by Peter Hall
One day the caravan arrived at an iron mine located near the Kotari Mountans and the slavers sold Bryn to the supervisor. They gave her a pickaxe and sent her down into the mines with hundreds of other slaves. She spent four years breaking rock in the mines. She was worked to the point of exhaustion each day in the blazing desert heat, until the slavers eventually returned and purchased her back. She was strong now, and they would be able to sell her for a high price back in Sharilan. They led her away and threw her inside a metal box, just like the one she arrived at the mine inside.
The caravan headed west and after a couple of weeks, they came to a halt and Bryn was taken from her box. This time, she fought through the pain and stood upright in the line, her legs in agony, her skin badly bruised and burned. A short old man in a grey robe and a burly desert tribesman were walking along the line, inspecting the slaves. When they got to Bryn, they stopped and started to chat amongst themselves. The old man squeezed her face and turned her head left and right. He nodded and the slavers pushed her forward.
The men paid the slavers and led her away, her hands bound and tied to the saddle on the old man’s camel. She watched the slavers roll out as the camel picked up speed and she began running along behind the two men. Her legs ached but she kept going. Those slavers are getting away… I need to get free somehow! she thought, frantically trying to come up with an escape plan.
They travelled south across the sand dunes in the blazing heat of the afternoon, Bryn was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily but she stayed on her feet as the camels ahead kept moving. They went up and over a huge sand dune and Bryn saw something in the sand on the other side. As they got closer she saw that it was a skeleton holding a rusty sword and shield. Now is my chance… she thought.
As they passed by the dried up warrior lying in the sand Bryn stopped, planted her feet and pulled the rope with all her might. The camel reared up on its hind legs and fell backwards, throwing the old man off. Bryn dived down and tore the rusty sword from the skeleton’s bony grip. She got to her feet and ran towards the old man as the tribesman turned his camel around and unsheathed a large curved blade. The old man looked up and Bryn slammed the sword down into his head, splitting his skull in two, blood spraying into the air like a volcano erupting.
The tribesman rode past and swung his blade, Bryn deflected the strike but was knocked over by the force. She got to her feet and the tribesman turned and dismounted his camel. He charged at Bryn, screaming wildly. He swung a mighty blow that just missed her head as she ducked below the blade and stabbed him in the stomach. He stopped and dropped his sword as blood poured out of his mouth. Bryn pulled the sword out, spun around and hacked the man in the side of the gut, her blade making it halfway through his body before getting stuck. He gargled a scream and fell to the ground as she pulled the rusty sword out.
She fell to her knees and caught her breath, staring at the dead tribesman. It was the first time she had killed, and she felt no remorse. She got to her feet and ran over to one of the camels, climbed up and kicked her heels, Now you will pay… she thought as she headed back towards the slaver caravan.
It was night when she finally caught up with them. They were sitting at a campfire next to the caravan. Some were asleep and a couple were keeping watch over the wagons. Bryn dismounted her camel and shooed it away, then crept towards the camp of slavers. She took out the guards first. She struck them both in the throat with her sword so they couldn’t make a sound. There were two asleep near the wagons and she pressed her blade down into their necks as they slept. The remaining four were sitting around the campfire, still unaware that she was coming for them. She threw a rock over their heads and when it hit the sand they turned and drew their swords. Two of the men walked over to investigate the noise and two stayed at the fire as Bryn crept towards them.
She hacked the first one’s head clean off and as the second one turned around she stabbed him in the chest. He coughed a cloud of blood into the air as he fell, then the other two slavers charged in. Bryn deflected a strike and spun around, swinging the sword hard into the first one’s gut with a spray of blood. The last slaver swung at her with a downward strike. She deflected the blow and kicked him into the campfire, setting him alight. He screamed as he got up and ran around, frantically trying to put himself out. He eventually fell over and burned to death, as Bryn stood and watched. I did it Kara… I did it.
