Chapter One: A Gathering of Peoples

Tranith Argan: Book 6

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Felanar returns to Argan to lead the fleet.

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On the fourth day’s sail the Erenár fleet arrived at Lookout Point. Felanar had rejoiced at every glimpse of Arenar land the previous day, from the inlet that led to Riverton to the great expanse of Larmoth Bay with its fishing fleet. Nothing cheered him more than the sight before him as his ship approached Lookout Point. There he beheld, in the bright sunshine of a perfect mid-summer’s day, sail after sail of a great fleet of ships already anchored near land. This was the most impressive fleet he had seen, considerably more than the previous invasion effort back in late winter which had seemed so vast at the time. At least fifty ships stretched across his vision, their sails forming a sea of white against the green and blue horizon. On the shore he saw another sight that filled him with emotion: thousands of men and dwarves who were lined up and boarding the ships. Felanar thought again how much responsibility had been granted him. All these ships and all this vast army were at his command.

Felanar’s ship anchored at a dock nearest the center of the fleet, a slip that had been held in wait for his arrival. He disembarked and sought out the military leaders of the armies. Whom he found first surprised him.

“Brother!” cried Kara as she rushed up to him with a great hug of welcome.

“Kara!” said Felanar with laughter in his voice as he returned the hug. “I did not expect to see you here today.”

“Don’t worry,” she said, “I haven’t changed my mind about going on this journey, but at the very least I thought I should see the army off from this point.”

“Who is in charge of Tranith Argan?”

Kara laughed. “Anarth, and with my blessing.”

“You have come to trust the old regent?” asked Felanar.

“Yes, he has proven to be a decent old man after all.”

Felanar looked at the plain that stretched out before him and saw the bustling of armies getting equipment ready to be placed on ships. There were thousands of men either carrying objects or standing around awaiting orders. Kara touched Felanar’s arm and pointed to a man approaching them.

“Here is Brendis,” she said. “He will lead the men of Tranith Argan under your command.”

Brendis bowed before Felanar which gave Felanar time to take in this new army leader’s appearance. He had seen him before in meetings in Tranith Argan with Ravis and his lieutenants. Brendis was older than Ravis, his face framed by grey hair and a neatly-trimmed beard. His face was ruddy and healthy in appearance; he looked fit and trim. The lines around his eyes displayed age as well as leadership.

“I am glad to see you again, Brendis,” he said.

“I am honored to stand with you at such a time,” said Brendis in his deep voice.

“May you always feel this way on the battlefield,” said Felanar.

“My lord, you can be assured I am familiar with the ways of battle,” replied Brendis with eyes narrowing as he smiled, “and I know that the meaning of flow allows for things to go in both directions. I will not panic as events flow badly for I will know things can reverse quickly.”

“Then we can work well together, Brendis. Tell me, what is the state of our troops?”

Brendis gestured behind him.

“The last of your men are reaching the shore now, many of whom are already on the elven ships. My troops are on your royal ship for it was my assumption, and the queen’s suggestion, that you would wish me to share the voyage with you to discuss strategy.”

“Quite right,” said Felanar. “Where is my ship?” “Just to the left there, sire,” pointed Brendis. “Ah, thank you.”

“In all, the men of Argan bring five thousand soldiers to the effort, and along with them come two thousand more from Delendor and the Golden Lakes and from Talenar. To that add three thousand dwarves and, I have been informed, two thousand elves not counting the water elves who pilot the ships. You command an army of twelve thousand in all, a great alliance of the free peoples of the world, representing the three great races.”

Felanar scanned the horizon as if to count this vast army and he saw that his initial impression was correct: this was a much greater army than the winter effort. If he had had this army back then . . . Then he stopped himself from thinking about the past and looked around for the dwarves.

“Is Dolen here?” he asked.

“Yes, sire, he and his men are camped on the east side of the water over there.”

“I look forward to seeing him again,” said Felanar.

“He and I had a very pleasant meal in the palace when his army reached the city,” said Kara. “We reminisced about many things, as you can imagine.”

“Yes,” said Felanar, “I certainly can.”

“I will go back to organizing our men for the voyage, with your permission, sire,” said Brendis.

“By all means,” said Felanar, “when will we be ready to embark?”

“I should think within the next four or five hours would be sufficient,” said Brendis. “The last of the troops are reaching shore and we just have to divide the troops according to plan and finish loading the provisions. I will get word to you when we are ready and then you can give the signal when it is time.”

