One day when he had gone through the candidates for several hours, he finally found someone that caught his eye. It was a young man with short black hair that was clad in a cloak that was split even in black and white. The left shoulder and left leg were white while the right side was covered in black. He created a white light with his left hand and a beautiful starry night in the room with his right hand. Ilmur had never seen anything like it and wanted to know the man’s name immediately.

“Cecil from Landorrin,” said the man while he scratched his eye, it looked like the man was in pain.

“I think you might be the man I’ve been looking for,” said Ilmur.

He dismissed the other remaining mages so they could talk unheard. “I trust that you know why you are here?”

“Yes, Gandon son of Feadrim, lies in a coma, and you have searched the whole continent for someone that could wake him up,” said Cecil while scratching his eye again.

“Are you in pain?” asked Ilmur.

“A little, but do not worry about it. It’s my own fault to begin with.”

Cecil made the impression that he wouldn’t discuss the subject further. “May I see the man?”

“Do you think you can help him?” asked Ilmur.

“It’s impossible to say, since I haven’t seen him yet, but I have never failed so far.”

Ilmur nodded, he had a good feeling about the man and decided to take him to Gandon, right away.”

Gandon laid on his bed still unmoving but was breathing normally. Praise Gothmor thought Ilmur to himself.

Cecil made a hand gesture over Gandon’s head that reminded a lot of the gesture Yvon had done previously.

“It’s dark magic alright, that’s for certain, a strong dark magic. If you lived on the hope that Gandon would wake up on his own merit, you better forget it now.”

“But there must be something we can do! Anything! Money isn’t a problem”, said Ilmur desperately.

“As I said, this is powerful dark magic,” this time Cecil stressed out the words dark and magic. “I can help you, but there are certain moments in the procedure where I can do nothing. Do you have a strong bond with him?”

“As strong as a brother,” said Ilmur.

“Good, good, because this time casting a simple spell or making some herbs won’t be enough to break the spell, that’s why everyone before me has failed I deem. A human’s soul needs a good balance between light and dark, and now there is so much darkness in Gandon thanks to the spell that his body can’t function at all. Therefore, we will create a ring,” said Cecil.

“I don’t think I fully understand…” said Ilmur.

“We will create a ring and seal a dragon’s soul into it to restore the balance. A phoenix would be best, but you wouldn’t be able to catch one, not even if you lived until the end of all time.”

Ilmur did not even know that phoenixes existed, he had thought they were only legends. However, dragons were no news to him. “Finding a dragon won’t be easy, we have been quite good at slaying those snakes, so the kingdom could live in peace,” said Ilmur.

“Yes, but I know where you can find one dragon, a very strong dragon even. She’s a female so it will make the ring even better. Balance is the key, light and dark, male and female and so forth.”

“Well, I’ll make a host ready, you just tell me where this dragon is, and I will bring you its hide.”

“No, this is something that you must do on your own. The bond with you and Gandon is strong, and the souls’ properties will weaken if you have men to aid you. If you don’t go alone, Gandon will never wake up, you have my word on it.”

Ilmur sat down with his hand in his hair. He knew about the theory regarding slaying dragons. You needed someone to distract the snake while someone else (several would be preferred) attacked and wounded the dragon. To go alone would be suicide.

“You cross that bridge when you come to it, but for the moment we can worry about creating the dragon ring instead. Dwarven craft would be preferable, but I am not sure if we can get a dwarf to help us in this matter. They are usually very secretive about their craft.

“I actually know how to use a forge the dwarven way, especially rings. I made the wedding rings myself you see.” Ilmur held up his right hand so Cecil could look at the craftsmanship.

Cecil raised an eyebrow. “Impressive, looks like I won’t have to do all of the work after all.”

“You know some of the art yourself?” asked Ilmur.

“That I do, but I am surprised that you know somewhat yourself, you must have made quite an impression if someone decided to teach you.”

Ilmur thought back at the promise he had made with Minrir, to never reveal any of their secrets. Even if Cecil knew some of it the dwarves might not see it that way. However, he was desperate and would do anything to save Gandon, and if they were discreet about it no one would have to know.

“When can we start?” asked Ilmur.

“Fix us a forge and we can start whenever you like.”

“Tonight, then,” said Ilmur.

