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  “Not exactly, but we’ve narrowed it down to a general location,” she replied.

  “The demons are easy to track,” Raphael added. “They don’t try to cover their trail, so we should be

  able to follow the ones that fled.”

  Mikel turned his gaze to Magdelin. “Can you do this? We will do our best to protect you, but it

  might be a good idea for you to learn to fight with a sword.”

  She huffed with indignation. “Of course, I can do this. And I’m already well acquainted with a

  sword. Do you think my husband would have brought me here unable to defend myself?”

  Mikel tried not to scowl at the young woman across from him. “I’m sure your husband taught you

  wel enough to defend yourself against men, not demons.” He looked over at Adalina with concern.

  “Should we leave her here or take her with us? Can your warriors protect her while fighting

  against these monsters?”

  Adalina’s eyes darted from Mikel to Magdelin. “I’m not sure, but we’ll do our best. I’d like to take

  her with us, though. Her ability to heal our wounds almost instantly will be very beneficial.”

  “I can protect her,” Raphael offered. “My daggers aren’t very effective in an offensive position, but I

  might be able to hold one off until help arrives.”

  “Then it’s settled. Let the hunt begin.”

  Chapter 28

  Mikel

  The group huddled in the thick underbrush at the edge of a small clearing revealing the face of a

  sheer cliff. Raphael lowered himself from the nearest tree and landed silently next to Mikel.

  “The tracks lead to a narrow cleft in the rock a few hundred paces from here,” Raphael said quietly.

  “I wouldn’t have found it had I not been following their prints.”

  “Can you tel if it’s just the four demons who fled from the village, or are there more?” Mikel asked.

  “It’s difficult to say. The number and direction of the tracks indicates they’ve been using this cave

  for some time.” He paused and looked around at his companions. “Not all of the prints are demons.

  Many of them are human.”

  Mikel stared at the dark rock stretching towards the blue sky. The cliff face extended to the left and

  right as far as he could see, before being swallowed by the jungle.

  “If we enter the cave and they are waiting for us, we’ll be just as ineffective as the demons we

  defeated in the village.” Mikel looked at Adalina for confirmation. “I think we should draw them out

  into this clearing. We could fight them two or three at a time as they emerge.”

  “I agree,” she replied. “But if the Csökkent bring their magic into the battle, we have no defense

  against it. Here in the open, it will be difficult for us to silence all of them. Based on previous

  experience, there could be as many as fifteen or twenty cultists.”

  “How have you defeated them in the past?” Raphael asked.

  “In Europe, they used old castles or abandoned farms. In most instances, we waited until they were

  grouped together in one building for a ritual, then torched it. As the flaming bodies ran from the

  burning building, we easily killed them with our bows.”

  “Suppose we create a fire just inside the mouth of the cave. The smoke would force them out,”

  Magdelin suggested.

  “We would have to put it far enough into the cave and beyond the opening so the smoke would not

  be drawn out of the cave,” Raphael said.

  Mikel watched him pull his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end. It appeared to be a

  normal occurrence when he was thinking.

  “It would be risky, but if we could do it quickly, we may not be caught,” he continued.

  “Does it seem odd that they don’t have scouts or guards at the mouth of the cave?” Mikel asked.

  “They must suspect that we would pursue them.”

  “Now that you mention it, yes,” Raphael said. “It must be a trap, and they are waiting for us to

  enter the cave.”

  “So, your idea about the fire becomes more relevant,” Adalina added. “They’re trying to lure us in

  with a false sense of security.”

  “Then we will build a fire inside the cave and try to smoke them out,” Mikel said with conviction.

  “Raphael, try to see how far you can enter the cave without being noticed. The rest of us will start

  gathering wood for the fire.”

  “I’l go with him,” Mark said, startling everyone with his deep voice. “Just in case.” He shrugged his

  large shoulders as if his suggestion should have been obvious.

  “Good idea,” Mikel said. “Let’s go.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “Mikel! Come quickly!” Adalina’s voice filtered through the trees.

  The urgency in her command set his nerves on edge. He tucked his bundle of sticks under one arm

  and rushed towards the clearing. Mark and Raphael stood at the cave’s entrance, surrounded by

  Adalina and several warriors. Magdelin hovered at the edge of the group, her face pale with fear.

  “What is it?” Mikel asked, dropping his bundle on the ground.

  Adalina looked at Mark and nodded.

  “There are several bends in the path that lead to the back of the cave. We were able to see in the

  final chamber without being discovered,” he said, his deep voice low and ominous. “The Csökkent

  are preparing for a ritual.”

  Mikel looked at Raphael with concern, not understanding what the warrior implied. Raphael

  nodded in agreement but remained silent.

  “What did you see?” Mikel asked.

