Stories from Riverbrook Inn: Short Stories of Hailgalad and other kingdoms

Thunder rolled in the black night. Flashes of lightening tore seams in the night sky to reveal the chaos of battle. It was a desperate battle that covered the hills of Gatharliu.

"Forward, forward!" Knud bellowed as he swung his great axe.

Seas of golden knights laid before him and his army. His army of northfolk raiders thats had been caught in a trap. Golden sparks flew as Vaeloran soldiers closed ranks and locked their shields. They had training and discipline in the art of open war. The armies of Knud did not. They were simple soldiers of fortune looking for a way to provide for their families in the only way they knew how.

As the thunder cracked through the sound of clashing arms, Knud was thrown by this sudden resistance.

Where had he gone so wrong?

One month ago, Knud had lead his raiders south to lightly defended townships to plunder easy wealth and resources. It was a typical run that he had led many times without incident.

This time, however, as his army approached the foothills of the White Mountains, a monstrous-sized, Vaeloran army appeared to be blocking their path. Knud had led his troops to the spot where he and the other war-chiefs would gather. It looked as if the Vaeloran king, Gallus, knew of this meeting and aimed to snuff out these raiders once and for all.

A nearby shaman channeled raw power into Knud and his bodyguard as they broke through another wall of shields. His wrath was something few could stand against.

A sudden shockwave blew Knud on his back. It was an enchantment on an enemy soldiers shield that threw him to the ground in a heap.

"Come on you rat," the Vaeloran shouted has he pounded his sword on his shield.

Knud got up, wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled. He charged and let out a shout that shook the heats of his enemy. Then he swung his heavy axe down and smote the opposing solider with one move.

All around him the chaos of battle raged on. Golden sparks flew from the Vaeloran arms. Blue lightning countered them from Knud's sorcerers.

"My lord," a voice came from behind him.

It was his lieutenant, Astrid.

"What is it," Knud growled as he threw another enemy soldier's limp body down.

"Our forces are being routed. We cannot hold here. Perhaps we should regroup in the White Mountains," she replied as she fought off three advancing foes.

She dispatched of them quickly with her two shortswords. Her black fur cape swung in the air as she danced around with deadly accuracy. Her black hair twirled as it hung in thick braids tied by silver rings.

Knud scanned the field. She was right. The might of Vaelor could not be overcome. Not here, so outmatched.

"Damned fools. So weak," he snorted. "Pull them back."

Astrid blew on a horn that rang a buzzing sound. It was answered by the other captains across the field and the northfolk army began to move back toward the jagged, white peaks they called home. There was an opening to the mountains that began to close. Golden armor shone brightly in the thundering skies and a hail of golden glowing javelins and arrows rained down upon the northfolk.

Knud let out an earth-shaking rent that quaked the hearts of all that heard him. Rain began to fall heavily as he charged the ranks that closed in, preventing their escape. His fury channeled magic through his bones and out in violent shockwaves that threw the Vaeloran people off their feet. Soldier after soldier he slew with his captains and his loyal lieutenant, Astrid, at his back.

That is when a golden spear, glowing brightly like fire of the sun itself, blocked his great axe. It was Gallus, the king, in his splendid shining armor that was imbued with gems and extravagant design. His knights stood firm by his side as he held back the hulking man bearing down all his strength on him.

"Your time is through, Knud," the king said in his commanding, melodious voice.

He was not as large as Knud, but the king was stout and well versed in war and magic. Gallus motioned for two of his bodyguard to throw Knud to the ground as he held the northfolk chieftain's axe as bay.

The great brute of a man slipped back into the mud. His meager iron armor now stained with blood and earth as he looked up at the great king that glowed brightly from some enchantment or spell of protection unknown to Knud. All was still for a moment as his captains did not know how to react. Their pocket of resistance was one of hundreds now surrounded by Vaeloran knights who cut them down in droves.

"You sit in your golden towers with plenty. You banish our people to scrape what we can off the rocks in the north. These hills were my ancestor's lands that your people stole from us," Knud yelled as he came to his feet.

