The Sword and the Shadows_The First Chronicle

by Patrick Kriener

  “Yuri, ma’am. I am very hungry. May I eat?” The girl had pity on him and accepted, giving him a loaf of fresh bread and a mug of hot cider.

  The boy looked healthier after his meal. But it seemed he forgot what happened and even who the bearded man was. After he ate and rested, the girl stayed with him and she explained to him everything that happened, because the boy was eager to know everything.

  As he rested once again in a bed, he was thinking of the bearded man. He never remembered him; it could not be his father. They were separated at birth, but for whatever reason, he also could not remember his own father. His mother was dead and that had happened when he was born. He sat there for hours in the small, cozy room of the inn and thought of his past. He then blinked repeatedly and fell into a deep sleep, for it seemed the same thing happened but this time there was no one around to help him.

  * * *

  AT THE TIME OF YURI’S BIRTH…

  “Amelia, it’s a boy, sweetheart.”

  The caring mother carried the baby on the bed, after giving birth.

  They lived on the Cronus Mountains for a long time. They spent their lives working and making it through life in the lush vegetation areas of Cronus. There was a small hut near the town of Kilton, which was where they lived.

  “Oh my, what do we call him, Baldric? Please do tell the name you have planned.” Amelia looked at him with pleasure.

  They could never figure out that name for this baby, but then Baldric spoke in a sudden response. “We will name our son Yuri.”

  “Yuri? Please, our son is not an evil ruler. Let him have a name of delight or a noble conqueror. Like William or Renault.”

  “Amelia, I have thought of this longer than you; it is Yuri. Now may we enjoy this evening together on this peaceful and gods-blessed night?”

  An arrow pierced through the wood of the house. Then another came through the roof in a second’s time.

  “Amelia, grab the child! We are under attack!” Baldric grabbed his nearby sword and got it ready.

  “Baldric, what is happening?” Amelia was scared and held the crying baby.

  “We have to go now!” Baldric bashed the front door open and grabbed Amelia by the hand, as more arrows flew toward them.

  Suddenly from the trees, black hooded men popped out and stormed the house. This was in the opposite direction of where Baldric went.

  As Baldric ran and dodged two more sharp arrows, he saw the house burning to the ground. He turned back and saw Amelia on the ground, bleeding, for an arrow struck her in the waist.

  “Baldric, please leave me and take your son. I will die here!”

  Baldric did not care and he picked up Amelia with the baby. Amelia carried Yuri and charged down the hill where the arrows were not reaching them any longer.

  The grassy dirt turned red where Baldric stood. Amelia was running out of life.

  “Cursed thieves.”

  Amelia was sad and held Yuri close. “They will find us, Baldric, please; I implore you to take your son. They will be here any second and kill us. I love you, now please...”

  “Amelia no!” A warm tear flew from Baldric and landed on Amelia’s cheek.

  “Please, my true husband, leave me be and raise your son.” Her voice cracked and she was withering away from life.

  Baldric took the baby wrapped in the finest cotton and heard voices from the upper hill. The men knew where they were.

  Leaving Amelia behind to die was still haunting Baldric. An hour passed and he knew for a fact the village of Kilton was no more. He still held the boy in his arms.

  ”Yuri, my son, I love you. You mean so much to me.”

  The young one looked confused but stared at Baldric in the eye, and still had no knowledge of life.

  Baldric saw up ahead a cavern at the outskirts of the Cronus Mountains; he headed there and saw there was a camp fire in there already.

  He headed in and heard strange hymns being sung. It was like a hidden monastery, and there was thirty voices singing the same note at once.

  “Here, Yuri, this might be good shelter for a while. At least we lost those men.” Baldric set Yuri down on a rolled up blanket on the floor. This was at the entrance of the cavern. Baldric went deeper into the entrance trying to figure out who owned this hidden place.

