laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Hazy light poured through the towering, bullet shaped windows and cast their light upon the large, king-sized bed. Thick comfortable blanket of maroon shrouded white sheets as Arhus woke to the smell of pure, mountain air and the soft thunder of a waterfall. Brown eyes opened to see the vaulted ceiling of stone arches centered by carved shields sporting his heraldry of red shield topped by vertical black and gold bars. Above it, a golden crown that gleamed in the morning light. He sat up and quickly scanned the master bedroom which he didn't recognize. Between the two sets of tall windows stood a large hearth, outside he noticed the distant cliffs that lay beyond a manicured, deep green lawn framed by a short stone wall.

"Elminoir," he called towards the open bathing room to his left.

"She's inherited her own home, not far from you," the familiar cacophony of voices revealed. "Across the bridge to the north. You can see her when you're settled, Arhus. Welcome home."

He searched the room for the voice which seemed to come from all directions at once. "Where is home?"

"Ciechanow. Your district will forever be known as Ghevond and succeeding priests in the world will spread your dogma to all corners and walks of life."

Arhus sat dumbfounded for a long moment. "What are you saying? That I am to be a god?"

"Of sorts, yes. Your story of heroism and stance on justice and equality will keep the human race from becoming barbarous murderers. Civilisation will take on a new face and be led by those who have stepped up in your absence. But, you will be able to guide them through various methods. I'll allow you to become accustomed to your home before explaining more about your duties from now on."

He nodded, still in shock as he felt the powerful energy in the air subside. Shuffling towards his left, he stepped out from underneath the covers and pushed himself up. The air was neither cool nor hot and he could feel the power that his home's walls and foundations had been built with. This would take some getting used to, he mused as he entered the large bathroom, it's tan marble floors graced the well lit room whose opaque window faced him, resting above the large tub that nearly covered half of the floor. Brass columns rose from the four corners whose small holders contained various oils and soaps. More suited to Elminoir than he, he grinned.

After cleaning up, he realized he had the ability to do that magically but, old habits die hard sometimes. As he dried off, he turned to notice the mirror standing in the far corner of the bathroom and the young, strong man in it's reflection. A drastic change had taken place as he gazed at the twenty year old who began his crusade long ago. Broad smile arced upward; he could get used to this.

He got dressed in finely crafted silks of maroon, gold and black, then headed out and discovered the rest of his new home. Deep, polished mohogany carved into chair rail and framing for each of the doorways bordered large paintings and reliefs of flying cherubs arcing upwards to the ceiling. Across from the large great hall he gazed into a living room lit by four pairs of triple windows which rose from floor to ceiling also casting golden light onto thick, heavy furniture and rugs of various scenes. Brilliant colors brought out the lavish surroundings as he moved towards the foyer and pair of front doors whose thick, dark wood also sported his heraldry in ruby, gold and ebony. Opulence that he never would've chosen for himself. As he approached the entrance, the doors opened to reveal a long walkway bordered by willows, grass yard and two large, cream colored buildings to either side.
Booming rush from the waterfall that he had heard earlier was clearer now and he noticed their misty steam rise from his left as he walked outside. Bright, the sun picked out the facing boughs and buildings which stood four stories as he also noticed the shrub lining his home across the front. He turned towards the shallow wall and walked towards it, noticing the protective cliff face rounded the river gorge they had chosen to build their home in. Once reaching the edge, he peered down and noticed the rush of whitewater flowing along the deep avenue and towards his right to a distant shelf of large boulders which guided the water southward through another chasm. Rimming the top of the gorge stood tall trees that vainly shrouded the distant, snow capped mountains from view.

"Where are the others," he asked, hoping their benefactor was listening.

"All five are here, in their own quarter. Give one another time to adjust before venturing outside your own. I'm located in the center of Ciechanow and you can come to us anytime you wish, or just speak out in this manner. There's nowhere you can go that I won't hear."

Arhus nodded. "You've definitely chosen a great spot. Are we on an island?"

"Yes."

"What do I call you?"

"Names are irrelevent, but if you wish, Charikar. I wish all of you to come to me personally in an hour. We have some ground rules to get straight before you begin governing your realm."

"I'll be there," he replied as he turned back towards his new home.

* * *

Soon, he teleported himself at the front steps of a large, circular building whose large, white columns and arches supported a shimmering, bluish roof of some odd contstruction. It's aura of purple swirled upwards and around the temple itself as if a fire contained by it's fuel. Up the steps he walked and could feel the intensity of the one within as a large, rounded door opened and released the brilliant light from inside. A presence he was very accustomed to by now.
Not only could he feel Charikar but, also his friends as he stepped inside and was enveloped by their host.

"Each of you have been given a realm to control and will in time be growing a host of faithful who will carry out your wishes. They will be advisors only and guide your followers in the world. Your churches will serve man and help them grow in the knowledge of your dogma, keeping the darker races at bay. You will not start wars through your influence nor will you manipulate or decieve. Any infraction will be penalized severely. It's been a hope that all races would one day live in peace but, it seems that the advent of the human's freedom may produce a backlash instead. It will now be your job to ensure genocide does not take place, in any form or fashion. Elves are an important part of this world, even though they may disagree with your principles. Sacred groves and places like them need to survive. Each of you know what you have to do and what your individual proficiencies are. Your power will grow in time but, you must keep pride in check. Remember, your race depends on you. Moreso from now on. I will always be here for advice and for your questions. And one more thing, you are never to leave this continent. Allow your hosts to run errands and deliver messages. You personally have a much larger role to play in the future of this world which will not ever require your physical attention. Are we understood?"

"Yes," Arhus replied and noted the others agreed also. Now to get to work.