by James Dale
“I be tired,” the grim’Hiru whimpered, recoiling in fear.
“Tired?” Jack asked the kneeling beast-man. “Of what? Murder? Torture?”
“Tired of being afraid,” Bkormar said, raising his eyes to look at Braedan. “Tired of being…a slave. Slit me throat or burn me with fire. At least me will no longer be a slave to him.”
Jack studied the grim’Hiru as those gathered waited for him to pronounce judgement. Jack looked at the faces of the men and Ailfar around him. It was plain for him to see what most of them wanted. They wanted him to burn the grim’Hiru to a cinder with Yhswyndyr’s flame. Then he caught the eye of Lord Faendil. The Seer Lord was looking at him expectantly. It was obvious Faendil had foreseen this moment. Foreseen and not warned him, as was his custom. Jack could hear him now. “There are several possible outcomes…”
“Do you really want to die, Bkormar?” Braedan asked, drawing more power from Sunheart. If the grim’Hiru said yes, he had summoned enough to leave nothing but a charred spot on the stony ground. If he said no…But then why had he surrendered to the elves?
“I wants to live,” the beast-man, sobbed, lowering his head. There was no more arrogance left in him. No more cruelty. He wasn’t a monster to be feared any longer. He was a thing only to be pitied. Jack made his decision.
“This is why I sent emissaries to the east and offered them peace,” Jack said, turning to the face Theros and Cilidon. “This is why I told Kaerl An’Kaera to spare what he could of Norgarth and Denegarth.” He said to the gathered crowd. “The people and lands to the east are slaves of the Bloodstone!” he said, pointing at the red clouds on the horizon. “The grim’Hiru have been cursed worst of all. The entire east beyond the Whesguard River has been…infected…by it. But some grow weary of those chains. One kneels before you. I have met others. Hamman Khan, brother to the Great Khan of Kadin, said to me if he had one wish, it would be every sorcerer of the Sa’tan was spitted on a pike and every temple burned. That was the one command I gave Kaerl An’Kaera. The Annothian fleet has done that. Urgiss foolishly resisted and he now lays dead. Denegarth wisely surrendered, meeting the Annothians at the city docks with Graith’s sorcerers in chains. Both are free now to choose their own path once more. Under our watchfulness of course. In chains, the east does not have the strength to see Hamman Khan’s wish come true. We must do it for them. To do that, we must break their chains!”
Jack lowered Yhswyndyr to hover above the prisoner’s outstretched neck. He pulled power from Sunheart until it infused every fiber of his being. He pulled as much as he had used to repair the Word binding the Sa’tan. As much as he had used to cleanse the Land of Dreams. He knew he would suffer the consequence, but the time had come for him to do more than fight Graith. The time had come for him to begin breaking the Bloodstone’s curse on the world.
“Bkormar, you are a slave no more.” He touched the blade of the Highsword to Bkormar’s neck and the grim’Hiru screamed. Not from destroying fire, but from cleansing fire. The grim’Hiru shuddered, fell forward, and grew still. To the astonishment of everyone who watched, the grim’Hiru began to change. Claws and fangs that had been used to rend flesh shrank into dirty, broken nails and yellowed teeth. Tough, gray, hide like boiled leather armor became soft, human flesh. Hiru flesh. The monster it had been since the Bloodstone cursed its kind, was gone. The Arch Angel Yh’gar had created this race in pride and error, but they had been accepted by the Creator Yh, as his own children. Who was Jack to defy the Creator? Bkormar was a slave no longer. He was Hiru once again.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Second Battle of the Bergaweld
“Untie him and get him something to eat,” Jack commanded.
No one moved to obey him. They all were staring at Braedan in wonder.
“Jack, your face,” Anna said, reaching a tentative hand towards him.
“I am sorry they have to see me like this,” he sighed. If his wife feared to touch him, he could well imagine how he must look after drawing so much power from Sunheart. He was surprised he could stand at all with the amount of force it took to break the Bloodstone’s curse enslaving Bkormar.
“No, Jack,” Anna whispered. “You…it’s not like before…you are almost…glowing?”
