A BOOK OF SCROLLS: THE FIRST KING: Vendumar

THE BOOK OF KINGS:

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THE LORD KING VENDURMAR

1 HERE is the listing of the Kings of Mithar and their deeds. By the decree of her first ruling lord, let this book serve as a perpetual memorial unto them as they tried to lead the Grey Haven into a new age. May the words inscribed be presented as truthful and uphold the high standards.

2 TWO days after the Great Departure of that arrogant fleet from the Bay of Luhun Vendumar was crowned as Mithar’s first king. King Vendumar pushed against the mindset of his brother; to abandon their elven-birth right as leaders in the world. Lord Vendumar was the first to regain the city gates and shut them from the outside that grew upon hearing the city was no more. The nomadic travelers ascended in hopes of learning the secrets of hope life from the Fair Ones. The Nasilian people from the far eastern lands raised a tent village, called Slavath which swelled overnight.

3 VENDUMAR as lord king was the first to deal with the Nasilian people by holding a prisoner in the depth of the tower of Varlendur.

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The Mayor of Mithar

2 NEWS came to the ear of the king one day, by word of his cup bearer, that the people had become too many and bored with life behind the walls. “Their excitement of such new and different things, have made them complacent and in need of redirection, lest they begin to find pleasure in strife and rally against you.”

2 CLAPPING his hands the king called for his Spiritual Advisor and Chef of Arms. He shared what his cup-bearer had said and agreed with his words, “Go out think on this matter for your selves and in one hour return as to what shall be done.”

3 AFTER they left Vendumar told the cupbearer to tell the kitchen to make a meal and have four settings prepared. At the hour’s end, a table had been so set as ordered. When the Spiritual advisor and Chef of Arms returned they saw the king being served wine by the cupbearer beside him. Vendumar asked, “Well, speak plainly.”

4 THE Chef Guard, Legandriel began, “Sire, it is true the entering people have overwhelmed Mithar, and their only intent is to claim homes for themselves with no regards to heritage or how the provisions came to be. They have become drunk from the bounty, and yes Sire rumors that the Watchers are less than once thought.”

5 LOOKING at Vethdema, his spiritual advisor, “What do you say?”

6 VETHDEMA echoed the same, adding, “Sire, if I may – a way of earning these ‘blessings’ might be devised that would encourage more willing citizens of our original intent as teachers to the ‘lesser’ men.”

7 VENDUMAR smiled, being greatly pleased, “Understood.” Turning to his cup-bearer, the king introduced, “This man here, Kalena by name, had no fear in sharing this truth with me. Because of that, and the respect I have witnessed first-hand; I name you as the Mayor of Mithar. As the people reenter the city I think it would be best to see one of their own leading them. You shall be second only to myself. Your greatest advisors shall be these two here. As quickly as you rose surely may you fall; we all know this to be true. Now, come you three dine and tell me more. I am hungry for meat and your councils both.”

8 SLOWLY over the weeks, a teaching school within the tower was set up. It also was devised that only those who attended such training were allowed to reside within the protective walls of the city. In this way was the city regained from the Nasil without bloodshed, and the power of the king grew. The basic need for masons to repair the southern wall, and teaching desert dwellers how to fish came as among the first lessons to be taught. Later great houses grew out from the tower each with a degree plan and skill. In time the Priesthood grew stronger devising coded lessons and password making it even more challenging to reside in Mithar Its wealth and prestige grew as well.

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The Tale of Kimashe and the Bleeding Stones

3 IN the early morning hours King Vendumar was awakened by a horrific nightmare but told no one of its details. He called for his Councilors: Spiritual Advisor, Chef Guard and the Mayor of Mithar. Though their conversations eased him back to a waking state, none could tell him his dream or its meaning.

2 THE Mayor said, “Forgive me O King, but there is one from the Nasilian camp named Kimashe, called a Seer by her people. It is said that ‘she knows the unknown and can discern the yet to be’, sire.”

