Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn

by Paul Francois

  A voice thundered so loud it shook the stone structure, “Stop!” This sound startled the Dwarves, who dropped Megildur, Honoria, and Gaal. The Dwarves then backed themselves against the walls. They all looked around the massive room but were unable to determine where the command emanated from, until an enormous figure materialized before them.

  All of the Dwarves gasped at once, bowing to the new figure in the room, “Father!”

  Megildur lifted his head far enough off the floor to see who the Dwarves called Father. He was an enormous man who stood twice the height of Megildur. The man had a thick beard and wore a metallic glove on his left hand. He even overshadowed the statue next to him. The Aelfborn realized who this was…Thurin himself, Father to the Dwarf race.

  Thurin commanded, “Rise Megildur, my children will harm you no longer. Your friends may rise as well.” Thurin could see that Gaal and Megildur were slow to ascend due to their injuries. He turned to one of the Dwarves kneeling before him and commanded, “Bring forth a Priest to heal these travelers!” The Dwarf disappeared from the room to carry out Thurin’s order. Soon after leaving, the Dwarf guard returned with another Dwarf who carried what appeared to be a medicinal bag, the travelers assumed this must be the Priest. He went to Megildur first.

  Megildur grumbled, pushing the Priest toward Gaal, “See to my friend first.” The Aelfborn rose to his feet and turned to Thurin. “Thank you for intervening. A life of mining deep inside Aerynth did not sound too appealing for my friends, nor did the thought of torture.” Megildur nursed his injuries, glaring at the Dwarf who threatened him. “We meant neither disrespect nor hostility toward your children, we were…”

  “You were looking for Shadowbane, to fulfill the quest the All-Father gave to you,” Thurin interjected. “You will not find that which you seek here. You need to stop following rumors of where Shadowbane might be and start looking where it was last. For over a century now, the sword has remained embedded in the Stone Tree in the center of the old Kierhaven ruins. No one has removed it and no one shall, except for Cambruin’s heir.” Thurin smiled down upon Megildur.

  Megildur replied with a perplexed tone, “But the last time anyone went looking for the ruins of Kierhaven, they found nothing. All that remained was a vast sea.” He was even more confused.

  Thurin chuckled, “Kierhaven is not gone, just lost. If someone seeks to travel to a lost realm in Aerynth, they can use the Lharast Portal.”

  “The Lharast Portal? I have heard tales of the full moon portal, but did not know it really existed,” Honoria jumped into their conversation, followed by a glare from Megildur. “Sorry, I guess interposing is a fault in all Bards.”

  “Quite alright. The tales you heard were correct, my young Bard, the portal does exist,” Thurin replied to Honoria’s interruption with a smile. “However, this isn’t an easy object to reach. It is on the isle of Oblivion and guarded by the Lich Queen herself, Ithriana. What can you tell us of her, young Bard?”

  “Ithriana was the daughter to Elf Lord Sillestor and she’s the one who persuaded Beregund to recover Shadowbane from the Dwarves during the Age of Days,” Honoria replied to a very impressed Thurin. “But I thought Caeric Blackhammer killed her during the Age of Kings when he recovered Shadowbane from her for the High King Cambruin?”

  “Ithriana has risen from the dead before,” Thurin cautioned. “Whether it’s from the curse Beregund placed on Shadowbane or dark Elven magic from her kin, she’s forever undead and impossible to kill.” The God of Forge and Craft could see this news weighed heavily upon the already discouraged Aelfborn Lord. “Do not fret young Aelfborn Champion. Just because you cannot kill her, does not mean you cannot stop her, at least long enough to make it through the portal.” Thurin looked toward one of the Dwarf guards. “Have the Forge Master fetch the Morloch's Betrayer of Fire and the Morloch's Betrayer of Truth!”

  The Dwarf bowed to Thurin and walked past him to the back of Thurin’s statue. Megildur watched the Dwarf wave his hand and say something in Dwarvish, “Knurlnien.” Dwarf runes shown on the stone like fire and a door opened up for the guard.

