When Twins War: Book I

Chapter Five

Across scores of lush fields, farmlands, valleys and villages, and ruins of ages gone by, lied the Ancient Gardens – a caliginous, dense woodland. No one dared enter it. Its web stretched out from north of the most eastern leg of the Southern River, with its dark trees bursting on the banks, and further northwards towards the Colone desert. Some said that the Ancient Gardens used to stretch across the entire desert, in an age long forgotten, long before Genicoins and men, existing even since time itself began.

On its western side was a rocky and dangerous valley, crossed over by the Colone road, which led from this point through the Colone Desert and to the Twin Cities. This was a perilous road and seldom travelled.

Further west was Stoorein, the capital of Foré. It too was an ancient city, located within a jagged and narrow crooked valley, and an important city in the war with the Moncoin. The bottom of the valley was for the common people, but higher up the wealthier nobles built their residences, culminating in the King's castle on the eastern highest end, built into the black rock and facing west. From here the King could view the entire city and observe his borders from his dark stoned tower, built above the valley ridge. Because the city was built into the stony valley it was easy to defend, making it almost impossible to assault successfully.

The brigade from Dernium had arrived at Stoorein on their quest to the Twin Cities. Here they needed to meet the king and get permission to travel through Foré, avoiding most of the desert. It was late morning. Three men of the Dernium army were walking down a long dark stone corridor on their way to meet the King. To their right was the black rock of the valley walls that the castle was cut into, and the left opened up widely to reveal a steep edge and the city below; the people and houses of the city hidden amongst thick foliage and soaring trees. A thick mist hung over the valley this morning.

A deep rumble welled in the stones of the corridor as they neared the throne room. There was a waterfall near the northern end of the castle, which found its source from the Stoorein River on top of the ridge and crashed down into the valley. They were led into a dark passage of stairs leading directly to the throne room. The entrance was protected by two simple but heavy wooden doors, which were heaved open.

At the motioning of the guards they entered. It was a small, round room, one half of its circle jutting out from the side of the valley walls, dispersed with windows. The king was eating breakfast alone with a servant close by, looking at his feet.

Behind King Walise was a much larger window which opened northwards and revealed the side of the waterfall. It was a magnificent sight, the room dwarfed by its mighty power. The air felt fresh and cool and smelled earthy. The ground rumbled and the sound of the rushing waters had a sweet, soothing effect. But there was a tension in the air. The king wore a snarl and seemed to be in a rush to finish his breakfast. He watched them closely and wiped his greasy mouth with the back of his hand. His double chin wobbled and pieces of food landed in his thick, gray beard.

They were announced by the guard of rank, bowing low. "My wise and great king of Foré: Sir Cadell Cai, Knight and Lord of Dernium."

Cadell, the captain of the Dernium army, bowed low, exposing his tanned shaved head and distinctly large ears. His silver armour clattered. He looked up. His brown eyes, augmented by thick brown eyebrows, stared directly at the King.

"My Lord, King Walise."

"And these?" the King remarked, pointing at the other two men. He stuffed some meat into his mouth and glared at them.

"Our lords and knights from Dernium; my seconds in command," announced Cadell.

"Two seconds in command?"