“It didn’t agree with me. I love humanity.”
“You’re a good man, Rover Tilbury.”
Caprius made his next chess move. “Where can I find their fortress? The Goncools’?”
Tilbury looked at him in amazement. What courage, he thought. Nevertheless, a big fool on a suicide mission.
“Look, I know I’m a thrush flying into a storm, but I won’t be going alone. I can have an entire army ready by tomorrow and at my disposal.” Caprius grinned. “All I have to do is give the word.” Suddenly, the entire roof began to shake. “What is it?” asked Caprius.
“They’re Magulas,” said Shelly.
“Trenton knows you’re here,” said Tilbury.
“Caprius, you don’t have your claymore. You left it in the shuttle,” said Shelly.
“Crimson Peak. Smallest center mountain.”
“Thank you.” Caprius gave him a warm smile.
Tilbury pulled a flask from his pocket, handing it to Caprius. “You get into trouble, take this. It’s more potent than Makoor’s blood.”
“The antidote,” said Caprius.
“The roof began to chip. Wooden chips began to fall. “Go. Move your ass,” said Rover Tilbury.
“Come on, Caprius. Let’s go!” yelled Shelly.
“I’m sorry,” said Caprius, putting his hand on Tilbury’s shoulder. They began to walk away quickly.
“Caprius!” said Tilbury. “I don’t want to die like this.” Caprius looked away and ran out with Shelly.
Caprius pushed a few buttons on his wrist band. They walked down the steps coming out of the house. “No, not that way!” Caprius yelled to Shelly, pulling her away from the long staircase going down. They ran toward the cliff.
“What are you doing?” she yelled. Some of the Magulas flew of the rooftop, chasing them.
“Jump!” he yelled to her. As they jumped off the cliff, right in front of them was the air shuttle. They landed on the seats. As Caprius quickly sat into position, he pushed a button on the console, and the cockpit’s roof closed swiftly. They quickly put on their helmets, adjusting them. The Magulas now landed on the shuttle rooftop. They fastened their seat belts and adjusted them. Caprius turned a key on the console and then pushed a golden button. Immediately a quick spray of gas flooded the top of the shuttle roof. The Magulas choked, as they had no air, and slid off the roof into the water, dead. Caprius looked into the house across. He could see the light in the room where Tilbury was and him sitting in the wheelchair.
Tilbury looked out into the shuttle. “I always knew death would come calling,” he said. The Magulas at last broke through, eating their way into the house. The Magulas surrounded Tilbury. They widened their mouths. Tilbury stared through the window, gazing at the shuttle, helpless. Not wasting another moment, Caprius fired two missiles. As the missiles flew, they instantly hit the house. The house exploded with a big blast of fire and smoke. Caprius pulled the lever, turning the shuttle around, and pulled away into the sky with speed.
***
To read more of Serenity Incident, I invite you to visit Amazon and purchase the book. The book is scheduled for release at all book retailers on Christmas of 2017.
I hope you are excited for the upcoming release of book two of the Dead Path Chronicles, Serenity Incident.
Visit online at www.richardavalicek.com
Chapter 12
Lantrinon- The Riddles of Anomptra
Book three of the Dead Path Chronicles—Lantrinon—introduces us to some devious villains. A war is set to commence. The attack is imminent. The dark lord sends his henchman Carcass Doom to find the child of prophecy and bring him to mount Drone for extermination. In this chapter we open up the story with some terrifying and dangerous moments for Lantrinon Seaton.
***
In the castle of Petoshine, Grongone sat in the interior garden. The Muskata monkeys milled about. Suddenly, Grongone was compelled to close his eyes, overpowered by the vim of Petoshine that grew strongly within him. A glistening white light surrounded the garden, and from inside the light came sparkling white dust. The spirit of Felicia the Golden Fleece appeared before them.
“The time has come, Grongone.” She smiled warmly. “You know of what I speak.” Grongone and the Muskatas knew what had happened. The Muskatas gathered and sat two by two on either side of Grongone. “The child is born,” said Felicia. “The prophecy has begun.”
