Book2: The Return of Hartok

 

Tablo reader up chevron

I - The coronation

Ingle sat nervously in his father’s chair, waiting patiently for his brothers to arrive before heading to the courtyard where he would receive his official coronation. It was a day that he often dreamt about growing up, but today was not how he pictured it – he had been through a lot over the past several days and now his father was gone and would never see him wear the crown bearing his family name. A slight breeze blew the curtains open and Ingle walked over to the open window to look down at the growing crowd. There was a sense of both apprehension and anticipation that could easily be seen amongst the people as they awaited their new king and Ingle knew more than anyone that this was not going to be an easy rule with the ever present danger and uncertainty of Hartok’s promise to return. He looked back at the room that had once been his father’s study and for a moment was lost in the memory of the great man who had raised him almost on his own and taught him what it meant to be a man and to lead a nation. As he carefully studied the room, staring at the intricate details of hand carved wooden figures that were blended into the dark rosewood panels that covered most of the walls. AS he scanned the room, he noticed a small lever on the inside of his father’s oak desk that he had never seen before – perhaps because he had never stood in exactly that spot before. He had been in the room so many times growing up, but as a child was never allowed near the desk and even now he felt a sense of respect for its place, which dominated the center of the large room. It was his father’s most important place to think and study his course of action as he dealt with matters of the kingdom. He would often work late at night burning a single candle that left wax marks of various color on the desk that added to its character. Ingle could remember seeing his father smile and say goodnight from across the room and missed those times when he understood the importance of his father’s work.

He walked over to the desk, forgetting for a moment what was happening today and knelt down to get a better look.

On the underside panel, he could see a small iron lever that slid neatly into a tiny hole to completely conceal it from sight. He wasn’t sure if was accidently loose or if the struggle and fight with Hartok somehow jarred it loose – he needed to know what his father was hiding and pulled the handle down. Nothing happened – not secret panel – no hidden documents. He wrestled with the lever and tried many positions, but could not make any sense of it.

“Ingle,” Horace called out as he and George entered the room.

“Over here,” Ingle replied, still half under the desk with his hand on the small lever.

“What are you doing,” asked George in an almost paternal tone as though Ingle was doing something wrong.

Ingle chose to ignore Georges tone and replied excitedly.

“Guys, look at this,” he started. “There is something here.”

Horace and George knelt down to see what Ingle was doing and studied the handle for a moment.

“What happens when you pull it?” inquired Horace, picking up on Ingle’s excitement.

“That’s the thing – I cant figure it out – it doesn’t appear to do anything,” Ingle was rushing to get his words out as he pulled hard on the lever.

There was a cracking sound from coming from across the room.

“Run over to the other side,” Ingle command his brothers as they instinctively crossed the room towards the wall where they thought that they had heard the sound from.

“Pull it again,” Ingle pulled hard and the young men could see a crack opening in the wall on the opposite corner of the room. Ingle’s hands were getting sweaty as he pulled harder – this time turning the level clockwise unintentionally as his hands slipped off. With a popping noise, a narrow hinged panel released from the wall exposing a dark hallway that had been well hidden.

Horace grabbed a candle from the mantle and lit it using a flint.

“Look,” he exclaimed as the light showed a narrow hall leading into a room that was an almost mirror image of the one they were just in.

The three brothers stood in awe as they stared at the same desk they had just left in the other room.

“How is this possible,” Ingle asked under his breath.

He knew that their father had secrets – as would any king – but never once imagined this. Along the walls were notebooks and sketchbooks – no doubt their fathers.

George walked over to the desk and grabbed the handle and turned it counter-clockwise closing the panel tight and sealing the study.

“This must be the king’s safe room”, Ingle was thinking out loud as his gaze crossed the room, fixing on a particular book that was roughly placed on the shelf as though it been recently used. “No one would find him here and there must be an escape,” he muttered walking toward the book that had caught his eye.

He pulled the book from the shelf and opened it to see his father’s writing. Horace and George gathered around Ingle as they skimmed through what appeared to be a diary.

The pages leaped out at them conjuring powerful memories as they flipped each page.

“… The boys are growing up and I can see them one day becoming men … There is a growing darkness in Hartok’s eye… The kingdom is not safe...”

