Roger Taylor - Into Narsindal

‘I know this,’ Hawklan said impatiently. ‘You may recall that I spent long enough in the library here before I left and… ’-he raised his hand to his temple uncertainly-‘I knew anyway.’ He grimaced. ‘Old and new memories,’ he said. ‘I can’t separate them any more.’

‘It’s of no consequence,’ Andawyr said. ‘Knowledge is knowledge.’ He motioned Gulda to continue.

‘I mention those other aspects of the war to remind you that while man did indeed carry the greatest burden, it was but a portion of the whole, and not one hundredth part of it rested on the shoulders of one single man. Each leader… commander… carried what he could to the best of his ability. Few failed Ethriss and he did not reproach those who did.’

Gulda looked at Hawklan anxiously.

‘Andawyr and I have talked about you a great deal over these past weeks,’ she said. ‘And I tell you what we believe now, not simply to assuage your curiosity, but because you must know the truth to be free of the burden of guilt which you seem to be carrying.’

‘And while I am so burdened, my judgement is marred and my value lessened,’ Hawklan said coldly.

Gulda nodded. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘That’s true as you above all know. But we also care for you.’

Hawklan bowed his head, momentarily ashamed of his harshness. ‘I feel no guilt,’ he said, uncertainly. ‘Not when I remember the… end.’ He hesitated. ‘Only when… I’m there… I… ’

‘Just listen,’ Andawyr said powerfully, startling Hawklan.

Gulda went on. ‘Nonetheless, you are burdened by it and it does cloud your sight. For that, and many other reasons, you should know the truth.’

‘Or at least what you and Andawyr consider to be the truth,’ Hawklan interjected.

Gulda nodded and paused again as if to collect her thoughts.

‘Among men,’ she said after a moment. ‘The Orthlundyn were Ethriss’s greatest allies. Always they had stood against Sumeral, mistrusting Him from the first and seeing Him truly for what He was, before all others. They were flawed creatures as are we all, but they remained largely free of His taint, and came to form the heart of Ethriss’s power.’

She looked around. ‘They lived here, in this land, in a manner not greatly different from that of the present Orthlundyn, though there were many more and they were… bolder, if you like… more vigorous. As individuals they travelled far and wide across the world, seeking and rejoicing in knowledge. This was why it was they who sensed from the first the true nature of Sumeral. And having seen the truth of Him, this was why they were the first to oppose Him.’

She stopped and glanced at Andawyr, as if seeking relief from this task, but he offered none.

She went on. ‘When, finally, Sumeral launched war on those who opposed Him and in so doing woke the Guardians, it was to the Orthlundyn that Ethriss first gave Sumeral’s own grim teaching. Then too, as now, they were apt pupils and learned well. Their captains and leaders went forth and fought with many armies, opposing Sumeral’s will wherever it was known.’

Hawklan frowned slightly and looked from Gulda to Andawyr. ‘How do you know all this?’ he asked. ‘In everything I’ve read about the First Coming there’s been virtually no mention of the Orthlundyn.’

Gulda did not reply, but Andawyr said simply, ‘The Cadwanol know much more about the early days, Hawklan. Hear the tale out then ask your questions.’

Hawklan nodded reluctantly, and Gulda continued.

‘By their conduct, the Orthlundyn became both a rallying point for those who opposed Sumeral-and there were many-and a target for His most savage cruelty. Sumeral gave little quarter to any of His enemies, and none to any captured Orthlundyn. Those who were not slaughtered on the field were taken for… later amusement.’

Hawklan turned his face away sharply, as if trying not to hear the words. Gulda hurried on.

‘Eventually the war became total, with all the horror and injustice that that meant. Savage and vengeful marauders committed atrocities in Ethriss’s name; wise and just nations found themselves led to fight by the side of Sumeral and his allies.’ Gulda shook her head and her voice became impassioned. ‘In those days, what tragedy could happen, did happen. Not a race existed that was not involved in the conflict in some way. Lands blighted, seas poisoned… ’ Andawyr reached out and touched her arm. She stopped speaking and looked at him.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, recovering herself after a mo-ment and turning back to Hawklan. ‘It’s difficult to be orderly in telling so vast a tale.’ Her hands fidgeted briefly with the top of her stick before she began again. ‘The armies of the Great Alliance stood against Sumeral at all points, sometimes victorious, sometimes not. But Sumeral knew that the heart of Ethriss’s will, the heart of all men’s opposition to Him, lay in the Orthlundyn, and that they must eventually be destroyed if He was to prevail. At first he sought to cut off their head and he succeeded in having one of their kings assassinated, and various Lords at different times… ’

‘Kings and Lords? In Orthlund?’ Hawklan exclaimed.

Gulda nodded. ‘By then, yes. They it was who built Anderras Darion-with a little help from Ethriss. War needs and breeds leaders and hierarchies, you know that. But the Kings and Lords of Orthlund were chosen by the people for their worth, and remained close to them, closer even than those you’ve met in Fyorlund. The great strength of the Orthlundyn in battle came not only from each individual’s belief in their cause and the trust they had in their leaders, but also, to a high degree, from the personal knowledge they had of them.’ An irritable wave prevented any further interrogation.

‘In any event, such deeds of individual slaughter availed Sumeral nothing, serving only to harden the resolve of the people to remain firm against Him. It was truly said of the Orthlundyn that when a leader fell their army was but one man the less. Eventually, therefore, Sumeral’s every manoeuvre was dedicated towards bringing His many armies together to attack Orthlund itself, even though He knew the cost of such an assault would be appalling.’

She paused, reluctant again. ‘And He was aided in this intent by Ethriss.’

Hawklan frowned again as a memory flitted by. ‘Stand your ground,’ he said, echoing the words that had returned to him but minutes earlier.

Gulda nodded. ‘We come nearer to your time, Hawklan,’ she said. ‘For Ethriss too knew that if he was to defeat Sumeral, then he must crush His army utterly. And seeing Sumeral’s intention, he brought together a great council of the leaders of the Great Alliance. In secret conference they determined that Sumeral should be subtly allowed to gather His armies together and bring them to Orthlund’s southern border. Once there, the Orthlundyn would retreat to draw Him between the mountains and the Great River, and then the armies of the Alliance would close behind Him, and drive Him into the spears of the Orthlundyn, entrenched and defensive.’

‘Stand your ground,’ Hawklan said again, emptily.

‘It was a good strategy,’ Gulda went on, gently. ‘Well prepared, well laid, well executed.’

Hawklan nodded. ‘I supported it,’ he said, his voice distant. ‘My army can hold off any attack. Let them come, they’ll break like waves against the rocks… ’

‘Your army?’ Andawyr said.

Hawklan’s eyes narrowed as he struggled again for some elusive memory. ‘My… father’s army?’ he said doubtfully. ‘Did I beg for the command?’

Neither Gulda nor Andawyr answered and after a moment he gave up the fruitless striving and spoke again.

‘They were glorious,’ he said. ‘All my friends, back from distant places and great deeds for this one final stroke. Years of secret planning and manoeuvring it had taken, but the Great Corrupter’s army was at last to be crushed between the hammer of the Great Alliance and the anvil of the waiting Orthlundyn. We waited, banners and pennants fluttering in the wind, swords and armour glinting in the sunlight; the horses, the soldiers, all restless and ready. Like a great celebration, a magnifi-cent tournament.’