Chapter 1. Dudley and Sianna
It was a beautiful day one summer in Zenarre. The flowers bloomed along the road that ran between the meadow and the wood and the birds sang as sweetly as if they had not a care in the world. But not everyone in Zenarre was so happy. A lonely traveler from Shan trudged along the dusty road oblivious to the bright day and the warm sun. Once he had been a great harper, now he was nothing. His harp was broken and his music gone. For his own true love had betrayed him.
Dudley was born with a talent for harping. His father arranged for him to study under the greatest masters but in time he excelled them all. His fame so grew that the king of all Shan asked for him to come to the court to play. Dudley soon became a familiar sight around the Castle Lander. He also came to know, appreciate, and then to love, the Princess Eileen.
For a while he was happy. The princess confided that she too loved him and they were oblivious to all else. Then King Casely learned of his daughter’s affection for a mere minstrel and in a terrible rage he banished Dudley from Shan, vowing Eileen would spend her life in an abbey. Eileen swore to be faithful to the young harper, tearfully promising never to love another and to spend her life in prayer for him.
For a year Dudley wandered about the countryside singing sorrowful songs of his lost love and awaking pity in all who heard him. Then one day he heard that the Princess Eileen was to be married. Risking all, he ventured into the very hall of the king; a hall he once called his home yet now stood a stranger. Eileen sat blissfully beside her bridegroom, her vows forgotten. In a voice that shook with passion Dudley called down curses on her head for her faithlessness. She made no answer, only glancing at him once, carelessly, and then turning back to her lover.
Angrily Dudley unslung his harp. It was unequaled in that country, matched only by the skill of its player. Before the eyes of the wedding guests he threw it to the floor with such force that it broke into pieces. The crowd gasped in horror at the deed.
“I will never play again.” Dudley swore, fighting back his tears. The crowd murmured in anger against the wrongs this youth had suffered.
Then the bridegroom stood, himself now angry. He was a royal prince from Reth and at this moment it clearly showed and he ordered Dudley banished from Shan. King Casely laid a restraining hand on his future son-in-law’s arm.
“No need Vladimir,” he said huskily, “He is already banished.”
So Dudley left Castle Lander. He left the kingdom of Shan. He left everything that would remind him of the faithless princess. But he could not forget. Without his harp he had no way of making any earnings and it was not often that he ate. He had no friends, no one to comfort him, no one to turn to. As he trudged through Zenarre one sunny morning he despaired of happiness. He had lost his desire even to live.
He was suddenly startled from his reverie by a scream. A young girl ran out of the woods, tripped on the road and fell in front of him crying hysterically.
“You’ve got to help me.” she cried, “Something is after me. They’re going to get me.”
“Who? What? Where?” Dudley helped her to her feet and cast an anxious glance around. He was unarmed and really had no way of warding off an attacker. But no one was in sight.
“They were after me.” She repeated,
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“Look miss,” Dudley said after minutes went by and no one appeared, “Whoever was chasing you has obviously given up. Tell me your name and where you live and I’ll try to get you home. You’re still upset and you shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“Thank you,” she said, stepping back, “But I have no home.”
“But,” he hesitated, “Where are you going?”
“I’m running away.”
“I see.” He stammered, unsure of how to deal with this situation. “Er, why did you run away?”
“None of your business!” she snapped.
“I’m sorry.”
They stood in awkward silence for a minute. As it was the girl spoke first.
“Where are you from?”
“Shan. And you?”
“Reth.”
“I hate that name.” he muttered.
“Why?” she asked in surprise,
“None of your business.” He snapped.
“Sorry.” She said. Finally Dudley again broke the silence.
“What is your name?”
“Sianna. And yours?”
“Dudley.”
“Dudley? Like the famous harper?” she exclaimed, “I’ve always wanted to hear him. I’d give anything to hear him play.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Dudley said calmly, “But it’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“Dudley the harper is dead.”
“But- that’s terrible.” Sianna exclaimed, “How do you know?”
“I- heard it somewhere.”
“How could it have happened? Wasn’t he known even in Castle Lander?”
“It’s none of your business.” Dudley said irritably. Sianna gave him an odd look.
“You are Dudley the harper.”
