Legend of the Sword Bearer: Tempest Chronicles Book 1

by Jeremy Fabiano

  “What are you talking about?” I asked. “You're the first person, alive or otherwise, that we've seen since we got here. The only bodies we found were in pieces outside the defensive walls.”

  “When you guys walked in, you triggered the runes. I heard them talking,” he said, pausing to catch his breath. “They lined the streets with rune magic and hid undead within the cellars. The fort will be swarming with them by now. There are over two hundred of those things out there.” A crash from somewhere outside startled us. “You're out of time…”

  Sai checked the window. “Aba, there is a veritable army of undead searching for us.”

  “It's too late,” said the man. “It's too late…”

  “Soldier!” bellowed Thasgrin. “Are ye a man or a coward? Get off yer arse and fight with us, ye sorry excuse for a Human.” That hardened his resolve.

  “I am no coward, Master Dwarf. My name…” He sat up, unsteady. “My name is Noah. I'm the head Arcanist and captain of the 27th Regiment.” He stood, knees shaking. Sparks began to arc around his skin turning to electricity and then lightning. His eyes blazed blue with power and rage. My hair stood on end being in such proximity to him. “And I will not stand idly while citizens of the realm need my help!” His shout shook the windows and rattled dust from the ceiling. The entire building began to quiver and shake under his massive power.

  A blast of lightning shot out, and the wall before us turned to ash. He floated a few inches above the floor and out into the open air. “Begone from my sight, spawn of evil,” he bellowed. Lightning began raking up and down the streets. Undead and buildings alike crumbled to ash.

  “Holy shit,” said Garstil.

  “Shall we join him?” asked Thasgrin.

  We jumped from the second story opening and joined the fight. Zombies died in droves as we tore into their ranks.

  About thirty minutes into the fight, Noah floated down to us. “Where the hell are they coming from?” he asked. “I've killed at least three hundred, but there's just no end to them.” A couple of buildings crumbled around us, causing dust clouds to billow about.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “They’d amassed an army prior to arriving. Maybe figure if they throw enough numbers at us we’ll eventually fall.” Zombies started closing in around us again.

  “We need a plan,” said Sai.

  “Plan good,” said Morogan. “Not good place to die.”

  “What about an Arcane Explosion?” asked Garstil. “Between Noah and I, we should be able to cause an explosion big enough to take out their whole army.”

  “Tha’s a great idea, but yer gonna get yerselves killed in the process,” said Thasgrin.

  Noah looked pensive for a moment. “Perhaps not. If you focus your power and add it to mine, I can trigger the spell by myself. You should have just enough time to get to a safe distance, and I can take the whole fort to hell with me.”

  “You can’t just die like that,” said Garstil.

  Noah smiled. “Thanks, kid. But I’ve got nothing left. Those bastards turned my brothers into monsters. The least I can do is lay down my life to put them to rest. It would be my honor to do so and my duty.”

  “I still don’t like it,” I said. “But I can respect it.”

  “Morogan want know, how we get out?” he asked.

  Noah pointed at a small building just up the road from us. “There’s a secret tunnel that leads from the cellar of that building to the desert. Maybe a ten-minute jog. Garstil should be able to make the run and shield himself before the shockwave hits him. If all goes well.”

  We fought our way to the building and descended into the cellar as Garstil and Noah fended off the wave of zombies with lightning.

  We made it inside, and Morogan secured a heavy beam across the door. “Not hold long. Have few minutes,” he said.

  I nodded and turned to Noah. “You’re sure about this?” I asked.

  “As sure as anything I’ve ever done. Get goin’, kid, before I change my mind.” We traded grips.

  “It’s been an honor, Noah. Die well,” I said.

  “And you. Good luck. Go save our country from this evil,” he said, smiling. The rest of the party said their goodbyes as well.

  Garstil and Noah focused their energy and began to charge up. Lightning arced between them as their collective energies coalesced around their bodies. The building shook around us as dust fell from the ceiling.

  “Get going, I'll be right behind you,” said Garstil through clenched teeth.

