The Trials of Deliverance - Aflunnge anFraeln

Chapter I - Fire and Blood

          The night was cold. The frost of the north still clung to the ship, unmoved in the cold waters off the coast of the Kyllistidane, the island provinces of the Sûrmathian Kingdom. Crossing the sea was a task beset by none in over four centuries. Not since the nemesis of old had vanished beyond a veil of mist at the edge of the world. They had become the Nôttbrugle. The boogieman where the sea broke and collapsed into the abyss. Nothing was known except for whispers, rumors, hushed in the corners of streets and taverns across Nidaeham. Old fishermen, in fear of the law, would often say in serrated breath, "they harnessed fire they did. The power of them dragons long extinct. I heard it I did, long ago in my youth. The deafening roar of thunder filling the skies about. They's devils. Making deals with Havasthur, the demon king. We had best hope that they stay on their side of the Samnûr, and pray they don't unleash their fury on us again." Speaking of Sûrmathia as anything other than a backwater, a veritable wasteland where brigands wallow in the muck over petty quarrels, was outlawed over a century ago in an effort to stem the growing fears the populace began to believe.

          When the Aelindhe returned after four hundred and twenty-nine years of exile, and, in swiftness; cunning; and the confusion of the Nidaeni on what transpired, took the city Kataines and the entirety of the Northwatch territories. Those whispers on the corners of streets and taverns of Nidaeham turned into uproar and unrest in the crowded streets of Tevirmond. When these forlorn shouts fell upon king Nikolas' ears, he publicly declared there was nothing to fear, "we have beaten the elves once, we shall do it ever again."

          Long were the three years fought over the Northwatch, the captains of both sides butchering thousands of sons and daughters. When news of the Aelindhe's return crossed the southern spur of the Nyrthr Mountains, the men of Aubrev and the Eptfyluum rejoiced for their friends long gone. The friendship of the elf-kin in Aubrev was ancient and rooted deeper than the highest peak of Bejoll anKyllie, the tallest mountain in the Nyrthr Mountains. When the men of Aubrev pledged their fidelity to Voedinlos, the Aelindhe king, he accepted it, gladly. However, the Rhovehki on the further border of the Eptfyluum drudged years of hate to the surface of their hearts. Their clan leaders came together and with one accord cursed the elves, and allied themselves with Nikolas of Tevirmond with blood oath. For these are, and have always been, the lots that fall. It began first before the North beyond the mountains was covered in ice, when the ancient kingdoms went to war under different names. It began again, when the Aelindhe had rebelled from under the ruling iron thumb of man. It happened now when the elves had returned to take what was once theirs. History had a way of repeating itself in the North, but no longer.

          It was during the war that Talver, captain of the Nidaeni, and eldest son of Nikolas Myriadis of Tevirmond, rose to prominence among his people. His glorious victories against the Aelindhe at Mondos; the Spire; and even the surprising Itranta, won the hearts of his fellow patriots, and bought him notoriety among the ranks of elves. It was at Itranta, standing amidst the piles of the dead on the bloodied shores of lake Numecharyyg, that he was moved to discordancy about the war. The war between Men and Aelindhe had grown to a stalemate, even with his harrowing victories, and held no foreseeable end; and, after watching nearly all of his men perish in what was considered the bloodiest battle in the war, he began to call for peace. In the public squares he would cry, "too many sons have been buried. The elves can keep the useless stretch of land they desire." With these words, he brought shame to the royal family.

          It was then that the rumors of Sûrmathia began again. When they reached the ears of King Nikolas, telling how the Sûrmathians had allied themselves with the Aelindhe, he called for his eldest sons to come forth. They kneeled before their father sat upon the throne of kings, "my sons. I fear the rumors of the fire wielded by our old enemy to be true, and if the savages should hear the plight of the elves, we shall stand no chance if the Sûrmathians were to arrive at our door. Talver, you have brought indignity upon our house, and shame upon your name. If you ever wish to uphold your once prestige, you will go to the king in the south, and you will convince him to either give us weapons, or to forsake the elves. As for you Airdan, you will accompany him. You will make sure he holds true."