The Secret of Azuron (The Sword Empire Book 1)

by J. R. Kearney

  Samson stared at Landau, realizing the kid asked many questions but spoke very little of himself.

  "How about you?" said Sam. "Do you have any family, besides your dad?"

  "My mother died when I was very young, I don't really remember her. People like Clancey, Elliott, Jenny, I've always seen them as a family I guess, they've always been there for me."

  "I know how you feel kid. It must be a lot to take in, with your village and Raminus and that. I give you respect to shoulder it all, many folks would be shaken to suffer such constant perils. I realize that makes it no less harder," ashamedly eyeing his ivory dagger and how close it came to endangering Landau.

  The wind fought hard with the fire and the cool weather of night seeped into the Yalthume around them. Landau found comfort by its flames, yet mourned Jema's presence, once more he peered over Sam's shoulder to observe him staring unresolved into the night horizon, and he chose to talk with him.

  He approached the shallow cliff edge that overlooked the Yalthume valley, the darkleaf of Jema's pipe wafted into his face and forced him to cough, yet Jema was not startled. "I brought you some food Jema sir," he offered politely.

  The knight turned his head to look at the boy in all his courtesy, smirking at the idea of him, he grabbed an apple before thanking him. The moment was short lived, and Landau's mind was void of any questions, and Jema appeared unwilling to contribute.

  He sauntered back when a large howl came from the distant west, wailing in agony. From above Landau peeked intently down to identify it, before a similar howl came from the south. He returned to Jema's side who sat idle on the cliff, with wide eyes he noticed a third wolf contributing to the howling choir, this one he could visibly spot, within the rustling bushes to the north of him a figure blended with the shadows, its silhouette lingering in the woodland below.

  "What's wrong with them?" Landau asked, concerned their numbers around them were sprouting. Jema took another inhale of his pipe.

  "They are talking to each other."

  "I never knew they could talk to each other. I thought they were like dogs who like read minds or something." Jema quaffed at his natural understanding.

  "These are no ordinary wolves, nor are they wolves entirely. One of those howls you hear is from the guardians. They converse with these wolves, through the 'wolf song' as they call it."

  Landau listened again with renewed interest, he tried to determine which howls were hollered by man, but the melodic howls were indistinguishable.

  "That's amazing. Where did the guardians come from?"

  "They have dwelled within these woods for a long time, before the time of Anduniel and Vhalen. They were wizards once, amongst the first generation, allies of the natural world. Over time their memories dwindled to who they once were, they eventually forgot they were men of magic and became shaman, or rather nature spirits. Myth dictates that their unity with the forest was so strong it altered their bodies, and forged them into werewolves, hence why they can commune with the animals that roam these woods."

  Landau gasped at the very name. "Aren't werewolves dangerous?"

  "Indeed, though these are different from the ones you’ve perhaps heard about. Still, do not assume they are friendly. Werewolves are predatory hunters, they yearn for the thrill of the hunt, and this is their playground. Though they never stray from the confines of this woodland, perhaps they are bound to it for whatever sorcerous reason."

  "But werewolves eat people like us, don’t they?" he asked with dismay.

  "I would not sit here so casually if that were true, still I prefer to refrain from enticing them. Why do you suppose I chose to feed on produce? The smell of cooked meat or fish wafting through the Yalthume will only invite trouble. It was we who wandered into their domain, and it is unwise to make an enemy in their own home."

  "I don't think even Clancey would have the courage to come here, I wouldn't come venturing here on my own that's for sure," said Landau with adamancy.

  "Courage is noble Landau, but intelligence is primary to survival more than any vigorous trait. Creatures don't simply wake in the morning with a desire to kill us, there is a sense to their motivation that if recognized can remove the threat entirely. If we provoked these guardians out of fear then we would inherit a quick demise, I have no doubt."

  The howls carried on while they spoke, comfortable as Jema sat their cries were menacing, it would be hard to find warmth in such places even if the weather was sultry.

