The young colonel made a quick decision. He countermanded the General Staff’s orders and commanded the cavalry to pull back. Hrafnu could keep his valley. The General Staff could prosecute him for insubordination later, but he would save the lives of most of these men. He sent the cavalry’s messengers back to the staff and left with his retainers to order retreat at the gate.
Hrafnu turned to a messenger and ordered reinforcements. These arrogant Zodrians would lose many good men trying to force their way down his ravine. It would be a bloodbath. Why were they so ignorant? He determined to retrieve his brave masons and ironworkers and finish the gate. With the gate intact, Zodrian and Keltaran alike would live. There was no alternative. The eighth wave of Zodrian cavalry turned from their charge. The remaining Keltaran scrambled to regroup their thinning number. Hrafnu smiled at his beloved sons and stepped to the edge of the wall.
‘Zodrians!‘ bellowed the giant.
The field below silenced except for the moans of the injured.
‘Why don’t you leave us in peace? In all of my years, you have done nothing but murder and plunder. I was patient in the ways of my Maker. Patience that lasted the lifetimes of normal men!’
The giant’s eyes went wild and angry. He clenched his teeth and growled.
‘My Maker leaves my heart, and what remains is a cold, dead stone. You will die here today, as will all Zodrians I encounter! Peace is for fools! Now is the reign of death and destruction!’
With that, the giant stepped onto the parapet and leapt. A causeway spanned the swirling trench of frigid water twenty yards below. The stone rang out as Hrafnu’s steel shod boots slammed onto it. The giant landed in a crouch and touched one hand to the granite surface. He remained for a moment poised like a mountain cat ready to spring as his hand caressed rock hewn from the mountains he loved. He slowly rose and moved into the ravine’s mouth with fists clenched.
Even at the age of three hundred, he was an impressive figure. His long, wavy red hair cascaded like flame over his exposed shoulders and down his back. A vest of black sheepskin was tightly bound to his torso. A jerkin of heavy deerskin draped to mid thigh, and the steel shod boots, made of mountain ram’s hide, were bound by thick cords up to his knees. Powerful, knotted muscles rippled on every portion of his body and his sweat steamed in the chilly morning air. He marched forward like a fiery demon stepping from the pits of Chaos.
Hrafnu approached his masons. The Zodrian cavalry reformed. The giant’s right hand moved over his head to his back and drew out the massive heavy-headed battle-ax that hung there. The other hand drew forth a broadsword most men needed two strong arms to wield. Hrafnu held it like a dagger.
His sons scrambled to the scaffolding behind the wall. They were desperate to protect their father. It might take the reinforcements some time to arrive. Hrafnu stepped amongst his fallen men. He turned to those who still walked and barked orders.
‘They will sing songs of your bravery for centuries my children. Return to the gate carrying the fallen. Complete the work you started and protect our people. I will take care of the flies that bite and pester us.’
They stared at him blankly for a moment.
‘GO! NOW!’ roared Hrafnu.
Those who were able grabbed their fallen comrades and hauled them toward the causeway and safety. Hrafnu’s sons met them and dragged many to the temporary safety of the wall. Hrafnu stood alone amongst the dead and sneered at the Zodrian cavalry
‘You interrupt my plans for peace once more. Now your people will never see peace. I remove my pledge. Borders and laws do not matter to you, so they will hold me no longer. Once I gut you, I will gather my troops and march on Zodra. All will fall before my ax. Women, children, all Zodrians will pay for my centuries of sorrow!’ howled the giant madly. ‘The day arrives Zodra, and you are ill prepared for the horrors Hrafnu will inflict!’
Hrafnu rammed the broadsword into the frosty ground in front of him and firmly grasped the battle-ax with both hands. He raised it high over his head and clenched his teeth. The Zodrian line was poised to charge, yet sat motionless with fright. Their leader’s saber lay limp by the side of his stallion.
‘Come to me, yapping dogs of Zodra! I grow weary of your cowardice!’ shouted Hrafnu.
The Zodrian colonel’s saber snapped into the air. He snarled and slid his horse in line with the next charge.
‘For king and country!’ shouted the colonel as his saber slashed downward, its tip aimed at Hrafnu’s heart.
The steel shoes of the Zodrian stallions pounded the ground, reverberating through the canyon like thunder after a brilliant lightning strike. Riders spurred their nervous mounts ferociously. These were battle-hardened horses, but even these beasts never beheld the like of Hrafnu. He stood wild-eyed in the center of the field howling and bellowing for the riders to come.
The giant stretched to his full height, considerably higher than that of the masons and carpenters who stood in the ravine earlier. He hefted the ax once more with a single hand, and the other retrieved the broadsword. The Zodrian riders converged upon him. His shoulders were above the horses’ craning heads, and with a sweep of his great ax, three riders to his right were cleanly taken from their seats and thrown to the ground. His left hand deftly drew a plane with the broadsword an inch above the horses. Three more riders were cut from their mounts.
