Chapter 25: Revelations
Royal Palace of Sol-Falena, 338 Solar Year
Curious, Olinda asked, "I am afraid I don't understand how Nyoka is your brother, Lady Eresh? You look nothing alike. Plus, he looks way older than you do." Simeon replied, "Physical appearance is not always an indication of one's true age." Olinda turned her gaze toward Lazlo as he said this. I guess he had a point, she thought, Lazlo looked about her age and yet he was nearly fifty years old.
It was now Lazlo's turn to ask questions, "Why does he want Olinda so badly? Twice now he's tried to kidnap her. Also, I mean, I understand why men desire the power of the True Runes. But, this seems something far beyond a man's thirst for greed or power. From what you are saying, he is obsessed with the Sun Rune. I mean even if I offered him the 26 other True Runes, I think he would refuse them all. He only wants this one and this one alone. Why?"
Eresh replied, "If one chosen by the True Runes is going to help Eresh than he should know the whole truth. But, the story is too painful for Eresh to share. Comrade Simeon could you please tell Eresh's new comrade the story of that one terrible night."
Simeon in his ethereal voice began to recollect, "Many centuries ago, before the First Queen of Falena came down from the mountains. Even, before the Sindarians arrived. There was a mighty King who ruled these lands. He ruled this whole continent: Falena, Nagarea, even modern Armes; all where part of his Kingdom." Olinda interrupted, "You're talking about the Ancient Armes Kingdom, aren't you? My teachers use to talk about them, but I thought it was just a myth?"
"No." Simeon continued, "They existed as surely as your Queendom does now. Now this King ruled with might and justice. He bore on his head the Sun Rune and in his right hand the Dawn Rune and on his left hand the Twilight Rune. His power was absolute, even godly. It was a golden age for these lands as everyone was prospering greatly. This joy was culminated when the king's wife gave birth to twins; one boy and one girl."
"Everyone considered this to be a great omen that many great years were ahead of them. So, they rejoiced as people often do. Over time the kingdom continued to grow, just as the ageless king's children had. Thus, it was on their 21st birthday the king did something rather unexpected."
"What was it?" Lazlo and Olinda asked now both very intrigued. "Since his capital was located in the heart of this country, near Mt. Amdort. He took the twins to the top of this mountain and said first to the boy as he was a few minutes older and thus technically the first-born heir, 'Son, what do you see?' The boy peered left over the mountain and said, 'I see the kingdom father powerful and mighty.' He then asked the same question to the daughter who looked right and she said, 'I see the kingdom father full of life and hope.'"
"Satisfied with both their responses the father told the twins that all the boy saw to the left would be his kingdom and all the girl saw to the right shall be her kingdom. So, as proof of their right to rule he gave his son the Twilight Rune from his left hand to rule the left kingdom. And from his right hand the Dawn Rune was given to his daughter to rule the right half of his kingdom. Twin runes for twin children." added the old magician.
Simeon stopped a moment as a fresh patrol of about 20 palace guards entered the throne room weapons at the ready. They had seen their fellow soldiers dead and now saw several strangers in the room they didn't know. One of them started shouting to get away from the queen, who was now starting to wake up.
At this Olinda stood up and at once they recognized her. They stopped advancing and lowered their weapons. The captain of this guard patrol spoke up, "Your Highness, what has happened? Who are these other people?"
The younger princess, suddenly, stood up to her fullest height and very authoritatively ordered the men, "Never mind these people, they're my friends. Look, the Queen has been poisoned. She'll be alright though, but she needs rest. Carry her to her bed. Place new guards outside her room. No one goes in or out without me being present, do you understand?" They nodded, saluted, and then set out to follow their new orders from the princess.
Olinda wasn't done though, "Also, send a few men to the inn at the town square, Lady Rose is there. She, too, was hurt. Bring her back to the palace to rest. Place the rest of the guards in front of the castle doors and close all the gates. I don't want anyone leaving or entering this place without our knowledge. Now Go!" Lazlo was very impressed. He liked this authoritative side of Olinda. Rare though it was.
The princess escorted the small group to the Queen's Knights' meeting room figuring they could have some privacy there. Once inside with everyone seated, she beckoned the young-looking sorcerer to continue.
