The noble scars, p.46
The Noble Scars, page 46
Galvin and Zerin rushed through the corridors as quickly as their injuries would permit, returning to the throne room where they last saw Escura, but they saw no one there. They called out to him but heard nothing but the echoes of their own voices. They were about to leave when Galvin heard a faint noise coming from the far corner. At the end of the throne room was a dressing area sectioned off by a curtain. On the other side, they heard running water.
Zerin flung open the curtain, and there they reached the end of their search. Hanging from a wooden rafter, ten feet in the air, was Bardek. His arms had been broken so he couldn’t free himself from his entanglement. He swayed back and forth above a puddle of his own blood. Galvin and Zerin had seen men die at the gallows, but never had they seen one hung by his own entrails.
There was nothing to discuss; they knew full well what had transpired.
“Where do you suppose he is now?” Galvin asked.
“I pray this isn’t his departing gesture. If he’s gone, he won’t know he’s heir to the throne. Send someone to find him, and until we do, we keep our identity’s a secret.”
“Aye,” the giant agreed.
Chapter 69
Ageneration had come and gone since the halls of Castle StrongStone had hosted such merriment. The infirmary might have been full of warriors in need of attention, but the spirit of conquest could not be suppressed in the wake of victory. In particular, three people celebrated with each other, welcoming one another as family. While Thia worked feverishly on their wounds, Galvin explained how Maeldroth had breached the fabric of time, allowing Zerin to save their lives as newborns. She rejoiced openly, knowing Galvin was to be her brother-in-law, but there was still much they didn’t understand.
“Zerin, who was the knight who defeated the beast in the plains? Had you ever seen him before?” Thia asked.
“I’ve not a hint, but I’m thankful that not all beings of the underworld are wicked.”
“The wizard accused us of being in league with both the warrior and the Lady of the Hood. Thia, can you make any sense of this?” Galvin asked.
Thia pondered for a moment. “I must admit, there were times when I felt protected through the turmoil we endured, as if something was guiding us. I continue to give thanks to the Grand Spirit, but I feel there may be more to it.”
“Our father, Janith, prayed for a guiding force to bring us together on this quest,” Galvin added.
Zerin lay back on his cot, his hands folded behind his head as he contemplated the good fortune bestowed upon them this day. Thia treated him passionately, managing to relieve the worst of his wounds. Never had pain felt so good.
After an hour or so, Robertson burst into the infirmary, anxious to see Zerin.
“Zerin, we have freed all living prisoners from the dungeons, including one who wishes to speak to you and Galvin. He waits outside.”
Zerin and Galvin exchanged an inquisitive look. “Bring him in, Robertson, by all means.”
Robertson went outside and brought in a man who was unshaven, dressed in rags, and crouched over.
The giant took one look at him and bellowed, “Nantrait, is it you?”
It was, indeed, Nantrait, the man who had brought the Axe of Brakton to them in the pit. He regaled them with stories of his capture and subsequent imprisonment. He had feared for his life many times while rotting in the dungeons below but was overjoyed to hear that his endeavors contributed to the coup against the tyrant. He was guided to a table in the infirmary where he was looked after.
Then Robertson approached Zerin quietly. “Zerin, we’ve found something else.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve placed it in the small reading room down the hall. When you have time, you should go see it.”
“Thank you, Robertson, your efforts are appreciated.”
The noble soldier nodded and went on his way.
Zerin, Galvin, and Thia were too intrigued by Robertson’s news to wait. They pulled themselves up from their beds and, with Thia’s help, hobbled down the corridor to the reading room. It was an infrequently used hollow, congested and dusty, that had sufficed as the castle library. They went inside, anxious to see Robertson’s discovery.
There was a single window of moderate size that looked out onto a courtyard and the last remnants of the day’s sun. The setting sun reflected off something brilliant, forcing them to cover their eyes. They walked around until they were safe from the sheen, to see a large book sitting atop an ebony stand that rested on the room’s lone table.
