“Sounds like there’s a good chance,” Karn said. “Is there any way you could find a couple of horses for us? We could compensate you if it’s any trouble.”
“I wouldn’t hear of it,” Corran told him. “I’ll find you good strong animals. But first, why don’t you join me for a late breakfast? I’m sure you must be hungry.”
To the north, Keld and his companions were beginning to find their bearings after an impassable rise in the land had forced them into a series of, to be fair, quite beautiful valleys. Tree covered slopes, giving the appearance of soft green velvet, rising to glaciated peaks above had provided them with a pleasant scenic accompaniment to their journey. But trying to reach the lowlands to the north had been difficult.
After taking the horses up a promising slope, they found a gentle hill that brought them down onto the rolling tundra beneath the Ileskande. Under grey skies, they then crossed a small stream that headed east.
“This has to be a tributary of the Avahast,” Gandon said.
“It goes in the right direction,” Keld agreed. “We’ll follow it and see what happens.”
Eventually, it did bring them to the west branch of the river, much narrower on the northern side of the mountains than to the south.
They soon found a ford to the eastern bank, then some higher ground and then they camped in the open, tired but happy now that they knew where they were going.
The following day, the sun was bright in the morning sky and they continued their journey, heading back south towards the vale of Arvenreign, only this time, they were on the other side of the river from the Angdar.
Then as the morning grew late, a group of Valahir riders appeared in the distance, approaching them from the pass.
The riders drew to a halt in front of them, their leader holding up a hand to stay her companions. Long auburn hair flowed under her helmet, buffeting a pretty face.
She smiled. “Captain Vascakyle. This is a surprise.”
Keld returned the smile and inclined his head. “Princess Kaolin. It’s been a long time.”
“Too long,” Kaolin agreed. A grim expression came over her features. “We were sorry to hear what became of Orishelm and your countrymen.”
“Thank you,” Keld replied.
“So what brings you and your companions here?” Kaolin asked, looking at his group. She nodded to Gandon and the others. “Ah. We have a man from Khalahi here. And men of Ilara as well, if I’m not mistaken. Welcome, all of you.” She then turned back to Keld. “A small contingent of several nations, Captain Vascakyle. I’ve no doubt you have lots to tell me.”
“We have,” Keld replied.
“And was it you and your companions the other day who lit up the Angdar compounds on the south bank like fireworks?”
Keld smiled. “We may have had something to do with that, yes.”
Kaolin laughed. “Well, you and your companions are doubly welcome then. Come. Let me escort you to my father.”
In many ways the city of Arvenreign was like Orishelm, Keld thought as he and the others rode into its main square, but there was something a little untamed about it. Many of the buildings were very old and made of timber, along the lines of the more traditional Eirahir buildings of the distant past. Orishelm – and Ensildahir after it when the Eirahir had founded the land of Erahil – had been, for the most part, built of stone. Perhaps there was something in what the locals said, Keld thought to himself, that the people of Valahir were the true Eirahir. The people of the north.
Princess Kaolin alighted from her steed and turned to Keld. “May we provide stables for your horses?”
“Thank you,” Keld replied, climbing down from his, although with far less grace than the Valahir princess. His entourage followed.
“Come,” Kaolin said, gesturing for them to follow her into the hall before them. “Let us see my father. Then we can provide you with food and drink and find quarters for you all.”
Inside the hall, a small fire was burning at the far end and a group of men were gathered around a little table. Hearing them enter, the men turned around and one, a man of many years with a white beard, strode towards them.
Keld and his companions prepared to bow before him as it was clear who he was. But before they could, the man embraced Keld like a long lost son.
After he released him, he brushed some tears from his eyes and smiled. “Ah, Keld. It does my heart good to see you again. Did your father survive as well? Your brother? Your mother?”
“I do not know where my mother ended up,” Keld said. “I hope she’s safe. But my father and my brother are dead.”
