Haldren valemount
Haldren was still astonished by the walls of capital. They rose high as if trying to hug the clouds of sky.
Behind Haldren rose the heart of the kingdom itself, The high citadel where kings were crowned and princes raised beneath banners older than memory. It's towers climbed the sky in pale stone tiers, catching the light like spears of gold at dawn and burning embers by dusk. Broad walls wrapped the inner keep, thicker and prouder than any outer defense, etched with reliefs of victories long past and oaths sworn in blood and fire. This kingdom has seen many battles, and have won it.
Inside were wide halls where every step of haldren's father echoed, and a great throne set beneath a high, arched ceiling. Balconies looked down upon quiet gardens and clear fountains, far removed from the noise of the city below. This was a place of power and order, where words were chosen carefully and crowns weighed heavy.
Haldren took a long, heavy breath before entering the throne room.
Haldren pushed open the long brown gate, its heavy wood groaning softly. On either side stood two knights clad in thick red armor, shields held firm and swords ready, ever prepared to defend the king and the princes. Haldren offered them a small smile, though his eyes remained wary. After a brief pause, the knights finally bowed. Haldren returned the gesture with a nod and stepped through the gate, entering the long hall where the throne awaited and the king upon it.
Haldren saw his father talking to several other ministers and priests. He sat on throne like a bored man who wanted nothing but to battle. Haldren admired his father for that.
King kaisran noticed his son and waved those greedy ministers away. Smiling, he looked at his son. "I heard you are going to some island. Aravan island?", king kaisran asked. His voice filled with excitement.
"Yes father. Another tomb. I think this one will be worth your attention".
"And why is that?"
Haldren eyed the ministers who still stood although away from king but their ears were still on the talk. Haldren never liked them.
"Would you mind?", haldren asked. "This talk is between blood not of kingdom. You can rest free for the day. Go and relive yourselves in whorehouses".
The king snorted and laughed. "Yes, do what my son says".
The ministers who wore yellow robes nodded and left the room, eyeing haldren.
Haldren turned his gaze towards his father.
The king was not a brawny or burly man, Haldren knew that well. His strength lay elsewhere. His left eye had been lost in the Battle of Liberation, and a blue patch now covered the scar, while his remaining good eye studied Haldren with a sharp, unblinking gaze.
"Father, I want to talk to you about something. You have to promise that you will not make decisions in rage".
King kaisran smiled, shrugged. "Depends on the talk. I am not one to promise something if I don't know what lies on the other side of it".
Haldren nodded. "Father, there was a source. A trusted source which brought me a news that shook me to my very core".
"Stop being dramatic now, will you? I know you all too well to be caught in one of your actings".
Haldren smiled. "I am going to aravan island cause I heard jorath is there. Apparently, in search of a tomb which is of old gods".
King kaisran shifted a bit in his seat. "You certain? If jorath had found something like that then he would have told me".
"That is the reason why this information took me by surprise. That is the reason why I am in such haste. I know jorath cannot be trusted but yet you have given him oath of Aegis".
"What choice did i have? I gave you one, he was demanding it for years. He slew a dragon and claimed red frost under his banner", king kaisran said, pointing. "A feat which none of my other sons achieved".
"That's a rumour, father. How can you believe it? This is not the first time he has lied".
"What other lies he has spoken?", king kaisran asked. "I know none except what you claim".
"Let's just say two of your sons currently dwell on Aravan Island", haldren said, a sly smile never leaving his lips.
The king stood with a worried look, his gaze darting from side to side. After a brief moment, he descended the steps of the dais, his movements slow and heavy with concern.
"Jemriah? And that vermin Irene?", king asked, his voice low and sharp. "What are they doing there?"
"Poor jemriah would not have known about tomb, for that I am sure of it. Jorath on the other hand, has probably visited there to do something, huge obviously. He wants that power to run his kingdom, or to attack another big one perhaps? What if... He wants to attack you father? What if his eyes are set on capital?"
Haldren could see his father's anger rise as he clenched his fists tight.
"Ride hard. Take as many knights, captains or vales as you need. See to it that both of your brothers are not plotting something behind my back. I trust you can do that?"
Haldren smiled, narrowing his eyes.
"Gladly, father..."
The king clapped Haldren on the back and strode off behind the throne, toward the chambers where he resided.
He could see clearly now, the throne.
The throne was wrought of gold, gleaming atop the dais. It shone with a quiet, commanding light. Behind it, two long swords were driven point-first into the stone floor, their blades standing like silent sentinels. Along the armrests, two spears rose forward, sharp and deliberate, as if the throne itself were armed. Draped over it all was a vast red cloth bearing the royal sigil, falling in heavy folds and lending the seat an air of power and authority.
Haldren recognised the spears and swords well. He wanted that not the throne.
Oath of aegis is powerful but not perfect...
This armour that is on my skin... It can be broken... It has limitations....I don't want that ... This sword that I wield proudly on my back can be broken by another superior one... one crafted by an old god...
Jorath is hoping to achieve that sword by breaking into that tomb, so he can stop me...
I won't let him...I won't let him destroy me...
World of sumaka through eyes of a merchant -
I once travelled towards the capital. It was huge that I lost my way not once but twice. Well, actually thrice... But what amazed me was not the size of capital but it was the mounts that they used... They are called valemounts if I recall correctly....
Those creatures are covered in thick white fur, their bodies and faces shaped like hounds, yet they are no hounds. They run swiftly on four powerful legs, and within their vast jaws they can carry as many weapons as one might dare to load. I saw the youngest son of King Kaisran ride one with my own eyes.
These mounts are immense, towering like the walls of the capital itself, only slightly smaller than giants, although I have never seen a giant, only read of them in forgotten legends. Even so, standing before such a beast, one cannot doubt the truth of those old tales.
Great iron chains are fixed along their backs, paired with heavy saddles so a rider may mount them with ease but only valemounts can ride them. When I first saw one in motion, I thought I was witnessing a giant running at full speed, the ground trembling beneath each thunderous stride.
Scary creatures... No wonder they are used in battles and not travelling. Also I wonder why king kaisran did not use these monstrous beasts in battle of liberation?