TRONDHEIM SAGEN: Earth Shattering

by Andreas Hennen

  "My dear Prince, there is no need for the clash of swords among us!"

  "Silence, you old fool! You may be a friend of my father’s, but you are not my father. Nobody has ever dared to speak to me like that, and be able to speak of it later!" The young prince shouted as loud as he could: "Guards! To my side!" He spurred his, horse galloping towards Tartaros, now well in sight, tall and imposing at the end of the road.

  "Sorry, my friends, I should have warned you of Horos's horrible personality, but his father will welcome you with open arms, you'll see," High apologized as if it was his fault.

  "High, we hope you're not mistaken, otherwise it will be hard to have saved your life," replied the Lord of the South.

  Holaf was still fighting his wrath over the offence he had suffered. His fists were still clenched tightly. His face was dark with anger and tense causing tremors in his cheeks. Then Long Sword, having swallowed the insult, turned suddenly to Godwin to thank him:

  "You are a true friend, Lord of the South! I don't want you to have to fight to wash away the shame of the insulting words addressed to my family, to my people and to me," He stopped speaking and shook his powerful shoulders, as if to chase off annoying cawing birds. Then he added: "That soft blond lad will have me as an adversary!"

  Godwin smiled and shook his head saying:

  "I challenged him not only because of his rudeness, but also to calm his arrogance and ignorance. Those who boast of profaning tombs and virgins do not deserve to walk the earth of the One God!"

  "No one will challenge anyone here! My warriors, please come to your senses! He is a young lout who doesn’t shave yet. But he is, accustomed to performing obscene acts with the approval and complicity of his garrison. The blind love of his father makes him untouchable even for the Kings of Kings. He offended us all, he offended me, calling me an old man, but I don't want to draw and quarter him and expose him on the public square," High spoke, agitated by the turn of events.

  "Of course you are not offended! You are, in fact, old!" Holaf exclaimed, making everyone laugh.

  "Fortunately, your mood is more fickle than a pregnant woman’s!" Godwin exclaimed, smiling before specifying: "And you can believe I know what I am talking about, I have twenty children!"

  This brought laughter that lasted, happily, for a long time, helping them to forget the unpleasant scene with the young arrogant prince.

  Finally they reached the fortress of Tartaros. The group crossed the drawbridge over the inner door, which had been left open. The Tartaros was a huge, very strong fortress built at the edge of the plateau on the road to the plain of Sotto Trono. It was a structure designed to block the road against the enemy. Its front walls were a logical and unmistakeable continuation of the natural cliffs on which it was set. This factor made it impossible to circumvent and or place under siege.

  The Tartaros had door with an internal drawbridge on the external facade and a door with two drawbridges on the side facing the city. This was the way which any pilgrim, merchant or wayfarer was obliged to pass in order to reach any destination inside the Steel Ring. The mighty walls of the Tartaros had seen and survived attempts at invasion from all races and peoples. Over the centuries no one had been able to violate those walls.

  Its squared towers were of archaic design and allowed for a perfect shot onto the parade ground. It was planned as an island, surrounded by a deep, wide moat inside the walls. There was nothing on the parade ground, which could give cover. No building where you could hide. It was specially designed so that if invaded by enemies, it could easily be turned into a slaughterhouse, exposing the invaders to a rain of arrows and darts hurled from the walls, from which there was no escape.

  Above the keystone of each arch was an anthropomorphic effigy with open arms outstretched in opposite directions. From its shoulders grew a pair of wide, powerful, feathered wings to support its body in a hypothetical flight. In its right hand it held a long sword pointing to the sky, while his head was crowned with a laurel wreath. This was the complicated coat of arms of which King Armillus was very proud. It was impressively depicted on the flags, banners, jackets and shields in his realm.

  As they came onto the parade ground, they saw a middle-aged man running towards them. He was corpulent and very clumsy, not an impressive figure. He had long red hair that had faded to white with age. His hair stuck out under a simple gold crown and flew about as he ran. The circle of noble metal was without spikes or decoration, except for the inscription "Kitan Rex," placed on the upper edge, with the task of holding a large and shiny emerald, placed at the centre front.

