The Aduramis Chronicles: Volumes 1-3: The Definitive Collection

by Harrison Davies

  Jericho permitted Lordich time to say goodbye to his father, and then he and Perindar escorted the new recruits from the town of Re’um. Only Ædelmær looked back with sorrow and heartache. Draken would not be consoled; his right to the title of Lord being stripped from him was far worse than losing his home and family.

  ❖

  Draken looked at his nephew, Coinin, his eyes still distant. He offered a weak smile. ‘I think that I may have an idea where Lordich might go if he needed to hide. It’s just an idea mind you,’ he said. ‘Lordich was the son of a travelling carnival owner. They travelled Westeroe mostly, and you may just find him there.’

  ‘It’s a big place. What makes you think he would hide there?’ Coinin asked.

  ‘The carnival doesn’t stay in one town for long, and there are so many odd-looking folks working there that I think he could go unnoticed,’ Draken replied.

  Coinin rose from the bed and smiled. ‘Thank you uncle; I shall look into this matter. Right now, I see Aniol growing ever more impatient.’

  Coinin limped to the door, opened it and exited. He waited as Aniol and Axl followed and then closed the door. Without waiting, he headed away from his uncle’s chambers, and when they were a sufficient distance along the corridor, Coinin faced them.

  ‘I thought you were assisting General Jericho. What can I do for you?’ Coinin asked.

  ‘We need to find some information on dragon flight—there doesn’t seem to be a source of information anywhere in the library,’ Aniol replied.

  ‘Ah, well you see, there is—’ Coinin bit his lip. He had almost let slip that a secret library of information and artefacts laid hidden below the grounds of the temple. He was forbidden to speak of the Library of Ages, unless between him and the Archmage. This library contained many secrets that their enemies would pay dearly to obtain if they knew where to look.

  ‘There is—?’ Aniol asked.

  ‘Oh, nothing,’ he thought quickly. ‘I shall speak with the Archmage and see if she has any knowledge of these matters. For now, please go and assist General Jericho. I will join you shortly.’

  Aniol nodded and pushed Axl ahead of her as they turned back along the corridor and away from the Curator. Coinin watched them go and shook his head. He would never understand that girl, she was more trouble than she was worth, and yet that’s why he liked her. He enjoyed her honesty and loyalty. Setting off, he headed not towards the Archmage’s study, but down the main stairs, exiting the temple into the cold winter air. He shivered and turned up the collar of his thick fur-lined cloak and then turned down the right-hand side of the building until he reached a fountain, on the far edge of the grounds, which held the image of a wolf baying at the moon. This time no water gushed from the wolf’s mouth, it would have only frozen in the current temperatures.

  As Archmage Menin had shown him, he checked that he had been unobserved and pressed the eye of the wolf lightly. The eye retracted like a button, and then a secret stairwell rotated into view in the base of the fountain. He quickly trotted down them and into the darkness.

  PREPARATIONS

  Deep in the bowels of the Library of Ages, Coinin became understandably nervous. His last visit to this great library had not gone well at all. Death had possessed him, and while possessed, had unknowingly battled with Archmage Menin.

  Death had desired his name, Mort, to be inserted into the Scroll of Life, or as it turned out, the Tree of Life, placed there by Rindor, the High King of the gods. Should he have succeeded in securing his name in the scroll, then the ousted god would have been one step closer to challenging his brother, Rindor, to rule.

  Coinin fought internally with Death and had won, sending the fallen god back to his realm. Now Coinin feared that he would become a target for the entity once more.

  He headed to a chamber he had visited previously. It held many treasures including a great tome with references to every book or scroll held in this secret library. He swept past rows and rows of shelving, chock full of valuable items, many of them dangerous in the wrong hands. He had considered many times about adding his parents’ names to the Tree of Life, though he knew this action would be in direct conflict with the creator’s decrees, and he had sworn to uphold the beliefs and laws of his god.

