The Gate - An Ancient Connection Read online

  * * *

  “I don’t like it. I don’t like it one wee bit,” said King Buster when they were well back in the trees. Major Hillsworth joined them to find out what had happened. “How can we be e’en considerin’ trustin th’ word of a stinkin’ orc?”

  “Orcs and humans were once allies, King Buster.” The threatening look the dwarf gave him made Master Pilk take a step back. “Let me explain please. I’ve been reading some very old books lately and it’s all starting to make a lot of sense.”

  “Then explain quick wizard, ‘n’ you be keepin’ it simple ‘n’ to th’ point OK?” The dwarven king’s voice was still gruff but the look in his eyes softened.

  “On another world, before humans, dwarves and even the orcs we know came to this world, humans and these larger orcs were allies against a giant race. The name of this world was Aleri and magic was very strong. In addition to the magic we now know of, there was another form of magic called Necromancy. The supplier of this magic was Nefari, goddess of darkness. Among its many powers was the ability to control and wake the dead. Few practised this magic as it was considered a lesser magic and it was only permitted to use animals for the sacrifices that were needed to fuel the magic.

  “One woman went against this law and started using human and orc sacrifices. She soon discovered that by doing this it made the magic substantially more powerful. She evidently began by using beggars and those that would not be missed, so it was some time before she was discovered. By then she had grown very powerful and any who went to investigate would vanish.

  “A large force was eventually sent against one of her residences and they successfully eliminated all within but the descriptions of what they saw were horrendous. An army of skeletons and half rotted bodies — orc, human and even dwarves — attacked them. Any who fell were reanimated and would turn on their own friends. Many were lost and this woman, Sylestra was nowhere to be seen.”

  “This don’t sound like it’s to the point wizard,” barked King Buster.

  “Some background information is essential, my lord,” replied Pilk.

  “Just tell us wha’ happened to th’ alliance.” King Buster stared hard at Master Pilk, but he would not be intimidated by the dwarf.

  “Eventually her true hideout was discovered but the humans realised they would need some help in destroying it so they asked the orcs to help. The stories get a bit conflicted at this point with the orcs saying they sent help and the humans saying that help never arrived and there was no sign of it being sent. The conflict became heated and eventually the alliance fell apart.

  “The dwarves were asked for help and many dwarves came down from the mountains to join the army of humans. On the way there, however, they were attacked by many bone dragons and even what they called a zombie dragon — a dragon not long dead that had been reanimated. Its eyes were red and instead of breathing fire, it breathed a noxious gas. With their natural hatred for the dwarves, the dragons mainly focused on them.

  “Few survived the attack. The surviving dwarves returned to the mountains, while the humans returned to their homes. It seems the dragons found out about this foul magic and they awoke by the hundreds which triggered what was later referred to as ‘the time of the dragon’s wrath’.

  “Realising the world was doomed, the gods made provisions to abandon the world by creating large magic gates. The dwarven god, Vala, did not have the power to create one, being a god of healing and enchantments, and so the humans invited them to use theirs. Only seven dwarves made it to the new world alive — the queen, her son and daughter and four other children, two male and two female. The queen died soon after coming through the great gate. Her son, who was twelve summers old, became the king. You’re of his line King Buster, but the history of the dwarves on that world was lost.”

  Despite his earlier impatience, King Buster was listening intently as Pilk finished his story. “Your tale proves th’ orcs are untrustworthy, wizard,” said King Buster after a moment, although all severity had been taken out of his tone.

  “It proves nothing. It was a history book written by humans and even their own stories conflicted. The alliance may well have been mended in time but they never got that time. This story happened over thirty or forty years and all sightings of Sylestra explained her in the same way — an impossibly beautiful woman perhaps in her early thirties, long black hair, shapely body and long toned legs. It seems she didn’t age and from Great Shaman O’tukka’s story she is still alive today. Her goddess must have provided her with a magic gate too, or she somehow made it through another.” Pilk let his mind wander, considering the possibilities. He still hadn’t read all the books yet; he seemed to keep getting interrupted. Perhaps the answer would be in one of those books, although it seemed as though very little was truly known about this woman. He would love a chance to talk to the great shaman and compare stories.

  “Master Pilk!” The duke shouting his name brought him out of his musings and he could tell by the looks of all those around him that it wasn’t the first time his name had been called. “I need to get to Master Tayer so he can take me to see King Cassien. Can you get me there quickly?”

  “Of course, my lord. Tho’ we’ll need to get out of these trees first to give me a greater line of sight.” Master Pilk looked all around him, not being able to see more than fifty paces in either direction.

  “Keep the army on its guard, Major Hillsworth. I’ll return as soon as I can. Lead the way, Master Pilk.”

  Pilk started shuffling off to the south figuring that would be the quickest way as he would be able to see long distances over Stonecutters Defile.

  * * *

  “While it’s raining like this it’s a good idea for all of us to stay put,” said Major Isak, “but I agree it’d be a good idea to get someone back to the duke as soon as we can. The information we have could prove critical to him. That being said, I don’t think you should go alone. If you’re discovered, you’d have a better chance bein’ two not one, and Gerard here would be a good choice for that. I’ve seen you two fightin’ side by side and you are a lethal team.” Major Isak stood at the mouth of the cave and kept looking out at the pouring rain as if he could make it stop with his mind.

