The Key of Ban, Page 3
James Harshfield
Grandma Ingrid announced breakfast was ready. Coaldon had to force himself to leave his warm, comfortable bed. He slowly pulled on his leather pants and cotton shirt as he staggered to the kitchen. When he walked into the dining area, he felt a tension in the air. He paused to look around the kitchen. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He hurried to his place at the table and began to load his plate with tasty food. His grandparents joined him at the table.
Grandfather Brad said, “Coaldon, we have decided to take our produce to market. After breakfast please mend the fence in the North Pasture. Your grandmother and I will get ready for the trip to Grandy.”
He and his grandparents visited Grandy to get supplies and sell produce. Coaldon was excited about the trip. He wanted to escape from the farm routine. He was ready for something different.
He finished his breakfast, helped with the dishes and pulled on his boots. Sid knew something was happening. With excited barks, he ran in circles. Coaldon’s interest was on going to the village, not chasing stubborn cows. He walked into the meadow with Sid at his side. Coaldon sent Sid to his right to help push the fat cows back into the pasture. The cattle were happy with the plentiful grass in their new paradise. They did not want to cooperate. With tails in the air they rushed past Sid and Coaldon. In frustration, the young man waded back through the tall grass to head the cattle back toward the field.
When the cattle were finally turned, he once again tried to drive them toward the pasture. Coaldon learned from his grandfather to work cattle in a slow and easy manner. It was best not to push cattle too hard because of the added stress placed on them. This strategy did not work today because the cattle were not interested in leaving the bounty of grass. He laughed at himself for allowing the cattle to run the farm. At this point Coaldon decided to release the ultimate weapon, Sid the Marvelous Cow Mover. He gave the command to Sid with the motion of his hand.
Sid rushed toward the cattle with deep growls and snapping teeth. The cows knew their game was over. It was either go back into the pasture or feel the bite of Sid’s sharp teeth. The cattle rushed back through the hole in the fence with the look of defiance. Coaldon followed the belligerent cows into the pasture and rewarded Sid with a pat on the head.
After mending the fence he returned to the barn to complete his morning chores. By midmorning he had packed his travel bag and the gemstones he would sell to merchants in Grandy. He had been collecting the gemstones for months from the local stream beds. These would give him spending money while in the village.
With the skill of a seasoned veteran, he hitched the two horses to the wagon. The family departed the farm late morning for the two-day journey to the Village. The wagon was loaded with Grandma Ingrid’s hand made articles, sacks of grain and vegetable products. The two horses had to work extra hard to pull this heavy load.
The journey to town required traveling over rough roads along the banks of the Rolling River. Coaldon and his grandparents walked by the wagon in order to reduce its weight. A constant stream of conversation helped the trip go faster. They mostly talked about the unique characteristic of the surrounding area and wild life. Coaldon was especially interested in the different animals they observed. He pointed out a fox hunting in a thicket and a rabbit hiding in a log. At the end of the first day, they camped in a small meadow next to the river. Coaldon always enjoyed camping in open spaces and sitting in front of a campfire. At night he would lie on his back watching the stars. The starlight filled him with a pleasant sense of meaning and purpose. The stars made him feel close to unknown people, places and events.
After a long day on the road, Coaldon quickly fell into a comfortable sleep. This peaceful slumber was interrupted when an unsettling permeation touched his spirit. The night seemed like all other nights, yet a mysterious haze clouded his mind. As Coaldon drifted into an unnatural dream, he struggled to escape from the grip of the unwelcome trespasser. Dark shadows flowed out of a murky fog, filling his being with panic. Coaldon choked in horror as he experienced the violence of war. He saw many warriors fall in death before the hand of an unseen foe. Fear gripped him with oppressive dominance. He gagged in disgust at the foul smell of evil. His arms and legs desperately thrashed to escape from the hand of corruption.
