Sword of Kings
Chapter 27 – Each Must Go His Separate Way

by Bill W

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Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. 
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.
Don’t read this story if:
**You’re not 18 or over,    
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don’t want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

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I wish to extend my thank you to Emoe57 for his editorial assistance with this chapter.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other ‘constructive’ comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

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When Kieren opened his eyes the next morning, most of the others were already up and going about their business.  For some reason, they had let him sleep much later than anyone else.  Immediately, he got up and went searching for Beraut.  He was determined to make the wizard understand his point of view.  He also hoped, in the end, the mage would come to the same conclusion he had and change his mind about leaving them.  The problem was, his mentor was nowhere to be seen.  Panicked, Kieren began to ask the warriors about Beraut, but no one had any answers for him.  That was, until he came to Alaric. 

“I would have come to you before we started out again,” the elf explained, “but I was trying to finish my packing first.  Beraut came up to me shortly after I went on duty.  I had the last watch, so I’d say he left shortly before…” 

“He left?” Kieren gasped, cutting Alaric off.  “Without saying good-bye?”  Moisture was already beginning to form in the corners of the teen’s eyes, as the staggering feeling of abandonment began to overtake him.

“Kieren,” Alaric began, with as much sympathy in his voice as he could manage, “Beraut knew you were upset with him and thought it might be better if you two didn’t have another run in about his leaving.  It’s not that he didn’t wish to say farewell, he was just doing what he thought was best for you.”  This comment caused Kieren’s mood to suddenly change.

“Best for me?” the young man snapped.  “Everyone is constantly telling me they’re doing what’s best for me, but no one ever asks ME what I want!  Shouldn’t I be consulted about what’s best for me?”  His body was rigid and his eyes were bulging from their sockets, as if he were issuing a challenge. 

“Kieren, we may not go about it the best way all of the time,” Alaric explained, trying to defuse the situation, “but we all do care about you deeply.  You have given us more hope than we’ve had in years and we’ve grown very fond of you.  The thing is, our parental instincts often kick in where you are concerned.  Don’t judge us too harshly, if you don’t always approve of our methods.  Just rest assured, we would never do anything to put you in danger or harm you in any way.”

“Oh?” Kieren commented, sarcastically.  “Does that mean you’d do the same thing and just take off without saying a word?” he asked, the venom in his tone cutting Alaric to the quick. 

“Kieren,” the elf said, soothingly, “Beraut was afraid it would be harder on you if he waited to leave until after you awoke.  We’ll see him again, before long.”   

“If any of us live that long!” Kieren added, defiantly, causing the elf to blanch. 

“Kieren don’t even think that,” Alaric chided him.  “We will get through this and we will meet up with Beraut once more.”  The elf’s comment did not cause Kieren to soften his stance and the boy’s rigid body showed his continued defiance. 

“What makes you think any of us will fare any better than Selvaggio or Doenilio?” the lad shot back, challenging the warrior’s assessment of the situation.

“Because I’m confident we’ll be successful,” Alaric offered, encouragingly, but he knew he couldn’t argue this point forever.  The elf knew it would be best to continue this at another time, once Kieren could think more clearly, so Alaric changed the topic of discussion.  “Come on.  We’ll get you something to eat and then you can pack up your bedding…” 

“No,” Kieren cut him off.  “I’m through with this.”  This announcement came as a total surprise and caused Alaric’s mouth to drop open.  Even though he didn’t want to believe his ears, the elf was fairly certain the teen was serious about this.

“Kieren, you can’t mean that!” Alaric countered, hoping to get the young man to consider his words and possibly change his mind. 

“I can and I do,” Kieren assured him, causing the elf to momentarily stand transfixed and speechless.  Alaric thought about what had just been said, but he was unsure about how to confront the problem.  How was he going to convince Kieren he was making an unwise and hasty choice?  Suddenly, he remembered something.

“Kieren, Beraut gave me this before he left.  He asked me to pass it on to you,” he stated, before reaching into his pack and pulling something out.  Without letting Kieren see what it was, the elf held out his closed hand toward the boy, offering him the object he had just retrieved.  Slightly confused by this sudden shift in their conversation, Kieren stared at Alaric skeptically; as he accepted the stone the warrior had given him.  It was slightly smaller than his fist and the teen held it snuggly in the center of his palm, looking at it curiously. 

