The Mountain of the Burning Bear

Wherever the fallen knight stood, the skin clad warriors triumphed in rapturous glee. The gleaming helms of the once proud armies were thrown to the ground while their blades and arms that shone with sharpness were seized high as sacred trophies.

That would have been the end of this great era had not Fanalain been diligent in his preparations. The horses burst from the mountain mists, with iron and steel bared for blood and both beast and man snorting with the rage of vengeance. Mightier steeds have never ridden the world again than those that rode that day for it was truly a glorious force. Their lances did split and tear the dark armies from the mountain and much slaughter was done to the horde of Dalanus at that time. And Fanalain did attempt to perceive his adversary upon the mountain, but they were sorely parted and Fanalain could not attack the other in duel. His blade did flash faster than man that day however and blood did drip along its bite, for that day he was immortal and only Dalanus would have been able to lay a blow to the perfection of war that he embodied.

Battle did cease at the setting of the Sun and both sides contented themselves with the day. The fires of Dalanus seemed to rage all the more greater though, for he considered not the casualties that had befallen him while Fanalain prayed in front of every grave that night and indeed did not sleep before the duty was done.

The second day began and ended as the first had raged. Battle raged across plateau and rock, and brave heroes fell to the onslaught of the fallen. Dalanus slew Retian, the knight who was as swift as the fastest horse in a battle that lasted the day. Retian did dart and weave around his foe, and his sword did pierce the defenses thrice. Yet the cuts were but grazes and Dalanus had been a knight of much renown. After the duel had raged two hours and half, his sword parried and lunged, such that it appeared to the onlookers that Retian had avoided the deadly thrust. But fate did not decree this chance and Retian was struck down above the presence of Dalanus. Then Dalanus offered Retian a chance of life but a soulless life. If Retian would refute his God Arathmus than in accepting darkness would he live. But honourable the knight was and worthy of his God, for he spat at the victor and declared the true God Arathmus to all that could hear. Then Dalanus pled to Retian to refute the true God but Retian had a strong will and did he declare his desire to die in truth. Finding a dagger lying atop the battlefield mounds, Retian lifted it up to Dalanus declaring him a follower of a false God before he plunged the glistening blade into his heart, so that he would find a place safe from temptation. Then Dalanus wept in his eyes but fought also with a renewed vigour and many brave men lay dead when the sun had set.

The third day was to be the last and greatest day on the mountain. Fanalain had only four hundred men loyal to his cause while Dalanus commanded a force a hundred times more frightening and greater in number. A shrine was devoted to Arathmus at the highest peak and the men set around it to protect it with life. All night they prayed for deliverance to the high powers, but still no sign came that their loyalty was to be rewarded.