The Veredor Chronicles: Book 03 - The Gate and Beyond (7 page)

CHAPTER NINE

Eben, in consultation with the council, assembled a brave group to accompany him on the mission to seek out the Star King, rescue Princess Apherah, infiltrate the Fortress of Zarkanor, and face the Prince of Shadows. Those chosen for the mission were: King Ignis, Meara, Red, Stella, Cassiel, Mostyn, the Desert Knights Arthur and Dillon, Duke Egil, and Quade. It was agreed that Prince Armida would stay behind and take control of the united army of men. Baftel declared that he was too old and frail to make the journey into the Great Mountains. It was decided that Mostyn would go in Baftel’s place and act as the guide and seer of the company as he also knew the way to the secluded cave. Meara also decided that Arlen should be sent to assist the Irilians in the west, and the Fiorians Clare and Winfred decided that it was best to go with Arlen.

Eben sat in the royal guest chamber that was situated just below the Ecorian Hall. The chambers were beautifully adorned with woven carpets, enchanting paintings, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Red and Stella were sitting at a small oak table, and Red had poured cups of ale for the three of them. Eben stood at the window and looked toward the north. The setting sun was casting long red beams across the sky through slight gaps in the clouds. His mind was concerned only for Apherah.

‘Come and have a mug of ale, Eben,’ said Red. ‘It may be your last one for a long time’

Eben glanced back at Red. He knew that he could not enjoy such things as ale whilst Apherah was imprisoned in Zarkanor. Meara entered the room before he could refuse the ale.

‘We have prepared supplies and horses for the journey, and we are ready to leave in the morning.’ Meara took a seat at the table. She looked to Eben. ‘The people of the city have been asking why you are refusing to take the Sapphire Throne. They want to know why you have not raised the Ecorian flag above Faircastle. The Ecorian flag is flying all over the city, yet it does not fly over the palace.’

‘It is right that the Irvarian flag remains above the palace.’

‘The nations and tribes of men have united under your leadership, Eben. It is also right that you raise the Ecorian flag.’

Eben looked out the window as the last rays of sun shone over the land. ‘Only Princess Apherah can raise the Ecorian flag above Faircastle. I will not take the Sapphire Throne until that day.’ He looked back to Meara. ‘You know that I am not a ruler, Meara. At heart I am a villager; all I want is a simple life. I would be happy to return to Clemensdale when this is all over and live in the hut I grew up in.’

‘It is right that power is given to those that do not desire power,’ said Meara.

Before Eben could speak there was a knock at the door and Cassiel entered the chamber.

‘Acartor has been captured. The Brigades of the Sunset Hills have brought him here in chains.’

‘We should question the traitor,’ said Meara. Eben nodded.

**

The lower hall of the palace was lit by soft lantern light. Eben stood waiting with Meara, King Ignis, Red, Stella, Cassiel, Baftel, Duke Egil, Prince Armida, and several dozen Irvarian guardsmen. The Ecorian Gate opened and two soldiers led Acartor across the blue and white marble floor. Acartor was covered in mud, appeared battered and shaggy, and his hair was a mess. His hands were shackled behind his back, and he stared down at the ground as they led him toward Eben.

‘This is all wrong!’ hissed Acartor as he scanned the faces before him and stared intently at Eben. ‘Ecorian…so it is true what they say. You live!’ Acartor’s eyes shot from side to side, and he strained against his bonds.

The soldier to the right was a tall and fully armoured Irvarian cavalryman. His hair was bright red, and his face was as rough as jagged rock. The soldier bowed to Eben.

‘Sire, my name is Aron of the Sunset Hills. We captured this traitor as he was trying to cross into Vastoria. We were going to execute him for his crimes against Irvaria, but we thought it would be better to take him to Faircastle to be judged by you.’

‘You don’t know what you are doing. The Prince of Shadows promised me…’ howled Acartor as he madly threw his head back.

‘Promised you what?’ asked Meara.

Acartor looked at Meara and scowled. ‘The Prince of Shadows showed me a vision of all the power I would possess. He promised that I would rule over all men. He promised that I would govern all the kingdoms of Veredor. He promised me power over all.’

‘At what price?’ asked Meara sternly.

Acartor looked away and waited several moments before answering. ‘That I kneel down before him,’ he moaned, a guttural sound exiting his mouth.

‘And you made yourself into his slave?’ asked Meara firmly.

Acartor howled and fell to his knees. ‘What good is my answer, Meara! You know what I have done. I have spilled innocent blood, I have betrayed the trust of many, and I tried to lead our race into slavery. What was my reward? Power…no, he lied to me, Meara. It was all a lie! After the battle at Crescent Bay I was sent by the Astarian Callidus to convince the Irvarians to surrender and become slaves of the Prince of Shadows. I failed. When I returned Callidus made me give an account of what I had achieved. He was sorely disappointed in me. He handed me over to the Skatheans and muckrons. He had me brutally tortured. Callidus laughed as he watched me be tormented. My wages were nothing: an illusion, torture, pain, and death! Arhhhhh! I know you are going to kill me, Ecorian. You saw me murder Chiara. You were there and witnessed all that I did. I know what I deserve!’

Meara looked to Eben. Acartor hit his head on the floor like a madman. He howled deeply and frothed at the mouth. Eben drew the Sword of Light and walked forward. He felt anger well up within. So many deaths had been caused by the deeds of the traitor. Acartor howled deeply, knowing his fate; he writhed on the floor and wept bitterly. Eben stood over him and looked down at the condemned man. Acartor’s bloodshot eyes looked up and were full of anxiety, horror, and desperation.

Eben saw, in that moment, the deep loneliness and desolation that Acartor was living in and the prison and the bonds that the traitor had taken on. He looked down and saw nothing but a wretched slave. Everyone watched on intently as Eben reached down and grabbed Acartor by his shirt and lifted him to his feet.

‘There is one last choice you can make, Acartor,’ whispered Eben into the traitor’s ear.

Acartor stared at Eben with wide eyes and in shock. ‘You know I deserve to die, Ecorian,’ whispered Acartor desperately. He looked away as he was not able to look into Eben’s eyes.

‘You gave yourself as a slave to the Prince of Shadows,’ whispered Eben. ‘And here you come as a slave before us. You made a terrible choice. Would you free yourself from slavery if you had one last choice?’

‘But why would you offer me that?’

‘I know you are a murderer and traitor, Acartor. The consequences of your actions can never be undone, yet there is something the Prince of Shadows cannot conquer in men. You can still choose to shake off the shackles he has enslaved you with.’

Acartor bowed his head and cried bitterly. ‘Don’t give me that choice, Eben. A shadow abides in my heart that I cannot live without. If I take such a path I will surely die.’

‘Then you will die free and not as a slave to the darkness.’

Acartor stared at the ground for several moments. He then raised his sunken eyes. A single tear rolled down his cheek. Eben then stepped away.

‘Remove his shackles,’ commanded Eben.

‘What are you doing, Eben?’ asked Meara, alarmed at the command. Everyone in the room looked on in disbelief.

‘Trust me, Meara. This is the only way.’

The guardsmen at first hesitated, but he then reluctantly released Acartor’s shackles. The traitor stood up and looked at his freed wrists. He then fell to his knees again and clutched his head in his hands. The company watched as a dark shadow rose out of the back of Acartor’s neck. The shadow drifted up into the air and in a few moments dissipated.

‘Was that a ghoul?’ asked Red, staring wide eyed into the air above.

‘No, it was a shadow that belonged to Acartor,’ replied Eben.

Acartor looked up sadly. ‘I am sorry for the terrible things I have done.’ Suddenly he clutched his chest, and his face showed his deep agony. ‘Oh. I am so sorry,’ he groaned as he lay back. His life was draining from his body. His skin withered and grew deathly pale.

Meara went to his side. ‘Acartor, what’s happening to you?’ There was no reply. Acartor’s body fell still and lifeless within moments.

‘This was a curse of the Prince of Shadows,’ said Baftel. ‘He poisoned Acartor’s heart to stop him from ever turning away from the darkness.’

Eben stared down at the dead man. The company looked down at the body of Acartor, and they all were astonished at what they had seen.

