Eventyr: Book One

By Ellias Quinn

Explore a hidden world of ancient magic with Ellias Quinn's Eventyr.

A book of dark power is stolen from its prison. Hostilities between fairy nations threaten to sunder the land. Deep in the forest of Eventyr, a fairy named Matil awakens without memories. Alongside her two unlikely new companions, she begins a dangerous journe

• Language: English
• Publisher: Second March, LLC
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944755003

Ellias Quinn

Ellias Quinn is a storyteller and a Christian who pens fantasy adventure fiction and enjoys reading stories and histories. From the time Ellias was small, she traveled to many places in North America and Asia. Exploring magical worlds and the lives of not-quite-human heroes, she strives to craft quality entertainment that will delight young and grown-up readers alike.

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Eventyr: Book One

by Ellias Quinn

For my readers.

Copyright © 2015 by Ellias Quinn

Cover art © 2015 by Ellias Quinn – The cover art is a reproduction of a segment of the Mecken Scroll, which dates back to the Early Hibernation Age. The Scroll is approximately two inches tall and 15 feet long. Its current location is the Corwyna Vault.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

ISBN 978-1-944755-00-3

Published by Second March, LLC

www.elliasquinn.com

Table of Contents

Prologue

Fighting for Answers

The Giant’s Farm

Fade Away

Going To Town

Elders and Thieves

Seeking the Past

Dodging the Present

Large Country

Caught in a Downpour

This Is the Army

Loose Lips

The Ritual

The Secondhand City

The Council Convenes

Enemies or Allies?

Cover Up

Sleep In

Quarry and Prey

What Friends Share

Outsider

Love Is a Punch to the Face

Building Borders

The River Alva

Even the Trees Have Spies

Bedtale

Unseen

On the Trail Again

The Woman Who Shouldn’t Be

The Burden of Truth

About the Author

For a map of the lands of Eventyr, please visit: www.elliasquinn.com

Velana dri alva,

drimesk ermoli.

Dri dyri ajarten,

driskur erusi.

Velana dri alva,

kothym ervanoss.

Den hjardan erglir,

den valdri erveross.

Velana dri alva,

olakot, kodu.

Eletsol

Ranycht

Nervoda

Brandur

Sangriga

Obrigi

Kyndelin

Skorgon

Velana.

Awaken the fairies,

the forest is young.

The animals await,

the sun is new.

Awaken the fairies,

their home is alive.

Its heart is clear,

its guardians are true.

Awaken the fairies,

all of them, rise.

Life

Night

Water

Fire

Light

Earth

Animal

Crawler

Awaken.

Prologue

Lyria was jolted out of her dreams by loud pounding on the front door. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and threw off the bedcover. Her shimmering wings dimly lit up the room. She pulled a robe around herself, cursing the persistent knocking. Out of instinct, she grabbed her sturdy staff of office, a branch topped with a thick metal triangle. One could never be too careful.

She half-flew, half-jumped down the stairs and zoomed through the entrance hall. Staff at the ready, she opened the tall door. Outside stood a city guard, as indicated by his armor and tassels. He looked worried and out of breath, his wings shining behind him with intensity.

Councilwoman! he said, dipping his head. The Book of Myrkhar has been stolen.

"What? That’s impossible! Lyria put a hand over her eyes, and then looked at the guard fiercely. Do you know who stole it?"

An unidentified Ranycht. We are currently pursuing the thief.

Good.

Guard Captain Dyfith and Commander Dalen have called together the core Council members at the Ambermeet. You are to report there immediately.

Lyria nodded and then scowled. Councilman Nider will be present?

Presumably.

Quite. I will leave as soon as possible. You are dismissed.

The guard bowed and flew away. Lyria rubbed at her eyes tiredly. The Book of Myrkhar had been locked up in the Vault for decades. No one could break in, and even if they did, they wouldn’t make it out again. She went back to her room and donned her purple Council robes. Who could have pulled it off? Was the Ranycht thief acting alone or with the Nychtfal government?

What would happen now that one of the most powerful artifacts in Eventyr was loose in the forest?

Lyria locked her front door and shot down the wide street. Moonlight only just managed to reach the city through the tree branches that arched high above. As a result it was rather dark, but Lyria’s wings were bright enough to light her way.

