by Ben Stovall
On the other side of the crossing, Inaru’s city was becoming a true rival to Souhal itself. Only three weeks of construction and already the port had begun to trade with the marble city. Many of the orcs were still moving from their old clan holdings to the new home of the Stormblades, and Ellaria wondered what a powerhouse of a settlement Stormhold could become.
Aljorn’s reconstruction was going well from what she heard. She was glad to hear it. The dwarves suffered harder than anyone else leading up to the invasion, and they deserved a peaceful time to rebuild themselves.
A group of men in dark, heavy furs, with cowls made of beast heads walked by her on the street. The Frost Hearth soldiers were stranded in Souhal until Kragan’s Pass thawed. It was the only way to Frost Hearth that didn’t take several weeks. By land you had to walk through Hayll’s Crossing and north through the Lowlands, and that didn’t even cover half of the journey. By sea you’d have to sail around the Gray Sands and the Deadlands that jutted out from the gandari west.
The people of Gandaraar had taken to calling the invaders the Westermen. After inspecting their bodies, they’d seen no major differences between them and the humans who called Kingdoms of Gandaraar their home. Whatever remnants of their civilization that remained had escaped. Fresh snows covered any tracks left after a few days of tracking them, and the mages of Souhal were unable to detect them with their magic. The leaders of the city-states were confident, however, that their army had been shattered on Souhal’s walls.
Ellaria found herself shocked with how normal everything had become. It was hard to believe they fought for their very lives only a month prior. How could everything be so simple again after all that had happened?
She did her best to shake the thought from her mind as she approached the threshold for the Unruly Pony. She stopped at the door for a moment. Anxiety gave her pause, and she couldn’t figure out why she’d become nervous. Inhaling deeply, she gathered her resolve and pushed the door open, taking long strides inside. She was at the large table in the corner before she knew it and smiled at the familiar faces that beamed back at her.
“Ellaria!” Lytha shouted, jumping from her chair and embracing the elf. “Welcome back!”
“Thank you.” Ellaria’s arms wrapped around Lytha’s frame. The vainyri woman stepped away after a moment. Ellaria regarded them each in turn. “It’s great to see you all again.” They rose in unison and hugged her in a group.
Then, the members of Red Watch all took their seats. Ellaria looked them each over. Ulthan wore a new set of armor. Its steel shone brightly in the sunlight that flooded the room through the windows, except the chest and pauldrons. They were painted a bright red and marked with the bear claw iconography of Souhal. His motif dedicated to Solustun was gone. “What happened to your armor?” she asked.
Ulthan scratched at his dark goatee. “King Aldariak named me a knight. Ser Ulthan the Sunsword, Vanguard of Gandaraar, and Defender of Daralton.” Ellaria was more interested in the lack of blazing suns but decided not to press.
Torvaas’s armor had been changed as well, though not much. Where he wore his father’s plates, darkened from years of use, on his left arm, his right wore a sleeve of black scales from the Dark One himself. They did not exude the shadow tendrils as they had when the beast was alive, but the scales were a tough, light, and flexible material for the rogue’s use. Though, she was confused how he’d gotten them. King Aldariak gave an equal share to the leaders of the armies that helped defend Souhal, and not offered them to anyone else.
The rogue noticed her gaze and guessed at her question. “A gift from Valan Wylan. He didn’t use all the scales the King Aldariak sent to him and wanted to thank me for my friendship.” Ellaria nodded at the gesture, glad that at least one of the Torgashin showed her friend the kindness he deserved.
Joravyn’s attire had not changed. Tyrdun’s heavy armor was in the same shape, but she knew it was a new set, crafted after the Dark One had completely sundered his original. The dwarf also wore the tabard of Aljorn over his breastplate now.
Lytha’s armor was very different now. It was still mostly made of leather, but there was a chain link guard of steel across her abdomen and on her shoulders. Her gloves had small metal plates on the backside and palm of her hand, with a few pieces of steel on her wrist and forearms. And the leather itself was studded with little bits of metal.
Ellaria had made similar changes to her armor. Her leathers were studded as well, though she did not have any chainmail incorporated. She also now wore Fanrinn’s quiver. It had been specially-made to separate several types of arrows and it housed many pouches on its side for extra arrowheads. There was a small sheath attached for a fletching knife, in case more arrows needed to be made away from the city, and it housed his journal of alchemical notes. Ellaria hoped she could put them to good use.
She took a deep drink from a glass of wine that had been placed on the table for her. “What’s next?” she asked.
