The Sword of Light: Book One of the Veredor Chronicles

by E J Gilmour

  ‘How many muckrons do you think there are, Hugo?’ asked King Ignis.

  ‘Thousands, perhaps six or seven thousand,’ replied General Hugo as his eyes scanned the encampment of their enemies.

  The wyvern started flying toward them. Eben could see the orange and red scales of the creature as it approached. The beast had large horns, clawed feet, and batlike wings which were dark in colour. It ascended higher and within a minute was circling above the army of men and screeching in a deathly shrill tone. All the men of the army looked up in horror at the wyvern.

  ‘I never thought I would see anything like that,’ said King Ignis sternly, staring up at the evil creature high above.

  Meara rode up to be beside King Ignis. ‘They are said to be as intelligent as men. I believe the wyvern is spying for the enemy.’

  ‘We must move quickly then,’ said King Ignis. They moved down the slope of the hill and arrived at the plain within a few minutes. The muckron army was marshalling itself in the distance and preparing for battle.

  ‘We will move closer until we are about five hundred yards away from them,’ said General Hugo. ‘Our knights and heavy cavalry will charge them. We can use the light cavalry as support. The infantry can move in as a third wave.’

  ‘What about the archers?’ asked King Ignis.

  ‘They can support the infantry and stop the enemy flanking us.’

  ‘Good, let’s move out further across the plain and prepare our position,’ said King Ignis.

  Eben could hear the drums of the enemy in the distance. Deep horns were being blown, and all the muckrons howled. The sound of the beasts froze their hearts.

  ‘Urs-shaka, Urs-shaka, Urs-shaka!’ The muckrons growled as they formed several lines and started moving toward the army of men.

  The Ortarian army formed several opposing lines with the heavy cavalry and the knights to the front. The light cavalry formed a line directly behind the heavy cavalry. The infantry formed about ten lines behind the last horses, and the archers stood further back. By the time the army had formed a position the muckrons were about fifteen hundred yards away and were steadily advancing across the plain.

  ‘Are we ready, Hugo?’ asked the King. General Hugo sternly nodded. King Ignis rode out in front of his army on his great white warhorse. He looked magnificent against the dark horizon and the heavy clouds. His long red cape flew in the wind, and his bright armour was shining brilliantly. He was like a light set against the gloom.

  ‘We fight for Ortaria! Keep your honour! Be brave! Be true!’ he cried. The army cheered all at once. ‘We Ortarians have always fought for the good of all people! Now we are here, in a foreign land, and we are called to vanquish this evil horde of monsters from Veredor! I believe we have the courage! I believe we are brave! Fight well! Fight for your family! Fight for your people! And fight for all that is good!’ he cried. The cheers of the army echoed across the field.

  ‘Urs-shaka, Urs-shaka, Urs-shaka,’ bellowed the muckron army in response. The wyvern released a bloodcurdling scream, which sent shivers through the Ortarian army.

  ‘For Ortaria!’ cried King Ignis, drawing his sword as he turned his warhorse to face the enemy.

  An Ortarian trumpet sounded and rang out across the plain. The heavy cavalry started to move forward. The polished armour of the knights shimmered as the sun shone through a gap in the clouds above. A second trumpet sounded and the light cavalry followed.

  Stella was riding beside Red, and Meara was a little further back with Cassiel. Baftel was standing much further back behind the lines of archers. Eben smiled across at Red. He felt his confidence growing. A feeling grew in his heart that was similar to how he had felt in Lantern Hill, a sense of courage flowed through his veins.

  ‘Let’s ride!’ cried Eben, drawing the Sword of Light. The blade glimmered brightly as the light of the sun reflected on the smooth polished metal.

  Swiftwing leapt forward, chasing after the cavalry. The pace was growing as their horses galloped. Stella and Red were beside Eben; Cassiel and Meara were a little further back trying to keep up. Eben stared ahead at the line of hideous muckrons. The sound of thousands of horses galloping was thunderous. The heavy cavalry were lowering their lances as the line of muckrons stood ready. The muckrons were armed with an assortment of spears, war hammers, maces, and some carried battle-axes. Some of the muckrons wore makeshift armour and others wore nothing at all. Their hideous hairy pig faces snarled and growled.

