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‘I will, thank you.’ Nyomae glanced back at the door. ‘The guard outside seemed a little too keen to interrogate me on the nature of my visit last time. Therefore, I thought it best to deny him the opportunity. But I may have unsettled him with a trick I learned in my youth.'

Elodi stood and retrieved two glasses from the shelf. She led Nyomae to a table beside the window. ‘A wise strategy, but I fear the Castellan will be made aware of our meeting before long. We all know his guards are not posted for our safety.’ She filled the glass with cool water and handed it to Nyomae. Elodi lowered her voice. ‘I believe this spot is the safest place for us to speak. I can see no grates or ducts that may carry our voices beyond these walls.’

Nyomae gratefully accepted and sat. ‘That is good to hear.’ She leaned forward. ‘Toryn progresses at speed. He is a willing student and I believe he is as ready as he could be given the circumstances. It would have been desirable to allow him longer to prepare, but the risk of losing the Amayans outweighs the risk of exposing Toryn to the likes of Uleva. He is strong and resourceful, and I hope to remain in contact with him using a technique we have explored.’ Nyomae snapped her fingers. ‘But it is the content of the physician’s scroll that has brought me here. I have made what I believe to be an important discovery.’

‘Ah! That is good news.’ She noted Nyomae’s brow crease. ‘Is it not?’

‘Good in one sense, but not in another.’ Nyomae settled. ‘Let me start by covering some of the history first. Much of what you have heard about the end of Draegelan's reign as Archon is likely embellished by storytellers keen to fill their pockets.’

Elodi held up her hand. ‘Please, assume I know nothing and therefore leave nothing out.’

‘Thank you. That will hopefully make it easier.’ Nyomae straightened. ‘Draegelan was the last Imaari to serve as Archon. At his bidding, before he slipped into illness, he deemed it wise that subsequent Archons should not be of our Order. Perhaps events leading to the ultimate defeat of Dorlan at Talaghir, led him to believe too much power concentrated in one leader had the potential to turn ill.’

Elodi heaved a sigh. ‘Ah, a wise man. We’ve become only too aware of the dangers of that, eh?’

‘Precisely. Hadrul was the last Archon before the coming of the disastrous time we call the Age of Shadows. But when he fell at Gormadon, followed rapidly by the rest of my Order, Uluriel took the opportunity to possess Mordram. And then, in the ensuing confusion, appointed herself Archon.’

‘And Malendra who succeeded Draegelan, was a knight?’

Nyomae took a deep breath. ‘Malendra became the first Archon outside of the Imaari. Having fought alongside Draegelan and Dorlan, she was a warrior of great repute. She lived long beyond the years expected of a mortal. And I can count myself fortunate to have known both Draegelan and Malendra.’

Elodi stared in wonder. ‘Of all the people throughout history, Draegelan would be the one I would dearly love to have met above all others. It had once been Dorlan, but… that wish came true, and he was not as I expected. But Draegelan. Was he as the tales tell?’

Nyomae smiled. ‘Granted, for most of the time I knew him he was both blind and bedridden. The long years of his rule weighed heavily upon him, and many believed he had begun to lose his powers. Late in life, he left Archonholm to spend his days in Neverdor, followed by Abernost. Then he disappeared for almost a year. Preparations for his successor were underway when he returned to the city. But our initial relief was short lived. Draegelan appeared to have lost much of his memory, leading many to fear he was descending into a state of madness.’

Elodi refilled Nyomae’s glass. ‘Ah yes, that part is known to me. Such a sad end to a long, illustrious life.’

Nyomae shook her head. ‘For five centuries, he had carried the guilt of not being at Dorlan’s side when he confronted Ormoroth. They had battled together for decades to drive the darkness from the realms. But he was beset with sadness and regret for not coming to Dorlan’s aid at Talaghir. Once he had secured the borders, Draegelan rode north to find his faithful companion, but as we know, he discovered nothing but devastation. None lived to tell what happened at Talaghir, and I can find no Verses of that time. But in witnessing the aftermath, Draegelan understood that while Ormoroth had been banished from this realm, his presence remained in the Song. This left the way open for him to return one day. He knew an opportunity had been missed. From what I have gathered from the physician’s notes...’ Her eyes widened. ‘I believe if Draegelan and Dorlan had ridden together at Talaghir they could have cast Ormoroth into the void and beyond the reach of this realm. Perhaps the same force that transformed Dorlan into his all-powerful state at that darkest of times, also aided Draegelan to discover key Verses that could expel Ormoroth.’

Elodi could barely breathe. ‘Do the words from the physician’s scroll reveal this knowledge?’