  “By the All-Father, no wonder no one has infiltrated the armory or forges inside the Halls of Haganduur!” Megildur proclaimed. “They are even deeper underground and protected by magical Dwarven doors!” Megildur whispered to Honoria, “Do you know what he said to open the door?” This even perplexed the Bard.

  “Translated in your tongue it means Heart of Stone,” Thurin responded. “And I would expect this knowledge to remain inside these halls!” Thurin scowled at the three companions who frantically shook their heads in agreement with the Father of the Dwarves.

  The Dwarf who went below into the forges returned a few moments later carrying two daggers. One glowed red like the embers of a raging fire and the other glistened white like fresh snow after a storm. Thurin took both daggers from the Dwarf and dismissed him.

  “These weapons will aid you in your battle with the Lich Queen,” Thurin explained, handing one of the weapons to Megildur and the other to Gaal, who was now back up on his feet. “Though Ithriana has few weaknesses, you will find fire and holy attacks work best against her malevolent wrath. You will come across the Lich Queen inside her keep, deep inside the Plain of Ashes region on the isle of Oblivion. Once you leave this safehold, head south to the runegate and take the black portal. Good luck on your quest, Lord Megildur.” Thurin turned to leave the travelers when Megildur made a request of him.

  “Mighty Thurin, could I ask one more request of you?” Megildur beseeched the God of Forge and Craft. The powerful one turned around with a raised eyebrow to the Aelfborn. “Someone journeyed to Korvambar and his family never heard from him again. He is the father to a friend of mine, Marie. I was hoping you knew of his whereabouts.”

  “I know of whom you speak of,” Thurin replied. “I have heard his daughter’s cries. However, he violated my children’s home and is being imprisoned for doing so.”

  Megildur conceded, “I understand Mighty Thurin, but his intentions were to recover Shadowbane and honor Cambruin…and the Gods. Could you show mercy upon him and his family by allowing him to return home?”

  “Knowing what strife lay ahead, you stop to plead for another man’s life?” Thurin asked. “I can see why the All-Father chose you, Aelfborn. I will have him released at once to return home.” The God turned to one of his children, who bowed to his father and left to carry out his wishes. Thurin gave the Aelfborn a slight smile and vanished from sight.

  Gaal chuckled, “Well, I would take that as our sign to leave. I am ready, how about you…Lord Megildur?”

  “Unappealing as the snowy weather is outside, it feels more inviting than this place right now,” Megildur commented because of the glares they were receiving from many of the Dwarves. “How about you, Honoria, are you ready to travel?”

  Honoria anxiously nodded her head, without saying a word. She was leery of a nearby Dwarf who was ogling her. She was unsure if this was a mischievous stare, or was he trying to flirt? Saying anything might provoke him and either way he intended the look, it revolted Honoria.

  The three companions went straight for the exit. Anywhere in Aerynth right now felt more inviting than staying with these Dwarves. Several of them followed the travelers to the door, including Honoria’s newfound friend. Once they made it past the doors leaving the Halls of Haganduur, the Dwarves slammed them shut. Two other guards escorted them outside the safehold walls and proceeded with slamming those gates as well.

  “Charming little people, wouldn’t you agree Honoria?” Gaal mocked. He noticed her flirting Dwarf inside the halls.

  “Shut up, you whelp!” Honoria lashed back at the Shade. “Let’s get Scyleia and our gear. I want to get as far away from this place as possible.” The words barely escaped her mouth before Scyleia appeared, looking frantic.

  “Are you alright?” Scyleia asked the group as they scrambled to gather their gear.

  “Yes, but we need to make haste
to the runegate south of here,” Megildur replied. “We can explain along the way.” They packed up their equipment and proceeded south, before the Dwarves got too restless.

  CHAPTER 31: Bound for Oblivion

  Megildur and his companions trekked south, straight down the middle of Stormvald this time. They attempted to avoid all signs of life and they told Scyleia of their encounter with Thurin and his Dwarf children.

