Bladeborn

by Clayton Schonberger

  They began walking together and King Rosen showed some of his royal household to Bladeborn, introducing him to several of members of the nobility, and the chiefs of the household staff.

  Bladeborn and his two companions were given a night to rest in comfortable rooms in the palace. The formal luncheon planned for mid-afternoon the next day was very important to Bladeborn. King Rosen looked to be an even-tempered and wise ruler, and he was Deocarla’s brother, so Bladeborn wished to make a good impression on him. Bladeborn had lived uncomfortably with Deocarla’s decision since they left the First Realm weeks ago, and he thought speaking to Rosen would help him know her better, if not help him reach a sense of finality. Also, there was the issue of Kaken… The leader of the mercenary force.

  ~~Kaken is a dangerous man, Bladeborn. He will try to harm your reputation~~

  Bladeborn responded, “I’m going to try to get his army under my command. I don’t want him bleeding resources from my warriors.”

  ~~He will find a reason not to join. And be prepared for his insults. He has the ear of many in the Sixth Valley, including several the guild leaders and many of the richer men. Any man who calls Lord Kaken ’friend’ is an enemy of yours!~~

  Bladeborn responded to the Sword with thoughts of denial. “Those merchants have donated vast sums of coin to buy equipment for my army, Nightslayer! I cannot believe they are as you say!”

  ~~You are a fool, then, Bladeborn. Where do you guess they got such wealth from? All those newly minted coins…Don’t you remember that a year and a half ago there was no gold in the Six Realms to be spared?~~

  “I remember that it was King Rosen who sent supplies, when no other, not even Deocarla, would help. It was the King’s help kept us from freezing that first winter.”

  ~~Why don’t you ask him about it then, tomorrow~~

  “Only if the subject comes up,” Bladeborn replied. “However, I will ask Lord Kaken about Jonax…I think it is very unusual that Jonax hasn’t arrived already.”

  ~~As I said, you will find that Jonax has met with an untimely end. Lord Kaken and Lord Esket are the source of it~~

  Somewhere in the back of his mind, Bladeborn realized how seldom he had questioned the Sword’s judgment in the past.

  “That simply cannot be!” Bladeborn argued. “Too many men of the realms are good-natured!”

  ~~Good natured, like Sir Dreadsta? Remember, Bladeborn! Lord Kaken could ruin everything! You must work around him and despite him. Do not argue with him for he has an insidious tongue!~~

  The next day at noon they began a feast in the austere great hall of heroes, surrounded by stone sculptures of the valiant men and women from the Six Realms’ past.

  King Rosen told Bladeborn of the hundreds of years they had hidden from the Rhinolon. “Your people of Fortress City far to the North were defeated only about two hundred years ago. They left us out of their war, passing us by. My people, part of an empire that had towering cities in these mountains eons ago, were some of the first humans to war with the Rhinolon in all history.”

  Bladeborn listened intently. The history of the Realms as told by King Rosen reminded Bladeborn of similar stories shared by Deocarla three years ago.

  The conversation continued, and Rosen asked, “Your Sword, General Bladeborn, seems to be unique, is it not?”

  “I believe so, my King,” Bladeborn responded.

  King Rosen said, “I believe that it is the very one that an Emperor from your city carried into battle so long ago. How it came to be in your hand is a story I will wish to hear. Nothing in my experience is as magical as that Sword, the one you have referred to as—”

  “Nightslayer,’ my King,” Lord Kaken interrupted. “This man calls Eshumé’s Doom by the name of ‘Nightslayer.’ That is the name the weapon goes by now, anyway.”

  “Yes uhm, thank you, Lord Kaken,” King Rosen said, slightly ruffled. Rosen asked more, “The only magical artifact I have encountered that could match its unique nature is an Elvin city that was said to traverse the space between the worlds. Unfortunately, the city is in ruins these days, destroyed beyond repair. Yet when I was a lad, my father led an expedition into the Spiral Mountains to try to find a new home for our people. Those were hard, dark times, back then.”

  “Where is this city, my King?” Bladeborn asked.

  Rosen responded, “In a volcanic landscape, we found an enormous Pyramid resting askew on the side of the highest nearby mountains. As we got closer he realized that, by heaven, it was once a city.

