Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #12 March 2015 | Page 67

only hope that my final act might serve to make some
amends for my previous actions. I have been a bit
player in a larger conspiracy, along with Weylyn, Frisa
and Hroc. You may find this hard to believe, but Dammar still lives. I do not know how he achieved it, but
he managed to fake his own death. Although his statue
stands in the Avenue of Heroes, he did not die. For a
time, Dammar was the head of our group. However,
we have not heard from him for many millennia. Weylyn leads us now. He is plotting to become immortal
and a god. He seeks to rule all of FirstWorld and the
multiverse too for all I know. My personal view is
that he has gone insane. My role has been to search
for the Sword. Dammar had foreseen the return of the
Everlasting Hero and Weylyn believes that only the
Hero stands between him and FirstWorld domination.
Therefore, he sought both the Sword and the Hero
across all the multiverse to ensure that they would not
be reunited. After great travail, I located the Sword. It
is held by the Witch Queen Freda of Dishley. She is
very powerful. Weylyn dispatched Hroc and Frisa to
recover it. They have not been heard of for some time,
although their pedestals remain empty in the Avenue
of Heroes. I fear for their safety. I do you this service,
Manfred. I have shown you the location of the Sword.
The rest is up to you. By the time you read this, I shall
have taken my appointed place in the Avenue of Heroes. I ask only that you speak no ill of Zenethyr the
Seeker on the day he passed to stone.’
Manfred paused and stood in silence for a while.
The room was hushed, each caught up in their own
thoughts. As if Gadiel isn’t enough, now we’ve got an
insane Sage to deal with. It never rains but it pours.
We know where my sword is, though. That’s good. Simon was reminded of his experiences in the dungeons
of Dishley and he knew that even then Fleischaker had
been calling out to him. I’m coming!
Manfred spoke again. “Whether this is amazing synchronicity or we are being played as pawns in a game
of chess I do not know. However, it’s clear I must
leave for Dishley immediately.”
“No!” Rheanna was on her feet. “You must not go.
Freda has greater power than you do. It is written that
she is the Druids’ bane. If you go, she will destroy

you and with you, our last hope. From what Zenethyr
wrote, she has already vanquished two wizards.”
“You speak well, my lady. However, I fear that Simon
is not yet ready for battle and Jhamed can only do so
much.”
“You cannot defeat Freda by force of arms unless
Simon first acquires the Sword. Your plan needs to be
one of cunning strategy. You cannot go in with your
staff blazing. Simon must go as he is the only one who
can wield the Sword. Jhamed must travel with him.
Others will be needed to protect him.”
“I will go with them!” Taran spoke loudly. “The Firstborn have the ability to travel between the dimensions.
My bow and my sword will protect them.”
“So will my axe and shield.” Dawit too was on his
feet. “It is said that the Second-born can also traverse
the dimensions, though we have rarely sought to do
so.”
“Well spoken, both of you,” Manfred replied. “It is
well. A group of four – a first-born elf, a second-born
dwarf, a third-born human, and a fourth-born being
of the Balance. Never has such a group been formed
before. It has much power, maybe enough to steal the
Sword from Freda. Make ready for your trip. You shall
leave at first light tomorrow. But what of the rest of
us?”
“I shall return to Rhakotis and redouble my efforts to
seek further guidance from the texts. I must alert the
authorities to the troubles ahead,” Rheanna said.
Manfred spoke again. He had made a decision. “We
are attacked from the west and the north. The City
States are powerful and their army will hold as long
as it is able. Until we have the Sword there is little we
can do there.” Manfred saw Aglaral’s obvious agitation. “Don’t worry Captain. I spoke long with Lord
Velacourt last evening. He will do what must be done.
Your family will be safe, as safe as any other family
at any rate. You are seconded to the City of Elannort.
Gamying, we shall return with you to Tamarlan. I
would learn something about the comings and goings

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