Tales of Eleutheros

Daniel leaned his head against the stone wall of his new accommodations—a medium-sized stone room with next to nothing inside. He looked at the only piece of furniture that sat in the corner, a small stone stool. Oros was kind enough to lend him blankets and new clothing, but he had not seen or heard from the Dae in almost twelve hours; any attempt to leave ended with the guard who was stationed outside the door pointing a spear at him. Daniel sighed as he looked at his new attire: A plain brown and loose-fitting tunic that hung down to just above his knees. He had a long black sash that he used as a belt and baggy tan trousers that were tucked into his boots. The clothes were clearly not the most luxurious, but they were clean and warm. Daniel then looked at his fingernails, they were caked with dirt and blackened at the tips. He shook his head at the sight and tried to run his fingers through his hair. It was thick and clumpy with dirt. I need a shower. he thought. Feels like I’ve been in here forever.

Daniel looked at the door for what must have been the hundredth time since he first entered the room. I wonder how Robert and Katrina are doing? His mind began to wander again. He thought of home, the convention, the last thing he said to his friends who stood a few feet from him when the bright light sucked them into this strange world. They have to be here… He flexed his fingers. He remembered the Ward of Agron talking about another human who was burned alive. A sudden pit formed in his stomach. I hope it wasn’t Henry… or Angelo…

He heard footsteps outside. The door began to rattle, and the latch that secured it lifted from its lock. The door creaked open, and a Dae warrior stepped in.

“He’s here, my Lady,” he said, looking out the open doorway. Daniel smiled at the words. He could understand them now.

A slender female Dae walked in. She strode with the grace of a feline, swaying her hips, and her long pearl-white hair was tied back to show her face in all its beauty. She had delicate features and eyes that beamed with curiosity and sincerity. Daniel dusted himself off as he stood from the floor. She looked directly at him for a moment, then cocked her head slightly to the side.

“Can you… understand me?” she asked, smiling.

Daniel paused for a moment, before answering. She had the same sharp canine teeth as all the other Dae he had met. It gave her a beautiful but somewhat feral look.

“Yes, I can understand you,” Daniel finally said.

Her eyes gleamed at his words, and she extended her hand, palm down. “My name is Illya of House Ignos. I am sister to Oros and Boros.”

Daniel raised his eyebrow and looked down at her hand. He knew it was some sort of greeting, but he wasn’t sure how to proceed.

She waited for several moments. “Oh!” she said, bringing her hand back to her side. “I’m sorry it is a habit. I know you don’t understand our customs at the moment.”

Daniel raised his hand slightly to stop her. “No worries, my name is Daniel. It’s very nice to meet you.”

She gave him a polite nod, still maintaining her smile. “My brother sent me to fetch you. He said that they had come to some sort of understanding.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Illya, but I have to ask. Why did they just leave me here for a full day? And where are my friends, Robert and Katrina?”

Illya stuttered a bit as she answered. “Oh… they’re fine. Boros went to go get them already. Were you not properly fed? Oros gave strict orders to ensure that you were taken care of.”

“Yes, the food was delicious.” He had received several meals while waiting. “Never mind,” he said, shaking his head again.

Illya led him out into the stone hallway. The small balls of flame he recognized from the day before still floated near the ceiling, lighting their way.

The two walked for several minutes, making a few turns, and finally came to a large wooden door. There were two warriors posted at either side, and one lifted the latch and pushed it open for them. Illya entered, and Daniel followed. Inside was a massive table set with enormous amounts of food arranged decoratively, with strange-looking animals arranged across platters alongside alien fruits and salads. He looked to the left end of the large table to see Hego Agron standing to greet them and his Ward, Avria, to his left, who did the same. Daniel walked in and looked to his right. Oros had already stood as well and was walking over to greet him. Behind him was Boros, Robert, and Katrina, who were talking amongst themselves.

“There you are!” Oros said, clasping Daniel’s arm with a smile. “It is good to see you again, my friend.”

Daniel returned the gesture. “It is good to see you as well, and finally good to have an actual conversation.”

Oros laughed and gestured toward Hego Agron. Daniel approached and bowed his head, much the same way he did when they first met, though this was under many different circumstances.

“Please,” the Hego said, gesturing to an open chair next to him. “Sit down.”

Daniel sat and waited as servants came and fixed his plate for him. He looked across the table to Avria, who gave him what could only be perceived as a glare. He didn’t look away. Illya took the seat next to Daniel, and Oros sat next to her.

