\u201cMy lord Jandar! Utgar requests a meeting upon the field of battle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor what purpose?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe said\u2026 He said he wishes to avoid this battle. He said he wishes to end the war with no further bloodshed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jandar stood. His armor flashed in the brilliant sunlight, the air clean after the recent winter rain. \u201cUtgar once told me he wished to avoid bloodshed. Do you know what he really wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sentinel looked down. \u201cNo, sire\u2026 I can\u2019t say that I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe wanted to distract me, for at that very moment, some of his kyrie were positioning themselves above me. If it weren\u2019t for Drake, I would have been dead long ago.\u201d Jandar\u2019s eyes flashed dangerously. \u201cGo back to Utgar. Tell him that we both know perfectly well how he avoids<\/em> bloodshed. Tell him that if he wants to end this now, he can march over here himself and hand in his surrender.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sentinel turned to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait,\u201d said Raelin. She had been standing beside Jandar, and had heard everything. She now turned to face her general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat, Raelin?\u201d Jandar asked. \u201cYou think I should delay to hear Utgar\u2019s false claims?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2026 don\u2019t think they are false anymore, Jandar,\u201d Raelin said slowly. \u201cHe knows what Valkrill did. He knows how\u2026 how the castle fell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t remind me,\u201d Jandar muttered to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUtgar knows how many men we lost when that happened. And it\u2019s obvious that his army outnumbers us at least five to one, if not more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re point, Raelin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy point,\u201d said Raelin, \u201cis that there is no logic in this. Utgar always loved war and bloodshed. Everyone in Valhalla knows that. There is virtually no chance that he will be defeated. So why would he call for a meeting?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a diversion?\u201d Jandar suggested with dry sarcasm. \u201cMaybe he wants to kill me again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut why would he want to do that, instead of a full battle?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Raelin,\u201d Jandar said, finally losing patience. \u201cMaybe\u2026 Maybe he doesn\u2019t want to lose as many men. Maybe he thinks if he kills me first, my men will break and run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know Utgar thinks nothing of the lives he wastes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, I know, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think Raelin is right,\u201d Drake interrupted, who had been standing on Jandar\u2019s other side. \u201cI think Utgar may actually want to talk. Think about it, Jandar. You\u2019d be meeting in the middle of an open field, where both armies can see you clearly. There\u2019s no way he could try anything underhanded with that many people watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jandar looked from Drake to Raelin. \u201cVery well,\u201d he finally relented. \u201cBut I want you two with me. Raelin, keep your spear ready and keep behind me at all times. Drake, stay alert for threats from any angle. You,\u201d he shot at the sentinel, who snapped to attention, \u201cI expect Utgar will bring aids?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, sire,\u201d the sentinel promptly replied. \u201cHe said each side could bring two aids. In addition he said that he would leave his weapon behind, as a sign of good faith, and requested that you do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jandar frowned, fingering the handle of his massive war-hammer. \u201cI expected as much,\u201d he muttered. \u201cVery well. Return to Utgar and tell him that I will hear what he has to say. But tell him also,\u201d he added, \u201cthat this is to be a peaceful conference. If he attempts to use it as a cover for anything, I will not hesitate to kill him then and there, weapon or no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sentinel nodded once and took to the air, winging his way towards where Utgar\u2019s army lay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A large portion of Jandar\u2019s army had been lost when his castle was destroyed by Valkrill\u2019s magic. It had been a terrible blow. Victory had been unlikely before, but now it was next to impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar had promptly invaded Nastralund, joining his forces with Valkrill, and proceeded to march north. He had left a large contingent behind to guard the rest of Valhalla, and still his army was far larger than the remnants of the alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having no castle to retreat to, Jandar had made a final decision. An encounter was inevitable. They were hemmed in and surrounded, with the sea at their backs. Since they had nowhere to go, they would turn around, and attack Utgar. Now, at long last, the two forces faced each other across a wide plain, white with winter snow. This would be the final battle. After today, either the alliance would die, or Utgar would. There was little doubt about what the outcome would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pavilion was erected in the middle of the field, between the two armies. Presently, two figures separated themselves from Utgar\u2019s horde and approached with unhurried steps. Drake, Raelin, and Jandar advanced from the other army. They met at the pavilion, and for the second time in her life, Raelin saw the mighty Utgar, the kyrie who had caused all this misery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last time she had seen him, Utgar had worn a fur cloak and a confident air. He had laughed at threats and had matched his cunning wits with those of Jandar. If anything, he was now larger than