The Rivan Codex

by David Eddings

  And when the smoky dawn arose upon the fourth day, the Host was no more, and the multitudes of the slain were lain in heaps upon the plain before the city—yea, as far as the eye could see, the ruin of Angarak did litter the fair plain.

  And Brand spake, saying, ‘Bring unto me the body of the Accursed One whom I have slain that I might behold Him who would be King and God of all the world.’

  But lo! The body of maimed Torak was not to be found among the slain. For it had come to pass that in the night Zedar the Sorcerer who sat ever at the right hand of Kal-Torak had cast an enchantment and had passed unseen through the armies of the West, past Sendar and Tolnedran, past Arend and Drasnian, past Algar and Cherek, past grim-faced Rivan and cat-eyed Ulgo and had borne away the body of the maimed God.

  And Brand was troubled and took counsel with his two closest advisors, the grizzled old man whose name none knew and the dark-haired woman with the silver-touched brow who strode through the camp as she were Queen of the World. And between them they cast auguries and were troubled, and the aged man spake, saying, ‘Behold, Warder of Riva, thine enemy hath escaped thee. Torak is not dead, but sleeps only and will arise again.’

  And Brand spake, saying, ‘He is slain. The nameless sword I bear hath bereft him of life. None may withstand such a stroke as the Accursed One was dealt.’

  And the aged man spake, saying, ‘Be not over-proud, Warder of Riva. Torak, King and God of the Angaraks, is not of mortal kind. He is a God—a dark God and an evil, but a God nonetheless. No stroke by mortal weapon, though it pierce his very heart, may slay him. Even now hath Belzedar, the traitor, borne him away and concealed him lest we find him and chain him against his awakening.’

  And Brand was chastened by the words of his counselor, and he spake, saying, ‘And when will the Dark God awaken? I must know that I might prepare the kingdoms of the West against his return.’

  And the woman spake, saying, ‘When once again a King of the Line of Riva sits upon his northern throne; when the fire of Aldur’s Orb is rekindled by his touch and the halls of the Rivan King are filled with the light of that Orb, then will the Dark God awaken and come forth from his sleep to do war against the West and against the Rivan King. And then it shall come to pass that they shall meet—even as thou and Torak have met, and one shall slay the other, and the fate of the world shall be decided by that meeting.’

  And Brand spake, saying, ‘But the line of Riva is no more, and the halls of the Rivan King are dark and unused. How shall the line be renewed when it lies dead? How may a dead tree bear fruit? And if Torak be a God as thou has said, how may even the great sword of the Rivan King overcome him?’

  And the woman answered him, saying, ‘The dead tree hath borne its fruit, and the seeds thereof have lain concealed many centuries and will for many more. When the time has come, he will arise to claim his own, and the fire of Aldur’s Orb will be kindled in rejoicing as a sign unto thy people that their King has returned.’

  ‘And know,’ quoth the aged man, ‘the Sword of the Rivan King is not a mortal weapon. Aldur’s Orb which is its pommel-stone is the creation of the God Aldur, and the two stars which fell and were forged by Riva to make the hilts and the blade were sent by the God Belar, and behold, the Spirits of the two Gods are in the Sword. With that Sword may Torak One-eye be overthrown—and with that Sword only.’

  ‘But the Sword hangs upon the great black rock at the back of the throne in Riva,’ quoth Brand. ‘The Orb which thou didst command that I put in this shield is no longer attached thereunto. The throne-room of the Rivan King is dank and unused, and the dampness of the sea hath crept in, and the Sword bleeds red rust from its point onto the black face of the rock, weeping away its substance, since the Rivan Kings are no more.’

  ‘Behold, Brand, Warder of Riva,’ quoth the woman, ever imperious. ‘The Sword of Riva may bleed rust for ten thousand years and lose not one ounce of its substance. It is a holy thing forged by Riva himself, and the Spirits of Belar and of Aldur are in it. It may not pass away, neither may it change nor alter. It abides against the coming of the great battle wherein the fate of the world shall be decided. That is its purpose; for that only was it forged. It is an instrument fated to be raised in the contention of Gods—forged was it to spill out the immortal life of Torak. It hath no other purpose, and it will abide against the time of the accomplishment of that purpose—even if it must be unto the very end of days.’

  And Brand was content, and set he his armies to cleansing the battlefield before the city of the wreckage of Angarak, of Murgo and Thull, of Nadrak and Grolim, and of the unnumbered dead of vast Mallorea.

