The Twins (31 page)

Chapter Thirty-four

The days passed and the preparations for war continued. Nothing was the same now as it was before. The city of Pardatha was turned upside down and inside out. The flow of people into it was greater than anyone expected, as Baladar and his ministers soon discovered. Far more feared the Dark Lord’s advances than had been anticipated, and even those further to the north and out of his direct path, chose to take refuge in the city rather than be exposed out in the open.

Always in the past, the Lalas protected everyone and the comfort and security that their presence provided dispelled the fear that would have otherwise engulfed them during trying times. But now, the void that they left could not be filled, and Pardatha became a magnet, attracting all of those whose safety was threatened by Colton. The city, with its great and indestructible Elfin gates, with its noble and powerful leader, with walls as thick as a Noban itself, became the only place of sanctuary in the minds of the people, and they flocked to its womb with abandon.

All of the city’s services were being strained to their limits, but no one would be turned away. Baladar was determined to leave the gates open as long as he could, admitting anyone who approached, and approach they did. Nevertheless, time was running out and the gates to Pardatha would have to be sealed soon. He would wait until the very last moment, and he knew that fateful moment would be upon them shortly.

His scouts continued to report that the enemy was approaching slowly but steadily. They informed him, much as Elion had, about the enormity of the assemblage, as well as about the composition, though in more hideous terms than the Elfin Prince had previously. Their descriptions were more detailed and even more frightening, and all the while Baladar and his ministers of war listened pensively and continued to prepare for the onslaught.

The armies were approaching Pardatha through the gorge to the south, as Elion had surmised. Colton was not afraid of being attacked on route, his forces were so huge and formidable, and he boldly and brazenly marched his minions down the open corridor to the city, announcing his arrival simply by the path he chose. A choice such as this would have been the kiss of death to a lesser equipped invader whose sheer numbers were smaller.

Baladar could send archers to the crest above the valley and attack the enemy from the safety of the heights. He could also send the rocks tumbling down into the gorge from the foothills of the Thorndars to their east. There were many options when an army approached from this direction. But today there was only one. Baladar and his ministers knew that their only hope was to garrison themselves in the city itself and then wear away at Colton each time he attempted to batter down the walls or shatter the gates. It was a plan of last resort, one that had only a slim chance of succeeding, and then only if the Dark Lord grew frustrated and bored.

Fortunately as the fates would have it, what the Dark Lord sought was not here. Baladar took great comfort in knowing that whatever the result of the siege, even if Pardatha should fall, all was not lost, hope still existed and the battle would continue. He could play that card in the end, if need be. What would Colton want with this city? He could give himself over to the Evil One in lieu of the heir. Perhaps he could save the city, perhaps Colton would accept Baladar’s sacrifice if he thought it might bring him closer to Davmiran at a later date, if he believed that he could use Baladar to seek out Dav, once he discovered that his quarry was not here.

He was prepared to try anything, but it was not yet time for those decisions. Pardatha would put up a noble fight, and he was not ready to discount the possibility that this moody and taciturn invader would grow bored with the invasion if he found out that the ultimate reason for it was no longer realistic.

Baladar sat on the high backed council chair at the head of the great slab of rock that formed the table of war, around which were assembled his war ministers. The chamber had been built countless tiels ago on the highest ground in Pardatha. It was enclosed by ten pillars of the same stone as the table, forming an open oval around the group. From here, the council could see clearly down the gorge, across the forest and over lake Everclear.

Grogan sat at Baladar’s right hand. Elion was given a chair to Baladar’s left and greeted warmly by all audience members as he arrived. He was refreshed and dressed in light Elfin armor, amber in color, and high, tight brown suede boots, with a dagger at his belt. The other chairs were occupied by Bishop Anwel of Reston, Baladar’s generals, Jerik Woodhaven, leader of the Treefighters, Baron Selfridge, Lord Icaran, the heads of the bowmen, infantry, and swordsmen, as well as by the leaders of the largest of the neighboring armies that entered Pardatha both to help defend the city and to seek protection for their families and other citizens.

