Ragged Heroes: An Epic Fantasy Collection

by Andy Peloquin

  The elf looked around and sighed. "I hadn't thought I'd ever leave here. You think an elf would be well received in town?"

  "Ha!" Lorlank laughed. "Nurias is barely received in town. What is the worst that could happen to you?"

  "Perhaps. If there is a way to defeat the creatures, I would like to be a part of it. There is no sense in guarding these ruins while I still draw breath and can possibly still find my own people."

  There was a crumbling sound above them. A loud screech shrieked through the chamber, and a shadow fell upon Nurias and Evlar.

  Nurias fell backward, attempting to pull his sword from his sheath, and landed on his back. As he pushed himself up, he drew his sword, watching as the creature bit into the neck of the elf over and over.

  Evlar was still alive, screaming. Pushing back at the attacker and coughing blood, he shoved his hand up against the creature, sending a blast of fire into its form, throwing it off. Lorlank and Nurias ran to pick up Evlar as blood trickled from the bite.

  "Go! I will turn into one of them soon. Just go. I will fight them!"

  More of the creatures were falling from above. They looked over to the one Evlar had cast fire at and saw the pale face of a vampire rising back to his feet and smiling.

  "A living elf? What a treasure. I have tried for so many days to get into this sanctum that I thought I would never do it. Now I must retrieve what I came for."

  They had never seen a vampire like this before. Though it did have the typical black garb they expected of most among the undead ranks, his face was partially ripped open and he had visible oversized fangs extending down his chin. Aside from that strange adornment, the rest of the vampire looked human, although very pale.

  The vampire held up his hands to the many minions with him. They were all vampires, though they did not have the fangs that this one did. He was the master, and several more floated down from above to join him.

  Nurias looked back to see Lorlank slowly backing up and pushing Tomu with him.

  The vampire looked at Nurias. “I will not allow you to take what you have come for. We knew when we finally threw down the Holy Order of men that one of them escaped. The knowledge he had was forbidden to the living. We destroyed the elves, and we thought that that was enough. I spent the last two days attempting to break into the sanctum, and what happens? You do it for me. I would like to thank you on behalf of all of us for making the path easier. The masters move against the realm of the living. I cannot allow you to leave this place with anything, and I know what you came here for and the threat it is to the cult of the dead. Give me what I seek, and I will at least give you a proper place among my brothers and me."

  Nurias held his stance and showed no intention to give the vampire anything.

  "I would expect nothing more from one such as you. Warriors are few these days. I will enjoy our duel."

  The vampire hissed and began to lunge at him just as an elven blade pierced him from behind.

  "I have no desire to flee this place," Evlar shouted. “Your filth decimated my race, and I will not be threatened by the dread of your presence or your cult as long as I still draw breath."

  Evlar withdrew his blade and, in a spinning slash, brought around a second blade, severing the neck of the vampire and sending up a fountain of blood before the rest of the body collapsed.

  The other vampires attacked him, and in an explosion of magic and as the gleaming of elvish blades swung in the darkness of the sanctum, Evlar fell in a glorious last stand.

  Nurias turned to run with Lorlank and Tomu. As they fled for the passage back to lands above them, Nurias thought of Evlar, but the elf had already been bitten. Though he would not turn undead, he would no doubt become a vampire. He’d literally known this elf for less than he had known most save Lorlank, but he liked him more than most of the cowards left in the world. This was the the type of companion that he would be would very much stand beside in pressing odds. Evlar would no doubt die, but it would be in a final fight that even Nurias could respect and would desire for himself if he could choose his own death.

  They reached the ladder, and scrambling upward, they reached the outside world, pushing away the rock.

  Nurias noticed that the glowing stones were beginning to fade, signifying that the elf was nearly dead. They ran to their mounts just as there was a screech high up on the hill behind them. Each of them glanced back. A banshee was in the clouds high above, a watcher of the undead that would no doubt tell others that they were there.

  Part 3

  “You said you would smash me!” the skull shouted. “Smash me, smash me!”

  “Quiet! Do not speak again!” Nurias said as he climbed onto his beast. “Remain silent until I say, or I will leave you in the middle of the plains on a high pole so no one can smash you!!”

  They spurred their lizards to carry them from this place with haste, and as Nurias glanced back, he saw the thralls of the undead clawing over the hill. Then, for a small moment, Nurias thought he saw an actual necromancer standing atop the hill, but he could not be sure. His view of it was hazy. It didn’t matter. Now there was no time to talk, debate, or try to figure out the best way to return to town. The best way was as quickly as possible.

  They were out of the inner woods and were quickly on the outer stretch of the more barren trees. The black clouds were churning above them, with a large rolling fog covering over the vast plains from the north. It was clear they were trying to outrun a storm, but not a storm of natural occurrence.

