War for the Sundered Crown (The Sundered Crown Saga Book 2)

by Olney, Matthew

  “We must reach the safety of a rune stone,” Luxon shouted to his friend.

  He had the hood of his cloak pulled close to his face in an attempt to shield it from the wind and rain. He was soaked through as the material offered little in the way of protection from the water. Just as he about to tell Yepert to keep moving, he spotted a shape moving in the tree line. He paused and gestured to Yepert to stay still.

  The two looked at each other in concern. Lightning flashed, illuminating the trees. Yepert cried out as he recognised the things watching them. The creatures had squat bodies lined with nasty looking black spines, which ran down their backs. Narrow yellow eyes were offset by a tiny nose and mouths filled with needle-like teeth.

  They were Fell Beasts of the Void. Pucks, to be precise. Countless numbers of the deadly creatures had escaped the Void at Eclin. Their numbers had multiplied over the years, so much so that the King’s Legion and the Nightblades had struggled to protect the realm’s roadways.

  Slowly, Luxon reached for the staff tied to his saddle. Yepert, likewise, reached into his sodden cloak for the short sword that hung from his waist.

  A tense silence fell as the mages and pucks watched the other. A loud, violent thunderclap shattered the stillness. With a chorus of high-pitched screeches, the pucks burst from the tree line to launch themselves at the magic users.

  Yepert yelled out in fear, but Luxon whipped his staff, Dragasdol, from his saddle. With a flick of the wizard’s wrist, the leaping pucks were blasted in all directions by magic.

  “Ride, Yepert, ride!” Luxon yelled as he kicked his heels into the flanks of his horse.

  He shot off up the road, his friend close behind. He dared look over his shoulder and instantly regretted doing so. Dozens of the Fell Beasts were gaining fast. Some ran on all fours, whilst other pursued them by swinging from tree to tree.

  Yepert cast a spell of his own. The trees full of pucks burst into flames, roasting a number of the vicious little creatures. Luxon reigned in his horse to face their attackers. He spied a large rock lying in a small clearing at the roadside. A snide smile creased his lips. Once again, he raised his staff. He focused on the rock and pulled it backwards. The rock shook before it ripped from the earth.

  “Let’s do some bowling, shall we,” he muttered under his breath.

  He swept his staff through the air above the road. As the pucks drew within striking distance, he jolted his arm backwards. The heavy rock flew across the road, striking a dozen pucks and sending the small creatures scattering like bowling pins in all directions.

  Luxon could not help but yell out in triumph. His joy was short-lived, however, when an ear-splitting roar came from the dark sky. The pucks skidded to a halt, their eyes growing wide with fear.

  “Luxon, what is happening?” Yepert cried out.

  It took all of Luxon’s skill to keep his horse under control. A second roar and the sound of massive leathery wings flapping drew closer. Luxon cried out when a flash of lightening illuminated the beast flying towards him.

  “Dragon!” He shouted, turning his horse and spurring it into a gallop up the road, Yepert close behind.

  The massive winged serpent rapidly gained ground upon the terrified horses. The animals panted in haggard breaths and foam came from their mouths.

  Luxon glanced over his shoulder and swore under his breath. An orange flame was building within the dragon’s throat. He could see that the beast was black, its scales were torn, and a vicious wound ran from its jaw to the top of its skull. Its eyes glowed yellow in the darkness. The dragon dove lower until its massive claws raked the treetops. Wood and leaves were sent flying in all directions as the trees toppled like dominoes. Another lightening flash revealed its sheer size. It was larger than a castle, with wings that stretched across the sky. Luxon yelled for Yepert to go faster, but he knew it was no use. Desperately, he tried to make out the terrain. With a free hand, he summoned a ball of magical light into existence and threw it with all of his strength. The bright ball of energy flew for several meters before exploding in a blinding flash. The surrounding countryside was revealed for a dozen miles all around. A pained roar let Luxon knew that the beast rapidly gaining upon them had been blinded momentarily by the spell.

  “Over there, head to the valley!” he shouted to Yepert.

