To Forge a King- the Chronicles of Ellorhim

by Thomas Adams

  Kyrr said, “Who are you?”

  Bera and his friends laughed all the more at the question and Kyrr’s antics. The voice said, ‘Do not speak out loud. Just think what you want to say and I will hear.’

  Kyrr formed the words in his mind, “I will try.”

  ‘Good. Now, I am Brotnjar and I will help you. But first we need to get this fat boy sorted out. Punch him in the nose as hard as you can.’

  Kyrr thought, “Brotnjar? Where are you? What are you? Are you a spirit?”

  ‘No, I am your sword. Well, I am trapped in your sword. I have been confined in here for ages. We can discuss all this later, now hit the fat boy.’

  And Kyrr did. Bera was so busy laughing and pushing and shoving with his friends he was no longer minding Kyrr. Kyrr took three quick steps forward and swung with all his might. The punch hit Bera right on the nose and Bera went over backwards. Blood gushed from his nose as well. He screamed in agony and rolled about in the dirt. Blood was everywhere and the dust stuck to Bera until he looked like a dirty swollen tick.

  ‘Well done lad. That will make him think twice before he tries anything again. Now, off to last meal and then the healers. Can’t miss last meal can we?’

  ***

  “Yfiria, you have to stop tormenting yourself like this. It is not going to help. You are strong and this will eventually pass.” Aravin said forcefully but kindly.

  “I know Aravin. I know. I have tried but something is just not right. I can’t seem to reach him. There is a barrier between us. All I get are bits and pieces. He is troubled though and all alone. He is ever in my thoughts since he went back. It is so unsettling. I wish I knew what was happening. I wish I knew how to reach him. My powers have failed me, my sight has failed me.”

  “It was expected to be challenging for you but I had no idea it would be this difficult. I know about the loss of awareness and contact, I can’t reach him either Yfiria. Something has happened and I feared this. But, there is nothing we can do about it now.

  “However, you can help him. Focus on that and see if it helps. Your bond with him is very strong. Use it! It will not be easy but you must keep trying. It was never meant to be easy. You must work hard and overcome. The Gods have chosen a different path for both of you. There will be love and loss and pain and great sacrifice. But, know this you are bound to him as he is bound to you, bound by more than just body and heart. You are bound by mind and spirit. You are bound across time and space, to one another, by your souls.”

  She looked at him in wonder and disbelief. What did this mean? This was the first time Aravin ever brought up any seerings about Brandt and her future. He’d never spoken of them together as a couple and bonded. Dare she hope this could come to pass? Aravin was foremost of all the Druid seers. She wondered what he had foreseen but was much too afraid to ask.

  He saw the unspoken question and added, “There will be great trials but you must get past them. Get past the petty feelings and past your fear and unwillingness to help him. Use everything I have taught you. If you and he are not successful we are all doomed.

  “Your own mother realizes this. She believes in the Prophecy and your role in it. It was her that forced your father to send you here. It was her that brought you under my care and tutelage. This surprises you? I can see it does. It should not. Your mother is a smart woman. She knows the stakes. The stakes are everything!”

  Aravin paused and thought and then continued, “I know just the thing. I am going to take you home for a while. It is dangerous but it is time for a visit. Discuss what we have talked about today with your mother. Tell her everything. Seek her counsel.”

  ***

  As they progressed through their first year the Masters eventually introduced more actual sword work and less theory. They ran the students through weapons forms for at least an hour or two every day and then sparring against a partner also lasted an hour a day. Speed and accuracy drills were also introduced and heavily utilized. The numbers, types and varied routines kept the students busy and guessing as to what was coming next.

  By the end of the first year Kyrr was switched from the kitchens to the smithy. Now, instead of washing crockery and pans, he spent at least two hours a day pumping the bellows under the watchful but demanding eye of the Grand Master Smith Birger. He also stoked the furnace or assisted the other Master Smiths with other small tasks. Soon he would learn the art of a weapon’s craft.