  “We got inside despite lava rivers flowing about it. We only had a few moments in its halls before fire demons forced us to retreat. Despite all this, we found great treasures inside.

  “Those who had once lived there had left weapons strewn about the ruined city, apparently right in the spot where they died when the Pyramid ‘fell from the very sky.’

  “Fell from the sky, my King?” Bladeborn asked, for clarity.

  “Indeed, General,” King Rosen said. “We were certain that at one time it flew in the air. My father found an albino sword there, which he carried into battle for many years afterward. Alas, this weapon and the others taken as prizes are now lost to us. However, I wear this cloak I found there. It is nearly indestructible, and it saved my life from a Rhinolon spear when I was younger.”

  In telepathic commentary, Nightslayer said, ~~That city is surely the Flying Pyramid of the Elves, the one gifted to them by the Elf God Arlen. The albino sword this King speaks of must have been forged by the Elvin master smiths and Wizards~~

  Bladeborn said, “King Rosen, tell me more about the Pyramid City and these weapons.”

  “Well, it was so long ago I don’t remember it all,” King Rosen said, shifting in his oversized chair. “My memory about it isn’t good, and my information is incomplete… However, I believe the Great Court Wizard determined it was operated by magical stones known as ‘the Five Wards.’”

  Bladeborn asked, “Could you find this flying city again?”

  The King cleared his throat and said, “Yes, I suppose so... But it may be completely buried with lava rock by now. And there are… demons there…Why do you ask?”

  Bladeborn said, “I may wish to lead an expedition of my own to this city sometime, my King. There may be more useful weapons there.”

  “It sounds like a noble pursuit,” King Rosen said, smiling. “But one left to men younger than me.”

  “If we could, I would also like to open trade with the Elves of the Northeast. I am told that their longbows are of superior quality to our shortbows. It would be a great boon to the Six Realms to open trade with them.”

  Sir Rodon spoke up then, “My King, the legendary Elvin bows would give us much increased range effectiveness.”

  “All in good time,” King Rosen said, laughing a bit. “Lord Kaken has had some dealings with the Dwarves, I believe, although they are difficult customers. And I have heard things about the Elves that aren’t too flattering as well. How I wish I had more complete answers for you. Is there anything else you would like to ask of me?”

  Bladeborn, against his better judgment, chose to follow Nightslayer’s advice and ask a pointed question of the King. He inquired, “My King, the first winter in the field, when Sir Rodon Thell and I nearly froze to death with our two hundred men… We received no supplies from the Realms, except from you… It was you alone who responded to my lengthy letter three winters ago with the equipment we needed… Well, I never got to thank you for it, and I want you to know it ended up making all the difference.”

  “Wait, what is that, General Bladeborn?” King Rosen said. “I don’t remember responding to such a letter… never got one. No, that was why I was so impressed with the news of your first victories. I mean, from my sister I had heard about you and your Sword. I received several letters a week from her at that time. Sad that she doesn’t write me any more…”

  Sir Rodon interrupted, shocked, “My King, you never got that letter? Then who did we send all th
e tribute to when we had collected enough spoils to repay the debt?”

  “That’s odd,” King Rosen said, “I didn’t realize you had sent anything to my Realm, other than the prisoners you freed…”

  Rodon Thell gave Bladeborn a puzzled glance. Bladeborn looked back in confusion.

  Bladeborn said, “We have sent many chests filled with captured gold and many more crates laden with Rhinolon silver coin to you, my King. We sent more than twenty such chests and crates. Rodon and I agreed we should pay off the debt to you a hundredfold for rescuing us from starvation in those early days, so last year we did exactly that. King Rosen, I remember the letter had the royal seal because I saw it with my own eyes”

  “It had the Royal Seal on it,” Sir Rodon said, firmly.

  “Hmm…” King Rosen reflected, “This is…unusual…”

  “And awkward,” said Lord Kaken, taking a drink. “Sir Rodon you speak out of turn…You should know not to put our King at a disadvantage. So, it seems we have a mystery. But can we not move on? This is a time of celebration!”

  “Ehrm, yes…” King Rosen said, “Lord Kaken, if I may ask you a question… You had access to my seal at that time, did you not?”