Jack raised his hands to look at them in wonder. They were not aged as he had become accustomed to after commanding Yhswyndyr. With the power he had summoned, they should have been deformed, arthritic claws.
“Let’s get you inside, my love,” Anna said, taking his arm.
Jack let his wife guide him through the stunned, silent crowd. The soldiers of Doridan and Brythond quickly dropped to a knee as he passed. Cilidon An’Mera did as well and all the Ailfar followed his lead. Even the Lady Ara’fael knelt. The Spellweaver’s gaze rose to meet his briefly. Her eyes were filled with such a look of fear and awe it shook him to his core.
Anna guided him inside their tent and sat him in a chair. She went and poured him water from a pitcher. “Drink, my love,” she said kneeling at his feet and offering him the cup.
Jack raised it to his lips with shaking hands and took a sip. “Did you see the way they were looking at me?” he asked quietly. “There are terrified. Did I free Bkormar from the Bloodstone only to make them slaves to Yhswyndyr?”
“Oh, Jack,” she said. Taking the cup from his hands, she set it in on the floor. She took both of his hands in hers and kissed them. “You have not made them slaves. You have freed them.”
“Freed them from what?”
“Fear, my love,” Anna smiled. She stood up and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him to her. “For the first time, they saw you use Sunheart, not out of desperation, or anger, or to do battle, but out of love. You knew what would happen by drawing so much power, yet you did it regardless. You did it to save a pitiful wretch deserving of neither love nor mercy.” She took his face in her hands and kissed his forehead. “I think that is what was different this time. Why you were not…harmed by using Yhswyndyr. I think…perhaps, it has been teaching you. Even testing you in a way, perhaps? To see if you would, if you could use the power of creation not only fight against the darkness, but to heal. I think it believes you are now ready to face the Bloodstone, Jack.”
“May I come in?” a voice called from outside the tent. It was High Lord Perigaen.
“Give us another moment,” Anna replied.
“I’m scared,” Jack admitted quietly. He had grown accustomed to the aftermath of using the Highsword. Using such power should have consequences. He couldn’t decide what frightened him more now. That Yhswyndyr would destroy him when he faced the Bloodstone, or that it wouldn’t.
“Do not be frightened,” Anna said, “I am not. I know your heart. I know you are…strong enough to do this and not be…tainted…by the power. When Ljmarn passed, Yh’Adan waited seven centuries for someone who could hold the power of creation in his hands and not be tempted to misuse it.”
Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Perhaps,” he sighed. It had not been long ago he’d vowed to burn the world to ash to protect her.
“I know I am,” Anna smiled down at him. “I love you, Jack Braedan. There is no reason to fear or be double minded. Simply be who you are. Be the man I know you to be. If you do that, not even commanding the power of creation will change you.”
“I will try to be the man you think I am,” Jack promised.
“You do so with your every breath, my love,” Anna assured him. “Now, shall we see what Perigaen wants?”
Jack nodded without speaking.
“You may come in, High Lord.” Anna announced.
“They are going to question the…well, the Hiru,” Perigaen said in wonder, peeking his head in the tent. “I think you should be there, High King.”
“We will be along shortly,” Anna nodded.
“Should I…leave it here?” Jack asked, meaning Yhswyndyr. Would it make them less in awe of him, or more?
“Take it,” his wife replied. “
It is only a tool. It is not who you are. Be nothing more than who you are, Jack Braedan.”
They had moved the table out of the center of Theros’ tent and placed six chairs at its place. Tarsus, Cilidon and Theros already occupied three. Lady Ara’fael stood behind Cilidon. Tereil behind Tarsus. Thonicil behind his father. Three in the center were empty. Morgan stood behind one of the empty chairs, marking it as Anna’s. Lord Dhoran behind stood behind another. Perigaen went to it. It had the look of a jury. Six chairs. Eleven people. No one stood behind the chair meant for him. Was it because he had no second or because they thought no one worthy to advise him now?
“I will stand,” Jack informed them, after seating Anna. He had been to Graith’ak’Thal. He had knelt before Horak Angst while Galen Severa looked down on him as if judging a worm. Whatever Bkormar had been, he was Hiru now and he did not deserve to feel as Jack had felt.