  This man was Armillus Polux, father of Horos. He no longer had the appearance of the strong warrior he had been the past. Armillus no longer wore even the lightest chain mail but was dressed fashionably. His tunic was identical to that of his young son. On the son it had a more beautiful effect than on his corpulent father. The older man’s tunic seemed too small, making the movements of the King of Kitan clumsy. Armillus had a carefully barbered beard, huge gold chains hanging around his neck and a short gold mantle, covering his left arm crookedly leaving the right uncovered. Armillus threw himself at High's feet begging:

  "Put away your swords and forget your resentment towards my only son, I ask you as a father, I implore you on my knees!"

  High looked at Godwin his eyes full of wonder and exclaimed:

  "Get up, my Lord!"

  Before King Armillus was able to rise, Godwin knelt down in front of him, astonishing the Lord of Kitan in turn. All he could do was stare at High with eyes swollen with tears.

  "My King, you must not prostrate yourselves before me! What message will you send thus to the troops at the top of the battlements? They are intent on observing the wrong side of the walls, giving their attention where it is not needed."

  His voice rang out in the silence of the parade ground. The Lord of the South jumped to his feet gave his arm to the anguished host. The King of Kitan grabbed his arm and in shaky voice asked:

  "You are the King of the Kings of the South! Is it you who have been offended by my foolish son?"

  "To be honest, my King, your son has been somewhat disrespectful to all of us, and to some several times," Godwin answered icily, walking across the parade ground with King Armillus under his arm.

  "My son is a fool, nothing more! He does not know how to behave in any situation. Nor does he understand the manners and duties imposed by his rank. He does not even want to hear it spoken about," explained his father, trying to defend his son. He stopped to look at the serious face of Godwin, who without blinking, listened to the loving words of the King and continued walking.

  "Is there a way to appease your wrath, mighty Lord of the South?" asked the worried father, concerned about the fate of his only heir.

  "My Lord, there is no way to appease what does not exist!" Godwin replied in his monotonous voice, though he was smiling. With a sweet and reassuring gaze he added: "Of my wrath you need not fear, but apologies must be made to the Lord of the North. He has been insulted more than anyone else and more than anyone he has been amused."

  The good Armillus looked to the mighty Sovereign of Trondheim, who certainly did not smile and had not yet calmed down. The demon's head was still firmly on his head. Armillus and Godwin approached Holaf, who was in an irascible mood, intent on settling the saddle on his mighty horse. He moved nervously away. In the head of the Long Sword were still ringing the offenses directed to his wonderful daughters.

  "Holaf, son of Erling, Lord of the North, can you ever forgive the stupid words of a young and impetuous prince?" Armillus stopped for a moment to hold back his tears.

  In his heart he was aware his son had caused the challenge to a duel. It would be a fight against men who had been the subject of mythical poems and legends telling the tales of their heroic deeds. The King of Kitan took a deep breath as if he were trying to calm the turmoil in his stomach:

  "My King, if only I could remedy the offence inflicted on you! My so
n is a lonely young man as he lost his mother at birth. Since then he has passed from one mentor to another more often than I can remember. He behaves arrogantly to hide his weaknesses, and often, though I hate to admit it, I have indulged him. But he is the only son I have been granted by the good God."

  "My host, I would like to lighten your problems, but in this moment I can do nothing," Holaf answered harshly, turning back, looking at the tearful father. He added: "You have been a great warrior and an excellent General. To that man I would say that his son is travelling on a path of no return. The young man is a stupid and reckless. He lacks the ability to evaluate a situation, but to the great General I would say, however, do not be afraid. The head of your only son will remain firmly in place. My heart does not call for the revenge my traditions and culture would dictate."

  The good Armillus understood immediately and took out a cotton handkerchief to wipe his eyes. He smiled and asked a question quietly:

  "And what would a man like you say to a stupid father who weeps?"