Quickly, the giant spun to his left and hemmed in the riders who passed him against the ravine’s walls. In the confusion, the riders on the opposite wall and retreated. They had made their run and were returning as ordered. These riders didn’t turn to see the colonel and a dozen of their mates trapped by the huge reach of Hrafnu.
Horses slammed into one another as the colonel tried in vain to form the small group into a line. Hrafnu marched directly amongst the fighting force, hacking and slashing. Riders dropped from their horses dead or wounded. The crazed stallions kicked and jumped, throwing men from their mounts and trampling them.
The remaining cavalry across the field sat frozen in horror. Their orders were clear. They were to make a run at the Keltarans, inflict as much damage as possible, then return to the rear of the line. Once the bottleneck in the ravine cleared of Zodrian cavalry, the next two lines were to be sent forward at the colonel’s command.
However, the next line of cavalrymen was unsure who was in command. They were not aware that the colonel and his men were unable to break off their attack. They waited in vain for their commander’s return.
Hrafnu saved the colonel for last. The Zodrian officer was thrown from his horse, and as Hrafnu approached, the colonel lunged with saber extended. The giant flicked it aside with his broadsword as the battle-ax swept through the colonel, cleaving him in two. Hrafnu spun and hurled insults across the ravine as riderless horses raced past the remainder of the stunned Zodrian cavalry.
The giant’s sons ran across the causeway to aid their father. Hrafnu waved them off.
‘Return to the gate. There are not enough masons to finish the work. You must provide the muscle they need.’
His sons complied. Pulleys and winches hefted stone and mortar into place. Minutes passed as the giant glared across the ravine’s opening. Minutes turned to hours. The Zodrians bickered over command. Several unit leaders saw the situation as untenable. Even if they gained the gate, they could never reach Keltar. Others cared nothing for the gate. Here stood the enemy of their people. What glory would come to the man that delivered a fatal blow to Hrafnu? The horror they witnessed in the loss of their colonel was passing with every minute. Their confidence built as they reminded one another that it was only one man.
Hrafnu leaned on his ax and stared across the valley. Every moment the Zodrians waited was a moment closer to the gate’s completion. He grew restless. The taste for blood grew in his heart. Years of vengeful ambitions were being fulfilled. Amird’s grip grew stronger on Hrafnu. The Zodrians would pay for the deaths of all of the children he lost in this struggle. He turned to see the iron ga
te swaying from dozens of ropes. It would not be long now. The gate would fit into its hinge posts and his city would be safe.
‘I grow weary of your cowardice, Zodrians,‘ cried Hrafnu. ‘Ride forth, or go back to your dung pen of a kingdom!’
The Zodrian leaders saw the same developments as Hrafnu. Their cowardice and hesitation forfeit their chance to capture the gate. Several riders hurled insults back to the giant and the cavalry line grew restless. A shield slipped from the saddle of a rider in the front rank, spooking the mount next to him. As the horse reared and lunged forward, the men on the far ends of the line concluded the charge was called. The heat of the moment carried events. Horses bolted forward from all sides of the line. A charge of cavalry surged into the ravine.
Hrafnu smiled and swept up his ax and blade. The uneven line of horsemen came barreling down on him. Once more Hrafnu defied his age. The great ax cut huge swatches through the approaching Zodrians. The broadsword deftly picked rider after rider from their mounts. As the giant decimated the front line, a second charged forward. When he was unable to swing freely, the giant simply threw a shoulder into the nearest stallion and bowled the cavalry line over. Wild-eyed horses fell kicking madly. Riders tumbled to the ground. Ax, broadsword and steel shod boot systematically dispatched those scrambling for safety. The melee of mounts and riders worked to Hrafnu’s advantage. The Zodrians were unable to reach Hrafnu over the horses that surrounded him, but the giant’s long reach inflicted more and more damage.
Line after cavalry line assaulted the giant. The Zodrians scrambled to form fighting units. Once a small line was patched together, it charged back into the mix. The bloodshed continued unabated.
“Have you ever heard a song by the Delvin scribe Iorg, describing the scene that day, Kael?”
“No,” replied the boy.
“It portrays a decidedly Zodrian lean, but I believe it to be quite a fair study of events. The Scribes prefer accuracy over all else in their histories. Would you like to hear it?” asked Granu.
“Yes, of course,” answered Kael.
Granu’s eyes closed and he searched for the words. The prince’s voice softened as he sang the lines of “The Battle of Keltar Gate”.
Jumping down from towers bound
Neath a wintry sky
Hrafnu sneered and drew his ax
To kill here or die
The riders came in waves of two
And broke upon his beach
Twenty died from his cruel ax
None escaped its reach
Turning round with wild howl
To face the onslaught of his foe
Twenty more were put to death
Fighting toe to toe
The news soon came to Manreel’s ears
He winced, the death toll high
And riding forth he drew his sword
To kill here or die
Hrafnu heard the thunderous hooves
And stayed his bloody game
Cries arose from all about
The dying, maimed and lame
Giant eyes narrowed upon the sight
Of Manreel on his steed
Hrafnu grit his teeth and ventured forth
To commit an evil deed
“Ho! Hrafnu!” shouted Manreel
“I journey to your den.
