Chapter 12: Sidequest Alseid, Part 1: An Elf's Request
Holy Lunas, 337 Solar Year
The darkness lifted to a new morning. Dawn's early light began to seep through the windows of the Oracle's private dining hall, where three men sat eating their morning meal. "Graess!? Robert!? What are you doing here?" asked a tired, but greatly improved, Rose, as she walked into the room for breakfast, only to be surprised by the presence of two other Queen's Knights. Both had their mouth's full of eggs and bacon and couldn't speak clearly.
So, Ishaan, spoke for them on their behalf, saying, "They arrived just about an hour ago before dawn. I requested in the letter I sent a few days ago to East Palace that they send a carriage and escort for you guys. Just to ensure you three return safely to the palace. As the official negotiations are starting today. I didn't want any unforeseen delays, like any more mountain bandits impeding your trip."
He said this last part, while glancing at Rose with a hint of concern and secrecy, but also a smile, as he was glad to see the young woman finally up and moving around like normal. Just in time as well, he reasoned to himself. "I thought they'd send a few soldiers. I had no idea that we'd be honored to receive two of Falena's finest." finished the old priest with a satisfactory smile on his face as he reached for a drink of his morning coffee.
At this Graess, who had just finished washing down the rest of his breakfast with his glass of coffee, spoke up, "Well, her Highness and Lady Rose aren't the only ones who enjoy the beauty of this place and wanted to see it, Master Ishaan." "Besides it's not like we had anything better to do sitting around boring old East Palace!" said Robert with a muffled voice as he was still chewing the last of his biscuits.
Olinda entered the dining hall, followed a few minutes after that by Lazlo, who both were surprised, but glad, to see the other knights. Olinda was excited to hear they had horses and a carriage to take them back to the palace. While she verbalized to them that her body had grown tired and sore from all the walking the past few days. And that she was now happy to have a ride back to the dwelling place of the Dawn Rune, which was sort of true. Between the incident in the woods and the ordeal up at the waterfall she was feeling deeply strained as one who had spent most of her time indoors.
However, the deeper truth was that she felt safer in a fast moving carriage, not to mention that now she had both of the Queen's Knights brothers along with Rose and Lazlo. She knew she would have no problems getting back to the palace safely. After breakfast the five visitors began making their way to the entrance where their carriage awaited them.
Just as Ishaan was about to say his final good-byes to his niece a great commotion suddenly could be heard resonating from the back of the estate. Many shouts, screams, and audible gasps could be heard all the more clearly as the group made their way back to the source of the ruckus.
Upon arriving on the door to the back path that leads up toward the forest and waterfall a group of about a dozen clerics had gathered. Making their way through the crowd, which parted when they saw the Oracle. The small entourage were, also, greatly startled as there before them were what seemed to be three men all wearing cloaks that were dark green and earthy brown in their color patterns.
However, the hoods of their cloaks were down and their faces could be seen. Lazlo, finally, realized why everyone had been startled. These men were elves and he reasoned by the shocked faces and stares of the Falenans this was the first time all of them had probably seen any of their race before.
The two elves on the left and right looked very stoic and very strong, warriors no doubt, reasoned Lazlo. One was bald and his pointy ears were high, rising almost to the crown of his head. His eyes gave a very serious look that said he neither wanted to be here nor did he trust any humans around him.
His warrior counterpart on the right side had the same sort of eyes, be they a little more compassionate, but only by comparison of his companion. He was still very taut in his gaze and gave all the signs that he was ready to fight at a moment's notice. He had short green hair, which was just long enough to touch the tips of his pointed ears.
Both men had their arms tucked in their cloaks, but awkwardly positioned, not at their sides as one may expect. No doubt their hands were clasped upon some kind of weapons, thought Lazlo. Probably a bow, or maybe a sword as the former was the preferred weapon of choice among the elven race. The three Queen's Knight took notice of this as well, as they slowly and subtly placed themselves in front of the princess as best they could and to some extent the Oracle, observed Lazlo out of the corner of his eye.
