For generations, men dealt with each other through fair barter, but there were some wished to control more.
There were those who gathered together materials in isolation from need; who felt using the means of other men was reasonable and even a service extended in generosity.
They stored away in great houses more foods than any one man could use in order to sell back to those without, only a portion of what they produced. And these men rose to power.
These men created wealth -- wealth that costs the many more than they could afford.
In the end, there were only a few men who held, in a vice grip, all that was produced by the work of others. These wanted only the wealth; the manipulation and control of this wealth filled their souls with excitement.
These men were held in awe. They were not only infected with their own greed, but they soon only wanted to possess in order to control. Of these men, and of one man, a man who did not fit this mold but wished only to relieve the injustice, we now learn . . .
Garv’n Anspar sat at the table in his huge study, skimming over pages in several books scattered around him. The books were ancient and in several stages of wear and deterioration.
All of his wealth gave Garv’n free time to pursue the
study of magical arts; a study he had become fascinated with in the last few years.
These led him to the discovery of something that could be just what he needed to satisfy some longing he did not yet understand. He searched continually for a mystery -- one seemingly beyond comprehension.
He had recently acquired a small dusty diary, part of it was written in an ancient tongue. He gleaned, from the parts he could read, there was some source of power lost before recorded time.
An object, the Ahar'n, was the source of more power than any man knew.
Garv’n had no use for power except it helped him retain his wealth, but he knew this Ahar'n could be dangerous in the wrong hands. He also knew if there was any chance a power so strong could be discovered, the man who could ,and would do so, was Rab'k Monthen.
Abruptly, he paused and began to mumble to himself about one of the pages in the smallest book. He pushed his head near the page, his long gray hair falling about his face, squinted and then raised his head, pushing his glasses back onto his nose.
What a pity. Whoever wrote this could have had better handwriting.
“Stupid. Why write something if you wanted no one else to read it?” he grumbled about the scribe's carelessness. He read further, mumbling even more.
Suddenly he sensed movement behind him. He looked, glancing over his glasses, and realizing his surroundings had changed dramatically. He almost dropped the manual in his surprise.
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He is no longer in his library but in the mountains to the north. Looking up, he sees the sky swirling with dark clouds racing through the passes.
He turns slowly, looking about him and trying to decide where he is. But all he discovers is he doesn't know where he is.
He feels endangered and runs to a small grove of trees to hide. He isn't certain what he's afraid of, but he senses this place is enchanted in some way.
How did I get here? The book? The statement I just read?
He glances down at the book, which he still holds.
What is this place? Why did that particular passage bring me here?
Suddenly a great light flashes, blinding him. He shuts his eyes and when he opens them again, he isn't alone.
A man stands before him shimmering., as though a ghost.
Garv’n. How curious.
Strange you have come. You have somehow discovered an immense secret, a vital one to mankind.
You were not expected, but you are here and must be told some of the secret. We implore you to use this information to help prevent a disastrous ending for this world.
Garv’n realizes there are no sounds other than the wind blowing through the trees. The other man's thoughts are being transmitted into his mind. He shakes his head from side to side to clear it, but to no avail.
The other man looks at him with an amused expression.
I see you do not believe. Why have you taken the time to study this small epistle, unless you anticipated such as this happening? How curious you disbelieve.
Garv’n opens his mouth, but finds he can't speak.
Am I too only allowed to think of what I should say?
So, you can accept some things.
The thoughts of this spirit came to him quietly.
At least, you are an honest man. But we can not tarry, time is important. Let me reveal those things you need to know before this moment is ended.
The incantation you spoke was no more than a signal intended to propel you to this spot in time, it will not last much longer. Soon you will return to where you were before.
How do you know my name?
Because you have told me.
I am Yenist'n of the Al-Esfer'n. You have just read some of my scripts. The Al-Esfer'n did and do exist, but that is not so important now. Let me tell you of things important and dangerous we hope you will help deter.
I must elaborate on some of your history. Ages ago, we came and brought life to this planet. But we knew it was a life that eventually would be disrupted by an enormous power from beyond this world.
We have tried many times before this and have always fallen to this great scourge that devours all living things. We have decided to fight back this time and thus the warning you are now entrusted with.
We hope you will go forth and bring our message to mankind, in anyway you are able, so the battles and wars to come shall not be lost.
But what can I do?
Garv’n is astonished by what he is hearing and how he is sensing it.
I'm not a man of war. I've no such influence with men of my world. I have only been trying to be a scholar of sorts and came to by by your small volume by chance.
That is understood. As I said, you are a surprise. But, you can do many things, I believe. A man of your public image and standing in this world can influence many. But the major request we have is you find the Ahar'n and protect it.
