Judgment of Celestial: Grievous Cry

Elijah woke up and saw Jennifer swimming in the river. Her clothes were up on a tree branch. Elijah looked at his ring for now markings in blue appeared around the ring that appeared to be wings.
‘Come swim with me Elijah!’ Jennifer shouted.
‘Nay’ he said, ‘for I do not know how to swim.’ Jennifer got back on shore and grabbed his arm and pulled off his cloak and tunic and Jennifer leapt into the river with Elijah in her arms. Elijah thought for a moment and decided that being so small and not weighing much wasn’t so great after all.

About twenty minutes have passed and Elijah and Jennifer laid on the grass and dried themselves in a ray of sunlight that breached the treetops. Finally Jennifer stood and grabbed Elijah’s arms and said, ‘we must return now.’
Elijah nodded and climbed on her back. Jennifer’s hair was still wet but that did not slow her down. She ran just as swiftly and quickly as before. Jennifer dratted pass trees and jumped over roots. It took them nearly an hour to return and all the other catlons and the lads were back.
Jennifer’s hair was now dry and smooth again and they allowed the lads to walk. Jennifer said, ‘we shall go now to the Catlon Village but of course we shall take are time for when we are in no rush we enjoy the woods.’
‘Very well’ Christian said, ‘for we too enjoy the woods.’ Christian ran over to Elijah and everyone started heading southeast, ‘these catlons are all beautiful. If I were as old as them’
‘Jennifer is only four’ Elijah told his friends.
‘Your joking’ Sheldon said.
‘Nay. They age quickly in their first four years but for a hundred they appear to be only twenty’ Elijah informed them, ‘I was shocked at first but I remember Galatians’ words about the catlons two years ago. He said “catlons are the fairest beings on Igros. They look like they are only twenty for a hundred years and they are only children in are eyes for a short time.”’
‘I remember that’ Cameron said, ‘catlons are truly the fairest creatures on Igros. I haven’t seen so many lovely maidens before in my entire life.’
Elijah walked proud along side Sheldon and he looked around and mostly his glare went to Jennifer and then he gazed off into the forest. He kept thinking her heard a terrible cry that begun in a very high pitch but ended very low. Elijah became very afraid when that cry was heard but no one else paid any attention to it.
Elijah looked far to his left and felt something soft and furry around his chin. He turned and saw that Jennifer’s tail was tickling his chin. Elijah stepped aside and moved out of the path of the tail. Elijah bumped into Sheldon a bit. Elijah felt strange and cheerful and happy. He looked down at his ring and noticed the blue markings have vanished. A small stream ran along north in their path. It was small and had tadpoles swimming around in it.
The sound of the running stream against a small rock gave a pleasant tone. The stream ran downhill for miles before stopping and turning to the east to form with the Getian River. After half an hour they passed the old fortress and were heading for the Catlon Village.

Elijah kept his right hand on the hilt of his sword every now and then for it seemed to him like something was ready to attack. Jennifer turned and saw Elijah preparing for battle and she said, ‘threat not Elijah, for nothing will come to harm to you. Rest and relax for now for your journey north will be filled with hardships.’
Elijah lowered his guard and looked at Jennifer who smiled at him like a schoolgirl. Elijah gave a small smile back and blushed a little and turned his gaze out into the woods. He turned his eyes every now and again to look at the catlons as they walked down the road with no worries.
Elijah looked at Cameron and then to Christian and then to Sheldon and then to Jennifer and smiled at the princess. Elijah couldn’t stop wondering why there are no catlon men to be found. Elijah found it shocking to see a race with nothing but women. But Elijah remembered Galatians’ tales: The catlons never give birth to a male no matter how many children they give birth to. When you are older I shall tell you about their rituals.
Elijah walked up to Jennifer and said, ‘if your tribe has nothing but women in it, how can you have children?’
Jennifer looked at Elijah in deep thought and then said, ‘well, when a man enters the woods he is usually challenged by a catlon. The two will fight and if the catlons wins the man is killed and if the man wins he mates with the catlon at that moment to give birth to a stronger generation. But sometimes when are numbers are few and no men entered the woods in a long time we go to Merrierton and mate basically with any man that seems suitable.’
‘Okay’ Elijah said in amazement. He couldn’t help but smile at the new information he received. Elijah may be twelve but boys in Gravince are declared men at the age of eight for they mature quickly but they grow just as fast as any other child across Igros. Elijah may be twelve but it is more like he is in his late teens then being a child.
Elijah looked up and saw a shadow fly across the sun. It was larger then any bird and yet it had no feathers but it did have a beak. Its long wings were longer then the beast from nose to tail. Two long tails moved slowly to its left and right and a long neck allowed it to look in any direction without turning its head.
The creature circled the area twice and then headed west. Elijah wondered what that was and became deep in thought. Cameron saw Elijah looking up but when he looked the shadow had passed.
‘What were you looking at Elijah?’ Cameron asked.
‘Nothing’ he responded, ‘just the sun. The woods keeps it hidden most of the time with only a ray here and their.’

The woods were silent and the day drew to an end. Jennifer stopped everyone and said, ‘we shall rest here tonight.’ And with that the catlons stopped and some wondered off and around and gathered fruits to eat.
Elijah found a tree that seemed perfect enough to rest in. The roots curved into a little nest and a branch filled with thick green leaves covered the root nest a few feet above. Elijah dared not to go in after seeing a small snake look at the lad and then vanished into a small hole. Christian looked around with Cameron keeping themselves busy. Sheldon helped the catlons find fruits and sticks to start a small fire. Elijah watched from his spot up the slope.