  “If I may remind you, my King,” Lord Kaken declared, “many people did. I know nothing of this incident. But it seems Sir Thell has lost track of quite a bit of gold, does it not? Gold that his own men fought and died for. A tragedy, really.”

  Bladeborn glanced at his friend. Rodon was steaming, Bladeborn could tell, but he controlled his anger outwardly. Bladeborn was also angry, but there was little he could say. He suspected Kaken of being responsible for gross embezzlement, but the luncheon was not the venue to determine his guilt or innocence.

  ~~Ask him, Bladeborn! Ask Kaken about Jonax~~

  Following Nightslayer’s advice, Bladeborn asked, “I have also gotten word that my squire, Jonax, with forty heavy horsemen, and a caravan of treasure from Onager, diverted here and is yet to arrive. The order to reroute the loot was given by Lord Esket to …”

  “Are you suggesting,” Lord Kaken brashly interrupted, “That the King’s future Brother-in-law is somehow involved in the loss of treasures you have experienced?”

  Bladeborn ground his teeth a moment and said, “I would only like to know what happened to them.”

  “Ahh, we will eventually get to the bottom of it, I’m sure,” King Rosen said, breaking what had become an awkward sort of tension. “Bladeborn, tell me…how do you do that weird magic that kills all that you see in front of you. This is something I don't understand.”

  “Yes, General Bladeborn,” said Lord Kaken, “what is that ‘psychic trickery’ you perform that makes the Rhinolon drop over like drunken men? Where does this power come from?”

  Bladeborn answered in measured tones, wondering how Lord Kaken would next come at him. “I think it is something I inherited from my parents, although I never knew them. Or perhaps it was some product of my soul’s journey through the cycle of rebirth. At least that is what I have read…”

  “Wait—” interrupted Lord Kaken, “you don’t know who your parents were?”

  “Why, no I don’t.” Bladeborn said. “I was an orphan in the city of my origin.”

  “General Bladeborn,” Lord Kaken said as the assembled guests grew hushed, “I think we all assumed that one so great as you came from a line of Princes in the city of your home…”

  “Well, actually, I was fighting the Princes there before I fled for my life,” Bladeborn said flatly. “This is no secret, Lord Kaken. I have openly shared my history with Queen Deocarla and the people of the First Valley.”

  “Bladeborn, not that it changes a thing,” Lord Kaken said. “But I assumed your origins were more… noble. Now, if I may ask you… Is it not true that hundreds of Rhinolon always escape your raids by hiding in their infernal temples?”

  “I thought Sir Rodon explained this strategy well enough,” Bladeborn said.

  “Well, I do not hold to such superstitious behaviors,” Lord Kaken said. “I am also told you did not hunt down and kill the Rhinolon citizens who fled Onager from the south gate! Those females and young are dangerous! Yet you let them survive! This is war!”

  “We were more concerned with the immediate problem of—” Sir Rodon began to counter.

  “Perhaps, Sir Rodon, they carried off some of that treasure you lost?” Lord Kaken asked with a wry smile, sitting back in his chair. “We of the Silver Legion are a bit more…careful and thorough… Why, right now my Silver Regiment is returning to our lands with six chests of treasure taken from the Rhinolon Oracle’s Temple west of the Zelgron. They are delivering the gold to King Blair in the Fourth Valley, although two chests are being delivered here. These treasures are my gift to King Rosen. My runner said fifty of the Silver Regiment will be arriving within the hour here, while the rest of the Silver Regiment will eventually link up with your army in a few days.”

  Bladeborn was trying to get a word in, but as Kaken went on, the gift the man had for oratory was apparent. Although Bladeborn could agree with nothing Kaken had to say, the rest of the room was mesmerized by him.

  Kaken was finishing his long diatribe, “…Soon, my sub-commanders will take control of a portion of your force, as King Blair has ordered. They will be with your Army of the Sun, and my seasoned Knights will…take partial command.”

  Bladeborn tried to control his frustration, biting his words back, “What did you do at the Sacred Oracle’s Temple?”

