Chapter I:
The Elves Awaken
The Star-Seer
'Tell me Star-seer,' the god of Dadron commanded, 'what do the Astral Lords have to teach by way of prophecy?'
'You shall go to Amlaman,' a quiet and labored voice replied. 'And there you shall be reborn, and a kingdom shall be given to you: a kingdom that shall never end, so long as there is a world. Moreover, you shall come to rule over even the Immortals of the Far South.'
The Star-Seer lay beside Pelas upon a stone table near the edge of a cliff in the Southern mountains of Weldera. There he rested with his face looking up at the heavens, even as he had been doing for the past several thousand years. His glassy eyes were large and round, having doubled in size during his long and miserable life. His nose had vanished altogether, save for two tiny holes. His hair had ceased to grow long ago, leaving his head bald and his face exposed to the elements. His mouth was cracked and dry like the deserts of Kharku, and his flesh was as gray as the stone upon which he lay. His body, if it be proper to call it a body, was shriveled up on the table. Over the years the roots of a tree had enveloped, encased, consumed and entombed him, so that only here and there could a glimpse of his bone-thin arms and legs be discerned. But in the end the tree itself perished, and left him alone, lingering on in this sorry state.
Near his head sat a tall man, dressed in black with his face covered by a pale gray mask. Upon his knee there lay a scroll, and in his hand was a pen. He wrote down all that the Star-Seer said, though he could neither hear nor see to whom the creature was speaking.
'Then Dadron Almighty shall stand?' Pelas said.
'The enemies of Dadron shall break apart like waves upon a mighty stone,' the Star-Seer replied.
'Tell me, wise one,' Pelas thundered nervously, 'Is this certain? Is this your prophecy as a Star-Seer?'
'It is,' the Star-Seer answered, 'And there are none that can call this into question.'
The Star-Seers are, along with the Magic Tower of Lapulia itself, the last remnant of the glory days of Lapulia, which no history now remembers. They are older than the elves; and wiser. For this reason the elvish histories have ignored them altogether. Indeed, the jealousy of the elves has even led some of their number to hunt and kill these sorry creatures where they lay. In this manner almost all the Star-Seers of Olgrost, Vestron and Weldera were slain; their great wisdom dying also. They are safe now only in Dominas where the City of Lapulia holds the sovereign authority. Some say, however, that there are some yet living in Kharku, where all things fantastical and strange dwell. But in Weldera there remained now only one, and there were none besides Pelas and the Mages of Lapulia who knew where to find him.
To guard him the Mages secretly maintained three of their deadly Assassins upon the mountain at all times. Of all men of arms, these Lapulians are perhaps the most skillful in the arts of stealth and murder. As this nameless and debilitated beast was their last set of eyes in Weldera, they maintained a constant guard upon him. One man was always resting while the other two took their turns either recording what what spoken by the Star-Seer or lying in wait to slay any and all who purposefully or accidentally approached the Seer. All of this, of course, was done secretly. For the powers of Weldera would not suffer an agent of Lapulia to dwell within their borders. For, although the Star-Seers were charged to speak everything they discovered regardless of what field of study it fell under, they were bound by an oath to reveal to the Mages of Lapulia anything that had reference to the security and prosperity of Dominas.
The Star-Seers, as the name implies, gaze at the stars above; and they do naught else, save for the recounting of their discoveries. From their endless observation of the wheeling heavens these creatures learned all the motions and relations of the stars, the sun and the moon. By way of calculation they could determine also many things that would occur on the earth itself. That is, by their deep understanding they were able to discern all causes, and to see the ends of all actions, and, knowing the interconnection of all things, learn all this from the observation of the stars. It was in imitation of them that the Knarsemen developed their elaborate superstitions about the stars and their various powers. The Ohhari also, with all their prophetic expectations, have the Star-Seers as their inspiration.
Lord Pelas had learned of this creature in the days of Dadron's ascendancy, when yet the elves dwelt in Weldera. But his speech with the creature betrayed his existence to the Assassins, and what was said by the Seer in response to his queries made its way in turn to Lapulia, where the sagacious Mages learned much concerning the plans and strategies of the elves. Now he came to this creature again, as his own destiny seemed to be rapidly approaching its climax. But though this omniscient sage had assured him twice, Pelas could not resist pressing the matter further, asking him again, 'Is there no doubt in your mind then, Star-Seer?'
The sad creature inhaled deeply, gathering enough air to speak. 'Think not, master,' he began, 'that we Star-Seers are without doubt. That power which allows the mind to deduce what lies beyond its purview is the very same power that allows the mind to think something other than what is. It is this latter faculty that gives birth to doubt. Insofar as we Star-Seers are possessed of the former, we are likewise possessed of the latter. We doubt, my lord.'
'How then can you say your word is sure?'
'When I say my prophecy is final, master, it is because my calculations are final, and my conclusions without a doubt follow from the courses of the stars above. But how can I say, master, that there is not something that has not entered into my deductions? The eye has color and form for its domain, the nose has scent and the tongue has taste. There are other senses too. Do not err in thinking that what is learned therefrom must necessarily exhaust all things.'