**

The following morning the company gathered in the lower hall of the palace in readiness to begin the journey. The warriors of the company were wearing the finest armour and carrying the best weapons available. Red wore a combination of plate armour and chain mail, whilst Stella wore a chainmail shirt and plates on her forearms and knees. Red had kept the sword he had been given at Eaglemere as it had served him well, but Stella had replaced her sword and taken a new shield. Eben was surprised that she had found a shield with the Ecorian unicorn painted across it. Eben had also taken some fine new armour. He wore a light chainmail shirt, a silver plate that covered his chest with a carved unicorn, leather gauntlets, and metal plates that protected his shins.

Duke Egil was also wearing full Scaldonian armour which was rough and battle worn. He carried a mighty broadsword at his side. Quade was also wearing new Irvarian armour and had a curved Vastorian sword. He also had a crossbow latched to his back. The Desert Knights Dillon and Arthur were clothed in the same dark attire of their order. King Ignis was outfitted in finely crafted Ortarian armour. He had a sword slung over his shoulder and a short sword and dagger at his belt. Mostyn wore his usual old brown cloak that looked like it had never been washed, and Meara was wearing a light blue dress and a new leather overcoat. Cassiel looked the same as always and was wearing his dark brown coat and chose not to wear any armour.

There horses were waiting outside the hall. The unicorn shone brightly among the horses. Queen Sera, Prince Armida, and a multitude of other commanders, lords, and knights watched on as they walked out of the Ecorian Gate. Eben walked over to the unicorn and leapt up onto its back. The others mounted their horses.

‘The hopes of us all go with you,’ said Queen Sera.

‘We will not fail you, my Queen,’ said Eben. He nodded to Queen Sera and then turned the mighty unicorn about and led the company through the city. The people of Faircastle had all come out of their houses and looked up with wonder at Eben riding the unicorn down the main street. The Ecorian flag was being waved alongside the Irvarian flag throughout the city. The people cheered joyously as the company passed by, and a feeling of excitement permeated the air.

Before long the company exited the front gate and turned to the west. Eben led the company with Mostyn and Red by his side. They maintained a quick pace for several hours and passed the area of land that had been destroyed by the muckrons. They entered into the beautiful back country of Irvaria where the sound of birds singing rang out over lush green hills. Toward midday they stopped at a small stream surrounded by old yew trees. They sat beside the clear flowing water and rested.

‘I have used my power to hide us from the eyes of the Prince of Shadows,’ said Mostyn. ‘However, I could not hide the fact that we left Faircastle as a company of eleven.’

‘It doesn’t matter that he knows,’ said Meara. ‘There is no way that he could know our plan to seek the help of the Star King.’

‘That is true, but he knows we are up to something,’ said Duke Egil. ‘He may have the Skatheans send vultures to spy on us. They used vultures against us in Scaldonia to keep track of our movements.’

‘They won’t last long against me,’ said Quade as he tapped his crossbow.

‘I don’t doubt it,’ said Mostyn.

‘We will be in the Great Mountains in a matter of days,’ said Meara. ‘I do not think the Skathean vultures would brave contesting the eagles of the Great Mountains. Even if the Prince of Shadows learns we are going west he would assume that we were going to Emeril or to help the Irilians in Dravania.’

‘The Prince of Shadows may not even know of the Star King,’ said Mostyn. ‘I am aware of many old stories and some of the legends from the Forgotten Age. The only reference to the Star King in the Forgotten Age is that he helped the Astarian Fiora escape into the north when the Prince of Shadows was pursuing her. All the other stories about the Star King cover the period of two thousand years since, and for the most part they are not pleasant stories.’

‘Two thousand years!’ exclaimed Red. ‘The Star King is old.’

‘Many of the ancient races have exceedingly long lives. The Chalai he stole from the Oran Oracle also stopped him from aging,’ said Mostyn. ‘However, the Star King was never concerned with immortality. He was searching for a way to return to his home far across the cosmos. That is precisely why he is useful to us. He alone discovered how to open gateways to any place in Veredor.’

For the remainder of the day they travelled west across the pristine Irvarian countryside. As they progressed the road took them through old forests, across rolling green hills, and through abandoned villages. All the village folk had retreated to Faircastle at the news of the coming of the enemy army, and they had not yet returned to their homes. Occasionally the company would come across a lone shepherd who had refused to leave his sheep, but otherwise they were alone on the road.