by James Dale
Arkhand was reduced to rubble, King Philon was slain with all his kin, and the Aerus line vanished from the earthe. The demon Urioch slew Tars Aernin before the gates of Tanaevar, the grim’Hiru hordes savaging his body and throwing it into a cook pot. Though Eirthawyn his queen escaped with their infant son into the wilderness, Amar ceased to be a kingdom and remains a ruin even until this day. The west staggered beneath the waves of transformed Hiru and the power-hungry kings of the east. Men and Ailfar, all accounted brave, fled before the power of the darkKing and his demon generals. Five circles of Brydium fell. Immer fell. The High King fled to Dorshev, capital of Doridan, pursued by an army of two-hundred thousand which laid siege to the city.
Foul and terrible atrocities were committed throughout the west. Darkness settled over Aralon like a cloud. Brave men trembled in fear and women wept as they killed their children rather than allow them to fall under the hand of the dark King’s forces to be sacrificed on blood altars to the Sa’tan. Seeing that if Dorshev fell, the west would descend into shadow, the High King summoned all the Staffclave and western kings to him for council. Encircled by the armies of the east, he asked for the impossible, but somehow, through deeds of bravery and daring that became stuff of legend, the kings answered his call and fought their way through the siege to join the High King.”
“Is this where the Highswords come into the tale?” Braedan asked, breaking the silence that settled over the group as Alnordel paused to fill his glass.
“Make it quick, Alnordel,” Kaiddra yawned. “This wine has gone to my head.”
“Quick?” the Ailfar asked. “I shall try to make the most momentous event in Aralon’s history quick, just for you.” He took a sip of wine and collected his thoughts. “This part few living today remember and most count as hersay at best if not outright fantasy. Ljmarn feared the west would fall. He not only feared it, he was resigned to it. Such was the depth of his fear, he did something no one had ever accomplished before nor since. He commanded Lord Heath, using lore long forgotten and never tried, to open…a doorway we shall call it, to a place far away, in another realm where Graith could not reach. Lord Heath, Queen Ailanna, Ljmarn’s infant son Prince Jon, and a select guard of the High King’s Hammer, entered this doorway, and disappeared from history. Where they went, no one knows. That knowledge was lost forever, for Lord Heath carried the ancient scroll that contained the Word that opened the doorway with him.”
Alnordel paused, looking at Braedan. “I see disbelief in your eyes Jack, but I assure you this is no mummers’ tale. The Staffclave was more powerful in those days.”
It wasn’t disbelief Alnordel saw, it was astonishment. Could this be the answer to his riddle? It seemed so clear to him now. How Dorad could not see it for himself? Bra'Adan? Braedan? Was it really that simple? Even the queen in the story matched his family story of the ancient Gaelic queen Eialann. His thoughts were interrupted when Alnordel continued.
“His infant son and wife now safely out of reach of the dark King,” the Ailfar resumed, “Ljmarn called the Staffclave and the kings of the west to council, to confess the selfish act he had commanded to save the House of Bra’Adan, and to plan how to save Aralon from falling into dark-ness. While they sat in war council, the sound of a mighty wind filled the royal hall of Dorshev. The palace shook, and whirlwind appeared in their midst. Out of the whirlwind, a voice spoke that drove them to their knees in fear and supplication. “Fear not, servants of the Most High!” Alnordel said, lifting his voice dramatically. “’You have been fought valiantly, without hope, against forces beyond your kin. Now the Most High will aid you in battle.’”
Out of the whirlwind sprang four tendrils of white fire, and the fires disappeared to reveal four Arch-Angels holding gleaming swords. Gabrael, Keeper of Wind, gave the Highsword Grimblade to King Cilidon. Mikal, Keeper to the Keys of Ul’gogrond, gave the Highsword Dragonslayer, to King Tha’laen Th’nar. Caemron, Keeper of the Sun and Moon, gave King Ellnad the Highsword Siegebreaker. Eaelar, Keeper of the Waters, gave King Muriel the Highsword Seaguarder. The four angels disappeared, and the voice continued. “These are the Highswords, forged by the breath of Yh. They will be mighty weapons against the darkness.”
