Chapter V:
Return to Noras
The Remnant Prepares
More than a week passed ere Daryas stumbled at last into Ram-u-Nar, weary, thirsty and filthy. He could never thereafter recall what had passed in the days since he fled the Nunnery of Sten-Agoni, nor could he recount the reason his return was so delayed. What he ate, where he lay to sleep - if he slept at all - how he came to find his way back to the camp and many other details were shrouded in confusion. Those days were lost to him.
When he failed to return to their encampment, Dynamis sent out scouts to find him. Revere was able to trace his steps to the Nunnery, and so the men of Ram-u-Nar became aware of this ancient holy place of Agonistes. 'He entered,' Revere said, 'And he departed in great haste and with great force. But beyond this I cannot tell. I think he went west from the valley, perhaps into Heyan.'
When at last he returned and after he had eaten a large meal and drank a great deal of water, he told his brother alone all that had befallen him in the Nunnery. He spoke openly to all, however, regarding the peril that now faced the city of Dadron in which the faithful men and women of Noras now took refuge under the care of their kinsman Olver Galvahirne. 'The sons of the devil Agon mean to strike at the seat of their ancient foe, even against the god of Noras, Pelas the blessed, who in ages past lent his strength to our father Galvahir. To this end, I perceive, has the allegiance of Cheftan Ponteris been attained, to break the arm of Galvahir and to keep the mighty men of Noras from coming to that great city's aid when at last the men of Amlaman march to their war of vengeance. But hidden from their dark counsels is the Remnant of Galva in Ram-u-Nar, the hidden dagger of the Noras people. Let the men of Amlaman strike - and break - against the invulnerable walls of Dadron, and let this mighty dagger smite them in the flank, scattering their armies and dashing to pieces their bold ambitions and evil designs!'
This course of action was quickly agreed upon by all, and the preparations for war were begun. Blades were sharpened and arrows crafted. Shields were strengthened and helms were decorated with brilliant plumes of horse hair and feathers.
But all this preparation was deemed insufficient by Dynamis and those men of Noras most acquainted with war. Five thousand men, even of Galva, would certainly trouble the ranks of Amlaman, but they could not hope to have victory without help. Nor was it thought that Olver would long withstand his assailants bereft of all hope. It was therefore decided that a messenger should be sent to Dadron to assure Olver of the coming of the army of Galva and to gather from under the canopy of Noras whomever was yet faithful to Biron.
The Departure of Daryas
By lot, by election, and by volition alike, Daryas Galvahirne was chosen to carry the message of the Galva Remnant into the east. Dynamis, it was decided, must remain in Ram-u-Nar to lead the army to war and oversee the training of the warriors and all the other preparations. 'Take with you Novai,' he insisted, 'for she will bear you away from danger in an instant. She will also, to those who have eyes to see, bring hope to the hidden allies of our father.'
'I cannot take Novai, brother,' Daryas protested. 'I was a sorry guardian of her hitherto, and I would be ashamed to press her loyalty any further, though further I have no doubt it runs.'
'Nay, brother,' Dynamis said, patting the horse on the back, 'I will have less need of speed than you, and be in less peril. It would greatly comfort me to know that you were accompanied by Novai, she, compared to whom all other beasts may be accounted faithless.'
'This is a gift beyond anything you have hitherto given to me, brother,' Daryas said taking his brother's hand in farewell.
Revere also was sent with him, riding upon a black horse that had been purchased in Soleya. 'Guide and guard your master's son, Revere the Treacherous,' Dynamis warned him, 'Your debt to the house of Biron is far from repaid.'
'I figure,' Revere said soberly, 'that no deed of valor or faithfulness can ever blot away my betrayal. But I will not willingly add to my shame any further injury against the master of Peiraso.'
Dynamis looked fiercely into his eyes for a moment, as if by merely looking he could tell whether the scout spoke the truth or not. After a moment he nodded, and Revere almost believed he could, just by his glance, tell whether he would do as he was commanded. 'HIS look,' Revere thought within himself, 'I believe truly can make one truthful.'
On the twenty-third of Ornus these two departed under a clouded sky. Rain soon covered their tracks and they rode south and east, coming after several days to the valley of Eaduf, which winds around the foothills of Mount Coronan. They passed through this empty land and came at last, on the First day of Primus, to the Amla Gap, through which they passed into Falsis under the guise of furriers. By Revere's cunning they were able to avoid the eyes of the Amlamani guards altogether and had only to deal with the men of Daevaron in the east, who were, though troubled by the news of Marin's conquests, unworried about merchants and beggars from the west. They warned them of the dangers but gave their entry no objections.
From there they traveled first to Amdela, a city in which such travelers would find welcome. The rumor and excitement of war was thick in the air when they entered the famous Gapland Inn, where all those who traveled betwixt the lands of Amlaman and Falsis came to rest.
Built into the very mountain wall itself, the Gapland Inn combined the pragmatism of the Noras with the civility of Amlaman, as well as the mercantile spirit of the Daevaron. The Inn was four stories tall, almost a tower to anyone who has not seen the Magic City of Lapulia. The lowest level was occupied by a great number of shops and merchants, some who rented space by the day, and others who owned their own little corner of the Inn. The second floor housed the Dining Hall, which advertised its delicacies far and wide. The Inn was famous for its Red Ale, which was spiced with Kharku pepper. They did not have any of this ale when Daryas and Revere entered, however, for no merchants dared enter Falsis with the necessary spices while Marin's army controlled the docks.
