* * * * *
Mordal eyed the far bank momentarily, looking for any sign of movement in the darkness. His blessed vision showed no sign of the messenger upon the other bank. Mordal’s blessing was unique he presumed, and it had been the difference between success and failure more times than he could count. The ability to see things clearly at a distance allowed him to see details that to another assassin would be obscure. The unnatural tautness that overcame his muscles while awash in his blessing allowed him to react faster, move faster, dodge faster and even strike harder. Those two enhancements were enough to bring down most of his targets, but his ability to see the world by the heat contained within objects was the most useful at night.
This night was a perfect example, Mordal thought, as he looked to the water flowing just beyond his toes. Though the vast majority of the water appeared a dark hue of purple in his vision, a streak flowed from just beneath him of a slightly lighter hue, meaning something down there was warming the water around it as it flowed past. Smiling to himself, Mordal reached into his belt and removed another gnomish weapon he was very fond of. It appeared to be a spear except for the fact that it was only half as long as his arm. However, with a click of a catch and a flick of the wrist, the shaft extended as section after section of steel tubing with an ever smaller diameter slid out from the larger one behind it with a series of clicks. Now the spear was as long as he was tall. Grabbing its shaft with both hands, Mordal raised his arms and drove the spear down with all his might through the soil between his boots and several feet down below the surface of the ground.
* * * * *
Darion remained unmoving for what felt like forever, his lungs tightening in his chest, his body silently screaming for more air. He knew he would not be able to remain this way much longer and wondered what exactly his attacker was doing simply standing there on the bank. Panic threatened again and again to overcome him as the warmth leached from his body and his lungs felt as if they might explode. But even when his vision began to blur, he waited a few more seconds before he finally dared to take another breath. Slowly, more slowly than what his body cried for, Darion took a breath. Little did he know it would be his last. For just as soon as Darion had filled his lungs to capacity, he was struck unexpectedly. Though no matter how vicious the attack was, Darion felt as the blade thrust into his mouth, splitting his tongue in two before plunging out the back of his skull above his neck and then driving on down through his spine and into his vital internal organs. So swift was the strike that to Darion that final moment seemed to slow, allowing him to feel each new agonizing pain individually before the shaft of the weapon was extruded from his body, releasing vast amounts of blood from each of the wounds. As the weapon was removed from his body with a jerk and a twist, Darion, his face now below the icy waters, released his last breath in a gurgle of his own blood in an attempt to scream before his eyes rolled back and the world was lost to him.
* * * * *
Mordal chuckled as he pulled the boy’s ruined body just far enough out of the water to remove anything of value. Taking the boy’s medallion, coin purse and dagger, the assassin then shoved the boy back into the water with his boot. Finally his mission to Valdadore was showing some promise. This messenger had more coin than some minor lords Mordal had brought to their end in his homeland. Mordal could not help but grin at his luck as he turned to regain his mount. This was going to be a lucrative venture, Mordal thought as he climbed back into his saddle, guiding the stallion to resume in their original direction.
Chapter 2
Reunited Family and Restored Glory
Morning was quickly approaching as the last of the plans were laid in preparation to defend Valdadore. All who had spent the night awaiting orders in the chamber adjacent to the king’s study had been dismissed and told to carry out their missions with all haste. The only people who remained in that high chamber of the king’s palace were the king himself and his closest, most trusted allies. Though each of them was exhausted, both mentally and physically, Seth knew that more needed to be said before he and Sara could retire from the chamber as well. So much had changed since the battle with the black horde, Seth felt that Garret, of all people, would not only understand but also need the truth in order to realistically put to use his brother’s abilities. So after many thoughts on how to begin his tale, pausing briefly to allow Linaya to yawn, an action then repeated by everyone in the room, Seth sighed loudly and began to speak.
“There are a few things you should know, brother, in reference to myself and Sara, that not only relate to our current circumstances, but also to how we will be behaving for the unforeseeable future,” Seth began, and watched as Garret’s eyebrows lifted showing both his attention and curiosity. “Sara and I have undergone changes that greatly affect our ability to aid you. Though I was affected less than she, the most I can tell you about myself at this time is that I will be greatly hindered during daytime hours.”
“What do you mean, ‘hindered’?” Garret asked, his face scrunching up in thought.
“My eyes can no longer withstand the sun. In direct sunlight I am completely blind, though in indirect light I can see fine,” Seth answered, letting his brother guide the conversation from this point forward.
“This happened because of that final blast in the battle with the black horde?” Garret enquired.
“It did not happen so much in the blast, but as a result of what Sara and I had to endure following the blast. The entire tale I shall relate to you at a future date when there are not so many pressing things to attend to. But know this: I am more powerful now than I was then, only I must shield my face from the sun,” Seth proclaimed with a smirk.
