Eldoria's Last Hope, page 1
Table of Contents
Imprint
Foreword
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XIX
XX
XXI
Epilogue
A word to my readers
Imprint
Any inconsistencies in the text are due to the fact that it was translated using computer-aided technology for a company-wide study.
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Foreword
"True strength is not found in the steel of the axe, but in the heart that wields it. Only those who fall and rise again know the path to greatness."
I
Visions
The sun rose slowly over the mountains of Eldoria. Fog still hung over the large meadow next to the narrow path that wound its way down the mountain. The path led through small caves and past narrow gorges. At its end, the forest began.
Khaldor walked the path every day and covered the four kilometers faster than anyone else in his tribe. He lived with his clan in the lower part of the mountain, which they called Iron Crag. His ancestors had dug deep into the rock, and over time, a comfortable dwelling had been created, which had grown from generation to generation. By now, the cave was so large that even the tamed Zwoggel had an enclosure in the safety of the mountain and no longer had to sleep in the sharp wind that blew around the mountains.
Khaldor was a dwarf of the Rockhammer clan. As was customary in his clan, he wore his hair tied back and his beard was artfully braided. His short legs were strong and his arms were powerful. Admittedly, he was a little too small even for his people, and his round belly bulged slightly over his waistband, but this did not bother him. Apart from hunting, food was his greatest passion, and as everyone knew, the dwarves' cuisine was always worth the trip. People came from all over the country to stop at a dwarven tavern and enjoy the food.
When it came to hunting, however, he was not so lenient. He let nothing distract him and relentlessly pursued his prey, which included not only wild zwoggeln but also the much larger elous .
Elous are the animals most commonly found in the forests. Due to their size and the huge horn on their heads, which resembles antlers, they are not without danger. They are basically peaceful animals, but even the most skilled hunters have been injured by an Elou . Such injuries were always very deep and dangerous, as the antlers were covered with a whitish secretion that prevented the wound from healing. The best healers among the dwarves had to use all their skill and knowledge to heal such a wound. And even then, it was still uncertain whether the injured person would actually recover from the wound.
That's why Khaldor was very careful. He crept through the thicket, ears pricked, ready to raise his spear and strike. He was glad he had dressed a little more summery. Today he was wearing only shorts made of Elou leather and a shirt made of simple fabric. He had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt so that the sun could warm his arms and legs. Despite the cool mountain air, the sun's rays were so strong that he quickly got sunburned. But he didn't notice.
He was completely focused on the hunt. He usually used a bow, but he was also skilled with a spear and went hunting with it from time to time. Especially when he wanted to kill an Elou .
Hour after hour passed, and just as he was about to get up and head home, there was a rustling in the bushes opposite his position.
Khaldor held his breath. There was another rustling sound. A Fleehm jumped out of the bushes and paused. Its long ears were pointed straight up. Holding its nose to the wind, the Fleehm looked around.
He assumed the coast was clear because the small, fluffy animal began to groom itself. "Now or never," he thought. "Better to come home with a fleehm as prey than no catch at all."
Khaldor slowly rose and prepared to throw his spear. He stretched his left arm forward to keep his balance and his right arm, which held the weapon, far back. He estimated the distance, took aim, and was about to hurl the spear with full force into the clearing. Right where the fleehm had been sitting. He paused, hesitated, and lowered both arms. Where his prey had been sitting just a moment ago, there was now only flattened purple grass.
He looked around gloomily and lowered his head. Now he had to return to his clan without prey. With his head bowed and shoulders slumped, dragging the spear behind him, he set off on his way back. He looked around once more.
The sky was clear. Not a single cloud was in sight. He took a deep breath of fresh air and was glad to be back in the forest. He liked the cave in the mountain where he was born and raised, but he loved the freedom he felt only in the forest just as much. The air smelled of fresh grass and tree leaves. He could even smell the fallen trees that had fallen victim to the last storm and the trees that had been lying on the forest floor for a long time, as well as the earth at the roots and the rotting tree trunks that were already covered with moss. It was already dusk, and he knew he wouldn't be home before the moon rose over the mountains.
He was still thinking about his failure in the clearing when he was startled out of his thoughts by a glimmer in the distance. As quietly as a dwarf could, he crept closer. Step by step, holding his breath, he approached the glimmer. The closer he got, the brighter the glow became, pulsing ever so slightly but steadily. With every step he took toward the glow, he grew more nervous and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. The air around him seemed to crackle, like during a strong summer thunderstorm. Khaldor grew uneasy. Nevertheless, he continued on. He didn't know if it was right or sensible, but he couldn't help himself. He had to find out where the glow was coming from.
He continued with slow and hesitant steps. Once, he thought he saw an outline in the glow, but dismissed it as a reflection in his eye.
Some tall bushes stood in his way, so he had to consider whether to go around them or through them. Khaldor decided to take the direct route and went through. Small branches grabbed at his face, others caught in his beard. But he continued onward, unstoppable. The thorns of the bush scratched his bare arms and legs, but he ignored it. Dwarf skin was tough and robust, and such a small thorn could not harm it. The undergrowth became lighter and lighter, and Khaldor stepped out of the forest. Then he saw it. His eyes widened and a soft groan escaped his lips.
