by Jake Yaniak
By River
The quickest path to Dadron was upon the waters of the Falsi River which tore through the land from the heights of Mount Coronan. 'To Belnan, then, we must go,' Revere told Biron's son, 'A place I know well, and in which I am well known. The men there will not trouble me if they recognize me; and they would recognize me in any disguise, so often have I passed through that city. You, however, must remain silent if at all possible. For the men of Belnan will know your manner of speech in an instant to be the tone and accent of a Galvahirne.'
They rode on through the frozen landscape, making their way ever north along hidden paths and ancient roads that only a skilled scout could navigate. Revere led them at last to the roaring waters of the Falsi River, just after its waters escape from the Belnan rapids and pour over the falls of Welda. Some fifteen leagues to the east the land at last flattened out and the rushing waters were calmed and flowed strongly but steadily into the lake of Nabu upon which many of the men in Belnan earned their living. There were many fishermen in that city, but the greater part of their wealth came from the traffic of goods being sent downstream to Dadron; mostly in furs, fruits and dried meat. 'We would do well to find a fur trader,' Revere suggested as they drew closer to the town of Belnan. 'Supposing the fool Ponteris still allows the Noras to hunt.'
'If it will keep the deer from gnawing the leaves and defiling the grounds of Galva-la and Oastir-la, then I have no doubt he will have redoubled the efforts of the winter huntsmen.'
'He has indeed,' they were told by an old Noras in the city, 'And they have killed so many that many hunters have been forced to abandon Noras altogether.'
In Belnan, the reports they heard at the Gapland Inn in Amdela of the troubles in Daevaron were confirmed, in some cases by the wounded and maimed victims of the war themselves. The 'Monster of Vestron' was now feared and reviled in Belnan, leaving no further doubt concerning its reality. 'I suppose there must be some fragment of truth belying all this panic,' Revere admitted reluctantly.
'And to this fragment we intend to go,' Daryas said.
'Let us hope the blood of the Galvahirne is as mighty as all the old song's declare.'
'The songs are sung of men long dead,' Daryas confessed. 'They were not penned for any man living, though perhaps they fit my brother well enough.'
Two great bridges of stone were built in Belnan in the ancient days, which led men to call the city 'Bridge-Town'. They were of elven design, but of Noras workmanship, resulting in a strange combination of beauty and strength. It is said that some of the stones were cut by Galvahir himself in the days of Noras' alliance with Falruvis, Lord of Elves. The lesser of these bridges was built on the north side of the city, spanning the Gavl River. The greater was built in the west, connecting the southern marches of Noras with the northwestern portion of Falsis, where the elves, in ancient times, kept most of their dwellings. Great highways ran out from Belnan northeast toward Solibree and beyond that to Daeva City and Celesh. To the south the road wound down to the Amla Gap and to the southern cities of the ancients, whose names are largely forgotten. To the east the road ran parallel with the Falsi River until it met the Libron River in Dadron.
But no passage to Dadron was to be found in Belnan. 'The army of Marin is encamped against the Fortress,' the men of city told them, 'And they are not permitting any to pass their lines unmolested.' This report was confirmed by the great number of people who had come to Belnan in those days fleeing the troubles of the east. 'Death, horror and hell,' were the words by which one traveler described the lands surrounding Dadron.
The keeper of the inn at which they lodged informed them, upon being pressed for news, that, 'Rauv is burning, Solibree is occupied, Lak is a heap, they say, and only Ehrmas of Fahsro withstands the devils now. But he is not a god; he too will fall in the end, as all will who face that wicked beast of Vestron.'
They asked him about the city of Dadron itself. To this he answered, 'The river banks, both north and south, are patrolled by the servants of Ollitov himself, who oversees the army from their encampment in the north. Only the birds of heaven can creep past their watchful eyes and their tall spears. Hounds and hunters patrol the wilds around Dadron on every side, preparing the way for the final siege of that city. Moreover, the gates are shut; and you know, if you know of Dadron at all, that when once the gates have been shut, they open not for any man, be he a king of the Ancients or a god of heaven.'
