The Elderien Chronicles

The pangs of old sins

The sun rose up in all its glory as Alastair and Cara descended down the hill that led to the Elderien's keep.

Like she always maintained, she was silent throughout the rest of the walk. But that time, Alastair did not want to bring up the issue that she just returned from the dead. She had something powerful within her and perhaps not pushing her was the right thing to do at that moment.

They continued to descend further and took the little path which cut through a little bush-path. As it was early in the morning, no one was seen along the way. The walk continued in silence until Cara suddenly decided to break the silence.

"I died, did I not?" She started, Alastair looking at her she spoke.

"When I fell from the cliff, I died, right?" She asked again.

"Yes. You did. You do not remember?" Alastair asked her. A fly suddenly buzzed across her face and she smacked it with her palm. The buzzing always irritated her and she found bees even worse.

"I remember falling. I remember feeling like my life was draining from me. But then, it began to feel like a dream and I woke up, standing beside you. What happened?" Cara asked Alastair. He decided not to keep anything from her. Who knows, that might just be the way to help her. She looked eager to learn. He just had to do his part, however far he could.

"Your powers brought you back from the dead. I have never seen anything like that before. No one has been able to cheat death, until you. Honestly, Cara, I do not know the full extent of your powers. I do not even know how to help you master it. But I believe the mages of Elderien's keep will be able to help you. They will keep you safe."

Alastair said to her and she nodded. She didn't say anything else again. They continued to walk, traversing the bush path until they stood not too far from the keep. The both of them suddenly came to stop as they beheld the grand city before them.

Having a round fence that stood several feet long, with mages' posts erected at the top, the Elderien's keep stood tall. A large gate was mounted in the middle of the walls, having ancient markings and designs plus some images of the gods.

It was spectacular to behold.

Cara's mouth slowly opened ajar as she observed the city. Alastair, on the other hand, didn't share the awe. He was ashamed of what had happened between them. Standing there reminded him of all that transpired sixteen years ago. Although most of the walls that were destroyed had been rebuilt, it still looked that way in his memory.

So, he took a step back and Cara watched him as he did, confusion written all over her.

"What are you doing? Aren't you coming with me?" She asked him

"I cannot. When they banished me, they only let me live on the condition that I never returned. I can't go in there. But Just walk to the gate and knock. A mage will see you and take you in."

Alastair said to her and Cara looked at the keep. Everything about it terrified her. What if she repeated the same thing that had happened back at those villages? No, she could not go there on her own.

"I cannot do it. I cannot go in there without you, Alastair. Please."

"Cara..."

"Just take me to the gate then. I will feel safer that way, and I will know you are always watching me to keep me in check. Please." She begged and Alastair sighed. There was no way he could refuse her. So he nodded and looked at his hand as Cara took it. The young girl led him forward and his heart beat quickly as they walked ahead.

They kept on walking until they were about ten feet away from the gate. There were mages at the posts, and when they saw the pair, especially Alastair, they sounded the alarm.

Alastair and Cara exchanged glances as the alarm persisted. They had no idea what was going on within those gates but they keep walking, head standing tall.

But then, more mages got on the wall, pointing magical arrows with blue tips at them. There was more than a dozen of the mages at the wall and when they fired, Alastair and Cara stopped walking.

The arrows formed a circle around them, linking together to form a magical shield which contained them. Then, the large gates opened and even more mages dashed outside.

Cara watched as the mages ran towards them, each of them holding a staff with a pointed, sharp looking end and a top with a rounded precious Stone place ontop it. Why did Alastair not have that staff? She wondered.

Then, the Mages made way for someone who walking towards them. Alastair sighed as the person walked closer, a look of disdain on his face.

"Alastair, murderer of mages. You dare to show your face back here after all these years." The man said to Alastair.

"Blaize. It is good to see you." Alastair said to him.

Blaize chuckled. As he did, his menu came right up. Cara could see it and so could Alastair.

Name: Blaize

Status: Mage

Energy level: 500

Affiliations: Elderien's keep

Animal Companion: Serpent

"Well, I cannot say the same. You know what awaits you here. And you showed up regardless." Blaize said and scoffed. Then, he began to walk around the shield which was keeping them in.

"Did you come to finish the job? Did you not have enough of the blood and the lives you took that night?" He yelled the last part out and Alastair closed his eyes, letting the guilt sink.

"I did not come here to fight Blaize. I only brought a mage to the keep. Her name is Cara. Please, train her and keep her safe." Alastair said and nudged Cara to walk forward. But Blaize suddenly took a defensive position.

"We will not believe a word of what you say. I could have killed you on the spot but sadly, I have a superior who I think would like to see your execution with his own eyes. Bring them in!" Blaize said to the rest of the mages who led Alastair and Cara inside. Blaize walked behind them, getting ready to mount his attack.

He suddenly hurled at Alastair and smacked his head with his staff.

Cara screamed as Alastair staggered to the ground, breathing heavily as he tried to get a clearer sight. Blaize attacked him again, not using magic but kicking him and punching him on the face. But Alastair did not fight back.

He knew Blaize was just looking for an excuse to kill him on the spot. The old him would have fought back but he had Cara to think about also. So, when he was done kicking him, Blaize breathed heavily as he ordered two mages to drag Alastair away. Cara looked at him with hate in her eyes. She just wished she could burn him where he stood. But it turned out her powers did not work that day.

The mages dragged them into the city and they headed straight for the largest building in the city-the citadel-where the Head mage was spending the rest of his days in office. The doors of the citadel opened and the mages dragged Alastair in. The citadel was faintly blue in colour and darker than what Cara had expected. It seemed to be empty for their footsteps echoed through the vast space.

The mages threw Alastair on the ground and Cara quickly rushed to him as he groaned. When he attempted to stand up, Blaize kicked him down, a way of telling him that he was supposed to be on his knees.

"Forgive us for disturbing you, your grace, but we have Alastair here. He has returned." Blaize said out loud and the next moment brought silence.

Cara wondered if the mages were sane for they were speaking to an empty space. But then, she began to hear faint footsteps approaching. All of the Mages kept their heads bowed as the footsteps came closer. Then, finally, standing before her was a tall, old man who supported himself with his staff.

Who was he? She wondered.