Valtenholm: Greed and power

[FrostBeard 1,975]

Valtenholm: Greed and power

 

I really enjoy writing fantasy stories, so I decided to write one featuring people from VHL and VHLM, I think you will easily understand who is supposed to be who but that is the beauty of it. I hope you will like this as I will try to add another part every week. 

 

Part 1 – The beginning

 

 

It is the year 66 of the 5th era, time when peace and prosperity are hanging on the bright red autumn leaf, that will fall with smallest of shivers down below. A week till the fall hits and the brightness of the morning sun will be overlooked by the cold breeze of the northern winds. Something has been growing under the western mountains. People that live in the shade of Scarlet Rise have been moving away, they have been telling stories of ghosts and monsters that come out of the caves deep under the cloak of the mother night. There are few that haven’t heard legends of the battle for Valtenholm, the great halls of a dynasty long dead. Valtenholm was once a great kingdom that ruled over all – men, elves, dwarfs and beasts. All of them were loyal to the Commisinder dynasty and two brothers who ruled over all – Bargor Commisinder and Dimandor Commisinder. They were fair and loved rulers. Dwarfs never opposed or rioted against their rule, elves wrote songs and danced in the name of Commisinder family, beasts never attacked anyone under their protection and men, well, men are a different story.

 

Many great houses and lords thought that it is their right to rule over themselves, that open rebellion and fight till death is the only way how to be free. And so they did, honorable lords of Storm Hills, wise masters that lead sails of the south and great merchant city of Diegor, wild raiders of Mexelanor fields, grey lords of Midlands, where city of Rushtor sits on Valtenholm river, and gamblers, thieves and cheats that live in the lairs of Acenor, long abandoned dwarven ruin run rebuilt to supply all the dirtiest pleasures men would want. They all rushed to the halls of Valtenholm with armies that no one could take on. It would be too much even for all the dwarves and elves combined to take on, only a few faithful went to Valtenholm to defend the halls of Bargor and Dimandor. Men shouted at the entrance and called upon for any live soul inside the castle to kill both brothers. Men offered gold, ships, everlasting glory to one who would do it, but days went by with armies of men surrounding Valtenholm path that leads inside the mountain. Nothing, nothing happened for days. Weeks passed by until a visibly starving ranger rode out to bring them a message. As the message was brought up closer to all the lords of men, herald suddenly fell into ashes and mountain path that lead to Valtenholm closed. Not a single man in all the army of men moved when the whole ground started shaking as if half of the mountain got destroyed. The smell of death and suffering for weeks was thrown into the grin filled faces of all the lords of men. They cheered and drunk together for months as they considered that a victory. Massacre of the greatest city ever build and all the blood on their hands didn’t even make them flinch.

 

Many years later, after 3 bloody Eras that were filled with scum and lies, at the end of the 4th Era, all the kings, masters, lords and other nobles signed a pact that would ensure the peace and prosperity for everyone. That is how the 5th Era started. Even though lords grew more and more careful with dealing with others, they kept their promises and ordinary people had 66 years of a good life, a life without grief and sorrow that pointless wars bring upon everyone. Beasts from Eastern desert caves of Ottawor kept underground and uphold the rule of everyone, wild beasts from Saskator forests never ambushed caravans. Elves of Halifel and Philadel made songs and best wines for feasts across all the lands for the first time in more than 600 hundred years. Dwarfs of Horned Hills and Missiagor Highlands cured meats and mined day and night to find jewels and gold. Everyone worshipped their divines and thanked for this peaceful time. For many, it felt like this would go on forever.

 

Year 66, a week from autumn and dwarfs found something, they dig up something they should have not thought about digging. Lord of the Horned Hills called upon all the other kings and queens to come to his great hall of Alendur to celebrate a great find. Everyone answered Bronzebeard’s call, his cousin Gustagor of Missiagor was first to arrive. All the kings of men arrived next. In shiny armours and ornate shields came Lord Reiver of Rushtor, King Eudaled of Storm Hills, Prince Nykar of Mexalanor, Lord Oilendil of Acenor and Master Rockler of Diegor. Elven queen Asmensil of Philadel palace arrived with Halifel’s Lord Thrandur by her side. Only missing were beast kings Esimir and Peasimir, who arrived close to midnight under the cloak of the night. Hall was filled with barrels of best ale and wine all the land could give, cheeses from far lands and smoked meats, all this for a feast under the mountain. Many did not know what to expect, but no one refused a drink. Elves drank with men and dwarfs sang songs in old forgotten tongues, beasts ate and acted like they truly belong in these halls. Everything seemed to be great, just like any feast that lords used to throw for others to see their greatness and wealth but this time it was different, Lord Bronzebeard sat in his throne with a look that could pierce any soul in half. He hit his legendary Warhammer Frostbreaker against the ground and everyone stopped, lords and servants looked up to him and waited for the announcement he called everyone here. He stood up and screamed: “We have found it, the entrance to the Scarlet Rise, Valtenholm palace and all the treasures will be ours!” Silence, only silence ran through the halls of Alendur. Elves, beasts and men left instantly and rode back never looking back. Only cousins Bronzebeard and Gustagor stayed, only one question arose – what do we do now?

[diamond_ace 3,106]

I see Lord Dimandor Commisinder has finally met his match in the realm of writing. Let my good man Lord Bronzebeard enjoy a beverage within my hallowed halls and celebrate such a fine bardic scroll as this.