An empty chair was placed next to Elion, and as the already assembled participants were chatting and introducing themselves to one another, Filaree Par D’Avalain was escorted into the chamber. All of the noise stopped immediately, as the Lady entered with Cameron at her side. She wore a long cloak of ebony velvet, embroidered with the crest of Avalain on its back. Her leggings were black leather over which she wore a white silk tunic. Tucked into a black sash cinching her waist was a dagger with a large ruby set into the hilt. Her jet black hair was braided and wound tightly around her head, and her almond shaped, dark eyes shone brightly in anticipation of what was to come.

Baladar stood up and said respectfully, “Welcome, Filaree Par D’Avalain. It is an honor to have you here with us. Your reputation precedes you.”

He bowed his head slightly. The others around the table followed suit, awed by the striking looks of this female warrior about whom they all had heard so much.

“Please, sit. There is no reason to be so formal with me. I am accustomed to the rigors of a battlefield and I do not stand on ceremony,” she responded. “But, thank you for your welcome,” Filaree said, bowing slightly to the entire table.

She sat down next to Elion, while Cameron took up his position behind her and to her right, directly between his Lady and the Elfin Prince.

“Lady Filaree, Prince Elion and all of our honored visitors,” Baladar addressed the group. “We are here for one purpose only, I fear, and that is to determine how we can defend the city and all of its inhabitants against the advance of Colton dar Agonthea and his armies. Originally, I summoned the Lady D’Avalain along with two others who have not yet arrived, for the noble purpose of training and educating the heir of Gwendolen,” Baladar said, and then he paused in order for the gathering to quiet down.

The mention of the heir caused quite a stir amongst those present and they looked in wonder from one to another, and then all their eyes rested finally on Baladar.

“Yes, I said the heir of Gwendolen,” he said solemnly. “Ages ago, it was written that a child would be born of the Gwendolen line…”

Many at the table nodded, remembering the stories that had been told to them as children.

“… and that child would one day seek and find the Gem of Eternity, and restore the balance to the world that the Dark Lord threatened,” he continued somberly. “I believe that the child indeed was borne, and that he was cast into my arms not too long ago.”

All those around the table, with the exception of Filaree, Elion and Cameron, looked shocked and could barely contain their emotions.

When the din died down, Duke Sigis asked, “Are you certain, Baladar? Where is he now?”

Everyone present anxiously awaited Baladar’s answer.

“I am certain my friend, and to our good fortune, he is no longer here at this time. Rather, he is currently under the protection of our allies in the south. He resides in the heights of Seramour,” Baladar answered and he glanced at Elion.

Again, those around the table chatted briefly with one another and then they all looked once again at Baladar.

“Our brave visitor, Prince Elion of Lormarion, risked his life to bring me the news of the heir’s safety.”

This time Baladar looked deeply into Elion’s eyes as he said those words. The young Elfin Prince was grateful to him for not revealing how the boy got to Seramour in the first place, and Baladar also did not feel it was necessary to explain the circumstances that surrounded the heir’s disappearance.

“Treestar, King of the Southern Elves is his guardian right now, and unless we prevail here, he will be the one to train and educate him,” Baladar said with a gravity that everyone present immediately felt. “But, take heart! Had he been trapped in Pardatha with the rest of us, before he was awakened and his powers had an opportunity to manifest themselves, before all of his teachers even arrived, there would be little hope for him, nay for us all,” he resumed. “It is obvious to me that Colton believes him to still be here and that is why he is advancing upon us with such force. He does not wish to risk the legends coming true. He wants to stop the heir now, before he grows stronger. When the boy was first cast to me, I was able to witness his last moments, the final minutes before his guardian sacrificed herself in order to get him here.

