Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn

by Paul Francois

  The Aelfborn bellowed, “I am Lord Megildur, rightful heir to the High King Cambruin and chosen by the All-Father himself to reclaim Shadowbane!” The Aelfborn then drew back his shirt to reveal the shimmering mark of the All-Father on his shoulder. Seeing this mark swiftly forced the High Priest to his knee.

  The High Priest announced, “Long has your coming been foretold mighty Lord. You will have my obedience and that of my people, Lord Megildur.” Megildur was a bit surprised to see this once arrogant leader now bending a knee to him. He began to feel that this mark carried great weight and power.

  “I do not want your obedience. I want your allegiance,” Megildur said while lowering his sword and extending an open hand to the High Priest. Maethorion raised his head to see the gesture and was in shock. Someone with Megildur’s claim to the throne and support of the All-Father asking for allegiance and not obedience was unheard of. Maethorion extended his arm and allowed the Aelfborn to help him up from the floor.

  Maethorion resounded, “You shall have my allegiance then, Lord Megildur!” Maethorion turned to reveal the hundreds of Warriors, servants, and commoners within Greensward Parish. “My people, this is Lord Megildur. He is the rightful heir to the High King Cambruin and chosen by the All-Father to reclaim Shadowbane and restore Aerynth to its once glorious state. They shall be our honored guests. Open the gates and let the Centaur Cohort in!” With one wave of his hand, the guards opened the gates and Atreus led his people inside. While Megildur watched his Centaur companions march inside the gates, he noticed another Elf approaching along the side of the fortress walls. “Lord Megildur, may I present my son Turwaithion.”

  “Lord Megildur,” Turwaithion said while dropping to one knee. “I am Captain of the Guard for the Church of the All-Father. My men and I are at your command.” Once again, Megildur extended an open hand and helped Turwaithion to his feet.

  “Thank you, Captain Turwaithion,” Megildur replied and then turned to Maethorion. “If we can isolate ourselves somewhere I can discuss with you the reason for our visit.” Maethorion bowed his head in agreement and escorted Megildur and Zeristan to the courtyard. “I also wish for Atreus and his commanders to join us, if there is no objection?”

  “Of course, they would honor us with their presence,” Maethorion responded.

  Megildur shouted, “Atreus, please join us with Thaddaios and Bowen. We have much to discuss.” Atreus nodded in agreement and followed with Bowen and Thaddaios.

  Maethorion escorted his visitors to a large regal building with two staircases leading to golden doors. Turwaithion pushed the doors open to reveal a detailed foyer with marble columns holding up a second level to the massive building. The other side of the foyer was a staircase that spiraled upward to the second level. They followed Turwaithion up this staircase. This place impressed Megildur, since the only large building in Fort Viatrus had three levels to it but was a hovel in comparison. The Fort Viatrus building was more like worker’s quarters and not meant for noblemen. At the top of this staircase, they found a table grand enough for large gatherings, such as this one. Everyone sat down around the impressive table, everyone except Megildur who stood at the head of the table to unveil the details of his quest to Maethorion and Turwaithion.

  “First, I would like to thank you for agreeing to meet with us,” Megildur began. “A few weeks ago the Dar Khelegur of the north attacked my village, Fort Viatrus. Both Elves and Minotaurs raged through the village, killing all in sight and destroying all that stood. We will rebuild but they captured several people to use as slaves, including my sister. I need more forces to rally against the Dar Khelegur.” Megildur observed Maethorion and Turwaithion look at each other in disbelief and then look back at him. “I know they are powerful, but I have a plan. Do you have a map of their fortress?” Turwaithion stood and walked to the far side of the room and returned with a scroll. The Captain opened the parchment to reveal a map of Aelarnost, the High Court fortress for the Dar Khelegur. “Thank you, this will help. They have most of their common buildings along the northern wall. This will likely be where they are holding their prisoners. The Centaur Cohort will attack the southwest corner. Once they have the Elves attention, the Church of the All-Father will begin an assault from the southeast. This will draw all their forces to the southern half of Aelarnost leaving the common areas desolate. Zeristan and I, along with a few others, will teleport inside the fortress walls and retrieve the slaves. Once we are out, we will signal both forces to withdraw. Does anyone have any questions?”