He finally noticed that the rode was in a small valley. The slope up was deep and as tall as he was and four feet across was the other end of the slope. It swoops down to give it a road like path. Elijah kept his cloak near him but he didn’t put it on.
Sheldon got a fire started but it didn’t last for rain poured down from the sky like a rushing river. At that point all four lads threw their cloaks on with hoods up. The catlons didn’t even mind the rain for they called it a blessing from the sky no matter how much or how little they get.
The rain hit Sheldon on the face as it deflected off tree branches and roots and bushes. It was hard for Elijah to sleep that night for a consent fear of the belves returned to him. He went to sleep around ten or twelve for he lost track of time and it could have been two for all he knew.
Elijah was awakened by Jennifer whispering into his ear, ‘awaken Elijah son of Elisha. Today you shall see the Village of the Catlons.’
Elijah looked up a little dizzy and a little weary but he stood to his feet. Everyone had a bit to eat of oranges and pairs and apples before heading off. The rain left the ground wet and damp and muddy.
Cameron never liked mud and he wanted to find a dry spot as fast as possible. Sheldon got his foot suck in a deep mud puddle once or twice and had to get help from Elijah to pull himself free. Sheldon missed cooking and cleaning and gardening for those were his loves back home in Mayton.
Cameron missed learning and reading Cameron wished he was still with Mr. Bookman studying about the history of Gravince and much, much more. Christian missed sleeping all day and eating in between.
Elijah missed most of all the people. He missed his father, Elisha and David Wellow and Destinie. He missed everyone back home in Mayton even the people he didn’t like. Elijah continued walking trying not to fall behind. He hurried himself forward.
The woods seemed to go on forever and they took a small rest around noon. Elijah could tell something strange were in these woods and could feel the presents of something trying to reach him.
A cry echoed silently through the woods. It sounded something like a dragon but started out like one and ended in a very low pitch that threw off the entire sound. Elijah looked north, the direction the cry came from, and noticed his pocket was shinning.
Elijah reached into his pocket and pulled out the Pendant and noticed with that the markings were glowing bright red like a beacon. His hand grasped the Pendant and pain crept throughout his body like thousands of tiny knives stabbing him. Elijah fell to his knees and with his free hand grasped the hand holding the Pendant.
Everyone gathered around in fear and doubt and many believed that Elijah would fall to his death. The ring started to glow blue but after a second it faded like the power of the Pendant was sealing it away. The Pendant’s glow faded and Elijah stood back up. He looked around and threw the Pendant into his pocket. Everyone remained silent and still fearful.
Sheldon, Cameron, and Christian gathered around Elijah and placed their hands on his shoulders and with that everyone continued forward. The march now was silent and felt oddly enough for it seemed that Elijah was now shunned out of the catlons expect for Jennifer that stayed close to him. The feeling in his hand returned after half an hour and Elijah dared not speak of it.

A light breached through the trees up ahead and Elijah could see shadows and shapes moving around. After approaching further all four could see a large fire with many catlons gathered around it. High in the treetops were platforms of wood that were connected to one another by a few wooden bridges here and their. A wooden house was built around the tree trunk on the top of the platforms. Rope fell down from the platforms and came down a little before the floor and the lads saw catlons climbing the ropes up and down.
Jennifer stopped and turned to them and said with great delight, ‘welcome to the Village of the Catlons’ and the boys walked pass her and looked in amazement. Hundreds of catlons roamed the village some on the ground, some on the ropes, and some on the wooden platforms high in the trees…

(And that's the end of Chapter 4)

Chapter V
Village of the Catlons

Elijah looked with complete delight and saw many catlons. Catlons took a special liking too Christian and Cameron. Sheldon even found some catlons that took a liking too him. Three catlons gathered around Elijah with great interest and took the young lad up into a house in the treetops. One had long blonde hair and had on Jennifer’s outfit but it was red, one had long white hair and wore the same outfit but it were blue, and the last had short blonde hair and wore the same thing expect it is green.
‘Young Elijah’ the white haired catlon said, ‘I am Mercy an elder catlon. I am ninety four years old but my age does not appear it though. The one in the red is my first daughter Abigail and the one in the green is my youngest daughter Mary. Neither one is even fifteen yet but they have turned out well.’
Elijah looked at Abigail and Mary and then to Mercy. She looked like twenty and showed no signs of aging. Abigail sat to Elijah’s left, Mary sat to his right, and Mercy sat down in front of Elijah.
‘How old are you?’ Mary asked who always wants to know everything.
‘I am twelve but the children of Gravince are ready for manhood at the age of thirteen for that is when we are done maturing but not growing’ Elijah informed the catlons. Abigail moved one of her index fingers around Elijah’s cheek.
‘Not to many people see catlons but then again even fewer gets to sit inside their home and’ Abigail paused for a moment, ‘enjoy the company of three catlons and one is an elder catlon who is held high and is honored by catlons.’
All three looked upon Elijah with dark green eyes. Elijah never felt this way before, he felt wanted and he felt like they wanted him their and that no one just told them to be their. The three spoke to one another in the language of the catlons and Elijah could not understand one word of it. He listened to the words they spoke for they were soft and relaxing to him.
Mercy placed both her hands on Elijah’s chest and pushed him down on the bed as she stood up. Mercy examined Elijah and walked around the bed three times with Abigail and Mary standing next to the bed without moving. Elijah had no clue as to what was happening here but he did not mind.
Finally Mercy sat down on the bed side opposite from Elijah and crawled over on her hands and knees until her head was above Elijah. Abigail and Mary crawled on their hands and knees and they too stopped when their faces were above Elijah’s. Mercy licked Elijah’s forehead. Strange feelings now entered Elijah but the common one was what are they doing?
‘Your face is confused’ Mercy said, ‘this is a ritual of a catlon family to their guess that shall sleep with them for the next three nights.’ Elijah smiled and Abigail and Mary licked the side of Elijah’s face. Their tongues were not wet but more hard like sand paper or like a cat’s tongue. Abigail unbuttoned Elijah’s shirt and licked his chest and moved her fingers around his stomach. Elijah could only wonder if Sheldon and the twins are getting the same thing in another house. Mary threw off Elijah’s boots and placed one of his feet in the middle of her chest.

