by Brian Murray
“How are you fitting into your new role?”
The priest gave a wry smile. “I was lucky, I think. I slept in the end room along the corridor, the night when my brethren were tainted by evil. I lost a lot of good friends that night and always pray for their souls. I’m enjoying my new role. I’m learning very quickly and some things have changed. I’m a different man from my predecessor and I like things a certain way. Therefore, I’m altering certain practises I found, how shall I say it . . . found messy and stale.” The priest looked at his emperor for criticism. None came.
“That is one reason I chose you. You are young and will inject something new into the order. It has been long overdue.”
“Thank you, sire.”
“Now for the reasons I have summoned you,” said Rowet sternly. “There are a couple of issues that need tidying up. Firstly, my friend and warlord, General Gordonia, has died and I need to appoint his successor. My choice is slightly unorthodox but I hope you will see the logic in the appointment. Tikar, you will be my witness.” The senior priest nodded his head. “From this moment I appoint Platos, my Master Armourer, as my new general and warlord.”
Platos was about to say something, but Rowet raised his hand.
“Let me finish, Platos, before you say anything. Together with Platos’s appointment, I will appoint Danf of the Cross-swords clan as his deputy. He has shown himself a very capable, clever young man and his men always look to him for leadership. He will need tuition in the art of warfare and that is where you come in, Tikar. I want you to teach him. Teach him to read properly and do numbers. Teach him the subtleties of warfare. I am a good reader of men and I believe him to be a quick learner who will make a fine general. When Danf is ready, he will replace Platos.”
Platos’s face flushed. “What do I know about war?” he asked, trying to keep his voice cool and even.
“You have prepared the defences in my city and that is a general’s work.”
“But I know nothing about war and battle. I’m merely a smithy.”
“Do not sell yourself short, my friend. This will not be a permanent appointment. As I have said, you will hold the position until Danf is ready.”
Platos sighed. “I cannot say anything to change your mind?”
“No, this is what I want.”
Platos rubbed his tired eyes and a wicked grin grew on his face. “Then I accept the appointment, your Highness.”
“One more thing: I think Danf’s clan has been killed. I want you to take him under your wing, Platos. The man has courage and honour, but he must be taught to use his head more. Like I said, he is a clever man and I know he will make a great general.”
“I will,” replied Platos, bowing his head.
“Good, that is one issue off my mind. Now to the other reason for summoning you, Tikar, and you, Platos, will be my witness.” The Chosen paused and shifted his weight in his chair. He held the priest’s blue gaze. “I am an optimist, but I need to think always of the worst case. I would like to name my successor. My heir will be my daughter Ireen.” The Chosen paused and watched the priest intently. Tikar blinked rapidly but just smiled. Rowet returned the smile. “My son betrayed me and I have no more male heirs. I have not and will not marry again—I do not wish to. I believe my daughter will prove to be as great an empress as I have been an emperor. She is clever and has a mind that is always concerned for the well-being of our people. She is my choice.”
Tikar cleared his throat. “Sire, there’s still time for you to bear a male heir, but I understand your wish. Your love for your wife is legendary and your choice of your successor is truly inspired. I will ensure your wishes are seen through. It will be as you have commanded.”
“Thank you, Tikar. There is one more stipulation to her appointment. I wish to bond our relationship with the Rhaurns. And to crystallise this, I want my daughter to marry Thade of Rhaurien. I have my reasons and they are mainly to do with love. I am an old romantic at heart and believe their relationship makes her stronger. She will marry the man, but he will not be our supreme leader, that will be her.”
“I understand and bow to your wisdom,” said Tikar.
“I want your comments,” snapped Rowet.
Tikar cleared his throat and thought for a moment before speaking. “It will be hard for the people to understand, but I think they will come to love your daughter as their empress. And as for the Rhaurn, well he will prove to be a perfect bodyguard for her. If their love is a strong as you have said, then I believe it will make her a better leader. She will have someone she trusts as her companion and lover. The ties with the Rhaurns, I don’t know, and therefore will have to bow to your knowledge.”
“Thade and their king, Zane, are friends and this will cement our relationship with them. My daughter has spent time with their king and his family during times of great stress and fear. I believe there will be no wars between our nations and thus peace while she sits on the throne.”
Tikar bowed his head. “Your commands will be fulfilled. I promise.”
“Good. Platos, you will defend my daughter with your life. She is a strong woman but she will need the support of the Imperial Guards to ensure her safety.”
“Damn it man, you’re sounding like a pessimist. I don’t like it.”
“I am only making sure my affairs are put into order. It is my intention to face the Dark One and I am not sure I will survive. You understand?”
“I understand damn it, but this talk is making me melancholy. If it happens then it will be as you say, but as your warlord that will not happen for a long time. That, I promise.”
“Careful with your promises. I do intend to meet the Dark One face-to-face in combat. That is my destiny.”
An Imperial Guard knocked on the door. “Come.”
“Sire,” said the soldier, bowing deeply. “The attack bell has sounded.”
Both Platos and Rowet cursed. With a grunt, Platos rose from his chair and looked down at his emperor. “Better not keep those beasties waiting, hey.”