Nevertheless, it was the middle elf who seemed to be most intriguing to Lazlo and many in the small crowd of gatherers. He was a little taller than his traveling cloaked comrades. He had long blue hair that was held together and pushed back by a glimmering clear crystal-type colored circlet that had a polished shine to it. Also, he has sapphire blue eyes.
Under his earthy-toned cloak hints of satin type red robes peaked forth. Most interesting of all was the gold necklace he wore. The chain and circular flat small disc that hung off it were golden, but affixed on the flat golden plate was a small transparent gem, like a diamond, but only three times brighter in its shimmering off the sunlight.
He had a very regal appearance about himself in spite of being very unusual. The elf also displayed feelings of uneasiness at being gawked at by so many people at once. Despite, everyone in the crowd, the elf seemed to make eye contact with Lazlo. Studying him. Lazlo met his gaze with the same look of curiosity.
The warrior had met dozens of elves in his life time, but none quite as interesting as the one now before him. After a few moments of hushed silence, the middle elf extended his arms outward from his cloak toward the crowd in a gesture of greetings.
At this sign of peace, the Oracle stepped out from behind Robert, who had out of intuition position himself between these strange visitors and the member of the Falenan Royal family. In his most official and strongest cadence Ishaan addressed them. "Greetings! Welcome to Holy Lunas, my friends. To what honor do we owe you that you would come to our most Blessed and Sacred Shrine?"
However, before the blue hair elf could reply, the less even-tempered bald elf who was no longer stoic, began mumbling something in protest to his taller companion in another language with all the body language and gestures that suggested he was upset.
The humans looked curiously at each other and then back at the elves as if looking for some sign of understanding to come forth. Ishaan, himself, seemed confused and wondered what he could have said that would cause such a strong negative reaction. Olinda turned her gaze, for the first time, from the elves toward Lazlo who didn't have the same puzzled look as the others. Rather his face was one of comprehension as though he understood what the elf was saying.
Speaking in his native elvish tongue, the bald elf protested, but respectfully, toward the gold necklace elf saying, "You see my prince, how these barbarous humans call this land their own! Even their chief there (gesturing to Ishaan) says these Sacred Lands belong to him and the humans. How dare they! We have called this forest home for centuries before they arrived with their greed for gold and their primitive wars. Their shear arrogance is just..."
Saying nothing the elvish prince merely raised his hand to the now emotional elf not saying a word, but merely gesturing with his hand that he had heard enough and wanted silence. Immediately, the bald elf stopped speaking, let out a small sigh, and returned to his previous stoic stance without further incident at the silent command of his blue-haired master.
"Please forgive our sudden appearance." said the noble elf with a tone of regal speech, "I shall be brief my human acquaintances. I am here for two reasons, but both involve that man there and to a lesser degree that silvery haired maiden there."
He was now pointing at Lazlo and Olinda. As though the dozen or so clergy all had the same thought at once; they all stepped to the sides of the small group to gaze upon these two as though seeing them for the first time. Only the 3 knights, 2 royal family members, and Lazlo had not moved and now where in the middle of this human hallway. Concurrently, at the mention of the princess by the noble elf, Rose moved even closer to Olinda's side; her one hand on her nunchucks' ivory handle.
Now surprising of all people, Robert spoke up perhaps in a stronger voice than he may have intended to use said, "What are you talking about? What's your business with the princess!?" Again, the bald elf, seemed to forget his previous order to hold his place, yelled out, but instead of Elvish, he spoke in the tongue of men, so this time everyone understood him.
"Hold your tongue human." he said as though there was a foul taste in his mouth, "How dare you address the master like that! Do your simple minds understand who he is? This is the son of the chief, Ren, the next ruler of all Alseid! You will show him respect or I shall cut out your tongue, you primitive savage."
Upon finishing these words, the bald elf drew forth a small blade from his side. The other short green-haired elf remained still and stoic, but poised on his feet, as though he too wanted to jump in, but restrained himself by some invisible force that was the previous commands of his master.
