Williams, D M - Renegade Chronicles [Collection 1-3]

by David Michael Williams

  When Klye announced his intentions to go to the infirmary, Lilac quickly rose. “Maybe we’d be better off not telling Plake about the mission. It would cruel to tell him we’re going without him.”

  “Who said we’re going without him?”

  The color drained from Lilac’s face, and Klye had to bite his lip to keep from grinning.

  “You can’t avoid him forever,” he said at last. “Besides, if this band gets any smaller, I’ll be a Renegade Leader of one.”

  “Technically, none of us are Renegades,” Horcalus pointed out.

  Klye supposed that was true, but if he wasn’t a Renegade Leader, then what was he? He decided he wasn’t ready to give up his title, not just yet. Klye offered Horcalus a shrug before leaving the room.

  As he made his way through the fort, he quickly forgot about the insubordinate Plake Nelway. Not knowing—and not caring—where his feet were taking him, Klye couldn’t believe how good it felt to know they would be setting out on a new mission tomorrow morning.

  Who could say where the journey would take them?

  Epilogue

  Delincas Theta brought his fingers to his temples, massaging away the tension building there. Across from the ambassador sat Noel. Though the midge loved chitchat, Delincas feared he would never be able to separate the truth from exaggerations and creative amendments Noel added to his stories.

  He didn’t believe the midge was outright lying to him. Probably, the midge really did think he had saved an alternate reality from four archfiends…

  In retrospect, Delincas saw Noel as a mixed blessing. The midge had brought word of Prince Eliot’s abduction to Superius, and even now the Assembly of Magic was sending out agents to hunt for the young nobleman. Delincas supposed that, if nothing else, the war with the goblins had strengthened the ties between King Edward and the Mastermage, who had been all too willing to aid Superius in its time of need.

  Rumor had it the Assembly of Magic had had its share of altercations with the goblin empire. But Delincas knew that the Assembly’s agenda had more to do with politics than vengeance. If Superius came to openly accept spell-casters, perhaps the rest of the world would follow.

  Or so the Mastermage hoped.

  The Assembly of Magic owed Noel a debt of gratitude for bringing both sides closer. Delincas wondered if, perhaps, Noel would be the first midge allowed to visit the Seminary of Wizardry, the first of his kind to join the august enclave.

  Regarding the midge’s infuriatingly innocent countenance—Noel had absolutely no idea how many headaches he had caused him—Delincas was forced to admit that there were undeniable benefits in keeping the Assembly of Magic midge-free.

  “Why do you keep asking me about Albert?” Noel asked, wearing a perplexed expression. “Is he a friend of yours?”

  Delincas leaned back in his chair and almost chuckled in spite of himself.

  “Not likely,” he replied.

  The ambassador’s thoughts trailed off before he could say more. Noel too fell silent, as he searched for the answer to the question Delincas had asked earlier.

  After several days with Noel—trying days, to be sure—the ambassador was convinced he had learned all he could from Noel about the goblins and the missing Prince of Superius. In fact, he would have already sent Noel on his way, except that the midge had mentioned something that had stuck in Delincas’s mind.

  Delincas had communicated his concerns to the Mastermage himself. A missive—magically delivered from halfway around the world—told Delincas that the Mastermage had discussed the news with the High Masters of the Three Orders. To Delincas’s dismay, the highest-ranking wizards in the Assembly seemed to share his suspicions.

  After chewing at his lower lip for a few more seconds, Noel finally said, “I don’t know how I knew Albert was a wizard in disguise. It’s like how your nose can tell you if there is a freshly baked pie in the next room. Only, I didn’t smell Albert. It was more like a pull. And then I found his spell books and stuff—”

  “And you are certain that they contained spells of black magic?” Delincas interrupted.

  “Yup,” Noel chirped. “And I should know because I’m a black wizard.”

  “And then ‘Albert’ confronted you?”

