“Cannot the Lords’ Council take care of that?” asked Lyra.
“There are good men on the Lords’ Council,” replied the Torak, “but they do not get the attention of the lords the way that the Emperor does. It will take pressure from me to get some of the lords to comply, but I am determined to do exactly that. It will get done. Shall we go to the library now and see what awaits us there?”
The group rose and started heading for the library. Mobi offered to stand guard at the door while the others read. Lyra caught up to her people and spoke softly to them. DarkBlade and LunarSigh nodded and turned around to stay on guard with Mobi.
Chapter 12
The Library
“I have something here,” announced Temiker as he turned away from the bookshelf in the library of the temple in Angragar.
“What have you got?” asked the Torak.
“Vand was a high priest in Angragar,” Temiker reported. “He was well respected at one time, but something changed him. He became deathly ill. He managed to survive, but he was different when he returned. He started preaching about there being more than one god. That riled King Regis somewhat, but no action was taken. The real trouble started later.”
“What was the real trouble?” asked the Astor.
“He became very secretive,” continued Temiker. “At the same time, numerous unexplained murders were occurring in Angragar, mostly of powerful and influential people. Those influential people just happened to be the very ones who were warning the king about Vand. King Regis had him investigated. While nothing could be proved, it was suspected that Vand was creating supernatural beings. The creatures could not be killed.”
“Hellsouls,” interjected the Star of Sakova.
“Exactly,” nodded Temiker. “Vand was exiled from Angragar. He tried to appeal to King Regis for several years, but to no avail. That is when the real trouble started. Vand began his own following outside of Angragar. He told of visions that he had from the gods. He issued prophecies. He talked openly about overthrowing King Regis. His following was small at first, but then demons began to appear in Angragar. The people were panicked. It seems that Vand had prophesized that the demons would come to Angragar to punish the people for turning away from Vand. Thousands flocked to him.”
“That is when the people fled from Angragar?” asked Wyant.
“No,” Temiker shook his head. “Angragar was a very large city. While thousands fled, many more remained. Still, King Regis recognized a threat to Angragar in Vand. He ordered forces to attack Vand and scatter his people from around the city. Vand was driven far to the west. That is all that this tome reveals.”
“I wonder what turned this priest to evil?” mused Axor. “It must have been something very powerful to turn a high priest away from Kaltara.”
Unexpectedly, LunarSigh and DarkBlade rushed into the room. Everyone turned to see what the commotion was.
“There is trouble,” announced LunarSigh as she tried to catch her breath.
“Calm yourself,” Lyra said soothingly. “What is the trouble?”
“The elves,” answered the Sakovan mage. “They are outside the temple right now.”
“What elves?” Emperor Marak asked with a sense of urgency. “Explain what you know.”
“MistyTrail and the others,” answered LunarSigh. “I was contacting StarCity as Lyra directed. They told me that they had a message from MistyTrail. She and three others are outside the temple in Angragar and cannot get in. One of them is wounded and poisoned.”
“If we open those doors right now,” warned Axor, “we will have our battle far too soon. We will never be able to close them again until the hellsouls are completely vanquished.”
“Mistake may be rebellious, but she is not foolish,” replied the Torak. “She will be well hidden from the hellsouls. I may be able to go out and find the elves without alerting the entire population of hellsouls.”
“I know where they are,” interjected LunarSigh. “Or at least where they were when the spoke with StarCity. They said they were one block behind the temple. They tried to use an air tunnel to contact us, but were unable to. That is why they contacted StarCity.”
“Gunta,” the Torak asked, “isn’t the balcony that we used to escape the last time in the back of the temple?”
“Second level,” nodded Gunta. “I will get some rope.”
The Torak nodded as Gunta ran out of the library. Marak signaled to Halman and marched out of the library. Halman followed.
“We will need a healer for the wounded one,” declared Rejji. “Can you heal, Lyra?”
“I can,” Lyra nodded, “but LunarSigh is much better versed in healing than I am. Let’s clear off that table.”
