The Ruins on Stone Hill (Heroes of Ravenford Book 1)

by F. P. Spirit

  “Arrrrrrrrrgh!” the figure shrieked.

  “My turn,” Elladan announced. He drew out his wand once more and pointed it at the struggling mage. “Nullam Telum.” A purple projectile leapt from the tip and sped across the clearing. It swiftly closed on its target, yet again exploding just short of the mark.

  Elladan shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  The dark figure managed to right itself, though it still appeared wobbly. A shrill voice pierced the night. “You cannot win. No one can…stop the…Serp…”

  The voice faded as the dark form tilted backwards, then abruptly plummeted toward the ground below.

  Elladan clapped Glo on the back. “I think you got him.”

  “Let’s go make sure,” Aksel responded.

  As the trio vaulted back over the rocky outcropping, loud booms resounded across the clearing. A quick glance confirmed that the Boulder was still trading blows with the earth elemental. Whole chunks of rock and dirt were missing from the earthen creature.

  The trio paused for a moment as the golem wound up and struck the elemental twice more. This time the creature did not strike back. Instead, its huge body shook violently. Without warning, the elemental broke into pieces. They fell to the ground and lay there inert—a pile of boulders in the pale moonlight marking all that was left of the powerful opponent.

  The trio let out a brief cheer then took off at a run toward where the wizard had landed. They swiftly caught up to Lloyd and Titan.

  “Did you see where he landed?” Elladan asked the duo.

  Titan nodded a short distance ahead. “Over there.”

  Glo lit his staff as they ran and held it aloft. They swiftly came on the body of the fallen mage. A small figure kneeled next to it. It was Seth. The halfling glanced up as they drew up in front of him.

  Seth wore a half twisted smirk. “He’s dead.”

  He seemed to be searching underneath the body for something. A moment later he pulled a knife out from under the lifeless corpse. Glo caught a glimpse of shining steel as Seth wiped the blade off on the grass. It was that venom knife they had found in the ruins. Seth snorted as he cleaned the blade. “That’ll teach you to turn your back on a ninja.”

  Glo, Elladan, Aksel, Lloyd and Titan all exchanged glances then burst out laughing.

  “Nicely done, Seth,” Elladan said in between chuckles.

  “Yeah. You saved the day yet again,” Glo agreed.

  “What does that make? Two wizards you’ve killed in the last couple of weeks?” Lloyd added.

  Seth winked. “Three if you count that jackass Flibin.”

  Titan weighed in to the conversation with a slight edge to her voice. “Well then, Mr. Mage Killer, you didn’t happen to find Brundon by any chance?”

  Seth looked up at the tall warrior and nodded. “He’s fine. Found him back at the camp all trussed up like a goose. I set him free before I went after this loser.” Seth gave a slight nod toward the corpse on the ground in front of him.

  “So then where is he now?” Titan asked.

  As the question left her lips, two figures appeared in the glow of the fire over the rise that hid the camp. Seth stood up and spun around, casually holding his blade. Lloyd and Titan fell into defensive stances. As the two figures came closer, the light of Glo’s staff revealed their features.

  The man on the left was none other than Brundon. The tracker strode along casually next to the second figure, a man with long brown hair and a close-cropped beard and mustache. The man was unarmed, Brundon holding an extra sword and bow in his hands.

  Titan let out a sigh. “Brundon…”

  “Did you miss me, love?” came the nonchalant response.

  She strode up to him and jabbed him hard in the arm. “You idiot. You could have been killed.”

  Brundon flinched. “Easy there, love. I missed you too.”

  Titan shook her head. “Idiot!” she spat at him, then spun around and stormed off.

  The others watched her stride away until Elladan broke the silence. “So Brundon, who’s your friend?”

  “Oh, yes. This is Martan—and no worries, folks, he’s already surrendered.”

  Aksel surveyed the second man with curiosity. “So then, that’s all of them?”

  Brundon ticked off on his hand. “Two warriors, a half-orc, Martan here, and the black mage in the camp. Did I miss anyone, Seth?”