The tan robed man spoke, "Now, where was I? Oh, yes, and so he gave a rune and kingdom to each of his children. This act though done in love, would prove to be the undoing of the mighty Armes Dynasty. For the next 10 years, each child ruled their kingdom well. But, secretly back at his palace near Mt. Amdort the king was slowly losing his mind. For that is the curse of the Sun Rune: Insanity."
"The Sun Rune, itself, is a weapon of pure power and bearing it in one's forehead brings a slow destruction to the mind. The only way to keep the curse in check is with the powers of the Dawn and Twilight Runes. For they are its guardians and give the True Rune guidance. So, when he gave those runes to his children, he also forfeited the control he had over the Sun Rune's curse. Sadly, this fact was realized too late." lamented Simeon who was now looking at Eresh.
He continued, "When the elder son heard of his father's insanity, he revealed his true intentions. He had not been satisfied with his half of the kingdom and only the Twilight Rune. He wanted all the solar runes and the entire kingdom to rule for himself. The daughter learned of her brother's evil plot and tried to stop her twin. But, she was too late. When she arrived at the palace, the father and son were already engaged in a powerful magical duel."
"The prince was far more magically adept than his father, but he was still no match for the power of a True Rune! The father won the duel and wounded his son. However, thinking he had killed him, the father fell into complete madness and utter grief. The daughter tried to reason with him, but it was too late. The madness overcame him, he vowed no parent or child would ever suffer this deep of grief again."
"The only way in his mind this could be achieved was to kill everyone! So, he unleashed the whole power of the Sun Rune upon his kingdom killing nearly all who lived there and left most of the country desolate and barren. Thus, it was, in a single night the once mighty Ancient Armes Dynasty came to nothing." Simeon said, concluding his story.
"That is amazing! I can't believe it. How could he do that? Thousands of innocent people killed in a flash." a disbelieving Olinda whispered. Lazlo, however, knew this truth all too well. The incredible power of a True Rune. It was one of his greatest fears: that one day he may lose control of the Rune and its' wrath would be accidently released upon the world.
The bearer of the Rune of Punishment spoke up now, "I still don't see what Nyoka or Eresh has to do with this story. Nor why he wants the Sun Rune, so badly." Eresh replied, "Has comrade Lazlo ever been near brother Nyoka before?" He nodded yes. "Then, tell Eresh what did he feel like?"
Lazlo knew this answer all too well. For it was what had convinced him that he needed to come back to Falena. "It was dark, cold, hollow, empty-like. Yet, it was otherworldly. He's not human. Well, sort of... If you don't mind me saying... A little bit like you. You feel different too. You're not evil, like his soul. But, you feel empty and yet otherworldly. Sort of like Kyril with the otherworldly part that is. You know what I mean Jeane and Simeon?" Both smiled and nodded in the affirmative.
Olinda now jumped back in, "Wait, I have a question. Not that about hollowness or that otherworldly sensing stuff. That's too weird for me. But, about your story Mr. Simeon. You said in your story that the king destroyed everything and everyone. I mean if he turned everything to ash, rubble, and desert. Why is everything so lush and green today? I mean the Feitas River flows freely. Plus, the forests, lakes, and fields are all here and very lush. How is that possible, if he destroyed it all?"
"A great question, my dear, and one that deserves a complete response." returned Simeon. Then turning to his female associate, he asked, "Ms. Jeane, I believe you know this part of the story better than the rest of us. You were here at that time, right? Could you please explain it for our new friends?" All eyes turned to the beautiful rune sage as they often did by many-a-men.
The daughter of Elemark finally got a good look at this woman, and seeing her so scandalously dressed, the princess grew a bit embarrassed and had a hard time looking at her. (Secretly: Olinda was, also, jealous of the fact that Lazlo was not adverting his eyes toward her as well.)
Now Jeane continued the story in a girly overtone, "Tee-hee, I think it goes something like this. Many decades after the destruction of the Armes Kingdom. The mysterious and powerful race known as the Sindarians appeared in these lands. These people were always very magically attuned to all things in nature and were also very technologically advance."
She went on, "However, they were also nomadic. Cursed by another True Rune, the Rune of Change, which prevented them from being able to stay in one place for too long. But while they were here in this dry wasteland, they decided to make these lands fertile again so they could survive in them as long as needed until the curse of their True Rune beckoned them onwards."
"The Sindar found the three solar runes. After studying them for some time they discovered that the Sun Rune not only had destructive powers, but in addition, it also had healing and restorative abilities like the real Sun. These healing powers were best brought out and expressed through the Dawn Rune."
