Many Hidden Rooms

by S. J. Varengo

  Many Hidden Rooms

  Cerah of Quadar, Book Two

  S. J. Varengo

  Copyright © 2018 by S. J. Varengo

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1719144476

  LCCN: 2017908884

  Published by Northern Lake Publishing LLC

  Cover design by Craig A. Hart

  To my brothers, Cris Varengo and Ryan LaPointe

  And, as always, to Kimmy

  Contents

  Part I

  1. Jessip

  2. “Out!”

  3. “...Our fears have been realized.”

  4. The Treachery of Zenk

  5. Zayan

  6. Battleplan

  7. The Army of Quadar

  8. Hell at Sea / Hell on Ice

  9. Horrible Discovery

  10. Hunting Parties

  11. Tears of a Newborn

  Part II

  12. Searching

  13. The Topaz Dragon

  14. A Toast to Yelso Bopalus

  15. The Reunion

  16. The Death of Anger

  17. Through the Strait of Aman

  18. “She has gone dark”

  19. The Battle of Sejira

  Part I

  The Assault

  Chapter 1

  Jessip

  Russa and Yarren flew side by side over the vast waters of the Mayduk Ocean. After Russa had been fired upon above the city of Udine, they had returned to Melsa. Yarren had been relieved when Parnasus let them continue to travel together as they resumed blanketing the globe to warn the Free People of the evil that was coming. The First-Elder had explained that their mission had shifted from warning the people to recruiting and training them. He told them of Cerah’s revelations and sent them to Kier.

  They had left the island early the day before and headed north. Both the blue-scaled Barbini and green Valosa had made their way tirelessly across the sky toward the distant continent and its vast plains. They had dipped down to the waves to feed a couple of times and had found a small island upon which to rest the night before. A cool stream had provided them much needed water. Now they were in the last leg of the journey, with only a few hundred miles more to go.

  “I, for one, am glad that Cerah did what she did,” said Russa. “For the first time since all this madness began we have some idea of what we’re up against.”

  “It is better to know,” said Yarren, “although I do feel she put herself in danger.”

  “Danger. Yes, you’re right. But one doesn’t really have to seek out danger these days. It lies around every corner.”

  “That it does, my love. I suspect we’ll see far more before we see less.”

  “Do you think the people of the remaining Sisters have made any progress in their preparations?” Russa asked as the wind blew through her jet-black curls.

  “It will be interesting to see,” Yarren replied. “When I left them, they were certainly shaken badly by the destruction of Reeze. The coming of evil was not some abstract notion. They had seen it firsthand. Still, the people of Lamur and Nedar are used to a quiet, simple lifestyle. The plains of Kier have provided for them richly these many centuries. Peace is like a drug, and they have been under its sway for a long time now.”

  In the distance, the keen eyes of Valosa and Barbini spotted a pair of riderless dragons and they began to trumpet in greeting. The two dragons flew to them and the noise as they all welcomed one another brought smiles to Russa and Yarren.

  “These are two of the dragons I left to patrol the continent,” Yarren said. “We are obviously very near.”

  Indeed, as they dropped lower in the sky and came below the clouds that had appeared like endless pillows beneath their dragons’ beating wings, they could see the shoreline of Kier. A small port village called Orna came into view. It was one of many harbors that dotted the coasts of the continent and shipped the grains that grew all across the landmass to the rest of Quadar. Yarren led the others down to it.

  As they approached, they saw people standing along the docks, waving to them.

  “A much warmer reception than I received in Udine!” Russa joked.

  “That reception was too warm! I prefer this,” Yarren laughed as they touched down.

  A large, very rotund man with a bald head and a twinkle of gold in his smile, approached them. “Hello, wizards! We have heard of your coming from traveling merchants and have gotten used to seeing the dragons in the sky overhead! My name is Jessip, and I welcome you to Orna.”

  “Greetings, Jessip. My name is Yarren, and this is Russa.”

  “We were very frightened when we heard of the destruction of Reeze. Such a thing confounds the imagination. Do you know what happened?”

  “We think we do,” said Russa, “although explaining it is a little difficult.”

  “Why is that?” the round man asked as they walked from the waterfront toward the small village.

  “Because, as you said so well, it confounds the imagination. But we will endeavor to tell you nonetheless,” she said.

  For the next hour, Yarren and Russa took turns telling the story, not just from the disappearance of the cities, but all the way back to the First-Elder’s encounter with Surok. They told him of the coming of the Chosen One and of her vision.

  “And now,” said Yarren, “the Free People of Quadar must unite. We must form an army to stand against Surok and we must help the Chosen One defeat him.”