  Off of the main road was a dip which led down into a narrow valley of stone. Yepert nodded in acknowledgement before violently yanking the reigns of his steed to turn towards it. Luxon did likewise. He cried out as searing heat threatened to overwhelm him. The dragon had unleashed its fire, vaporising the stone of the road and engulfing the vegetation in flames.

  Just as he thought the fire would reach him, his horse entered the valley. The dragon fire dissipated. With a frustrated roar, the monster pulled up to circle the skies above the valley.

  Luxon slowed his horse. His hair was wet with sweat and his cloak steamed from the closeness of the dragon fire.

  “We’re trapped,” Yepert, cried pointing to the far end of the valley. Sure enough the terrain beyond was impassable; a wide crevice lay at the far end.

  Luxon wracked his brains, desperate to remember where they were. A mental image of the King’s Road came to his mind’s eye. He sighed as he realised that they were close to the Ridder lands. The land to the west was riddled with deep valleys and canyons carved out by the fast flowing waters of the Ridder River. They were still half a day’s ride from Caldaria and safety.

  “Perhaps it will lose interest.” Yepert offered hopefully. The dragon’s roars however put paid to that. The beast was hovering over the valley; it was only a matter of time before it tried to get at them. Luxon closed his eyes. At Eclin, he had defeated a dragon, now to save himself and his friend he would have to face one yet again. He remembered the silver scaled Umbaroth and his promise.

  For the first time in countless ages, my kind is back where it belongs. Many of my kin will be lost and confused. I must find them and keep them safe. I will find us a home, one where we can fly in the blue freely and without fear.

  What had happened to Umbaroth? Five years had gone by, and there had been no sighting of the silver dragon. At first, it seemed as though he had kept to his promise, but then something changed. Dragons had returned to Delfinnia and destruction had come with them.

  “Stay here and get behind those rocks,” Luxon told Yepert, pointing to an outcropping. If something went wrong, he hoped the stone would offer his friend some protection from dragon fire. Yepert nodded, a look of concern on his face as he took hold of the reins of Luxon’s horse. Luxon took a deep breath and slid from his saddle. The weight of his staff offered him some reassurance.

  “Good luck,” Yepert said as he led the two hoses behind the outcropping. “You’re going to need it.”

  The storm had eased slightly as it moved off towards the east. The heavy rain had turned into a light shower and the wind had turned from a gale into a harsh breeze. Once again, Luxon summoned a ball of mage light into being and stuck it onto the top of Dragasdol. Cautiously he made his way down the valley. The ground was uneven and covered in small sharp stones. Eventually, he reached the valley’s end. Luxon peered over the edge of the pitch-black crevice. He shivered as the thought of tumbling into the gaping maw popped into his head. The dragon was circling in the skies above, the sound of its leathery wings flapping giving away its position. Luxon took a deep breath.

  “Come and get me, dragon!” he yelled. His voice echoed off the hills. Within seconds, the dragon replied with an excited roar as it dove towards its prey. Luxon jumped backwards when the massive beast flew past the crevice. It circled in a wide arc before landing surprisingly gracefully on the opposite side of the gap.

  The dragon watched Luxon with curious eyes.

  “You do not run, mortal?” it growled in a voice that sounded like thunder.

  Luxon puffed out his chest holding his head high.

  “I am Luxon Edioz, wizard and friend of the Dragon King Umb
aroth. Who are you?”

  The Dragon’s yellow eyes widened upon hearing the words. Its massive forklike tongue flicked out to smell the air, to smell the strange man who claimed to be a wizard.

  “I am Sarkin. I have heard your name, wizard. You were the one that set us free.” The beast’s eyes narrowed and its tail shook violently, setting off a rockslide on the hill upon which it sat.

  Luxon stepped back to avoid being hit by falling stones. Once the rock fall had ended, he raised his staff into the air and aimed it at the dragon.

  “Why have you and your kin returned here? Why are you harming the people of these lands?” Something was not right, Luxon could sense it.

  The dragon flicked its tail again before leaning across the crevasse. Its massive head came within an arm’s length of Luxon, who had to use all of his courage to not turn tail and flee. It was so close that he could clearly smell the dragon’s breath. It smelt like sulphur mixed with roasted pork.