  He did not have time to explore, although he wanted to, he instead headed up a short flight of steps that led to a small platform behind which a set of beautifully crafted wooden doors filled a void in the wall. A panel in each of the doors had carved into it a representation of the gods, Rindor, Maresh and Taminoth. A fourth panel still held a crudely removed carving, where once Mort’s likeness had been engraved.

  The platform held a simple bookcase and a lectern cast in gold. Coinin rounded the lectern and laid his hands upon a thick leather bound book, held closed by a complicated locking mechanism. The book was embossed in gold leaf with the symbol of The Brotherhood. He withdrew a small, silver key from his robes and inserted it into the lock. The lock popped open, and he seized the book in his hands. He then turned it onto its back, opened the heavy cover and waited while an image in ink formed on the page. The blank page quickly became a mirror image of himself that moved as he did. Underneath the inked drawing a scrolled nameplate read ‘Coinin Wulf: Curator and Protector of the faith’.

  Archmage Menin had taught him how to access the information contained within the tome last month as part of his training, and he wasted no time. ‘Codex,’ he unashamedly said to the book, ‘I require information about dragons, specifically their flight.’

  The inky face looked back at him and smiled, and then almost immediately the pages of the book turned without aid, faster and faster, fluttering his hair in a light breeze until moments later it stopped. Coinin bent forward and ran his finger down the entries in the codex, until he reached a scribbled entry: ‘Dragons, Flight of’. He scanned right to left until he reached a unique library code: ‘Decima two-eight-four’. Satisfied, he closed the book, turned it over once more and then refastened the lock.

  Stepping away from the lectern, he approached the handcrafted doors behind him. He placed a hand on each of the doors’ jade handles and called aloud. ‘Decima two-eight-four.’ For a moment nothing happened, and then a low rumble emitted from behind the door.

  He opened the doors wide and smiled; ahead of him, an enormous circular chamber had appeared. The noise he had heard came from a thick iron grating that lay just behind the doorway and protected the contents of the room. It had dropped out of sight at his command. As Curator of this grand library, he was the only individual with access to this room.

  He stepped into the chamber and marvelled at the spectacle before him. Above him, a dozen or more balconies rose stacked one on top of the other, divided by strong stone columns that rose higher and higher. Thirteen columns supported the first-floor balcony, and each held a lit torch. The smooth rock floor had in its centre an intricate inlay that bore The Brotherhood’s symbol, a paw print of a wolf over a sun disc, and a motto that read: ‘Faith and law guide you’.

  In the centre of the space, a wooden lectern stood and held a single book, its pages already open. Coinin walked into the new chamber and wondered how many thousands of volumes of history and knowledge must be contained within. Too many for him to count in one go, he was certain. He felt awed that he had been chosen to administer this vast library. His knowledge too would be added to the mass already gathered, though not to the common knowledge the temple’s public library held. His entries would be secrets and prophecies, and events that The Brotherhood did not wish the common man to know, because knowledge is power, and too much could be damaging. The Brotherhood was, after all, charged with defending the faith and the law of the world.

  The book lay open on a spectacularly decorated page. A black dragon breathed fire at a group of warriors while in flight, and around the edge of the page a verse in a strange language adorned the image. On the facing page several paragraphs of the text had been handwritten, and this he began to read.
>
  A dragon, or drèkœni, can reach lengths of up to two or three hundred hand spans, from the nose to the tip of the tail. It is not known where the creature originated, although it is believed it is not a creation of the High God Rindor, but stems from the mind of the creator’s brother [name removed]. There are a dozen varieties of this creature, all of which are deadly and should not be underestimated. They have the ability to breathe fire and are a formidable enemy in battle. Rarely will an individual survive an encounter with one.

  They do not give birth; rather they lay a single egg in their lifetime that needs constant care and high temperatures to hatch successfully. To approach a female dragon guarding her egg would be unwise, she will protect her offspring without mercy.

  The book went further to describe the appearance of a dragon, and its favourite foods until finally the part Coinin had been looking for presented itself.

