Chapter 5 Two Pampered Princesses

After absorbing the decision, the four rulers etch their names into the clay peace treaty. Both rulers received a copy of the treaty with the stamp of Gilda in the form of a hawk surrounded by willow twigs. Alaric flies to the Atlantis Mountains to give a copy of the decision to the great god Alano. The great god appears proud of Gilda. Alaric is amazed this palace. He receives a tour after dining at the god’s lonely table. Murals, statues, tapestries, carvings into doorways, and the stone floor appear to be built by ingenious hands. Unexpectedly, Alaric views a portrait of himself upon a bed chamber wall. He wore armor, held a gold sword, and seemed to be fighting a god. Alano predicted when he was dipped in the Pool of Immortality that he would fight beasts, gods, and humans in his future. Alano stresses upon the eager warrior about his impending fame as a hero. The time for his greatness will come to pass when he is ready. To be a great warrior, worthy of everlasting tales, he needs to develop an inner strength first and suffer great peril to show his outer strength. Upon a statue of a beautiful goddess resting in a sitting room is a lovely pearl necklace. Between the pearls are gold charms etched with deer figures. Alano explains it is one of his wives’ necklace and hands it to Alaric. At first he refuses the gift, it is precious to Alano to have it laid on a statue of his wife. He defends that he has many of her necklaces and can place another on the statue. Stunned, Alaric wraps it around the hilt of his sword. Alano also spoke of how Daxus became a god.
“My wife was made a goddess when I married her. Daxus was raised by me, but only as an immortal. A god or goddess is either created by a holy one or is married to a holy one to gain their powers and assignment in the world.” began Alano.
“But Daxus was neither created nor married by a holy one,” interrupted Alaric.
“That is correct. None of my children would allow their daughters to marry Daxus. His mother was made a goddess by marrying me and died to become his aura, making him a god.” finished Alano.
“Aura? But I thought holy ones never die.” Alaric asked.
“Oh, holy ones can die when they are no longer worshipped by mortal creatures. Like elves go to the afterlife or remain on Eartha as ghosts, holy ones transform into auras. It is like an invisible cloud surrounding someone that give them holy powers equal to a god who was created. That is how the immortal Daxus became a god with equal powers of my children. You can imagine how that upset them.” explained Alano.
“Yes, Andos makes his distain well known.” responds Alaric.
“My son Andos is quite troubled that a fight with his wife produced in the end another god. Andos likes to be in control and disagreed with Daxus being given the position to oversee agriculture and power to help creatures survive the famines Andos likes to send.” added Alano.
Alaric then asks if he were making a mistake by marrying Nix. She is expected to marry a great warrior in her own village, not an elf apprentice without any riches. Alano hears Alaric’s pleas for approval on his choice of bride, but offers no solution to this young elf’s insecurities. He only declares that the solution is for Alaric to decide. If a marriage is a mistake, it is both Nix’s and Alaric’s to make. He tells Alaric that a giant will enter his life soon and he will go on a spiritual quest that will show his secrets to Nix. The only prize he will receive is a solution to his insecurities. Disappointed, Alaric returns to Aurora Falls. Soon, Nix enters her adult rite of passage in Brightsburg. Alaric comes to claim Nix as his betrothed during the human ceremony. Nix dressed in white leather with much fringe along the edges. Her ceremonial dress is covered with beads to symbolize the rainbow goddess’s fertility and matrimonial blessing. The High Priest of Brightsburg holds a blessing spray of horsetail hairs. Holding the handle of the horsetail spray, he dips the hair in a mixture of milk and blood to splash the young women’s hair and dresses. He presents each maiden with a green jade figurine with large hips and bosom. He claims the maidens have shed blood so they are no longer girls. Mother’s milk will be shed as they bring children into the world. All the parents stand behind the maidens in support. Alaric claims his betrothal to Nix. Honey, to symbolize life in dark times of winter, is anointed on the new women’s foreheads. The new women sing as they hold hands in a circle of how bright their future will be. Alaric is hit with the dreadful fear of losing Nix as he watches her sing with a bright smile.
