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Chapter 33: Venore

We entered port where we were stopped and inspected by a patrol boat that came aboard and inspected our wares. I was sitting near the bow with Twfen when suddenly an elf dressed in an elaborate uniform and the captain came to us. Twfen stood and saluted and I stood next to him a bit frightened.

"Is this the boy?" the guard asked

"Yes sir" the captain said

The guard turned to me

"Is it true you used the Hand of Ada to destroy a ship?" the guard asked

"Who is this?" I asked Twfen

"This is Albor Dun, the harbor master" Twfen said "he served as a captain during the war."

"Twfen, I didn't recognize you without your uniform, why am I not too surprised to see you here." Albor said

"Sorry Master Albor, I was on holiday visiting my grandmother" Twfen said

"I see, she still lives in Nune then?" Albor said

"Aye" Twfen said

"A mere boy, to defeat The Pirate Firebrush" Albor said "simply extraordinary"

I ducked my head down blushing

"What brings you to Aldena?" Albor asked

"I am seeking the Mage Venore" I said

Albor smiled and laughed

"Excellent, well gentlemen I will see you ashore" he said leaving us with the captain and climbing off his ship.

It took awhile but after an hour we were granted access to the harbor. As we were pulling up to the dock I noticed a sizeable crowd gathering and cheering on the docks.

"Twfen?" I asked

"News travels fast" Twfen answered "They've heard about our brush with The Pirate Firebrush and our victory, they will be most interested in you."

I blushed and Twfen just patted me on the back

"Quite an entrance" He said as the crew threw out our mooring lines and the ship was being secured.

"Sirs your horses will be unloaded immediately" one of the ship hands announced to us turning and heading for a different part of the ship. Twfen just shrugged and we set off with our belongings and headed for the docks.

Once we got onto the dock we spotted out horses and we pushed our way through the crowd to get to them. The rowdy celebrating crowd hadn't noticed us yet. One we got to the horses we noticed several mounted guards around our horses.

"General Ro" Twfen said bowing to one of the mounted elves "what are you doing here?" he asked

A female elf turned and looked down at us from her horse

"Lord Zasuan has ordered me to deliver the Defeater of Firebrush and his companion to him" she answered sharply.

"Then we are at your service" Twfen said

Ro Nodded and we mounted up and with her escort followed her down the docks and through the crowd.

Once we cleared the dock the crowd thinned and I supposed word had not spread that quickly. I chanced a glance to Ro who was extremely beautiful with a very pointed face and long flowing blonde hair. Her eyes were a nice shade of blue. Her armor was exquisite and polished to a very high glossy shine.

We rode uphill in a wide arch around the city coming to a central plaza. The plaza had a massive fountain in the center and we circled around it following a path uphill heading directly for the palace.

The Castle was a massive complex built around the sanctuary tree that towered above it. Its size was immense ad we traveled to the first set of gates and through to a portcullis which rose up at our arrival and then crashed down behind us.

"Welcome to Ada" Twfen said with a smile to me which I returned gazing in wonder at the sights around me.

We stopped at the bottom of a set of stairs leading to a massive gate. At our arrival the gates swung open and many guards came using out in formation with the leader in the front.

"General Ro, Lord Zasuan is expecting you" he said bowing

General Ro elegantly dismounted and we all followed suit and made our way up the stairs and through the gate. General Ro led us down many sets of hallways until we reached another set of doors and I realized it was the throne room.

At the end of the room was a large chair which was empty. The room had several guards in formation around the chair. We approached the throne when a side door suddenly opened and an elegant looking female entered the room and every elf bowed instantly. I quickly followed.

I chanced a glance up and watched her stand slightly behind and to the right of the chair. She had long pure white hair and nearly yellow gold eyes. Looking at her was slightly unnerving.

Next a young boy about my age came in having the same hair as the woman but his eyes were greener like mine than gold, but his was a much more pale color.

Finally all the guards dropped to their knees and bowed when the last elf entered the room and there was no doubt in my mind that this was our Lord. I felt the magic waft into the room like a wave of sunlight. His power was immense and so was his presence. He was burly like Twfen, strong, his hair was honey-wheat and his eyes were the same as my own.

As soon as Lord Zasuan had taken his seat all the guards in the room rose.

"As most of you are aware" Lord Zasuan spoke "news travels quickly in this kingdom and I've heard and confirmed that The Pirate Firebrush's ship the `Poignard' was destroyed."

There was a collective gasp from the guards.

"Rumor has it the `Verdonia' was making for port when she encountered the `Poignard' and they exchanged fire. The `Poignard' came upon her starboard side reading her cannons and preparing to board when a magical shield was cast around her protecting her from cannon fire and then burst outwards destroying the `Poignard' ripping her masts clear off the deck." Lord Zasuan said.

The guards grew restless as if they wanted to burst up and start cheering but they remained standing albeit smiles.

"May the one who cast the magic that destroyed the `Poignard' come before me" Lord Zasuan commanded and I felt Twfen push me forward towards the king. I felt my feet move me forward as I came mere steps in front of him a bowed.

