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Chapter 1
Ala-Mavine ziliad ala-Bair
Which is:
The young days of the world
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s is told in the tale of the creation and the immortals, those spirits of Latanzhear, which is their true home, entered into creation after their great victory over the tyrant Arbylar. Passing through those invisible walls which separate the two realms, they came into creation at a place which their makers had chosen for them. This place they as yet knew only as Ardylm “creation” but while it was creation and ever remained so, the world upon which they had come was to be given the name Bair, and Bair was to become dear to all the spirits, but especially to those of the younger race, the Minare. For their children that would be would know nothing about the Spectrum save only that which their mothers and fathers told, and thus they were unwilling to leave Bair, which was ever more of a home to them than the home of their parents, and they would defend it unto the death.
When the spirits first came upon Bair they found themselves above a great ocean, which was later named Arinika, for it was the only ocean that was yet to be known. It is said that Bair was still a place of twilight then, for the light had not yet risen and all was still. But beneath them the great expanse of water flickered beautifully in the starlight and that amazed the spirits by its beauty, and ever after the spirits have been fascinated by water, and none more so than Hiare, the queen of the Minare, if she can be so called. She looked long upon those waters, perhaps longer than any other of the spirits. There, unknown to any of her companions, she swore even before the beginning that she would never willingly leave or abandon Bair, which has ever been a vow that she ever held to, despite all that came upon her thereafter.
She and many others, including her friend Hifylar cast their eyes around the world then, marvelling at the stars above, but also at the lands to the east, which skirted the horizon. This sight intrigued the spirits greatly, and following the lead of Hiare and Hifylar, the spirits began to head eastward, aiming form the lands which were later called Bairgarand, the world continent.
As they came
finally to the threshold of land above the north western coast of
Only Hiare among the Minare and Hifylar among the Bythar knew anything of what was going to pass, and they knew little indeed. They knew that there would be other peoples upon Bair, but where and when they were to be found they knew not. Thus they were blind to the fact that the eldest of intelligent races arose even as Milare first brought its life upon Bair. In a hidden land of cold plain did this first race arise, and were at first to discover the world with their eyes alone, for none were there to guide them. This eldest race was not that of the Mavine as some of that people would like to believe. Nor was it the people of doom, nor even those who were red faced. Nay the Ezleg are the eldest of all the mortal races. Great intelligence above the others they had, and they were great in height compared to other races of later years, standing little short of twice the height of the Mavine. They were also long lived, some passing their six hundredth year. Thus of all the races they were in many ways the most like the spirits, but even they had that great difference, for they would indeed succumb to age in time, and it was by this alone that the races of Bair an the people of the spirits were judged to be most different at first.
The Ezleg themselves do not know the truth of their beginning, and as the spirits were not there to see it, being far away, none shall ever know the truth, and as such, they have many tales concerning it. Some say that they awoke from an endless dream in which they were created, others believe that they came from the very soil of Bair itself and many other tales besides, none can say which is true. But all that race ever held their life to Milare, which some of their tales say was a cry first called out to the daystar. But even in their beginning they could speak to each other, and that at the beginning some say that Milare merely meant “Life giver”
The first home of the eldest people lay in the north of Bairgarand where a few still remember the old days of the past there. The first name they gave to that place was Zhear, which merely mean “home” but that name has now been lost for thousands of years, and that place is now remembered as Zand Zlavind, the Shadow Slice. Even in the beginning that land, which skirted the northern coast of Bairgarand was bleak and cold, but not inhospitable, for it was well sheltered from the outside world by mountains to the south, a river to the west, and a forest to the east, though less than fifty miles to the north there lay the great ice cap, which at times brought south cold winds and snows even then. Thus in this isolated place did the Ezleg remain mostly as a single people, save only a very few who soon left their first home, as is later told.
The spirits did
not long remain above the coast of
Thus only six came forward, some already friends with their queen, others soon to be so, and those that came with her then never abandoned her even in her worst moments. There was Navim, a wise lord, perhaps one of the wisest beings ever to set foot on Bair. Hen there were Olora and Kalure, both warriors who had fought beside Hiare in the wars before time began. Then there were the hunters, Ritnal the cunning, friend to the Seldar in times ahead he was, and Kwnal the strong, a Mina who rarely spoke, but was of strong will. Lastly though was Avaner, who was a hunter also, and was like a sister to Hiare. She had been her closest companion in the war, and though they were not related any more than any other of that race, they were often said to be so alike to make it seem so, and indeed, they were the closest of all in friendship.
Then Hiare said unto her people, “I go now to find the other peoples of this world, take care under Hifylar and Viler in my absence.”
And then they departed into the night, seeking but a rumour of a few words that Hiare was determined to find.
Some miles away, as Milare went down on the very first days of Bair, the Ezleg, suddenly afraid of the darkness, cowered away. Though even at night it was not all dark, for above them shone a great many stars, and with them the two moons of Bair. Rinue the larger was green and blue as if it was given also the gift of life, and it was given its name for it crosses the sky with haste, passing over several times every day. Kinue was the smaller, and was white and devoid of life, but shone brightly enough for the Ezleg, who had naturally good sight, to see well in the night. But neither moon nor all the stars above could replace the light that Milare leaves behind when it falls below the horizon. Thus in the darkness of those first nights the Ezleg began to gather at the one sight that they could all see, that of a mountain amidst their realm, and thus they gathered there. That mountain, with slopes of a pale grey, shone brightly in the moonlight, and the Ezleg then revered it, and it was given the name Avin Ezleg, the noble mountain, or the mountain of the Ezleg. Around the southern side of that mountain there was a lake from which the mountain seemed almost to grow. It was by these shores that the Ezleg began to gather, and when those that were near had gathered there on the first night, all were silent at the beauty of the place, so that the lake was given the name Ariniva, the silent water or the silent lake. There the Ezleg were destined to remain for some time, so that before long most of that race was gathered within sight of the mountain and the lake. Only a few remained away from there, including a host which had departed that land in the first days, and headed east, led by an Ezlag called Nomleagth. But for the most part the Ezleg were content to remain as one people unbroken, and since then they have always wished it to be so, but it can never be so again.
Hiare and her companions made many journeys around Bairgarand after they left the rest of their people on the Zarin Mina, but the land was great in size and they were but a few in number. Thus, though their travels lasted nigh a year, they found not the Ezleg, though they had seen many other marvellous things besides. They saw wild beasts in distant lands, they saw large forests, great rivers and tall mountains aplenty, but they found not those who the were seeking, so that in the cold days of the year, which the Ezleg call Vrozar, Hiare decided to return unto her people upon the mountains, and it was then, on their return to their people, that they found the Ezleg in the realm of Zand Zlavind.
It was indeed a chance encounter, for Hiare only found them due to fires burning nigh to the mountain which was the Avin Ezleg as they passed by. Intrigued by the lights Hiare and her companions, still invisible to mortal eyes, descended down beside the lake to see this people. Hiare was no doubt the gladdest to on having found the mortal peoples. But not wishing to disturb or scare this people, she told her companions not to reveal themselves to the Ezleg. But in this she was wrong, for one who wishes only friendship should show themselves as friends or else they may well be called an enemy.
But in any case it did not matter, for even as the spirits came there, the Ezleg knew that there were others among them that were not of their kind. They felt as if they were being watched, and that they could hear hidden whispers amidst the air itself. Thus many were in panic in but a few moments, even though they could not yet see the spirits. Some turned to flee, other hid where they could, but some, though few, stood against fear, and did not flee. One of these, of whom many tales tell, alone spoke out to the beings unseen;
“Beings of spirit,” he cried, “Show yourselves! If you are wrathful against us then taunt us not as cowards, but if it is friendship you wish then why must you be hidden from our eyes?”
A great speaker he always was, and tall even for the measure of the Ezleg. His name was Avternain, “Star Stone” in the tongue of the Ezleg, and later he was to be surnamed Bairmil, the “Worlds Life”
Hiare heard those words well, for she had watched nearby, and however much she regretted it, she knew that she had no choice but to hearken to those words, even though she feared the outcome of such a deed. But calling her companions to her, they showed themselves to the mortals.
To the Ezleg it seemed as if all of Latanzhear had opened up before them, for an almost mythical rainbow of colour sprouted up from the shore of the lake, and it is said that they never truly left those waters, so that the lake was often remembered as Ariniva Latani, the lake of silent colour. Then from that light came the spirits incarnate, for the spirits for the most part ever clothed themselves in mortal bodies, but they had at first no idea what to show themselves as. But Hiare had a vision from before the beginning, one that was to be of great importance in later days. Thus she clothed herself in that vision, and it was that form, that of a young Mavine lady, that she has always favoured and is always remembered as. This was strange more than just in sight for the Ezleg, for the Mavine peoples would not be seen upon Bair for many long years, thus making many wonder where her vision came from, for she alone knows that truth. But her companions, following her lead, took also the form of Mavine, both young and old and male and female as each needed and desired. But it was to mean more than just form to them, for their children would be given such forms also, and thus throughout all the Minare, the form of the Mavine has ever been the most common, if not the only one, that they appeared as.
But to the majestical appearance of the spirits, the Ezleg were terrified, and they cried in anguish “Ala-Ukarak!, the demons” and their hearts failed them, and filled with thoughts of their own destruction many fled, and those who did not for the most part tried desperately to hide themselves from the wrath of the spirits. Only Avternain stood firm, knowing that at least one among his people must speak to the spirits, even though fear shone brightly in his eyes also. Thus, faced now with the Minare, he brought himself slowly to speak, and when he did, his words were not calm.
“Damn you demons!” he cried, “Why must you spy upon us?”
“Fear not mortal,” said Hiare calmly, “We come not as spies, merely as observers.”
“It is the same to the one who is watched if you observe them in secret!” Avternain replied.
“Then the error is ours,” admitted Hiare, “but all the same we only tried to remain secret as not to frighten you.”
“Then in that you failed indeed spirit,” Avternain replied, “but why would a being of spirit who can do such wonder wish to observe a simple people such as us?”
“Because we were appointed guardians of this world young one,” said Hiare, “and guardians must know what they are to protect.”
“Protection?” asked Avternain, “what must you protect us from?”
“That I cannot say,” Hiare replied, “But there are many terrible things out beyond this world, and who knows what resides within. But believe me noble one, we mean neither you, nor your people harm, merely friendship.”
“My people?” asked Avternain, “they are not my people, we are ruled by no one, least of all by me.”
Hiare smiled, betraying a liking for this being, “yet you alone stood and spoke to us when all your people had fled,” she said, “so you must then have the will of a leader,”
The Ezlag smiled vainly at these words, but said nothing more until Hiare asked “What is your name my friend?”
“Avternain I am named,” he replied, “and my people are call the Ezleg”
“Hiare is my name,” she replied, “and my companions are Navim, Olora, Kalure, Ritnal, Kwnal and Avaner, and my people call me Arele, though there is no need.”
“Well my queen,” said Avternain graciously, “Come to our home if you so wish, but we are a simple people with little that may please you. But we can give you food and shelter if you so wish.”
“We have no need of either,” Hiare replied, “but in both we can be glad of at times.”
Avternain bowed low, then turning he cried aloud, “Come Ezleg, here now we have new friends!”
Then, slowly from the shadows of the cold night, came the Ezleg. Slowly at first, but soon many came out into the night to greet the Minare, and there in the first days these two peoples were made as friends, and so would they remain so there after.
For many long and fruitful days did Hiare and her companions remain in the realm of Zand Slav, and much knowledge passed between those peoples. The Ezleg learned much of crafts and of the forging metal, so that their names for these things were made in remembrance of the Minare. They learned also of the sowing of crops, so that they no longer needed to live merely by hunting and gathering. They learned also from the Minare the craft of writing, so that their words would thereafter survive the ages. In return the Minare learned much of the mortals themselves, of their ways, of their customs, and of the ultimate difference of mortality, which the Ezleg then knew of even though none of their people had yet died of age. This Hiare could not understand, nor comprehend, for though her kind could be destroyed by hurt, they could not fall from the mere passing of time, and even many thousands of years later Hiare still did not comprehend this. But in their days together the Minare helped the Ezleg build secure homes and also in curing the few ailments that afflicted them. but the greatest flowering of that time was the friendship of Hiare and Avternain. Often they walked under the shadow of Avin Ezleg along the shores of Ariniva, and despite what most would believe, she learned more from him than he from her. But their understanding was something stronger than a normal friendship. The chief thing that Hiare learned from Avternain was of the many laws that she would have to make, for she saw what grave injuries that her people could do to the world if unrestrained. She made her first law on one of those nights, that to forbid a union of a Mina and a mortal. This she ever feared above all else, and it was the very fate that was to plague Hiare herself in years to come.
But after the long days of Almazar and Elmëgazar had passed by, and Arinizar was in its full flourishing, Hiare saw finally the need to return to her people upon the heights of the Zarin Mina, thought she was in fact loath to do so, for she did not want to leave the Ezleg. But after much hesitation she made up her mind to leave, and finally addressed the Ezleg.
“My friends,” she said, “our time here has been very great, but now me and my people must go an find a home for ourselves, for my people sit now upon barren mountains, and they cannot remain so forever.”
The Ezleg grieved at these words, none more so than Avternain. But no Ezlag would hinder their leaving with pleas, save only Avternain, who came and spoke to Hiare after she had spoken and was ready to leave, but she was already waiting for his arrival.
“We must leave now my friend,” she said.
“Why?” asked Avternain, “Who is there to give you orders? Are you not the queen of your people?”
“None give me orders on this world my friend,” she answered, “But I am a queen with a responsibility to her people, and now, even as we speak, they remain upon cold mountains far to the east of here, and I cannot let them remain there forever.”
“If that be so, I shall wait for your return friend Mina,” said Avternain, seeing that he could not stop her.
“Avternain my friend,” Hiare replied, “I swear you this, be it days, months, or many long years, I will return to you and your people.” then they embraced, and she said finally, “farewell friend Ezlag,” and she turned away, and walked to her companions.
Thus, there upon the plains of Zand Zlavind the Ezleg said farewell to their new friends, where many tears were shed. Then the Minare took to the skies of the night, and with the moons shining brightly above they disappeared from the sight of the Ezleg who looked up for some time after they had gone. Avternain stood and said to himself, “Farewell Hiare, I merely hope that you fulfil your promise.”
