The Adventures of Brandar Odaron
Book 1: The Hidden Continent
Chapter 35 The Restoring of Arzultaur
Phaedus grew anxious upon finding that his Aefarin went dark as soon as Strabos had entered the Deel. So he sent Scouts in after the King and waited days for some word, though no word came and none of the Scouts returned. And very few other Scouts were coming in from the Foothills to the west, with the last Scout soon riding back, saying: “Countless armored Durwolc are marching from the Foothills and burning everything in their path.” And so dire was the Scout’s assessment that Phaedus was convinced that his People’s Brigade could not keep the Lands free of the invaders. Thus, he sent word throughout Arzultaur, instructing the People to remove themselves to the Coastlands in the east, or as far east as they could manage, while Phaedus and all of his Brigadiers would attempt to defend the Frontier.
In another few days he and his men suddenly heard booming sounds coming from the Deel, and which repeated at regular intervals but were unlike thunder heard from afar. And after two hours of this, without word coming from Srabos, Phaedus began to fear that the King may never return, though he kenned not the meaning of the sounds. Yet, they must be magical in nature; created by the Demon Lord.
Now Phaedus, the Duke of Baersunthas, was a mighty Warrior. And while he had inherited his Duchy, he had proven himself many times upon the Frontiers. But he was also a very wise Lord and knew the folly of senseless sacrifice. So, considering the reports of his Scouts he deemed his Brigadiers inadequate and ordered all eight Divisions to remove themselves to Deunomis.
Just in time was this done, for no sooner was the Gate of the Marsken closed behind the last of those Brigadiers than the enemy appeared and set about laying siege to the Fortress. And after but six hours, no end to the ranks of the enemy could be seen in all directions, including upon the lake. Then did Phaedus lose hope of keeping the invaders out of the Lands to the east, or of rescue out of the Deel, or of ever again laying eyes upon Strabos nor any of the forces which had entered into the Deel. And those far-off booming noised continued unwavering.
Nevertheless, the Duke was determined to hold the Fortress to the end. And he encouraged his Brigadiers with words of praise for the mighty Marsken, attempting to assuage rumors that the wall might be breached by Mages among the enemy. But never was that wall defeated, and stood fast for many an Age to follow; becoming a true wonder of the world.
Soon after the Fifth War of the New Frontier, Brandar had ordered that the Lake-Wall within the Marken must be built up and itself made as high and as magical as the Marsken itself. And that work had just been completed when Phaedus entered into the Fortress with all of his Brigadiers, though the Duke would soon discover that he would not be completely safe; for, despite vast tracts of the Forest having been burned during the War, there was yet from it much lumber to be had. And the enemy used it to build siege towers upon wheels which they easily rolled up to the Marsken. But they also placed some upon rafts which they rowed across the Lake to surmount the Lake-Wall. And the troubling far-off booming noises continued unwavering.
Thus did the Durwolc flow over the walls of Vortunas so that the brave Brigadiers were hard pressed keeping them out. And the enemy had built so many towers that at least two waited unused for each one set against the walls; making it difficult to keep the influx of Durwolc under control, though the Brigadiers poured oil upon tower after tower and set them ablaze, for the enemy rolled another in place after one had burned down. What is more, the enemy kept building more and more, so many even that there seemed to be no end to them. And this caused the Sereghen there much worry, while those accursed far-off booming noises continued unabated.
