The Southern Empire Trilogy
Book Two – An Empire Forged
Copyright © 2019 Michael Greenfield
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Mythra
Cor’dell groaned. His breathing was ragged, and his hair was matted to his head with sweat. Gradually his eyelids fluttered open, allowing him to take in the grim tableau before him.
Manacles secured his wrists, attached by a thick chain to the wall behind him at such a height that he dangled painfully from them. He slowly swung his head up, arrayed about him he could see several instruments used for extracting whatever answer the questioner wanted.
He wasn’t unfamiliar with such tools, but he was usually the one holding them. He also knew that realistically they were pointless for extracting the truth.
So, he was in a dungeon. That thought alone wasn’t the most distressing realization he had ever come to, but a lot depended upon whose dungeon he found himself in.
He tried to think back to what had happened to lead him here, but something just didn’t seem to feel right. He could recall scrubland, desert. A figure challenging him, a figure with a sword of flame!
His eyelids had been starting to droop again, but they snapped open as his thoughts became instantly clear. He was dead!
He could feel the sword entering his chest, the searing heat from the blade as his life fled him. How could he possibly be here? How had he survived?
As these thoughts ran through his mind, he sensed movement to his left. His head slowly turned in that direction, bringing a gasp as a spasm of pain ran up his neck.
“So, you’re awake at last.” A robed figure stepped in front of him and stared, his eyes full of contempt. Eshek stepped in front of the Koldari warrior and continued to glare at him.
“One task you were given. Take the sword! How could you not only fail in that endeavour, but allow the sword come to one who can wield it?”
Cor’dell tried to stammer a response, but a pressure within his head stopped him from speaking. Blinding pain stabbed from the base of his neck and through to his forehead as a presence within him made itself known.
“The boy was there because of you, you forced him to take the path that crossed that of the sword.” The voice was rasping, almost sounding as if it came from a distance. “My Lord is not pleased.”
“Bah, Your Lord will do as I say if he wishes to see the daylight.”
“You would do well to heed My Lord’s warnings. Your brother begins to suspect, and we are unable to trace where the girl has gone.”
“She has clouded her mind, I’m not sure how.
Do the Mythraan suspect? They could cause problems if they learn the truth.”
“We have their High Priest in our thrall, we have no worry there.”
“Good. Do you have need of another body?”
Cor’dell felt fear, his mind recoiling from what he was hearing.
“No,” relief flooded through the warrior, “This one will do for the moment. When I’ve finished my task, I will let you dispose of it.”
Cor’dell felt unadulterated dread. The cold way the voice spoke of him, and a sure knowledge that as soon as his usefulness was finished he would die, filled him with despair. He started to scream, only spared the pain when he finally lost consciousness.
When Cor’dell regained his senses, he found himself lying in a comfortable bed. As he stirred there was a knock at the door.
“Yes?” The door opened and Eshek stepped through.
“How are you feeling?”
The Koldari stretched, feeling a tightness across his chest. Looking down he saw that it was wrapped in bandages. Eshek saw what he was looking at and spoke, “You were lucky we found you when we did. You wouldn’t have lasted much longer.”
Images flashed though his mind as he tried to recall what had happened to him.
“You were badly wounded, the mages didn’t think you would make it.”
“I remember the fight, the boy was lucky I slipped.”
“Lucky. Yes, I suppose he must have been.
I should let you get your rest. We’ll have need of you before too long.”
Cor’dell’s eyes were already beginning to close as Eshek turned and headed back to the door.
“Yes. Luck had nothing to do with it.” The robed magic-user spoke softly to himself. “That interfering brother of mine causes too many problems. Find the girl, find the boy. Why can’t he just leave things alone?
I think we shall have to do something about that.”
By now he was striding down the corridor outside the room. Two tall Mythraan guards watched as he passed, though neither passed comment on his mutterings.
The only thing he could take from this event was the fact that Cor’dell still didn’t know his own biggest secret. That finally brought a smile to his face, followed a moment later by a deep chuckle.
Plans
Cal awoke to light starting to force its way through the drawn curtains of the bedchamber. He rose to lean on one arm and stared at the still sleeping redhead next to him. Just the sight of her was perhaps the biggest thing to change in his life this last few months.
Racing off on some mission or other was something he would have expected had they made it to Bora, and he had officially joined the Rangers as planned.
Meeting the feisty young noble lady next to him was something he would never have imagined in his wildest dreams, and now he was being separated from her.
He wasn’t entirely sure how long it would be before they were together again, and he was surprised at how much it hurt.
Tamala stirred, raising her head and turning toward Cal.
“Morning sleepy,” He smiled as he spoke. “Ready for another round of Collett trying to convince Myriana to travel back home?”
Tamala’s response was a stifled giggle, “Isn’t that your commanding officer you’re talking about?”