“I will be with you shortly. Thank you for coming, Tikar. Please write up my wishes and I will sign them.”
“Thank you, sire, I will have them completed by dawn.”
Rowet nodded and the senior priest left the room, closing the door quietly.
The Chosen sat in his chair for a moment, deep in thought. He was defending his city to the best of his ability. He had lost his dearest friend and now he had to decide. At some point, the Chosen had to take the battle to the Dark One—the problem was, when? He knew Zane would be coming to his aid, but would he arrive in time? Rowet clasped his hands and prayed. He prayed for the dead clansmen who had fought bravely for him. He also prayed for Zane and the Rhaurns’ speedy arrival. Deep down, Rowet had a nagging feeling the Dark One was still toying with him, biding his time.
Rowet rose from his chair, walked from his room and down the white corridor, to change into his armour.
***
Zane had woken the morning after a jolly night before feeling the effects. His head pounded, his mouth felt furry and dry, and his stomach churned like a rough sea. He managed some hot oats with Baron Daviton, then rode from Mandeville. The fresh crisp air cleared the young king’s mind while he rode to meet his army that should have arrived at the camp, south of Evlon. Zane, Dax, and Thade made a slight detour and rode through the deserted town of Evlon. The Darklord with his Dark Brethren had attacked the town months earlier and only two people had survived the atrocities. One was Baron Chelmsnor and the other the town smithy, a man named Gammel—both now dead. They stopped at the grave of their friend, Gammel. For several minutes, the friends prayed for Gammel and the others who had lost their lives since the rise of the Darklord.
Silently, the men left the eerie ghost town of Evlon and headed for the army’s camp, each lost in his own thoughts. Zane thought of Aurillia and hoped she was safe. Thade was thinking of Ireen and longed for her to be in his arms. Dax thought about his friend Rayth and the
upcoming conflict.
***
Zane and the others arrived at the camp at dusk the following day. In the king’s tent, Urkin joined the three men. Zane informed Urkin that the army would be crossing the Steppes to reach Kal-Pharina and help his friend, the Chosen. Zane pulled out a map and spread it out on a fold-away wooden table. The men gathered around the young king and Zane traced his finger along the route.
“This is one of the few routes across the Steppes that will sustain an army. It was given to my father by the Chosen. The numbers between the waterholes are the number of days each journey should take. We must keep to this timetable and will only take enough water from the spring to last until the next. Therefore, it’s essential that we do not get lost. The whole journey across the Steppes to Kal-Pharina should take three weeks, and no more. Urkin, Dax, Thade, and myself will ride ahead of the main force to make sure the waterholes are safe. Dax and Thade know the Phadrine tongue and will speak to any clan camped by the waterholes.”
Urkin looked down at the map. The first waterhole was due east of their current position. “When do we march?”
“At dawn, we will ride ahead of you and mark the route. Send scouts out after us and they should find our markers.”
Urkin asked several more questions and when satisfied, left the three men alone in Zane’s tent to issue his orders.
“So, we journey across the Steppes again,” said Thade to no one in particular.
“Aye, and we ride towards another conflict,” added Dax.
Zane was deep in thought, then he looked up at Dax. “Will they trick us again?”
“No. This time they do not have the Kharnacks to stand before us. It is the Dark One and his Dread. They will not do anything so sneaky. I believe the Dark One will want to defeat us all in one battle. He will be there and he will be waiting for us.”
“That’s not very comforting,” said Zane glumly.
“I know, but at least we will have a united force to battle him. Alone neither force could defeat his beasts, but together we will have a chance.”
“Only a chance?”
Dax looked directly into Zane’s stormy-grey eyes and held his gaze before answering. “We only have a chance, Zane. We need an awful amount of luck to defeat him. But I believe ultimately we will be successful.”
Zane grinned his crooked grin. “You’re my warlord and I believe in your abilities. And I believe in mine. We will win.”
The three friends had a light meal and then turned in for the night. Just before dawn, they left the camp and started their long journey east across the Steppes.
***
The three friends had been travelling for a couple of hours when they saw a building in the distance. They stopped.
“I do not remember a building being there. I used to live in Evlon and patrolled this area. That, my friends, is new,” announced Dax. The older warrior did not wait for a reply, and urged his horse towards the structure. The three companions crested a hill and Zane audibly gasped.
“It cannot be,” the old warrior whispered. He stared at the building, his face set.
Thade sat on his horse, shaking his head slightly. “It’s the same,” he announced. “The same, but different from the . . . ”
“Aye, it’s a replica of the Black Palace in Yallaz’oom,” whispered Dax.
“What is it doing here?”
“I do not know,” replied Dax, looking around. Before them was a sandy brown copy of the Black Palace in Yallaz’oom. It was an angular building with high walls surrounding it, and tall turrets that stretched high into the blue sky. The two main differences were firstly the colour. Secondly, a moat of flowing sand surrounded this structure, whereas a moat of lava flowed around the original black building in the Realm of Darkness.
