BlackThorn's Doom Page 0,3
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.”
The Mahjie muttered angrily at this revelation. Stilgart knew he had to shut Casius’s mouth or all was lost.
“You’re a coward,” Casius taunted him. “You’re fear of failure always stayed your hand.”
Stilgart dove into him with a roar and slammed his forearm into Casius’s face. “Be silent fool!”
Casius fell onto his back, his head striking the stone with a loud smack.
“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