by Thomas Adams
This news would spread like wildfire across the kingdom Brandt realized. Men and women would hear and wonder at this. The news would not be contained and Brandt wondered at Ivar’s intent and why he had not told him of this announcement. At the Reave Hall Gathering, the very Hall Brandt I had founded, with war on the horizon, the name Brandt Rodull was raised. The timing of Ivar’s announcement could not be more planned Brandt realized. Was he doing it to bolster the morale of these men and women before the war even started?
As he watched the crowd, he realized it would be on everybody’s minds for some time. Some thought it wonderful while others scoffed and were skeptical. The speculation and rumors would grow and spread across the land with each new day.
But, that was not all. As soon as the noise began to subside Jarl Gustave Greyvale stepped up onto the lower steps and raised his hand. Master Ivar appeared surprised by this but had to concede to the requested address and let the Jarl be heard. Master Ivar’s voice boomed out, “Jarl Gustave, you wish to speak?”
Sudden silence swept the courtyard yet again. The Jarl mounted the steps with all the dignity of his rank. He stood on the platform by the entrance to Reave Hall above the throng of expectant and baffled krigers. He said in a loud commanding voice, “Aye Master Ivar, I wish, as is my ancient right to my liege, to administer the Blӧd Oath to Jan Brandt Rodull.”
There was a flurry of commotion throughout the crowd. Voices rose and fell and the excitement was rampant. Most realized this was history in the making. When a prince or king reached the War Age or was otherwise deemed ready for the Rite of Rule a senior jarl or royal official would administer the sacred Blӧd Oath to the sovereign and then swear the Liege Oath back to their new ruler. The Blӧd Oath was the traditional ancient promise of service by the king to the people of Vesfalruk. It was also the mark of fealty of all jarls to the king. It bound the king to serve and protect the people and kingdom. It also bound the jarls to the king’s rule.
Master Ivar just inclined his head to the Jarl and said, “As is your right Greyvale. Since the guidance of the Council of Jarls or the Chancellor canna be expeditiously obtained, please proceed.”
Brandt knew what the Blӧd Oath signified and he was not sure why the jarl wanted to do this now. He understood if he said the words with the jarl he could never take them back. His life would forever change and he would be set on a course to stand afore the Council of Jarls and present his claim for the throne of Vesfalruk.
He’d made a pledge to Yfiria that he would defend his land and people and step forward when he must. He trusted Master Ivar as well. He knew Ivar would not acquiesce to this now unless he thought it was in Brandt’s interests to do so. Brandt hadn’t really given any thought to how or when he would try to assume his rightful place in Vesfalruk. But was now the right time? Was he ready? What would Aravin or Rumborg say about this development?
***
Ivar had never expected Gustave to so accelerate the time table for Brandt. His own announcement was what they had decided was best. The kingdom needed it and the word would soon reach every corner of the land. Their decision was also made with Rumborg’s and Wulfgar’s consent. But, the Council of Jarls would hear of it and they would be upset and suspicious. They would be forced to take action and would likely send a representative to investigate.
But it was too late to bother worrying about that now. Jarl Gustave simply nodded and turned to face Brandt and said, “Step forward Jan Brandt of House Rodull, if you accept, and repeat with me.” Brandt face showed his confusion but with a nod from Ivar he stepped forward. Ivar felt bad about springing this on the young man but it was time. The lad was dragging his feet and indecisive. A good push in the right direction was needed.
Ivar had no idea if this was the best course but events were overtaking them and forcing a path. Was the timing and situation perfect? Was it the best path? No one knew but everyone agreed it would never be the right time. Brandt stepped forward and strode confidently over to stand beside Jarl Gustave. He pulled SwordBreaker from its’ sheath and wrapped both hands around the hilt and saluted the assembled krigers. A murmur ran through the crowd at the sight of the young man and the war sword. Brandt heard exclamations ‘SwordBreaker’. As the noise died down the jarl spoke the ancient words, the sacred words of the Blӧd Oath.
