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