  “So Kierhaven’s lost, not destroyed, according to Thurin?” Scyleia inquired. She was trying to analyze the information the God of Forge and Craft gave the others. “So since Thurin told you to look at Shadowbane’s last known location that would take us to the Elven fortress Kierhaven atop Mount Telorinadreth.” Scyleia looked deep in thought, as did the others, trying to process this recent knowledge. “Of course, in order to reach the lost fortress, we must travel to the Lich Queen’s Keep and confront Ithriana for access to the Lharast Portal.”

  “I would say that sums it up,” Megildur replied with a concerned look on his face. He understood that he must recover Shadowbane. However, in order to accomplish this, they must not only defeat Ithriana but also they must engage whatever awaits them in Kierhaven. Honoria could see the concerned look in Megildur’s eyes.

  “Do not fret about what we must accomplish,” Honoria reassured the troubled Aelfborn. “The Gods would not have sent you on this quest if they did not have the confidence you would succeed.”

  “Besides, how can you fail with an epic Thief, a Vampire slaying Nephilim Bard and…what are you again?” Gaal commented, looking at Scyleia.

  “I too am a Bard!” Scyleia countered Gaal’s attempt at an insult.

  Megildur bellowed, “Let’s not start with the ribbing again! We will make camp over by those rocks and head out at first light. With any luck, we can make it to the runegate before the sun sets tomorrow.”

  The others could tell that Thurin’s news disturbed the Aelfborn Lord. He did not fare too well against the last undead atrocity he encountered and the thought of engaging another did not comfort him.

  Megildur felt they gained enough distance from the Dwarves to start a fire. Gaal collected firewood and started a blaze to offset the freezing wind and snow. After the campfire was going, Megildur looked around but was unable to find Honoria and Scyleia.

  “Where are the others?” Megildur asked Gaal.

  “Who knows, I saw them walking that way a short time ago,” Gaal replied, pointing past the rock formation they used for shelter.

  Megildur proceeded in the direction Gaal pointed. He rounded the rock formation and saw Honoria and Scyleia back to back chanting. They stopped and began walking back toward the camp as Megildur was in range of hearing what they were reciting.

  “Oh Megildur, I did not know you were there,” Honoria admitted. Scyleia also looked shocked to see him standing there watching them.

  “We had not been in touch with the Bard network in some time,” Honoria replied. “We just needed to update. Plus, we researched some new spells we can use against the Lich Queen.”

  Megildur grumbled, “Alright, well the fire is ready.” He walked back to the camp and just stared into the fire. Honoria and Scyleia knew there was no comfort for him in any words they could offer, and Gaal was not the consoling type, so the evening passed in silence. Megildur stood to address his companions, “I will take the first watch. All of you should get some rest and we will leave at first light.” He left to circle the encampment, checking for possible threats. He walked around the camp a few times and returned to the campfire to find the others had turned in for the night. He perched himself atop one of the closest rocks by the flames and contemplated how he would defeat the Lich Queen.

  Megildur sat there thinking of his dilemma. A bright light shown in his eyes. The sun peeked up over the horizon. Without realizing it, he sat up all night worrying about the quest. He heard someone approaching from behind. He turned his head to see Scyleia was approaching.

  “Did you stay awake all night? Why did you not wake one of us to take over?” Scyleia asked.

  “I could not sleep, so I felt I might as well make myself useful,” Megildur sighed, rubbing his worn eyes.

  “I understand why you worry about your quest and I know you do not trust me after what happened in Fort Irsadeng,” Scyleia remarked. “But you do not have to bear this burden alone. All you have to do is ask other guilds for help and I am sure you can rally more support.”

  “No others!” He retorted. “The All-Father gave me this responsibility and if I’m to be King one day, I need to be a man today.” He stood up and seemed upset by Scyleia mentioning the thought of him needing assistance. It made him feel that she doubted his abilities. "Wake Gaal and Honoria, we need to proceed to the runegate.”

  “I apologize for my bitterness since leaving Korvambar,” Megildur confessed. “Thurin’s insight into locating Shadowbane, and our destination to reach it, distressed me. I had hoped we would find the sword in the Dwarf safehold and be returning to our homes by now.” The Aelfborn turned to Scyleia, “I know those were words of comfort you gave me this morning, were not intended to cast doubt upon my abilities, but this is something I must do on my own.” He turned to face all of his companions, “I will understand if you want to use the runegate to travel home now, I can continue on to the Lich Queen’s Keep alone.”

