As the watch bell chimed, Tama-Car sent word to his sons to join him in his chambers. He knew that they would be at the marshalling yard practicing their weapon forms. Just because the war was over, didn’t mean that the need for combat had ended. The night before as he sat quietly meditating, struggling in his mind to chose the most worthy of his sons to guard the darkness, he heard a soft voice in his mind that said, ‘Peace my son and be calm. The first to arrive at your summons will be acceptable to me.”

  As the voice faded, a gentle smile crossed his face. Knowing that the choice will be made in the morning, he joined his wife in blissful slumber.

  He sat in silence patently waiting in the antechamber of his quarters. He smiled to himself and nodded in acceptance and understanding at the first to arrive. It was Nara, his youngest and had to admit, would not have been his choice. Though he was capable to perform this duty, he was also the most passionate. At times his emotions would get the better of him. For better or for worse, he is now the one chosen. After the last one had arrived, a loving father with a heavy heart began to talk about the council of the previous day and what it meant for each of them.

  At first, they were excited about the prospect of being a king and a ruler over a small group of people, but realization soon set in. They would be separated from their brothers; their parents. Though they would never admit to it, but who would they turn to for council when needed or a confidant when doubt would creep into their thoughts.

  Over the last several years of the war, each of them leaned heavily other each other. They couldn’t open up their souls and reveal their inner most fears and short comings to just anyone, they relied heavily for each other for support and encouragement.

  They talked for many hours until it was time to be presented to the council.

  “Master,” Tama-Cars voice echoed through the chamber. “I present my sons before this council.”

  At this statement, twelve men entered the chamber to stand behind their father. They stood in line as if in a military parade, about to be inspected by their commander. It was obvious that Tama-Car was their father. Each of the young men was as tall as the man standing before them. Their faces were a perfect reflection of their father from earlier years. They wore robes and weapons belt similar to their father but each wearing a different colored robe to accent their features and the belts tooled and decorated to match their individual tastes.

  Total silence filled the chamber for several minutes. Finally The First Elf broke the silence. “Sons of Tama-Car, has your father prepared you for this council?”

  They each in turn, stepped forward, bowed their head and replied, “Yes Master.” Then step back in line with his brothers.

  After the last one moved back into place, the elf again spoke, “Are the sons of Tama-Car prepared for the mantle of kingship over your own kind, to be passed on to your sons for all time? Do you also acknowledge your father as having authority over you and are you willing to accept his council and guidance.”

  As before each of Tama-Car sons stepped forward from the eldest to the youngest and responded. “Yes Master, I am prepared to accept this burden.”

  The elf was smiling when he next spoke. “Sons of Tama-Car, stand ready. You are now the Kings over the human race. Remember well the mantle of your father, The Father of Kings, for he truly is the Father of Kings. Take council from he who wears the mantle of the eagle and heed his warnings. The Elves grant power unto each of you, which will be past upon your death to the eldest son of your line. If there is no son, his brother will then take up that burden. If you are the last of your line, you will be unable to continue your journey to meet with the High Lord until such a time that have you found a suitable heir that is truly worthy of the crown. This will be the Right of Kings, to rule by blood, henceforth and forever. This I grant upon each of you by the authority of my right to rule, by blood, and by the oaths that were freely given by your forefathers.”

  The First Elf drew silent and bowed his head. He started to chant softly, which slowly rose in volume.

  Energy rose up around the sons of Tama-Car. Insubstantial at first, but quickly becoming visible and began taking on a physical form. Panic started to fill the eyes of all the sons. During the war, they had all seen magic, even coming under magical attack many times before the final battle ended.

  They were not prepared for the intensity of the magic that now surrounded them. They could feel the energy coursing around the chamber causing the hair on their arms to rise into to goose bumps.

  Their scalps began to itch, while an unseen weight slowly pressed down upon their shoulders. It was becoming difficult to breath and many of the brothers couldn’t catch their breaths. Their legs began to tremble because of the weight pushing down on them. When they were about to collapse and fall to their knees, the First Elf stopped his chant; the chamber rang like a huge bell being struck with a smith’s hammer. The energy collapsed in upon the sons, penetrating their very soul and infusing every part of them with the magic. Spasms shook their body as it tried to hold back the invading magic, but were unsuccessful. The pain was almost unbearable for them. A great fear gripped the heart of each, before it was replaced with euphoria as a look of awe spread across their faces. Finally they collapsed to their knees trembling, it was over. But the wonder still shone in their eyes.

  When they regained their feet the elf spoke again. “You now have within you the power and the magic of the elves. It has taken my entire lifetime to master this magic. You have but a few short years before you will pass it to your sons. If you empty your mind of all thought, you can feel the evil of the artifacts. You must guard this evil well and not let it enter the world of man again. Go now and say your farewells. Soon you will leave, never to see each other again.”