“What’s this supposed to be?” Kieren asked, confused about having been given an ordinary rock. 

“Beraut said he placed a spell on it, so it would relay a message to you,” the elf explained.  “All you have to do is look at it and tell it to ‘animate.’  Then, it will give you the information he wanted you to know, or so he said.”  Kieren looked at Alaric bewildered, like he didn’t believe that would happen, but he decided to give it a try.  Uncertain if this was going to work, the young man held the stone in his palm, just below eye level, and spoke to it.

“Animate,” he said softly, almost in a whisper, afraid the others might think he looked like an idiot talking to a stone.  To his surprise, the plain, gray rock began to grow transparent and continued to change until Kieren could almost see through it.  Studying this transformation closely, Kieren concluded it must work in a similar fashion as the crystal side of his medallion.  Fascinated, he did not take his eyes off of it for even an instant.  Kieren was beginning to think nothing else was going to happen, when Beraut’s face suddenly formed inside the now transparent rock.  Once the wizard’s head had completely materialized, his eyes locked onto Kieren’s and he started to speak. 

“Kieren, I hope you will eventually forgive me for having to leave you, but I know you will do fine without me.  Just remember, my dear boy, that you will be the one to fulfill the prophecy.  Good will eventually triumph and, in your own fashion, you will do what needs to be done.  You must come to grips with your doubts and resolve those issues before you face Madumda or he will use your fears against you.  Please believe in our cause and in your own ability to complete this task, no matter how impossible it may seem from time to time.  Above all else, believe in yourself.”   

“Yeah, yeah,” Kieren instinctively replied, talking back to the rock.  “I’ve heard it before, but I’m not so sure I believe it any longer.”  Suddenly he turned toward the elf and added, “I think he says things like that just so I’ll keep going.  It doesn’t mean he believes what he says.”  Alaric was shocked by Kieren’s response. 

“Kieren, if you don’t believe anything else,” the elf told him, “then be certain that Beraut, like the rest of us, has no doubt you will be successful.  Garreth and Romaric have expressed those sentiments to you repeatedly and none of us would say something like that, just to make you go on.”  The elf was looking stern and very serious, hoping to convince Kieren of his sincerity.  However, that wasn’t necessary, as Kieren had already began to feel the honesty of his comments. 

For many seconds, Kieren merely stood there and reflected upon what Beraut and Alaric had told him.  He could tell they both had more faith in him than he had in himself and this only added to his panic.  “Alaric, I’m so confused,” Kieren admitted, sheepishly.  “I really don’t know what to do.”   

“Then just do the job you were destined for and have faith in yourself,” the elf advised him.  “Will you promise me you will do that?”  Kieren thought for a few seconds before he responded.

“I promise that I will do whatever I can,” he tentatively agreed.  “I’m just not sure it will be good enough,” he added, admitting that he still wasn’t thoroughly convinced. 

“I have no doubts it will be,” Alaric added, while reassuringly putting his arm around the lad’s shoulders.  “Come on.  We’d better get moving.”

The elf quickly helped Kieren put away his bedding.  “We’re running late, so you’ll have to eat on the move now,” Alaric warned him, before whispering something else in his ear.

“Kieren, even though Beraut is not with you in body,” he added, “I’m sure he’ll always be with you in spirit and you will never be far from his heart and thoughts.” 

Even if he didn’t admit it, those words touched Kieren deeply.  It also forced him to think about all he had just been told.  He finally concluded he had to go on, although he still wasn’t sure if he could find the will to do this.  Putting his doubts aside, he picked up his gear and went to stand by his companions, silently letting them know he was ready to continue. 

Without saying a word, Qaim started them on their way, leading them along the base of the Citadel Mountains.  As they began to tromp forward, Kieren thought he heard his aged guardian utter one final warning to him.  “Be watchful of the giant condor and remember to use all the resources at your disposal.”

