Staring at his hand as blood poured from it he had no idea what to do. It looked like his fingers were still there, but it was bloodied and all ripped open. Jerome jumped up in a panic. Once he found something to wrap it with he began bandaging Elyar’s crippled hand. Eventually they got the blood to stop. Elyar’s face was white from the loss of blood. Ruzur had grabbed a cloth once he saw what had happened. He had dipped it in a stream nearby. Elyar was dabbing it on his forehead. It was the only thing preventing him from throwing up. Sanders was standing nearby, uns ure of what to do.
Once his bleeding had stopped, and it looked like he was going to make it, they had to decide what to do. “We need to get to Val. My hand will recover.”
“No, you need to rest. Val can wait a day or so.” Jerome said still mak ing sure Elyar’s had was bandaged properly.
“No. I am the reason why Val is in trouble. I need to be there to make sure Lyr does not burn it to the ground. Anyway, there are healers
there who can make sure I did not ruin my life.”
Ruzur could not help from laughing. He looked at Elyar and said, “no need to be so dramatic. Yes, thy hand is pretty bloodied. But I think all of thy fingers are fine. Cut and battered, but still working.
Elyar would have tried to argue back, but a new wave of pain passed over him. All he could do was grit his teeth. After it was over He said,
“we need to go. I will be fine.”
They looked at him with varying degrees of sympathy before separating to break down camp. Once he could, Elyar helped with his good hand. Jerome waved him away saying he could do it. Elyar gave up trying to help to stand by his e-horse until they were ready. With their stuff ready Ruzur helped Elyar mount. He glanced at the red bandage surrounding his broken hand before nudging his horse into a trot. Even at a slower pace they would still reach Val by that afternoon. Elyar was det ermined they would reach Val no matter the cost.
It was a slow ride until they reached Val. With only one hand, and still in intense pain, Elyar had to ride pretty slowly. By noon they started passing the farms that proclaimed they were within the reach of the fort. A few hours after that they started passing the beginning of the village. Shortly after that they stood before Fort Val. Half woozy from blood loss and tired from the days of riding and weeks of walking, Elyar did not know if he would actually see this sight again. He only wished it was for a better reason.
The guards blocked their approach with their usual polearms. “What brings ye to Fort Val? Especially while de Lord be away?” One of the guards asked.
Ruzur answered, “doest thou really think thee should be announcing the absence of thy lord? What if we were spys? Thou just declared these lands easy for the snatching.” Even through his slight delirium Elyar co uld tell Ruzur was trying to hide his smirk.
“Ah, ah, ah…” the guard started stammering.
“Never mind that. Mine name is Ruzur! I am a Hunter of our Lord. We require access to the fortress and healers for mine friend young Lord Elyar Edaamson.” Ruzur declared geturing with his arm toward Elyar.
“Edaamson? Quick! Inside!” The guards obeyed immediately once they spotted Elyar. He figured they must have remembered him from his last visit. It felt like a lifetime ago. It was, what, two to three weeks ago? Feels longer. Elyar started feeling very tired. His eyelids became heavy and his head started feeling like a brick.
“Elyar!” Someone shouting his name was the last thing he remembered before waking up on a soft pillow. He blinked a few times trying to figure out where he was. A tall stone ceiling lay above him. Slowly moving his head to the left, he saw a wooden door and a nightstand with a small digicandle on it. Looking the otherway he saw a few more beds, though empty, until he saw a different door. Both were closed.
As his mind pieced itself back together he remembered his hand. Lifting it up he saw a clean bandage wrapped around five fingers. Sighing he set it down. All are there. What a stupid reason to possibly lose my hand.
The door creaked open. He looked over and saw a pretty young woman walk past him through the other door. Before he could fully lay his head back down an older woman walked through the door.
“Hello Lord Elyar. How are you feeling today?” She asked cheerfully.
“Umm. Fine I guess.” He really was not sure. “How is my hand? It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Well that is good. I won’t be lying to ya, there was a lot of blood and skin loss. But the muscles and everyting else look just fin.” She said while looking at his hand. She started pressing on his fingers which elicited a small pain reaction, but nothing major. She was watching his response while also looking at his hand. Once she was done she began
saying, “well that is a good sign. Only small amounts of pain. To be expected after the injury you sustained. Hunter Ruzur said you were experi menting with calligromancy? Is that correct?”