Now they had some hard work ahead of them. Ilmur did not miss the heat from the forges, and it was hard work, but the soul crushing part was that Cecil never seemed to be satisfied with any of the rings they made. He felt a little bit rusty but got irritated that none of the thirty rings they had made seemed to do.

“Patience, my prince. You cannot rush these things. We will just have to be persistent.”

He laid down next to Alexandra feeling exhausted after a long hard day. He had decided that he would be everyday at the forge until Cecil was satisfied.

On the third day they finally made a ring that seemed to satisfy Cecil. It was a beautiful silver ring that was thin in the middle but thicker at the ends of it.

“Now I will just pour some magic into it, meanwhile you can sharpen your sword for some dragon slaying, my prince.”

Ilmur thought that his skills with the blade would not be enough, so he went to Yvon for some advice.

“It’s fortunate that you are not Gandon, for no fire can hurt a dragon, in fact they thrive in it. I would suggest that you would practice making some ice spears to pierce its hide with.

Ilmur thought it was a good idea, he had started to rely too much on his sword and seldom even bothered to take a berry from his pouch. Magic was a skill like any other that you needed to practice to stay sharp. Cecil seemed to be impatient at Ilmur.

“I have better things to do, than to just sit here for the rest of my life rolling my thumbs.”

“As you said earlier, patience. If I need to go alone, I need to be ready for the worst to come.”

Cecil nodded somewhat irritably and brought forth a map. “Here in the north should you find the great dragon Fornixa with its silver scales.”

“How do you know about this?”

“That is my own secret, I came here to help you, not to reveal my sources.”

This seemed to be another subject that was off limits for Ilmur, and he saw no need to force an answer out of him. He even agreed with Cecil to some extent.

Two weeks later he could not wait any longer. He was so eager to fight this Fornixia so they could have Gandon back. He would prevail, he knew it, failure was not an option. He brought out his horse and rode out early in the morning. Looking at the mountain on the map that Cecil had been pointing out earlier. The journey was not too difficult, but he slept badly during the nights knowing what was to come and he was scared. This would have been so much easier if he could have done it together with Gandon.

The journey was a time to reflect over his childhood and the decisions he had been forced to make, and the knowledge that he would rule as a king one day started to sink in, he hoped it was not too soon, but his father had looked so tired a long while now.

He ate nor slept more than he had too, but it was still a long journey on horseback. One and a half week later he finally reached his destination. He could sense that the dragon was nearby and decided to rest well before his encounter. When the sun rose, he began sharpening his blade. He had decided that he would skip breakfast, and he could eat later instead.

He found a pathway that led into the mountain. It was starting to become hot; this was a climate that Gandon would have fared better in. He had the sword in his right arm and the berries in his left hand, ready to use them at first sight of danger.

He came to a large cave where the dragon had slept, but Ilmur’s footsteps had stirred the dragon widely awake. The dragon had silver scales shining beautifully in the cave with large black horns. Its black pupils were sharp like lizards.

Ilmur had planned to attack right away but he hesitated when he saw the dragon. The dragon’s mouth didn’t move but he could hear her voice echoing in his mind.

You haven’t introduced yourself like the old customs demands, but I know who you are. You come from a long line of kings; everything about you says so. How you walk and how you hold yourself up, you are from House Avar alright, no question about it. Your forefathers have killed many of my kin, so I don’t know if it’s bravery or stupidity that made you come here.

“Neither I came because of love,” said Ilmur.

Fornixia smiled at that. Go on, she said.

Ilmur looked at all the gold that was laying on the floor. “You hate our house for what we have done in the past, but don’t try to tell me you have obtained your treasure hall through gifts. I know all too well how a dragon obtains their gold.”

Fornixia’s wings rose, and she breathed fire. Do not try to lecture me! How do you think your house obtained their power in the past? You are conquerors just like me!

“We have changed but you have not. The world has moved on and there is no place for you in it any longer.

So you say Avar! But is there any place for you I wonder? I can sense in your heart that you are not ready to take the throne. You still grieve in your heart after your dead brother. And there is someone in your life that could do a better job, someone that is sleeping because of you.

That hit too close to home and Ilmur ate the first of his berries ready to finish what he started. Fornixia breathed fire once again, but Ilmur blocked the flames with an ice wall that filled the cave. This duel is famous and has been told many times under different campfires, a favourite for many. Dragon slaying wasn’t something new, but it was the first time a single man had been able to do it.

