The Sword and the Shadows_The First Chronicle

by Patrick Kriener

  Suddenly, a large ball of fire was sent hurtling at him.

  Berek had no time to move and was stuck there. Aleazar snapped his fingers and the fireball disappeared.

  “Who goes there?” asked a foul voice from the inside.

  “My comrades and I are here for the sword!” shouted Berek.

  “What sword?” asked the voice.

  “Listen, if you do not give us the sword, we shall storm your shack and take it by force!”

  “Who are you?” demanded the voice.

  “My name is Berek of Belmar. This is Helen, Roark, and-“

  “Berek?” asked the voice.

  “Yes,” he answered. “Do you know me?”

  Suddenly, the wooden door jingled, for chimes and bells hung over it. The door flew open and a woman stood there. She was very old, and had long, gray hair. Her face was wrinkled and worn, yet she possessed a beauty somehow. But she was very familiar. She looked like the dead woman in Berek’s dreams. She stepped closer, away from her shack, and into the light. Berek gasped, finally recognizing her.

  “Yes, I know you,” said the witch.

  “Mother?”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight: The God of Order and War

  “W

  hat is wrong?” Yuri tried to sort out the problems of Dalkreen’s sorrowful nature.

  “I would go see Zoran, because another mission is appointed to you.”

  Vormis and Tablitha walked out from the living quarters and saw Yuri. “Kullian is near Zoran’s main quarters; we should head up there for next mission briefing.”

  “I thought Dalkreen would assign us missions for now?” asked Yuri looking up to Dalkreen.

  “Something different came up, and this time...it is a much more severe situation.” Dalkreen led the two near the terrace and left from there.

  The chains spun on the terrace wheels as Yuri and the two headed up with him.

  “I am sure it is another unnecessary favor of Zoran.” Vormis felt terrible in mood, and Tablitha became annoyed with him.

  “Listen... I am sure Kullian will be there to help us, for he is Zoran’s best unit as of what I heard.” Yuri then smiled at her, though she spoke lies of him. Kullian was not the best, but Yuri wanted to take advantage of him, hoping this next mission will sort out this problem.

  “His acts of heroism are small, and I have not seen much of his agility and strength in combat yet...”

  “I am sure you will always be the better one, if you want my opinion.” Tablitha once again moved close to Yuri, he tugged her close to his waist. She did not mind.

  The terrace stopped and the three moved closer in to the temple. More ancient words of the Blood Shadows were spoken and Yuri saw once again the statue of Drahk.

  “There, I see Kullian waiting.” Tablitha ran to him.

  “Finally, I hope all of you slept well,” spoke Kullian, “especially you Tablitha; did you get enough rest?”

  “Enough of your flap-doodle, let’s see Zoran!” Vormis pushed Kullian out of the way.

  Zoran was sitting on the main throne chair of the quarters. He was seen sharpening a double-bladed knife on the hard-wood table.

  “There you are! Yuri, good morning.” Zoran stood up, observing the three with him. “All of you may wait near the elevating terrace, for Yuri is the only one I wish to see.”

  Tablitha released her warm, soft hands from Yuri. The three exited in disappointment.

  Zoran got up and locked the tall door behind them. “Well Yuri, there is another mission; this time it is a mandatory one.”

  “Well, my ears are open to you.” Yuri wished to see Tablitha again, but had to concentrate on the briefing.

  Zoran sat back down and held the beautifully-sharpened knife in his hands. “To be very brief... we are missing a thick, gray tome. It is called the Maldark Santorium, which has the summoning power to bring-“

  “Drahk into existence. Yes I know of this.” Zoran was pleased with Yuri’s knowledge of the tome.

  “Supposedly written by Bael Drahk himself, this is the key to rule with our own god over Alundiel. To unleash him from the very pit of Furyion itself.”

  “So this is like a gateway, something that appears to be a door of spirits or something?”

  “As a portal, yes. Melageth, the Lord over the Ancients and the God of Trickery and Deceit, purged such an army and took over the lands of Alundiel. Even we, the Blood Shadows, could never achieve such a conquest.”

