{"id":20104,"date":"2019-06-15T07:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-15T11:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=20104"},"modified":"2019-07-16T14:31:33","modified_gmt":"2019-07-16T18:31:33","slug":"the-whispers-chapter-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/the-whispers-chapter-one\/","title":{"rendered":"The Whispers – Chapter One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note: the voting period for this chapter has expired.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Good morning folks.\u00a0 It is my great privilege to unveil a new feature on the Tellest site that I am hopeful you will come to enjoy.\u00a0 This is going to be a long post with a story beneath it.\u00a0 If you want to jump right to the story, all you have to do is click here<\/a> to be moved down to the chapter intro.\u00a0 But you should know that this is not your typical story\u2014it’s one you control.<\/p>\n

The Whispers<\/em> is an idea that I’ve had for a couple of years now\u2014a way to get the reader more involved in the story than a traditional book but which felt like it made sense within the medium. Tellest has some special rules that let’s me do some interesting things. I just needed to figure out the format.<\/p>\n

At its heart, The Whispers<\/em> is a project that combines a couple of things. Choose Your Own Adventure books don’t have a narrative structure to lean on that leads everyone to the final conclusion together. But I want you, the reader, to help me weave this tale. That’s where things like vote by committee shows inspired the rest of the equation.<\/p>\n

The Whispers<\/em> is a story that revolves around a young man named Declan. Since he was a little boy, there have always been strange voices that he hears, deep in the back of his mind. Believing that he might have been a conduit to the gods, a local temple adopted Declan into their care. But since they began interpreting the voices how they wanted, regardless of what Declan heard, those same whispers lost their value.<\/p>\n

Before long, the whispers grew quiet, becoming nothing but distant scratches at the back of Declan’s mind. If he tried his best, he could ignore them. Of course, since they were not coming to him anymore, the temple didn’t see the point of taking care of the lad anymore.<\/p>\n

This book\/project begins on the day that Declan is set to leave the temple. He is being given over as a ward to a nearby adventurer’s guild, who thinks that at the very least, he can take care of the guild hall while members are away on quests.<\/p>\n

But something unexpected happens, and Declan is given a call to action. His first chapter ends with a simple choice: sword or staff. However, it isn’t one he makes on his own. The whispers return in full force, steering him in the direction that he should go, and ultimately deciding his fate.<\/p>\n

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Wondering where you come in? Well, you know those whispers that Declan hears? You are one of them!<\/p>\n

The way this project works, every chapter will end with a choice that Declan has to make. All of the readers of this story are possible participants in helping the young man decide what to do.<\/p>\n

And it gets cooler. Every time you vote, your whisper gets stronger. You become a familiar voice to Declan, and have more clout. If you vote ten times, your tenth vote is valued as ten votes, whereas someone who is voicing their decision the first time only counts for one vote. We may make a kind of premium available on Patreon (an extra vote for every dollar someone pledges, perhaps), but I want to make sure I don’t make this story able be dictated by one superfan if that could happen.<\/p>\n

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Alright, so how exactly is this going to work? Well, because of the nature of this weird new medium, and because there’s voting involved, and considering I still have other stories I want to write, I’m giving The Whispers a pretty big buffer zone for each chapter. Each new chapter will be introduced on the 15th of every month, and those people who wish to cast their vote will have until the end of the month to do so. That will leave me with two weeks to write the follow-up content before Declan needs to make his next choice. Since this is such a weird, artistic, experimental project, each chapter will be kind of rugged\u2014the typical editing we have for Tellest stories won’t be there to start. But if we develop a story that stands on its own, and can be packaged as a novel or novella, we’ll clean it up and release it into the world.<\/p>\n

One other caveat: you need to be a member of the Tellest newsletter list.\u00a0 This isn’t something that I want to comb through on the Tellest website\u2014it’ll end up getting far too convoluted and difficult to track, whereas through mailchimp, I can set things up with fancy buttons and remove people from the list if they don’t want to be included in that group.\u00a0 I’ll send out emails for The Whispers three times per month: once when the story goes live on the Tellest website, once a week after the story goes live, and once more a week after that to catch any people who might be coming late.\u00a0 If you don’t join the newsletter before that third email goes out, your whisper just isn’t strong enough yet!<\/p>\n