As they read the words tears came to their eyes remembering how their father looked at them and wishing that he could be here now. They needed his wisdom.

They turned to the last page which seemed to be written for them.

“Most likely if you are reading this, I have passed. I can only hope that it was a good death and that you can be as proud of me as I of you.

I have long suspected a growing jealousy in Hartok over knowing that he would one day have to work under the leadership of my 3 sons, but did not want to believe my faithful and most trusted friend could betray that which he fought so hard to create. Be careful with him and only trust yourselves.

I only regret not being able to tell you these things in person – good luck and remember my love “

Having their father’s final word brought both comfort and resolve to the brothers. They knew that their time to lead was now and that their father’s legacy needed to be protected. They also knew without a doubt that Hartok deliberately set a trap for both their father and later for themselves, but why? Was it in a hope to hang on to power, or is there some other reason that could have made Hartok betray their father.

Growing up in the kingdom the brothers remember watching their father always working on something with Hartok at his side and can remember feeling as though Hartok was an uncle to them. Ingle can even faintly recall a moment when he spent many days in Hartok’s care after his mother had passed with the birth of his two brothers.

They could remember how their father always said “Hartok, my friend, what would you have me do…” Whenever they disagreed. And they remembered how Hartok had always been there for their father especially after their mother passed- he was like an uncle to the boys. Ingle was still very young when his mother passed, but unlike his younger brothers can vaguely recall her face standing over him as a baby. Ingle can't fully remember his mother passing with the birth of Horace and George, but he has a strong memory of the time after when his brothers were very young. Looking back on that time he suddenly had a memory of a man that must have been Hartok that would come by and check on him every day and sit with him and tell stories of great adventures. As a very young boy Ingle remembers looking forward to those times. A rush of emotion suddenly came over Ingle with a tear forming in his eyes - his mind flashed back to the present time - he had just stabbed Hartok and banished him from the castle. The betrayal of his father now stinging in his mind as anger took away the sadness of a long ago fond memory.

It still didn’t make sense to any of them and although the facts seemed to add up and Horace and Geroge were feeling more satisfied, Ingle felt that there was more to it – there just had to be.

“Do you remember when Hartok used to laugh and joke with our father?” Ingle broke the silence. His brothers looked up and both nodded.

“What was it that he used to say? Reynold my friend we can continue to analyze the problem or act to force a solution,” Ingle paused for a moment. “….act to force a solution – that is exactly what Hartok did.”

“I don’t get it.”, Horace was not really following his brothers train of thought. He was much more linear in his thought process and he and George did not have quite the same imagination as their more creative older brother.

“Wait.” George spoke up for the first time in a while. “I think I know what he means…”

Horace and Ingle turned to see George pointing to a painting set into the paneling on one side of the room that had been commissioned by their father after one of his great victories. The painting showed Hartok riding triumphantly through the front line after finally having forced a peace with the outer kingdoms, including Ardem.

“Hartok was never afraid to press harder than anyone else … And he didn’t think that our father would ever come to terms with the dragons”

“I am sure there were many debates in here before Hartok had decided to act”, Horace added

“It still doesn’t make sense - “ Ingle spoke with authority, he was now the king and also would need to be a father to his younger brothers. “Why betray everything he had worked for? We need to find this out, but not today”

As much as the facts laid out such a clear path , he was no closer to understanding what could have possible motivated Hartok to act against his family.

By now , Horace and George were standing by the doorway looking back at the small room and then out to the larger nearly identical room on the other side of the door. It was George who first noticed that there was a scuff mark on the door that looked fresh, as though it was forced open recently by a metal boot.

"Ingle, take a look at this."

Horace, George and Ingle stared at the deep scuff on the inside of the frame of the door that they hadn't notice coming in to the room. It appeared to them as thought someone hurriedly left the room and caught their foot on the doorway. Was this a clue? You could almost hear them saying it at the same time.

Ingle's sharp mind was already at work trying to piece everything together. He was still bothered by the fact that he could not understand the motive; a fact that bothered Horace and George less so than he, perhaps because of their difference in age or because they were more doers than thinkers when stressed. In any case, Ingle felt a strong need to find a motive and had already set his mind to retracing the last few days to see if something was missed. He also knew that time was working against them and that everyday would bring new risks.

