The Twins

by Gary Alan Wassner

  He was prepared to try anything, but it was not yet time for those decisions. Pardatha would put up a noble fight, and he was not ready to discount the possibility that this moody and taciturn invader would grow bored with the invasion if he found out that the ultimate reason for it was no longer realistic.

  Baladar sat on the high backed council chair at the head of the great slab of rock that formed the table of war, around which were assembled his war ministers. The chamber had been built countless tiels ago on the highest ground in Pardatha. It was enclosed by ten pillars of the same stone as the table, forming an open oval around the group. From here, the council could see clearly down the gorge, across the forest and over lake Everclear.

  Grogan sat at Baladar’s right hand. Elion was given a chair to Baladar’s left and greeted warmly by all audience members as he arrived. He was refreshed and dressed in light Elfin armor, amber in color, and high, tight brown suede boots, with a dagger at his belt. The other chairs were occupied by Bishop Anwel of Reston, Baladar’s generals, Jerik Woodhaven, leader of the Treefighters, Baron Selfridge, Lord Icaran, the heads of the bowmen, infantry, and swordsmen, as well as by the leaders of the largest of the neighboring armies that entered Pardatha both to help defend the city and to seek protection for their families and other citizens.

  An empty chair was placed next to Elion, and as the already assembled participants were chatting and introducing themselves to one another, Filaree Par D’Avalain was escorted into the chamber. All of the noise stopped immediately, as the Lady entered with Cameron at her side. She wore a long cloak of ebony velvet, embroidered with the crest of Avalain on its back. Her leggings were black leather over which she wore a white silk tunic. Tucked into a black sash cinching her waist was a dagger with a large ruby set into the hilt. Her jet black hair was braided and wound tightly around her head, and her almond shaped, dark eyes shone brightly in anticipation of what was to come.

  Baladar stood up and said respectfully, “Welcome, Filaree Par D’Avalain. It is an honor to have you here with us. Your reputation precedes you.”

  He bowed his head slightly. The others around the table followed suit, awed by the striking looks of this female warrior about whom they all had heard so much.

  “Please, sit. There is no reason to be so formal with me. I am accustomed to the rigors of a battlefield and I do not stand on ceremony,” she responded. “But, thank you for your welcome,” Filaree said, bowing slightly to the entire table.

  She sat down next to Elion, while Cameron took up his position behind her and to her right, directly between his Lady and the Elfin Prince.

  “Lady Filaree, Prince Elion and all of our honored visitors,” Baladar addressed the group. “We are here for one purpose only, I fear, and that is to determine how we can defend the city and all of its inhabitants against the advance of Colton dar Agonthea and his armies. Originally, I summoned the Lady D’Avalain along with two others who have not yet arrived, for the noble purpose of training and educating the heir of Gwendolen,” Baladar said, and then he paused in order for the gathering to quiet down.

  The mention of the heir caused quite a stir amongst those present and they looked in wonder from one to another, and then all their eyes rested finally on Baladar.

  “Yes, I said the heir of Gwendolen,” he said solemnly. “Ages ago, it was written that a child would be born of the Gwendolen line…”

  Many at the table nodded, remembering the stories that had been told to them as children.

  “… and that child would one day seek and find the Gem of Eternity, and restore the balance to the world that the Dark Lord threatened,” he continued somberly. “I believe that the child indeed was borne, and that he was cast into my arms not too long ago.”

  All those around the table, with the exception of Filaree, Elion and Cameron, looked shocked and could barely contain their emotions.

  When the din died down, Duke Sigis asked, “Are you certain, Baladar? Where is he now?”

  Everyone present anxiously awaited Baladar’s answer.

  “I am certain my friend, and to our good fortune, he is no longer here at this time. Rather, he is currently under the protection of our allies in the south. He resides in the heights of Seramour,” Baladar answered and he glanced at Elion.

  Again, those around the table chatted briefly with one another and then they all looked once again at Baladar.

  “Our brave visitor, Prince Elion of Lormarion, risked his life to bring me the news of the heir’s safety.”

  This time Baladar looked deeply into Elion’s eyes as he said those words. The young Elfin Prince was grateful to him for not revealing how the boy got to Seramour in the first place, and Baladar also did not feel it was necessary to explain the circumstances that surrounded the heir’s disappearance.

  “Treestar, King of the Southern Elves is his guardian right now, and unless we prevail here, he will be the one to train and educate him,” Baladar said with a gravity that everyone present immediately felt. “But, take heart! Had he been trapped in Pardatha with the rest of us, before he was awakened and his powers had an opportunity to manifest themselves, before all of his teachers even arrived, there would be little hope for him, nay for us all,” he resumed. “It is obvious to me that Colton believes him to still be here and that is why he is advancing upon us with such force. He does not wish to risk the legends coming true. He wants to stop the heir now, before he grows stronger. When the boy was first cast to me, I was able to witness his last moments, the final minutes before his guardian sacrificed herself in order to get him here.

