The Toldar Series Box Set

by Matt Mememaro

  More Vanguard burst into the tavern, several of them carrying iron chains. They all looked surprised as they saw their two comrades on the ground, one unconscious and the other writhing in pain.

  They stepped cautiously towards Abner, and two men went to aid their fallen comrades, dragging them away from the figure destructive figure that was Abner. He held his arms out and rolled his eyes as he waited for the Vanguard to chain him. They put two sets on his wrists and another pair around his shins.

  “I don’t want you escaping this time,” Laksha said. She turned to leave the tavern. “Men, take him to the keep. Tie him down to the cart. We’re not missing this opportunity.”

  The Vanguard were unceremonious in putting Abner on the cart. Two of them shoved him towards it, smashing his head into the side. They refused to help him walk even with his legs chained.

  “Get in.”

  Abner gestured to his chained limbs. “Hmm good luck with that,” he said.

  “You won’t be feeling so good when we’ve got you locked up tight in the Maw,” the Vanguard said.

  The other Vanguard, closed fist punched Abner square in the jaw. Abner blinked from the impact, he was surprised how much force it contained. He turned around and allowed the Vanguard to lift him into the cart.

  It was filled with hay, and several tools that Abner could use to his advantage, but not before the Vanguard spotted him. As per their instructions, the Vanguard took great care in tying Abner down, with nails inserted between the chain links securing him further. Abner had no choice but to remain seated in the cart, surrounded by the enemy as they marched higher into Etia, through the slums and closer towards the Citadel.

  A short time later the Citadel was now high above Abner; its black spires a similar color to the now ever darkening sky above. Another snow storm was coming and Abner could feel it in his bones and he could sense a new urgency amongst the Vanguard. Laksha rode at the head atop her stallion, calm and collected as ever and Abner wondered if any fear ever struck into the heart of the Captain-Commander.

  The contingency was stopped at the gates by an Alilletian guard, covered in typical thick Alilletian furs. His black hair was covered in a light layer of snow, and his face icy, making him appear much older than he was.

  “Who goes there and what is your business here at the Citadel?” he asked.

  “Captain-Commander Laksha, formerly of the third Renori Regiment, requesting to transfer a prisoner to the Maw. We request a trial for him on the accounts of treason and murder.”

  The Alilletian guard suspiciously eyed Abner. “Who is it?” he asked.

  “Abner Toldar of the Tyrain Huntrey”, Abner said. He rolled his eyes. “Accused of killing both Councilor Graytooth and Councilor Reiner during the forty seventh tournament at the Renori arena.”

  “You’re Toldar?” the guard asked. “If the rumor is correct, the newly returned son of Graytooth will be wanting your head. He arrived in Etia only a few days ago and the Graytooth family steward recognized him instantly and now is putting himself before the Regents in order to take up his father’s mantle. Open the gate!”

  The bulky gate slowly began to rise, metal gears clunking and grinding together as other guards worked to pull it up. Abner’s cart moved under it and he saw that it would be next to impossible to get in from the outside. If Lois or Gareth were to attempt a rescue they would need a small army to get in or over the walls that were hundreds of meters high.

  The wagon came to a halt outside the main entrance to the Citadel and the Vanguard were met by a small party of Alilletians. Laksha approached them with both her second and third in stride behind her.

  “Captain Commander,” an elderly Alilletian said as he approached. “What brings you to the Citadel?”

  “Abner Toldar, war child of Malvrok the Exile and the murderer of both the late Councilors Graytooth and Reiner. I have come to request his imprisonment inside the Maw until the Regents allow for him to be trialed,” Laksha said.

  He looked at Laksha and nodded his head slowly. “This is the man that killed Councilor Graytooth?”

  “Aye it is, Regent,” she said.

  “Very well, we have three Regents currently not in session. Get him out of that wagon and bring him inside. Courtroom four is available.”