“The undead have much to fear now,” said Grongone. “The knights of Elysium will need to be extra vigilant in order to protect the boy.”
“The dark forces will sense the presence of the child. They will hunt them down. There is much danger.”
Grongone shook his head slowly. “No, the knights of Elysium will keep him safe,” he said.
Felicia’s face fell. She took a long, deep breath. “They will fail,” she said. “You know what will happen. You have foreseen it yourself. They will celebrate with song and dance. They’ll feast to their hearts’ content. Their minds will become fogged, and they will lose sight of the importance of the mission.” She stood firm in her words. “One in particular will let go of his duty and will be ultimately responsible. The child will be lost.”
“Yes, but he will right his wrong, return things to how they should be,” said Grongone.
“I know, but it will be a hard-won restoration,” she said ruefully. “Though you are right that things will return.” She plucked a yellow carnation from the garden. As she held it, the flower’s petals began to fall, but rather than float down to the ground, they hovered in midair, buoyed on the white light that surrounded her. “Hope still prevails. The life of the child will be in the hands of a tiny creature. You know this to be true.”
“The Grumplets will protect Lantrinon. The boy will be loved,” said Grongone.
Felicia walked over to a chair in front of Grongone and sat down. “It has been a long time since we’ve had a chance to talk, my husband.”
He held his hand out to her cheek. “There is much to speak of,” said Grongone. Beneath Felicia, Mishka also held out her hand, trying to touch Felicia, but her hand went right through the spirit woman. Felicia’s attention was on Grongone. Her face was pursed with concerned. “I can see your mind dwells on the past. Your sorrow is evident. He will always be with you in spirit.”
Grongone ducked his head. “It was a long time ago. My father was the light of Petoshine. Before my time,” he said.
“But Bremendalf’s powers were weak. That is why when he was seduced by the dark forces of Makoor he was brought to his knees. When he tried to rise and take back what he’d once had, he was crushed by the dark forces. In the end, your father was given a seat in the heavens to sit on the thrones with the elves,” said Felicia. “He asked them for forgiveness, and they gave it.” Felicia held out her hand and drew a ball of light. The light hovered in the air. It grew larger and larger and glided away from them to a spot on the floor. The light shined brightly. As it got brighter, it disappeared, and in its place appeared the spirit of Grongone’s father.
“Father?” asked Grongone.
“Yes, my son, it is I, Bremendalf, your father. You may only have little memory of me, for you were just a boy when I went up to the heavens. But all these years I have been watching over you. I do not celebrate my past; I stand in shame for all I’ve done, as I am responsible for the death of the elves, elves who have been long forgotten.” Bremendalf’s voice grew thick, and his eyes became heavy with tears. “These elves once ruled this very land. We were a society of peace and love. And all of that prosperity was destroyed by Makoor. So I say to you, in the face of these impending dark times, when the lands are lost to the dark forces, and the rivers bleed red from the blood of our people, do not weep. For today a child was born—one who in years to come will put an end to all the evil in this land of Alamptria.” Bremendalf raised his hands. “Rejoice, for the savior of Alamptria has arrived. Lantrinon is the true light of Petoshine.” He brought his arms down and leaned
forward. “But be warned, my son, before Lantrinon destroys the dark forces there will still be much suffering. Be strong, be wise, and may the vim of Petoshine be your guide.” Bremendalf smiled and slowly disappeared.
Felicia looked at Grongone with great assurance. “Does this bring peace to your troubled mind? Have you seen what you needed to see? Have your father’s words brought any comfort to your troubled mind?”
“It pains me to know that my father was responsible for the death of the elves. So many lives lost,” said Grongone sadly. “My father speaks of celebrations, good fortune, and everlasting peace. Yet he tells me that the villages will be overrun by the dark forces, and we will be brought to our knees just as my father was.” Grongone grew pensive. “What comfort is there in that? Why is it that the swords of Petoshine will not bring death to Makoor, Felicia? What do you see?”
Felicia looked at him sadly. “No sword you can conjure up can destroy Makoor, my husband.”
