Sevenfold Sword

by Jonathan Moeller

  Ridmark’s fingers tightened against the staff. The Guardian Rhodruthain had founded the Order of the Arcanii among the men of Owyllain, teaching them to use elemental magic against the armies of the Sovereign and his lieutenants. In Andomhaim, the Magistri occasionally turned to dark magic. Unfortunately, it seemed the Arcanius Knights had turned to dark magic far more often. It happened so often, in fact, that the Order of the Arcanii had split in half after Kothlaric Pendragon’s disappearance, and a rival Order had set itself up under the protection of Justin Cyros, an Order that tolerated and encouraged the use of dark magic and necromancy.

  The Dark Arcanii, as they were called, had become some of Justin’s most effective and feared servants.

  “The Dark Arcanius,” said the third orc, “can take his precious authority and shove it sideways up his…”

  Ridmark was not familiar with the dialect of orcish spoken by the orcs of Vhalorast and did not recognize the term, but he was entirely certain that the rest of that sentence was not complimentary to the Dark Arcanius.

  The other two orcs laughed.

  “Fine,” said the first orc. “We are agreed? We will return and report to the Warlord. He can decide what to do about the demon.”

  “Very well,” said the third orc, and the second rumbled agreement.

  Ridmark decided to take a risk. The orcs knew more than they had said, and perhaps he could persuade them to speak with him. A brief parley and he might find out everything he needed to know about this “demon” and where to find it.

  His mind made up, Ridmark strode around the boulder, staff held crosswise before him.

  “Hold!” he said in orcish. “Men of Vhalorast, I would parley with you!”

  The three orcish scouts looked as he had expected, wearing the same kind of armor and facial tattoo as the dead warrior he had seen earlier. They whirled as Ridmark came around the boulder, yanking their bronze swords from their scabbards.

  “Greetings,” said Ridmark. “I wish to speak with you about this demon.”

  The orcs stared at him.

  “Kill him!” yelled one of the orcs. “The one to land the killing blow can take his armor!”

  Ridmark sighed.

  So much for a parley.

  The three orcish warriors charged, drawing back their swords to strike, and Ridmark moved to meet them. They came in a rush, no doubt assuming they could overwhelm one foe armed with a staff. Ridmark dodged to the side, deflected the stab of a sword, and swept his staff before him. The staff hammered into the back of an orcish warrior’s knee, and the orc lost his balance with a cry. Before he could recover, Ridmark hammered the end of his staff into the orcish warrior’s throat. The blow crushed his windpipe, and the orc began the noisy business of asphyxiating to death.

  The remaining two warriors spread out, trying to come at Ridmark from the left and the right simultaneously. Ridmark sidestepped and jabbed his staff, catching the orc on the left in the belly. The orc stumbled with a grunt, and Ridmark hit him in the head twice in rapid succession. On the second blow, there was a cracking sound, and the orc went down, blood leaking from his nostrils and ears. The final orc went into a furious attack, slashing and stabbing with his bronze sword, and Ridmark retreated, dodging the swings and using his staff to deflect the thrusts.

  At last the orc’s momentum played out, and Ridmark parried a blow, shoved, and sent the orc stumbling back.

  His staff found the orc’s stomach, and the warrior doubled over with a pained wheeze. Three sharp blows to the back of the head, and the fight was over.

  Ridmark stepped back, breathing hard, and raised his staff in guard, his eyes sweeping the boulders for any more foes, but none appeared. Ridmark lowered his staff, rolled his aching shoulders, looked at the dead orcs, and grimaced. That had been a waste. He had hoped to get some useful information from them, but once the orcs had seen his dark elven armor, they would not have stopped before they had killed him and claimed it for themselves.

  Still, at least King Justin Cyros had been denied the service of three more scouts.

  The logic was brutal, but such were the demands of war.

  Ridmark considered the ground, noting the locations of the tracks. The rocky ground did not leave much in the way of usable footprints, but he thought the three dead orcs had come from the north. Ridmark headed in that direction, following the tracks as they wove through the boulders. Another mile, he decided. One more mile and he would see if he could find any evidence of the demon that had been haunting the forest. Too much further, and he risked running into a band of foes he could not handle on his own.

