Crossbow-Isle Crossroads part 2 by Elensaar Gelindor

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Crossbow Isle – The Quest – Part 1

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Crossbow Isle Crossroads

iii

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Crossbow Isle Volume IV

Crossroads Part 2

Irefenia Salgonda Elensaรกr Gelindor Editor KLJ

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Copyright © Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaár Gelindor Published by ISEG Media® Crossroads – Volume 4 – Part 2 Illustrations © Elensaár Gelindor First published 2014 ISBN–10: 1500642665 ISBN–13: 978-1500642662 CS–Title ID: 4921667 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the authors.

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

HiQ+ The ultimate entertainment for Intelligent People

vii

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Abridged Recapitulation of Volume 3 – The Quest Parts 1, 2, and 3 SPOILER ALERT! (If you have not read those books yet, be warned that the following is a spoiler. If you read it now, you will learn about names and essential developments that will be detrimental to the reading pleasure of these books but you won’t understand the entire story of Crossbow Isle if you had not read all previous books.)

After the short but hefty winter and the celebration of Alban Eiler for which Ddraig had ‘carried’ the sun of spring on his back to Willowbee, Enyana and Y Ddraig Goch decided to inspect the north farthings of Crossbow Isle for damages caused by the countless landslides that Oqualorak’s voice and sounds had triggered. After a much welcome interlude in Caradoc Castle and the naming of the new village to Caravalley, they followed the Ardara River where the vigilance of the shepherd Cormac directed them to a tributary that had almost dried out over the winter. A close inspection revealed a threatening situation where a land and rockslide had dammed up an entire vale and the waters had no where to drain. Hence the whole valley had filled and the dam was close to collapse. Further inspections revealed more landslides that had blocked smaller rivers whose waters contributed now along with the melting water from the mountains to the aggravating and threatening situation in that dale. Therefore, Enyana decided to engage also Elensaár and her Seanmhair Morgan, the healer of Willowbee who held the powers over the wild waters. Almost at the last moment, they were able to prevent the imminent catastrophe to happen and after days of hard labour, they restored the natural flow of water in that part of the mountains. As Enyana and Ddraig scanned the drained valley for hidden damages, they found by chance the fracture of a panel with gilded elven scripture, which was not only viii

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

very beautifully crafted but entirely out of place. A search of the valley for other parts of that fractured panel was fruitless and they continued their flight over the mountainous regions of Crossbow Isle, but nowhere else had the situation been as threatening as near Caradoc Castle. A few days later, Cormac the vigilant shepherd, made the unexpected acquaintance of a dwarf who belonged to the tribe of the Pjόðroerir dwarfs. They had lived in the mountains for hundreds of years but had successfully avoided any contact to other beings to stay away from being coerced into granting favours to people who did not deserve it. Nevertheless, Fullangr the son of the Pjόðroerir had met Zaron long time ago and decided to make contact to him, which rekindled the old friendship and soon he remembered about another piece of that fractured panel to which he guided Enyana and Zaron after some persuasion with the tempting aroma of pipeweed. Now that Fullangr’s interest was roused, other incidents recalled the memories of a story that his grandfather Olnir had once told him and as Fullangr questioned Olnir with limited success, they found the “Spire of the North” and later, the second attempt to clarify the pending questions led to an invitation for the Trinity to visit the well hidden realm of the Pjόðroerir named Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim. As they arrived, they were overwhelmed by its splendid design, hence very unexpected appearance but is was no lesser surprise as the Pjόðroerir asked them to re–establish an old alliance between elves, dwarfs, druids and humans, whose reestablishment was acknowledged by the appearance of ghost like manifestations of their ancestors. However, Elensaár who studied the ancient elven tongue with aid of the palantir was not lesser astounded than the rest of his friends by the large number of questions that had ix

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

begun to pile up since Ddraig’s Minya Nosta. The appearance of those fragments, which much to their astonishment were found in sequence but in very different places culminated lastly in unearthing all the fragments of a queer panel whose inscriptions contained additional riddles that had to be solved before they could partly comprehend the goal of their quest. Now, questions after questions mushroomed but the answers still remained elusive. The Pjόðroerir had been engaged to solve the many riddles but instead of finding answers, they found more questions and on top of that, Olnir, Fullangr’s grandfather, remembered a journey that had led him not only to a disturbing discovery that he could not describe with words but also to a place called Corracloona, where the Trinities abilities were suspended as soon they had crossed Corracloona’s boundaries. In Corracloona, they found out why Olnir had known more about the Trinity than they knew themselves and were bestowed with two queerly behaving crystals of which they had not the slightest idea whereto they belonged but on their flight to Willowbee, Ddraig, Zaron and Fullangr discovered a structure that had emerged from the ground at the time as Enyana had received her miraculous crystal. Whilst the riddle masters in Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim discussed the many possible interpretations of the panel script, one member of the clan who had earlier been caught eavesdropping stole three parchments with questions that were not meant for everyone’s eye. Meanwhile, Fullangr had been invited as reward for his loyalty and help on a journey to Ai Seler’ en’ Tolea’Fuin. As they stayed on the elven island, Ly Cheen Reedfly sought advice from Enyana and Elensaár about a queer notion that turned out to be her ultimate question and during her not lesser unusually x

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

developing Tar’marty a’Ambar Tel’Quessir, she as well received two names like Elensaár and her new name was Irefenia, daughter of the house of Salgonda. Along with her new name, she received a beautiful but queerly behaving necklace in the shape of a butterfly. Moreover, she was revealed being the last member of the Companionship of Seekers who was poised to solve the mystery of the quest. On their journey back to Crossbow Isle, Irefenia’s necklace guided them into a hidden underground harbour at the southwestern tip of Crossbow Isle where they found another crystal hidden in the ceiling of a room. Considering that with Enyana’s crystal, one of those queer structures had emerged, they searched for the one that must have emerged with Irefenia’s crystal and after a lengthy search, they were quite successful and did not only find this structure but also the ancient race of the Onodrim who had been entrusted with guarding that device. Investigations had revealed that at least Enyana’s crystal belonged to the structure that had emerged first and during a map making exercise in Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim that fell not short of some comical situations, they figured out that there had to be a third structure that had not emerged yet since a crystal for it had not been found up to date. However, the right place was identified and a search indicated that indeed, this structure was still hidden in the ground below a lake. That time, Torgos had finally found a place where he could get in contact with his former ally Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer, the ruler of the worlds below, but much to Torgos’s dismay, he did not receive his powers as he had hoped, instead, his mind was possessed by a demon named Tokolosh who had to ensure that Torgos would not stray again from his new order to capture Fullangr’s grandfather Olnir, who was the xi

