Fortress of Radiance

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  “True.” Karus glanced over at the dwarf. He was more than correct. At times Karus had known officers to overthink and plan operations to death. When it came to a fight, such behavior could and often did prove hazardous. It created an entrenched level of thinking that made it impossible for people to adapt or improvise to unexpected changes. A commander could get creative, but it was always best to keep things simple. That way, there were fewer mistakes and unforced errors. It was a lesson Karus had long since learned and taken to heart.

  “How do you suppose the enemy knew we were here?” Dennig asked.

  “I don’t know,” Karus said and in truth he did not. That alone troubled him greatly. He could understand the warden knowing, for they had been open and honest about their intentions, but not the enemy, not the Horde. He feared it had something to do with a supernatural ability, like those Amarra was now capable of wielding. Maybe the enemy could even sense the sword. That thought worried him even more. If true, that meant the enemy would know where he was at any given moment.

  Karus glanced down at the sword on the side. It was powerful and seemed to have a mind of its own. Since the fighting, it had not spoken another word. Karus had even attempted speaking to it. He had felt like an idiot, but he’d tried anyway. There’d been no reply. He had been warned that it was dangerous, but so far as he could see, Rarokan had only proved helpful.

  “There’s only one reason why they came,” Dennig said, following Karus’s gaze and looking meaningfully down at the sword. “They weren’t here for me, that’s for sure.”

  “I know only too well,” Karus said. “It seems everyone wants this sword.”

  “Not me,” Dennig said cheerfully. “I’ll just keep my good old trusty axe.”

  “Mogan steel?” Karus said.

  “Damn straight, son,” Dennig said, bouncing on his heels. “That axe is better than any magic sword. My people will envy me greatly when they see it, for it is one of a kind.”

  Karus said nothing to that as his gaze shifted over to Amarra. She was a few yards from the fire. Most of the Warriors of Anagradoom were clustered around her in a loose circle. There were also six of the rangers that the warden had brought along with her. As one, they knelt down before her and bowed their heads in what seemed like a group prayer. They were too far away to hear what was said, but Karus figured that she was giving a benediction or conducting some sort of service.

  In the past, he had always avoided the priests who had loitered about camp at Eboracum. They were incessantly pestering the legionaries for coin, offering sacrifices and other such services should one pay for it. Karus had generally viewed them as charlatans, except just before action. Then everyone and their brother sought out the priests, for one could not ignore the gods at such a crucial time.

  Karus looked at things differently now. Amarra had access to powers those camp priests could only dream about. He rubbed his freshly shaved jaw, his thoughts lingering on Amarra. After the battle, the elves had been exceptionally respectful of her, especially so after she had healed two of their number, not including Tal’Thor. He suspected those two had joined her service below them.

  Amarra was growing into her role as High Priestess, just as he was at leading the legion. She took to her new responsibilities like a bird to air or fish to water. Karus felt a wave of pride rise up within. She was strong, confident, and unafraid in her faith. He loved her for it, and yet he steeled himself to the terrible reality of what was to come. The days, weeks, months, and years ahead would be hard. Karus was sure of it. What they’d been through had been the easy part. The unknown and unexpected lay ahead on both of their paths. Together, he knew they would face it all, united not only in faith, but also in love.

  “Do you still intend to get me back to my boys?” Dennig asked, glancing over and intruding upon his thoughts.

  Karus met the dwarf’s gaze and held it a long moment. It was time for truth. “Should I call you Shoega? Or do you prefer Dennig?”

  The dwarf became very still.

  “I’ve always preferred my first name, Dennig.” He paused and cocked his head to the side. “How long have you known?”

  “I wasn’t sure at first,” Karus said. “I suspected the warden wouldn’t have kept you alive unless you were fairly important. Though there have been other clues, you also kept referring to your soldiers as your boys. Then there was the legend guard and leadership lesson you just gave me. I figured there was a good chance you were him.”

  Dennig gave a vague nod.

  “So, what now?” Dennig asked. “What will you do with me?”

  “Do you think I should make you my prisoner?” Karus felt a grin tugging at his lips. “Like the warden did?”

  “You don’t really expect me to answer that one,” Dennig grumbled, “do you?”

  “No,” Karus said. “I will do as I said I would. I will return you to your people, your army, if possible.”

  “I am really beginning to like you, Karus.” Dennig grinned. “If you were one of my people, I would say you have great legend. But since you are human, I will settle for honorable.” The dwarf shook a finger at Karus. “I am taking a shine to you, son.”

  “Enough so that you might consider working with me?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Dennig said. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves …”

  Karus extended his hand toward the dwarf.

  “I would be honored to call you my friend,” Karus said, “for I believe you are one with great legend. Not everyone could willingly face the dead like you did.”

  Dennig stared down at the hand for several moments, considering it. He sucked in a breath. “I’ve never had a human for a friend.”

  The dwarf said this not in an offensive way, just a statement of fact. That was how Karus chose to take it.

  “I’ve never had a dwarf for a friend.” Karus kept his hand extended. “Heck, I’ve never had anyone but a human for a friend. I didn’t even know other races existed ‘til we came to this world.”

