Galdor and the four swords PART 3. Original Steemit fiction

_{If you just discovered this series you can find the previous parts here: PART 1 and PART 2}

Introduction

I hope you all have been enjoying this short story and apologize for the delay getting part 3 posted. I appreciate all your support in the comments and upvotes. For this chapter of Galdor’s tale I’ve done a little something different. Artwork in the previous posts are digitally colored, pencil sketches, but this week there’s no digital work. Ink, colored pencil, and watercolor only were used out of inspiration from @inber, an artist here on steemit who’s watercolors are much, much better than mine. If you like ink drawings and watercolors, give her profile a look and consider following her.

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PART 3

The rest of the night passed without event. Morning came calmly as the sun rose from behind the mountain ridge. Elyon led the way and found a manageable trail from the bowl. Atop the ridge, a cold breeze could be felt blowing down from the massive peak to the south.

The view was amazing. Galdor could see the colony on the western shore. To the east there was a massive sea bordered by snow covered mountains far to the north and a peninsula stretching out from the massive mountain to their south. Galdor couldn’t imagine how far their search would take them.

“There,” Elyon said pointing to the horizon. “A settlement of some kind, far out on that peninsula.” Galdor could make out the columns of wispy smoke now.

Looking down at the landscape below the mountain ridge Almar shares his concern. “We'll be right along the base of that mountain on our way there.”

The icy peak towered in the sky, announcing the menacing possibility of being spotted by Dverg. The Valdari believed their colony was still unknown to the native race of these lands; they feared what would happen if the Dverg discovered they traveled east of Barrier Mountain. If the Dverg leave their tunnels they could easily overpower the small number of Valdari in the colony.

“We should be fine if we follow the edge of the water.” Elyon started the decent, Almar shortly followed. Galdor took an extra moment to take in the magnificent view. The crisp, cold air also urged him to take another nervous glance at the frozen mountain top. Were the Dverg to be feared? They hide in the mountains and the Valdari tower over them. Imagining a confrontation between the two races, Galdor didn’t think there could be much to worry about, but he wasn’t going to be the cause of them discovering the answer.

After descending the ridge Elyon managed to find an easy path through the trees. The terrain started to flatten, and the trees grew in a more scattered pattern as they neared the water. Elyon, still in the lead, stopped and lifted a hand.

“I heard something.” They all stood still. The sun shone from high above, reflecting off the sea ahead. Their morning hike over the ridge was done mostly in silence; the previous night’s encounter seemed to sap idle conversation. This was the first time one of them spoke since they stood atop the ridge.

“Movement?” Almar asked.

“Voices,” Elyon replied, raising alertness in the other two.

“This could be it. We need to find out…” Almar's eagerness could be heard in his voice.

Elyon sternly swiped a hand at Almar, keying him to be quiet. The eldest of the group took a moment, looking seriously at Almar, seeming to consider something. Then he looked over at Galdor.

“We need to be careful with this. Considering last night, we don’t know what could happen. Galdor will come with me. Wait here, we’ll call if it’s safe.”

Almar was shocked. “Absolutely not! I’m the emissary and fully capable of protecting…”

“Be quiet!” Elyon looked at the tree tops in frustration. “Galdor and I will take the lead, you follow behind.” Elyon said his next words slow and distinct. “Let us assess before you announce us to the world.”

Perturbed, Almar gave a nod. Elyon then gave Galdor a nod while drawing his sword. Galdor understood and revealed his blade to the shining sun. They slowly went through the trees, taking a route offering concealment over ease of travel.

It seemed an excessive amount of time passed; perhaps whatever made the sound was gone. Then all three of them heard it. It came faintly through the trees and was strangely familiar. The sound was certainly speech, not animal. Although it was subdued, the voice made the scouts pause in alarm. After the startle passed, Galdor felt a mix of nervousness and exhilaration now they knew something was there, and close. Elyon and Galdor advanced together another 50 meters through the trees and discovered the source of the voice.

· · ·

A being similar to the Valdari was kneeling next to another of his kind laying on the ground. They looked shorter than Valdari, but taller than Dverg. Their build also seemed average, as they were slightly bulkier than the thin Valdari frame. In addition, these beings had hair on their heads and faces, but not completely covered as the wild looking Dverg.

Galdor could tell these creatures didn’t know they were being watched. The similarity to his race was awkward, but after the anthropods last night he refused to assume they'd be friendly. If they were dangerous, now would be the time to strike.

Galdor looked at them, strongly aware of the sword in his hand. The two beings had their guard down. He looked to Elyon and saw him sat back, watching. The thoughts in Galdor’s mind conflicted. He was suddenly aware of his immaturity. Elyon was gifted with a keen awareness of his surroundings, never lost. Almar could read the stars and harness spectrums of Ysara’s light. Their calling was to find the other races and forge alliance. Why was Galdor’s first inclination so different? If they faced danger he felt it would be best to seize their advantage. Strike first. To kill.

He suddenly felt lost, unaware how to interpret his role in the situation. Why had he been waiting so long for Ysara's voice? He was screaming inside for some kind of guidance, decisiveness. Then Almar joined them. Elyon held his hand up, reminding Almar to be quiet, as if it wasn’t obvious.

“Rigneh, we just need taweigh. Jayman and Elizaer’ll be back hold’n uisce. May find Dverg. All ceart, see.”

The kneeling person spoke with a thick accent and a strange cadence. He seemed to be comforting the one lying on the ground. The three Valdari couldn’t understand every word, but the language was nearly their own. Almar’s eyes widened. Galdor could see it on Elyon’s face: surrender. Almar couldn’t be held back at this point. If the encounter went poorly their adversaries didn’t seem like much of a threat. Elyon took a deep breath, looked to Almar, and sheathed his sword.

Almar stepped from the trees, revealing himself in the small clearing. “Greetings.”

Startled, the kneeling person stood, picking up a hatchet from the ground previously unseen. Almar remained calm. Elyon grasped his hilt. Galdor stepped out of the trees, his sword still bare.

“We are Valdari, children of Ysara. We mean you no harm.” Almar held his hands gently out, not walking any closer. “I believe we’ve been seeking you.”

The frightened being looked at the three of them.

“You speak?” His face showed a mixture of confusion and fascination. “How… what are you?”

“The gods have been gifted with a common language, which they’ve passed down to all of us. My name is Almar Miolari. Our race is called Valdari, watched over by the goddess Ysara. We seek your friendship.”

He lowers the hatchet to his side. Almar’s warm demeanor seemed to put the creature’s concern at ease. “My name is Harlan, and we are the race of man. Gralar is our protector.”