He felt like a child who had broken a new toy. “Yes. I was trying to figure out how to break an unbreakable rock.” His head was downcast as he said it.
“Oh really. Did you figure it out?” Her voice betrayed her real interest. He looked up to see her quizzically looking at him.
“Well…yes. It did work. First I got it to crack a little. But when I tried again…” he raised his hand, “this happened. The rock exploded shre dding my hand.”
“Facinating what calligromancy can do. Good thing it only took the skin. Could have been much worse.” She said patting his shoulder. Then she turned around and began to leave.
“When can I get up?” He called before she left.
She turned to look at him, “you aren’t bed bound. Leave whenever you like. Just come back in a day or so to get your bandages cleaned and redone.” With that she left.
He sat there for a bit thinking about their interaction. Sitting up he thought, Nice lady. He got up, grabbed the clothes sitting on the back of a chair near his bed, and dressed himself. It felt nice putting back on his leather riding pants. Adjusting the straps on the side he made sure they fit snuggly. Then he threw on his shirt before grabbing his sword which rested beside the chair. Double checking he had everything, and that his bandage was still on snug, he headed out the door.
It did not take long for him to get a little lost. This was on a part of the fortress he had not been in. Luckily he only had to backtrack a few times before he found the right door. Once he was in familiar territory he headed for the conference room. He had no idea where to find the acting lord, but he needed to start somewhere. As he strolled through the dining hall he found a servant.
“Where can I find the lord in charge of Val while Lord Cane is away?”
“That be his second eldest son, Lord Turon. Ye can fin him in der mi Lord.” The servant pointed to the conference room. So I did have it correct. He thought while thanking the servant. He then quickly spun around and walked briskly through the open door. Before he entered he heard voices.
As he walked through the door someone was saying, “we have to br-
ing in as many villagers as possible. Our scouts warn us of an invasion from the northwest. They must go here, or go to the mountains towards the Feud.”
A different middle aged man responded, “we do not have enough provisions for them all. I say they go to the mountains. There are streams and enough places for tent communities to be erected. They should be safe there until we beat these intruders off!” he smashed his fist on the table as he concluded. Elyar appreciated the passion, and his plan was not half bad.”
Before anyone else could speak, Elyar interrupted, “make sure there are armed men with them. There are not a lot of brigands on the roads
between Val and the Feud, but there are still some.”
Every head spun to look at him. Apparently no one had heard him walk in. They stared in confusion. Finally the man at the head of the ta ble asked, “Who are ye?”
“I am Elyar Edaamson. Youngest son of Lord Edaam. I am newly returned from the northern mission. We battled a fae soul weaver, and I think I know who is invading you.”
More silence. But this time it felt more like everyone was stunned. The man who asked stood up to approach Elyar. He reached out his hand before saying, “welcome Lord Elyar. My name be Lord Turon Caneson. I be acting lord of Val while my father be away. We are so glad you made it safely…” That is when he noticed Elyar’s hand. Elyar chuck led a little.
“It is fine. Just a flesh wound. The healer said nothing important was hurt. Funny enough it was hurt after the battle.” He could not help but see the irony of it now.
Lord Turon replaced his awkwardness with a small smile. He withdrew his hand and gestured for Elyar to take a seat. “Please, your assistance would be valuable. As you heard, we are trying to figure out what to do with the villagers before this army arrives. Our scouts claim it is a few hundred strong. Father took most of our forces, not that we have a large army to begin with. He left about twenty men-at-arms. Do you have any news on the Century that went with you? They would be a boon right now.”
Sitting down Elyar responded, “unfortunatly, the Century is now about fifty men.”
“Fifty!” One of the men interrupted. “What happened?”
“That is a long story. They were attacked on the road by goblins. As for when they will be here, it should be about…actually, I don’t know when. I don’t know how long I was in the healers quarters. It should have been two days after our arrival. So if they aren’t here yet, it should be any day. As long as they did not run into any more trouble.”