Without a word they left the room through the same small panel and sealed it. They would have to come back, but for now it was important to reassure the people that King Reynold’s rule would live on in them.

“Come on,” Ingle spoke with urgency in his voice. “We have a kingdom to lead.”

Ingle quickly put on the robe that we would receive the crown in – a robe that his father had worn and his father before him. As they exited the room in single file, they were met by several guards who were neatly organized in groups of three holding long lances and wearing brightly colored robes showing the royal emblem of the king. The guards escorted the brothers, with perfect timing in each stride, towards the courtyard where the crowds of people and Ingle’s crown was waiting.

 

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

II - The Amber Witch

Hartok had traveled through the night on horseback, stopping from time to time to rest and take a drink of water before pressing on. In his mind, he was going through the events of the past few days and wondered whether he had done the right thing in allowing the king to be confronted by Blackthorn - ultimately leading to his death. He was the knightmaster to the king for nearly his whole life and had become a friend to King Reynold over that time. Hartok had allowed his ambition to consume his thoughts and influence his judgment over the past year as he became increasingly fixated on preventing the king from transitioning power to his sons.

He thought back to his first meeting with Blackthorn and how filled with revenge she was and eager to help him bring down the king – if only to show the Dragon Kings that she was to be feared and respected. Hartok knew that Blackthorn was not being completely honest about her motivations, but also was confident that he could count on her while their intentions were aligned. They both wanted to bring an end to the reign of their kings and would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Hartok did not know the extent of Blackthorn’s injuries from the battle with Horace, George and Ingle, but he did know that they had left her for dead and wasn’t sure if he could save her. Selfishly he needed her – at least for now.

The forest opened up to a small clearing with a wooden cabin that appeared as though it had been grown from the thick bark of two large elderberry trees that appeared to be as old as time. The bark had grown thick with deep channels running through it and spread out to create the walls and ceiling of the unusual cabin locked between the two massive trunks, making it look more natural than man-made.

Hartok slowed his horse and dismounted as he approached cautiously.

The yellow amber sap from the trees could be seen dripping down from the roof to create the windows of the cabin, which were a deep yellow and unusually clear given their seemingly natural construction. A small chimney could now be seen exiting the back of the structure, standing in juxtaposition of the rest of the more natural shape.

Hartok was not easily concerned, but there was something about the witch that made him uneasy. He had witnessed her fury in the past taking our an entire troop of his that had mistakenly stumbled upon this section of the forest when pursuing an escaped criminal that some say was related to the Amber Witch – just how was not known, but they never did find the prisoner.

Slowly he approached the main door taking measured steps and looking around as each foot crinkled the leaf covered path to the entrance. The door appeared to be carved from a single large Amber stone and he could clearly see the light now flickering from behind the door. It would not be long before he learned if she were friend, foe or neither.

He carefully pushed open the door and saw that it opened into an enormous structure made almost entirely of amber that lead down beneath the ground into a polished structure with columns and a floor that created distorted reflections everywhere he looked.

Stepping down the few steps he could see a beautiful older woman with bright red hair sitting at a small round table at the end of a long hallway. She was drinking a hot liquid from a silver goblet and talking a strange and unfamiliar language to an especially large and furry orange cat.

“Hello,” he called.

“I have been expecting you,” she responded in a voice whose sweetness surprised Hartok.

“I am known as Enithea, the queen of the forest – banished to these woods years ago,” her voice filled the room. “You have come because the prophecy is coming true – King Reynold’s era is over – hos sons will be tested,” she spoke with an authority in her voice now that was neither harsh nor threatening.

“The king is dead and I may need you help,” Hartok did not like to mince words and went straight to the point. “Blackthorn may be dead or badly injured – I need to know – can you bring her back to health?”, Hartok pressed.

“It does not work that way,” she started softly with a bit of annoyance in her tone.“ I can tell you that she is halfway between Ettihas – the dragon tomb - and here and only a true warrior can bring her back.

Hartok did not know what she meant by true warrior and was a bit offended, but nevertheless allowed her to continue.

