A Mountain
By shieklordMore Info / Reviews
Chapter 4:
Chapter 4
“Daren, we are now halfway up mount Haris, not its real name, but that is what people have called it for many years. Right in the middle of the gigantic mountain is where we are going, but I want you to look at something first.” He handed Daren the candle.
“Look at what is on the floor.”
Daren stooped and looked at the rock floor and noticed that sand was caked up on the edge of the path, crab shells were in the sediment of the wall. He took a minuet to soak in the meaning, then, he looked at the walls closely and saw that they were also full of tube like holes and long dead seaweed. Growing excited he ran along the wall and found the same everywhere.
“I don’t understand why there are shells and sand? The only way they could have gotten here…” Daren stopped.
“Is if the sea had once been here,” Mantra finished.
“Yes,” Daren replied his voice filled with awe. “The sea was here! But we have to be miles away from the sea!”
“Yes, many miles away. And not to mention that we are halfway up a mountain. Many, many years before you or me were born, the ocean covered this place. So many in fact, that you and I and perhaps a few others are the only ones alive that know. It is a long story that I will tell you when we arrive at our destination. I wanted you to see this first.”
Daren helped Mantra and the snoring girl back on the poor horse, (who was quite ready for a rest) and they trekked on through the dark.
Finally after a very long walk, (this seemed like a hundred more eternities to Daren) they arrived to a yawning black opening that made the candle useless. But before Daren complain, Sir Mantra clapped his hands twice, and almost immediately the room was filled with a brilliant light that came from a fancy crystal chandelier that hung in the middle of a rock ceiling. When Daren’s eyes became accustomed to the light, he looked around. The large room was circle shaped and filled with beautifully large beds, long red tables, and elaborate couches. All this gave it an air of richness and royalty that surpassed anything Daren had ever seen. Sir Mantra clapped his hands again and out of nowhere, it seemed, came twenty black clothed men.
They formed a straight line in front of them and stood as still as stone. One of them came forward and bowed.
“The battle goes well enough Sir; but the enemy hasn’t even tried to shoot an arrow over the wall, and no one has made a battering ram or petards to break the gate. I don’t like it Sir.
“Perhaps you would like to help them?” Sir Mantra said jokingly as he dismounted and gave the man a big bear like hug.
“Tis one duty I would forgo milord,” the man said with a forced grin.
“Well let us put our minds to something else then,” Mantra said, “at ease all you, refresh yourselves and, for goodness sake prepare some food, we are famished!” All the men except the leader ran off to take care of there duties.
“What of the er… guest?” The black clothed leader asked, looking at Elisa.
“Oh how stupid of me, Daren this is my general, Saik, he has saved my neck so many times, I don’t bother to count. A brave man, a true friend and a pretty good shot with a bow.”
“It’s an honor, Saik said shaking Daren’s hand. Although I think Mantra exceeds too much in his praise of me. But, milord I was speaking of the lady”
“Hm, what’s that? Oh yes by steel I don’t really know actually, Daren has been out chasing ladies eh? Yes, yes I’m just joking, Daren. You can tell us in a minute. She can stay on that bed over there until she wakes up,” Mantra said pointing to a richly decorated couch.
After they had laid her gently on the couch “Now you there, Mantra said pointing at one of the men, take his horse and stable him.”
Daren, Saik, and Mantra all sat down at a table with a meal (it seemed more like a feast to Daren) “Ok,” Mantra said with a cup of cold water. “There is a lot to tell so let’s start at the beginning.”
Mantra took an especially large gulp of drink, and then continued. “This requires me to tell you a little of our history, which I doubt you have heard since no one cares to teach it or write it anymore. A very long time ago there was a race of men called hylians, they lived in the same country as we do now. This country has endless stories of heroic acts, bloody wars and stranger tales than the one I’m telling you now. Anyway, the gods favored them over the other races; they were given ears larger than a rabbits to hear what the gods said. And I can tell you that began a little jealously between the races.”
“The gods liked them so much that they laid there earthly embodiment in a temple in the middle of them! The power that emanated from the embodiment of there power gave hyrule lush, green forests, clear clean lakes, and healthier people than anywhere. It was truly paradise. The golden age of hyrule was upon them. But I need not tell you the other races became jealous of them and there prosperous cities. Such works of art were never had been seen like the one they crafted. Armor of the highest quality, swords that’s did not break (and some say they were magical, and could not be broken) there art even surpassed the mountain people, who, (at least some say) were rocks that could walk around.”