The good news is that if you sign up<\/a> for the Tellest newsletter, you get some awesome freebies right away.\u00a0 I want you to be able to dive into Tellest content, so you’re getting access to three novellas right from day one.\u00a0 And I also like to give away a\u00a0lot<\/em> of freebies, so every few weeks you’ll get things like character cards, artifact cards, and so forth.<\/p>\n

For now though, if you want to see what this first chapter for The Whispers looks like, read on.\u00a0 It’s a long first chapter because we’re establishing a lot of content, but I’m very happy with what it feels like so far.\u00a0 I hope you enjoy it as well.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Chapter One:
\n<\/strong>The Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The temple\u2019s largest bell sent a resounding note pulsing through the building.\u00a0 The six smaller ones that surrounded the immense bronze bell would soon play their own tunes against the stone chambers they sat within; the melody was known to all the temple\u2019s clergy.<\/p>\n

His eyes fluttering open, Declan stared at the ceiling of his bedchamber.\u00a0 Recent nights had been more restful, he knew, and he breathed out a little sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

He could still hear the whispers, in the back of his mind, like little scratches on the other side of the stone wall beside his bed.\u00a0 Compared to the times in his youth when he heard them with greater clarity, they might as well have been miles away.\u00a0 He heard them still, but they were like grains of sand in a distant hourglass. \u00a0He couldn\u2019t identify what they were saying.<\/p>\n

Declan was sure that in time they would be gone completely.<\/p>\n

Any other day, he would have been ecstatic at the prospect.\u00a0 For far too long they had dictated every facet of his life.\u00a0 While the hushed tones and distant voices offered up cryptic remarks and the odd pertinent suggestions, it was the way the other members of the clergy interpreted them that kept him in place at the temple.<\/p>\n

In time, the whispers grew distant, and in their distance, their instructions grew unclear.\u00a0 Without their direction, there was no sense in relying on the lad as though he heard the commands of the gods.<\/p>\n

With a sigh pushing past his lips, Declan sat upright and swung his legs off the bed.\u00a0 He struck the thin mattress with the heel of his hand.<\/p>\n

There were some things he wouldn\u2019t miss, he mused.<\/p>\n

The young man rose then, shaking the weariness from his body.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t much to do to prepare himself for the road ahead.\u00a0 His bag was packed already, for there was no more need for him to live there within the protection of the temple\u2019s stone walls.<\/p>\n

Declan made his way to the crude table in the opposite corner of the room, and plucked up his satchel, slinging it over his shoulder.\u00a0 There was no sense delaying his departure.\u00a0 The clerics had grown tired of him, and rumors\u2014whispers from real people he spent time within the temple\u2014spoke of turning his small chamber into a spare vestry once he was gone.<\/p>\n

With a huff, he took a step back and opened the door to his room. \u00a0One of the newer clerics, clad in a simple brown robe, sped by, not bothering to pass the man a glance.\u00a0 The departing fellow wondered if the neophyte had been listening at the door to see if the room was vacant.<\/p>\n

Making his way into the adjoining hallway, Declan could hear the bustle in the nave as parishioners made their way into the building. Somewhere amidst that cacophony of voices, he identified one that he was most familiar with.<\/p>\n

As he rounded the corner, the young fellow saw the elder leaning on the pulpit, speaking to the worshipers that crowded him.\u00a0 The morning service had yet to begin, but Benedictus always welcomed his congregation for guidance or prayer.<\/p>\n

Declan hesitated there for a moment, wondering if it would be a good time to take his leave from the temple.\u00a0 If his old friend couldn\u2019t see him leave, there wouldn\u2019t be a need to have a sad farewell, after all.<\/p>\n