The Amber Witch could sense Hartok’s discomfort and went on to explain that she had been following Hartok’s life path since he strayed over to darkness and assured him that the path he had now chosen would benefit them both.

She had long been exiled to the darkest part of the forest for fear of being misunderstood and harmed for holding different beliefs. It was clear to Hartok that she never felt welcome in the kingdom that King Reynold had created and Hartok had sworn to defend and he could tell that she was pleased that Hartok was now seeking her and vowed to help him retake the castle.

“What do I need to do?” asked Hartok.

“Come with me… Quickly,” she softly commanded. Her voice had many tones that came together making it sound both soft and strong at the same time.

Hartok followed Enithea into a large room connected to the main corridor by a narrow hallway. The room was round and had a high cone-shaped ceiling that seemed to go on forever due to the mirror finish from the heavily polished stones that made up the room. In the center was a large table made from solid Amber that contained the fossilized remains of many small creatures.

As they sat down at the table, the witch grabbed his hand and leaned her head back and began to whistle an unfamiliar tune. Smoke filled the room and Hartok felt himself getting very tired. He began drifting into a deep dreamlike sleep and for a moment lost track of where he was.

“Hartok,” he heard a voice off in the distance. It was the witch. “Follow me.” Without Hesitation Hartok followed the voice until the sky opened up and he was once again in the clearing where we had left blackthorn after the kings death. The mighty dragon was lying still and Hartok approached.

“I am weak,” Blackthorn turned towards Hartok and spoke in a faint voice uncharacteristic of a dragon – especially one as fierce as she.

“Hartok, you must get her to follow you back, it’s the only way.” The Witch’s voice commanded Hartok from just beyond the clearing where the same thick smoke from the room they were in a moment ago could be seen.

“Come with me, my friend,” Hartok spoke in a reassuring tone to Blackthorn lifting her head up and helping her regain some strength. Slowly great beast followed Hartok into the thick smoke and back into the darkness gaining strength with every step. Hartok turned and saw the mighty dragon now standing tall behind him and stepped back falling into the thick smoke and drifting back into a dream.

“Hartok, you have done well.” He could hear her words and opened his eyes to see that he was once again in the same room, sitting at the amber table across from the Amber Witch.

Hartok was visible startled and jumped up.

“How?” He demanded.

“You have done what needed to be done,” she spoke clearly while exiting the room and returning the main room where they first met.

“Go no Hartok and remember me.”

Hartok knew now what she meant –she had brought him to Ettihas to bring Blackthorn back – he now had the strength he needed to return to the kingdom and take what he believed was his. He quickly left the witch’s strange cabin in the woods and set out towards the mountains where he knew he would find Blackthorn.

 

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

III - King Ardem

Roland had just returned to his father’s lands carrying the news of King Reynold’s death. Wleth was in the south surrounded by crystal clear lakes and forests for as far as the eye could see and was considered the prettiest of all the outer kingdoms. Blessed with rich natural resources and an abundance of coal, iron and good farmland it had become one of the most prosperous lands to have joined the council of kings. The long straight roads were well marked and had been groomed to handle the constant traffic of large carts filled with materials from all parts to be traded in the open markets that Wleth was known for.

Roland made his way past the slow-moving carts on the road that filled with goods and paid no attention to the crowds of merchants making their way towards the main gates of the outer wall.

As he approached the wall, the guards quickly created a path for him and he passed through the outer gates into the rich farm valley that surrounded the castle that was bustling with activity. He would normally make a few stops along the way, but today he did not have time to make any stops – he had to reach his father before anyone else and be the one to break the news.

Approaching the castle gates he was surprised to see his father approaching to great him.

“Father,” he called out as he slowed his horse to dismount. “I have grave news, quickly we must talk in private”. King Ardem had suspected that something had gone horribly wrong with the investigation after losing contact with Roland some days ago. He had almost forgotten that he had left Galray in secrecy over a week ago and had not been seen since.

“I’m fine, but we must talk,” he was rushing his father up the stairs to find a quiet room for them to speak.

