The Chronicles of Desidarious Devenshire Reflections

The sun rises and falls, as doe’s life. It is not our place to know life’s wants or reasons. It is for us to live to the best of our ability and never falter. Sacrifice when we must and help all in need.

Those are the thoughts that are running through the mind of this half elf, as he is standing on a precipice some 385 feet overlooking the remains of a long since destroyed land. His land, his home, now covered in lush forest. Large remnants of standing pillars are now covered with twisting vines. A shiver travels up his spine, as the memories flood his mind one after another. His large black stallion sensing his heartache slowly nudges his elbow with his snout. “It’s ok Inferno, its just memories.” he says as he places his hand on the large face of the stallion and patting his large front shoulder. Inferno gives a snort and begins pulling at some grass on the ground. The half elf looks over the landscape one last time, and sees the remnants of his home from long ago. As his mind takes over, an image begins to appear and the world around him begins to dissolve into nothing.

When his mind’s eye clears he sees the beautiful city of Dueldinar, The only city on this large island of mountainous forests. The spires of the castle reach to the sky almost as high as the tallest mountain, shimmering like gold on a sunny day. The homes littered the landscape all around the castle, their chimneys emitting the Smokey smell of mulberry wood burning. In the center of the city stands the chapel of Gaia, the goddess of the land. Its walls beautifully decorated with statues and effigies in honor to she who birthed the land and all on it. Cobblestone streets weave through the city like a tapestry. All of them join at the only entrance where the market stands. Near the market, a boy of near thirteen stands sweeping a walkway that leads to the house where his master and teacher of magic lives.

“Desidarious!” A young elf girl yelled as she ran her way up the stone walk to a tall semi- large framed boy. The boy engrossed in his days labors was far to busy to hear her, until she slapped him on the shoulder and said “Desidarious! I know you heard me, stop ignoring me, right now!” Desidarious shrugged back and rubbed his stinging shoulder saying “well hello Ula, I wasn’t ignoring you, I was just trying to get my chores done so we could go and play.” “Well are you done yet? Mulnar told me of a new cave that we can explore, but we have to get there before him and his scruffy friends!” Desidarious looked up at the sun and saw that it is well after midday. “Don’t you think it’s a little late to be exploring caves Ula? I mean, if the sun falls while we are in there we won’t be able to find our way out.” Ula shrugged her shoulders and said playfully, “Don’t be so lame Desi." That’s the whole point of exploration. It’s the danger you know.” Desidarious not wanting to seem afraid walked into the house and asked his teacher if he needed anything else. He received his leave and the two of them took off for the cave.



As they made their way to the cave Ula asked “So what is going on with the negotiations between the king and the water people Desi?” Desidarious showing the annoyance on his face of such a question replied “They go well. My father and the Mahai as they like to be called have come to an accord. We allow them to perform their rights of age in our forests and they allow us to fish in their waters.” Ula noticed Desidarious’s annoyance and reluctantly asked “What is a right of age?” Becoming more and more annoyed he replied “When a Mahi comes into adulthood they are sent to the land to hunt. They are to battle with a foreign creature in a foreign land, and they must return with proof of their battle. Once done they are presented with their armor and weapon of choice and join the ranks of the military.” Ula satisfied with his response smiled and looked to the sky and then said “This is where Mulnar said the cave is, but I don’t see it.” Just then a rock struck Desidarious on his face splitting his lip and bruising his cheek. “What’s wrong half breed? Did that hurt?” The voice rang out from behind a row of trees. Desidarious turned to see Mulnar and four of his friends standing next to a pile of rocks. Angrily Ula yelled “You dirty snake, you tricked me so I would bring Desi here so you all could fight him!” Mulnar smiled and tossed the rock in his hand. “What? You think I told you that because I liked you? Come on, Ula. You are so damn gullible! You run with this half breed highness instead of your own kind, and you wonder why we don’t want you around us? How pathetic!”