"So, three shrines were created at key locations in Falena. Then, they carried out a ritual of regeneration by using the solar runes that had once destroyed it. So, it was, that this continent was once more restored to its former beauty of green lush lands and flowing rivers. However, by carrying out this restorative ritual the Sindar did something else they had not intended." added Jeane in a mysterious overtone.
"What did they do?" a very intrigued princess now asked. The sage replied, "Apparently, when the king had destroyed himself and everyone else, the Twilight and Dawn Runes had reacted to this attack and acted of their own accords in a sense. The physical bodies of each of the twins were destroyed, but their souls were preserved. Or maybe one could say trapped in each of their respective runes."
She continued, "The healing ritual created by the Sindarians had also healed the twin's souls enough that they were able to finally free themselves from each rune. The twins were not fully alive nor truly dead, because of their unique runes and the Sindar's ritual. They were shadows caught between worlds. Out of pity the Sindarians used their vast magical prowess to create empty vessels, bodies without souls for them to inhabit. The twins at first had no memories of what had happened. Slowly over time, however, their memories returned as did the brother's evil intentions. He once more tried to steal back the 3 solar runes and use them against the Sindarians."
"But with the twin sister's help and their own vast magical powers and True Rune, they defeated the brother's evil plans. As punishment, they stripped him from his artificial body and banished his soul into the depths of the mountains in what today we would call the country of Nagarea."
"Plus, to prevent the Sun Rune from being used against them ever again, the Sindar put several protection spells and seals in place. Also, for her heroism and help, the twin sister was allowed to keep her body. They even taught her the incantation to make a new vessel whenever the old one would get to worn out or damaged. Furthermore, the sister wanting to make sure her brother's evil would never again hurt anyone, stayed behind in these lands even when the Sindarians had to leave due to the Rune of Change." concluded the beautiful Runemistress.
Olinda turned to Eresh, "You were that sister, weren't you? And your brother Nyoka, he was your twin, the one you defeated?" Eresh nodded in a sigh of regret, "Yes, it is as you say, Daughter of the Sun. Eresh is the twin sister to her brother Nyoka. Eresh watched and guarded her brother for many centuries even when the Nagareans showed up exiled from Harmonia and met Eresh. They added her to their priestly ranks."
"However, while Eresh was distracted by her new clergy duties, brother Nyoka somehow escape and now has more power than ever. When Eresh discovered all this, it was too late. So, she called upon Jeane and Simeon. Her old comrades. Now she asks her new comrade, Lazlo. Will one chosen by the Rune of Atonement and Forgiveness help stop Eresh's brother from doing evil?"
Lazlo didn't think twice about it, he agreed in an instant that Nyoka had to be stopped and he would do all in his power to help. A great smile and look of relief came over Eresh's face. She thanked the ageless warrior profusely.
Olinda had one last question about something that Jeane had said. She asked, "When you say the Sindar put protective spells on the Sun Rune, what do you mean? How are they protected?" The silver-haired rune sage looked very happy and eager to discuss all questions related to runes.
Jeane elaborated more, "Tee-hee, how to say it without being mean to you, Sir Lazlo? Oh, well, the Sindar didn't have much faith in mere humans, particularly men. Especially, after they had learned about the mad king and saw his evil son for themselves. Thus, when it came to being a faithful and good steward of the Sun Rune, they reasoned that a woman would be better suited."
"They examined many special women among their own people and found the one most compatible with the True Rune. The Sun Rune, of course, chose this woman without hesitation. As a bearer of her own True Rune, she was no longer under the curse of the Rune of Change and could stay in this land. She, also, armed herself with the Dawn and Twilight Runes, so as not to be driven insane like the king before her."
"Finally, up in the Ashwel Mountains of the North, the Sindar preformed one last ceremony: a blood ritual. They made it so that only the blood descendants of this one Sindarian woman could wield the Sun Rune's awesome power. Moreover, another charm was added so that in order to even be recognized by the Sun Rune, the potential host had to have had the Dawn and the Twilight Runes embedded in their own body at least once in their lifetime, even if only for a moment." finished Jeane.
