Jedin went outside and walked through the castle yard. The day had started rather slowly. Taren had been meeting with his men so that he could leave to report to Kassadea the outcome of the battle at Thainos. Taren had considered sending a messenger to report, but he had not been able to pass up the opportunity to see as he said “this New World” Jedin had found Taren’s remark funny, as Jedin had thought of the Ice World as a new world.

           

After crossing the castle yard, Jedin went to the forward tower of the outer wall and went in through a side door that led to a stairway that wound to the top of the tower. Jedin had decided to walk today as his ‘flight’ yesterday had caused quite a bit of excitement in Taren’s men, and while Jedin had found it rather amusing, he also didn’t want to disturb them too much. As he walked up the tower, he passed several battlements, some with archers stationed at them. Finally, however, he came out into the cool air at the top of the tower.

 

As he looked out over the tundra, he could see where Volerum’s banner fluttered in the breeze from its mount on the tower.  He had come up here to mull over spells he had studied earlier. He wanted to be ready for any attack he might face, and prepare for dealing with the other Wands of Power, The Thunder Wand, and the Wand of Fire.

 

However, his concentration was shattered as shouts from the men on the walls called him from his thoughts.  He looked to where the men were pointing, and could see the familiar look of the Royal Guard marching through the mountain pass, with Volerum’s Anthem echoing faintly on his ears.

 

As the Royal Guard marched its way toward the castle, Jedin jumped off the tower. “Fellay N’ori!” yelled Jedin as he fell through the air and pulled himself out of the dive, landing softly on his feet.  After landing, Jedin dashed off for the main tower and went in and up the outer stairwell that led to the throne room. As he made his way up the stairs, he bumped into someone when he passed.

 

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” It was Jerith; Jedin hadn’t noticed him in his haste.

 

“Oh, Jerith, good… um… the Royal Guard is coming; I was going to inform Taren,” said Jedin, a bit winded.

 

“Good, they’re here already. I’ll go with you to tell Taren, then we can all go down to greet them together,” said Jerith.

 

When they had made their way to the throne room, Taren, Renin and some of their men had just come out of a meeting. “Jedin, Jerith, I was just coming to find you. I finally got things set up so we can leave,” said Taren.

 

“Oh good,” said Jedin as he cut in, “The Royal Guard is approaching the castle.”

 

“Well we will have to go out and meet them, then,” responded Taren.

 

The four of them proceeded down the stairs, and as they went they could hear Volerum’s Anthem playing loudly outside the castle, and soon they came out of the central tower. Taren ordered the gates to be opened to allow the oncoming troops to enter. After the gates were opened, Taren led them out to greet the army.

 

When the troops arrived, the lead knight halted the troops and hailed the party before them.

 

“Jerith, the Queen Kassadea sent a large delegation of the Royal Guard as soon as she had returned to the capital,” said the knight.

 

“Ah, Eljen, I’m glad to see the Queen has sent such fine troops to help in the defense of this world,” said Jerith.

 

“Thank you. Queen Kassadea did send many great knights. Now will you be taking command of the Guard?” asked Eljen

 

“No, no,” said Jerith, “We will be going to Kassadea shortly to report the outcome of the battle here. This is Sir Taren, governor of this world. You will report to his men,” finished Jerith gesturing towards Taren.

 

Eljen gave a bow from his saddle, “It is an honor, Sir Taren.”

 

Taren stepped forward, “Eljen this is my second, Renin. He will be taking care of the affairs of the castle in my leave. You will command the army here and report to Renin,” said Taren.

 

Eljen gave a small bow to Renin.

 

“Well, with things taken care of, we should be off. Bring the troops into the castle and have them stabled,” added Taren.

 

With that, Taren led Jedin and Jerith to where their horses were waiting.  They mounted, and with a “Yah!” they set off from the castle.

 

As they rode off, Jedin looked up at the sky, as he often did, and noticed that the once-thick cloud cover was thinning out, and small spots of blue could be now seen in the gray swirl. Perhaps, thought Jedin, this frozen world will thaw soon. He smiled as he looked about, but soon had to hurry to keep up with the others.

 

They were keeping a fast pace so that they could make it to Dezol before nightfall; that meant the journey through the mountain pass would have to be made quickly, however it should be easier to travel now than it had been with the army.

 

Riding through the mountains was a bit slower than Taren had hoped, and Jedin wanted to make it out before it got too late. Many demons had been seen fleeing this way, and he didn’t want to have demons fall on them as they slept.

 

As they trekked on, it started to become dark, and by the time they had reached Dezol, there was only the faintest bit of twilight left. The small castle-like fortification was before them at the south end of Dezol.

 

The whole town seemed abuzz with excitement and full of enthusiastic hope over the movement of the Royal Guard through the Ice World. Many homes had Volerum’s banner flying over them with the red, white, and yellow rose fluttering in the air. The whole thing looked rather cheery and festive, even with a part of the Royal Guard left defending the town. Jedin smiled as he stretched out his hand to produce several lights of bright colors to join in the excitement.

 

The three of them went to the small castle where they were met by guard composed of both of Royal Guard members and Ice Worlders. There was also a tall, dark-haired woman who had just come out of the castle.

 

“Taren! You’re back,” said the woman excitedly.

 

“Ah Syrin, it’s good to see you,” said Taren as he got off his horse and kissed the woman called Syrin. “Jedin, Jerith, I don’t think you have met my wife, Syrin,” Jedin and Jerith gave a bow since they had also dismounted. “I have an announcement to make, but here, you can see first,” said Taren as he took the Ice Wand and placed it in Syrin’s hands. “The Ice Wand, taken from Thainos’ frozen grip.”

 

“Then the Demon king is dead?” said Syrin, with disbelief.

 

“And we hold his castle. But now we must have the people gathered so that they can hear the announcement of our victory. Guards! Summon the people and have them gather at the castle so that I can speak to them,” said Taren with a sound of triumph and satisfaction.

 

“Then you will be staying?” asked Syrin.

 

“Soon, I hope, but I have to go to Kassadea, the Volerum capital, and report to the Queen about the outcome of the battle at Thainos.”

 

“Take me with you,” said Syrin.

 

“Perhaps next time; I want to go and see that all is well before I take you there,” said Taren.

 

“But it’s the legendary land of Volerum.”

 

“Please be patient, my love. Your safety is more important to me than even the battle at Thainos.”

 

“Fine, but I will await your return and the day that I may travel with you,” said Syrin finely.

 

Soon, the people had gathered before them, and Taren stepped forward to speak to them.

 

“People of Dezol.” A hush fell immediately over the crowd as Taren began to speak. “We have been victorious at Thainos; the demon king is dead, and I Taren hold the Ice Wand,” he said triumphantly as he held up the Ice Wand and shot of a beam of ice into the air.

 

The people yelled cheers of excitement at the announcement of victory, and electricity flowed through the crowed as Taren spoke again.

“The combined armies of Volerum guard us against further demon attack, and we are free. We do have reason to celebrate,” finished Taren, and the people cheered all the louder now.