  Abner was strapped into a cold metal chair inside of the massive courtroom, which suited the giant structure it was in. There was a bench in front of him which was designed to have those that sat upon it the ability to look down over whoever sat in this doomed seat. Laksha was beside him staring forward at all times.

  Abner had already tested the chains to no avail, which had been doubled against once he was seated. The courtroom around him began to fill as more people from all across the Citadel came to watch the trial. While most Alilletians were barbaric in nature, the elders were not and liked doing things in an orderly manner before proceeding to the bloodshed.

  He waited, chained to the chair as the room was packed to capacity and let the trial begin. The same Regent that had welcomed Laksha at the entrance now stood and the assembled crowd fell silent before him. The Regent wielded a small hammer and hit it three times on the stand in front of him, each strike symbolizing each Regent.

  Laksha stood up straighter at Abner’s side as the hammer made the wooden hitting block sing.

  “This courtroom is now in session, and the manner of this court is to address the murders of both Councilors Graytooth and Reiner. The Regent members for this trial are Redmane, Frostsight and Lord Thornstrike. The defendant is Abner Toldar, war child of Malvrok the Exile, stealer of the red amulet and exile. Regents Redmane and Frostsight, how do you answer to these claims,” Thornstrike asked.

  “True and honorable my lord,” the Regent on the left said. He wore his long scraggly hair in a bun that looked like a wave of fire. It could only be Redmane.

  “Proper and true,” Frostsight said.

  “Very well, with that business taken care of, I summon the one true heir of the late Councilor Graytooth to grace us with his presence and give the final judgment at the end of this trial.” The huge doors that momentarily shut now reopened and Abner turned his head as far as he could to see who the heir of Graytooth was. Loud footsteps echoed off the walls in the hushed silence. When Thornstrike spoke Abner didn’t need to see the face of the heir to know who it was. “Councilor Gareth Graytooth, come forward.”

  23

  Once A Friend

  Tension in the room immediately rose to an all new high as Gareth strode past Abner, a look of understanding passing through the pair. Dressed in his new Alilletian brown and gray furs, completed with a bear’s head as a hood, Gareth looked very much the part, like his late father. He wore his hair much like the late Councilor and a new air of confidence could be felt radiating from the young man. The change in the past days had turned him into a new man.

  His nose and chest could not have possibly been any further forward and an arrogant smile had spread across his face as he moved to shake each of the Regent’s hands in turn. Each of them shared several quick words with Gareth before he moved onto the next. Every person in the crowd stretched their necks to get a look at the newly announced Councilor; the man that would lead their country into the future.

  “Abner fucking Toldar,” Gareth said. “To think I’d see you with your hands bound, standing before me as my prisoner to answer for what you’ve done. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.”

  “So this is why you ran from us. You’re Graytooth’s son then? I’m glad he didn’t get the chance to raise you,” Abner said. “Have you sold out the Huntrey yet?”

  “No, as surprising as it may be to you. I am still yet a Hunter, but soon the Huntrey will fall by my command,” Gareth said. “However, today is not that day and we are gathered here for other reasons. Namely the part in crimes you have committed against Alilletia and her people. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  Abner paused and glanced over each shoulder at th
e crowd watching on behind him. “What crimes are you talking about?”

  Gareth remained stone faced, looking ready to put his fist through a wall. “Murdering Councilor Graytooth and the slaughter of our allies in Renor, eight years ago. The list is endless, Toldar. Don’t try your false bravado with me! You have no witnesses to attest your innocence, no testimony, no reasons as to why you would kill hundreds of innocents. What do you have to save yourself?”

  “I admit, I have nothing. My friends are gone, and here I was thinking you could be trusted. I did what I had to do to ensure my own survival and to avenge my family. Your father executed my uncle when I was fifteen years old. I wasn’t going to forget that and if you think he was any kind of innocent, he should have been standing trial here with me,” Abner said.

  “This is your trial! Not his! My father has already answered for his crimes in death,” Gareth said. “Laksha, step forward!”

  The Renori Commander wove her way through the crowd, passing her men that stood by Abner. She shot him a glance and a toothy smile.

