The Vordalyn 2

by Michael T Payne

  “Times are better, Tasar.” Durlan said, “Some things have changed, and I won’t argue that I am completely happy with it all, but these new opportunities fill my pockets. A small price of change seems worth it.”

  “Then why are you out here? Tasting the delights of women until it is no longer allowed?” Tasar asked.

  “Yes, but look around you Tasar, opportunity flourishes here and that was part of the change as well.” Durlan smiled, “Alright Tasar, I will help you. Tell me of this new venture? Not because I want to stop change, but because I want twice what you ask for in return. Agreed?”

  “You think I’ve lost my mind. You think you can capitalize on it? Take everything I own if I can’t pay you?” Tasar asked, Durlan began to nod yes, “You will see that my head is clear, my old friend, when I return from the dead city you will see.”

  “The dead city? You intend to go there?” Durlan asked shocked, “You’ve gone mad.”

  “Have I?” Tasar laughed, “But the mighty King Dracon cleared the city of danger?”

  “I heard the tale from the man’s mouth personally, and never once did he say the city was free from danger. He said he killed the Gyona. They did not venture any further than to escape.” Durlan corrected, shaking his head at Tasar. “How many men do you plan to sacrifice to this venture?”

  “Fifteen in total. It will not be a sacrifice Durlan, it’ll be an expedition. Think of it,” Tasar said, again leaning across the table, “The city of the ancient Vordalyn, what treasures could be found there?”

  “But that’s not why you’re going, is it?” Durlan asked glaring at him.

  “No, but I could be convinced to loot the place on your behalf while I’m there, as payment?” He offered.

  “On my behalf? Meaning what you find there will be mine? How can I make this bargain, you pay me with what you find? What if you find nothing? How will I be repaid?” Durlan asked. Tasar nodded.

  “I seek only one thing, Durlan.” He said.

  “Who’s to say that you don’t come back empty handed, once you get what you want, leaving me with nothing? Who will look for these so-called treasures on my behalf?” Durlan asked skeptical of Tasar’s offer.

  “Send someone with us, you can accompany us if you wish?” Tasar offered.

  “No, I’ve had my fill of adventure. I want to live to see my riches spent.” He said, “I will send someone, but if you cross me, Tasar, it will not go well for you. When do you leave?”

  “First light.” Tasar stood up, then looked around for the waitress, when their eyes met, he gave her a come-hither nod, “We have a deal then?” He asked looking back at Durlan still sitting in the booth.

  “If I meet you at first light, we do. Until then, I will consider your request.” Durlan answered then stood just as the waitress arrived and took Tasar by the arm. The waitress led Tasar away from the table and upstairs where he spent the rest of the night drinking and enjoying her hospitality.

  In the morning, Tasar met with his men on the wharf. It was predawn and yet the wharf was busy. Trade did not wait for the sun. The people of Sumia were not used to having a night so regularly and continued to work well after nightfall, into the morning light. Leonid was on the wharf before Tasar’s arrival coordinating men and equipment being stowed on the boat.

  “Good day, sire.” Leonid greeted Tasar, who nodded. He examined the men around them getting the boat ready, then spotted a man in the boat chained like a common thief.

  “Is that him?” He asked.

  “It is.” Leonid answered. His face was scabbed over from being beaten on a regular basis. He sat staring at the floor of the boat.

  “What is he called?” Tasar asked.

  “Does it matter?” Leonid asked. Tasar gave him a curious look, shocked that he did not answer his question. Leonid recognized the look, “He is called Kerym, my lord.” Tasar nodded at Leonid and was just about to step into the boat when a group of men forced their way through the crowds on the wharf. Leonid perked up and faced the men he could tell were coming their way. Tasar stood next to Leonid watching the bustle of approaching men in the dim early morning light. Durlan came through from behind the group.

  “Don’t leave yet, Tasar.” He said as he arrived. Tasar smiled and met Durlan and his group.

  “I almost forgot that I asked you for help, we were so ready to go.” Tasar said.

  “Who do you think paid for all this, and the other boats?” Durlan asked.

  “Other boats?” Tasar glanced around.