  Jessip had listened to the tale in rapt silence, and by the time it was finished he was visibly agitated. “We must go to the cities of Lamur and Nedar! And we must gather people from the villages along the way! Surely any being mighty enough to cause a city to vanish and to whisk away its people will no doubt bring even greater pain and suffering when he walks among the Free People. I tell you in all honesty, it will take some convincing to get the people to rise up. Even with news of the destruction of Reeze circulating the outlying villages and plains, convincing the people of Kier to take up arms will not be simple. Kierians love peace. They love soil. Their roots, as well as their crops, are firmly planted in it. They believe far more in the sweat of their brow than in wizards and magic. But I will help you. I am well-known throughout the eastern portion of Kier. If you don’t mind retelling your tale a number of times, and if I have not overestimated my own influence upon them, the villagers between here and the Three...excuse me, Two Sisters, will follow.”

  “Your help is most welcome, Jessip,” Russa said. “We cannot afford to overlook a single person who might be willing and able to join our force.”

  Jessip looked at the ground, kicking a pebble. “I don’t suppose,” he said shyly, “that I would be able to ride upon one of your magnificent dragons?”

  Yarren laughed. “You will be my guest upon Valosa’s back. We have much ground to cover and many places to stop. The people we rally will have to go on foot to the cities, but you will ride a dragon of Melsa!”

  Jessip literally leapt with joy at this news, and far higher than Russa and Yarren thought possible for a man his size…and shape. He asked the wizards to excuse him for a moment and he ran into a small, thatched-roof hut. When he emerged a moment later, he carried an old sword and a very large hat. “I am prepared to face this evil Surok today, if need be!” he shouted. The wizards couldn’t help
but smile at his enthusiasm.

  “I hope you are able to keep hold of your hat,” Yarren said. “The wind at high altitudes can be brisk!”

  Jessip pulled the hat down hard onto his head and tied two pieces of twine which dangled from it around his many chins. With a little help from Russa, he was able to attach the sword’s scabbard to the belt which circumnavigated his ample midsection. Once he was fully arrayed, he went to the center of the village, where a bell hung from a painted wooden post. He rang it several times, causing the people of Orna to muster. When they had all gathered, Jessip said,

  “My friends and family. These mighty wizards have come to Kier to rally us. A great evil is coming, and if unchecked it will sweep over all the free and peace-loving lands of Quadar. I am going with them to spread the word to all of the eastern villages. As for you, all of you who are able-bodied must go at once to Nedar, the nearest of the two remaining cities. By the time you arrive, we will be there waiting for you. The time has come to take up arms, and to drill and train...to prepare for the coming of this dark being and his foul army. Go now. Gather what weapons you can find and strike out for Nedar. I shall greet you when you come!”

  Russa and the handsome wizard looked at one another. Yarren nodded approvingly. “He will bring many into the company,” he whispered.

  “He’s certainly won me over!” Russa joked.

  Obviously, the residents of Orna were swayed as well. With a loud cheer they went off to find what arms they could. Many soon reappeared, some carrying swords, but many others with pitchforks, rakes, blackjacks, clubs, cleavers, and many more unlikely implements. Russa even observed one older fellow sliding knuckle-dusters over his fingers!

  There was little more for them to do in the port village, so after Jessip said a few goodbyes to his closest family, Yarren helped him to climb upon Valosa’s back and they took to the sky, heading west.

  By nightfall they had made stops in nearly twenty villages. In each Jessip introduced the wizards, who dutifully reiterated their narrative. As he had predicted, the residents of these tiny towns were skeptical, and not immediately predisposed to abandon their lives and their families to march off to war. Then he gave his rallying speech, stressing that he, at least, completely believed the wizards. “They are good and true, just like in the old stories!” he told them. He closed his arguments by telling them to head to the city and instructing them to stop at any farms they passed along the way to gather still more people to fight Surok.

  Everywhere they stopped they met with more success than failure. Jessip was proving to be a most prized ally.

  As the stars began to come out, they rested the dragons beside a small lake. There they drank their fill and found sufficient fish to fill their great bellies. Jessip insisted on cooking some grass-fowl, obtained from a farmer who had been in the village of Rallo, their last stop before resting.

  “You hold great sway over the people of these lands,” Yarren said to him as they ate their meal.

  “There is not a village in eastern Kier that I have not visited often. I have made many deals with these people, arranging for their crops and livestock to be exported from Orna and other ports along the coast. My efforts have enabled them to maintain a comfortable life, and they respect me for it. Between our discourse, and the sight of two real-life wizards upon the backs of a blue and a green dragon, calling them to action has not been as difficult as I had feared, at least thus far. I pray that your mates meet with similar gain on the other continents.”

  Giselle stood full in the starlit sky, and she painted their camp in her pale light. Russa reached for Yarren and took his hand in hers.

  “We have found ourselves a great collaborator, my betrothed,” she said.

  “Indeed. Tomorrow, Jessip, we shall visit the remainder of the villages, then make our way to Nedar. I hope the people of the city are as willing to join our cause as have been these country folk.”

  “We will persuade them,” the bald man said as he stretched out beside the fire. “We have no choice.”

