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

by Olney, Matthew

  She had hoped to escape Kingsford by sea, but that plan had been dashed after the Legion navy had imposed its curfew. No ships were allowed west past the Crag for fear of pirate attacks. With the western sea lanes closed off, the only other option she had would be to get passage on a ship heading east. But in that direction lay Retbit and more dangers. So she had tried leaving the city via the roads, but on every attempt she had spotted more of the Sarpi. They were searching for her, she was sure of it.

  Twice she had been pursued through the city’s maze of streets. The last time, she had been lucky to escape. She was running out of options.

  Eventually they would find her.

  She closed her eyes as weariness threatened to overwhelm her; she had not slept properly in days. Her coin had run out and so she was forced to sleep rough. She dared not use an inn again. The Sarpi had tracked her to the inn, and only through sheer luck had she managed to escape their clutches. She had considered going to the city guard but, after seeing what they had done to the poor wretch hanging in his metal tomb above her, she dared not. The guard had set about beating and torturing the lad with sickening glee.

  “The poor wretch,” a man’s voice said from close behind her. “They do this to a boy just because he has magic and they call wielders the monsters.”

  She swore loudly, her hand instinctively reaching for her dagger. She spun around and thrust the blade tightly against the man’s throat.

  The man smiled.

  “Kaiden?” Sophia asked in disbelief and relief. She lowered the dagger from her friend’s throat and stepped back, a look of apology on her face.

  “I would not have expected any other type of greeting from you, Sophia,” he chuckled. She laughed and hugged Kaiden tightly. She had never been so relieved to see someone she knew.

  Stepping back, Sophia took his hand and pulled him off of the cobbled road and down into a side street.

  “It isn’t safe here, Kaiden. I am being hunted,” she explained. She told him of what she had seen and of her ordeal. Kaiden’s eyes narrowed when she mentioned the Sarpi.

  “I have business with them myself,” he growled. “Now that I am here, I will help you. First though, I need to find a weaponsmith and get myself a sword. I had hoped to head straight to Caldaria, but without a weapon I would not last long on the northern roads.”

  Sophia could sense that there was a deep pain in her friend, but refrained from asking its cause. She was sure he would tell her in time.

  “Two against three are much better odds,” Sophia said with a smile. “Come on, I know just the place to get a sword.”

  She took his hand and led him through the backstreets.

  * * *

  They crossed through the gardens that lay at the heart of the city to avoid detection. The gardens were more like a miniature forest. They were filled with thousands of colourful flowers, and the treetops bustled with birds.

  Autumn was descending upon Delfinnia and the swallows and other migratory birds were preparing for their annual exodus south to the warm jungles at the heart of the continent of Yundol.

  It was the height of the day and the gardens were full of folk taking a break from their day’s labours. Young lovers ate picnics on the grass and old folk gathered to play chess in the verandas located along the side of the cobbled paths. It was a peaceful place. They hurried through the gardens and came out the other side and onto a busy thoroughfare bustling with merchant traffic.

  A cart had been upended and its load of apples lay scattered on the road.

  A few people were busy helping clear up the mess, but others swore impatiently at the red-faced cart driver. The tolling of ship’s bells could be heard coming from the nearby docklands.

  As Delfinnia’s largest seaport, Kingsford’s docks were capable of anchoring hundreds of merchant vessels at once. With the Legion-imposed curfew, all the ships that would normally sail west around the Crag to Blackmoor in the northwest, or turn north to sail up the wide tributaries of the Ridder River, were now all anchored in the port.

  Business was booming in the city as the idle sailors spent their coin on food, drink and whores. The brothel district on the waterfront was seeing record turnover.

  Sophia led Kaiden passed the overturned cart towards a walled-off section of the city. Thick black smoke from a hundred chimneys poured high into the air – the reason the district was named Smoke Town. Blacksmiths, shipbuilders, tanners, armourers and chemists all plied their trade in the hectic and stinking streets. Sophia and Kaiden walked deeper into the district until they came to a small building tucked in between a foul-smelling tannery and an alchemist store with windows lined with grime and strangely coloured liquids.

