פּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּ
Chapter Twelve: Flight of the Red Eagle
Marshall-General Lawe Cathon rode quietly at the head of the other half of the Band, which mimicked their leader's hushed conduct. For all eyes drew up northwards towards the spire of Shayol Ghul, a destination many believed to be final and fatal. The Band of Red Hand crawled forth silently like a stalking jungle-cat, creeping upon its larger foe, claws and teeth bared to strike. It was also a silent mourning for those souls believed lost in Getty's Canyon, but who, unbeknownst to the general, were actually now preparing their desperate defenses.
Cathon felt the outline of his bandages covered by his shirt, and studied the lay of the land spread before him. Brooding, he glanced around, his dark eyes sweeping the land. Much of the Blasted Lands were shrouded in darkness, and shadows stretched across the ground from the pale light of the rising sun. Something seemed to draw his attention. He blinked as if he could not believe his eyes, and stilled his pounding heart.
"Nathen." Cathon suddenly broke the brittle quiet, "Do you know the story of the founding of Manetheren."
"I do not believe so, sir." The adjutant replied, arching his eyebrow.
"It is a story truly all of the blood should know. The world was shattered by the Breaking, as you know. Then came two brothers, carved from stone by lightning, and life breathed into them by the Eternal Wheel. Don't roll your eyes at me, Nathen. They were raised by a wolf bitch, and grew up running with their wolfbrothers."
"Are you sure they weren't Lichs, sir? Or the Queens of the White Faeries?"
"Hush. They were named Safii and Jaralus, or it is said, who around a band of men and women was formed, a covenant, if you will, against the rising chaos. Sort of like us. Our precursors, if you will."
"So am I Safii or Jaralus?" Nathen interjected.
"And the two brothers led their people into our land, a land finally at peace from the destruction of the Breaking, and they came to a place of seven hills. And an eagle, Caldazar, flew overhead, and the brothers knew the sign in their hearts.
"They made sacrifices to that raptor. Safii burnt his people's grain and fruits, offering stability and strength to Caldazar. Jaralus slew a great hart, whose majestic antlers bore all the colors of a rainbow, and laid the heart and entrails before him. The red eagle alighted before Jaralus, and accepted the man's gift of flesh and blood.
"Jerii, incensed by Caldazar's rejection, scorned Caldazar and his brother, and left westward. Some of the first people went with him, crossing the mountains to the west, dissolving into the barbaric bands soon to be Safer. Jaralus stayed and where Caldazar landed, built his City Upon The Hills, but known as Jara'copan, City of Jaralus, where it reigned as the capital of the Manetheren Empire for three hundred years before moving into the Mountain Home." Cathon finished his tale, and glanced to see Nathen Austern's reaction.
"That is an utterly fascinating tale. Foundation-myth I think it's called. What brought up this mythical side, Lord General?"
"Caldazar flies with us once again." Cathon laughed deeply and gestured to the side. Nathen turned his head to see a red eagle perched upon a boulder, its intense eyes meeting the adjutant's gaze. It swept its immense scarlet wings back, and soared into the red-hued sky, circling above the Band. Cries and shouts came from the ranks, as men began to notice the fierce but undeniably noble creature above. When all the heads had turned upwards, the eagle gave a shriek, and glided westward. A second red eagle joined its kin, weaving through the air, westward.
Cathon turned to look for Airena to gloat, but she was nowhere to be seen. But this did not dampen his enthusiasm.
"It is a sign. We go west!" Cathon called, "This tide has turned on this full sea. The Band will be united once more."
Life began to infuse the Band of Red Hand, the patched and tattered banner of Caldazar was held forth with new zeal. The red jungle cat changed directions, stalking westwards after Caldazar, hope rekindled.
פּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּפּצּ