Where Dragons Haunt (The Diaspora Book 1)

by Scott Meaders

  Once the mass of creatures broke the line, they entered homes killing all in sight not distinguishing from man woman or child—even the infants were carried away by the bloodthirsty beasts. The creatures wreaked havoc, as they were too many to fight against.

  No sooner than Zoe and Mikael had touched ground, than reinforcements arrived sweeping by the tower headed for the Second Passing of the Waters. The troops did not distinguish between man and boy. As they passed, one warrior grabbed Zoe forcing him to march with the madness of the ensuing war. Zoe was pushed onward as if by a raging waters. He had no ability to go against the flow. Mikael was quickly out of sight calling above the crowd, but only for a time. His voice dissipated in the air of the coming war.

  Zoe, with the crowd of warriors, came to the Second Passing of Waters. When Zoe was on the other side of the drawbridge, he looked back to see it rise into the sky. He realized the danger, as he was now a part of the new front line. He was handed a shield and sword to fight with. Zoe tried to raise the sword, but found it heavy for his small-framed body of thirteen. Besides, he could barely hold his shield up for protection. Both raising a sword and shield at the same time would have been impossible.

  The pounding began on their wall as he stood before the drawbridge. Every five seconds he heard the pounding of the Parorgismoses’ flesh upon the bridge falling into the moat with splashes. With each group Zoe started to see the splintering of wood from the faulting bridge as it gave way to the creatures’ attacks. As soon as it gave way so that Zoe could see the beasts he thought the end was near.

  He looked up into the sky giving a weak prayer, “Oh please Hagious, please don’t let me die.”

  A strong hand suddenly clasped his shoulder; bending down to his ears, Mikael spoke roughly, “Not as long as I stand by your side!”

  “Flames of fire I command thee,” bolts of fireballs shot out of Mikael’s hands just as the creatures burst though scorching the beasts in a long succession. The beast continued to come as there were many. Mikael held up his staff and uttered, “Lightning of the sky fall upon my enemies!” A bolt of lightning came from the swiftly gathering clouds in the sky. The bolt hit the ground on the other side of the drawbridge causing the ground to crumble from where the beasts leapt. This made it near impossible for the beasts to leap across.

  Mikael turned to Zoe, “Now quickly follow me.” As they had their backs to the bridge, one Parorgismoses leapt across and grabbed Zoe by the tail of his shirt. The beast fell backwards into the moat as it was not able to jump all the way through. The creature held tightly and brought Zoe towards the flowing waters below. The wizard screamed out after his companion realizing what happened. He had little time to weep over the boy’s loss as the creatures had carried a large tree to the edge that they were now using to jump off of through the drawbridge. Mikael found himself in a war that was not his own.

  Chapter 19

  O suffering, sad humanity!

  O ye afflicted ones, who lie

  Steeped to the lips in misery,

  Longing, yet afraid to die,

  Patient, though sorely tried

  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

  Zoe free fell backwards through the air panicked not completely understanding what had just taken place. His arms were flailing in the wind as he tried to regain his balance with no luck. While the grasp of the creature on his shirt was firm until they hit the water. They hit the water with great force; Zoe landed on the midsection of the beast that had taken him from secure places. The creature squirmed in pain as it took in water having to gasp for air as the impact of Zoe had forced all of his air out. The creature sank to the bottom of the moat never to see the light of day again.

  Zoe also was in shock when he hit the water as he gasped for air. He swallowed a good amount of water, but not nearly as much as the monster. He felt the impact of the fall as his body mass crashed into the creature. His bones and muscles convulsed with pain as he screamed out in terror. He quickly sank to the bottom of the moat having the creature’s grip of death upon him. The Parorgismoses let its death grip go once they hit bottom, allowing for Zoe to swim to safety.

  Breaking the plane of the water, Zoe gasped for air. He was alive and free from harm. He was also floating down river, as the moat was not like most stagnant waters, this moat was a fast flowing river which encircled the town. He swam along with the current trying to keep his head afloat. He struggled with this but was able to keep air in his lungs. Zoe looked back toward the place of his descent to see if he could see Mikael. He saw that the creatures had taken the Second Passing of the Waters. He turned down stream and thought now only of his own survival.

  About two miles down river, Zoe was able to reach to an embankment that allowed him to climb to safety. He pulled himself free from the water’s current and laid half in the water and half out. He was exhausted as he rested with his eyes closed trying to regain his strength. A funny smell produced itself as he lay there. Zoe was too exhausted to notice it at first. But as his strength renewed and his senses became alert, Zoe was aware of the odor. He slowly opened his eyes to see a Parorgismoses before him.

  The beast was badly hurt from battle as it had taken a hit from Mikael and fallen into the moat just after Zoe fell. One side of the creatures face was missing, while the other side was badly damaged. Zoe backed up and let out a little whimper. The creature at the sound of Zoe had a heightened sense of fear, turning its head back and forth searching, looking with his ears to find the source of the sound.

