by Jon Kiln
“Patience,” Myriam interjected, “Grecia is as good as her word. If it can be done, she will find the witches and kill them. Of this, I am certain.”
“I hope you are right, m’Lady,” Qutaybah turned to speak with the young Palaran Queen. “I miss my home and I’m eager to return and hopefully celebrate that this is all over.”
“Me too, Qutaybah, me too,” she agreed.
***
Grecia and Torno followed close behind the wild wolves who had picked up the scent of the witches from their lands. Occasionally, they would stop and sniff at the air, as if they had lost the trail. Just as quickly, they would be off again, noses to the ground as they tracked down their enemy.
The wolves were the first to break into the clearing, quickly followed by Grecia and Torno. Her senses on alert, she quickly took in the surroundings. The clearing was a circular area, free of trees and bushes, and in the middle, a fire burned. Sat around the fire were a number of women chanting a verse over and over. Protecting them were two demons, heavily armed. Although taken by surprise at the sudden arrival of the wolves, they soon recovered and readied to attack.
Torno headed straight for the demons, while Grecia moved towards the witches. The creature that Torno had targeted was also surrounded by wild wolves. They snapped with their long canines at his legs as he tried to keep them away with his weapon. To no avail, as already his limbs bore the marks of the wolves, and rivulets of strange blood ran down his legs. He slashed at them with his sword, trying to keep them at bay. When he lost his footing, he fell to the ground. That was all they needed, and as one, the wolves pounced upon the prone body. They tore into its toughened skin, mouths snapping and teeth lacerating. The pitiful cries of the demon echoed around the clearing.
The other creature joined in the battle, focusing only on the wolves that surrounded his fallen companion. He slashed and hacked at the lupine creatures, completely oblivious to Torno’s presence. The wolf man used this to his advantage, and circled around the demon.
Crouching low to the ground, he hid himself in the long grass. Once in position, he leapt at the creature. Crashing head on into it, his paws raked down the demon’s back and gouged into the flesh. Jaws clamped around the creature’s neck, and he bit down hard. The demon shrieked and bucked, reaching behind to try and grapple the huge wolf on his back.
Torno held on with his long claws, his teeth sinking deeper and deeper into the demon’s tough skin. Despite its urgent attempts to free itself of the heavy wolf, his fight became weaker, as its life drained out of its body. Slumping to the floor with Torno still gripping it by the neck, until at last, it lay completely still.
The chanting human witches had put themselves in a deep trance, and failed to stir with the battle raging around them. Grecia watched them closely, focusing on the one in the middle, who seemed to be leading the chant. The wolf shaman leapt over the fire, crashing into the witch and knocking her onto her back with her throat exposed. Huge jaws soon clamped around the soft flesh, razor sharp teeth slicing through the sinew and windpipe. Gurgling sounds emanated from the woman’s throat as she breathed her last breath.
The death of the witch jolted the others from their trance, just in time to see the wolf pack charging down on them.
***
The combined forces of Palara and Vandemland prepared to advance. A cautious battle buzz made its way along the ranks, and the soldiers believed that events were turning in their favor. With the rains stopping and the gloom lifted, this could only be a sign that their world was returning back to how it should be. They marched forward with a sense of belief in their hearts, and a feeling that victory would be theirs. Qutaybah and Artas led their respective forces, and Myriam rode by Artas’s side.
As they streamed through the gap in the chasm towards the border, two things happened simultaneously. For the first time in weeks, the sun broke through the clouds, bathing the whole area in a warm yellow glow and suddenly, the barrier disappeared.
The demons were in disarray as they ran around shrieking at the sun’s burning rays. Stinking smoke filled the air as they searched frantically for shade. It was as if the sun knew what it was doing and it shone hotly from directly overhead. For the humans, it felt wonderful and refreshing.
Qutaybah and Artas, upon seeing the barrier disappear, ordered the charge to battle. At the same time, Palaran forces came streaming across the other side of the border. Demons were trapped between them both, and were soon overrun and crushed between the two forces.
This battle was almost over before it even began.