“What of you, Sara? Has the same befallen you?” Garret asked, allowing Sara to tell her own portion of the tale.
“I wish it were so, Garret,” Sara began, her face becoming awash with pain briefly as she recalled her most recent foray into the light. “I am afraid that my condition is much worse than that of my husband.”
“How so?” Garret asked.
“No portion of my flesh can be exposed to the sun under any circumstances,” she explained slowly. “If direct sunlight falls upon my skin, within an instant it burns away, then my muscles and vessels below that, finally even my bones.”
Linaya gasped audibly.
“But Sara, how then do you intend to fight?” Garret asked perplexed, though continued without an answer. “You made it quite obvious you do not plan to sit this battle out, but if you cannot withstand the very sun that lights the skies, in what capacity do you intend to help?”
Without so much as an instant of hesitation, in the fraction of a blink of an eye, Sara lifted her body using the arms of her chair and slid her legs beneath her. Without pausing to think, working on the instincts of her new body alone, Sara sprang with all her might. The chair crashed against the wall behind her as her lithe body, still fully armored, sailed like an arrow across the chamber over Garret’s head. As she flew, Sara twisted in the air, and as she made contact with the opposite wall, she used her legs to slow her impact. For a fraction of a moment it appeared as though she knelt upon the wall, defying gravity completely. Garret barely caught a glimpse of this action as he swiveled in his immense chair, but watched still as Sara, pulling a sword from the wall that had been hung there as decoration, sprang again effortlessly up into the air before doing a somersault and plummeting down once more. As Sara fell through the air she again repositioned her body for maximum leverage and landed upon Garret’s huge desk in a crouch, burying the sword to the hilt through the thick, ancient wood of the desk.
“That, my brother, is how I intend to fight. If need be I will accompany Seth’s troops to fight at night. I am no longer helpless, Garret. I can hold my own,” Sara said with a mischievous smile.
“I can see that,” Garret replied, pausing a moment to ponder. “So is this also a portion of how you were changed by whatever means it was that you were altered?”
“Yes, brother.” It was Seth who answered. “Her alteration has both a very negative side, and one that thus far is quite impressive. But I will not let you accompany my troops, Sara,” Seth announced as Sara turned to face him with a somewhat confused if not angry look upon her face. “Not until you have been trained to fight by the very best and not until I have prepared you as well as I am able,” he added.
Sara smiled, her face lighting up as it had done the first day Seth had met her. Again he was being protective, trying to keep her from harm. Now, however, Seth knew she was more capable than most of defending herself, and as such he respected her enough to not argue with her wishes.
“One more thing, Garret,” Seth said, causing his brother’s eyebrows to rise once again. “I have witnessed how a small, fairly well trained force can hold its own against a much larger force and also against unbelievable odds. Sara and I can relay that information to the army and they can begin training at once, if you think it a fair plan.” Seth concluded.
“How is it accomplished?” Garret asked, his knowledge of battle tactics disappointedly limited.
“You break your men into small units of about twenty. Each of them is very lightly armored, carrying only a spear and a very large shield like this.” Seth picked up a piece of parchment off the floor then hunted out a quill and ink before drawing a rough sketch of the shield design. “Then your men form up in a circle, each facing the outside like this.” Seth again drew a sketch. “There is also an inner ring like this.” Once more he drew hastily. “Then in the middle the men use their shields to form a roof like this,” Seth said, completing his drawing.
“It’s like a turtle,” Garret smiled.
“Yes, but it is a turtle that can strike in all directions and yet is invulnerable to most attacks, especially from arrows,” Seth explained.
“It is brilliant. Tomorrow, while I take my men west, you shall relay this to Sulvis and the men will begin training at once. We will need a lot of shields and spears, something we do not have in excess. I will have to have the blacksmiths working all hours of the day and night to make this happen, but I think it may be just the advantage we need,” Garret said grinning.
“You go buy us more time. I will see to it that the blacksmiths have some help,” Seth replied.
“I have not forgotten you either, Sara,” Garret said. “Since you move so quickly and effortlessly, I know the very man to train you in the use of weapons properly. Tomorrow evening you must go to the knights’ training field. He will be waiting.”
“I will,” Sara replied simply.
“Sorry Garret, but we should be going, both to allow you to finish what needs to be done, and also for us to seek out a nice dark place to spend much of the day. I have such a spot in mind already so no need to offer us anything,” Seth stated.
“I understand, but if you need anything just come to the palace; someone will see to it you get what you need in my absence. I should only be gone a few days, if all goes well. Good luck with your preparations, and good night,” Garret said.