  “Why did Melageth ever enslave Drahk into the plane of Furyion?” Zoran looked close into Yuri’s eye, and the sight of was unbearable.

  “Trickery, my friend. Melageth took advantage and gained the army of the Ancients for himself; they had powers and skill in battle no other race could achieve. The four Gods who ever lived were, of course, Drahk, Melageth, Avrendur, and Raphah. Melageth destroyed both Avrendur and Raphah, but saw only Drahk was important and kept him alive. Though Drahk wanted rule... and that is what Melageth allowed him. The planes of Furyion were the dark, fiery evil that spreads throughout its land; this was to be Drahk’s new realm.”

  “So, Drahk rules over demonic forces such as the Baelrytes.”

  “I see you spoke with Tablitha; she always had such wonder and fantasy of the Baelrytes. She studied many of these creatures from old tales and her research. Much like the Baelmora, who are warriors in human-form, which do not compare with the Ancients’ strength.”

  “The Ancients live through multiple lives-“

  “Unless they are slain through the Sword. My knowledge does not yet indicate of what the Sword is, but whoever wields such a blade will destroy the Ancients... forever.”

  After this was said, Yuri understood the reason of Drahk’s disappearance from the real realm of Alundiel.

  Zoran continued, “You will go to the Snowcleft Spine; seek Dalkreen. He will have a map to your destination, reaching the edge of the Spine where the book may be found.”

  Yuri stood up the same time as Zoran. “I will Lord; I will return with the Maldark Santorium.” Zoran smiled and tapped Yuri to the shoulder.

  “Go now! May the God of Order and War guide you.”

  Yuri left the quarters, as those were Zoran’s final words to the mission.

  “So, where to?” Kullian was eager to know where they would go.

  “We will head to the Snowcleft Spine, ahead of Belmar, and reach the edge Spine, where we will find this book.”

  Dalkreen approached the four.

  “What book?” asked the three assistants at the same time.

  Dalkreen spoke before Yuri. “The Maldark Santorium. Here is the map Yuri, and your horses will be near the exit.” Dalkreen shook his head in trust toward Yuri and the three. Then they walked near the statue of Drahk, with many priests. The terrace stopped and they exited.

  “I cannot believe we are being appointed with such mission. What an honor,” Vormis said.

  “Yes, but remember the true purpose of this mission: it is not for our gain but for our Lord.” Tablitha felt excited and Yuri felt the same as her.

  “So, did Zoran ever ask what happened with Hulio?” Kullian wondered, as Yuri responded to his question.

  “I will never let that wonder go; Dalkreen may have spoken to Zoran about it. But I still don’t know how he really died.”

  They approached the horses and got on them. They exited the Mothdew Caves and started to tread toward the Snowcleft Spine.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Sorceress

  B erek could not believe his eyes. They were definitely deceiving him. His mother was dead; she had died long ago. This could not be her. Yet it was, as Berek got a good look at her. She was a lot older, and she looked very restless. She had bloodshot eyes, and a dark complexion. Long, silver hair flowed down to her shoulders. Her hair was messy, and looked dirty. She was dressed in long, brown robes. Her robes were worn out and had holes appearing in them. She stepped out further in the light, coming near Berek.

  “But...” he stuttered. �
��You’re dead!”

  “No, son, I am alive, as you can see,” she replied. “Step inside, and everything will be explained.”

  She turned on her heels and walked quickly inside the shack. Berek looked to his group; they wore bewilderment on their faces. Berek shrugged and began to walk up the small stairs and into the shack. Suddenly, a hand gripped him from behind and turned him around. Aleazar was standing there, looking fierce.

  “This is your mother?” he asked.

  “Yes, elf, you can see, can’t you?”

  “You said she was dead!” he yelled. “How can we trust you, if you lie to us like this?”

  “I didn’t know!” yelled Berek to his face. “Unhand me, elf, or you’ll regret it.”

  “Now, now,” said Roark, trying to calm them, “we’re all tense, and this mystery doesn’t help. Berek, you understand Aleazar. He doesn’t know what to think. Neither of us does. But I suggest we go in and find out.”