  “Captain-Commander Laksha, formerly of the third Renori Regiment, is your testimony true and proper?” Regent Redmane asked. She nodded. “Very well. You have the floor,” he gestured.

  “Councilor, Regents, my case will be brief. I can remember that day eight years ago on the hot, dry sand of the Renori arena. My regiment and I were cut to pieces by Toldar and the rest of his Hunters, one of whom I have in my possession. Should I bring her forward?” Laksha said.

  Gareth waved his hand with a careless flick. “Leave her. Lois Behan has committed no crimes against Alilletia and thus has been found innocent of any crimes committed against Renor. She is free to walk. Please continue, Commander.”

  “As anyone who was there that day would tell you, Abner Toldar engaged Councilor Graytooth on the orders of Councilor Renor at the time in the finals of the forty seventh Renoir Tournament,” Laksha said.

  The news hit Gareth in the face like a bull whip. “Wait, so you mean to tell me that your Councilor that hosted this event willingly set Toldar against my father.”

  “That is correct,” Laksha said.

  “My Lord,” Redmane said to Gareth. “If this is true, then the act of killing your father is not in fact treason or murder. By Renori custom, murder is legal inside the tournament.”

  “What about Renor?” Gareth asked. “Surely there has to be some grounds there.”

  “Yes, tell me, Commander. How did the death of Councilor Renor come to be?” Redmane asked. “Was it on the same grounds as Councilor Graytooth?”

  “No, this act of violence was carried out, purely in cold blood. Toldar had no reason to attack the Councilor in his penthouse. We brought the tower down shortly after, and thus nothing could be recovered. Before we began firing with cannons a large explosion erupted from Renor’s private chambers. Toldar could be the only one responsible,” Laksha said.

  “In fact I was present in the tower, however several floors below when Renor was attacked. My father, Barros Toldar was the one that killed the Councilor,” Abner said. “I merely witnessed the event as did Lois Behan.”

  “Lois Behan has already been cleared by this court,” Gareth said.

  “And you have no evidence against me that can be upheld in a court of reasonable law,” Abner said. “Your father willingly engaged me in open combat in a trial of arms. What do you have Gareth? You’re reaching at ghosts here!”

  The Councilor’s face lit up in a rage, furious Abner hadn’t been backed into a corner. “I am the Councilor, and my word is law within Alilletia! I hereby sentence you to death. How would you like to wish to receive your final punishment?”

  “I demand a trial by combat,” Abner said.

  A rumble washed over the crowd. By now they were all familiar with the story of Abner Toldar and the impeccable skills he possessed with any kind of weapon. Whoever he faced, it would not be a fair fight.

  “Abner Toldar. You are without a doubt one of Taagras’ finest weapons masters. You received your Aksah at the age of fifteen and did you really expect me to grant your final wish? Failing that, you are also a half-Vampire, and thus who’s to say in a battle for your life, you would not resort to your more instinctive ways. Your desire to prove yourself in a trial by combat is denied. Instead I sentence you to live out the rest of your days in the Lock!” Gareth said. “Guards, take him below! The transport will leave at dawn!”

  The crowd exploded as if a Fyndfire bomb had gone off inside it. They cheered as Abner was directed away with his hands by his side. His head was hung low as they marched down the aisle. Rumors of the Lock had only spread over the years since its construction at the order of Councilor Graytooth. The massive, isolated prison island in the south sea received little food and what guards ran it were brutal, hired by the Alilletians to torture and often kill inmates.

  Redmane turned to Gareth with a surprised look on his face. “We couldn’t prove shit. Why did you have him sentenced to the Lock? If the other countries find out there will be outrage.”

  “Listen to that crowd, Regent,” Gareth said. “They’re roaring for his slow death inside the Lock. You’ve been inside it, you know what it’s like. Abner’s a half-Vampire, but I doubt he’ll be able to survive it all the same. We’ll send a man or two of our own to spread word, create false rumors of what he’s done. The prisoners can take care of the rest.”