Startled, and thinking the wizard had returned, Kieren looked around, but Beraut wasn’t anywhere to be seen.  This sent a chill up the young man’s spine.  It had seemed so real.  Kieren wasn’t sure how to react to this, but eventually he whispered a simple reply.   “I will,” he said, before continuing on his way. 

                         *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Beraut had left the encampment before first light and was nearly halfway back to Thorold when he began to encounter a slight drizzle.  This caused his gaze to turn upward, as he tried to determine what the weather had in store for him.  The enchanter quickly recognized the storm clouds moving in and hovering low overhead, a sure sign he would have much more than a light mist to endure before this day was over. 

From that point on, some of his attention was focused on his footing, such as when the thorns snagged his robes or his feet were snared by a tangle of weeds.  However, most of the time he was busy searching the sky for the condor.  He kept his focus on the mountain range to the south, where he would occasionally catch a glimpse of the airborne scout in the distance.  Immediately, he would crouch, lay his staff at his side and pull his cloak securely around his body, in an effort to blend in with his surroundings and become invisible to the monstrous bird. 

Even with all those problems, Beraut was still able to travel much more quickly than he had on his way from Thorold.  This time there weren’t any others to slow him down and he always traveled at a much brisker pace when he was alone.  In addition to that, this time he also had a path to follow, one which had already been trampled down.  Due to these factors, the wizard was able to move swiftly across the valley floor.  It didn’t seem like it took him any time before he was back at Thorley and ready to angle across the vale toward Death’s Door.  He would use that gap to cross through the mountains and get to the plains on the other side.  Purposefully, he changed the direction he was traveling, so he was heading south, instead of west.  He was now on his way to the pass. 

This leg of his journey was mostly uneventful, but the closer Beraut got to the break in the mountain chain, the more cautious he became.  He was extremely worried about what he might find there.  As he neared the opening, he stopped and scanned the area thoroughly before he entered it.  He did not wish to encounter any surprises at this point.  As he began to take his first steps into the pass, he looked up and spied Madumda’s pet circling overhead once again.  This forced him to duck out of sight and wait until it had passed from view, before he could continue. 

While waiting for the condor to leave, Beraut had a troubling thought.  He wondered if the damned bird had taken Doenilio’s body to its master, as a cat might take a mouse or a bird home, to show off its accomplishments.  If it did, then Madumda would know something was amiss and might already be scanning the area or assigning scouting parties to investigate the problem.  Considering what these possibilities might mean to all of them, Beraut renewed his journey, as the condor faded once more into the distance.  The wizard knew he had to make utmost haste in returning to Thorold, because these concerns would also alter his previous plans slightly.  He now had new strategies to devise and very little time to do it.

Beraut could not travel as quickly as he would have liked to through the pass, because it was littered with a great deal of debris.  Much of the material had cascaded down the slopes of the mountains, either loosened by the weather or dislodged by the animals that roamed the slopes.  Because of the uneven footing it created, Beraut had to be careful where he stepped.   The last thing he needed was to twist an ankle or fall and injure himself.  As he continued to weave his way through the veritable maze of pebbles, rocks and piles of dirt, he began to see other things cluttering the path as well.  There were bones from various animal species interspersed among the other debris.  Beraut concluded these skeletons, which were more or less intact, were probably from animals that had wandered into the valley and been driven mad, only to make their way into the pass and die. 

It was abundantly apparent this path had been seldom, if ever, used in recent times and Beraut may have been the first human to traverse it in many decades.  Continuing his journey, the enchanter discovered more and more skeletons scattered about and he began to get an uneasy feeling about these new remains.  Some of this collection of carrion was partially devoured and this didn’t make any sense to the mage.  He couldn’t stop wondering why a scavenger would leave before everything was consumed? 

He also began to notice huge gashes on many of the carcasses, like a knife or a sword had been used to slash them.  This also troubled him greatly.  Many of the bones showed similar damage, as if a blade had been used to cut the meat from its proper place.  The evidence didn’t seem to fit in with what he would have expected.  If animals had devoured the meat from the bones, why would there be signs of blade marks?  He was fairly certain that men and dwarfs no longer used this route.  Even if they did, he doubted they would even think of venturing this far into the pass, for fear of the maddening wails from the valley beyond.  There had to be some other explanation, but Beraut couldn’t seem to come up with it. 

