Chapter IX
Askalon
Achil, Andreas and Nicholas stood close to the foot of Mount Askalon. Looking up from this distance they could see how Askalon stood out from the rest of the Haven mountain range. It could only be described as a jagged sharpened tooth while all the other mountains were like ground down mandibles; it was covered from one end to the other by a hoard of emerald trees. Its peak far above the others jutted out through the clouds, well above where no tree dared to pass. At its tip was placed a majestic polished white marble crown. It had been a long journey just to get to that point. The surrounding smell of pine and fragrant laburnum added to the fresh mountain air was as invigorating as being immersed in a cool fresh pool. The Krakon flew overhead, once more in its natural habitat, trying to spy out a path to the City of Askalon. Achil taking the lead urged his horse forward, slowly beginning the long climb up the mountain. As they ascended, the warm air cooled becoming more bracing.
“From what I could gather from the Prefect, I believe we're very close to the borders of their realm,” said Achil. “The Askalons probably know we are already here, we had better make camp, the more obvious our intentions, the more likely we are to be perceived as non-threatening, we do not after all wish to be mistaken for spies or as unwelcome intruders to their lands.”
The place they had settled for was a small clearing, free from tree and brush, by the side of which ran a small mountain stream; it was as good as any place to rest for the evening. The three dismounted watered and fed their horses by a running stream, and began to make themselves a small fire. As it began to crackle the pine trees that were closest seemed to reach over and warm themselves. Birds began calling to one another excitedly, there was the baying call of a distant mountain goat; a deer passing close by stopped for a moment to study the interlopers, sniffed the air and moved off, disappearing into the trees; and there was the obdurate sound of a bull frog. As they began to discuss how they would engage the Askalons there was a loud crack, a twig snapping in two, then from behind the trees emerged eight men, all powerfully built and well armed.
A tall man with long jet black hair down to his shoulders stepped forward; he had a high proud forehead with a small angular nose. His cheekbones were distinctive, wide apart. His eyes also were wide apart, large and dark. He was dressed in a dark brown jerkin under which shone out a silver mail shirt. His breeches matched his top but were of a lighter material. The sword at his side hung down to his boots. He had an air of confidence about him, like with all his people it was difficult to place his actual age but unmistakably he was from Askalon. Achil and the others jumped up immediately, Nicholas made to pick up his sword but was prevented from doing so by Andreas.
“Who is it?” barked the man, as his hand rested gently on the hilt of his sword, “That comes into the land of Askalon unheralded.”
“I am Achil of the Finns, friend to the Dragon People of which my two companions Andreas and Nicholas belong. We are here to speak to your queen; we wish to seek an audience with her.”
“My name is Wei. An audience you say, you do not look like emissaries, are you here for the purposes of trade. Surely you must know the Askalons want for nothing.”
“We are here because the Lord of the Mandrake threatens our lands,” said Achil. “The one called Jin.”
Wei looked astonished by the mention of the name. He breathed a long reflective sigh, and slowly nodded his head.
“What do you know of Jin?” asked Wei.
“We understand that the Askalons know more about him than we do,” suggested Achil.
Wei looked into Achil’s eyes. Achil sensed he had opened a deep wound, which only a reminder of a terrible loss could do. Wei gazed right through Achil as if gauging the measure of him.
“You shall be granted your request,” said Wei. “And have an audience with the queen. Though I warn you it may not be a meeting that will end to your satisfaction.”
They followed Wei and were taken up into the mountain and by secret paths found themselves at the opening to a cave, guards either side saluted the strangers as they passed. They traversed a long tunnel, which had been cut out of the mountain before even the Dragon People had walked the lands of Osgaroth, the walls were now smooth as was the stony way, and at the end of the tunnel was a large gate. As they approached, it opened without any assistance, into a large valley; and in the centre of the valley was Askalon. They had walked through the heart of the Mountain and had come out on the other side. It was no wonder the city could not be found it was perfectly hidden. The mountains towering overhead jealously guarded the cities secret ways. The three of them gasped at what they saw, the beauty of which took the very air from their chests. They could have been excused for thinking that they had ridden into a dream.
As they descended to the road, in the distance could be seen the City of Askalon. On either side of the path running parallel to one another, were statues of marble, one stood out from the others it was of black onyx and beneath it was the name Jinsungyin, and they led right up to the gates of the city. They stood elevated on stone plinths and dauntingly looked down upon the travellers as they passed. The city was strengthened by imposing walls of stone that ascended and were manned by bowmen. At either side of the gates were two commanding statues, standing like guards watching over the valley.
On entry they were told that the city was made up of differing quarters. One residential area, another the municipality and palace area, an area for commerce and work and lastly an area devoted to the arts and leisure. The houses were long, three to four storeys high, made of sandstone, granite, or marble, the roofs were flat some turreted others pitched with slate tiles on them. The streets were cobbled and wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side.
