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Chapter 29
Mavinead Aigaz
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uring the time that the war shifted southwards to Ager, Hiare had long been preparing the Ezleg for the next eventual assault. She had by that time not left the north in over a hundred and forty years and she was tired. Even an immortal spirit could succumb to mental fatigue as she had already shown before. Thus, to save them from any recurrence of madness, Avaner forced her to go and rest away from the north and the war. Though Hiare took her advice and left Dinear, she had no intention of resting, for merely being away from the pressure of war was rest enough for her, but even then she was troubled by thoughts of the war that she could not win. For some reason she decided then to return to the place where she had first seen the shores of Bairgarand to the west. She took her time, and walked only a few miles a day as she passed through Nueline and Maitherel. Then she came to the mountains known as the Avin Hwëvi, and she passed through the pass of those peaks, and entered into Galniva, a land where scarcely a few Ezleg fugitives then lived, and even they had been there only a short while. From there she looked north, and she saw the mist that surrounded Zand Zlavind, and she shed a tear for Avternain. She contemplated then going north and fulfilling her age old promise to Avternain. But she did not yet do so, for she still wanted to go west and see the shores of Bairgarand. Thus she climbed the mountains of the Avin Hwëvi, a feat none had before done, for those mountains were the largest in Bairgarand save the Avinkazag only, and since none had come there until a few years before, she wondered what lay beyond. After many days of toil in those peaks she came not in sight of the Arinika ocean, but instead saw ahead a great forest, which were called Vear Vinotz, the Ever forest, which was one of the largest in the world, and completely unseen by any other person in all of Bair. Hiare, marvelling that she could not remember this place from when she led her people past all those centuries ago, began to walk down the slopes of the mountains into this strange land. She walked but slowly, savouring the beauty of that place. But even so it was after only a few hours journey that she came upon a sight that she had almost given up trying to find.
For when she came down from the mountains, she had walked for only a short while when she came nigh a village. Here Hiare heard voices, but they were in no tongue that she had ever before heard, but nonetheless, being a Mina, she learned it nigh at once upon first hearing it. At first she believed she had found more Seldar, but listening more she realised that this was not so, for the voices were soft, more gentle than those of the Ezleg or Kalrathen, but were still far to strong to be that of a Seldan. Thus, fearing no danger, Hiare walked down towards the village, to see who these unknown beings really were.
The village which she had found straddled a river, which Hiare followed along for a short distance to come to the village. There, at the waters edge, she came upon her first sight of this race, for playing by the river were several children of that race. They were not overly young, perhaps fourteen years old most were, but it was not their age that interested Hiare, for when a young male looked up at her, she was taken aback by shock. For this was the race that she had been given sight of since the very beginning, and which form she still wore. This race was that of the Mavine, the youngest of the speaking races which live upon Bair.
The children looked at her for a few moments before the young man who had seen her came towards her and said, “Good day my good lady, welcome to Sandler. It is rare for us to see anyone from beyond this village my lady, do you come from the north? Or is it from the west?”
“I come from neither,” Hiare replied, “I come from far to the east beyond the mountains.”
The children, most of whom had been moments before playing happily by the river, had now gathered around her, most with bemused faces.”
“No one comes from the east,” said the boy, a little frighteningly, “That is where the giants fight the gods for control of the world, none of our kind live beyond the mountains.”
Hiare let out a little smile to these words, “Then perhaps I am not one of your kind” she answered.
“Well, your are tall,” said the boy, “But you cannot be one of the giants, so then you must be one of the gods”
He had said all that in fair spirits, but Hiare replied, “You are close my friend, but not quite right.”
Several of the children were looking very scared by now.
“Then what are you?” asked the boy, who was one of the very few children who did not seem afraid.
Hiare laughed, and espying a long and deep scar upon the boy’s arm, she said “This is what I am,” and she placed her hand upon the boy’s scar. There was a flash of spectral light, and Hiare removed her hand. The scar was utterly gone.
Several of the children, after seeing this act, took to their heels. Only five children, three girls and two boys, including the one Hiare was talking to, stayed.
“I have had that for years,” said the boy, “scars like that never heal utterly,”
“Not on their own they do not young one,” said Hiare.
“You really are one of the god, are you not?”
“No, I am not, but then I am not like you either” Hiare replied, “But what is your name young one?”
“Gial,” the boy answered, “Gial Othl”
“And I am Hiare, Hiare Minabair, and I bid you and your people only friendship”
That night Hiare spent in the village at a place where the few travellers who passed through stayed. Sandler was not a big place, perhaps only a hundred people lived there. Hiare had asked the children to deny what she had earlier done, but none the less none of the children who had fled her would come near her again. Gial and the others who had stayed remained by her side most of the time she was there. She was after all, a guest, and she remained there for a few days, for she had called for Avaner to join her, and since her friend was over a thousand miles away, it took some time. In those few days she came to know those five children very well. Aside from Gial there was Gwyon, a boy of Gial’s age with a bad stutter. Joreale, a young girl who was a hunter in the hills. Nelare, another young hunter she was, and Nawi, a girl who had the misfortune of not being able to speak from birth, but who was hale in body and worked with the woodcutters. None of these children would leave Hiare to herself in the village, and they followed her always, determined for her to tell them of the world beyond, and thus she did. She told them of the other races, of all of Bair, and of her own race. Thus, when Avaner arrived after three days, the children already knew who she was. Hiare asked her friend to return east and if possible send Vronar to wait for her on the far side of the Avin Hwëvi, and not forgetting the children she asked for him to bring books for them. But Hiare had no intention of taking the children with her, but that day one of the younger children, a small girl, fell into the river, and she would have been lost, save only that Hiare, using the powers that a Mina has, picked the child out of the river into the open air, thus saving the child’s life. But none of this could she hide from the village, for all watched her do the deed. The Adults of that village were more shocked than any of the children ever were, but for saving the child, she was befriended by the villagers. Thus Hiare told them of many things, some of which the villagers would not believe. But when she said that she was leaving to pass back over the mountains for a time, Gial declared that he was following her, and no willing of his mother could stop his wish, nor that of the other children. Both Hiare and the children’s parents relented, the will of a child often managing to turn Hiare’s thoughts. But the parents, also wishing to see the foreign lands to the east, followed also. So that when Hiare set out on a journey that she had planned to take alone and for a few days only, twelve people followed her, and she planned now to show them the east of Bairgarand.
What followed, the crossing of the Avin Hwëvi was not an easy task. The mountains had been crossed by none of the Mavine, and it was thus trackless and pathless. The dangers were great, and were repeated many times. But due to the efforts of Hiare, all of her part reached the far side of the mountains safely. Thus had Hiare brought the humans into lands which none of their race had ever seen or been. they then pressed on through the south of Galniva, the land, though unlike its northern half, was a barren wilderness compared with the Vear Vinotz. But despite the barrenness of their journey, it was uneventful. And after a journey south lasting many days, they came nigh to the early Ezleg settlements of that land, and it was there that they met Vronar.
Vronar was no longer the young and reckless Ezlag who had been saved By Hiare all those years ago. He was now the heir to Oralath and the commander of armies. He was now in his two hundred and thirty ninth year, and had recently married a Vrolevil named Vroeln, a lady from Var’narth, and she had chosen to follow him to Hiare in their journey from Var’narth with them they had brought a heard of Rine as Hiare had wished, such as had been for a while ridden by the Seldar, and he carried with him many books so that the Mavine could grasp the history of Bair themselves. After many days of travell they passed through Hwëvi Baraz and passing the few fugitive settlements by, they came upon Hiare and her gathering a short distance further. The Mavine were stunned to see the Ezleg, the giants that they had so long spoke of in mythical ways. Vronar liked the Mavine, and the children quickly befriended the two Ezlag, though, despite the fact that Hiare had tried to teach her companions the Ezleg speech, they still had much trouble at first conversing. The Ezleg however were ever quick to learn, and after only a few days, the Ezleg were talking to the Mavine, though when they could, they tried not to as to let the Mavine learn theirs.
They did not however remain in Hwëvi Baraz, and instead the rode back into Maitherel, where many of the fugitives of the wars had gathered. They spent some time in Maitherel. Hiare taught the humans in many things, and the fugitive people of that land were kind to them indeed. But when they were going to continue eastward into Barline, Joreale was taken ill, and it was revealed as some king of malingering sickness which none of the Ezleg ever caught and so did not know how to treat. Hiare tried her best, but such malingering illnesses cannot always be cured, though Hiare is said to have given her a few years to live instead of a few weeks. But this did not help Gial, who was distraught, for he had long loved her, and she had returned his love. Thus, they both decided, before it was too late, to be joined in marriage. Thus they were married in Maitherel in an Ezleg ceremony, a thing which few other Mavine have ever done since, for the Ezleg were not ones to allow such things to other races save only their great friends. There stood with them all their friends and family, as well as Hiare, Vronar, Vroeln, and a gathering other the Ezleg of Maitherel, it was a joyous day for them, but it was Joreale’s illness that prompted Hiare not to continue on eastwards, but to return unto Sandler. The return was hard on Joreale’s now fragile health, and the hardships again were great on them all, but in the end they all arrived back at Sandler in good spritis.
When back at the village, Hiare had decided to travel around Vear Vinzot on her own. Quite apart from merely exploring a realm that none had before explored, there were according to the villagers of Sandler, many others of their people spread out around the forests. Some they said were like them, and spoke nigh the same tongue and treated each other and the land with respect. Others they said were very different, torturing the land and each other, and these were to be avoided by all. Hiare thus went out on her own, but before she left she was delighted to hear that Joreale was with Gial’s child. She gave the two her blessings, but then departed out into the forests, leaving only the two Ezleg in the village, who were recording their speech, their customs, and their histories.
However, it seems that Arillirus had by then also heard rumour of the Mavine. This was part in due to the fall of Ager, so that his creatures could now raid at times into Maitherel. He worried at this news, for the middle peoples had been a great bane to his armies, so he feared what the young people might yet do. Thus Arillirus sent raids across Nueline into Maitherel, searching for any news on these people. the harvest of news was not rich, for the Ezleg fought off most of the raiders before they gained across the Litheren into Maitherel. But a very few raids broke through, and a smaller handful managed to force their way through the Hwëvi Baraz, and on into Galniva. These raiders, knowing that they were nigh the land of the Mavine, pressed on further, and crossed the Avin Hwëvi, and thus a small number, perhaps only a few hundred of Arillirus’ creatures came into Vear Vinotz, but of them, a number found their way to the first village of the Mavine on the far side of the mountains, which was Sandler. There, three years after Hiare had first come to Sandler, followed a short but terrible battle. Thanks to the Ezleg the battle was easily won, but several villagers died, and later, Nawi, the girl who could not speak, found Nelare, her friend in the forest in shock. Neither ever spoke of what happened, but soon after it was discovered that Nelare was with child, and though much asked, she remained shut to the world there after and never told a soul. Only later was the truth revealed.
Hiare returned unto Sandler later that year. Of her travels little is said, but when arriving, she found out about the attack upon the village, and she realised that Arillirus had already heard rumour of the Mavine. By then Gial and Joreale had a two year old son, who was called Adam, a lively child ever with intent to learn. But his mother was in decline. Her illness was gaining the better of her, and there was nothing that any could do for her. She died a short while later in Gial’s arms, as sad ending for her indeed. But by then Nelare’s child was soon due, and she was in poor health also. Hiare tried to speak to her about what had happened, and though she never told Hiare anything, she knew something sinister was involved. Soon after she gave birth to a baby daughter, but throughout the birth she was in strange agony of the like none of that village nor Hiare had ever seen, and died also. It was only later that the truth, that she had been savaged by a Nikarin, was revealed.
These two sad events brought to an end Hiare’s stay in Sandler. She and the two Ezleg left for the east, for they were needed far away in the ongoing wars. Gial was unhappy to see her leave, and Hiare swear the same promise to him as she had sworn to Avternain all those years ago. Then they departed and were gone. Gial was left with his son and Neldare’s daughter, who he had agreed to take on, though he cared for her as his own, he always told her that he was not her father, for he believed the truth should be told in such matters. Soon after Nawi and Gwyon married also, and had their own son. But Hiare left with the mystery of Joele’s father still in her mind, which she could not forget.
To the east the war was not going well, for after the destruction of Ager, the main forces of Arillirus were once again turning their attention towards Dinear. Rapidly he began to press against the forces of Var’narth without even his full strength, and the allies were rapidly weakening under the pressure. Few reserves were available, for every available unit had been sent to Ager, and all had ultimately been destroyed or else badly defeated. Thus the defenders of Var’narth were far fewer than they should have been. More troops from Var’nue allowed them to hold out in Batzul Dinear for a while longer, but the position in the north became grimmer by the day, and with masses of Nikarin rapidly joining the attack, it was doubted that the armies of Var’narth could hold out for much longer.