‘Not directly. Much of the knowledge of that time has been lost.’ Nyomae stiffened. ‘Or so I thought.’

Elodi leaned closer. ‘And am I right to suspect this knowledge is perhaps a double-edged sword?’

Nyomae drained her glass. ‘Of the most lethal kind. But as I see it, we have no choice but to grip the blade tight with both hands.’

‘And this is why you must go to Neverdor.’

‘And most likely Abernost.’ Nyomae looked out of the window. ‘Would you mind if we continued our conversation elsewhere? I have spent long hunched over dusty scrolls and books. My thirst is quenched, but my eyes need sunlight, and my lungs crave fresh air.’

Elodi and Nyomae strolled along the banks of the Menon away from the city. Elodi turned to look back at Archonholm. The sheer walls cast barely a shadow as noon approached. Behind them, the towers reached impossibly high as if competing to be the first to snare the passing sun. But none could outreach the Archon’s Tower. The blue banner still fluttered high above the city as Kernlow believed morale would suffer if lowered. Archonholm was an inspiring sight, but was it impregnable? The footings for the new outer wall were taking shape close to the river. It was to join with the gatehouse of the Menon Bridge, then stretch in both directions to curve back to the chasm. Kernlow believed the outer wall would help to ease the sense of foreboding pervading the streets of Archonholm. But Elodi was not so confident. The fall of Calerdorn was not due to the lack of iron and stone.

Nyomae stopped. ‘This looks like a pleasant spot.’ She gazed over the river. ‘And the green Menon Hills at least offers some semblance of tranquility. But, alas, the new wall will soon obscure the view.’

Elodi perched beside her. ‘While the troubles back in Calerdorn seem so far away, none can deny the influence of our enemy hasn’t already infiltrated the very heart of our stronghold.’

Nyomae sat back and sighed. ‘And it seems we cannot escape it out here.’

‘And for that I apologize. You desired fresh air and rest, and yet I cannot grant you a moment’s peace.’

Nyomae sat up. ‘You’re right to persist. The Ul-dalak will not be satisfied with their gains. And every minute I spend enjoying the view is a minute lost.’ She brushed the dust from her robe. ‘So… I must return to the business of the aforementioned double-edged sword. But let us not be disheartened, one edge may yet deliver a fatal blow to our enemies.’ Nyomae plucked a blade of grass and rubbed it between her fingers. She continued with her tale. ‘Draegelan concealed his discovery to prevent its misuse. What his physician thought were the mumbled words of a fevered mind were, I believe, a clue to where his later scrolls could be found. And the nature of his clue suggests a certain amount of knowledge is required to solve his puzzle. An entry in the physician’s record is from a childhood rhyme once popular in Elmarand. Draegelan was known for singing it to himself when he began his studies in Neverdor.’

Elodi recalled Wendel’s final days. ‘But it's well known that an aging mind often relives the days of its youth.’

‘That may be so, but he made an error reciting the rhyme.’

Elodi frowned. ‘Again, that would not be unusual for one so old.’

‘But three times? In the same verse? The rhyme was composed using nonsensical language. While it flowed well, it was gibberish, but was sufficient to amuse the children of that time. Yet, Draegelan inserted a word of his own. Gwylmadoc.’

Elodi scoffed. ‘That still sounds like gibberish to me.’

‘That it would. It’s a word known only to the people of West Haven. It’s a ceremony. They line the quayside to remember those lost at sea. I had the pleasure of being at the port on that day many, many years ago. Although, come late afternoon, most will have forgotten who they’re supposed to be remembering. Tradition dictates they raise a toast to those they honor, and there are many.’ She laughed. ‘Dozens end up in the harbor waters, and it’s only thanks to the sober ones that they don’t end up joining the ranks of the lost at sea.’

Elodi smiled. ‘We have a similar ritual in Calerdorn, and with much the same result come the evening. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to return to the days of peace and our quaint traditions. Will that ever be possible?’ She turned to Nyomae. ‘Could this one, misplaced word hold the key to Draegelan’s wisdom? And perhaps peace?’

Nyomae shrugged. ‘It’s a small hope, I admit. But I'm convinced this word is significant. I have yet to fully appreciate its meaning, but from the short time I spent with Draegelan, I believe he may have set a test, a riddle if you like. While he spent many hours studying the Song, he enjoyed inventing and solving puzzles in his spare time.’ Nyomae thought for a moment. ‘Something troubled Draegelan in his final years. As I said, I didn’t know him in his prime, but Idraman noted he had changed. Of course, this could have been due to his advanced age, but Idraman was convinced Draegelan was wrestling with a dilemma. I would see them strolling along the banks of the Menon deep in conversation, close to this very spot. At times it looked like a heated argument, but Idraman never revealed to me the nature of their debate. But I am beginning to suspect Draegelan had indeed stumbled across the means to defeat Ormoroth once and for all.’

