Into the Darkness Book Six of the New Earth Odyssey

Into the Darkness Book Six of the New Earth Odyssey

by

Robert Blumetti

Copyright 1985

By

Robert Blumetti

First Edition 2003: Iuniverse

Second Edition 2019: Scifi Imperium Publishing

Cover art and illustration by Robert Blumetti

ISBN 978-1-67804-009-3

Cover Art by Robert Blumetti

The Dedication

I dedicate this book to two men who inspired me to write it:  J. R. R. Tolkien, whose books filled me with the love of the quest and adventure and Richard Wagner, whose music moved me to appreciate the timelessness of our myths and legends.

Other Books by Robert Blumetti

On Odinism:

Vril: the Secret to a Happy and Successful Life

Vril and Germanic Magic

Vrilology: the Secret Science of the Ancient Aryans

An Introduction to Viktor Rydberg’s Teutonic Mythology

The Book of Balder Rising

The new Book of Balder Rising

The Complete Edda

The Elder Futhark

Yggdrasil Training Program

Hel: Part One

Jotunheim: Part Two

Svartalfheim: Part Three

Niflheim: Part Four

Midgard: Part Five

Muspellheim: Part Six

Ljossalfheim: Part Seven

Vanaheim: Part Eight

Asgard: Part Nine

Fiction:

The Falin Crisis

Galactic Affairs Short Stories

What If?

More What Ifs?

New Earth Odyssey series:

The Return of the White Stone:  Part 1

The Quest Begins: Part 2

The Witch's Cauldron and the Dragon's Fir: Part 3

Fire and Ice: Part 4

The War of the Stones: Part 5

Into the Darkness: Part 6

The Bully-High Lord of Uppsala-Hof

Happy Yule to You Too

Ironstorm

Rache!

The Lion Is Humbled

The Dance of the Titans

President Bonaparte

Chapter One: A Burden Borne No Longer

The sun now shined brightly in the afternoon sky and birds sang their autumn’s farewell in celebration of the liberation of the sun from its dark enslavement. Three legions of Lothangians accompanied by one hundred Maxthoium Riders continued their pursuit of the enemy until they had been driven into the drowning waters of the might Donnor River.  They ruin city of Phandor was now liberated.

On the fields before the city of Lothar, the city’s healers came to collect the wounded and bring them back to their houses to administer their curing care.  The fallen were piled together with care and buried in a great mound that was raised over a common grave.  In years to come a tower reaching 250 feet high would be erected on the spot with a great mirror capping its point that reflected the rays of the sun so that all who lived within hundreds of miles from Lothar would forever be reminded of their sacrifice.

Around Vesten gathered King Sagtrim of Neutria and Tharokon, leader of the Tillenian Army.  With them stood Huntutheim and Junthumor of Neutria, and Fronturon, Commander of the Knights of the Silver Swan in Lothar.  Also with them were the centurions and lords from the other states who had rode with Vesten into battle.  Prince Fayrilon, who was with and General Tyrilon, shouted for all to hear, All hail Vesten, Emperor Returned!

All who were present raised their voices in unison, Hail Vesten!  Hail Lothangia!  Hail to the Light!

The sun was now waxing in the afternoon sky and Vesten led Fayrilon, King Sagtrim and the others up the Grand Highway that led to the city’s gates.  The statues and pillars that lined the road were either broken or knocked over.  Vesten led them to the gates where the population of the city had gathered among the ruins of the battle to raise the white banner of stars and eagle of Lothangia to greet their new sovereign.

General Tyrilon spoke to Vesten.  See, my Lord.  Your people have turned aside their grief and pain to welcome your arrival.  You’re now our Lord.  The Crown of Lothar will be re-forged and placed upon the rightful head once more.

The day for which I’ve waited all my life has come, though I wish the blood spilled was not necessary, Vesten said as he sat on his steed before the gates at the head of his army.  Now I will enter my city and fulfill my destiny.  Then I will take a wife, who will sit beside by as your Empress, and together we will begin rebuilding Lothangia and herald in a new age for Truemans everywhere, once this war is ended.

Vesten rode into the city at last with his army behind him, and at last one age had come to end and a new age had been born.

Palifair’s eyes were filled with misty tears he was reunited with all his friends.  Huck and Rullin were with him, as well as Tom.  Arlindor was standing, leaning on his staff with Magin, Milland and Gordon by his side.  Every was enjoying the moment, hugging and each other as tears of joy rolled down their cheeks.  They watched as they saw Vesten and cheered the loudest when he passed through the gates.  Their reunion blinded them for the moment to the wreckage and slaughter that surrounded them in all direction.  There would be plenty of time to mourn for the fallen, but for now they would revel in their reunion.