Mary rubbed Elijah’s leg, the one with his foot on her chest, and purred a little. Mercy licked Elijah’s nose and then his lips. All at once they stopped and stood back up and Abigail said, ‘their. The ritual is complete. You may feed and sleep and rest here until time is needed for you to move out.’

Elijah sat up and his body was relaxed and he had a pleasant feeling like he was at the Festival of the Moon enjoying the fireworks and the tales of Galatians. Elijah did not move for a second and he gathered everything that just happened and ran it through his mind. Then Abigail sat down on her knees behind him and she placed her head on his shoulder.
‘What say you Elijah? Are you hungry or do you wish to rest’ Abigail asked. Elijah thought for a moment and tried to get his thoughts straight.
‘I am hungry’ Elijah said at last for he has not eaten anything since the small meal at around noon and it was nearly eight. Abigail stood up and walked in front of him. Mary brought him salted pork, a catlon favorite with sliced apples and catlon milk. Elijah ate the food and drank the catlon milk quickly.
Elijah now felt tired when he finished and noticed no blankets anywhere to be seen, not even on the bed. Elijah yawned. Mercy said, ‘sleep now Elijah son of Elisha. Sleep.’
Elijah got onto the middle of the bed and tried to sleep but was too cold. Abigail and Mary got on both sides of him and wrapped their arms around his arms and Mercy laid down on top of him with her head on his chest. Elijah found it hard to sleep now for never in his life did he feel so happy.
Elijah became tense for a moment and couldn’t relax. Mercy’s fingers closed his eyes and she said something in her language that made Elijah relax but he does not know what she said. Finally Elijah fell into slumber with a small smile on his face.
Elijah found himself in a strange room. Four doors surrounded him that were tall and strong. The room was squared and it stretched high for about two hundred feet. In front of him was a platform with twelve steps leading to the top and on the platform was a throne. A rather large throne that looked like the doors shut. On the throne sat a man but Elijah could not see him for he was glowing too brightly but he said:

You cannot hide forever. Soon you shall meet your end either by the dai-orks or even worse. You heard them in the woods. The Six that once was is now on the hunt and no prey ever escapes them no matter how hard they try.

Elijah woke up with the catlons still around him. Mercy was wide awake and she looked upon his face with her chin on his chest and said, ‘you finally woke up young Elijah. I see you have slept well no doubt or else you would still be asleep or you have been unable to sleep at all.’
‘I have slept well’ Elijah told her. Mercy rolled up now with her chest on his waist and she placed her arms over his shoulders. Abigail woke up and licked his face followed by Mary.
They did not move for nearly an hour or so. Abigail and Mary licked his face and neck and Mercy licked his bare chest. Elijah grew a liking to this and he enjoyed it so for the feeling of their tongues was nice to him. Elijah could feel Abigail’s and Mary’s breast pushing against his arms.

Mercy stood up followed by her daughters and slowly left the room. Elijah stayed on the bed for a moment and then he sat up and buttoned his shirt. Elijah ran outside and it was mid morning. All the catlons appeared to be up and about roaming this way and that. He could see Sheldon far down below in the middle of a group of catlons; Christian could be seen hanging on the back of a catlon while she climbed down a rope and Elijah could not see Cameron.
Elijah circled around the platform and found Mercy, Abigail, and Mary waiting for him. Abigail stepped forward and said, ‘do you know what today is?’ Elijah stood with a blank face, ‘today is the Call of the Catlons.’
‘Call of the Catlons?’ Elijah asked never hearing that phrase. Abigail placed her hand over her mouth and laughed a little. Mercy walked behind Elijah and laid her hands on his shoulders and they both stood up straight.
‘The Call of the Catlons’ Mercy begun and froze for a moment, ‘is like your Festival of the Moon but no fireworks and we have a different way of ending it. Call of the Catlons will last three nights and the finale is one you or your friends shall not forget.’
‘I call Elijah as my partner’ Abigail said. Mary got a little upset but Abigail grabbed Elijah’s hand and pulled him away and across a wooden bridge behind the house Elijah came out of and they stopped half way.
‘Why do you need a partner?’ Elijah asked.
‘When the finale ends all will be clear. We don’t want to ruin a surprise’ Abigail told him, ‘and what a night that shall be. It will be my first time actually performing the ritual for I have never had a chance to get a partner. My mother has done the ritual thirty four times and she loves it. I can see it now.’
Elijah did not speak. Abigail had her eyes closed and she blushed a little. Her tail wagged back and forth like a whip. Elijah finally tapped her on the shoulder and said, ‘can we go to the ground?’
Abigail smiled. ‘Get on my back’ she said. Elijah clutched onto her as Abigail stood up and leapt off the bridge. She flew forward and grabbed a rope with both her hands and even had one of her legs wrapped around it. Abigail lowered herself quickly and got on the floor and allowed Elijah to jump off.

