Trail Of The Blue Flame

The Prince, the Lordling and the third

In a land further than you and I could ever imagine, there lived three fine young men. One was a mighty prince, the other, a wise lord's son, and the last a "third".

Time did not separate their births nearly as much as the miles did. One was born in the Royal Tundra, another, in a mighty keep, and the last, in a woodcutter's loft.

Like any other new-born, they had fell into welcoming arms the same; mewling, kicking and bawling. But their manner of upbringing was as different as it could be. Since infancy, the Prince was privileged to be a mighty king, the Lord was tutored to be a wise leader, and the third was humbled to be ever-grateful. He was granted only what was earned, save for his family's adage.

But there was one thing they did have in common, throughout their lives. Once they were old enough to think, and by that virtue, obey, their hearts were moulded to seek the same destiny. The same fate.

"Seek the Blue Flame"

Every man living knows the legend of the Blue Flame. They know of its divinity, and more importantly, they know of its power.

Here is what the wise masters of old have to say about it-

The flame was the fuel of a great pillar that fell from the cosmos every half a decade. This mighty pillar, larger than any structure man had ever dared to build, held the prospect of God-like strength. Many a bold man had attempted to use the fuel to ascend his humanity, and many had failed, which in this case, meant death. But there were some, the chosen few, who had overcome the transition, and had become something akin to the gods.

Entranced by the prospect of glory that this flame promised, and egged on by their peers, the three grew up to be enamored by its tales. It became the haunt of their dreams, the want of their hearts, and the mark of their existence. So, they decided, they would seek out this mighty conundrum, and receive its great power to achieve their means. For the prince, it meant conquest through war. The Lord sought appraisal from his family and the Third wished to bring peace and justice to the land.

Some said that the flame was a vile thing, but neither of the three cared. Their faith of glory held no regard for logic.

So, they set out, these three fine young men, never suspecting the true nature of the flame.

A song written in their memory, says their departure went something like this-

The Prince rode from the east,

The Third, climbed the south,

The Lord sailed from the west.

And on they went,

to the frozen wastes of the north, where the Pillar had rest.

They traversed the icy seas of the north, the blistering desert of the windy country and the High mountains of the Boreal passes. On the way, they slew vicious beasts and saved many a pretty maiden. But these great deeds pale in comparison to what their journey's end brought. They reached the pillar, as luck would have it, on the same night. At first, they were suspicious. The war had forged many sides, and one never knew who was pledged to whom. Swords were drawn, and brows furrowed, as they gauged each other.

Wisely though, at the Lord's insistence, words were traded first instead of blows, and they sat down near the pillar. After sharing some fares, they became quick friends. They slept for the night, and when morning came, agreed to enter the pillar together.

And into the flame they went.

A swirling mass of blue and grey engulfed them, echoing the pillar's shade. Horrid visions flew before their eyes; of death, misery, and decay. But the flame was nowhere to be seen.

And then suddenly, out of the blue, an eerie, loud voice boomed.

"The flame is a façade. There is only me, the dreamer, here to fulfil your heart's desire, should you prove worthy."

To the third, it spoke, "It is justice you seek. Divinity is not the way, only fair sense. Begone, for ascension has never been your mark."

To the lord, it remarked, "Only pride you have known. The need to rise, to prove yourself, is all you desire. This boon of power will soon turn into bane. Carve another's might in your flesh, change your will, and then we shall see."

The Prince suddenly spoke-

"Their needs and want pale against the might of a Highborn. Spare me your judgement o great dreamer, and lend your so-called power to me. Reveal yourself ! "

And the dreamer came forth.

No man's tongue can do justice to his grotesque form, or how he moved or gazed. It is said that he had measureless eyes, and that they were turned towards the cosmos, flickering in silent prayer.

To the spellbound prince, it spoke, "Divine you shall be, not in flesh, but only in name."

"Let our ascension begin!" The prince declared. Half-heartedly, the Lord murmured assent. But the third let wisdom take reign.

"It is not that I am unworthy of the flame, but that the flame is unworthy of me. It is the vice of the devil, my friends, do not be fooled by its promise. I came here to find the answer to injustice, and now I have it. Man is the only god of justice there is." he said.

He left the other two, and went home, wiser than he had been in twenty years. And that is why it is said, he was called, the 'third'.

But the Lord and the Prince, they stayed. So, their ascension began. As he was told, the lord carved the prince's might into his flesh, and then he was no more. Once it was over, only a Prince remained, emboldened by the flame.

The new Prince stepped out of the pillar, with godly blood in his veins. He gazed across the war-ravaged land he called home, and vowed to end the savagery. He vowed to end it with his new-found wisdom and his might.

Meanwhile, the Lord lay buried. He lay buried within.

Unknowingly, the prince turned his back on home, and went eastwards.