Journey of the Helm

Meonoma and Stephen waved to the Council before turning to the trees and walking into the field. Meonoma muttered “Stammen ponto, serdo asto tokasie tethum.” His words were so soft that only he and Stephen could hear before they both vanished from Earth and appeared in another field in the land of Stamthar.

“That never ceases to shock me,” Stephen said softly to no one in particular.

“How many times have you done this before?”

“Twenty or thirty over the years.” Stephen turned to Meonoma, giving him a wry smile at his shocked expression before looking at Meonoma contemplatively. He walked silently towards the tree line with Meonoma strolling behind, before he turned his head asking, “Was this your first time through?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“You started suddenly when we arrived, come along and quickly now.”

Stephen picked up his pace, poising himself to plunge into the trees ahead. It was now an hour and a half after midday. Meonoma thought back to the travel through the portal with a shiver. He had felt or noticed something that didn’t feel right, it felt almost...it was… the thought disappeared as they continued to move on in silence. It wasn’t long until he began to reflect on the events of the past week. He felt his face moisten with tears while he thought of all who had died in the battles they had just fought. He didn’t envy the task his younger brother was left with: leading their people since their older brother’s death. The beauty of the alfeony trees was only able to distract him briefly from memory of the death and destruction – caused by his sister, Hena. He was grieved that her rage and desire for vengeance had transformed her into a Hath. He almost had to stop walking when he remembered his sword going through her stomach. He recalled her reversion back to herself as she bled out, and how she charged him with the task of vengeance upon the person who helped turn her into a Hath.

‘Who is the man, Mranauroka, who helped lead to all of this pain and suffering?' he thought to himself. 'I wonder, would Stephen know of this man?’

It was a few hours after they had started when Meonoma was finally able to compose himself to speak. After he had mustered himself, he quickened his pace to bring himself closer to his companion, “Have you ever heard of a man or Hath named Mranauroka?”

“Yes." He spit towards the ground after he spoke. "That's a hated name for us Hath hunters, never mention it again. He's one of Vasnath's generals, a Frendorian who was imbued with evil power to carry out his will. Why do you ask about him?”

“That bastard. Hena spoke of him as the man who turned her into a Hath and sent her on the quest of destruction. With her dying breath she demanded that I take revenge on him. After all that happened and all that I did, I need to do this.”

“He's in Vasnath’s region, last I heard he was guarding the high pass above the valley entrance into that country.” Stephen’s thoughtful expression turned to concern as he spoke. “Be careful, he's a shadow-man. The tales of their powers are terrifying and very few end in the shadow-man’s death or defeat.”

“I will be careful, but I think I know of a way to end his life.” Meonoma’s eyes took on a determined glint.

They walked in silence for a while after that, until they came to a gurgling stream that ran through the forest. They laid down their packs and pulled out their canteens to fill them with water.

Without turning around, Stephen smiled slightly and spoke, “You can come out of hiding, I saw you as we approached the stream. What are two elves doing here?”

A fair elven voice from the trees answered, “We live here and help guard the portal from the Enemy when we can. What are you doing here, Stephen the Stalwart?”

“I’m hunting Hath as I always do – and also guiding Meonoma son of Tamo son of Gahaldigra.”

“Both of his ancestors’ names are known to us, though even still we would have granted him permission to pass because he was with you.” replied the elven voice.

“Who are you?” asked Meonoma, looking curiously toward the trees behind them.

“I am Telensenara and this is Televayra my mate,” said the elf (for an elf she was) as she and her mate leapt off a nearby tree with bows in hand.

They were like most elves: tall and slim with translucent dark skin. They wore dark brown and green tunics over light gambeson and a green cloak covering everything. Telensenara had eyes that shone like silver with long dark brown (almost black) hair.

“What happened to the company of Hath that came through these woods recently who we saw go through the portal? Was there a battle? Were the elves involved?” Televayra stared at him intently with his golden eyes.

“They were destroyed – and yes, the elves were involved, and there was a battle.” said Meonoma as the sadness crossed his face.

“We have family living there, do you know if they are still alive?” asked Televayra, his face darkening.

“I will gladly tell you if I know of them, but Please do not make me the potential bearer of bad news on the trail, but I would willingly do so at a campsite. Do you have one already since you live here?” Meonoma replied.

“Yes we do, come and share a meal with us as you tell us of our families’ fate.” said Televayra.

“I'll not be coming. I must move on.” Stephen held up a hand to stop Meonoma before he began talking. Stephen continued, “We would've had to split ways eventually; you can’t follow my path. You've found guides to lead you, which I for you wanted all along, so go with them. Go now in peace son of Tamo and be blessed by God until we meet again.”