The man swallowed. “I am sorry to hear that, Keld.” He hugged him again and then, releasing him once more, he turned to the others. “I am sorry, my friends. It has been some time since I last saw Captain Vascakyle. He and his family are close to me.” Then he smiled. “I am King Aurth. And I welcome you to Valahir.”
He turned to Kaolin. “Hello, my daughter. And where did you come upon your new companions?”
“They were heading south from the western tributaries of the Avahast,” Kaolin told him. Then she smiled too. “It was Keld and his companions who burned down those Angdar compounds the other day.”
King Aurth chuckled and turned back to Keld. “Was it now? Well, well. You bring news from the south?”
“That’s why we’re here,” Keld replied.
Sitting at the table that had been brought into the hall for the midday feast, King Aurth contemplated all he had been told in silence. At last, he stirred. “Remarkable. Then, if the Angdar compounds and encampments here are truly undermanned, a swift and concerted attack may be all that’s needed to break the siege and drive them off.” He looked at Keld. “Their garrison at Arahir is lost? Then all that’s left to them now is Wyvern’s Peak. Maybe we can drive them out there too. Drive them all the way back to Kharadaan where they can rot.”
He rose to his feet. “We’ll need to make preparations an offensive and I must wait until my son returns from the eastern branch to give me more news but this is very good. Very good indeed. But now, however, I would like you to eat, rest and enjoy the hospitality of my hall.”
As Karn and Shaala set camp that night, they both heard Morgiana’s voice inside their minds. “Where are you?”
“We’re heading for Olcenberg,” Karn told her. “One of Sól’s men believes a prominent Aracean commander will be arriving there soon.”
“Be careful, Karn.”
“I will.”
“Not just for your own safety,” Morgiana added, “but for Shaala’s as well.”
“You can rest assured on that,” Karn told her, giving Shaala a smile. “Shaala’s safe with me.”
“A lot depends on you two,” Morgiana reminded him.
“I know.”
King Aurth rose from his chair, his arms opened wide. “Kaodas, my son!”
A young man strode through the hall and embraced the king. “Hello, Father.”
“What news?”
Kaodas shrugged. “News? I’m not sure I remember the meaning of the word. Everything out there is the same as it has been for the past year. Although, it is a little quiet, now that I think of it.”
“Yes, I would well imagine so,” King Aurth said, grinning and clapping his son on the shoulder. “Now, I most certainly have news.” He then nodded to a man standing by Kaodas’ sister. “Tell me, son, do you remember Keld Vascakyle?”
Kaodas frowned slightly. “I think we may have met when I was a boy.”
“Well, Captain Vascakyle is from Arahir and he’s brought me a wealth of news,” the king said, guiding Kaodas over.
“Keld,” he said. “Do you remember Kaodas?”
Keld smiled and clasped Kaodas’ hand in his own. “I do. However, he was definitely shorter than me at the time whereas now, it’s quite clearly the other way round.” He then spoke to Kaodas directly. “It’s good to see you again, my friend.”
“And you as well, Captain,”
Kaodas replied. “Even if I was too young to remember our last meeting.”
Then once King Aurth had told his son all he had to tell, Kaodas nodded. “I’ll send word to the garrisons and see if we can determine whether there are fewer Angdar manning the outposts across the river. Then we can bridge the west branch of the river and finish what our friend Keld has started there. After that, we can bridge the river south of the divide and finish off the Angdar along the east branch.” He shrugged. “Although, from the sounds of it, if the Angdar have taken such heavy losses, they won’t be able to maintain the siege much longer. And they have less reason to now. With Ilara and Maharei decimating their army, what’s Valahir to them?”
“You may be right, my son,” King Aurth said. “But we must still be careful.”
