Chapter 55

Darras was escorted out of the Tornua fortress by Klea, though no blindfold was used this time showing a level of trust in Darras that had been achieved through the deal made. Once outside and joining Syllar, Klea hesitantly requested an opportunity to meet Darras’s companions.

“Are you sure?” Darras asked with a frown.

“I am. I seek to meet the descendants of those who betrayed my people.”

“They don’t see it like that. But yes, I’ll take you to them, provided you give your word not to resort to violence,” Darras replied.

“I will not resort to arms.”

“Follow me.”

Both Firios and Tinara were shocked when Darras approached with Klea, though neither reached for their bows or knives.

“Once again you surprise us, Darras,” Firios stated, the air of hostility from both sides being almost palpable.

“This is Klea. She merely requested an opportunity to meet you,” Darras shrugged as Syllar observed with interest.

“My people will be going into exile,” Klea responded. “I merely wished to view some of our tormentors before doing so.”

“They have precious little reason to like your people either,” Darras interceded. “Your actions in Rossaris being the most recent of your crimes in their eyes.”

“Yes, there is much hate in our society, though the recent fighting culled a good many of our fanatics,” Klea nodded.

“It is similar in our society,” Firios replied. “Though even now your hatred marks you as different in my eyes.”

“As does yours with me,” Klea nodded. “Exile seems a good choice.”

“It does,” Tinara replied. “Yes, I hate your people, but my goddess does not want your extinction and neither do I.”

“A weak goddess,” Klea stated as she spat on the ground.

“And where has the one you worship brought you to?” Darras asked mildly.

“Point,” Klea nodded. “I apologise.”

“Accepted,” Darras nodded. “Now, best you leave us and help ready your people.”

“I will,” Klea stated and simply turned and left.

“I am glad we have dealt with dark kin before,” Firios mused. “That could have been most dangerous for her otherwise.”

“They have their reasons for what they did,” Darras shrugged. “I’ll tell you what she told me on our way back to the Torgillon encampment.”

“I will bid you farewell now, sir Darras, though the forest folk will continue to observe these people,” Syllar bade them farewell before fading away.

Darras went over the conversation he’d had with Klea over the killing of Harranis, making the two Elves look shocked then thoughtful.

“This is not taught in our schools,” Tinara hesitantly replied.

“Erren confirms she wasn’t lying, though it may just be their interpretation of the truth,” Darras added.

“True, perhaps the gods know?”

“Erren did not know of Harranis’s demand, though she seemed unsurprised,” Darras admitted.

“It appears Harranis was not who we are taught he was,” Firios replied thoughtfully. “What is the Jomanti blade?”

“I don’t know, though Erren might.”

‘I’ll go over it with you all when this mission is over, ’ Erren informed Darras who passed it on to Firios and Tinara.

“That is good, though I would also wish to speak privately with Wenderos should she allow?” Tinara requested.

“She will allow that,” Darras replied after an okay from Erren.

“Good, I need counsel from her though would not wish it aired before you, my friends.”

“We understand,” Firios replied, Darras nodding his understanding as well.

Back at the camp, the Torgillon commander, Count Yerrucha, listened to what had been agreed on, which matched the terms he’d been informed would be offered. The wagons were not an issue, the Torgillons had been gathering them since the woods had been invested. Most were the supply wagons having been used by the Thenarronians to supply their own armies and often enough abandoned by them in their retreats.

“It is a two week journey to Abramoch. We have been stockpiling supplies at encampments on the way,” he pointed them out on a map. “We’ll ensure they reach Abramoch safely.”

“What of the Rossarisi and the Dwarven Legion?” Darras asked.

“The Rossarisi moved to assist in the management of Carse, the Thenarronian second city, after it capitulated the day after Drannos fell,” Yerrucha explained. “The Dwarves are maintaining operational security along the road from here to Carse at the behest of Lord Lamaris, the Rossarisi regent over Thenarron during the occupancy.”

“Ah, keen to not fall foul of Erren should his people get ‘ideas’.” Darras chuckled.

“Definitely so, sir Darras,” Yerrucha chuckled in return. “Tents and a meal have been provided for you for tonight,” he added by way of dismissal.

“Our thanks,” Darras replied politely with a slight bow.

It was during the evening of the third day that Darras and his friends made it back to Diriona and thence into Erren’s domain. Erren greeted them merrily and led them to the bathing area where several others of the gods Darras knew were gathered.

“Rest and relax. We have some information for you,” Erren informed them. “We’ll talk privately later, Tinara.”

“Yes, my goddess,” Tinara acquiesced.

Soon the two Elves were relaxing, having been washed down by Doriel and Hallis even as Darras was washed by Erren. Food and drink was freely available as the various gods also relaxed and joked around the mortals.

“So, you confirmed the Jomanti blade still exists?” Pelegard enquired of Darras.

“The dark kin believe what they have is the blade, though naturally I saw little of their fortress home,” Darras replied.

“I doubt they lied, plus my sister here confirms the magical source,” Pelegard nodded, indicating Erren.