“Then no matter what we do, darker times indeed lie ahead,” said Grongone.
Felicia let her eyes flutter closed briefly. When she opened them, her vision was clear and purposeful. “Two thousand years ago, Bremendalf had the greatest power in all of Alamptria. Instead of using his wisdom to strike at Makoor, he let his guard down. That is why your father failed. Now only with the sword of Bivion can Makoor be destroyed. It is the only blade made by an elf that can bring him to death.”
“I have read the stories on the sword of Bivion in your book written centuries ago. That sword was destroyed!” Grongone raised his voice.
“No, it was not destroyed. It is merely lost,” said Felicia. “The sword of Bivion lies in the depths of the caves of Mount Drone in the shadows of the waters. The son of Caprius Seaton will find a way. That I assure you.” Felicia edged closer. “I have seen the sword of Bivion in my visions. It does exist. Lantrinon will find it.”
“I have the sword of Lantrinon, one that he will use until he finds the sword of Bivion.” Grongone pointed to two large stones in the garden. “He and Trojas will both work for it.”
Felicia looked concerned. “There is something else you must know. The prophecy also states that the mother of Lantrinon will enter the dark world in time.”
Grongone gasped. “Oh, no, not Melina.”
“It is by her doing that I will live once more. I will become a living soul as I once was,” said Felicia.
“That is not what the prophecy stated,” said Grongone.
“The prophecy has many meanings. It can be misread. You must try and unravel its mystery. It was I who wrote the book of Bivion. My foresight has allowed me to interpret the true prophecy. I know its meanings.”
“I am sorry. I do not pretend to comprehend its full meaning as you have. But if what you say is true, then my heart will rejoice to have you by my side once again, Felicia. No Kongorf will ever pierce your heart again.” Grongone paused. “I must ask, though; you and my father speak of Lantrinon’s fall. We understood that he is the chosen one. What premonitions do you see for the boy? Your power is greater than mine. Tell me, wise one, what is it you know that I cannot see?”
“Before Lantrinon’s rise, he will endure pain and suffering. Your answer lies here beneath this castle.”
“Felicia, show me where I can find the answer. Please, would you guide me?” asked Grongone.
Felicia beckoned to an unlit torch stuck in a column. It loosened itself and came to her. With her powers she ignited the torch. “The mists of Petoshine shall give you the vision. Follow me.” Felicia walked through the indoor gardens to a set of stone stairs that led to beneath the castle. Grongone and the Muskata creatures followed. The stairs circled downwards, deep into the earth. On either side of the stairs were waterfalls. At last they arrived at the bottom of the system of caves that wended their way beneath the castle. A brook gurgled to one side. They followed the water. On a rock sat a muskrat cleaning its fur. It paused and looked up as they approached. Felicia spoke to the creature. “We have come to see the things that are yet to come,” she said. “Take us to him, muskrat.”
The muskrat skittered down from the rock and disappeared into the dark cave closest to him. Felicia, Grongone, and the Muskatas followed. The cave tunnel was tall enough for everyone, but Grongone who had to stoop as he walked through. They walked several minutes until they came upon some golden treasures glittering in the light of Felicia’s torch. As she kept on, it was evident there was treasure throughout the cave, lining the walkway and covered only by a low-lying mist. Grongone and the Muskatas did not know what these treasures meant, but wordlessly they continued to follow the muskrat.
Eventually they came to a small wooden boat bobbing on the stream, which had widened. A single oar lay at its rear. Beside that sat a hooded grim reaper. The Muskatas and Grongone held back while Felicia approached the boat. She turned. “We must get into the boat,” she said. The muskrat got into the vessel, and Grongone and the Muskatas followed. They sat down and looked over the side at the glittering water. Beneath the surface lay golden treasures.
“I have never been this far down in the caves,” said Grongone. Felicia held the torch and kept her face forward. “I don’t understand. Where are we going?” asked Grongone.
“We are going into the cave of Anomptra. It is a single cave. I have something to show you,” said Felicia.
“Can you not just tell us what we can expect to see?”
“No. I wish for you to see for yourselves,” said Felicia.
As they went along the brook, they noticed more and more treasures. Just as the boat turned into the cave of Anomptra, Felicia threw her torch into the water. “We will not be needing that anymore,” she said. Indeed, at the entrance of Anomptra there was a bright light. The interior of the cave was lit up in bright gold. The walls glistened with golden sparkles imbedded in the stone, and the walls were huge; the cave expanded to three times the height of the other caves. Soon they came to a shore heaped with golden treasures.
Felicia, Grongone, and the Muskatas got out of the boat onto the island of gold. “Follow me,” said Felicia.
They walked up the island, trying to step around the many tiny golden treasures, but it was impossible to avoid them. Mixed in amongst the gold coins and decorative urns, incense holders, and sceptres were raw diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. They walked up the mound. Grongone was perplexed, for they had no use for material goods. “Is it the treasures you wanted to show us, Felicia?”
“No. It is the treasure within the treasure,” she said.
“How far do we go?” asked Grongone.
“You will know when we get there,” she said.
They climbed further and further until they stood on the side of a large mound of treasure, one that would make any mortal the richest and most powerful in the entire world. “What is it that I see?” asked Grongone. “Up there.” He pointed, shielding his eyes from the glare.
“That is the answer to the riddle,” said Chooko. The muskrat kept on, scrambling up the items. Finally they came close enough to the top to see the thing at the peak. It was an old man, broken and beaten down. He lay on top of the pile, limply hanging his head. Beside him was a golden table on which sat rotten fruits, fetid, sour meat, and bread covered in mould. On a tray lay several cheeses, all inedible. In bottles were bitter, aged wine and petrified honey. The man’s skeleton was visible through his wasted body; his lips were cracked and the color of ash. Even if the food had been fresh, his mouth had puckered into such a tiny slit that he wouldn’t have been able to eat even a grape. His hair was long and white, and he seemed imprisoned in the armor that remained draped over his atrophied muscles.
Upon the group’s approach, the old man turned his head with great difficulty to look at them. He was clearly weak and tired and suffered from pain. He tried to form the word “help,” but even gathering the breath to make the “h” sound was too much, and he fell back to the mound of jewels and glittering gold.
“Who
is this man, Felicia?” asked Grongone.
“Someone who deserved such a punishment for being so tempted by treasure. He renounced what he was supposed to do, so to punish him a curse was put upon him,” said Felicia. “Unfortunately he decided he wanted all the treasures of Anomptra to himself, his desire so strong he rejected all human kind to fuel his hunger.” Felicia looked at the old man with pity and derision. “They once called him the savior,” said Felicia.
Grongone’s eyes widened in fright. “My God, this is Lantrinon?”
“Yes,” she said, casting her eyes down.
“I don’t understand,” said Grongone.
“He forsook the world to feed his own greed. This is the reason he will suffer when the time comes.”
Grongone shook his head. “No, this cannot be. He was the chosen one.”
“Yes, he was. Things change. You cannot help him,” she said. “But come with me. I have more to show you. You must see that hope will still prevail.”
“More? You want to show me more?” asked Grongone. “I don’t want to see any more.”
“As hard as it is to accept, you must see what it is I have to show you. Come with me,” said Felicia. “Muskrat, show us the way,” she said to the creature.
The Muskrat pattered down the other side of the mound, and the others followed. The last of the group, and so overcome with grief at the future of Lantrinon, Grongone lost his balance and tumbled down the mountain of treasure. Gold coins and sparkling gems were tossed in the air as he slid. When he reached the bottom, where the others waited for him, there was a pool of water. The muskrat and Felicia went to the water’s edge, and the others slowly joined her. Out in the center was a beautiful young female warrior. They looked at her face, trying to identify her. “Who is she?” asked Grongone.
“She is cousin to Lantrinon. Daughter to Dragus Seaton. She met her fate. Lantrinon chose seeking the treasure over saving her life. When he made that decision, the curse was put upon him.”
“I cannot believe this,” said Grongone. “It is simply too much to bear.”
The Dark Magical World of Alamptria Page 10