Meonoma responded with a somber face, “Be blessed by Kema, Stephen Pepper.”

“Come follow us.” Telensenara went into the woods.

Meonoma and Televayra followed her. They trekked through a good amount of woods before they came to a small clearing with tents, a small cooking fire, a larger fire, and a young woman. She stood a bit shorter than Meonoma with a dark tan and well-built muscles from long traveling and much fighting. She was garbed in the same dress as the elves.

“This is Skrohokaldi. Skrohokaldi, this is Meonoma son of Tamo.” said Telensenara.

“Good evening, my Lady. Have you no record of your parents that you are not a daughter of anyone?” asked Meonoma as he bowed to her.

“None remember their ancestors in the wild.” she replied with a bow and a twinkle in her woody brown eyes that peeked out of her brown curly hair.

They both stared into each other’s eyes, blue into brown. Meonoma saw in her eyes an expression that he remembered, but could not place. They looked away. Skrohokaldi went over to a pot with three bowls next to it and grabbed an extra bowl from a nearby pack. Telensenara and Televayra each grabbed a bowl and served themselves some soup. They also took some waybread from their packs and sat on the opposite side of the fire.

When Televayra saw Meonoma hesitate he motioned to him. “Come and sit around the fire.” said Televayra.

Meonoma went and sat down next to Skrohokaldi on the log that had been moved to lay nearby the fire ring, which stood in the middle of the clearing. Across from them, on the other side of the campfire, sat Telensenara and her mate, Televayra, staring back at them with the outline of the sun beginning to edge in above their heads. Skrohokaldi took her extra bowl filled with soup and handed it to Meonoma who accepted it gratefully. Then she gave him half of her chunk of bread, mimicking unbeknownst to him the daily evening practice of Telensenara and Televayra.

“Loefrako lorre Kema asto solaen tokoseo tokaseo neometh.” said Telensenara.

“Thanks be to Kema,” said Meonoma.

Meonoma took his spoon from his pack, dipped it into soup, and took the first bite. After his first bite, they all began to eat and there was silence for a brief moment as everyone took time to sate their initial hunger.

“Are my brother, Telna, and his mate Telena alive?” asked Telensenara, suddenly breaking the silence.

“Is my sister, Televaylom, alive?” asked Televayra at the same time as his mate.

Meonoma hung his head in sadness and took a deep breath before saying, “Yes Telna and Telena did, but he died on the Stamthar Maeloth, defending those he loved. He died in the arms of the maiden he loved, but she died later on as well. As for Televaylom I did not hear her name in the rolls of the dead.”

They all stopped eating as Telensenara began weeping, Televayra held her as he spoke. “This is grievous news you bring to our ears. I was hoping we would not have to go through this deep of a loss again, after the time we were ambushed on the way to Koroma Kema.”

“I am sorry to bring these tidings to you. Televayra, would you like me to also bring this news to your relatives as I travel?” Meonoma asked haltingly.

“We would appreciate that. And now, please, allow us to mourn our loss for a bit.” replied Televayra before turning to his mate and weeping with her.

Meonoma and Skrohokaldi ate in silence for a little while with the sound of the elves’ grief as a constant reminder of their pain. Meonoma hesitantly turned to Skrohokaldi before stuttering out, “So, what brought you all here?”

“Televayra and Telensenara came to my people’s settlement after they escaped the Hath raid. They were wounded and carrying the body of Televayra’s brother when I found them. We took them in, cared for them, and helped them bury their dead family. I spent much of that year with them, helping, and learning from them. They began to love me as their own child and adopted me as a member of their family. They decided to stay another four years among us to teach me and any who wished to learn their culture and language as well as the tongue of the Frendorian. They taught me the woodcraft of the elves, which far surpassed the art taught by my people – an art I excelled in. When they left my tribe, I went with them to this forest where we are now settled. They told me they came…” she paused before turning her mouth towards his ear, leaned forward, and whispered, “here to protect their remaining family as best they could by killing spies and scouts that came close to the portal.”

They had finished their food at this point. The sun had come closer to the level of their eyes, making it harder to see. “Let’s move away from the fire to give them some time alone.” Meonoma turned away from the fire and the sun and saw the cooking shelter with a smaller fire. “Come on, let’s go.” He offered her his hand to pull her up, which she took with slight hesitation. They walked over to the shelter and sat next to that fire.

The two of them talked there for several hours, discussing what happened in their lives and how they grew up. Meonoma learned that Skrohokaldi was a name of her own choice when she came of age at sixteen. She spoke of how her parents died before she turned one and how she was raised by her tribe, becoming the best hunter and tracker of all her people. She explained to him how she used her status to postpone being married off at the traditional young age.

