Author's note: In some of the chapters many locations are mentioned, so should anyone want a map of Denrendél, just send me an e-mail requesting it.
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Introduction

On the Porch of the Milestone Tavern

The night had fallen on the peaceful town of Well’s High and the winter sun had set a few hours ago on the fields of Lleurmark. The blackness of night dominated the lands throughout this province now, but in the small village of Well’s High, lanterns fought beside the moon and a blanket of white stars to light the town.

Well’s High was a small town inhabited by Humans that lay in the quiet and vigorous lands of south-eastern Lleurmark. The town lay on the borders of Eldare Woods and was met to the south by the Lake of Deeps; a lake believed to contain the freshest and clearest water in all of Denrendél. It was said that the water came from the deepest place in the world, a place of honesty and peace.

The people of the town were much like the people inhabiting all the small towns of Lleurmark. Their attention was minded on their own affairs and they desired little to know of life outside their town. The people kept their knowledge on their work and desired above all else to go about their business in peace. Ever so often, strangers from other regions of Lleurmark would come to visit, but never to travel through. There were even rumours that Elves from Eldare and other places, would visit the town in the shadows and bathe in the Lake of Deeps under the moon when all light had disappeared from the streets and all eyes had been shut in the houses. The people of Well’s High desired neither the strangers nor the rumours of Elves in their town. However, when the strangers left, they had nothing but high praises for the town and its people.

There were only a few people who walked the rock-strewn streets on this evening, as most of the inhabitants desired to spend their time in the shelter and warmth of their homes and prepare for the morrow with sleep, peace and their families.

At The Milestone Tavern was an atmosphere of pleasure though and the peace was not spoken in this place. The tavern of the town was filled with a crowd of mainly males that all sang, drank and showed much attention to the few young women who were also there. Two young males had chosen to sit outside the tavern because this gave them the possibility of both enjoying the atmosphere of the tavern and the strong brew, but they were also allowed to converse. However, they sat in silence and the peace of the town was in their eyes as they sat by each other and beheld the empty streets.

The tavern was crafted by the use of dark timber and two windows faced an eastern direction which made it possible for the two males to look into the tavern. In front of the tavern was a little porch and a small staircase led to it and one of the two young males sat on the ground by this staircase with his back against the porch. He had short, dark hair and his physique was thin and long. The other was average build and had long, dark blond hair that reached half way down his back and was tied in a nose by his neck. This male sat on the porch next to the staircase with his feet on the gravel ground and his back against a beam that supported the porch-roof.

“It’s a nice evening, isn’t it Cinaed?” the dark-haired male asked, as he briefly looked to the male on the porch that looked back at him.

“It is,” Cinaed replied and took the final sip of his pint. His face looked very content and as he sat by his friend in solitude, he could do nothing but enjoy the atmosphere and keep quiet to derive pleasure from it.

Nevertheless, his friend felt a need to converse, although he too enjoyed the silence of their relationship. “Have you thought about what we should do for Rylothe’s birthday?” he asked, as he for a brief moment turned to look at Cinaed.

“Nay, I haven’t thought much about it, Nieckas,” Cinaed replied. “I must admit that… I think Rylothe has other matters to think about these days,” the male said, as he looked to his friend with a look of sympathy on his face.

“I think he would like some kind of celebration, if you know my point?” Nieckas said, as his eyes followed a young woman who passed by the tavern; she walked slowly and could do nothing to keep back a smile as she saw Nieckas look at her.

“I don’t know. He…” Cinaed started.

“Nice,” Nieckas said through a naughty smile as the woman had passed them.

“What?” Cinaed asked, as he looked to Nieckas and saw that his attention was not on their conversation.

“Nothing,” Nieckas simply said, as he smiled the smile of the naughty and embarrassed. “Please continue.”

Cinaed shook his head and rolled his eyes, as he spoke, “He probably would like for something to be done, but I think this year we should do something… other than just having an evening here at the Milestone.”

“Like what?”

“A few years ago, we went to discover the Giants on Miehl’s birthday,” Cinaed remembered. “Something like that might be a good idea.”

“Do you think so?” Nieckas asked, as he looked back at Cinaed.

“Hello,” a male behind the two spoke, as he exited the tavern with three pints in his right hand. “How are the two of you doing on this fine evening?”

“Fine, thank you,” Nieckas replied, as he greeted his friend with a smile.