45
The streets of the royal city were strangely quiet; demons no longer roamed around at will. Sunshine flooded the whole city with a soothing warmth and brightness. This meant the troops pouring out of the Palaran ship were offered no resistance, and they were soon on the upper levels, joining the mercenaries and resistance fighters outside the palace.
Thalia’s demon army was quickly thinning out as the sunlight and the human fighters had taken their toll. Most were now holed up inside of the palace, hiding from the cold steel of the fighters and the burning rays of the sun.
Ganry searched for Thalia in the dungeon, but she was nowhere to be seen. She had disappeared, as if into thin air. Ganry knew that even with magic powers, she could not simply disappear. This could only mean that she must have taken one of the hidden passageways, leading elsewhere in the palace.
He was startled when Hendon and Azmariddian had suddenly appeared in the dungeon. At least now, he knew who had closed the portal. He was so pleased to see the young forest man, Hendon, he embraced him as best he could, given his injuries.
“Thank you, both,” he croaked. “You’ve saved the day. Never again will I make fun of your magic abilities.”
Hendon was taken aback by Ganry’s show of affection. He was normally a reserved and quiet man, but he said nothing and simply enjoyed the accolade.
Ganry finally released Hendon. “We must find that witch before she escapes.”
“I’ll come with you,” Hendon offered. “You may need me to finish her off. You’re not exactly in top condition right now.”
“You’re hurt quite badly,” Azmariddian said to Ganry, seeing the welts on his body from Thalia’s cruel fire whip. He took a potion from his bag and passed it to the warrior. “Take this, it will help with the pain. As soon as you’re finished with this battle, seek me out to heal those burns before they fester.”
Ganry drank the potion without thought. He needed to be without pain if they were to find and kill Thalia.
Azmariddian was exhausted from the closing of the portal. He could do no more, and stayed in the palace, making his way to the royal chambers.
Hendon followed Ganry, as he must help him find and battle the witch Queen. How he would battle her without the druid, he was unsure. But, battle her, he must. She could not stay in this world. As they attempted to track her down, he told Ganry that she was as mortal as any human. Should they slay her, her spirit would return to the underworld once again.
“That’s good to know, Hendon, but how will we better her powerful magic?” Ganry frowned, as he rushed up to the dungeon exit, entering a hallway. “She knows the ways of this city, from her lifetime spent in this world,” Ganry informed Hendon. “I suspect she’ll head for the underground waterways. We’ll meet her on the outside of the city. I know exactly where it comes out.”
The palace was quietening down, and they only came across a few wandering demons who were confused and panicked, and Ganry dispatched of them easily. They quickly made their way to one of the tunnels which led outside the palace.
Getting through the city was easier now, as most of the fighting was up on the palace level and the streets were deserted. Those who were not involved in the fighting hid in their homes keeping the children safe. Soon they were outside the city walls and climbing a steep road that led to the cave entrance of the underground river.
They settled down, hidden from
sight, and waited for the appearance of the witch queen. After a few hours, Ganry was beginning to think that he had made a mistake, perhaps she had not come this way, or maybe she knew other ways that he did not know of.
“I’m staying here overnight,” he informed Hendon. “Once the city’s clear, I’ll have the army do a wider search. She can’t have got far,” he hoped.
Hendon nodded his agreement, and together both men kept watch.
The night passed by slowly, and they took it in turns to rest. One of them always kept a watch out for any movement from the river’s underground exit.
Ganry struggled to sleep, his wounds starting to pull and hurt. Azmariddian’s potion had helped, but it was wearing off. Finally, he managed to fall asleep, only to be awoken by a cold numbing pain running through his entire body. He lay there, motionless. Unable to move, and completely transfixed to the spot.
A dark figure loomed over him. Was it Hendon? Ganry could not talk, and his vision was blurred. He blinked to clear it, and could then make out that it was Thalia who stared at him. She had cast a spell on him, and no doubt, on Hendon too. He cursed himself for his foolishness. He should have stayed awake.
“I put a sleeping spell on you both, you fools. I’m going to enjoy killing you,” Thalia said to him, venom dripping from her words. “My hatred for humans increases tenfold every day. I will have this world, but you won’t be around to see my glory.”
