Chapter 16

 

An Bair aigaz qune Zheir

 

Which is:

Of Bair and its Realms

 

f old there was the continent of Bairgarand, which is the world continent. Thither arose both the first peoples, and then the first nations of the world in its very first days. Here is both a fashion of the land and of the nations in the time that Xland remained safely constrained behind the weapons of the Ezleg.

 

There was first the realm now known as Minarand, the guarded realm, where the Spirits first abided when the world was yet young. That land was bordered to the north by the mountains of the Avin Mina, which made a almost unbroken line across the north of that land, save only where it was broken by a single pass, which was known as Nomoth Baraz. And in the centre of this pass stood the only fortress of the spirits, which as has been told, was built after the second fall of the immortals. Tal Nomoth it was named, and was a fine obstacle against any who had wished to invade the guarded realm. Elsewhere to the north no foe could find their way in, for the Minare, ever after the second sundering, kept vigilant watch upon those mountains. Later however, others watched those peaks in the name of the Minare

 

To the south of the Avin Mina were the long thick glades of Rielar, where some of the greatest trees to grow upon Bair then stood. To the west the forests were thick, but upon the eastern side of Nomoth Baraz, the forests grew even thicker, until they passed the Vrozlan river and they then grew south to cover the entire width of Minarand from the mountains to the sea. Here the forest was named Niean Vinotz, and it was because of this forest that the spirits never had the need to build a fortress to the east, for an army would be slaughtered before they passed but ten miles into the glades. Only a few Minare ever guarded that forest, and they were often led by Varziya, who’s home was in the forests edge near Kazag-thar. In truth there was another defence, for the eastern side of the forest was pressed against a ridge named Kuthu Odeth, through which there was only a single pass, known as Aln Mana. Hence Minarand seemed sure indeed that it was safe, and none could dare question that defence as yet.

 

Of Minarand itself much has already been said, especially of its two cities, so little more need be said now, save that the land did recover indeed from the ruin that the fall had brought to it, and that both Minriavi and more especially Kazag-thar, were repaired in due time, though Kazag-thar was ever less peopled than before. But now if one passed from Minarand in the north, they would find the land of Daraliline, which was seemingly all but uninhabited at that time, though in later times, as shall be told, it was to become the most populate of all lands in Bairgarand. In that time the land was a great expanse of grasslands free from all signs of civilisation. These lands were shielded by the Avin Hwëvi, the grey mountains that lay to the east. Long later these mountains were to become the main defence for the west of Bairgarand. These mountains, the greatest in Bairgarand save only the Avinkazag, bent back westward as the progressed north, sheltering the land to the south. A great hilly upland hung in the north of this land, which was named the Ephelt Ril, which was the first home of the race known as the Seldar. The centre of that land was also divided by a small mountain range in its midst, known as the Avin Kalar. If any yet lived there, it is not remembered, and if they did they had no part in the history of Bairgarand as yet.

 

The mountains of the Avin Hwëvi were sundered in the north. The main part of the range continued to the north west, but a smaller branch broke off south westward, cutting two lands apart. In the western land there was contained one of the greatest Forests in Bairgarand, Vear Vinotz, the ever forest it was named. To the west of the forest was the strip of land known as the Telekaz, the great teeth, where the Minare first passed over Bairgarand long ago. This land was indeed broken by cliffs and gorges as if it were teeth, but was otherwise unremarkable. But none yet knew, even Hiare, that it was not yet known, that it was even then the cradle of the human peoples.

 

To the east of the Avin Hwëvi were the lands that comprise Zand Zlavind, the first home of the Ezleg. The first part of this land that one would come to is Galniva, the yellow silence, so called for it was often yellow with great grasses, but also utterly silent. This place stretches much further south than any other part of those lands. Few Ezleg ever came westward during the flight from Zand Zlavind, but those few who did so had survived scattered around Galniva in small numbers, and they were not known of in the east of Bairgarand, so that none had ever gone there to meet their kin.

 

Heading north from the land of Galniva, one would first come to a place where the yellow grass was replaced by a barren tundra, and then to great lands of snow where the trees would burst if any still survived there. Coming there you would believe that nothing could ever survive in that land, and then you would know that you had reached Zand Zlavind proper, the shadow slice for in all its terrible glory.

 

But unknown to any in the world at this time save in rumour that none would dare search out, there was a remnant of the Ezleg still surviving in Zand Zlavind, for they had decided not to flee the long winter which never ended, and instead dug a city underground in the furthest north, the city looked out to the Frolavitan, the great ice cap to the north. This city, dug form the very bedrock in the north, was a miracle in its self, despite the land in which it was set. Var’vro it was named, the cold city, as if its maker had made some awful reminder of the lands that it was set in. less than three hundred miles distant stood their ancient home beside the Avin Ezleg and the Ariniva, but few of those in Zand Zlavind ever went there, for their sorrow was to great, and none ever found their way out of the snows to tell their kin of their survival. But in the forests of Litheren, where Hiare and the Elybylar had once sheltered, none now remained, they had either fled or had died, such was the ferocity that the long winter had brought to the north of Bair

 

To the south of Zand Zlavind lay the mountains known as the Avin Zagria, and from them the Kanzar. These mountains formed a ring that was almost impossible to enter from without, and even harder to discover. It was here, unknown to all, that Valwe, he who had scorned Hiare, came when he left Zand Zlavind. He had with him only a few people of like mind, but he shut himself away in this land, naming it Tzaline, The hidden land. Here his people built a city, known now as Var’mtal, the secret city. Here now the descendants of Valwe ruled in secret, few ever wanting to go outside their land. Only rumours of Valwe’s people spread abroad, and these rumours were for long unheeded.

 

To the south of the hidden land lay the plains of Maitherel. This land was situated between two rivers, the Lavi, which flowed to the west, originated in the Hidden land, and through the pass form which the river flowed was the only simple route into the land of Valwe, and marked the eastern boundaries of Minarand at its estuary. To the east there lay the Litheren, which flowed from the outside of the mountains of the hidden land in a wide arc to the east before coming south, thus separating Maitherel from Nueline to the east. A scarce few Ezleg lived there at this time, most of whom had come in flight form Ivsraln’s invasion of Nueline in the wild years, and though most returned to their homes in the east, a few indeed did remain, but later did Maitherel become once more a land of battles, and for long a realm of the enemy.

 

To the south of Maitherel, across the Litheren stood the high lands of the Ephelt Gul, and the mountains of the Avin Dure. Few people lived in these hills at this time, though many long years after they would become a battle ground. But to the south of this, there was the land that straddled Barline, known as Glimline it was named, and though it was uninhabited as yet, it would later be the realm of the Seldar, as is to be told.

 

To the north of Glimline and the Avin Dure, there lay the land of Nueline, the most south western of all the Vrolevili lands, known as Nueline, after Nimlith, the one who had lead the people there. The most southern parts of this land were uninhabited, else they may have had converse with the Elybylar before the peoples were reunited. But more to the north, the land became more populate, especially in the north east, where there lay the city of Var’nue, which is the city of the moon. This city was set just to the south of the Ephelt Glath, as extensive highland to the west of Dinear, and straddled also the Veinaro river to the south, and thus guarded the western routes to both the Vrolevili lands and to northern Barline.

 

To the west of Nueline there lay the great forest known as Ager, which was the closest of the Vrolevili lands to Barline. This great forest housed many of the Ezleg’s greatest warriors, and also a stout defence from north to south, ever one be needed. There were no cities within Ager, and for the most part the people of Ager resembled the Daizalpelari beyond the mountains more than any other Ezleg. But the Agerians had no converse with the Elybylar at first, for in the south of Ager there lay a small mountain range, known as Avin Vinotz, which blocked any direct route to Ager, and at first few of the Agerians wished to issue form their forests, and fewer wished to see the Elybylar, but after the first war of Zandline and the reuniting of the peoples, the Agerians often had converse with their kin to the south, and became some of their stoutest allies in battle, but of all the Vrolevili they are those about which the least is known.

 

Passing to the north of Ager, and to the east of Var’nue, one could then find their way into Dinear to the north. The difficulty in doing so lay in the fact that the mountains known as the Avin Leth blocked the approach partly to the west, and the Zarin Mina partly to the east. But there was a gap of some two hundred miles between them, though the terrain was still hilly and difficult, and one would also have to contend with the river. It was possibly for the reason that defence was need here that Elnue and Nethar came to the gap and built there the city of Nivan.

 

Nivan was originally, as is told elsewhere, a fortress founded by Elnue and Nethar during the wild years. Nivan soon grew to become one of the larger cities of Dinear. But it had only three true rulers in its time. For first there ruled Elnue and Nethar together, then, after Elnue’s death, Nethar ruled alone, and after his death Elnmil ruled the city for a time. But after she died, the city became part of the council of Maren, and thus was united the more so with its kin cities to the north.

 

Leaving Nivan to the north west, following the line of the Avin Leth, on would come in a few days to the city of Maren, which was the fourth largest Ezleg city at that time. The city was built on a half island which was pressed against the Avin Leth, hence the city’s name. The city had been besieged many times since its founding by Almagarin, Nomleagth’s friend during the wild years. Besieged many more times it would be, but few, if any, then remembered the battles fought there, and instead knew Maren to be a major centre of commerce in the north. Maren had also only one single ruler, Almagarin himself, for after he died there was then made the council of Maren, which after held governance over Nivan, Var’nue, and nearly all lands south of Var’narth and west of Hwëvi Vinotz.

 

To the north of Maren, in the open plains of northern Dinear, there was then the city of Var’narth. This city was originally one of the first fortresses built by the Vrolevili in their flight from Zand Zlavind, but soon became a focal point for those in flight. This city was ruled by what we would call a consul, which ruled for five years before the city voted whether or not a new consul should be elected. Seldom did any last more than a few terms, most ruled for five years and voluntarily stepped down. But once, the first, ruled for over two hundred years, for that was the city’s founder, Varlidan, who ruled from the founding until after the end of the wars of Arillirus. The people of Var’narth were in fact some of the most dedicated followers of the Union, and some of its greatest fighters. But they never truly reconciled with the Elybylar as did the other Vrolevili, perhaps because they were the closest to Zand Zlavind, and could not put the memory of abandonment aside.

 

To the east of Var’narth, one would cross the open plains of North Dinear, which later became a grave battleground called Batzul Dinea. Then, passing on further, one would come to Glimer and the realm that they city ruled, all of which has been told of, but beyond Glimer, one would then come to the ruins of Zandline. No living thing dwelt there now, despite the many years since it fell, because a great dread remained there. To the north however, the ice had receded from the coast, leaving a small sea between the ice and the mainland. Some have said that this was due to the corruption of evil seeping into the waters of the Lmorarni, but in any case, no one ever entered that land, save at the greatest need, and none would stay there, the memory of evil reaming strong in the north.

 

To the south of Zandline, through the Arak Baraz, one would then come to Arakline, which was unique in that all that land was united under the rule of Oralath, which stretched from Tal Valric and the redoubts of the north, unto nigh the north of Barline in the south. That is not to say that it was one nation, the Ezleg were never to be held by ties of nationality, but that it was merely governed from Oralath, which remained ruled by the heirs of Nomleagth. At first he ruled, then did his daughter Milendran and after her it was ruled by Beldaril, Nomleagth’s granddaughter, and that land prospered indeed at that time.

 

Though in this time the Vrolevili peoples grew greatly in number, the greater numbers were ever to be in Barline. Under the rule of Mikealar, the Elybylar had lived in a long and certain peace. Only the fact that many of their people were away in the east holding that peace with their sweat, toil, and occasionally, their blood, marred that peace. The north of Barline, ever before a uncontrolled wilderness bordering the unknown, was now made safe, and there were no standing armies on the Veinon and the Veinar rivers, and Vrolevil and Elybyla alike could walk unmolested through those lands. Only at Arak Mina, which straddled the Avin Alak, was there stationed a army, the only one to remain in the north of Barline. But Arak Mina, once a high towered fortress, was now a beautiful city that could bee seen from hundreds of Miles around, for following the old watchtowers, many great spires were built within, and their tips reached almost as high as the mountains that they stood beside.

 

To the west of Arak Mina there lay the open plains of Narth Dinea. This was free of Armies also, a far cry from the massed forces that had gathered there in the Wars of Arillirus. Also free of Armies was the city of Almvar, which lay to the west of Narth Dinea, which was the oldest of the cities of Barline. Almvar was also a old fortress city, which was defended by the Veinaro to the north and by Dar Vinotz to the south. It was for this reason that Almvar gained also the name Var’Vinotz, for the city became almost merged with the forests, and so became one of the most pleaZandt of the Ezleg cities.

 

To the south of the Avin Alak and Arak Mina, one would then come to the great plain of Ezlag fear, the ever noble, of which Narth Dinea formed the northern most part. This plain was uninhabited in its entirety, and some would question how a nation would hold together with great expanses of land uninhabited? True, any other nations, those of Seldar, Kalrathen, or man, would indeed fall apart, but the Ezleg were loyal, and would not do so. They also cared for the wilds, and it was for that reason that Ezlag fear remained untouched, for it was a great open grassland where many wild animals roamed free indeed, and the Ezleg only ever passed here in route, and none ever stayed here for long, and foremost, they never would defile that land at all.