“That is also none of your business!” he cried furiously.
“Sorry,” she said carelessly, but clearly didn’t mean it. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere.” He muttered between his teeth, “Absolutely Nowhere.”
“Mind if I come with you?”
Dudley rolled his eyes in resignation.
Chapter 2. A Sword, a Dragon, and a Quest.
The next day saw the both on the road together. Now that he was not alone with his thoughts Dudley was in a much better mood and he and Sianna bickered and laughed and argued and sang. They came around a bend in the road singing an old folk song together when upon reaching the fifth verse they suddenly disagreed on the wording.
“No,” Dudley said, “It goes, ‘a sunny morning bright and fair.’”
“No,” Sianna countered, “it is, ‘A morning dawned without a care.’”
“I know this song.” He cried exasperated, “I know how it goes.”
“So do I. ‘A morning dawned without a care.’ That’s the way it goes.”
“Sianna, do you think I don’t know my trade as a minstrel?”
Sianna flushed. “I too was once a minstrel of sorts.” She countered.
“I am glad to see friends so merry this fine morning.” A voice interrupted their quarrel.
“We’re not friends, we’re not merry, and it’s not morning.” Dudley snapped.
The stranger raised his eyebrows questioningly.
“Indeed?” he queried, “If you are not friends then why do you traverse this road together? And if not merry, why did I hear singing a moment ago? And if it is no longer morning then how can I see that the sun is not yet above us? I must say you are found wrong on three counts. And yet fair lady,” he bowed to Sianna, “He is right on one. The song goes, ‘A sunny morning bright and fair.’ Never contradict a harper.”
“You know me?” he exclaimed,
“Of course I know you fair Dudley. I heard you play years ago. I shall never forget it. I had not hoped to meet you again so soon. But where is your harp?”
“It’s- gone.”
“Well, we’ll get you another.”
“I’m not playing any more.” He said sullenly.
“What! But Dudley, you’re the greatest harper in Ynoureth. You cannot rob the world of you music.”
“That’s enough!” He shouted, “I will never play again!”
“Leave him alone.” Sianna interrupted, “After all, it’s none of your business. But pray tell us your name and where you are going.”
“With pleasure.” He bowed again. “My name is Calin. I am going to the Erstair Mountains to kill the dragon Rutours.”
“Great.” Dudley muttered, “Now I’ve fallen in with a mad man.”
“My dear Dudley, I am not mad. I am simply looking for the sword of Amberess for only by its blade can the monster be killed.”
Sianna decided she liked this man who spoke so strange and looked so odd.
“Who do you expect to find the Sword of Amberess?” she asked; a strange look clouded his silver blue eyes.
“I think I do not know.” He said, and for the first time since they met his lips lost their smile. “I have searched a long time, a very long time. I cannot find it.”
“Can I help you?” Dudley asked suddenly; for he too decided he liked him. Calin laughed.
“I never turn down an offer of help,” he said, “Though I can give you little promise of success. What do you know of the Sword of Amberess?”
“Nothing.”
Sianna laughed. “Let us come with you.” She pleaded, “At least we will have a purpose and company.”
Merrily the three new friends set off again.
Calin had been on his quest for many years. How many years he could not say. All he knew, and all it seemed he would ever know, was that he could not rest, could not stay anywhere; he must keep searching until his quest was fulfilled.
He was silver blue eyes and a mouth that was always smiling. His hair was very pale, almost white. He might be an old man or a mere youth. No one knew and no one asked. He was ageless and surrounded by his own timelessness. Some regarded it a curse and some a blessing. For Calin it was an essential part of the quest. For Calin was indeed ageless and in a sense immortal. For him, time did not exist and he could not be killed. No one knew how long he had been thus, even Calin couldn’t say for sure. But he didn’t care to talk about it so no one asked.
Instead, they asked about his quest. It seemed so simple. So many said so, so Calin once thought. He knew where to find Rutours and he knew how to kill him. All he needed was to find the great sword of Amberess. The only problem was that no one knew what had become of it.
