Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga)

by Laszlo,Jeremy

  “You have left the race of humans behind, princess. Together you and I could rule the world. Think of it. It would be perfection. We could spend eternity together, you and I, and I would cherish you like never before. I would love you, and we could experience pleasures of the likes we have never before imagined. We could save the world from war and disease. There would be no more death. Together we could build a paradise unrivaled.” That was it… Her features changed. Her hatred lessened.

  “Sara. You could be my queen and we could save humanity and all other races from the pains of life. All wars would cease, and the entire world could live in peace.” She froze in her steps, her expression changing. Confusion? Was that what her eyes held?

  Cautiously he reached out his hands and took a step towards her. “Come, Princess Sara. Take my hand. Be my bride. Let us save the world together.”

  * * * * *

  Seth watched and strained and focused his power over the vast distance. He tried to remain patient. He watched the auras of Sara’s attackers began to wither away, their power being drained by the constant need to heal. Sara’s shrank too, but with constant power being fed to her from within the city she failed at a slower rate. He relented his magical barrage and watched as an aura dissipated.

  Unleashing another round, he waited again and watched. Two more fell. Again he attacked and again he abated. Sara must have taken the cue. Within seconds the remaining auras were destroyed. The only remaining vampires in Sigrant’s camp were himself and Sara, and it was obvious that Sara had the upper hand.

  Refocusing his attention, he was surprised to find Borrik just ahead and below him, though now no fighting was going on. Thousands of Sigrant’s troops had swarmed into the city but now they all milled around, unsure what had befallen them. The battle had changed. Valdadore was still badly outnumbered, but at least they were facing humans.

  It took only moments for the fighting to begin anew, Sigrant’s captains and commanders yelling out to create battle formations and defenders spilling down from the walls to fight in the streets of the city.

  Seth looked around and caught eyes with Borrik, who grinned menacingly. Garret’s forces would have to handle the interior of the city, Seth needed to stop the flow of Sigrant’s army and he had just the plan to accomplish it.

  Folding his wings he settled to the ground and, bending, he traced a symbol upon the rubble beneath him. Seeking out the symbol near the healers that he had created earlier, he siphoned the power from it, rendering it obsolete. Then reaching out with his mind, he located all of the medallions he had created in preparation for this battle. Grasping them with his power, he sent the command out on tendrils to all of them. Seth, save me. That was all it took.

  Near a thousand of his rat troops, and a half-dozen of his wolven commanders appeared with the blink of an eye, a confused and entangled mass of bodies.

  Heads looked this way and that, all of them trying to comprehend what had happened to them. Even Sigrant’s troops froze, uncertain what to do now that they were mixed with the inhuman forces.

  “Hold this line!” Borrik commanded, and as if someone had just animated their bodies both sides began to fight once more.

  Seth watched, ashamed, as Sigrant’s nearest forces were dispatched by his men. The butchery was short, but facing superior soldiers, Sigrant’s forces outside the castle fell back a short distance and began to regroup. Then, without warning, the war horns sounded.

  * * * * *

  Garret stood upon his mound of the dead, and hacked and slashed those opponents ignorant enough to believe that they could feed upon him. Near a thousand bodies lay wasted around him and beneath his feet.

  He had fought the weaker creatures with no issues, and even when the second wave arrived they failed to bring him down though they had tried several times. It was not until the earth shook and a blast of stone and dust clanged off of his metallic skin, that the king of Valdadore realized that there was an issue that could require his attention.

  Turning to stalk down his mound of gore, he cleaved a path through the vampires who now gathered to climb through the rubble-filled opening in the city’s defenses. Picking up speed as he charged towards the opening, smashing those vampires to slow to flee him, he watched as every one of them froze in their tracks and began looking around confused as if coming out from under some spell. It was apparent almost immediately that they had changed.