“I won’t tell him if you won’t.” Cal swung his legs clear of the bed and strode to a small cabinet where what few clothes he possessed were hung. Quickly he washed his face with water from a small bowl, before quickly dressing. He turned back to Tamala, “Not coming?”
“You go, I’m going to try out the bath-house.”
“Fair enough, I’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Maybe,” her face had taken on a dreamy expression as she thought of the idea of a hot bath.
Cal left the room and headed for the main hall. Judging from the angle of the sun streaming into their bedchamber it was still too early for the cooks to have prepared breakfast yet, though they might have already placed some fresh bread out.
This was their third day enjoying the hospitality of the dwarves, the third day since they had successfully reached their sanctuary with the recently rescued Queen Myriana.
The fact that Cal had played a large role in her rescue was part of the reason he now found himself preparing to join her in yet another quest. He smiled at the word that came to his mind to explain what he had agreed to do. ‘Quest’, that brought back memories of his sleepy home in Fallon’s Glen, where he used to fantasize about the legendary heroes that had saved the Kingdom centuries before.
He never thought at the time that such endeavours were anything but glorious, instead of the reality he was now experiencing. At times the last few months had been exciting, terrifying, joyful and sorrowful, sometimes more than one of these feelings at the same time.
He shook his head as he entered the hall.
“Cal!” Vorston, the dwarf, was already attacking several rolls that had indeed been placed on one of the tables. “No-one else up yet?”
“T
amala’s heading for the bathhouse, so we might see her sometime around noon.
Vorston laughed, “Aye, women can be like that.”
“Like what Master Dwarf?” Both turned to see Queen Myriana entering the hall.
“Clean, My Majesty. Most women I know tend to be clean.”
The young, blonde Queen burst out laughing, “I’ll give you top marks for quick thinking my friend, though I think you need to work on it a bit.”
Cal and Vorston both joined in the laughter before Myriana addressed Cal alone, “Cal, would you walk with me?”
“Of course, Maj… sorry, Myriana.”
She laughed again, “Don’t worry Cal. I realise how all this must feel for you, but you should know that no-one here has anything but love and respect for you. You may not have been born to nobility, but I couldn’t ask for a more faithful vassal.”
Cal abruptly stopped in his tracks, “Vassal?”
“Don’t worry, it’s not going to hurt.” She smiled at the young man, “When we travel to Galorn you’re going to need more than just your military rank.
For the moment I think a rank of Baron of the Royal Court should suffice. That would make you a Knight Lieutenant of the Royal Guard. God’s Tamala will simply explode when she finds out.” A most unroyal giggle erupted from Myriana.
“Majesty, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything, you’ve already earned this reward and more.”
They emerged through the main entrance to the Hall into the bright morning sunlight. Before them they saw dwarves moving about the adjoining streets, starting the day’s chores.
“It seems so surreal that this time last week I was prisoner in a J’dar caravan.”
Cal smiled, “Personally I think the entire last four months have been surreal.”
Again, Myriana laughed, “I guess you would.
Much as I like a nice morning walk, that’s not the reason I asked you to join me. I wanted to know if you feel confident about what I’m asking of you.
Accompanying me to Galorn is going to be possibly a long and difficult journey, and I’m not just talking about the time it will take.
I’m asking a lot of you, I know.”
Cal’s smile slipped as his face took on a more serious caste. “Majesty, I was on my way to join the Rangers when we came upon Dorrin. That may not be the path that I’ve taken, but it was the one I was willing to take.
I guess that at some point someone would have pointed out the obvious dangers to that life, if only to satisfy their own sense of obligation, but I was ready to accept those risks.”
His smile returned, “I may not be a Ranger, but it looks to me as if the dangers involved here aren’t all that different.”
“Thank you Cal, though you have missed one point.”
“Oh?”
“I think the stakes are higher than most of what you would have seen had you reached Bora.”
Both were silent for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts, before they turned and headed back inside to the hall.
When they returned to where Vorston was still sat, they saw that he had now been joined by Collett and Astridson.
The Lighter flashed an impudent grin at her as they entered the room, “Oh yes, and where have you two been?”
Cal blushed, something he had come to learn recently he did far too easily, but Myriana just smiled before replying, “The Baron Calmagyr and I were discussing the appropriate punishment for foreigners with big mouths.”
“That’s easy. Usually you promote them and then banish them to some god forsaken place on the border.” The five of them all laughed at the reply.
“Why do you always have a smart answer, no matter the situation? You’re as bad as cousin Dorrin.”
“Practice, Your Majesty.” He stood from his seat and approached Cal, “Congratulations, My Lord.” He held his hand out even as he grinned at the youngster from Fallon’s Glen.
Collett and Vorston both joined him in offering congratulations, before they all sat again. Breakfast was being brought to the table as Harlin, Lord of Dwarfhome, entered to find them all involved in animated discussion.
