“I also found out who will accompany us on our journey,” Michael added, placing his heavy wand back within his robes. “The Dragon Knight, Shayla.”
Tiberius’s eyes lit up. “That is fantastic news, Michael! I can think of no better companion for us in our mission than her.”
“Begging your pardon, sir, and I pray you to excuse my ignorance, by why? Would it not be prudent to keep our secret mission just between us?”
Tiberius thought on how best to answer the Mage’s well-intentioned question. After a few small puffs from his pipe, said, “Secrecy is paramount, I do agree. However, Shayla is one of the finest and most powerful warriors in our empire. Maybe in the world. If my father and Damian didn’t think she would make a fine companion, she would not be going with us. Besides, she will hold any oaths of silence as much as you or I.”
“Do you trust her, sir?”
Tiberius eyed the young Mage for a moment before responding. “Aye, Michael. I trust her with my life. For one, because she is the leader of her order just as I am the leader of the rangers. And, I was the one that freed her and her people. She and her sisters hold this empire near and dear to their hearts and will not break their loyalty to it.”
“Her sisters?” Michael asked, perplexed but curious.
“Aye,” Tiberius replied with a smile. “All those that call themselves Dragon Knights are women.”
They chatted for another half-hour until just beyond the docks, a small company of sentinels turned into view. The companions slowly stood to their feet and bowed as the emperor, and High Sorcerer with three attendants in tow approached. They were dressed much as they were the night before, though each bore a tired look. Undoubtedly, the emperor had continued his meetings with the ten late into the night, while Damian was fighting a raging headache from his overindulgence in beer.
The emperor motioned for the sentinels to withdraw and turned a beckoning hand towards an anchored boat alongside the docks. After the four men were aboard, the emperor himself took the great oar and began pushing their party downstream. Once they were about a hundred feet from the dock, did the emperor break the silence. “On your mission, I have nothing to give you that will be of aid. Instead, I must reiterate the need for caution and stealth. Once we reach the city’s western shore, I and all my powers to protect you will be limited. Limited, but not gone.”
“You will have nothing to worry about, father,” Tiberius replied, his eyes scanning the approaching shore. “I know the lands we venture to well.”
“I do not doubt that, Ti. However, I will advise you to take the road less traveled on your quest. There is almost certainly an enemy moving against us in the wild. Hopefully, they will be focused on the main roads out of the city and not the path you are intended upon.”
“Yes but let us pray to the gods above that they have not anticipated this minor subterfuge of ours.”
“You may pray, Ti. I will trust in your skill in the wild. But, yes. It would be most troubling indeed, if our unknown enemy has eyes and ears on all the roads of our realm,” the emperor responded grimly.
No one else spoke the rest of the boat ride, each lost in their own thoughts on what was to come. They reached the western shore of Kings Lake about ten minutes later. Standing tall and firm to greet them was Shayla, a tall black warhorse and smaller but no less stout brown paint reigned into her sides.
The two departed the boat in silence and, before long, were mounted and ready to be off before Damian produced a small satchel. “Take these on your trip. Recently brewed provisions from our finest potioneers. You might find need for such things before long, I expect.”
“Thank you, sir,” Michael replied with a bow and placed the leather bag behind him in the saddle.
The emperor approached Tiberius with a slender leather-wrapped package in hand. “This is for you, my son,” he said, solemn and despondent.
Tiberius looked confused at his father for a moment before unwrapping the package. Once it was open, he recoiled in shock. In his hands was his father’s own sword, the sword of the Axton Emperors. He examined the black scabbard with its deep black handle and grey cross guard. Around the end of the hilt sat a circle with ten steel lines moving away from the center, the symbol of the Axton Empire. His father had carried this sword after he ascended to rule their land. Just as his grandfather had and so on back until the first Axton was named emperor of the realm.
After a moment of confused contemplation, he looked at his father and asked, “Why are you giving me this?”
