UChapter Twenty-Four:
Redemption of Istean/U
Altoda was on the bridge of the Istean flagship Isteanoc. It was his command ship, and it sat directly above the valley of Chilaquand. He saw Richard's flare streak through the sky and turned to an aide.
"Get me Elephande," he said.
The aide nodded, and rushed to a panel. Within minutes, Elephande's face was on the main viewscreen.
"You saw the signal, I presume?"
"Yes, Elephande, I did. How did the fight go?"
"The General did it. He lost his life in the process, but Askinqua is dead."
"Then the puppet is destroyed, and the master fully revealed."
"Elder Afrin tells me this is your day of redemption."
"It is. Four millennia of our past will be naught after today's battle."
"What do you mean?" asked Elephande.
"My story was the First Age. I was Istean, glory and pride. At least, I was until he came. Atuitá, they called him, and he had been Elder Higenti's greatest councilor. But he had fallen. It was obvious, and yet...seductive. I think Zambiandë knows of what I speak. I fell. My pride was my undoing, I think. Graupia was only the beginning of my terror. For two millennia, Iste Elder reigned unchecked. Finally, they had enough. That is where you enter, Elephande. You were a savior to your people. But this, this here, is the redemption of proud Altoda. Elephande! Stand fast, for you do not stand alone! Istean akiz Elder Higenti!"
Elephande smiled once, and the viewscreen flicked off. Altoda turned to the aide. "Give the signal. We go down there at once."
The sight was amazing. Almost at once, the entire fleet, perhaps fifteen hundred transport ships, started on an approach towards the valley of Chilaquand. Swarms of fighters, part of squadrons with names like Subaye, Fradic, Alline and Sheldian, flew quickly between the ships they were escorting down. The legends that inspired the names were probably smiling as Istean was finally led home.
They met a few Cladlen ships piloted by soldiers who had lost their nerve after Askinqua had been killed, and dispatched them easily. Altoda led the fleet through the dark clouds, and they found the valley in chaos.
Some Cladlen warriors had renewed the attack, even though their leader had been killed. However, the death of Askinqua had inspired the defenders of Indosyne to fight back with more ferocity than before. The forgotten monarchs had all appeared, and the tables slowly started to turn in Elephande's direction.
Delanate, the second son of Askinqua, was trying to rally the Cladlen, many of whom had frozen when they saw the vast power of Istean descending towards them. He succeeded, and Akula's perimeter was once again enveloped in violence.
It was Altoda himself who was the first Istean on the ground, and he was followed by his generals: Dela, Alinqua, and Delagog. Between the four, there were ten millennia spent away from the valley. Ten thousand years spent cursing Iste Elder, and ten thousand years spent plotting revenge.
It was a cry far older than Allysulia's that broke through the sounds of battle. "Istean, relad toqune ballete! Morte toq unic emite! Akiz Isteanoc!" yelled Altoda.
Twelve million Istean, a sight and number beyond further description, appeared behind the four generals. As the troops were rallied, Altoda spoke softly to six figures.
"Old friends," he began, "millennia ago, we fought together, under the banner of Isteanoc. Graupia was the act of…"
"Young patriarch," replied the eldest figure, "there is no need to apologize."
"But General Fradic, I…"
"Your actions against me were not of your will, Istean-Patriarch-Altoda. Now, eldest son of Isteanoc let us fight together once more!"
"As for me, cousin," said Suliantig, "I forgave you on Balecroft, and have waited for this day. I will stand proudly under the banned of Isteanoc, my forefather, once again!"
"Perhaps you understand now, Altoda, that Graupia was more than Istean's strife," added Allysuntis. "It was Iste against Higenti, as it always has been, and always will be."
"And you three?" asked Altoda, looking at Defoc, Suisande, and Alsiria.
"We have been spoken for, old friend," replied Defoc. "Istean stands united once more!"
Altoda smiled, and motioned to Alinqua and Delagog. Both came over, and happily greeted their opposites at Graupia.
"Alas, young ones," said Fradic finally, "we must attend to the battle at hand. Akiz Elder Higenti!"
There was no single force that turned the tide on the plains of Chilaquand. Indosyne resisted, Frontain strengthened, and Istean completed the group. It was Chilaquand that did it: twenty-six leaders finally pushing for the same goal. The Cladlen never had a fighting chance against its' might.
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"Patriarch Goraban," started Akula, "the time has come. Lead Relendiac to Haldiar and take the city."
"Sir, taking Haldiar would require over a million troops. I don't have those numbers."
"You will have aid. Istean-General-Delantig, son of General Delagog, has been sent to help."
"You mean to say that Istean has returned?"
"Indeed. Delantig will first pick up those left in Anegon."
"Understood. Relenda out."
