BLACKTHORN’S DOOM
Chronicles of the Dark Sword Book Three
By DeWayne M Kunkel
Copyright © 2011 by DeWayne M. Kunkel
All rights reserved
This work is dedicated to my readers, thank you for taking a chance on an unknown author.
Especially to Sue McNabb, for your encouragement and support
.
DeWayne M. Kunkel
“Within the hearts of all men lay the seeds of Heroism.”
Thoron’Gil
Chapter One
The words Connell had spoken struck them all like a blow. Connell was a good and honorable man with the skills needed to wield the blade, and yet he had failed. Returning to his friends empty handed with the doom of the world weighing down upon his shoulders.
“Do not take offense,” The Se’estra said consolingly. “Men beyond count have ventured down the same path as you. They all have returned empty handed as well. In this there is no dishonor.”
Connell was about to reply when Casius stepped forward and boldly announced. “I will attempt the test,” he said calmly even though fear tightened his chest.
Connell gripped his forearm firmly. “Think on what you are saying.” He demanded sharply. “Should you succeed, then you will stand alone against the Kin slayer.” Connell searched his friend’s eyes. “Is this what you wish.”
“I told you once long ago that I do not believe in fate.” Casius answered him, searching for the right words to describe the helplessness he now felt. “I still don’t, but a mans future is guided by the choices he makes. Perhaps fate is the result of having no options left before you.”
“There are always choices, Casius.” Connell responded.
“If I turn aside now Connell I will never rest knowing I gave away the one chance to save the world. It is that cost that forces my decision. I am no hero, Bravery does not come easily to me.”
Connell smiled releasing his friend’s arm. “Though you may fail, even to make the attempt knowing the burden you will face should you meet with success proves the strength of your courage.”
“Have no fear Connell,” Casius said. “I will survive as you have.”
“The danger is not in failing Casius,” Connell answered. “Should you succeed you will be forever changed.”
“No man remains untouched in times such as these.” The Se’estra interjected stepping between them. “Only the dead are stagnant.”
Taking Casius by the arm she leads him to the stair that Connell had ascended. “Be true seeker,” She whispered softly. “Go now and be judged rightly.”
Casius looked over his shoulder at his companions. Marcos smiled and nodded his encouragement. Suni stood as impassive as ever; only a slight tip of his head showed the respect he had for his young pupil.
Connell nodded and waved him onward. Casius smiled and turned to the stair. He descended cautiously; the steps were narrow and slick. The base of the stair disappeared into a roiling mist that flowed about the ziggurats base.
Through the damp mist the stair led him downward until he emerged into a low grotto filled with lush vegetation. Sunlight coming from the rent in the mountain pierced the mist above and reflected brightly from small still pools of water.
A broad path paved with polished stone led through the ferns and unfamiliar flowers. A few hundred paces ahead the path entered into a deep cleft in the mountain rock.
The ever-present tinge of sulfur was absent here. Instead a pleasant aroma of sweet blossoms filled the air, adding to the beauty around him.
The garden was a sharp contrast to the land of sterile gray stone and blue tinged fields of ice. The Mahjie had performed a miracle, only through hard work and careful tending could such a place exist.
Casius walked slowly, savoring the feel of the soft grass under foot. He was determined to undergo the test, but he had no desire to wield the black sword. He could see no other way before him though and he braced himself against the responsibility it brought.
A pair of trees framed the opening within the lichen-stained stone. Their golden leaves whispered softly in a light breeze that Casius could not feel. He paused beneath their boughs; taking a deep breath as he steeled himself against the trepidation building within him.
Stepping boldly forward he entered the narrow tunnel. Less than a hundred feet ahead he could see the entrance to a broad chamber flooded with silver light. He entered the chamber cautiously; it was roughly circular and brightly illuminated by a host of the strange metallic spheres set into niches along the walls.
Against the far wall of the chamber sat a powerfully built man with a thick beard and braided hair of deepest black.
His eyes were closed and the deep lines etched into his face reminded Casius of the sailors of his home who lived in the harsh elements all of their lives.
Clad in battered armor that had seen many battles he appeared to be resting. As if at any moment he would awaken.
Casius knew this was Thoron’Gil, he had expected a skeletal corpse at best. Nothing had prepared him for this.
He stood at Thoron’Gil’s feet expecting him to leap up and berate him for disturbing his slumber. Thoron’Gil’s hands rested lightly upon the hilt of his fabled blade Aethir.
The Dark sword was unsheathed and rested across his lap. The ebon steel absorbing the light that fell upon it. A faint hum emanated from the metal, a disturbing sound that reminded Casius of a plain’s cat ready to pounce.
Casius squatted; he could see the dark stain of dried blood on Thoron’Gil’s side. Even with his decision made he hesitated. The sight of the legendary warrior and his blade made his doubts all the more powerful.
It was said that Thoron’Gil was uprooted from his home and reluctantly went to war. He was a farmer first and a warrior only by necessity. Perhaps he was as reluctant as Casius now felt when the blade was forged for him.
