My sister and I woke the next morning in her shack. We had been stirring all night of the events at the council, and what that meant for our future. I did not care as much as I should have, but Vysedda was always open with her feelings and insisted that we talked. I'd be lying if I said my interest wasn't piqued, but I pride myself in my composure to keep my emotions low so that the others of my kind can't read me. Vysedda was the exception, of course, and as we were twins she could tell I was interested, so she did most of the talking and I did most of the listening.
A time later we were greeted by the Eldengar, and they asked us of what we wanted to do. My sister, of course, bargained to stay, and that was accepted, and so was her request to be trained by the disheveled man, who's name I cared not to learn. Falkend, on the other hand, raised my curiosity, and I found him to be someone I would be content with learning under, so I chose to go with him to a land called Vyndanlund, where he told me I would learn a lot not just in magic, but in how to rule a kingdom; and that, I thought, was a very good idea. I had grown tired of the lectures from my father and aunt while my uncle doted on Vysedda, so a change of scenery, I believed, was a requirement to my busy mind.
Within the next few days I was asked to do some chores like collecting firewood and river water, small things to keep me busy while I winded down from the events of the council. My father did not bother me once, and I knew it was due to my choice to leave, but he had once said that I was free to make my decisions and accepted it for what it was. I like to think he believed my lessons would be futile when I would soon see a kingdom ruled not by his hand, and that I may learn something in the process. The bastard was good at keeping his thoughts to himself, though, and I never pryed; nor did I want to.
Before we set out to depart, my mother and father saw me off, but my sister, I was told, was busy training with Ban and my uncle. My mother hugged me tightly, and my father could only stare at me with his commanding eyes. I waited for him to say something, but he didn't, and it was only when I turned to leave that he grabbed my arm.
"I'm... proud of you," he said softly," learn well."
I was not generous. I didn't turn back to look at him, but instead shrugged him off, and I didn't do it to be mean. My father knew my feelings in that moment because I could not hide them, and so there was nothing to be said. The words festered in my brain like poison seeped into a wound, and I found I was more upset about leaving than I anticipated; but I braved through the feelings, and before I knew it, Falkend and Ciluyue had teleported us to a land of snow and ice.
It was as if I had blinked; that was all it took. I thought we would be venturing on a long journey, and I did contemplate packing for such a reason, but I was told by Falkend not to and I did not understand why until now. I turned in the snow which was levelled up to my knees and took in my surroundings. It was, in a word, beautiful. The white blanket that caressed the ground paired wonderfully with the dark green trees, themselves covered in pellets of snow. After a full circle I found myself squinting off into the distance where I could see a large cobblestone structure.
"What's that?" I asked, to nobody in particular, and Falkend responded.
"Öranc," he said," the capitol city of Vyndanlund."
"Seems rather small for what I'd believe to be a capitol city," I said, not well-knowing what a capitol city was, but I enjoyed finding answers in stupid remarks.
"The fortress itself is nigh impregnable," the white lion growled," it does not need to be large."
Ciluyue and Falkend led me through the snow approaching the fortress. I called it small but it was much bigger than I expected. The ramparts, of which I had to croon my neck backwards, had men pacing back and forth, but only a few had noticed us approach. One man retreated back from my eyesight, and a moment later the gate was unbarred and slowly opened. Four men approached us from the opening. The man in front had his silver, glistening helmet on and a fur cloak wrapped over his shoulders.
He bowed slightly, his right fist on his chest. It was a salute of some sort, and I assumed it was customary to the land of which we were guests.
"Hail, Lord Falkend, Lady Ciluyue," the man said. His accent was strong and strange to me.
"Greetings, Ansa," said Falkend," is your lord in the fortress at this time?"
"He is," said Ansa," and I am sure he would be glad to see your faces this day. He has summoned the lord Melior of Banas to Öranc a month ago in the hopes of coming to an agreement of sorts, to keep the peace through the winter. The Lord Melior should be arriving this afternoon, but only time will tell."