“A good warrior needs good steel if he is to do good things in the world,” the emperor replied.
“Father, I already have a sword, and a good one at that. Besides if things are going the way we fear, you might have more need of this than I do.”
The emperor stood next to his son and gripped his hand. “My days in the field are over Ti. You are an Axton, and you are my son. With this sword, you will be carrying the authority and honor and power of our family with you.”
A sudden realization dawned on Tiberius. He, as a ranger, could not do much in the wide-open world. But with the emperor’s own weapon in hand, that was a different matter. He looked at his father and nodded. He replaced his own sword with this black and grey sword and handed his ranger sword to his father. “Just in case,” he said with a smile.
Finally, the emperor backed away and surveyed the three companions. After a moment, he raised his hands and declared, “I bid you all a well and prosperous journey! May you find knowledge and peace in your travels and return home in time for mead and merriment! May the spirit of the unseen guide you, Mage! May the fire of the dragon never leave your body, Dragon Knight! The Spirit of The Warrior will always be with Ranger!” he said, combining the creeds of the Ranger, Magi, and Dragon Knights. In turn, the three companions bowed to their emperor before turning down the stone road behind the western shore and into the west.
The three traveled on in silence for another hour or so, none knowing quite what to say. Atop the magnificent black horse, Tiberius never took his eyes off the wide stone road adorned with beautiful orange and red flowers. The Dragoon walked beside them with her head held high. She carried her ornated dragon faced helm under her left arm, and her mighty black spear strapped to her back. Michael followed behind them, and though he should have been paying attention to the road, found himself staring every now and then at the dragon knight.
As if sensing his eyes on her, Shayla asked, “Is there something I can help you with, Mage?”
Her accent was strange and thick to Michael’s ears, which were burning bright red now. “I was just wondering, do you not require a horse, sir…ma’am…? I’m sorry, how should I address you?”
“I do not require a steed to travel upon, Mage,” she replied without turning to face him. “The power of the dragon gives us unmatched speed and endurance, and we can travel many days unaided and without rest if needed.”
“I think you can drop the tough act now, Shayla. Your master is well outside of earshot,” Tiberius said from the front of their group, a sly smile creeping on his face.
Her stern face began to turn into a broad, beautiful smile, and she laughed heartily and loud. “Force of habit, Tiberius. And you, Michael, may address me as Shayla. But my people prefer to be called by what we are, dragoons. Dragon Knights.”
Michael pushed his horse alongside her and met her eyes. Though he was atop the brown and white beast, he and the Dragoon were the same height. He met her deep brown eyes and said, “Well met, Shayla. Forgive my ignorance. I’m learning that there is much I have yet to learn.”
“Think nothing of it, Mage. You are young and curious as all children are.”
“I am already sixteen years old, ma’am. Hardly a child.”
At his words, the Dragoon let out another burst of laughter. “My child, sixteen of your years, is but still a babe to my sisters and me. Though I must admit, you are much smarter and well-mannered than other children I have met.”
“And just how old are you, ma’am? If you do not mind me asking?”
It was Tiberius now who let out a loud laugh. He slowed his own pace to ride side by side with his two companions. “Now, that is not a polite question to ask at all, my friend.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“What he means,” Shayla cut in, “is you should never ask a lady her age.”
Michael looked down, embarrassed. “I’m sorry to offend you, ma’am.”
“Oh, I’m not offended, young one. I’m simply answering as Tiberius would have. But, as well-intentioned as his guidance was, it is misplaced on me. We dragoons are used to speaking freely with one another. I find it refreshing to have someone speak so with me again, even if it is out of curiosity. And to answer your question, I am close to eighty years old by your Imperial reckoning.”
Michael shot her a look of amazement. “Eighty!? How is that possible?”
“Now that,” she said with a soft smile. “Is not a polite question to ask a Dragoon, for it is a matter we hold close to ourselves. Perhaps one day, we will talk on this again.”
