Weaponforger (Guardian's Prophecy Book 3)

by D A Godwin

  He glanced out the same window Shalindra had viewed earlier, wondering if his haste had been warranted. The clouds outside were now brushed in the pinks and reds of the fading sun, and the valley lay in shadow. He had never thought to return here, much less to find a town growing where before there had been only wilderness and goblins. When he had been forced to flee last time with the Book of Amalthee, his life and the lives of Treven and Honarch had hung in the balance. Four years later…

  Had it really been so long?

  The sound of Birion’s muffled coughing drew his attention back to the other occupants of the room. The knight, who sat wrapped in heavy garments close to the fire, thanked Enna as she handed him a cup of warm broth. Shalindra appeared not to notice any of it from where she sat, as lost in thought as Tormjere had been.

  “Why here?” he asked of no one in particular.

  The directness of the question seemed to catch them off guard. Enna’s green eyes betrayed annoyance at his query, as much as everyone else’s silence indicated their reluctance to revisit the past.

  It was Birion who answered. “The last time we saw you, we were fleeing into the mountains, trying to outrun the small army of Ceringions that had designs on our lives. There was no further pursuit from them after you… disappeared.”

  They all know of the demon. Edward sent scouts back to find you.

  Birion coughed again. “From there, we turned south and made for Evermen’s Forge. The town could not support our numbers, so we occupied a neighboring valley and waited to see what would happen in the Kingdom. We lost perhaps a third of those with us as they snuck back into the Kingdom to return to their homes. Those of us who remained tried making new ones. That lasted only a few months.” He took another drink before resuming the tale. “Food became scarce. It was too late in the year to plant crops, and there was nowhere near enough arriving from Kirchmont. A few enterprising merchants brought what they could, and charged us a steep price for their troubles, but once the snows hit, they stopped coming.”

  We were also running out of ways to pay them.

  “Troubles with the residents of the Forge began to boil over, as they did not appreciate such a large group nearby. Nor, it seemed, did the lord of Kirchmont. There were rumors that come spring, he would send troops to evict us. Honarch had spoken of this valley, though its significance escapes me now. We hoped it was far enough away that they would leave us alone, so we packed up and made our way here, to Newlmir.”

  There were other reasons, which I will tell you later.

  “Newlmir?” Tormjere asked.

  Birion glanced at Enna but her lips remained firmly pressed together, and after a short silence Shalindra stirred from her thoughts to answer.

  “It is a combination of the elvish name for this valley, Maetholmir, which translates as ‘Mystic Home,’ and our desire for a new beginning.”

  “What about the goblins?” Tormjere asked. “There was a pair of settlements close to the falls and at least one other not far west of this island.”

  “The lake that surrounds us provided protection,” Birion said, “and while there are still a fair number of the creatures scattered about, we’ve largely driven them off. Edward currently leads a company to the south to push them further away. Honarch coerced the rockhurlers into helping, somehow,” he added with a frown.

  Tormjere raised an eyebrow, but before he could inquire further, Shalindra gave him a warning shake of her head.

  “That’s his tower at the other end of this island?” he asked instead. “I assumed it was the Imaretii’s doing—it’s a similar style.”

  Is that why you came charging in? You thought me a captive?

  There wasn’t anything friendly about this valley the last time I was here, and you were longing for escape.

  “It is his,” Birion confirmed. “He’s likely there now, doing whatever it is that wizards do rather than honest work.”

  “And where have you been?” Enna challenged, finally meeting his eyes.

  “It’s a longer story than yours,” Tormjere said as he stifled a yawn, “but I’ll leave it for tomorrow, if you don’t mind. I was in Evermen’s Forge a couple of nights ago, and I’m about to fall asleep.”

  “You made it here from the Forge in two days?” Birion asked incredulously.

  Tormjere shrugged. “I was in a hurry.”

  How long has it been since you slept?

  Too long.

  I have never seen you so tired. I have as many questions as they do, but they can wait.

  Shalindra stood, signaling an end the gathering. “I am certain we can find you a bed.”

  Birion agreed. “We’ve more than a few empty houses nearby, unfortunately.”

  You’ve lost that many?

  It was a difficult winter, and a difficult summer before that.

  “Any roof over my head will do,” Tormjere said. “I’m not picky.”

  Birion muffled another cough. “I can show him, then I’m for bed as well. By your leave?”

  Shalindra nodded.

  You’re staying here in the keep?

  At the temple, but only during the night. My duties keep me active in the village or here, where I will not be a distraction to Marie’s work. Sleep tonight, and we will speak more in the morning.

  Tormjere felt Enna’s eyes upon him as he followed Birion from the room, but she made no further comment.

  The evening was pleasant, and the moon bright despite the clouds in the night sky, but Birion had not even made it down the outer steps into the small bailey before he began coughing in the damp air. “Cursed sickness. Didn’t touch a bite of food for two days.”

  “Eluria’s clerics have never been good with illnesses,” Tormjere said, keeping his pace slow as they crossed to the gatehouse.

  “That they are not, though they’re the only reason any of us are still alive at this point.”

