The New Age Saga Box Set

by Timothy A. Ray

Bendor’s head was lowered and out of it rose a loud vicious cackle. When his eyes rose to look at him, red fire leaked from the outside corners of the dwarf’s eyes. The large dwarven hands flipped open and the elven knights instantly flew backwards, landing in a crunch of impacting armor.

  Serix was stepping to the dwarf’s rear, trying to sneak up on the mad general. Bendor turned and glared at the man. “I’d stop right there, you necrophiliac worm,” a voice bellowed, and goosebumps spread across John’s arms; that was not the voice of his friend and tutor. The head of the dwarf cocked at an odd angle as he turned to look upon his King once more. Stepping forward, a wide grin spread further than the dwarf’s flesh was prepared to accommodate, and the result was beyond ghastly. Guards were stepping forward to try and stop him, but John raised his hand, holding them at bay.

  Tar Reiz and Uriens had slowly gotten back on their feet and Noelani had pulled his axe, ready to charge his own kin in defense of Lancaster’s King.

  “You wish to know who ordered these young fools around, who ordered your guards away? I made this wretched piece of flesh give the order without him knowing it. You see, it’s not that hard to enter a mortal’s dreams and subvert them, slowly take control of them, make them my own,” the voice sneered, the dwarven general stopping five paces from the dais.

  Thunder clapped nearby, and the walls shook. Then all at once every stained-glass window burst, sending shards of glass flying across the throne room. Gusts of wind rushed in, torrents of rain scouring the room’s inhabitants and causing more than a few screams of pain and fright.

  “Oh, you poor pathetic little fool. You think you defeated my army, that you are free? That anything you did was not foreseen and planned for? You are nothing and that was but a small taste of what is to come. They were but a speck of the forces at my command. Though War withdrew, he has done exactly what he was told and shall be rewarded well when he returns home,” the dwarf informed them, turning to face the two elves that had been inching forward. “Your time will come. Before the next full moon, my flames will have engulfed your beloved Forlorn and all its inhabitants will be ash upon the wind. Nothing you can do will stop that from coming to pass, for I am forever and my power infinite. At this very moment, your weak and pathetic elven princess squirms at my feet, begging me to end her life, to make the torture stop. She will bend to my will, as will the rest of your pitiful kin. Your beloved King will fall, and the elves will be forever wiped from this Earth; unworthy to continue their abominable existence under my reestablished reign. I will personally strike down that table of his and watch it burn beneath my fiery might.”

  Bendor turned to face his dwarven brother. “Pestilence is on the move. Tell me, you drunken bag of filth, what news from Kamdeac these days? Don’t worry, soon Branham will fall, and eventually your precious city of Grendweir. Tell me, wretched half-man, how well can King Waldemar change chamber pots? I’ve recently had an opening in my staff and dwarves are really only good for cleaning up other people’s shit.”

  Vicious laughter erupted forth and Jenna’s hand reached out and grabbed John’s shoulder, squeezing tightly out of fear. He wished he could comfort her, but his own terror was restraining his every movement.

  The dwarf turned his way once more. “Famine has destroyed the villages of Man to the north and nothing will stop my forces as they move against all of you. You’re all nothing but the children of slaves who forgot who your master was. Well, I’m here to remind you that whether you like it or not, you serve me, your Queen. It is as it always has been and all you’ve accomplished is a short reprieve before resuming your place at my feet. If you continue to resist, your heads will rot on pikes while your corpses feed my hordes. Nothing can save you, not your brother, not that infernal mage. He will not succeed in finding what’s been lost, not before my agents catch up with them. Even if it were in that insane Elven King’s hands, it would still not be enough to force my armies back. I give you this one chance, petty human, pretender to the throne,” Bendor offered, taking another step forward. “Kneel before me, pronounce your allegiance, and I will show mercy. I will make you commander of one of my armies and all of your kin will survive to forever serve their rightful ruler once more. For I am the Phoenix and before me this world will burn!”

