The Elderkin Prophet

Chapter 10

The dark moon crept in; its feint light barely could be seen. Even though everything was dark and cold, Feregar was wide awake. Each dwelling all the way to the keep was lit up with candles and lanterns, shining like a jewel in the night sky. The forests on the outskirts were pitch-black leaving only the silhouettes of trees swaying gently in the breeze. There were more than a thousand guards patrolling the walls while the city would sleep that night.

Ino along with the other two royal children were summoned by the king in his chamber. As Ino stepped closer and closer to his father’s bedchamber, he began to worry what the occasion was. The winding stairwell soon opened up to a large carved door with wreaths of fresh roses hung around it. Guards occasionally patrolled passed the halls. Ino pushes the door open slowly and notices his father and his sister sitting opposite each other at a table. Ino joined them and sat himself besides his father. He kissed his father’s hand to pay respect.

Magnar and Nita both had very dull and emotionless expressions, almost as if they were lost in a deep depression of doubt.

“What’s wrong?” Ino asked.

Nita locks hey eyes with Magnar and then tenses her lips. Suddenly the door opens again and Jayyed enters. He sits himself next to Nita and realises what is happening. A brief silence follows before Magnar began to speak.

“Ever since we received the news of the Murakan offence, Feregar began to prepare for the upcoming battle. Everything was planned and we were ready to lock ourselves in hand to hand combat with our foes. This was until…”

He pauses. “This was until we received word that none of the neighbouring lords had sent any reinforcements or even if they did, none of them have made an appearance till now. There is a large adequacy of soldiers who will be able to protect Feregar. We have all the artillery we need to destroy them but we lack able soldiers to man the weapons or even protect them properly. Our garrison only consists of near three thousand men ready and armed against a mighty force of near ten thousand.”

“How much time do we have left?” Jayyed cuts in.

“Not much.” Nita replied.

Magnar continues to speak. His face looked grim and serious.

“Worse news still, fresh reports delivered today sighted the Murakan advance crossing the Kharaki River. They most probably will be marching overnight and will be at our gates before dawn. The river bridges have been demolished, this will buy us some more time but still, we do not have much time left.”

He unfurls a large map of the city on the table. The children huddle up to take a closer look.

Magnar begins to point towards the walls.

“The cities walls have been booby trapped with several fire pits and smaller bomb traps. The cities natural mountainside will protect the walls from being broken into from the corners. Multiple ballistae’s are ready and lined up along this wall. This will be more than enough to hold off the first wave of attackers. If all goes to plan, we can choke them at this point and pray that we defeat them. If this line of defence falls, the castle and the Foye will be the last line.”

Ino hesitates to speak but continues.

“This will be a m******e for the common folk.”

“That is why; I am considering your plan. The city folk will be transported and harboured in a settlement far away from the war. They will stay there until the war is won and over.

Ino pulls out his journal. He begins to show everyone his research and mapping of the underground passages that were built under the city.

“I spent an entire day carefully mapping out the paths which are accessible and the tunnel systems which have collapsed. I’ve marked them here on this small map. We must use this to quickly reach a small hidden door near the dockyard.”

As the family look at the plans together, they begin to chart out their plans of action.

Jayyed begins to speak. “I shall make sure that all of the fleet is ready and stocked before dawn, ready to depart before our enemies reach Feregar.”

“There is news that the unidentified symbol that Ino showed that day belonged to the Swords of the Serpants, a guild of seafaring sellswords. Their fleet of ships were seen dotting the horizon. They have set up a blockade outside Feregar already.” Magnar remarked.

“Our ships will plough through them.” Jayyed says in a confident tone.

Nita continues. “The Foye and the city will be barricaded before dawn as well. I will make sure the people are ready to board the ship.”

Some further discussions take place; meanwhile Ino begins to wonder about the upcoming events. He prays for the best of outcomes.

“There is one last thing.” Magnar interrupts the discussion.

All the children listen attentively

“I want you three to set sail tomorrow as well.”

“WHAT! NO! That is not an option!” Nita exclaims.

“We are not going to abandon Feregar in a time like this! Our soldiers are as strong as steel, we can take them on!” Jayyed urges.