Lord Turon sighed in exasperation. “I feel like we sprung a trap we were not ready for. Our fathers are preparing for a war, and here we are, under attack with no one to our rescue.”
Leaning back a little trying to get comfortable in the hard wooden chair, Elyar replied, “it is actually worse than that. After our battle with the soul weaver, we found a note. It said that the fae are gathering a great army to invade Korax. If it can be trusted our fathers are now walking into a trap of their own.”
Elyar looked around the room and saw multiple ghostly faces. It seems his news had drained the blood from those at the table. Except for Lord Turon. He stood up again bracing his hands against the table. “It is time to prepare for war then. We must push this force back quickly for the sake of Korax. We must warn our armies before it is too late. Men, time and numbers are not on our side. But we have something they do not: love. We do not fight for glory or coine. We fight for our families. Now go! Gather what you can and anyone who can wield a sword. The rest we shall send to the mountains. Be sure they have a way to defend themselves as well. Elyar is right. There are still some marauders out there.”
Chairs scrapping echoed off the walls of the small room. One by one the men left. Eventually it was only Elyar and Turon. “If you don’t mind,
I need to tell you some things about what we found.”
Lord Turon raised an eyebrow. “Please, leave nothing out.”
Elyar moved to a chair closer and began, “there are a few things we
need to be ready for. First, we fought asheros…”
“But those are myths! They are…”
“Yes, I know. They are wives tales spun to scare children. No. They are real. I have slain a few dozen now myself or I also would not believe it. Asheros are real, they are vicious, and I don’t know how the fae raise them. Therefore, we need to watch our grave sites. My fear is that he can raise our dead to fight against us.”
Now Lord Turon’s face turned pale. “Raise our dead against us?
How diabolical! Who would do such an evil thing against Theos!?”
“His name is Lyrandionus. He is the servant of someone known as the Raven King. I know not who he is, or what he wants. But he is a fo rce about to smash into Korax.”
Shaking his head trying to comprehend what Elyar had just told
him, Lord Turn breathed in and out multiple times. “What else?”
“He also has an army of goblins and maybe some trolls. They are who killed half of the century before retreating. I am afraid they only retreated because they were called by their king. I don’t know how he communicates with his armies. But he knows things that he should not.
Whether it is by weaving or unseen scouts, I can’t tell you.”
“Let me get this straight. There is a fae who can weave the dead awake leading an army of goblins and trolls who nearly decimated an ent-
ire century?” Is there anything I am missing?”
Thinking for a second, Elyar replied, “unfortunately that is the sum of it. Did your scouts so how long we had until this army arrived?”
“The best they could say was within days. We will have the village
cleared out within two days. Hopefully it is enough.”
Elyar nodded his head, “yes. Hopefully it is enough. But you do have one advantage you didn’t before.”
Chuckling, Lord Turon replied, “oh, what is that?”
Smiling, Elyar replied, “me. More of, the information I have. We
know what to expect. That can turn a tide in battle.”
Nodding Lord Turon agreed, “aye. That it can. I guess it is time to prepare for war.”
Elyar stood up offering his good hand. Chuckling, Lord Turon sh ook it before both started walking out the door.
“I do need access to your armory for me and my three men. Do you mind?”
Lord Turon replied, “absolutely not. Our families are already entwined. What is mine is yours. Your brother will have it one day anyway.”
Elyar laughed at that, “what about you? Once he is lord of Val, what happens to you?”
Thinking for a moment as they continued down the hall Turon answered, “become a lowly farmer with my wife and children. I am tired of this life as a lord. Leading men is not my strong suit. I want to till the land and spend my life with my family. Is that wrong?”
Elyar stopped for a moment thinking. “No. No, I think not. Theos has made us for different things. If you make it through this war I think you have deserved a quiet place in the countryside.”
He resumed walking and they separated ways. Elyar went out into the courtyard searching for his friends while Lord Turon ascended the stairs. It did not take long to find the others. They were relaxing right outside the walls. Ruzur was leaning against the wall eating an apple. Jereme was strumming his stringed instrument softly singing to himself while Sanders sat on a wooden crate watching the clouds go by. They were an odd group by every means.