  And when it was completed the nobles of Arendia came unto him, saying, ‘Behold, the King of the Mimbrates is dead and the warlord of the Asturians also, for they have slain each other in single combat, so great was their hatred one for the other. Remain with us, Brand, and be thou our King, lest the civil war which hath sundered the Arends for uncounted centuries break forth again and set Arendia aflame.’

  And Brand spake, saying, ‘Who is the heir to the Mimbrate Throne whom my Kingship would dispossess? And where is the fruit of the Asturian Dukes who would also contend my ascension to the Throne?’

  ‘Korodullin is Crown Prince of the Mimbrates,’ quoth the nobles.

  ‘Is there none other?’ quoth Brand.

  ‘None, Lord,’ quoth the nobles. ‘The line ends with him. One sword-thrust and the house of Mimbre is no more.’

  Brand looked upon them and spake not.

  ‘And Mayaserana is the last of the Asturian line,’ quoth the nobles. ‘She is quite young and slender. A sharp knife drawn across her throat will end Astur as easily as Mimbre.’

  And Brand spake, saying, ‘Bring them to me.’ And it was done. And he spake unto them, saying, ‘Now ends the bloodshed between Astur and Mimbre. It is my will that thou be wed, one unto the other.’

  And Korodullin, Crown Prince of Mimbre, spake hotly, saying, ‘Sooner would I die than suffer the dishonor of marriage to some foul whelp of forest brigands.’

  And Mayaserana, Duchess of Astur, spake with equal heat, saying, ‘Thou mayest command, Great Brand, Warder of Riva, but if rope or knife or spear or high wall or the deep, cold river still have power to take life, thou shalt not bring me breathing unto the marriage bed of some degenerate offspring of thieves and usurpers.’

  And Brand was wroth at their pride and their despite unto his will, and he caused them to be imprisoned together in a high tower on the south wall of the city. And the barons of Arendia were gloomy at this and swore that the two would never be reconciled nor would they bend to the will of Brand.

  But Brand counseled patience and turned to other matters.

  And it came to pass that the Kings of the West gathered in the great encampment before the City of Vo Mimbre on the plain of Arendia. Splendid was the pavilion in which they met, and mighty were the Kings.

  And Ormik, King of the ever-practical Sendars spake, saying, ‘Behold, the Kings of the West are assembled. Might we not here resolve those disputes which have divided us and thus wrest from the grim fist of war a felicity for our kingdoms and our people which they have never known? Let us here, my brothers, upon this field of war examine peace.’

  And the other Kings marveled at the good sense of the King of the Sendars, for in truth he seemed a foolish man.

  But Rhodar, King of Drasnia, spake, saying, ‘Not yet is the war against Angarak ended. Still are there Nadrak garrisons in the ruins of Boktor and Kotu, and dark Grolim priests hunt the marshes of Mrin for the sons and daughters of Dras Bull-neck to sacrifice on the altars of Torak One-eye.’

  And Cho-Ram, King of Algaria and Chief of the Clan-chiefs spake, saying, ‘And still is there war in Algaria. The Stronghold of the Algars is besieged by Murgos.’

  But Eldrig, white-bearded King of Cherek spake, saying, ‘Dear Brothers, these are but minor internal problems for Aloria. The eviction of a few unwanted guests is not a problem with which we need
concern Imperial Tolnedra, Noble Arendia, nor Holy Ulgo. Now that Torak is overthrown, Aloria may dispose of the rags of Angarak at its leisure. The Kings of the West face here a greater destiny. Boundless Mallorea hath sent her unnumbered hordes against us, and Murgo and Nadrak and Thull have tried our strength, and we have overcome them. More than this, we have witnessed here, upon this very field, the overthrow of a God. Surely the hands of the other Gods were in this, and Brand of Riva hath been their instrument. What better omen than this? Know now, dear Brothers, I, Eldrig, King of Cherek, of the blood and bone of Cherek Bear-shoulders, eldest of the Alorn Kings, swear fealty to Brand of Riva as Overlord of the West.’ And rose he and saluted Brand, Warder of Riva, with his great war-axe.

  And Cho-Ram of Algaria rose also, saying, ‘Great indeed is the wisdom of my venerable Brother of Cherek who hath pointed out the will of the Gods. For their guidance was with Brand of Riva as he led us against the hordes of Angarak, and their guidance will surely be with him still in the peace we now face. I, Cho-Ram, Chief of the Clan-chiefs, King of the Algars, descendant of Algar Fleet-foot, also swear fealty to Brand of Riva as Overlord of the West.’ And saluted he Brand with his great curved sword.