  The longer he lived and trained at Reave Hall the more he learned. He came to understand that new inductees to the Guild started twice a year. One group started in the spring and the other the fall. Inductees were typically nine or ten years old. New youth were inducted in either group based on were their birthday fell in the year. His group had been inducted in the fall of the previous year and was on the small side. There were only sixteen boys and five girls in the group. But, many groups inducted into the Guild over the last few years were even smaller. This was the new normal. Ten or more years ago new groups ran about fifty to one hundred youth. Now, twenty to thirty was normal.

  Graduation from Reave Hall was at seventeen years of age, the War Age. Reave Hall normally graduated around forty or fifty krigers a year. This was way below their peak capacity though. At its height, in the years following The Night of Despair, it had graduated closer to two hundred krigers a year. But, over the last decades, the continuing peace, scandals over harsh training practices, allegations of student mistreatment and the general public resistance to the Guild Tax had driven attendance lower and lower. There was even a rumor that the Chancellor would begin to draft inductees for the Guild. It was not a popular direction but the Chancellor had to ensure the Vesfal war bands had competent soldiers and officers.

  During one of the many lectures, Master Grovan told them, “Each Guild Hall specializes in some small way. The Runa is still the main curriculum and advanced proficiency in sword and axe are required for graduation at all Guilds. Some Guild Halls, mainly those in the Westlands, focus on sailing, navigation and maritime combat. One, Kầrz Hall in the capitol of Kimera is dedicated to battle leadership, strategy and tactics. Others focus on scouting skills, archery, wood craft and hunting and tracking.

  “But Reave Hall is the oldest Hall. It was the first Guild Hall founded by King Brandt the Founder. Brandt had formalized the Runa of Syndros and taught it to many warriors during the War of Twenty. After the war, when he became king, he opened formal Guild Halls across Vesfal to prepare his subjects to fight the Erhand. The Runa was the methodology and tactics for employing a manual of arms for the sword and the axe. It was developed by Brandt and his war band during the War of Twenty. For Guild Hall students, once sufficient mastery of the Runa was attained, they could elect to test for the title Master of the Sword or Master of the Axe. Guild Hall Masters are some of the best warriors in the world. And, war bands of Masters have proven to be devastatingly effective in battle. The War of Twenty and all subsequent battles and skirmishes with the Erhand have proven this premise.”

  Master Grovan paused for questions and when there were none he went on, “Reave Hall’s regimens are pretty much the same as from its’ early days. It is focused heavily on mastery of the Runa for the sword and axe. There is also training in weapons forging, small unit and war band tactics and survival skills. Most krigers from Reave Hall go on to be soldiers, knights, jarls, or leaders in the kingdom’s army. Some become wardens or weapons smiths.

  “Many older sons of the Frey join later in age than most to finish up their arms and military training. Typically the Erling heirs, second sons and sometimes daughters join around their twelfth birthday. But up to that point they receive personal training by their family’s men-at-arms, knights or wardens. Such family retainers and trainers are typically Guild trained Masters as well. The youth of the Frey rarely show up to a Guild deficient in sword or axe skills.” He added. He finished the lecture soon after and Kyrr had a much better perspective of the history and traditions of the Guild Halls. A lot of w
hat he had earned up t this pint now made sense.

  ***

  “My emperor, I have foreseen a grave threat to Imperia. It came to me last night in a vision. I am deeply troubled by this dream. May I speak of it to you?” inquired Lutvar.

  “Lutvar my friend, you come to me with dreams? You can’t be serious. Since when are you a seer? I pay you very well to handle my archania needs and to keep your brothers of The Red in line. Why complicate things with visions and dreams?”

  “My lord, visions, dreams and seering are all facets of archania and quite powerful tools to aid in your planning or dealings with your subjects or with other nations.’ Lutvar opined.

  “Gods man enough with the lecturing, out with this dream of yours then.” Titan spat. “I want to finish with these audiences and get out hawking ere the heat becomes intolerable.”

