Chapter 2

The coming of darkness

Twelve years had passed since the arrival of Pailor and Bethol two great statues were made for them and placed a top the great walls looking out to the sea. The people adored there mother as they called Bethol who loved them dearly. Pailor on the other hand became much more like a man a great hunter among them he was respected for his skill in archery and swordsmanship as the men from the mountain of Viscoth came to teach him but after ten years they stopped coming. Trade also stopped with many of the other tribes as the land fell silent for years. Kronor decided he should send riders to scout out the lands and find out what is happening. Pailor and Aulor with four other riders decided to ride to mount Viscoth and the lands beyond to find out why they have stopped trade. For days they rode through the sunny fields until they came to the foot of the spine of the mountain which face toward the realm of the moon tribe. They had to ride through dense wood area to reach mount Viscoth, they rode on through the dense wood until they finally reached an open plain were trees had been cut the area was bleak and bare filled with ash.

"What has happened to the wood area" Aulor looked to Pailor who could see a dark cloud looming from the lands to the east over toward mount Viscoth.

Pailor never spoke but looked down the hilly plains which were barren and he could see the lands of the sun people which were a desert land. To his left was the great mount Viscoth which was spurting out fire as he could see lumber camps just ahead of him which seemed to be abandoned. The six riders rode slowly toward the lumber camps which were empty no trace of life could be found as they rode on toward the mount Viscoth.

"Pailor it is dangerous to ride near the fiery mountain for the fire which erupts from it can kill easily" he paused then pointed south "They have small villages not far from the border to the sun tribe we should ride east" Pailor looked about and could see small caves leading into the mountain they seemed to be mines.

"We should check those caves" Pailor looked to Aulor.

"Those caves lead into the mines were they make there great creations" Aulor frowned to Pailor.

"Then we shall see what they have been creating, come" Pailor was mighty when he wanted to be and the lands were changing Aulor could sense this that the evil of which Pailor spoke of was coming.

The men dismounted there horses and entered the gloomy caves, they walked tight. Aulor noticed that there were many weapons ranging from swords to great axes used to cut down trees but these were more enhanced for killing Aulor thought. The cave smelt of ash and the men found it hard to breathe and they could hear strange noises coming from inside the cave.

"Pailor why would they create many swords we only use them for hunting and sport and look armour" Aulor glanced down at great armour which was black.

"Ill news indeed this is my friend we should ride back not south for I think a great storm is coming, a storm of war" the men had never heard that word before but Pailor was taught this by his uncle Mailock long ago.

"What is this war you speak of?" Aulor looked confused.

"Forgive me I was hasty, war is simply evil it is the coming of great foes who will battle it out, it is complicated my friends but we must make haste" with that they left the great caves and mounted there horses.

Pailor looked east and could see the stormy black clouds hovering over the lands of the sun tribe. They rode now past the lumber camps until they came to the foot of the forest were they noticed many men of the sun tribe walking toward them from the south. They wore black armour and had mighty shields with the sun symbol embedded on both shield and armour. They had mighty swords which were black and helms which were round but had pointy spikes about it. They also wore black battle armoured trousers with steel boots with spikes as points.

"Friends from the west hail!" one of them spoke he had a foul voice filled with anger and evil and was menacing.

"I am Aulor son of Kronor from the moon tribe, I gather you are the sun tribe, what evil has bestowed these lands?" the riders glared at the strange men who laughed in a deep shrieking voice.

With that the men marched at a quick pace toward the riders who began to panic as did their horses. At the rear of the column of men from the east were archers who fired at the men killing two of the riders and injuring Aulor's horse as he fell to the ground.

"Aulor!" Pailor charged the first column of men as he drew his sword as steel clashed.

The riders were in shock they had never seen this before as they also charged with their swords but to no avail as they were chopped from there horses falling into darkness as the east men skewered there bodies on there mighty swords. Pailor killed two of the east men as he rode back and grabbed Aulor and pulled him on his horse. Pailor was mighty and strong now as he rode back through the wooded area back to the moon realm. Aulor was bleeding from his head and opened his eyes as he looked up at Pailor who also had blood across his shirt and face.

"So this is war my friend?" Pailor looked down and nodded as he panted riding as fast as the horse could take him.

After days of constant riding they managed to reach the lands from whence they came Pailor noticed something different he noticed that toward the docks that ships were being constructed, there seemed to be four which were far from finished. Pailor managed to ride into the courtyard and help dismount Aulor who seemed better as they walked into the great hall were many gasped.

"Kronor the time of war is at hand!" Pailor spoke firmly to Kronor who seemed to be less wise and obsessed with sailing to the forbidden island west of his land for since he married Bethol he had become obsessed with sailing abroad.

"Yes this I know of this Pailor traitor to your own father" Pailor frowned as Kronor became more evil "Yes you seem confused let me elaborate for the past few years Mailock has often visisted me telling me of your tales and telling me to sale away from these lands were war is coming, he also described what war is"

Bethol sat beside Kronor weeping she loved him dearly and did her brother but she had Kronor's child and was confused.