On he went, until he came upon the carcass of a fairly large animal.  He judged it had been killed somewhat recently.  Beraut figured it was most likely all that was left of a snow ape or a large bear, but it was hard for him to be certain, since the animal was missing its head, hide and most of its meat.  The fact that the flesh was gone was to be expected, but the missing skull and pelt gave Beraut a clue he needed to begin to solve this problem.  From this, the mage was able to conclude that this animal didn’t wander into the pass and die, only to be eaten later by scavengers.  Those scroungers wouldn’t have carried off the head and fur.  They would have merely been interested in the bones with the meat still attached.  Therefore, Beraut deduced, this animal must have been killed and skinned elsewhere.  He also knew there must have been a reason it was brought to this place, except he had no idea what that reason might be.  Not until he came upon his next unpleasant surprise. 

There in the middle of the path were pieces of dwarfish armor.  Beraut knew they looked familiar and he realized what it meant.  The condor did not take this particular trespasser back to its master.  Instead, the giant bird treated its recent acquisition as a snack and brought the morsel back to the same place it had brought the rest of its food.  As the mage continued to move along this roadway, he began to see bones that had most likely belonged to this last victim and he became certain of this gruesome fact when he came across what was left of the dwarf’s skull.  He paused briefly, next to what remained of Doenilio’s body, to say a final prayer in honor of his friend.

The discovery of Doenilio’s remains gave the magician the final piece to the puzzle and confirmed his worst suspicions.  He immediately looked skyward, to see if he could detect any signs of the beast, but saw nothing.  Not wishing to risk an encounter, he set out again, going as quickly as he dared, while constantly scanning the horizon for Madumda’s scout.  A confrontation at this point would not only cost him valuable time and possibly injury, but it would drain him of much needed strength and possibly alert the Dark Lord to his presence there.  There was too much to lose and very little to be gained from such an engagement.

Beraut almost sprinted forward, doing his best to get out of the area before the bird reappeared.  As he traveled forward, he passed more and more bones.  Some of which still had the telltale traces of flesh clinging to them, while others had been stripped completely clean of meat and bleached by the sun.  It looked like this place was used quite frequently. 

As the wizard continued his travels, he found what was left of a second dwarf.  It was obvious this scattered skeleton was not part of Doenilio’s remains, because there was a second skull.  Not only that, but the enchanter could tell these bones had been here much longer.  They were weathered and the tiny fragments of flesh that might have remained had already rotted from them.  This was probably the remains of a hunter who had ventured too far to the east in search of game.  To his misfortune, this inadvertent foray into the region patrolled by the condor had cost him dearly. 

Beraut knew condors were scavengers, but he also understood this one was different.  It was so large, powerful and possessed such a voracious appetite that it went against its instincts and nature.  Instead of merely scavenging the carcasses of deceased or dying animals, this one attacked its victims, so it could eat as much as it desired.  This discovery reaffirmed Beraut’s resolve to get out of the pass before the creature returned.  He didn’t wish to do battle or become a midday snack for the insatiable feathered fiend.  These thoughts sent Beraut scurrying once more down the path, with his feet barely touching the ground, as he sped as quickly as he dared along the rubble-strewn trail. 

The wizard had barely started on his way again when his keen sense of hearing picked up the sounds made by giant wings, beating in the air off to his left.  Instinctively, Beraut knelt beside a large boulder and placed his staff beside his feet.  Then, he pulled his head back into the folds of his hood and withdrew his hands into his sleeves.  As he melted into his surroundings, the beating sound increased and the wind began to stir around him.  The gentle rain that had been falling was now being blown forcefully into the openings of his garments and was painfully pelting his body.  It felt as if tiny needles were pricking his skin.  The magician became extremely nervous and silently prayed the gusting wind the creature’s wings were generating wouldn’t blow his hood from his head and expose him to his enemy.  He clung against a huge boulder, hoping that would help keep his cloak in position, as the prodigious animal landed awkwardly, not even fifty meters away from his hiding place. 