  Chapter Four: The Snowcleft Spine

  FOURTEEN YEARS LATER…

  T he young Berek walked closer and closer to the foot of the great snowy mountain, covered in snow. He looked up, estimating the altitude; it had to be at least a hundred feet up. Berek sighed. What was he doing? This was a very foolish thing to do. He decided to turn around and head home. However, when he turned, he felt movement behind him. He quickly turned back and saw the light once again, only this time it was flashing.

  The golden light went on and off, repeating this every so often. Berek held a hand to eyes for better vision. He hollered out to the mountain, “Is anyone up there?” He waited for a response.

  No immediate response came. Berek knew this was quite an adolescent task, but still the smell of adventure had flown past his nose. Berek began to walk briskly up the snowy path. The path was long and would take some time to get to the summit. Berek stepped over fallen rocks and tree trunks. The night was cold and Berek pulled his cloak closer to his skin.

  The snowy air gripped him like a hand. His nose began to run, his snot instantly freezing. Berek had walked over three miles, which was only fifteen feet in the elevation. Berek had to stop and leaned against a rock wall. He slid to the ground, holding himself. He was shivering and was freezing to the bone. His eyes began to droop. He was tired and irritable with himself for doing this. As his head drooped down to his neck, he heard a terrible noise.

  It sounded like a high-pitched squeal of pain. Berek’s eyes suddenly opened. He pulled out Sufferthorn, gripping the golden handle firmly. He looked around. It was too dark to see anything, and Berek wished he had brought a light. Berek looked around, seeing nothing. The noise then came again, and Berek cried out. The sound was terrible and hurt his ears. Even though the sound seemed far away, it still rang in his ears, as though it had happened close to him.

  Berek saw some movement in the corner of his eye. He turned in the direction, seeing nothing. He felt wind rushing past him above his head. Suddenly, he heard a deep growl. Berek’s heart began to beat. He slowly turned his head and looked at a tall cliff on the Spine.

  Sitting there, glaring malevolently at Berek was a grotesque-looking bird. It was huge, almost as big as a horse. Glowing white eyes stared down upon Berek. Berek saw its talons were like sharpened daggers, ready to cut through anything. Suddenly, the bird screeched again. Berek had to cover his ears while the bird screamed. Then, Berek broke into a run, away from the bird.

  He heard its takeoff from the cliff, and heard it coming toward him. Berek looked up in the air and saw that the bird’s wingspan was around ten feet. Black feathers surrounded its body, along with numerous scars and scabs. Berek ran across the harsh terrain, keeping a long distance from the bird. The bird screeched again. He hated that sound, and wished he were back in his bed. Suddenly, Berek lost his balance and fell to the snow.

  He saw the bird circle over him and finally land next to him. It looked at him with ravenous hunger. A huge yellow beak protruded from its head. Berek felt for Sufferthorn, but could not find it. Berek looked around and saw he had dropped it several feet back. Berek groaned and slowly crawled back against a rock wall. The bird followed him, steeping closer and closer. Berek closed his eyes as he waited for the bird to attack.

  Suddenly, it seemed the whole mountain shook. Rocks and rubble fell from cliff tops. Then, a huge drop of snow fell on Berek, trapping him. The bird looked around in fear of the snow. The bird struggled around, lurching toward Berek, but could not reach him. Finally, it gave up and flew off, leaving black feathers in its departure.

  Berek shook off the snow and climbed on it. He groaned and felt exhausted. However, when he looked up
again, he breathed a sigh of relief.

  The light was only a couple more miles up.

  Chapter Five: The Summit

  B erek breathed a sigh of relief as he crawled toward the light. He used his elbows and hands to crawl across the snowy terrain. He groaned when his hand pierced a sharp rock, hidden from the snow. Blood seeped from the wound. He quickly stopped crawling and ripped a piece of his jerkin off. He tied it around his hand to stop the blood flow. He then began to crawl once again, hoping to reach the light before morning. His fears of running into the bird again were growing; the bird was trying to kill him. He knew if he ran into that bird again, only one of them would survive. He would be the least likely. Berek crawled faster and faster upon the mountain, until the path grew flat. His ears were popping and knew he had reached the summit of the Spine. He stood up, taking a small stick to walk on. He looked up and saw the light was now blocked by a large, temple-like structure.

