by M J Webb
“Oh yeah? You haven’t seen some of Jake’s girlfriends,” joked the youngster, who was now in extremely high spirits. Ben playfully taunted his opponent.
“Raaart! Look, you may laugh all you want to my friend, but I am being deadly serious! You are young and untrained. That is not your fault I know, every warrior has to start somewhere, but it is a fact you cannot deny. I do not mean to… Listen, I admire your spirit but you have had only a very limited experience of warfare, to my knowledge you have fought only one adversary, and you were extremely lucky to survive that encounter. The Taskan almost… Tah! There is no point avoiding the issue, you have to realise quickly for your own safety that you do not possess the powers of a Keeper, not like Jake. You are mortal! Do not let these weapons swell your confidence too highly. It could be very dangerous for you if you do. We have a long and perilous journey ahead of us, should you face a swordsman of even my standing, you… Yaagh! Well, you may not last too long, despite your bravery and your new weapons! And I have grown very fond of you these past few days, I do not wish to lose you now,” Verastus stated, as he drew his own sword to indulge his friend.
“That… That’s what you all think, isn’t it? That I can’t fight? That I’m the weak link and you need to look after me?” replied the teenager, infuriated by Verastus’ comments. His pride was hurt and he tightened his grip on his new weapon. “Well, kop this!”
Ben was livid. He was determined to prove to everyone that he would not be a liability on their quest. He threw his shoulder forward and launched his sword towards Verastus. It sailed swiftly through the air and struck the Falorian’s weapon powerfully.
The Heynai’s gift sliced straight through Verastus’ sword. It fell, halved in two. Ben’s sword missed the warrior by the smallest of margins. The Falorian’s shattered blade clattered to the floor. All that was left in his hand was the hilt and a tiny piece of broken metal.
“Whooahh! Ha ha… Cool,” said Ben, once he had recovered from his surprise. The others all looked at each other, overwhelmed by the awesome power of the blade. Then they all looked at Ben. He was smiling widely and was extremely pleased with himself.
***
It was still early in the morning when Jake and the others set out for the city of Ilin-Seatt. Both the young boys were in high spirits now that the journey had begun. Jake was ecstatic at having his best friend by his side once again. He was also delighted to finally be setting out on their quest to restore the box of stones, for he knew that it was the one chance he had of fulfilling his promise to defeat King Vantrax before returning home.
The Heynai had gravely warned him of the dangers that lay ahead for them all. But they had also furnished him with a weapon of unbelievable power. The young Keeper could not wait to try it. The spirits had told him that he had to be prepared to face the unexpected from now on. The Wizard King Vantrax was a formidable opponent.
Ben was finally beginning to feel part of this amazing adventure. Up until now, despite all he had achieved since coming to Rhuaddan, he had felt a little left out somehow, as if he was a liability, sometimes holding Jake and the others back. But, now that he had his sword and shield and he had seen what they could do, he was far less afraid of what they might have to face. He was determined. Above all else, the teenager from Lichfield wanted desperately not to let anyone down.
At Tien’s suggestion they circled around the city of Uuvniarr, staying as close to the Leoral Mountains as possible and using the undulations of the land to remain undetected. By nightfall they were approaching the outskirts of the great city and they stopped to rest for a while. Darkness had descended before they entered.
Ilin-Seatt was a huge, sprawling mass of different dwellings and businesses. The city centre and outlying areas were made up predominantly of stone-built structures of all shapes and sizes. These belonged exclusively to the ruling classes and highly paid warriors. The muddy streets and dirt roads that spanned out in every direction from the centre were packed with small wooden huts and shacks, hovels which housed the city’s poorest inhabitants. The gutters were full of foul water. An awful stench rose from the cesspools and damp, rotten living quarters.
“Oh my… Poooh! Smell that poo! Yuk! Ah, that’s disgusting!” moaned Ben, holding his nose tightly as they crept silently along the first of the city’s streets. “Don’t these people have air fresheners?”