  The front line of cavalry struck the line of muckrons with a mighty clash of steel. A moment later Eben was upon them. He swung his blade and watched a muckron fall. Swiftwing crashed through the enemy front line. There were howls and cries all about; the scene was wild. Eben was surrounded by monsters. He thrust his sword out again and again. His visual field was full of foul pig faces, some with tusks, and others with protruding fangs and drooling mouths. Swiftwing pushed through the field of muckrons, knocking the monsters down as he charged on.

  Eben looked back and could see Stella and Red about forty feet away, side by side, fighting several muckrons together. Further away he could see waves of blue flames and swirling columns of blue fire blasting from Meara’s hands. The monsters howled and ran from her. The cavalrymen were all around fiercely battling the monsters. Eben swung, stabbed, and slashed as the beasts shrieked and howled at him. The scene turned into a mad blur. The Ortarian infantry then entered the fray. The intensity of the battle increased. Eben parried and struck out again and again. His heart thumped like a drum. Swiftwing reared up on his hind legs and kicked a muckron away as Eben stabbed another.

  ‘Eben!’ cried Stella’s voice from far off.

  Eben turned Swiftwing about and looked to see the wyvern descending on Cassiel about a hundred feet away. The wyvern’s red scales glimmered in the daylight; a menacing howl echoed out as the beast swooped downward. Cassiel held his hands up, creating a shield, but the wyvern crashed through the barrier and struck the young wizard, sending him flying through the air. The wyvern leapt after him.

  Eben turned Swiftwing about and galloped across the field toward Cassiel, but Red arrived first and stood in the wyvern’s path. Red swung his blade. The wyvern simply struck out, and Red’s sword flew from his hand. Red stumbled back and looked up at the large fangs of the beast, his eyes full of shock. A moment later the wyvern grabbed Red around his chest and lifted him up, squeezing him tightly. Red moaned in pain as the claws buckled his armour. Stella cried out and ran to save him, but the wyvern leapt into the air and beat its wings.

  A moment later Eben charged into the scene as the beast flew upward. Eben leapt from Swiftwing and grabbed onto one of the wyvern’s horns. The enraged face and red eyes sneered. The beast whipped its head about, trying to shake Eben off. Eben hewed down at the creature’s arm which was holding Red; the severed arm fell away, and Red landed in the mud below. The wyvern gave a bloodcurdling scream and crashed into the field. Eben rolled away from the fierce beast and quickly got to his feet, holding up the Sword of Light.

  The wyvern moaned in pain and roared in defiance. Eben dashed forward as the wyvern leapt at him. He brought his blade down and cut through its scales; a moment later the beast dropped, writhed on the ground, and then fell still.

  The muckrons backed away as Eben lifted his sword high above his head, the daylight seemed to collect around the blade. The muckrons stumbled back further and moaned in fear. The soldiers and cavalrymen cheered for Eben. The remaining muckrons started to run, and several riders chased them down. Further out there were some small skirmishes, but the area directly around them was clearing of muckrons as the monsters were running for their lives.

  Stella went quickly to Red’s side. He was dazed and disoriented. Cassiel limped over a few moments later; the left side of Cassiel’s face was covered in blood from a gash above his eyebrow.

  ‘Red, are you all right?’ asked Stella. ‘Please, Red, say something!’

  ‘Stella...I think I have some
broken ribs,’ muttered Red as he opened his eyes. Stella held him close and was thankful he was speaking.

  Moments later Meara walked over. ‘The muckron army is retreating,’ she said as she looked out across the plain.

  Eben sheathed his sword and helped Stella to sit Red up. Meara walked over and put her hand on Red’s shoulder. A gentle blue light emanated from her hands, and Red suddenly looked brighter and happier.

  ‘You have three broken ribs,’ said Meara. ‘This spell will reduce the pain and help to heal you more quickly, but just because the pain is mostly gone doesn’t mean you are free from an injury. You should take care.’

  ‘Red, I thought I was finished. You saved me from the wyvern.’ said Cassiel.

  ‘Anytime,’ said Red as he stood up.