His footsteps brought him down the aisle, the open doors sending a breeze into the building that was at once liberating and frightening as it danced across the lad\u2019s skin.\u00a0 The sunlight shone onto the stone and as he walked out into it, it felt warmer than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeclan?\u201d he heard the man far behind him call out.\u00a0 \u201cDeclan!\u201d<\/p>\n

While he waited there at the exit to the temple, he saw the priest push his way through the crowd, acting as though they were an afterthought.\u00a0 The old fellow panted as he reached the end of the path and came to stand beside the departing young man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou meant to simply leave without saying anything?\u201d Benedictus asked.<\/p>\n

Declan sighed before he built up the energy to speak.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is there to say?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cMy time here is done, and I\u2019m being cast out into the wind.\u00a0 The other members of the clergy can\u2019t even be bothered to keep me around to clean the floors or tidy up books in the library.\u201d<\/p>\n

The elder priest nodded, knowing how hurt the lad was by his dismissal.\u00a0 \u201cYou know why the other brothers of the order have been so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Insistent?\u201d Declan interjected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you were first adopted by the temple, they thought your gift was a conduit to the gods.\u00a0 But as the messages have grown quiet, their interpretations have become vague.\u00a0 More than once it seems the clergy have made ill-advised decisions based on what they thought your distant voices seem to be saying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told them that I could barely make out what the whispers say anymore,\u201d Declan countered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not certain as to why, but the longer I stayed here at the temple, the quieter they grew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps that\u2019s a good thing,\u201d Benedictus mused.\u00a0 \u201cI remember when you first arrived here, and you would clasp your hands over your ears as though that would help.\u00a0 Since then, I\u2019ve seen you grow into a fine young man who follows his own heart rather than the elucidations of some old men with their noses buried in some dusty ancient tomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose dusty old tomes are half the reason I\u2019m able to understand half of the expressions you and the other brothers use from time to time,\u201d Declan teased.\u00a0 He thought then of how that friendship had run its course though, and the momentary flash of amusement was stricken from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome,\u201d the cleric gestured.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll walk you to the crossroads.\u00a0 There is no sense in you waiting there alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young fellow nodded as he followed Benedictus down the path.\u00a0 \u201cTo be honest, I\u2019m surprised I wasn\u2019t already cast into the wagon.\u00a0 I thought he would be here already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a long trip from the guild hall, certainly,\u201d his old friend replied.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m sure that there were other things that the adventures needed to do this morning besides prepare the wagon to come gather a poor acolyte from the temple.\u201d\u00a0 He paused for a moment and turned to see that his words were not taken in jest as he had hoped.\u00a0 He stood straighter then and cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cWho knows though?\u00a0 Perhaps as you grow accustomed to your new home, you\u2019ll go on adventures of your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think they want the person who sweeps their pantry to go on any noble quests with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps not at first,\u201d Benedictus conceded.<\/p>\n

As his words were swept away by the gentle summer breeze, he passed a glance down the dirt road that passed before the temple.\u00a0 When the cleric narrowed his eyes, Declan knew that someone approached from further beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is your ride, child.\u201d<\/p>\n

The departing man let his gaze fall upon the road and breathed out a subtle sigh.\u00a0 Before long he could hear the clopping hoofbeats of the ox that drew the wagon, and when he looked up, he could see the cart upon the horizon.\u00a0 A lone traveler sat in the driver\u2019s seat; his cloak drawn up over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit hot for a hood, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Declan wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Adventurers of Eladia are known to try and keep their identity secret.\u00a0 Perhaps it is worth the slight discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n

After several more moments, the cart pulled up to the crossroads and made a slight turn toward the temple.\u00a0 The driver tugged on the reins, urging the ox to stop.\u00a0 Though the man\u2019s hood was drawn far over his face, both Declan and Benedictus could see the bushy auburn mustache that stretched over his upper lip and came down either side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis the one?\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

Benedictus, caught off guard by the nonchalant conversation, looked to his departing ward with concern.\u00a0 \u201cThat depends on who you\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