A painful feeling lurked in her gut. The Book of Myrkhar was called that for a reason. It was said that Myrkhar himself – may he never return – had filled the pages of the Book with spells of the worst kind. It had been hard enough to lock away the first time, Lyria remembered. It was highly likely that whoever had stolen the book now had the power to keep it.

Lyria gathered together her patience and fortitude. She would need them when dealing with Nider.

Chapter 1

Fighting for Answers

Light. Light everywhere. A voice chanting in some strange language. A rushing, roaring sound like a waterfall. She was flying, flying far away, and now falling, falling.

There was darkness for a very long time.

Two harsh voices echoed in the back of her mind. Was she dreaming? The voices grew clearer.

"…all right, what do you think she is?" That was…a woman’s voice.

She’s a Ranycht, obviously. And that was a man’s voice.

"She doesn’t have no wings. She’s gotta be an Obrigi. A real tiny one, but an Obrigi all the same."

What in the world were they talking about?

Listen, we both know I found her first.

"I found her first, squirrel-food."

Doesn’t matter.

The woman spluttered incredulously. You just—

Think about it. A dark-skinned alva this close to Nychtfal has to be a Ranycht.

And what’re you doing in Obrigi?

That’s none of your business.

"Why, you dung-lurkin’, answer-avoiding—oh hey, shush, she’s waking up."

The woman lying on the ground squinted as she lifted her arm off her face and sunlight flooded her vision. She propped herself up and looked at the two figures who had been talking. They looked back at her.

She saw a tall blonde woman. Solidly built and very, very tall. The woman stood nearly twice as tall as the man hovering next to her. His black feathery wings flapped agitatedly in an attempt to stay at the same height as the tall woman’s head. Both had pointy ears, though the woman’s ears were short and the man’s ears were large and bat-like.

Towering blades of grass bordered the little clearing they were all currently occupying. The woman on the ground blinked and opened her eyes wide, taking in the strange new sights. She could hear birds chirping, and animals scampering nearby.

The tall woman stomped over and sat down gently. I’m Khelya, she said. What’s your name? What are you?

The woman on the ground was confused. And her head hurt.

The man glided over to them and landed, shooting Khelya a dirty look. Yeah, what’s your name? he said. Mine is Dask.

I… There was something missing. I don’t know my name. She looked at them, afraid that she had answered incorrectly.

You don’t know your own name? Khelya said. She scratched under the brown strip of cloth that was tied around her head. Underneath the cloth, her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail.

Dask frowned. He had wavy black hair, brown skin, bright green eyes, and a long nose. Do you even have a name?

The woman’s eyes widened, worried. Khelya and Dask exchanged looks.

Khelya gave her a reassuring smile. That’s not important right now. But, uh, it’s easier to talk to someone when you know their name. She paused. Can I call you Matil? You look like a Matil.

Okay.

So, Matil, what are you?

Huh?

What kind of alva are you?

I’m a… Matil wilted miserably and shook her head.

You don’t know what you are, Dask said flatly.

Matil shook her head again. She looked down at herself. Her skin was brown like Dask’s, but she was almost completely certain she didn’t have wings. She looked back just in case. Nothing. The black, side-tied tunic she wore was open in the back, however. Maybe the opening was for wings. Why was she wearing the tunic, then?

Khelya didn’t have wings either, but she was so big and thick-limbed. Matil thought that she herself was around Dask’s size. She reached up and felt her ears. They were cupped like Dask’s ears. She was a lot like Dask and a little like Khelya. What was she?

She inspected the rest of what she was wearing. Brown trousers tucked into boots of lightweight black leather.

On a belt around her waist, she found a dagger. She pulled it from its sheathe. It was thin and sharp, made for stabbing. Soft leather had been wrapped around the grip. A word came to mind. Stiletto. This was a stiletto dagger. Why wear a weapon? Perhaps she traveled in dangerous places. She sheathed the dagger.

Matil remembered something that Khelya had said. She looked up at her two new acquaintances. What’s an alva?

They seemed taken aback.

Um, it’s us, Dask said.

"Yeah. We’re alva. I mean, we don’t look alike but we’re all alva. Unless you’re not an alva. Khelya gasped. You could be a human!"

