"No, I am not." He could see Ugdush's face turn up in suspicion at these words.
"Please! Hear us out first. And then if our proposal does not interest you, we will go and trouble you no more." Ugdush agreed to this.
During supper and after a bit of wine to ease the mood Omun revealed what he knew.
"I know this area of the land is famous for their bronze and ironwork, silvermiths and goldsmiths too."
"We are the best in the land," said Ugdush. They were reclining with him in the sitting room when Omun came to the point. When Omun showed him the steel sword and said that the Red King was ordering many swords and requested his help, Ugdush, though interested in this new metal he had never seen before or heard of, did not believe anything could defeat Hybronian iron. Omun then had one of the men with him make an example by demolishing a few of Ugdush's best iron and bronze swords. Ugdush then sat up and took notice.
"What alloy do you call it again?"
"Steel."
"How did you come by such a discovery? It seems like magic from the very gods!" The other men laughed.
"So it would seem. But it is not magic, my young friend." Then Ugdush grew suspicious again.
"But you are not of a guild. How do I know you did not steal this secret from an alchemist sword-smith or blacksmith?"
"You don't, for I cannot prove a thing. I can only tell you the truth as I know it. Because of my low station I was not allowed to attend the alchemist schools or join a guild. Nor did I have a blacksmith father or uncle to teach me the craft. I learned it from a Hidushian blacksmith who saw my interest in metalwork. He took me to Egi for a time and sponsored me when he saw my talent in the craft. He eventually died, being very old when I met him. I came back home and continued in the lessons he taught me in secret but thanks to the Ainash who have outlawed all but smithing, and the Black Alchemists, who wield growing power behind the scenes in this land, I was chased out of Hybron along with my brother. They all sought my life." Omun went on to explain the fantastic account of his life abroad in distant lands, how he came to meet Rapheth and how they came here. The young man examined his two splintered swords in fascination and then gazed at Omun's sword in awe.
"May I?" He reached out his hand. Omun gave it to him for examination. Ugdush took it and striding to the far corner of the room from his guests he made sweeping arcs and quick thrusting movements with it.
"I cannot believe it! It is so light, yet so deadly! Who can build a sword such as this that cuts down iron? And iron from Galieh at that! The best of the best Hybronian iron, the strongest iron in the world!"
"Let me teach you," said Omun, his eyes shining and excitement brimming in his voice.
"But this sort of thing is serious, my friend. Secrets of the Golden Art. I have never heard of a man sharing such secrets with his fellows outside of his own guild. We are not part of the official guilds of Egi because alchemy is officially banned here, unless one is making weapons or tools for practical use. But there are guilds here. How can this be?"
"We all know it is officially banned here in name but not in practice. Otherwise, why would Galieh be what it is today? I say alchemy should be practiced openly. A new king is coming and he wants this knowledge available for all who would use it for good."
"Besides, the old Hidushian man freely gave of his deep knowledge to a child in poverty. He did not have to but he did and I believe that he was spurred on to do this for a reason he may not have understood," said Ruz.
"We believe that knowledge should be free. And I am willing to share it with you if you are willing to come and meet the Red King," said Omun. Ugdush stood and considered them all for a long time.
"This is wondrous. . .and dangerous. Also so shocking to my ears. But nothing of great import has happened around here for so long. I want to know more about this new metal, this alloy and how you have made it. I must know it!"
"Think of the great things you could do with such knowledge."
"I will have my wife arrange sleeping accommodations for you here in the house. It is not good for you men to be alone in the city with such knowledge. Already you may have created a stir in Susamon. Stay here for the night and I will give you my answer in the morning."
Eventually, when the rest of the household was asleep his wife spoke to him as they were readying for bed.
"Remember the star in the sky was red, my love. Remember?"
"I remember, Betal."