Pelas exhorted him to look again at the stars, and to tell him if there was aught else that he could discern.'
'I will look to the stars again, master,' he said in a weary voice. 'But I cannot see what is not meant for eyes, nor smell what is not meant for the nose. In vain will you pry into the night sky overlong - certainty belongs only to the gods.'
'I am the god of Falsis,' Pelas said angrily, storming away from that place in great wrath, disappearing into the wild lands that surrounded that mountain and passing unnoticed by the Seer's guardians. This meeting between the god and the seer took place on the eleventh day of Solest, in the year prior to the fall of Natham and the Battle of Dadron.
The Emissary
When Lord Pelas returned at last to Dadron hill some six days later there was gathered a great host of spirits to greet him. They had been summoned from every corner of Falsis to honor their master and to renew their allegiance to him. The words of the Star-Seer had been spread throughout the land; and it was believed among the spirits, and it was almost certainly the truth, that on the ground of this prophecy the Lapulians would withhold their support from Marin and Amlaman. Their hopes were kindled, despite the great numbers that marched in Marin's army, and the great strength of the warriors of Amlaman.
'It is time for the faithful to reveal themselves,' Pelas had told his counselors.
But there was also among the spirits a man of flesh and blood, cloaked in white, with long brown hair hanging down to his waist. When Pelas was seated at last, and after he had greeted his generals, he turned his attention to this strange visitor. 'What is your name?' he asked, 'I apprehend that you are one of the Immortals.' the god said to the man. 'Moreover, you must know the old passages, to come into the city in a time of war.'
'I am one of the elves,' the man said, bowing down so that his forehead touched the ground. 'And happy am I to hear your voice once again, my lord.'
'I do not remember you,' Pelas said callously.
'I did not expect such an honor, my lord,' the man replied. 'I was but a boy when our enemies tore the world asunder. There are two things I shall never forget: The envy of the dragons and the glory of my lord Pelas.' Among the elves the fury of the dragons was often
invoked in oaths and ceremonies, but to call it 'envy' was a sign of loyalty such as only the truest servants of Pelas would make.
Pelas nodded approvingly. 'Rise, my son,' he said. The visitor lifted his face from the ground and knelt before the god of Dadron, his eyes looking only at Pelas' feet. 'What is your name, and for what have you come before the god of Weldera?'
'I am Simnahi,' the man answered, 'and I have been sent unto you by my lord, who rules over the Verdantahin, in the Hidden South.'
'Then you are come from Malgier, from the side of Bralahi the Zealous?'
'Long has it been since he has been called by that name. Since the death of his wife he has been known only as the Lord of Sorrows.'
'What does your master seek in the North?' Pelas demanded.
'He sends with me a message, meant for your ears alone.'
Pelas turned his eyes toward his servants. They, knowing his will, departed from their master in haste, scattering into the shadows. When the Temple had been emptied, the messenger spoke, 'Thus speaks the Lord of the South:
'When I heard that the Walls of Dadron were encompassed about by enemies, my heart leapt within me with hope, for I knew that my lord Pelas yet ruled. When I heard that Agonistes yet lived, having returned from hell itself, my heart sunk into the depths of despair. I am one of the few - nay, I am the only living soul who remembers the prophecy of Aedanla. It is time for the powers of day and night to strive for the mastery. But the sun is greater than the moon, light casts away darkness, and darkness has no power over it. The time has come for the god of Weldera to ascend to his eternal throne and rule over the mortals again, even as it was in the days of old. The vessel has been found in the land of Joplis, and surely the devil will be drawn to her. But he will not attain to godhood, for he is full of evil.
'Long have I waited within my halls, in idle sorrow. But no longer shall I hide myself in grief. The time is come for the return of the Immortals. Take up the flesh once again, and I shall have prepared for you an army of five-hundred thousand deathless souls, immortals from the ancient days who have been born and bred to serve you, even as I, their lord, have been consecrated to your service.'
'Know, my lord, Pelas,' the emissary said after he had finished, 'that this message has been sent by Lord Bralahi himself.'
Lord Pelas rose from his throne and stepped down toward the emissary. 'It is as I have foreseen,' he said, speaking, in truth, of the Star-Seer's prophecy. 'The heart of Bralahi is ever faithful, and the time of his awakening is now.' He came to stand directly in front of the emissary. 'There are few eyes that can yet see the spirits of old. The blood of the Verdant is strong indeed if even their young ones can behold the god of Weldera. In the north it was only the high elves who were able to see the gods.'
'Indeed, my lord,' the emissary said as he fell to his knees, 'there are many among us who are so blessed. The life of the Immortals is strong in Malgier; we have not waned and shriveled like the elves of the North and of the East.'
