Rise of the Champions

by Nicholas Joslin

  “I do wish to apologize to you, old friend,” Chieftain Wooll said, taking a puff from his pipe.

  “Apologize? What for?” Chieftain Barod asked.

  “I feel partially responsible for you almost dying. Had we stood together with you earlier, the Highrock may have never attacked your home and you may have not gotten poisoned. Allies should stand and fight alongside each other, even if their reasons aren’t as strong,” Chieftain Wooll explained, some sadness in his old grey eyes.

  Chieftain Barod had always been conflicted with their alliance. He understood why Wooll wouldn’t want to get involved, but with their help they may have been in a better position. But there was no sense dwelling on the past, not now.

  “Thank you, but do not feel responsible. I understand why you’ve never fought the Highrock Clan. After all, I wish we didn’t have to fight them. We were once all part of the same clan after all, those many generations ago. That hatred they harbor comes from a grudge older than any of us. So please, my friend, do not be sorry,” Chieftain Barod replied with a small smile.

  “I wish you didn’t have to fight them as well. I sometimes used to dream of us all reuniting and again becoming the Great Clan … Have you ever been to the ruins of the Great City far to the North?” Chieftain Wooll asked.

  “No, I have never made it there. I have always wanted to, but it’s a long journey, is it not?” Chieftain Wool answered.

  “It is. Over a week’s walk from our village, even longer from yours. I went there a few years ago with some scouts. There must have been tens of thousands of clanspeople, all living together in a massive, well, city. Most all of it has been destroyed or withered away to nothing. But there’s enough to paint a picture of our past,” Chieftain Wooll explained, peacefully puffing from his pipe. “Perhaps someday we can venture there together and see our people’s past.”

  “I’d like that,” Chieftain Barod smiled, hoping it would be a possibility.

  Chieftain Barod had the same dream. Humans were stronger together, and their small clans were only a half-exposed shadow of what the Great Clan had been. If they had all still been united, maybe this new threat could have already been defeated.

  “Well, I will convince my people to fight against both the Horrors and the Highrock Clan if they continue on with their war. It’s late, I know, but I doubt your fight with them is over,” Chieftain Wooll offered. “In fact, I have sent a couple of my guards to bring all my people here, as requested.”

  “Thank you, Herold. I’m sure that fight isn’t over. I would be surprised if they fought alongside us against the Horrors,” Chieftain Barod thanked.

  “No, I doubt they will … I wonder if we will even see that Garon boy again. Prince or not, exile means exile,” Chieftain Wooll added.

  Chieftain Barod wondered the same thing. He hadn’t met Garon yet, but based on what everyone had said, he was trustworthy. Apparently, Anna liked the man, and if anyone was a good judge of character it was her. He hoped the boy would be able to convince his father, but Chieftain Barod had seen the hatred in the chief king’s eyes.

  “I hope we do. We will need everyone we can get. I wonder how our people are faring with the Ancient and Linta Clans?” Chieftain Barod pondered.

  “Hard to say, but I have faith. Elder Matkon seems like a good man, and Anna is strong willed and determined. Between the two of them, I’m sure they’ll be able to make their case,” Chieftain Wooll said, taking a long puff of his pipe. “However, if they are successful, this village is going to be a bit crowded.”

  Chieftain Barod hadn’t thought about how many people his village could handle. The Narsho Clan was larger than the Highrock Clan, and not by much. The other clans were all larger, and it would be difficult to house them here. He wasn’t sure how many lived with the Ancient Clan due to their secrecy, but it made the most sense to bring them all together. If anything, they could settle outside the wall and they could fortify another perimeter.

  “It will be, but if the Horrors really can possess the bodies of the dead, then we’ll need to keep our people together. Otherwise, they’ll hunt us down one by one, taking us whenever we are weak,” Chieftain Barod replied, staring out at the ocean.

  “You are not wrong,” Chieftain Wooll said, also gazing out to sea.

  The two talked about more casual topics for a while, trying their best to take a moment to relax. They knew the path ahead would be troublesome, and they would need to conserve their strength and not overthink things.

