Anyullyn: Empire of Elves and Gnomes

Chapter 1

A New Star

King Trellin scowled at his court astrologer and peered at the sky. "What do you mean, there's a new star in the Enchantress constellation?"

"I can't explain it, majesty," the astrologer answered, "but that star wasn't there last night."

"What does it mean?" King Trellin asked.

"I'm unsure, milord. Perhaps it's not a star but a new planet."

"From my chief astrologer," Trellin replied,"I require a definitive answer."

"I'm sorry, majesty," Drummond answered. His shoulders slumped & he cast his gaze at the king's feet. "This sign is unique in our history."

"Unique? What do you mean by unique?" the king asked. "Is it dangerous or benign--a vile omen or a blessed sign from the Creator?"

Drummond glanced up through thick eyebrows. "Some things are beyond knowing, my liege. I would recommend prayer and patience."

"Leave me!" King Trellin shouted. "Pray 'til you die. A jester has more wisdom. I'll seek my own answers to the riddle in the Enchantress."

Drummond bowed, turned and limped from the observatory.

"Bloody fool!" King Trellin swore. He yanked a braided cord to summon his steward.

"Yes, my lord?" the steward asked, entering the room.

"Ah, Patric," Trellin said. "Bring me wine...and a chart of the night sky."

"Wine it is, my lord," Patric said, turned and exited.

Trellin cupped his chin. "This phenomenon must be mentioned in some ancient text."

Emerald eyes scanned the spines of ancient tomes, settling on one bound in red horsehide. "Ah," the king observed, "Stars, Signs, & Magics." Ancient horsehide cracked but did not break as King Trellin opened the book. A musty odor tickled his nose as he leafed through amber pages. Gaunt fingers leafed through brittle pages of ancient knowledge & spells. Trellin paused & placed his narrow index finger on a brief entry.

The steward returned and silently set a goblet before the king. He lifted the cut crystal glass to his mouth and sipped. A smile leaked between the king's lips. "Excellent choice, Patric. Danyr Heath is my favorite."

He nodded. "You appeared morose, my lord."

"Always perceptive, eh, Patric?" Trellin said. He tilted the goblet up & sipped. "But you're correct. A deadly confrontation awaits I fear."

Trellin downed the remainder of the wine, rose & walked to the window again. "Assemble my council, Patric, & send word to my mage, Hansen."

The echo of leather soles against polished, red marble floors signaled the steward's exit. Trellin leaned against the sill and sighed.

"This bodes as ill as what I must do next," King Trellin mumbled. "King Kamiril of the Gnomes must be told despite how useless the effort."

Trellin slid a small, wire cage door upward, reached in & grabbed a messenger bird. He scribbled a note, tied it to the bird & released it. He watched the pigeon disappear between the crenelated stones of the tower. He frowned as he thought of how his message would be received.

Gnomes & elves had been antagonistic toward each other for a century & King Trellin expected little to change despite the impending disaster. Trust between gnomes and elves was not a statement of fact in Anyullyn, but a series of shared suspicions monitored by many a watchful eye.