The dream suddenly changed from the chaos of war into the picture of a tranquil forest meadow. A whisper flowed across the soft grass of the meadow surrounding Coaldon with a hint of words. This delicate murmur formed into a voice. The enticing words invited him to make a choice. It became a choice between following the quiet life of a farmer or facing the dangers of a noble quest. His youthful nature was attracted to the images of a grand adventure.
Coaldon was jolted back to reality when he felt the touch of his grandfather’s hand. As he awoke, he felt sweat running down his face and his fists clenched. He looked around to see if any of his vision had come true. With relief, the face of his grandfather appeared before him, outlined by the rays of the early morning sun.
His grandfather said, “I heard you yelling and thrashing in your sleep. Is everything alright?”
Coaldon tried to talk, but he had difficulty in forming his thoughts into words. The ugly images of war and violence kept emerging in his mind. Coaldon was finally able to push aside the unpleasant images. He shared the account with his grandparents with the same intensity as he had experienced it. Telling the story reawakened the emotions of fear and anxiety. As he finished his story a strange thing happened, his grandparents looked at each other with sad expressions on their faces. Tears appeared in his grandmother’s eyes. His grandfather lowered his head in despair. Coaldon could not figure out why a bad dream would cause his grandparents to respond with such strong emotions.
Coaldon questioned, “Why are you so upset? I only had a bad dream.” Grandpa Brad reacted, “We found your dream very powerful. Everything is just fine. I guess we had better get on the road.”
Coaldon accepted this answer with obvious skepticism. He thought to himself, “I wonder if this has something to do with my birthday? I guess I will need to wait and see.”
The travelers were greeted by a bright, sunny day. A breeze blew out of the west as the wagon lumbered down the road. As they drew closer to the town, the number of farms increased. Whiffs of smoke rose from the chimneys of small cottages surrounded by farmland. Each farm had a barn that was used to store hay and grain. These supplies would feed the livestock during the winter. The multicolored laundry waving in the breeze was a sure sign of civilization. Men, women and children were busy loading wagons with hay, grain and vegetables. Coaldon laughed when he noticed three children sneaking off to play on the banks of the river. Grandpa Brad stopped to talk with several farmers to gather local news. They learned the harvest was good in spite of a late spring. Also, the community was preparing for the annual Feast of Thanksgiving that would be held in several weeks.
The Village of Grandy, with a population of about 250 people, was located on the banks of Rolling River. A ferryboat crossed Rolling River on the north end of the town. The streets were narrow paths that joined the village into a web of commerce. The stores were made of unpainted rough cut lumber. Several large windows on either side of the door advertised the stores commodities. Large wooden shingles covered the roof of each building. Boardwalks connected the stores on each side of the streets to allow passage during the muddy seasons. According to the complaints of the local residents, the streets were either too dusty or too muddy. Large oak trees spread their branches over the majority of the village. The trees provided shade in the summer and wood for winter heat.
Coaldon and his grandparents arrived in the Village during late afternoon. The wagon was left in front of the Log Inn and the horses were led to the local blacksmith shop for a well-deserved rest. Grandpa Brad tied a tarp over the top of the wagonload to protect the produce from the cold night temperatures. Mr. Baggy, the innkeeper, greeted the travelers with enthusiasm. He placed them in rooms on the second floor with a good view of the river. The rooms w
ere furnished with several chairs, a table and a large wood framed bed.
After Coaldon had settled into his room, he went for a walk around the town. He sold the gemstones and bought two shirts, candy and work boots. He found the village to be the same each time he visited. The same people walked down the same street, lived in the same houses, shopped in the same stores and lived the same lifestyle. Change was not an acceptable part of village life. Whenever Coaldon arrived, he was always uncomfortable at being around so many people. Even though the village was small, it seemed large to Coaldon. His extreme isolation on the farm did not prepare him to live in a community atmosphere. Walking through the village helped him to adjust to people and the social environment. By dinner time, he was ready to face the crowds.
Dinner was served on a long table in the dining area. The robust atmosphere of the Inn added a measure of excitement to the dining experience. Businessmen from all over the Empire visited Grandy. The local farmers and craftsmen were famous for producing fine wines and quality leather products.
