The Chronicles Of Evon Book I

[Kiirvasser]

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[Kiirvasser]

THE CHRONICLES OF EVON BOOK I

PROLOGUE: OUTCAST!

Raivuan stood on the highest cliff overlooking the Elyon pass. in the distance the sun was just peeking over Echo's mount, painting the sky orange. A fresh breeze blew from the east, bringing with it the smell of winter. Raivuan sighed deeply. He hated his life, for a number of reasons at present. his father had left him with so much responsibility that his head swam whenever he thought of it. Born as an outcast to the empire because of his blood, Raivuan lived among the clan called 'Kiirvasser', who resided in the deepest reaches of the Reivers mountains. They where called half-breeds by both great nations outside the mountain range. Half elf....Half human.
The Reivers mountains cut the continent of Edonis in half, from east to west. To the north lived the humans of the Elyon empire, to the south lived the elves of the Elvendor Empire. The two nations had fought against each other for centuries neither prevailing over the other. Their hate for each other was instinctive, thats just the way it was. however as all things go, there is always the case of an elf falling in love with a human...or vise versa. If this happened the lovers would be outcasts, even more so if a child was the result. That was how Raivaun's father had doomed his son. he had fallen in love with an elven girl, despite the many warnings and plies of his family. The elven girl had become pregnant and knowing that the child would be persecuted by both races, the two young lovers went into hiding in the Reivers mountains. Raivuan had been born in due time, and had been raised in the underground tunnels of the Kiirvasser clan.. outcasts to both empires.
Raivuan closed his eyes and nursed his bitterness in silence. he could understand his fathers actions. but he had given Raivaun a blighted life. Never will he be able to walk the outside world like a normal person. Forever doomed to dwell underground like a worm or mole. his father had risen to leader of the outcast clan...and with his death had given the reign over to Raivuan, something that he didn't even want.
Shaking his self mentally, Raivuan turned his back on the sun and made his way down the slope. he had stuff to attend to.  

[Kiirvasser]

CHAPTER 1: THE RIDERS FROM EVON

The entrance to the Kiirvasser clan was hidden so well the Raivuan sometimes had trouble finding it himself. It looked like an ordinary wall but if u looked closer the where three signs almost the same color of the stone itself. Raivuan smiled and place his palm over the signs. With a flash of purple light an archway leading into the side of the mountain materialized. Raivuan hurried inside and it disappeared immediately, dousing him in a deep darkness. Rising one hand he muttered a word under his breath and called a bright purple flame to his palm with burned without flickering or harming his skin. The tunnel was wide and completely round; water trickling down the bear walls was the only sound that could be heard, as Raivuan made his way swiftly along, one hand on the hilt of his sword. Not far down the passage he could just make out a faint glow. As he drew close he saw two men standing guard at another archway, armed with swords at their waist and spares in their hands.
“You’ve returned, young master" said the bald man on the left who was clearly half elven. One ear was pointed the other round life a human.

"Good Morning Oddins" Raivuan Replied with a quick smile putting out his hand-flame. The walls of the tunnel where now lined with torches. "Any news??"

Oddins gave a cheeky smile, "Gimmond is looking for you....he seems hacked off about something"  

[Kiirvasser]

Raivuan ran his hand through his dark, shoulder length hair. He hated Gimmond, who was one of the three members of the Kiirvasser counsel. An old man with an annoying squeaky voice and even more annoying attitude.

"Did he say what he wanted of me??" Raivuan asked curiously.

Oddins shook his head "Naw, was grumbling sommin about you being heir and disappearing when ya feels like...looked pretty angry to me."

Raivuan sighed again. "Thank you Oddins. As you where.'

raivuan made his way farther down the tunnel passing side caves that where used as dwellings. he hated it, living like a borrowing animal but at lease they where safe from the outside world and the danger it posed to half-breeds.  

[Kiirvasser]

A cloaked figure drifted from a side passage and silently fell into stride next to Raivuan. They did not speak, but he knew that there was news. Good or bad, he knew not.

“What is it, Shiva?” he asked not turning to his silent companion.

“The riders have made a move. If we sit idly they shall find the caves,” came the reply. The voice was tinged with an exotic accent and filled with music, though soft as a morning breeze.

Raivuan frowned.

“How far have they gotten?” he asked, dreading the answer.


