by E J Gilmour
The wyvern’s huge fangs snapped forward. Eben desperately scurried back out of the way. He dashed out of the bedroom and into the hallway. The wyvern roared and smashed a way through the wall into the hallway. It chased him down the corridor toward the common room, tearing the inn apart as it pursued him. The common room was mostly empty; the few remaining patrons stared in horror as Eben burst into the room with a howling wyvern at his heels.
Eben turned to face the beast and lifted his sword. The wyvern pounced as he quickly stepped back and cut out, missing the beast’s neck by only inches. The snarling beast recoiled and started to circle him menacingly. It smashed and knocked over chairs and tables. The few remaining terrified patrons rushed out the front door. Eben could feel his strength growing. He stared into the wyvern’s fierce red eyes.
Suddenly Red and Stella dashed into the room from the hallway. The monstrous beast turned to face them, howling madly. They both drew their swords. Red, without considering the situation, jumped at the creature, cutting down with all his might. The wyvern raised its clawed arm and parried the strike. It then whipped its long tail. Stella quickly ducked, but the scaly tail struck Red and knocked him across the room, sending him crashing into the far wall. Meanwhile Eben charged at the beast and stabbed forward. The sword pierced through the thick blue scales; the wyvern howled in pain. Eben pushed the sword deeper and the wyvern struck out with the back of its massive clawed hand and knocked Eben across the room. Eben stumbled and for a few moments felt dizzy from the impact.
Cassiel then stepped into the room from the hallway. His jaw dropped as he looked at the beast. He raised his right hand and a bright orange beam of flame rushed through the air and blasted into the wyvern’s face.
‘It’s a lindworm!’ cried Cassiel.
The beast writhed about the room and angrily shook the sparks away from its eyes. It then violently crashed through the front wall to the cobblestoned street beyond. Several town guardsmen had gathered outside, having heard all the commotion. They looked up at the creature in terror and backed away.
Eben gathered himself and shook off the daze. He charged outside after the lindworm. The beast turned to face him and lifted its head high, attempting to intimidate him with its size. It then howled loud enough to wake the entire town. More guardsmen rushed down toward the scene of the battle, and they all looked with shock as Eben stepped forward defiantly.
‘I am Eben, Champion of Ortaria. You will never take the Sword of Light from me!’
The beast shrieked and pounced, snapping out with its massive fangs. Eben jumped aside, dodging the ferocious bite, and in a single motion brought his blade down at the lindworm’s scaly neck. The beast fell to the ground and screamed in pain. Without delay Eben hewed down again; a moment later the hideous lindworm fell still and lifeless.
Red and Stella walked over from the ruined inn and were followed closely by Cassiel.
‘How many is that now?’ asked Red, a bewildered smile crossing his face.
Eben looked across to his friends. ‘Three,’ he replied. ‘But I think they’re getting larger.’
‘No, this wyvern was of the lindworm variety,’ said Cassiel as he stared down at the dead beast. ‘Lindworms do not have wings, but they are larger and stronger than their flying cousins.’
A group of a dozen Riverside guardsmen approached. ‘Who are you?’ asked their leader, who was a tall and skinny man with a thin gaunt face.
‘I’m Sir Red, and this is my wife Lady Stella. That’s Eben, Champion of Ortaria. Over there is Cassiel, the wizard.’
All the guardsmen looked in awe from Eben to the dead lindworm. They stared at the lifeless beast in a stunned silence. Eben glanced back at the half demolished inn. The whole front wall had been knocked down, and the common room was completely ruined from the battle.
‘Maybe we won’t settle down here after all,’ said Red.
**
They sat beside a large brightly burning open fire with Earl Carlo of Riverside. They had been invited up to the palace after the battle. The Earl was a large man with a gentle demeanour and long dark hair. He was clothed in fine linen and was softly spoken.
‘I had no idea that you were in Riverside. If I had known I would have invited you to stay with me.’
‘We didn’t want to bother you,’ said Red, being polite.