We cannot express any greater need than this. There are others who will serve by their might and their power, but you, if you are able, can preserve what we, the Al-Esfer'n, can provide at the day of a final battle.
We know the time is coming and we are preparing those others for that eventuality. You can find this Ahar'n. It is the source of power that will win the day at Erxmag'dn, the day of reckoning.
Without it, there is danger of failure.
We ask, we implore you, to accept this search and hold it dear to your heart. Aerolan must have this Ahar'n, and this world must have it.
In your hands, we place this task and the gods, you only vaguely remember, will be with you.
And a warning now before you return to your home.
Beware of Rab'k, he is evil and will try to destroy you for this Ahar'n. He serves the Evil One and will show no mercy if he knows you might know a way to find it.
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The man's image began to waver; the background of the mountain and trees began to fade.
"But how will I know where to look?" Garv’n shouted at the image.
The book will tell you, be diligent.
The other disappeared from view, or actually the view simply disappeared. Garv’n, staggering from the sudden change, reached for a chair to steady himself.
He was desperately clutching the small manual in his hand, so tightly his arm ached. He relaxed, looked around and realized he was back in his library.
It took him a moment to recover but he knew no matter how badly written the small book was it held immense significance.
He recognized he needed to discover the single bit of information he sought after all these days of reading.
He now knew this would be one of the most important things he would ever achi
eve in his lifetime.
He walked slowly to a nearby chair, sat down again and opened the book to a page at random.
At that moment, the book began to glow, radiating light into the room. And shimmering in that light, balanced in the air, was a vision of a place in the mountains to the west and near the sea.
As he watched, the apparition grew larger, revealing more of that country and he realized the Ahar'n must be hidden in the caves of that region.
Voravia's land? How could that be?
The light winked out. Garv’n sat stunned for a moment, but slowly leaned back in his chair and made the decision to make the effort to do what was asked of him.
Pushing away from the table, he stood and walked across the inlaid floor of his enormous study, his long robe whistling with crispness of its fine materials.
Walking to a window where great curtains draped in certain magnificence, he pushed one aside and glanced out at his wife and their children playing in the garden.
Beyond, the sea glistened in the late afternoon, sparkling into an eternal sky beyond.
Truly a beautiful place.
He turned back, letting the curtain fall back into place, and looked around his study.
Like everything Garv’n owned the floor was beautiful but overdone. More like a tapestry than a floor, there was a picture of a forest scene, inlaid in the wood, containing pieces of many different fine woods delicately carved into shapes of exotic flora and fauna.
The room glistened as the candle flickered; the fine metals in the ornate carvings and gilded paintings hanging all about the room glittered in the low light.
Owning fine things mattered very much to Garv’n. This mansion was but one of his homes. He also owned several hunting lodges and smaller seaside castles. All of these were filled with only the best.
Garv’n was born into a very poor family; he, his mother and siblings often went hungry, but the gods blessed him with a sharp mind and he learned quickly.
Begging was his first job and, observing the crowds, saw the pickpockets and cut purses among them and took note.
As soon as his mother allowed him to leave her sight, he began bringing home more money than she had ever dreamed. He knew those few coins were nothing compared to what the merchants made.
He saw fine homes of these men in Tariny, saw the ships loaded and bound for other ports. He watched as exotic goods arrived from abroad. There were silks and spices. More ships arrived each day laden with fine woods, furniture and thousands of crates filled with crystal and other finery. This was where the money was, this was what he wanted.
At the age of ten, Garv’n was out knocking at the doors of the fancy homes in town asking for any odd job. They all gave him a bit of change for sweeping the walks or polishing the doorknockers.
Everyday he would make the same rounds, finally began to acquire small tasks from several, and the servants of these houses began to trust him.
He was soon being sent on errands to the butchers, bakers and other shops. On certain nights, when there were parties, he brought special confections from the sweets and pastry shops.
His rewards were the special tips and other goods, freely given to him. These he took home to his mother.
One day, after running deliveries for some time, one of the merchants, Lord Farss, noticed him as he ran up to complete one of the deliveries.
"Who is that youngster?" he asked his butler, after the boy scampered away.
"Just a boy from the village, sire. He frequently performs odd jobs or carries messages for us. He does no harm and I can actually trust him with the money. Brings all the change back and usually gets a bargain to boot. I've asked at several shops about the prices they've given him and he's been honest every time," the butler answered.
"Well then, perhaps we should find him a more permanent position. Good honest help is difficult to find," Lord Farss said, and then instructed the butler. "Have him to come to my library when he has finished."
The next day, Garv’n was offered the position of scullery boy. He accepted eagerly, although he knew what hard, dirty work it was., because he saw it as a way to be near wealth.