The trio moved warily towards the colossal building. At the bottom of a hill they tethered their mounts and climbed up the far slope. Lying on their stomachs, they peered down into the compound. There was still a gap in the wall and a solidified section of the churning sand moat formed a bridge. The men ducked down as a group of more than one hundred Talon Hunters exited the compound, heading directly southeast. Dax turned onto his back and gazed up at the sky.
“Are they reinforcements?” asked Thade.
“I believe so,” answered Dax, turning back onto his stomach and looking at the building. “I believe they are heading for the white city.”
“What do we do?”
“First thing is we stop the army travelling this close to the building. And then,” said Dax with a wicked smiled on his face, “we have a look see.”
Zane turned on his back and sighed. “How did I know you were going to say that?”
Dax just smiled cheekily at his young king.
***
Thade and Zane rode back towards the main force and met two scouts. They ordered the men to return to the army and advise Urkin to stop his march and to prepare a light, cold camp. A “light, cold camp” was one where no defences were built, no tents pitched or fires lit, so the army could be on the move instantly.
Dax waited on the hill and watched. Every three hours or so more Talon Hunters and Shadows emerged from the building and bounded towards the southeast. When his two companions returned, Dax advised them of the constant movement.
“There must be a link between the two realms in there somewhere,” observed Zane.
Dax nodded. “There would seem to be a portal of some kind active within the palace.”
“Can we close it?” asked Zane
“Let’s go and take a closer look, then decide what to do.”
“I wish Gan was here,” added Thade.
“Aye, so do I,” whispered Dax, staring down over the wall.
They waited until nightfall.
***
The night was dark. Patchy billowing grey clouds gliding north covered the moon on a light breeze that kept the air cool and fresh. These were perfect conditions for the men to slither down the slope and sneak around the palace.
The three companions were dressed in dark clothing and each wore a long dark cloak, with deep hoods pulled into place. They crawled down the slope, trying not to raise any dust behind them, and soon reached the flat before the moat where they took cover. Another hundred Talon Hunters loped through the gap in the wall and passed the men, heading in the same direction as the others—towards Kal-Pharina.
Dax turned to the two younger men. “We have about three hours before the next group appears,” he whispered.
Thade and Zane nodded, and they moved stealthily towards the gap in the wall. A cloud passed the moon and the area became bathed in silvery light. The three men stopped and cowered behind a large boulder. Dax looked up to the sky and watched another menacing cloud amble towards the moon on the light breeze. He watched the cloud move in front of the moon and a dark shadow smeared across the land.
When the dark shadow covered the men, Dax was up instantly and running swiftly across the open ground to reach the moat. Tentatively, he stepped on the solid sand leading to the arch gap in the wall. Either side, the sand churned and swirled violently. At a quick pace, the three traversed the crossing and entered the palace grounds.
***
Urkin was not happy waiting with his men and paced about like a caged bear. His king and warlord were entering an unknown palace that had appeared on the edge of the Steppes. He called one of the commanders from the axe-wielders.
“Fontis, I want you to take a company of your men and head due east. You will reach a building that has appeared on the Steppes. Our king is exploring inside the building. Have your men ready within striking distance should anything happen.”
“Anything like what?” asked Commander Fontis.
“I don’t know!” snapped Urkin. “Use your initiative, man. Take a couple of scouts with you. If you come across a major problem, send the scouts back and we can be there in a couple of hours. But whatever happens, defend our liege.”
Commander Fontis sa
luted. “Yes sir.”
Within twenty minutes, a company of axe-wielders set out heading due east and disappeared into the darkness of night.
***
The three companions entered the palace grounds and crouched by the towering wall. Dax scanned the courtyard and saw no movement. He knew Shadows had exited the palace and so there was a chance that one or more of the creatures lurked in the darkness. Slowly, the men edged around the wall until they reached a point where they could look inside, but the building was shrouded in darkness. Dax cursed. He knew they would have to race across the courtyard to get a closer look. But there was a problem. Where they were positioned by the wall Dax could not see the moon. He had a simple choice: he would have to gamble the clouds would not clear the moon and bathe the area in silvery light.
He nudged Thade’s shoulder and then silently scurried off. Thade and Zane followed the older warrior. Dax reached the side of the building and turned. A cloud slowly cleared the moon and silvery light crept across the land. Dax beckoned for Thade to hurry, but the former gladiator tripped, fell, and slid on the sandy courtyard. Dax held his breath. The light had crept over the wall. Thade rose to his feet and continued his run. Zane reached the wall panting and turned.
Dax whispered hoarsely to him. “Get in the building.”
Zane saw the light creeping across the courtyard. He scampered up the steps and waited just inside the doorway. Dax watched the light gain on Thade and motioned for the man to lie down. Thade instantly obeyed and lay on the ground stock-still. The light crept over his body and up along the building. From the doorway, Dax heard movement. He slowly turned his head and looked up. He swallowed hard.
A Keeper stood on the top step. Its shredded, long grey robes billowed in the breeze as it stared out across the courtyard. Dax could not draw his death-dealers for two reasons. One, his back rested against the building and second, the blade may shimmer in the moonlight. He silently cursed and returned his gaze to the stationary Thade.
Thade wanted to look up to see if Dax was motioning to him, but knew better. He opened his eyes and saw the moonlight still bathed his body.