Chapter 17

Unlike the dwarfs, our dinner with the elves was a somber and austere event. There was very little talking, and the several courses of the meal were served with military precision. The meal was finished with a formal toast, given by Emor, welcoming us to Elfhome.

As the dinner party broke up, Emor asked, “Donta, would you and your party please stay? Elanta has provided entertainment for the evening.”

“Of course,” I replied.

Torg was more interested in sleep than tales of ancient elves, and decided to return to our sleeping room. I, along with Gait, Saraid, Dan’ar, and the others, retired to a smaller building, several levels higher in the tree-town. When we arrived, there was a small group of elves there, mostly talking with one another. After all of us were seated on the cushions scattered around the room, several bards and storytellers plied their trade—telling many tales and singing ballads of elfin history. While entertaining, I found nothing enlightening that would be of use on our journey.

As the night wore down, and it seemed that the evening’s entertainment was coming to a halt, Elanta stood.

He gave a small bow towards where I was sitting, and then said, “I have asked Jarraid to tell of an old tale, one that is believed to come from a time shortly after the elves were banished from their mountain home.”

He then turned towards where Jarraid was sitting and nodded his head.

Jarraid stood, and then strode towards the end of the room. He settled himself onto a cushion and then spoke.

“My uncle has asked that I tell of an ancient time in our history. The words I will speak are from the last known Ancient of the mountain hold. His name was Drivian, and he was a great sage who still retained much of the knowledge that is now lost to us.”

Jarraid then bowed his head, and when he raised it, his expression was one of total concentration. In a melodious voice, he softly spoke:

Drivian’s Lament

In the days of Mountain Home
Idyllic times were of the norm.
The Gods were fair, and far from cruel
But still the Elves did curse their rule.

Their wrath was great, these Gods of old.
They sent the ice, the snow, the cold.
No food to eat, no warmth to win
But harshest was, no home within.

Driven from their mountain home
As cursed, they far and wide did roam.
Yet survive they did. But, what the cost!
Their magic ways and lore were lost.

Within the Crystal Grotto lay
Great books that tell of ancient ways.
Great tales they tell of quests so bold
In those archaic tomes so very old.

In forest old and mountains high
The path is led by the thrush’s cry.
Gilded aspens, in a grove will lead
Through the feet of forest read.

Many braved the mountains’ teeth,
The lock of evil’s snare to breach,
The few there are that have returned
Have said this quest will ne’er be earned.

When comes a stranger from the East
Who journeys forth with man and beast.
Together will come foes of old
One band they forge, one goal they hold.

In forest old and mountain high
To Ancient Gods thou must draw nigh.
Though bitter storms, one must fly
Their guiding gift is true they cry.

The gilded aspens in a grove
Disguise the path to reach the trove.
Hunter’s Moon at first full sight
Points the way through forest’s night.

Boldly walk these magic paths,
To never stop, to never pause.
Then mountainside will journey’s block,
The Lark’s first cry will pry the rock.

Be the skills the band will hold
Required to find the keys of old
Great tales be told of quest so bold
To find ancient knowledge of Evil old.

Look not for jewels, or golden twines
Search not for wealth of common kinds.
For wealth untold lies in the fey,
And Ancient knowledge holds the key.

As Jarraid finished, Elanta looked at me with a questioning stare. I nodded my head in understanding. There were many similarities between Jarraid’s ode and the writings in my book. I now knew why Elanta was so taken aback with what my book had foretold.

It was late in the evening, and after Jarraid’s ode, the few elves that had accompanied us rose and started to leave. It was as if some unspoken signal had been sent that the party was over.

As I stood, Elanta motioned for me to come near. When I was next to him, he asked, “Please stay after the others have left. Emor and I would like to speak with you about your journey.”

I nodded my head, and then informed Gait that I’d be meeting with Emor for a while and would meet him back in our sleeping room. He nodded his head and escorted Saraid from the room. Dan’ar followed behind, giving me a quizzical look as he exited the door.

After all had left, except myself, Elanta, Emor, and strangely enough Jarraid, we settled onto comfortable cushions, and Elanta spoke.

“Donta, as you can tell from the ode that Jarraid presented, there are many similarities between what is present in it and what is said in your book.

I thought for a moment before I answered. I had so many questions; I was having difficulty deciding where to start. Finally, I put my mind in reasonable order, and then said, “There appear to be several things going on here that have me puzzled. First, as you say, Elanta, the two texts are too similar for it to be a coincidence. Also, as I understand it, ‘Eliste’ is the name of a God. It is mentioned in the first text, and the second text quite clearly states that the ‘Gods’ were the ones who drove the elves from the mountains. This would lead me to believe that all of us are a part of a much larger scheme.”

After I finished speaking, the others looked at each other. As they pondered my words, I was contemplating telling them of my meeting with Alma. I had an uneasy feeling that this would not be a good idea, and decided to keep that discussion to myself.

Jarraid was the first to speak. In a somewhat spiteful voice, he said, “Why would the Gods send a human and others to find the elfin homeland?”

Elanta rebuked him when he said, “Jarraid, you assume to know what the Gods want? You presume too much—be silent, unless you have something of value to say!”

I could see that Elanta’s words had surprised Jarraid; he said nothing, but his face clearly displayed that he was not happy with Elanta’s statement.