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

only person who ever had seen the gate that Enyana and Ddraig had seen in a vision as they had searched the lake. With no other choice, Torgos obeyed and captured not only Olnir but also the twisted and ill minded Bávorr who had been eavesdropping and stolen the parchments. Long time ago, Bávorr had killed hundreds of his clansmen including Olnir’s only son Gilgur in the pit that was now called “The Mine of Doom”. They were dumped together behind a massive landslide that was supposed to close the mine forever. Inside the mine, Bávorr turned entirely mad and killed himself after revealing the truth about that long bygone ‘accident’ he had caused. Now the shaken–up Olnir had to find his way out and managed with his mining and mountaineer climbing skills that bone crushing task bravely. Once outside, he contacted Zaron who retrieved him from the slope of that mountain and soon enough, Torgos appeared not knowing that Olnir had already returned, threatening to kill Olnir if the White powers were not leaving the island within a week’s time. Understanding Torgos’s sinister plot, they played along and duped not only Torgos but also Tokolosh, and as Torgos reported their ‘glorious deed’ to Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer, they both were in for a surprise that they would never forget. Thanks to the vigilance and courage of the little elven Norhidayu, the Companionship of Seekers learnt facts that led to the assumption that the time had come when Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer had no other choice than to wage war against the Pjόðroerir and the White Powers, and how the tale continues can be found here in the chapters of the third volume of Crossbow Isle named “Crossroads”.

xii

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Crossroads, â&#x20AC;&#x201C; volume four of the Crossbow Isle sequel continues a part of the tale and we wish you much reading pleasure. However, for really understanding this volume and everything that follows, you should have read the first three volumes completely since Crossbow Isle is ONE large tale of more than 4,500 book pages and not a conglomeration of independent episodes! This abridged recap of the complex story is not sufficient to fill you in, but merely meant to refresh your memories. Enjoy

Elensaar Gelindor & Irefenia Salgonda

xiii

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

xiv

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Preface Dear Reader and Elven friend. As Crossbow Isle spans over five volumes in fifteen parts, we found it most suitable to let you know what the entire tale holds in stock. Therefore, we have ‘conjured’ a very brief introduction to the tale of Crossbow Isle.

 About four–thousand–years ago, the Elven Planet Phaéthon was deliberately destroyed in a fiery inferno and a large number of its inhabitants were stranded between the times. From within this void, time did not anymore appear as a consecutive string of events but allowed their minds to access some of the many realities that are attributed to each planet. The lass Ithilhin or Moonchild was born and lived in one of those accessible realities of planet Earth on a place called Crossbow Isle. Here, Ithilhin, the Moonchild was raised by elves who had ‘somehow’ come to that island as well. As the ripples of the event that had led to the destruction of Phaéthon bounced back and struck the reality where Crossbow Isle was located, another part of the plot unfolds, coercing Ithilhin and her friends into an intriguingly planned plot, which is spiced with countless mantraps, hilarious to gut–wrenching situations and deadly fights that eventually will guide them to an event that changes this universe and its realities and reverses the adverse influences of the ‘One’ who had caused the destruction of Phaéthon. However, they are not yet able to influence the effects on the planet that the ‘One’ had isolated and occupied for himself, – the people and world he had changed to his liking – Earth! xv

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

xvi

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Table of contents VII The Day of Dawn..................................... - 1 -

xvii

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

VII The Day of Dawn The sun had climbed the eastern horizon quite a while ago as the ground shook violently and a part of the desolate roof came down. It crushed right beside Torgos’s head to the ground, releasing a cloud of bird–dropping–dust and other unwelcome elements that settled on Torgos’s body. Not only had Tokolosh realised that something had happen, also Torgos stirred and moaned in pain. However, once the Demon had found out what had happen, he knew that he had to wash that stuff from his host’s body ere the slowly healing wounds would suffer and fail to return Torgos into working conditions. He hovered the former mage’s body into the little stream and wondered that it caused him much more efforts to do that than ever before. However, there was no time for pondering and he managed to submerge his host’s body into the water -1-

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

without drowning him. During the last few days he had gained much practise of scooping water into Torgos mouth and managed to wash his face, eyes and wounds as good as he could do it with the left hand only. The right arm and hand was still not working sufficiently for that task as he might have fixed the wrong bones together. He was no healer and had little knowledge about the bodies of human beings, especially if it came to the task of fixing a broken one. If someone had seen the former mage lying in the water he would have thought that he was dead. At least, his sight was not very appealing anymore since Tokolosh could only mend Torgos’s inside but not his appearance, which gently expressed could only be described as horrible and the ‘odour’ surrounding him would not have been at any rate been pleasing to anyone’s nose. At least, if someone had come close enough, he surely would not have missed the stench of decay that had turned to an almost ‘solid cloud’. Once Torgos’s left hand had completed the act of cleaning, it scooped water into the opening beneath something that with much goodwill could have been called eyes; – at least the left one looked still relatively normal whilst the right one was more or less a knot of wrinkled skin with a slit. Tokolosh must have pulled a ‘tiny’ bit too much skin down the skull. However, since the nose had taken a timeout to rest somewhere peacefully in a tunnel deep down in the guts of a nameless mountain, – scooping in grain–pulp and water had become much easier, – at least for Tokolosh. If it was the icy water, – the bright sunshine, – or the excruciating pain of bird–shit burning in his wounds and eyes, – in that moment it was not very clear to Tokolosh but much to his surprise, Torgos made the first real attempts to -2-

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

move on his own since the moment he had turned his back on Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer. First, he tried to take a deep breath, which caused an almost never–ending string of coughing fits, which in turn cost him a lot of power but also spurred his body to move violently. Once the coughing had subsided, he tried to keep the sitting position into which he had been forced by the coughing spasms. Loud moaning escaped from the opening between and below his eyes and his right hand twitched nervously whilst his left hand managed to reach for what was left of his face. For a short while, his fingers probed gently what they touched and Tokolosh followed the revelations that those actions had in Torgos mind. For the time being, the Demon preferred to be quite and just monitored what his host discovered with his exploring fingers and listened to the self– conversation of Torgos mind.