  “We are here to reclaim our lands,” the dragon roared. “We were here long before you. The Great Drakis will make you all our prey to hunt and devour as we please. Now, wizard … get inside my tummy for I am hungry!”

  Luxon leapt backwards just as the beast’s head darted forward, its jaws open and wide. Using magic, he propelled himself out the way of the dragon’s snapping teeth.

  Sarkin reared upwards until he towered over the valley. An orange glow formed in his belly before moving rapidly up his body and into his throat. Luxon was ready. He braced himself and thrust his staff into the ground. The dragon unleashed his fire. The searing heat lashed downwards towards the wizard, but the flames never reached him. Instead, they dissipated harmlessly as Luxon’s magical shield absorbed the energy. The dragon roared in disbelief and fury.

  With a flick of Luxon’s free hand, the hundreds of sharp loose stones which covered the valley floor began to shift and move until they hovered in the air.

  “This is your last chance, Sarkin. Leave this place and never return or I will destroy you. Tell me of Umbaroth – does he live?”

  Sarkin hissed in response. His huge wings opened to balance himself as, with a massive talon, he ripped a boulder from the hillside upon which he sat. Luxon narrowed his eyes and focused on the rock. He clenched his hand into a fist and the rock exploded into tiny fragments.

  The dragon roared in surprise and pain as its talon was hit by the shattered rock. Quickly, Luxon thrust his staff forward, sending the hundreds of sharp stones shooting towards Sarkin’s exposed wings. The deadly projectiles slammed into the soft leather, shredding them in the process. With its wings damaged, the dragon lost its balance. With a panicked shout, the huge creature toppled into the deep crevice.

  Luxon had to steady himself as the beast bounced and crashed off the valley’s sides. With every impact, the ground shook.

  “Are you alright?” Yepert called from behind him.

  “I’m fine. We should be safe –” Before he could finish his reply, a clawed hand dug itself into the ground in front of him. The dragon was climbing. Luxon was about to run, but Sarkin’s head came back into view. Once more, Luxon held his ground and pointed Dragasdol.

  “Impressive, wizard,’ the beast growled in pain. ‘For your courage, I will tell you what you wish to know,”

  Luxon lowered his staff in surprise. He had expected the dragon to try to eat him again.

  “In exchange, I ask that you mend my wings with your magic.”

  “Do you promise to never return to Delfinnia and to not harm the people?” Luxon asked.

  The dragon rolled its eyes.

  “Fine. I promise. You Delfinnians are all bone anyway.”

  Satisfied with the dragon’s answer, Luxon told the dragon to meet them back on the road. He would need plenty of open space if he were going to aid the huge beast.

  * * *

  Yepert held the reigns of the horses whilst Luxon set about healing the dragon’s wounded wings. Up close, Sarkin was even more impressive. The scales, which covered much of his body, were as hard as the toughest plate armour; his claws were sharper than glass, and his teeth were the size of a man.

  In the east, the sun was beginning to rise above the distant mountains, its warm light chasing away the dark of night.

  Luxon stood underneath one of Sarkin’s wings. With his hands pressed against the leathery skin, he focused with all of his might. A bright white light emanated from his hands. Healing magic took a lot of concentration at the best of times; with a dragon towering over him, it was more than a little daunting. Slowly, the damaged skin began to close and the tiny stones which had embedded themselves within began to drop out of the wounds and fall like hail onto the grass.

  It took him a full hour to finish the task but finally, with a satisfied sigh, he stepped back and admired his work. The dragon, too, seemed relieved as it stretched its wings and checked them over carefully.

  “Perhaps Umbaroth spoke truth, when he said that not all of your kind are foes of the dragons,” Sarkin muttered in gratitude. “Your kindness and forgiveness will not be forgotten.”

  Luxon stepped back and placed his hands on his hips

  “I have held my side of the bargain. Now, tell me of Umbaroth and tell me why the dragons are attacking the Western lands.”

  Sarkin nodded, his huge head before sitting back onto his haunches. Luxon tried not to smile, as the sight of the fearsome beast reminded him of an obedient dog waiting for its master to throw a stick and play fetch.

