The air was cold in the mountains with a light touch of snow on the high ground above though in the sunlight it was hot and birds flew freely in the still air.

Luke had six men, all on horses, he had sent them to their own places a league distant from him. Each had a horn to sound messages and a pair of flags for visuals. He sent them an order to choose a well camouflaged spot and hide their horses.

Once he had received the signal from all of them he rode a little higher and took a view. Two of the horses were easy to spot and he indicated them to the men. One more gave itself away with a flick of the tail. Coming round to a better vantage point he found two more but the last one eluded him and he had to use the flags to ask the soldier to show him. As he did so he saw a different set of flags floating on a distant hill. They were asking him to come to conference.

The man whose horse had been well hidden was a more experienced soldier so Luke took him to be his bodyguard on the journey, sending the others to find their own way back to the garrison. He covered ground as quickly as he could, having to his impatience to wait from time to time so the other horse could catch up, and eventually reached the headquarters at Gat, where as he expected the town was bustling with soldiers.

Simen saw him as he approached and took him to a hut where men were engaged in conversation. He left his escort to find food for himself and look after the horses. Inside he could see Rav with all three of his commanders and an equal number of leaders from Trantrith. Luke knew everyone in the room. Rav greeted him as equal and after all had spent time exchanging greetings and gossip with Luke, called the meeting to order.

“Now Luke is here and ready we can discuss the situation in Athelea and the plans of the Eleneans who in this matter are allies with us. We will have to deal with the matter of raising and retaining loyal armies for which we already have pledges, and ensuring our horses and weapons are kept safely within our realm. Lastly we will have to know the parts of the land that can provide us with supplies so we can provision ourselves and our troops. The things we discuss today are secret and must not be discussed outside including with our own guard. We will discuss at the end how much information we can give each person who needs to know.”

One of the Athelean commanders stood. His name was Konstan, he was about five years older than Luke and had taken part in Luke's training, in the years before he had been made a warrior. Like the others he wore a standard soldier’s uniform but Luke had seen him many times with a red band in his clothing. That was true of the others too, he had faith in the support of everyone present.

“Athelea is divided by the supporters of Marcos. They are open and intrusive and cause fights from time to time. It has not yet turned into battle but this cannot be long. The men from the Hinderith take taxes from the farms who do not fully support them and are freely given support by those who do. They raid the Forest as they have been doing for the last two years. The situation needs to be resolved and we are minded that this should be done as soon as the weather turns warmer.

“Marcos has control of the villages along the coast and his influence is strong in Agor. We should not invite danger when we are in this territory. Supporters should not wear red if they venture into the town. Commanders should not go to the town at all. This is true for the Lodge too. Though the Elders still meet there our military base is now here, in Gida. As we delay our people ask what we are doing, and his support grows ever stronger. We have one, maybe two months to get going.”

Luke wanted to know if there was any news on the Elenean front but soon discovered he was the expert. So he let them know what little intelligence he had.

“Barah, that is to say Rah, has sealed off his northern border. His troops patrol and anyone crossing from the Hinderith is quickly sent back, dead or alive. As far as I know he makes no incursions, that is our agreement, so Marcos has no reason to amass troops in that area.”

“That is why he is coming this way,” said Rav. “This has been our plan. He will have to bring his troops out and we will fight him on ground of our own choosing.”

“The battle will be for Agor,” said Luke. “This is where he has support and it is a long way from his strongholds. If we take the town he will not be able to hold the lowlands. As long as we have numbers we will do well. We can threaten to cut the town off from farms too, and it will stretch his forces when he has to maintain command of the countryside.”

“We will not be able to get between Agor and the sea,” said Rav. “We will have to approach the twin rivers from the south with support from the hills above. It will be a task to achieve dominance. I doubt if he will allow us the chance to encircle him.”

“Hartor will know more,” said Luke, wondering why the meeting was missing its most experienced campaigner. One of the men from Trantrith filled in the picture.