  “Uh-huh.” Noel nodded. “He didn’t cast any spells or anything, though, because he didn’t want the Knights to know that he was a wizard. Kind of like your situation. Are you sure he’s not a friend of yours?”

  Ignoring the question, Delincas asked, “Can you tell me again what he looked like.”

  Noel let out a longsuffering sigh. “He looked like an old, old man. His face was all wrinkly, and he had a long, white beard. And he was real skinny. But like I said before, none of that matters because he was wrapped in a spell of illusion.

  “Opal said that some of the Renegades…you know, Klye’s friends…I told you all about Klye already…well, some of them saw Albert’s true form. That was when he told them not to ever, ever climb Wizard’s Mountain. I guess he was planning on living there…”

  Delincas held up a hand to silence the midge. Since Noel never told a story from beginning to end—but rather from middle to end to beginning—Delincas took a moment to sort out some of the midge’s earlier reports.

  “Later, some of the Knights did trespass on Wizard’s Mountain, correct?”

  “Actually, it was only one Knight…Stannel…and some other people, but, no, Albert didn’t show up. Maybe he was napping. Are you ever going to tell me why Albert Simplington is so darn important?”

  Delincas seriously considered honoring Noel’s request. But what would he tell the midge? That supposed surgeon Albert Simplington might very well be the most dangerous wizard to have ever walked the earth? And that Wizard’s Mountain was the last place anyone wanted him to be?

  If only you hadn’t mentioned him at all, Delincas thought. You could already be back with your friends in Capricon, helping them fight the goblins.

  But it was too late for that now. If Albert was who the Assembly feared he was, the situation was far too volatile to allow a midge get mixed up in it.

  To both Delincas’s and Noel’s chagrin, it looked as though the midge would be staying in Superius for some time to come.

  * * *

  “I’ll have the Knights send someone back with the horse,” Arthur told Stannel, as he pulled himself up onto its gray-white back.

  The commander did not reply. The return of one horse was probably the least of his concerns. Everyone, Arthur included, had heard what the goblin emperor said about another war on the horizon…

  Arthur felt his cheeks burn and did his best to avoid Stannel’s eyes. Despite all that needed to be done in the wake of what some were already calling the Goblin War, Stannel was taking the time to see him off.

  He had said his goodbyes to the Renegades two days ago when Klye, Horcalus, Lilac, Plake, and Scout had left to follow the goblins. Now Arthur found himself wondering if Horcalus had asked Stannel to make sure he didn’t chicken out.

  “It’s funny,” Arthur said, eager to banish the awkward silence. “I really haven’t been here all that long, but it feels more like I’m leaving home than returning to it.”

  The older Knight smiled warmly. “A man may find many homes in his lifetime.”

  Was Stannel referring to his new command, to the second Fort Valor? Arthur couldn’t be sure. The man always seemed to talk in proverbs.

  Arthur looked into the distance and let out a long sigh. “I think I was less afraid when the goblin army was closing in on us.”

  “Fear is a natural reaction to uncertainty,” Stannel quipped. “So long as you do not let it rule your decisions, you will be all right.”

  The words washed over Arthur; his mind was on other things. “I guess it’s not just fear. I’m eager to see my family again, but it’s…it was very difficult saying goodbye to my friends.”

  Stannel waited for him to go on.

  “I know we weren’t together for
very long…a matter of months, really…but I really felt like I belonged with them.”

  “But you do not belong with them anymore?”

  Arthur smiled and looked out the open stable door once more. “I have to go home…to Hylan. There are some things I need to settle. Anyway, I was the most useless member of the band. Except for Plake maybe.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Arthur thought that maybe the Knight was teasing him, but a glance at Stannel revealed a sincere expression. “Well,” Arthur said, “I’ve only just learned the basics of wielding a sword. Before that, I just watched as the others fought. Horcalus would spend more time protecting me than anything else.”