It was only a short time before Hiare and her six companions found their way back to the Zarin Mina. Blazing white snow covered the peaks, but even this did not disguise to the eyes of the spirits that their companions were there. Hiare greeted her spouse Viler and her friend Hifylar. To them both together she said, “we have found the mortals, and a great and noble race they are too.”
“That is fine,” said Viler, “But much time have we spent on these mountains, so where do we go from here?”
“We found a place on our journeys,” she answered, “It is far to the south and away from the mortals, which is good, for we must let them find their feet in this world unhindered now that we have allowed them to walk.”
Thus when they had spoken to the remainder of the spirits of this, they prepared to depart. Not all wished to in their hearts, but all nonetheless followed the council of Hiare, and that same night that Hiare and her companions arrived upon the mountains, the hosts of the spirits left the Zarin Mina for the south western lands. It is said that so many spirits taking to the night sky created great lights above those mountains, and that the Ezlag Nomleagth and his small host saw this sight, and taking it as a sign, he lead his host south, entering the land of line with their banners held high.
But the Minare did not see all this, for they continued onward to the south west, crossing the lands of Ager, Nueline, and Maitherel. They continued on for several thousand miles until in the opening days of the third year, even as Nomleagth reached his destination far away, they crossed the range of mountains called the Avin Mina, the guarding mountains, and they came finally to the most south western land of Bairgarand, which was shielded by the Avin Mina in the north, Naivin Vinotz in the east, and the sea to the south and west. It was here that the spirits made their first homes. That place was given the name Minarand, the guarded country, for few people from out side walked within, at least at first. For to the north the Avin Mina towered high, and those mountains were broken only by a single pass, Nomoth Baraz, which came night the middle of the mountains. But elsewhere the mountains were high and unbroken, though craggy on the northern side. To the south of the mountains were the Tzel and Naivin forests, where the trees grew higher than in any other place upon Bair. Two great rivers cut through that land, the Kalarni to the west, and the Vrozlan to the east. The rest of that land consisted of great open plains unmarred by wars or blight, where flowers of great beauty and unique creature lived. The south was bordered only by the sea, and it was known as Zer Viral, the sprit coast.
Thus the spirits descended upon that land, and were amazed by its beauty, and Hiare said to Hifylar, “Great indeed is Bair my friend, as to leave a place such as this where we can reside. Now let us celebrate this day,” and thus the spirits were free there to enjoy the first day in their new home.
Then it was that the spirits spread throughout their lands, most at a slow pace, for many wanted to see all that they could see. The Minare were more apt to do this, some taking many years to espy out all of Minarand. The Bythar were in more haste, wishing to see all that they could in but a short time. For the most part the Minare, still remembering the ocean before the rising of light, came west, though not all by far. But many of that race came to the Kalarni river, and on the banks of this river they built their homes in what became the chief city of the Minare. Minriavi it was named in time, the guarded brilliance, for it homes and halls were great and beautiful indeed. But Hiare herself had no palace or home of her own there, for she above all loved the sea, and to ease her restless heart she came to the furthest west of that land, and with her came the Minabair and a few others. There, upon cliffs looking out on the Arinika ocean, was made her home. Enough for many to live there indeed, but not a queenly dwelling, but then she had never wanted greatness of that kind, and most often Viler her husband lead the Minare in their city, for in time she had many other tasks to do instead.
But they Bythar turned not west as the Minare, but east, and with them came a part of the Minare. There, upon the banks of the Vrozlan, they built their own city. This city was to become the greatest of all cities upon Bair, surpassing even Minriavi. Kazag-thar it was named, the great knowledge. Its streets were paved with golden stones, its walls a brilliant white, with no sign of anything marred, such was the beauty of that place. In the heart of that city was built the Vilinemalir, the spire of hope. It was a great needle cast up into the sky. Contained within that place was the Kelmetlar, the throne of brilliance, upon which sat Hifylar, lord of the Bythar. He however was much like Hiare, in that he wandered much by nature as his name suggests, and often he was not upon his throne, which some of his subjects resented. There in that place was also kept the Nathurihlain when Hifylar needed it not, and many tales are told of its fate, until the memory of them leaves us forever.
Chapter 2
Ala-Kalëath ala-Ezlegad
Which is:
The sundering of the Ezleg
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ow, as the spirits built their homes in the guarded realm, the Ezleg remained in Zand Zlavind, most being completely content in their northern home, and those who were not had already left the shadow slice in the earliest days of Bair before the coming of the Minare, and of those people, and the tales of Nomleagth and Almagarin, are later told. Thus in those first years all was seemingly at peace, a peace without marring, and for several short years, Bair, with its great unpeopled plains, seemed to slumber as if in a dream. But soon that dream was to be utterly shattered beyond any repair, and was going to become for some as if a nightmare.
For it is said that in the first days of what was the fifth year since the beginning, when Hiare and her companions were but four years gone from Zand Zlavind, that a new force came upon Bair from Latanzhear, but unlike the Minare, these beings had no good intentions for the world. For these were the spirits, of old being Minare also, that had followed Arbylar and his dark summons in the war before time. After the defeat of their master, they had fled from the pursuit of the victors into the deep recesses off the spectrum where they were not to be found. The loyal spirits, believing that the renegades had been broken and were no longer a threat, departed for Bair. But after some time had passed, and the spirits were long gone from the spectrum, the fallen emerged from their hiding, and came unto their master, and tried to release him. But the bonds Hifylar had lain upon him were too strong, and could not be broken lest they possessed the sceptre. Already it is believed that Arbylar’s thoughts had turned from mere the wish to rule, to the wish to rule all and to gain his revenge, though that madness was not known until long after, far on from this tale. And thus to begin his reign he sent his followers into creation to do his bidding.
All of those fallen spirits who had survived the war and remained loyal to Arbylar now came to Bair, and though the Minare had believed them but few and broken, they were truly great in number, and a great threat to all of Bair. They were led by Ravik, who was of old second only to Hiare in the ranks of the Minare, though then with another name. But he ever coveted the rule itself, and as he could not get that rule, he turned to Arbylar, and as his name suggests, he fell into the pit of insanity, at least in his loyalties, for his mind, though deluded, had not totally been lost, and he showed himself ever to be very cunning and clever, though only with twisted thoughts.
Though it was learned that these beings were the followers of Arbylar, none knew for a long time that they cane under orders from their master and for long they were believed to have come to Bair to seek only conquests for themselves, and thus none believed that he himself had fallen so far, and that was the great mistake. Despite their kinship to the Minare, to all mortal eyes they were as a different race, for while the Minare took fair forms, few of these beings could do so, and seemed to exist only of darkness, and for that reason the Ezleg named them Arak Ukarak, the black demons, and more often merely as Ukarak, for they were the only true demons that the Ezleg ever met. And never again would any of their number be called Minare, and only one would ever be forgiven.
It is not known where the Demons first came upon Bair, but it is now believed that it was to the far east, beyond Bairgarand and beyond the land of Daizagul also, and they remembered those eastern lands well, for in times of flight they remembered them well enough to return there, so that it became a safe haven for the demons. But it is believed that when they came there, they found those lands inhabited by other peoples of Bair. This race is now forgotten for what ever good they may have possessed, for the demons, coming upon these people who were as helpless as the Ezleg would have been, captured them and enslaved them all, and did things unspeakable to them, and thus at the very beginning the demons committed the greatest single evil act, for these creatures, weak and unknowing of ought else, were twisted, loosing all dignity and all sanity, and thus belonged to the evils ever after. Their origins and even their true name is now forgotten, and they are remembered as Orglag, the damned race, and here must be told of them. Most were very tall, the height of an Ezlag if they stood tall, but they were hunched forward and so seemed shorter. They had thick green leathery skin and sharp teeth and claws, and they carried no weapons, and wore no clothes, and ate only flesh. Most it must be said were of little intelligence, though they had their own harsh and guttural tongue, and had a civilisation, even if of the lowest kind, and would at times inhabit, and rarely, create their own gathered dwellings, a few becoming greater, even to be called a city. But alone they would not have done this. For some of their race were different. These were black of skin, and taller than the rest of their race. This kind, though certainly akin to the rest, showed both dark intelligence and a cruel wit, and they wielded strong axes. This kind controlled the others, and at times ruled their own realms of these creatures, and they were called the Black Orglag. Both male and female fought, though at first sight there was little difference between them. but when left alone they multiplied greatly, and though but few at first would in time become a bane to all of Bair. Thus were the race that was born of the most dark deed that the Ukarak ever committed alone, a shame beyond all others, and one that was not fully realised for long after.
In those eastern lands the demons committed these evil acts, and many lesser beasts were stirred up to madness by them also. But Ravik was not content to remain there, for he was moved by the need for revenge against the Minare and especially Hiare. Thus it is believed that he left a few of his command in the east, where ever greater evils would be committed, and he led his remaining hosts west in search of the Minare, with the first of the Orglag following in their wake. In this alone he is said to have erred, for if he waited until his power was full, the unprepared west could not have resisted. But press west he did, crossing from the land his people had taken, which was to be named Borlag-Line-Bair, the damned land of the world, and passed over the mountains which barred the western reaches of this realm, and were to be called the Lainad Bair, the edge of the world. They pressed on across the great uninhabited lands of Daizagul, where none had yet seen, but the evils did not remain there, and pressed onward, until they reached another great mountain range, known as the Avinkazag, which marked the eastern border of Bairgarand. They reached those mountains in the north, and crossed through them by the northern most pass, which was later given the name Dar Baraz, the pass of doom, and they entered into the most north westerly of all places in Bairgarand. This land was bordered to the south by the mountains that were later called the Avin Zandlear, the shadow ages, and was bordered to the north by the sea known later as the Vrolmore, the sea of death. That place was ever a cold, barren and inhospitable land with lands of shattered rock and ice. But despite all that, it was not utterly forlorn, for in places life flourished early on, and a river flowed through that land. But that life was soon quenched. Of a name of that land before the evils no tale tells, for only one host of people ever passed through there before the evil came, and they struggled so, that they never give it a name, and they knew none themselves. But ever afterwards it was known as Zandline, the shadow land, and though it was not to remain the chief domain of the darkness, it was a land of evils in Bairgarand ever after.
There were only three ways in which one foolish could enter into that land. The first was to the west, where there lay a great pass known as Glimer Baraz, which is the pass of jewels, named so for the sparkling crystals that shone from the rock on the mountain sides. This pass was very wide, and would have been easy to cross save only that at times snows blocked the route through it. Nonetheless a great many unmarked graves were there to be within, for that pass was one of the most fought over places in all of Bair. The second route into that land was back east through Dar Baraz, and that was never an easy task, for avalanches were common, so that all who had need to enter tried to come some other way. The final way into that land was from the south, where the Avin Zandlear was sundered. The pass itself was sundered also for the northern tip of the Zarin Mina severed it to the east and west. One of the paths led westward into the plains of Dinear, the other led southwards into Arakline. the pass was given the name Arak Baraz, the dark pass, and was likewise heavily fought over in times ahead, and few would walk there save only in times of great need.
To the north and south of Arak Baraz, were two spires of rock. Both blocked the routes through the pass, despite their distance from the heart of the pass. The northern spire was the much larger, and it was there that the demons first came, and they hewed that rock into a fortress, spilling their foulness into the river that flowed beside it, for ever poisoning those waters and giving the river its name Lmorarini, the death water. Beneath the tower were hewn many great pits where thousands of Orglag came and infested. Thus was created there the infamous fortress of Zavaner Zar, the pit of years, and with its building Zandline was ever the realm of evil, and Zavaner Zar would become a symbol of hate across all of Bair, and though it many times fell, time and time again it was to rise, and save only one other fortress of Arbylar’s curse, it was the most hated indeed.
As has been said the Ezleg for the most part had remained in their home of Zand Zlavind, content with their simple lives and fearing no harm. Only a few had left their home, and those were scattered around both Dinear and Arakline. but Ravik now sought to break their peace, though he began his conquest small, for at that time the Orglag were still few in number, but crossed into Dinear they did, and the Ukarak were not idle either, for Ravik joined in this hunt of damnation. It is perhaps thankful that Ravik then believed that the Ezleg were a much greater power than they in fact were, for he was timid in his conquests. If he had been bold, all may have been over before it had truly begun. But that was no consolation to those who were lost in Dinear and Arakline. most managed to flee to the Ezleg cities in those lands, but many could not flee, and were slain, and some were taken alive, and were dragged back to Zavaner Zar in chains and they came to a fate unknown. Soon the open plains of Dinear and northern Arakline were empty of Ezleg once more, and Nomleagth and Almagarin were forced to fortify their cities in face of this shadowy foe, for they feared that what perused their kin in the wilderness would come to them in time. But Ravik was in no hurry, for he now knew of the Ezleg, and he deemed them weak and ripe for the taking. He believed their simple mortality to be their greatest weakness. Ironic it is then than in times far ahead, Ravik himself was to fall to a mortal hand which he would have judged to be much weaker than that of an Ezlag.
But while the evils did not attack these cities, they were not content with merely raiding and taking a few stragglers, nor even the small Ezleg cities in Dinear and Arakline. No, they wanted all, and to this end Ravik and his followers came across the north unopposed until they reached the bordered of Zand Zlavind , and then they began to raid that land, and soon those of the Ezleg who lived in the eastern reaches of that land quickly fled back towards the noble mountain. But again Ravik failed to press his advantage fully. The Ezleg would have stood little chance had he marched into that land in force. As it was the Ezleg were terrified, calling their assailants Zanadlith, beings of shadow. But despite their terror the Ezleg resisted, and using the crafts the Minare had taught them, they made weapons with which to resist at least the lesser of the evils, and thus began to fight a war they could never win in those early days, and despite gallant resistance in small groups through out the north, soon the entire Ezleg race was poised for complete destruction. Perhaps it would have ended so, if not for the actions of Hiare Minabair.