Rising from behind his desk Garret rounded the table to hug both his brother and Sara before they retired. Watching them go, Garret struggled inwardly about what it was that he must do next. It was dangerous, an action necessitated by need, not desire, yet if he had any chance of success in the forthcoming war, Garret knew it had to be this way. With only himself and Linaya in the room, Garret sat beside the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and leaned in, placing a light kiss upon her forehead.
“There is something you need to say, but are afraid to,” Linaya stated plainly, concern already in her voice.
“Yes.” Garret paused before regaining his resolve to continue. “We each have a task if Valdadore is to survive this battle. Each task is of the utmost importance, and we are all at risk. However, the task that I must give you puts you possibly at greater risk, but I do not know exactly what that risk might be. Where I need you to go is a complete unknown to me, but I don’t believe there is another person more suited for the task than you, Linaya.” Garret’s voice sounded harsh and strained as if he were fighting to control his emotions.
“I know you would not put me in unnecessary danger if I am to one day be your bride, Garret,” Linaya said, forcing a smile. “What task is it that you need me to do? Tell me and I will see it done.”
“Do you promise to follow my orders precisely, no matter what it might mean for the future?” Garret asked, now looking to the floor.
“Yes,” came the simple reply.
“I need you to leave for Boulder Gate this very day and seek audience with King Brighthammer. Convince him to come to our aid. You will not be going alone, of course. I am entrusting Zorbin Ironfist with your safety. I hope that the two of you can return swiftly with news of brigades of dwarves marching to our aid. If you cannot, the two of you are to remain in Boulder Gate until I send for you,” Garret declared before looking up again to meet the eyes of the only woman to truly win his affection.
“So you would send me away to relative safety, not to return unless I bring aid? Those are your exact orders?” Linaya asked, sounding more than a little upset.
“Yes,” Garret said in a near whisper. “I cannot imagine the horrors you might face here in Valdadore should we fall. With your beauty our attackers would be overcome with lust and would use you in ways I dare not even think of.” Garret said, with obvious anger in his voice.
“I understand your wishes, and shall follow your orders, though I do not agree with them,” Linaya sighed.
“I pray you do not look down upon me for this,” Garret said. “Your appearance could do you great harm here, but could do the kingdom a great service in Boulder Gate. I hope you understand.”
“I understand the need coming from your majesty, and I understand your concern for my safety coming from you, Garret, a man who has shown me nothing but kindness and love since the very moment we met,” Linaya said. “I will do what you ask, but I have one condition,” she added with a tone of sincerity in her voice.
“A condition?” Garret asked.
“I should like to spend the remaining hours before sunrise within your arms in case I am unable to return with aid,” Linaya informed him, somewhere between a smile and tears.
“Condition granted.” Garret turned and swept the petite woman of all his affections from her chair in a single swoop and pulled her into his lap where she curled up, wrapped within Garret’s massive arms until morning.
* * * * *
Seth and Sara stalked down the castle stairs side by side, their footfalls timed to perfection. Reaching the base of the staircase they turned together, without pause, and strode towards the main entrance without so much as a word. The halls, even at this early hour, were far from vacant. Here on the lowest floor messengers and council members alike rushed to and fro in a hectic maelstrom of activity. Though many raced past them, most speaking a greeting as they went, the couple clad in their black armor spoke not a word as they traversed the halls of the castle. Both were lost to the world; lost in their own thoughts and musings of what would happen in the days to come. Sara daydreamed of the training and trials that she would soon see as she learned from some unknown master the art of fighting. Seth too was lost in contemplation; he had unbelievable responsibility in the outcome of the battle to come. Not only did Garret depend upon his magic on the field, but also now for helping to equip an army that over the next few weeks would be swelling to unknown numbers. Seth had other pressing duties as well. He needed to correct his vision in order to be of use at the battle, as well as complete Sara’s transformation, restoring to the woman he loved her humanity. Aside from that, Seth was now the head of the battle mages, at least until a suitable replacement could be chosen. What Seth really needed now more than anything was a place where he could be alone to think without any distractions. He knew one such place; a place that few, if any, visited. A place where he could be alone with his thoughts for a while to best work out how to j
uggle his new responsibilities. That is why he now walked with purpose, for he needed to reach the place before the sun broke over the walls of the castle.
Seth and Sara rounded the corner to the castle’s massive front entrance, and without so much as a command the guards posted in the doorway shoved the great wooden doors to each side. Without the need to even pause, the couple strode out into the first courtyard where two massive werewolves fell into step behind them. Seth watched them take their positions, though not with his eyes. He decided there was no better time than the present to start relaying orders.
“What of the men, Borrik?” Seth asked without turning to face his second-in-command.
“They await your orders, your majesty, though I have informed them of the impending battle,” Borrik replied.
Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) Page 87