In the halls of Duraznâr, no one knew what was happening at the edge of the forest. Tornir paced impatiently through the dwarf kingdom. His son should have been at the forge hours ago.
"Where is that damn brat?" he shouted angrily, stomping toward the stables. Xeglom surely knew where Khaldor was.
The stables were located near the stone gate, which is why every dwarf he passed felt his anger. One dwarf was so startled that he dropped his basket full of mushrooms on the ground, and they tumbled merrily across the path.
"Watch where you're going, you good-for-nothing!" cursed Tornir, giving the dwarf a shove so that he fell backwards onto his backside.
"Hey, what the..." he asked, but fell silent before he could finish his sentence.
The look on his counterpart's face told him it would be wiser to remain silent. Tornir was the best blacksmith in the community, but as good as he was, he was also quick-tempered. When the time came to elect a new leader, everyone voted for him because they feared his wrath. But apart from that, he had also been the only logical choice. No other dwarf would have been able to lead the clan as Tornir did.
Tornir continued on, heading straight for the stables. Even from a distance, he could see Xeglom feeding the Zwoggel .
First, he separated the bucks from the does and kids. The bucks showed no mercy to their lambs when it came to feeding, and with their large curved horns, they pushed any rival away from the trough, which could sometimes result in injuries. Sometimes a small, weak lamb would be trampled to death in the feeding frenzy.
As an experienced Zwoggel herder , Xeglom knew how to tame even the most stubborn animals and train them to be mounts. The fact that the dwarves could ride the animals saved them a lot of time and effort. This allowed them to reach the valley more quickly to trade or to get fresh water and fish from the large pond. The Zwoggel were also well suited as pack animals.
Tornir headed straight for Xeglom, who had his back to him.
"Where is he?" he blurted out, and Xeglom flinched. Startled, he turned around and looked at Tornir.
"Who do you mean?" he asked.
"Who else could I mean? Khaldor, of course. He was supposed to help me in the forge."
"Isn't he back yet?" Xeglom asked, his voice trembling.
"He didn't want to stay away that long."
"I'll pull his ears when I catch him," Tornir thundered.
"Tell me where he is right now!"
Xeglom scratched his head.
"He's hunting, but he didn't want to stay long. He promised me." Xeglom could see Tornir's anger rising.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked eagerly, trying to appease his leader.
The old dwarf could no longer control himself, and Xeglom could have sworn he saw his eyes flash.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tornir shouted, the vein in his neck swelling more and more.
"When I say I need help, I don't mean you should send your lackeys."
With these words, he turned and left the bewildered Xeglom behind without giving him a chance to reply.
Xeglom waited until Tornir was out of sight, then dropped everything and ran off like a bolt of lightning.
His path led him straight to the large assembly hall, where everyone always met in the evening to laugh, dance, and drink a strong beer or two.
Apart from dwarven cuisine, strong beer was the dwarves' second specialty. But none of the other peoples could drink even a single tankard without losing their clear head. This brew was too strong.
Xeglom slowed down. The closer he got to the hall, the slower he became. At the same time, he kept an eye out for Ilfi. His gaze wandered around, pausing here and there before moving on. There, at the far end of the hall, he saw her.
Ilfi was sitting at a table, her hands on a jug in front of her. She was gazing dreamily into the large fire burning around each pillar.
He headed purposefully toward her and began waving his arms. He called her name several times. Either she couldn't hear him, or she was so deep in thought that she didn't notice the hustle and bustle around her at all. Only when he stood next to her and tapped her on the shoulder did Ilfi startle and look at him with a dreamy gaze.
"Hello, Xeglom. How are you?" she asked in a friendly voice.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Khaldor," he blurted out. "Have you seen him?"
Ilfi's smile widened. Her eyes lit up at the sound of the name. It was more than obvious to everyone that she had a crush on Khaldor. Small wrinkles formed around her eyes and her cheeks turned so red that they contrasted sharply with her pale face, framed by white hair . She looked down at the floor and looked a little embarrassed.
"Is he on his way here?" she asked quietly, lifting her head for a moment, only to lower it again the next.
"He's not here," replied Xeglom.
Ilfi chuckled to herself. "Then he'll be here soon. We wanted to watch the sunset together."
Xeglom shook his head. "Don't you understand? HE'S NOT HERE, he's gone! He wanted to go hunting. This morning. But he wanted to be back before lunch. Have you seen him?"
Now she seemed to understand. She jumped up like an arrow and ran out of the hall and up the many steps to the stone gate. At full speed, she turned her head briefly and called to Xeglom:
"Come on, are you planning to put down roots here? We have to find Khaldor."
Wearing only a thin dress, she ran through the large gate and out into the increasingly cold darkness. Xeglom was close behind her.
