BlackThorn's Doom (2 page)

Stilgart was the first to recover his composure. His face livid with rage he stomped out of the shadows and stood before Casius.

“Give me the blade.” He said threateningly. “No outsider has claim to it.” He gripped his own swords hilt tightly resisting the urge to run the arrogant boy through. “For years beyond count it has been my peoples blood that has warded it. I will not stand by and allow you to claim it as your own.”

“Do nothing!” Yoladt warned him. “To interfere once the challenge has been made is to invite death. Our laws are strict in matters of honor, break them and you will forfeit all your lives.”

Connell looked at Stilgart’s men and he could see that their hands were upon their sword hilts. Daring him to proceed with their eyes.

Yoladt relaxed his grip. “Stilgart is no fool, even our beloved Se’estra is powerless to interfere.”

Casius looked down at Stilgart’s discarded weapon. From the faces around him he knew something important had just occurred but he had no idea as to what it was. He looked back into the man’s hatred filled eyes.

“Stilgart,” The Se’estra said finding her voice. “You have had your testing and were found unworthy. What you do now is wrong and makes a mockery of our laws and traditions.”

Stilgart’s eyes narrowed. “I will not allow this to happen. If you desire to see a mockery of the Mahjie, here he stands!” Crossing his arms in defiance Stilgart turned his back to the Se’estra. “Enough talk, Drop your weapon and accept my challenge.” He commanded Casius kicking his blade towards him in anger. “I will not offer again, refuse me and I will kill you for the coward you are!”

Casius drew Aethir from his scabbard; the swords hum becoming an angry screech that caused the ring of onlookers to step back. Laying the sword upon the floor he stepped away and the blade grew quiet. “If you desire it Stilgart, then simply pick it up.” He said invitingly.

Stilgart stepped forward and stopped just short of the weapon as it began to screech once more. “As long as you live no one can wield it.” He said stepping back. “You have succeeded in breaking Thoron’Gil’s claim to it, and with your death I will break yours.” Slowly he drew a short dagger from his sleeve.

With a lightning fast leap he closed the distance between them. Slashing violently with the knife he forced Casius back away from the black blade.

Casius pulled the diminutive Ka’rich from his belt. Causing the men of Stilgart’s Seh’ja to chuckle at the sight of it.

Even Stilgart stopped his attack to shake his head in disgust. “Would you prefer a more fitting weapon?” He asked sarcastically.

Casius rolled the leaf shaped piece of steel across his knuckles. He knew he should be frightened but he was calm, a sense of deep-rooted confidence filled him. “This is the only blade I require.”

Stilgart lashed out his blade lightly scratching Casius’s cheek.

Casius remembered what Suni had taught him. Planting his left heel he evaded the worst of the attack, sidestepping he drove his right knee deep into the Mahjie’s stomach.

Stilgart collapsed onto the ground striving to catch his breath. He gazes in astonishment at his empty right hand. One look at his opponent confirms his fear; somehow the whelp had managed to take his dagger from him.

“You believe Aethir tested the worth of a man.” He said to the gasping Mahjie. “That by his skill at arms alone would he be judged.” Casius took a moment to survey the crowd around him. “You were wrong,” He said tossing Stilgart’s dagger onto the stone before him. “Thoron’Gil’s wisdom was sharper than that. The test of the blade was two fold in nature. It was the desire of the seeker coupled with the need of the world.

“Many worthy men were rejected in the past because it was not yet the time for the blade to come forth.” Casius said pacing about the ring until he came to stand before Connell.

“The blade would have been yours had I not come into these mountains.” He said with a shrug. “The legendary blade appealed to the warrior within you, it was that desire that the sword rejected. The moment you touched the blade your fate was sealed.”

Casius returned his attention to Stilgart who was coming to his feet dagger in hand. “Enough of this, if I fall would you then kill Connell? And the one after him?”

“The sword is mine!” Stilgart spat; even in pain his anger was fierce.

“The sword never was yours,” Casius answered his anger coolly. “I know the cause of your failure, would you have me give voice to those poisonous desires that lie in the darkest part of that thing you call a heart.”

Stilgart charged swinging wildly. Casius was swifter and easily evaded the blow.

“You envied the Se’estra.” He said avoiding another swipe of the dagger. “How many times did you plot her death? Always seeking a way to secure her power as your own.”

“Too long have we cowed in the darkness, living secretly in these mountain.” Stilgart spoke loudly to the crowd. “With this sword we will take our place among the nations!”

“You would build a nation upon the blood of innocents!” The Se’estra shouted coming to her feet.

Stilgart spun charging the throne his dagger in hand.

Before any could react he gasped and staggered falling at the Se’estra’s feet. A small glint of steel shone from his sweat plastered hair. The insignificant knife given Casius long ago lay embedded in his skull.

Casius retrieved the black blade from the floor and belted it about his waist.

The Warriors of Stilgart’s Seh’ja drew their weapons seeking to avenge his death.

With a shout from Yoladt the remaining Mahjie moved between Casius and the men.

“Enough!” The Se’estra commanded. “Have you all gone mad? Remember your honor and your oaths of service.”

The men faltered their advance broken by her words. One by one they sheathed their blades and hung their heads in shame.

“Honor your Seh’ja.” She said softly. “Not the body of an ambitious fool.” Turning to her subjects She raised her arms. “Let the bells of Armon’oth sound. Spread the word to all our people. The oath is fulfilled the sword bearer has come!”

