By the Sword Page 8

  Talya awoke, sitting upright in her cot. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, panting. She could still hear the boy’s cry in her mind. She had never dreamed anything that was so realistic or so gut wrenching.

  “It isn’t real,” Talya told herself.

  She closed her eyes, but she did not return to sleep that night.

  *****

  Naeshi waited outside of Ittonifer’s throne room, ignoring glares from the guards that stood nearby. He knew that the ruler’s initial reaction would be to throttle him for wasting his time, but Naeshi was prepared for that. He could barely believe what had just happened himself. He and Aterun had found more wealth for Malinor.

  The new senior guard finally came out and escorted Naeshi into the room.

  Ittonifer was leaning on his throne talking to Chrissa, who stood in front of him with her arms crossed. They spoke in sharp whispers. They were arguing again. Her headstrong nature was infuriating. Still, she looked very alluring in the long, grey gown that hugged her gracefully thin form.

  The guard cleared his throat and announced Naeshi’s arrival.

  Chrissa rolled her eyes and left the room.

  Ittonifer stepped forward, glaring at Naeshi.

  “What is the meaning of this?”

  “I apologize, m’lord,” said Naeshi, “but I have very important news.”

  “This had better be good.”

  “I promise you it is. I have found the treasure of the ancient Malinorians!”

  “Guards, take this fool out of here and beat him senseless. This is the last time that I will deal with your incompetence, Naeshi. My patience for you has worn thin. Next time you will die. Take him away!”

  A guard grabbed him by the arm, but Naeshi shrugged out of his grip.

  “Listen to him, Ittonifer,” said Aterun.

  Naeshi was surprised to see that the warlock had entered the room. Everyone stared at the magician for a moment.

  How did he get back here so quickly?

  “He speaks the truth,” continued the warlock. “I was with him when he found the treasure. Send your men to the Cobalt Mountains, my lord, and it will all be there.”

  Ittonifer studied Naeshi for a moment before pointing at his new lead guard.

  “Send twenty of our men along with our sturdiest carts. Bring the treasure back to the castle.”

  The man bowed and left the room.

  Ittonifer looked at Naeshi as though he was re-evaluating him.

  “Well, well, Naeshi. Perhaps I was wrong about your incompetence. Go with them and show them my newest installment of wealth. Your discovery will not go unrewarded.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jalarn stood in front of the pool inside the warlock’s cave. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply in an attempt to clear his mind, just like Aterun had told him to do. He relaxed as best he could and started a chant that he had learned from two days ago.

  He opened his eyes and, to his pleasure, a foggy vision appeared before him. It showed the army of Sanctus preparing for battle. Thousands upon thousands of knights trained alongside their general.

  The general that should have been torn apart by that tornado.

  It was all futile. Their large number of skilled men would never stand up to what he and his uncle had planned.

  The image faded, and in its place was a striking, dark-haired woman riding a white mare in a field of long grass. Her soft lips moved in what was probably a prayer to her God.

  Queen Roselyn.

  She was very far from home. Far from safety.

  “I see you’re embracing your new powers.”

  It was Ittonifer. Jalarn wondered how long his uncle has been lurking in the darkness watching him.

  “I trust that you will delay our departure until I am finished here,” said Jalarn, without turning around.

  “That is Queen Roselyn,” said Ittonifer.

  The tone in his voice was strange. Jalarn had never heard his uncle speak like that before.

  “Yes. I am going to send a pack of wolves after her. Sanctus will soon be without a queen. The general will have more than a battle to think about.”

  “Aterun has failed to tell you that a spell is more effective when you go after the mind or body of a human. Manipulating animals and the weather takes years of dedication and experience. Trust me.”

  “Well, I am confident that it is going to work this time. I have meditated on this one for days. Attacking the person directly doesn’t entice as much fear as sending ravenous animals to tear her apart.”

  “You have learned very much in such a short time, but if you act like a foolish child with this magic, I will force you to focus your attention elsewhere, understand?”

  Jalarn clenched his fists, doing his best to maintain control of his temper.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Thick silence filled the air.

  “Do you not want me to cast the spell on the queen?”

  “Of course I do!”

  Why is he acting like this?

  Ittonifer stood there quietly as Jalarn began his chant. Every single wolf in Sanctus’ countryside would go after her. Another influential rebel would die that day.

  *****

  Queen Roselyn’s horse slowed to a walk and began to tilt her ears nervously. Roselyn frowned and scanned the meadow, gently patting her mount’s smooth neck. Everything around them seemed fine. It was not like her horse to be so easily spooked.

  The mare snorted and let out a nervous whinny.

  “Opal, what is wrong with you today?”

  Then Roselyn saw them. A small army of black wolves was crouching in the long grass ahead. Their deep, red eyes bore hungrily into hers.

  Heart pounding, the queen redirected her mount and kicked her into a run. She glanced over her shoulder and, sure enough, the vicious predators were now in hot pursuit. There were no fewer than fifteen wolves chasing them.

  Roselyn and her mare entered into a dark forest. Panic surged through her at the realization that the carnivorous beasts would have a greater advantage navigating through the woods than a horse.

