“Just as well,” said Tyrcamber. No doubt Donarr would acquire his own dark memories when he grew old enough. A wave of melancholy went through Tyrcamber. It seemed unending war was the fate for every man in the Empire, at least for the nobles. And quite a few of the commoners as well. Once the idea would have cheered him with the chance for glory, but he thought of the men who had died fighting Dietrich, and he felt only weary.
“How is your preceptor?” said Adalhaid. “He seemed half-dead on his feet by the time Dietrich died.”
Tyrcamber snorted. “Fighting mad. He’s furious that Dietrich deceived him for so long, but Dietrich is no longer here to bear the brunt of his wrath.”
“Thanks to you, brother,” said Adalhaid.
Tyrcamber ignored that. “He’ll take it out on the xiatami. The men of the Order of Embers will accompany Faramund when he marches, and we’ll push the xiatami out of Mourdrech entirely.”
“I hope so,” said Adalhaid. “I am glad that you are here, Tyrcamber. Gladder than you know. If you hadn’t been here, my husband and my children would now be ashes.” She looked over Tamisa. “And God knows how many others.”
“I only did what I could,” said Tyrcamber.
She smiled at him. “And it was enough.”
###
Later that morning, Tyrcamber walked into the barracks in the Order’s chapterhouse. He had greeted Rudolf in the courtyard, and the Order’s serjeants were mustering. The Duke intended to march out at noon, and Sir Rauldun and the men of the Order of Embers would depart with Faramund’s army. There were a thousand details that needed attending, the sooner, the better.
This floor of the barracks was a long room holding a score of beds, wooden storage chests resting along the wall. Tyrcamber stepped forward, intending to cut through the barracks on his way to the stables, and came to a stop.
The Guardian Rilmael stood in the center of the room, leaning on his staff.
“Sir Tyrcamber,” said Rilmael. “I wished to bid you farewell before I departed.”
Tyrcamber blinked. “You’ll not be accompanying us against the xiatami?”
Rilmael shook his head. “I fear I am needed elsewhere. And, in truth, Duke Faramund and Sir Rauldun have things well in hand here. The xiatami are not willing to face a strong response, and the Duke will have no trouble pushing the raiders back.” He smiled. “A short campaign. The sort where a young knight can win glory and renown.”
“I used to care about such things,” admitted Tyrcamber. “I need to ask you a question.”
Rilmael inclined his head. “About the Heralds of Ruin and the Warden? I still do not know what they are. The Warden is one of the titles of a dark elven lord of great power, but he is imprisoned on another world far from here. I do not know why the Dragon Cult speaks of him in their prophecies.” A frown went over his face. “I do not know why the Theophract has told them of him.”
“I did wonder that,” said Tyrcamber, “but I wished to ask you about something else.” Rilmael nodded again. “Fifty-seven of Faramund’s men died in the fighting, and as many cultists.” He hesitated. “Could we not have saved them?”
“If it was in my power to heal them, I would have done so,” said Rilmael.
“That’s not what I meant,” said Tyrcamber. “I wondered…so many men died. Could we have done something differently? If we had acted sooner, if we had chosen a different path…might we have saved more men?”
“Possibly,” said Rilmael. “But if we had made different decisions, it is also possible that Dietrich would have killed us all and rampaged through Tamisa and then Mourdrech. Tens of thousands might have died then. More if the new Dragonmaeloch had raised an army and marched into the heart of the Empire. The cost was high, but it could easily have been much worse.”
“I know that,” said Tyrcamber. “I just…”
“I understand,” said Rilmael, his voice quiet. “I have known that regret, too. For a very, very long time. It does not get easier, but I can tell you this. The burden of power is responsibility, making the choices to use that power well. Perhaps if I had chosen better, more men would have survived. But if I had chosen differently, things might have ended in disaster.” He shrugged and sighed. “You must choose to use your power as wisely as you can, and trust to God for the rest.”
“I suppose so,” said Tyrcamber. “But why are you telling me this? I have no more power than any other noble of the Empire. Well, stronger magic, since I joined the Order of Embers, but not that much stronger.”
“That is still power to be used wisely,” said Rilmael. “And…” He hesitated, seeming to argue with himself, and then kept speaking. “And if you continue on your path, Sir Tyrcamber Rigamond, then one day you may come to great power.”
Tyrcamber blinked. “What kind of power? Do you see my future?”
“Your future has many different shadows of possibility,” said Rilmael. “Some good, some evil. It is up to you to choose which shadow becomes the true future. And, yes, in some of those you rise to great power. But, for now, you have the duties of a soldier before you. The preceptor will need your help on the campaign.” He held out his hand. “God go with you, sir knight.”