  One more mile, and then he would return to King Hektor’s army. If the creature of dark magic, whatever it was, decided to go after the men of Aenesium, Ridmark would be ready to face it…

  Something jolted on his left hip.

  Ridmark looked down. He shifted his staff to his left hand, reached down, and grasped Oathshield’s hilt with his right hand, drawing it a few inches from its scabbard. The blade of blue steel glittered in the dim sunlight, and both the soulstone in the pommel and the soulstone in the blade were glowing with white light, white flames starting to dance around the weapon. Through his link to the sword, Ridmark felt the soulblade’s sudden wrath, felt its desire to be drawn and wielded in battle.

  There was a creature or wielder of dark magic nearby.

  Ridmark drew Oathshield from its scabbard and stepped back, staff in his left hand and sword in his right. Oathshield burned with white fires, the flames crawling up and down the blue blade. He took a few steps back, looking for any approaching enemies.

  A flicker of blue fire caught his eye, and Ridmark strode around another boulder.

  He came into a clearing formed by a ring of large boulders about forty yards across. Had Owyllain’s climate been a little less arid, perhaps a pond would have formed in the shallow depression. The loose ring of boulders reminded Ridmark of the circles of black standing stones the dark elves had raised in ancient days, but these were only natural boulders, not menhirs carved with sigils of dark magic.

  The source of the dark magic stood in the center of the clearing.

  It was a human man of about thirty, wearing the bronze armor favored by the Arcanii, plates of bronze overlaid upon a leather cuirass, bronze greaves on his legs and bronze bracers upon his forearms. A crimson cloak hung from his shoulders, and on his head, he wore a plumed bronze helmet with a T-shaped slit.

  Beneath the helm, Ridmark saw that the man’s eyes glowed with harsh blue light.

  He was an Arcanius Knight, but he was wielding dark magic. Already Ridmark saw shadows crawling around the Arcanius Knight’s fingers as he gathered power for a spell. He was one of the Dark Arcanii, a member of the rival Order that had formed to support Justin Cyros.

  “What is this, then?” said the Arcanius. His voice had a faint, insect-like buzz to it. Dark magic sometimes caused mutations in its users. To judge from the sound, and to judge from the grayish corpse-like pallor on the Arcanius Knight’s fingers and neck, the process had begun. “Are you the creature that I have hunted through the woods?”

  “As it happens,” said Ridmark, lifting Oathshield and watching the Arcanius, “I also was hunting for the creature.”

  “That was foolish of you,” said the Arcanius. “When I find the creature, I shall bind its will and enslave it, and wield alongside the others in battle. If you find it first, it shall slay you.”

  “I very much doubt that,” said Ridmark.

  “You are another of the Arcanii, yes?” said the Arcanius. “One of the fools following King Hektor.”

  “I am following King Hektor,” said Ridmark, “but I am not an Arcanius. I’ll give you one chance to walk away from this.”

  The Dark Arcanius laughed, long and loud. “Will you? I decline. Your armor shall make a fine trophy.”

  He thrust out his hand and cast a spell, and a lance of shadow and blue flame burst from his fingers. Ridmark was ready for it, and he
called on Oathshield’s power as he raised the sword. The spell struck the soulblade and unraveled in a spray of blue flames.

  The Arcanius blinked, frowning behind his helm.

  “How did you do that?” he said. “No spell of the Arcanii can turn aside dark magic. Are…” A hint of fear entered his voice. “Do you wield one of the Seven Swords?”

  “No,” said Ridmark, striding forward.

  The Arcanius stepped back, yanking his sword from his belt, and blue fire and shadow started to play around the blade. Ridmark kept moving forward, Oathshield ready in his right hand. He braced himself to attack, knowing that the Arcanius would have charged his sword with dark power...

  Follow this link to continue reading SEVENFOLD SWORD: WARLORD. (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8275)

  ***

  Glossary of Characters

  ACCOLON PENDRAGON: The son of Sir Arandar and grandson of the High King.

  ADRASTEA PENDRGON: The wife of King Hektor Pendragon.

  ARDRHYTHAIN: The last archmage of the high elves, and the founder of the Order of the Magistri and the Order of the Soulblade.

  AEGEUS: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii, strong with water magic.

  AELIA LICINIUS ARBAN: The eldest daughter of Gareth Licinius, and the late wife of Ridmark Arban. Killed at Castra Marcaine by Mhalek.

  AGRIMNALAZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban in Urd Arowyn.

  ANTENORA: A former apprentice of the last Keeper of Avalon upon Old Earth, cursed by Mordred Pendragon’s dark magic to live forever until she finds redemption. Now the apprentice of Calliande of Tarlion.

  ARANDAR PENDRAGON: A Knight of the Order of the Soulblade and current bearer of the soulblade Heartwarden. The bastard son of the High King Uthanaric Pendragon, and the father of Accolon and Nyvane. Plague killed his wife Isolde. Currently the Prince Regent of the loyalist army of Andomhaim.

  ARCHAELON: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii. Betrayed Hektor Pendragon, and killed by Ridmark Arban at Castra Chaeldon.

  ARLMAGNAVA: A Frostborn woman, a Seeker of the Order of the Inquisition of the Dominion of the High Lords, the military Order of the Frostborn devoted to spying and recruitment of allies.

  ARMINIOS: A king and Companion of King Hektor, and an experienced ambassador.

  AXAZAMAR: The King of Khald Tormen and older brother of Narzaxar.

  AZAKHUN: A dwarven Taalmak of Khald Tormen. Caius baptized him into the faith of the Dominus Christus in the Vale of Stone Death.

  THE ARTIFICER: A dark elven noble and wizard, formerly the apprentice of the Warden. His spirit was bound to the Iron Tower. Defeated by Ridmark and his companions.

  AVENTINE ROCARN: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine.

  BORS DURIUS: A son of Dux Kors Durius of Durandis.

  CADWALL GWYRDRAGON: The Prince of Cintarra, the largest city in Andomhaim.

  CAIUS: A dwarven noble of Khald Tormen and a friar of the mendicant orders. The first of the dwarven kindred to convert to the church of the Dominus Christus.

  CALAZON: A dwarven stonescribe and advisor to Prince Narzaxar.

  CALEM: A mysterious assassin.

  CALLIANDE ARBAN: The Keeper of Tarlion, the guardian of the realm of Andomhaim against the powers of dark magic. The daughter of Joanna and Joachim, and the former student of the Magistrius Marius and the Keeper Ruth.

  CAMORAK: A Magistrius in service to Joram Agramore of Dun Licinia. Prone to drunkenness and boorish comments, but nonetheless a skilled healer.

  CARADOG LORDAC: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine.

  CATHALA: The mother of Tamlin Thunderbolt. Killed by Justin Cyros at the Monastery of St. James.

  CEAROWYN MARDIUS PENDRAGON: The High Queen of Andomhaim and wife of the High King Arandar Pendragon.

  CLAUDIUS AGRELL: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine, serving as Constable of Castra Carhaine.

  CLEMENT: A priest of Aenesium.

  THE CONFESSOR: A dark elven lord, once the lieutenant of the Sovereign. Now the ruler of Urd Maelwyn and the bearer of the Sword of Water.

  CONNMAR PENDRAGON: The founder of the realm of Owyllain.

  CONSTANTINE LICINIUS: The son of Gareth Licinius, and a Swordbearer, wielder of the soulblade Brightherald.

  CORBANIC LAMORUS: A vassal of the High King, and current Comes of Coldinium. Now serves as Constable of Tarlion, defending the city from Tarrabus Carhaine.

  CORTIN LAMORUS: A knight and the son of Corbanic Lamorus. Appointed as the new Dux of Calvus.

  CROWLACHT: A headman of the orcish kingdom of Rhaluusk and a warrior of King Ulakhamar. Fought alongside Ridmark and his friends at the Iron Tower.

  CURZONAR: A Prince of the Range, son of the Red King Turcontar and the First Queen Raszema.

  THE CUTTER: An urdhracos bound to the service of the Sculptor.

  DAGMA: Sister of Jager, and former seneschal of the keep of Dun Licinia. Now the seneschal of the Shield Knight and the Keeper.

  THE DARK LADY: A mysterious sorceress who appears in the dreams of Tamlin Thunderbolt.

  DECIMUS: A man-at-arms under the command of Sir Ector Naxius.

  DIETER: Husband of Dagma, Jager’s sister. A skilled carpenter.

