by James Dale
“I promised Hamman Khan I would tell you how real Kadinar treat their guests,” he said turning to Thessa after he also recounted the day he’d spent in their camp across the Whesguard. “He seemed most…distressed by the entire affair. If I may be so bold sire, when was the last time Brydium and Kadin actually sat down and talked to each other? If Hamman Khan and Captain Jhmaal are any representation of their people, the Kadinar may not quite the devils they are thought of on this side of the Whesguard.”
“We have only talked with swords the last eight hundred years,” Theros replied. “In truth I was quite shocked indeed when Mullah ad’Jhen sent a letter claiming innocence with regards to Thessa’s plight. If Lord Tue had not received word us of her safe arrival in Dorshev and informed us of her rescue, there would have been war between us. Another service you rendered to Brydium for which the entire kingdom owns you thanks. Perhaps, Sir Jack, I will send you as our emissary to Khadda’Temar when you have settled into your role as the Duke of Thonbor? We commit a great deal of men and resources patrolling the Whesguard. A treaty between us would be a great boon to my kingdom.”
“You actually shot a lion from horseback,” Elaynor asked, before politics and treaties could overtake the conversation. “You must be quite the horseman Jack?”
“It was mostly luck, your majesty,” Jack shrugged. “Riding Eaudreuil, even at full gallop, is like sitting in your favorite chair by the fire. A novice could have made that shot. It was barely ten paces away.”
“Hitting a charging lion at ten paces and killing it with a single arrow, even from your favorite chair, would make you the luckiest man in the world,” Thonicil said, joining the conversation.
“On the contrary, Prince Thonicil,” Jack replied. “You are the luckiest man in the world.” Jack said, taking Thessa’s hand. “To have such a treasure as your wife and mother of your child? Did she tell you how the crew of the Seawolf wept when she left us? Do you still have Belizet’s tiger teeth?”
“Of course I do, Jack,” she said quietly.
“I’m so sorry Thessa,” he apologized quickly, seeing tears suddenly appear in her eyes. Of course she knew Belizet and Rhonn and all the others were dead! “I wasn’t thinking. Let’s change the subject, again, shall we?” he advised, squeezing her had affectionately.
“What of your family Sir Jack?” Elaynor asked. “How long have you been apart from them, roaming the wilds and sailing Aeralnen Widewater as you did?”
“I’m afraid all I have left is a father ma’am,” Jack said sadly, “and we haven’t spoken in years. He was well…forced to disown me after a series unfortunate…incidents leading to my discharge from the army.”
“Incidents?” Thonicil asked.
“It was complicated,” Jack shrugged. “We were at war. A long, brutal war. It took its toll. At the end I wasn’t…well. In the head.”
“War is a terrible affair,” Elaynor nodded sympathetically. “It can do terrible things to good men. Even the strongest of warriors can be brought low by its horror.”
“They certainly can, majesty,” Jack sighed.
"God’s, this was meant to be a celebration," Theros muttered. "Yet we have found sadness at every turn. If we are going to find nothing lighter to speak of, I must have another drink. Join me, Sir Jack?"
"I must respectfully decline sire," Jack apologized. "It's an excellent brew but I think it would be best if I stopped at one. The matter of finding the Talon of the Hawk? I'll need a clear head for what I have to tell you later."
"Of course," Theros sighed. "Though by the look on your face, I think we may both have need of several afterwards. Valarius!"
The chief steward, never far from his lord's side, was there in an instant.
"Please quietly inform Prince Kirstaen I wish to see him in my private study as soon as he can politely break away," the king informed him. “Fetch Count Arthol, Ambassador Thongril and Field Marshal Tolkaen as well."
Valarius nodded crisply and departed without a word.
"my Lady?" Theros said, offering the queen his arm.
"I will see to the guests dear," Elaynor nodded. “I have no wish to hear that tale today.”
"Very well," the king nodded. "Thessa, I fear I must borrow your champion for a bit.”
“If it please you sire,” Thessa suggested. “It’s about time I involved myself in Brydium’s affairs beyond weddings and dances. May I join you?”
“Are you certain?” Theros asked.
