Chapter I
Shim'on landed a punch on Syphon's jaw, and he fell to the ground. Syphon chuckled, and looked at his friend Feldor.
"Well that'll wake you up." Syphon said with a chuckle and spit a little blood.
Meanwhile Effen nervously held a bag of silver Sovereigns in his hand as he looked on. Bren and Feldor stood next to him, also holding bags of money.
Shim'on cracked his knuckles and smiled.
"They aren't gonna help you Syphon, you better focus on me."
Syphon rubbed his mouth and grinned.
"You can't beat me and my boys, Shim'on, you may as well hand it over and avoid a beating." Syphon said cockily.
Shim'on punched him again in the mouth, a piece of his tooth flying out with the blood. Syphon raged to his feet charging toward Shim'on, but he landed a couple punches to Syphon's gut and he fell to the ground again.
"Give it up, Syphon, just stay down." Shim'on growled and taunted the onlookers who bet on Syphon. Syphon looked again at Feldor, who seemed rather impatient. Without breaking eye contact with Feldor he said,
"Seriously, I think I could take two..." Feldor nodded disapprovingly. "One?" Feldor rolled his eyes and nodded yes. "One, one more punch." Syphon said and jumped to his feet. Syphon danced around Shim'on so that he was between himself and Feldor. Syphon dodged a punch and caught Shim'on in the ear with an elbow followed by a fist to the kidney.
"C'mon Shim'on, I need the money, you don't, give it up." Syphon whispered in his ear. Just the Shim'on caught Syphon in the jaw with an uppercut. Syphon staggered back and waved hand to Feldor as he fell. Without a moment's hesitation Feldor jumped on Shim'on's back, crushing him to the ground face first. Feldor immediately sent fist after fist into the back of Shim'on's head, bouncing his head off the ground.
"You know, I did say me and my boys. Did you think I was gonna fight fair?" Syphon said while kneeling next to him.
"I yield, I yield!"Shim'on wailed between bounces, and Feldor hopped off.
"Well if we're going to use more than just me, I suppose it's only fair to give the other betters a chance. Any other takers?" The other two boys were silent and looked nervously at the four of them.
"No, then pay up! fifteen Sovereigns a piece." Syphon growled. They threw their money down on the dusty road and ran off, after helping Shim'on to his feet.
"Now that was fun." Feldor said, cracking his knuckles, Bren shook his head and sighed.
"When are you going to learn to hustle guys you can hustle Syphon?" Bren said while inspecting his cuts and bruises.
"I do, and usually I would choose a different route, fighting was the only thing Shim'on felt sure he could beat me at." Syphon retorted.
"He was right, if you and Feldor hadn't cheated, he would've kicked your ass."
"Well, there's nothing that says we couldn't all fight. We never specified it was just me and him, and I practically told him we're all gonna kick your asses. He still turned his back to Feldor, that's just stupidity."
Syphon, a human, was a young boy of only 13, who had been on his own in the streets for half his life. He was already a seasoned hustler, and escape artist. He had a lean body, tanned skin, and very short black hair, but without a doubt his most distinguishing feature were his black eyes that made it impossible to see where his pupils were. Years of smoking had already made his voice rough, while only 13 he had already smoked for 7 years. He was a homeless orphan, but despite that he was known to party, and his infectious energy was always the life of the party. He was confident, perhaps a bit cocky, and although he wore ragged rough clothing, he never let his appearance affect who he was.
Feldor was a young dwarf prince from a nearby dwarf kingdom, who visited the city frequently. He was short of course, and fat, with a short fiery red beard and long red hair. His hazel eyes sparkled with intelligence and humor, and he had a very charismatic personality, usually. Normally he wore more regal clothing, but whenever he visited the city, like now, he wore more casual clothing. Presently he wore a short sleeved black shirt and flannel vest, along with black overalls and big boots. Also black fingerless gloves with little metal studs. He carried himself with an heir of authority, accustomed to being obeyed.