  That same night, under that same moon, Parnasus, Kern and Slurr walked together through the forest that lay to the northeast of the Elder’s Village. The First-Elder placed his hand on Slurr’s shoulder as they made their way between the trees.

  “Slurr,” he said, “you have been of immeasurable help since you arrived upon our island. As you’ve seen yourself, the number of returning dragons made necessary all of the hard work that you and Beru have completed.”

  “I am happy to have been able to do something of value,” the large boy said.

  Kern laughed. “It must seem a little overwhelming to you, my old friend. You have gone from a quiet agorrah milk-hauler for the Passel family to the husband of the Chosen One in just a couple of months. And yet I sense that it has been liberating for you as well. Although you never hid your true self from me, Cerah certainly knew nothing of your bravery and intelligence. Maintaining your ‘simple farm boy’ persona all those years must have been frustrating.”

  “It’s true that I would have liked to speak freely to Cerah long before her love allowed me to do so. But you know, Kern, that I was far too shy and too much in awe to ever open myself to her.”

  “Your steadfast support of your wife has made the unfathomable depth of her true nature far more manageable for Cerah as well,” said Parnasus. “I did not speak idly at your wedding when I stressed how important your union would be.”

  “She has grown in ways that continue to amaze me,” Slurr said. “Every day some new facet of her seems to come out.”

  “And she will go on amazing you,” said the First-Elder. “I suspect we have seen only the tip of what she is yet to become. It staggers even my perception.”

  “In a way, although I understand and believe what you say about the joining of our spirits, it makes me feel sort of like the foolish lug she once thought me to be. I am big, and I am strong. When the time comes I will fight Surok and his demons with all that I have. But to be wed to the Promised One of an ancient prophesy makes you feel a bit on the insignificant side.”

  The two wizards laughed loudly and patted the boy on his back. “I suppose it would,” said Kern.

  “And yet I sense you will play a part of tantamount importance sooner than later,” Parnasus said. “Cerah’s decision to Go Within and seek out Surok may have, as you know, opened her up to a very real danger. Although the entire island is on high alert, Surok’s cunning cannot be overestimated. Silestra are a stealthy, resourceful race. In spite of all of our diligence, one, maybe more, may find a way through our defenses. You are closer to Cerah than anyone, and it may very well fall to you to defend her against Silestran assassins.”

  Slurr shivered slightly. “I have not forgotten my one sight of those horrible creatures. The one we saw was huge, and from what we later found, absolutely ferocious. Of course, I would lay down my life to protect Cerah, but I don’t know how effective my club will be against a single Silestran, let alone more.”

  “I agree. Although that sturdy hunk of wood you carry has served you well in the past, it would probably just anger any Silestra you managed to strike with it. That is why Kern and I asked you to join us tonight. We want to give you this.”

  From within his robes, Parnasus produced a silver dagger. As he pulled it from its sheath, the highly polished blade caught the light of Giselle and reflected it into Slurr’s eyes. He reached out and took it from the First-Elder. Although it was not small, it was as light as a feather in his hand. As Slurr examined it, he saw that the surface was delicately engraved with the runes of the wizards. “What do these markings mean?” he asked.

  Parnasus ran his finger across the markings and read: “This is ‘Kuldeen,’ the Singing Dagger.”

  “Singing dagger?” Slurr asked. “I have never heard of such a thing.”

  “No,” said Kern, “you wouldn’t have. There are not many in the world. Kuldeen is one of the oldest and greatest.”

  “But what do
es this mean, ‘singing’?”

  Parnasus handed Slurr the sheath and said, “Many hundreds of years ago, when Silestra were first encountered, a wizard named Tinduk and his two brothers, Kell and Vin, were ambushed by a pair of the filth. Although they had heard there were Silestra in the area, and were vigilantly looking out for them, they were caught completely unaware when the slithering beasts attacked. Kell and Vin were both killed, and Tinduk was left for dead. Fortunately, he was found and nursed back to health, but he never forgot the silence with which they beset, and he vowed to do something to prevent the Silestra from gaining such a first-strike advantage in the future. He developed great skill in metal craft, and at the same time developed many new spells, hoping to protect his fellow wizards against the Silestran stealth. After much study, and more than a little trial and error, he succeeded. It was he who created Kuldeen and other singing daggers.”

  “You see,” Kern said, “when Silestra are near, the blade will begin to make a sound. It is a loud, clear tone that is unmistakable.”

  “Keep this blade at your side always...from this moment onward. Never take it off while you are about, and never leave it farther than reaching distance from you when you rest,” Parnasus added. “If one or more of these horrid beings does manage to make their way ashore and onto the island, and if they find Cerah, you will know. With this dagger you will not only take away their advantage, but you will have a weapon that is capable of killing them.”

  Slurr sheathed the knife and tied it around his waist. He turned to the two wizards with an expression of deep gratitude on his handsome face. “I cannot thank you enough for this great gift,” he said. “I will never let it out of my sight, and if I am called upon to do so, I will use it to defend the Chosen One.”