Henceforth is to be written the story of the clan Quelfarani. All will be amended in edits, so feel free to post comments and such if you wish.
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Years ago, in a humble abode not far from the Bronze Gates, lived the family Quelfarn. In their Enkidukai village, they led a relatively happy life, the mother an apothecary, and the father an explorer of the Stone Labyrinth and chieftain of their community.
The young Valfaran, like her father Quelnao, quickly developed a love for the Labyrinth, as well as an adventurous spirit that was difficult to tame. As soon as she was able to, the adolescent Enkidukai would go off on explorations of her own, and as a result, quickly became familiar with the nearest tunnels and caverns. A collection of maps and charts soon covered the walls of her sleeping quarters, all made by her own careful paw on her frequent trips to the Stone Labyrinth.
One day, upon returning from one of these trips, Valfaran discovered two strange Ylian men sitting across from her parents in the central room of her home. Gaze shifting worriedly from her parent?s terse expressions to the stony faces of the strange men, the adolescent Enkidukai asked a pointed question.
?Who are these men, Papa? Mama? What are they doing here??
Standing from his place, the first Ylian man gave a curt bow and lifted his gaze to meet the unusually tall Valfaran?s challenging stare. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. ?I am a servant of Farun-Leha. I have come to,? he paused meaningfully, straightening up, ?negotiate with your father.?
Quelnao held up a broad paw and smiled his typical benevolent smile. ?They are here to settle our territory problems. We hope to work out a deal so that all our people will be able to keep their homes and continue to make a living off of their land..?
Valfaran shook her head slowly and stepped backwards, paw moving quickly to the dagger sheathed at her waist. ?These men are no parchment-shuffling politicians, Papa. I fear they are not here to talk.?
With a low, jeering laugh, the second Ylian stood up. ?Clever child,? he growled, drawing the long blade sheathed at his side. With one clean motion, he thrust his sword into Quelnao?s unprotected stomach. ?Pity your father wasn?t so perceptive.?
Valkitha gave a strangled cry, stumbling out of her chair and away from the second man. The first Ylian drew his own blade and advanced on the Enkidukai mother.
?Run, Valfaran!? cried the distraught Valkitha, who was torn between fleeing for her life and caring for her dying husband. Valfaran instead stood, drawing her dagger.
?No, Mama, I won?t go without you!? Yet, she did not act upon her words, as the pleading look in her mother?s eyes shook her into motion. As if suddenly unchained, she tore across the room and out the door, fleeing from the strange men.
Before she could reach the tiny agrarian village down the path, her legs gave way and she crawled into the shadows of the gnarled roots of a large oak tree. There the young Enkidukai huddled, shivering from everything but cold, tears streaming unchecked down her face. Only one thought pounded in her head: Why?
Finally, after what seemed like an age, Valfaran stood and hobbled apprehensively up the hill, afraid of what she already knew was true. When she pushed the door gently open with a tremulous hand, the chilling silence inside told clearly that the men had left. The smell of blood and death hung oppressively in the air. Valfaran stepped forward, her heart pounding at the sight she knew she would have to see.
Valkitha lay on the floor, two clean stab wounds in her chest and stomach, a pool of crimson staining the woven grass mat that covered the floor. Eyes closed, her face was frozen in an expression of grief. Valfaran bowed her head respectfully, stepping past the body to her father. To her surprise, ragged breaths came unsteadily from the gaping mouth of Quelneo. His only child knelt down, laying his head in her lap.
?Papa, Papa, no,? she whispered hoarsely, ?You?ll be all right! I can get a healer from the village, Papa, we can fix you up!? The middle-aged Enkidukai shook his head slowly and coughed, blood dribbling down the corners of his mouth.
?No, little one, my child,? he rasped, his once-strong hands grasping his daughter?s feebly. ?My time is over. It is yours now; live it to its fullest. Promise me you?ll remember something for me, Valfaran.? The young Enkidukai nodded quickly, wanting nothing but to heed her father?s wishes. ?Promise me you?ll remember...Even the Azure Sun casts its shadows...? His voice trailed off.
?No, Papa! Don?t go!? Valfaran whispered pleadingly. Taking one last rattling breath, Quelnao smiled faintly as his gaze grew distant. ?Talad waits for me now. His embrace is warm and everlasting. Your mother waits as well. I do not fear death; only that you should see me again too soon. Just...remember my words...? With that, the brave Enkidukai went limp, the traces of a smile still lingering on his lips.
Valfaran spent the next few days giving her parents a proper burial on the hillock behind the cottage and packing up some of her belongings. Although burial was quite uncommon in Yliakum and its surrounding communities, the young Enkidukai somehow felt it unfit to take care of the bodies any other way. After making sure the humble abode was tidy, she placed a few necessities in a knapsack and prepared to leave home. As a final gesture, she took the two short swords hanging above the fireplace and sheathed them in scabbards strapped to each of her thighs.
The morning air was clean and fresh; everything seemed in contrast to her somber mood. After making arrangements for a nearby friend to watch the house, Valfaran began her journey to Yliakum.
+To Be Continued+
