Legends of Marithia: Book 1 - Prophecies Awakening: Uncut and Extended Second Edition

by Peter Koevari

  “What do you mean? If there is something that I need to know, I need you to share it with me now.”

  Karven gestured forward as they now circled the training grounds. The sounds of armour and weapons colliding in practice filled the air.

  “Silentium nos redimiat,” said Karven, and millions of tiny stars surrounded them, joined by a clear layer of light. “This is a conversation that should only be heard and spoken between us, and now only we can hear it.”

  “I understand, please, go on,” replied Andrielle.

  Karven continued their walk.

  “As you already well know, the greatest of our weapons is Talonsphere. I am aware that you hold a portion of a scroll detailing its whereabouts. But do you actually know what the weapon is? Do you understand the sacrifices which are necessary for us to win this war?”

  “Of course I don't know what the weapon is, as I have never laid eyes on it. I only know of the fables, the boy born of dragon blood. One would think that if the fables were true, that you would be protecting...” Andrielle stopped as the realisation sunk in. Her face paled and she asked, wide eyed, “Vartan is the boy born of dragon blood?”

  “The elves made the right choice in their queen. You are wiser than you give yourself credit for. Vartan is indeed the boy born of dragon blood. Talonsphere is in essence a machine, and it is enchanted with magic of the ancients. The machine itself acts as a holding chamber, and deep within it is a golden dragon’s egg that, once activated, will unleash a hybrid dragon unlike anything we have ever seen. It will be born and reach full size and power at a magically accelerated rate, and it will not stop until the Forces of Darkness are vanquished. We will then enter a new age of peace. Vartan will need to activate Talonsphere to unleash the dragon egg within."

  “By the gods—and he’s not here under our protection? Where is he anyway? And what if he were to be killed out there before the war is over? Would we not lose our only chance of activating Talonsphere?” asked Andrielle.

  “Vartan is fulfilling the path he has set out before him, and Nymira accompanies him. There is an important detail in the prophecy that has been closely guarded by the dragons and ancients. What you do not know, and need to know the most, will bring pain to your daughter's heart. To activate the weapon, the boy born of dragon blood must sacrifice his human life and be born again immediately within Talonsphere. There is no turning back once the choice has been made.”

  “Helenia will be devastated. First her father and now the man she loves? There must be another way?” pleaded Andrielle.

  “I’m afraid there is no other way, and the decision does not rest with me,” replied Karven. “Nothing in this life is certain, but to the best of my knowledge, this is the only way. This is how the weapon was created, and this is the only way we can be sure to win this war. Without Talonsphere and the power of the ancients, I’m afraid that Kassina and her army will eventually overpower us. Humans and elves will be enslaved, and become food for the vampires and demons that would rule the world. They call this the prophecy of the Blood Moon, or the Blood Red Moon. With enough souls turned and available to sacrifice, Kassina’s Forces of Darkness would be powerful enough to summon back Shindar, the Demon of Darkness. The skies would be covered in clouds that rained blood, and the moon would be coloured blood red.”

  “How do you know all of this? How can you be so sure?” asked Andrielle.

  “We know all of this because we almost lost the world to Shindar and his armies long ago, although we succeeded through thousands of years of brutal fighting. The ancients, along with every other living creature, were enslaved by the Forces of Darkness. Our kind was the final enemy of Shindar and his armies, and Marithia’s last hope. The war between us raged for centuries, and losses were substantial. Luckily, Shindar made the fatal mistake of allowing his ego to get the better of him. I challenged him to a fight to the death – just the two of us, to decide the fate of Marithia. It was a fierce battle, and I fought Shindar with every shred of power that I had. The battle almost killed me, but just when I thought I had lost, he removed his enchanted armour in an attempt to mock me. It was in that moment that I summoned my strength and tore his disgusting head from his shoulders with one swift sweep of my tail,” answered Karven.

  “What happened next?” asked Andrielle.