They entered a smallish guardhouse close to the front gate and sat down at a roughly cut wood table to speak. The guardhouses were built higher than the rest of the buildings in the inner courtyard to make it easy for guards to return to their quarters during their watch without losing sight of the world beyond the gates. They were simple structures with only basic furnishing, but at the same time with a central stone oven and a private sleeping area – would be quite comfortable for most. The windows were angled and protected by huge iron shutters which would save the guards from stray arrows and were normally kept open by about a third to let in some light.

Sitting across from each other, Roland went on to explain how he had encountered a dark figure that had knocked him unconscious and how Horace, George, and Ingle and found him bloodied against the rock. As he told the story King Ardem asked many questions and Roland answered them the best he could.

“But why would Reynold leave the kingdom at such a time?” he wondered out loud. Roland did not have an answer because this also bothered him, although he suspected that King Reynold may have known he was in danger, but did not suspect it had been Hartok.

Roland went on to tell his father of how they found the King’s dead body and about fighting the black dragon to near death. Ardem stood up in shock and threw a stone goblet that had been sitting on the table across the room, shattering it against the stone walls.

“How can this be!” he called out looking up at the ceiling.

King Ardem had always been loyal to King Reynold and respected him for bringing about a lasting peace, but at the same time, felt the need for his now mighty kingdom to play a larger role in preserving the safety of all the lands. “We must act quickly…” Roland could hear the urgency in his father voice. “… to assemble a team – I’d like you to lead a small strike force to seek out those that are moving against us before they get more powerful.” . Silence filled the air as his father commands echoed through the room.

Roland was standing now and began to pace back and forth waiting for his father to break the silence – he was still a bit intimated by the man especially when angered. After what seemed like a long time, Roland began to speak. “Father, when we brought King Reynold back into the castle we were surprised to find Hartok sitting casually in his study – as though he was not concerned.” King Ardem thought that to be very strange given how close he believed them to be. “Roland, go on.” He spoke softly with a reassuring tone – trying to keep his anger at bay.

Roland described the confrontation with Hartok and how Ingle, upon realizing that he would now be King, had stabbed Hartok with an arrow and banished him from the Kingdom. He also recounted Hartok’s parting words- “I will return to claim what is rightfully mine.”

King Ardem had heard enough and was visibly angry now, but was trying to remain calm as he thought through a plan standing in the center of the simple room and staring out through the angled window at the outer villages.

It was at this moment that he realized that Wleth was next – It did not make sense for Hartok to return to Galray so soon – he needed to build his army and Wleth was the next strongest Kingdom with a good army that could be lead to victory. For a moment, King Ardem’s ambition caught hold of him as he contemplated what an alliance with Hartok would mean. He knew that with Reynold gone, that he could easily take the undefended Kingdom in its time of weakness and deal with Hartok as a traitor to the kingdom at a later time.

Ardem needed to be careful with his words- not knowing his son's loyalty to the Horace, George and Ingle.

“My son,” he started. “Now is your time to lead. Go and find answers. ” A smile crossed the weathered face of the king -breaking through the scar that crossed through his lips. He stood, turned and quickly exited the room calling out commands to the guards for them to join Roland in an important quest for answers.

Roland was at the same time both excited and anxious. He was finally getting his chance to prove himself, but was certain that the task of confronting Hartok would be a very difficult one. His father had not been specific about what he should do; His intuition was telling him to ride out to where Blackthorn was known to stay in her mountain lair, but he also felt that his father would rather he seek out Hartok first – maybe these were one and the same.

"One more thing...", Roland interrupted his father leaving the room, but he did not turn. "And the three brothers, Horace, Geroge and Ingle - they are now charged with protecting the Kingdom - should they not be informed?" Roland was testing his father's motives. He trusted his father judgement, but he could also sense something unusual in his father's tone that he could not quite place.

"Of course," the King responded almost sweetly. "They will know soon enough" he abruptly concluded the conversation and left the room.

Roland would not let his fathers remarks distract him right now, as he was keen to get underway and signaled the guards to join him by the gate once they have gathered supplies for the ride as he headed back to the guardhouse to gather his thoughts and organize a plan.

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

IV - Crowning a King

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

V - Encounter in the woods

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

VI - The Ride into the Mountains

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

VII - Lucinda

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...
~

You might like HW Cumming's other books...