Some Earth-based scientists, if they could witness the odd but regular orbits of Agon and Akun, might conclude that the event will eventually decay the Agonian orbit to the point where it either degrades into Tau Ceti, in a spectacular but deadly spectacle of death, or, more likely, on one pass, it will be captured by Dor Akun and her orbit will take her into the deeper regions of Tau Ceti space, where it is cold and dark and eventually even silicon-based life would freeze to death.
This, however, isn’t the only thing that occurs during the transit event. On Earth, we are protected from radioactive particles by its magnetosphere. In Agon the sphere is weaker and charged particles rain down from Tau Ceti yearly, but during the transit event the great magnetosphere of Dor Akun acts much like a wing does on a modern-day airplane as it slices through the air; it funnels a steady stream of highly charged particles from the local star around itself and onto the surface of Claire Agon every two centuries. The phenomenon causes mutations in the silicon-based life forms of Claire Agon, and so evolution there takes place at a much more rapid pace than it does on Earth.
Such are the science of Claire Agon and its dance of death and change with its bigger mate, Dor Akun, all around a nondescript class G spectral star located not very far from our own sun. Thus magic is created and dragons are born.
A
Agatha, Elderly woman, Ulathan refugee, lead domestic cook of King Korwell
Agon, Short common name for Claire-Agon
Alar Thorton, Father of Marissa
Am-Ohkre, Kesh Arch Mage, leads attack on Realm of Ulatha
Am-Shee, Kesh Arch Mage, leads attack on Realm of Rockton
Am-Sultain, High Mage of Kesh
Am-Sunsi, Arch Mage of Kesh, deceased
Amy, Daughter of Yolanda, Ulathan refugee, 3 years old
Ann Terrel, Targon’s sister, 8 years old
Arella, Flower with leaves that have healing properties
Argyll, Falcon, friend of Elister
Arkhale, Kesh Lieutenant to Hork
Arnen, Ancient Order of Druids
B
Balaria, Island realm, known for its thieves and assassins
Baldric Terrel, Targon’s father
Bandit War, Kesh raids into Ulatha seven years earlier
Blackthorn Forest, Common name for the Earlstyne Forest
Bony Brook, Small brook near the Terrel homestead
Border Mountains, Common name for the Felsic Mountain range separating Kesh from Ulatha
Boxer, Kesh brigand scout
Bran Moross, Captain of the King’s Guard, married to Salina Moross
C
Cedric Moross, Son of Salina, 18 years old
Celeste, Elderly Ulathan woman, Ulathan refugee
Claire-Agon, The planet/world
Clairton, A small forest bird, favorite of Dareen Terrel
Company Bloody Hand, Kesh brigand group
Company Iron Chain, Kesh brigand group
Company Iron Hand, Kesh brigand group
Company Red Throat, Kesh brigand group
Core, Nickname for Corrack, the brown bear
Corrack, Brown bear, friend of Elister
Craylyn, Balarian assassin
Cree, Ulathan town south of Korwell
Critir, Magic Orb used for communication and divination
Cutter, Kesh brigand
D
Dareen Terrel, Targon’s mother
Diamedes, Ancient Ulathan historian, deceased
Dor Akun, Sixth and largest planet in 200 year orbit around Tau Ceti
Dorsun, Kesh brigand chieftain
E
Earlstyne Forest, Ancient name for the Blackthorn Forest
Elister, Druid of the Arnen
Emelda, Elderly woman, Ulathan refugee, Horace’s wife
F
Felsic Mountains, Ancient name for the Border Mountains
G
Gregus River, Ancient name for the Rapid River
Grinder, Stone troll, in the service of Kesh
Gund, Kesh brigand lieutenant
H
Hans, Soldier of Korwell
Horace, Old man, Ulathan refugee, husband of Emelda
Hork, Kesh brigand chief, leader of the brigand armies into Ulatha
I
Inga, Server at the Pickled Pig Tavern in Korwell