The third and fourth floors of the Inn were reserved for guests, the highest rooms also fetching the highest prices. Though the common people of Falsis knew little of Amlaman, and though the Amlamani generally remained aloof from the east, where the legends of the elves were yet strong, the merchants went to and fro through the Amla Gap without much difficulty, and did most of their trading at the Gapland.
As they stabled their horses Daryas marveled at the paltry number of furs for sale. When he pointed this out to Rever, a shopkeeper answered him, shaking his head, 'Not much comes from Noras these days. Most of these furs come from the farmlands south of Dadron.'
'Not from Noras? But why?' Daryas asked, the concern obvious in his voice.
'We have heard,' Revere began, attempting to cover over Daryas' careless speech, 'that there is a blight on the deer in Noras. Is this so?' As he spoke he attempted to make himself sound as greedy as possible.
'A blighted lord is more like it,' the shopkeeper said with a sneer. The Oastermen are ruling things these days, the merchants say. And what furs they haven't taken for themselves, they tax so much that merchants don't bother to make the northern trip.'
Revere grinned and sold the man twelve furs for a good price. 'Come, Daryas, you must see the Gapland!'
'We are not here to celebrate a good deal,' he said when they had left the shopkeeper behind.
Revere looked at him and smiled, 'I have not forgotten our mission, Daryas. But if we wish to pass into Falsis and then into Noras as merchants, we must act the part. There are many eyes in Amla Gap - most of them out for easy gold, but some,' he paused and shook his head, changing his tone, 'Do you think the lords of Amlaman would not keep spies in Amla Gap? If we are merchants, and not spies ourselves, then we will not rush past the Gapland in the dark of night. To pass by the Red Ale of Gapland without a taste would be very suspicious indeed!'
Revere seemed to know the Inn pretty well, though the innkeeper, a large man named Arbon, called him Hastano. Revere introduced
Daryas as Melis Gotvirne and ordered tall jugs of ale for them both, and some roast beef and bread. His disappointment upon learning that there was no Red Ale at the Gapland was visible on every inch of his face. Daryas politely refused his drink, saying, 'My dreams are troubled enough; I dare not despoil my waking mind of its clarity.' Water was poured for him instead. Revere sat in silence for a minute, then his face broke out in a grin.
'What is it?' Daryas asked.
'Nothing, pay it no mind,' he quickly answered. It had just occurred to him that of all the perils and trials facing Weldera, the shortage of Red Ale at the Gapland had most upset him. 'It surely is not the worst thing,' he thought to himself, 'but for a man with no kin or country…' They passed the rest of the evening in silence.
From a man of Daeva City in the Dining Hall they learned of the ravaging of the east and of that strange beast that marched amidst the ranks of the Marin army.
'No she-warrior is he!' the man, who was named Dasen, said as he held his mug aloft. 'The women of Marin are hardy enough, they say, but this one - this Monster, is as tough as an army by himself. They say he was found in the wilderness of Olgrost, beyond the Marin Fortress where the devils roam and rule.'
At this the room was filled with laughter and praise, laughter at what they believed to be exaggeration and praise at what they believed to be storytelling.
'Laugh away,' he said, waving his hands in front of him, 'But they say he has brought all of North Daevaron under Marin's heel. My own beloved Daeva City has been taken away from us. Even as we speak it is crawling with those burly women and those pathetic she-men they fill out their army with. My cousin saw him with his own eyes on the hill of Vaduas, just outside the city. "Dasen," he said to me, "We were marching down the northern side of the hill, cutting down the Marin soldiers like grass, when all of a sudden, this ghastly shape rises up before us. He looked like a tower," my cousin told me, "standing behind a shield the likes of which I've never seen. His spear was like a tree, but he wielded it with ease, skewering all those who dared to face him. Five horsemen came against him at once, but he killed two of them in one blow, cast two off their horses in another, and shattered the skull of the last rider's horse with a mighty punch with his knuckle. I figure," he said, "many more of our poor fighters met their ends this way. For my part, I knew it was time to run back and flee with wife and wealth ere the Marin army with its monstrous captain trampled the whole city to dust."'
Revere raised his glass and laughed, but Daryas was troubled. 'What doom do we march to?' he said soberly.
'To doom?' Revere laughed, his ale overtaking his melancholy. 'You needn't worry yourself young master Gotvirne, such monsters are born more often at the bottom of these mugs than in distant countries. But you are wise, and you forgo the poison of liquor; therefore you avoid such monsters. Rest assured, my friend, it is more likely the man has had too much to drink!'
Nonetheless Daryas was troubled. 'We must leave here at once,' he told his companion. 'We need to find out what is happening in the north. If the might of Marin is set against Dadron from the east we may leave behind us all hope of victory.'
Revere sighed, 'Very well, master Melis,' he said as he took one last draught from his mug. 'Off we go to chase our fates.'