  “How do we know we can trust her?” asked Aleazar, releasing Berek from his grip.

  “She’s my mother!” yelled Berek.

  “We don’t know if we can,” answered Roark, “but she is our best bet for Dawnfrost, and I suggest we find out.”

  “You’re right,” replied Berek. “Come on.” He led them up to the door of the shack. “And try not to do anything stupid,” he said, directing it toward Aleazar. Aleazar scowled and they all stepped inside the shack.

  As they entered, an odorous smell filled their nostrils. It smelled of dead things and a type of liquid, alcohol perhaps. The main room of the shack was filled with objects of strange value. Queer supplies of wizardry surrounded them on all sides. Scrolls of magic were laid about the floor, rolled open. It was a very messy and unkempt room.

  A small, single couch was pushed up against the old wall. It was dusty and smelly, and holes were surrounding it. Miriam, Berek’s mother and the sorceress, stepped from a room to the right. She walked in, inspecting them all.

  “I never thought you would come in; I thought you would like to continue bickering.”

  “Sorry, ma’am,” spoke Roark.

  “It is no matter,” she answered. “Hector used to bicker all the time.”

  “Mother, please explain everything,” insisted Berek.

  “Yes, I suppose I should. Very well. Sit down.” She pointed to the dusty couch, and they all sat down on it, but not before hesitating. Berek, however, remained standing. Miriam took a deep breath and turned around, her back facing them. After a moment, she turned around and faced them.

  “First of all, as you can see, I am alive.”

  “Yes, how is that possible?” asked Berek. “The Ancients carried you off-“

  “Berek, son, do your best not to interrupt, for I have much to say.”

  “Yes, sorry,” replied Berek. “Please continue.”

  “Yes, the Ancients did carry me off into the night. As Hector was defending our home, one of blasted birds seized me. It took off from the ground and flew into the sky. I know not why this happened. Perhaps it wanted me for food, I do not know. Anyways, it took me to a cave on the side of this very mountain, the Spine. In that dark cave, were many human bodies, dead and alive. I was to be its food. However, one man, who was very healthy, gathered a group of survivors and initiated an escape. I was one of the lucky ones who did escape. When I did, I saw that the winter snow had left the land, and the sun was high in the sky.

  “I traveled back to our house, finding it burned to the ground. I believed you and Hector were dead. I wept for many hours, until finally I learned from a traveler that four years had passed since the attack. I had been in that blasted cave for four years, not even knowing it. After all, the Ancients can deceive you. With nowhere to go, I wandered the land as a beggar, seeking food and shelter. One day, I met a most strange hermit, living in a small house. It turned out, he was a sorcerer. He granted me the power of the Magika, and so I became a sorceress.

  “However, for fear of the Ancients finding out, I established a base, which is where you stand today.”

  “So you endured the worst,” spoke Berek, his voice quiet and somber.

  “Yes son,” she replied, a tear in her eye. “But all I know is you are safe and sound.”

  “Mother, I am glad you are as well,” replied Berek. “But our main objective is to find the sword, called Dawnfrost. I was told it was in your possession.”

  “Berek, I have the sword,” she spoke. “I knew one day you would learn of it.”

  “But mother, I also heard father was some sort of keeper of it. What do you know of that?”

  Miriam gasped, and stepped back. “Where did you hear such a thing, lad?”

  “From Jarem, leader of the Shieldvanes, and Gorzon, leader of a tribe of Reptikars south of here. Mother, please tell me!”

  Miriam sighed, and took another deep breath. “Very well. Your father fought in the war against Melageth. He was the one who defeated him, and Eretus Octavium locked him in his fated prison, the golden crystal. Your father kept the sword from me for years, until the day of your birth.

  “He brought the sword to me, showing me its majesty. He then told me to keep it in safety, and hide it. Then, he ordered I was not to tell anyone; except you. On the day you turned into a man, I was ordered to tell you about the sword and where I hid it. I do not know his reasoning for this; all I know is I have it here.”

  “I need the sword, mother,” spoke Berek. “If we have any chance of stopping the Ancients, Dawnfrost is our best bet. I need it.”