  “As you command, I will summarize and not waste your time. Last night in a dream I saw the Prophecy of Vesfalruk set into motion. The Sword will return to Ellorhim. Brandt’s line will be restored to the Blackwood Throne. And, it will come to pass in our lifetimes. Very soon these events will play out if I am not mistaken in my interpretations.”

  Titan looked like he was about to burst out laughing. “We have been together for a long time now but this has got to be the first time I thought you truly crazy.”

  Lutvar tried again, “My lord emperor if you please.”

  Titan cut him off, “The Prophecy is a bunch of hog shite the Druids and jarls of that accursed nation of ice and snow dreamed up to rally their pitiful people over three hundred years ago. It is nothing more. You waste my time. I am done!”

  Lutvar bowed and said, “My lord, if I can provide signs and proofs will you reconsider?”

  “Reconsider? Why should I, Titan XXXI reconsider anything?” he shouted. With great effort he calmed himself and looked at his Grand Vizier and Chief General. They both nodded warily. Titan thought a moment, apparently reconsidered and continued, “Lutvar, I do not apologize but I regret questioning your sanity. You are a loyal and true servant. Aye, we have heard some unsettling news recently from Vesfalruk. Maybe there is some truth in your visions. If you discover anything else please let us know.”

  “As you command my emperor, I truly value your friendship and your rule my lord. I am your servant in all things.” Lutvar bowed deeply again and left the council room.

  He had struggled with a way to approach the emperor with the orders of Arngrim. He knew the dangers of invoking the Druidic Prophecy to this end but it was the only tool with enough superstitious fear tied up into that he thought had a chance of bending the emperor to Arngrim’s designs.

  The numerous defeats of the Emorie military over the last centuries by the Vesfalruk kingdom was a sore subject with all, especially the emperor. Vesfalruk was the last hurdle to the Emorie reigning supreme in Ellorhim. However, there was enough hate and fear tied up into the culture and in the minds of the rulers of the Emorie that Lutvar felt it was a solid enough lever to force Titan to Arngrim’s will.

  He wondered why Arngrim hadn’t just approached the emperor directly. Interesting, that line of reasoning was worth further investigation. He knew The Red were not as powerful as they once were. But, the codex Arngrim had left him would soon halt their decline and vault them into a position of power throughout Ellorhim, especially over their rivals, the magi of the Black.

  The Brotherhood of the Red, or The Red were practitioners of blood magic while The Black called used shadow archania. Both factions had declined in power and skill over the last few centuries though. But Lutvar now had many new plans to promote The Red, to the detriment of The Black. Later though, now he needed to research this Prophecy in detail and determine how to claim its signs and portents were coming true.

  Chapter 4

  The New Girl

  The Warrior Song, verse 4

  Upon the wall under a cold rain from dark skies stands the warrior

  The swirling wind and water punishes the vigilant, the watch stretches on

  For a warrior’s destiny is a life of misery, fear, doubt and loneliness

  Their solace is hope, duty and a chance at victory

  The reward a return to a lover’s arms, a hearth and home

  Death is never cheated

  Erik the Colder

  ***

  A sennight after the New Year, Kyrr’s second year at Reave Hall, their small half-year band was introduced to a new girl in the practice yard. She was standing in the training yard with a wooden practice sword waiting for his band to arrive. As the band formed up around Master Ivar and the new girl she swung her wooden sword around casually but with well-practiced ease. She was tall, almost as tall as Kyrr and he was now the tallest boy in his half-year group. She was dressed in a set of leather half armor green dyed and with intricate tooling inlaid with silver and copper.

  Her hair was a bright honey-colored blonde. It shone in the morning sunlight like molten gold. Her face was perfect, rosy cheeks, clear flawless skin and white teeth. She was very pretty, no, beautiful. All the boys smiled and nudged one another as they looked at her. Her eyes were a playful emerald green and they twinkled with mischief. She had a grin on her face that promised something, something fun and exciting but yet a little dangerous. Her smile was part grin and part smirk. She looked like she was ready to start sparring. Her expression indicated she thought the competition would be lacking.