Desidarious wiped the blood from his cheek and mouth, and then spit what was left in his mouth onto the hard ground. “Well! There is a little fight in you after all, half breed. I’m surprised.” Mulnar said as he tossed the rock up and caught it over and over. The rage welled up in Desidarious until he could not control it any more. The stone Mulnar was tossing left his hand once more, then sat motionless in the air longer than gravity would have allowed it. Mulnar and his friends slowly backed away, surprised at what was happening, but not enough to run. It would be their mistake. Desidarious was known for his weakness in the area of magic, but this action took them unaware. The stone, motionless in the air then flew effortlessly and hit Mulnar square between the eyes; breaking his nose and blowing open the skin of his brow. As he flew backward, blood spurted from his wound. Mulnar wailed in pain and writhed on the ground. The other boys took off, never looking back and abandoning their friend. Desidarious slowly walked to Mulnar and stood over him. “Every time you call me half breed you curse my mother. I have stood and taken it for the last time! And you have said it for the last time!” Desidarious jumped on his victim and grabbed him around his neck with both hands, trying to slowly and steadily squeeze the life from him. Just as it looked as if he would finish his deed, Ula grabbed him and tossed him to the ground.

“Have you lost your mind, Desi? You could have killed him!” Ula said her look of shock and amazement brought Desidarious back to his senses. “I.....I am sorry. I do not know what came over me.” Desidarious responded attempting to grasp what just happened. “I thought you were a decent person Desi, but I guess I was wrong. Do not come near me again, ever!” Ula shouted as she turned to help Mulnar to his feet and escorted him back to Dueldinar. Desidarious slowly stood and walked back alone feeling terrible for his response to the situation. As he entered the gates to the city he saw Ula and Mulnar standing amongst a large crowd all gathered around the king. Desidarious walked to his father and stared at the ground. “I am sorry Father, I lost control. It will never happen again.” King Dueldin stared at his son, his eyes full of rage. “You have no idea how true that is.” He looked to his captain and said “Take him to the post.” A shock rushed through the crowd and Ula began to cry.

The captain escorted Desidarious to the front of the castle. There stood an eight- foot post with leather straps hanging from the top. Desidarious was placed facing the post as his hands were tied above his head. The king then exclaimed “My son has committed a crime, a crime that will not be tolerated not even by royalty. The punishment is eight lashes!” Desidarious screamed as the whip cracked against his back. He could feel the skin split upon every lash. Just when his body and mind were ready to give way, the eighth lash was delivered. He collapsed against the post as he started to shake from the pain of his torso lengthening. His body stung from the lashes, but not as much as his pride of being beaten in front of the people, and his father. With the punishment done the guards untied him and carried him to his chamber in the castle. When he regained consciousness he saw his mother sitting next to him rocking. Tears falling slowly down her face; her human features looked so beautiful in the light of the candles that she seemed almost godlike. As Desidarious slowly tried to move, the Queen helped him to sit up. “I am sorry mother. I do not know what came over me.” Queen Alnora responded gently, almost at a whisper. “It is called rage, Desidarious. It is common among humans but not as much in elves. Your father wants you to be more elf than human, my son. That is why he was so hard on you. But I know why you did it and I thank you for standing up for my honor.” The queen bent and kissed him on the forehead and laid him back to rest. She gave him a smile, then turned and left.

The next morning Desidarious awoke to his father standing at the foot of his bed staring at him. “Yes, father?” Desidarious reluctantly spoke. “You have embarrassed me son, and for this the lashes are not the only price you will pay. You are hereby confined to this castle until your eighteenth birthday. You will study the ways of the elves and all of your learning will be done within these walls. Do you understand?” King Dueldin spoke firmly as if he had no emotions. Desidarious felt the rage well up inside him again. “Why can’t he understand Mulnar was the one that started this mess?” He thought to pursue this thinking, but responded “as you wish father.”


The years passed one by one, and with each Desidarious learned more and mastered much of his teachings. At eighteen, he had become a master of hand to hand fighting, sword fighting, magic, and smithing. But through all of this, he had longed to be near Ula. One morning the king visited his son and told him that he had served his sentence and may now leave the castle grounds. Elated, Desidarious bolted through the long halls down the stairs and through the portcullis where the town bustled with life. He took in a deep breath as if he had never smelled fresh air in his whole life, and happiness welled up inside him. He was glad to be out of his prison and never wanted to return. He walked through the streets greeting every one that he passed. His greetings fell short to those that still remembered his crimes, and instead of a smile or nod, they would spit upon the ground or not acknowledge the thought of his existence. Today however, he refused to allow it to ruin his mood. He was on a mission.