Bkormar was brought into the tent. His Ailfar guards had been replaced by Ardel d’Kenna and Martin du’Gail. As Hiru, he was not…handsome by any means. Plain looking would best describe him. Dark stringy hair. Still tall but horribly underfed. He was still bound with his hands behind his back.
“I thought I said untie him?” Jack asked.
“My Lord…do you think it wise?” Captain d’Kenna asked hesitantly.
“Must I do it myself?” he said harshly, anger quickly flaring. He pushed it down again. He must be the man his wife thought him to be. “Untie him. Please?”
“As you wish,” d’Kenna replied, moving to untie his hands. Captain du’Gail placed a hand on his sword hilt. The others in the tent shifted uneasily.
When he was untied, Bkormar fell to his knees. “Mercy, Great Lord!” he cried.
“Stand up,” Jack said, taking a step toward him.
“Jack,” Anna said, her voice tinted with worry. Had she forgotten so soon what she said to him? If he was ready to face the Bloodstone, what did he have to fear from one pitiful Hiru?
“You said just be myself,” he smiled at her reassuringly. “This is who I am. Who I need to be. Stand up Bkormar. In fact, can someone bring him a chair? He’s had a long day already.”
Dorad did as he asked. Jack nodded his thanks. He could not have loved his friend any more than at this moment. “Would you like some water?” he asked, when Bkormar was seated. d’Kenna and Martin du’Gail moved to stand menacingly behind the Hiru. He let it pass.
“Water would be…nice,” Bkormar replied meekly. “Great Lord.”
“It’s just Jack,” he replied kindly. “We be old friends.”
“Do ye mock me?” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“Forgive me. It was not how it was intended,” Jack apologized.
Bkormar looked up at him as if this was some cruel joke. Since when did humans ask for forgiveness from grim’Hiru? ‘But…but I aint grim’Hiru anymore, am I?’ Bkormar thought, looking at his hands in wonder. He was…he was Hiru. “Okay?” he said hesitantly.
Dorad brought him a cup of water and Jack took it from him. He moved to give it to Bkormar and the two captains behind him tensed. Across the room, Shadow yawed noisily. Jack hadn’t even noticed the black wolf until this moment. He was laying with his head on his paws. If Shadow was not concerned by his nearness to the Hiru, why should anyone else be? He handed the cup of water to Bkormar.
“It’s just water,” Jack promised, when he looked at it suspiciously.
He took a tentative sip. “Good water,” he nodded. “Cold.”
“Would you answer some questions for us?” asked Jack kindly. “You are no longer a slave. You are free to answer. Or not. I won’t think less of you.”
“Will ye let me go if’n I don’t?” Bkormar asked.
“I said that before, didn’t I?” Jack replied, sadly. “I apologize for that as well. Let us just say we were both different people back then. I will not lie to you Bkormar. I really don’t know what to do with you. You are the first Hiru in eight hundred years to walk among humans and Ailfar. Let’s figure this out together, shall we? Man and Hiru.”
“I will answer your questions,” Bkormar nodded, taking another sip of water.
“Good,” Jack smiled, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Ask away,” he said, turning to the Whesguardians.
“Were you a scout?” Cilidon asked.
“I was,” the Hiru nodded. “We wuz sent out of the Tower three weeks ago to look fer trouble. To find…to report back if we did. The elf prince kilt us all yesterday. He spared me though, bless him.”
“How many were sent out with you?” Theros asked. He knew the answer already of course, from the report Cilandrion had just given. It was the first test of his honesty.
“There wuz a company of us. Thirty-one, with me.” Bkormar replied.
Theros nodded. “And did you report back?”
“We…uh, did not. They come upon us all sudden like while we wuz restin,” the Hiru said.
“How many of your…how many grim’Hiru are in the Iron Tower?” High Lord Perigaen asked.
“When…he, was there last year,” Bkormar said, inclining his head at Jack. “There wuz barely a thousand.”
“How many are there now?” Perigaen pressed.