“Have you been waiting for me? How thoughtful of you!” Elyar tea sed as he walked up.
Jerome plucked a wrong cord before jumping up and punching Elyar in the shoulder. “That’s for being stupid.”
“Ow! You told me to do it!” Elyar yelped, taking a step back while rubbing his shoulder.
“Well serves you right for listening to me.” Jerome laughed.
Ruzur and Sanders stepped up looking at him. When Ruzur could get a word in, he said, “It is good seeing thee well. No one was sure if thee would keep thy hand or not.”
“No, the healers said I was lucky. No serious damage. Just skin. I have not seen it yet. Hopefully it doe not get in the war of the battle coming.”
Sanders perked up at that. “What battle? Here?”
“Yes. It seems that our fae friend wants another bout. He is on his way here with a large army most likely of goblins and trolls.” Elyar said while beginning to walk down the street. The others all stepped in form ing a line.
Sanders looked over at Elyar and he could tell the man was a little scared. “It will be alright, Sanders. No one is asking you to engage in a siege. Stay behind the walls and you should be safe.” That seemed to sati sfy him.
“Well, where are we going now? Dinner?” Jerome asked excitedly.
“Not yet. We have to go to the armory to get ready. There is no guarantee our timeline is correct. Lyrandionus might be here in two days, or in two hours. We need to be ready.”
Sighing, Jerome replied, “yeah, you are right. I’m just hungry. We have been traveling at such a brisk pace I was hoping to rest for at least a day.”
They all laughed. Ruzur poked Jerome’s belly and said, “I think thee could miss at least one more meal, bard.”
“Bard? I like that. You shall all call me Bard from now on!” He played a quick snippet of a song before swinging his strings behind him. Elyar was glad the mood was high. Soon he knew the world would be thrust into chaos and death. But for now things were light and happy.
“If he is Bard, what am I then?” Elyar played back.
The group made exaggerated thinking faces while still strutting down the walkway. People moved out of their way. Some even bowed.
Elyar realized either news had spread, or they looked important.
“How about Little Lordling? Like what Lyr called you?” Sanders joked.
Elyar laughed for a minute before thinking. “How did you know he called me that? I don’t remember anyone else being around when he and
I spoke.”
Sanders quickly responded, “you told us in your story. How much you hated him calling you that over and over. I only meant it as a joke.
I’m sorry, Elyar. Did not mean to offend.”
“No. I’m sorry. It’s been a rough few weeks. It must have slipped my memory that I had told you guys.” Elyar apologized. He still did not remember mentioning it in his story, but if Sanders remembers he must have.
“I have one, but it’ll have to wait until after the battle.” Ruzur said after a quiet moment.
“What is it?” Jerome asked.
“Fae Slayer. For it will be thee who slays Lyrandionus.”
The group went somber for a moment before Jerome said, “that is a name I can easily put into the songs.” He then burst into song swinging out his strings again.
“Up high in the north there did live a fae! Nasty and evil he hunted his prey! High in a tower of night and frost, He awoke the dead, the lost.
The asheros did rise to do his command, They wandered lost by sea or land. But then came Elyar, the mighty warrior, To lay low this evil horror!
He smote him down that evil delayer,
All praise Elyar, the fae slayer!”
A small crowd had formed around Jerome as he made up his little song. When he finished everyone cheered. Elyar had to always admit, Jerome was good with music. He had a special charisma. Bowing to the those around the group starting walking again. A few young women ran up handing Jerome some flowers. He placed on behind his ear while blo wing a kiss to a particularly pretty girl.
“I am a little jealous at how free you are with your affections.” Elyar confessed after they had walked for a few minutes.
“What do you mean young to be fae slayer.” Jerome inquired. The other two walked beside them listening.
“I mean. As a young noble I always had to be proper around people in general. Especially women. I never even had the chance to look at a pretty girl before I was knighted. And I never had the chance to pick my own woman. Kristiana is very pretty, and I think we have enough in common to be happy. But…” He trailed off for a minute not knowing how to say what he wanted to say.
“But you never had the chance to fall in love before someone handed you the wedding cord? Is that what you mean?” Jerome finished for him.