He walked past the market and turned right down an alley, where he could see Ula’s house. A modest but lovely home. He knocked, and a tall thin man answered responding “Well hello there, Desidarious. What brings you here?” Excited to finally apologize and repair his friendship he asked “Is Ula home sir?” Ula’s father scowled and replied. “I am sorry, Desidarious but she left with Mulnar and his group a year ago. She wanted to explore the world. We told her no, but she left in defiance of our wishes.” Desidarious puzzled and crushed asked “You would not by chance know where they might of gone would you, sir?” Ula’s father just shook his head and sadly closed the door. Desidarious turned and walked to the gates of the city. As he looked out over the plains to the ocean beyond he wondered where Ula might be and allowed his mind to drift off. Why would she leave like that?

In a far away land six travelers found themselves standing at a large canyon with the orange glow of lava running like a river two hundred feet below, staring across at an enormous mountain. To the right, they could hear the sound of water falling and crashing against the lava. The steam they could see throughout the cavern rose into the air making the atmosphere almost unbearable. “What now!” Ula stated aggravated and tired from their travels. It had been almost one year since they all left the Island of Devonshire in search of treasures and excitement. “Well, we have to cross this somehow. The mage told us that the shadow root is in a cave somewhere in the center of that mountain. If we can get it, he said he would make us richer than any king alive!” Mulnar said as he scanned the great expanse for a way across. Just then the steam waned, and revealed the entrance. Through the side of the mountain an opening was seen, all six of them stepped back in awe of what they saw. The large, menacing skull of a dragon with its mouth open wide, revealed the path.

“Gaia, save us!” Ulah gasped as she stood staring at the boney remains of one of the largest dragons ever seen. From behind them a voice boomed “That place is cursed!” Their hearts dropped as they all jumped and spun. Standing behind them is a tall, thin, elderly man dressed as if he had not seen a civilized society in years. Catching his breath, Mulnar responded “What do you know of it, old man!” The traveler simply glanced at all of them and said “This place is called Dragons Fell. It is the final resting place for those fantastic creatures that once ruled our land long before us all. It is not a place for intruders and treasure seekers. You would be wise to leave this place while you can.” The six seekers began to look amongst themselves as if they would take his advice, but then Mulnar spoke up “Well, I am not afraid of any stupid curse or superstitions! If you know how to get across you had best tell me old man, or I will cut you from gut to throat!” The old man shrugged and said, “As you wish.” He walked to the edge and closed his eyes. A few minutes passed, and then the sound of cracking rock was heard. A shard of the shelf that they all were standing on separated and floated weightlessly in front of them. “Climb on, if you are going. This will take you there and return you when you are done. That is, if you live.” The old man said with a smile. Mulnar, Ula and the others stepped onto the floating rock. It slowly began to glide across the expansive canyon drawing closer to the jaws of the door to Dragons Fell.





“I don’t like this Mulnar!” Ula proclaimed as the shard of rock that they were standing on made contact with the immense lower jaw of the skull. “Don’t be a child Ula!” Mulnar chastised as he stepped into the gaping mouth and headed into the opening as the rest of them followed. The opening spilled into a bowl shaped valley, the top open to the sky. It did not take Ula long to realize they were standing in the middle of a giant volcano. As they walked, the sound of the crust cracking under their feet became greatly amplified by the acoustics of the rock walls that surround them. All around lay the remains of Dragons who came to take their final breath, and join with the energies of the land. The heat was unbearable as it seeped through the cracks in the crust that had formed over the volcanic lava beneath them, giving off a dark orange glow. The party made their way to the center of the large crater where a large pile of ash stood. “Where is it?” Mulnar exclaimed as his eyes scanned the area. “There!” Ula pointed to a cave halfway up the face of the rock, “Good eyes, Ula!” Mulnar complimented her as he began walking to the area where the cave resided. Once there, they began climbing the sharp rocks a hundred feet to the cave’s ledge. As they entered, the smell of sulphur permeated their nostrils. The smell made a couple of them gag and convulse but they pressed on.

