Quest for the Sundered Crown (The Sundered Crown Saga Book 3)

by Matthew Olney

  Angry shouts of agreement came from some of the other legionaries. The crowd broke out into arguing as the distrust of the mages spilled over. Scuffles broke out amongst the soldiers.

  Luxon rose and walked over to Thanos. Gripping Apshodel’s hilt he drew it from its scabbard and held it in the air. At seeing the blad,e gasps of surprise sounded from the crowd. Luxon’s blue eyes scanned the clearing, looking each person there in the eye. Some looked away from his intense gaze.

  “This is Asphodel. You accuse us wielders of doing nothing whilst this evil sweeps the land. My companions and I retreived this sword, defeating Accadus in the process. I slayed Drakis and freed the dragons from Danon’s foul grip. I fought at the Watchers, and I fought at Eclin. Do not accuse us of not playing our part in this war. We have sacrificed and lost just as much as you have.”

  Thanos placed a hand on Luxon’s shoulder.

  “Luxon is right. We cannot remain divided. Magic wielders and non-wielders alike must work together if we are to survive. We do not have the manpower to fight Danon head on; we will need help.”

  The legionary who had spoken earlier stood again.

  “Help from where? Ricard abondoned us to save his own skin, and the only barony left standing is Blackmoor, which is too busy dealing with those tribes that you, master wizard, allowed through the Watchers!”

  Arguing broke out once more as the wielders sided with Luxon and the soliders sided with the legionary. Luxon shook his head in dismay. If his own people couldn’t set aside their differences to fight Danon, then what chance did they have of convincing other nations to help?

  “We shall seek aid from across the sea,” Thanos shouted, “just as Zahnia the Great did so long ago. It is our only chance. Preparations have been made, and a ship is ready to set sail. Even if the Legion does not agree to this plan, we will keep trying. Luxon and a small team of have volunteered for this dangerous task.” His magic-enhanced voice boomed across the clearing instantly silencing the bickering crowd. His words echoed for a few moments and birds burst from the treetops, startled at the noise.

  A stunned silence fell over the clearing, and Thanos allowed the moment to linger. To everyone’s surprise, it was King Alderlade who broke the silence. The boy jumped up onto the stone and took his place next to Luxon and Thanos. He wore a simple tunic and leather boots, the only thing marking him out as the realm’s monarch was the King’s Jewel around his neck.

  “This may sound like a desperate plan, but these are desperate times. Only together can we hold Danon’s forces at bay and buy Luxon enough time to gather allies. Danon is a threat to the whole world, not just Delfinnia, and – like it or not – the mages are the only ones with the power to hold out. Caldaria’s defences are formidable, designed by Zahnia himself for a time such as this.”

  The legionary looked around at his fellow soldiers and warriors. Most looked forlorn; some were defiant. With a sigh, he nodded and knelt.

  “Very well, Your Majesty. The Legion is with you.”

  Umbaroth stirred from his resting spot at the back of the clearing and rose to his full height.

  “The dragons will help to defend Caldaria. There are too few of us left to risk on such a mission, and I beleive stealth may be of benefit to Luxon and his team – something impossible to achieve with one of us at his side.”

  Thanos nodded his head in thanks to the silver dragon.

  “Master Thanos!” came a shout from the forest. The Nightblade Welsley burst through the trees into the clearing, his face red from the exertion of running. “An army has been spotted crossing into Cadaria. Our scouts say that it is not flying the flag of the Legion nor of any barony.”

  A horn sounded in the distance. Another sounded and then another. The crowd tensed, and soldiers drew their swords. Luxon sheathed Asphodel and sprinted to Umbaroth. The dragon lowered his neck to the ground, allowing the wizard to leap onto his back.

  “I’ll see who they are. Return to the city; I’ll signal if its Danon,” Luxon shouted as Umbaroth launched himself into the air.

  *

  Umbaroth soared over the Caldarian countryside. The Great Wood flashed by below, eventually giving way to farmland. Civilians were fleeing towards the crystal city, whilst a contingent of mounted Nightblades raced towards the approaching army. From his vantage point high in the sky, Luxon could see that the mysterious army was at least ten thousand strong. He ordered Umbaroth to get lower and prepared himself for battle. As he got closer, he could see that the army was comprised of mounted warriors, their banners flapping in the cold breeze. A horseman broke away from the army and galloped forward, a white flag flying from his hand. Umbaroth descended until he almost skimmed the surface and landed a few feet in front of the rider. The rider’s horse reared up in terror at the site of the massive dragon. Luxon leapt from Umbaroths back and approached the rider. A smile crossed his lips.

  “I never thought we’d see each other again, Faramond,” he said in greeting.

  The tribal king laughed in surprise. “You’re one to talk, master wizard. I thought you were dead. We have much to discuss.”

  *

  The tribes of the Great Plains set up their camps just outside Caldaria’s high walls. By nightfall, the fields surrounding the city were full of burning campfires, the smell of cooking meat, and the melodies of the tribal bards. Luxon, Ferran and Kaiden sat inside the largest of the tents, the tent of the king.

