The Fall of Belvedere

by B Cameron Lee

  The grass was beginning to grow on the plains of Barsoom, the land greening now as the little group cut across the north eastern corner of it on their journey to The Broken Lands. They met up with the Green River Tribe and were taken to see the King of Barsoom, now returned from the Wars and ensconced in his own Royal Camp again.

  It was a spectacular meeting, as Arwhon and Shiri were treated as Royalty themselves. Daveed and his family were delighted to hear of Arwhon’s betrothal to Shiri and an impromptu feast was organised. Cringe slotted into serving his Master and Shiri, explaining to the other servants that this was what he did. He was so earnest about it the other servants could not refuse him and allowed it, albeit with a smile here and there.

  The next morning Arwhon talked to the King about finding his little farm in The Broken Lands and although King Daveed offered an escort, Arwhon politely declined, choosing instead to travel with just Shiri and Cringe. It was their first time in The Broken Lands and Shiri took the time to inform Cringe how the rocks came to be there. Cringe’s world was expanding at an exponential rate.

  A short half day’s ride brought them to the little village where Arwhon had met his first Broken Lander, little Quirril. The tiny girl recognised him instantly and soon became friends with Shiri, while choosing to ignore Cringe altogether. Boys were best ignored. Strotton appeared, joyously greeting them and offering accommodation. The Town Hall was cleared to give them room to move about and Cringe bunked down in the entry foyer. There was a feast after dark, held out on the street as the weather was still quite mild and none of the three could fit comfortably into the village inn.

  Next day, it was on to Wodderel. It would take them three to four pleasant days to get there and although Arwhon was bursting to get to his farm and inspect it, still he took time to enjoy the ride.

  They rode into Wodderel to find, once again, they were expected. The King of The Broken Lands had organised a feast. Arwhon inwardly groaned, all he wanted was a bit of peace and quiet.

  He got it. Over the meal Arwhon told the King how much he’d been looking forward to seeing his farm and spending a few quiet days there. The King nodded sagely and just after daybreak, an early breakfast was announced, after which Arwhon found there was a mounted escort outside, the little Broken Land ponies brushed and clipped with their riders in uniform ready and waiting to take him to his farm.

  It was everything he had dreamed of and more. The staff residing there were doing an excellent job of looking after and maintaining his farm. Rising early to enjoy each full day, Arwhon and Shiri swam in the lake and dined beside open fires. Arwhon swore Cringe was filling out and straightening up and their daily toil over books was paying off. Cringe was reading and understanding more words every day. Similarly, with his self defence training, Cringe was learning not to cringe so much although Arwhon had difficulty in convincing the lad not to turn his back when set upon as that could rapidly lead to death.

  Soon his Servant might need another name.

  The days flew past and soon Arwhon realised, counting the days on his fingers, he had spent a pleasant and loving week with Shiri on his farm. It was all the time they could steal. He instructed Cringe to pack their belongings as they would leave on the morrow.

  The Darkwood beckoned.

  It was nearly four months since Arwhon and Shiri had left the Darkwood on their tour of inspection. Arwhon felt joy at the thought of once again being under the trees and totally forgot that Cringe now rode with them. Arwhon and Shiri, with a flabbergasted Cringe, craning his neck to see everything he possibly could, rode from the bright sunshine of The Broken Land into the dim light under the trees of the Darkwood, back under Ch’ron’s canopy. Rangers waited for them, smiling as they recognised both Sihron’del and Arwhon. Those smiles turned to frowns when they turned their attention to Cringe. The lead Ranger came forward.

  “He is Man and Man is forbidden in the Darkwood.”

  Cringe was horrified. All these people with eyes like Arwhon and Shiri he knew to be M’Herindar but he never expected to be barred from accompanying his Master.

  Arwhon sat silently, a faraway look in his eyes before he turned to the leader of the Rangers, who he knew quite well.

  “Ask Ch’ron what he thinks, Dahrlan’del.”

  The Ranger paused for a moment, his eyes stilled in introspection, before smiling broadly.

  “Apparently Ch’ron thinks this slip of a lad is no problem to us or the Darkwood and acknowledges him your Servant. You may proceed. Good to have you both back, the Queen ordered the Rangers to keep a special eye out for you.”

  Signalling to the rest of the waiting Rangers, Dahrlan’del moved off, walking at the rapid Ranger pace. With a friendly wave, the rest of the Rangers turned away to continue with their patrol of the Darkwood’s border with the land of Man.

  It took three days, travelling to Al’hera from where Arwhon, Shiri and Cringe entered the Darkwood from The Broken Lands and when they arrived at the seat of M’Herindar royalty, Arwhon and Shiri were unsurprised to see Vehrin’del and Jahron’dal waiting for them as they rode in.

  After greetings the royal couple from horseback, Arwhon and Shiri dismounted and approached them to embrace and clasp hands. Cringe bent over to make himself even smaller and followed, walking sideways like a crab. He very visibly cowered before the Queen, partially hiding behind Arwhon. If the truth be known, Cringe was ashamed of himself, for all his life had been spent ducking blows and he couldn’t help but be cowed.