"Kronor please listen I am no traitor we have been attacked by the sun tribe they have mighty weapons and armour. It seems the fire tribe also are in dealing with them for they had many weapons in there caves" Kronor interrupted Pailor as he laughed.

"You are a false god only Mailock can save us and he has he built this castle for a reason and it will buy us time to finish the ships which we will sail on to our new lands to the west" Mailock looked to his son "Aulor my beloved son will you join me?" Aulor looking disgraced turned his back on his father and left the hall.

"You are crazed Kronor you will surely die in the open sea it is forbidden" with that Pailor left the hall looking to his sister.

Pailor stood in the courtyard were Aulor was standing looking at him he was weeping.

"I feel a strange sensation it is like I want to kill my father, these are evil times my friend those men from the east are far better equipped and it seems trained than we are" Pailor looked to his good friend.

"It seems so, your father has lost his will Mailock has told him false pretences but why" Pailor sat on the steps to the hall in silence pondering what to do.

"We need weapons my friend but we haven't the talent to create them" Aulor spoke in desperation now.

"My father would know what to do but I don't understand why he has let this happen" Pailor sighed then stood and mounted his horse "I need a group of your best men to ride with me to try and take some of the weapons from the great caves so we may stand a better chance" Pailor looked to Aulor.

"It is hopeless my friend surely the sun tribe will be heading with there full strength to this very land" Aulor looked up at a now transformed man he once knew he was like a god again powerful yet fair.

"No but I may be able to challenge them and hold them long enough for the people to get to safer lands with you my friend. Your fathers plan is madness you must take whoever will follow north to the snowy lands but do not enter the snowy lands for it is hopeless" Pailor smiled to his friend who felt comforted.

"My place is by your side and here in my homeland" Aulor became proud now like a king among men.

"My friend you will save what people you have left if you leave now the sun tribe may not enter the north land for they are familiar to the heat not coldness. But maybe they will but you have to hide for a while until the day comes when your people will return and reclaim these lands" Pailor rode to the gate and began talking to the hunters who had returned from hunting.

After a long debate Pailor had recruited a host of thirty riders equipped with what bows and swords they could spare. Pailor visited his sister in the great hall, she was alone and felt cold as Pailor sat beside her.

"My sister what has happened you have a child and a chance to save the child why do you follow him to certain doom?" Pailor weeped as his sister smiled.

"Because I love him but this is your time to prove yourself, only if father could see you he would be so proud" Bethol kissed her brother on the forehead "Now go for fill your destiny brother" Pailor nodded and never saw his sister again as he rode east and to certain doom.

Pailor sent a small unit of bowmen to the river which led to the dock to warn if the enemy came through the stream area. Aulor sat on the walls looking out at the riders who vanished out of sight as he could see the great shadow looming ever closer. He looked down to the people leaving the castle to the great ships which were almost vanished. Aulor stood on the wall and felt a sudden change in his mood he became like a king.

"Listen people of this great realm you are all going to your doom if you follow a mad man, now please listen to reason follow me to the north lands were we may out manoeuvre the enemy" no one listened to him only save for a few.

A day passed and that morning Aulor led a company of four hundred men, women and children north away from the castle and the looming battle as Kronor cursed them to doom. He had set up what defences he could and passed through the woodland north and headed for the northern realms away from the evil which was coming. Kronor kept a few men on the walls who were to defend if the ships were not ready they were armed with mealy weapons and were not equipped for such an army which was about to befall them.

Pailor was riding at full speed he had ridden through the night with his company of brave men. That morning the men halted and rested on the river bank which separated the moon realm from the fire realm. Pailor rested and had a strange dream were his father spoke to him. Pailor awoke and saw a man in white robes which were full of dirt as he walked toward Pailor who gasped.

"My son, too long have I searched for you and your sister" Kailer stood as an old man weak and dirty.

"Father" Pailor smiled and stood.

"There is little time my son when you left I exiled Vailor but this upset your sister Eerma who left and followed him to these lands. I had lost my entire family so I decided to set out with a few of my close council members as we searched the lands in haste. But we found neither you nor your sister only hate and malice from the east were Caira and Pertopolis had taken control of the sun tribe and made them into a fighting army combined with other forces they have been marching for the past three years burning and destroying lands. They waited this long because they knew the next in the dial was the sun tribe so they have better fortune in whatever they do. But the most disturbing thing is that my brother Mailock has betrayed me and taken the throne of Linderon were he has used your own mother as a slave and turned Linderon into a dark pit of hatred and power. My son you have no chance of defeating this mighty army which marches toward you it is led by Pertopolis while Caira leads another force south toward the mountain tribe who have locked themselves in there mountains fearing this day but they are sturdy people and will hold out long. You my son must head north along with Aulor and protect what is left of the moon tribe less all the land fall into darkness" Kailer paused then smiled to his son "It is indeed good to see you I have been watching you for some time my son but I am forbidden to enter the land of the moon tribe for Mailock still has power over them" he looked to his son with love in his eyes.