They fought for hours and when it was done Ilmur’s coat was torn and stained with blood. After he unleashed the killing blow in the underbelly, he brought forth the ring, placed it on the ground and forced the dragon’s soul to inhabit the ring. When it was done the ring turned into the purest silver and a dragon could be seen on the ring. He was hungry, but he didn’t dare to eat the dragon’s flesh, so he decided to get out of there as quickly as possible. He hoped the food storage would be enough for the return journey otherwise he would have to ask help from the smallfolk.

When he returned to Everharn had he been gone for more than three weeks, and everyone was happy to see him. He brushed them off as quickly as he could because he wanted to see Gandon as quickly as possible.

Everything was as exactly as before in Gandon’s room. Ilmur came up to Gandon and put the dragon ring on Gandon’s ring finger on his right hand. Gandon opened his eyes immediately, and Ilmur called for the servants. Gandon held his head in his arms; it looked like he had a bad headache. “How long was I out?”

“You have been out a good long time, brother. But don’t worry about it right now, the most important thing is that you are awake,” said Ilmur.

“Ilmur, you look horrible, what the hell have happened to you? We need to patch you up right away.”

“It can wait, what is the last thing you remember?”

Gandon tried to remember. “We were fighting this black hooded man. I got hit and everything turned black after that. Did you avenge me?”

“No, when I went to check up on you, but he was gone. He was wounded and probably saw no need to continue fighting. I’m sorry brother.”

Gandon finally discovered the dragon ring. “What’s this? A gift?”

“You could say that,” said Ilmur.

The servants hurried into the chamber to aid their lord.

“Do you need anything Gandon?”

“Not, at the moment, I would like to know everything that was happening while I was gone.”

“Well, you heard the man,” said Ilmur. “Out with you, out with you now!”

They were once again alone and Ilmur started to fill him up on the details while he had been unconscious. They talked for a long while, like good friends do when they haven’t seen each other in ages, but Gandon got quiet when Ilmur started to talk about the wedding. Gandon had a lot more questions when Ilmur was done.

“So, this ring, will I faint if I remove it from my hand?”

Ilmur looked solemn. “I think so, when you got hit you got way too much darkness into you and the ring therefore is needed to balance your body. At least that is what Cecil says.”

“I’ll keep it on then, for now. I would very much like to talk to this Cecil, he seems like a mysterious person. I wonder what he hopes to gain from this.”

“He won’t complain, we will shower him with riches soon enough.”

“He never demanded anything else than just gold?” said Gandon suspiciously.

Ilmur shook his head.

“I see,” said Gandon. “Well, bring me some food then and let me rest for a bit, I feel exhausted.”

“I’m going to try to find Cecil,” said Ilmur.

*

It was getting late and Gandon laid in the bed uneasy. Apparently Ilmur was married now, he knew he should be happy for his friend, but it felt like Ilmur had pierced his stomach with a knife and twisted the knife several times and to top that of Ilmur was apparently some dragon slayer know, he had beaten a dragon on his own. Gandon had read the books and heard the stories and as far as he knew, that had never happened before. Saran was dead and Ilmur would now become a king, he would only gain more fame for his deeds and he would become a more popular king than Elram and Alexandra would look at him with swooning eyes and be so grateful that she never picked him instead. Gandon got angry, really angry. He had sacrificed his life to save Ilmur, why had he done that? Because his father had sacrificed his life to save the king? How long were they planning to do this dance? If house Avar couldn’t take care of itself, it wasn’t his problem, and how was Elram going to repay him? By giving him governance over some backwater city? Hadn’t he proved himself enough already? The king could as well have spotted him in the face instead. He deserved better; he knew he did. He didn’t sleep at all that night, he sat in the dark and pondered alone in his thoughts.

He didn’t want to see anyone the next day he was walking alone in the corridors, his left hand touching the wall while his left hand was touching his forehead. He didn’t know if the headache was because he was so exhausted or that he was so angry at everything and everyone. He found Ilmur when he was walking, he tried to get away, but it was impossible to do without looking suspicious.

“Morning brother, good to see you up and about. Would you fancy going out and practice with me a little? I feel a bit out of shape after all this magic training.”