"This had to be a sign of some sort. My stepmother was one of the scions. She talked of this a few times but I never believed her. I thought it was just wistful talk. That blood mark was not just talk. I think you should really hear the man out, see what he knows. Maybe these prophecies we have heard will come true for the land. Perhaps he will rid us of all the bribes we are forced to pay, Ugdush," she urged gently. Ugdush sighed. It was becoming outrageous. More and more officials would do nothing without a bribe and they taxed the most prosperous shops and merchants so heavily. He sometimes thought of leaving Susamon but it was the same everywhere. Now this. It was all strange and a little dangerous. A strange man with such a dangerous secret? Yet, he had never before been a staid, dull person ready to blend into the background. Neither he nor his wife were that way. He had to know. As his father always said, a man's alchemical secrets are his bread and fortune. It was unnatural and foolish to share them with outsiders. But perhaps a change was coming. Even so, just to know and see the workings of this new metal did excite him. He lay beside his wife in the dark later, pondering these things as she eventually drifted off to sleep. I must know. Not only would it benefit him financially but it might enlighten him on that path towards Golden Quintessence.
The next morning Ugdush called in the blacksmiths, blade makers, jewelers and hilt-makers in his shop and all those of such skill whom he had a close camaraderie with. Even a few silversmiths and goldsmiths came. The men of the north, especially in Galieh and Susamon were not great lovers of Egians in general and especially not of the king. Nor did they love the queen before him. They had tolerated the barbarian king well enough but they longed for independence from Egian rule. The Hybronians in the north were less docile and accepting of this constant procession of usurping kings and many wished to see this true Red King triumph even if it was not spoken of out loud. Some sincerely believed in him, others thought it an intriguing curiosity for it seemed to say to them: freedom. So at Ugdush's behest they listened and watched Omun and learned and were amazed at what they saw. Omun and his company stayed for two weeks, showing them the secret of Hidushian sword-making. History was about to be made in the craft of Gold Alchemy.
. . .
"There is one more thing I must show you," said Omun. "I have found that while this steel is good, you can make it better. Stronger."
"How?" They asked.
"You need a way to add more charcoal. If we are to make many swords, we need a large source of it."
"Where have you found this source for your own work?"
"Bones. Added to the charcoal. Not only do they have the physical properties needed to make strong steel but they have the spiritual elements needed in the process to make a holy weapon."
"Bones? They are near sacred, Omun," said one of the men. They listened to him intently.
"I know they are. I have heard that the tribesmen have a sacred temple in the desert made of the bones of wild yaryebu. Why not a sacred element of Man? The only more sacred element of Man is blood. The more sacred the sword, the more holy the wearer of it. I will show you how it is done. Send some boys to collect bones in the mountains. Have them brought to me and I will show you. Bones of a strong animal will make a strong sword. Bones of your ancestors will make it invincible."
Afterward, when a few of these swords had been made, Omun finally convinced these men along with Ugdush to come with him back to Nachar to meet the one who sent him.
. . .
The last of the tribesmen that were with him had finally joined all their bothers and
sisters down in the sacred place. The Plain of the White Bones. All of the faithful tribes to the old ways, their shaikhs and shaikhas, their warriors, their valiant fighting men were gathered. It was then that Khalit's brothers who had not left the tribes came to Rapheth and bowed before him.
"My father's people. My father's blood," he said and he greeted them and kissed them. There were eight of them left of the original eleven brothers of Jaleh Ka Dahlan, their father, his grandfather, one of the shaikhs of the Karig. The old shaikh Rajek Ka Rafka, son of Dahlan Ka Rajek, "the mighty one" and father to Jaleh was there to meet the young king of his blood also. Rapheth went into them into the tent of Jaleh and they all celebrated.
"Finally, the circle of blood has closed. Our Reshaim blood is no longer lost to the world," cried Jaleh.
Along the way the iron rock fallen from the stars was gathered under Omun and Ugdush's instructions and a league away from the bone temple, near the shallow sink. Around the perimeter the tribesmen encamped while forges were set up and fired and they began making these steel swords in earnest. It was the greatest work of Omun and Ugdush's lives and with the bones in the charcoal, the alchemical workings took shape. They made short swords, long swords and curved swords. The plains rang with the forging and fires and it seemed as they worked day and night that they had been touched by the quickening hand of God and given strength and speed in their work.