 

Passing to the south of Ezlag Fear, one would then come upon the Avin Lear, the waiting mountains. This is where the unpopulated north, and the more populate south of Barline were separated. It was hard to pass these mountains, for to the west lay the highlands of the Ephelt Nar and Dar Vinotz, while to the east lay the hills of the Ephelt Kazag. But there was one single pass through these mountains, known as Rina Baraz. But it was guarded then by a old fortress known as Tal Rina, which was built after the Orglag first came to Barline long ago. But it had never been attacked, and merely stood as a watch tower, but that was not to remain so forever.

 

Passing through Rina Baraz, one would then come to the heart of Barline. It was here, between Dar Vinotz, the Avinkazag, and the Avin Lear that most of the people of Barline lived. For it was here indeed that there stood the greatest mortal city, for Var’bylar could be seen from the mouth of Rina Baraz, and see even at that distance one could see the true size of that city, and they would be amazed.

 

The three branches of the Var’bylar converged to one in the heart of Var’bylar before flowing down to the ocean. To the north of the city was the most populate are of Barline, but Var’bylar its self was thus severed into four parts, north, east, south and west. the city did have walls around it, but at a great distance from the first homes so that the city could indeed expand still. There can be no moderate look at that city here, but suffice to say that the spires and the halls made that city the truest spectacle that one could see on Bair.

 

To the east of Var’bylar one would then be in the land of Laznarth, and to the south, Lazodë. Here now there were many farms, and a moderate amount of population. Crossing the Lazrina river, one would then come to Zodëline, also a land of farms. The war that had gripped that land long before was then almost forgotten, only the fortress of Tal Avin still reminded the people there that battle had once come to them, and that it may possibly come again.

 

Turning then to the west, one would then come to Dar Vinotz, one of the great forests of Bair, where indeed many Ezleg had sheltered long before, but now only Hiare and a few of her family really resided there. Then, passing through the forest to the south, one would then come to the mountains known as the Mina Lear, and if one then came to the coast, and continued westward, they would see a city, hidden by the mountains. Var’mina it was named, and was built as a small fishing city. But in time the city would grow, until it finally became a great port indeed.

To the east one would only find a few people living up in the Avinkazag. Perenna, Nathire’s child of the house of Hiare was often there, gazing at the stars as she did so often. But there were only a handful of Ezleg who lived up there, the mountains being too cold for most, and for the most part the mountains were left to be homes for the Kazverinis, who hunted their pray up there at their leisure.

 

Beyond the Avinkazag one would come to the land of Daizagul, a land of great open expanses with only a few forests and hills to upset the plains. Throughout the south of that land there were scarce few people who lived there, mainly due to how cut off they would be. Throughout all of Vegraline, a land the nigh the size of Barline, there lived only five hundred Ezleg, the same scarceness was true for all of southern Daizagul.

 

To the east however, when one came to the lain-an-Bair, many more people were to be found. This was not of their own choosing however, but because these were the Ezleg armies who still held Xland constrained. Nearly two hundred thousand Ezleg lived there for up to ten years at a time, ever defending the border between sanity and madness that was those mountains.

 

The only true realm of the Ezleg in Daizagul was in the north, spanning the forests of Lavados and Galir Vinotz. This was Daizline, the land of the Daizalpelari, both the greatest forests, and the greatest forest realm in all of the known world. Those forests spanned over two thousand miles, and were split only once by the Rikelanear, the longest river in thw whole world, which flowed over three thousand miles unto the ocean.

 

At first most of the Daizalpelari lived on the east of the river, but after the ravaging of that land by Arillirus, many did not cross the river again, but still nigh half the people of that cityless land lived on the eastern side of the river, and for that, they were destined to suffer once more in times to come.

 

Such was the fashion of the lands during the time of the constraining of Xland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 17

 

An Zalzizur Zandvear

 

Which is:

Of Zalzizur’s Zandvear

 

ften during the long years of the constraining of Xland, many small raids came upon the defenders, but save those great offensive that have been already told, none of these did more than cause momentary worry. Thus it became thought by many, that none could escape Xland, or at least not pass the siege lines that had held back the full might of Arillirus’ armies already. But they had not held back the full might of Arillirus himself, for he had not come forth, but what of the other Bythar that now followed him? None even seemed to comprehend their power, and the fact that even housed in bodies, that they could escape. Thus when It was later learned that Zalzizur departed from Xland, it then being around the eight hundredth year, none knew what so ever that he had done so. It was known only that this was a time of quiet on the front lines, nothing but little disturbances at the most. Thus Zalzizur’s departure would never have been known, save from the later knowledge gained by Hiare.

 

Thus when ever Zalzizur escaped Xland, his departure was unknown to all, perhaps even to his lord at first. It is said that he departed seeking a way that his forces could breach the siege lines, to which he found no way in the south. Thus he continued northward, passing to the north of the Lainad-Bair, until he crossed the ice covered lands to the north. He then came to the very northern most stem of the Avinkazag, perhaps over two thousand miles to he north of Zandline, for none can tell so. Then he followed them north, until he came to the uttermost north of Bair, and at the tip of the Avinkazag, he found a great mountain. This mountain was unlike any other, for it was not made of stone, but utterly of Volcanic glass. It was in fact was perhaps the greatest peak in Bair, stretching indefinitely high into the airs, and none had yet seen it, and very few of those Zande have ever seen it after, for few would have wished to go there after Zalzizur had come thither.

 

That mountain Zalzizur came to, and found that it was hollow, and that natural tunnels weaved their way through the mountain, so that a maze was held beneath that rivalled even Xland. Thus did Zalzizur see a use for this place, but only in future times he deemed, when the shadow would grow once more. Thus he claimed the mountain for his own, naming it ZalzizuriZandvear, Zalzizur’s Shadow forever. But it is remembered after, when its existence became known, as Zandvear alone, the shadow forever, or the shadow ages. And many later cursed that name as much as Xland was at that time.

 

He also found a strip of land that passed to the west of the Avinkazag, and came south to just a few hundred miles north of Zandline. He knew also that in Vrozar, forces could cross the ice into Bairgarand, and thus he could flank across all the defences of the Ezleg. He did not act now, and instead returned to the south, but whence he returned to Xland, he planed great uses for his find, that need not be told of now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 18

 

An ala-Kazag Batcule

 

Which is:

Of the Great wars

 

t was in the nine hundred and twenty third year in a time of Vrozar that Iviseal stood as he often did, looking out from the edge of the world into the darkness of the east. He was not at Recand Nain, where he usually resided, but to a small out post in the north known as Dureil, while his kin’s men Namlos and Naglos watched Recand Nain.

And while he walked the high paths of that fortress, looking out into the blackness, he thought of many things in those nights, but foremost was ever the siege that he commanded. Yet he felt tired and drawn. So much had he devoted to keeping the west safe that he had so often forgotten his own life.

Then and without warning, there was a flicker of light out across the plain. Iviseal stood bolt upright, his eyes staring as he hoped that it was but a reflection from the stars above.

Then there it was again, several times, and several low guttural curses. Iviseal instantly shouted aloud; “To arms Ezleg!”

Bair would then never be the same again.

 

It was several hours before dawn that the strike of Arillirus began all across the many hundreds of miles of the siege lines and from the furthest north to the uttermost sound, the forces of the Ezleg awoke to the sounds of battle. Many thought that it would be but a raid, for even those now greatly old would not have seen the wars before the siege, and merely heard it form their elders. But whence they awoke to find vast waves of Orglag, far beyond the number of any raid, slaying all that they could find, they then realised that this was no raid, and that Arillirus had come once more to take the world as his own. And few, if any truly realised the power of Arillirus then.

 

Iviseal, ever the tactician, had never expected such a great strike, and was thus ever ill prepared to deal with it. His troops were mostly the young, few even remembered even the last great raid against the siege, and though all were well trained, few could stand the terror of a Orglag with ease. Thus it was that the initial attacks of the Evils made great advances, breaking through the thinly spread front lines with ease. To the south, where by far the greatest attacks had fallen, the situation was dangerous to say the least, for Romig Baraz was swamped with the foe, and the great fortress of that pass nearly fell on the very first day, for in the rush to prepare for battle, several gates were left open, and thus the Orglag broke into the fortress, and the brothers Namlos and Naglos, who were watching the fortress for their kin’s man Iviseal, were forced to launch several last ditch counter attacks, which managed finally to drive the Orglag back. But the Ezleg casualties were horrific, though they would have been more so if not for the quick thinking of he brothers, who there proved themselves to be kin’s men of Iviseal. But the worst effect was that the centre of the Ezleg defence had now been put all but out of action, and few troops of that fortress could be sent to where they were needed elsewhere.

 

To he north of Romig Baraz, the assaults had been lesser at first, and they were repulsed. But soon many more of the foe entered the mountains through the shattered defences. The greatest of these forces came against the fortress of Dureil, where Iviseal was. Here Iviseal had very little warning, but wasted no time trying to regain the initiative, and he knew that on the route to Dureil, one would pass along many thin cliff tracks, where the Orglag would be very spread out. Here it was that Iviseal gained a quick counter attack down the mountain paths, driving many Orglag over the edge of the cliffs. Iviseal knew that many of the Ezleg fortresses were placed like this, and hoped that all could be defended this way, but alas, that was not to be.

 

For from the south of Xland had come by far the greatest force. It was here that the Ezleg forces were stung out thinner than elsewhere, but the defenders believed rightly that the mountains here were incredibly difficult to pass. But over the long years of siege, unknown to the Ezleg, the Orglag had sought out the routes through the mountains here, and thus when the attack came, the Ezleg were taken completely by surprise, and they suffered here their greatest defeats, loosing perhaps half their strength in all. Many of the mountain passes were over run and the Ezleg were fighting a hopeless battle. The fighting there continued for many days after a slight lull had come to the rest of the front, and the Ezleg, despite their courage and defences, were driven back mountain by mountain, until, after but ten days of battle, the Ezleg were driven back into Daizagul.

 

After those ten days of fighting word had certainly passed on beyond the mountains, for the Daizalpelari were indeed readying for battle. It was then that a small force of Daizalpelari cavalry which had been stationed at the river Rinea, came eastward, where they witnessed the Ezleg falling back from the mountains ahead. These cavalry quickly gave their aid to their kin, and managed in the course of several battles, to aid them in holding the Orglag at bay, though they could not hold in the open, and they fell back to the Rinea, where they had both defence and shelter from the foe. Thus did they hold back for a time the Orglag at the Rinea, where they hoped that defence would soon come to them.

 

When heard, that despite the many defeats, the Ezleg had succeeded in holding back the evils, he took heart, for if they had held back the fullest weight of what could be sent against them, the coming of reserves would soon lead them to a utter victory in the mountains. Indeed, he at once launched attacks from the fortress of Dureil, and the Orglag who held out still in the mountains began to be driven back as Iviseal gained ground, and for a few days it was indeed thought that victory was now to be certain. But with the coming of night on the fifteenth day after the beginning of the war, all changed, for upon that evening, when Milare was low over the eastern skies, there came a sight unbefore seen. For without warning, the great disk became blotted with black, as if Milare its self was failing. But then the orange sky its self became covered with the black figures. Then, as the moments passed, the true horror of that sight became apparent, as the great host of the skies fell upon the Lainad-Bair.

 

Thus was the first appearance of those children of darkness called the Nikarin, the sly knife, beings that were seemingly melded of man and bats, thought that could never be so. Never before then had they been seen, but often after would they be, and they were to become a bane as virulent as the Orglag. Many names they have been given, but Nikarin is the name that is most remembered. Beasts as bad or even worse in heart than the Orglag they were, for the had both a greater cunning and were more cruel, for while the Orglag would kill their victims, the Nikarin would torture them, and often do far worse, for it was form these creatures that later came the race known as the Romine, as shall later be told.

 

But now it must be said of the battle from the skies, for the Nikarin in their thousands fell upon the defences of the Ezleg, as yet unprepared against any such creature, and they withered before them. This time the attack came across the line from north to south, and the Nikarin spread confusion and chaos, and then came the Orglag in massive numbers against a all but defenceless foe.

 

To the furthest north, Seldilr Baraz was forced in such a way, and the Ezleg fled back on the long road to Tal Anganark in utter disarray, though that was but a minor defeat in the general scheme of the war. Many indeed were lost in that retreat lasting many hundreds of miles, but it was but a prelude to what came next.

 

For then was Recand Nain attacked once more, and this time from above where it was the most vulnerable. Thus the greatest host of the Nikarin fell upon the rear of the fortress, thus flying across the whole pass in force many times and it is for this reason that the pass was then given the name Romig Baraz,, The pass of flight. And that fortress, which had been deemed perhaps the most secure in all of Bair, was now fighting for its survival. Namlos and Naglos came to much grief over these battles which came to them, and though they fought on with all the rest, even they could not prevail forever and though the fortress held yet, it would not do so for long and if no aid came, it would be over.