"Very good," said Falkend, and he turned to face me with his stoic expression," Melior of Banas is a general in the neighboring land, Lüs Colinus. The two lands have been fighting for territory for the last decade."
I did not want to seem rude or uninterested, so I nodded. Ansa finally noticed me, and asked Falkend who I was. Falkend told him I was of no concern for now, and that I was just a child who was learning the world; which was true, however blunt, and I growled my displeasure as quietly as I could before Ansa let us pass.
As we entered the fortress I took note of how busy the city inside was. It surprised me how many people could fit inside such a small area, but they seemed to thrive happily, though housing seemed to be an issue. Ciluyue took note of my expressions and told me that most of the humans came from neighboring settlements and were only here as a defense measure, and that raids have happened often around the land. Winter seemed to be a weakened time for Öranc, I thought, if these were the measures one had to take to keep the people safe; but I was young, I knew it, and I would not know how great the danger was until I faced it myself.
Lady Ciluyue and Lord Falkend both had their hoods over their heads, and I thought that was curious, but I did not question it until we reached the main hall near the center of Öranc.
"Only a few know of us for certain," Ciluyue said under her breath," most just believe we are legend, or dieties of sorts. So we do not reveal ourselves unless we have to."
"Why not change your appearance to look human?" I asked, knowing Ban was capable of the feat.
"We only do so when we need to," Falkend rumbled simply, and I did not like that answer, nor was I in a position to question it further.
We entered the hall and Ansa asked the four guards who lined the room to leave. There was a man sitting in a corner, writing with a quill onto some parchment, though what he was writing I did not know, even when I tuned my eyes to see it closely. It was in some other language, not elvish or drake, and I supposed I should have expected that. The man himself seemed disconcerned with our presenxe, but Ansa approached him and spoke softly into his ear, to which the man gently placed his quill next to the parchment and rose from his seat.
I did not need to tune my eyes to see the lines in his face. He appeared withered and aged. His hair was bald on the sides and braided on top, and the silk grey was apparent amidst the dark brown that weaved on top of his head. His blue eyes were soft, but reminiscent of my uncle's, and I knew there was turmoil behind those eyes. His voice was dry but deep when he spoke, lighter than Falkend's but deeper than my father's, and he spoke slowly as if he had time to spare.
"Hail, Eldengar," he said, but he did not bow a greeting, nor did he need to.
"Hail, Lord Kænn," Falkend did bow, as well as Ciluyue, but I did not. Kænn took notice of this, and smiled softly.
"Young man," he said," it is custom to bow to a lord."
"I bow to no lord," I said, impudently," I am a prince."
The room fell into awkward silence. In that moment I remembered my presence in the world was never felt before, but I did not care. I was being both pompous and a fool, but I was also royalty, and I knew my standing was greater than Kænn's so I did not back down from my statement.
"Forgive him, lord," Ciluyue hissed," he is but a child." Kænn waved her off, then folded his hands together and stared at me a moment.
"From where do you hail, young prince?" he asked me. I had to lie, since I was unsure how well Dractalemh was known to the Lower Realm.
"I am... from the North Star," I said, challenging his soft eyes with my own," of Teles." The old man chuckled lightly.
"I see no resemblance of the elvenkind in your face," he replied, calling my bluff.
"I am half-elvish," I said, and that was true enough.
"I know half-truths when I hear them as well," he said," but your answer will suffice for now. Tell me, Lady Ciluyue, what brings you and your guild to Öranc?"
Ciluyue breathed in relief. Falkend shoved his paw into my face and shoved me away to the back of the hall, where he began to chide me in a somewhat loud silence.
"Your mannerisms will have to change in the presence of others, young prince," he growled at me," your tongue and mind will only bring you trouble. You are not at home anymore. You are my ward from the very moment you chose to leave, and I will not tolerate disrespect. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you."
He grabbed my long hair in his large claws.
"Again."