As the one thousand three hundred and fiftieth year came, Hiare learned some disturbing news. Masses of Orglag were now raiding through Ager towards Maitherel. Hiare knew that Arillirus would not do such a act against the defeated fugitives in Maitherel, for they posed little threat to him. The only reason while he would do so was to bring his war into the human lands. Hiare saw the Mavine, a small and undefended people, being annihilated by the evils. And knowing that there was no chance of sending any Ezleg forces to the west when every soldier was needed at home. Thus she had no choice but to try and bring the Mavine south to the lands nigh to Minarand’s border. This was the same step as she had took with the Ezleg, and she had ever regretted it after. But now the situation was different, for unlike the Ezleg, the humans were not one people, but many small and different cultures spread across a vast forest where as the Ezleg were all gathered together, so that she could never make even a large part of the Mavine go south even had she so wished, but if some did so, at least they would be under the protection of the Minare. But even then Hiare had never been to the lands to the north of Minarand, and though she knew that the Seldar had come from there, she knew not what else was there save a few Ezleg who had fled from Barline. Thus she planned this, and was going to go west once more that same year, but a massive attack was launched against Var’narth. Hiare’s presence was more urgently needed in Dinear. And though she made a fleeting visit to Gial alone telling him of what she planned, Avaner’s news quickly drew her back to the east. The attack was brought to a halt, but barely, and only a few miles from Var’narth. After this Hiare was needed to help shore up the defences with the other Minabair, so that by the time her commitments once again were free, four years had passed, but having heard at the same time that raiders had passed through Maitherel and thus had passage to the Mavine lands. Thus once again taking Vronar and Vroeln with her, she pressed east to try and save those who she had called friends.
Thus she returned unto the humans after thirteen years of absence. Her return started badly, for when she and her two companions came down from the mountains towards the village, they discovered as small part fighting off several Orglag. A few shots from Vronar’s bow put an end to their aspirations of victory. Hiare however was glad to discover that at the head of the party was Gial. The Mavine happily embraced his friends, where as the four companions were all bemused at this and even frightened by the Ezleg. But though they may have been frightened, they did understand them, for both Gial and his friends had taught their children the Kaldon tongue. The four companions were all children in fact. Adam was there, the most fluent of them all in Kaldon was he and a strong young man he had grown to be. Joele, was there also, and the sight of her gave Hiare fresh reminders about her unknown parentage. With them also was Nawi and Gwyon’s child, who was named Uriadël, he was the first Mavine to be given a Kaldon name, for he was indeed a gift to his parents. The fourth child in their group, who was called Makus, was the odd one out, for neither of his parents had gone east with Hiare, and thus he had been told much less about her and who she was. But he was a friend to the other children, and he quickly befriended the Ezleg, if not so easily Hiare.
Hiare and her companions received a warm welcome in Sandler that night, and they talked of the journeys they had those years past. Vronar told the children of how Hiare had save his life, and how they had both escaped Glimer in the War of the jewels. But such moments of jubilation were short lived, for the night after they came to the village, an Orglag raid came upon the village once again. That night showed Hiare in all her terrible power, for she loosed such energies that frightened even Gial and the Ezleg. But the biggest surprise of that night was Joele, for though she was a mere thirteen years of age, and was ill, she attacked the bests in an unknown fit of rage, and managed to slay four Orglag and a Nikarin single handed. The battle was over quickly, but Sandler was not the only village that was attacked, for in the next few days many hundreds of Mavine gathered at Sandler, having been driven from their homes by Orglag raids, though in most cases the Orglag had been in the end defeated. There, after only ten days, several thousand Mavine, a number none of that race had ever seen gathered together before, was encamped at Sanlder. Thus Hiare spoke to them of her plans. She told them rightly that too the south they would find protection from these beasts who would continue to afflict them, for they would have the protection of her own people. all present agreed to go thus, for they had no reason to fear Hiare, and thus, when Avaner and the Minabair came to the village a few days later, this great gathering of Mavine departed south, so that the first of the people who were later remembered as the closest in friendship with the Minare, went on to their new home.
But Gial would not yet go, and said that he would follow Hiare, for he said that because she had twice save them, that he would give his services to her. Adam his son jumped forth beside him, as did Nawi and Gwyon, together with their children. Makus and his parents came also, so that ten Mavine all told came with Hiare as she and the two Ezleg journeyed back east, and despite the fact that she told them they were going to where war ravaged the world, none would leave her. Thus they departed up into the mountain paths and headed for the east. Looking back upon the heights, it was the last most of them would ever see of Sandler.
Thus this small gathering crossed the Avin Hwëvi as many of them had some sixteen years before. Again it was difficult for them all, but this time they were hampered by Joele, for she had began to experience a strange illness, which had afflicted her at times for the last few years. At one time in that trek she was overcome by a severe spasm, and nearly fell from the side of a cliff, and was saved only by Adam, who hauled her to safety. After they pressed through the mountains with little difficulty. They then came down into Galniva once more, and were preparing to move on, when Joele collapsed in agony, and in a severe fit, two wings burst from her back, after which she finally collapsed unconscious. Thus Hiare and Gial realised what Nawi had hidden all those years about what happened to Nelare. For it was revealed that she had been savaged by a Nikarin in the forest, and that Joele was thus part Nikarin. Hiare also remembered what the Seldan Senwa had told her all those years ago, and she realised that Joele, though the first to be named, was not alone of the Romine.
They camped there that night, and Joele came too late, but still most of the others were awake in worry. Upon realising what had happened, she tried to flee from them into the wild, but Hiare went after her, and stopped her from her flight, and after much talk managed to calm the child down. Joele returned to her companions, but she fell into a deep depression which none of the party could rouse her from, and though some of them there after remained cold to her, Gial and Adam still held her close as if she were kin.
In that night, Hiare had also thought hard about many things, not least the ongoing war, which was now close to disaster. She thought of the millennia old rumours of Zand Zlavind, remembering the tales that some of the Ezleg ever remained in the now frozen land. She though also of Valwe, and what had become of him and his people. she realised now he could not have gone west, and for the first time she realised what Namlos had long ago learned, that Valwe’s people were now in the land south of Zand Zlavind, which the Ezleg had believed only to be solid mountains. That land was now very close to them. the reason Hiare thought of this was because she realised that without aid, the war would soon be lost invariably. There was certainly Valwe’s people out there, for she had heard rumours of them from the time of the blood wars, so that they must of survived. But of the Zand Zlavind she was less sure, for rumours of the people of that land had been around since the Ezleg fled the place. Thus she decided, after over a thousand years of denial, to return to the place, and it was not Avternain’s request that eventually drove her so, but the necessity of saving the Ezleg people.
Thus, after a few days delay to allow Joele to get back on her feet, the part once again had moved north. Hiare spent every morning with the girl, and made her use what the Mina saw as a gift, the ability of flight. Soon, with the aid of Hiare, Joele had this, though she kept it from her companions. But soon the time for doing so was over, for as they moved north the land became much colder, and thick, low clouds held above them. Soon thick mists covered all directions, and the party soon came close to freezing to death. But Hiare, who was the only one who would survive the cold, pushed them on, but soon even she became hopelessly lost in the fog, and all the part would have likely perished there if not for some great luck and fortune. For they were rescued from the wilderness by those very people who they searched for.
In the blizzard in which the companions had found themselves, they were now almost without hope, when through the snow came several figures. They were covered head to toe in thick white garments and were thus very difficult to see. Hiare feared at first that some Orglag had broken across the Vrolivar and found their way there, but it was not so, for one of them called out, in archaic Ezleg speech, “Who are you?”
Vronar called out, “We are friends, and seek aid from this storm.”
The figure called back, “None ever come here, at least none who would be our friends, few can survive here, for we are what is left of a great people.”
“Be you Ezleg? Vronar called.
“That we are,” the figure replied, “but what are you?”
“I am also an Ezlag, though I come from the west.” Vronar replied.
“That is impossible, if any of our kin lived beyond this land, they would have returned for us!”
“That is a long tale,” called Vronar, “and one I cannot tell out here in this storm.”
“Then we must take you inside.” The figure called.
“Inside where?” Vronar asked.
“Inside the city.” The figure replied. And calling them to follow, they were lead away from there.
They were lead through the snow to an encampment in an old cave, where there was shealter. The party was lead in, and given warm sheets. The four figures who had found them sat down around them, and removed their masks. They were indeed Ezleg, though different in face to any other. They were gaunt and very pale of face, with hair that was white. Their speech the party could understand, though to Vronar it seemed quite different.
“So it is true,” he said, “some of our people still live within the first home.”
“Indeed we do,” said one of their rescuers, a lady of her middle years. “What amazes me is that here two of those we believed lost, come here with parts of race we have never seen before.”
“These people are the Mavine,” said Hiare, “and it was your people who were believed lost, for we had believed that any who had stayed the colds had fallen.”
“But who are you to know such things?” asked the Ezlag.
“I am Hiare,” she replied, “I know for I have been here many, many years ago.”
The Ezlag took a step back, “Hiare? The one for whom we have to blame for being sundered, you cannot be her, for she is but a myth.”
“I assure you, I am her, for I have been to Avin Ezleg, and it was I who spoke to Avternain beside the lake that was given the name Ariniva Latani. I remember that only he stood firm against fear, and spoke to me, and from that moment he became my greatest friend, and the one whom I miss the most.”
The Ezlag looked shocked. “I am sorry Hiare, it really is you. But if you will forgive my shock, it is because that I have often dreamed of such a moment, after all, one who speaks of Avternain must know much of us, for he was our first leader.” She shook her head. “and also it is a sight indeed to see two of our kin from beyond the snows.”
Vronar and Vroeln took her hand and kissed it. “I am Vronar son of Neldaril, fifth in decent from Nomleagth of Oralath, and this here is Vroeln, my wife, of the house of Gleneal.”
“And I am Kweln,” she replied, “We know also of Nomleagth, the first of many who left our land, but we never knew that he had survived his journeys.” The Ezlag said.
“He did more than survive,” said Hiare, “for he reached lands far way, and founded a realm that endures to this day. He too was a good friend to me.”
“It seems that we have great people here this day. But rest now those who need it, for at new light we shall be heading north to our city, the Mavine can be taken upon sleds if you so wish. But rest now, you will need it to stand the cold.”
The next morning the party set off, the Mavine being pulled in sleds. Vronar and Vroeln had at first been asked to take their place on the sleds, but would not do so. “This is a hard load to take Kweln, we will help you bare it.”
“As you wish,” she replied, “but it shall not be easy, for were must cover fifty miles by dark, can you make such a pace?”
“I have covered sixty miles once, but carrying such a load, we shall see.”
Thus followed a unannounced race, where the two Vrolevili, a people who had always prided themselves in being enduring, faced for once a challenge. The Mavine huddled together all day and watched this strange race progress.
All day with no halt they continued, until, when the light began to fade, Kweln called a halt, “It is here,” she said, “You are indeed great warriors, few can ever keep such a pace among us. Now you must wait here, I shall call the scouts to us, and then we can go one, do not move from here.”
As soon as she and the other people of Zand Zlavind had gone, both Vronar and Vroeln fell to their knees. Hiare laughed. “So indeed you Vrolevili have indeed met your match here.”
“Maybe,” panted Vronar, “But I would not be the one to let our honour down.”
As few minutes passed before Kweln came back, and led them forth into the mist. Only a short distance passed until they came upon a beautiful sight, a city amidst the snow, a city of which far more was under the ground than above it. It was aptly named Var’vro, the city of ice. There Hiare and her companions met with the leaders of that people, the council of Var’vro. Hiare pleaded her case, as did Vronar and Vroeln. Even Gial had a say, pleading that unless all peoples were united, Bakarliz, for that is what the Mavine call Arillirus, would take over the whole of Bair. In truth he had no need to speak, for they had decided to give aid. “But since we have never fought an outright war, only small battles long ago, we shall leave it to you to command our army in battle, you Vronar, shall command them.”
Vronar felt very honoured, but said first.
“that I would gladly do, but cannot for a time, for we next go across the
Kaznar into the
“that may be more difficult however, for the Valwane are not so welcoming as us, but if your mind is made up, them let Kweln go with you, she knows the paths of those mountains, and the army will assemble here, and shall meet to the west in twenty days time. Good luck to you all.”
While they were in the city, Avaner came to
them with grave news. A massive attack by Arillirus’ forces had broken the
Ezleg defences to the east of Var’narth. The Ezleg had fallen back to the city,
but facing mounting pressure, they merely well garrisoned the place, and the
remnant of Retnar’s badly pressed and shattered army fled back westward. These
hundred and fifty thousand troops, who faced over three times their number, and
with no place of defence, were forced to fall back over the Vrolivar river.
There they finally gained an almost unassailable position. But they had left
Var’narth under siege, and they had a mere hundred and fifty thousand troops,
where as three hundred and fifty thousand Orglag were surrounding the place,
with a hundred thousand more closer to the city than they. Hiare, faced with a
massive disaster at hand, told this to the Balmpelari, who hastened their
preparations, calling up all those who could be spared. Thus she decided to
press on at once by heading to Var’mtal, and having been given leave by the
Balmpelari to depart, they left the city of
Hiare was not however to go directly to the Hidden land, for she and her companions travelled a little eastward to Avin Ezleg. Young Adam said there that he could still see the colours in Ariniva Latani, but that day was Hiare’s alone. For the first time since she had broken the Ezleg peoples, and nearing a millennium since she had promised Avternain that she would return there, she finally did so.
“Well old friend,” she said to the waters of the lake, “I have finally done that which you wished, and have returned here to your first home and found those who survived here. But how I could do with your own council now.” Then she broke down and wept, thus remembering the memory of Avternain Bairmil.
The next day Hiare woke the others and
returned to the lake one final time, and spent some time there. She returned
when the party were ready to depart. They pressed south for some days, until
they reached the mountains which shielded the hidden
Little is now remembered of the hidden land, for even after Hiare came there, few others ever did so, and thus little was known even after the realm was discovered, and much of what was learned was afterwards lost. but it is said that the city of that people, who were remembered as the Valwani, or the Valwepelari, the people of Valwe, was a fair place unmarred by any battle, with great towers in the style that all Ezleg loved. Indeed, Hiare and her companions could from the mountains see the great spires of Var’mtal, even though the city stood over a hundred miles away. But there is little of it people, and even less of its history, which has been remembered
Hiare and her companions did not wait atop the mountains, and pressed on along the ridge until they began to work there way down. There, upon the heights they were faced with a patrol of the Valwani. They bound and gagged the party as prisoners and told them in very archaic speech, that they would be taken to the city to speak to the king. Hiare could have resisted if she had wished, but seeing that they were being taken to where they wished to go, saw n need to do so, and they were taken on a five day journey southward, in which time none of the guards spoke even a single word to any of their prisoners.
They were brought into the city of
“I wish that I could welcome you to this place,” said the king, “but since you are trespassers with no right to cross the mountains, I cannot, leaving aside the fact that your are the most diffuse part I have ever seen, a two Vrolevili, a Balmpelar, a Romine, and people of a race I have never seen before, who I cannot call either friend nor foe.”
“We are certainly not foes my king,” said Hiare.
“And I am to take the word of one whose race has never before been seen?” he king replied.
“No, perhaps not,” Hiare replied, “but you should take the word of one you have.”
“And what are you that makes you so different from these others who are of a race unknown?”
“The fact that I am not one of them.” Hiare replied.
“Then who are you?” asked Glamwe.
“I am the reason that over a thousand years ago Valwe fled of his own will unto this hidden land, and for which I am ever sorrowful.” Hiare replied.
Glamwe stood and stared for a few moments, fathoming what Hiare said. Then his eyes widened with realisation, and he took a step away from her. “Then you are one of the evil sprits who are called the Minare, perhaps even Hiare herself.”
“I am indeed Hiare,” she replied, “But I assure you we are not the evil ones, for they are those that threaten all others of your race this very moment.”
“I know of the wars Hiare,” said Glamwe, “But we have spent many years here believing that you wrongly sent us here, and that safety was within our realm alone, for few of us have ever left this place.”
“I assure you Glamwe, that I am not here to harm you, but if the evils triumph over those outside this realm, your mountains will not protect you for long.”
“Is that whey you have come here? To ask for aid. It would have been better if you had come and reconciled with my ancestor, for these wars are far from new are they not?”
Hiare sighed, “Valwe never wanted to see me ever again, let alone make peace, and you cannot force friendship with anyone, let alone one who hates you. But yes, indeed I do come to ask for aid in the wars, for things go badly, the city of the north will fall without aid, and that will leave your land open to the foe.”
“It is indeed a cruel humour that you come here to ask this Hiare,” said Glamwe, “I have no commitments with you.”
“Then have some with your people,” Hiare replied simply.
For a few moments Glamwe was silent, then he sighed. “This I will do Hiare, but on the condition that you and your companions reveal to none where our land is. It is to remain hidden from the outside, do you understand me?”
“Indeed we do,” Hiare replied, and the entire party swore oaths of secrecy to king Glamwe, and thus all was now set in motion.
They remained there in the city for five
days, while the Valwepelari, always ready for defence, prepared for a war
beyond their own borders. In that time Hiare and her companions were not
allowed out into the city, and were kept in the palace. But in those mere five
days, they watched from the towers as the people of that land assembled a great
army in the streets below. On the fifth day the party was led from the tower
into the city and placed with Glamwe at the head of the army, all of whom were
strangely garbed for any Ezleg, wearing long dark cloaks with masks upon their
faces. Then that force, over fifty thousand strong, marched from the city,
heading to the
In the time since he had lead the forces back over the Vrolivar in rout, Retnar’s position had remained grave. His army numbered some hundred and eighty thousand all told, but all were beaten and dispirited troops, who were in any case heavily outnumbered by those that they faced across the river. Avaner had been his only source of information from the city, for no messages could get past the blockade of Var’narth. Despite the reinforcements from Var’nue, he felt unable to intervene, knowing full well that his army would never succeed against the Orglag. Even the presence of Glimlith and Glimlad was not to aid his task, their forces were defending their own borders, they were there only with ten thousand troops, all that they had to hand. thus this mixed army, which at best could number no more than two hundred thousand troops, sat and waited beyond the Vrolivar, knowing that Var’narth was soon to fall, and that there was nothing that they could do.
But then, from the west, up the hills from the distant Litheren Vinotz, there came a wonderful sight for the Vrolevili pickets, for there from the west came the two armies of the peoples that they had for so long though lost. They crossed the hill to the camp of the Vrolevili, and with all of that army in a stunned silence, watched as Hiare led these two armies into their midst.
“Retnar!” cried Hiare, “I have brought you the aid which you seek.”
Retnar stood, too shocked to be able to speak, as were many of the Ezleg commanders. But Glimlith brought forth the strength to ask. “Where upon Bair did you find these people?”
Thus Hiare told the tales of the Mavine, and of their travels into Zand Zlavind, and into the hidden land. It was some time before she had finished, and all the Vrolevili and Elybylar were astounded. Then Kweln gave command of the Balmpelari to Hiare and Retnar, as did king Glamwe. Now, with the addition of over a hundred and twenty thousand troops, they had a chance of saving Var’narth. It was decided that they would rest for the night, and prepare their next move the next day. That night, parts of all the Ezleg peoples were reunited for the first time in over a thousand years, and it was a joyous occasion indeed. But as well as this, the Mavine were not left out, and many oaths of friendship were made with them also, much to the gratitude of Gial and Adam Othl.
But the time for reconciliation was not
long, for the next day Avaner returned from Var’narth baring tidings. She told
the Ezleg commanders that a massive assault had been launched against the city.
It had been beaten off, but she doubted that another would be if they were to
attack again. She also told that many thousands of Nikarin were prowling around
the city, and that this was to be the greatest obstacle in saving the city.
Thus Joele, the Romine, offered to head north unto the Avin Zlavind, where the
rumours said that her people lived. She said she could give no guarantees, but
left there and then to find them. Meanwhile the allied armies, now numbering
some three hundred and thirty thousand troops, prepared to march on Var’narth
in two columns, in the north Retnar was to lead his forces along the direct
road to the city, while Hiare was to swing south and flank the city. At
In the meantime Joele had departed north with uttermost haste. For the first time she had the freedom of the skies to search, but the Avin Zlavind were a massive mountain range, and the chances of finding those she sought were slim unless, as the Ezleg had believed, they were living in the mountains to the north of Var’narth. Joele saw the beleaguered city, and the great armies that surrounded it, and resolved not to sleep until she found the Romine, for the choice between victory and defeat may well have depended upon her. She eventually came upon the mountains nigh to the high passes where Ethdaril and her armies had long before driven the Orglag unto their doom. There she searched for several days, and had almost given up hope, when in the distance she saw a sight. She thought at first it may be a Nikarin, but then saw the silver hair of the Seldar, and she called for the being to stop, and, though wary at first, it did, and Joele came to the creature. It was indeed a Romine, baring also the looks of a Seldan male. As Joele finally came to him, she nearly collapsed through exhaustion, and the Romine carried her away.
She awoke some time later, wrapped in a blanket. As she came to, she saw that she was surounded by people like her. After her initial joy subsided, she was to speak, but first another said to her. “Greetings stranger, welcome to our home.” The speaker was the one who had found her before.
“Where am I?” she asked.”
“You are in the home of us Romine, which you appear to be too, but your mother was not Seldan?”
“No,” said Joele, “My mother was Mavine,”
“I have heard rumours of them,” said the Romin, “but none have ever seen them,”
“Now they have,” said Joele, “My companions are to the west with the Ezleg armies, and that is why I came here.”
Thus she explained why she had come, and asked for aid in saving Var’narth, “For if we do not,” she said, “the Nikarin will over run the army before it can save the city.”
“Why?” they answered, “we play no part in this world any more. We are of neither one race nor another. One side of our nature tires to kill us, the other hates us and drives us away, why should we give aid to such people?”
“Because,” said Joele, “At the very least if the Ezleg and their allies are destroyed, Bair will be lost, and we shall fall with them, but I am to fight because I have friends among that army, and if I can have friends among another race, so can all of you, and if we hide no long, we shall no longer be feared.”
Such words were very true, and the Romine were not foolish. Thus the Romin who had found her said, “It is true what you say, but if it is to be so, we must hurry, for to the south your army approaches the city.”
“Allready!” exclaimed Joele, “Then we must go now!, who will follow?” then, one by one, the Romine began to agree. they were not a numerous people, several thousand lived in the mountains. Then the Romin who found her came to her and gave her an axe, “you will need this,” he said before adding, “What is your name?”
“Joele” she replied.
“Mine is Selinar,” he answered, “most here listen to me, though we have no leader, even though I a mere thirty years of age.
Joele and Selinar then began leading the Romine through the mountains, and soon they would lead them into battle.
The allied army, whence it had spent two days crossing the Vrolivar on pontoons, headed with all speed to Var’narth. Retnar’s force followed the main road, and sweeping away several small forces that blocked his forces way, they pressed on and reached the line of hills only a few miles from the city in a mere five days of marching. Hiare had led her force southward, and had also faced some small resistance, but again this was swept away, and Hiare’s army pressed on. Turning north, her force reunited with Retnar’s the same day that his forces had reached the hills. From there one could see all of Dinear, and the Mavine, along with the Balmpelari and the Valwane, looked out in marvel at the great plains. Adam pointed out Glimer all those miles distant, it ruins still standing as a memorial of a lost time. But that day most eyes were trained on Var’narth, which was now only a few miles away, and all could see the nigh half a million Orglag that surrounded the city. All knew that the coming battle was to be uncertain in the extreme, but there was nothing else now to do to save the city. The night passed, and still there was no word from Joele, and thus when the next day came, and the armies prepared to march, they merely hoped for aid against the ravages of the Nikarin, and thus it was so.
Thus began what is remembered as the battle of the nations, for there on that day fought people of ever race and every known nation. Ezleg from as far apart as Zand Zlavind and Barline fought alongside Seldar, Kalrathen, and of course the small party of Mavine who now fought their first ever battle. the battle was never to be an easy victory for the allies, but it was harder fought than many. For as the army began to mover forward, the Orglag, alerted to their presence, moved to halt their advance. Retnar was to advance towards the city, Hiare’s force was to swing around the flank. But barely had these manoeuvres began, when upon the horizon came that sight which all had feared. For up into the sky came a great pool of blackness, which announced to all that the Nikarin were stirred up to battle. their numbers were great, and all knew that with the Nikarin upon them, they could not win the coming fight. Thus they prepared to sell their lives dearly. But then, from the north, came another cloud of peoples in the sky. At first all believed it was more Nikarin moving to join the fray. But then it was seen that this new host, scarce a fifth the size of the main host, was not heading towards the allied army, but towards the Nikarin. A few tense moments prevailed, and then this now host crashed into the hoard of the Nikarin, and then from the sky fell Nikarin in droves, their lives taken by those that they themselves had created.
“The Romine come to aid us!” came a cry, and the allied armies, filled with fresh hope, charged across the plains and clashed with their foes, before the day was over, one of the two armies would be dashed to pieces, but few could have foretold which that was to be.
The initial charge towards Var’narth was led by Retnar’s forces. His force, numbering a hundred and eighty thousand, faced a similar number, and soon a ferocious fight was under way, and for a long time neither force gained much ground. To the south however the battle was going more to the way of the allies, for their massed cavalry swung around the south, and caused much havoc. In that force were engaged all of those Mavine present that day, but they were a mere drop in an ocean of troops, and few would have noticed them had not they carried their banner aloft. But the shear chaos of the battle was the doing of those who fought in the skies above. The Romine, fighting with a greater ferocity than any others that day, had scattered the Nikarin despite their numbers. But to escape their pursuers, the Nikarin flew not east away from the battle, but west upon it, so that bodies of Nikarin and Romine rained upon the battle field, and the Romine, though pressed, were aiding those below, causing massive chaos, but little more than that which the Nikarin were causing.
To the south the forces of Hiare managed to gain the upper hand. they had thrown off their foes thanks to the aid of the cavalry, which streamed around to the east seeking fresh foes. But to the north, Retnar’s forces had been thrown back, for the reserves of the Orglag were in the north, and had been able to come quickly to stop the destruction of their army. Retnar was trying desperately to rally his forces, but was failing, and need help to save the battle. To this end, the massed cavalry moved forth to attack the last ring of foes that surrounded the city, supported by several dozen of the Romine, as well as those of Hiare’s force which had broken through, they charged forth. Losses were high, the Nikarin were still undefeated, and the Orglag fought stoutly still. But this force, some twenty thousand all told, found themselves stranded, for Hiare’s force, which had long been for long pushing the Orglag back, faltered, and the Orglag pressed on. The Cavalry continued their mission unabated, but numbers quickly mounted against them. then however, the gates of Var’narth were opened, and the forces of that city sallied out. They were lead by Darilan, Hoeks son, the last smith of Glimer. But he did not lead that charge for no reason alone, but because out amidst the Orglag, he had spotted something long lost, that was his to claim, but he was not alone to see this, for Adam Othl of the Mavine saw the same sight also.
For alone in the mass of foes stood one of the Black Orglag, wielding a massive axe, smashing all those who came near it, but it stood out for upon its head it wore a great helm, a helm Adam remembered from the tales of Vronar, for that Orglag, who is remembered as Ivizhar, wore upon its head the helm of Glimer, which it must have recovered from the ruins of that city. Darilan saw this well, and was not going to miss perhaps his only chance of regaining the heirloom of his house. Darilan thus was at the head of the sortie from Var’narth, and came face to face with his foe before Adam had a chance to do so. But Darilan, despite being an able warrior, was filled with much anger, and despite fighting fiercely, the Orglag overbore him and smashed the Ezlag’s arm, and Darilan would have fallen, had it not been for the valour of Adam Othl, for the Mavine charged towards the Orglag, and the Orglag too late realised the danger, and Adam’s lance ran the creature through. But in its death throws the creature lashed out, and flung Adam from his mount. Adam hit the ground hard, but struggled to his feet while the Orglag still lashed, and removed the helm from the creatures head. Then he was struck one final time by the creature, and unconscious he lay beside the thing, holding the helm of Glimer in his hands, with the exiled king also laying nigh.
By now the battle was fiercer than before, for the Romine had emerged victorious in the skies, and were swooping low bringing down any foe they could. The Cavalry had broken several formations, and the soldiers of Var’narth now rampaged wildly around, scattering the besiegers. But to the south Hiare’s force, despite great gains, had failed to break their foes, and in the north Retnar had barely rallied his retreating forces. There, gathering all he could, his troops threw themselves once more into battle. This time, finally, the Orglag began to give ground in the north. But still it would have been undecided had not the forces of Var’narth careered into the rear of the Orglag, finally breaking them, and sending them in flight. But with their passage barred, the Ezleg inflicted appalling casualties. Some managed to break past them, only to be hunted down by the Ezleg cavalry, Joele alone did not follow the pursuit, instead she and Gial took Adam and Darilan to safety. In the meanwhile, to the south Hiare’s forces, now aided by the Romine, also broke their enemies, though only at great loss. But when they broke, the Romine, despite all being greatly tired, flew off in pursuit, with parts of the cavalry following them. such measures meant that of the massive Orglag forces that fought there, less than thirty thousand escaped west. the battle of the nations had ended, it had been the single greatest Ezleg victory since Valdarmare, and unknown to any, the last great pitched battle that they would win in that era. But few though ahead that night, the celebrated their victory over their enemies.
The two hero’s of that battle were Joele and Adam, Joele, for without her bringing the aid of the Romine the battle could not have been won, and Adam, for he had both saved the life of a king, and had returned honour to the survivors of Glimer by saving the helm. Adam had barely survived the battle, and Joele too had suffered a great many wounds. Adam however woke the next morning, and he had sufficient strength to walk out into the city and give the helm to Darilan. He swore ever friendship with Adam’s kin, and all who were there that day swore friendship with the Romine, who ever after were held as true allies to the Ezleg.
The victory at the battle of the nations changed many things, it had meant that the Belmpelari and the Valwane had returned to the knowledge of their kin, and the knowledge of the Mavine and Romine had been gained, but many have indeed said that that victory saved the Ezleg peoples from annihilation, for it give them time enough to flee from the eventual storm which would overtake them, though of all this little can be said in certain truth.
But despite that victory, the war continued unabated. To the east Zavaner Zar still stood defiant within Zandline, where the Evils soon gathered. To the south the armies of Arillirus patrolled the banks of the Veinar into Arakline and Barline, and more than all this, all those miles to the east, Xland, the root of it all, still stood unconquered, and with many more worries still at home, Arillirus, who was believed to be at Xland, thought that no foe could ever lead a force against his fortress. But then Hiare was not any foe, but his greatest. She knew that even if they destroyed Zandline, all of lost Daizagul would prepare to prevent any attack east. She also knew that the only way they were ever to win was by the defeat of Arillirus himself. Thus Hiare proposed to take a force through Daizagul and take Xland unawares. She knew that this was foolish in the extreme, but Hifylar swore to follow her, and with him at their side, anything could be done.
Thus, a mere five days after the battle of the nations, Hiare, Hifylar, her companions, together with a force of some twenty five thousand troops and Glimlith, had left for Barline and the route east. The remainder of the allied armies now prepared to destroy the armies of Arillirus, and draw all they could into the battle for Zandline, this being all that they could do. They crossed through Maren, which had freed itself of the Orglag, and then they crossed the Veinar river by the fords, and then pressed across the open plains of Milain, which still had not been retaken, and the small army had a hard fight to gain the crossings of the Veinaro into Barline. This was the first time that any Mavine or Romine had come to Barline, and they found it a beautiful place. But sparing not a chance to see the glory of that land, they pressed south for Var’bylar, covering well over forty miles a day, until they came to the city. The Mavine marvelled at the place, larger and more beautiful than any which they had ever seen before, but again they could not halt. Glimlith sent the ships of sea, of which Barline now possessed many, to head east along the southern coast. They were to wait nigh the south western tip of the Lainad Bair, where, if they succeeded, they could be brought home by sea. But the fleet first had to be gathered, so the army set off across land, and soon they had to cut through the mountain paths to avoid the Orglag which now ever blockaded Marair Baraz, and with little news of the happenings to the north, they crossed into the lands beyond.
Daizagul was now a very different place than that which had been abandoned to the Orglag two hundred years before. Wild trees grew rampant across all the land, and it had become a place of shadows, for the Orglag were everywhere, but nowhere were they in strength, and none were part of an army, so that the small host, small that is in the scale of that land, slipped through all dangers, and were soon racing west. Even the Mavine, who lived in a land of trees, were daunted by this place. But it was the darkness itself that drove them ever faster. Their crossing of the Rikelanear was no easy task, but unhindered by any foe, they crossed that river and left the bulk of their foes behind. The Rinea river was no greater difficulty, but days later, when crossing through Romig Baraz, they all expected to be ambushed and destroyed at any moment, but such an attack never came, and through that place, still scared with bones of the long dead, they passed unhindered. They struggled through the broken fortress of Rekand Nain, which had one been the greatest defence, now forgotten by most, but after over one hundred and sixty days of travel, they finally came within sight of Xland.
Now followed the greatest of all dangers, especially for Hiare, for a great many evil dreams had plagued her for a long time, and all were reawakened when she was once more in that place. They ambushed the Orglag at the gates however, and were deep into the fortress before they faced any real foe, and thus they had indeed surprised even the greatest fortress upon Bair, so that even Arillirus was unprepared. But what forces he had, though small, soon attacked the host, and soon the force was cut apart by small and desperate bands of Orglag. Hiare, Adam and a few soldiers were trapped at the head of the host, with Hifylar, their desperately needed ally far behind unable to come to their aid. “Come, we must go,” she said, “me and Adam must do this alone, stay and protect our escape,” thus Hiare and a very surprised and terrified Adam walked down the tunnels, leaving their allies battling in the caves of Xland.
There, in that place, was one of the most memorable battles of that time, one that the Mavine, who forget nigh all else of that time, still remember. For when Adam and Hiare entered the central hall, only two beings stood there, and Hiare knew them both.
“Well Hiare,” said Arillirus, “you have indeed been very clever, I did not expect such a stroke even from you, but it matters not, for you have only given yourself up for surrender once again, and this time there will be no escape.”
“Nay Arillirus,” Hiare replied, “I have come only to destroy you.”
“That is all well and good Hiare,” Arillirus replied, “but there is only you and this little creature to stop me. His race is so primitive they think I am a god, well I will be their god whence I defeat you, for there shall be nothing to stop me, the name Batkarlis will be recognised as me, and all that race shall bow to me, do you really think that he can aid you?”
“Indeed Arillirus, for great power can be had in even the smallest things.” Hiare replied.
“Well then, let us see. Ravik, deal with this pathetic creature, I am going to make Hiare curse the day that she decided to come back here.”
Then began that titanic battle. Ravik, without warning, lashed out wildly at Adam. The Mavine flung himself to the side, and Ravik merely smashed great chunks of rock from the walls. Adam swung up with his axe, but Ravik was waiting, and parried the blow easily. Then he lashed out with great power, and a stream of liquid fire lashed at Adam. Such a blow would have destroyed any mortal, but Adam, blocking seemingly in vain with his sword, scattered the fire around him, it crashing into the walls behind.
Ravik looked on in horror, “That is not possible!” he cried, “you are not a Minare!”
Adam, as shocked as Ravik that he was still alive, took this second chance, and lashed out with his sword. The shocked Ukarak dodged his blow, but careered into the wall, Adam, seizing his chance, and he brought his sword down upon Ravik, the blade seemingly leaping with flame as he did so. The swing severed the beast in two, and with a terrible scream, the black body of Ravik fell to dust and then to nothing.
Thus fell Ravik, chief of the Arak Ukarak, he who ever had deemed all mortal creatures weak by their very nature, and yet had fallen by seemingly the weakest of all of them. none would miss the creature that had made the Orglag what they were, and who had first brought war to Bair, and for that, Adam avenged all wrongs that Ravik ever did, and was rightly honoured by it.
Arillirus had been locked in his fight with Hiare all that time. By his very nature he should have crushed her, but he had lost much of his strength of old to his many wounds, and Hiare wore both bracelets with a new determination. But while Adam and Ravik had fought relatively peacefully, the battle of Hiare and Arillirus rapidly began to tare the throne room to pieces, bolts of power flew everywhere, destroying the ancient walls and causing the very stone to burn. Both had been wounded, but neither seriously so. But such was the carnage that Arillirus did not see the death of Ravik, and nor did he see Adam rush across the room at him to the very last moment, and he failed to stop the Mavine’s blow, which pierced his leg tearing at the dark flesh. Arillirus howled in pain, and Hiare slashed at him with her sword, severing three finders on his left hand. Arillirus, now in mortal danger, turned and fled, and was only saved because the ceiling, reeling from the duel, came crashing down blocking Hiare and Adam. They both stood there, exhausted, but elated, for even if Arillirus had not died, they had seized Xland, and Adam had killed the chief of the Ukarak in battle. after a few moments, Adam spoke. “wha…what happened?”
Hiare raised a faint smile, “We just gained a very memorable victory.” She replied,
“No, not that,” said Adam, “I should have died, I knew it, that think knew it, but I survived the fire. How?”
“Oh, that” Hiare frowned, “That is why I brought you with me, for there is something I have found in your race, and in no other. A few of your people can touch the spectrum, as my people can, and as I thought no others could.”
“what!” cried Adam, “Magic?”
Hiare shook her head, “there is nothing magical about this beyond the fact that I had believed no mortals could do this. I found a few others when you were but a child, but the moment I first saw you I knew what you could do, it shines around you.”
Indeed Adam was the first of all Mavine who was revealed to be a Rempelar, a person of power. Only a few Mavine had such power, which was as the power of the Minare and Bythar, though to a lesser degree. But like the spirits, there were those who were greater and those who were weaker, and to withstand Ravik, Adam was very strong indeed, though he knew not what it was he did, for to do that, one must first know what it is they do, and though perhaps there were other Rempelari among the Mavine at that time, Adam was certainly the first ever to know what he truly was.
“Come now Adam, we cannot stay here, I shall tell you more later, but now we must flee.”
They departed the throne room and moved back through the tunnels to their companions. Their army had decimated the garrison, though it had taken many lives to do so. Hifylar was told what had happened, and he spoke great praise to Adam Othl, he being one of the very Few Mavine ever to speak to one of the Bythar.
“Now my friend,” Hiare said to Hifylar, “let us make sure that the evil of thus place never again arises,” and with that they used their great power upon that place, and both fled that place with the rest even as the walls began to shake and tumble, then, when the allies had gathered outside, there was a massive groan and the mountains of Xland crashed into ruin, much as Glimer had done so before, and thus again that city was avenged. Never again did Xland arise, but the evil that created that place lived on in the lands beyond, which were still the realms of the Orglag, and also in the hands of Arillirus, who now was no ruler of Bair, for he fled away, a abandoned, weak, and terrified being, who fled as he could towards Sanvear, that hidden refuge of Zalzizur. But by his mere survival all was not over, and vengeance still burned within him, so that war would once again overtake Bair.
In the days before however, the war continued elsewhere. For in Dinear far to the west, the allied army, fresh from its great victory, pressed on, and fanning out across Dinear, they proceeded to decimate the Orglag and Nikarin, and soon all were in flight for Zandline. Soon only a few scattered bands remained within the abandoned forests of Ager, all others having been killed or fled. Then, after many days of toil, the army gathered once more, this time in Glimer Baraz. Bringing up great weapons of siege, they invaded Zandline, and at the battle of Nomleagth’s march, the Orglag were crushed by the vengeful Ezleg, the few survivors fleeing back to Zavaner Zar. And unlike Neldaril’s previous attempts at taking the fortress, this time she was prepared as were all. Soon massive batteries tore the tower apart, and after thirty days of siege, the tower’s sides collapsed, and the great spire once again collapsed into the barren ground, reminiscent of Nomleagth and Avternain’s siege all those years ago, and with threat now gone, the last creatures were defeated, the remainder being driven through Dar Baraz within the next few days. The war was all but over.
But far away in a barren land Hiare and her forces now struggled to escape the bests of Arillirus, for they were but twenty thousand strong now, and the fall of Xland had finally awoken all the hosts of Daizagul. The small army poured back through Romig Baraz, facing mounting foes. By the time they were Back in Daizagul, many thousands of Orglag were coming to crush them. their only hope was the fleet, and the small army fled south, brushing aside those that barred their path as those behind them rapidly gathered in number. It was a gruelling flight, and they finally reached the southern coast of Daizagul two days ahead of their pursuers, who numbered nigh a hundred thousand at least. They waited there, and finally two ships were spotted, one came to them, the other sailed west to alert the fleet, and Hiare was told that it would take perhaps a day for the fleet to get to them. Hiare knew that the Orglag would be upon them by then, and thus drew their small army up on some hills which protected a small cove in which the ships could sail. The next day the Orglag were upon them even as the fleet reached the bay. What followed was a scrambling battle as the army was loaded into the boats, even as the Orglag assailed the hills. As the force on land weakened, they fell back, by the end they were defending the cove itself. Many were lost, but the stubborn defence against the odds had so weakened the Orglag’s resolve, that at the end, the last forces escaped. Some three thousand had died in this last battle, so that twenty two thousand of the thirty thousand who left Barline finally escaped this “Battle of the bay” and with it, the War of Xland, as it was afterwards known, was finally over.
The return of this force to Barline was a miracle to most, and all were greatly celebrated, but especially Adam Othl, who was a great hero among the Ezleg for the slaying of their oldest foe. They soon gained word of the fall of Zandline, and filled with elation, the Mavine, especially those of the kindred of Adam, were ever celebrated by the Ezleg as allies.
Indeed after the war many things began to change. Indeed it was the Mavine that were the greatest change, for Hiare lead the Mavine back west to where their people had now come. they passed across the south of Bairgarand, where none of the Mavine had ever before been, and had for a while halted in Kalmaren. But eventually they returned to their people, who now lived on the coast nigh to Minarand itself. Here were the most remembered kindred of the Mavine, and the most honoured.
There also came the Romine, for now, with their new found alliance, they were granted the mountains of the eastern Avin Mina, and the lands around. Thus that people left the cold northern mountains, and came south, and though they were still a secretive people, they ever after remained allies to the Minare and the Ezleg, and would fight with them at need.
Among the Ezleg more had changed also, for now the long forgotten realm of Zand Zlavind was open to them, and the Vrolevli, in fleeing the east, came to that land once more, thus returning home. No longer either did the Balmpelari and the Valwane hinder them, and while the later still remained secretive in their hidden land, the former people welcomed their kin with open arms, the Vrolevili for the most part moved into Galniva, where the climate was more to their liking, and it was here that many of their people came, an act that would have been ever impossible had it not been for the victory at the battle of the nations.
Both Adam and his father travelled across Bairgarand together in the years to come, but neither ever again fought a battle. They in time visited all the great Ezleg cities, but over the years their travels became less, until they no more travelled to the lands of their friends, and the new generations of the Mavine came over the older ones, and it was they that were to inherit the struggle ahead.
Chapter 30
…ad ala-narthad
Which is:
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S |
ome eighty years of compromise peace followed the great victory at Xland, and a great many had hoped that it would usher in a period of true tranquillity, for after all, Arillirus had been crushingly defeated, with the loss of massive forces and both his great fortresses. But he himself had escaped, for he fled from Xland to the far north, to Zanvear, the mountain of Zalzizur. There he hid away for a long time, nursing his lost fingers. In the meantime, Zalzizur and Drozarn took it upon themselves to stir up trouble once more. The first act was for raids into Barline and Arakline commence a mere fifteen years after the victory at Xland, and these raids were far more co-ordinated than the Orglag would do on their own, and thus it was known that the evils were stirred up once more, and with the Ezleg realms already at breaking point over their losses since the breaking of the siege, all knew, including Hiare, that the end would soon be at hand. Hiare tried her hardest to prevent the coming catastrophe. The Ezleg rebuilt their armies as best as they could, and repaired their defences, but because so many had lost heart and had fled westward, the old Ezleg realms were left badly enfeebled, and there was little chance that they could again rally together such forces as they did during the War of Xland, even with their new allies. But none realised that they were so weak that it would take less than a decade to reduce all their realms to ruin.
During those eighty years, the raids into Bairgarand increased yearly, and so did their intensity. Several times the raiders forced Marair Baraz, and were only turned back at Tal Avin. In the north the Vrolevili fought hard battles to hold the passes through the Avinkazag. None knows how Arillirus could recover so quickly from his reverses, but Arillirus and his compatriots knew full well that the Ezleg were weak, and that a quick war would shatter them. indeed, when only a mere thirty years had passed since the fall of Xland, a mass of Orglag once again seized Zandline, and from there on things grew progressively worse, but no great attack was launched as yet, for Arillirus, for once saw the need for one almighty shattering blow, and thus waited. His raiders alone caused havoc across the north, for they ran virtually unchecked. Then he was ready. For far to long he had been deprived of what he believed was his, he would soon retake the sceptre, and with it all of Bair would submit to his rule, as it should always have been.
Thus he began what is remembered as the final wars, a series of massive defeats and untold tragedy, together with great heroics by a great many Ezleg and their allies, but all was in vain in saving their lands, but they did accomplish the greatest thing, they saved their people.
These wars began in the one thousand four hundred and forty first year, for in the first days of that year, the Orglag forced Glimer Baraz for the final time, defeating the forces of the Vrolevili there. The Orglag poured back into Dinear in mass and with none to bar their path, they had overwhelmed all of Glimline in a matter of days, a far cry from the defence of that land in the two hundred years before hand. those that remained fled as they could, but under the waves of the foe most left it too late, and were run down in the merciless pursuits of the Nikarin.
Hiare was powerless to halt the tide of defeats. She herself was at Oralath with the ageing Neldaril and Vronar. In those dark days, as most of the Vrolevili fled Dinear, Arakline became the haven of the Vrolevili, for fewer Ezleg had fled that land than any other. Neldaril, in the spirit of the Vrolevili union, contemplated sending an army into Dinear, but such an act was impossible. For even that land had been weakened in the years past, and all the forces were needed to defend their own borders and hold off the raiders that ever tried to overthrow order. But that was not the greatest problem, for the only free route to Dinear was across Milain through Nivan, and any force she sent there would be useless to aid those who needed their help then. But Neldaril called up all the people to arms, so that she would be able to defend her land when the time came.
In the meantime Dinear continued to fall under the armies of Arillirus. By Elmëgazar of the one thousand four hundred and forty first year all of Glimline had fallen, as had much of Narline and Hwëvi Vinotz, despite heroic defending by old Palanar, who fought glade by glade with his mere fifty thousand troops who faced six times their number. But by Arinazar had lost all the forest to the overwhelming forces, and had been forced to fall back on the Maren road. Within thirty days he had been forced back across the Ariniagrek into Maren itself and the city was besieged. This time however, no aid was coming to them. to the north Var’narth too was fighting for survival, and Arakline could never send any aid in time, and even then it could not force its way through such hostile lands. Hence, fearing the worst, Palanar began evacuating the remaining people over the Avin Leth He did so in uttermost haste for the enemy were rapidly trying to force across the lake and get to the city itself, and the Orglag soon began bringing up catapults and soon great missiles began landing amidst the streets of Maren, causing chaos. Many however managed to make the escape over the mountains through paths long marked by the people of that city, and those that escaped fled down into Nueline and from there to Maitherel. But so little was the time that when the enemy had gained across the lake and were assailing over the city walls, the evacuation was far from complete, and as well as this, many did not wish to leave the city of their ancestors, and essayed to fight for it unto the last. Thus they too took their place among the legends of the Ezleg, for as the assaults began to spill over the walls, that people fought for every single street and every single building of Almagarin’s city, and it took twenty five days of fighting until resistance within the city finally failed, and even then the evils had captured only a ruined shell, and the greater part of that people had managed to escape, but within that shell lay many thousands of dead, including Palanar, who had fought until the last, and had fallen holding the mountain passes. Thus fell Maren, the city of the lake, and never again did it arise, an end to the oldest of all Ezleg cities.
With the fall of Maren, the evils began to move upon Var’narth, though they were not in any great haste to do so. The fighting for Maren had cost them much of their strength, and they were also taking their time destroying every single settlement in Mareline. Var’narth had in fact been fighting off the evils for some time already, for since the fall of Glimer Baraz wild forces of the Orglag had made their own way to the city, and Retnar conducted a masterly campaign in which he managed to keep the city clear of foes while the battles were fought to the south at Maren. But when the battle there had ended in a great defeat for the Ezleg, Retnar found himself in dire straight. But all told Var’narth was to put up a much greater fight than Maren, for under Retnar’s direction they were to put up an epic defence indeed.
Retnar, still in command of a large army, struck repeatedly against the forces that had invaded Batzul Dinea. In the course of thirty days of lightning manoeuvres he had routed all the enemy from within fifty miles of the city, slaying perhaps fifty thousand all told. He would have destroyed them utterly, but news arrived that told him of forces approaching the city from the south. Thus he had to pull back to defend his city. In a few days his army, faced now with overwhelming numbers, was forced back within the city walls. But as the Orglag prepared to push forward weapons of siege, Retnar’s forces sallied forth and proceeded to put several thousand Orglag to rout and destroy most of their siege weapons. Such damage delayed the inevitable, but could not stop them in the long run. Soon new weapons of siege were crushing the city walls and Retnar’s forces prepared massive internal defences to resist the invaders.
This, the final siege of that city, was in many ways the most tragic, for the proud walls were torn apart from afar, reducing the ancient city to rubble before an attack was launched. Then, when the attack finally came, in five columns against the walls, four attack were beaten off with massive losses. Only in the eastern city did the Orglag gain a foot hold, and them they could only advance but slowly and with murderous losses against the Ezleg. Within three days the Orglag attacks had halted, they had gained barely three streets and three dozen houses. New attacks were launched, and again the Orglag suffered horrendous losses. in many cases the fighting took place from room to room, in others, such as in the great hall, for two days the Orglag held the eastern end while the Ezleg were entrenched in the west. but every step gained was slowly strangling the Ezleg. Their numbers were heavily depleted by the fighting, and by thirty days, the city was in utter ruin, with the Orglag holding nigh half of it. With no food and precious little water, the defenders were in desperation. Thus Retnar launched a breakout westward. A massive attack overwhelmed all those who directly blocked their path, and several thousand people did escape. But then the Orglag fell upon the reaminder, and their escpae severed, the reminant of the defenders fled back into the city. But the gates were not closed, and the Orglag broek in through the western end, and the defence finally collapeced. What followed was four days of slaughter which ran on unabated. Retnar was slain while said to be defending his family, and the city itself burned into the ground. Thus ended Var’narth, the most proud and resilient of the Ezleg cities of old.
With the fall of Var’narth, almost all of Dinear was abandoned to the foe. The survivors of Var’narth were most likely the last to leave that land by crossing the Vrolivar. The Orglag now infested the old halls of Maren, and they trampled over the ruins of Var’narth. All that remained was a thin strip of land which connected Nivan to Tal Baraz. That was all that remained to the Ezleg in Dinear, and even that was not going to last for long. Even then those places did not remain as homes for the Vrolevili, but as fortresses of the Elybylar.
It was at that time, during the early days of the one thousand four hundred and forty third year that Neldaril, Having readied all that she could to defend Arakline, prepared to try and gain a victory over the evils before they could bring their full weight against her. She had heard of the fall of Maren, but not of the fall of Var’narth, and believed that a pre-emptive attack would divert the attention from Var’narth. Hiare asked her not to go, but Neldaril was an old and stubborn soldier and neither she, nor all those that followed her would let Arakline fall without a fight. There were also gathered in Arakline at that time many thousands of refugees, including many Seldar and Kalrathen, who, despite their differences, were to fight on the same side. Neldaril thus planned to strike into Zandline, hoping to crush the Orglag there before those in Dinear could come against her. What she did not know was that there were a great many more Orglag in Zandline than she supposed, and that with the fall of Var’narth, masses of them were already on the road to Arakline to crush her in any case.
Her attack began well at first. Her forces broke through Arak Baraz with little worry, driving the defenders back north. She then caught several small Orglag forces by surprise, and put them to rout with great loss on their part. Then however the Orglag began to gather, and a few miles to the south of Zavaner Zar, the two armies now came to battle. there was fought the last of the great Vrolevili battles, where nigh two hundred thousand Allies fought some three hundred thousand Orglag. But despite being outnumbered, Neldaril launched her forces into attack and in some truly ferocious fighting, the allies began forcing the enemy back towards the Lmorarni. It is said that Neldaril would have won that day, and perhaps have saved her land, had not a grave, and indeed greatly unfortunate disaster overcome her army.
For on the eastern flank of her army, the Seldar were grouped alongside the Kalrathen, ever a tenuous grouping of peoples who had such greviences against each other. But amid this battle, their hosts, having overthrown many Orglag, came together in the melee, and there, seemingly by error alone, blood was spilt. In battles such things did happen, but here, rather than fight the battle that needed to be fought, they instead turned upon each other. The Orglag took full advantage of this, and attacking into the confused flank. Soon the Seldar and Kalrathen were overthrown, and Neldaril’s army was broken. Neldaril struggled to save her forces, for they had penetrated far into Zandline. The Orglag slaughtered many, and by the time the army had escaped back through Arak Baraz, scarcely one hundred thousand remained. Then the Seldar, unwilling to stay near those who slew their kin, marched away south to their own people, and never again did those peoples enter into any sure alliance, and even when they did, they were kept as far apart as possible, as to prevent what happened there, at the battle of the enemies.
With Neldaril’s defeat, Arakline, was all but doomed. Neldaril made it known that those who wished to do so could flee before it was too late. And a large part of those peoples did indeed do so, but a part of those peoples still remained to fight on, and indeed they were given hope when Tal Valrik in the north, was besieged, but held out, and would indeed do so for the rest of the year.
With the shadow falling upon the north, Hiare was greatly worried. Quite aside from all the death and distraction she realised that despite all that she had tried and done, Arillirus was going to be victor over Bair, for neither her people nor the Bythar would face him. Paralysed by such thoughts, she watched on as in that year Tal Baraz finally fell to the Orglag, and soon after, the Elybylar gave up their defence at Nivan and fell back across the Veinar to the Veinaro river. Thus all was being lost to the evils.
Thus time moved on until the one thousand four hundred and forty fourth year. In the first days of that year, Tal Valrik, having resisted long, finally fell to the invaders, opening the routes into all of Arakline. Then the massive Orglag forces poured unhindered through all of Arakline, destroying everything in their wake. Tal Orla fell a mere seven days later, and within a futher ten days no settlement survived to the north of Oralath, none of the mountain fortress resisted, for the defenders, their hopes finally broken, fled south to safety as order collapsed. The last forces of Arakline gathered at the stone city.