Gandon’s headache was becoming fiercer, and he was so close to rage. “So what? So you can humiliate me on the training yard like you do year after year? I have already given my life protecting you, what more do you need from me?”

“Gandon… I didn’t mean it at all like that. You know I’m grateful, I would have done the same for you, you know I would.”

“Sure, you would have, I need to be alone for the moment.” Gandon started to walk away.

“Brother I’m truly sorry if I have offended you, it wasn’t long since you woke up, it was too soon. It was untactful. I’ll see you later then.”

Gandon only waved with his hand as he walked away. He walked the endless corridors unable to not think about his father. Feadrim had been a captain in the order named men of the phoenix. How would his life had been if Feadrim had lived, and he would have grown up with his real father instead? The men of the phoenix protected men in general, but who they protected most vigorously were men who could channel fire. His father would have been pleased to know that his son was a skilled fire mage. Was it because of that he had decided to learn the art of fire? He hadn’t known the stories when he had picked his element but still was it just a coincidence or was there something more to it? Did it symbolize that he had never belonged here and that he should be with the men of the phoenix? Was his whole life just a lie? A scenery on a stage you could easily remove when the play was over. “Who am I? Where do I come from?”

You are a lord, said a voice

Gandon turned around but there was no one there, he was all alone. I have definitely slept too little tonight, thought Gandon. He went to the practice yard but he went to one of the higher seats so he wouldn’t be discovered. He could see Ilmur practice with Taril, Taril wasn’t bad but even Gandon would have fared better against Ilmur. They were laughing and having fun, Ilmur always enjoyed when he could do this type of thing; this was his element. Gandon, however, hadn’t enjoyed it in a long time, he had felt for a good while now that he was wasting his time with it. His talents were better for other works like ruling and paper works. Why did Ilmur always try to shape him into something he wasn’t? He sat there for a long while observing them intently but never revealing himself. Afterwards he went back to his room, but he still had trouble sleeping.

Ilmur came the next day again, he wanted to refuse him saying that he still wasn’t feeling well, but he couldn’t refuse when Ilmur told him that they had been summoned by the king and Gandon didn’t dare to refuse an order from the king. Gandon knew that Ilmur would go to their master if he would continue keeping up his behaviour from yesterday so he tried to fake it as best as he could.

“Why does your father want to see us?” said Gandon this time, but Ilmur seemed to take no notice.

“I have no idea, don’t believe for a second that father tells me everything. The plan for the marriage was only revealed to me at the last minute. remember?”

They entered the throne room and Elram was sitting on the throne with two blades in his hands, they were hidden in white cloth. The king looked far older than last time Gandon had seen him. To his surprise he saw Minrir standing nearby.

“Ah my boys, so kind of you to come and see your old father. I have a gift for both of you.”

You are no father of mine, my real father roots in the grave that you made for him, thought Gandon.

“You both tried to protect and avenge my son, and then you Gandon was willing to sacrifice yourself to save Ilmur. Such courage needs to be awarded.” He removed the cloth and two swords glimmering in a beautiful blue glow with silver handles could be seen.

“Minrir has informed me that this is king steel that was mined in the moon mountains hence the glow they display. According to the stories, king steel is so rare that they have never met their kin in battle, and according to Minrir these swords are unbreakable. They weren’t cheap and it wasn’t easy to convince the dwarves but both of you are truly worth it. He came down from the throne and the brothers knelt when they received their gifts.

“Go forth and protect my kingdom with the weapons that you have been given. You two are my shields in the realm.” There was a short silence. “One more thing Gandon, I will make you a lord. I will send you to Sirion shortly to govern over my affairs, I will give you an estate and servants. I believe you will do good work there. What name will your house have?”

Ilmur was flabbergasted and Gandon was quite surprised himself. There was a lot to take in, first the swords and now this. He thought about his father again, as he often did recently.

“Your grace, the name of my house will be Feadrim.”

“Ah, after your father then, I guess it’s only fitting. Well then, rise Gandon of house Feadrim!”

The people chaired, but Gandon noticed that Ilmur did not, he looked numb. His fists tightened but he tried to undo them as quickly as he could. Gandon stood up, and tried to take it all in. People started patting him on the back and eventually Ilmur joined them as well. When they got free, they started to inspect the swords and they looked identical, but they didn’t have time to think about that since they both were eager to see Minrir. He searched fanatically for a gold coin in his pocket.