An attendant greeted them and directed them to the palace, a magnificent building, which had a colonnade of jet black marble pillars to its front. The walls were made up of blocks of thick stone which had been cut out of the Haven Mountains, and the architrave at the entrance was adorned with many painted frescos of woodland and mountain creatures. Steps fanned out to the front of the building and led up to thick ornately carved doors of strong Thavma wood, which was inlaid with Ivory and Golden crafted spirits of the forest.
As they strode up the steps, the doors opened, and they were led into the atrium where they were asked to wait a while before being escorted into a large circular hall. As they stepped forward they could see the marble floors inlaid with mosaics throughout. At the far end stood the Queen, she was surrounded by courtiers but what was really unusual, was her dress, full ceremonial armour, and above her head was a crown of white gold encrusted with jewels that glittered like stars. She looked up, as Wei approached, and beckoned him forward. He gestured for Achil and his companions to remain where they were, while he went before the Queen. When he returned there was a grave look on his face.
“Queen Lariset hopes you will rest before she sees you,” said Wei. “And wishes that you be shown to some guest quarters here in the palace, and then tonight she will arrange a dinner where you can properly meet to discuss your proposals.”
Achil, Nicholas and Andreas were then taken up a winding stair into a long corridor with rooms to either side. At the foot of each bed was a chest with some suitable attire for the evening. Baths with hot steaming water had already been prepared. After the three had freshened up and rested an attendant came to their rooms to guide them to the feast. The banquet laid out in front of them was magnificent though Achil didn’t have an appetite. He had been expressing his anxieties to the others as to the repeated delays in their mission, and whether or not Findolin would still be standing when they finally got there.
The Queen impassively sat at the head; her long dark hair glistened in the candle light, her eyes dark, mysterious, it was difficult to guess what she thought as her face did not betray any emotion. As everyone settled to eat the Queen clearly recognised the impatience in Achil.
“Achil I understand
you wish to speak of the Lord of the Mandrake, the one called Jin,” said the Queen.
“We the Finns seek your wisdom and your aid in a matter of great importance to the survival of our Kingdom.”
“Before you say more you must be made aware that he is my brother,” said the Queen. “And that he was banished from our city long ago taking a number of followers with him. We are deeply saddened by what he has done but that does not mean I will send my people into a conflict against their brethren.”
“Queen Lariset, I understand that you are a proud people as are we all. It is well known like many in Suberia, that you do not like to interfere in the world outside your City walls. I am here because he that was once your brother no longer exists he would not threaten us so if he did. Do not think that he will stop with Findolin, excuse me for saying this about Jin but his appetite for conquest is unceasing. The end of the Finns will surely spell the beginning of the end of many other peoples in Suberia. It is for this reason that the Dragon people have ridden out to an uncertain fate. It is for this reason that the Cashel send men to join them, and it is for this reason that we ask that you end your long isolation. That you help us.”
The Queen and the other Askalons listened with sadness and understanding.
“When I banished Jin,” replied the Queen. “I thought he would learn from his punishment and his mistake. But the craving for power never ends. Instead he went out amongst a vulnerable people and made them in his own image. And a violent empire the Central Kingdoms have become. We didn’t think that someone from Askalon could be consumed with so much ambition as he is. And how the world is carrying a heavy burden for what he has done. The Jin was the mightiest among the people of Askalon but mightier still was his pride.”
“Yes he has terrorised many free peoples in Suberia,” said Achil. “And built himself such an empire that it may be too late already to stop him, but still we must try.”
“As I have said he is my brother, I know he has wronged others, but I cannot bring myself to destroy him. Our punishment of him may have caused this. I will not help you hunt him down; I still believe that he will realise that what he has done is madness.”
Andreas had listened intently but the Queen though sympathetic would not modify her stance. He had heard enough.
“Do you really intend letting your brother's insanity kill us all,” said Andreas. “And after you‘ve seen all that death and destruction perhaps then you might reconsider your mind. But then better late than never, or should it be, better never late.”
Achil who was drinking wine from a goblet choked and spluttered at Andreas’s outburst.
“I’m afraid my friend does not quite understand the art of diplomacy,” said Achil.
“I understand that Andreas is disappointed at my response,” said the Queen. “I hope you will enjoy the rest of your stay in Askalon as my guests.”
With that the Queen rose and bid everyone a goodnight. It was difficult to see if she was upset by the last exchange of words or not. Achil, Andreas and Nicholas all excused themselves and made their way back to their rooms. Achil lay awake on his bed; he had not even bothered to get undressed. The deep anxiety he had felt earlier in the evening had returned. His people were fighting for their very lives; the Askalons were unwilling to provide any assistance and he had not managed to convince them of the threat they all faced. His mission therefore had failed. He had simply not been able to convince the Queen who had either too much regret, or love for a brother that she believed was redeemable. The Askalons would not do anything that might disturb their world. It was time to look to what fate had in store for him, and his people. He would wait for the Army of the Dragon people to catch up with them. They had arranged to meet at the edge of Mount Rok to the east of the Haven Mountain range and set off from there toward Findolin but they would do so without the Askalons.
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 15