  “Just the elemental that caught you,” the halfling said with a smug smirk.

  Brundon smiled wanly at him, his reply laced with irony. “Yes, of course. How could I forget that?”

  Martan nodded. “You are correct. There were five of us not counting the earth elemental.”

  “Well, I took care of the half-orc,” Lloyd said with just a trace of regret.

  “And Titan took out the other two warriors,” Glo confirmed.

  There was just a trace of nervousness in Brundon’s voice. “What about the elemental?”

  Elladan pointed a thumb behind them. “Nothing left but a pile of rocks after the Boulder got through with it.”

  “Guess it was a good thing we had a stone golem after all,” Seth added, his tone quite smug.

  Aksel sighed. “Yes, Seth, it would have been quite difficult without it.”

  Glo had to agree. It was a sound victory, but something still nagged at him. This was yet another black mage they had encountered—the fifth in a week. There had to be some connection between them all. This last one had tried to say something before he died, “You cannot stop the Serp…”

  Glo fervently wished the mage had finished that sentence, but perhaps all was not lost. This newest member of their group might be able to shed some light on the subject. “Martan, who were these people?”

  Martan turned toward Glo. A strange expression crossed his face, but immediately disappeared. “First, let me say I am sorry for taking that shot at you.”

  A thin smile crossed Glo’s lips. He had never received an apology from an attacker before. “It was only an image of me. Answer my question and we’ll call it even.”

  Martan’s eyes widened slightly. He appeared surprised at Glo’s cavalier dismissal of the incident. He briefly nodded then said, “They called themselves the Black Adders. They are a sect of the Serpent Cult.”

  Glo raised an eyebrow. The Serpent Cult. That must have been what the mage was going to say before he died.

  “And just what is the Serpent Cult?” Elladan asked.

  Martan turned to the bard and displayed that same reaction that he had to Glo. It disappeared almost immediately. “It’s a group of mages who worship serpents. They are based out of Serpent’s Hollow.”

  Elladan’s eyes narrowed. “Serpent’s Hollow. Is that in the northern end of the Korlokesels?”

  “Yes,” Martan confirmed.

  Glo and Aksel exchanged a glance. A cult of black mages based in the northern Korlokesels. That matched the legend they had found in Telvar’s notes—the cult that conducted sacrifices to their ‘god.’

  Elladan continued questioning Martan. “Tell us more about this Serpent Cult.”

  Martan appeared eager to answer. “They practice a dark magic that lets them control serpents. In fact, some of them can even change into snake form.”

  Glo raised an eyebrow—that was dark magic indeed. Serpents and snakes had long been associated with the darker side of the arcane. If these folks were shape shifters, and controlled serpents, they were extremely dangerous. “So who was this particular mage?”

  Martan gazed down at the still, black figure lying at their feet. “He was called Voltark. He and his crew were traveling to Ravenford.”

  A cold chill raced up Glo’s spine. “Do you have any idea why they were headed there?”

  Martan shook his head slowl
y. “Not really. I was just hired to guide them. They didn’t really confide in me much.”

  “So you’re not part of the Serpent Cult?” Elladan asked.

  Martan shook his head vigorously. “Me? No! No way. I hate snakes.”

  “Then how did you get mixed up with these folks?” Elladan pressed.

  Martan let out a heavy sigh. “Well, that’s a long story. Let’s just say I upset the wrong people and ended up in a jail cell in Kai-Arborus.”

  Elladan appeared visibly startled. “Kai-Arborus?” His expression changed to one of understanding. “Let me guess. You were hunting game in the Ruanaiaith and without any warning were grabbed, hauled off and thrown straight into a cell. I’ll bet you never even had a trial.”

  Martan stared at Elladan dumbfounded. “Yes. That is exactly what happened. How did you know?”

  Elladan let out a deep sigh. “I’ve heard stories. The elves of Kai-Arborus have grown suspicious of the other races. They’re even less tolerant of anyone trespassing on their lands. You were probably just hungry.”