As Temiker and Axor moved to clear the table, DarkBlade moved close to Lyra and whispered in her ear. The Star turned and stared into the Sakovan warrior’s eyes. She nodded slowly and seriously. DarkBlade turned and ran out of the library. He raced up the stairs and towards the rear of the temple. He searched frantically for the balcony and only found it when he saw Gunta open a door and enter a room. He followed Gunta and found Emperor Marak and Halman standing on the balcony.
“I cannot see you, Mistake,” Emperor Marak said. “Can you see me?”
“We can barely make out the balcony from here,” answered Mistake’s voice. I will get closer.”
“No,” Marak replied quickly as Gunta tied the rope to the balcony. “When you move you will have to carry the wounded one. I want people on the ground to protect you during that. Describe where you are.”
“The wounded one is Caldal,” answered Mistake. “There is a street running under your balcony. To your right is another street. If you were to drop from the balcony and turn to the right, then left at the intersection, we would be at the next intersection. Does that help?”
Marak stared into the darkness. He located the corner that Mistake was describing, but he could not see the elves.
“Halman down first,” ordered the Torak. “Gunta second, and I will come last. Halman, secure the first intersection when you get down. Gunta and I will travel to the elves.”
Marak turned and saw DarkBlade behind him. He frowned. “DarkBlade, would you summon Axor? I would like someone up here that can cast a light blade in case things go very badly below.”
“I am taking your place down there,” DarkBlade stated calmly. “I have already discussed this with the Star. We cannot afford to lose you before the battle in the morning. The Torak, the Star and the Astor must be present tomorrow in the plaza.”
Marak stared at DarkBlade and shook his head, but Gunta smiled.
“Welcome to the team, DarkBlade,” smiled Halman. “I am going down now.”
Halman stepped over the railing and grabbed the rope. He silently lowered himself to the ground and immediately checked the surrounding area for hellsouls. Seeing nothing, he shook the rope several times and moved off towards the closest intersection. Gunta grabbed the rope next while Marak wove an air tunnel to the library to summon Axor. DarkBlade followed Gunta down the rope, and together they moved silently to the intersection.
Gunta and DarkBlade moved out into the street leading to the next intersection. They could hear occasional shrieks behind them coming from the plaza, but they could not see anything moving. As they approached the next intersection, they heard MistyTrail’s voice.
“It is DarkBlade and Gunta,” she said softly. “Get ready to leave.”
Gunta saw the elves at the corner. He moved quickly to bend and scoop up Caldal and throw him over his shoulder. DarkBlade drew his sword and urged the other three elves to head for the balcony. Mistake ushered Eltor and MistyTrail forward and then moved towards the balcony. The elves reached the corner where Halman stood guard. The Torak warrior immediately led the trio to the waiting rope and urged to them to climb swiftly.
As DarkBlade was escorting Gunta and the wounded Caldal towards the balcony, a loud shriek came from somewhere close. Whether Gunta and Caldal
presented a large enough silhouette to be seen, or some light reflected off of DarkBlade’s sword, they would never know, but half a dozen hellsouls charged out of the darkness.
The three elves were already up the rope or on their way. Halman drew his sword and stepped away from the rope to help defend against the hellsouls. DarkBlade turned and stood alongside Halman as Gunta continued to the rope. Gunta gently dropped Caldal to the ground and tied the rope around him.
“Pull it up,” shouted Gunta as hundreds of loud shrieks came from the plaza.
Halman and DarkBlade attacked the first six hellsouls, knowing that hundreds more were running towards them. Gunta stepped forward and pulled his sword. The six hellsouls were quickly dispatched, their empty cloaks falling to the street.
“Gunta, go,” commanded DarkBlade. “Make it swift, friend. There will be too many to fight in a moment.”
Gunta did not argue. He grabbed the rope as it was dropped back down from the balcony.