Then the whirlwind disappeared and a being of unsurpassed beauty and power stood before them. It was Yh’Adan himself! In his hands He held a fifth sword, which he presented to Ljmarn. “This is Yhswyndyr, Steel of the Lord. Lifebringer and Deathbane. In its hilt is Sunheart, taken from my brow. It will be a weapon against the Bloodstone, but the strength to victory lies in your hands, Son of Man, for Sunheart and the Bloodstone were made as equals. Suffer none save the blood of your blood and flesh of your flesh to wield these Highswords. For if any shall touch them, they shall surely die.”
“Then Holy Yh’Adan departed,” Alnordel finished quietly. He took a swallow of wine before continuing. “I promised I would make this quick, for Kaiddra’s sake, so the abridged version only? With the Highswords in their possession, the siege of Dorshev was broken. But at a terrible price. During the battle, Princess Tanisha, Commander of the Horsemaidens of Doridan fell. King Ellnad fell trying to reach his daughter, slain by the demon Urioch, Siegebreaker shattering in the battle. King Muriel took Seaguarder and returned to Annoth to summon his fleets, but Muriel was never seen again and Seaguarder was lost to history. With three Highswords remaining, the Whesguard kings rode to Brydium, and in the Battle of Norway Fields, defeated the hosts encircling Brythond.
“But at further cost. King Tha’laen’s son Prince Thon’il was slain, and the Talon of the Hawk, sword of House Th’nar was lost. The west pursued the dark King’s armies into the March of Peril, they harried the forces still ravaging Amar and drove them east. In the plains went of Grethor, the armies of the dark King met them, and in a battle that lasted three days, the west broke the forces of the dark King. But at further cost. The Ailfar of Ailsantain were wiped out as a nation and a third of Ljmarn’s army lay dead in the field.
“The siege of Agash Thugar was brutal and bloody. Arahil Galad’drion, the White Prince, was consumed by dragon’s fire in the intial attack. Many more heroes of renown fell before the wall of the Iron Tower. When the dark King finally emerged to face Ljmarn and Yhswyndyr, the powers they hurled against each other shook the earthe. But the High King won the day, of sorts. It is recored in the history books that Ljmarn slew the dark king on the slopes of Mount Sheol. Rather than perish at the hands of Sunheart however, the dark King threw himself into the volcano that had vomited forth the Bloodstone. All thought he perished that day, or was so gravely injured he would never again trouble the West. Whether he perished or not, the Second War of the Stones was ended.
Long was the peace afterwards. A generation passed in safety and tanquility. Some thought it would be never-ending, but I know…we know differently now. After Ljmarn left this world to enjoy his rest is the Bosom of Yh, the Prophet Aaracus forsaw that the dark King and the Bloodstone would rise again. That is why he commanded the Whesguard to build the Temple of the Door. Those who know of the temple believe Aaracus built it as a repository for the Staff of Mikael. That is what you believe, is it not Dorad?” the Ailfar asked.
“I…did until now,” the former prince replied. “What you are saying is…”
“Its true purpose is something much more astounding,” Alnordel nodded. “It named the Temple of the Door? Have you never wondered why? It was no simple resting place for a High Lord’s staff, it is way for the High King’s heir to return. It is no longer a matter of debate that the Bloodstone survived. And perhaps the dark king as well. Only the Bloodstone can command the Seven Dukes of Hell. The dark King obviously sent the demon Urioch to destroy the Temple of the Door and prevent Ljmarn’s heir from returning. It was most fortuitous your tracking of the na’Ghomari lead you to the temple at that exact moment,” the Ailfar said, turning to Jack. “If not for your invertention, if not for you killing the demon with your…well…”
“It was a rifle,” Brae
dan reminded him. “Not magic, just…powerful. I’ve explained how it worked.”
“Explained yes,” Alnordel nodded. “But it still seems like magic to me. The point however, is that if you hadn’t slain Urioch, the Temple of the Door could have been lost. And if it had been lost…”
“Then Ljmarn’s exiled Heir could never return to Aralon,” Dorad whispered, understanding. “And without an heir, there would be no one to face the Bloodstone.”
“Lucky us,” Kaiddra said, patting Jack’s arm affectionately. “Jack Green Eyes, savior of Aralon.”