  As one, they turned and left the massive chamber.

  “Tama-Car.” The First Elf said after the young men left the chamber.

  “Yes Master.” he responded without thought.

  “There will be another with the power of the elves at their command.”

  “Who shall this burden be given to?”

  “You already have that burden.” Tama-Car was visibly shaken at this. “You have taught your sons well, they are honorable men. It is the nature of men to change over time. They will need your council in the years to follow. Their sons will also need your council and guidance as well. As their father, you will have authority over them. If they do not heed your council, they will be compelled by the very magic that pronounces them King.”

  “But upon your death, it will not pass to your sons. For your sons already have the power within them. Your successor will be chosen, as you will be. You have that responsibility as The Father of the Kings?”

  “The mantle you wear will be the means by which your successor will be known. Daka-Kon has agreed to recreate your mantle. It is not yet prepared, for it will take some time to finish. It will be presented for your acceptance in due time.”

  Tama-Car bowed his head and whispered, “As you will master.”

  The First Elf slowly looked around the chamber as he said, “Let them with concerns now speak.” He once again looked around the chamber and spoke. “There are no concerns brought before this council. We shall depart from this council in brotherhood, and rejoice when we meet again in friendship at the dawn to follow the next high moon. Tama-Car, your sons will attend.” With this, every one silently rose and left the chambers.

  The kings without a nation remained standing, as the council of three entered through a different door. A large table with twelve chairs was placed in the center of the chamber. They could see that a map of some type was placed upon it.

  The elf stopped some distance from the table, flanked by Tama-Car who carried a quiver filled with arrows, and Daka-Kon.

  Tama-Car spoke first. “My sons, stand before me.”

  The young men moved swiftly to stand before their father.

  “All but Nara-Car will draw lots from the quiver.” There was a gasp of shock and surprise from the brothers. But the loudest came from Nara himself.

  “Silence!” Yelled Tama-Car. “If you cannot control yourself, you will leave this council.”

  The murmuring stopped immediately. “Come forward by age and draw a shaft, and then be seated around the table.”

  One by one each stepped forward to draw an arrow then moved toward the table. Nara now stood alone before his father. Softly Tama-Car spoke. “Nara, your lot has been drawn and chosen for you. You may be seated.”

  Nara bowed his head in acceptance and moved to take his place at the table.

  “See before you, placed upon the map, thirteen stones.” Their father began. “Each stone represents the land that you will inherit for your kingdom. You will all have a choice to make. Study well the map, for you also chose for your people. Take heed and listen well. There are areas that you are forbidden to enter into. They include, The Islands of Morrie’ann.” He pointed to each of the areas on the map as he spoke the names. “The Crystal Forest, The Marsh of the central plains, Mount Culate and the surrounding mountain range known as The Krage, and finally the high desert of Odar. If any enter into these places, they will face death”

  His face was without emotion to give truth to his last statement. “In order of the lot, you will choose your land. After which you will gather your families and depart for your new land. Ships will be available to cross the waters if that is your choice. Twenty Dwarvan stone masons will travel with each of you. They will be at your disposal for five years. Use well the knowledge of the dwarves, for it will be invaluable to you. Wagons have been loaded with tools, food and other supplies to assist you. Each of you will be given the same supplies, to show that one is favored above another. As you leave draw forth a token from my belt pouch. This token has a glyph and runes that represents your people. Go to them, for you will take up your journey and leave this land.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  He searched the faces of his sons and then said, “Who drew the first lot?”

  Ador-Car rose up and responded. “I have the first lot father.” He studied the map for several minutes. Finally he spoke. “I will take the Eastern Shore of the inner sea as my land. Farewell my brothers may the God of all smile down upon you. Let it be known that I love each of you.” He took up the stone and stood before his father. “Father I do this to honor you, and that I may prove to those who stand as a witness that I was taught by the greatest king of all. Good bye father and may your life with mother be long.”

  He reached into the pouch to draw out a token. As his flesh touched the smooth cool objects within the pouch, a blinding flash of light shot forth, emanating from the token.

  His hand was jerked away as a reflex. When his hand was withdrawn, the light vanished.

  “The token proves the true king over its people.”

  Ador nodded slightly to his father as he reached back into the pouch. The light emanating from the token was painful to look at, and yet it was cool to the touch. As he dropped it into his own pouch at his side, the light vanished.

  Slowly he turned and moved out the door, never to be seen by his brothers again.

  There was moisture in the eyes of Tama-Car as he watched his son leave the chamber. After Ador left the chamber he again spoke. “Who drew the second lot?”

  “I did father . . .”

  As Nara-Car sat at the table alone, tears filled his eyes as one by one his brothers chose their land and drew forth the token that represented the people they would rule over. And in turn, each expressed their feelings for those who remained and for their father.