  Lord, forgive me for ever doubting Your love for me and my people. If I am worthy, please spare me this day. I have many things that I want to make up for in this life, but if today is the day that You need me, then so be it.

  The mare’s long, sturdy legs leaped over fallen tree trunks and bushes and they went deeper into the forest.

  A small, stone house caught Roselyn’s attention when Opal suddenly reared up on her hind legs.

  Roselyn screamed as she flipped backward and landed on the damp forest floor. The wolves had already surrounded them.

  “Lord, save us!” Roselyn cried.

  Roselyn searched frantically for a branch, a rock – anything. She found a thick stick and picked it up. She spun around, ready to swing it at an approaching animal, but Opal had moved in front of her.

  Dear God, she is protecting me. Please spare her life!

  The snarling carnivores latched onto the beautiful horse’s legs and neck. Crimson blood already splattered her snowy coat.

  Roselyn screamed.

  Opal reared and kicked, but the muscular predators overpowered her and brought her to the ground.

  Roselyn stood there, trembling in horror. There was nothing she could do.

  “Opal! Oh, God, make them stop!”

  Roselyn sank to her knees, tears blurring her vision. She looked away, but the sickening sound of ravenous mouths filled her ears.

  “I’m so sorry, Opal,” she wept.

  Soon they would devour Roselyn, too.

  “Stop!” shouted a man.

  Roselyn shot her head up.

  A grey-haired man with a walking stick stood there.

  “I am a servant of the Lord, Roselyn. Do not fear.”

  How does he know my name? What is he doing here?

  “Lord, save us!” she cried.

  The feasting wolves barely paid him any mind as they ate their f
resh kill.

  Roselyn gagged, weeping in the dirt.

  My dear, sweet mare.

  The older man shouted, drowning out the horrific noises of the ravenous animals.

  “Demons, I cast you out of these creatures, in the name of Jesus. Beasts of the earth, go away from here! This spell has no power over us.”

  Spell?

  The wolves froze and stared at the man for a moment. Then, they left the bloodied corpse and trotted away.

  Roselyn realized that she had been holding her breath. She exhaled, still in shock, and stood shakily. She couldn’t stop crying.

  “Are you all right, my lady?” asked the man.

  “I – I think so. Well, no. Not at all. Thank you so much, but my horse. My poor, dear mare,” she said.

  He smiled warmly, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  “I know the pain of losing a good animal friend. Come, child. I will make you a fresh cup of tea. My home is close by. We are safe now.”

  Roselyn nodded, unable to speak from the uncontrollable sobs. She followed him.

  *****

  Jalarn rode alongside his uncle toward the Valley of Dururn, where the beasts of the deep would be summoned. Despite the cool breeze whistling over the grasslands, Ittonifer seemed to be in high spirits, which was a very unusual occurrence.

  There must be some new information that he has learned of, but he is keeping it from me.

  Jalarn would never fully trust the man.

  You can never trust anyone.

  Aterun rode slightly behind Jalarn and Ittonifer. Following the three of them was one legion of soldiers. There was no telling if a band of knights from Sanctus would meet them. One always had to be prepared.

  “Do you know why Waltez is not here, my lord?” asked Jalarn.

  “He has another task that I need him to complete.”

  Interesting that I know nothing of this.

  As Jalarn fought to control his annoyance, a small tent city caught his attention. Jalarn had never seen one before, but he had heard many stories about the men that lived in them.

  “Apathetic men,” said Ittonifer.

  “And apathy has no place in this world,” said Jalarn.

  “Indeed.”

  Usually, tent dwellers had no allegiance to anyone and chose to live away from any major civilization. Jalarn despised people like that. They offered nothing at all to the world, which meant that they did not deserve to live. Besides, it was not unheard of that they could grow large enough to form a resistance army.

  As they rode closer, several people emerged from their cloth dwellings. Some men carried primitive-looking spears.

  Jalarn caught Ittonifer’s gaze. They nodded at one another. It was not worth their time to try and recruit such a useless class of humans, and it wouldn’t be right to leave them there to multiply like pests.

  Besides, I am craving a little bloodshed.

  Jalarn clenched his scythe and charged ahead on his horse, with Ittonifer at his side. Their men followed. Most of the people tried to run away, but none of them escaped.

  *****

  Looking through his spyglass, General Edandir scanned the perimeter of the palace grounds from the central watchtower. Ever since sundown, he had sensed that there was someone lurking around the castle. So far he had seen no one.

  He turned to leave when a bird’s piercing screech echoed through the still, evening air. It sounded like the call of a blue falcon. Blue falcons never hunted at night.

  Edandir’s pulse quickened.

  The bird of prey’s cry broke the silence once again.

  The general climbed down from his post and slowly made his way to where the noise had come from. It sounded like it was in or around the royal gardens.

  With a hand on the hilt of his sword, Edandir listened intently. The slightest movement to his right caught his attention.

  “Who is there?” he called.

  No answer.

  “Show your face.”

  A caped man stepped out from behind a rose bush. His blue falcon sat on his shoulder.

  “Waltez.”

  No one else could have made it past the watchful eyes of the border guards.