 

It was after ten more days of fighting in the north, that Iviseal’s forces began to withdraw from their defences. Dureil had been lost the day before, and without that fortress, there was very little hope to hold out in any war there. Thus Iviseal, seeing now that his battle to hold the siege of Xland was over, had to finally admit defeat, else all that remained to him would have been destroyed. Thus, after a mere twenty five days after the beginning of the war, Iviseal began to pull back from the mountains into Daizagul, and never again would such a siege of Xland be made, much to the loss of the western lands.

 

It was actually several days before that the fortress of Recand Nain fell to the invaders. For out in the black of night came a greater force than had ever been before assembled against the Ezleg. Namlos managed to lead most of the forces in a hasty retreat back down the pass, but Naglos held on in defence with some six thousand or so who had been cut off in the corridors of Recand Nain. He held with them during the battle that raged there for two days more, in which time much of the fortress was destroyed, and but a few dozen defenders still held firm. It was then that the Ukarak came into the ruins, seeking prisoners of importance. Ravik led them, and Naglos, being counciled by those few who remained with him, to flee, or else be captured, finally did so, though he ever after thought that he had betrayed those who followed him there, but as he fled he came upon Ravik in the halls, and thus did Naglos and Ravik meet for the first time, and as Naglos fled past him, he knew somehow that it would not be the last. Recand Nain fell that day, having been besieged only four times, though it was once said that it would take many more than that to take it. It was abandoned for the foe and was visited only once again by any from Bairgarand, and not for many long years indeed was that to be. But with the fall of Recand Nain, the once thought unbreakable siege of Xland had ended, releasing the great horror once more against Bairgarand.

 

Thus Iviseal, in his retreat from the mountains, came across the disarrayed retreat from Romig Baraz. He was happy to see that so many had survived, including his kin’s men {for Naglos had joined up quickly with his brother} but then seeing the ruin of all that he had strived to do was most unsettling to him. He saw that both Namlos and Naglos were a little hardened by the battle, though little else could be expected after what they said had happened to them. But with the joining of both forces, nearly all those who survived the battle were gathered there, and he realised that about fifty thousand had been lost, nigh on a quarter of the Ezleg who had been at the battle, a grievous loss if there ever was one. But now Iviseal had a difficult choice to make. He had given up the mountains to the foe, but now he had to decide either to counter at once, or else withdraw back to the nearest defences, which was many hundreds of miles to the west back on the Rikelanear. It was not a easy decision, but Iviseal had almost decided to counter at once when a friend arrived to see him in old tattered garb.

Iviseal knew him as Hifylar.

“Good to see such a hopeful face in such hard times,” said Iviseal coldly.

“Perhaps,” said the Bytha, “but if you are here as you are, with shattered armies only, I take it that the war does not go well?”

“Indeed it does not my friend,” said Iviseal, “for some new beast of evil came upon us and drove us away. But I intend to strike forth and readdress the balance soon.”

“I fear that will be difficult my friend,” said Hifylar grimly. “For great forces of the foe have already passed through the mountains to the north and south of us. Any such strike will most likely end up destroying us all.”

“Then alas! The siege cannot be recovered now.” Iviseal exclaimed grimly, He cursed for a few moments and then asked; “Where do those forces head?”

Hifylar shrugged, “The greater force is to the north that is sure, a strike against Daizline seems certain to me.”

Then Iviseal made one of his most infamous errors of judgement, “Then he proposes to break through into the north once again, and seize once more the ruins of Zandline.”

This was a mistake indeed, though none could ever disagree with that logic.

“The Daizalpelari have not been warned as yet,” Hifylar continued, “but the last I saw was a small force aiding your forces in holding the Rinea against the foe.”

“we lasted but ten days against those forces,” said Iviseal, “I expect those forces are already in rout.”

Indeed, to the south, those troops who had so valiantly tried to hold the siege lines once more, were being put to flight by then overwhelming forces, few would survive in the end, but they were just another forgotten army in such a vicious war.

“Then,” said Iviseal, “we have no choice but to retreat back to the Rikelanear. A retreat of over a thousand miles until we come to safe ground.”

It was a dreadful thought indeed, but one which none could deny. “There is nothing else we can do here” said Hifylar sadly.

Then Iviseal took charge once more. “Hifylar, I wish you to stay and aid in this retreat, for I could use your wisdom this day.” Hifylar nodded sullenly.

“Naglos, I trust your skills as a general” said Iviseal, “That is why I wish you to go to the Daizalpelari, give them all the aid that you can, stop the foe if you possibly can, and if that cannot be done, save as many as you can.” Naglos nodded.

“Namlos,” he said lastly, “I need you to return to Bairgarand. Find Hiare, I expect her to be in Barline, and tell her and the lands that the siege of Xland is now broken and that war comes once more.”

“I and Hifylar shall get this army to safety. Go now my kin, and may fortune smile upon you and your journeys.”

 

Thus it was that when Namlos and Naglos had departed from the army, Iviseal began his attempt to save it. For he and Hifylar began to lead the great retreat across Daizagul to safety., a retreat never after matched by any Ezleg army. The more so for neither Iviseal nor Hifylar knew the true extent of the danger they were then in. They both believed that they had at least five days to prepare themselves and that the forces coming over the mountains were not seeking any real objective save the utter destruction on the Ezleg. In this they were grossly mistaken, for Arsgul was heading from the north with all intention of crushing Iviseal with greatly overwhelming forces, while Arillirus was coming from the south with a even greater force with the same intentions. But Arillirus had every hope of catching Iviseal near the Rinea, which was no longer where Iviseal was. For Iviseal had already fallen back in great haste, and when Arillirus fell upon the Rinea a day later, he realised that Iviseal had slipped away but he was undeterred, and then launched one of the most aggressive pursuits of all time.

 

Iviseal, whose forces were already forty miles westward by the time Arillirus fell upon the Rinea, then realised what was happening, and thus knew that he was in a far greater danger than he had supposed. He had intended to make a temporary stand atop the Dyzlandi ridge to gain breath, but soon realised that this was impossible, and that to save the army they would have to force the march even harder, a tall order even for a Ezleg army, who could march forty miles a day at need. Iviseal, to gain control of what was happening at the rear, which he knew that would be soon a battle front, took command of he rearguard, giving the main retreat to Hifylar. Thus Iviseal took command of the five thousand cavalry of Barline who held the rearguard, and prepared to give all the time he could to the armies in retreat.

 

The first battles were fought the next day, when the Nikarin came upon the rearguard, though not in great numbers. Iviseal held them back, but could not hold firm, for there were no place to halt on these plains until the Dyzlandi ridge, two days west. He was in fact more concerned with Arsgul to the north, for he knew not where she was, and that she had a fair chance of coming down upon the north of the retreating armies. In the meanwhile Iviseal gained time that the retreating armies so desperately needed.

 

Hifylar gained the Dyzlandi ridge unmolested two days later, but there was not time to rest the forces, for atop that ridge one could see the lands for many miles and he could see the forces out upon the eastern plain. Arillirus was some distance behind Iviseal’s small force, but Arsgul was several miles ahead of him, and would reach the ridge in but a few hours. Hifylar had to retreat on knowing fully well that Iviseal had a high chance of being destroyed, but there was nothing that he could do for him, and reluctantly he fell back once more.

 

But even so, the loss of Iviseal to the cause could do as much damage as the loss of a entire Ezleg army. For when Arillirus heard that the one who had constrained him for six hundred years was ahead, he struck forth with massive numbers. Iviseal’s command suffered grievously, though often each Ezlag took ten of the foe down before falling, it was far too little. Iviseal lost over a thousand Ezleg that day, leaving perhaps only three and a half thousand to him. Arillirus had gained past him to both the north and south that day, and he was on the verge of being crushed, but then one of those great acts of confusion that so often prevailed save him.

 

For that night, while Arillirus was on the verge of victory, Arsgul had also tried to crush Iviseal, and there in the darkness of a moonless night both forces collided, though it was not all by accident, for part of the confusion was caused by someone who is unknown, though many have said that it was Yletha, the redeemed, who caused this act, though none can ever say for certain.

 

Whoever caused the confusion saved Iviseal, for in the confusion he and his force broke out to the west, and they gained a two day head start before the pursuing forces began to threaten him once more. Arsgul’s main forces had not turned to crush Iviseal, the greater part had indeed continued on in pursuit of Hifylar, and it was now the only force that could possibly do so.

 

Namlos quickly came to Bairgarand, and gave his panicked warnings first to Beldaril of Oralath, with the intentions of her spreading the word that Arillirus was free from Xland. Then he came to Barline to lord Mikealar. The response was at first subdued, for Mikealar was no general, and he saw not the urgency in Namlos’ words. But luckily there was one family there that would indeed understand the dilemma. For in Barline at that time was Hiare, together with Ivonwe, Milaralen, and their second son Nathire and his wife Olora of the Minabair. Even their own son Rathninear was with his wife in Dar Vinotz, so that the only members of the family that were not in Barline were Viler, Iviseal, Perenna and Naglos. Hiare realised at once the danger of the situation, even so far as to tell Mikealar that Barline is self could be threatened. Thus she, Namlos, and her family who would come, joined Mikealar and his own family in the great hall of Barline. Hiare had not known Mikealar or his family until a few years before, and she had come to like the new generations of the house of Bairmil. Mikealar though was very unlike Avternain. For he cared more about his family than all else, indeed one would say that little else mattered to him. But that is not to say he did not care for either Barline or his race, merely that his family would come first.

But this was not a time for forming opinions, as far more important matters were at hand.

“Much of my family stands here before me this day, as does that of the house of Bairmil,” she said, “but one must not talk of such matters now, for Namlos, my kin-child has brought important messages to us from the east, let us now listen to him.”

“Yes Hiare,” said Namlos wearily, “Tidings that I would not have wished to impose upon you I have, save only in the direst need as we have now.”

“Speak then” urged Mikealar, “And do not hold your peace.”

Thus Namlos did so; “then alas, I must tell you all that the siege of Xland has in the passed days been utterly broken asunder, and even now great battle is fought upon the lands of Daizagul.”

Many in that room were in great shock at these words, but whence the words had been plainly said to them there were few who could not underestimate the enormity of the situation. Though many had not seen true war in their life times, only but raids on the defences of the Lainad-Bair, which was not war in truth. Only two of Mikealar’s house had seen battle in their lifetime, Alnadan, Mikealar’s eldest, and Darideln his second, and of these Alnadan could well be said to be one of the most dedicated Ezleg commanders of the time.

“Tell us what you can!” said Alnadan hurriedly, “Does Iviseal still have the Army?” it was indeed true that if the siege army was lost, all of Bairgarand would be then defenceless.

“Recand Nain fell with great loss, I know this for fact, for I was there, many were indeed lost, there and elsewhere, but Iviseal still commands the army indeed, though perhaps fifty thousand have been lost, and Iviseal now retreats westward from forces that intend to crush him utterly.”

“How come could Recand Nain fall?” asked Alnadan, “It was the greatest fortress ever built to defend against the Orglag.”

“It fell because it was not only Orglag that fought us Ezlag,” Namlos replied, “Some creature came from the skies, and fell upon Recand Nain from above, where we were all but defenceless. The same happened elsewhere. The army has already given them the name Nikarin, for that is what they are indeed. We never stood a chance.”

Then Hiare asked, “Where is Iviseal headed my child?”

Namlos shrugged, “He plans to head for the Rikelanear, where he can set up defence, but I am not the master strategist that he is, and I cannot tell how long he plans to hold out, or indeed, how long he can.”

Hiare looked downcast, “In that case,” she said, “We should send aid eastward to him, but it will take time to get aid there even if there is any ready for us to send and on top of that, where will Arillirus strike whence he attacks the river?” It was indirectly addressed to Mikealar.

Mikealar indeed replied. “In the past he has always tried to regain Zandline, it will be likely that he will do the same again, for one could not make a sustained attack into Bairgarand without such a camp.” Hiare though challenged this. “Maybe so, but he will have learned that Barline is his great foe, not the Vrolevili and with these new bests of his, who knows what he will do?”

But Mikealar hardened himself against such thoughts, and assured himself that any strike into Bairgarand, if it ever got that far, would come against the Vrolevili, which in all events was mistaken.

Then Mikealar continued; “As to Aid Hiare, there is none to give at present, for all our forces save only a few thousands of the Minbylar are with Iviseal to the east. They may be sent now, but I shall assure you that I will prepare for this war, but it will take time indeed.” He looked then to Alnadan his son, “You are the most experienced in battle my son, would you prepare us for this war?” Alnadan nodded. And thus the council was set. But before they left, Hiare said to Mikealar; “Your great grandfather trusted me as I trusted him, I hope the same can be said of us in the time to come?” to which Mikealar replied “That I hope so Hiare, that I hope so, our families shall always be friends.”

