in the dirt and mud, next to common soldiers, was beneath him. Everyone knew it, but no one said a word.
“My son, Baylin is missing, we believe him to be captured,” the king announced, sitting down heavily to look at the maps.
Prince Nelstrom sat down next to him. “Are you sure, Father?” he asked with concern.
“No, but we did not find his body. I have sent out a messenger to Lord Moredin to barter for his return.”
“That is good. We will get him back if he is indeed taken, I have no doubt,” replied the prince, his tone rather unconvincing.
The king looked at his youngest son for a few moments before shifting his gaze to Kiln. “We have much to prepare for. Kiln, you are needed now. Volnos, my high commander was slain today. It is a great loss to us. Would you offer your services to Finarth in its time of need? No oath need be taken.”
“I will,” replied Kiln evenly.
Suddenly a man in long robes hurried through the king’s entrance. It was Alerion, the king’s wizard. He looked haggard and his brow was covered with sweat. He carried a wooden staff ending in a blue stone held firmly on the end with silver wire. “My Lord,” he said as he walked toward the king. “I am sorry to barge in on you like this but I have urgent news.”
The warriors shifted away from the table to make room for Alerion.
“No need to apologize, Alerion. Here, take some water first.” The king offered, pouring the wizard a glass of water from a ceramic jug on the table. “Now, what is it that brings you to my tent in such haste?”
“My Lord, I have dire news. I have learned positively that Malbeck has been resurrected. But that is not the most troubling news as it was already suspected.” Alerion stopped to take another sip of water. “Malbeck’s energy has been floating in limbo for over a thousand years. Your ancestor killed his physical body only.”
“Then what brought him back?”
“The Shan Cemar.”
“What! That is not possible. The Shan Cemar is just a legend.” The King stood up in surprise.
“No, my Lord, the Shan Cemar is real, and it is now in the hands of the Dark One.”
“What is the Shan Cemar?” asked Jonas.
Alerion turned toward Jonas and noticed him for the first time. “Jonas, it is good to see you. I’m glad that you are well, and it seems the gods have favored you,” Alerion said, looking Jonas up and down with new respect. “The Shan Cemar is an ancient elven book that holds their most powerful words of magic. The book is so old that even the elves did not know its location; it was hidden thousands of lifetimes ago to keep the power safe. Wizards have been searching for the manuscript for a long time. It has somehow been found, giving Malbeck more power than you can possibly imagine. With that book he has access to all the ancient elven words that can unlock the true power of the Ru’Ach.”
“How do we stop him?” asked Jonas, a grim look on his face.
“I don’t know.”
An oppressive silence filled the tent as those inside contemplated this new development.
Finally the king spoke up. “One step at a time. We have a threat here to face first, and we have my son to find. Then we can worry about Malbeck.”
“My Lord. I’m afraid that this army is just a ruse to keep you busy while Malbeck destroys Tarsis. As we speak, Tarsis smolders and boargs roam the lands searching and destroying any scouts that King Kromm has sent out.”
As the king listened to this new revelation, the blood seemed to drain from his weary face. He collapsed heavily on the edge of his bed.
“You mean Tarsis is destroyed?” asked Dagrinal.
“Yes. King Kromm escaped at the last moment with a small force of followers. He is being pursued by Malbeck’s minions as we speak.”
“How do you know this?” asked Graggis.
“Graggis, your skills are with the axe, mine are with magic. The means by which I found this information is irrelevant. The fact is, Tarsis is no more, and King Kromm fights for his life.”
“And that very same army that took Tarsis is sure to be moving south toward us,” added Taleen.
“We will be flanked on two sides.” Jonas said what everyone was thinking.
The king rubbed his long beard in thought. “Kiln, what would you suggest?” asked the king, his tired eyes almost pleading.