  “Yes, did you think I would choose one of yours to look after my interests?” Durlan asked, “I’ve matched you, Tasar, in men and boats.” There were several men with Durlan, who began stacking provisions. “I have two boats arriving and we’ll follow you. My men are not soldiers, mind you, they are to help carry back what is found.”

  “Two boats?” Tasar asked.

  “Yes, two boats. One for the men and provisions, one for the treasures you promised to find me.” Durlan said and began looking around in the water for the boat’s arrival. Tasar smirked and looked at Leonid.

  “That’s optimistic? Which one will speak for you on the trip, Durlan?” Asked Tasar.

  “I’ve decided I’m going with you. I want four of your men as my personal security force, I will not take no for an answer, Tasar. With my added boats, you can bring the extra four and provisions to match. You supply the security and I supply the money.” Durlan informed Tasar.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Tasar asked.

  “Tasar, after deep contemplation, I find myself in a precarious position of not being able to trust anyone to keep an eye on my best interests, save for me.” Durlan said, putting a hand on his portly chest then spotted the boats he chartered, “Load them up.” Durlan pointed at the arriving boats then motioned to the men behind him to begin loading them, “That being the case,” He said returning his attention to Tasar, “To avoid any pilfering, I have no choice but to go myself.” Tasar smiled at Durlan, he was a greedy, untrustworthy sort. Tasar had no doubt that Durlan considered how much he himself would pilfer, if he were put in charge of someone else’s expedition.

  “Leonid, pick four good men to act as Durlan’s guards.” Tasar ordered.

  “Yes, sire.” Leonid moved off immediately. Tasar watched Durlan and his group begin loading a boat, then stepped down into his own. He sat on the center bench across from Kerym and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

  “You are a Priest of O’on?” He asked. The man looked at the floor of the boat expecting a beating to follow the question. “A battlemage?” Tasar asked. Kerym glanced at Tasar briefly then back down at the floor of the boat. He nodded. “Leonid tells me you can be of use to us in the dead city? If that is true, and you prove yourself useful to me, I’ll see to it you are freed.” Kerym looked at Tasar hopeful.

  “What do you want from me?” He asked.

  “I’ll let you know.” Tasar said then stood, “Alright, let’s get moving.” He commanded.

  It took most of the day to cross the lake to the docks of the Gyona, just outside the entrance to the caves that led into the underground city that was once Taranath, the city of the Vordalyn. When Leonid was there last, it was with Dracon and Venalina. Then, the dead city was inhabited by the cannibalistic Gyona, who hunted the people around the lake, as game. Ulk was the closest city and suffered losses regularly. They revered Dracon for putting an end to the Gyona. Tasar and his men, joined by Durlan, reached the shores and tethered their boats along the shore and dock that had small two-man boats moored there. Tasar was first to walk ashore. There were dead Gyona all around the area, from the shores of the lake to an opening in the rock face, a cave. The dead appeared to have been fleeing from within the cave. Durlan joined Tasar’s side, with a handkerchief covering his face. Flies were abundant in the area of the decomposing bodies, but Tasar was mostly surprised to see that no animals had feasted on the corpses of the dead. “What happened here?” Durlan asked rh
etorically. Tasar looked at him and chuckled.

  “The kina, no doubt.” Tasar offered. He started to walk along the shore and around the edges of where the bodies lie. He saw a pathway that led up to the top of the rock face to an overlook. Leonid joined Tasar’s side.

  “It’s up there, the hole to the chamber we escaped from.” Leonid informed him.

  “You say there’s no way back into the city through there?” Tasar asked, “You’re sure?”

  “Absolutely, sire, Venalina caved in the opening to trap the Naga and us.” Leonid explained, Tasar glared at him, he didn’t like him calling her by name, he didn’t like anyone calling her by name, “The Kina,” Leonid corrected himself. “Unless you wish to see the dead Naga, or the split stone?”

  “No, not just yet, don’t mention the stone to Durlan, I don’t want him wasting our time trying to explore that cave until later. We’ll go through the bodies and into that cave.” Tasar said pointing at the cave the Gyona had fled out from, “Lets setup near the shore, away from the dead.” Leonid nodded then went back to the boats and directed the men to follow Tasar’s orders.

