Empire Awakening (Maledorian Chronicles Book 2)

by John Forrester

  “Into what?” the prince said, running a hand across his chin.

  “Can’t you see? That’s the mystery and the joy of discovery. We get to reinvent ourselves into anything we desire. That’s the peril and the lure of freedom. We can be reborn and create the future we believe in.”

  Elendria leaned forward and opened her hands. “It’s right here in front of us.”

  EPILOGUE

  Relek cursed at the horse he was riding, wishing he could rest. It had been hours since they’d stopped, but still, Dondran didn’t relent on his pursuit of reaching the border separating the Kingdom of Mar Thagroth and the new nation of Maren Downs. He still couldn’t believe Lord Rigar had succeeded in conquering and holding Maren Downs. When they’d discovered the news on their ride south, they were shocked. But then again, when it came to their master, one had to be used to being surprised.

  He thought back to his battle with Lady Elendria, wincing at the memory. It had been painful to slip from the world of the living into the World of Shadows. But Relek and Dondran didn’t have any other chance. The girl had beaten them. In fact, she’d tried her best to destroy them. Lord Rigar’s daughter was nasty and wasn’t someone he would ever underestimate again.

  He had crawled around in the realm of shadows, his body there a memory of the one he’d had, and thankfully, one without the mortal wounds. It had felt strange to be alive, in the shadow world, after sliding toward death only moments before.

  Hours passed in that weird realm, and he’d been lucky enough to find Dondran. If it wasn’t for the tracker, Relek was sure he’d never manage to find his way out. He knew the spell to enter the world of shadows, but the way out was a different matter.

  The cost had been vast. The two had been unable to cast magic for well over a week and required much rest in Damak. It was a miracle they managed to make their way intact through those cursed forests and down the mountain. But then again, wasn’t it Dondran who kept him alive?

  Relek felt like a fool, sometimes. A useless, weak, fool. But that would all change once he’d fully recovered and he studied again at his master’s feet. If he ever encountered her again, he would plan a way to kill her, master’s daughter or not. It mattered not to him.

  In the days following their journey south, after they’d regained their magical abilities, they’d tried, unsuccessfully, to contact Lord Rigar. Usually, their master always responded, but each time, it was as if a fog were surrounding him and any other cultist they knew. Even farseeing was unsuccessful. The entire land around Maren Downs was impenetrable to magical sight. It was bizarre. Had their master constructed a kind of magical defense around the new nation? They had no choice but to plod their way here and attempt to find him directly.

  A frown formed on Relek’s face. Would his master even accept him back into the fold? After his failure in dealing with Elendria, he wondered how Lord Rigar would treat him. Would it be with disdain? Would he be demoted a rank or two? He and Dondran would have to make up for their inability to bring back their master’s daughter.

  Ahead, Dondran raised his hand, signaling for them to stop. Something was there. The tracker’s eyes were narrowed, keenly scanning the thin forest interspersed with thick grass and shrubs. The air was warm here, so warm and humid that Relek only wore a light tunic and cotton pants. His thighs were chafed, and it felt like they had blisters from riding too long.

  The thing dropped from the sky. Relek’s heart pounded at the sight of the twenty-foot tall monster with a woman’s face, gold, carapace-like skin, and spikes protruding from the shoulders. Ridges jutted out along its curved back. It was a beautiful but terrifying creation.

  Relek gripped his reins and held his breath. So, his master had finally succeeded in crafting a magical construct. The creature was amazing. Through insect-like eyes, it stared at them as if wondering why they were so stupid to come here.

  Dondran showed the creature the symbol of Ba’al. It tilted its head, fascinated by the ancient fertility sign. It paused, as if mesmerized, then it reared up its feminine head, turned, and plodded off. When Dondran and Relek stayed and watched it go, the thing stopped, glanced back, and motioned for them to follow.

  Strange as it seemed, they did follow the beast. It had to be one of the magical constructs that protected the borders of Maren Downs—one of the thousands in Lord Rigar’s new army. A gift from Ba’al, no doubt, one of many bountiful gifts that would propel their new nation to greatness. It was no wonder the kingdoms of Mar Thagroth and Jalinfaer feared them and left them alone.

  They followed the construct for hours. The thing seemed annoyed by their lack of speed. It moved like a jackal, loping through the grass, its long arms swinging as it darted ahead on its arms and legs. But when it stopped and waited for them, it rose up on its legs and watched them with impatient eyes. It chattered as if it were bored, then it turned and chased off again.

  It was twilight by the time they spotted the tents. The flickering lights from the campfires warmed Relek’s heart. He couldn’t wait to eat and enjoy a good meal with his fellow believers. How was Castenar? The man was the oldest of Lord Rigar’s followers, and someone Relek often enjoyed spending time with, especially since Relek hoped it would get him closer to the master.

  The last person he wanted to see was the Duke of Wrainton. The man was condescending and considered himself above the others. Relek particularly hated how the duke always sought to stay close to the boy. There had been too many snubs aimed at Lord Rigar’s direction, but the man rarely noticed. Relek always paid attention to things like that. Other people often overlooked those signs.

  When they dismounted near one of the campfires, several heads rose to study their arrival.