Realization overtook Olinda's face, "Wait are you saying, that my ancestor, the first Queen of Falena was a Sindarian? (The rune sage and Simeon nodded yes) Oh, wait! That makes sense now. Why a princess must do those stupid marriage rituals. She had to be blessed by and possess the Dawn Rune in her body for a while once she is engaged. And then again with the Twilight Rune before the wedding. Cyrah and I always thought it was some stupid old tradition, but from what you said its more than that."
"So, since Cyrah has possessed both the Dawn and Twilight Runes in her body, like mother once did, they both could potentially bear the Sun Rune. But, I couldn't, even though I am of the same blood. At least not until I host both twin runes myself. Wow, that is very interesting knowledge. Hmmm, but wait what if like the royal family has no children or were all killed? Weren't the Sindar people taking a big risk by only allowing one family to care for the True Rune?"
Simeon interjected now, "Yes, they were. And there are rumors that they wrote down some instructions for how to illicit the Sun Rune's power without having to bear it, but those tablets have long been lost over time. Not that it matters, as your family is still here. Though the Sindarian bloodline has thinned over the centuries, you all continue to flourish with each new generation and have done a fine job of guarding the True Rune. Now shall we get back to the matter at hand: Nyoka."
As he said this, Lazlo looked out the east window. The Sun was now rising. It was dawn. They had talked all night. Exhaustion was on many of their faces. They agreed they all would rest for now and resume planning their next move later this afternoon after they all got some much needed rest.
It was nearly noon, when Lazlo was awakened by the sounds of knocking on his door. An older man's voice called out, "I am coming in." It was Desmond. He entered this guest room in the palace. Rather than going back to the inn, Olinda had offered for everyone to stay in the palace where it would be safer until everyone was fully rested again. No one had argued. But the three magicians, who were not tired, said they would go and wait for Lazlo at the inn and that he should join them when he was ready later that day.
The warrior rubbed his eyes and stood up to greet his old friend. The white-haired man walked over to the tea set and poured two glasses. He handed one to Lazlo and drank the other one himself. Tanya walked in a few moments later and Desmond poured a third glass of tea for her as well. The Islander brought them up to speed on that night's events and the new information about Nyoka they learned from that unusual magically keen trio.
Both were baffled and perplexed by these latest revelations, but before anyone could ask a new question, sounds of horns and trumpets started blowing from down by the dam and royal harbor. Shouts of, "The commander has returned!" could also be faintly heard echoing up the river. The ambassadors stood to their feet and made their way to the Sun Palace's audience chamber.
All three were surprised when they entered the throne room to see Olinda sitting on the throne, giving out orders to about a dozen officials and politicians, who were hounding her for news about the Queen and what the current state of affairs in the Queendom were. Lazlo looked at her seated on the throne, beautiful, yet dignified. That royal chair suited her somehow he thought.
The voices stopped clamoring when the three Ambassadors of the Island Nations were announced by the court page. Olinda stood up from the throne and pushed her way through the crowd and made her way to Lazlo and the others.
Both looked at each other wordlessly for a moment. One saying with only her facial expression, "I need you. I can't do this alone!" His eyes replied clearer than the spoken word, "I am here. I am not going to leave you again!" Both knew what the other was trying to say and were glad for it.
Then, Tanya spoke up, "Your Highness, we heard the horns blowing from the harbor, has your father returned?" Olinda raised up her eyes toward the group and stated, "I think so. I sent Rose to the harbor to look and see, and bring him up to speed on what has transpired here since last night.
About twenty minutes later, the large throne room doors opened and in walked Rose and the commander. The old man was bruised a bit around the face and his left arm was in a sling. Olinda ran to hug her dad. He put his good arm around her while looking around the room at everyone in there. He made eye contact with Lazlo and mouthed wordlessly, "Thank you!" The red bandana warrior merely closed his eyes and gently nodded his head.
Stepping back from his daughter, Alen's next question was about how the Queen was doing. Olinda gestured to one of the people who had been in the crowd. He stepped toward them and bowed to the commander. He was about Desmond's age complete with gray hair and beard as well. Lazlo didn't recognize him, but Alen and Olinda seem to know him.
Olinda told them this was the royal family's personal physician. "How is she?" Alen asked concerned. The old healer said confidently, "The poison has left her body, thanks to her Highness's antitoxin. But, during the skirmish she must have bumped her head. She'll be okay, of course! But she has quite the goose egg up there right now. I gave her something for the pain. But, she should stay in bed for the next day or two."
