The Ivory Star

Chapter 35

The Armondians gathered in the courtyard of the inner ward, leaving the battlements unoccupied save for one sentry.

Gerion, Valerion, and Forstaff conversed in low tones, apart from the rest of the men for a moment.

Gerion exclaimed, "Andorus's Loins, Son! Are you mad?"

"Nay, Father! Don't you see?" Valerion's eyes were bright with excitement as he hefted his sword.

Forstaff said, "Aye, my lord, it just might work!"

Valerion smiled grimly. "Aye, it will work!" He turned towards his men and raised his voice for all to hear. "Hear me, brave warriors of Armond. I have a plan to regain our lost honor, revenge our dead, and reclaim our home. With Andorus's help, we will sweep the Slayers from within these walls. There aren't many left. But if we take our fortress back, we will leave the Slayers on the shore with nowhere to flee!"

"You plan to attack?" said a voice from the rear of the throng.

"Aye!" Valerion said, with a steely glint in his eyes, the glint of youth, one that had not dwelled in those azure caves for a long time.

The same voice said, "If you plan to attack, you'll need more than Andorus's help."

A man was walking through the crowd of men standing around Valerion. He was hooded, clad all in black. A sword hilt protruded above his left shoulder.

The men at once parted and encircled him, voices tense with suspicion.

"We don't recognize you."

"Aye, who are you?"

"Where did you come from?"

The questions came rapid fire from the men surrounding him, and their blades drew closer.

"Hold, friends," the man said, raising his empty hands to pull back his hood.

Valerion slammed his sword into its sheath in amazement. "Gods, Capian, is it you, my son!"

The handsome young man smiled. "Aye, Father. It is I."

The crowd around Capian parted to allow Lord Valerion through. "My son!" he exclaimed, laughing joyously as he clapped Capian into a warm embrace. "I have long thought you dead!"

Capian said, clutching his father like a child, "I feared so about you, too, Father."

As they separated, Gerion rushed up and clasped them both. "At last! Three generations of Andorus's Sons together! Uhr barely defeated one of us. How can he hope to stand against three!"

At that a mighty cheer rose from the throats of the men around them. "Hail the Sons of Andorus! Long live the Sons of Andorus!"

Angus approached Capian. "You're a Knight of the Eagles?" he said, hesitantly. "What of Eric Corbin?"

Capian smiled and outstretched his hand. Angus took it, and Capian said, "You must be Angus. Eric spoke much of you in our journeys. The One was perfectly fine when I left him a few moments ago."

Gerion said, "Well, where is he, lad?"

Capian point up to the sky toward the mountains. "He's gone to destroy Uhr."

A moment of stunned silence.

Valerion clasped his son's shoulder, and turned his body to stare directly into his eyes. "Capian, it's true ... ?"

Capian beamed, proud and delighted to be the messenger of the news. "Aye, Father!" He raised his voice. "The One has come to destroy Uhr, and he is ready. Uhr's time is nearly over!"