Edryon (Book 1 of Edryon Trilogy)

by Luis Oselieri

  “Yes. I am the best and the only one who survived in this world.”

  Edryon approached his armorial and pulled the spear that had destroyed dozens of monstrous dragons. Then went with the weapon in hand into the Thelron’s bedroom, while the fairy was following him, rather curious.

  “Stop following me, and go away from here,” cried the elf, quite annoyed.

  “I need your help.”

  “My help? Why should i help a bunch of little devils who only kill people and spread the terror?”

  “You still do not understand. We had no other choice. Our kingdom was invaded, so we could not stay in our homes. The great beast has brought so much destruction to our people.”

  After realizing that his brother’s room looked increasingly dark and dangerous, Edryon wondered what Thelron could be doing at that moment. So he left his home in a hurry, while the fairy kept following him, flew and sang a song loud and hard to tolerate. Passing through some people who were near the square, unwittingly stumbled into a man with a black hood, who discovered his face, revealing the pale skin. It was another of those infected, one of the humans that survived the great plague. He looked scared, walking quickly and his hands trembled enough.

  Then the man joined the other infected, they laughed and threw pieces of stale bread for Snow, who was tied up near the stable. The animal did not seem very happy with the presence of the two men, then Edryon approached them and said, very nervous:

  “Can i know what you are doing here in my stable?”

  “None of your account, pointy ears.”, said one man with a bottle of wine in hand, he was very drunk.

  Edryon pulled his spear in the neck of one of them and said:

  “Snow does not like humans, especially those who walk around the town without having nothing to do.”

  “Hold on. We’re not doing anything too stupid with this animal, it is not, Rufus?”

  “Sure, he looks ill, does not beat the wings and not move.”

  Edryon lost his patience, and his face showed an uncontrollable rage, then he shouted:

  “Listen, i had a hard day and i dont want to go to prison again. I’ve spent ten years behind the bars, so i have nothing to lose by my spear to pierce your scaly necks!”

  The two men were speechless, and their legs were shaking nonstop, so the young gray elf heard someone saying:

  “Edryon, release these poor people. They did not do anything more.”

  The elf looked back and saw Urentir, the druid of the icy mountains of the South He was respected by the entire population of Hanneris, and he was also leader of the Council of the Leaves. His voice was firm and stern, so irresistible was his charisma that his orders were fulfilled without any discussion. Edryon lowered his spear and let the men go away. He did not want to disregard the wise druid, and then he waited for Urentir to continue the conversation.

  “Why did you do this to them?”

  “It’s not what you’re thinking, Urentir. They messed with Snow, who do not like bothering my emphasis, you know it.”

  “I understand you. But I hope you have more patience next time.”

  “I’m going to the Kingdom of the Elementals.”, Edryon said as he stroked the left wing of Snow.

  “Are you crazy? What are you doing there? A gray elf can not think he can walk everywhere.”

  “I need to find the location of the fortress of Kordius.”

  “But he will not go there alone.”, said the fairy skeleton, appearing behind the left ear of Edryon.

  The elf raised his spear furiously and shouted:

  “Get out now, fiend!”

  Then fifty elves came riding their war horses. Seeing the small army, Urentir extended his right hand and said:

  “How’s the training going?”

  “Sir, we lost one of our men in the Forest of Spirits. He succumbed to the venom of the giant spiders.”

  The druid looked very worried, then hesitated for a moment, then said:

  “We can not leave anything to shake our courage.”

  Then the elves remained in silence, Edryon brought closer to the army and said:

  “Urentir, i want to learn the nature’s spells. Could you teach me?”

  “Now it is not the appropriate time. And you’re young, you need to find new paths, and then you will know what is better.”

  “But i do not just want to fight dragons with my spear, but i need arcane knowledge. The beasts are increasingly dangerous, and our people can not do nothing without a good warrior.”

  “You said the right word, Edryon: warrior. If you are afraid of death, you should have given up before becoming a dragon slayer.”

  “I’m not afraid, Urentir, you know it.”, cried Edryon, very angry, dropping his diary of victories on the road.

  “What is this book? Can i see him?”

  Before Edryon to give a response, the druid took the diary and flipped through some pages.

  “I see no need to learn spells. It will depends on your spear, Edryon. Do not let your heart be flooded with confused thoughts. You’re a warrior, remember that.”

  Urentir then returned the diary to the elf, Edryon did not say a word. He spent some time thinking about how his life would be without fighting, without all the adventures that had passed. Finally he said:

  “You’re right. I will not worry about it.”

  “You should worry more about the dragon from hell, did you not kill him, right?”

  “No, but i got him out of Fynge.”

  “The problem is this, Edryon. Tharonnak is a vengeful and powerful dragon, you could not just have it defeated. He must be flying over the mountains more volcanic, looking for spells that nobody would know. Then he will pursue you, take care. “

  The gray elf grabbed his spear with greater strength, although scared. Then he looked at hundreds of skeleton fairies flying down the road and scaring people, that entered into their houses by closing the doors and putting symbols of protection. Then twenty druids made a big circle of fire that seemed to work for some time, sparking a huge column of smoke that killed half of the feathered creatures.