A silence hung over the table for a moment. None of them seemed to know the answer. “Tomorrow,” Tyrdun said. “We’ll figure that out tomorrow.” Everyone clapped their cups to the table in agreement.
None of them knew what Red Watch would do next. But they didn’t care, not tonight. One thing was certain: no matter what, they’d have each other.
And that was all they needed.
The story will continue in …
Legacy
Releasing Fall 2018
Prologue
King Aldariak examined the map sternly. The faces around him gazed on, awaiting his orders. Ser Ulthan stood rigid on the opposite side of the table. From his twitching and careful gestures, the monarch could tell the knight needed a break desperately. But a decision had to be made.
“The Auzixians are no doubt wondering if they’ll receive another shipment of goods from Souhal soon,” the monarch began. “A ship hailing from Solyvaan recently docked, after battling with customs for three days. They weren’t members of the church, thankfully, just vainyri merchants. They’d even docked here prior to sailing eastward.”
Tyrdun scratched the fuzz on his chin thoughtfully. “Why haven’t you made the embargo official yet, Your Grace? Let your allies know about Auzix?”
King Aldariak’s eyes shifted away from the dwarf. Tyrdun’s home city of Aljorn had suffered the worst from the undead hordes at the behest of the westermen. And now, with a new threat looming on the horizon, the dwarves had been left in the dark. Tyrdun bore the weight without outward complaint, but it was clear he wished for King Thorstan to be aware of Auzix’s intentions. Unfortunately, for the good of Gandaraar, their ignorance had to remain a little longer. “If it were only so easy. We need more information about Auzix. We need to know what we’re up against, and to
do that, we need them to believe we’re unaware of their disposition.” The dwarf accepted that with a nod. King Aldariak’s eyes shot to Ulthan for the quick flicker of a moment. The monarch’s plans wouldn’t work without the former paladin’s help, as news of his new … outlook hadn’t yet spread beyond Souhal. However, the king knew asking that of the knight was a step too far.
But, he didn’t see another way. Red Watch was known in Solyvaan because of Ulthan. If any of the others went, they would recognize his absence. King Aldariak shut his eyes tightly. “Ser Ulthan, I had you in mind for this task.”
The knight’s head didn’t move. His visage didn’t fade from its stony countenance that had marked the entirety of these proceedings. His voice, however, did waver. “As you command, my king.”
The monarch replied with a solemn, strategic nod, hiding his own despondency from the assembled. “Your Grace,” Joravyn said, “I’ll accompany Ulthan to Auzix.”
The king heard the knight’s quiet sigh of relief and bowed his head. “Very well. I will have one of my kingsguard join you as well – Ser Rodrik. He will meet you by the docks in a days’ time, aboard the Queen’s Reprisal, and sail with you to Solyvaan.” They nodded at
the orders. The tension eased.
“Did ye want us to go with ‘im too?” Tyrdun asked.
The king shifted back into his chair, sitting upright. “No. For the rest of you I have a few other things in mind.” The dwarf bowed his head. King Aldariak hesitated, frowning. “The forces of our closest allies are struggling to recover from the invasion. We need to secure more forces if we’re to survive this coming war. Tyrdun, how would you feel about journeying to Frost Hearth?”
He frowned. “Could be dangerous, Your Grace. But I can make it.”
“Good,” the king said. “King Nyorvar has requested we see his soldiers home – the White Blade orcs are raiding the lands around Frost Hearth. Do what you can, and ensure they’ll aid us when Auzix comes.”
“Aye, Your Grace.”
“If I may,” Lytha said, “I’d be glad to go with Tyrdun. I’ve always wanted to see Frost Hearth.”
King Aldariak nodded. He turned to Ellaria and Torvaas. “We’ve also received a request from Warchief Inaru for Red Watch’s assistance. As we can’t afford to send
you all, you two will have to do.”
Tyrdun frowned. The dwarf had made no secret of his wish to see Stormhold and Inaru, but Ellaria and Torvaas would never have been welcomed into Frost Hearth. King Aldariak had something in mind for that, though. “I also thought to seek Queen Alezia’s aid. Perhaps your groups could reconvene there.”
“Then head south through Stormhold,” Ellaria said, giving Tyrdun a winsome smile.
The dwarf grinned. The king couldn’t deny his own joy at the plan. “Good. It’s decided, then. Tyrdun, I’ll have the northmen meet you and Lytha at the stables tomorrow morning.” He eyed the map again, scanning the surface.