  Sophia knocked on the door to the little building three times. Kaiden looked up and noticed a sigil carved into the doorframe. He recognised the pattern as a Nivonian sigil used to ward off unwanted guests. After a while, the door creaked open. A stooped old woman peered at them through the crack. The woman’s hair was wild and silver, her ragged face offset by a surprisingly smart pair of glasses which sat on the bridge of her nose.

  “What do ya want?” the woman asked rudely.

  “Bess. It is I, Sophia. Can we come in?”

  The old woman leaned further out of the doorway to get a better look at her visitors.

  “Ah, Sophia Cunning, the witch hunter. Not seen you round here for years. You got skinny, girly, no weight on your bones at all.’ Bess then turned her attention to Kaiden. “And who is this lovely specimen of a man?”

  Kaiden smiled at the compliment and Bess cackled.

  “Ooh, you are one. I like you already.”

  “I am Kaiden, my lady,” he said with a bow. Sophia rolled her eyes.

  Bess clapped her hands together and led them inside. The small building was, in fact, a workshop. A forge dominated the ground floor and weapon racks lined the walls. Scattered about haphazardly were books each adorned with sigils. A larger version of the sigil above the door was on the workshop’s ceiling.

  “Bess, we are here to get a weapon for Kaiden,” Sophia explained. “I know we could have gone to any of the blacksmiths around the city, but I remember that your husband made the best silver swords in the kingdom.”

  The old woman who was now preparing two mugs of steaming Robintan tea. She stirred a cast iron pot, which sat above a roaring fire pit.

  “Ah yes, my Gravik was a fine smith. He made the best swords in the kingdom. He provided silver weapons to the witch hunters and Legions he did. Forty years he worked that forge. If you want silver then you must be going against something magical. What ye hunting? Werewolves? Banshees?”

  Kaiden whistled as he looked over some of the weapons in the racks. Each was made of solid silver. One sword in particular caught his eye, its long blade glinting in the light cast by the fire of the cooking stove. Tentatively, he wrapped his hand around the hilt and picked it up. Intricately engraved on the pommel were runes, and as he looked closer, he could see that more were etched into the silver blade itself.

  “That is … was, Gravik’s finest work,” Bess said sombrely. “He spent a whole year, night and day making that one. He called it Vengeance. He was always so dramatic my husband.”

  Kaiden stared at the sword. Its name seemed fitting, for vengeance was in his heart. He was about to speak, but Bess held up a bony finger to stop him.

  “It is yours. I may be old, but I see the fire in your eyes. Gravik would have wanted his best blade to be used instead of rusting away in this old place.”

  Kaiden was lost for words.

  “Thank you. I swear to you that I will put it to good use,” he vowed solemnly.

  Bess looked pleased, but Sophia and rolled her eyes.

  “Men! Always so dramatic!”

  * * *

  It was getting dark before they left the workshop. Bess told them tales of her time serving in the King’s legion as a young woman, and of her time working with the witch hunters. Sophia and Kaiden had al
so eaten well – Bess had wheeled out a huge platter of food. Cheese, bread and chicken had all been on the menu. Both of them had eaten greedily. Sophia had not had a proper meal in days, and Kaiden had been famished from his long journey from the Marble Shore.

  Cautiously, they returned to the streets and made their way towards the northern gate to where Kaiden had Herald stabled for the day. Finally, they reached the end of an alleyway and peered out into the wide street. The stables were on the opposite side. Sophia swore under her breath as she spotted one of the cloaked figures stood near to the gate, his glowing eyes the only thing giving away his location. Kaiden tapped her on the arm and pointed down the road. Sure enough, the other two Sarpi stalked up the street.

  “They always seem to know where I’m heading,” Sophia whispered. “It’s as though they can track me through my scent or something.” She took the bow from off her back and carefully notched an arrow. Kaiden drew Vengeance from its sheath.

