Chapter 11: Dyorn's Discovery

Chapter 11: Dyorn’s Discovery

 

Dyorn saw Gorec dragged into the gate.  “Gorec!”  He yelled as he traversed the hall as quickly as he could.  When he came upon the gate, he saw that it had closed.  “Damn!  How could this have happened?”  He sighed, and said the spell to open the gate.  Repeatedly he tried to spell and repeatedly he got the same effect…the gate remained closed.  “I suppose there is only one option.”  He sighed again and searched the rest of the gates.

Dyorn was near the staircase when he heard Alora scream.  He rushed down the stairs and at the landing fell into a gate.  His own yell of shock echoed throughout the tower and his ears as he landed in a stone courtyard.  A servant, dressed in the livery of Dragonia, approached him.  “Pardon, my lord, but you are trespassing in the Prince’s private garden.”

Dyorn looked at the man, than looked around.  It was a garden of Dragoni’s, the Dragonian royal flower.  He looked closer at the flower, their black stem and gold petals reflecting the sun made it difficult.  He turned and looked over the rest of the courtyard.  In the courtyard, a few paces to the left of him, were targets and training dummies.  Shock filled his eyes as he realized that this was his home…sixteen years ago.  “My apologizes, I did not know.  Is his Majesty Hero fit to hold conference?”

“Yes, my lord, he is.  His Royal Highness Prince Dyorn has been observing his father this entire year.  Follow me.”  The servant led him through the halls that he knew so well and to the throne room.  Upon first entrance, Dyorn allowed himself a small smile.  He did not remember the room under his father’s rule.  Two sets of armour were visible, one sized to a child; both were polished until they glowed.  The Andros family crest was visible on both, though only half completed on the child’s.  Besides the armour there was another difference, the chair to the left was vacant, the Blackturner crest was visible on the gold velvet back.  To the right sat a small boy, no older than five.  Dyorn looked at his childhood self, the youthful innocence, and the eyes full of play and content.  Dyorn sighed softly to himself, enjoy it while you can, he thought.  His eyes finally settled upon his father as he took a knee before him.  Her sat with grace, and authority, his green eyes showed the knowledge of war, and love of peace.  His hair, the traditional red that Dyorn had not inherited, lay with the procession of hours of work.

In his observations he had missed his introduction, and snapped back to reality with Hero chiding his younger self.  “Now, Dyorn my son, he meant no disrespect and did not damage your garden with his arrival.”

“But, Father, he was trespassing on Royal Property, why hear him?”  Young Dyorn’s voice came out as a whine of protest, causing Dyorn and Hero both to smile.”

“Perhaps it is all by accident.  I like to know why I imprison someone before I do.”  Hero turned his attention to Dyorn.  “I expect you will explain yourself completely.”

“Your Majesty, I will explain what I can though some of it I do not understand myself.”  He looked from Hero to his younger self.  “Might it be best to send your son away?  Perhaps some other studies are in order?”

Hero thought for a moment, than nodded.  “Yes, Dyorn I have kept you longer than I should.  If you want to rule this country when you are older you must understand our glorious past, as well as current relations with Entantium.”  Dyorn grumbled but reluctantly left the room.  “Now, my son is out of hearing, explain yourself.”

“Dyorn took a breath before beginning, rising as he spoke.  “Emperor Andros, I am Dyorn Andros Emperor of Dragonia.”  He saw Hero’s reaction and hurried on.  “Sixteen years from this day I was in the Tower of the Accursed, searching for a weapon to destroy Kagain Blackturner, son of your advisor Yaren Blackturner.  I cannot go into much detail or risk my life, as I know it, which is why I requested this between us only.  How I ended up here I do not know, but I must get back soon.  I believe that the Mage Roads between the Towers will assist with that.”

“Sixteen years?  I knew I would not live much longer, but sixteen years.”

“Yes, milord.  I know I bring bad news, but I need to know how to access the Mage Roads.”

“How do I know you are who you say?”

“Milord, you must trust.  If you wish for proof than I will give it to you.  My mother died when I was three, all I remember well is Yaren sitting in your stead for a month while you were in my room grieving with me.  If you wish for more than look at your sword.  Above the hilt will be a series of five scratches.  I made those scratches trying to spell your blade against your injury.  I did not succeed, or you would see the runes.  Your Priestess stopped me.  I tried that just a month ago.”

Hero withdrew his blade and looked above the hilt.  Sure enough, five scratches were there.  He sheathed it and looked at Dyorn.  “I wish I could help you, but Yaren is missing.  He has been missing for four years.  He left for Entantium without telling anyone why.”

Dyorn sighed as he listened.  “Than I must got to Entantium.  Perhaps I can find out more about his actions, and disappearance.”

Dyorn turned to leave, but was stopped by Hero.  “Dyorn.”  He turned to see Hero a few paces from him, his left hand outstretched.  “Take this, as a memento of our meeting, and the balance of all.”

