Chapter 16

“You were wise to bring us this issue Gainrel,” Venjamin, the leader of the seven Legna council spoke. “We are hearing many disturbing reports from the field.”

“We must move to crush these dargon.” Bela said, one of the council and a general among the Legna . He was known for taking incalculable risk when battling the warriors of Agoniture. To date, no Legna could beat him in any of the warrior tests.

“I will call a legion up and we will scour every inch of the seen and the unseen looking for these dargon.” He gave a curt nod of assurance to Gainrel.

“Calm brother Bela,” Venjamin said. “Perhaps that is exactly what they expect.”

Gainrel always took comfort in Venjamin’s wisdom. He was one of the first Legna created and present during the first real battle between the Just Creator and the Woetress. Venjamin placed an arm around Gainrel’s shoulder and pulled him into an out of the way alcove while the rest of the council talked of the dargon.

Venjamin and Gainrel’s history together was long. Both fought in the last war side by side, both were ancient Legna, and both were very good friends. At the end of the last wars, Venjamin was appointed to lead the council and Gainrel back to instructing.
Venjamin was the only Legna alive who witnessed the creation, rise, fall and confinement of the Woetress.

The Woetress was the only female Legna ever created. When the Just Creator saw her beauty and wit he elevated her beyond the power of any Legna. He made her his bride, bequeathing all manner of power and honor. He even gave her perpetual knowledge, the one gift which took her beyond the boundaries of Legna and made her more godlike.

None of it satisfied the Woetress. She wanted to be equal to the Just Creator in all things. She wanted to be a god. When he refused her prodding for more power, she became bitter in her heart and despised him. Eventually she petitioned to leave his presence and he, sorrowfully, allowed her to go.

The Woetress mothered all the dark mortal races and every dargon, imp and demel. As her knowledge grew, so did the complexity and design of her hordes. She and her legions tried to take by force what was not freely given. She declared war on the human race, believing if she could kill all the Just Creator loved, he would be broken and she avenged.

The Just Creator grieved for the Woetress all the while taking precautions to protect the humans he so carefully crafted. He created the Wardex clan with some special abilities to fight against the dark mortal races. He supplied Legna to guard the Wardex from the unseen immortal evil which stalked them.

The great and final wars broke out led by the Wardex, driving the dark races south of the Gray Mountains. The Legna and Dargon waged a bloody war of their own.

The Woetress was so bold as to attack the Just Creator in the last war. Instead of smiting his beloved wife, he confined her to Agoniture, a place that wasn’t a place, but a sack in the fabric of time. He sealed her there, placing legions of Legna on the gates.
The Legna guarded the gates to Agoniture with all vigilance. But they could not always stop her minions from escaping.

Occasionally, a hole would open in the sack of time holding Agoniture and a dargon or imp would escape. The holes were usually made by humans with the ancient knowledge of spells, or by a shaman of the dark races. Legna did not usually concern themselves with the minions of Agoniture unless a Wardex were directly affected.

Venjamin looked at Gainrel. “How fares your charge?”

Gainrel smiled. “He is young yet, but an apt guardian. He is well suited to his human.”

Venjamin smiled. “That is as it should be.”

“His human is a magnet for evil,” Gainrel said. “I need more time to train Mikael in the subtleties. He is just learning the praise of the planet. He has little experience with dargon.”

Venjamin sighed. “Gainrel, you know well his human is the one of prophecy. He must be protected. By all means stay with him as long as you think suitable.”

Gainrel nodded. “Had I not been at Mikael’s side when the phant was possessed and tried to kill the boy, the prophecy would be, I fear….”

Venjamin stroked his long beard. “Yes the phant,” he said softly. “We should have realized then Agoniture was strengthening. To reanimate the dead means the Woetress is gaining power. She is reaching out from her confinement.”

Gainrel was stunned by the revelation.

“Do not look so surprised Gainrel,” Venjamin said. “Agoniture was never meant to hold the Woetress forever. Her perpetual knowledge will eventually be sufficient to break her loose. That is what the prophecy is all about after all.”

“Then there will be war,” Gainrel sighed.

Venjamin nodded. “Yes. War. Here, and there. She will come against the human race with nothing short of annihilation as her goal. Agoniture is her domain but the centuries she’s languished there have made her even more bitter. She has not been idle.

“I do not understand to this time how a Legna formed by the Just Creator could ever turn evil. Not one, before or since her time, is disloyal.”

Venjamin nodded. “I do not presume to know the mind of our creator. The Woetress by rights can no longer be classified Legna. She is neither Legna, nor god, but powerful do not ever doubt.”

“Why does the Just Creator not smite her Venjamin?” Gainrel asked.

Venjamin put his hand on Gainrel’s shoulder. “I’ve never the heart to ask dear friend. The Just Creator is patient and wise. When He is ready He will prevail.”

Gainrel nodded, happy to be re-assured by his friend.

Venjamin sighed. “Until that time, we must continue to protect all humans by protecting their Wardex. We must prepare now for war. Come.”

Gainrel followed Venjamin back in to the council. Preparation for war was already under way.