Veldelzel Chronicles: The Manipulative Drilrun

By Allen Hudson

Without protectors and guardians who stopped unjust punishment and cruel dictators, Veldelzel has fallen into chaos. Yeldend citizens have been overtaken by a materialistic mind, Felajia has become eerily quiet and Hedneli plots to become the strongest nation in Veldelzel.

Prince Reyrel of Yeldend resents his nation and his hate only increases when he is told he will be the future king. When Reyrel hears his younger brother has been captured, he uses it as an excuse to leave Yeldend... even if he knows he may never return to it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304877109

Book preview

Veldelzel Chronicles: The Manipulative Drilrun

The Manipulative Drilrun

By

Allen Hudson

Part I

Chapter 1: The Heir

Blinding sunlight flew onto the main city of the nation of Yeldend, forcing the unwanted gloom away and illuminating Yeldend with its comforting light.

Shining houses along the busy city thrived in their splendor under the light. The buildings stood in organized rows, most without fading colors. Exceptions were historic buildings that were only gently preserved and not fully redone. A fresh layer of bricks had been placed over refinished wooden walls surrounding the city for extra security but also for charm. The luxurious city had dark stone covering the cold ground of both their main roads and unimportant side alleys. Colorful flowers, healthy bushes, and sturdy benches as well as expensive stone fountains took up the tiny areas that the roads and buildings did not. There was not one spot in Yeldend that was left alone or ignored to decay by aging.

All citizens in Yeldend were dressed nicely, even very low servants. Clothing stores thrived greatly, all being tightly crowded with overexcited people who needed new additions to their already large wardrobes. Conversations among them mainly consisted of either gossip or clothing.

Among the most discussed gossip was the interesting drama of the royal family. Because it involved who would be ruling over the city, the people in the needless discussion felt that their talks were worthwhile. Would the new ruler lower taxes on imported clothing or give money to keep the deserted bookstores open? Worse than that, some dreaded that a public library would be built even though the last one had been torn down due to lack of use.

A downcast young man looked at this city full of materialistic citizens from a huge balcony off of the city’s castle’s third floor. He wondered how he could ever manage to care about these people when they didn’t care about anything other than their clothes and themselves. Their mindlessness caused the irritation which often overtook him.

He walked back into his room with disgust as he gazed at its perfection. Elaborate paintings from famous artists were hung on unscratched walls between a shiny light wooden floor and a tall arched ceiling. A golden bed frame held a large bed with thick black sheets. A large blanket with a picture of a king sewn into it was draped across the bed. A wide doorway went into a closet nearby. A silver end table nearly ruined the perfection but a golden vine entangled the table to keep it matching.

This was all vanity, he felt. There was no way to banish his anger than to ruin the faultlessness before him. He grabbed the most expensive painting, one of a bright ocean with five ships. The furious boy launched it toward one of the clean rectangular windows in his room. Instead of shattering it and sending the painting down a couple of floors, it bounced off the sturdy glass and fell back onto the floor. Somehow the wooden frame had not collapsed and the fragile picture was not torn. No noticeable dent could be seen in the strongly polished floor.

A creaking door stated that someone had come in. A disappointed sigh revealed that it was Ilaynia, the daughter of the high commander of Yeldend. The beautiful young woman had been assigned to talk to the frustrated prince after several guards had been injured doing a similar job. This girl had been ecstatic about the job at first but had grown exhausted from it.

Ilaynia pushed the noisy door back and forth. I assume that this was another one of your doings. Honestly, Prince Reyrel, all you’re doing is wasting more when you try to stop all this wasting. I mean, those windows were made by dulururs and they weren’t as cheap as the last ones you broke. However, I agree with the king that they were an excellent investment with your temper.

A dulurur was one who could use frost energy. This energy could be drawn from their body to manipulate ice. They could build things from ice and control ice objects from several feet away. They could also use a glass energy which allowed them to manipulate glass similarly. All energies were passed on from parents.

Prince Reyrel returned the picture to its former hook. Certainly you would agree this is all nonsense. This picture was supposed to be one of a kind yet I’ve thrown it out a window at least four times already!

Ilaynia giggled. Yes, it also gets more expensive every time we have to drag the artist back to paint it. At least he fixes more mistakes every time. She unexpectedly became miserable. Honestly, can’t you see that you’re only hurting things worse than they already are? She had a nervous tone, which was unfamiliar to her usual soft ones.