  “You'd better be,” I said. I turned and led the rest of the party through the secret tunnel. Our hair stood on end, and static arced in places off our clothes and the walls. I could literally taste the current in the air as ionized particles permeated everything nearby.

  Ten minutes later, we emerged into an open storage chamber. An angled door was set into the opposite side of the door. Morogan pulled it open, and sand poured into the chamber.

  “Morogan not like sand,” he said, spitting out several mouthfuls. “Sand get everywhere.”

  No sooner had we made it outside, a massive detonation shook the ground. The sound of a million thunder crashes cascaded over our ears, and the view of the legionnaire fort was replaced by a small blue mushroom cloud. Electricity arced all around it. The blastwave hit us hard, knocking us off our feet and burying us in the sand.

  I stood and shook sand out of my hair. And my ears. And, well, everywhere. The rest of my party was also climbing out of their sand coffins. I looked around for Garstil; however, all I could see was a massive crater almost a mile wide where the fort used to be.

  21

  “Damn,” I said. “I doubt he could have survived that…”

  “Well, I did say I’d be right behind you, jackass,” said Garstil.

  I turned to find him grinning at me, sand in his hair. “Dude, you’re alive!” I just stood there slack-jawed as everyone laughed. “I thought for sure you wouldn’t have had time to make it out.”

  “I almost didn’t. Halfway down the tunnel I heard the detonation. I cast shields along the way and then a bubble around myself. That rune you picked up helped, by the way. When I was almost at the end of the tunnel, the shockwave slammed me through the exit and into the sand.”

  Thasgrin laughed. “Laddie, yer damned lucky to be alive, and I’m glad ye are.” He patted Garstil on the shoulder.

  “Poor Noah. I couldn’t imagine what he went through. To sacrifice himself like that…”

  “Don’ feel bad for him, Aba,” said Thasgrin. “He gave his life not just for our escape but for rest and vengeance for his brothers. His death had plenty of meaning, don’ take that away from him by feelin’ sorry for him.”

  Sai nodded. “I agree. His death was an honorable one. Any warrior would be happy to lay down his life in such a manner without hesitation.”

  “Orcs think honorable death good death. Noah die well,” said Morogan.

  “You guys are right. His death does have meaning. But it doesn’t mean I have to like it though. None of this should have ever happened.”

  “Aye, but destiny is fickle,” said Thasgrin.

  “Yeah,” I said. “Let’s get going…”

  We traveled for the rest of the day and camped out in the open desert. Garstil ended up etching everyone’s shoes with the Sudden Speed glyph while we all practiced each other’s skills. Sai was getting pretty good with the lightning, while Thasgrin’s hand to hand technique had improved dramatically. Morogan was now able to split his focus among four to five critters at once now without losing control of them.

  Garstil, armed with my off hand and one of my strength-boosting rings, came at me sword held high. I parried and kicked him in the chest. He sailed through the air and landed on a lump of sand. Small arcs of lightning came off him, turning sand into glass beads as they hit. He swung low, and I dodged backward, and he barely missed me. Or so I thought. The tip scraped across my midsection, and my shield flared to life, deflecting it.

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nbsp; The following morning as we traveled, something caught our attention. “What’s that up ahead?” I asked, pointing. A dust cloud could be seen from afar. Faint shouts could be heard even from here. “Sounds like someone’s fighting.”

  “Bandits, likely,” said Thasgrin. “Not uncommon in this area.”

  “Let’s go see if we can help,” said Garstil.

  We neared the commotion, and the fighting stopped. “Who goes there?” demanded a voice from within the dust.

  “Your mom?” I answered.

  The dust settled a bit more and revealed a large group of bandits comprised of mixed nationalities. Several covered wagons were circled up, and merchants hid behind toppled crates while guards stood nearby in defensive postures. We’d just interrupted the raiding party and caught them red-handed.

  “You are a funny man. Maybe so funny that you will die,” said a lanky man with long hair and beard. His accent was thick. Maybe inspired by East Indians, if I had to guess.

  “Farheen!” screamed Garstil. He surged forward with incredible speed as an afterimage trailed him. He suddenly stopped short as multiple men jumped out in front of him, hefting spears at his throat and chest.

