Battlefield of the Sacred Land Read online

  Veric shrugged. “We may as well ride up and see what they want, then. Weapons at the ready.” He felt for his daggers up his sleeves and found comfort they were there, ridged, cold, and waiting.

  When they reached earshot, Veric greeted them. “Hail, friends. What business do you have blocking the roadway?”

  The lead man loomed larger than the others. He had scars on his face from battles unknown, but Veric could see they were slashing scars from blades, crisscrossed on his cheeks and forehead. He had not drawn his massive sword yet. “What is your name, friend?” His voice was deep but somehow pleasant.

  “I am called Veric Namear. I travel with Gondolar of Arillia and Kymlie of the Kylerie elves.”

  “A man and two elven companions.” He looked at his compatriots. “We have found them, men.” He drew his sword.

  “Whoa, wait one second. What is all this about. Who are you?” Veric asked.

  “Our names mean nothing to you, only our swords.”

  Veric reined his horse again. “You realize you are on foot and we are on horseback.”

  “Aye, I can see that,” the man said. He held his sword up high, and it began to glow a pale blue.

  “Wielders!” Gondolar said. “They are drawing essence.”

  Veric did not hesitate. He slung his arms forward and let his daggers fly with all his force. The lead before him was taken by surprise but managed to block one of the daggers with the quick action of his sword. The other hit true, embedding into the man’s shoulder.

  Veric dismounted and found his sword. Kymlie had already shielded an attack from another of the men with his magic. Gondolar was mumbling some magic spell Veric guessed. Veric ran up to the wounded captain and swung his sword overhead. It met the big man’s blade with a spark and a clang of metal. The bigger man pushed Veric off, and he lost the grip of his sword. It planted itself blade-first into the ground. Veric held his arms out and called to his daggers. They sailed to him in time for him to block a sword blow from the captain.

  “Enchanted daggers,” the big man said. “Impressive.” He rounded his sword for another blow.

  “A gift from some powerful friends,” Veric said. “In fact, they may not take it kindly that you are attacking me.”

  “I’ll take my chances,” the big man said as his drove his sword attack at Veric. Veric thought the attack might get through until the sword abruptly veered to the left and missed him. Kymlie had shielded him again, he realized. The big man glared at Kymlie and cast a spell through his sword at him, but the Kylerie elf blocked it easily.

  “Aedreagnon, give me strength,” Veric heard one of the other men say while obviously channeling the power of the god.

  “So you were sent by Aedreagnon,” Veric said.

  “Some of us might have been,” the big man said. “I worship whoever pays the most.” He swung his sword, and this time, Veric’s daggers were not enough to block the attack completely. He felt the sting of the blade across his arm. He reeled from the pain and took a knee. The man sported a hideous grin and raised his sword for the final blow. It was Gondolar to the rescue this time. The man made the mistake of focusing his might on Veric and did not block any of Gondolar’s magical attacks. Veric flinched as the sword dropped from the man’s hand and almost struck him as it fell. Veric turned his head away in revulsion as soon as he saw the man’s eyes begin to bulge out of their sockets. He heard a pop, and when he looked at the man again, a headless torso was collapsing on top of him. He pushed it off and crawled to the side. Kymlie and Gondolar had dispatched the rest of the men save for one. Kymlie had him pinned under an immobilization spell.

  “I could have taken him!” Veric said. He stood up, ignoring the pain of his arm. He put away his daggers and went for his sword.

  “I’m not doubting you, Veric,” Gondolar said.

  Veric put his sword blade point-first on the living man’s neck. “Did Aedreagnon send you?”

  “Two of us were priests of Aedreagnon. I am not. I was paid by the captain. He said the man who paid him to find you in Shadehollow wished to remain anonymous. He wouldn’t tell us who hired us. That’s all I know, I swear it!”

  “Are you certain?” Veric pressed the point a little more.

  “Wait, wait, the man who hired us insisted that we bring along pre . . .” The man began to choke. Veric removed his sword from his neck.