  “A dozen or more people are tied and gagged in front of a large fire in the last chamber. The dead

  bodies of the four demons looked like they had been bled, and the Csökkent used their blood to

  paint several marks on the floor,” Mark answered.

  “There must be air shafts in the mountain that draw the smoke,”Adalina said, then turned to Mikel.

  “I have to assume this is how they summon their demons.”

  “We have to stop them before the summoning,” Mark added. “It will be easier to kill six men before

  they add the demons to their ranks.”

  “We’ll advance in pairs,” Mikel finally said. “One archer and one warrior.” He turned to Raphael.

  “Get Magdelin into one of these trees and stay with her.”

  Chapter 29

  Mikel

  Mark led the way, his bow ready with an arrow notched. Adalina was close on his heels, gripping

  the handle of her axe tightly. Mikel followed another archer named Dilan, who also had his bow

  ready. Mikel didn’t summon his sword, fearing its light would give away their presence. Two more

  archers trailed him, along with the remaining warriors.

  Mikel tried to walk quietly but was quickly reminded that he was no scout. His feet seemed to find

  every pebble on the smooth, rock path. After two turns in the passage, Mikel heard a strange chant

  echoing off the walls around him. Adalina slowed as a faint light flickered in front of them. Mark

  motioned toward Dilan, who fell in beside him. They crept forward with arrows pointed at the

  floor and bowstrings partially drawn.

  Mikel peered around the corner, his eyes widening with shock. The wide chamber opened in front

  of him revealing the large fire Mark described. The smoke escaped through cracks in the ceiling,

  confirming that their initial plan never would have worked. A dozen men and women knelt in front

  of the rising flames, their hands and feet bound together and
rough rags stuffed in their mouths.

  Mikel could see tears rolling down the cheeks of the nearest woman. Her shoulders shook with

  each muffled sob. The Csökkent stood behind them with their feet on a strangely patterned circle,

  crudely drawn with the black blood of the demons lying dead in the corner.

  The fire surged towards the ceiling as their chanting grew louder. Mikel noticed the same circular

  patterns on the cultists’ robes glowing brighter as the fire’s intensity increased. He was torn from

  his trance by the sound of several bowstrings releasing their arrows. The four closest Csökkent

  clutched the shafts protruding from their necks.Their companions were too late to recognize their

  brethren’s fate before another round of arrows finished them as well.

  The flames immediately receded into a low smoldering heat. The villagers turned their heads

  towards the entrance as one, their expressions of fear and resignation turning to hope.

  Mark, Adalina and the warriors filed past Mikel into the large room, circling it as they went,

  checking the shadowed alcoves and occasional branching path. Mikel approached the nearest

  villager and began removing her bonds. She rose to her feet on shaking legs and wrapped her

  arms around his neck. He struggled not to push her away, realizing her need for compassion. After

  a few moments, she released him. Together, they started untying the other villagers. The warriors

  joined them soon after and within twenty minutes the room was empty of its victims.

  “Look how the smoke is rising into several cracks in the ceiling,” Adalina said, breaking the silence.

  “The Csökkent selected this cave so that their fires would go unnoticed.”

  Mikel looked up and watched the tendrils of gray smoke disappear into the rock. “What would’ve happened to those people?”

  “I’m not sure,” Adalina replied as she ran her hand along the wall. “The Csökkent have used human

  sacrifices before. I have to assume that was their purpose here as wel .” She stopped circling the

  room and looked at Mikel. “I think this is volcanic rock. The walls are smooth, but there are long

  ridges in the rock. The floors are the same way.”

  Mikel placed his hand on the nearest wall, feeling the smooth texture and trailing his fingers along

  one of the ridges. “I think you’re right.” His thoughts drifted to their conversation with God

  regarding the dormant volcano, wondering if they had found it.

  “Shall we burn the demons and the Csökkent while the fire is still hot?” Mark asked.

  Mikel had momentarily forgotten he was there. The man’s constant silence nearly made him

  invisible.

  “No, let’s take them outside. I’d rather not have their stench lingering here,” Adalina replied.

  Mikel fol owed the passage out of the cave, emerging into the small clearing bathed in sunlight.

  The villagers gathered around Raphael talking animatedly as Magdelin tended to the wounded.

  Craning his head back, he tried to see the top of the cliff and any signs of smoke from the fire

  within the mountain.

  “The smoke must dissipate before it leaves the mountain,” Adalina said, seeming to read his mind.

  “There are several passages leading further into the mountain. If we intend to stay in the area, this

  might be an ideal location to set up camp. It’s hard to find and easily defendable.”

  “Unless you’re too focused on a demonic ritual to notice intruders,” Mikel said with a chuckle. “I’m

  surprised they didn’t have someone guarding the entrance. They must have known we would

  come.”