  Farheen laughed. “Well, if it is not Garstil,” he said. “What was it you said the last time we saw each other? That you’d—”

  “That I’d fucking kill you,” interrupted Garstil. His eyes were hard with rage. I’d never seen him upset about anything. He looked like he meant every word.

  “Do you really think you can? You are outnumbered,” said Farheen. He looked at our party. “Even with your…friends.” He sneered as he looked us over.

  Lightning began to arc and circle around Garstil. The sand at his feet turned to glass. The men in front of him took several steps backward, away from the threat. “It isn’t like before. I won’t let you get away,” he said. “This time…” Garstil’s shoulders heaved as he breathed heavily. “This time, you’ll pay.” The lightning’s intensity increased as blue fire surrounded Garstil. A pedestal of glass four feet wide formed around his feet. “I’ll turn you to dust for what you did!” bellowed Garstil.

  Garstil raised a hand and sent out a blast of lightning toward Farheen. Just before impact, one of his minions jumped in front of the lightning. The body simply turned to ash. The leftover energy slammed into Farheen and sent him flying. Then the rest of Farheen’s men joined the fight.

  I triggered the Sudden Speed glyph and Dash in quick succession as I drew my swords and joined the fight. I caught a blade mid-swing, which was aimed for the merchant’s neck. With my other sword, I cleaved the man in two. The merchant screamed as blood sprayed her. I didn’t exactly have time to apologize as a massive body bowled me over, sending me sprawling to the sand. Even with Crushing Grip, both of my swords went flying. I groaned as I tried to sit up. Everything spun.

  “Not so tough now, are ya?” asked a massive mountain of a man. He looked like a Samoan warrior, decked out in face tattoos and a tee shirt with cut off sleeves. The man was over seven feet tall and probably easily upward of three hundred pounds, all muscle. He towered over me, leering like I was on the menu. Shit. If this guy sits on me, I’m done for.

  I focused my willpower and channeled heat into my palm. I let it build upon itself until the energy became visible. He stomped toward me, intent on smashing me to bits. He never saw the plasma blast coming. His tattoos flared red, and he grinned. It barely slowed him down.

  “You… You burned my beautiful hair… I am going to kill you,” he seethed.

  “That was already the plan, I thought.”

  “Yeah, but now I’m going to kill you harder.”

  Not far from me, I noticed Sai drop to his knees screaming while holding his head. Thasgrin jumped, landing next to him in an explosion of sand. Healing energy poured into Sai as Thasgrin kept him alive.

  I looked past them and saw a smaller woman with her hand outstretched toward Sai. “Thasgrin, behind you!” I shouted. He turned to look.

  “Oi, what ye think yer doin’, lass?” he asked her. “Stop playin’ with that kind of dirty magic before ye get hurt.” In response, she lifted her other hand toward Sai, and his screaming began anew. Thasgrin scowled. “All right then, I am truly sorry for this,” he said. A sadness came over him as he reluctantly lifted his own hand toward her.

  Green vines of energy lashed out from Thasgrin’s outstretched hand. They wrapped around her like whips, and she began screaming with terror. Her skin grayed and sagged. The big Samoan guy and I watched, terrified, as she aged ten years in seconds.

  “Stop what yer doing… Please, I beg of ye,” said Thasgrin. She did not relent. In fact, her expression hardened, and she redoubled her efforts to drain Sai of his life. “Have it yer way then...”

  With one final guttural scream, her skin stretched over her bones, turning to dust. Her skeleton landed in a heap on the desert floor. Thasgrin’s face had drained of color, and he was looking sick to his stomach. Tears rolled down his cheeks. Thasgrin turned toward us, and the big guy paled and ran from the fight. Several onlookers fled as well.

  “Get out of here!” I yelled. “We will spare the lives of any who leave.” The rest of the men and women fled.

  Garstil, who had also been watching, returned his attention to Farheen. “Except you,” he said. “You and I aren't done.”

  “Please,” begged Farheen. “Spare my life.”

  “Samantha Buchanan,” said Garstil. “Do you know that name?” Farheen shook his head furiously.

