The Bronze Spear: Chapter Four

Chapter Four
The fresh droplets of dew were laden upon the grass, and they glinted with the rising sun. Brozonar was mounted on his stallion, looking towards the west. Feneanar came up through the swaying grass; there he stood next to the grey stallion. His hands were fingering the hilt of his sword. The wind began to blow; his cloak was thrown back, and his dark hair was streaming behind him. The sun rose steadily in the east; a dark cloud rose from the west, black and ominous.

“Brozonar,” said Feneanar drawing, his gaze towards the rider’s eyes.

“Thou should go past the Ford of Replis, beyond The Rolling Hills to Iceburlock, for the Enchantress took the Bronze Spear, and she has some power there. Thou will set thy course to there, but you will not be alone. We will hold the enemy from thee.” Then he turned away to The Climbing Castle. There he stood at the gate and watched Brozonar descend unto the west.

“Farewell,” the king said, under his breath. “And may it not be forever.”

Brozonars mind was not at ease when his horse cantered upon the rolling plains. Slowly, he felt a power ceasing him, holding him back from his course. His horse grew stiff and sniffed the air. The dark cloud now covered all of the cold Iceburlock that was far in the distance. The air was stiff, and it did not stir. The land grew silent and the power grew. The horses head uneasily turned to the side. Then his eyes grew wild, and he reared, giving a shrieking cry that echoed beyond reach. The stallion began to dart to and fro swiftly. The ominous cloud began to go forth like a hand reaching for Brozonar. Blackness descended upon horse and master as the cloud swirled about them. The once cool morning air became hot and stiff. Brozonar began to gasp for air; his lungs longing for the open wind. The power began to tighten around him, feeling as though fiery hands were grasping him. The stallion suddenly lunged forward, jerking his rider violently. The horse lay still on the ground as though a spell was cast upon him. Brozonar stood beside his horse. Behind the Climbing Castle the Stone of the Sun was set on the hill of Varendendil, and Brozonars gaze was drawn to it; far away it was for he could not hold his gaze on it. Lightning brightly clashed, and Brozonar was struck to the ground.

Black watchful shadows slinked along the ground, hooded and cloaked. Their evil eyes searched along the plain. A swirling black dust cloud was before them. Hissing, they advanced. The wind quietly brushed through the air.

“Curse this wind” one snarled.

One then said in a sharp and hissing voice, “Quiet!”

The wind began to blow faster until it poured its strength upon the sweeping grass. A screeching cry came from the sky. It was like a lion’s roar, powerful as storms that pour themselves upon the ground. Then came Talliaid over the mountains steep, and his eyes were full of fire. The sun beamed on his back and made it glow like gold. The evil ones hissed, snarled, and cursed as they crawled back into the shadow of the mountain. The wind of Talliaid`s mighty wings blew away the evil cloud. The stallion stood; his grey coat flashed in the sunlight. His nostrils flared, smelling the air that swept the sun warmed plain. Brozonar rolled himself to his feet; he then nimbly leaped upon his horse. With his muscles arched and wings outspread, Talliaid landed. Brozonar swerved his horse about and was mounted facing the Talyoum.

“What is amiss?” he said, in an urging voice.

“The shadows have come.” As Talliaid spoke, his voice was like the surging sea.

His voice came forth again. “They creep along the ground. Their voices like thousands of snakes; their forked tongues speaking nothing but evil.”

Brozonar feared that they had already gained the knowledge of his quest.

“Thee must be swift for war is brewing again,” Talliaid said. He spread his wings and descended to the sky. Brozonar now knew the weight of this quest that was being laid upon him, for no other can bear it.

The stallion had galloped and covered some distance between The Climbing Castle. The ground began to swiftly yield downward. The slope then rose. The ominous black cloud seemed to cover much distance. It rose from the ground in swirling streams, and they were mingled together with the wind.