  “OH!” Lord Kaken laughed, “It’s funny! Here was all this wealth, as I said chests of gold, plus much more. Apparently meant as sacrifices to the lords of the Hells! There were almost no Guards, and a bunch of what they call ‘Shaman.’ Now, one of their most sacred places has been burned to the ground.”

  Bladeborn’s hand clenched into a fist, but he controlled himself.

  Lord Kaken continued, “That will certainly send a clear message to the Rhinolon that we mean business! This missive I hold in my hand, delivered just this morning by a runner from my commander in the field tells the whole story… It was a stroke of genius on my part, I believe, to attack where they least expected it and capture so much wealth! Whereas you march your men right into their stronghold, causing the loss of hundreds, I send mine to the unexpected, attacking undefended Rhinolon outposts bursting with gold. Whereas you, General Bladeborn, send the priests who surrender to their freedom, we sent cartloads of their carcasses to the Zelgron. Now, let’s see whom the Rhinolon truly fear!”

  “You can’t be serious!” Sir Rodon fumed. Sir Drak Lomazi put his hand on Rodon’s arm, trying to calm him.

  “What do you mean by that, Sir Rodon?” Lord Kaken queried. “My Silver Regiment has been burning the temples, and no ‘divine retribution’ has occurred… Letting the Shaman go is a questionable policy, General Bladeborn… There has even been a rumor, not that I believe it personally, that there are certain reasons for your keeping the devils…’sacred.’”

  “How dare you imply—,” Rodon Thell exclaimed, “Do you dare to insinuate—”

  Kaken said, “I won’t go so far as to accuse General Bladeborn of using the devils as his allies… I can’t for the life of me see why he wouldn’t have betrayed us to the Rhinolon by now if he was a working for them… But, perhaps his connection with them is subtler…? I wonder what promises the lords of the Hells would make if General Bladeborn had exchanged his soul for power and glory within the Six Realms?”

  Rodon Thell leapt to his feet, shouting, “You take that back right now or by Heaven defend yourself! For surely my blade will find the TRUTH of the matter!”

  “Oh, I don’t wish to fight about it,” Lord Kaken said, in a matter-of-fact way. He sipped some more of his wine. “I’m just saying what I have heard in certain circles.”

  “You fool,” Bladeborn quietly intoned.

  “Well, it isn’t up to me,” Lord Kaken said. “But we shall see who has the true intelligence and strategic where-with-all in
the coming days…in fact, I have been in communication with King Dale and he is prepared to give me command of half your…what some would say, mismanaged army because of your questionable tactics—”

  “AHEM--” King Rosen cleared his throat, and said, “This is not the proper venue for such discussions, Lord Kaken. Today is a day of celebrations.”

  Bladeborn got up from the table suddenly and said, “Great King Rosen, I wish we could talk all afternoon. But the training and testing of new warriors begins early tomorrow, and I must prepare.”

  “What?” King Rosen cleared his throat again. “Yes, I suppose you have much planning to do. We dismiss you, General Bladeborn.”

  The guests seemed shocked by Bladeborn’s desire to leave the table. The King was traditionally the one who decided when the feast ended, not the guest, even if he was a special guest.

  “Thank you, King Rosen for a fine dinner,” Bladeborn would simply not sit at the table with the idiot Kaken, who may have put all his hard work in jeopardy with rumor and disastrous strategy.

  Although he was angry, Bladeborn measured his words carefully: “I have never eaten such delicacies as I have at this sumptuous feast you and yours prepared. King Rosen, I thank you for your hospitality. Perhaps, my King, tomorrow after the training you would allow me to speak to you in a private audience. I have something to talk about with you that I can only speak of when we are alone. It concerns family, and my squire. Again, thank you, King Rosen, and thank you, Lords and Ladies, for your good company.”

  Bladeborn and Sir Rodon turned to leave, and an awkward moment later, Sir Lomazi arose to go also.

  Suddenly, Nightslayer warned Bladeborn of impending doom.

  ~~Bladeborn! The admonition of the Lords of Hell BEGINS!~~

  Chapter 19: Vengeance of the Lords of Hell

  The room shook violently as a concussive ball of force exploded in its center. Ceiling tiles crashed from above, landing some of the guests, and two chandeliers broke from their fixtures, smashing down onto the feast table.