by B. H. Savage
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“I see…so the tales are true,” Taggart commented. “All of them, and now we are on the cusp of history repeating.”
“Yes,” Glenn said. “We would have traveled to the capital directly, but we understand how unbelievable our story is. We were hoping you could help Anye convey to your king how important it is that he readies your kingdom’s army for war, should we fail in our task. I will take Amadi to speak with the emperor of Mitus and then try to convince King Justin of Amador’s treachery and the impending situation in Delrich.”
“Of course I will,” Taggart replied. “I have been a student of history my whole life. King Edward will listen to me. I hope the emperor and your king will be as wise.”
“We should leave immediately,” Glenn said. “Every second we take is another he uses to build his power. We can’t afford to waste time.”
“I agree. Come, we shall leave at once.” The nobleman that governed the region escorted his guests through the mansion back to the main entrance, where he ordered one of his workers to ready a carriage for him and Anye.
Anye wasn’t particularly thrilled with the idea of splitting up, separating herself from Glenn again, and she continued to protest the idea with him privately until they reached the door, but she knew it was what needed to be done. She feared for his safety returning to Delrich, but there was no other choice.
When the servant left the group they continued through the main door back to the front of the manor where Eisenzahn waited for them to return. The people who worked for Lord Taggart were still visibly afraid of the creature and kept their distance, so all of the tools they had dropped when they fled during their arrival still remained on the ground around his legs.
“Sir Glenn, may I speak with the dragon?” the governor asked. “I suspect there is something he may be able to clarify for me.”
Glenn looked to Eisenzahn, who stared at the decoratively dressed man for a minute before nodding his head at the inquiry. “What knowledge do you seek, human?”
Lord Taggart walked up to the creature and looked right up at its snout. “Forty years ago, I was part of a group of men that traveled to the mountains of Toran to explore some ruins there. While we searched, we were set upon by a dragon that seemed to be outraged at our presence. Do you remember this day?”
Eisenzahn stared down at the man and narrowed his eyes as he searched his extensive memory for the event that was described to him. A minute passed before he grunted and nodded his head. “Yes, I remember, human. I felt the intrusion in the home of my last rider and investigated. I feasted well that day.”
Taggart lowered himself to a single knee and bowed his head while he opened his palms upward when he heard the dragon’s reply. “I apologize for the intrusion, Ancient One. Please forgive this transgression against you.”
Anye, Glenn, and Amadi alike were all surprised at Lord Taggart’s action. They had never seen someone of his stature bow down to anyone other than a king or member of royalty, and he was doing so for a dragon.
“You are forgiven, human,” Eisenzahn replied. “The transgression is passed and all but forgotten. You may rise.”
“You have my thanks, Ancient One,” Taggart said as he stood again.
“It is good to know there are those who still honor the ancient ways,” Eisenzahn told him. “I would know your name.”
“Of course, Ancient One. I am Micah, of the Azubuike people.”
“Your brethren are of a bloodline with close ties to the dragon race,” Eisenzahn explained. “We knew your ancestors since the first days, who were the first to make the pacts. You honor your forefathers, Micah.”
“Your words do me honor,” Taggart replied.
The conversation came to an end as the carriage that had been sent for arrived. Lord Taggart bowed his head towards Eisenzahn again before turning to walk towards it and climb inside, bidding that Anye join him when she was ready to depart.
“I’ll come for you after I’ve convinced his majesty of the dangers that approach,” Glenn told her as he took her hands. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
“Do we really need to separate ourselves again?” Anye asked. “If the king doesn’t listen…”
“I will be fine,” Glenn reiterated slowly. “I won’t let anything stop me from getting back to you.”
Anye wasn’t completely convinced, but he gave her a passionate kiss to calm her nerves. It helped, but she still worried as they pulled away from each other and bid farewell. She stood beside the carriage and watched as Eisenzahn took to the skies with Glenn and Amadi on his back, flying northeast towards Mitus. She continued to watch until they were completely out of sight, holding her hands together in a ball just in front of her chest, making what was likely the most feminine pose she had ever found herself standing in.
“Lady Anye, are you ready to depart?” Lord Taggart asked from within the carriage.
She took a breath and turned. She was alone again, but at least this time she wasn’t completely hiding under a fake name. She found determination in what Glenn said to her, and she promised herself that she’d find him too. “I’m ready.”
______
“Your Majesty, I have traveled here to speak on the behalf of Lady Anye Everdyne, Knight Captain of Delrich,” Lord Taggart claimed before the king of Belrun. “She has come to deliver to us a warning in hopes that you will prepare our land and people for what is to come.”
The great hall where the throne of Belrun sat in the capital city of the country was home to King Edward Belrun and his wife, Queen Ellen. The king’s advisors, personal guard, and several onlookers who worked in the castle all stood present to watch the kneeling knight and nobleman make their address.
The room had no carpeting on the main floor, reserving the fabric for where the throne sat and the steps immediately before it, but that wasn’t very indicative of how the room was decorated. Two intricately designed glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling, reflecting the light from outside in all directions. Pillars with arches at the top held the room upright and had been adorned with long banners displaying Belrun’s sigil; the visage of the people fishing, farming, and bearing swords in three separate segments, the same as was on the bridge that led to and from Delrich.