  “What are we waiting for Tasar?” Durlan asked from several feet away, still covering his face. “Are we going in?”

  “Patience, Durlan, we have to setup a staging area. We don’t want to go in without setting up camp first, it will be dark before we know it.” Tasar began to walk among the dead examining them. It was clear to him they died from some kind of disease. It gave him pause. He looked over at Leonid, remembering that whatever killed these people did not affect Leonid or any of his group who had escaped the lair of the Gyona. He hoped it would not affect him and his group who accompanied him then. Even the unknown cause of death would not stop Tasar from venturing into the cave of the Gyona, the people who had the ability to capture and trap the Kina. He wanted that ability. Capturing the Kina would be his key to overcoming Dracon.

  “Do you intend for us to spend the night, Tasar?” Durlan asked. Tasar started back toward the boats and Durlan hurried to follow, “Tasar?”

  “I do, Durlan, be on your guard tonight.” Tasar said, “Creatures haven’t dined on these bodies in the months that they’ve been here, but that’s not to say they won’t start. Especially trolls, or ghouls even.” Durlan looked again at the bodies that lay on the ground all the way to the mouth of the cave then hurried after Tasar to the boats, covering his nose and mouth all the while.

  “Setup a watch in twos.” Tasar commanded when he reached the men still unloading the boats. “Keep it tight.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Early morning in Dead Hallow, people slowly began to stir and move about, beginning their day with mundane morning chores. The stable boy was shoveling out the stables and bringing hay and oats to feed the horses. The women from Darlia’s parlor were waiting at the well, in a line, taking turns pumping water into buckets. The blacksmith was firing up his forge and smoke billowed from his stall into the streets, then up, dissipating into the sky. Dark Hawk had spent the night at Darlia’s parlor with Tani and a girl named Hanna. He was still drunk when he walked out the front door of the building, wobbling slightly down the front steps to the street. No one paid any attention to anyone else, each wrapped up in their own morning ritual. Dark Hawk stumbled down the street toward his tavern. He stopped in the middle of the street and opened his pants, relieving himself in the street. The women of Darlia’s parlor began to laugh at him and snicker, many pointed at him making crude comments and egging him on, as he relieved himself there for all to see. He yawned and tilted his head back, letting his yawn turn into a one-armed stretch. He fastened his pants and threw a devilish smile at the girls gathering water then nodded and put his hand to his head like he was tipping a hat. Dark Hawk continued his wobbly walk, down the street to his tavern at the center of town. Just as he reached the front steps one of his men came out with a bucket then threw its contents into the street. He glanced at Dark Hawk and nodded before returning to his task. There was a storm of hoof beats that stalled Dark Hawks entry into his tavern. Eight soldiers in black and red, bearing the new banners of King Dracon, rode into town. They did not ride hard, or fast, but the sound of eight horses riding into town sounded loud in the early morning quiet. Everyone on the street was suddenly alarmed and stopped what they were doing. Many ran like cockroaches to the safety of their homes. Only a few women remained at the well. Dark Hawk turned slowly watching the advance of men through the town to its center. He stepped back down to the street and followed a few steps after the soldiers passed him. They stopped at the makeshift bulletin board, with a variety of notices nailed to it. The lead soldier dismounted and went to the bulletin board. He read several of the notices nailed to it before ripping them from the board, then pounded his own poster to it. After, he promptly mounted his horse, then he and his men left town. People waited several minutes before coming out of their homes and the surrounding buildings. Dark Hawk was the first to reach the pole. He grabbed the poster and yanked it off then started to read it. His head started to hurt from trying to focus on the fancy lettering and colors of the notice. He closed his eyes and shook his head trying to shake his drunken haze.

  “What’s it say?” Darlia had come out of her brothel and was standing over his shoulder, looking at Dark Hawk and the notice in his hand. He handed it to Darlia.

  “Read it.” Dark Hawk said with his eyes still closed. He grabbed his face with his off hand and wiped his eyes. Darlia took the notice from him and started reading it. Dark Hawk could hear her reading the notice to herself. “Aloud,” He said, “So I can hear it?” Dark Hawk turned his head, looking at her annoyed. Darlia cleared her throat then began again.