  The rain increased, and the thunder clapped so loud that his soldiers fell to their knees, hands over their ears. Tar Reiz and Uriens had their weapons drawn, ready to charge the second the dwarf’s guard was down.

  Summoning every bit of courage in his soul, he took a step forward, eyes unwavering, his voice booming. “Never will the people of Lancaster kneel at your feet. Your time is over. You are nothing but an ancient relic refusing to go quietly to your assured death. Do not pretend to come here, your broken army in flight, your pet orc defeated and on the run, and think that you speak from a position of authority. You do not command here, you never will. My brother will succeed, the sword will be drawn once more. Your forces will be forever wiped from this land and thrown back into the pits of hell from whence they came.”

  He took another step down and looked the dwarf square in the eyes. “For my mother, for my father, I will personally march every free-living soul into your Deadlands. I will wipe the land clean and purify it. And when there is nothing left, I will come for you and my vengeance will be served. When we meet face to face, it’ll be with my sword piercing your heart and my name upon your lips. Now, go back to the hole in which you hide and tremble with fear in anticipation of what comes your way!” he thundered, his voice drowning out the raging storm around them.

  “Insolent fool! Your life, all of your lives, are mine to take. If an example must be set, let it be your death that provides the rest with a look of what awaits them all!” Bendor screamed, hand raising, black energy pulsing around his thick fingers.

  A hand gripped the dwarf’s head from behind and white light flared into life, Serix’s voice booming as words of magic spilled forth. Screaming in agony, Bendor squirmed as his eyes flew open, light emitting from his open mouth and eyes until it filled the entire hall with its power. “Eiciam vos de nomine Salvatoris! Daemon autem effugare!” the mage roared, increasing his hold on the dwarf’s head, the light burning even brighter.

  He was forced to look away, his eyes seared with the magic’s afterglow.

  Screams ripped into every soul present and he could hear the storm rage even louder outside, whipping the room with its chaos.

  “From all evil, deliver us, O Lord,” Serix intoned.

  Joshua, who’d been thrown against the wall, unseen in the middle of the chaos, stepped forward, his eyes severe and riveted on the mage. “Deliver us, O Lord,” Joshua uttered, joining in.

  “From all sin, from your wrath, from sudden and unprovided death, from the snares of the devil, from anger, hatred, and all ill will, from lightning and tempest, from the scourge of earthquakes, from plague, famine, and war, from everlasting death, by the mystery of your holy incarnation, by your coming, by your birth, by your baptism and holy fasting, by your cross and passion, by your death and burial, by your holy resurrection, by your wondrous ascension, by the coming of the Holy, Spirit, the Advocate, on the day of judgment,” Serix’s voice was rising and after every pause, Joshua followed up with a deliver us, his voice rising as well.

  “Save your servant,” Serix commanded.

  “Who trusts in you, my God,” Joshua stepped forward, holding up the golden cross around his neck. Other clerics were flowing in from around him, surrounding the writhing dwarf, while Joshua came to stand by Serix’s side, adding his voice to the mage’s commands.

  “Let the enemy have no power over him.”

  “And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm him,” the other clerics joined in.

  “Lord, send him aid from your holy place.”

  “And watch over him from Sion.

  “Lord, heed my prayer.

  “And let my cry be heard by you.”

  “Let us pray,” Serix told
everyone gathered, heads bowing automatically at his words.

  He was in awe of what was happening, and Jenna had come to his side, arm linked in his, eyes wide while the mage continued on; his voice near a scream.

  “Holy Lord, almighty Father, who once and for all consigned that fallen and apostate tyrant to the flames of hell, who sent your only-begotten Son into the world to crush that roaring lion; hasten to our call for help and snatch him from ruination, this human being made in your image and likeness. Strike terror, Lord, into the beast now laying waste your vineyard. Fill your servants with courage to fight manfully against the reprobate dragon, lest she despise those who put their trust in you, and say with Pharaoh of old: I know not God, nor will I set Israel free. Let your mighty hand cast her out of your servant Bendor Firefist, so she may no longer hold captive this person whom it pleased you to make in your image, and to redeem through your Son; who lives and reigns within you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever, amen!”

