The Quest

THE QUEST

Aaron Forde

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2016 by Aaron Forde

All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 1

The white walls glistened and sparkled as the light bounced around the vast space of the King’s Great Hall. Huge circular columns soared up from the floor which supported a transparent vaulted roof above that seemed to float as light as air. Through this curved and almost invisible ceiling, many stars and distant planets could be seen slowly rotating and floating through the darkness. Dotted along the walls were dozens of tall arched doors which were adorned with intricate panelling. A sharp bright light emanated from around the edges of the closed doors, hinting at what lay behind them. The tiled floor, which was highly reflective, was set out in a black and white chequered pattern that tapered off into the distance towards a large stone plinth. On top of the plinth sat two golden thrones, one slightly higher than the other.

Dagda stood at the opposite end of the enormous hall, the air was cold but not uncomfortable. The splendour that he found himself surrounded by made him feel insignificant and small. He cast his eyes towards the stone plinth and could just about see a lone character sitting in the higher throne. The figure was waving at him, gesturing for him to approach. Dagda nervously stepped forward. As he did, each of the perimeter doors began to open in perfect unison. He was stopped in his tracks as blinding light burst from each of the doorways and out into the hall, filling it with a brilliant glow. He strained his eyes, barely able to see the many hazy silhouettes making their way out through the openings. After a couple of moments the doors creaked closed and the light instantly receded from the hall. He allowed his eyes to open wide again as he focused on the tall figures standing in front of the closed doors. The deep hoods of their black robes obscured their faces, their heads were bowed down. In their right hands they each held a white staff with a large blue crystal orb set at the end.

He walked on slowly, constantly gazing around at the tall hooded individuals to either side of him. They remained motionless. His slow pace gathered momentum as his confidence rose. Once he came within a comfortable distance to the thrones he dropped to one knee, bowed his head and placed his right palm to his forehead.

My King. I am honoured to be called to your presence, he said.

King Fionn sat momentarily silent and then spoke, You are most welcome my boy, we have so much to discuss. Please, please come forward. He motioned to his subject as he spoke.

Dagda eased his huge bulk into a standing position and stepped towards the throne, all the time maintaining his downward stare.

The King looked upon the muscular giant standing in front of him. His shoulders and arms were bulging beneath the dark blue shirt which was tied across his waist with a buckled black belt. The muscles in his legs stretched his black leggings to their limit and his huge feet were contained within simple labour boots. Even with his strong and aggressive features the King felt warmth from him, a gentle soul at ease with himself.

My boy, as you know we have set you many tasks, and each time you have served us well with your endeavours. I have been King now for longer than I care to remember and I have seen very few who are as talented and resolute as you are.

Dagda looked up towards Fionn and raised a gentle smile. Thank you for your kind words my King. I am truly honoured to be here in your presence.

I think it is I who is honoured. As the King spoke he raised his hands to the immense ceiling of the hall. Dagda looked towards him and then up at the ceiling where a dense white mist gradually appeared. Steadily it grew wider and thicker, until a large flat circle of cloud gently rotated above their heads.

Dagda cast a quick glance back to the King whose hand was still raised, his eyes staring upwards. A few moments passed and a shape began to appear in the centre of the mist. He craned his neck back further as the shape grew larger above him. A deep rumbling sound began to grow from within the misty shape, which vibrated through his chest. The sound intensified and started to reverberate around the great hall. Eventually the mist began to recede, revealing an image of a glowing blue planet rotating high above the floor of the hall. Dagda smiled as he recognised it, a sense of pride washed through him.

This was the last Quest he had worked on. He had been sent as an understudy to Halpeen on this project and had learned a lot from the older man. He had been tasked to carve the face of the small planet in line with the writings issued to him from one of the great books. The creation of the crystal planet from an old dormant star had been tiresome work. But through the writings of the Ancients he had completed what was set out for him. It was his greatest achievement.

Fionn watched him as he gazed towards the ceiling. His huge frame stood motionless, his steely chiselled face bright from the light of the projection above. The King allowed him to enjoy the image for a few moments before he lowered his hand. The image faded and eventually disappeared, the deep rumbling ceased.

