A Legacy of Souls

In order to prevent the Allmharach from using the Clach ni Loisg (Burning Stones) to conquer and subjugate the World, the Beathaich brought about a cataclysm designed to destroy the island of Sith Pailteas, which was the only place where the Burning Stones could be found. Before the cataclysm, certain of the Beathaich were chosen to leave the island and so escape the fate of their kindred.Many centuries later, the kingdom of Torach Tir is threatened by a mysterious foe that comes from beyond the mountains. None of the rulers of the neighbouring kingdoms will help the king to defend his realm so he raises a mercenary army.The story begins with five mercenaries sitting in a wayside inn. Tuathach draws the attention of the others to an altercation between a serving girl and a Ranger, saying; 'Someone ought to warn that maid, that Ranger is trouble'. His compatriot, Oyru tells him that it is the Ranger who should be warned that the 'maid' is lethal. She, too, is a mercenary with whom he fought in several battles. Tuathach remarks that the girl must have changed her profession and Oyru turns to see her ascending the stairs, hand-in-hand with the Ranger. The next morning, Oyru discovers that the Ranger has been found murdered in his bed.The five companions continue their journey and, after being caught in a sudden storm, take shelter for the night in a hunting lodge owned by King Dressel, Oyru's former liege lord. In the lodge they encounter the serving girl from the inn, who wounds Tuathach when he tries to force his attentions on her. After a lengthy conversation with Oyru, in the barn, Galla leaves the lodge. The following morning, Oyru and his companions continue on their way to Fas Laith where they learn where the mercenary army is mustering. After passing through the Wailing Wilderness, Oyru and his friends travel to Tev Lochooschu along a secret Pathway, and thence to Freicudan, a fortress in the foothills of the mountains where they, again, meet up with the serving wench Galla.For week upon week nothing happens then, suddenly, they find themselves besieged. Though they have plenty of food they have precious little water to drink, never mind to fight the fires that rage when the enemy bombards the fortress with Burning Stones because, with a little help from the enemy, the well has run dry.Galla teaches Oyru how to use the power of the jewel embedded in the hollow of his throat, to command the element of water and bring rain to quench the fires. The fortress is saved but Deasach goes missing. Oyru, Tuathach and Fearan Err set out to search for him and are captured by the enemy. They escape only to fall into the hands of Fearcalma's Palace Guard, who are led to believe Oyru is a turncoat. Deasach rescues Fearan Err and Tuathach but Oyru is taken to Preev Kahir and thrown into the dungeons, where he is tortured.Galla arrives, with the mercenary army and a number of regular troopers and demands to see the king. Galla persuades him to release Oyru into her custody.Oyru, Deasach and Fearan Err accompany Galla across the mountains to what remains of Sith Pailteas, which was not destroyed by the cataclysm but shifted closer to, and eventually became part of, the mainland. There they perform a ceremony designed to avert a confrontation that would really have destroyed the World.Oyru, the true King of Shar Korsa, prepares to ride out, at the head of the mercenary army, to reclaim his throne. When Galla rides out to join him, Oyru thinks she has come to say goodbye but he's wrong. She's told Feargasda that she's not the stuff that queens are made of, that her business is death, not life.As they sit on the ridge overlooking Shar Korsa's capital city, Oyru asks Galla what she will do when there are no more battles left to fight. She tells him there will always be more battles. As Siarach and Fearan Err shake hands to seal a wager, an inner voice warns Siarach of the hazards of betting against a wizard.