Along a road in Hardorn, the place called Tor A fearful of farmers flees Karsite Border war. A frightened of farmers, their children, and their wives, Seek refuge from a tyrant, who wants more just their lives.
Now up rides Herald Vanyel. 'Why such haste?' says he. 'Now who is it pursuing, whose anger do you You are all of Hardorn, why seek you Is Festil no protection? Nor all his men too far?'
'Oh, Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, we now for our lives, Lord would enslave us, our children and our wives- He'd our souls to demons, our bodies, to his men. King has not heeded, or he happens not to ken.'
Now up speaks Vanyel. 'The Border is not far- But you are all of Hardorn, and not of Valdemar, You are not Randale's people-can not on his throne- But dammed if I will see you so helpless on your own!'
So forth goes Herald Vanyel, and does he ride, On Stony Tor he waits then, at his side. With Nedran's men approaching, he out from on high, 'You shall not pass, Lord Nedran! Nay I not let you by!'
Now Herald Vanyel stands blocking Nedran's way 'Now who are you, fool nothing, that dares to me nay?' Now up speaks his voice like brittle glass; Herald-Mage called Vanyel-and it is I you shall not pass!'
Now there stand Lord Nedran, behind him forty men, wizard there beside him he pales, and speaks again- 'So you are Herald Vanyel-this is not your land. So heed me, Herald Vanyel; and now turn aside hand.'
'Let be; I'll give you silver, and I give you gold, And I shall give you fair that sparkle bright and bold, And I shall you pearls, all the treasures of the sea, If you will aside here, leaving these poor fools to me.'
'What need have I of silver with Yfandes here? And all the I cherish is sunlight bright and clear. The only jewel I treaure's a bright and star, And I protect all helpless not those of Valdemar.'
I shall give you beauty, women slaves and men, And I shall give you power never see again, And I shall give you mansions and I give you land, If you turn aside this day, aside and hold your hand.'
beauty held in bondage is beauty that is lost. And land and mansions blood-bought come too at the cost. The power I have already-all power is a So turn you back, Lord if of me you are afraid!'
Lord backs his stallion, the wizard he comes nigh, yourself, bold Vanyel, for you shall surely die!' The wizard his demons, the demons he commands, And Vanyel, Vanyel, only raises empty hands.
The calls his demons, the sky above turns black. The demons at Vanyel, he stands and holds them back. The strike at Vanyel, they strike and hurt him sore, But Vanyel stands defiant, only to raise his hands more.
The sky itself decends now, bare Stony Tor Now hides the battle. The watchers see no more. The wizard shouts in soon he vents his mirth. For Vanyel the lightning down, and smites him to the earth!
The of black have lifted; and there on barren ground Stands Vanyel hurt, yet victor, the demons and bound. He looks down on Lord Nedran; his eyes grow cold and 'Now I give you, Nedran, all the power that you seek-'
Now Vanyel frees the demons, and screams with fear, He sets them on the Karsites, who first had brought here. He sets them on the Karsites, and on the land. They look down on Lord Nedran. And do not stay their hand.
Now Vanyel calls the farmers. 'Go you near and far, How thus are served the tyrants who would Valdemar. I am the bane of demons, quarry I defend. Thus Heralds serve a foeman and thus save a friend!'