'But still,' Pelas said as he circled around the emissary, almost as if he might discern the truth and sincerity of his message from his very appearance. 'I will not accept the service of Bralahi the long lost, though greatly beloved servant of Bel Albor so lightly. Not on mere words. Tell your master, that I will not believe his word, though he send an Aggelos or a Siren to speak it, until he shows me some proof or gives me some token of his loyalty.'
'Name it, my lord,' the emissary replied, 'and the lord of the south will see to its completion. In this I speak with the authority of Bralahi himself.'
'When the siege is broken, and this Marin ramble scattered, I shall march to war against the spirits of the West - against the land of Agonistes. Send forth the remnant of Solruvis, who hide in Solsis - send them forth to punish Amlaman for its service to the devil. Then will I believe that your master has power over the Immortals.'
'It shall be as you have said,' the emissary replied.
'Agonistes' land will fall at last,' he said coldly. 'Amlaman will bleed for its loyalty to the dark one. For you know as I do, young Simnahi, how mighty the Immortals are in warfare. This age will be the Age of Arising.'
Numbered
Though the southern elves had been hidden away since the fall of Dadron, they had not been wholly idle, nor had they forgotten the ambitions of their forefathers entirely. A standing army of some five thousand men was kept ready at all times in the hidden valleys of northern Solsis. In addition to this, there were many hidden cities of Immortals that, though separated by space, were yet loyal to Solran, the grandson of Solruvis. Each of these cities had an army of its own, together bringing the number of warriors that answered to Solran to nearly twenty-thousand strong.
When the emissary of Bralahi arrived in the hidden lands of the elves bringing the request of Lord Pelas to their ears, a census was made, and all the men of fighting age were numbered. Added to the trained warriors there were an equal number of youths who could, with some effort, be taught the ways of the sword. These numbers so surprised the Lord of Solsis that he very nearly fainted upon hearing them reported by his captains. 'Our strength is not so lost as we have long thought,' he said to his counselors. 'If this messenger speaks the truth, and Lord Bralahi is poised to return to Tel Arie, to meet our old master Pelas in the flesh, then we will have been proven fools by that devil Daruvis, who would have had us march to war in Dadron. Had we done so, our numbers would have been revealed to our enemies, and we would more than likely have found ourselves captive in besieged Dadron along with those the old traitor wished us to rescue. Clearly he meant only to lure us into a trap. But we are not fools.'
'What is your will, my lord?' his counselors and captains demanded.
'We will harken to our ancient ally, and prepare Amlaman for the birth of our savior and god. We will make safe the land of Amlaman for Pelas. The prophecy of Kolohi travails even now, ready to bring forth its fruit. For he, ere he vanished from this world, told us to expect the rebirth of our god. Now, even as we stand here in council, the vessel has been discovered. Such is the testimony of Bralahi.'
The preparations were set into motion that day: the forges were lit, old alliances were renewed, old oaths were remembered and new oaths were made, all in preparation of a war such as the world had not seen in nearly fifteen centuries. The remnant of the elves were preparing themselves for their renaissance.
Wasteland Fortress
Nearly two hundred and thirty leagues to the south of Japhrian, beyond the Amla Desert, stood the fortress of Ilmalam, which watched over the southern border of Amlaman. In long forgotten days the city belonged to Lord Falruvis, who, before the wars of Xanthur, ruled from Luma, and not in Dadron. But when the elves were driven by their enemies into the north, the city was abandoned and ceded to the kingdom of Amlaman. No trace of the elves now remained, save for the remains of an old rampart that stretched from the northeastern side of the city into the south, vanishing into the sand near the southern border of the city.
Against this dilapidated wall marched the army of Solran under the command of his son Folran. They were not expected. The watchmen of Ilmalam had grown accustomed, over the years, to keep their eyes upon the northwest, from whence they expected to see, perhaps, the forces of one of Voltan's bastard sons, coming to invade Amlaman and take Japhrian as their capitol. To the east was the Cuergi Mountains, and no man had entered into Amlaman from beyond these in over a thousand years. To the south there was nothing but an endless scape of wild lands, once beloved of the elves, but now abandoned to uncivilized, though mostly peaceful, tribes of men.
By the time the horns rang out and the alarm was raised, an army of some four-thousand Immortal warriors had entered into the fortress through the eastern gate. The captain of the guard gathered what men he could and held back the assault for a time, but ultimately lost his life protecting the women and children of the city as they fled. Some of these made their way into the deserts, some into the mountains, but none of them surv
ived the journey to Japhrian. For the first time in over a thousand years an army of elves had marched to victory. This battle was ended in the middle of Frohest, two months before the Monster of Vestron, with the help of those faithful to him, had breached the wall of Dadron.
'This,' Folran said, 'Is but the beginning. By the end of this century we shall have all of Ilmaria within our grasp, Pelas shall rule in Dadron, and - who can say? - perhaps we shall at last have the strength to avenge ourselves upon the devils of the northern world.'
This last thought could not have occurred to any save for those who had not yet been born ere the destruction of Bel Albor and who had not seen the rage of the dragons.