“Why do I feel so much pain? What is that thing over my face?” he asked himself and sent his fingers to his back, where the blisters had dried out just a short while ago but some of the burned fabric still stuck to his skin and Tokolosh almost admired Torgos’s ability to fight pain. Now his mind had gained enough consciousness that he could send his fingers again to his head to explore his face and Tokolosh realised the first time what it meant to a human being if he realised that he had literally lost his face because that cognition sent his host directly back into a state of unconsciousness. “Hmm, – they are really particular about their appearance, I would not have thought that it mattered that much”, he thought whilst he hovered the limb body back to what was left of the building -3-

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

and below another roof section where he laid him down in the shadow of the ruins.  The moment as the heavy shockwaves had run over the land, no one realised that those violent earthquakes had not only ended Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer’s reign and therewith the ‘2nd Age’ of this world but had also heralded the dawn of the ‘3rd Age’. Too abstract the whole matter was for anyone to comprehend its consequences – but it WAS. With his involuntary act of self–destruction, Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer had paved the way for changes with far reaching consequences. Once the slurping sounds in Menomenta had ceased, – it still took some time ere someone said a word but then Enyana broke the silence. “What was that? Has he given up or what?” No one replied instantly since they all tried to realise what had happened but then it was Elensaár who meant, “Hmm, – if my interpretation is correct, then he has not given up on his own accord. Something else has decided that enough is enough. I just wonder who has put a stopper into his insane game”. Rasmus meant, “You know what? I frankly don’t care as long as he is not returning and if peace is lasting longer than a few months only”. “Yes my friend, I cannot agree more with you. I guess that we all are sick and tired that this moron has thrown beings at us as if we had nothing better on our mind than clobbering -4-

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

enemies of which we have not even known to exist”, Ddraig confessed half–angry half–relieved. Zaron stroke pondering his beard and mused, “Well, – to me it had appeared as if those forces that actually should have prevented him from roaming our world had somehow won the upper hand and simply sucked him to the place where he belongs. Not yet do I understand the reason because only after something else must have happened had Narya been able to escape from its enslavement. We shall see what forces have been in lead with our course. However, I would say we should split for a while to let our friends know what has transpired but I suggest that we shall stay vigilant until we know for sure why Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer has left the stage so hurriedly and especially so unconventionally”, the Old Druid said sniggering. “Yes Zaron that is a good suggestion because I am sure they all are on tenterhooks since nothing has happened on their places for such a long time and we have not been able to keep them posted. I am sure, – our elves will be very relieved to learn that Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer has somehow ‘been’ retired”. “I just hope that it was not a trick to slacken our vigilance”, Irefĕnia said and looked from time to time with disbelieve at the ring that had chosen her as his new bearer. It sat on her finger as if it had been made for her hand and it felt as if with this ring, a kind of self–awareness had taken shape in her mind that she never had known before. “It is not wrong what you said but one thing is for certain, without the powers of Narya, he obviously cannot stay in our world and I am very positive that he never would have relinquished that ring on his own accord. However, I admit -5-

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

that never before today have I heard of ‘Narya the Great’, but somehow I feel that it is not a sort of trick he is playing on us”, Elensaár stated and looked up to Reginlife who had followed the conversation. “Yes Grand Lord Elensaár, you are right. We do not know all that had come to pass at the time of change but we know that ‘Narya the Great’ had been in the possession of a White Power being that had come from another reality. If we are not mistaken, then it was one of the Advisors of the Eternal Forces of the Universe who obviously had fallen prey to Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer’s doings”. “Dear friends, all what you say are well and right but I suggest that we relieve our friends from that unbearable tension to wait for something that might never come. Anything else can be done later and since I think that Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer has truly retired for a very, very long time, I beg your pardon that we shall leave and perhaps return to a later point in time. For the time being, I will take along master Cheng and his people as well as Lu–Dongbin and Cao– Guojiu. If you need our help, you know that you can call on us in the blink of an eye. It was an honour to stand at your side and my friends have expressed that they are very proud of you, – because you have done very well.

-6-

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Farewell and rest assured that we are looking forward seeing you soon and in much better times to come”, Fucanglong said confidently and bowed his head, followed by all dragons except for Ddraig who had spoken to his father whilst his friends had expressed their thoughts. Ere Elensaár or Zaron were able to respond, the dragons vanished without much ado as they had come a few days ago and slowly it dawned in their minds that indeed, Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer had vanished as well and if Fucanglong was right, then YES, – he had lost the battle and the war. Tianhou said that after they had released so many spirits from their enslavement under Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer she had to take Anthorras and Tamuril for a while to the Monastery in the mountains of everlasting mist where they all needed to participate in an extraordinary cleaning ceremony. No matter that those spirits had done that last act more voluntary than involuntary, everyone who had been engaged in that part of the battle had sooner or later to clean his heart and soul from the burdens that might have been passed on. After a brief counsel, which included also Reginlife and her kin as well as the trees that had joined to learn what had happened and what was planned, – they dispersed. Queen Nooriaty and Ddraig vanished to Ai Seler’ en’ Tolea’Fuin, Zaron and Irefĕnia to Caradoc Castle, Enyana and Rasmus to Willowbee and Elensaár to Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim whilst the trees had a lengthy chat with their new neighbours, the Corracloona Giants who had kneeled down on one leg as it was the rite, to assume a bit later their grey

-7-

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

stone colour as if they never had come hither to guard the most mythical place in all of Crossbow Isle – Menomenta.  Merrygold had relentlessly watched for the slightest changes in the ground, – had listened to the sounds of the animals and the whispering of the trees. Night had drawn neigh morning and shortly after the first golden sunrays had caressed the sky in the east, deep rolling thunder had turned her head and high above the place she knew Menomenta, a dark cloud had gathered, sending endless series of lightning bolts to the ground. That moment her stomach cramped because she knew, something unexpected unfolded close by and she tried to read Enyana’s mind but the moment she had made contact, she realised that this was not a good time to ask questions and shivered under the tension that had built up. That could not be good no matter what happened, especially since it concerned Menomenta. Shortly after the hammering of lightning had begun, Morgan had appeared at her side and they both watched what was unfolding right at their doorstep. For a time whose length they could not even guess, they watched lighting bolts trashing down to one place only, they heard the thunders that rolled endlessly over the lands whilst the people had come from their houses and watched the spectacle, – comprehending now well enough what was going on and that those events were closely knit to their lives. Manifold cries echoed over the village as the earth shook violently and some of the houses that earlier had cracks only crumbled now like houses of cards.