Fighting atop the Marsken and the Lake-Wall raged for days. And of the eight Divisions of the brave Brigadiers who had entered the Fortress only the equivalent of three remained when such a change occurred that it abruptly brought the siege to a halt. By fortune, the invaders were but breeds of Durwolc and no other monsters, nor even flying creatures. Yet, the Durwolc were so numerous that it was counted a great feat that the Brigadiers lasted as long as they had, despite the fact that the enemy used little or no magic. Furthermore, so valiant were the Brigadiers that the enemy’s leaders decided that they must focus upon the Fortress itself, and thus no Durwolc went off into the Lands to the east. It happened then that, upon a certain morning, where battle had raged throughout the night, and just when Phaedus began to consider making a desperate charge from the Gate, in an attempt to lead his survivors into the Forest, a great sound, like a thunder-clap, greater than the booming noises, issued from the Deel. And the booming noises ceased in that instant. Then all of the Durwolc began going about dazed and confused, and soon began fighting amongst themselves, which was not unusual except that they ceased working together on the siege. Neither did they build new towers, nor brought any more up to replace those which had burned, and abandoned those that had already been made. And taking advantage of the respite, the Brigadiers began shooting flaming arrows at the towers which had been abandoned, therefore setting aflame all of the remaining towers, including those upon rafts resting upon the shore of the lake.
Within but an hour since the booming noises ceased, there came flocks of Eagles and other birds from the North, who swooped upon the Durwolc so fiercely that the enemy took to fleeing, one and all, in attempts to escape to the Mountains. But the Eagles were so relentless and devastating in their assault that the Durwolc were completely routed, largely slain, with barely a tithe surviving to run off in search of hiding-places in the hills.
With the coming of those flocks the Brigadiers began cheering the Eagles, and went on to celebrate a victory, for they had come close to utter destruction. But the Eagles continued to pursue the Durwolc all the way to the Mountains while the upper reaches of the Darkness appeared to be dissipating. And when Phaedus next sent Scouts to enter into the Deel, believing the coming of the Eagles was a sign that the Crusade was a success, he subsequently learned from a Scout who returned within two days that the Deel and its Darkness were no more. Then another returned a few days after that, saying: “Northwest we rode, wary of Durwolc, though none were to be seen. And there were only Eagles above us. Then we came to where the Deel once was but it is now gone, while completely bare ground reveals where the Darkness had been. Yet, a short way into that land we found many dead of both Sereghran and Durwolc. Thus was I ordered to return and make report to you while the others pressed on.”
Then Phaedus mustered a Division from the survivors of Vortunas and led them within days to that place. Yet, riding farther upon the “Brown Lands”, as the region became known, finding corpses everywhere, he met the rest of his Scouts riding towards him, and whose leader said: “Strabos has won a great victory, and rides this way, returning home. But he comes with but few of those who had entered into the Darkness with him. And King Aetas has fallen.”
Now, within but another day’s ride Phaedus met Srabos, who informed him fully the tale of the events within the Darkness, and of the fall of Modeus. And saddened indeed was Phaedus and his men upon hearing the tale, and felt remorse for having celebrated the victory at Deunomis.
Of course, the fall of the Demon Modeus was later heralded throughout the Lands. But when the People realized how many of their loved-ones would not be returning, their joy was sorely curtailed. And thus were there no celebrations and rather many lamentations. Then some would say: “Better would it have been to let the Demon be.” And others: “Have we not ever extended the Borders, despite the Demon Lord?” But yet others said: “The Gods punish us for lusting after Lands in the West.” And more still was said against the Defender’s Crusade, as the People had no means of justifying such losses. Yet, in time, the Seregrhan came to recognize the importance of the victory, for the long peace and great prosperity they experienced thereafter far surpassed all that they had known. Then much appreciation did they have of it. due to the cost of it in the blood of their kin.
No other enemy as powerful as Modeus ever again rose up to challenge the Sereghran of Arzultaur. Hence, later campaigns were about expansion, and the conquest of new Lands, rather than merely the defending of the Borders. Then verily would there come a day when the Sereghran subdued all of the Hidden Continent, from east to west, and from north to south. Yet, that is another story, in which the long-standing Enchanted Mists finally began to dwindle, and the Sereghran became a mighty seafaring people. Yet, the Serghran would remember, even in the far future days of their glory, that they owed it all to the Warlord and Hero-King, Brandar Odaron, of the Northrons of Andaria.