Tyrcamber gripped his hand. “And you, Guardian.”
Rilmael departed, and Tyrcamber walked to the courtyard.
“Sir Olivier!” said Tyrcamber. He was surprised to see Olivier and Thunder Cloud. “You’ll be marching with our serjeants?”
“Aye,” said Olivier with an easy grin. He had gotten off lightly from his crash, with only some bad bruises and a sore hip. “The deputation from the Order of the Griffin ought to join us today, and the Duke wants me to keep watch for them. Since you lot are in the vanguard, I thought I would march with you.” He grinned. “And I’ve got to keep up. You slew a Dragonmaeloch! I’ll have to do similar deeds of renown in the desert, or else I’ll be overshadowed.”
Tyrcamber laughed. “Sir, you are welcome to it. After fighting a Dragonmaeloch, I shall be more than happy to let other men win all the glory in battle.”
An hour later they marched from the chapterhouse, moving to join Duke Faramund’s force.
###
Rilmael stood on the road overlooking Tamisa and watched Duke Faramund’s army head south.
He looked into the shadows of the future with the Sight and saw that they would almost certainly be victorious. The xiatami had no wish for an extended conflict, not when they faced the risk of attack from the cities of the southern umbral elves, and they would withdraw after offering some moderate concessions. Rilmael’s help was needed here no longer. The Dragonmaeloch had nearly wrought disaster, but the potential catastrophe that the twisted creature represented had been cut short.
It had been cut short by Tyrcamber Rigamond.
Twice now the young knight had helped Rilmael avert disaster.
Again, he grasped for the Sight and looked into the future, seeking the shadows of Tyrcamber’s fate.
Rilmael shivered.
There was a possibility, a real possibility, that a dire fate awaited Tyrcamber, that his choices would decide the fate of the Empire…and with the Empire, the fate of Cathair Kaldran and this world itself.
Rilmael would guide the young knight if he could.
But it would be up to Tyrcamber to face his destiny.
THE END
Thank you for reading MALISON: DRAGON FURY!
Sir Tyrcamber's adventures will continue in MALISON: DRAGON UMBRA (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=10857), the next book in the series coming in 2019. Meanwhile, to find out more about the mysterious Warden, check out FROSTBORN: THE FIRST QUEST (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4439).
If you liked the book, please consider leaving a review at your ebook site of choice. To receive immediate notification of new releases, sign up for my newsletter (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1854), or watch for news on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Jonathan-Moeller-32877398723018
9/).
***
Other books by the author
The Demonsouled Saga
MAZAEL CRAVENLOCK is a wandering knight, fearless in battle and masterful with a sword.
Yet he has a dark secret. He is Demonsouled, the son of the ancient and cruel Old Demon, and his tainted blood grants him superhuman strength and speed. Yet with the power comes terrible, inhuman rage, and Mazael must struggle to keep the fury from devouring him.
But he dare not turn aside from the strength of his blood, for he will need it to face terrible foes.
The priests of the San-keth plot and scheme in the shadows, pulling lords and kingdoms upon their strings. The serpent priests desire to overthrow the realms of men and enslave humanity. Unless Mazael stops them, they shall force all nations to bow before the serpent god.
The Malrag hordes are coming, vast armies of terrible, inhuman beasts, filled with a lust for cruelty and torment. The Malrags care nothing for conquest or treasure, only slaughter. And the human realms are ripe for the harvest. Only a warrior of Mazael’s power can hope to defeat them.
The Dominiar Order and the Justiciar Order were once noble and respected, dedicated to fighting the powers of dark magic. Now they are corrupt and cynical, and scheme only for power and glory. They will kill anyone who stands in their way.
To defeat these foes, Mazael will need all the strength of his Demonsouled blood.
Yet he faces a far more terrible foe.
For centuries the Old Demon has manipulated kings and lords. Now he shall seize the power of the Demonsouled for himself, and become the a god of torment and tyranny.
Unless Mazael can stop him.
Read Demonsouled (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=880) for free. Mazael's adventures continue in Soul of Tyrants (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=911), Soul of Serpents (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1287), Soul of Dragons (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1727), Soul of Sorcery (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1845), Soul of Skulls (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2808), and Soul of Swords (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3599), along with the short stories The Wandering Knight (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3073), The Tournament Knight (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3677), and The Dragon's Shadow (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2635). Get the first three books bundled together in Demonsouled Omnibus One (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4442).
The Ghosts Series
Once CAINA AMALAS was the shy daughter of a minor nobleman, content to spend her days in her father’s library.
Then sorcery and murder and her mother’s treachery tore her life apart.
