Feb. 4, 2009 - Chapter 9-10
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Chapter Nine: Royal Captive
Sorrin opened his eyes. It was too dark to see anything, but he knew he had been dreaming. He was back in Saorden, safely back home. . . back home. . . back. . . And he sank back into sweet oblivion.
A rough hand grabbed him by his shirt collar and lifted him up so his feet were just off the ground. He was flung back down. Sorrin wanted to yell, partly in fright, partly in anger, but he couldn't. He was gagged.
"Don't do that!" said a rough voice, "We want him alive for the king."
"He ain't my king, Rasim" answered another voice, "I have no king."
"Still, we're getting paid half a rondora to deliver him alive."
"And you'd be getting the larger half, I don't doubt."
"If you say so, Ranaor. . ."
"Excuse me, Rasim" said a voice that Sorrin realized with surprise belonged to Ganail, "You are sitting right in front of my face, and. . . well. . . I think that fish you just ate isn't agreeing with your stomach very well."
"Oh," said Rasim after a moment, "Sorry about that."
"Thank you," said Ganail, "I must say, you are the most civil enemy I have ever been captured by."
"Er. . . Okay," said Rasim, "I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or not."
"Neither, it was just a fact. I still despise you. Now, would you please take off my friend's gag?"
A knife slid between Sorrin's face and the gag, and Sorrin's mouth was free.
"Who are you?" he demanded immediately.
"It's okay, Sorrin," Ganail said quickly, "They say they will not harm us."
"And you believe them."
"We are under orders not to harm you," said Ranaor, a little resentfully, "and we won't"
"Where are we?" was Sorrin's next question.
"On a ferry, crossing the Red River," answered Rasim.
That far north. . . thought Sorrin. "Rasnonia?"
"To the King of Rasnonia, actually," replied Ganail, "My goodness, isn't that a beautiful sunset!"
"Sunset?" Sorrin exclaimed, "Why can't I see?"
"Because you're blindfolded. Rasim, do you mind?"
The blindfold was taken away from Sorrin's eyes. Sitting upright, he saw he was on a flat boat floating across a wide river. The far bank was a wide plain, and the opposite bank was wooded. The setting sun sent it's slanted beams through the trees, which reflected off the water and dazzled Sorrin's eyes.
Sorrin took this all in quickly. "What does the King want with us?"
"Think about it," said the man Sorrin took to be Ranaor, "If you heard that an enemy Prince was coming to spy in your kingdom, wouldn't you want to capture him and keep him where you could watch him?"
"So, we're to be prisoners?"
"Aren't you already?" laughed Rasim, "But don't worry, you will be treated well."
The rest of the way they sailed in silence.
They reached the other bank just before nightfall. Sorrin and Ganail, hands still tied tight behind them, were put into luxurious enclosed chairs, each carried by two servants, in the lavish Northern style. Sorrin wondered why they were being treated so well, but he guessed it was because they were both royalty. He had no idea how long they had been traveling, but the next thing he knew he was let out along with Ganail, and they were standing in a small room lit by a few candles and a fire on the hearth. In front of the fire were two high-backed chairs facing away from them.
"Wait here," said Rasim, and he and Ranaor left the room.
Ganail and Sorrin looked around. The walls were completely covered with brightly colored tapestries, not depicting battles like the Southern tapestries, but showed the many gods of Rasnonia. Sorrin was disgusted when he saw the Golden Hand of Lor pictured alongside the Oak of Nare the tree-god, and the thunderbolts of Rastoran above the fireplace. He walk closer to examine the pictures.
"From what I had heard, I thought you would have been an old man."
Sorrin swung around sharply. The speaker was a girl who had been sitting in one of the chairs before the fire. She was small, but looked to be about fifteen. The clothes she wore were typical of Northern nobility, fancy and colorful, as if the maker of them had tried to stuff all the colors of the world into the cloth.
"But I see I was mistaken," she continued, "You are no more than a boy."
"Boy?" he echoed, surprised, "I bet I'm older than you!"
"In age, maybe," she retorted, "But by the way you're arguing, you seem to be only six."