 

Iviseal, after escaping the jaws of Arillirus, had now to escape the fangs of Arsgul. Part of her force was ahead of him to the north, and though it seemed as though the he would still be crushed, he was aided by the fat that Arsgul was heading into the foot hills of the Avin Marair, a small sparse mountain range that was in fact little more than a band of large hills. But Iviseal, now heading up the Dyzlandi ridge, and gained the top unopposed. The army could be seen some miles to the west, but Hifylar was there to meet Iviseal. “Close times my friend?” he said, almost jestingly, but Iviseal was not amused, “That was far more luck than skill on my part that saved us, only the Orglag squabbles saved us, but we are not safe yet.”

“That is true,” said Hifylar, “Arsgul is to the north, and is pressing on into the Avin Marair to crush us.”

“So it was her that erred,” said Iviseal, “It is a surprise, for I fought it was she that was in control.”

“It matters not if she errs once,” said Hifylar, “she will not do so again.”

“That is certainly true,” said Iviseal. “How is the army holding up?”

Hifylar frowned, “The Ezleg can march harder and further than any other race I know, but even they are having trouble covering nearly fifty miles a day with little rest, I fear though that the worse is yet to come.”

“That may be so my friend,” said Iviseal, “but I shall give you the time you need, Arillirus is already to far behind to cause problems, and I shall fight to do the same to Arsgul.”

“Then good luck my friend,” said Hifylar, “but be aware, the Nikarin are out in force over the Marair, and there is little you can do against foe form above when you march.” Then he departed back to the army, and Iviseal was planning already to halt Arsgul indeed, though he had but three thousand Ezleg remaining with him.

 

Hifylar continued to lead the Ezleg armies westward at a increasingly fierce pace, a pace even which the Ezleg could not sustain indefinitely, but it was then that they needed to travel even faster, for Arsgul sent waves of the Nikarin against the retreating army, and though they were beaten off, many Ezleg were left with out graves on the hills of Dure Dinea. It was only the Avin Marair that saved many more from being killed. But while the main force was retreating, Iviseal with the rearguard countered furiously, thrice blunting any assault which would have broken through to Hifylar. These battles were only accomplished by the sheer tactical wizardry of Iviseal, any other force which tried such a move, even if ten times his strength would have found themselves being broken apart. Even these victories did not halt Arsgul completely, for not accepting that a Mina with a force of but a fraction of hers could stop a great Bytha like her, she forced through the mountains at several points, thus coming once again within hours of cutting Iviseal off. But Iviseal once again spotted the danger, and slipped past her forces. All these engagements were giving Hifylar time to fall back, and allowed the armies of the Ezleg to survive another day.

 

Several days later Hifylar’s forces began to issue from the hills of Dure Dinea into the Dinea Ardi, the river plains. Hifylar had contemplated making a stand at the edge of this plain, but decided against it, seeing the Nikarin still prowling his forces. Thus he pressed on, though the Ezleg hearts were uplifted for from those hills their destination of the Rikelanear could be clearly seen, though they still were some four hundred miles distant, at least eight days march, though by this time, with the Ezleg both tired and disheartened, a few more days would be needed.

 

Iviseal’s battle to contain Arsgul finally failed the next day, for her forces broke past him to the south, and he knew that he could not contain her any longer, and hoped only that he had gained time enough for Hifylar. Thus he and his force, now less than a thousand in number turned to flight. Arsgul paid no heed to him, and she launched her forced in a pursuit never the like of which had been seen before. Soon her forces, being driven by Ukarak, were converging on Hifylar, who was still several days from the comparative safety of the Rikelanear.

 

Iviseal and his forces finally joined Hifylar once more to give him warning when but two days from the river; “Hifylar,” said Iviseal “The foe is contained no more, and is all but within striking distance of us!”

Hifylar frowned, “Then it is but a race to the river my friend,  but leave the foe to me, I can deal with them long enough.”

Then Hifylar departed alone, and Iviseal, leading the three hundred survivors of his rearguard back into the main force, began the final press to the Rikelanear.

 

No tale tells of what Hifylar did to delay the foe, though it can be said that he could never stop them completely, for if a thousand Nikarin came upon him at once, he would have returned to tell of it. But the forces that finally came upon Iviseal when he was within a few hours of the Rikelanear were but a token of what Arsgul could have sent, so Hifylar must be praised for what he must have done. But Iviseal, even with his weary forces, managed to drive back those that came upon him, and when they finally reached the river, the Ezleg began to cross in droves. Much of that day it took, and the threat of attack was always near, but the Nikarin, shaken by their many failures upon the road, did not attack again, and the Ezleg army made the crossing of the river. And when Hifylar returned to them that evening, he was greeted with the happy cries of a army that had survived indeed.

 

Thus ended one of the great retreats in the history of Bair, a force of over a hundred and fifty thousand making a retreat of nigh on two thousand miles whilst under attack has never been done since, and perhaps never should have. the more remarkable was the lost of less ten thousand upon the road, a third of which was from Iviseal’s rearguard. But while a miracle in itself, it was a defeat, and must not be though of as anything less. For once Iviseal and his forces were across the river, he began at once to form them in to something resembling a battle ready army, for there were more battles to be fought yet, and Iviseal wished to be ready indeed for what came next.

 

Whence Naglos heard the words of Iviseal calling for him to give warning to the Daizalpelari, he set out at once, and came in but a short while to the forests of Daizline. What he found was not a land of generally peaceful forest folk that he remembered from his youth, but instead he found a land already preparing for a war, for at this time many Orglag had already skirmished on the edge of he forests, and though the Daizalpelari repulsed them, they knew that they would always return, and ever in far greater numbers than before. But Naglos had seen what they were to face, and knew that their hope was to be slim indeed, though he did not intend to give in without a fight, despite the fact that the Daizalpelari would be outnumbered many times over.

 

He met there the three rulers of Daizline, who were the three sisters Alndril, Celdarnil and Edarnil, the three grand daughters of Darazgul the first lord of the Daizalpelari, and all alike they were in their concern of what was about to befall the land of the Daizalpelari. Thus they gladly welcomed a descendant of Hiare to their land.

“Frin Ezlag,” said Namlos upon his arrival, “It is glad to see that you indeed know what has befallen in the battles in the east.”

“yes indeed so,” said Alndril, “it is hard to miss a black tide pouring through the edge of the world my friend, and the more so to miss a black cloud towering above.”

“Iviseal is driving much of the foe westward in pursuit of him,” said Naglos, “but I fear still that in a few days your fair forests will be under attack also, and by great forces indeed.”

“Then we should feel glad that we are ready for battle this very night,” said Celdarnil.

“Then I propose that we take the war to the enemy,” said Naglos boldly. 

 

But at that time Iviseal could see only the war being brought to him, for now, looking across the Rikelanear, he could see the foe pour onward as the black tide that it was come towards his weary forces. In the little time that he had been graced with, Iviseal had managed to turn the battered remnants of the besieging forces into something resembling a true army, but indeed, it was well known that there was none better to gain victory in the coming battle than Iviseal himself. As for Iviseal himself, he did not know if he could gain victory. All those hours he stood watching the Nikarin fly above had put a chill into him that would not abate, despite the fact that plans had already been made to deal with the Nikarin. He knew also of several Ukarak out there beyond sight as well as a Orglag army, and not the least, the four fallen Bythar themselves, and though he could not see them, he knew that they were out there somewhere.

 

Indeed it was that the Nikarin led the first strike against Iviseal’s forces upon the Rikelanear. First a great mass of the bat like creatures took to the sky in the distance, as they have done so many times since, though Iviseal noticed that the distance was only perhaps a mile, and he realised that they may well not be able to fly far, and also that they could not fly greatly high. Thus when he ordered bow shot to be loosed at them, a great many plummeted to the earth, and a great many scattered away also, proving that they had little courage indeed, and ever after was the most feared weapon of the Nikarin the bow, which they would rarely face head on.

But despite great successes, a sill sizeable force found its way to the River line. But they did not now face a force unarmed and unawares, but instead a well organised, and vengeance seeking army. Thus the Nikarin fell upon Iviseal’s forces. The battle that followed was bloody indeed, but would have been swift indeed save only that the Nikarin were not alone in this battle, for as has been told, a great force of Orglag waited across the river, and even before the Nikarin had took to the skies, they had charged forth, and were almost at the river by that time.

 

Iviseal though, was indeed ready for this battle, and knew exactly what to do. Thus he held all the crossings on the river with great strength, and proceded to fire great swathes of Bowshot at the Orglag. Many fell indeed, but many more pressed on, trampling those that were but wounded to their deaths. Thus when they came finally to the river, a great many were left to face indeed.

 

There that day began he first battle that was fought in that war for possession of the Rikelanear. The Orglag, driven on by their blood lust, struck hard at the river crossings, despite the loss of a great many of their forces to the Ezleg. But the Ezleg fought with great conviction, knowing that defeat there would mean a retreat into Bairgarand its self. But the Orglag, in such numbers that came forth, could not be contained forever, and in the end, the river being bridged with their dead, the Orglag poured across. Thus the battle was joined in earnest, though even then great lines of spears kept the Orglag at bay for a little longer. But it must be remembered that Iviseal’s forces were already being attacked on both fronts, and they were hard pressed to defeat both the Nikarin and the Orglag together. Soon more and more Orglag broke across the river, and Iviseal’s forces were on the verge of being cut in half. But to this Iviseal could do little whilst his reserves were fighting the Nikarin in the rear. But, being engaged at the front, he did not know that the Nikarin had already broken, and that his reserves were running down those that could not take to flight. Thus when things were beginning to look desperate indeed, his reserves came charging into the battle, and the Orglag were thrown into confusion by the charge, first they wavered, and then they broke indeed, and in their flight many of their numbered did indeed in the Rikelanear, turning the waters red with blood. Thus ended the first battle for the Rikelanear, and after a great victory, Iviseal held the crossings still.

 

To the north however, Naglos had a far different plan, for he and the Daizalpelari stood waiting as the first Orglag army advanced into Daizline in the east. In those trees a great many thousands of the Daizalpelari waited, concealed in the thick canopy of foliage. Thus when the Orglag entered the edge of the forest, fearing no harm from a already beaten foe, the Daizalpelari rose up, and a great many Orglag were slain at once, either by spear sword or poisoned arrow mattered not, for at such a onslaught no foe could stand for long, and soon the Daizalpelari broke into a charge, led by their chariots, and the Orglag either fled or were cut down in their flight. Not for over twenty miles did the pursuit abate, and of the force that was to conquer Daizline, all that escaped were but a handful of stragglers. It was there, with many more Orglag, that they finally began to rally. But by then, the Daizalpelari, satisfied with their great victory, had slid back into their forests, as if they were never there at all.

 

Thus the first victories had come not to the Ezleg, but they were far from victorious over all. For out in Daizagul forces that had seemed unthinkable before this war were gathering once more, and also forces of Orglag had come against the Daizalpelari fortress of Tal Anganark in the north. They were not enough to sack the fortress, but were indeed enough to tie down troops that were far more needed elsewhere.

 

Thus the second Orglag assault against Daizline began almost at once, and this time with many Nikarin with them, they struck across the entire forest, where the Daizalpelari could not possibly hold. The Nikarin may have been of little use  in the forests, and though it was a proven hindrance to the Orglag and a great defence to the Daizalpelari, it mattered not, for the front could never be held. The battles that soon followed were often slaughters to both sides as had happened over six centuries before. But even as then, the Daizalpelari were far from a numerous people, and their forces were too slender to win this war. For thirty days did the battle rage in Galir Vinotz, and in that time the forests burned once more, destroying a forest that had barely recovered from what had happened all those years before. Then, when Naglos and Alndril tired a counterattack to defeat the Orglag, they were beaten horribly, and from then on any slender hops of victory faded, and from then on survival was all that mattered.

 

Naglos fought at the head of a rearguard to hold back the Orglag as Alndril tried to save her people. in that war Naglos gained great honour, for he gained victories with a rearguard that equalled those made by Iviseal at the same time. But even the first pupil of Iviseal could not gain a truly decisive victory against such odds, and at the end Naglos found himself cut off in eastern Galir Vinotz with but five hundred of his original force of five thousand. In that time Alndril led the Daizalpelari people and their armies westward, leaving many thousands dead, many times more than what they had lost before in the time of Darazgul, who had escaped with a great deal of his people. Unknown to Naglos, the other descendants of Darazgul had been broken also. Celdarnil had fallen in the north with her army, and with her fell her sister Edarnil. Both were left among those who were never to have a proper burial. But Naglos, despite leading a remnant force in a fallen land, had no illusions of defeat, and instead began a campaign that would give his small force the name Ala-Xlandurek, The Revenger’s. He never retreated from that forest for the four years of that war, and whence he did emerge, he had changed forever.

 

In the meantime, Alndril led the remnant of the Daizalpelari people back to the Rikelanear. Little is said of their retreat from their home, but whence they had come to the river, they began a crossing with the foe already attacking them, forging a battle that so mirrored Batzul mil of so many years before. Alndril struggled both to hold back the foe and to get her people across the river. In the ensuing chaos many died in the fast flowing waters, and many more were slain by the Orglag trying to  let their kin gain the so needed crossing. Some called it the second battle of live, but others, the more so, called it Batzul mora, the battle of death, for never had such a people been decimated so.