  “Amen.”

  Bendor fell to his knees and the light flared brighter than ever, rage bellowing forth from the demonic witch inhabiting the dwarven general. Hands flung forward and two of the clerics hovering over the fallen dwarf burst into flames, their screams ripped from their throats by the furious wind and rain beating down upon them. “You weak son of a bitch! Nothing that you do here today will change a thing! You will burn, you will all burn! First Forlorn, then Grendweir—.”

  “I cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every Satanic power of the enemy, every specter from hell, and all your fell companions; in the name of our Lord. Begone and stay far from this creature of God. For it is He who commands you, He who flung you headlong from the heights of heaven into the depths of hell. It is He who commands you, He who once stilled the sea and the wind and the storm. Hearken, therefore, and tremble in fear, Satan, you enemy of the faith, you foe of the Human race, you begetter of death, you robber of life, you corrupter of justice, you root of all evil and vice; seducer of men, betrayer of the nations, instigator of envy, font of avarice, fomenter of discord, author of pain and sorrow. Why, then, do you stand and resist, knowing as you must that the Lord brings your plans to nothing? Fear Him, who in Isaac was offered in sacrifice, in Joseph sold into bondage, slain as the paschal lamb, crucified as man, yet triumphed over the powers of hell. Begone, then, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Give place to the Holy Spirit by this sign of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever!” Serix bellowed.

  “I cast you out!” They all said at once, and suddenly the entire room went silent. The storm went quiet, the rain stopped, and the wind ceased.

  The white light blinked out and Bendor’s eyes, full of tears, looked at him with grief and despair. Then he fell flat against the stairs—unconscious.

  Serix staggered backwards and Tar Reiz was suddenly there at the mage’s side, holding him up. Uriens came from the other, weapon drawn, his eyes on the fallen dwarf.

  Joshua was bending over the fallen general’s prone body, hand on the man’s wrist; checking for a pulse. “He’s alive, Sire,” the cleric told him after a pause. “I don’t know the state of his soul, but his body still lives.”

  “Is she gone?” Jenna asked in a quivering voice. John put an arm around her and pulled her close. She was struggling not to cry but wasn’t being overly successful at it, as she placed her head against his shoulder and shook beneath his arm.

  “For now,” Serix croaked, then he sagged and passed out from exhaustion.

  Joshua rose and faced his fellow clerics. “You may take him to my chambers to rest.” The other white robed men stepped forward and accepted the mage from the elven knights. Then the High Cleric turned to the guards. “Take him back to his chambers and set a guard. I’ll tend to him as soon as I can,” the cleric told the stunned soldiers, who quickly burst forward and attended to their fallen general. “With your permission, of course,” Joshua finished, looking his way.

  He nodded, finding the words lacking for everything that had just happened. “Will he live, is he free of her?”

  The cleric sighed, “only time will tell. How did that necromancer know those ancient rites? They are in the oldest of our volumes and no one’s uttered those words in thousands of years. I almost didn’t recognize it, nor knew what to say myself, and I’ve read through most of our surviving archives.”

  “Who knows the mind of a magician? Yet, he has saved my life and of all those present. See to him personally and ensure that he’s okay,” he told the man, who bowed and followed after his brothers.

  “Whit in Goibniu’s beard jist happened?” Noelani burst out, eyes uncomprehending, axe held ready in case something else came at them. Had the dwarf not witnessed the same as the rest of them?

  He watched as the clerics filed out, followed by the soldiers carrying their general’s unconscious body. “Let’s take this to my council chambers, seems like there’s a lot for us to discuss.” He glanced at the elves, who nodded, and then the reluctant nervous dwarf. He bowed his head and Bordin stepped into view.

  “Jenna, why not see to Aaron? Take a break from all this?” her father asked her, and his wife looked up at John’s face.

