@SpellArcher : I think I like the wine when I'm pondering for ideas and sorting out plots, though during the actual writing part not so much... many of the beginning parts on page 1 of these chronicles are influenced by that lol. Can't say it's very strong writing and requires some heavy editing. Not to mention this whole story simply started as an army background fluff. It has transformed into a monster over the years hahah i'm not even sure I can stop at this point
Thanks for the compliments though, any reference to distinguished writers or Vikings in general is definitely appreciated
@ Prince of Spires
Doesnt' remember at all?! Yikes that's some heavy writing and drinking, I can't say I ever reached that point but i definetely noticed it's impact. Although when all this started I can't say I was a very strong writer to begin with hahah
I like to think i've improved and I hope everyone has been able to follow the story without too much trouble!!
Epilogue
It had taken hours to remove the rubble, or so he assumed… time passed oddly within the catacombs.
“You will take that secret to the grave.” She had said upon picking themselves up. Lenais had saved him from the trap, reacting almost simultaneously to Treia’s warning.
Toleran felt rather silly for his slow reaction, though kept attributing it to his shock of finding out the ‘Eye of the Phoenix’ was actually her father.
Now Lenais appeared to be in a hidden shock, portraying her usual bravado on the outside… yet he knew her emotions were chaotic on the inside, how could they not be?
They were no longer on their own, the group had initially been forced to split up during their pursuit. Norein and a few sentinels had stayed in the tavern, while the brothers and two sword-masters had taken a few other routes.
The entire process was arduous, even finding each other had become complicated. However, they all knew they had little choice and what needed to be done… was done.
The room smelt of ash… and blood. It was rather gruesome. The only bodies they could find were that of the sword-masters and the keeper, all had suffered sickening deaths. Blood was splattered across pillars and there were two areas scorched black with outlines of what he perceived as Treia and Hystarys.
He felt himself almost heave on more than one occasion.
The most disturbing part was that the keeper was dead… and that someone who he could only assume as very powerful, had killed highly skilled agents of the Phoenix.
“There’s no other exit.” Sontas said out loud as the group scoured the room.
“So they killed each other?” Norein answered with a puzzled look. She turned in his direction as he slowly shook his head in disagreement.
“I don’t think so.” Velnos continued as he kneeled next to the keeper. “His neck is broken.” He stated while looking up at the ceiling. “And I can sense very old magic… someone else was in this room.”
“I have seen enough, you two brothers come to the citadel once you’re finished… I will require a detailed report. Norein that goes same for you, meet me up at the manor… I need to speak with Toleran for a moment.” Lenais had a hardened look about her and she sent him a nod to follow.
“Wait it’s over?” Norein queried in a confused voice and seemed a bit distraught.
“Would you deem otherwise? Anyone with any knowledge… is dead and the trail is cold… we failed.” Lenais stated and walked out of the room.
Toleran had to quicken his step to catch up, her pace matched her mood and she seemed to desire a private conversation.
“Lenais, surely there is another angle for us to take?” He asked once he felt they had turned enough corners through the catacombs.
She just continued on ahead of him for a time before stopping within the ‘Blood Tavern’. Lenais then turned towards him with tears in her eyes.
“Don’t you understand?” She almost screamed as she grabbed the shoulder plates of his armor.
She let out a deep breath and appeared to calm herself.
“Our mission failed, not only that but I think we were always too late… whatever happened had been in motion before the raid.” Her eyes stared at him in thought for a moment, their bright green piercing into his. “We stumbled into the cleanup… whatever happened in that room only had one purpose.”
There was a moment of pause between them as she seemed to be waiting for him to figure it out.
“Tying up loose ends….” He added and she slowly nodded her head. “Usually it is us who does that.” She continued and turned to start walking again.
“What now?” Toleran asked as their pace picked up again.
“I finish your training.... then you are on your own.”
Toleran stopped in his tracks and made to ask the burning question, yet she quickly turned to him once more.
“That’s right, you were not chosen as an agent… you are his replacement, though far sooner than expected.”
“Wait I can’t do this on my own… what about you?” Toleran was almost in a panic, his gut felt queasy and his mind was racing. Lenais made to answer, however had to turn away and wipe her eyes.
“Not all of us are made for this work, after your training I am to return to Averlorn… I made a promise.”
His mind flashed to Hystarys making secret hand signals before being tackled through the door way.
“Is that what he was saying with his hands?” He asked in a sympathetic tone. Unsure on whether he should console her.