The driver took in a deep breath and sent a sharp sigh up between his lips, sending a few of the hairs in his mustache bristling.\u00a0 He tugged his hood back then, revealing his face and the bright red coif that seemed to shine like fire in the late-morning sunlight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from the guild in Eladia,\u201d he grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cWe sent word that someone was going to be picking up your lad and that someone named Erik was going to be bringing him back.\u00a0 Well that\u2019s me.\u00a0 I\u2019m Erik.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cleric looked to the young man behind him, but Declan already started forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d the lad said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve said your goodbyes, right?\u201d Erik asked.\u00a0 Though the two men on the ground thought they detected a hint of compassion, the fellow from the adventurer\u2019s guild knocked his fist against the wagon behind him then.\u00a0 \u201cCome on then.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you can always visit,\u201d Benedictus said as his young ward moved along.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re only half a day\u2019s ride up the road, and you are welcome any time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate the offer,\u201d Declan said.<\/p>\n

Erik grumbled and slapped the reins to the seat and hopped from the cart then.\u00a0 He made his way around to the back of the wagon and pulled down the gate there.\u00a0 \u201cAre you coming or not?\u00a0 The sooner I get you back to Eladia, the sooner I can give you the grand tour of the guild hall and be on my way to the Grey Arches to meet up with the other members of the guild.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess this is goodbye,\u201d Declan conceded.\u00a0 He reached the back of the carriage then as well, and he hopped into place among the other goods that Erik had with him.<\/p>\n

Benedictus helped him lift the gate back into place then.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s only goodbye for now,\u201d he offered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make sure to make some time to visit you in the upcoming weeks and see that you\u2019re settling in well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik climbed back into the driver\u2019s seat then, and snapped the reins, urging his ox forward.\u00a0 \u201cBest steer clear of the road, priest,\u201d he called out.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to run over a man of the cloth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benedictus shook his head and hurried from the road then, forced to watch it pass.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t dismiss the dejected look on his friend\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

As Declan drew further from the temple, he bowed his head, wondering what the future would have in store for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Erik pushed open the door and gave it a light tap when its momentum had it swinging back toward the jamb.\u00a0 \u201cRight this way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Declan rushed past that closing door and into the guild hall.\u00a0 The Adventurers of Eladia lived in quite a bit more luxury than the clergy at the temple it seemed.<\/p>\n

Perhaps his station was improving, the lad mused.<\/p>\n

Affording him as little time as he had thus far, Erik moved along through the building, never stopping to speak to any of the other guild members who drifted through the hall\u2019s many rooms.\u00a0 The red-haired fellow pushed straight through until they reached the rear of the building, where grand windows overlooked a vast meadow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s this way to the larder,\u201d Erik said.\u00a0 He moved off to a side hall, where a broad door faced them from one direction, and a set of stone steps descended into the ground below the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t I be stopping at my quarters first?\u201d Declan asked.\u00a0 \u201cI have my belongings to drop off.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time since the lad met the guild member, Erik halted, no longer concerned with a hasty pace.\u00a0 He spun about and folded his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cAnd who is to say that you\u2019ll be worthy of your own room?\u00a0 Here at the guild, you earn your keep, and we need to see that you\u2019re capable of that before we set you up with a comfortable cot and a place to rest your bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think I\u2019m worthy of sweeping the larder?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe brothers at the temple didn\u2019t think you were worth keeping for theirs,\u201d Erik stated matter-of-factly.\u00a0 He proceeded down the stone steps, waving on the newest representative of the guild.\u00a0 Once they arrived in the cellar, Declan realized even the hidden sublevel was quite expansive.\u00a0 Most of it was covered in fine planks of wood, though there were rooms here and there that remained fashioned in stone (yet some of those had been carved with beautiful etchings and stylings).\u00a0 Erik turned to his side and pointed toward an adjacent chamber.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the larder.\u00a0 You can drop off your things there while I give you the rest of the tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lad breathed out a sigh of relief when it seemed the man would finally offer him some compassion.\u00a0 He opened the sturdy door to the larder and placed his pack on the ground there.\u00a0 He could smell the foodstuffs that the Adventures of Eladia had amassed and considered that he would never have to worry about going hungry while he lived at the guild.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will take a lot of work for you to find your place here,\u201d Erik said as the young man shut the door behind him.\u00a0 \u201cBut if you labor well, and you do so without much complaint, you\u2019ll find there are a fair amount of benefits.\u00a0 No one comes here for the sake of a bed or a fine meal to eat though, lad.\u00a0 People join up with us because these lands still hold a promise of untold lore\u2014of worlds of history that still need to be discovered.\u00a0 You can be an attendant to this building if that is all you seek to be in this life.\u00a0 But the guild leaders thought that with your own odd history, you might amount to something more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan said nothing further, but squared his jaw, nodding in the hopes that the move to this new location wouldn\u2019t break him.<\/p>\n