"I hear you!" I hissed through my discomfort. He let go, then straightened himself upward and a rumble emitted from his throat. He turned, and I followed him back to the front of the hall. Within the time of our conversation, Ciluyue had told Kænn what she needed to say, and they had settled on an agreement. The Lord Kænn looked to me in a disapproving manner as I rubbed the back of my head.
"My apologies, lord," I said softly.
"Speak up, young man," he replied mockingly," I am old."
"I am sorry, lord," I said louder, and more clearly," for the disrespect I have given you in your hall."
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He clearly wanted more, but he nodded, a sign that my apology was enough. I was furious; I'd never before been treated this way, and I felt I was right to be angry, but Falkend and Ciluyue did not dare to grace me with any comfort. It made me realize how easy I had it before, but I did not understand at this moment the basic concept that respect was earned and not given. It was my first lesson, and something I would have to practice in my time away from home.
The old man— I say he is old, but he must have been no older than fourty— found me later in the day. I did not try to hide myself, though; I had been stewing in my own thoughts on the steps of the great hall, and Kænn had just happened upon me when he decided to go for a stroll, and he asked me to walk with him. I still hated him for how I was reprimanded, but I agreed to go with him regardless if only to learn about him while I was here. That was, after all, what I was expected to do.
"Honestly, young man," he said as we had entered the marketplace," you remind me of myself when I was your age."
"Oh do I?" I asked sarcastically, and he nodded, ignoring my attitude.
"I once longed to do nothing but stare at the clouds," he said," maybe one day, when I cared to, have a wife and kids. No worries about politics. But we are the same, even now."
"The same?"
"Ah, yes," he said, then lowered his voice so only I could hear him," the Eldengar only appear when trouble is afoot. Be assured, we are starting a game, and the world is the board. The Two Giants are beginning their match of strength, and it will be us on the rope."
The giants he mentioned were the gods of worldly balance, but I had forgotten their names. Dúleardi controlled natural balance, that much I knew, so I believed the giants were more of a metaphor than anything, and in this instance, they were a metaphor of war.
I thought about it for a moment, and he was right, so I nodded. I hadn't thought about it before, but the Eldengar showing up at our doorstep was particularly strange. They changed our lives, and I haven't figured out why yet. Sure I may have had magic, but why take me from my home just to teach me how to wield it?
"We can agree on that," I said," but I can't be sure we could agree on much else."
"I believe, in time, we will grow to understand one another," said Kænn," and we will decide then if we despise eachother, or grow fond."
"I suppose," I sighed, irritated.
"Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
I shook my head. It wasn't just that I didn't want to tell him, but that I wasn't sure if I should. The Lower Realm didn't know about Dractalemh, I was told, save for the elves in their land to the south. Kænn seemed to understand my unwillingness to speak, then went ahead and told me his own story.
"I killed my family," he said, and that surprised me enough to look up at him with interest. He looked down on me with a regretful smile, then took a deep breath as he stared up at the sky. We had stopped walking at this point.
"My brother, Tohraz, is buried next to a river in Lüs Colinus," he continued," near a town called Costa. My father I burned on a pyre here in Öranc, after the elf king took his head from his shoulders."
"Elf king?" I asked.
"Lord Taerentym," he said, and I tried to hide my shock, to no avail. Kænn saw my expression and asked me if I knew of him, but I lied and said I knew nothing. Kænn was more patient than I thought; I sensed through his energy that he knew I was lying, but he said nothing. I'm sure his tactics would work on his own mind, but they would not work on me. He crossed his arms behind his back, and we started walking again.
Before Kænn could continue what he was saying, a warrior approached us and bowed slightly. Kænn waved his hand to allow the man to speak.
"Lord," the warrior said," Melior is at the gate with his household guard."
"Very good. Allow them to enter, and let the inn know to set up their best rooms. Melior knows Öranc well," The old man ordered. The warrior nodded, then looked at me before leaving back to the front gate. I saw something in his eyes, and felt something radiate in his energy.
"Do you know that man?" I asked Kænn.