  Gaal, Honoria, and Scyleia looked at one another, pondering the Aelfborn Lord’s words. Honoria stepped up to Megildur and placed a hand on Megildur’s shoulder, “I think I speak for all of us, we are with you until the end.”

  “Just try to make sure it’s the end of the quest, not us!” The Shade Thief added.

  Megildur boasted, “Well it looks like I have my army. Through the runegate, for tonight we camp in Oblivion!” The companions turned and followed their leader, and future High King, to the runegate. The four of them stood in the center of the platform and examined each of the three gates. One was a multicolored mist, one was a bright white cloud, and the last one was a thick black smoke.

  “So where do these portals go?” Scyleia asked. “I’ve never traveled through one.”

  “I traveled through the runegate in Sea Dog’s Rest through a custom portal opened by Zeristan in the center,” Megildur replied. “Thurin told us to take the black portal to reach Oblivion, but does anyone know where the others lead?”

  “I remember reading an ancient tale about the runegates during their formation, after the Turning,” Honoria interjected. “It talked about the multicolored portal leading to Maelstrom and the white portal leading to Sea Dog’s Rest.”

  “Well since our destination is on Oblivion, we go through the black smoke,” Megildur commented. He approached the portal and placed a hand near the outer edge of the smoke, he could feel the energy hum within. The smoke would bend and sway to the movements of his hand. The Aelfborn gave one last look to his companions, took one large step and vanished into the smoke. Megildur once again saw the glowing circles, the same as when Zeristan transported him to his home. The symbols faded and Megildur was standing on the runegate in what he assumed was Oblivion now.

  Oblivion lived up to its name, it was bleak and depressing. The ground was barren, the sky was ominous, and the stench of death was in the air. It did not feel as if any life ever existed on this forsaken land. Megildur stepped off the runegate and examined the area around him for any trouble, but for once, it appeared safe. He turned to watch each of his friends materialize on the runegate, until all four were there.

  “Well, looks like we are on Oblivion as Thurin directed.” Megildur remarked. “But does anyone know the way to the Lich Queen’s Keep from here?”

  Megildur glanced around at his companions but both Honoria and Scyleia had the same blank expression as the Aelfborn Lord.

  “We go west,” Gaal declared, starting to walk in that direction. Megildur looked puzzled by the Thief’s statement. Gaal stopped and faced Megildur so he could speak soft enough for only the Aelfborn to hear.
“I used to scour this island looking for unsuspecting travelers to steal from.”

  Megildur whispered back to Gaal, “Glad you are on our side.” He pulled back to address everyone. “We go west.”

  The four of them grabbed their gear and started walking west. It was not long until they reached a river. Megildur did not like having to cross another river but this one appeared still and dead, much like the land around him.

  “If we tried to go around, it would extend our journey by several days,” Gaal commented. “It’s an inlet from the northern sea. It flows down to a lake just south of here.”

  “No,” Megildur replied. “We will cross here.”

  The friends looked at one another, knowing they had little choice. None of them wanted to stay on this island longer than necessary, so crossing the river here was the best choice. Honoria could have taken her Nephilim form and flown over the water, but she did not want to make her friends suffer alone. They slipped into the water, one at a time, and crossed by swimming as fast as each of them could. The water reeked of dead sea organisms, which matched the floating remains all around them. They arrived on the other side with all four of them looking like beached sea life. The air lacked enough heat to dry their clothes, but the air was just muggy enough to make them miserable.

  They continued west for some time before reaching any signs of life, if you could call it that. Megildur saw a creature walking on two legs but hunched over. Its skin was dark, with no fur. It was hard to see from a distance, but it appeared to have hooves instead of feet.

  “What’s that beast?” Megildur asked. “Some sort of demon?”

  “That’s a ghoul,” Gaal replied. “You will find this island is swarming with those, along with skeletons, vampires, and worse.”