I should have come here long ago
To stay this waste of men!”
“Manree,” snarled the fiend
“Flatter yourself not so.
I travel forth to greet you,
And make you next to go!”
“Travel on,” waved Manreel
Then raised his fiercesome blade
Hrafnu thundered forward
Across the open glade
They met upon this open glade
Earth encased in snow
Hrafnu swung his weapon
Manreel blocked the blow
Hrafnu spun and thrust his ax
Manreel’s horse did wheel
The Zodrian hero disappeared
From air ripped by steel
“Ho, Hrafnu!” cried the Zodrian
“You tarry with your blow.
Your age has made you sluggish,
dull-witted, weak and slow.”
Manreel spoke in hearty boast
But knew his words untrue
The day would not be won by strength
Only skill and speed might do
His warhorse was his best defense
Against the giant’s brawn,
Dunrave’s flanks were armor sheathed,
Steel glittered in the dawn
Manreel drew the steed about
Charging hard to Hrafnu’s front,
Its steely chest slammed forward,
The giant caught the force full brunt
Horse and giant stood immobile
Neither gave up ground
Manreel’s blade slashed downward
Its mark was never found
Hrafnu gathered all his strength
And raised the horse on high
Slamming Dunraves to the ground
Manreel lying there nearby
The giant should have finished him,
Yet his rage knew no bound
He threw his arms on high
Shouting, “Vengeance is found!”
Manreel rolled upon the snow
And scrambled to his blade
Hrafnu spun to meet him
His smile slow to fade.
“No armored beast supports you now
fair Zodrian leader of men.
Methinks no longer do you boast
Having ‘journeyed to my den’.“
“Hrafnu! Dark powers control you
And hatred twists your mind.
Vengeance consumes you,
And makes your heart go blind.”
“You disgust me mortal creature,
to issue soft words now.
Judgment day is here for you,
See the sweat upon your brow.”
“The sweat of battle is truly there
Yet fear will not be found.
I fight for king and country
to them stay honor bound.”
Hrafnu roared and swung his ax
Manreel leapt and rolled
The giant’s ax clove frozen earth
Locked solid in its fold
Manreel stopped at Hrafnu’s feet
No room to use his sword.
Hrafnu raised an iron boot
Laughing, “Manreel I grow bored.”
The iron boot rushed downward
Toward Manreel’s helmless head.
If not for quick action
The Zodrian surely would be dead.
From neath his cloak he drew
A dagger forged in Elven fire
And praying held it o’er head
His fortune now so dire
Hrafnu came down upon this blade
With all his force and weight
Steely spike rent iron boot
Sealing Hrafnu’s fate
The hilt glanced Manreel’s head
And wedged against the earth
Manreel was saved
Hrafnu’s howl held no mirth
The giant lost his footing
Falling toward the snow
Manreel snatched his weapon
Readying the fatal blow
As Hrafnu fell, Manreel rose
His blade did spin and slash
Hrafnu’s body was exposed
There opened a mortal gash
The Keltaran king lay dying
Manreel’s worst was done
The giant lay in disbelief
His battles always won
Those arrayed across the gate
Shuttered their mountain hold
The Zodrians cheered their hero
His courage shown so bold
Manreel stayed the joyous cheer
He held his hand on high
Stepping to
ward his terrible foe
Who lay waiting there to die
Manreel knelt beside the giant
Cradling his shaggy head
No mortal man is now aware
Of between them what was said
The giant howled in agony
Holding hands up to the sky
“Father, today I am not your child
Today I killed and died!”
CHAPTER 21: TO EACH HIS OWN
Granu’s eyes remain closed for a moment. Kael sat lost in thought. The story of Manreel was always that of a glorious hero, a man who fought evil and destroyed it. Now, Kael was confused. If he were to believe this version, Hrafnu was not evil at all. When Hrafnu met Manreel on that open field, the giant was a man driven to the depths of hopelessness and misery. A man pushed harder and further than any man was ever pushed. Wouldn’t Kael give in to hatred and despair so much earlier than Hrafnu had?
The pair sat in silence for a long while. The history of the world as Kael knew it had just drastically changed, and the judgments he held were changed with it. The murmur of approaching voices interrupted the boy. Granu’s hand signaled Kael to remain silent. Someone spoke just inside the clearing.
“... telling you the giant murdered the boy. Where else might he be? The beast is no good. When he shows himself, you must deal with him. You are the only one in the group keeping him from murdering us all in our sleep! He will do his worst then flee to the hills, back to the scum that spawned him in those forsaken mountains,” snarled Tepi.
The Merchant and the Menace Page 28