-8-

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Much to the villagers luck, no one had remained in their homes because the fear of what happened so close to their village had spurred the last one to prepare for the worst to come. However, much to their surprise, shortly after that very violent earthquake, a bright red lightning bolt shot up to the dark cloud, which exploded the black plume with ear deafening thunder and made it vanish the very next moment, not leaving any trace and only the endlessly rolling echoes of thunders gave account that something had taken place not far enough away to be missed. The silence that followed the ceaseless hammering of lightning strokes was even more frightening. No one knew what had happened and no one even dared to think that they had witnessed the last acts of Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer on the worlds above. Too frightening had the experiences of the last few days been just to ponder such notion. After an endlessly stretching time, two well renowned people appeared beside the pavilion of the village fountain, walking slowly and tiredly towards the inn, – Enyana and Rasmus had arrived. Morgan hugged her grandchild closely to her chest whilst the message about their arrival spread like wildfire amongst the people and no matter the early time, the large guestroom filled ere Enyana had the chance to enter the little podium. Smiling, – but with deep shadows beneath her eyes, she stepped up and raised her voice… “My dear friends, I am quite sure that you have not missed the spectacle at Menomenta and I can sense how curious you are to learn what has happened. -9-

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Well, – not yet are we sure about certain things that have come to pass but it currently looks as if this war could be called over and thanks to all of you, – the White Powers might have prevailed”. A statement that was acquitted with deep sighs of relieve but by no means was it causing jubilations because that had not been Enyana’s intention. “Please give us a short while longer to find out if it really means peace for all of us; therefore, please keep up your vigilance until I can tell you more”. Despite her cautiously set words, muted applause filled the large guestroom and as Enyana stepped down, Morgan embraced her grandchild once more. Too much had her heart and mind worried about the burdens that life had laden onto her frail shoulders. “How about a mug of coffee and a hot bath my child?” “Yes Seanmhair, – that would be something I really would love to have”, she smiled gently whilst she sat next to Rasmus on the round table that had always been their traditional place in Seanna’s inn. Calandra made her way through the people and one could see that her eyes had shed many tears since that bad event had claimed the lives of her parents. Morgan had spoken to her and helped the young woman to cope with her heavy loss. Lastly, it was the hope for a brighter future that had kept her going and as she had listened to Enyana’s words, she felt at least that her loss had not been entirely in vain. Once Enyana sipped her coffee, she asked her Seanmhair, “What do you think if we send Calandra to Caradoc Castle? - 10 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Maybe the nearness to Kimball might help her to overcome her loss”. “Hmm, – yeah, – not a bad idea that is. Let me talk to her once you have your bath my dear”. Merrygold, who also had sipped some of the black brew proposed to return to her watch post for a while, just to ensure that nothing would be missed that could endanger anyone in the village, a move that was gladly accepted by Enyana and Morgan.  Whilst Enyana had briefed the Willowbee’ers, Ddraig and Queen Nooriaty had arrived in Ai Seler’ en’ Tolea’Fuin where the sentinels stood still high above the protecting wall. Outside the wall, the fire raged undeterred but since Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer’s shield had ceased to exist; a fiery carpet had spread much farther over the sea. As far as they could see, fire burned on the water and as Queen Nooriaty hovered upwards, she beheld that it’s source must be somewhere at the eastside of the island where a high flame stood above the sea and the ring of fire flowed like a deadly necklace along the protecting wall to trail on the Westside a burning carpet for leagues. Inside the protecting wall, the once beautiful beach and the pristine water of the lagoon looked just awful. Already decaying carcasses had been swept ashore and without the dense cloud that had framed the island like a gigantic flower that had concealed the wall of black rocks, it looked dreary and somehow menacing.

- 11 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Sombre at heart, Queen Nooriaty connected to all elves to meet at the beach, then she returned the ‘Emas Putri’ that still hovered high above the bay to the mooring point and transported all people to shore where she and Ddraig reported about the events that had happened in Menomenta and the conclusions they had drawn. Since the island had not yet been scanned for any dangerous remains, Queen Nooriaty decided that it would be safer if the people would stay for a few days aboard until the elves had the chance to search the whole island. The people understood her concerns quite well but some of the parents asked about their children and if they could not be returned now. “I do well understand your longing and concerns but believe me, we should not light–heartedly risk their lives in the last moment as long we are not sure if Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer was really defeated and that nothing is left on our island that could harm anyone. Too many creatures were spat ashore and too many villains had roamed the island ere we had known that they were here. Then we also have to cope with that fire ere we can reopen the passage and begin with the cleanup work”. “We do understand Queen Nooriaty and thank you for all you have done. We are not ungrateful and we are very sorry for what has happened to so many. How do the people on Crossbow Isle cope with what had happened?” Bryce asked. “Not much do I know yet how things have gone except that a number of people have lost their lives. I am sorry that I cannot tell you more because we just have to wait for some things to be understood ere we can be sure that this - 12 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

confrontation is truly over. Please accept that I have to send you back to the ‘Emas Putri’, – it is for your own safety”. Nodding heads and agreeing voices gave account that the people had not only understood and accepted her decision but already made plans how to cope with the cleanup work that was waiting to be accomplished if that war would truly be over and peace would last longer than a few months only. The only one on board of the ‘Emas Putri’ who had not yet any clue what was going on was Rodney in his silvery–blue shield but as the people returned, so did Catana who looked after him and told him what had transpired. “That is amazing isn’t it? I wonder if that really was the end of his reign?” he asked almost fluently speaking and the young woman nodded thoughtfully. “You are right Rodney; I would be more than glad if all that useless fighting would be over once and forever. Just imagine how Enyana must feel after all those challenges that had been thrown at her and no one had ever considered that she still was a child. Well, she truly is a special being and we shall see what else the future holds in stock for all of us. – It looks as if you feel better my friend. How is your leg doing?” “Well, there are still a few things that give me some trouble and my leg feels as if something had tried to eat me alive but otherwise, I feel much better and especially alive. I wonder when Anar Tinechor will decide to release me”, Rodney replied somewhat cheerfully but the deepening shadows beneath his eyes gave account that his mouth belied his condition.  - 13 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Irefĕnia and Zaron had arrived in the Great Hall of Caradoc Castle where they found Kimball, Milynn, Brianna and Weylin counselling with some of the village elders who had arrived late last night to offer the help of their people. “Hullo my friends, you are just arriving at the right moment. If your time permits, please come hither and have a sit”, Kimball said and pointed to some chairs. “Good morning dear friends, indeed – it is good to find you all here in one place, because that safes us some time ere we shall find rest for a while”, Zaron replied and gave a concise account of what had happen in Ai Seler’ en’ Tolea’Fuin and Menomenta, which did not only conjure surprised expressions onto the faces of the elders but despite the uncertainty, it was a relieve to know that it could be the end of that confrontation with a little bit of luck. No matter that this war had lasted a few days only, the impression that it had made had been very intense because everyone involved had experienced things that had never before happen and no one were prepared for such challenges. Kimball thanked his friends and accepted their request for taking leave whilst the village elders promised to send some of their people for the badly needed cleanup work as two beings appeared they had not reckoned with.  Elensaár appeared right on the roof garden where he had sensed the mind of his friend Fullangr. He, Olnir, Ráðspakr, Mótsognir and Fjosviðor held counsel over breakfast because their unrest had grown since the last attack whilst Gossamer Moonglow sat still on top of the entrance where - 14 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