  “Look!” Kymlie was pointing at a dark-cloaked figure in the distance. The last man’s neck snapped, and then the figure in the distance unwrapped two dragon-like wings from around itself and took to flight. Kymlie set a spell after it, but it fell short. The creature flew off at breakneck speed and was gone.

  Veric felt the anger rise within him. “Aedreagnon’s abominations! Kambor was right, the mad god is behind all this. I shouldn’t have doubted him.”

  “Don’t go jumping to conclusions, Veric,” Gondolar cautioned.

  “It isn’t far to leap, Gondolar. I follow the evidence. That last man was about to say priests. Aedreagnon wanted his clerics to accompany the mercenaries. I am certain they were instructed to kill them as soon as we were dispatched.”

  “You can’t know that,” Gondolar said.

  Veric put his sword back on his horse and checked the animal for injuries. “I can and I do. We need to get to Venifyre as soon as we can. Fawlsbane Vex and Loracia need to hear about this.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that. You plan to walk up to the realm of the gods and seek an audience with the king of the gods, just like that, huh?” Gondolar asked.

  “Sylvalora carries weight with them. If they will not listen to me, surely they will listen to her.” He reached into his tunic and produced a white stone about the size of a plum. “Good, it’s still here. I brought her Lora Daine along with me. I will call her forth if necessary. She didn’t want to leave Sheyna or she would have come with us.”

  “I hope you’re right. I am a bit out of practice with all this ambushing and fighting. If they send, that is, if we encounter a larger force, I’m not sure we can survive it.”

  “We’re not far from the Jagged Mountains. We will just have to travel a little faster so the enemy doesn’t have time to gather men for another ambush.” He mounted his horse. “Mount up. Leave the bodies where they fell. We won’t waste any more time.”

  Chapter 5: Venifyre

  The realm of the gods, Venifyre, was not an easy journey to travel. The last leg was particularly difficult because the guardians of the gate had the unfortunate tendency to kill anyone unlucky enough to venture too close to the entrance. Veric, being a dragon knight, had the right to seek an audience. Although, no dragon knight had ever been granted access without the guardians being told beforehand to admit them. If the gods failed to inform the guardians of any arrivals, they would turn the dragon knight away.

  When Veric and his companions arrived, the guardians stopped them at the gates as usual. Veric produced the parchment that Sylvalora had given him and handed it to the gatekeeper, a human priest of Fawlsbane Vex. He took the parchment into a room carved out of solid rock. After a few moments, he returned.

  “This seal appears to be that of Sylvalora, matron of dragons. By authentication of the guardians, we have judged it a true document and grant you access to Venifyre. There are, however, five statutes you must heed. First, if you meet with the goddess mother, Loracia, do not stare at her. Men have gone insane from her radiance. Second, no blood may be spilled in the hallowed halls of Venifyre; to do so has dire consequences. Third, you may only remain in the realm of Venifyre for one rise and setting of the sun. Fourth, do not enter a chamber of the gods unless invited. And finally, do not speak to a god until first spoken to by the god. Do you accept these guidelines?”

  “We do,” Veric said.

  “Your edict from Sylvalora states you are to have an audience with Fawlsbane Vex. Enter the gate and follow the hallway straight through. The hallway leads directly to the throne. Do not deviate.

  “Un
derstood,” Veric said.

  “Leave your horses; they know where to go.”

  Veric let go of his reins, and the horse trotted off. Gondolar and Kymlie’s horses did the same.

  The gates opened to admit them. Torches lit the way down a white, marbled hallway. Veric motioned for the others to follow, and they entered. The gates closed behind them as they made their way directly ahead. The marble floors were so shiny, the torchlight reflected off them, making them seem much brighter than they were. At the end of the hall, two great golden doors stood open. A man in golden armor, holding a golden spear, beckoned them to enter with a flourish of his armored arm and a fluid flick of his wrist. They each bowed to the guard in appreciation as they passed him.

  “Come, welcome to Venifyre,” a voice boomed inside the chamber.