All talk between the three ceased at her words. Once the sun had reached its zenith, Tiberius called a stop to their journey for lunch. They pulled off the road into a small field of the orange and red flowers they had seen lining the rode they journeyed upon. Tiberius and Michael dug into a few tiny morsels of food stowed for them by the emperor’s attendants while Shayla stood watch against the road.
After a few pensive moments, Michael looked at the Ranger and said, “I hope I did not offend our companion.”
“Hardly,” Tiberius replied, taking a small bite of bread and mutton. “If you had truly offended her, your head would no longer be attached to your shoulders. But I must caution you against indulging in your curious mind.”
“Sir?”
“Some things that are of interest to you are secret to others. And though your mind will wander, as is natural of a young and curious mage, it is best to keep it to yourself. All will be revealed in time if you have but the eyes to see and the ears to hear.”
Michael’s mind flashed back to Zachary and Timothy in the dark field. The two had inadvertently revealed the rangers possessed a blessing they referred to as the Sight. Though they should not have, according to Tiberius. Maybe whatever power the dragoons possess is of a similar, secret nature, Michael thought. He nodded at Tiberius’s guidance and resumed eating his lunch in silence.
An hour later, they were back on the road. Here and there, they met small groups of travelers, adorned in the orange and red dress of the Clastifet, making their way to the Imperial City for the festival. Their carts were laden down with all manner of food and baggage, clearly meaning to stay in the city for some time. After all, he had seen the night before, Tiberius wondered how the city could continue to accommodate so many people arriving.
The sun was starting to sink in front of them when Tiberius headed off the stone road into the dense forest to the north. They trudged on slow and steady in the thick woods until the stars began to twinkle through the closing light of day. After another hour of slow going in the forest, Tiberius called a halt to their travels.
They unpacked their horses in silence and created a small discreet camp inside the thickest part of the wood they could find. Neither of the three said a word all through the night. Tiberius, the ever-watchful protector, stood leaning against a tree, peering out into the darkness. Shayla stood on the opposite side of their camp from Tiberius, also keeping watch into the darkening wood. Michael lay wide awake for several hours in his bedroll near their low burning fire, looking at the stars. He wondered how long it would take them to reach the Forgotten Mountains and traverse its peaks into the Land Beyond.
He rolled over to face Tiberius. The man was stoic and relaxed as ever as he continued to peer out into the dark wood. He wondered if the Ranger’s gift could even penetrate the dense blackness that seemed to envelop them. He had thought to ask but quickly decided against it. Tiberius would speak on these things in due time, he realized. Same with Shayla, he supposed.
He turned to face the Dragoon and was struck by the quiet intensity she gave off. Whereas Tiberius always appeared to be a mask of calm and collect, Shayla seemed to always be at a low boil. Anger and the will to fight just brewing below the surface of her tanned face. She would smile every now and then at some sight on the road, but it was all a mask. In her eyes, Michael could see she was alert and ready for battle. He could see the pain in her smile as if she hadn’t smiled in years and was slowly learning to do so again.
He rolled onto his back again and let his mind wander on the days ahead. He had no sense of direction in these woods and had no idea how long their journey would take. He wondered what the fabled Forgotten Mountains would actually look like and how they would traverse them. He wondered how their journey would take and prayed that no searching eyes would be upon them.
He wondered what would be found on the other side of the mountains. What wonders or horrors would await them once they crossed to the other side. He wondered if the stars above him would look different on the other side. If they shined the same as they did here, or if they were as cold and dead as he knew the Land Beyond would be. He decided to start naming the star, a game he had done on nights aboard his father’s meager fishing boat. But, after a few short minutes of naming the different stars, he closed his eyes and was fast asleep.
