TWOLAS - 08 - Stormed Fortress

by Janny Wurts

  The Alliance will disband.' Asandir inclined his silver head in respect to the destitute wives, as he added, 'Each troop returns home to its town of origin, under a Fellowship fiat. Sulfin Evend's commanded to retire to Tysan. He will turn his crack troops to relocate the squatters encamped at the Second Age site at Avenor. That nest of iniquity will be swept clean! No more threats will be issued by a false court against the Kingdom of Havish! Lysaer s'Ilessid shall no longer house his pretensions at the crown seat of Avenor.'

  A scraping disturbance arose at the door. Bransian turned his head, met by the mailed tread of his acting captain. The man's hands were the same, in their battered gauntlets, that had wielded steel through a lifetime of loyal campaigns. Only now, he carried the scarlet standard bearing the s'Brydion bull, just run down from the Watch Keep's flagstaff. The folded cloth was remanded to Sevrand, which at last ruffled Bransian's crowing defiance.

  'Ath above!' he cried, shocked. 'You can't strike our colours in front of that mincing faker's religion!' Spurred yet by the courage of his stubborn heart, his anguished bellow gained force. "That abrogates every term of the compact. Rams hard against every principle my ancestors died to preserve.'

  'On no terms will I declare a surrender!' Asandir snapped in rebuke. "The Fellowship's pendant takes sovereignty, here. This citadel holds too much strategic importance to stand at strength under any armed faction's self-serving brutality! Neither will an heir of s'Brydion reign, unless a Paravian presence returns to the continent. I have come to enact Alestron's entailment! This fortress will lie under Fellowship seal, until such time as a centaur guardian may declare in your favour for a reinstatement!'

  'Then where will we go?' the deposed duke gasped, pale. The sun through the casements blazed down, too bright. He could not bear the sight of Liesse's bowed shoulders, or face his displaced cousin, or answer for the gaunt desperation endured by his lost brothers' widows. 'There would be no mercy shown by town mayors for the least of my children and kinsfolk. No secure place for any fighting man in my company who's resisted invasion.'

  'Your place,' declared Asandir unequivocal, 'will be to serve Atwood's defences henceforward, with your war band kept under arms at your Teiren's'Callient's right hand. Your head of household shall fall to Mearn. He will hold the chieftain's seat on her council, until time determines what honest mettle your lineage matures for review.' The silence was stark as the Sorcerer finished, 'No one else dies for your family pride. The craftsfolk who have held out within the walls will be asked to resettle themselves in the trade towns. Since those who possessed a tuned ear for the mysteries have departed, called out by the song of Alithiel, they remain free to set roots where they please.'

  The Sorcerer's unabashed sorrow emerged, then, as his mild closure scored the air like a line of engraving. 'By these terms, your people are granted their right to continued survival.'

  Bransian shoved forward and banged on the trestle. Debased by shame, he shook off the imploring hands of his wife and glared down at his Fellowship arbiter. 'Let me die here. Strike me down, before I slink off to the forest, tuck tailed and grovelling.'

  Asandir sighed. 'Just once, I might have seen you show the natural grace to apologize.' He stood to full height. Not a silver hair turned as he inclined his head towards the side doorway that led from the bedchamber. 'Dakar? Bring the prisoner, please.'

  The spellbinder entered, to the rasp of Tiassa's shocked breath. Short-strided and fat, still fumbling with the role of authority, he ushered in Parrien's aggressive step. But this hour, the larger man's prowess wore the ridicule, tied in restraint as a felon.

  'I will read you a choice,' said the Sorcerer softly. 'Parrien's sentence for the murder of Kyrialt s'Taleyn, struck dead while defending a fatal assault on Athera's titled Masterbard. Or, you accept a quiet exile in Atwood, with your brother exonerated by Arithon Teir'sTfalenn's sealed reprieve. Cross me again, Bransian, and I burn the royal writ that grants Tiassa's children their blood heritage, and her husband the privilege of retaining an ancestral name.'

  Bransian raised his bearded chin. Shut his harrowed eyes, before weeping. Defeat branded him there, a huge, wounded lion torn by too many battles, waged through generations of vicious adversity. Tiassa,' he grated, 'set free your bound man.'

