It was just short of mid-morning of the seventh day since they had left the forest of Gundoon when the three arrived at the village where Mandu had lived. She was recognized almost immediately and someone ran to tell her parents of her return. A group quickly gathered around them as they waited at the outskirts of the village of wooden homes with thatched roofs. Though many of them talked freely to Mandu and expressed joy at seeing her safely returned, they kept about an arm's length away. It was not just the Roduran, but Kor-Eln. He had the appearance of a Skellian, and he was armed.
Mandu's father came through the crowd. He had the physical bearing of a man of strength and great appetite. He did not pause when he saw his daughter and came forward and hugged her.
"We feared the worst," he said in a gruff, relieved voice. "We saw the bodies of the Argullians at the river. We thought they had taken you."
"These two saved me," she said, nodding to Vornur and Kor-Eln. "Had they not come the Argullians would have gotten me."
"You have my thanks," he said to them. "And I believe you will have the thanks of her future mate as well."
"I have a mate," Mandu said firmly.
Her father looked at her with surprise, then anger. His anger quickly turned toward Kor-Eln.
"By what magic, Skellian, did you enslave my daughter? Speak!"
"Do not be hasty in anger," Vornur interrupted. "Your daughter has chosen no Skellian, and no simple creature. Before you stands an outworlder, the one who would free Andar. This is Kor-Eln."
Had the words been spoken by any other, Kor-Eln was fairly sure they would have had little or no effect, but Vornur's reputation as a Roduran lent them more than enough credence for the crowd around them. An audible gasp came from many of them, and the look on Mandu's father's face softened instantly.
"I am sorry if I have offended you in any way," the man said looking down. "It is just that..."
His voice trailed off into silence. Kor-Eln placed his right hand on the man's shoulder. He looked up.
"I understand," Kor-Eln said. "Mandu has told me."
There were a few moments more of conversation, then it ceased as someone announced the arrival of the elders. The crowd parted as a group of four dar-Skellians, similar in appearance to Mandu's father yet with an air of arrogance about them, walked up to the three travelers. They were dressed in robes of gold, red, and purple that shimmered in the sun. Kor-Eln immediately took a disliking to them.
"I see that your daughter has returned, Litos," the one in the middle said in a booming voice. "You will begin preparations at once for the ceremony to join her with my son."
There was an awkward silence before Litos spoke in a subdued voice.
"I cannot do that, Tornu," he said while looking at the other's feet. "Mandu has chosen her mate."
The three elders turned to Kor-Eln. The contempt on their faces was nearly palpable. The dar-Skellian on Tornu's right spoke.
"Any pairing of a dar-Skellian with the remnant of the Skellians is void," he said with a note of finality. "The laws of our village do not permit it. Mandu is to be joined to the son of Tornu at sundown."
"Mandu has chosen her mate," Kor-Eln said, unable to keep his silence any longer.
"Silence, Skellian!" the man roared. "You have no authority here and your presence is most unwelcome!"
Kor-Eln paused for a moment, waiting for Vornur to speak. When the Roduran kept his silence, Kor-Eln spoke again. He kept his voice low, but spoke firmly.
"I am no Skellian. I am Kor-Eln, an outworlder brought to Andar to end the reign of Kor-Etath. Mandu has chosen her mate, and I have chosen mine in her. Speak now of what authority you hold to dissolve this choosing."
The three elders were speechless. There was an implied threat in the words they had heard. It was a threat that none of them held any power in opposing.
"I will speak," came a voice from behind the three.
A dar-Skellian came forward. He was as tall as the others, but his features were not hardened with the passage of time. He was young, handsome, and spoke with an authority that he backed up with the sword at his side.
"I am Stolir, son of Tornu, and the one to whom Mandu is to be joined. If you would deny me this, I will join you in battle."
"Hold fast!" Tornu hissed to his son, placing a hand on his arm. "This is no Skellian, but Kor-Eln."
"Kor-Eln is a story told by Skellians," Stolir spat. "This one is no more than a Skellian who would take what is not his, as Skellians have from the beginning of Andar. Step away from her, Skellian, or fight."
Stolir unsheathed his sword. Everyone backed away from him.