  Berek walked slowly toward this temple, looking around on all corners. He unsheathed Sufferthorn from its handle. It was too dark to see clearly; he could not make out the stone shapes and figureheads that protruded from the temple. At the center of the temple was a large stone door. On all corners of the temple a lookout post was fixed, where it seemed a solider or a person of military-standing could look out over the Spine. Berek surmised this was a military fort, built for war. But why was the light shining here? Why did the demon in his dream lead him to this fort? Many more questions raced through Berek’s mind. Berek sighed. He was the biggest fool he ever knew. There was no light. It was only a dream. Berek grunted and turned back around to head home.

  ”Halt!” called out a voice. “Who goes there?”

  Berek looked around for the source of the voice. It had been so commanding, so forceful. Berek looked up to the lookout post and saw a torch shining against the sky. A male guard stood there, clad in silver armor. He had a bluish helmet, and bright silver-and-gold armor. A long, slender sword was strapped to his waist.

  ”I ask again, who are you?”

  ”I...um...my name is Berek,” replied he in a nervous voice.

  ”What is your purpose here, young sir, and at this hour?”

  ”I saw a light here, and I thought somebody here was requesting help.”

  “There is no light here, young one. You were a fool to climb this treacherous mountain. Go home to your kin, wherever they may dwell.”

  “No, you see, there was a golden light and a giant bird,” stammered Berek. “It was shining ever so brightly. I knew I had to-“

  ”Wait, a giant bird?” asked the guard.

  ”Yes. It tried to kill me. It had to have been the biggest bird I’ve ever seen and its cry was horrible.”

  The guard did not respond for a while. Finally, he spoke. “Stay here, lad. I will open the gate and you shall be greeted by my commander and master.”

  The guard left his post and Berek saw the torch light empty the lookout post. Berek shivered, pulling the cloak tightly to his chest. Within a few minutes, the gate pulled open, revealing the same guard. He was not alone however. Another man stood at his side. He was wearing a long, brown robe which reached his toes. A long, black ponytail was tied up behind his head. His face looked wrinkled and old. Another guard accompanied him, wearing the same armor as the first guard. The man in the robe stepped forward.

  “I am Jarem, young sir. The guard tells me you saw a gold light up here which gave you the mad idea to climb this treacherous mountain. Is this true?”

  ”Y-y-y-yes s-s-s-sir,” Berek managed, freezing his bones off.

  “Oh dear, what is wrong with you?” asked Jarem, directing the question toward the guards. “Bring this boy some warm clothes. Can’t you see he is cold?”

  ”Sorry, sir,” replied the guard. “I’ll get right on it.”

  “Good, yes,” said Jarem. He stretched out his hand and touched Berek on the shoulder. “Come in, boy. Tell us your story.”

  ”Excuse me, sir,” said Berek, “but what is this place?”

  “This is the home of the Shieldvanes, the Elite guard to Savenur Octavium. Come on in, boy, you are freezing.”

  Chapter Six: Secrecy of a New Empire

  FOURTEEN YEARS LATER…

  Y uri awoke from the sudden sleep. He was pouring of sweat and had a terrible headache. He got up and went downstairs to warm himself near the fire. As he did this, he had a drink and ate rationed food, seeing a few hours passed by.

  The maiden was talking to a few guards at the door; they seemed to not have much knowledge of the city and its routes. They had yellowish, brown armor and their swords were sheathed. They had shields strapped to their back.

  “Ma’am, I need to speak to him,” Yuri heard a guard say. “Please bring the boy here and…what is the boy’s name?”

  “I really do not wish to bring the boy here. He has been through much and I think he deserves a day’s rest. Tomorrow you can come back to see him.”

  “Bring the boy here, or we will get him ourselves!” The guard then stepped forward and told the others to follow him into the inn.

  “Stop, you will not come in here now!” demanded the girl as she stoutly defended her place. She looked at the barman. “Jordy, please help me!”

