Ferral's Deathmarch Army

by Tod Langley

APPENDIX

  THE HISTORY OF ERINIA

  Erinia is considered the land of the younger kingdoms. Only a thousand years before people from the old world of Mesantia had sailed out searching for new lands. A terrible cataclysm had shaken much of the world. Tidal waves and storms shook the western coasts of Mesantia and thousands had died. The people knew something terrible had happened far out in the restless ocean. Some even heard rumors of a land ravaged but quickly recovering. They heard this new, mysterious land was mostly uninhabited and rich in resources. People eager for a new life set sail in search of it. Those that survived the constant storms on the Tarin Ocean landed on a rugged coast that none from the main continent had ever seen. Most people, too exhausted by the experience of crossing the massive ocean to continue exploring, settled along the coast. They promised to maintain the ports necessary for trade between the Kingdoms of Mesantia and the new lands.

  Only a few continued north looking for better prospects. A glacial wall a thousand feet tall covered most of the northern reaches of the ancient world and was not a place the people liked to venture. The ice sheets were dangerous, large chunks fell constantly causing significant changes in the land. Villages that had tried to eke out an existence in the shadows of the ice were either swallowed whole by the constantly changing wall or crushed under the weight of millions of tons of ice falling from above. Even the bravest and most experienced explorers turned back when they heard the moaning sounds coming from the ice cliff.

  Some were still eager to make a new life, though, and they found a river in the shadow of the glacier. These explorers traveled west along the large waterway hoping to reach even better lands. For weeks they explored the area near the river passing mountains and woodlands until they finally reached a great inland sea. They called this large body of water the Forsian after their ancestors, a race of people known for thousands of years as explorers.

  They settled near where the river met the sea farming the fertile lands on the south side of its banks. Soon a settlement was established on a small rise that overlooked the fertile valleys. News traveled back to the Mesantian Kingdoms of Khafalia and Sergia that there was plenty of land and opportunity for everyone. People migrated there over the next two hundred years.

  A great village was founded where the settlement was begun on the east side of the Forsian Sea. People harvested wheat and corn; they shipped their goods on the river back to the ports along the coast. From the coastal ports, large ships took the supplies across the treacherous ocean back to Mesantia. The farmers on the plains and the traders along the coast were successful enough that their cities began to rival many from the old world.

  The people who settled the coast expanded their ports north and south until they were finally stopped by rugged hills. They prospered as the place of exchange between the farmers to their west and the Mesantian Kingdoms across the ocean. The people became wealthy and influential. They found gold and iron in the hills, which came to be known as the Disam Mountains, and pearls in the shallow waters along the coast. The new territory quickly established itself as an independent kingdom from Khafalia and was called Duellr.

  Hearing the claims of the people along the coast the inland farmers also declared independence and named their kingdom Erand. At first, the Mesantian Kingdoms refused to acknowledge these upstarts claiming the new provinces were merely territories of their kings.

  Several wars were fought along the coast and even on the river and inland sea. Over one hundred years of fighting devastated the coastal area and parts of the farming lands to the west, but the new kingdoms of Duellr and Erand continued to resist.

  Finally, a great leader emerged from the masses in Erand. His name was Salin. He was a natural leader and soldier among the more timid farmers and was chosen to raise an army and train it. Salin organized the farmers into a formidable army, which defeated the invaders on the central plains of Erand.

  Pushing the invaders constantly back toward Duellr, Salin conquered new lands south and east of the Forsian Sea. Soon Erand became a mighty empire dominating the new world. When the invaders were finally pushed back into the ocean, Salin continued his campaign by marching northeast along a newly discovered land bridge that connected the new world to Khafalia; the ice wall was receding and new land masses were created by the tidal forces at work.

  Salin’s army successfully crossed the rugged mountains, losing thousands along the perilous journey, but they were able to surprise the Mesantians. For over a thousand years, Mesantians had abandoned the northern areas of their kingdoms. The ice cliff had become an obvious reminder that people did not occupy the colder areas to the north.

  They did not expect Salin to use that vulnerability to his advantage. Swiftly moving south, he conquered them and prepared to move further through the old world. The Emir of Khafalia was forced to flee his capital and sought an alliance with Sergia. There was an uneasy peace between the neighboring kingdoms as they marched together against the Erandian forces.

  There was a great battle. Yet, Salin won the day, just barely.