3 VENDUMAR replied, “You are all good as you are but in this matter – bring her before me, but do not breathe a word as to why. That I may know she is true or false.”

4 GOING out to the tent city of Slavath, a mile from the city gate of Mithar they searched her out. At a blue tent on the outside of the settlement Kalena, the Mayor and two tower guards dismounted their steeds as he called out her name. From within the tent, she called them inside. The tent looked much grander and larger on the inside than its small outside appearance. Many colored veils and lit candles were everywhere, bones and feather and furs. Rising from a pillowed seat a young woman said, “He has cried for three nights, but only this morning has he begged an answer from you and two others. Even now he orders me to appear for a meaning of his woe.”

5 “HOW did –,” began Kalena?

6 BUT Kimashe replied in haste, “We must go.” She walked as the three others rode horseback refusing to be lifted up. Through the great statued gate, down the cobbled stone streets to the many stairs of Varlendur they soon came before the king in his tower.

7 BEHIND the King’s throne the wall was a painted with a scene of the Great Departure; the boarding of the last swan ship. For all his power Vendumar he had no understanding of his own dream. Coming before the king, Kalena introduced her, “Sire, here is the Nasilian Seer, Kimashe by name Lord.”

8 KIMASHE stood naked all but dressed in a white hooded robe, both hands and bare feet adorned with rings and bracelets; she was covered in tattoos. Her face was sand white and hair black as coal. Just as King Vendumar was about to speak, she spoke instead, “The bleeding-eye crows have nothing better to do than to torment you for the last three night of your sleep, and wrestle with your thoughts in the day, milord. Shaken and crying in the night like an abandoned child in a sand storm. I tell you now oh King to command your scribe to write down all that I say, and the day my words perish is the day the dreams return worse than before.”

9 VENDUMAR nodded, even as the scribe was already fast at his work. Then the king asked, “What was the dream and its meaning, child?”

10 “A bleeding eye crow sat on a huge cut stone lying on its side. The crow flew to the ground as the pillar was raised. Four times this happened. Yet amid the standing stones were six bleeding eye crows walking about on the blood soaked ground.”

11 THE king was happy to have found someone who could tell him his dream but was in awe at who spoke the words. The one before him was no more than a child of eight, but her maturity was more. Vendumar inquired, “There was another.”

12 KIMASHE looked very grave, “Indeed there was Sire. For all six crows came together as one making a seventh larger crow. The seventh crow had white bleeding eyes and a forked tongue like a snake. The large, sharped-tongue crow began pecking at a gold, ringlet-leaf crown, like yours. It filled with holes and each one was bleeding, before it fell apart and melted into the blood soaked ground.”

13 FALLING back into his throne with great fright, Vendumar gasped, “Come, wicked child! Pray tell me surely the meaning of such disgust and mare as this thing you have made a plan to me and all here. These are the very things indeed that have so plagued me!”

14 BOTH of her arms rose out and became stiff. Her fingers went jagged and ridged as her own gray eyes began to bleed. Suddenly her gentle voice sounded like that of an old man, “Six shall come, and four be slain and their black words shall see much blood spilled. A seventh shall rise greater than the six. Embolden by them the very king who hears him shall be the final one!” After her prophecy, she collapsed to the floor. Upon standing she was as before.

15 THE entire room was much worried by her words. Vendumar said, “No one shall speak against the king. The king himself, alone shall reprieve or condemn any who do for that is what kings do; fate and judgment. In this matter, I perceive you have spoken truthfully without malice. We shall strive in our reign to cause only light, good and harmony to continue in -.”

16 “WHAT of Varlendur and the dungeon renown through Eriduah; and you as the holder of its iron key?” Kimashe interrupted.

17 VENDUMAR saw this was no child before him but something greater, “You have been afforded good will up to this point, Seer of Nasil. Watch your words and tone thereof. There is a reason and season for that key and its business is no concern of yours. Thank you for your service; you may either return to your old life or begin a new one here.”

18 “I shall return unhindered either way.” As she turned to leave the great tower doors flew open on their own accord to the dismay of all.

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