The forest sprang to life and in an instant the three unlikely companions were surrounded by soldiers dressed in thick brown leathers and carrying long wooden staffs. One of the soldiers moved away from the tree he had just leapt from and approached the lead figure. Then, seeing who was standing before him, he stopped dead in his tracks.
"My lord," said the Karmanian Guardsman, bowing respectfully. He glanced warily at the two Dargonians behind the figure and said "We received no word that you were coming this way."
Mandigal removed his hand from the hilt at his side and let out a low breath. "That is good news, for if the guardians of the forest do not know where I have been, then there is little chance that anyone else does."
"We are but the protectors of the Karmanian people, the true guardians of this forest have not been seen for many weeks," replied the Guardsman.
"This is strange news indeed," said Mandigal distractedly. "Your race has ever been close with the Kala. It is not in their nature to keep to themselves for such a long time."
"We have the same worries as you, my lord. The Kala share this land with us and though we keep to our separate parts of the forest, we have always protected its borders together. Now things have changed. It may be that they sense something that we have failed to."
Mandigal nodded. "That may be. Now tell me has Kilthies Numinites returned to Karmena?"
"You are in luck, the Blades arrive in Hiethris as we speak. It is but five miles from here."
"Then I must make haste and reach the city before nightfall," replied Mandigal.
The guardsman bowed once more and let out a slow whistle. Around him the remaining soldiers turned and melded back into the forest to their secret hiding spots. The guardsman saluted and, after casting one final suspicious look at the Honour Guard's companions, he disappeared.
Mandigal turned to Friedrich and Vrill and warned them, "Stay right behind me and keep up. If you move from this track you will be killed. Remember that you are still enemies of the Alliance."
Friedrich nodded, but Vrill simply stared at Mandigal in disgust. They set off, following a small trail that was barely distinguishable from the surrounding forest floor.
After three long hours they reached the Karmanian city of Hiethris. The city was built in and amongst the forest with no proper roads or visible structure. Stone houses and sturdy wooden cabins stood amongst the mighty trunks of oaks and gum and creepers and tangle roots covered everything in a mesh of green and red. Mandigal led the two boys through to the back of the city where the buildings grew larger.
Four and five story structures dominated the area, rising above the tops of many smaller trees and it was soon clear to Friedrich and Vrill that Hiethris was a town that had seen much fighting. Many buildings still held the marks of previous structural damage, yet each was built to withstand an attack, with high windows, thin openings and easily blockaded entrances.
Mandigal walked into a tall building that was busy with soldiers entering and exiting rooms. Friedrich and Vrill followed him in and received several uneasy stares from the tall warriors. The hall that they stepped into was the main chamber of the city's garrison and they watched as Mandigal embraced the arm of a tall Karmanian who wore his hair in five tails behind his head. A second man then approached, this one bald with decorative tattoos on his face.
Mandigal motioned for the boys to join them and introduced his two companions. "Kilthies and Fliethu." Friedrich and Vrill nodded in unison.
"So this is Aldan's son," said Kilthies, inspecting Friedrich. "Was your trip successful then?"
Mandigal shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know. Aldan is weaker than I originally thought. His fear of Zephra stops him from doing what he knows to be right." Friedrich clenched his fist at the scorning of his father, but held back any retaliation. "What news from Feldom?" asked Mandigal.
Fliethu lowered his eyes and Kilthies responded in a low voice. "Precedin has fallen. We found the city in ruins with the dead being burnt upon a great pyre. Zephra's foul banner was mounted on the Guardhouse of Oril."
Mandigal stood in silence, his expression hard to read, and after a long moment he asked. "Has the attack begun on any other cities?"
Kilthies was surprised that Mandigal was not more distraught about the loss of Precedin, but simply answered, "None of the eastern cities have been assaulted yet. Our spies track all of Zephra's forces moving into Precedin. He seeks to make the city a base from which to conduct his campaign."
"Zephra's arrogance may buy us the time that we need to marshal the armies of the West. He is too confident in his ability to take Feldom. He will wait until his full might is assembled at Precedin. Then he will march into the Kingdom."
"The only other army we have located was seen marching out of Carnaic two weeks past," added Fliethu.
"Where are they headed?" asked Mandigal.
"Right here," replied Fliethu. "Close to a thousand strong, they come with axes and fire to lay siege to the gateway of Karmena."
"And what of Nyrune's barrier? Is her protection still absent from the forest?" queried Mandigal.
"We can still feel her magic flowing through the land, but she does not stop those who are unwelcome from passing into the forest," said Fliethu. "The illusions are still in place, but there is nothing physically stopping intruders from entering the forest. We can make no sense of it. To add to the troubles, the Kala no longer guard the boundaries of our land. Wolves and other wild beasts are entering the forest and killing the peaceful creatures inside. We cannot be everywhere at once. We must focus on keeping Dargon's armies at bay before we can deal with these other troubles."
"These are dire tidings you give me Fliethu. I had hoped that Karmena would be a safe haven from which we could launch counter attacks on Zephra's forces. Now it seems as though Nyrune's domain is no safer than the fields of Feldom," said Mandigal, rubbing his chin absentmindedly. "When was the last time that you heard from the Kala?"
"A group of Elders went to the Kala caves to speak with their leader three weeks ago. Ever since then we have lost contact with them," replied Kilthies.
"What happened in that meeting?"
Both Kilthies and Fliethu shrugged their shoulders. "The Blades have been at odds with the Council for quite some time now, Mandigal. We serve the people of Karmena and the goddess Nyrune. We no longer feel that the Elders work in favour of our brethren," said Fliethu.
"Then it would interest you to know I was warned of treachery within the Council by Aldan," said Mandigal quietly.
"I have had my own misgivings about some of the Elders as of late," responded Kilthies. "If I were to point the finger, I would say that Bithi's allegiance has been compromised. Else, I would place the blame with Sielvu or Yhu."
"This is the very reason that I have come to Karmena. I must try to reveal this traitor and do so quickly, as I am sure that Errollan will need my help soon."
"I think that you should know that the Council forbade me and the Blades from going to Queen Triel's aid. We went against their orders and did what we felt to be right. Do not expect a warm welcome when you arrive in Duathnin," mentioned Kilthies.
"Had you not come to our aid Kilthies, we would have surely failed and the Queen would now be rotting in a dank cell in Zephra's dungeon," pointed out Mandigal.
"I must say goodbye, there are many preparations to be made before we ourselves are weighed down by Zephra's forces," Kilthies finished.
Mandigal offered his thanks. "Before I leave for Duathnin I must send word to Errollan. I have this message for him. Hopefully you will find a swift rider to carry it to the City of Skiye." Kilthies agreed and motioned for Mandigal to give him the message. "Errollan must know that I will not be returning to Feldom as soon as he had anticipated. I leave it to him and Ludvic to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Feldom is prepared for the moment when Dargon marches out of Precedin. It is important that he understands that he must do whatever is necessary. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Man
digal," replied Kilthies. "Rest assured that your message will reach him."
"Then I wish you luck, my friends. Let us hope that we will see each other again."
Fliethu embraced Mandigal's arm and walked off. Mandigal turned to lead Friedrich and Vrill out of the building.
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 102