Minrir laughed. “Easy lad, we are in your house now, therefore we follow your customs.”

“I can’t believe you came all this way,” said Gandon.

“I was delighted, both of you made quite an impression during your short stay. Still knowing yourself around a forge Ilmur?”

Ilmur smiled. “Definitely.”

Minrir was eyeing the ring on Gandon’s finger. “That ring is dwarven made, or at least made by someone that knows our ways. You haven’t thought Gandon or anybody else Ilmur?”

“No,” said Ilmur, but Gandon thought he looked slightly ashamed. Not many would have picked up upon it, but he knew Ilmur so well.

“Good, good. Can I later come over to your room and talk a little Gandon?”

“Absolutely, I’m looking forward to it.”

Minrir bowed and left the throne room and Ilmur had left shortly before that.

*

Ilmur felt rather down in the mud when he was walking to Alexandra’s chamber. He was happy that Gandon had become a lord, the gods knew he deserved that, but sending him all the way to Sirion? It was an awfully long way… Sure, he could visit but now they would see each other only once or twice a year. It wasn’t enough for Ilmur, but the decision wasn’t his to make. When he entered the Alexandra’s chamber Alexandra was happy to see him. “Ilmur! I have wonderful news! I’m with child!”

This day was truly a lot to take in, first what happened in the throne room and now this. He showed all his worries in the back of his mind and decided to just enjoy the moment with the woman he loved.

*

Minrir knocked on Gandon’s door a few hours later and after a quick briefing on what had happened in their lives since the last time they had seen each other, the glasses came out and they started to discuss politics when they were on their fourth glass, and Gandon felt rather bold.

“Can I trust you, Minrir? You won’t share what I am going to tell you?”

“Of course, lad, a dwarf never reveals a secret, not even under torture,” said the dwarf proudly.

“I have later started to question our system. Ilmur is going to inherit the throne, but he’s not fit to be king, he’s a warrior and that is where he is happy as well.”

“I hear you; it was after all you who did all the paperworks and meetings while Ilmur was stuck in the forge.”

“Someone else could do a better job, someone like…”

“You lad?”

“Well, I didn’t mean… Well, I for an example yes.”

“You don’t have to be ashamed to admit it. We don’t have kings like you do, we don’t inherit power, we have a learned council that votes on matters and who should rule and matters as such.”

“I wish we had such a system, but it would never fly with the lords.”

“Changes will happen, but it won’t change over a night.”

“You have given me a lot to think about,” said Gandon.

The twilight was almost consumed by the night and he had once again trouble sleeping. The same thoughts kept spinning around in his head and he saw no solutions to them. Ilmur wasn’t worthy and the lords were corrupt and incompetent. He was a lord himself now, but still a lesser one, the house didn’t have any history or funding’s it was just a fancy title, and it didn’t mean much in truth. His life was better than the smallfolk, true but after all he had done, he had deserved more, after all his family had done…

Yes, you deserve so much more, said a voice.

That startled him and he pushed himself up. He grabbed the knife that was next to the bed. “Who’s there?” The voice had sounded as if it had come from the whole room, it had been loud as well. It reminded him of the voice he had heard earlier, then he had blamed it on his tiredness, but now he was sure it was something else.

Wake up my lord, you have slept enough as it is, said the voice.

He left the bed, he couldn’t see anyone in the room because it was so dark, he was thinking about shouting for the guards, but he wouldn’t ask for help if he wasn’t in any real danger, he was far too proud for that. What was that voice, he had never heard it before, but it seemed to know him. “Who are you?” said Gandon.

The voice laughed. Everyone seems to think that you are so intelligent, surely you can do better than that. Or are you just a small child who needs a clue or two to figure out a simple riddle? said the voice.

The taunting made Gandon angry, and he started to think fast. He felt a bit slow, since he had been in a coma for so long, but it wasn’t hard to solve this riddle. He wasn’t crazy, he didn’t usually hear voices in his head. What had changed? The ring and Ilmur’s slaying of the dragon. “You are the dragon, aren’t you?”

The voice laughed yet again. Very good! Very good indeed!