‘Are you hungry?’ Abigail asked. Elijah looked up and nodded. Elijah followed her closely.
‘What day is it?’ Elijah asked.
‘It is Wednesday Elijah’ Abigail said, ‘November sixteenth if you must know. Are times are equal to those in Gravince so what troubles you?’
‘Today is my thirteenth birthday. It is the day when I enter adulthood and get married and have kids but here I am’ Elijah said. Abigail stopped and took his hands.
‘Here in are village, a birthday is something important’ she said, ‘and none are so important as the one when you enter adulthood but here it is the age of four for we age physically quick but I learned of you Gravincers and you mature on the inside quick and are ready for marriage and joining the guard and anything at the age of thirteen.’
‘But I have no one to celebrate my birthday with expect my dear cousin Sheldon and the twins Christian and Cameron’ Elijah told her. Abigail looked into Elijah eye to eye and smiled. Something about that smile made Elijah get tensed up. Abigail noticed him tensed and laughed a soft laugh.

Abigail pulled Elijah to her and held him in her arms. Elijah relaxed but still had many questions that would never seem to be answered. Abigail whispered into his eye, ‘in three days when the ritual begins you shall be pleased for this is something all men enjoy with delights.’
Abigail stood back up still holding his hand and she dragged him through a small door that led down a spiral staircase inside a tree. The staircase went down for what appeared to be miles and at the end their sat a large round room. Four torches were on the walls separate equally from one another. Abigail lit all four.
A long square table was in the middle of the room. Only one chair was in the room and it sat at the head of the table. Abigail sat Elijah at the head of the table. Elijah looked around at the four burning torches. Abigail laid down on the table facing Elijah with her stomach on the table.
Abigail looked deep into his eyes with a blank face. Elijah tried to smile but couldn’t for some reason. Abigail’s tail wiggled back and forth near her head. Elijah finally found words to say, ‘so what are we doing down here?’
Abigail pulled herself forward and their two foreheads met and Abigail said, ‘we must do the ritual into adulthood for it is customary for anyone entering their adult birthday in the village to be given the ritual.’
‘Do you have a ritual for everything?’ Elijah asked.
‘Almost everything’ Abigail replied. Her hand grabbed his chin but she completely stopped when a horn echoed in. Abigail sprang to her feet and yelled, ‘the Horn of Remnec.’
‘The horn of what?’ Elijah asked.
‘It will only be sounded when the village is under attack’ Abigail hurried up the stairs. Elijah thought for a moment and then followed after. When he reached the village’s floor. Elijah stood in silence as tree branches fell due to terrible flames and fire spread across the floor. Dai-orks charged and moved and slain all in their path.
A dai-ork stopped in front of Elijah and rushed him but a loud scream came from everywhere and Sheldon and the twins leapt out and sliced the dai-ork and stabbed him until he was dead.
‘Sheldon!’ Elijah said in panic.
‘The dai-orks are back’ Sheldon responded handed Elijah his sword Swift. The four crept close together and stayed close as they ran through the village. A tree branch burning in flames fell down and separated Elijah and Cameron from Sheldon and Christian.

Elijah and Cameron ran trying to avoid the fighting and the fire but a soft cry stopped Elijah. He walked slowly and saw a burning branch on top of Mary. Her eyes were closed and her skin was burnt. Elijah knelt down and gave his respect.
‘We can’t stay here’ Cameron said pulling Elijah to his feet, ‘the village is doomed and we must escape.’
‘We cannot leave Sheldon and Christian’ Elijah argued.
‘I know’ he said, ‘but we can’t do anything if we are killed. They must have tried to escape to but we must make haste and flee from the battlefield. We are useless here and we cannot help, only get captured and get killed. People who live may fight another day and redeem themselves.’

Elijah nodded and the two were off but Kenya blocked their path. He towered over them with a large sword in his left hand and he smiled. On his back was a quiver filled with arrows and a long bow. He lifted his sword up and swung downward at the two. Elijah and Cameron jumped out of the way.
Elijah stabbed Kenya in his left knee and fled out of his way. Elijah ran for some time before noticing he lost Cameron. He shouted desperately, ‘Cameron!’ over and over and over again but no answer. Elijah felt a sharp pain come over him in the back of his head and he fell to his knees and passed out.