Brandt repeated them, as if from memory, loud enough that all could hear, “All present hear me now. I swear this oath with my blood and on my sword, I will always answer the call of battle, and come prepared to perform my duty. Ever will I stand in the foremost rank with my people,
and meet the enemy head on. Never will I leave the field without obtaining victory; Erhand will feel my steel and know my wroth. In peace and war I bear allegiance and fealty to the people of Vesfalruk. No one clan, even my own, can claim my favor over another. My duty is to defend and protect the people and land above all. I hold true to this oath until released or death claims me, May Vidar curse me should I fail to honor my oath, my people and my clan.”
A great shout went up from the crowd of warriors as Brandt finished the oath. The jarl took a knee and his family and household did as well. He said his oath back to Brandt. Then, Master Ivar, Grogan and all the rest of the Hall’s instructors went to a knee. Many other krigers in the crowd also went to their knees. Others stood in shock and confusion and looked at those kneeling around them. All marveled at this turn of events. The young man seemed to be a prince or king. That afternoon, Jarl Gustave, his household, the Masters of Reave Hall, about one hundred students and over three hundred krigers swore fealty to Brandt Rodull and named him their lawful king and sovereign.
Ivar saw that many did not take the oath or bend a knee. He did not think it an issue yet. Why should they? They did not know this boy. They did not know his circumstance or his claim. They would reserve the right to take the oath after the Council of Jarls had made their judgement. He recognized the shock, surprise and doubt. He did not think they would convince everyone today. But, the path was chosen, the seeds planted, perhaps one day they would take the oath and swear fealty. The feast tonight would be rife with speculation and discussion of this fantastic development. Could an age of kings truly return to Vesfalruk?
***
She came to him that night in a dream. This was not a dream from his past though. It was the present because she looked a little older than when she had been at Reave Hall. If possible she was even more beautiful than when he’d last seen her. And her eyes, he’d never seen them like this, they glowed faintly with archania and their depths flashed and churned like waves whipped by a tempestuous wind. But, there was an urgency and concern on her face that was new clearly evident. He started to speak but she silenced him with a delicate finger to her lips.
“Brandt, we don’t have much time. I am not sure how long I can do this. It is very taxing for me. Open your mind and let me come in. I need to show you something and it will be quicker and easier this way.”
He was not sure he understood what she asked him to do. She wanted to enter his mind? Would she be able to see all his thoughts? He frowned as he pondered the request. She obviously knew what he was thinking for she softy laughed and added. “I promise I will not poke through your private thoughts. Hurry, please!”
He nodded and tried his best to do as she asked. It must have worked because he felt something, a presence slip into his consciousness. He felt something soft and warm, comforting, like the first warm breeze of spring slide across his consciousness. Then something shifted and in his mind there appeared a thought, no an image, from high overhead, of an old run down castle lodged in a bleak ominous mountain pass. The view shifted quickly and he saw it from a frontal view now and the jagged peaks, tipped with ice and snow, towered over the old castle. The sky was dark and partly overcast, forbidding. The moon peaked through the clouds occasionally and cast the stony ground in sharp contrast, white, gray and black.
The vision focused in on the castle. It was very old, in bad repair
and overgrown with vegetation. It was a large fortress and was positioned at the crest of the pass. The outer bailey had a gatehouse flanked by two towers. The walls were anchored, at each end, in the mountain. The vision spun and in the other direction he saw the road through the pass end in a massive pile of rock from an avalanche.
Yfiria’s voice imposed on the vision she was projecting to him. Her voice seemed as if it came from very far off and it echoed from time to time in his mind, “This is the old Castle Brod. It used to guard the north pass on the Old North Road but the pass was blocked by a landslide. It was abandoned by Vesfalruk and Radnja a long time ago. But, now an army of trolls have occupied it. Aravin believes they are preparing to invade Vesfalruk.”
