Valadel

Chapter XXII

Jazmyn's excitement was beyond words. She wanted to touch them, study them, listen to them, whatever she could do. Her career as an scholar and archaeologist had been rich, but this by far had overshadowed every moment in her journey. She had so many questions and yet she felt like she would never have the time for all of them to be answered. How have they survived down here? What caused their castle to sink? How old are they? Why can one shoot ice from his hands and they other fire? They had rushed out of the hall so quickly, she didn't get a chance to even ask one question. Gallador told her and the rest to stay put while he and Tytus talked with the two elves.

Her, Miles and Gabrielen sat in the corner of their original refuge speaking with the presumed dead ranger, Cristomir. He had told them another female elf had healed him and Danticus, bringing them back to life. She asked if they could bring Irving back as well, but the older one said it would be impossible, with the large creature outside and his body being unrecoverable. She fought hard to resist crying, having almost never shed a tear in her life. But Irving was like a father to her. Sure, a grumpy, cynical father. But that was better than the one she had.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Asked Miles.

"What aren't they talking about?" Said Jazmyn. "I would ask everything and anything I could."

"I don't understand...how are they alive? They've lived in a kingdom under water, underwater...and yet they're breathing and walking...it doesn't make any sense," said Miles.

Jazmyn shrugged. "Maybe they had food...but how much? How long have they been down here?" she asked.

"I don't know of any type of food that lasts that long..." said Miles.

"They've been down here for a thousand years. Tyren would catch fish that would fall through the barrier and cook it. He explained it all to me and Danticus." Said Cristomir.

"Where is Danticus?" Said Jazmyn.

Cristomir shrugged. "Hopefully him and Aryanne are okay. The Scrag had separated us after we left to find you guys. I just hope he's okay."

Jazmyn was astonished the ranger was alive. They all saw him die, right before their eyes as one of the monsters had sunken it's teeth into his neck. And the way his cousin reacted...it was heart breaking. But to learn they were both alive, healed by elves...it was the stuff of children's books, she thought. But something seemed off about Cristomir. He didn't seem the same, almost like a part of him was missing. Maybe that's what happens when you die. Maybe a part of him is in the heavens, and the rest is down here.

Gabrielen spoke up. "Are they like the legends say? Are they..." he paused, looking to the elves to ensure his voice was inaudible. "Are they evil?"

Cristomir shook his head. "Quite the opposite, actually. I think we have it wrong...I think...I think Jorik was evil."

Jazmyn slightly cocked her head in confusion, as did Miles. "You should watch what you say, Cristomir. The gods are always listening," Said Miles.

"What do you mean he was 'evil'?" Jazmyn asked.

Cristomir shifted in his seat. "From what I can tell, they seem good. I can't imagine why a man would desire not only to kill a few, but all of them? They brought me back to life. I can't imagine that the creatures we are told of in our bedtime stories are the same as these ones. They aren't monsters who lurk in the shadows, they were just caught under Jorik's."

"What do you think will happen to them? How will the people of Jorden react to them?" Said Miles.

"I bet that's what they're discussing," said Gabrielen.