Tales of Regventus : Adalwen
Chapter 15

Max was overwhelmed, but in the best way. There was so much to see in this new place. Griffa’s house was unlike anything he had ever imagined. It was large, comfortable, and filled with magical objects that he couldn’t begin to comprehend. Griffa had taken him room from room. One room was what she called the strategy or map room. The room had a huge table in the center with a map of the kingdom. She used her hand to magic little model forces to appear on the map. She moved them around with a flick of her wrist.

She showed him how she could build huge castles and vast lakes and then make them vanish with a snap. Max felt he could watch her manipulate that map for hours, but after fifteen minutes she walked him to another room. This one was a huge study with a large desk at one end. On the other end was a fireplace with two wing back chairs and footstools that looked well worn. The walls were covered with shelves that were filled with books.

“This was my father’s study,” said Griffa as she walked around the room. “He would spend hours in here. I would curl up in one of those chairs and read. I would periodically ask him questions, and he would always answer me back. He was a very patient man. Sometimes Ansel would sit with me and try to shush me, but my father said I should never stop asking questions.”

Griffa walked over to the large desk and ran her hand over it lovingly. “I suppose I should go through all this stuff soon. It’s been a few years, and it’s my study now, and I do use it. It’s just hard to pack some of these things up.”

“When did your father die?” asked Max gently. “If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand.”

“No, it’s fine. He died five years ago this past spring. I was barely sixteen years old, and I thought he had many years left. He was barely over forty. I thought we had more time together. I was such a wild thing; even more than I am now. I should have spent more time with him,” said Griffa walking around to sit in the large leather chair behind the desk.

“What was he like?” asked Max, taking a seat on one of the smaller chairs that sat in front of the desk.

“He was so kind, and he was always so patient with me. He could also be quite formidable. He could take command of a room with a single look. He never had to raise his voice or yell like some do. He could walk in and people would stop talking. He was funny, and he liked a good joke. I know he wasn’t perfect. Some say he sometimes put off things too much, or he was too lenient with me, but he was an excellent man.”

Griffa looked around the desk, touching quills and papers lovingly. Here is a portrait of him if you would like to see it. It’s him and my mother. I never knew her.” She passed the portrait to Max.

The portrait was not very big, but it was excellently done. A young handsome man stood proudly. He had short curly dark red hair, deep brown eyes, and a long noise. He was dressed in a black tunic with a large falcon spreading its wings sewn across the front in gold and red. The man had his hand on a very pretty woman who was sitting down. The woman had dark blonde hair swept off her face with a few delicate curls hanging down. Her eyes were the same startling blue as Griffa’s. She had a small, upturned nose and a pouty mouth. She was dressed in a fine red gown. They were a handsome couple.

Max looked up at Griffa and could see that she was a most interesting blend of both her parents. Griffa was very pretty with her mother’s eyes, nose, and mouth and her father’s wild red hair. Still, Griffa had something about her that stood her apart from anyone Max had ever seen, but he couldn’t say what it was.

“You look like both of them,” said Max, smiling and handing Griffa the portrait back to her.

She placed it back in its place on the desk.

“Hardly. I wish I was half as pretty as my mother or could command a room like my father,” Griffa said standing up.

“You sell yourself too short. You are very pretty, Griffa,” said Max standing up as well.

“You will make me blush, Max,” laughed Griffa laughing as she shook her head. “Come on, we don’t need to stay here all day while you flatter me. We have lots to see.”

Griffa took him through other rooms; a beautiful music room that she said didn’t get used much. They went through a lovely conservatory with green plants and colorful flowers growing in large pots. Eventually they went out to the stables. Max spent a good half hour talking with Wallis and petting the horses. The smell of hay and horses comforted him and made him long for home. Griffa went from horse to horse saying their names and patting their noses.

“We have a few hours left before it gets dark. I expected Ansel to replace us before now, but perhaps his meeting went long, or he will join the Delis family for dinner. Would you like to see some of the village, Max?” asked Griffa as they walked out of the stable.

“Yes, I would if it’s not too much trouble,” Max answered.

“None at all; let’s get our cloaks and let Maybell know we are leaving. She will worry if we don’t,” Griffa said as they entered the back door.

After donning their cloaks and saying goodbye to Maybell they headed out towards the village. They passed a few cottages that seemed to be empty.

“That is the Fleet family’s home, there, “said Griffa. They have gone to live in the Valley. They only use this old house when they come to visit for business or festivals. “

“And that is the old Paice family home,” said Griffa as they passed another cottage. “Old man Paice died without a wife or children, so it is empty now. I don’t know what will become of it.”

She pointed out other homes and who lived there, but Max couldn’t keep it all straight. People dressed in cloaks and robes passed by them. Griffa would bow her head at many of them or give them a friendly wave. Most would nod or wave back, but a few would turn away. Griffa didn’t seem to mind.

“Abscon seems really nice,” said Max. “Is the Valley the same?”

“It is not quite as large of Abscon, and it has its own style, but it is a very nice village,” replied Griffa. “I enjoy visiting there. My family has a small home on the edge of the village.”

“Things don’t seem so bad for the magical folk,” said Max. “Why does the kingdom need to change?”

“It is true that we do very well here in our magical communities,” said Griffa. “But it is dangerous to travel the kingdom now. There have been reports of magical folk disappearing all around Regventus, and the magic in the kingdom seems to be fading. It is very strong here in Abscon, but out in the forest or the villages of the Great Surrounding, it is not as strong as it once was.

“Of course, there are issues with the non-gifted as well. You saw what was happening in the East Village. Children are being taken all over the kingdom to be reeducated in Aurumist. The poor are being taken advantage of, and disease spreads unchecked as the powers in Aurumist ignore the cries of the people.

“There is plenty wrong with the kingdom, and we cannot hide forever in our safe communities ignoring it.”

Max looked at Griffa, seeing the red patches on her cheeks. It was clear she was passionate about he well-being of the kingdom and its people.

“What do you think needs to happen, Griffa?” asked Max.

“A change of leadership is needed in Aurumist. The lord of the kingdom and his Viceroys have no interest in helping the people. They only want power. If you prove to be the king that is needed, then so be it, but I want it to be your choice.”

Max nodded and they walked on. They eventually ended up in the city center. Griffa took Max to the large building he remembered from the night before.

“That is where the Ring of Nine meets. We also use it for festivals. Most of our festivals spill out onto the yard behind this building,” said Griffa waving her hand at the building vaguely.

Max went to the statue in front of the building. The statue was of a large man. He had a bushy beard and long hair, and he was dressed in an impressive cloak that circled around his booted feet. In his hand was a large staff that curled at the end. On the man’s head was a crown with pointed tips all around.

“Who is this supposed to be?” asked Max looking up at the statue.

It seemed to be in excellent repair and there was something familiar about it.

“That is King Nathin of the line of Adalwen. The first king of the kingdom. That is your distant ancestor, Max. The crown is still in our possession. It is kept in a locked case inside the building. One day if you choose to be king, it will rest on top of your head,” said Griffa coming to stand by Max and looking up at the statue.

Max stared at the statue, looking at the stone face of the king. Max couldn’t quite believe this could be an ancestor of his. It didn’t seem possible that he was really from a line of kings and queens?

“Come on Max, let’s look at the temple,” said Griffa gently pulling on Max’s arm.

The temple was next to the Ring’s building. It was the building with the large, pointed roof Max remembered from the night before. The building was made of rocks stacked together and sealed. The roof was covered in red tiles that seemed to be made of mud. It was an odd building, but Max found it beautiful. It almost seems to have been created from the earth instead of being made by people.

Max again went to the statue in front of it. The statue was not as detailed as King Nathin’s statue. It seemed to represent a man and woman, each looking a different way with linked arms. The faces were blank. The man had short hair and wore a tunic and pants. The woman had long straight hair and wore a simple shift dress. They were both barefoot.

“Who are they?” asked Max in a whisper. He wasn’t sure why he was whispering but the ground around them felt different, sacred.

“That is a symbol for the gods, Max. Not the ancients, but the true gods of the kingdom. They were said to be brother and sister who wanted to create a world where all could live in peace using the gifts they were given. They formed people, gave them life, and spread them throughout the kingdom.

“Brother gave the gifts of wisdom, work, and sense. Sister gave the gifts of love, rest, and good cheer. Their magic saturated the world as they worked. Some went into the ground, some into the trees, some into the air, and some into the very people they created. The magic was never meant to set us apart, but to be useful to all. Magic surrounds us and guides all of us, even those of us who are unable to wield it,” said Griffa.

Max was entranced. He had never heard of these gods, not really. Some of Nora’s stories mentioned magic, but never like this.

“You told that very well, Griffa. Perhaps you should be a cleric in the temple, teaching others about the gods,” said Ansel with a laugh as he walked up to Griffa and Max.

Griffa smiled at him. “I think you know how well I would do cooped up in the temple all the time.”

“Very true. So, are you two ready to go home for the night or is there more planned on this outing?” asked Ansel.

“I think we are ready to head back, unless there is something else you wanted to see today, Max? ″ asked Griffa.

“No, I think that is plenty for today; besides, I’m getting hungry,” replied Max.

“Then let’s head back,” said Ansel.

He held out his arm to Griffa, and she smiled and took it. She grabbed Max with her other arm and hooked her free arm in his. They walked towards home in this way.

“How did your meeting at Delis House go?” asked Griffa.

“It was interesting,” said Ansel monotone.

“Did you see dear Desma? I trust she was happy to see you if she was there,” said Griffa.

“I did see her,” answered Ansel.

“Of course, and how is she?” asked Griffa in that overly sweet tone she used.

“She is the same as always, charming, beautiful, and utterly annoying,” said Ansel “I don’t want to talk about Desma. Max, we will have to go to see the Ring tomorrow after breakfast.”

“Oh,” said Max. He wasn’t sure what to say about this news. “I knew you said we would have to meet with them, but so soon?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. They want to meet you as soon as they can. Don’t worry, it won’t be long. They just want to go over your training and discuss your living arrangements,” said Ansel.

“There is nothing to discuss about Max’s living arrangements,” snapped Griffa angrily. “Max will stay at Keene Manor.”

“There is no reason to get upset Griffa,” reassured Ansel. “They will not drag Max out of your house, they’ll just want to make sure all precautions are being taken.”

“Hmph,” grumbled Griffa. “Well, they can tell me to my face tomorrow what they replace lacking in my home. I’m going with you to see the Ring.”

“Griffa, you haven’t been summoned,” said Ansel as he looked at Griffa. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for you to come?”

“I can visit the Ring whenever I choose or are you forgetting who you are taking to?” asked Griffa in a superior tone. “They will not refuse to see me. I want to be there when they question Max, and I’m sure Max wants me there, don’t you?”

Griffa turned her head to look at Max.

“Of course, I do,” answered Max and he meant it. He felt bolder around Griffa.

“Very well,” said Ansel. “I know better than to stop you, but Griffa, please be careful. Watch what you say.”

’Ansel, what is that supposed to mean? Be careful? What on earth could the Ring do to me? I won’t embarrass you if that is what you are worried about,″ said Griffa looking straight ahead.

“You could never embarrass me,” said Ansel softly.

He stopped their progress and moved in front of Griffa.

“Maybe I’m just on edge because of everything that is happening, but I just have this feeling that something is off around here. It’s probably nothing, but promise me you will be careful, both of you.”

Ansel looked at Max.

“Alright Ansel, I will watch what I say, but remember I can take care of myself. Max is quite capable as well.”

“I know Griffa, I do. Like I said, I think I’m just on edge.”

“We need to have some fun tonight; maybe we could play a game. I bet Maybell and Jonthon would join in. Maybe Max could teach us a game he played growing up?”

“We did have a game where you had to position a person in different poses to get the group to guess an action like dancing or planting seeds.”

“That sounds perfect,” said Griffa. “Are you game, Ansel?”

Ansel smiled and said, “If it pleases the king, then it shall be done.”

Griffa gave him a playful swat. Ansel caught her hand and placed it back into his.

Now come on, if we get there early enough, we can sneak a snack before dinner. Didn’t you say you were hungry Max?”

“Yes, I’m starving,” said Max with a smile.

They walked on arm and arm back to the manor for a peaceful evening at home.