Race to the Prize
Virnee
Chapter One:
A Child’s Tale
Virnee Naduhl sat in the back of the large theatre listening to the orchestra’s annual concert. They were performing spectacularly, as usual. Notes from every possible instrument known to the intelligent races were floating softly on the air, creating beautiful landscapes in the listeners mind. But unfortunately, the beauty of Ardian’s best melodies was not enough to captivate the young Mruid Elbon. Her mind insisted upon calling her attention to the war that threatened her land and demanded that she form a plan immediately. The problem was that they did not have enough resources to fight both Iamar Nukpana and the Black Blight at once. Virnee’s weary head dropped into her hands. How were they to protect their lands from these threats?
With a sigh, Virnee rose from her seat and quietly mad her way to the exit. She needed to be alone with her thoughts for the moment and the cool evening air would help to clear her mind. A cool breeze greeted her as she stepped out of the theatre. She pulled her cloak tighter and began to walk down the cobblestone path; thoughts of the war and plague ran through her mind as she tried to decide how to best protect her kingdom.
Lost in thought, Virnee did not notice the shadow that trailed her until it spoke her name.
“Lady Virnee,” a voice said. She spun around, startled, and searched the streets from which she had made her exit. A darkened silhouette shifted in the sheltered shadows of the stone bridge that arched above the street. Apprehension settled in the pit of her stomach like tainted ice.
“Who’s there?” she called out, her voice calm though her heart pounded beneath her cloak. The figure stirred beneath the darkness of the bridge.
“I have not the time for games,” Virnee stated sternly, “Either reveal yourself and state your business or be gone!” The shadowed person stepped from his shelter, revealing himself at last, and began to slowly make his way towards the princess. The man’s black cloak billowed gently about his tall frame as he moved. Silver tresses hung freely and swayed with each step. Predatory silver-blue eyes watched Virnee carefully. Thin lips feigning warmth curved into a small smile. Virnee immediately recognized the man’s cold face and air of importance, though this did nothing to comfort the Mruid Elbon.
“Lord Gren,” she said her voice forcefully cordial, “what a pleasant surprise.” Oh, how she detested being forced to be kind to those she so passionately loathed.
The man nodded taking her hand and kissing it in a gentlemanly manor. “What manner of business calls Ardian’s Mruid Elbon out so late at night with no proper escort to protect her?” Virnee scowled. The princess did not need protecting. She was well trained for battle and had extensive knowledge of both weaponry and hand to hand combat, which Gren knew of first hand. Virnee despised being treated as if she were a precious doll.
“The orchestra’s annual performance was tonight,” she replied taking her hand back, “I never miss a chance to see our young musicians at their best, as you well know.”
“I do, my Lady,” he nodded dropping his hand to his side and smiling. Virnee repressed the urge to shudder. Somehow, Gren made even the simplest and kindest of gestures seem to resonate with some evil intent.
To be fair, the man seemed trustworthy in all appearances. She had even heard a few say that he was an honest man whom they would entrust their lives to. The princess knew differently however. She knew how black his heart truly was.
“And how is Ardian’s best tonight?” he asked brushing a wisp of silver from his eyes.
“Very well,” she replied, “wonderfully so,”
“Then, if I may be so bold, why is the Mruid Elbon leaving before the show is through?” A curious smile widened on his face causing Virnee to avert her gaze in disgust.
“Unfortunately, I have some business to attend to,” she replied, “So if you’ll excuse me.” She quickly bowed to the older man and turned to continue on her way. Gren hesitated before following her once again.
“Is there something more you wish to discuss with me Lord Gren?” Virnee asked impatiently. She halted and turned to him.
“No my Lady,” he replied bowing low, “I was merely going to offer my services as an escort if it would please the princess.”
“I’m sure I am quite able to find my own way home but thank you for your offer.”
“I am not suggesting that my Lady will get lost. I am simply saying that it is late and very dangerous for a Lady of the Court to be out on her own.” The silver haired man took a few steps towards her, offering her his arm with a smile.
“Lord Gren, if anyone is simple enough to attack a member of the Royal Family then they shall learn first hand what you yourself learned long ago,” Virnee replied curtly stopping his advances. The smile disappeared from his face and was replaced by anger and embarrassment. “Now, if you will excuse me. My father is awaiting my arrival and I must not disappoint the King. Goodnight.” Virnee bowed again and left the elder glaring after her.