  “You are a neophyte in the ways of combat,” Stannel summarized. “But that does not make you useless. You were…you are their friend. Even as you needed to be defended, Dominic Horcalus needed someone to protect. A friend, you see, is valuable in his own right.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Arthur suspected there was a deeper meaning to Stannel’s words. Oh well, he thought. I’ll have plenty of time to ponder Stannel’s riddles on my way to Hylan.

  “I probably won’t stay there long…Hylan, I mean,” Arthur said. “I don’t want to be a farmer. I don’t think I could be a farmer. I’ve seen too much, experienced too much since I ran away.”

  “What will you be?” Stannel asked.

  Arthur averted his eyes again. “I want to leave Capricon…and become a Knight of Superius.”

  He shot a glance down at Stannel. To his relief, the commander did not appear to be fighting off fits of laughter. Arthur hadn’t told any of the Renegades of his plans, not even Horcalus. Plake would have surely laughed at him, but he could only speculate about the others’ reactions.

  “Do…do you think I will make a good Knight?” Arthur asked. “I know Horcalus was already a squire by my age, but maybe if I work hard, I can catch up?”

  “You already have the heart of a Knight, Arthur. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say that you have a heart that reflects the ideals of the Knighthood.”

  Since Arthur could not grasp the difference between, he merely accepted the compliment for what it was.

  “I don’t suppose I’ll be seeing you or anyone else at Fort Valor for quite some time,” Arthur added, staring out at the snow-covered landscape. “Maybe I’ll never see you any of you again.”

  “The gods only know,” Stannel replied, and Arthur heard the smile in his voice. “Who can say where any of us will be tomorrow? I would not give up all hope, however. It might be that the Knighthood will see fit to station you in Capricon one day. And who is to say that your friends will not visit you in Superius?”

  Arthur laughed in spite of himself. “I’m sure that would go over well with the Knights…a band of former rebels showing up on my doorstep!”

  The feeling of heaviness came upon Arthur in the silence that followed. He had delayed long enough. It was time to face his family again, to leave the Renegades behind, and to look to the future.

  “I will deliver your letter at once,” Arthur promised. “Sir Dale Mullahstyn, right?”

  Stannel nodded. “Sir Dylan said that if the Knights he left in Hylan have moved on, they will probably be in Kraken. If that is true, then give the letter to Quillan Dag. The mayor will know what to do with the information.

  “If the Knights have evacuated everyone from Hylan, can I depend on you to track them down and deliver the news of the goblins’ unexpected withdrawal?”

  Arthur brought his fist up to his heart, a gesture he had seen some of the Knights perform when giving an oath. “I may not be a Knight yet, Commander, but I swear on my honor that I will give the letter to the proper person.”

  As there seemed nothing left to say—and since he was wasting precious daylight—Arthur bade Stannel farewell and urged his horse out of the stable. His heart beating loudly in his chest, he spurred his mount into a gallop.

  The air that whizzed by his face was cold, but he welcomed the sensation. It seemed to wake him up, preparing him for a strange, new day.

  He made for the road that would bypass the ruins of old Fort Valor and take him on a strictly easterly route. When he reached the place where the road met the forest, he looked back and said one final farewell to new Fort Valor.

  Later—in the days, months, and even years that followed—Arthur would dismiss the thought as wishing thinking, but at that moment, he knew he would return. One day, he would see the Renegades again.

  THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND PECULIARITIES OF ALTAERRA

  All individuals are human unless otherwise noted.

  Abaddon — One of several hells, ruled by the god Darclon.

  The Aden Ocean — A large body of water that borders Continae and surrounds Capricon.

  Afrek-Ckile — A western nation ruled by dwarves, member of the Alliance.

  Ahuli-Okx — A vast desert inhabited by nomads, member of the Confederacy of Continae and the Alliance; also called the Desert Ahuli-Okx.

  Aladon — God of virtue, primarily worshipped by elves, one of the seven Gods of Light; also called Almighty Aladon.

  Aladon’s Cathedral — A large church in Port Town, Capricon.

