The Lost Parchments

It was my senior year, and our high school football team had just won an important game. During our celebration in the field, I carelessly tossed the ignition key into my truck. I listened to it clank against the seat, but minutes later, it was nowhere to be seen.

I thoroughly cleaned out the vehicle but found nothing more than a few old french-fries. I used my spare key to drive home, believing the missing key was somewhere in the truck. Although I diligently searched, days turned into weeks, and I continued about my life.

I graduated high school (barely!) and began my college career. I worked weekends at the ranch, married Ashley and brought PJ home from the hospital. My truck was there for every adventure.

Seventeen years later, it was finally time to “put her out to pasture”. She was tired and full of good memories. Just before closing the door for the last time, she offered one final gift. Something was shimmering in the fold of the driver’s seat. I reached deep into the metal siding of the chair to grab ahold of the object. It was my key!

I was thrilled! And for a moment…I was senior again. Memories of the football game came rushing back. I could smell the grass and hear the excited screams in the stadium. So much time had passed since that day. It was a strange yet amazing experience!

In LOTK there was a large scene cut from the story. This scene only existed in my original manuscripts that I had lost years ago. I was recently organizing a stack of old papers, when I stumbled upon it and other scenes from LOTK Salivation and Reconciliation. I thought they were lost forever, but now I can share them! Let’s call these scenes “The Lost Parchments”.

In this scene from book one, chapter 23 (New Dawn), Odessis had just fished their battle with Cerdina. Arandorion goes to speak with the king, but their conversation never made it into the chapter. Without further ado, here’s the first Lost Parchment of LOTK.

Legacy of the Kings: The Lost Parchment

   Arandorion entered the stone tunnel leading into the palace. “Halt! Who goes there?” a lone royal guard questioned. Arandorion continued to approach while silently pondering the conversation that would soon take place with the king. The guard quickly grabbed his weapon, ready to attack what he thought could be a troll.

    “Restrain your blade! It’s me,” Arandorion answered.

The guard placed his weapon away. “Ah, Arandorion! Good to see you are still alive!”

“Why were the elves not allowed in the palace? There were a lot of children that needed protection.”

“The king ordered the palace to be locked from within.”

“I’m surprised there wasn’t a revolt,” Arandorion said.

“We told them they would be safer in the sewers,” the guard replied. “It is the last place Cerdina would search.”

“Nobody can hide from Sahib. Why do you remain loyal to the king after his actions?”

“As a royal guard I have pledged my loyalty to the king.”

“You have already disobeyed him by engaging in battle,” Arandorion replied.

“Possibly, but we had no other options. The king will understand,” the guard said.

“Will he? I understand you swore to protect him, but you should also take responsibility for your neighbor.”

The guard straightened. “Well said. Now state your business!” he proclaimed. Arandorion silently stared at the elf, causing the guard to feel somewhat awkward. “I mean no disrespect, my lord, but the king has banished you from the palace.”

“I need to speak with Riker.”

“The king is still in bed.” 

“Sleeping?” Arandorion exclaimed.

“I-I maybe,” the guard said. “You have done more for this city than any other elf. You have our highest respect. I will not stop you from going into the palace, but if you are asked how you entered…do not say through the tunnel.”

“You have my word,” Arandorion said.

The royal guard opened the stone door to the palace. The entrance was tranquil, despite what transpired overnight. As Arandorion began making his way to the king’s chambers, he noticed there were no preparations to defend the palace against Cerdina. As he neared, his footsteps caught the attention of two royal guards protecting the entry. The guards kneeled out of respect.

“Stand up,” he told them. “I need to speak with the king.”

The guards rose.

“The king wishes not to be disturbed,” one responded.

“I understand you are following orders, but why protect a king that doesn’t protect his city? He should have done much more than sleep. Cerdina nearly conquered Odessis. Now, stand aside!” Only one guard moved from the door. “Is there a problem?” he asked the remaining guard.

The guard sighed and moved away. “No, you are right. We were here all night, worried about the city and our families while the king slept. I hope you can talk some sense into him.”

Arandorion swung the doors open and walked into the king’s sleeping quarters. The room was large and decorated with linen, paintings and statues. Small gem-encrusted fountains lined the sides of the chamber. The sound of running water calmed the atmosphere in the quarter.

King Riker slept towards the back of the chamber behind a large table. His bed was covered with the softest materials known to any race. The beautifully-etched table was filled with an assortment of food. Matching chairs lined its side. A large window, overlooking Odessis, rested to the right. The window was covered by a dark-colored fabric to keep the sunlight from waking Riker.

The guards closed the doors behind Arandorion as he considered how to approach the slumbering king. The elf walked to the window and slightly pushed the curtains aside. Smoke rose from the ashes of the city. “The front wall is destroyed, the city is burned and our king sleeps,” he murmured.

Arandorion tore down the curtains to wake the king. The light reached Riker, but he responded by rolling his back to the window.

Arandorion moved to the bed and stood over the king. “Get up.”  Riker lightly mumbled something and began to snore. Unable to tolerate the king any longer, he decided to use one of Caedmon’s tactics. He grabbed a glass of water then ripped the covers off the bed. While the brisk air slightly chilled the king, Arandorion emptied the goblet on Riker.

The half-clothed king awakened in a panic. He darted to the side of his room to grab a sword. “The preparations were made! I told them not to attack!”