“Hartor is at Treaty. He will be in this land tomorrow. His men are building up recruitment in the Borderlands. Igor at the same time is working in Trantrith and getting a lot of support. We will have a full army, Marcos will get a shock however prepared he is. Just like he had a shock last time.”

Luke remembered the ragged army he had fought on the plain between the two rivers. This would not be a repeat, he was sure of that. He wondered if his supporters were being over optimistic but said nothing.

*

Hartor met with Luke on the slopes of the high mountain, breath visible in the cold air. They let their soldiers retire and keep guard from a distance.

“I wanted to talk with you alone first before going to meet the other leaders. What was the outcome of your talks in Gat?”

“We are decided there will be battle soon.” Luke shuffled uneasily on his horse. “I think the plan is to threaten the town of Agor and draw Marcos out from his own land.”

“That is wise. We have plenty of men but cannot get all the way to the northern mountains. We must learn from him and create skirmishes that annoy him and cause him trouble. But first there is something else we have to do.”

Hartor turned his horse and faced the hillside looming above them.

“We’re going into the mountain?”

“We have to meet the Elders. It is something you should have done long ago but they have been dithering and putting it off. Now I have insisted. We have not many months before I need a replacement.”

“I assume they have others available. Are there factions like there used to be in Elenea?”

“There are competing interests. By our law it has to be an outsider as I was born within the land. Someone at least not from the main part of Trantrith. There are others who could be brought in but the Elders themselves and their direct families are not in contention. Once one is chosen they will all agree, there will not be infighting. So yes, it is not conclusive they will choose you, and in any case it is a decision they do not like, while Marcos remains undefeated.”

It was gloomy in the cavern, and though less cold than Luke expected the old men kept themselves well wrapped. He wondered how they could put up with these living conditions day after day. There must, he thought, be separate areas for cooking and eating, and perhaps they had huts in the open plain below with wives, and grandchildren nearby. He knew little about the inside of the mountain, time to observe. For now he had to worry how much they already knew about him.

Apart from Hartor he recognised only one of the Elders, a man called Balu who was an expert in metal forming. They had talked a few times about the technical aspects of the craft. The politics of the mountain, though, was still opaque to Luke so he took his place in the assembly as the only one uninitiated in its mysteries.

An old man nodded almost imperceptibly and all fell silent.

“Hartor, you have brought us a visitor.”

“Greetings, Tadeos and respected Elders. You have heard of the exploits of Luke of Cano, I now bring you the man.”

“Luke of Cano. Will you stand before the Elders of Trantrith and tell of your successes in the last three years.”

Luke stood and told them about the battle with Wolf and Marcos, how they had created a peaceful settlement, his life as a ranger. He omitted some details even though he was sure they already knew everything he said and would quiz him. He told them also of his recent attempt to broker peace with Elenea and exchange secrets of technology.

When he had finished the old man looked at him. Luke remained standing.

“Have you made Trantrith your home?”

“Sir, I have settled in the village with Hartor and have children there. I am glad to make this my home. As ranger I spend most of my time travelling but this is a good place to live and I am glad to be a man of Trantrith. I did not know as a boy how much the country has to offer a man.”

A man at the back made his presence known. “Are you responsible for your brother Marcos’s attacks on the rulers of Elenea?”

Luke responded without pause. “Marcos makes his own attacks. At first I had dealings with him and discussed ways to rule and in spirit of helpfulness assisted him with Elenean dissenters but he has his own army now which he calls the Blues and I do not care for it. He does not speak to me any more and I would not be welcome in his country. But as you say he is my brother, I have tried hard to reconcile him to the peaceful ways of ruling a country. I see that this will not happen. This is why the future holds battle, it is his desire not mine.”

Luke could sense murmurings in the room and was worried he would lose support. Another man came to the fore.

“You are raising armies of many men. Will you lead them into battle on behalf of your birth country?”

