Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

  Chapter X

  A Captain Made General

  The mass of people paused high up on the mountain ridge looking down upon the canyon below. After their arduous journey they had finally reached the edges of Hemίl. Tesnayr stared down at the stone keep nestled into the mountain. The fortified walls had been completed but the watch towers were obviously still under construction. Rubble littered the inside levels of the keep.

  “The Keep of Edrei,” said King Shealayr as though he had read Tesnayr’s mind.

  “A keep,” replied Tesnayr. “It looks more like a construction project.”

  “In this case it is,” said King Shealayr, “King Edrei began construction on it five years ago. The outer walls are complete and so is the throne room, but much of the inside has yet to be built. And as you can see the two watch towers are only halfway done.

  “He hopes to have it completed in the next few years. It will be a great asset to his kingdom and his people. This will provide a place for them to hide should they be attacked.”

  “It seems to be in a horrible location,” said Tesnayr as he eyed the layout of the fort. “Sitting at the edge of this ravine he has embraced a trap.”

  “King Edrei does not think so,” said King Shealayr.

  “Why’s that?” asked Tesnayr.

  “He said that he found an invaluable advantage provided by the mountains.”

  Tesnayr thought about it, but could not determine what would be so advantageous about the end of a ravine. He shook his head figuring that that would be the problem of the king and not his.

  “Move out!”

  Slowly, the line of migrants wormed their way down the path and into the canyon below heading directly for the unfinished keep.

  Tesnayr and Jenel marched into the great hall of the keep to meet with the five kings. Torches lit their way as they wound through the maze of corridors.

  “Halt,” said one of the guards outside the double doors leading to the great hall.

  “We’re expected,” said Tesnayr.

  “You are,” said the guard, “But she will have to wait outside.”

  “I will not,” Jenel said.

  “My lady, my orders are to only allow him entrance.”

  “My father is the King Slyamal and I will not be denied entrance!” Jenel shoved past the guard and burst through the doors into the great hall with Tesnayr and the guard close behind.

  “My lady, please,” pleaded the guard.

  “It is all right, Gambin,” said King Edrei. “She can stay.” The guard bowed and left the chamber. “Jenel, always a pleasure.” King Edrei gave her a curt nod. “Tesnayr,” he said redirecting his attention, “We finally meet. You already know King Shealayr. Here are King Telinin and Nalim. And I believe you’ve also met King Slyamal.”

  With one look at King Slyamal, Tesnayr strode over and punched him square in the face. The impact knocked the man to the ground.

  King Slyamal glared at Tesnayr. “You see what he just did! I’ll—”

  “Be quiet,” said King Nalim.

  “I should do more than strike you for what you did,” said Tesnayr.

  “I—”

  “Save it, father,” said Jenel who had watched impassively. “From what I hear you deserve it for what you did.”

  “Jenel, you would insult your own father?”

  “You are not my father. My father was the honorable King of Sym’Dul who would never betray a man. But you did.”

  “We have business to discuss,” said King Telinin.

  “Indeed,” replied King Edrei. “Tesnayr, word of your exploits has reached us. Only you seem to understand the orcs and the devastation they have wrought. Separate, our forces are inadequate. But united, we could defeat them.”

  “Then why don’t you?” asked Tesnayr.

  “I am certain that King Shealayr explained the situation,” said King Edrei.

  “He explained enough,” said Tesnayr.

  “Enough of these word games,” King Nalim blurted out. “Tesnayr, we need a general to lead our armies. Not one of us can do it as we do not trust each other. So we are asking you. You have won the trust of many across the five lands. I’ve heard how men have trekked the Ársa Mountains to join your army. Will you help us?”

  “You certainly do not mince words,” said Tesnayr. “The last time I assisted one of you, I was betrayed. We lost the battle. I cannot help men who wish only to glorify themselves.”

  “We dwarves care nothing for glory,” said King Nalim. “Only one among us is fool enough to put glory before all else.”

  King Shealayr stepped forward and drew everyone’s attention. “Tesnayr, the elves of Belarnia owe you a great debt of gratitude. You saved us, and we will repay that.”

  “What do you have in mind?” asked Tesnayr.

  “It is as Nalim has said,” replied King Edrei, “We have been unable to defeat the orcs by ourselves. They have invaded each of our lands. We want you to lead our armies against the orcs. You will be in full command. You have taken the rank of captain. We will give you the rank of general. General of the combined armies of the five lands.”

  “General of the army of Tesnayr,” injected Jenel.

  “Precisely,” said King Edrei.

  “This sounds too good to be true,” said Tesnayr. “Have you all finally come to your senses?”

  “In more ways than one,” said King Telinin. “I swear to you upon my life that the army of Belyndril is yours to command, so long as you defeat the orcs.”

  “Fair enough,” Tesnayr said.