  “I’d be the only one left that has seen the maps of the Black Skull’s land,” argued Gerard.

  “You drew me a good map back in the forest, Gerry. I’ve got a good memory of that and a good sense of direction. While it’s raining we can p’haps go over it again.” Major Isak looked right at Gerard, having to strain his neck slightly to look up at him.

  “My leg injury will slow Jeff down,” said Gerard.

  “You barely have a limp now and this rain looks set to continue for the rest of the day. Likely we won’t be setting out from here til morning anyway and your leg will be even better by then.” Major Isak bent down and started drawing some lines in the loose dirt on the cave floor. Gerard bent down soon after and recognised the lines as the beginning of a map. Jeff squatted down beside him and his friend actually looked happier.

  After some time, Major Isak finished his map. Gerard had to admit that the Major had a good sense of where everything was. He and Jeff added a few minor details here and there, but those details likely wouldn’t be needed with the route they had decided to take. A little while later, Gerard and Jeff left the major to go a little deeper into the cave, where the cold wind didn’t reach them as much. The major remained crouched for some time, studying and memorising every detail of that map.

  * * *

  Pilk led the duke out of Bilwarks Grove and to the edge of Stonecutters Defile where he spotted a high rock. He immediately formed a gate and took the duke through it. From on top of the rock he could see a vast distance so he created another one.

  He continued this process until he was near Fort Lowmount. It continually surprised him how powerful his magic had become and how much magical energy, or mana, he was able to store.

  They had a rough idea where Master Ta
yer would be, but he may have had to move around to avoid detection, so they couldn’t be sure. Pilk took Duke Angus to the hilltop where he had had his brief spell battle with Great Shaman O’tukka six weeks earlier. He immediately created a dome of protection around them both in case any enemies were about.

  It wasn’t long until Master Tayer came out of some nearby trees and started walking toward them.

  “Good afternoon, my lord and Master Pilk. Funny place to be meeting the two of you, if I dare say.” Master Tayer approached with a large grin on his face.

  “I’m in need of some instant travel to Estermere, Master Tayer. I need to speak with the king immediately.” The duke’s tone was firm but friendly.

  “Of course, my lord. Will Master Pilk be accompanying us?” Master Tayer looked at Master Pilk.

  “Have there been any strange movements from the orcs?” asked Duke Angus.

  “No, my lord. They look content to stay where they are for now,” replied Master Tayer.

  “I doubt they would mobilise an army this late in the day, so I’m not surprised. In which case, Master Pilk will accompany us if you can manage it.”

  “I can manage it, my lord. If you’ll just let me hold onto your arms, we’ll be there in a jiff.” Master Tayer grabbed hold of the duke’s arm and then Master Pilk’s, and a moment later they were in a small non-descript room.

  Master Tayer led them from the room which opened up into a large area containing a small kitchen in one corner, a square dining table surrounded by eight chairs in another, a sitting area with some soft low lying couches in the next and some bookshelves groaning with the weight of books lining the walls of the final corner.

  In the wall between the seating area and the small library was the front door of the building and they followed Master Tayer to it. Stepping outside onto the wide cobbled street, Pilk caught sight of the large Palace looming up directly in front of him. To his right saw the Palace gates down the road, guarded by many soldiers. Pilk closed the door behind him and followed Duke Angus down the crowded street towards the Palace gates.

  Recognising the duke, the soldiers let them through immediately. They walked briskly up the winding path, over an ornate bridge crossing a small stream and to the steps leading up into the Palace.

  Built entirely of polished white marble, the Palace glittered in the late afternoon sun. The smell of the sea was thick in the air.

  Massive, smooth round columns held up the building over the inset steps and at the top, soldiers wearing full plate armour guarded darkly stained oak doors with brass handles. Pilk spared a brief thought for those soldiers being so clad on such a hot summer’s day, but they had been trained to deal with such conditions.

  Sea birds of all descriptions caused quite a ruckus among the Palace gardens and circled the high reaching spires of the immense structure. A gentle sea breeze did little to ease the oppressive heat.

  After a brief chat with the door warden, the soldiers opened the doors and they were handed over to an escort inside and ushered through the Palace corridors to one of the king’s private meeting rooms.

  Inside the lavishly decorated room they were asked to be seated and informed that the king would see them when he was available. While they waited, drinks and a small platter of assorted fruits were delivered to them.

  “That house we arrived in, whose house is that?” The sudden break in the silence had Duke Angus and Master Tayer turning their heads toward him sharply.

  “It is a house I use for just this purpose. Master Tayer knows the room we arrived in well and so can easily teleport directly to it. The house is maintained by a trusted servant and I occasionally accommodate guests there if there is no room available in the Palace.” Having gulped down his first, Duke Angus poured himself another glass of red wine.

  “Very handy indeed.” Pilk declined the duke’s offer to refill his half empty glass with an upraised hand.

