#1 Fates of Meriel. Chains of Fatum

Chapter 7. The Hammer of Varlag

Chapter 7. The Hammer of Varlag

"Not many people know this legend, and you probably haven't even heard it," Groff began, clearing his throat. "We used to share our land in two halves: the one on this side of the mountains, and the other on the other side of the mountains, located beyond Dridvinn.

Richard nodded. Everyone in Meriel knows that. The Dridvinn Mountain range stretched from Nud to Zun. Beyond it, here were the uninhabited lands that are called Emtyss.

People have always been afraid of these mountains, afraid of the unknown and the crazy freedom of the wildlands. They have never ventured far into the forests that cover the slopes of Dridvinn, and they have nothing to do beyond the mountains.

And the few who went looking for the pass were never seen again. They disappeared among the forest thickets and rocks. They might have managed to find themselves on the other side, but what was waiting for them there?

Everyone counted—there is a curse hanging over the inaccessible peaks that punishes anyone who dares to challenge them. Dridvinn can be called the barrier that protected Meriel from Emptyss and those monsters with wild beasts, which they must have lived there. Or maybe it's the other way around?

"Only it wasn't always like that. Just an era ago, the Dridvinn Mountains did not exist at all!" Groff's voice rose slightly. There were shadows in the wrinkles on his face that made the old man's face look mysterious and unfamiliar.

"You mean these mountains are the result of magic?" Richard asked in a low voice, thinking again that Dridvinn was a barrier.

"Magic?" Groff seemed to taste the word, and then, frowning at the fact that he didn't like it, added: "Yes, you can say that. Mountains take many thousands of years to grow, but these are a very different story." Groff steepled his fingers in his lap. "A long time ago... That's how all stories start. In general, elves and humans then lived side by side. Even in the land where our Bertleben is now. And there are no mountains between Meriel and Emptyss."

Groff glanced at the young man, who was gasping for breath, or maybe he was trying to hold back a bunch of questions that were on the tip of his tongue. But he didn't ask anything, Then the old man slowly continued his story:

"And all would be fine. So we would have lived peacefully until now, but elves and humans were hostile, and then wars with other races began. We have conquered elvin's lands and banished all other races to the fringes of the edge, making Meriel an exclusively human world.

Something was clear to Richard now. That girl might have come from over the mountains. If there was one place where elves could hide, it would be beyond Dridvinn, where no human would ever find them. But what was it for when she showed up in the land of the invaders? Richard tried hard not to think about the fact that they were enemies. She's alone. Maybe more elves are wandering around looking for her now. And also to those who attacked and wounded her.

"What about the mountains? It was elves who created them to stop..." 'Us'—It couldn't come out of Richard's mouth. "To stop humans?"

"To stop a single person," Groff said grimly.

"Was he that strong?" the young man was horrified.

"He was unbelievably strong. His name was Ownerking Varlag. And we owe it to him for the prosperity of our lands, although the cost of this well-being, if you can call it that, has proven to be monstrous.

"Can you tell me about him?" Richard fidgeted impatiently; he had never heard this name before, and although he felt a little creepy, he wanted to know more about this Ownerking. "I'm sorry to pry, but I promise, or rather, I'll try not to interrupt you again!" he added, looking at the old man, who was twisting his mustache around his finger.