the archers were attacked by the vicious centipedes just a few nights ago. “Good morning dear friends. I wonder to see you so early here on the roof garden. Isn’t it too chill for sitting here so early?” Elensaár asked wondering. “Well, you are quite right but one way or the other we owe that to you”, Fullangr replied with a queer face that expressed joy and worry the same time. “Why, what do I have to do with you all sitting here and not in the secret rooms or the Great Hall?” “So you don’t know what the reason is?” Olnir asked smiling. “No, – not the slightest hint I have. Please – enlighten me”. “Hmm, do you remember that you began filling the mines for protecting us against the onslaughts from the worlds below?” “Yes, – of course”! Elensaár cried with his hands folded over his head. Then he asked Anar Tinechor to hold on filling the mine. “Grand Lord Elensaár, I am sorry to tell you that I had to retract that shield after it was destroyed and as I asked you if I should replace it, you did not respond because too much was going on at that moment and later I figured that it was not needed anymore, hence, I have not asked you again”. - 15 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

“Thank you Anar Tinechor, – that was wise. I had absolutely forgotten about that shield and the water. Tell me Fullangr what has happened and why you all are sitting here?” “Well, we all were highly alert, just waiting that anyone would tell us what had to be expected but since neither you nor Zaron, Enyana or Ddraig had kept us posted, we had no other choice than to stay prepared whilst Gossamer Moonglow, – as he still is doing right now, – was on watch to find out what was going on and to alarm us at the slightest hint of danger. However, all night was quiet and neither Gossamer Moonglow nor the trees had any news, which made us grow even more restless. Then, – in the early hours of today, – the ground shook violently and much to our luck we all stormed out of Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim and the last ones were washed out by a flood that had shot up from the mining sections deep below. Then hot steam rushed from those areas of the old mine through our places, burned some of us badly and not much later and once we all had scrambled to the other side of the vale, – the ‘molehills’ began to spit molten rocks and stones. We thought that this was heralding the end of the world and that Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer had lastly destroyed all of you. We have expected the worst to come but then, – nothing came anymore and we just came hither to counsel how to continue without your help”. “Wow. --- Now I begin to understand what has happened. Let me just have a look at the mine ere I can tell you if what

- 16 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

I think is trueâ&#x20AC;?. Puzzled faces had followed his words as he vanished. ď&#x201A;&#x153; ElensaĂĄr appeared at the hidden sliding door to the formerly sealed sections of the mine, which had been blasted out of its frame and lay now twisted and crumbled at the other side of the aisle. Hot steamy and queerly smelling air that made breathing almost impossible filled the high tunnel whilst water condensed instantly on his cold skin to drip with heavy drops from his fingers. He asked Anar Tinechor to wrap a shield around him, set one of the tiny suns right in front above and hovered through the opening into the steamy darkness of the forbidden area. As if it were the densest autumn fog, the vapours were almost impenetrable to the eye and even his elven sight did not help very much. He ordered the little sun to move a few paces ahead and now he saw at least the ground in front of him. Slowly he followed the wider path that led to the lower levels but a few bends ahead and only about eight or ten yards deep, he felt that the heat outside his shield had increased to an unbearable level and seething and soft whistling sounds filled the air. He swiftly moved ahead to find the cause for this significant change and once he had rounded another corner, he realised that this was the end of the path. The ground in front of him was pitch black and only a few tiny spots in the almost smooth and level surface gave account that something red glowing lay beneath the black tarp whilst water still seeped from fissures in the rocks down to the new surface where it evaporated instantly softly hissing. - 17 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

The heat radiated by the surface burned hot in his face and he decided to return directly to the roof garden where he lowered the shield and filled his lungs with cool fresh air. A bright smile played around his eyes and lips, – his notion was solidly confirmed.  “Well, – considering what I found and counting one to one, then all what was inexplicable up to now has found its answer below your realm. --- Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer has defeated himself without knowing it”. “Why, what have you found out and how has he defeated himself?” Olnir asked, supported by nodding heads and curiously looking faces. “It is exactly as I pictured it after you told me what has happen here. His defeat began as he had forced us to protect your realm against intruders from the worlds below. If you recall that, I asked Anar Tinechor to funnel water down to the old mine and charge it with the positive powers of the sun. That has surely protected us against anything he had sent through the walls below because the energy of those beings had instantly reacted with the water, not to mention that they simply might have drowned. However, – he has kept us, – and in that case especially me – so badly occupied that I had forgotten about that shield at all and positive charged water has kept rushing into the mine until this morning. Whilst he was fighting us in Menomenta, he wanted to topple our visitors, which is something that I will tell you later and he caused that earthquake you all had felt”. - 18 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Heftily nodding heads consented to his words but no one dared to say anything. “Well, with that act he had destroyed not only the wall that had still kept the water in the mine but also his entire realm. The moment the wall had collapsed, – all the water that since days had accumulated in the depths of the pit, and if I am right, – had almost filled the mine to the brim, – was released into his realm and the response was severe and immediate. The moment the positive energy met the negative energy that had created his realm; the reaction was instant and spanned all over the worlds below. The ground must have ruptured, – molten stone of the earth begun to fill all voids that he ever had created, – and all his energy sources must have been destroyed. That is why you have witnessed that the ‘molehills’ had spat fire and stone. If I interpret the earlier earthquake right, then it looks as if our idea to send the odd bubbles down has had its own heavy impact on his forces by devouring every being they could send asleep and if what Fucanglong has said was right, then our friends from the land Zhongguo had successfully fought those beings that had been his main source of energy. That was an outcome that he surely had not in his reckoning either. The literally last drop that had caused the barrel to overflow had fallen here. The moment as his realm was destroyed, suddenly, all his powers had failed. He was sucked deep below ground to the deepest of all worlds where he belongs to and with that act, he had lost the last item that he had subdued, which obviously had no other choices than to aid him for reaching the upper world at all, because this powerful item was not from this world. - 19 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