There was a pause as the two walked through the final arch that led into the leading family’s hall. Raivuan stopped with his hand on the council room’s stone door and turned to Shiva.

“Tell me, Shiva,” he said softly, sensing his companion unease.

“A days ride, young master” she replied.

Raivuan swore and pushed open the door. A wash of golden light cast from a hanging candelabra, revealed three robed figures sitting around a large stone table. Two men who where Identical twins with white blond hair and silver eyes and an old woman with steel gray hair and intense green eyes. Theses where the three members of the Kiirvasser council. Gimmond and Girmon the half elven twins and Shayna the full blooded elf.  

[Kiirvasser]

Gimmond and Girmon where much older than they looked: They where both over a hundred years old, but their skin was unwrinkled and their bodies lean and fit. While Gimmond was arrogant and cold hearted, his brother was kind and warm, a difference that Raivuan found stunning.

“About time you got here… we’ve been waiting for nearly a candle mark for you.” Gimmond said sternly, his brow creased with frustration.

“I was only gone for half that time,” Raivuan replied calmly, “try not to make it seem that long.”

A vain pulsed in the older mans temple and his face became scarlet.

“You don’t even show that you have what it takes to be leader of…..” he stared in a rise voice, but was cut of by Shayna, who stood up slowly.

“Enough!” she crocked in her hoarse voice, “there are others matters to attend, and I wish to get this over with so I can return to my chambers. By my daughter’s presence I take it that you heard of the riders?”

Raivuan sat at the head of the table and gratefully accepted a goblet of wine from Shiva.

“Indeed,” he said after a lengthy drink, “there is still hope that they might not find our heaven.”

Gimmond slammed his fist on the stone table, his rage was palpable.

“We should crush them before they have chance to find us.” he shouted, with growing spleen, “Who knows what they will do with us if they encounter our hideout. No one outside these mountains want us, we are like demons to them. They only seek to destroy us,”  

[Kiirvasser]

Raivaun closed his eyes and held onto his temper with difficulty. Gimmond knew that there numbers where small and would not pose much of a treat to the Evon riders, who where versed in war and black magic.

"i understand your urge to act, but without the means to confront them the only way is to ambush them. and we don't have enough people for that. the only body stealthy enough is myself or Shiva" Raivuan said calmly," either way we lose. whether by outright defeat or superior numbers."

Gimmond's eyes flashed angrily but he remained silent.

"what have you to say on this matter, Girmon? you have said nough," Shayna rasped.

"the young master is right, there's still a chance they might not find us." he replied in his soft creamy voice. " however i think we should up the patrol so we aren't caught off-guard."

"See that it is done." Raivuan said rising,"i have other business to attend to. report to me with any developments."

And with that he swept out of the room, Shiva at his heels. He followed the stone hallway to his chamber and closed the door after Shiva .

"Do you intend to go, Young master?" Shiva asked, her voice betraying nothing.

Reaching for his hooded cloak, Raivuan answered with out turning.

"Do you have a better alternative?"

Shiva pulled back the hood revealing her face, she had dark scarlet curls that rested on her shoulders and dark eyes that showed no emotion. Her skin was pale and her ears where elegantly pointed.

"You could stay!" she said sternly, grabbing his hand."Why are you running away. This is your destiny."  

[Kiirvasser]

Raivuan shrugged her off and retrieved his pack from the corner of his chambers.

"What ever my destiny is.....its not this. You don't understand. I have to go. i wish i didn't have to go, but i have no choice." he said bitterly.

Shiva turned away, she could feel the tears coming but forced them back with difficulty.

"Why?" she asked sternly, and getting no answer she raised her voice, "Why do you have to go, Young master?"

Raivuan belted on his sword and turned to regard hr with a grim look.

"I trust you, Shiva, but if i tell you, you must never breath a word to anyone. Not even your mother." he said watching for her reaction.

Shiva clinched her fists and glare at him with utter determination.

"Tell me!"

Raivuan closed his eyes and breathed a long sigh.

"This," he started, pulling a clear purple stone from under his tunic, witch was attached to a slim silver chain, "is why i must go. The riders of Evon are not out there looking for our clan, to destroy us, or to enslave us. Their after this stone.
Before my father died he entrusted this to me. He told me that it must be kept safe at all cost.That in the wrong hands it could bring about the end of this world. He warned me
about the riders and bid me to find my mother if they came looking for the stone. she alone knows what to do with this stone. So you see i have no choice. if the riders get their hands on this, only the gods know what havoc they shall bring."