"Before you begin," Vornur said at last, "you would be asked to consider the rules of your village. If you fight, one of you must die. If it is you, Stolir, it also means that your family will be banished from this village or face execution at the hands of the one you would call a story. Is that your wish, Stolir, to sentence your family to death for one who has already given herself to another?"
As far as Kor-Eln knew Vornur was speaking the truth as he knew it. He had read of certain formalities the dar-Skellians adhered to, at least in times past. Whether they still did or not only Mandu could say, but as Stolir hesitated it seemed that some of what Vornur had said still held true. Stolir's hesitation did not last long however, and he approached Kor-Eln.
"Draw your sword, Skellian. I will take back what is mine."
"I am not yours, Stolir," said Mandu, "and never will be."
Kor-Eln looked at her for a moment, saw the fire and determination in her eyes, then faced his opponent. He drew his sword.
"I do not wish to take your life, Stolir," he said. "Leave now and I will spare you."
"You will spare me," Stolir repeated in mockery. "I think not."
He lunged with a swing meant to sever Kor-Eln's head. Kor-Eln easily dodged the strike, then turned, delivering one of his own. The sword passed from one side of Stolir's chest through to the other. Kor-Eln held the blade in place for a moment, then withdrew it. Stolir's body crumpled to the ground. The swiftness and ease of the fight seemed to have the desired effect on those watching as they all stepped back. Kor-Eln wiped his blade on the dead dar-Skellian's pants and then sheathed it.
"I hold no ill will toward any of this village," Kor-Eln said loud enough to be heard. "I have come for the benefit of all. If there are any who are opposed to my presence," and he fixed his eyes on Tornu, "you may leave in peace."
As Kor-Eln looked at the faces of the elders it became obvious to him what he had done. In front of the entire village he had told the elders to voluntarily leave the village or fight him. Unless they proved to be cowardly bullies, they would choose to fight and he would find himself knee deep in blood. There were also the villagers to contend with. How many of them would side with the elders? Even if they did not like them, would they submit themselves to an outworlder?
Kor-Eln heard a sword come out of its sheath behind him. He turned his head just enough to see Vornur hand his sword to Litos. Litos stepped forward and stood next to Kor-Eln.
"Your rule is over," Litos said. "You have ruled this village as Kor-Etath has ruled Andar. That will happen no longer. Take what you need and be gone. My family will stand by Kor-Eln."
It was with relief rather than triumph that Kor-Eln saw other villagers draw swords and point them at the elders. Any doubt the three may have had as to whether or not they could withstand was gone. It was with a tinge of sympathy that Kor-Eln saw the blood within the three turn to water. Without a word they turned and left the gathering. An hour later they and their families were no longer in the village. Litos and his wife moved into the home of the adjudicator, while two other dar-Skellians took the homes of the other two elders. The village celebrated with a large feast that night at which most of the village expressed appreciation. Kor-Eln wanted to bask in the glow of all that had happened, but Vornur kept him from enjoying his fortune too much.
"Do not think that they are gone forever, Kor-Eln," Vornur whispered at one point during the evening. "No one gives away their power and position without a fight. One day you will meet them again. You must be ready for that. You must also consider that not all in the village here were opposed to them. There are those to whom the elders were favorable. Those must be watched closely. They will feel discontent at not being favored. It will be the task of the new elders to ensure that discontent does not turn into revolt."
"Must you always be thinking ahead, Vornur? Do you not ever enjoy the moment?"
"Kor-Eln," the Roduran said in a low, serious tone, "in order to bring balance to Andar you will fight many battles. You may discover that doing battle with Kor-Etath is the least of these."
"So I'm beginning to see," Kor-Eln responded drolly.
He turned to Mandu and her smile made most of the concern melt away. He lifted a cup and drank with pleasure.
The next morning Kor-Eln and Vornur arose early. Kor-Eln had to be careful to not awaken Mandu next to him. He did not want her to come on this last leg of the journey. He would have to speak with the Skellians and then go forth to meet Kor-Etath in battle. He was outside the home before the sun rose, but before he and Vornur had finalized anything Mandu was there.
"I had hoped to spare you whatever may happen," he said to her.
"We are joined, Kor-Eln. Whatever befalls you is my chosen destiny as well. I would not have you face Kor-Etath without me."
"In truth I did not want to face him without you, Mandu. I only wanted to save you from further fighting and, should I not defeat Kor-Etath, I did-"
She placed a hand on his lips to stop him.