  Martan stared at Elladan with appreciation. “That’s true. I was just trying to feed myself.” He paused a moment and gulped with obvious emotion. “The Black Adders offered to pay my bail if I guided them to Ravenford. I didn’t have a lot of options, so I accepted their offer. I really didn’t care much for them and was hoping to go my own way once we reached Ravenford.”

  “More than likely they would have cut your throat when they were done with you,” Seth interjected.

  Martan glanced at the halfling. “You are probably right. They never trusted me all that much.”

  Glo had one last thought. “Martan? Did you meet with any other black mages on your trip, or perhaps see Voltark communicate with any?”

  Martan appeared to think it over for a moment. “Now that you mention it, I do remember overhearing him talking to someone when no one else was there.”

  “Do you remember what he said?” Glo asked.

  Martan’s face screwed up and his eyes closed as if deep in concentration. “Something like, Things are going as planned. We have them cut off on all sides.” Martan opened his eyes again. “He saw me listening after that and warned me off.”

  The companions all exchanged glances. That sounded far too much like what was happening around Ravenford. Aksel addressed the archer, “Thank you, Martan. This information you’ve given us may be vital to the safety of Ravenford. I think it best if you come back there with us and tell your story to the baron.”

  Martan’s expression grew suddenly nervous. Elladan reached out and placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “The baron’s a fair man. Once he hears your side of the story, he’s more than likely to let you go.”

  Martan glanced at Elladan and then back to Aksel. “Okay. I’ll come with you if you think it’s important.”

  Brundon, quiet up till now, spoke up. “Now that we’ve settled all that, there’s food back at the camp. Maybe we should eat something and rest up before starting the journey back?”

  Aksel grinned up at the tracker. “That’s an excellent idea.”

  When the companions reached the Black Adder’s camp, Titan was already there. “The camp’s secure.”

  “Yes, love. We already established that fact thanks to Martan here.” He pointed to the cooperative archer.

  Titan gave him a withering look. She continued to stare at him as she replied, “No offense to Master Martan, but I’d rather confirm that for myself.”

  Brundon threw up his hands. “Whatever, love. Whatever.” He spun around to face Aksel. “Perhaps Delara is right. I think I will go scout out the surrounding woods.”

  “Good idea,” Aksel agreed.

  Brundon cast a quick glance at Titan. She continued to stare at him, her eyes still smoldering. The tracker then took off, swiftly disappearing into the surrounding trees.

  “And be careful this time!” Titan called after him.

  Her words were followed by the sound of loud snickering. Titan turned her gaze on Seth, her countenance fierce. Abruptly, a wide grin broke out across her face and she winked at the halfling. Seth responded with a wicked grin of his own.

  While Brundon went to scout the area, Aksel sent the Boulder to retrieve the bodies of their fallen enemies. At the same time, Elladan prepared dinner and Seth searched the wagons. When the halfling was done, he approached Glo. He held a silver helmet with large wings on either side of it in his hands.

  “I found this in a locked chest inside the wagon.”

  Glo had never seen anything like it. He cast a spell of identification, took the helmet and concentrated. He tried for quite a while, but nothing came to him—no images or feelings of any kind. His eyes snapped open again.

  “Well?” Seth asked.

  Glo shook his head in response. “I couldn’t get anything.”

  Seth peered at him quizzically. “Does that mean…”

  “…it’s probably an artifact,” Aksel finished for him.

  Artifacts contained so much concentrated magic that they actually defied detection, their own magic scrambling those trying to identify it.

  “It is rather beautiful,” Titan said. She turned to Elladan. “Ever hear of anything like this before?’

  The bard peered over from the campfire. Glo held the helmet aloft so he could get a better look. After a few moments, Elladan shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.” He turned toward Martan. “Do you know what that is?”

  The archer shook his head. “Never seen it before.”

  Elladan shrugged. “Guess I’ll check the history books after dinner.”

  Glo turned to Aksel. “Do you mind if I hold onto this for a while?”

  Aksel shrugged. “Might as well.”