The dinner came with an extra helping of meat, greens, baked sweet roots, bread and gravy. Coaldon liked his grandmother’s cooking, but he enjoyed the wide variety of new flavors. After dinner Coaldon and his grandparents joined the local citizens in front of the large fireplace. The villagers talked about farming, kids, local events and the coming winter.
Mr. Baggy shared recent news about the Empire, “Emperor Wastelow sent out a decree to all loyal citizens to be on the lookout for rebels.” With the flair of authority he stated, “Royal soldiers will be dispatched to all parts of the Empire to search for enemies. Crossmore the Wizard has learned that rebels are trying to overthrow the Empire. The decree states that these enemies must be destroyed.”
Coaldon had a growing feeling that people were watching him.
Mr. Baggy continued, “Soldiers will arrive in several days to protect the village.”
Coaldon and his grandparents retired early because the next day would be busy. The boy lay awake for several hours thinking about his future. He knew he could not stay on the farm all his life. The farm was a good place to live, but he wanted something else. He drifted to sleep thinking about the birthday party his grandparents were planning for him. Coaldon was awakened in the middle of the night by Sid growling at the door. He turned over in bed with no sense of urgency. He always felt safe while staying at the Inn.
A sudden sense of panic drew his attention to Sid’s behavior. Slowly he rolled out of bed and moved toward the door. He heard a throbbing sound in the hallway. A grip of fear clutched his body causing him to stand in confused silence. Coaldon decided it was necessary to do something. With uncertainty he turned to the table, grabbed his knife and approached the door with vigilance. With a swift motion, he jerked the door open and stood in the ready position to defend against any hostile action. To his surprise, a black mist was outlined by the light from oil lanterns in the hallway. Coaldon’s heart raced as he watched the mist drift toward him. He felt it trying to reach into his mind. Coaldon backed into the room with his knife ready to attack. Yet, what was he to attack?
An intense feeling of fear gripped Coaldon when the black mist touched him. Coaldon then experienced the vision of a hand reaching for him. On its palm he saw the symbol of a circle with a cross in the center. When the hand grabbed him, a flash of panic rolled through his body. He realized the reaching-hand caused him to feel terror. In stubborn defiance, he was determined to not allow fear to control his life. He raised his knife and brought it down slicing into the black mist. At that moment an agonizing scream penetrated every fiber of the Inn. The black mist exploded into a blood red shower of wavering sparks. The sparks glowed briefly before floating to the floor as fine dust. Coaldon’s knife glowed with a red tint. Shouts rang through the halls of the Inn. People rushed out of their rooms with looks of panic on their faces. Coaldon quickly shut the door. He hoped no one saw him. People ran up and down the hallway looking for the source of the disturbance. After a long time, Mr. Baggy suggested that everybody go back to bed. He told them he would investigate in the morning.
Alone in the room, Coaldon collapsed to the floor. His mind saw the reachinghand clenched in anger. The power of fear and anger tore at the core of his mind. Without thinking Coaldon raised his knife in a gesture of defiance. The vision slowly faded into a black void.
As he opened his eyes, he heard a knock at the door. Sid’s head was lying on his chest. As Coaldon pushed himself to his feet, he dropped the knife onto the floor. His knife hand burned with throbbing pain. Sid watched Coaldon with the look of curiosity. Again, Coaldon heard a soft knocking at the door, which cleared his thoughts. He opened the door to find his grandparents. They saw in Coaldon’s face a look of distress and anguish. Upon entering the room they noticed the knife lying on the floor. His grandfather picked up the knife with a cloth, placing it in his pocket. His grandmother carefully examined Coaldon’s hand. She left the room and returned with a small bottle of ointment. As she rubbed the salve onto Coaldon’s hand, the pain began to ease.
Coaldon told his grandparents about the black mist, the reaching hand and the feel of fear. His grandfather listened with troubled thoughts. He finally said, “The time has finally arrived. Your recent dream plus this attack is not just a coincidence. We have been very lucky over all the years. I believe this is the beginning of the Age of Change. They know you will be 18 years old in several days and will be looking for you with increased intensity. Please do not ask us any questions because the truth can only be revealed to you at the appointed time.”
