The gryphon began his story by saying, The old world was a place of wonders. The elves and gods lived together to create the other races of this world. The gods were powerful, but it was the curiosity of the elves that they delighted in most. Yet that same curiosity caused them to stumble. In the fervor of creation, a being was brought into this world that was entirely evil. Koivash the Hungry was its name, and it had no face, no gender, and no love for any other creature, only an endless appetite, a desire to consume, corrupt, and conquer.
Soon, the old world was a place overrun by Koivash’s own creations, and it grew in power until even the gods could no longer contend with its strength. There was a great battle, and many of the gods were slain, their physical forms cast down in ruin. The elves who fought with them were likewise destroyed.
In a last act of desperation, the gods took up residence in the stars above, and the elves sent their children across the sea to find hope in a new land. They found this land, and called it Mariandor, a place they could call home. Yet Koivash followed. Bound as he was to the old world, he sent armies in his stead. And more blood was shed on the shores of Mariandor. The men and beasts of Mariandor forged an alliance and defied the darkness.
Sadly, all but one of the elves were slain. And though his true name was far grander, he called himself Lem. As Lem had no way of reproducing, he gave portions of his power to those wise enough to accept. He traveled across this land, giving his gifts freely, bestowing sentience to many of the beasts, calming the rage of the dragons, and showing man the dignity and progress of civilization.
When Lem grew old, no longer restored by the magic of his homeland, he retired to the Lemish mountains. It was there that he blessed several lines of men, each tasked to protect Mariandor and defend against the return of Koivash. Tael was among these lines.
My mind spun with the implications of Bastral’s speech. So many questions vied for attention, but I pushed them aside, hoping to absorb as much of the story as possible. We sat in silence and stared up at the stars above us. Full dark had fallen, and the moon had not yet risen, so the sky was ablaze with starlight.
At last, one question came to mind that I could not dismiss. What, then, of the elves that still live? If they all died off, then how did my race come to be?
As I’ve said, Lem gifted many lines of men, Bastral answered patiently. The elves that walk this earth now are not high elves, immortal and powerful, but rather men who have evolved differently than others.
Then, as if sharing my mind as well, I heard Madi speak. What is his power? And if he dies, what will happen to us when this Koivash guy comes back?
Bastral looked to her and dipped his beak somberly. Quinn, and those like him, must not die out nor be taken. At least one of the ancients must survive to stand against the Dark One. Perhaps you should ask Quinn when you see him next. The power of the Elders is a hidden secret. But we must hope it is enough. For though this Rat King is a creature of this world, I fear that his power is not.
And as Bastral finished speaking, the few remaining pieces to a complex puzzle began to click in my mind. There was little wonder why so many NPCs thought the Rat King’s actions were disturbing and strange. If he had somehow found an age-old source of power, there was little wonder why he had been bending and breaking the rules of creation. So we kept our seats long into the night, watching the stars. The comfort of companionship was the only thing keeping us from shivering against the cold of the night and the thought of war with a truly malevolent being.
Selna came up and I spoke with her for some time, at last my memory serving to remind me of the gift Judas wanted me to pass along. His being here made the matter almost seem a trifle, but a promise was a promise. Removing the wooden box, I handed it to her. “Judas asked me or Madi to give this to you. And to tell you something as well. I can’t remember his precise wording even though he said it was important… something about a boy wanting to take water from the village well?” I tried, looking to see if any sign of recognition showed on her face.
Selna’s face turned a deep crimson, and she coughed on the strip of venison she was eating. “Oh, um. That is good to know, I suppose.” Opening the box, her eyes shimmered with barely held tears for a few moments. I wouldn’t have dared to ask, but Selna produced a small flower from the box and showed me. It was dry and shriveled, but the flower remained remarkably well-preserved.
“He gave you a flower?” I asked lamely.
“Not just any flower. This is a Rune Thistle flower. They grow burrs that latch onto traveler’s boots and clothing, and travel far distances. The burrs are shaped roughly like a very old rune, one that means desire. More than a few stories explain exactly why, but this means, or used to mean to the people the Doondane Rangers descended from, that the wizard has fallen in love with me.” Pausing to consider her final words, she asked, “What do you