Khaldor couldn't believe his eyes. Standing in the middle of the light was an Elou , but it was no ordinary one. It was snow-white and a good meter taller than any Elou he had ever seen. The animal's eyes glowed bright blue, and the mighty antlers on its head, which had fourteen points, looked as if they were made of liquid gold. The Elou seemed to be staring at him.
Khaldor looked around uncertainly. Was the Elou really looking at him? He took a small step forward to test how the animal would react.
To his surprise, it turned toward him and also took a step closer. Khaldor stopped. The Elou continued walking. The dwarf took a step back. He didn't know what to make of it. He had never encountered an Elou that didn't immediately run away. This was unusual.
He took another step back.
"You don't need to be afraid."
Khaldor's eyes widened. Had the Elou really just spoken? He looked around but saw no one else.
"W...w...w..." he stammered, and before he could even get a proper word out, he heard the voice speak again.
"My name is Bheldram. I have come because the land needs your help."
Khaldor couldn't get a word out. He just stared at the Elou with his mouth open. After what felt like an eternity of silence, he broke the silence and asked a question, trying to make his voice sound firmer.
"There is no such thing as an Elou who can speak. Xeglom, is that you? Are you playing another prank on me?"
He didn't find it too far-fetched that he was the victim of a prank, since he and Xeglom regularly played pranks on each other. And that could very well be the case here.
"Xeglom! Show yourself! I know you're here somewhere."
But nothing moved. Khaldor looked around, trying to see behind every bush and tree in the dim light. But there was no one there. Except for Bheldram, who looked at him with curious eyes.
"This is no prank, Khaldor. It's really me. Even though I'm not standing before you in my true form. But I am Bheldram."
Now Khaldor was speechless. Only a few moments passed as he looked back and forth between his feet and Bheldram.
"Can this really be true?" he asked himself, and answered his own question.
"It must be true. It is written in the ancient scriptures that Bheldram sometimes takes the form of an animal to walk among mortals."
He wasn't sure whether he should trust Elou or not. But he wanted to believe him. When he found his voice again, he gathered all his courage and spoke to Bheldram. "You are... Bheldram... the father... of ALL dwarves... who carved all dwarves out of stone... and breathed life into them? The creator of the mountains and the sky? Our Krak'dar ?"
Bheldram said nothing. He just looked at Khaldor with a serious expression and nodded slightly. Khaldor straightened up, lifted his chin, and stood with his chest puffed out proudly, like a warrior receiving an award from his king.
"Khaldor, son of Tornir, hunter of the Rockhammer Clan, is at your service. Whatever I can do for you, I will do," he said, almost solemnly.
Bheldram came closer and sank down on his front legs to lie down in the soft grass.
"Sit down, Khaldor, let's have a talk. We have a lot to discuss."
The dwarf sat down next to Bheldram and made himself comfortable in the tall grass. They were silent for a while until Bheldram spoke.
"You must go."
Khaldor looked at him in bewilderment, wondering what that meant. They had only just sat down.
"Not right away," Bheldram continued. "But you don't have much time left. You should be on your way tomorrow at sunrise."
Bheldram paused briefly, pulling out a tuft of grass with his front teeth and chewing it with relish before continuing:
"You have a long journey ahead of you. You must go north. Just far enough to reach the village of Iptasi. From there, you will continue east. I cannot say what dangers lie ahead, but you must be on your guard."
"But how will I know when I've reached my destination? What am I supposed to do there?" Khaldor blurted out. "What will become of my family? I can't leave my siblings alone."
A tear slowly ran down his cheek and caught in his beard. Now Bheldram looked at him seriously.
"Listen, Khaldor," Bheldram said. "You don't seem to understand the gravity of the situation. The fate of the entire country lies in your hands. You are the best hunter beyond the seas, and the country needs a good hunter now. If you fail, nothing will ever be the same again. Marshal Trez'gath wants to plunge the known world into chaos. He is already attacking the western lands with his hordes, leaving nothing but burned farms and dead livestock in his wake. The people he encounters on his way disappear without a trace. Some whisper that he commands an army of Drak'nar who eat their victims alive."
Khaldor thought for a moment. "But what am I supposed to do in the east when the enemy is coming from the west?" he finally asked.
"You are a good hunter," replied Bheldram. "But you cannot defeat Trez'gath alone. You will need help. That is why you must go east to find Menora. She can help you. However, it will not be easy to win her over to your cause. But the two of you together could do it," Bheldram concluded.
Khaldor stood up and shook his legs. They had fallen asleep from sitting in the grass. He paced back and forth, going over Bheldram's words in his mind again and again. He had made a decision! Carefully, always watching Bheldram's reactions, he sank back down into the grass in front of him and nodded.
"Good. I will go. For my clan. By my father's beard, I swear that I will find Menora and convince her to help me," he concluded and waited for Bheldram's reaction.
Bheldram actually seemed to smile and nodded. "So be it!" he said and snorted.
The two looked at each other and Khaldor smiled. They talked for a long time about the creation of the dwarves and the entire world. The stars were high in the sky and the bright moon was approaching its zenith when Khaldor fell asleep.
