by E J Gilmour
The Prince of Shadows laughed. ‘Ecorian, you have defied me for the last time. Soon you will see my victory is inevitable. I will break down any wall you build to stop me!’
Suddenly the dragon leapt skyward. The terrible creature ascended and menacingly circled the battlefield several times. Its hideous howls were deafening. The beast then swooped and in a moment snatched Princess Apherah from her horse. She struggled hopelessly in the dragon’s grip as the mighty beast ascended toward the dark clouds above.
‘No!’ cried Eben, but there was nothing he could do. The dragon disappeared behind the dark veil of clouds and Princess Apherah was gone.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Eben came to the side of King Edric. The Irvarian King was lying on the battlefield. Red and Stella were already at his side. Cassiel, Meara, Baftel, and Arlen were standing nearby with a large group of Irvarian soldiers. The King looked up at Eben and smiled. He was struggling to keep his eyes open; his complexion had become deathly pale, and he was clearly very close to death.
‘You…live, Eben Ecorian,’ he said in a weak voice. ‘He took her…he took Apherah…’
‘I promise you, my King, that I will find her and bring her safely home.’
King Edric reached up with his last remaining strength and grabbed Eben’s shoulder. ‘I am sorry, Eben…You are the Ecorian…the rightful emperor...you have my blessing…save my daughter…you have my blessing…Eben…save her…’
‘I promise I will save her,’ said Eben. With these words King Edric closed his eyes and his spirit passed away. Eben then covered the King’s face with a veil. He stood up and looked to his friends. ‘King Edric has died for his people. Let us forever honour him. We will return his body to Faircastle. Then we will deal with our enemy once and for all.’
**
In the days that followed the army of men marched back to Faircastle. The feeling of grief at the loss of King Edric went alongside the feeling of hope that had returned after the victory.
The gate of Faircastle opened as the allied army approached the city. Eben rode the unicorn at the front of the procession with Red, Stella, King Ignis, Prince Armida, and Cassiel riding beside him. News of King Edric’s death had already reached the city. The people of Irvaria lined the streets to welcome back the body of their slain king. The Irvarians wept for their king, but there was also a sense of elation at the victory they had over their enemies and the return of the Ecorian.
A carriage covered with an Irvarian flag led the way through the city up toward the Ecorian Gate. The golden arched gate stood open and Queen Sera, dressed in black, waited to receive King Edric’s body. Tears flowed down her face as the carriage drew near. The Queen stepped toward the carriage and reached out to touch the hand of her dead husband. She bowed her head in sorrow. For several minutes the multitude and the army watched on in complete silence. Queen Sera then raised her eyes and looked to Eben.
‘I welcome you home, Eben Ecorian.’
Eben dismounted and knelt down on one knee before Queen Sera. ‘I am your humble servant. Your wish is my command.’
Queen Sera stepped toward Eben and stared down at him. All the people of the city and the army watched on intently. The Queen’s eyes were full of sorrow and pride. She placed her hand on Eben’s shoulder.
‘You are the Ecorian Emperor, Eben; however, if you would grant me a wish it would be that you rescue my daughter and bring her safely home to Faircastle.’
Eben looked up into the eyes of the Queen. ‘I swear to you that I will not rest until Princess Apherah is returned safely to Faircastle.’
**
Eben sat at the round table in the Ecorian Hall. Seated at the table were all the leaders of the tribes and nations that made up the last army of men. They included: Prince Armida of Ateria, Chief Parco of the Jeanians, Chief Soral of the Empyrians, Duke Egil of Scaldonia, Garnock of the Fire Order, King Ignis, Meara, Baftel, Red, Stella, Cassiel, Arlen, Mostyn, Aperio of the Zyranian Outcasts, and the Fiorians Winfred and Clare.
‘We are gathered today to discuss how we will defeat the Prince of Shadows,’ said Eben. ‘You all know that the muckron army at Jeriel’s Field was only one of the enemy’s armies. In Dravania a great army of muckrons is laying siege to the Iril Fortress. There is also a smaller army of muckrons in northern Scaldonia. Baftel, please share what you have witnessed with your power.’