However, this item, – a ring called ‘Narya the Great’, – has elected a new bearer, someone more worthy than Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer ever had been and the new bearers name is --Irefĕnia, daughter of the house of Salgonda. That conclusion tells me that it is truly over. --- Tell everyone that this war is over and that Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer has defeated himself”. For a moment it was dead silent, – not one had yet comprehended the full meaning of his words but then Fullangr jumped from his seat, climbed his chair and cried as joyfully as no one ever had heard a dwarf yelling and yodelling ere he looked straight into Elensaár’s eyes. “Grand Lord Elensaár, – my dearest friend, – never has anyone told me something that was more appreciated than your words”. He bowed low, – grabbed Elensaár’s right hand and laid his forehead onto it. Not one iota smaller was the joy of Ráðspakr, Mótsognir and Fjosviðor who after thanking Elensaár, run to the stairs down to the Great Hall and a few moments later a new sound filled the air, but that was not alarming but even up here in the roof garden they heard Fjosviðor’s voice crying cheerfully in to the queer device that the war was lastly over and that the Bright Side had prevailed. Joyful grinning faces gave account how much his friends appreciated those tidings and after a brief conversation and especially wondering that this ring had chosen Irefĕnia as his new bearer, Elensaár begged his leave to break the tidings about his conclusions to his friends. “Yes my friend, that honour you deserve. Would you have anything against it if I came along?” Fullangr asked rascally - 20 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

grinning, whilst understandingly.

Ráðspakr

and

Mótsognir

smiled

 Elensaár and Fullangr arrived in Caradoc Castle where Kimball and the village elders still counselled with Zaron, Irefĕnia and his friends. “Elensaár. How nice that you and Fullangr have come as well. Zaron and Irefĕnia just briefed us on the developments in Ai Seler’ en’ Tolea’Fuin and Menomenta and since you have come with Fullangr, I guess that you have some latest tidings to share with us, – right?” “My dear Kimball, every time I come to visit you, your mind amazes me a bit more. If I consider how much of your life had been obscured by Torgos, you are truly a wonder of wittedness and yes, – you are absolutely right, – I have some tidings that concerns all of us”, he said with frowned brow but his eyes belied his mien. “Elensaár, don’t try that. It’s not only Enyana who can read your face like an open book” Irefĕnia chuckled. “Well, if that is the case, then you know already what I wanted to tell and I can continue my journey to Willowbee, – isn’t it?” he grinned and nodded to Fullangr as if he wanted to disappear the next moment. “Hey, hey, hey, – hold your horses. Seeing that you have some good tidings does not say we know it all. Have a sit and tell us what we are eager to learn”, Kimball said brightly smiling, gave a wink to one of the servants and looked expectantly at the elven lord.

- 21 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Elensaár grinned and took a seat whilst Fullangr had scurried to the other side of the table. Once Elensaár had lit his pipe as laboriously as they knew it only under certain circumstances from Zaron, he revealed slowly what he had found out in Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim and much support he had from Fullangr who was very pleased that he as well could contribute his share to that elating revelation. “Wow. Does that really mean that we have peace?” Kimball asked shyly as if speaking it out aloud would make it go away. “From my point of view, – yes, – at least as long as we don’t know if he ever will be able to gain powers from elsewhere. I guess that Fucanglong has realised that much earlier as he hinted that Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer might never regain the powers he somehow was allowed to wield. Taking that into consideration, I think we can assume that it is over for a very long time and that nothing has to be expected from him in the near or far future”. “That means we somehow can celebrate peace?” Kimball asked with glee in his eyes. “Yes my friend, – that is it what our friend is still too cautious to say but on the other hand, I do understand him quite well. It is so unbelievable how something like coincidence has played into our hands that it will take some time until he can believe it himself. Yeah, peace has come to our island”, Zaron confirmed Elensaár’s conclusion and now it was at the end of Kimball’s retentiveness. Like a little lad he jumped from his chair, called the servants to bring Champagne and did not accept any refusal ere they held glasses filled with lively sparkling wine in their hands and he brought out a toast. - 22 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

“I raise my glass in honour of my dearest of friends who have not faltered or despaired under the vicious onslaughts of our enemy. Long and happy may they live at our side and may peace reign from now on until the end of all days”, and with one deep draught he emptied his glass and looked happy at his friends who followed his example. “Thank you Kimball, but please release Ramelan from his duties. The poor lad has spent so much time watching over us and let everybody else know what has happened. Fullangr, do you want to come along or do you want to stay here?” Elensaár asked but Fullangr was much too eager and pleased that the Pjόðroerir had somehow been involved in the last act of Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer’s defeat that he would not have missed any opportunity to repeat his part of the tale as often as Elensaár had planned. “Well, then to Willowbee we shall go. Is there anyone who wants to accompany us?” With one of his brightest smiles, Zaron looked at him and meant, “My dear friend, the honour to bring those tidings to our friends is yours and we all shall meet later today but for the time being, I would say we stay here or else our friends had to drink that excellent Champagne all by themselves”, and with the last words, he lit his pipe that he had taken from his gown and laid back into the heavy chair, whilst Elensaár and Fullangr nodded and disappeared the next moment.  Morrigan just helped Enyana to wash her long hair as Elensaár and Fullangr appeared in the living room of Morgan’s house. - 23 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

“Hullo, – is someone home?” he cried quite cheerfully under the influence of Kimballs excellent champagne, something that he normally would not have done. Morgan came surprised from the kitchen and welcomed him and Fullangr who had taken place in one of the heavy armchairs. One could see it in his eyes that his spirit soared not one iota lower than Elensaár’s. “Do you want me to tell you first what we have found out or shall we all go to the inn to let everyone know what has happened?” he asked smiling and embraced Morgan as he rarely had done. “Hmm, let me see? You are grinning as bright as a little lad on his birthday, Fullangr is beaming in competition with the sun, – that could mean one thing only, – we have PREVAILED. --- Right?” Elensaár nodded and that moment, Enyana came from the chamber with the bathtub, wrapped into a towel and flung her arms around his neck, asking still with disbelieve, “Is that really true? Yaara Heru en’ Thaurer is defeated?” “Yes my dear, – it is true. The White Powers have prevailed”. “Yaahhoooo”, she cried merrily and not heeding anyone, she gave him a passionate kiss that the towel dropped, revealing all her charms and the visible part of Fullangr’s face turned a little bit darker. Then she reaped the towel around her hips and run to her chamber to redress in a flurry. Meanwhile, Morgan had offered a coffee and for a short while, they sat at the table where Elensaár gave, – not without Fullangr’s support, – a concise report ere they decided to let the villagers and the Eikinskjaldi in at once. - 24 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