The Curse of Evna
In that evening, even as they slept under the roof of the Gapland Inn, Daryas' dreams returned to torment him. But these were not the dark illusions that Pelas' servants had sent to him. These were like waking memories, overtaking him while he was yet awake. He would be thrown into fits of terror, his fingers clawing the ground and his feet stomping the floor.
The events of the night when first he beheld the Siren of Sten Agoni returned to his mind with fresh vigor, burning themselves as if anew upon his mind. 'Leonara!' he cried out, much to the surprise of Revere, who slept in another bed beside him.
At first Revere, believing these to be mere dreams, thought to mock him, but when he saw his open eyes and the look of terror and anguish therein, he thought better of it. He had learned early on that the younger son of Biron was made of softer matter than the elder. Dynamis was a terror to his enemies and a lord to his comrades. But Daryas, though his appearance was like unto the rest of the Galvahirne, had a more contemplative spirit. Though Dynamis had given him a position of command in the Galva Army, Daryas never commanded anyone to do anything if he could avoid it.
The result of these outbursts was that Daryas was forced to disclose to Revere the events of that fateful night in the valley of the Sacred Virgins - the contents of his nightmares. 'Every moment a doom seems to lie upon my breast, like a weight of iron, dragging me beneath crashing waves. Sleep with its nightmares is now my only release.'
'You call nightmares release, Biron's son,' Revere marveled. 'What then troubles you during the day?'
Daryas could not bring himself to say more.
To his great surprise, Revere found himself moved to pity - a sensation still somewhat strange to him. He said to himself, 'If only there were some way that I might lighten this man's burden.'
The next night Daryas had another dream, if it can be said that he had slept at all. To his eyes he looked at first upon the darkened room in which he lay. But all at once he heard the sound of the ocean and the darkness of the room melted away. He was on a boat, and the waves crashed against it, tossing it every which way. He took paddle in hand and set all of his will toward rowing to the shore. Before him loomed that island of which he dreamed upon the cold stones of Mount Coronis, when threat of death hung upon all the men of Galva.
Much to his delight, however, he found a harbor and brought his boat at last to rest upon the shore. But when he ascended the sandy shore and came to the top of a ridge he could see before him nothing but a dark and treacherous jungle. Poisonous serpents crawled about his feet, birds of prey the likes of which might pluck a man from the field like a rat, and dreadful beasts of hideous strength roamed about him and encircled him on every side. He cried out, and in answer a voice came, mocking him. 'Shadow!' it called him, and 'weakhearted', 'no man at all, a hopeless fool'. He turned and looked. There beside him was a woman with fire for hair and venom for words. So contorted was her face that he could scarcely discern whether she was human or not.
'Who are you?' he asked, trembling.
A voice said, 'I am she whom thou deservest not; even my ugliness is too great for thee.'
'Who ARE you!?' Daryas demanded in a broken voice.
'I am she to whom thou shalt ever be wed, for by Siren's song thou art enthralled and by Vanity the Siren is forever mine. I am Evna, and beside me all other gods and men are but shadow.'
Another voice called out at that moment, saying, 'Return to me, my love, and take me far from this place!' It was the voice of Leonara, sweet and refreshing.
But Evna warned, 'Show thy face upon my mountain unmarred, son of mud, shining as the sun of heaven, and I shall be to thee a goddess forever. But if thy smallest finger hides behind it any darkness, even the slightest hint of shade, then I will make thee a slave, like the shadows of every candle and every wisp of flame that dance upon the wall, ever jumping, leaping and writhing about in desperate flight, never escaping the fire to which they belong.'
His heart grew cold at that moment and he found from that day forth, that the darkness was more pleasing to him than the light. For the light always reminded him of the goddess' words. Late into the night he would always remain wakeful, enjoying the silence of the dark. And early in the morning he would awake, clinging to the last chill of night, almost hoping the sun would not rise to light upon his misery. But of these visions he spoke to no one. Howbeit, within him there now burned a deep resentment toward both his tormentor and his own person.
By River
The quickest path to Dadron was upon the waters of the Falsi River which tore through the land from the heights of Mount Coronan. 'To Belnan, then, we must go,' Revere told Biron's son, 'A place I know well, and in which I am well known.
The men there will not trouble me if they recognize me; and they would recognize me in any disguise, so often have I passed through that city. You, however, must remain silent if at all possible. For the men of Belnan will know your manner of speech in an instant to be the tone and accent of a Galvahirne.'
They rode on through the frozen landscape, making their way ever north along hidden paths and ancient roads that only a skilled scout could navigate. Revere led them at last to the roaring waters of the Falsi River, just after its waters escape from the Belnan rapids and pour over the falls of Welda. Some fifteen leagues to the east the land at last flattened out and the rushing waters were calmed and flowed strongly but steadily into the lake of Nabu upon which many of the men in Belnan earned their living. There were many fishermen in that city, but the greater part of their wealth came from the traffic of goods being sent downstream to Dadron; mostly in furs, fruits and dried meat. 'We would do well to find a fur trader,' Revere suggested as they drew closer to the town of Belnan. 'Supposing the fool Ponteris still allows the Noras to hunt.'
'If it will keep the deer from gnawing the leaves and defiling the grounds of Galva-la and Oastir-la, then I have no doubt he will have redoubled the efforts of the winter huntsmen.'
