Two Heroes
Taran and Dawit met Jhamed and Simon at the foot of the High Tower. They tried not to show it, but Simon knew they were shocked by his unkempt appearance. He didn’t really know how bad it was, he hadn’t looked in a mirror for a long time. However, he could guess. His hair was past his shoulders and was dirty and matted. His facial hair was unkempt; he had not attended to it for six months. His fingernails and toenails were long and grimy. He was dirty and there was little doubt that he smelled bad, Jhamed had already told him so. He pulled himself together a little and greeted his old friends. “It’s good to see you. I’m so glad to be back. I need a long bath and then I could murder a decent meal.”
Taran smiled and offered Simon his hand. “I’m sure you could. However, Manfred insists on seeing you immediately. He’s in the library and he has someone with him.”
Dawit was less formal and rushed to give Simon a hug, despite his condition. He didn’t seem to be embarrassed about Simon’s nakedness either. “Thank goodness you have returned. We have been so worried about you.” He turned to Taran, “And less of the secrecy, it’s Ubadah the lost King of Tamarlan. He has come from the past. He’s another incarnation of the Everlasting Hero. He’s trouble, mark my words. Don’t trust him.”
“I was getting there, before you jumped in. Welcome home, Simon, it’s good to have you back. You just don’t like Ubadah because he thinks dwarves are second-class citizens.”
“He thinks anyone who is not a human of noble birth is a second-class citizen. He has more arrogance than anyone I have ever known. He makes Lord Velacourt look timid.” Simon remembered Velacourt from the Council of the Wise.
“How is Aglaral? And Gamying? What happened to them on their trip? Did they get to Tamarlan?” Simon found his interest reawakened.
“Always the questions,” Jhamed laughed. “Aglaral is fine, he’s here in Elannort. Gamying is back in Tamarlan; we traded him for Ubadah and got a bad deal. Manfred will tell you what’s happening. Come on, I’ll take you to the Library and then I’ll organise a bath and a barber for you. I can’t think that Manfred will want to detain you for long. We’ll find you a loincloth before you go in though.” Simon was again aware of his nakedness and his hands moved to cover his embarrassment.
At the door to the library, Jhamed paused to knock. Simon heard raised voices inside and he stopped Jhamed’s hand from knocking for a moment. He heard Manfred’s voice first; he sounded tired. “You will show him the respect that he deserves. He carries Fleischaker.”
The second voice was loud and strong, Simon could hear the arrogance in it. “The sword is rightfully mine. I intend to claim it. Only I can help you to defeat the Dark God. I am from this dimension. I am the rightful owner. I am a king. What is he? A peasant. Hah!”
Simon had heard enough and he released Jhamed’s hand. Jhamed knocked and waited for Manfred’s ‘enter’ before leading Simon in. Manfred jumped up from his seat at a table piled high with books. He wrapped his arms around Simon in a huge hug, oblivious, it seemed, to Simon’s physical condition. “Thank the Balance that you are safe. I have been so worried about you. How are you? What happened to you? Why are you so sad?”
Jhamed excused himself. Simon held the wizard tight and felt a surge of love from the old man. He felt the tears start to flow. He wanted to tell Manfred everything; how he had used Kin Slayer and lost Juliana, then not used Kin Slayer and lost Ju. He wanted the magician somehow to make it right because he hadn’t acted when he’d had the chance so long ago. He wanted to go back in time again and prevent Ju’s death. He remembered what he’d vowed to do to Manfred and was ashamed. He felt more emotions from the wizard; sorrow, regret and love. He was dragged out of his self-pity by a loud voice.
Ubadah was standing by the window, legs apart with his hands on his hips. He was tall and dark. He seemed strong and powerful. He carried himself in a regal manner. He was handsome and muscled. A scar on the side of his face made him look battle hardened. Simon felt inadequate before him.
“What is this snivelling rodent? I have seen more virtue in a beggar in the slums of Illium. He is a puny, dirty wretch. Can you really place the future of the multiverse in his hands? Give me the Sword and I will clear this rabble army from your doorstep!”