  “It will take us some time to get to Aelarnost with all of our equipment for the bane,” Maethorion announced. “I will need to send a Scout ahead of the rest with a Scroll of Summon Bane Circle, to announce the bane. The Scout can setup the bane stone and siege tents just outside their fortress. The trebuchets and ballistas will be difficult to transport through the mountains to the north.”

  “That is why we will travel through the forest to the south and without siege weapons,” Zeristan replied. Shock colored their faces.

  “It will be impossible to attack them without siege equipment,” Maethorion bellowed. “We will need these weapons if we are to take the…”

  “We are not there to take Aelarnost,” Megildur interjected. “The battle is a diversion not a full out bane. Our primary concern is with saving the prisoners. If you decide later that you wish to take Aelarnost for yourself, please do so. If we announce ourselves as a bane with the intent of taking their fortress, they will have time to prepare and make sneaking into the back of Aelarnost more difficult. We will also need our Scouts, Huntresses, and Rangers to survey the area before we move in and disable any Scouts they have. Once again if they find out we are coming, it will destroy the element of surprise.” Megildur could see the disappointment on the faces of his newfound allies. “I know you were hoping this was the opportunity to destroy the Dar Khelegur and crush their arrogance, but this is not the time. We will have other opportunities. I am sure that one stealth attack will not stop them of their wicked ways and that we will be confronting them again. However, this assault will weaken the Elves.” With that said, the morale in the room lifted, and Megildur felt confident once again that they could save his sister. “We depart at first light, prepare the rest of the day, and get a good night rest for tomorrow we leave to attack the Dar Khelegur!” The room exploded with glorious battle cries and conviction. Megildur knew he finally had a worthy force to engage the Elves of the north.

  CHAPTER 11: Golden Treasure

  Megildur walked out of the massive building and onto the ground within Greensward Parish when the High Priest Maethorion called out to him.

  “Lord Megildur, might I have a word with you?” Maethorion requested. “I have something that might interest you. I see you wear leather armor. May I interest you in something more prestigious?” Megildur was curious, but also cautious by this action, because of Maethorion’s previous reception and Megildur’s earlier mistrust of the Cleansing Flame cult. On guard, he followed Maethorion to an edifice with guards surrounding the entrance. The sentries opened the doors and Megildur could see this was their armory, with more guards positioned within. Inside the next room, Maethorion opened an ornate passage to display his personal stock. Megildur discovered bold and gallant weapons, along with armor selected by the High Priest himself. He guided Megildur over to a suit of armor mounted on the far wall. The armor glistened as bright as the sun with gold and white metal. It was the most magnificent armor he had ever seen; even knights did not have armor of this magnitude. “Here,” Maethorion said. “Feel the weight of the helm.” He placed the golden helm in Megildur’s hands. The headpiece was incredibly light, considering it was solid metal.

  “It feels too light to deflect the blow from a sword,” Megildur commented. Maethorion respectfully took back the helm and placed it on a stone block. He unsheathed a broadsword from his collection and swung the sword with all his might, striking the golden helm. He placed the sword back in its scabB
ard, picked up the helm, and gave it back to Megildur to examine. The Aelfborn was in shock to see the helm without any damage upon the exterior where the High Priest struck it. “I stand corrected, it can withstand a blow from a sword,” Megildur replied with an astonished look upon his face. He placed the golden helm back upon the stone.