“Very good, Brendis, I look forward to talking with you onboard the ship.”

Brendis bowed again and turned back to his waiting troops.

“He seems trustworthy,” said Felanar, “but I have been fooled before. Do you trust him, sister?”

“I do,” said Kara. “More to the point, Terón does and that satisfies me.”

“I have heard of this Terón,” said Felanar. “Is he as impressive as described?”

Kara nodded with wide eyes.

Felanar stepped back in mild surprise. “Interesting.”

“Elves amaze me,” said Kara.

“As they do me,” said Felanar.

“What news of Alessa?” asked Kara with some concern. “I heard she is missing.”

Felanar’s face darkened as he nodded.

“I am worried about her,” he said. “Heléste constantly asked me of her and wanted reassurance, which I gave her without conviction, I’m afraid.”

“She is in danger?” asked Kara.

“No one knows!” said Felanar. “That’s the worst part of it. Why has she sent no news back home? Why did the elves searching for her find no trace? I do not know what happened to her or why she has remained out of contact, so I am frankly worried in ways I never let on to her mother.”

“This is bad,” said Kara. “It’s not like her to do this. What got into her head to disobey her parents, I wonder?”

“I can imagine,” replied Felanar. “She was so anxious to take part in something.”

“Mmm . . . yes, and she perhaps developed a taste for excitement,” said Kara.

“Maybe so,” said Felanar, “though she had much to hate about the excitement we had together. She might instead have felt a sense of responsibility toward the effort we all face, a determination to strike back at the forces she grew to hate.”

“But why haven’t we heard from her?” wondered Kara again.

Felanar scanned the horizon as some movement caught his eye. Troops were lining up by the docks to board one ship after another, and he saw that the dwarves were being placed on ships with troops of men.

“Do you see Dolen?” he asked his sister.

“Yes, look over there,” said Kara as she pointed east and toward the water. “See that large group of troops in front of those trees? He is there. He looks forward to seeing you again.”

“Then let us find him,” said Felanar as he began walking in that direction while Kara followed.

“You are looking well,” she said as they marched across fields of green and passed regiments of soldiers awaiting their turn to board the ships.

“Thank you, sister, and so are you.”

“Elven food agrees with you, I think,” she said. “You got thin and drawn from our experience in western lands. It’s good to see you looking healthy and fit as I remember it.”

“More so than when mother cooked for us?” Felanar laughed.

“I would never tell her so, but yes, I think elven food suits you more than the stews of our childhood.”

“Enjoying sauces in the palace, are you?” he asked.

Kara smiled. “I don’t know why I ever complained.”

Felanar greeted a few Argan soldiers he recognized as they kept walking east toward the dwarf encampment.

“Have you had any difficulties in ruling?” Felanar asked. “You say Anarth has been helpful, and this makes me glad to hear it given your previous encounter with him, and I know Ravesfel has been contrite from what Llarand tells me. So what sorts of decisions do you face on a daily basis?”

“Simple things for the most part,” said Kara. “Conflicts resolved, palace matters that need to be decided, that sort of decision-making. The hardest decisions have to do with defense of the city and there I have been greatly helped by the military mind of Brendis and by the elves who guard me. They have had some interesting strategy discussions together and I have learned a lot just by listening.”

“Always an effective approach to education,” agreed Felanar.

“So when I made a decision about defense,” Kara continued, “it was with the knowledge behind me that there was wisdom in it.”

“Have you kept enough troops behind to defend the city?”

“I think so,” said Kara. “It will require each man to do his duty carefully and faithfully — and truth be told I sent the best men to help you — but we should have enough troops to man the defenses if there is a cause for it. The elves have worked out some interesting strategic maneuvers we can use in case the city comes under attack from superior forces. I think we can hold out if need be. I hope there will be no need, however.”

“I do not anticipate it,” said Felanar as they drew close to the dwarves, “but I do not plan on taking any chances this time. I want everything secure and prepared.”

“Are our parents safe?” asked Kara. “Did Llarand tell you about the plan to kidnap them?”

“Yes he did,” said Felanar, “and I took action to bring them back to Elaria until the war is over. They were on their way on an Erenár ship when we set forth a few days ago. Llarand promised to look after them, and I think they will be comfortable enough alone there.”

“What about Pross and Jela?” asked Kara.

“I have not heard,” said Felanar. “Perhaps they will accompany our parents to Elaria, or perhaps they have been set up in Brindledown to the point where they are comfortable there now. I would be curious to hear.”

