The sun poured in through the gaps of the heavy curtains. Cold air crept through the underneath the walls, sending a chill up the young man’s spine. He curled up tighter under the fine fabric that made up his covers, looking for warmth within the liens. Three small knocks made with hesitation were placed on the heavy wood that was the Duke’s door. “Sir, your sisters have called for you in the front room. Please make haste.”
Esdel opened his brown orbs and peered around the room, dreading coming out of his chambers. Slowly stretching out and pushing the covers away from his pale frame, Esdel had truly felt the cool of the autumn air. The young man let his feet touch the creaky floor as he stretched some more, pulling each muscle in every direction his body would allow him to. As he stood up his head felt heavy and his vision had gone horribly blurry causing him to sway side to side but only for a moment. Esdel barely picked up his feet as he made his way to the covered window. With a slow motion, he pulled back the curtains allowing the sun to creep in further, one ray at a time. The duke got dressed in his garments and made his way down the empty halls letting the frosty air rattle his bones.
As the youngest of the Gandibert siblings had finally made his way to the front room to the worried look of his sisters the eldest; Calista spoke. “It’s nice to finally see you in the morning light rather than cooped up in darkness reading a book in your chambers with nothing but a candle by your bedside.” Esdel sighed then shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t think I have to leave my chambers if I can explore all of the world with a book.” Niamh, the second youngest, bit her tongue and adjusted herself in her seat. “Why did you want to speak with me?”
“We worry about you. This time of year, your fits of sorrow make you unbearable to be around. We’d like for you to leave Waymoore for a trip down to the Washed City in hopes that the change of atmosphere will break this cycle.” Esdel swallowed hard and found the inner sides of his palms getting sweaty.
“Alone? You can’t expect me to make such a journey myself without never seeing me again.” Another gust of wind made its way through the home making each sibling shiver.
“Don’t be silly, Del.” Niamh finally spoke. “We will send word of your arrival to ensure your safe travels and a welcoming stay in Elantris. Both of us have decided it is what’s best for you and we have come to the agreement that if we came with you, you will not be able to learn to cope with your aliment.” The youngest Gandibert took a step forward as if to protest but quickly stood back in line. A thick cloud of emotions began to fill the room as all children dreaded the words that would escape Calista’s mouth.
“The servants have already prepared a satchel for you and have already arranged everything for your trip.” Small droplets of tears began to form in the corners of all three siblings' eyes. “It is best that you leave now so that you may arrive in Elantris in a timely manner.” Although the words were cold, a certain kind of warmth that only love could bring quickly replaced the dark emotional cloud. “Please write to us the moment you find yourself in the Washed City.”
A warm embrace was shared amongst the family, each member taking their time to say their goodbyes. Esdel had finally let the tears that had been threatening to fall to his cheek come when suddenly a small but comforting hand had made its way to his pale face. “We love you so much. I hope you come back the best magicks user West Waymoore has ever seen.” Niamh’s final words had put a smile on her brother’s face as he began his trip to the city everyone has been rushing to see. “May Nira guide you.”
[03 First Flight]
The leaves that lined the entrance of the Mistborn Forest crunched under the weight of Esdel’s leather boots. “You’re a coward.” The young man said to himself. Standing outside of the forbidden terrain Esdel’s heart beat hard against his chest.Taking a deep inhale Esdel attempted to collect his thoughts, shifting his weight from one foot to the other while chewing his bleeding nails. Chestnut curls that sat comfortably on his forehead began to stick to his skin. The satchel hanging from the young man's right shoulder held everything he could possibly need on this journey. Potion bottles clanked together as he went deeper into the forbidden place. “All you do is wallow in your own despair.” He closed his eyes tightly and scrunched up his nose as a figure quickly jumped from one shelter to another, disturbing the shrubs around him. Opening one eye at a time Esdel took in his surroundings, he found himself in the middle of a clearing surrounded by tall foreboding trees. A low growl sent chills up the young duke’s spine, he held his breath and stood frozen in place, allowing his eyes to dart all around the forest. Heavy footsteps started to make their way towards the young man, cracking the small twigs and leaves under them. Esdel, trying to collect himself the young duke reached for his wand in his boot and got a blue stun potion ready in hand.
A creature that toppled over Esdel crept out of the tree line baring its sharp teeth with its shoulders hunched over in a stance ready to attack. Esdel’s breath hitched as he raised his wand and potion with shaky hands. The creature began to circle him, heart racing Esdel raised the potion up above his head preparing to shatter the bottle in the beast’s direction. Before he could even let the glass leave his fingertips the creature lunged at him, holding his lanky frame down with its’ mass. The air within Esdel’s lungs was knocked out of him and he was unable to get his breath back for the creature pressed its weigh into his chest with its’ large paws. Esdel pushed with all of his might to get the beast off of him but the creature over powered him and snapped in his face. Lanky arms fully extended and fighting for control the frightened Esdel gasped for air, the weight of the beast letting very little air come into his body.