  Regal was the word that described her Kyrr thought. She was Frey for sure. He had no doubt she was from the highest ruling class in the kingdom. Her bearing, armor and clothes all shouted wealth. Her status as Erling was undisputable. Her poise and disdain were casually worn and well-practiced, definitely not some rough mountain jarl’s daughter.

  Master Ivar bowed his head to the girl and spoke several words to the young woman the group could not overhear. The girl just smiled and nodded. Her gaze swept over the group in front of her and briefly rested on Kyrr. Her smile broadened just a bit then her eyes moved on. That smile was trouble Kyrr knew.

  Ivar turned to the band and said in his usual brusque manner, “Listen up, this is Fridya. Fridya is the youngest daughter of Chancellor Rumborg. But she knows our rules and doesn’t expect special treatment or accommodation. She is joining this half-year group in order to achieve a more thorough and complete mastery of the sword.”

  Most of the boys in the group groaned. It was one thing to ogle a pretty girl but quite another to have her assigned to their group. She was now just another pampered Erling they would have to bow and scrape to and whose insults would rain down on them like the spring’s well-known deluges. Kyrr did not groan as did the others. That would make oneself a sure target for a Guild Master looking for an excuse to mete out ‘extra’ training.

  He was intrigued by the new girl. Her confidence and manner suggested she would be better with a sword than most anyone in this group. She was very good he already knew. He wondered why she was here. Surely the Chancellor could afford a host of specialized trainers for his children’s martial education.

  Ivar shouted, “Positions! Kyrr, front and center!”

  Now Kyrr groaned. Ivar was going to pair him with the new girl? This was not good. He was intrigued but did not want to beat up on the girl. He thought that hammering away on an Erling princess would be a bad idea. It would just hinder his training and the girl would resent him. She would likely take that resentment out him over and over again. He wanted a challenge and was not sure this Erling was one.

  This girl reminded him of someone though. The memory tugged at his mind. There was another beautiful girl with a pair of lively sea green eyes, more blue-green than this golden haired girl. He could not recollect the exact details though. And, he could not quite place the context of the memory either.

  “Kyrr, you will spar with Fridya today. Don’t assume anything. She is a good match for you. Fridya, Kyrr is one of the best in this group. He will also show you around and teach you our schedule and mentor you thi
s first sennight.”

  “Aye sir!” Kyrr barked.

  The new girl, Fridya, smirked even more. She nodded at the grizzled Master. Fridya and Kyrr paired up and she dropped into an aggressive attack stance Kyrr recognized. He mentally shifted through several defensive forms that were good counters and selected one. He moved into position.

  “Begin!” snarled Ivar and so it did. She went on the attack instantly. He deflected her initial attacks but her speed and aggressive technique were surprising. She was very good indeed. Kyrr had to hustle to repel several of her attack. He quickly glanced at her face. In return, she was also caught off guard. She must have thought this was going to be easy. She would have thought he was just a big strong lumbering lout that could not get out of his own way.

  They slashed, thrust and parried, each seeking a weakness or opening in the other’s defense. This went back and forth for several minutes before Ivar called for a break. She had struck him almost the same number of times he had hit her.

  They leaned on their wooden swords and eyed each other while they caught their breath. She smiled shyly at him and said, “I am Fridya, as you not doubt heard and you are Kyrr? I think your parents misnamed you though. You are very quiet. I had expected a tongue lashing peppered with insults during the sparring based on your name but you barely made a peep.”

  “It is nice to meet you Fridya. My name was given to me by Master Ivar. It was something of a jest I guess.”

  “So, it is not your real name?

  “It is not.” he replied. “I don’t know my real name. I have no memory of my life ere coming to Tanic and Reave Hall.”

  “Oh. I see.” She clearly didn’t but she didn’t ask for any more details, instead she said, “I am a bit surprised at your skill with the sword. Master Ivar said you only recently started here. We are well matched though. You are very quick. I thought I would outclass everyone in this group. I don’t mean to boast but I have been training with the sword since I was five. I trained almost every day with three Masters in Kimera.”