  "I don't know how you do it," said Landau. "Places like these only suggest fear I reckon."

  "It is common for man to experience fear, but if you can become fearless Landau, then a greater intelligence you will acquire."

  "But what about those Ash-spawn, back in the village? To travel so far, without reason, what sense was there in that?" he asked innocently.

  "That my son I'm trying to understand myself."

  The three slept against the silent fire, Landau nestled in his bedroll but was unsettled, for a growing wind swept across their encampment. He constantly adjusted himself to find a cozy position, only for the wind to seep through once more and perturb him. Already he adorned layers of clothing under a bedroll by the fire, and still he struggled to find comfort. Howling continued to whisper through the valley against a constant breeze that gradually escalated, and abruptly in one large push the gust charged their camp and extinguished their fire.

  The warmth of the flame had gone, and the freezing air intensified, the horses grunted with the change in weather, enough to awaken Jema, his steel breast-plate icy to the touch, attentive to notice Landau awake also. He fidgeted to locate his fire tools, when the horses wailed loudly, frantic on their hind legs they startled Samson who let out a yelp. Landau brought his bedroll to his face, for dangerously cold the breeze had become, yet Jema retired his fire tools to pull free his weapon, and gazed out vigilantly into the woods. The incessant breeze paused, and the air was now still, around them a haunting silence lingered, before a heavy but hollow growl murmured over the cliffs beneath them, followed by the howl of the wolves.

  Jema shuffled towards the cliff to gain sight of what disturbed them, only a peek did he manage before the ensemble of snarls collided. Beneath them the corpse of a werewolf lay sprawled on the terrain, beside its corpse a pair of fiery eyes glared toward him, sneering its rabid teeth.

  "To your horse, quickly!" Jema shouted, leaping to his own with his sword still unsheathed. "Forget the supplies, hurry now!"

  Sam lunged atop his horse and wrenched Landau from his bedroll behind him. With a gallop Jema abandoned their campsite, with only a faint glint of moonlight to guide their escape. Landau glimpsed behind him, the red eyed demon now charged towards them, and it wasn't alone.

  All around them their predators hustled through the woodland shadow, Landau held tightly to Sam who kept pace with Jema's stallion. The knight rode perilously through the entanglement of trees, manoeuvring to the open valley where the road was wide, with great ferocity he lashed his reins, and his stallion sprinted faster. Two of the beasts emerged ahead of them, but Jema charged unceasingly, and with one strong arm he swung his claymore square into the skull of the mongrel beast. Samson's gelding showed no such courage, startled it letup, and rose to its hind legs, forcing Landau to drop clear off his saddle. Samson managed to hold on, and reached back for him while the beasts shuffled in. Jema jerked Kilian about and guarded Landau as the numerous creatures ambled towards them.

  They were no wolves, their black shaggy coat resembled as much, but their fiery eyes revealed they were Barghests. Jema's surprise to find them here was short lived as he galloped forward to protect Landau.

  "Ride Sam!" he shouted. "Get Landau to safety, NOW!"

  Sam jerked Landau to his saddle and raced north, Landau cried as the knight stayed to give him time to escape.

  "I have what these demons want," he uttered to himself.

  He pulled from his pocket the shimmering stone, and the magnitude of its lig
ht in the darkness stunned the Barghests, before they sneered towards him. In haste Jema turned, and sprinted in a different direction, the stone guided his path and the Barghests advanced. Half of them tailed his horse, even in a gallop, but the remainder veered in Samson's direction. Jema stormed the valley, regardless of the protruding debris, he steered his stallion where elusion was possible. With a swing of his claymore he ducked beneath an overhanging branch, and collapsed it behind him.

  It discouraged the Barghests none, and their growls became violent, incessant in their pursuit. Three tailed him now, and the pace of his horse faltered to evade them, Jema dismounted to face the Barghests head on. He threw the shimmering stone toward them, though none were deterred to acquire it, instead they continued their charge towards him.