"Father why does Caira and Pertopolis want to destroy Mailocks tribe?" he glanced to his father.

"It is indeed a good question they are allies Mailock and the accused but they come for you my son and your sister" he turned and could hear chants and marching of many men "It is time my son" he put his hood over his head and stood back.

"Father there is more I wish to know please!" with that his father vanished into the wooded area" with that many arrows rained down on the riders as Pailor received an arrow to his shoulder as he fell in pain.

On the other side of the bank stood many archers clad in black and behind them charged hundreds of men from the east. The riders clashed with the army of sun as Pailor crawled out of the muddy bank and to his feet. He could see hundreds more pour down from all about the wooded area as he gasped and could see many foes heading for his position. Pailor drew his sword of silver and struck the first man to the shoulder shattering his armour plating and breaking his shoulder in the process as the man fell into the mud. Pailor climbed further back up the bank toward the safety of the trees he turned and could see his riders were trapped in the mud.

"Ride my friends ride back up the bank!" his cry was in vain for they were being cut down easily by both sword and arrow.

Pailor felt terrible pain from the arrow as he leant against a tree breathing heavily as he leant he noticed a great figure standing looking at him.

"At last we have found you son of Kailor" the figure gave a terrible laugh which rained rough the land.

Pailor turned holding his sword aloft as the figure drew its great axe, the voice was that of pure evil hissing as it spoke.

"What evil is this before me!" Pailor demanded the figure to show itself for the trees and shadow hid the dark figure which walked forward revealing itself.

Pailor gasped to see Pertopolis who had removed his helm to reveal a face both scared and menacing. Pertopolis had lost one eye and a great scar ran down the right of his face he one eye was dark and menacing, his hair had become grey but a dark grey almost black as coal.

"I see we need no introduction friend" he paused and became taller as he spoke looming over Pailor who became the only light in the wood he shone bright as the cloud surrounded him "You have become brave indeed, almost mighty among men your courage as proved well but it is hopeless you are outnumbered and the only rider left" he laughed again then held out his hand which had a metal glove on it of black "Join me and taste the power that you can have" he stood silent waiting for Pailor to reply.

"Father was right to exile you and your cursed partner!" he gave a great roar which shook the wood and startled Pertopolis who knew now that Pailor was indeed a mighty man "I would rather die than join with you!" he motioned forward ready to attack.

"Mailock was right you are too much like your father, then so be it you have chosen to die" with that he placed his mighty helm onto his head and it was that of a great beast that Pailor had not yet seen.

Pertopolis drew his mighty axe which was almost as big as Pailor as he thrust it toward Pailor who pushed his sword up to meet the axe. As both metals clashed there was a great thud in the earth and the ground cracked as the power of these two mighty foes collided. Pailor fell to his knees as his sword shattered above him and almost breaking his hand. Pertopolis reeled back and was in shock for Pailor had survived but no other foe he had met did. As they glared at each other they both noticed that the land had changed they now were on a summit of a fairly big hill which had been created through their power colliding. Pertopolis laughed and looked about him at the hill he now stood on which was cracked and seemed dead, the trees about him were also shattered and broken to reveal a great open area were they duelled. For years to come the hill would be remembered for the great battle between Pailor and Pertopolis and the brave riders that fell beneath it.

"You are indeed stronger than Mailock had thought your fathers council members who he brought with him to these lands were far easier to dispose of than you" he laughed and this enraged Pailor.

Pailor charged the great figure of Pertopolis as he crashed into his mighty armour and gave a great cry as they both fell from the hill down into the valley below. Pertopolis lay now in the muddy bank not able to move as he gave a great cry for help, his axe lay in the mud beside him as his shoulder began to bleed into the mud. Pailor stood now holding his wound from the arrow and his now injured leg and body, he looked down at Pertopolis who lay beneath him.

"Not so mighty now are you my friend, it would seem the mud has defeated you" he smiled then gave a piercing look to his fallen foe "I curse you and your partner even Mailock who shall fall when my wrath befalls him I will reclaim the throne in my fathers name!" Pertopolis cowered in the mud he became afraid.

"Please help me I don't know what came over me" Pertopolis was cunning and was named that but this was in vain for Pailor cared not.

Pailor looked up and could see a great host of men from the east marching down the opposite slope toward him. He turned and fled up the hill and headed north toward the base of the spine of the mountain to find his way home. Pailor travelled far during that morning and managed to find the abandoned outpost which was built to watch the trade routes through this wood area to the moon lands. Pailor collapsed near the entrance and fell into a dark sleep were he dreamt of the castle of moon burning and he also dreamt of his sisters and mother. Pailor awoke it was now dark he stood leaning on the stone of the outpost which was a great tower which loomed over the tops of the trees and had flags above it. Pailor entered and used what supplies were there to tend to his wounds and ate food to replenish his strength. He found a bow and arrow and a sword which he took he also found a horse a beautiful brown horse which was stabled there for emergency's. Pailor rode now looking west toward the lands of moon, he rode now with great haste.