She walked over to one of the slavers and took his deerskin flask. She guzzled the water inside and threw it to the ground. She walked over to another body and took his water flask, tying it to her belt. She found a key tied around the dead slaver’s neck. She took the key and walked over to the wagons. They were full of metal boxes and cages. She opened them all and freed the slaves. After that she took one of the slaver’s camels and decided that she would get as far away from Asgard as she could, so she headed south.
After a few weeks travelling through the Great Desert, her camel died and she was forced to continue on foot. The collar around her neck was digging into her skin and would get boiling hot during the day, burning her badly. She cut open the cactus plants she found and drank the liquid from inside to stay hydrated. She killed snakes and scorpions and ate them for sustenance. Vultures started to circle above her as she continued through the desert, utterly alone.
Weeks passed by and all she saw was empty desert in all directions. The dunes got smaller and eventually the sand flattened out. Then she saw something. Mountains ahead, in the distance. It was the Dim-Rakul. She closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. I’m not going to die here, she thought. She kept moving and made it to the vast mountain ranges, the other side of which led to the Southern Wilds, and began to climb.
* * *
It was time. The Master opened his grotesquely large mouth full of sharp, jagged teeth and let out a blood curdling scream that echoed through the mountains. The one hundred thousand odd demons in formation outside the castle screamed all at once and sprinted forth into the night, a sea of ghostly white bodies flooding across the mountains towards Siera. The Master grinned and closed his black eyes, breathing in deeply. A low pitched growl began to emanate from his throat and it shook the very foundations of the castle. The Old Gods were close, they were at the edge of the void, clawing and scratching at the veil, trying to break through. The sun turned blood red and the land was cast in a dim glow that sent fear into the hearts of all that gazed upon it. The birds flew south, the animals scattered here and there in a panic and the demon horde advanced.
Kingdom of Sharilan, Great Desert
‘Kingdoms of Eteria’ from ‘Eterialumen 1320th year since the cataclysm’
Sharilan forms part of The Sand Kingdom and is located in the centre of the Great Desert. The Sand Kingdom includes many cities, Sharilan being the largest and most famous. Sharilan is one of the main trade hubs of Eteria and is home to many races from across the land. The largest combat arena in Eteria is located in Sharilan and it is a major attraction for those who relish bloodsports. The standard for Sharilan is purple with a white symbol of a shield and crossed swords. Sharilan is ruled by the Bahrekh Royal Dynasty, it’s current emperor is Khassan Bahrekh II.
E.
XII
The Dying Light
They had departed Gorik four days ago and made their way north, only stopping to rest for a few hours here and there. As the small force led by Durandal made their way towards Drogan, Bryn saw a ring of tall mountains to the west that she recognised immediately. That’s where the castle was hidden, she thought. Durandal lifted his hand indicating for the others to stop, and pulled up on his horse. Bryn steered Odin towards him and pulled up alongside his beautiful storm grey steed. He was squinting, looking ahead across the mountains. It was midday and the sun was high, the snowfall had eased and the wind had settled to almost a complete stillness, which Bryn found to be quite odd seeing as though they were so high up.
“What is it?” Bryn said.
“Something i
s not right.” Durandal said, still looking out across the mountains to the north. “Do you hear that?”
Bryn listened and it was unusually quiet. “I don’t hear anything.”
“Exactly.” He said with a furrowed brow.
Suddenly a loud growling sound roared across the land and the horses reared up on their hind legs. Eir was thrown from Angel’s saddle as the pony went into a panic. Bryn dismounted and ran over to the halfling lying in the snow.
“Are you alright sweetheart?” Bryn said as she helped Eir to her feet.
“Yes I’m alright.” she said, dusting the snow from her red velvet dress.
The snow started to turn pink and Bryn looked around and saw that everyone was looking up with stunned faces. What the… She looked up and a wave of fear swept across her body and her heart started racing. Before her eyes the sun turned crimson red, casting the land in a dim, eerie light. Eir looked at her and gripped her arm tight.