The enchanter wondered why the animal had chosen this moment to return and questioned if it had sensed his presence and come to challenge him.  Once the wind had died down and the bird settled in, Beraut was able to see this wasn’t the case.  The menacing bird carried a lifeless creature in its talons.  Almost immediately, it began to tear the meat apart, sending droplets of blood everywhere, before it began to feed upon its victim’s flesh.  Regardless of how repulsive this spectacle was; Beraut continued to witness it in anonymity. 

The wizard was spending his time looking for any weakness or flaws in this behemoth, when the condor lifted its head and peered around the hillside, as if it detected some disturbance.  ‘It is not yet time for us to do battle, my feathered friend,’ Beraut thought to himself, ‘but soon we will test each other’s strength.  For now, eat quickly and be on your way, so that I may reach my destination and prepare for our next meeting.’

After scrutinizing this area for several agonizing minutes, the mighty bird became satisfied there wasn’t any evidence of intrusion in the area and went back to its feast.  Greedily, it ripped off another chunk of meat and gulped it down.  It wasn’t long before it had devoured its prey, temporarily sating its appetite, and then it lunged skyward again.  Its powerful wings beat the air, as it lifted its massive form toward the heavens, and Beraut watched its every move.  As soon as the condor was out of sight, the wizard seized the opportunity to make his escape from Death’s Door.  He did not wish to tempt fate further.

It was nearing twilight when Beraut emerged from the southern opening of the pass, and he was glad to be free of the confining slopes that had surrounded him.  Realizing he still had some distance to go before he could enjoy King Brolin’s hospitality again, he hurried forward, wishing to reach the dwarf stronghold as soon as possible.  The enchanter was now drenched from the rain, having been exposed to it for such a long time, and tired from the long, difficult walk.

The wizard found his new path unencumbered, as he struck out toward the dwarf capital.  With his way clear and the current threat behind him, the wizard was able to cover much ground and was soon approaching the junction of the two mountain chains.  Surprisingly, he had been able to make this journey in about half of the time it had taken them to cross the Valley of the Dead.  It wasn’t long before he was climbing the roadway that led to the front gate of the dwarf kingdom and his thoughts now turned to enjoying a relaxing evening. 

It was well after dark when Beraut knocked at the main entrance, seeking admittance through the secured portal.  As he banged the iron shod tip of his staff against the massive gate, it created a thundering boom, the volume of which was quite shocking.  The guard immediately opened the small observation window and gave his challenge. 

“Who seeks admittance to Thorold after the gates have been closed for the evening?”

“Master Gatekeeper, it is I, Beraut, on a mission of business with your king.  Please be so kind as to open the portal, so I can attend to urgent matters.”

“Master Beraut, would you move into the light so I can verify your identity,” came the reply.  Beraut complied and took a step to his left.  The guard held a torch above his head, so the light from it would pass through the sally portal and illuminate anyone standing on the other side.  Once he recognized the wizard, the smaller opening closed and the main gate swung open.  The weary wizard slipped through the entrance, as soon as the crack was wide enough to accommodate his body, and was greeted by the gatekeeper.  Once he was inside, the door was secured again and the gatekeeper addressed him.

“My apologies for my gruffness and the delay, Master Beraut.  Your arrival startled me.”

“I understand, but would you be good enough to have someone take me to a place where I might clean myself and change my clothing before I meet with King Brolin?”

“Everything has been prearranged.  The King has planned an evening meal and now awaits your return.”  The guard turned and barked out an order and soon another trooper came to join them.  “If you will follow this soldier, he will lead you to your room.  I shall send a messenger to advise the King of your arrival.”

“Please have your messenger tell the King to begin dining and I shall join them shortly.”  Beraut advised him, giving the guard a weak grin as he did so, which evoked a return smile from the doughty gatekeeper.

“Very well.”

The messenger was dispatched, as Beraut left with his guide, and the wizard was led to a suitable room.  After arriving, a procession of servants entered his room, lugging buckets of water they brought to prepare his bath.  Before long, Beraut was completely immersed in the soothing warm water, but he could hear others entering his room, presumably to take his dirty garments and leave fresh, clean ones in their place.  After drying and dressing himself, he strode into the corridor.  A young dwarf was patiently waiting for him there, ready to lead him to the Royal Dining Hall.