Book of Kayal: Strength of Unity Read online

  It did not take long for the entire group to regroup. The round wooden table was busy with many objects chaotically spread by the Parthans, each displaying their contribution. The leather coin purse Sigurd had collected from the Hearthwarden sat in the center of the table, weighting down a large map brought by Hephaestion.

  The tools Thalia had crafted were packed into leather-bound packages and distributed among the warriors. The master smith had forged weapons nearly identical to the favored ones they had left in Partha. Their new armor resembled that of the city watch, but was dyed black, hardened and reinforced with more steel. Sigurd’s armor was the only one which stood out, a massive bulk of steel. Finally, black hooded cloaks were meant to replace their current brown ones, distinguishing them from the guards.

  Steel weapons replaced the rusted ones they bore. A dagger and a dozen throwing knives were standardized among all the packages they had been given by Thalia, yet each pack had a distinct weapon to fit the preference of whoever it was intended for.

  Pertinax was given a spear, a long sword and a small round shield. Percival and Dindrane were given a short sword each, as well as a new steel-reinforced bow. Sigurd received a massive greatsword and a halberd that doubled for a walking stick. Hephaestion was given a spear, a longsword and a kite shield. For Eirene, Thalia crafted a morning star and engraved it with religious depictions of Pax. A scimitar and a small round shield, identical to Pertinax’s, were given to Monolos. Thalia crafted herself a steel reinforced quarterstaff as well as two short swords. Finally, a wrist-mounted projectile weapon and a short sword were made for Ninazu; the most intricate tool in their armory. Ninazu, however, took the liberty of modifying his own weapons to account for his poisons.

  Once the new gear was distributed, the Parthans debriefed one another about the events during their separation. Hephaestion was the only one among the Hearthdale group who had made a significant discovery.

  “Immediately after you left, I acquired maps of Utyirth. Comparing them to some ancient maps I had collected over the years I made an interesting discovery.” Hephaestion drew the folded maps from beneath the coin purse and unfolded them. The motion spread a strong scent of pipe smoke across the table. “I believe that our people are native to Utyirth and migrated to Nosgard only recently.”

  Pertinax’s eyes widened in conflicted intellectual curiosity. “How can you support such a wild claim?”

  The philosopher then spread a rolled up parchment he carried next to the map placed amidst their conference table. A closer look at the two maps concluded that they both bore uncanny resemblance, but, judging from the age of the parchments, they had been drawn centuries apart.

  Pointing at the map he had just spread, Hephaestion explained, “This map is one I found in the Parthan libraries.” Shifting his finger to the other map, he added, “And this one I acquired from a local trader. They are both maps of Utyirth. However, the one from Nosgard has none of the similar landmarks as the other, except for this structure, the beacon.” He pointed at the only common symbol of the two maps.

  “What is that?” Pertinax asked.

  “I believe that this lighthouse was constructed long ago to guide our people back to the homeland.” He looked at them, eyeing each, and declared, “I believe our arrival here was prophesied.”

  Disturbed by the discovery, Pertinax shifted the dialogue and asked, “Have you discovered anything about Naa’tas?”

  “Not yet. The villagers seem to be reluctant to mention him. I believe that they are hiding something from us - something we have not earned the right to be informed of. What about you?” Hephaestion asked of Pertinax.

  Taking a deep breath, Pertinax explained their journey in great detail. Before continuing with the part where Ganis revealed herself, Pertinax eyed Ganis for permission. It was granted. He then revealed her secret. The Parthans were shocked, but relieved. It was better than they had suspected.

  After both groups had shared their experiences, Eos decided it was time to expose himself. There is one more thing you need to know, he projected to the Parthans.

  Recognizing the voice, Ganis hastily said, “There is one last discovery I have not disclosed.” She unsheathed Eos, temporarily unsettling the Parthans, and then placed the blade amidst the table, pushing the coin purse to the side, and explained, “The name is Eos, the Progenitor Blade.”

