{"id":4178,"date":"1984-07-13T00:01:50","date_gmt":"1984-07-13T04:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=4178"},"modified":"2016-09-06T13:37:23","modified_gmt":"2016-09-06T17:37:23","slug":"heart-forest-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/heart-forest-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart of the Forest Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prologue<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The floorboards above his head creaked, though he heard no footsteps reporting across the deck.\u00a0 He remained in his hammock, the crude netting beginning to fray in several spots.\u00a0 As the ship rocked back and forth upon the sea, that gentle undulation always had him drifting back to his memories.\u00a0 And those memories always had him subconsciously drawing his gaze back to his bow, which lay against the hull of the ship, just within reach.<\/p>\n

The ranger hadn\u2019t often been on a vessel that size before.\u00a0 His family had owned a fleet, but it was atypical for him to venture aboard any of them.\u00a0 He was being groomed for different things, although not everything that had been planned for him had worked out for the best.<\/p>\n

Those thoughts reminded him that he was leaving behind everything that he knew.\u00a0 The island country of Ippius was well behind him, along with another island that served as a proxy for his travels.\u00a0 No one could know who he was, for his mere identity could put anyone at risk, most of all himself.\u00a0 Instead, everyone thought him dead, only the latest member of the Dactyls family to perish due to unforeseen\u2014though unfortunate\u2014accidents.<\/p>\n

Kevin knew the truth of the matter, however.\u00a0 His mother and father were not killed without malcontent.\u00a0 There was no unfortunate series of events that led to their poisoning.\u00a0 And there certainly was no misfire in the hunt that would have led Kevin to take the throne of Argos.\u00a0 No, his brother\u2014his twin\u2014Helios made certain that he was to rule the island nation, and he was willing to sever ties with his family to do so.<\/p>\n

The ranger, huddled in darkness in the hold of the vessel, told himself that he wasn\u2019t fleeing.\u00a0 He had been believed dead for so long that if he rose up to challenge his brother\u2019s rule, he would be seen as nothing but a usurper.\u00a0 No, there was a better way to take back his kingdom, but the road ahead had many turns and detours.\u00a0 And if there was one person that he believed in, it was Icarus, an elf who had been a part of Tellest for longer than the kingdom of Argos.\u00a0 If he told Kevin that his skills would be best utilized to the north, who was he to argue?<\/p>\n

A choppy wave sent the hammock swaying, and Kevin grasped his makeshift bed, lamenting the comfortable one he had left behind.\u00a0 He threw his legs over the side, and caught his balance on the wobbling ground beneath him.\u00a0 Lantern light from topside shimmered down, and he followed it out of the hold.<\/p>\n

Shades of navy and cobalt blue were upon the sea at that morning hour, an eerie light that he was not familiar with.\u00a0 The ocean and the sky appeared as one, and that glow cast over the ship as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t sleep, eh boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin narrowed his eyes as one of the crew stomped down the steps and out of the mist.\u00a0 Sure enough, it was the captain of the vessel, who wore a content grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for lack of trying,\u201d the prince-turned-ranger spoke.\u00a0 \u201cThough I can\u2019t blame that on the sea.\u00a0 My mind was caught elsewhere.\u00a0 That last wave merely convinced me to rise from the hammock down below.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something about the sea that always does that,\u201d the captain said.\u00a0 \u201cIt always leads the mind elsewhere.\u00a0 I\u2019ve made my life upon these waters, but I always look to home.\u00a0 Of course, when I get there, it\u2019s only a matter of time before I yearn to be back aboard the ship, cruising upon the waves.\u00a0 You\u2019re never more alive than when you\u2019re out here with this endless blue enchantress, as fickle a witch as she be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the water that I worry about, but the storms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill a wee bit apprehensive after that squall we had a few days back?\u00a0 I thought I told ye I\u2019d have us through it without any problems.\u00a0 We\u2019ve seen typhoons that would make yer head spin.\u00a0 What we went through was a god\u2019s sneeze and nothing more.\u00a0 But the way you were holding that railing.\u00a0 I never did see knuckles that white.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust combating the motion sickness, I assure you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I thought that getting you through it in one piece would earn me yer name, lad.\u00a0 But it seems as though I\u2019m still stuck calling you boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was told by my associates to make sure that my identity was my own, and that the amount of coin I was handing over to you assured that my anonymity would be secured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, and it is\u2026 boy.\u00a0 But that only works for so long, ye see.\u00a0 I\u2019m a man of the sea.\u00a0 I don\u2019t rightly care what you\u2019re called.\u00a0 But on land, ye\u2019ll be needing to call yerself something.\u00a0 And with land so close, it might be good to think of something quick.\u201d\u00a0 The captain pointed with his chin past the bow of the ship.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, past that blue horizon, a sliver of green peeked out.\u00a0 Kevin narrowed his eyes, but he could barely see past the morning mist.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, lad,\u201d the captain said, already on his way toward the bow.\u00a0 \u201cYe\u2019ll get a much better look up this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ranger followed in the man\u2019s footsteps, leaping up the steps in anticipation.\u00a0 Whether it was because the ship was cutting through the water at an impressive pace or if the bow just felt that much closer, he could see the huge landmass beginning to take shape.\u00a0 Emerald hills seemed to cover the ends of the world, and he wondered if there was no more ocean beyond that continent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to Draconis, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter One: A Visitor to the Forest<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sparkling white parapets were dwarfed by the emerald sentinels that stood within the forest.\u00a0 Marble bridges connected those ivory towers, wrapping and winding this way and that like a beautiful spider web.\u00a0 The traveler kept his hood up, making those others upon the bridge aware that he did not have time to dawdle.\u00a0 His eyes were drawn to the towering bastion ahead of him, the unofficial capital of Cefen\u2019adiel.<\/p>\n