The gentle voice of Ingrid injected, “Now, go to sleep; you will not be bothered again tonight. Tomorrow we will return to Lost Valley after we sell the produce. Do not say anything about what happened. We must hurry home. We have a birthday to celebrate. Good night, may the One Presence bless you.”
Coaldon did not sleep for the rest of the night. The throb in his hand was accompanied by the burning memory of the black mist. He was still disoriented when the village roosters awoke the community to a new day. His mind kept reviewing the events of the night in vivid detail. On the way to breakfast, his grandfather reminded him to act as if nothing had happened. Following this recommendation, Coaldon ate his breakfast with a relaxed air of indifference, yet inside his body he was anything but casual. Mr. Baggy hurried around the tables with a look of frustration. The guests had been accusing him of not offering safe lodging. He repeated over and over, “Somebody must have had a nightmare.”
After breakfast Ingrid and Brad began to sell the produce stored in the wagon. They had the reputation of selling good products at a reasonable price. They were happy when everything sold by noon. As Brad prepared the wagon and team to depart, Grandma Ingrid purchased the winter supply of dry goods.
During the morning Coaldon had free time, so he located Raff and Paggy at the dry goods store. They decided to meet at the old boathouse on the river. Raff and Paggy were especially quiet during the visit. Paggy finally said, “Several weeks ago representatives of the Emperor visited the village. These strangers asked many questions about any half elves living in the area. We were so embarrassed when the villagers told the strangers about you and your grandparents.”
Coaldon said, “Why would anybody be interested in my grandparents or me? We have nothing to hide.”
Raff responded, “In the future, if we can help you, please let us know.” Coaldon was pleased to learn about the loyalty of his friends. Yet, he had no idea how his friends could help him. They departed with hugs and the promise to meet again in the spring.
The trip back to Lost Valley was somber and restrained. Coaldon’s grandparents were not willing to answer any of his questions concerning the events in Grandy. He had a growing sense of irritability over the shroud of secrecy covering his life.
The family arrived at Lost Valley on Coaldon’s birthday. He reflected, “Today does not seem like my birthday.” The boy’s mind was in a downcast mood as the family a
rrived at the wilderness farm.
After unloading the supplies, Coaldon decided to go for a walk. He could not understand what was happening to him. As he entered the forest, he was surprised to find a wood elf waiting for him. It was unusual for elves to be this close to the cabin. This elf had an air of authority and mission.
He stated, “My name is Moonglow. Your time has come. You are now ready to take the rope. You are to tie the rope around your waist and allow it to lead you into your destiny. Please follow me.”
Coaldon started to argue but decided to play along with the request. After a short walk the elf led the way into a cave hidden in the face of a cliff. The cave was lit by a large, beautiful fire. The fire burned with the glow of many colors and shapes. A strange and magical music pulsed in the cave with an ever-changing rhythm. With beauty and grace the wood elves slowly danced around the fire. Coaldon could see that the elves’ eyes gazed far beyond the cave into distant realms. The dance and music created a mystifying sense of contentment and peace. Coaldon sat next to Moonglow as the wood elves continued to dance to an ancient rhythm. The cadence and movement of their bodies seemed to flow out of harmony with life.
He looked around the cave but could not find the source of the music.
Later in the afternoon each elf approached Coaldon with dignity and placed his right hand on Coaldon’s left knee. In solemn voice each person declared, “I offer to you my loyalty as a citizen of the Empire.” Coaldon viewed this event with a touch of humor. He could not image why they were offering loyalty to him. He was a simple farmer.
Coaldon watched these events through a fog of drowsiness. The elves’ voices began to echo softly as if coming from a great distance. The songs of ancient lore faded into silence as his eyes drooped into a peaceful sleep.