The hot breath of the creature that smelled of rotting food filled Esdel’s nose. Thick foam fell from the creature’s mouth and dripped on to Esdel’s face causing him to shudder. His arms began to shake, about to collapse under the creature’s frame. Faces only inches apart the creature snarled and began to lash its’ paws at the duke. The claws of the beast began to tear away at the fatty flesh on Esdel’s stomach that was protected by nothing but a linen shirt. Esdel grimaced and cried out in pain, his breath hitched in his throat and he began to feel dizzier than he had ever before. With the last of his strength Esdel pushed the beast off his battered body, giving him more space between himself and the beast. Finding stability on a nearby tree, Esdel placed a hand over the gash that now decorated his stomach. In his grasp the stun potion rippled, Esdel closed his eyes as tight as he could and gathered his breath. Once again raising his hand above his head Esdel made eye contact with the beast before throwing the bottle at it.
Once the glass shattered against the face of the creature it cried in agony before collapsing. With the forest floor now being the resting sight of the beast, Esdel slowly crept over to its sleeping frame. Around the neck of his opponent was a red ribbon with a scroll tucked under it. Esdel took glance at his new wound, face scrunching up at the slight of the blood that dripped from the gash. Brushing his injury aside Esdel took the scroll from the beast’s neck with a bloodied hand and unrolled it.
‘We know what your father did, and your family will pay, watch your back young Gandibert.’ Esdel stood frozen in place just staring at the words that decorated the page, letting it all soak in. The duke let his hand that clenched the scroll fall to his side and turned his focus back to the sleeping creature. Pulling his wand from his boot, Esdel made the roots of the surrounding trees wrap around the beast to hold its’ rage in place. The creature laid dead still apart from its’ hard pants and eyes dancing across the treeline. Wadding the paper that he held in his right hand, Esdel stuffed it in his bag. Out of sight and out of mind, the young duke began to shuffle out of the clearing, wincing in the pain every other step.
“I need to see Seline.” He whispered faintly to himself. The young duke paused for a moment taking in his surroundings and breathing lightly. “This coward can’t heal himself, but he d’hanm will become strong enough to hareji any beast you throw at him next time.” Smiling to himself proudly Esdel replayed his fight in his mind. “All you do is wallow in your own despair!” He said mockingly. The beast began to wake and snarled at Esdel from the ground, attempting to break the roots that tangled it. “Ph’ah off,” Esdel cursed and smiled smugly as he bent down and untied the ribbon that decorated the beast’s neck. Running the ribbon through his fingers a few times, Esdel then used the red embellishment to tie the top part of his hair back. “Just you wait.”
[02] Down Feathers
The sun beamed down brightly on Esdel’s face causing him to squint his eyes as he stepped out of the cathedral that spilled out people by the dozens through its doors. Once past the stone steps and on his way to his simple hostel, the young man took in the information that had been through upon him just moments ago. A heavy sense of dread began to fill the pits of Esdel’s stomach causing him to grimace and furrow his brow upwards.
Upon entering the hostel Esdel was greeted with the weight on his shoulders growing heavier and heavier. He set his tattered satchel on the wood planks that made up the floor resulting in the familiar creeks that somewhat calmed the young duke. “...For it is she who allowed the city to be, and it shall be her who decides its patrons.” Esdel repeated in a shy and raspy voice before slumping down in a chair and pulling his knees into his chest. Raising a hand to his mouth to chew at the skin that laid at his nail beds he repeated once again. “...Decides its patrons.”
Esdel’s gaze turned towards the window that overlooked one of Elantris’s many busy streets. The faces of the Washed City’s people passed by, going about their days as they normally would. There was a deafening rapture at the door that shook Esdel back into focus. He stood up quickly from his chair causing his head to feel light, his vision turn to static and he swayed side to side momentary. The young duke collected himself then made his way to the door opening it only to reveal the face of a young resveld.
“Your sisters had said you’d be here.” the young woman smiled. In her fragile hands she held a simple wooden box wrapped with a pale blue ribbon to keep the top on. “I hate to disturb you sir but, Calista said that I must give this to you the moment you were settled in.“ The young Resveld held the box in the small space that separated herself and the duke. Esdel reached out hesitantly for the package then gave the woman a small smile but he avoided making eye contact with the Resveld at all cost.
Returning to the front room Esdel opened the case cautiously. The young man’s lips curled upwards in a soft smile at the contents of the box. Rummaging through the rustle of herbs and small glass potion bottles an item that hid in the very bottom of the box caused Esdel to tilt his head. He pulled the item through the papers and other clutter that filled the box and his cheeks became flushed with joy. A wand, not a special one, but one more suitable for a child wizard but a wand none the less. Wrapped around the handle of the wand was a note written in flourish writing.
“We’ve provided you with the basics of the basics along with letters and tips from your tutors. Study and practice hard, the inquisitors won’t just take anyone.” Esdel swallowed hard then chuckled lightly to himself. Among the many notes was a list of names of people that all had a fancy important title in front of them. The young duke pulled out a sheet of parchment and dipped his quill into the pitcher of the black ink. In his best hand writing Esdel began to write a letter back to his sisters trying to get his thoughts into writing.
His letter started off strongly worded, intelligent and in a flourish hand writing but ended in chicken starch and almost unreadable. Esdel’s letter had been much longer then it needed to be, but it was true to the young duke’s thoughts. The letter covered in excess ink and scribbled out words was difficult for Esdel to give to the messenger, and it was all because of one line. One simple line, asking one simple question; “Can you help me become better at magicks?” The next day the messenger returned out of breath and with a letter in a pink envelope in hand, inside the letter simply read; ‘I thought you’d never ask.’