She simply nodded her head and took a deep breath.
“Surely there is someone else?” He continued and made to follow her down the corridors once more.
“There are plenty of agents, though none with your experience and family background” She answered calmly.
Family background? He felt a fire within and reached out to grab her shoulder.
That was a mistake.
She immediately twisted his hand in a painful manner and locked him in an odd position.
“You know what happened to my parents?” He queried painfully and tried not to move.
Lenais took a moment before bringing her face close to his.
“I only know what the records show. They were honorable, served as agents of the Phoenix… and they died in the shadows like mine did. You will have to live with that, as I do.” She let him go and paused for a moment.
“My father once asked why you would choose to live your life in the shadows of Ulthuan… what many believe only to be dark rumors.”
Toleran paused… it seemed so long ago, standing in that oval room for his final assessment with Hystarys.
“Because no one else will.” He replied slowly.
“That is why you are to be the ‘Eye of the Phoenix’… and you will report to the Phoenix King upon our return.”
She continued on and led them both out of the dark catacombs without another word.
‘I might be in over my head.’ He thought and felt panic flow through him as his mind raced.
***
The aftermath of such a battle was never easy, the pain and sorrow set in along with the exhaustion. Nightmares and broken hearts, weeping and denial. It had been a hard week so far.
Prince Toran had attended funeral ceremonies on a nightly basis, so many Asur from different realms with different traditions. His people from Tiranoc preferred funerals at sea, to join those lost before them and to remember the height of their kingdom during the Empires colonial expansions. While those from Caledor chose funeral pyres with fire... which comprised of many from the Silver Knights that perished. Calehir’s dragon helped maintain the true old ways.
So many had fallen, thousands of Asur and Druchii alike and countless more wounded…. So many prominent families lost… his wife, her brother, the Silver Knight council, lords and nobles that had pledged their support, the Silver Knight Chancellor, skilled mages, most of the local families from the port town, wealthy merchants, thousands of his citizens all lost, all remembered in their own traditions.
The Druchii were cast to sea or burned, no one had room for sympathy or any kind of love in their broken hearts.
Now Toran sat at a table with his saviour Prince Althran… soon to be a partner in his endeavor. The Silver Knights had lost their leadership, some would say the Order was broken… yet he saw it as re-birth. Names were being drawn to vote for a new Chancellor, and Toran had seen to have the young princelings’ name put in.
The Draconis name held weight in Caledor, and Calehir charging in upon his family’s dragon and later killing a Dreadlord in a duel… well it brought much talk. Toran would use his influence to see the young warrior become the next Chancellor.
It is also why he asked Calehir to attend this meeting, he sensed the fire within him… he would see the need for this professional legion… he would sign and as Chancellor, he would bring the Silver Knights into the fold.
“Before I sign this document Toran, there are some things I should bring to light… we found some disturbing evidence aboard a Druchii ship.”
The Lothern prince wore an extravagant blue and white robe of fine silks, his black hair was straight and long, while his dark eyes swirled with gray death coil magic. A rather dark art for a prince known to wear shinning golden plate on the battlefield.
Anoras had warned him about Althran, even went through measures of enchantments to block Torans’ thoughts… some said the Lotherner could read minds or thoughts unguarded.
“Evidence? Of what?” Calehir queried. The young warrior was bruised and covered in bandages over top of the gray robe he wore. His brown shoulder length hair was in was tied back, and his face showed old bruises; yet his brown eyes were still sharp and keen.
“Traitors.” Althran said with a disgusted rumble and threw a pile of charts and parchments on Torans’ desk.
He had brought them both to his private chambers for this meeting, far too many new guests within his keep and city for that matter.
The fleet had returned from skirmishing the Druchii up the coast and away from Ulthuan. The ships that were not on constant patrol along the horizon, were anchored in the bay. He had never seen so many ships in one place other than in Lothern. The field between Tor Wis and the town of Whelinos was covered in pavilions… thousands of Asur taking a well-earned rest and helping rebuild the town.
Althran pushed some of the charts and parchments in their direction along the smooth dark oak desk.
“These are Ulthuans’ sea patrol routes along the west coast and these are the past fort nights schedule… it contains ship class, numbers, scheduled stops and mission tasks.” He paused to let the information sink in.
“And this is a list of attendants to your gathering.”
Calehir seemed in utter disbelief, eyes wide and speechless. Toran paused for a moment, it was all coming together and he had to hide his part in the plot.
