Chapter 11: Bells

James awoke early the next morning. He was given a small bedroll to sleep on like everyone else. The mat wasn't particularly comfortable. He spent most of the night tossing and turning; worrying about tomorrow, the future in general, and the bugs that must have been crawling within his blanket.

Other soldiers seemed to already be preparing for the awaiting battle. A mixed bunch of men were being given orders by Selian. Danik stood proudly next to him. Having already proven to be an asset in the planning of the battle he had gained Selian's respect.

"Should you succeed today," James heard Selian say as he approached the group, "You will all be remembered as heroes. You will have been a part of the force that took back Ardougne. You will have given it back to the people! The bards shall sing songs of your deeds for years to come. Do not fear the coming day. Embrace it!" As he ended cheers broke out amongst the men and civilians in the cavern. It seemed like a feeble hope to cling too in James's eyes. Odds were certainly against them.

James decided to instead look for Urantan. As he wandered around, he got a look at the people the soldiers were willing to sacrifice their lives for. Mothers tried anxiously to calm their children. Children who were scared their father was going to die, and children whose fathers already had. Men who had returned from battle with no family waiting for them. Young boys who could barely hold a sword ready to rush into massive groups of enemies. It was a bit too depressing.

James finally found Urantan, who was carving out the last bit of the tunnel, which was nearly perpendicular with the floor. A rope ladder was sitting coiled up not far from him. This was really about to happen.

"Urantan, can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," he replied, not glancing away from his job.

"Why did the ring bring me here?"

"I knew I would have to tell you this sooner or later. Come, sit down." Urantan looked away from the tunnel, sitting down on an oddly smooth rock next to him. He wiped a bit of sweat from his brown and motioned for James to sit next to him. He took a deep breath and gazed at James. He wasn't quite sure where to start.

"The ring of life, as it's called," he began, pausing to plan out his words, "Is designed to return the owner to the place that they were born when they are in a critical condition. You had been gravely wounded, and you happened to touch the ring. It teleported you here and healed your wounds."

"I don't understand," said James. His home was Lumbridge. He certainly didn't know these people or this place.

"I wouldn't expect you too. However, it is time for you to learn." Urantan told him the whole story, from start to finish, just as he had told Juna what already felt like a lifetime ago. The snake's ominous word's echoed in his head.

History repeats itself. Strangely enough, the Ardougnians were trying a similar tactic that lost the city to them twice. Storm the castle, incapacitate the ruler, and declare yourself ruler. Such a coup d'état is a morale killer amongst the people, and gives your military a sturdy platform to operate from, whereas the enemy is forced to hide and use weak and cowardly guerilla tactics to try to put a dent in the opposing force. With any luck, the wizards and Burthorpians will be reduced to even less.

"I… I don't know what to say," James murmured quietly, intent on staring at his feet. He just learned his entire history had been a lie. He always thought his mother had died of disease. He always though he was just born in Lumbridge. He thought he had a simple life that was completely changed. Fate was the one notion he had trouble comprehending when he was learning about Guthix. He was beginning to understand.

"Urantan," said James with a newfound strength. "I think we have to succeed today. It's about more than helping innocent people now. I feel like if we fail the people, I've failed myself."

"That's very noble of you. Your father would be happy to hear that. He too had a lot of devotion to this city. I'm sure, deep down, he still does. It lives through you." James smiled and looked out into the cavern again. He saw it in a new light.

While daydreaming, he and Urantan were approached by Selian and Danik. "Are the preparations almost complete?" Danik asked, inspecting the large hole in the ceiling.

"Yes. Now for the finishing touch!" Urantan pulled out a few wind runes and a few runes with a blue set of scales on the. He mumbled a few incomprehensible words as the rope ladder uncoiled itself and lifted up to a large rock jutting out at the top of the tunnel. The rope reached the rock and tied itself around, making several knots. An invisible force pulled down on the ladder with increasing force each time to check how much weight it could support. "Well that's that!" Urantan retrieved his kerchief and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. The work had greatly tired him.

"So that's it?" Selian asked in amazement. "The soldiers can just climb up?"

"In theory," replied Urantan. "The tunnel should lead to the cellars beneath the servant's quarters. The servants quarters are located next the prison cells, which we'll travel through on our way to the back stairwell. From there will go through the private dining hall and into the throne room. Pretty routine."