“It was a surprise. I had thought it lost to history,” Erren added.

“What exactly is it?” Darras asked.

“A sword used by the leader of the first race. A single edged weapon of matchless mortal quality, harder than mithril too, though that technique was lost to the world with the destruction of that race,” Pelegard informed the group, though the gods already likely knew.

“The dark kin believed it god forged?” Firios queried. “According to Darras, that is.”

“It is, by the Dark Lord, as you know our brother.”

“He made swords?” Darras asked.

“He was showing off and wanted to lord it over me,” Pelegard shrugged. “Kind of why we don’t get along.”

“Could you do better?” Doriel asked.

“Oh yes, though Serulon stepped in after and stopped the silliness, which is what I think that fool planned for,” Pelegard replied.

“How did the first race get it?” Darras asked.

“He stuck it in a stone in a cave in the world and forgot about it,” Pelegard shrugged. “The first race eventually found it as they were far more magically sensitive than any of the current crop of mortals and eventually removed it.”

“It eventually took them over one hundred years of careful quarrying as they were in their equivalent of bronze age technology,” Erren amusedly added. “As it was never meant to be removed by order of Serulon.”

“Only she has no jurisdiction over the mortal races,” Doriel added. “So had to accept the result.”

“Don’t suppose your brother put it there deliberately?” Darras asked. “In order to get the first race able to make their own as well.”

“It’s possible. It is the sort of thing he does,” Doriel replied thoughtfully. “Giving races implements to eventually bring them down is a big thing with our brother.”

“OK,” Darras nodded. “So, how did the dark kin end up with it?”

“Left behind in a first race building and found by Elves is my best guess,” Pelegard shrugged. “Likely a group of them found it to be magical and formed a cult around it.”

“What kind of magic would it be?” Firios asked.

“Ownership,” Pelegard replied after a moment’s thought. “It would bond with a wielder until that wielder’s death. Other than that it can’t really be used, just moved around.”

“Kind of blunt till the right one comes along,” Hallis added helpfully as Erren led Tinara away.

“If you permit, I’ll have a look at your armour to see if there’s anything I can do about the area where the thief got you,” Pelegard offered to Darras who quickly agreed. “I’m also producing something similar for your companions for when you sneak into Drannos Castle.”

“I assume Erren gave you the sizes?” Darras asked.

“Oh yes, should give them much more protection for when you grab the Witch Lord and various alarms go off.”

“We’re still trying to ascertain the interior of the place,” Osruit added with a grimace. “But other than locating various water sources it’s not going quickly.”

“It is designed to frustrate any attackers, with only the interior stairwell giving you access to all parts of the place,” Pelegard explained. “Each wing is separate in all respects from the others, as is each floor other than some kind of manual hoist plate that can move goods, though not people, around.”

“Magic?” Firios asked.

“Limited by various circles, unless you know their auric key.”

“Tough nut.”

“For an army, yes,” Pelegard agreed. “But for a small team as your friends, possible.”

“They’ll be attempting to seize it if we succeed ... or fail,” Darras added.

“I’ll be blessing my people,” Crannok added. “Good fortune will be with them, though that’s about the limit I can go to without causing issues with Serulon.”

“Same with me and the armour,” Pelegard acknowledged. “Damned rules!”

“At least there’s things you can do,” Hallis pointed out. “Myself, Doriel and Osruit are very much on the side-lines here.”

“Can’t be helped,” Darras shrugged. “You all have helped me when I needed it and you could.”

“True, I guess,” Hallis nodded.

At this point Erren and a slightly wan, if happier looking, Tinara reappeared and the discussion moved from the pool area to the lawn where tables had appeared piled with various foods. This the male gods piled into with gusto as did the lady goddesses though with slightly more decorum. The party went on for a time, though eventually all returned to their homes and Erren at last snuggled into Darras as the pair simply sat enjoying her garden.

“Tinara sorted?” Darras asked.

“Yes, though her home life will be uncomfortable for a while,” Erren replied. “That said, she does know things will improve with time.”

“I hope so. It’s hard to see a friend unhappy.”

“Her husband is the issue; he is none too happy at her proximity to a Human.”

“I have no designs on Tinara. She is my friend ... and I have you,” Darras chuckled.

“I know, nor is Tinara attracted sexually to you. She simply likes you and your thoughts around various subjects,” Erren replied with a brilliant smile.

“So, what will change the husband’s mind?”

“Isolation, at one point, even after my removal of the blessing he was surrounded by many supporters of the old ways and hence thought lip service, not repentance was the key,” Erren explained. “As it is, Leandomus’s reforms and removing key appointments who supported Sallason to positions of retirement or removal from the government totally, plus the work of Kina as well as the positive outcomes of foreign involvement has made the traditionalist movement both impotent and dwindling in numbers.”

“As you planned ... I mean influenced?” Darras chuckled.

“More a case of consequences. Fintra simply cannot accept my word as written, but adheres to a false interpretation promoted by Sallason,” Erren explained. “Currently he’s experiencing what it’s like to oppose my will and lose friends and influence because of it.”