  And then rose Rhodar of Drasnia, saying, ‘The children of the Bear-God speak as one. All of Aloria is again one people and one nation. I, Rhodar, King of Northernmost Drasnia, descendant of Dras Bull-neck, pledge fealty to Brand of Riva as Overlord of the West.’And saluted he Brand with his short, broad-bladed sword.

  And rose Ormik, King of the Sendars, and troubled was his face, and he spake, saying, ‘Dear Brothers, Kings of the West, truly is Brand of Riva a man like unto no other man. Who else among us hath overthrown a God? And I say unto you now, that whatsoever Brand commandeth me to do, that will I do. And wheresoever he leads, there will I follow—yea, be it into fire or into water, and pledge I here fealty unto Brand of Riva—I and all of Sendaria with me. And Sendaria stands with Aloria as one people under the Overlordship of Brand of Riva. But, dear Brothers, some there are here who perceive not the glory which we have here beheld. For some it is a simple matter to perceive the touch of the Gods upon a man. For others such perception comes not easy. A miracle can be not seen or can be ignored if the import of the miracle is not to their liking. The force of the West is here upon this field. The war which might here arise could rend us as Boundless Mallorea or the might of Angarak with Fell Torak at their head might never have done. Truly, dear Brothers, might the cities of the West be pulled down and the Kingdoms laid waste and the people harried into the wilderness. Aloria is one and Sendaria with them, but what of Imperial Tolnedra? How speaks Holy Ulgo? What says the Queen of the serpent people in Dark Nyissa? If we war, dear Brothers, what will remain? What spark of humanity will be left to us? If we fall upon each other, may not Mallorean and Murgo, Thull and Nadrak fall upon our remnants and herd our poor survivors into the hands of Dark Grolim priests for their unspeakable rites in celebration of the victory of the Dark God we have here seen overthrown?’

  Then rose Podiss, emissary of Nyissa, ambassador of Salmissra, Queen of the Snake People, and spake with great despite unto the Alorn Kings, saying, ‘Much have I wondered here at the readiness of Sovereign Kings to submit to the will of one with no name of known heritage. My mistress, Eternal Queen Salmissra of deep-wooded Nyissa, will never submit to the overlordship of a nameless Alorn butcher.’

  And wroth was grey-bearded Eldrig, King of Cherek, and Cho-Ram also and equally Rhodar of Drasnia. And Cho-Ram of Algaria spake, saying, ‘May it not be that the memory of the emissary of Eternal Salmissra is somewhat short? And that of the snake woman in Sthiss Tor also? Might it not profit her to be reminded of the consequences of offending Aloria? Let us send her the head of this spiteful ambassador that her memory might be refreshed.’

  Then rose Mergon, ambassador of Tolnedra to the Court at Vo Mimbre, and spake, saying, ‘Highnesses, Great Kings of the North, much wonder have we seen here. Great Brand, Warrior without peer, hath overthrown Dark Torak and well have we avenged the wasting of Drasnia and the invasion of Algaria upon the hordes of Angarak. I greet Brand in the name of his Imperial Majesty, Ran Borune IV, Crown of the third Borune Dynasty, and extend to the Noble Warder of Riva an Imperial invitation to come to the court at Tol Honeth that my Emperor might honor him as befits the foremost warrior of the West. Let us not, however, hasten into unchangeable decisions in the first flush of admiration and gratitude. Noble Brand, I am sure, will be the first to agree that the arts of war and the arts of peace are in no wise similar. Seldom indeed are the two arts linked in the same man. A battle is soon over and a war endures not forever. The burdens of peace, however, grow heavier with the passing of each year. Moreover, I am troubled by this talk of Aloria. Of Cherek I have heard and of Drasnia also and Algaria. And who hath not heard of the Isle of the Winds and the unassailable Riva? But where is this Aloria? What are its boundaries? Where lies this mysterious land of the North? Where is its capital? In truth, Aloria hath not existed since the sundering which took place in the days of Cherek Bear-shoulders and his three mighty sons. I am disquieted by this sudden re-emergence of a kingdom long buried in the mists of antiquity. Imperial Tolnedra must deal with mundane reality. We can send no emissary to the court of the King of the Fairies. We can conclude no treaty with the Emperor of the Moon. With earthly kingdoms only may we have commerce. Myth and legend, however grand, may not enter into the affairs of the Empire lest we become unsettled in our minds, and the solid rock upon which depends the stability of all the West become as insubstantial mist or shifting sand.

