by Jordan Cramm
“You knew all of this and yet waited until now to say something?” Wolflen demanded.
“Yes. I had to be sure my story would be believed, and I also couldn't exactly come right out and say I'm Lord Eklar and I sat in company a few days with Mortican...at least I couldn't tell you that up front. You would have tried to attack me at once.”
“Damn right!” Ayvock added.
Lord Eklar snickered.
“Look,” Jakarta interjected, “to his credit he did approach me. He identified me and as he approached me, I identified him. To be honest Wolflen I thought you and Ayvock would have been better judges of the man's story yourselves...he is not garbed as we Elves of Orenty are. Still, here we are. He approached me, and I knew him. And a few of us from Orenty know he has had certain dealings with Mortican in the past, so that fact added merit to his story. And Lord Eklar doesn't do anything that won't benefit himself and his people, so if he has truly gone behind Mortican's back to tell us all this, I would trust it.”
“Unless he is lying now,” Ayvock answered, “after all, he lied about who he was.”
“I don't know how far ahead of you all Mortican actually is. I can't say much about the numbers he has moving toward Izendune, or how many are already there. All I can tell you is that I sent thousands of my own troops there and I hope that will be a welcomed gesture. The truth is however, we will all need to stand together, because what Mortican has planned is more than any one of our races can handle alone. Izendune needs to be warned, and needs to be ready to make war in their own lands, because it comes for them first, and it comes soon. This Molith business is just a distraction.”
“And the reports you gave us about the Werewolf horde, and the position of the Elves here on Molith...I suppose that was a bunch of grum then too?” Ayvock asked.
“No,” Lord Eklar replied, “on those matters I spoke truly when first we met. No doubt you have magical hawks here...send some out to your Elven army to verify my words if you like. I saw them all in the desert from high above, from the back of a large Dragon.”
Wolflen nodded.
“Well,” he said, “you have given us much to think about. If what you say is true, then the logical course of action would be to get to Izendune as quick as possible. However, with a Werewolf horde here, and still needing to be dealt with, that creates a problem. Because if in fact Mortican has learned how to use these portal systems, and his horde is bound for this location, it would be possible then for him to bring them from this location to the portal location of Izendune, and then the Izenians there would have the problem to deal with. So I can't rightly abandon this current mission to go raising alarms on another continent now can I? Besides that, the Elves of Orenty are not with us at the moment and it would take days to return them all to ships at port, and to set sail again. They wouldn't even arrive on the shores of Izendune for over a month. So, I ask each of you for options here.”
“Go to Izendune; warn our people,” Ayvock stated firmly, “and be quick.”
Wolflen looked at his friend a minute.
“How can we leave now? Were you listening to what I just said?”
“We aren't leaving,” Ayvock returned, “YOU go. You, and Katrina. Use your teleportation magic and get there. The rest of us will figure things out here.”
“I can't teleport there—I have never been there already...never mind, it’s all a bit technical but I can't teleport there yet. I could get us either back to port here at Elender, or to Akartha and catch a ship from there. Doing that would save some time at sea.”
“Then do that,” Ayvock replied, “I will stay here and command our troops.”
“Without Wolflen here,” Jakarta said, “this ground is going to get real dangerous. I have faith in everyone here, and in the troops out there in camp, but this is a small band with a larger army following the Werewolf horde. If the numbers here face the Werewolves alone for any amount of time—even a single chime's worth, without Wolflen and his War Magic at the tip of the spear, I fear things could be bloody.”
“We all signed on for bloody the moment we started following him,” Ayvock said as he looked back at his best friend Wolflen, “but by Kesper's grace, we have learned how to fight thanks to you Elves. And I think we can hold back the horde long enough for those Elves to reach us and reinforce us.”
“Jakarta, I'd like you to come with the Princess and I to Izendune.”
Jakarta blinked. He hadn't expected that request.
“You think I won't be needed here?” he asked.
“I do,” Wolflen responded, “but I need your help there more. I would take Ayvock and Ravenshade as well, but he has a point-he needs to stay here and lead our people. As for King Gorak and Fenka, I would like you to go with Lord Eklar here, and with the Dwarves in camp, and do your damnedest to forge alliances with Dwarves here on Molith. Tell them I have already agreed to allow Dwarves to go underground on Polithica, and that if they too come to our assistance in this war, that I will make every effort on their behalf to help them expand their territories as well. Beg them, bribe them, threaten them if you have to, but get them on our side. Mage Carra, I need you here to help heal.”
“No,” Jakarta remarked, “if I leave, so does she.”
“It's all right Jakarta,” Mage Carra replied, “I am a Free Mage and my magic could help here.”
“There are other healers here...Izenian Shamans can do the same job of healing. Wolflen I am not in charge here I know, but I am asking you, if we must go to Izendune, let her travel with us as well.”
“I would say it is only one more person,” Wolflen replied, “but she is a skilled healer. Ugggh. Ayvock, what do you say to this? Can you do without her?”