J
Jons, orphaned boy, Ulathan refugee, 9 years old (Jonathan)
Julia Terrel, Grandmother of Targon
K
Karz Moross, Son of Salina, Ulathan refugee, 5 years old
Ke-Grenson, Kesh Wizard, Assistant to High Mage Am-Sultain
Kendral, Balarian assassin, employed by Kesh
Kesh, Wizard/Brigand land east of Ulatha
Keshtor, Capital of Kesh
Ke-Tor, Kesh wizard, mentor to Khan
Ke-Torra, Arch-Mage of Kesh, lived 1000 years ago, started the Dragon-Wizard War
Ke-Urns, Kesh wizard perished in Rockton campaign
Khan, Apprentice wizard of Kesh/Ke-Tor
King Korwell, Ruler of Ulatha
Kovar, Soldier of Korwell
Kritor, Kesh Lieutenant to Hork
L
Luc Terrel, Grandfather of Targon
Lunde, Jungle of the South
M
Malik Terrel, Targon’s brother
Marc Thorton, Brother of Marissa, 6 years old
Marissa, Young frontier girl, Ulathan refugee, 12 years old
Mary Thorton, Mother of Marissa
Monique, Teen girl, Ulathan refugee, 17 years old
Myrtle, The Terrel’s dairy cow
O
Olga, Elderly woman, Ulathan refugee
Onyx Tower, Seat of government for Kesh, seat of the High Mage
P
Pickled Pig, Tavern near the main gate of Korwell Castle
R
Roarwell, King of Tyniria, Ancient Realm South of Ulatha
Rockton, Realm south of Kesh
Ropes, Kesh brigand
S
Safron, Realm to the south of Ulatha known for its fine tobacco and weed
Salina Moross, Wife of the king’s guard captain, mother to Cedric & Karz
Sara, Moon of Agon, first to rise
Sarson, Old man, Ulathan refugee
Sigture, Apprentice wizard of Ke-Urns
Staff of Alore, First magical staff of Agon
T
Talaman, Healing globe
Targon Terrel, Ranger, Zashitor, Defender of the Arnen, Protector of Ulatha
Thomas, Orphan boy, Ulathan refugee, 12 years old
Tira, Moon of Agon, second to rise
Traps, Kesh brigand
Trovis Mountains, Mountain range in the West of Ulatha
Tyniria, Ancient kingdom south of Ulatha
U
Ulan Utandra, Ancient name for capital of Ulatha (Korwell)
Ulatha: Valley Realm where Targon lives, West of Kesh
Ulsthor, Western town of Kesh, closest to Ulatha
Uthor, Ancient Duke and founder of Ulatha
W
Western Sea, Sea to the west of Ulatha
Will Carvel, Soldier of Korwell, sergeant of the gate guard
Y
Yolanda, Middle aged woman, Ulathan refugee, mother of Amy
Z
Zashitor, Ancient name for a Ranger
Zorcross, Newest apprentice wizard of Ke-Tor
The Dead Druid
Chapter 1 Excerpt
“Theres it be again,” the Kesh driver said, pulling back on the reins and bringing his ox drawn cart to a stop again in the middle of the rutted road.
“Not again, Planks
,” his companion said with a shake of his head.
The sun was starting to peek from a few clouds and illuminate the area better as it had been shaded for their entire trip that day. The Kesh brigands scanned the road off to their right while a horsed rider came from the front again to their cart.
“What is it now, you two?” the man said pulling his horse up short at the side of their wagon which was laden with arms, rope and other supplies. The rider had a metallic staff and a pointy, tasseled hat which kept his swarthy face shaded from what light there was at the moment.
“Not me, Master,” the companion said, pointing directly at Planks. “This here idiot keeps seeing things just to the north, my Master.”
“Whose you calling an idiot, Belts?” Planks said, looking at his cart companion with a scowl. “I told you whats I saw and I am not mistakens.”
“Speak normal, you reject,” Belts said, returning the glare, “and stop already with your hallucinations.”
The screeching of a bird interrupted their argument for the moment and all three men looked up into the overcast sky. There, flying so high overhead that is was hard to spot, was a great northern falcon circling lazily over their convoy of wagons.