  Zoe could tell that the creature was blinded by battle and could no longer see. Zoe was still fearful as the creature knew of his presence. The boy slowly and carefully got up trying to make no noise. But that was next to impossible. The creature again turned his head from side to side trying to find the source of the noise. Once Zoe had stood up he started to back away. This proved to be the wrong thing to do. There were hundreds of dried out twigs washed up on the embankment of which Zoe was now stepping upon. The snapping sounds gave the monster the exact location of Zoe’s position.

  The creature hesitated, but as Zoe panicked causing him to back up even more, the creature became confident of the direction from where the noise was coming. The creature half dead charged toward Zoe hitting him square in the chest. Zoe’s body flew through the air upon impact. Behind Zoe was a large tree that stopped the backward movement of Zoe’s body. The limp body of Zoe wrapped around the hard trunk of the tree.

  The creature swiftly ran to the victim searching with his hands for anything that he might have killed. The hands came back and forth for a time as he searched with his hands inches off of the ground bending over to find the lifeless body of Zoe. The creature’s fingers touched the soft skin of Zoe’s flesh. Instantly the creature sank its claws into his flesh picking up Zoe’s limp body. Being weakened by the battle, the monster did not anticipate the weight of the boy being so difficult to pickup. He toppled over backwards losing its balance. Zoe’s body was sent flying in the air in a backwards motion into the water.

  Zoe landed in the water floating on his back. He swirled around in the water as the current took him down stream. The water was filled with bodies and blood from both men and Parorgismoses alike. Zoe floated on as his back while all of time passed him by. The river took him around the Yellow Forest towards the great falls of Geron, a place older than the hills. Legend speaks of an old man that became a god; he went around this barren place and used two sticks and several stones and created the most beautiful landscape with the powers that he gained, that the gods often visit the land of Geron to take in its beauty.

  Zoe’s body sped up as the current was moving faster. Zoe was still unconscious as his limp body freely and carelessly found its way to the first fall of Geron. In space time and matter, the boy seemed insignificant as none but the gods saw this tiny body fall with the waters bellow.

  His body plunged deep within the waters and would not have come up again if the gods had not foreseen the life of Zoe. Cre
atures, mystical creatures, from ages ago, before Mikael’s time, found their way to this one section of Geron by chance. They, being the only creatures here, were the only ones to see Zoe fall. They swam to where he was and drug his limp body to safety. The mythical creatures of the gods took their leave of this haven as they had accomplished the one task that they were intended for and left Zoe to himself never to return for all of time. The heavenly monsters passed on into the region of the elves and dwarfs.

  Zoe lay there limp in misery as an afflicted one. His flesh, suffering the pains of hell, convulsed as thoughts ran wild though his dreams of death and humanity. He wanted to end this torturous pain as he lay there; he wanted to die, but the abyss of death was fearful to him. To choose life was to choose a misery and suffering, to choose death was to choose fear and darkness, the unknown. The gods however would not permit Zoe to pass on into the obscurity of night.

  Chapter 20

  It is a fact that cannot be denied:

  the wickedness of others

  becomes our own wickedness

  because it kindles something evil

  in our own hearts.

  ~Carl Jung~

  Mikael took his staff and pinned the creature to the ground. Thrusting the staff through the beast’s skull, he said in exhaustion, “Die you miserable creature and go back to the hell from which you came.” Mikael let out several deep breaths of exhaustion as he stood there looking around him. The Twin Cities were in ruins and the casualties were enormous, but the Parorgismoses were defeated. The wizard stumbled turning around in the carnage of flesh that was up to his calves. He looked around and was saddened at the tragedy. Women were weeping looking for husbands and children alike. Not one family escaped from the scars of what came to be known as the first Great War of the Twin Cities.

  The greatest loss came as a blow to the two cities as late that night it was discovered that the king had fallen. Words speared from lips to lips rapidly as a growing fire. The towns’ people were in dismay as what they were to do; their king had fallen. It was announced that the following day a funeral precession would take place and that his twin sons would share the throne. When news of this came to Mikael, he mumbled to himself, “The words of the prophecy have been set in motion, woe to the inhabitants of the cities for the vile things which are to come.”

  Mikael headed in a hurry toward the cities’ exit hoping to find Zoe down stream wondering if his young novice faired well. When he reached the main land, a bright light shone in the shape of a human and spoke, “My servant Mikael, how you fought valiantly for righteousness and goodness. My blessings are upon you.”

  Mikael recognized his god, “Tifereth my god whom I serve and love.” He bowed before his god reverently and paid homage.

  “Mikael, where do you wander to?” Tifereth questioned knowing Mikael’s words before he spoke them.

  “I go to get a young boy, Zoe. I have been instructed by the god Hagious too keep watch over him. I have seemingly not been able to do as the gods wish.”

  Tifereth moved close to his servant, “Zoe is safe and will be until your arrival. Before you leave this place, I would have you speak with the kings of the cities.”

  “Tifereth, they care not about the gods, nor their ways. They may even kill me.”

