The Vordalyn 2 Read online

  The vordalyn: book II

  By

  Michael T. Payne

  Chapter One

  In the center of Urixis was a magical fountain, created long ago by Queen Ayana, in a beautiful garden for the residents of Urixis to enjoy. The fountain, one of many such magical monuments created by the long since passed queen, resembled a waterfall without a mountain side to fall from. The water, instead, fell from the sky into a pond, whose waters were calm and glassy at its edges, unaffected by the turbulence at its center. At the very edge of the pond, Queen Menina and her three advisors waited. It was late in the evening and the garden was empty. Queen Menina stationed guards at every entrance to the garden as a precaution against sleepless wanderers in the night. Her three advisors, Prince Renic, Ohmbryn Miaphyra, and Elmyra Ballana, were completely unaware of why they were there, or what to expect, all they knew was to stand by, and be silent. They did so, very uneasily. It was near an hour before a glow at the center of the turbulent base suddenly appeared, where water from the sky met the ponds surface.

  “What is that?” Prince Renic asked and almost immediately Queen Menina responded.

  “Silence!” she said in a chastising whisper. The waterfall before them froze in place for a moment, then began to flow back up into the sky. The glow within dimmed and the water parted like curtains, revealing a dark hole, like the entrance of a cave. A dwarf walked out from the cave onto the still waters of the pond as if it were a clear crystal floor. He walked at a brisk pace directly to the ponds edge where the Queen and her advisors stood. When he arrived, he offered his hand to Queen Menina.

  “Your highness.” He said with a slight bow and an outstretched hand to help her up to the ponds surface. Queen Menina paused, looking the Dwarf over, studying his face. His was a scarred, rough face, that had seen many years, and battles alike. He was an imposing figure with dark hair and a long graying beard, braided and ringed with gold and silver ornaments all along its length. His face was dark as if he spent most of his life staring up at the sun with his stern, angry eyes. His clothes were the only thing about him that said he was a man of some importance. Queen Menina took his hand and stepped up to the stone railing then on to the ponds surface. She was unsteady at first but seeing she did not sink, and that the surface was solid, she straightened proud and tall as if to say, ‘I had no doubt’. Elmyra, a she-elf, nimbly pounced from her position to the queen’s side with the agility her species alone was known for. Ohmbryn also an elf, nimbly leapt upon the waters solid surface then Prince Renic, who was human, did not leap, nor was he nimble. He crawled like a child over the railing, tentative and slow, as the others followed the dwarf back from where he had emerged. Once inside, the water fell as it had before, covering any evidence they had ever passed by.

  They followed the dwarf down a spiraling staircase that circled deep into the earth. It was lit magically, and the walls were ornately decorated with depictions of tales that could capture the imagination, beckoning to be read. “Where are we going?” Queen Menina asked. The dwarf said nothing, nor did he acknowledge that she even spoke to him. He simply continued down the very wide staircase, leading them ever deeper to some unknown place.

  “She is talking to you!” Prince Renic said annoyed with the dwarf who was mere feet in front of them. Still he did not turn and again failed to acknowledge anyone. Queen Menina stopped and those who followed behind her did the same.

  “None of you are to speak again.” She said calmly without turning around. Then, she continued after the dwarf, who had paused to wait for them. It was a walk of many hours, before Queen Menina noticed that the patterns of the artwork upon the walls began to repeat and start over, then she noticed that cracks in the wall began to do the same. She stopped dead in her tracks, irritated at the realization they were walking in the same circle over and over again. “You toy with me, dwarf. Turn and face me, I come to see the council, end this charade!” The dwarf stopped and turned to face the group.