“I foresee a problem,” Halman said as they watched the hellsouls charge around the corner in front of them. “Who will protect the last of us?”
“I will tell you after Gunta and you succeed in pulling up the rope with me hanging on it,” answered DarkBlade. “Go.”
There was no time to argue with DarkBlade’s stubborn stand. Halman turned and ran to the rope as he sheathed his sword. He grabbed the rope and started climbing. He heard the sounds of fighting below, but he dared not look. DarkBlade backed towards the rope as the horde of creatures approached. He swung viciously at the first to reach him, the creature’s head flying to one side before turning to smoke.
“Grab the rope,” shouted Halman.
DarkBlade swung two more times before freeing his left hand from the hilt of the two-handed sword. He reached up and wrapped the rope around his left wrist several times before shouting that he was ready. As he felt the rope start to rise, DarkBlade slashed out with his sword, slicing two hellsouls across their midsections. The hellsouls died, but were not vanquished. Their bodies fell to the ground, tripping those behind them. The hellsouls shrieked and lashed out with their short swords. DarkBlade felt numerous sword hits on his boots before the rope was pulled beyond the reach of the creatures.
After DarkBlade reached the balcony, the party hurried down to the library where Caldal was placed upon the table. LunarSigh immediately focused on the poisoned hand while Lyra cast general healing spells. Temiker and Axor crowded around the table and aided in the healing.
“Will he live?” Eltor asked softly as he watched the mages.
“He has four of the best mages in the world working on him,” Marak smiled encouragingly as he looked at the slash mark on Eltor’s shoulder. “He will be fine. You need have no worries for Caldal. What about you? I see you also took a hit.”
“The armor that you gave me protected me,” replied Eltor. “I apologize for all the trouble that Caldal and I have caused you. You have been generous and honest with us at all times, and yet we have been ungrateful. I promise to behave better from here on out. I am sure that Caldal will as well.”
“Apology accepted,” smiled the Torak. “As for Caldal, he appears to be more skeptical than you are. He will learn the truth eventually. I suppose he is a bit like Mistake was in the early days.”
Hearing her name mentioned, Mistake nudged MistyTrail and nodded towards the doorway. Mistake and MistyTrail tried to slip out of the room. Emperor Marak strode purposely towards the door to cut them off. He grabbed each of them by the shoulder and stopped them from leaving.
“Some elves have more explaining to do than others,” the Torak said harshly. “Why are you within the city walls?”
“It is my fault,” admitted Mistake. “I guess I felt left out by being made to stay outside the city. I also wanted Caldal and Eltor to see this library. I know that the truth about the elves must lie in here somewhere.”
“Another day would not have been such a hard burden to bear,” scolded the Emperor. “You endangered a lot of people with this foolish plan of yours. I want you to think about that. DarkBlade was moments from lying on that table beside Caldal. Or worse, he might not have been fit for the table.”
“I am sorry,” sobbed Mistake as she turned to gaze at DarkBlade. “I won’t do it again. Ever.”
Emperor Marak shook his head and chuckled inwardly. “I will believe that when I see it,” he stated. “Spend some of your energy going through the books here. It will keep you out of trouble.”
Caldal started to stir and the Torak let go of the elves. He walked to the table and stared at Caldal. The elf opened his eyes and looked up to see many faces staring down at him.
“He will be fine,” smiled LunarSigh. “The poison did not have a chance to spread far. I have removed it. A little rest and he will be good as new.”
“I have something,” Wyant said excitedly. “This volume speaks of Vandegar. Evidently, Vand set up his own kingdom in opposition to Angragar. He created a massive temple and declared that the gods had accepted him as one of their own. He claimed to be a god.”
“That has been already mentioned,” declared the Torak.
“But there is more,” continued Wyant. “He enabled priests in his name and sent them into Angragar to gather the people of King Regis. He made many prophecies during this time. All of them dealt with the fall of Angragar. With each prophecy, more citizens of Angragar left the city and moved to Vandegar until Vand’s city was actually larger than Angragar.”