  “I will not permit your blood to be upon their swords for your appointed time has not come, and you will return to the cities and speak my words.”

  Tifereth disappeared, and Mikael returned to the cities finding a place to rest for the night.

  Upon daybreak, the wizard made his way through the growing crowds. The towns’ people had cleared the main walkway that zigzagged back and forth along the divide of the city. Mikael was at the base of the throne looking on. He waited while the entire remaining inhabitants of the two cities lined up to mourn the loss of the king. Mikael looked around and saw the faces of those that had loved the man, deep sorrow shadowed each breast and pain was upon the lips of all. He looked up at the thrones where there had previously been one. The two set upon identical thrones talking to each other as if at a feast of celebration. Mikael’s heart convulsed in agony at the loss of the great man. His kingdom handed over to vile beasts; a Parorgismoses would have made a just ruler compared to the likes of them.

  When the body was brought near, Mikael felt an urging of the gods. He stepped forward to touch the lifeless body of the once mighty man. A resounding shout was heard, “No! Do not defile the dead.”

  Mikael took back his hand, neither out of fear, nor out of obedience to the man’s voice. He did such for the sake of being able to speak the words of the gods. He then turned to look up at the men that stood before him raised above the crowds. A great hush passed through the crowd as they heard the voice of Askemon who was distinguishable from his brother by an uncomely mark above his right eyebrow.

  “Do you dare touch my father while he has been purified for the afterlife?” Achuron said having his words blow like chaff upon the wind as he arose to stand by his brother showing the support of both kings against the wizard.

  Mikael held his tongue with all of his will power as he wished to blast both vile men before him with his words. Truth be told, Mikael would have liked to send both men to the grave right there before the people, but he knew that another would be given that privilege.

  The two brothers stood before the crowds as Mikael turned to the crowds and spoke, “Behold people of the Twin Cities, your kings!” He voice echoed through the region. No cheers were given up as was the custom. The people feared the men knowing their wickedness. Mikael turned to the kings, “Behold Kings of the Twin Cities, your people.” His voice became frail and faded off when he got to the word people. He did not wish to proclaim them king, but he knew the gods had ordained wickedness for a time for the sake of purification.

  Askemon spoke directly to Mikael, “We need not your approval nor the approval of your god! We neither follow in the customs of our father nor of his wizard friends.”

  Mikael chose his rebuke carefully as he had not yet the words of his god, “No indeed as you have displayed before the people your sacrilege of your father having given him neither a king’s burial nor homage as is fitting for a father. I perceive in your hearts that this day, the day of your father’s death, to be a happy day, a day of celebration.”

  The two flinched before the wizard as he had spoken correctly, but they would not have his harsh words spoken to the most powerful men in the land. Achuron replied with harshness in his voice, “Dare you speak to us with vile words? Do you, a vagabond having neither land nor father, lecture us on our day of mourning? We hate your words; we cringe before your falseness. One more word from your false lips and we will have you executed for such a crime against the thrones of the Twin Cities!”

  The crowds of people were dismayed at the banter they heard between the twins and the once revered aged man of lore. Any other man would have walked away at such a time, but Mikael was now given the words of his god. Tifereth bade him to speak with boldness in the face of their threats. The wizard trusted his god that he would not be harmed and spoke for the gods boldly, “Achuron and Askemon the god Tifereth commands me to speak:

  You two kings will live in vile harmony

  You will rule the Twin Cities in unrighteousness

  Divided you will live bringing ruin to your father’s house

  Having hearts of malice, hatred and violence

  Your wicked lives with violence will cease

  Your death will come by a boy’s tender might

  Your skulls and all your bones will be broken with a heavy maul

  To the Cities the youth will restore peace ending the rule of strife

  The wizard paused for a moment and then added some of his own words, “The worms shall eat your flesh, I rejoice for that day. The jackal shall gnaw on your bones; I rejoice for the sight, the sword shall pierce your blackened hearts, I pray for that day. Thus speaks the god Tifereth.”

  Mikael turned to the
people and spoke a warning to them, “The wickedness of your kings will become your wickedness as it will kindle evil desires in your hearts. At first you will resist remembering your king, but your flesh is weak and you will not deny it. You will fall into the same ungodliness and wicked pleasures as your kings. People behold your vile kings!” Then Mikael left the city untouched as all fear fell upon them lest the god Tifereth bring pestilence and destruction upon them.

  Chapter 21

  A righteous man regards the life of his animal,

  But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

  ~Proverbs 12:10~

  Thanatos stood over the creature stroking its fur. He had taken care of his pet for ten years creating a bond between pet and master that few had. He gently stroked the fir downward toward the back causing the Epios to coo in his arms since he was of a gentle disposition. Thanatos had named his Epios the Gentle Beast believing that there was never a kinder creature in all the land.

  Thanatos brooded over his pet feeling peace of mind and heart as a loving father might over a child. He knew what the wizards were about, and his heart became disturbed at the thought that they were planning his future. He didn’t like being out of control, giving power to others. Thus he turned to his pet for the control and peace of mind he needed.