  Adalina shrugged her shoulders and turned towards the group of villagers. They slowly

  disappeared into the jungle, leaving Raphael and Magdelin alone at the edge of the clearing.

  “So, what do we do now?” Raphael asked as he approached. “That seemed too easy.”

  “I agree,” Mikel said. “Adalina had a good suggestion. We could make this a temporary camp until

  we find out where the rest of the Csökkent are located.” He turned towards Adalina for

  confirmation, still not comfortable with his new leadership role. “I assume there are more of them.”

  “There are always more,” she replied with a frown. “Normally, we find at least twenty at one

  gathering. It’s odd that this small group is by themselves.”

  Mikel nodded and rubbed the short beard growing on his chin.

  “Several of us should go back to the village and retrieve our things,” he said. “I’ll leave that decision

  to you, Adalina, since the largest portion of our group includes your men. I’d like to explore the

  cave.”

  “I’l go with you, Mikel,” Raphael offered. “I’d like to see the patterns on the floor that the villagers spoke of.”

  Chapter 30

  Mikel

  With the sun setting in the western sky, the opening to the cave was invisible on the shadowed

  face of the cliff. Mikel and Raphael had already made dozens of trips in and out of the cave, making

  the lack of light irrelevant. They now knew where the entrance was. Mikel carried another load of

  wood through the narrow cleft and down the long passage until he reached the central chamber.

  Mark and several warriors relocated the firepit, pushing it closer to the wall on the right side and

  opening the space in the middle of the room. Several large logs now occupied the area, creating

  seating arrangements. Raphael sat on one of them across from Adalina and Mark. Dilan and two

  other warriors crowded onto another, with Magdelin directly across from them.

  Mikel stood in the entrance looking at the faces around him. His life had changed significantly in

  the last few weeks. He had to accept that he was no longer an English merchant working with the

  East India Trading Company. He wasn’t sure what to call himself now. The uncertainty of his future

  terrified him, but the new feeling of purpose balanced that fear. He knew he couldn’t go back to his

  old life. He only hoped his family didn’t suffer because of his choices.

  Mikel dropped his load of wood and found an empty place next to Magdelin.

  “Several of the men are out hunting for food,” Adalina said. “We should be able to smoke a large

  portion of meat with a fire that can burn all day. Dilan has volunteered to make the smoke box for

  us.”

  “The villagers gave us enough straw and blankets to make bedding for everyone,” Magdelin said.

  “They’re grateful to us for defending them.” She bit her bottom lip before continuing. “I’d like to

  make regular trips back to the village whenever possible.”

  “I don’t see a reason why you cannot,” Mikel said, watching her expression. “I only request that we

  keep this location secret.” He watched the corners of her mouth turn down. “What is it?”

  “I hoped we would be able to bring supplies back here, on occasion,” she replied. “It will be difficult

  for me to carry them on my own.”

  Mikel chuckled. “You will never leave here alone, Magdelin. The jungle is dangerous, even without

  demons. Make sure you always have at least one of the warriors with you.”

  “Of course,” she stuttered, blushing furiously. “I didn’t want to assume anything.”

  A blinding light that Mikel immediately recognized interrupted Magdelin’s embarrassment.

  “I have chosen well.” God’s voice echoed through the space.

  Mikel opened his eyes in awe of His presence. I will never get used to this.

  “There i
s a path through the mountain.” He pointed towards the opening at the far end of the

  cavern, then settled down on the log next to Mikel. “Follow it up to the top and you will find the

  place I’ve chosen for you to build your army.”

  “But what of the Csökkent?” Adalina asked boldly. “Surely, they know where this cave is located.”

  “They are only men,” He replied. “They attempted to impress their master by defeating you on

  their own. No one knows they were here. Had they returned to their leaders as instructed, you

  would not have found this place, and they would have brought the might of their army down upon

  you.”

  “I assume you had a hand in that?” Mikel asked with a chuckle.

  He smiled, but Mikel noticed He avoided answering his question.

  “The Overlord is unaware of your presence or the gifts I have bestowed upon you. Take this time to

  build your army,” He continued. “Use your gifts wisely. I’ll be with you always, but it will be a rare

  occasion that I’ll be able to grant the strengths I have given you.” His gaze covered the group

  before settling on Mikel again. “Your journey has just begun.”

  Other stories in the Light in the Darkness Series

  Light's Rise-Book 1

  Light's Eyes-Book 2

  Light’s Fall-Book 3 releasing Summer 2018

  Thank you for reading Light’s Dawn, the first novella in the Light in the Darkness series. Please leave a review on Amazon. Reviews are very important for both readers and authors.

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  THE UNTOLD TALES

  OF

  DOLLY WILLIAMSON

  By J.M. Bannon

  Copyright 2018

  Copyright © 2017 Claymore Ulfberht & Xiphos LLC

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means,

  including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author,