Elijah woke up in the softness of some damp grass. His body was lain out and his arms were on his chest with Swift next to him. His focus came in and he saw Sheldon, Cameron, Christian, Abigail, Mercy, Jennifer, and dozens of catlons. Looking around a bit more he saw trees burnt down and plains destroyed and a body of dai-orks gathered in a pile. Many catlons have been buried already and tombstones showed their names but many more needed to be buried.
‘What happened?’ Elijah asked trying to recall.
‘I found you unconscious on the ground during the battle’ Jennifer said, ‘a lone dai-ork, their commander I guess, approached you. I leapt down from the tree and blocked his path and he said to me “get back catlon for the boy has something my master wants” but I refused to allow him to get you. Before he even swung a blow, his dai-orks fled into the woods and he soon followed. You have been out for two days.’
‘Two days’ Elijah repeated. ‘I owe you my life milady for if you haven’t saved me I would have failed in my mission.’
‘You are kind Elijah son of Elisha’ Mercy said, ‘and there is more to the story. I took a group of elders and chased the dai-orks through the woods. They took us right pass the old fortress which had bodies of kiltons and dai-orks and belves everywhere but what we saw we feared and fled. Terrible demons roared and growled and the dai-orks ran right pass them. On the four demons sat warriors hooded in black…dressed in black robes. They had red glowing eyes and every now and again the wind picked up their hoods and revealed to us a grey and ghastly skull that struck terror into are hearts. They said but one word “Diadem” and we fled.’
‘These Black Warriors showed no fear’ Abigail said, ‘for even I saw them yesterday with a scouting group. We ambushed one. We thought we had him beaten for it was one on twenty five. Twenty five left and only eight returned and we did nothing to this Black Warrior.’
Abigail lifted Elijah’s head and gave him some catlon milk to drink. The twins did not move at all and Sheldon checked their supplies. Elijah felt strong after finishing the catlon milk and sat up and said, ‘who were these Black Warriors?’
‘We do not know’ Jennifer said, ‘but we sent for someone who may. She already me you I believe. Rose the half-angel. She has studied the entire history of Igros and it would be wise to get the information from her since we do not have Galatians to turn to. Rose should be here by tomorrow morning and I even spread word through my birds for rangers. Rangers are the only men we catlons enjoy traveling with and spending time with expect for friends of Gandrair. I sent for the rangers three nights ago so they may be here anytime now but I do not trust these dark times. The head ranger is someone I know very well.’

Elijah slept outside with Sheldon and the twins like they did before out in the forest. Elijah wasn’t very tired for he slept for two days straight. He got up and walked around the village. A third of the village was in ruin now but the rest still looked alright. It appeared to Elijah that the Black Warriors want the pendant.
Elijah felt something cold on his chest and when he looked down he saw the pendant hanging around his neck but he didn’t put it their. Elijah stopped when he saw thirty men enter the village all cloak in dark green and wore a brown outfit. All had on their back a quiver with a bow as long as them on their backs. They had a sword strapped to their waist and the lead ranger kissed the hand of Jennifer. He had long brown hair that came to his neck’s bottom but it curled a bit.
‘I have arrived as quickly as possible’ the lead ranger said.
‘We have much to go over’ Jennifer told him. The lead ranger followed Jennifer back into her house in the trees. Elijah sat down and watched the rangers talk with the catlons but he fell asleep.

Morning came and the lead ranger was outside wondering about by himself. He walked in the woods and he stopped at the sound of faint footsteps. He lowered himself to the ground and placed his ear to the earth and listened. He stood and made haste heading west. His soft boots made no noise in the leaves and he leapt down off the small cliff unto the roadway where Elijah and his friends traveled to get to the village.
The ranger stopped and gazed upon Rose and she said, ‘ranger, a little jumpy no doubt. What say you Jaro?’
‘Rose’ Jaro said with pleasure walking to her. He held her hands and said, ‘being away from you for two years is more like being away from life. Why not come back with me to Gandriar?’
‘My heart remains in Silence Woods at the moment’ Rose said. Jaro lowered his head a little so he could see into her eyes and she raised her head a little to gaze into his, ‘but my love for you is greater then Silence Woods but you are a ranger, why not come and live with me?’
‘I cannot’ Jaro said, ‘I am Jaro son of Dilation, younger brother of Joran and prince of Gandriar. To leave my people would mean to leave my family which I love dear but let us enjoy are time together for I can feel your warmth.’
‘Through all my long life of being a half-angel’ Rose said as Jaro took her into his arms, ‘I never met a man I loved more then you.’
Jaro kissed Rose and then said, ‘by my father’s name…I shall never love another woman with more passion then I do you. We met when I was only ten but you grew to me.’
‘I never met a more cheerful and kind boy in all my hundreds of years of living’ Rose said, ‘you always wanted to play and enjoy time with me. Every year you came back a year older and a year wiser and I remember are first kiss eight years ago.’
‘Come’ Jaro said taking a step back, ‘let us be on are way to the Catlon Village. Princess Jennifer is waiting for you and the Black Warriors have been seen in Silence Woods. If nothing is done they will kill everyone but all their darkest powers shall not move me from you.’
Rose smiled and stopped Jaro and turned him around and kissed him. Jaro smiled and continued onward.