“Don’t rightly know,” Bkormar admitted.
“Guess,” Jack said helpfully.
“Fifty thousand maybe? But that was three weeks ago. More be coming in every day. From Gogord Heights and the Rodlair Hills. I heerd there was a bunch coming down from Garhon, but ain’t been no word of them since they wuz in the March of Peril.”
“What else have you heerd?” Tarsus asked, leaning forward in his chair.
Bkormar looked the Amarian fearfully. Tarsus had wanted to just slit his throat and take his chances that day in the Iron Tower. He had the same look on his face now.
“Well?”
“That he had put out a call to Forhein and Minbrad and Duinlor and all them lands that fought for his Black Banner the first time,” the Hiru replied.
“How long ago?” Anna asked.
“Bout a month or more I guess, me Lady,” Bkormar shrugged.
“A month or more? Forhein would be there already,” Morgan said thoughtfully. “Duinlor not likely far behind them. Minbrad as well depending on how quickly the east responded.”
“How many can they field?” Braedan asked.
“Who can say?” Theros shrugged. “They all were virtually wiped out in the first war. But, they have had eight hundred years to replenish their ranks unopposed. Expect for fighting with each other if the scant news from that part of the world can be believed.”
“How did you hear all this?” Tarsus asked. “When we left you for dead, you were just a lowly Tower guard.”
“No one pays attention to a worm,” Bkormar replied sadly. “Them in charge barely knows you exist until they needs to kick something or send you off to get kilt.”
“I think we have heard enough,” High Lord Perigaen announced. “We need to discuss what we have learned.”
“Lord Jack!” Bkormar pleaded, leaving his seat and falling to his knees again. “Don’t let them kill me now! I done answered their questions. And they wuz true! Every word. Let me serve you!”
“You won’t be killed,” Jack promised. “I still don’t know what to do with you yet, but you’ll be treated well. You have my word. We will put a guard on you. For your protection as well as ours. But you won’t be tied. You are not a prisoner. Give me your word you will do no harm while we decide what to do with you.”
“I swears it,” Bkormar nodded eagerly. “I swears it. I will swear…by the white fire that made me Hiru? I will do no harm.”
“Go take him and get him something to eat,” Jack instructed d’Kenna. “Get him a tent. Place a watch. But watch only.”
“Yes, my King,” d’Kenna nodded.
“Ho! Bkormar!” Tarsus said, tossing a small leather pouch at his feet. “For your new life. However long it turns out to be. It’s more than Maelcain took
from you, but he promised to repay you if he saw you again.” Tarsus shrugged when Jack looked at him. “I’ll get it from the giant when you magik him out of thin air tomorrow,”
“So, what do you think?” Morgan asked, after Bkormar had been led away.
“If half of what he said is true?” Tolkaen speculated.
“He spoke in the presence of Yhswyndyr and three other Highswords,” Ara’fael assured them. “His words were true.”
“If half of what he thinks he overheard then is true,” Tolkaen corrected. “It changed nothing.”
“It changes nothing,” Jack agreed. “We march tomorrow. We know what we are bringing to the field. We will send out scouts so we don’t run into any surprises. If Graith has somehow managed to mobilize all of the east beyond Grethor, we will deal with it as best we can. I think I will have my breakfast now. Maybe a bath if Aydera will let me borrow her tub?”
“After your bath, I think we should go for a ride, my love,” Anna said, coming to take his arm. “To see the troops.”
Jack had his breakfast with Anna in their tent, then went for his bath. After apologizing to Aydera for not visiting her sooner and after he answered all her questions about Dorad. When she was satisfied the restored prince might…might be a suitable mate for Ailicia, she drew the water for him and heated it herself. Anna sat with the Ailfar queen while Jack bathed, adding what she could about her brother. When Jack was done washing a month of travel away, they were practically finished with the wedding plans. Dorad was going to have to live in Ail’ithirain for the first ten or twenty years. Perhaps until even until Jack and Anna’s unborn son ascended to his father’s throne in Immer. Surrounded by one hundred thousand soldiers preparing to march off to war against the dark-king, and they were still planning a future. Jack didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