  “The ancients rallied as we worked to free them from their bonds, and together, we fought off the remaining Forces of Darkness over hundreds of years of fighting. This began an age of alliance between ancients and dragons. We built Talonsphere, in accordance with a design created by Mother Dragon and the ancients, as the ultimate weapon in case we would ever need to face him again. I was lucky to defeat Shindar when the world was all but lost,” answered Karven.

  “If you have defeated Shindar before, can’t you defeat him again?” asked Andrielle.

  “Shindar has found his chosen one—Kassina. She has been trained in dark magic over many hundreds of years, and they would never again foolishly accept a direct challenge. If there is one thing that Shindar is good at, it is learning from his mistakes. Talonsphere is our only hope of vanquishing the threat before she is able to summon Shindar once again. If the two were to walk this earth side by side, I do not know if even Talonsphere would be able to stop them,” said Karven, noticing Faowind desperately trying to get their attention outside the layer of light.

  “Does Vartan know any of this?” asked Andrielle.

  “Vartan is aware of how to activate Talonsphere, and naturally he returns Helenia’s love. Sadly, I fear he will not have the heart to tell her of the sacrifice he must make. This is a decision that I leave up to you.”

  “I understand, Karven,” she replied, taking notice of Faowind anxiously waving his arms around.

  “Solvo nos ex silentio,” said Karven, casting off the Spell of Silence.

  “My queen and great Dragon King, please forgive the intrusion, but I must speak with you immediately,” said Faowind, bowing down on one knee.

  “Whatever is the matter, Faowind? Forget the formalities and spell it out,” said Andrielle.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but we have a big problem. We have received an urgent message from the fairies surrounding our city. Kassina’s scouts have found us. They tracked their way easily through the darkness of the Elven Woods” said Faowind.

  Andrielle's face hardened as she stared into the surrounding forest. “I see. Did our guards not dispatch them?”

  Faowind stared at the ground, his voice shaky. “All but one of the scouts, my Queen, whom we could not chase down after nightfall. It disappeared into the shadows."

  "How certain are we that the source of this information is true?"

  A guardian elf approached with the messenger fairy sitting on his shoulder, the fairy wept through bloodied hands. He held out his open palms to show a dead fairy in each hand. Their blood dripped from their grey lifeless bodies and through his hands.

  Andrielle's face strained as she recognised the royal gems on one of the fairies. She bent down and studied her face before taking a deep breath. "Send word of my condolences to Queen Nicolai. She may not be aware of her daughter's death, and it pains me to be the one to be giving her the news. They both deserve an Elven Warrior's burial and we will see that it is done."

  Faowind nodded and led the elf away slowly.

  “It is only a matter of time before her scout reaches Greenhaven. We have to prepare to defend the city against a direct assault,” said Karven.

  Andrielle nodded as she pulled out a small artefact attached to her necklace that appeared to be a seashell. The shell was an elven artefact which amplifies the bearer’s voice substantially. She raised it to her lips and drew her sword as her voice filled the city.

  “Inhabitants of our great city, all of you who are brave enough to be here with us today—the time has come sooner than expected for us to face our enemies. Our location has been compromised, and it is only a matter of time before Kassina launches an offensiv
e in an attempt to destroy us all,” said Andrielle.

  The city was suddenly overcome with a roar of talking and panic.

  “Fear not, as we will stand together. Humans, elves and dragons will unite as one to defeat this plague of darkness that clouds us. We fight for our lives, for our children’s future, but most of all, we fight for all of Marithia. This is our time, and we will not cower away and hide in fear. We have the advantage of Kassina foolishly believing that we will just sit here and wait for our deaths. I say, let her come! Let tonight be the turning point of this war. Let this night be a turning point for Marithia!” yelled Andrielle, raising her sword high in the air as the city erupted in cheers.

  “For Marithia!” they all chanted.

  Karven turned to Andrielle and nodded knowingly before he flew to the centre of the city, shaking off the dust cloud from his scales. The great dragon raised his head high and flapped his giant wings gently to get the city’s attention.