Elijah woke up and found Sheldon, Christian, and Cameron waiting for him. Elijah looked around and said, ‘what’s all this?’
‘We want to leave soon’ Sheldon said. ‘We must get to Irony and then to Port Town so we may return home as quickly as possible. I want to sleep in my own bed for once and not in a stranger’s bed or outside with roots everywhere that won’t allow me to sleep. I’m homesick Elijah, we all are.’
‘I am too’ Elijah said sadly, ‘I miss resting all day and enjoying a small cup of tea. But we have been entrusted with this task and must carry it out all the way through. I wish I have never been given this task. I wish it was someone else from another town and even another time period.’
Elijah, Sheldon, and the twins sat silently that day. Jennifer walked up to them around high noon and said, ‘tomorrow morning after you are fed we shall make for the northern border of Silence Woods.’
They looked at the catlon princess and nodded. Jennifer turned and walked off. Cameron looked around and said, ‘this may be are last time in a long time sleeping in a village. I’m making the best of it so good night.’
Cameron stood and left the group followed by Christian. Elijah looked at Sheldon and said, ‘my dear cousin and friend. I’m glade at least you’re here with me for I do not know what I could have done alone in these times. I would have been eaten by a belf on day one no doubt.’
‘Do not say such a thing’ Sheldon said. ‘You could have been out of these woods by now if I didn’t hold you back Elijah.’
‘You hold me back?’ Elijah questioned with a laugh, ‘I was useless most of the time but you helped me regain my strength. I slowed are pace down by getting lost and I was the one who decided to come back here with the catlons. We may have been half way to Irony by now.’
Jaro and Rose stand behind Elijah. Rose said to Elijah, ‘and if you didn’t get lost you would have fallen into shadows if I haven’t given you the ring of an Angel.’
Elijah turned around and smiled. Rose hugged Elijah. Elijah said, ‘Rose. I’m glade I could see you again before I depart these woods.’
‘This is Elijah Diadem?’ Jaro asked. Elijah and Rose nodded. Jaro got on his knee and said to Elijah, ‘I should have known as much. Tell me, what does a boy of your age have to do in Silence Woods?’
‘I cannot tell you’ Elijah said.
‘Very well’ Jaro responded standing back up. ‘If you wish to go to Irony as I heard stay away from the Lone Mountains. That is a terrible placed filled with orcs and goblins and trolls. I have traveled their once with three hundred rangers and tried to take back that place but failed. Hundreds of goblins lurk in the mines of Lone Mountains. The safest way around the mountains is travel around its western side. Do not go into the mountains unless you are trapped and have no other solution.’
‘Alright’ Sheldon said for Elijah stood silent for a while, ‘we will make sure not to go into the mountains but to the western side…what is your name?’
‘Maybe you would like to give me your name before asking someone for his name’ Jaro said to Sheldon.
‘I’m Sheldon Wellow. Son of David.’

‘I am Jaro son of Deldrian, ranger of the south’ Jaro told him. Sheldon was small compared to Jaro and Rose who towered above. ‘Sheldon, you are a young man still but you shall make a great warrior some day and a proud husband and father. Do not change your ways for they are pure and you think of others before you.’
‘Thank you’ Sheldon said. Jaro bowed and walked off. Rose looked at Elijah and blew him a kiss good-bye and followed Jaro. Jaro led Rose near a flower bed and the two faced one another.

‘Does something trouble you Jaro?’ Rose asked taking his hands, ‘I haven’t seen a smile on your face since you laid eyes of Elijah. Why do you sadden?’
‘The boy is the reason for the Black Warriors for coming here no doubt’ Jaro said, ‘tomorrow before sunrise…my rangers and I will try to slay their fowl beasts so they cannot catch them as fast.’
‘Jaro’ Rose said placing her hand on his face and then spoke soft words in catlonish. Jaro smiled and Rose kissed him. She unbuttoned her dress and her top fell down and out came her wings. Rose continued to kiss Jaro and her wings surrounded them into a sphere.

Elijah found a soft spot in the village that wasn’t burnt in the middle of four trees. Her rolled up into a little ball and went to sleep for it was half pass nine. Elijah found himself in the sky looking down.
The great circular wall of the Ring came out of the arm of the mountain itself and was made of hard, white stone. The wall was in part a natural formation, but had been smoothed and shaped. The diameter of the Ring was one mile across.
There was a single entrance on the south side of the Ring. It was an arched tunnel bored through the rock wall, with great gates at either end. The gates were made of iron and had hinges of steel with posts driven into the sides of the tunnel. The gates swung easily and noiselessly on their hinges when opened; when closed, they were locked with bars.
Inside the tunnel on the left side there was a staircase leading to a guardroom. The guardroom was a large, dark, stone chamber with a fireplace and windows looking out into the tunnel. Beyond the guardroom was a store-room filled with provisions. Another staircase led from the store-room to the top of the wall over the gates.
Around the inner side of the Ring, there were numerous other rooms and halls carved into the great wall. Within the Ring was a large circular plain. The ground dipped slightly to form a shallow bowl. Near the edge of the mountains stood a mighty tower that was made of hard, gleaming white stone. The Tower was man-made but appeared like a great spur of rock thrusting out of the plain.
The Tower was composed of four; many-sided columns of rock joined together that rose to a height of four hundred feet. A large road ran through the gate and into the tower with houses lining on the road’s side.
In the middle of the bowl was a large stone platform of white stone with many great seats circling its inner radius. The chair closest to the Tower was larger then all the rest that was tall and separated into three curves that formed a crown at the top of the Tower. Elijah was lowered into the middle of the platform and on the largest chair sat a glowing figure.

I told you boy, you cannot escape my word. Even now your end draws near. Galatians the Wise has just left Irony and headed west. Soon he will fall and never more shall we be-

Elijah woke up. The air smelt of flowers and perfumes. The moon was full and a small black cloud blocked the middle. The trees surrounding him seemed to bend down and look upon him. Elijah looked up and saw Abigail.
‘Elijah’ she said and lifted him to his feet, ‘tonight is the night of the ritual. Come, come. We have much to go over.’ Abigail had on a blue gown that stopped mid-chest with two small straps they led around her breast and connected to her back. Elijah followed her through the village and came to her house in the trees which wasn’t affected by the battle.
Abigail allowed Elijah to enter first and she followed. Candles were lit everywhere and around the bed. Abigail smiled and said, ‘get on the bed and lie down on your back.’
Elijah looked at her strangely but crawled on the bed and rolled over onto his back. A soft white pillow was now their and Elijah placed it under his head. Abigail got on top of Elijah’s chest sitting on him with her knees under his arms. Abigail bent down and got a few inches away from Elijah’s face.
‘Ready?’ she asked. Elijah wondered for a second and then nodded…

