spellsinger universe queen of sorcery 1

PROLOGUE

Being an Account of the Battle of the Kingdoms of the West against the most heinous Invasion and Evil of Kal Torak.

-based upon The Battle of Vo Mimbre

IN THE YOUTH of the world, the evil God Torak stole the Orb of Aldur

and fled, seeking dominion. The Orb resisted, and its fire maimed him

with a dreadful burning. But he would not give it up, for it was

precious to him.

Then Belgarath, a sorcerer and disciple of the God Aldur, led forth

the king of the Alorns and his three sons, and they reclaimed the Orb

from the iron tower of Torak. Torak sought to pursue, but the wrath of

the Orb repelled him and drove him back.

Belgarath set Cherek and his sons to be kings over four great

kingdoms in eternal guard against Torak. The Orb he gave to Riva to

keep, saying that so long as a descendant of Riva held the Orb the West

would be safe.

Century followed century with no menace from Torak, until the spring

of 4865, when Drasnia was invaded by a vast horde of Nadraks, Thulls,

and Murgos. In the center of this sea of Angaraks was borne the huge

iron pavilion of one called Kal Torak, which means King and God. Cities

and villages were razed and burned, for Kal Torak came to destroy, not

to conquer. Those of the people who lived were given to the steel-masked

Grolim priests for sacrifice in the unspeakable rites of the Angaraks.

None survived save those who fled to Algaria or were taken from the

mouth of the Aldur River by Cherek warships.

Next the horde struck south at Algaria. But there they found no

cities. The nomadic Algarian horsemen fell back before them, then struck

in vicious hit-and-run attacks. The traditional seat of the Algarian

kings was the Stronghold, a man-made mountain with stone walls thirty

feet thick. Against this, the Angaraks hurled themselves in vain before

settling down to besiege the place. The siege lasted for eight futile

years.

This gave the West time to mobilize and prepare. The generals

gathered at the Imperial War College in Tol Honeth and planned their

strategy. National differences were set aside, and Brand, the Warder of

Riva, was chosen to have full command. With him came two strange

advisers: an ancient but vigorous man who claimed knowledge even of the

Angarak kingdoms; and a strikingly handsome woman with a silver lock at

her brow and an imperious manner. To these Brand listened, and to them

he paid almost deferential respect.

In the late spring of 4875, Kal Torak abandoned his siege and turned

west toward the sea, pursued still by Algar horsemen. In the mountains,

the Ulgos came forth from their caverns by night and wreaked fearful

slaughter on the sleeping Angaraks. But still were the forces of Kal

Torak beyond counting. After a pause to regroup, the host proceeded down

the valley of the River Arend toward the city of Vo Mimbre, destroying

all in its path. Early in the summer, the Angaraks deployed for the

assault upon the city.

On the third day of the battle, a horn was heard to blow three times.

Then the gates of Vo Mimbre opened, and the Mimbrate knights charged

out to fall upon the front of the Angarak horde, the iron-shod hoofs of

their chargers trampling living and dead. From the left came Algar

cavalry, Drasnian pikemen, and veiled Ulgo irregulars. And from the

right came the Cherek berserks and the legions of Tolnedra.

Attacked on three sides, Kal Torak committed his reserves. It was

then that the gray-clad Rivans, the Sendars, and the Asturian archers

came upon his forces from the rear. The Angaraks began to fall like mown

wheat and were overcome by confusion.

Then the Apostate, Zedar the Sorcerer, went in haste to the black

iron pavilion from which Kal Torak had not yet emerged. And to the

Accursed One he said, "Lord, throe enemies have thee surrounded in great

numbers. Yea, even the gray Rivans have come in their numbers to cast

defiance at thy might."

Kal Torak arose in anger and declared, "I will come forth, that the

false keepers of Cthrag Yaska, the jewel which was mine, shall see me

and know fear of me. Send to me my kings."

"Great Lord," Zedar told him, "thy kings are no more. The battle hath

claimed their lives and those of a multitude of thy Grolim priests as

well."

Kal Torak's wrath grew great at these words, and fire spat from his

right eye and from the eye that was not. He ordered his servants to bind

his shield to the arm on which he had no hand and he took up his dread

black sword. With this, he went forth to do battle.

Then came a voice from the midst of the Rivans, saying, "In the name

of Belar I defy thee, Torak. In the name of Aldur I cast my despite in

thy teeth. Let the bloodshed be abated, and I will meet thee to decide

the battle. I am Brand, Warder of Riva. Meet me or take the stinking

host away and come no more against the kingdoms of the West."

Kal Torak strode apart from the host and cried, "Where is he who

dares pit his mortal flesh against the King of the World? Behold, I am

Torak, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I will destroy this loud-voiced

Rivan. Mine enemies shall perish, and Cthrag Yaska shall again be mine."

Brand stood forth. He bore a mighty sword and a shield muffled with

cloth. A grizzled wolf marched at his side, and a snowy owl hovered over

his head. Brand said, "I am Brand and I will contend with thee, foul

and misshapen Torak."

When Torak saw the wolf, he said, "Begone, Belgarath. Flee if thou

wouldst save thy life." And to the owl he said, "Abjure thy father,

Polgara, and worship me. I will wed thee and make thee Queen of the

World."

But the wolf howled defiance, and the owl screeched her scorn. Torak

raised his sword and smote down upon the shield of Brand. Long they

fought, and many and grievous were the blows they struck. Those who

stood near to see them were amazed. The fury of Torak grew great, and

his sword battered the shield of Brand until the Warder fell back before

the onslaught of the Accursed One. Then the wolf howled and the owl

shrieked in one voice together, and the strength of Brand was renewed.

With a single motion, the Rivan Warder unveiled his shield, in the

center of which stood a round jewel, in size like the heart of a child.

As Torak gazed upon it, the stone began to glow and flame. The Accursed

One drew back from it. He dropped his shield and sword and raised his

arms before his face to ward away the dread fire of the stone.

Brand struck, and his sword pierced Torak's visor to strike into the

eye that was not and plunge into the Accursed One's head. Torak fell

back and gave a great cry. He plucked out the sword and threw off his

helmet. Those who watched recoiled in terror, for his face was seared by

some great fire and was horrible to behold. Weeping blood, Torak cried

out again as he beheld the jewel which he had named Cthrag Yaska and for

which he had brought his war into the West. Then he collapsed, and the

earth resounded with his fall.

A great cry went up from the host of the Angaraks when they saw what

had befallen Kal Torak, and they sought to flee in their panic. But the

armies of the West pursued them and slew them, so that when the smoky

dawn broke on the fourth day, the host was no more.