An Empire Forged

by Michael Greenfield

  As the troops built up in the expanse of open ground before the palace, Astridson led Jerito and Gunnarson, along with his mercenaries, to a small outhouse just outside the stone barrier they needed to pass.

  Inside the Lighter showed them the entrance to a small passageway that led of in the direction of the main buildings of the palace. When asked, he explained that it was a servant’s way that was probably known to the military inside, but not the City Guard. As such, the likelihood of it being guarded by someone other than a fellow soldier was slim.

  Gunnarson wasn’t too happy about their route in, as its narrow confines would make fighting difficult if they needed to, but as it appeared to be the only route in without having to wade through men who were only doing what they thought was their duty, he kept his thoughts to himself.

  The reached the wooden door at the palace end of the tunnel and paused. Astridson stood motionless next to their final obstacle to gaining entrance and listened intently. Slowly, he raised his hand to indicate that he could hear someone on the other side.

  With the width of the tunnel it would be awkward, but they had already agreed that if this situation occurred, the best chance they had was to rip the door open and lunge through as quickly as possible, relying purely on surprise to slow the reactions of whoever was on the other side.

  Still holding up his hand, the Lighter began a countdown from three. As he lowered the last finger, Gunnarson wrenched the door toward him and Astridson leapt through the gap, closely followed by the others.

  The figure he leapt at was knocked backward, stumbling but still grabbing for his sword. He fought for breath as he tried to recover, then froze when he saw who had attacked him.

  Astridson beat him to it, “Harth? What are you, forget it?

  You still trust me?”

  Captain Harth Mellor stared at the fellow Captain he’d not seen since Astridson fled the palace with Cal and Tamala, what seemed like a lifetime ago.

  “With anything except cards.” He looked at the others that stood behind his friend, “Who?”

  “Harth, that’s General Jerito, and man-mountain with his is Gunnarson. He’s responsible for the mercenaries you see stood in the entrance to the tunnel.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense. We’ve been told that Boraan assassins are trying to get to the Royal Family, using disguises to confuse our men outside.”

  Astridson shook his head ruefully, “Believe me when I say, I’ve seen the warriors that Boraan are producing at the moment, if they want you dead you don’t have time to complain about it.”

  Jerito stood forward, “You can catch up later, we need to safeguard His Majesty and detain Baridon. He’s the one that’s behind all of this.”

  “The Family are in their suites in the south wing.”

  “Your sure of that?” The question took the still shell-shocked Captain by surprise.

  “Well I haven’t seen them personally, but they’ve been taking food and refreshments to them.”

  “Whose been taking the meals to them?”

  “City Guard, they were brought in to help in the palace so that the army could concentrate on the city itself.”

  Jerito looked back toward Gunnarson, “You go after Baridon, we’ll secure the Royal Family.”

  Nodding his understanding, the big mercenary captain motioned his men to follow him and headed up the passageway that led to the council chambers.

  Mellor led Astridson, Jerito and Kormick in the opposite direction and quickly up a set of stairs leading to the upper levels and the royal suites. The Captain grabbed half a dozen junior ranks as they passed them, ignoring the looks on their faces at seeing the General in the small group.

  Eventually they reached the grand doorway that stood at the entrance to the royal suites, four City Guard stood at ease, not particularly paying much attention to anything as the soldiers burst around the corner.

  Swords were drawn and the ringing sound of steel on steel rapidly filled the hallway. Jerito and Kormick held back, letting the younger, more skilful fighters resolve the issue.

  Outnumbered, it didn’t take long got the guards to see the futility of their situation. Two were injured, one seriously, when they finally threw down their weapons and were stood against the wall, two of Mellor’s men standing watch over them.

  The Captain himself pushed open the door leading to the apartments, and then was when the stench hit them. The younger men didn’t recognise it immediately, but Kormick and Jerito did.

  “Oh Gods!”

  Both of them sprinted to the first room and saw a scene that would live with them for the rest of their lives.

  It was the bed and playroom of the Princess’. Both of them were laid out over one of the beds. It was obvious that they had been there some time.

  “They were children, how can someone do this to children?” Kormick abruptly turned away and was violently sick back in the corridor.

  Mellor stared at the sight and then took a couple of the men with him to the next chamber. They were no longer hurrying.

  “How long?” Kormick still couldn’t look back into the room.

  “A few weeks at least, maybe a month or so.” When Jerito turned his eyes were like ice, “I want that bastard Baridon. I don’t care what his excuses, he dies for this.”

  As they moved back through the palace, they saw and spoke to more soldiers loyal to the crown, rather than the City Guard they had been warned of. The soldiers instantly recognised Jerito’s command and by the time they reached the Council Chambers there was about three dozen men with them.

  In the hall the council used they saw several Guards lying on the floor in pools of blood. Gunnarson’s men stood guarding another twenty others, and Jerito noted that a few of the mercenaries were holding wounds, though there didn’t appear to be any fatalities amongst them.

  “Where’s Baridon?” Jerito didn’t even try to hide the rage in his voice.