Baftel nodded toward Eben before speaking. ‘The enemy is deliberately allowing me to see what we face. The Prince of Shadows has returned north to Zarkanor with his dragon. He has imprisoned Princess Apherah in one of the towers of Zarkanor. She is being guarded by the dragon. Zarkanor is surrounded by an army far greater than the one we fought at Jeriel’s Field. Hundreds of thousands of muckrons guard the ancient fortress, and each day the Prince of Shadows brings more muckrons and wyverns through the Cosmic Gate. He is filling our world with monsters. His evil hissing voice moans across the subtle world. He has threatened to execute Princess Apherah if we don’t come north to fight him’
‘But with such a large army protecting him how could we ever successfully attack Zarkanor?’ asked King Ignis.
‘The Prince of Shadows knows we can’t defeat him. He hopes for us to make this desperate move in order to crush us,’ said Mostyn. ‘His army grows with each passing day. The longer we wait the more difficult the task will become.’
‘We must devise a plan,’ said Eben.
‘Invading Kaznor would be very difficult,’ said King Ignis. ‘We would need hundreds of ships to sail around the Icy Cape. There is no other way to Kaznor. There are few ships remaining in Ortaria; perhaps we could ask the Silvorians for assistance.’
‘The Zyranians control most of Silvor,’ said Prince Armida. ‘The Aterian navy has been battered by the Zyranians for months. We only have about a dozen warships left,’ said Prince Armida.
‘We could build ships in Ancora,’ said King Ignis.
‘It would take much too long,’ said Prince Armida. ‘How much time do we have?’
‘Not long, perhaps several weeks,’ said Mostyn sternly.
‘We should consider other options,’ said Meara. ‘There may be alternative ways we can defeat our enemies. The Prince of Shadows controls the Cosmic Gate. That is how he is bringing the monsters to Veredor. If we could somehow take control of the Cosmic Gate we could stop him bringing more monsters from the outer darkness.’
‘What is the Cosmic Gate?’ asked Chief Parco, looking to Meara for an explanation.
‘The Cosmic Gate is a mystical barrier which was built by the Astarians to protect Veredor in the wars of the Forgotten Age. It has protected Veredor for many ages,’ said Meara. ‘The Cosmic Gate is said to be made from the essence of Veredor. The Astarian Fiora sealed the Cosmic Gate against the Prince of Shadows at the end of the Forgotten Age. The gate has kept him out of Veredor for thousands of years.’
‘How can we take control of the Cosmic Gate?’ asked King Ignis.
‘I don’t know,’ replied Meara. ‘Yet the Astarians once believed there was a way.’
The company fell silent, and for several moments no one said a word.
Eben broke the silence. ‘When I fell into the sea I was taken by the ocean sprites to the southern home of the mer,’ he revealed. ‘Living with the mer is an Astarian named Casimir. He is one of the last three remaining Astarians in Veredor. He told me that it is possible for men to take control of the Cosmic Gate. Only those who belong to Veredor can control the Cosmic Gate; that is why the Astarians can control it. When men first came to Veredor we were not received by Veredor as the Astarians had hoped we would be. There is something in the nature of men that prevented us from crossing this barrier. The quest to overcome this problem was called Fiora’s Bridge because the Astarian Fiora held onto the hope that men would one day be welcomed by Veredor. That day has not yet come. For us to control the Cosmic Gate we must find a way to forge the relationship with Veredor that was never forged.’
‘Did Casi
mir tell you how to forge such a relationship?’ asked Meara.
Eben shook his head. ‘He didn’t say. He only said that we revere power and seek it all of our lives.’
‘Wait a minute,’ interrupted Duke Egil, shaking his head. ‘If we came to Veredor in the Forgotten Age then where did we come from?’
‘Men come from a world far across the cosmos,’ said Meara. ‘The Astarians, who were the first people of Veredor, welcomed us toward the end of the Forgotten Age. The Prince of Shadows hopes to annihilate us and replace us with creatures that will be his slaves.’ Duke Egil shook his head in disbelief. The company were looking to Eben for an answer.
‘I do not know how to take control of the Cosmic Gate, but I know that I’m going to save Princess Apherah. I plan to leave soon with whoever is brave enough to go with me.’
