SoO 3 - War of Talons - Chapter 6

War of Talons: Tales of the Wylde
Chapter 6 - The Sacred Ten

Two weeks had passed since the liberation of Bedldem, and yet the humble town already bore the features of a well-prepared garrison. Its walls were being hastily reinforced by the townsfolk as it prepared for a militant reaction from the Emperor. The wylderfolk and humans labored together to solidify the first anxious foothold which the Anarch forces possessed in defying the Demonlord. Hedstrum wasted no time in helping to prepare Bedldem and its people. Those who were of able body began to train under command of the Orcish veteran. Even Aurelion found himself among the ranks, doing his best to learn more about fighting in what was sure to be a brief opportunity before the next battle. The satyr had proclaimed that Hedstrum was now general of the Anarch forces, and no human nor wylder disputed this, as the orc quickly proved himself to be a fair, yet effective leader. He led several raids and scouting missions, which yielded various assets, including new information, supplies, and even alliances from neighboring towns. Hedgenbury was the next town which held a tactical value, as it was closer to the main city. It was also a crossroads for the kingdom's most vital highways. To control Hedgenbury was to control the most important supply routes in Orlandia. It came as no surprise when the scouts reported heavier guard details and patrols there. The risk was even greater here, but a swift move into this town could cripple the empire's loyalist forces. It was for this advance that Hedstrum prepared the Anarch army. There was also a presence of Anarch resistance within Hedgenbury, and through secretive meetings, Hedstrum had gathered information that made him confident of victory. The time to march was almost at hand.

Aurelion swung a wooden sword at his opponent, gnashing his teeth as the blade met resistance from another weapon. Dandel Quickenbuck grunted as he blocked the satyr's strike and pushed against it to hop back a step. Aurelion reeled and made another swing, followed by another, the halfling a bit frightened as the satyr's blows held a bit more fury with each attack. The small one managed a solid kick to Aurelion's midsection before tumbling backwards into a defensive stance, panting. The satyr stumbled backwards before correcting his footing and holding his weapon at the ready for another advance, and was about to lunge at his friend when a horn sounded from the entrance wall. From the tone and rhythm, it was an alert that someone was approaching... apparently friendly. Aurelion's posture dropped into a relaxed state and he nodded to Dandel, offering his hand in friendship. "Excellent moves, small one," The satyr complimented as they clasped arms, the halfling breathing with relief," I've learned quite a bit from you today."
"Glad ta be of help to ya, my friend," Dandel replied, smiling. Aurelion turned and made his way to the front gate, the halfling dropping into a cross-legged position, letting out a light 'whew' as he shook his hands out, the wrists and knuckles aching from sparring from the satyr.

A simple black carriage rolled through the entrance, flanked by two armed riders, apparently Anarch fighters that volunteered to escort this important passenger.. It came to a halt as the satyr approached it, the driver climbing down to open the door for the vehicle's occupant. He swung it open and gave a respectful nod. He spoke in a voice of reverence, despite its graveled texture, "The Lady D'vorrah, Seer of Royal Orlandia, Keeper-"
"Enough of that!," a thick, exotic accent cut him off from inside the carriage. A bejeweled and veiled woman stepped out of the vehicle, carefully climbing down the small steps that hung from the carriage door. She stood before Aurelion, who bowed his head slightly yet humbly before addressing her. "We have been told to expect you, D'vorrah. I am hoping you can shine some light on an old legend, and help us defeat the Emperor."
"Greetings, Aurelion," she responded, returning esteem with a nod as she was equally honored to be in his presence, "There is much I must share with you, and quickly. The Demonlord is no doubt seeking the same knowledge. He suspects that I know a way to undo him, and his disgusting things have been hunting me."
"Then let us move to the town hall,". Aurelion gestured toward the building, and they walked, the carriage driver pulling a hinged box from the carriage before following them.