“Lucky us,” Alnordel nodded, looking curiously at Braedan. “Well,” the Ailfar sighed, “the bottle is empty. Tomorrow or the next day, we will speak of something more cheerful. Perhaps the story of how Prince Ljmarn first met Princess Ailanna of Goldenbiar?”
“But tonight, Jack the Green-Eyed demon slayer, gets rewarded for saving the world,” Kaiddra smiled.
“It was nothing really,” he sighed.
“You don’t want your reward, then?” Kaiddra asked, her voice husky with want.
“I didn’t say that,” Jack smiled.
“Come, Tarsus, Dorad,” Alnordel laughed. “What say we leave Jack Green Eyes to his reward and head down to the Shark’s Tooth? The night is still young.”
“Second!” Tarsus nodded. “I need to wash the taste of Amar and Urioch from my mouth.”
“Shark’s Tooth it is,” Dorad agreed.
Chapter Twelve
Raid of Norgarth
Jack Braedan would have to wait many, many days before he finally heard the story of how Ljmarn Bra’Adan met Princess Ailanna An’Mera of Ail’itharain, and he would not hear it from Alnordel Half-Elven, for on the thirty-fifth day after the meeting of the Council of Captains, the Southwind and the Blacksail returned to Brimcohn.
The city buzzed with excitement as the Council of Admirals called another meeting of the Brotherhood. Every citizen was anxious for news. Tensions had been growing over the last few weeks when the two ships had not soon returned. The Council of Captains gathered quickly in the Great Council Hall and when Admiral Kailmax took the stage a cheer erupted in the hall, for the look on his face told them that their fears had been groundless.
"Free Brothers of the Sea," he began. "As you have all heard, Captain Barek and Captain Aetomas have returned. With them is Lieutenant Cullen ErMael. I and the other admirals have already heard their tale. I will leave it to them to recount it to you now. I will only say that fortune sailed with them, and with the Brotherhood."
"Captains," said Kailmax turning to the pair who had entered with him, "I turn the meeting over to you."
"Aetomas, would you do the honors?" asked Captain Barek.
"Thank you," replied the captain of the Blacksail.
"As Admiral Kailmax stated," he began, "fortune sailed with us, and doubly with Cullen ErMael. I will make this short so Cullen may recount what is transpiring in Norgarth. One week after we sailed from Brimcohn, we came upon a Norgarthan trader returning from Zsolandar and the Southern Continent with a hold full of leopard skins and pearls. There was a fierce battle, for that ship's crew was a group of stout fighters, and the trader was greatly damaged. So much so that our original plan to have Cullen sail quietly into Norgarth had to be abandoned. Lieutenant ErMael however, devised a plan and we hastened to implement it."
Since none of the crew were left alive on the ship, Captain Barek and I relieved it of its cargo, then we towed the ship back to the Gulf of Nor. When a Norgarthan patrol boat was sighted, Cullen and a few of the dead from the trader were placed into a long boat and lowered into the sea. Once he had rowed safely away, we set the ship afire and cut it loose, then sailed for open sea. After assuring we hadn't been followed, we sailed back around and hid out in a secluded cove about twenty miles from the mouth of the gulf and waited for Cullen to return from Norgarth."
At this point Aetomas motioned for Cullen ErMael to come forward and Kaiddra's second mate took the stage to the thunderous cheers of the Brotherhood. When the shouting had died down, he continued the tale. "Well did our ruse work," he smiled. "I was picked up by the Norgarthan patrol boat and I told them a story of such valor and courage on the part of the doomed crew of the trader they were almost reduced to tears. Since the rest of the crew were dead in the long boat with me or burning merrily on the trader, there were none to refute my tale. We sailed straight away back to Norgarth and while they were busy rousing pursuit, I slipped quietly out of the harbormaster's building and entered the city.