"These things are never routine," remarked Danik, shaking his head.

"There's a first for everything," said Urantan with a smile.

Selian cracked a quick smile before hiding it. He of all people had to be serious. He shouted for the men to come to the tunnel. Five men approached, including Mark and Merk. Although they would have been able to bring more soldiers, Danik pointed out that for the time of attack they were planning; larger numbers would only slow them down. Instead they gathered up the best fighters they could and made a small but elite group.

"Well, this is it." Everyone remained silent as Selian began to talk again. "You've heard the speech already. It's time for Ardougne to belong to the people again! Mortii, you'll go up first. If it's clear, tug up on the ladder three times. If it's not safe, tug only once." The man named Mortii nodded to show he understood. He tugged a bit at the ladder to see if it could hold his weight, and then began the ascent. It seemed to take awhile, but Mortii eventually disappeared at the top of the tunnel. His disappearance was soon followed by three powerful tugs. A sigh of relief was released simultaneously amongst the group.

"So far so good," said James as he began the climb. A few men followed behind him. He once again carried his claws in his mouth, now in fear of accidently cutting the ladder. He reached the top and pulled himself over the edge of messily broken brickwork. The cellar seemed to be primarily for storage. Sacks, barrels, and crates filled the room from floor to ceiling filled with non-perishables such as grain and dried meat, as well as tools like hammers and rakes. It was eerily quiet amongst the group as they waited silently for the rest.

One by one more men reached the basement, until Selian finally poked his head up. That was everyone. They sat in silence for a long moment. James slipped the claws on his hands as other men withdrew their swords. There was no more waiting. Danik decided to take the lead, approaching the staircase up to the first floor. He came to the wooden door and eyed it for a long time. The rest of the men filed up behind him. He took a deep breath and pushed it open.

On the other side of the door was a wizard, staring directly at them. "My my, how predictable. I thought you were better than that!" The wizard began an incantation, but didn't get a chance to finish. Danik had already stabbed him in the chest.

"So much for a stealthy in an out!" declared Danik. As he said this, two Burthorpian soldiers approached the group. Danik rushed one, knocking him over, only to be finished by Mark. Merk and James dispatched the other one quickly. They hardly had a chance to react.

They rushed through the servant's quarters in great haste. The rooms were dimly lit, but completely empty. It was obvious the wizards had been waiting for them and set up patrols. Where they were now was a mystery. Most of the wizards and Burthorpians approached them in groups of two's or three's and were easily taken care of by the group of nine. They made their way through the prison hardly giving it a second glance and rushed up the stairwell.

They charged through the empty dining hall and made it to the opposite door before hearing a voice. They turned around to see a large group of enemies at the opposite side of the dining hall. The wizards in the front immediately withdrew some runes.

"They're going to close the door!" shouted Urantan recognizing the spell immediately.

"You go on ahead then!" yelled Merk. "We'll stop them from following you." Mark and the other soldiers nodded, motioning towards the exit. Urantan, Danik, Selian, and James ran out the door as it shut behind them. Shouts and battle cries could be overheard, but they had to press onwards.

They rushed down the hall way towards the throne room. The chamber was once again barred by large golden double doors. Danik and Selian continuously rammed into them. After the third charge, the doors busted open, revealing a lone figure. The wizard Haikor sat once again on the throne, in the same position Urantan found him before, eating an exotic fruit.

"How nice of you all to visit," he said, wiping his chin. He got up from the chair and approached them, slowly. "You really are predictable. I was truly hoping you would make it here too. I feel like we didn't get to truly battle last time. Let's fix that." As Haikor said this, the golden doors slammed shut.

"You really think you can take all of us!" James yelled, ready to charge.

"I really don't plan to. I'm sure Urantan has enough honor to accept my duel. Don't you Urantan?"

"Urantan you don't have to!"

"Yes I do. I need to prove to this man that he is truly a failure in magical ability who has succumbed to greed, and has let it blind him, like all the wizards of the Draynor Tower. The only way to teach him that lesson is to have a true wizard teach him. Ready yourself!"

Haikor laughed at Urantan's speech and produced an assortment of runes from his robes. After a quick incantation, the suits of armor that decorated the walls came to life, hurling their spears and swords at Urantan. Before the spell was even finished however, Urantan had cast one of his own.

