Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

  Chapter I

  Ride East

  A somber mood rested upon all within the Keep of Edrei. They had been betrayed. Men grumbled amongst themselves about the wisdom of their general. He had trusted Rybnik. Rybnik had sided with the orcs. Only the sudden earthquake had saved them.

  Tesnayr listened to the mutterings of the men from his spot of seclusion. He knew their thoughts. He understood their sentiments. War had dealt their courage a heavy blow by stealing their hope. Hope. Such a thing was difficult to come by. He knew they needed it, but had none to offer.

  The phoenix chirruped beside him. Why do you stand here, it seemed to be asking. Tesnayr and the phoenix stared at one another for a moment. Suddenly, he knew what he had to do. He stepped out of the shadows and placed himself among the wearied soldiers.

  “The general should never have trusted that Rybnik,” grumbled one man, “It was a foolish mistake.”

  “You’re right,” said Tesnayr, startling all those present. “Are you surprised to hear me admit such a thing? Why do you all sit here wallowing?”

  “We lost the battle,” said a young soldier.

  “True, but we are not defeated,” said Tesnayr aloud. “Galbrok has not won. Even if we lose a hundred battles we are not defeated.”

  “But if that is so, then how is it possible?” asked the same soldier.

  “Battles are not waged on the field alone. If we are defeated here,” Tesnayr pointed to his heart, “Then we have lost. But as long as we continue to fight, as long as a single man decides to not accept Galbrok’s rule, then we have not truly lost.

  “We’ve suffered a blow, yes, but we are not finished. We shall overcome this challenge. We are men, elves, and dwarves; separated by race, but bound by a common goal. Citizens of the five lands, rise and let it be known that you did not accept defeat, but chose to push onward.”

  Tesnayr pulled out his sword allowing its power to fill him. With one mighty strike he brought it down upon the stone wall of the keep carving the symbol for his name.

  “As long as I breathe, I shall never cease in my quest to bring down Galbrok. As long as I can stand I shall run to meet him head on. As long as I can grasp this blade I shall fight the orcs. What say all of you?”

  A chorus of cheers and shouts reverberated throughout the unfinished fort. Above them soared the phoenix screeching in approval of Tesnayr’s resolve.

  “General Tesnayr,” said Idӕas as he approached, “The kings wish to speak with you.”

  “Very well.”

  Tesnayr climbed up the stone steps to the upper level of the keep. He strode quickly across the courtyard and through the giant doors that led to the great hall where the five kings awaited. Their mood matched that of many of the men. He knew what they wanted. Their expressions hid nothing.

  “General Tesnayr,” King Telinin said, “We have a problem.”

  “And you think I am unaware of that?” asked Tesnayr. He knew this was all about Rybnik.

  “Come off it, Tesnayr. You put Rybnik in charge of closing this trap you had set for the orcs. And he betrayed us. He betrayed you,” said King Telinin.

  “What he means is that he thinks that we made a mistake in naming you high commander of all our armies,” said King Nalim.

  “Do you think so?” asked Tesnayr.

  “What I think,” replied King Nalim, “Is that with Rybnik’s betrayal we are in a lot of trouble.”

  “Understating the obvious again, dwarf,” said King Telinin.

  “Gentlemen, please,” King Shealayr said. “Rybnik’s betrayal is a blow to all of us, but surely you are not implying that Tesnayr knew about this. He had no reason to not trust him.”

  “He had every reason,” said King Telinin, “Slyamal warned you, Tesnayr, about the man.”

  “Which doesn’t mean much,” said King Edrei.

  “Pardon?” King Telinin replied.

  “Telinin, we all know that Slyamal has never liked, or trusted, Tesnayr,” King Edrei said. “The issue now isn’t Rybnik’s betrayal, but what we are to do about it.”

  “Name a new general,” suggested King Telinin.

  “Are you mad?” said King Nalim. “One mistake and you want a new commander? Whom did you have in mind?”

  “I do not know,” replied King Telinin.

  “A new commander,” said Tesnayr, “What were you all expecting? Surely, you did not expect a quick victory. Traitors have always been among us, so should the fact that I mistakenly trusted one be a surprise? Rybnik helped us cross the mountains. He saved many lives. He gave me every reason to believe that he hated the orcs. One mistake should not scar a man for life.”

  “What are you suggesting?” asked King Telinin.

  “You all named me general knowing that there was the chance of failure. Rybnik’s betrayal is a setback, but we are not defeated. I intend to bring down Galbrok. And believe me Rybnik will get what he deserves.”

  “He’s right,” said King Slyamal. Everyone turned toward him. The man had sat silently in a corner of the chamber listening.

  “Slyamal,” said King Edrei. “You’ve been strangely silent.”

  “Tesnayr is right,” repeated King Slyamal, “There was no reason for him to not trust Rybnik. I on the other hand had every reason to doubt the man’s loyalty, but then Tesnayr would know nothing of what happened ten years ago in Sym’Dul.”

  “But I did know,” said Tesnayr, “Your daughter told me.”

  “And yet you,” began King Telinin before being interrupted.

  “But she had every reason to believe that he had changed. And I trusted her judgment,” said Tesnayr.

  “I should have known she’d stay in contact with him,” said King Slyamal. “She was only a child when Rybnik tried to usurp my throne. Any lie he fed her she would have believed. He must have been planning to use her against me, but then the orcs came and he found a better offer. No, gentlemen, we cannot replace Tesnayr. We made him our general and despite what happened we are bound to stand behind him.”

  “But what if he leads us into another defeat?” asked King Telinin.

  “Have you forgotten about the oath?” replied King Slyamal.

  “Strange that you remember,” said King Edrei.

  “Strange that you have forgotten,” King Slyamal said.

  “You seem changed,” said King Telinin to King Slyamal.

  “Do I? My daughter has spent the last several nights weeping because of Rybnik,” said King Slyamal. “Besides, if we admit that Tesnayr is not fit to command, we will be admitting that we made a mistake. Sym’Dul has fallen and Galbrok has made his home in Drynelle. The die is cast. It’s time we play our hand.” King Slyamal left the room.

  “What do you plan to do?” asked King Edrei.

  “The orcs will have ridden east back to Drynelle. That is where I propose we go. We’ll leave within the week,” said Tesnayr.

  “Why not now?” asked King Telinin.

  “The men need rest,” replied Tesnayr. “And it will give the orcs time to think they have won, which will make them cocky.”

  “But there is one problem,” said King Nalim, “Rybnik knows things. He might tell the orcs our secrets.”

  “That is the risk we will have to take,” said Tesnayr.

  “Just answer me this,” said King Nalim, “If we follow you, will I get the chance to kill these foul beasts?”

  “Absolutely,” replied Tesnayr.

  “Good,” said King Nalim, beaming as he stroked his axe.