  Gone was their agility, strength, and speed. Returned were the human enemies Garret could hope to destroy. All he needed to do was keep them out of his city. Twenty more yards and the king of Valdadore slid to a stop, smashing the retreating forms of Sigrant’s soldiers beneath him, and cleaving a few more for sport.

  Within the chasm created by the wall’s collapse stood a new wall of fur and fangs. Seth’s unnatural soldiers had taken up the call to hold the intruders at bay. But why stop there when the enemy was on the run?

  Looking first to his brother, then to the mass of ugly little troops surrounding him, Garret pointed out to the fields surrounding Valdadore and shouted,

  “Attack!”

  From atop the wall, arrows and a handful of fireballs lanced out into the retreating forms of Sigrant’s force. Even Seth’s rat men and women took to the chase, pouring out of the gap in the wall like the rodents they were created from. Garret turned to lead the charge when the air was split by the sound of many, many war horns. The dwarves had arrived. Grinning, Garret knew that Valdadore would survive. It was time to put an end to Sigrant’s army.

  * * * * *

  Zorbin led the charge across the plains. They had witnessed the lightning show and could now see the silhouette of the city against the backdrop of stars in the daytime sky. Rushing headlong as fast as their mounts would carry them, the contingent of Dwarven warriors clung to their mounts and raced across the plains in leaps and bounds. At their current pace they could reach the city in a quarter of an hour, though it appeared the fighting was primarily on the opposite side of the city, judging by what they saw in the flashes of lightning.

  Less than half an hour, and they could lend the Valdadorians aid.

  A quarter of an hour passed under the thunderous drumming of the wolven paws. Without a war counselor at his disposal, Zorbin was in charge, and as such he thought about how to best approach the city. From opposite the conflict, they could round the city to either the north or the south, but if the enemy was concentrated on the western side, they could potentially flank them from both directions.

  Decided, Zorbin shouted his orders to the troops nearest him and the word spread. Less than five minutes later, with the city looming larger and larger, the Dwarven warriors broke into two units and turning away from one another moved to approach the battlefield from both sides. Looking back over his shoulder Zorbin spied Linaya, trailing nearly a mile behind, her mount struggling to keep pace with the more agile wolves. From here she had a clear path to the eastern gate of the city. She no longer had need of his protection.

  Pulling the war horn from his belt, he pressed his lips to the mouthpiece and blew with all his might. A deep blast issued from the intricately carved horn, which was picked up and repeated by every dwarf charging into battle. Bouldergate had come to Valdadore’s aid, and now the humans would know it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sara crept towards the man who had made her his captive just days before. She planned to kill him. She could not wait to hold his heart in her hand. She even thirsted for his blood, but would not allow herself that particular indulgence. No. Instead she would pull his heart from his chest and thrust it down his own throat.

  She heard his words. She ignored them. Moving ever forward, prepared to spring upon him at the slightest sign of a twitch, she continued.

  “However could anyone love you again?” he asked her.

  The thought had occurred to her. She wondered just how she could be with Seth when they now lived in virtually two different worlds. She was so fast and strong, but physically he
was fragile and slow. He could not even understand her words.

  “Does your prince love you? After all, he just tried to kill you,” his words broke through again.

  Would Seth really do that to her? No, it had to be a plan. Right? Seth loved her. He would never hurt her. Would he? He did say that to save many, a few sacrifices might have to be made. But surely he didn’t mean her. Did he?

  On and on Sigrant went, speaking of things that she all but ignored, her mind so full of doubt and confusion. But then, once again, his words caught her attention, stopping her in her tracks.

  “We could save the world from war and disease. There would be no more death.”