'He has indeed,' they were told by an old Noras in the city, 'And they have killed so many that many hunters have been forced to abandon Noras altogether.'
In Belnan, the reports they heard at the Gapland Inn in Amdela of the troubles in Daevaron were confirmed, in some cases by the wounded and maimed victims of the war themselves. The 'Monster of Vestron' was now feared and reviled in Belnan, leaving no further doubt concerning its reality. 'I suppose there must be some fragment of truth belying all this panic,' Revere admitted reluctantly.
'And to this fragment we intend to go,' Daryas said.
'Let us hope the blood of the Galvahirne is as mighty as all the old song's declare.'
'The songs are sung of men long dead,' Daryas confessed. 'They were not penned for any man living, though perhaps they fit my brother well enough.'
Two great bridges of stone were built in Belnan in the ancient days, which led men to call the city 'Bridge-Town'. They were of elven design, but of Noras workmanship, resulting in a strange combination of beauty and strength. It is said that some of the stones were cut by Galvahir himself in the days of Noras' alliance with Falruvis, Lord of Elves. The lesser of these bridges was built on the north side of the city, spanning the Gavl River. The greater was built in the west, connecting the southern marches of Noras with the northwestern portion of Falsis, where the elves, in ancient times, kept most of their dwellings. Great highways ran out from Belnan northeast toward Solibree and beyond that to Daeva City and Celesh. To the south the road wound down to the Amla Gap and to the southern cities of the ancients, whose names are largely forgotten. To the east the road ran parallel with the Falsi River until it met the Libron River in Dadron.
But no passage to Dadron was to be found in Belnan. 'The army of Marin is encamped against the Fortress,' the men of city told them, 'And they are not permitting any to pass their lines unmolested.' This report was confirmed by the great number of people who had come to Belnan in those days fleeing the troubles of the east. 'Death, horror and hell,' were the words by which one traveler described the lands surrounding Dadron.
The keeper of the inn at which they lodged informed them, upon being pressed for news, that, 'Rauv is burning, Solibree is occupied, Lak is a heap, they say, and only Ehrmas of Fahsro withstands the devils now. But he is not a god; he too will fall in the end, as all will who face that wicked beast of Vestron.'
They asked him about the city of Dadron itself. To this he answered, 'The river banks, both north and south, are patrolled by the servants of Ollitov himself, who oversees the army from their encampment in the north. Only the birds of heaven can creep past their watchful eyes and their tall spears. Hounds and hunters patrol the wilds around Dadron on every side, preparing the way for the final siege of that city. Moreover, the gates are shut; and you know, if you know of Dadron at all, that when once the gates have been shut, they open not for any man, be he a king of the Ancients or a god of heaven.'
If the gates of Dadron are shut,' Revere told his companion, when at last they were left alone, 'then there is no use going any further east. We will find nothing but death outside the walls of the city. We cannot go to Dadron, What good can you be for your kinsmen in irons or in the grave?'
Daryas was reluctant to agree, but in the end, when they had fully digested all the reports of the east, he was forced to side with his companion. 'You are right, we must trust that my brother has sent Maru also to bring them tidings. The son of Biron, lesser though I be, would surely have brought them greater comfort than a scroll tied to an eagle's talon.'
'But again, Daryas,' Revere said, 'you are no use to anybody in the grave. Let us deal with what is possible, then, and not distract ourselves with that which cannot be accomplished.'
'Very well,' Daryas said, 'then let us turn our gaze toward the forest.'
They sold what furs they yet possessed and, at great cost, purchased dried fruit, ale and vinegar. 'Such things are not scarce in Noras,' Daryas said, 'but if anything is bound to make our coming suspicious it would be coming to Noras to sell fur.'
The Rule of Noras
Lady Linae, the mother of the one called Hassan Oastirne, was the only child of Cheftan Yuris Lavrilirne, the heir of the Hero Lavril, who fought and bled at the side of his comrade Galvahir in the dark days of Noras. No other man could lay claim to this heritage, and at his death the rule of Lavri-la, the largest and richest portion of Noras, was destined to pass into the hands of lesser men, only distantly related to that great lord. The sniveling Cheft Burrin had the greatest claim upon the lordship over Lavri-la, and lost no time usurping this power the moment it was known that Cheftan Yuris had taken ill.
His claim seemed all the more sure due to the fact that the only child of Yuris was a daughter, and furthermore by the fact that she had only recently returned to Noras, abandoned by her 'pirate' husband and left with a half-breed child, a 'goldenhead' as such people were called in those days. Without some nobleman to wed, she was considered under a curse of sorts, as was the belief in Noras in those days. Seeing this opportunity, and indeed, finding the Lady of Lavri-la quite beautiful, Cheft Ponteris found it in his heart to marry her despite all the curses of Noras tradition. He was a lesser Cheftan of Oastir-la, wealthy, but of a lesser lineage than some of the other Cheftans of that region, though a true descendent of the Hero Oastir he was indeed.