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Cyrus and Allen looked out over the unscathed parts of Anegon. Xavier had, for reasons unknown, left the city mostly unscathed. The only part that was completely destroyed was the wall, which had stopped many different attempts at invasion and subjugation. However, Descantes was rebuilding the wall very quickly, and it looked even more daunting than it had before. Only thirty hours had passed since the end of the battle, and Delantig was scheduled to arrive in another ten. Descantes had risen to the challenge, vowing to finish construction before the Istean general arrived.
Billy, along with most of Elidion's Army, was helping rebuild the wall. The warriors of Elidion were obviously skilled in defense, for between Billy and Descantes, the wall was almost complete and quite strong.
Blair and Brooke were with a small division from the army, looking for refugees and survivors. The approach to Anegon had revealed no suitable hiding places, and the two had resigned to search only in the eastern mountains, where a hidden pass met a bridge from the mainland.
The roar of transports was heard in the west, and Cyrus and Allen turned to look. From the barely-visible insignia, it was deduced that Delantig had arrived.
"Damn it, he's early!" said Descantes. "Put the last stones in place, I'll go meet him."
As the ships landed, Allen, Cyrus, Descantes and Cando stood silently waiting. Billy placed the last stone in the wall and walked over as a single Istean disembarked.
"Is this all of you?" he asked.
"Not quite," replied Cando. "We have a few in the mountains, looking for refugees."
The Istean looked tired. "Very well. Call them back, if you can. We're in a bit of a hurry."
"Excuse me?"
"Did you not hear me? We have to beat their patrols to Cladlenia. We must leave now!"
"No need," replied Brooke. "We're here."
"Good. Sorry for the outburst, but we are in a hurry."
"No need for apologies," said Cando. "I presume you are General Delantig?"
"I am. We can get acquainted on the journey to Cladlenia."
"Right," Cando replied. "Let's go."
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A new command tent had been erected for the joint commanders of the Army of Frontain. Made up of Patriarch Elephande, Patriarch Altoda, Patriarch Afrin, High General Akula, Supreme Commander Sulit-Aladan, and the newly appointed Elidiocan Reno, they briefed Istean-General-Delantig and Relendiac-Patriarch-Goraban on the assault on Cladlenia.
"I want it clear from the beginning," said Altoda. "General Delantig, Patriarch Goraban is the leader of this expedition. Understood?"
"Yes, sir. I would only argue if it had not been him in charge."
Altoda smiled. He knew that the chain of command was sacred to Istean. He had forgotten that once, and it had resulted in the disaster at Graupia. A simple mistake, yet it had tormented him for millennia. A lesson in following would be good for Delantig as well. Barring any heirs by Altoda, Delantig, the son of his cousin, was the heir to Istean.
Altoda's thoughts were interrupted by Sulit-Aladan.
"Our intelligence indicates that Haldiar has been relatively deserted since the news of their leader's death reached them a day ago. You should have no trouble with resistance."
Elephande spoke next. "Subjugate the planet, Patriarch Goraban. Give quarter to those who ask, and death to those who do not. Make sure you keep whoever Askinqua left in charge alive. He will be needed when we end this matter."
"Relendiac-Patriarch-Goraban, that is your mission," said Akula. "Fulfill it to the best of your abilities."
"Understood, commanders."
"Akiz Elder Higenti!" called Afrin, and the screen went blank.
"Now," said Elephande, standing before the others, "We have been offered a truce by Delanate, son of Askinqua. What will our terms be?"
"His surrender, at any cost," said Sulit-Aladan quickly.
"We knew that part," said Altoda. "No terms. Don't allow them to get away with anything."
"Wouldn't that just incite them again?" asked Akula.
"They don't have the gall to fight all of us," assured Altoda. "Not anymore, at least."
"True. And the Renegades?" asked Elephande, turning to Reno. "What shall we do with them?"
"The same terms you give Delanate, with one exception. Mute goes into our custody. He has committed the unforgivable. Elidion shall decide his fate."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?" asked Sulit-Aladan.
"I think not. Akula, Afrin, you remember what he did to Anegon, right?"
"Too well, Elidiocan," answered Afrin.
"He did that to a few other cities, not to mention that he and Xavier started an entire underground organization with one purpose: destroying all Elidion has tried to save."
"Very well," said Elephande. "You will give those terms to them. I highly doubt that Mute will agree, but it is worth a shot."
"I know he won't agree," said Reno. "But he doesn't have the audacity to break a truce, not when we could annihilate him so easily."
"We shall see," said Altoda.
"I think it has been decided, then. Let us meet him now."
"A word of advice to all of you," said Elephande. "The Cladlen are a very proud race, and will not take these terms easily. They may even try to sabotage the truce. Be on your guard."
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The forgotten monarchs of Frontain were a fearsome group. Elephade Zambiandë had taken control of his herd, and he, Elephate of Defond, Assiria, and Elephande's forces has surrounded the main Cladlen army, commanded by Delanate.