  Birion returned the salute of the soldiers on watch as the pair passed beneath the gate tower and continued along the road. There was a smattering of dwellings close to the castle, but most were clustered a short distance away. The immense falls at the base of the Three Sisters could not be seen through the darkened trees, but nothing could fully mask the distant rumble. Tormjere had paid little attention to the waterfall this time, but the river it spawned flowed through the valley to feed the lake which surrounded them.

  Birion coughed again. “We need one of Amalthee’s priests, or even a mediturgeon, but there is little to entice them here.”

  “Didn’t we have a mediturgeon with us after Tiridon?”

  “We did, but he was one of those who returned to the Kingdom rather than risk the unknown. It’s certainly been hard enough, but it’s had its share of rewards as well.” He walked in silence for a moment before continuing. “I did not wish to say anything more in front of Shalindra as it upsets her, but you’re aware of what has transpired in Actondel since we left?”

  “I’ve heard almost nothing, actually.”

  Birion’s gave him a quizzical look. “We expected the bulk of the Ceringion army to return home after the war, but they did not. They were used to drive the goblins out of the western territories near Fallhaven and Jonrin, or to solidify control of their newly seized holdings in the east and south. We’ve heard of a number of small wars as this lord or that resisted the changes. It seemed safest for us, and for Shalindra in particular, to stay as far away as possible. Most of us could have snuck back in and made a new life, but not her. She would have been hunted mercilessly, by her enemies as well as her family. She is aware of this, and I believe she carries some guilt over our decisions, though she does not deserve it. We followed her because we believe in her, not out of pity.”

  “Does her father still rule?”

  “As best we know. We see only a handful of travelers each year, and while there are plenty of elves, they care little for what happens in the Kingdom, unless it involves some trespass upon their lands. Here we are.”

 
; They came to a stop beside a small wooden hut of hewn logs with a thatched roof in need of repair. The building was no more than a few paces to a side, with a short door that Tormjere had to stoop to pass through.

  The interior was dark, but he could see that it was largely empty even before Birion lit a candle.

  “It’s a bit damp,” Birion said, “but nothing a fire won’t solve. I’ll have some wood sent over to see you through the night, but after that you’ll have to cut your own.”

  “I can manage, thank you.”

  Birion extended his hand. “It’s good to see you safe again.”

  “It’s good to be safe,” Tormjere said, shaking it. “Go get some rest.”

  Unravelling

  The temple of Eluria was the second largest structure on the island, dominating the small collection of houses and farms that made up the village at the northern tip of the island. The rising sun shimmered against the quartz accents inset in its curving whiterock walls, lending an added brilliance to the building. Gardens were being cultivated around its entire circumference, though only a few of the plots were filled in. Behind the temple proper was a nearly complete two-story building of post and beam construction which butted up against the evergreens.

  Tormjere waited just outside the stacked stone cairns that marked the edge of the temple grounds, watching the early morning activity. A handful of fishermen had pushed their boats into the cold waters of the lake at sunrise, and not long afterwards the early risers shook off the morning chill to work their small farms, tend to livestock, or generally just go about their day. A dog barked as it was chased by a trio of children too young for chores. In spite of the normality of it all, Tormjere kept a sharp watch.

  It was near midmorning when Shalindra and Enna at last emerged. Shalindra approached with a smile, but Enna refused to acknowledge him and continued down the road towards the castle.

  She doesn’t like me now?

  She distrusts your potential influence on me, which is different.

  “The temple looks different than the ones I’ve seen,” he said, keeping the mood light. “But I like the roundness of it.”

  “Enna designed it. It was not our first priority, given so many other concerns, but the stonemasons were eager to apply themselves to something, and the rockhurlers dislike quartz and whiterock. Did you sleep?”

  “A little,” he replied, falling into step beside her as she followed the same direction Enna had taken.

  “I will assume, then, that you investigated the entire island last night.”

  “Most of it,” he answered with a grin. “The bridge is impressive.”

  The road they followed, more of a wide trail really, ran along the eastern edge of the island from the village and past a long, low causeway with arched footings that linked the island to the shore. The road continued from there to the castle, which stood only a short distance beyond, where its battlements commanded an unobstructed view of the crossing. Though not much larger than the gatehouses guarding the outer walls in larger cities like Tiridon, the keep was enough to give pause to any seeking to force their way onto the island.

  “The original bridge was of wood,” Shalindra said. “When we first arrived we camped at the shore, but after discovering that goblins are terrified of deep water, we quickly moved onto the island for safety. While it met our need for protection, the island’s soil is too rocky for any significant plantings, so we put our efforts towards pacifying the lands nearby. Honarch was instrumental in the defenses, and in many other ways. He can be truly fearsome when he must, which sometimes frightens people already suspicious of those who employ magic. No one has forgotten why we were forced to come here.”

  “Is that why his tower is so far removed?”

  “He claimed it was for the peace and quiet, but few were sorry to see him keep his distance.”

  Tormjere cast an annoyed glance back at the village. “He deserves better.”