“Now then,” Hego Agron began, “I must apologize for the delay, but we needed to sort out our own affairs.” He motioned to several unoccupied seats. “There are many of our holy men who are deeply offended that we have not followed the example of our king and purified you, but they weren’t there. They didn’t see Gro’ak appear and bestow his blessing upon you.” The Hego looked off to the side slightly, seemingly lost in the memory.

Daniel paused for a moment. “I’m sorry, Gro’ak?” he asked, looking at Oros to his right across Illya.

“Gro’ak is the elder spirit who intervened and saved your life,” Oros replied. “He is one of the most revered and powerful spirits in the Spirit Forest.”

Agron nodded in agreement with his son. “The fool that Gro’ak was referring to is the High Espi-Dae. He is the head of the Espi-Dae and all spiritual matters in Belous City, the capitol city of all Eleutheros. Let’s just say… he did not acquire his position from standing on a podium to preach words of wisdom to all of Pelemont.”

“Many see him as a corrupt fool,” Avria said. “But still, he has the favor of the King, and we did what we had to in order to maintain our good standing with them.” She looked at Agron and frowned slightly. “It is more than just the spirit’s wrath we must fear, my Lord. The political repercussions will be… severe.”

Daniel clenched his fist and scowled at her. The words angered him. Someone else, another human being, woke up in this strange and dangerous world, alone and afraid, and was burned alive. Daniel cursed under his breath at the thought.

“Is something wrong, human?” Avria said. “You also must understand the situation we are in.” She placed her hands on the table. “Hego Agron has agreed to shelter you, but this will put us at odds with our Clan leaders.”

Daniel nodded. He looked at Hego Agron, who sat with his arms folded across his chest.

“I need more time to contemplate,” the Hego said, looking at his son Oros sitting next to Illya. The older Dae’s brow furrowed, and Oros’ did the same, but with fewer wrinkles.

“Father,” Boros called from across the table. Daniel looked over at the younger Dae. He seemed mostly excluded from the conversation, along with Robert and Katrina. Daniel took this moment to take note of exactly how close Boros was sitting next to Katrina and narrowed his eyes. He was interested in her… very interested, it seemed.

“I would suggest,” he said, looking to Oros, then back to Agron, “that we show our new guests how hospitable the house of Ignos can be.” Boros took a few moments and stood, holding a bowl of dark liquid. “I can take them through our city. Show them who we are as a people.”

Agron chuckled. He seemed to have a soft spot for his youngest son.

“I don’t see why not, my Lord,” Avria said, leaning back in her chair. “We have already done as much damage to our standing with the Espi-Dae that could be done. Parading these creatures through the street should at least quell some of the rumors with the common folk.”

Agron raised his bowl of dark liquid to his son and nodded. Boros smiled at his father and sat back down next to Katrina. He began explaining excitedly to her everywhere he was going to take her. Robert nudged in around her to listen and include himself.

Daniel let out a sigh and looked at his half-eaten plate of food. He had been attempting to nibble at it as much as he possibly could throughout the conversation but still found his appetite lacking.

Agron stood from his chair at the head of the table. “I must attend to business,” he said, finishing the last bit of beverage he had in his bowl. “Feel free to explore… but I do advise you to keep in the company of my children. We are not sure how the Espi-Dae will react to all that has happened.”

Daniel nodded, and the Hego made his way out.

“I will escort you, my friend,” Oros said, “There is much I’m sure you are interested in seeing here.”

“Yeah.” Daniel leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “It looks like we’re stuck here for the time being. Might as well make the most of it.”

Oros slapped his shoulder with a laugh. Daniel winced slightly from the sudden motion. This creature was stronger than he looked.

“Excellent! I’ll meet you at the front gate,” Oros said, standing. “I need to make some preparations first.” Oros glanced at Daniel’s unfinished meal. “You stay here and eat.”

“I want to go too!” Illya said, standing after her brother. “I’ll also get ready and meet you at the gates.” The two walked out of the dining area, talking and laughing with one another.

Daniel smiled at the siblings and turned back to his food. He noticed that Avria had left the table as well. She hadn’t announced her exit like the rest. He looked at his dirty hands in thought. Before, it felt like there wasn’t any time to think. Now we have too much. Then, he turned to Boros, who still sat conversing with Robert and Katrina. “Boros, I don’t suppose there is a place to bathe around here.”

Boros stood. “Of course, my friend, I’m sorry. It seems we forgot to ask you whether you wanted one.”

It was then that Daniel noticed Katrina’s hair and new attire. She looked like she had just recently bathed.

“I will take you,” Boros said, gesturing to Daniel to follow him.