Bren, also human, was a friendly young boy known among his friends for his kindness and empathy. He was always the first to lend a hand, the first to laugh, and the first to offer a solution to most problems. He was shorter than Syphon by a few inches and a bit on the chubby side. He had short strawberry blond hair, green eyes, and freckles all over his rather round face. He always dressed in bright colors, usually yellow, red, or green. Today, a bright yellow short sleeved shirt and red overalls.
Effen was a wood elf, tall for his age, and taller than the rest at 5'6. He had long blond hair and sky blue eyes. He was slender and pale skinned and was rather graceful in look and movement. His long ears were pierced with the elven star which has 6 points. His clothes were of one piece, and were forest green and black with the same star and vines with leaves interwoven throughout. On his chest the elven star was embroidered large, a symbol of his elfish heritage which he was quite proud of. Although he had a graceful appearance, he was quite mischievous and a bit of a sadist.
"Forty-five Sovereigns, how shall we spend it." Syphon said greedily, shaking the bags next to his ears. Effen, knowing Syphon's intentions, retorted with a laugh.
"As if we didn't know you were using your cut to take Ember out?"
Syphon couldn't help but grin sheepishly at that, but he had another idea.
"Well, yes but I was thinking we could all go out. Meet us at the Golan Inn." He replied with a snicker.
Syphon pulled out a single coin and bit it, checking to be sure it was real. The front of the coin featured the King, Kelpon’s face wearing a high stately crown with eyes that seemed to follow the viewer. A laurel wreath was beneath him with the words Henosis dia Taxeos, meaning Unity through Order. On the flip side was an aerial view of the capital city Legionor, which was circular in shape with a stone wall surrounding it having four gates and a castle in the center.
They all agreed and Syphon set out to fetch Ember. As he began to walk off, a young prince rode up on a tall white horse. He had a small golden crown on his head above silvery golden hair. His eyes were a deep purple and he wore a red and white robe. He had very fair porcelain white skin. He was an amot which are fairer than elves but not as long lived.
"What's this I hear about three boys being cheated out of forty-five Sovereigns?" The prince asked.
"Your majesty we cheated them not; I bet them each fifteen Sovereigns that they couldn't beat me and my boys. Is it my fault that only one fought and the rest fled like cowards?" Syphon replied with a bow.
The prince looked back at the boys who hung their heads in shame, their reaction said all he needed to know. He dismissed them and they left empty handed.
"Thank you sire; most authorities take one look at me and side with the other guys." Syphon said bowing again.
"Enough with the sire and your majesty crap; I may be a royal but I don't really like the titles. My name is Doon, you may call me that." Doon replied smiling.
"Well I beg your pardon, Doon, but we'll be going now with your leave. We're rather busy." Syphon replied and Doon waved them on. Syphon began to walk away, but Effen had other ideas.
"So, a royal who doesn't like titles eh? Do you actually have fun?" Effen asked, a mischievous grin on his face. Syphon glanced worriedly at Effen and the prince looked suspiciously at the boys.
"Fun, meaning what?" Doon asked after a moment's thought.
"Have you ever played a drinking game with an elf and a dwarf?" Effen replied, with a crooked smile. Syphon was obviously anxious about the whole situation.
"No, but I can hold my own." Doon replied, obviously not really sure he could.
"Care to prove it laddy, the first thing I nursed on was a bottle, not me mothers teet." Feldor chimed in.
"I would, but no place will serve me ale. My father has forbidden it." Doon explained.
"And what if I could make you look like an elf? With the proper clothes and some fake ears, you'd pass for an elf." Effen replied, with an excited look like he was reeling in a big fish.
"If you can do that, count me in. Sounds better than what I'm supposed to do anyway." Doon replied with a grin.
"Wait here, I'll be back.” Effen replied and began walking off, Syphon quickly joining him, obviously very uncomfortable.
"What are you doing, he's a royal?" Syphon whispered in his ear.