  There it was. The tree people had spoken of lives and collisions. Oh, what a collision this must be. Even Seth wanted to stop wars and death. He would do anything to accomplish it. Was this what it was all leading to? This moment? Is this what Seth had envisioned? Is this why he had not yet changed her back into a human? Is this what the tree people foresaw when they released her? Sara was a mess of emotion. His words were true. She could feel it. She could see it…

  In about a week a huge portion of the human race was changed into vampires. There were a few other small nations, but they would be no trouble. Within a few months’ time they could rule every kingdom. They could change everyone into vampires and no longer would disease be a problem. The solution was right there. The end to all pain and suffering. The end to all wars. The end to the gods’ plot to use the races of man to their own agenda. Sigrant had come to the solution that Seth had sought. Was he a player in the same game of thwarting the gods? Sara focused through her confusion to listen some more. Everything he was saying made so much sense.

  “Take my hand. Be my bride. Let us save the world together,” Sigrant concluded, stepping forward with his hands extended.

  Then it occurred to Sara. Shaking her head to clear his words, she focused on him again, realization of his true intentions filling the void left by his empty promises. The man was afraid of her and was only trying to gain her trust.

  “Fuck you, I’m married!” Sara spat at the invader, and sprang at him with all the speed she could muster.

  * * * * *

  Linaya’s mount was no match for the wolves at a dead run. It simply could not stretch its limbs out the way the wolves could and so could not cover as much ground in a single bound. Further and further the dwarves pulled away and Linaya watched them go, simply happy she had brought aid. Not long ago the ground had shook unnaturally and the sky was filled by magical lightning. The war was raging and it appeared to already be at the gates of the city. If Valdadore was besieged, the sooner the dwarves made it to the battle the better. Who was she to slow them?

  Racing along as fast as her Valdadorian warhorse could carry her comfortably, she aimed directly for the eastern gate of the city. It was dark for daytime, the eclipse hiding the sun completely, though she could still see the darkened silhouettes of the moons against the backdrop of stars. Even so, the stars seemed brighter somehow and she had little trouble picking out a navigable trail for her mount.

  Approaching the gate, she expected the massive thing to open and permit her entrance, but to no such avail. She screamed out to the defenders who should inhabit the wall, but no call came back in return. Confused, she trotted directly up to the gate and pounded her small fist upon the wood. Still nothing.

  With no other options presented to her, besides waiting to see if someone arrived, she decided to round the city to the next available gate and present herself there instead. Surely someone had to be manning one of the gates, who could let her in?

  * * * * *

  Just as if her move was announced by the horn blasts, Sigrant watched Sara tense before she sprang at him and, expecting the attack, he dropped and rolled to the side, barely avoiding the collision that might have been his last. Damn, she was fast.

  Rising again, he did all he could do. He ran. Sigrant sprinted just as fast as his legs could take him, little more than a blur of color to any of the humans on the field of battle. Sara was hot on his heels.

  It was a poor conclusion, Sigrant knew, but he no longer had any options in this battle. He could not simply go home, Sara would follow and eventually she would catch him. The best he could hope for was to destroy as much as he could while avoiding her wrath. A feat he was not sure he could accomplish for long. Though she was faster than he, Sigrant knew it to be both a blessing and a curse. She could outrun him in a straight line, but because he was slower he could change direction more easily, needing less time to alter his momentum, whereas she had to take wider turns in order to change direction. It was that understanding alone that he would use to his advantage, and began taking a very circuitous course across the battlefield.

  Sweeping low as he exited the remains of his camp, he scooped up a short sword and changed course towards his retreating army.

  * * * * *

  Garret led the charge on Sigrant’s troops, though slowed to a stop as the war horns sounded. They had not come from anywhere on the battlefield which meant that another force had arrived. The dwarves had arrived. Linaya was home.

  Garret looked upon the battlefield as the first mounted warrior of Bouldergate spilled out from around the northern corner of the city. Another blast of, horns and he turned to realize that another force came from the south. Both forces of dwarves were small in comparison to Sigrant’s remaining army, but even so, they each fanned out to flank the retreating forces and pen them in. Instead of attacking, however, the dwarves created a wall to either side of the invading army and dismounted their dire wolves.