“I endured the Kadinar and the fires of Norgarth,” she replied bravely. “I would hear how my husband wears the Talon of the Hawk again, no matter how dark the path Sir Jack took to find it.”
“Come then,” the king nodded, pride evident on his face.
"Queen Elaynor," Jack stood and kissed the queen’s hand. "Forgive me for making this feast a disaster. If you find it in your heart to ever ask me to your table again, I promise I will find more fitting conversation.”
“You have nothing to fear Jack,” Elaynor smiled. “You are welcome at my table whenever you please.’’
“One last favor, if I may ask? The Lady Gweneveare...would you mind? I'm not entirely certain she's in safe company with some of your guests." He inclined his head to the nearby table where the young woman was surrounded by several gentlemen who were apparently hanging on her every word. "Would you find someone to keep an eye on her?"
"I shall see Gwen does not fall into trouble," the queen laughed softly. "Though I think perhaps those young men are in more need of rescuing."
"And if she should ask where I have gone," Jack grinned, a wicked thought suddenly occurring to him. "Would you please tell her the king has agreed to show me the royal goldfish pond? When she awakes, you can tell her we are even for last night."
With Thessa on his arm, the king led Braedan from the dining hall, down a long curving passageway circling the interior of the tower. Mindful of his daughter-in-law's condition, Theros set a leisurely pace, so that by the time they had reached his private study the others he had invited to hear Jack's tale were only a few steps behind them. Prince Thonicil hurried to open the door for them, stepping aside to allow his pregnant wife and his father to enter first, then flashing a tight-lipped smile at Braedan, he quickly followed after them. Ambassador Thongril and the rest had just arrived and, seeing the look which passed between them, Thongril lay a compassionate hand on Jack’s on the shoulder and guided him into King Theros' study.
The room was pretty much what Jack expected of a king's private sanctuary. There were shelves packed with books lining one wall and in the center of the room was a large desk cluttered with disheveled stacks of papers and other documents currently under review by the king. Several chairs where gathered in a half circle around the desk, for ministers and other officials to sit while he gave instructions to them on this or that matter, while the remainder of the available space was taken up by personal mementos, gifts and other diverse trophies collected during the twenty odd years he had ruled the kingdom of Brydium.
The single most dominating object in the room hung upon the wall behind Theros' desk, resting in a sheath of Ithlemere, suspended from chains of gold. The Highsword Dragonslayer had been returned to perhaps its customary place after the ceremony which made Jack a knight. In the close confines of the study, without a gallery of hundreds to capture his attention, Braedan felt an overwhelming sense of vitality and strength exuding from the sword. A strange humming noise, like the low, vibrating whine of high voltage electric lines filled his head, and Braedan realized he was feeling on some subconscious level that existed just below his normal senses, the dormant, waiting power of a Highsword crying to be unleashed. He marveled briefly why one of the most powerful weapons in this world was left completely unattended in this way, where anyone simply walk into the palace and relieve the House of Th'nar of its most prized talisman. Until he remembered it was instant death for anyone but a direct descendant of the King Tha’laen Th'nar to draw the blade. Where was the need
to protect something even the dark-King himself could not touch?
"Be seated please," King Theros said, pulling a comfortable looking chair from beneath his desk. "Jack, have you met everyone? No? Well, that young thief is Prince Kaerstin An’Kaera, son of Kaerl An’Kaera, King of Annoth. Perhaps later he can be persuaded to release some of the gold he lifted from Brydium's coffers this morning and buy you a drink."
"A pleasure my Lord Thonbor," Kaerstin said with a slight bow. The young man looked like he would be more at home rigging sail or taking a turn at the ships oars than negotiating trade contracts. He was a tall blonde, maybe twenty or twenty-one, with a barrel chest and arms as thick as main masts. He also had a devil may care twinkle in his eyes that surely made most young women swoon.
"I also have spent my share of time at sea," the young man grinned. "I am looking forward to hearing firsthand how the Seawolf singlehandedly defeated two Norgarthan dreadnoughts." Suddenly Jack could picture the young man clearly, standing at the prow of a swift pirate raider, his yellow mane flowing in the sea breeze with the maniacal grin of a berserker on his lips and a bloody battle ax gripped in his callused hands.