Completely paralyzed, he could only breath and blink. There was nothing he could do to defend himself, and he lay there awaiting the final blow. Thoughts of his wife and child, whom he had lost years ago, came to the forefront of his mind. It was time to go and meet them again. A peaceful aura settled over him as he awaited his imminent death. His only regret was for poor Hendon. Had she killed him already?
He watched helpless as she lifted her arms and began an incantation. Now, the freezing numbness that had enveloped him, was replaced by a red hot fire. He felt as if his whole body would burst into flames. The pain was excruciating, but Ganry knew it would soon be over.
She stood with her back to the cave entrance, and through the tears of pain in his eyes, he could see a dark shape rising. It must be her loyal beasts, come to feast on his body. Yes, she would enjoy that.
She continued to chant her incarnation, evil words that spread hot fire through his very veins. Though his mind was at peace, his body suffered with the most excruciating throbbing pain. He wished only for it to end, before his head might explode with the pressure, and his eyes pop out of their very sockets.
A bolt of lightning surrounded Thalia, lighting her silhouette against the backdrop of the dark night skies. Was it her own trickery, to make her look even more wicked than the she already appeared? She turned her back to him, and his pain eased off a little. The heat in his body was not so intense, but his blood still felt like molten lava.
He could feel the tenseness of the atmosphere, for a storm had appeared from nowhere. In that storm rode a huge beast. Was it one of the monsters?
No, it couldn’t be.
It was attacking Thalia.
She screamed as she looked upon her own Asgwern, Canne. Upon his huge back sat two figures. One of them stood, arms stretched high in the air. Thalia could see him clearly, for around him glowed a light. It was that wretched albino boy who should be dead. Quickly she spat out an incantation to burn him, while he stood on the treacherous beast that hovered in front of her. Her magic should have ended his life. Instead, it backfired upon her own body, as it was repelled by the glow surrounding the boy.
Thalia flared into a ball of flame, so intense that Ganry could feel it on his hot skin. She screeched in agony as the fire consumed her. It completely incinerated her skin and bones, until all that was left was a pile of smoldering ashes.
Ganry felt a breeze on his cheeks as he slowly gained his senses back again. It was the flapping of wings, huge wings that wafted the cool air over him. Looking at the beast, he could see Cronos. The boy had killed the witch. The Emperor of Mirnee had come to save his kingdom, and had banished Thalia, back to where she belonged.
Ganry slowly sat up and spotted Hendon, who was just coming around from the world of unconsciousness. They were going to survive after all. Saved by a mere boy, but a very special boy, with the ability to keep their world safe.
***
The celebrations were much larger than his birthday one had been. Three kingdoms had come together to protect their world.
Cronos was saddened at the loss of his father, but he was ready to take his place as Emperor. At the ripe young age of ten years, his experiences in battle had aged his mind tenfold. With such good friends and neighboring allies, he knew he would be guided well. Torno and Rochmyr stood by his side, always. Grecia, the wolf shaman, had told him that his spirit guide would be visiting him soon, when he was rested and ready to move on.
Queen Myriam and Artas arrived in the royal city of Mirnee. Mainly, they had both wanted to see Ganry, and were relieved to find he still lived. The young queen also needed her close friends to rule her own kingdom, Palara.
Each kingdom might have their own cultures and beliefs, but now they had fought beasts from another world, they knew that they were as one. Humans needed to stick side by side, and this was the philosophy of the two new young leaders, who were ready to make their kingdoms peaceful ones.
About The Author
Jon Kiln writes heroic fantasy.
Hope you enjoyed the Blade Asunder series!
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Books by Jon Kiln
Blade Asunder Series
Mercenary
Guardian
Warden
Champion
Sentinel
Honor Bound Series
Forsaken
Betrayal
Dominion
Veiled Dagger Series
Assassin’s Quest
Assassin’s Shadow
Assassin’s Winter
Assassin’s Remorse
Assassin’s Edge
Champion of the Gods Series
Gladiator
Arena
Swordsman’s Gift Series
The Wandering Knight
The Rebellious Knight
Blood and Sand Series
Crimson Spear
Desert Forged