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A change had occurred in Brandar due to his imprisonment in the dungeons of Modeus, as he appeared now not so young, and his hair was now white rather than blonde. And he would cut not his long beard nor hair, desiring to keep them as signs of his years of torment, though little over a year had passed outside of the Deel. Yet, more than his appearance had changed; for he was cured of his former desire to go exploring in the world, and to engage in adventuring. And he began to hold dear the things which he had previously heeded not, such as sunsets, and the smell of flowers, and the sound of children at play. Thus did he become a more noble man than before, and was loved by all.
Strabos returned to Sunthakis in triumph. But so aggrieved was he by his losses that he further felt burdened by his kingship and never again laughed in life. And other Lords knew, though the People never found out, that his first order of business upon his return was to go into his prison and there slay, by his own hand, the traitor Raeden, and the wicked Mage Striglis. Then did he hand the crown and his scepter over to his eldest son Teukos, thereafter spending his days traveling about Arzultaur giving away his wealth to the widows and orphans of the New-Frontier Wars, and of the Defender’s Crusade.
The elder son of Aetas was a tall man named Naethan. And the newly crowned High King, Teukos, assented to the appointment of Naethan as King of Baerakis, for it was widely agreed among the Nobles and the People, as it was in his own inheritance of the throne in Sunthakis, that Naethan should be King in Baerakis. But Teukos asked Naethan to rebuild the fleets of both Baerakis and Sunthakis. And those ships were long in the making, as most of the navies and Mariners had been lost in the Crusade.
Those who came back alive were given great honor by the People and the Kings, and were assigned high stations in the new armies and fleets. Thus did many become the founders of Great Houses from which came the Heroes and Kings who later sailed the wide-open seas, and established dynasties in other parts of the world whence the Mists had wafted away.
Flaven returned to his Duchy in Baertunas, and there founded an order of Wizardry of which some members later became as famous as he. Meanwhile, Farus was made Commander General of the Army at Sunthakis, while Barkar was made an Admiral, tasked with rebuilding Agereis and its fleet.
The Seven were each already regarded as Lords of the Lands, while Brandar continued as the Warlord, but was also the King of the Northrons and their Kith, and of all of the Sereghran in the Forest. And the Emissaries mourned long their fallen, for each of the Seven had lost offspring, where Brandar bereaved both his eldest and his youngest daughters, while Alak had lost his one and only son. Then Brandar took up again his Kingship over the Forest, which had been ceded to the High King’s realm in his absence. Thus was Brandar once again the Third King of the Sereghran, and the Forest the Third Realm of Arzultaur, which soon became the largest by count of the three, for many of the Sereghran were coming to the Forest, owing that they felt safe therein due to the fall of Modeus. What is more, Brandar was given wider lands by both Teukos and Naethan, so that his full kingdom spanned, north to south, from the Great Northern Bay to the Southern Wood, now called the “Frith”, and east to west from the Old Frontier to the Mountains, so that he therefore held all of the Grasslands north, along with the Brown Lands. And thus did his realm encompass all of the Foothills and Highlands, in addition to the wide expanse of the Forest.
The great circle where the Deel had cut across the countryside remained visible for many years, where its vast outline was called the “Curve of the Deel”. And people were long after the Crusade afraid to plant crops or raise livestock upon the Brown Lands, or even to travel there, though grass soon began to grow rapidly upon it, so that, in but seven years, it had become green instead of brown. Yet, the Sereghran were not wholly foolish in their fear of that territory, as weak ghosts of Durwolc and Sereghran, and other harmless spirits and phantoms, haunted that land until the end of the Age, though no evil creatures ever again crossed the Curve of the Deel.