  Veric first noticed the flaming sword of the sun hanging above the throne. It blazed and lit up the entire room, which was also white marble adorned with gold trim. The furniture seemed too small for the room as they entered. Veric expected Fawlsbane Vex to be enormous, but he was only marginally taller than a normal man. The eldest god appeared as a middle-aged man with short-cropped hair and an equally short-trimmed beard. Fawlsbane was standing in front of an opulently decorated throne. Next to him was seated Loracia. She glowed in a soft golden light. Veric purposely pulled his gaze from her, but he did indeed find it difficult to do so. She had golden hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was so full of life and nurturing demeanor that one felt compelled to run to her and jump into her arms. Veric resisted the urge. When he looked away from her and his eyes met Gondolar’s gaze, he realized his friend was having the same issue. They made their way to the throne and bowed before the gods.

  “Thank you for your welcome, esteemed fathergod,” Gondolar stated after giving Veric a hard look.

  “Forgive me, fathergod. Thank you for your welcome.”

  “What brings you here in the name of Sylvalora? How is the daughter of the gods, matron of dragons?”

  “She is well, fathergod. She has given me a daughter. We have named her Sheyna.” He was unsure why his words gushed forward so.

  “How wonderful!” Loracia said. Her voice was like a chorus of birdsong on an ocean breeze—so delightful, it made one smile with euphoria. “I am glad she is using my gifts to her.”

  Fawlsbane clasped his hands together. “I don’t mean to rush this meeting along, but the fewer minutes you spend in the halls of Venifyre, the better off you will be. The realm of the gods works differently for your kind.”

  “I understand,” Veric said. “I have come to speak about one of your own, the god Aedreagnon.”

  “Oh, and what do you have to tell us?”

  “He has created some very unsavory creatures and unleashed them upon the lands,” Veric said.

  Fawlsbane laughed, something Veric had not expected him to do, and then sat down on his throne. “Forgive me, my son, but Aedreagnon is the only god among us who is unable to create life. You must be mistaken.”

  “Forgive me, my husband,” Loracia said. “Look into his mind. I believe him.”

  “Very well. Step forward, my son.”

  Veric walked up to Fawlsbane. He could feel the god looking directly through him, seeing all his secrets and visions. He stood back up. Veric took a step back.

  Fawlsbane raised his hands to the ceiling and cast them back toward the floor. Bolts of lightning came from every corner of the room and formed into the shape of a man at the center. They solidified into a handsome-looking man with dark hair and dark eyes. Fawlsbane reached up to the flaming sword of the sun, and it flew to his hand. In an instant, he was at Aedreagnon’s throat with it.

  “VEX!” Loracia said as she stood. “What are you doing to our eldest son?”

  “He is at it again! I told him after he used Breannan and Xeian’s beautiful elves to create the Scarovian race that he was not to bastardize another creation of his brother and sisters. Now he has taken Ageanna’s dragons and drakes to create abominations!”

  “Husband, you created the silver and golden dragons from Ageanna’s original creations. Have you not broken your own rules? Remember, no god’s blood may be spilled in the halls of Venifyre! Let him go!”

  “Loracia, I must punish him.” He held the sword closer to Aedreagnon’s throat, and it began to singe his flesh.

  “Father, you robbed me of the ability to create. Now you wish to rob me of my life as well?”

  “Quiet, Aedreagnon! If your mother were not sitting there so fervently defending you, I would have already run you through!”

  Veric, Gondolar, and Kymlie were all in awe of what was happening before them. Fawlsbane Vex spoke as if he was forgetting they were there to hear.

  Fawlsbane released his son and pushed him forcibly to the marble floor. “Fine, you should kiss your mother’s cheek, for she has stayed my hand and saved your abysmal life.” He let the flaming sword go back to its place above his throne. “I declare that no god henceforth may create or recreate from existing life any being. Furthermore, no god is to directly interfere with the lives of common folk of the world or forfeit their life.” He pointed his finger at Aedreagnon. “I want your abominations destroyed posthaste.”

  “No,” Loracia said. “I will not allow it. Life is life, my husband. You have already forbade any more tampering. I will not allow life already living to be destroyed.”