Reyrel stepped over to the window and heard a crisp sound of impact when he tapped it with the tip of his fingernail. I can’t see things properly like everyone else. I’m only ruining this land as it is, Ilaynia; I can’t stay here much longer. His anger had already been cast aside for sorrow.

The young woman kept her patience well, even if it was only a job requirement. You know your father requested you to be at the next council meeting and you aren’t there yet. You might get what you want.

Reyrel panicked from his forgetfulness. I thought that was tomorrow! How long ago did it start?

They may not even be done with the opening ceremonies, Ilaynia replied.

Without hearing one more word, the worried prince ran out of the room and into the narrow hallway. After passing by several empty hallways, he came to a small room cluttered with unmoving people. He had to shove people aside to reach the next lesser crowded hallway. He took a door off of the hallway to get to the desired area.

Inside the meeting room, seven people sat on the left, seven sat to the right, and the king was centered at the end. All but one face stared at Reyrel as he came inside the quiet room, and the one who did not was the king. It was clear the opening ceremonies were long past if they had happened at all.

Yarvew, the person closest to the king on the right, stood. Thank you for finally coming to this meeting, Prince Reyrel. He sat back down and turned toward the king respectfully.

The king did not speak but his infuriation was easily told by his expression. His unpleasant stare was focused on the meaningless floor. He did not turn his face but pointed to High Commander Zazander, the person on the opposite side of Yarvew.

Zazander was slow to stand up and speak. In Yeldend’s best interests, we councilmen have agreed with King Flaalen to appoint you as heir to Yeldend, the greatest nation on this brilliant land of Veldelzel. He sat down when the king gave his approval by a swift nod.

Reyrel took a step back, astonished by the action of those around him. It was unlike these serious people to make a joke, particularly one as heartless as this was. There was no way that Reyrel would be an heir; his father’s favorite Glikil would surely become king after their father’s death.

Yarvew spoke back up. Younger prince Glikil has been captured by Hedneli for unknown reasons and they have offered no deal to give him back. With you as heir now, we believe part of their advantage has been destroyed.

The prince now knew the grim situation was real, for it had gone far. Concern overpowered his other emotions, for he sincerely cared about Glikil’s wellbeing. Aren’t we going to get him back? He’s a member of the royal family! He yelled it in fury, not hindered by the disrespect he gave the important men.

An offended councilman on the left stood and spoke without the king’s permission. We could never do such a thing! Hedneli offers some of the finest jewelry in the land! There are more than enough princes in this land to deal with heirs. Any of their diamonds is worth more than some insignificant prince, especially one as ridiculous as young prince Glikil!

King Flaalen stood up fiercely and glared at the blabbing man. The outspoken councilman sat down out of fear but his eagerness for his cause had not disappeared from his smug face.

Many people here respected Glikil, the king stated confidently. This appointing should only strengthen our bargaining to get him back. We hold no alliance with Hedneli and once I get him back, it’s going to be a full war, I assure you. If they hope to achieve their goals through pathetic tricks, they have forgotten who I am. You are all dismissed; the announcement has been made. It was clear that there would be no question regarding his forceful commands.

A silence overtook the room but it was eventually interrupted by quiet footsteps going out of the room. Yarvew and Zazander stayed, both being chief councilmen and too stubborn to leave simply because of the king’s request. Reyrel thought it best to stay in the room to know the important facts they would no doubt be discussing without the lower councilmen.

We’ve put ourselves in quite a position and should have known better, Yarvew declared. If you’d have listened to my advice, we might not be in this situation. His tone was sharper than should’ve been allowed.

Zazander held more respect for the king yet it didn’t show well. King Flaalen, I feel that if you allowed me to command attacks more, this would never have been a problem.

King Flaalen ignored the excuses from the chief councilmen. Yeldend has become prosperous, my chief advisor and high commander. If it is through materialism and temporal items, I care not. The only small thing that troubles me is that lives have started to lose value as currency begins to gain it.

Reyrel decided it was the best time to get his insignificant voice in. Why would you want me as heir for a time, father? I mean, it was between Glikil and I but why not give it to someone else? Every single citizen is going to be furious. Yeldend citizens had complained about Prince Reyrel to the king countless times.