  Thalia smiled, unconcerned. “You were right. A blade as such always bears a name.”

  My name is Eos Teeban, and I once was...

  The Parthans listened carefully as Eos told them of his tale. Eos spared no detail about his origin, intentions and how he became immortal; the part which interested Thalia the most.

  Eos was revealed, but the Parthans had not decided yet about his offer. They had neither the information, nor had they studied the situation carefully enough to identify what they would need to capture Naa’tas.

  Pertinax knew, however, that a link between Eos and Ganis had already been established, and that hiding his thoughts about it would serve no useful purpose. After all, there was much about Ganis that they came to discover in the past few days.

  Their journey now led them to the beacon, which they hoped would answer Hephaestion’s questions and take them near Eos’ people, the Highborn.

  Chapter 4: With Leader’s Demise

  ‘I will be the hand by which Pax strikes at you, enemies of peace. I will be the monster you scare your children with to make them go to bed. I will be the nightmares that prevent you from sleeping. You will be purged for all these sins you have committed. This is the oath that I make by the sacred name of Pax.’ Philosophical Lessons from Utyirth (Volume I: Priestess).

  1

  When Ganis first met Hephaestion, it was the second day of her lunch gathering avoidance - an act she managed by skulking in the lower decks pretending to look for misplaced objects which were mysteriously never found, and on the rare occasion they appeared in her belongings and were lost again.

  Hephaestion was laying on his hammock reading a scroll when Ganis approached him. He noticed her heading his way and turned his head to face her, curled brown hair bouncing. The light revealed his chestnut-colored eyes staring at her, expecting a series of questions, or at the very least an inconvenient conversation which interrupting his studies, as she heard him refer to his reading habit before.

  Realizing Hephaestion’s attentiveness, Ganis slurred, “Hail! I am Ganis, your new companion.”

  “And I Hephaestion.” He hesitated for a moment, holding his mouth wide open as he contemplated his next words, then decided to proceed and said, “Pertinax told me everything about you, but there is one thing that continues to intrigue me. We set sail a day ago and you have not eaten since. If you are seasick, please let us know. Ninazu is quite the alchemist and can quickly prepare a remedy for you to deal with that.” He pointed at her stomach.

  Ganis released a deep breath she held in relief. “Thank you. I will head to Ninazu after lunch. There is one thing, though, I would like to ask of you.”

  “Hmm?” Hephaestion gently put down the scroll he was reading in a crevice near his hammock specifically designed for that purpose. It was already the second day into their voyage and he had adjusted his living space accordingly.

  “I was hoping that you would share with me your story. How did you get to be a member of Lyra’s Ona?”

  “That is an excellent question.” He stood from the hammock, stretched, and sat down on the hammock again. It was a strange gesture to Ganis, but she refrained from commenting. “Normally I would ask you to start with your own story, but we have all been briefed about you by Pertinax.” He took a moment to structure his story in his mind before telling it to Ganis, and continued, “My story begins after traveling the known lands in search for knowledge.

  “When I was seventeen, I decided that I learnt enough to start teaching myself without the aid of others. So I sought a way to expose myself to new experiences and volunteered to join the Peacekeeper
Core, where I met Thane.

  “Although Thane was my age back then, he was already a commander of a small scouting Peacekeeper group. Impressed by my tactical savvy, Thane immediately promoted me to be his second. At the time, the Peacekeeper Core was a small force which had just been established by the Gallecian authorities to maintain peace in the surrounding lands. It was a group of glorified law enforcers who were on the brink of becoming something entirely different.

  “The escalating civil war expanded our duties beyond maintaining the peace. We became soldiers. When the war was over, and Partha was exiled, the Gallecian Council attempted to consolidate their power and be the official ruler of Gallecia and protectors of the peace. Although a seemingly fitting reward for the noble Council, Thane and I saw beyond their lies. We knew that the Council was planning something sinister, but we could not identify their intent or prove it.