"What I found in Norgarth was disturbing," Cullen continued, his mirth over so easily duping the patrol vanishing. "Dorad Ellgereth spoke the truth when he told us of the demon possessing the captain of the Forlegion patrol. Evil Sorcerers of the Sa'tan abound in the city. They have rebuilt the Temple of Blood in the center of Norgarth and the sorcerers influence King Urgiss in all matters of state. Norgarth has fallen totally under their sway. The dark Priests of Gol’gar nightly make offerings at the new temple and they rule the streets with an iron hand. I myself saw a pair of the fiendish priests dragging some poor, helpless waif off to the temple and a fate worse than death.
In Norgarth they also gird for war. Teams of impression gangs scour the city in search of able-bodied men to swell the ranks of their Forlegions. I narrowly escaped their chains myself on several occasions while gathering information for our raid. But avoid them I did. And I gathered some opportunistically good news for the Brotherhood. Two weeks from now, on the night of the new moon on midsummer’s day, King Urgiss plans to hold a celebration to rededicate the new temple. The entire city will be forced to attend most of the ceremonies. It will be a night of wild drunkenness and revelry. The perfect night for our raid," he concluded.
“That is also the thought of the Council of Admirals,” agreed Kailmax, rising to his feet and walking around the table where he and the other admirals were seated. "Free Brothers of the Sea, you have all worked hard during the last month. We could not be readier to carry out our plans. It is ten days sailing to Norgarth. In three days’ time we will launch our armada for the raid on Norgarth. Sharpen your swords, string you bows and polish your shields, for in two weeks we mean to cripple King Urgiss' navy and wreak havoc in the Gulf of Nor!"
On the night before the armada set sail, Kaiddra and Jack spent the evening alone at her villa. Jessica, who had gladly accepted the position of Chief Stewardess of the Villa, prepared a veritable banquet for the two, then she and Heath left to sleep at the apartment of one of Jessica's friends. The pair ate the delicious meal in silence, content with each other's company. Afterwards, still not speaking, they retired to the bedroom and made love. It would perhaps be their last night together. They would sail into Norgarth on different ships and it was possible one of them would not return.
Much later, as they lay in each other's arms, Kaiddra spoke. "Jack?"
"Yes Kitten?"
"This last month has been the happiest of my life."
"I am glad," Jack replied.
"Promise me you will be careful in Norgarth. That you will return and we can spend the rest of our lives here at the villa," she said.
"I will try Kaiddra," he said. "I promise not to take any foolish risks."
"That will have to do, I suppose," she said, snuggling closer.
"You will be careful too?" he asked.
"Yes," she sighed contentedly. "I will be as careful as I can. Jack?"
"Yes, Kitten?" he answered on the verge of sleep.
"I have ever been in love before." Braedan started to reply but she stopped him with a kiss. "Say nothing in return, Jack Green Eyes. Not while we lay naked in each other’s arms. We will continue this talk when we return."
Braedan pulled the Queen of the Sea close and the two drifted off to sleep.
On a fine summer morning just after sunrise, the armada of the Brotherhood raised their sails and got under way. It was the largest single fleet ever launched from the pirate city of Brimcohn. There were eig
ht ships in the assault force. Acting as the flag ship and leading the way was the Laughing Dragon, under the command of Alnordel Half-elven. Following him were the seven others; the Blacksail, the Huntress, the Seawolf, the Fallen Maiden, the Southwind, the Ravisher and the Reaver. An hour behind them sailed two warships of the Brotherhood and the five merchant vessels, captured over the last six months that would be scuttled in the Winding River where it exited into the Gulf of Nor. Once their job was done they would be picked up by the two warships and the armada would return with all speed to Brimcohn. It was a simple plan, but simple plans, executed with violence and enthusiasm, were often better than a perfect plan executed with caution and uncertainty. Every ship sailing in the armada knew this might be the last time they ever looked on Brimcohn, but these were desperate times.
Once out in the open sea the ships were greeted by a strong easterly wind that carried them along at swift speed. If it held, they knew there would be no problem reaching the Gulf of Nor before midsummers day. It was a good omen. The captains of the armada knew they could use the luck, for once in the gulf they would have to drop anchor and wait for nightfall. They all hoped and prayed that Cullen's information was correct, that the warships of Norgarth would be in port for the dedication of the rebuilt Temple of Blood. For if there were any strays roaming the gulf, they knew Norgarth could still be warned and all their planning and preparations would avail them nothing.
