“You will not hurt him, you evil bitch!” came the familiar voice.
Shuran could see the color drain from Salmetu’s face.
“Leave me alone!” she said and vanished in a swirl of darkness.
Shuran struggled to free himself but could not. The dark mist was now collected and moving toward Bastien. “Tianna, help me!” Shuran said in his mind. She walk into view and smiled at him.
“You know me?” she asked.
“I have spoken to mother, she told me about you and I knew we had met.”
Tianna smiled and then her face saddened.
“I cannot help you from this spell,” she said, passing her hands through him. He could somehow feel it. “You have only to reach out to your worried friend outside,” she said with a sudden smile before she vanished.
Shuran did not know at first what she meant. He then realized, Moltar was his bonded; he could spell him a release from this state. “Moltar can you hear me!” Shuran shouted inside his head.
“YES, no need to shout! I heard the wispy girl also,” he answered. “What do you need Shin’Ar!” he asked anxiously.
Shuran shared the thoughts of the spell with Moltar who had to run it over in his mind several times before he was ready to try it. Then with a determined roar, Moltar let out the spell. “SUBAR!” Moltar directed at his Shuran who was more than a friend and bonded master.
The effect was immediate. Shuran fell to the floor upon release.
Moltar began clawing at the walls trying to widen them so he might climb inside.
“I am fine,” Shuran said as he climbed to his feet. He looked to Bastien and then around the room. He no longer saw the dark mists in the room. He thought, no hoped, that they left with Salmetu’s sudden departure. He ran to Bastien’s side and tried to wake him. “Bastien! Bastien it is me Shuran. It is good now I am here!” Shuran cried.
“Shuran?” he finally heard in a soft forced whisper.
“Yes, Bastien it is I!”
Bastien opened his eyes and looked around the room before his eyes finally settled on Shuran. “Shuran, it is you,” he said.
Shuran squeezed his friend with all the love and joy he held for his lost best friend and sheesh. “I thought we had lost you!” Shuran said.
“Oh, but you have!” was all Shuran heard before he was sent flying across the room by a blast of force. “FOOL! Did you think I left?” The twisted voice of Telalsu struggled against that of Bastien’s. “Oh this one is stronger than expected!” the demon announced. “It will vex you greater to attempt destroying this host we think!” he said with an evil laugh. “We shall meet again when I have gathered my strength, Shuran Shin’Ar!” the demon possessed Bastien said just before dispiriting into a swirl of darkness.
***
The fighting suddenly ended as the death walkers quickly disappeared into the night. They lost two of the magurmu and seven drakkon along with their respective riders. The enemy lost hundreds of their undead army. The flying vessels and drakkon all collected the ground fighters and headed back to the training fields of the Baron’s castle.
They arrived with mixed feelings of victory and loss. Drakkon all gathered to morn the loss of their breed.
Although he had lost two of his new flying ships, Aknard was in high spirits. “We beat those unholy bastards into the ground!” he yelled.
His guild all cheered along with many of the Drakkians, Elves, and Dwarfs. The cheering began to die down as the bulking form of Moltar cast a shadow upon them. When they realized what they saw, the cheering resumed ten fold.
“Shuran Shin’Ar, Moltar, Lugaldur of the Shin’Ar!” they shouted. The crowd spread as Moltar came to land in the center of the gathered masses of mixed races.
“Where is Gregoran?” Fallon asked.
Shuran only now noticed his and Jade’s absence. “We got separated at the Order’s keep.” Shuran said guiltily.
As if upon request, Jade roared and the crowd turned to watch them come it to land.
“What happened to you back there?” Shuran asked. “We saw you had matters in hand at the tower. Jade noticed zealots leaving the keep so we thought to follow them. They got as far as the stone forest before we were attacked.”
We fought for some time before Jade took a wound to her wing and we had to land so I might focus on healing her,” Gregoran said. “I am sorry Shin’Ar but we lost their trail by the time came we could regain the air,” the Drakkian Zidu’Si said.
“They have but one place to go now sheesh, do not call blame upon yourself,” Shuran said as he took his trusted companion in arm.
***
That evening those involved in the fighting celebrated their first victory.
“Not in my lifetime has there been such a joining of even two races toward a common cause Shuran. You represent a new beginning to this world. Perhaps old wounds can find healing with the events of this day!” Fallon said raising a goblet of ale.
Shuran met the toast with little joy.
“What troubles you nephew? I understand the loss of your friend. But it seems there is something more?” Fallon asked.
“I felt something in my sister Salmetu. Something conflicted and at the same time darker than anything I ever felt in Vardoran, Telalsu, or the death walkers,” Shuran responded. “Excuse me Uncle, I must go to my mother.”
Fallon nodded in understanding.
“Mother, are you well?” Shuran asked as he approached her bed. He found it empty.
“I am over here,” she said from the window.
Shuran noticed her standing by the window under her own strength and was happy to find her in better health. “Mother you are up!” he said.
“Yes, I am stronger. Tianna was here, she said you did well against Salmetu.”
Shuran sensed the hesitation in her voice.
“You should have destroyed her!” his mother spat.
Shuran was shocked at hearing this from Sulura. “Mother, you cannot mean this?” Shuran asked.
“She is consumed Shuran, taken by something more dark than we can comprehend,” Sulura spoke to her son as tears ran freely.
“She is not beyond saving,” a wispy voice sounded form behind them.
***
The next morning was full of many emotions. It was a wondrous event to have Dwarf, Human, Drakkian, and Elf, all working together They all however, felt the loss of life.
Shuran was feeling the worst of all, having been forced to witness his friend Bastien, taken from him. “I find little to celebrate, however I see the need to recognize that we took a stand against the dark.” Shuran said and everyone silenced.
“We have come to a point where we take a new path to the history of Aurderia, where future people will judge our actions,” Shuran started before the assembly of thousands. “For too long, we as a people have ignored the plight of others. In ancient times the Anzillu trials lead to the Sikil Mah, this left the lands divided.” Shuran continued.
“NO MORE! I will not allow this to continue. This is not a fight for mixed blood. It is not about the fear of who can wield more Essence,” Shuran paused. “This is about what is right and wrong… no middle ground. We can debate what we once believed, but times are changed and we must change with them or be left behind.”
Shuran paused at the cheers of those in attendance. “It is time we decide here and now! Do we fight for all that is good and worth saving? Then we fight for the survival of Aurderia and all of Ersetu!”
Epilogue
The Zidu’Si left Drakkfoth for their home of Durangug. Elves and Dwarfs were taken home by magurmu with a communication crystal for giving to leaders. These stones would activate with instructions on where next the races must assemble in common cause. It was now a fight for the good of all Ersetu, the world.
***
Shuran had time to spend learning what it meant to have a bond and be Lugaldur, but Moltar made it easy. His youthful exuberance and desire to please Shuran made progress expeditious.
Together they learned what it meant to become something new to the lands. Something more powerful, and at the same time feared more than anything seen in millennia. Shuran had his Zidu’Si to rely upon, but they were not yet complete.
Shuran also had time now to check the hidden room in the Vault, which only he could enter. When he approached the wall where the room was hidden behind, he felt a sense of warning. He began to raise his hand to the wall and felt a sense of dread come upon him. He decided to shake it of and pushed his hand to the stone. The wall slid aside and Shuran entered the space as the wall closed behind him.