 

In the end the Daizalpelari did indeed gain a crossing, though many who survived ended crossing over bridges of their own dead. Thus did Arillirus destroy Daizline a second time, and it never fully recovered from that ruin. His Orglag ran free through Galir Vinotz, save only where Naglos contested his forces. The Nikarin flew free through the skies of eastern Daizagul. But still he was resisted in the west, for Iviseal would not yield the river to him. The Rikelanear was notoriously difficult to cross, and Iviseal held all the places that a large force could do so, and thus held all of the river south of Daizline. The remnant Daizalpelari held the river, though only a against a plundering force with no leader. Iviseal’s victory had given him hope still, and he deemed now that with held soon to come to his aid, that the war was soon to be won, but alas! That was not to be so.

 

For after only a few days respite, Arillirus struck with seemingly a great force against the Daizalpelari, commanded by Zalzizur and Drosarn. In short order the Rikelanear was breached, and the  evils poured into Lavados, and the Daizalpelari fled once more to the Avin Batzul in the north, or else fled with Alndril to Arakline. The Orglag proceeded to ravage Lavados, making all believe that Arakline was to be struck at. Though such thoughts did little to ease the hearts of the Daizalpelari. Indeed the route to Zandline and Arakline was all but open to the Orglag. Iviseal in response, turned forces north, but then came a event that would change the history of the world forever.

 

For a second force, greater than that which had been sent north by far, attacked Iviseal across his entire front, taking the Mina by complete surprise, scarcely believing that Arillirus could have such force. The battle was impossible to fight, and Iviseal’s forces lost the river almost at once, and his flanks were tuned, so that he would be quickly trapped if he did not act then. Thus he pulled back to the north west. he knew fully well what would happen as his forces fled into the mountain paths of the Avinkazag, a door had been opened, the Door into the Realm of Barline its self. The end was about to begin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 19

 

An ala..An Barline Aigaz ala..Batcul an Zandline

 

Which is:

Of the Siege of Barline and the second war of Zandline

 

Neither Mikealar, Iviseal, or even Hiare could have foreseen such a strike as that which Arillirus committed even in their worst nightmares. For never had Barline been so utterly helpless in the face of the foe. Thus when in the early hours one night the garrison of Tal Avin found themselves face to face with such massive forces as Arillirus possessed, they knew that they had little chance of holding out even for a few days despite the attacking army’s lack of siege equipment. The fortress was surrounded in mere moments, the great majority of the Orglag and Nikarin pressing on into Zodëline. But when a great force of the beasts attacked the fortress, it should have fallen at once. But the garrison held out against all odds as the forces of the enemy invaded their land. It was not long before Var’bylar heard of the assault, but by then, Tal Avin had already fallen to the invader. The siege of Barline had thus began at once.

 

To the north, with the invasions of Bairgarand, there began what the Vrolevili quickly called the second war of Zandline. For in the late days of Elmëgezar of the nine hundred and twenty fourth year the armies of Zalzizur and Drosarn broke through into Zandline. There they waited only a short time before Zalzizur began a march westward into Dinear whilst Drosarn struck into Arakline. Zalzizur’s attack forced the defences of Glimer Baraz with ease, driving the enemy away at once and thus opening his passage into Dinear, thus preparing the first test of the defences of Glimer. Drosarn wasted little time either, for she assaulted south, and though she did not take Tal Valric, all the outer redoubts fell to her and the fortress was besieged utterly for a long time without result. Ever a drain on her army that became indeed, and a wasteful drain indeed.

 

But whilst the Vrolevili of this time remembered the tales of their grandparent and fought with the memories of their defence of their homelands, the Elybylar had no such tales to remember, no memories to fight to, and no such readiness. Tal Avin in even fell after three hopeless days of siege, a thousand more souls lost to the enemy. But this did not even delay the foe, for in those three days the Orglag pressed on, passing over the plain where Batzul Marair had been fought so long before with no resistance. The Nikarin prowled the skies over south Zodëline, falling upon homes and farmsteads in the dark of night and leaving naught remaining. Soon there was a great stream of refugees fleeing westward. It was then that Mikealar, the lord of Barline first heard of the fall of Tal Avin and the Orglag invasion of Barline. His first reaction was that of utter disbelief, and then of panic, for he himself did not know what to do, for he himself had never commanded a force of more than a few companies. Thus he was a good soldier, as good as any in Barline, but he was not a general. But in that respect his children were far more able. Indeed his eldest, Alnadan, was the commander of Barline’s home armies and was acknowledged as the first commander of his generation. Darideln  his second child was a fair general, while Marian and Rikal had only recently returned from the east knew much also, as did his last child Veinareln, thus it was deemed that the greatest commanders of the times were there in Var’bylar. Upon hearing of the invasion, it was Alnadan who did indeed take the initiative, and quickly proposed a plan to deal with the Orglag. He believed that a two pronged strike would succeed. One force would strike from the west across the Lazrina and thus defeat the Orglag marching on Var’bylar. A second strike would come from the north, and would drive the Orglag away from Marair Baraz and retake Tal Avin. Alnadan believed that if one attack was defeated, the other would do the job, for is the western strike failed, the northern strike would still cut Marair Baraz, and if the northern strike failed, the western force would still defeat the Orglag. The flaw was that if both forces were defeated, the land would be in great danger, and if both forces were destroyed, then it could be all over. But support was with him, indeed Hiare though it right to do such a plan, for to wait and let the Orglag establish them selves would be the greater error than not moving. Alnadan then wasted no time in preparing the armies, indeed they had already been mostly prepared to march through the Avinkazag to aid Iviseal, but now they were needed to defend their homeland. Alnadan himself took command of the western force, and with him went his parents and his youngest sister Veinareln. Darideln was to lead the northern force, and with him went Rikal and Marian. Hiare went with Alnadan’s force, and gave the task of defending Var’bylar to Ivonwe and Milralen. The last member of this party was Namlos, who followed with Hiare. Within a few days Darideln set out for his crossing in Laznarth, and only a few days later Alnadan began his march towards the Lazrina also. Hiare as she often did had a foreboding feeling that something was wrong, but of it she never told

 

At first the campaign went well. For in the time that the Ezleg had given them, none of the evils had broken out of Zodëline, or indeed, come close to threatening the Lazrina. But little was known about the true happenings within Zodëline, which often unsettled Alnadan greatly. All that could be decreed however from the great mass of refugees fleeing Zodëline was that Arillirus was still deep within that land and was not close to the borders. Thus Alnadan was prepared to see the plan through, for his belief was that Iviseal’s forces had done great damage to the Orglag armies, and that perhaps a hundred to two hundred thousand had broken into Barline, in fact, unknown to him, the number was already well over half a million. It was a few days later that the Ezleg armies began their crossings of the Lazrina into Zodëline. Two hundred thousand Elybylar crossed into that land to fight the foe, with Alnadan’s force being slightly the larger. At first there was little resistance to either force, but on the third day after they made the crossing, both armies came to battle.

 

To the north, Darideln and his army had crossed the Lazrina with ease and had pressed deep into Zodëline at a watchful, but quite rapid pace. On the third day he and his lead forces came upon the small village of Agthere, which was some fifty or so miles to the south of the Lazrina river. Barely a few hundred had lived there in peace time, and all were gone now, fled or killed. The village was undefended, and was a reasonable place for a defensive position. Thus Darideln camped here for the night. But while the army rested in the sleepy village, a army of over three hundred thousand Ezleg descended upon them. The Ezleg were not surprised, for the lookouts espied the foe in time, but it gave Darideln little time to flee the village, or else begin an attack before the Orglag were upon them from all fronts. The defence of Agthere was ever remembered there after by the Ezleg, for Darideln ordered Rikal to break out north with much of the army, perhaps up to ninety thousand, while Darideln himself prepared to defend the village to the last. Rikal partly accomplished his tasks, for he forced his way north through the attacking forces, but not with his organised army of trained troops, but with a rabble with little hope and great loss. Rikal succeeded in restoring order, and maintained a orderly retreat away from Agthere for a hour or so before the Orglag fell upon him in great numbers. He had already lost perhaps twenty thousand souls, and many more were to follow.

 

That famed defence of Agthere was thus carried out by less than twenty thousand Ezleg who faced over two hundred thousand Orglag at first. Darideln and his sister held that defence for three days with no true defences, no supplies, and no hope. In the end the valour of the Ezleg could only hold so long against such forces. It is said that twelve times the Orglag broke into the centre of the village, and every time they were driven back, and many times destroyed utterly. But when on the third day they attacked for the thirteenth time, the Orglag overwhelmed the remaining defenders, who now numbered perhaps a thousand or so. Darideln was killed defending the village square, while Marian his sister died whilst trying in vain to break out with a few survivors. This tale is only remembered for a few did break out and survive, but few indeed. Twenty thousand Ezleg died defending the small village of Agthere, taking with them perhaps a hundred thousand Orglag or more, a feat few could ever match.

 

Rikal’s retreat was not controlled by him, but by his foe. His force was hounded away from the bridge by which they had crossed, and whence they were driven back to the river, they were perhaps twenty miles to the west of the bridge at a rapid stretch of water. With no further to go the Ezleg made their stand at last, the seventy thousand survivors retreating no more, faced their foe, who had quickly gather both numbers and momentum. The battle was to last three further days, in which perhaps two hundred thousand creatures of Arillirus fell, but by the end the entire Ezleg army had fallen to its death by the river, with only a scarce few hundreds escaping at the end. Thus came to an end Batzul Agthere, but the great horrors of that war were far yet from ending.

 

For to the west on the third day after the crossing, Alnadan came across a force of several thousand Orglag who were moving westward. None gave any resistance to Alnadan’s plan of attacking the foe, after all the Ezleg had been on the defensive far too often in that war already. Thus the Ezelg cavalry swung round the flank of the foe as the infantry attacked frontaly. The Orglag were easily defeated and fled eastward,. And unwisely, before any could see the sense in halting to asses the battle, the forces of the Ezleg pressed deeper into Zodëline.

 

It was only a few hours later that they came upon more Orglag in a small gully nearing two hundred miles from the Lazrina. The Orglag force ahead of them was but eight or nine thousand strong, and an assault would break them easily. But none had scouted to the north and the south, for upon those shallow hills there waited perhaps fifty thousand Orglag, while far to the rear of the forward force there were many thousands more Orglag waiting to pounce. Alnadan thus ignorant of his position, attacked with half his force into the gully. True it was that the Orglag did at first break and were run down, but as the battle was nearing its conclusion, the flank forces attacked, followed by the froward forces. Alnadan’s army was cut clean in half. For in the forward force he and his sister Veinareln together with  his mother were cut off. To the rear Mikealar his father remained, but he had no control of the forces there, for that fell to Hiare whence the battle had been joined. The battle was more even than that which had destroyed Dariedeln’s army earlier that day, for here the Orglag were only perhaps two hundred thousand strong. But much of that force came upon Alnadan’s forces trapped in the gully. Alnadan was the hero that day with all his family. For he held his command amidst the chaos, at times almost gaining victory, but in the end when he tried to break out, he was slain by Nikarin, and his sister and mother who stood near him fought to save him, but in vain, and both of them died there with out a marked grave. Soon the force within the gully had been utterly decimated, with only three known survivors coming out of the battle in which the heir of Barline fell to the evils.

 

Hiare had fought well to hold on to the west of Alnadan’s forces, and initially she managed to drive off the forces moving to crush the forces flanks. But after saving her inherited army form utter destruction, it began to succumb to a wasting sickness which in but a few hours drained the army. Mikealar fought with all others, but left there the leadership to Hiare. It was Naglos who first found out of the death of his wife and children, and he told him, which brought the lord to his knees. But by that time the Ezleg were withdrawing westward, Mikealar in event was carried off the field. The remnant forces held together, and were not pursued beyond the field, there after named Batzul Firineh but there was little need, for after the flight across the Lazrina had been accomplished and the force was nearing Var’bylar, word came of Darideln’s annihilation, and it was revealed the extent of the devastation. There were around ten thousand survivors of Alnadan’s army, but a mere handful from Darideln’s. thus a army approaching two hundred thousand strong had been almost utterly crushed. These two defeats were the greatest ever suffered by any Ezleg army. These defeats did far more than leave many thousands of Ezleg dead, it threatened all of Bair. 

 

Whence Mikealar had returned to Var’bylar he was a shadow of his former self, or though still in his prime, he had become old and cold in but a few days of grief and all matters of the land were dealt with by Hiare. The one thing he naturally sought was news of his remaining children, but when he saw the few survivors of Darideln’s army, they had bad news for him, “Alas!” they said, “Lord Darideln died defending at the front and his sister with him. Lord Rikal was seen to have fallen with the last forces at the Lazrina river.”