Alen seemed more at peace now. "The old man then asked, "Would you like me to look at your arm as well, my Grace, while I am here?" Alen raised his good hand and dismissed the doctors offer saying, "I am fine. It looks far worse than it feels."
Olinda interjected, "What happen to you anyway, father?" Alen replied, "Same as you. Nethergate! Two of them showed up at my tent last night. I suspect they came after all of us trying to cut off the head, as it were. So, they would have a better chance to beat our armies."
"Two of those assassins," retorted Olinda, "How did you beat them?" Alen smirked a bit, "Well, I may be getting older, but I still got some fight left in me. That and a fine glass bottle of Kanakan wine." This response seemed confusing and cryptic and needed more explaining, but before one could be elaborated upon the door again opened.
This time it was Amoz Barows who came running into the room yelling, "Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you alright!? Did those fiendish Nethergate devils hurt you? When I get my hands on them."
Alen was able to return so quickly to the palace thanks in part to getting a ride from Amoz's fastest river boat. Moreover, seeing that his beautiful fiancée was unharmed he moved to embrace her. With his long lanky arms, he wrapped them around her small frame in what to most onlookers appeared to be awkward as she didn't embrace him back, but kept her arms at her side and turned her head and looked down in polite disgust.
Amoz didn't realize, or even notice, her facial expression or body language. He was so elated as this was the first time he had ever touch the princess beyond the formal; let alone hold her so close to himself. He was giddy with delight.
Rose had out of instinct made a motion to move forward to prevent the princess from being touched so personally by another man, but stopped herself midstride knowing she couldn't stop Olinda's future husband from doing this. That thought made her sick to her stomach. Lazlo, likewise, felt nauseous and turned away by making it seem like he was looking out a nearby window.
None of this was lost on Aethelbald, who said plainly, but with starkness, "Not now Barows. We got to figure things out. So, we can prepare before Nyoka makes his next move." At this Lazlo came back around and asked the commander, did you get all your forces? Are you still planning on moving them against Nyoka? Alen nodded, but with surprise and curiousness.
Lazlo added, "Olinda filled us in on what you guys were doing to stop them, while we were waiting for you and Rose to arrive here from the harbor. Besides that, are your forces still gathering in the South? I want to help. I, also, have three other capable friends. I can bring them with me. Together we may be able to help stop Nyoka for good. They're waiting for me now at the inn. Say the word and we'll head for this Doraat place."
Before Alen could answer though, a few guards and a messenger, who he recognized as being from his home city of Stormfist, came bursting into the great hall exhausted and out of breath, but bearing a letter. One of them managed to get out while gasping for air, "Terrible news, Milord. A message from the high mistress and caretaker at West Palace."
A letter from her could mean only one thing, and as the warrior poet took the note and read it his worse fears were confirmed and not just that, but several other things as well. Alen yelled out, "I want all of you, looking at the crowd still lingering around the throne room, OUT! You (looking at a castle servant) bring these men some water at once." Within moments the room was empty say for the Knights, Barows, and the three Islanders.
"What I am about to tell you must not leave this room. Graess is dead!" Alen said soberly. Several gasped in disbelief. Rose, stunned, manage to say, "But how? He was the most careful of us all. He was the best among us. How did he... Wait, wasn't he supposed to be protecting Cyrah? Oh, no! Is Cyrah alright!?"
Alen tried to stay calm, but Lazlo could see he was exerting a great deal of force to hold back the emotions for what he said next, "According to the letter, Nyoka, himself, showed up for the Twilight Rune and Cyrah. Graess tried to stop him, but he killed him. Cyrah used her rune to try and stop Nyoka, but his magic proved too much for her. He has taken her hostage as well as the Twilight Rune. She goes on to say, she tried to tell Marcus, but he had already left with several soldiers earlier that morning for the Southwest. As of now, she still doesn't think he knows about his wife's kidnapping."
Tears were falling down Olinda's face as she heard the news about Graess' death and her sister's kidnapping. Rose looked downcast and at a lost. Alen told the messengers to return to the old caretaker at West Palace and tell her mot to inform Godwin of anything about Cyrah, and that he would do it himself. Once their thirst was quenched the men were out the door and off again to relay this new message.
Alen turned to Rose and the others, "Godwin must not know about this right now. He must focus only on the upcoming battle. He can't have his mind thinking about other things or he is no good to us. The same goes for Robert. He can't learn about his brother's death until after this battle."