“Bryn…” she whispered, “what is happening?”
“I’m not sure.” Bryn said as she picked the halfling up and helped her back onto Angel’s saddle. She walked over to Durandal who was staring at the red sun in disbelief.
“What in the name of all that is holy…” he said and looked over at her. Then Bryn saw something even more troubling to the north. She walked up ahead and squinted.
“Durandal!” She shouted. “Look!”
Durandal dismounted his steed and walked over to her, searching the mountains to the north. Then he saw it too.
“Sweet Esra!” he whispered, as they watched the army of demons pouring over a distant mountain, heading straight towards them. It was a tidal wave of white bodies that grew larger and larger as they poured over and down the mountainside. “There must be one hundred thousand of them.” he said as he looked over at Bryn. For the first time, she saw fear in his eyes. “We’re done for.” he said.
Starcaller watched the demons pouring over the mountain and turned to Cerberus who was standing next to her horse. “We should never have come on this quest.”
Cerberus looked at her and nodded, then continued watching the incoming horde.
Bryn ran over to Odin and jumped up into the saddle. “We need to move. Follow me.” she said and turned Odin towards the west, kicking her heels.
“Forward!” Durandal shouted to the soldiers and raced after her. The others followed, heading along a narrow path at speed, that led towards the ring of tall mountains that hid the home of the Valkyries from sight. They followed the path until they came to the clearing in which sat the magnificent silver and white castle, where Bryn had begun her training as a child. The stone had turned a bright pink in the strange, red light of the sun. They rode up to the huge silver gates and came to a halt.
“What is this place?” Durandal said.
“This is where the Valkyries of Asgard once lived.” Bryn said, dismounting her horse.
“This is where the old woman took you as a child.” he said and turned but Bryn was already walking along the perimeter of the outer wall. She was running her hands along the stone, looking for the magickal archway that Kara had taken her through.
“Hades! Where is it!” she said.
Durandal jogged over to her while Starcaller, Cerberus, Eir and the soldiers waited at the gate. “What are you doing?” he said.
“There is a magickal doorway here… somewhere.” Bryn said as she continued frantically running her hands along the stone.
Starcaller dismounted her horse and walked up to the gates. The glowing blue wire came shooting out from her arm and she flew up and over the wall. There was a loud clicking sound and moments later the gates began to slowly open. Starcaller was pushing it from the inside.
“Get over here and help you big idiot!” She shouted to Cerberus and he came jogging over. The huge Jotnar threw his battle-axe down in the snow and helped open the gates. They pushed them open and the soldiers rode through.
“Bryn!” Durandal said. “Look they opened the gates, let’s go.”
Bryn looked over and saw the soldiers moving inside, so she gave up looking for the arch and they ran back over to their horses, heading through the gates with the rest of the group. Once everyone was inside, the soldiers pushed the heavy silver gates shut and turned a huge locking mechanism around that sealed them in.
“There are stables on the eastern side of the castle, everyone take your mounts and restrain them!” Bryn shouted to the group and they followed her instructions.
Once the horses were tied up they all headed back to the courtyard at the front of the castle. Durandal led his soldiers up a stairwell that led to the ramparts at the top of the wall. The soldiers spread out along the perimeter while Bryn scooped up Eir and ran over to the castle. The entrance doors were smashed in and Bryn jumped over the broken pieces of wood as she headed into the annex room.
“Where are we going?” Eir said.
“I’m taking you somewhere safe.” Bryn said as she headed up a large winding staircase on the eastern side of the room.
When they reached the top, Bryn ran down a long hallway and up another set of stairs with Eir clutching on to her tight. They came to a smaller corridor and Bryn ran up to a wooden door, pulled it open and went inside the room. It was the observatory, which was the highest part of the castle. There was a large ball in the centre of the room made of silver and there were glowing lights all over it, mapping the constellations. There were many books on shelves lining the walls and a balcony at the other side of the room, overlooking the front courtyard and the outer wall.