Collett was once again trying to convince Myriana to return to Boraan and let someone else travel to Galorn. He had been trying to turn her mind for the last couple of days, but the arguments he was using were starting to get a little stale now, even to his own ears.
“Uncle,” Myriana had known Collett since childhood, and thought of him as such, “if you can show me one other person who stands as much chance of success in Galorn, I’ll gladly let them replace me. Believe me when I say, I really am not looking forward to more months wearing travel clothes instead of nice dress.
Even if Dorrin did lose my favourite one.”
Cal laughed at that, “If Your Majesty would like, I think Dorrin would know exactly where that particular dress is. All he would need is a large company of soldiers to accompany him back to the place where you were ambushed, and he can collect it for you.”
Myriana pulled a face at her at the newly appointed Baron, “I think we can skip that for the moment.” She turned her attention back to the Commander of her army, “Well?”
Collett sighed, “No, I can’t think of anyone who has a better chance than yourself. That still doesn’t change my mind that I would prefer you back where it’s safe.”
He threw a glance at Cal, “You better make sure she stays safe.”
“Believe me, I won’t be letting her into any danger that we can find any way of avoiding.”
“Her… who’s ‘Her’” The Queen’s face grew stern, but she couldn’t hold it and started laughing.
“Gentlemen, I have to stay safe if I’m to be able to carry out my mission. I won’t be pushing Cal or Franc to make any rash decisions if I can possibly avoid it.”
Collett still didn’t look convinced but he nodded is grudging agreement.
Shortly afterward Tamala joined them. Cal noted that her hair was still damp, and that she smelled faintly of perfume. He’d no idea where she’d got hold of it, but he was no longer surprised at how far out of her way she’d go to maintain some semblance of normality.
He leaned his head next to hers and whispered, “Mm, you smell nice.” Her face lit up, he was definitely getting better at small talk.
“Thank you,” she whispered back.
The others at the table made a pretence of ignoring them both for a moment before Tamala turned her attention back to them.
“So, has the good Commander convinced Her Majesty to use common sense yet?”
Collett grimaced, “The good Commander has finally given up that campaign.” Myriana grinned in a most unladylike fashion. “What the good Commander needs to do now, is come up with some inspired plan to try and make this all work.”
“Perhaps we should all adjourn after breakfast to give the problem some thought, and then reconvene after the midday meal.” The suggestion came from Harlin, who had been quietly observing the conversation.
“That sounds like a very good idea My Lord.” Collett looked round at the others, “Anyone else think of anything better?”
There were shaken heads round the table as the others all agreed with the dwarf’s suggestion. With that they finished their breakfast and then made their way either back to their rooms, or in Cal and Tamala’s case toward the entrance.
They walked side by side, holding hands, through the town and down to the main gate. Once there, they nodded to the gate guards and moved on out into the pasture in front of the town. The pasture itself stretched the entire length of the valley and proved a very pleasant spot to take a quiet stroll, whilst they both turned their minds to the problems before them.
The midday meal passed in almost total silence. Luda and Astridson were with them now, having spent most of the morning by themselves enjoying the relative peace. It was only once the last of the plates had been cleared away that Collett spoke.
“I think first of all we need
to be clear on our objectives.”
“That seems as good a place as any to start.” Vorston looked toward the Dwarf Lord, “Can we count on the help of Dwarfhome?”
“I think you can be assured of that, even the dimmest of my people will see that our best option is to side with Boraan. What of your own people?”
“Most of them were heading for the Outer Isles when we fled the north.” He winked at Cal, “Apart from those of us that got a little side-tracked.
You can also be assured that they will be heading back to Nibar’a as soon as I can get a message to them. That should give us close to a thousand warriors coming from the islands.”
“And we can provide two and half, perhaps three thousand. I’ll start getting messages out to the high mines this afternoon.”
Collett pondered this for a moment whilst Myriana just watched in silence. She knew that although she was Queen, her knowledge with regard to military matters was sadly lacking.
“That gives us significant force to the northeast of our enemy, and once we return to Boraan we can organise our own army to bring pressure from the south.
Much will depend on the situation at home and what assistance we will receive from Leefs’elm.”
“Well, Holdur’s going to be key. We can’t leave the Shalers there, nice and snug behind those walls.” Luda pointed at the map as he spoke, “It would also give us a staging point before pushing toward M’ur.”
“What are the chances they’ll pull something like before and use magic?” Collett looked to Tamala for an answer.
“Slim, it took a lot to shield that many from sight the first time and I doubt they’ll want to expend that amount of power again. Especially as it will detract from what they can use for the actual defence of the keep.”
“What are the chances you could do something similar?”
“You forget, I’m not going to be with you.”
“Damn!” Collett cursed, “You’re right. And I can’t argue with the need for you to reach the Seers and try and uncover more about how you use these new powers.
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