Dyorn opened his hand and felt the object fall into it.  He brought it up and saw a sphere, one side green the other blue.  Down the middle was a single stripe of black.  “A triundem[1]?  But the last of these disappeared…”

Sixteen years ago?”  Hero chuckled.  “For our benefit I will erase all memories of your visit here.  Go, and protect that which we both hold dear.”  With that, Hero retired to his study while Dyorn walked out.  Both hiding the tears than unexpectedly trickled down their faces.

 

Dyorn stood in front of the Tower of the Accursed, ten days later, thinking to himself.  He quickly pushed the onyx doors open and began his search for the portal.  He found it shortly after he began and moments later he was walking the streets of Carin Fios.  After asking around for a good inn, he was directed to the Sleeping Dragon.  He entered and approached the innkeeper.  “Sir, I am seeing information about a man.  He arrived here about four years ago, from Dragonia, perhaps you might know of him?

“My lord, I see many men and many of which are Dragonian.  I happen to run a very well known establishment sought by the rich and powerful.  Why, ten years ago I was graced with both Emperors and their lovely wives.”

“I am well aware of this, the Dragon is very well known in Dragonia, but I doubt very much you would forget this man.  He is the advisor to Emperor Hero Andros, who goes by the name of Yaren Blackturner.”

At Yaren’s name the entire Inn went silent.  “My lord, Yaren is a very sick and dangerous man.  Only a fool would seek him.”

“Than a fool am I.  Now, do you know where I might find him?”

“That I do, everyone here know his whereabouts.  The Flameweaver’s have him in their custody, trying to heal him.”

“Thank you very much.”  Dyorn reached into his pouch and set a few gold coins on the bar top.  “Your help has been immense.”  Dyorn turned and left, heading for the Temple of Firær.

Dyorn arrived early in the morning, and quickly sought out a Priestess.  “My pardon, Priestess, but I must speak to one of your charges, a man by the name of Yaren Blackturner.”  As soon as he spoke the name, he was held against the wall by manacles of living flame.

“I do not know your business, but no one is allowed to see him.  He is very dangerous.”

“I know the risks when dealing with a madman, but I must speak to him.  Allow me to speak with the Blaze Mistress, so that I may tell her my reasons.”

“Speak, brave sir.  If you are convincing enough than perhaps I will allow you to see him.”

“Mistress, I am Dyorn Andros.  Ten days ago, I was in the Tower of the Accursed hunting a weapon to aide in the destruction of Kagain Blackturner.  Somehow, I was transported sixteen years into the past.  Yaren Blackturner knows two things vital to me.  He knows where the Blackturner’s bane is, and how to access the Mage Roads which are the key to returning me to my time.”

The Blaze Mistress stared at Dyorn for what felt like an eternity before she finally spoke.  “Yaren Blackturner is a dying fool.  It would be close to impossible to get any information from him, but from what you have told me I willow you to speak to him, on one condition.  When you have your answers you send him back to Dragonia so he may die in his home country.”

“Mistress, for this information I will gladly establish a temple to Firær in Castlelake.”

The Blaze Mistress chuckled.  “Just take him home.  He has become a burden to the Order, and is beyond our help.”

“I will Mistress.  Now may I speak with Yaren?  I do not have much time.”

The Mistress started down the hall, stopping deep inside the temple and opening the door.  “He is in here.  Good luck, Dyorn Andros of Dragonia.  I will tell my Priestesses that you are to leave with him.”  With that, she walked off, leaving Dyorn alone to speak with Yaren.

Yaren looked up from the bed he was on and at Dyorn.  “I have finally saved my family from the evil that was perverting it.  My son will not live to terrorize Dragonia or Entantium.”

Dyorn watched as Yaren struggled against his bonds, and continue to mumble.  “Yaren Blackturner, your liege, Emperor Hero Andros has sent me to retrieve the secrets of traversing the Mage Roads.  I have also come to learn of the Bane.”

“Hero?  That fool allows his son to befriend my evil son.  He must be destroyed!  Kagain cannot survive!”

“Yaren concentrate.  I need to know how to use the Mage Roads before all is lost.”

“You are as much a fool as Hero.  You court evil, share your bed with it, and are none the wiser.  Why should I help such a fool?”

“Because I am trying to succeed where you will fail.  It seems you know what will happen if he lives, and thus far you have been correct.  He has captured and imprisoned Castlelake and is not satisfied.  Help me to finish what you have started.”

“The Mage Roads of the Towers are closed.  I will have to create a new path.  I will do this if you return me to Dragonia, so I may deal with my son.”

“After you create the path I will send you home.  I am a man of my word.”

“Than let us be going.  I do not have the strength to do it here.  I must go to the Bane.”  Dyorn hefted Yaren from the bed and started out of the temple.

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[1] A Triundem is a powerful magical artifact, used in the creation of Castlelake.  There were only three in existence, two of which were destroyed.  The third was presumed lost.