Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)

by Julian Saheed

Novokai moved through the forest and stopped to catch his breath. The battle had taken its toll on his body and the teleportation had only caused him further fatigue. Alone, escape would have proven effortless, but teleporting with the Queen in his arms had required a great deal of magic and strength. Had he risked travelling any further he might have arrived unconscious. He gathered the Queen in his arms and began to walk northwards. He stopped as a voice called out his name. Turning, he found Kilthies standing behind him.

  "Let her go, Novokai," commanded another voice. Mandigal stepped out from behind a decaying pine tree, holding his flaming sword at his side.

  Novokai frowned at this inconvenience and placed the Queen on the ground. He then raised his hands up with his palms forward to show his peaceful intent. "Very well, Mandigal. I will not argue with you."

  Kilthies's face did not hide his lust for revenge. "You will give yourself up and accompany us back to Precedin. You will be punished for your crimes against the Alliance."

  Novokai laughed loudly. "What Alliance, my dear friend? Your measly forces are not going to be able to stop the combined might of Dargon. We are a nation bred on war and it is time for us to finally show you what we are really capable of."

  "History will repeat itself, Novokai. Dargon will once again fail. If you intend to continue to cheat mortality you will surrender yourself to us," Mandigal retorted.

  "Your threats mean nothing to me. I could kill you right now if I wanted to," replied Novokai smugly.

  Mandigal interjected, "Do not flatter yourself. You may be strong, but I can see the fear in your eyes. You know that you do not have enough strength left to win this fight."

  Novokai shook his finger at Mandigal and said, "You think too highly of yourself fool." Novokai's hands then send forth a net of energy at both men. Mandigal and Kilthies raised their hands just in time to repel the sizzling nets, but by that time Novokai was gone.

  Kilthies screamed out into the air. "Can you find him?" he asked Mandigal.

  Mandigal closed his eyes and tried to focus on the magical trail of energy that Novokai had left behind. "He has travelled too far for me to follow," he said, shaking his head.

  Kilthies moved up to the Queen and studied her wounds. "Her knees are broken, and her left shoulder is dislocated. We need to get her to Luss. She is more skilled in the healing arts than I." Mandigal nodded and they both summoned forth their magic to teleport back to the ruins of Gastonile.