Dagda looked back at Fionn; the King’s face was glowing with admiration.

I merely followed the writings of the great book, my King.

You are very humble my boy. Humility is such a rare and underrated trait.

What has become of Halpeen?

The King smiled. Ah yes. You did become good friends didn’t you? He has been issued another Quest, he is a dedicated individual I must say; perhaps you two will meet again one day.

I would really like that. He was good to me.

Fionn eased himself into a standing position. His long blue robe unfurled and flowed down around him, settling softly on the stone plinth. The blue of the robe offset his thick silver beard and short grey wavy hair. His face, though heavily wrinkled, was brought alive by his sharp green eyes.

He stepped down carefully off his throne and walked to where Dagda was standing. The King was dwarfed by the giant before him but felt at ease in his presence. He reached out and took his arm. Please, come and walk with me my boy.

Dagda turned around and was led by Fionn towards the opposite end of the great hall. As they walked, the guards on either side of them held their staffs out in front with both hands and bowed their heads further.

As they continued to walk several of the tiles began to slide back to reveal large openings in the floor in front of them. The pair stopped and looked down at the retracting floor panels. After a few short moments the King turned to look for a reaction from the giant as he stood beside him. He smiled as he could see the captivation and childlike excitement in his face. The King found Dagda’s innocence heart-warming.

I have chosen wisely, he thought to himself.

The tiles disappeared fully and the square openings were dark and deep. A loud booming sound vibrated through the floor and Dagda could feel it shake beneath his feet. He quickly glanced to the King who smiled at him before returning his gaze to the five square holes. Huge stone pedestals began to rise up from each of the holes in front of them. The sound of rock grinding against rock filled the hall until all five eventually shuddered to a halt. The pedestals were arranged in a semi-circle and each had a thick stone top angled downwards on top of which sat a large heavy-set book.

Dagda looked around at each of them, scanning the covers. He knew about the great books but never imagined ever seeing one. Are they real? Are they permanently in hiding? he asked. He was completely in awe of what lay in front of him.

Yes indeed. They are very real, very real indeed. They always sat here open in the Great Hall until we had, let us just say, an incident a long time ago.

A short time passed before Dagda spoke again. Will my previous Quests have been assigned to me from one of these books?

Absolutely they would. These are five of the great books which were written by the Ancients and passed down through time. All Quests have been issued through them.

I never thought I would ever lay eyes on any of them. I’m truly honoured to see them like this. Thank you.

You’re more than welcome Dagda. We on the Royal Council have truly enjoyed managing your previous Quests.

Dagda stood silent for a moment, again confused. He turned to Fionn. So the Royal Council control the Quests?

Fionn laughed. No my boy, we merely decide what path we believe they should take. The final say comes from the Ancients; it is they who send the writings. Once a Quest is set it will be written into a great book from the Hall of Ancients, like one of these before you.

Dagda nodded. He wanted to convince the King that he understood everything he was hearing.

The King continued. The book will then be bestowed upon an individual who will carry out the orders of the text inside.

Dagda was baffled. I think I understand. So can the Royal Council issue new writings themselves?

Not directly. We can call upon the Ancients to do this, but in the end, it is up to them. They may agree with us, they may not.

I see. He tried to look calm but his brain was pounding, trying to take in what was being said to him.

King Fionn could sense his confusion, so he tried to explain.

The Royal Council are merely the custodians of the books. The Ancients are the overlords, the decision makers if you will. The Council votes on issues relating to a Quest but the Ancients have the final say through our voting flame.

Voting flame? asked Dagda. Confusion, once again, washed across his face.

The King laughed. Don’t worry yourself with these matters my boy. I have summoned you here for a particular task.

Yes, of course. I’m glad to do anything you ask of me.

The King waved his right hand in the air and immediately four of the pedestals began to descend back into the floor. The grinding was less offensive this time as the pair watched them disappear into the darkness again. When they were completely lowered into place the black and white tiles slid back into position and nestled down gently.