Where is Hollin and Anna? Magin asked.  I don’t see them anywhere.  They weren’t . .  Magin could not finish his question.

Hollin was injured, Rowena said.  He’ll be alright.  He was cut on the arm and was taken to the Healing House by Anna.

Well then, Gordon laughed.  We must hasten immediately. Olaf is also wounded.  A sword cut into his leg and Pettin and some of his countrymen took him also to the Healing House.  We have a reunion that is still incomplete.

Before you all go off, there are some who would like to say hello, a voice was heard.  All turned and discovered that the voice belonged to Brimkonor.  He stood between two large Maxthoiums.  Tontok and Kellock began trumpeting their anxiousness.  As Palifair approached these great mountains of muscle and hair, they nodded their huge heads in approval.  He began patting their long trunks, which responded by fondling the young boy’s face.  Their eyes gleamed with friendly recognition.

We rode them into battle, Huck said.  For the first time Palifair noticed that his friends were dressed in battle gear.

Well, now, Palifair said smiling, as he looked over his three friends.  Huck, Rullin and even Tom, you all look like some mythical heroes out of Tom’s book.  Huck and Rullin laughed with puffed cheeks.

We killed trogs, Huck said proudly, as he held up his blood-stained blade.  They jumped up on Tontok here, as we charged right into their ranks.

Huck and Rullin began describing their battle experience.  Palifair beamed with joy at his friends’ excitement, but he noticed that Tom was strangely silent.

What’s the matter, Tom? he asked.  No war tales to talk about?

Tom looked at his friends.  Well, now that I’ve seen war with its killing and death, I just assume go back to Middleboro and spend the rest of my days working in my dad’s inn, if you know what I mean?

Palifair smiled at Tom and put his arm around him.  Arlindor watched and smiled.  You have grown most of all on this quest, Tom.  I think you will come out of this war the wisest?  Tom looked up at the druid.  Arlindor continued.   No matter how far one travels, visits exotic places or interesting people one meets along the way, there is no place like the comfort of home.  Adventures and excitement can never truly replace the comfort, warmth and love of good friends and blood kin.

I think we should all go up to the upper level where our friends are recuperating in the Healing House, Blondor said as he led them into the city.  They all waved farewell to Brimkonor and the maxthoiums as they followed Blondor through the city.  They walk above the city streets as they ascended the first ramp that took them to the next level.  They continue to climb until they reached the level where the great cathedral was located.  It was only slightly damaged from the fires that were catapulted into the city during the siege.  The people of the city stopped and greeted the two druids walking through their city.  They marveled at the sight of the princess of the north walking with Marculon and the Marklander children decked out in battle armor.  People stopped and wondered from what tale they had stepped out.  Many wondered what terrible price had been paid to cause children to be inducted into combat against Allomania.

When they finally came to the healing House they found their friends already there.  Pettin greeted them first and they were glad to hear that Olaf would soon recover completely from injuries.  They found the Tillenian giant in bed and Anna was tending to his leg with a poultice made from a solution of marigold petals, geranium roots and comfrey roots boiled in mountain spring water.  With hands almost alive with a life of their own, she applied the poultice to the laceration on his leg and which she had just sewed it up with a needle and fine treads.  Olaf struggled to smile through the pain, eased by a concoction of willow bark tea and good frothy ale.

Everyone marveled at Anna’s skill.  Hollin, who sat nearby with his arm already bandaged in a sling, smiled with admiration as Blondor and Arlindor watched over Anna with interest as she quickly finished with Olaf’s leg.

There!  That’ll do for now, Anna said as she wiped her forehead free from sweat with her arm and then washed the poultice from her hands in a bowl of water brought to her by an aid.  She then took the towel he handed her and dried them.

Never in all my years have I seen such healing skills as Anna’s, Blondor said.  It’s as if the Lady of Healing fits her hands into Anna’s like gloves whenever she puts them to use in healing her fellow man.

Anna looked at Blondor and smiled.

We knew your mother and both her parents, Arlindor said.  Their lines were healers for generations, but you are by far the most skilled.

I’ve grown up with Anna since were little girls, Rowena said.  I can remember once she found a injured rabbit.  She took it home and cared for it and made it well again.  We were only nine years old at the time.

You remembered that? Anna laughed.  I had forgotten that little bunny after all these years.

Oh, yes, I remember, and more, Rowena said.

That afternoon, after everyone had time to refresh themselves, Blondor had a small meal brought in and they sat about eating.  Everyone began exchanging their experiences in the recent war.  But before long Blondor aroused them and bid them to listen.  They could now hear a noise that grew louder.  When they looked out one of the windows they could see men on horseback triumphal making their way through the city’s levels.  Throngs of people lined the avenues as they passed under a shower of flowers.