  It was the wolves who sprang at the enemy first, but then explosions and popping sounds ensued as Garret realized what was occurring. All down the line to either side of the enemy, blessed dwarves called on their gods and charged into the fray. All but one.

  Garret turned as he saw the giant dwarf upon a giant wolf bearing down on him, and turned to greet his closest friend and most trusted ally.

  “Zorbin, you have returned!” Garret boomed in his blessed form.

  “Indeed, my king, did you have any doubt?”

  “I did indeed, Zorbin, where is my lady? Where is Linaya?”

  “More dwarves come, my lord, but seeing that you have them on the run I doubt we’ll need them. Oh, wait… Linaya is at the eastern gate, Garret. She is safe and well.”

  “Good,” Garret said, turning away from the battle. “You take over here.”

  Without further word, Garret turned and ran back the way he had come. Bounding through the rubble of the collapsed wall, he altered course slightly, aiming for the nearest stairs to the outer wall. Valdadore’s defenders had all but cleared them, making to the streets to fight off the invaders who had made it inside the walls.

  Climbing the stairs, he turned and ran across the top of the immense structure, his eyes on the city below. He was disgusted by what he saw. All the streets in the city were lit with torches and candles and lanterns, and from their light he witnessed as Valdadorian soldiers in armor leapt upon civilians and began to feed upon them. Everywhere was chaos, with people being assaulted in the streets, people fleeing from the monsters that smashed down their doors and crept through their windows. It appeared as if the whole of the city had become monsters like Sara. It had to be the work of his brother.

  Angered, he thundered on across the stone wall of the city the many miles it spanned, and reaching the corner of the wall he peered over into the darkness, seeking her out. Looking from his end all across the eastern wall to the opposite corner, he could just make her out in the poor light, approaching the opposite corner of the city. Finding the gate unmanned, she must have decided to head to the north gate instead. Deciding to meet his future bride at the gate, Garret began to run along yet another of the city’s defensive walls, and kept his eyes on her retreating form in the darkness.

  With every passing moment she grew more defined and he grew nearer. He was gaining on her, but she neared the
corner well ahead of him. He would have to make up the distance upon the north wall. Focused on Linaya, oblivious to even the chaos in the streets below, Garret was caught completely unaware when his world was tore apart around him.

  * * * * *

  Seth watched as the dwarves joined the battle, and although they seemed equal to the task of killing the humans, it appeared they fought only the aggressors, sparing those with their backs turned. It was an honorable way to do battle and Seth envied the dwarves this custom, even though they were indeed killing. He turned and watched as Zorbin the dwarf approached Garret, and still watched as Garret raced off, away from the battle. It was odd to see Garret behave in such a way, abandoning his own troops.

  Instantly, the giant of a blessed dwarf began to issue orders and blast upon his horn. It was apparent who now was in charge. Seth had a plan.

  Leaping into the air, Borrik joining his side, he sped as fast as his wings would take him to the apparent commander of the joined armies of Valdadore and Bouldergate. Landing before the dwarf, Seth bowed courtly.

  “Zorbin, it is good to see you returned. I should hope my brother filled you in on our plan?”

  “Kill the invaders?” The dwarf winked.

  “Just the opposite, if possible,” Seth responded. “See if your men can pen them in, and hold them. Let us see how much will they have to remain in the fight.

  “Aye, m’lord,” Zorbin replied and began to series of blasts upon his horn.

  It was an odd sight to see, but Seth watched on happily as the dwarves fell into powerful lines on either side of the retreating horde, and from behind the horde was penned in by his rat troops, but the real surprise was one that none expected. From out of the mass of retreating soldiers came a wall of bristling fur and fangs. There sprang ahead of the retreat a wall of growling and snapping wolves, shoring up the only exit Sigrant’s remaining troops had. Within minutes Sigrant’s troops laid down their weapons, formally surrendering to the smaller force that was Valdadore and Bouldergate. Apparently under Sigrant’s rule they had seen enough war.