he had been. He was shorter than Jandar, but not by much, and he was a good head and a half taller than Raelin. There was something about him, though, that was different. His eyes were downcast, and a frown was upon his face. Jandar approached him with a grim smile set in place. \u201cUtgar,\u201d he said, holding out his hand stiffly. \u201cHow terrible to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A smile flickered across Utgar\u2019s face as he grasped Jandar\u2019s hand, but it faded quickly. \u201cI know you think this to be a ploy, Jandar,\u201d he said, \u201cso let me put your heart at ease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI doubt there is anything you can do to put my heart at ease<\/em>, Utgar,\u201d Jandar said bitterly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar sighed. \u201cI fear you may be right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pause followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy have you brought only one aid?\u201d Jandar asked, nodding to the red kyrie that stood behind Utgar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTaelord was the only one I required. He\u2019s the only one that would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnderstand?\u201d repeated Jandar. \u201cYou speak in riddles, Utgar. And where is your mockery of our last meeting? Has all of your arrogance left you?\u201d Jandar looked the Valkyrie up and down. \u201cWhy the change, Utgar?\u201d he asked snidely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar looked up. \u201cWhy the change, Jandar?\u201d he repeated. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you why I\u2019ve changed. I pray only that you\u2019ll understand when I\u2019ve finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI had a secret. A secret I kept from nearly all, and especially from the alliance. I had a wife, once; a wife I loved more than anything else. In a time before the war, we were happy together. She blessed me with a daughter. I was content with my lot in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd then you came, Jandar. Doubtless you do not remember \u2013 you were but a young captain at the time. Our home in the Volcarren was raided, attacked by kyrie from the North. You were the one that entered our home, searching for I know not what. You found our daughter, still in the cradle. I don\u2019t know what you would have done. You might have done nothing. You might have let her live. But my wife snatched her from where she slept, and tried to defend her as only a mother could. I arrived too late. It may have been self-defense; I would not know, for I was blinded with shock and rage at the time; but in an instant, my beloved wife lay dead upon the floor, her blood dripping from your hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery morning I have woken since that day, I have sworn to myself that you would pay. I rose in rank until I commanded the whole army, even as you did. Driven by my hatred, I invaded Bleakwood, where my sources told me your family lived. I need not tell you what transpired once I found them.\u201d Utgar looked into Jandar\u2019s burning eyes. \u201cFor that,\u201d he whispered, \u201cI am eternally sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jandar appeared incapable of speech, so Utgar continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe pain of my loss lessened, but did not go away. I sought your life as well. However, my attention was soon diverted to my daughter. She had grown in beauty and will far surpassing any other. I had her trained as a soldier, and she bested any that fought her. I had turned my daughter into a weapon, something to carry out my insatiable thirst for revenge. My pride in her had no equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I sent her into battle. She was successful. I sent her to carry out a mission. She was\u2014\u201d Utgar glanced at Drake, \u201c\u2014 foiled. But she did not let that defeat stand in her way. She continued to make a name for herself, until she was known all throughout Valhalla.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI never heard of a daughter of yours,\u201d Jandar interrupted roughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar glanced at him. \u201cNo. You didn\u2019t, because I didn\u2019t want her harmed. You knew her by name only, for she was Runa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jandar stared at Utgar blankly. Raelin saw something else in his look. Could it be fear?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar stared right back. \u201cNot that long ago,\u201d he said quietly, with deliberate slowness, \u201cyou summoned your entire army back to your castle. You received word that your presence was required at the back of your retreating army. You came, bringing Drake with you, and you saw the problem. Runa was attacking the rear guard. Her Helm of Mitonsoul was felling warrior after warrior, while my kyrie minions protected her from attack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar did not take his eyes from Jandar\u2019s face as he continued. \u201cYou broke their ranks easily. Runa engaged you. The reports said she fought eagerly, never backing down. But she was no match for your skill, and you struck her down. Then, as she struggled to get up, you landed before her, and\u2026 killed her. You killed my only daughter, Jandar. You killed my family, even as I slew yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dead silence. In the shocked stillness, Raelin saw a single tear fall from Utgar\u2019s eye and strike the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I suppose,\u201d Jandar said, his voice suspiciously hoarse, \u201cthat you now mean to swear your vengeance on me to all the gods of Valhalla and beyond?