“That’s it. Every part of my life was decided before I was ever given a choice. No one asked if I wanted to be knighted. No one asked who I wanted to marry. And no one asked if I wanted to be forced into service for the bloody Raven King!” Elyar nearly yelled the last part.
“Shhh! Not so loud, Fae Slayer. Not so loud.” Ruzur whispered try ing to calm Elyar.
“Sorry. Sorry. I don’t know why I got worked up all of a sudden.” Elyar said raising his hands in surrender. They let the rest of the walk pass in silence. Not uncomfortable, awkward silence. But silence found between friends. It was not a long walk from that point to the armory. Elyar figured maybe thirty or so minutes. Once there the guards on duty gave them full access to the weapons and armor. Ruzur said he was going to his room to fetch some of the stuff he had left. The other three walked into the armory first. Jerome still had on his tattered leather armor while Sanders still wore the extra clothes they had given him. Each found cotton undershirts that fit well before trying on various forms of chain and plate armor.
While they were making a ruckus trying on and replacing armor, Elyar looked around. It was a bigger space than he had thought it would be. The room was wide and long with wooden beams in each corner. The walls were made of stone and the ceiling, which was quite tall, seemed to be wood as well. He was not sure if there was a second floor or not. Racks of armor lines every wall. Except for where the door was. There were benches in the middle which is where Jerome and Sanders were lay ing out the armor they had chosen.
As Elyar walked along glancing at the armor and the room, he noticed an odd type of armor in the corner. Picking it up he held it out to look at it. The guard who had let them in approached quietly from behind and informed Elyar, “that is leather platting. It was an experiment Lord Cane tried a few years back. Instead of being only leather, which is lighter but weak, it also had plate metal sewn into the leather in strategic places. It allows for some plating defense while ease of movement from the leather.”
Elyar moved it around while the man was talking. “Why did he stop?”
The guard cocked his head before responding, “I am not sure. The rumor is that it was not strong enough or nimble enough. It lost on both accounts. Instead he went with the more traditional chainmail with plat ing over the forearms and shins.”
“May I try it?” Elyar asked trying to be polite.
“Have at it mi Lord. If it is in here, you may use it. Need you in tip top shape to kill that fae for us. Eh?” The guard said patting Elyar on the arm before turning back toward the door. He did not have to remove any clothing since he was already in clothes that fit under armor. So he threw the leather jerkin over his head and shimmied it down into place. It somehow fit like a glove. The leather was tough but easy to move in, and he liked how he had plate shoulder guards and bracers. There were a few pieces of metal around the chest as well, but nothing impaired his movement.
Looking at Sanders and Jerome, Elyar asked, “how do I look?”
Both gave him an approving look. “Like a real fae slayer now.”
Sanders said nodding his head.
Jerome had donned on a piece of chainmail with a leather jerkin over it while Sanders had grabbed full platemail. He looked a little silly due to how skinny he was. But Elyar was glad he would be safe from most attacks.
“Ready to look at some weapons?” Elyar asked, gesturing to the next room.
The other two said, “ready,” in almost perfect unison. They looked at each other weirdly before starting to walk toward the weapons room.
Elyar started laughing as Sanders walked. Every step he made ended in a “clink” and he almost waddled the armor too big.
The guard looked at him and said, “Once you pick your weapons he can leave it here and we will try and resize it if we can. There are other pieces around we might be able to substitute for. He will be ready for battle.” He then led them into the next room as Elyar thanked him.
This room was identical to the last. Except instead of armor, it was lined with every weapon known in Korax. Elyar saw axes, maces, swords, spears, bows, and plenty of other weapons he had never seen before.
“Why does Lord Cane have so many unique weapons? Doesn’t his army usually use the Koraxian shield and spear formation?” Elyar asked as he previewed the menagerie.
“Yes, but he likes to give his Hunters choices. If I may say so without being dishonorable, Lord Cane is a tad excentric.”
Elyar laughed at that. “It is not dishonorable to know the man you serve. He and my father share that trait. It makes them clever and when they need to be, dangerous.” As he ended he grabbed a hand-and-a-half sword from the rack. From pommel to tip it was an inch or two taller than he. When he tried lifting it he could barely do so.