  “I have kept him on the council despite their protests, though he rarely participates. I wish I could offer him more, but we have many other problems and the arrangement seems to suit everyone, for now. Between the winters, and the goblins, and the sickness, we have had a challenging time, but I will assume that our trials were no more difficult than yours.”

  “I’d imagine building a castle so quickly was the bigger challenge.”

  “It is a hollow shell,” she admitted, allowing him to steer the conversation away once more. “Once you exit the central keep, there is little but grass inside the walls, but, by Her blessing, we have seen little in the way of conflict.”

  “You still carry Shining Moon everywhere.”

  Her response was preempted as the dog he had been watching earlier came running past, then circled around to Shalindra with its tail wagging.

  “Hello, Max,” she greeted the animal with a smile. “Are you in need of being rescued again, or have you managed to escape this time?”

  The dog continued wagging and sniffed at Tormjere. He gave it a good scratch behind the ears, thankful that friendly animals still existed. Squeals of excitement sounded as the trio of children came running with as much speed as their short legs could muster. Max bounded off just fast enough to avoid the small hands that grasped at him, but not so fast as to fully elude the laughing children.

  “There are still things worth protecting.” Shalindra smiled as she watched them play, but her eyes were troubled. “Eluria placed Her weapon with me for a purpose. Enna and I have pondered this mystery many times, but I still do not understand why. Am I to be Her Guardian, or is that role destined for another? This valley was home to elves who worshipped Her long before we arrived, and Enna is convinced that there are answers to be found here.”

  “But you haven’t found them, have you? Is this working, then? Living out here in the woods away from everything?”

  Her blue eyes searched his. “You give voice to my doubts as easily as ever. We have been left alone, and with what these people faced during the war that is, perhaps, the best we could ask for. While our time here has been anything but peaceful, at least we are no longer fighting each other. Argus actually retired, and runs our only inn onshore.”

  Tormjere grinned. “Though it’s hard to imagine him out of the fighting, that seems a perfect thing for him to do.”

  She came to a stop as they drew near the castle. “This meeting is certain to bore you, and I need the councilors that you frightened half to death yesterday to focus on our business instead of pestering you with questions.”

  “I’ll wait outside until you’re done.”

  “You should go speak to Honarch. He dislikes such formal gatherings as much as you do, and I am certain that he will be eager to see you again.”

  “There are still plenty of unfriendly things roaming the woods. Aren’t you worried about that?”

  “Goblins may cause problems in the farms, but they have never set foot on this island. Birion and Edward constantly patrol the valley, and Marie established wards that will supply warning against more dangerous creatures. We have remained safe the entire time we have been here.”

  He had gotten in easily enough, but he kept that thought to himself, as it would only beget further questions. Still, he had not come this far to leave her protected by nothing but flimsy walls. Before he could voice another protest, she cut him off gently.

  “I have been in hundreds of these meetings with little damage to anything other than my sanity. I will be fine.”

  Tormjere could produce no further argument. As she said, there was little threat, and he was confident that he could return to her in an instant now that he knew where she was.

  As Shalindra entered the castle, he went in search of Honarch’s tower. Not that it would be difficult to find. He had taken the measure of the island the night before, though he had explored only a portion in detail. Beyond the castle lay only a thin footpath leading through the trees, and he fell into an easy stride that would cover the distance quickly. />
  The roughly triangular island was a bit over three miles long and half as wide in the middle, with the village end forming a point aimed at the waterfall that spilled from the feet of the Three Sisters. From there, the landmass widened as it moved south, eventually attaining a width near to its length. Today a steady breeze roughed the lake and pushed a blanket of clouds across the sky, but on his prior visit the waters had remained calm enough to reflect the sky. He had been given little time to appreciate its natural beauty as they fought to wrest control of the Book of Amalthee from the goblins, whose villages lay a few hours’ walk upriver at the north end of the valley. Those memories were less unpleasant than his more recent ones, but he did not care to relive any of them.

  He put the past out of his mind and concentrated on the fragrance of the trees and the sounds of birds singing.

  Honarch’s tower was located at the southern extent of the island, perched on the edge of a solid shelf that fell some twenty or thirty feet as it split the upper and lower lakes. It stood as far from the town as possible while still remaining on the island, rising high enough above the trees to be plainly visible from anywhere within the valley.

  The octagonal spire was of a stone so smooth it seemed carved from a single piece of slate. An outer wall of the same material and shape ringed its base, tall enough to keep anything from wandering in or over without deliberate effort. Tormjere passed through the open gate into a sheltered courtyard and found only one small door in the tower, made of stout oak and aligned perfectly north.

  Tormjere thumped his fist against the door and waited. After a short pause, the portal opened silently. He stepped into the dimly lit interior, and the door swung closed behind him of its own accord.

  A series of small windows provided a feeble illumination that was quickly swallowed by a room whose ceiling and floor were of the same smooth, dark stone as the walls. The chamber was devoid of furnishings, and the fireplace cold. Steps curved upward around the wall to his left, disappearing into the upper floors. Hurried footsteps descended those stairs, and moments later Honarch came rushing down in a swish of reddish robes, his bearded face split into a wide grin.