  “You are more perceptive than your mother.” He said making Queen Menina straighten, tall and proud, “Or, less patient.” The dwarf raised a key to his lips then whispered and the world suddenly changed around them. They were standing on a large circular underground mesa, its borders etched in runes and beyond that, a dark, seemingly bottomless pit. They could not tell if they were underground or above, it was so dark. There was a howl of wind in the distance and an echo of water dripping. It confused the senses. Brazier’s lined the edges just beyond the runes, illuminating the grounds edges that fell off into oblivion. In the center of the floor was a round table surrounded by seated representatives of all the races of Ganlin. The floor before Queen Menina was carpeted and led to a point near the table where a two-step pedestal awaited. It appeared to Queen Menina as if she were about to be on trial before the council. The dwarf they had followed joined the others at the table. He stood on the opposite side of the table from Queen Menina, next to an elf on his one side, and a halfling on his other. All the races, save for human, surrounded the table. No one uttered a sound and they watched Queen Menina expressionless. “Remain where you are.” She said in a whisper over her shoulder then continued along the carpeted path alone, to the pedestal. “You have summoned me,” She announced before she arrived at the tables edge and stepped up on the pedestal, “I have arrived. What is it you wish to say? Or, do you simply want to irritate me with another unnecessary waste of my time like your ridiculous staircase.” She glared at the Dwarf then looked around the table, examining each representative, still glaring. She had never met with the council of races before and did not know who any of them were. There was not a familiar face among them. Only her mother had ever met with them in the past, and to her knowledge, it was far and few between such meetings. They waited patiently for her to finish glaring at each of them, none of whom cowered from her glare, nor did they shy away from her angry gaze. They had no fear of her. It irritated her. She felt she would have to remedy that. But not just then, they were a mystery to her and so was their influence and power. The elf on the other side of the table stood, he too, like the dwarf beside him, was on in years, even for an elf he was old. He also reflected a war-ravaged face, but his scars were burns that reminded her of a melted candle.

  “Daughter of Ayana,” He started to speak. Ohmbryn stepped forward.

  “She is Queen Menina!” He announced proudly, in defense of her title. There was a loud shifting of chairs as all who sat at the table turned to look at Ohmbryn. Queen Menina decided to seize the opportunity and make an example of Ohmbryn before the council. She stuck her hand out toward Ohmbryn, violently pulling him to her. She continued to face the council not looking at Ohmbryn until she magically lifted him above the table where he hovered over its center. Once there, she set him on fire. After a moment of burning him alive and watching him scream in excruciating pain, she quelled the fire leaving him naked and hairless, his flesh dangled from his body, even his eyelids had burned away. Queen Menina healed him, then repeated the process several times until Ohmbryn fell unconscious, it was a very long, and painful, ten minutes. She returned him to the floor behind her with a violent thud. The council again returned their attention to the elf. Still, no one seemed bothered by her brutal display. It irritated Queen Menina to no end.

  “Daughter of Ayana,” The elf began anew.

  “I dare you.” Prince Renic whispered to Elmyra, who smirked at his invitation and glanced at him on her right.

  “I am Vartan Carjor.” When he finished the dwarf stood.

  “Daughter of Ayana, I, am Raggrun.” He said introducing himself, then a halfling stood, joining the other two.

  “Daughter of Ayana, I, am Zender.” The fidgety little Halfling said, he seemed more in a hurry than the ot
her two who spoke before him, twitching involuntarily. He reminded Queen Menina of a rat sniffing the air.

  “We three, head the council.” The dwarf announced. They waited a moment watching Queen Menina, “Prince Dracon has returned,” The dwarf spoke, “your display of cowardice has warranted this meeting. Assurances were made, not only by you, but by your mother before you.”

  “Cowardice? Is that what you saw?” Queen Menina asked angrily, almost growling.

  “I saw a little girl whose resolve was tested in the face of her mighty brother’s return! I saw a scared little girl, that, despite the power of her heritage, almost beg for mercy aloud, before the whole of Urixis!” The dwarf, Raggrun spat, pointing at her with his twisted, crooked old finger. The others around the table murmured and nodded at Raggrun’s assessment. Queen Menina looked at the murmuring attendees seated around the table. They were all aged, with battle scars etched prominently across their faces. It reminded her of a group of lepers, the way they looked, most of them in hooded cloaks, hidden from her sight. Raggrun stood taller, emboldened by the murmurs of support.

  “I can assure you, that fear does not drive me, nor does it exist in any fiber of my being.” She looked eye to eye with the dwarf then at the two representatives on either side of him, “I played a part, that is all. There is much to my plan and patience is the key!” she snarled, “You dare to call me a coward! I could rip you apart one by one, same as I could my brother!”