“Rocks that could walk around?” Daren asked incredulously.
“I’m telling you what I have read, fish that could talk to them also, if you choose to believe it.”
“Fish?”
“Well, just listen. These peoples of the land, as a whole, didn’t mind the success of the hylians. In fact, they loved it because of the strange and useful things they could buy from them. But, there were those who ruled, that hated the idea of a race being more powerful than them. Money and power were all they were interested in. Some of the wealthy people from different countries came together and planned a war with hyrule. So under the false pretense of murder or something like that, the fish men and the rocks went to war with the Hylians.”
The human didn’t fight at all, they had more sense than that, neither did the Desert people, but they were bandits and didn’t care about things like this. Numbers and strength were on the side of the long eared race. They fought in a deep forest not far from this castle, and after a fierce fight the hylian soldiers won. The forest caught fire and burnt for miles around. What was left of it was a black stumped wasteland. Afterwards, they named it Hisalis field, meaning graveyard. The king of hyrule punished and forced the fish people to guard their water spring for as long as they lived. The rock people, who didn’t surrender but kept on attacking from the eastern mountains were driven out of the land, commanded to never return. Eventually the land calmed down and travel and trade continued as before. The hylians had the respect of everyone after that. Their kingdom flourished and became green and prosperous. And eventually, as happens with time, people forget old wars and disagreements. And soon the people became friendly again with each other. With the exception of the rock people, who never came out of their mountains after that. All this happened about four hundred Goron years ago. Or according to when they first started marking years, about the year 752.”
“Goron years?”
“Yes, you know how our years are measured by every two summers? Well the Gorons would go to there kings royal chamber each winter and carve a mark. And below that mark they would write about what happened that year. It has helped many people to measure the time.”
“Then, far away in the desert, there was a man named Gonsalin. He was a handsome charming man who, in another story I will tell you later if I have time, hunted down, and killed an evil dragon who was rampaging among their people. He was rewarded with the daughter of the Garedo king. They had been in love already, and this was a dream come true! He became the new king of the Garedo. I wish very much I could say they lived happily ever after. They didn’t. His wife, they he loved more than anything, became ill from a sickness. She wasn’t expected to live. Rage at the unfairness of life, for the first time entered his soul and tore his heart. But he heard that there was a treasure in hyrule that could grant the owner a wish. Hoping to bring back his wife back he searched for it, and found that it rested in hyrule castle. He made trips to the king of hyrule, promising allegiance, and throwing elaborate feasts, but secretly trying to find a way to steal the sacred thing.”
“One night he got his chance; he slipped into the innermost chamber and found a gate that had three empty holes. It could not be opened except by one who had three magical jewels. He used his power to get inside the chamber without the jewels. But he only found another obstacle; a blade was set in a stone with writing on it. “He with the heart of a hero shall pull this blade; to him shall the power be given” Gonsalin couldn’t pull it out, for by now his heart was beginning to be eaten up with hate and anger. Monsters began to appear in the land.”
“That’s when he appeared!” Daren burst in excitedly.
“Yes, mantra said nodding, that is when legendary hero came. As a small boy he defeated monsters that infested the land. Gonsalin realized that he couldn’t pull it out, but this boy could. So he tricked him into collecting the jewels and finally pulling the blade out of the pedestal, with the help of a princess. The door opened up, and the hero disappeared. Gonsalin came and found two of three golden triangles missing. The one which remained had the word “power” written in fiery letters on it. Many people underestimate the power of the true heart; it gives you the power to conquer anything. But anger has the power to stain your heart with the black filth of evil, and push the ones you love most out of it. With greedy hands he took it and wished for the power and lifespan of a god. His wife didn’t even enter his mind. He received his wish, and he became an empty shell of the man he used to be. His wife died, and his stone hard heart didn’t notice or care. It is a tale that made me cry when I heard it. He had everything, except something to live for. His twisted mind decided that if he didn’t enjoy life, no one else would. Using his power, he devastated the land. The king wisely hid himself and his daughter also. For he knew what Gonsalin wanted.”
“Daren, we are now halfway up mount Haris, not its real name, but that is what people have called it for many years. Right in the middle of the gigantic mountain is where we are going, but I want you to look at something first.” He handed Daren the candle.
“Look at what is on the floor.”
Daren stooped and looked at the rock floor and noticed that sand was caked up on the edge of the path, crab shells were in the sediment of the wall. He took a minuet to soak in the meaning, then, he looked at the walls closely and saw that they were also full of tube like holes and long dead seaweed. Growing excited he ran along the wall and found the same everywhere.
“I don’t understand why there are shells and sand? The only way they could have gotten here…” Daren stopped.
“Is if the sea had once been here,” Mantra finished.
“Yes,” Daren replied his voice filled with awe. “The sea was here! But we have to be miles away from the sea!”
“Yes, many miles away. And not to mention that we are halfway up a mountain. Many, many years before you or me were born, the ocean covered this place. So many in fact, that you and I and perhaps a few others are the only ones alive that know. It is a long story that I will tell you when we arrive at our destination. I wanted you to see this first.”
Daren helped Mantra and the snoring girl back on the poor horse, (who was quite ready for a rest) and they trekked on through the dark.
Finally after a very long walk, (this seemed like a hundred more eternities to Daren) they arrived to a yawning black opening that made the candle useless. But before Daren complain, Sir Mantra clapped his hands twice, and almost immediately the room was filled with a brilliant light that came from a fancy crystal chandelier that hung in the middle of a rock ceiling. When Daren’s eyes became accustomed to the light, he looked around. The large room was circle shaped and filled with beautifully large beds, long red tables, and elaborate couches. All this gave it an air of richness and royalty that surpassed anything Daren had ever seen. Sir Mantra clapped his hands again and out of nowhere, it seemed, came twenty black clothed men.
They formed a straight line in front of them and stood as still as stone. One of them came forward and bowed.
“The battle goes well enough Sir; but the enemy hasn’t even tried to shoot an arrow over the wall, and no one has made a battering ram or petards to break the gate. I don’t like it Sir.
“Perhaps you would like to help them?” Sir Mantra said jokingly as he dismounted and gave the man a big bear like hug.
“Tis one duty I would forgo milord,” the man said with a forced grin.
“Well let us put our minds to something else then,” Mantra said, “at ease all you, refresh yourselves and, for goodness sake prepare some food, we are famished!” All the men except the leader ran off to take care of there duties.
“What of the er… guest?” The black clothed leader asked, looking at Elisa.
“Oh how stupid of me, Daren this is my general, Saik, he has saved my neck so many times, I don’t bother to count. A brave man, a true friend and a pretty good shot with a bow.”
“It’s an honor, Saik said shaking Daren’s hand. Although I think Mantra exceeds too much in his praise of me. But, milord I was speaking of the lady”
“Hm, what’s that? Oh yes by steel I don’t really know actually, Daren has been out chasing ladies eh? Yes, yes I’m just joking, Daren. You can tell us in a minute. She can stay on that bed over there until she wakes up,” Mantra said pointing to a richly decorated couch.
After they had laid her gently on the couch “Now you there, Mantra said pointing at one of the men, take his horse and stable him.”
Daren, Saik, and Mantra all sat down at a table with a meal (it seemed more like a feast to Daren) “Ok,” Mantra said with a cup of cold water. “There is a lot to tell so let’s start at the beginning.”
Mantra took an especially large gulp of drink, and then continued. “This requires me to tell you a little of our history, which I doubt you have heard since no one cares to teach it or write it anymore. A very long time ago there was a race of men called hylians, they lived in the same country as we do now. This country has endless stories of heroic acts, bloody wars and stranger tales than the one I’m telling you now. Anyway, the gods favored them over the other races; they were given ears larger than a rabbits to hear what the gods said. And I can tell you that began a little jealously between the races.”
“The gods liked them so much that they laid there earthly embodiment in a temple in the middle of them! The power that emanated from the embodiment of there power gave hyrule lush, green forests, clear clean lakes, and healthier people than anywhere. It was truly paradise. The golden age of hyrule was upon them. But I need not tell you the other races became jealous of them and there prosperous cities. Such works of art were never had been seen like the one they crafted. Armor of the highest quality, swords that’s did not break (and some say they were magical, and could not be broken) there art even surpassed the mountain people, who, (at least some say) were rocks that could walk around.”
“Rocks that could walk around?” Daren asked incredulously.