Covered in grime, Nix washes in her bed chamber up in the attic as she converses with Alaric downstairs next to the fireplace. Nix confesses that the dress was made by her grandmother for her mother. She is the tenth girl to wear it for the adult ceremony. Nix’s cousin shall wear it next year. Changed into a linen gown and wool undergarments, Nix attends her celebration of her rite of passage with Alaric. A great feast filled the marketplace with many dolls and fertility goddess statues decorate houses of the proud parents. Joyful music fills the air. The next morning Nix moves out of her home into the hut of Laeos and Marianna. As a woman, she must leave her parents’ house. Nix helps out the pregnant Marianna as she becomes less able to tend the gardens around their house. During the harvest celebration, a giant comes to trade flower cuttings with the humans of Brightsburg. He comes driving a wagon pulled by large hairy beasts called Nichy by the giant. Alarmed, the humans gather to defend the town from the approaching giant. The giant man looks confused at this strange behavior toward a visitor. He halts the animals and tries to greet the humans. His beasts are attacked and he is stabbed by human’s knives. Alaric runs to the giant injured on his wagon to stop the men. One man claims all giants are evil and deserve death for invading human communities. Alaric draws his sword and guards the injured man. The humans back down and retreat to Brightsburg.
Satisfied, Alaric dresses the stab wounds and welcomes him to his campfire heating potions. All the humans give him angry sneers as they pass by. The giant introduces himself as Master Ricky and asks Alaric for an explanation for the unprovoked attack. He heard tales of small humans taking a liking to giant flowers. He shows Alaric his flower cuttings sitting in jars. Alaric had the displeasure to inform this trader that several giant humans have come and burned houses in Brightsburg. Villagers have been taken prisoner and were never seen again. This was a human lifetime ago, but the tales continue to be told. Master Ricky explains he never heard of such tales, and accepts Alaric’s apology on behalf of Brightsburg. Alaric feeds the hungry giant and they sleep under the stars. The following morning, Alaric helps Master Ricky sell his cuttings in the marketplace. He also confides to Alaric that he brought the cuttings to sell because he heard a tale about a magical cup in the Olin Mountains that gives a person a chance to return to life: the tale of the Cup of Hades.
It is told that in the days of Queen Aurora, the griffin king Hades gave a magical cup to the volcano goddess Maya before he led battles against the mermaids and later was killed by the mermaid queen. The treasure of Hades was locked after his death by Maya to keep the mermaids from capturing the slain king’s belongings. She built Mount Caracol around the locked caverns holding his treasures, including the magical cup. The Cup of Hades gives the person who drinks from it a new life in another form after they die. Once the infamous heroine Daphne of Etonville found the fabled Mount Caracol in Dragon’s Pass of the Olin Mountains. She spoke of the cup inside a mirror guarded by stone figures of men in the doorway to the cavern. A riddle is written along the frame of the mirror. The language is griffin and a sprite named Herman told her that the riddle says only a brave and wise creature is allowed to take the cup from the mirror. It must be returned or the drinker who takes the treasured cup passed the bewitched doorway is turned into stone. Daphne spoke of the stone warriors coming to life and grabbing seekers of the Cup of Hades. One told her to beware that she drinks from the river with the cup and not any of the food and wine she will find. The Treasure of Hades is cursed. The heroine Daphne had many children and lived to an old age before dying. No one is sure what form she came back in. Overhearing the tale, Nix requests that all three of them go find the Cup of Hades to find out if any of the tales are true. Alaric insists on speaking to Iris before such a quest. Perhaps, she will protect the seekers of curses they know not of.
Master Ricky and Nix come to Leesville to await Iris. She comes to Alaric in a dream and leaves a map to Mount Caracol sewn into an amulet. Her only warning is to avoid the realm of Eridu, the borders are enchanted and Eridu does not like visitors. She also reveals a secret to the magical cup. Faerie dust will release the cup from the mirror if the warrior is unwise or cowardly. Faerie dust is made when they molt their wings and the tiny feathers shed look like dust. Nix is convinced that Alaric is both wise and brave so he alone may be able to retrieve the magical cup. The next day, Alaric calls his pet unicorn by whistle. The animal carries tools and extra clothing for the adventurers. They set off at dawn towards Etonville. Mount Caracol is located in Dragon’s Pass and it is best to enter from the south this time of year. Cliff Dwellers on the north side of the valley are busy with their sacred rain dances and kill outsiders viewing them because they believe it will bring bad luck to their crops. In Etonville, the giant Master Ricky obtains a sword from an ogre that is sharp enough to kill any dragons he may find. They follow a tributary to the Aurora River through the mountains. At a fork in the Aurora River, Alaric thought he heard singing in the trees. He figured they must be close to the enchanted border of Eridu’s Asgard realm. He steers his companions away from the melody. Days later, he spots a desert along the horizon. As Nix and Master Ricky sleep, Alaric examines the map from Iris. He wonders if they went by Dragon’s Pass. Iris appears to tell him to continue northwest to reach Mount Caracol. From Dragon’s Pass many can see the Desert of Kadacia. The goddess turns herself into a mink to guide them further up the river. At daybreak, the human, elf, and giant awaken to a loud screech echoing throughout the mountains.