"And this old war-horse is Field Marshal Jhai'ar Tolkaen," Theros continued. "Commander of Brydium's armies."
Tolkaen was perhaps sixty-five or seventy years old, with hair gone totally white, and a lined, weather marked face resembling a contoured battle map. "Your grace," the Field Marshal saluted, closed right fist over his heart.
Suddenly conscious the uniform he wore was under this man's command, Jack snapped to attention and rendered a military hand salute crisp enough to make any drill sergeant at Ft. Benning proud. "Sir! Sergeant Major Jack Braedan! United States Army Special Forces. Retired."
"Your majesty," Tolkaen grinned. "I think you may have finally found the man for your nor'eastern border. When you've the time son, find one of the Dragon Guard and tell him Field Marshal Tolkaen requests you be escorted to the Garrison Supply Depot and given the crossed sabers of Legion Commander for the uniform you’re wearing. The Duke of Thonbor holds that rank in the Eastern Forward Legion of Brydium."
"Don't go drafting him just yet Jhai'ar," King Theros smiled. "Rebuilding Thonbor will take most of his energy for the time being."
"Rebuilding Thonbor?" Jack asked, turning to the king.
"I'll explain later," Theros answered, deflecting the question with a wave of his hand. "First, let us hear your tale."
"Yes," Prince Thonicil agreed, leaning forward eagerly. "I am most anxious to learn how a pirate on the run managed to make his way to Agash Thugar and…back again, with the Talon of the Hawk in his possession."
"It's a long story," Jack warned, taking his seat.
"We have plenty of time," the prince replied haughtily.
"No," Jack sighed wearily. "I'm afraid time is one thing we don't have. The dark-King stirs. Even now his armies are gathering in the south."
Before his shocked listeners could interrupt, Jack launched into his story. He was briefly tempted to begin with, “By the way, I’m probably the last descendant of Ljmarn Bra’Adan and your High King,” if just to wipe the smug look off Thonicil’s face. He settled instead on recounting with as much detail as possible his journey from Dorshev to Brythond, leaving the revelation of his identity for another time. The Speaking the truth as a knight did not mean he could not leave certain things unsaid, did it? It was a small technicality, but Dragonslayer did not protest from its place on Theros’ wall and he considered himself vindicated in keeping his secret for now.
"That is a…remarkable story," Field Marshall Tolkaen remarked hesitantly, the first to break the stunned silence. "Spirit Walks. A king of Amar revealed. The Galekindar magically…reborn? Giants. Demons. At least now I know how you came by Mullah ad’Jhen’s signet ring. I must admit I was a bit leery when I saw it on your hand."
"I seem to have a small habit of being in the right place and the wrong time," Jack admitted.
"So, it would seem," King Theros agreed. "It is confirmed then. Gorthiel is occupied once more. I set scouts to watching the border of Grethor almost a year ago. Even before Thessa was taken by the Kadinar. They have been reporting bands of grim'Hiru steadily moving into the region for six months now."
"The last patrol hasn't reported in three weeks," Marshal Tolkaen added. "Which means they are probably dead. A full company of my best troops!"
"Not all of them," Braedan informed him. "At least half a dozen were alive seven days ago. But you have even bigger problems.”
"There is more?" Prince Kaerstin asked. During Jack's tale he had grown steadily more ill at ease. Even on the far west coast of Aralon rumors had reached them of dark things moving again the in east.
"There is," Jack continued. "Nalon-Lox claimed he has agents, highly placed agents...at work in the west. In Doridan...and in Brydium."
"Traitors! Here?" King Theros cried.
"So he said," Jack nodded. "He didn't expect I would ever live to see the outside of Gorthiel. I have no reason to believe he lied. But we do not have to trust his word. I saw one of them myself," Jack said, turning to Ambassador Thongril. "He's a mutual friend ours."
"Who? You don't mean..." the ambassador paled. "I know he is a scoundrel but...a traitor?"
"I saw him with my own eyes," Jack whispered. "In the Iron tower...doing things." In deference to Thessa, he did not recount the blasphemous ceremony he’d witnessed in the heart of Agash Thugar.