  Alban Damek — Knight of Superius, stationed at Rydah, Capricon.

  Albert Simplington — The alias of a powerful black-robe who paraded as a surgeon at Fort Faith, Capricon.

  Aldrake Superior — Founder and first King of Superius; also called Eldrake.

  Aldrake’s Twelve — The original Knights of Superius.

  Aleth Beryl — Deceased wife of Crofton Beryl and mother of Leslie Beryl.

  The Alliance of Nations — A peace treaty that encompasses Afren-Ckile, Blok, Bylento, Continae, Pickelo South, and Ristidae.

  Altaerra — The Superian word for the world itself.

  Arabond — An eastern continent made up of many countries, including Continae.

  Aric Narrestif — Priestess of Mystel and chief healer at Fort Valor, Capricon.

  Aron — A small village in central Capricon.

  Arthur Bismarc — A runaway from Hylan, Capricon, and member of Klye’s Renegades.

  The Assembly of Magic — A governing body for the wizards of Altaerra.

  Avuru — A midge who owns Hidden Treasures, a mageware shop in Therrat, Ristidae.

  Ay’goar — A goblin lieutenant who serves under Drekk’t.

  Ay’sek — A goblin shaman assigned to Drekk’t’s army.

  Baxter Lawler — Knight of Superius, lieutenant, stationed at Rydah, Capricon.

  Belek — God of creation and construction, primarily worshipped by dwarves, one of the seven Gods of Balance.

  The Benevolent Seven — See The Gods of Light.

  bitzmah root — A plant required for casting certain spells, including black magic.

  black-robe — Any spell-caster who uses black magic.

  Blok — A small nation comprised of a single ogre clan in Thanatan, member of the Alliance.

  Bly Copperton — A member of Hylan’s militia, brother-in-law of Pillip Bezzrik.

  Braiseph Harrow — A powerful black-robe of yore who excelled at creating portals.

  Bryant Walden — Knight of Superius, High Commander, stationed at Rydah, Capricon, and seneschal of the Celestial Palace.

  Bylento — An island nation inhabited by humans and centaurs; member of the Alliance.

  Byron Vanguard — Knight of Superius, killed by Renegades en route to Port Errnot, West Cape, and Saerylton Crystalus’s cousin.

  Caelan Bismarc — Knight of Eaglehand, perished during the Wilderness Crusade, Stannel Bismarc’s father.

  Canth — One of three massive kingdoms in Western Arabond that fell during the Wars of Sundering.

  Capricon — An island province of Continae that is ruled by Lord Magnes Minus.

  Castle Borrom — The palace of Edward Borrom III, King of Superius.

  The Celestial Palace — The home of Lord and Lady Minus in Rydah, Capricon.

 
; Celon-Tor — God of battle and honor, primarily worshipped by centaurs, one of the seven Gods of Light.

  Chadwich Vesparis — Knight of Superius, stationed at Fort Faith, Capricon.

  Charles “Pistol” Atlins — King of the Pirates of the Fractured Skull, member of Klye’s Renegades.

  Chester Ragellan — Disgraced Knight of Superius, former Commander of Fort Splendor, Superius, and member of Klye’s Renegades.

  Cholk — A dark-skinned dwarf from Thanatan, former Renegade, accompanied Saerylton Crystalus to Fort Faith, Capricon.

  The Chosen of the Chosen — Any goblin gifted with vuudu; also called shamans.

  Chrysaal-rûn — An enchanted sword wielded by Saerylton Crystalus; also called the crystal sword.

  The Church of Pintor — A sect of worshipers of the Great Protector, some of whom are monks.

  The Citadel Dungeon — A massive prison in Superius reserved for criminals serving life sentences.

  Clyde Dovely — A dockhand who works the northern harbor in Port Town, Capricon.

  Colt — See Saerylton “Colt” Crystalus.

  Colt’s Army — The unofficial name of Saerylton Crystalus’s ragtag troops during the Goblin War.