‘I doubt you would make it to the Fortress of Zarkanor even with your mighty unicorn and the Sword of Light,’ said Baftel. ‘The walls of Zarkanor are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of muckrons, hundreds of wyverns, and a multitude of lindworms. There are also many Northern Sorcerers and Skatheans among the enemy army. The dragon is waiting for you in the tower where the Princess is imprisoned. The Prince of Shadows is using Princess Apherah as bait. He knows you care deeply for her, and he wants you to try to rescue her. It would be impossible to attack the fortress alone.’
‘Baftel is right,’ said Meara. ‘You cannot attack the fortress directly without an army, and we cannot possibly bring an army to Kaznor without ships.’
‘What about sneaking into the fortress,’ suggested Red.
‘Much too risky,’ replied Baftel, shaking his head.
‘There is one person who could help you sneak into the fortress,’ said Garnock of the Fire Order. They all looked to Garnock for an explanation. ‘High in the Great Mountains there is a secluded cave. In the cave lives a mysterious individual. His name is the Star King. He is a relic from the Forgotten Age. It has long been said that he can open gateways to any place in Veredor. With his help you may be able to open a gateway directly into Zarkanor. You could secretly enter Zarkanor without the Prince of Shadows knowing.’
‘The Star King is an evil monster and cannot be trusted,’ stated Mostyn firmly.
‘True, the Star King is not known for his hospitality or generosity’ said Garnock. ‘But desperate times require desperate measures. You know the place that I speak of, Mostyn; it is a dangerous place to visit, but even so, the Star King has the skill you require to enter Zarkanor and save your princess.’
‘What if he tries to kill us when we request his help?’ asked Meara sternly.
‘He may just do that,’ said Mostyn. ‘That’s another reason this is not a good idea. The Star King is not a man, neither is he an Astarian. He is of some other race not related to anything else in Veredor. He has been a menace to men throughout the ages; a one handed creature in the shape of a man, but he is nothing like a man in his heart or mind. I do not think he will help us. He hates all creatures that live in Veredor.’
Eben stared at Mostyn for a moment. ‘You said he only has one hand?’
‘Yes. There is an old song which tells that the Star King stole the Chalai from the Oran Oracle. The Oran Oracle set a trap for him and cut off his hand.’
‘Do you know the words of the song?’ asked Eben.
Mostyn nodded and began to recite. ‘In the west far from home, high he walked through ice and snow. The Star King searched for a way, across valley deep through night and day. In a place where few have stood, he reached for life as he thought he could, but fall he did into the night, without the hand he sacrificed. For the oracle knew of all his plans, and traded the Chalai for his right hand. For his home he sought above the winds, far away from anything.’
Eben nodded and pondered the words of the old song. He knew that the Star King was the one who Casimir had referred to as “the person with one hand.”
‘We must seek out the Star King. If he could open a gateway into Zarkanor we could rescue Princess Apherah and face the Prince of Shadows without having to fight his army. I believe I can defeat the Prince of Shadows. I also believe the Star King will help us.’
Mostyn shook his head. ‘You cannot be so sure, Ecorian. Many people have been victims of the Star King throughout the ages. He is unpredictable and very powerful.’
‘Mostyn, you must trust me. I know this is the way onward.’
‘I believe Eben is right,’ said Baftel. ‘The path to the Star King may yield fruit, but know this, Eben: those who choose to follow you on this path may never return. The journey will be very dangerous. I see a glimmer of hope, like a faint star in a world of darkness. You must also be aware: do not underestimate the power of the dragon that serves the Prince of Shadows. It is a beast of utter darkness. This dragon possesses power far beyond any other creature in Veredor. From a forgotten pit at the edge of the cosmos it came, risen from the darkness, a beast evil beyond measure. It was for this reason the unicorn was sent to Veredor, to contest the evil shadow of the dragon.’
‘You know I will go with you, Eben,’ said Red. Eben smiled across at Red. He knew well that his best friend’s sense of loyalty and courage was unending.
‘And I shall go with you too,’ said Stella.
‘I’ll be glad to have you both with me. You were there in the beginning; I’m sure you will be there in the end.’
‘Eben, you must assemble a company,’ said Meara. ‘I would also like to go with you, but I believe you should carefully choose your companions. The fate of mankind may depend on your success.’