  “Who is this?” Vehrin’del inquired, pointing at Cringe, who prayed the ground would open up and swallow him, not realising it was actually possible for that to happen here in the Darkwood.

  Arwhon gave a wry smile.

  “This is Cringe, our new Servant. He’s very good normally and I hold out great hopes for him but I think he’s had a hard upbringing and what you see is the result.”

  Vehrin’del’s smile was broad and mischievous as she gently reached around Arwhon to pull a resisting Cringe to his feet and place her hand on his head. Cringe was panicking and close to running away but as Vehrin’del began to sing, he calmed and felt a subtle warmth suffuse his brain, easing his fears and bolstering his confidence. Before the watchful eyes of Arwhon and Shiri, their servant seemed to unfurl and become taller as his stoop was replaced by straightened shoulders, raised head and a steady gaze. No longer the twitching, spindly youth who’d followed them out of Crossroads, but a young man eager to find his potential in the world and the confidence of those he trusted.

  Vehrin’del took her hand away and Cringe immediately dropped down on one knee.

  “Queen Vehrin’del, besides Arwhon hiring me as Servant, no one has ever given me so great a gift. I’ll always remember you, the care you’ve shown me and the magic you’ve worked this day.”

  He rose and went to unpack the horses. Arwhon’s eyes followed him, measuring the stance and stride of his once fearful Servant. Cringe would definitely need a new name now.

  As the celebrations wound down, Cringe came to sit beside Arwhon and Shiri. He had something to say which was important to him and they both listened intently.

  “It must have been som’thin the Queen did when she fixed me but I remember bein’ told where I come from. My mother came from Cheshwon with a Trade delegation to visit Crossroads. They came up through Tarkent and down a road to the north of Debrishar. It was after the Dominion was pushed back the first time although they still took a risk using the old road. My mother didn’t know she was pregnant when she left Cheshwon but by the time she arrived at Crossroads it was obvious.”

  Here Cringe paused for a moment, thinking.

  “It wasn’t her told me this, it was my nanny when I was but four or five. Before she run off and left me. My mother only waited in Crossroads until I was born because the Traders could tarry there no longer. The Dominion was stretching its muscles and starting to secure its borders again. My mother left me with a nanny, paying her quite a large sum of gold to care
for me until she returned to claim me. She never did return and the nanny took off with the last of the money when I was about five years old.”

  Cringe looked quite forlorn as he reasoned out what he was saying.

  “Somewhere, I might have a mother and father. Maybe they think I’m dead or som’thin.”

  A tear slid down his dark face. Shiri placed her hand comfortingly on his shoulder while Arwhon thought for a moment.

  “Shiri, isn’t Cheshwon on our way to Wyalon?”

  Cringe’s eyebrows rose as Shiri answered with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Yes, I think it is.”

  Arwhon faced Cringe.

  “You may yet get to meet your mother and father but we can’t keep calling you Cringe. What say we add one letter to your name? How do you feel about being known as Cringle?”

  A look of wonder passed over the young man’s face. A name so similar to what he had and yet so different. He’d discovered with Arwhon that letters made all the difference.

  “Cringle sounds wonderful. I would be happy to be called Cringle. Thank you Master and Shiri of course. For everything.”

  Cringle rose and bowed and left them alone together to discuss what they had just learned. Fate was weaving an amazing string of coincidences together.

  What would come next?

  After the festivities, Arwhon and Shiri slipped off to bring Ch’ron up to date on the world at large. His interest was growing about the countries and peoples beyond his boundaries. He began to understand the War strategies of Man as he threaded Arwhon’s tales together. Ch’ron made mention of the Dark Mage’s revelation regarding Mehgrin and Durhain.

  “I heard an old, old legend from an ancient Hirondae woman. It concerned Mehgrin and Durhain but I hadn’t thought it important at the time. Now I must hold a different view. I’ll try and remember the whole story so I can tell you later. First though, place your hands on my trunk so I may speak to you privately.”

  Arwhon and Shiri lay their hands on the silvery bark of Ch’ron’s Tree and communed silently with him. The news he bore was not good.

  Something Ch’ron could not combat with Earthmagic was slowly killing the trees and plants of the Darkwood. It had started at his western margin, on the shore of the Rift and was slowly spreading east.

  Appendix.

  Hirondae – The earliest name for the Elder Race

  The M’Herindar, Main settlement- Al’hera.

  Sihron’del, Vehrin’del, Jahron’dal, Nahron’dal, Rohsin’del (small playmate) Paran’dal (Ranger in the Darkwood) Mahlin’del (Eldest Wise One)

  Kuiran’dal - The Arm, (Wyalonian, originating from the Island of Wyalon in the middle of the Wyalonian Ocean to the east of Cheshwon)

  New Servant: Cringe original name from birth – Jonsan. His horse is Vixen.

  Barsoom Royalty.

  K. Daveed, Q. Mareeta, Male Heir Callun, Female Heir Verita,

  P.A. Baleeta.

  Tribes.