Elodi watched a boat moor at the bridge. ‘But I don’t understand. Surely, he would have shared this knowledge.’

‘Not necessarily. Such knowledge may pose significant risks if used incorrectly. I do not possess half the strength of Draegelan, nor do I believe anyone will ever attain his stature again. So, if he thought it wise to conceal this knowledge it must have been for good reason.’

Elodi shuddered as a cloud shut out the sun. ‘What do we know of Ormoroth? Were… are there others like him?’

‘He was believed to have been spawned by the first demon god, the one we know as the Evil One. The oldest stories tell of others such as Ormoroth, but the tales assure us they were defeated by the returning gods.’ Nyomae’s eyes darkened. ‘As for Ormoroth, the Imaari believe he is in limbo, what we call the Halfway World. He is neither of here, nor of the other side. Which means he may yet return.’

Elodi stood and strolled to the river’s edge. ‘In all our history, have we ever been so weak as we are today?’ She stared out at the hills. ‘Would we not welcome the power to cast our most dangerous adversary to where he could not return?’

Nyomae joined her at the bank. ‘It will be a challenge to firstly locate it, then to fully understand Draegelan’s mind. Then of course comes the dilemma. If this knowledge contains a dangerous power… do we dare use it?’

Elodi kneeled and dipped her hand in the water. ‘Unless Kernlow has some almighty trick up his cavernous sleeves, then we have no other choice but to seek out this power. The commander from Broon, Amyndra is due to speak with our lord and master tomorrow. I shall demand another audience and put the fear of the Evil One in him. Perhaps once he's made aware of Nordryn’s schemes, and that the threat moves south on both sides of the Kolossos, he’ll relent and contemplate a pre-emptive strike.’ Elodi glanced up to see the cloud had retreated to the east. ‘Ah. Conditions look perfect. I have arranged to meet with Amyndra this afternoon. Together we'll devise her strategy for tomorrow’s audience with Kernlow.’ She grinned. ‘On horseback.’

‘Warrior does not shy away from a duel. He is a horse worthy of his name.’ Elodi drew Sea Mist alongside Amyndra at the edge of the plain.

Amyndra patted Warrior’s neck. ‘If there’s a better horse on the east side of the mountains, I’ve yet to meet them.’

Elodi dismounted. ‘That I can well believe. I’d say that was a tie. There are only a handful of horses in the west able to challenge Misty.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘There’s a stream close to the road. We’ll rest there a while. Then let’s see who claims the honors on the return leg.’

Amyndra slid off Warrior’s back and led him after Sea Mist. ‘It would not surprise me if these two conspired to achieve a tie. They know we won’t return to the stables until the contest is decided. But…’ she frowned, ‘if the tales doing the rounds in the taverns of Archonholm are true, I believe I’m challenging more than just a fine horse. Would I be right in assuming Sea Mist’s rider is descended from a line of legendary warriors?’

Elodi smiled. ‘The stories are true. I discovered the bloodline of my mother only a short time ago.’

Amyndra beamed. ‘Then I am twice honored. To ride with both a Lady of the realm and an Amayan is something the young girl in me could only have dreamed of.’

‘You flatter me. I am also honored to ride alongside such an accomplished rider and horse from Broon.’

Amyndra gazed north. ‘I would dearly love to fight alongside an Amayan band and drive the Ruuk back over the border.’ She turned back to Elodi. ‘Do many still live?’

They stopped at the bank. ‘Nyomae believes a dozen remain in this land, a dozen very useful allies I should imagine.’ Elodi watched the horses drink from the stream. ‘But I have yet to meet one, but if you want to know more talk to Toryn, he has encountered three.’ She chuckled. ‘They certainly seem to have made an impression on him. But that was in the vast forest yonder.’ Elodi grinned to herself. ‘So, who knows what tricks both the Amayans and the mysterious Nym played on his mind.’

‘We too hear tales of the Foranfae, and of folk like the Nym in the forests of Ormsk. But we call them Faerl. And now you say the last battle for the Seven Realms took place near here, perhaps these Nym folk have done us a favor by healing the land.’

Elodi eyed the forest on the other side of the stream. ‘The Nym may yet prove to be useful—’ They both leaped up as hooves clattered on the road coming from the north. Instinctively, they drew their swords. Elodi peered up the road. ‘It would be a grave situation if we were not safe here. But we can’t be too cautious.’