The three Queen's Knights all withdrew their weapons as well at this show of perceived hostile aggression. However, it was Ishaan that spoke up once more, "Now, Now, I am sure there is no need for this tension."
Moreover, Ren, became indignant, and spoke up in Elvish in a harsh tone toward his servant, "Iolis, that is enough! The only one acting like a human as you describe them… is You!" Iolis' face turned red, whether because of anger or shame, Lazlo couldn't tell.
However, immediately, he put his blade away and snapped to attention like a soldier just given a direct order. He said nothing else for the rest of their time in Lunas. Ren's face changed from one of vexing, quickly back to one of diplomacy. He said calmly now, "Please, forgive my servant. He has very little experience in dealing with humans and doesn't understand your ways."
The three knights returned their weapons to their sides, but kept them at the ready. Ishaan also helping to defuse the situation interjected a smile and some awkward laughter, "Ha, it's quite alright, Master Ren. We have little experience as well in dealing with elves. Now you said you has some business with young Sir Lazlo (purposely ignoring that he said Olinda as well). Perhaps you'd like to come inside, so we can discuss these things?"
"I am afraid that is not possible. We have very little time. I suppose we do not need the maiden, just that man. Indeed, you need to come with us now! Lazlo is your name!? (He nodded.) Please, Master Lazlo, I must request that you come without further delay. Also, there is the great debt that must be repaid!"
Now Rose spoke, "What do you want with Lazlo anyway? He's not even from Falena!" "Perhaps, if you shared a bit about your intentions with our ambassador guest, we could better help you." spoke up a curious Graess at last.
The elf prince was finally becoming somewhat impatient as he was not accustomed to having his orders or requests brought into question, particularly by humans. Rose then interjected once more, "Besides the trade talks between the Queendom and the Island Nations start today. Sir Lazlo can't go with you. He has to attend those."
The elves seem to show no concern over the political affairs of men. But the blue haired elf spoke in a most unexpected way that took the True Rune bearer by surprise. He now had a different tone in his voice, it was not anger or impatience it was something else: desperation, perhaps even, pleading.
"I beseech you, please Master Lazlo. Will you help me? There isn't much time left. She needs help. If we can make it in time. Then, I shall owe two great debts and not just the one already in your favor. Please help me!" he asked desperately.
His words sparked a measure of compassion in the old sea captain. Lazlo at last spoke up, but to the surprise of everyone around him, both human and elf, he said: "Aitan teid nete!" The short green haired elf exclaimed, "You speak the tongue of Elves?"
Ren smiled as joy filled his eyes, "I thought so. You did understand our speech. Sir Lazlo, thank you so much. Come there is not much time to spare. We must make haste before the sun reaches its fullest strength!"
"Wait! Sir Lazlo, what about the Talks?" protested Graess still shocked that not only could Lazlo speak Elvish, but that he had agreed to go with these three unusual guys without even knowing why.
Lazlo turned toward the confused knight saying, "It will be okay. I feel this is something I must do. Besides Tanya and Desmond are the real politicians here, not me, I am sure they will be fine to start without me. Besides, I'll be back soon, I think. (He then turned his gaze toward Olinda and Ishaan) Thank you for your kind hospitality, Oracle! Princess Olinda stay safe and don't get into too much trouble till I get back!" He said this last part with a small smirk on his lips. Olinda smiled and turned a little pink, but nodded her head in agreement for confirmation.
The three elves suddenly took hands, and the green haired elf extended his free hand to Lazlo, which he took. Ren nodded at Iolis as though silently giving him orders again. Apparently, the bald elf understood the order. He raised his free right hand and a strange, but familiar, rune to Lazlo glowed forth in dazzling yellow light. A Blinking Rune. With a whoosh sound and a flash of a bright yellow light they were gone in the twinkling of an eye.