  “The Dark Lord was present then and was held at bay by a single woman, Mira of Gwendolen, a sorceress and healer who resided in the palace of the King. She gave her life to protect him. Colton dar Agonthea was infuriated by his inability to prevent her casting the boy to me. I saw his anger, as the boy slipped from his grasp. How he learned the boy was here, I do not know. I pray that we do not have a traitor in our midst. Nevertheless, once more the Dark Lord thinks that he has trapped him, and once again he will be disappointed. We must all rejoice in knowing that whatever the outcome will be, the world will yet see another sunrise, and hope will not be destroyed by the results of the next few days.”

  The members of the council were all nodding now, and although many had questions, they remained silent and allowed Baladar to continue.

  “I named the boy Davmiran, in honor of this noble woman, Mira, who gave her life so that he could be with us today.”

  Baladar was silent for a moment, remembering the boy’s face, his innocence and his power. After he took his seat, Filaree stood and addressed the group next.

  “I have only just now learned that the boy is not here. It grieves me that I arrived here too late, but much has happened since I first left Avalain and we could not reach Pardatha any sooner. I have not yet had an opportunity to review the assets of the invader, which I will do on my own time. But, I am not prepared to assume that Pardatha cannot hold out against Colton. This city is strong and we have many troops garrisoned here. We will live to see another day, and I will yet have an opportunity to train the young Lord in Seramour,” she said.

  “Here, here!” Elion responded, leaping to his feet. “I walked right into the belly of the beast, and I am ready to fight my way out! I will never surrender to the Dark Lord’s evil,” he continued.

  “I admire your enthusiasm and your valor, both of you,” Baladar remarked, his brow furrowed. “I, too, am not willing to give up before the fight begins. Pardatha has survived many a threat and she has many allies of all kinds. Colton dar Agonthea will not have as easy a time as he thinks whence the siege begins.”

  “My Lord?” Grogan asked. “May I speak?”

  “Of course. Go ahead,” Baladar answered.

  “The city is well provisioned and the people are ready to defend it to the end. I must order the gates closed and sealed shortly, though, as our intelligence tells us that we have no more than a day before his ad
vance guard arrives. He has sent a contingent of riders ahead to parlay, I assume. They will be the first to reach the city,” Grogan related.

  “I imagine that he will ask us to surrender before the fight even begins. He underestimates the temerity of our people,” Baron Selfridge said.

  “Indeed! I would sooner die by my own hand than surrender to that bastard!” Lord Icaran said angrily.

  “He will surely ask us to release the heir to his custody,” Baladar surmised. “He will not believe it when I tell him that the boy is not within the confines of the city.”

  He was thinking that if a parlay was possible, he could then offer himself to the Dark Lord and perhaps avoid the terrible bloodshed thereby.

  “He will settle for nothing less than total victory! If he cannot retrieve the boy, he will want revenge! He does not think as we do. The bloodlust that drives a warrior during battle is what determines his actions most of the time. He thrives on destruction. Do not think that he will accept anything other than what he wants,” Filaree said.

  Baladar thought seriously about what the maiden from Avalain had just asserted. He could not make the mistake of attributing to Colton the same thought process that governed his own thinking.

  “I appreciate your analysis, my Lady. I had been thinking that perhaps he would take me in lieu of the heir. But you have made a good point. He would dispose of me as quickly as he would any one else. All that must matter to him now is the boy,” Baladar concluded.

  “My Lord, if I may, the city needs you. We all need you and the heir needs you. What good would it do to trade with the devil? He will not be satisfied until he has what he wants anyway,” Grogan commented.

  “We can only hope that our defense will be strong enough to compel him to conserve his forces for another time. After all, when he learns that Davmiran is not here he will certainly know that another battle must follow this one, and he cannot win it without an army. We must inflict as much damage as we can!” Elion said.

  “You are correct, my young friend. Our strengths are many. And, he will not want to leave here weakened, at least not if he does so without what he came for,” Baladar responded.

  “Although we may be no more than a mote in his eye, we can irritate him significantly!” Bishop Anwel said.

  “Even as the gods lose their patience, so must the devil’s son,” Jerik Woodhaven remarked.

  “We must harass him and annoy him to the point where he either tries to crush us out of frustration, or he leaves,” the Bishop commented. “A deadly gamble, perhaps, but one we must contemplate.”

  “When his emissaries arrive, I will meet them on the field, and I will tell them that what they seek is not here. Lady Filaree? Will you accompany me?” Baladar asked.

  “It would be my honor, Lord Baladar,” she answered, bowing her head.

  “And you, Elion, I think you have earned the right to bring Colton this news,” Baladar stated.

  “With pleasure, my Lord,” Elion said proudly.

  “Grogan, you must remain here. If something should happen to us, you are more than capable of taking over the defense of the city. Bishop Anwel? Would you add your spiritual touch to our group?”

  “Certainly, Lord Baladar. I would like to bring the wrath of the mighty one down upon them all if I could, may the First forgive me,” he answered.

  “It is decided then. I believe that everyone here knows what they must do now. I wish to retire to my study to prepare. As soon as Colton’s messengers arrive, I will have the tower bell ring three times. We will assemble in the courtyard and then ride to the gates together. Grogan! Prepare the city for the closing of the gates. It is time,” Baladar concluded, as he stood up from the table and bid everyone farewell.