  Clear sun shone, still, through the casements. Glints sparkled, blood deep, through the rubies in the state collar just unclasped and laid down on the trestle. Then a shadow eclipsed them, not Asandir's: the shaft of winter light illumined the reunion, as Bransian s'Brydion embraced the lost brother that fate had restored at the price of humility. Before Tiassa's joy, and Sindelle's faded mourning, he had nothing to do, and nowhere to turn, except to brace Liesse's tearful distress and step from the chamber in silenced ignominy.

  * * *

  Days later, the Second Age citadel of Alestron stood emptied of people and parading sentries. Dakar stood at the side of the Fellowship Sorcerer on the stilled, midnight eve, when Asandir spoke in actualized Paravian to rock, and mended the cracks in the underground cisterns.

  At sunrise on winter solstice, the spellbinder also was granted the gift to bear living witness: as the Sorcerer mounted the height at Watch Keep and declared his address to the wind. Through an appeal to air element's grace, Asandir summoned the power of the wardings the centaurs of old had laced into the citadel's stonework. A heart-beat in time brought his answer. The solid ground sang underfoot, as the light and sound force of the defences blazed active, and ran gilded ribbons of ecstatic joy through flesh and bone, and ephemeral spirit.

  How long the Sorcerer and his apprentice endured the struck note that streamed through the eye of eternity, no human senses might measure.

  Yet when Asandir shouted the Named rune for ending, the fortress of Alestron lay under seal. No step would trespass here. Man, woman, or child, none might enter unless Mankind's presence was granted leave by Athera's Paravians. The high walls were left silent. Vacant crenels lay washed in a faint, silvered nimbus, until the summoning force of grand mystery dwindled to moonbeams in daylight, then faded quiescent. Nothing spoke then but the cry of a hawk, and the salt-laden gusts off the estuary.

  The Sorcerer faced north-westward, and offered his opened hand, palm upwards. His silver-grey eyes appeared fixed into distance, as he touched the listening presence of Sethvir, who awaited, poised at the focus laid into the vault beneath Althain Tower.

  'Are you coming?' Asandir admonished the spellbinder, still gawping over the memory of marvels.

  Dakar started and yelped, seized by Asandir's fist. Ever and always, the fat seer was granted no warning to brace for the gut-wrenching upset that followed. 'Reach!' sent the Warden.

  The clasp of Asandir's raised wrist was received, bridged across yawning oblivion.

  The next instant, the crag of the citadel stood empty, the only trace of a Fellowship presence the midnight blue and white pennant, streaming above the fast quiet of Watch Keep's squat spire. For passing years that extended to centuries, the men in the crab skiffs that trapped in the estuary, and the caravans bound down the trade-road attested the fact that the cloth never frayed in the grip of the elements. Unlike the worn lugger, that stove in forlorn planks in the next winter storm, and sank under the waves at the landing.

  Spring 5672

  Weavings

  Last to board the state galley moored at the quay beside the slagged ruin of Avenor, Lysaer s'Ilessid muses to his Lord Commander at Arms, while the lines are cast off to make sail in the wake of the last flotilla of refugees: 'Regrets? I have many. But none to outmatch my honest need for your strength, as I grope for the foothold to safeguard the future . . .

  The tall oaks of Halwythwood bud with new leaves on the day that two trail-weary travellers return to Earl Barach's lodge tent; beside a grown daughter clad in caithdein's black, invested by Fellowship presence at Methisle, Feithan weeps for joy in the arms of Sidir, restored to her side on command of a crown prince whose talents would bless her life best through be
nevolent absence . . .

  Far south, amid the black sands of Sanpashir, on the dark moon fallen nearest the spring equinox, the eldest of the Biedar unsheathes an ancient flint knife to cut the birth-cord of an infant successor; and her words, in thick dialect, charge the child to watch over the one named as Mother Dark's Chosen through the trials of the next generation . . .

  Glossary

  A'LIESSIAD—a wholeness of balance between all beings,

  pronounced: ah-less-ee-ahd

  root meaning: a'liessiad - balance, with the prefix for the ferninine aspect.