  “But he is not your brother, is he?” The halfling, Zender asked in his own tongue with a knowing smile, he picked nervously at his face as he spoke. Queen Menina narrowed her eyes at him, she understood him clearly, “He is Treska’s Death Warrior, built to kill. Beyond the touch of even the outer region’s grip of death. How do you plan to fight that, I wonder? That human behind you, Prince Renic, he too is not your brother and you bring him with you? Here? Another sign we should be concerned?” Raggrun and Vartan looked at Zender then at Queen Menina for an answer to the question he posed. She was stunned by what they knew. Did they know Dracon also returned with one of her kind as his queen? She certainly was not going to be the one to inform them.

  “My mother has prepared me. Did you ever doubt her as you now doubt me?” She asked.

  “We never doubted her… until now.” Raggrun growled, “She promised us Prince Dracon would never return to rule Ganlin, once drawn into the outer region. Yet he survived it, and is again here, awaiting a coronation. Now, we doubt her.” Then Raggrun also spoke in his native tongue, “Why did you bring him here? You wish us undone? This one is no fool. We know your true nature as we did with your mother. Does he know?” He motioned behind Queen Menina at Prince Renic.

  “He knows nothing and does not speak any tongue but his own, our conversation is private enough.” Queen Menina said speaking the dwarven tongue.

  “You are foolish and take unnecessary risks,” Raggrun answered in common tongue, wanting everyone to hear him chastise her, “This is why she should be replaced! Her actions have made her no better to rule us than that battle hungry Dracon!”

  “Raggrun!” The halfling snapped in a low concerned whisper, not wanting the dwarf to push Queen Menina too far. Raggrun looked down at the halfling ready to speak again but held his tongue when he saw the look in the halflings eye. Raggrun looked back at Queen Menina, who was glaring back at the three of them with her jaw clenched very tightly.

  “He is right your highness, you risk much bringing him here before the council.” Vartan spoke in elven tongue, getting Queen Menina’s attention on him alone. “We will give you time, your highness.” He said calmly, once again speaking common tongue, “But make no mistake, you will be watched closely. Show us you truly are your mother’s child, and we will be your ally, as we were hers.” Vartan spoke, then motioned with his hand, uttering a few words. Queen Menina and her advisors were suddenly transported back to the edge of the magical pond, watching the waterfall, from the very spot they had been standing before the dwarf emerged from within. Ohmbryn was still unconscious at their feet. Queen Menina spun around and stormed off leaving them behind. Prince Renic and Elmyra rushed after her and left Ohmbryn by the pool, naked and unconscious. Elmyra made her way up to Queen Menina first, just over her left shoulder.

  “I want you to devote all your efforts to unmasking everyone on the council. I want everyone of their heads brought to me!” Queen Menina growled.

  “Who were those people? What was all that, Menina?” Prince Renic asked as he arrived next to Elmyra.

  “Do not concern yourself, brother.” She said, “Fetch Ohmbryn.”

  Chapter Two

  Sevum awoke next to two women, still drunk from the night before. The women were naked and passed out. Sevum stumbled from the bed to the sole table in the room where a half-pitcher of ale awaited him. He steadied himself once he reached the table then grabbed the pitcher, ignoring the mugs and drank from the pitcher, greedily. As his head leaned back to finish off what was left, he fell to the floor on his butt with a heavy thud. The pitcher bounced and rolled away from him, spilling what little was left in it. He laughed. His life had suddenly become a dream and he contemplated retirement. He had everything he wanted on demand, Dark Hawks tavern had become his playground, thanks to the Amulet of Ayana. He sold the amulet to Ramus once, sometimes twice a day, then took it back only to sell it again. The price was always the same, a bag of coin, a woman or two for the night, and all the ale he could drink. Life was very good for Sevum. He fell backwards on the floor, arms out, smiling at his good fortune. He looked at the women on his bed then down at his member, “You ready boy?” The door to the room suddenly burst opened. Sevum was too drunk to move and continued lying on the floor, looking up at Mani, who entered the room with a cold demeanor. Sevum knew whatever he wanted, it was serious, “I’m all paid up,” he said laughing, “Ask Ramus.” Two men followed Mani in to the room. One punched Sevum in the face knocking him out cold, which was not a fantastic feat considering his drunkenness. Mani woke the girls roughly, ordering them from the room. The two men with Mani picked the wiry thief up from the floor, easily then set him down in a chair by the table. Dark Hawk entered the room inspecting it as he came in. Mani sat down on the bed, scanning the room for Sevum’s belongings.