‘Surely I will go,’ said King Ignis.
‘And I would like to go,’ said Cassiel.
CHAPTER NINE
Eben, in consultation with the council, assembled a brave group to accompany him on the mission to seek out the Star King, rescue Princess Apherah, infiltrate the Fortress of Zarkanor, and face the Prince of Shadows. Those chosen for the mission were: King Ignis, Meara, Red, Stella, Cassiel, Mostyn, the Desert Knights Arthur and Dillon, Duke Egil, and Quade. It was agreed that Prince Armida would stay behind and take control of the united army of men. Baftel declared that he was too old and frail to make the journey into the Great Mountains. It was decided that Mostyn would go in Baftel’s place and act as the guide and seer of the company as he also knew the way to the secluded cave. Meara also decided that Arlen should be sent to assist the Irilians in the west, and the Fiorians Clare and Winfred decided that it was best to go with Arlen.
Eben sat in the royal guest chamber that was situated just below the Ecorian Hall. The chambers were beautifully adorned with woven carpets, enchanting paintings, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Red and Stella were sitting at a small oak table, and Red had poured cups of ale for the three of them. Eben stood at the window and looked toward the north. The setting sun was casting long red beams across the sky through slight gaps in the clouds. His mind was concerned only for Apherah.
‘Come and have a mug of ale, Eben,’ said Red. ‘It may be your last one for a long time’
Eben glanced back at Red. He knew that he could not enjoy such things as ale whilst Apherah was imprisoned in Zarkanor. Meara entered the room before he could refuse the ale.
‘We have prepared supplies and horses for the journey, and we are ready to leave in the morning.’ Meara took a seat at the table. She looked to Eben. ‘The people of the city have been asking why you are refusing to take the Sapphire Throne. They want to know why you have not raised the Ecorian flag above Faircastle. The Ecorian flag is flying all over the city, yet it does not fly over the palace.’
‘It is right that the Irvarian flag remains above the palace.’
‘The nations and tribes of men have united under your leadership, Eben. It is also right that you raise the Ecorian flag.’
Eben looked out the window as the last rays of sun shone over the land. ‘Only Princess Apherah can raise the Ecorian flag above Faircastle. I will not take the Sapphire
Throne until that day.’ He looked back to Meara. ‘You know that I am not a ruler, Meara. At heart I am a villager; all I want is a simple life. I would be happy to return to Clemensdale when this is all over and live in the hut I grew up in.’
‘It is right that power is given to those that do not desire power,’ said Meara.
Before Eben could speak there was a knock at the door and Cassiel entered the chamber.
‘Acartor has been captured. The Brigades of the Sunset Hills have brought him here in chains.’
‘We should question the traitor,’ said Meara. Eben nodded.
**
The lower hall of the palace was lit by soft lantern light. Eben stood waiting with Meara, King Ignis, Red, Stella, Cassiel, Baftel, Duke Egil, Prince Armida, and several dozen Irvarian guardsmen. The Ecorian Gate opened and two soldiers led Acartor across the blue and white marble floor. Acartor was covered in mud, appeared battered and shaggy, and his hair was a mess. His hands were shackled behind his back, and he stared down at the ground as they led him toward Eben.
‘This is all wrong!’ hissed Acartor as he scanned the faces before him and stared intently at Eben. ‘Ecorian…so it is true what they say. You live!’ Acartor’s eyes shot from side to side, and he strained against his bonds.
The soldier to the right was a tall and fully armoured Irvarian cavalryman. His hair was bright red, and his face was as rough as jagged rock. The soldier bowed to Eben.
‘Sire, my name is Aron of the Sunset Hills. We captured this traitor as he was trying to cross into Vastoria. We were going to execute him for his crimes against Irvaria, but we thought it would be better to take him to Faircastle to be judged by you.’
‘You don’t know what you are doing. The Prince of Shadows promised me…’ howled Acartor as he madly threw his head back.
‘Promised you what?’ asked Meara.
Acartor looked at Meara and scowled. ‘The Prince of Shadows showed me a vision of all the power I would possess. He promised that I would rule over all men. He promised that I would govern all the kingdoms of Veredor. He promised me power over all.’