  Faramond poured each of them a glass of wine and downed his cup in a single swig. Kaiden raised an eyebrow at the silverware that filled the tent.

  “Forgive me if I’m wrong, Faramond, but I don’t remember your people being silversmiths,” he said taking a sip from his cup. “And If I’m not mistaken, this is Robintan wine.”

  Faramond looked at each of the men with a sheepish expression.

  “By the time I caught up to my people, they had raided several Delfinnian towns and villages. When I found their camp, they were besieging the city of Blackmoor. I managed to convince my people to spare the city. They didn’t like that idea at all, so I negoiated with the baron of the city and told him that for a certain amount of plunder we would leave his city alone.”

  Ferran snorted. His father was still the baron of Blackmoor, but he had not seen the man since he was a small boy.

  “I’m sure my father loved that. It seems you did very well for yourselves.”

  “Not a single Blackmoor soldier was harmed, so I would say it was a successful negoiation.”

  The men laughed.

  Luxon leant forward in his seat and poured himself another cup before asking, “What made your people come here? Not that we’re not glad; we need every able bodied person we can get.”

  “After taking the Baron of BlackMoor’s … payment, we rode westward. There we encountered an army of Sarpi that appeared to have recently been in battle. We butchered them to a man. Among them, we found a number of their prisoners – men from the barony of Robinta. They told me that the Sarpi had sacked their city and that their baron was in hiding. They also told me of an emisarry and about Caldaria. I remembered you telling me about it, and so here we are. Allies once more against Danon and his wickedness.”

  Ferran rose his chair and stretched his back.

  “Well, I for one am glad you’re here.”

  26.

  Sunguard

  The streets of Delfinnia’s capital city were empty, save for prowling dogs abandoned by their owners. The populace had fled in a hurry. In some streets, carts lay on their sides, and market stall produce was now rotting in the sun. Danon walked through the streets towards the Kings Spire, with Sintinius and the High Witch of the N’gist, Yinnice, at his side.

  “I am most disappointed. I had hoped that they would have put up a fight for this place,” he said to no one in particular. Outside the city stood the bulk of his army. Legions of the undead, Fell Beasts of the Void, battalions of Sarpi warriors and N’gist wielders all waited patiently. At seeing the gates left
wide open upon his arrival, Danon had entered the city. He wanted to savour his victory. Finding the place abandoned seemed anticlimatic.

  “They would not have emptied the capital unless they had a plan in mind, my lord,” Sintinius said.

  Danon stopped outside a shopfront and looked through the glass windows. Inside, the shop sold toys. Puppets and stuffed bears lay scattered about the floor, a testament to the haste in which the shopkeeper had fled. With a gesture of his hand, Danon shattered the glass into a million tiny fragments, the sound echoing across the silent city. He stepped through the broken window and bent down to pick up one of the puppets. He smiled – the toy wore a green cloak and held a wooden staff in its hand. It was a toy made in the image of Luxon. With satisfaction, he squeezed his hand into a fist and savoured the sound and feel of the puppet snapping in his iron-like grip. He dropped it to the ground and spun on his heel.

  “Time to seize my prize.”

  *

  Yinnice led the way to the King’s Spire. Through quiet streets and up abandoned alleys they went, until they emerged onto the wide King’s Plaza. The tall statue of Niveren dominated the space, as did the cathedral. Danon looked up at the marble statue and sneered.

  “They worship my brother as though he were a god,” Danon muttered. “I wonder what they would think if they knew he still lives amongst them. I will find him, and I will make him suffer. I will make him watch as the world he built is cast down and replaced by mine. His worshippers will bend the knee to me, and it will be glorious!”

  Yinnice regarded her master. Half of her face was covered in a mask of black cloth to disguise the wound inflicted by the Witch Hunter. If someone removed it, they would be greeted by an empty hollow where her eye should have been, and burn scars that were still red raw.

  With a roar of rage, Danon clentched his fist and began punching the base of the marble statue. Powering his blows with magic, he smashed chunks out of it until, with a loud crack, it began to wobble. He stepped to the side and struck it one last time, causing it to topple to the ground with a deafening crash. Danon stood in the rubble, panting from the exertion. Getting himself under control, he walked on as though nothing had happened.

  He led the way up the hill leading to the King’s Spire. As with the rest of the city, the place was empty; even the gates had been left wide open. On the cobbled street lay a bag of jewels that had been dropped by an opportunistic theif. The Spire itself loomed above them, the banners of Delfinnia flapping gently. Danon looked up; white snow began to fall from the grey tumultuos sky. It was the first snowfall of winter.

  Without stopping, he entered the Spire and strode through the silent corridors to the throne room. The golden throne of the kings of Delfinnia lay empty. With a satisfied sigh, Danon sat on the throne.

  “I think you may like this, my lord,” Yinnice said as she reached into her cloak and pulled out a golden crown. On seeing it, Danon’s black eyes widened, and he began to laugh. Yinnice stepped forward and placed the crown upon his brow.