The tidings of these dark events travelled but slowly over the lands of Bair, so that for long Minarand was utterly in the dark about the happenings in the north, and if had not been for two Minare, warnings from the north may have come far too late. It was only because of Navim the wise and Avaner the hunter that these things became known, for these two spirits were restless travellers, and soon after the evils had begun their devilish work, they had travelled north. Navim came to Arakline, for he had wished to check upon the rumour of Nomleagth, who he believed had travelled there. He found Nomleagth’s people with little trouble, but he found also the darkness that was issuing from Zandline, and he sought forth into Zandline itself to find out what was happening there. Avaner however had come to Dinear, and she was checking upon the rumour of Almagarin. She had found both he and his people in great fear from what was out in the plains, and so she herself sought forth to find out what these creature were. She quickly found the Orglag, but realised that these beasts were not the root of it all. She found out the root when she travelled further north and was nigh to the Vrolivar river. She saw the devastation of the path that lay from Zandline to the east. Then she saw figures at a distance, and hid herself. Three of the demons passed her, with many Orglag by their side, and they were dragging several Ezleg away in chains. Avaner knew at once what the demons were, and was not going to allow the Ezleg to be taken away, and thus she rushed from hiding and quickly slew two of those creatures that she had once, long ago, called her friends. The last survivor fled her wrath, brining tidings to Ravik, who was greatly worried and attacked not for a time. But Avaner let it go, and she butchered the Orglag there, and freed the Ezleg. Those Ezleg did not know her from her time at the noble mountain, and she did not tell them much, but led them away south to the safety of Almagarin’s city. But as they came within sight of the place, Avaner vanished. They spoke of this to Almagarin, who is said to have remarked that, “Hidden allies we have out on those far plains, and in our need they now come to aid us at last.”
Avaner and Navim met with Hiare sometime later in the first days of the seventh year. Avaner had gone first to find Navim, and she had found him within Zandline, praying on Orglag who carried Ezleg prisoners. But when Avaner came the Ukarak were hunting for him and both quickly fled away to the south, and had realised the need to quickly tell Hiare of all this, and they quickly rushed back to Minarand. They met Hiare to the north of Minriavi nigh to the edge of Tzel Vinotz, where Hiare hoped their words would not be heard. Thus Avaner and Navim told all of what they had seen, and Hiare was greatly worried, for she still remembered well the words of warning that had been given to her before time.
“These beings,” said Avaner, “Demons they are called, and foul are they indeed. But it is plain now that they are merely those of our kin who had followed Arbylar, and have come here to continue the war”
“This is grave news indeed,” said Hiare “For we all knew that a few at least managed to escape us, but we believed that they were only a very few in number and that without leadership they would give up their ambitions for this world. But now they are indeed here, and you say that they are great in number.”
“Indeed,” said Navim, “they are many in number, a match for any willing force that we could raise against them, in fact it maybe that our presence here as a deterrent alone will be the only thing that prevents them taking all the north, for they may be as many as twenty score in number.”
Hiare was shocked, “Four hundred!” she cried, “You cannot say that this is so?”
“I fear very much that it is my queen,” said Avaner in reassurance of the fact.
Hiare sighed, “If that is so, then you are right my friend, they are indeed a match for those who would be willing to fight.” She shook her head, “Too many of our number have put fighting beyond them, as have the Bythar.”
Then, as if from nowhere, came a booming voice, “That is not true of all of us Hiare.”
The three Minare quickly turned to see Hifylar emerge from the trees besides the shores of the river.
Hiare laughed, “indeed my friend you allow no secrets to be kept from yourself. But it was not you that I doubted, but others in your number.”
Hifylar nodded, “it is true indeed. I can speak for myself, and Bysarlar would loyally follow, but of the others I cannot say for certain. Farsiya may follow, as may Zylena. But Hisarn is a meddler in who I put little confidence, and Arsare bickers only for me to release Arbylar.”
“That you certainly must not do,” said Hiare sternly, “Not forgetting the many wrongs he committed, we now face a danger that was ultimately of his own making.”
“Indeed,” said Hifylar, “It is just that she tires me so much that I cannot stand to be near her any more.”
Hiare went on, “But even two or three of your number would not suffice to change the fact my friend, for even if you were faced by twenty of the demons, you would struggle to survive. Safe from injury you may have been before my friend, but in this you are no longer so.”
“Indeed that is so,” said Hifylar, “But that still leaves the question of what to do to a foe that we cannot defeat out of hand, but in turn will not assail us lest to stir the whole people up to anger. If we attack, we may well all be slain, if we do nothing, the mortals will be defeated or enslaved. So what is there to do?”
Hiare thought for a few moments, then spoke a decision that would forever change the history of Bair.
“If one wolf cannot defeat the other without letting itself die, it must take its catch and flee to safety.”
“A fine metaphor my friend,” said Hifylar, “But what doe it mean to the mortals?”
“It means,” said Hiare, “that we must bring the Ezleg away from the danger.”
There were worried faces all around to these words.
“I do not wish to do this,” Hiare said, “But it seems as if it is the only thing that can be done to save them.”
“Indeed that may be so,” said Avaner, “But the Ezleg may not wish to go, and what if some will go and some will not, what shall you do then?”
“I hope upon hope that it shall not come to that, but we are not to force them. if they will not go, it is their own folly, and cannot be overturned.”
“Where then, do you propose to lead them?” Asked Hifylar, “you have seen much more of this world than I?”
“It cannot be west,” said Navim, “there are great mountains barring the path.”
“Nor east,” continued Avaner, “Lest they walk into the jaws of the evil itself.”
“To the south then,” said Hiare, “When we crossed these lands before, I saw there in the south east great open plain in warm lands. In such a place would the Ezleg prosper.”
For a few moments the four spirits stood in silence. It seemed almost perfect, but all there knew that it was far from being so.
“I dread this,” said Hiare finally, “but I can see no other remedy for this affliction.” The others mutually agreed.
“Then there is little time to waste,” said Hiare, “My friends, can you go and find our other companions, I will be here with Hifylar.” She then added, “Do not speak of this, many, including my husband would panic, and their panic would not aid us.” The two Minare agreed, and then departed, and Hiare and Hifylar remained there alone.
“I shall come as well my friend, I am also a traveller at heart, and I can care no longer for Arsare or the rule of a city.”
“You must not listen to her my friend,” said Hiare, “though if I had my way Arbylar would never be freed, but certainly he must not be until this is all over.”
But Hifylar replied, “Forever is a long time Hiare, and we are not barbarians to keep him caged forever, but I do agree that it must not happen yet, this matter will wait until all of this is over.”
But Hiare feared that it had all barely begun, and her own decisions gnawed at her, for she was about to sever a people from their home, perhaps forever.
Both Hiare and Hifylar had not long to wait, for very soon Avaner and Navim returned, bringing with them all the other Minabair, Olara, Kalure, Ritnal, and Kwnal. When they had all gathered beside the river, Hiare then told the others of their plans, and of what they were to do. All seemed worried, and even distraught, but when Hiare said finally, “We shall protect them, those that we called friends!” all raised a cheer. “Then, let us go.” She said finally, and eight spirits, seven Minare and a single Bytha took to the skies of Bair, and from that day all of those spirits pledged themselves to defend the mortal peoples, and all of Bair as well.
Together those companions crossed the long and open plains of Bairgarand that led to Zand Zlavind, crossing in days what it would take months to walk. They passed over many lands which had not yet been seem by the mortal eye, and they came in time to the north, where they halted. For Hifylar was there to leave them. he said to Hiare, “I shall go and find out what I can to the east my friend, I shall not allow the fallen to attack you if I can at all stop them.” and then, heading east over the Avin Leth, he vanished from sight. Hiare looked after him for a few moments, and then turned back with her companions on the northern road, and headed once more for Zand Zlavind, and hoped that they were not too late to save the Ezleg.
But when the seven Minabair had crossed over Litheren Vinotz and first set eyes upon Zand Zlavind once more, the sight ahead of them was strange. For when they had left that land before, some Ezleg had lived this far east in Zand Zlavind, in the area known as Vroline, but now there were none, the plains were empty, and Hiare feared that the evils had already come and gone, and that there was naught left for the Minare to save. But then, from a distance, Hiare noticed figures on foot, and wishing to find out who they were, she beckoned her companions onward, and they descended from the sky to find out who this small host was.
Much to Hiare’s surprise, this party was led by Avternain. He had changed little since they had last met, but there was now a grimness in his face that Hiare had not seen before. He had twenty or so companions beside him, all armed with spears and were poised as if battle was to fall upon them at any moment, and they looked all the worse for it.
As the Minare, still unseen, came nigh to them, all the Ezleg knew that spirits were about. But instead of calling out or waiting, all levelled their weapons and prepared for battle. But Hiare, remembering the folly she had committed long before, became visible before them and said, “Fear not, for we are your friends!”
Avternain smile, though it was at first a smile of relief and not of joy, but quickly he warmed his heart. “Hiare!” he cried, “What a joy it is to see you now, we could not have asked for more in our time of need.”
“Yes,” said Hiare, “we too have heard of the beings of twilight.”
“So you know of our plight,” said Avternain, “It is why we raised weapons against you when you were near, for the lack of such precautions has meant death to us of late.”
“Fear not my friend,” said Hiare, “for we have come now to deliver you from the evils, for it is why we are here.”
Avternain however queried these words, “I respect what you say my friend, but a great many shadows blight the edge of this land, and you are but seven. Do your people not come in force? If not how do you propose to defeat these evils?”
“No, you are correct, they do not come,” said Hiare, “But even seven can stand against many if they have both the strength and the will to do so. But let us not tarry her any longer my friend, and let us go to the noble mountain, and there is will speak to you all what I propose.”
“I should ask what you are planning my friend, but I fear that you would not tell me even if I did so?”
“In that you are correct my friend!” she laughed for the first time in a long while, “Come now Minare and Ezleg, great matters await us at the noble mountain.”
And with these words the Minare and the Ezleg began the long journey westward to the Avin Ezleg.
In the days since the evils had descended on Zandline and began their raids westward into Dinear and then into Zand Zlavind, the Ezleg had, as seen, largely fled from Vroline and for the most part had gathered nigh to the noble mountain, and as Hiare and her companions came closer to that peak, they found hundred of abandoned homes, and the sheer enormity of what was happening became apparent to Hiare. Then, as they came closer still, they found the thousands of terrified Ezleg huddled together nigh to the mountain. All carried weapons, afraid of an unseen enemy. The cold weather of that land did not help, and many young Ezleg, despite being a race renouned for their resistance to ills, were sick. Hiare hung her head, unable to stand the sight of it all, though she was to stand many worse things in years to come. Avternain tried as he could to comfort her, saying, “Fear not Hiare, for this is what mortality is for us in this land.”
“But it would not be so in a fair land,” she replied, but spoke no more on the matter as yet.
Finally, late one day, a handful since Hiare had first met Avternain in Vroline, they finally came to the noble mountain. Milare was already low in the sky, and the brilliant orange rays made Ariniva shine more beautiful than any other time save only when the spirits first came there. There nigh to the mountain were gathered more Ezleg than Hiare had ever before seen, for Avternain had sent forth messengers and gathered the Ezleg nigh to the mountain. Many had come from the further fringes of Zand Zlavind, and in all it is believed that close to all the Ezleg of Zand Zlavind had gathered there that day by the time Hiare spoke, and only a very few in the furthest reaches of that land had not come. it was only there and then that Hiare realised how truly difficult it would be to implement her plan and the more so to actually complete it. She realised that it would take many years to lead any such host south. And remembering the sick children and the embittered warriors, she wondered if her plan was to cause more harm than it was to prevent.
Yet as Milare was sinking into distant lands, Hiare had made up her mind to go on, and Avternain soon came to her and spoke thus.
“Now is your time my friend, few others will come here, so speak now what you will and speak it well.”
“Thank you my friend, I can only hope that you will forgive me,” was Hiare’s reply.
She then walked before the great mass of Ezleg, and elevated herself into the air so that all could see her, and then she spoke, and it was with such presence that not only could all the great gathering hear her, but even those that disagreed with her were mesmerised by her mere presence.
“People of nobility!,” she cried, “You know well already that a darkness prowls upon your borders. Some of you may also know that my people were sent here in part to protect all from any evil…”
She hesitated long then, for the next words would change the fate of the Ezleg forever.
“Thus I propose to lead you to the south, where you will be guarded by us, and shall live in mild lands where your children shall not fall sick and where the evil shall be kept at an arms reach and shall no longer threaten you.”
Those words forever broke a people, for all hearts were turned in different ways. Some saw hope in what Hiare had said, and wished to follow, others would not leave their homelands because of the words of one of a different race, and those were largely the Ezleg who had not met the Minare when they had first come to Zand Zlavind. And then Hiare asked the fateful words, “Who will hearken to these summons?”
At once Avternain called up to her, “I will follow you!” he said firmly.
A great cheer then went up across the plain, but it was not as great as it should have been. Indeed most who did cheer had been those who had met the spirits before and believed their words, they moved forth to Hiare and cheered with all their strength.
But many turned their backs, and these were Ezleg who had endured the suffering of the north without the gifts of the spirits, and thus never wished to leave their first home, and though few spoke up against her, knowing at a length the power of the spirits, they merely turned their backs and walked back to their homes, harbouring a grudge against both the spirits and those who followed them. they were all in all around half that people, a great number indeed, and they felt in times ahead as if a limb had been severed, a gnawing pain of severance.
But there was one who was to speak out utterly against the Minare, and his name was Valwe, and he cried out, “Damn you demon! You come here only to lead us into slavery! If it be slaves you wish then beguile us not with sweet lies, for I shall never heed you, only by force will you take me!”
To this Hiare was angered, “Never slander me you fool!” she cried, “to all of you, if you follow not then I cannot force you, but I say this now to those who will not follow, you shall never have peace here, for through blood and snow you shall find yourself at the very gates of the evils, and there I cannot say we can protect you!”
Though few heeded Valwe’s words, Every Ezleg in Zand Zlavind heard Hiare’s words still, and all would remember them in times ahead. Valwe’s words touched only a handful of those with like minds, and he said to Hiare, “If it be so, then so be it, but though I fear that your kin will come for us, we shall resist you until the last!”