Later in the day, Nix spots a large dragon attacking a giant snake. They all dash into the bushes. They now are sure they have reached Dragon’s Pass. Alaric hiding from the dragon discovers another young elf also under the same bush. He flinches and the elf places his finger to his lips. The dragon flies up to a mountain peak to feast on the snake. The young elves find their companions and hide in a slope made by roots of a tree. The mountain elves welcome the adventurers to a meal. The surprise encounter seemed to soften these rogues into showing hospitality. The elf that Alaric discovered appeared to be the leader of these ragamuffins following the adventurers from the shadows. The leader is called Flint by his followers. Flint bragged about robbing travelers or guided those willing to pay them as guides through Dragon’s Pass. They manage to hide from the dragons flying above the treetops, in addition to human villagers from Medea who hold animosity toward idle thieves. Medea to the south of Dragon’s Pass is full of mud and thatch homes set in a circle to better protect from invasion. Hunting parties from Medea often find these outcasts ready to jump on anything moving. Often the hunters give up searching for thieves after a good kill. Upon sensing a threat to rob them, Alaric offered Flint their food provisions in exchange for guidance to Mount Caracol. This interested Flint and he agrees to show them the way. Soon the sun set and the companions sleep under the tree roots. Awake, Flint offers Alaric’s unicorn turnips and the animal jerks away as it seizes the turnips with its teeth. Alaric informs Flint that if he thinks he will gain the unicorn as a mount, the unicorn will leave him. He explains finding the unicorn foal years ago, trapped in a thorn bush when it was orphaned by a spotted panther. The unicorn roams free near his home and will never accept another owner. Scowling, Flint backs away from the animal.
The outcast leader questions why this elf showed no fear of known thieves. Alaric smirks, turns himself into a panther, climbs up to a tree branch, growls, and returns into an elf. Alaric announces that if Flint believed that he is trusted by the seekers, he is mistaken. The stunned lad spoke no more the rest of the evening. The rogue leader guides the seekers up a mountain to the northeast. The pet mink of Alaric squeals and wobbles northwest. The seekers start following the mink. Not accepting this rejection of guidance he gave, Flint threatens retaliation from his followers. Alaric announces that they have all their provisions, thus, they will gain nothing if they retaliate. Flint points his knife at the seekers and demands that they follow him. Nix, Master Ricky, and Alaric quickly drew their swords ready for battle. Iris the mink then runs up to Flint and bites his ankle. Flint slashed at the mink and then suddenly froze in fear. He fell over backwards and Nix saw a frightful expression on his face.
“Come Kiko, we are wasting time playing with ragamuffin thieves.” speaks the mink. Alaric’s unicorn prances ahead of the adventurers.
“Did your mink just talk, Master Alaric?” asks a bewildered giant.
“She did, Master Ricky.” replies the elf.