Lighting flashed and the rain fell so hard that the enemies could barely see one another.

"Your people were not strong enough to hold these lands," Gallus taunted. "It is the way of things that the strong should flourish while the weak diminish."

"Then by fault us for our acts?" Knud countered. "We use our strength to provide. You do not actually care for these towns and villages this far north. This far away from your precious Vaelora."

Gallus laughed. "True. This is true."

The king looked around at the landscape now covered in heavy rain and darkness. "Truth is, these people are just as insignificant as your sorry band. I was merely looking for an excuse, an opportunity, to wipe you all out. A reason to make you worth the effort. Although, now that I have come against you, I see that is was not worth the effort at all."

Astrid shouted and drew her swords. They flashed blue and ice formed on them as she rushed the king. Before she took two steps, two Vaeloran soliders extended their blades that stung the air with golden fire. Astrid let out a last gasp and plunged her blades into her attackers chests. Then she fell in a heap at her lords feet.

This led to chaos as the northfolk ranks charged heedlessly at their enemies. Knud neglected his battle axe and charged the king with his bear hands. He got a hold of his filled and began to crush his armor in with his massive hands. Knud could see all the confidence leave Gallus' face as he tore pieces of his armor off. Within moments, the king was on his back in the mud with Knud on top of him. Knud grit his teeth as he grabbed the king by the neck.

Victory would be mine at last, he thought.

Knud did not see his army melt away around him. Their rage had helped a surge forward, but it was futile and the captains were soon slain. Before the northfolk chieftain was able to deliver the final blow, a Vaeloran solider drove a short blade into his side and another sent a shockwave from the blow of a shield that threw him on his side into the mud.

As Knud laid fading out of consciousness, he stared at the great, golden king.

"You wanted to live like a lion, but as it turns out you will die like a rat in the gutter."

Then Knud slipped away as the king threw back his cloak and turned away, down the hill of Gatharliu.

***

Knud woke with violent gasps of air. His half naked body, stripped of his armor shivered in the frozen mud. He jolted up, which sent a shooting pain up his side. He turned to see the blade that stuck him was still there. He let out a terrible yell and shakily brought his hand to the blade. Every muscle quivered as waves of pain radiated over his body, making him nauseous. With a swift move, he took out the blade and let out another bellow and fell down on his back, writhing in pain.

After a few moments in agony, he heard fleeting whispers dance around his ears.

Come to me is what he finally heard through the sounds.

In an instant, he felt new life. The pain ceased. Knud placed his hand to his side and felt no gash where the blade laid inside him moments before.

In an effort, he came to his feet. Knud struggled to gain his footing in the field that was littered in arms, armor, and bodies. Soft flakes of snow began to dust the hill where he stood. In the distance he could hear the moans of wounded soldiers. He was born and bred in war, but even he winced at their quiet pleas.

How can this be? How am I alive?

Come to me, the voice and again echoed in a hoarse whisper.

Knud felt a pull north, a strange and powerful feeling. The voice seemed to demand his presence and the chieftain could not resist. He did pull back for a moment to find Astrid. The great chieftain fell to his knees as tears fell, without restraint, from his eyes. She laid there, impaled by Vaeloran swords. Her face fair and peaceful. As an orphan alone in the north, Knud saw it his duty to take her in and train her to be strong. She was strong, cunning, and brave. The two were an inseparable duo, like father and daughter. He always dreamed she would take his mantle one day as chief of their people. Now, she laid there in an eternal slumber.

"She deserves better than to lay here forever," Knud said aloud as he removed the swords from her body and wrapped her in her cloak.

Come to me! The voice no longer requested, it commanded with high authority.

Knud was pushed to his hands and knees by some unseen force. With this, he rose to his feet and threw Astrid over his shoulder. New life flowed through his veins as he headed toward the feeling. Toward the White Mountains and their jagged peaks that tore into the evening sky.

***

As Knud trudged further towards the mountains, the snow came down in thicker bunches. Wind cut through the cloak he put on to cover his exposed body. The feeling continued to drag him forward to some unknown place.

