Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel
Page 35
Chapter 17
Sealing off the Kingdom
As impatience grew in every fiber of his body, Azonis began to stroke his protruding chin, a habit he exhibited when he was becoming anxious or angry. His mind was frantically processing thought after thought. Why has Rasmere not returned? Is the beast dead? Is Rasmere dead? No, he is not dead. He couldn’t be. Tonight, the entire kingdom will feast on pork. His train of thought became broken when one of the watchers came busting into the throne room.
“Sir! The hunting party approaches the castle. They seem to be fleeing from something,” the watcher panted.
“Fleeing? You must be mistaken. Rasmere does not turn from battle,” the Sestian said as he rose to his feet.
“My Lord, I am certain that he is fleeing, and that is not all,” said the out of breath Engenium.
“Out with it!” demanded Azonis.
“Loud booms are coming from behind them in the distance. Something is chasing them. Whatever it is that pursues them is so large, it shakes the very ground we stand on,” said the watcher.
“How big is this boar? No matter. If the beast wants a fight, we will give it a fight. Koste!” exclaimed Azonis.
Koste, the general of Lasticall’s army, replied, “Yes, my Lord.”
“Gather the army and have them meet me at the gates,” Azonis ordered.
“How many Engeniums shall I bring, my Lord?” asked Koste.
“All of them,” replied the Sestian.
Azonis left his castle and met the army at the gates to the south. It was still early morning, and the fog had started to dissipate. The sun was barely poking through the gray clouds. Azonis did not like the feeling in the air. Something was amiss.
“Lower the gate,” Azonis ordered the gate keeper.
The gate keeper nodded and started his chore. As the gate began to rise, three sets of legs came into sight. They were taking high, long strides toward the castle.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Once again the loud footsteps echoed in the distance behind them. Whatever this creature was, it was large, gigantic even. Its steps shook the ground beneath Azonis's feet. The fleeing Engeniums were yelling something as they frantically hoofed it to the safety of the sturdy stone walls surrounding Lasticall, but their voices were drowned out by the sound of the beast pursuing them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The army stood ready. Azonis could finally make out one of the figures. Rasmere came into view, running for his life. The Sestian’s heart fell from his chest. What unseen foe could be heading toward his kingdom that would have Rasmere retreating?
Finally Rasmere's voice carried across the length of land that separated him and the castle. He shouted, “Draw the bridges! Lower the gate! For the sake of the kingdom lower the gate!”
Azonis began to stroke his long chin once more. Hair began to dance on the back of his neck. He did the only thing that he knew to do. Azonis turned to the gate keeper and bellowed, “Close the gates! Draw the bridges! Seal off the kingdom!”
The gate keeper grabbed a large horn and gave it a mighty blow. The sound echoed through the entire city. He then began to lower the gate, as the keeper on the opposite tower from him began the laborious task of raising the bridge. The gate keepers on the west end of Lasticall did the same. The city was on lockdown. No one would be able to enter or exit the city.
“May fate have mercy on them,” Azonis said under his breath as the gate slowly lowered, and the heads of the returning party began to fade from sight.