  A moment later the door swung open and a servant announced the arrival of the king. All three men rose to their feet and bowed their heads in respect.

  “Be at ease, my cousin.” King Cassien, clad in his finest court clothes — a purple and white velvet robe with a wide black belt tying it together around his waist — and wearing a gem encrusted gold crown upon his head, approached Duke Angus and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

  “My lord king, I am sorry to so disturb you,” replied Duke Angus as King Cassien held him back at arm’s length.

  “You did me a favour. It can be very tedious listening to merchants complain of rough roads, then complain of tolls on the better kept roads. Honestly there is just no pleasing them. Now I was told you needed to speak with me urgently, so I will not delay you any longer. You have my ear.” King Cassien took a seat behind the large dark wooden, polished desk and gestured for them to take their seats once again.

  King Cassien’s wavy hair was almost entirely grey even though he was not much older than Duke Angus. Although he was smiling grandly, the bags under his eyes and the many creases on his forehead told Master Pilk that the stress of being king was taking its toll on the man.

  He had always been rather plump, but he had filled out even more since Pilk last caught sight of him a few years earlier. A little too much of the rich food and fine wines.

  Duke Angus updated the king on the latest news — Decker’s scouting report, the three missing children, the missing dwarf squad and the march of the combined army. When he started telling him about the meeting he had with the general of the invading orc army, King Cassien raised his eyebrows but remained silent and let Duke Angus finish his report.

  “Before you reply, my lord king, I’d like you to hear Master Pilk’s recent findings as well,” said Duke Angus. The king, duke and Master Tayer all at once turned their attention to Master Pilk. He took a deep breath and again started relating the story about the final days of Aleri.

  “A very interesting tale indeed,” said the king after a moment’s silence. “I agree that it is in our best interest to close the Gate as soon as possible but I can’t say as I’m all that keen to hand Fort Lowmount over to a bunch of orcs we know little about.”

  “The orc general is right when he says that we don’t have the numbers to take the fort back and maintain a presence there. The dwarves would help I’m sure, but the loss would be great and we have already lost so many in recent weeks. Unless you can spare some soldiers from the northern army?” Duke Angus looked intently at the king with his hands folded together on his desk.

  “Not a chance I’m afraid. Bands of Raziyan’s have been spotted in the mountains north of Witchwyn. While we are not officially at war with them, unrest couldn’t be higher. If they notice a large reduction in soldiers, they are likely to take advantage of it.”

  “If I could make a suggestion, my lord king?” After a nod from King Cassien, Master Pilk continued, “P’haps there’s a way to kill two birds with the one stone, so to speak. The closing of the Gate is going to take some time, whichever way we proceed. If we make the bargain with the orc general, his leader, the angry orc or whatever he is called, will likely still expect him to keep taking human captives. Why not set them onto the Raziyan’s until we can close it?”

  “Trust Master Pilk to come up with a whacky plan,” said Duke Angus, causing a snorting chuckle to come from Master Tayer.

  “But it’s not such a bad plan. It allows the — let’s call them rebel orcs — to keep their leader happy and hopefully unaware of any scheming, while forcing the Raziyan’s to have to respond to another threat; they may even choose to send some of their northern army south to deal with the threat, easing up some pressure for us in the north. I can see that working.” A smile found its way to the stressed king’s face.

  “And maybe we could allow the orc general to be the regent of Fort Lowmount until such time as we can properly fortify it and the orcs have somewhere else to go. We could even help them construct a fort further south in the untamed lands. t could prove to be a good way to
build trust between the two races.” Duke Angus spoke haltingly with a thoughtful expression on his face, obviously speaking aloud the thoughts as they came to mind.

  “Would the orc general agree to this do you think? And if he did sign such an agreement, do you believe he would stick to it?” asked King Cassien.

  “I think the general is unhappy with his current station and therefore willing to consider some desperate plans. As to him sticking to the agreement I can’t say for sure. I can say that he has been honourable under the white flag of truce and appears to value honour,” said Duke Angus.

  “Well put these terms to him and see what he says. If he doesn’t accept them, how do you think a battle against the fort would go?” King Cassien leant back in his high backed chair looking a bit more comfortable with the conversation.

  “These orcs are fierce in battle and they have a powerful shaman. They know more of our tactics then we know of theirs, but we outnumber them four to one. The fort walls offer them little in the way of protection. My best guess would be that we would lose at most one for one, but they could be reinforced by an unknown number,” replied Duke Angus.

  “Well we want to avoid it coming to a fight if we can, but if he proves unreasonable then you have my permission to destroy the fort.” King Cassien made a move to rise to his feet.

  “My lord king, when it comes time to close the Gate, we will need the help of as many wizards as we can. We’ll need to start planning for that at our earliest convenience,” said Pilk.

  King Cassien sat back in his chair. “I will write a letter for you to take to the academy stating that they are to cooperate with you fully.” King Cassien opened a drawer in his desk, pulled out some paper and reached for his inkwell and quill.

  “M … m … me, my lord? I’m not sure I’m the best choice. I have few friends at the academy. May I suggest Grand Master Reibeck?”