“I supposes I’m hallucunatin that as well, eh?” Planks said, scorn in his tone.
“Nope, that there bird is an evil omen. Been present at each attack it has,” Belts said, sounding as scholarly as he could considering the circumstance.
“It matters not,” the mounted rider began then stopped to greet another rider approaching from the rear of the wagon train. “Saxon.”
The other rider rode up quickly with a loud clapping of hooves against the dry ground spraying dirt in every direction as the horse was pulled up close to the cart causing the other horse and rider to startle. “Again?” the rider asked looking at the two men in the wagon.
“It seems our driver here is certain of what he saw,” the staff wielding rider answered for the men who sat in the cart glaring at each other.
“You know, Hermes, that the Ulathans haven’t attacked during the day?” the second rider said from his armored mount. Horses were rare in Agon and this one was rarer still. Large and black it was, and it easily wore its scaled armor across its body as well as its rider who was also clad in black, long sword sheathed across the rear of the saddle, but within reach. The scale mail that the rider wore was also different from the leather protection that the rest of the brigands were adorned with and a hood concealed most of the man’s features in the dimmer light.
“I know, Saxon,” The first rider said. “That is what worries me. There is a first time for everything and something is always waiting for its first time.”
“Uh, what was that, my Master?” Belts said, releasing Planks from his glare and looking at Hermes.
“Enough, driver,” Saxon said, giving the man a quick rebuke and turning his attention to Hermes. “I’ve not known one of our wizards to worry. Do you want us to search the brush?”
“Apprentice wizard actually, but no, I think it is not wise to leave the wagons.” Hermes said, scanning to the north into the deeper grasses and brush just off the road, then turning his attention to the south where the forest started not far from their road. “If there were to be an attack, it would come from the south, from the woods… not from the north.”
“Agreed,” Saxon said, also looking at the forest and the many dead tree stumps that bordered it. “It is a powerful magic that those Ulathans wield to make the forest grow the way that it does.”
“Nonsense,” Hermes said, his lips sliding downwards into a frown. “Those fools do not use the Arcane nor do they understand the powers of Akun. This is their corruption of nature, nothing more and nothing to fear other than their arrows.”
“You means their bolts, don’t you my Lord?” Planks said, his voice tinged with a slight reverence for their magic-user.
Belts elbowed his companion before speaking, “Sorry, my Master. Planks here is more than a fool. We do remember arrows with their bolts.”
“Quiet, both of you,” Hermes ordered.
“Do you want us to clear the forest again, Master?” Saxon asked, looking coolly at his leader from his mount, giving his horse a slight tug on its reigns to point it towards the forest to their south.
“It appears that chopping down the trees do not benefit us other than acquiring wood for the fire.” The wizard said and the two brigands sighed audibly with relief at hearing that they would not have to spend time near the Blackthorn forest. The last two crews that were tasked with clearing the forest from the road line were killed by the Ulathans. “Get the wagons moving and get us to the old keep before sundown.”
“As you wish, Master,” Saxon said, spurring his horse to the front of the train and barking orders for the first wagons to continue. They began to move immediately and the wizard rode to the rear, changing places with his commander.
Once gone, Belts leaned towards Planks, his voice low, “You’re an idiot no matter what-”
Planks watched as Belts, who was facing him, but now looking past him, allowed his jaw to drop as his eyes grew wide and he suddenly tried to stand and shout at the same time.
Planks looked to his right just in time to see a small leather clad child hurl a palm sized rock from near point blank range as she ran towards the wagon, startling the oxen and upsetting the cart. The rock hit Belts right in the forehead and Planks yanked back on the reigns to look at his companion whose eyes rolled back in his head as he toppled back and over the side of the cart, either unconscious or dead from the rock’s impact.
“Whats in Agon-” was all that Planks could get out before the young girl leaped at him from the side of the cart. Too late, the brigand noticed a wicked looking dagger in her hand as she slid it past his throat and he pushed her away, with her momentum taking her to the other side of the cart where his companion had fallen. Planks dropped the reigns, never having a chance to draw his weapon and held his hands against his neck trying to stop the bleeding.