  He nodded. “I’ll see you soon,” he told her in a whisper, handing her over to her father. Then he turned and walked away. His nerves were shaken, his blood was pumping wildly, and his mind raced to comprehend all that he had just witnessed. That witch had taken his best commander, his friend, and twisted him to her will. If she could get to Bendor—he shook his head. She was gone; for now.

  He swore his revenge and as he entered the council chambers, plans already formulating within his mind, plans that would eventually let him carry out his promise of seeing that witch at the end of his sword. Surrounded by his generals and representatives of the dwarves and elves, he took his seat and quickly gained control of his shaking hand. “Windel, order us up some wine, I think we’re going to be here for a while. Shall we begin?”

  Chapter 4

  Drago

  I

  “If there ever was any, there should be no doubt who we’re dealing with now,” John told the others gathered around the table. Bordin sat on his left, followed by Noelani and Mark. Brigette sat on his right, the two elven knights Tar Reiz and Uriens beside her. Windel was hovering in the background if needed and Captain Reyes was watching the meeting from the corner, refusing to allow anyone else into the room and taking personal responsibility for his safety.

  These six people of mixed races would soon help him decide the fate of their known world. It sounded a bit overdramatic if said out loud, but in his heart that’s exactly what was at stake. Representatives of three nations were present and depending on what they decided to do, it could drastically affect the future of all those involved.

  He looked at each in turn, waiting to see if anyone else would want to start, but they were all looking his way; it was up to him once more. “Mark, you are hereby promoted to Master General, first in command of the armies of Lancaster. I expect you to assume all of Bendor’s former duties until either he is fit for command or the position is made permanent.”

  Mark nodded gravely, his face pale, fingers drumming nervously on the table top.

  He turned to Brigette, “you are hereby promoted to Lieutenant General, second in command of the army, answerable only to myself and General Brasten. Roland would’ve been next in line, but until his injuries can be addressed and his ability to return to duty assessed, I need you to take over Mark’s former duties.”

  She nodded, unable to speak. It would be inappropriate to show gratitude with her promotion due to how it was coming about and even less comely coming from a woman; as archaic as that sounded. He understood what she was feeling, aside from the being a woman part, he’d just recently gone through the same situation himself. He’d been thrust upon the throne with no notice and expected to pe
rform a miracle in saving their kingdom from disaster. The miracle had happened, but he wasn’t naïve enough to think it was due to his leadership; he had those present at the table to thank for that as well.

  “I need both of you to furnish me a list of likely candidates for the other posts needing to be filled. For right now, the current colonels of the infantry and cavalry will have to pull extra weight and make sure the job gets done,” he told his commanders, thinking briefly of the slain General Cox. Despite Brigette’s teasing, I’m glad he got laid before his death, his mind interjected and he frowned, then shook his head to clear it of other uncomely thoughts.

  “My friends, we have taken the field. We have our victory, but the costs to our very own have been great. I expect no less than your best going forward, despite the emotional cost we’re dealing with. I know that my father never put stock in magic, never encouraged the practice of the art within the castle walls, and to be honest, I always felt the same. But now I’m forced to have second thoughts. I have come to realize that I must put aside past prejudices and accept that it’s one area our army is sorely lacking. I need a commission formed with the sole purpose of finding others that practice the art and forming a unit to supplement our forces. Windel, you have some recent experience in that area and I’d appreciate if you could help Mark and Brigette with this task.”

  “General Noelani, what was that witch talking about in regard to Kamdeac? Has Alamar fallen?” he asked, turning to the dwarven general, who was busy taking a long drink of Grog. He had a feeling the dwarf would be drinking heavily tonight, so it was best to get what he could while the stout general was sober.

  Noelani grunted. “We’ve received nae wuid th' dyke has fa'en ur ay Alamar’s fate. Th' fleein' horde tells us 'at either Alamar’s gain ur those vermin hae foond a way aroond it. As fur Kamdeac, th’ wuid is it feel tae plague. 'At coods only be thes Pestilence guff 'at witch was spootin’,” Noelani finished, burying his face in his cup.