Chapter 11
The Attack
Michael awoke in the blue dusk of morning. Far off in the sky, he could see the last vestiges of stars being washed out by the oncoming sun. All around him, he could hear the birds and beasts of the land on the hunt for their morning meal. He sat up from his bedroll, rubbed his eyes, and saw his companions still rooted where he left them the night before. He stood from his bed and moved to Tiberius's side.
"Good morning, Michael," Tiberius said as the Mage approached.
Michael stopped in his tracks, trying to collect his thoughts before answering. "Good morning, sir," he stammered. "Uneventful evening?"
"Quiet. Shayla and I did manage to catch a deer during the night, so we should be well-fed for a few days."
Michael felt his stomach growl in avarice. "I could use some breakfast."
Tiberius left his tree and escorted the Mage to a small burning fire on the other side of their camp where Shayla sat cooking a few rabbit haunches. Before long, they were mounted on their respective steeds and resumed their trek through the thick forest. The route they trudged upon was barely visible to the young Mage’s eye. There was no road, or proper footpath that marked their way, yet Tiberius seemed to direct them where to go without any effort. Michael was astonished at the skill with which the Ranger traversed Clastifet’s unknown forests, before reminding himself that he was the best warrior in the empire. And how fortunate he was to have him at his side.
The sun had now risen in the sky when Michael finally broke the silence between the three of them. "So, are we just going to travel the whole way in silence? At least tell me what our path back north is, sir."
"I was wondering the same thing, young Mage," Shayla said from his side. "This is my first time abroad in your empire, and all I have seen of it is trees and roads. Except for your sprawling capital city."
"My young Mage, would you care to tell our companion where we are at present?"
"Well, our empire comprises ten kingdoms with ten kings, my good dragon knight," Michael began. "Presently, we are in the Kingdom of Clastifet, to the city's immediate west."
"Very good," Tiberius added, his eyes scanning the trees and wood line around them. "Our path is to roughly make a large semi-circle around the country until we arrive in the northern part of the empire, in the Kingdom of Childers."
"So, you mean to take us through the White Kingdom?" Michael asked. The memory of King White in the emperor's chamber hanging heavy on him.
"In another hour, we'll be crossing the Snow River and be well int
o your homeland," Tiberius replied with a chuckle. "Relax, my friend. King White is still in the capital, no doubt giving my father an earful about the rude interruption we gave them."
"I hope so, Master Ranger," Michael replied.
"White King, Black King. Orange King, peach king. Such a strange empire you Axtons have with your ten kingdoms and ten kings and one empire. In Narzeth, there is one ruler and one alone," Shayla replied. "And the rule of the one is unmatched and unchecked, and all are subservient to him."
"And who is the ruler of the Narzeth now, Shayla?" the Ranger asked.
"There is no ruler now, Tiberius. You know this better than most. But as for my new home, it is strange compared to what we were raised in."
"Yes, I suppose it is a little odd," Michael replied. "Once upon a time, the rulers of this land were greedy and vengeful and warred for years untold over control of their little slivers of land. They had no mind for friendship or peace or unity. But after the Narzeth invaded and swept through our country unchecked, one mighty warrior banded all the generals of the warring clans together and forced their combined armies to repel the conquests. When it was over, the generals wanted to install him as High King of the land. But he was a wise man, and instead united all the kingdoms under one unified empire. In that way, each kingdom could retain their identities and cultures and lands but would be bound together always."
“A King of Kings would do much in keeping all under control,” the Dragon Knight replied. “One King above all who would direct and lead as they saw fit.”
To someone not born in our county, that would make the most sense,” Tiberius added. “But that kind of rule would not last. The clans that controlled our country each had their own ways with their own customs and beliefs and ways of wishing to live. To force them all to conform and give up their identities would have driven them to revolt. Instead, the empire rules above them. Protects them from harm and allows the Ten Kingdoms relative sovereignty within their borders. In this way, the ten could remain as they had in the days long gone, while owing tribute to the true ruler above.”
The Spirit of The Warrior: The Axton Empire book 1 Page 11