Now Alen turned to Lazlo and just as he was about to speak, the room suddenly became terribly cold. Then, a dark fog seemed to appear out of nowhere and fill the whole hall. This foggy mist soon began to converge into one spot until it had formed a type of sphere that was floating in the middle of the room. The knights and Lazlo had drawn their weapons unsure of what was happening.
This ball of mist began to glow a faint color of pale green and then suddenly a voice could be heard emanating from it. It was Nyoka's voice. He said, "I now haveth in my possession thy Daughter of the Sun. If thoust wants to seeth thy daughter again thy shalt bring me the Rune of Dawn for a trade. Come to the southern valley next to Mt. Amdort at the next dawn or I shalt bring my fullest wrath upon ye all and destroy this land to ash anew." Then, as suddenly as the mist had appeared, it now vanished in a flash of light as the room began to return to its normal temperature as well.
Olinda turned to her father, "I shall go retrieve the Dawn Rune at once." "No!" he replied sternly. Surprised more by his tone than anything his younger daughter seemed stunned, "But, why? Aren't we going to save Cyrah? You heard him, he wants the Dawn Rune in exchange. We must save her father. We have too! She is the next Queen. We've already lost Graess. We can't lose her too." More tears began to fall down her face.
Alen looked upon his daughter with great compassion, but he knew more things were at play here than even he was aware of. "Rose take Olinda to her room. She's been through enough today." Olinda wanted to protest this, but she didn't feel like she had the strength right now. Alen turned to Tanya and Desmond, "You are welcome to stay here in the palace. It's probably the safest place right now."
Tanya spoke up, "Your Grace, I know Master Graess was the tactician amongst you all. I'd like to offer up my services in his... absence. I studied at the feet of the great tactician Elenor Silverberg in my youth and have never stopped studying the art of war. Please, allow me to help or advise you in whatever capacity I can."
The Commander of the Queen's Knights responded, "If your mind is as keen for battle as it was in the trade negotiations then I could certainly use someone such as yourself over the next few days. You shall be the official war advisor to the Queen." "Thank you, your Grace. Let me know what I can do." Alen looked at Amoz and said, "Did you bring them with you like I asked?"
The skinny man fumbled around in the sack he was wearing around his shoulder, but eventually pulled out several large scrolls and handed them to Tanya. Alen followed this up by saying, "These are maps of the area and the latest details of the enemies' troop placements. I've drawn up these battle plans to go with them. Look them over and tell me what you think of them. And, Master Desmond, you've been around this castle enough times now, I'd say. Why don't you take Amoz here and go look around the castle and check to make sure all the doors are properly secured."
The shrewd old politician understood the leader's subtle cue. He said, "Come, Master Barows, I heard the enemy broke through the front gate last night. Let's start there, shall we?" Barows seemed perplexed and a bit alarmed by this statement, but followed Desmond out of the room anyhow. Tanya, also, followed them out as well with several large scrolls tucked nicely under her arm and went back to her room where Daniel and the two Marine Knights were waiting for her.
Now just Lazlo and Alen were left alone in the throne room. Alen said nothing, but gestured with his good hand for Lazlo to come with him. The twin swordsman followed Alen into his private office still unsure of what he wanted. However, given the urgent news they had just received he knew it wouldn't be a waste of either of their time.
Alen went to a cabinet next to his desk. He opened it to reveal various bottles of his favorite wine. He pulled out a glass, and then gestured to Lazlo asking if he would like a glass as well. The warrior accepted. As he finished pouring his own drink and then the Islander's, he took a seat. Lazlo sat down as well as he reached for his own glass. It was smooth, but his eyes were still on the old man wondering what he could possibly need to tell him at a time like this.
"Do you recall the first time we met, Ambassador Lazlo?" Alen began. The brown-haired man nodded yes, "Yeah, you looked at me oddly that day to be honest, Sir. You seemed surprised like you had seen a ghost or something. I wanted to ask you about it at the time, but the opportunity never came up. With everything else that has been happening, I sort of forgot about it. Why do you ask?"
Alen took a small sip of his drink, and then he pulled out his sword and laid it on the top of his desk. He asked Lazlo, "I've had this sword for nearly 35 years. Tell me, do you recognize the design? Its forging?"