“Speak of the devil,” Cinaed said without turning around. “Miehl.”

Miehl was of average height, but his physical condition appeared strong. He had shoulder long, light blond hair. When he sat down on the little staircase that led to the porch in front of the tavern, he gave a pint to both Cinaed and Nieckas.

“Thank you,” Nieckas said, as he quickly took a sip to keep from spilling the heavy and tasty brew. “We didn’t see you in the Milestone,” Nieckas said, while he put the pint on the ground next to him.

“I was in the back,” Miehl said, as he gave Cinaed a nudge and sent a falsely large smile to his friend. A little chuckle escaped him just before he took a small sip of his pint.

“What is it with the two of you tonight?” Cinaed said as he in humour shook his head.

“What?” Nieckas asked as he looked up at first Cinaed and then to the smiling Miehl. “What did I do?”

“Give no attention to it,” Cinaed spoke. “Seems busy in the Milestone tonight.” His words were aimed at Miehl that was in the process of taking a sip that halved the contents of his pint.

“It is,” Miehl said, as he wiped some brew from his lips with the sleeve of his brown and torn shirt. “Muhrc has lowered his prices again and people are thanking him for that. Also I think there’s some birthday party or something going on,” Miehl told. As he quickly finished his pint, he asked, “Which reminds me. Have we made plans for Rylothe yet?”

“Not yet,” Nieckas said. “We were just talking about that, actually. We thought we might travel away for a few days or something like that.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Miehl said, as he leaned forward. “It would be good for Rylothe to get a bit away from it all for a few days, yes?”

“That’s what we think,” Nieckas told. “And it was great fun when we went to see the Giants on your birthday; even though we found nothing.”

“Fun it was,” Miehl quickly said. “More fun than finding the Trolls anyway,” Miehl concluded through a laugh. Cinaed and Nieckas nodded their heads in agreement.

For a while, the three young males sat on and by the porch of The Milestone Tavern and talked of many things, but none of them were of any great importance. The wind got colder, but the three friends kept outside the tavern nonetheless. They only went into the tavern when they needed to get pints of ale and once Nieckas quickly went to his house that lay close by and got four robes to keep them warm from the cold winds.

“It seems odd that Rylothe is so late,” Nieckas said when he returned as he looked to Cinaed and handed him one of the robes.

“It does,” Cinaed replied, “but Nieckas, you must remember that Rylothe was given information not too far ago. And this information is likely to be difficult to sort out. So it’s not strange that he may act a bit odd these days.”

“I guess so, Cinaed,” Nieckas replied as he threw another robe over Miehl’s head, which made him spill some of his ale. “And he has been acting strange for awhile.” Nieckas looked to Cinaed, as he spoke in sincerity, “His been pulling away from Miehl lately.”

“Is this true?” Cinaed asked, as his eyes fell on Miehl.

“It is,” Miehl replied. “I guess he’s working a lot of things out.” Miehl paused and sat back, so his elbows touched the timber boards of the porch. “It’s like you said, he’s just acting a bit odd and has good reason to.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Cinaed said.

“Think nothing of it,” Miehl spoke. “I doubt not that he is my friend, so…”

“We’ll talk to him when he arrives,” Nieckas said with a smile on his lips. The black haired male looked around the calm town of Well’s High. His eyes were not in search, but curious. “It’s a beautiful evening though, isn’t it?”

“It still is,” Cinaed tersely said.

“The moon’s almost full, the wind’s fairly warm, considering the season, and there are many nice looking women in the Milestone tonight.” Nieckas smiled, as he uttered the last observation and his smile was quickly accompanied by smiles from his friends and a cocky laugh from Miehl.

“You’re right,” Miehl replied, as he took in a large dose of the evening air and looked around with joy in his eyes. “And many new women also. I think the party inside is for someone who does not live here in the High.”

The town grew ever more still, lights went out in the homes and soon all people who were still awake had gathered at the town tavern. The mood was pleasant and all had set their minds on excitement.

“Hello, friends,” a male with long, black hair spoke, as he approached the three by the tavern. He wore a long, brown robe and had a look on his face that signalled gladness, composure and serenity.

“Hi, Rylothe,” Miehl quickly spoke, as he saw his friend approach. Nieckas and Cinaed gave signs of greeting to him. “We were just about to give up on you.”

“I am sorry that I’m late,” Rylothe spoke, as he sat down next to Cinaed and gave him a pad on the shoulder. “I just got tied up in conversations with my mother.”

As he had spoken his words, Rylothe looked intensely at Cinaed and as he got his attention, Rylothe diverted his gaze briefly and intensely looked to the tavern, before he again looked at Cinaed. With a look of seriousness, Cinaed turned around to see what Rylothe wanted him to see. However, he saw nothing and turned back around, only to see Rylothe drink his pint. Cinaed rolled his eyes and smiled to the newly arrived friend.

“All right,” Nieckas spoke with a smile on his lips that told Rylothe that it was not a problem. “Did she tell you anything new about your father?”

“Not really new, just interesting,” Rylothe said. He wanted to speak more, but for a moment, he had to think if that was prudent. He desired not to jinx his news nor let other be too exited.

“I can’t believe your father is the king,” Miehl spoke, while a laugh of astonishment escaped him.

“Me neither,” Nieckas inserted.

Rylothe looked around the group, as a smile grew wide on his face. “It sure is something, isn’t it?” Rylothe got to his feet and moved in front of the three others, before he went on, “It be like a dream come true. My father is not only the king of Lleurmark, but a kind man, this we all know.” The male took a brief pause, before he went on, “I never thought I should know a father and now my father turned out to be the king.”

“That he is,” Cinaed stated. “A nice man and a fine governor.”

“And that makes you the prince, yes?” Miehl said with a wide smile on his face.

Rylothe looked at Miehl and returned the smile. For a while he had to think about what Miehl had just said for it made no sense to his mind. “And my mother tells me that he knew nothing of my existence, so it’s not like he abandoned me.” Rylothe took pause to enjoy what he told. “Apparantly, his a great mage also, so maybe I do have some latent abilities.”

“Maybe,” Nieckas said in compassion, as his heart was filled with delight when he looked to his friend.

“I have always thought myself capable of magic, but never quite known how to ably my abilities,” Rylothe said. “But now I shall devote more time to the world of magic.”

“It’s good that you found out about your father, Rylothe,” Cinaed started, “but do not get… carried away with thoughts of the impossible. You should focus more on the tangible pleasures of what you have learned.”

“What do you mean?” Rylothe asked, as he stood up and pointed to the doors of the tavern. Nieckas and Miehl looked in wonder to the door, but saw nothing of importance.

“You’re not getting my pint, fool,” Cinaed said. “Get your own.”

“Damn,” Rylothe spat in humour, before he said, “You were saying?”

“I think it’s great that you found your father, of course,” Cinaed started with a smile on his lips that sought to mellow the words he spoke, “but I think you’re filling your mind with ideas of what can not be.”

“What is it that can not be, Cinaed?” Rylothe asked with an apparent scepticism in his voice. Meanwhile Nieckas and Miehl looked at each other in a manner that showed that they were not at ease with what was happening.

“Magic,” Cinaed said. “We have all survived about 18 winters in Lleurmark and none of us have ever seen any magic.”

“Nieckas has only survived 12,” Miehl said in humour, as he desired to end or divert the conversation of Rylothe and Cinaed. However, in this, he was not successful and the conversation went on without acknowledging his words.

“And you think because you have not yet seen it, it can not be real?” Rylothe asked. “It’s about time you learn that something is real whether you can see it or not.” Rylothe took pause, before he went on in more friendly tone, “It strikes me as odd that I am to explain this to you for after all you are not too far from being the new reverend of Well’s High.”

Cinaed gave a sigh, as his eyes set on a fight with Rylothe. However, before he could speak, he felt the hand of Miehl on his shoulder. This made him take pause and only say, “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I just don’t want you to get disappointed.”

“I understand,” Rylothe replied. “I should apologise also. I know you’ll make a fine reverend. You just need to let me believe that I can be something great too.”

Cinaed sent a smile of both apologise and forgiveness to Rylothe, and said, “This I do not doubt even for a moment, Rylothe. I think you can be all you want to be. For I think…

“Thank you.”

“You stand second to none,” Cinaed almost whispered.

The noise from inside The Milestone Tavern declined, as the heavy brew started to take effect and the hours ran late. However, the mood was just as content inside, as it was outside, where Rylothe, Miehl, Cinaed and Nieckas found peace, kinship and delight in the company of each other.

“Maybe you should come with me to Lightstone,” Cinaed said, with his eyes on Rylothe. “This should give you a great opportunity to meet your father and…”

Rylothe’s gaze diverted from the window of the tavern to Cinaed, as he said, “You’re going to Lightstone?”

“Yes,” Cinaed replied, as his eyes grew wondering. “I thought I had told you this.”

“Nay. These tidings were not given to me ere now.”

“Strange,” Cinaed said, as he looked to Nieckas and asked, “Didn’t I tell you either?” As Nieckas shook his head, so did Cinaed and looked to Miehl. “I know I told you.” When Miehl nodded his head, Cinaed concluded, “I tell too much at this place and with this brew in me to remember it all.”

“That you do,” Rylothe said with a playful smile on his lips.

“Well,” Cinaed began, “I’m going to Lightstone Castle in a week or so to meet the king actually. He is to knight me.”

Cinaed wanted to speak more, but he was interrupted by Nieckas that spoke, “Knighted.” As Cinaed kept quiet and nodded his head, Nieckas went on, “Congratulations. When did this come about?”

“A few weeks ago,” Cinaed replied. “Like Rylothe said, I am to take over from Persyon and become the new reverend. But Persyon thought that I should be the new champion of Well’s High too. Apparantly these tasks used to be connected ere Persyon substituted my father.”

“Really?” Nieckas inserted.

“Right. And this apparantly demands knighthood,” Cinaed told. “And if they desire to knight me, I shall not argue with them.”

“Of course not,” Miehl inserted. “The women usually likes the knights.”

A chuckle escaped Cinaed, as he nodded at Miehl. “But I never knew that my father and his forefathers were knights and champions. Did you know this?” The others shook their heads.

“And so you’re going to Lightstone to be knighted by king Llestayn?” Nieckas asked. His eyes were with confusion, but also content and sympathy.

“I am,” Cinaed replied. “And this should also make it so that Rylothe the Pintstealer could meet his father.”

“That’s a great idea,” Nieckas said, as he straightened his back. “We should all go together to Lightstone.”

“Just point me the way,” Miehl said with a wide smile on his lips. “The stories I hear of that place should make me pack any day of the week and twice on Sunday.”

“I don’t know,” Rylothe said as his eyes looked away from the group.

“I doesn’t really matter what you know, prince,” Miehl quickly said. “It is settled and we are all going to Lightstone.” Miehl was a bit playful, but also serious, as he did not want to give Rylothe the time to feel afraid about facing what he had to face sometime.

“It’s a big decision to make, Miehl,” Rylothe started. “For what if he is not my father or he does not want anything to do with me?”

“Then that’s sad,” Miehl replied, “but you have to see him sometime, right?”

“I know,” Rylothe replied, as a sigh of apprehension escaped him and a smile of gratitude was on his lips. “But I don’t think I’m ready yet.”

“How about this?” Nieckas started. “We all go to Lightstone Castle with Cinaed, to see him in his hour of glory. And if you feel ready to meet your father, you do that and if you don’t we… Then we just return without doing that.”

“I guess that would be a good idea,” Rylothe said.

“Do you think so?” Nieckas said with a smile on his face.

“I do,” Rylothe replied as he requited the smile. “It would probably be good for me to get a bit closer, so to speak.” Rylothe looked around at his friends that all was in apparent content with his choice, so in conclusion he asked, “When do we leave?”

As the clock of the minor marketplace of Well’s High struck three the decision was made. The group had once more planned a journey, but this time it would be of greater importance. None of them feared what would come for it promised to be a good journey that would bestow pleasure and understanding on them all. For another hour, the four young males sat outside The Milestone Tavern and enjoyed the company and the brew in the cool breeze of the Denrendélian winds.

On the next morning, Cinaed, Rylothe, Nieckas and Miehl left Well’s High to go to the town of Lightstone and the castle of the king. None of them had desired to wait a few days as they could easily have done, so they left as quickly as possible. When they left Well’s High alongside a pony to carry their bags and equipment, they were all of them in high spirits and they found much comfort and joy in each other and the prospect of a travel.

However, their journey to Lightstone Castle did not come to pass as they had planned and much happened that estranged them. They had planned to be gone for only a few weeks or at the most for a moon, before they would again travel back to Well’s High. Nevertheless, their story unfolded in different ways than expected or wanted and they would not travel back to Well’s High together. It came to turn out so that it would be eight years before they again would travel together as friends…