  “He wasn’t here.” Gunnarson indicated the guards they had defeated, “These lads were told to slow us as much as possible. The order was given the day before last; he’s long gone.

  I’m sorry General, there wasn’t anything we could do.

  The King?”

  “Baridon ordered the entire family massacred.”

  “Sorry, the entire family.” Gunnarson was stunned, “What of the children?”

  Jerito didn’t answer as he span around and stalked from the room.

  Ill Tidings

  Tamala and Luda were both sat on the small room Arlena used as her office. A large bookshelf covered the back wall, whilst simple chairs surrounded a large wooden table. A few boxes against the walls spoke of records being stored where she might retrieve them quickly, but there didn’t seem to be all that many.

  Arlena herself was staring at a sheet of parchment in her hand, listing works that were known to be lost in the fires caused by Eshek and Cor’dell, or whatever he had become, and the list was by no means complete.

  “Centuries of work. Some of those documents and treatises were irreplaceable.” She raised her eyes to the two sat opposite her, “What this does to your cause I couldn’t say. With the chaos throughout the catacombs I doubt we’ll be able to find any specific documents you might wish.”

  Tamala placed a comforting hand across Arlena’s own.

  “You have already done more than I could possibly dreamed of. If we had not been here, it is unlikely that you would have been attacked.” Luda nodded his agreement.

  “I thank you for those kind words, but Eshek would have had to attack us at some point. Your presence merely hastened his appearance.”

  “Though I don’t know anywhere near as much as I would wish, your assistance has allowed me to learn much, and that I now know of other sources I can use. Possibly ones that Eshek is unaware of.”

  “That has an air of farewell to it?”

  “It does.” Tamala’s eyes softened as she continued, “I have really come to appreciate what you have here.
It’s probably one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been to, if you ignore the current difficulties.”

  That managed to bring a smile to the Seers face, “But you need to go?

  It is not unexpected. Where will you make for?”

  Tamala looked slightly pensive as she replied, “Now that I know more about the source and how to use it, I need to start trying to expand my understanding of what I’ve learnt.”

  “So, you’re going to try something new?”

  “Not quite.” She returned the older woman’s smile, “I thought I’d start with something I’ve done before but stretch it a bit.”

  A pained expression crossed Luda’s face, which Arlena noted, “She’s told you what she wants to try then?”

  “Yes, I just wish she had someone else to use as a guinea pig for these things.”

  “You agreed to come with me on this trip.” She returned her attention to the Seer, “I’m going to use the travelling spell, but I think I now know enough to be able to target a location I haven’t been to before.”

  “That would be quite an achievement. Are you sure?”

  “Actually, I’m almost certain for the trip I plan.

  One of the scrolls I read spoke of using the energy of the land itself as a form of navigation. I won’t know exactly how it works until I have a go, but I’m confident that I should be able to put us just outside Bor’a.

  Its still not the answer to everything when we need to travel. For instance, I wouldn’t be able to transport us to Collett’s camp as it’s a mobile thing, constantly moving and impacting energies wherever the army travels. It leaves a confused trail.

  But Bor’a is a different matter. The city has been there over two hundred years. The energies of those that live and have lived there have been bombarding the land all that time, and if I’ve got this right, that should provide a clear beacon for me to follow.

  I’ve a feeling that this is the method that Eshek and Asrak use to move about, though they’ve had more practice.”

  “When will you leave?”

  “In the morning. We don’t know where Collett and the others have got to, or even how the war goes apart from the fact that the patrols near here have stopped.”

  “Then you’d better get your things together.” Arlena stood and walked around the table to Tamala, who had also stood, “I’m going to miss you. Try and get back when you can.” She threw her arms about the young sorceress, giving her a tight hug, before facing Luda. “And you as well for some strange reason.” She repeated the hug with the big Lord of Holdur. “Keep safe.”

  Tamala looked down the valley that led from the temple, admiring the view as she waited for Luda and Arlena to arrive. Several of the men and women, and not a few of the children, that lived and worked here had been to say their farewells, to the point where she was finding it difficult to remain calm.

  Sunlight was starting to filter into the lower reaches of the valley, but the temple itself was still in shadow. Behind her she heard a commotion and without needing to turn knew that Luda was finally here. It wasn’t some great mystical skill she applied to discern that fact, but the sound of his chainmail as walked.

  She slowly turned, still enjoying the relative peace, and faced those that had come to see them off. Arlena was looking nearly as emotional as Tamala felt.

  “You take care.”

  “I’ll try. Failing that I’ve a couple of fierce warriors to watch out for me.” She glanced at Luda, who shrugged.

  “You think I’m going to fight a four thousand year old sorcerer and a daemon for you?”

  “Cal would.”

  “He’s got a magic sword and bow to work with, I’ve got this.” He held up his broadsword.

  “Never mind.” She returned her attention to the valley before them and began to concentrate.