Gandon waited for the voice to say anything more, but nothing came. Her soul is inside the ring, I’m not sure that I want a dragon inside my head should I just remove it from my finger? The voice would probably stop then.

If you do that you die and you know it, don’t tell me you don’t, said the voice.

So you can read my thoughts then?

I can read your thoughts and you can read mine, isn’t that fair?

Gandon didn’t think so, and he wasn’t sure that the dragon was telling him the truth either. I better do something about this.

Don’t be like that, I can be a very powerful ally. Now my magic is yours as well, and of all mages you are a fire mage! Imagine the possibilities! With my help no one would be able to stop you. Forget about me, and concentrate your hatred on Ilmur and the king, the ones that took everything away from you. The woman and the country can be yours, we just need to kill Ilmur. The people respect you, they are like Aexandra, they didn’t pick you because you are only the second best, but if their dream prince would be dead they would come to you with open arms.

Kill Ilmur? He saved my life!

He only cleaned up his own mess, like his father did before him. You have already started to doubt in your own heart. I have seen it. You defend him, but you don’t know him as well as you think you do. Let me show you something.

The whole room evaporated and suddenly Gandon stood in a different part of the castle surrounded by Ilmur and his brothers. They looked much younger than they do now.

They can’t hear you, so don’t bother. Just listen for now.

“The rumors have begun to spread again about father and his mistress”, said Saran while looking at Ilmur.

“Gandon is the worst thing that has ever happened to us,” said the third brother Taril. “We will never get rid of this shame as long as we will and now when the people doubt our father, they will doubt us as well.”

“Gandon’s father saved our father’s life, or have you forgotten?” said Ilmur.

“It would have been better if our father had died with an untarnished reputation instead. Not for us, but as for the kingdom as a whole. We are trying to create a dynasty over here.

“We need to sweep this under the rug as best as we can,” said Saran. “We can never give him a position of too big importance. Otherwise, the people will just believe that father is trying to please his mistress. It’s going to take a long while before we can remedy this.

Ilmur looked ashamed on the ground. “You are right, for the kingdom it would have been better if Gandon hadn’t come here. But I will still treat him with respect nonetheless.”

“We all will, we are not terrible people. Continue spending time with him Ilmur, he likes you the best. Meanwhile Saran and I will see what we can do about the situation.”

“And remember,” said Taril. “No matter what happens we can never give him a too important position, if ever father would want to do that, one of us must convince him otherwise. It wouldn’t be good if he outshined us either. Keep beating him on the yard Ilmur, so he stays humble.”

Ilmur nodded. “Agreed.”

The vision faded and Gandon was back in his room. He tried to keep his hands steady, but they shook worse than ever. So, I am just a burden, am I? Well, you are a burden to my plans. We’ll see who can amend theirs first.

He went to one of the portraits of the king and the queen. He took it down and started stabbing it. For the first time since Gandon had woken up from the coma was his mind clear. He knew what he needed to do, and he knew who he was now. He was going to play the biggest game of five towers he had ever done, and the challenge thrilled him, this was his area of expertise. The world wasn’t big enough for Gandon and Ilmur and one of them had to fall. He laughed silently, the king himself had given him the dagger! Sirion would be his base of operations and he couldn’t wait to go there as soon as possible. He went to bed and he finally had a good night of sleep.

The next day Gandon was surprised that he went to the practice yard without anyone asking him, but he was feeling great and wanted to have a match with Ilmur. Ilmur was surprised but accepted of course. It started like it always did, Ilmur was on the offense and Gandon felt himself forced to back but instead of panicking he gave Gandon a sly smile. Everything felt different now, the colours were more vibrant and to Gandon Ilmur felt a bit slower than usual, true, Ilmur was better than him but he didn’t feel like that was a good reason to lose anymore. His confidence was on top. He did some good parrying and started to attack back. Strike his left shoulder now! Screamed Fornixia in his head. He trusted her and gave a quick slash, and his practice sword hit the target.

“I win Ilmur,” said Gandon.

Ilmur had fallen to the ground by the force of his blow and looked surprised. Possibly even afraid or angry. This was not something Ilmur was used to.

Another proof that Ilmur doesn’t want me to succeed him. Thought Gandon to himself.

Ilmur went back up and brushed the dirt off his coat. “Since when did you get this good?” chuckled Ilmur. “Again?”