Ganail snorted from where he was looking out a window. The girl smiled and gestured to a wooden table, with game pieces in the shape of dogs and horses scattered on it.
"Do you play Horses and Hounds?" she asked. Sorrin nodded slowly. "Then sit down and play. My name is Maiela, by the way."
"I'm Sorrin Longwalker," said Sorrin as he sat down and began arranging the Horse pieces.
"Longwalker?" repeated Maiela amused, "Do all Southerners have such odd sounding names as you?"
"No," said Sorrin, barely smiling, "It isn't an odd name."
"Yes it is."
"No it isn't."
"Yes it is," said Ganail.
Sorrin rolled his eyes. "Okay then, it is. . ." he began.
"I always win," said Maiela laughing.
". . . Not odd sounding." finished Sorrin with a smile.
"My Hounds have your Horses at bay," said Maiela, a slightly mischievous look in her eyes, "I win."
Sorrin looked at the board in surprise. "How. . ."
The door opened and two men dressed in fine clothes entered, followed by Rasim and Ranaor. The fat, kinder looking one Sorrin immediately knew was the King of Rasnonia, and he stood and bowed slightly. The other one was much younger and meaner looking.
"The Prince Sorrin?" asked the King, "From what I heard, I thought you to be an old man!"
Sorrin laughed shortly, and looked at Maiela quizzically. She was trying hard not to laugh.
"And you must be King Halthinil of Shaddock," said the King to Ganail, kneeling and holding out his hand.
"No," said Ganail shaking the King's hand, "I'm his brother, Prince Ganail. And I do not live in Shaddock, I reside in Linan Nor."
There was an awkward silence. "Ah, yes," the King said slowly, "I'm sorry about that. But war is war, after all."
"Of course," said the younger man, "And war is not Hounds and Horses, right sister?"
"Elidra," answered Maiela, "I don't need to be scolded like a child."
"Nor do you need to be playing like one with Southern scum!"
"Scum?" Sorrin's face grew red.
"Elidra!" the King exclaimed, "Stop this! He hasn't done anything to you."
"He was born, father," Elidra said bitterly. With that he left the room.
"I'm sorry," apologized the King. He drew from his belt two swords; the Sarilan and Ganail's short sword. "You may keep these, just don't use them. You are also allowed to go about the city, but only under guard. One hot-headed act, and I'm afraid I must turn you over to the High Council. We will leave you now to sleep. Goodnight."
The King left, followed by Rasim, Ranaor, and Maiela. Maiela paused at the door. "Hounds and Horses tomorrow, Longwalker?" she asked smiling.
"Alright," said Sorrin smiling back. She left, and Ganail looked sideways at Sorrin and smiled a knowing smile, but said nothing.
Outside, Naramir and Sarlaim stared up from the bushes they were hiding in to the window that Ganail had been looking out of. They would wait. No matter how long it took, they would wait.
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Chapter Ten: Something Big
There was a lull in the siege, and Sordoin went to sit by the well to bandage his sore arm. The Dokkalim were making headway, and already some of them had gotten over the walls and had to be cut down quickly. Their attacks were merciless and hard, and losses were heavy on both sides.
Halthinil came over to the well and took a long drink. Then he looked at Sordoin. "That was not a wise thing to do, boy."
Sordoin looked up from his arm at Halthinil. "I thought you could only speak Sartalish!"
Halthinil smiled. "I listen quietly, and learn fast." The Sartalim sat down.
"It was not wise to do what?" asked Sordoin.
"To attack Imira like a wildcat. If ever you face him in battle, he will use your anger to his advantage," Halthinil took another drink. "He was lying, anyway."
"Lying?"
"About the salt mine part," answered the Sartalim monarch, "Sorrin is most likely in the palace of the Rasnonian king."
"How do you know?"
"If he was captured for the salt mines, they would have taken the Sarilan. It is a privilege of royal prisoners to carry their weapons."
Sordoin felt so much relief he did not notice the pain in his arm. "So there is still hope?"
