Chronicles of Fardel: The Rise of Syphon

Kephiyr woke early and wrote a letter to Melek jarl of Farmell. Asking for elven troop to come to Zolon, as many as one third of their fighting force. He called Bear to him.

"Take this letter to Farmell as fast as possible."

"The plan didn't exactly go as planned."

"No, but we'll fix it, it'll work. When you return I will be in Ithen getting ready to spring the trap."

"You best be careful, I don't want you to actually die in this battle."

"I know and you need to be that when I am assassinated that nobody saves me this time."

"I will drag you off as fast as possible. But how am I supposed to be part of the battle?"

"Don't be, you'd either blow our cover or hurt our allies. I'm thinking I die at the beginning of the battle. We'll start the battle that way."

"Okay just be careful, I'm quite fond of you."

"Quite fond, why don't you just say I love you?"

"Fine I love you." She giggled and he kissed her head before letting her out.

"We gotta quit meeting this way." Doon said walking up. "Last time we met this way we ended up in a battle and you nearly died."

"Yeah, I've sent her to Farmell to request troops. Now I think we should go to Ithen to call for some troops from Legionor as well."

"You're planning an assault aren't you?"

"Yes, I am." Kephiyr smiled thinking, you have no idea I'm planning an assault on Legionor.

They headed for Ithen immediately. Upon reaching Ithen they noticed the guards chasing a man through the streets. The man was short, about five foot three with tan skin and short black hair. He was obviously from Beryl, which could easily be told by his appearance. Kephiyr watched him with great interest. The man was very fast and agile, evading guards even when it seemed impossible to. He would run up a wall and reach a roof in seconds and keep going without missing a beat. He was also built like a tank and when he couldn't slip away he'd plow right through them. He carried two golden curved swords, though it seemed he preferred not to use them. Kephiyr finally decided to cut off the man and he tripped him. The man quickly unsheathed both swords, but Kephiyr put up his hands empty.

"Whoah, let me speak a moment."

"In case you haven't noticed, I don't have a moment."

Kephiyr pointed to his crown.

"They are under my command. Halt!" Kephiyr shouted and the men surrounded him but didn't attempt to take him.

"What is it you want?" The man said scanning his surroundings for an escape.

"First I want to know why you don't use the swords?"

"The swords are a last resort unless I'm getting paid to use them. I don't like killing, but you gotta do what you gotta do."

"What is your name?"

"Ollen."

"The famous thief and assassin?"

"The same. What is it you want?"

"I'm willing to wipe your slate clean, I am in need of someone of your talents."

"A clean slate? What do I have to do?"

"The details will be saved for later, just between you and I. Do you accept?"

Ollen struggled within himself scanning his surroundings once more. But seeing no other way out he looked Kephiyr in the eye.

"Aye, I accept." He said at last with a smirk.

"This man's crimes are pardoned. Doon get to work getting Legionor to send troops. Give Ollen and I some moments alone." Kephiyr said and took him aside. They turned into a bar and he bought Ollen a drink.

"I'm asking you something that is risky, it may or may not work. However, I'm going against the King and I could use a skilled assassin like you. I'm going to fake my death in a battle here soon. Would you be willing to go with Doon and the others and assassinate King Kelpon if the battle at Legionor goes ill?"

"Let me get this straight, you want me to kill the King. In return you will give me a clean slate?"

"Yes, are you game?"

"I'm in, however you realize in order to not be caught, I'll have to use a slow acting poison."

That's okay, how slow are we talking, day or two?"

"Negative, the poison I intend to use for a target like that takes a few months. It's called the assassins brew, because it's impossible to tell who did it. By the time symptoms appear there is no cure and I will be long gone."

"Fair enough, clean slate. Keep your head down soon, because we're going to spring a trap to take out a portion of their strength. And speak to nobody about this plan."

"When shall the battle be?"

"A few days, stick close to Doon, make sure he survives and when the dust is settled I have ordered that Doon and my close friends should be let escape to Legionor on a ship. I'll add you to that list before the battle begins."

"Do you really think you can win against Kelpon? The amots have run this world for a long time."

"Things change, depending on how this war goes, things may change a lot."

"I had a feeling you wanted someone dead if you were pardoning me. You're a mad man, but it's a worthy wage. May I ask why you want him dead, and why the war?"

"Kelpon is attempting genocide of the dwarves, I can't just let that happen."

"Noble I guess, so how am I supposed to stay alive during the battle?"

"The elves are on my side, though they are pretending to be on the King's. Legionor will be sending men as well as elves from Farmell. When both get here the battle will begin, keep your head down."

"Fair enough, after the deed is done, how do I find you?"

"I'll be hold up in Farmell, if I'm alive."

"You better be alive, I need you to vouch for me. Otherwise when I come to Farmell I'm walking to my death. Jarl Melek hates me with a passion."

"I swear on my life, you will not die. Or I die beside you."

After another week both the elves and Legionor's armies had reached Ithen. Kephiyr met with Effen who was among the elves as their commander.

"So here's my plan, secretly station some elves on the plateau above the palace. After I'm out my guess is they will ask your group of elves to fire on the plateau. Act like you're going to do just that, then turn to shoot them at close range. Should be able to take out most of them that way. I leave the rest of the battle up to you. However, what is your plan to take me out?"

"I'll shoot you with an arrow just above the heart."

"You couldn't think of a better way?"

"I'm sure I could have, but I've always wanted to shoot you." Effen laughed.