  “Umbaroth was usurped by Drakis, a dragon who was an enemy to the world of men before we were banished by the gods into the Void. With our freedom, Drakis and others refused to listen to Umbaroth’s message of peace. For a time we were free to fly in the blue without fear in a land far across the sea. But that all changed when men came. They hunted us and took our kin away.”

  Sadness entered Sarkin’s voice. “The first baby dragon born in thousands of years was taken by them: loaded into their wooden ships and taken from us. Drakis blamed the men of this land for the attacks. In their anger, other dragons joined him and turned away from Umbaroth. There was a battle, and Drakis emerged the victor. He sent others and me here to search for the baby and to learn of its fate. Umbaroth, shamed in defeat, was exiled. To where, I do not know.”

  Luxon stepped forward and placed a hand upon the dragon’s snout. He rubbed it reassuringly.

  “I had no idea. I will look into this. I promise you. I am a friend to the dragons, to Umbaroth. Return to your kind and tell them that Luxon the wizard is helping. Tell them to halt their attacks until I have answers,”

  Sarkin lifted his head and flapped his wings. With a flap, he lifted off the ground to hover.

  “I will do my best, wizard, but I cannot make any promises,” the dragon said, before it flew off into the brightening sky.

  5.

  Kaiden sighed contently as he watched the sun dipping below the horizon. The clear shimmering Marble Sea was the colour of fire as the last of the light danced and flickered over its surface. A warm breeze ruffled his hair and he breathed it in. The scent of desert sand filled his nostrils; the southerly wind was blowing from the hot land of Yundol, which was located far across the water.

  He smiled as soft hands wrapped themselves about his waist. Alira’s warmth pressed into his back as she hugged him tightly.

  “Dinner will be ready soon,” she said, nibbling her husband’s ear. “It is so beautiful here. I love it.”

  Kaiden turned and lifted his wife off her feet. Playfully, she struggled before sinking happily into his strong grip. The five years since Eclin had been the best years of his life. He had married the woman of his dreams, had a child and lived in peace. Since Eclin, he had not wielded a sword and he was glad not to.

  “I am starved,” he said, his stomach growling. “The new crops should be ready for harvesting by the end of the month, and I think I will ask some of the lads from the village to help with the task.” Alira’s long blonde hair lifted i
n the breeze, tickling his face. With his wife on his back, he walked back up the hill towards their small cottage.

  The cottage was sat on the top of a hill which overlooked a valley and the coast. To the north was a hundred miles of farmland, pockmarked here and there by small settlements and homesteads. To the east was the vast Fell Forest, which stretched all the way from Marble Shore to Retbit. Nestled amongst the other hills was the village of Seawatch. In Kaiden’s youth, his father had been lord of the land but nowadays the baron of Kingsford ruled the Marble Shore.

  After the horror of Danon and the destruction of his order, Kaiden had made a vow to Niveren to live a life of peace, and with Alira at his side he kept that promise.

  “Tamlin came by the house earlier,” Alira said. “He said that tales of those strange ships landing down the coast were still being told. Apparently, just two nights ago, a dozen more were sighted rounding Estran’s Point.”

  Kaiden chuckled. “Tamlin is always telling tales. He is the biggest gossip in the kingdom. Do you remember last year when he said he saw a sea serpent whilst on one of his fishing trips? Turned out it was nothing but a piece of driftwood.”

  Alira laughed at the memory. “We spent a whole day in that blasted boat until we convinced him of the truth,” she chuckled.

  Her laughs stopped, and Kaiden slowed to a stop as they crested the hill. In the distance, a plume of black smoke was rising into the sky. Kaiden lowered his wife from his back and held her hand tightly. As he focused, he realised that there were more plumes on the horizon, a dozen in all. The husband and wife glanced at each other before breaking into a run. Their house was just round the bend; if trouble was coming their way, they had time to escape it.

  Kaiden sighed in relief as they arrived at their thatched cottage. Sitting on the doorstep was Tamlin, and on his lap, giggling, was Kaiden and Alira’s daughter, Ilene. The middle-aged angler looked up and gave them a serious look.