  **

  Eben sat in the command tent. Red, Stella, Baftel, King Ignis, and General Hugo were seated around the table. Meara and Cassiel walked in to join them, followed by two knights.

  ‘Sadly we lost two thousand men, and about a thousand are severely injured,’ said General Hugo. ‘Our riders say about a thousand muckrons escaped north and are continuing to move away from us. Several smaller groups of the monsters have been hunted down by our cavalry.’

  King Ignis nodded. ‘We will give all our fallen the full burial rights and honours that they deserve. They showed courage and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We shall always remember the victory we had here over the muckron horde. We will never forget those who fell in the battle.’

  ‘The heavy cavalry did the most damage to the muckrons...and Eben.’ said General Hugo.

  ‘The men are calling you the Dragon Slayer,’ said King Ignis, looking to Eben with a proud smile. ‘I watched you riding through the lines of muckrons. You were alone and ahead of everyone else. They scattered at your feet. I have not seen anything like that in all the battles I have fought.’

  ‘Such things haven’t been seen since the Forgotten Age,’ said Meara.

  Eben looked down at the Sword of Light at his side. He knew that much of his ability came from the sword he carried.

  ‘We will have to turn south soon,’ said General Hugo. ‘The Imposter in Ancora ordered us to invade Scaldonia with only enough food and supplies for three weeks from Galdir. We should make haste to return to Galdir.’

  ‘Galdir? No, the Zyranians will expect us to come back that way,’ said King Ignis. ‘We will ride through the Northern Pass and make directly for Ancora.’

  ‘The draug is gone, but it would prove very difficult to take wagons and catapults up the Sky Steps,’ said Meara.

  ‘Yes, what you say is true,’ agreed King Ignis. ‘Baftel, can you see where the muckron army is in Ortaria?’ asked the King, looking across at the frail wizard.

  ‘There is a dark shadow near Ancora, perhaps the muckron army is there. It is difficult for me to know for sure. I have been looking south, and I can see the Skatheans are planning something. They have moved from the Iron Gate Pass and away from Galdir. They are heading eastward back toward Ancora.’

  The King scratched his beard; for a few moments he was deep in thought. ‘It would take us about eight days to ride back to Ancora if we took the Northern Pass. If we went through the Iron Gate Pass it would take us an extra week.’

  ‘By now the Imposter and the Zyranians would be aware that you have taken control of the army,’ said General Hugo. ‘He would be preparing for you to come south; that’s probably why the Skatheans have gone east. They may also know that you killed the draug, so he may expect us to come back through the Northern Pass. If we go through the Iron Gate Pass, we can restock at Galdir, and clear the villages and towns along the highway of all the tyrants and bandits who rule them. We can sweep across Ortaria and return victoriously to Ancora knowing that our enemies have all been destroyed.’

  ‘It’s a good plan,’ agreed King Ignis. ‘We shall vanquish the evil in Ortaria from west to east. We will head for Galdir.’

  **

  By the evening the army had started to prepare to move south. Meara and Cassiel were working with the injured, healing as many as they could with their skills. Eben, Red, and Stella worked with them assisting with bandaging. By nightfall Meara was exhausted. They sat around a small campfire discussing the journey south.

  ‘If the muckrons are as they were here then we should do fine in Ortaria,’ said Red.

  ‘There were only seven thousand here,’ said Meara. ‘We greatly outnumbered them. I believe they were here waiting to attack the Ortarians after they had fought with the Scaldonians. They were waiting for the Ortarians and Scaldonians to destroy each other; their task was to finish off whoever was left. They never expected the Ortarians to help the Scaldonians. If we were to fight a larger muckron army I believe we would then learn what they are truly capable of.’

  ‘We will likely get the opportunity soon,’ said Cassiel. Meara nodded.

  All of a sudden a small blackbird flew down and landed on Meara’s shoulder. It sang a short sweet song and then leapt away. The bird was gone from sight a few moments later. Meara looked into the flames of the fire and for some time didn’t say a word.

  ‘That small bird was a messenger from the Irilian Order,’ she said. ‘I have been called to an urgent meeting in Dravania.’ They fell silent and stared at her. ‘I must go to the Iril Fortress in Dravania.’