  Eventually, Chieftain Barod felt the pain return; the fires of old poison began to burn again, but not as hot as before. The magic had at least relieved some pain. Chieftain Barod had no idea how magic worked, but he couldn’t deny its effectiveness.

  As the two chieftains retold stories from their youth, they didn’t even hear the young man walk up next to them. Only when he cleared his throat did the two look over. To Chieftain Barod, the black-haired man with a well-trimmed goatee was a stranger. His clothes were nice, and his swords seemed to be made of the highest-grade metal. A red cloak was draped from his shoulders.

  “Exiled Prince Garon Mace, you return,” Chieftain Wooll said, not standing but still extending his hand toward the prince.

  “Chieftain Wooll,” Garon greeted, shaking the man’s hand.

  Recalling the battle, Chieftain Barod remembered seeing the young man fighting alongside his people. Part of him wanted to hate the young man, an enemy to the Narsho, his father a poison-wielding coward, but he was level-headed enough to cut through such petty thoughts.

  “I am Chieftain Barod of the Narsho Clan. It is nice to finally meet you, Prince Mace,” Chieftain Barod greeted, extending his arm toward his former enemy.

  “I am a prince no more. Please, call me Garon. It is an honor to meet you, Chieftain Barod. Your people speak of you with absolute respect,” Garon greeted, shaking the chieftain’s hand.

  Shaking Garon’s hand, Chieftain Barod noted how the younger man had come to terms with his new role in the world—from prince to outcast; it seemed Garon had lost everything. Still, he stood before the chieftain with a sense of pride. It was obvious the exiled prince had not given up, though it was also apparent he had been unable to convince his people to fight alongside them.

  “A pleasure, Garon,” Chieftain Barod corrected.

  “Did you have any luck with your father?” Chieftain Wooll asked.

  “Unfortunately, I did not. He is too far gone in his hatred. He would not listen,” Garon answered, his voice slightly wavering.

  “That is unfortunate, though I did not think you would be successful. No offense to you, Garon,” Chieftain Wooll replied, sitting back and stroking his white beard.

  “We will have to make do with who we do have then,” Chieftain Barod added.

  “I will stay and fight alongside you, for my people’s sake,” Garon said, saluting the chieftains. “Is there anything I can do to help now?”

  Chieftain Barod thought for a moment, figuring out the best thing Garon could do. While Garon was still an outsider; he would be tolerated by anyone if their chieftain vouched for him. He had seen the man’s excellent swordsmanship but knew he had fought Narsho warriors not even a week before. It would be worth the risk if his people could learn anything new from him.

  “There is, actually. Go to the barracks and find Guard Captain Jarult. Tell him I’ve sent you to be a trainer for anyone willing to improve their skills with a sword. Most will not trust you, but some may be willing to put their feud aside if they desire self-improvement enough,” Chieftain Barod told.

  “Then I will go at once. Thank you, Chieftains,” Garon said with a small bow.

  The two didn’t talk until Garon had walked away. Chieftain Barod could tell that the young man truly had the best intentions. It was a shame he didn’t lead his people. It appeared Chief King Mace had failed to indoctrinate his son like he must have been as a child.

  “He seems like a good lad,” Chieftain Wooll said, looking ove
r at his friend.

  “Seems like it. A fierce warrior at heart too,” Chieftain Barod agreed.

  The two old friends trailed off into stories of the past once more. As they stared out at the ocean, they remembered better times from years past. They had both faced their fair share of challenges in their long lives, but nothing with the magnitude of what was to come. The Highrock Clan, bandits, beasts, food shortages, and illness were nothing compared to the potential danger Anna had described. But for now, they simply relaxed, talking with each other like they were young men again as they gazed over the beautiful orange sunset.

  Chapter 18

  Sitting peacefully on the grassy knoll, Anna looked over the thousands of people camped out around her home. It was a sight to behold, as these thousands were from different clans with different backgrounds. Now the Ancient, Linta, and Forud Clans had joined together here at the Narsho Village. She wondered if the Great Clan had started out like this.