“I have had promises from the Athelean Elders that it will be their army who lead the fight when it comes. We will work together and ensure the fighting does not reach other parts of the world. Elenea have also agreed to this. The battle will be contained wholly within the land of Athelea.”

Another man spoke and it was clear they were not happy. “How will you deal with your brother if he still has his country after he is forced out of the lowland?”

“I will treat with him like any foreign ruler,” said Luke. He will be contained in his land and he will have his own people. We know he presents a possible threat and nations will be ready to see he does not cause trouble.”

They asked different versions of the questions again and again and Luke could see he was not making progress. “So what would you have me do?” he asked in irritation.

“It is not for you to question the Council,” said the man Tadeos who acted as leader. “Nor is it for us to give the answers to your questions or to set strategy. That is for soldiers to do.”

“Then I hope I have answered your questions as well as I can,” said Luke tersely. He glanced at Hartor hoping for support but did not get anything in return. Tadeos sat silently then spoke.

“I am grateful to you for your advice, Luke. You have not been here before and say things as well as you can. We will speak to you again. I wish you success in your dealings with the enemy.”

Luke realised he was dismissed, left the room by the entrance he had used when he came in, and walked aimlessly through the tunnels and into the cold air of the open mountain. It was a long time before Hartor came out and joined him.

*

They walked a little way along the mountain slope. Luke looked back towards the entrance. They had brought two foot soldiers each, it seemed unnecessary so deep in their own country but Hartor had made him promise. Don’t trust anyone, Luke. Not even me. He had little enough fear of Hartor, out of all the people in the world.

Hartor watched him and read his thoughts. “Should have brought more. Nowhere is safe for the moment. Except within the mountain where fighting is against the law.”

“You think Marcos’s influence extends all the way to here?”

“What did you think of the Elders, Luke? Does his influence extend to them?”

“They seemed a bit hesitant. Less support than I have had from most people I meet.”

“They are frightened, Luke. Let me explain how fearful men behave.”

Looking down the slope they could see the twisting line of a path of the Old Ones, overgrown with vegetation. They would not go near, snakes lived in the undergrowth and though they would recoil at the approach of a man it was easy enough to disturb a nest and create danger.

“In their minds two things can happen. Marcos can win over you and he will be angry at all who gave you support. Or you can win over Marcos and you will forgive all those who gave him support. Men side with the more dangerous leader because they are fearful of his retribution. I was taught this and learnt it anew from my time with Stefan. This is why they are divided. If it were not for Marcos they would all be your friends.”

“That is why they are all so concerned about how I should fight him.”

“They want to hear one thing.”

“That the threat will be eliminated.”

“Yes. If you leave him to retain his kingdom the threat will never go away.”

“Well that will be down to the Atheleans.”

“That is not what they want to hear. They need to know you will do whatever it takes.”

“That I will fight him myself?”

“That you will lead armies and overcome him and he will not leave the battlefield alive. Then they will be content with your plans.”

“And in the meantime?”

“Be careful. It would be only too natural for one of them to believe he will gain favour with Marcos by doing a certain service for him. Of course it would not become anything such and I have warned them. He would despise such craven behaviour even as he took advantage of it. And he would be annoyed that they took the battle away from him. He wants to fight, like many warriors it is the thing he loves best.”

Hartor stopped, looked at Luke directly in the face. “I have made arrangements to move Ruth and the children to a safer place.”

“Why so?”

“Have you thought? What happens if Marcos prevails?”

“Surely they won’t be in danger. They are not combatants.”

“You are naive. He may treat them well, he may take Ruth for his wife. This happens in war. He will not want your children becoming a threat to his rule.”

“That makes me shiver. I find it hard to believe.”

“Nevertheless. In these times wives and children are best moved out of harm. I have a place for them to go where they will be safe and comfortable.”

“Best not to tell me where, then. Easier not to know.”

“Yes. There is no immediate hurry but they will leave long in advance. She will want you to give her another baby before you leave.”

“In case I don’t come back.”