“Zerin,” Thia said, “do you know what this is? It’s the Book of Being, Maeldroth’s most prized possession.”
The three looked at one another warily before circling the stand. It was a magnificent volume, made of pure brass, intricately carved with dark etchings. Zerin stepped forward and raised it from the stand, fumbling with the weight of it. He glanced at Thia, then tried to open it, but the pages were stuck. After continued effort he realized that the book only had two pages, the inside of the front cover, and the inside of the back cover, which were both a hand’s span thick. The ink was blood red. Even more peculiar was that the writing on the second page was upside down, forcing the reader to turn the book around to read it, placing the second page where the first was. It was written in a common dialect. Without waiting for the others to prompt him, Zerin began to read.
“By his own doing, shall man bring forth
He, who is the unrighteous depiction of himself,
By accordance of the Grand Spirit, shall he ascend
From the disfavors of man to lead those who serve the self.”
Then he turned the book around to read the second page.
“Unwavering, he stands in the breath of his own righteousness
Ready to vanquish that which counters him
He knows not the woes of defeat nor the binds of time
But only glory as The Usurper of Belth.”
They looked at each other intently.
“So, this is what the wizard’s quest was. He sought to bring this demon into our world,” Galvin said. “Well, thanks to our brother, we needn’t worry about that any longer.”
A rumbling in the corridor drew their attention. It grew and roared, as if a windstorm was gathering outside the library.
Zerin stepped in front of Thia to protect her. Galvin raised his axe begrudgingly, disappointed that the day’s aggression had not come to an end, but then the disturbance came to a stop, as if someone had shut the door on a stormy day. A moment of silence was followed by footsteps, quiet and distant at first, then loud and hurried. In a far corner of the room, a figure slowly emerged into view. It was passing through the wall, materializing before them.
It was a warrior, stout, and adorned in black armor. He materialized a few paces away from them with his sword sheathed. He removed his helmet. A brilliant head of red hair, matching his beard, fell to his shoulders. His figure was not consistent, he faded in and out of sight, but Zerin and Galvin still recognized him.
“It is you,” Zerin said, “the warrior on the plains. You are King Janith, our, our—”
“Yes, it is me, your father.”
They stood in awe of the apparition before them.
“I have waited a long time for my sons to unite and avenge the day of treachery. You have done well, my boys,” he said with a proud look upon his face. “But where is your brother?”
“He has run off, I’m afraid,” Zerin answered, lowering his head. “He doesn’t yet know.”
“It is imperative you find him. He must be told. The three of you must reign together. Divided, you are incomplete.”
Then Janith turned to Thia, approaching with a gentle smile that he denied his own sons. “My dear, I regret that I won’t be able to hold the wonderful grandchildren you will give me. You truly are an angel, blessed by the Grand Spirit.”
“Thank you,” Thia said.
“There is, however, someone else who wishes to speak to you.”
Janith spread his hand out, and the room grew warm, followed by a brilliant light that forced them to shield their eyes.
“Zerin,” Thia spoke, “I’m familiar with this light, I recognize its warmth, from when I cannot tell you, but I know we needn’t fear it.”
The light took form beside King Janith. A hand reached out and took his arm. When the brilliance diminished, they saw a beautiful woman in a radiant, white, layered dress.
“My sons, I would like you to meet your mother, she who died in labor so you might live, my wife, Queen Savannah.”
They had no words. They could do nothing but stare as she spoke. “My sons, I cannot express the depths of joy your presence brings, nor my sorrow for having not been there while you grew up. You have flourished despite great hardships and would not have survived if not for the inheritance of your father’s courage.”
“How are you able to speak to us from beyond?” Galvin asked.
“There is much I cannot explain to you, my son. The matters of the spirit world are beyond the comprehension of the living and are best left alone.”
“Father, who were the men that helped you defeat the beast on the plains?” Zerin asked.
“Those were my personal guard, the men who were slain the same night as your mother and I. You will have to tell Robertson that his father is very proud of him. It was he who addressed him on the plains.”
Then Thia approached the queen. “Mother Savannah, I feel such warmth and connection to you. Is this our first meeting?”
The queen raised a glowing hand to Thia’s cheek. “You are very perceptive, my dear. Yes, we have met before. The Grand Spirit has enabled me to intervene on your behalf ever since the day I made a promise to your mother.”
“You knew my mother?”
“I’ve known your mother since it was predicted you would become queen, my dear.”
“That prediction was made by the Lady of the Hood. Did you know her?”
“My dear, I am The Lady of the Hood.”
Their mouths opened, astonished by the revelation, none more so than Thia.
“Several quests brought me to Noble, one of which was to find your mother and deliver her child’s prophecy. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love when I got here, but it was meant to be.”
“Then it’s you who Maeldroth has been looking for all these years.”
“He has pursued me across many lands. I only wish my abilities were profound enough to foresee Bardek’s treachery, but it is not our place to question the will of the Grand Spirit.”
“You’ve seen the Grand Spirit then?” Zerin asked.
“It’s not something for you to see, my son, but rather feel, and once you do, you will never doubt again.”
“Maeldroth claimed you brought something of immense power with you. Was it a sword, an amulet, a jewel?”
“Since the treasure has not yet been revealed, its best we not speak of it. The longer it stays hidden, the better.”
“Mother,” Galvin said, “I have always questioned my origins, assuming I came from people as large as myself. Why was I born a giant among men?”
“You were born with might for one reason my son, to guard Zerin, as was your brother Escura. Your protection is vital to his reign on the throne, and rule he must.” Her head turned. “Where is your other brother? Why is he not here?”
“Our brother is victim to a troubled past. His heart is a good one, but it’s filled with anger. He has chosen not to celebrate in our victory. I fear he is prone to great rage.”
“We are aware of your brother’s hardships. If we could have spared him from the tragedy of these events, then we would have, but his fate was intertwined with Maeldroth, who was essential to your victory today.”
“How could Maeldroth be essential to our victory?”
“We are well aware of his plague of horror, but as I said before, the ways of the Grand Spirit are mysterious and not for us to challenge. Maeldroth’s unimpeded actions were necessary to undo the treachery of our day and bring about the triumph of this one. Escura’s abduction and Galvin’s recruitment as his monster were pivotal in making Maeldroth a common enemy, so as to bring the three of you together, as per your father’s prayers. Had we intervened, we would have disrupted the chain of events that brought us here.
“It was essential that Maeldroth tear through the portals of time so Zerin could pass through and save your lives. So you see, we couldn’t interfere in the events of Escura’s life. We had to suffer along with him. His sacrifice has been the noblest of all. But I’m afraid the road ahead will continue to be a difficult one for your brother. It’s the burden the Grand Spirit demands of him.”
“You make it sound as if the dangers are not yet over?” Zerin asked.
The apparitions of his mother and father sadly gazed at each other.
“Far from it, my son,” Janith said. “In fact, your perils have just begun. All that Maeldroth claimed to be true, is. He and his master before him have conspired to bring forth a being of malevolence that threatens the eternal survival of everyone. This entity is the manifestation of man’s cold-heartedness against himself.”
“How do we stop it? Can we use this weapon of yours, Mother?” Zerin asked.
“We cannot answer that, Zerin. Only through faith in the Grand Spirit can you achieve victory. Remember, faith and selflessness are the key. Our ways are selfless. Theirs are not,” said the queen.
“Zerin”, spoke his father, “you are the oldest, and the burden of the throne lies with you. Be wiser with your trust than I was, and remember, you must reunite with your brother. It is your purpose to rule, but your brothers are here to protect you. Only together can you hope to survive the ordeals that await you.”