The vision sped up and the images went towards then into the castle, into the keep tower, then down into the cellars and then further down, past the foundations and into the bowels of the rock beneath the castle. Soon he was seeing underground stairs and passageways, the vision slowed, roughhewn tunnels, large underground galleries, armories and store rooms. And Trolls, there were Trolls everywhere.
The vision stopped and he was once more high above the old castle again and he could see a thin mountain road far below. It descended from the pass in the opposite direction from the castle and the landslide. It snaked down into Vesfalruk. It passed a small hamlet and went south into the darkness of the night. “Brandt, that road leads to Kimera,” her voice echoed in his mind. “There are villages and towns along the road. The entire road all the way to Kimera is undefended. A Troll army would be able to slaughter thousands and storm Kimera or fall on the Vesfalruk army’s rear as they muster at Castle Reave. We tried to warn Chancellor Rumborg but were not successful. I am not sure anyone in Vesfalruk knows of this threat.”
He immediately understood the implications. Such a powerful force in the interior of the kingdom while the Imperium was knocking on Cinder’s front door was a disaster. It could very easily be the death knell for Vesfalruk. It would take a very large force of men to stop the trolls and even that may not be enough. There were no fortifications outside Kimera that could contain the Trolls. And, he knew, the kingdom did not have any soldiers to spare.
The only army large enough to try to stop the trolls would be moving to reinforce Fortress Cinder. It could not hold the trolls at bay and keep the Erhand from taking the Pass of Fire. They needed another army or another way to stop the troll invasion. They needed a miracle. Somehow he had to find a way to stop the trolls and warn Kimera and the Chancellor.
The vision faded and he saw Yfiria’s face again. She smiled at him and it warmed his heart. He ached for her. To hold her tight in his arms, feel her close to him and kiss her again was all he wanted. Then he remembered her father’s words to him. Maybe it was not to be. But, she was still in his mind and she sensed his thoughts and her smile grew bigger. “Brandt,” she said playfully. “Such scandalous and inappropriate thoughts you have. Do not worry about my father. Mother and I will handle him. Be encouraged for my heart is yours.”
He smiled forlornly and said, “I miss you Yfiria, every day. I want nothing more than to be by your side.”
Her voice was weaker, fading, “As do I my love.”
“I understand the danger and will do all I can,” he replied and raised his hand as if he could touch her.
She was fading out of his sight like a mist afore the rising sun, the dreamscape bent and twisted and she said, “I have to go now, the spell fades. We wil try to come to Ellorhim soon. We will try to help. You have grown even more Jan Brandt. And, you still need your hair cut. Be safe, until we meet again, my love.”
Chapter 26
Fight or Flight
No one knows for sure where SwordBreaker came from or who forged it. It was widely believed by scholars and archivists that it was forged by Vidarr, the God of Revenge, during the First Age. Its history, from that period, is murky at best. No written records survived the War of the Gods. Everything known today is second-hand lore written down by the Druids and human scholars after the War of the Gods and throughout the Second Age.
The first wielder of the enchanted blade in Vesfalruk was supposedly Jarl Agar Brod Rodull. Jarl Agar went on to be crowned King Agar I of Vesfalruk during the First Troll War. Where he obtained SwordBreaker is not known. But, it was written in the King’s archives that Agar Brod Rodull used SwordBreaker against the Trolls in several major battles. The sword became an heirloom of the House of Rodull. Rodull retained it for hundreds of years but few ever wielded it, for unspecified reasons.
It was also written that the sword was last used by King Brandt Rodull I. It was thought to have been lost or hidden upon his death. Brandt Rodull supposedly used SwordBreaker to great effect during The War of Twenty and famously during The Night of Despair. The Night of Despair was the final major battle of the war and solidified Vesfalruk’s victory over The Emorie of Imperia; it catapulted Brandt I to lasting fame. Upon the death of his brother, King Magnus III of Vesfalruk, at the conclusion of the War of Twenty, Brandt assumed the throne and became King Brandt I.
Wielders of SwordBreaker had whispered the sword had another name, a secret name. This name was written down by the Master Archivist of the Guild upon Brandt I’s death and stored away for future knowledge.
