6/1 Assault on Helms Valley

Further to the west of their locations, Vinon and Carlem were very well alive and they are on their way to Talesgard, the capital of the Talestrial States. Finskar Caldon explained everything to them, about the Talestrial States learning of a plot to wipe out their family. Their family was banished from the Reachlands and the Banderlands when Prince Touren of the Banderlands and Princess Iysedin of the elven race fell in love with each other. They chose to exile their different states than be separated from each other. They journeyed and eventually settled in Helms Valley. Now, according to Finskar, The Reachlands and the Banderlands have joined forces to destroy their family and their shame. It was the Talestrial States that learnt of their plot that they decided to intervene and save them. However, Finskar was too late to save their parents and their brother, Tuster.

Vinon and Carlem were speechless when they learnt of this. They were saddened by their parents’ death and shocked to learn that their grandparents want them dead. Carlem broke down and cried. Vinon just clutched the wooden sword his father had passed him during the fight. Vinon swore vengeance and vowed to destroy the Reachlands and the Banderlands one day.

There was still a long way to go before they can reach Talesgard so Finskar gave them a brief history of The Talestrial States. The Talestrial States were initially a number of warring states that were constantly at war. They fought each other for the control of land for many years without a clear ruler. However, recently a warlord, now known as King Rinas Talestrial, defeated the rest of the warring states and established the kingdom of Talestrial, better known as the Talestrial States and founded its capital Talesgard ten years ago.

Finskar added that King Rinas also founded the Number Knights. This was a group of distinguished generals of the Talestrial States that the king has recognized. The Number knights are the highest honour in the Talestrial States and each general commanded great armies of their own. Finskar added that with enough training, Vinon and Carlem could become one of the famed generals. He himself was the fifth commander of the Talestrial States.

As he finished talking, the city of Talesgard came into view. It was a majestic city with high walls and massive towers. The towers went about fifty feet tall and at the top flew the flag of the Talestrial States, two crossed swords on a black shield with wings. The two swords and shield matched the fighting capabilities of the kingdom while the wings represent freedom for all races. There were about thirty towers or more, Vinon counted. Beyond the tower is a castle fitting for all kings. Its roofs were made of gold and the castle spanned almost a hundred feet in the air. Small openings were lined on both sides of the towers which Vinon guessed they were crossbow hatches. A high wall blocked the view of the castle’s entrance and on it stood countless catapults. It was simply an unbreakable fortress.

As they passed through an iron gate that rose at Finskar’s command, Vinon and Carlem stared in awe at everything. It was the first time they had seen such magnificent structure and their eyes were wide with astonishment. Finskars just gave them a smile and said something that made Vinon and Carlem feel welcomed.

“Welcome to your new home,” Finskar said.