"It was you?" Lord Zasuan asked puzzled "a mere boy?"

"Aye" I said staying bowed

"Rise and take my hand" he commanded holding out his hand. I stepped forward and reached out to touch him.

Lord Zasuan reached out and closed the distance and I felt his fingers wrap around me when I felt a chill enter my arm and spread through my whole body. It felt like I was being encased in ice. It spread through me until it wrapped around me head giving me a brain freeze giving me a headache and being slightly painful. Suddenly I felt heat pour out from my core driving the icy feeling away and I felt the heat take over and my sensations returned to normal.

"A hand of Ada" Lord Zasuan announced to the whole room "without doubt, your gift is as clear and bright as the sun, Friend tell me your name and where do you come from."

I reached into my satchel and took both my letter and my scroll and presented them to Lord Zasuan who took them and glanced them over.

"A servant to Velour Voa" he murmured "A freeman?" he asked to himself

"You've come to see the aid of Mage Venore high priest of Ada" Lord Zasuan said

"Aye" I managed to say

"Your magic like your heart tells me things" he said "you never knew your parents, you grew up a servant, you seek direction and a purpose, your goals are honorable and your heart pure, the magic burns in you like a fire." Lord Zasuan paused

I was surprised he knew all these things

"Twfen why so silent, how did you come to meet Aden here?" Lord Zasuan called over me to Twfen who had not moved.

"My Lord, I was in Nune when I came across Aden who was famished. I offered him lunch and to travel with me. He told me he was headed for Aldena so I accompanied him." Twfen said

"Well since you are here could you take your place?" Lord Zasuan said with a smile

Twfen moved forward and stood next to the boy next to the throne.

"Twfen Solador Al Ada is my nephew and captain of my Imperial guard and third in line to the throne" Lord Zasuan said "Next to him is my son and heir apparent Rivven Al Aldena"

I stood speechless. Twfen was nephew to the king

"Aden of Voa" he said "I grant thee a title which you may bear with honor, for services rendered to the people of Aldetta I grant thee the name `Fuico.' Henceforth you may be called Aden Fuico Al Voa"

There was a polite applause

"I'm sorry my Lord" I said embarrassed "what does `Fuico' mean?"

"It is our old dialect for Fire" the woman behind Lord Zasuan spoke

"Aden, might I introduce to you my wife Lady Talenna"

I bowed

"Thank you for answering my question" I said

"He's a real charmer" she said

"I also grant you a seat in the house of Ada, so that you might learn more about your powers" Lord Zasuan said and at that moment an elf with long black hair like my own and eyes also like my own came into the chamber and I instantly felt a bond of recognition between us, I was related to him. Something inside me was telling me so.

"Mage Venore, may I present to you the boy who defeated the `Poignard'" Lord Zasuan said

The elf remained speechless as he looked me over and then to Lord Zasuan "Yes I saw it too, there can be no doubt" he said

"Aden?" Venore asked me

"Do you know me?" I asked and was shocked when the elf seemed to fly across the room and wrapped me in his arms.

"Thank Ada, oh heavenly blessings" he said I felt a warm magic flow though me that was not my own but it felt good and comfortable. I could only describe it as being home.

"Lord Zasuan!" Venore shouted "He is! He is!"

"I'm what?" I asked

"My grandson" he said

I was speechless; this man Mage Venore was my grandfather, the head priest of Ada. I had just met him. All my life I grew up thinking my parents were servants, yet here he was. I didn't understand but my gift, my magic told me he was related to me. He even looked like me but a bit older.

"Aden your parents or rather my son served as priests here for The Hands, he also served as an imperial guard here in this very chamber. They along with you were sailing from Aldena to Monsayur when you were caught in a storm and the ship with all hands was lost. I thought you were dead." Venore said

"Indeed, this is truly a puzzle" Lord Zasuan said "Venore" he said holding the parchment I received from Velour and handed it to Venore who with a simple wave of his hand revealed more writing over the back side of the letter.

"It's for you" Venore said handing me the parchment

Aden, forgive this old man but if you are reading this then you must know the truth. Your parents were not servants to my house, but rather my servants found you on the shore off the edge of my property. The only object with you was a piece of parchment in your blanket that said `Aden.' I took you in and gave you shelter and provided you with a home. Have no doubt that I cared for you as if you were my own, but when your gift was discovered and you matured there could be no doubt that you were of Venore's blood. If you didn't know Venore and I are distant cousins. Once you were ready I sent you to him so that you might be reunited. Forgive me for wanting to keep you close for so long, but as foolish old men sometimes are, I loved you too much.

I hope that I might someday see you again.

Your Humble Servant

Lord Velour Veo al Voa

I felt a tear on the corner of my eye and soon the tears began to flow and I felt Venore, my grandfather wrap his arms around me and I felt a soothing warmth flow around me. I returned the hug and I calmed. I looked up embarrassed and even Lord Zasuan seemed moved by my reaction.

"Well I think we should let you two get more acquainted" Lord Zasuan said rising from his throne.

"Come let me show you to your new rooms" Venore said taking my hand

I was led out the side door and back into the castle.