“No, I think I’ve had enough for the moment,” said Gandon. Now he had seen what he needed to see. Ilmur could be beaten. He waved while leaving. Smiling to himself. When he returned to his chamber found he a man sitting with a black and white coat sitting on his bed.

“Who are you? And what are you doing in my room?”

“Here in the kingdom people call me Cecil, but I have many names”.

“Where have you been? Ilmur have been looking for you for quite some time now,” said Gandon.

“I had no interest in talking with him any longer. I’d rather talked with you when the time was right. Which I believe it is.”

“The time is right for what?”

“We have something in common, we both want to defeat Ilmur. He wounded me terribly and my pride I must admit. When we fought earlier”.

“Wait a minute… Are you saying that you are the man in the black cloak? Shouldn’t you be angry at me as well?”

Cecil waved it off. “Your fire was barely an inconvenience to me whatsoever. No, it’s Ilmur I’m angry at.”

“I don’t buy it, if you are angry at him, you should be angry at me as well,” said Gandon.

“We gods think differently about this sort of issue than you humans do. If I were a human maybe my pride would seek out my revenge on both of you, but I am not, I only care about what happened. Besides, the Gandon who fought me doesn’t really exist anymore doesn’t he?”

Gandon thought back on everything that had happened recently and to the conclusions he had gained. No, he could never go back to that life again.

“Maybe not, but I still don’t believe that you are a god,” said Gandon.

“That is not so important at the moment, but I know what you are planning and for that you need an arm, and I can give you one, at least a part of an army.”

That startled Gandon. How could this man know what his plans were? He hadn’t written them down anywhere or told anyone about them. Could this man communicate with the dragon?

Cecil rose from the bed. “We will talk more when you are in Sirion, but rest assured that we both want the same things. I think you will believe my story the next time we meet,” said Cecil and headed out.

Fornixia do you know this man? Have you spoken with him around my back?

No, I have not, but rest assured the tales are true. If this man is a god, or a demi-god since he has landed on Elnyr. It wouldn’t be the first time that a god has been slain in Altear and been sent to Elnyr to live the rest of his life as a mortal. I can’t know if this man is the true deal or not though.

When I fought him, he did things I had never seen before.

You must be careful around him, but he is right, you are going to need an army if you want to fight a war.

Lots to think about it seems, thought Gandon.

Gandon later met with the king to discuss the situation. The king made a notion that he should help himself to a glass of wine.

“Isn’t this splendid Gandon? Long you have waited for the chance to govern and prove yourself.”

I’ve proven myself enough old man, thought Gandon but kept it to himself. Gandon only nodded and took a mouth full of wine.

“The truth is my boy, is that I suspect that the council in Sirion are guilty of tax fraud. I’ve looked over the numbers with my council and they don’t simply add up. This is something I want you to investigate when you get there, I give you a free rein in Alden and especially Sirion.”

This was good, the king was going to give him the eastern part of the whole kingdom to govern, he had no idea, in what condition it would be in, but he had to look at that later.

“I understand that you will miss Ilmur terribly, but this must be done, I see no better man for the job.”

“Oh I don’t think it will be that long until the next time I see him, your grace. When will I leave? I see no reason to postpone what must be done.”

“Could you go already next week? We can do it later, if you feel you need more time to get your affairs in order.”

“That will be fine, your grace.”

Gandon knew that Ilmur knew that he was going soon and tried his best to see Gandon as much as possible over the coming days, while Gandon tried his best to avoid him. He still needed to keep up this charade a little bit longer, but it started to feel tiresome. Ilmur promised that he would visit him as soon as possible while Gandon assured him that there was no rush. Ilmur didn’t ask for any more matches and Gandon didn’t ask.

And so finally came the day when Gandon was heading out east. Ilmur stood at the gate with a group of 20 people waiting for him.

“My father has arranged an escort for you, it could be dangerous travelling alone in those parts of the kingdom, goblin raids and whatnot.

The king brought them to spy on you, thought Fornixia.

I know, I deal with them soon enough.

Gandon and Ilmur shook hands.

“I’m really going to miss you brother,” said Ilmur.

“Don’t worry, we will see each other again, soon enough.”

And while he rode out with his escort smiled, he thought to himself. Oh, I’m going to see you soon Ilmur, rest assured by that, but you might not be so happy to see me then.