The Lords of Valdeon

by C. R. Richards

  Dante put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Your father would have killed him, Cub. Your head rules your heart."

  "Pavel was forced to give his life up for mine by this mysterious ranger. The sacrifice sickened his mind. I can understand his bitterness, though what he did to my mother I cannot."

  Emma spun around and grabbed Seth’s face in her hands. "How will you ever survive in the world, my little Seth? Pavel is a beast and doesn’t deserve your pity!"

  Riley regarded her, mistrust firmly fixed upon his face. "If you didn’t love him, Emma, then why did you stay?"

  "I still saw my duty as protecting my lady Anne." Emma cast a furtive glance at Seth. "I was jealous at first. And yes, I wanted to see them both dead. All my hate left me the night you were born. One look upon your sweet face, I knew I had an important duty. Your mother and I became close friends, tied by the same goal. I swore the most sacred oath I could to protect you until it was time."

  Emma began ripping papers out of drawers and tossing them into the fireplace. "Take him back to his father. Tell Leo I stay to erase all trace of Seth and his mother on Marianna."

  "One thing troubles me." Dante let go of the hold he had upon Seth's arm once they were outside again. "Sandor was not afraid to kill you. Surely he knew your father would seek him out?"

  "Unless he believed there was no reason to fear Edmund. Hurry! Let’s get back to Father."

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Dampness from the rain-soaked ground splattered their boots as they ran across the fields toward the McPherson Farm. The speed given to Seth as he'd raced to the Lookout earlier wouldn't come to him now. It was infuriating to have these special powers but not be able to summon them when his need was great.

  Bounding onto the lane, they ran to the top of the hill overlooking the yard. Darkness once again had engulfed the farm, extinguishing Seth’s hope his father would appear on the porch to greet them. In their urgent rush to find Leo, they'd left their borrowed lantern back at the McCloud house. He strained to see through the night. Dark clouds rolled over them, strangling the few threads of moonlight. Riley came to a stop beside Seth, panting to catch his breath. Dante stood at Seth's other side. He pulled his dagger, listening intently. Something was moving in the darkness below. Seth pulled his sword and stepped toward it.

  "Don’t rush in like a mad fool, Cub."

  Dante grabbed his arm and led them into a clump of trees close to the yard. They crouched low among the trunks and scrub. None of them had thought to grab a traveler's lantern on Main Row. He couldn't see inside the farmhouse. The blackness before them was too dense at this distance.

  Then the Lion Ring came alive on his finger, sending pulses of energy through his body. Seth’s vision began to clear. Shapes revealed themselves within rays of light. Riley’s frightened face came into focus beneath the dying leaves of autumn. The deadly silver of Dante’s dagger was ready to kill. Trampled grass and broken branches revealed others had stood in their hiding spot less than an hour before them.

  Smashing glass and tumbling kitchen utensils boomed in the night like cannon fire within the farmhouse. Shattered window glass littered the trampled ground at its base. The door flew from its hinges. A shrouded figure staggered through the ruined opening. Blood-like fluid oozed through the cloth hanging from its torso. The creature paused a moment upon the steps, turning its hood toward the clump of trees where they crouched. A low mewing filled the yard. Then it turned away quickly and ran into the night.

  "Father!" Seth burst from the trees and raced across the yard.

  "No, Cub! It isn’t safe!" Dante shouted after him.

  Glass crunched beneath Seth’s boots as he dove into the kitchen. Shattered dishes and pieces of broken furniture were everywhere. In the middle of the floor a dead body sprawled across the bloody boards. It was dressed in a dark shroud like the other killer who had run into the fields. Seth rolled the body over with his foot and immediately wished he hadn't. An emaciated face with gray-blue skin stared up at him through dead orbs. Thick liquid smelling of rot dripped from its mouth. The flesh from many kills still clung to its dagger-like teeth. What manner of evil had spawned such creatures?

  "Father!"

  He swung his sword back toward the door as crunching footsteps came into the house. Dante and Riley stood in the clutter, their own weapons at the ready. Blank faces took in the ruined kitchen.

  "What in the green, green fields is that thing?" Riley pointed his blade tip toward the creature at Seth's feet.

  "Nothing you want to meet in the dark, Curl Top. Hurry. Come away. It isn’t safe here." Dante threw his free hand forward to catch Seth.

  "I have to find my father."

  He pushed the hand away with a strangled sob. Stumbling on debris littering the hall, he pushed on toward his father’s bedchamber. Another dead creature stretched across the doorway. Beyond the corpse was the still form of Leo.

  Sword still gripped in his hand, Leo had defended against the creatures of evil to his last ounce of strength. His father’s blood-soaked shirt covered the many wounds he'd endured. Rips upon his legs and face spoke of the viciousness of their attacks. Graying strands of sweat-drenched hair fell across his face. Seth knelt beside him and gently swept the strands away.