“Shhh!” hissed Tien. “Be quiet! We must not be seen or heard. Keep in the shadows, there are many spies here, Vantrax’ servants could be all around us. Many will sell us out if they can, hoping for some reward. It will be impossible to distinguish friend from foe until it is too late. Our best hope of success lies in remaining unnoticed.”
Ben stopped in his tracks and looked at Jake for guidance. “He’s right mate, do as he says,” his friend stated, without hesitation.
“Oh, like that is it? Ganging up on me are ya? Right, okay then, you’re the boss.”
Ben lowered his head and they moved silently along two more streets, managing to creep undetected amongst the shadows. Finally, they reached a small shack which had a faint light emanating from the cracks in the wooden panels that formed its walls.
“Here,” whispered Tien. “This is the place. This is where Lord Bierenstell lives, the champion of old Nadjan and recipient of the Bloodstone. It is not much to look at, is it? Hardly the place you would expect to find a hero.”
“Err... Right, thanks. Now, stand back,” replied Jake, as he drew his sword silently and prepared to enter.
“No Jake,” interrupted Tien, in a hushed but forceful voice. “Please, allow me. You will not need your sword here. Bierenstell is a friend, he is no risk to us, and besides, he is old now.”
“Alright Tien, if you say so, go ahead.”
Jake gestured for the wizard to take the lead and Tien stepped up to the locked door. He whispered a chant which none of the others could make out and the unmistakeable sound of a latch being lifted from inside followed. The door opened slowly and they all peered in.
The room was sparsely furnished with one small table and chair. A solitary stool sat empty in the corner next to a tiny candle which was the source of the flickering light. They entered cautiously, taking their time even though they were all were anxious to get inside before they were seen. Verastus was the last through the door, he turned around to close it, but the cold steel of a razor sharp blade suddenly appeared from out of the darkness. Its tip was pushed against his throat firmly. The Falorian remained silent and still. The door was pushed gently by a booted foot and it closed silently.
“By the Lords, what have we here I wonder? A little late for a stroll, is it not? Not many would walk the streets of this city at such an hour, who are you? State your business!” snapped the swordsman.
“Oh for… That’s just great init?” moaned Ben, as he turned around and saw his friend’s predicament. “He’s ‘old’. He’s a ‘friend’,” he added, mocking the old wizard.
“Shut up Ben!” rasped Jake. “Err… I’m sorry. That is, we’re sorry for startling you. We mean you no harm, we… That is, Tien and I, we need your help.”
The swordsman stepped out of the darkness a little so that he could gaze more closely at the strangers standing before him. “Tien? Is that really you my old friend? Forgive me, my eyes are not what they used to be, and the candles do not light the room as they should. What…?”
“Raart! Yes, yes, enough! We can talk all you like, stranger. Ask of us what you will,” interrupted an embarrassed and irate Verastus. “But first, I suggest you lower your weapon before you draw blood. For then I will have no choice but to kill you! And that would not please my new friends.”
Lord Bierenstell laughed out loud at the hollow threat coming from someone he had totally at his mercy. He lowered his weapon slowly and slid it back into its scabbard. “Cha… Brave words when you have a blade at your throat. Tell me Tien, who are these daring strangers? And why are you in such company? Sit down on the floor all of y
ou, it is all the hospitality I can offer I am afraid. I live a poor existence here, there is not much in the way of comforts. Good. Now, this seems to me to be a very strange alliance? Two young boys and a Falorian, if I am not mistaken? Travelling with a ghost from my past in the dead of night. What am I to make of it all? Come, tell me your tale.”
He walked slowly and painfully over to the stool and sat down upon it. Jake and Ben eyed him up and down as he did, he certainly did not look like a fearsome knight, the young boys had both pictured something out of a movie from back home. His face was thin and gaunt, though the white and grey stubble of his beard barely covered several scars that lay underneath. His clothes hung loosely about his body. He wore a dark green tunic above black chainmail of some sort, which appeared to be light but very tough.
“I see the years have not been kind to you my friend?” began Tien.