Erik proceeded on, deeper into the bowels of that place.\u00a0 An acrid scent took to the air, like too much history in one place that hadn\u2019t been overturned in some time.\u00a0 The wooden floorboards gave way to the elaborate carved stone that were underscored by delicate lantern light.\u00a0 As Declan followed the man into the further chambers, he wondered if perhaps the guild hall had been built around older ruins.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a great many things for you to do here,\u201d Erik said, \u201cand more than likely less time for you to do them all in.\u00a0 There\u2019s the larder, which I\u2019d personally like you to start with.\u00a0 There\u2019s the stables out beside the meadow.\u00a0 You\u2019ll cook and clean and launder the garments for the other guild members.\u00a0 And back this way, there\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He was interrupted by the slamming of a door, and the sudden appearance of one of the other members of the guild.\u00a0 The fair-skinned maiden spun about; a wine-colored cloak was pulled up tight over her head.\u00a0 Even in the soft light of the cellar, Declan could see Erik\u2019s cheeks turning as flush red as his mustache.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Ilayeth,\u201d the guild member said before taking a deep bow.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Erik, I\u2019ve told you many times.\u00a0 I\u2019m no more a lady than you are a king.\u00a0 You needn\u2019t place me on such a pedestal.\u00a0 I\u2019m simply a curious archivist, scouring through ancient tomes.\u201d\u00a0 She paused then, and looked over the man\u2019s shoulder, spotting the second man in the cellar with them.\u00a0 \u201cAnd who is this handsome young stranger?\u201d she teased.<\/p>\n

The stockier fellow turned about, arching his eyebrow.\u00a0 He pointed with his thumb.\u00a0 \u201cHim?\u00a0 This is our newest guild member Declan.\u00a0 I\u2019m setting him up with a broom and a mop so that he can prove himself to us before he officially joins up with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so?\u201d Ilayeth asked.\u00a0 She stepped forward then, narrowing her eyes as she took account of the lad.\u00a0 \u201cAh yes,\u201d she said, holding up her hand as though she were pressing it up against some unseen wall.\u00a0 \u201cYou may begin as an attendant here, but I sense great things in your future.\u00a0 In time, perhaps it will be you who is written about in ancient tomes for future generations to learn from.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled as she sensed a warm glow upon Declan\u2019s own cheeks then.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll both excuse me, I have to take my research up into some brighter light.\u00a0 There is some information in this volume that may be of some assistance to Mason and the others if they\u2019re having difficulty proceeding into the ruins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBest of luck finding something of use,\u201d Erik said.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re likely waiting for one of your \u2018miracles\u2019 to find them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I shall work as best I can to deliver one,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cIt was nice meeting you Declan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men watched the archivist leave the hall, and they could hear her make her way up the stone steps to the rest of the building.\u00a0 When the newest arrival turned back to his guide, he was faced with the unhappy visage of the mustached fellow.<\/p>\n