Hah! Dask paused and looked at Khelya. "Oh, you weren’t joking? Ahahaha!"

What? Why’re you laughing?

"You would believe in humans."

What do you mean?

You’re a boulderhead Obrigi.

And you’re a dirty mudskin!

Be careful, Dask said. He drew his knife and twirled it around in his hand, stopping the blade near Khelya’s arm. My hand might slip.

Khelya turned bright red and she shuffled away from Dask. Even if she’s no human, she could’ve come from outside Eventyr. Maybe they have alva like her there. Wouldn’t that be something?

How would she get into Eventyr in the first place?

I don’t know. Magic?

Dask scratched his ear. A bunch of alva have tried getting out with magic and it never works. You’d know that if you actually had magic.

Khelya pulled back her fist.

Wait! Matil shouted. Khelya and Dask looked at her. I don’t want you getting in a fight. Why are you fighting, anyway?

"Because the Obrigi – her kind of alva – are tree-brained lumps." Dask folded his arms.

Khelya scowled. "Because the Ranycht – his idiot race – are slimy centipedes."

I…meant, what’s the specific reason? Why are you here and why are you fighting?

Oh, said Dask, looking embarrassed. I found you—

Khelya cleared her throat violently.

Dask rolled his eyes. "We found you lying here and, well, the Obrigi and the Ranycht border each other. We’re very close to this border right now and we want to know whose side you’re on. If you’re a Ranycht, you should get back to Nychtfal before the Obrigi discover you, they tell the Sangriga, and a war gets started. If you’re an Obrigi, which I highly doubt, the Obrigi can recruit you to build or fight or farm or whatever it is they do. In case a war does happen, I’d rather we had more alva on our side than the Sangriga and Obrigi do."

You’re fighting over me? Matil said.

Basically.

"Okay. I’m not an Obrigi or a Ranycht. At least until I find out what I really am."

Khelya turned to Dask. What if she’s a Kyndelin or a Nervoda?

Dask tapped his chin and looked at Matil. Hm. Can you turn into an animal?

How do I know that?

Try it out.

Matil opened her mouth, then closed it again. Might as well. She closed her eyes and focused on turning into an animal. Any kind of animal. Nothing happened. I don’t think so.

Can you control water?

Matil looked around. The grass was still dotted with morning dew. She stared very hard at a particular dewdrop, willing it to move. She had no success, so she tried a different one. No.

Dask spread out his hands. There’s your answer, tree-legs.

So you’ll stop fighting over me now? Matil said.

Fine, fine, Dask said.

Khelya pushed up her sweatband. If you’re sure.

I’m sure. Matil studied her hands and then looked shyly up at Khelya and Dask. Could one of you help me find out who I am?

Sorry, no, Dask said. I’ve got work to do.

Khelya tilted her head. …Me too. Planting season. You seem nice and all, but my farm should come first.

Matil had hoped that at least one of them could help her. Now she didn’t know where to start. That’s okay, she said.

Khelya brightened. I can give you some stuff, though. My house is—

Do you hear something? Dask said.

A buzzing sound made Matil sit up straight. It was very faint, as if it came from a distance. Yes…

What is it? Khelya asked. I don’t hear anything.

Matil listened. There’s something buzzing. It’s coming closer.

They were all silent, then Dask relaxed.

It went away, he said. Is a buzzing noise normal in this part of the forest?

There are a couple bee hives nearby, Khelya said.

That was probably it.

Where was I? Oh, yeah. My house is a few steps over that way. I can get you a map and some camping gear, maybe. I wonder if I still have that tent.

I’m outta here. Dask nodded to Matil. "Nice to meet you, good luck, goodbye. Ruined my day to meet you," he said to Khelya. She frowned. He grinned and jumped into the air, his wings unfurled.

Matil waved. Thank you.

For what?

For explaining things to me.

Oh. Um. Okay. No problem. He rose up, but soon stopped. His wings flapped quietly.

The buzzing had come back.

Khelya squinted. I can hear it. Sounds like the whole hive decided to visit.

Dask peered through the thick grass. I don’t think it’s bees.

A dark green blur shot out at Dask.

Agh! He dropped to the ground to avoid the thing and drew his knife.

