Kotorigaro- Writings- Berall

Unfinished Story: Berall

Prologue

A full moon hung like a giant pearl high in the night sky, casting its silver glow onto the torn clouds around it. Far below the earth was quiet, the moonlight eddying through the twisted boughs of ancient trees.
Within the heart of the forest nestled a small hut, and within a small room a solitary light shone.
The light came from an old lamp resting on a wooden table; within the circle of light was a sheet of parchment and a small bottle of ink, and on the parchment lay an eagle feather quill. The figure sitting at the table stared pensively at the items in front of him. To His Royal Highness was written at the top of the parchment, the fresh ink gleaming wetly in the lamplight. What to write? How was he going to explain all that was happening to the king?
One hand reached into the pool of light and gently picked up the quill. On one long, slender finger was a silver ring, set with a small diamond that glittered with all the colours of the rainbow.
How to phrase the problem?
The figure leaned forward and dipped the quill’s tip into the ink, and for a moment the lamplight was reflected in two violet eyes. Then the man drew back again and his features were once again hidden.
Would the king even believe it?
The figure was still for a moment, and then the silence was broken by the scratching of his quill as he began to write.

Chapter 1

It was terribly crowded in the market place; then again, it always was. Tallis swallowed his impatience and forced himself to be patient as he laboriously threaded his way through the milling throng of shoppers, firmly ignoring their incessant buzzing and the several salesmen who called out to him. Not for the first time he wished that he was wearing ordinary civilian clothes like he had once used to; the silken tunics of the Berallian lords were not ideal for staying inconspicuous. However since he was the royal adviser’s adopted son and prince Dalvian’s best friend, it was compulsory that he wear clothing true to his rank.
Tallis, however, placed no importance on his rank, whatsoever. And right now all he wanted to do was shove his way through to the other end of the square, as he was very well tall and strong enough to do.

By the time he reached the palace, Tallis was in a foul mood. He strode up the cobblestone road to the palace gates, where the guards let him pass through without question, and then stalked through the long archway into the main courtyard. An impressive water feature tossed fountains of water high into the air, which then splashed down into the large bowl below. Prince Dalvian was sitting on the edge, his green eyes watching the water cascade down the length of the central marble carving. At the sight of Tallis he laughed.
“Ha! I can see storm clouds gathering!”
Tallis scowled.
“I notice you’re sitting here enjoying the sun while I fight my way to the inn and back.”
The prince laughed again, in a way that made the kitchen maids drop whatever they happened to be carrying at the time.
“I wasn’t allowed to come, if I remember correctly! And I judge from the letter in your hand that you managed well enough.”
“Huh” Tallis snorted, turning and striding across the courtyard towards the large steps that led up to the palace entrance.
Dalvian caught up with him, grinning, obviously unperturbed by his friend’s sour countenance.
“What did the innkeeper say?”
“Said some strange fellow dropped it off earlier this morning. Told me that he had said that it was meant for the king, and that it should not be delivered, but that Lord Ferleft’s son should come and get it.”
“What admirable cheek!” The prince chuckled. “Did he say what this gentleman looked like?”
“When I asked he said that he didn’t know. Apparently the stranger was wearing a hooded cloak and didn’t show his face.”
“Really?” Dalvian replied, lifting an eyebrow.
“Yes. And he said that he got the impression that it was something important, and so he didn’t question the fellow’s orders. And therefore I had to fight through the morning traffic, which was insane by the way, just for this!” Tallis exclaimed furiously, holding up the letter in his hand.
The letter in question was folded and sealed shut, and the words His Majesty were printed on the front in neat, bold handwriting. Dalvian peered at the image of a peacock that was stamped into the wax of the seal, and shook his head.
“I’ve never seen that crest before.”
Tallis merely gave another infuriated snort before jumping up the steps three at a time and passing through the large ornate silver doors of the palace. The two friends then crossed the magnificent marble floor of the entrance hall, heading for the open doors on the other side. At the doors they were greeted by two guards who asked them to wait while they announced their presence, and then finally they passed into King Cerian’s throne room.

When Tallis and Dalvian entered the king was not sitting at his throne. He and his right-hand advisor, Ferleft, were conversing quietly next to a wooden table that looked, in its relative plainness, rather out of place amongst the finery of the room. The two turned as their respective sons entered, and smiled. “Your letter, your Majesty.” Tallis said as he held out the folded parchment, thoroughly glad to be rid of it. The king took it with an appreciative nod, while Ferleft clasped him and Dalvian by the shoulders and directed them to the chairs that had been brought for them.
“How was the traffic?” Ferleft asked, smiling knowingly at Tallis as the young man collapsed gratefully into his seat.
“Terrible!” Tallis exclaimed, and immediately launched into a long rant about shoppers who could have brought what they needed yesterday.
Ferleft glanced at Dalvian, who wore an expression of affectionate amusement very similar to his own; they both knew better than to try and stop Tallis once he had started one of his raves. Instead they kept silent, watching as king Cerian read through the note, and occasionally nodding to Tallis sympathetically, so he wouldn’t think that they weren’t listening.
“So then I reached the main street, and of course there were just as many people- while I’m thinking about it, you wouldn’t believe how badly some coachmen drive! There was this one fellow, whose horses…”
Tallis of course knew that they weren’t listening, but that didn’t stop him from carrying on. It always made him feel better to be angry about something.
Suddenly King Cerian gave a polite cough, and Tallis stopped growling and sat still, waiting to hear what thing of importance had been worth his suffering.
Cerian looked silently at them for a moment; at Ferleft, his blue eyes questioning; at his own son, who brushed his golden hair from his face, his green eyes expectant. And then he looked at Tallis, whose inky black hair was so different from Ferleft’s grey, and at his dark brown eyes, with which he was staring at him with fierce intensity.
He sighed, and handed the letter to Dalvian, whose eyes grew wide as he looked through it. He then took it back and handed it to Ferleft, whose face was strangely still as he returned it. And then he handed it to Tallis, who read:

