‘I haven’t heard of him for five days. Why didn’t the steward of Treagon send us a messenger? That was my command in the letter: When Thirean leaves with the soldiers, send me a message, so I know when he left. It is a two days ride from here to Treagon. Often Thirean rode it. He knows that he must haste. Why, why no messenger?', so asked Volain himself all the time. Volain couldn't go by himself, but he called two soldiers to go after him. They met each other in the Room of Counsel, where in time of war or need the wisest men assembled to talk about the problem and tried to solve it. The room was a circle. Thirteen seats there were. Thelve of them were for the wise men. That seats were covered with cyanogen material. The other seat was for the king. Also covered with cyanogen material, but with railings and a backrest of gold. Between every seat there was a small gap, and that's why the room wasn't very light. In the midst of the room there was a circle, a little raised floor. If you wanted to say something important in the counsel you must stand there.
Volain sat at his seat in this Room of Counsel, when he called Citrim and Athima, two of his loyal soldiers.
'Citrim. Athima. I called you because strange things are happening. Five days ago Thirean left from here. He went to Treagon. He should give a letter to the steward and leave with an army of two thousand horsemen. When he left, there also must leave a messenger to tell me that he was in Treagon and left with the army. It is a two days ride to Treagon, so a this time the messenger should be here.' Athima couldn't hide his curiousity and dared to ask: 'Why should Thirean need two thousand horsemen? We aren't at war and We don't need more state and wealth. We have enough, at least I think.' Citrim agreed with Athima: 'Yes, and in the times of need we always have our great way of defending. Why should we go with an army?' The king, who didn't want to teel Citrim and Athima the truth, sighted and looked them in the eyes. The usally calm king became angry. 'Why do you always ask questions? When I give you a task, you should just say we will fulfill this task. It is like the whole world is against me. Every time I give men a job the become subborn. I am your king, I keep this land clean of enemies, I am the only one who can give all men orders. I and I alone!' His voice resound in the room. 'Leave now and find Thirean. Bring him to me, he isn't done with me yet.' So Citrim an Athima left. They didn't say a word to each other. Thinking about all things their king said. Mostly they thought of his saying that everyone becomes subborn, when he gives tasks. Leaving the city they went to the stable for soldiers. The got two black horses and they went away in a high speed. Talking to each other about the anger of their king Volain, they didn't notice that someone followed them. Riding along, the halted beside some bushes, where they slept that night. "Wake up! Wake up!', Citrim wispered. 'Someone is approaching.' 'Get your sword, Citrim', Athima said now, however he wasn't wholly awake. 'Don't be afraid!', said a voice of an old man. 'I bring you news about Thirean.' 'Come to us and answer our questions', Citrim replied. The man came and waited for the questions of Athima and Citrim. 'Why are you so late?', Citrim begun. 'Some people stole my horse and, as you can see, I'm very old and tired of living on Earth. Every step I make, my bones become more fragile. I'm too old for this, and I can't wait until I get my retirement.' 'What is the new you have for us?' 'Thirean left Treagon several days ago. The army he took, was anxious, but also brave. Some cried, because it might were the last time they saw their wives and children, and our beautiful city. Women cried too. Their husbands could be killed in war, they could become widows. Thirean and his army are, if I estimate it right, close to the lake beside Bar Thûrm', the man waited for a moment, 'This is all news I have for you. Tell this to our king. Hail king Volain!'
With those words they went back to where they came from. Citrim an Athima were relieved that they don't had to mess with the steward of Treagon. For the steward of Treagon isn't very polite, even not against his own soldiers.
'Citrim and Athima are here to bring you news, my lord Volain' 'Get them here.' Citrim and Athima were waiting in a hall before the king's room. 'I'm very glad to see you, for I want to know what happened with Thirean. Did you have a good journey?' Athima began: 'In the begin we enjoyed the day, but after that, when night came, we... we...' Citrim finished his sentence: 'We thought we were attacked. But, we weren't. An old man told us that people stolehis horse. He told us that Thirean left the city with the army, and of the crying wives of them. He told us, that the'd be near the lake beside Bar Thûrm. After that we left each other.' 'So we know at least Thirean is about to be in battle. Well done Citrim and Athima. You are now allowed to leave and enjoy a few days without tasks.'
