A Kingdom's Tale: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Rumors of War

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         Soryn rode through the blinding rain that began to fall heavily, making her way from the tomb to the capital of Ravenstone.  The rain

blurred her vision but her horse galloped on unperturbed by the downpour.  Two days of hard riding and little rest brought Soryn to the

Borders of Ravenstone.  It consisted of two broken down towers and a gateway.  Beyond that was the vast Great-Eye Plains that was

flooded, making it appear like a very large lake.  The rain had finally lightened up by the time they were halfway across the plains. Tall

towers could be seen in the distance which relieved her even though they still had miles to cross.  Since she had left the tomb she could

not take her mind off the key pressed hot against her flesh beneath her tunic.  She hoped to gain some knowledge of the strange shard in

the great city.  Little did she know that Roven was in turmoil itself. 

         The Council of Roven was gathered in the meeting chamber and there their angry shouts echoed through the halls.  When King

Alistair entered all was in an uproar.  The king and General Aradar stood out amongst the dismal black and white robes wearing their silver

armor with the emblem of a lion on their breast plates.  The council was so caught up in their quarreling that they failed to notice the king’s

entrance.  It was Aradar who opposed silence in the hall with his loud booming voice.

         “Silence!”

         Aradar’s voice boomed through every ear, and the councilmen stood or sat with surprise but in silence.  Regaining their

composure they bowed to the king and took their designated seats.  The reign of silence however, was short-lived when the king spoke in a

voice full of worry.  Those in the room could see the fine lines of stress on the king’s face and shuffled in their seats uncomfortably.  His

once vibrant green eyes were puffy from sleepless nights and his brown hair was showing more grey.

         “My fellow councilmen, I stand before you with ill tidings I’m afraid,” Alistair said. There were a few curious expressions among

the councilmen. Before continuing Alistair glanced sideways at Aradar who nodded for him to continue.  “As you know, there have been

rumors of war in the north.  The Snow Dragons are terrorizing the land, leaving desolation in their wake.  It is only a matter of time before our

own children witness the horror of these monsters.”

         “With all due respect, your majesty, but are you asking us to lend out our troops to aid our…enemies?”  a councilman asked.  A

murmur of agreement followed this remark.  Alistair knew the bitter history between them and the other races, but these were desperate

times that called for desperate measures.  If allying with their enemies would strengthen their numbers he would see that it was done.

         “The Snow Dragons are not the only threat we face now,” Alistair said, his gaze fixed heavily on the confused faces before him. 

He paused to take in every intent gaze upon him.  He could see the growing anxiety run through the councilmen like a shiver.  “There is

another rumor.  One more terrifying than the Snow Dragons. Morgorath has returned.”

         A heavy shadow fell upon them and no one dared to breathe.  Every councilmen tensed in their seats gazing about them with

wary looks.  Just the mention of the dark lord’s name gave them chills.  The guards gripped their weapons tightly for protection but as soon

as the shadow came it was gone. 

         A black-robed councilman behind Alistair rose.  “You expect us to believe in old fairytales, your majesty? The dark lord never

existed.  They are only tales to frighten children into behaving.  Neither has his kingdom of Anghard ever been found nor any sign that the

High Elves that supposedly destroyed him ever existed.”

         “Or so we thought,” Alistair said with a nod.  He signaled to Aradar, and the guards opened the great double doors and four more

entered dragging between them a ferocious creature that growled and tugged at the chains binding his hands and feet.  The Black Goblin

opened its diseased mouth revealing sharp, jagged teeth coated with a mixture of blood and black ooze.  Its flesh smelt of a rotting corpse

and its red eyes glowed with hatred at all in the room including Aradar who had his sword pointed at his neck.  The Black Goblin was ugly

to look upon.  His skin was as black as tar and red tribal tattoos covered every inch of his flesh.

         “Tell them what you told me,” Alistair ordered.  The Black Goblin spat at the king’s feet, earning him a harsh blow from Aradar’s

sword.  The Black Goblin hissed in pain but ignored the dark blood pooling from his mouth and scowled up at Aradar.

         “One more move like that and you’ll taste the sharp edge of my blade,” Aradar hissed.

         “I’d rather taste death, pale face!” The Black Goblin spat waspishly.

         “Your wish for death will not be granted swiftly,” Alistair said.  “I will deny you the courtesy and put you in a lifelong imprisonment

of torture.”

         Alistair gestured to the guards who dragged the raging creature away.

         “Morgorath will come!”  The Black Goblin shrieked.  “His hordes will burn down your fortress and your city will run a river of

blood.  He has returned!”

         The Black Goblin threw back his head and cackled maliciously.  Alistair drew his blade and chopped off the goblin’s head,

splattering black blood on his armor and the floor.  A tremor of fear ran through the councilmen as they looked on in shock at the lifeless

body of the goblin whose blood pooled before Alistair.

         “How did the dark lord survive?” A councilman asked breaking the heavy silence.  “His kind was destroyed…weren’t they?”

         “That creature,” Alistair said pointing at the dead goblin, “should have been destroyed with him.’

         “So it’s true then?” Another councilman asked, standing up.  In a worried tone he said,  “The Dwarrow King has returned to the

kingdoms?”

         “I’m afraid so, which bodes ill for us all,” Alistair said.  Now the council was in a panic and voices rose once more, until Aradar

broke the silence again.

         “My lords, this is not the time to panic,” Alistair said once the hall fell quiet. “Now, we will fortify our walls and double the

lookout.  If what the Black Goblin said is true Morgorath must be building an army.  We must strengthen our defenses and gain the other

kingdom’s allegiance.”

         All nods of agreement followed this statement.

         “What about…the Wights?”  A councilman asked.  “Have t-they also returned?”

         “There has been no report of the Wights,” Alistair replied, “and let us hope they too fell into the abyss.”