Nix figured out Alaric cast a spell on him when he was not looking. Master Ricky was still confused by all these strange occurrences, but did not ask anymore questions. Iris guides them northwest to Mount Caracol. They dodge the flying dragons three more times before reaching a hidden cave behind a tree. Iris explains the tree was a griffin who vowed to guard Hades’s treasure. Maya changed him into a tree so the griffin could continue his vow. Kiko the unicorn is left beside the tree to await their return to the surface. Slipping under the branches, the seekers walk into a pitch black cavern. Water echoes dripping on the stones. Master Ricky thinks one branch came to life and tried to grab him. Alaric makes his crystal glow and Master Ricky begins to understand his new friend is a wizard. The cool air invigorating them, they follow through the gloomy cave to find the hall of stone warriors. Nix jumps when a warrior shifts his eyes in their direction. Master Ricky dreams someone said to beware of taking treasures out of Maya’s cave because everything is cursed in this cavern. The adventurers follow Iris to an archway. A cloud of evil hanging over the beautifully lit chamber, torches align the walls and candles in front of brass mirrors make the room quite homey. A large table was set for a meal with gold plates and utensils beside gold goblets full of wine. Master Ricky picks a grape from a gold bowl and Iris bites his hand. Alaric warns Master Ricky of taking anything from the cave, including eating. Master Ricky puts back the grape. A grand mirror that reflects no light is set between two candles and two storage cabinets. A golden rug lies underneath the mirror on the stony floor. Master Ricky grabs at the mirror with no prize obtained. Nix tries next to retrieve the stone cup sitting in the center of the mirror. Alaric tries his luck with the fairy dust given by Iris, and pulls out the light stone cup belonging to the griffin king Hades. The cavern shakes in a small fury, but nothing falls over. The adventurers stare at each without saying a word. Hearing a river running in the distance, Alaric takes his companions to the underground river. He climbs down the high rocks to touch the cold water. He dips the cup into the stream and gives it to Nix. She drinks the cold water and gives the cup to Master Ricky. He drinks the rest and hands the cup back to Alaric. Puzzled at Alaric’s actions, Nix questions why he was not drinking from the immortality giving cup.
“I never told you I am immortal. So is Alexis. That is why I did not ask him to come with us. I am sorry for deceiving you. I was afraid how you would react to my immortality.” admits Alaric.
“Oh Alaric. I love you so much, I would not let death stop me from visiting you from the afterlife.” responds Nix.
“Neither would I. I have never known a great wizard before.” replies Ricky.
Flattered by Nix’s and Ricky’s sentiments, he crawls back up the rocks to the glimmering cavern. He sets the Cup of Hades back into place. The companions rest by the river. Alaric thought he was dreaming a pair of glowing eyes up on the high rocks gazing down at him. Realizing he is awake, he brightened his crystal to find a young male sprite observing the companions before diving behind the stones. This must be sprite Herman the heroine Daphne spoke of. A tremor shook the floor as if a nearby volcano exploded. He shot up the rocks to find the creature. He heard soft breathing from behind the boulders. Alaric pulled out some cherries and let them slide down the stones towards the sprite. He ate one that stayed behind. The sprite hissed and giggled. Alaric heard the smacking of lips eating the cherries. The sprite whispers from behind a jagged boulder that he would be turned into stone for stealing from the Treasure of Hades. Alaric claimed the cherries came from the forest before they entered the cave. Saddened, the sprite scowls to reveal that the lady of the cave knows he took the missing Cup of Hades. Alaric claims he put it back where he found it. Iris said not to take anything out of the cave.
“But you cheated getting the Cup of Hades. You used faerie dust to get it and now it is gone. The lady of the cave will punish you, yes she will.” announces the delighted sprite from the darkness.
“I have two other companions who could have taken it after we fell asleep,” proudly states Alaric.
“Then where are they? You were sleeping alone.” questions the sprite revealing his reflective eyes.
Alaric spun around to see his companions missing along with their sleeping blankets and packs. He cried out for Nix, Ricky, and for Iris. Iris the mink springs out of the river and climbs up the rocks.
“Where did Nix and Ricky leave to?” Alaric asks.
Iris guides him to the warm hall and discovers the Cup of Hades missing from the mirror. They walk through the tunnel to the guard tree and found Ricky turned into stone. Nix behind him looked as if she tried to return the Cup of Hades and changed into stone when she touched his pack.
“I told them not to take anything. Why did they not listen to me?” asked Alaric.
“Why do you not listen to grandfather when he tells you to be patient about your future?” asked Iris right back.
“Never mind that,” snaps Alaric. “What do I do now?”
Just then he heard a childish giggle in the shadows and a ghost of a boy elf shined in the somber air. Alaric stared at it until it spoke.
“Father,” says the ghost elf.
Shocked, Alaric follows the boy to Herman standing in the tunnel. They walk through a wall and vanish. Alaric turns to Iris, now in the form of a sprite.
“Nix never told me she was with child, Iris,” weeps Alaric.
“What would you have done if you knew?” questioned Iris.
“I would have married her sooner than later and helped support our baby,” replies Alaric. “I love her, Iris.”
Alaric came back to the stone figures of Nix and Ricky. He tried every spell he knew to undo the curse. He lifted Ricky’s pack with his sword and returned the cup to the mirror. Still, they remained stone. Iris sat upon the floor watching her friend exhaust himself. He finally gave up and sobbed on the floor in defeat. He cursed Maya for her spells and attacked the rock walls with his sword. Iris sat in silence.
“Any bright ideas, Iris? I lose my unborn son, my intended, and my new friend all at once.”
“No,” responds the rainbow goddess.
Alaric sat in tears recalling seeing his unborn son’s ghost call him father. Then it came to him. When a witch tried to steal Lanie’s spirit, his mother made the witch’s soul leave her body into the arms of a demon. Alaric aims his crystal at Nix and recites the soul release spell, “Isis ishta” (Isis’s love). Nix’s ghost falls out of her stone figure. Alaric releases Ricky’s soul next. He then watches demons guide their souls through the cave walls. He waves an elf farewell and promises he would return them as they were before when they come back alive. He still had some tricks up his sleeves. He beckons Iris to follow him into Maya’s lair. He traces the tunnels and underground river, calling for Maya. Iris halts at a bewitched door. She opens it with faerie dust. Alaric tails Iris into an ornate hall with stone snake and dragon heads scattered around the walls. A grand table was set with all gold plate settings and goblets. A gold throne on a platform with a red cushion sat on one side. Trumpets blare loud enough to wake the dead and shake the banners hanging on the walls. A dark-haired woman in a red gown with a gold crown inset with rubies enters and sits herself on the golden throne. She holds a white ferret in her arms. Herman totes an injured bird with a damaged wing. Alaric approaches the volcano goddess Maya.
“I believe you called for me, Alaric.” addresses the goddess.
“Yes, I want my friends back. Will you undo your curse so they can return home with me?” begs our hero Alaric.
“No,” answers Maya playing with the ferret. “They tried to steal the Cup of Hades from me. They deserve punishment.”
“Can I have them back anyway? As a favor to me.” asks Alaric.
“Nice try, but you are too late. They have returned from Isis’s Roanoke palace as the Cup of Hades permits.” replies Maya.
“In another form?” questions Alaric.
“Yes my brave, but unwise hero,” responds the goddess. “Even though you cheated by using faerie dust, I allowed the varmints to return to life after Hato’s judgment of their souls. Here is your wife.” Maya hands the white ferret to Alaric. “Here is your friend Ricky. You met my servant Herman in the caves.” Herman hands over the injured bird to Iris and wipes his hands on his clothes.
“Thank you, your holiness. You are kind.” expresses Alaric.
“No, I am not kind,” declares Maya. “I simply hold no grudge against a friend of Iris. I wished to look inside her heart and find where her loyalties lie. I find it strange she has the audacity enter my realm at all. She has nothing to gain by others drinking from the magical cup. I do wonder why she is here in my home.”
“To help a friend. You do know what a friend is Maya, don’t you?” defends Iris.
“Yes, I know what a friend is and I know your former husband lives here too. He is my husband and I deeply question your intentions of entering my realm.” attacks Maya.
“If you are implying I came to see Eris, please do not flatter yourself. You may take pride in being jealous of me for as long as you like. I will not take back your husband if he crawled on his snake belly offering the sun, moon, and stars to me. I do not know what it takes to convince your insane distrust that you can keep my evil cousin for yourself. I want nothing from him. And you may repeat my words to him if you wish. My intentions are to assist my close friend Alaric in his quest, anything more is purely your imagination.” articulates Iris.
“You are free to leave if you promise to never return to my realm,” declares Maya.
“We promise,” answers our hero. “We would not to cause friction between you and us. Farewell, your holiness.”
“Farewell Alaric,” responds Maya.
Iris raised her arm speaking “Ascendo eaorthe” (ascend to Eartha) to cause her and Alaric to arise to the entrance of the cave. Alaric blinked and he arrived in the doorway of the griffin tree. He turned to see the stone figures behind him and stepped out into the sunlight. He looks down to see Iris the mink again. Iris explains to Alaric that his animals can not transform shapes until one day passes. Aunt Isis forbids it. He set the albino ferret inside his pack. The injured bird perched itself on Alaric’s shoulder. The companions set back home again. Iris whistled for Kiko, catching Alaric off guard. She shyly tells him she has a way with animals, especially godly creatures. The unicorn galloped in no time to its hero. The bird hopped on the unicorn’s packs and rested itself. Alaric used his crystal with Iris’s instructions to repair Ricky’s broken wing. Ricky squawked that the broken wing represented the emotional scar Hato saw in him. His first innocent love forced her will onto him and then rejected him when he complied with her demands. After that he has difficulties loving his other girlfriends. Alaric thought it echoed Alexis with Myra. Alaric petted the torn soul and tried to comfort it. Ricky enjoyed the attention to withdraw into himself, never repeating any tragic tales again. They hike through Dragon’s Pass. Iris changes one reptile into stone when it came down and tried to fry Alaric. Night fell and the companions found a group of elf men setting down the Aurora River.
Alaric traded his amulet map from Iris for passage down the river to his home. The first night was peaceful. The first day they reached some rapids and then a storm drew near. Alaric was knocked off the boat by a strong hand of a wave to the riverbank. He discovered his pets jumped off at the sight of Alaric leaving them when an undertow current pulled him into the riverbed. Ricky the eagle dived in to grab his friend with his claws. With his heroic friend holding him up out of the waves, he swam to the sandy shore and felt enchantment singing at a distance. Exhausted, but strong spirited, he resisted the enchanted singing this time. Presently, the singing grew louder and stronger as if it found a victim to seduce. Alaric felt his feathery and furry companions rest beside him and felt safe to sleep. He turns his head at a glowing light behind the forest trees to see a fair maiden with a warrior behind her on a dark horse. He feels Kiko sniff him and lay beside its master. Alaric could not resist the enchantment any longer and fell into deep sleep. Our hero awakes in a tree house in mid-morning. A fair maiden sits by a window working on her embroidery. Alaric sighs and the elf maiden rises up to his side. The white ferret and bird rub up against his hands. The elf smiles and wishes him a good morning. She presumed he slept well, Ryan said he slept through the storm during the night. Alaric asks if he is in Asgard. The elf nods. He then asks how it came to be that Ryan and her brought Alaric in from the storm. He recalls cross words between Ryan and him last time they met. The fair maiden clarifies Alaric’s honesty when Ryan asked about marrying her made Ryan think twice about rejecting one of Iris’s friends. Alaric was flattered at the prospect of a godly friend, even if he is the god of chaos. Alaric is given his clothes cleaned and dried.
The elf informs him that he is wearing one of Ryan’s robes. The maiden departs downstairs and Alaric changes his wardrobe. He comes down to meet Eridu sitting at his throne. He invites Alaric to a snack of raw fruit the faeries picked. Ryan properly introduces his wife, Echo. A maiden from the mountains, Echo is a champion of dragons. He met her as she stood guard over a nest as the mother dragon hunted giant snakes. She recalled seeing Ryan before causing mischief with stampedes of deer. He was delighted to be recognized and invited to play with squirrels he knew well. They became good friends for many years before asking for a betrothal from her. Eridu then asks their business here. Alaric gladly recites the quest for the Cup of Hades. Alaric notices Iris and Kiko are nowhere to be found, then remembers why. Eridu felt justified not allowing Iris or her unicorn entry into Asgard like Maya did. Alaric did wonder what he had against Kiko, everyone knows unicorns are nature goddesses Eridu created and their companions in disguise. The earth god gave no further explanation as if he expected Alaric to already know the answer. Alaric continues his tale and Ryan giggles when Alaric describes Maya’s confrontation with Iris. Eridu gives Ryan a cross glance and his giggles cease. At least in the end, Eridu supplies the companions with provisions to finish their trip home. Ryan and Echo help carry the packs of food and warmer cloaks. Ryan rudely snubbed Iris and made Echo tie the packs to Kiko. Alaric changes the ferret into his love’s original form. He changes the bird into his friend’s giant form. Ryan and Echo bid farewell and disappear into the forest.
The seekers of the Cup of Hades follow the river until they reach a waterfall. The giant Ricky jumps in the river and floats downstream with Alaric and Nix on his stomach. Down rapids, river falls, and persuasive undertow currents, the three companions watch Iris the mink swim around and Kiko following as it gallops along the mountain rocks. They made it back to Aurora Falls in a few days after meeting Eridu in Asgard. Ricky is given a flute that charms any beast he might meet from Iris. He was famous as The Snake Charmer in his village. His life was much a tragic tale. He was a kind giant who would defend his friends heroically, though rarely defended himself well. He courted several more female giants who broke his heart and left me to pick up the pieces. He was a charming phony, not a real lover. I called him friend nonetheless. I was one of few who were skeptical of his deceptions and boastful swaggering. When the Elf War razed his village, he turned against me and accused me of things others did unto him. Then locked himself inside a cave to endure his sorrow alone. Many giants were killed and his village was burned by Lotan soldiers when they refused to join the Lotans against the Kingdom of Blythe. It hurt me deeply to be shut out of his life, but I had a war to fight. Where Ricky is and what he is doing, I know not. I only know that he was a very good friend when he was my friend and worse enemy to himself.