  “The armorists originally designed and forged this suit for the Elven King Sillestor,” Maethorion remarked. “He had ordered it just before his treacherous act of betrayal to the All-Father himself. The All-Father had engaged in battle with one of the Beast Lords. Beast Lords are false Gods the Dar Khelegur worshipped at the time. Sillestor attempted to strike the All-Father from behind using Shadowbane. It was due to Thurin’s rapid act of bravery that Shadowbane’s blow met with the maimed hand of the sword’s creator. After Thurin stopped Sillestor from his attempt of betrayal, he then squeezed the breath from him stopping just before death. Thurin took Shadowbane from the ground where Sillestor had dropped the sword and with one swing he took the Elven King’s head from his deceitful body.” Megildur had a look of horror on his face. He had no idea of the magnificence and tragedy surrounding the mighty weapon. Maethorion continued, “After his execution Sillestor obviously had no need for the completed armor. It passed from one ruler to another within the Dar Khelegur until someone decided the cursed armor did not belong in Aelarnost. The opportunity to acquire the armor arose and I knew that one day it could serve another Warrior chosen by the All-Father to right the wrongs in Aerynth. I know now that chosen Warrior is you,” Maethorion said as he once again picked up the helm and placed it in Megildur’s hands.

  Megildur paused for a moment, uncertain if he was worthy of such noble armor. He remembered Zeristan’s words that a High King must believe in himself in order to rule. “I accept your offer, Maethorion. I vow to be a better man than the original intended for this armor,” Megildur said as he kindly looked at the High Priest. Even though Maethorion was an Elf, Megildur did not have any animosity toward him or his people. After all, his mother was an Elf, which meant Elven blood flowed through his veins. “I will don this armor at first light, before we leave for Aelarnost.”

  Megildur and Maethorion proceeded outside into the courtyard to find Turwaithion bellowing out orders. He had most of the inhabitants of Greensward Parish scurrying around preparing for something. Megildur asked Maethorion, “Is this in preparation for our journey tomorrow?”

  Maethorion chuckled, “Oh no. With living in Aerynth, war is inevitable. Inhabitants always expect conflict. Turwaithion is preparing a feast for our guests before we head off for battle. Now follow me, I will show you your quarters where you can change before the festivities.” Maethorion escorted Megildur to an extravagant tent, which stood taller than any of the other tents around. “These quarters are for our honored guests. If you have any needs, please ring this bell on the table and your personal valet will see to your every need. I will have someone bring the armor to your tent.” Maethorion exited the tent and left Megildur to change.

  His gear from the journey was already inside the tent, unpacked and laid out for him. He removed his shirt and the sleeve caught the edge of the tent, causing him to stumble backwards into a table, which knocked the bell to the ground. He reached for the bell when a young attractive human female entered the tent. Her black hair flowed like silk and she had pale skin that shown like moonlight glistening on the water. She observed Megildur was half-dressed so she proceeded to remove her shirt without saying a word.

  Megildur blurted, “What are you doing?” This caused her to pause with a confused look upon her face. She now stood over him wearing only a revealing undergarment over her chest. With haste, he handed her shirt back while carefully trying to help cover her body.

  She responded, “Forgive me M’Lord. My orders are to accommodate your every need, and I presumed you desired intimacy. If I am not to your liking I can fetch another handmaiden.”

  Megildur’s eyes widened and he began stumbling on his own words. “No, you are to my liking…I mean I do not desire any physical affection. No wait that did not sound right! Oh All-Father, save me from this mess!” He sat down on the edge of a chair by the table. This confused her even further. Megildur, seeing the bewildered look on her face, motioned for her to sit down on the edge of the bed just opposite of him. “I am sorry. I was not calling you into my tent for anything, let alone that! Not that you are not desirable…oh I am making this worse!” He took a deep breath and decided to ask a simple question that might break the tense moment. “What is your name?”

  “I am Marie, M’Lord,” she replied with a quick curtsy. She remained in that position until given the command to sit back down, which did not occur to Megildur for a short time. He never commanded servants before now.

  Megildur replied with an irritated tone, “Please sit down and do not address me as Lord.” Marie sat down on the edge of the bed once more. Her face scrunched up and hesitation filled her eyes, but she fought her instinct to remain silent and spoke.

  “Forgive my insolence M’Lo…” Marie stopped herself before calling him Lord again. “Forgive me, Sir, but they told me you are Lord Megildur, heir to the High King Cambruin and chosen champion by the All-Father himself to retrieve Shadowbane.”

  Megildur sighed, “Yes, I am. But just a few weeks ago I was just an inadequate peasant who could not even protect his village from marauders.”