The Cladlen leaders had been singled out and separated, each one cut off from help. Some, like Delanate, offered truces, but others were more stubborn, and were determined to fight to the death. Dilaq was one of the stubborn leaders, and he had taken his post in the Fords of Chilaquand.
It was no member of Frontain that came after him, however. Sulit-Aladan, reinforced and ready for vengeance, surrounded him, his only escape surrender. Dilaq refused Sulit-Aladan's offer, swearing that Dreg blood would "sweep down the rivers in a red tide."
Sulit-Aladan took that vow, ignored it, and demolished Dilaq's army. Following Elephande's wishes, he fought and defeated Dilaq in single combat. Dilaq had learned the hard way that the fury of the Dreg was not something to be trifled with.
Delanate approached Elephande under a white flag of truce. All six joint commanders met him silently. While Elephande had five others with him, representative of his various allies, Delanate had only Mute at his side. Mute and the Renegades were the only allies of a Cladlen force that took pride in their ability to stand alone.
Mute saw Reno in the dress of the Elidiocan and laughed. "So we meet again, fool, or should I say Elidiocan."
Reno met his laugh with a cold stare. "I'm not finished with you."
Mute laughed even harder, and turned to Delanate. "A comic, this one."
Delanate looked back at Mute. "Shut up," he said simply. Turning back to Elephande, he asked, "So, Patriarch, what are the terms?"
"Unconditional surrender for both the Cladlen and the Renegades," started Elephande. "Also, Elidiocan Reno demands that the Renegade leader Mute be handed over to Elidion for judgment."
"You presume too much, fool."
"Elidion will judge you for your transgressions, Renegade."
"What's wrong?" Mute sneered. "Afraid to use my name, Elidiocan?" he asked, spitting out the title.
Both Delanate and Elephande ignored the verbal sparring between the Adepts and continued the discussion of terms.
"I'm not sure how some of my commanders will take this. Unconditional surrender – it's a bit hard for those of us who have had the notion of our supremacy drilled into our head from birth," explained Delanate. "However, I think a majority will agree with me that this is the best course of action."
"That is all we'll need to secure a lasting truce and a solid peace agreement."
"Very well then. I'll get back to…"
Delanate's words were cut off by a loud outburst from Elidiocan Reno. Mute had drawn his sword and was slowly moving towards Reno.
"He makes one move against any of us, kill him," said Altoda.
The others nodded. Reno made no move to try to counter the Renegade's advance.
"Damn you to the eternal flame!" Reno yelled.
"You'll precede me there, I think. Infernus!" Mute called, sending a wave of fire at Reno.
"Protæus!" countered Reno, summoning the familiar shield.
Altoda and Elephande moved to strike Mute, but Reno stopped them. "That was aimed at me. It's my fight, and I will handle it alone."
"You presume too much, Elidiocan. You think you can defeat me? Have fun."
The others backed away, leaving Reno and Mute to their fight.
"I think the truce is over, Elidiocan," laughed Mute.
"All the better," growled Reno, drawing a sword.
"I agree. Akromanda!" The shadowy warrior flew from Mute's sword, running an invisible blade through Reno.
As he fell, Reno called "Niepdre!" However, nothing happened. Reno cursed and tried to rise.
"Has Elidion rejected their leader?" Mute laughed.
Reno stayed silent, listening to the wind. A call came, fierce and loud, and behind it flew a giant bird.
"Actually, Mute, they just accepted me."
Niepdre was an immense falcon, jet black with a seven foot wingspan. In the last battle of Chilaquand, he had struck fear in the hearts of the Cladlen, and the memories of those memories seemed to do the same here.
Fire flew from the beak of Niepdre and surrounded Reno. The Elidiocan's body shone a bright red and energy from the flames seeped into him. The flames rejuvenated Reno, who promptly stood up and faced Mute. As Reno stood, Mute, who was fully aware of Niepdre's healing properties, backed quickly away.
Reno did not approach Mute. Instead, he stood his ground and spoke loudly. "Against my better judgment, I let you go free in Contigo. However, Elidion had found you again, and you have not met her standards. I charge you with treachery and treason, and order you to appear before Elidion's Judiciary Council to meet your fate for the atrocities you have committed."
"If I have committed treachery, it is only because you were too naïve to recognize it. You thought of me as a friend, even after I turned Xavier against you. So Reno, tell me who is worse: the traitor, or the one who trusts him?"
"Enough banter!" shouted Reno. "Get on with it already!"
"Very well, Elidiocan. You will not leave this place alive."
"Only in your dreams, Renegade."
"My dreams often become reality. I would watch out, Reno. Your death approaches."
"If I die here, I'll die knowing that I vanquished you."
"Let us begin."
Reno and Mute started to move towards each other, raising their swords into a combat stance. Finally, they would get their wish. They would finally be able to end this dispute forever.