Amazing! Unbelievable! Where did they go? Where the phrases uttered by the crowd. After the disbelief of the moment wore off, Graess suggested that they get back to East Palace without any more delay. After bidding farewell to Ishaan, the carriage was off.
As expected much of the conversation going home centered around the elves and their cryptic desire for Lazlo's help. Olinda shared the story of the two elf children at the river and how she and Lazlo saved the boy from going over the waterfall. She suggested that perhaps this was the reason for the sudden and unprecedented appearance of elves at Lunas.
However, when the knights heard how Olinda had nearly fell into the river herself trying to pull Lazlo and the elf boy out, the conversational topic quickly changed to how dangerous it was and how she should be more careful. How she shouldn't risk her safety, as she is one of the nation's princesses. A national treasure they reminded her.
Feeling like they were being overly protective and condescending, Olinda turned her thoughts to Lazlo and wondered what he was doing with the elves. These thoughts didn't leave her at all the whole way back to East Palace, which they arrived at safely without hindrance.
Hearing the rushing waterfall in the near distance and seeing the familiar trees from yesterday, Lazlo said, "We didn't teleport very far, did we?! Just above the compound. Where somewhere in the forest right?" "Interesting, you don't seem at all motion sick? Nor surprised by the fact that we have teleported," said the short green haired elf.
"It's been a few years, but I know another magician with the same rune. She's cuter than you are that is for sure, Iolis, but I doubt you're as forgetful as she is." Iolis looked puzzled by the words of the man with the red bandana. He couldn't tell if it was an insult or a compliment. Lazlo assured him it was a small joke, but still the elf didn't seem to understand the humor.
Making their way deeper into the forest Lazlo could feel a thick magical haze, almost like fog, begin to envelop them. "Is this why we couldn't teleport further in? This acts as some kind of barrier to shield people from entering by surprise?" asked Lazlo to the short green haired elf with the sound of curiosity in his voice, "Is that why… I am sorry. I didn't catch your name."
"Oh, you're right, my name is Findus. That bald fellow is Iolis my brother, and up there in the lead is lord Ren, the next clan chief and leader of our people as you probably already surmised by my baby brother's outburst earlier. And yes, to answer your previous question this sacred mist was created by the elders centuries ago. It prevents any person or beast whether by rune, scroll, or talisman or some other magical device from entering our land unexpectedly. We use similar mist to hide some of our trails. Only elves, or extremely gifted humans, can see those trails. But this mist is different, stronger as it protects our whole colony. The only way through the fog is to be an elf or be invited to pass through by a member of the noble line in this case..." He pointed to Ren.
"Hurry," the elf wearing the gold necklace called out from up ahead, "our time is short. We only have a few more hours until the sun reaches its full strength." The elves started to pick up their pace, Lazlo did likewise and stayed close, he knew he certainly didn't want to get lost or fall behind in this magical mist for sure. He doubted that he ever would be able to get out of here on his own, even with his True Rune.
While they were running their fastest pace as though trying to catch something elusive. None of them were out of breath. While they were moving, Iolis fell back somewhat to match Lazlo's stride. Then for the first time, speaking to him directly, he asked awkwardly, "Tell me, human, how is it that you came to learn and speak the words of elves?"
Not feeling to offended, Lazlo had a feeling this was probably the first 1-on-1 conversation he had ever had with a non-elf before. He said, "While one of my best friends growing up was an elf. We went to the military academy together back in my country a long time ago. She taught me a few words and phrases." This was not a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. With a tone of suspicion, the bald elf asked, "So in your land, elves and men fight together? They get along that much?"
Lazlo smirked a bit, "No, No, like you guys, the elves of Na-Nal, how shall we say it? They are not too fond of people either. They tolerate men at best. My friend, Paula, she was an exception to that rule." Iolis seemed satisfied to know elves and men do not fight together often in the other countries as well. Yet, Lazlo could tell that Iolis could not get his mind wrapped around an elf who would freely do what Lazlo had described about Paula.