Ayvock stood as he replied, “We will hold this ground until reinforcements arrive. The only thing I ask is that you keep this—Lord Eklar here from my sight. And if I see him go near Ravenshade even once, I am going to order every man in this camp turn his attention to Lord Eklar, and swing their swords at him until there is nothing left to strike at but a blood puddle. For now, we are done here, as you all interrupted something important tonight with your summons. Wolflen how soon until you leave?”
“Dawn. The Princess and I could use some rest first.”
“Good,” Ayvock retorted, “then find me before you leave in the morning. Meanwhile, moonlight is wasting, and Ravenshade and I are taking our leave now.”
As they left the tent, Wolflen and the others remaining looked at each other with glances of understanding and some were snickering about it. There was an awkward silence for a few moments after that, and then everyone seemed to snap their attentions back to the matter at hand.
“King Gorak, if you were to ride for Brosha and Gral, what do you expect the chances are that alliances could be forged here? I need a no-grum assessment.”
“Well,” King Gorak remarked, “Brosha will do business after seeing the profit in it. I know the offer of territorial expansion to include the possibility of other continents will seal that alliance. But the foggin problem is Voodian. Not sure the reserves of Brosha are stocked well enough that he would be able to tunnel deep in other parts of the world. Brosha would be up to his neck in grum if he foggin tried. As for Gral...he has the Voodian sure enough. Hordes it like a damn thief. But the foggin bastard is angry all the time. He's a fierce warrior though and sometimes likes to show off. If the offer of territorial expansion doesn't sway him, maybe he'll foggin do it for spoils of war.”
“Gral is the closer of the two, yet perhaps might be harder to employ. Still, if he is in a bloodthirsty mood, perhaps he would send soldiers to aid here,” Fenka added.
“They'd never arrive in time to make a difference,” Jakarta pointed out.
“I think,” Lord Eklar chimed in, “I can help on both accounts. I have long had dealings with the Kings of Molith. With me there, I can all but guarantee their cooperation.”
“I hope so,” Wolflen added, “because when this begins it could get u
gly fast. If the Dwarves of Molith will offer assistance, then they should immediately begin to focus on either dismantling those Spires outside, or at least setting up permanent encampment in the vicinity. I don't want even one transportation portal left vulnerable to be used by the enemy. It should be a priority to find them all, in all lands, and secure them as quickly as possible.”
“Husband do you have any clue where the Spires of Polithica are? I sure don't.”
Katrina's words were haunting, because he knew she was right. If it were true that every continent had a set of Spires, then every continent could potentially be at risk.
“I could find them for you,” Mage Carra answered suddenly, “in fact I have already asked it of the Free Magic in my mind. The balance debt for such a thing however is...overwhelming, and would mark a big change.”
“Tell us...” Jakarta said.
Chapter 18: A Vampire's Progress
Mortican already had thousands of his rank and file troops, weathering the cold of Izendune. His plan was unfolding perfectly before his eyes. Already, wooden shelters were in place, though he found the cold to be personally little more than an annoyance, like a bug that kept flying around one's face, always agitating, but never really causing him harm. His first task had been to set up the encampment in just the right way, as to guard the Spires of Izendune. It had been simple enough at first; sail to the very large island mountain known as the Cavern of Grathuk. It sat alone on the north-eastern most part of the continent, though it sat as a detached island itself. It was also uninhabitable as an island, being sheer mountain cliffs, rock and stone. No plants or animals lived there. It was simply a large mountain that protruded out of the ocean.
What very few people knew however, was that on that island was a very large, passable cavern system known as the Cavern of Grathuk. It went deep into the mountain interior, and then even under parts of the ocean itself. It continued on this way until the other end of the cavern way, which emerged on another detached island of sorts that sat just North of the mainland of Izendune. It, like the larger mountain, was part of Izendune however. When Mortican emerged there with his army, it was a simple thing to remain unnoticed. Further west, only two cities called the larger northern island home, and by staying to the east, and traveling south, he and his army avoided them both. For it was in the southern part of the northern island that the Spires were located.
Unlike Spires on other continents, the Izenians knew of the Spires of Izendune. Of course, only ever being able to guess at their purpose, and never knowing where they came from, or who built them, the Izenians had long past considered it an unworthy landmark. They had given it the title of the “Ring of Izen” though few ever made any kind of trek to see it. As such, Mortican knew that he and his army would reach it unhindered by Izenian eyes. And by the time his plan was in motion it would be too late to be stopped anyway. He grinned behind a fiery mustache as he reveled in his success.
The northern island of Izendune was mostly free of snow and ice, unlike the mainland. It was forestry and swamps for the most part; wetlands that could be challenging to navigate at times, though his Dragon Madrigal seemed to have no trouble at all. It's black scales slithered through the terrain as clawed talons sunk deep into mud and then pulled free with ease once more each time.
Once they had reached the Ring of Izen, the job was to secure the Spires, and that meant creating a stronghold. It was not a city, nor even a village, but more like a fort of sorts made of wood and stone. It was almost like one giant castle wall built around the Spires, with guard towers made of stone, battlements, and quarters for the soldiers and even Mortican himself. This task had taken two months to accomplish, but with his own magic, the magic of a few Free Mages that served him, and the magic and muscle of his followers coupled with the Dragons in his employ, Mortican made it look easy. He knew of course that he still had to be cautious. It was one thing to fortify the place and prepare it to receive visitors, but it would be another matter entirely to finally open the portal using the Spires. Once accomplished, he would travel to the Nexulous moon himself, with a portion of his army, and there, he would have to seek out the banished Gods and their armies. Doing so, he would then have to contend with them if they turned against him, something he knew could happen.