"His name is Tor Hanligson," he replied," a younger man who had recently given me his oath. He said he escaped from Sülræan captivity with two others, but they did not survive the onslaught of arrows. Whether he lies or not is only for the gods to judge."
"And you trust him?"
"I only trust a handful of men," he said," and they are in my household guard. You met Ansa, already. My left hand. Soon you will meet Harar, who is my right, and closest friend. Unfortunately I do not have time to continue this chat, so we should return to the hall. I expect you to find instruction from Falkend before our meeting with Melior."
"Our?" I asked.
"Why, yes," he said with a chuckle," you are learning how to be a king, are you not?" I growled at that, and we turned our heels and returned to the main hall, stopping once to buy a melon Kænn had eyed when we had first passed the stall. When I asked about it he said that he wasn't entirely certain whether he was in the mood for cantaloupe or not, but decided to buy it in the end. He was right; to my ire, I was beginning to like him, though I could not tell why.
I asked Falkend later why Kænn's energy was so warm, and the lion responded simply. 'The man always had a likeable attitude.'
I did not realize how informal I had looked when Ciluyue ordered me to change into the clothes I was provided by Kænn. My garments were worn and tattered in comparison, but I really disliked these for their propriety alone. The all-back tunic was lined with silver decorative flowers down the front, and the black-to-match leggings were tight on my skin. I felt awkward when I put it on, but Ciluyue teased something about me looking 'handsome enough for a ballroom dance,' which I did not take kindly to, but when I turned around to say something I had noticed Ciluyue had changed.
Her hair was a dark brown and waved down the right side of her chest as she braided it. She wore a black dress, too expensive for a peasant, patterned just the same in silver flowers. I admit I was speechless, and she noticed this, so she put her hands on her hips and allowed me to stare longer.
"Well?"
"W-what?" I stuttered.
"Do I look well enough?" she teased me again. I was certain the Eldengar did not have a sense of humor, but she seemed like she was enjoying herself.
"F-fine, I'm sure," I said, blushing as I turned away, and that was when Falkend entered the room. He, too, was in a human form, but his white hair was long and braided in numerous ways, though his size remained the same and so, I looked closely, did the color of his eyes, which were a goldenrod yellow. I found myself unable to speak yet again, and Falkend growled something in a less-booming voice.
"Let us get on with this," he said," I do not like having to change myself. I would much rather prefer the company of dwarves than of humans. They aren't as easily frightened."
A servant led us from our room down to the much more spacious hall, where I noticed our guests had already arrived. I could tell who Melior was instantly; he wore a black bear's fur around his shoulders, and his golden short hair was slicked backwards while his beard was short and pointed. He was about a foot shorter than Falkend, I think, but probably just as muscular. In an arm-strength contest, no doubt, I believed Falkend would win regardless, but it would be a good match to witness.
When we were close enough for others to be aware of our presence, Melior turned a half-inch to face us and bowed respectfully. The servant called Ciluyue by a different name, Allana, while Falkend did not enjoy false-pretenses, and so used his true name. Melior began to speak, but his introduction was more of a list of titles, and I did not catch all of them for the sheer amount alone. The man was prideful, it seemed, and I disliked that entirely.
"And you?" his accent rolled off his tongue as he asked me for my name. I cleared my throat.
"Tallam, lord," I said, then bowed slightly before locking my eyes with his," I am..." I had to stop myself from groaning the words,"... Falkend's... ward..."
Melior seemed to think for a moment, but then nodded in understanding; and that was that. I found it odd that he did not want to converse, and that it seemed he just went around boasting of his achievements the entire time. If anyone liked him I would have doubted.
I looked over to see Kænn had been sitting with another man on the dais. The chairs in the room bordered against the walls, and I assumed that was where the clumps of men would sit when talking began. I asked Falkend if he would excuse me, and he consented, so I pushed my way gently through the crowds in an effort to get closer to the old man, but his voice raised for the room to be silent and I, begrudgingly, had to retreat to my company. I sat down and watched as the room cleared. The Vyndcanlanders—I did not know what they preferred to be called— sat on our side, while the visiters from Lüs Colinus sat opposite of us.