  ADRUIN—fortified coastal town located in East Halla, Midhalla. Bitter enemies of the s'Brydion of Alestron, with a running blood feud since the uprising in Third Age 5018.

  pronounced: like 'add ruin'

  root meaning: adruinne - to block, or obstruct; or alternatively al - over; duinn - hand

  AFFI'ENIA—name given to Elaira by an adept, meaning dancer in the ancient dialect of the Biedar tribe, but carrying the mystical connotation of 'water dancer', the wise woman who presided over the ritual of rebirth, celebrated on the spring equinox.

  pronounced: affee-yen-yah

  root meaning: affi'enia - dancer

  AIYENNE—river located in Daon Ramon, Rathain, rising from an underground spring in the Mathorn Mountains, and coming above ground south of the Mathom Road. Site of the ruinous battle between Earl Jieret's war band, and the Alliance war host under Sulfin Evend, which enabled Arithon's escape to the north in Third Age 5670.

  pronounced: eye-an

  root meaning: ai'an - hidden one

  ALESTRON—city located in Midhalla, Melhalla. Ruled by Duke Bransian, Teir's'Brydion, and his three brothers. This city did not fall to merchant townsmen in the Third Age uprising that threw down the high kings, but is still ruled by its clanblood heirs.

  pronounced: ah-less-tron

  root meaning: alesstair - stubborn; an - one

  ALITHIEL—one of twelve Blades of Isaer, forged by centaur Ffereton s'Darian from metal taken from a meteorite, and sung by the Athlien with the arcane endowment for transcendent change. Passed through Paravian possession, acquired the secondary name Dael-Farenn, or Kingmaker, since its owners tended to succeed the end of a royal line. Eventually was awarded to Kamridian s'Ffalenn for his valor in defence of the princess Taliennse, early Third Age. Currently in the possession of Arithon.

  pronounced: ah-lith-ee-el

  root meaning: alith - star; iel - light'ray

  ALLAND—principality located in south-eastern Shand. Ruled by the Lord Erlien s'Taleyn, High Earl, and appointed caithdein of Shand.

  pronounced: all-and

  root meaning: a'lind - pine glen

  ALTHAIN TOWER—spire built at the edge of the Bittern Desert, beginning of the Second Age, to house records of Paravian histories. Third Age, became repository for the archives of all five royal houses of men after rebellion, overseen by the Fellowship Sorcerer, Sethvir, named Warden of Althain since Third Age Year 5100.

  pronounced: all-thay-in

  root meaning: alt - last; thein - tower, sanctuary original Paravian pronunciation: alt-thein

  ANIENT—Paravian invocation for unity,

  pronounced: an-ee-ent

  root meaning: an - one; lent - suffix for 'most'

  ANSHLIEN'YA—name given to Meiglin s'Dieneval by the desert tribes of Sanpashir, prior to her conception of Dari's'Ahelas, crown heir of Shand, who would bear the rogue talent for far-sighted vision.

  pronounced: ahn-shlee-yen-yah

  root meaning: anshlien'ya - Biedar dialect, ancient word for 'dawn;' idiom for 'hope'

  ANYN'E ADM S'TEIRDAEL—handfast to my prince,

  pronounced: an-een-ay ay-in s'tay-er-daa-el

  root meaning: anyn'e - one with suffix for in potentia; ain - my; s'teirdael -possessive prefix, 'belonging to' one who holds rulership

  ARAETHURA—grass plains in south-west Rathain; principality of the same name in that location. Largely inhabited by Riathan Paravians in the Second Age. Third Age, used as pasture land by widely scattered nomadic shepherds. Fionn Areth's birthplace.

  pronounced: ar-eye-thoo-rah

  root meaning: araeth - grass; era - place, land

  ARITHON—son of Avar, Prince of Rathain, 1,504th Teir's'Ffalenn after founder of the line, Torbrand in Third Age Year One. Also Master of Shadow, the Bane of Desh-thiere, and Halliron Masterbard's successor. First among Mankind to tap the transcendent powers of the sword, Alithiel, and also responsible for the final defeat of the Grey Kralovir necromancers.

  pronounced: ar-i-thon

  root meaning: arithon - fate-forger; one who is visionary

  ARWENT—river in Araethura, Rathain, that flows from Daenfal Lake through Halwythwood to empty in Instrell Bay.