  “Dondran?” one of the red-robed masters said, rising. He was a fat man with splotchy skin and bushy eyebrows. Only a few tufts of hair remained on his otherwise bald head. “Is it you? We thought you were dead.”

  The tracker scoffed. “You think I’m that easy to kill? Come on, Baz, you should know better than that.”

  The two locked arms and shared a warm smile. “It’s good to have you back, old friend. I see you brought the lackey back home safe? Couldn’t you have let him get lost someplace out there in those mountains?”

  Relek flushed with embarrassment and forced himself to unclench his fist. They were only trying to goad him.

  “He did get lost in the realm of shadows. I had to drag him out of that place.”

  Baz raised his eyes in surprise. “Good gods, what happened?”

  “Another story for another time.” Dondran jutted his chin toward the fire, where a priest was holding a jug. The man handed him the drink, and Dondran took a long pull then sighed in contentment.

  “It’s been too long since I’ve had your nasty excuse for a drink. Good shit, though.” Dondran clenched his jaw and studied the men. “So, tell me, what have I missed? Don’t spare a thing.”

  He plopped down on a log, and Baz began to talk. Halfway through the story, Relek nearly pissed himself. Lady Elendria had come here? But how? He wanted to sneak away into the forest and get the hell away from here. If she was here and she remembered what he’d done and what he’d said to her, then Relek believed he was as good as dead. What had promised to be a warm homecoming was now a trap and a deadly one, at that. And when he’d heard Prince Jondran was also here, and the two were a couple, that filled him even more with dread.

  “Hmm,” said Dondran. “Then I suppose we better go talk to Lady Elendria. We didn’t exactly leave on the best terms. We wanted to take her back to her father, and she resisted quite fiercely, so strong you could say she was the reason we got to spend time in the realm of shadows.”

  Baz’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I didn’t realize the master’s daughter was so powerful.”

  “Sneaky and tricky, more like it.”

  “That says a lot coming from you, Dondran. I didn’t know anyone could succeed in sneaking up on you.”

  “Well, she did learn
quite a bit from the witches in the north. They taught her some very interesting spells, ones I’d like to get a hold of for myself.”

  “You’ll have to wait to see her.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Baz pointed off into the darkness. “She left and traveled east to Tivren with Prince Jondran and the two little kids she adopted. Supposedly, she’s trying to establish trade and diplomatic relations with that strange land. Not sure why her father would allow it, but then again, I doubt he could have done anything to stop her. The girl has a powerful will and a mind of her own.”

  “You could say that again.” Dondran snorted and took another pull of the drink. “Well, we’re off the hook for a bit—at least until she gets back.”

  “I wouldn’t say that if I were you. The master’s in a foul mood these last few days.”

  “Coincided with his daughter leaving,” said another priest, a red-faced bull of a man with a shaved head and a bulbous nose. “I think Lord Rigar wanted to give a certain kind of impression around his daughter. He’s been in a firestorm since she’s left. Making plans and excavating many ruins in the forest. He’s been looking for something, and he’s not finding it.”

  “Ever since the boy was brought back to his normal state,” said Baz, “it seems like the favor of Ba’al has departed.”

  “Don’t say that,” hissed Dondran, eyes hard suddenly.

  Baz lifted his hands in submission. “I’m no heretic. Simply telling you what’s going on since you’ve left, Dondran. But don’t take my word for it; see for yourself. Talk to the master, pray at the shrines, but whatever you do, be careful about touching the statue.”

  The statue? Relek found the hairs rising on the back of his neck. Dondran went quiet for a moment, pondering something.

  “They say that whoever touches the statue changes permanently and not for the better.” Baz glanced around, eyes fearful. “We might all have to do it soon as a test of faith. But I warn you, Dondran, some people live, and some die afterward. And who knows what he does with the bodies?”

  Relek was filled with dread. What had he come back here for, anyway? Instead of arriving with dreams of fame and power, his hopes had been shattered in an instant. Now, all he could think about was surviving to live another day.

  “I’m sure it’s not so bad as that,” said Dondran, eying Baz with a cold stare. “We’ll see Lord Rigar tomorrow, bright and early when he’s rested, and hear from the man himself.”

  Baz only shrugged at that and took a drink, looking sullen suddenly.

  Dondran gave Relek a look that he knew well. It said, We’re going to have to kill someone. The tracker accepted the jug and took another drink, giving out a long exhalation. He pushed himself up and slapped his hands together.

  “I suppose we’ll call it a night then. Thank ye for the drink and for letting me know what’s going on.”

  The priests nodded in respect to Dondran, while Baz only grunted. The man stared at the fire like he was catching a glimpse of his death.

  The tracker looped around behind Baz, and Relek caught a glimpse of steel mirroring the firelight.

  Dondran moved like the wind that roars down the mountain. A red slash along Baz’s neck. Blood bubbled up and sprayed the ground. The man fell over into the fire, and whatever hair was left on his head started burning, stinking up Relek’s nostrils.

  He grimaced in disgust and turned away from the sight of the fat man’s face burning.

  “Obey Ba’al and our master, Lord Rigar,” commanded Dondran. His eyes possessed the fierceness of a rabid dog. “Or suffer the fate of the non-believers.”

  The tracker stared for a long while at the burning body dripping blood into the fire, a grim smile playing on his face.