Mikealar broke down in lamentation upon hearing those words. For he had lost all it now seemed. of all his family all that had not died was Rikal’s wife and unborn child. Thus Mikealar found himself utterly alone, or as he believed, without anything. For throughout the day he was murmured again and again “Barline shall fall in a great fire” and all left him alone to grieve. That night he was returned to his home by Hiare and Namlos. But the next day, when he should have returned to help prepare in the defence of Barline, he was not to be seen. Thus Namlos went to his home, and found there a unpleaZandt sight indeed. For he found Mikealar slumped at a table where he had slit his own throat with his blade. A note upon the table is said to have read;

 

“My Family was my life, my life cannot be without my family, and my family cannot be without me.”

 

Thus ended Mikealar, the fourth lord of Barline, and victim of a tragic end, all the more tragic, Alas! for all his family were not dead as he had deemed. For at the banks of the Lazrina where Darideln’s force had made its last stand Rikal, though he was seen to have fallen, was merely stunned by the blow of a rogue club, and was merely made unconscious whilst all the carnage continued on apace around him. When he came to the next day, a survivor amongst legions of dead with none but carrion eater near by, he set off through the now hostile lands for Var’bylar. It was not an easy return journey, the Orglag ran rife and unchecked around Zodëline and were soon to spill out unto Lazodë, not forgetting that Rikal was both stunned and tired. But none the less he worked his way back to Var’bylar in the haste that a young Ezlag could make. Thus it was a mere twelve days later that he once more saw Var’bylar, but his father had already taken his own life unknown to he.

 

In those ten days Hiare and Namlos tried desperately to prepare the city of Var’bylar against siege. For though Avternain had planned the city well of old, the people had not been ready for battle for some five hundred years and more. With them were Ivonwe, Milralen and Nathire, all of whom aided in the chance that the city may survive a attack by Arillirus, for few at that time realised the seriousness of the situation. But then Rikal came into the city. He was half starved, and half dead, and his coming was utterly unexpected. Hiare came and aided him, but the first thing he asked was, “Where is my father?” It was not easy for Hiare to tell him of his fathers fate, but she did so in the end. He indeed grieved heavily, but he did not wallow in his grief, but instead jumped to the task of being the fifth ruler of Barline. It was he who truly made his people realise that they would be attacked, and soon the entire city was in a frenzy of preparation. But before all this he met his love, Elnya, once more. She had believed that he was dead like all others, but upon seeing him she was overjoyed. But both worried of what was soon to become of Barline, and also of their unborn child which she soon expected. Indeed these were times of great uncertainty in Barline, the like of which had not been seen since Avternain’s day.

 

In those days after the defeat of the Elybylar the war itself did not waver. Far to the north Zalzizur and Drosarn had made their great strikes into the Vrolevili lands. Both were intent on destroying the Vrolevili in haste thought they were only intended by Arillirus to tie down the northern peoples. But few could believe that this was only a diversion, for Zalzizur, despite leaving a great part of his force at Glimer to besiege the fortress still retained a army which none of the Vrolevili cities could ever hope to face on their own. He knew that he could not wait for the Ezleg to attack him at Glimer, for the siege was never so secure as it then looked, and he thus decided to march against Var’ Narth, where he could crush the Vrolevili on the open plains of northern Dinear.

 

Drosarn’s strike into Arakline after the seizure of the pass and the besieging of Tal Valric was more difficult than she had expected, for the Vrolevili of Arakline inherited their warrior ways of their ancestors and fought a partiZand war which did not abate. Soon all she truly controlled was the ground that her army stood on and no more. None the less she broke every defence that was raised against her, and soon every true force in north Arakline was broken and she believed to be in flight south, while in truth the survivors held out every where, a type of war she did not expect, could not fight, and could not win.

 

Zalzizur, his march westward  being unopposed for some time, came upon his first resistance soon after he had crossed Glimline into the Batzul Dinea, the battle plain. Here forces from Var’narth had come to delay him and if possible halt him. The Vrolevili however had not expected such a overwhelming force, and when he launched his forces to swamp them they were utterly defeated, leaving several thousand dead, nigh on all that fought there. This battle was not given a name, for none were to tell the tale. But in any case Zalzizur, having gained his first victory, marched onward seeking for another to call his own.

 

It was at this time in late Arinizar of the nine hundred and twenty fourth year, that Arillirus and Arsgul, having seemingly defeated all of Barline’s military, struck forth in strength against the Ezleg. They crossed the bridges of the eastern Lazrina with only the most meagre resistance which had no chance of halting the foe, and soon all of Lazodë began to fall under the rule of Arillirus. But he did not hurry his conquests, for he wanted every living thing that would resist him dead, and that, if it ever could be achieved, took much time. He was less than three hundred and fifty miles from Var’bylar, seemingly a long distance indeed, but if he had known that barely three thousand troops stood between him and the city, he would most certainly have marched against it, but in all events he did not, and that was not the last chance he would have of seizing the city before it was adequately defended.

 

But it was then, unlooked for by the Ezleg, that a forgotten army began issuing from the Avinkazag out upon the Ephelt Kazag. This was the army of Iviseal, which having been defeated and driven from Daizagul had fled into the mountains to save annihilation. From all accounts the first known crossing of the Avinkazag by such a forces was a grim task indeed. But for an army which had fled well over four thousand miles in that year, and fought many battles, it was merely another task. But in any case the army of Iviseal, still perhaps one hundred and thirty thousand strong despite defeat after defeat, marched down from the Ephelt Kazag and enter into the south through Rina Baraz. For Iviseal’s army, for all its survival, was in no fit state to fight Arillirus, and he thus planned to come to Var’bylar’s aid from the safest route, and even that was dangerous, for an attack against the east Bylar would catch his force strung out on the march. Iviseal did not truly know much of the situation in Barline, but from word of mouth and dire tales, he soon realised that he commanded the last Ezleg army in Barline, and knew that he had to take care of it at all cost.

 

In this time Arillirus, having gained across the Lazrina in the east, attempted to do so in the north. Thus Arsgul struck across the bridge which the army of Darideln had failed to find. They passed the thousands of decaying bodies into Laznarth, where there once more was little resistance, for all the Ezleg had fled before them knowing resistance there would be useless. But when they pressed on resistance did mount, though it did but delay her forces in all. Arillirus was still pacifying the south of Lazodë, and Var’bylar was as yet unassailed. In this Arillirus erred once more, but as his waves of Orglag pressed on, destroying all in their path, few would have ever believed so.

 

In this time when Arillirus was occupied and Arsgul was little threat, Iviseal began his march through Rina Baraz and Dinea Rinea on the road to Var’bylar. All the Ezleg marvelled as they saw the army pass, wondering where such a force had come from to aid them in their time of need. Iviseal however saw need to go ahead. Thus he and Hifylar pressed on to Var’bylar leaving the army to makes its own way to the city. Whence they came they were amazed to see the great defensive works in progress. But the new came ahead of them to the city, and when Hiare heard she was amazed that any of Iviseal’s forces could have survived at all, let alone his whole army. Thus she waited not for him to arrive, and went out to meat him, finding the pair some miles to the west of Var’bylar. Thus Hiare once more met her grandson, and she greeted him happily indeed, “It is good to see you my child, if fear that your presence in this land tells that the war has not gone well?”

Iviseal almost broke into tears, “I have lost much of my army, every defence for five thousand miles as well as letting the realm of Daizline fall and leaving two armies to invade Bairgarand at their leisure. Yes indeed the war does not go well.” There was both forlorn distress and much anger in those words, but in them he gave the feelings of his entire army. “But,” he added, “If there is one thing to thank it is the fact that I have saved the army, no matter how ragtag it may now be.”

“Then let us be thankful for what we do have,” said Hiare, “Your army must be brought to the city Iviseal, leave only a few corps along the east Bylar, they will have a short while to rest and rebuild before we need them.”

 

But Iviseal’s forces had little time to rest and rebuild, for the as Hiare met Iviseal and Hifylar, Arillirus had finally launched his attack upon Var’bylar. He still had a good chance of reaching the city before Iviseal’s forces could be brought there and put to use, for between Arillirus and the city there stood only one division of the Minbylar, now numbering about five thousand under a general Irilana. In theory that force could not even delay Arillirus for even a day, but Irilana was as cunning as a wolf and just as deadly. She has no intention of giving Arillirus the road to the city without his fighting for it. Thus when the advance began her force dispersed wildly and ever ghosted the flanks of the perhaps quarter of a million strong army. If ever an Orglag broke away from the main force it would not survive a few hours, such was the ferocity of her forces, who knew that they had to bring Arillirus to a crawl or else their city would fall. But in that they succeeded, for the entire Orglag army was reduced to but a crawl by her force. Six or seven days it should have taken Arillirus’ forces to reach the outer defences of Var’bylar, it in event took more than twenty, which allowed the city to be ready indeed.

 

In the time that Irilana had given them, Iviseal’s forces were reorganised for the defence of the city. They manned the defences that had been built as they were constructed. But greater than merely Iviseal’s army was the rising of the Elybylar that took place throughout southern Barline. For all those who had been driven from their homes each took up arms, and they were joined by nigh on all of the city’s inhabitants as well as thousands coming from the west. Soon the city had a great many thousands in defence. but even those thousands paled in comparison of the million and more of his children that Arillirus could call upon. But still they came on, building in numbers that would at least blunt Arillirus’ attack if not stop it utterly.

 

But in those few remaining days before Arillirus reached Var’bylar the war did not go well elsewhere for the Evils. For Zalzizur made a grave error after his victory over the Vrolevili in sending a force south to besiege Maren. He believed he had destroyed all the main Ezleg forces in the north, and wanted now only to hurry his conquest. Little did he know that Maren was well protected and that the meagre force that he sent could not bring the city down and scarce perhaps hold a siege. He did not know also that Maren’s army was as yet unscathed by the war. But send them he did, and though they did besiege the city for a time, they never brought great harm to the city. Then he marched on towards Var’narth, where the one of the greatest sieges of Ezleg history was to take place.

 

In the meantime Drosarn was equally underestimating the defenders of Arakline. For from the moment she had marched south, leaving Tal Valric invested, her force was assailed by the Vrolevili. Like the Minbylar in Barline they never openly assailed her, for that would have entailed utter defeat, but they hung around the flanks, cutting her from all knowledge of other matters. Thus by the time she had reached Oralath her forces were on the verge of starvation and were beginning to turn on each other. Thus she did not wait and merely assailed the Vrolevili at Oralath without reconnaisZandce. The Vrolevili forces had set up a great defence upon the ridges to the north of Oralath, and Drosarn’s first attack was repulsed with great loss, after which she though the more about her movements, for she had lost perhaps a third of her force so far. Thus upon seeing the lay of the land she swung a good part of her force around the eastern flank, catching the defenders unawares. Several battles that force won, but was in tern defeated by forces moving up from Nitlen. Now Drosarn was in a dead end. She could not offence for she had lost too much, and she could not defend for her forces would starve. Thus she slowly began to drift back northwards, her chance of victory having been lost for now, leaving the armies of Arakline free to fight elsewhere.

 

In the time that these battles were being fought Arillirus had finally forced his way to the south of Var’bylar, the Minbylar’s defence never having even the slightest hope of stopping him. But Irilana had right to feel successful, for as Arillirus came over the hills into sight of the city, he found not a city ready to fall with but civilians to defend it, but instead there was a well protected and heavily fortified position with many thousands of Ezleg preparing to defend their city. He never found out that if he had come a mere twenty days before, he would have found nigh on what he expected. But even now he was not daunted. But he was still some distance away, and as yet these defences were untried. Thus he consolidated his position there for some time even as Arsgul was pressing on against the east Bylar, which though far less protected than any other part of the defence for its length, was still held by the Elybylar in utter defiance of the foe. But while the Ezleg prepared defences behind the rivers, they were forced to leave Lazodë to its fate, which was soon sealed. Laznarth was by now virtually over run also as Arsgul pressed on against the defences. Defeat seemed to loom heavily over Barline, but that was soon to be dispelled utterly.

 

The siege of Var’bylar, and thus of Barline, began in effect two days later. Arillirus sent a great Orglag force of well over a hundred thousand across the plains in the night, whence they arrived at the city in the morning. The Orglag did indeed have number, but no order, and when Rikal ordered bow shot, thousands of arrows were loosed upon the foe, whence many thousands fell before they came to the city walls. When they did reach the walls they were ill equipped for the task at hand, lacking the basic implements for a siege. Some few managed to scale the walls, but those that did were slain by the defenders at once. In just a few hours fighting the Orglag forces was sent to flight, with bow shot, and not cavalry hounding them away from the walls. If one can believe it there were only a score of Ezleg killed, but the Orglag casualties numbered I the tens of thousands, perhaps up to half the force or even more. At once the moral of the Ezleg reached a new high, for this was the first battle that had been won since the Orglag had invaded Barline. It may not have redressed the defeats at Agthere and Firineh, but it made all that fought there believe so. Arillirus was disillusioned however, for he believed that he had broken the back of the Elybylar at those battles. Indeed he had destroyed nigh on all those who were warriors in all that land. he learned then of Iviseal’s coming, and cursed his forces for letting him escape, but with many more Orglag and Nikarin at his disposal, he rebuilt once more for another attack.