  “Your words inspire all of us, great Queen. All of you are here, ready to fight and give your lives so that others may live. This is the most noble of all sacrifices. Some of you have travelled across the surrounding lands at great cost to join us. If it is a fight Kassina wants, then let’s make sure she gets more than she bargained for. Let us avenge the lives of the fallen and make our enemies pay with their blood. Let us prepare for war!” cried Karven.

  “For war!” chanted the crowd.

  All of the dragons in the city flew to Karven's side in a protective circle, raised their heads as one and roared, breathing jets of fire into the air and lighting up the city as if daylight shone through the protective canopy.

  Chapter 13: Rise and Fall

  “The wheels of change are turning, and not even the pathetic gathering that they call an army can hinder our path to victory. Through Kassina’s power, I will walk the lands of Marithia once again. I want to feel the pleasures that only flesh can provide, pleasures that were torn from me so long ago.

  Times have changed since the first war, and now I have Kassina to fulfil the prophecy. The Blood Moon shall rise again and even the so-called great dragons will all bow to me as their new god, or die at my hand!”

  (Shindar, Demon of Darkness)

  Tusdar screamed as he plummeted down. He felt as if his stomach was at his throat. The ground rushed up at him with the promise of certain death. The reflection of moonlight off the water below would have been almost beautiful, if it hadn’t been for the impending impact awaiting him once he reached it. He turned his head to the side and noticed a strange movement in the sky through the flickering of his hair. It was as if there was a slight shadow that was moving, but was only barely noticeable. He felt something powerful snatch him out of the sky, holding him in its firm grip. Feeling his way around, he felt invisible scales sliding under his hands.

  Tusdar now realised he was held within the claws of a large creature.

  He struggled to regain his energy and yelled through puffed breaths, “What are you? Such a creature only exists in fables and old stories. You couldn’t possibly be a dragon, could you?”

  “Please stay quiet and stop your struggling. I mean you no harm and I don’t want to accidentally drop you,” responded the dragon quietly with a deep voice.

  It continued its swift flight downstream uninterrupted, pounding its great wings to fly as fast as possible over the infested waters.

  After what felt like an eternity of discomfort, they landed on a small clearing beside the river, only a short flight from Greenhaven. The mysterious creature dropped him onto the soft soil and landed beside him, sending a dull shudder through the ground and through his bones.

  He shook off the dirt as he got back to his feet, still shaking from the near-death experience. “Thank you for saving my life – whatever you are,” said Tusdar, looking around and wondering where the creature had gone. “So, where are you? And why can’t I see you?”

  Tusdar turned around to find nothing but trees and the river before him. He looked around in confusion, then jumped in fright at hearing a disembodied voice addressing him.

  “You are welcome, Tusdar. My apologies for the rough landing, but I had my claws full,” replied Nymira as she slowly materialized before him, shaking out her wings.

  “But… wha…” stuttered Tusdar, backing away from the immense creature that stood before his eyes.

  “Are you finally surprised by something, Tusdar?” chuckled Vartan from behind him.

  “Vartan? Ha! It certainly is my lucky day today. Thank the gods!” exclaimed Tusdar, with a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear. “Thank you both for saving me from my plunge into the river. I would never have imagined having a real dragon standing here before me—truly remarkable. I have great news, Vartan! Aidan and I have avenged the murder of our king. Derian is dead!”

  “The tide of war is truly turning in our favour. This will call for great celebration,” beamed Nymira.

  “Is what you say true? Did you actually see him die?" asked Vartan. Approaching him, Vartan sniffed the air and raised his eyebrow. "Have you been drinking again, Tusdar?”

  I sense only truth in his words, not spirits. Mind you, I think the man deserves a drink after that fall, said Keturah.

  “No, Vartan, I have not been drinking. I saw it with my own eyes, and he died at my hands by an enchanted arrow straight through his stone-cold heart. It’s just a shame that we didn’t manage to kill them both. Then this entire war would have been over and done with,” said Tusdar, shaking his head in disappointment.