  “You take the one nearest to the gate. I’ll take the other two,” Kaiden said. Sophia nodded, drew back the bow’s cord and stepped out into the street. As soon as she did so, the Sarpi spotted her. Their piercing glowing eyes narrowed as they picked up her scent. The scraping of blades leaving their scabbards sounded as they advanced. The two from the street hesitated as they spotted Kaiden stood behind her. Sophia loosed the arrow which slammed into the Sarpi at the gate, sending him staggering backwards. Kaiden bellowed a challenge and charged.

  Quickly, Sophia notched another arrow and loosed again. This time, the deadly projectile struck the Sarpi square in the head. A pained squeal sounded as the Sarpi staggered backwards.

  The clanging of steel sounded as Kaiden’s blade clashed with the Sarpi. With skilled footwork, he forced one of his opponents back and ducked under a swing of the other’s sword. He rotated his wrists and thrust upwards, slicing deep into his opponent’s naval. Another of the Sarpi hit the deck. The last Sarpi was more skilled and more cautious. The two warriors circled each other, each measuring up the other. Sophia and Kaiden had gotten lucky with their surprise attack, but now they faced an opponent who was prepared for them. With stunning speed, the Sarpi charged and ducked Kaiden’s sword swing. It took all of Kaiden’s skill to regain his balance.

  Blow after blow rained upon him as the Sarpi savagely attacked. Sophia tried to get a clear shot with her bow, but her foe was constantly ducking and dodging.

  Sweat was pouring into Kaiden’s eyes. He had never fought an opponent so skilled and quick. He stepped back, allowing the Sarpi’s blade to slide down his own.

  Digging his heels in, he pushed forward to bring them crashing together in a knot of straining muscle. He could smell his foe’s foul breath and hear its excited breathing.

  “What are you? Why did you take my wife and child?” he yelled.

  Memories of Alira and Ilene flashed into his mind. Thinking of them scared and alone sent a renewed strength coursing through his tired limbs.

  With a roar he pushed with all his might sending the Sarpi staggering backwards.

  Sophia let fly.

  Her arrow struck home, ripping through the Sarpi’s throat and dropping it like a stone to the ground.

  Kaiden placed his hands on his knees and breathed in the cold night air with ragged gasps.

  They had won.

  8.

  The training room was a large open space located in the basement of Caldaria’s main academy. Straw dummies lined one wall, whilst other equipment took up another. Mages of all abilities were practising their skills. A number of dummies were already scorched by a volley of fireballs.

  Luxon walked in step with Grand Master Thanos as the leader of the mages regarded the training students with a critical eye. The group that was being put through their paces today was the twenty students studying the mysteries of the Middle Ring.

  Each class in the academy was divided depending on their power and skill with the arcane. Those of the Lower Ring were taught the basics of spell crafting. The students of the Middle Ring were of middling ability. Luxon, however, was of the Upper Ring, the class that was home to the most powerful mages in Delfinnia. Even though he had been trained in the Void, and had mastery over the most powerful of magics, he was still learning. Even Thanos took part in the classes to keep his skills honed.

  Luxon smiled as Yepert spotted him and waved. His friend was part of the class casting fireballs.

  “I have training for you to do, Luxon,” Thanos said leading the way to a closed off section of the training hall. “Before I send you out on this mission to find your mother, I want you to learn some skills that I think may prove extremely useful.”

  The tall mage took a key from the chain at his waist and unlocked a heavy oak door, which he then opened with a push.

  They entered the small room. There was no equipment inside, just a mirror which covered the entirety of the back wall. Luxon raised his eyebrows.

  “I don’t understand. What am I –”

  He was cut off by a shrill miaow. He looked around and spotted a small black cat sat in the rafters of the room. The cat nimbly made its way down the wooden beams and leapt to the floor. Thanos walked over to it and stroked its back before picking up a grey robe which was hanging from a peg behind the door. He chucked the robe onto the cat. Luxon stared at his mentor as though he had lost his marbles.