"Exactly, a royal who has lots of money on him and no respect for any of it. We're gonna get smashed without spending a dime. Be chummy with him, and he'll buy us drinks." Effen laughed.
"Granted, but I don't like authorities, bad luck with them, and he's a royal not just a guard." Syphon replied feeling even more uneasy.
"Relax and go get Ember, we'll meet you at the Golan Inn." Effen replied reassuringly.
"Fine, but mark my words something will come of this. And it might be you in a dungeon." Syphon replied and walked off to see Ember.
Syphon walked nervously, running different things to say through his head. He had plenty of time, it was about a twenty minute walk.
Legionor was a big city, roughly twenty miles from wall to wall at any given point. It was circular in shape with a fifteen foot stone wall encircling it with four gates, one to each direction of the world. At the exact mathematical center stood the twin pillars of the local life, the castle where the royals live, and a large open air colosseum. The castle was a sprawling fortress of high spires and deep keeps. The colosseum was a tiered arena of white stone where the citizens gathered for athletics, festivals, and public executions. A wide slow moving river known as the Hange snakes it’s way through the grid, cutting it in two halves. Four main bridges and a few smaller ones crossed this river at intervals, constructed of stone some with wooden arches and wide enough for three carts to cross at once. The streets were paved entirely of large set black stones, they were smooth and tightly fitted and rang with the sound of hooves and iron-shod wheels. Flanking these roads were elegant, multi storied white stone buildings and warm dark wood timber homes. The most striking feature was the integration of nature, massive old oaks, sycamore, and pine trees dotted the landscape. They were close enough together that they created a canopy that created a dappled green light across the expanse. It had stone and wood buildings and dirt roads. The Hange river ran through it and outside the walls stood the Mira forest, the largest woods in the world.
As Syphon arrived at Ember's home, it seemed all his thoughts deserted him. He knocked on the door and nervously put his hands behind his back and began walking back and forth. Ember's father Levillian opened the door and glared down at Syphon.
Levillian was tall, nearly seven feet tall, with long sandy colored hair, tan skin, and honey colored eyes. He had a long thick beard that reached his sternum, and wore a white cloak. He was an elemental elf, the most powerful of the elves. He was gruff when it came to protecting his daughter, but he was generally an agreeable and charming person.
"What do you want, Syphon?" Levillian asked with a growl.
Syphon choked on his words and twiddled his thumbs behind his back.
"I... umm... I wanted to see if your daughter would like to come to the Golan Inn with my friends and I." Syphon replied nervously.
"What friends? What will you be doing?" Levillian growled.
"Effen, Bren, and Feldor. We will be playing some games and having a few cold beers." Syphon replied sheepishly.
"It better be just a few, if she comes home drunk or pays one rat cent, I'll make landfill out of you." Levillian said with a suspicious glare.
"I promise, she won't be drunk, and you can make sure she has no money to spend. I made forty-five Sovereigns today." Syphon said.
"I wonder. Does that cut lip have anything to do with your sudden wealth?"
"Possibly sir. Um... may I have your permission?"
"Yes Syphon, I'm just giving you shit." Levillian said suddenly, smiling and laughing. "Any guy willing to get beat up for money to spend on my daughter is okay with me. Besides, I know you're safe, unlike some boys around here."
Syphon smiled as Levillian welcomed him in and called Ember into the room.
She walked in and as always Syphon's breath was taken away. She had jaw length blond hair with bright blue eyes that had streaks of honey gold. Her smile could light up any room and her body was perfect in all aspects. She wore an outfit similar to Effen's. Her voice rang out like a sweet melody, almost as if an enchantment of love clung to every word.
"Hey Syphon, long time no see. So you want to play darts and pool with me eh." She said with a giggle. Syphon nearly melted and stood speechless for a moment.
"I... um... yeah I."
"Shut your mouth boy, before a bird poops in it." Levillian grumbled. Syphon clapped his mouth shut and started to blush.
"Daddy, don't embarrass him." Ember said sternly.
