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 a tyrant, who wants more than just their lives.
Now up rides Herald Vanyel. then such haste?' says he. 'Now who is it pursuing, whose do you flee? You are all of Hardorn, why seek you Is no protection? Nor bide all his men too far?'
'Oh, Vanyel, Vanyel, we flee now for our lives, Lord would enslave us, our children and our wives- He'd our souls to demons, our bodies, to his men. Festil 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 so helpless on your own!'
So forth goes Herald Vanyel, and does he ride, On Stony Tor he waits then, at his side. With men approaching, he calls out from on high, 'You shall not pass, Nedran! Nay I shall not let you by!'
Now only Herald stands blocking Nedran's way 'Now who are you, nothing, that dares to tell me nay?' Now up Vanyel his voice like brittle glass; 'The Herald-Mage called it is I you shall not pass!'
Now there great Lord Nedran, behind him forty men, wizard there beside him he pales, and speaks again- 'So you are Herald Vanyel-this place is not land. So heed me, Herald and now turn aside your hand.'
be; I'll give you silver, and I shall give you gold, And I shall give you jewels fair that sparkle and bold, And I shall give you pearls, all the of the sea, If you will step aside here, these poor fools to me.'
'What need have I of silver sweet Yfandes here? And all the gold I cherish is sunlight and clear. The only jewel I treaure's a bright and star, And I all helpless not just those of Valdemar.'
I shall give you beauty, women slaves and men, And I shall give you power you'll see again, And I shall you mansions and I shall give you land, If you will turn this day, aside and hold your hand.'
'Now beauty held in is beauty that is lost. And and mansions blood-bought come too high at the cost. The power I have power is a jade- So you back, Lord Nedran if of me you are afraid!'
Lord Nedran backs his stallion, the he comes nigh, 'Prepare yourself, bold Vanyel, for you shall die!' The wizard calls his demons, the he commands, And Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, raises empty hands.
The calls his demons, the sky above turns black. The strike at Vanyel, he stands and holds them back. The demons at Vanyel, they strike and hurt him sore, But Vanyel stands defiant, only to raise his hands more.
The sky itself decends now, upon bare Tor Now hides the battle. The watchers see no more. The shouts in triumph-too soon he vents his mirth. For Vanyel calls the down, and smites him to the earth!
The clouds of black have lifted; and there on barren Stands Vanyel hurt, yet victor, the demons and bound. He looks down on Lord his eyes grow cold and bleak- 'Now I shall give you, Nedran, all the power you seek-'
Now Vanyel frees the demons, and screams with fear, He sets them on the Karsites, who had brought them 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. Heralds serve a foeman and thus Heralds save a friend!'