Quest for the Seals, Part V

[Topaz]

QUEST FOR THE SEALS, PART V


From the town crier the call was heard,
of demons descending in deadly raids
on Milltown and Altitan, Aldwythe's Landing,
Dundee, Ryndall, and distant Fartown.
Dire was the word from the Dark Forest
of a N'rolav Beast, bane of heroes.

Then a wail arose from the woeful crier:
the rumors were false, the raids a diversion.
For Balthazar came to Caer Laleldan,
the darkness-bringer, the Demon Lord.
In the King's chamber a chasm opened;
a hero died in a hail of stones.

The room was sealed by a slithering thing,
and a mist fell, a foul demon-curse,
to weaken the watchers waiting outside.
Aaronar wakened, warlike enchanter,
and battered the barrier. A blast of lightning
struck and slew him; suddenly surrounded
by demon warriors, Waric fled screaming.

To Valorn's heroes the Holy one spoke:
"Seek out Harrell the hidden scribe
in his safe haven; he holds the tokens."
They sought the scribe, searching the land,
till Gellawyn found him, guarding his keys
in the forest canopy, fearful of harm.
For Harrell was hunted by horrid creatures
and stalked by demons. But the strong heroes
kept him safe, the key-provider,
and each one gained an engraven key.
Then a ravenous roc reached brave Harrell
and bore him away, his words ringing:
"My task is done; I die content."

The ground trembled. A terrible scream
shook the castle to its stone foundation.
Elijah the Holy, his hands uplifted,
called on the gods, for Cory's protection
and the might of Ben, Builder of Worlds.
Then from Sunrifter, shining fortress
passing above, a blanket of mist
slowly but surely settled on Valorn,
stopping the ears of evil minions.

Slowly through the sky Sunrifter moved,
completing its course at the chosen marc
to shroud in silence the secret plans.
Elijah summoned to the shrine at Milltown
all who carried a key from Harrell,
and told his plan. Terrible warnings
he gave the heroes, of grim demons
guarding the Seal with sinister traps.

To carry the Seals to Caer Laleldan
four were chosen by the cleric's word.
These were the four, the finest of Valorn:
Remy the silent, the swamp-dweller,
first of the four, the Fire seal carried.
Gellawyn the cleric, clear-sighted healer,
carried the Seal of Cory's Protection.
Korrith carried the Keystone Seal;
Ethiril Darklight, dauntless cleric,
fearlessly bore the Fluid seal.

From Milltown's shrine they made their way,
a host of heroes hiding the Seals
and their brave bearers, to baffle the foe.
The throng arrived at the throne room door,
eagerly shouting, scornful of danger.
Of Eldrin Ivanshine Elijah spoke,
sharp-eyed Captain, ship-commander.
"At Eldrin's call, counting from ten
to the stroke of one, strike at the door."
So said Elijah. The sea-wise enchanter
raised up his voice with ready intent.
"Ten!" he declared, and the crowd of heroes
charged in headlong, a crushing horde
hot for battle. Barely did Eldrin
the canny commander keep his footing.
The demon barrier burst asunder
and monstrous foes, mighty centurions,
faced the adventurers in fierce combat.
Valorn's bravery bested the demons;
but, fleeing, they caught and carried with them
Helen Yewbeam, a young initiate,
off to their dark and distant stronghold.

In the Throne Room floor a foul abyss
beckoned downward, dark, foreboding,
blocked by a barrier. The brave Seal-bearers
in order of power now placed the Seals:
Fire and Water first were offered,
Keystone of Earth, then Cory's Protection.

"Now choose your way," said wise Elijah,
"the door's defense or the downward path,
to stand above or to search below."
With keys in hand the heroes descended,
while others waited, watching the door
and guarding the Seals, stalwart defenders.

As holy Elijah humbly prayed,
demons entered, evil's minions,
to slay the watchers who waited behind,
but the swords of Valorn stood fast before them.
Dread was the battle in the depths below:
bloodied champions beat back the heroes,
but Valorn prevailed; the valiant onslaught
of the mightiest swordsmen, strongest enchanters,
hammer-bearers, bold in the fray,
and the poisoned daggers of deadly rogues
destroyed at last the lair of the demons.

First to emerge was Fallstar the rogue,
bearing in hand boxes of mystery.
His fellow heroes followed him swiftly,
heeding the call of holy Elijah.
"Five were recovered, found in the darkness;
one holds the Seal sought by Valorn."
The eager adventurers opened the boxes,
lifted their lids, unlocked their secret --
cannons firing, cruel explosions.
Flung far and wide, falling in pieces
were Valorn's adventurers, vilely deceived.

Then cautiously Korrith with key in hand,
dared to open a dangerous box,
and standing unscathed saw at his feet
the Seal of Ben's Strength Almighty
in soul-shaking thunder and searing lightning.
He set the sigil, shining with power,
beside the others, and sealed the door.
Behind that door a din arose,
gnashing of teeth, terrible howling,
for the way was lost to the lurking evil,
shut firm and fast, defended forever.

At Milltown's shrine was much rejoicing.
The godly mist melted away,
and Harrell the humble, hale and alive,
from the roc's claws and the clutches of death
returned untouched, to trade with adventurers
keepsakes and trinkets for keys he had given.
The Goddess Carol, giver of blessings,
radiant and bright, rescued the captive
Helen Yewbeam, young adventurer,
from the dark dungeon, the demon's lair.
From the King's chamber the chasm vanished,
and the sealed door was scarred no longer
with mark of claws of murderous evil.

Songs of victory through Valorn rang,
in taverns and inns toasts were given.
The heroes feasted, happy and strong,
wet their throats with wine and ale
and flung defiance at foes of Valorn.
By the mighty swords, the swift daggers,
the powerful staves and the prayers of grace,
Valorn triumphed, vanquishing evil,
gaining the Seals through great adversity.

To Ben the Mighty, Maker of Worlds,
to Cory the Wise, the World Mover,
to the jewel-bright goddesses, Julia and Xia
and Carol the merciful, may many praises
be loud uplifted through the length of Valorn.



Topaz

[Thorne Blackrose]

What a marvel, Topaz. You've outdone yourself.

Has Helen Yewbeam been seen since that fateful day? I wonder if she knows of her literary immortality.

[sust]

Most excellent Topaz.


Shadow Ryder

[superduck]

Beautiful.