  With quick reflex he kicked his boot into the dirt to blind one before thrusting Aurora deep through its soiled skin. He removed his blade when another lunged towards him, and he rolled quickly to evade it though its claw jolted his shoulder guard and knocked him backward. The third descended upon him but with blade in hand he battered its head with the hilt of his sword, its ivory fangs coming within inches from his face. He regained his foothold, and slashed the disoriented Barghest, causing it to bleed and collapse in agony. Only one remained, howling in malicious rage of its opponent. Jema removed his velvet cloak, veiling it before him as he moved to face the beast. The Barghest leapt to devour him, unstirred by the cloak it lunged forcefully toward it. The weight of the beast sent Jema on his back, and the Barghest groaned atop of him, yet soon it whimpered, for Jema’s claymore had been waiting on the other side of his cloak. The eyes of the Barghest were inches from his own, and he watched the wretched light from its gaze extinguish slowly like a flame.

  He lay there with the breadth of his blade run through the Barghest, wiping the blood off his breast-plate with his cloak. He discarded it, re-gathered himself and walked over to thrust his greatsword into the last whimpering hound, and end its devilry. With a violent yelp its life ended, and only now Jema went to knee and gasped for breath, thankful he was alive. It was fleeting, securing the shimmering stone he whistled for Kilian to return. The fight was far from over, he trailed back now in search of Landau.

  Samson's gelding scurried in fright, the pounding echo of the hound's trailing footsteps beckoned him to charge with everything. Frightened beyond compare he focused ahead, and weaved his steed through the woodland, but found no passage to clear them from this forest maze. The Barghests lunged at the horse, their hot rancid breath Landau could feel against his skin, and the gelding could clearly feel it too.

  Sam detoured, and charged down a valley slope to give him more speed, poking his spear at the Barghest beset alongside him, though the creature was determined, and barked loudly to hinder the horse. Sam's steed suddenly jolted, and over the horses neck the boys catapulted to the ground, tumbling down the hill while the Barghests gave chase. Bruised and cut they collapsed at the bottom, but a few scratches weren't enough to prevent Sam from scurrying to defend himself, before a Barghest befell him.

  With his spear outward Sam was poised in a practiced stance. The lone Barghest converged on him, and Sam was quick to shimmy its blow with his buckler before he thrust his spear into the Barghest's neck. The sound of spear piercing its flesh sent Landau queasy. Amidst the horror it was far from done, four more Barghests remained and imposed upon them. Samson trembled, this was beyond his capability. The wall of trees behind them offered no escape, the boys retreated as far back as possible, but they were cornered, and the growls of the Barghests escalated, with their heads poised ready to pounce.

  Beyond the wall of trees a terrifying roar resounded through the forest, and the rustling of bushes intensified like a wave behind them. The boys dove clear before a hulking werewolf lunged from the shadow, and landed between them and the Barghests. With arms wide open its paws steered toward the beasts like weapons, and it bellowed a thundering howl to show its displeasure. With a ferocious swipe it dug its razor claw into a Barghest and lobbed it twenty feet away. The others assaulted the werewolf in unison, the werewolf sunk its teeth into the neck of one and snapped it, while the bite of another Barghest lacerated the werewolf's skin. The boys attempted to sneak away, though unable to waver their gaze. The werewolf moved furiously to shake off its attackers, and with brute force it grasped the skull of a Barghest and crunched it against the blooded terrain. The last Barghest continued to ravage the werewolf's arm within its teeth, and the werewolf swivelled in angst to remove it from its grasp, grabbing the scruff of its neck with both paws, before violently it ripped the head from the Barghest's body completely. In horrid fright Landau shuddered into Sam's chest, the squire daunted by the savage display.

  The Barghest corpses lay scattered and mutilated. The werewolf stood idle, with deep breaths of exhaustion it bellowed from its snout, and its bushy skin glimmered with blood from deep wounds. Down the valley slope Jema appeared, who followed the screams. He noticed the boys alive but at the behest of the werewolf who glowered at him from across the way. Jema said nothing, and moved his horse to gather Sam's, carefully progressing to the boys.