 

The moral of the Elybylar rose even higher when those remaining of Hiare’s family arrived in Barline, save only Naglos. Even Viler, who had few cares for mortals had come seeing the great need, and with him came fifty Minare who were willing to fight. But even fifty Minare could not match five thousand Orglag at once, but it did turn the balance some what back towards the Ezleg somewhat. Even the presence of Hifylar amongst those who defended north of the city counted for only so much. But many of those Minare thought otherwise. Soon seeking to alter the course of the war they had crossed into Lazodë. Here for a few days they sent the Orglag to flight. But Arillirus, for once showing an act of braver, led forth a force of Ukarak to fight the Minare. He failed to destroy them all, but several were slain indeed and the mauled remnant fled back across the Bylar into the defence of Dar Vinotz, having learned a  hard lesson in the arts of war. Their expedition did little by hasten the fall of the remnant of Lazodë to the foe.

 

This in turn was tactically sound for Arillirus, for he had now reached the Bylar estuary to the south of Var’bylar, and thus had two striking points on the city. But he would have had a far greater prize of being able to cross the Bylar by the single bridge to the south of the city and press on into western Barline. But in this he was foiled by those Minare who had been driven away. For they aided a party of Ezleg engineers destroy the bridge whilst the Orglag advanced upon it. Several Minare and many Ezleg died, but the bridge was destroyed, and no force of Orglag could ever hope to cross that river, and with the Minare at its defence no Ukarak would cross. This seemed like a minor victory at the time, but its significance would later become clear.

 

This ended the nine hundred and twenty forth year, few of which have ever been so destructive to the Ezleg since. But in the north the war still raged on relentless. For Zalzizur, true to his intentions, marched against Var’narth. That city was not prepared for a siege after the defeats that had been suffered and Zalzizur assaulted the city before the siege lines were complete. In this he broke into the city before the defenders had a chance. The following scenes were one of chaos uncontrolled as the Orglag proceeded to sack the city. But in amidst a great victory Zalzizur’s haste played against him, for many Ezleg escaped out of the city to the east and fled on to the Frolivar, to which Zalzizur could do naught. But in amidst the chaos its self perhaps half the cities remaining forces fled to the citadel and set up defence there. And though the city had been sacked, Zalzizur would have had a much harder time in destroying the citadel amidst the ruins. Thus Zalzizur decided to leave the city and press on, after all what harm could a few hundred Ezleg do to him? Thus he pressed on westward and crossed the Frolivar, forcing the Ezleg survivors to flee south along the line of the Avin Leth to Var’nue. Zalzizur pursued them with great haste. But soon after he crossed the river the forces in Var’narth escaped and came south to Nivan, where armies were beginning to gather. The last act of that year was the march to Var’nue. His pursuit at times caught the Ezleg, but for the most part they got away faster. Whence after a long march he came to Var’nue, he found the city abandoned. For the inhabitants had fled on to Nivan. He waited here through Vrozar, preparing for the next years campaign.

 

In Arakline however there were no such like victories for Drosarn. Her depleted forces had moved north into Lavi Lan, but the Vrolevili, who harried her constantly were to let her have no chance to rest. And in the Darkness one night Beldaril led a attack against Drosarn from the Zarin Mina, which the fallen Bytha had deemed impossible, but because of this she could not stop the Vrolevili from overwhelming her forces and she hastily retreated losing much of her force to wolf rider and cavalry. She retreated on until she reached Tal Valric. But as that fortress was still held by the Ezleg she was forced to head east into Lavi Vinotz, where she maintained her now very slender hold in Arakline. But the balance there was now all to the Vrolevili indeed.

 

The Nine hundred and twenty fifth year began badly for the Ezleg. For Var’bylar was now readily assailable by Arillirus and the Vrolevili, despite their successes in Arakline, had elsewhere been hounded by Zalzizur. Little was to improve as yet as shall be seen, for Zalzizur waited only a short while in the deepest colds before once more issuing from Var’nue. His forces marched towards Nivan, leaving the city of the moon in ruins. But in those colds nigh on all the Vrolevili of Dinear had gathered at Nivan to prepare its defence. this was for the most part done because the ill fated siege of Maren finally ended in the early days of the new year. Never had that siege been strong for the Vrolevili haunted the Orglag ranks constantly giving them no hope of finding food. In the end it took merely a brief cavalry charge to drive away the half starved hordes. They fled north, and joined those who had Glimer under siege. But they did little to help that force in its hopeless attempts to storm the city, and it merely left the armies of Maren free to march to Nivan for the coming battle.

 

In Barline however the situation was far the worse, for the tenuous defence on the east Bylar finally was ended by a prolonged Orglag assault. But the Ezleg forces merely fled back and established themselves on the North Bylar, which was a much shorter and better defended line of defence, but in their flight the land of Dinea Rina was thus ravaged and this opened the route unto Tal Rina and the pass of Rina Baraz. This route was important in that it was the only feasible route into Northern Barline. It is true that a mere two hundred Miles to the west one could in theory cross the hills of the Ephelt Kazag. But in theory this was not possible, for those hills, though seemingly green and fertile, were utterly barren, for almost no creatures lived there; even the Ezleg avoided the place if at all possible, and they would never have marched an army across. In consequence and Orglag army would starve long before they crossed the steep hills, or else turn upon themselves. Thus it was Tal Rina that the Orglag wanted. And in the early days of that year they advanced upon it. The small fortress was incredibly well defended, so that none could pass it. Thus it was all but unassailable to the Orglag who surrounded it. None the less more and more of Arillirus’ forces were sucked in to a useless end, forces which would have been far better used in the siege of Var’bylar.

 

It was as the colds began to lift a little hat Arillirus began once more his offensive upon the city of knowledge. His forces struck at the city from both south and east, this time they possessed weapons of siege, though mayhap not enough to destroy the city utterly. Iviseal and Hiare managed to make a epic defence, but the sheer scale of the attacks nearly broke the city., for the attack from the south across the hills was both unexpected and unprepared for. Thus barely a quiver was loosed before the Orglag were upon the walls. Hiare quickly took charge of the southern defence and moved in haste to restore order. But in that time some Orglag managed to fight there way across the walls into the southern streets. They sized several buildings and slew many Ezleg, but were quickly cut off from the city walls. It took three days of hard fighting but they were finally destroyed. In the eastern attack however things were far more serious, for here the Orglag were both far greater in number and supported with both Nikarin and Ukarak. Here Iviseal was in command, and his determination to succeed was greater than ever. Many times did the foe break over the walls and many times did he lead forth the counter attack that drove them back from the walls, and though many Ezleg were lost and he was thrice wounded, over the next few days he drove off every attack that was launched against the city. So determined was this defence that as Almazar waned Arillirus halted for a time his attacks. He then turned his forces elsewhere for a while. Primarily they were sent against Tal Rina, which was soon the rallying point for all the Elybylar of northern Barline. The garrison of five thousand was soon reinforced by thousands of those seeking to save their homeland. Soon the force there swelled to over fifty thousand, perhaps half the size of the force attacking the fortress. Thus while the capital of Barline was Var’bylar, the spiritual defence soon took hold at Tal Rina. For it was a inviolable refuge that could not be taken by the foe.

 

Thus in late Almazar through deep into Elmëgezar Arillirus’ forces attacked the northern branch of the Bylar river in even greater strength, for it had ever posed a grave threat to his flank since the Ezleg entrenched themselves there, and now with the siege having begun at Tal Rina, the need to shore his flank was ever greater. But the north Bylar was a far better line of defence than the east Bylar. It was both wider and faster flowing. It was also less than fife hundred miles long, rather than the seven hundred miles or so that was the east Bylar. Finally it was far better manned, a force twice the size of that which had held the east Bylar stood in its defence. Nonetheless a wave of massive assaults by both Orglag and Nikarin severely shook the defenders despite their driving the enemy off. Soon it was that assaults along a still great front began to tell, and Namlos who commanded there with Ritnal and Avaner soon realised that he could not hold the river much longer. But he knew also that the abandonment of that line would leave Var’bylar virtually surrounded. That he would not allow if at all possible, and his pride thus became his downfall. For when the next attack came with overwhelming numbers his forces were at the mercy of the Orglag, for the foe broke across the river, breaking the Ezleg defence. Now they faced a forced retreat of in some places some six hundred miles with the Nikarin prowling the skies and the Orglag in close pursuit. Here the Ezleg suffered their greatest defeats since Agthere and Firineh. Many thousands were lost indeed. But Namlos did not suffer annihilation, and managed to pull back at least half of his force to the west and perhaps another third escaped either to Var’bylar in the south or else into the mountains in the north. Namlos set up his defence on the west Bylar, which was the most easily defendable of all the rivers, for perhaps half  of its five hundred mile length was utterly impassable due to the hills of the Ephelt Nar that held behind the water. A force of but fifty could hold off an army of a thousand in such a defence. the remaining two hundred and fifty miles which connected to Var’bylar had only a few crossing points and was still easily defensible. But now Var’bylar was the forward end of a salient, and if Arillirus did the right thing he would have crushed the flanks and leave several million Ezleg at his mercy, but that he did not do, and instead he repeatedly struck against the city itself, thus missing the easiest chance of victory in Barline.

 

But on the Ezleg side things were little better as the lines of supply into Var’bylar were dangerously exposed to prowling Nikarin. Then, even as his forces still pressed on their attack in the north of Barline, he struck once more at the city. Many thousands of Orglag attacked the city once again, but this time from the north also. Thrice they were driven off in rout before they broke in to the east and gained a foothold in the city that the Ezleg could not break. Fighting soon became house to house and room to room, for the Orglag soon realised that a house unchecked would house a Ezleg force that would in the night break out and cause chaos. Thus the Orglag were contained, and once again they had the walls cut from behind them. but still they held out regardless and even drove further through the city. Iviseal however was already preparing a reserve force that was to move in and drive the Orglag out. Soon he was ready to attack once more to save the city of knowledge.

 

Zalzizur now began his final march against Nivan, but after he believed that all delays had passed he soon found the route to the city was by far the worse delay. For as Nomleagth had found over nine hundred years before, the route between the Avin Leth and the Veinaro was a nightmare for an army. The paths lead along steep hills that dropped off suddenly into the river. Nomleagth had survived intact. It was not the greatest problem for a few thousand unopposed Ezleg, but for an army of many thousands in enemy lands, that was a far greater problem. Even as he first entered on the path the Agerians began raiding across the river at night, causing chaos in the Orglag and severely impeding their movements. Thus it was not until near the end of Elmëgezar that the offensive truly began, for there were worse things than raids on that march. In rain all grip upon those slopes were lost and many Orglag fell into the river and were swept away. But as Zalzizur finally reached the eastern end of the gully, he was not to know that the Agerians had crossed the river behind him and had retaken Var’nue, thus cutting Zalzizur’s escape to the north west leaving, if he were defeated, only two crossings of the Veinaro through the northern glades of Ager.

 

The Vrolevili forces did not wait to meet Zalzizur at Nivan, but as soon as they knew that he was soon to issue out of the gully, they marched south to meet him. Here were Vrolevili from all over the north, the greatest gathering of the union for over six hundred years. The forces of Maren were dominant, but they were joined by all the forces of Nivan, the survivors of Var’narth, what forces that had been outside Glimer whence it went under siege, and even a sprinkling of forces from Arakline. None the less they were still outnumbered, and decided to place themselves in the mouth of the gully from which Zalzizur would come. here the passable ground was merely a mile wide, a great advantage to the outnumbered Vrolevili. Their general, Minbair, the son of the smith of Glimer, camped there for the night. The next morning the Orglag came in sight, and the Ezleg quickly formed for battle. Tempers were hot, and the Vrolevili wished now to have it ended. Minbair was one who wished so. Thus, there at the front he picked up his spear and cried “For Minarl! His cry was rapidly echoed through the army “For Almagarin!” one force cried, “For Elnue” cried another with may others besides. Then Minbair cried “Now charge for the union!” and across that broken ground charged the Vrolevili to assault the greater army.

 

There was fought for three days what became known as the Battle of silent heroes. The first day saw the Vrolevili fall upon the lead columns of the Orglag, decimating their ranks and driving them back over ten miles. On the second day however the Orglag began slowly to bring up force enough to hold back the Ezleg. The battle may have still gone the way of the Ezleg, but on the morning of the third day it became so, for the Agerians crossed the river at many points, cutting great wedges into the Orglag ranks and bringing rout to their army. The Orglag fled westward, but found the route blocked by the Agerians who defended Var’nue. Thus the Orglag crossed the Veinaro twice and passed through Ager. The Agerians slew many as did the pursuing Vrolevili, but despite loosing perhaps half its strength or more to the battle and the pursers, it escaped over the Veinaro and fled on to the realm of Maitherel. The Ezleg pursuit gave up after a few days, but the Orglag crossed the Litheren river into Maitherel and there they founded a new realm, the first realm ruled by Orglag alone and not under the dominion of the fallen for Zalzizur fled away from his beaten force. Here it thrived for a time under a rule that is not remembered, and though the Orglag named it Izgaltar, the Vrolevili later named it Doroline, the land of blood.