Shiva was speechless. She staggered and sat down abruptly on a divan.

"t-this is..." she stammered.

"Unbelievable?" Raivuan suggested mildly.

"But i thought your mother was dead!" Shiva said softly.

Raivuan shook his head, "No. she left after i was born. she returned to her elven family. the one she loves more."

A bitter edge had found its way into his voice, making his words harsh.

"However much i hate to go to her, i have to keep my promise to father. I have to protect this stone. The clan will be safe as long as i am not here. Shayna will do well in leading you all."
he finished.

Shiva rised from the divan and took his hand in both of hers.

"Take me with you please, Raivuan." she plied.

"I'm sorry, Shiva, but i don't want you to get hurt. you must stay and help the council......."

"I want to come with you. Please, Raivuan. You need me more than you know. who's going to watch your back? plus.........i hate not knowing.."she said with tears in her eyes.

Raivuan felt a pang of pity for her. She had been brought to the Kiirvasser unwillingly, after her father had been killed in a skirmish. unlike most here, she was a full
blooded elf. Her mother however, Council Leader Shayna, was wanted in the elven states for 'crimes against the crown'.

"Shiva," Raivuan said, softly, pulling her into his arms,"I'm sorry......... you can come, and i will protect you with my life."  

[Kiirvasser]

{end of chapter 1}
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[Kiirvasser]

CHAPTER 2: THE PLAINS OF ELVENDOR

In the darkness of his Throne room, Romulus sat pondering the news that had reached him from every corner of Elvendor. He absently caressed the hilt 0f his mighty broadsword and regarded the servant that knelt before him with distaste. This latest news had put him in a foul mood.

“Yaji, Is this what your source on the inside told you?” the elven king said, threateningly, “I would hate to know this…information…is wrong.”

The servant wrung his hands and avoided Romulus’s cold eyes.

“That is what he said, my lord, I swear.” he replied, shivering.

King Romulus considered this news that had come from a source he trusted little.
The boy had left, and taken the stone with him. If the word was true, where had the boy gone? Did he intend to destroy the stone or find some way of disposing of it? Either way, he, the king, had to get it. By any means possible!

“You’ve done well Yaji,” he said, his voice like dark honey, “Find Kiva’ar and tell him to dispatch two teams of stalkers. I will have that stone, if it’s the last thing I get.”

Yaji bowed deeply and shuffled away leaving the king to his dark thoughts. He reached over to a small side table and took up his gold goblet, filled with ale, and looked into it. Slowly the ale turned to ice and started to stream frost. Romulus smiled.

“Soon, I will be the most powerful.”

All that could be heard then from the Elvendor castle was evil laughter.
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[Kiirvasser]

Raivuan and Shiva moved swiftly down the dark damp stone passage they had taken to be unseen, out of the caves of Kiirvasser. The scent of mold and dust was overpowering, spider webs stretched the length of the narrow corridor brushing against there skins as they hurried onward. Raivuan held a torch aloft so as to see and to avoid tripping on the uneven floor, while Shiva kept close behind him walking in his footsteps. The only thing that could be heard was the drip of water some where in the distance, the scurries of small animals and the sound of the two companions’ breath. The air was cold and heavy with dust, almost choking-ly so, and there was the ever present feeling of running away.
“The passage splits up ahead,” Raivuan said suddenly, breaking the silence and startling a gasp from Shiva, “Stick close. It’s like a maze down here and I wouldn’t like you to get lost.”
“Fine,” Shiva replied softly, “how long till we’re out of this tunnel?”
“Just a bit farther on there’s a stone door sealed by magic. Only my father knew of it. Once we are outside we will be near the exit to the south of the pass. Let’s just hope the Riders don’t know we’re gone till we reach Elvendor.”
Shiva silently wished the same. No matter how well trained she was in the art of ninja or magic, she was no match for a rider. There skills where on a totally different level. A company of about fifteen Riders could destroy an entire army, which had been proved in the past. She had no desire to meet a Rider face to face just yet, maybe with more training.
The passage became stepper as the hurried on, rising and turning to the south and the farther they went the narrower it became. Now both walls brushed each of Raivuan shoulders, and the ceiling was so low that he had to bend a little. Then suddenly there where in a small room with smooth stone walls and an even floor, the only exit was the tunnel they had just came through.
“This is it” Raivuan said moving forward to place his palm gently on the stone wall “look here Shiva! Can you see?”
Shiva examined the wall in the flickering torch light and saw thee same three signs that where on the main entrance of the caves.
“A seal?” She said softly. “So there is a door here, but can you open it?”
“I think so!”  

