SoO 3 - Chapter 2

Swords of Orlandia 3: The Khaz'Radan Prophecy
Chapter 2 - "Lost and Found"

The word was out...or more specifically words. The text fire branded on the Prophecy Stones, as many were now calling them, spread from town to town far and wide and back again.

Two Kingdoms join and stand to Fight,
A Darkened Prince reborn by Light.
A King will rise and claim the Crown
When the one Pure Heart strikes Evil down!

Both child and elder alike would whisper them and smile. No one knew for sure what they meant but for now they meant maybe, just maybe life in Orlandia might one day be bright again. Ever since the Emperor had risen to power the land had become a dismal, dank and nearly dead place. Those left after the scattering had barely been able to eek out the meekest of existences and as many returned over the course of the year it only meant more mouths to feed. So many had returned seeking justice and revenge only to find their homes destroyed, their crops ruined and their loved ones gone. With nothing left their spirits broke easily and they fell in line complacent and malleable sitting silent at the Emperor's feet. Even the Fae folk had not escaped the cruelty. Rivers had run dry, the breeze blew rancid, whole forests died. Orlandia's very heart had been pierced and each day bled out a bit more. The wounds were clear to see. But no one looked, with heads bowed they went about their seemingly endless days serving the tyrant seated on a stolen throne.

The rightful heir to that throne, under the powerful influence of the Emperor's dark magiks and his own youth-filled pride, remained oblivious to the plight of his people. No one since the dawn of history had ever turned such a blind eye as he. So it was then that this day seemed like any other day to the young prince Validus as he rode out of the city and into the countryside. He rode away from prying eyes and needy hands. What had happened to him? He used to care about these people, about Orlandia. But ever since the Emperor came and changed everything he just didn't. He had power, or at least all the power the Emperor allowed him. And he had fame. Yes, he had become quite famous for his new callous demeanor. In short he often wished to be anywhere but Orlandia and all of Orlandia wished the same. These rides always presented him a means of escape however brief. Perhaps he took after his father in more ways than one as the fallen, risen and now banished former Prince, Hesperus had often sought the solace of solitude himself.

Validus was deep into a darkened forest that, if he was honest with himself, he certainly didn't recognize. His mind had wandered but it was nothing. His orienteering was second to none, the twin suns of Orlandia rose above and to his right laying just over the Bastian Mountains. He might not know exactly where he was but he knew he was 3 or 4 leagues southeast of the capital and that was all he needed to know. "Nothing is new under the sun!" he cried out. Nothing is foreign, unfamiliar or unknown to me, he thought. A dry, dead wind blew past him carrying a handful of sad brown leaves. He felt a pang in his chest, he almost teared up...and that triggered a deep unsettling rage in the young prince. He screamed "Nothing! Nothing is hidden, nothing is sacred, I own and know all!!!" He paused and drew several labored breaths and was about to turn and head North when he heard laughter.

Laughter?!

"What a child you truly are! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" spoke a voice as if on the wind. He looked all round and truly he was alone and yet the words continued, chiding and mocking him. "Who's there?" he spat, visibly frustrated. "The woods" came the reply "And the hills and dales, the mountains and valleys. And most importantly the truth is here young one."

"Nonsense" cried Validus, "I'm to take advice from the winds now am I?"

"Better that than from he who sits on a throne of lies!" came the response. "Listen now to my words. Truly hear and heed them. An entire world is dying all around you and yet you do not feel a thing. Face your fears child and confront the darkness without...and within!"

Validus snapped back "Feh, what darkness? Perhaps it is you who is blind or frightened. Too scared to even show yourself to me!"


"Scared am I?" a deep voice thundered from right behind Validus who turned slowly to behold one of the most imposing figures he'd ever laid eyes on. Fully two heads taller than the Prince even on horseback with hands like boulders and shoulders that could have lifted an ox, or two, quite easily. Deep set eyes stared down at Validus from underneath two twisted horns, dark eyes full of purpose and intensity but also kindness. "My name is Auerelion, and I wish nothing more than to help you."



Validus sat stunned, staring at the goat-like legs of the satyr as he continued, "Our two worlds are suffering like never before but you have a chance to save them both. Kahz'radan is closer than ever. Kahz'radan is coming soon. Kahz'radan will pull back the veil and bring light to us all if we are but brave enough." Aurelion paused then and stood back allowing room for his words to work in the Prince's mind. As rage welled up behind the Prince’s visage and as his eyes traced upward to meet Aurelion's gaze his lips formed one single word as he drew his sword, “Monster!”

"No!" Aurelion snapped as he straightened and seemed to grow ever taller before batting the weapon away as if nothing. The shocked Prince sat terrified and was doing little to conceal that fact. His patience fleeting and his intent oh so clear Aurelion glared down at the boy and bellowed, "The real monster sits back in your capital with your father's crown upon his head and works tirelessly day after day to destroy everything that so many have given so much to procure. He is the monster, he is the greatest of the foul, he is the damnation of both our worlds and you are a damn fool!" And in that instant he was gone leaving a much disturbed young man perched precariously upon his mount. Validus had never felt so unsure of himself in his life. He had shared just a few words with Aurelion but those words had changed things. One word in particular stood out in his mind. Khaz'radan. That word he knew would change things forever.