  Vartan put a reassuring hand on Tusdar’s shoulder and closed his eyes. “There’s nothing more that you could have done, and you have done incredibly well to have dispatched Derian and stand here before me. Stay still and relax, Tusdar. I am going to see your last memories through my eyes. You won’t feel any pain, I promise you.”

  “What are you going to do? Are you serious? Where on Marithia did you learn such a skill?” asked Tusdar.

  “I have learned a lot in my time with the dragons, and I learn new spells and improve my skills whenever I find time. Anyway, we are already running out of time, and I need to see the events that have taken place. We have to hurry,” said Vartan.

  “All right then, Vartan, whatever I can do to help,” replied Tusdar, breathing deeply as he closed his eyes in preparation for the unknown.

  Vartan steadied himself and breathed deep before whispering a spell. A blinding flash went over his body, and he witnessed the events at Greenhaven as if he were Tusdar himself. Vartan shook his head in throbbing pain as he let go of Tusdar’s shoulder and breathed quickly to dispense the spell.

  “You are a very brave man, and even luckier than you are brave. I hope we don’t have to deal with that golem again. Today marks a great victory in the war against the Forces of Darkness, but we may have just stirred up a hornet’s nest by upsetting its queen. I’m really glad that bastard Derian has been wiped off the face of Marithia, even if he didn’t die by my hand and the pleasure was all yours,” said Vartan, managing a smile.

  “Yes, I understand. I can’t help but feel that this happy moment is tainted by Aidan’s capture. Who knows what horrors Kassina is subjecting him to?"

  Tusdar looked to Nymira's mighty form. "You have a dragon with you. Why didn’t you help us both get away?”

  Nymira bristled at the comment and narrowed her eyes toward Tusdar. “There were too many of them, Tusdar. We couldn't do anything by the time Greenhaven was in view, even with you by our side. We all would have been overwhelmed and captured, or even worse, killed.”

  I’m with the dragon on that point. Amazingly enough, I like the thought of both of us staying alive, said Keturah.

  I also like that thought, Keturah, but the reality is that everybody dies someday, responded Vartan.

  Vartan felt a wave of sadness emit from Keturah and pass through his body. He brought his hand to his face, observing it closely. That’s a strange sensation, he thought.

  “
I understand. I didn't mean to offend you, dragon. So what do we do now?” asked Tusdar.

  “Her name is Nymira,” said Vartan. “She is what we would call the Queen of the Dragons, so I would address her appropriately if I were you. Now we continue on our path past the city. There is something that I have to do, and we may already be too late. Now mount up.” Vartan climbed onto Nymira’s back.

  “I give my sincerest apologies to you, Dragon Queen. I wouldn’t know the first thing about dragons, let alone attempt to ride one. Hold on a moment, if we take to the skies, won’t they see us flying past them?” asked Tusdar.

  “You didn't see us coming, did you Tusdar? Stop worrying. We will be high above them in the cover of night, so as long as she stays hidden, we will be well-protected,” said Vartan as he helped Tusdar onto the dragon’s back.

  “I am happy for you both to ride on my back, but my armour was not intended for anyone to ride it. Can you please jump down for a moment?” asked Nymira.

  They obliged, and took a few steps back as Nymira prepared to cast a spell.

  “Vultus meus crusta pro veho,” chanted Nymira, and her armour shone before moulding itself into the shape of seats and crude handles.

  “That is the best that I can do. We can try this now, but be prepared; this will be very different from flying in the safety and balance of my clutches,” said Nymira as she carefully lay down to aid their climb.

  “Vartan, before we leave… I believe that this belongs to you,” said Tusdar with a smile as he untied Vartan’s bow from his backpack and handed it over.

  “I can’t believe you found this! Thanks, Tusdar,” said Vartan, securing the bow before gesturing towards the waiting dragon. Both Vartan and Tusdar climbed onto Nymira’s back and grabbed hold of her icy-cold armour as securely as possible.

  “My word! Why is your armour so cold?” asked Tusdar.

  “That is an effect of magical armour. I’m sorry, but I can't do anything about that,” said Nymira.