  “Aye … friend, then,” Dennig said and shook. The dwarf squeezed almost enough to make Karus wince. “I’ll be honest, I don’t have very many friends, even amongst my own kind. In my position, amongst my people … I can’t afford them.”

  “I will consider myself fortunate, then,” Karus said and then turned away, looking back down toward the camp and the two dragons.

  They remained silent for several long moments.

  “I believe I’m going to talk to our transportation about leaving,” Karus said. “Then I will work on Amarra to see if I can jog her along. We’ve been here long enough. It is time to move on.”

  “You can say that again,” Dennig said.

  “Care to join me, friend?”

  “Thank you, but no,” Dennig said. “I do not know how successful their hunting expedition was … I will not tempt fate by going near those two beasts, at least until I have to and it’s time to leave.”

  “Fair enough,” Karus said with a chuckle, for he sensed Dennig was half serious. The dwarf likely wanted some time alone. Karus turned away and then stopped, looking back. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. What is the family business? You mentioned it in the fortress.”

  Dennig gave Karus a sour look. “Sheep herding.”

  “Truly?”

  Dennig nodded, looking far from happy.

  “That sounds much more exciting than all this,” Karus said.

  “Don’t knock it until you try it,” Dennig said, then pointed down the slope. “Aren’t the dragons waiting for you?”

  Karus laughed and started down the hillside toward the camp.

  Kordem picked up his head as Karus neared the fire and swung around to stare at him.

  “We will be taking the Warriors of Anagradoom with us,” Karus told the dragons.

  Amarra told us, Kordem replied. It will not be a problem.

  Karus was pleased that there was no objection from either of them. They had been strangely silent since the fight
, acting almost guilty for not returning in a timely manner.

  “What kept you?” Karus asked, voicing the concern that had been on his mind for some time. “We could have used you both a little sooner. It was a near thing as it was.”

  We ran into a pair of noctalum on the prowl, Cyln’phax said. We had to avoid them, as they were hunting over this very forest. It took time to work our way safely around.

  We believe it likely they were on the trail of the wyrms, Kordem said.

  “Why do you think that?” Karus asked.

  They had the drop on us both. Instead of giving chase, the noctalum ignored us, Kordem said. That was a very strange thing for them to do. They may have been hunting the wyrms or … something else. We just do not know for sure. However, we think the former explanation is the more likely one.

  “Something else?” Karus asked. “Like what?”

  The noctalum are on this world for their own reasons, Kordem said. There is no telling why they came to Tannis or what they are up to.

  “Is there any chance the noctalum will come for us?” Karus asked, searching the sky.

  There is always that risk, Cyln’phax said, which is why we must be on guard and remain vigilant.

  Cyln’phax and I had not anticipated the warden’s interference, Kordem said. We are pleased both you and the revered daughter survived the warden. It is even more pleasing you managed to retrieve Rarokan, the Soul Breaker.

  You have bonded with the dread weapon, Cyln’phax added, as was prophesied by the oracle. We can sense the link.

  Karus considered the two dragons for a long moment. He knew he did not fully appreciate what the bond meant, only that he and the sword were meant for one another.

  “Can you tell me more on this link? The bond between me and the sword?” Karus asked.

  We do not completely understand it ourselves, Kordem said. We do know the link allows you to communicate with the will, what you might call the soul and life source, residing within the sword.

  “Soul?” Karus glanced down at the sword. “Life source … you mean the sword is alive?”

  Not quite as we would think of life, Kordem said. It certainly may think it is alive. It has a mind of its own. Rarokan is but a shadow of true life. You must be on your guard, for the will within may try to master you.

  “Me?” Karus said, suddenly chilled. “You mean it could take control of me?”

  That is correct, Cyln’phax said.

  You are special, Karus, Kordem continued, as is Amarra, but in a different manner. That specialness is almost unique amongst humans on Tannis. It allows you to channel the will of the sword … to work with it, bend it to your will instead of the other way round. The bond, link, whatever you wish to call it, will remain as long as you live. Only in death shall it be severed. As to what Rarokan is capable of … well, that is for you to discover. The sword’s power is reputed to be great, awesome, and terrible. That is why the warden desired the blade, as does the enemy.

  “They will keep coming for it?” Karus said, knowing the answer even before he asked.

  Our enemy will not rest, Kordem confirmed. They will seek to possess it and keep after it. That is why the High Master of Obsidian left you the Anagradoom. Only when Rarokan is removed from this world and the Gate is sealed shut behind us … will they cease their efforts, and maybe not even then.

  Karus rubbed his jaw as he considered the dragon’s words. They had just added to his already long list of troubles, and in a big way. A thought occurred to him.

  “Do you know where the oracle resides?”

  We do, Kordem said. However, I must caution, when searching out answers from her, you don’t always get what you ask for. Sometimes you get what you want, other times less and then more than you would care to desire.

  Karus thought on that. Perhaps after he returned Dennig to his army and made it back to the legion, there would prove an opportunity at some point to visit the oracle. At least, he hoped so. He might be able to learn something of use to help guide him in the days to come. The more he learned of this world, the more questions he had.