  The innkeeper stepped forward. “Good sirs, bring your captain here but do not come in by force, for we can talk it out.” As he said this one guard came up and stabbed him in the forehead, as his blood poured on the wall. Then as the girl screamed, the guard put his hand to her mouth and she became weak. He took her upstairs into one of the bedrooms, and dealt with her in there.

  “Ah, there! Corton, the boy... seize him!” The captain of the guard, Corton, arose and aided two other men to seize the boy.

  Yuri shouted out for help as he kicked them but was too weak to fight them off. The guard grabbed him and pulled him outside.

  “Corton, we can’t be caught; quiet the boy and we will get to the prison cells.”

  “You are right; get Damien upstairs and tell him we head to the sewers and then get to the prison. No one is out here at this hour, for it is late indeed. Even the guards are half asleep but in a matter of minutes they will notice a mix up at the inn here and we must be quick; retrieve Damien and let’s go.”

  The four guards regrouped and two carried the boy, for he was knocked unconscious. They saw the sewers and began to head down. It was dark and very putrid. The odor was of death, but the guards knew the cells were not far.

  “Aye, our Lord Zoran said we must find a man named Dalkreen. He was with the boy before he was brought to the inn. He is a middle-aged man and tall, with a black beard running down to his chest. His hair should be long and Zoran also mentioned he will have a potion with him, so that is how we will tell.”

  They passed the eastern portion of the sewers and found a tunnel that lead to its end and to the prison.

  “There we are, clear the place. Let’s kill the sentry... quietly.”

  Yuri was beginning to wake up, for he had the worst headache and appeared to be terribly sick.

  “Here, let the boy down, and Damien will watch him, so he does not try anything... funny. Follow me.” Corton entered the prison quietly with the two others.

  Yuri waited there and puked a few times of his sick stomach. The smell of the prison appeared to be worse than the smell of his vomit. They were hidden well in the corner of a crevasse. The entrance to the prison was large and appeared to be an unlocked iron door that was opened recently by a sentry.

  “It is very dark, sir, where am I?” asked Yuri groggily. “May I have some water?” The boy was full of needs, but the guard did not respond. As Yuri looked closely, the guard took out a book and started reading words of gibberish. Yuri was curious.

  After waiting long enough, he heard in the distance Corton’s voice talking with the bearded man he was with earlier. They exited the prison cells and found the guard with the boy, Yuri.

  ”Ah, then this is the little boy we will bring back with
us,” stated the bearded man.

  “Yes, Zoran will be pleased.” The bearded man, Dalkreen, laughed and then patted the boy on the shoulder and pulled him up from his restful position. He looked him close in the eye.

  “Yes, he will be pleased.”

  Chapter Seven: Feurindal

  ONE DAY LATER…

  Y uri’s eyes opened in quick fashion. Fresh sunlight was beating against his eyes. He nudged his head up and looked around. It appeared he was in the middle of a forest, trees covering the ground and grass as high as the stumps. He breathed in fresh air and wondered why he was here. He could remember nothing; it seemed it could have been all a nightmare. He was covered in sweat, and all the peace of the outdoors did not relax his tension.

  Yuri looked above a hill; he saw there was a city in the distance. Yuri could tell he was near a major city for the size of it.

  “Hello?” There was no sudden response but he kept alert. Looking in his pockets and the belt around his waist, he found no weapon and nothing to defend himself with. Hunger filled him and he was overwhelmed by fear of bandits on the road and wild beasts. From the road ahead of the city was a man with a robe and turban that covered his head. He seemed like a merchant, for he had a donkey with him and a carriage that covered many supplies, including the smell of fragrance and fresh meat.

  “Sir, excuse me... sir!” The merchant tried to ignore the boy as he approached him, towards the inner road.

  “What, boy? I have no time.” Yuri looked at him with need.

  “Sir, I am lost. I don’t know where I am and I am very hungry, please help!” The merchant looked at him with disdain and greed.

  “Listen boy... I have a job, to make some coins for m’ self. I have no time and not even the slightest pleasure of helping innocents like you. If you have money, buy something from me and if not... good riddance.”