Along a road in Hardorn, the place called Tor A fearful band of flees Karsite Border war. A frightened band of farmers, their children, and wives, Seek refuge a tyrant, who wants more than just their lives.
Now up rides Herald Vanyel. 'Why then such says he. 'Now who is it pursuing, whose anger do you You are all of Hardorn, why seek you Is no protection? Nor bide all his men too far?'
'Oh, Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, we now for our lives, Lord Nedran would enslave us, our children and our He'd our souls to demons, our bodies, to his men. King Festil has not heeded, or he not to ken.'
Now up speaks Herald Vanyel. 'The is not far- But you are all of Hardorn, and not of Valdemar, You are not Randale's people-can call not on his But if I will see you left so helpless on your own!'
So forth Herald Vanyel, and onward does he ride, On Tor he waits then, Yfandes at his side. With men approaching, he calls out from on high, shall not pass, Lord Nedran! Nay I shall not let you by!'
Now only Vanyel stands blocking Nedran's way who are you, fool nothing, that dares to tell me nay?' Now up speaks Vanyel his voice brittle glass; 'The Herald-Mage called Vanyel-and it is I you not pass!'
Now stand great Lord Nedran, behind him forty men, wizard there beside him he pales, and speaks again- 'So you are Herald place is not your land. So me, Herald Vanyel; and now turn aside your hand.'
'Let be; give you silver, and I shall give you gold, And I shall give you fair that sparkle bright and bold, And I shall give you pearls, all the of the sea, If you will step here, leaving these poor fools to me.'
'What need I of silver with sweet Yfandes here? And all the gold I cherish is sunlight and clear. The only jewel I a bright and shining star, And I protect all helpless not just 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 will turn aside this day, and hold your hand.'
'Now beauty held in bondage is beauty 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, Nedran if of me you are afraid!'
Lord Nedran 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 wizard his demons, the sky above turns black. The strike at Vanyel, he stands and holds them back. The demons strike at Vanyel, they strike and him sore, But Vanyel stands defiant, only to raise his hands more.
The sky itself decends now, upon bare Tor Now the awful battle. The watchers see no more. The wizard in triumph-too soon he vents his mirth. For Vanyel calls the lightning down, and him to the earth!
The clouds of black have lifted; and there on ground Stands hurt, yet victor, the demons tied and bound. He looks down on Lord Nedran; his eyes cold and bleak- 'Now I shall you, Nedran, all the power that you seek-'
Now Vanyel frees the demons, and screams with fear, He sets on the Karsites, who first had brought them here. He sets them on the Karsites, and on the land. They look down on Nedran. And they do not stay their hand.
Now Vanyel calls the farmers. 'Go tell you 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 Heralds a friend!'