“The battle is over. Odessis stands,” Arandorion responded.

The king wiped the water off his face, and then snarled at Arandorion. “There are proper ways to wake me, but that is not one of them!”

“Since the battle didn’t, I figured I needed to try something drastic.”

“How did you get in here?”

“It doesn’t matter. What were you talking about? What preparations?” Arandorion questioned.

“It is a royal matter and none of your concern. I should take care of you right now!” Riker replied.

Arandorion unsheathed his sword. “Do you dare to try?”

“You are hereby banished from Odessis, along with your human friends, and that, that smelly little dwarf!”

“Yeah, good luck with that. Your mistakes have finally caught up with you.”

“Are you still babbling about that troll messenger?” Riker asked.

“The troll was good on his word,” Arandorion said.

“Ha! I am sure by now that Cerdina has left our walls! We were victorious, just as I predicted!”

The difficult memories of last night’s battle flashed through Arandorion’s mind. “You ignorant fool!”

“I will hear no more about elemental weapons or the bloodline! It is all a lie! Leave now!” Arandorion defiantly remained in the king’s presence. “That was your last chance to walk away with dignity. Guards!” he yelled. They waited in silence, but the guards didn’t respond. “Where are they?” Riker walked to the doors to find they had abandoned their stations. “I am the king, and I order you to leave!” he told Arandorion.

“You may be the king of Odessis. But the humans are its savior and your son her martyr!”

“Enough of this!” Riker shouted, and then charged Arandorion.

Riker swung to kill. Arandorion moved to one side then backhanded the king, causing the weapon to drop from Riker’s hand. Arandorion grabbed the king by the hair and pulled him to the window.

“Look outside and see for yourself!” Arandorion shouted, as he pressed Riker’s face against the glass.                                                

The king was forced to view the battle-scarred city for the first time. He began to tremble as Arandorion stepped away and sheathed his sword.

“My beautiful city! It-It cannot be!” Riker shouted.

“You folded your hands and fell asleep while Cerdina attacked Odessis,” Arandorion said. “If the humans hadn’t saved the city, you wouldn’t be standing here. You’re responsible for the blood of many elves and your son.”

Riker turned to Arandorion. “My son, Nellas?”

“Yes, Lord Eagne killed him.”

Riker covered his ears. “No, you are lying again!”.

“Accept responsibility and stop blaming others for your mistakes!”

The king hunched over as pain seized him. “No! No! It was not supposed to happen like this!” he yelled. “Why my son? He was the crown of Odessis, and all I had left of her!”

Riker dropped his face into a puddle of his own tears. His loud, sorrowful moans could be heard throughout the palace. Arandorion stayed at Riker’s side, until the king regained control and stood to view his war-ravaged city.

“I’m ready to hear everything,” Riker said.

“It was a long battle. Odessis wasn’t prepared to fight Cerdina. Their numbers far surpassed our own. The human’s intervention allowed us to take the victory.”

“The humans… are they still here?”

“Yes,” Arandorion replied.

“How many?” Riker questioned.  

“Their numbers are unclear, but it was enough to save Odessis.” 

“What business do they have in Odessis? “They need to leave! The battle is over!”

“I suggest you open the city to them,” Arandorion said.

“The humans in the palace are enough,” Riker responded. “I can barely stomach them, let alone hundreds more.”

“You owe them all. Besides, if you send them away now, Sahib could easily come back and take the victory.”

“Very well,” Riker grudgingly stated. “I will allow the humans to stay in Odessis for now, but only if they are productive.”

Arandorion walked towards the window as the king moved aside. “Cerdina has been weakened by the battle. You can take action now to secure the sorcerer’s demise.”

“There is no other logical option…” The king’s lip quivered. “Where is my son?”

“His body is being prepared for tonight. A ceremony will take place in the valley where he died.”

“I will address Odessis after we have finished mourning our dead,” Riker said.

“What do you have in mind?” Arandorion questioned.

“It is not for you to know. I will speak with the elders. We will still find a way to enter our new era.”

“Odessis has already entered a new era. We should focus on this war and—”

Your suggestions are not needed,” Riker said. “I also want you to know I still do not believe your lies about those twins. I will continue to allow you in Odessis, but I do not want to see you or those humans in the palace again.”

“They are royalty, and I am their guest. By law we are allowed to stay inside the palace,” Arandorion replied.

“Very well, stay out of my sight!”

Tired of dealing with the unstable king, Arandorion turned to leave. “Neither I nor anybody else has been trying to get in your way. Be the king and do what’s right. Your throne may depend on it,” he stated, then slammed the door behind him.

“You dare threaten me? We are not done! Get back here! As king I order you to come back! Odessis will enter her new era! We will not be stopped!” Riker shouted.

As the sun set, the elves, humans and a single dwarf gathered in the valley to watch the ceremony. A large wooden structure was erected. The body of the prince lied at the top, and many warriors placed beneath him. Captain Lenayin approached the fallen and saluted them.

He threw a torch at the base of the structure to catch it on fire. Elves and humans alike wept as they watched the fire light the darkened valley. Although many wept, not a word was spoken out of respect for the dead. Over the next few days, the city mourned for their loss as more bodies were burned.   

Meanwhile, in the City of Rikel, Waide climbed a long rickety wet stairway...

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek with all of your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13