  “The Sundered Crown is now mine,” Danon proclaimed, “and soon the rest of Esperia shall follow.”

  Epilogue

  Caldaria

  The small port located on Caldaria’s nothern coast was bustling with activity. The ship, The Agatha, was being loaded with the supplies needed for a long time at sea. Barrels of fresh water, salted meats and dried vegetables were winched onto the main deck, and Nightblades carried supplies of arrows, crossbow bolts and other weaponary on board.

  Luxon stood on the quayside, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The sea was rough and writhing as the stormy weather began to move inland. Snow had fallen the previous evening, and the ground was hard from frost. He pulled his cloak tighter about his shoulder and breathed into his hands to warm them. He had said his goodbyes to Hannah the previous evening. Leaving her was hard. His thoughts drifted to Yepert who remained in the Medica. His condition hadn’t changed, and fears were growing that whatever Danon had done to him was permanent. Luxon had suggested taking him to the Isle, but Thanos had refused. The journey to the Isle was treacherous, even on the back of a dragon, and the Sarpi fleets patrolling the Yundol sea may inadvertedly be led to it.

  The sound of approaching footsteps shook him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Captain Whitelaw “the Mad” Weiss, the man who owned The Agatha, and the only man who had volunteered for the trip. The man was in his mid-forties and walked with a swagger that only came with either confidence or arrogance. A set of wide green eyes was offset by a brown beard and a bald head, which was tattooed with various magical runes. He wore a long dark brown leather coat and had a vicious looking Yundol saber strapped to his belt. The man was an odd mixture of mage and pirate.

  “I hope you’ve got your sea legs ready, my lad,” Whitelaw cackled, “because the sea is looking mighty angry today. Setting out on such a voyage at this time of year is madness, say the other sailors. I say, it’s a good job I’m a mad man, then!”

  Luxon smiled weakly. The thought of facing the massive waves created by Esperia’s two moons was not something he was looking forward to.

  “Don’t worry, lad, I have my ways of sailing in such seas. Being able to use magic always helps! I’ll see you aboard. To Adventure and new lands!” Whitelaw whooped before swaggering off towards the ship. Luxon shook his head in bemusement. The last thing he felt was excitement. So much now depended upon him. If he failed to gather the allies they needed, then Delfinnia was doomed.

  He walked toward the ship. Ferran and Sophia were already aboard and helping the crew strap crates of supplies to the deck. He was glad the Nightblade and Witch Hunter were coming with him.

  A procession of horsemen was coming down the cliff path that led to the docks. Luxon waited for them to reach the bottom. Kaiden sat astride Herald. The knight wore his full suit of armour, and Faramond was at his side. Behind them, to Luxon’s surprise, was Alderlade. The boy looked far too small to be riding a horse, but he handled the animal well.

  “Luxon, I’m glad we got here in time,” Kaiden greeted as he dismounted.

  “I’m glad we get to say goodbye, my friend,” Luxon replied. Kaiden had been nominated to lead the defences of the city, a postion that Luxon did not envy. Kaiden had made Faramond his second in command. With those two warriors in control of the defences, he was confident the city and Hannah would be in safe hands.

  Kaiden walked over to Alderlade’s horse and helped the boy down.

  “His majesty has a request; he insisted we take him to see you,” Kaiden explained cautiously. Judging by the look on the knight’s face, Luxon could tell it was a request that he didn’t like.

  Luxon bowed to the king. Alderlade cleared his throat.

  “I want to come with you.”

  Luxon raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn’t been expecting this.

  “I know you will give me reasons as to why I can’t come, just as Sir Kaiden did, but as your king, I insist,” Alderlade said his voice full of conviction. “I want to help. It’s my kingdom after all.”

  Luxon glanced at Kaiden, who shrugged his shoulders.

  “He’s determined to go, and who am I to argue with the King?” he said.

  Luxon knelt down so that he was eye-level with Alderlade.

  “This voyage will be very dangerous, and we’re sailing into the unknown. If something happens to you …”

  “I know its dangerous,” Aldealde said, “but how am I supposed to lead my people if I have no experience? Please let me come.”

  Luxon sighed, relenting.

  “Fine. You can come, but you do not leave my side, and you do as I say.”

  Alderlade leapt in the air and whooped happily. He ran to his horse and pulled a small knapsnack out of the saddlebags. Next, he ran towards the anchored ship, his delight evident on his face. Luxon shook his head.

  “Good luck, Luxon,” Kaiden said offering him his hand. Luxon smiled and gripped it tightly.

  “Same to you, my frien
d. I think we’re both going to need it.”

  The End

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  QUEST FOR THE SUNDERED CROWN

  Copyright 2017 M.S. Olney

  Firebound Books

  Table of Contents

  Map

  Prologue

  1.

  2.

  3.

  4.

  5.

  6.

  7.

  8.

  9.

  10.

  11.

  12.

  13.

  14.

  15.

  16.

  17.

  18.

  19.

  20.

  21.

  22.

  23.

  24.

  25.

  26.

  Epilogue