Word quickly spread through the town of this important meeting, and by the evening, the town hall was full of humans and wylderfolk gathering to hear the Seer speak. Hedstrum joined them in the main chamber, as did several of the Anarch soldiers who were summoned by the satyr to be present. The noise of the curious crowd quickly dwindled as Aurelion stood at the center table and raised his illustrated arm, calling for silence. "D'vorrah has traveled here, despite many dangers," He began, "and she may be able to help us defeat the Yaoguai Demonlord,". The satyr nodded to D'vorrah, "Please, my Lady. Share with us what you know."
The Seer looked up at Aurelion, her eyes wide from a level of perception that would stagger most beings. She rose from her seat and began to speak, "Despite my vision, my extensive research and my efforts to divine, Khaz'Radan eludes my knowing, in form and shape, even nature... yet I have been able to gather from the muddy water of the obscured past, what must be done to bring forth Khaz'Radan. Long ago, in the earliest days of the kingdom of Orlandia, there was great conflict. In an effort to end the war and the bloodshed, ten heroes gathered to find a solution. These heroes were mentioned in the scrolls of Bhudr, as thus:

a young prince who eventually became one of two kings to rule the kingdom in tandem;
a wise old druid who knew the oldest magic of the ancients;
a thief so skilled in stealth and speed that he was named 'King of Thieves' by his loyal guildmates;
an Orcish Chieftain whose fighting prowess knew no equal among his kind;
a troll greenwarden, who cared dearly for all flora and fauna of the earth;
a Grand Mage from the highest echelons of Wizardry;
a human general of Orlandia, respected even by his sworn enemies for his chivalry and tactical knowledge;
an Elven Councilman of the Wyldewood, whose wisdom and compassion made him a most beloved leader among the wylder;
an oracle known for her gift of foresight, revered as the very voice of the fates;
a Dwarven blacksmith, one of the greatest craftsmen of his time.

The satyr added, "The Wylder Council told me of these heroes, but knew very little... that they have long since passed on, but the essence of each one remains in relics they once possessed."

"Yes," nodded the Seer, "These were items which they bore at the time of Khaz'Radan's creation. The Sacred Ten, as they came to be known, gathered at Verdethena... it was there that Khaz'Radan first came into being. It is said that from that day, the heroes set out into the world and conquered great evils, and united the factions that fought for rule of Orlandia. Two rival kings became as brothers, and with the help of the Sacred Ten, brought forth a golden age of peace to the kingdom. It was after the coronation of the two kings that the ten heroes went their separate ways. Khaz'Radan is no longer mentioned in the histories, save for sparse passages which mention that Khaz'Radan may return one day to defeat a great evil, should the Sacred Ten gather again at the first oak. From what I have been able to divine, gathering the relics of the Sacred Ten at Verdethena will summon Khaz'Radan."

"I am in possession of one such relic," offered the satyr, producing Belthazan's jeweled pendant from a pouch on his belt.
"Ah...," D'vorrah marveled, her eyes brightening, "The pendant of the Elven Lord". She gestured to her carriage driver, who was standing nearby. He quickly and carefully placed a hinged box before the Seer. D'vorrah pulled a key from under a bangle on her wrist, and proceeded to unlock the box. She lifted the lid to reveal two items resting on a velvet cushion: A circlet of silver and gold, with an eerie eye sculpted from an ivory white stone set at its center; a worn and nicked golden coin lay inside the open space of the circlet, its surface bearing the profile of a grinning man. D'vorrah picked up the coin and held it aloft. "The Coin of the Thief-King," she began, "It belonged to the most cunning, successful rogue in Orlandia's history. His guild became so wealthy, that they actually pressed their own coins. This was the first coin that was pressed, and the rogue kept it with him at all times. It was recently recovered by an anarch who brought it to me despite great peril, a task given to him by the very same phoenix who has charged Aurelion with the quest of saving Orlandia". She set it down and then displayed the headpiece. "The Circlet of the Oracle... it was given to me as a child when my parents learned that I had the sight. The instant I first took hold of this relic, my mind was assaulted with visions of what is now coming to pass." The Seer paused as she looked at it, her face bearing fear and dread as though contact with the relic might be forcing more dreadful premonitions upon her mind's eye. She quickly placed the items back in the box, the lock clicking shut as she blinked, her breath catching in her throat as she suppressed a more extreme reaction. She caught herself staring at Aurelion, to which the satyr tilted his head slightly with curiosity.