He was awakened by Sid licking his face. He was lying next to the river in a sunny rock shelter. He laughed at himself for having such an odd dream. He speculated that he must have been more tired than he realized. As he walked back to the cabin, he felt his strength and attitude renewed. It was best to forget about all the unusual events of the past few days. It was time to celebrate his 18th birthday.
~ ~
The Visitors
Grandfather Brad said, “Coaldon, we have decided to take our produce to market. After breakfast please mend the fence in the North Pasture. Your grandmother and I will get ready for the trip to Grandy.”
He and his grandparents visited Grandy to get supplies and sell produce. Coaldon was excited about the trip. He wanted to escape from the farm routine. He was ready for something different.
He finished his breakfast, helped with the dishes and pulled on his boots. Sid knew something was happening. With excited barks, he ran in circles. Coaldon’s interest was on going to the village, not chasing stubborn cows. He walked into the meadow with Sid at his side. Coaldon sent Sid to his right to help push the fat cows back into the pasture. The cattle were happy with the plentiful grass in their new paradise. They did not want to cooperate. With tails in the air they rushed past Sid and Coaldon. In frustration, the young man waded back through the tall grass to head the cattle back toward the field.
When the cattle were finally turned, he once again tried to drive them toward the pasture. Coaldon learned from his grandfather to work cattle in a slow and easy manner. It was best not to push cattle too hard because of the added stress placed on them. This strategy did not work today because the cattle were not interested in leaving the bounty of grass. He laughed at himself for allowing the cattle to run the farm. At this point Coaldon decided to release the ultimate weapon, Sid the Marvelous Cow Mover. He gave the command to Sid with the motion of his hand.
Sid rushed toward the cattle with deep growls and snapping teeth. The cows knew their game was over. It was either go back into the pasture or feel the bite of Sid’s sharp teeth. The cattle rushed back through the hole in the fence with the look of defiance. Coaldon followed the belligerent cows into the pasture and rewarded Sid with a pat on the head.
After mending the fence he returned to the barn to complete his morning chores. By midmorning he had packed his travel bag and the gemstones he would sell to merchants in Grandy. He had been collecting the gemstones for months from the local stream beds. These would give him spending money while in the village.
With the skill of a seasoned veteran, he hitched the two horses to the wagon. The family departed the farm late morning for the two-day journey to the Village. The wagon was loaded with Grandma Ingrid’s hand made articles, sacks of grain and vegetable products. The two horses had to work extra hard to pull this heavy load.
The journey to town required traveling over rough roads along the banks of the Rolling River. Coaldon and his grandparents walked by the wagon in order to reduce its weight. A constant stream of conversation helped the trip go faster. They mostly talked about the unique characteristic of the surrounding area and wild life. Coaldon was especially interested in the different animals they observed. He pointed out a fox hunting in a thicket and a rabbit hiding in a log. At the end of the first day, they camped in a small meadow next to the river. Coaldon always enjoyed camping in open spaces and sitting in front of a campfire. At night he would lie on his back watching the stars. The starlight filled him with a pleasant sense of meaning and purpose. The stars made him feel close to unknown people, places and events.
After a long day on the road, Coaldon quickly fell into a comfortable sleep. This peaceful slumber was interrupted when an unsettling permeation touched his spirit. The night seemed like all other nights, yet a mysterious haze clouded his mind. As Coaldon drifted into an unnatural dream, he struggled to escape from the grip of the unwelcome trespasser. Dark shadows flowed out of a murky fog, filling his being with panic. Coaldon choked in horror as he experienced the violence of war. He saw many warriors fall in death before the hand of an unseen foe. Fear gripped him with oppressive dominance. He gagged in disgust at the foul smell of evil. His arms and legs desperately thrashed to escape from the hand of corruption.
The dream suddenly changed from the chaos of war into the picture of a tranquil forest meadow. A whisper flowed across the soft grass of the meadow surrounding Coaldon with a hint of words. This delicate murmur formed into a voice. The enticing words invited him to make a choice. It became a choice between following the quiet life of a farmer or facing the dangers of a noble quest. His youthful nature was attracted to the images of a grand adventure.