  She could feel the source, almost as a tangible object, though she now understood it better than she had a few months before. She allowed her senses to reach through its power and feel the landscape ahead of her. Once she was comfortable that she was sensing the shape of the land ahead of her she closed her eyes and started to reach out further.

  There was no way she could describe exactly what she was feeling, but as she concentrated, she could sense the energies given out by all the living things she encountered. It wasn’t an exact feeling, more of a generalised sense.

  Her mind passed out beyond the mountains, where she was able to discern the different energy given by the wildlife and flora of the moors to the north of Boraan. Onward she pushed, until she felt it change again. The Middle Sea.

  Her excitement was starting to build as she allowed her feelings to move along the coast until she felt vibrancy. That was the only way she could describe it.

  She was sure that she had found Bor’a and fixed it firmly in her thoughts. Holding that image, she opened a passageway, the same as she had between Mid’gra and Agorel firstly, and then later between Dwarfhome and Joorat.

  As she opened her eyes, she heard Luda gasp. They were staring straight through to the southern wall of Bor’a.

  Luda broke the silence, “I’m never buying a horse again.”

  All three of them burst out laughing.

  Dorrin sat behind a desk in one of the many rooms that the palace contained for the sole purpose of hiding paperwork. At least, that was what he had started to tell himself.

  He had people out searching for any information that they could find as to the whereabouts of Nagril, but as yet they had turned up nothing. It was as if he had vanished completely after his last, failed attempt at disruption.

  The drink in the mug next to his work had gone cold long since, and he was contemplating sending someone for wine. He found he thought better with a glass of good, robust red wine, though it was a bit early.

  He was roused from his pained contemplation by a knock at the door. One of the palace pages stepped into the room and then to the side of the entrance.

  “My Lord, Lady Tamala and Duke Luda.”

  Dorrin was out of his chair like a shot as the two others entered the room. “Tama, Luda!”

  Tamala pulled a face at Dorrin’s use of her childhood nickname but flew into his arms anyway. Luda waited for them to disentangle before clasping wrists with his friend.

  Dorrin started to head for the door, “Have you eaten?”

  Tamala laughed, “We broke fast a few hours ago, so I guess we wouldn’t say no to some lunch.”

  “Good.” He led them into the corridor and down to one of the dining rooms. As he entered, he saw several servants going about their chores and grabbed one to fetch them something to eat and drink.

  Luda was the first to speak after they sat, “What news?”

  “Some good, some bad.

  Collett’s retaken Holdur and was moving northeast to meet up with Maargsson’s force, but they’ve now turned to Ketla.”

  “M’ur?”

  Tamala sensed that something big had happened, and that it may have an effect on the news she brought.

  “The Mythraan launched a raid into northern M’ur and forced a large proportion of their population through a gateway. We don’t know where to or why, though Collett is worried that they might be using those they’ve taken to power some spell.”

  Tamala drew a sharp intake of breath at Dorrin’s words. “You mean?”

  “We think they’re going to sacrifice them so they can cast a spell to transport dwarven forges they found in the mountains to the north.”

  Tamala went silent. Something she had seen amongst the dusty manuscripts beneath the temple was vying for her attention.

  “Big, stone carved forges. Hidden in an underground city?”

  Dorrin had just been reaching for some bread that had been brought when he paused, “That sounds a fairly accurate description going on what we’ve told.

  What do you know?”

  “I don’t know for certain, but I do know that millennia ago the dwarves lived far to the north, not in
any of their holdings that they share today.

  I read a manuscript that claimed that it was in those northern mountains that the Mage-Smiths created the first of the weapons of power.

  If they have one of those forges, they might be able to produce more such weapons.”

  “But how would they be able if the smiths themselves are no longer with us?”

  Looking troubled, Tamala replied, “Because much of the magic was intrinsic to the forge itself. It might be possible for someone other than a dwarf to make use of its properties.”

  Sitting heavily back in his chair, Dorrin contemplated what he had just learnt.

  “This is something that Collett needs to know.”

  “There’s worse to tell you.”

  “I’m struggling to think of what could be worse than you’ve just told me.”

  “Oh, believe me, its worse.” Luda took a deep swig of the wine they had been provided, whilst Dorrin looked to Tamala questioningly.

  “Eshek is the one behind the Mythraan.”

  Council

  Kormick sat at the head of the table. He was in Periman’s townhouse situated not far from the palace in Mid’gra, none of them felt like holding these meetings in the palace itself. About the table sat the nobles he had sent to bring in the outer garrisons, most of whom had arrived in the few days after the taking of the palace.

  Periman sat to his right, a fact that no-one passed comment on, whilst Jerito sat to his left. Myriana and Cal sat at the far end of the table, acknowledgement that they were there as guests of these men who now found themselves tasked with re-building nation.

  Astridson was not present as he was out with the patrols, ensuring that the populace maintained their calm during this time.

  “Gentlemen, and my dear niece,” he winked at Myriana who stuck her tongue out in reply, “we need to make some decisions, and we need to make them fast.”

  “Decisions? You’re not wrong there.