  “Perhaps you should make him a king,” sneered King Slyamal. Nursing his bruised pride, King Slyamal glared at Tesnayr. Something caught his eye. Peering more closely he saw that Tesnayr wore Jenel’s pendant. No!

  “King Edrei, Telinin, Nalim and Shealayr, I will accept command of your armies on one condition: my command supersedes yours for all engagements with the orcs. You must trust me fully and obey my orders. And you swear such oaths before the sorceress.”

  “Are you mad?” said King Slyamal with a note of fear.

  “An oath sworn before the sorceress is not easily broken,” said King Telinin.

  “Precisely,” replied Tesnayr.

  “I think it is a wonderful idea,” said Ernayn as she moved out of the shadows. “And as you all know, I do not take oaths lightly.”

  “You have got to quit doing that,” King Telinin said to her.

  Ernayn eyed the king with one her stern looks.

  “Hemίl accepts your offer,” said King Edrei stepping forward.

  “You have command of the elves,” said King Shealayr.

  Grunting, King Nalim approached Tesnayr. “MurDair will follow you.”

  “You have the loyalty of Belyndril,” said King Telinin, “We will follow you until the destruction of the orcs.”

  Everyone glared at King Slyamal. He squirmed and fidgeted uncomfortably. He knew he had done wrong in the past and he knew what was expected of him. He opened his mouth to speak, but Jenel beat him to it. “You have Sym’Dul’s loyalty.”

  “I’m sure he thanks you, my lady, but it is the king who must swear it,” Ernayn said calmly, admiring the girl’s fortitude.

  “Upon my life, you have command over the army of Sym’Dul,” King Slyamal grunted to Tesnayr.

  “Kneel, Tesnayr,” commanded Ernayn.

  Tesnayr did so, uncertain of her intent.

  “You know what to do,” she said to the five kings.

  Each of the kings unsheathed their swords placing the tips on Tesnayr’s shoulders. “We, the kings of the five lands, declare you, Tesnayr, general of our armies. Now rise,” they said together.

  Afterward, Tesnayr thanked each of the kings and left. He had work to do. The others filed out as well. “Jenel, a moment please,” said King Slyamal. Jenel hung behind. “You dare embarrass your father.”

  “You have embarrassed yourself,” replied Jenel. “I learned the truth while migrating through the mountai
ns. I cannot believe the man who taught me to be honest, betrayed his own conscience.”

  “I made a mistake.”

  “A mistake with a huge cost,” fired back Jenel. “I do not know if I can trust you anymore.”

  “Fair enough. One day you will be queen. But until that day I am still the King of Sym’Dul and your father. You will not openly defy me again.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “Why did you give him your pendant?”

  “You know why,” said Jenel.

  “I beg you to reconsider. He is a soldier and could die at any time.”

  “I know what you are about to say,” Jenel cut her father off, “But I love him. Do not ask me to take it back.”

  She turned, but before she left the chamber her father spoke one last time. “I heard about what you did for those people, leading them through the mountains and to safety. You showed great courage. A true daughter of kings.” Jenel left her father alone. Just like her mother. Just like her sister. Stubborn.

  Tesnayr rambled through the upper level of the keep. He observed the piles of bricks strewn about for intended construction. He studied the masonry that went into the formation of the already finished walls. The five-foot thick walls were well constructed with sturdy stone. Tesnayr admired the work. King Edrei certainly knew what he was doing.

  “Like it?” said King Edrei as he approached from behind.

  “It seems well constructed,” said Tesnayr. “It should be impressive when finished.”

  “That it will be. You see those watch towers? When done, they will stretch all the way up to the top of the cliff face.”

  “A man up there could scout a vast amount of land,” said Tesnayr. “I noticed the engraving in the great hall. Pardon me, but it seems a bit extravagant for a fort.”

  King Edrei smiled. “There is more to that engraving than just the picture. One day it might come into use.”

  “How’s that exactly?”

  “Some things are best left a secret,” replied King Edrei. “This keep will be more than just a fort. Naturally it is designed to provide protection for the people should we be invaded, but I want it to be a great city. It will be a place where merchants come and trade their wares. A place for socializing. I completed the palace portion on the top level first so that I could live here. As each level is completed there will be places for shops and living space. Too many kings separate themselves from their people. But by living here anyone can come see me if they wish.”

  Tesnayr listened intently as the king explained his vision for the keep. He could see it himself. A place of protection as well as a place that bustled with life. He hoped that it would come to pass. Right now the only finished sections of the keep were the palace and the outer wall. The rest lay in a rugged pile of rubble.

  “My lord,” said a messenger as he ran up. He handed a message to the king.

  “Thank you,” said the king dismissing the messenger. Quickly, King Edrei read the message. His brow furrowed. “The orcs are nearby. They are expected to arrive within a day.”