In the month of Solest, when the sun rises to the highest heavens, he held a great feast, sacrificing many hundreds of goats, lambs, and fawns upon the stone altar of Pelas in southern Galva-la. By this deed, and by the gracious giving away of a great deal of wealth, he was able to hush the gossip of the ladies, appease the sensibilities of the Cheftans, and satisfy the demands of the clerics, thereby legitimizing his marriage to a (by all accounts) married, though abandoned, woman. He gave her son, in that day, the name 'Oastirne', thereby making him the heir of his house in Oastir-la. The name Lavri-la was also given to him in that day, though it was never spoken of openly while Cheft Burrin yet lived, lest a conflict arise between his own children and the grandson of Yuris. But it was ever in Ponteris' mind to someday assert the dual lineage of his heir, to garner for himself greater rule over the people of Noras.
This aim was to a large extent realized in the days following the taking of Peiraso. Burrin and his house were so timid and thin-spined that they could offer no challenge to Cheft Ponteris' actions, nor did Cheft Burrin challenge the legitimacy of Sion's claim upon the rule of Lavri-la. When at last Peiraso fell into Ponteris' hands, Burrin sent messengers practically ceding his own authority to the Cheftan's son prematurely. Thus Sion was known among the Noras from that day as Hassan Lavrilirne, a name he had long borne, but rarely spoken. He was given the dominion of that whole region, though his authority wa
s subject to the dictates of his step-father who now ruled all from Peiraso, as though he himself were the heir of Galvahir as well as of Oastir.
The daughter of Cheft Grendas, whom Sion loved so deeply, was given to him, uniting the power and dominion of Lavri-la and Dae-la in the north. Thus Ponteris had taken dominion of Galva-la by force, Shaf-la by treaty, Lavri-la by marriage, Oastir-la by blood and Dae-la by his son. The only regions in which his rule was not fully recognized was in the faithful land of Cossa-la from whence Cheft Rahm had marched forth, in the southwestern lands of Megd-la and Coran-la where peasants lived in the shadow of Coronan, and the 'Root of Noras' Vivlir-la in the south. But as they were scattered and bereft of their bravest warriors, these lands offered him no resistance, though they offered him even less aid. Though he wore no crown, Cheft Ponteris ruled over Noras as a king, taxing and taking what he wished, legislating and dictating his will as lord of all Noras. Even those Cheftans who had supported his vile treachery had no power to affect the rule of Noras; Cheft Horan returned in shame and powerlessness to Lavri-la, his support of Ponteris and betrayal of Biron Galvahirne being repaid, not with wealth or power, but with subjugation under the new and rightful ruler of Lavril's land. Cheft Gornas returned to Dae-la only to find that the ears of the people were turned toward Lavri-la in obedience, and no longer attended to the commands of their Dae-la masters.
This is the state of Noras as it was when Daryas entered the forest of his birth just over two years after his first departure.
Through Lavri-la
After leaving Belnan, Daryas and Revere left the road behind and entered Noras through Lavri-la. They intended to make their way quietly through this land and so come to Vivlir-la, where they believed they could find some still faithful to the Galvahirne. But as they entered the forest, they were waylaid by golden-haired men of Daevaron who called themselves servants of the lord of Lavriland. 'What is your business in this place?' the mercenaries demanded.
'We are merchants,' Revere said confidently, 'we have come to purchase furs from the Noras, for we know well that they are hunters of incomparable ability. We are told that in Galvaland we might find, if fortune smiles upon us, the fur of the white deer, which lives only in that place.'
'None can pass through this land without the leave of the Lord of Lavriland,' the man insisted. 'There are strange things afoot in the east, from whence you came, and we cannot allow just anyone to pass through these woods. Show him some token or some argument, and perhaps your petition will be granted you.'
'Then we wish to be brought to Cheft Burrin at once,' Revere said confidently, though Daryas was reluctant. Revere looked at him with a reassuring look, as if to say, 'I am clever enough to get us out of this peril.'
But much to the shock and dismay of both men the guard laughed and said, 'Cheft Burrin? He has no authority in this land, not beyond his own estate at least. It is to Cheftan Hassan Lavrilirne that you must be brought.'
Daryas' heart sunk, and Revere shook his head nervously. Revere was of half a mind to turn and ride away that moment, forsaking Lavri-la altogether and coming into Noras from another path. But Daryas spoke, saying, 'If Hassan has indeed become lord of Lavri-la in our absence, then you must bring us before him at once!'
Surprised by the speech of the young Galvahirne, the men backed away, putting their hands to their sword-hilts as though they had been threatened by more than the sound of Daryas' voice. When they had regained their wits they led the two into the village and gave them a small log house in which to rest. 'In the morning,' they said, 'we will bring you before the Cheftan. It is too late to make the journey tonight.'
When the door had been locked behind them the two exiles spoke in whispers by candlelight. 'What was the meaning of such a demand!' Revere said angrily. 'We might have deceived Burrin, who has never seen my face, and has not, since the days of your childhood at least, seen yours. But this man was among us upon the mountain! We know not what he might do!'
'Sion is a friend, such as one can only hope to find among men once in his life; faithful, brave, thoughtful and wise. I will not speak ill of him ere I have even seen his face, nor will I take one step further into Noras until I have gone to discover the truth of this strange circumstance. You can depart if you wish, but I must see to this matter if ever I am to have peace again.'