Then Keld stirred. “I think Kaodas makes a good point though, especially with communications down the eastern side of the Entruscian range restored. The attempt by the enemy to break up the westernmost lands of the Greater Realms has, for all intents and purposes, failed.” He shook his head. “Ah. While we’re on the subject of communications, it’s a pity that Valahir doesn’t have any falconers like Queen Heptapshu in Ilara. I’d like to know if anything has happened in Kalishar yet.”
“I also,” King Aurth said, stroking his beard. “I wonder. Your companions in coming here have done what they set out to do. They’ve brought us the news of the Angdar’s defeat at Ensildahir and the taking of the garrison in Arahir. There’s no cause to involve them in any more fighting up here.”
“No,” Keld agreed. “I suppose not.”
“Then let those men return home to their contingents in either Ilara or Maharei,” King Aurth said. “They can return by the route by which you came.”
Keld laughed a little at this. “I’m not sure, your majesty. We did get rather lost when we reached the northern side of the vale.”
King Aurth nodded. “Ah. I know the area. Those winding valleys. They are tricky for the uninitiated. However, I think I can spare some guides to accompany the group. Then I can send formal greetings from my people to our friends down south and perhaps they can bring back messages in return. Or maybe the lovely queen of Ilara might be kind enough to send the most current news she has by one of her clever falcons. Maybe even send a falconer up here too so we can establish the more efficient communication you were talking about.”
Keld rose to his feet. “It sounds like a good idea. I’ll tell my companions.”
King Aurth then reached over and placed his hand on Keld’s arm. “But you will stay, won’t you?”
Keld nodded. “Yes. I will stay.”
Keld watched Lorial and Gandon in an embrace. Then it was his turn to say goodbye.
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay?” he asked his friend.
Gandon smiled. “You probably could, but I think it’s time I reported back to Prince Nabahar and informed him of everything that’s been going on up here.” He clasped Keld’s hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll meet again. Many times. And under better circumstances than war.” Then he embraced him as well. “I’m proud to call you my friend.”
“I’m proud to call you my friend as well,” Keld replied. “Take care of yourself.”
Gandon nodded as he let his friend go. “I will. You too.” Then he smiled. “Come and visit me in Khalahi sometime.”
XXI. Lord Falk
The sun shone brightly overhead as Karn and Shaala entered Olcenberg. The picturesque city, with buildings of white stone and wide cobbled streets, was situated at the foot of a small mountain with a tranquil lake before it, fed by a river from the north and mirroring the deep blue sky above. And throughout the streets were fountains, gardens and lifelike statues of semi–clad maidens that had been placed there long ago. It was a romantic city or, at least, it had been in happier times.
“Now what?” Shaala asked, observing the absence of any people.
“We wait until Lord Falk shows up,” Karn replied. He spied a small tavern with large windows from which they could watch the main street. “There,” he said, nodding in its direction. “That’ll be perfect.”
“All right,” Shaala said.
As they walked towards it, she glanced down the street at a tall tower in the distance. “You know, there could be Shavla in this city.”
“I’m aware of that, yes,” Karn said.
“Well, with us being two mages,” Shaala said, “if we’re detected, then it won’t take long for the Shavla to find us.”
Karn smiled at her. “Don’t worry. We have no need to fear the Shavla.”
“Why not?” came a voice from behind them.
Karn’s smile remained in place and he gave Shaala a wink. “Stay back.”
Frowning, she moved behind him, while he turned around.
Sure enough, there were Shavla there. However, rather than one or two, there were four of them. And each of them had a sword drawn.
Karn drew two foils. He carried them with him everywhere and they were his weapons of choice.
“Which of you fine gentlemen would like to be first?” he asked.
In reply, two of the Shavla lunged at him but Karn was too fast for them. He slid to his left, cutting the sinew behind the knee of the closest one, bringing him to the ground, then thrust a blade into his companion.
The other two Shavla, now more wary, stood back a little farther and circled him. Karn leapt aside as one made a thrust at him and took down the Shavla in the same motion. Then he finished off the last one standing.
