by Jake Yaniak
Thus began the great friendship of Rahdmus and Lord Akellnarva of Dadron. Rahdmus showed Akellnarva many hidden secrets, which men had not uncovered in all the years since the elves vanished away. Together they went into the depths of the cellars and dungeons of Dadron's palaces, and into the waterways and hidden paths of the city. They walked along the battlements from beginning to end, and Lord Akellnarva understood, for the first time one might almost say, the cunning defenses of his own city. Hidden paths were revealed, that had not hitherto been known or even imagined; paths by which men might, if need be, slip from the city and onto the fields beyond the walls. Paths also, which could not be discerned by any skill of perception. So well hidden these were that they seemed in every way to be mere walls or mere cracks in the stone. 'Truly the cunning of the elves is unsurpassed!' Akellnarva marveled.
'Unsurpassed only in scale,' Rahdmus said, 'But not in cunning. For that crown must ever rest upon the Delvers, who hide themselves in the deeps of the earth.'
The most valuable of all the things that Rahdmus showed to Lord Akellnarva was the system of paths, leading from Dusktown to the Main City. These were constructed in such a way that, when they were closed, they could not be discerned from the bare walls. Further, they could be opened only from within. These great structures were, in essence, so many gates by which the people of the lower city might, should the need arise, escape to the upper part of the Fortress. These gates could then be slid back into place in such a way that they were immovable to those below. 'How is it, then,' Lord Akellnarva marveled, 'that ever the Lord of Dadron fell into the hands of his enemies?'
'It is because he was given over to them by his own,' Rahdmus said.
Lord Akellnarva looked uneasy, 'It is a troubling thing,' he said, 'to think of such betrayal.'
'Fear not, my lord,' Rahdmus said. 'You see the great engines that remove these gates from their places, and you see how it is built so that none but those within can move them. There is naught that I can do to harm this city now. If it was so, that I wished once more to betray this city, would I not have gone first to the men of Amlaman? Or to the women of Marin? And if these had known all these secrets before you did, would this city yet be standing?'
That winter, on the morning of the thirteenth day of Ornus, Lord Akellnarva brought Rahdmus to the Temple of Pelas and sent away all the priests. Together the two of them stood long in the shadow of Lord Pelas' statue, talking in hushed voices. Sometime in the evening they disappeared from sight, passing to the northern side of the throne of Pelas. I do not doubt that there was, in that place, some hidden door or secret chamber of which the men of Dadron knew nothing. Indeed, I do not doubt but that Daruvis alone among all living creatures knew of that secret place to which they had vanished. It was not for a great while that the mystery of that day would be revealed.
Throughout all that time Rahdmus took to the task of reordering the armies of Dadron and restoring the great engines that moved the hidden gates of Dusktown. In this work he was occupied from dawn until dusk - nay, beyond nightfall at times he could be seen working in some dark hall by firelight. By the start of Paschest the hidden gates opened almost without so much as a rumble and the soldiers of Dadron knew how best to defend the city, and where they might, if need arise, set their feet upon secret paths to escape to the higher sections of the stronghold.
For my part, as I am no warrior, I took to the libraries of Dadron, which were, in those days, yet filled with great volumes of elven lore. More stories than, I suppose, my readers could stomach might well be brought forth from their records. But only such accounts as bear relevance to our present narrative will I, in this work, recount. Suffice it to say, the word of Rahdmus regarding the history of the elves was greatly confirmed by these accounts and histories. Not, I say, what he taught to the sad prince of Amlaman, in the dark chambers of Ramlos Fortress, but rather those things which he was later to reveal in Dadron and in Amlaman. But these I will leave until their proper time.
The result of their strange meeting in the Temple of Pelas, strange and alarming though it seemed to all the men of the city, was the abandoning of the Regal Sacrifices. In other words, never again did Lord Akellnarva set fire upon the altar of Pelas. He did not forbid the priests, and what people of the city that yet desired to do so, but he removed the royal office from the ancient religion of Dadron once and, he intended, for all.
