Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

  Chapter VI

  An Ally

  Idæas led Tesnayr through the dense forest to a group of trees that had been hollowed out and fashioned in such a way that they formed a small courtroom. For the onlooker, the entire building looked like a mass of gnarled and twisted oaks with a canopy of leaves serving as the roof. Giant, overlapping green leaves swayed gracefully in the wind. Full of life, these ancient trees whispered and wept for the loss of their kin in the forest, a weeping that only the elves heard.

  “There dwells the king,” said Idæas with a note of pride as they climbed the branches of a tree that fashioned themselves into a staircase.

  Casually, Tesnayr tore the glove from his hand and ran it along the rail of the stairs awed by its silkiness. Vines wrapped around each step forming abstract artwork against the brown color. This added to their strength and beauty.

  Idæas steered Tesnayr toward the left as the stairs forked. They reached the staircase top and stepped through a wide, arching entranceway into an open room. Fluid markings decorated the walls from floor to ceiling. Sparsely furnished, the room exhibited a majestic presence. Only a table and two cushioned chairs provided some semblance of comfort. King Shealayr stood on the far end of the chamber waiting for them. Awed, Tesnayr glanced up. Leaves parted wide to reveal the stars that twinkled above.

  King Shealayr walked toward them when he saw them enter. “Thank you, Idæas,” said King Shealayr. “That will be all.”

  Idæas refused to leave.

  “You are dismissed,” King Shealayr repeated firmly.

  Reluctantly, Idæas saluted his king and exited the chamber.

  King Shealayr moved into full view of the torchlight. “I want to thank you for aiding Belarnia in our fight against those creatures. They invaded us unprovoked and if you had not come, we most certainly would have been destroyed.”

  Tesnayr listened closely to King Shealayr as he gauged the elf’s character. “The orcs need no provocation. They attack without warning and they live only to conquer.”

  “You have encountered them before,” said King Shealayr. “I have heard of a man who is not from these lands and seems to know these…orcs, as you call them. I can only assume that this man is you.”

  Tesnayr said nothing in response.

  “Tell me your story, Tesnayr.” King Shealayr handed him a cup of mulled cider.

  Tesnayr accepted the offer before stepping to the center of the room. Tell my story? He sipped his drink knowing that it was not a request, but a command. “It is true what you say. I come from a land far across the sea. The orcs invaded that place. They came in droves with their swords, their torches, and their catapults. I witnessed entire towns and villages as they were destroyed and burned entirely to the ground.

  “I buried the bodies of those killed and joined the ranks of the king’s army. We fought the orcs but to no avail. They outnumbered us and fought more viciously than anything we had ever encountered. We felt like lambs being sent to the slaughter with each battle. Eventually I was taken captive by the orcs. I managed to escape.

  “The orcs destroyed what was once a great and prosperous land. I washed up on your shores only to find that what I had escaped had followed me. Not a day goes by where I do not wish that the sea had swallowed me.”

  King Shealayr looked curiously at Tesnayr over that last statement. “There are those who are glad the sea placed you on the shores of Sym’Dul. Your action saved Belarnia. And what would have become of those men who follow you had you not come here?”

  Silently, Tesnayr regard King Shealayr with suspicion. What do you know?

  “No, Tesnayr, you are not sorry that you are here. And there is more to your story that you have not told me and understandably so. What you carefully guard deeply wounds you and the very memory of it tears your spirit.”

  King Shealayr paced the room. “I have a favor to ask of you. The description you just gave me of the orcs tells me that they will return.” King Shealayr looked to Tesnayr for affirmation and received it. “You have proven today that you know how to outsmart the orcs and defeat them. I ask that you join me in defending Belarnia from these creatures.”

  Tesnayr’s face hardened and his fists clenched. “I serve no king.”

  “But surely you cannot continue to go about as you have serving none but yourself.”

  “And why should I serve a king who busies himself by constantly waging war with the other kingdoms of this land?”

  King Shealayr remained calm despite the obvious insult. “If a man does not serve a king he can only serve himself. What is your real reason for turning down my offer?”

  “What are your reasons for warring with the other kings? I may be new to these parts, but I am well aware of your feud.”

  “These are matters that are none of your concern.”

  “They concern me intensely,” said Tesnayr. “I warned King Slyamal about the orcs and he ignored me. The orcs were of little consequence when it came to keeping you from rising above him. You are all selfish men playing your little games.”

  “And of what of you? Are you not equally selfish as you seek revenge under the cloak of righteousness?”

  With great effort, Tesnayr kept his anger under control.

  King Shealayr had struck a nerve and he knew it. “Other kings, Tesnayr, will ask you the same as I. You will have to decide if you will abide by their request.”

  “I will never serve a king,” said Tesnayr with finality.

  “Indeed,” said King Shealayr. “One day, Tesnayr, you will have to determine your real reason for fighting the orcs. Your altruistic motives possess a false echo. In the meantime, I ask another favor of you. I want you to take my captain of the guard with you. He is loyal and will serve you faithfully.”

  “For what reason?”

  “As these orcs are likely to continue their raids, I wish to remain informed of their movements,” replied King Shealayr, “And since you have a unique knowledge of them, who better than to send him with you?

  “I do not care about your movements, Tesnayr. Our interests are aligned.”

  “And when they no longer coincide?”

  “We will worry about that when the time comes.”

  “I only accept people who volunteer freely into my army,” said Tesnayr in annoyance.

  “Do not refuse me. I ask this because I know that we will meet again one day soon. My captain knows parts of these lands that are known to very few. You are going to need the help of the elves and the power they possess.

  “Do not scoff at such a notion. There will be a day when you will need the protection of the trees and of nature itself.”

  Tesnayr let the king’s words soak through him. Riddles, he thought. But they were riddles with a hint of truth. He decided that there were worse things than having an elf in his ranks. Besides, Tesnayr had an inkling that King Shealayr would not take “no” for an answer and he was hardly in a position to argue. “Very well, I will abide by your request.”

  King Shealayr beamed. He strode over to the entrance and called Idæas. The elf walked in promptly. “Idæas, you are going to serve under Tesnayr’s command. From this day forward, until I deem otherwise, you are a member of his army. Serve him as devotedly as you have served me.”

  Idæas offered no argument. He knew that when his King made a decision, it was not worth protesting. He saluted King Shealayr. “As you wish, my lord.”

  “You two may go,” said the king, “And, Tesnayr, I hope we meet again under more favorable circumstances.”

  Tesnayr bowed before the Elven king out of respect for his station. A little bit of honey went a long way. He was also keenly aware of the king’s guards standing just outside the chamber. Together he and Idæas left the court and made their way back out into the refreshing night air.

  As they reached the bottom of the stairwell Tesnayr asked, “You are loyal to your king?”

  “I serve my king faithfully. If he ordered me to kill you, I would,” repl
ied Idæas. He spoke matter of factly without any implication of a threat. To Idæas it was simple: he did as his king asked, period. “As it is, I have been commanded to aid you and so I shall.”

  Tesnayr admired such loyalty, a quality rare among men. A part of him decided that this elf may be of some use. “I believe we will get along just fine.”