“The Dark Lord was present then and was held at bay by a single woman, Mira of Gwendolen, a sorceress and healer who resided in the palace of the King. She gave her life to protect him. Colton dar Agonthea was infuriated by his inability to prevent her casting the boy to me. I saw his anger, as the boy slipped from his grasp. How he learned the boy was here, I do not know. I pray that we do not have a traitor in our midst. Nevertheless, once more the Dark Lord thinks that he has trapped him, and once again he will be disappointed. We must all rejoice in knowing that whatever the outcome will be, the world will yet see another sunrise, and hope will not be destroyed by the results of the next few days.”

The members of the council were all nodding now, and although many had questions, they remained silent and allowed Baladar to continue.

“I named the boy Davmiran, in honor of this noble woman, Mira, who gave her life so that he could be with us today.”

Baladar was silent for a moment, remembering the boy’s face, his innocence and his power. After he took his seat, Filaree stood and addressed the group next.

“I have only just now learned that the boy is not here. It grieves me that I arrived here too late, but much has happened since I first left Avalain and we could not reach Pardatha any sooner. I have not yet had an opportunity to review the assets of the invader, which I will do on my own time. But, I am not prepared to assume that Pardatha cannot hold out against Colton. This city is strong and we have many troops garrisoned here. We will live to see another day, and I will yet have an opportunity to train the young Lord in Seramour,” she said.

“Here, here!” Elion responded, leaping to his feet. “I walked right into the belly of the beast, and I am ready to fight my way out! I will never surrender to the Dark Lord’s evil,” he continued.

“I admire your enthusiasm and your valor, both of you,” Baladar remarked, his brow furrowed. “I, too, am not willing to give up before the fight begins. Pardatha has survived many a threat and she has many allies of all kinds. Colton dar Agonthea will not have as easy a time as he thinks whence the siege begins.”

“My Lord?” Grogan asked. “May I speak?”

“Of course. Go ahead,” Baladar answered.

“The city is well provisioned and the people are ready to defend it to the end. I must order the gates closed and sealed shortly, though, as our intelligence tells us that we have no more than a day before his advance guard arrives. He has sent a contingent of riders ahead to parlay, I assume. They will be the first to reach the city,” Grogan related.

“I imagine that he will ask us to surrender before the fight even begins. He underestimates the temerity of our people,” Baron Selfridge said.

“Indeed! I would sooner die by my own hand than surrender to that bastard!” Lord Icaran said angrily.

“He will surely ask us to release the heir to his custody,” Baladar surmised. “He will not believe it when I tell him that the boy is not within the confines of the city.”

He was thinking that if a parlay was possible, he could then offer himself to the Dark Lord and perhaps avoid the terrible bloodshed thereby.

“He will settle for nothing less than total victory! If he cannot retrieve the boy, he will want revenge! He does not think as we do. The bloodlust that drives a warrior during battle is what determines his actions most of the time. He thrives on destruction. Do not think that he will accept anything other than what he wants,” Filaree said.

Baladar thought seriously about what the maiden from Avalain had just asserted. He could not make the mistake of attributing to Colton the same thought process that governed his own thinking.

“I appreciate your analysis, my Lady. I had been thinking that perhaps he would take me in lieu of the heir. But you have made a good point. He would dispose of me as quickly as he would any one else. All that must matter to him now is the boy,” Baladar concluded.

“My Lord, if I may, the city needs you. We all need you and the heir needs you. What good would it do to trade with the devil? He will not be satisfied until he has what he wants anyway,” Grogan commented.

“We can only hope that our defense will be strong enough to compel him to conserve his forces for another time. After all, when he learns that Davmiran is not here he will certainly know that another battle must follow this one, and he cannot win it without an army. We must inflict as much damage as we can!” Elion said.

“You are correct, my young friend. Our strengths are many. And, he will not want to leave here weakened, at least not if he does so without what he came for,” Baladar responded.

“Although we may be no more than a mote in his eye, we can irritate him significantly!” Bishop Anwel said.

“Even as the gods lose their patience, so must the devil’s son,” Jerik Woodhaven remarked.

“We must harass him and annoy him to the point where he either tries to crush us out of frustration, or he leaves,” the Bishop commented. “A deadly gamble, perhaps, but one we must contemplate.”