Then Valwe, with a small people, departed way south, and they disappeared for over a thousand years, and came but rarely into these tales. Hiare did not care for his leaving, but looking forth and seeing nigh half of all the Ezleg walking away, she saw the devastation to the Ezleg that her words had brought, and then she said her final words to them, hoping almost beyond hope that they would all turn back, “Stay if you wish then, but remember what I said, you will reach the gates of evil. You are now but Vrolevili, for it is the cold which you chose!” and it was by that name, Vrolevili, those of the cold lands, it was by that name that those who refused the journey of Hiare were known as by those of the south ever after. But those who remained called themselves Ezlanarth, the Ezleg of the north, though many peoples would in time come from them. And after Hiare had said her final words, all walked away, and it would be many years before those two peoples would meet again. But despite the grief of being sundered from even the closest of friends was great for the Ezleg, the greatest grief of that night was saved for Hiare. She spoke not a single word to any other being that night, for her plan had failed her, and she was to travel with but half those who she wished to save. She was never again so careless with so many, but for better or for worse, the course was set, and only Hiare truly realised the seriousness of her deed that she had commited.
Thus was begun the sundering of the Ezleg, the separating of an entire people, as many tales and songs, but few facts now remember. It is said that eight days passed after Hiare’s speech until those who would go with her finally began to march southward. It was then the first days of Vrozar, but the weather remained mercifully calm for the time of year, and Hiare was glad indeed, for she was seeking to put space between those who would go and those who would not, though she had wanted to move at once, though that was impossible, and the eight days were needed to ready all. Then, on the eighth day, the host began to leave the mountain, even as Valwe’s people began to clamber up the north of the Avin Zagirai into their new home. The great host stretched for several miles, and it was the greatest single gathering ever yet to travel together. They were led at the front by Hiare and Avternain who walked together. The rest of the Minabair were spread across the line, or else up in the sky watching over all. Yet from the first their way was marred, for those who would stay prowled the edge of the host, merely watching, but brought the first feelings of guilt to those who were leaving. Hiare too was still blighted with grief, for while she walked on those first days she spoke very little, and this greatly troubled Avternain, who there saw yet another side to his friend. But these feelings she hid well from the Minabair, so that Avternain alone knew the troubles that she was going through. But she thought in silence about many other things than her grief, the first being how long all would take. They rarely covered more than a few miles a day, though in times of need they could go much faster, and with the way south several thousand miles long, it would take many years at that pace to get there. It was not that the Ezleg were slow of foot, at need and at war they would cover fifty miles a day, but here there were whole families on the march, with many children, and more than that all wished merely to discover their world, and thus there were many times that the host would not move for many days, while the Ezleg were enraptured by a place, and Hiare knew well that this was going to happen, and did not fear it.
But soon after the march had begun, the weather began to worsen. The cold season was especially harsh in the north, and shelter would soon be needed. The host quickly picked up speed, and storms of snow were quickly began falling upon them. soon the host would be in dire straits, and Hiare said to Avternain in grave concern, “My friend, would your people survive out here in these snows? Or else could they press on southwards through them?”
“I fear not Hare,” he replied, “The southward road would end the lives of many before we clear the snows, and to remain here would do far the worse, we must find shelter.”
“Too true now I fear,” said Hiare, “then we must make for Litheren Vinotz, the trees shall give us protection. Avternain my friend, would you please go in haste to warn Avaner of this, I shall press on from here.”
“It is done my friend,” Avternain replied, and he set off through the falling snow. Hiare meanwhile pressed the march on from the front, and in the course of several days of desperate measures, the managed to being the Ezleg safely to the shelter of Litheren Vinotz before the worst of the colds hit them.
Thus it was a Mina who led the Ezleg into the haven of Litheren Vinotz. And as the great host entered into those woods, all were amazed, for none had ever seen so many trees, for across all the plains of Zand Zlavind there grew only a few of the ageless giants, and all the other great forests still lay far distant save only this one alone. Thus the Ezleg took up abode there, unable and unwilling to press on in the cold. And for a time Litheren Vinotz became the home of the Ezleg for that time, and for the most part they truly loved their time there, and ever after did they have a love for trees. And even later, such was their love of that forest, that many loathed leaving it, and many years later, all still retained the fondest memories of that place, it being their first peace away from the mountain, which alas, was not going to last.
But Hiare, being the immortal spirit that she was, neither feared the cold nor indeed had any need to do so. She also had her restless heart which still plagued her then. Thus, after only a few days in the forest, she decided to go beyond its borders, and see for herself what was to the east, where she had not been as yet. But before she left, she came first to Avternain, who was resting after spending the first few days out scouting in the forest, and she asked, “My friend, I am going beyond these borders for a time, and I ask, if you will survive the cold, would you come with me?”
“Without a doubt,” replied the Ezlag, “It is a honour for you to ask, and indeed I will be glad to accompany where you wish my friend,” He quickly gathered a few belongings, as well as his thick cloak and his spear, as well as a little food, and all else he left to his many nights out upon the plains of Zand Zlavind, where he had gained the strength to stand the colds. Thus, only a short time later, those two friends left the camp of Litheren Vinotz, and set out eastward.
Their journey through the depths of Vrozar took then across lands which only the traveller Nomleagth and his people had yet come. Hiare and Avternain pressed on at a modest pace, eventually leaving the forest at its eastern edge, and together, on several clear mornings, they scaled the heights which were later known as the Ephelm Glath, the highland of banners, named so because one day, many long years ahead, an army of many peoples would raise its flags there, as is later told. They walked those hills southwards for some days, taking in the serene beauty of the untouched landscape, until they came in sight of the mountain range which was later known as the Avin Leth. Together they scaled those mountains, and when they reached the summit, for the first time Avternain saw the great plain of Nueline, which lay to the south, and through which the host of the Ezleg would have to pass, and he was utterly amazed at the sight of the world beyond, and it was some time before he spoke again, but at last he spoke, “Indeed it is a long road my friend, but with your help, in the end, we shall prevail.”
The next day
they crossed the crest of the mountains to their eastern side, and there both
looked upon the massive open plains of Dinear, and both were amazed at the
lands that stretched out for many hundreds of miles before them. but what amazed them most was the sight, some four hundred
miles south but still clear to their eyes, of the young city of
It was while Hiare and Avternain were returning to the host that the realised that the evils were not being idle and were certainly astir. For on the plains of the western Ephelm Glath, she were assailed by an Ukarak which was sent to kill her. It’s surprise assault would have likely slain any other who it faced, but Hiare was not the Queen of the Minare by right alone, and she destroyed the beast in but a few moments fighting. After it was over, she came to fear a similar attack upon the Ezleg in the forest, and infected almost with abject terror, both of them hurried back to the host within Litheren Vinotz, fearing that the end may have already come.
But at first their fears seemed groundless. They returned to find the Ezleg still at peace within the forest, with not a single evil having been seen, much less rumoured. Nonetheless Hiare quickly proceeded to warn the Minabair of the danger, and she asked Avternain to ready those who knew how to fight, and at this he excelled at, and in only a few days he had nigh a thousand soldiers patrolling the host with many more training upon the road. But watchfulness takes much time, so that now, as the host began to move south once more, they travelled far the slower than before.
But the apparent peace over the world was certainly false as Hiare had indeed suspected. For far to the east Ravik planned, upon hearing of the march from Zand Zlavind, to destroy the Ezleg before they could reach the safety of the south. He prepared a vast army, which he gave to the command of Ivsraln, one of his followers, and it soon set out southward, with the ultimate aim of eventually destroying the Ezleg. But since an army of untrained mortal creatures in unknown lands with thousands of miles to cover would take years to find their foes, Ravik prepared another host, he gathered a few Ukarak, and decided to send them forth to see what they could do to destroy the Ezleg, and it was not to be long before this force to find the Ezleg.
For it was only a short while after the host had resumed its travels south that several Ukarak assailed. Luckily the host was rounding a bend in the river Litheren, and thus was not as spread out as it could have been, and thus the Minare could cover the host better. But in this case it did not matter, for the Ukarak all fell upon the leaders of the host, and Hiare herself was assailed by three Ukarak, and she and Avternain together with the forward Ezleg in the march nearly fell before help could reach them. But in moments Olora and Kalure appeared brandishing their great swords, and they were followed by Avaner, gripping her great spear. But Hiare had to fight the Ukarak alone at first, but she there showed why she was the greatest of her people, and she drove the Ukarak back with fierce lightning and savage flame drawn from Latanzhear. She slew two of her opponents before her companions could reach her, and then together they fought and destroyed the survivors, saving the Ezleg. But all through this, Avternain had kept his distance, for he had never believed Hiare could do such, for in that battle, before it was over in only a few moments, there was true devastation. But carry on she did until all her foes had fallen and the battle was over. The victory was indeed great, and although many were to see it that way, Avternain ever looked on his friend with a whole new light thereafter. He came to realise that war changed peoples perceptions of others, as it had quickly done to him.
But despite the victory, hurt had been done, though thankfully less than could have been, nonetheless several of Avternain’s people had fallen in the fighting, and the hearts of the whole host had been darkened by this act. Hiare wondered what she had to do next, but before she and the Minabair had even a chance to speak together, other events occurred which was to give them yet more concern.
That night, scarcely an hour after the battle, Avternain, spear in hand joined in with the other Ezleg in patrolling around the host to make sure no other foes lurked out there. Searching out the small woods surrounding the line of march, he came upon a stranger who was not of the host. Avternain raised his spear, and cried “Hlalath! Who goes there!”
The figure that Avternain had thought was foe came forward, and revealed itself not to be so. Instead of an Ukarak or Orglag, it was instead what appeared to be a tracker, from the hills maybe, but with a hood covering their face. But even the beings more welcome appearance did not yet calm Avternain, who still held his spear high, “I said stop! For there are no friends out in the wild lands to us!”
The stranger replied, “There are my friend, but only if you wish them to be so.”
The stranger pulled back the hood, and there before Avternain stood Hifylar, lord of the Bythar, and though Avternain did not know who this was by sight, he still saw great majesty, together with the feelings of one of the spirits, and thus asked, “Fair stranger, I know that you are not of any race I know, or even of this world, yet you seem to me as familiar, as if I know much of you, so may I ask your name?”
Hifylar smiled and said, “My name is of no great importance my good Ezlag, but if you would hear it, then so it be, I am called Hifylar, and I have come to see Hiare on this night following a day of darkness.”
Avternain spoke to him, “I ask for forgiveness my lord, for I knew not who you were, though Hiare has spoken much of you,” he made move to bow, but Hifylar waved him off.
“No Starstone,” said Hifylar irritably, “bow not to me, for you owe me no allegiance, I am not my brother, I wish for no subjects. I am here for the same reason as Hiare, we are trying to protect you, not to rule you.”
“That maybe so my lord, but is it not true that you are the greatest of all beings upon Bair, greater than Hiare even, for if it is so, then I should bow before you.”
“You think of greatness wrongly my friend. One who is born with great power, but uses it for ill is not as great as the one who is born with little, but uses it wisely. You could say what you did, but do it not, and do it not to Hiare either, such thoughts will only breed fear.”
Avternain shook his head, “Yet I feared her this morn, when we fought the battle, I have never seen such frightful things from her, it made me see that there is so much more she has not yet shown me.”
Hifylar nodded, “I knew what happened this day, yet I could not come in time, I was far east of here on other errands, and it is because of them that I come here now, for I must speak them to Hiare. But your words are true my friend, Hiare has so many sides to her that I had seen but a fraction of her in all our years as friends, so do not be alarmed by that, for in a friendship with Hiare that is the least of all your troubles.”
They shared a laugh there, before Avternain said, “Thank you for reassuring me my good lord, and yes I will take your advice, for one rarely gets advice from such in life. But if you so wish, I will take you to Hiare now.”
And together the began walking back towards the camp, speaking of things long forgotten or never remembered.
When they found Hiare, she was helping to tend to those few who were wounded that day. She was surprised to see Avternain back after he so wholeheartedly left earlier to scout out the borders, but she was far more surprised to the figure that walked beside him. “That is a great sight,” she said, “Two of my greatest friends standing side by side. It is good to see you Hifylar.”
“It is good to see you too my friend,” Hifylar replied, “but I am grieved to my heart that I could not be here this day, I came as fast as I could, but was far to the east of here, and I come from there barring dark tidings that need to be told.”
“Then we must speak,” Hiare replied, “Avternain, go to Avaner, tell her that we must meet now with Hifylar, and she will bring the others, return as quickly as you can,” and with that he set off.
“It is a close friend you have there Hiare,” said Hifylar.
“Yes it is,” she replied, “But one day, one way or another, I shall lose him.”
Soon after, council was held. There were only nine present, and of them Avternain was the only mortal. With him stood Hiare, Hifylar, and all six of the Minabair. Avternain could not realise that being at a council of spirits was a thing that scarce few across all history would ever be allowed to see, and he listened intently.
“We are here,” said Hiare, “First to listen to the words of Hifylar, and then to speak on what we are now to do on our journey south. So my friend, since you have come far to us this day, you should speak first.”
Hifylar nodded, and then spoke, “As many of you know, I have been away to the east, searching out the threat that ails the Ezleg. In my search, I went to Zandline, far to the east, where, the words of Avaner told me I would find answers, but I have found only more questions.” He stammered on his words for a few seconds, “That land has been poisoned by something that I cannot see, but yet I know I have felt it before, and it is not of the Ukarak, it is something I do not know. But in any case that land is but a diseased dessert. The river flows poison, and the air chokes those who breath it. It worsens every day. Never again, or not for many, many years could one of the Ezleg survive there. But every day, beasts come through the mountains to that land. Where they come from I know not, but it is far, far away to the east no doubt. These things… nothing natural is so foul, they kill, destroy, and worse is that they come here. Orglag they are called, and what the Ukarak are doing with them is plain. They create an army with which to destroy the Ezleg.”
Avternain winced at every word, but the last caught him hard. He forced himself to ask, “Did you see any that are heading here? If so we are in great danger.”
“No,” Hifylar replied, “But I fear that some have done so already. There were black trod roads leading south through Arakline. The Ezleg in that land were gathered at the city, so something may well have passed them.”
“Ezleg?” asked Avternain in shock, “I know of a few further to the north, but you speak of lands nigh a thousand miles distant if Hiare has told me right. Do you know who lead them there?”
“Their leader goes by the name of Nomleagth,” said Hifylar, “and he and his people have built a well made city in that land. Do you know of who I speak?”