  pronounced: are-went

  root meaning: arwient - swiftest

  ASANDIR—Fellowship Sorcerer. Secondary name, Kingmaker, since his hand crowned every High King of Men to rule in the Age of Men (Third Age). After the Mistwraith's conquest, he acted as field agent for the Fellowship's doings across the continent. Also called Fiend-quencher, for his reputation for quelling iyats; Storm-breaker and Change-bringer for his past actions when Men first arrived upon Athera.

  pronounced: ah-san-deer

  root meaning: asan - heart; dir - stone 'heartrock'

  ATAINIA—north-eastern principality of Tysan.

  pronounced: ah-tay-nee-ah

  root meaning: itain - the third; ia - suffix for 'third domain' original Paravian, itainia

  ATCHAZ—town located in Alland, Shand. Famed for its silk.

  pronounced: at-chaz

  root meaning: atchias - silk

  ATH CREATOR—prime vibration, force behind all life.

  pronounced: ath

  root meaning: ath - prime, first (as opposed to an, one)

  ATH'IEL I'CUEL'AN ALESSTAIRIENT—Creator light your extreme persistence'dedication.

  pronounced: ahth-ee-el ih-cue-el-ahn ah-less-tay-ree-ent

  root meaning: ath - prime force of creation; iel - light; i'cuel'an - you'one or 'your' with prefix meaning shaded towards light intent; alesstairient -emphatic form, extreme dedication

  ATHERA—name for the world which holds the Five High Kingdoms; four Worldsend Gates; formerly inhabited by dragons, and current home of the Paravian races.

  pronounced: ath-air-ah

  root meaning: ath - prime force; era - place 'Ath's world'

  ATHIR—Second Age ruin of a Paravian stronghold, located in Ithilt, Rathain. Site of a seventh lane power focus; also where Arithon Teir's'Ffalenn swore his blood oath to survive to the Fellowship Sorcerer, Asandir.

  pronounced: ath-ear

  root meaning: ath - prime; i'er - the line'edge

  ATHLIEN PARAVIANS—sunchildren, dancers of the crystal flutes. Small race of semimortals, pixie-like, but possessed of great wisdom'keepers of the grand mystery.

  pronounced: ath-lee-en

  root meaning: ath - prime force; lien - to love 'Ath-beloved'

  ATHLIERIA—a dimension removed from physical time'space, or the exalted that lies past the veil.

  pronounced: ath-lee-air-ee-ah

  root meaning: ath - prime force; li'eria - exalted place, with suffix for Tjeyond the veil.'

  AVENOR—Second Age ruin of a Paravian stronghold. Traditional seat of the s'Ilessid High Kings. Restored to habitation in Third Age 5644. Became the ruling seat of the Alliance of Light in Third Age 5648. Located in Korias, Tysan.

  pronounced: ah-ven-or

  root meaning: avie - stag; norh - grove

  BARACH—second son of Jieret s'Valerient, and older brother of Jeynsa. Successor to the title. Earl of the North.

  pronounced: bar-ack

  root meaning: baraich - linchpin

  root meaning: bar - half; ris - way

  BIEDAR—desert tribe living in Sanpashir, Shand. Also known as the Keepers of the Prophecy. Their sacred weaving at the well produced the conception of Dari s'Ah
elas, which crossed the old caithdein's lineage of s'Dieneval with the royal line of s'Ahelas, combining the gifts of prophetic clairvoyance with the Fellowship-endowed penchant for far-sight.

  pronounced: bee-dar

  root meaning: biehdahrr - ancient desert dialect for 'lore keepers'

  BITTERN DESERT—waste located in Atainia, Tysan, north of Althain Tower. Site of a First Age battle between the great drakes and the Seardluin, permanently destroyed by dragonfire.

  pronounced: bittern

  root meaning: bityern - to sear or char

  BRANSIAN s'BRYDION—Teir's'Brydion, ruling Duke of Alestron. Husband of Liesse.

  pronounced: bran-see-an

  root meaning: brand - temper; s'i'an - suffix denoting 'of the one''the one with temper

  CAITHDEIN—(alternate spelling caith'd'ein, plural form caithdeinen) Paravian name for a high king's first counsellor; also, the one who would stand as regent, or steward, in the absence of the crowned ruler. By heritage, the office also carries responsibility for oversight of crown royalty's fitness to rule,

  pronounced: kay-ith-day-in

  root meaning: caith - shadow; d'ein - behind the chair 'shadow behind the throne'