~*~
“What are we to do?” Rashna asked studying the map. “The Iamar Nukpana’s armies have cut off all paths to our allies. We’re isolated.”
“I’m well aware of that counselor,” Virnee replied irritated.
“Then what are we going to do?”
“The Paley River doesn’t provide us the coverage we need. We’ll lose too many men,” she said thoughtfully, “The Shauny Path will take too long, we’ll surely lose too many to Old Man Winter.”
“What about…” the counselor paused fearfully, “what about Durithina Ulna?”
“The Way of the Dead?” Virnee’s head jerked up, “No mortal may set foot on that land. Even the immortal among us don’t dare to tread it.”
“If you lead the way…”
“I haven’t the skill nor the knowledge to lead our men to their death!” she stated rising from her seat, “Nor would I do it if I had!” The sound of a throat being cleared drew the Murid Elbon’s attention to a feeble looking man in the corner. Mirintur the Wizard leaned on his staff and gazed at them through wizened eyes.
“There may be another way,” he said in a raspy, tired voice, “there is rumor of an artifact, a sword that may be of great use to us.”
“A sword?” Rashna asked without bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. Rashna had never been overly fond of the old man and had never strived to hide this fact either. “How may a sword help us?”
“It is a sword of great power and if wielded by the pure of heart to protect those in danger it will do great damage.”
“Where is it?” the counselor asked, doubtfully. The old wizard shrugged.
“That, you would have to discover for yourselves. But, only those familiar with Necedah will be able to locate it.”
“The ancient scrolls? What do they have to do with the sword?” The wizard looked at Virnee as if urging her to explain.
“Necedah contains a legend of a whistling sword, Trinkunt. Which is said to hold the magic that keeps our lands alive within its very steel,” Virnee explained, “But I thought that was only a child’s tale. Everyone knows that Necedah is nothing more than tales of the old handed down to amuse children.” The wizard shook his head.
“In every fiction, there is an element of truth.”
“This sword actually exists?” Rashna asked rolling his eyes.
“As far as my search has shown, yes, the Trinkunt exists,” Mirintur nodded, “and it may be the only thing that will save this land from the terrors of the Iamar Nukpana.”
Virnee sat down and hung her head suddenly weary. Her faith in the wizard was strong. If Mirintur believe this sword existed then there was a good chance that it did. The old man was rarely wrong, especially in times like these.
The princess let out a wearied sigh. She knew what she had to do, but to leave her people to search out a child’s tale? It was going to take a large length of time to locate this sword, and what of her people during that search? Were they to suffer and die in her absence? And what of this sword? Would it really bring the Iamar Nukpana down? What if it Mirintur was wrong? What then?
“Mirintur, I leave you in charge,” Virnee said at length. She stood up, her resolve hardening. She had to take this chance, for her people’s sake.
“Virnee, don’t tell me you’re going to hunt out this sword!” Rashna cried out in disbelief, “We don’t even know where it is hidden. For that matter, we don’t even know for certain that it exists!”
“Mirintur believes it exists,” Virnee stated firmly, “so it must exist.”
“Even if it does exist, how do you plan to track it down?” Rashna asked defiantly, “It could be anywhere!”
“According to legend the Sword can be found somewhere in the Mists.”
“Virnee, this is suicide…”
“Are you questioning my decision, a Royal decision?”
“My Lady, what of your people during your absence? They will surely want to know what came of their Mruid Elbon, their Princess. What will we tell them?”
“Tell them that I have gone in search of hope and I will not fail them. I cannot fail them.”
“I must protest…”
“Rashna, have my horse readied. I leave at once.” With that, Virnee left the two to prepare herself for the coming journey. Rashna dropped back into his seat and put his head in his head.
“Pray the Gods watch over her and us in the coming days,” he whispered.
“Pray indeed,” Mirintur agreed.
~*~
It had been fourteen days, two weeks, past the day of Virnee’s departure from her city. She had counted ever sunset with a mix of fear and resolute and hope. With each fallen night, her fears overcame her and she could do more then lay on the ground silently. But as the sun rose, her determination would be that much stronger.
It wasn’t long after that morning’s sunrise that Virnee came within view of the village.