[Kiirvasser]

Raivuan placed his hand over the seal and closed his eyes. It was not simple to undo someone Else's seal, and with a pang Raivuan realized that this was not any seal…but his father’s own seal…and his father had been quite powerful. He smiled to himself. ’See how strong I have become father?’ he thought as the energy surged from his palm and breached the seal. The signs shone brilliantly and with a grinding sound and shower of dust, a square portion of the wall slid sideways revealing a small mountain glade with a stand of around ten Aligrofil* trees, awash with golden sunlight.
“You did it,” Shiva said, clapping him on the shoulder, “I’m impressed, Young Master!”
Raivuan gave a slight smile and shook his head, drawing a giggle from her.
“That was the easy part, now we have to make it through the remaining length of the pass and to Elvendor in one piece.” He said tightening his sword belt and straightening his pack on his shoulders.
“With you as our guide, Young Master, anything is possible.” Shiva said, inclining her head.”
Raivuan placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.
“I have a name you know! Out here I am no ‘Young Master’….. Call it…its not so hard.” He said softly.
Shiva swallowed the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat.
“Raivuan!”
Raivuan smiled and turned to the outside world.
“See it wasn’t so hard. Now let us be on our way. We should make cover some ground before nightfall.”
Shiva smiled as she watched him walk into the sunlight, wondering why she felt so warm just at that moment. Not warmth like the one you get from a fireplace or from standing in the sun. This warmth came from her heart, and flushed her cheeks, making her feel embarrassed for some reason she couldn’t understand, but as she followed her ‘young master’ out into the open air, she knew that this is where she belonged.  

[Kiirvasser]

ALIGROFIL* : a fruit that is crescent shaped and blue  

[Kiirvasser]

It took the two companions most of that day to reach the passes end. The sun was low over the horizon when thy finally placed there feet on even ground, and at that very moment Shiva stopped dead and grabbed Raivuan's arm to stop him as well.

Raivuan frowned down at her, " what is it?" he asked softly.

"listen!": Shiva replied, pointing back down the pass.

That's when he too heard it. Horses moving at a swift gallop. He gestured to Shiva to hide and they both slipped between an old rockfall out of site of the path. They crouched listen carefully as the horses drew closer. Shiva counted from hearing alone that there where twenty horsemen riding in two lines of ten and heavily armed, maybe one horse was carrying two.
She relayed these points to Raivuan who nodded and place a hand on the hilt of his sword. It happens to the best of us, we know that feeling when you wish for something to go right... and it goes wrong. A blight we call it, but in Raivuan's opinion it was pure dumb luck. The horsemen thundered pass without incident churning the dirt up with the hooves of their horses. They where dressed in black armor with a spiked helmets and each carried a long spear in addition too broad swords at their waist and here and there the occasional crossbow. Raivuan pulled in a breath at the sight. These where the riders from Evon, their ominous black armor emblazoned with the magical sign for death. He didn't know if it was his drawn breath or something else, but at that moment a figure dressed in white robes, riding pillion behind the first Black Armored Rider in line, turned their head and Raivuan's eyes met theirs.  

[Kiirvasser]

Even before the shouted order came to turn about... Raivuan was moving, pushing Shiva ahead of him. they ran full tilt along the dirt road, the sound of hooves gaining on them by the second. though both Raivuan and Shiva where faster on foot than any normal man, out running galloping horses was something neither could hope to do. A sudden dread gripped Raivuan.

"Keep running Shiva, I'll hold them off." he shouted between breaths.

Shiva stopped abruptly and he almost ran into her.

"why did you stop, their almost upon us..." he fumed, grabbing her arm and pushing her forward.

"You will do no such thing as hold them off," she said harshly "we stay together. we fight or run."

The horses where getting closer, Raivuan could hear one riders shouting orders.

"This is no time to be stubborn Shiva, we are in very grave danger, i will not let you get hurt on my account."

Shiva shrugged her hand from his grip, and drew her six-inch Baselord**.

"We stand together,or run together. the choice is yours, but know this.." she growled with determination " i will not leave you behind"