  Stoic Holaf spoke, "I would say that your son is a madman with no taste when he speaks of my daughters," he interrupted an instant muttering to himself. "What words did he use?" the epithets used came to mind and he exclaimed, "I believe your son had the courage to call my two princesses ‘crazy mules!’"

  At this statement the King of Kitan widened his incredulous eyes and shook his head saying, "My son must have lost his senses. Even the stones sing poems about the beauty of the daughters of Your Majesty! I can do no more than be ashamed of my heir and apologize to you!"

  King Armillus hung his head and remained silent in the embarrassing hush he had created, but the Sovereign of Kitan did not let much time pass before speaking again:

  "King of the Kings of the North, let me make you a gift of one of the magnificent works by the goldsmiths of Kitan. I hope it can help can erase the shame that has been caused!" The Sovereign turned around to call a young man, also dressed in green and gold.

  In his hands he carried a long, narrow wooden chest with magnificent floral inlays, made by the city's best cabinet-makers. A small gold angel, similar to the one depicted on the banners, served as a latch. King Armillus took the small treasure chest and opened it before the great man of the north, who was taller than the master of the house by a whole head. Inside the minute casket on a noble lining of red velvet lay one of the most spectacular pieces of jewellery ever seen by brave Holaf in his all life: a long white gold chain studded with diamonds, rubies and dragon's blood was revealed to the admiring eyes of Long Sword. The blood of the dragon was a precious stone of inestimable value. The red tint of this stone was so dark that it seemed black and revealed its magnificent colour only if placed in the light.

  The King of the North, very astonished and decidedly caught off guard, stammered:

  "It is wonderful, my Lord, but it is not necessary, everything is forgotten!"

  "I insist! It would look magnificent around the neck of your beautiful Queen. Even the stones have the colours of Trondheim! Though it is by chance, it seems as though it was created especially for you!

  Holaf did not believe in chance. He preferred to believe in the will of his mighty Warriors Gods and not being stupid answered:

  "If you insist, I will accept the gift, but will not consider any marriage proposals from you or your young heir!"

  Armillus saw all his hopes fall to pieces and shaking his head commented:

  "Originally the idea was to give you the gift of this object in the hope of leading your beautiful daughter Witte to think of Horos. But I imagine that this idea has gone up in smoke because of my son's foolish and irresponsible behaviour.

  Holaf, overprotective as always towards his own offspring said:

  "I would never give my daughter to a man with such manners!" with this he ended the discussion and refused the gift.

  "Just as well!" Horos shouted, making a triumphant entrance onto the parade ground.

  The young prince ordered the men of his garrison line up around the clearing. Each erect and rigid soldier wore flexible armour with rhomboid overlapping plates in gleaming gold. The covering armour was long, down to mid-thigh. Over the upper body it was strengthened by a small, leather bodice dyed green. This was most attractive, with the angel embossed on the centre, but it was certainly disappointing in defensive terms as it offered little protection.

  The arms of the soldiers were covered by golden mail to the elbow with iron cylinders on their forearms. These were also gilded, as were the pointed helmets, which lacked, however a visor. The face protection was given by an angel whose legs hung between soldier’s eyes, creating a sort of guard for the nose. The princely bodyguards held a long, undecorated spears and a sword hung on their belts. Their wooden shields were covered with leather dyed gold and green, with the ever-present angel in the middle. This was carried on their backs. Under the shield a useless ridiculous green cloak peeped out, shy and embarrassed. Every man in the garrison made sly acid comments and gave unfriendly looks towards the unwelcome guests.

  King Armillus, seeing his troops line up without having given any kind of order, became angry. His face turned bright red. The Sovereign screaming at the top of his voice asked:

  "What is the meaning of this further insult to my guests?"

  The King walked nervously and quickly to the centre of the large empty square and thundered from there:

  "I am the King of Kitan, Regent of the Tartaros, neither human nor divine can order a line up or deploy my army or part of it without my consent!" he looked at the soldier with a green crest and said: "Commander, take the men back to where they came from and report to your General!"