“They have been trying to kill me for months!” He shouted and slammed his fist on the table. “They tried in Lothern… and they killed my wife and her family during the attack.” Toran shook his head and stood up to grab the wine decanter from nearby, then began to refill the wine glasses on the table.
“We are rather lucky the weather delayed my departure… or we would have all perished if my fleet had been anchored before the attack.”
“I know.” Toran replied and handed out the wine glasses and then pointed at his large binder full of the signed agreements.
“What I have there, is pledges of support that will bring not only military strength, but political power and influence from every corner of the Ever Empire. With your signatures we will have a mighty fleet, a powerful army, a commercial trade network… and we will be self-sustaining.” Toran stated and then let out a sigh.
“Someone does not want us to join forces, someone does not want a private company with a professional legion loyal to the Phoenix Throne… Someone is scared of the power it could bring… of what it represents… and it seems to be one of our own.”
“Or Druchii spies have brought word to the Witch King.” Calehir added, still staring at the papers in front of him.
“Perhaps it strikes fear in our greatest enemy.” Toran continued and lifted his glass. “Whatever the case, will you join me? Will you help in the creation of the Royal Company, of the creation of an entity that can wield its power without the entanglements of the courts. An entity to ensure the will of the Phoenix king is carried out?”
Althran slowly started to nod in agreement and lifted up his glass of wine.
“And what say you? Future Chancellor of the Silver Knights?” Toran stated loudly and seemed to resonate a realization within Calehir. The young warrior had a look of doubt that changed to determined resolution.
“If my brothers and sisters of the Order deem me worthy of such a position… I will join this endeavor.”
Toran smiled and lightly clanged his glass with theirs.
“To the Ever Empire.” They exclaimed in unison.
***
Toran leaned back in his chair and began pouring himself what he could only guess was his sixth glass of wine. Despite everything that had happened, he felt a weight off his shoulders. Through so much loss… they would change the Ever Empire for the better. His new partners had left moments ago, and everything seemed to be falling into place.
“I suppose it was necessary.” He whispered softly to himself, his eyelids drooping and feeling heavy.
“Yesss… it is necessary.” Came a familiar voice from behind him, which also startled him from his chair.
“Damn it Anoras… where have you been?” He asked and clutched this thumping chest. Then started to rub his white robe upon noticing a red wine stain.
“Tying up loose ends.” The short mage replied monotonously and stared out to sea from the balcony. “The port can be rebuilt.” He continued as Toran came to stand beside him.
“You should have warned me.” Toran said after a time, and it came out as a passionate growl. This caught the mage’s attention and it seemed to upset him.
“You were told what you needed to know.” Anoras replied and gazed upon him with dim golden eyes.
“But my wife, my people! They were not to suffer!” Toran stated and started to become angry. “You went too far!” He growled once more before the short mage made a claw with his hand and his eyes turned a bright gold.
Toran felt the world upon his shoulders and he fell to his knees… not by his own will.
“Many have suffered through the ages!” Anoras barked back and brought his face closer to his. “You think yours is special? You think no action would bring any less suffering?”
He had never seen the short Asur in such a mood… he was terrifying.
“The Se’Cruen family was destroyed by the games at court, destroyed by the game of princes and the throne… destroyed by the civil war… we have suffered for ages.” Anoras continued in a passionate voice and then seemed to calm down… finally releasing Toran from his magical grip.
“I am the last of my line, and you are Asuryans champion. We do not have the luxury of easy choices, and we will never neglect the plight of our people.” The mage kept gazing into his eyes as he spoke.
“Yesss… there it is, find your resolve. You must remember who you are and who you made a deal with.” Anoras paused and looked out to sea once more.
“I am the one who brought you to such political strength, I am the one who manipulated the weather to delay the fleet. I am the one who fooled the Druchii into thinking they could strike. And I am the one who ensured all those who opposed your grand plans… were removed.”
“All at the cost of my soul.” He replied with a cold sadness in his voice.
“Yess… everything comes with a cost, we cannot forget our duty to protect this world… the Ever Empire must rise back to its former glory. We have become weak… darkness and destruction will come if we do not act… yesss it will come.”
“Once the Silver Knights vote, our endeavor will be complete.” Toran said with a bit more enthusiasm in order to change the subject.
Anoras walked into his chambers and removed his dark traveling cloak, then started to flip through the signed agreements. The symbols on his sky blue cloak almost danced in the low candle light from the sconces on the walls.
“This is good, yess… yes it is. Come and open another bottle of wine, I have some things to talk about.”