"What?" exclaimed Halthinil suddenly, leaping to his feet and staring hard at Sordoin. Sordoin backed up against the well in surprise, while the soldiers who were near stopped to listen.
"Are you implying that Sorrin is the only hope we have?" challenged Halthinil, "That without Sorrin all resistance against Rastoran is vain? Think, foolish one, think! It is not a Huwyn prince, nor his ancient blade that will deliver us!" Here, the Sartalim's voice started to waver, and his eyes clouded. "He is Lor's Son! Sinoril will save. Sinoril, a'idah nalda'il omah. Sinoril, a'idah lirnagari."
"Halthinil!" Mornan strode to the well. Halthinil fell to the ground as if someone who had been holding him up had suddenly dropped him. Mornan knelt down beside him. "Halthinil, what does that mean? Who is Sinoril?"
"Sinoril, the mighty one," Halthinil muttered breathlessly, "Sinoril, the. . . "
"The what?"
"Sacrifice."
"No. . ." Mornan said heavily, "It can't be. Not sacrifice. . ."
A horn sounded, and a cheer rose from the soldiers on the wall. But Halthinil and Mornan stayed looking into each others eyes, as if silently speaking. Sordoin looked on intently, and Halthinil's eyes closed.
"Sordoin," Mornan spoke finally, his voice barely audible because of the cheering, which he seemed to have taken no notice of, "It appears that we are the witnesses of a very extraordinary event."
"What event?" asked Sordoin.
"A Sartalim uttering prophecies," answered Mornan, still looking at Halthinil, "Never before has anyone besides a Huwyn or Annwyn prophesied."
Sordoin stood, a wave of confusion sweeping over him. Mornan looked up at him. "Something big is happening," Sordoin said.
"And we're right in the middle of it," Mornan breathed. Mornan motioned for a nearby soldier to take Halthinil into the Tower. At that moment, the gates were flung open and a score or more of armored horsemen poured in with a great cloud of dust billowing behind them.
Ailira ran down the stone stairs that ascended to the top of the wall, his bloodstained sword in his hand. General Nimoran followed close behind. "Midas!" he greeted the leader of the horsemen, "I didn't expect you here!"
"You were right in not expecting us," said the forest king, swinging down from his horse and handing the reins to a stablehand. He looked at Ailira gravely.
"What happened?" Ailira asked with dread.
"Stillwood has been taken by the U'tolga," Midas spat out the last word "The only secure place in Stillwood is Eyriehold."
Ailira stood there stunned. General Nimoran cursed under his breath.
"Ailira," said Mornan after a while, "I feel as if we have been thrown into this, and mixed around into chaos. It would be a good thing to take a day or two and discuss our situation."
Ailira sighed. "Yes, it would help."
A soldier of Stillwood walked up to Midas. His silver helm covered his face, and long golden hair fell in waves behind him.
"The troops are garrisoned?" asked Midas.
The soldier nodded and removed his helmet. Sordoin's eyes widened as he realized that the soldier was a lady. Midas must have been surprised as well, because he suddenly exclaimed: "Aryia! I thought I told you to stay in Eyriehold!"
"They didn't need me," answered Aryia calmly, although she looked down in embarrassment.
Midas sighed heavily. "Very well. I guess it's too late to send you back," he finally said. Aryia brightened.
The sentry on the wall came down and walked over to them. "The enemy has pulled back into their camp suddenly," he said, "They are disassembling their war machines and the campfires are growing more numerous."
"Then that means they will be staying in camp for a day or two," said Nimoran thoughtfully.
"I think we should take this opportunity and discuss what we are to do," said Mornan. He turned and led the way into the Tower.
Once in the Tower, Sordoin had to stand still for a moment to get used to the dark. Then he followed behind Nimoran, feeling claustrophobic under the low ceiling of the entryway which seemed to press down toward him. They turned left and went down a long hallway lit with lamps that hung on either wall.
Above them, Sordoin could hear the hustling of soldiers busy preparing weapons and repairing armor. Now and then a young maid carrying a basket of bandages or a mother with her child would pass them, stopping only to curtsy respectfully. At the end of the hall was a winding staircase, and Mornan led them up. This led up to another hallway where things were quieter. There was a door halfway down the hall, and they opened it and went in.