  “Eventually, Thane conspired with a group of Peacekeepers opposing the Council’s rule, and I willingly followed. One day, however, we were betrayed by one of our own and handed over to the Gallecian authorities as rebels and enemies to the peace. By official decree from the Council, we were exiled to Partha, a prison colony at the time.

  “Within the exiled kingdom, Thane and I had to start a new life where our survival depended on careful planning and avoiding the attention of local gangs. These were hard days, Ganis, but they made us stronger.

  “It started with Thane and I looking out for each other, and then grew to become a full grown gang of over a hundred members. We managed to gain status among the exiled and survived long enough to attend the arrival of Lady Lyra and the Demigod Servak.

  “As a former rebel, Thane did not need to prove his loyalties to Servak and managed to convince him to allow me to join Lyra’s Ona. However, the true purpose of my task, as Thane assigned, was to spy on the Emperor and confirm the nature of his intentions.

  “Once I learnt that the Emperor was indeed pure of heart, I confessed my role to Lyra who, to my surprise, admired my honesty and insisted that I serve in her Ona.” Hephaestion brushed his curled hair back. “That concludes my story so far.”

  Ganis was entranced by the story teller, who spoke not only with words, but also with a mastery of tones and gestures. “You are indeed a man of detail, Hephaestion.”

  “My past may be eventful, but I never served under the command of a hero such as Asclepius. I look forward to knowing more about your master.”

  Before Ganis got a chance to reply to her comrade, he added, “Unfortunately, this story will have to wait, for I am starving and am in dire need of sustenance. They are serving fish today, again; I guess that I should have my fill before it turns stale as the days come to pass.”

  Hephaestion held his right hand out for Ganis to hold and support him while he stood up. Before stepping away from his hammock towards the stairs leading to the upper decks, he looked back and made certain that his reading material was properly secured. With a serene motion, Hephaestion disappeared beyond the entrance.

  Once the man was well out of sight, Ganis walked towards her own hammock hoping to get some undisturbed sleep. After all, she wanted to waste time convincingly.

  2

  Dawn had just unveiled the village of Hearthdale when the Parthans prepared for their journey to the beacon. The group awaited the priestess, who insisted to say her farewells to the orphans she had tended to during her stay. Pertinax accompanied her to rush the process; he knew the priestess had a habit of prolonging her farewells.

  Distant horns were heard by the ready travelers, a warning they dismissed. Shortly after, screams and battle-cries rose from Hearthdale. Alarmed, the Parthans dropped their luggage and readied for an assault. The three unnamed cubs and the belongings of the outlanders were huddled in a pile surrounded by the veterans.

  Ganis drew Eos and prepared to set forth towards her two companions at the orphanages.

  Hephaestion ordered, “Hold your position!” His shout bore an aura of command and unwavering intent. It was the Parthan way and he would not abandon it even in such a time. These laws, he thought, were made just for situations such as this.

  “I hear the clashing of steel and screaming of women. There is battle up ahead. We should go to Pertinax and Eirene at once,” Ganis warily responded. “And who are you to be commanding me?”

  “I am the second-in-command. I lead in the absence of our captain. You will hold!” Hephaestion’s voice turned to a shout.

  Disgusted by his Parthan Way, Ganis retorted, “I cannot obey such order. If you were in their stead, I would come for you regardless of any command. All of you shame me!” Ganis burst into a jog towards the noise. None followed her.

  “If I was the one stranded, then I would prioritize the safety of the many over my own. My command is not selfish, but with reason!” Hephaestion’s voice repeated, “Not selfish, but with reason.”

  A few paces towards the commotion, Ganis found her path blocked by black cloaked men holding primitive weapons. The few that approached her were followed by an endless stream of uniformed soldiers. She did not tally, but rushed towards the orphanages, slashing her way through with Eos, killing as many as she could without sacrificing her pace.

  In no more than two minutes, she reached the orphanages. The wooden structure had caught fire, but the scorching heat did not stop her; not even for a second’s worth of doubt. Fires raged, yet the mysterious enemy swarmed the building.