"Seven more items," she said, regaining her composure, "must be recovered. The Staff of the Hermit, which is located in the courtyard of Castle Orlandia. It was the staff wielded by Diarmuid the Druid... and used by the Emperor Corax, its magic disguising him while he manipulated Validus into helping him attain power. The Totem of the Chieftain, which belonged to Hazzrabi, an Orcish Chieftain of the Mukkladesh clan, lies with him in his tomb in the Necropolis of the Valiant. The Fang of the Earth Dragon was a token of respect given to Hegadon the Prince by the last dragon to be seen in this realm, after proving his bravery in a fierce battle. Perhaps a visit to the Hegadon Monument on Harrowing Point may prove helpful. The Tankard of the Warlord was a prized drinking stein of General Sigmund, a trusted friend of the Prince who lead Orlandia's army to many victories. The tankard was a coveted item among brewers and tavern owners for generations, as they believed that possessing it brought them prosperity. We must seek out its current owner and attempt to bargain for it. The Runed Hammer of the Master Blacksmith was once wielded by Gundhern Fairsterm, who forged many legendary weapons in his day. He disappeared somewhere on Mount Hevelrem in the Bitterwind Mountains. The Scepter of the Grand Mage, the foci of Naj'Palal, was stolen from his tomb a few years ago. By whom, I am not aware, but as we gather the relics, we may be able to divine its whereabouts. The last relic has been something of legend... an item even High Mages believe to be a myth. Supposedly, when Verdethena first matured and all plants and creatures sprang from its branches, it produced a single acorn. This acorn is believed to be the only offspring of the first oak, and must be sown into the earth one day when the old oak dies, the next tree bringing with it new life, possibly even a new world! The greenwardens held this acorn sacred, passing it down through countless generations. Junedel, a young female troll, was its caretaker at the time of Khaz'Radan's creation. Her descendants live by the sea in a village near Lazuli Bay. The acorn, if it exists, may be found there."

Aurelion stroked his goatee as he took a moment to absorb all that the Seer had divulged. He then looked to Hedstrum, who stood nearby and spoke, "My friend, a true test awaits us... all of us. I must continue to seek out these relics, and our campaign to retake the kingdom of Orlandia must move forward. I feel I can count on you to lead the Anarchs while I am away."
"I will do so, Aurelion," the orc replied with a bold grin, "Our march to the main city will not only yield progress, but draw the Emperor's attention away from your actions. By the time you have found this Khaz'Radan that you seek, we shall be ten thousand strong, and at the city gates, ready to challenge the Demonlord!". The crowd cheered exhuberently.
The satyr placed a firm hand on Hedstrum's shoulder, smiling at the orc's confidence. "Very well, General. May the fates bless us. Now we must move swiftly. The staff, of all the relics, may be the most difficult to obtain. Have your scouts found any way into the city proper?"
"Indeed," replied the orc. He jerked his head in a directing gesture toward an elf named Ariadnesse, who stepped forward with an almost conceited smirk. Her form was clad in form-fitting leathers, her fine long hair tamed into a taught braid which rested over one shoulder. She gave a quick nod of salutation and spoke, "Lord Aurelion, I have explored the Dwarven mines deep under Orlandia. They once dug narrow air shafts upward, which terminate in a few spots within the city's walls. There was barely enough width to the shafts, and they have grates to keep out thieves, but I believe I can break through and recover the staff that the Seer mentioned."
"Then you have your mission, young elf. Go now, and be careful."
"Aye, my Lord," she responded, glancing for a moment at the general, who chuckled and nodded with approval. Ariadnesse hastily made her way out of the crowded chamber.

Aurelion turned back to the table and said, "Six more relics call to us, my fellow Anarchs. How shall we go about finding them?". Dandel was nearby with a map of the known realm, and he unfurled the cloth document, straightening it out as the satyr and others poured over it and began to discuss plans when a guard's horn sounded from the front gate. The sequence of tones told them that a scout was returning. They returned after a pause to inspecting the map, when desparate galloping sounded its way up the doors of the Town Hall. The scout, an excitable human who stumbled into the chamber and pushed his way through the onlookers, panted as he made his way to the table. "The Prince!," he shouted as he reached Aurelion, "Validus, the Prince... he is on horseback in the woods North of here... and he is alone!"
The crowd became excited and murmured around the table. Hedstrum spoke, "We have a perfect opportunity! If we capture him, we could gain an upper hand."
"Possibly," Aurelion said, "but he carries the cursed blade that was once Van and Nifl. He could strike us all down with its power... but I do have an idea. I will need assistance from a mage or two. I have learned something about that sword and how we might be able to use it to our advantage, but we need the Prince free in order to do it." Both Hedstrum and D'vorrah looked at the satyr curiously, to which he simply grinned and said, "Trust me. If we do this right, we can weaken the Emperor's power from within, and Khaz'Radan will do the rest."