Citrim and Athima did as Volain said. They took time for their wives and children. They walked through the city and, even though they knew it beauty very well, the wondered how beatiful the city was. But time went on and they had half a day without a job remaining. They'd use it to sleep, but something happened what made them get no sleep. Citrim just was in his house, when a horse, with rider, came galloping. The horse passed his house and turned to the king's quarters in the castle. Citrim didn't care the horse, turning in the direction of the casle. He was tired and got himself ready to go into his bed. When he sliep
***
The sun rose above the trees. Even the smartest, wisest or the most powerful man, couldn't make this day more glorious. The sun illuminated the dew beautifully. Rats were crawling, birds of prey thanked the sun by flying in high in the air. The more tiny birds were wisteling. Deers were walking through the trees. And more animals were enjoying this beautiful sunrise. But, as often happens, the beautiful sound of all this creatures was about to be disturbed. The march of an army shaked the ground. Actually it was not a march, the army was running. Running to their land where they came from. All were glad and their faces shone of joy. Animals now looked towards the sound. The rats fled already to their holes in the ground. The birds stopped their singing and flew away to the higher trees. But, there was one who resisted, the nature. For in the forest there were some place where the ground in more soft. That are the places where the quicksand lies. And, rotten trees were the ideal way to hold them up. A wind blew trough the forest. Trees were willing to die, because of the army that dared to enter the forest.
The army ran in the direction of Sonfulean. They had won the battle and now, returning to their homes, they halted to rest for several days. The victory was for them, they escaped their enemy and they fooled their enemy ass well. 'People of the small lands. You won a battle! You won at your strengths. But, you also won at another item. Now I know that you are perfect soldiers. You deceived the enemy! Cladon and it's stupid soldiers will lose in battle! You are great soldiers!' The man who spoke those words, allowed them to rest and make a camp and burn wood to keep themselves warm. Some Sonfuleani went out to get meat. Others got the wood, made the camp ready or searched water and fruits. The most found what they were looking for. But some didn't return. And when it became dusk, some went out looking for them, but none returned. Nature stroked.
Night came, but the Sonfuleani stopped sending men to look for other man. It was clear that they had an accident. Sonfuleani went to their tents and sleeped. Others kept guard, to make sure it was safe. But the nature wasn't ready yet. It waited until the morning. The night was uneventful and day soon came.
After everyone had some food, everyone began to break off the camp. All was done in great harmony. Like ants the worked. I seemed that there were no strategy, but in fact there was one, complicated to catch.
They moved on in a slow pace. Walking through the forest, they enjoyed the morning, although it had been raining during the night. The high trees above the low ones, the sun shining through the tops of the trees and the silence of peace made it that they weren't careful. For the nature still waited for it's revenge. The hidden lake, in the north-west of the forest, was the ideal location. After several hours of walking they needed a rest and, as nature hoped, they found the lake. Most of them went for a bath, after being covered with blood, because of the battle. Some stayed at the edge of the lake, to make sure everything is safe. They all laughed and were happy with their victory and, of course, their rest. Some now went out to find food. The rest kept enjoying the water.
But, the turn of the nature began. Sharks, larger then usally, came and bit off limbs of all men in the water. The water turned red by the blood. The few number of Sonfuleani at the waterside got as quick as possible all the things they needed and fled. One of the ones in the water tried to get to the side, but without succes. Another of them got succeeded to get out of the water and grab Nascur, for it was hidden in the grasses near the lake and everyone forgot it. He fled as well as others did, and so did everyone, who got the chance to escape.
Nature striked succesfully. Two hundred twenty-one Sonfuleani died. Nineteen survived and fled back to Vlandor and Claristor, two of their great cities.
***