  Finally his father spoke again “Nara-Car, stand before us.” The young man moved to obey. “Unlike your brothers who could not choose the people that they would rule over, you have already chosen your people.” A puzzled look crossed his face but his father ignored it and continued. “As for your land, that was chosen for you. You will report back to your army. They are forming as we speak, with their families. You will travel to the high desert of Odar. Once there, you will help build a great fortress city. It will be the only city that you will build in the waste. You will then protect the high desert from all invaders and outsiders. Build a fortified ring around the Odar to prevent others from entering. Search diligently for those outsiders, who will be your brothers and the people that they rule over. Upon your shoulders will rest the greatest burden of all. It is there, in the Odar that the dark artifact will rest for all time. Learn from your failure of last year and do not fail again.”

  Nara’s face reddened as he remembered his failure. It had cost many their lives. “But father, I had to find those responsible. They had to pay for their . . .”

  “Silence my son,” he said gently. “I understand your pain. You loved your sister and had a love that the rest of us will never understand. I have heard that there is a magical bond of those born together. Contrary to my orders, you followed them into the heart of their lands were they laid in wait for you.”

  “She was my sister and I swore that I would protect her.”

  “And she was my only daughter. Don’t you think that I wanted to send my entire army after her? They wanted us to follow them. The moving of their forces into the heart of their lands opened the opportunity for us to break through and meet them for the final battle at the Citadel. I am grateful that you were able to see beyond your hatred and the desire for vengeance and pulled your men back to the Black River.”

  “I am still haunted by the memory. I lost a full legion because of my blood lust.”

  “It was your only failure during this great struggle. We all have made mistakes, learn from them and you will not fail again.”

  Tama-Car moved forward and grasped his son by the shoulders and said firmly, “You cannot fail again in your duties, for if you fail, the Darkness will return. You are to guard and protect us from the evil. You must prevent it from entering again into the world of men. May God strengthen your arm.”

  Tears were rolling down Nara’s face and Tama-Car blinked several times to clear his own vision. “All my blessings and prayers go with you my son.”

  The First Elf slowly stepped forward while Tama-Car returned to his place beside Daka-Kon. The mood in the chambers had grown very somber. Almost like that of a funeral. Softly he spoke looking deep in the eyes of Tama-Car's youngest son. “Guard well the evil that is entrusted into your care. For on the darkest hour, will begin the assault to bring forth unto the world of men, the darkness of which heralds the enslavement of many. Therefore, stand ready with all of your might, less they come unopposed and destroy the world. Call upon the blessings of the High Lord, which is The First Singer of Life. For as we speak, there is a shadow of the En Arra that creeps across the land. Looking for those who will murder and remember the troubled times of the past. Be ever vigilant and watchful.” When the elf had finished speaking, he moved to stand between the dwarf and human.

  Nara was visibly shaken by this news. He was led to believe that those who were called The En Arra, were destroyed during the last battle. This new knowledge frightened him more than anything else as he tried to shake off the feeling of dread.

  Nara straightened his back and placed his hand where his sword would have been and said, “I and my people will honor this oath that I make before you now. We will remember the failure that cost the lives of so many. We will remember the council of The First Elf. We will remember the mantle of my father, as the Father of Kings, and follow the council that is given. This I swear on my honor and on my life.”

  As he finished speaking his oath, he reached up with his right hand to his breast and grasped his robes. Blood pumped into his arm, veins bulged over his exposed flesh, as witness to his strength, he lowered his arm ripping the front of his robes, as if he was brushing away the web of a spider.

  “As token of my faithfulness, and of those men who gave their honor to me. If I fail, may my life be torn from my body to be cast away and trampled under the foot of man, to be as the dust. May my garment be used to soak up my life blood and be cast away into the fire, no longer staining the honor of my brothers.” He then dropped the piece of robe at his fathers’ feet. “Father, you have my love and the love of my people. You will always have our love. Farewell father.”

  Tama-Car reached down and picked up the cloth at his feet. “I shall keep your token and show unto all, the honor of my youngest son.” As Nara turned to leave he softly spoke, “Farewell my son.”

  After Nara had left the chamber the elf turned and spoke. “You have powerful sons Tama-Car.”

  He nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, I will miss them.” After a short time, he spoke again. “Master, my entire race is not accounted for. I have been told that as we approached the citadel, one of the eastern tribes fled the field of battle and disappeared into the mountains. Patrols have also returned from the north and have seen evidence of human migration into the northlands. Do we follow them, and bring them back.”

  The elf thought for a moment. “No, we will let them be. Those who have fled will form other kingdoms. They will also grow in strength and help balance the power of your race. I see many wars among your people in the generations that will follow.”

  “I see that as well, and it saddens me.” Tama-Car slowly stood. “Master, what will become of my guard and their families? Will they travel with one of my sons?”