Erik knew that he had been noted, and he folded his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cRemember this one thing lad: she\u2019s more than what she seems on the surface.\u00a0 Ilayeth has been her longer than most of the other adventurers, and even after all the time I\u2019ve been here, I still haven\u2019t uncovered all her mysteries.\u201d\u00a0 He grumbled and waved his hand.\u00a0 \u201cBah.\u00a0 That\u2019s neither here nor there.\u00a0 We must make sure you\u2019re sticking around first before we worry about such things.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I was saying before we were visited by Ilayeth, that room that she came out of needs a bit of care as well.\u00a0 The dust and grime that can build up in that room is not good for the old books, so you\u2019ll clean that room as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan nodded, but Erik was already on his way further into the cellar.\u00a0 A chill was felt in the air then, as they proceeded on, and the lad paused when he saw a subtle, pale blue light emanating from the next chamber.\u00a0 While most of the rooms were rectangular, that one, seeming to sit at the center of the guild hall, had a circular curve about it.<\/p>\n

Though Erik moved on without hesitation, Declan couldn\u2019t help but slow his pace.\u00a0 There, hanging above two pedestals as if held up by hidden strings, were two artifacts that looked impressive and storied.\u00a0 A longsword floated above one, while on the opposite side a staff hovered in the air.\u00a0 The pedestals themselves were awash in the light, and he wondered if it was the plinths or the weapons that held onto that magic.<\/p>\n

His guide turned about, realizing that his ward did not follow him.\u00a0 \u201cI see you distract easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan refused to allow that comment goad him into moving again.\u00a0 He felt drawn to both of those relics and took time to observe them in the strange light.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are some of the oldest items we have in the guild hall,\u201d Erik said when he realized his words were not met with immediate action.\u00a0 \u201cThey predate any of us that live here\u2014even Ilayeth.\u00a0 Some say they belonged to the first heroes who founded the Adventurers of Eladia, but none can say for certain.\u00a0 But some of the people in the guild will swear they can feel the arcane weaving through this room when they venture through it.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019re one of them.\u201d\u00a0 He snorted then.\u00a0 \u201cStill, you\u2019ve got to earn your way up to a fully-fledged member.\u00a0 In the meantime, we have some more recent artifacts that I want to show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik waved the young man on, and they proceeded on through that round chamber, until they reached one last large room that Declan was certain sat beneath the entrance to the guild.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the Hall of Heroes,\u201d Erik claimed.\u00a0 He swept out his arm, bringing his new ward\u2019s attention to the various armor stands in the room.\u00a0 The room was awash with somber lantern light, but many of the hauberks and breastplates still sparkled in that darkness. \u00a0\u201cThis is a place of remembrance, and it might be the best place for you to start doing work.\u00a0 There\u2019s perhaps no better place for you to know what you\u2019re going to be a part of.\u00a0 After all, this is the history of the guild.\u201d<\/p>\n

No stranger to the concept of the hereafter, Declan took time to observe those stands a little closer.\u00a0 In some places, a helmet sat above the armor, or a weapon rested at against it.\u00a0 Each of them had a marble slab situated on the floor, atop the hardwood boards. Upon the closest ones, he saw the etchings of a name carved into gold plates fixed to the stone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fallen, yes,\u201d Erik said.\u00a0 \u201cThese are the heroes who helped Novistrus through its darkest hours.\u00a0 This country was a dismal place before the Adventurers of Eladia were brought together.\u00a0 But such a place couldn\u2019t be without its hazards, and not everyone makes it out alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

They stood there in solemn silence, reflecting on the sacrifices that had been made in the name of progress and justice.<\/p>\n

A nearby snore broke them of that deliberation, and Erik passed before Declan, peering into the far corner on the right side of the room.\u00a0 His heavy footfalls roused the other guild member in the room, who woke with a gasp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m up, I\u2019m up!\u201d the fellow said.\u00a0 It took him a moment to settle back into place, but by then, he was already shaken.<\/p>\n