Kænn looked around the room to be sure everyone was seated before he stood.
"It has been five years since we've met like this," the old man spoke clearly, his voice echoing off the walls," and it warms my heart. It is my hope today that we come to an agreement, and that peace lasts us for a while longer."
I tuned my ears. I wanted to hear what others in the room may have whispered, but I only heard approvals. Melior, I noticed, had nodded in silence.
"I am also glad that King Reignall has graced us with his visit, and is attending as well," he looked to his left at the man he had been sitting with, who did not raise himself from his seat. Nor, I thought, did he have to; he was a king, after all.
Ciluyue whispered in my right ear," the king is more of a figurehead, but that does not mean he is not powerful. Kænn is seen as a better man to follow, but had stepped down from the position for personal reasons." That made sense to me, though I needed to hear more of Kænn's story to come to a better conclusion.
"Now," said Kænn, moving his gaze to Melior," it would make me more comfortable if you started the talks, Lord Melior."
The Sülræan stood and bowed warmly to each corner of the room.
"His Grace has told me thus," he said, his accent thick," the peace will hold if Vyndanlund allows Lüs Colinus to occupy Denrig to your south, and also allows us safe land passage to the Isle of Dormand to your north. We will allow you to take Costa near the border to the west. In addition to this, we take fifty men as hostages to ensure the peace holds. Your hostage demands must be fair enough to agree."
Kænn looked on as our side of the room diminished into murmurs of disagreement, then raised his hand for silence, and silence was received.
"We will take Costa," he said," we will give you Denrig, but the passage through Vyndanlund I cannot allow. Why not just cross through the open sea? Your ships are built well enough. I should know, Lord Melior."
"My men are more at risk on sea than on land, that much you should know, Lord Kænn," Melior responded, and I got the impression the two men had a history together," but I will not fight you on this."
"Very well," said Kænn," and as for hostages, I request ten noblemen to match your fifty Vyndcas." The Sülræans went into a soft outrage at that, but Melior silenced them. I tilted my head; I thought I could hear something shuffling in the room.
"I do know how much you Vyndcas weigh your own people," said Melior. He paused for a moment, then sighed," agreed. How long?" Kænn turned to King Reignall, and Reignall nodded his consent.
"Let's say, a month. You may stay here for as long as you need, and send a party to the south to collect your noblemen in Costa."
My eyes darted to the noise I was hearing before, but whatever was moving had stopped.
"I will send Harar with news to Denrig of your men's occupation," Kænn continued," but if I hear of any mistreatment, there will be consequences. Vyndca law will remain in Denrig. Speak with the lawman there, he will remind you of our customs."
"Of course," said Melior," I believe I do not need to remind you of Sülræan law. Still fresh in your mind?"
"It is."
"Good," Melior said with a smile," it is my hope that our lands could one day prosper together, as we did before, no matter the outcome of the current war."
I heard it then. I had no time to tell anyone. My chair scratched the wood floor as I launched myself towards Melior, and his two guards stood to stop me, but I paid them no interest. I reached out my hand just as Melior turned with wide eyes, and I caught the dagger by its handle before it could reach the general's face.
There was gasps from all around the room. I tried to tune my ears to dodge all the noise, trying to find the origin of the knife, but Melior's two guards grabbed me by my arms and kicked my feet out from me, and I landed on my face on the hardwood floor.
"Release him!" Melior ordered," By Allus, damn you, release him at once!"
The guards didn't listen at first. They were more concerned for the man's safety, and I didn't blame them, but it was Ciluyue who spoke up next.
"Your lord gave you a command!" she shouted," release the boy at once!"
"My lord Melior," one of the guards started, but Melior smacked the back of his head.
"Did you not see? The boy saved my life! Release him now or I will have your backs for a training post!"