If the gates of Dadron are shut,' Revere told his companion, when at last they were left alone, 'then there is no use going any further east. We will find nothing but death outside the walls of the city. We cannot go to Dadron, What good can you be for your kinsmen in irons or in the grave?'
Daryas was reluctant to agree, but in the end, when they had fully digested all the reports of the east, he was forced to side with his companion. 'You are right, we must trust that my brother has sent Maru also to bring them tidings. The son of Biron, lesser though I be, would surely have brought them greater comfort than a scroll tied to an eagle's talon.'
'But again, Daryas,' Revere said, 'you are no use to anybody in the grave. Let us deal with what is possible, then, and not distract ourselves with that which cannot be accomplished.'
'Very well,' Daryas said, 'then let us turn our gaze toward the forest.'
They sold what furs they yet possessed and, at great cost, purchased dried fruit, ale and vinegar. 'Such things are not scarce in Noras,' Daryas said, 'but if anything is bound to make our coming suspicious it would be coming to Noras to sell fur.'
The Rule of Noras
Lady Linae, the mother of the one called Hassan Oastirne, was the only child of Cheftan Yuris Lavrilirne, the heir of the Hero Lavril, who fought and bled at the side of his comrade Galvahir in the dark days of Noras. No other man could lay claim to this heritage, and at his death the rule of Lavri-la, the largest and richest portion of Noras, was destined to pass into the hands of lesser men, only distantly related to that great lord. The sniveling Cheft Burrin had the greatest claim upon the lordship over Lavri-la, and lost no time usurping this power the moment it was known that Cheftan Yuris had taken ill.
His claim seemed all the more sure due to the fact that the only child of Yuris was a daughter, and furthermore by the fact that she had only recently returned to Noras, abandoned by her 'pirate' husband and left with a half-breed child, a 'goldenhead' as such people were called in those days. Without some nobleman to wed, she was considered under a curse of sorts, as was the belief in Noras in those days. Seeing this opportunity, and indeed, finding the Lady of Lavri-la quite beautiful, Cheft Ponteris found it in his heart to marry her despite all the curses of Noras tradition. He was a lesser Cheftan of Oastir-la, wealthy, but of a lesser lineage than some of the other Cheftans of that region, though a true descendent of the Hero Oastir he was indeed.
In the month of Solest, when the sun rises to the highest heavens, he held a great feast, sacrificing many hundreds of goats, lambs, and fawns upon the stone altar of Pelas in southern Galva-la. By this deed, and by the gracious giving away of a great deal of wealth, he was able to hush the gossip of the ladies, appease the sensibilities of the Cheftans, and satisfy the demands of the clerics, thereby legitimizing his marriage to a (by all accounts) married, though abandoned, woman. He gave her son, in that day, the name 'Oastirne', thereby making him the heir of his house in Oastir-la. The name Lavri-la was also given to him in that day, though it was never spoken of openly while Cheft Burrin yet lived, lest a conflict arise between his own children and the grandson of Yuris. But it was ever in Ponteris' mind to someday assert the dual lineage of his heir, to garner for himself greater rule over the people of Noras.
This aim was to a large extent realized in the days following the taking of Peiraso. Burrin and his house were so timid and thin-spined that they could offer no challenge to Cheft Ponteris' actions, nor did Cheft Burrin challenge the legitimacy of Sion's claim upon the rule of Lavri-la. When at last Peiraso fell into Ponteris' hands,
Burrin sent messengers practically ceding his own authority to the Cheftan's son prematurely. Thus Sion was known among the Noras from that day as Hassan Lavrilirne, a name he had long borne, but rarely spoken. He was given the dominion of that whole region, though his authority was subject to the dictates of his step-father who now ruled all from Peiraso, as though he himself were the heir of Galvahir as well as of Oastir.