It was a great sword coming out of stories from the past and wielded by heroes. It was possessed of magical powers but it had disappeared into the mists from whence it came and no one could find it. But Calin must keep searching. There were only so many places in the world to search so every ten years or so he was reappear. People would recognize him, call out his name, and ask about his quest. It had always been so, and it would remain so. For all anyone knew he would keep searching till doomsday. No one quite believed he would ever succeed for he searched of a legendary sword no one believed existed to kill a legendary dragon that no one believed existed.
Even with the fair prospect of company as he had, it seemed the search was endless. But he put such dark thoughts aside. All that mattered was that he followed the quest, not that he succeeded.
That night they made camp in the woods. There was not much to eat between them but they had a cheerful fire and soon they were all asleep. Sometime during the night Dudley awoke. Glancing around, he noticed that Sianna was missing. When after a few minutes she had not returned he went in search of her. Maybe her unknown assailant had returned.
He came upon her suddenly. She was standing in a clearing singing a haunting melody. Relieved that she was safe yet angry that she had left and puzzled that she was out here he stepped forward calling her name. She whirled around to face him angrily.
“You heard me.” she said accusingly,
“So what?” he said, “What are you doing here anyway?”
“It’s none of your business.” She said coldly.
“It is, when I’m responsible for your safety.”
“No one said you were responsible for my safety.”
“I would not be a gentleman if I were not. You’re a young woman, alone and unprotected. As long as we travel together I have to be responsible.”
“Maybe I should take my leave then.”
He was confused by her attitude towards him and baffled as to how to respond.
“Sianna, don’t- I mean- what are you doing?”
“Singing.” She snapped. “You heard that.”
“But- why? Out here alone, in the middle of the night?”
“It’s none of your business!” she cried hysterically, “Just go away and leave me alone.”
“All right.” He held up his hands in defense, “All right. I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
He turned and left, walking back through the woods and wondering at her strange actions. He had not gone far toward the camp when he heard her again. She was singing, and for the first time since they met, he really heard her sing. He voice was dark and lovely like a thunderstorm in spring. Despite himself he stopped to listen. Her song was a lament and its beauty was like nothing he had ever heard before. As he listened to her music, waves of sorrow washed over him and for the first time he wept for Eileen. He wept for what she was and how he had been too blind to see it. And he wept because he still loved her. The tears brought relief to all the anger and resentment he had carried for the past seven months and for the first time since Eileen’s wedding he wished for his harp.
Chapter 3. A Strange Tale
At dusk the next day they reached a village and Calin, producing some coins, asked for a bowl of soup. The innkeeper looked down hi nose at such a motley group wondering if he should even allow them in his inn. But they were not actually beggars, as Calin did have money and they had a girl among them who looked as though she need to eat and rest, and it was meritous to be charitable so in the end he acquiesced.
They sat in a corner by the fire, sharing their soup and trying to remain inconspicuous. An old man was telling a story for the amusement of the guest and Calin’s ears perked up at the name of Amberess.
“So a great hero arose out Ynoureth,” his story went, “A hero like on of old, wielding the Sword of Amberess. His answer to the King of Sethly was only defiance. The Crown of Amoth was safely in Darya when he took passage for Sethly. The Evil King could not withstand the power and might of this hero. His power was broken and his evil kingdom sank beneath the waves never to be seen again.”
When his story was over he was awarded with applause and compliments and copper coins. As his listeners drifted off Calin, Dudley and Sianna stood and walked over to talk to him.
“That was an interesting tale you told.” Dudley said, “I can’t say as that I’ve heard it before.”
The old man chuckled. “That’s because it hasn’t happened yet.”
“Not happened?” Sianna exclaimed, “Then why do you tell it?”
“I had a dream my dear. Ynoureth is in danger and soon will need a hero. I now travel around telling stories of the old days to inspire the one who will be that hero.”
“You mentioned the sword of Amberess.” Calin said, “Do you know where it might be found?”
The storyteller fixed him with a condescending gaze. “The sword of Amberess is a hero’s sword.” Eh said superiorly, “Surely you do not presume yourself a hero?”
“No, no,” Dudley said hastily, “We just want to kill the dragon Rutours.”
“You know where the sword can be found?” Sianna said at the same time,
“There are five keys,” eh said reluctantly, “But I can hardly give them to you.”