  The soldier with the green crest seemed not to hear, deliberately ignoring the command of his rightful King, who raged and screamed, out of control:

  "Commander, withdraw your troops or I will have you executed!" But the threats, as they echoed round the walls, were once again ignored.

  Holaf commented to his two peers:

  "There are fifty of them and only twelve of us, not counting King Armillus!"

  Godwin took a quick look and answered:

  "If it were only for these mean knights here, the battle would be over, but I'm afraid we would also have to face arrows from the battlements.

  Godwin turned to his soldiers, who were not as experienced as the other men in the escort:

  "You two, be ready to follow us!"

  The two soldiers from the south responded promptly:

  "Yes, Sire!"

  "Dear father, this is my garrison, and it only answers me!" the haughty prince exclaimed, all covered in golden armour, aggressively approaching poor Armillus.

  The good father turned to stone hearing what was coming from his beloved son’s mouth. He walked round in circles slowly with his arms behind his back, shaking his head nervously Even from a distance you could see he was mumbling to himself. His lips moved without making a sound. He stopped suddenly, raised his head to the battlements and then bent it down, walking in the direction of his son. Once he was close enough, he tried sweetly to persuade him:

  "My son, what are you doing! This action of yours has could be given a very bad name!" The King stopped, opening his arms and pointing to the deployed soldiers. Without moving his brown eyes from the boy, he shouted as if he had lost his mind, red in the face and with veins on his neck swollen and clearly visible because of the effort: "It's called betrayal! Deplorably, you force me into action! You are forcing me, I who loved you!"

  The prince, who was so different from his father that he thought his true father was really someone else, had a mocking smile on his face. Adjusting his hair, he said laughing, belittling his loving father:

  "What do you want to do, old man? Call your soldiers and arrest me because I mean to defend my honour? I have been offended in public!"

  The young man turned around and ordered his trusty green crested Commander:

  "Form up in a square in the centre of the parade grou
nd and allow me and that peasant in the effeminate armour to duel undisturbed."

  The King spoke in an afflicted, disappointed tone. His voice was low:

  "You are not a knight, you are a blot on the honour of my guests, of our family and of my honour as well!" He stopped to take a big breath, while his blond, irritated son was snorting, indifferent to his father’s suffering. The King looked him in the eye and exclaimed:

  "You have broken my heart!"

  "I'll soon get over it!" the young man answered mocking and bored, not even realizing what would happen shortly thereafter.

  Armillus came back slowly, disheartened to his guests, turning his back on his son, he shouted:

  "Crossbow men, to me!"

  From the top of the battlements came blinding gleams, reflected from tops of the weapons of at least two hundred armigers, showing themselves at the call of the Sovereign. They pointed their large crossbows towards the square, putting fear into the hearts of the rebels. Only then Horos understood the true purpose of his father's speech, which he had considered sentimental. But now he had achieved his aim of gaining time. The Sovereign of Kitan had distracted Horos, giving the Commander of the High Steel Guard who was loyal to him, time to deploy his troops with ease.

  "Father, what are you doing? You want to kill me just because I want to defend our good name?" the prince cried. He was seriously worried.

  The answer was clear and immediate, but not addressed to his son:

  "Aim!" ordered the disappointed man, his eyes red and shiny. The defectors clung to each other, hiding behind their wide shields.

  The green crested Commander called to the young prince:

  "My Lord, hurry up and come to us, the shields will protect us!" The young man did not seem to grasp the advice. He remained standing his eyes full of hatred. Horos trembled with anger, staring at his father, guilty, in his opinion, of betraying him, favouring guests over his son and heir.

  Godwin walked past the King of Kitan and approached Horos. He asked:

  "My King, would you permit me?" But he did not wait for the answer. To tell the truth, the Lord of the South did not care whether he had permission or not. The only thing the Righteous now wanted was to humiliate the young man who had such an inflated idea of his own importance. He slipped on his helmet with its beautiful feathers, and unsheathed his sword. It made a high squealing sound of almost crystalline purity.