Neldaril, wishing not to see Oralath ruined by fighting within the city, opted to make her stand upon the Narth Gul, where many commanders had before stood and fought. But she was unlike all others, utterly outnumbered. She had given leave to those who wished to go, and thus took the defence with a mere sixty thousand troops, but then there was not other choice but to see Nomleagth’s realm fall. Neldaril spoke to Hiare, and asked her to leave. With her was to go Vronar her son and his family, for he was to lead those who essayed to escape away, though he had wished to stay with his mother. Only the fact of his infant daughter persuaded him to leave for her sake, and there in Oralath those two members of Nomleagth’s line said farewell, and they parted, never to see each other again. Then he and Hiare were gone, and Neldaril, one of Bair’s most respected soldiers, took her spear up for the final time and left her city for the final time also.
The battle which followed the next day was utterly forlorn from the very start, but for a short while it was proved that the forces of Arakline had lost none of their strength, for they utterly repulsed the first assault upon the ridge and proceeded to cut off many Orglag and destroy them. But then the massive enemy forces gained a foothold on the ridge, and the Ezleg began to be driven back, and soon they were in utter retreat. Some escaped away south, but most fell back on Oralath, old Neldaril still leading at the head. They retreated on for several hours, giving ground but slowly, until they came finally to Oralath. There they halted before the gate, and made their final stand so that their city would not be ruined, Neldaril was among the last to fall, still defending the gate. After the end, few of the enemy entered the deserted city, and fewer would stay there, for even though the people of the city were now gone, the Kazverinil still prowled the mountains, and they took it upon themselves to keep that city safe from destruction. Thus Oralath was alone of the northern cities in that it was not sacked, and when people once again returned unto it, the city still stood unbroken, a memorial to Nomleagth’s home.
Following the flight, the survivors fled along the Veinar and crossed into northern Barline. The enemy were close on their heels, but were turned back by the Elybylar at the river. Glimlith and Glimlad were much saddened by all that happened, as were all Ezleg, but knew that their land would be next. They invited the fugitives to stay if they so wished, but Vronar said no, he was to lead them east to their kin, and the twins respected that, and they let them be. Hiare said farewell to Vronar there as well, for she was to remain in Barline. It would be a long time before they were to see each other again, and they grieved at their parting, but grieved also for those and that which had been lost.
Soon after the fall of Oralath, a massive army of Orglag, not content with having destroyed an entire civilisation, was rapidly heading to destroy another. For that army crossed the Vrolivar river and poured into Litheren Vinotz, thus attacking the realm of Zand Zlavind. Litheren Vinotz fell quickly however, for it was merely watched by the Balmpelari. But when the evils issued west, they faced massive resistance by the small population. More fell from exposure, but the Balmpelari, though they could have perhaps held all their lands against this assault, fell back west, leaving only partisans to attack the Orglag. They fell back across the Vroaradi, and held their defence on that river and their city. The Orglag, suffering heavily, attacked across the river against a foe they outnumbered five times over, and proceeded to suffer horendious losses. Against the well trained Balmpelari. The Orglag fled, but the Ezleg, using great catapults, broke the ice on the river, and many thousands of Orglag fell, less than a hundred thousand perhaps gaining back across the river. They were followed by more Ezleg, Vrolevili, from the east largely, who pressed out into eastern Zand Zlavind and persecuted a partisan war which the Orglag could not win. A force of Orglag remained watching the river, and another blockaded Var’Vro, while the rest tried to hold down a land of thousands of square miles. They could not advance, and were not allowed to retreat, and merely held where they were.
But this repulse was the only setback for Arillirus, for in only a few years all the Vrolevili realms had been reduced to ruin, their peoples either fled or destroyed, all for his wish to rule Bair. But he was not yet content. Though Barline would fall, and the Balmpelari also, he wished to destroy now a realm that had long been hidden from him, and that he had only heard of since his defeat at Xland. It was still unknown to him exactly where this realm lay, but now that he was looking for it, it would not remain hidden for long.
Chapter 31
…Ala-Tzalinead
Which is:
Following her flight from Oralath, Hiare had come back to Var’bylar once more. The capital of Barline was in a state of great turmoil since news had come of the destruction of the Vrolevili lands. All knew that in but a short time they were to be next, and many of those who still remained decided then that they should flee, for sanctuary would be found nigh to the Minare to the west. In this they were not alone, for the Vrolevili, most of whom had escaped to Maitherel, were now leaving that land and moving into Galniva, so that for the first time in fourteen hundred years the Vrolevili and the Balmpelari were reunited in Zand Zlavind, and already those two peoples were once more becoming one, and a new realm was being created from the wreckage of broken ones. Hiare however was not then worrying over those who were defeated – they would be left alone for a time – but was instead worrying about those who had not yet been so. She hurriedly joined with Glimlith and Glimlad in preparing Barline to resist invasion, for she would not, and never would accept that all was in vain. But as she was doing so she remembered the only other realm which had not yet been defeated, for in the north, still hidden from Arillirus’ soldiers, Tzaline, the hidden land still stood defiant, but with the evils now moving all around it, it could not remain hidden for long. She herself was to involved in Barline to go there and warn Glamwe herself, but she knew one thing that would make Namlos go. She told him that she needed someone to go to the hidden land, and she wished Namlos to do so. He at first wished to stay and defend Barline, but when Hiare told him of a rumour she had heard, a rumour that Namlos’ brother was in the north, he offered to go of his own will. He was joined by Avaner his wife, Nathire and Perenna. And they all were to find the north a very different place from that which they had last seen. The tide of refugees still pouring into Maitherel was a horrible sight for the Minare to behold, but Namlos and his companions could not aid them, and shedding tears they pressed on, for they feared now that the enemy, who already held the lands around the north of Tzaline, would have already pounced upon the land. They were not too late, but already had the enemy found the hidden land and was indeed preparing to pounce.
They came to the hidden land from the south, and thus did not see the armies that gathered to the north on the fringes of Zand Zlavind. They came quickly then to Var’mtal, and gave king Glamwe their warning. But the king had only fought one campaign, and in that he was not in command, and he thus refused to believe that his land, even if discovered by the enemy, could be over run, for he believed the mountains a barrier that no more than a hundred Orglag could pass at once. Glamwe thus said for the Minare to leave, and to try and help their kin on the outside who were known even to him to have been massively defeated and were in flight. Then he would speak no more on the matter. But Namlos would not flee from his task, and he decided that they would be best placed upon the mountains, where they could find out the enemies true intentions. Thus they set out there in haste.
But though Glamwe had deemed it impossible to cross the mountains in force, even as he spoke the first of Arillirus’ troops were ascending the mountains, and they were being followed by perhaps two hundred thousand or more Orglag, for despite what Glamwe had believed, the enemy were going to breach the mountains, and that was to mean only disaster. But more to note was the commander of this army. For Arillirus was not there, nor Zalzizur or Drozarn, for they were preparing their next attack. No the commander there was Naglos, who for the first time Arillirus had entrusted him with command, and it was one thing that that spirit was indeed capable of.
Namlos and his companions had scarcely reached the mountains when Naglos’ hoards reached the summit also. The Minare, taken aback by the sheer numbers which poured against them, were almost overwhelmed by five Ukarak who assailed them. They fought those off with great skill, but when several more Ukarak assailed them, the Minare, lest they were to fight a battle they could not win, decided to escape back to Var’mtal. But the Ukarak made sure they could not escape that way and warn the city, and Namlos, with no other choice, fled with his companions eastward. The Ukarak pursued them somewhat, but merely made sure that they were severed from the city. Namlos and his companions however were both more determined and more intelligent than the Ukarak thought. As soon as they reached the eastern mountains late that night, they quickly lost the demons in the dark, and as soon as it was clear they quickly raced back to the city to give warning. But they were already too late…
With the Minare now out of the way and the Valwepelari scouts destroyed, the Orglag managed to invade Tzaline without any warning of their approach. The Ukarak butchered the few out lying detachments, and the Orglag, goaded on by the Demons, covered massive distances that first day, coming within twenty miles of Var’mtal by nightfall, and still they did not stop. Goaded also by hunger from the lean days in Zand Zlavind, they saw Var’mtal only as a source of food. The head of the long stretched out column reached the city while it was still dark, and they broke the gate in the darkness, and were pouring through into the city by the time the alarm was raised, and by then it was too late to stop them, but the battle had only just begun.
Though the Orglag had surprised the city, they had not all their own way. Their column stretched back into the mountains and only some thirty thousand had reached the city by day break. The city was a maze of streets which any invader would became hopelessly lost in and the Valwepelari took full advantage of this and entrenched themselves in the buildings. Soon the northern end of the city was being fought over building by building and in places the Ezleg, rallying at last, began to force the Orglag back. But more Orglag continued to arrive, and soon Nikarin were falling upon the city from above, causing chaos. The Ukarak completed the devastation, for where they found a building which resisted, they merely cast it effortlessly down. Soon the defenders successes were receding, and chaos began to overwhelm the city. It was then that Namlos and his companions finally returned to the city.
Avaner, Nathire and Perenna descended into the city to salvage what they could from the ruin, and for a time held back the attacks in the north. Namlos however had a different mission, for he had unfinished business in this city. He fought his way through the ruin until he came to the palace of Valwe, he entered the broken doors and found Orglag roaming the place freely. He slew those that blocked his path, but ignored all others as he pressed on through the palace, eventually coming to the upper floors. He came to the king’s chambers and found them empty, but sounds of battle came from the balcony, and Namlos went out to find who fought.
There he found a most horrible sight. For upon the ground lay king Glamwe, pierced by swords in both arms and both legs, and close to death. But the worse sight stood over him, for there, brandishing a great axe was Naglos, like and yet unlike and Ukarak, betrayed so only by his flaming eyes. but those eyes showed how far he had fallen, few could ever look at them.
“So,” said Namlos, walking into the room, “We meet again brother.”
Naglos hissed, and turned his flaming eyes upon his brother, “It has been a long time indeed for you my brother, it has been but a short time for me.”
Drawing swords they now faced each other at last, there, while the ruin of Var’mtal was going on apace. Upon the floor the badly wounded king Glamwe was the only witness to the terrible battle that was now fought with anguish. That battle, fought with both sword and spectrum wrought ruin upon the palace and before they had finished much of it was reduced to ruin.
Naglos began the assault, casting a massive pillar at his brother. Namlos dived the great pillar, and then bringing his axe upon him. Namlos fought him off with great skill, but the relentless assault began to ware him down, and perhaps he would have indeed lost that duel had not king Glamwe, who had lain amidst the destruction, brought himself to strike at Naglos as he passed by him. The fallen avoided the blow at the last moment, but Namlos was not to waste his chance, and with a single bolt of power, Naglos fell to the ground. Namlos was not jubilant in his victory however, and quickly rushed to his brother’s side. Naglos was doomed, but the fire in his eyes were gone.
“You triumph brother,” said Naglos weakly, “I go now to the damnation I deserve.”
“Nay brother” said Namlos, “You are forgiven in my eyes, and those of our family, even if those of the fallen realms will not forgive so easily.”
“Then,” Naglos spluttered, “I am again one of the Minabair?”
“Yes brother, you are indeed,” said Namlos.
“Then all is well again,” said Naglos, and then he was no more.
Thus ended the tragedy of the war of the twins, the war of two great kin, and one of the most fell of all those wars caused by the malice of Arillirus.
Namlos, got to his feet, and turned now to those who were still alive. Glamwe still lay on the floor, though he was no longer bleeding.
“I thank you my friend,” said Namlos, “For I would have lost that fight without your aid.”
“No,” said Glamwe, “thank you for returning after I had sent you away, it was the least that could be done after my folly,” then, after a few moments, he asked, “Who was that creature that you fought?”
Namlos hung his head, “That was Naglos, my brother, who fell to Arillirus nigh four hundred years ago.”
“Kinslaying is a curse my friend, but in this case there was no other choice,” said Glamwe.
“But I this for your kin that we must now escape this place,” said Namlos, “for there is no chance now of saving your city.”
Glamwe merely nodded in acknowledgement.
Then Namlos helped Glamwe to his feet, though he had suffered wounds that would have long crippled another race. Namlos then led him away from that scene of battle, and lead him into another.
Outside the palace the city was in anarchy. Still defenders held the centre of the city, but their resistance was now weakening against overwhelming odds. For half a day the battle had raged against overwhelming odds and now all thoughts were turning to escape. There was only one way to do that, and that was to go by boats down the river, for that river, though exceedingly rough in places, was navigatable for all its length until the sea. The trouble was the lack of boats. Soon on the quay sides anything that would float was being used to supplement the few boats. Perenna aided in this, while Avaner and Nathire aided the defenders in trying to keep the quay’s safe. Soon however the Nikarin saw what was happening and began to attack the river line. Only a determined effort from the defenders kept them at bay. Soon a great flotilla was heading down stream, but still a great many people were still trapped on the river side amidst the chaos of the raging battle.
The land around the palace had long since fallen and as such Namlos had to fight his way out with Glamwe. It was hard for them, and Namlos was several times wounded trying to save Glamwe, who was in no state to fight. But eventually they managed to fight their way through to the boats, and Perenna said to the king, “this battle is lost my king, you must flee, we will stay to the end and save those who we can.” And Glamwe boarded a boat and left the city that his ancestor had long ago built. By this time night had fallen, and few were left in the city. A handful of defenders decided to remain to give the others time to escape, and by the early morning, nigh a whole day since the battle had begun, the four Minare, together with the last of those who would go, departed the city on boats. It is said that the remaining defenders held out for another day, but no one can now say for certain, save only than none of them ever escaped. The Evils had captured a burning ruin in which they had lost more than half their strength, as well as their commander. But they had destroyed the hidden land, leaving only a devastated ruin.