  “You’re right,” she replied. “Let me retrieve it.” She turned and walked out of view. Berek sat on the couch, next to Helen, and put his hands to his face.

  “I never knew,” he muttered. “I never knew she was alive.” Helen put her arm around Berek and pulled him close.

  “Berek, you never knew because you never heard. It is not your fault.”

  Berek nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Berek, what’s this?” asked Roark. He was standing next to a bookshelf. He pulled out a book from it. He turned around and revealed its characteristics to Berek. It was a small, gray tome, with a sigul, or a letter, of the Baelryte tongue.

  “I know that,” spoke Aleazar, standing up quickly. He walked over to Roark. “That is the Maldark Santorium. It is said to unleash the god, Drahk, upon the earth. But why would this old witch have it in her possession?”

  “I do not know,” answered Roark. “An item of this importance deserves to be better kept.” He turned to face Berek again. “Berek, do you think she would mind if I take it?”

  “Better ask first,” he replied. Roark nodded, holding the book to his side. They waited several more minutes. Finally, Miriam came back into the room, holding a cloth. The cloth was very large and was wrapped around something. Berek knew it to be Dawnfrost. He turned to Helen and smiled to her. She smiled back. Oh how he loved it.

  “Here my son, is the sword of Ice, Dawnfrost,” spoke Miriam. She came closer to Berek. Helen gripped Berek’s hand in excitement. She then turned and saw the hilt of the blade sticking out of the cloth. The hilt, however, was strangely small in appearance. Dawnfrost was said to be a short-sword and had a bigger hilt than the one Miriam was presenting.

  “Die!” shouted Miriam, quickly pulling the cloth off and revealing a small, black dagger. She thrust it out toward Berek. Helen had to act quick and pushed Berek out of the way. The black dagger stabbed into her stomach. She groaned, as blood came running down her side quickly. She lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

  “No!” shouted Berek. Miriam growled and pulled out the dagger. She came toward Berek with it again, a wild look in her eyes. Berek did not know what just happened. Roark quickly unsheathed his blade and ran to Miriam. Miriam stabbed out with the knife, but Roark quickly blocked it. Miriam then stuck out her hand and Roark was sent flying backwards. The Maldark Santorium, which had been in his pocket the whole time, was sent flying in the air. Miriam caught it, her eyes shining wit
h malice and her nostrils flaring.

  “You thought you could steal from me?” she screeched.

  “Mother, what have you done?” asked Berek, holding Helen. Suddenly, the door to the shack burst open and in came a pouring of numerous Ancients, standing in their human form. After the last Ancient entered, Seraph stepped through the door, his red cloak flying against the wind outside. He looked around at the scene in the cabin.

  “Good work Miriam,” he said with his malicious voice. “Lord Melageth will be pleased.”

  Miriam smiled and curtsied with her brown robe. Aleazar and Roark stood next to Berek, who was still holding the wounded Helen. Berek suddenly realized he had been led into a trap. Seraph stepped closer to Berek, and looked down at him.

  “Foolish Dwa’iin. You’ve made it too easy.”

  Chapter Thirty: Danger through the Heartlands

  Y uri’s horse galloped far from the three. It was fast and deserved a name of its own.

  “Being a strong and loyal horse, I shall name you Moonlight for the black and silver fur you present.” Yuri never noticed his horse was ahead of the others. He held his map close, seeing they were about to enter the Heartlands.

  “Yuri... wait up, our horses are not that fast!” Kullian strangled the horse’s reigns, but only made this worse. Yuri slowed down, and noticed a small pond ahead.

  “The weather is getting cold; we should rest near the pond and get some fresh water for the remainder of the travel.”

  Tablitha agreed. “Come Vormis, help me make some shelter.”

  Vormis and Tablitha went ahead to start making the surrounding surface of the pond more home-welcome.

  “You know what you’re doing?”

  “Yes, why ask Kullian?” Yuri and Kullian tied up their horses near a tree, withering from cool weather. Lush vegetation surrounded the area and much fruit lay on the ground from trees.