  Nurias pushed the lizard harder than he’d ever pushed any horse. These creatures were very resilient and able to withstand what other creatures of similar size could not. But at the pace they were going, even these beasts were pushed to their limits. But they could not wait. Behind them, the dark storm enveloped the hills. He had seen this before, but he always prayed he’d never see it again. The long wait that the living had endured wondering when the end would come had passed. The Plague Reapers, the necromancers, and all the undead were moving toward the very town they were going to, and with no doubt to obtain what they had just happened to escape with. They had to hope that Lord Kras had a plan.

  * * *

  Their lizards’ clawed feet were beginning to bleed, and Nurias noticed his beast now seemed to be difficult to control. The constant sprinting had taken its toil. But these were faithful beasts, and all of them, including the beasts, were thankful they could see the town ahead of them.

  Following the road to the gate itself, Nurias noticed there was a large assembly standing upon the parapets.

  "You bring this scourge!" one of the men shouted down.

  About that time, the gates opened and Lord Kras himself walked out. "Quiet, man, have faith. He brings the only hope we can have now. Come, into the walls. I see you have it."

  "I do. We found it, but obviously you know what is behind us and what this means," Nurias said. "Fog will roll over these walls, and the attack will be upon us. You know we cannot hold against the Plague Reapers themselves. They will send their blight into the city, and it will consume. Once they are past these gates, every person within will die."

  Lord Kras said nothing and pushed them toward the keep. Their lizards followed behind them, and thankfully Skull-Bone did not show itself to be alive and cause a sudden mass panic.

  Nurias noticed that the lord was already suited in his armor. The many guards around the keep itself had been sent out to the city. It seemed that whatever bit of a plan that could be contrived was already in motion.

  “They were looking for these leaves as well,” Lorlank said. “They knew about them. They will come this way themselves.”

  Kras nodded. "We began sending people out the moment we saw the storm. As you can guess, there are many who have not been able to flee. Even if this plant can kill one of these necromancers, I know the necromancers will never come into the city while one of us live. They will not risk their own lives, but they know we are limited. We cannot hold this ground. What
I saw as hope has clearly become our armageddon. Perhaps they would've waited if we would not have gone to obtain these leaves.”

  "Or perhaps not," Lorlank said. "We met an elf—"

  "An elf?" Lord Kras interrupted. "Where? Where is it?"

  "He died defending us and giving us a chance to get out," Nurias said.

  "But of the elf? What did it say?" the lord asked.

  "They were supposedly about to attack. That is why they attacked the sanctum, or perhaps because they attacked the sanctum, they determined the final part of their conquest was to be embarked on. We did nothing but give ourselves a chance. But how can we use it?"

  "It can't be like this. I had a plan before, but . . . Those like you. The Remnants. You know where there are others?"

  "Not for sure. There is one place, one of the few woodland realms that still stood before. It is further south from here and very isolated, high in the mountains, but I have to imagine even it's been destroyed."

  Lord Kras shook his head. "Maybe. The world has shrunk since the coming of the dead. I wonder what is still out there, what people may have survived or resisted. If you can find them, other Remnants like yourself, you may be able to figure out a way to kill one of these things."

  There was a sudden horn call across town. "The fog is nearly upon us. Prepare!"

  Lord Kras knelt before Nurias, Lorlank, and Tomu. "I know how you feel toward the lords of men. Too many of my kind remained hidden in our castles and let the world crumble around us. I beg you, forgive me. I know you haven’t spent much time in this place, but I've truly attempted to make it a better town than what is upon the outside world. I charge you, as the last known lord of the living realm in this region, take these sacred leaves to the other Remnants like yourself and strike down these necromancers by whatever means you can. I will stay within the city and defend this keep as long as my blade can be lifted."

  The lord bowed further and then stood up, sheathing his sword.

  There was a sudden thundering shock against the walls of the town. Nurias turned around to see a massive eruption of fog, dust, and pieces of wall. Banshees shrieked across the sky, and thunder shook all around them.

  "For the glory of the living, flee! Leave this place!"

  Nurias stared at Lorlank and then glanced over at Tomu. "I'm not one for seeking any kind of glory, but I sure as hell do not want to die here." He turned to the lord. "I hear your vow and respect you as a fellow warrior. I will seek out the Remnants that I pray still live. We will defeat this scourge, and you will be remembered."

  Nurias went to their nearby mounts, and Lorlank and Tomu did the same. Lord Kras pulled out several small vials, going to each of the lizards. As he forced liquid into the lizards’ throats, the creatures began to glow white and their many injuries from the forced run were healed.

  "You have potions of health?" Lorlank asked.

  "The last of what was a dwindling stock. Those creatures would not have gotten you much further. I pray they now have the strength to take you as far as you need to go!"

  Lorlank and Tomu were the first to begin away, and Nurias stared at the lord as he drew his blade. "Those we both lost would smile at us this day."

  Nurias thought of the family he once had and looked toward the gateway of the keep at the faces of the undead suddenly crashing into the shield wall of the defenders. He drew his blade, kicking his lizard to charge forward, and held on as the creature jumped, biting at the undead creature's face. He swung his blade, cutting down more as his lizard turned to follow Lorlank and Tomu, who already headed south out to the southern gateway.