Suddenly, they came to a swift stop. Lazlo nearly fell into Ren, but manage to avoid stumbling at the last second. The elf prince said "We're here!" He placed out his hand and murmured something under his breath in Elvish, which Lazlo thought he might have heard him say "open" or "reveal" it was hard to tell, because he was speaking in whispers.
As the fog lifted, Lazlo realized all the brown and green trees around them looked brighter. Was it just his eyes or did the green leaves on the trees appear greener? Did the blue sky seem even bluer? The intensity of colors took the sword master by surprise. However, what he saw next did not. It was a gigantic tree! It was a colossus of a plant for the eye to behold. Just like the Elvish trees on Na-Nal and the one he had visited briefly during his travels through Scarlet Moon.
However, unlike those two non-human colonies this place seemed to have many more magical defenses to prevent interlopers from intruding on them unannounced. They made their way to the right side of the trunk where a rope ladder awaited them.
Ren spoke once more in a very serious tone, "Listen to me, Lazlo. No human has set foot on the branches of Alseid in over 300 years. You say you've been around elves before and your friend is one. Good! Do nothing to upset them while you are here. Even if you do nothing, most of my people will probably not be happy to see you just because you are human (his gaze turned toward his bald servant). Just stay close to me as we pass through the streets and you should be alright."
Once they reached the top of the ladder, Lazlo could see hundreds of feet of wooden platforms, planks, and struts all around him in every direction that functioned as a ground for the elves to walk along. Their homes and shops were everywhere. It looked like a community of treehouses. Only elegantly crafted treehouses of wood and stone that looked as though master carpenters and masons with centuries of experience had crafted them.
As they made their way down the main street, which seemed to also function as a Bazaar with dozens of merchants selling the finest qualities of elvish goods and wares. Ren's words had proven to be nearly prophetic in nature. As most of the elves were shocked and in total awe at seeing a human; some for the first time.
Lazlo could see many of the females gossiping and murmuring to each other. Some of the children were curious at this sight, while others ran behind their mother's legs in fear. Some of the male elves watched on passively, but intently.
A few had stern looks of malice in their eyes at the sight of the human, who to them was trespassing on their land. Such a thing would not have been tolerated normally had Lazlo not been accompanied by Ren, Iolis, and Findus. It was an odd and cold feeling for sure to have so many hating you for no reason other than your race.
Lazlo knew the elves in the Island Nations and the Scarlet Moon didn't like humans much, but they at least tolerated them; like Findus seemed to do. Sometimes, they even lived in peace alongside people. And a few like Paula and Selma he had counted as his allies. But something here was different. Something must have happened all those centuries ago that caused a profound hatred of humans to run so deeply to cause all this. This was not a few prejudice elves among many tolerant ones. No this seemed like a whole community of beings who were all in universal agreement: humans are barbarous and can never be trusted.
Well, wait, thought Lazlo, they all can't be like Iolis and the ones on the streets. Findus seemed okay and Ren hadn't seemed so bad either. This chief's son seemed a lot nicer in fact compared to the first time he met another chief's son, Axel. Definitely friendlier than Axel. Lazlo repeated to himself in his mind.
At the end of the street, they came to a large building. The largest home in the whole community or so it seemed to Lazlo based off what little he had seen so far of Alseid. Two large, muscular guards, armed with swords at their sides, each opened one of the two doors that acted as the entrance to the treehouse mansion.
The four stepped inside. Perhaps it was magic or just the design of the architecture, but it seemed even larger inside than it had outside. An elf who was older, but didn't seem very well groomed, raised an eye brow at the sight of Lazlo, but ignored him quickly enough and turned his gaze toward Ren saying, "Welcome home Master Ren, I see the first step of your mission went well (looking back at Lazlo before returning his attention to his lord). If you're looking for your father, he's in the study."
"Thank you Etho, how is she? Is there any improvement?" "Sadly, no milord. It is as you and your father feared. The wound won't heal properly due to the serpent's bite. The venom is preventing her system from regenerating... She doesn't have too much longer."