  Dragon flight is a wonder to behold. It is a mystery how and why these creatures can stay airborne, due to their mass. Nevertheless, our scholars studied these fascinating creatures in depth, before their disappearance some centuries ago.

  At full speed, these beasts can travel a thousand hand spans in a single wing beat thanks to their powerful, muscular wings. The wings are translucent when extended, and—

  Coinin slammed the book closed, satisfied he had gained the information he needed to assist Axl. He took one last look around the chamber and grasped a pillar as he walked by. He noticed that bands of text was finely carved around its circumference, in a language he had yet to understand.

  He ducked under the balcony and trotted up a flight of steps to the next tier where multiple stacks of books adorned the upper gallery. So many in fact, that volumes were stacked, not on shelves, but in great piles. He wondered who had put them there, and then realised it was the Curator’s responsibility to stock and maintain the library, so he would have to do the same. The scholars that toiled in the bowels of the temple were ultimately responsible for writing the volumes of work that were overseen and checked by the Curator.

  ❖

  Thirty minutes later, Coinin walked into the Great Hall and was surprised to see that it buzzed with activity. Dozens of people excitedly chattered to each other, many of whom he recognised as soldiers he had come to know since becoming Curator. Upon his arrival, the troops stood to attention with a shout from General Jericho. Coinin waved them to stand easy, still uncomfortable with the protocols in place.

  A fair sized proportion of the hall had been given over for storage. An inordinate amount of equipment and supplies had been gathered and was stored in the centre of the room.

  Jericho joined Coinin as he watched the activity. ‘Curator, I am glad you are here. I have recruited my finest men to accompany us in our search; all volunteers I might add. We have spent the morning gathering supplies as you can see, and have almost completed preparations,’ he advised.

  ‘You work quickly General; I congratulate you.’

  Jericho smiled politely, unaccustomed to praise. ‘Thank the troops, Sir, they are the real workers,’ he said.

  Coinin nodded. ‘What is left to do?’

  ‘We have the men and supplies, only our route and procurement of our means of travel remains,’ Jericho ticked off.

  Coinin frowned. ‘Ah yes, of course, my mind has been so occupied that I forgot we need to hire a ship captain to take us to the tower. Have you seen Aniol and Axl? I was expecting to find them here.’

  ‘She was here fifteen minutes ago and said something about visiting Axl’s study,’ Jericho remembered.

  ‘Do you know where that is?’

  ‘I’ll have someone escort you. One moment,’ Jericho said and walked over to a group of soldiers standing around idly. After a moment he returned with someone very familiar, a short, squat man he had met once before. He looked all smiles despite the fact that he had lost a good portion of his left arm in the battle to save the temple several months ago. His name was Su’un Quindil, and for his bravery, he had been promoted to the rank of Major. His missing appendage did not slow him down any, and he proudly waved the stump around.

  ‘He uses the stump to teach the men and women below him that they can overcome any obstacle if they set their mind to it,’ Jericho said.

  Coinin stepped forward and offered his hand in greeting. ‘Quindil, so nice to see you again. Will you escort me to Axl’s study?’

  Quindil smiled. ‘Of course,’ he replied. ‘This way.’

  Jericho nodded to Coinin and turned back into the hall, then barked an order to his troops who immediately responded without question.

  ❖

  Coinin knocked on Axl’s study door and pushed it open with a squeak. At first, he saw no one, and then a swift motion in the corner of the room caught his eye at which point Axl appeared, red-faced, and in the act of straightening his clothes. He coughed, embarrassed, and attempted a smile. Seconds later, Aniol exited the same corner and smoothed her hair.

  Coinin shook his head imperceptibly, and the corners of his mouth rose with mirth. He had heard whispers that Aniol favoured Axl’s company, and their actions had just confirmed it. He debated in that few seconds whether to mention it and decided against it. They hadn’t broken any rules that he knew of, and it was good for Aniol to socialise. She did so little of it, being constantly at his side.