  Leo's amber-flecked eyes struggled open. "Seth?"

  "I’m here, Father."

  He gripped Leo’s bloodied hand. Why had he not been quicker? Why had he left at all? Leo closed his eyes for a moment, body shaking with pain. It seemed to take the rest of his strength and all the will he possessed to open them again.

  Leo's hand squeezed weakly. "Don’t use the name of D’Antoiné or set foot in Valdeon until the Jalora's will takes you there. It isn’t safe. Be mindful of whom you trust, my son. Many will want to use you. Trust only the Jalora."

  "I trust you, Father. We can fetch the doctor. He can save you."

  Riley sat at Leo's feet, arms tightly about his body. He looked lost and scared. Seth was about to send him to fetch the doctor, when his father tugged at his hand.

  "No, my son. There can only be one Lion. It is your time now. Promise me you will fulfill your destiny. Honor the Lion Ring and never take it from your finger." His bloodied grip relaxed as he managed a smile. "Always remember you are my heart. It was worth everything to know you."

  Leo lifted his eyes to Dante. "Come, my old friend, there isn't much time."

  Dante dropped down beside Leo and grabbed his other hand. "Yes, Edmund. I know what must be done. Just as you’ve instructed, upon my word it will be so."

  His father’s face relaxed into a peaceful expression. A deep sigh passed through his lips as if he'd come to the end of a long, hard journey. It was a look Seth would never forget nor understand until it was his time to pass from this life. They stayed motionless as the last breath left Leo's body.

  Dante kissed Leo’s limp hand slightly above where the Lion Ring had once rested. The old squire struggled to his feet and put a hand gently on Seth’s head. Dante opened the wardrobe and pulled out Leo's trunk. He took out the ash uniform of a ranger and reverently laid it across the bed.

  "He was one of the greats." Dante carefully straightened his ranger's uniform with fierce pride. "The rest of Leo’s things are yours, Cub."

  Seth wiped at his eyes and looked inside at the secret life of Edmund D’Antoiné. Daggers, boots, and memorabilia from Leo’s travels filled the trunk. He ran his fingertips along his father’s possessions, wishing they could revisit all those foreign lands together. A portrait of his mother and father caught Seth’s eye. He pulled the drawing out and looked at their happy faces. It was a replica of the one hidden upon the wharf. Anne and her Edmund were together at last.

  Dante tossed Seth a coin purse. "Take the money and leave this place. It's no longer safe for you here. I must take your father’s body back to our homeland."

  "Shouldn’t I come with you?"

  "No. Valdeon is the stronghold of your enemies. Have you forgotten th
e promise you made to your father so soon?"

  "I don’t understand, Dante. Who or what were those creatures, and why would they want to kill me?"

  Dante turned to regard Seth with a pained sigh. "They seek you, Cub, because you are your father’s son."

  The old squire moved back to Edmund’s wardrobe and pulled out two pairs of long trousers. He gave them to Seth and Riley. A pair of fine leather boots for Seth and a cloak followed.

  "Hide in crowded places. Disguise yourself, Cub. Stay away from Valdeon."

  Dante pulled at the long curls of Seth’s thick hair and swiped his knife through the strands. The disembodied ponytail fell to the ground beside his father's body. It was the last falsehood tying him to his old life.

  "Listen to me, Cub. A ranger will come to find you. His name is Wolf. Your father and he had a falling out, but it was as much Leo's doing as it was Wolf's temper. Promise me you will trust him. Wolf is a man of honor. He can help you."

  Dante hesitated a moment, struggling with his words. "Leo kept something else from you, Seth. I must tell you in order to keep you safe." His face contorted with disgust and grief. "Your Father had four sons. Two were murdered, while another has proven to be a terrible disappointment."

  "Are you saying he murdered my other brothers?"

  "His name is Julian. You stay away from him. He's no good. It wouldn't surprise me if that devil was in cahoots with Pavel Sandor. Hide from him at all costs. Understand?"

  "Very well, Dante. I promise."

  Seth exchanged a worried look with Riley. On the run from a murdering brother and foul things of evil. This wasn't how either of them expected to leave Marianna. Now, they faced their unknown future without guidance or protection.

  Chapter Forty

  Seth worked the tall leather boots over his long brown trousers. Stomping his feet into place, he regarded his unfamiliar image in the mirror. A young man with short chestnut hair and grief-stricken eyes stared back at him. The old Seth McCloud was gone. In his place stood the Bearer of the Lion Ring. He swung his father's gray cloak over the billowing tan shirt. It smelled of citrus and spices. The scent brought memories of Leo. He turned away from the mirror. Pausing at the door of his father’s bedchamber, he finished strapping the sword and other weapons to his body.

  Riley Logan stood in the kitchen. His friend had removed the simple clothing of a Marianna woolie farmer and pulled on the billowing shirt Dante handed to him. Sleeves meant for a tall Valdeonian hung past Riley's wrists. He tucked the thigh-length shirt into his trouser waist.