  ‘Also, Great Kings and Lords, I am distressed by the evident disregard of long-standing covenants and treaties I have here witnessed. Most solemn agreements have here been breached. Many of you have treaties with the Empire, and those treaties state most clearly that you will have no meetings with other Kings without first informing the Emperor of your intent. Is it wise to tempt thus the might of Imperial Tolnedra?’

  And rose grey-bearded Eldrig, King of Cherek, and spake, saying, ‘Hearken unto me, Noble Mergon. Upon this field Aloria stands armed. We fear not the might of Imperial Tolnedra. If it please you, you may carry news of our meeting here to Ran Borune. Cherek vessels are swift. It is possible that I myself may be in Tol Honeth to greet you upon your arrival.’

  And Cho-Ram of Algaria rose, saying, ‘The horses of the Algars are also swift. I too will be in Tol Honeth awaiting you.’

  And Rhodar rose, saying, ‘I and my pikemen came a thousand leagues to this field. The two hundred to Tol Honeth will not even shake the dust of battle from our feet. I also will await your coming in Tol Honeth.’

  Then quoth Eldrig, saying, ‘We would instruct your Emperor in geography. The armies of the Alorns assembled are invincible. The boundaries of Aloria are where we say they are, and what we say is to be, will be. And if we must prove this to Ran Borune and to Salmissra, then so be it.’

  Then spake the Venerable Gorim of Ulgo, saying, ‘Care must we use here, dear Brothers, lest the Spirit of Torak rejoice at our division. Words of spite and of warlike defiance are easy to say in the heat of a moment. They are difficult to unsay even after years of sorrow have proved their folly.

  ‘The Alorn Kings would name Brand of Riva Overlord of the West by reason of his overthrow of the Maimed God Torak—and also by reason that he is Alorn. Tolnedra and Nyissa would honor Brand for his victory, but would perhaps not wish to submit themselves to his Overlordship— because he is Alorn. Might not an accommodation be reached, dear Brothers? Let us give Brand an Imperial Princess of Tolnedra to wed and one third of the treasury of Nyissa as tribute if he will withdraw from the uncomfortable eminence into which he hath been thrust.’

  ‘Never,’ hissed Podiss, emissary of Eternal Salmissra.

  And troubled was Mergon, ambassador of Tolnedra, and he spake, saying, ‘Surely the Gorim of Holy Ulgo speaks in jest. The Imperial Princesses of Tolnedra are the fairest jewels of the Empire. Their bestowing is
decided oft-times even before their birth.’

  Then Brand, Warder of Riva, who had remained silent, arose and spake, saying, ‘Peace, Brothers. No wife do I require, since she who shared my youth and bore my children awaits me in Riva. To me she is a greater jewel than all the princesses of all the empires of the earth. And I require not the treasury of Nyissa—nor of any other kingdom. What should I do with it? The walls of Riva are complete, built by Iron-grip himself, and he it was who clave the rock that the river might come forth to bathe the feet of the city. What need hath a Rivan of treasure? We have one treasure already, and our race hath guarded it with our lives for two thousand years and more. Would you inflict another treasure upon us to guard? How many lives do we have?

  ‘The honor which the Kings of Aloria would do me is beyond my power to bear. I am quite bowed down by the weight of it. But how might I, in far-off Riva, maintain dominion and Empire? How might I know when the people in deepest Nyissa hungered, or the herds in farthest Algaria perished of thirst, or the caverns in Holy Ulgo fell down, trapping the Children of UL beneath the earth? And what of the Gods? Will Nedra permit a son of the Bear-God to hold power in Tol Honeth? Will Chaldan or Issa accept my Overlordship in Arendia or in the land of the Snake People? And what of mysterious UL? And of Aldur, the God who stands apart? Overlordship may not be bestowed by men, but must come as a duty imposed by the Gods.

  ‘I may not, therefore, accept this honor. And must we all be wary here lest in our seeming power we rise up to such height that the Gods become offended with us; or, if our contentions become too great, might we not see again the disputation of partisan Gods? And if the Gods make war, will they not destroy the world?’

  Then rose the Aged Man who had counseled the Warder of Riva and spake, saying, ‘Great is the wisdom of Brand. Hear his words, Oh, Kings and Lords of the West, and offend not the Gods by thine impiety. And yet, might there not be some token of gratitude to Brand and to Riva?’