They released me instantly. Ciluyue hurried to my side and tried to help me up, but I was feral. My hunting instincts kicked in, and I tuned my eyes as the room grew silent. A shadow flickered in the corner of the room nearest to the exit, and I flung Ciluyue off my arm to charge at it. The man turned, flinging a knife at me in the process, but it grazed off my shoulder. I watched the fear in his eyes as I pulled back my fist, then brought it forward with great enough force that I thought my hand was on fire.
I stopped just short of his nose, then blinked, and I realized that my arm was, indeed, on fire. I stared at it for a moment, and the man did not move, but shrunk to the floor in terror.
"What the hell are you?" he cried, but I ignored him. The guards nearest to the door grabbed and lifted him, then took him past me and into the center of the room. The fire dissipated and I shook my head, then turned to watch, but my eyes widened when I realized I was the center of attention. I looked at Ciluyue, who looked just as surprised as I was, then at Falkend, who for the first time looked like he was about to laugh.
"Enough," Kænn spoke calmly, and all eyes pointed to the center of the room, where the guards removed the man's cloak. It was Tor Hanligson, the man we had met at the marketplace.
"Do you know this man, Lord Kænn?" Melior asked furiously.
"I do," Kænn responded," though of his actions, I know not."
"Free Vyndcanlund!" Tor shouted," Free Vyndcanlund!"
It was all he could say, and one of the guards hit him on the head with the hilt of his sword. Melior approached the center of the room, stared at Tor for a good long while, then kicked his knee.
"You acted alone? Speak true, your honor depends on it." Tor was silent, but Melior grabbed a sword from the nearest guard, and Tor nodded his head quickly.
"I acted alone," Tor said, lowering his head," but I acted for Vyndcanlund. A free Vyndanlund! Free...."
Those were his last words. Melior lifted the sword quickly, then brought it down just as quickly, and Tor's warm blood sprayed Melior's tunic and face, and pooled around his body as it fell to the side, and there we watched it twitch until it could move no more. When all was done, Melior demanded Tor's clothes be removed and the head brought to him, and he wiped the blade on Tor's cloak.
"Do as he says," Kænn said. I found out later that Melior was so knowledgeable in Vyndca tradition, he knew as well of their beliefs in the afterlife, though he did not believe it himself. I found out later it was to shame Tor, and he would forever be lost in the afterlife, naked and cold, searching for a head he could never find.
It was at this time, though, that I was asked to approach the dais, and I did. Kænn asked me to kneel, and I did. He removed his sword from it's scabbard and told me to take hold, and I did, but he did not remove his hands.
"Young Tallam," he said," you have ensured the peace of the day. Allow this sword to henceforth guide you, as your conscience guides you."
I bowed my head in respect, and when I stood to turn, the Vyndcans had bowed their heads as well. Melior, even, bowed his head in his appreciation, but the Sülræans did not share the same custom, and did nothing.
There was more to be said, but I didn't pay much attention. It was mostly politics on both sides, and Melior was allowed to take his noblemen's request in Kænn's hall, as they would have a long journey home and the matters needed to be discussed. Tor's naked body waited in the middle of the room the entire time.
Melior found me as the noblemen and their companions talked in their groups. He wanted to thank me personally, and asked how I knew to react so quickly.
"I was just... it was luck, I suppose," I said, rubbing the back of my head.
"And... the fire?" He asked with curiosity.
"I couldn't tell you now, lord," I replied with nervous laughter," honestly. It just... happened." Melior didn't seem to understand, but nodded anyway. He bowed his respects once more, then said we would meet again to talk. I agreed, then he turned in his heels and left the hall.
Ciluyue and Falkend found me then and pulled me to the side. I thought I was going to be reprimanded, but Falkend put a hand on my shoulder.
"Well done, my boy," he said with a smile," you've found your fire."
"I did," was all I could say. I was still reeling from the events of the day. It was a lot for me to take in, and I voiced my mind. Falkend nodded his understanding, and Ciluyue smiled softly. They let me dismiss myself, but before I left the room I looked over to the dais, tuning my eyes in the process, and noticed Kænn watched me intensely as I went off to bed.