The four of them vacated the area; the green-skinned Elven army continued their assault upon the Amazon safehold. By taking the Amazon guild by surprise, the Gwaridorn Elves gained the upper hand. Megildur could hear clashing metal and screams of battle as they ran for the coast. However, he needed to escape and discover how his mother knew of his demise, and how she convinced her kin to go to war against the Amazon guild.
CHAPTER 27: Voyage
They reached the coast and encountered several ships moored along the shore. They were magnificent vessels with massive sails and a hull large enough to carry several armies. Vanya guided them to the grandest of them all. The three boarded and they discovered Honoria’s supposed friend, Scyleia was aboard.
Honoria screamed, reaching for Scyleia’s throat. “Traitor!” Honoria almost managed to reach Scyleia before Vanya stopped her.
Vanya yelled out, “Restrain your anger! Scyleia is the reason we are here to help you!” She forced Honoria into one of the ship’s seats, without the help of Megildur and Gaal. “My people notified me of your journey to the Amazon guild. Scyleia used the Bard network while we were sailing and we picked her up along the way. She told me how she was unable to help you on her own. Scyleia is trying to make amends for her actions, so please try not to judge her too harshly.” Vanya motioned to a deckhand, who turned to the rest of the crew and began to set sail for the open sea.
Scyleia conceded, “Thank you Vanya, but Honoria has every right to be angry with me. I was too scared to take on the entire Amazon guild.” She placed a hand on Vanya’s shoulder.
Honoria lashed back at Scyleia, “That is the first statement out of your mouth we can agree on!” She stood from the seat and walked to the bow of the ship. Megildur was about to follow when Vanya stopped him.
“Let her go, she needs to come to grips with her friend’s actions,” Vanya commented. “Now tell me what you were doing in Amazon territory? That is no place for any man.”
“We heard a rumor that Shadowbane was last in the Dwarf safehold on Stormvald,” Megildur replied. “So when we arrived in Thieves’ Den to find a Bard, we found Honoria. She helped us with a rather tense situation involving a Half Giant who wanted to turn Gaal into a rug.” Gaal opened his eyes wide and nodded his head nervously. “She told us of a friend at Fort Irsadeng who would be able to give us passage across the sea to Stormvald.”
Scyleia admitted, “Honoria was partly correct. I could have helped her, but the Amazon guild either kills, or makes slaves, of men. It is not something I believe in, but they took me in when I was near death from an attack on my village several years back. The Ranger’s Brotherhood, from Wood’s Hollow safehold, destroyed my home and I barely escaped. I crawled to the shore of a nearby stream and a few Amazon Scouts found me. They brought me back to health at their safehold and the Queen offered me a place in their guild. I felt, at the time, it was the best place for me.”
“I understand your reasoning,” Megildur replied. “However, Honoria feels betrayed and may be a harder soul to receive forgiveness from. Thank you for getting word of our predicament to the Bard’s network. I am not sure we would have survived without your deeds.” Scyleia gave a slight smile at Megildur and glanced to the bow of the ship to see if Honoria was still there. She wanted to explain to her friend but did not know if she had the courage.
“Where shall we make port, M’Lady?” One of the mariners asked Vanya.
“Set sail for Stormvald,” Vanya commanded. “Be sure to land on the southwestern shore, otherwise the Dwarves will detect our presence.” The sailor bowed to Vanya and departed to carry out her commands. She turned back to Megildur to see the surprised look on his face. “Your father is not the only one with royalty in his blood. My father is King of the Gwaridorn Elves, making me a Princess. We rule over the seas and do not bother ourselves with petty land disputes or trying to conquer the outlying villages, as the Dar Khelegur do.”
“Well, I am glad you came ashore to rescue us,” Gaal interjected. “Now if you will excuse me, M’Lady, I am going to see if I can forage for some food.”
“Oh yes, speaking of that,” Vanya replied, beckoning for one of her crew. “Follow this crewman, Gaal. He will take you to the supplies you will need. There is plenty of food to choose. It will be cold on Stormvald, so be sure to grab blankets and warmer clothing.”
