Chapter Seven

The Pleasurable Night

in Vealen Woods

After they were all fully rested, and their headaches almost completely gone, they began their walk through the tunnel. Nuri kept the lantern burning while they walked in silence. Now that everyone was back in a right state of mind, the reality of the situation slowly sank in. They had found them, and it was even harder than before to know who they could and couldn't trust. They had gotten lucky the innkeeper was an honest man. After a few hours there was a dim light ahead. Now that it seemed to be the end of this dreary walk underground they hastened their pace, but stopped before their shadows touched the light that colored the ground.

"Shamira." Kimball whispered.

Cautiously Shamira stepped into the light and out of the tunnel. The sun was so bright and directly overhead it blinded her. When she regained her sight she looked around keeping her guard high on alert. If anyone was there, she'd be ready. She listened to every sound the woods made. She smelled every scent the woods carried. Once she was satisfied they were alone she called for the others.

"Come on out. It's okay here."

The others came out shielding their eyes. They surveyed their new surroundings like Shamira had done. Bardia was impressed, he'd never seen such thick layout of trees, yet they seemed empty. Almost all of the leaves had fallen off already, giving Vealen woods a creepy feeling. Birds flew over them making their attempts to escape before the cold set in.

"I think we should eat before we venture out into the wilderness." Kimball said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of rice he took from the bunker in the tunnel. The others gathered some wood and Kimball prepared the rice.

"We must be careful while traveling through these woods. It is said an evil demon invades this place." Kimball warned.

"Then why are we going through it?" Bardia asked.

"It's the easiest way to keep hidden. Remember, rumors fly fast. Pretty soon whole villages of traitors will be searching for us. We must be cautious."

"Wouldn't it be easier to try to deal with mortals than demons?" Shamira asked.

"Trying to deal with one mortal yes, but hundreds? Do you want to kill that many?"

Shamira didn't answer.

"Why don't people on earth have these gifts? And why isn't their multiple realms there too?" Bardia asked, as if he'd been wanted to ask for some time.

"Well who says there aren't realms on earth? The mortals that live on earth choose to, ignore the demons of the other realm, or dismiss them as mere 'ghost' stories. There are those, they say who can communicate with them. Some who can channel into their realm, but still believe them to be speaking with mere mortals who have passed beyond our worlds. With proper training their minds too, can develop a unique ability." Kimball explained.

"Oh. Did the people of Elam always have these gifts?"

"Shamira. Why don't you answer that question. Freshen up on your history."

Shamira looked annoyed at Kimball, but did not want to press him.

"No. Although we were always aware of the realm of the dead, we did not have these gifts."

"When did we get them?"

"When the people first came to Elam from far off lands ..."

"Wait. There are other places in this dimension?"

"Of course there are." Kimball said. "We are some of the youngest living things in Elam. Nuri, explain."

"Before our kind arrived, the land of Elam was inhabited by the elves. They have since left this land, returning to their homeland, which they dared not to speak of. The elves were wonderful creatures. Very pure and very beautiful. They welcomed the first arrival of mortals. They taught them how to use the lands to make plentiful crops and to communicate with the animals." Nuri recited like a poem.

"And Shamira, what was the greatest lesson taught to us by the elves?" Kimball asked.

"The greatest lesson was how to open our minds, thereby giving us the greatest gift of all; our abilities."

"Very good."

"Okay. Where are the elves now? And where did the people come from before they got here?"

"The elves are in their holy land. They are living where the first race of elves were ever created, as they believe by their god, Gyda. Where the first mortals came from we do not know. Nor do we know how they got here."

"Does everyone have these powers in Elam?" Bardia asked while creating a small house of sticks that were scattered around.

"Yes and no."

"How so?"

"Everyone has the potential of using their gifts, but not everybody does. And not all who want to has the chance to expand upon the knowledge of a few basic things. Some people from the star of earth chose to use it for gardening and become doctors or teachers. Not everyone becomes a warrior, and again, not all who want to do."

"Well, how do you choose who doesn't get to be a warrior if they want to be one?" Bardia asked curiously.

Shamira and Nuri were now engrossed in the conversation hoping to hear the answer, but Kimball only smiled.

"I think it's about time we start going. We want to cover as much ground as we can before dark."

Feeling much more at ease, and knowing they'd be walking through these woods for quite a long time Kimball decided they would not practice today. Instead he wanted them to take in the scenery. Which they did, mostly by teasing one another, talking about the past, and of course, their favorite past time; showing off. Once or twice Bardia got annoyed when Shamira and Nuri forgot that he wasn't with them years ago and they got lost in conversations among themselves. He couldn't figure out why, but he got a grim feeling in the pit of his stomach every time Shamira touched Nuri. He would feel better when she paid attention to him again and would tell Nuri stories from their past.

The sun was next to the land when Kimball announced they should find food and a place to set up for the night. Until he had said anything, the other three were unaware how much time had gone by. Luckily only about a mile ahead they found a stream with plenty of fish. Sitting around a fire and cooking the fish, they talked about the night before. They spoke about Bardia's first lesson, and how he couldn't make a pebble shake. Now he was able bend trees out of their way with just a simple thought. It no longer felt so tiring as it did in the beginning. Once the fish was cooked, even Kimball joined the festivities. They laughed and joked with one another right up until they were ready to sleep. For one night, they were able to forget they were in charge, of battling a kingdom of demons defeating their evil king, and restoring peace to the entire land of Elam.