  “It’s a declaration of some sort,” She started, “It say’s King Dracon, the returned hero of Ganlin, will be wed in Dwerma and we’re all invited.”

  “We’re invited? To the royal wedding?” Dark Hawk chuckled.

  “It also says that all crimes that occurred in his absence will be given a one-time only pardon, should every soldier return to service, and or attend the wedding and take a knee to the new King Dracon and his wife to be, Queen Venalina.” Darlia handed the notice back to Dark Hawk. He did not accept it and started back to his tavern leaving Darlia at the pole with the notice still in hand. “What’s it mean, Dark Hawk?” Darlia asked.

  “You read it, didn’t ya?” He asked without turning back to look at her.

  Mani was wiping down the bar top when Dark Hawk entered the tavern. He watched Dark Hawk come in and round the edge of the bar. “You’re up early, boss, what’s up?”

  “I’m not up for long, Mani, don’t wake me, bring me water, and some bread.” Dark Hawk said as he opened the door to his private rooms in the back of the tavern.

  “Sure thing, boss.” Mani said then stopped what he was doing and filled a pitcher with water and grabbed some bread that was already on the counter. He followed Dark Hawk before the door could close behind him. Dark Hawk wobbled as he walked slowly, fighting back the urge to throw up. “What was all that outside?” Mani asked.

  “More nonsense,” Dark Hawk stopped at his bedroom door and faced Mani. He took the pitcher and the half loaf of bread. “Don’t wake me.” He said blurry eyed.

  “Ok.” Mani returned to the tavern. It wasn’t long after he returned behind the bar that people started to pour in. Mani could see they were nervous. It was unusual for so many people to be in the tavern that early in the morning, they hadn’t even started preparing for breakfast yet. Mani stopped what he was doing and leaned against the bar watching the crowd that seemed to be looking at him for an explanation of some sort. “What?” He asked, “What are you all so scared about.”

  “What does it mean Mani?” Asked a man in the crowd.

  “What does what mean?” Mani asked. Darlia stepped forward with the notice and handed it to Mani, who took it from her then read it. “Huh?” He pondered what he just read.

  “Well?” Someone in the crowd asked.
>
  “Well what?” Mani asked.

  “What does it mean, Mani?” Darlia asked.

  “It means your all forgiven,” Mani laughed, “If you can believe it’s not some sort of trick to get ya all to turn yourselves in for desertion.”

  “Is he really back?” Darlia asked.

  “That’s what it says, with a new queen no less.” Mani said then set the notice down on the counter. The tavern erupted in conversation. Mani raised his hands, “Settle down, settle down, if yer staying then yer buying, take a seat, don’t bunch up, blocking us from doing our business. Hervie, get started on breakfast, I’m assuming yer all hungry, that’s why yer still here?” People took seats, the tavern was full. It made Mani smile how much money they were going to make just for breakfast that morning. Speculation and rumor began to spread immediately. The tavern was a hub of activity throughout the day, by noon word had spread through all Dead Hallow and the bandit factions joined the townspeople in the tavern, all discussing the notice. Conversations swirled around the promise of amnesty and curiosity of the exotic Queen Venalina and her origins. The leaders of the remaining bandit factions, however, did not attend the tavern get together like most of their men. It wasn’t until the evening, did they and their remaining men show up at the tavern, curious as to what was going on and where their men had been all day.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Tamina was followed by two elven guards as she walked the palace in Urixis. She walked at a pleasant stroll inspecting the palace that had changed somewhat since she was there last. People in the palace wondered and whispered curiously, as to who she was and why she walked Queen Menina’s palace as though she were the queen herself. No one dared approach her, for she did indeed resemble their queen. Servants averted their eyes as they passed her and representatives from the noble houses of Urixis gave her a polite nod of respect. In a long empty hall, she stopped suddenly and turned to face her two guards who were ordered to follow her every move throughout the palace, as an escort, Queen Menina told her, but to Tamina it was a sign her sweet Aynisa was still unsure of her loyalty. Her white gown was simple with flowery accents and her tiara was made of never wilting flowers that almost seemed to float on her perfectly kept blonde hair. Her hair, like the flowers, was held in place by magic, a magic that allowed her to also appear human.