  “If I wanted,” Karus said, “could you take me to the oracle?”

  We could, Kordem said. Though you need to be warned, the journey is long and fraught with peril. I am unsure it is worth the effort and the risk.

  “Even more perilous than this one?” Karus asked. Thinking on what they had been through, he was having difficulty imagining a more dangerous journey.

  Oh yes, Cyln’phax said. It would be an extremely hazardous undertaking.

  “When there’s time,” Karus said, “I would hear more of it and the risks involved.”

  As you wish. Kordem lowered his head, almost respectfully. Cyln’phax did the same, which surprised Karus. He hesitated a moment, wondering if the two dragons were toying with him. Then he decided they weren’t. Had he earned their respect?

  “I want to leave, just as soon as we can and Amarra is ready,” Karus said. “I intend to prod her along.”

  “Will you be staying for the funeral of the warden?”

  Karus turned to find Kol’Cara coming up behind him.

  “No,” Karus said immediately, his gaze flicking to the funeral pyres before returning to the warrior. “I will not honor someone who meant us the worst of ills.”

  “I do not wish to stay either.” Kol’Cara turned to gaze toward the funeral preparations. “And yet, I choose to remember the warden when she was a good-hearted person, not who she became.”

  Karus seriously doubted the warden had ever been a good person. In his scroll, evil was evil.

  “Oh yes,” Kol’Cara said, his gaze becoming unfocused. “Te’Mava was always a hard, unforgiving woman. But she was also a good shepherd of our people.”

  “Her name was Te’Mava?” Karus asked.

  Kol’Cara nodded. “When we came to Tannis, we were a broken people. The Last War had shattered us, almost to the point of destruction. Here on this world we rebuilt, planted new trees, and reconstructed our home, our culture, which many thought had been lost forever. Without Te’Mava, we could not have done it. She provided the direction, the drive, and the glue that held us together as a people. She forged a bold vision for the future, the clear path ahead. For that, many of us will be eternally grateful, no matter how terrible and misguided she became in the end.”

  Karus said nothing when the elf fell silent, for he sensed Kol’Cara would continue.

  “We thought we had left the war behind. Then the High Master of Obsidian came. He brought with him ultimate power.” The elf grew silent again, and glanced at Karus’s sword. “It seems Rarokan proved, as the High Master thought, too great a temptation to be ignored. The idea of possessing such power corrupted Te’Mava and turned her heart black.”

  The silence stretched between them.

  “There will be those of power who will desire what you now possess,” Kol’Cara said. “They will come for Rarokan.”

  “Like the warden?” Karus resisted the temptation to look down at his new sword.

  “Worse,” Kol’Cara said.

  Karus gave a nod. It was as he suspected.

  “How did you survive?” Karus asked. “The warden said she had dealt with you and your warriors.”

  “The High Master took steps to mislead the warden.” Kol’Cara’s gaze briefly shifted to Si’Cara. “In a chamber hidden beneath the fortress, we were put into an eternal sleep that nothing could disturb. We were to rest until the sword was claimed by its intended owner. Though we brought supplies, seed for crops, and tools to maintain the fortress over long, hard years of expected isolation, there had never been any intention to use them. No … we were going into a long, dreamless sleep … a slumber beyond the warden’s detection and reach. The warden only thought she had dealt with us.”

  “And if someone else got their hands on the sword?” Karus asked. “Like the warden? What then?”

  “We were to kill them,” Kol’Cara said, “including the ward
en. Once the sword was taken, our unnatural sleep ended.” The elf suddenly laughed. “We would have found you sooner had not the passage out of our tomb been blocked. It required some amount of excavation to free ourselves.”

  They both fell silent, turning to watch the preparations. Karus became lost in thought. Everything had been carefully prepared for him, and yet, even with all of that, they had nearly failed. The warden had almost gotten hold of the sword and claimed it for her own. Karus and Amarra had come very close to dying. That alone told him how precarious their situation was … Things could just as easily have gone the warden’s way. It was a sobering realization.

  He got the feeling that things from here on out would be up to him and Amarra. The planning and preparation that had been done to ensure he claimed the sword were over. They would have to carry the water now. He glanced over at the two dragons and then to the elf before him. They had already gained powerful allies. He would work to find more, for that was the only path he saw that led to success. Going forward, there would be no help but what they provided for themselves. Karus did not know how, but deep down in his gut, he knew this to be true.

  “What now?” Karus asked, nodding towards the funeral preparations. “The warden is dead. What will happen to your people?”

  “Eventually, a new warden will be chosen,” Kol’Cara said. “With elves, decisions like this take time.”

  “How will the new warden view the killing the previous one?” Karus asked.

  Kol’Cara gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. “One can never tell with such things. It matters little to us at this point.”

  “We deal with it then, eh?” Karus asked. “One problem at a time?”

  “You have the right of it,” Kol’Cara said, seeming pleased with the response, then changed the subject. “Two of the rangers have requested to accompany us.”

  “They can be trusted?” Karus asked. A short while before, they had fought for the warden.

  “They wish to aid the High Father’s cause and apparently have always been believers. I have spoken with them and judge both to be true of heart.”