The Demon’s Castle was torn down and the mote filled with its stone. But Brandar forbade the searching of its dungeons, so the site was covered with earth upon which flowers were planted. Then Brandar later built a monument there, with a place for a flame ever to be kept in honor of all of the Sereghran who had fallen in the Crusade. And another monument, larger than that, Brandar built upon the hill where Aetas had been slain, and which he named “King’s Hill”, where he erected a great tower, setting upon it another constant flame, so that at night or in bad weather Mariners off the Coast would have a beacon by which they may know where lay land. But the Sereghran thereafter took to building many such “Towers of Light” along all of their coasts, so that later Newcomers, and other seafarers in years that followed, began to refer to Arzultaur as “DheArgen”, which is “Bright-Land”, as it was often the light from one of those towers which was seen first from afar upon their sailing to Arzultaur.
Brandar also had flowers planted about King’s Hill, as he had upon the place were the Demon’s Castle had stood. But both of those places he also enclosed within great rings of standing-stones, arranged so that by them seasons could be gauged by the positions of the Suns. Yet, the flowers spread about and so multiplied that they came, within a mere thirty years, to fill all of the territory which had been covered by the Darkness. Then did the Sereghran rename it “Kaernethos”, which means “Flowered Croft”, and ceased calling it the Brown Lands. That is when the People began to come there to raise livestock and to farm, and build settlements, and even seaports soon afterwards.
In those days of peace, Brandar went about building so many monuments and memorials to the fallen that, at length, no region within the Third Kingdom was bare of signs of habitation, even in remote areas upon the Borders. And with the power of his magic helmet he went into the Mountains with laborers and brought from there a huge slab of white marble which he placed upon Dragon’s Den Hill. And with it he had artisans carve another statue of Baeren the Knight, which was thus much larger than that which had been destroyed by Balkurmis. Indeed, the new statue was so great that it could be seen from several leagues away in all directions. Then other Lords of the Lands, not to be outdone, began erecting other statues and monuments, and temples to the Gods, and other magnificent structures, so that Arzultaur came altogether to be filled with them. And such endeavors became so popular that the lowliest village came to have at least one such place of honor dedicated to the fallen heroes of their clans.
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Yet again, Brandar dwelt with Vearta in the Tower of Vortunas, along with their remaing daughter, Elaine. And so happy was Vearta to have Brandar back, having shed unnumbered tears after his capture, that she thereafter rarely left his side. And while the two mourned long their lost children, their love for each other remained undiminished. Thus did they have joy and happiness in all of their days together.
Though Brandar was King of the Third Realm, he retained his title as Warlord of the Sereghran, though his great wealth had made him equal in power to High King Teukos. Yet, he viewed Teukos as his superior, and continued to hold Strabos as his liege, and obeyed the former King in all ways, as if Strabos still held the scepter in Sunthakis. Then Brandar took to heart everything Strabos had to say, and likewise spent much of his wealth aiding the widows and orphans of his Realm. Therefore, in all of the Lands there were no beggars nor thieves, nor anyone without food nor shelter. But the People profited so greatly from the charity of these two Lords that the two were much loved, and were spoken of as the most generous of all Men.
Here, once Brandar had put his kingdom in order, and completed the reinforcing of his Towers, and the making of Baeren’s statue, he turned to the treasure within Dragon’s Den Hill; the hoard of the She-Dragon. And by the spells he obtained from his magical helmet, now called the “Warlord’s Casque”, he removed the evil Dragon’s curse and opened up the Hill, removing the vast wealth, of which he kept but a tithe, and gave a tithe each to his fellow Northrons, and then distributed the rest to the Survivors of the Crusade. But there was such a great trove that they were made very rich, which did much to renew the Lands and bring about widespread prosperity. Then Brandar cleansed the den of the Dragon’s foul defilements, and of all traces of evil, and built therein a Hall of Remembrance, as a memorial to the greatest Heroes of the Sereghran’s wars; placing many statues inside.