“Please sir,” Calin said hesitantly, “I have spent lifetimes searching for that sword. It is my quest. You are the first who has known ought of it that I have met in I don’t know how many years. If you will not share your knowledge with me I must despair of ever searching again.”
“Very well.” The storyteller sighed as though it was his duty to tell them, and a duty he did not relish. “The first key lies in the name of the who made the sword.” He said begrudgingly.
“Who was that?” Dudley asked; the storyteller stood with an impatient gesture.
“That is another story.” He said, “And I have already told my story for the night.” Then abruptly, he left.
The innkeeper came over to tell them it was time to take their leave but Sianna stopped him with a question.
“That old man tells stories to entertain your guests and in exchange you let him stay here. Right?”
The innkeeper frowned. “If you think you’re going to tell stories for your keep…” he started to protest, but Sianna cut him off.
“I can do better than tell stories.” She said.
Stepping past the astonished innkeeper she began to sing. Gradually the guests grew silent as the beauty of her voice overwhelmed them.
“Do you know who she is?” Calin whispered; Dudley shook his head. When Sianna had finished her song the room burst into applause. The amazed innkeeper took her hand with tears in his eyes.
“You are a treasure.” He said, “A real treasure. Stay, please stay. You and your friends are welcome here as long as you like.”
Chapter 4. The Sword of Amberess
And so it went. Every night after the storyteller had left Sianna would sing. And every night they learned another of the keys. The name of the forger of the sword of Amberess was… you guessed it. Amberess.
Amberess, a blacksmith of great renown, we commissioned to make a great sword for the King of Darya. But before he finished he knew this was no ordinary sword. Powers he knew nothing of had blessed this work. When he lifted the finished blade he knew no one could take it from its rightful owner.
Amberess had taken the sword to the King of Darya; the rightful king who wore the crown of Amoth. Having presented it to him the King commented on the skill that went into it.
“It is a beautiful sword,” he said regretfully, “Alas; it is not I who shall wield it.” So saying he beckoned to Nestor, one of the twelve heroes who served in his court.
“This brave Nestor, is yours.” He said presenting it to him, “Use it justly, for such is its purpose.”
Nestor bowed his thanks. The Sword that was then called after the name of its crafter was his from then on. Many battles he fought with it and when he died it was hidden in a safe place until another worthy should arise and find it. There were five keys to its hiding place.
The name of the one who forged it.
The name of the one who owned it.
The country from whence it came.
The country to which it will go.
“And the fifth,” the storyteller said, “You must learn for yourself.”
A chorus of groans greeted him but he held fast. He would not tell them the fifth key. By now everyone in the inn knew of the keys and of Calin’s search for the sword. Everyone had their minds on the riddle but no one had a solution.
“Give us a song Sianna,” one cried, “Let’s clear our brains before we try to sort it out.”
Smiling Sianna acquiesced. The storyteller on his way upstairs paused to listen. Something about her was familiar. Something… suddenly he remembered.
“Sianna.”
She paled, for they had never been introduced. The song died on her lips.
“You know me.”
“Yes.” He added quietly, “I am Anjou’s father.”
Sianna stiffened visibly at his words.
“He treated you shamefully.” He continued, Sianna still made no answer.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally, “I guess it’s none of my business. But,” he added briskly, “I forgot to tell you the fifth key.”
Sianna was forgotten as everyone surrounded the storyteller eagerly. Everyone, but Dudley that is.
“Are you all right?” he asked, she shook her head.
“Just leave me alone.”
“I can’t. You’re unhappy. Sianna, who is he? How does he know you?”
“Dudley, I don’t want you to know. Can’t you accept that?”
Dudley sighed and turned his attention to the man who had so upset her.
“The fifth key,” he was saying, “Is in the name of the land to which the sword belongs.”
“What’s that?” Dudley asked; the storyteller shook his head.
“You solve the riddle young man. I have told you all I know.”
For hours they sat discussing it but came no closer to an answer. One by one the other’s drifted off but Calin had come too close to think of anything else. Suddenly Sianna looked up.
“Andsy.”
“What?”
“The sword is at Andsy.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s simple. Amberess, Nester, Darya, Sethly.”