With a new fire in his voice Ren said, "Follow me, quickly!" The two made their way to another room at the end of a hallway. The other two elves stayed with Etho in the antechamber area at the entrance. At last things were starting to become somewhat clearer to him. He wondered if this woman who was apparently mortally wounded was the reason why he was here.
She obviously seemed important to Ren, so much so he was willing to break a 300-year-old taboo and bring a human to Alseid. But for what reason he didn't know, but assumed he was finally at last about to find out.
Upon entering the study, He saw thousands of books that covered every wall in the room. Tanya would think she'd died and gone to heaven in a place like this, thought the Islander. In addition, Lazlo saw two figures, one adult and the other a child, sitting at a table with some, obviously, ancient tomes poured out before them.
The older elf had faded blue and grayish hair. His skin was fair, but with many wrinkles, and he had a frail appearance about him. Lazlo assumed this was the Village Chief. Then he noticed the boy, who also had blue hair.
This was the same boy that had fallen into the river the day before and had taken off with his female friend, before either he or Olinda could really talk to them. Only now his mischievous mannerisms had dissolved and one of regret seem to replace them. It was obvious by the red puffiness around his eyes, the boy had been crying just before they had entered the room.
"Orro?" asked Lazlo hesitantly thinking that was the name the girl elf had used. "You're Orro right? You and your friend, Terra, were the ones from the forest yesterday, weren't you?" The boy nodded and started to cry again, as if the mentioning of this invoked a painful memory for him. A confused expression again came upon the ageless warrior's face.
Now the elder elf spoke up, "So then, you are the man that saved my grandson's life. For that you have my gratitude human. And know that it is only for that reason alone, I agreed to allow you access to my village. However, it is not the only reason why you are here, as I am sure you have already surmised by now... True Rune bearer."
"Excuse me? How do you know that?" he replied. A tone of supremacy and judgmentalness now entered the chief's voice as he retorted, "Don't take us for fools, human. Most of your kind may not be able to sense great power without proper training, but we elves are born with the innate ability to sense magical forces. And there is a great power twisted all around your soul. Even if, I couldn't sense that power. Hmm. Yes, indeed! Your eyes tell me all I need to know. Your eyes are very unique for a human, almost elvish. They look young, but they have seen many great horrors over the years. Yes, indeed you are familiar with the slow endless passage of time, just as we are." He turned toward his son, "Perhaps, you were right. He may be able to help after all. Assuming we're in time..."
"In time for what? I still don't have a clear reason for why I am here. You obviously know more about me than I know about you and your situation. So, if you want my help with whatever it is you brought me here for, I need more information before I can do anything!" said the Islander in an authoritative voice.
Ren, who had been consoling his own son since he had started crying again moments before, now spoke up to address Lazlo in a very somber, but still diplomatic tone. "You saved my son's life so for that I owe you a great debt, but as I said earlier that before this day is done, I hope to owe you one more debt. You see yesterday while you were saving my son's life in the river. His mother, myself and a few others were in the forests looking for them. Recently, we elves have sensed echoes of dark and sinister magical forces gathering near Falena's border. These echoes haven't been felt in centuries not since before the time of the Ancient Armes Nation, as you humans call them."
"Who?" interrupted Lazlo quizzically. "That's right, you're not from this continent, are you?" retorted Ren, "Before the first Falenan Queen, even before the Sindarians, a group of humans and their king calling themselves Armes had claimed these lands for their own. Modern Falenans refer to them as simply the Ancients. Regardless of this, back to my point."
He continued, "Because of these dark echoes and a great surge of runic energy we felt in the air 3 nights pass, which we now assumed was you and your True Rune (Lazlo nodded. No point in denying it now, he reckoned). So, with this unknown energy circulating the countryside we forbade the children from leaving Alseid. Normally, we let them play in the forest near the great tree, but that all changed for the reasons I just mentioned. So, yesterday when we learned that Orro and Terra were missing we went looking for them immediately."