At least this time for sure, Morgan used her talents to direct all villagers to the inn where a short while later, Elensaár repeated a full account. With his proclamation of peace, the people brought down the roof of the inn and yelling, singing and yodelling found hardly an end. Never before were such tidings welcomed the way it was this time, which was easy to understand because never before had the villagers felt the heat of battle as close as during the last couple of days. Once the crowd that filled the large guestroom with many people sitting on the floor and after they had come to an end with cheering and yodelling, Elensaár proposed that the children should only be returned once the worst signs of the battle were cleared, which concerned especially the deep holes in the centre of the ‘molehills’ and the desolate houses. A suggestion that despite the longing for their children was much welcomed by the parents since the youngsters would surely be a hindrance during that hard work and the danger that one could be harmed was simply too great. One could see that the trust to their friends had significantly increased during the last few hours but especially with the tidings that this war had finally come to an end. However, Willowbee would not have been Willowbee if Elensaár had not been asked to bring out a toast, but a short while after he had raised his glass to the honour of those who had fought so bravely and those who had given their lives, he excused himself whilst Fullangr had decided to stay and tell on Rasmus ‘special request’, a more ‘elaborate’ version of what had happened in Yamen’ Grotha Naugrim. The Tinkerer knew all too well how his friend longed for such an opportunity; therefore, Enyana followed Elensaár, and sneaking out through the kitchen, the two vanished - 25 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

clandestinely to appear one moment later on the glade of Yánanui’ lanta Alu.  The high waterfall rushed with undimmed voice down into the upper basin and the glade looked almost as ever, – only the bare rocks, which were normally covered with thick white sheepskin gave account that something was different. Enyana searched for Queen Nooriaty’s mind and found her down at the beach where she also sensed Catana’s mind amongst many others. They appeared the next moment beside the Elven Queen who counselled with the mature elves about the tasks to be accomplished first and especially where they had to look for spiders and Orcs that still could roam the mountains and forests of the island. The moment Enyana and Elensaár appeared at her side, Queen Nooriaty knew almost with surety that something had happen and since Elensaár had never been good at concealing his emotions from his friends, the joy he felt could be read in his face. Without fail, they were asked to give an instant account, a request they both obliged with great joy. Once the account was concluded, rarely to be heard from elves, the jubilation on the beach caught the attention of the people on board of the ‘Emas Putri’ and loud cries from the ship requested to know what had happened. Once more gave Elensaár a concise account and as he had ended, the expressions of joy were not lesser genuine as it had been on all other places and one could praise the shipbuilders in the land Zhongguo that they had built the

- 26 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

‘Emas Putri’ sturdy enough not to crack under the dancing and jumping feet of jubilant people. However, during all that hopping, hollering, jumping and crying, Elensaár heard Anar Tinechor’s familiar voice in his mind.

“Grand Lord Elensaár, I am also very glad that all has gone so well but you have to look after the young man in my care. Despite his earlier recuperation, his own powers have not returned but seem to dwindle as we speak and I do not know if we could dare to release him. I rather feel that his mind is waning swiftly. I guess it could be of great help if you would tell him the good tidings yourself and look after his condition. Although I hold great healing powers, I am not well versed in Leechcraft”. “Thank you Anar Tinechor. Another shield that has slipped my attention I am afraid and I will go to see him at once”. With Enyana, he went below deck and into the cabin where Rodney still lay with closed eyes, wrapped into the shimmering shield. He must have heard the jubilation and yet, the alertness he had shown not too long ago had given way to a drowsy state of mind. Anar Tinechor was right. He - 27 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

was alive but it did not look as encouraging as it had been before. Something seemed to be wrong. As Enyana sat on his bed, he opened his eyes and a matte smile flushed colour onto his pale face. “Hullo Rodney, – how are you doing my friend?” she asked and since he did not answer, she entered his mind to repeat the question. “Hullo Enyana, hullo Elensaár, – how nice it is that you both have come to see me. It looks as if your powers are lastly not very suitable for human beings at all, – isn’t it?” and a gentle smile played around his eyes. Elensaár sat near his feet, his eyes were scrutinising the round wounds that the octopus suction cups had gauged into his flesh and one could see that the healing process had not even begun. His mind scanned Rodney’s body and ventured deep into the young man’s energy strings where he found something that he had seen earlier. Something severe that alarmed him instantly. Without explanation, – Rodney in his shield, – Enyana who dropped on her bottom as the bed had vanished so suddenly, – and a not lesser puzzled looking Irefĕnia appeared in front of the large goblet shaped basin of ‘Aina Eithel en’ Queasier Alu’, where the large tree of stone spanned its boughs and twigs over the turquoise scintillating water. One moment later, a crystal ewer with a glass appeared on its rim and another moment later, Colombine materialised with wondering face, still holding a small hammer in her hand. “Colombine, I swiftly need that stone that Ly Cheen had used to cure Enyana”. - 28 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Just nodding, the curl–haired beauty disappeared and he looked at Irefĕnia, “Please try to remember those verses that you had spoken as you cured Enyana or else he will be gone in a short while”, he whispered in their minds. Irefĕnia looked at him with shocked face. Never had her mind comprehensibly realised that it were her voice that had spoken those verses and neither had she any recollection of those words at all. “Well then, – please meditate with the spirits of ‘Aina Eithel en’ Queasier Alu’, and hope that they are able to help us”. Irefĕnia closed her eyes and focused on the spirits of the Elven Well as Colombine reappeared and gently laid the radiant blue stone with its silvery veins and bright red dots onto the bottom of the ewer. It still looked more like the egg of a rare bird rather than a stone. A questioning look between Colombine and Elensaár asked silently what had happened but Elensaár laid his finger over his lips, not to disturb the quite, not even with mind conversations. It took a while until Irefĕnia hovered over the basin the way she had done as she was still the little elven by the name Ly Cheen Reedfly and her friends had to wait for what would happen. Time dropped by like cold honey on a winter’s day, Rodney’s mind however seemed to drift with every heartbeat away and out of this world. No one was able to say how long it took. Rodney had closed his eyes a while ago and he did not realise whereto he was brought.