“I will send someone to Brindledown to find out,” said Kara, “and I will make sure they are doing well. If they are not yet comfortable there, they can stay with me in Tranith Argan and I will see to it they are happy.”

“More comfortable with you, I could imagine,” said Felanar. “But more comfortable in the palace I cannot. Perhaps it would have been best to have them accompany our parents to Elaria. I hope they come.”

“I will give them that option if I see them,” said Kara.

“Thank you, sister, you are very helpful to me to take care of matters of state and family.”

“I am glad to do it,” said Kara.

Felanar looked at his sister carefully.

“No, I mean it,” said Kara, returning his gaze. “I know, you think I want to be a warrior on the battlefield, but in fact that is not what I love. I am happy to take the responsibility of the throne in your absence.”

Felanar nodded and simply said, “Thank you.”

They both turned as a greeting was yelled in the near distance. A troop of dwarves was gathered around a small group who were issuing orders, and in this group stood Dolen waving both arms toward Felanar. Felanar rushed up and hugged his battlefield friend.

“So good to see you again,” he told the dwarf king.

“Aye, it is good to be together again, king of men,” said Dolen, “on such an occasion as this. We seek the field of battle once more. Glory awaits us!”

“May it be so, king of the dwarves,” said Felanar. “I am honored that you brought so many of your folk to this battle. I hear you bring three thousand of your people to this fight. I bow to you in thanks.”

The dwarves within eyesight of this act murmured in approval at this show of respect for their king. The cause of their people was clearly in response to the death of Dolen’s father on the battlefield, but knowing that the overall battle was to be directed by the king of Tranith Argan instead of their own king was not as popular. To see firsthand the closeness of the two kings, and to see the king of men showing honor to the king of dwarves met with their approval.

“Will you be boarding my ship?” asked Felanar. “We have plans to coordinate and there is much you need to know before we reach our destination.”

“Will there be room for my lieutenants?” asked Dolen as he gestured around him.

“Yes, of course,” said Felanar, “bring as many as you need to direct the fight. We will coordinate our actions from my ship with Erenár communication from ship to ship down the line. Your people will be directed by you via this method.”

“We will be fighting from the ships?” asked Dolen uncertainly.

“I will explain it all,” said Felanar. “For now, bring aboard the dwarves you need to coordinate your troops.”

“Aye, that shall be done,” said Dolen.

“It is good to see you again,” smiled Felanar.

“And you too, my friend,” laughed Dolen, “as long as no dungeons will be involved this time.”

“I have no such plans,” said Felanar. “Do you know which is my ship?”

“No,” said Dolen.

“In the center, on the main dock over there,” pointed Felanar. “I will send someone to escort you when we are ready. We should embark in about four hours.”

“Plenty of time,” said Dolen. “We shall have a feast of departure before we leave.”

“I will see you on board later,” said Felanar as he once again embraced the dwarf.

Felanar and Kara then strolled back toward his ship.

“I anticipate either a quick resolution to our conflict,” said Felanar, “or at most a few weeks of fighting before we prevail. I hope you shall not have to sit on the throne more than a month or two. I know how you don’t care for statecraft despite your words of support now.”

“Please don’t concern yourself with my welfare,” reassured Kara. “Think about what is ahead of you and take as much time as needed. I will be fine, and I do not mind assisting you in this way.”

“I know, Kara, but I also know that your way is not to be locked up in a throne room, and I hope to free you from this burden soon. Have you thought about what you want to do when this conflict is over? Do you want to assist my rule is some way, perhaps traveling the realm on my behalf or the like?”

“No, I do not know what I will ultimately do with my life,” said Kara, “though circumstances might dictate my actions. I hate to think of it, but I do realize that you are going into a conflict that could possibly cost you your life. If that were to happen, upon the throne I will stay for the rest of my life.”

“I will not die,” said Felanar.

“You cannot know that,” argued Kara, “and I wish you would take the idea more seriously. Overconfidence is what foiled your efforts last time.”

“That, and unexpected developments!” countered Felanar.

“Yes, of course, but you know that war always brings the unexpected. Just be careful and do not assume victory.”

“No, no, you’re right,” said Felanar, “and I do take very seriously the steps I am about to take. I feel more confident in my experience, and in the size of the army I now lead, and in the plans the elves and I have developed. But you’re right that these next few weeks will bring the unexpected, and one possible outcome could be that I lose my life. I hope not, if for no other reason than to spare you from the throne, a life I know you do not wish.”