  Electricity started arcing around Garstil once again. “It’s the name of the woman who you killed in cold blood. Whose father stood by and begged you to spare her life.” Garstil's features darkened into pure hatred. “The woman I loved.”

  Farheen's face blanched. “Please! I did not know!” he stumbled backward onto his back and crab-walked several paces away from Garstil.

  Garstil slowly raised his hand. “For Samantha,” he said, tears running freely down his cheeks. I shielded my eyes from the overwhelmingly bright flash. The detonation knocked everyone several paces away.

  Where Farheen had fallen was a large crater filled with fulgurite glass. Between the fragile glass and sand tubes, I could make out the charred remains of a skeleton. Garstil created a shield bubble around it and collapsed it in on itself. The glass along with the blackened skeleton were both crushed to powder.

  “Now, you can rest, my love,” he said. Then, with a final look at the pile of blackened powder, he turned and walked several paces away before sitting in the shade of one of the wagons. He stared daggers at the ground with his jaw and fists clenched. Everyone gave him a wide berth.

  I reached down and offered my arm to Sai. He grabbed it, and I heaved him to his feet. He looked like he was hungover. “You all right?” I asked.

  “Yes. Just… I do not feel well.”

  “Aye,” said Thasgrin. “Ye wouldn’t feel well, we just played tug-o’-war with yer soul.”

  I grimaced. “That looked like some nasty magic she was tossing around,” I said.

  “It was downright despicable. No one should be tryin’ to rip someone’s soul out.” He shuddered. “That kinda magic is forbidden for a reason.”

  “Isn’t it what you used on her?” I asked.

  “In a way, I reversed the healing magic to drain life. In the end, it’s the same result, and just as terrifyin’.”

  “You’re telling me… You even scared off that huge guy who was going to kill me,” I said.

  “In the end, it doesn’ justify the means,” said Thasgrin. “I should’a found a different way, but if I’d stopped to take care of her a better way, Sai would’a died. I did’n have a choice.” Thasgrin looked remorseful.

  “You feel sorry for her?” I asked.

  “Aye, laddie. Of course, I do. No one deserves to have their soul ripped from their body. Even her. But she was already tainted and consumed by her power. She was too far gone to save.”

  “I see,” I said.
I looked around, confused. “Um, did you see where Morogan went off to? I haven’t seen him since the beginning of the fight.”

  “Nay, I’ve not seen hide nor hair of him.” Thasgrin looked around as well.

  “Your friend was tangled up in a net and dragged off a ways,” said a skinny kid with dark brown skin. “I think they went off that way.” He pointed off in the distance.

  “Thasgrin, look after Sai and Garstil, and see if anyone needs healing. I’m gonna go looking for Morogan.” He nodded, and we went opposite directions. I followed a wide trail in the sand which looked as if someone had been dragged on their back. That fit with the kid’s description of what happened. I found Morogan wrapped tightly in a throwing net. A small blood-covered blade was in his hand, and he breathed slowly.

  “Morogan, you okay?” I asked as I nudged him lightly with my toe. I didn’t want to startle him and get stabbed.

  “Morogan fine, stuck. Morogan cut bad man with net. He run away,” he said. “Can’t cut net. Is magic.”

  I reached for my rune sword and realized that I’d left it back at the caravan. I focused fire into my palm and grasped several of the cords that made up the net. They turned to ash under the intense heat. “There you go,” I said.

  “Morogan thank Aba,” he said as he stood. “Morogan not like magic net.”

  I laughed. “No, I suppose not. Let’s get back to the others before they worry.”

  As we got back, Thasgrin was speaking to an elderly woman with gray curls in her hair. “Aba, Marlene here wants to know if we’d hire on as their guard. They’re heading to Haran as well.”

  “Sure,” I said. “Shouldn’t be any trouble, and we could use the extra silver as well. I’ll let you deal with the details. I’m gonna go check on Garstil.”

  “Aye, careful, laddie. He’s hurtin’ somethin’ fierce right now.”

  “I will be,” I said.

  I approached Garstil and plopped down next to him. I offered him my canteen, and he took a long pull from it.