  The rest went flying and sucking the blood of women and children. Edryon ran to try to help the population, but was prevented by the very people who knocked down while fleeing the little devils.

  Edryon recalled Snow, who quickly went to get his wrench, then he saw Thelron, which was near the druids, noting the curious tragedy. He approached him and shouted, very nervous:

  “Do you will not help them?”

  “No,” his brother seemed distant in his thoughts, “and you should also forget them. They do nothing for our good.”

  “They’re saving our people. Do you not understand that?”

  Thelron choosed not to answer, after looking at the sky, he said:

  “Looks like rain. I’ll leave.”

  Edryon held his left arm violently and shouted: “You will not go anywhere, for a long time i noticed your irresponsibility, you continues working with the deads. Do you think

  it will not bring you any trouble?”

  “It will bring power. Too much power, let me go now or…”

  Edryon dropped his arm, he allowed his brother to follow his own path, though not agree with anything he did.

  “I’m preparing a ritual. And then i’ll show you what i learned during these days. Goodbye!”

  After waving a sign of farewell, Thelron disappeared, making a teleport spell. Edryon then was very disappointed, standing near some druids who were healing the wounded lying in the road.

  3

  Three Messengers

  Useless and sick peasants, and women who served to

  have children even more stupid. Thelron quickly crossed the road, looking for that variety of strange people, until he approach the front door of his house. Two soldiers scattered, lying near the old wooden house in front, they seemed quite drunk. Thelron thought it would be good to test his new magic in those useless. And then he could show them that t
hings can not be solved only with the sword fighting. The necromancer took an apple from the pocket of his gray cloak, and took a bite, while an elf with long hair and gold, went through it pretty quick. He would make a good living dead, or maybe even a skeleton would be very agile. Thelron then smiled, remembering the magic ritual that he had planned for six months. Soon he could show the world the true power of a necromancer.

  He had got all the ingredients, but it was not an easy task, since the forests and caves concealed dangers that most of the races of Fynge even dare to risk their life. The necromancer had no fear of giant worms of the plains. He also learned how to gain control over his emotions before the inevitable natural disasters that caused suffering the loss of magic potions and ancient scrolls. He was already focused on his new ritual invocation, inside his room, and after a few hours he managed to create one more skeleton.

  The cold night spreaded a strange smell on the road, while Thelron walked quietly, pulling the chain that was tied around the neck of the skeleton. He did not want to risk letting loose his more obedient undead, as the soldiers of the city could find it and destroy it. After all, soldiers only served to create more problems, and Thelron was tired of having to pay bribes increasing. Then he saw three men coming down from their horses in front of the tavern. They seemed to be in town, for wore brown, and two of them had luxury harps tied to their back.

  The necromancer just stood there, leaning against a large tree, he tried to analyze carefully the strange outsiders. Felt it would be better to enter the tavern and get information because they might be helpful to him, and he also wanted to take a good wine. The three men were lodged at the tavern and Thelron went slowly. He would be waiting for the right moment to act, in order to discover the real intentions of the visitors, but also he could even sell some cursed artifact. He had already managed to sell a magic sword to a witch in the Forest of Spirits, and he felt very pleased… four hundred gold coins, a sword painted bright gold … managed to fool her with ease.

  Then the necromancer entered the tavern with his skeleton, people were frightened and began withdrawing from their tables. A bunch of idiots who could not understand the true art of magic from the dead, thought Thelron. It was not pleasant having to endure dwarves, goblins and humans watching him with closed faces and expressions of contempt. Seeing the confusion, Sgnilliv raised the palms of his hands, which burned in blue flames. Thelron hated having to surrender to the goblin mage every time he entered the tavern, looking for fun. He just wanted to take a drink to warm his frozen heart and no feelings, and never seemed Sgnilliv understand him, even when the necromancer appeared loaded with bags of gold coins.

  “Look how he’s smart, he knows how to sit in the chair, is not it?”, said Thelron so excited as he looked proudly at the skeleton, which threw his body, quite unbalanced. “Thelron, go away from here now!”, cried the goblin mage.

  “You do not have the right to expel me from here, runt.”, the necromancer seemed unconcerned with Sgnilliv, then sat at a table, along with his skeleton.

  “I warn you, do you will stay here scaring my customers?”

  “Be quiet. I just want you to bring me a wine. I have money.”

  Thelron showed the goblin a bag of coins, but Sgnilliv became even angrier, and a huge ball of fire took shape in his hands. With violence and impact of the large ball, which hit the back of the necromancer, the tavern emptied quickly. The skeleton was smashed between two chairs in flames, Thelron ran out while trying to extinguish the fire which was spreading in his red cape. After leaving the tavern with his clothes torn and burned, the necromancer looked at his body, he was surprised by his new power of regeneration. Thelron looked at the three men standing outside, he could hear a little of their conversation:

  “When we tell the druids about the message?” “Let’s wait for the right moment. Maybe Edryon can help us.”