Urantan moved like a blur, dodging all of the projectiles. He moved with a speed and grace that James had never seen in him before. Haikor cast another spell, causing two pillars to hurdle towards Urantan in opposite directions. Urantan jumped in the air to avoid them as the two collided. A third one headed towards him straight on. He jumped and ran on top of it. He began to pick up speed as he ran. Just before he reached the end of the pillar, he burst into flames. He paid no attention to it, but instead jumped towards Haikor.

He landed on top of Haikor, bringing him to the ground and burning him. Haikor bellowed, emitting a blue light from his body. The fire dissipated as Urantan was thrown across the room. Haikor withdrew air runes, causing the chandeliers to blow furiously in the wind. Three crashed into the floor in a triangle around Urantan. They began to spin around him at ridiculous speeds, effectively trapping Urantan where he was. All Urantan could see before him was a golden blur. James tried to decipher what Urantan was doing. After a flash of light, he arose from the death trap, floating on the chunk of floor which he decided to take with him.

Urantan looked confident, although he was sweating and was obviously tired. Haikor, on the other hand, looked fresh and full of energy. Urantan pulled out another large assortment of runes. As he finished talking, vines from outside pushed through the windows and rushed towards Haikor. They grabbed on to his arms and legs and held tightly.

"Typical move Urantan. You seem to love controlling plants. Perhaps I should be teaching you a lesson about powerful magic!" Haikor had been holding runes all along, something Urantan failed to notice. He cast a spell that caused the vines to rush towards Urantan instead. Urantan tried to jump and dodge them, but the grace spell he had cast earlier was wearing off. The vines whipped around his arms and legs and dragged him to the floor. "Let's try this again!" The swords and spears hovered above the floor again, all pointing themselves towards Urantan.

"No!" Selian screamed, rushing towards Urantan. Urantan had closed his eyes, expecting the worst. Moments later, the weapons came down, blood splattering across the floor. Urantan opened his eyes.

"You never had the common decency to let your friends die for you," joked Urantan, who was staring at Selian in front of him. The weapons were stuck deep inside him.

"You… you were always the smart one," he said weakly. He immediately coughed up a large amount of blood. Urantan remained silent.

"How pleasant! Selian, the wasp I have been trying to crush for so long, has given himself to me, while Urantan is still as good as dead. What good fortune!"

"I'm not going to let this happen," Danik whispered. He withdrew is sword and charged toward Haikor, trying to get him before he could cast another spell. He ran across the room and slashed furiously. Haikor teleported across the chamber just as Danik attacked, causing Danik to swing at nothing but air. Danik turned around to see Haikor had teleported in back of him. He charged again. Haikor was amused at the little game, and continued to bounce around the room.

"Stop with this cowardice and face me!" Danik declared, already tired.

"If you wish," Haikor laughed. He withdrew a large amount of runestones, many of which James recognized as blood runes. He began quite a long incantation. Danik charged at him, but froze half way through. He could no longer move a muscle. Haikor continued to chant.

"Addo nex super h-" He was cut short. James had rushed from behind and got him in a bear hug. He used his arms to lift Haikor's arms above his head, than scraped at his hands to knock the runes out. Haikor couldn't move and had no way to cast a spell. His hands began to bleed profusely.

"What're you going to do, kill me?" he spat in disbelief. "You can't kill me. And then what. So you have control of the castle. There's still hundreds of men outside the city who'll take the castle back! You'll accomplish nothing."

"I'll be able to be happy, knowing there is one less insane wizard in this world," James said quietly. He brought his right claw onto Haikor's neck. He paused for a minute. After the silence, he said a prayer for Guthix, apologizing if killing this man went against his will. To James, it had to be done. When the prayer was finished, he pushed the claw inwards. Haikor began to cough blood and flail around. After a few moments, the movement stopped. James let him fall to the ground.

"What's that noise?" asked Selian. "It sounds like bells. Deep church bells."

James didn't understand. The room became eerily quiet as they all strained to hear the bells. James was about to say he heard nothing, when it came. A faint ringing, that grew deep and powerful.

"They're lovely," said Selian, who was slowly moving his head back in forth in time with them.

"But what do they mean?" asked Danik.