Gaal squealed, “Oh M’Lady, thank you for your generosity.” He turned to follow the Gwaridorn crewmember.
“Thank you Mother, we needed more supplies,” Megildur responded. “Gaal better not pack too much this time.” The last part Megildur whispered to himself.
“I expected you would, since I was certain the Amazons kept your packs and gear,” Vanya replied. “However, one of my men did find your armor that you possessed when you left Aelarnost. He found it when surveying the Amazon safehold. It’s with your supplies already and you can collect some new weapons before you depart.”
Megildur boasted, “Maethorion gave me that armor, originally forged for…”
“Oh, I know who they intended it for,” Vanya interrupted. “The Elves forged the armor for Sillestor the traitor!” Just mentioning the name disgusted Vanya. “Just be certain that you do not follow down the same dark path, when you recover Shadowbane. Death and misery have followed that weapon for many people over the ages.” Vanya now showed concern for her son on his journey. “I am sure if the Dwarves do not already have the sword, they know who does. Of course, they will not tell you. They despise all other races. They will enslave anyone they find within their safehold.” That warning sank deep within Megildur’s gut.
“I have no idea how we will get inside Korvambar,” Megildur sighed.
“Well not to make matters worse for you, but you not only need to get inside the perimeter,” Vanya added. “You’ll need to infiltrate the depths of the Halls of Haganduur as well.” Megildur was impressed with his Mother’s knowledge.
Megildur gasped, “Oh no, I forgot about the armory within the Halls of Haganduur. I am not a burrowing rodent! Now I have no way inside. The only thing we can do now is have Gaal use his stealth abilities, but I dare not send him alone into the depths of the Dwarf safehold!” Megildur appeared distressed at the thought of sending his friend into danger. He did not want to have Honoria and himself wait outside when Gaal braved the tunnels under Korvambar.
“Relax my son, I have a solution for you,” Vanya replied. She revealed a folded up cloth. “These are transparency cloaks, two of them. They will allow both Honoria and yourself to accompany Gaal on this section of the quest.” Megildur’s expression changed from dismay to delight at the sight of these gifts. Now he could fulfill the quest the All-Father laid out before him. “Now, I must warn you of the limitations of these cloaks. They only hide what they cover, so make sure you do not let go of them or you will be fully visible at the worst possible moment. In addition, they are not as powerful as the stealth ability a rogue uses, like Gaal.”
Megildur exclaimed, “This is fantastic! Now all of us can infiltrate the tunnels under Korvambar and find Shadowbane.” Megildur accepted the gifts.
“Now, tell me more about your journey since you left Aelarnost,” Vanya inquired.
Megildur told his mother about his travels thus far and Scyleia took the opportunity to check on Honoria. Scyleia walked near the bow. She could see Honoria leaning over the ship, crying. Honoria heard someone approaching and wiped her tears away. The Bard noticed it was her treacherous friend and her sorrow turned to anger once again.
Honoria lashed out, “What do you want now? Did you come up here to drive the dagger deeper into my back?” Her Nephilim rage began to show as she confronted Scyleia.
Scyleia murmured, stepping backwards. “No, I just wanted to tell you I am sorry.” She did not want to anger Honoria further. “I feel awful about what happened. I knew I could not free you and your friends on my own. That is why I left, to notify Megildur’s people. I knew they would be able to help.”
&n
bsp; Honoria demanded, “Why did you not tell me that your new guild hated men so much? You made me not only look deceptive to my companions, but also like a fool!” Honoria’s anger subsided now and humiliation set in.
Scyleia countered, “I did not see any reason to tell you since, well…you are female. They would have accepted you.”
“Honoria, Gaal and I never felt that you deceived us,” Megildur added, walking up from behind the Nephilim. “Remember, the Amazons captured you as well.”
“I still do not feel I can fully forgive you, since you betrayed my trust,” Honoria told Scyleia. “However, I thank you for your actions that led to our rescue. I just hope I can trust you again one day.”
Scyleia vowed, “I will earn your trust again, I promise. Thank you Honoria.”
Honoria chided, “So why are you here, Megildur? Didn’t think we could reconcile without you?”