“Or I hope, for when you do. The more the better.” He looked at the younger man fondly and Luke felt as if he had been wrapped in a protective blanket.

They moved uphill, Luke could sense a purpose in his master’s steps. “We are going back into the mountain?”

“It has taken me a lot of searching to find this. We are on the right level now. Yes, we are going in.”

*

Luke stepped once more into the gloomy passageways of the mountain, leaving their guards outside. They did not have to travel far, a side passage doubled back to open out into a cave lit and ventilated from an aperture on one side. A man sat on a stone shelf, waiting for them.

“Greetings, master,” said Hartor without using the man’s name. “This is Luke, the one I told you about.”

“Respectful greetings, Luke,” said the man.

Luke bowed and remained standing. The man pointed to a place where both might sit.

“We will need no ceremony,” said Hartor. “You may as well fetch it.”

The man reached into the gap to the side of his seat. “I have stored it here but this is not its normal place. I have had to obtain permission to retrieve it.”

The bundle was wrapped in a linen shroud. Removing the covers Luke could see the handle. The rest was covered in leather, he could smell the freshness and knew the covering had been made recently for his benefit. The man withdrew it from its sheath and presented a blade of a majesty Luke had never seen before.

“Morgrith,” Luke said. “So it’s true.”

“Do not touch the sharp edge of the blade,” warned the man. “It is not like the metal you know. It will cut your finger off.”

Luke tapped his fingernail against the metal. Taking out a flint he banged it carefully against the side and a faint spark flew off. “I have seen this metal before,” said Luke. “Not long ago. I cut my finger then, will not make the same mistake again.”

“This is the sword that was made four generations ago,” said the man. “Five generations to you. It fell out of the sky.”

“Fell out of the sky? Yes, I know that is the legend. Is it really true?"

“One night the gods had a war. My grandfather told me the story, his own grandfather was there to witness it. During the night there was a terrible noise and a great flash of light. The mountain shook and all were wakened. As soon as the sun rose the frightened people went to find the source of the disturbance. By a small stream they saw the ground had been gouged and all the vegetation charred. Digging down they found the weapon of the gods, still warm in the ground. They could see bright metal, they knew what it was as by that time they were already developing the skill to forge the soft material of the Old Ones. So they dug it up and took it back into the mountain.

“The metal workers were unable to provide enough heat to melt it but they found that when it was glowing brightly they could hammer it into a new shape. It helped that they had, and I believe still have, some rare hand tools of the Old Ones, themselves made of an even tougher metal that we have never been able to cut or fashion. So by hard labour they made it into a weapon that has not been surpassed in our age.

“With such a weapon Hartor was almost invincible in hand to hand combat and all feared him. But his son, Hartor the Black, was not such a good ruler. He had division in the land and many fought against him. This is the weapon he used to kill two of his own sons and for which he paid a long penance.

“Since then it has been kept in a secret place. Even during the Mountain Wars it was not taken from there. It was thought to have been destroyed but the custodians simply allowed it to disappear from view, not knowing whether it might be needed again. Now, Hartor tells me, is the time. It is yours, Luke, use it wisely.”

Luke sheathed the weapon, tested its weight and wondered how to wear it. He looked at Hartor. “Will I really have to use this? We have metal arrows and horses now, it seems a bit old fashioned.”

“I don’t know what will become,” said Hartor. “But you will do well to have it. It will beat any man in a fight, whether or not it is useful in a full battle.”

Leaving the cave they exited to where their soldiers were standing patiently in the winter sunshine, the dagger concealed as well as possible within Luke’s clothing. They walked on foot across the mountain to the village by the lake.

Luke looked over to the distant hills in the north of the land. “I can feel it starting.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Not exactly afraid, but something.”

“That is good. A man should be afraid of battle, it is something we dislike doing but when it happens we have to do it well. Fear, as long as it does not overcome you will make you prepare well. It is our advantage. Marcos will be bold, he will ride into battle readily and eagerly. We will make that his downfall.”