Ino is caught by surprise. He stares at his father speechless as his eyes widened. He began to nod in disapproval.

 “No, we are not leaving you!”

King Magnar remains silent while his children protest against him. He is saddened deeply. He knew it was the right thing to do because he did not want to risk their lives. He loved them greatly and would not be able to stand it if anything happened to either one of them. He down there knew that Feregar would not stand a chance against the Murakan horde. He knew that it would be a fight that Feregar would never be able to win alone. He could only wonder why the loyal lords who swore to him suddenly defected but it was of no use to think of such things at this time. He eventually breaks his silence and speaks.

“As your king and father, I command it.”

“…And who will lead our soldiers into battle? Who will lead the royal guard against those savages?” Nita, rebels.

“I once lead a battalion of fifteen thousand soldiers across the battlefield of Hakkrar against the cruel kingship of Vyognar of Nimbu and emerged victorious. I shall lead our steadfast soldiers into battle and buy you and the folk enough time to escape.”

Nita looked furious. “Let me stand by your side father. Let me aid you. I have trained my whole life for this.”

“No; dear one, I want you to look after Ino and protect him while you all seek refuge. I want all of you to look after one another for you are my children and I love each single one of you to no end.”

The siblings remain silent in disbelief and reject. Magnar continues to speak.

“Jayyed, you are the captain of the royal fleet. I task you with the duty to escort all the ships to the location we discussed earlier.”

Jayed weakly obliges. “It shall be done, father.”

“If Feregar is indeed doomed to fall, then you must live on and lead our people onwards.”

There is utter silence in the room; the flickering sound of the lanterns could be heard. No one could even think of speaking a single word.

“That will be all, go.”

The children slowly rise up from their seats and take their leave one by one until only Nita is left. Magnar looks to her before she left and speaks.

“You are the wisest and strongest of them all, look after them and protect them from each other.”

“Yes, father.” Nita begins to take her leave.

Kind magnar sat in his seat with head in hand. He was contemplating his decisions and thinking about the events to come.

“Watch over them, Talia.” He prays.

A slimmer of a tear rolls down his eyes as he sat there all alone in the large room.

Time passes quickly and after each one finished performing their duties. Later that night, the three siblings regroup and seat themselves on the balcony near the left wing of the castle. Jayyed lights up his pipe and takes in a big puff. All three sat in silence for some time. A single small candle flickered atop a table in the centre of the children. The canopy made of cloth surrounded the balcony and protected them from the cold harsh wind.

“I still cannot believe this is happening.” Nita talks lightly.

Jayyed passes the pipe to Nita. He nods his head approvingly and clicks his tongue.

He sighs. “It’s all a bloody mess. I still say we can pull in all our resources and face the Murakans head on. They will fall, I’m sure of it.”

“That plan is horrible; it would just be a death trap.” Ino objected.

“Yea...? And what do you know you stupid little prick! All you have ever done was run away from challenges and squanders. The whole reason why we have to even leave in the first place is because of your dumb little idea!” Jayyed snarls at Ino.

“Enough… Calm down Jayyed. There is no point on throwing your anger onto Ino. His plan is actually well thought of and probably the only way we can make it out alive. So quit blaming him for everything. Next thing I know, you will be at his throat with your hands.”

Jayyed makes a face. Nita fills the pipe and passes it back to him. Ino looked scared but also angry. He wanted to talk back to Jayyed very badly but respected Nita a lot.

“I don’t understand why father won’t come along. Why is he doing this?” Ino, remarks.

Silence follows. Nobody wanted to answer that question because they already knew the answer to it deep within themselves.

“Only time can tell.” Nita whispers while looking up at the stars.

The three children sit on the balcony for some more time, enjoying the last bit of fresh air before everything would go to hell.

“Alright, I feel that we should break and take rest. It won’t be long before dawn, rest now for we have a long day coming.” Nita concludes.

Ino and Jayyed depart for their respective quarters. Nita felt restless, sleep was the last thing on her mind. She was scared but her determination was strong. She equipped her armour and grabbed Kinara. She made her way up to the sanctuary and sat there for a sometime. She began to practice until the light of dawn began to c***k.