Lazlo studied the blade quickly and held it up in the air. Took a few swipes with it and laid it back on the table. "It seems somewhat familiar, like the kind of swords that the Dukedom of Gaien use. Only the hilt and tempering of the steel seems a little bit different. Where did you get it?" the warrior replied wondering what this all had to do with rescuing the man's daughter.
Alen answered his question, "You are wrong. Last year was not the first time we met. Well, not officially anyways. You see, my family is... rather was, is probably now more accurate, an influential force in this country for many generations. So, by the time I came of age, my father, wishing me to see more of the world and receive training not just in Falena, shipped me to the Dukedom of Gaien. That is where I came to possess this sword. I call her Queen's Tear."
"Moreover, in my last year of military schooling a war broke out between the Island Nations and the Kooluk Empire. Under the command of a brilliant Kooluk Admiral, named Troy, many of the islands started to fall one by one. Even, the small island that housed several hundred of our own knights. Many in the Dukedom couldn't believe this and wanted to send reinforcements to help."
Lazlo interrupted, "Gaien never sent reinforcements to save Razril." "Indeed, Master Lazlo they did not. I am surprised that you knew that. Most young men your age are not concerned with history, but the present and their own futures. But as you said, Gaien never sent aid. Thus, Kooluk took control of that island and several others. Next, my fellow cadets and I heard rumors about a resistance group from Obel. They were fighting back and were being led by a young man, who per the rumors was once a Knight of Gaien in Razril, himself."
"After several years of hard fighting, word had reached us that they were about to retake Razril from Kooluk. Though we had no orders from the Dukedom, myself and several cadets had other plans. Haha. We were so young and full of confidence, but basically we wanted to help."
Taking another drink, the old man continued his tale, "We borrowed a ship from our commanding officer's fleet and set sail for the island. But when we had arrived it was too late. The fighting was over. Kooluk had been defeated. The citizens of the town were celebrating. There was a great party in the former Hall of the Knights."
He went on, "That's when I saw the young man. The leader of this rebellion standing next to who I assumed were 4 of his friends watching the sunset. I wanted to go see him and introduce myself and offer to him the aid of myself and the others for the rest of the war, but ultimately the group of us decided against it."
"As it would have been unwise since we were already AWOL. Plus, we figured joining another fighting force would not go over well with our captain. So yes, that day I saw the leader of the Leviathan Navy. A ragtag bunch, but under his leadership skills did the impossible and defeated an empire and united a nation. Now thirty years later, I don't know how or even why. Perhaps it is destiny or the will of the Sun, but that same man now sits at my table. And again, Sir Lazlo, I ask you to do the impossible again. Can you save my daughter? Can you help stop Nyoka?" pleaded Commander Alen.
Lazlo was speechless, Alen had described that day perfectly as though he had been there when Razril was freed from Kooluk. Lazlo stood to his feet and spoke once more, "I've already promised some other friends I would help stop Nyoka. So, don't worry about that. As for Cyrah, I promise I'll do everything in my power to save her. I will go scout out this place, Mt Amdort.
"We both know Nyoka will not release Cyrah willingly, Dawn Rune or not. But ultimately, he still wants the Sun Rune. We can't let him get his hands on it. If he does, I don't think I would be strong enough to stop him then." "Well, then let's hope it doesn't come to that." added Alen.
With a few more parting words and the gift of a map given to him by the Falenan, Lazlo departed incognito from the palace. He told no one else where he was going. The ageless warrior went to the inn and met up with Eresh and the others. They agreed with Lazlo's sentiments that it would be a trap.
However, other things now had them concerned as well after learning that the Twilight Rune had been taken in addition to the princess. Besides, Nyoka's communication with the black fog, they had sensed another strange ritual in the far parts of Southwestern Falena behind the enemy lines being performed. They didn't know for sure what had occurred.
However, Jeane suspected that maybe new and powerful runes might have been created. Regardless, it was very dark and evil and would spell trouble for the Falenan Army if not properly prepared and magically protected.
Thus, all agreed it would be best if they split up for now. Jeane and Eresh would return to the palace and get Tanya and head for Doraat. Her tactical knowledge would be needed in this upcoming battle, since Graess was gone. And the 2 magicians would investigate and deal with whatever Nyoka's arcane ritual had spawned. Whereas, Simeon and Lazlo would head to Mount Amdort, and if possible, try to save the kidnapped princess and the Twilight Rune.