To His Royal Highness the King of Berall,

I am afraid that the contents of this letter are not of a joyful nature, and I fear that I may be too late in warning you.
I am sure Your Majesty would have heard of the Legend of Siava.
When the lands of Berall first came into being the Lady Siava became her first monarch. As you would know, Queen Siava’s rule was far from peaceful; no sooner had Berall been formed when demons that escaped from their own dimension attacked. There were only 5 of the monsters, but their powers were great and nothing the people tried could harm them and there was not much hope for the future of Berall, until queen Siava made a weapon herself, one that was proved able to kill a demon.
This weapon, as you know, was the Great Bow. Five arrows were made with it; one for each demon.
And with the Bow the demons were defeated, and Siava endevoured to make sure that all portals between our world and the Demon world closed and would never open again.

But now I have found evidence that the Demons might be planning to return; I think they might have found a way to reopen the portals, and I think they believe that the Bow is no more.
I disagree. I think the Bow still exists, but I cannot say any more of that matter in this letter. However I beg of Your Majesty to send to me a young man of the name Tallis; I am sure that you know who I mean.

This all sounds far-fetched, I realise, but I beg you to believe my words.
Have Tallis travel to Keron as soon as possible and wait at the inn there.
I will find him there.

Yours In Good Faith,
.S.

As Tallis read his irritation was replaced by shock, and his shock then faded into a strange numbness.
“This person knows my name.” He said faintly, holding the piece of parchment out for king Cerian to take. “How can that be? I’ve never left the city in my whole life.”
Cerian looked at Ferleft. His friend’s face still hadn’t lost the wooden look that it had adopted after reading the letter. He heaved another sigh and addressed his son, and Tallis.
“You two must be anxious to discuss this… No one will be in the gardens. You may go.”
Taking the hint, Dalvian tugged at Tallis’s sleeve, and together they hurried out of the throne room.

The instant they were gone, Ferleft seemed to come alive again. He took a deep breath and although he tried to hide it by balling his hands into fists, his fingers trembled.
“Fer…” Cerian began gently, but his friend cut him off.
“I can’t… You know I can’t let… He’ll be in danger. And the city of Keron is so far away- for heaven’s sake Cerian, he’s never even seen the city walls, he said it himself!”
Cerian’s sea green eyes studied his friend. He knew that it was no use trying to be gentle about this, but Ferleft's discomfort was painful to witness.
“Don’t you think it is time Tallis sees more of the world?”
For a moment Ferleft wasn’t able to respond.
“Cerian” he said at last, his voice just above a whisper, “how are you sure that this stranger is being truthful? And, why Tallis? Why him specifically? He doesn’t even say what he wants him for. What if-”
“His letter fits with what I have been hearing from other, reliable, sources. I do not feel that he means to harm Tallis.” Cerian stated simply.
“I don’t either, but that doesn’t mean that he’ll be safe!” Ferleft cried desperately. “Tallis- he is as close to me as a true son, Cerian, you know that! What if it was your son? Would you sacrifice Dalvian?”
He had touched a nerve.
“That is not the point!” Cerian growled, but he calmed almost immediately. “I also care about Tallis, Fer. But to be perfectly honest, Tallis seems… Well, sometimes a bit bored with palace life. And he’s used to looking after himself.”
“That was almost ten years ago! When he was a young boy!”
Ferleft argued. Then he grew quiet. “And when he didn’t even know there was such a thing as a demon.”
“The demons don’t know that we know about them, Fer!” Cerian said, grasping his friend’s shoulder.
“What if they find out?” Ferleft hissed, his eyes meeting the king’s.
For a long while they were both silent.
“It will have to be Tallis’s choice.” Cerian murmured at last.

Meanwhile, Dalvian was trying to get Tallis to talk to him.
“Tallis? Excuse me? Tallis!” He exclaimed, waving his hand in front of the other’s inert face.
Tallis continued to stare into space for a moment, as the sound of birdsong and the chirping of insects filled his ears, and the rich scent of flowers laden with nectar filled his nose. He blinked, and half-heartedly tried to pull his mind together.
“How does that person know my name?” He asked again.
“Are you suggesting I know? Tallis, I’m not sure about this.”
The two were sitting next to each other on a large carved wooden bench, facing a large pond. In the centre of the pond, water trickled from a large white shell held aloft by a slender marble girl. Tallis stared moodily at a drop of water that slid down one lock of long stony hair and quivered at the end, flashing silver in the sun before falling into the water below.
“Not sure about what?”
“This letter! Keron is almost on the other side of the kingdom, and I’m not allowed to come with you!”

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