“That was made for Declan the Giant. He likes his weapons…large.” The guard explained.
“Oh, I know Declan. This is definitely his style. Though he uses his axe now I guess.” Elyar replied while laughing a little at the swords size. An idea hit him. “Do you have anything that can chisel into steel?”
Confused, the guard answered, “yes, we have a chisel. Would you like me to get it?”
“If you don’t mind. I want to try something. This would be a great time to do so.”
In a flash the guard was gone. Elyar half lifted, half dragged the giant sword onto one of the benches. Then he spent the next few minutes thinking of his incantation. By the time the guard returned he had it.
“Thank you.” He said as the guard handed him the chisel and hammer. Taking one more moment to think, Elyar placed the chisel at the base of the blade. Then he opened his being to the weave and began. Instead of writing single words like he did during the Triad, he wrote a whole phrase. Similar to his rock. It went: I Elyar, wielder of this blade, may hold thee like a feather, wield thee like a flame. Never shall thee rust or dull, nor shall thee leave mine side. Thee shall be summoned by the
word ‘come forth’ and vanish at the word, ‘banish.’ Thee shall be my instrument of wrath for the deserving, and defense for the weak. Thee shall be named judgement.
Sweat was rolling off his face and arms as he carved the last word. It was not until he had finished that he realized Sanders, Jerome, and the guard had been watching the whole time. As he ended the weave he nearly passed out by the pull of energy. That was the second time he had nearly ended himself by weaving. He needed to be more careful in the future.
“Is it done?” Jerome asked, leaning forward. Anticipation was etched all over his face. “What did you carve on it? A whole epic?”
Laughing, Elyar slowly rose from his kneeling position. Everything hurt. His back ached, his arms were like lead, and his knees were wobbling. His hurt hand was in the most pain. He had been holding the chisel in that hand and he was now paying the price. Taking a few steadying breaths, Elyar placed his hand on the sword. His sword, Úrskurður, hummed at his touch. He looked at the others, but by their faces they could not hear or feel the hum.
He slowly wrapped his hand around the hilt and lifted it. Before he could barely move it with his whole body. But now it lifted effortlessly with just his good hand. A smile broke over his face. It worked. He had no idea if it would or not.
Clearing his throat he said, “útskúfa.” The sword suddenly vanished before their eyes. The guard jumped. Jerome and Sanders leaned forward more.
“Where did it go?” Jerome asked, wonder in his eyes.
“That I am not sure. Let’s make sure it can come back. Keeping his hand where it had been, Elyar said, “koma.” The sword flashed back in his hand. Excitement soared through Elyar. Jerome and Sanders had huge grins spread over their faces. Watching weaving like this was rare. Elyar had never seen it. But now he was somehow doing it!
Feeling exhausted from his blessing session, Elyar told Sanders what the guard had informed him. Sanders thanked the man as he got out of the oversized armor. It was then that Ruzur reappeared wearing a very unique form of armor. It was similar in style to his leather and plate armor. But the style was completely different. Ruzur’s leather was red with small black dots all over it. As Elyar moved closer to look at it, which made Ruzur lean back a little while looking at him oddly, Elyar noti ced they were small leather spike like objects.
“What are you doing, Elyar?” Ruzur asked, still leaning back.
“Oh. Sorry. I was checking out your armor. It is so cool!” He replied, failing to hide his excited interest.
“Thee can look at it closer when I am not inside.”Ruzur chuckled.
Elyar nodded his head, understanding how weird he must have looked. “I guess if we are ready, we can get that dinner Jerome was wanting.” Elyar jokingly said looking at Jerome. His friend’s eyes shot up and he nearly skipped to the door. He could not be to hard on the man, his stomach was beginning to growl.
As they left the armory, Elyar looked at them all with a serious face. They all looked back with confused faces. “Tonight, we eat. Tomorrow we prepare for war!”
They all shook their heads as they started walking again. Ruzur jo-
ked with his back to Elyar, “he wants to be like you, Jerome.”
“I take that as a compliment. I think I am very funny!” Jerome responded with his hands on his hips. Elyar had to run a few steps to catch up to the group. Together they walked to the pub where the group be gan: the Fallen Doe.