"We do not speak of such things," she said with a gentle firmness. "Do not let such thoughts into your head. I walk with you to victory, not to our death."
"Mandu," Vornur began, "are there any in your village who know where the Pantuens dwell?"
Kor-Eln opened his eyes wide for a minute, then he recalled that these were not the Pantuens of Gundoon of which Vornur spoke.
"Yes. There are many," Mandu replied.
"Send two of your people to them. There is one among them who fought in The Contest. Tell that one to bring as many as he can. And if they see any of the Veroneer, send them word as well."
Vornur listed all the races that had fought in The Contest. Moments later, runners from the village were off to contact them all. Vornur turned to Kor-Eln.
"It is best to show unity and force," Vornur said. "Remember, as always, that Kor-Etath does not rule on his strength alone. When you ascend to take his place, neither can you."
“Vornur, I do not want-”
“I understand, Kor-Eln, but this must be.”
Robert said no more.
They walked at their quick pace for most of the day and arrived at the caves of the Skellians just before sunset. They were greeted cordially but coolly by Mer-Vetang and the others. They were shown into the meeting chamber where they had last been. Food was placed before them as the Skellians took their seats. Robert noted that the four Skellians looked closely at Mandu and not without a little malice. He wondered what was in their minds. Did they see in her what they had once been? Did they see in her a traitor or lower life form? He looked at Mandu. If she was able to read their thoughts as she did the thoughts of others, she was not showing it.
"You have been gone many days," Mer-Vetang began. "I see not the Jewel of Andar with you, but instead a dar-Skellian. Is this what you have learned on your journey, to become one with them?"
Kor-Eln fought down the urge to answer back with angry words. He also kept the dagger hidden beneath his cloak. He no longer trusted the Skellians.
"This is Mandu," he said evenly. "She has chosen me and I have chosen her. She stands at my side as one also opposed to the rule of Kor-Etath."
"And is she also opposed to the rule of the Skellians?" Mer-Vetang pressed.
"Should she instead place her trust in you?" Kor-Eln retorted. "Everywhere I have gone I have heard of the atrocities of Kor-Etath, yet the atrocities of the Skellians are told to be worse. Should I, Kor-Eln, bring back to Andar that which it so happily shed a thousand years ago?"
At the name he now used, the Skellians opened their eyes in wonder. They leaned in close to each other and conferred for several moments.
"A change in you is evident," Ger-Koth said with measured words. "The cloak you wear is also something strange to us. But are you truly the Bringer of Balance? As always, you speak as though you were our equal. Are you now? Or have you come back to rule us as Kor-Etath rules Andar?"
Kor-Eln looked to Vornur, then Mandu. They nodded to him. He stood up. He began to speak in a clear, level voice.
"More than two years ago you brought me here as an outworlder. You placed your hope in me. It was a hope of something more valuable than the rule of Andar; it was the hope of life. Your race is threatened by Kor-Etath and in your desperation you sent for me to come and save you. The one you brought here was taught and trained. The final part of my training you could not give me, and so I journeyed to Gundoon, to the lost city. I had gone in search of a prize, the Jewel of Andar, with which I could defeat Kor-Etath. What I found was a friend in Vornur, a mate in Mandu, and the destiny of my life. I return to you now not as an outworlder, but as Kor-Eln. I will bring balance back to Andar. I am ready to face Kor-Etath. If I should defeat him, all of Andar will be free, and the Skellians will not need fear that their race will no longer walk the face of Andar."
A long silence lingered in the chamber. Kor-Eln sat down and waited.
"Perhaps he is right," Dar-Ven said at long last. "Perhaps-"
"Silence!" roared Mer-Vetang. "Do not be swayed by his words, no matter how well spoken."
"And do not be swayed by threats," Vornur said quickly. "One who would rule by violence here, in the belly of Andar, would rule by violence on the throne in Jankor."
"I think it is time to listen to the Roduran," Sur-Lal said quietly. "Dar-Ven and I are in agreement. It has been too long since--"
"Would you turn traitor to us too?" Mer-Vetang asked icily.