"He's embarrassing himself." Levillian argued.
Syphon offered his arm to Ember and she gently placed her hand on Syphon's elbow and they walked side by side in silence. Syphon looked up at the sky, visibly trembling from nerves. The shadows cast by the Elm and Sycamore trees were starting to grow long as they drew near to the Golan Inn. Ember noticing his nervousness let out a soft cheerful giggle.
"You don't have to be so nervous, I like you too." Ember said and kissed him on the cheek. Syphon stopped trembling and smiled.
"Thank you Sunshine, I needed that." He said still in a slightly trembling voice.
"Sunshine? Can I call you Honeybear then?" She said with a giggle.
"I don't mind. It's just that your smile reminds me of sunshine, your smile lights up my day." He replied with a slight chuckle.
"That's so sweet of you."
"I'm just being honest, Sunshine." Syphon blushed even more as he said it.
"I know, that's what makes it so sweet. It's not just a line."
Syphon stopped in front of the Golan Inn, took Ember's hand and looked into her eyes.
"Ember, I think I love you. I know it's a bit early to be saying that, but I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"Syphon, we've only known each other for six months. But I think I'm falling for you too." Ember said smiling.
Suddenly Effen was right in the middle of the two of them.
"Alright, alright, break it up you two, get a room or something. Syphon, I told you it was a good idea, Doon's got us a fair amount of ale, and we haven't spent a cent yet. You coming to play beer pong?" Effen said slyly.
"That's mean man, does he know what he's getting into? Does he know how hard it is to get an elf or a dwarf drunk?" Syphon replied laughing.
"Don't worry, we got it set up so he can play without getting up. And he just ordered the good stuff." Effen grinned mischievously.
"Oh man, that's supposed to make me not worry? He'll be tanked before he knows it if he just sits there."
"Exactly, and he'll spend more money."
"I'm out on this one man, my hands look better without chains around them. You're going to get yourself into a lot of trouble this time. I think Ember and I will stick to ourselves this evening."
They walked inside the Golan Inn which was lit by lanterns. The wooden walls of the Golan Inn were enchanted so that the wood seemed to dance in the golden light. It was beautiful to the sober eye, and absolutely mesmerizing to the intoxicated eye. The main room was filled with a cloud of blue gray smoke and many regulars and a band was playing on a small stage. Two bartenders were busy mixing drinks and taking money, hardly having time to stop and breathe.
"Do you want to play pool while we have a couple cold ones? Then we can go out to the woods, I know a good spot to watch the sunset." Syphon said, turning to Ember and handing her an ale.
"Sure that sounds fun Honeybear." Ember replied smiling.
Syphon paid for the game and began to rack up the balls, and Ember chalked up a pool cue and eyed him while she waited.
"The trick to this game is knowing the geometry of the table." Syphon said, trying to sound smart.
"Really, you don't say?" Ember replied giggling as she broke and sank three balls.
"Something tells me I'm happy I didn't bet on this game." Syphon laughed as he watched her line up another shot.
"My dad and I have played pool ever since I can remember." Ember said, sinking another ball and lining up another.
"Well, at least I don't mind losing to you."
"How good are you at darts?" Ember asked as she sunk another ball.
"Darts is my specialty, nobody beats me at darts. I can throw a hat trick like snapping my fingers." He replied as he watched her sink two more balls.
"Really, I'll have to see that after I win. That corner." She said as she sunk the eight ball.
"That's not how you're supposed to hustle Sunshine, you're supposed to pretend to suck until money is on the table." Syphon said downing his ale and putting up his cue that he never used.
"I'm not trying to hustle you dork." Ember said giggling.
"Alright, new game. You're in trouble now, nobody beats me at darts." Syphon said, grabbing the steel tipped darts.
Ember just made a barely audible sigh, rolled her eyes slightly and shrugged her shoulders. Syphon threw the darts knife style one by one, each hit the double bullseye.
