"Kren" Part Seventeen: Establishing Canonical Backstory?

 

“They broke their venture into two groups, then. Taryn was to lead his men to the garrison town of Steepwater, to try to rally their people to the defense of Morg City, where Bharek’s hardest blow was sure to fall. Dunwolf and his apprentice first returned to Wosehome to alert that kingdom to the failure of the quest and new peril approaching, and then meant to use magical means to return to the City to help defend against the Dark Lord’s sorcerous lieutenants.

“But something happened then that the old wizard had not anticipated. When he and his apprenticed entered the mysterious Domain of Doors, a mystical nexus connecting portals all over Ortha and beyond, something in the elemental nature of the place triggered an unknown power. The youth began to glow! It seemed the foolish young man had been wearing the Goldfire all along, thinking the dull lumpish disc he bore was just a keepsake from his mother’s family.

“But this was the third and final time that the Goldfire’s power had been triggered. It could not be stopped and must be used quickly, while the mortal body of the user might endure it. Once expended, it would be gone forever. In desperation, Dunwolf used a last mighty spell to unlock a portal to Thoravil, the Dark Lord’s fortress, which had been sealed for hundreds of years, and which he had never used because he knew that Bharek would outmatch him. He opened the door but died in the doing of it. The apprentice stepped through and found himself almost immediately in the dread presence of the Black King.”

Kren suddenly became aware that his jaw was hanging open. He snapped it shut then gestured for Koppa to continue.

“Even with the Goldfire it was a hard battle. Bharek still wore the Blackmight, the enchanted armor that had sustained his life through the ages. And it was his long cunning skill against the apprentice’s naked will. But in the end it was no match for the Goldfire’s potency, and when the last flare of its power flickered out, Bharek-a-Rhalken was no more.”

Kren sat back, whistling out of the sides of his muzzle, but he didn’t quite relax. He cocked his head at the youth.

“And you’re sure about this?”

Koppa smiled.

“Oh, most certain sure.”

“Well, the Hetman’s right then!” the Morg exclaimed. “Taryn shouldn't be King, but this wonder-hero! Tell me, what’s his name, and what is he doing now?”

The young man fidgeted nervously.

“Ah, now that’s the embarrassing part.” His smile twisted. “You see, his name is Koppa, and right now he’s acting as Herald for the King, and, well … talking to you.”