Avternain pondered, “The name sounds familiar, but as if it was only ever mentioned as a whisper. He is indeed brave if he would lead his people across the north. I hope one day I shall meet him.”
“In any case,” said Hiare, “We may now be in danger, so we must all keep up our guard. Hifylar my friend, was their anything else you wished to say?”
“A few things,” he replied, “First of all it is not just these Orglag who fight for the Ukarak, but also many of the wild beasts of the world. The only creatures I see that have not followed them are the Rine and the Great wolves. Other beasts ravage wildly. It is a great tragedy.” He shook his head.
“But there is more. The tower is built, and the Ukarak are there, but they are not ready. The lands out there are so vast that all that I saw would never destroy even the Ezleg that are to the west now. But since they have only been there a few years, it will not be long. Perhaps merely five years, maybe fifteen, but certainly not longer, and then they will destroy all the north.”
A mournful silence fell over those who stood there.
“But,” asked Kwnal, “we cannot let this befall, we have duty to all the north.”
“That we do,” said Hiare, “That we do. Those to the east we had not known about, and we cannot blame them for not coming with us here, but we gave all the Ezleg of Zand Zlavind the choice of coming with us. But they rejected it. I will not abandon them, but first we must help those who we have with us, those who wanted protection.”
“But what of the north!” shouted Avternain, “I too regret that others did not follow us here, but I have not abandoned them in heart. What are we to do?”
“When this host is safe,” said Hiare, “We will return to the north. By now they most likely do not want our help, but we will give it all the same, in secret if needs be, but first we must get this host to safety.”
With a stubborn silence, the others agreed.
“Then we must make haste,” said Hiare, “we still have several years travel ahead of us, Avaner my friend, could you stay here in the north and make sure to do what you can, stop this madness or if that cannot be done, slow it as you can.”
Avaner nodded, and said, “I will do everything within my power.”
Hiare nodded in reply, and Hifylar said, “I will stay also, and seek a way to save the Ezleg here.”
“And we must defend ourselves,” said Hiare, “Avternain my friend, train all you can to use arms, they may well need them in days ahead.”
Avternain nodded also.
“Then let us go, and wish each other the best of luck.” She said finally. And with that they left. Their tasks had only just begun. For when Avternain woke the next day and hoped to speak to Hifylar more, he had already left, Hiare said to him “He has his duty, nothing will stand in his way of it.”
For the remainder of that year, and all of the next, the host crawled slowly southward. Vigilance as ever slowed them, and as nearly all trained with weapons, few had the strength to go more than a couple of miles a day. The weather in these lands was suited not to long marches by those untrained to do so. Elmëgazar was blisteringly hot, Vrozar was shatteringly cold, while the times in between were filled with rain. But as the time passed, the host slowly began to press towards its goal. By the end of the tenth year they were in southern Nueline, or so that land would soon be called. But in the three years of travels since they had sheltered in Litheren Vinotz, the host had covered only a little over a thousand miles, and in times to come, a strong Ezleg could just about cover that in thirty days. But to even set half that pace would be the death of many in that host. So it went on, slow but sure. In all that time the evils were not seen nor rumoured beyond the times when Avaner came to the host to speak to Hiare. The Ezleg did not realise that soon the disaster which had befallen the north east, would now fall upon them. for in those days, the wild Orglag spread as far as the Vrolivar river, though without any gains to show for it save terror alone. But it was an ominous warning for what was to come in the early days of the eleventh year.
As told, the host of Orglag lead by the Ukarak Ivsraln had left Zandline several years before. they had indeed caused Nomleagth’s people to abandon much of Arakline, but they were not sent to destroy them. they went further, passing the Zarin Mina and crossing the Veinar river, before, after spending much of that time trying only to survive on the little food that there was, they came to the great forest which was to be called Ager. Long they spent finding their way through that forest, even then it was daunting for the evils to go there. Ivsraln thus showed herself even as she is better remembering in times far ahead, slow to act, and often cautious, but once the time had come, unleashed like a wild beast she was. And finally, after coming over a thousand miles from Zandline into the western glades of Ager, she prepared to strike across the Veinaro river, for in the first days of the eleventh year, she watched as the host of the Ezleg passed nigh to the place where her host was hidden. It was a dark night, with little moon light. And thus she attacked, and tried to destroy the unprepared Ezleg.
Thus arose a great battle on the borders of Ager. For in the darkness the evils spilled forth as a tide with great howls of anger, and they came upon the sleeping host, and the sentries gave only the briefest of warnings before the evils fell upon the very heart of the host, and they began slaying without cause. The Minare put up an epic defence, blunting the edge of the attack, but not breaking it, for six souls could never cover the whole breadth of the host, and thus the evils ranged freely. It was Avternain’s years of training that saved them, for the Ezleg fought back with valour and did not allow themselves to be crushed in the darkness. But for long the battle swayed to and fro. Many Ezleg died in that hour, and would never come to the land of safety, others fled out into the wilds and were not seen again. But most stood and fought for their lives. There Avternain showed himself to be a true leader, for he gathered to him many of his kin and cried his great battle cry of that battle, “To me Ezleg, and fight for your descendants!” and to that cry those that stood on the verge of flight followed him in a reckless charge that carried them into the heart of the evil host, and the tide swung to the Ezleg there and then. Hiare fought her way through to find Ivsraln, who was tearing Ezleg apart where they stood. Hiare fought her, but Ivsraln was a coward at heart, and quickly fled away westward. With her went the remnant of her host. The Orglag had not reckoned with the valour of the Ezleg, and were nigh overwhelmed. Cut off from the forest of Ager, they instead fled west out into Nueline, eventually coming across the Litheren River into Maitherel, where Ivsraln would wait for nigh a decade licking her wounds, before she would return to Nueline, to face a different foe. Thus ended what is remembered as the first battle, and it was also the first victory.
The Ezleg, left in possession of the battlefield, were none the less, crippled by the battle. hundreds had fallen, many more had fled east, swimming the Veinaro in their panic and coming into Ager. But even to those who survived, it was a battle that broke more than bones, it broke spirits. For the Ezleg realised that though they were going to a land that was far the safer than the north, it would never be truly safe, and that battle would still be able to find them. it made many fall down and cry. They had faced the realities of war, and the Ezleg were not to relish in it.
When morning came the devastation became clear. Hundred of Ezleg had died, many more of their foes also littered the field. The Bodies were all burned on pyres. Two days they were forced to stay, to care for the wounded and to remember the dead. Hiare, though both tired and angered, was also relieved that worse did not befall. If it had, the history of the Ezleg would had ended before it had truly begun. She decided that they must press on, but before she was to announce this, she sat down to speak to Avternain for the first time since the battle.
“My friend,” she said, “It is good to see you are hale this morning.”
“Hale but not whole my friend,” he replied, “does it always feel like this after a battle, a real battle?”
“Every time my friend,” she replied, “Every time.”
“Then I wish no more of it.”
“But nonetheless, you proved yourself out there my friend, all are speaking of it.”
Avternain did not reply.
“We must continue,” said Hiare, “The danger we had long feared had come and we defeated it. Nothing worse can come between us and the safe lands.”
Avternain still did not speak, and Hiare left Avternain to his sorrows.
Many of those who had fled did not return. But Since few had seen them flee, most assumed that they had been cut down far in their flight. None were willing to cross into Ager, for that is where the foe had come from. Even a thousand years later, the descendants of that host would dislike entering that forest, the “danger from Ager” became a legend. But there an then, on the morning after the battle, it was not merely a danger, it was a potential place of death, and it was left well alone.
But the Ezleg had taken and survived the very worst that Ravik could ever then throw at them. they were now passing the influence of Zandline, and had showed themselves to be a truly heroic people. they would be called upon that strength again, but there and then they wished only for peace, and they were soon to be given it.
When the host moved on, it was with paranoia and worry. This coupled with the care of the wounded on the march, meant that the host continued on a very slow pace. They also swung westward, no one in the host wanted to be anywhere near Ager.
Nonetheless they soon entered another forest, for as they journeyed south, they entered Dure Vinotz, a forest rarely again visited by the Ezleg. They sheltered long there, and in this safety they remained for nigh a year before continuing. Finally, after all the journeys, all the fighting, and all the worry, they left Dure Vinotz late in the thirteenth year, and turned westward. There, soon after the beginning of the fourteenth year, they finally reached the borders of what was to be their land. They reached the Veinar river. Hiare said to them. “Long have I promised you a safe home, well across this great river you have it. This now is the last march on which you shall be lead, after you cross this river, you are free to go as you will.”
Thus, to cross the Veinar, they fashioned great rafts with which to cross the waters. Often they were too fierce, but when ever a clam day came, the Ezleg would send over many hundreds of people. it took nigh a hundred days for all to cross that river, but soon enough it was done, and Hiare spoke her final words to the whole of that host. “This land is yours now, to care for and use what you have learned on the long days of march, that is why I now name you Elybylar, for you are indeed those of knowledge for choosing this path.”
Indeed Elybylar was the name that the southern people bore ever after. Even in days of late, where all semblance of these lands has gone. The Elybylar, and Vrolevili differ. The former prefer open plains and great forests, and are blond of hair and fair of face. The latter prefer high lands and colder places, living in the mountains, and they are dark of hair. There was the ultimate result of the sundering, the north and south were divided. And though it was not the only divide, it was the greatest and most fixed upon history.
But even as Hiare gave up her
leadership of the Ezleg, rumours abounded about who was now to lead them. A few
small groups did not remain with them, and these headed north and
“What are they saying out there?” he shouted, almost distraught, “that they want me as their leader. I know naught but how to lead a few scouts in a wilderness, this is madness.”
“My friend,” said Hiare, “Do you remember the words I said to you when I met you that night? I said that you spoke for your people, and you have never stopped speaking for them. who tells me of their wishes? They merely wish for you to carry on speaking for them. say what you will, but words to me will not change it, only words to them will do.”
Avternain realised then, thought still with a little regret, that Hiare was right. Since he had first met her, he had spoken for his race, he thus made up his mind to go ahead. “Then I must go and speak to them,” and with that he did. He place himself before the entire host of the Elybylar, and asked. “Ezleg, do you truly wish me to lead you in these new lands?”
With a single voice the crowd cried “Yes!”
Avternain shook his head, more to himself than any other, before saying, “If that is so, prepare yourself Elybylar, for on the morrow we shall be heading, if you wish, westward into the heart of this new land. For those of you that stay or go, do not cross back across the Veinar, and good luck to you all.”
Despite his words, most of the
Ezleg followed him, and thus, Avternain, with Hiare still by his side, entered
the great
Those of the Ezleg who did not leave Zand Zlavind remained in their home, and were not troubled by the beasts in times after Hiare had left. But they were not to be allowed to stay. For every year, for reasons unknown, the weather became colder and colder, but they did not see these warnings until it was too late. Finally there came, in Vrozar of the eighteenth year, a massive storm which blasted all the north, and indeed much of Bairgarand. The temperature fell so far that many began to die from cold alone. Food became impossible to find as the snows fell and covered the earth, and the storm took the homes of that people, forcing them to flee out into the wild. Many thousands fled, and many of them died in the wilds, and soon all were fleeing vainly in search of their kin who had left them. But they knew not the way, and instead came east over the Vrolivar river, and in time, in many different hosts, they found their way into Dinear, and from there into Arakline and beyond. Their leader names are well remembered, Varlidan, Elnue, Nethar, Nuelith, and Minarl were those of importance, but many more their were that valiantly lead the Ezleg into safer and more sheltered lands. But in doing so they had made the words of Hiare come true, for the Vrolevili had indeed came to the door of the darkness, for Zandline now lay before them, and they were not to gain peace yet, only war. Thus was the long winter of the Ezleg, the event which changed the history of the Vrolevili, for better, or for worse.
But Zand Zlavind was believed there after to be abandoned, but it was not so. A few hardy Ezleg remained within the frozen wastes. There they created their own civilisation, their own city, and their own customs. But not for many long years would anything but rumour of them be revealed to the world without, when their long days of hiding would end at last.
The last words must be spoken of Valwe, that foolish Ezlag who did not just disagree with Hiare, but openly scorned her. He lead his small host away to the south, and crossed the great band of mountains known as the Avin Zagirai, and there came into their own realm, which would be hidden securely from the outside for many long years.
Thus were the Ezleg scattered across all of eastern Bairgarand by the actions of good and evil alike. Though some would return to friendship and alliance in days ahead, none were ever to be truly united save only in the days of defeat, and in those early years, with much danger on all sides, the future of Bairgarand looked bleaker rather than brighter. But then, the battles had barely just begun, and the Ezleg, even scattered, would fight to the very last, as the days ahead would come to prove.
Chapter 3
An Nomleagth aigaz ala Vrolevili Lenegalm
Which is:
Of Nomleagth and the Vrolevili union
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Omleagth was
known to be a Ezlag who was wild, in nature more than in temperament though. It
has briefly been told that he left Zand Zlavind before the coming of the
Minare, and thus had no knowledge of them until much later. Though
it was not known then that all his family had fallen in the colds of north Zand
Zlavind. Thus, seeking to ease his heart, he and together with a friend,
Almagarin, he gathered the few Ezleg from the reclusive lands, who wished to
see the distant lands. Nomleagth himself wrote the full account of that
journey, known now as Nomleagth iril an
Bair which is “Nomleagth’s tale of Bair,” but it here came be briefly said
that turned east, and entered into Dinear, where Almagarin and Nomleagth split,
with Almagarin turning south, where they came in time to the lake where he
created the city of Maren. Where as Nomleagth continued eastward. He passed
then across Dinear and here that small host entered into the land that became
known as Zandline, alone of all mortals, or immortals to do so before the evils
first came hither. Even then that land was barren, and could not support them,
and many such hardships they endured on the road, and little did any of that
host speak of it again. Yet along the northern slopes of the Avin Zandlear the
paths became known as the march of Nomleagth, Enwe an
Nomleagth. It has also been said that when Nomleagth stood in the mouth of Arak
Baraz, after the long journey through the shadow land, the Minare departed from
the Zarin Mina, and Nomleagth saw the bright lights that crossed the sky that
night and he took them as a omen, so that night late in the second year he
began his march into Arakline, being the first Ezleg to come hither to that
land.