High above the ground, the council of elves was safe from many of the dangers of the forest, but that did not mean that they would be unprepared for surprises. \u00a0A score of elven sentries guarded that ivory citadel, and still a score more patrolled the rest of the city.\u00a0 None moved to stop the return of the scout, one of the favored sons of the forest.<\/p>\n

He continued along the meandering path until he was before the crystal doors of the place.\u00a0 They opened before him, the marble interior a swirl of white and grey.\u00a0 Topiaries thrived in the sunlight that cast down through the transparent ceiling, and beds of flowers lined paths and staircases.\u00a0 The scout kept his eyes locked upon the door at the far end of the fortress, a gateway that led to another bough that looked out over the forest.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Chernoe,\u201d a singsong voice carried to him.<\/p>\n

The scout looked about for a moment before spotting the owner of that voice.\u00a0 The elven maiden tiptoed down a winding flight of steps, bearing a wide smile that seemed to make the ivory and the marble pale in comparison.\u00a0 An azure robe draped down over her body, each ruffle bouncing with every step.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood day to you, Enidine,\u201d the scout said.\u00a0 \u201cI did not expect to see you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been busy with the forest,\u201d she cooed.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen much of each other lately at all, it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we each have our duties.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you take yours very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil the odd happenings in Cefen\u2019adiel can be explained, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019re on your way to have an audience with Tarenda?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am.\u00a0 Is she upon her dais?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLast I heard, she was.\u00a0 What news do you bring?\u201d\u00a0 Chernoe arched an eyebrow at that question, causing Enidine\u2019s smile to diminish, if only slightly.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, I should have known.\u00a0 You may retain your secrecy, Chernoe.\u00a0 After all, the queen shall inform me soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you shall here it from her lips.\u00a0 Until then, my findings remain in the shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, before your shadows begin to bore me,\u201d the maiden teased.<\/p>\n

The scout bowed his head slightly before returning to his course.\u00a0 As he passed Enidine, she continued out the way he ventured in.\u00a0 Moments later, Chernoe stood before the gateway, gazing up the large synoak branch that led to the crystal dais.\u00a0 Another elf was with the queen\u2014one that Chernoe had not seen in some time.\u00a0 He knew that his findings were likely just as important, however, and he strode forward.<\/p>\n

As the second scout reached the crystal platform, Tarenda turned her attention to him.\u00a0 \u201cChild, I hope you bring better news than Keldeyas has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true then?\u201d Chernoe asked.\u00a0 \u201cThe western side of Cefen\u2019adiel is in peril?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have not come from the west,\u201d the other scout said.\u00a0 \u201cI was pulled away from here before that task could take root, unfortunately.\u00a0 It seems that our forest is not the only place in Daltain that suffers from odd happenings.\u00a0 Forsynthia and the Knights of Gardone were recently the target of some peculiar clandestine attacks, and I was sent to investigate\u2014also in secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does this affect us?\u201d Chernoe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy child, when you\u2019ve lived as long as I have, you see that many events intertwine,\u201d Tarenda spoke.\u00a0 \u201cI fear that this may have something to do with the tears that Cefen\u2019adiel cries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lady, if I may,\u201d Keldeyas said.<\/p>\n

The queen nodded to her scout, dismissing him.\u00a0 As he passed, he clapped the younger elf on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said, I hope that you bear greater news than what Keldeyas brought me,\u201d Tarenda said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I can see in your eyes that the word you bring is not one to be celebrated.\u00a0 And I should know better than to expect good tidings in these dark days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s certainly not as bad as an attack,\u201d Chernoe insisted.\u00a0 \u201cStill, I thought it was worthy of discussion.\u00a0 A new arrival has happened upon our home.\u00a0 My other scouts have sent word to me that this lone man, a hunter by the looks of him, was delivered by ship in the early light of morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne man is not a threat, I would say,\u201d he continued.\u00a0 \u201cBut given recent circumstances, I would say it\u2019s worthy of investigation, if nothing else.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to be given permission to bring him in, if I may.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is too soon to assume him an enemy,\u201d Tarenda assured.\u00a0 \u201cBut you may keep an eye on him, of course.\u00a0 Judge him from afar, and if his actions prove him to be a dark force among this place, bring him to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, my lady,\u201d Chernoe said, bowing to his queen.\u00a0 With confidence in his gait, he returned back to the fortress.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

A forest wasn\u2019t something to be in awe of\u2014Ippius had its fair share of them, of course\u2014but there was something incredible about the sight of Cefen\u2019adiel.\u00a0 Icarus had spoke to Kevin about the immensity of the place, but the elf was always known to tell tall tales about the world that was, when floating islands filled the sky, and only three races walked the planet.\u00a0 Kevin was never sure whether Icarus was telling truths or spinning yarns just to get the better of him.<\/p>\n

In sight of those massive trees, though, Kevin questioned all the tales that Icarus had told.\u00a0 Perhaps there was a time when elves had taken to flight on islands; perhaps there was a time before lagano and kaja and trolls and gnomes lived on the surface; and perhaps there was a time before the gods.<\/p>\n

Kevin would not be intimidated by the sheer size of the forest, nor its majesty.\u00a0 He was given a specific set of instructions, and he intended to carry them out.\u00a0 With no road before him, however, he was forced to make his way through Cefen\u2019adiel by carving his own path.\u00a0 With his bow hooked over his shoulder, he strode forward.<\/p>\n

Despite the size of those trees, they were far and few between.\u00a0 Kevin nodded in appreciation of the fact, aware of how dark the forest would have been if they were left to block out the sun.\u00a0 Between them, though, were trees of a size that he was more familiar, more comfortable with.\u00a0 Those ones persevered despite the chill of autumn that was coming to Draconis in the north.<\/p>\n

Cefen\u2019adiel seemed as lively as any place that Kevin had ever seen.\u00a0 He heard fauna rustling through the few fallen leaves, and heard the howls of wolves in the distances.\u00a0 With his hand resting upon his bow, the ranger traipsed forward, never meandering too far from his path.\u00a0 He knew he had to travel north, though he unsure how far or to where in particular.\u00a0 Icarus hadn\u2019t steered him wrong yet, though, and he had no cause to question the elf\u2019s wisdom.\u00a0 Confident, he continued forward.<\/p>\n

For one more step.<\/p>\n

Kevin felt the tightening of a rope around his ankle, and he looked down to see it cinched tightly.\u00a0 He heard the snap of the trap, and that unshakable certainty was suddenly drained from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot again,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

In a split second, he was ripped off his feet and flung into the air.\u00a0 Dangling upside down, he was disoriented, but not so much that he didn\u2019t feel his bow slip from his shoulder.\u00a0 He reached out in an attempt to catch it, but it slipped from his fingers, falling to the ground below.<\/p>\n

While he teetered in the air, he heard the approach of someone below.\u00a0 Though he was caught within the snare, he drew on the training that Icarus had instilled on him.\u00a0 The footsteps were deliberate, carving a path through the fallen leaves so that he could hear the approach.\u00a0 In only a few moments, Kevin could see the inverted image of the elven scout, who wore a mischievous grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look like you\u2019re in trouble up there, stranger,\u201d Chernoe spoke.\u00a0 \u201cMight you need some help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Furling his brow, the ranger crossed his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cNonsense.\u00a0 This was a brilliant tactical maneuver.\u00a0 I can see the whole forest from up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well then.\u00a0 I shall leave you to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Chernoe started away, the ranger blew out a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cI was sent here by Icarus to speak with Queen Tarenda.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Icarus chooses his champions wisely, I see.\u00a0 And who might you be?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin hesitated, remembering the words that the ship\u2019s captain said.\u00a0 He needed a name, but he could not give the one he was known for.\u00a0 Instead, he reached back to a name he had used recently and thought himself rid of.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am called Steel Tip.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prologue   The floorboards above his head creaked, though he heard no footsteps reporting across the deck.\u00a0 He remained in his hammock, the crude netting beginning to fray in several spots.\u00a0 As the ship rocked back and forth upon the sea, that gentle undulation always had him drifting back to his memories.\u00a0 And those memories […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-15o","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4178"}],"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=4178"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4179,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4178\/revisions\/4179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}