"Who?" Theros demanded.
"Kiathan Ellgaer," Thongril whispered.
"You saw the Duke of Raashan?" Prince Thonicil snorted skeptically. "In the Iron Tower? Impossible! I don't believe it! The Swordmaster of Aralon could not be a traitor. You are mistaken."
"It makes sense," the ambassador said, his voice filled with defeat. "How else could he have gained power so quickly in Dorshev? The Shadow's hand has a grip on the throne of Doridan. Yh help us."
"Surely you do not believe this wild tale father?" Thonicil asked incredulously.
"Husband," Thessa replied firmly. "Jack Braedan would not lie."
"I also hear the truth in his words," Theros sighed sadly. "Though it pains my heart to say it."
"This is insane!" Thonicil argued. "A few grim'Hiru sneaking back into Gorthiel is not enough evidence to suggest that...that the dark-King lives! And this retributive accusation against the Duke of Raashan? Of course, a condemned pirate would name his tormentor an agent of the Shadow!"
"What other proof do you require my son?" Theros asked.
"Something more than the words of a pirate and adventurer!" the prince cried. "Whom I think more likely to be an agent of darkness than the Swordmaster of Aralon! He is captured and taken to Gorthiel, only to escape with the miraculous help of a giant no less, and shows up on our door wearing the signet ring of the animals who kidnapped Thessa?"
"Are you calling me a liar?" Jack said, low and dangerous. Theros silenced him with a raised hand.
"If you seek for the truth in his words, you need look no farther than the sword which hangs on your hip," the king replied. “Would an agent of the east have returned the Talon of the Hawk to Brydium? It is not a Highsword but it is still a weapon to be feared. If that is still not enough, listen to my words. Dragonslayer has attested to this man’s integrity and courage as well. I have anticipated this news for some time now. I knew in my heart darkness was stirring again in the east. Dragonslayer has cried out to me for months. It senses the coming battle as surely as an old man senses winter by the pain in his joints. If that is still not enough, consider the Lords of the Staffclave. Have you pondered their recent disappearance? They search for the High King's heir. Only he can hope to face the power of the dark-King and his Bloodstone."
King Theros' rebuke stilled Thonicil's argument for the moment, but it was obvious from the look he gave Jack he was still not totally convinced.
"What are we to do?" Thessa asked forlornly.
"Prepare for war," Field Marshal Tolkaen repl
ied. "That is clear enough."
"Yes, but what do we do about Kiathan?" Thongril asked, "Surely some action must be taken. We cannot sit by idle while a lackey of Grethor usurps the throne of Doridan."
"Yet do we dare accuse him openly?" asked Count Arthol, "Without damaging our strained ties with Dorshev even further, or Yh forbid it, precipitating a war with Doridan?"
"I am going to take care of Kiathan," Jack said, murder in his voice.
"No!" Thessa cried fearfully. "You cannot! My champion...Kiathan is the greatest swordsman in all of Aralon! You cannot hope to best him."
"Meaning you no disrespect son," Ambassador Thongril nodded, "but Thessa's right. We will have to find some other way."
"This is the only way," Jack insisted. The Elohara had decreed it! "But Count Arthol is right. He can't be accused of treason on my word alone. I am an outlaw in Doridan and would never be believed. However, should I face Kiathan at Ljmarn Haelfest and defeat him, would not the word the new Swordmaster of Aralon be a different matter altogether?"
"It would give you credibility certainly," Theros admitted, "but without physical proof, with only your word, convincing King Ellgenn and the High Council of Dorshev the Duke of Raashan is a traitor would be...difficult. He is a powerful man. With powerful allies..."
"But equally powerful enemies," Thongril added. "The Knights of the White Horse bear him no love."
"All the more reason we should approach this cautiously," the king remarked. "Without proof, such an accusation could set off a civil war in Doridan."
"And without a united Doridan in the south and their cavalry to protect the heart of the Whesguard, the war would already be lost." Field Marshal Tolkaen stated matter of factually.
"I think we are overlooking...or should I say avoiding, the most important part of this tale," Prince Kaerstin interjected.