“I see.” Calin caught on quickly. “But how do you know the last one? Unless we know we can’t be sure.”
“I’m sure.” Dudley said, “The fifth key is Ynoureth.”
“Ynoureth…” Calin repeated in a daze,
“To Andsy then.” Sianna said decisively. They all stood.
“To Andsy.”
Chapter 5. The Crown of Amoth
Prince Rusha did not know he was born in Sethly. He did not know his place was with the sea nymphs, under the waves. As a matter of fact, he didn’t believe Sethly existed. Nor did he believe in the Dragon Rutours. For that matter, he didn’t believe any of the old tales.
He was a matter-of-fact prince from a matter-of-fact country called Sydian. Sydian was land bound, and Prince Rusha liked it that way. He was the third son of his father King Lin and his mother, Queen Tirra. He had two older brothers and two younger brothers. In short, he was in the middle. And he liked it that way. No one bothered him; no one really even noticed him. He could do as he pleased. He was no adventurer and he liked everything just the way it was.
Why then did he leave Sydian for the distant mountains of Erstair? Why did he turn every which way in search of the Crown of Amoth? He was not sure himself, nor was his father. He pursued a dream; a dream he didn’t believe existed. He followed a dream that would lead him to the den of the dragon Rutours, to the land of Sethly, in short, to his destiny.
The Crown of Amoth belonged to Darya. Rusha didn’t believe Darya existed. After all, no one could find it. But the legend went: Darya’s king wanted a symbol; something to protect him and his sons and his kingdom. It was said that fairy silver went into the crown Amoth forged for him. It ensured the peace and prosperity of the kingdom as long as the one who wore it was worthy.
Rusha knew how the crown had been lost. An evil man had overthrown the true king and had taken his place. In his arrogance he even dared to wear the crown of Amoth.
Mysteriously one night he was found dead, with a look of absolute horror on his face. Anyone who saw him trembled with fear and wonder. Darya hadn’t had a king since and the crown had never been seen again. But Prince Rusha knew where to find it. Legend had it that it was to be found in the possession of the Dragon Rutours in the mountains of Erstair.
There wasn’t much he didn’t know about the crown he had set out to find. As a matter of fact, there was only one thing he didn’t understand. How was he to get the crown from the monster?
Chapter 6. The Stone of Desire
Lida was but a child. She was twelve years of age, sunny, bright haired and cheerful, even if she did dream a little too much. She loved the stories of the old days and often wondered what it would be like to be rescued from a dragon by a brave knight. There were no dragons left now, except for Rutours and Princess Lida doubted that he would ever come near the Kingdom of Meckador.
One day she heard the story of the Stone of Desire and how it had been given by a mischievous fairy to an evil miser to destroy him. She believed in that stone and she believed it would grant her whatever she wished. But she did not believe the moral of its story, that it would destroy those foolish enough to possess it.
So she left her father, her castle, and her servants, and set out for the mountains of Erstair to find the stone. She told no one where she was going or event hat she was leaving and thought the king sought long and hard he could not find his beloved daughter. She had taken much gold with her and a fine horse and soon reached the base of the mountains. To find Rutours was her next move for she knew the dragon had the stone in his possession. It never occurred to this simple minded child how she would get the stone from the dragon. Her objective was simply to find it.
The climb was a long hard one for Erstair was a large mountain range and Lida was unaccustomed to such travel. One day she awoke almost too exhausted to continue. She had run out of provisions shortly after entering the mountains and now she was decidedly lost. Foolish child to think that she could take fate into her own hands; but then maybe it was her destiny. On this particular morning she saw smoke coming from father up the mountain. Eagerly she went towards it hoping it was some friendly traveler. Some hours later she reached a large cave.
It seemed empty and as she walked into it her eyes grew wide at the sight of all the treasures there. Suddenly a large shadow fell across the opening. Turning around she screamed in fright at the sight of the dragon staring back at her.
Chapter 7. The Mountains of Erstair
How hard was it to voyage to the kingdom of Didan, find the village of Andsy, locate a chapel dedicated to the Heroes of Darya, state their mission and be taken to a treasure room where the sword of Amberess was kept? And yet, in the countless years he had been searching Calin had failed to do so. There were tears in his eyes as he knelt to receive the priests blessing on his endeavor. His search was over. Now he could kill the great dragon. Why he had been called to do so he did not know. Why he had only now succeeded was also beyond him.