Bryn placed the Halfling down and kneeled beside her, gripping her shoulders.
“Stay here Eir, don’t leave this room.” Bryn said and Eir nodded. “I will come back for you.”
“Do you promise?”
“I promise.” Bryn said and embraced her as she started to sob. “No more tears sweetheart. If you hear that the monsters are inside the castle, stay hidden in here alright?”
Eir nodded and wiped her nose on her sleeve. Bryn smiled and wiped the tears from Eir’s cheeks.
“Be brave little warrior.” Bryn said and ran back out the door, shutting it behind her. She sprinted through the castle and made her way to the library. She pushed the bookshelf to the side and ran down the dark stairwell to the armory.
Eir stood there in the middle of the room and her little heart raced as she watched Bryn leave. She unsheathed her sword and walked over to the balcony. She looked down and saw the soldiers along the wall, Starcaller and Cerberus were standing above the silver gates and Durandal was walking along the ramparts, his blue cape billowing out behind him. She saw Bryn run back outside and head up the stairwell to join Durandal. She was wearing a white dress and a shiny silver cuirass, a silver helmet with wings on the sides and she was carrying a round, golden shield and Gunnlogi in her hands.
She’s a Valkyrie! I knew it! Eir thought to herself. She gripped her sword as the air filled with the sound of growling and screeching. It got louder and louder, then she saw the demon horde appear from the path that led to the castle.
“Here they come!” Durandal shouted as the horde of thousands flooded into the clearing, sprinting towards them.
Cerberus spun his battle-axe in his hand and looked over at Starcaller. She nodded and pulled a glowing yellow arrow from her quiver, drew her bowstring and fired into the oncoming horde. At least thirty or so demons flew up into the air as the arrow exploded. She shot a flurry of yellow arrows into the horde and the series of blasts sent hundreds of the foul creatures into the air as demon blood started raining from the sky and covering the snow beyond the wall, but still they advanced.
As the explosions were going off, the horde reached the wall and the demons scurried up towards the waiting soldiers. Swords flashed and black blood sprayed across the red sky, the soldiers slicing the demons to pieces as they reached the top of the wall. Durandal ran along the rampart hacking into the demons with his mighty broadsword. Bryn swung Gunnlogi
and struck a demon as it appeared over the wall. The demon burst into flames the moment the sword connected, falling back into the horde. Bryn’s eyes widened and she looked at the sword, covered in black blood. Every demon she hit burst into flames and fell back into the crowd setting more of the monsters alight, but the endless sea of demons filling the clearing beyond the castle kept surging up the wall.
Cerberus was above the gates swinging his battle-axe, sending waves of demons flying into the air as Starcaller kept firing her explosive arrows. One by one the soldiers started to fall as demons began breaching the ramparts. Starcaller drew another yellow arrow but just as she was about to fire, a demon lunged at her from the wall and knocked her over. The arrow slipped and landed in the top of the wall, just below the rampart. As it exploded, Bryn and Durandal were sent flying, landing in the courtyard behind the wall as chunks of stone and demon blood rained down on them. At least ten soldiers got blown off the wall into the horde below and a few more landed back in the courtyard.
“Hades!” Starcaller said as she rolled back onto her feet and drew her blade, decapitating the demon that had knocked her down. She looked up and saw Eir watching the scene unfold from the observatory balcony. She sliced another two demon heads off and shot her glowing blue wire up at the balcony, flying up and spinning in the air as she crashed into the room through the open doors. She landed on her feet and slid along the stone as the wire retracted. She ran back over to the balcony and drew her bowstring, firing a flurry of red arrows towards Cerberus. The giant was still above the gates swinging his battle-axe but he was being overrun. Each time a demon jumped onto him a red bolt sailed down and blew it’s head apart.