'Great risk is involved in so doing,' Revere insisted, 'It would be better if we left this place the moment they open the doors, coming into Noras through Vivlir-la or even Coran-la.'
'I will do not such thing,' Daryas said, 'We were sent to see if there are any in Noras that are yet faithful to the Galva army - what better place to look for a friend of the Galva than in one who marched along with them, and who bled red blood for their sake?'
'You must do what you will,' Revere said, 'and for the sake of your father so must I.'
The next morning the locks were removed from the house and the men were given some water to drink. They ate dried meat from their own bundles. The old estate of Cheftan Yuris was surrounded by many orchards on the west and great farmlands in the east. To the north the land rose up to a ridge, upon which a great guard tower was built in the old days. From that tower the lands between Lavri-la and the river Elvri could be seen, though much was shrouded by the trees. Under the shadow of that tower was a great house built with stone and logs. The golden-heads brought the two travelers through the great wooden doors and into a great hall, at the end of which sat a man and a woman. Before them was the remains of their breakfast, a little ham, some boiled eggs and half of a large loaf of bread. When these things were cleared away the woman departed and went into another chamber. When the room was swept and cleaned, the travelers were at last brought before the Cheftan.
Daryas scarcely recognized his old friend. 'Sion?' he said as he bowed before him as was customary among the Cheftans when they were in the homes of fellow noblemen. Sion looked closely at him and squinted his eyes, 'Daryas, the Dreamer?' he said, surprised to see him as well. A great smile came across his face, 'You are indeed welcome here!' he said, looking at the guards with an expectant look. The guards took their cue and departed. 'What business brings you back to such a dark land in such a treacherous time, son of Biron?'
'I have come for that which has always been our concern, the defense of our homeland.'
'Has it not yet occurred to you, Daryas, that perhaps the homeland needs no further defense?'
'What do you mean?'
'Is it not apparent to you already,' Sion said with a laugh, 'that Noras is at peace with itself and with the world?'
Daryas looked at him with confusion. 'What has happened to you, Sion, in the days since we marched together to the sound of Rahm's blaring horns?'
Sion Lavrilirne
'Even as your brother slew the Conjuror upon the heights of mount Coronan, I slipped away from the army, making my way by stealth back to the encampment at Megd-u-Coran. There I found Cheft Lonos, rummaging through the tent of Cheft Rahm. When he had gone I went in as well. There I found, to my horror, that Ander, Rahm's nephew, had been slain. A short-sword was thrust in his belly, callously driven there by the traitorous Cheftan, who had not even the decency to kill him swiftly. The great oak chest which Rahm had brought with him was cut open with an axe and its many great treasures were cast aside. I imagine it was for some specific token that Lonos sought.
Angered by all this I left the tent and followed hard upon the trail of that devil. I easily overtook him and shot an arrow through his leg, dropping him from his horse. An answer I demanded of him, but he only said that I must speak to Cheftan Oastirne, to whom he answers. Not satisfied, I cut his throat and darkened the muddy snow with his red blood. Upon his body I found a ring upon which was engraved two battle-axes crossed one with the other, which is the emblem of Cossa-la. I am sure he meant to prove, by this ring, that Cheftan Rahm had met his doom. Also I found in his pocket a small phial of some sort of bitter poison, half-filled.
'Leaving his fo
ul corpse to rot, I followed the path of the army until it brought me back to Noras; I don't know how many days and nights passed, nor can I recall what I ate and where I slept. I killed a deer one night, that much I remember. But everything else was blur and my thoughts were ever upon the face of Ponteris, whom I intended to confront.
I came at last to Belnan and from thence to South Lake. There I went east and came at last to the estate of Cheft Ponteris, whose blood I had begun to thirst after. But he was not there, he was in Galva-la, I was told, in the estate of Cheft Biron.
When at last I arrived in Peiraso I found that he had bound your own father in a dungeon back in Oastir-la, and that he now, with the help of Cheft Horan and Gornas, had overthrown the Galvahirne.
'Devil,' I said, when at last I was brought before him, 'Tell me quickly, dear 'father', why I oughtn't slay you this instant.'
At this Ponteris just laughed, saying, 'Why 'oughtn't' you?' He laughed again. 'I can give you several reasons,' he roared. 'But I imagine this will be the only one that will persuade you.'
With those words he summoned many guards to his side. 'Try me, now, my 'son', and see if you cannot find a reason to stay your hand.'
I hesitated, knowing that my life was bound to my next move. He laughed more, and my anger grew, but I could see that I could not destroy him without losing my own life. 'Your life is not worth it,' I said weakly.
He then began to speak boldly, making a spectacle of himself before all his servants. He said, 'You demand an 'ought' of me, Hassan Titalirne, golden-head, son of a pirate. In this you sound like a cleric's son and not the grandson of a Cheftan. 'Oughts' and 'shoulds' are words for the priests - when they lead the people to worship. They are not words for the world, my dear son. The world does not deal in oughts, and neither shall I,' Ponteris laughed. 'I have been told that I oughtn't have ended the overlordship of the house of Galvahir. I have also heard many voices in the dark saying that I ought to have done so many years ago, and ought to do still more! But none of these 'oughts' are of any importance, are they son? I deal only in 'is' and 'was', and if the gods grant it to me, in 'will be's'.'