Unsure of what was required of him he reached out and carefully touched the fabled weapon. He jerked his hand back expecting to be burnt. The blade had emitted a ringing note at his touch, a clarion call that yet echoed within the stone chamber.
Casius reached forward once more but hesitated. He was unsure as how he was to proceed.
Suddenly Thoron’Gil’s eyes snapped open. Milky white orbs that locked with his own. Casius tried to escape but Thoron’Gil was faster. He grasped Casius’s forearm in a vise like grip with his left hand. With his right he lifted the sword from his lap.
Casius struggled but could not break the cold iron hold upon him.
Thoron’Gil placed Aethir’s hilt in his hand and released his hold upon him. His body fell back lifeless once more. The flesh upon his bones turned to dust and exploded outward in a choking cloud as he impacted the floor.
Time had finally claimed the long dead hero, even his armor fell into a scattered collection of rusted plates and tattered cloth.
A powerful blast of warm air swirled within the chamber scattering the dust and bringing with it the smell of freshly tilled earth.
Casius felt a presence behind him, gaining his feet he turned to face whomever had entered the chamber. His hand raised the black sword before him without thinking.
In the silvery light of the spheres stood Thoron’Gil. He was pale and the chamber walls could be vaguely seen through him.
“The blade is now yours.” He said in a voice nothing more than a faint echo born upon the wind. “Use it well.”
A soft rending sound over powered his voice as a brilliant light expanded behind him. The line thickened until it became a rippling hole in the air. Golden light streamed through the opening revealing a fair country of rolling green hills and swaying grass. A woman stood just beyond the opening with two small childre
n at her side. She smiled and called Thoron’Gil’s name.
Tears flooded down the ancient hero’s cheeks and he cried out joyfully. “My’essa!” With a leap he entered the opening and the light flared brightly momentarily blinding Casius.
When his vision cleared Casius found that he was alone once more in the Chamber. The faint smell of wildflowers lingered in the air, the only remnant of what he had seen.
In his hand the sword hummed softly. The blade was incredibly light and its metal the color of coal. Removing his own sword from its scabbard he laid the shining steel onto the ground where Thoron’Gil had lain for many centuries.
Sliding Aethir into his scabbard he left the hollowed chamber. As he regained the tunnels entrance a deep rumble sounded from within the earth. The ground shook and the golden leaved trees swayed ominously above him.
As quickly as it had started the earth tremor faded. Resting his hand on Aethir’s hilt, Casius made his way through the garden and up the narrow stair.
A new sense of confidence filled him. Although he still dreaded the prospect of what lay ahead of him.
Connell stopped pacing when Casius emerged from the head of the stair. He appeared well; there was no shock or sorrow upon his features. Looking to Casius’s hip his heart skipped a beat. There in his weathered scabbard hung the dark blade Aethir.
“By the gods,” he exclaimed softly. “He did it!”
Marcos nodded in greeting a look of relief softening his features. The relief quickly changed to concern. “The Blade has changed him.”
Connell reexamined his friend, it took a moment but he saw the difference. Casius’s eyes were now dark, as dark as the steel of the blade. They seemed to measure everything about him, an unearthly awareness that Connell had seen in only man before. Casius’s gaze reminded him of the disconcerting eyes of Ravin Suni.
“It is done.” The Se’estra said sinking back in her chair as if the weight of her advance years had finally fallen upon her. “The one foretold of long ago has come and claimed Aethir as his own.”
The Mahjie looked on in awe and wonder. This event had been prophesized but none had expected it to be fulfilled in their lifetime.
Stilgart was the first to recover his composure. His face livid with rage he stomped out of the shadows and stood before Casius.
“Give me the blade.” He said threateningly. “No outsider has claim to it.” He gripped his own swords hilt tightly resisting the urge to run the arrogant boy through. “For years beyond count it has been my peoples blood that has warded it. I will not stand by and allow you to claim it as your own.”
The Se’estra started to her feet but fell back in disbelief as Stilgart drew his sword and dropped the weapon at Casius’s feet.
The assembled Mahjie formed a circle about the two men.
“A challenge,” Suni stated flatly to Connell and Marcos. “It appears that Stilgart is determined to take the blade by force.”
“Like Hell he will,” Connell cursed drawing his blade. Yoladt’s quick grasp of his arm prevented him from completing the motion.
“Do nothing!” Yoladt warned him. “To interfere once the challenge has been made is to invite death. Our laws are strict in matters of honor, break them and you will forfeit all your lives.”
Connell looked at Stilgart’s men and he could see that their hands were upon their sword hilts. Daring him to proceed with their eyes.
Yoladt relaxed his grip. “Stilgart is no fool, even our beloved Se’estra is powerless to interfere.”
Casius looked down at Stilgart’s discarded weapon. From the faces around him he knew something important had just occurred but he had no idea as to what it was. He looked back into the man’s hatred filled eyes.
“Stilgart,” The Se’estra said finding her voice. “You have had your testing and were found unworthy. What you do now is wrong and makes a mockery of our laws and traditions.”