Daniel took one final look at his unfinished food and stood to follow Boros. As the Dae opened the doors leading out of the dining hall, they heard a small argument coming from beyond it. The doors swung open to reveal Avria speaking sternly to a young Dae who was apparently trying to pass her. Avria turned to Boros and Daniel.

Daniel watched as she let out a sigh and stiffened her upper lip. The young Dae pushed past her. The Dae approached Daniel and looked him in the eyes. Daniel looked him over; he stood a couple of inches shorter than Daniel’s modest six feet. He had eager eyes, pearl white hair and shared the same light gray complexion as Avria. He looked as though he would have been considered quite handsome, except for the large and appalling bruises that smeared his face.

“Well,” the Dae said, not breaking eye contact with Daniel. He looked as if he was searching for the right words to speak. Daniel recognized him; he was the Dae who fought him in the trial of Doxo.

“I wanted to say… that it was a great honor to fight you,” he grunted, as if straining to say the words, and grinned unexpectedly. “I have shamed myself before you by using the Dunamis when showed mercy, and I suppose this means I’ve been disowned or something.”

He glanced toward Avria and left the human puzzled.

Daniel continued to look at Boros, who just shrugged, giving no advice on how to proceed.

“I will wait for you at the end of the hall, my friend,” Boros said, pointing to another set of doors at the end of the hallway. He gave Daniel a nod and left him to handle the situation on his own.

Daniel sighed and looked again at the young Dae before him. “What’s your name?”

The Dae reached his arm out for some kind of greeting. “My name is Delmos, of House Regios.”

“And he is my brother,” Avria said, walking up beside him. She gave her younger kin an obvious look of disappointment. “And we have important business to attend to.”

Delmos tried to protest, raising his hands defensively and stepping away from her. “I told you already, Avria, I wanted to see the Spirit-Sent face-to-face. It was no accident that I was chosen to fight him.” The young Dae looked at Daniel, his eyes filled with unreadable emotion behind them. Daniel wasn’t sure if he was serious or merely making a mockery of him.

“Enough!” Avria roared, grabbing her younger brother by the collar of his tunic. The sudden movement startled Daniel for a split second. Like Oros, she was much stronger than she looked. With a turn of her body, her brother was sent tumbling down the hall. He didn’t fall completely to the stone floor but skillfully used the momentum to get back to his feet. His face now showed fear, but with a clear edge of anger trying to take control.

“I will not tell you again, Delmos, get your disgraceful self back to father, or by the spirits, I will beat you unconscious and drag you there myself!”

Delmos hesitated for a moment and glanced toward Daniel.

“Don’t look to him for help,” she said coldly. “Go.”

Her brother clenched his jaw, turned around, and stormed out of the hallway. Several moments passed, and all that could be heard were his fading footsteps.

Daniel swallowed dryly and looked past Avria, who had her back to him, facing down the hallway. He could see Boros near the exit, patting Delmos on the shoulder as he passed him.

Avria exhaled slowly and turned to look Daniel square in his eyes. “You disgraced him.” She took a step toward him and pointed at the center of his chest. “You made my father’s house look weak before the Hego, and if I weren’t explicitly ordered by Agron to leave you be, I would kill you where you stand.”

Daniel looked at her in confusion, but it wasn’t difficult to grasp that she wasn’t bluffing and would, in fact, try to kill him if she could.

With that, she turned again and walked rigidly down the hall, and passed Boros without any acknowledgment.

Daniel made his way down the hall slowly, to avoid any awkward catching up to Avria and her clearly hostile intentions.

“Well,” Boros said with a grin on his face, “you survived.”

“Yeah, it looks like I did,” Daniel said, trying to shake off the tension that had built up. “What did I do to piss that one off so much? What’s her problem?”

Boros smiled again and put his arm around Daniel’s shoulder, walking him out of the hallway.

“Well, as the spirits would have it, you fought her brother during the trial of Doxo and managed to defeat him handily, in spite of him violating the law of equal plain.”

“The law of equal plain?”

“It basically means we fight without using the Dunamis; it is a show of good faith, a sign of respect. Delmos violated that law when he tried to shock you; you had every right to kill him.” Boros thought for a moment. “Actually, it probably would have been better if you had.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, let’s just say that my father takes things like this very seriously. He humiliated himself and all of House Regios in the process. If you had killed him, at least the offense would have been rectified. Now, he has to face the wrath of his father.” Boros shuddered slightly. “That is something that I would not want to ever take part in.”

As he finished speaking, Boros led Daniel down another hall and in front of a smooth stone door.