It was some kind of insect. Or was it an alva wearing shiny green armor? Its face and head looked normal except for the gray skin and slimy mandibles. Transparent wings buzzed furiously. As it rushed at Dask again, Matil noticed that it had an extra pair of arms.

Khelya stared, wide-eyed, at the thing wrestling with Dask. She nearly fell over as another one came up from behind and attached itself around her neck.

Matil jumped up and unsheathed her dagger. Her body turned out to be very stiff, causing her to falter. Which one should she help first? Dask separated from the creature and was circling it, knife out. Khelya had pulled off her opponent, a purplish bug-alva with huge black eyes, and was trying to keep it away from her face.

Matil stepped toward Khelya, but was jerked back. Arms scooped her up and lifted her high above the ground. Turning her head, she got a good look at her captor, who had a long, green face with wide-set black eyes, no nose, and small, chomping mandibles. She screamed and stabbed the underside of one of its arms. The creature let out a high-pitched whine, but its flight was unaffected. She sliced and stabbed blindly, the creature’s plated skin turning her dagger aside.

The bug-alva was yanked downward and its whining turned into unbearable screaming. Matil cringed and looked down. Dask had grabbed onto its legs and was chopping off bits of it. He had severed an entire misshapen foot.

The arms around Matil suddenly let go. As she plummeted, she closed her eyes and thought about how very short this day had been.

Something caught her in its arms and Matil cried out. She wriggled wildly to escape.

Stop squirming! Khelya said. Aah!

Matil hit the ground and groaned. Khelya’s face came into view.

I told you to stop, she said, bending over. She held out her large hand, which was covered with green goo, and pulled Matil up.

Matil groaned again, rubbing her back. The purple bug-alva lay dead nearby. Thanks.

You’re welcome.

Dask landed next to Matil. It got away, he said to her. Are you all right?

I’m doing fine, kinda sickish, Khelya said. Thanks for asking.

He waved his hand dismissively at her. Matil?

I’m just a little sore. What happened to the one you were fighting earlier?

He frowned. It flew off before I could finish it.

Matil looked at the purple creature’s corpse and shuddered. "What were those?"

Skorgon, Dask said.

Khelya breathed out. I didn’t think they were real.

We trade with them sometimes. You wouldn’t believe how much spider Skorgon silk goes for.

"Of course, a Ranycht would deal with the Skorgon."

They’re not nearly as vicious as the legends make them out to be.

Really? Reeaaally?

Listen, I don’t know what just happened. The Skorgon shouldn’t even be this far from Deep Valdingfal.

I think they were looking for me, Matil said quietly. I wasn’t being attacked. I was being carried. She put her arms around herself and eyed the grass. She didn’t hear anything but birds. We should go.

Khelya nodded resolutely. Follow me.

Dask kicked at the ground. Can I come with you? I don’t want to run into those Skorgon without backup. If I could just lay low for a bit—

Go lay low in one of those pits you call cities.

Gee, maybe I will.

Can he come? Matil looked up at Khelya with pleading eyes. He’s been nice so far. Or, she bit her lip, to me, at least.

To you. Khelya turned to go.

Dask gritted his teeth. All right, sorry. I promise I’ll be civil if you let me go with you.

You’d best be more than civil, blowfly, Khelya said, crossing her arms.

"I’ll be— Dask caught sight of Matil shaking her head. —very polite."

Khelya walked away and pushed aside two blades of grass. Come on.

Dask zoomed over and Matil went after them unsteadily. Her whole body ached. Stepping into the cool shade of the grass, she glanced around, nervous. What if the Skorgon knew who she was? It was too bad they hadn’t been friendlier.

Chapter 2

The Giant’s Farm

Matil couldn’t stop staring at the forest of grass surrounding them and the huge, knotty tree roots they occasionally passed. Animals and insects passed them, sometimes buzzing right overhead and scaring them all, sometimes only stirring a few swishing blades of grass. The group walked through bearable dimness and into patches of bright sunlight. During the latter, Matil and Dask had to cover their eyes while Khelya hardly reacted.

What is it you two do? For a living? Matil said, trying to break up the awkward silence in which they had been traveling.

I’m a— Khelya said.

I do— Dask said at the exact same time.

Dask cleared his throat. You go ahead.

Khelya looked sharply at Dask. Why?

Why not? he said irritably.

Seems awful…nice of you. Khelya