  Marie whispered as she leaned over and placed her hand on Megildur’s leg, “You do not appear inadequate to me, Sir.” This made him uncomfortable and he sprang from the chair and walked to other side of the tent. “My apologies, Sir, I did not mean to offend you?” Marie bowed her head and proceeded to exit the tent. She felt she had disgraced herself before Megildur.

  Megildur blurted out, “Wait. Do not leave. Your actions have not offended me. You are beautiful. I just have not been able to stop thinking of…” Megildur paused unsure if he should be talking to Marie about this.

  “You are in love with another?” Marie interjected. Megildur dipped his head in agreement. “Is she from your village?”

  “No. She helped me escape when the Temple of the Cleansing Flame in the desert captured me,” Megildur responded. “Her name is Zabrina but she is all I can think of, dream of, or desire to be with.” Megildur looked at Marie with lovesick eyes. “I am sorry, but I have no feelings for you in that way.” Marie stood from the bed, walked to where the bell still laid on the ground, picked it up, and placed it on the table. She stopped just before exiting the tent.

  Marie murmured, “She is very lucky. If there is anything you need from me just ring the bell, Sir.” Marie walked out of the tent leaving the half-dressed Aelfborn sitting in his chair.

  Megildur finished changing after a short time of thinking of his Desert Flower, Zabrina. He opened the tent flap to see that Turwaithion had prepared a great feast. There was a roaring bonfire in the middle of the courtyard and food as far as the eye could see. The others were already enjoying the drink, especially Maethorion who had joined Turwaithion, Zeristan, and Atreus in singing battle songs. Megildur knew he must put on a happy face and join the festivities, even though all he could think of was Zabrina. He took a deep breath and walked out into the courtyard.

  As Megildur walked across the safehold, he noticed all the different races of Greensward Parish intermingling peacefully. There were Humans, Elves, and even his own race, Aelfborn. He halted when he stumbled across a rather large shadow laid before his path. He glanced up to find a Half Giant wielding a mug of ale in each fist. The sizeable brute glared at the tiny Aelfborn, smiled, and went on enjoying the festivities. Megildur moved aside, allowing the Half Giant a wide passage.

  Before he made it to the bonfire, a Bard for the Greensward Parish spotted him entering and announced his presence to everyone. They all cheered and surrounded the Aelfborn. Megildur knew this would be a long night and an even longer journey ahead of him.

  CHAPTER 12: First Kill

  Megi
ldur heard no sounds of birds chirping, nor did he hear the sound of his little sister running across the floor. Instead, he awoke to the sounds of Warriors preparing for battle. Noise emanated though his tent of metal armor and weapons clanging together while they loaded them into the wagons. Marie had already prepared his clothes for the next day while he slept. He slipped on his undergarments and then started on the armor. He had never put on cumbersome armor like this before. Until now, the most he wore was leather coverings. The boots and leggings were easy enough to handle, but the breastplate was difficult. He knew he would need help so he decided to ring the bell, this time on purpose. It took Marie a few moments to arrive.

  “You called for me, Sir?” Marie asked, entering the room and curtsying. She could see he was having issues putting on his armor. “Allow me to assist you with that, Sir.” Marie went to work helping Megildur with his armor.

  “You laid out my clothes and brought over the armor for me?” Megildur asked Marie. She nodded that she had done so. “Thank you for doing that. I can bet the armor was not an easy task. Even though it is lighter than steel, it must have been a chore carrying it clear across the compound.”

  “That is my job, Sir,” Marie replied. “Besides, the armor is easy as long as you only take one piece at a time.” She gave a slight smile to Megildur, who let out a chuckle at her comment. She finished with the breastplate, armguards and gauntlets and when Megildur turned to face her, she handed him the helm to his new suit of armor. “You are ready for battle, Sir!”

  “Thank you, Marie,” Megildur replied. “Well I need to get outside and see where I can help.” He gave a quick look to Marie and left the tent. He walked just a short distance to the courtyard to see they were all waiting for him and had prepared everything. They even had a horse saddled and ready for him.