There were represented the good Knights Bhraghar and Brugjo, and Margos of Baertunas, and also Margos of Cwellan. And here too were the Captains Denus and Ardour, and the Admirals Jesan and Lutros, and Stanon and Ergon, along with the proud Elf-Lord Lindheron, of whom his people had made their own grand statue and a monument at Linguonon. Then there were the likenesses of the greatest Wizards, with special places for Calaren and for Palphus. But there was also a prominent placement for the statue of Duke Medhyos, for whom Strabos wept when the statue was unveiled at the ceremony dedicating the memorial. And here also was the likeness of the Elf-Lord Turlin of Askondor, for whom many great monuments and statues were erected all across the Southlands by the Lowland Elves. But of course, there was an outstandingly majestic statue of Aetas in a most important place in the memorial, though there came to be numerous statues of Aetas throughout the Lands, especially upon the Northern Coasts. But the largest of these was at Baerakis, in the midst of the city, with another nigh as large at Geranost, and one also at Agereis. Furthermore, upon Dragon’s Den Hill, above the great Memorial Hall, where Brandar had previously placed his pavilion, he built a stupendous temple to the Elden Gods, the Ghieveh, and which was a sight in itself. Thus, what with this grand Temple and Baeren’s marble statue, and the Memorial Hall, and the wonderful Marsken about the Fortress, Deunomis became widely renowned, praised by the people who lived thereabouts, and always by everyone who came to visit.
Indeed, so amazing were these sites that people began to come from all of the Lands to pay their respects. And they brought their children to teach them about the sacrifices that had been made to give them liberty, and an unbound future. So revered then would the Temple become that hordes of pious Sereghran began to make pilgrimages there to pray, and to give honor to the Gods of Old.
Thus did Deunomis prosper. And the town thereabouts grew into the wondrous city which Brandar had envisioned; yet even more grand. But when the Temple had been completed, being the last of those wonders to be finished, Brandar left off from building and thereafter spent most of his time traveling in the Lands with Strabos, aiding him in his work of providing for the widows and orphans and other less fortunate Sereghran. And, while the People of the Forest called Brandar their “Lord” or “King Brandar”, elsewhere the Sereghran continued to address Brandar as their Warlord. But Strabos they now called the “Old King of Sunthakis”, and also “Old King Strabos”, or simply “Old Strabos”. But Strabos did not object.
In those days too Vearta bore to Brandar a son whom Brandar named Brogen, which means “strong of foot”, as it seemed to Brandar that the child had big feet. And Brandar doted upon his son, teaching him about the Northrons, and their ancient lore, and training him to be noble. Yet, Vearta afterwards bore to him three more daughters. And the Warlord and his Consort had joy in their children, conceived in love, so that the whole family were happy for many years. Neither did Vearta complain that Brandar had never meant to marry her, so making her his Queen, though, in truth, she held the power of a Queen. And she never once balked at her titles of “Warlord’s Mistress” or “King’s Consort”, so much did she love Brandar. But Prince Brogen grew up confused by this state of affairs, believing rightly that his mother deserved the title of “Queen of the Third Realm”. And when he reached his seventeen year he became so upset with Brandar in this matter that it became a source of strife between them; causing Brandar much sorrow. Therefore, Brandar decreed that Vearta must be known as “Queen of the Forest”, where he ceded to her the entire Forest as her kingdom, to rule as she willed, thus establishing the Fourth Realm of the Sereghran upon Arzultaur. And he also gave to her half his remaining wealth, which was yet very great. Further, she had leave to rule apart from Brandar, where she could, if desired, take for herself a husband to be her King. And Brogen was named the High Prince of both Realms, for he was the Royal Heir within both. And he was also given the Frith as a Duchy, and therefore made Duke of that portion of the Great Southern Wood over which Brandar held power, for Brogen loved to go hunting in the Frith, and was then quite pleased.
