Kreydan zarathos
"Bone dragon and all that can wait... kreydan", the creepy old maekan said, clearing his throat. "We should focus why we were here".
Kreydan scowled. "Yes. Yes the attack shall begin on morrow".
Jorath was confused. "What, attack?"
"Stand on the cliffs edge and see for yourself", kreydan said.
In the distance they could see it clearly.
City of eldhaven. "Beautiful. It looks like capital...if it was cleaner", said jorath, gaze soft on the city.
And it was true, city of eldhaven was known for its beauty and port. Even kreydan couldn't stop looking at it.
The sun rose over a quiet valley, painting the sky in soft gold and pale orange. A wide river flew gently through the land, reflecting the light like molten glass. In the center, a stone castle stands on an island, strong and calm, its towers catching the morning glow.
A bridge connects the castle to a small town of clustered houses and narrow streets. Mist drifts low over the water and rooftops, and white birds fly across the sky in slow, steady arcs. In the distance, mountains rise in layers, dark and silent, watching over everything. Everything was mixed with a shade green hue which added an emerald blanket across the landscape.
It is peaceful, still, and full of quiet life. Kreydan thought.
"Why do you want to attack this city?"
"Eldros claims this city, everything he claims is mine to take or to destroy", Kreydan's voice echoing in distance. "His most loyal servant would be here. Andros".
"Been a while since we seen that lad", old man maekan laughed.
Kreydan turned and faced Jorath. "Ever seen a battle? Of demigods?"
Jorath shaked his head. "Have seen in legends or listened in songs. Never experienced it".
"On morrow, I want you to charge the city behind me", kreydan said, smiling. "Can you do that for me?"
"What's in it for me?"
"Your life! We are letting you live tha—"
Kreydan raised his hand, interrupting old man, "I know how greedy humans are. I know they want power. So they can dominate others, those who are weaker than them. Their pride gets shattered when someone stronger than them threatens their power. So... They want more power. You, jorath, you have power yet you want more. Something has you threatened? Or are you just simply that greedy?"
"My brother, he may or... may not have a sword of an ancient god. But I fear he does, since he was the one who solved the tomb...of Aravan", jorath said, looking down. "I wanted that sword. More than anything. I had my reasons and... Now my brother who didn't want anything with that sword has it".
"In a way... We are more similar than i initially thought. You crave for more power and", kreydan said, pointing towards city. "I have my own cravings".
"Help me claim eldhaven under my banner and I shall give you that power you desire very much", kreydan said. "It should be easy. You look like you can take a couple of knights while maekan will cause some distractions. And I shall do my part".
"What do you mean? How can you assure me that you will stand on your promises?"
"A demigod can't lie, a curse for us but boon for others around him. That's the curse we bear but Power which I cannot lie... We do enjoy ", kreydan laughed. "Five tombs of power! I have. Five".
Jorath looked over at maekan and he nodded, smiling.
"Is it true then? Demigods can give power?"
"Yes they can. Rumours are true", maekan said.
Jorath clutched his sword tight, excitement lighting his eyes. "On my honor as a valemount, I shall protect you from any further harm. I will do as you say".
Kreydan nodded. "And i shall do what I said".
Greedy, I was right about them... Kreydan thought.
After several hours they made camp in the Tusdal Forest, a black-green sprawl of ancient trees clinging to the cliffs above Eldhaven. The city lay far below them, a blanket of granite and firelight with rivers and birds flying carelessly, its towers rising from the rock like spears aimed at the sky.
They hunted small dinosaurs in the undergrowth, lean, quick-limbed creatures who sometimes threw fire, maybe Ice or sometimes both. Kreydan watched Jorath with quiet amusement as he stared at the carcasses in disbelief.
"I've never seen beasts like these", Jorath said, still studying the hooked talons, the serrated teeth.
Kreydan only nodded. To him, they were nothing more than meat.
Later, as the fire burned low and the forest filled with night-sounds, Jorath finally asked the question he had been holding back.
"What's the plan to take the city?"
Kreydan did not look at him. His eyes were fixed on Eldhaven, on the faint glow of torches along its walls.
"There is no plan", he said calmly. Then, after a breath, he continued."Three simple strategies". Jorath listened.
"First, Maekan creates chaos in the heart of the city. At the bridge. Noise, destruction, panic. Draw the people. Draw the guards. Let the center burn with confusion. Second, you kill the knights at the portcullis and on the battlements. Open the throat of the city. Let its defenses bleed out".
Jorath paused, for a long time.
"And third", Kreydan said quietly, "I go to Aldros".
Jorath turned toward him. "Confront him?"
Kreydan's expression did not change. "Fight him with all my strength. Either he will perish or me".
The wind moved through the Tusdal forest like a whispering sea, and far below, Eldhaven slept, unaware that its death had already been spoken into the dark.
Josen forheil
Josen was dead sleep when he heard footsteps approaching towards his cell.
Amberia? No... It can't be... Must be father or haldren...
It was neither. It was only when josen squinted hard enough, that he could see king kaisran himself was standing before his cell.
"How you feeling?", kaisran asked.
"My arms hurt a little. Other than that I am still the same as you might remember".
"Spare me your mockery josen. I am here to visit you, not as a king but as your friend".
Josen snorted, laughing. "So where was this friend...when you passed the sentence? Where was it huh? Where was it gone when jemriah... Your own son was leaving?"
To josen's surprise, king wasn't angry, he looked rather... Tired.
"I am not here to argue. I was never good at it anyway", The king knelt, holding the prision bars. "Why josen? Why did you do that?"
"I did what seemed right. Amberia loves me... I know it. She can lie to herself but cannot lie to me. Her eyes are reflection of that. She can't hide what she thinks".
"Must I remind you that that whor—", kaisran stopped, josen glared at him. "Apologies. That... woman has destroyed several kingdoms. Wherever she goes, kingdom dies. They cease to exist. She did that to you too. You are just too blind to see that".
"I thought you weren't here for arguments".
"No I am not. You are right. I am here to see my friend who served me well all these years. Yet betrayed me for amberia".
"If, by the old gods, i can go back in time and given the choice between you and her. I will always choose her... Even if it means that I suffer endlessly. I will... Choose her".
King kaisran closed his eyes. "I know josen. I know you will".
World of sumaka through eyes of lore keeper —
History is easily altered by gods and kings. We make sure that does not happen. We strive for accuracy and integrity rather legends or rumours. We have recorded proofs of several events that happened in thousand years of sumaka. We have proofs that who lost or who betrayed whom.
Even if a king or a god kills all of us, they cannot alter or change our records, our ledger has precious details of events that even some historians would not know about.
Our king, Virhan mezan, makes sure that every ledger is well protected. History shall remain protected and free from taint. Kresper and rhayson don't like that.