The look on Sur-Lal's face darkened immediately. The air in the chamber seemed to grow heavy and Kor-Eln felt that he might be seeing a shift in power among the Skellians. But as quickly as it had come, it vanished. When Sur-Lal answered, her face had resumed its placid look.
"You have known me too long to use such words against me," she stated. "That you would choose to use them here, in open council, bothers me not a little. If you question me, Mer-Vetang, do it in private."
In the ensuing moment of silence, Kor-Eln wondered if Mer-Vetang would attempt to apologize. When she didn't, Sur-Lal continued.
"It has been too long," Sur-Lal began again, "since Andar lived in balance. It has been too long since the arrogance of the Skellians plunged Andar into the darkness in which we now live. The offense that was committed by the Skellians was not just against the races of Andar, it was against ourselves. I know what you would say, Mer-Vetang, and I do not question your wisdom or your age. But I question your vision. Have you lived so long in these caves that you have forgotten the light? I see how the other races live, Mer-Vetang, and I too long to feel the warmth of Andar's two suns. I wish to see the rain as it falls, not as it dribbles into our homes in the darkness. Too long have we all lived as creatures of the night and darkness. I would live in balance with Kor-Etath himself if it but meant I could live as the other races. Ask of us what you will, Outworlder, Kor-Eln. The Skellians stand behind you."
Kor-Eln looked at Sur-Lal. She nodded at him. He turned to Ger-Koth and Dar-Ven who also nodded at him. Then he looked at Mer-Vetang. For a moment he felt pity for her, imagining her as she must have been a thousand years ago, before the reign of Kor-Etath. He saw her beauty, her power, and her pride. He also saw how, after carrying on the battle for a thousand years to preserve her race, they had now turned against her.
"You have sold our lives to this outworlder," Mer-Vetang said softly without looking at anyone.
"And gladly would I do it again if it but meant a chance to live as we have not lived in a thousand years," Sur-Lal responded.
Mer-Vetang looked at each of the Skellians. They met her gaze without shrinking. Mer-Vetang did not nod. Kor-Eln looked at her and saw for the first time the Skellian leader overcome by her own pride. Mer-Vetang stood and left the room.
"We will send word to Kor-Etath," Sur-Lal said. "On the morrow will you meet him. We stand behind you for the sake of all Andar."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Ellrun!"
The Roduran turned at the sound of his name being shouted. If a Roduran could have shown confusion, Ellrun's face would have shown it then. That he was being yelled for was new to him, and that the voice was Kor-Etath's was something he had never heard. He had never heard Kor-Etath yell, even on the battlefield.
"ELLRUN!!"
The Roduran turned and began to run toward the throne room. His haste was such that he nearly forgot to bow before his ruler.
"Ellrun."
Kor-Etath's voice was shaky, unsteady, and his breathing was rapid.
"Yes, Bringer of Light, I am here."
"What time is it, Ellrun? Have the suns gone below the horizon?"
"An hour ago."
Kor-Etath breathed a sigh of relief and his breathing slowly became normal.
"My eyes grow dark," he said. "It is as though shadow has fallen over them. I am glad it is just the night."
Ellrun looked up at Kor-Etath. As a dar-Skellian, it did not matter if it was dark or light.
"It is the shadow of death, Ellrun. I do not know if it is mine or that of the Skellians."
"It is most certainly not yours," Ellrun said, trying to bolster his lord.
"I cannot tell that, Ellrun. I know that I sense a messenger from the Skellians who will arrive on the morrow. The outworlder has returned from Gundoon."
"It is just as you had hoped, Bringer of Light. He will bring with him a piece of the Jewel of Andar, and you will be invincible."
Kor-Etath did not reply for several minutes.
"Gather my army, Ellrun. Have them assembled and battle ready. If I should fall-"
"You cannot fall," Ellrun interrupted.
Kor-Etath stopped and looked down at his advisor. A smile came to his face, but whether it was the knowing smile of one whose fate is already decided or one who had resumed his confidence, Ellrun could not tell.
"Have them assembled and battle ready. They will stand behind me at Ethira. If I should fall, they are to march on Andar and destroy all who will not yield. If I do not fall, I will lead them in the same. Do you understand?"
"They will know. The Skellians will spread word to all the races. Andar will plunge into war for many years."
"Do as I say," Kor-Etath said darkly.
"As you command."
Ellrun bowed and exited the throne room.