The Nikarin pursued the boats, but they were greatly tired and only a few kept up the pursuit for more than thirty miles, though in that time they clamed many lives indeed. It was not for several days that the survivors reached the bridge over the Lavi at Hwëvi Baraz, having travelled over four hundred miles down river. The survivors were in a pitiful state, but were quickly accepted into the survivors of the other nations who had gathered in southern Galniva. But while those were now safe, news of their defeat soon passed into Maitherel, and those that remained there largely began to move westward, fearing an attack from the north. Soon very few Ezleg remained in Maitherel. Thus of all the northern Ezleg realm’s only Zand Zlavind survived whole, as well as Var’nue as yet, but their survival in the long run was doubtful indeed.
The survivors of Var’mtal and the hidden land gathered for safety in Galniva, Glamwe soon took an active part in the defence of that land, but Namlos and his companions, having done all that they could, quickly headed back to Barline, where yet another war was soon to erupt.
Chapter 32
…Barline
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ollowing the destruction of Oralath and the ruin of the remaining Ezleg realms in the north east, there were several years in which the dust settled and the fighting subsided. But in truth it never settled long enough. For in the three years after the fall of Oralath, Barline had been desperately fighting off raids on its northern borders. The fighting was often fierce, but Glimlith and Glimlad managed to fight off the attackers time and time again, and both prepared for the inevitable assault which would eventually fall upon them. but that fighting, together with the fighting in the defence of Dinear, had severely weakened their army, and that together with the great many people who had fled west away from the fighting, left Barline, once a land of immense strength, markedly enfeebled. The army encamped in the north was only a hundred and ninety thousand strong and had to defend a front from Arak Mina to Avin Vinotz, nigh four hundred miles, and with the threat of an attack from Nueline if Arillirus destroyed that land. Thus, despite the great defence the Veinon and Veinar river offered, both brother and sister realised that if Arillirus gained across the river, all was over, and that their chances of surviving at all were very grim.
As it was the three years of weakened fighting were only due to Arillirus’ massively over stretched forces. His troops in Bairgarand were scattered from Arakline to Zand Zlavind, a distance of over two thousand miles. Across that distance forsaken Ezleg fought still in the hills and forests, and there was the danger of attacks from the west. in this Arillirus’ armies were hopelessly over stretched, and it took three years for him to pacify most of the north and bring forces enough to Arakline to attack Barline
By the late days of the one thousand four hundred and forty eighth year however, much of his force was ready to invade. At that time the raids into the north of Barline increased massively, and although nigh all of Barline’s army, as well as Hiare and all the Minabair, were defending the northern frontier, they could not contain all the enemy. Raiders broke through westward, and troops were recklessly scattered, and Hiare, as well as Glimlith and Glimlad knew that if the attack came now, there was little that they could do to stop the enemy.
The worst fears of the commanders were realised when in early Almazar of the one thousand four hundred and forty ninth year, when, proceeded by over ten thousand Nikarin, Arillirus’ massive forces began bridging the Veinon and Veinar rivers at two dozen different points along the north. Perhaps half the crossings were destroyed by the Ezleg forces, destroying thousands of Orglag, but their numbers were just too much, and the Nikarin were preventing the Ezleg using all their reserves. In a mere five days most of Arillirus’ surviving troops, over three hundred thousand, were on the south bank, and were undefeatable. Hiare and Glimlith tried to drive them back with their forces, but despite destroying two more crossing points, they were far too weak to stop them. The Orglag then attacked in force and the Elybylar were quickly broken, and their forces fled south across Narth Dinear and the fate of Barline was thus sealed.
Amidst the flight, Glimlith spoke to her brother and Hiare. She announced that she was heading to Arak Mina, for she knew that the defence of that place would long delay the enemy and give them a chance to flee Barline. She said a farewell to her brother, to Hiare, and to her niece Nenyare, and telling them to save what they could. There was a few tears, and then she left to defend that fortress before it was cut off. Hiare, Glimlad and Nenyare rallied what they could of the broken army, and in the open plains of Ezlag Vear, they soon shook off their pursuers, but in doing so left all of Northern Barline abandoned to the foe. The bedraggled remnant reached Tal Rela some twenty days later, but could only watch as the north of their realm fell to the invader.
Those who had foreseen the danger had already fled Barline, and few now were still leaving through Dar Vinotz. But with news of the defeat more did indeed flee Barline. Some of those Ezleg fled west to their kin now nigh to Minarand, but others fled south to Var’mina, one of the most well defended places in all of Bair, and the population of that city swelled massively. Attack here was almost impossible save only from the sea, and here many fled because they were still then in Barline. Elsewhere almost all of southern Barline was now abandoned in the next few days, those who remained fleeing either to Var’bylar or Tal Avin, and these outposts, together with the beleaguered fortresses were all that remained of the once proud realm of Barline.
The siege of Arak Mina was swiftly begun. Three days after the Ezleg forces were forced back over a hundred thousand Orglag moved to surround it, though that was the one thing they could not do. With the city pressed against the mountains it could not be completely surrounded. It took some days before the Orglag could even push forward in sufficient strength to gain the hills up to the fortress, and they lost massive forces doing so. Even then it was no easy siege, for Hifylar and Bysarlar had come to aid the defence from the south, knowing that the long Arak Mina held out, the more who could be saved from the south. But after only a short while the Orglag attacked the city, and they were led by Drosarn and Zalzizur, who were determined to take that place after the defiant siege in Avternain’s time.
There followed a titanic struggle for that fortress, which was still largely intact. Zalzizur ended that by destroying a massive section of the eastern walls, sending the Orglag pouring into the place. But the struggle only then began in earnest, and the tight tunnels proved a most potent defence, and every hall became an almost impregnable stronghold unto itself. In amidst those tunnels, where losses on both sides were utterly horrific, Drosarn found Bysarlar amidst a battle for the lower halls. There they fought amid the greater battle, and their fight demolished much of the tunnels, trapping many under the rubble. But Drosarn was willing to kill anything that got in her way if she could destroy Bysarlar, where as Bysarlar would not, and it prove his downfall, for the warrior, trying to save lives, could not protect his own, and was cut down amid the ruins, and was lost back to the spectrum from which he came, the first of those loyal to be lost so. It was a grievous blow to Hifylar, for he knew of his friend’s death at once, and knew that with out his aid, the fortress would soon fall. They hung on for two further days, the ninth of battle within the walls all told, and there, defending one of the hallways, fell Glimlith to the claws of an Orglag. Hifylar tried to save her, but could not, for the tide of foes were to many. And Hifylar, with only a few warriors still fighting, had no choice but to flee that place. He escaped on the tenth day. Within hours of his flight, the remaining defenders had fallen, and the Orglag had captured a corpse strewn ruin where over thirty thousand Ezleg, and eighty thousand Orglag had fallen. Such was the fall of Arak Mina.
Within days of the fall of Arak Mina, Almvar went the same way. This city, though well defended in fortifications, had no longer the defenders to defend the place. A short battle followed, and the Ezleg, barely pursued, fled that place with little bloodshed as compared to Arak Mina. They fled west to safety, but yet another Ezleg city had fallen, this time the first of all cities of the Elybylar, though it would in times hence be fought over many times again.
In the days after these events, all of northern Barline quickly fell to the evils, much of it without a fight. It was only the sheer size of the country that allowed those to the south to survive unmolested for so long, for Arillirus’ forces were once again spread over massive distances. By Elmëgazar the northern reaches of Dar Vinotz had fallen to the invader, and in Arinizar they finally began the offensive that would take them to Var’bylar. They attacked into Ezlag Vear, that land falling without a fight. Soon after they had taken Ephelt Nar, and a few days later they began the siege of Tal Rina. Before Arinizar had ended Arillirus was forcing his troops across the Ephelt Kazag despite horrendous losses to the foul weather and barren lands there. By Vrozar his troops were pouring into Lazinarth, where they finally met with token resistance, but so token was it that it was soon swept away, and the Orglag stood once again in a land which they had not been in five hundred years. Tal Rina fell in early Vrozar also, opening a much easier rout into the south of Barline. The Orglag were quickly pouring into Zodëline, where they still met almost no resistance. By the beginning of the new year four hundred thousand Orglag were marching on Var’bylar from the north and west, and were utterly unopposed, such was the state of Barline, that the Orglag could over run over half their land with only a few skirmishes, and thus the end was near.
Hiare was in Var’bylar when Hifylar had come there and told her of the Arak Mina disaster. He spoke of Glimlith’s death with regret, but of Bysarlar’s with abject horror, and Hiare shared in that horror. Glimlad grieved for his sister, and after he heard the knew, his last days were full of only great loneliness. Now however Hiare realised that all Bair could certainly fall under Arillirus if he could destroy Bysarlar, and all her years trying to protect the world now lay in vain. But putting aside her personal anger, she decided to make her stand at the city she loved more than that of her own people.
The final siege of Var’bylar had none of the great drama of the one that went before, for there were only a hundred thousand troops under arms to defend the place, and few had heart enough to fight on. The Orglag threw themselves against the eastern walls of the city, and despite some gallant defence, the defenders were torn from the walls. What followed was no epic defence, but a sacking in it worst possible way. Much of the city was quickly set alight and with the defenders being swept away, the end could be only a few hours away.
Glimlad asked Hiare amid the confusion, “Hiare my friend and teacher, I, like my lost sister, must stay here now, it is my duty. But it is not my daughters. Take her, taker away from this place, take her to our people who had fled nigh to your land, there at least the Ezleg people may survive a little longer.”
Then he said to Nenyare his daughter, “Go now my daughter, you have a greater purpose, and must survive this day.” And though his daughter wept, she consented to obey.
Hiare had Hifylar take Nenyare from the destruction, and Hiare said her own farewell, “Then I shall leave you also my friend, all I have tried to do is now undone with the fall of this city, all that remains is me.”
“Not all is lost Hiare,” said Glimlad, “memory survives.”
Then Hiare left him, but instead of fleeing, she descended into the sacking of the city, and never told him, perhaps because she was moved so by his final words. She fought her way through to the house of Avternain, where she herself had lived many lifetimes away, and fought her way inside. There she gathered up many papers and books, including the words which one now reads, and took them away, and thus as Glimlad had said, memory survives, the memory of Barline preserved in its history. Then, carrying these papers, many of which she herself had wrote, she fled the city, and she never felt so greatly bereaved as she did when she turned her back upon the city which Avternain had built.
Of the final moments of the destruction of Var’bylar no tale tells, for of all those who stayed until the end, only the Minabair, Hifylar, and Nenyare survived. But no word was ever heard of any other who foguth there, and so, Glimlad, the last ruler of Barline, is said to have died there, at the fall of Barline, in the one thousand four hundred and fiftieth year of Bair.
Hiare untied with Hifylar and the Minabair in Kalmaren, which itself was readying itself for an attack. Nenyare said that she was heading to her people, for there and then were leaders needed more than any other time. She rode off that very day, coming to her people in Daraline. There she became their ruler, the last descendant of Avternain.
Soon After Var’bylar fell, Tal Avin is believed to have fallen also after a long siege. Thus only Var’mina survived of all the Elybylar cities, and that place was filled with refugees. But although a few Orglag tried to fight their way through to the place, not a single one of the creatures came within a hundred miles of the city. But this was the only blessing of the disaster. Of all the lands of the Ezleg in the east, only two cities remained, and one of them was certain to fall. Barline, the greatest Ezleg realm there ever was had fallen with out even coming nigh a victory. Hundreds of years that land was in the making, merely a single year in the falling. With his victory, All but one of Arillirus’ great foes were annihilated, and now he was going to try for his final victory
Chapter 33
Ala-Batkulad ala-Latani
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ith the fall of Barline, all the old Ezleg realms had either ceased to be, or were else not potent enough for Arillirus to worry of them any longer. Arillirus’ victorious armies had destroyed an entire civilisation, and the remnants of the Ezleg could have been quickly defeated if Arillirus had sent all his armies against them at once. The Vrolevili, now having fled to Maitherel or beyond, were never to withstand an attack if it came in force, and Arillirus could have rid himself of his mortal foes forever. The spirits who stood watch in the west, but against the full might of Arillirus’ armies even that people had grave doubts, and even Hiare and Hifylar feared that all could be swept away by the evils.
The forces of Arillirus however did not strike forth westward at once. Barline, though an immense conquest, was also an immense land, and even after all their cities had fallen, a few Elybylar fought still in the distant reaches of that land, and more so Arillirus forces were now far more dispersed than ever, and the destruction of the Ezleg realms, though a great victory, had cost his armies dear, for many more Orglag fell in those attacks than did Ezleg, and thus Arillirus was truly in a position of weakness. Thus it was that for the eight years after the fall of Barline, the fighting was but little. In the north the Balmpelari still fought the Orglag who remained in their realm, and proceeded to drive them back to the fringes, the more so for they now had a great many embittered Vrolevili fighting beside them. further south the Orglag raided Maitherel in force, and the very few Ezleg who remained there quickly fled west through the Avin Zagirai into Galniva. Soon Orglag raiders pressed into Kalmaren, and the Seldar fought some desperate battles in the northern and western lands of their realm. But the evils did not get it all their own way. Vrolevili and Balmpelari alike moved south to defend the crossings of the Lavi river, as did the Elybylar further to the south. The Elybylar went further, and many of their number, who had only just fled through Kalmaren, marched back into the Seldarin realm to give aid to their allies. Soon the forces in that land were formidable, but not against the armies that Arillirus could bring against them. and when those eight years had passed, in the one thousand four hundred and fifty ninth year, there began the final conflict of that era, the war of the spectrum had begun.