“Would you ever welcome Master Ricky back into your life, after all the hurt he caused you?” asks one of the lads from Etonville.
“Of course he would be, my dear boy Homer. Just because a friendship ends does not mean we stop caring for our lost friends. We can only hope they do not stay lost forever. If they never come back, we have no choice but to learn to live without them.” answers The Wizard interrupting his tale to the lads from Etonville.
“Now where was I, Homer?” asks The Wizard.
“You just returned to Aurora Falls,” answers Homer.
“Oh yes, and the snake charmer got his name.” The Wizard continues.
Ricky stayed several weeks with his Nichy beasts before returning to the giant’s home up north. Iris assures the reborn giant and human that they can be reborn as many times as they like. She changes into an eagle and escorts Nix to Brightsburg. Alaric sets plans of their wedding ceremony into motion. Ricky and Alaric build a stone temple for his love to worship in since she is disgraced to pray in an elf temple. Alaric also builds his reputation as a trader in mountain herbs and seashells. He receives a message from Alexis in the Black Forest as Ricky and he build the temple. Alexis relates his frustrations with Lanie falling in love with him. She seems to be awed and annoyed by his undying devotion to her happiness. He befriended a pixie who reports things occurring in various parts of the world to Daxus. She often can be found in his pockets. Lanie demanded Alexis reject this pixie to hear the word “No” from Alexis. She claims if he loved her that he would break off all his cozy relationships, except the one with her uncle. Alexis disobeys her commands and befriends more creatures of the forest. Creatures great and small love Alexis. He rides the dragon Medusa over the treetops. He practices archery with centaurs. He clashes swords with sprites and fauns. Daxus is pleased his subjects adore the elf. Lanie is less thrilled with all the attention taken away from her. Alexis senses she has a problem with her goddess status and he is just an immortal elf with no wealth or home. Lanie denies the allegation and defends that Alexis only wants her because of her goddess powers so he can become a god when they marry. She fears he will leave her like her family left her and stop corresponding with her without warning. Because of Lanie’s arrogance, Alexis does not show her the magic tricks he learned from Alaric. Lanie is slow in figuring out that all immortals are given magic crystals from Alano, but not all know the spells to use them.
Alexis reaches a breaking point and claims he is breaking off the betrothal. He declares he will visit her father Elexi the next day. He sharpens his weapons and bathes before leaving. A griffin stands guard, as unarmed warriors are vulnerable to attack. Lanie enters the room to ask why the change of heart (does he not love her anymore?). Alexis grows angry and orders her to leave his presence. He asserts that he does not want a wife who does not really care for him. She used to be such a sweet young elf who adored him. That kind soul somehow disappeared. She does leave, with his clothes. The griffin’s laugh is heard down the corridors as Alexis chases Lanie in a towel. He bumps into Daxus and blushes. Daxus adds to the griffin’s laughter. Alexis catches up to Lanie in her bed chamber. He demands to know why she did that. She explains that she wanted to know what was underneath all his tough armor. He responds that he is an elf, just like her. He dresses himself without drying off. He did not speak of breaking the betrothal again. He brags to Alaric that his trick to push Lanie into revealing her true feelings for him worked. Their relationship is more committed to each other as Lanie learns to keep her jealous feelings under control. They explore the caves under the fortress to discover the dragon Medusa’s nest of eggs. One baby dragon Gilda has tamed into a pet. It perches itself on Gilda’s shoulder and scorches walls at Gilda’s command. Lanie learns to love the baby dragon too. Alexis continues to write that Lanie is starting quite an education from Daxus on god powers, writing, arithmetic, riding beasts, weapons of various creatures, and magic potions.