Plus, once those of the Nexulous moon learned that they could travel to Fengysha, the invasion would only be a matter of time. It had always been inevitable Mortican thought, but now I will lead it. A new era is beginning on Fengysha. They will know my wrath, and they will bend the knee or they will perish. He smiled as he sat atop his Dragon mount while he patrolled the work of the fortification. He was overseeing the progress personally.
He knew and hoped that from the Nexulous moon he might bring armies into Fengysha that it had not seen four countless ages. He knew for instance that there were once races of beast-men—half man and half beast, such as the Liodren; they were lion men who had the bodies of strong men, but heads of lions, and clawed hands. There were once also the Dragon-men, who Mortican hoped still thrived on the Nexulous moon. There were other races too that he hoped to return to the world. He knew of course that over the countless ages, some might have been made extinct on the Nexulous moon, but likewise he knew it was possible that other races had emerged or evolved there.
He knew also though that just as certain Gods were there waiting, so too were there likely several ethereal beings; beings of hate, wrath, destruction. Many were beings without form. A few remained on Fengysha after the banishment so long ago, and few would accomplish much in a fight against them, though there were methods to defeat them. Mortican shivered slightly as he let a stray thought of them enter his mind.
His large black Dragon breathed a plume of hot smoke as it took another step through the wetlands. Its demeanor was not lost on Mortican; their unspoken communication was clear enough to the both of them. From its back, Mortican rode in a saddle and he took a moment to pat the Dragon's neck a moment as he stood in the basket cab.
Mortican reached forward with his hand and touched the Dragon's neck in front of him. He knew she wanted to eat something and was growing hungry. It had already been days since he let her hunt last, but his plans and designs on their current location were tireless. He certainly possessed the virtue of patience, but he was also determined to see his plans through to completion, now that they were so close to being within his grasp. So, as he touched Madrigal's neck, he whispered a magic incantation to calm her down, so that she would not think about her current hunger. Then he used the reigns in his hand and guided her onward.
His army was already in place, and they paused behind him. More than six legions were with him, and though they only numbered in the thousands, they were a force to be feared. They were not mindless zombies however, but Vampires. And while they could be killed, they had advanced natural healing abilities, enhanced night vision and had natural immortality like a few other races of Fengysha. Of course, unlike those other races, they could often survive what would otherwise be lethal injuries. For they themselves were touched by dark magic. By drinking blood, their powers of healing would accelerate, allowing them to regrow limbs, or replenish their own lost blood during horrible battles. So while they could be killed, they were also very tough survivors.
Of course there were many myths surrounding Vampires. Some believed they only drank blood and could not eat food. Such beliefs were incorrect however. Others believed stranger things about them; that they had some kind of super speed, strength, or allergic reaction to religious relics. Each of those notions was as ridiculous as the next. Vampires of Fengysha had no problem with sunlight either. It did not brighten or burn their skin at all. They could eat the same foods and drink the same drinks as any other race. They could walk freely into any temple of the Gods and not burst into flames, even if holding a righteous holy relic in hand.
Of course, certain races of Fengysha spread such stories about Vampires, speaking of them to their children as specters th
at would haunt the night if the children did not go to sleep. The truth was however, apart from their keen night vision, added ability to regenerate (which was aided by blood drinking), and their natural immortality, they weren't all that special. Many were Shadow Knights by trade simply because many followed in the direction that Mortican had set for their kind. He was the first of them after all, being a child of a God himself.
As for how so many came into being, well that too was a subject of great misconception among other races of Fengysha. Many believed that once someone was bitten by a Vampire, that soon after, they themselves would become a Vampire. This of course was utter nonsense, as Vampires didn't normally bite in combat unless they had to. The truth did involve blood, but not in the way that most people thought. Mortican's flock of Vampires were actually created by the sharing of his own blood in the beginning. Those that drank of it and were not cured eventually began to change but only slightly. Their vision improved at night, and their natural healing and regeneration abilities improved. Then after, anyone who would drink the blood of other Vampires would in turn become one themselves.
So, while many rumors abounded about Mortican using mind control over all Vampires, the rumor was actually a falsehood. Of course he could use such measures on some if he needed to, but those of the Vampire ranks were willing followers of his, or were at least once in his company and made Vampire for one reason or another. Those that followed him studied under his leadership though, and as he himself was a powerful Shadow Knight, the art appealed in turn to many of his Vampire followers.
Of course there were a couple truths about Vampires that could not be denied. One was the feeling of connection that they each shared, thanks to the sharing of Vampire blood that was required for someone to become one. This connection however did not benefit them in the way it did Mortican. He was the only one who could use the connection to feel when one of his kind was made or killed, and where. He could also use that connection to enable a sort of mind control over them if and when he wished.