The Brave and Faithful of Marin
Under Natham's command was a mixed company of all such soldiers as Marin deemed unworthy to fight in the army of Ollitov or of Nerria. It was the desire of the rulers of Marin that the monster inflict such damage as he was able upon the armies of Dadron and of Daevaron, but then to perish in the end, bereft of competent support. But it soon came to be that the force that was once made up of the weakest soldiers and the most unruly mercenaries, was transformed into the strongest and most noble of the armies of Marin. Between the great honor he displayed in battle and the wisdom he had acquired from Whately, he had become a legend in the army of Marin, even beyond his own small force.
As time drew on, however, his soldiers grew weary of camping about the invulnerable city, and they sought to see if they might, by some means, enter into the city. To avoid the eyes of the men on the walls, they went in parties of two and encompassed the whole city, searching for some crevice, some cave, some secret door, by which they might find entrance into the city. This task was undertaken primarily by Arakai, a mercenary of southern Olgrost, who was the most faithful of all those under his Natham's command. After nearly two months of careful searching, Arakai returned to their camp with news of a place where the wall had been neglected. 'In ages past a repair was attempted,' he reported, 'but it is crumbling and weak. When the sun is in the east, just an hour before the noon, light can be seen shining through the wall.'
In the middle of the night, at a time when they knew there would be none upon that part of the wall, they sent a climber, a slender soldier named Ilea, up the wall to see if there could be found some way of entering the city. Arakai and a few others followed her as far as they dared, but the last league from the ruins of the outer city to the wall of the Fortress she had to pass alone. 'One shadow, passing in the night will not bend the eyes of the watchers upon the wall. But two or three will draw their attention with a surety,' Arakai said as they plotted.
Ilea was small and lightfooted; she made her way to the wall without making so much as a sound. Her family dwelt in the shadow of the mountains of Zoor, and as it was with many in that region, so it was in her own village; that the children would spend their summers climbing the enormous boulders and rocks that dotted the landscape of southern Olgrost.
With great effort she found a path from the foundation of the wall up to the place where the light would pour through. There were many places where she was forced to take great risks and more than thrice she almost lost her footing entirely. But in the end she was able to reach the opening with her hands. She found it to be larger than Arakai had described it, and she pulled herself through with little effort. This portion of the wall was located in the northwest of the city where the wall reaches its highest. For this reason the men of Dadron took little care to guard it. For it seemed to them that there could be none so daring as to scale the wall in those lofty places. But a rise in the land there made it so that this particular section of the wall was as close to the ground as any other.
When Ilea pulled herself through the hole she found herself upon some ancient scaffolding, as if the work to repair this part of the wall had long ago been abandoned. Without a sound she disappeared into the shadows.
Several days later, as was their arrangement, she returned again to that very place and let fall a rope, that Arakai and several other brave warriors might likewise ascend. Ogalo of Dalta, Breemen of Marin came up, along with three other men. Arakai came last and drew up the rope behind him. After a week had passed they repeated this, taking into the city some thirty men and five women altogether.
After another week had passed, and after they were able to search out the gatehouses that controlled the eastern gate of Dadron, they sent out a signal to their comrades by hanging from the wall a single rope, at the end of which was bound a small blue cloth. When all was prepared they made a daring midnight assault on the gatehouses, sending Arakai and ten men to the northern house and Breemen and the rest of their small force against the southern. They struck hard and swift, and quickly overthrew the guards, who never could have dreamed that an attack might come from within the city.
Before the men of Dadron were fully apprised of what had transpired, the gates began to fall, creaking and groaning against the engines that held them in place. The crashing sound of the mighty gates of Dadron striking the ground woke many from their slumber and sent the sound of trumpets rising into the night air.
