Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

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  “We head for Drynelle,” said Tesnayr explaining his plan to the five kings. He had been called into another meeting with them. He understood them wanting to know his agenda, but thought this meeting a waste of time. Politics was not his strong suit.

  “Drynelle,” said King Slyamal.

  “Yes,” said Tesnayr, “That is where Galbrok is. He has taken your city and therefore all of Sym’Dul. He plans to head back for Belarnia. He lost it once, but will not lose it again.”

  “Belarnia has its own measures of protection,” said King Shealayr.

  “Like it did last time?” asked Tesnayr. He didn’t mean to sound rude and regretted his statement. “I’m sorry. The only way to defeat the orcs, is to destroy their master. Galbrok is their master. Orcs think collectively. As such, they need someone capable of independent thought to lead them. Galbrok is half orc, half human and thirsts for conquest.”

  “A mindless horde then,” commented King Telinin.

  “Yes,” said Tesnayr, “But even a mindless horde is dangerous. He pulled out a map of the five lands and used it to demonstrate his plan. “We will ride southeast first towards Belarnia. After we pass Castille we shall turn northward to Drynelle. It will be easier to ride through the plains instead of hiking through the mountains.

  “We are bound to meet some resistance along the way. But it shouldn’t be much. Mostly it will be pockets of people spread out.”

  “How do you know?” asked King Nalim.

  “I know Galbrok. He has taken Sym’Dul and Belyndril. Though he has lost Hemíl for now, he knows he has weakened us. He’ll take Belarnia next. Then MurDair. After that he can attack Hemíl from both fronts.”

  “Strange that you know Galbrok so well,” murmured King Nalim.

  “It’s a simple chess game,” said Tesnayr.

  “A what?” asked King Edrei.

  “A game of strategy that I played as a child,” said Tesnayr. “The trick is to stop him from taking Belarnia and MurDair. We will win back Belyndril and defeat Galbrok at Drynelle. That is the plan.

  “King Telinin, since Belyndril is your kingdom, then you will lead the attack there. Most of your army has hidden just outside of La’nar. You will gather them and take back the city. Once you have done that then we will have won Belyndril. That is the only place the orcs have conquered.”

  “It was all they needed to,” said Telinin. “La’nar is where my castle is. It is the heart of Belyndril.”

  “Exactly,” replied Tesnayr. “Much of the surrounding area has been vacated now that La’nar is in Galbrok’s hands. He knows he has won. But he will not expect you to attack.

  “King Nalim, I need you go to MurDair and round up your dwarves, any who can fight. You will take them to Drynelle where we will meet you.”

  “That is no short distance,” said King Nalim. “And the time frame you are proposing, we will not be able to meet it.”

  “Not if you go by foot,” said Tesnayr, “You will be riding dragons.”

  “Dragons!” exclaimed all five kings in unison.

  “Yes, dragons,” said Tesnayr. “I have their loyalty. They will take you, King Nalim, to MurDair and bring your dwarves to us at Drynelle. Make certain that you are ready to fight when you get there. King Telinin, Selexia will take you to Belyndril.”

  “Won’t that leave MurDair open for attack?” asked King Nalim.

  “No,” said Tesnayr, “Because when word reaches Galbrok about the fall of Belyndril. He will forget about MurDair. We will keep him busy on this side of the Ársa Mountains.

  “Now, we will need someone to stay here at the keep.”

  “I’ll stay,” said King Edrei. “It is my keep and these are my people.”

  “I’ll stay as well,” said King Slyamal. “Two can protect the people better than one.”

  “Then it is settled,” said Tesnayr. “King Telinin and King Shealayr, we leave in the morning. King Nalim, you fly to MurDair.”

  “Must I?” said King Nalim, “We dwarves prefer to stay close to the ground.”

  Tesnayr chuckled to himself. He understood the dwarf’s plight. Flying a dragon wasn’t on the top of his to-do list either.

  The great hall emptied. Only King Edrei and King Slyamal remained behind.

  “Edrei,” said King Slyamal, “I must ask a favor of you.”

  King Edrei eyed King Slyamal suspiciously. The two had been locked in war for so long that it seemed strange for them to suddenly be allies. “Name it,” he said.

  “I need you to watch after my daughter. She cannot go back to Sym’Dul, but she will be safe here. Please.”

  The note of pleading in King Slyamal’s voice caught King Edrei by surprise. The arrogant man was desperate to protect his only child. “I will care for her as though she were my own. She will be safe here.”

  “Thank you.” King Slyamal left the room. He seemed beaten and not as proud as before. A change had taken place in the man. King Edrei pitied him.

  The warming sun upon the Keep of Edrei erased the last traces of the battle that took place days before. Tesnayr checked on his men as they saddled up and prepared for the long ride to Drynelle. In a corner of the courtyard, King Slyamal isolated Tesnayr.

  “You ride east,” said King Slyamal, “Jenel plans to ride with you.”

  “Your daughter is strong willed,” replied Tesnayr.

  “She gets it from her mother and her sister,” said King Slyamal, “You cannot let her come with you. She is my daughter, a lady of the court of Sym’Dul. She has had many noble suitors and she chooses you, a common soldier.”

  “Your daughter chooses to come. She takes orders from no one. And she saved all our lives,” said Tesnayr.

  “None of that matters.”

  “Give your daughter the respect she deserves.”

  “No!” King Slyamal caught his breath as he struggled to speak his mind. “Jenel is young and head strong. She possesses a courage that few men have. She would ride into a legion of the enemy to save those she loves. Like her sister, Jenel would sacrifice everything for her people.

  “I lost her mother when she was an infant. Her sister died for the love of a man who betrayed her. I do not want to lose Jenel as well. She would follow you into the heart of the orcs if you asked her too. Please do not take her from me.”

  “You cannot keep her locked away forever,” said Tesnayr.

  “If you care for her you will leave her here. Do not force me to lose my only daughter,” pleaded King Slyamal.

  Tesnayr mulled over the king’s plea. The desperation in the king’s eyes gnawed at him.

  “General, it is time to leave,” said a soldier.

  King Slyamal grabbed Tesnayr’s arms and forced him to face him. “Please…” he whispered.

  Tesnayr turned and headed for the gate. Jenel waited for him holding the reins to two horses. “General,” she greeted him warmly handing him one of the animals.

  “Head east,” Tesnayr commanded Arnin.

  Arnin saluted and gave the order. Thunder rumbled through the ground and dust billowed as the horses took off with their riders.

  Tesnayr stole a quick glance at King Slyamal as he hid behind a column watching them. Perhaps the king was right. “Jenel,” said Tesnayr, “I left my shield over there. Will you get it for me?”

  Jenel gave him the reins to her horse and went to get his shield. Tesnayr seized his chance. He knew it would hurt her, but it had to be done. He smacked the rump of her horse sending it galloping off. Then, he jumped into the saddle of his own and kicked it hard in the sides speeding off after his men.

  The sudden pounding of hooves whisked Jenel’s attention to where Tesnayr had been. She dropped the shield and chased after him. “Tesnayr!”

  “Jenel,” screamed King Slyamal as he followed his daughter. “Jenel!”

  Jenel ignored him. Focused on Tesnayr’s fading form, she continued after him on foot. “Tesnayr! You can’t do this! Tesnayr!”

 
; Tears streamed down Jenel’s face as her father caught up to her. He folded his arms protectively around her. “Let him go,” he whispered to her, “Let him go.”