In
a few short weeks of journey the host came to the most southern corner of the
Zarin Mina, where three mountains made a half ring in the edge of that range. Avin Dar to the north. Avin Aln to the
west, and Avin Klan to the south. It was here that Nomleagth decided to
halt, for his host was weary from their dark journeys, and this seemed to him a
fine place to build a city, with springs in the mountains and well protected,
and the shelter ample for the present climate, though that was little heeded in
minds then, for the weather had yet remained fine. So it was here that
Nomleagth built his home and the home of his people, with great foresight. For
that city could house many times what were there at the beginning. Oralath it
was named, the stone city. And Nomleagth became as the lord of the city, to
defend and order it in the name of his people.
For
a short time the fledging city had peace in which to be built. But all to soon the Evils arose in Zandline, when Oralath was but
three years old. When Nomleagth heard of the rising, and he saw the black
clouds come over the shadow land, he fortified Oralath, which was not a hard
task in truth, for the city was suited for defence as it was. But his people
also prepared for war as best as they could, all were trained, the Ezleg made
no difference between the sexes, but even then he had only several thousands,
but though the city could indeed home many thousands, there were as yet few
people hither. But it was not for another three years until the eighth, that
they were troubled. For then the Host of Ivsraln poured into
Arakline, with the before mentioned attempt to halt Hiare in Nueline.
This host drove all before it, the few Ezleg upon the
plain fled or were slain. Then Oralath was cut off, though it was not a siege
in the true manner of the word. Merely that they could not stray form the city,
else the beasts in the wild would be upon them, and they would not return.
Even
then the beasts spread all across the north, infesting all the lands wither.
Almagarin in Dinear who had fewer people than Nomleagth would have been in dire
straits save for his city, Maren, was built upon a island which was pressed
against the Avin Leth, the Mountains of Beings and was thus a even greater
defence to match that of Oralath,. But there was no
place in Dinear nor Arakline that was safe save these two cities. And it is
said also that around this time Nomleagth first heard of the sundering of the
Ezleg, and of the Minare also. In response it is said that he hid himself away
in his home for many days, grieving at the news of what had happened. To him
the Minare were but a distant name, spoken without neither
friendship or love.
Yet
despite beasts in the wild, and being unable to venture out into the open
plains on fear of death, it was not until the long winter that Nomleagth was
either able, or forced to act. It was then over ten years since the Evils came
south, and the people of Oralath were preparing for a longer conflict, which
would be futile in the end. But the long winter changed all that. Great snow
fell on Arakline, scarcely less than in Zand Zlavind, but Oralath was sheltered
against mountains, and the worst of the colds were avoided, while great numbers
of the beasts upon Arakline froze to death, giving Nomleagth safety for a
while. And after three hundred days under snow, the colds finally abated in the
height of the nineteenth year. Then Nomleagth thought not of Anything
save what the beasts would do now that the snow was melting. It is certain that
he was not ready for what truly happened.
As that year waned, and the colds began to return, though
never so violent as those of the previous year. Nomleagth,
from one of the towers in Oralath, spotted a host coming from the north. He
feared that something had come from Zandline, and that conquest was their goal.
Thus he and a force of several hundreds, rode out to meet them, but they found
not Beasts or creatures of evil, they found starving refugees fleeing form the
ruin of Zand Zlavind. They told Nomleagth of what had befallen, and all the
Ezleg who had followed him hither were distraught at the great loss of their
kin. They also told that many more were coming, and that there would be many. And
in so hearing this, Nomleagth knew that he had a choice to make. For if many
Ezleg were coming, they would not all fit within Oralath, nor could the city
sustain its self. The only other choice was to take Arakline by force, thus
allowing the Ezleg to settle there. He thought that he would have little chance
of doing this then. But he decided on a measure to save them for the mean time.
In
the Zarin Mina there are many small paths, and one of
these extended from several miles north of Oralath, to the northern tip of the
mountains. Here Nomleagth sent scouts, so that any Ezleg who came into Arak
Baraz could find their way south, for Nomleagth simply did not have the
strength to Take Arakline as yet, though with the people who were coming from
Zand Zlavind, he would have been able to in a few years. Still he and his force
of two thousand rode out and cleared the lands around Oralath, and they placed
defences upon a line of ridges some miles north of Oralath, which were later
named the Narthgul, which is Northern fire, and since few beasts were in
Arakline south of Oralath, Nomleagth had the realm secure for a time.
It
was in the twentieth year, when the refugees were still pouring into Arakline,
that Nomleagth decided that he would, after seventeen years of parting, travel
to see Almagarin in Dinear. His reason for this was more than just to see a old friend, for as he said himself:
“These are
desperate times, and no matter how one fights, if they fight alone they
will fall,
that was the reason I wished to go seek a alliance, which in the
end did save us many a time and many a
life also.”
Believing
his realm secure in the hands of the civilians themselves, he decided to leave
Oralath against all council, alone he went, deciding that none should be spared
either for his protection or to weaken that of the city’s defence. By night he
set out down the Veinar at its genesis at Avin Klan, and he said there
“El Belzin
ilain l laun Nain”
“I seek now a bright star”
He
would find that star, but not for many years yet, and it was not on this
journey that he would find it, for it had already passed him by, but he found a
skilled gift and a silence, which made him lose sight of the star for a long
while.
Crossing
the river, he found himself in unknown lands, Milain, the life edge this land
was named, and thankfully he found this land freer of beasts than Arakline,
though he found no Ezleg here either. He continued on foot until very late that
night, when he came to a small cave in the foot hills of the Zarin Mina, and he
rested for the night, thanking Qinue for a safe start on his journey.
He
continued on for some time, making no great haste in his travels, as haste
would only increase his danger. But danger seemed not to apply, for he had seen
naught but some Kazveriniz, the great wolves, and they fought not with evil but
against it. So it was without fear that he came to Ager Vinotz. Which, though he knew it not, was filled with a now numerous
people. And as he came near the trees upon the northern marches, a small
party armed with slender bows came to meet him.
“Frin Ezlag?”
asked the leader.
“Frin Ezlag”
replied Nomleagth.
“Strangers
seldom wander this path friend,” said the leader. “What is your name and what
brings you to Ager alone in these wild days?”
“Nomleagth am
I, and from Oralath in Arakline do I come, I am on route to Maren in Dinear, to
see a old friend.”
“We know of
you lord, but to see a old friend in such dangerous
days is not a worthy cause to travel these lands.”
“We are all
at war” Nomleagth answered, “and I go hither to find what allies I can, and
alone am I, because none other could be spared.”
“Come then
good lord Nomleagth, we are joined in debate. My name is Urithen, and I will
name you as a friend.”
“As I will
you” said Nomleagth in reply.
Thus
Nomleagth entered Ager, the greatest forest in the north of Bair, ruled not by
any single lord was that realm, but by a council, and it was to this council
that Nomleagth spoke to, for it was now a urgent
matter.
“My friends,
Evil stands in the north, it slumbers now, or is but half awake, for the beasts
that trouble our borders are but the vanguard of this threat, and that is but
threat enough. Yet it will be soon that the evil will awake and send its full
weight against us, and then if we stand alone, we shall not survive the torrent
of its advance. That is why I ask for a alliance here,
a alliance that I will hope to bond to the entire north, so that we may stand
against the evils of the shadow land!”
Ager’s
leaders were quick to agree. “We will join your union Nomleagth of Oralath, and
since we will have to be represented, Urithen will follow you to Maren, and
sign the treaty as it will be.”
Nomleagth
then thanked the council, and stayed the night in Ager, but in the early hours
of the next morning, he and Urithen left the shelter of the forests, and walked
out onto the north. Crossing the fords of the Veinaro, they came to Alqva, the
silent hills on the road to Nivan. This journey was also little troubled, for
across the hills, from the Avin Leth in the west to the Zarin Mina in the east,
there was not sign of any creatures of madness. And the several days that it
took to reach the guard of south Dinear were little troubled, and Nomleagth
often talked to his companion of the Sundering and all that happened since he
had left. The tales were told, for Urithen was in fact one of those who started
the journey south, but who had fled when Ivsraln attacked the hosts flank at
Ager. And though he said it not, Nomleagth knew that he felt a deep shame of
fleeing the battle.
“Fear not
good Urithen,” said Nomleagth, “There will be more chances to prove your
strength and will in days to come.”
When,
four days since they had left Ager, the two companions came to Nivan, they were
both surprised. Nivan had then stood for only a few years at best, but already
a great wall of stone was being raised, and a high tower had been already
built. Several thousand people had already came here,
and more were coming from the north every day. They spoke their errand at the
gate, asking to see the leaders of the city, and were thus admitted to the
tower at the heart of the fledgling city, where they were greeted by the
leaders of the city, a couple, Elnue, lady of the moon, and Nethar her husband.
Here, in the hall of the city, they spoke.
“Nomleagth
your fame precedes your arrival,” said Elnue, “But why have you come to us from
the great distance that it is to Arakline?”
“To survive
my lady” he answered her, “for even as new strength enters these lands, greater
strength is launched against it.”
“You seek aid
for Oralath?” asked Nethar.
“No, I seek
aid for the Ezleg,” Nomleagth replied “for a alliance
is the only way that we are to survive.”
“That is
true, for the north becomes wilder every day, and have we not yet time?.” Elnue stated.
“But Arakline
is but over run save Oralath alone, and she will maintain herself self not
forever.” Said Nomleagth.
“Our duty has
to be more to our race than to our people, so it must be so,” said Nethar. “I
will go for our people.”
“I will send
riders to all the cities in the north, and call their ambassadors to Maren.”
Said Elnue, “I would go my self, but I have both the city and my daughter to
care for.”
Nomleagth
then became aware of another person in the room, a young Ezleg girl, which was Elnmil,
who later has great tales of her own, she looked less
than well, and clung to her mother tightly.
Nomleagth
thanked the lady of Nivan, and he and his companions stayed there for the
night. Nomleagth talked to Nethar for a long while that night, though his
daughter was with him, and she seemed somehow greatly interested in what they
spoke of, though she was but in her sixth year..
“What is the
state in Maren?” asked Nomleagth “I have not seen Almagarin since he left me
some years ago.”
“Not the best
I fear,” answered Nethar, daughter in his arms.
“What is the
reason for that?”
“The same
Reason that you are here my friend, all the lands are
troubled.” He answered gravely. “It seems as though our people have been
cursed.”
“No” said
Nomleagth “Just unfortunate., greatly so, but
unfortunate nether the less.”
The
next morning they left the city, though word of their task had gone down before
them, and the people thanked them in the streets. But by
“There!”
cried Urithen, pointing to a small Tor, just half a mile west.
“We must
run.” Said Nomleagth, “These are Veriniz, and their chase
will be hard.”
For several
minutes the hope of the Vrolevili nearly died before they could save even their
own lives, But Nomleagth gave the best account as he said;
“My heart nearly froze when we heard
the wolves, for I knew that we had little chance
against pack, and for several minutes as we
ran across those plains the alliance nearly
died, but I thought not of that just
then, for my pack was heavy, and legs weak, and I
wished only to reach safety.”
Fortunately,
they came to the Tor ahead of the pack of wolves, and they climbed upon it, and
Urithen’s bow drove them off, leaving many dead in their wake. It was several
hours later that they finally came down, and continued on their march to Maren,
and they slept upon another Tor that night, though none slept easily.
The
next day, whence they had awoke, they went forth in
full vigour, to reach their destination. Even as the early hours passed
Nomleagth saw the city for what it truly was. The great lake.
Arniagrek, the fortifying lake, made the city incredibly strong against attack,
together with the great walls that surrounded the city. Nomleagth knew this as
the work of his friend, who was ever to make what he created into a object of a tale as his name suggests. Riders came to meet
them as they approached, and a familiar sight Nomleagth beheld.
“Almagarin
my friend!” He exclaimed.
“Good to see
you Nomleagth,” said their leader, a tall Ezleg warring mail and a tall helm.
“You have
been busy since we parted,” Said Nomleagth happily.
“Not as busy
as you though, through Zandline and all,”
“Let us not
speak of that, but of our errand.” Said Nomleagth.
“Yes, let us,
for I fear it is a great errand if you have come this far to speak with me.” Said Almagarin.
They
then crossed the lake by ferries and entered into the city of
“So
my friend why do you come here?”
“Why would
you think?” replied Nomleagth, “Would I come all this way to see you only in a
time of war?”
“I know you”
said Almagarin, “And you would never be so foolish, but if that is so, then why
do you come here?”
“For we need a alliance, for all the Ezlanarth, else shall these Evils
break us one by one, only together can we stand.”
“Yes, I know
that is so, but why come here?”
“For this is
the centre of our lands, It will not take long for the
messengers of Elnue to reach their destinations, and their ambassadors will
come here, where we can form a union.”
“I see you
have two of them already” Said Almagarin, looking at Urithen and Nethar, “Are
they willing to sign?”
“With
all their people behind them.” Said Nomleagth
“Very well
then,” said Almagarin “Even with us alone four we have half the north here, so
it shall be, but we must wait for the ambassadors to come, and until then, you
are our guests here.”
Nomleagth
spent little time with his old friend, much to his distress. The days passed
and he had little seen the lord of Maren. But when news that the Ambassadors
had began to arrive, Almagarin was seen once more in a joyous mood, and he
talked to Nomleagth the more. In fact it later turned out that he feared
ridicule at Nomleagth’s actions, but that thankfully never came to pass, for
the numbers from the other Vrolevili realms was very great.
The
foremost of those who came was Varlidan, lord consul of Var’narth, who had the
hold of northern Dinear to his cause. He actually looked somewhat like Nomleagth,
save he was less dark, and much scared from his long battles in the north. With
him came several others who had not yet settled, and had been slower on their
flight from Zand Zlavind. Mara led one host of these, and she came hither.
Later she would be better known for the founder of Nitlen in the south of
Arakline, and was thus friendly with Nomleagth. There was also Nemlin, who
later founded Gleneal, and gave it under Nomleagth rule. The others represented
the many small peoples coming hither, of whom passed to other cities in time,
and their names are no remembered here.
There was
also a small clan, of whom they were mostly craftsmen. They were led by one
named Minarl, a very vigorous and formidable person, who had only recently come
south. His people and he dwelt long at the city of
Last to come
was Nuelith of Var’nue. Here husband had stayed for a reason as yet unknown,
but that matter was to discussed presently. She came at night tried and
bedraggled, upon a spent Whrine. Her clothes torn and dirty.