‘It would have been an honour to have you as my guests,’ said Earl Carlo. ‘Stories of the four of you are being told everywhere. Your deeds are known by all, and I see from viewing the dead wyvern that everything they say is true.’ Eben nodded. ‘I’m sorry that we couldn’t provide you with more protection. The wyvern entered the town from the lake; it was simply impossible for the town guards to know the creature was coming.’
‘We dealt with the situation anyway,’ said Red.
‘Yes, you did well,’ said the Earl. ‘All the people of Riverside have risen from their beds to have a look at the dead wyvern. No one really believed in such creatures until recently; now their existence is beyond doubt.’
**
They stayed that night in Earl Carlo’s palace. The next morning they rode west from Riverside along the highway through the Altus Forest. The day was warm and the sky blue. A soft breeze blew from the south. They rode briskly and around midday they stopped by a small crystal clear stream that ran through a glade beside the highway. Red prepared some buttered bread for lunch. They sat in the grass beside the stream and rested for a while.
‘How did the lindworm find us?’ asked Stella.
‘I don’t know,’ replied Cassiel. ‘However, I think it clearly came for Eben’s sword.’
‘The Skathean in Ancora said every servant of his master would be hunting me.’
‘Perhaps we are not being careful enough travelling so openly through Ortaria,’ said Cassiel, his eyes uneasily scanning the edge of the forest.
‘I agree, we should try to be more cautious,’ said Eben. ‘Azagord said the master in the north wants to throw the Sword of Light through the Cosmic Gate. I think he doesn’t want anyone using the sword against him; that’s also what King Ignis believes. The Sword of Light has been used to fight evil for thousands of years.’
‘The sword must be able to stop him,’ suggested Red. ‘Why else would he want to take the sword from you?’
‘I’m sure most of our questions will be answered when we arrive at the council in Faircastle,’ said Cassiel.
**
After a short time they remounted their horses and left the glade. They rode west for the remainder of the day. As the evening approached the company found a clearing off the highway and out of sight. Red made a small campfire and placed a pot full of vegetables over the flames. The evening was cool and still. The moon rose over a line of trees, lighting up their surroundings.
Eben looked across the fire and saw that Red was staring intensely at the full moon. ‘What’s troubling you, Red?’
‘The full moon always brings back memories of my childhood when I lived in Talis.’
‘What memories?’ asked Stella.
‘Some sad memories; the night my parents died was a full moon night.’
‘You never told me what happened to your parents, Red,’ said Stella gently. Red looked into the flames of the fire and for a moment fell into a thoughtful trance.
‘The memories are difficult to talk about,’ he said, pausing for a few moments. ‘At the time I was fourteen. I spent most of my days working with my father. He was a candle maker and had a small workshop in the backstreets of Talis. We lived behind the workshop in a small one bedroom cottage. I was out late with some friends one night and returned home to find my parents were gone. Everything was taken from our house, and the workshop had been ransacked. I didn’t know where they had gone or what had happened. I asked everyone in the neighbourhood; no one knew what had happened to them. I searched every corner of Talis and asked everyone if they had seen my parents. My father never owned his workshop, and he had large debts to var
ious bankers in the town. The bankers sold the workshop and our cottage. I was left to fend for myself on the streets of Talis. I worked hard to support myself and lived on the streets for years. I spent all my spare time searching for my parents. I never found them. It took me years to accept the possibility that they were probably murdered.’
‘I’m sorry to hear this,’ said Cassiel. ‘Those years must have been very difficult for you.’
Red nodded and glanced up at the moon. ‘Every time I see the full moon I think of them. I miss them so much. I think they are still with me in a sense, looking after me and keeping watch over me.’
Eben felt sad for Red. He understood what it was like to not know what happened to your parents. Hearing about Red’s past made him feel an even stronger kinship with his friend.
‘Hey look, dinner is ready,’ said Red with a smile as he leaned over and pulled the pot off the flames. He took four bowls from his bag and served them boiled vegetables.