"I don't know," replied James. "Unless," James rushed to the window. He looked out towards the North Gate. Sure enough, a large gathering of men in white robes were there. The leader in front had his mouth open wide. From it came the powerful ringing. "The druids never like horns." said James happily. "They always thought that their arrival should be marked with beautiful bells."

"The druids are here? Why?" Selian wondered weakly. He was still in immense pain.

"We asked them for help. They are going to rid the city of the Burthorpians and wizards."

"We won then. We really won!" Selian began to laugh, ignoring the coughing fits. He was overjoyed. James glanced out the window again. The druids had begun battle, but the bells continued. He decided he wouldn't watch. He had seen enough death.

Danik slowly removed the swords and spears from Selian's body while James cut the vines around Urantan. Selian began to hum along with the bells as Danik propped him up against the wall so he could sit in a dignified position. James began to hum with him, as did Urantan and Danik. The chamber was quiet except for the quiet hums.

Hours later, James heard a voice down the hall. He and Danik readied their weapons. A group of men wearing white robes rushed into the throne room. James breathed a sigh of relief.

"Stand down!" called a familiar voice. James peered at the other end of the chamber. The approaching man was one James knew well. "James, my boy. Are you okay?"

"I am unimportant Hajex," said James, although he couldn't hide his smile. "How is the city?"

"Do not worry, from what we can tell, the city has been wiped clean. It is empty of wizards and Burthorpians. We have done our job. Guthix wills it."

"Thank you," said Selian, who began to stand. Danik rushed over and helped him up, supporting him. "The city belongs to the people once again."

--

The throne room had been restored beautifully in such a short time. The chandeliers once again hung from the ceiling, the statues once again had their weapons, and the pillars once again supported the roof. However, sitting in the throne was not a wizard or a man of noble blood.

Selian sat uncomfortably. He was getting old, and his wounds still hurt. He adjusted the crown on his head, trying to make it fit right. It seemed unnecessary, but he had been assured it was an important thing to have on at all times. The whole notion of him being the king was a strange one. He had no ties to the throne in any way. The kingdom was without any apparent heir, and the people decided Selian would be the best to rule. He wasn't sure how much he agreed, but he didn't want to disappoint the people, so he accepted the job.

James stood at his left side. He had become one of Selian's most trusted advisors. To Selian's right was the man named Mortii, who was now captain of the royal guard. James liked it here. Lumbridge always felt to him like the place where he lived. Ardougne truly felt like home. His father had also returned here. The kingdom paid him greatly for his past service, allowing him to retire with his wife.

James was a bit lonely though. Danik returned to Varrock. He was still a soldier of high position there, and that was where he was tied to. He said he would visit if he had the time, but James had a feeling he wouldn't. Mark and Merk had gone back to being travelling merchants. They were hoping to be done with fighting. They still made some stops to Ardougne, but they were few and far between. His mind would even drift off. He would remember Sakir. He'd come a long way since then. He hoped Sakir had forgiven him.

It was on this day, a month after the retaking of Ardougne, that Urantan had invited James for a drink at the local pub. Urantan was the only one who had stayed here; it was his home too afterall.

James entered the bar to see Urantan sitting at a table in the corner. He sat down and the two said nothing for awhile.

"Today is the day I leave," said Urantan, finally breaking the silence.

"Why?"

"We may have defeated Haikor, but he bested me. I told him that he was consumed by greed and that I would teach him a lesson. Had I been alone, I would've been dead. I've made some mistakes. I too have fallen to greed. I'm leaving to study, to hone my skills. I'm not good enough."

"Not good enough! You're one of the best wizard's in the world. You practically created the basic modern spell book yourself!"

"I've lost all ties with that Urantan. He truly was a great man. I'd like to meet him again. If I'm truly as good as you make me out to be, I'll be fine. Don't worry. For now, let us drink. Drink to our good health, and the good health of the kingdom!"

James was confused. Seconds later, a glass full of ale appeared before him. Urantan conjured one for himself as well.

"I'm doing better already," remarked Urantan. James laughed and joined him in the toast. He was finally truly happy.

--

I'd like to thank all the dedicated readers over the long period of writing this. I'd also like to apoligize to those with questions that went unanswered. Me, being an idiot, didn't notice the reply button next to reviews until I no longer recieved any and it was to late. Oh well, I'm happy to know this is done, whether there's anybody reading or not.