The Ocean Hearth (A "Hymns of Evermorn" Story) by Lionelson NY

Everything was white when the moon shined as bright as the sun. Eli opened his eyes and found himself in lush greenery. He noticed himself wearing a white robe made of the softest wool he ever felt. Out of the ringing sound of the forest, he could hear a melodious voice of a woman

’And so the king met his adversary

But ’twas not a blade that cut his throat

’Twas by his greed and blinded wrath

Did he find himself in the sea…’

He got up and followed the voice that had enchanted him. It brought him down a path that was paved with flowers that he had never seen before. Flowers that were probably never even named by men. The voice kept on humming the elegant melody until he reached a waterfall.

There was a woman there. She had blue skin with silver hair and a gleaming white dress. She had a face as beautiful as her voice. She sat by the lake where the water fell, swaying her fingers on the surface. She suddenly turned her radiant eyes towards Eli.

“Eli Rivergrove” she spoke with a voice stern as thunder but soft as the meadows. “Come by the water.”

Eli slowly paced towards the woman.

She took out some of the lake water with her hands and offered it to Eli.

“Drink” she smiled.

“Who are you?” Eli questioned.

“The Redemption” she answered, insisting him to drink. And so Eli took a sip from his hand.

Slowly, his vision blurred and the sounds in his ears faded. And when he opened his eyes again, he woke up right where he had just blacked out on top of the royal castle. Priestesses surrounded him, circling floating waters around him.

Gasping in shock, he grabbed his chest and noticed the wound has gone.

“Now isn’t this a miracle.” Eli heard Laia’s voice coming towards him. “Dalharian spells are usually not as potent in the morning.”

Eli smiled as Laia pulled him up. He took a look at below the cliff. The king’s blood had already been washed away by the stream.

“We did it...” Eli gave a wide smile.

“We sure did.” Laia replied him with the sweetest smile he had ever seen. She pulled him up.

And as the priestesses left their presence, Eli set his eyes upon her. The woman she saw in his dream just now resembled her so much. Entranced by her beauty, he grabbed her hands and stared deep into her eyes.

“Thank you, Lady Laia” he said.

Laia, looking at the sunlight brushing his face, was never more thrilled for the morning than ever. Her heart raced at the sight of his gleaming eyes. Perhaps there was more to learn about humans than she already did. But just as she was about to step closer to him, she heard the sound of men and women screaming below.

Immediately, Eli let go and had a good look over the city. And there he saw a parade of starbornes on top of huge grey bears.

“Who is that?” Eli’s brows furrowed.

“No…it can’t be.” Laia muttered.

Immediately, they rushed down to the throne room.

It was Tarsya Raenna, with Head Huntress Keira on her side. An army of Sye’rah followed behind, each one riding a Giant Grey Bear. They gathered every human, Eleazarians and Reds alike, into a huge iron cage, pulled by the bears. Those who refused were mauled by the terrifying beasts. Those who try to bend the iron bars would have a surge of energy piercing through their veins.

They paraded up to the High Town and entered into the castle court. Raenna and Keira climbed down their bears, ordering her Sye’rah to guard the human prisoners. Proudly fretting down the pavilion, they even passed by the king’s garden. There they saw the berserker Adnar’s corpse lying on the ground.

“You see that, Keira?” Raenna said, pointing at the bulk of flesh that’s oozing with black blood. Flies linger around it, but not a single one landed for it must be poisonous.

“What is that?” Keira’s voice shivered.

“That is man’s pathetic attempt to recreate our Ashosh’s power. See for yourself what abomination they have made of themselves. Do you still think I am mad, head huntress?”

“No, an-Tarsya.” Keira shook her head.

“Good.”

They went their way up the stony stairwell through maze-like coridors until they entered the throne room. For the first time, she was delighted to see the golden pyramid. For the first time, she felt glad to be in a human city.

Just then, Laia and Eli had just arrived as well.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Eli shouted.

“Why are you shouting, captain?” Raenna sternly asked with her old voice.

“The humans. Why are they caged?!”

“What do you mean? This is what you asked for.”

“I asked for an alliance. Not slavery!”