From deep within the ziggurat the tolling of a hundred bells rang out echoing within the mountains heart. Every Mahjie stopped in their daily tasks and looked to the temple in wonder and disbelief.

“The sword is yours Casius, the Mahjie will not hamper your journey.” The Se’estra stepped forward and kissed his forehead. “Where will you go?”

“I will carry this blade to Tarok nor, into the very heart of Trothgar and the iron tower of V’rag.”

The Mahjie gasped, all but their leader. She smiled sadly and nodded her head.

“I intend to slay Sur’kar and put an end to his evil.” Casius finished speaking, the look in his eyes dared anyone to challenge his choice.

“The blade is the bane of Sur’kar.” Marcos said stepping forth placing his hand on Casius’s shoulder. “For this purpose was Aethir forged.”

The Se’estra nods her head. “This is known to us, Marcos.” She sighs sagging down onto her throne. “The first Seh’ja has failed in its duty.” Lifting her aged head she looked to Yoladt. “Will the second take on their duties?”

Yoladt stepped forward and kissed her hand. “We shall blessed mother.”

“The way ahead is beyond my sight, fraught with danger beyond our knowledge. Do you accept this task willingly?”

Yoladt nods his head in affirmation. “The hidden ways are known to my house. They have been passed from father to son without change since our vigil began, we will not fail.”

She placed her hand upon his forehead. “May the wisdom of the father steer you from harm.” Turning her face towards Casius she spoke firmly. “Thoron’Gil guide your hand, wielder of Aethir.”

Casius ducked his head in response to the blessing.

“Do not forget us Casius,” The Se’estra continued. “The price of our guardianship has been the doom of my people. We will fade as our purpose has been taken away from us.”

“I shall not Se’estra,” Casius answered. “While your long task has ended mine is just begun.”

“Go then,” The Se’estra smiled sadly. “Yoladt’s men will see you to safety.”

Yoladt spared one quick glance at the fallen Stilgart. With a savage yank he frees Casius’s knife from his skull. Handing the blood encrusted blade to Casius as he passed heading for the stair leading down the face of the ziggurat.

Thousands of Mahjie lined the narrow thoroughfare falling to one knee as they passed.

“They honor you,” Yoladt commented. “The sword bearer is Thoron’Gil reborn to my people.”

“Nonsense,” Casius said dismayed by how few children stood among their number. The Se’estra was right. They were a dying race. “I am the same man I was when I walked through the dawn gate.”

Yoladt raised an eyebrow at Casius’s remark. “Are you so certain?” He asks. “Outwardly little has changed, save your eyes. They’re darker now and there is both power and peril brooding within them. The young man I led before the Se’estra would have hesitated to stand against Stilgart.

Casius shot the man a sharp glance before changing the subject. “How many of your Seh’ja shall guide us?” He asks hoping the number would be few.

“Three plus myself shall suffice.” Yoladt answered. “My Seh’ja will assume the protection of the Se’estra, the danger to her is great should any of Stilgart’s men be poisoned by the same vitriol that flowed through his mind.”

Casius nodded, he remembered the looks of open hatred Stilgart’s followers had given him when he stood over the slain warriors corpse.

Upward through the tiers of the Seh’ja’s they trod, rising high above the steaming lake and the ringing bells. The Crowd had long since ended and now only three Mahjie stood before the archway leading to the world beyond.

They Carried spears with long swords on their waists. Each bore a heavy pack upon their backs. On the ground at their feet lay five more, one for each member of the party and Yoladt as well.

“They’re quick.” Casius commented looking at the supplies.

“My Seh’ja has such packs always prepared,” Yoladt answered. “We selected from our number those that were to guide you on the first leg of your journey, should one of you pass the test of Aethir.”

Yoladt introduced them to the waiting warriors. “The oldest is Calriss,” He said pointing to a man in his mid thirties with dark hair and deep-set eyes. “The twins, Aithas and Anthail.” The identical warriors bowed in respect. “These are the best that the second Seh’ja has to offer.”

Yoladt lifted his pack from the ground and tucked his arms through the straps. “Grab a pack,” He suggested. “We should not tarry overlong.”

Marcos smiled reassured by the evident strength of Casius’s character. “I should think not,” He said. “You are the sword bearer after all.”

Yoladt slowed his pace and come alongside them. “The honor of the Mahjie is not so easily bruised, Casius.” He said having overheard their conversation. “Besides, even their own mother has doubts when they stand together.”

Casius was grateful for Yoladt’s sense of humor.

They stepped out of tunnel and wrapped their cloaks tightly about them. The ice-cold wind blowing across the glacier was a shock to their system. They had become accustomed to the warmth within the massive cavern.

Yoladt led them across the glacier following a path only he could perceive.

“My Seh’ja has a hidden shelter within the dawn stair.” Yoladt announced once they were safely in the high valley. He pointed to the narrow cleft in the rock face at the valley’s head. “We must hurry,” He urged them onward. “The hour grows late and darkness comes quickly in these mountains.”

Casius looked to the reddening sky as they walked briskly through the vale. He had not realized how late the hour was, though the deep shadows in the valley should have caught his attention.

Yoladt produced one of the silver orbs from within his cloak. It’s soft light illuminated the fissure as they descended the crudely cut stair sheltered within it.

Staying within the sphere’s light they moved cautiously down the rough steps. At the end of the fissure the steps ended becoming a narrow trail hugging the side of the mountain.

Yoladt stopped a few feet from the opening and pressed a shadowy recess in the rock. The stone slid and slowly swung inward. Revealing a narrow opening through which he entered holding the orb before him.