The windows along the walls were all stained glass images that represented different past members of Belrun’s royal family, except for the very top near the ceiling itself, which was simply clear glass that allowed the sun’s light to shine in naturally.
King Edward was an older man than Micah Taggart, being closer to King Justin of Delrich, if not outright the same. He had a white beard and moustache, the same as King Justin only styled differently, and wore intricate robes of silk and fur colored with shades of azure and emerald, as well as various jewels on his rings and crown.
Queen Ellen looked to be about the same age as the king, though Anye wasn’t quite sure if she was. She had never seen the queen before and there wasn’t much talk about her anywhere to let Anye get any idea about what kind of person she was. Based on her appearance, she looked to be kind enough, but as she had learned looks can be deceiving.
“Knight Captain Anye Everdyne, of the Holy Knights of the Kingdom of Delrich…” King Edward repeated as he rubbed his beard while leaning on his left arm. “The same Lady Anye who murdered Prince Robert on a mission of peace in Mitus, I presume?”
“Charged for the crime, Your Majesty, but not guilty,” Anye answered while keeping her head bowed.
“And yet you fled from your homeland and became a fugitive, living your life under an alias in my kingdom’s borders. For what reason did you do this if you are not guilty of the crime?” the king asked.
“Your Grace, Prince Robert’s murder was part of a plot to destabilize my home,” Anye replied. “Placing the blame on me helped to serve the true killer’s intentions.”
“Sir Astley,” King Edward commented. “Lady Anye, Lord Taggart, rise. I will hear what you have to say.”
/> Anye rose to her feet, but her expression was one of confusion instead of relief. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but you know of Amador’s treachery?”
“Not explicitly. I’ve known of Delrich’s continued war with Mitus, though after attempting peace with their foe it did not make sense to keep fighting with them in retaliation of Prince Robert’s murder if the murderer was you,” the king explained. “There was the possibility that you had fled there, but that did not seem likely based on our information. Sir Astley’s recent whispering in King Justin’s ear has also been known to me, and you’re coming here has proven to me that he is indeed manipulating events there.”
“I see, Your Majesty. Thank you,” Anye replied.
“Now, what is it you wish to warn us about? Micah believes it is of great urgency that you speak with me,” King Edward asked.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Anye said. “I’ve come to urge you to prepare for war.”
“War? Against whom?” the king inquired. “Delrich does not seem interested in fighting with us, although Mitus has made threats before. But they have never acted upon them.”
“Neither, Your Grace. Stragus Markal will soon return, and is gathering his strength to reawaken the nightmares of ages past,” Anye explained.
“Stragus…Markal?” the king asked skeptically. “The same Stragus Markal of legend? The dark warlock who commanded legions of monsters from the holy land of Del’Mond?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Anye answered, but she could hear the laughter starting to echo from the onlookers, although the king had yet to join them she doubted it would be long.
“Surely you must be joking,” King Edward asked with a smile on his face. “At first I thought it was odd that the armor you wear bears the symbol of that mythical place, but I did not expect a story like this! Micah, was this your idea? I know how seriously you take your studies.”
“No, My Liege,” Taggart replied with a serious tone. “Lady Anye speaks the truth. I have spoken with an ancient one myself, the great dragon Eisenzahn, and seen the weapons used by the heroes sung of in those tales personally. She bears one with her now.”
King Edward and his wife’s laughter lasted for a brief second before he really listened to what his regional governor was telling him. When the humor faded from his face and turned into true curiosity, the laughter surrounding them also faded. “You speak true?”
“I do, Sire.”
“How do you know that what you speak of is indeed true? Do you have proof?” the king asked.
“Your Highness, I am a descendant of Armonde and Orlinde Schultz,” Anye explained. “This sword was his sword, their blood is my blood. What I speak of is true.”
The king seemed mystified. His gaze was fixated on her like a child eyes a toy, except mixed with disbelief that what he was looking at was really there. “Can you prove your heritage?” he asked. “Can you prove to me and these witnesses that you are indeed the heir to his bloodline?”
Anye was stumped. She had no evidence linking her to the man spoken of in legend except for the memories imparted on her from Alistair, and the blade did not like speaking in front of strangers. She had no idea how she could convince the king of what she was saying until she heard Alistair’s voice echo in her mind, like a thought of her own.
“Draw me forth and point me towards the heavens,” the blade told her. “I will give him the proof he desires.”
Anye looked down at the blade, furrowing her brow in contemplation. Drawing a weapon in front of royalty was forbidden unless called upon by said royalty. If she did so the king’s guard would likely seize her. Asking the king for permission to show her blade could work, but it could also be viewed as distracting which wouldn’t help either. Still, she had little choice in the matter.
“Your Grace, I request permission to draw my blade,” Anye asked.
“Do it,” King Edward ordered without wasting a single breath.
Anye took a breath as she stood, hoping that Alistair wasn’t joking with her, and slowly drew the sword. The blue sheen of the strange metal it had been forged from reflected the light of the chandeliers magnificently. When the sword’s tip became exposed, she lifted the blade high, pointing it skyward.