Then Janith walked over to his giant son. “Galvin, the lesson I would teach you, you have already learned. Use your might for righteousness, in both cause and execution.” He turned to his queen. “It’s time, Savannah, we must go. Be well, my children. Your mother and I are to join with the Grand Spirit. We can help you no more.”
“Thia, my darling daughter-in-law, there truly are more script’s that Miriam has written. At least one of them is extremely essential to your endeavors. Be aware of their existence, find them. Goodbye, my loved ones,” Savannah said.
Then, before their eyes, both the king and his queen returned to the warmth of the light, fading from sight until they could be seen no more.
Robertson burst into the library, looking for Zerin, catching the three of them in an embrace, although he could barely see Zerin and Thia amid the giant’s grasp.
“Zerin, the crowd awaits you.”
“Aye, you should go, Zerin. The people need to see their king,” Galvin said.
“I’ll go, but not alone. They will see the queen and the king’s champion as well. We go together.”
The three of them walked down a long corridor, the sound of the crowd growing louder with every step. As they emerged onto the balcony and looked out over the courtyard, a crowd of thousands broke into a deafening roar, coming to a stop only when Zerin raised his arms.
“People of Noble, you are free!”
The crowd cheered again.
“To the right of me I give you the man who led the assault on the castle and the slayer of the wizard’s monster, the commander of my army, Galvin the Giant!”
Again, the crowd cheered.
“And to my left, I present my bride, Queen Thia.”
Zerin took Thia in his arms and kissed her as the crowd cheered on.
“This day will be spoken of for generations. Today, you fought for your freedom. You are slaves to a tyrant no more! As your king, I promise to be just to all.”
The crowd cheered on and would not stop.
Chapter 70
Royal unions typically harbored the most extravagant of expectations, lavish settings, distinguished guests, and the finest food. And yet the most memorable wedding to date in all of Noble was held outdoors in the courtyard with an open invitation to the entire kingdom. Zerin and Thia ushered in a new era, along with the realm’s freedom, by celebrating their nuptials amid the largest hog roast ever known.
Zerin opened the royal vault and used a cache of pilfered taxes to pay for the feast. There was drink and dance and merriment and a thousand salutes to the new king and queen. Noble citizens walked among each other, free from limitation of rank. But when the day turned to night, and the remainder of Bardek’s winery had been plundered, the guests of honor could not be found.
Moments earlier, Queen Thia had quietly slipped away with her husband, leading him by the hand to their private chamber. They had spent the better part of a year aching for each other, and now, they had finally reached the moment they had dared to dream of but feared would never come to pass.
Zerin closed the large wood and gold doors of their bedroom and locked them. The room glowed with the flame of a giant hearth and the three candle lit chandeliers that hung from the cathedral ceiling. The floor was covered with velvet, the walls with lavish tapestries. Zerin would eventually convert the treasures into useful currency, but for tonight, nothing was too sumptuous for his bride. The sporadic light from the fire gleamed from the brass bed posts, making the silk bed curtains appear like clouds.
She stood in front of the bed, wearing a silk gown that he could almost see through. Zerin approached slowly, embracing the culmination of love and desire that had been brewing to a crescendo. He no longer felt the uncertainty around women that had plagued him for years. It had been replaced by love and scorching desire for the woman before him. He drew her into his arms and stared deeply into her eyes before gently pressing his forehead against hers. They rubbed noses. He was slow, patient, wanting the moment to last a lifetime. He had fought so hard and endured so much to get her into his arms; he would cherish every moment of this night. He brought her face toward his and kissed her like he had always dreamed of.
Thia lightly pushed herself away from his firm embrace and untied the lace thread holding her gown together. It fell open and slipped off her breasts to curl at her feet on the plush carpet surrounding the bed. Zerin caressed her smooth, tanned skin before reaching his hand to the back of her knees. He picked her up and laid her upon the down-filled quilt.