  Eben felt his heart sink at hearing these words. Meara was a great support to their group.

  ‘Must you go, Meara?’ asked Red.

  ‘Yes,’ she replied regretfully. ‘Please excuse me; I will talk with King Ignis.’ She stood up and walked away from the campfire in the direction of the command tent. Cassiel followed after her.

  **

  Later in the evening Eben was talking with Max, Marius, and some other soldiers. Word had spread about Eben’s bravery and skill in the battle.

  ‘Eben, can we talk?’ asked Cassiel as he approached.

  ‘Of course,’ replied Eben. They walked back toward the campfire.

  ‘I have some good news; Meara has accepted me as her apprentice. I will finish my training and eventually become an Irilian,’ said Cassiel gladly.

  ‘I’m happy to hear it,’ said Eben.

  ‘Baftel will be going west with Meara.’ There was a short silence. ‘Meara must go to Dravania; she has no choice in the matter. A great war is raging in the kingdoms of Iarthar and Dravania. The Irilians face a large threat, and Meara is one of the strongest Irilians. The Irilian Order needs her now.’

  ‘So what are you going to do, Cassiel?’

  ‘I have decided to stay with you, Red, and Stella. I want to stay here and finish what we started. Meara said that she will take me to the Iril Fortress in Dravania and begin my training after the war.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re going to stay,’ said Eben, feeling relieved.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The army set off early the following day. By midmorning they had reached the basin of Orelin. The company of friends rode at the front of the troops with King Ignis. They watched as Duke Egil rode out from the gates of Orelin on a mighty black warhorse; he was followed closely by ten of his knights. Their dark blue capes flew in the wind as they galloped across the field toward the Ortarian army.

  ‘I salute you, King Ignis,’ said Duke Egil as he drew near.

  ‘And I you, Duke Egil,’ said King Ignis.

  ‘My scouts have told me that you destroyed the army of muckrons and the wyvern. Consider our alliance reformed,’ said the Duke happily.

  ‘I am glad to hear it. We are now heading for the Iron Gate Pass to liberate Ortaria,’ said King Ignis.

  ‘I have eight thousand fighting men in Orelin,’ said Duke Egil. ‘Now we will ride north and attempt to clear our northern lands of the enemy.’

  ‘I wish you all the best,’ said King Ignis. ‘When I complete my campaign in Ortaria I will send reinforcements to you. We must also consider that the Zyranian Order is working against us. There may come a time when I ask
for your help.’

  ‘And I will send you men if I can. I should also tell you that Garnock has sent word to the Fire Order to tell them the Zyranians have turned to evil ways. You should also form an alliance with Silvor, Ateria, and the Isles of Dawn. Perhaps they can help us deal with Zyran.’

  ‘Once I reclaim Ancora I will send word to the kings in the south, yet I fear that Zyran will already be influencing them.’

  ‘Perhaps the Irvarians in the west can help us,’ suggested Duke Egil.

  Meara rode up to bring her horse beside King Ignis. ‘I am going to Irvaria. I will take word to King Edric of Irvaria and inform him of your troubles. I am the Irilian Meara. You should know the Irilians are also your allies.’

  ‘I’m happy to hear that,’ said Duke Egil. ‘The forces in Veredor are gathering their strength, and hopefully we are not too late. A great darkness is coming to our lands. We must be ready.’

  ‘It seems to me that the darkness has already arrived,’ said King Ignis, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘Garnock said what we have seen is only the beginning. He was sent by the Fire Order to watch the north. The Kaznor Empire has a new emperor; they simply call him “Master” and he is known by no other name. All the Skatheans and muckrons are loyal to him. I believe he is the force behind the evil we face, including what is happening in Zyran.’

  ‘I have heard of him,’ said King Ignis. ‘Azagord told me about him when I was imprisoned in Zyran. He is mysterious and powerful. Azagord told me that he is a powerful sorcerer, greater than the Northern Sorcerers. Azagord was forced to submit to his will. He had to fight for his mind against the forces of darkness; thankfully in the end Azagord redeemed himself.’

  ‘I think this person we speak of is actually an Astarian,’ said Duke Egil.