Nomleagth met her when she arrived, and she said only that she bore urgent
messages for the Ezleg. But she collapsed from the weariness, and Nomleagth
bore her to a place to rest.
Two
days after Nuelith arrived, when all those who would or could come were
present, the debate began. Indeed only two peoples of the north were not
represented that day. No rider would return to Zand Zlavind, and it was not
known where Valwe had gone, and so neither of those peoples were represented
that day, Nuelith had bade the alliance when she had arrived, and so Nomleagth
spoke for her.
The
Ezleg are a intelligent people, not interested in
personal gain or wishing to dominate others. Thus there were few of the
occurrences that would plague a debate of such by man. The Council had only one
goal, to preserve the Ezleg in the north. And the terms were simple, to march
to aid of another with as much power as they could with out jeopardising
themselves. New defences were declared, and plans of action brought up, and
thus, within short hours was signed the Union of Maren, known In all these tales as the Vrolevili union, even as Nomleagth
wished.
Yet
as all the talks were ending, Nuelith came hither to the hall, “Has the union
been signed?” she asked.
“Yes” said
Nomleagth, “all that is needed is your word.”
She quickly
went forward, looked at the documents quickly, and signed it.
“I fear
though that now I am going to ask for aid.” She said, “For great foes are
attacking Nueline.”
There was a
few mutterings before Nomleagth asked, “Tell us, quickly now!”
“They came
from the west, beasts t-they were many, and a-a-…”
“A Demon” The
voice was Urithen’s.
He received a
few stares then.
“I would
think it would be the force that attacked those that travelled south, if I
remember right they were driven northward, there was a
Ukarak, flaming eyes, wild in battle was she?”
“Yes,” said
Nuelith, “you are right, but what of it? When I left there was battle along the
Litheren, and our people were far two few to hold long.”
“Then,”
said Nomleagth, “This shall be the first test of the union, Almagarin, how many
can you spare in the next two days?”
Almagarin
frowned, “Friend Nomleagth, I would spare all for you if I could, but I have
perhaps five thousand under arms, and now we are pressed…, two thousand
perhaps, but no more.”
“Then two
thousand will have too do,” he replied. “I Ask all the lords and ladies present
to return to their people, and prepare, for there will be many a war before
this all ends.”
“Frin Ezleg!”
came the cheer from those present, and Nomleagth left
the hall, he had succeeded.
The
next morning came, and Nomleagth, ready in the face of his first pitched
battles, was calm. He straightened his helm, and mounted his Whrine. At his
side sat Urithen, Nethar, and Nuelith. All wore their helms and armour, and at
dawn, two thousand Vrolevili cavalry began crossing the Arniagrek, and within a hour the host was moving quickly down the paths beside the
Avin Leth. They rode fast, though Nomleagth preferred to be on foot rather than
mounted, as he often did later. The troops were in high spirits, though they
knew not what they were to fight in truth, only Urithen had ever seen Ivsraln,
and he would not speak of It any more than Nomleagth
would have willingly spoke of Zandline.
That
evening they came to Nivan, where there were great cheers at the coming of such
a great host to the city. Elnue spoke to her husband, and the next morning she
bade that another force should come, another thousand riders. Nomleagth was
thankful, and when dawn came the now three thousand riders issued down Alqva,
where some few days ago Nomleagth had already passed. Then they followed the
Veinaro westward to the city of the moon. The journey only took four days from
Maren, but they were unopposed all the way. But when they reached the edge of
Nueline, the resistance was very different.
For
out upon the plains of Nueline there waited a army of
madness, created of mindlessness. Nueline lay under a
sea of foes, beasts that went utterly wild in that land, and Var’nue, the city
of the moon, was under a weight of siege. The city was intact, but utterly cut
off, for any who exited would be pounced upon and slain in short moments.
Indeed had Ivsraln done well in these days, for in the nine years of hiding her
forces had grown the greater, and now she was ready to gain a foothold in the
Vrolevili kingdoms. Ivsraln herself could be descried, a figure at great
distance, somewhat like a Ezlag in form, but with great fangs and viscous claws
together with the burnt out Ukarak eyes, merely flames burned there, flames of
madness…
Then
Nomleagth, his host arrayed in three columns, Urithen to the South, and Nethar
to the north, while he himself held the centre, Rose the cry of battle, and
there began the first battle of the Vrolevili union, even as one of Var’nue’s
guards said later;
“Even as the Ukarak held out side the walls and our land
was over run, there came
from
the east a great hope, And the union broke greatly upon the plain, slaying at
will,
and the city of the moon was saved, and
even as that charge was pouring over our foes,
and our sortie was loosed, Nomleagth the
great came upon the Ukarak…”
Ivsraln
indeed broke all riders who came upon her, and whence the sortie was loosed,
she still held in her utter madness, but a Ukarak is not invulnerable, and they
came be slain, and against even one could they fall, if that one is great and
valiant. And even as I say, Nomleagth called his challenge, and rode upon her,
and the fires of her eyes were then dimmed with fear. And Nomleagth swiped
wildly, scouring her arm, but she slew his Whrine, sending the Ezlag over the
top before crashing upon the ground. But great strength of riders approached,
and rightly fearing that her life was in danger, and that she had failed, she
fled, before Nomleagth could stop her.
Of
the three forces, Nethar took the hardest road, for his thousand riders came
upon the churned ground near the city walls, and his cavalry were much bogged
down before the sortie was released from the fortress, and even then the battle
was hard around the walls for some time, before Nomleagth’s forces came to the
final aid while Urithen and his southern force rode in pursuit of those that
had fled, and they returned not until the next dawn, and thus was ended Batzul
Valnzali, the battle of the riding alliance, the first battle of the Vrolevili
union.
In
the aftermath there was both great morning, for some nigh a thousand had died
from all, that fought, but also for joy, as that the Vrolevili could not now be
attacked from both east and west. Nuelith indeed was glad, but she acknowledged
the facts when Nomleagth said, “In a few days we must return, the north needs
this army.” How right he was.
For
unknown to them, Ravik, that very same night, issued from Zandline with massive
hosts of beasts, which tripled at least what Nomleagth had defeated, and this
was unfortunate, for if even ten days longer he had waited, Nomleagth would
have been ready to resist him in Dinear. But for Ravik, madness was not
foolishness, and he struck even as the union was at its very weakest, spread across all the north were its forces. And his black
hosts broke the few armies upon Dinear, and stuck south, and half his force
took Maren as their target, and the other half came and waited besides the
Zarin Mina.
Thus
Nomleagth, and the armies of Maren, Nivan, and Var’nue, over five thousand in
total, came marching back to Nivan, which he had left only scarce days earlier.
He crossed onto Alqva, and marched north, and it is said that he realised the
danger at the last possible moment, and even as he decided to place a guard
upon his right flank, the forces of Ravik fell upon them, and that guard was
overwhelmed, thought it gave time for the army to ready its self from its
confusion. But the foes came out in such great numbers that the Formations were
soon ordered to withdraw southward, and some five hundred held a rearguard,
which Nomleagth personally led. They held along the hills for a full day,
before they were forced to give ground, and to withdraw down the hills.
The
twenty mile retreat gave space, if not much time. Indeed Urithen had rode
quickly back south to the Veinaro, where the Agerians came forth to aid the
union as they said, but when the rearguard broke into flight at nightfall,
numbering only fifty nine, there now began a desperate battle to get the forces
back across the Veinaro. The beasts merely wrapped round the flanks, and were
poring into Ager by the end of the first night. But, Nomleagth, having fought a
running battle for twenty miles, stood ready to hold the river. All night they
crossed in rafts, for the Veinaro was too fast to swim there. At first it seemed
hopeless, but the beasts main strength did not tell until the early hours, by
which time Nomleagth’s small force was all that was left to cross, but in the
meantime great battles were taking place behind him.
Within
the northern glades of Ager came the beasts, huge in numbers, but the Vrolevili
of Ager came forth in great droves also, and massive skirmishes took place
there, and a ten day battle ensued within, and many a time the bests cam forth
in such numbers that even the trained foresters of Ager were close to defeat,
but on the ninth day, the weather turned for the worse, and the northern
forest, which was of only sparse trees, was turned into a quagmire, and here
the Beasts were helpless, and a great slaughter ensued here, so that victory
was assured in hours, thus was Batzul Zand, the battle of the nets came to a
end in another day, but it was by no means glorious, for of Nomleagth’s five
thousand, one and a half thousand would never return home, and of those that
remained, most were demoralised, and a great deal were unhorsed. The forces of
Ager fared little better, but still they marshalled many more to fight. But
Ravik had failed to break the union, and so now his great hosts turned against
Maren in far greater numbers.
A
scarce few days later it was when Nomleagth issued once again from Ager, with
his battered forces and great hosts from Ager, that
brought his numbers up to eight thousand. They crossed the Veinaro at the
usable fords to the west of the battle sight, sending forth many scouts to clear
the way and came at great haste to Nivan, gathering and burying all the slain
Ezlag that were found upon their road. So that his host, the greatest army yet
massed by the Ezleg upon Bair, came back to Nivan to Nivan.
Indeed
this time there was indeed a silence at the silent city, but for a good reason.
There had been a great battle here also, as a large
section of wall was broken in. somehow they had managed to drive off the enemy.
But there was no hiding that a great loss of life occurred in that battle.
Nomleagth, and more anxiously, Nethar, quickly rode onward, but luckily, Elnue
was fine, thought she was tired and dirty.
“Well met,”
she said to them, as Nethar viciously hugged her.
“What
happened here?” asked Nomleagth, “Was it the force that came southward?”
“I fear so
yes,” she replied, “I feared that you would be over run by the numbers.”
“We nearly
were,” said Nethar in reply.
“But it is
not ended,” she said “a force went westward, and more have been going that way
for several days now.”
“Maren,” sighed
Nomleagth, “And we have many of their troops here, for all we know they may
have fallen already.”
“There is
certainly fighting still over there.” Said Elnue, “you can
see from the tower if you wish?”
“Nomleagth”
asked Urithen, “it would be best if the Agerians set off now for Maren, and we
gain a crossing for you.”
“Yes Urithen,
that would be best, but if you fail to gain a crossing, you shall be pinned
with your back against the lake.”
“We have no
choice,” he said sternly, “if Maren falls, the union will be broken in half.”
“Then go, we
shall join you on the morrow once we have readied all that we can,” he said. “I
shall see you in the light of the day.”
Urithen then
departed with all the Agerians on foot, and the remnant army was left to rest
and ready its self for the battle that was to come.
Nomleagth was said to have sat alone, and spoke to no one, praying for aid,
though if he prayed it was not known who to, be it Minare, Bythar, or those
above. But yet in the early hours the Union hosts prepared to ride, and did so
before Milare rose.
When
by
Thus
Nomleagth said the words, “Ilaler lava sabth el li Daevn!;
Never again shall we be divided!” And lo! The forces of the great union
launched into a charge, pouring towards the city of their union.
Thus
yet another great battle opened for the fledgling union, and the great force of
Nomleagth rode through into the heart of the foes, slaying all that came within
range. And as his charge began, Urithen launched from hiding upon the Avin
Leth, and the forces of Ager took the enemy upon its southern flank ere it was
aware, so that great forces were lost before the southern forces could be
strengthened. Down they brought great log rafts and began crossing the lake,
yet even as victory looked easily to be done, great forces fell upon the
Agerians, and though they beat them back, and advanced yet towards Nomleagth’s
banners, they were assaulted by yet more, and slowly did the Agerians begin to
wither, and they could not cross the river quick enough, so that they would be
stranded and destroyed.
Nomleagth
knew this also, for he was severed from Urithen by a sea of foes, and he could
not break through, for another hoard came from the fens to the north, so that
his numbers were being pressed always. But even as he became despaired, he saw
a sight amidst the melee a sight that bewildered him. A woman was fighting
ahead, on route towards him. Not that was unusual in its self, nigh on half the
forces present were women. But this one carried a bow that when its arrows were
loosed they burst into flame, and exploded in contact with a foe. Though he did
not know this then, this woman was Avaner of the Minabair, who had never
forsaken the Vrolevili. Even as Nomleagth looked upon her, she cut a path to
him, a path through the battle, “This way!” she cried, “Follow me through.”
Nomleagth
knowing no other way, called his riders forth, and the beasts withered from her
arrows and the riders swords, and Nomleagth broke
through towards the Agerians, and the last sight he caught of Avaner was her
fighting yet in the melee.
By
this time the Agerians were surrounded by the lake, only a few hundred had
managed yet to cross, when suddenly Nomleagth unlooked for burst through the
battle, and the beasts withered there for a time, and Urithen quickly led a
advance, which drove them back from the lake side, so that a great amount of
rafts were seized, and the Agerians quickly crossed on to the island, when
Almagarin opened his gates in the face of battle, and the Agerians came quickly
to his aid. Nomleagth, his forces now safe, turned around, and launched into a
charge northwards, and into the fens the beasts were driven, and a great
slaughter ensued for the hosts of Zandline, and Ravik on his throne realised
that his hosts had been greatly slaughtered, and that he had failed to break
the Vrolevili before they were truly ready to resist, and it is said that his
wraith was kindled to a great madness, and that his anger grew even greater
against the Ezleg in that time, but little could he do them to ease his anger,
and he thus brooded long on those dark thoughts..
But
among the great sorrows of that day was the fall of Urithen, who led his forces
to the last, until he was slain when the vanguard that he led was over ran ere
Nomleagth’s cavalry had reached to his aid, and so Nomleagth came upon his
dying companion, and there a great sorrow it was indeed to him and to all of
the Vrolevili. And he was borne back to Ager, where he could rest under his
beloved land of trees.
The
battle upon the isle was harder still, for it was slow to bring forces across
the lake, and Almagarin had few spare forces, for
Nomleagth had them across the water. So it was indeed a slow and costly battle,
until late at night when finally they managed to drive off the remaining forces
of the enemy, and Almagarin, amidst the ruin of the battle, met Nomleagth once
more; “Well met my friend, you came in the last moment to save us,”
“That I did,”
replied Nomleagth, “But three battles have I been through of late, and it was
not the easiest to complete the task the union set for me.”