“It sounds as if you do not wish it either,” said Kara, “for that is what you indicated you would do once you settled on the throne: give it up.”

Felanar was silent to that as they continued walking. Seeing that he was not going to respond to her statement, Kara continued.

“I hope you complete your mission soon too,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you back in Tranith Argan and on the throne.”

As they reached the water’s edge, a familiar voice called out to Kara. They looked up and saw Narón, the Erenár captain who had befriended Kara, waving from the stern of his elven ship. Both Kara and Felanar waved back and saw Narón jump over the side of the Faris onto the dock and swiftly walk toward them.

“Narón!” cried Kara as she embraced him. “How are you, my friend?”

“I am well, Kara,” he replied, staring at her warmly, “and thou art well too?”

“I art well,” Kara joked.

Narón laughed and greeted Felanar with a handshake.

“Thou—you are well too?” he asked the king.

“Very well, Narón,” said Felanar. “It is good to see you again. I understand I am not to be on your ship this time, and I am sorry for that, but perhaps we will join arms on the battlefield once again as before, this time with better results.”

“I will be in the ship nearest yours,” said Narón. “The Faris stands at the ready to carry out your orders.”

“Good, then we will definitely be together on the field of battle.”

“One way or the other,” said Kara, “you will have proven to be a pivotal player in the history of Tranith Argan.”

“I wonder what my brothers would think of that?” mused Narón.

“Not much,” said Kara, “but that never seems to bother you.”

“No, nor do you seem to care what the Erenár think of you either.”

“I know not to jump aboard an Erenár ship without an invitation,” said Kara smiling.

“When has that ever stopped you before?” laughed Narón. “Which ship will you be on this time, Felanar’s? Or can you join me on the Faris?”

“Neither,” said Kara, “for I remain behind to tend to the affairs of the throne in the king’s absence.”

“Oh,” said Narón, “I am sorry to hear it.”

“Because you want me on your ship?” asked Kara.

Narón laughed. “Yes, there is an element of that, ‘tis true, but I also know how little you care for the throne of men, and I feel sorry you will miss out on the battle. I have seen you in battle, after all.”

Kara turned to Felanar.

“Does no one think I like ruling Tranith Argan?”

“No,” said Felanar and Narón simultaneously.

Kara blushed.

“I will do my best,” she murmured.

“Of that, I have no doubt,” said Narón, “for thou art responsible.”

“Thank you, Narón,” said Kara.

“I am glad you will be nearby, Narón,” said Felanar. “I will have Erenár aboard my official Argan vessel, and I will need the help of your people to coordinate the actions of the fleet.”

“It has been explained to me,” said Narón, “and the plan is a good one. It is an honor to once again be by your side in this struggle. May this fleet prove vast enough to carry the day this time.”

“With no reinforcements from the autarch and I hope no threat from the dragons,” said Felanar, “I think it likely that we will prevail this time.”

“My people will work with thine to see that it does,” said Narón.

“May I board your ship once again,” asked Kara, “just to remember our old adventure?”

“Go ahead, Kara,” said Felanar, “for I have some planning to do for my ship. I will meet you on the dock later.”

Narón and Kara walked back toward the Faris while Felanar headed in the opposite direction. In just a few hours the fleet would be off. Felanar still had some coordination to complete, but for the most part things were in motion already. The fleet had yet to sail, but in a sense the armies were already moving forward, the engines of war in motion that could not now be easily stopped. Whatever was going to be the ultimate outcome, the process had begun. Felanar knew now that it was simply a matter of orchestrating the pieces to achieve the best results. It was a game of pieces on a board that encompassed the world. He was the master of those pieces, and each piece represented a precious life, but the board was so vast that the pieces were being dwarfed.

As the hours dwindled before the fleet was to set sail, this thought never left Felanar’s mind as he worked with ship’s captains and army lieutenants and farmer suppliers: every person was playing a part in this immense game. This gathering of peoples was unprecedented in the history of the world. It was a great alliance of all lands. It was the final attempt to bring peace to this world. And it all fell upon Felanar’s shoulders to lead. He stopped and looked from one side of the horizon to the other and thought about this responsibility that was placed upon him by accident of birth and circumstance of effort. He felt, not burdened by it all, but it was a weight. Yet it was a good weight, an immense tool that he could bring to bear in this fight against the enemy. He looked around again and a simple thought filled his mind.

He was ready.