He told her of the Hath raid that was repelled when he was younger, but resulted in his mother’s death. He explained to her why his father left to hunt them down leaving his older brother in charge, and why his sister left in a fit of jealousy and rage to enter this world. She learned of his love for an elf woman named Nearia and how he first met her.

By this time, the sun was now blazing across the top of the trees that ringed the western side of the clearing. As they walked back to the main fire, the sunlight bathed their faces in green and gold. They sat down next to Televayra and Telensenara, who had collected themselves. They were silent for a time before Skrohokaldi turned and looked inquisitively at Meonoma.

“Why have you come into the Stamthar?” she asked.

“For a few reasons: I came primarily to seek vengeance for my sister’s corruption, but I also came at my father’s request to seek out the Chosen One of prophecy. If I can, I also wish to find Nearia.”

Televayra turned solemnly to Meonoma, “Nearia has left the bounds of this world.”

“Has she died?” asked Meonoma, his face winced slightly.

“Not exactly. She went into Orekumandor and our people felt her body crumble. Her spirit departed her body never to return to any body, but it still persists in this land.”

“Oh. Maybe when Vasnath is dethroned and Orekumandor is overthrown, I will search for her spirit and seek final release.” said Meonoma.

“You may not need to search so far or so long to find her,” said Televayra.

“The prophecy we have heard, but the meaning is unclear to us.” said Telensenara, her face also looked pained.

“Who we are looking for is easy, for it says, 'he who has little strength or power.' This person has to be weak and have no true power or special ability. I feel that I must find him. So I wish to seek him out among the people in Stamthar.” said Meonoma.

“You speak truly enough of the words as we have heard them, but be careful since prophecies handed down can be misunderstood or corrupted. You will need guides and companions to go with you and defend you on this quest. The dangers for those unaware or new to this world are great, especially when some could be easily avoided with some knowledge.” said Televayra.

“I will need much help then, for all I know of the dangers of this world has been given to me through tales of my grandfather.” said Meonoma rising slightly and bowing to both of the elves.

Skrohokaldi stood up out of her seat on the log, “I shall go. You will need someone with the knowledge of the people of Stamthar.”

“We will all go with you.” said Televayra, giving Skrohokaldi an affirming look.

“Do you have a current map so I can be sure of my way?” asked Meonoma looking intentionally at Skrohokaldi this time.

“Yes,” said Skrohokaldi rushing to her bag, and pulling out a new looking rolled up parchment. The light sparkled in and played with her curly brown hair making it seem as if light was trapped within her curls. The paper had an elvish look to it.

“Here is the map.” she said as she unrolled the parchment revealing well defined lines showing their region of the world as it stood at that time. As Meonoma looked at the map, he saw that the form and style of the cartography and calligraphy were consistent with elven craftsmanship. He wondered which of his two elven companions had taken the time to copy and transliterate their map for Skrohokaldi’s sake.

“We’re here.” she said pointing to a clearing in the woods on the map around the Falktharma Ponto.

“Is that river crossable?” asked Meonoma as he pointed to the river east of their present location on the map.

“Yes. There were several crossings when I last ventured there.” replied Telensenara.

“What is in that ring of hills? It seems to be a good area to develop a stronghold.” asked Meonoma pointing to the area east of the river that is enclosed by mountains.

“As far as we know no one lives there, but it has never been fully explored, so we have no true knowledge of who lives there or if it is even inhabited.”

“I wish to travel there first to determine if it is inhabited and to scope out the area for defensible positions for the forces of Tamoka Pinaetoma to retreat to as a last resort. Then I wish to visit your home and people, Skrohokaldi, to search among them.” he said, turning to her.

“I would love to show you my home and introduce you to my people and show you our ways.” she said kindly.

“Then I would like to visit the Ventriathians to see what the land and people are like there.”

“If you desire to go there, then we will lead you there, but they are not always very friendly to visitors from the stories that were told.” said Skrohokaldi hesitatingly.

Televayra looked around before he spoke into the gathering dark, “Not all tales told are as true as they seem when heard, but where do you wish to go after that.”

“Then I must enter Orekumandor.” As he spoke darkness enveloped them and the only light in the night came from the fire, for the moon was still behind the mountains to the east.

“We have never heard of anyone, except those who are the servants of Vasnath, who go in there that are ever seen again. I would not advise going there, especially not by any direct route.” said Telensenara.

“I must find and kill the corrupter of my sister.” His eyes narrowed and his face darkened.

“Do you intend on visiting your father?” asked Telensenara.