 

The success of the Vrolevili at the battle of silent heroes left the second war of Zandline an all but certain victory for the Vrolevili. Only two Orglag armies remained in the north. One was the spent force of Drosarn who were fighting for there very survival. While the other, which was in better shape was the force that was besieging Glimer.

 

The first siege of the city of jewels had for the first time tested its great defences. Perhaps a hundred thousand Orglag besieged that city from the beginning of the war. A force of that sieze could sack any other city in all the north, but over the year or more of siege little had been done. Though the Orglag possesed siege weapons, the walls of Glimer were far greater than aught that they had seen before. It took a whole year to damage the lower wall enough for an assult, and when that was launched they lost twenty thousand taking merely the lowest level, which the Ezleg had given to them less their losses be higher. The Ezleg were not weakened at all, supplies came in mass through the tunnels in the Avin Zandlear and the city was self sufficient in food. Thus the siege was virtually an illusion. Never would that force sack Glimer, and never after that single attack did they try to. They were more worried about starving in a barren land, which became all to true in that time. Then the forces of Glimer, seeing their foe mortally wounded, struck out. In a single nights fighting they put the starving beasts to flight, thus ending the siege at a swoop. Half their forces then marched to join the other Ezleg armies to go south, while the other half prepared for an invasion of Zandline.

 

In the mean time Iviseal countered the Orglag who had broken into Var’bylar. The Orglag did not expect his attack, and under the weight of it they were driven out of the city. But almost at once did the Orglag commence another attack against the city. For days on end only the shear resilience of the defenders managed to hold back the foe, who for once seemed almost on the edge of containment. Meanwhile to the north the siege of Tal Rina was still a virtual illusion. The Ezleg were not truly threatened, and every attack against them was soon driven back. The Orglag tried to scale the mountains and even pass across the Ephelt Kazag. Both attempts failed to the vigilance of the few Ezleg wardens who watched the foe. Those who tried the mountains were defeated, those who tried the hills starved and were driven off by cavalry. But every day now, little by little the defence was weakening and the supplies coming in only allowed the Ezleg to continue the war, not to win it. One of the few joys of that time however was the birth of Rikal and Elyna’s first child, a daughter whom they named Glimlith. Soon after was conceived their second child, whom Rikal was never to see. But a little hope amidst the chaos was comforting to those around them, and perhaps to all of Barline who learned of it.

 

As the year waned Var’bylar was spared however, for in Arinizar there were many great storms which rose the rivers of Barline such that the Orglag were halted, sparing more attacks for a time. The Vrolevili on the other hand were now beginning a march south to save those who had saved them twice before. For in the days following the victory at Nivan, an army of nigh on four hundred thousand had gathered at the city of Nitlen in southern Arakline. Only a part of the forces of Glimer and Oralath remained in the north to persecute the remainder of the war while nigh on all that could be assembled went south. Two people commanded this army, Minridel of Glimer and Beldaril of Oralath. Both were well versed in battle and knew from the mere smatterings of information that had come north that Barline was in great danger. Thus in Mid Arinizar the army began its march to the south, where they reached the Veinon but a few days later. The people of Arak Mina were greatly surprised to see such a force come from a land where they had believed war had swept over. Arak Mina however commanded all the Elybylar troops in northern Barline. Here had come forces from Almvar and the lands around. Thus there waited well over a hundred thousand Ezleg. The Elybylar thus unbarred the bridges and the army marched across into the soil of Barline. There the army of Arak Mina, commanded by one Elmgaril, allied its self to that of the Vrolevili, and by the end of Almazar the great army began its march southward. Soon they were joined by many more, so that their force swelled on until it approached six hundred thousand strong, a force which even Arillirus would have to reckon with in the end.

 

As the year was closing in storms, those in Barline believed that they could stand through Vrozar with but little hindrance, for through all of Arinizar the Orglag had but raided along the line of defence whilst the Ezleg sat in their siege lines and granted the respite. But their hope was not to be, for the Vrozar storms brought snow the likes of which had never been seen before in Barline. The colds engulfed the land and the unthinkable happened, the Bylar froze over, leaving all the Ezleg defences useless. Into this Arillirus attacked, though he knew that in such weather his forces would suffer horribly, and though the Ezleg stood ready for the inevitable attack, they could only stand for so long without stable defences. They managed to hold along the Ephelt Nar, but the Orglag broke south through the gap between the Ephelt Nar and Var’bylar into Ezeth Bylan. Suddenly without forewarning the city of Var’bylar found its self cut off with only the Bylar estuary for supply. The Ezleg forces who had been driven back hid within Dar Vinotz. The Ezleg did not know then however that in but ten days of fighting nigh on half of Arillirus’ attacking forces had died to exposure and battle, whilst the Ezleg had been only lightly harmed. Soon those scattered forces gathered together and prepared at their own initiative to save the city. Thus after a mere ten days of being cut off the Ezleg attacked across the plain in white and as the nine hundred and twenty fifth year ended the Ezleg fought once again with the Orglag, who quickly broke back across the east Bylar. That force may have been destroyed, but at that time the city had come under attack once more.

 

Var’bylar was almost paralysed by the Orglag rapping around the rear into its supply lines and thus the defenders had little resistance to offer the foe. only the cold saved them, for the Orglag could not sustain the attack. They caused massive losses to the Ezleg, greater than had yet been caused, but in the end their strength failed before their nerve, and slowly they ebbed away. A few days after the supply lines had been retaken the ice thawed, leaving great chunks of frozen water blocking the crossing of the river. The Ezleg would not stand much longer now, to all that was certain indeed, even to Hiare, who ever tried to look on the best side of things.

 

The nine hundred and twenty sixth year, known as the year of glory and blood, began with little happening at Var’bylar. Arillirus’ forces were becoming increasingly weak by now also. But unknowns to that city or to Arillirus, the great Vrolevili army, having sent a hundred thousand soldiers to lift the siege of Tal Rina, had come with well over half a million souls into Dar Vinotz towards Var’bylar. Word soon passed ahead of the force unto the city. The defenders could scarcely believe it so, for they had believe the Vrolevili had been defeated in their own war. But soon the army, completely unknown to Arillirus, marched into Var’bylar so that all could see it with their own eyes. such hope had not been seen in the city since Iviseal had come to their aid nigh two years ago. Beldaril came to Rikal and spoke their alliance, “Your forefather one came and saved mine, I now cone to give you aid in your time of need.”

Rikal thanked her and their intentions were utterly clear. They had force enough now to defeat Arillirus. Thus they were prepared to go out to seek their victory.

 

Arillirus though was also seeking for that victory. He believed now that Var’bylar was on its very last strength and that once more assault would break it, which would have been true before the coming of the Vrolevili armies. He thus led his troops forth himself as Arsgul assaulted from the north, he wanted the city to be utterly destroyed to its foundations, for nothing should have delayed the lord of the world for so long. Then as he approached to within a short distance of the walls, there began now an event that was to change the world forever.

 

For then there marched forth the Ezleg armies, with the Minare at their head, with Hiare, her family, and her friends all standing beside her. Then they let up a cry “For those that have died!” and from the walls a great rain of arrows levelled the first ranks of the Orglag utterly leaving them stunned and shaken. Then finally the Ezleg armies charged forth in their hundreds of thousands to save all of Bair from Arillirus.

 

Thus began what history remembers as the Break out of Var’bylar, a series of battles that soon spanned all of Barline. But the greatest and first of all those battles was the very first which was fought outside Var’bylar itself. The Ezleg charge fell upon forces that were both tired and downhearted at the coming of what they had believed as a defeated enemy. The Orglag were cast down in their thousands in that battle, though the Ezleg casualties were little less. There died in the first charge Minbair the smith of Glimer, with many others besides. The loss of life blinded the Ezleg of their reason, but one sight could be seen by all, and that was Arillirus, standing above all others in the heart of the battle. And there was about to be fought a battle that has been remembered long in song until these very days.

 

In that melee fought Ivonwe Minabair. He feared none and wielded his sword with the mastery of a true soldier. He slew many Orglag in that battle. Some fell by sword, others by fire, it mattered not as long as they were slain. But he was set on one course in the end, and he fought his way through the battle until he came face to face with Arillirus, who upon first seeing the Mina laughed a black laugh indeed, “Remember how you mocked me long ago little child? Remember what I said then? Well it stands true still that you mocked the greatest being that there ever was or ever will be!”

Ivonwe however, was not daunted by his words, “I remember speaking only the truths that you have since show Arbylar the downfallen.” He said, “You have proved yourself to be the fool that our family knew, and merely condemned yourself!”

“Downfallen? Yes perhaps I was, but merely because I was surprised and betrayed,” said Arillirus, “But now I rise up, rise up until now when the world is in my grasp as it should have always been!”

“Nay Arbylar,” said Ivonwe, “first you must slay every being in this world, and even you cannot do that!”

“Perhaps,” said Arbylar, “but I can begin with you, and your family shall follow!” then he struck.

The battle that followed has been remembered long indeed and rightly so, for Ivonwe fought with all the strength that a Mina could have possibly had. He carried his sword in one hand and held a staff in the other, and with both did he wound Arillirus several times. But Ivonwe’s hate clouded his judgement too greatly, and he slipped in his stride, and Arillirus brought down his great power and broke then Ivonwe’s body, and leaving the Mina to die he strode away from the still raging battle, laughing in his victory.

 

Hiare had known at once of Ivonwe’s battle, and had come to his aid as fast as she could. But she found him too late. His battered and broken body lay still upon the frosted ground as his mother strode towards him. He still lived then, but barely.

“Mother,” he said weakly, “I have failed our family, Arillirus has defeated me.”

“Nay son,” she said, “You have failed no one, the family can be proud of you.” Tears ran once more from her eyes.

“At least,” he said faintly, “at least I shall see Beldaron again, for I never did wish to leave him mother, I hope you forgive me for this wish.”

“Calm son, calm, I forgive you, and you shall see him again now.”

But there was never a reply, for Ivonwe did not speak again.

Thus passed Ivonwe Minabair, the greatest of all explorers if not the first. And the only Mina save one to ever wish for mortality at heart. There was never any grave, for his body fell to dust as does that of a Mina if they should die, and thus he went to find his friend in the realm beyond. But Hiare was not then full of grief, but with and anger so grave that from her fingers lashed whips of flames that cast down every Orglag for a good distance from her. It was only when the victorious hosts of the Ezleg passed by her in pursuit of the foe that she finally broke down and wept.

 

But despite the tragedy that befell on that battle field, the losses to Hiare’s family did not end with her son. For despite the victory at the gates of Orglag, still a great number of Orglag were within Barline, and thus the war spread outwards until all of southern Barline was alight with war. And as the Ezleg forces streamed eastward they for a time drove all before them. to the north the Ezleg forces tried to cross the east Bylar and relieve Tal Rina. The river was hard fought, and there fell Rathninear father of Namlos Naglos, Hiare’s great grandchild. He is said to have fallen under the weight of and Orglag counter attack, and his wife, Eylen, died trying to save him. Hundreds of miles away Namlos cried out loud in pain and anguish as his parents fell, and though it is not known what happened to Naglos, rumour states that thousands of Orglag fell dead from the force of his anger at once. Naught else can be said on the matter.

 

Despite the loss of Rathninear and Eylen, the Ezleg forces crossed the East Bylar and pressed on in the attempt of relieving Tal Rina. But Tal Rina had already heard of the breakout at Var’bylar, and have broke out itself a few days before. Thus as the forces from Var’bylar came towards the last bridge across the river, they found many thousands of Orglag trying to make the crossing. The slaughter that followed was great indeed, for the Orglag, being attacked on both sides, received the full force of Barline’s vengeance in a single battle. None knows how many died, but two hundred thousand would not be far wrong, making it the greatest Ezleg victory in the entire war so far, the more so for scarce few Ezleg died, perhaps only ten thousand. With the loss of that great army there was little chance that Arillirus could hold onto southern Barline, and the Ezleg went now to finish his forces once and for all.

 

Arillirus though had no intention of giving up Barline. Despite the great string of defeats through Arinizar, all culminating in the annihilation at the east Bylar in late Elmëgezar, he almost turned the tide in Arinizar. He pushed forth his last forces and poured across the Lazrina against Ezleg forces who were scattered over a thousand miles. For a while the Ezleg forces in the south were driven back. But from the north came the victorious armies, and they fell upon the Orglag flank along the Lazrina. The Orglag quickly panicked and fled, most never reaching the bridge at the Lazrina. Soon all the Orglag were in rout. And the Ezleg crossed into Zodëline and were marching on Tal Avin before Arinizar had ended. It was not until early Vrozar that the Ezleg brought up forces enough to assault the fortress which held out in the end held out for twenty days before falling, though it took yet another three thousand lives to take. By that time all that survived of the Orglag armies were long gone through the mountains. Barline, after over two years of war was free, and yet in utter ruin. But there was soon to be fought more battles, battles greater than any which had ever been fought before, or would ever be there after.