  His success was short lived and he was unable to hold onto the lands he conquered. His men fought valiantly constantly holding the Khafali soldiers at bay while slowly giving ground to protect their leader. Salin was, however, killed in a battle against the Emir and his men were forced to retreat back across the land bridge. They buried their beloved leader in a secret tomb somewhere within the mountains.

  To ensure threats from the new kingdoms would never cross over the bridge into Mesantia again, the Emir constructed the mightiest wall ever seen. He forced his frightened men to walk in the shadow of the glaciers back along Salin’s route and find a suitable place to erect the mighty obstacle. The Khafali Wall runs north and south covering the gap between the mountains along the narrow land bridge. It has always separated the new world from the old.

  Although the Erandian army lost its hero and was defeated in battle they still saw themselves as leaders of the new world. Erand continued to build up its strength and influenced the reconstruction of Duellr. For over three hundred years, Erand politically dominated the new lands and threatened Mesantia with its power. The new continent was, thereafter, called Erinia.

  Five hundred years after the first settlement began in Erand, people continued migrating further west. Crossing the Forsian Sea settlers found rich farmland that no one had yet discovered. People continued exploring until they came across another great sea, the Utwan Sea. The land between the Forsian and the Utwan was not as large as Erand, but the soil supported all types of crops and trading relations were quickly established with the other Erinian kingdoms. The people gave thanks to God for the fertile lands they found and a great city was soon built along the eastern shore of the smaller sea.

  Black marble was abundant in the region and used to construct palaces, towers and walls. Massive temples were built in an attempt by the zealous to show respect and reverence to God, but many priests were too extreme. Some priests began to thank the Earth itself for providing them with the bountiful harvests, claiming God was not the only one responsible for their wealth. Many flocked to these over-zealous priests, worshipping not just God but the earth, sea, and winds, as well. Soon, a new religion dominated the territories west of the Forsian Sea. It was a religion that required complex rituals and animal sacrifices several times a year to show thanks to the gods for their continued favor.

  The leader of these new gods, Belatarn, soon replaced God. Belatarn was a demanding god exacting a great deal from his followers, but he also rewarded those that were most faithful. His laws demanded strict punishment of those that did not follow his edicts. Soon secret religious sects throughout the city-state took it upon themselves to hunt down the disobedient and non-believers to execute Belatarn’s will. These secret groups also delved into the art of magic. It is not known how the priests rediscovered the ancient knowledge, the ability to use magic was lost over seven hundred years before.

  Erand
feared it would soon be threatened by Belarnian magicians.

  At first, these apprentice sorcerers practiced common spells designed to enhance worship services. Priests used illusions to inspire awe and encourage followers to give generous offerings. After gaining more experience, these priests began to use illusions of their god to frighten people into submission. Certain their dark practices were for the greater glory of Belatarn, the more powerful magicians started experimenting with increasingly complex spells. Calling on powers they little understood, the High Priests of Belatarn used human sacrifice to enhance their powers. The blood of thousands of innocents ran off Belatarn’s altars to further their power in the black arts.

  Many noble families were threatened in the kingdom now named after the powerful, dark god. They were faced with the very real possibility that their sons and daughters would end up being sacrificed in the black citadel, Belarna. The only ones safe from the harsh laws enforced by these sects were those wealthy enough to contribute to the evil priests and their temples. Even the king found it better to support the fervor spreading throughout his city than to oppose it.

  Concerned by the spreading religion, the Erandians closed off their trade routes leading into the lands under the control of Belatarn. The chaos continued to spread, however, as followers of Belatarn raided ships sailing the Forsian Sea. Merchantman, traveler, priest, man, woman or child, it did not matter to the followers of the evil god. All were massacred in his name. It soon became apparent to Erand that these religious fanatics would have to be destroyed. In the name of God, an army of ten thousand men was mustered to fight the Belarnians. The king of Erand was, unfortunately, not the great leader Salin was three hundred years before him.

  The Erandian army sped across the sea to the shores of Belatarn’s followers and then moved west toward the fortified city of Belarna. Reaching the massive, black-walled city, the Erandians prepared for a siege. As they constructed rams and towers under the dark curtain of an approaching storm, the Belarnian cavalry attacked the Erandians from the rear. Their king was captured and several thousand soldiers were killed in the surprise attack. Belatarn’s High Priests called upon their god to aid them and soon horrible, maddening visions filled the sky. Images of the terrible god and his demons filled their minds. The screams of countless victims slaughtered by the religious fanatics over the years drowned out the calls to maintain order and in their panicked state, Erandian soldiers attacked their own comrades. Those not affected by the sorcerer’s spells watched helplessly from below the city’s walls as their king was hung from the highest tower and gutted. A massive chant to Belatarn rose from inside the walls and the Erandians quickly lost all hope and retreated back toward their homeland.