“Let me remind you of our agreement.” Raenna pulled out the scroll that holds their contract. She read it. “Dalhar shall offer her assistance to the Reds of Elmswood. Afterwards, all previous vows between starbornes and humans are to be lifted. The relationship between Dalhar and Eleazar shall redefined and renewed. This is me lifting our previous vows and renewing our relationship, Captain Rivergrove.”

“An-Tarsya. Since when had you resorted to trickery in your rule?!” Laia voiced out.

“Since when had the Eleazarians had any rightful claim to a land on Evermorn, Laia?! That is the question you should be asking!” Keira defended her Tarsya.

“She is right, Laia. This is not their ancestral home.” The Tarsya continued. “And keep in mind, you are no longer in a position to quarrel with me.”

“How come I have no say in this redefinition, Raenna?” Eli muttered, grinding his teeth.

“If you have the capability to overthrow my authority, then by all means, redefine. But look at all your people, Eli. They are exhausted. Afraid. Caged. What power do you have right now that can overthrow my authority?” Raenna smirked.

Eli grunted. His gut told him to strangle the old queen. But the Tarsya continued.

“You must think I’m unjust. But consider this, captain.” She said. “At this moment, my priestesses are healing your wounded men instead of mine. And I am giving you a fleet of ships that are enchanted by my priestesses so that it can deliver you and your people safely to your ancestral home: Meridia. A lot of my Galaviere is being wasted on your people.

“So you see, Eli. I have liberated you from tyrannical rule, healed your wounded and offered you a safe voyage home. Should you choose to oppose my generosity, then I will do the complete opposite. Do I make myself clear?”

Eli was furious when she heard the old starborne twisting her words and values. He gritted his teeth and was about to attack her until he heard a cough coming from the edge of the room. Then he heard a mutter.

“Brother Eli?” a voice called out. Eli turned and saw Obed, still leaning on the wall, drowsy. “Did we win?”

Eli’s breath raced. His fist was clenched till his palms were about to bleed. But he finally gained repose. At this point, it was not worth it anymore.

“No, brother…We did not.” Eli walked away and grabbed Obed then placed him on his shoulders. He then made his way out.

Laia chased him close behind.

“Eli, wait!” she grabbed his shirt tightly, grinding her teeth. Her eyes were filled with a mix of rage and water, wrinkling her brows. Her fisted hands shivering. “You can’t just…please…this is...”

When she realized she could only mutter out non-sense words in frustration, she quickly grasped his neck and pulled him close as she gave him a long kiss. Her lips were soft and tender and not to mention heart-warming. But Eli just could not reciprocate.

“Sya’amar, Laia.” Eli said as he passed her and continued his way down the stairs.

“Sya’amar, Eli Rivergrove. May I see you in the Allfather’s court.” Laia just stood there as his shadows disappeared.

Meanwhile in the throne room, the Tarsya Raenna helped herself up the golden pyramid. She brushed away her cloak, revealing a satchel. And out of the satchel, she took out The Ocean Heart. With a grin in her face, she placed the stone where it was once above the throne. Expiring a long satisfied breath, she placed her bosom on the soft cushion of the Royal Seat.

“Now…bring in the chief priestess! There is a lot to discuss”

And as twilight came, the humans were sent off from the coasts aboard three enchanted Dalharian ships which will sail itself through the Hungry Ocean. Eli stood at corner of a cage. Everyone stared at him; some out of hate while some out of shame. But all Eli could stare at was the city walls of Eleazar with all its splendour, slowly drifting father away.

“Don’t fret, brother” Obed disturbed him. He was sitting on the floor, leaned against the bars. His back still ached. “When we reach Meridia, we’ll seek refuge from the Temple of the Fount. We’ll be safe there.”

“That’s assuming we wouldn’t be slaughtered the moment we reach shore…” Eli replied as he looked down on the crippled, young man. He reached down and sat next to him. But he couldn’t help but notice the crude slight of eyes the people threw at him as they whispered among themselves. “That’s assuming these folks don’t murder us come tomorrow.”

And so he closed his eyes and rested. For it was still a long way home…