Chereads / Codex Valorum / Chapter 4 - A Clash of Wills

Chapter 4 - A Clash of Wills

Compelled by his wrath towards Borzolleth, Alister rode tirelessly toward the unscrupulous tower of Ath Nunroz, his golden hair tousled and tangled by the brutal and dry winds rushing past him, but Alister cared not and shook it off as he made haste toward his destination. It wasn't long before The Golden Knight found himself standing at the precipice of the Wildlands and could sense the eyes of the wicked Nemdine lord watching him as well as feel the corrupt aura of the very lands before him emanating forth, threatening to poison the rest of Valoria should it be allowed to fester and spew forth unchecked. Drawing his blade and preparing his shield Latarr pressed forth into the Wildlands.

The Golden Knight pushed deeper into the hostile region where the air about him began to feel increasingly hot and arid as Alister neared the obsidian tower. He met little resistance from the Naelgaur but could sense their presence all around him, observing his every move and whispering amongst themselves. Alister cared little as long as they stayed out of his way while he brought their master to justice for his crimes. As the righteous knight neared the looming outlook he felt a chill run across his skin, but the overwhelming presence of evil deterred him not as he approached the tower's large ornate entrance the elaborately carved ebony doors began to open as if to permit Alister entrance into the profane citadel. Dismounting his horse without a moment of hesitation and began to ascend the large stairway outside the tower.

As Alister crossed the threshold into Ath Nunroz the large elaborate doors began to slowly swing closed behind him. Making his way deeper into the unlit edifice, The Golden Knight was taken aback by how massive the tower's interior had been as he reached the foot of a giant stairwell that spiralled towards the top of the wicked monument. Sensing his brother's overwhelming presence close to the top of the spire Alister began to fearlessly ascend the grand staircase.

After climbing for what seemed like an eternity The Valiant Knight approached the top when suddenly from within his mind bellowed the menacing voice of his brother, "Alister, mine brother, how glorious it is to finally meet thou. Hast thou come to join mine expansive armies?" The voice inside Alister's head seemed to chuckle before he continued, "Of course not, for thou are far too righteous to turn thy back on thy brethren Nemdine, yet what am I to thee if not blood thyself? Yet thou cast me aside and dare enter mine territory to claim mine head." Borzolleth's words dripped with malignancy in Alister's mind, but still, the knight was not deterred as he crested the final stairs of the tower, finding himself face to face with another massive set of decorated double doors, this time flanked on either side by two enormous armoured trolls.

If the guards had detected Alister's entrance they let on no sign of it as they stood ever vigilant while guarding their dark master's throne room. As the gold-clad knight began approaching the doors though the two troll guards seemed to bound to life, each of them gripping a gargantuan glaive in a threatening manner towards Alister. The knight wasted no time drawing his pristine blade from its sheath and charging the two trolls before the voice of Borzolleth rang out in his head once more, "Foolish brother, thou could not possibly take on mine troll generals single-handedly, yet fear not brother for I shall allow thou passage into mine throne room." Alister halted his charge as did the trolls who quickly went back to their posts flanking either side of the door as if nothing had happened.

Alister approached the entryway once again with a small amount of hesitation before the ornate doors slowly opened with a long groan, revealing a lavish room. Beautiful tapestries adorned the walls depicting various battles during the Zazzitcoss as drapes of crimson and gold fabrics cascaded down from the roof, softly fluttering in the feeble breeze that flowed in from the open balcony doors. Scanning the chamber the knight saw no indication of Borzolleth, but as he advanced towards the immense throne at the back of the room, the dark Nemdine emerged from the open balcony Alister had noted moments earlier.

"Greetings mine brother, it is a pleasure to finally meet thou brow to brow. I trust mine dwelling is to thy liking?" The Dark Nemdine said with a sly but somehow charming grin, this time using his voice to speak. Alister started to grind his teeth together before he bit back, "Thou live 'i the lap of luxury while thy creations run amok 'i the forests, towns and mountains of our domain. What say thou about thy crimes against all Valoria?" Borzolleth let out a chuckle at the pathetic attempts of his brother to condemn him for what the other Nemdine perceived to be his offences. "Doth thou regard me like one of thy obedient hunting mutts? That thou can kick me and I shall return to thy side without question?" The Dark Lord asked quizzically as he motioned towards a large table set with lavish cutlery and beautifully detailed dishware that Alister had failed to notice during his earlier scan of the room, "Join me and sit brother, we shall discuss these matters over a feast." Borzolleth finished as he moved to take a seat at the head of the large table, his movements filled with grace more fitting the likes of Nirwë or Ñandener than a Dark Lord.

The room fell quiet save for the clanking of metal armour as Alister moved to take the seat opposite his brother at the large table. "Thou shall bid thy creations back to the wildlands. I care not how thou doth get it done, but time is of the essence." The Righteous Knight said calmly, trying his hardest to maintain his composure as he stared The Dark Lord down from across the table they both sat at. "Secondly thou shall surrender what remains of the Water of Creation thou coveted at thy birth." Alister finished as he slammed his fist down on the table with a hash thud, a tinge of his fiery rage poking through the calm facade he had tried to preserve. Borzolleth interlocked his armoured fingers as he sat silently for a moment contemplating the demands set before him.

Standing up while grabbing a chalice of wine from the table, The Dark Lord began walking towards the balcony with his arms held behind his back, "Well mine brother, to thy first demand I shall admit I hast no control over the traitors whom once bid themselves among mine Naelgaur thralls, thou may do with 'em as thou wishes." Taking a long sip from his chalice Borzolleth continued, "As for thy second demand I shall do no such thing, the Waters of Creation are mine birthright and I intend to preserve it 'i mine possession"

Bounding to his feet, Alister charged at Borzolleth with his sword drawn when The Dark Lord raised a single hand and The Righteous Knight found himself immediately paralyzed. Unable to move Alister was powerless to watch as Borzolleth seemed to glide towards him, "Thou believed I would permit thou into mine throne room as to be struck down where I stand? Methinks not brother, thou shall remain imprisoned 'i the darkest depths of mine dungeons!" With a dismissive wave of his hand, Borzolleth began to vacate the chamber.

Alister stood in place unable to struggle as he watched his brother make his exit. A few moments later a handful of goblin troopers entered the room and began setting chains on the knight before beginning to haul him out of the throne room and down the stairs he had tirelessly climbed shortly before. The goblins conversed amongst themselves in their dark tongues as they dragged their prize deeper into the foreboding depths of Ath Nunroz.