"Told you darts was my specialty, beat that."He said with an heir of confidence. Ember merely stuck out her bottom lip and nodded.
"Not bad, for a human." Ember replied, grabbing her darts and faced Syphon with her arms around her shoulders with the dart board directly behind her. She looked deeply into his eyes and smiled. "Silly human, you can't beat an elf." Without looking away from his eyes she tossed all three darts over her shoulder at once. All three hit the triple twenty.
"This isn't really fair is it?" Syphon said, gasping at the dart board.
"No, I'm an elf, Honeybear, you're a human, it's no contest. But that was very impressive for a human." Ember said smiling.
"Well you're still my Sunshine, you ready to go to the woods?" Syphon asked as Ember drained her glass.
"Sure, and you can show me this great spot of yours." She took his hand and they headed toward the door. They had just left in time to see Bren dancing on the table while Doon ran for the bathroom looking like he was about to throw up. Effen wasn't far behind him.
"It looks like they're having a special moment in there." Ember giggled as they stepped out. They walked toward the Southern gate which was about a block away. Flying high beside the gate was the flag of Legionor. It had a base color of imperial white with crimson red around the border, the emblems were embroidered with golden thread. There was a geometric circle broken by four distinct points of blue gray in the golden ring. These points were the directions of a compass and represented the four gates. In the center of the ring was a golden crown sitting atop a small bed of waving silver with forty-seven tiny stars. These stars represented the forty-seven Kings who had reigned.
They stepped out into the Mira forest. It was a dense and hilly forest with towering trees that stretched up into the sky. The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping birds, rustling bushes, and the occasional snort of a wild animal. Butterflies and other various insects were all around and a few deer scattered as they walked out. Suddenly a large boar came charging toward them, but the boar had a little passenger. A small hobgoblin named Gordan.
Gordan was about two feet tall with green scaly skin, webbed hands and feet, and golden catlike eyes that glimmered in the sunlight. He resigned in the boar and stopped just in front of them.
"Gordan, what are you doing? Adding more critters to your collection?" Syphon asked amused.
"Aye, I love critters, I prefer them to people honestly." Gordan's voice was very raspy and longed breathed, as if he were gasping for air.
"How do you manage to tame all these beasts?" Syphon chuckled.
"The trick to taming any beast, no matter the size, is knowing their favorite food, and where to scratch." He replied with a deep somewhat disturbing laugh.
"Haha, well we're heading up the hill to watch the sunset, so I'll catch you later." Syphon said.
"Oh, romantic, did you bring any food?" Gordan winked at him
"I have a few sweet rolls in my pack and there's raspberries up there."
"Well pay the toll, one sweet roll and I'll leave you alone."
"I figured, that's why I have three." Syphon said, tossing him a sweet roll.
"Smart man, didn't want a third wheel, planned ahead." Gordan replied and rode off.
"You know him huh?" Ember said as they walked up the hill.
"Yeah, although last time I saw him he was riding a giant spider, and before that a Griffen." Syphon replied.
"Wow, he does tame a lot of critters."
"Yeah he has a new critter every time I see him." Syphon stopped and picked up a blue and red wild flower that looked something like a paint brush. Its pedals were soft and velvety and it emitted a sweet fragrance that wafted through the air. He stuck it behind Ember's ear and kissed her cheek.
"Do you like poetry, Sunshine?"
"Of course Honeybear, are you going to recite me something?"
"When we get to the top of the hill. We should reach it right before sunset I think."
"Are you waiting for the most romantic spot, or trying to come up with a poem?"
"Maybe you'll never know."
"You're not that crafty, it's definitely both." She laughed and kissed his cheek.
They walked in comfortable silence for another few minutes until they reached the summit of the hill.
"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful." Ember said as they sat down.