Coaldon was jolted back to reality when he felt the touch of his grandfather’s hand. As he awoke, he felt sweat running down his face and his fists clenched. He looked around to see if any of his vision had come true. With relief, the face of his grandfather appeared before him, outlined by the rays of the early morning sun.
His grandfather said, “I heard you yelling and thrashing in your sleep. Is everything alright?”
Coaldon tried to talk, but he had difficulty in forming his thoughts into words. The ugly images of war and violence kept emerging in his mind. Coaldon was finally able to push aside the unpleasant images. He shared the account with his grandparents with the same intensity as he had experienced it. Telling the story reawakened the emotions of fear and anxiety. As he finished his story a strange thing happened, his grandparents looked at each other with sad expressions on their faces. Tears appeared in his grandmother’s eyes. His grandfather lowered his head in despair. Coaldon could not figure out why a bad dream would cause his grandparents to respond with such strong emotions.
Coaldon questioned, “Why are you so upset? I only had a bad dream.” Grandpa Brad reacted, “We found your dream very powerful. Everything is just fine. I guess we had better get on the road.”
Coaldon accepted this answer with obvious skepticism. He thought to himself, “I wonder if this has something to do with my birthday? I guess I will need to wait and see.”
The travelers were greeted by a bright, sunny day. A breeze blew out of the west as the wagon lumbered down the road. As they drew closer to the town, the number of farms increased. Whiffs of smoke rose from the chimneys of small cottages surrounded by farmland. Each farm had a barn that was used to store hay and grain. These supplies would feed the livestock during the winter. The multicolored laundry waving in the breeze was a sure sign of civilization. Men, women and children were busy loading wagons with hay, grain and vegetables. Coaldon laughed when he noticed three children sneaking off to play on the banks of the river. Grandpa Brad stopped to talk with several farmers to gather local news. They learned the harvest was good in spite of a late spring. Also, the community was preparing for the annual Feast of Thanksgiving that would be held in several weeks.
The Village of Grandy, with a population of about 250 people, was located on the banks of Rolling River. A ferryboat crossed Rolling River on the north end of the town. The streets were narrow paths that joined the village into a web of commerce. The stores were made of unpainted rough cut lumber. Several large windows on either side of the door advertised the stores commodities. Large wooden shingles covered the roof of each building. Boardwalks connected the stores on each side of the streets to allow passage during the muddy seasons. According to the complaints of the local residents, the streets were either too dusty or too muddy. Large oak trees spread their branches over the majority of the village. The trees provided shade in the summer and wood for winter heat.
Coaldon and his grandparents arrived in the Village during late afternoon. The wagon was left in front of the Log Inn and the horses were led to the local blacksmith shop for a well-deserved rest. Grandpa Brad tied a tarp over the top of the wagonload to protect the produce from the cold night temperatures. Mr. Baggy, the innkeeper, greeted the travelers with enthusiasm. He placed them in rooms on the second floor with a good view of the river. The rooms w
ere furnished with several chairs, a table and a large wood framed bed.
After Coaldon had settled into his room, he went for a walk around the town. He sold the gemstones and bought two shirts, candy and work boots. He found the village to be the same each time he visited. The same people walked down the same street, lived in the same houses, shopped in the same stores and lived the same lifestyle. Change was not an acceptable part of village life. Whenever Coaldon arrived, he was always uncomfortable at being around so many people. Even though the village was small, it seemed large to Coaldon. His extreme isolation on the farm did not prepare him to live in a community atmosphere. Walking through the village helped him to adjust to people and the social environment. By dinner time, he was ready to face the crowds.
Dinner was served on a long table in the dining area. The robust atmosphere of the Inn added a measure of excitement to the dining experience. Businessmen from all over the Empire visited Grandy. The local farmers and craftsmen were famous for producing fine wines and quality leather products.
The dinner came with an extra helping of meat, greens, baked sweet roots, bread and gravy. Coaldon liked his grandmother’s cooking, but he enjoyed the wide variety of new flavors. After dinner Coaldon and his grandparents joined the local citizens in front of the large fireplace. The villagers talked about farming, kids, local events and the coming winter.