After two hours of walking the cavern they came to an intersection. The path they were on continued but there was now another intersecting to the right. “Where now?” one of the elves yelled out. “Well, let us go right. I bet if we keep going straight the path will lead to another exit on the other side of the crater.” Mulnar said as he led the party down the path to the right. Ten minutes later they came to what looked like some kind of alter. There was a stone protruding from the wall, dimly lit buy their torches. An image was drawn on the wall of what looked to be a black Dragon; a strange plant grew through the rock. “That must be it!” Mulnar exclaimed and then grabbed the plant and pulled, but the plant did not budge. “Come on, help me! You all want to be rich do you not?” Mulnar yelled. Reluctantly, Ula and the others grabbed and pulled at the plant. After a little time the plant came free. Mulnar looked at the black exterior of the root and said “This is what the mage said he wanted, it is just as he described!” Ula, looking confused asks “This is worth more money than any king has? It looks like a rotten potato but uglier.”

They stood looking at the root for awhile, and then slid it into Mulnar’s pack. They turned to leave, when the cave began to shake. Something that looked like oil began to seep from the hole where the root came from and the cave started to shake violently. Rocks from above began to fall. “Go! Get out of here!” Mulnar yelled and the group turned and ran the way they came. From the alter, black smoke poured out and filled the cavern. Once the group got out of the cave and down to the bottom of the rock wall, Ula turned. What she saw chilled her to the bone. The smoke exiting the cave began to rise and take shape. The shape of an immense dragon. Blacker than midnight, with its body almost transparent, it was as if it was made of the smoke its self. A voice boomed in their heads, almost crushing their minds. “Free! I am free at last! You are the chosen!” Ula holding her head in pain managed to yell “Chosen? For what?” The ghostly dragon replied, “Chosen to free me, and chosen to be the last to die. For your greed, you will witness as I eradicate your race from this land, consuming them in black fire. And damning your souls for all eternity! Once I am finished, I will come for you to seal your fate and deliver you to the blackness!” With that, the Dragon screamed through the air leaving the six in crushing pain. Trying to regain her composure, Ula stood wearily and said “What have we done?”


On the Island of Devenshire, Desidarious stood at the city gates staring at the open ocean. The waves steadily beating against the shore seemed to calm his soul. He looked farther out to sea where the local fishermen were hard at their work. The sun gleamed off their sails like little pearls in the ocean; I wish Ula was here to see this he thought.

Just as he turned to leave, the western wind suddenly picked up, the ocean began to churn and chop angrily. The warm sunlight faded to darkness as a sudden storm seemed to have arrived. Desidarious snapped his glance back to the fishing boats that were suddenly being thrown about like pieces of driftwood. The sails have been dropped and the men on the boats had forsaken their nets to take to the oars to try desperately to reach the shore. The sound of thunder was heard in the distance as he anxiously waited to see if the fisherman would arrive safely. Another crash of thunder sounded even closer than before. But this time the sound was different. It was more of a roar then a clap. Desidarious looked to the approaching thunder head and watched as the clouds rolled within themselves. In all the years he had lived here he had never seen a storm like this. It seemed to be alive.

The clouds grew darker by the minute and more sounds were heard. From the center of the dark thunder head there was movement. They began to bulge and twist until they were parted suddenly and gave way. From the center emerged blackness so indescribable, the dark figure took form as Desidarious began to run for the docks to help the fisherman. The Dark form screamed through the sky and with one breath black fire engulfed the three boats right before his eyes. The screams heard from the boats were deafening as fisherman leaped into the ocean trying to smother the flames but to no avail. Desidarious shockingly looked to the sky and saw the form that had attacked them had taken the shape of a dragon, black as night and formless as smoke. Unsure of what was happening, he looked to the boats again. Most of the crews had burnt to ashes, but some still writhed in pain as they tried to swim ashore.

One of them made it to the sandy beaches as Desidarious arrived. The sailor’s skin slowly turned to ash and drifted away. His screams of pain echoed all around as Desidarious attempted to dowse the flames with sand but slipped and his hand fell onto the elf’s burning body. He yanked his hand away to keep from being burned, but strangely, he felt no pain. There were no burns or scorches on his hand, no heat emanated from the fire. No matter what he tried, Desidarious could not extinguish the flames and the elf slowly dwindled to ash and dispersed with the wind. Rage filled his essence as he began cursing the beast and casting every spell and incantation he knew, and with every one that left his lips the bolts and flames passed through the body of the dragon as if it was not there.