  She took a sip of the tincture Olaf had refilled for her, which supposedly was the best thing for her pregnancy. Despite it being early on, she could feel it. She placed her hand gently on her barely changed stomach, hoping they would win the battle to come.

  It had been days since she had returned, and the Linta Clan had only just arrived. Before they did, she had taken the time to rest and keep to herself. She hadn’t seen anyone besides Chieftain Barod, Olaf, and a few other scouts since she had been back. Due to the chaos of their overpopulated village, she had been staying outside the walls during the day. She always felt better out in nature, surrounded by peace.

  She looked across the village towards the sea, counting the masts standing tall over their now bustling harbor. Two dozen ships of varying sizes were crammed in the port and surrounding waters, the most of which being Linta ships. Considering the warnings to leave, they hadn’t stopped the construction of the ships. Now, Linta and Narsho shipbuilders worked together to create more ships capable of transporting their large population. Anna wasn’t sure if they’d be able to take more than a third of the people with the current ships; if anything, only the young, old, and fragile of the clan would escape while the warriors stayed behind. She shuddered at the thought and thought of more pleasant things.

  A few minutes went by before she saw someone making their way towards her. It took her a moment to recognize the burly man as Titus. She wasn’t used to seeing the Champion in plain clothes and unarmed. As she stared, their eyes connected, and he picked up the pace.

  She hadn’t seen Titus since she had left, but he looked far more motivated and full life than he had when last she saw him. It seemed he had gotten his much-needed rest and was ready for the battle to come. She said nothing, waiting for him to approach.

  “If only I could’ve found you in the dining hall,” Titus said half-jokingly as he finished climbing up the small knoll.

  “You wouldn’t catch me there right now. I fear we have more hungry mouths than we have food,” Anna replied, standing to shake Titus’s hand.

  As they shook hands, she noticed the Champion was out of breath. Perhaps he hadn’t quite gotten the relaxation he had needed. There was no time for it now, however, as the battle neared.

  “You may be right…” Titus said, taking a moment to catch his breath.

  “I know you didn’t come all the way over here just to talk to me. What’s going on?” Anna asked with a small chuckle.

  “They are preparing a meeting with everyone. All the chieftains, the Seer, the elders, everyone who's anyone is there,” Titus answered, standing straight and regaining his proud composure.

  “I see. Am I part of that everyone?” Anna asked.

  “Of course you are. Chieftain Barod sent me to find you. I just wish you weren’t camped up all the way over here,” Titus replied, again only partially joking.

  “The village is far too busy for my taste. Scouts prefer it out here. At least I do,” Anna replied, looking at the massive crowds in the distance.

  She could see where they were trying to build a secondary wall, or at least a sort of defensive perimeter around everyone. Even with many of the other clanspeople inside the village, there was still a camp almost as large as the village itself right outside the gate. Now they were taking whatever spare wood and other material they found to secure themselves.

  Anna wasn’t sure if it would be effective, but it would at least slow down the Horrors if they somehow made it here. She looked back at her belongings on the ground and gathered them, knowing her people once again needed her. She knew this may be the very last time she spent on the knoll overlooking the village, the place where she and Fredrik first kissed.

  “I agree. The warriors from the other clans are weak too. You can tell they haven’t fought as frequently as us, let alone as intensely,” Titus said.

  He looked at Anna and waited until she had gathered her things. They began walking back down toward the bustling village. As they walked, Titus continued speaking about his issue with the other warriors. It seemed he had little faith in their new allies, though he did at least recognize they were far better than nothing.

  Approaching the hastily constructed and incomplete new wall, they were greeted by a few Ancient Clan mages using their magic to construct the barrier. The clanspeople from other clans would bring them the supplies and the mages would place it down. Anna felt hope seeing the clans work together so well.

