TaleNest

Arkadia: The Tree of Wisdom and the War of Dorwail

Long ago, in the quiet, untouched hills of Evarilla, lay the kingdom of Dorwail. Dorwail was a kingdom like no other, a place where peace and prosperity were more than just desired elements. They were the very baselines of life. Known far and wide for its prosperous trades, intelligent rulers, and innovative thinkers, it held a secret even more wondrous than its fame. At its heart, Dorwail was home to a magical tree named Arkadia.
Arkadia was older than time itself. It was said the tree held pulses that beat in rhythm with the universe. It bore golden fruit that was said to hold the wisdom of ages and fruits of Arkadia were sought after by both mortals and gods. King Auberon, the ruler of Dorwail, was the only one who could commune with Arkadia. He was entrusted with the responsibility of picking a single fruit each year, during the season of winter solstice.
On one such winter solstice night, the air was filled with anticipation. Auberon, now old and weary with battles of time, approached Arkadia with his grandson, Leon. 'The time has come for you to take over as the protector of Arkadia, Leon,' said Auberon. 'Your heart is pure, and your intention clear.'
Respect and a little fear filled Leon's heart. His grandfather was dear to him, a guiding light shining bright with wisdom. Leon remembered the tales of magic, wisdom, monsters, and gods. Now, standing here with the same responsibility upon his shoulders, he felt a twinge of doubt.
A year passed, and now Leon found himself standing alone before Arkadia. As he reached for the golden fruit, a tremor shivered through the tree. In the silence of the night, whisperings crept into his mind. Images he didn’t recognize flashed, and suddenly he was left alone, standing with the golden fruit in his hand. He blinked away tears, realizing Arkadia had bestowed upon him not just wisdom, but visions of the future. Dorwail wasn’t going to stay untouched for long. A great war was on the horizon.
Over the following years, Leon prepared Dorwail for impending battles, all the while keeping his foreseen knowledge a secret. He fortified the defences, sowed alliance seeds, and built an army, all under the name of prosperity. When the war did break out, Dorwail stood firm, protecting not just their land but the secret they held.
Through countless days and nights, flashes of steel and rivers of fire, Leon led his people courageously. The spark of hope was kept alive within the spirits of Dorwail. Until one day, an arrow pierced through the chaos and found its mark in Leon. With their king falling, morale crumbled.
Back at Arkadia, Leon mustered the last of his strength and reached for a fruit. Clutching it, he remembered his grandfather's words: 'Arkadia sees what we don’t, holds what we can’t.' Making up his mind, Leon announced the secrets of Arkadia to his people. He explained how it had prepared them and fought for them long before the war had even touched them.
Inspired and in awe of their king's sacrifice and their mystical tree, the people of Dorwail rallied. They fought with newfound vigour, pushing back their enemies. Their love for their land and loyalty to their fallen king won them the war.
Even today, they say the kingdom of Dorwail reverberates with pride, courage, unity and of course, magic. Every winter solstice, the golden fruit gleams atop Arkadia, and the people remember the tale of the courageous king who trusted in the wisdom of a magical tree.