The beast did not take notice of him as it turned its great head and centered its gaze on Dueldinar. Desidarious reluctantly stopped his assault when he saw that his attempts at magic were futile. Breathing heavily he looked to the beast and saw the glance it was casting toward his home. Fear welled in his heart as he realized it was going to attack Dueldinar. With a flap of its giant wings the Dragon took flight heading straight to the city. “No!” Desidarious screamed as he took to running, giving every ounce of strength he had to beat the blackness and save his home and family. His heart felt as if it would explode in his chest as he did everything in his power to catch the beast, but it was to fast. Desidarious witnessed as the Dragon hovered over the city and belched black fire into its center. The screams tore through the walls and at his heart as he watched his people burning and racing through the city. Tears streamed down his face as he realized that there was nothing he could do to aide them. Reluctant to leave he headed to the castle, hoping to save his family from the blackness. Elves ran from their houses, screaming and rolling on the ground desperately trying to put out the flames that engulfed them. Desidarious leaped over and dodged bodies as he ran through the city attempting to reach the castle. As he reached the portcullises and made the turn toward the door, the next wave of black flame burst through the gate. He heard a deafening roar as the Dragon took to the air to get a better vantage over the city.

Once in the castle, Desidarious headed through the great hall to the stairs that lead to his families living quarters. Servants delirious with fear screamed and scampered to the door to escape the wrath and carnage. He turned onto the fifth level of the castle and headed into the war room where he found his father staring to the heavens on the balcony. “Father we must flee, there is a great darkness attacking the city!” Desidarious yelled as his father swiftly turned and knocked him to the ground with a back hand. “Flee! Have you lost your mind? How dare you come in here and speak of cowardice before me!” The king turned to face his son lying on his back wiping blood from his mouth. “We will not flee! We will hold and defend this city and this land till our very last breath! And when we defeat this beast I will pun...” the king is interrupted as a shadow overtakes the room.

The king turned to face the great grey eye of the Dragon that had attacked his land. Pulling his blade the king yelled, “Back to the pit you came from beast. You will not have Dueldinar!” Holding his blade above his head the king gave a war cry as the Dragon filled the room with flame. Desidarious screamed as he watched his father dwindle to ash before him, the flames filled every corner of the room but still he felt no heat and sustained no burns. When the flames died and all was calm, Desidarious got to his feet bewildered by the fact that he was unharmed. His mother, the Queen rushed into the room and grabbed him by the arm. They ran together to the center of the hall. The sounds of screams became deafening and the roar of the great Dragon outside shook the very castle. “Desi, are you hurt my son?” she asked frantically. The words come slowly to him “N...no, Mother I am fine. What is happening here?” he asked. “I don’t know! It is an omen of ill tidings for us I fear.” she replied as she began to look everywhere for someplace to hide. Just then another roar shook the castle, the mortar holding the stones in place began to crumble. A large support holding the ceiling in the hall gives way. “Desidarious!” The Queen screamed as she shoved him back. The tumbling stone and wood fell, crushing the life from her. “Mother!” Desidarious screamed as he saw the beautiful light leave her eyes. He frantically dug her from the ruble and held her gently in his arms rocking and crying. Another roar was heard as something snapped inside of him. Desidarious slowly laid his mother to the ground and entered the war room where the ashes of his father were scattered. Never looking away from the balcony, Desidarious knelt and picked up his father’s sword and stepped to the edge. Tears streamed from his face as the black Dragon raised from below coming face to face with the now King of this destroyed land. “I will not rest until you have rendered your last breath, Beast! As long as I live, I will find a way to kill you. I swear it!” Desidarious screamed as he raised his father’s sword and jumped from the balcony toward the black giant. The Dragon spun and with a swipe of his great tail knocked Desidarious through the sky. The force was so great it sent him splashing into the ocean. His father’s sword fell from his hand as he entered the water. As he slid into the water’s darkness, his body slowly lingered unconscious, then rose to break the surface face down, while the remains of Dueldinar’s people smolder and burn to ash.