  “Loracia, the last time you decreed something as cruel as this, it didn’t end well. Are you willing to risk it again?”

  “I am,” she said.

  He turned back to Aedreagnon. “So be it,” Fawlsbane said. “But if I catch you doing anything like this again, your mother will not save you. I will end you as sure as I slew Fawl. Do you understand?”

  Aedreagnon nodded and then left the throne room.

  Fawlsbane Vex turned to Veric. “Are you satisfied?”

  “Forgive me, fathergod, but he has sent his abominations after our child.”

  “Say no more. I will protect you, Sylvalora, and your precious Sheyna from now on personally.”

  “Un hum, but, husband, you just decreed that no god interfere with the world directly,” Loracia pointed out.

  “I am the father of the gods! This is my world. I will protect this one family. This I swear to you!”

  “Then grant me the same,” Loracia said.

  “So be it. You may also protect one family, because you are the mothergod, but no other god may interfere!” He pointed to the door. “Now go, Veric Namear.”

  Veric and his friends hurried for the door to the hallway. As soon as they exited, Fawlsbane slammed the doors shut. Veric turned to the hallway. “Let’s get out of here,” he said.

  “Not so fast, mortal.” It was Aedreagnon. He had two guards seize Veric, and he expelled Gondolar and Kymlie from Venifyre with the flick of one hand. “I will have words with you.”

  He walked briskly ahead as the guards dragged Veric behind him. Veric tried to scream for Fawlsbane, but Aedreagnon had taken his voice away. They went into another room of marble and opulence. A room with carpets and a roaring fire. Tapestries adorned the walls. The guards tossed Veric to the floor.

  “So, you believe you have thwarted a god, do you?” he said.

  Veric tried to speak, but his voice still eluded him.

  “It is of no matter. I know you cannot speak.”

  Veric found his voice. “What are you doing?”

  “Oh, there you are. Just so you know, you have accomplished nothing. I have already given my powers of creation to one of you. I anticipated my father’s decree. I don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

  “So let me go, then.”

  “But I need to teach you a lesson. Surely you cannot believe you can get away with your little stunt.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about. I only wanted you to leave my family out of your plans.”

  “You arrogant fool. I never even looked at your pitiful family. You are mistaken.”


  “But you sent a creature after my daughter.”

  “It was not me. I think you might have too much faith in your friends.”

  “That’s impossible.”

  “No, it’s not,” Aedreagnon said. “But now that my father has decreed you and your family are to be protected by him personally, I need to take advantage of that.” He motioned to the guards at the door, and they escorted a beautiful woman into the room. “This is Adell. She is one of my disciples. I need you to procreate with her. That way I will have a child protected by my father.”

  “I will never betray my wife that way!”

  “You will.”

  “No, I won’t do it.”

  “Hah, it is already done. You went to her like a thirsty man to a water well.”

  “What! No! I couldn’t have.” He let the grips of his daggers fall from his sleeves into his waiting hands. “You have violated me!” He lurched forward and stuck the daggers into the god’s neck. He thought he heard Fawlbane’s voice tell him to do it. The daggers lit on fire and burned the god. Veric fell to the floor. The disciple woman ran from the room. The god Aedreagnon burst into a flaming heap.

  “No, it cannot be,” the god screamed. “No mortal may kill me!”

  Veric clenched his daggers as the essence of the god entered him.

  “I will live within you, mortal!” Aedreagnon shouted. “I will take your soul!”

  Gondolar lifted his head to see the woman sprawled out on the ground before him. He went to her to help her in any way he could.

  She lifted her head shamefully. “Just leave me here. I don’t deserve to live.”

  “My lady, there is no way I am going to leave you here to die on this mountain. Gather your strength. You are coming with me and my friend Kymlie here.” He helped her up. “What is your name?” he asked.

  “I am called Adell,” she said.

  Dorenn jerked awake. His eyes first focused on Oria rubbing her temples. He smacked his lips and realized that he was severely thirsty so he reached for his cup of bittering tea. As he raised the cup to his mouth, he saw it was covered with a thin layer of mold, as if it had been sitting for a couple of days.