  “Get my money back, every facking coin.” Dark Hawk ordered one of the men holding Sevum upright in the chair. Dark Hawk looked over at Mani, who sat with a smirk. Mani pointed at a bundle of clothes in the corner for the men to go through, “This isn’t funny.”

  “Come on boss, it kinda is? Right?” Mani asked.

  “No.” Dark Hawk was not amused.

  “You gonna kill him?” Mani asked.

  “Absolutely.” Dark Hawk growled.

  “What about Darius?” Mani asked.

  “Fack Darius, this is my town!” Dark Hawk growled again making Mani chuckle.

  “It sure is boss,” Mani said still chuckling, “He had his way with Ramus though, right?” Dark Hawk looked at Mani still scowling, “I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at how he conned Ramus for so long, that’s all. Aren’t you even curious?”

  “Wake him up!” Dark Hawk yelled at one of his men holding Sevum in the chair. He shook Sevum violently, but he was too drunk to wake. He snored, even while being shook, making him snore in bursts. It made Mani laugh louder.

  “Here,” The man who searched through Sevum’s belongings said. He spilled a few coins to the floor, then held up an amulet, its chain was wrapped around his hand, “Look at this.” he said then just stared at it with his mouth suddenly slack jawed.

  “Give it here,” Dark Hawk ordered. His man just stood still, staring at the amulet, “Hey! Give it here!” Dark Hawk yelled again in futility. Dark Hawk walked over to him and yanked the amulet from his hand. He shoved it in his pocket then punched the man in the ribs, it sent him reeling to the floor with a gasp, “How many have decided to steal from me, Mani?” Dark Hawk asked furious he was ignored. Mani stood from the bed, no
longer laughing.

  “Hey, boss, it’s not like that.” Mani said defensively.

  “Really?” Dark Hawk walked over standing nose to nose with Mani, “First Ramus, giving this fool all my money, talking about taking my business. Now, I have some of you ignoring my orders outright?”

  “I told you about Ramus, you still have me, boss. I ain’t ignoring you.” Mani said trying to assure Dark Hawk of his loyalty.

  “Bring Sevum down to me when he sobers up. I want all three of you to stay here, if he escapes, I will kill you all!” Dark Hawk threatened. He started down the stairs with another one of his men who was waiting for him outside Sevum’s rented room. When they reached the landing, they could hear a raucous roar of celebration that slowed Dark Hawks pace. He held his hand up to stop his henchman from continuing any further and both men listened from the landing to what was going on in the bar below.

  The crowd cheered as Darius stood off to the side of the bar with a mug in the air, “Drink up!” he said, then looked at the bartender, “Make sure there is not an empty mug in all Dead Hallow! Tonight, we celebrate!” The bar erupted again in a roar. Darius was the leader of the most successful faction of bandits, the Green Vipers. He was known as the bandit king in most circles.

  “You have a generous purse, Darius, is this why you called us all here?” A man yelled from across the bar. His name was Quinn, leader of the bandit faction known as the Skulls. He was surrounded by his men, seven in all. They all enjoyed Darius’s generosity.

  “After tonight, Dead Hallow will change. That is why I invited you all here! Drink!” he motioned to the bar once again.

  “So, you’ve said, Darius, but how exactly? What fills your purse so full you can afford to drink all Dark Hawks liquor?” Another man on the other side of the bar, Hudsel, asked. He was the leader of the Red Palm, another bandit faction. His men numbered about fifteen. Every man in the room was a former soldier, having served one prince or another in the armies of Ganlin.