“Is that all, Your Grace?” Ulthan asked.
“One more thing,” King Aldariak said. “A nobleman, Darixus Vakalik, has been asking to speak with you.” Silence filled the room as confused faces stared back at him. “Forgive me. The Vakaliks are a relatively small family. Darixus is the heir to the barony of Vakal’s Ridge. He’s forgone the use of the family’s ancestral winter abode in Kual’apir. He’s been asking for an audience since the end of the battle. He arrived shortly after you all.”
Ulthan shrugged. “We’ll meet him.”
The king nodded. He gestured for the gray-haired castellan to show the nobleman in. The man returned soon after and escorted Darixus inside. King Aldariak had met the boy once and was surprised to see he was a boy no more. A young man of at least twenty-three stood before him, wearing a long-sleeved tunic of silk. Embroidered on his chest was his house sigil, a snake’s head, maw gaping open proudly displaying its fangs. The outline of the iconography was sewn with golden thread, in a showing of wealth some would consider arrogant – an apt description for most of the Vakalik family. Whether such an assumption fit Darixus, King Aldariak couldn’t say. His dark skin made his imperial heritage obvious, the shade darker than even Joravyn’s. Darixus’s deep brown eyes were narrowed by the edges of a smile as he entered. The nobleman wore a close cropping of dark curly hair with a trimmed goatee to match.
“By the Pent,” he said, “It’s an honest honor to meet you, Red Watch.” He offered his hand forward to Ulthan, who took it and gave a firm shake.
“What did you have for us?” the knight asked, his eyebrow arching.
“An offer,” Darixus said, his smile broadening. “Your name’s grown to new heights since you defeated the westermen. In the last month I’ve heard it pass the lips of half the people I’ve met.” He paused, eyeing them all. “For better or worse. Some claim to be your friends, seeking to absolve themselves of mistakes or crimes. All the smithies down King’s Way claim to be your preferred stop for arms and armor.”
Ulthan and Tyrdun exchanged a glance. The dwarf asked, “What’s that got t’do with us?”
“I’d assume you’ll be leaving Souhal soon on business?” he asked, his tone revealing the question as rhetorical. “You need someone here to keep your name attached where you’d rather it be. To ensure your fame does not turn to infamy – that the favors you’ve incurred are not squandered. That’s what I’m offering.”
“And why should we trust you to do that?” Ellaria asked, watching him through narrowed eyes.
“Did you have anyone else in mind?” Darixus asked. She pressed her lips together and answered him with silence. “I’m volunteering – I want to do this for you. I want to help Red Watch—in what small ways I can.”
“And what do you want in return?” Lytha asked, eyebrow arched.
The nobleman paused for a time, his gaze shifted downward. Only the very edges of his lips curled upward, forlornly. “Just the chance to work by your side. To do something worthwhile with my family’s influence and wealth. That’s all.”
The six of them exchanged glances, all settling on Ulthan. The knight pursed his lips, then nodded, turning back to the nobleman. “Very well. Welcome aboard.”
Darixus’s smile spread across his face, his teeth bared in pure joy. He clasped his hands together before his face. “Thank you! Excellent!” His excitement was palpable. “What’s our first undertaking?”
“Walk with us,” Joravyn said, “we’ll fill you in.” With that, Red Watch walked from the chamber, and King Aldariak sat alone until the castellan reentered.
“Your Grace,” the aged man bowed as he approached.
King Aldariak signaled him to rise with a wave. “What is it, Duncan?”
“We … received a response from Freton and the Jaddock Isles. They refused to aid the Gandari Kingdoms, claiming the vagueness of the message was too much for their liking. Jarl Barjulf sent some insults I would prefer not to repeat, but the Eyjan
of Jaddock promises to hear the request again once you are more direct about what the kingdoms face,” Duncan explained.
King Aldariak grunted. “Unsurprising. Has the Jarl’s efforts on raiding our northbound ships increased?”
“Somewhat, Your Grace. They seem to remain focused on King Nyorvar’s forces.”
“Have Tanner send a few ships from the fleet. Remind the Fretons why Souhal’s navy is a force to be feared.”
“At once, my king. Will that be all?” Duncan asked.
“It will. I’ll be in the study should anything arise,” King Aldariak rose from his ornate chair and made for the door.
“Your Grace, there was one other concern. The matter of succession continues to leave the court uneasy. I have a few potential matches in mind if you’d like to …”
“No, Duncan. Not now. We have a war to prepare for.”