Upon finding the mermaid birthing caves, they discover why only female merfish are seen on the land more than male merfish. Gilda tells Alexis of meeting Lanie as she discovered passage doors into various parts of the fortress. She can not understand how her father is very eager to announce Lanie’s betrothal. She has only agreed to consider Alexis. Gilda tries to discuss how Elexi must feel for Alexis’s frustration at her lack of declaring her emotions for her suitor. She agrees that Alexis has changed from the irritating sprite she knew in her youth, though he is sneaky and underhanded to get what he wants. Her father Elexi had a very bad history with former wives that frightened her mother Lixi. Elexi and Alexis fear that Alexis can not fulfill her high expectations of a future husband who will always take care of her and keep her in euphoric bliss.
“You lack endurance in hardships of an elf’s life because you never had to suffer without anything. I try hard not to spoil you, Lanie. I think if you do not want Alexis to be your betrothed, you should promptly say so.” finished Gilda.
She assured the nervous child that she need not rush into a decision and a betrothal can be broken. Alexis further reports to Alaric how he gave Lanie grand gifts for celebrations, but she does not seem to appreciate them. He thought she liked jewelry, floral wreaths, stone figures, gold weapons, and a quiver of arrows that he made for her. Gilda’s and Daxus’s gifts are so much grander from being made by the servants. He begs Alaric for advice on what to do. He still loves her. Alaric replies to give her patience, kindness, understanding, communication, and loyalty. Something that can not be had by luscious objects. Alaric reports back that his wedding to Nix will be soon. Alaric reports back that only after Gilda’s judgment did trade flourish in Leesville. The Rondan people began calling a coral reef near Leesville where they often dock their ships, Narva. He has a wooden Rondan shield decorating his wall with peculiar symbols on it. Several elves leave Leesville for the Rondan home island Ithaca. They bring treasures of gemstones, incense, and mirrors made of bronze. They also bring tales of Ithaca to the elves. It has a rich king, lush vineyards, limestone quarries, and enormous limestone palaces. Many Rondan sailors lay anchor along Narva to trade wine for colorful bird feathers and infamous Narva pearls, furs for troll metals, and gemstones for food supplies. The Rondans also bring a new technology, iron tools. Most tools and weapons around the Olin Mountains are copper or bronze. The elves quickly trade for these new iron tools. Flint struck against iron starts a fire quicker. Obsidian blades are still used for precise cutting of food. Also, a new musical instrument famous from Ithaca is introduced to the elves, the golden harp. Alaric saw harps at godly homes of Elexi and Daxus, but never thought humans played such objects. In addition to pipes and drums, the elves learn to play gold harps. The Leesville elves and Aurora Falls’s mermaids became very rich from this trade. The Olin Mountains provided much wealth to trade with. Rondan settlers came one day to carve a colony to the north of Leesville called Laurel. Many came to bargain with the Rondans.
On a sad thought, many creatures of the forest disappeared and plants grew less abundant yields, and the trolls demanded higher payment for the ores they mined. One could say the Leesville elves became victims of their own success. The Chief of Leesville grew wealthy from tribute from his villagers. Alaric usually provided a gold-handled weapon for his payment. His mother rubbed a potion into his new iron sword that his father made for him. Then Laurel colonists expanded their territory to absorb elf and human villages along the seacoast. Welcoming the Rondan trade at first, these villages standing in the way of Rondan prosperity were attacked under the claim of buying the property. The duped chiefs believed they only sold Hunting rights or trading rights to certain areas of the marketplace, not selling their whole village. After the villagers were forced out of their homes, King Andros sent ambassadors and viceroys to settle the disputed areas. The Lotan King Andros learned to take Gilda’s reforms to heart. Workers built roads, bridges, and forts to protect traders. Strongholds were built and fortified to cease further expansion of the Laurel colony into Lotan. Brightsburg grows flax for linen clothes and canvas sails. Nix traded vegetables for a gemstone necklace called amber. A viceroy was appointed to Brightsburg by King Andros. The
inhabitants grudgingly pay taxes to the King of Lotan, but receive jobs and food supplies to create projects for the community. Ogres living along the outskirts of the giant towns halt many caravans. They always demanded payment for passage through their part of the forest. Tales are told of soldiers attacking ogres who demand fees through their own kingdom, but lesser armed travelers learn to pay tribute for safe passage. Alaric often thinks humans are quick to arms, but slow to negotiate terms. He remembers Gilda’s scolding after he fought a quetzalcoatl snake.
“You do not have to fight everything, Alaric,” she said.
Perhaps, he is starting to gain wisdom Alano wished on him.