  Some of the people remained to talk about the developments, while Elion and Filaree walked out together with Cameron close behind. Elion could not get over how beautiful this human female was. She had such a regal air about her, yet she was strong and determined. He would want to be on her side of the battlefield when the fighting begins, he thought.

  “Did you see the heir yourself?” Filaree asked him as they walked.

  “Yes, I was with him for quite some time” Elion answered. “He is very handsome, for a human,” Elion continued, and then immediately realized how that must have sounded. “I did not mean anything by that, my Lady. I am sorry…” he started to explain.

  “Do not apologize to me, Prince Elion. I find most humans to be rather gruff and clumsy myself,” she said laughing, while Cameron frowned deeply from behind.

  “Did you speak with him often?” she asked.

  “Baladar did not tell you?” he questioned her, surprised.

  “Tell me what, Prince?” she responded.

  “That he is not well? That the heir is under a spell and is unconscious?” he replied.

  “He did mention that he has not yet awoken, but I assumed he meant that he was still sleeping from his journey,” she responded.

  “Well, he is still sleeping from his journey. But he has been sleeping for at least a week!” Elion remarked. “My mother, Queen Elsinestra, is a healer and she was about to go to him when I left her. She will find a way to bring him back to us,” he said with confidence and with no lack of pride.

  “I am sure she will, Prince Elion. I have heard much about her over the years. The boy is in good hands. Is he all that we have been led to believe?” she asked.

  “More, my Lady. Much more,” he said solemnly.

  “I am anxious to meet him myself. But there is much to do here first if I ever hope to have a chance to work with the heir,” she said. “Come Cameron. Walk with me.” She reached out her arm for the other man to take and he gladly grasped it. Elion bowed to them both as they parted company for the evening.

  Elion returned to his rooms to prepare for the parlay and Filaree, with Cameron at her side, went to the training grounds to observe the troops and await the tolling of the bells.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Grogan gathered a small contingent of his best men and marched with them to the Noban gates. The stream of refugees into the city had slowed somewhat, but he could still see a long line of people, wagons, animals and the occasional soldier stretching out into the woods. He told his guards to spread out and start advising the stragglers that the gates would be closing soon. The dozen or so soldiers rode their horses out and around disseminating the news, and those still quite a distance from the city walls began to move with a renewed speed, turning what had been a relatively calm and organized procession into a tangled mess. No one wanted to be stranded outside the city with Colton dar Agonthea on the march and now so near.

  The deaths of the beloved trees had caused so much pain and suffering throughout the countryside these past tiels. Without the protection and calming influence of the Lalas, the population sought out Pardatha and Baladar as replacements, if only temporary, for the security they had lost. The high walls and fortified gates of the city seemed the safest and most comforting alternative.

  “Let’s move now. Hurry up. Lord Baladar does not wish anyone to be caught outside. Move quickly,” Grogan said as he rode up and down the remaining lines gathered outside, and the people responded with a renewed urgency.

  After a few more hours the numbers had diminished to a trickle, and Grogan signaled his guards to assemble on either side of the huge entrance. Two of his soldiers pulled large, bone horns from their saddlebags and held them to their lips, awaiting their leader’s signal. Grogan raised his arm and then with much regret, he dropped it, at which point the two guards began to blow on the great horns.

  The sound echoed throughout the city, beyond the forest and across the lake. Baladar heard the sad bellowing from his study, high up in the castle tower. Elion turned, startled at first, and then recognized the signal for what it was. Filaree listened with a pensive look upon her face and Cameron walked to her side to share the prodigious moment with his Lady.

  Everyone already in the city k
new the seriousness of the sound, and for just a few seconds the activity that had grown frenetic in the past few days, died completely. The remainder of the guards accompanying Grogan moved to the large mechanism that opened and closed the massive wooden gates. A few stragglers were still rushing in, and when the Master at Arms was confident that no more were left behind, he issued the orders to seal Pardatha from the inevitable assault.

  The majestic doors creaked and groaned and the soldiers cranked away, though they hardly budged them at first. Everyone nearby stopped what they were doing, stood perfectly still and watched. It had been so long since this avenue had been closed, that even the city elders could not remember the last time. Once the doors began to move though, the noise ceased almost entirely, and they closed silently and smoothly as if they were gliding upon a cushion of air. But with each foot of ground that they covered, the hearts of the people beat faster and faster. Finally, they met with a resounding crash in the wake of which an eerie hush spread over the city.

  Pardatha became an island in the path of a storm, and the silence of those witnessing the event was like the calm that reigns before the wind hits and the lightning strikes. But as the First was their witness, the Pardathans would resist until the end, until there was no fight left within the noble city, until the very walls crumbled and fell. And their leaders knew all the while that the real hope for the world lay not with them any longer no matter how valiant and brave they fought, but to the south, among the Elves in the protected heights of Seramour. After a while, after the echoes that marked the sealing of the city had long faded away, and after the dust had settled upon the cobblestones of Pardatha, everyone went back about their business though they were all just a bit more pensive than before.