  “Master … what are you doing?”

  Thanos smiled.

  The robe moved and then, to Luxon’s amazement, rose from the ground. The outline of a man appeared. The figure struggled for a few moments before turning around.

  A skinny man with wild white hair faced him and smiled.

  “Master Kvar?” Luxon asked dumbly.

  “Yes, yes, that’s me,” Kvar said bowing. “Grand Master Thanos told me that it was time I taught you the ways of Transmutation.”

  Luxon had been trained in all of the other schools of magic – Alteration, Illusion, Healing and Combat – but so far he had not been taught the ways of possibly the most dangerous school of them all. It was said that Transmutation had a strong effect upon the caster’s mind; its users had a reputation for being more than a little crazy. It was because of that reputation that few mages were willing to train in it.

  “I will leave you two to it,” Thanos said. He placed a strong hand on Luxon’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “Listen to Kvar in all things. Transmutation can destroy your mind if you are not careful. Kvar is the most skilled in the art in the whole of Caldaria, so heed his words.”

  Luxon nodded.

  The door closed and Kvar clapped his hands loudly, making Luxon jump.

  “A wizard! I have never had the honour of training a wizard. Did you know that Zahnia the Great was a master of Transmutation? In one of his many battles he transmutated himself into a wildcat. In another, he leapt from a falling tower and turned into an eagle and just flew to safety.” As Kvar rambled on, his eyes darted in all directions.

  Luxon gulped. He was a madman.

  “Stand in the centre of the room,” Kvar fussed. “Go, go, go!”

  Luxon did as he was told.

  “Before you can turn yourself into something else, it is easier to first master the ability to turn things, into other things.” The master reached into his robe and took out an apple. He tossed it to Luxon, who caught it easily.

  “Transmutation requires focus. A spell caster must put their very being into the thought, and then they must channel their power into it. Concentration is vital; that is why you should not attempt such magic whilst under pressure. Only the most powerful, the most focused, can do that. Now, turn that apple into a lemon,” Kvar said seriously.

  “Okay, I’ll give it a go,” Luxon answered, doubt evident in his tone.

  Kvar stomped his feet like a child and waved his arms about wildly.

  “No, no, no!” the master cried. “You must not have any doubt in your mind at all. You must believe it can be done. That is why Transmutation appeals to t
he strange, the dreamers. They believe anything is possible … and it is!”

  He pulled another apple from his robe and held it close to his chest. Kvar closed his eyes and muttered to himself. A light flashed in his hands.

  With a knowing smile, he opened his palm. Sure enough, the apple was no longer there. In its place was a juicy looking pear, which he then proceeded to take a bite out of.

  Luxon gawped in amazement. He narrowed his eyes in determination and concentrated. He pictured the apple in his mind’s eye and imagined it turning into a lemon. He opened up his mind and focused the magic within him. He could feel his forehead dripping with sweat, and pain coursed through his body. He focused harder. He could feel the texture of the apple begin to change, and the smell of lemons filled his nostrils.

  With one last effort, he squeezed his hands tighter until he felt juice covering them.

  Slowly, he opened his eyes and laughed in surprise. In his hands was a crushed lemon. He held his hand up to his mouth and tasted the sour juice.

  Kvar smiled happily.

  “You see – anything is possible. We must work on your control. We will train until you can transmute a rock into a diamond!” the master cackled manically.

  * * *

  Luxon was exhausted. Master Kvar had made him practise non-stop for five hours. His eyes were red and his head ached. He wasn’t annoyed, however; after his initial success, he had quickly progressed. He had managed to turn a stone into a piece of coal and then into a gemstone, before passing Kvar’s test of turning it into a diamond. He had asked the master why he didn’t spend all day turning rocks into diamonds; he could easily become the wealthiest man alive.

  Kvar had laughed hysterically before replying. “It may look like a diamond. It may feel like a diamond, but it is not a diamond. In time, the magic fades and it will turn back into a rock.”