- 29 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

After a time that seemed to stretch infinite, Irefĕnia hovered away from the basin and opened her eyes. She took the ewer without a word, filled it with water and spoke the verses that had resurfaced into her consciousness, never to be forgotten. Once the water had changed three times its colours to that translucent silvery shimmering liquid, she poured some into the glass and nodded to Elensaár, “Please lower the shield”. Then she kneeled beside the young man to feed water into his mouth and asked Enyana to pour it from the ewer over his wounds. At the beginning, Rodney did not respond anymore and especially he did not swallow until Elensaár transported the water right into his stomach. Enyana began pouring and a short while later; his body began coiling up under spasms of pain. No matter the torture, after the second filling of the ewer, the runoff from his leg turned dark and the pain seemed to subside slowly. He opened his eyes and looked at Irefĕnia who asked him to drink once more. Obediently he followed her request and the same way as Ly Cheen had done with Enyana. They proceeded until only clear silvery water washed the last traces of black effluents away and from moment to moment, Rodney recouped visibly whilst Irefĕnia treated the puddle of effluents that had accumulated in the same ditch as the runoff from Enyana’s body until only a few black glittering crystals were all that remained. The young looking elven smelted the crystals with the powers of her mind into a black pearl for Elensaár to dispose it the same way as he had done before. “Now I remember that procedure and I never shall forget it again”, Irefĕnia said and asked Rodney to stand up. “Wow. What was that?” he asked wondering. - 30 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

“Something I should have known or at least expected. Your wounds were inflicted from a being of the worlds below and the same what happened in Enyana’s body had developed in yours. We just have ignored that fact because we thought that your condition was caused by Enyana’s icy powers but that was not the case, – it was the same nasty thing as it were with Enyana’s Orontai bite, I just had not seen that”, Elensaár stated. “One hour later and you would have passed beyond help”. That time, Queen Deirdre appeared beside Enyana since she had sensed that something unusual was going on in her realm, – wondering not only a little about the congregation in front of ‘Aina Eithel en’ Queasier Alu’, but Elensaár explained briefly why they had not made much rigmarole because time was of utter essence. Deirdre looked around, beheld the ewer with that fancy stone and nodded, “Yeah, – I can see that. As soon as you are ready, – let us go down to my quarters where Rodney can lie comfortably and you can tell me all I need to know”.  Once the latest tidings were broken to the Ithil’quessir Queen, one could feel it by the intensity of her embraces how relieved she was and even here, she gave orders to the young elves who were waiting at the table. Whilst Deirdre was obviously expecting something to happen, she gave account how well the children had behaved and that many friendships had been seeded, especially with the dwarflings who after an initial period of shyness had proven to be very well behaved and eager to learn about the world outside their realm. - 31 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

A short while later, the waiting elves returned with tall glasses and a few bottles of Champagne, which made it apparent that even the Elven Queen had learnt to treasure the fizzing delicacy for celebrating auspicious occasions since the surprise New Year Eve Ball at Caradoc Castle. “I know that never before we have done such thing but what has happened during the last few days’ calls for a small celebration. Celebrations like this have never occurred in our realm”, Queen Deirdre said and raised her glass… “To the honour of our friends and all those who have given their lives for freedom”, she simply said and as she had seen Kimball doing, she emptied it with one slow but deep draught that no one had ever seen her doing. It was as if the sparkling wine had washed down all the anguish that had troubled her mind and she appeared to be even more beautiful than ever. However, since Deirdre had not taken part in most of the actions, she asked about many details and a lively conversation evolved for some time, and even Rodney who had not known anything about the battles was then adequately posted. The sun had passed the second hour of the afternoon as Zaron’s mind asked if they all could meet for supper in Caradoc Castle to discuss what had to be done the next couple of days to restore the island to its former beauty as well as something else he had in mind but did not elaborate on that. They agreed and for the time being, Rodney wanted to see the children and young mothers to break the tidings whilst

- 32 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

ElensaĂĄr and Enyana begged their leave for having a brief rest after the straining days and nights of war. Queen Deirdre granted it most benevolently because according to her reckoning, she wondered that they had not desired a rest any earlier. Therefore, a short while later, ElensaĂĄr lowered the blinds of his talan and since a long time, the two were able to spent some intimate moments where no one was disturbing at all. ď&#x201A;&#x153;

- 33 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

The tale continues in

Crossbow Isle Crossroads Part 3

More information about the Authors, Crossbow Isle and its volumes can be found on:

http://www.crossbow–isle.com/

Full colour Crossbow Isle maps, size 26.5” x 39” (67.3cm x 99cm) can be ordered via our website. http://www.crossbow–isle.com/CBI–crossbow–sle– map.html

- 34 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

The Authors Elensaar Gelindor.

Very early had he developed a passion for Music, Art and Technology, which guided him all his life to the most unusual places and events.

However, as restlessness might have lain in his blood, he followed the example of one of his grandfather’s, – who had migrated in the early years of his life to China, – so eventually, he took up an assignment that led him to West–Africa where he worked for several years. Once he had met Irefenia, for many years they both travelled in pursuit of business around the globe and lastly settled in Malaysia. After a turbulent time that saw the introduction of new and unusual businesses, they moved to Borneo, where Irefenia developed the first draft chapters of “Ithilhin – Moonchild”. From that point onwards, they both worked out the story’s development and the central theme. Lastly, Elensaár decided to author Irefenia’s red–line–script into the version of this book. His writing style of stringent adherence to logic and sequencing had now been combined with a style of lively story telling that considerably aided and influenced the story’s flow.

- 35 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

Irefenia Salgonda, was born as the first of three children. Very early, she had developed a passion for writing. Her essays and short stories were circulated amongst friends, later she wrote longer stories but never considered publishing any of them. Once she had met Elensaar, she accompanied him on journeys around the world, which allowed her to explore her passion and fascination for ancient cultures, their history and mythology, on four continents.

During that time, she studied the English language and mastered it with distinction as foreign–language correspondent. Especially during the time of travelling, she extensively pursued her writing passion; therefore, it was not much of a surprise as she presented the first draft chapters of “Ithilhin – Moonchild” to Elensaár, together, they developed the idea to “Crossbow Isle”, – but this time with aim of publishing it.

- 36 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Understanding the world of real elves begins with

Crossbow Isle All Crossbow Isle instalments are published in 4 monthly intervals.

Crossbow Isle is available at AMAZON, B&N and many others online stores. They are also available as KINDLE and YUDU editions. YUDU e-books can be read on every computer like real books. Currently YUDU supports most tablet computers and Android devices but NOT yet APPLE machines, because it requires ADOBE or JAVA software to be installed, which APPLE does currently not support.

- 37 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

- 38 -

Irefenia Salgonda & Elensaar Gelindor

Please take note! All 5 volumes or their 15 instalments are 1 book and 1 story only! Starting in between or skipping one part is affecting the understanding of the story! It is also not advisable to change the reading sequence because the story is quite complex and sorting things out whilst reading might not work all too well!

- 39 -

Crossbow Isle – Crossroads – Part 2

- 40 -