  “Edandir. It has been too long.”

  “Yes.”

  They stared at one another for a moment.

  “I came here to tell you that you don’t have to fight against the empire. This is all about your pride. You never have liked change, have you? Just accept that the world is changing. You could be a part of a successful empire and avoid the needless death of your people.”

  “You know that I won’t.”

  “Ittonifer will make you the second ranking general of his army, and he will reward you for all that you do for him. It would be like old times.”

  Edandir’s heart raced.

  “Oh, how kind of him. No, thank you.”

  “Then you are a fool.”

  With a hand still on his weapon, Edandir moved closer to the man that had once been his friend.

  “If Ittonifer is so confident that he will be victorious, why would he send you all the way here to recruit me?”

  “You always were too cocky for your own good. It will get you killed one day. One day very soon.”

  “Have you even once asked yourself how you do it? You serve a country – a man – that kills the innocent only to gain more wealth and power.”

  “We are no different from any other prosperous nation in history.”

  “You killed your own people, Waltez.”

  “It was never my intention for Anstalla to die. I thought that she was with you in Sanctus that night. You know that.”

  Edandir tried to ignore the pain that crept from the deepest parts of his soul. His wife was dead because of the Malinorians. Waltez had become so power hungry by the time that the Holy Wars began that he wouldn’t have hesitated to kill – anyone.

  “Get out of here. Now.”

  “I’m not leaving until I have either your allegiance or your head.”

  “You will not gain either, but you can try.”

  Waltez took a run at Edandir as his falcon flew to a safer perch in the bushes. Their swords collided and sent a shrill clang that sliced through the quiet, still air.

  Edandir kicked Waltez’s left shin, but the Malinorian swung around and slashed his sword against Edandir’s right torso.

  “I’m killing your queen once I’m through with you,” said Waltez.

  Ignoring the sharp pain in his side, Edandir executed a diagonal arc at his enemy’s midsection and then slammed his free hand into his face.

  Waltez stumbled backward.

  Edandir stood over him and placed the tip of his sword at his neck.

  “Hand me your sword,” ordered Edandir.

  Waltez complied.

  “Now, get out of here. Tell your ruler that he is going to have a real battle to prepare for.”

  Waltez stood, stared at Edandir for a moment, and then disappeared into the shadows.

  “What is going on?”

  It was Talya. Tasar and Atalsa were with her.

  “I was just speaking with someone. You three should get ready for the banquet.”

  “That is what we were about to do. Was that a Malinorian you were speaking to?” asked Talya.

  “That is not your concern.”

  Tasar and Atalsa looked at one another.

  “We will see you at the palace, Talya,” said Atalsa.

  “Sure,” she said.

  When the two other knights were gone, Talya stepped closer to Edandir.

  “I saw that Malinorian commander. Why would you let him go?” she asked.

  “He used to be my friend.”

  “Exactly. He would kill you in a heartbeat now.”

  Edandir shook his head.

  “He did try to slay you, didn’t he?”

  “I am not discussing this with you.”

  Talya exhaled loudly and turned to leave. Then, she stopped and faced Edandi
r again.

  “Wait a minute. If you knew him well once, then that means he was one of the men that turned their backs on Sanctus during the Holy Wars.”

  “Talya, don’t get yourself worked up over this. You need to focus on the large task of conquering the empire in a few days.”

  “You allowed a man that had a part in burning down my mother’s village to go free. How could you?”

  “He never meant to kill her. He thought she was with me.”

  “I can’t believe this!” she cried.

  “What happened to forgiveness? Do you not recall the Scriptures? The ones that you could very well die for. This war is not about revenge. It is about justice and freedom.”

  “Tell that to the ones that are dead.”

  “Those that have passed on are with the Lord now. They are happy and at peace now.”

  “But they were not supposed to die yet. General Landine would have never let an enemy go like you just did. You are a traitor!”

  Talya spun around and left him.

  *****

  Threatening, black storm clouds loomed above as turbulent winds roared over the darkening plains. The Valley of Dururn was below them now. It was everything that Ittonifer had imagined since his youth.

  In the middle of the valley was a small lake of deep, navy waters. It was home to the ancient sea creatures that had once been thought by everyone to be extinct.

  The stealthy, Malinorian-bred horses stepped carefully down the steep, rocky slope that led them to the dark body of water.

  When they reached the bottom, Aterun shakily got down from his horse and limped over to the lake’s edge. Ittonifer jumped from his saddle and stared at the lake.

  “At last,” Ittonifer breathed.

  Jalarn got down from his horse and stood at Ittonifer’s side. He was as expectant as everyone else to see the strange, age-old monsters. Soon, the young general would become powerful in the dark arts. When he got to that point, there would no longer be a need for a group of magicians.

  Aterun began a chant, stealing Ittonifer away from his thoughts. In moments, he would behold the beasts that would help defeat his final enemy. His worst enemy.

  The water’s surface began to bubble. Everyone froze in place as they watched Aterun’s spell unfold. A great roar echoed throughout the valley. Goosebumps covered Ittonifer’s flesh. The growing darkness made the process seem even more surreal.