“Tuh? No, I suppose not, but you know me, I have no complaints,” replied the old warrior. “I carry many wounds upon this old body of mine, some which are visible to the naked eye and many more which are not. Each of them has returned to haunt me now in my old age. But each mark I bear is a memory, a reminder of the life I once had and of past glories. As such, I treasure every single one of them! I would not change a single thing about my past, Tien. So, I have to accept the present, you know that. No doubt you think I am fortunate to still be alive, given all we have done? It is one viewpoint I suppose, though I do not agree with it... But enough of me, tell me, what is the purpose of your journey? Why are you here after all these years?”
Tien nodded gently and smiled before he began to explain everything that had happened, informing Bierenstell of Jake, the stones and the quest they had embarked upon. The others remained silent but when Tien reached the part about the Bloodstone and how it was vital that it was found to begin the restoration, he was suddenly interrupted.
“But… Tah, my friend, I am sorry to disappoint you. You have had a wasted journey, I do not have it!”
The old wizard stared at Lord Bierenstell with a look of complete horror. “What?? Wh… Where then? Where is the Bloodstone?” he yelled in desperation.
“Tien!” snapped Jake, halting his sudden outburst with a single word. He turned to face the old warrior. “Okay, let’s all remain calm. Right, can you tell us where it is? We must find it. We have to…”
“Yes, of course. As far as I know it is in the Keep. Srr… It is a large, heavily guarded room in the City Marshall’s palace. Look, you would not know this for we have not seen each other in a long time, but I have fallen upon hard times since we last met, Tien. I am not the man I was, I am sorry to say. Old age has finally caught up with me, I have no trade and I am unable to earn my keep and pay my way. I am of no use to anyone in this world. What can I do? I cannot work the fields and I can no longer wield a sword. At least, not well enough to earn a wage. I have no family to support me, the stone was my only possession of value, so I traded it in long ago for a lifelong agreement that this hut, such as it is, would be mine until my death. I have been left in peace here ever since, paraded occasionally at the balls and events they hold from time to time, a symbol of old, a relic from the past used to amuse the crowds.”
“Oh my old friend, I am sorry I did not know,” said Tien, sadly.
“Yeah, yeah... Listen, I’m sorry too, but as heartbreaking as that sounds, we ain’t got time for it, we have to move on! What we gonna do, Jake?” asked Ben impatiently. He felt a little guilty for saying it, he did not mean to sound rude and he was glad that no one seemed to take offence.
“Ra… As I see it, there is only one thing to do,” stated Verastus, before Jake could reply. “We have to go and take it!”
“Eh? Are you kiddin’? You’re not are ya? Yeah, okay then, not quite what I had in mind but fair enough, how?” asked Ben, with wide eyes.
“Frah! Madness, complete madness! The absurdity of it! There are only four of you, the place you are talking about attacking is crawling with guards, and guards of the highest calibre I can tell you! The doors are always kept locked and secure, the jewels the Marshall has collected over the years are his prized possessions, he is obsessed with them, he will kill anyone who goes near them,” warned Lord Bierenstell.
“Hmmn… Yeah, I hear ya. It’s not gonna be easy, that’s for sure. But then, we have Tien, don’t we? He can unlock doors that aren’t meant to be opened. And let’s face it, it ain’t no fun if it’s easy. No seriously, don’t be fooled by appearances, we punch well above our weight, believe me. Besides, we have the element of surprise on our side.” Jake smiled softly.
Lord Bierenstell looked around the room at their faces. His expression changed noticeably. The shock and disbelief he felt melted away and he began staring at them with envious eyes.