Toran furrowed his brow with curiosity and started to walk over to his private cabinet. Another bottle from the colonies would suffice he thought and turned back towards his desk.
“I wish to tell you a story about a certain amulet of power.” Anoras said quietly and let a smile sweep across his face.
***
Sefian Brakist sat at his desk and tried to repress his annoyed emotions, his little brother Gidras had always been weak of will… and now was no different. Sometimes he wondered if they were truly related, his brother had brown hair and eyes; whereas Sefian’s was black with eyes of ice blue.
Regardless, Gidras was family and they had already lost much… their parents perished to Druchii raiders at sea and their older brother was killed in a duel against Kendrakor Draconis. A duel over this damned amulet he held in his hand.
‘Orlias I will avenge you’ he thought to himself and then sighed out loud.
“Brother you think it wise to fund such an endeavor? The Draconis family will be part of the company’s leadership… they will rise high.” Gidras stated with a doubt ridden voice.
“The higher they climb, the harder they will fall. We will rid ourselves of Kendrakor, avenge our brother and then seek to destroy this ‘Royal Company’ in due time.” Sefian tapped his fingers in anticipation and looked at the broken amulet in his hand. It was a simple crescent shape with jagged edges from being broken in half…the second parts location was a closely guarded Draconis family secret.
An odd trinket that seemed to speak to him at times… when he was alone.
They were awaiting the Silver Knight delegate… the one he had arranged to meet with Prince Toran. The only reason he had agreed to provide funding in the first place.
‘One enemy at a time.’ He whispered to himself.
The room was his personal study within the Brakist keep in the city of Copher, accented with white and red drapes, an extravagant white oak desk and red leather chairs. He enjoyed his comforts, and it tended to put those he met with at ease.
He and his brother both wore the dark red robes of their house, with crossed spears and a star ridden shield richly embroidered upon their chest.
They would look their best for today… the first day of many in which they would finally strike at their enemies.
A knock at the door.
His house guard entered and announced his guest.
“My lord, Serionil Renalis… Captain in the Silver Knights Order and representative of Prince Toran Sen’thanoc of Tor Wis.”
The captain was garbed as anyone would predict, full silver armor and scales with a gray cloak reaching the floor. His helm was casually held under his arm and his blue eyes were much darker than his own. He also towered over his house guard… a beast of an elf with long brown hair.
Yes this would work perfectly.
They began with the expected greetings and courtesies that would accompany such a visit. He let the captain drone on about the purpose of his visit and the gratitude of prince Toran for his signing of the agreement and funding the endeavor.
He listened on until he could handle no more.
“Serionil, if I may.” Sefian interrupted with a hand gesture of courtesy.
The captain stopped mid-sentence.
“I have been curious to see what seems to drive and motivate you. Your position shows a dedication to duty and your demeanor tells me you are loyal to your friends… friends such as Kendrakor Draconis.”
Sefian paused for a moment as Serionil seemed to ponder on his words.
“It is true that the Draconis family has close ties to mine.” He replied and seemed to become suspicious.
“Well fortunately there are only two people in this world that know why you have been summoned here, and they are in this room.” Sefian continued with a sly smile, he was rather enjoying this.
“Summoned?” Serionil queried with a raised eyebrow.
“Indeed, I have a mission for you.”
“I am conducting my mission as we speak my lord.” Serionil stated and shifted uneasily in his chair.
Gidras started to chuckle and the captain clearly became angry.
“What is this mission you seek to task me with?” He asked and stared daggers at Sefian’s brother.
“Simply put… you will kill Kendrakor Draconis.”
Shock and hate, all expressed at once as the Silver Knight stood from his chair.
“Absolutely not, and you can be sure he will hear of this.” Serionil roared and made to turn towards the door.
“Oh you mistake this as a choice.” Sefian said coldly and stood from his chair, making the amulet visible.
Fear seemed to spread across the captain’s face, mixed with confusion.
“You see there are powers in this world that even we do not understand… very old powers.” Sefian said slowly and stared at the amulet… feeling its power course through him.
“You will kill Kendrakor Draconis.” He commanded and stared deep into Serionil’s eyes.
The captain slowly turned as his dark blue eyes were covered in a barely noticeable glossiness.
“I will kill Kendrakor Draconis.” Serionil stated and straightened himself towards Sefian.
He looked at his younger brother with a wicked smile.
“Good.”
I'd have to say that concludes the 'prequel' of the Chronicles. I'm pretty sure some sort of new piece will start brewing at some point though