  “No Tama-Car, Your Guard will stay with us. We will travel to the isle of Morrie’ann. There your Guard will learn the way of the Council, of the Forest, and of the Mountain. They will learn of magic and of war. Your Guard will be few in numbers, for we will send their sons and daughters out into the world of men. There, they will watch for the coming of the shadow and give us warning.”

  The former War Leader of the free humans could see the wisdom in this. Of all the free armies, his Guard had been the most valiant in battle. ‘May they always be a force to rival anything that may rise up in defiance of this council.’ He thought to himself.

  “Tama-Car,” The harsh voice of Daka-Kon drew him out of his thoughts. “Your new mantle is ready for acceptance.”

  At this, four dwarves entered the chamber carrying a set of armor. He had to look twice. It looked identical to the armor that he had worn though countless battles. As they came closer he could see slight differences. The marks of battle were the most noticeable, for they were absent.

  As the armor came closer his eyes widened. The breastplate was even more magnificent than his original. The attacking eagle was his coat of arms. It was skillfully added to his breastplate. With wings spread wide and talons outstretched, prepared to snatch up its unsuspecting prey. The breastplate that was presented looked as if the bird was coming out of the armor itself, to attack all that stood in its way. No human smith could ever hope to reproduce such an effect. Talons were crafted into the greaves, which protects the forearms and lower legs. The Cuisse, which protected the upper legs, was unadorned, but none the less beautiful. The chain mail, which added further protection, was also presented. The mail was so silvery it was almost white. The helmet had a hint of etching in the form of an eagle’s head. There was no visor, but had a slight nose guard, which added to the eagle effect. The combination of this armor upon a warrior would be daunting to any foe. Tama-Car marveled at the Dwarvan King’s skill with the smiths hammer.

  “Present and don the armor.” Daka-Kon said gruffly.

  As the dwarves approached, Tama-Car stepped forward and raised his arms. The dwarves moved quickly to place the armor upon the human. One piece after another was quickly placed on the tall warrior. It appeared that the dwarves struggled to lift even the smallest of the armor pieces.

  As they proceeded, he was again amazed. The armor was comfortably light and flexible. Tama was sure that he would soon forget that he wore a full suite of battle armor.

  Once the helmet was placed upon his head two more dwarves entered the chamber. Between them, they carried a sword. It appeared that they were struggling under a massive weight. As they approached, he could see the strain upon them. With corded muscles and veins bulging, they presented the sword to Tama-Car. He could see the great effort in their faces as they held their arms straight out. The blade was about three fingers in width but very thin. It was as long as his arm and made for one-handed use. It was doubled edged and looked almost delicate. ‘It will break with one good swing.’ he thought to himself. There was no decoration upon the blade but the handle looked to be of ivory, with a carving of an eagle similar to his armor. The pommel was in the shape of an eagle’s head, looking down upon its next meal.

  “Tama-Car, your sword is presented for acceptance.” The dwarf next to him said. “Reach forth your hand unto the sword and raise it high, to prove your acceptance. For he that is not accepted, will not wield her.”

  He reached out his hand to grasp the handle. He was concerned about the weight of this weapon. The same thoughts continually raced through his mind, ‘If it took two dwarves to carry it, how can I lift it with one hand?’

  As his bare flesh took hold of the swords hilt, fire shot thru his hand. He tried to release his grip, but his fingers wouldn’t move. The lone human gritted his teeth against the searing pain that raced up his arm and across his chest. He couldn’t breathe, as a crushing weight had just dropped on him constricting his lungs. His heart pounded in his chest as if it were about to explode. Fear gripped throat and ravaged his mind. He began to shake, afraid that some small sound would escape his lips and betray him. To show pain was to show weakness. The burning he felt was terrible, he thought he whiffs of smoke rise from his and he was sure that he smelt the aroma burnt flesh. Blinking several times, his eye cleared and was surprised that there was no smoke coming from his clenched fist.

  He could see that the dwarves were beginning to relax. It was as if the great burden they carried into the chamber was being slowly lifted.

  The ordeal ended as quickly as it had started, the fire in his hand turned into a warm sensation, which spread throughout his whole body. The searing pain that wracked his body was now a distant memory. He tried to lift the sword and to his surprise, it was no heavier than that of his own. He marveled at the thoughts and sensations he was feeling as he lifted the sword over his head. He could feel unbridled love and rejoicing racing through his mind.

  There was a sudden movement that caught his eye. He turned with a sharp intake of breath, and then smiled, unconditional love beamed from his face as tears rolled freely down his cheeks. “How is this possible, how have you come back to me?”

  His thoughts were jerked back to the ones around him as he heard the following words. “This council recognizes you as The Father of Kings. With this armor you will lead the nations of men. With this sword you will command the armies of the council.”