“Kraar! You are all determined to go? Well, good for you! It has been an age or more since I saw someone willing to fight for a cause against overwhelming odds. Heroes willing to walk into the fires of Zsorcraum. Oh, by the Lords of Srenul, I wish I was coming along! I would give anything to turn back time and join with you in this fight. This is no life I lead here! It is no way for a warrior like me to end his days. This frail excuse for a body mocks me daily. I should be grateful I know, to have what I have, the Lords know I do not deserve it. But, I am haunted every night by my memories, ridiculed and tortured over and over again by what was once, long ago, and what might have been. If only I could…”
“Srrr… Well, actually, there is a way my old friend,” interrupted Tien, a small tear beginning to develop in the corner of his eye. “I know how you feel and I understand your pain. I too long for a chance to relive the past, to be able to right a wrong or two. What you ask is not impossible, it is within my power and it can be done. I cannot turn back time for I am not that powerful, but I can restore for a short while that which was. Though, I am afraid that it will surely kill you, and I am not sure how long it will last.”
Lord Bierenstell stood up slowly and straightened his aching back. “Do what you will, my friend. If I can go out in one last action with a sword in my hand, facing my enemies with honour, I will strike that bargain gladly! I have no hesitation at all in making that decision. It is the answer to a thousand prayers and know now that I will be eternally in your debt, Tien. In fact, I beg you. I implore you. Please, give me the chance to be once again all that I was. Turn history into reality for me, give form to my dreams, and I swear I shall not let you down! Now, what do I have to do?”
Chapter 6
Morning of 21st August – Northern Army Camp – Nadjan
“Graar…. What are your orders, my King? Tell us, how are we going to use the stone that Melissa has secured for us?” asked an impatient Sawdon. The mighty Thargw warrior was excited at the prospect of using the new weapon and eager to hear his master’s plans. “You have been thinking on it all night long, can you enlighten us?”
Vantrax stared thoughtfully at the fervent faces of the two warriors before him. Melissa looked as beautiful as ever but she was unusually silent, even though it was plainly obvious that she desperately wanted to speak, perhaps realising that voicing her opinion now would only delay her master’s response to the question that she too had wanted to ask, and being far too impatient to hear his plans to let that happen. The ever faithful warrior, Sawdon, revered leader of armies and feared throughout the land, was ‘chomping at the bit’, awaiting his King’s command like an obedient hound who wanted to play, straining to be let off his leash.
“Listen to me both of you, I have thought long and hard about what to do with the Reolite we now have, it is not a large stone, nowhere near the size of the Lichtus when it was found. That stone has been a great source of power for years but we have to face the truth, its time is nearing an end. It grows weaker with every spell and I fear that it will not be strong enough for the plans I have. The power concealed within this new stone will not be that great, due to its limited size, though it will be far stronger than that housed in the few smal
l shards we have found on our searches to date. There may be other stones concealed within the Estian soil but I do not believe we shall find them. Therefore, I have decided that the best course of action we can take at this time is to attempt to merge the two stones together, to join them. This I shall attempt to do, I will create from them both a weapon which will exceed even the strength of the Lichtus, making me stronger than I have ever been!”
“Raaart! Excellent!” shouted Melissa excitedly. “Well? What are we waiting for sire? Forgive me for saying so my lord, but we must proceed immediately, any delay in our march will be to the rebel’s advantage.”
King Vantrax scowled angrily at her. “Yes, I am well aware of our situation!” he roared. “I do not need you to remind me, or to question my decisions! Now, stand back and prepare to observe the true power of Reolite.”
The wizard removed the Lichtus from around his neck and placed it on the floor. He took out the new, smaller stone from within his robe and placed it beside the magic pendant. Taking a deep breath he stood up, closed his eyes, clasped his hands together and began to chant loudly.
“Errach sellarrd estoolich nexshtoll villasshh, serroll ulyech tarvelliott, sempall ishtuneck. Errach sellarrd estoolich nexshtoll villasshh, serroll ulyech tarvelliott, sempall ishtuneck. Rachtnavoul!”
A great, howling and swirling wind suddenly erupted within the confines of the tent. It was icy cold and it began throwing objects around furiously in the enclosed space. The two warriors ducked and weaved sharply to avoid being hit. When it was safe to do so, Melissa looked over anxiously at Sawdon. The Thargw warrior wore no look of concern upon his face, he just stood upright again and he remained completely expressionless. Reassured by his calm reaction to the unexpected event, Melissa turned back to face King Vantrax.