Only the centre pedestal now stood and the King beckoned Dagda to come with him towards it. As they neared the book the words on the cover came into view.

The Book of Invasions, muttered Dagda excitedly.

Fionn seemed in deep thought for several moments before he spoke again. His voice could not hide the reverence in which he held for this particular manuscript. Yes. The Book of Invasions. This is one of the most important volumes of text ever handed down.

Fionn took a deep breath and glanced up to Dagda. Do you know why this particular one was named the Book of Invasions?

With a shake of the head Dagda answered. No not at all, please tell me.

The Ancients set a special Quest with this particular book, a very special Quest. He paused a moment, reached out and touched the cover gently.

This book holds the writings which will control the invasion.

There was a long silence before Dagda spoke. I must apologise my King, but I have no idea what you are saying. What invasion do you mean? Are we in danger?

Fionn laughed. It’s fine my boy, there’s no need to apologise, and no we certainly aren’t in danger.

Dagda smiled, he relaxed a little but his confusion still reigned.

The King continued to explain. The words laid out in this book set out the greatest Quest of all, in my opinion. Fionn moved closer to his giant guest and stared at him with his piercing eyes. His voice became deeper and more focused. The invasion I speak of is the invasion of humankind. The arrival of that species to their planet is outlined in these pages.

The King placed his hand on the cover of the book. The thin silver ring he wore tapped off the metallic cover, as he drummed his fingers lightly across its surface. He looked down at it before returning his stare back to Dagda.

The arrival of humankind has been written about for eons in many volumes of the great books. This one was specifically written to deal with their arrival, the creation of their habitat and the protection of their world.

Dagda was even more stunned and confused. He looked back down towards the large manuscript as the King again reached forward and ran his hand across its surface. Fionn looked to him. Would you like to see some of the writings?

Yes, of course. I would be honoured. came the eager response.

The King stood back from the pulpit and raised both hands out in front of him and closed his eyes. A light glow grew from the edges of the book which became brighter with every passing moment. A short time went by when suddenly it flew open with a thump. The pages were illuminated in dazzling gold as they fluttered back and forth, as if being blown by a strong breeze. Eventually each page settled down into place. Fionn opened his eyes and stepped forwards. Turning, he gestured for Dagda to join him.

Dagda nervously moved towards it and looked down at the open page. He quickly glanced to the King who nodded to him before he looked back down and began to read.

Once mountains cast and valleys cut

A King’s brother will return once more

To the flaming lair to rule the masses

King of Earth Royal Council shall join.

He read the words over and over in his mind before stepping back. I don’t understand the words. What does all of this mean?

As I said to you before, you have carried out all of your previous tasks with much honour and sense of duty. Because of this I believe it is time for you to fulfil your destiny.

He took the hand of his large subject and stared up at him.

My dear boy, it is you. The King mentioned in this text is you. It is you who is to become the Earth King. It is you who will create the habitat and shape the planet for the arrival of humankind.

The words hit like an explosion. Dagda looked to the ground and went over each one in his mind, repeating them over and over again. He could make no sense of them But I don’t have a brother, he blurted out, King of Earth Royal Council shall join. How can this be me?

He released the King’s grip and placed his hand to his head and massaged the rugged temple. Please forgive me but this is so confusing, he said.

I know this must be very difficult to take in, but It’s all true, every word. You will be called to the Royal Council on completion of this Quest and in time you may become an elder. From that position you could ascend through the portal and into the Hall of Ancients itself.

Dagda steadied himself. The information was starting to settle in his mind and he was becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

I cannot thank you enough. This opportunity and honour you have presented to me is more than I could ever have dreamt of.

As I have said to you, you have been an honourable and loyal servant, you deserve this opportunity.

Please tell me. What exactly must I do to commence the Quest?

First things first, my boy. There is more to discuss.

My apologies. Of course.

Fionn moved close and stared up into Dagda’s deep dark eyes.

"To become the Earth King you must undergo a transformation, a very difficult and painful transformation it must be said. It’s through this process that