'You are a madman,' I accused. But he went on undaunted by my words.
'Is it not true,' he demanded,' that I HAVE broken the arm of Galvahir at last?'
'It would seem to be so,' I said, telling him nothing of the victory of Dynamis on Coronan.
'And is it not also true that I am Cheftan Oastirne as well? Master of the house of Oastir? Do not the Cheftans of Shaf-la, Dae-la and Lavri-la stand beside me?' At this he pointed out Cheft Gornas, Cheft Grendas, Cheft Hassa and Cheft Horan who supported him. They looked away, however, as I looked at them, as though they might hide themselves from guilt. After thus pointing them out the Cheft continued with his doctrine. 'You see, my son? You can be, what you oughtn't be and do what you shouldn't do without even a hint of contradiction. The 'oughts' and 'shoulds' of the clerics do not so much as touch upon the truth. The truth is, after all, what is, and all the oughts in the world will never add up to it. Be that as it may,' he continued, 'I have a few 'oughts' and 'ought not's for you, my dear son.'
'What madness would you speak now?' I asked, frustrated.
'I say you 'ought' to lay down your sword, Hassan, if you want to live. If you want to retain your freedom, you 'ought' to bend the knee and pay your father the honor he demands. I say you 'ought' to relent from your wrath, if you do not wish to see the blood most precious to you spilt this very hour.'
At those words I was greatly troubled, seeing something hidden behind his laughter. 'Spill my blood if you will,' I demanded, 'the sooner my eyes are relieved of the burden of your ugliness the better!'
'I spoke not of your blood,' he said with a laugh. 'The forest has ears it seems, and what is done in secret is carried on the wind to those who have the cunning to discover it. I have under my power, the life of she whose attention you have long sought, and never found.'
At those words I shuddered, but said nothing.
'The fair daughter of Cheft Grendas, who you have for so long failed to win; I have it in my power to give her away to whatever man I please.'
I then looked around the room for the girl's father, and saw him; he was sitting in a corner of the room with a mug of ale in his hand, looking as powerless as he was. I know not by what means my step-father had brought him to such a state, but it was clear that he was more filled with wine and despair than with honor.
'You are a devil indeed,' I said, to which he replied with a thunderous laughter.
'Ought I to be otherwise, my son? Why should I give up all that I have gained? You sound like one of those hobbling old clerics, teaching men to act for 'Virtue's sake' But why should I be virtuous? Answer that question, and you will have done what no sage or priest has ever accomplished, my son.'
'What of the gods?' I asked him. 'Do you have no fear of hellfire?'
'You know nothing of the gods,' Ponteris snapped, 'how then can you pretend to know their will? Besides, to consider their wrath and their pleasure, as the fool Biron does, is the basest sort of virtue. Biron tells me, and the priests of Pelas taught him this, that the righteous man may lay down his life for the sake of a wealth that does not see decay; he may lay up riches in the astral kingdoms, where no risk or loss can assail them. What drivel! What vain mercenary virtue is this! To cast away your own good on earth for the sake of a good to come! Such a virtuous one is the most cunning businessman; selling his soul for the highest bidder, heavenly or not. Biron and his like, though pious they may seem, are nothing more than self-righteous sell-swords. Mercenary virtue I call it! I will play no games with such stupidity. What I want lies here within my grasp, and the gods have given me no such guarantee that I will see better if I act better. No, my son, no such unholy truths bind my will.'
I sat stunned and silent, unable to say anything in answer to his tirade. He paused for a moment and then continued, 'Who is virtuous? What is it to be good? Who decides what good is worth seeking? Every 'ought' of the priests and every 'should' of Biron and his Mercenaries has such a good in mind, of that there can be no mistake. But what is good? Answer that, my son, and you will be greater than all the prophets and seers.'
'Do you not know?' he continued, 'that every creature has some goal for which they strive? Survival, love, lust, family, power, wealth, wisdom, sympathy all of these serve as motives and bind man with duties. He who would survive must lay up stores against the winter; he who desires power must learn to risk and to fight boldly; and he who would acquire knowledge must set the shovel aside and take up the scroll. Each man's will directs and guides them as their nature dictates. Men are numerous, and so are their purposes. We each have our part to play, whether lofty or little, and each of us will seek our own.'
'Always you have sought your own,' I said.
'You say that as if I should seek the good of another instead,' Ponteris said with a grin. He made a motion with his hand to get the attention of all the scoffers and grovelers that take bread from his hand each day. 'There once was a mother who had a son whom she loved very much. But one day a villain came and threatened to kill the boy. He held the boy in his right hand with a blade drawn in the other. "Answer me, woman," he said, "Who is of greater value? The boy, or this hog?" It so happened, of course, that he had a hog beside him.' The people of the court, who had overmuch to drink, were delighted by his story, and laughed whenever it seemed the Cheftan desired them to laugh. 'Now the woman said without delay or doubt, "Spare my son, for he is worth more than any number of hogs!" Next the man turned to the hog's mother, for it so happened that the hogs mother was present as well, and he said, "Tell me Sow, which of these two are of greater value?" To this the Sow, as might be expected, said, "Kill the boy, for my son is worth any number of these wool-coated apes!"' At those words the men and women of the court fell into a roar of laughter, almost uncontrollable. 'The villain was forced to ask himself the question, "Which of these is correct? For the woman says it is h
er own son that is of greater value than the hog, but the Sow says just the opposite. Who should I believe, but she whose opinion is of greater value?" The man set the boy down and walked away in great confusion.'