  “There’s also this.” Seth reached into his pack and pulled out a crystal ball. He held it up for Glo to see.

  Glo peered closely at the round crystal. It was clear with no markings.

  “Voltark used that to spy on you folks,” Martan explained.

  Glo raised an eyebrow. “A scrying crystal?”

  Martan nodded. “That’s what he called it.”

  Glo was impressed. A scrying crystal did exactly what Martan had described, allow the user to spy on others, no matter how far away. Of course, there were limitations, but one of these was quite a find. Dinner was soon served. Afterwards, Seth examined the bodies of the Black Adders. He pulled a book from one of Voltark’s pockets and held it out to Glo. “Voltark’s spell book. I figured you would want it.”

  Glo raised an eyebrow. This was the second wizard’s spellbook he had received in the last week. If this kept up, he would know every spell there was within a year. “Thanks.”

  Seth then rolled Voltark’s body over and removed his cloak. He bundled it up and then turned around and strode over to Lloyd. Seth motioned the tall warrior to bend down and then whispered in his ear. Lloyd’s eyes went wide. He took the cloak from Seth, unfolded it and wrapped it around his shoulders. Lloyd then spoke a single soft word, “Fugere.”

  All eyes were riveted to the tall warrior as he launched himself up into the sky. He swiftly rose, disappearing into the darkness above the trees. A cry wafted down from the inky night above, “Wahoo!”

  Glo glanced at Seth. “How did you know it was a flying cloak?”

  Seth folded his arms across his chest, his expression smug. “I have my ways.”

  Titan smirked. “Well, however you did it, you made his day.”

  Seth smirked back. “Apparently.”

  A few moments later a red blur buzzed over their heads. Glo caught a glimpse of the wide grin across Lloyd’s face.

  A short laugh escaped Elladan’s lips. “Looks like he’s a natural.”

  Amazing as Lloyd’s airborne prowess was, Glo was even m
ore amazed at Seth. He had given Aksel that ring, two spell books and the crystal to Glo, and now gifted Lloyd with the cloak. It was apparently Seth’s way of showing friendship—that and twice now that he saved all their lives. Underneath that cynical exterior lay a fiercely loyal friend.

  On Lloyd’s third pass, Aksel called out to the warrior, “I know that’s fun and all, but I think we’ve had enough for one evening.”

  “Alright,” came the reluctant reply from above.

  Lloyd reappeared a few moments later, flying slowly over the camp this time. He stopped completely, hanging in midair over the fire. Lloyd then slowly floated down, touching the ground softly with his feet.

  Elladan and Titan firmly clasped him on the shoulders.

  The bard gave the young man a pearly half smile. “Definitely a natural.”

  Titan’s tone was wistful. “That did look like fun.”

  “You can try it yourself if you want,” Lloyd told her. He started to unfasten his cloak.

  Titan reached out and stayed his hand. “Thank you, but not right now.” She pointed to her armor-clad figure. “Not in this, anyway.”

  “When we get back, then,” Lloyd declared firmly.

  A wide grin broke out across Titan’s face. “When we get back.”

  Brundon returned a short while later with the horses from the torched wagon. He reported the surrounding woods were all clear. The companions buried the bodies of their stalwart foes, all except for the mage, Voltark. Aksel insisted on bringing the body back with them. There was a spell he could use to speak with the mage’s spirit, but he did not want to try it out here in the open.

  The companions camped out until daybreak, resting and regaining their strength. After a quick breakfast, they took Voltark’s wagon back up to the ruins. There they loaded it with the spoils so abruptly left behind the prior evening. Elladan and Martan took turns driving the wagon when they finally set out back to Ravenford.

  It was midday when the small company arrived at the little seaport town. Glo, Aksel, Brundon, and Titan rode ahead, the Boulder trailing behind. Elladan and Martan brought up the rear while Seth relaxed inside the wagon on his couch. Lloyd’s horse was hitched to the back of the wagon, the young warrior, unable to resist the urge to fly, flew over the open seaport and bay beyond.