Manfred released Simon from the hug and turned to Ubadah. Simon felt the barb of Manfred’s anger and loved the wizard even more. “Sit down, Ubadah, and be quiet. You, of all people, should have learned never to judge a book by its cover.”
Ubadah grunted but sat down in a chair by the window. Manfred sat down too and indicated to Simon that he should sit as well. Simon took a seat between the two of them. He deliberately placed his left hand on the hilt of Kin Slayer, in a gesture that neither of the two missed. Kin Slayer stirred and Simon heard words in his head. I am ready, Master. He wondered if Ubadah heard them too. He wondered whom they were meant for. He tightened his grip.
“Simon, this is King Ubadah of Tamarlan. You might remember his story from the Council of the Wise. He has returned after more than ten thousand years. Dammar helped him to use the time portal.” Dammar, that name again. He is mixed up in everything. “He seems to be another manifestation of the Everlasting Hero. You two must be related. As you heard, he thinks he should carry Fleischaker.”
Both of the heroes were shocked into immediate response. “How dare you suggest that I could be related to this stinking red turd?” Ubadah was outraged.
“No! Do not speak that name again. My sword is called Kin Slayer. It is mine and mine alone. Be careful of your tongue, Ubadah, lest Manfred’s words be true and the sword lives up to its name!” Simon hardly recognised his voice, or the words he had spoken. He felt warmth from the hilt of Kin Slayer flow into his body, giving him new confidence. He knew now, whom the words had been meant for. Simon noted the surprise on Manfred’s face and saw an expression of concern flash over Ubadah’s, although the King quickly controlled it. Simon read envy and hate in Ubadah’s cold eyes.
Manfred quickly briefed Simon on their trip to Tamarlan and how they had spent the last few months preparing Elannort for the inevitable siege that had recently started. Manfred was vitally interested to learn what had happened during Simon’s visit to the past. Simon recounted his story, sparing nothing, including his own feelings. “Thirty thousand years and just one hour ago, Ju perished giving birth to a red-haired child. I loved her, so much.” Simon’s eyes were as red as the rest of his face. The tears ran freely and he was wracked with sobs.
Ubadah jumped up. “You two are fools. There is nothing to learn here. I have better things to do.” He stomped off, slamming the door behind him.
Manfred sighed. “I am at a loss to understand where Ubadah fits into all of this. I’m sorry, Simon. I’m sorry for so many things. I’m sorry about Ubadah’s rudeness, I’m sorry that I was so distracted and neglected you while you were with the tribe, I’m sorry about Juliana, and I’m sorry about Ju.”
The two stood up and hugged again. Simon felt the old man’s sorrow and his desire to make things right. They held each other for a long time. Eventually Manfred spoke again and his voice quivered with emotion.
“I know what you want to do, Simon. It isn’t possible. Everything happened as I remembered it. You were meant to be there. You were meant to love Ju. I’m afraid that she was meant to die. I cannot send you back again. Our battle is here now. We need the Everlasting Hero and Kin Slayer.”
Simon pulled himself away from Manfred and wiped his eyes with his hand. “I would hand over Kin Slayer to Ubadah if it meant that Ju could live.” As soon as he had said it, he knew that he had lied. He didn’t have time to say more though as Jhamed rushed into the room without knocking.
“Manfred, we have another visitor. He arrived through the time portal. It is a strange, beautiful youth. I fear we have a third manifestation of the Hero.”
Surely not another one after my sword? Simon heard Manfred mutter something about Melbourne trams before he spoke more clearly. “Take Simon to get cleaned up and fed. Have the visitor brought to my private quarters. I have a feeling that things are coming to a head. I will see you later, Simon. It’s good to have you home.” Manfred hurried off.
Simon followed Jhamed towards the luxury of a hot bath. Jhamed chattered away, gossiping about this and that. Simon didn’t pay attention. He was thinking about Manfred’s last comment. He wondered where his home really was. He wondered who he really was.