(And that is the end of Chapter 5)

Chapter VI
Journey North

Elijah woke up in the bed early the next morning. He noticed his shirt was missing and he had a scare on his breast now. The scar was in the shape of a circle with a smaller one in it and even a smaller one in that one and a dot in the middle. The candles had died down and showed no lit. He sat up and did not see Abigail.
Elijah got off the bed and walked outside to the platform and looked around. Abigail was sitting on the edge of the platform. She turned and looked at him and said, ‘I’m glade to see you’re awake Elijah son of Elisha.’
‘What happened?’ Elijah said. Abigail smiled.
‘You drifted off to sleep after I pulled your shirt off like everyone does thanks to the candle’s aroma. They put any male to sleep’ Abigail informed him, ‘then I took my nail and engraved on your chest the mark of the catlon. That mark shall remain on you unless it is burned off.’
‘Then what…or was that it?’ Elijah questioned. Abigail stood up and walked over to him and got on her knee and kissed his forehead.
‘Now is not the time…when you return you shall know’ Abigail said. She handed him his shirt and Elijah slipped it on. Elijah climbed on Abigail’s back and they got to the forest floor. The two wondered to the northern edge of the village where Jennifer, Mercy, Sheldon, Christian, and Cameron awaited.

‘I see the ritual was successful’ Mercy said. Abigail nodded proudly.
‘Then we shall be off’ Jennifer said, ‘we will get to the forest by tomorrow at noon and then you shall be on your own. The village needs all the help it can get so only I will lead these four to the Fields of Uplia.’
The catlons gathered around. Mercy gave a soft kiss to all the boys and backed up into the group of catlons. Abigail gave a soft kiss to everyone but Elijah. She kissed his lips and forced her tongue into it and backed up into the group. With that the boys bowed and Jennifer led them through the woods.
They passed all sorts of trees that twisted and turned and some had fallen unto the forest floor. Jennifer led them far and long before stopping and saying, ‘we shall rest a bit.’
Sheldon cooked a small meal of bacon and eggs and gave everyone a fair share including himself. Jennifer ate the food and was done first. All they had to drink was water but they didn’t complain. Everyone finished and off they went. Elijah hadn’t felt the same like he normally done before the ritual. He rubbed his mark on his chest.
They wondered down a hill and led through a narrow passage in between a row of trees that stood mighty in the forest. Cameron noticed a small fox following them for about two hours. The sun begun to set and Jennifer halted the boys and decided to rest.
‘How far is it to Irony?’ Christian asked not expecting an answer.
‘According to the rangers’ Jennifer said, ‘about a month’s travel on foot. That is, if you don’t stop or get delayed. But I do not know for I have never left Silence Woods for I care little of the outside world.’

When morning came the lads were ready to go. They walked through trees and about noon they came to the edge of the woods. Sheldon said happily, ‘we can finally be on are way and get this trip done.’
‘Thank you for your help’ Elijah said bowing. Jennifer smiled and kissed him above the brow and lifted him.
‘You are welcome. I have a gift for you own you quest’ she ran off and a moment later she came forward with a pony. Ponies were common to find in Silence Woods. The pony had bags of food and supplies. Then the princess said, ‘this is John the pony. You will run out of food with two bags so we decided to send with you are favorite and best pony.’
‘Thank you again’ Elijah said hugging Jennifer. Jennifer stood tall and Elijah wrapped his arms around her thighs. Jennifer smiled.
‘Travel only by day’ Jennifer said. She gave a soft kiss to all the boys and vanished into the woods but heard a soft, ‘farewell.’
Elijah, Cameron, and Christian left the woods and headed off but stopped noticing that Sheldon didn’t move. Elijah asked him, ‘what’s wrong Sheldon?’
‘Never in my life’ Sheldon said, ‘never in my life, have I left Gravince. Once I take a step out of these woods I shall be out of Gravince for a long time to come.’
Elijah walked back and placed his hand on his shoulder and said, ‘come on. Remember what Elisha said “I came to the edge of the woods but never in all my days did I want to leave Gravince. The first step was the hardest but the further I went the easier it became” so come on.’
Sheldon took a step forward followed by another. He turned his head to look at the woods and said, ‘farewell Gravince.’

The four lads headed off on a long journey. The journey north has finally begun. Sheldon and Christian carried some bags for the trip. John was a brown pony with white spots every now and then. Sheldon stayed next to John and led him behind the group as they trapped.
Night had fallen and the group rested on the side of a very large hill. Cameron looked around and said, ‘I see no rivers or villages or people for miles. It is a good thing we have this pony for who knows how long it would have been until we ran out of food and starved.’
‘Maybe a week or so’ Christian said biting into an apple, ‘but I cannot help it. I’m a growing boy that needs my three meals. An apple every now and then and I shall be happy, salted pork and tea and I shall be in a small heaven.’
‘In order not to waste time’ Cameron said, ‘I suggest we travel throughout the day with no breaks and stop only for night. It took us nearly two weeks to leave Silence Woods but it was worth it.’
‘I agree with Cameron’ Sheldon said splitting an orange into four parts, ‘I would like to get to Irony as fast as possible so we can rest in a soft bed. Wait, did we bring any gold on this adventure or not?’
‘I packed three hundred gold coins before leaving’ Elijah said laying on his side trying to fall asleep, ‘when I went in to get the Pendant I decided I might need some gold on this quest. I miss the Catlon Village already. The grass there was soft and here it is hard.’

