The Black Altar: An Epic Fantasy (The Swords of the Sun Book 1) by Jack Conner

Author:Jack Conner [Conner, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epic Fantasy
Published: 2020-07-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Baleron looked around to see the Elves trading dire looks, but he only frowned. “The Swords of the Sun?” he said. “I have not even heard a distant rhyme regarding them, whatever they are. But … they could prove useful?”

Lorivanneth said, “Karkost believed that the Swords of the Sun posed a risk to the Altar, and he spent much of his strength on stealing them from their rightful owners—not because he wanted to use them to destroy it but because he anticipated claiming it one day and wanted to make sure others could not break it once he had it in his possession. Fortunately, he was never able to make much progress on that goal, as—to judge from the dates—not long after that his priorities shifted into transferring his soul into the body of a dragon. And it was shortly thereafter that Corugvar—Gilgaroth—tired of his insolence and moved against him.”

Alathon looked rueful. “And yet now Karkost is back, in dragon form, no less, and Corugvar is but a spirit—potent and fell, yes, and in command of many legions, but bound to the location where his Tower fell, where Illistriv runs wild, loosed from his physical form.”

“Is it so?” Isella said.

“It is said that Borchstogs travel from all around to give sacrifice to their fallen Master,” Alathon said. “And he still instructs and leads them. Mogra commands her own legions, but she is shut up in their great fortress of Ghrastigor, and sends her priestesses out to do her bidding. None can breach the walls of that black fortress, deep in the heart of Oslog. I have heard that Borchstogs are building a highway between Ghrastigor and the site of Krogbur, the Black Tower, where the Master yet dwells and gives orders.”

“You see much for one who remains unseen by others,” Rolenya observed.

“We are hidden, but we are not unaware,” said Alathon. “We remain vigilant, and there are still those who deal with us on the Outside.” Baleron sensed something unsaid in his words, perhaps something important, but he had other business, and he did not think the King was willing to talk about his omission at the moment in any case.

“Back to these Swords,” Baleron said. “These Swords of the Sun. Just what are they, and how can they help?”

Alathon appraised him. “Just how much do you know of the history of Vatha—which is the World?”

Baleron shrugged. “I know enough. I know of Lorg-jilaad and the early wars, at least some of it. I know more of Gilgaroth and the later wars. And I know quite a bit about the most recent one.”

“The way I hear it, you are the one that brought it about,” said Feren.

Baleron did not comment.

“What do you know of the Exodus?” Alathon said. “When many Elves left the Blessed Realm and came to Vatha?”

“Very little,” Baleron admitted.

“Well, then I will take a moment to acquaint you with some pertinent history, if that is all right with you, and with the others, who have heard this all before.

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