But the response from without was swifter and more ready than the response from within. It was now the twelfth day of Paschest, winter had come and gone without a battle, and life had almost become normal for the soldiers within the city. It had been the better part of a year since Daryas rode out against them. Natham was at the lead of nearly a thousand warriors, some soldiers of Marin, some hirelings of Olgrost, but all of them ready to bring honor to their commander and to march with him to restore the honor of their people. For those who were under Natham's command were likewise fooled into fighting for the sake of Lady Lyris, whom they were told was yet held as a captive in Dadron.
This small force pushed their way into the city with such surprising speed that the first force of Dadron's men were quickly overwhelmed. A greater host soon arrived, but were only able to stay the advance of Natham's army for a time. In the end, the sound of battle drew men from the main host of Marin and even a force or two from Amlaman into the city. From atop the higher walls the lower city seemed to be engulfed in flame. Cries rent the air and the sound of iron clashing and wood splintering echoed throughout the night. For all their effort, the men of Dadron were unable to do more than contain the conflagration that had overtaken their city. The blood of the men of Dadron seemed to pour into Dusktown like a river, but no end came to the slaughter. Natham's rage was ignited, and all who faced him perished, or fled for the sight of the monster. At his left side fought Arakai with a great battle axe, stolen from the stores of Dadron's gatehouse. At his left fought Breemen with a long sword and a shield. Natham marched through the city undaunted by enemies with Admunth on his left shoulder and his mighty spear in his right hand. Confronted with such a foe, the men of Dadron could do nothing but flee. Through all that night the men fought, until at last the morning light appeared overhead.
At first light, Lord Akellnarva rode his chariot to the second gate, to see how the battle was progressing. There he met his captains, and Rahdmus and Daryas as well. 'My Lord,' Kardian said, we cannot save the lower city from destruction. All that we can accomplish, if the gods allow, might be to save those who yet live below.'
'But will we not thereby expose ourselves to even greater dangers?' the Lord of the City asked. 'The moment we open this gate the enemy will overwhelm us if not by force, then by number alone. You see the ocean of foes below us! We are but a tiny island in that chaos, and we cannot hope to withstand the almighty waters.'
'But if we can hold for but a little while, 'Lord Kardian argued, 'we might save many lives, and who knows what hope and salvation the future will bring?'
'I am also of this opinion, my lord,' Daryas added, with great earnest. 'We cannot allow these men to ravage the people of Dadron any longer. Nor would your warriors accept, but out of duty, the pain of abandoning their comrades and families below.
Less than an hour later the trumpets blared and the sound of them pierced the sky, and as the sun reached over the walls of Dadron, the upper gates began to open. Daryas and Kardian rode in front of a mighty host. Their faces were grim, their swords were sharp, and their arms were strong. A fire burned within their hearts and they rushed down into the city like the flow of fire from a volcano, burning up everything within its path. A green flicker of light seemed to wash over Daryas' eyes as he rode down into the city upon Novai, with the men of Noras following close behind him.
Chapter XI:
Facing the Monster
The Charge of the Noras
The coming of Daryas into the battle was so fierce and strong that the army of Amlaman, which was at that hour in the southern part of Dusktown, was driven back behind Natham's force. On the other side, Kardian drove his men against the forces of Nerria, who had joined themselves with Natham. Lord Akellnarva himself, along with a thousand men, marched against Natham from the north. Thus for a while the invaders were surrounded, and heavy were their losses. Daryas, with the blade of Pelas in his hand, drove so hard against the men of Amlaman that they took to flight until they found some safety amid Natham's strong warriors. Kardian pushed his way through the Marin soldiers and came against Nerria herself with his spear in his hand. She blocked his blow with her shield and then rode away, saying, 'The men of Dadron are bold, but boldness alone cannot avail you against our army.'
'Boldness we have,' he replied, 'but not boldness alone!' With that he charged her again and thrust his spear through her shield. The spearhead came flying through the shield and stopped just as it grazed her cheek. She felt warm blood drip down her face and a sting of pain. Casting down her shield she drew her blade and came against Kardian with a cry. The two fought one another there, and many soldiers of Marin fell as they tried to come to her aid. But Kardian's skill surpassed hers and he stabbed her in the shoulder. She shrieked and pulled her horse away, riding away from the battle. Kardian rallied his men and followed hard after her.