  Frostsight nodded his approval. “You are very much like your father. Calculated and decisive. I look forward to working with you more in the future, Councilor.”

  Gareth dipped his head in a showing of respect. “It will be my pleasure, Regent.”

  The sound of dripping water filled Abner’s ears as he was escorted into the underbelly of the Citadel. His guards were silent as the light grew dimmer and the air tighter. At last the three men reached their destination, an almost black room. One man stepped forward to open a gate while around tightened his grip on Abner’s arm.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he said.

  “Why not? You won’t be able to escape the Citadel even if you managed to get past us,” the guard said.

  “I would,” Abner said.

  “Get in there!” The guard gave Abner a shove in the back.

  The Hunter stumbled inside the large cell that reached all the way to the ceiling, too high to jump. As he looked around the cell, Abner could see that the bars were doubled, crossing to prevent any real chance of escape; at least for a normal human. He took a seat, waiting patiently for the guards to leave. Instead another set of footsteps echoed down the tunnels, followed by a loud and cheerful whisper.

  “Ever since I found out who my father was, I have waited for this day,” Gareth said. His voice was nothing more than a whisper. “I know you killed him, and I’m frustrated that I’ll never be able to personally return the favor.”

  “Graytooth was no father to you, just as Barros was no father to me, Gareth. I chose my own path, one that involves following the Huntrey and not deserting. You don’t need to follow your father in ruling Alilletia,” Abner said.

  “You would know as well as I do Abner, that as an orphan I wanted to feel like I belonged somewhere for so long. Say what you will, but when we were children that’s all we thought about. Yes Malvrok trained you and kept you as his own, but you were missing what you wanted the most. When we first came here, I met a man that told me who my father was, and he began grooming me to take control,” Gareth said.

  “Ah when you said you were at the whore house,” Abner said. “Should have known that was a lie. What else have you been hiding from me?”

  “Nothing, apart from the fact that I love a woman that you hold so close to your heart,” Gareth said.

  Abner leapt to his feet and wrapped his hand around the first set of bars, ready to break them in half. “Lois? You son of a bitch, Gareth!”

  “Calm yourself. This very cell once held Graytooth and no man can escape from them. But yes, I love Lois, tha
t is why she does not share the same fate you do. Fortunately for you, she is not aware of my desires and remains loyal to you.”

  “I am stronger than Graytooth ever was, and I’ll be dammed if I ever let you take Lois from me!” Abner said.

  Gareth sighed. “This conversation is getting nowhere. You’re furious at me for imprisoning you, and I am furious at you for taking what family I once had away from me. I also serve a higher power that is poised to destroy you. This is but the first step in that plan. You are finished, Toldar.”

  “I will break these bars, then I will break your neck!” Abner said. His eyes flushed red and his fangs began to emerge from his mouth. “I hunger even more for your head on my sword in this state.”

  Gareth took one look at the reddening eyes of the half-Vampire and began to back away slowly. He shook his head, trying to recreate the vision of the man he had for such a brief time called his friend. “It’s a shame things could not be different between us Abner. We could have conquered the known world. But for now, farewell, and best of luck in the Lock. You’ll need it.”

  “I will break it, and I will come for you, Graytooth! Just like your father, you will fall by my hand!”

  Gareth’s deep laugh echoed off the stone walls as he vanished back into the darkness, leaving nothing behind but the sound of his footsteps.

  24

  The Lock

  Abner awoke to the sight of steel bars in front of him, less than an inch from his face, trapped once again. The second thing he noticed was the stench underneath his nose, shit on the floor in front of him, made him recoil. He tried to raise his hand to his nose to block the smell, but his hands were not only tied with rope, but chain as well behind his back.

  Now knowing he was face down with no chance to push himself up, Abner rolled onto his back, his hair now covered in shit as he looked at the ceiling. His cell was small, only just as long as he was and dark. Abner blinked twice, drawing what blood he could from reserves and began to look at the cell in the light of his Vampire sight.