The room was long, and it's vaulted ceiling rose far above them, supported by tall sandstone pillars. A long red carpet ran along the blue tiled floor and led to a large onyx table, with fifty chairs of the same stone placed around it. They sat down at the table, Ailira sitting at the head.
"Midas," he said, "Tell us all that happened in Stillwood."
"When we left Narcourt," said Midas, "Our scouts kept coming back with reports of a armed company that was far ahead of us. They couldn't get close enough to see who they were, so we traveled faster, taking shorter rests. We passed many abandoned campsites, and from some of the arrowheads we found scattered around we determined that they were the U'tolga.
"With this knowledge we tried our best to get to Stillwood before they did, but when we came in sight of home, we saw smoke rising from the trees. We fought our way into Stillwood, enraged at the damage the the Cliff Rats caused the forest. We were greatly relieved when we found Eyriehold still standing.
"There we made sure the women and children were safely guarded, and we discussed with the Parliament of Elders about what we should do. It was decided that we should take half of the best archers we had and come here to help defend the Tower."
"And for your help we are greatly thankful," said Ailira, "But this news is the most terrible I've heard yet."
"Why?" asked Nimoran.
"Before the North attacked," explained Ailira, "The South had five sanctuaries in which it could defend itself: Noran Mir, Noran Risas, Noran Rimana, Linan Nor, and Stillwood. Noran Mir is under siege, Noran Risas is taken, Linan Nor has no more ships, and now Stillwood is closed to us. If Noran Mir falls to the enemy, only Noran Rimana, the White Tower, is left."
"So," said Sordoin, "If Sorrin fails in his mission, all is lost?"
"If Sorrin fails," said Mornan, "It would take something big to help us."
Comments
Feb. 4, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Pip
Keep me busy, huh? I couldn't stop reading! It's a wonderful book, well-written and engaging; well-balanced and even though you have similiar themes to other fantasy books, like LotR, you don't copy them. I was under the impression that you'd only written up to chapter four and it was gonna be AGES till I could read anymore, so imagine my exuberancy at finding you'd written way more than I'd thought you had! It's turning out to be a very, very good book and I can't wait to find out what happens in the future chapters. Are you planning on publishing it? I think it's good enough for you to think about that....
May God bless you, and may His hand guide your pen!
~PIP~
Feb. 12, 2009 - nice
Posted by Haflinger007
You are an awesome writer! are you going to get it published? you should! i'll buy the book!!!! see-ya!
Jekara
Feb. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by GothamCityNights
OK... last time I was here you only had THREE chapters! I have a LOT of catching up to do. I love the story, as far as I've read! KEEP IT UP!
~Lavender
Feb. 27, 2009 - WOW
Posted by jillybean
gee... where do you find the time to write this amazing tale? I can hardly find the time to read all of it! keep up the good work! sounds good to me!
Jillybean
Mar. 5, 2009 - Awesome
Posted by wdwingard96
I love this book Haflinger007 Ws right you should try and publish it It might hit top ten. I read it everyday before school, It is awesome, I need to go Get my uncle from work I'll be bac later bye
Wdwingard96
Edited by wdwingard96 on Mar. 5, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Mar. 6, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by GothamCityNights
*claps* I just finished reading it and I think it's AWESOME!!!!! Great job!
Mar. 26, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sorcha
Wow, that was very good! Can't wait to read more!
A fellow author,
Sorcha
Apr. 12, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MeekatHeart
I will be reading this soon, but I have to get off so I won't have time to read 1-6. But I will deffinetly be checking in. Wanna be friends?
~Drea Grace, Lady of Words~
May. 10, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Childish
Sweeeet storry. I didn't get to read it all yet, but it's awesome. ^_^ I'm adding you to my friends list so I can come back for more.
Aug. 30, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OutcastLilGurl
wow u r a good writer. i luv this story. mind if i add u 2 my friends list and come back 4 more later?
Sep. 4, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by liltink165
You're a really great writer. I loved it.
Love,
Caity