  South to north, Golden River, Slow River, Blood River, Snake River, Green River, Swift River, Black River.

  Horhenge – the great stone circle in the centre of Barsoom.

  Riders,

  Randar, Conda (deceased), Breeta, Neta.

  Lareeta-horse, Binaway.

  Reynaldo (deceased) - horse, Darla.

  Myseline Capitol – Encarill. Arwhon’s village-Trugor

  Jerome – King after his father King Rickard.

  Arwhon nari Tsalk;

  father- Bryan, (deceased) mother- Sareeni (long dead),

  brother – Staril (Girlfriend-Polnari),

  sister-Raleen (Trollop-horse)

  Grandmother - Cristal nasi Tsalkini

  Durhain’s Pass through Mehgrin’s Wall to the top of Grand Valley, villages from top down from Mehgrin’s Wall; start: Cumbrisia’s End, Penultimate, Cascades, WoodenBridge, Spikerock, Hollows, Forbidden. Crossroads at bottom of valley.

  Favourite inn at Crossroads, (The Black Butt)

  Council of Ten in Belvedere: Old Baldin, Cradon, (Willem), Trelin, Kirta, Cristal, Merdon (Thieves guild- Jalus is 2IC), Bertran, Duke Dalvan, Callandor.

  Jorgen de Fries, 2IC Duke Wilken de Valse, Cavalry head Duke Braden de Marne.

  Belvedere Old Town, to the east of the main thoroughfare down the hill from the square.

  Trader Brandel, Redbeard (Tomas), Caron, Madaxe, Sniffer, Crusher.

  Broken Landers; Quirril (little girl), Strotton (Village elder)

  Wodderel (Main City) Trikind on the way to Wodderel.

  Tarkent; Capital- Kyto, meeting place-Pindayo. First village in Tarkent- head man- Faral.

  Chalc: Teacher Yongsan, daughter- Wychee Home village- Dong Hwa. Uncle Rani, King’s daughter-Mindayo

  Soldier on way to Debrishar-Wilbard.

  Graswyn- main port/capital- Talhaven.

  Draakon Reaver admiral-Gortan.

  Southland.

  Swamp-Walland’s Rue,

  Bay at Belvedere- Moreland Bay on Turquoise Sea.

  Soldier at Gate to Southland-Gordy.

  Cristal staff; Mendle, Waltor (Head manservant) Billit (Head groom)

  Mages; Escarion (good) Kin of S’Ria from southern land. Home town Lynbrook at foot of the mountain Farseer.

  Gahidrin’darth (Dark Mage) – important to the Q’Herindam.

  Dwarves; Silverseam son of Copperlink, possibly related to Broken Landers. Also possibly related to Mehgrin’s Children who live on the surface of the eastern slopes of Mehgrin’s Wall in Cumbrisia.

  Martine description pg. 117. PA. Servant Carlinna, Chamberlain - Agmar.

  Kroy’s ring deliverer – Riplin.

  2IC Grady in ‘Horses Head’ in Crossroads.

  Satrenday, Solvenday and we drink cafke.

  Sealie - Ssarista

  Wagoner at quay – Muley Jack.

  gryffon – Krissi.

  Jalwynd - the ship, Belmar its Captain

  Jeffen – Helmsman on Jalwynd.

  Wallas – First Mate

  Great Southern Road from Crossroads to Belvedere. Forms the boundary between Cumbrisia and the plains of Barsoom.

  Tazuri – short sword.

  Tazaki – long sword.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I came to writing late. No idea why, I guess I was too busy living a faster life when I was younger - not enough time to do everything. New skills are always fun to learn and writing is something which just happened to me. Maybe because I had a book inside bursting to get out - 'The Final Song.' Storytelling improves with practice. Not to say my earlier books are unreadable, they are standing the test of time.

  I write as B. Cameron Lee because my first name is Bruce and I've been the butt of so many jokes for so many years. Imagine Googling the name Bruce Lee - I would be lost in there and so hard to find.

  I try to write across the lines dividing genres to tell stories which don't quite fit into handy slots. I experiment a little and try and make the tales unfold as if the reader were watching a movie. Some of my offerings are quite gritty while others are fantastical. This one is classical fantasy. The work involved with True Fire is rewarding, as the world I created comes together and I find myself in it, looking around a reality I can almost feel.

  Weird heh.

  Okay, in case you are thinking I sit around all day punching keys. Forget it. I have three guitars, none of which I play really well but I can sure make noise. I ride a motorbike - had a 1200cc Harley (see the opening chapter of 'The Fold') but now have a KLR 650 so I can go off-road too. That's not all, I have just bought a small bus and a bike trailer so the Gypsy in me can take off.

  Life is out there.

  Other Books by this author available from CreateSpace and Amazon and also on Kindle.

  The Final Song

  Rewind – follow up to The Final Song

  Diary of a Serial Killer

  Diary of a Serial Killer 2 – Reece’s Revenge

  Electric Goanna Dreams

  The Femmebots Revolt

/>   The Fold

  And keep an eye open for ‘True Fire’ Books 1 & 3.