**
They moved quickly the following day and came to the edge of Altus Forest. They stopped their horses at the site of the Battle of Ortaria where they had fought weeks earlier. Few signs of the battle remained. After a short stopover they followed the highway out across the Golden Plains.
The highway was mostly empty apart from occasional peddlers or trading caravans. The blue skies were passing away. The weather was becoming cool again as grey clouds rolled in from the north. As night fell they set up camp by the side of the road. They all sat around the campfire and kept warm as the night grew dark.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing Vastoria and Irvaria,’ said Red. ‘I’ve heard many stories about the Western Lands. Irvaria is said to be the most beautiful kingdom in all Veredor.’
‘I’ve also heard that Irvaria is beautiful,’ said Cassiel. ‘They say Faircastle was built by the first Ecorian, Jeriel the Just; it was the seat of the Ecorian Emperor and the capital of the old Empire. Faircastle is said to be a glorious city. Faircastle was known as the Star of the Ecorian Empire.’
‘What ever happened to the Ecorian Empire?’ asked Stella.
‘The Ecorian Empire was ruled by a line of powerful and noble men who were direct descendants of Jeriel the Just. Jeriel’s only son, Aldis Ecorian, married a mermaid and from that time the emperors became known as the Ecorians. The Ecorians were not quite men and not quite mer; they belonged to both races. There were never any other unions between men and mer in all of the history of Veredor. The mer by nature could only have two children, a son and a daughter, and the Ecorians inherited only half this trait, being only able to have one child, either a son or a daughter. The last Ecorian died without an heir, and the Ecorian Arbiters, the men who governed the provinces of the empire, argued over who should succeed the Ecorians. Eventually they decided to form independent kingdoms. Ortaria, Silvor, Scaldonia, Irvaria, Everdon, Vastoria, Ateria, and the lands of the Far West became independent kingdoms. King Ignis is a direct descendent of the Ortarian Magistrate of the Ecorian Empire. The Ecorian Arbiters have since been regarded as the highest degree of nobility in Veredor.’
‘I would like to know more about the history of Veredor,’ said Stella.
‘There is a lot to learn. So much has occurred across the ages. There is a great library in Faircastle. Hopefully we will be able to read some of the old books when we arrive.’
They sat around the fire and rested. The night grew cold, but the fire burned brightly and kept them warm.
**
The days that followed were much the same. The Golden Plains were mostly empty. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, and they often found themselves riding through heavy rain. Around midday on the third day they could see Galdir set on the hill in the distance. Misty clouds hung low above the fortress, and the tops of the mountains beyond Galdir were hidden from view.
‘This is our last stop in Ortaria,’ said Cassiel.
‘The Vastorian Wastelands await us,’ said Red, his eyes studying the towering mountains ahead. Red had been looking forward to the adventure beyond the mountains. They were all excited about the prospect of seeing Vastoria and Irvaria.
‘The wastes are very dangerous. Meara told me they are mostly ruled by warlords and tribal leaders,’ said Cassiel. ‘We will cross them as quickly as we can. I expect it to be a two week journey from Galdir to Faircastle. We will probably have to stop at the city of Sabulo just beyond the Iron Gate Pass. We will need to find a guide to take us across the desert. Once we cross the wasteland we will make for the Adira River. From there we can take a barge up the river all the way to Faircastle.’
They rode onward toward the gate of Galdir. The large reinforced ironclad gates opened as they approached. Two Ortarian guardsmen stood on each side of the great archway and allowed them to pass. They rode up through the town to the top of the hill where the dark stone fortress towered high above the town. The townsfolk appeared much happier since they had been liberated from the rule of Baron Doriak. Several guardsmen walked down the fortress steps to greet them.
‘I salute you, Champion Eben, Sir Red, Lady Stella, and Lord Cassiel. We were not expecting you so soon,’ said their leader, who was a very short man with a completely bald head. A dozen or so guardsmen stood behind him. ‘I have sent someone to fetch Sir Victar.’