  Ganis was deterred by neither fire nor foe. Her conviction and resolve fueled her search. She summoned all the strength she could and butchered through the denizens of cloaked assailants. When her path into the building was clear, she rushed in only to find an empty, collapsing room.

  Escaping the charred structure from a burning hole into the wall, Ganis proceeded to the next orphanage. They had to be in one of them. More enemies flocked from the north with torches, pitchforks and other crude tools. The more cloaks she saw, the stronger her drive grew - and bloodlust.

  The second building had just caught fire, but the flames spread fast. Repeating the same carnage as with the first orphanage, Ganis made her way into the building. The sight of the two Parthans relieved her, but all was not well. Eirene held Pertinax tightly to her chest. He was bleeding profusely.

  “What happened?”

  “We were helping the children escape,” Eirene forced the words as she wept. “While he fended off the heretics, a wooden beam fell on him. He was then clubbed to death by those savages. I hate them!” The priestess’ tearing eyes raged with contempt.

  “Are the children safe?”

  The tormented Parthan nodded. She stood up and held the morningstar Thalia had crafted in her right hand, and Pertinax’s blade in her left. She had no intention to defend, just to kill as many as she could.

  “It’s not your time yet. Clear the way up ahead towards the forest. I’ll carry Pertinax and rush after you.” Ganis hoped her words would appeal to Eirene’s logical self – not that she thought much of it.

  For a short moment when Eirene was battling her desires for vengeance, Ganis saw a look on Eirene’s face that reminded her of the first time she met Asclepius. She had once seen herself in a mirror just after speaking to the necromancer and noticed the very same look on her own face. It was an ugly look; a sadistic look.

  Having won the timeless battle within, Eirene’s good nature prevailed. She followed Ganis’ suggestion. “Stay behind me. We should try to avoid them.” Her eyes no longer watered, but her heart weighed heavy.

  The two Parthans headed out of the burning building. Fueled by anger for what they have done to her beloved captain, the priestess slashed, bashed and cleaved her way to the woods. She killed her challengers too fast for Ganis to keep count.

  From a distance, Ganis glimpsed at a road leading to the Heart of the Hearth where the local guard fought the assailants. Those damn twins actually taught them well, she thought as the outnumbered guards resisted. Although the twenty four guards would all
inevitably fall during this battle, should it be prolonged, they bought enough time for the others to safely escape into the woods nearby. For Ganis, their willingness to sacrifice themselves was what impressed her the most.

  “We have made it to the woods. Let us disappear in the cover of this dense forest!”

  Soiled in blood from the many they slew, the two Parthans ran deeper into the forest. They ran far more than they needed to. While Ganis was running to preserve the body she carried, Eirene ran from something else - escape from reality. Finally the cruelty of Utyirth became clear to them.

  The priestess ran until she collapsed - partly from physical exhaustion and partly from grief. Only then did Ganis place Pertinax on the cold fallen leaves, preserved by the harsh snow. With her thoughts running amok, she was too occupied to feel the blood-hunger that came with killing. She just wanted to be certain that no one else would fall that day.

  3

  The first meeting with Thalia was all but pleasant to Ganis, yet the memory took a different shape the more they got acquainted.

  While skulking in the rear of the Siren’s main deck, escaping the serving of dinner once more, Ganis heard a tranquil voice singing. To Ganis, the singer seemed to be purposefully limiting the range of her vocal tones, a common practice among Parthan singers to save their best voice for a special occasion.

  Hypnotized by the music, Gains suddenly felt an eye peering at her. The intensity of Thalia’s yellow colored hair made it difficult to miss the artist even with the absence of light. Thalia halted her singing and started another tune:

  “Hiding in the shadow of the Siren’s main deck,

  Ganis, a stranger amidst our ranks.

  She looks like a fair maiden, but acts like a creep

  For all of us wonder when she sleep”