Stilgart’s eyes narrowed. “I will not allow this to happen. If you desire to see a mockery of the Mahjie, here he stands!” Crossing his arms in defiance Stilgart turned his back to the Se’estra. “Enough talk, Drop your weapon and accept my challenge.” He commanded Casius kicking his blade towards him in anger. “I will not offer again, refuse me and I will kill you for the coward you are!”
“He must fight,” Yoladt whispered to Connell. “If he refuses, Stilgart will slay him for the dishonor.”
“This is barbaric!” Connell protested to the Se’estra.
“It is our law,” She answered sadly, knowing there was no way out of the situation.
Casius drew Aethir from his scabbard; the swords hum becoming an angry screech that caused the ring of onlookers to step back. Laying the sword upon the floor he stepped away and the blade grew quiet. “If you desire it Stilgart, then simply pick it up.” He said invitingly.
Stilgart stepped forward and stopped just short of the weapon as it began to screech once more. “As long as you live no one can wield it.” He said stepping back. “You have succeeded in breaking Thoron’Gil’s claim to it, and with your death I will break yours.” Slowly he drew a short dagger from his sleeve.
With a lightning fast leap he closed the distance between them. Slashing violently with the knife he forced Casius back away from the black blade.
Casius pulled the diminutive Ka’rich from his belt. Causing the men of Stilgart’s Seh’ja to chuckle at the sight of it.
Even Stilgart stopped his attack to shake his head in disgust. “Would you prefer a more fitting weapon?” He asked sarcastically.
Casius rolled the leaf shaped piece of steel across his knuckles. He knew he should be frightened but he was calm, a sense of deep-rooted confidence filled him. “This is the only blade I require.”
Stilgart lashed out his blade lightly scratching Casius’s cheek.
Casius remembered what Suni had taught him. Planting his left heel he evaded the worst of the attack, sidestepping he drove his right knee deep into the Mahjie’s stomach.
Stilgart collapsed onto the ground striving to catch his breath. He gazes in astonishment at his empty right hand. One look at his opponent confirms his fear; somehow the whelp had managed to take his dagger from him.
“You believe Aethir tested the worth of a man.” He said to the gasping Mahjie. “That by his skill at arms alone would he be judged.” Casius took a moment to survey the crowd around him. “You were wrong,” He said tossing Stilgart’s dagger onto the stone before him. “Thoron’Gil’s wisdom was sharper than that. The test of the blade was two fold in nature. It was the desire of the seeker coupled with the need of the world.
“Many worthy men were rejected in the past because it was not yet the time for the blade to come forth.” Casius said pacing about the ring until he came to stand before Connell.
“The blade would have been yours had I not come into these mountains.” He said with a shrug. “The legendary blade appealed to the warrior within you, it was that desire that the sword rejected. The moment you touched the blade your fate was sealed.”
Casius returned his attention to Stilgart who was coming to his feet dagger in hand. “Enough of this, if I fall would you then kill Connell? And the one after him?”
“The sword is mine!” Stilgart spat; even in pain his anger was fierce.
“The sword never was yours,” Casius answered his anger coolly. “I know the cause of your failure, would you have me give voice to those poisonous desires that lie in the darkest part of that thing you call a heart.”
Stilgart charged swinging wildly. Casius was swifter and easily evaded the blow.
“You envied the Se’estra.” He said avoiding another swipe of the dagger. “How many times did you plot her death? Always seeking a way to secure her power as your own.”
The Mahjie muttered angrily at this revelation. Stilgart knew he had to shut Casius’s mouth or all was lost.
“You’re a coward,” Casius taunted him. “You’re fear of failure always stayed your hand.”
Casius fell onto his back, his head striking the stone with a loud smack.
“Too long have we cowed in the darkness, living secretly in these mountain.” Stilgart spoke loudly to the crowd. “With this sword we will take our place among the nations!”
“You would build a nation upon the blood of innocents!” The Se’estra shouted coming to her feet.
Stilgart spun charging the throne his dagger in hand.
Before any could react he gasped and staggered falling at the Se’estra’s feet. A small glint of steel shone from his sweat plastered hair. The insignificant knife given Casius long ago lay embedded in his skull.
Casius retrieved the black blade from the floor and belted it about his waist.
The Warriors of Stilgart’s Seh’ja drew their weapons seeking to avenge his death.
With a shout from Yoladt the remaining Mahjie moved between Casius and the men.
“Enough!” The Se’estra commanded. “Have you all gone mad? Remember your honor and your oaths of service.”
The men faltered their advance broken by her words. One by one they sheathed their blades and hung their heads in shame.
“Honor your Seh’ja.” She said softly. “Not the body of an ambitious fool.” Turning to her subjects She raised her arms. “Let the bells of Armon’oth sound. Spread the word to all our people. The oath is fulfilled the sword bearer has come!”
From deep within the ziggurat the tolling of a hundred bells rang out echoing within the mountains heart. Every Mahjie stopped in their daily tasks and looked to the temple in wonder and disbelief.
“The sword is yours Casius, the Mahjie will not hamper your journey.” The Se’estra stepped forward and kissed his forehead. “Where will you go?”
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