“You must have known that Slithzalien’s powers would grow over time,” said Alma in a matter of fact tone. “As well as his presence over this land. He will not rest until he fulfills the work of his ancestor, Bolsee.”
“I have tried to live my life in peace,” said the blacksmith, his expression grim, his tone sinking. “But I now see that that is not possible. So tell me, how did you come upon this companion, Alma?”
“Not much to tell. I found him at a tavern in Lableck. It is of little consequence. The point is that we are traveling together now. I’m weary from my traveling and I don’t wish to talk a whole lot for the day.”
“I understand sweetheart,” replied Horwin. Alma seemed to shift uncomfortably and turned to gaze out the round window to the outside; silence prevailed for a time.
“There is a matter which I must contemplate,” she said abruptly, putting an end to the quietness. With that, she got up and walked out the door which was still open.
“I should see what’s wrong,” said Ing. He was unsure of whether or not to follow her, but he didn’t want to see her upset, so he got up from his seat and left the home of the blacksmith. He heard Horwin let out a sigh.
Alma was sitting by the brook.
“You don’t have to shut yourself off like that,” said Ing, sitting down beside her, listening to the sound of the calm waters and gazing about at the trees. “I know what it’s like to lose your family. I lost my mother back in Ganwin. I watched her as her last breaths passed between her lips. She told me to find my uncle and this is what has winded me up here.” Ing looked upon Alma’s face, looking for a sign that his words had some effect and were not in vain.
“At least you have your uncle,” she retorted, not meeting his eyes. “Slithzalien will pay for what he has done. Look I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but I just want to be alone for right now.”
The red drink Horwin had poured for the three of them had upset Alma's stomach. Truth be told her stomach was already feeling not right earlier in the day. And the day before too it would seem. Why do I live in so much pain when they are dead? She thought. The memory of her parents seemed to haunt her wherever she went. She thought back on a day shortly after she had arrived in Dharma with the mountain people. It was to become her new home, safe in the Horda Mountains, a place even the Illusionists couldn't reach, she hoped.
Then she thought of her parents. Her father was Adam Vale and her mother was Alice Vale of Lableck. To be more specific they lived in the town of Koridge northeast of Garlie. Adam Vale was a tall slender man with honey-colored hair and green eyes the same shade as his daughter's. Oftentimes at night he would play the flute and Alma would hear it in her dreams. Her mother Alice was a golden-skinned woman who loved to play the piano.
It must be said the piano was first invented in 115 by the man named Pianon Agrarion and he named it after himself, leaving off the n at the end of his first name so his name would not be confused with that of his instrument. Pianon, like other people, loved to sing and found that he longed for an instrument to accompany his voice. The Forest Mother Gretta still had her children at the time and she gave him blessed wood from her forest to create his instrument.
Five years later, Pianon met a man who he loved named Garya Black, a man who shared his passion. Garya was a man with thick curly black hair, not unlike Ing's, and he had dark eyes to match. He marveled at Pianon's invention and created wonderful melodies with the piano that people would gather around to hear. Pianon Agrarion came to view Garya as a son, and in time Garya Black created his own invention, the flute. The two would place music together and rejoice at the sounds they could make.
Yes, so it was that Adam loved to play the play the flute and Alma's mother would play the piano. Alma thought back to the dreadful night when they had died. Rain was pouring heavily outside the walls of their home, but she thought herself to be safe there. Koridge was a town far from the Desert of Thieves and did not fear attack from them. But there was another danger present that the young girl, only seven-years-old, could not have foreseen.
At the time she had never heard of the Forest Mother, Slithzalien, or the Illusionists. Even then they were searching the land, scouring Eclestia for a trace of their master's Rod. Their search had brought them to Koridge and they were just passing through. When Adam and Alice heard the sound of horses (or so they thought, but in truth the Illusionists rode upon beasts from Akram) Adam went out to investigate. “I will just be but a moment, Alice. I would find the source of that noise.”
Not a minute after he went out, Alice went to follow him, in fear that her husband was in danger. Adam and Alice looked out into the dark night as the three Illusionists came their way, seated atop foul beasts from the town of eternal twilight in the north, staffs in their hands, swords sheathed at their sides. The leader of the pack drove his beast forward and it ripped through the skull of Adam while to his right an Illusionist pulled free his sword and slashed across the throat of Alice. The two lay there dying, their only