  ECTOR NAXIUS: A knight in service to Dux Sebastian of Caertigris. Familiar with the manetaurs, the tygrai, and the Range.

  GARETH ARBAN: The eldest son of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.

  GARETH LICINIUS: The Dux of the Northerland, and father of Constantine, Imaria, and Aelia.

  GAVIN: A young man from the village of Aranaeus in the Wilderland, now a Swordbearer and the wielder of the soulblade Truthseeker.

  GOTHALINZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban at the village of Victrix.

  HEKTOR PENDRAGON: King of Aenesium, wife of Adrastea, and father of Kalussa and Rypheus. Bearer of the Sword of Fire.

  IMARIA LICINIUS SHADOWBEARER: The youngest daughter of Gareth Licinius, and a former Magistria of the Order. The new bearer of Incariel’s shadow after the death of Tymandain Shadowbearer. Defeated in the final fight at the Black Mountain.

  JAGER: A bold halfling thief and merchant, married to Queen Mara of the Nightmane Forest. Serves as her Prince Consort.

  JOACHIM ARBAN: The youngest son of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.

  JOANNA ARBAN: The daughter of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban. Died a few days after birth.

  JORAM AGRAMORE: A knight and vassal of Dux Gareth Licinius. Currently serves as the Comes of Dun Licinia.

  JUSTIN CYROS: The King of Cytheria and bearer of the Sword of Earth.

  KADIUS: A decurion of men-at-arms in the army of Arandar Pendragon.

  KAJALDRAKTHOR: A Frostborn warrior, and Lord Commander of the Order of the Vanguard. Leader of the Frostborn forces in Andomhaim.

  KALDRAINE PENDRAGON: The eldest son of High King Uthanaric Pendragon and heir to the realm of Andomhaim. Murdered during the battle of Dun Calpurnia.

  KALOMARUS: The legendary Dragon Knight, who disappeared after the first defeat of the Frostborn.

  KEZEDEK: A headman of the sautyri tribe of Myllene.

  KHARLACHT: An orcish warrior of Vhaluusk and follower of Ridmark Arban.

  KHURAZALIN: An orcish warlock and a Maledictus, a priest of the Sovereign.

  KORS DURIUS: The Dux of Durandis, Andomhaim’s western march against the mountains of Kothluusk.

  KURASTUS: A Magistrius and the Master of the Order of the Magistri.

  KURDULKAR: A manetaur Prince of the Range and a follower of the shadow of Incariel. Killed by Ridmark Arban.

  KYRALION: A gray elf of the Unity of the Illicaeryn Jungle, sent as an emissary to the Shield Knight and the Keeper.

  LANETHRAN: A bladweaver of the high elves.

  LEOGRANCE ARBAN: The Dux of Taliand, and the father of Ridmark Arban and Tormark Arban.

  LINUS RILLON: A knight of Tarrabus Carhaine and one of the Enlightened of Incariel. Killed by Accolon in self-defense.

  MALHASK: The king of the orcish ki
ngdom of Khaluusk and a vassal of the High King.

  MALVAXON: The Rzarn of Great House Tzanar of Khaldurmar.

  MALZURAXIS: A dwarven scout of Khald Tormen.

  MARA: The daughter of the Traveler, the dark elven lord of Nightmane Forest. Now rules as the Queen of Nightmane Forest.

  MARCAST TETRICUS: A knight formerly in service to the garrison of the Iron Tower, now opposed to Tarrabus Carhaine.

  MARHAND: A Swordbearer, and Master of the Order of the Soulblade. Carries the soulblade Torchbrand.

  MARIUS: Known as the Watcher, Calliande’s former teacher in the magic of the Magistri. Watched over her in spirit form after she awakened in the Tower of Vigilance without her memories.

  MARTELLAR: A manetaur khalath in service to Prince Curzonar.

  THE MASKED ONE: Ruler of the city of Xenorium and bearer of the Sword of Shadows. Formerly an Arcanius Knight named Cavilius.

  MHALEK: Orcish warlord and shaman who believed himself a god. Defeated at Black Mountain, and the killer of Aelia Licinius Arban.

  MICHAEL: The former soldier who serves as Tamlin's master-at-arms and seneschal.

  MIRIAM: The sister of Arandar’s late wife Isolde. Her husband died in the same plague that killed Isolde.