Arillirus began this, what he believed would be the final war, by striking into Nueline to secure the north of his forces. The few Ezleg who remained there, outnumbered many hundreds to once, could never hold back the tide, and the fall of that land was swift, it people who could fled south west to safety, a few were trapped in Var’nue. The Orglag scaled those walls outright, and within a hour the city had fallen. Thus the city where the Vrolevili had gained their first victory over the evils, was the last of their cities to fall to the enemy.
Following on from that victory, Arillirus’ forces poured over the Litheren river into Maitherel. Here the land was defended by a few volunteers, and they put up a tremendous fight, but despite their heroics, the result was the same as Nueline. Though the fighting lasted longer, by Elmëgazar of the one thousand dour hundred and sixtieth year, Maitherel had fallen, and its defenders had either been killed in battle, or else driven over the Lavi river to join with their companions.
Arillirus, now believing that he had gained victory enough to subdue the north, finally turned south. He believed now that a solid strike would finally break Minarand, and that he could regain the sceptre. To do that he would have to fight his way through Kalmaren. It was over the soil of that realm that the final battles of those wars were to be fought.
Arillirus’ forces then fell upon Kalmaren. Many hundred of thousands of Orglag, together with thousands of Nikarin, and all that remained of the Ukarak poured across the Litheren and Veinar rivers seeking now what was to them an easy victory. But then from the west rose a challenge against their supremacy.
For from Minarand came both the Bythar and the Minare, all of those who yet remained upon Bair. They were led by Hiare and Hifylar, and they came now with the realisation that the cowardice of hiding within their own realm for ever was not going to keep them safe. They were aided now by the remnants of the Ezleg armies, who had come now south to defeat the enemy or else die trying. The Seldarin forces came to battle also in great forces, and even a few companies of the Mavine from the kin of Adam Othl came to fight alongside their allies. These massive forces clashed with the forces of Arillirus in the northern of Kalmaren nigh to the Ephelm Gul. This battle, Batzul Bairad, the battle of Bair was, if not the greatest in numbers, was certainly the greatest in its outcome. Of the battle itself little can be said, for few who fought in it knew what happened elsewhere, but the challenge of the Bythar and Arillirus is well remembered, as is told.
It is said that all three of the remaining loyal Bythar, Hifylar, Farsiya and Zylena, came face to face with Arillirus, Zalzizur and Drosarn. That battle was great and terrible indeed. Hifylar fought Arillirus in a devastating battle in which both were greatly wounded. But though Hifylar held the Nathurihlain, the sceptre could not be used to destroy life in such a grand scale, and thus Hifylar was outmatched by the greater being, and as they fought their terrible battle with powers never before unleashed upon Bair, Hifylar’s strength began to fail him, and he would have been defeated. Around him Zylena was lost and Farsiya was soon to be. All was needed for Arillirus’ victory was Hifylar’s death, but he did not die, and was saved by a long lost friend who came then to his aid. It was not Hiare, for she herself fought elsewhere with her own people against many foes, but Yletha, she who was lost but then was redeemed, only not to have been seen for over a thousand years. She came seemingly from nowhere, and surprised all there, and with a single blow cast him away, and in the confusion she carried Hifylar away to safety, leaving Arillirus and Drosarn victorious. But Zalzizur had fallen to Farsiya before she fell, and thus was his dark deeds avenged. But for the loss of Farsiya and Zylena, that was far to great a cost to pay.
Elsewhere in that great battle, even as Hifylar was being taken to safety, Hiare and the Minare were fighting against the Ukarak and children of Darkness alongside the mortal races. The Minare, if they had only the Ukarak to face, would have certainly been victorious, but they faced also the other massed forces in a vain attempt to prevent them overwhelming the mortals. Many Minare were killed when overwhelmed by several dozen Nikarin, though others fought off many times that number and lived to later speak of it. The Seldarin armies were almost overwhelmed below, for they had taken the full brunt of the assault and it was only the unwavering stand fastness of the Seldar in battle that allowed them to survive the onslaught. In the north the Ezleg and Kalrathen made much progress, overthrowing by surprise and forcefulness many Orglag. But despite all the bravery and valour, the mortals could not sustain the battle forever, and the Minare too were falling in droves. In but a few days more the battle would be lost, and then all would be over. Already they were being forced back, but undefeated as yet they fought on, and Hiare was in there with all the rest. But when she heard of Hifylar’s defeat, she gave command to Avaner, and went quickly to find him.
Hiare found Hifylar a great many miles away from the battle at Kazag-thar. Hifylar was badly wounded, but thanks to Yletha, he would survive them, but was more concerned with everything else. Yletha waited not within the Vilinemalir, but out side by the banks of the Vrozland. She still believed herself disgraced for what she had done all those long years ago. But Hifylar had not been angered at her then, though in the chaos of the city at the time, he had not wanted her to remain. Now he called her to him within the spire, and forgave her utterly for what she did. Then those three beings, Hifylar, Yletha, and Hiare, spoke alone.
“This war will be lost my friends,” he said, “My presence cannot make secure the safety of Bair. Indeed the presence of the Bythar has only ever caused war upon this place.”
“Maybe so,” said Hiare, “but what can be done now? If we do naught, in but a few days the battle that rages east of here will be utterly lost, and then Arillirus will come here to take the sceptre, and we cannot stop him triumphing even after all those who have died trying to prevent that being so.”
“Indeed that is all to true,” Hifylar said sorrowingly, “Then the only chance is to take ourselves from this place, from all of Bair, we just cannot be here any longer.”
Hiare was shocked by these words, “You cannot mean that we should leave Bair?”
Hifylar corrected her, “Not your people Hiare, mine.”
“For how long?” asked Hiare.
Hifylar sighed, “Forever, there is no other way to take Arillirus from this place.”
Hiare then asked the question, “how?”
“The ties that bind my people to the spectrum are very much greater than those which bind yours,” said Hifylar, “to remove your people is nigh impossible this way, but to remove mine can certainly be done. You will know that it has been done, I cannot say that it will have no effect on the Minare, but it will remove Arillirus and Drosarn along with us, they will not be able to stop it.”
“That is a great sacrifice my friend,” said Hiare, “you love this world as much as I, I cannot believe you can do this.”
“But,” Hifylar replied, “If I love a world so much, I cannot let it be destroyed. But you Hiare must remain, for it is your people who must rebuild this world after we are gone, one race must protect the others. It is a sacrifice I must make.”
“And I,” said Yletha, “This world has brought only grief to me, I will go with my lord.”
“Then,” said Hiare, “this shall be the last time we will speak, for remember the words of your maker, for if you leave Bair, never shall you return.”
“I know it is a hard burden my friend,” said Hifylar, “but I shall watch from beyond, and will always be beside you.”
“I shall miss you my friend,” said Hiare sorrowfully.
“I shall miss you also,” said Hifylar.
They then embraced there in their friendship, it would be the final time they would ever be together.
“Go now Hiare,” said Hifylar, “the battle still rages to the west, and even after this act is done, there will still be many foes to fight.”
“Farewell my friend,” said Hiare as she began to walk away in compliance.
“Farewell,” said Hifylar, and Hiare was gone. They were not to see each other again.
Hiare, fighting away her remorse by remembering deeds that still had to be done, took to the skies above Minarand. There she could still see the battle raging away to the east. But more prominent to her than the battle itself was the black shadow of Arillirus, for even from nigh a thousand miles distant she could not miss that blight. She cursed him not for the first time over what he had done to this world, and as she travelled to the east of Minarand, nigh to the Avin Mina, she thought of Hifylar her friend who she would never now see again. She waited nigh to those mountains, waited for the final moments to unfold. To the east, where the remaining Minare, together with the mortal peoples, fought desperately to hold back the masses of the enemy, none knew what was about to unfold, and were utterly oblivious amidst their hopeless battle that victory was about to be given to them.
In Kazag-thar, Hifylar said to himself, “May this bring a better future for all of Bair.” Sighing, he rose
up and walked to the centre of the room. There he stood for a few moments, pondering perhaps on all his mistakes and all his victories, and then he rose the sceptre above his head, the Nathurihlain glowed for a few moments, and then a great bolt of power shot through the roof of the spire, tearing it asunder. The bolt of power rose high into the sky, burning the very air and levelling much of Kazag-thar in moments. Then the bolt of energy burst out across Bair, spreading over all the world. In moments it had fallen back upon Kazag-thar, and Hifylar is said to have spoken one last time, “Save Bair, for only you can.” Then it is said he and Yletha walked willingly from Bair, thus leaving the one place he had cared for more than any other, and was not to return.
Hiare watched this act from afar, and remained still while the great wave of energy flowed over her. She felt herself weaken, her ties with the spectrum weakened, but did not break, and then all was fine once more. She looked back at the ruins of Kazag-thar, and remembered her friend’s sacrifice for the greater good. Then she turned to the east, and once more watched the eastern battle, for great evens were coming.
As the great energies flowed across the world, it came to Arillirus and Drosarn. Both saw it, but knew not what it was until it hit them. then they knew what it was, and neither were to be torn from the world willingly. Drosarn struggled in vain merely to remain, and failed utterly in this purpose, and she was torn from the world in pain beyond that which any mortal being could take and survive. But Arillirus, upon realising what Hifylar had done, screamed across the plain of Nimline in a voice that even Hiare could hear. “You will not win Hiare! Be it now or a thousand years hence your land is doomed!” and even as his life upon Bair was ending, he summoned powers that came nigh to destroying him, and cast them all upon Minarand, his revenge at the end seemingly complete, he was torn from Bair in agony, and thus ended, then believed forever, the greatest of all the evils that were ever to stand upon Bair.
Hiare had screamed back in defiance against Arillirus. But upon realising that he was trying as a final act, to destroy Minarand, she placed herself before the path of his power, willing to sacrifice herself for Minarand. She hung herself in the sky, and crossed her arms bearing the Landruli before her, and would have sacrificed her life. But there and then, she was given aid from beyond Bair, from all those who had left, be them the lost Bythar, or the Minare who had left with Viler, all gave her their strength to survive, this being the last gift of Viler to her. Hiare was hit square by the blast, and without the given aid she must have been utterly destroyed. As it was, the great energy, having lost much of its strength, was thrown away northwards. Agonisingly slow it went, until it finally fell upon the ruins of Tzaline. The following devastation was immense, the ruins of the hidden land were destroyed as the very mountain melted away, and the fires from below rose up to form new hills. The Avin Zagirai and the Avin Hwëvi were racked by massive earthquakes which split the mountains asunder and created passes where there had before been none. All across Bair tremors were felt for days, until finally the fires cooled. The north was much devastated and changed, and countless people may have died. But if Hiare had not put herself in the path of it, and had not dissipated it’s power, all of Bairgarand could have been utterly devastated, as it was, in time, people had no further need to speculate upon that, but that is another tale in far days.
In the battle that still raged, the Ukarak were utterly dismayed by the loss of their leaders, and the Orglag too, without the energies of Arillirus, could not be controlled in such numbers. Soon all those armies fell apart, and the Minare, together with their allies, pursued them for many days. Few Ukarak survived this pursuit, and the Minare came nigh to riding the world of their presence also. But though a few Nikarin survived, nigh all the massive armies of Orglag were slain. The Ezleg, seeking ultimate vengeance, ran down many thousands of them, and thus were their broken realms avenged. Soon the Orglag armies were utterly broken, and without the force of Arillirus, few large armies, and never so great as the last, would ever be formed by those creatures. But they were not destroyed, and they did live on to blight the world in times ahead.
Hiare, severely wounded in the blast, fell to the mountains of the Avin Mina. Unconscious she fell into the headwaters of the Lavi river, and had it not been the vigilance of the Romine, many of whom had watched what had happened, she may well have been lost utterly. The Romine saved her, and with time and rest, she recovered her strength. A few days later, she went to find her family and the Minabair. She found them gathered on the plains of northern Kalmaren, witnessing the many thousands of dead. All were surprised to see her, they had all feared her dead. She said merely to them, “Creation has been saved by Hifylar, but forever scared.” Nonetheless, scared or not, victory had at the end been achieved, but with it had ended the golden days of Bair’s first era, the era of the spirits. Much different were the times that were to follow.
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In the days ahead, the tales of the Mavine, few of
whom fought in the great battle where the founder of darkness was overthrown,
became distorted as tales do. Only the Othlites, the people of Adam Othl,
remembered long the truths of the great light to the Northeast which lit up
the night sky for many days, and of
the two spirits, the leaders of their peoples, who together saved all of
Bair, one by needed sacrifice, the other by self sacrifice and friendship.
Other’s of the Mavine told tales that these acts were the final days of the
war of the gods. But those who fought there were the Bythar and the Minare,
who were far from being immortal, the former sacrificed themselves to stop
their brethren, and also the allow the latter to take their place as the
leaders of the world. Only the Othlites remembered all this, for they alone
of all kindred’s of the Mavine fought at that great battle, and they alone of
the Mavine believed all that was written within the Ardylamar, for two of
their own people, Adam and Gial Othl, had along with Hiare Minabair, given
the Warmaster his first taste of defeat a the hands of a mortal. But to them,
above the names of their own people stands the name of Hiare Minabair, the
one who many times saved them, so that their deeds can be recorded within the
pages of this book, the Ardylamar. |