Then, as
there was much celebration, Almagarin and Nomleagth discussed what had
happened, and the next morning the council of rulers that were present met once
more.
But
the heart of the problem was well known, though all knew that Zandline could
not be taken, nor defeated by them alone, they believed that they could hold it
in leaguer. Thus Nomleagth proposed that the forces went north and sealed the
Glimer pass, together with Arak Baraz in the south which would block all {the
known}routes into Zandline, so they turned quickly
north, and though the lands were still wild and unkempt, they came to the
Glimer pass, and a small battle ensured there, until the pass was clear, and
defences were set, so that the route west from Zandline was sealed. Ravik made
no move at that time, perhaps he could do not, but yet though many beasts
remained within Dinear, no more could come hither. But Nomleagth decided that
he would now have to come back to Arakline, for his lands need to be saved and
sealed. So with the soldiers of Ager, and those that wished to settle in
Arakline he marched south, and when they reached Ager, a thousand followed him
to Arakline, where he came to his home in the fall of the twentieth year. Here
he found Arakline as yet still wild, at least still in the north, and coming to
Oralath, he marshalled his forces, and drove north, and sealed the eastern
branch of Arak Baraz, where as the west had been sealed already. Now Zandline
was sealed in its entirety, and though many years would it take to expunge the
beasts from the lands, they were on the road to peace. Eighteen years it took
to clear Arakline, until the thirty ninth year. Then
the wild years were deemed to have ended, because of the Valour of the
Vrolevili alone, and so here ends the tale of Nomleagth for a time
Chapter 4
An Elnmil aigaz ala aln Batcul
Which is:
Of Elnmil and the first wars
|
T |
Hus it was
that the Vrolevili came to survive at the gate of the evil, as true as Hiare’s
words had told, at least for a time did it seem that they would be able to
defend themselves, and that the evil would not come forth again. At their
rising and of Ravik’s thoughts no tale tells save of his anger. But even as the
Vrolevili sealed Zandline, and destroyed its creatures without, Ravik grew ever
ready, and he let the Vrolevili destroy those worthless creatures who had
failed him, caring not for any life save that of his own.
Elnmil,
which is life lady, was the daughter of Elnue and Nethar, who Nomleagth, as
told elsewhere, once met in her youth. Being the daughter of two warriors it
was that she became the same. She was born in the fourteenth year, and had
survived the long winter, the scars of which remained imbedded in her ever
after. And as soon as she could, she took up arms, which was
not until after the great field was fought at the gates of Maren, nor was it
until many more years after this that she went out into the wilds. In this time
the beasts were being hunted down, and slain, but the lands were still far from
safe. She fought alone, which was a rare thing in those days, as it was far
safer in numbers. And as the years progressed, she went further into the wilds
to find the beasts, until she became the first mortal to brave the black
heights of the Avin Zandlear, so that some named her Elnavin, the lady of the
mountains. She refused the help, or the council of her parents, thus coming
into their disfavour, the words that Nomleagth once said of her seem the most
true;
“She was but a young child when I saw her first, but even
then she was stubborn
to the bone, quick to call you a friend,
but quicker to call you a enemy”
Indeed
she was stubborn, for her relations with her parents were always strained, but
she was still a warrior, and above all that, she was truly loyal to the union,
she had few friends either, and none were truly close. She was alone, and she
often preferred it that way.
She
spent over ten years in Avin Zandlear, stretching from the thirty fifth to the
forty fifth years. It is said in the Ezleg Annals and here that the wild days
were said to have ended at the thirty ninth year, when there were beasts no
more in Dinear and Arakline, for the Vrolevili had slain them, or driven them
forth. But Elnmil found that beasts still wandered in the mountains, wild and
unconfined. And while Nomleagth and his people together with the rest of the
union built defences across the passes, Elnmil continued to hunt in the
mountains, and was rarely ever seen in that time.
Now
Nomleagth was certainly no fool, in fact he was greatly foresighted. He knew
well that the shadow in the north was not yet defeated, and that it would not
be by any power of the Vrolevili, so he kept his vigilance, building defences
and training soldiers. And as time wore on the Vrolevili, now firmly
established in their homes in their new lands, became wary at the strange peace
that came over the land, and Elnmil in the mountains found that she had to go
further in to the mountains, even to the heights over looking Zandline, to find
the beasts. None knew why this was so, some believed that the evils were dying
out, others held their tongue on the matter, some though said that the darkness
was readying to attack, but none knew the truth as yet, and none became lax in
their defence, though many expected nothing to come wither.
But
on the forty fifth year the storm broke over the
north, for Ravik tried to take the Ezleg unawares, or else test their strength.
Thus it was with many beasts and Ukarak that he struck into both Arakline and
Dinear, and the demons came into Arak Baraz to the defences of Nomleagth, and
some came even upon the heights of the Avin Zandlear, while the great forces,
struck at the passes from his land.
Elnmil
was at last on her way home it is said as these things happened, she was upon
the northern slopes of the Zarin Mina, for she wished to check hither to see if
Nomleagth had done his duty of fighting the beasts, it was then that she saw
the hoards of Zandline come forth in both strength and power, for she was upon
the northern slopes at the time, near Arak Baraz. She was generally a strong
willed Ezlag, but she was terrified by the Ukarak as they came over the
mountains, but before any of them came upon her, two allies came to her aid.
Avaner
Minabair came forth once more, even as she had come to aid Nomleagth, and
Hifylar, lord of the Bythar also, both of whom had been long in the north,
unknownst to the demons of Zandline. Avaner, striking suddenly from the south,
struck down the lead Ukarak, scattering it to dust, with a blazing arrow. While
Hifylar, using his power, stuck down several more in a desperate battle upon a
cliff top. But one Ukarak came up behind Avaner as she fought, and then she
would have been stabbed in the back and slain, save that Elnmil, as a shining
life, ran forward crying; “An ala Narth!; for the north!” and she there slew the
Ukarak, sending it to the next world in a dire scream of rage and a wail of
pain.
“I thank
you.” Said Avaner, “Slain I would now be if not for your bravery.”
“There is no
need to thank me, for you saved my life also.” Replied
Elnmil.
“Nether the
less, I shall name you Minafrin, but what is your true name young one?”
“Elnmil
daughter of Elnue and Nethar,” said she, “And what is yours friend?”
“Avaner, of
the Minabair,” she said “but I shall explain all to you later, for this north
is now alight with war, and I fear my companion’s wrath is kindled to battle.”
Indeed
Hifylar, after defeating the Ukarak on the cliffs, had gone in pursuit of those
who scattered, to make sure that none broke out into the open lands of the
south. He slew those he had found mercilessly, and often without any warning.
“We should
join the fray,” said Elnmil.
“That we
should my friend,” said Avaner, and together did both of them descend into the
battles that took place below.
Batzul
Narth it is all named, the battle of the north. But it was also called Batcul
aln, the first war, for in truth it was not one single battle, and there was
many in it. The important fighting only lasted five days, in which time the
fortunes of both sides waxed and waned, until Ravik was utterly defeated, as
shall now be told.
In
the west, the union forces in the north lost the Glimer pass after much
grievous fighting, for the three thousand present were taken at first by
surprise, but such harm did the Vrolevili do to the attackers, that they were
badly diminished. The forces of the union, a third of their number lost,
withdrew south in short order, thankfully losing little more strength in
pulling back for three nights until Almagarin, who was their commander, decided
that they made their stand with their backs against Hwëvi Vinotz. The beasts
rushed on, and were held or repulsed by the dense ranks of spears, It was then
though that the cavalry of Var’narth, led by Varlidan, lord consul of that
city, came upon the beasts from the west, and while some slew in that battle,
others turned north and sealed the Glimer pass once more, so that the beasts
could neither enter nor escape once more, and so that the forces that had
broken through were broken apart by Almagarin’s forces and slaughtered.
Through
Arak Baraz in the west came another force, and here greater successes the evils
had, for the forces guarding that pass were small, a thousand
Vrolevili of Nivan, led by Elnue and Nethar together. They were nearly
overwhelmed in the initial onslaught, and were driven back down the line of the
Zarin Mina in disarray, Elnue made her stand at the gap between the mountains
and Glimarel, where the land was most favourable for a defence, while her
husband led the remnant of the rearguard back to the defence where a fierce and
desperate battle began, for their foe came then forth and assaulted them in
great numbers. For two days they held
on, waiting in vain for reinforcements that never came. Great casualties were
inflicted upon their foes and they held the field, but since the Vrolevili had
not the numbers to contain their flanks, this was when the beasts broke out
into Dinear once more, though they were no longer a
army, and so would not survive long in the wild. But of the thousand that had
held the pass, Elnue and her husband lead scarcely a hundred in retreat back to
Nivan, to begin the clearance of Dinear once more.
By
far the greatest host was that which came against Nomleagth in Arakline. But
Ravik underestimated the tactfulness of his foe, for Nomleagth had done well in
the years of peace, and had now a large force ready for defence, which was
based around three redoubts, east, south and west, which were heavily guarded.
Thus the Ukarak and their hoards came face to face with great volleys of fire,
bringing down many a beast, and wounding several Ukarak, but the sheer numbers
came through and broke onto the walls of the redoubts. But Nomleagth’s forces
stood long in defiance against the hoards, for they were well armoured, and the
catapults within could not be moved, nor easily taken. Against such fire even
the Ukarak withered, and were forced to take shelter, or else fall to such
weapons, though this rarely happened. But Ravik’s forces pressed onwards, and
after several hours they were making great inroads in the battle, pushing hard
on the redoubts.
Elnmil
and Avaner came down to the North of Nomleagth’s redoubts, where the forces of
Ravik were concentrated. The field looked truly horrific to Elnmil, but she
could not look for long, for they were now in threat themselves. “Come,” said
Avaner quickly, “They need aid.”
It was a true
statement, the three redoubts were hard pressed to hold, and the western side
was giving ground. Thus these two warriors drew bow and fired arrow after
arrow, on and on until Elnmil emptied her quiver, thought indeed many beasts
were slain by them. Here she drew her spear and fixed it high, and Avaner drew
her sword, “good luck,” said the Ezlag. Then letting out a great cry of battle,
which sounds thus;
“
“The day has come!”
Then they
both broke into the fray.
Hifylar
was also there, but he took it upon himself to challenge the Ukarak. Foolish
were those who came against him alone, and soon a dozen evil lives had been
ended in the black pass. Though Hifylar himself had not escaped unharmed, for
his hands were cut, and he was weary, but he had stopped the demons from taking
the heights, and thus coming behind Nomleagth. It would take much time for
Ravik to bring any great force to challenge the climber, but that time was not
now, for that was the one thing that he had began to run out of.
From
the east came a force a hundred score, two thousand strong, to Nomleagth’s aid.
These had been scouting in the east, and had not been able to arrive for quite
a time. They were launched against the east of the black pass, where Nomleagth
was still strong, and in a ferocious charge the Ezleg began to gain ground. But
at the same time the battle was being lost on the western redoubt, for then it
was being over run, and as yet no forces could come to their aid.
Avaner
and Elnmil had entered the battle north of the western redoubt, and had slain
there easily many a straggling beast, for the attention was southwards. But
pushing south towards the redoubt, Avaner came against a much stronger
resistance, and even with the powers of the Minare, she struggled to hold back
the beasts form her. Elnmil was further south, and came down upon the
embankment of the redoubt. She had held back many for a time, but had suffered
small wounds herself, and with the position falling, she knew that the battle
would be lost. But then she heard the great riding of horses from the east, but
knew in her heart that it would be too late. Behind her the few remnants of the
redoubts forces continued to fire their bows, and then she knew that she must
take on the burden of holding what could be held, if only for the sake of her
race. Thus, she picked up a fallen Oralath banner, and stood upon the front of
the embankment, crying aloud;
“An
ala Lenegalm!”
“For the union!”
And even as she cried these words she prepared
to sell her life, for there came the hoards of
Zandline to her…
But
Avaner Minabair, hearing the battle cry of her new friend, broke forth from her
battle, her sword she held in her left was broken above the hilt, and an axe
that was held in her right was badly notched, and she was splattered with
blood, but she gave not any peace, and Elnmil. Even as she fought, saw the Mina
come towards her, and there in the midst of that battle they met once more, Even
as Nomleagth’s riders, led by himself, broke forth
onto the offensive, driving the beasts from the eastern pass. Then the
creatures of Ravik, their madness abated, fled or died, and though the redoubt
was under battle for a hour or more, forces came up to
secure the defences, so that victory was then certain.
It
was some time after this that Nomleagth came to the western redoubt, where the
slain of many lay upon the ground. Yet two figures sat still upon the
embankment. Avaner and Elnmil were still there. Elnmil was wounded by many a
gash, and the same was true for Avaner. It was then that Nomleagth, hearing of
two heroes upon that hill, came to speak with them personally.
He knew
Elnmil at once, “Elnmil, I can see that you have the spirit of your parents,
and you are even as I remember you, and I thank you now, but I know not your
friend,”
“You remember
my bow if not me” she said, “for I was at the gates of Maren, but if it is
indeed a name you wish then I am Avaner, of the Minare.”
Nomleagth
lost any smile he had then, for the memories of the sundering weighed yet heavy
upon him, though they clashed with the fact that Avaner had saved his life, and
thus he kept his clam. “I may not yet give you friendship Avaner,” He said, “I
thank you for what you have done this day, but I can give you only my leave as
a gift, and not love,”
As he turned
away, Avaner said; “yet still shall you thank us, and we shall both call each
other friends,” Nomleagth walked away, and did not reply, and he knew not yet
what those words would come to mean.
Thus
ended Batzul Narth, though none yet knew as yet that it was but a test of
strength and will, of which Ravik must have decided that he needed stronger
forces. He indeed had slipped away, with all the Ukarak who had survived, and
Back to Zandline did they go, to brood upon their black thoughts, and rebuild
their forces. Though indeed Ravik was now wary, for the spirits were beginning
to engage him, thus it was long before he deemed himself ready to strike again.
But
Elnmil and Avaner became good friends, and fellow companions, for in secret
they took the lead of purging Dinear once more of the beasts, before returning
once more to the northern mountains, where their tale later continues.