The daughter of Cheft Grendas, whom Sion loved so deeply, was given to him, uniting the power and dominion of Lavri-la and Dae-la in the north. Thus Ponteris had taken dominion of Galva-la by force, Shaf-la by treaty, Lavri-la by marriage, Oastir-la by blood and Dae-la by his son. The only regions in which his rule was not fully recognized was in the faithful land of Cossa-la from whence Cheft Rahm had marched forth, in the southwestern lands of Megd-la and Coran-la where peasants lived in the shadow of Coronan, and the 'Root of Noras' Vivlir-la in the south. But as they were scattered and bereft of their bravest warriors, these lands offered him no resistance, though they offered him even less aid. Though he wore no crown, Cheft Ponteris ruled over Noras as a king, taxing and taking what he wished, legislating and dictating his will as lord of all Noras. Even those Cheftans who had supported his vile treachery had no power to affect the rule of Noras; Cheft Horan returned in shame and powerlessness to Lavri-la, his support of Ponteris and betrayal of Biron Galvahirne being repaid, not with wealth or power, but with subjugation under the new and rightful ruler of Lavril's land. Cheft Gornas returned to Dae-la only to find that the ears of the people were turned toward Lavri-la in obedience, and no longer attended to the commands of their Dae-la masters.
This is the state of Noras as it was when Daryas entered the forest of his birth just over two years after his first departure.
Through Lavri-la
After leaving Belnan, Daryas and Revere left the road behind and entered Noras through Lavri-la. They intended to make their way quietly through this land and so come to Vivlir-la, where they believed they could find some still faithful to the Galvahirne. But as they entered the forest, they were waylaid by golden-haired men of Daevaron who called themselves servants of the lord of Lavriland. 'What is your business in this place?' the mercenaries demanded.
'We are merchants,' Revere said confidently, 'we have come to purchase furs from the Noras, for we know well that they are hunters of incomparable ability. We are told that in Galvaland we might find, if fortune smiles upon us, the fur of the white deer, which lives only in that place.'
'None can pass through this land without the leave of the Lord of Lavriland,' the man insisted. 'There are strange things afoot in the east, from whence you came, and we cannot allow just anyone to pass through these woods. Show him some token or some argument, and perhaps your petition will be granted you.'
'Then we wish to be brought to Cheft Burrin at once,' Revere said confidently, though Daryas was reluctant. Revere looked at him with a reassuring look, as if to say, 'I am clever enough to get us out of this peril.'
But much to the shock and dismay of both men the guard laughed and said, 'Cheft Burrin? He has no authority in this land, not beyond his own estate at least. It is to Cheftan Hassan Lavrilirne that you must be brought.'
Daryas' heart sunk, and Revere shook his head nervously. Revere was of half a mind to turn and ride away that moment, forsaking Lavri-la altogether and coming into Noras from another path. But Daryas spoke, saying, 'If Hassan has indeed become lord of Lavri-la in our absence, then you must bring us before him at once!'
Surprised by the speech of the young Galvahirne, the men backed away, putting their hands to their sword-hilts as though they had been threatened by more than the sound of Daryas' voice. When they had regained their wits they led the two into the village and gave them a small log house in which to rest. 'In the morning,' they said, 'we will bring you before the Cheftan. It is too late to make the journey tonight.'
When the door had been locked behind them the two exiles spoke in whispers by candlelight. 'What was the meaning of such a demand!' Revere said angrily. 'We might have deceived Burrin, who has never seen my face, and has not, since the days of your childhood at least, seen yours. But this man was among us upon the mountain! We know not what he might do!'
'Sion is a friend, such as one can only hope to find among men once in his life; faithful, brave, thoughtful and wise. I will not speak ill of him ere I have even seen his face, nor will I take one step further into Noras until I have gone to discover the truth of this strange circumstance. You can depart if you wish, but I must see to this matter if ever I am to have peace again.'
'Great risk is involved in so doing,' Revere insisted, 'It would be better if we left this place the moment they open the doors, coming into Noras through Vivlir-la or even Coran-la.'
'I will do not such thing,' Daryas said, 'We were sent to see if there are any in Noras that are yet faithful to the Galva army - what better place to look for a friend of the Galva than in one who marched along with them, and who bled red blood for their sake?'
