The Iron Forest: Ancestor's Legacy

Light through overcast skies foretold the coming of spring. The distant mountain tops turned less white, the wind growing warmer each day.

King Shunlin looked across the Chotukhan Valley toward the west. His face burned from the cold chill as it had for months since his wedding day. Fire and boiling oil left scars, turning him from a man into a hideous monster. He suffered from unimaginable pain while recovering as the flesh peeled in layers of puss filled blisters. The real agony came when people turned away from his scars.

Because of this, the king acquired a new face. A helm of blackened steel carried a gold mask of his likeness. Talons fitted into a steel crown topped his head with black armor beneath a crow’s feathered cloak.

He still felt pain from his scars, but it was good pain—a reminder that somewhere out there was his queen, hidden among the godless tribes of the Shankur. He would find her, take his heir, then give her the punishment she deserved.

“Have you brought me what I asked for?” Shunlin asked to footsteps behind him. He turned to see Pavel covered in dust.

“I have, your majesty.” He held out his hand that glowed blue in the early evening dusk.

Shunlin grinned as he held it up to admire the magic inside. “And the Shankur? Did they put up any resistance?”

“No, your grace. We did not encounter the Shankur. The key was found on Sana… I mean, Queen Ranina.”

That shocked him. “My queen? You have her?” The grin across his face brought about fresh pain as the few remaining scabs crackled.

Pavel hesitated. “I’m afraid not, your grace. We were ambushed by Shainxu wizards. They used a magic I never seen before. General Balon fought them off to give me time to ride with the key and ensure it didn’t make its way back to the enemy.”

Shunlin felt little worry, confident in his troops. He knew it was only a matter of time till the general would walk through the halls with his queen in chains. He pondered for months about what punishment she deserved for causing his disfigurement. Perhaps she should be burned alive and stabbed—for a start.

Footsteps came from the shadowy hall. But they were not that of the mighty general. Instead, they sounded weak and wispy, like a timid child.

A wary, young soldier emerged from the dark hall clutching a basket wrapped in leather. “My apologies, your majesty. I was commanded to deliver a message.” He placed the basket on the ground, opened the lid, and took a few steps back.

Pavel gasped before clutching his mouth as his face turned green. “That can’t be.”

Surprise caught Shunlin off-guard as well. General Balon’s severed head stared out from the basket. “Who did this?”

The soldier stammered. “I-it w-was… the queen. She swung the sword.” He whined at the king’s growl. “She told me to tell you the Shankur will not be defeated.”

Rage pulsed through Shunlin’s veins, but he waved the man away. He turned toward Pavel. “Sana. That’s your sister, right?”

“That’s correct, your majesty.” Pavel glanced into the basket. “She is strong and stubborn, but I can’t believe she bested your greatest general.”

“It’s no matter,” Shunlin said, taking another look at the key. “Once we wake the sleeping god, those who don’t serve the Chotukhan will be destroyed. Only then shall we have peace?”

“And my sister?”

“Her reckoning will come.” He felt a twinge of regret at his words and turned away. General Balon had stood as the most powerful man in all the lands. He never lost a fight against anyone who dared swing a sword or spear, except for Sana. She would have made a powerful queen. Now she was a threat.

Shunlin began to pace, feeling Pavel’s gaze. “Our scouts report of Shankur warriors massing in the west.”

“Yes, I have heard similar words, but it can be hard to distinguish rumors from fact.”

“The reports are true. Chief Batan is building an army outside Dirasha and will stop at nothing to attack Gathal.” Shunlin turned back to Pavel. “It will take some time to finish preparations for Abaddon’s awakening. I want my armies to march west and hold back the invaders as long as possible. You are to lead them.”

Pavel stood a little straighter. “I am not a soldier like General Balon and couldn’t possibly replace him as one.”

“General Balon was a brute with a big sword. His idea for tactics was to send in every man with a weapon and hope the number was in his favor. What I need is someone more cunning to keep an army intact after the enemy is destroyed.” King Shunlin hummed. “Should I pick a person more suited for the task?”

“No, your grace. Consider it done.”

With that, Shunlin waved Pavel away. He watched as the former Shankur prince bowed then scurried off.

The overcast clouds parted enough to send down some streams of sunlight across the king’s balcony. He got lost in the key’s beauty, studying it to see how the blue glow still won over the afternoon sun. It was a marvelous device that contained the magic of the Ancients and, along with it, great power. Enough for me to no longer be a king but a living god who’ll rule all mankind for eternity.

“I can see by your smile, at least on one side of your face, you have the key,” Lady Karmera said from behind him.

He watched her floating toward him to see the magical device for herself. Her long black gown shined a glossy radiance with the collar, cuff, and skirt trimmed in white. A black stripe crossed her eyes that blended into her pale face.

Shunlin held up the key, and she grinned with elation. “It has such remarkable beauty. We must use the key immediately, my lord.”

“Not yet, Priestess. Abaddon still needs his army.”

Lady Karmera nodded. “As you wish, my king. The Destroyers are not yet free from the sand and stone. I’ll put a fire under Master Taladas to get his fat bones moving, as well. A real one if I have to.”

“No. I’ll do it.” Shunlin placed the key in a pocket hidden deep within his white and black robes. “We have no more slaves to spare to the pit. All they need is more encouragement.”

“I can—”

“I’ll travel to the Southlands and see to it personally.”

“Yes, my king.” She grinned. “Soon, the reign of Gaia will end, and a new chapter will begin. With Abaddon’s help, all the tribes will succumb to your rule.”

*****

“Someone has earned the King’s good graces,” Lady Karmera said, leaning against the door frame.

Pavel stood with arms crossed, surrounded by a group of his new captains. They poured over a map spread across a thick pine table. In the corner, a fire in the hearth glowed bright, giving warmth from the lingering winter and light against the darkening day.

He turned and smiled. “I’m only doing what’s best for the kingdom.” With a wave of his hands, the captains departed, giving reverence to Karmera as they passed.

She closed the door behind her with a sold iron click. “And what is best for the kingdom?” she asked, strolling toward Pavel. Her long dress brushed the floor, making it appear she floated on thin air.

“To rule the world under one crown.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his. “Yes, but whose crown?”

Pavel gazed straight into her eyes. “Mine.” He rested his palm across her cheek, swiping a thumb across her lips. “And yours.”

She nodded. “A bright future in a world of darkness, our future.”

“And what of the king?”

“Don’t you worry about him. I have seen Abaddon’s plan. Shunlin is only a tool, a vessel in the sleeping god’s desire to bring back the natural balance to the world. With his purpose served, we will be free to reign without the influence of the gods.”

She backed a step, pulling loose the lace that held her dress together. It slumped to her feet, leaving her naked pale body, a hatch-work of scars shimmering bright against the hearth’s fire.

Pavel met her gaze, staring back with the confidence of a king. He shared in Shunlin’s ambition but lacked the arrogance—a perfect man for both her and the throne. If he lives long enough.

“Do you know why Gaia entrusted the Shankur with the key?”

“Never thought of it.”

“Because Abaddon fears them. They don’t see the gods the same way as the rest of the clans.”

“He fears us?”

“One in particular. When I spoke with him, he told me of a Shankur warrior, driven by vengeance and destined to wear the crown, that would bring about the end of the gods.” She pressed his hand to her breast, felling the warmth of his palm. “It is you, Pavel. You are the Shankur warrior who will defeat the gods and pave the way for your ancestors’ return.”

Men and their ambitions are such fools, Lady Karmera thought as he worked his way down to her breasts, his osculation followed along her many scars.

Part Three