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI have lost the last remnant of family I had left, the last part of my heart not tainted by grief and revenge. All that is left now is a terrible wound, something I will never be able to heal, because I know I caused it. You may have struck the blow, Jandar, but it was I that truly killed my beloved Runa. I have caused this war, and all the death and pain it brings with it. And now I am reaping what I have sown. I have finally seen the war for what it is, Jandar. I have finally realized what it has wrought on this land, and on its people. And I ask you again: end it now. End this war, before we seal our fate forever in blood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar suddenly knelt before Jandar. \u201cI do not ask this of you. I beg<\/em> this of you: surrender, please. Let this conflict end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raelin held her breath. After all this time, here, finally, was the chance she had been searching for the entire war\u2026 She watched Jandar in the sudden silence, her heart pounding loudly enough for both of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jandar looked down on Utgar. At first he seemed surprised, but then his face hardened. An insane smile crept onto it, a smile that struck fear to Raelin\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSurrender?\u201d he repeated, in a deadly whisper. \u201cSurrender, Utgar? I think not. You killed my family. I killed yours. Consider us even if you will, but you still have to answer for the crimes you have committed through this war.\u201d Jandar\u2019s voice was steadily rising. \u201cConsider the villages burned. Consider the commoners slain. Consider the damage done to the hearts of men. You think this can be wiped clean with an apology<\/em>, Utgar? Think again! This war is no longer about Valhalla. It stopped being about Valhalla when the wellsprings opened up. It stopped being about any of us when we summoned soldiers from other worlds to fight our wars. Consider what you have done, Utgar, and know that no remorse can undo this. You want me to end this war before we seal our fate? You sealed it for us long ago! You began something you knew perfectly well would end only one way. Do not try to escape the fate that you have been charging towards all your life! There is no easy way out! There is no surrender! No, you have woven this end for all of us, and now, like it or not, you will face what you have created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want me to surrender, Utgar? You want me to bow my knee to you and crave your pardon? You think that will end the war? You are WRONG! Wrong, Utgar! I will never surrender to one with so much blood on his hands, and you know it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A very tense silence followed. Utgar slowly stood, watching Jandar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPrepare your army,\u201d Jandar spat, turning on his heel. \u201cIf you think, at the end, that I have been too harsh, remember that this was an apocalypse of your own making.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raelin couldn\u2019t believe it. After everything she had said, everything Jandar had agreed with, he had just flung the offer they had been looking for in Utgar\u2019s face. Why? Because of pride<\/em>. Jandar would never admit it, but Raelin knew his weakness. He wouldn\u2019t have surrendered had Odin himself asked him to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStop!\u201d Raelin cried, stepping between Jandar and Utgar as they turned away from each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRaelin!\u201d Jandar ordered. \u201cGet away from that dog!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar looked for a moment like he was about to punch Jandar, but did not move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease,\u201d Raelin said, looking at Utgar. \u201cThis cannot end the war. It never will!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar glanced between her and Jandar. \u201cRaelin?\u201d he repeated. \u201cYou are Raelin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raelin nodded, confused by the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar took a step closer to her. \u201cI owe you an apology then,\u201d he said, his voice heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor the way you were treated. I only learned recently that you had been a prisoner of mine. Sullivan believed that if I knew you were in one of my dungeons, I would have tortured you for information, so he did not inform me of his plan. Had I known\u2026 I would have used you to guarantee Jandar\u2019s surrender.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUtgar,\u201d Raelin said quietly, \u201cplease, just leave. Return to the Volcarren, and leave us in peace.\u201d She felt tears stinging her eyes. \u201cPlease,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar looked at her silently. \u201cAgainst such an opponent as your Jandar,\u201d he said slowly, \u201cthere can be no peace. He will pursue me until one of us lies dead upon the face of the earth. I do not intend for it to be me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we shall fight for all eternity,\u201d interjected Jandar, \u201cfor neither shall I go down to you!\u201d With this, he grabbed Raelin by the arm, and pulled her away. Raelin struggled, but Jandar would not let go. He was far stronger than she was, and she eventually was forced to give up and watch as Utgar retreated back to his army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drake pried Raelin free of Jandar\u2019s grasp. The Valkyrie stormed ahead, leaving them to bring up the rear. As they walked, Raelin stooped and picked a flower. Winter was barely over; it was the first she had seen in full bloom. She looked at it mournfully as they trudged back to their army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy dying hope,\u201d she sighed, \u201cwas that I might see Valhalla green and alive one last time. Now I know that will never happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She dropped her hand, and slowly let the flower fall to the earth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cMy lord Jandar! Utgar requests a meeting upon the field of battle.\u201d \u201cFor what purpose?\u201d \u201cHe said\u2026 He said he wishes to avoid this battle. He said he wishes to end the war with no further bloodshed.\u201d Jandar stood. His armor flashed in the brilliant sunlight, the air clean after the recent winter rain. \u201cUtgar … Continue reading Chapter Sixteen – The Counsel of Enemies<\/span>