enough to attempt it.  Out of those fourteen, only two survived.  One now sits on the throne.  The other lost his mind in the trial and wandered off into the forest never to be heard of again.  Once you begin the trial, there is no turning back.”

He wondered why Darian had suggested the trial as an option if it was so dangerous.  If so many elven warriors had died during it, why did Darian think he would survive?  Traven wondered if his special abilities as a wielder and his command of the ambience would make it easier for him than it had been for the elven warriors.  In any case, the trial was now the only thing standing between him and the armband.

“I’m willing to face the risk and would like to begin the trial as soon as possible,” Traven replied.  “What exactly does the trial entail?”

“Darian will explain it,” Darielle said.  “He was planning on undergoing the trial after his service as a guardian and is very familiar with it.  If you are certain you wish to proceed, I will inform the elf king of your decision.  You can make the necessary preparations and begin the trial at midday.”

“Go ahead and inform the king,” Traven said resolutely.  “I will be ready.”

“Good luck in your preparation,” Darielle said as he stood up.  “I will meet with the king and be present when the trial begins.  If you feel that you are not sufficiently prepared or you come to your senses and decide not to undergo the trial, you will have the chance to turn back before it begins.”

Darielle bowed slightly and walked over to the half hidden door.  He opened it, stepped inside, and closed the door behind him.  Traven was glad to hear the trial could begin so soon and was anxious to learn the details of it from Darian.  He knew it wouldn’t be easy but hoped it could be accomplished quickly.  He took a deep breath and turned to Darian.

“Tell me what the trial entails.”

“My father was not exaggerating when he said how dangerous it was,” Darian began seriously.  “I mentioned the idea to him because I believed it would be the only way for you to gain the armband.  It is incredibly difficult to survive the trial, but it is by no means impossible.  I believe you can overcome its challenges.  Simply put, to complete the trial you must climb Mount Morian and return with a rare flower that grows in a cave near its summit.”

“That doesn’t sound too difficult,” Traven said more as a question than a statement.

“The rules of the trial are what cause it to be difficult,” Darian explained.  “The mountain must be scaled without the use of weapons, equipment, or help from others.  You also will not be allowed to use the ambience.”

Traven frowned.

“Those are the rules,” Darian continued.  “You are forbidden to take anything that you can use to aid you except for a cloak.”

“How will they know if I use the ambience?” Traven asked with a sly smile.

“You would know,” the elf responded.  “It is said that only the most honest of men can withstand the secrets of the cave.  If you return with your mind intact, it will be because you are just and true.”

Traven wrinkled his brow.  If he couldn’t use the ambience or take any supplies with him, it would be much more difficult than he had at first suspected.  Would he become another victim of the trial?  Maybe it wasn’t worth the risk of dying.  If he failed, he would be of no help to anyone.

“Do not worry,” Darian said, seeing the change come over his face.  “I believe you have the heart of a king.  If your visions tell you that you need the armband of endurance, they also foretell your success in completing the King’s Trial.”

Darian’s logic made sense.  The hope Traven had felt earlier returned.  He relaxed and focused on learning as much as he could about the trial from his devoted servant.

“The trial consists of three parts,” Darian explained.  “The first is a test of skill and leadership.  At the base of Mount Morian there is a clearing directly in front of the only accessible part of the mountain.  Ten elven warriors will be positioned there with the command to keep you from ever reaching the actual mountain.  They will only have practice swords but will all be very adept warriors.  You will be allowed a practice sword only to defend yourself as you try to pass through them and reach the mountain.

“This is the first test.  Only a skilled warrior can make it past the ten elves guarding the mountain.  It is rare for a candidate to reach the mountain without sustaining several injuries.  Thus, you will most likely begin the second part of the trial already at a disadvantage because of the injuries you will sustain while battling your way through the ten warriors.”

“Ten experienced warriors against one seems like extremely difficult odds,” Traven commented.

“You will not fight them alone,” the elf responded.  “I mentioned that the first trial tests not only skill but also leadership.  A candidate must find someone willing to face the first portion of the trial with him.  His companion will most certainly end up beaten and bruised.  It is to show that at least one other elf has faith that you can overcome the trial and is willing to sacrifice to follow you.  If the candidate cannot find someone to stand with him, he is not even worthy to begin the trial.”

“So it will be two against ten,” Traven mused.  “Still not favorable odds, but it does sound a little better.  Does it matter who I choose?”

“No,” Darian replied.  “It would be best to choose the most skilled warrior you can find who is willing to follow you.  That will give you the greatest chance of reaching the mountain with the fewest injuries possible.”

“It appears I’m fortunate to have you as a devoted servant,” Traven said with a smile.  “I’ve heard you’re one of the most skilled elven warriors around.  Will you be my fighting companion?”

“Of course,” Darian replied with a smile of his own.  “You know you did not even need to ask.  I was the one who suggested you face the trial.  The least I can do is help my master reach the mountain in one piece.  Besides, I will never be able to undertake the trial myself.  At least this way I can be a participant in someone else succeeding at it.”