The metal beyond the handle in Anye’s grip started to glow, softly at first, but it steadily became brighter until it was so bright all of the onlookers had to cover their eyes. The light flashed briefly before it faded. Anye could smell smoke, like something had been quickly burned while they had been blinded. When Anye was able to see again, she saw that Alistair had burned the symbol of Del’Mond into the stone floor in front of her.
The onlookers surrounding Anye and Lord Taggart murmured amongst themselves, with some phrases leaking through to Anye’s ears like “it’s true!” and “I can’t believe it,” although there was a naysayer or two who claimed it was “dark magic,” and she “shouldn’t be trusted” to go along with it. King Edward looked like he believed that the proof Alistair had provided was good enough. He raised his hand in the air to silence the people around them so he could speak.
“From the time of my father, and my father’s father, nothing like this has been seen,” the king said. “I am honored and pleased to have been alive to meet the heir of one of the great heroes of legend.” He stepped down from his throne and walked slowly towards Anye and Micah with a look of bewilderment in his face. He turned his head towards the onlookers and spoke. “All of you…leave us. I must discuss this with Lady Everdyne and Lord Taggart in private.”
Anye slid the sword back into its place on her hip while silently thanking Alistair for his assistance as the crowd scuffled away into the halls of the castle, including the king’s guard and the queen. “You have my gratitude, Your Grace,” Anye thanked as she kneeled once more before the elderly man.
When it looked like everyone in the room had finally gone, King Edward placed a hand on Anye’s shoulder and spoke. “My Lady, I would not have the wielder of the legendary sword, Alistair, bend a knee for me. Please, rise.”
Anye stood again, this time with confidence in her face. “Will you prepare yourselves for war then?” she asked.
“I will,” the king said. “But there is something else I must show you. Come with me.”
The royal turned to lead Anye and her escort to the wall behind his throne. He placed one if his hands behind a curtain that hung from the ceiling and pushed. The sound of stone sliding indicated that he had activated a mechanism of some kind.
The king backed away and watched, along with Anye and Lord Taggart, as a section of the wall in front of them slowly slid open like a door, revealing a hidden chamber lit only by a soft blue light at the end of a hallway.
“Come,” King Edward ordered. He led his guests into the darkened secret chamber and walked as the stone door behind them slid shut. “This place has been a secret known only to the current king of Belrun for longer than our history knows,” he began to explain. “For centuries we have been charged with protecting this place until the symbol of the holy land was burned before the throne. I honestly thought it was just a myth, and that we should never show this place to anyone.”
“What is this place, Your Highness?” the nobleman asked in amazement. While the room was indeed dark except for the soft glow of the light at the end of the chamber, the walls and ceiling looked like the night sky with stars twinkling in the darkness.
“We call this place the starlight chamber,” King Edward explained. “It is said that in times of strife, the past kings who ruled this castle would use this room as a retreat. It serves, or at a time served, as a gateway to Del’Mond if recovered documents are to be believed.”
“A gateway?” Anye questioned. “What do you mean, Your Grace?”
The three walkers reached the end of the room before King Edward would answer, instead choosing to place a hand on the glowing blue rock that was placed at the center of a round pedestal. The stone cylinder housing the luminous object was engraved with the same t
ree and sphere symbol Anye had become familiar with.
“What is this, Sire?” Lord Taggart asked.
“That stone is a mineral found primarily in my place of origin,” Alistair claimed aloud from his place on Anye’s hip. “It is a mineral with magical properties called Fularium, and it is what my cohorts and I are primarily composed of.”
“So, the stories of the talking sword of Armonde Schultz are also true,” the accompanying nobleman commented, although he sounded somewhat startled by the new voice added to their conversation.
“The legendary blade can speak…” King Edward added, though his tone suggested that he expected such a thing as opposed to Lord Taggart. “The abilities of our forefathers were truly amazing…”
Anye drew the blade and held it upward in front of the glowing stone. “Alistair, do you know about a gateway to Del’Mond?” she asked.
“Indeed, though I must admit I was certain the gateways had all been destroyed over the ages,” the sword replied. “It appears I was mistaken in my assumption, as this gateway is still intact. It is currently locked and cannot be used, however.”
“Locked?” Anye asked. Judging by the faces made by her companions they were just as curious as she was about what Alistair meant.
“Yes, this side of the gateway has been sealed by a charm not unlike the one binding Stragus,” Alistair explained. “It is very old, likely placed by the person who reigned over this castle during the battle when he was sealed and the holy capital became lost. I can easily remove it and allow us passage to the other side.”
“Anye, if you can defeat Stragus, you can put an end to the threat of his return!” Lord Taggart exclaimed to her.
“But what of Amadi and Glenn?” Anye replied. “Glenn told me he would come find me when he convinced King Justin of the dangers Stragus posed.”
“The Ancient One can feel surges in magical energy, Anye. He will know you’ve arrived at the holy land. They will find you there!” the nobleman encouraged. “You must do this! It was you all who told me that the longer we wait, the stronger he becomes.”