Happily for him, this was only the beginning. His duties and responsibility increased as he became older and as Lord Farss's staff realized what an intelligent lad he was.
Lord Farss took a special interest in Garv'n and began to teach him aspects of handling the assets of large institutions and the finer points of making deals at the markets.
Garv’n eventually became Lord Farss's personal assistant and frequently dealt with financial arrangements when his employer was busy elsewhere.
When his mentor died, Garv’n was not surprised he had inherited a bit of money for his years of service and loyalty. With this tidy sum, he began to build his own business.
He was now taking care of his family, building them a better home outside the slums, providing them with better clothing and food. He and his family would not want for anything ever again.
At first, Garv’n's dealings were small, but he was shrewd and usually made the better of any business affair, reaping a greater profit each time. He built a reputation as a man to be reckoned with at the auction block.
He began to buy ships and one by one he built his own fleet. He hired servants, bought land and properties all about, aided by his loyal assistant, Rab'k Monthen.
He met Rab'k Monthen through mutual friends at the gentleman's club. The boy had just completed his training at the university in Tariny and was beginning to make a name for himself as a strong, though somewhat ruthless, businessman.
Garv’n liked the young man when he finally met him and took the boy under his wing, as his mentor had done for him.
Since then, they both were quite happy with the arrangement, making good their decisions at the markets and earning great sums of money in the bargain. In a very short time, they became the controlling forces in all trade areas. Garv’n became a very wealthy man with nothing much to do with his money, except make more.
Unfortunately he was going to begin losing money if things continued as they were. Droughts in the South had ruined crops of fine smoking tobacco and a strange disease in the northern regions wiped out whole herds of cattle. Storms in the sea of Cegros delayed several of his silk shipments. His failure to deliver was making his clients extremely unhappy.
Garv’n's concern with protecting his wealth, along with his faltering interest in business, brought him to the decision Rab'k should become the manager of his great estate.
Quickly, the problems were resolved and everything became orderly again. Garv’n had no idea how Rab'k managed to accomplish such a feat but he was happy with the results and felt a certain trust in Rab'k's ability to protect his financial interests.
Garv’n turned to other interests.
He trusted Rab'k in business, but he was uncertain he could trust him as a man. He heard a few stories from his servants that made him uneasy about his partner.
There was a need to attend to that problem first.
Garv’n strode to the massive door and rapped three times. Instantly a servant appeared; he obviously was standing on the other side of the door.
"Bring Serl’n to me," he ordered. The servant disappeared down the vast hallway, echoes of his footsteps resonated from the walls.
Garv’n left the door ajar, returned to his desk and laid the book down on some old transcript casings. Then he sat and composed a short message informing Rab'k. He wished him to attend to the some problems in Safe Inlet; there were extreme problems needing attention and he wanted Rab'k to do so without delay.
Garv’n thought he was being extremely clever sending Rab'k in the opposite direction from the one he himself must follow to try to discover this Ahar'n.
The Ahar'n, as he determined from his study of the old writings, lay somewhere in the great northwestern mountains. He felt the hiding place of what appeared to be this most important object la
y within Voravia's lands.
After a moment, there was a rap at the door. "Enter," Garv’n commanded.
"You wished to see me, your Lordship?" Serl’n asked, as he entered the room. Serl’n was Garv’n's favorite and most trusted servant; it was he alone who would correctly handle this special mission. He stood by while Garv’n finished what he was writing.
Serl’n had overheard his lordship reading aloud many times before while he waited for one of these deliveries. The room didn't look any different to him than the last time he had seen it, with one exception.
One of the scrolls, lying in its leather sleeve at the edge of the large table, seemed different. Its case seemed to glow along with the small book lying against it.
Serl’n couldn't be certain, but felt these were unusual documents. There must be some magic in them.
Are they of this Ahar'n about which Garv’n rants all the time? Has he indeed found the keys? It must be true!
He tried, with difficulty, to conceal his surprise.
"Yes, I need you to take a message to Rab'k immediately. You will leave within the hour," Garv’n interrupted Serl’n's reverie. He looked quickly back at Garv’n who was holding the note toward him.
"Yes, my Lord, as you say," Serl’n said and bowed as he took the note, "I can leave in just a few moments."
"Good, go with speed. The message is vital," Garv’n spoke softly, but looked strongly into Serl’n's eyes suddenly felt a sense of uncertainty. It surprised him and he watched as the other man walked out into the hallway, wondering. He shook his head; it was nothing.
There was a great need for haste. Garv’n felt his instructions would be carried out without delay.
Serl’n was a good man.
TRAVAIL