Declan took a few steps to the side as well, watching the stout fellow rise from the ground.\u00a0 Though the few strands of grey in his long brown beard proved he was a great deal older than the newest member of the guild, his head didn\u2019t quite reach up to the young man\u2019s collarbone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter lad?\u201d the stranger said.\u00a0 \u201cYe ain\u2019t never seen a dwarf before?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoping against hope that there wasn\u2019t another like Erik in the guild, Declan stood straighter upon hearing that snippy comment.\u00a0 \u201cThere weren\u2019t a lot of dwarves that came to our temple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d the dwarf said with a nod.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re the new recruit then.\u00a0 Dirkland, was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeclan,\u201d the lad clarified.<\/p>\n

\u201cBah,\u201d he replied, eliciting a chortle from Erik.\u00a0 \u201cI liked my name for ye better.\u201d\u00a0 He took a step forward then, clapping the man he knew on the arm before extending his hand to the stranger.\u00a0 \u201cMe name\u2019s Tornig.\u00a0 Sorry if I gave ye a fright.\u00a0 I come here sometimes to clear me mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

He spun about and returned to the corner where Erik had found him and bent down to pluck up a helmet from the ground.\u00a0 He returned to an upright position, an uncomfortable grunt announcing his arrival there.<\/p>\n

When he turned back toward the other guild members, Declan noticed the similarities of the helmet the dwarf had, and the one on the nearest armor stand.\u00a0 Both were fashioned of heavy plate and had downturned horns fixed to their tops.<\/p>\n

Tornig caught the observation and tapped his knuckles against the brow of the helmet.\u00a0 \u201cThis is me older brother,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cHe was an Adventurer of Eladia afore I ever had the inkling of being one.\u00a0 Sometimes I come down here to talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he talks himself into a deep sleep,\u201d Erik grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell it\u2019s boring being the only one with anything ta say!\u201d Tornig retorted.\u00a0 He shook his head before he placed the helm upon his head then.\u00a0 After looking at his friend and passing him a teasing scoff, he turned back to the newest recruit.\u00a0 \u201cListen lad: I\u2019d appreciate it very much if ye took great care of this chamber.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a long while since it\u2019s seen some proper attention, and I can\u2019t be the only one ta make sure Gulspire\u2019s mail shines.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan returned the dwarf an emphatic nod.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do my best,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen ye\u2019ll do just fine.\u201d\u00a0 He turned back to Erik then, and stuck out his chin at him.\u00a0 \u201cWould ye walk with me for a bit?\u00a0 A falcon came to Yaro early this morning.\u00a0 Seems there\u2019s a new task that might fall to Eladia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m meant to bring supplies to Mason,\u201d Erik said.\u00a0 \u201cBut no harm came from talking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least ye\u2019ll respond to me,\u201d Tornig said.<\/p>\n

As the dwarf made his way out of the room, Erik fell into step behind him.\u00a0 He turned to Declan then and gave him a nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, this is as good a place to start as anywhere.\u00a0 When I return, I expect I\u2019ll be able to see my face in the reflection of those plaques.\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t wait to see a reaction upon the lad\u2019s face, but left alone in the dimly lit room, all Declan could do was nod.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A glistening sheen of perspiration sat upon Declan\u2019s brow then.\u00a0 He had swept the chamber until he was certain the bristles on the broom were going to fall off, and then subsequently moved to more attentive matters.\u00a0 Starting in that corner where Tornig once rested, he set a rag to the golden plaques on the marble markers.\u00a0 His attempts to impress Erik seemed to be going well, because on more than one of those old nameplates, Declan could see his weary face looking back at him.<\/p>\n

More than once, he could hear some of the other members of the guild moving around on the floor above him.\u00a0 The impressive door slammed into the jamb as excited adventurers moved about, hungry for their next quest.\u00a0 Muted voices carried enough for him to hear them, but not enough to distinguish what was being said.\u00a0 He wondered if anyone in the hall even knew he was there below him.\u00a0 How would they react if they saw him\u2014a stranger\u2014in that hallowed place?<\/p>\n

He shook his head of those thoughts, putting some force into his errand.\u00a0 The plate he worked at cleaning then, one that belonged to a fellow named Wengert Daggard, was covered in age-old filth, and it didn\u2019t seem to be willing to catch a shine.<\/p>\n

