Five Unite

The wind howled as the three dark figures huddled around the small flame of the fire. Candles still burned in the houses of Bloomhill just a mile from where they sat. They were waiting for something and wanted to be out of all human sight and before long the feint sound of grass bending below heavy boots could be heard coming toward them. As it grew louder and nearer it became interspersed with the scratching sound of corn as it clung to the cloths of the mysterious invader. He stood into the firelight, his red cloak seemed to gather the fires own light and it shone brighter. “ You have come brother,” one of the dark figures proclaimed standing up, his green cloak catching the firelight. He reached forward to take the hand of the newcomer.1

“Brother” the others repeated in a chorus. They too stood up and greeted the newcomer with warm handshakes. “Welcome once again”2

“It has been too long, Brother Jonovic, Brother Matrank and Brother Tombric, since we last gathered together. I have spoken with you a number of times since our last meeting, but not ‘till this night have we all been together.” They all sat down around the fire and it seemed to rekindle most of its former strength and ferocity. 3

“Indeed it has Brother Kilmraden. The Guild Of Power has been out of session for quite some time,” said the small man in the green cloak. He pulled back his hood to reveal his long white hair, yet he had no beard or moustache. He was Tombric the sorcerer. “And how goes the task of which we talked?”4

“Ah yes” Kilmraden began, rising from his seat to stand in front of the others. “I have finally finished that which I started twelve years ago. The five Amulets of Power have been created.” The assembled looked on in amazement as Kilmraden placed his hand in his cloak and produced five identical gold chains, however on each hung a different amulet.” He looked to Tombric and said, “To you Brother Tombric, I give ‘Minds Eye’. It incorporates all the knowledge in the world to its bearer making him the most knowledgeable man alive.5

“A most precious gift Brother Kilmraden, and I thank you,” Tombric said with a hint of joy on his haggard voice. He held the amulet out to the fire to examine the intricate design on it. Upon the amulet of Minds Eye there was the design of a brain, so neatly carved that it looked so realistic yet miniaturised. He hung the chain around his neck and sat back down.6

“To you Brother Jonovic” Kilmraden began again, “I give ‘Portal Stone’. This amulet has an unseverable link to the Dimension of Beasts from which the bearer can summon forth beasts of unmentionable power to do his bidding”7

“I thank you Brother Kilmraden,” said a startled Jonovic as he accepted the amulet in his hand. The portal shaped stone surrounded by a rim of gold shimmered in the moonlight as he lifted the chain around his neck. He then retook his position at the fire.8

“And to you Brother Matrank” Kilmraden continued, “I give ‘Glowing One’ a most prized possession. It has the ability to create light even in the most darkest places of the South and the darkest caves of the North, may I guide you well”9

“I thank you Brother Kilmraden,” echoed Matrank as he too lifted the amulet to the fire to examine the detail of the large green stone that lay in the centre of the amulet. He could almost make out traces of light moving around within the stone, like fish swimming in a pond. He placed the amulet around his neck as had the others and sat back beside the fire.10

Kilmraden stood before them still with one amulet hanging down from each hand “And thus there are two” he commented without looking at the amulets. “In my left hand I hold ‘Death-bringer’. This amulet fills the bearer with immense power to attack even the most worthy foe. The amulet held a stone shaped like a human skull that was so white it looked like it had been carved from bone. “I shall keep this one for myself,” he said as he placed ‘Death-bringer’ around his neck. “And finally behold ‘Eye Of Fire’” he commanded as he held out the remaining amulet for all to see. The chain head a single stone flame that seemed to flicker in the light as if it were a real flame. “This is for ‘The Fifth’”11

Five of Belt,12

And Five of Glove,13

Five of Cloak,14

And Five of Amulet,15

But never complete,16

Until the Five of Ring doth come.17

They chanted the ancient rhyme together beside the fire. It was a two hundred year old prophecy proclaiming the making of the items of power, five belts of power which were created by Matrank over three decades before, five gloves of power which were made by Jonovic a quarter of a century before, five cloaks of power which were created by Tombric just fifteen years before, five amulets of power recently forged by Kilmraden and five rings of power to be forged by ‘The Fifth’ for whom the Guild of Might had been waiting for for decades.18

Five of Belt,19

And Five of Glove,20

Five of Cloak,21

And Five of Amulet,22

But never complete,23

Until the Five of Ring doth come.24

Now as time passed Kilmraden, Tombric, Jonovic and Matrank fell out of contact with each other until the year three hundred when once again they met on the small hill near Bloomhill. By now Bloomhill had grown into a fine little village and was known to house a few famous people. 25

This time the four awaited the arrival of ‘The Fifth’ before beginning, for they knew he would come. He would be a simple sorcerer and would not know what had brought him to this field on a hill in the far reaches of the world. They waited for four days and on the fifth a young man approached their camp. His beard was little longer than his chin and the Guild of Might knew that he was whom they awaited.26

“‘The Fifth’ is here,” proclaimed Jonovic causing the others to spin to look at him.27

“I am Myed” the new arrival started “I do not know why you pronounce me ‘The Fifth’, yet for some strange reason it seems as though I should accept the position.”28

“You were born into the position Brother Myed” Kilmraden began and was followed by an echoing chorus.29

Five of Belt,30

And Five of Glove,31

Five of Cloak,32

And Five of Amulet,33

But never complete,34

Until the Five of Ring doth come.35

“You carry with you five rings of which you are most proud, do you not?” questioned Tombric. “These are no ordinary rings though, they are rings of magic.”36

“H…how did you know” stuttered Myed, pausing in mid-step. He eyed the four men suspiciously for a moment, taking in their every feature.37

“We are the Guild Of Power,” announced Kilmraden proudly, and you are the fifth and final member. For you we have the cloak ‘Illuminatum’, the amulet ‘Eye Of Fire’, the belt ‘Ring Of Wisdom’ and the Gloves ‘Hand Of Sound’. Combined with one of the rings you carry you will become one of the worlds strongest men”38

“You offer me this, why?” questioned Myed39

“We aim to be the most powerful men in the world but without you and your rings we are nothing,” proclaimed Jonovic sternly.40

Myed reached into his pocket with his huge gloved hand and shuffled around for a time before removing a closed hand. The others stared wide-eyed in amazement as he opened it to reveal five gold rings nestled snugly in his palm. Tombric reached out but his hand was met by a brisk slap from Myed “Ah, ah, ah” Myed mocked. “If what you say is indeed true then I will by all means give you the rings, however to be on the safe side I would much rather trade you one ring for one of the magic items you have in your possession”. A flicker of delight caught in his eyes as he made his proposal.41

“If we must,” growled Matrank as he gathered ‘Illuminatum’, ‘Eye Of Fire’, ‘Ring Of Wisdom’ and ‘Hand Of Sound’. “We should begin at once” For hours they traded announcing with great joy the abilities of their creations – ‘Fire Brand’ for ‘Illuminatum’, ‘Silver Shield’ for ‘Eye Of Fire’, ‘Impregnable Creature’ for ‘Ring Of Wisdom’ and ‘Foil Of Might’ for ‘Hand Of Sound’.42

And so legend has it that this is how the Guild Of Might came into completion in the year three hundred and the prophecy was fulfilled. Yet on that night a sacred chant could be heard throughout Bloomhill 43

Tarini aracha nusoma e tolader no machana harase danse e lambeh no tresh ferah44

Never again shall the Five Of Power fall into the hands of one man45

~An adaptation from the Book of Arasande46

Author ~ Rodrik Frayhorn (Year 834)