Mr. Baggy shared recent news about the Empire, “Emperor Wastelow sent out a decree to all loyal citizens to be on the lookout for rebels.” With the flair of authority he stated, “Royal soldiers will be dispatched to all parts of the Empire to search for enemies. Crossmore the Wizard has learned that rebels are trying to overthrow the Empire. The decree states that these enemies must be destroyed.”
Coaldon had a growing feeling that people were watching him.
Mr. Baggy continued, “Soldiers will arrive in several days to protect the village.”
Coaldon and his grandparents retired early because the next day would be busy. The boy lay awake for several hours thinking about his future. He knew he could not stay on the farm all his life. The farm was a good place to live, but he wanted something else. He drifted to sleep thinking about the birthday party his grandparents were planning for him. Coaldon was awakened in the middle of the night by Sid growling at the door. He turned over in bed with no sense of urgency. He always felt safe while staying at the Inn.
A sudden sense of panic drew his attention to Sid’s behavior. Slowly he rolled out of bed and moved toward the door. He heard a throbbing sound in the hallway. A grip of fear clutched his body causing him to stand in confused silence. Coaldon decided it was necessary to do something. With uncertainty he turned to the table, grabbed his knife and approached the door with vigilance. With a swift motion, he jerked the door open and stood in the ready position to defend against any hostile action. To his surprise, a black mist was outlined by the light from oil lanterns in the hallway. Coaldon’s heart raced as he watched the mist drift toward him. He felt it trying to reach into his mind. Coaldon backed into the room with his knife ready to attack. Yet, what was he to attack?
An intense feeling of fear gripped Coaldon when the black mist touched him. Coaldon then experienced the vision of a hand reaching for him. On its palm he saw the symbol of a circle with a cross in the center. When the hand grabbed him, a flash of panic rolled through his body. He realized the reaching-hand caused him to feel terror. In stubborn defiance, he was determined to not allow fear to control his life. He raised his knife and brought it down slicing into the black mist. At that moment an agonizing scream penetrated every fiber of the Inn. The black mist exploded into a blood red shower of wavering sparks. The sparks glowed briefly before floating to the floor as fine dust. Coaldon’s knife glowed with a red tint. Shouts rang through the halls of the Inn. People rushed out of their rooms with looks of panic on their faces. Coaldon quickly shut the door. He hoped no one saw him. People ran up and down the hallway looking for the source of the disturbance. After a long time, Mr. Baggy suggested that everybody go back to bed. He told them he would investigate in the morning.
Alone in the room, Coaldon collapsed to the floor. His mind saw the reachinghand clenched in anger. The power of fear and anger tore at the core of his mind. Without thinking Coaldon raised his knife in a gesture of defiance. The vision slowly faded into a black void.
As he opened his eyes, he heard a knock at the door. Sid’s head was lying on his chest. As Coaldon pushed himself to his feet, he dropped the knife onto the floor. His knife hand burned with throbbing pain. Sid watched Coaldon with the look of curiosity. Again, Coaldon heard a soft knocking at the door, which cleared his thoughts. He opened the door to find his grandparents. They saw in Coaldon’s face a look of distress and anguish. Upon entering the room they noticed the knife lying on the floor. His grandfather picked up the knife with a cloth, placing it in his pocket. His grandmother carefully examined Coaldon’s hand. She left the room and returned with a small bottle of ointment. As she rubbed the salve onto Coaldon’s hand, the pain began to ease.
Coaldon told his grandparents about the black mist, the reaching hand and the feel of fear. His grandfather listened with troubled thoughts. He finally said, “The time has finally arrived. Your recent dream plus this attack is not just a coincidence. We have been very lucky over all the years. I believe this is the beginning of the Age of Change. They know you will be 18 years old in several days and will be looking for you with increased intensity. Please do not ask us any questions because the truth can only be revealed to you at the appointed time.”