Amidst the laughter I could do nothing but wait. At last, when the raucous had died away, he continued, saying, 'Every mother has her son, and every mother's son is worth more than the next, to their own mother at least - even to the mother of a pig. But now you must make your own choice, my son, and I will lay it out very clearly for you. Will you fight against me, hateful though I am to you, for the sake of the bumbling Biron whose kin has so long enthralled the rest of Noras, taking for the Galvahirne the lion's share of honor and wealth? Or will you take that which you have always longed for and put your hatred aside. I have it within my grasp to grant to you the hand of the fair Ingra, daughter of Cheft Grendas. But as you may well imagine I will do no such thing with your sword outstretched against me, nor will my dead body have any power to attain for you this great prize once you have had your revenge. I speak to you plainly, Hassan, more plainly than any man ever did speak. You ought to take the hand of the one you love so deeply, and you oughtn't let the sophistries of the clerics and the Mercenary virtue of the Galvahirne stand in your way. Take what you want, and don't ever look back.'
With those words I spat upon the ground at his feet. But he was not finished with his sins.
In that moment he brought the girl out from another room and she was dressed in a gown of blue, such as the Noras are too practical to design. Her dark hair fell down upon her cheeks in great curls and a jewel was set upon her head. 'I will make your choice all the easier, Hassan, for I will grant you the power of your sympathies.' He gave a sign, and one of his hired men grabbed the girl by the hair and forced her onto the floor. He drew a knife from his pocket and held it to the girl's back. 'Swear to me loyalty, and you will have all. If you take so much as a step in my direction again, so long as you live, I will kill this girl.'
Cheft Grendas began to make some small gurgle in complaint, but in the end he did nothing to interfere. I looked about the room, and saw all the faces of the rulers of Noras. Pathetic men; all of them crooked cowards. It came into my mind, that such is the way with men of influence. I remember well what it was like to be a child, to always have someone larger than you slapping your wrist for this or swatting your leg for that. But when there are few or none larger than you, what is to keep your hand from going where it wants - and getting into trouble too. I thought all of these old men needed more than a good swatting.
In that moment it came into my heart, Daryas, that I cared not at all whether the Galvahirne ruled or fell. I cared not for the Oastirne, the Vivlirne, the Megdlirne or any other -irne of Noras. None of these held any power over me, and for none of these was I willing to surrender all.'
Daryas stood as still as a statue for a long while, not sure what to make of his old friend's strange words. Revere backed away nervously, fearing this was all simply a dramatic prelude to their destruction. 'So with long lashes and darkened curls the betrayer of my father has purchased you? Will you slay us as well? What then might be your reward?'
'He did not purchase me,' Sion said in defense, 'I purchased my own life; and saved the woman I love.'
'But how can you turn your eyes away from my father, who has been naught but good to Noras as well as to yourself? How can you serve his enemy?'
'You say "serve", Daryas, and in saying so you speak rashly. I am not your enemy, nor am I the enemy of your father. I did not betray you and your brother to the Cheftan of Oastir-la. How could I watch the one I love perish under Ponteris' cruel hand, before her drunken weakling of a father?'
'If you are not opposed to me, then you will not hinder our purposes,' Daryas said.
'That depends upon the nature of those purposes.'
'I will tell you plainly, then, that we come for the head of Ponteris; we will see the rule of the Galvahirne return to the sons of Galvahir. We have come to raise up an army, that the designs of our enemies will be thwarted.'
'I am not opposed to this, Daryas,' Sion said, 'But neither can I aid you. I will no longer fight for what I do not believe in. There was a time when you and I marched together out of duty. But all duty is dead to me, save the fair Ingra, daughter of Cheft Grendas. Seek your army. I am not your enemy; but do not seek help in Lavri-la, for the men of this country are no friends of Biron.'
'Indeed not,' Daryas said angrily. 'Then you give us leave to depart into the forest of Noras?'
'I do not give you leave, but neither do I forbid it. Ponteris believes that you are charred bones atop Coronan; how then could I give you leave?'
'It would be better if he knew that we yet lived,' Daryas said.
'But I cannot tell him that now,' Sion said. Then he laughed, 'And seeing how you are within his reach, it would do you no good for me to let him know now. If he had thought the sons of Biron were alive he would have made sure to have his dogs trained to smell Galvahirne.'
'You should not have fled the mountain, Sion,' Daryas said. 'We will need your bow and your sword ere the end.'
'My bow and sword cannot help you now, Daryas. I must content myself to live a life of my own making, rather than fight for men for whom I care nothing. I will not, for the sake of yet another Cheftan, endanger the fair daughter of Grendas.'
'You must do as you choose,' Daryas said, near tears.
Thus Daryas and Revere left the halls of the Cheftan of Lavri-la troubled and downcast, but unimpeded. The guards stared at them in wonder, not daring to waylay them.