***
Deep in the tunnels below the Zig’Mada, something stirred…
Glossary of Terms
Abnu Emuq - Power Stone
Abzu Mu - deep source of water
Adda - Father
Agal Kastu - Mighty Bow /Weapon of gug held by the Zidu’Si elf
Alla - Evil God
Anse - Donkey / Ass
Anzillu - Abomination
Asipu - Wizard / Mage / Magic Worker
Assinnu Isten - First of the Order / Cult Leader
Bad - Wall / Ground
Baduruku (BA-DUR-UKU)- Water People
Bal - Transform
Bil - burn
Bitmu - Tree house
DAMKIANNA (DAM-KI-ANNA) - Mistress of Heaven and Earth
Diri - Huge
Dug - Heal
Dur - Jackass
Durani - Fortress
Ekur (E-KUR) - House that is like a Mountain
ELITUR (ELI-TUR) - Sacrilege
Emmuku’Gu (Emmuku-Gu) Ersetu - Power River (lei line) of Ersetu (World)
Emuku - Power
Ersetu (ER-SE-TU) - World
Gabara (Gaba-Ra-A) - Offering
Galla - Devil
Gug - Lodestone
Gugtu (GUG-TU) Zisuragug (ZI-SU)RA-GUG) - Magic Stone
Haza - Hold (used to immobilize something)
Iniminim Ma (Inim Inim Ma) - Book of Spells
Kalag-Ga - To Invigorate (Strength)
Kashshaptu (KASH-SHAP-TU) - Witch
Kes - Bind
Kigalba (KI-GAL-BA) - Great Fire Below / Hell
Ki’Ta (KI-TA) - Below
Kimmatu’Du (Kim-Ma-Tu’Du) - Son of the Clan/Family (adopted or honorary)
Kin’Ge - Send message
Kin’Su - Accept Message
Kuliana - Mermaid
Lalli Mah (Lal-Li Mah) - Great Balance
Lam Mudutu - Abundant Knowledge
Lil - Air
Lugaldur - Bonded master of a drakkon
Maaddir (Ma-Addir) - Ferry Boat
Magurmu (Ma-Gur-Mu) - Flying Boat
Masku - Hide
Mellamu Nanna - Bright Moon (Steam powered Water ship that also flies under Crystal Shard power - Codgers Ship)
Menasutur (Me-Na-Su-Tur) - Sacred War Hammer of the Dwarves / Weapon of gug held by the Dwarven Zidu’Si
Miib Ag (Mi-Ib Ag) - Fire Sword / Weapon of gug wielded by the Drakk Zidu’Si
Mu - Flying Machine
Pad - Break into Pieces
Padiri - Explode / release restrained power
Peta - Open (for me)
Sheesh (She-Esh) - Brother
Shin’Ar - Watcher of the Lands
Sikil Mah - great purge of abominations
TAMU - To Swear Oath
Tartur Mamitu - Oath Breaker
Tel - Land
Telal - Warrior Demon
Telukukal (Telu-Kuk-Al) - First Land People (First People)
Tul - Altar or Well
Tur - Sacred
Tur - Small (to be) / Derogatory term used by dwarfs naming those smaller than themselves.
Xul - Devil / Evil
Zidu’Si - Faithful Companions
Zisuragug (ZI-SU-RA-GUG) Gugtu (GUG-TU) - Magic Stone
Spells
“BEL GIBIDALAL, SISITU MUZU EMUQ, PULHU ES-INA LAMAGIRI, LASANAN EMUQ ADI ANNU ABANASQUPPATU, ZU ASSINNA ILEQQE BILTU, SEMU!”
Lord of Chaos, We Summon Thy Power. Terror to those who do not submit, Unrivaled Energy upon this Threshold. Your Followers pay Tribute, HEAR US (Obey)!
“NINTI DUL-INA GISHTIL, NADANUTE SHI BALU SARRATUM.”
Lady of Life, Protect the Child (vehicle) of Light, I give my soul without falsehood.
“KUKU-MA, SI NE BUR, TAMUSU BAMU”
Gods of Darkness, fill this vessel, Make him my instrument.
Author
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Chronicles of Aurderia
The Balance (March 2013)
River of Souls (June 2013)
And look for the forthcoming third installment:
Queen of Shadow (Late 2013)
Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance Page 28