  Then one of them pulled out a harp, as he began to play a nice melody, several elves approached, curious to know who the men were, but at the same time they seemed to be enjoying the songs that spoke of old wars, legends of monstrous creatures, warriors almost immortal who won lost battles. And everyone applauded and asked them to touch a new music.

  Thelron was tired, so he decided to return to his home. When he unlocked the door, Edryon was found feeding the crows near his armorial.

  “They’re making too much noise. I heard outside these idiots cawing. Make them shut up.”

  “No. When you create your undead in this fourth foul, they also makes a huge fuss. Then you can not ask for something that you do not respect.”, Edryon said, as he finished spreading the corn kernels inside the cages.

  “Okay. Someday i will kill them.” Thelron came into his bedroom and quickly changed his clothes burned, remains of a large gray robe, who well served for the

  perfect form in his body thin and pale. He opened an old wooden chest that was locked, retired seven grimoires and stacked on top of his table full of cockroaches. After a few hours, many researches and red candles lit, the necromancer mixed all the magical ingredients into a boiling cauldron. A horrible smell of rotting was mixed with sulfur powder, but he felt satisfied with the outcome. He resolved to cook for some time, and left his room with a smile.

  Edryon not stand the smell that invaded his house, then heard his brother saying:

  “Where are you?”

  “Taking a wine. Do not try to follow me.”

  The gray elf came walking down the road, very angry when he heard a familiar voice:

  “Edryon, how long!”

  He then looked back and recognized one of the three bards who had entered the tavern, and said:

  “Ornell. You should not quit bothering others with your horrible music.”

  “The king sent us here to seek you.”

  The three bard messengers were near Snow, and one of them mounted on top of the griffin, saying:

  “He even is tough, huh?”

  “Let him quiet. I do not like to disturb him.”, Edryon approached the griffin, as he pulled the bard by the left arm, causing the bard to fall on the dusty road.

  Ornell then became very nervous and said:

  “Edryon, we not came here to cause confusion, King William II is passing by a great tragedy. He needs you, urgently.”

  The elf was about to answer the bard when he saw looming in the distance Urentir mounted on a black horse, followed behind him an army of elves, a couple of hundred, well armed and equipped. The druid rode quickly to get near him and said:

  “I’m going to make a trip with my men.”

  “Where? Something happened so important that i do not know? “

  “A strange fog is taking over the Forest of Spirits. I’m afraid it might be some evil force, trying to control the magic of traditional healers in the village of the monks.”

  “I’m with you.”, Edryon raised his spear, he felt excited to be in a new adventure.

  “No. Stay with the druids. They seem confused, and i feel they are not taking care of the city as they should.”

  “But why can i not fight by your side? I’m sure the dragon of hell may be behind it all. Let me go with you.”

  “Sorry, Edryon. Take care of the women and children, our city can not remain unprotected.”

  The gray elf felt a little frustrated because he could not go along with Urentir, but at the same time he remembered that he might be useful to the people of Hanneris.

  The three bards waited for the end of the conversation, then Ornell approached Edryon and said:

  “The Kingdom of the Lights is being ravaged by a plague, and we do not know whether the king will be able to regain his respect. The people are angry, i think there’s nothing else to do, but to expect the worst.”

  “But you have come here because they need my help, is not it?”, said Edryon.

  “Yes, but every day more people are getting sick, we will not have time to find a cure for all the citizens.”

  The elf looked ahead and s
aw Thelron on horseback very skinny. The necromancer looked quite agitated, and then shouted:

  “Forget this nonsense, the cure will not come from anyone, everyone will die and then it will be the end of every race of mortals!”

  “What are you doing here?”, said Edryon. “I came to warn you that i finally finished my ritual.”, Thelron was different, his voice seemed to have shifted, was more severe and so high that scared everyone who came by road.

  “Are you okay?”, the elf felt more worried about his brother.

  Ornell quickly fell from his horse, and when he saw the necromancer, he has a look of astonishment and said:

  “It was him, he was with the others.”

  Edryon was confused and then replied:

  “Wait, Ornell, what do you mean?”

  “His brother was with the necromancers who invaded our realm.”

  Thelron opened a slight smile and said:

  “Edryon, you will not believe in three bums who only make noise with their idiot instruments, right?”

  “I do not know. You have acted very strange. Do not get closer to me. Never again!”

  Then a woman wearing a red dress torn, crying a lot, walked around the bard and cried:

  “The fairies, they are attacking near the cemetery!”

  “Great, I will go there”, said Thelron, “perhaps they will serve me.”

  “You will not go anywhere.”, Ornell said to him very nervous, while wielding a large double ax of war.

  “Listen, i do not want to cause problems, so do not think that this ridiculous weapon will do something.”

  Ornell ran towards the necromancer and hit him a violent blow with his ax, hitting the chest of Thelron with violence. Then he fell in the middle of the road and watched his blood pouring into his hands. He let out a big laugh, and then Edryon realized that the gash was regenerating quickly.

  “He must have one of the grimoires.”, the bard said, startled to realize that the necromancer would recover from his wound.

  “I have seven books, and briefly i will be with all the kingdoms and continents of the world.”, Thelron said before to teleport, causing everyone to be even more worried.