Look!  It’s Vesten leading them! Tom shouted as Vesten now rode within view.

Vesten stopped before the Healing House and entered first, followed by those that accompanied him.  When he stepped into the room that they occupied, they stared in wonder at the sight of him.  He was dressed in armor of a legionnaire.

Vesten, Palifair said his name as he greeted the Emperor Returned.  It was you who drove away the darkness.

Yes, Palifair, Vesten smiled at the boy as he spoke.  It was I, and now I have come to see those who fell injured in the defense of the city, and I find old comrades and friends here, and my page.  Vesten beamed a smile at Tom, who blushed.  I wondered where you had disappeared to and fear that some harm had befallen you, Tom.

I had to reach the city.  Palifair was . . . , Tom tried to explain.

Vesten raised his hand.  There is no need to explain, Tom.  I know what happened, and I after I realized that the others had disappeared with you, I figured that you had gone to the city to find Palifair.  I’m proud of you - all of you.

What about us? Brim growled as he and Hagrim entered the room behind Vesten.  We also fought hard to free the city.  Can’t you spar just a little of your food and drink for a couple of weary Guardians from the Mark?

What little refreshments they still had they gladly gave to their two friends, but unspoken words asked what their tongues could not ask about what evil might have robbed Brim of his hand.  Those who did not pass through the Stygian Hole with Brim wanted to know how Brim had come to lose hi right hand.  They stared at the small, metal mace that protruded from Brim’s wrist.

Before they could ask, or Brim could explain, the King of Neutria appeared in full battle gear.  Does not the princess from the north have any greetings for her brother? he asked.

Upon hearing his voice, Princess Valenda rushed into her brother’s inviting arms.  Valenda was finally reunited with her people and kin after so long a separation.

Sagtrim, dear brother, Valenda’s voice broke with emotion as she sobbed tears of joy.  I wondered when I would see and father again.  I heard people speak of the boatmen coming from the north to join us in battle, led by their king.  But where is father?  Has he no come to join us?  Is he ill or injured?"  She looked pass her brother as if expecting to see King Amthrim walk through the door.  When he did not appear, she turned to her brother and her heart broke and tears swelled up in her blue eyes as she read the sorrow in his face.  A dread of grief filled the room.

Father is ill no more, Sagtrim spoke softly.  He was cured by Arlindor and led our people heroically into battle, as is our way.  And on the field of war, before Ortangraal, he was taken by the Vorulha to sit and exchange tales of war and honor with his fathers.

As Valenda surrendered to her grief, tears filled her eyes as she rested her gold-braided head upon her brother’s chest.

Do not grieve, dear sister, Sagtrim spoke tenderly to Valenda.  Father made the beast pay dearly for his death, and avenged his former weakness by sending one of the winged servants into the black void.  His deed will be remembered for eons to come.  He then held his sister’s face in his hands and whipped her tears from her cheeks.  His last words were of you.  He bid me to give you his love.

Valenda looked into Sagtrim’s eyes.  A faint smile crossed her stricken face as his words eased her hurt.  Sagtrim noticed the tall, dark-haired centurion standing behind his sister with a need to hold her and share her grief.  He smiled at the centurion.

You are now king, brother? Valenda finally asked.  She noticed Sagtrim studying Marculon.

Yes, Valenda, Sagtrim answered.  It was I who led our people into battle before this city, and I now carry the red Stone given to me by our father upon his death.

Then, when there is time, there is a question I need to ask you, my brother, my king, she said.

As if Sagtrim somehow knew of the war oath that his sister took, he placed his finger upon her lips.  No need to speak of this matter now.  When this war is over, the time for asking will come and then, perhaps, this shadow that has burdened your heart for so long might be lifted, at last?

When this war is over? Tom almost shouted the question.  I thought we won?

We have only won a battle, Tom, Blondor explained.  The beast still lives in his lair, licking his wounds.  And a wounded animal is the most dangerous.  We will have to pursuit this war by seeking him out and killing him in his lair.

Blondor is right, Vesten said.  I have yet to bring this war to a victorious conclusion.  When the crown is refashioned and placed upon my head, I will lead what armies I may find willing to follow with me into Allomania itself, into the very halls of Zhidoyard and hunt down the Lord of Darkness.  His evil shadow will be vanquished for all time.  Truemankind must be freed from this evil and I will do it or die trying.  This I swear upon my birthright.

Vesten’s eyes searched the room, so that everyone present could see for themselves of his resolve.  They saw standing before