The girl somersaulted on the dry road, never missing a beat and ran due south towards the forest, weaving around a couple of short alder bushes that were near the road. Planks’ vision faded, and the last thing he saw in life was the girl standing on a large tree trunk that had been hacked down as she started to shout and yell taunts at him and his companions.
“Kill the brat!” One of the brigands shouted, leaping from his cart and running south, pulling his short sword from its sheath.
“Over here, you ugly Kesh scum!” the girl shouted, ducking as a crossbow bolt whizzed overhead then wheeling and running towards the forest tree line.
“She’s mine,” one of the brigands yelled, running with several others as bolts flew overhead from the Kesh crossbows.
Hermes galloped his horse up to the now driverless cart that was starting to be pulled off road by the startled oxen, “Stop this cart,” he commanded to no one in particular. Then, noticing that over half of his troops were running towards the girl, he started to issue new orders, “Back to the carts. Leave the urchin, return to your carts.”
Despite being the most feared person in the convoy, the wizard’s shouts were barely heard over the yelling, screaming and shouting of the brigands and the fainter taunts of the small girl who seemed entirely fearless despite the danger she was in. Hermes was having a very bad feeling about this.
“Get back in line,” Saxon yelled, much louder than Hermes could, as he rode into the field between the forest and the road. “Get back… NOW!”
The Kesh Commander finally received the attention he deserved and most of the Kesh slowed their pursuit, turning to look back at their mounted leader as he rode and shouted for them to stop. Several bowmen, standing on their carts, lowered their crossbows in silence.
The girl reached an unnatural mound that looked like one of the large granite boulders that had been
deposited there by ancient glaciers centuries earlier with dirt piled all around it, and turned to face the Kesh, all of which had now stopped and all were deathly silent. She then held something up in the air for them to see. It was a wooden baton that the Kesh revered as a symbol of leadership. The wielder of the baton was a commander of a Kesh brigade and it was a rare symbol representing power and authority amongst Kesh society. What happened next, horrified them.
The girl bent over slightly at her waist and turned, her small behind pointing at them and then she patted the baton against the underside of her rear in the most disrespectful manner that could be done to a Kesh. The reaction was immediate.
“Kill her!” came the cry from several brigands in unison, and the calming influence that their commander had over them dissipated faster than a fog in high wind. Bowmen recharged their crossbows and aimed at the girl, less than three hundred feet away.
Several bolts came close and it appeared that one hit her as she clutched at her chest and fell behind the rock mound. Several brigands cheered and the ones in front ran faster, some tripping over the rocky ground, trying to reach her first. She reappeared, blood covering her face as she clutched the side of her chest, a Kesh crossbow clearly protruding from her body. She grimaced in pain and made one last vulgar hand gesture at the leading brigands before falling back and out of sight.
Hermes, spurred his horse forward, crossing half the ground before the first of his troops crested the hill and disappeared behind it. Within seconds there were shouts and screams of pain and death. Then, without warning, a tall woodsman, dressed in fur and leather crested the rocky mound. Blood covered his body as he held a large axe in one hand and a Kesh sword in the other. The blood was not his own.
Two brigands tried to climb the mound and attack the ferocious woodsman and with consecutive swings they were killed, one nearly cut in half. A third received a vicious boot in his chest and was repulsed at least a dozen feet, landing unconscious. Several bolts flew towards the man and he swatted them away with ease. His eyes narrowed as he spotted Saxon and pointed the axe directly at the Kesh commander in an obvious challenge.
Saxon accepted, pulling his own great sword from behind his saddle and spurring his horse forward at a high run. The black steed started to breathe heavily as it carried its rider past the Kesh troops on foot and approached the evil woodsman. Hermes noticed that the bolts stopped flying towards the man and he assumed his troops ceased firing for fear of hitting their commander. At least his theory seemed sound until he heard a muffled shout, a loud thump and then screams of death behind him.
Ranger Rising: Claire-Agon Ranger Book 1 (Ranger Series) Page 35