  Licking their wounds and swallowing their pride, the Erandians swore to never be defeated on the battlefield again. By order of the new king, a well-trained army was formed to replace the decimated forces. They constantly drilled, preparing for the next major battle. An elite cavalry force called the Royal Cavaliers was also created. Guarding the trade routes and sea-lanes the new army was successful at holding the Belarnians at bay until the Erandians were ready to strike back.

  For another century the power of Belarn grew, terrorizing the neighboring lands with their dark god. They spread fear and misery throughout the continent. There were, however, a few strongholds where even the dark magicians feared to go. The Spirit Woods to the south was a mysterious and haunted forest where no one from the north traveled. Scouts reported there was nothing of value west of the Merciless Mountains so the priests focused their campaign to the east. Erand was constantly raided and many of Duellr’s territories were ravaged.

  Belarnian forces were finally halted as they attempted to march directly against the Erandian capital. Even though they faced a superior force consisting of heavy cavalry and foot soldiers, the Erandian companies used bold and aggressive tactics to gain the initiative and keep it. Their priests, unable to call upon Belatarn for aid so far from home, caused the Belarnian army to lose hope. The Erandian soldiers fought bravely, constantly forcing the worshippers of the false god to retreat back toward the Utwan Sea. Soon the Belarnian army retreated in all out panic toward their capital.

  After their embarrassing defeat, the High Priests of Belatarn called for a mass sacrifice of citizens for the benefit of the kingdom. The priests claimed that only the blood of those that had failed their god would appease his anger. Not wanting to kill anyone that could be pressed into service as a soldier the zealous worshippers hunted down those people that could easily be condemned as infidels to burn in their sacrificial pyres. Hunts in the great city of Belarna for these unbelievers became common and most people quickly fled the capital. Left unchecked, the priests continued to hunt down anyone that opposed them. In the end, the king himself was accused of heresy. Temple guards, dressed in black robes with blood smeared crosses upon their chests, arrested the king and brought him before Belatarn’s High Priests.

  Enraged by the priests’ actions, the people finally fought back. They stormed the black temple where the king was held and killed everyone inside. In the riot and chaos that ensued, the King of Belarn was mistaken for a fanatic and executed. The temple and everything that represented Belatarn was destroyed.

  Since Belatarn’s overthrow the people have struggled to maintain control throughout the kingdom and retain some of the dignity they had gained when they controlled much of Erinia. People focused on the great skills they used to be known for. After all, Belarn had the most skilled craftsmen in the new lands. They offered their works of art to their former enemies. Most of their adversaries were willing to accept the uneasy peace in exchange for quality goods. Many Belarnians were gratified to find a task they felt was important and appreciated throughout Erinia. Some of the more precious treasures found throughout the world were originally created in Belarn. The newly established mines in the Merciless Mountains also helped to improve sour trade relations. It took two hundred years, but eventually, the Belarnians regained a measure of their former prestige.

  Others, however, were ashamed that Belarn had fallen into obscurity so quickly. Belarn had beaten most of Erinia into submission through the use of its army and black magic, including Erand. People throughout the lands had feared the High Priests that dressed in red and black robes, and many people in Belarn still dreamed of a world controlled by the once great kingdom. Some of them still believed Belarn would be a great and powerful force again and that their ancient enemies would be destroyed.

  Ferral was the most ardent of these believers.

  About the Author

  Tod Langley was in the military for many years and served on three combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He is the recipient of two Bronze Stars. His love for Fantasy fiction started when he first read Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories as a boy. He never lost interest in tales of epic adventure and the authors he admires most include Stephen R. Donaldson, George R. R. Martin, and Terry Brooks. He married after graduating from Purdue University and moved across the country while he was in the Army. They now live in Indiana with their three children.

  Discover other titles by this author:

  Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga

  Coming Soon:

  Neope’s War, Book Three of the Erinia Saga

  You can find out more about this author on Facebook at The Erinia Saga.