“I’m telling you what I have read, fish that could talk to them also, if you choose to believe it.”
“Fish?”
“Well, just listen. These peoples of the land, as a whole, didn’t mind the success of the hylians. In fact, they loved it because of the strange and useful things they could buy from them. But, there were those who ruled, that hated the idea of a race being more powerful than them. Money and power were all they were interested in. Some of the wealthy people from different countries came together and planned a war with hyrule. So under the false pretense of murder or something like that, the fish men and the rocks went to war with the Hylians.”
The human didn’t fight at all, they had more sense than that, neither did the Desert people, but they were bandits and didn’t care about things like this. Numbers and strength were on the side of the long eared race. They fought in a deep forest not far from this castle, and after a fierce fight the hylian soldiers won. The forest caught fire and burnt for miles around. What was left of it was a black stumped wasteland. Afterwards, they named it Hisalis field, meaning graveyard. The king of hyrule punished and forced the fish people to guard their water spring for as long as they lived. The rock people, who didn’t surrender but kept on attacking from the eastern mountains were driven out of the land, commanded to never return. Eventually the land calmed down and travel and trade continued as before. The hylians had the respect of everyone after that. Their kingdom flourished and became green and prosperous. And eventually, as happens with time, people forget old wars and disagreements. And soon the people became friendly again with each other. With the exception of the rock people, who never came out of their mountains after that. All this happened about four hundred Goron years ago. Or according to when they first started marking years, about the year 752.”
“Goron years?”
“Yes, you know how our years are measured by every two summers? Well the Gorons would go to there kings royal chamber each winter and carve a mark. And below that mark they would write about what happened that year. It has helped many people to measure the time.”
“Then, far away in the desert, there was a man named Gonsalin. He was a handsome charming man who, in another story I will tell you later if I have time, hunted down, and killed an evil dragon who was rampaging among their people. He was rewarded with the daughter of the Garedo king. They had been in love already, and this was a dream come true! He became the new king of the Garedo. I wish very much I could say they lived happily ever after. They didn’t. His wife, they he loved more than anything, became ill from a sickness. She wasn’t expected to live. Rage at the unfairness of life, for the first time entered his soul and tore his heart. But he heard that there was a treasure in hyrule that could grant the owner a wish. Hoping to bring back his wife back he searched for it, and found that it rested in hyrule castle. He made trips to the king of hyrule, promising allegiance, and throwing elaborate feasts, but secretly trying to find a way to steal the sacred thing.”
“One night he got his chance; he slipped into the innermost chamber and found a gate that had three empty holes. It could not be opened except by one who had three magical jewels. He used his power to get inside the chamber without the jewels. But he only found another obstacle; a blade was set in a stone with writing on it. “He with the heart of a hero shall pull this blade; to him shall the power be given” Gonsalin couldn’t pull it out, for by now his heart was beginning to be eaten up with hate and anger. Monsters began to appear in the land.”
“That’s when he appeared!” Daren burst in excitedly.
“Yes, mantra said nodding, that is when legendary hero came. As a small boy he defeated monsters that infested the land. Gonsalin realized that he couldn’t pull it out, but this boy could. So he tricked him into collecting the jewels and finally pulling the blade out of the pedestal, with the help of a princess. The door opened up, and the hero disappeared. Gonsalin came and found two of three golden triangles missing. The one which remained had the word “power” written in fiery letters on it. Many people underestimate the power of the true heart; it gives you the power to conquer anything. But anger has the power to stain your heart with the black filth of evil, and push the ones you love most out of it. With greedy hands he took it and wished for the power and lifespan of a god. His wife didn’t even enter his mind. He received his wish, and he became an empty shell of the man he used to be. His wife died, and his stone hard heart didn’t notice or care. It is a tale that made me cry when I heard it. He had everything, except something to live for. His twisted mind decided that if he didn’t enjoy life, no one else would. Using his power, he devastated the land. The king wisely hid himself and his daughter also. For he knew what Gonsalin wanted.”
- Chapter 1:
- Chapter 2:
- Chapter 3:
- Chapter 4:
- Chapter 5:
- Chapter 6:
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Comments on this chapter
Koroks Rock says:
Anyhow, you've got some quotation errors nearish the beginning that you probably want to fix, they really hurt the flow.
shieklord says:
Png_pyro says: