《Remnants of the Dawn: The Complete Trilogy》Chapter 20: Calm before Storms
Advertisement
XX. Calm before Storms
Eth lived in a cave within the volcano, accessible from the streets via tunnels or the mouth of Rhode. Or at least, that was how he framed it to the group as they wound their way up the mountain to a non-descript leading into the heart of the volcano. Once inside, they crossed series of drawbridges and walkways that spiraled down the mountain. Paths winding down the mountains throat were lined with storefronts and cafes with al fresco seating. Some paths only allowed two abreast, while others could comfortably fit a horse and cart in either direction.
Alice took in the sights with wide eyes as Eth regaled her with information during the winding journey into the heart of an active volcano. The city of inner Rhode was terraced, wrapped along the walls to the lava pool below. Despite the look of activity, the lava was as a placid lake below them, only the radiating heat and glow betrayed its true nature. The narrow upper section of the inner city was commercial; the middle was residential with active mines and industry on the lowest levels. Most of the lower levels were suspended only a hundred or so feet above the magma.
The temperature of inner Rhode was regulated by ancient metal boxes placed equidistant on each terrace, something the ancient Rhodeans called a heat shield. The boxes projected an invisible wall that kept heat and lava in the central shaft when the mountain erupted. An occurrence that happened only a handful of times across centuries. No one was sure what the boxes did exactly or how they operated, the means of their construction and specifics of their function having been lost millennia ago.
Four on each level had glass screens; the screens were covered in dirt and grime from centuries of neglect. The screens were activated by touch, (those that still worked that is) glowing with neat rows of ancient symbols. Though the language of the elves had not changed, many of the words and phrases were unknown, and any attempt to examine the boxes further was thwarted by flashing red and yellow symbols screaming access denied, which was just as well. Light knows what would happen if someone were to inadvertently shut down the shield.
Advertisement
When Alice and the others first arrived at the crude metal door leading into Eth’s cave, no one expected much at all, were disappointed even. When he opened the door however, they were met with a monarch worthy opulence; it was as if they stepped into the foyer of a grand mansion in Marquez.
Though all art and decoration were native, it was tasteful and gave an air of class and breeding, rather than the savagery Alice had associated with the Colby-Nau. Eth unceremoniously tossed their gear in the center of the room, leaned his sword against the wall, and invited the others to do the same.
“Welcome to my ‘ouse.” Eth said proudly. “Make yerselves at ‘ome then.”
A woman in a silken gown of a priestess or holy figure and knee length auburn hair made her way down the carpeted steps carved from the stone of the cave wall. Her features were delicate, and her countenance serene, the tattoos she wore were of a more organic and less aggressive design than Eth’s.
“Where the hell have ye been?” Her voice was smooth and had a soothing quality.
“Out.” Eth retorted.
“For a year?”
Eth shrugged. “Got lost.”
She cocked her head to the side and placed a hand upon her hip. “Who are these strangers in my house?”
“People.”
“Don’t be difficult husband.” She said with indifference, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m still in my prime ye know.”
A toothy grin spread from one pointy ear to the other. “I fookin’ love ya!”
With that strangely hostile, yet very Eth like, proclamation, the woman leapt into his arms and he spun her around, smothering her with kisses.
“Must be his wife.” Fiora whispered.
“They certainly go well together.’ Alice said with a smirk.
Advertisement
Clarissa stepped forward, not willing to be ignored, and cleared her throat. Eth set his wife down and motioned for her to join them.
“Io, this ‘ere is sis’er Clarissa. She’s gonna help us have child.”
Clarissa curtsied and smiled self-importantly. “A pleasure.”
“Wait, she’s gonna what?” Fiora exclaimed.
Alice was equally shocked, but more tactful in her curiosity. “Perhaps you should explain this a little more to us…”
“Io used to be zee maiden of a temple before she married Eth. One of dzeir customs is to sterilize zee temple staff.” Clarissa explained, and none to subtly mouthed out the words “So they don’t have any embarrassing virgin births.”
“Then I met this asshole and eloped. Worst mistake of my bloody life that.” Io teased as she embraced her husband.
Clarissa smiled politely and continued. “I can undo the damage so that they can ‘ave little Eths and baby Ios who can call me Auntie Clarissa, and I can dote on them and dress them up cutely and get dzat maternal glow without weight gain or pain of childbirth—”
“Yeah, whatever. I’ve been gone a year, so anytime ya know.”
Clarissa blushed and grabbed her staff from a pack. “Right then, just a moment.”
“As fer the rest o’ ya, there’s like, fif’een diff’rent rooms in this bloody place.” Eth gestured generally towards the stairs. “Go ahead an' take yer pick. We’re gonna get this healin’ done and lock oorselves in the bathroom, there’s another somewhere upstairs so good luck. Uh…daen’t break shit.”
“I’d actually like to bathe beforehand—”
Clarissa could not finish the sentence before Eth slung her over his shoulder and carried her into another room.
Ransom, Fiora, Alice and Séverin were left alone to stand filthy in the foyer. Ransom stepped forward and whistled in awe of the manse within a mine. Above them were the balustrades of three other floors; the elaborate staircase spiraled along the walls. There were two tunnels leading deeper into the mine on their floor alone, it was near impossible to judge the scale of the home.
“Yeah, don’t know about you broads,” Ransom said as he mounted the stairs, “but I’m getting in that bath.”
“The hell you do! Ladies first!” Alice shouted as she tried to muscle her way past him.
Advertisement
The Otherist
Please note that Books 1 and 2 will only be available in their entirety here for a week until December 10th. Then I’ll be moving them back to Kindle Unlimited and Amazon exclusivity prevents them from remaining here. The Aurora Incident, the Great Transmigration, the Immortal Arrival, and that time I suddenly got video game powers, everyone had their own name for the day that nature’s most divine laws were bent and the boundaries between worlds were violated. To the humans remaining on Earth, it was the day that a million people vanished in an instant, carried away by columns of light descending from the heavens. To Isaac Stein, an ordinary 17-year-old boy, it was the day he got a fresh start. Isaac finds himself on Tautellus, an alternate version of Earth filled with magical beings thought to exist only in legend. Isaac struggles to establish new ties and harness his newfound game-like abilities, but just as he begins to thrive in his new home, it is savagely ripped away by the invasion of a hostile nation.Driven to prevent others from meeting the same cruel fate, Isaac must brave the harsh wilderness, overcome betrayals, and wage war for his survival. In the meantime, he stumbles upon secrets of a long-lost magitechnologically advanced civilization and their ancient enemy. An enemy that now seeds war and chaos throughout the land as they attempt to seize both Tautellus and Earth. Kindle Versions Available: Book 1: Arrival Book 2: The Ice Lands Pre-order Book 3: Royal Royale, releases on December 13th
8 112Lucid
Henry is off on a class trip with his fellow students, however, an accident caused the whole class to be transported into another world. In the process Henry finds himself seperated and in the body of cadet Lucid Gracile. Thrown into an unknown modern world filled with magic and powerful monsters named hyres Henry, as Lucid, must learn how to wield magic from the bottom up in hopes to travel the dangerous land to search for his fellow friends and classmates while battling the deep fear of losing himself as he lives through Lucid. Will he find his friends before its too late? Updates Monthly!
8 192Be The Icy Beauty: A Xianxia/Cultivation Tale
The mighty Celestial Bing Meilu, transmigrated into the body of her child self, must survive in a dangerous Xianxia world all the while staving off the advances of arrogant young masters and wannabe protagonists alike.Why is life so hard for the Icy Beauty? (Crossposted from Sufficient Velocity and Space Battles) *Xianxia System Elements*
8 154Hunters of the Night
Parmasus was young boy, living with his father and mother. His father was abusive and would would beat both him and his mother, but one day, he went overboard. As Parmasus witnessed his mothers death, he saw only one choice. Run! Eventually, he managed to escape the city, but not without a fatal farewell gift from his father. Then he met Palazar, the vampire, who showed him salvation, and turned him into a vampire. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Hello there. This is my second series, also about vampires. I've always been fascinated with vampires, since childhood, so I decided to write a few different, unique books about them. My first book, Rise of the Vampires is about just that, and how the progenitor rises to power in a world of mixed High Fantasy, and Xianxia. This book however, is different, again. This is more traditional, in the sense that it isn't high fantasy, but closer to low fantasy. It begins in a time period similar to Ancient Greece, but it will travel through time, showing various ages. The vampire world will be similar to the World of Darkness, or Vampire the Masquerade. It's not a female romance book, as it will have action and stuff. But yeah, the books will follow Parmasus as he lives through the ages, becoming older and stronger. Also Rated 18+ for violence, gore, harsh language, explicit sex, etc.
8 168Pangeku: A place to relive
Have you ever wonder what is like to live in a different world? to start over? Death is inevitable and most of the time it is unfair. But what if there's a world where they are given a second chance? A story unfolds as the main characters live in the world name Pangeku. link where the story is also publishedhttps://www.wattpad.com/story/260235153-pangeku-a-place-to-relive
8 200Alone No More
A young man interested in science was given his father's secret research. Afterward, he became completely engulfed by that same research with the intent to finish what his father started. How much of an impact will his technology have in a world that doesn't use electricity, but rather magic? A whole new era of change is coming, and not all of it is pretty.*Rated Mature for: Gore and Language. (Not entirely sure about sexual content)*This will not be a happy story. *It takes more than one chapter to create a story.
8 298