Ren's stoic elf voice started to crack a bit as though a tidal wave of emotions were trying to break through a dam. Now with a hoarse voice, he added, "His mother, Cathinel, knew he likes to play near some old Sindarian Ruins not far from here. So, she went there alone. Not wanting to wait for others assuming that Orro and Terra might be in danger, because she felt a dark creature moving around those ruins. This creature had never been there, prior to a few weeks ago. Anyhow, when she got to the old ruins, she did not find the children. But that creature found her. My wife is a great warrior and archer, but she couldn't fend off that demon on her own for very long. And the thing… That damn serpent… It struck..." Ren now had to stop talking for a moment to regain his composure.
At this point the chief interjected in his calm and aged voice, "When Ren and the others showed up, they were too late. The snake had Cathinel coiled up in its body and had sunk part of its' fang into her shoulder. They were able to distract the demon snake long enough to free her from its deadly clutches."
"Yet, for some reason in that shrine, the snake seemed to be immune from the arrows and rune attacks being hurled at it. Fortunately, thanks to Iolis and his Blinking Rune they were able to teleport to safety just in time. Unfortunately, though, the damage was already inflicted. Our healers tell us the wound won't be able to heal itself properly as long as the venom remains in her body. But they don't know how to remove this particular venom without killing her. So, for now they're just barely managing to control the bleeding and are using Water Runes every hour to restore her strength. But even an elf's body can't deal with that strain very long. She'll probably be dead by morning. Unless…"
"Unless what?" responded Lazlo, "Look, if you think my True Rune can cure your wife, I am sorry I don't think it can. I could heal her body probably a little better than your Water Runes, but my Rune won't remove the venom from her system. The Rune of Punishment has more offensive spells than it does restorative ones. Trust me! This accursed Rune would rather take away your life than restore it any day if given the choice."
"No, Master Lazlo you miss the point," a semi-recovered Ren spoke over him, "those offensive spells are exactly what we want." The gold necklace elf took one of the old books from the table and pushed across the surface to the other side of the table where Lazlo was standing. Looking down at the page opened before him he saw a picture of a flower that looked like a golden sun with red pedals around it with only a green stem to support it. Under the caption was written something in a weird looking form of Elvish.
Raising his head up again, "A Sun-Rose?" he asked. "Very good Master Lazlo! That is an ancient dialect of Elvish. Very few elves living today can read it. I never would have imagined a human to possess such knowledge. Even one that went to school with an elf." said Ren curiously.
Raising his left hand to indicate his True Rune, he replied, "I wasn't lying about my friend. Paula did teach me a few phrases. But what I didn't tell your servant is that part of my Rune's curse is that I have to bear the memories of all its previous bearers. And because of the nature of this parasitic Rune. It has had many...many hosts. Before I became its final bearer. Anyhow, one of those bearers was an elf from the Northern Continent and many of his memories are in old Elvish. That's where I learned most of the dialect from. Anyways, how will this Sun-Rose flower help your wife?"
"According to this text, the pedals of the Sun-Rose are a panacea for nearly any poison or venom be they magical or natural. The Sindarians used them to make healing herbs all the time. A lot of these healing herbs can be found at some of their most ancient shrines all over the world. The catch is that the flower only blossoms for an hour each day, while the Sun is at its fullest strength. Thus, by the time an hour passes the flower wilts for that day leaving the pedals' useless."
"No, the pedals must be harvested within that 1-hour time frame if we're going to have any chance in saving my beloved's life. The problem is that the only place we know of where the flower grows is deep in that old Sindarian Shrine. Where that unholy snake now dwells. Now you know the whole truth! Will you help me now bearer of a True Rune?" concluded the elf prince.
At last, he now fully understood. Lazlo moved toward the window and looked out it towards the mid-morning Sun. Then, he put each hand on the hilt of each one of his blades, turned back around toward the three generations of elves before him and said in a clear, yet deep and commanding, voice, "Let's get going. We have a snake to kill. A mother to save and very little time to do it!"