Megildur laughed, “I was actually afraid you might throw her overboard!” Honoria punched him on the arm for saying that. “You can’t blame me for thinking that, I watched how you dispatched that Vampire at the campsite.”
“You killed a Vampire?” Scyleia asked. “I thought it was Megildur who…”
Honoria grumbled, “Pay no attention to him!” She took Scyleia by the arm and guided her away from Megildur.
Megildur chuckled and turned to check on Gaal below deck. After looking around a bit, he managed to find the storage hold and Gaal. The Shade was feverish with excitement over all the weapons and supplies. Seeing his custom-made Elven armor blending in with the rest of the armory impressed Megildur. A sword along the far wall particularly interested the Aelfborn Lord. The blade was long and the workmanship was incredible. The blade shown so bright it could bring light into the darkest of places.
“That’s a Jen’e’tai blade,” Vanya commented, entering the room. “It’s the preferred weapon for a Blade Master.”
“What’s a Blade Master?” Megildur asked.
“Dedicated swordsmen,” Vanya described. “Jen’e’tai in ancient tongue means the Path of Truth. Blade Masters learn to strike with incredible speed. They’re known as the whirlwinds of steel.” Megildur stared at the blade in amazement while his mother told him of the Blade Masters. “But that’s enough history for tonight, I am sure you have not slept for some time.”
“What makes you say that?” Megildur asked. He noticed what direction his mother was glancing and he followed her eyes. There was Gaal, curled up on several sacks of food, asleep. “Alright, you may have a point. I will take him to an empty room and both of us shall sleep before we arrive in Stormvald.”
“You will find some quarters down the hall,” Vanya mentioned as Megildur dragged Gaal to a vacant space. “We should be along the shores of Stormvald by morning. Sleep well.”
Megildur did find accommodations with two empty beds. Neither he nor Gaal had the energy to change, so both of them passed out atop the bedding. Before he closed his eyes, Megildur rubbed his chest and remembered the injury inflicted upon him before his rescue. It angered him that he did not get to kill the Amazon Queen himself, the one that scarred his chest. He cleaned the wound, but still the yearning for vengeance consumed the Aelfborn until his fatigue caught up with him.
Megildur was too exhausted to worry about what awaited them on the shores of Stormvald. He just fell fast asleep, for once.
CHAPTER 28: Arrival on Stormvald
Megildur woke to what he thought was the next morning, but it was well into the afternoon. He sat up in bed and stretched. Apparently, he undressed some time during the night, most likely out of habit. He looked to the other side of the room to find Gaal’s lower half in bed and his upper half was hanging over the side. Megildur was unsure if last night he left the Shade that way or if Gaal thrashed about during the night. The Aelfborn Lord stepped down to the cold floor, put on his clothes, and nudged his friend to wake him. It was good fortune that Shades did not have hair or his would be a mess after the night he had. Gaal rolled over and fell out of bed, landing on the wood floor. He gazed up at Megildur, who was now laughing at him.
“Have we arrived yet?” The half-conscious Thief asked.
“Not sure, but you need to get up,” Megildur replied. “Let’s get topside and see where we are.” Megildur finished with his boots, but Gaal had a long way to go.
The two went up to the deck to find Vanya, Scyleia, and Honoria all huddled under a large blanket laughing and conversing like old friends. This was a disturbing sight to Megildur, his mother laughing with his friends.
“What’s going on here?” Megildur demanded, unsure if he wanted to know.
Vanya greeted, “Oh Megildur, Gaal, there you two are. I was just talking with these two about the old days and some of your current quest.” Megildur wanted to scold his Mother for talking behind his back. “We have food for you both. Come, sit down.” Gaal scurried over for the food and drink the women offered them. However, Megildur just stood there staring at them. His mother updated them on their voyage across the inlet. “Our ships are the fastest in Aerynth. We made the crossing to Stormvald in one night. We docked a short time ago but I figured you needed the sleep. It will most likely be your last warm rest. The girls came topside right before we landed and we have been talking ever since.”