Thus was the rift between Brandar and Brogen healed. Yet, the beloved Queen Vearta refused to leave Brandar to go dwell in the Forest; preferring to remain in the Tower of Vortunas. Yet, next Brandar sent a small army of craftsmen into the Forest to begin building there a castle for his Consort, and which was to be the finest in the lands. But he also sent another into the Frith, to build there a great fortress for his son, and which was to be the center of his duchy. Therefore, when ten years had passed, the fortress was complete, and was named “Woodhaven” by Brogen himself, who promptly moved there, and began to rule there. But a town soon grew up about the fortress, and was called “Brogen’s Town” by the people there. And they were a joyful lot. But, in another ten years, the castle in the Forest was also completed, whereupon Brandar and Vearta began to spend much time there. But already was there a large village near to it which had long since been named “Lumber Town”, as it had been established by woodsmen who gathered lumber from the Forest to sell in all the Lands; much of which, for a while, went into building Vearta’s castle. And the castle itself was called “Queen’s Castle” by the folk of Lumber Town, and thus was this the name by which it would be known among the Sereghran ever after.
Meanwhile, the other Northrons were doing well, having fathered many more children, and spending the riches they had obtained from Brandar upon them. Then were the Seven become known as the “Northron Patriarchs”, as Brandar’s countrymen became heads of large clans whose members were called the “Northron Kith”, and by which appellation even their in-laws became known.
Yet, the Seven were no longer called “Newcomers”, for they had been among the Sereghran too long. And other adventurers had lately come through the Mists from lands to the east over the sea, so that those brave sailors had now become the most recent Newcomers, and were therefore the center of attention wherever they went, just as the Emissaries had been.
In time, Brogen was married and fathered children of his own. And Brandar and Vearta loved to visit with Brogen, to spend time with their grandchildren, and likewise would Brogen bring his family at times to Queen’s Castle. But in the fullness of time, Brogen’s offspring grew up and were married, and produced offspring of their own, so that Brandar became the head of a rather large clan of the Kith.
Now, it happens that, in this time of peace, Brandar left his kin for a while, forbidding even Vearta to come with him. And he had mustered a small army and took with him Sereghran Dwarves skilled at deep digging, and went north to the site of the old Demon’s Castle, where was that monument to the fallen of the Crusade which Brandar had named Ensuronar, meaning Demon’s Bane. And there his laborers delved beneath the monument to gain access to the caves and tunnels and dank dungeons below. But forbidding any others from exploring them, and setting his Soldiers to guard the site, he put on his cuirass and casque, while, as ever, wearing his necklace, then girt himself with Beliscaertos and went alone into the depths with naught else but a pack with water and food, along with one lighted torch.
Several days was Brandar in the late Demon’s dungeons; many passages and chambers of which he remembered, so that never long would he become lost within any of them. And verily did he encounter Durwolc and other vile monsters therein, but easily slew them while suffering not so much as a scratch. Then, when he was certain that the dungeons were at last free of vermin, he went back to that vault from which he had retrieved Beliscaertos, and in which he had restored his three be-stoned countrymen. But he discovered that it had not been touched since last he was there. Then two other hoards did he find, though these were smaller, and held mostly chests filled with coin and jewels.
With that, Brandar returned to the surface and then led his men to those hoards and had the treasures brought out, to the very last coin. And such a heap did it all make that the men there were simply astounded by it. Yet, Brandar took to giving lavishly of it to them, laborers and Soldires alike; rewarding them richly, in addition to paying what had been agreed when first hiring them to come with him. But at length, when all this was done, a great mound of the treasure remained. And Brandar declared to them: “This I claim as war-gild for the torture I endured at the hand of Modeus the Cruel.” And none there were among those men dared who question his claim.
Then Brandar sent Soldiers to rent or buy wagons from townsfolk and villagers in nearby Lands. And when later these had been filled, of which there were twenty, he sent them covered with a Company of Soldiers to guard each, and took his hoard back to Vortunas, where he stored it within a vault of his own, in the tallest Tower there. Thus did Brandar become the wealthiest man in all of Arzultaur.