* * *
Rusha reached the Lair of Rutours shortly before sunset almost a month and half after he left Sydian. Little by little he was forced to accept the fact that at least some of the old myths were true. The Dragon did exist at least. He came up to the cave and looked in awe around him. But his gaze was drawn immediately to the great beast who was menacing a young maid. Drawing his sword he rushed to her defense only to have it melted in his hand from one breath of the dragons.
“Fool!” a voice boomed, but it was not the dragon that spoke, “Did you think you could kill my servant? Only the Sword of Amberess could destroy him. Now you will both die!”
“No!” another voice shouted, “He will not. I have the sword of Amberess.”
Prince Rusha tore his gaze away from the dragon to see the owner of the voice. Three figures stood silhouetted against the setting sun. The centre one held a gleaming sword that seemed to flash fire. They looked like heroes from out of a story book. The terror he felt was like a nightmare yet he could not help but see how like a legend this situation was.
Calin advanced on the dragon who shrank back in mortal terror of his coming doom. He snarled angrily and Rusha could feel the heat of his poisonous breath. Then Calin struck. Once, twice and the dragon crumpled as a river of blood ran across the floor of the cave.
Prince Rusha stepped back from it instinctively. Calin backed away from the dragon. His quest was over. Sianna laid her hand on his arm.
“What will you do now?” she asked softly; Calin shook his head.
“I don’t know.” He said, “I just don’t know.”
In fact, Calin wasn’t sure he knew anything. During his years of searching his memory had faded. He could remember nothing beyond his travels. Now that his quest was over he didn’t know what to do. It disturbed him that he could remember who he was but he didn’t see anything he could do about it.
Rusha spoke up, his voice shaky and uncertain. “Thank you sir.”
Calin noticed him as if for the first time and bowed from the waist. “Prince Rusha, it is an honor.”
Rusha could not conceal his surprise. “You know me?”
“Of course. I was in Sydian… sometime.” His eyes clouded. Once he could have brushed it off with a careless comment. Now it mattered. He knew he had been in Sydian, but when?
“My name is Sianna,” she was saying, “This is Calin, and Dudley.”
“Where are you from?” Rusha asked, “And what brings you here?”
“I am from Reth but Dudley is from Shan. No one knows where Calin is from. To kill this dragon is his quest.”
“Reth, Shan,” he repeated, “You heroes come from all over Ynoureth.”
“Oh, we’re hardly heroes.” Dudley commented, “Why are you here?”
“My quest is to find the Crown of Amoth.” he answered.
Calin suddenly started to life.
“The crown of Amoth?” he cried, “whatever for?”
Rusha hung his head. “I don’t know.” He admitted, “I had a dream.”
Calin, Sianna, and Dudley exchanged glances. First the Storyteller, now Prince Rusha. Two dreams! Something was not right here. Then Lida came forward, pale but triumphant. In one hand she held a dull reddish stone. In the other she held a thin band of silver studded with blue stones. She held it out to Rusha with a simple, “You said you wanted this.”
Calin’s jaw dropped in amazement as he looked from the sword in his hand to the crown that Rusha held.
“Maybe we are heroes.” He said in awe.
* * *
Before leaving the dragons cave the heroes searched it to see what else might be there. While there was much in the way of gold and jewels there was nothing of ‘True Value’ as Calin put it. Then Lida uncovered a golden harp.
“This is for you Dudley.” She said; he only glanced at it briefly.
“It’s a commoner’s treasure.” He said.
“Not as good as yours?” Calin asked; Dudley shook his head.
“I don’t want to pry,” he continued gently, “But why- ”
“Don’t ask.” Dudley interrupted, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Will you never play again?” Sianna asked in disbelief, “Never?”
He didn’t answer. Hesitantly he reached out and ran his fingers over the strings. Everyone held his breath as he played a scale and then some chords but it was too soon to hope. The harp fell silent.
“It’s not even in tune,” Dudley said, “Let’s go.”
He turned and left the cave with out as much as a backward glance.