Honoria interjected, “Yes, since we were already awake most of the night talking we felt the ship slowing to dock. We needed to catch up. We haven’t seen each other in months.” Honoria wrapped her arm around Scyleia in a friendly manner.
“Whatever. Just hurry up and eat something,” Megildur replied. He picked out the food he wanted. “I want to get to that Dwarf safehold fast and get this quest over with!”
Vanya and the girls looked at each other in shock. “He’s under a lot of stress,” his mother whispered to the others.
After they filled their bellies, Megildur, Gaal, and Honoria went down to the armory. They collected their packs and some warmer clothes. Stormvald was an icy continent with less than desirable summers, and even harsher winters. Moreover, this being winter it was definitely going to be harsh on their journey. Megildur also collected his armor but when he looked to the weapons, the Jen’e’tai sword was gone. Megildur grumbled under his breath and rolled his eyes. Vanya, along with two other crewmembers, walked into the room carrying items.
“I wanted each of you to take items that would help complete the rest of your quest,” Vanya said. “For Honoria, something every Bard needs.” Vanya unveiled a small harp. It appeared crafted from gold and the strings shown as bright as moonlight, as did Honoria’s face when she gazed upon it.
Honoria gasped, “Oh it’s beautiful! Are you certain you want me to have this?”
“Of course I do,” Vanya replied. “It was crafted by the Gwaridorn Elf Bards and I wanted you to wield it from this day forward. Its melody is like no other and you will find it has many capabilities.” Honoria accepted the gift and held it tight. “Now, for our crafty friend, Gaal.” He turned around but still managed to have food in his mouth. “These are serpentine daggers, they are very fast, and light, just as a Thief must be on his feet.” Vanya smiled at the Shade while presenting the daggers to him.
Gaal muffled his gratitude, due to the mouthful of food. “Thank you, I will use them well.” He managed to take the weapons from Vanya, after dropping some food.
“Now, Megildur, for you.” Vanya turned around to take one last item from her Elven crewmember. “The Jen’e’tai sword of a Blade Master. I know it’s not as prestigious as Shadowbane, but I am certain it will serve you well.”
“I wondered who took it!” Megildur snatched the sword and realized by his mother’s shocked expression that he was being a jerk. “Thanks. I will guard it closely.”
“I have given you these items not so you will guard them, but that the weapons may guard you.” Vanya smiled, gazing upon her son and his companions, dressed for battle. “Oh Honoria, you may want to grab another weapon of your choosing. A Bard can only defend
with melody so much.” She walked with her son to the deck to disembark from the ship. Once they reached the gangplank to leave the ship Megildur turned to his mother.
“I will be back from my quest soon, I hope,” Megildur rumbled. “Thanks for all you have done for us.” He reached out and quickly hugged his mother. Vanya squeezed him tight and Megildur winced.
“I know you are under tremendous pressure, but try to relax and not let the stress get to you,” Vanya whispered, embracing her child. “You have a good group of friends. Be safe.” She started to cry a bit and realized she cannot make him look too weak in front of his friends. She pulled back and restrained her emotions, “Besides, I owed you for saving your sister and me from Aelarnost. Take care of yourself and your companions.”
“Of course I will, Mother,” Megildur responded, rolling his eyes. He turned to see his traveling companions had already crossed the gangplank, plus one. “Scyleia, what are you doing ashore?”
Scyleia vowed, “I am going with you. The way I see it, I still owe you for what happened in Fort Irsadeng.”
“You do not owe us for anything,” Megildur countered. “I don’t need another mouth to feed or another girl to protect!” Megildur noticed his response displeased Honoria, so he changed his answer. “Alright, you can come. But Honoria is responsible for you!”
Honoria blurted out, hugging her friend, “Yes, I will be responsible for her!” Gaal did not look too pleased, but that was his way.
Megildur picked up his gear, turned to wave one last time to his mother, and started walking north along the shoreline to Korvambar. They needed to walk a fine line between the shore and the mainland, since one side had hostile ships and the other contained hostile beasts. The terrain was frozen and dense with trees in some areas. Megildur moved inland slightly, but also made sure he could see the shoreline as well.
Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn Page 17