With Prince Alin defeated by the tribes the new king enacted a pivotal action there; one that had not been done in over one hundred years. Rapheth built an altar right in the middle of the airy, majestic bone temple and dedicated it to Airend-Ur. A ram was sacrificed there upon the altar. He lead the great crowd into a purification prayer before God. Then he spoke to them. Though not raised in it, he was glad he was in the desert. It had become a holy place to him, as the forests were holy to Uwain.
"The prophet was my father and he taught me many things. Such as the sacred space of where a man lives and comes to know the land like his own hands. The desert was made to train those who would be devoted to Him. It is harsh and builds strength. It demands clarity of mind and thought. There are no distractions suffered in the desert. It trains a man to be a follower of God. It is majesty, the encompassing beauty, its awe wondrous, its starkness necessary, its silence divine. It is the Way of God. The Red Path!" All gathered rose their voices in a deafening roar of jubilation. Then, a great fire came down from the heavens and seared and ate up the sacrificial offering and the shouts that came up from the crowds shook the land.
"We are now ready for the battle!" He said. Ram's horns were blown at half hour intervals all that night and the next night they rode toward Jhis.
It was approaching high night. They had formed at Rapheth's command in battle formation four wings; with Rapheth and Saujiah, Shukala at the front, Rhajit and Ruz leading the left and Injol heading the right and Shamgar the rear. Those in the rear guard rode the camels and this is where Parso was located. Saujiah's eyes were like glowing coals of fire. They approached the line of demarcation where the eternal fires burned.
"The eternal fires. A fire both holy and profane." Said Rapheth. Saujiah's eyes burned bright. He said nothing. Rapheth turned to his men, some of whom seemed apprehensive."You men! Remember the words of Kai' Alit. Do not fear to enter the fires for they shall not burn us this night. The holy fire came down from heaven before you at the temple. His holy fire will protect us now!" He said. Saujiah spread his long arms to the heavens and his wings appeared as if made out of fog and mists and then they were limned with pure, crystalline white fire and lines of fire came from his fingertips around the whole camp of warriors and the the whole of the army camp entered the eternal fires, wreathed in the protective celestial fire.
Rapheth lifted his star sword and felt power surge through it into his own arm and body, the heat that did not burn but made him grow in strength.
"Lift your swords!" He commanded. They all lifted their steel swords and the power from the star sword inflamed these until every last steel sword was like a bright flame.
"Look! It is like more sons of the gods! More sons of Airend-Ur come to see us!" Exclaimed one. Two other angels came to join them, their wings like flames. The rear formation of warriors stayed on the outskirts of the fires while Rapheth led the others to the wall of Jhis. Following behind Saujiah. Rapheth saw his very flesh limned with fire and he turned back and saw all his warrior brothers mingled in fire with him. They climb the old scaffolding of boards and walkways attached to the walls of the fire-tenderers - long since fled - and stood along the wall. Rapheth turned to Saujiah.
"Are there any good men left in this city?"
"Do you think God cruel? My brothers and I made a way out through places we tunneled ourselves beneath brothels, slave pits and other places of cruelty. A way for them to flee if they are so inclined." Rapheth grunted in satisfaction.
"And now?"
"Now those ways are closed up. Anyone who has chosen to remained has chosen death. Your father the prophet warned them time and again. And the Ainash and the Aishanna-La that choose to follow them have chosen their side." His voice was gritted with harsh finality.
"Rhajit!" Rhajit came to his side. "Blow the erdu horn and bid the other ram's horn blowers to do the same. Blow your horns twelve times. After the twelfth blast we will all give the death cry and this place will burn to the ground." Rhajit gathered all the men with horns and they did just as he said. Twelve times the city shook as if in a storm. Some buildings collapsed.
People were coming out to see and look! They saw the fires, the fires all around the city! People poured out of the great arena, out of palaces and mansions, out of houses, mudhuts, onto the streets. People began screaming and crying.