Now she is a nightfighter of the Ghosts, an elite agent of the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar. She is a master of disguise and infiltration, of stealth and the shadows.
And she will need all those skills to defend the Empire and stay alive.
Corrupt lords scheme and plot in the shadows, desiring to pull down the Emperor and rule the Empire for their own profit and glory. Slave traders lurk on the fringes of the Empire, ready to seize unwary commoners and sell them into servitude in distant lands. Yet both slave traders and cruel lords must beware the Ghosts.
The Magisterium, the Imperial brotherhood of sorcerers, believe themselves the rightful masters of the Empire. With their arcane sciences, they plan to overthrow the Empire and enslave the commoners, ruling all of mankind for their own benefit. Only the Ghosts stand in the path of their sinister plans.
And the Moroaica, the ancient sorceress of legend and terror, waits in the shadows, preparing to launch a war upon the gods themselves. She will make the gods pay for the suffering of mankind...even if she must destroy the world to do it.
Caina Amalas of the Ghosts opposes these mighty enemies, but the cost might be more than she can bear.
Read Child of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1057) for free. Caina's adventures continue in Ghost in the Flames (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1265), Ghost in the Blood (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1383), Ghost in the Storm (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1931), Ghost in the Stone (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2520), Ghost in the Forge (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3181), Ghost in the Ashes (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3932), Ghost in the Mask (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4231), and Ghost in the Surge (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4637), along with the short stories Ghost Aria (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3243), Ghost Claws (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3930), Ghost Omens (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4235), The Fall of Kyrace (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4258), Ghost Thorns (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4639), Ghost Undying (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4662), Ghost Light (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5653), and Ghost Dagger (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2371), and the prequel novels Blade of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6220) and Champion of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6304). Get the first three books bundled together in The Ghosts Omnibus One (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4484).
The Ghost Exile Series
Caina Amalas was a nightfighter of the Ghosts, the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar, and through her boldness and cunning saved the Empire and the world from sorcerous annihilation.
But the victory cost her everything.
Now she is exiled and alone in the city of Istarinmul, far from her home and friends. Yet a centuries-old darkness now stirs in Istarinmul, eager to devour the city and the world itself.
And Caina is the only one that stands in its way...
Read Ghost in the Cowl (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4903), Ghost in the Maze (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5090), Ghost in the Hunt (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5244), Ghost in the Razor (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5553), Ghost in the Inferno (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5759), Ghost in the Seal (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5924), Ghost in the Throne (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6145), Ghost in the Pact (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6629), and Ghost in the Winds (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6694) along with the short stories Ghost Sword (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4911), Ghost Price (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5105), Ghost Relics (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5265), Ghost Keeper (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5481), Ghost Nails (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5504), Ghost Lock (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5776), Ghost Arts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=5937), Ghost Vigil (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6153), Ghost Mimic (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=6648), and Ghost Vessel (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7028), and read the combined short stories in Exile of the Ghosts (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7936).
The Ghost Night Series
Caina Amalas was once a deadly Ghost nightfighter, a spy and agent of the Emperor of Nighmar. Now she only wishes to live quietly with her husband.
But civil war grips the Empire, and Caina's skills are needed against the cruel sorcerers of the malevolent Umbarian Order.
And Caina has a dangerous connection to the Umbarians.
For Caina's mother had many deadly secrets, secrets that might yet kill Caina herself...
Read Ghost in the Ring (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7928), Ghost in the Glass (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=7954), Ghost in the Amulet (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=8895), and Ghost in the Tower (https://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=10346).
>
The Third Soul
RACHAELIS MORULAN is an Initiate of the Conclave, the powerful order of mighty mages. But to become a full Adept of the Conclave, she must first survive the Testing. Those who survive the Testing never speak of the trials they endured.
Those who fail the Testing are never seen again.
And now the Magisters of the Conclave have come to take Rachaelis to undertake the Testing. And there she shall face perils to both her body and her sanity.
And creatures that yearn to devour her soul.
If Rachaelis survives the Testing, she will face even more dangerous foes. The demons of the astral world watch the world of mortal men, desiring to rule it for themselves.
And some Adepts of the Conclave are eager to help them.
Read The Testing (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1538) for free. Rachelis's trials continue in The Assassins (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1540), The Blood Shaman (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1542), The High Demon (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=1544), The Burning Child (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=2756), The Outlaw Adept (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3341), The Black Paladin (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3343), and The Tomb of Baligant (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=3345). Read the entire series in The Third Soul Omnibus One (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4021) and The Third Soul Omnibus Two (http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/writer/?page_id=4061).
Malison: Dragon Fury Page 13