  However, seeing the conditions of some of the clanspeople pressed that hope boot-first back into the ground. As they walked through the tent city, she saw many of the clanspeople were confused, sick, or otherwise unhappy. It was understandable, after all; to be told they had to suddenly leave their homes with whatever they could carry was a hard thing to deal with. Then to be camped out with people they didn’t know or perhaps even trust was difficult. Not only did it strain families, but it strained the clan as a whole. After all, they probably didn’t realize or possibly even believe in the threat that existed so close nearby.

  As they rounded the last corner before reaching the Narsho wall, Anna spotted a large group of warriors training together just outside the gate. As she and Titus approached, she made eye contact with one of the people training them. As she saw the red cape behind him float through the air as he turned to see her, she couldn’t help but smile.

  “Anna!” Garon called out, saying something to the warriors in front of him and coming her way.

  “Is that the Highrock prince?” Titus asked, squinting at the young man.

  “Not anymore,” Anna replied, still smiling.

  She quickly walked toward him, and as they neared, she felt the urge to hug him. He must have had the same urge, and the two quickly hugged, both then realizing it might have looked strange. As they backed away, Anna had to fight the smile from her face with great mental strength.

  “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you yet! Are you doing well?” Garon asked, his eyes darting toward the much larger Titus a few times.

  “As well as I can. I’m just ready to finally put an end to all of this,” Anna said, fierce with determination.

  “I can see that. I believe we are ready too. The warriors seem ready for a fight,” Garon agreed.

  “They’ve got you training them, huh? Could be worse, I suppose,” Titus added with some attitude.

  Anna made a small face at Titus before looking back to Garon. She wanted to ask how his trip home had gone, but she already knew the answer. She had known the answer before he had even left.

  “We’re about to attend a meeting to determine our plan. I think you should join us,” Anna said to Garon.

  “I see. I would be happy to join,” Garon replied. “Let me send my warriors to another trainer.”

  Anna nodded and watched Garon go back and speak to the group of mixed warriors he had been training. Warriors from all clans stood in front of him, some young and some old. Seeing them all together was a sight to behold.

  “You trust him?” Titus asked quietly.

 
; “I do. Completely,” Anna replied, not inviting any more of that conversation.

  “Alright, I’m ready,” Garon said as he approached the two.

  “Then let’s get a move on before they start without us,” Titus grumbled, walking past Anna and Garon.

  They followed Titus through the gates and into the very busy Narsho Village. Clanspeople from every clan crowded the paths, most having something to do to keep occupied. Those who didn’t stood by, looking almost sour from the situation.

  As they reached the Chieftain’s Hall, the three arrived the same time as Seer Mordou and Valon. Nearing each other, Anna noticed the Seer was staring at Garon, as if lost in a trance. His smoldering magically blue eye was locked on the Highrock exile.

  “That man with the blue eye, that’s the Seer isn’t it?” Garon asked Anna.

  “It is. You haven’t met him yet? He seems to recognize you,” Anna replied.

  “I haven’t … Perhaps he’s seen me in one of his visions,” Garon added.

  “Anna, Titus, hello!” Seer Mordou greeted, still staring at Garon.

  “It’s nice to see you,” Valon added with a kind nod.

  “It’s good to see you both,” Anna greeted in return.

  She watched as Titus simply nodded toward them before turning and walking into the Chieftain’s Hall. She wondered what his problem was; the Narsho Champion almost seemed disappointed that Garon was alive and well. She figured it was just his instinct to distrust Highrock clanspeople.

  “Seer Mordou, I am Garon Mace, formerly of the Highrock Clan. I remember you coming to our village. I am sorry we didn’t listen then,” Garon apologized.

  “Please, do not be sorry. You are here now, and that is all that matters. Garon, this is Valon, my apprentice and soon-to-be Seer of the Ancient Clan,” Seer Mordou introduced.

  As the men shook hands, Anna noticed Valon seemed nervous after his master mentioned him becoming Seer. She had gotten to know him a little during their traveling, and she had come to respect the man’s intellect. If anything, he lacked confidence. Although to be fair, Anna had no idea what becoming a Seer entailed. From their brief conversations, it seemed like a great responsibility.