"Oh, so the truth finally comes out. I've hired an assassin to take out Kelpon if the Legionor battle fails. He will be doing his best to protect Doon during the battle. Please try to make sure that my assassin and Doon don't die."

"No promises but I'll try. We are a little outnumbered, but with the element of surprise I think it could work. We start early tomorrow morning, just after dawn. That way we not only have the element of surprise, but they'll also be tired as well. Who is your assassin?"

Kephiyr grited his teeth and sighed. "Ollen of Beryl."

"Ollen!? Are you crazy? Do you know what he's done? Jarl Melek would probably kill you as well if he knew you allied with Ollen."

"I am aware of his history and of Melek's hatred of him. However, we need him. A man of his talents is perfect for this, this is war not a popularity contest."

"Hmm well I hope you know what you're doing."

"You have more elves elsewhere in Zolon don't you?"

"Yes, the others should reach Ithen about two hours after the battle starts."

"Two hours before reinforcements come? That could be rough."

"Aye it could, but I have faith in my elves. After the battle ends what should we do about Ollen and Doon?"

"After the battle send them over to Legionor on a ship. Or allow then to escape if they somehow defeat most of you."

"Letting a royal escape doesn't sound like the best plan. Wouldn't it be better to ransom him?"

"Kelpon wouldn't pay anything for him and any deal couldn't be trusted. Not to mention Ollen's mission of assassinating Kelpon is on the table."

"So what your plan is to send him into Legionor with the King's son and hope Doon vouches for him, and hope Kelpon listens. Sounds like a shot in the dark to me."

"It is, but I believe Kelpon will also see the possibilities of a man with such talents."

"Fine, I'll try to make sure they live."

"Well here soon we need to get some rest."

"Soon, but I think we need to get some drinks."

"You sure drinks are a good idea?"

"Sure, being hungover will be a good pain killer for you."

"Haha being drunk is the painkiller, a hangover is the pain."

"All the same, I'm getting some drinks you joining."

"Yeah sure, I'm probably gonna regret this."

Effen and Kephiyr walked to one of the Inns and were soon joined by Ollen and they ordered three pints. It was a stone building lit up by torches. Several men were playing a leaning tower game with large pieces of wood. They had a few drinks played some cards and still went to bed rather early.

Effen got up a early a few hours before sunrise and got his elves into position on the mountain. Effen himself took position on a rooftop and got Kephiyr in his sights early on. It was morning, roughly thirty degrees with a clear sky. A light fog lay about the land and frost clung to everything in sight. Effen signaled the elves so they would be ready to fire as well. It was business as usual, the men busyed themselves, walking here and there and talking about the night before. When suddenly Kephiyr and ten other men were struck with arrows.

"We're under attack! Where'd they fire from!" Abah yelled.

"Kephiyr was hit!" Doon yelled as Bear grabbed him and drug him off.

"If he's alive Bear will take care of him." Abeh said.

Arrows began raining down from the mountain claiming some of the men as they fled for cover.

"Elves, fire on the mountain!" Abah yelled.

The elves took position and aimed at the mountain. Ollen grabbed Doon and took cover in an Inn and the two began drinking.

"Kephiyr told me to keep you safe, so we're staying in here." Ollen said handing him an ale.

"No argument here." Doon laughed.

The elves as they were aiming at the mountain at the mountain, suddenly they turned and fired on the men at close range. Not a single arrow missed, not all were kill shots but none were harmless. Abeh was shot in the back of the thigh and he limped back further taking cover behind the buildings.

"What are they doing!?" Abeh shouted to Abah.

"Guess the elves aren't on our side after all." Abah said nearly laughing.

"Obviously, so what's our plan fearless leader?"

"You take a few men back and get the catapults in position to fire on the mountain. You up there, lay down a suppressive fire!" Abah said shouting to a group of around three thousand men who were closest to the elves. "The rest of us will sneak around the side and flank them." So Abeh went back with a few men to get the catapults into position. The three thousand men closest to the elves attempted to lay down a suppressive fire. However, they could barely poke their heads out to shoot before they themselves were shot. They were dropping like flies but maintaining the elves focus. Once Abah's team was in position they quickly rushed the elves. Abah beheaded an elf and then stabbed another in the gut. Another elf began attacked him from his blind side and the two crashed to the ground. Abah began blocking strike after strike while laying on his back until the elf was shot in the throat. They had begun to be driven back and it was at about that time Abah heard Abeh yelling for then to retreat. So they pulled back while under fire and there came the sound of several catapults being fired at once. The rocks fell around them and along with a few arrows wiped up the remaining elves on the ground. Arrows began raining down from the mountain taking out many of the men. Until only Abah, Abeh and a few other men were left. Abeh fired the catapults on the mountain until the arrows finally stopped. Once all was quiet Ollen and Doon joined Abah and Abeh.

"Convenient time for you to show up your highness." Abeh said gripping his leg.

"I'm not a warrior, not everyone is."

"Well at least we all made it, we win four to nothinh." Abeh said.

"You forget the three hundred elves in the palace and several thousand more throughout Zolon. They're likely headed this way now." Abah said.

"What are we gonna do, I can't be taken prisoner." Doon said.

"Don't worry Doon we have a way of escape." Abah said calmly.

"How? We can't possibly man a ship with four guys?"

Abah looked angrily at him and pointed to the mountain.

"Are you crazy!?" Doon said.

"You got a better idea? You do what you want. I'm going for the mountain. It's not ideal but from there we can get to Phemon. From Phemon we can return to Legionor, then we come back and reclaim Zolon."

So the four of them climbed up the mountain and started down a pathway into the wilderness.