  ‘I’ve obtained the information you seek. I hope you can put it to good use,’ Coinin said, offering Axl a handwritten square of parchment.

  Axl quickly snatched the note and hurried off to his long table that held the world map.

  Aniol looked sheepishly at Coinin. ‘We were just—’

  Coinin held up his hand. ‘I am aware what you were doing, but I have more to worry about than that,’ he interrupted. ‘Perhaps you can assist Axl? I am going to make use of this excellent fire he has going. Quindil, maybe you will join me?’

  Su’un brightened at the thought of warming his hand and knees, the only parts of him, aside from his nose, that felt cold. He sat opposite Coinin and held out his hand to warm it beside the fire that crackled and popped.

  ‘I see that you have adapted to life with one good arm, Su’un,’ Coinin said.

  ‘I had no choice. Believe me, there were times that I wanted to curl up and die in a corner somewhere. Do you know what kept me going?’

  ‘I have no idea, though please, go on,’ Coinin urged, eager to hear the tale.

  ‘My daughter, Sir, she’s my life. I’d be lost without her, and I know she’d feel the same. She came to me in the infirmary and wrapped her little hand around my stump and kissed it gently. She’s not afraid of change, so why should I be? I see it as just a new challenge.’

  ‘Admirable indeed,’ Coinin smiled. ‘And how has your wife adapted?’

  Quindil chuckled. ‘She says that if I come back with any more missing parts, then she’ll dissolve our marriage.’

  ‘I take it then you will not be joining us on our journey?’

  ‘Far from it. My skills are many, and not all of them require two arms,’ Quindil replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

  Coinin beamed. ‘Then I look forward to having you by my side.’ He turned his head, aware that someone now stood beside him. ‘Yes, Aniol, what is it?’

  ‘Axl has finished his calculations if you would like to see them.’

  Coinin rose and worked out a stiffness in his leg, and then limped after his personal guard to where Axl stood and waited. ‘So, Axl, have you made headway?’ he asked.

  Axl smiled happily and showed all his teeth, which only further accentuated his odd appearance. ‘I have indeed, Sir. I believe I have found the approximate location of the tower,’ he replied.

  ‘Great news indeed,’ Coinin said and clapped Axl on the back. ‘Show me.’

  Axl picked up a bamboo stick and used it as a pointer. ‘Here is Rosthagaar,’ he said, indicating the continent to the East. ‘And here is Rostha, and just below it is the temple sanctuary. If we use General Jerich
o’s description of his journey, and take into account the average speed that a dragon can fly, then that should put the tower somewhere round about here,’ he finished and drew a large circle on the map with a charcoal stick.

  ‘That is a vast area of sea Axl,’ Coinin grimaced.

  ‘Fear not Curator; I am convinced that the tower General Jericho describes will be seen for miles, and if we sail in a concentric circle, we will eventually find it.’

  ‘What we need is a good vessel and her captain, one who knows these seas like the back of his hand. I shall have to speak to the Archmage, she may know of one,’ Coinin mused. ‘Axl, I want you to prepare for a sea voyage. You are coming along too.’

  Axl looked very green all of a sudden, and his mouth opened and closed like a fish. ‘M … me? You want me to join you?’ he stuttered.

  ‘Yes, it is after all your course we will travel. I may have need of your talents further down the line.’ He flicked his eyes to Aniol who beamed from ear to ear. ‘Axl and Quindil, would you please relay this news to General Jericho? Aniol and I will visit with the Archmage.’

  Quindil saluted, and Axl nodded, and then carefully folded up his map. He would need it to show Jericho their intended route.

  Coinin escorted Aniol from the room and along the darkened corridors of the temple. After a minute he started to giggle, and Aniol shot him a quizzical look. ‘What’s so funny?’ she asked.

  ‘Your face when I asked Axl to join us,’ Coinin replied. ‘Is it serious?’

  ‘Is what serious?’