Moments later the great iron doors opened. Sir Victar stepped out and stood at the top of the steps. He was a tall and gaunt looking man with high cheekbones and bright blue eyes. His dark hair was oiled back, and he wore the same armour as the guardsmen of the town. He was around forty years old and looked very lordly, but at the same time very exhausted.
‘The Dragon Slayer himself,’ said Sir Victar, walking down the steps toward them.
‘Greetings, Sir Victar,’ said Eben. ‘We are passing through on our way to Irvaria. We are only hoping to stay one night at Galdir.’
‘King Ignis sent word that you were on your way. You’re most welcome to stay in the fortress. Please come in. I’ll have a banquet prepared in your honour,’ said Sir Victar. They followed him through the iron doors into the magnificent hall of Galdir.
‘Did you see any muckrons on the highway?’ he asked as he led them up the stairs to the upper hall where an open fireplace was burning brightly.
‘No, we rode quickly across Ortaria and didn’t see one, but we did get attacked by a lindworm in Riverside,’ said Cassiel as they all took seats around the long oak table.
‘A lindworm!’ exclaimed Sir Victar.
‘It was really nasty, but it didn’t last long against Eben,’ said Red. Sir Victar looked to Eben and nodded respectfully.
‘We haven’t seen any wyvern around Galdir; however, there are still many stray muckrons in the wilderness. I only have a garrison of eighty men here at Galdir, and they are all that is protecting the whole west of Ortaria from the borders of Altus to the Endless Wall Mountains. I’ve sent word to King Ignis for more men; I don’t know if he can spare any at this time.’
‘The King has sent brigades to all the small villages and settlements around Ortaria,’ said Cassiel. ‘He’s also sending men to Scaldonia through the Northern Pass. I’m sure when he can spare more men he will send them.’
‘I hope that day is not far off. I worry because we are exposed to a raid from Vastoria with such a little force based here in Galdir.’
‘Why would the Vastorians attack?’ asked Cassiel, surprised at the suggestion.
‘I am mostly worried about bands of raiders and renegade warlords. The Vastorian Wastelands are a complete mess. The warlords are tearing each other apart, and there’s a threat that it could spill across the mountains. There is also word that the Skatheans control the south of Vastoria. They have also been pressing into the northern wastelands. It wouldn’t take much for the Skatheans to gather an army and cross the Iron Gate Pass. Then they could enter the Golden Plains and even reach as far as Riverside. There have also been reports of muckrons and other monsters beyond the pass. Most troubling is th
e word from Scaldonia. Duke Egil faces monsters that don’t even have names.’
‘That sounds grim,’ said Red.
‘It’s very grim,’ said Sir Victar sternly. ‘Galdir is a great fortress; we can stand against a large army, but eighty men...it’s such a small number.’
They could clearly see that Sir Victar was deeply strained; the dark circles under his eyes showed his exhaustion. They all knew that there was little they could do to help his situation.
‘We are travelling to Irvaria and will cross the Vastorian Wastelands. Can you share any knowledge regarding the road ahead of us?’ asked Cassiel.
‘The road forward will be treacherous,’ said Sir Victar in a low and uneasy voice. ‘If you weren’t experienced warriors I would suggest not going west at all. Beyond the Iron Gate Pass you will find the city of Sabulo, a pit of despair. The city is ruled by a tyrant warlord. I believe he is in league with the Skatheans. You would do well avoiding the town altogether; however, Sabulo is perhaps the best place to find a guide to take you onward through the wasteland.’ Sir Victar paused and looked toward the large arched windows before continuing.
‘There is no road west through the desert. You will surely need a guide to take you across the dry lands. The main risk is accidently stumbling on unfriendly tribes or being ambushed by bandits. You could angle to the north and follow the path through the Empyrean Hills; the tribal people of the Empyrean Hills are noble, but they’re also very unpredictable. You will need to pack your horses well and carry enough water for many days. The land is completely barren. There are wells in the desert, but the wells are hidden and well-guarded by the local tribes and clans. You are welcome to take whatever you need from the fortress stores.’