Now, the only one of the Shavla still alive was the one he had just injured.
Karn stood over him, pressing the point of one of his swords to the man’s neck. “You heard a voice that told you mages were in the city, didn’t you? Was it Marshal Artaeis or one of the mages among the Angdar?”
“Go to hell,” the Shavla muttered.
With a shrug, Karn dispatched him. “Suit yourself.” Then he wiped his foils on the cloth of the Shavla’s cloak and put them away. He turned to Shaala. “Are you all right?”
“With you, I’m probably as safe as I can possibly be,” she reply. “How did you learn to fight like that?”
“The gift helps,” Karn said. “So does practice.”
Then Shaala frowned. “Hold on. What’s Lord Falk going to think when he comes in here and sees that you’ve killed four Shavla? Remember, he doesn’t know they’re not on his side.”
“If he finds out, let him ask why I did it,” Karn replied. “It might make a good conversation starter. However, I think we can hide the bodies.”
“But someone may have seen us,” Shaala told him.
“Relax,” Karn said. He dragged the Shavla into an alley off the main street and hid them out of sight behind a large water trough. Then he came back and led Shaala into the tavern they had been heading for when the Shavla had stopped them.
They had a late breakfast inside, remained there throughout the morning and lunched there as well. A small crowd filled the tavern as they ate and then in the early afternoon, that same crowd rushed to the windows as the sounds of hooves on cobblestones rang loud and clear over the din of conversation.
Karn and Shaala exchanged glances and went outside. There was a procession of dusty and weary horsemen in the street, some with bloody wounds that seeped through their bandages. And at the head of the procession, as tired as his companions but upright in his saddle, was a striking man in bronze armor with a dark crimson cape flowing behind him.
Karn approached him, while Shaala watched.
“Lord Falk?” he asked.
The man looked down in surprise. “Is there something I can do for you, my friend? My men are very tired.”
“That’s understandable,” Karn told him. “You’ve just come down the Raeuben from the eastern road, haven’t you? Fighting an Angdar group.”
Lord Falk sighed. “We have. And not just Angdar either. That dragon was there too.” Then he gave Karn a puzzled expression. “Who are you?”
“I’m a messenger,” Karn said. “And I wish to speak with you about an important matter.” He glanced at the column of men behind Lord Falk. “However, it can wait until you and your men are rested and fed.”
Karn and Shaala entered a barracks building later in the afternoon. Lord Falk greeted them in person and Karn introduced both himself and Shaala by name, although he didn’t tell the Aracean commander anything else just yet.
Lord Falk had bathed and changed into new clothes since they had spoken last and he looked somewhat restored.
Karn then insinuated that what he had to discuss was a sensitive matter and so Lord Falk invited him and Shaala to speak with him in his private quarters.
“Very well,” he said once they were seated and the door was bolted. “What is it you wish to discuss?”
“A very serious matter,” Karn assured him. “The betrayal of Aracea and all her allies. The truth.”
Lord Falk frowned. “The truth? What truth?”
“The truth about everything,” Karn continued. “The Angdar. The war with the western lands. The Shavla. Marshal Artaeis. Everything. The lands to the west have suffered immensely from this war. But Cirreone and her allies have suffered more. You have been betrayed and used by Marshal Artaeis.”
“Speak carefully,” Lord Falk warned him. “That is a serious accusation.”
“It is,” Karn said, holding his gaze. “And I did say so. And I have proof as well.”
“And what is that?”
Karn nodded to Shaala. “Shaala here is a mage. Not a mage allied with either the western lands or the Angdar but a mage who for over a century lived near the northern tip of the southern lands in complete isolation, not involving herself in the affairs of others. However, that has recently come to an end. I have asked Shaala here today to show you how that happened.”
Lord Falk shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“You will,” Karn told him. “Soon, you will understand everything.” He nodded to Shaala and she leant forward and placed her hands on Lord Falk’s temples.
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