“I never heard of city ruins near the temple of Vandegar,” frowned Rejji. “I heard that it is located near a lake on a vast desert plain. Nobody has ever mentioned a city being anywhere near the temple.”
“When Vand had stolen all of the people that could be scared into leaving,” continued Wyant, “he tried to attack the city, but he was repelled. He actually tried numerous times. King Regis would sometimes attack his armies while they marched across the mountains. Vand was never successful in breeching the walls of the city. It is said that this incensed Vand to the point of madness.”
“He keeps getting worse,” sighed Temiker. “It is as if he had a mental illness of some kind.”
“Or just couldn’t stand the taste of rejection,” scowled Emperor Marak. “He sounds like one who is overly impressed with himself.”
“His new religion suddenly turned very dark,” Wyant said. “He started human sacrifices and the drinking of human blood. Those who tried to turn away from him became victims. It was forbidden to say anything against Vand. The slightest misstatement meant death.”
“I believe your analysis is correct, Marak,” nodded Lyra. “It may be a way to distract him. Vanity is his weakness.”
“Exactly,” agreed the Torak. “Now we must find some way to use it against him.”
“It was around this time that Vand started building his secret navy,” continued Wyant. “He sent spies into Angragar and spread rumors that the elves would attack Angragar. After the rumors were spread, he prophesized the same thing. He said that the gods would cause the elves to attack Angragar for turning their backs on him. It gained him nothing. Those who had stayed in Angragar no longer believed a word Vand said.”
“The elves would never attack without provocation,” interjected Eltor. “I bet Vand used his navy to make it look like the elves attacked.”
“Not exactly,” Wyant shook his head. “He made one more prophecy before things heated up. He said that after the elves attacked, the gods would slay every last person left in Angragar. Those that refused to confess their foolishness and immediately bow to Vand after the elven attack would be crushed by the gods in a very painful way.”
“This man is sick,” snarled Temiker. “His whole life is devoted to hatred.”
“Eventually,” nodded Wyant, “Vand sent his armada to sea. His ships hoisted the flag of Angragar, not Vandegar. With the false flags flying, they mercilessly attacked the elven coastal cities. While Vand knew that he could not defeat Angragar, he knew tha
t the elves could. He was right. The elves attacked Angragar with vengeance. The only thing that saved the city was the unexpected surrender by King Regis. Rather than fight the elves, he gave up and submitted. When he spoke to the elves, they began to understand how Vand had engineered the whole thing. The elves agreed to leave in peace, but it was too late.”
“Why was it too late?” asked Axor.
“The last prophecy that Vand had issued caused fear among the people,” explained Wyant. “Once the elves had begun their attack, all of Vand’s word rang true with the citizens. When the elves stopped the barrage, the people fled the city. In the end, there were only a few thousand left in the city, and many of them were Vand’s spies. King Regis gathered the few hundred remaining citizens that still worshipped Kaltara. He planned to march them out of the city and call upon Kaltara to destroy Angragar. That is the end of the tome.”
“But Kaltara did not destroy the city,” commented Rejji. “Instead he sealed it, imprisoning Vand’s spies inside.”
“And the elves, seeing their complicity in the fall of their ally, decided to protect the city from falling into Vand’s hands,” added Bakhai. “So they created the jungle to hide it.”
“And left the people under King Regis to guard it forever,” nodded Rejji. “That is who the Qubari are today. They are the faithful who remained to the end.”
“So it is all true,” Caldal said softly from the table. “It was not really Angragar that attacked the elves. Why have we been taught that Angragar attacked us? Surely the elves that created the jungle would know the truth?”
“Perhaps that was close enough to the truth to deal with the matter,” suggested Temiker. “Think about it. When the elves left these shores, they could not know if Angragar would fall to Vand’s people. They had done their best to hide the city, but that does not mean that Vand would not succeed in obtaining his goal. He had already done the impossible by getting two allies to fight one another.”
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