Pressing as hard as he could, Declan suddenly lurched forward, and had to catch himself with the heel of his hand, lest he smash his nose against the floorboards.\u00a0 He looked back to see why he had lost his balance, and his jaw dropped at the sight of the plaque and the stone marker.\u00a0 The rivet that kept the golden plate locked in place had snapped, and the tile had half fallen to the floor.<\/p>\n

Declan sat up, horrified at his blunder.\u00a0 How was he meant to explain that on his first day, he had besmirched the memory of one of the heroes of the guild?\u00a0 He leaned forward then, hoping that he could lay the golden plate back upon the portion of the rivet that remained embedded in the marble, but it fell once more.<\/p>\n

As he fiddled with the nameplate, loud voices rang out above him.\u00a0 So consumed with his mistake, Declan didn\u2019t notice the angry, worrisome cries.<\/p>\n

But he noticed the explosion that rocked the foundation of the building.\u00a0 Dust and streams of dirt fell from the ceiling when it was knocked away from the place it sat for generations.\u00a0 The lantern shuddered and waved under the odd percussion, and even the armor on the stands surrounding Declan gave off a quiet rattle that sent chills running up his spine.<\/p>\n

The lad stood up then, looking up at the woodwork above him.\u00a0 The loud voices\u2014screams and cries and angry shouts\u2014were not lost to him then.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone!\u201d he heard then.\u00a0 \u201cTo arms!\u201d<\/p>\n

Though Declan had never been in an engagement with an enemy that wanted him dead before, he felt a heat coursing through him.\u00a0 He knew that even though he had no formal training, he could be of some use to the other adventurers, and he raced out of the chamber, hoping he could remember the way out of that labyrinthine cellar.<\/p>\n

As he reached the strange circular room in the center of the basement, though, something strange happened.\u00a0 The lights emanating from the pedestals seemed to pulse, and glow brighter.\u00a0 The weapons hovering there seemed to spin in place, reacting to the dangers in the guild hall\u2014though Declan considered that perhaps the blast from the ground floor had sent them rotating.<\/p>\n

But he couldn\u2019t blame the explosion on the sudden return of the sounds he thought he had long since heard gone quiet.<\/p>\n

The whispers had returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the sword.\u00a0 You\u2019re stronger than you know.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Declan.\u00a0 The staff, and untold magic is within your grasp.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy depend on the unknown and the unreliable?\u00a0 Cold steel will never disappoint you.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have the power of the arcane flowing through you.\u00a0 All that\u2019s left is to learn to channel it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man, who thought he\u2019d dismissed the whispers forever, couldn\u2019t ignore their advice.\u00a0 If danger had come to the Adventures of Eladia, he knew that it was his duty to make a stand beside them.<\/p>\n

All that was required of him was to reach out and grab one of the ancient relics.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Continue with Chapter Two<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Voting Has Ended<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now it’s up to you.\u00a0 This is your chance to help Declan determine the very first choice in his upcoming adventure.\u00a0 Will he choose the sword or the staff?\u00a0 How will this simple choice alter the rest of the story?\u00a0 Remember, you have until the 28th this month to safely join the Tellest Newsletter<\/a> in time to cast your vote.\u00a0 I’ll be sending out newsletter emails to my readers, with the choice to select one of these two relics.\u00a0 Then, starting July 1st, I’ll discover which whispers spoke loudest to Declan.\u00a0 I hope you enjoyed the first taste of this fun new experimental project, and that you come back on July 15th to see the next chapter in this tale!<\/del><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Note: the voting period for this chapter has expired. Good morning folks.\u00a0 It is my great privilege to unveil a new feature on the Tellest site that I am hopeful you will come to enjoy.\u00a0 This is going to be a long post with a story beneath it.\u00a0 If you want to jump right to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[145,146,1951],"tags":[1947,1948,1946,1949,1950],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Featured-Whispers.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-5eg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20104"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20104"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20510,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20104\/revisions\/20510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}