‘I know what you mean’ Christian said, ‘you can cut a potato with this grass, if you really wanted to. I’m not saying you would.’
Elijah drifted off to sleep. The sky was covered in dark clouds all night. Sheldon slept at the bottom of the hill and the twins slept back to back on the hard grass. When they woke up they had a bit off breakfast and moved on again heading north.

The lads walked all day and stopped for the night and then the next morning they were off again. The fields were basically flat with a large hill every few miles. Day three on the quest the boys saw a white horse gallop pass them in the east heading north. The fourth night same and Sheldon checked the supplies and they still had plenty.
‘Eat, walk, eat, sleep, eat, walk, eat, sleep.’ Sheldon said. ‘I miss Gravince now more then anything. The further we go the colder it gets. Why couldn’t Galatians take the Pendant to Port Town himself?’
No one answered Sheldon for none had an answer. The fifth day it rained all day but ceased around seven, just before sunset. The sixth day was foggy and misty until three when the sun broke out of the clouds and pierced the mist and destroyed the fog. The seventh day was clear and sunny but cooler then all the other days.
The eighth day was a fine day and very warm. The ninth day rained but ceased at noon. Elijah kept the group going each day and made sure none would rest until nightfall. The tenth was dark and cloudy the entire night but the boys arrived at some ruins once know as: Mountain Keep which was made to keep watch of the Lone Mountains some miles away.
A pillar of columns circled around to form a circle that was evenly divided. The keep had a row of ten columns by ten that formed a box; expect the center which was a circle. In between a few columns was a supply house filled with old weapons. The columns were a black marble stone and all were very smooth. A few columns had cracked and tipped over. The boys decided to rest in the center of the pillars.
Elijah rested against one of the pillars and Sheldon started a small fire in the center. Christian and Cameron took out their swords and practiced a bit. Elijah felt cold and alone, isolated from everyone around him. He missed Elisha and David and Destinie. He wondered what they were doing. Sheldon cooked everyone a small meal of ham and water.
Elijah ate in deep thought but in a flash all four boys froze in complete fear. A loud high pitch cry came from all around and ended in a very low pitch tone. Sheldon threw some water on the fire to put it out and all four boys drew their swords and stood in a square with their backs to one another.
A deep mist covered the ground and rose to their knees. A shadowy figured approached in front of Elijah and soon later three more appeared with the one. All three lads turned in fear. They were cloaked and hooded in black. Grey gantlets were covering their hands and long swords were grasped in all of their right hand. Red glowing eyes came out of the hood and the wind picked up and blew their hood a side every now and again revealing a skull.
Some had cracks over their eyes and some were smooth and some were rough. The Black Warrior that first appeared said in a low voice that stretched the words, ‘Diadem. Hand me the Pendant’ and Elijah felt the urge to give it to him but Sheldon stopped him and the twins jumped in front of Elijah.

Two of the Black Warriors came up and threw Christian and Cameron aside like rag dolls. The center hooded shadow forced Sheldon to the ground without moving and approached Elijah. His free hand grabbed the lad’s throat and the hooded shadow raised his sword. Elijah could not move and dropped his sword, Swift.
Before the Black Warrior could finish Elijah, Cameron and Christian leapt on his back and stabbed him over and over but the three remaining shadows threw them off. The center shadow, the King of Shadows dropped Elijah and he fled moving through the columns. The King of Shadows gave chase.

Elijah found a column that had many cracks in it and begun to climb. He found a spot to place his hand and his foot and slowly advanced up. The King of Shadows came to the column and reached up for Elijah but the lad was barely out of his reach. The Black Warrior placed his hand on the column and it collapsed.
Elijah fell on his back and rolled down a narrow hill. The King of Shadows, now rejoined by the remaining three walked down the hill towards Elijah who desperately jumped to his feet.
‘Your attentions are useless’ the King of Shadows claimed, ‘your time has come. Hand me the Pendant now and go home and live the rest of your free-life in peace.’
But Elijah still refused to give him the Pendant but somehow it was clinched in his left hand. Elijah’s ring that Rose gave him started to glow blue and a beam of light emerged and flew high into the sky. The four shadows looked at the beam and down from the clouds came rays of light which fell in vast numbers.
The lights bombarded the ground and caused the Black Warriors to flee for their lives. Elijah looked at the ring for a moment and then headed back for the camp. Sheldon was now standing up and the twins were looking for Elijah.
‘Elijah!’ Cameron shouted seeing his friend walk up, ‘what happened to those eerie shadows that hunted for you?’
‘You did not see all the lights?’ Elijah questioned.
‘Yeah, I saw them’ Christian said not allowing Cameron to stay anything.
‘The ring started to glow and they fled’ Elijah told them. He found his sword on the ground and picked it up. The night was cold but they fell asleep just the same. Morning rose and they were off again.
The eighth day of their journey they came across bodies of orcs and belves with arrows piercing them. Around the bodies was a circle of pebbles that was quiet odd but they did not stop. The tenth day it rained all day and night and it even rained half of the morning. The fourteenth day black smoke so thick not even the sun could penetrate rose from the northwest. The sight of the smoke put fear into the lads.

The twentieth day the boys could see the Lone Mountains in the far distance. On the twenty fifth day the mountains were clear. Three large mountains next to one another forming a row that lasted thirty three miles. The center mountain was the tallest raising five hundred feet above the others. Mist came out of the tip of the two side mountains and it covered the lands in deep fog.
Elijah led the group and said to them; ‘we best start heading west now’ and they turned slightly to their left and headed for an open path in between the mountains and the Getian River.