The king looked at his son directly for the first time. You may have thought Glikil was to be over you but you were wrong to think so. This is not merely a temporary advantage over them; it’s a permanent announcement.

Yarvew gasped in shock. King Flaalen, you cannot be serious! I advise against it; such an announcement would anger everyone! You might even have two sons with threats on their lives! His high volume was unacceptable.

King Flaalen said nothing, only waiting for time to pass by. Prince Reyrel knew what his father was doing; often; the king would wait for people to realize what they were doing instead of correcting them. It was proven to be more intimidating than telling them as well as being effective in preventing future problems.

Yarvew humbly gazed to the floor. I apologize for my improper speech, King Flaalen. He was sincere, having had the time to dwell on his behavior.

The king returned to the discussion smoothly. Prince Reyrel can easily take care of himself. He’s a powerful drilrun, after all.

Drilruns were users of shadow energy. They could summon this energy out of their body to make a wispy, dark purple substance. Talented drilruns could make nearly anything out of the flexible energy and harden the solidity to make powerful weapons and shields as well as orbs that could drain another’s energy. They could use their eyes to stare people into stone.

Zazander took a step away toward the exit and stared at Yarvew until the chief advisor followed him out of the room, leaving only the king and the new heir in the spooky room.

King Flaalen reached into the small pocket of his pant to retrieve a silver ring with a small amethyst attached on the top. This ring will identify who you are. It belongs to the true heir, and that is you. When you see it, always remember that you have a responsibility to this city and that, wherever you are, that responsibility is always with you.

Reyrel felt like he didn’t understand how important it was. He wasn’t given much time to think of how it would be if he had to be king. There would be many threats on his life, to be sure. Could the prince deal with that accountability like his father had? Was it possible to refuse it?

King Flaalen spoke clearly, his words chosen with caution. Until that time when you become king, you may have many attempts to kill you in this city. In Yeldend, you are not safe until you are king. You can only trust your friends.

The prince knew of his father’s slyness. How he stated his words made it feel like a hidden message was behind them, like it was only half of what he truly meant. To Reyrel, it was clear what he had to do to remain safe and he couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

After taking the ring and being dismissed, the happy prince returned to his room and started planning.

Ilaynia walked in the room with anxiety but sighed in relief when she saw the intact condition of the room. You haven’t broken anything yet.

Prince Reyrel turned to her, his gleeful enthusiasm uncontained. You need not worry about me breaking anything. I’m leaving Yeldend right now until things cool off and I can properly accept my new position of heir of Yeldend.

Rather than being alarmed, the young woman was relaxed about less work. It’ll be nice not to have to deal with you. I can get back to how my life used to be.

Prince Reyrel was blunt to crush her dreams. No, you’re coming too.

Chapter 2: Elrrein

I won’t go inside, Ilaynia repeated stubbornly, blocking out the pleas of the two other travelers’ voices.

Reyrel relented, for persuading Ilaynia was often useless. He had wanted to go inside a cave to avoid any Yeldend soldiers coming after them. He sat down on the prickly grass near the entrance of the small cave. They were not far off from a main traveling road yet Ilaynia claimed they would get lost and die in the wilderness if they did not hurry back.

Leklej started pacing around the young woman to annoy her. His long blue cloak floated on the strong wind. Chilling blue eyes, a tall stature and pale skin revealed Leklej to be a normal dulurur. As one, it was no surprise that a chilling ice from frost energy began to develop on Ilaynia as he ran around her.

With one hand, Ilaynia grabbed her long blonde hair that flew around from Leklej’s wind. With the other hand, she took a harsh grasp on Leklej’s arm and zapped him with energy. The electricity had been strong enough to send Leklej to the ground.

Sleromews were users of light energy. They could use their energy to shine light in areas but also to blind enemies in battle. Experienced sleromews could manipulate this energy into electricity. Sleromews, dulururs and drilruns made up the three main groups of citizens in Yeldend.

Reyrel ran to offer assistance to Leklej but when Ilaynia gave him a nasty glare. He stayed back to avoid the inevitable electrocution that would occur if he helped the dulurur.

Ilaynia gently tapped Leklej once more with no electrocution and gave a friendly smile. She wiped the frost off the sleeve of