They were at the top of a fifty foot cliff overlooking the Silver lake. The view was breath taking, the Hange river fell in a waterfall about fifteen feet to their right. The Silver lake stretched out before them, glistening in the orange and pink hues of the setting sun. Pink, gold, and orange streaks danced across the sky, and just a few stars were visible over the Ara sea which was on the edge of their view to their left. Syphon leaned in behind her, wrapping his arms around her, resting his head on hers. Then he began whispering in her ear.
"It's a flower you can't see with your eyes, smell with your nose, taste with your tongue, or feel with your hands. But here's a flower from me to you. Prettier than a beautiful sunny sky of blue. Has a fairer fragrance than the sweetest scent known to man. It tastes better than chocolate that melts in your mouth and not your hand. It's soft and smooth and has not a thorn. Contains all the colors of the rainbow, and yet so easily borne. Think of your favorite color, or the most beautiful thing you ever saw. Neither rivals the beauty of this flower. It's you."
Ember turned to him with a new look in her eyes and kissed him deeply.
"I'm not much of a wordsmith, but I have a gift for you too. She put her hands over his eyes and whispered something in the elfish tongue then she kissed his forehead.
"For a short time you'll have elf sight. Now look."
Syphon gasped, Now he could see the sunset and a billion stars all at once. The lake appeared as though the light bounced off in dancing crystals, and every drop of water from the waterfall was like a little light crystal flying through the air. Several animals that had been hidden from him before suddenly leaped into view, like colors in their shape among the dark trees. He could also hear the waves of the distant sea and the beat of butterfly wings. He turned to look at Ember and she shimmered with a reddish gold light, and every detail of her was amazingly brilliant.
"Wow, is this how you see all the time?"
"Yes, not all elves, only elemental elves see the world this way."
"What's the light you glow with?"
"We can see emotions and moods as color on the person or animal."
"So there's no hiding what I feel around you?"
"No, it's pretty hard to fool me."
"No fair, so you've always known how I feel about you. But I don't know what the colors mean."
"Well you look reddish gold if that helps." Syphon melted and kissed her again.
"Could this evening get any better?"
"No, cause my dad will have a fit if I'm out much longer. We'll have to head back soon."
"Yeah, we should head back, I love you."
"I love you too."
They walked back hand in hand and Syphon dropped her off at home before heading to his home. His "home" wasn't really a home at all, it was merely a sleeping bag and a pillow under a stone arch in the graveyard.
This graveyard was known as the whispering grove, it wasn’t a place of bleak, sterile mourning, but a lush, sprawling botanical sanctuary. It was situated in the quiet southwestern corner with an arc marking the entrance. It felt less like a graveyard and more like an ancient forest that has gently reclaimed the memories of the dead. Here the paths were winding and organic not paved but well tended to. Towering weeping willows, massive white oaks and silver-leaf maples formed a dense upper canopy. Patches of wildflowers, bluebells, white lilies, creeping ivy, and ferns blanketed the floor. His home was an elegant, open-air pavilion built of white stone arches not far from a running creek. A perfectly circular, still pond was at the center of this, fed by a small offshoot of the creek. The water in the pool was so dark and calm that it acted as a perfect mirror for him, set blocks surrounded the pool providing a place of quiet meditation. The grove was nearly three miles in total, though not all the graves were above ground. Sprawling underground catacombs had most of the gravesites, only around seventy five thousand of the three hundred and fifty thousand graves had headstones above ground.
As he made his way through the dark underbrush a light fog rolled in, obscuring the already hard to see landscape. Though he made his way rather quickly, much like you would through your home in the dark. He stubbed his toes a couple times, apologizing to the people whose headstones he’d unintentionally disturbed, and then he was home sweet home. He lit a quick campfire and his pipe and glanced over at two headstones.
"Hi mom, hi dad, I got a girlfriend today. She gave me elf sight, wish you could've seen it. Effen befriended a prince, I hope he's not in a dungeon. God has been good to me just like you said."
He puffed on his pipe and gazed into the fire until the effects of the pipe weed made him drowsy. Then he snuffed it out, put out his small fire and curled into his sleeping bag.
"Well goodnight guys, sleep well."