  "Come on, let's go," he whispered, the werewolf had seen him, yet Landau was confused why it didn't attack. The violent scene stirred in his mind, for such violence he could never have imagined. Once more they mounted their horse and cantered away from the scene of dismay. Landau would find no more sleep here, the Yalthume was a terrible place and the three ventured onward to finally be rid of it.

  Chapter 11

  A ROYAL WELCOME

  Throughout the night Jema led them across the cliffs of the Yalthume, and haste powered his progress, believing the threat of the Barghests had yet subsided. With their lanterns abandoned Jema risked the light of the glimmer stone, undeterred that its exposure would entice further danger, for the moonlight receded behind oncoming clouds, and they desired the light. Silence ensued in their escape, and Jema kept his ears primed, while the boys remained dumbfound to converse with any cheer.

  Their horses rode uneasy, Landau imagined this place evoked terror in their eyes, and every rigid path that Jema guided them across filled them with ferment. Eventually through the decaying passages and looming canopies they descended to the edge of the woodland valley and out to greener pastures, where the vastness of sky intimidated. The cold breath of the Yalthume lingered in their skin, and though tiredness depleted them they persisted forward as dawn emerged on the horizon.

  Across the Farnham fields the smell of grass and country was welcome, the birds' crow was like a song once forgotten as they travelled north to locate the lake road. Only Landau found sleep, rocking gently on Jema's saddle his cheek nestled uncomfortably against the steel of his armor, but fatigue overwhelmed him, and he allowed himself to rest. The eyes of the Barghest still flashed in his mind, terrifying as the death hounds back in Porthos, and their snarls resounded in his mind, enough to startle him awake. With the Yalthume a shadow in the distant skyline Jema and his squire opted for a brief rest. The knight attended to Landau's wound, a graze on his shoulder from his fall was all he had collected. With their gear abandoned they munched on berries and beans, but Jema was determined to reach the city by noon, so they ignored their weary eyes and ate quickly, before returning to their horses.

  For hours they continued, and kept to the road, the clouds had parted yet the glaring sunlight of forenoon awarded little comfort. Eventually Landau's eyes opened in blurred confusion to the familiar scent of hay and dung that lingered in the air, he peered over Jema's shoulder where farmhouses of all sizes scattered alongside the road, townsfolk underway harvesting and gardening to a chorus of animals, for the three approached the outskirts of the city.

  "We're finally here," Jema turned to him, and beyond the farmhouses he was revitalized to look upon the silver walls of Arwendel.

  The fortified exterior towered high over the land, as if built by giants, for no rope or ladder could bear length to climb its silve
r fortress, and even from afar he need arch his head to see its peak. Transcending the wall was a huge white palace with many spired turrets, the renowned wizard's tower soared pre-eminently above them all, and the sunlight reflected off its apex like a lighthouse beckoning the sea. A solid bridge arched over a rivulet that encompassed the city, guarded by thick turrets, round and tall, that stemmed from the water, with many tiny windows manned by soldiers looking upon their entrance. The salty odor of the shore was reminiscent of home and they cantered with relief under the portcullis to where Landau hearkened the increasing volume of citizens within.

  In the wake of noon the streets were abundant with people, and though the roads were wide Jema had difficulty guiding them through. Landau however paid it no mind, amazed at the scope and detail of the city around him. The pavement was made of pebbles, thousands in number all smoothed and polished, so flat that carriages drove steady as they passed, and in the midday sun their stone shone white and brightened the alleys. Houses here were comprised of a solid stone base reaching as high as three stories, with smoke exhausting from a chimney on every rooftop.

  They arrived in a large courtyard, twice the size of Landau's village, where flags stretched proud on tall poles that uniformly lined their path, and in every direction stretched an endless array of buildings.

  "This is the grand city of Arwendel Landau," Jema said with little energy. "Home to Queen Anduniel."