The gentle voice of Ingrid injected, “Now, go to sleep; you will not be bothered again tonight. Tomorrow we will return to Lost Valley after we sell the produce. Do not say anything about what happened. We must hurry home. We have a birthday to celebrate. Good night, may the One Presence bless you.”
Coaldon did not sleep for the rest of the night. The throb in his hand was accompanied by the burning memory of the black mist. He was still disoriented when the village roosters awoke the community to a new day. His mind kept reviewing the events of the night in vivid detail. On the way to breakfast, his grandfather reminded him to act as if nothing had happened. Following this recommendation, Coaldon ate his breakfast with a relaxed air of indifference, yet inside his body he was anything but casual. Mr. Baggy hurried around the tables with a look of frustration. The guests had been accusing him of not offering safe lodging. He repeated over and over, “Somebody must have had a nightmare.”
After breakfast Ingrid and Brad began to sell the produce stored in the wagon. They had the reputation of selling good products at a reasonable price. They were happy when everything sold by noon. As Brad prepared the wagon and team to depart, Grandma Ingrid purchased the winter supply of dry goods.
During the morning Coaldon had free time, so he located Raff and Paggy at the dry goods store. They decided to meet at the old boathouse on the river. Raff and Paggy were especially quiet during the visit. Paggy finally said, “Several weeks ago representatives of the Emperor visited the village. These strangers asked many questions about any half elves living in the area. We were so embarrassed when the villagers told the strangers about you and your grandparents.”
Coaldon said, “Why would anybody be interested in my grandparents or me? We have nothing to hide.”
Raff responded, “In the future, if we can help you, please let us know.” Coaldon was pleased to learn about the loyalty of his friends. Yet, he had no idea how his friends could help him. They departed with hugs and the promise to meet again in the spring.
The trip back to Lost Valley was somber and restrained. Coaldon’s grandparents were not willing to answer any of his questions concerning the events in Grandy. He had a growing sense of irritability over the shroud of secrecy covering his life.
The family arrived at Lost Valley on Coaldon’s birthday. He reflected, “Today does not seem like my birthday.” The boy’s mind was in a downcast mood as the family a
rrived at the wilderness farm.
After unloading the supplies, Coaldon decided to go for a walk. He could not understand what was happening to him. As he entered the forest, he was surprised to find a wood elf waiting for him. It was unusual for elves to be this close to the cabin. This elf had an air of authority and mission.
He stated, “My name is Moonglow. Your time has come. You are now ready to take the rope. You are to tie the rope around your waist and allow it to lead you into your destiny. Please follow me.”
Coaldon started to argue but decided to play along with the request. After a short walk the elf led the way into a cave hidden in the face of a cliff. The cave was lit by a large, beautiful fire. The fire burned with the glow of many colors and shapes. A strange and magical music pulsed in the cave with an ever-changing rhythm. With beauty and grace the wood elves slowly danced around the fire. Coaldon could see that the elves’ eyes gazed far beyond the cave into distant realms. The dance and music created a mystifying sense of contentment and peace. Coaldon sat next to Moonglow as the wood elves continued to dance to an ancient rhythm. The cadence and movement of their bodies seemed to flow out of harmony with life.
He looked around the cave but could not find the source of the music.
Later in the afternoon each elf approached Coaldon with dignity and placed his right hand on Coaldon’s left knee. In solemn voice each person declared, “I offer to you my loyalty as a citizen of the Empire.” Coaldon viewed this event with a touch of humor. He could not image why they were offering loyalty to him. He was a simple farmer.
Coaldon watched these events through a fog of drowsiness. The elves’ voices began to echo softly as if coming from a great distance. The songs of ancient lore faded into silence as his eyes drooped into a peaceful sleep.
He was awakened by Sid licking his face. He was lying next to the river in a sunny rock shelter. He laughed at himself for having such an odd dream. He speculated that he must have been more tired than he realized. As he walked back to the cabin, he felt his strength and attitude renewed. It was best to forget about all the unusual events of the past few days. It was time to celebrate his 18th birthday.
~ ~
The Visitors