"I have seen much blood and fire and smoke. I have seen the fires raging, the whole world burning. Fear not you people for the fire is not eternal. It is a cleansing, a purification and then there shall be a rebirth. This I have seen." He said quietly. Then he raised his sword.
"Duuna! Duuna-dhol! Duuna Jhis! Destroy! Destroy it all! Destroy Jhis!" And with a great cry everyone raised their swords and waves of red and white fires flew up in waves over the walls and surround the whole city, engulfing Jhis like the very sea. Arrows of terrible flaming fire came forth from the swords to join in the destruction. In one night Jhis and everything in it was burned down to black ash.
Chapter Thirty
It was a long and gruesome day at the arena. The bloodiest fights seen yet. He marveled at Hybronian pursuits such as this. So hypocritical they were, so virtuous. But they loved blood as much as Egians. Still, it was an enjoyable way to pass the time. The king had given him a great gift of lions, bears, boars and elephanta and jackals and many other beasts to use in the arena games for the new honors bestowed upon him as the crown prince. And one hundred captured slaves sent from Egi to be put to the wild beasts in the games - as long as he could hold his position - and his new honor as vassal king of Hybron, while the king took care to re-establish order in Egi.
His first business would be to rid the land of the desert king, where ever he was hiding. Then re-institute with far more vigor than his father or brother did the Egian laws governing slavery in Hybron. He detested the way Hybronian slaves comported themselves. Hybronian slaves did not know their place. They would learn it very soon. But first, celebrations!
He'd left the arena full of blood pooled sand, crowds roaring in his ears. Prince Remu demanded the games continue for he had a grand feast to attend. He invited all Hybronian ministers, grandees and their ladies to come to the Red Palace. The banquet hall was full again with grandees, nearly seven hundred, including dignitaries from Egi. A new High Priest had been appointed by King Teraht and the High Priestess of Nimnet. And all these of the Golden Temple were in attendance, more out of duty and fear now than pleasure for the old guard. He had no further use for them and did not like their scheming and deception. This very night he was having a decree being drawn up to tax the Gold
en Temple and limit their authority.
Revelry was high in the streets. The fires had gone mysteriously higher over the years. In defiance they celebrated, attributing all things to the sun god as his day was near approaching. The spirit of the people was so wild that fights broke out in the streets. Mostly the week was festive because Remu was vassal king and their new young king was handsome, strong and smarter than his brother.
As regards Remu, he had dancing and feasting of every kind of delicacy and everyone including him was under the influence of much wine. He had the vessels from the Golden Temple brought out for his guests to drink and eat upon. New altars to Nisrok and Nimnet were displayed in the hall as well as new altars for them being built throughout the city, redone to greater magnificence. Entertainments at the feast were battles to the death between slave men, men and woman, men and beasts as the guests looked on and feasted until even the floors glistened with blood. Then there were dancing girls from Egi.
While they were making merry, the king with all his grandees, one of his own astrologers came rushing down into the great banquet hall.
"Why are you raving? Why do you come before me without being called?" Demanded the king.
"Your Highness, may you even live forever among the gods! The city is on fire! There is fire all around!"
"Fire? How close to the palace?" Asked the king.
"Beyond the walls, Great Prince!" One of the Hybronian governors laughed.
"It has burned once before, more than once in its history and the Red Palace has never been touched." Said the governor.
"This is not so! The entire city is aflame, I tell you! It is aflame!" People began murmuring and muttering, the merriment dying down. The musicians stumbled.
"Did I say to stop? Continue!" The king demanded. But he got up and went to a balcony to see for himself. The veiled drapes, even through their diaphanous movements and soft cloak, as he approached revealed the withering, frightening movement of orange and red behind them. His heart grew fearful as he swept them back. To the king's horror all around him the fires surrounded the city. Below in the streets people were staring and some were screaming out in terror. Crowds, like stampeding rams, were running here and there but there was no escape. Great arms of smoke engulfed the city walls. A wave of fire rolled and stretched through the sky overhead and Jhis was engulfed in a sea of fire.
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