  A cold chill blew over the settlement as the fogs whipped and grasped the edges of the township. As the warriors of the necromancers moved into the city, Nurias looked back to watch as darkness swarmed over the keep of the lord. He looked ahead. Their path was clear, and while many people were still towering in the town itself, too weak to get out, Nurias embraced the thought that his actions might bring about the end of the necromancers. Someday. But it would not be this day and would not help those he flew past in a blur of motion.

  As they exited the actual town walls, they continued south, ascending a large hill before slowing their hasty flight and looking back at the town. A wall of blackness enveloped it. The malice that was the necromancers was devouring the town, and the sunlight above them seemed to darken even though no clouds came near it.

  The ground around the edge of the city became as blight, turning black and bubbling with necromantic energies. A towering form stood upon the walls of the city, reaching up and outward. It was ten times the height of a man and was formed of a greyish substance, with long legs, arms, and a gaping mouth. It was a Plague Reaper, one of the very forms that had started the fall of men in the years before. The end was coming, unless they could somehow truly make the sacrifices of Lord Kras, the township, and even the brave elf from before truly worth it. Nurias knew what they had to do.

  "You think you can find the other Remnants?" Lorlank asked.

  Nurias turned his lizard to the south. “I hope."

  THE END… for now.

  * * *

  Death Bane is a mere taste of my upcoming post-apocalyptic epic fantasy novel set in a brand new world that will meld two genres into something you have never experienced. For more information and to read my already expansive dark epic fantasy series please visit my website.

  www. Authorjtwilliams.com

  * * *

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  About the Author

  USA TODAY BESTSELLING author J.T. Williams writes both epic fantasy, inspired by the likes of Tolkien, Salvatore, and Brooks, along with darker sword and sorcery, fueled by countless hours playing Elder Scrolls, The Legend of Zelda, and many other fantasy RPG/ MMORPGs. When he isn't writing, he wages war in his backyard with his children having make-believe battles against the orcs invading from next door. He is married and has five little orc slayers.

  As a longtime lover of fantasy and the surreal, he hopes you enjoy his contributions to the world of fantasy and magic.

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  Redemption Day

  Jason Paul Rice

  Chapter 1

  I sat in the dim tavern with an arm around my wife as I took a swig of my ale from the tankard. The drink tasted like piss water, but I needed to get away from the castle and my self-righteous family. I’m the son of a duke, but I have too many older brothers ahead of me in the succession line. I was destined to live a comfortable life as a lord, but none of that appealed to me.

  We were joined by some knights loyal to my family, but they mostly talked among themselves at the other end of the long table.

  The wooden front door was flung open, allowing the final rays of the dying sun to send a shaft of golden light across the tavern’s floor.

  I could tell by the smell of horse dung that it had to be the Cochrayne family. I peered over my shoulder at seven of the Cochraynes stomping in to claim a table. They stared at me, aiming for intimidation. They missed the target.

  Our families hated each other, but I knew they wouldn’t try anything with six knights at my table. I turned my attention back to Veralee.

  Her dark, narrow eyes with sweeping lashes blended perfectly with her bronze cheeks. Voluminous tawny brown hair hung to the middle of her back. Her plump figure kept me warm on the long winter nights.

  My father, the Duke of Waters Edge, resented her because she hadn’t been able to bear me a child yet. I wallowed over the issue for years until I finally came to peace with the matter. I loved her regardless of whether she could produce an heir. She was my angel.

  She spoke in her soft voice, “I still don’t understand why we come here. The wine is so much better at the castle. We could just stay in our quarters.”

  I t
ook a sip of my warm drink. “Sometimes I just need to get away from them. Someday we will get far away from them.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “We will travel around and see all the great wonders of this world. Just two. Me and you.”

  She blushed and looked down at the table. “I don’t know if I could just abandon my family like that. I barely get to see them as it is. I know you don’t agree with your father on much, but wouldn’t you miss the rest of your family?”

  I shook my head. “The only people I would miss would be my mother and Edburgh. Everyone else bends to the will of my father out of blind allegiance. I respect him, but I won’t allow him to rule over me. I am my own man, beholden to none.”

  “That’s one of the things I love most about you. Where are we to go?”

  “Anywhere and everywhere. Beyond Gama Traka, where most people think the world ends. That is where wonder and enchantment begins. An unknown adventure. Just a lord and his lady.” I gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

  “You’re making it more enticing as you always do. When are we to begin this journey?”

  I replied, “That is at the behest of the lady. We could leave right now if you fancy?”

  She giggled. “Not yet. I’d have to see my family in the very least. Why are you so anxious?”

  Maury Cochrayne stumbled over to our table and spilled some of his wine on Veralee. “Lord Maury, you seem to have overfilled your goblet. You owe my wife an apology.”

  The drunken lord turned toward me, almost falling down. He lowered his eyes, and said, “Apologize. To a woman? You must have lost your damn wits.”