After a time, a blue light could be seen glowing in a ticket of trees and bushes. They were tall spruce that towered over the vast, barren expanse. Knud made his way under the trees which seemed to cut out the growing blizzard that built in its rage and fury.

When Knud reached the light, he saw it was a floating blue orb. As soon as he came in it's presence, all vigor that was granted to him was diminished. He dropped Astrid and fell on his stomach in a heap.

Look at me, mortal! A menacing voice hissed at Knud.

Without any control, Knud came to his knees and peered at the orb. The red light spilled out black smoke and transformed into a terrible wolf-like creature. It then spouted wings and looked like a demon. Finally, the shape settled on a dark horned man clad in terrible, black armor.

The man, if that is what it could be called, had no visible nose or mouth, but it's eyes glowed blue. Black smoke radiated from the figure as it stood there in silence.

"Who are you?" Knud asked shakily.

"Call me one who can save your miserable life from the wreck you made of it." The figure answered.

The voice it produced was a deep, guttural vibration that shook the trees and seemed to darken the world.

"How? My life is done. I haven't the strength to carry on." Knud looked at Astrid and began to weep.

The once, terrifying raiding chieftain was broken and laid bare before the monstrosity.

"Haven't you?" The figure cackled.

With a wave of the shape's hand, Knud felt stronger than he had ever felt before. His heart raced and lungs filled with crisp air. Then, the cloak which held Astrid's body began to move. Quickly, Knud rushed to the cloak to untie it. It revealed Astrid to be alive and unharmed.

"Astrid!" Knud gasped and the two embraced tightly. Tears filled his eyes as he turned to the shape. "Thank you."

"It is nothing," it responded. "Consider it a payment in advance for your services."

Knud looked up at the creature which still bellowed black smoke with confusion.

"What services?" He asked cautiously.

"Tell me Knud, son of Karthuk, do you wish revenge on those who have wronged you?"

"I do." He replied fervently. Astrid sat in silence, still in shock of her new life and the creature she beheld.

"Good, good," the voice cackled. "I wish the destruction of those who worship false gods. The pretenders that ousted me from their council. You shall be my hand which deals out this swift judgement."

"Surely you are stronger than I, why do you not simply take your revenge? Why use such a simple vessel as myself."

The figure waved his hand and Knud was suspended in the air. Every muscle in his body tensed and it felt that his bones would break.

"Do not question me who gives your wretched life meaning." The voice taunted. "I cannot move openly or the divine order would use their combined forces to snuff me out. I cannot move against them. Not yet. Not until you do as I say."

Knud was then released and fell to the ground. Astrid helped him to his feet.

"As you command," Knud bowed. "Although I am in need of an army. Mine was crushed by the very forces you wish me to destroy."

"Yes, and I return them to you," the voice responded.

Knud felt breathing on his neck and he turned to see a sea of man-like beasts that stood at the ready. He fell back, terrified at what these where.

"These are not my soldiers," he replied.

"But they are. All the dead from the hills of Gatharliu friend and foe alike are at your command. Your daughter I was able to resurrect to her normal state for it was only one that I had to focus my power on. The others, it is less necessary that they maintain their previous shape." The voice cackled again. "As for your two, I give you these."

He waved his hand and four ancient looking staffs appears in their hands. A great crown of antlers appeared on Knud's head.

"Why four? What do they do?" asked Knud.

"They can channel my power through you. This way you will be nearly indestructible so long as you stay worthy of them. Four because there are followers you must enlist. Two in particular I foresee to be useful to us. Ivar of the White Mountains. He is a humble hermit that could use the chance to prove his worth. The other is Boris of Hailgalad. His is advisor to the king and should be able to bring that insignificant kingdom to its knees. In the meantime, you must plan and prepare for the storm to come. First Hailgalad, then Vaelenor. After that we shall conquer this earth."

"Who are you?" Astrid finally broke her silence and asked.

"I am Dyurkan, disgraced god of the divine order of Narcluplex. In time, I shall return as its ruler."