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In the many decades of prosperity which followed the Crusade, the Emissaries often went sailing in Wingaron, taking with them the youngest of the Kith to which they loved to tell the stories of their adventures -- for the older youths had heard them many times over, while the youngest seemed never to tire of them nor also of the Lore of the Northrons. And this was a happy time for the Seven. But one tale was the favorite, as it was with all the youth of Arzultaur, which was the Tell of the Fall of Modeus the Cruel, though Brandar would typically have one of his fellow Emissaries relate it for him while he stood upon the deck play-acting for the children; for he grew to love to see their reactions; at first with tears, then wonder, and next with excitement, and finally with rousing applause. And with each play, sad memories were replaced with joyous ones.
Upon the end of one of those voyages, ere returning to Vortunas, Brandar visited with the Shipwrights of Agereis, and leaving with them much gold as first payment, he had them begin building a grand new fleet of ships, with each vessel worthy of the longest of voyages. But the lumber for the ships he would buy himself from the men of Woodhaven, and have it hauled to the Coast at his own expense. And thereafter, when asked about this effort, even once by Vearta, he would simply say that he desired to add yet another fleet to those which the Serghran already had. But here and there, he would drop hints that he meant to go some day back through the Mists, and return to Andaria. Yet, at first, he would make out as if that fateful day was yet far off, though in truth it was quite near.
When Brogen had reached his hundred and fiftieth year as Duke of the Frith, so that he was then one-hundred and seventy-seven years old, Brandar invited his son and all of the other Lords of the Lands to a great feast to be held in Deunomis. And there, in a solemn ceremony upon Dragon’s Den Hill, before the Temple of the Gods, in the presence of Strabos and his own son, High King Teukos, and also King Naethan, and many other Lords, and with Vearta by his side, Brandar gave to Brogen the Kingship of the Third Realm of Arzultaur. But while Brandar had worn ever the Warlord’s Casque as the sign of his office, he took from his vast treasure a proper crown, and kingly robe, and a golden scepter, and gave these to Brogen as emblems of his son’s new station. Then Brogen knelt before his father. And rising, he promised to become a good and honorable King.
With that, Brandar turned to those gathered and announced that he intended to sail through the Mists and return to Andaria. But while this was sad news to all of the Kith and to the Sereghran thereabouts, it was not wholly unexpected, for Brandar had been mentioning this desire for many years, and the fleet that he had commissioned was now complete, by his reckoning; containing over a hundred of the finest ships the Sereghran had ever made.
Three of those ships he had loaded with treasure, each with one-quarter of his wealth, while the remainder he left in the Tower of Vortunas for Brogen. Of course, Brandar’s fellow Emissaries had long since kenned what Brandar had in mind and were one and all willing to go with him. Then he promised to return afterwards to Arzultaur, to visit friends and his kin, as often as could be. So the Warlord’s banquet was not wholly a loss. What is more, he would take with him his Aefarin, by which he could converse with certain of the Lords of the Lands, and with his son, to whom he gave a new one which Flaven had made, and who personally presented it to Brogen during the ceremony. And with that everyone applauded, and went then on with the feast, which lasted three days, and the nights between. But the Sereghran of Deunomis would hold a feast in the same week each year after this, in honor of the Seven, which in later days was celebrated in all of Arzultaur, and called the “Festival of the Emissaries”.
Soon after Brandar made the announcement about his desire to return through the Mists, he sent a letter requesting the aid of the Loremaster Brakhus in scribing onto scrolls the tongue of the Andarians, and Brandar’s native toungue, and the making of copies to be sent to all of the places of learning of the Sereghran in all four Kingdoms. And when that was done, Brandar set about having notices posted in all of Arzultaur, seeking people who wished to come with him through the Mists. These, however, would be required to learn the Andarian toungue, and would also be required to spend time in Agereis, to learn the rudiments of sailing. But Brandar paid for their schooling with gold sent to all those places of learning, and for the room and board of all who came to be taught, even for the time they must spend learning, so that any who wished to go would be well prepared for the journey, and also for their new lives in Weyilendeh.
