The Heir/4

Chapter Nine: The Sword
'''Chapter Outline: Kyle reveals to Ezra that he must first reclaim his father's sword before being able to conquer Nardek. The sword lies hidden in an island in the northwestern oceans. With several of Ceeziak's knights, Kyle, Silas and Ezra prepare to set sail to the dreaded Black Isle where his father's sword was hidden by an Ahuran after the king's assassination. However, soon they discover that they are being followed by one of The Shadow's most feared servants, a Vampire!'''

To be organized
Most of the village was burning, except for the lord's castle, surrounded by a strong wall, which the goblins were trying to scale. Some of the fortunate villagers had managed to take refuge within the castle walls, although many lay dead in the burning barns and houses.

"Oh Zamn," Ezra said after a moment. It was meant as a curse-word against adversity, and was a reference to the god of justice and the Midworld, Zamn.

And that was all that he could bring himself to say.

Kyle looked down on the devastated village and muttered, "I doubt if Jonas is still alive."

"You knew our father?"

"Aye, when we both worked for King Elias. I've only recently been able to contact him, which is what I'm doing here!"

Suddenly, from Lord Ceekiaz's castle, there came the bellow of a horn. Ezra turned exitedly to Silas. "They never use that horn unless summoning an ally! I wonder who'll answer?"

As if in answer, another horn, unfamiliar to Ezra's ears, blew from the north. "I've never heard that one before!" he said.

"I have," observed Kyle. "That is a Dwarf-horn! The last time I heard that horn was during the battle for Carabac in the far north, over a thousand years ago. Seems the Dwarves dwell here too!" The three watched as the goblins surrounded the Ceeziak's castle in an attempt to burn it. Arrows flew from the walls, mowing down the first line of monsters.

Suddenly Kyle burst out, "What're we doin', standing up here watching?! Let's go join them! CHAAAAAAARRGE!" he shouted, running down the mountain.

The brothers looked at him running down the mountain, and shook their heads sorrowfully. "He's going to get himself killed," they said to each other. "Maybe we ought to find Jonas."

Ezra stopped, pondering. "Maybe Kyle is right," he said. "It doesn't look like Jonas could have survived an attack by the goblin army. And if he's dead, and Kyle knew him as a child, then what we ought to be doing is protecting Kyle."

"How do you know that what he's saying is the truth? I mean, he said he fought in a battle a thousand years ago! I've never heard of anyone except Elves living that long!"

"Maybe he's a little crazy, but he does have magical powers. And how else would he have known Jonas's name? And besides, I trust the fellow."

Silas looked at his brother. "It must have been that foray into the cave, I'll wager." Then they headed down the mountain.