'You must do what you will,' Revere said, 'and for the sake of your father so must I.'
The next morning the locks were removed from the house and the men were given some water to drink. They ate dried meat from their own bundles. The old estate of Cheftan Yuris was surrounded by many orchards on the west and great farmlands in the east. To the north the land rose up to a ridge, upon which a great guard tower was built in the old days. From that tower the lands between Lavri-la and the river Elvri could be seen, though much was shrouded by the trees. Under the shadow of that tower was a great house built with stone and logs. The golden-heads brought the two travelers through the great wooden doors and into a great hall, at the end of which sat a man and a woman. Before them was the remains of their breakfast, a little ham, some boiled eggs and half of a large loaf of bread. When these things were cleared away the woman departed and went into another chamber. When the room was swept and cleaned, the travelers were at last brought before the Cheftan.
Daryas scarcely recognized his old friend. 'Sion?' he said as he bowed before him as was customary among the Cheftans when they were in the homes of fellow noblemen. Sion looked closely at him and squinted his eyes, 'Daryas, the Dreamer?' he said, surprised to see him as well. A great smile came across his face, 'You are indeed welcome here!' he said, looking at the guards with an expectant look. The guards took their cue and departed. 'What business brings you back to such a dark land in such a treacherous time, son of Biron?'
'I have come for that which has always been our concern, the defense of our homeland.'
'Has it not yet occurred to you, Daryas, that perhaps the homeland needs no further defense?'
'What do you mean?'
'Is it not apparent to you already,' Sion said with a laugh, 'that Noras is at peace with itself and with the world?'
Daryas looked at him with confusion. 'What has happened to you, Sion, in the days since we marched together to the sound of Rahm's blaring horns?'
Sion Lavrilirne
'Even as your brother slew the Conjuror upon the heights of mount Coronan, I slipped away from the army, making my way by stealth back to the encampment at Megd-u-Coran. There I found Cheft Lonos, rummaging through the tent of Cheft Rahm. When he had gone I went in as well. There I found, to my horror, that Ander, Rahm's nephew, had been slain. A short-sword was thrust in his belly, callously driven there by the traitorous Cheftan, who had not even the decency to kill him swiftly. The great oak chest which Rahm had brought with him was cut open with an axe and its many great treasures were cast aside. I imagine it was for some specific token that Lonos sought.
Angered by all this I left the tent and followed hard upon the trail of that devil. I easily overtook him and shot an arrow through his leg, dropping him from his horse. An answer I demanded of him, but he only said that I must speak to Cheftan Oastirne, to whom he answers. Not satisfied, I cut his throat and darkened the muddy snow with his red blood. Upon his body I found a ring upon which was eng
raved two battle-axes crossed one with the other, which is the emblem of Cossa-la. I am sure he meant to prove, by this ring, that Cheftan Rahm had met his doom. Also I found in his pocket a small phial of some sort of bitter poison, half-filled.
'Leaving his foul corpse to rot, I followed the path of the army until it brought me back to Noras; I don't know how many days and nights passed, nor can I recall what I ate and where I slept. I killed a deer one night, that much I remember. But everything else was blur and my thoughts were ever upon the face of Ponteris, whom I intended to confront.
I came at last to Belnan and from thence to South Lake. There I went east and came at last to the estate of Cheft Ponteris, whose blood I had begun to thirst after. But he was not there, he was in Galva-la, I was told, in the estate of Cheft Biron.
When at last I arrived in Peiraso I found that he had bound your own father in a dungeon back in Oastir-la, and that he now, with the help of Cheft Horan and Gornas, had overthrown the Galvahirne.
'Devil,' I said, when at last I was brought before him, 'Tell me quickly, dear 'father', why I oughtn't slay you this instant.'
At this Ponteris just laughed, saying, 'Why 'oughtn't' you?' He laughed again. 'I can give you several reasons,' he roared. 'But I imagine this will be the only one that will persuade you.'
With those words he summoned many guards to his side. 'Try me, now, my 'son', and see if you cannot find a reason to stay your hand.'