Meanwhile, Lord Akellnarva rode his chariot into the army of Natham and sought to take on the monster himself. Like an avalanche he rode down the mercenaries of Olgrost, and the soldiers of Marin fled from him in terror. He slew there, Beemen and Ogalo, coming within a stone's throw of the monster himself. He turned about and came again to make an attempt on the dread monster's life. But as he rode against him, the monster struck his horse in the face with Admunth, knocking it to the ground in ruin. As the chariot tumbled and fell, Natham grabbed it and with a great groan he hurled it aside, sending the lord of the city rolling onto the stone floor.
'How many lords does this city have?' the monster quested, 'For Olver lies dead already, yet you come against me as a king?'
'I am lord of this city,' the Akellnarva said with labored breath. 'You will sink to hell in the end, you abomination of flesh!'
Natham roared and rushed at his enemy, but his guard had at that moment arrived. While ten of them held the monster at bay, six others lifted him from the ground and carried him to safety. Against his wishes he was brought back into the upper city and put under the care of a physician. 'I need a breath,' he said, not a healer! Let go of me, and let me return to the battle.'
His physician said only, 'My lord, ere the end there will be more time for war. Let me see to it that you are fit for it when it comes.'
The Monster Meets the Devil
Natham raged on against the men of Dadron, casting them aside as if they were made of cloth. His spear, made for slaying the giants of the deep, pierced their armor with ease, and his shield was as insurmountable as the very walls of Dadron. The guards of Akellnarva, who had bravely fought for their master's life, were scattered in ruin upon the battlefield, and the monster looked up at the second gate, which was yet open to allow the warriors to march out and the people of Dusktown to flee. He fixed his gaze upon the gate and summoned his men to his side, saying, 'I see the gate to the main city, and beyond it lies victory and revenge. The honor of Lyris will be restored to her this day perhaps, and those who have for so long opposed us will be ruined. So the end of their pride will come upon them.' With those words they marched ahead, turning aside every man of Dadron that opposed them. Kardian had gone far into the west of the city in pursuit of Nerria. He was now unable t
o return to the center of the city in time to stop their advance. Akellnarva's force was routed; the remnant of which fled to join either Kardian or Daryas. But Daryas saw the monster from atop his horse, as a great shadow amidst lesser shadows, beneath a bright afternoon sun. He rallied his men and charged into the west to confront the beast.
'Who is this, that slanders the sons of Galvahir?' Daryas said with a gleam of green light in his eyes.
'I am Natham, Golem-bane, as I am called among the Marin.'
'Hear then, Natham, the name of your slayer! I am Daryas Galvahirne, kinsman of Olver, whom you killed unjustly.'
With those words Daryas kicked his heels into Novai's side and charged at the monster with his full might. Novai lowered her head and whinnied. Natham went to strike at her, but she turned aside of her own will at the last moment, and kicking at the monster's great shield, she pushed herself away. Daryas pulled at the reins and kicked at her with his heels, to turn her again for another charge. But as he did, he heard a laugh rise from within himself. He shook his head murmured to himself 'Is this your doing, devil?'
The voice of Lutrosis rose within him and replied, 'What if it is? Is it not your will that we destroy this abomination? Why would you oppose me?'
'You would drive my brother's horse to her death, for your own bloodlust!'
'For your bloodlust, brother,' Lutrosis answered.
'Call me not brother!' Daryas shouted.
Lutrosis burst into cruel laughter. 'Indeed not, for I am closer to you than any brother!'
Nonetheless, Daryas exerted the last of his will against Lutrosis and cast himself from Novai's back. He patted Novai's hair and whispered in her ears, 'Go now to the green fields in the upper city, and await my return there.' Almost as if she understood, she turned and galloped away, leaping away from the chaos and danger of the battlefield.