Grand Master Talgarth, Reave Hall
***
The rebellion was broken. That freed up the forces Arngrim was holding near the capitol to move north and be used for the invasion. So, the Kûnnabani gave the necessary orders and went to Kroya. As the human legions prepared to march to Cinder the Kûnnabani marched the undead army north. It needed to move the undead in secrecy though and could only march them at night. It would take weeks to make the journey.
It stayed with the main force and used two of the Revekna to scout for suitable hiding places along their route. The third Revekna was sent ahead to find a place where the dead army could hide in the hills near Fortress Cinder. The timing of their deployment into the upcoming fray was to be a carefully orchestrated part of his battle plan. A surprise deployment of the dead would cause maximum shock and confusion on the Vesfalruk defenders and hopefully their resistance would crumble.
Once the Revekna were done helping to move the undead army they would infiltrate Fortress Cinder and lie in wait for Prince Brandt in the Pass of Fire. Rumors of the prince were scarce but word had begun to spread in Vesfalruk that the line of Brandt was rediscovered and that he would assume the throne any day.
Rumors were like shite though, all humans had plenty of it. Since the veracity of these rumors was hard to determine the Revekna would only be sent as a last resort. The spies in Vesfal had no new word of the boy king. His last known location was at Reave Hall, hiding most likely. No matter, Brandt would come to Cinder sooner or later. He had to defend the fortress once battle was engaged. No Vesfal king could run from such a battle.
It was no easy task moving this many undead. They didn’t do well in sunlight and Arngrim thought it best to protect them. Sometimes they were lucky and found caverns or tunnels. Other times they were not so lucky and had to make due with forests or deep gullies and ravines. The cold did not bother the dead though. But, they were slow and sluggish in direct sunlight.
The weather further north was delaying the siege trains and the remaining human units marching towards Cinder. Snow was falling on the lower slopes of Cinder and in the valley, although it didn’t accumulate, due to the heat of the ground around Cinder. But the melting runoff was a problem. Further south it was the fall rains and, on the roads, approaches and hills south of Cinder the ground was turning to mush and muddy quagmires. These conditions were bogging down wagons, siege engines and troops alike. Progress was a few miles a day at best.
Arngrim’s master would not wait for a spring offensive as a justifiable excuse so, it forced the army north. Hundreds of humans would die due to exposure but that was nothing to its master. Two regular legions were already set up in winter camps mere skots from the low for
t of Cinder, Castle Skeg. Four were slowly moving up and three more were breaking camp at Crestia now. The two legions at cinder were preparing additional winter encampments for the remainder of the Imperium forces moving north. All should be ready when they arrived.
In another fortnight the dead would also reach the Imperia encampment in Cinder Valley. According to the reports the Haugar were sending, the siege trains and remaining legions would be in place in a moon or two at the latest. All the pieces were finally coming together. In two moons, weather permitting, the assault on Cinder and the invasion of Vesfalruk would commence. Its master would be pleased.
***
“Brandt, come over here!” Erika shouted.
Erika and two other men stood off to the side of the yard and were watching him spar with a young female kriger from Radnja. The young woman was called Pira and she was a Sword Master. She was at Reave Hall for the Gathering. She’d arrived at the Hall a sennight ago. During their lessons Brandt often got the better of the woman. But she was tenacious and kept coming back for more. She reminded Brandt of Fridya. They stopped sparring and Brandt trotted over to Erika.
“Let me introduce you to Warden Bosse and Alfaar. Alfaar is a recent graduate from the Toreu Guild Hall. Both of them have answered my summons for assistance. They were sent to protect you.”
Pira had followed him over. She laughed when she heard this and said, “He does not need anyone protecting him. He is very good!”
Brandt smiled at the kriger and turned to the new men and greeted them and said, “I thank you for coming. Erika works very hard. I am glad she has help now and can take a break here and there. Can we enjoy last meal together, in the High Fort mess?” The new men both nodded.