Thus, many a Sereghran seeking adventure went to learn the Andarian tongue, and afterward also to Agereis to acquire the knowledge of sailing, if they were not yet so skilled. And in this way Brandar was assured that his ships would be manned by worthy folk, which were mostly men. But he also required this learning of the Kith and Warriors and Followers who would go with him, which were not few in number. Hence, when the time had come, the people of his fleet, and also many Adventurers who brought ships of their own, were learned in the speech of Andaria, which would be known by many in Weyilendeh, as later would be discovered, for it became the Common Tongue in the Eastern Realms ater the end of the Third Invasion.
*****
Brandar chose the day of his going as that day of the year, long ago, in which first he set foot upon Arzultaur. But the Volunteers would not be with him aboard Wingaron, as they had ships of their own. And the Seven had each by then large followings of the Kith, and many Mariners and Soldiers and Brigadiers, along with other Sereghran who vowed, as the Volunteers had done, to follow Brandar whither so ever he would lead them. But besides these folk, there were many Sereghran with adventurous spirits who wished to see the world beyond the Mists, though intending to return once their adventuring was done. Thus would Brandar be sailing with so many followers that he went westward with a mighty armada, involving many more ships than those which he owned. So, he feared not passing again through the Mists, nor meeting with sea-serpents, nor any other creatures of the Deep. And while Brandar regretted having to part with Vearta, who refused to go with him, he also knew that he would miss Brogen and his many other descendents who remained in Arzultaur. But he was resolved nonetheless, and sailed away; feeling that this is what a Dunjilarian Chieftain must do, to forget not from whence he had come. But he was also resolved, being enabled by the great wealth he had won, to go and fulfill his long-held desire to establish a kingdom for the Northron People upon their ancestral land of Rillguman.
Upon the appointed day, with the Six already aboard their ships, Brandar stood upon the dock and tearfully said his goodbyes to Strabos, and to all of his friends and family who had come to see him off. Then Brandar said to Brogen: “Now is the time where the father must leave the son to live his own life. And mayhap we shall not meet again in flesh. But alas, that is the way of things in the world beyond the Mists, for all events beyond are subject to happenstance, if not the will of the Gods. Thus, I depart to leave you here to carry on my legacy. Yet, I foretell that all of the Sereghran shall someday know such uncertainty, when the Mists have gone, and Arzultaur is no longer hidden.
“Therefore, do not think this is an ending. Nay, take up your crown and make of this a new beginning! Do not the people deserve no less than to flourish and be happy, and to be led with compassion? Let that be your own legacy, my son. To be a good King, in truth. And to be kind to your people, and thus loved by them in return.”
With that Brandar hugged his dear son, and kissed him on the forehead, saying: “Farewell, my son. And may the Gods be with you.” Then Brogen said: “And you.” But no more could Brogen say due to the tears streaming down his cheeks.
At last Brandar faced Vearta, his love among the Sereghran. And long did they embrace without a word, for each knew well the other’s heart. But Brandar finally pulled away and boarded Wingaron, and waved long but only once as the ship sailed away.
Upon that dock stood Vearta and Brogen and Strabos, and the Loremaster Brakhus with the other two Kings, and many other Lords besides. And all of them were shedding deeply-felt tears. But after most had gone their way whence the last of the ships had disappeared over the horizon, there stood Vearta and Brogen with Strabos, gazing northwest long into the deepening night, until Strabos suggested that they retire.
Vearta and Brogen took up their rule over the Western Lands; he as King of the Third Realm and she as Queen of the Forest. And while Brogen continued to father children, Vearta never married, and bore no more offspring. But she released herself of her sorrows by taking up causes of charity. Thus did she console herself, in the end, and became happy once more. And her folk loved her very much, which was of great comfort. Then Brogen became a just and mighty King, being also Lord over all of the Last Frontier, at length riding the Mountians of the remaining monsters of Arzultaur, and so adding those heights and all of the western coast to his realm.