  "Don't fuss, Curl Top. You’ll grow used to mainlander clothes soon enough."

  "You’ve finished then?" Riley pulled on Dante's long, dark green cloak. The color suited him.

  His teacher nodded with a sigh. "I’ve dressed Edmund in his uniform. He rests aboard ship. Chin up, Curl Top. Leo knew this day would come. We concealed a small airship in the trees behind the house. I leave for Valdeon to obey his last order."

  Seth gripped at the door frame for support. Leo must have known his attackers were waiting in the darkness. He had sent them away, knowing he was about to fight a battle he couldn't win. His father had sacrificed himself once again to keep the Lion Ring and his son safe.

  "You’re going now? What about us? Seth will want to…"

  "He’ll want to tell me where you're going. If I’m captured… You must both leave too, Curl Top. Those killers will be after Seth next. I've passed my legacy on to you. Carry it with honor, Squire Logan."

  Dante moved quickly to the door propped up within the opening and paused with his hand on the ruined wood. "Remember the code, squire. Look after your ranger."

  Kicking it outside into the yard, he disappeared into the darkness. Riley leaned upon the door frame and stared after his teacher. He looked lost. Seth ran his hands through his short curls. The last connection to his father was gone. It was just the two of them now. A soft touch stroked the skin around his ring, reminding him they weren't entirely alone. He grasped onto it for courage.

  Riley glanced over his shoulder as Seth approached. "You look like your father. Dante's gone with Leo's…Leo. He says the murderers will be back. We’ll need to be careful leaving Marianna tonight."

  "Last chance to change your mind, Riley."

  "What’s the plan?"

  Riley’s trusting eyes looked at him through his rain-soaked curls. For his friend’s sake Seth wished he really did have a plan. Valdeon was out of the question. He'd promised more than once not to attempt the trip. His father had planned to take him to the Obsidian Citadel in Lea, but it was an obvious destination. His hunters would be lying in wait for him on the road. The obvious choice wasn't the safest. Seth banished his indecision. He was Bearer of the Lion Ring now. It was up to him to see them through this alive. They'd concentrate on getting to Larkspur first where they could catch an airship to Port City on Eastland Isle. From there, they could journey anywhere on Andara.

  "It will be safer if we stay off the rows.

  Cloaked and hooded, they made their way along the treeline toward the far field and headed southeast. It was slow going in the moonless night, but Seth was sure they'd have an advantage over strangers to Marianna. Riley stumbled forward, catching Seth’s legs in his flailing arms. They hit the damp ground with a painful thud. He wished he could summon the strange new ability to see in the dark, but it came at its own pleasure.

  "We have to find a way to see where we’re going, Seth. If we keep stumbling around, those creatures are bound to hear us."

  Several dark shapes sprang out of the trees ahead of them. Seth and Riley hurried to their feet. They pulled their swords as one and stood together in the meadow grass. Tense and ready to strike, Seth's need for revenge knotted in his heart. He swung his sword upward until a thin stream of light pierced the darkness. He stayed his hand. Tom Logan's face floated within the stream. More shapes pressed closer to the little lantern. Riley’s brothers stood before them, pitchforks shimmering in the lantern light.

  "Riley Logan! What do you think you're about?" Tom opened the shade of his lantern a little more.

  "You gave us a fright." Riley's relieved laugh seemed to further enrage his brother.

  "And what do you think you’ve given Dad and Mum? First, you stay away from home without so much as a by your leave, then there is the raid, and we’re told you help fight off Amity scum with a ranger. And now Fergus McCloud isn’t who he says he is. He's escaped from jail and killed Constable McTavish doing it. What’s going on?"

  Constable McTavish was dead and by Sandor's hand? Seth squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment. This was his doing as much as Sandor. He knew how dangerous the villain could be and didn't warn the constable. Better still, he should have walked Sandor to the jail and locked him up personally. Seth couldn't afford more regrets tonight. He moved to the lantern and clicked the shade down, throwing them into darkness once more. Gripping the Lion Ring, he tried to summon the power to him. Nothing happened.

  "It isn't safe here. We must move away from the farm as quickly as possible." He stepped around them and began walking toward the east. "I’ll explain when we’ve reached safety."

  "Aye, too right you’ll explain." Tom hurried after him. "My dad wants to see you."

  An explosion ripped through the Marianna night, throwing them to their knees. Flames and debris burst skyward. Hot ash and burning wood rained down upon the empty field. An inferno burned where the McPherson farmhouse once stood. Dante had been right. The killers weren't satisfied with Leo's death. They wanted the Lion Ring and wouldn't stop until they'd found it.

  "We’ll make for the McKenzie barn. It should be safe for awhile." Tom let a small stream of light escape from the lantern.

  He kept the tiny beam low to the ground, shielding its source with his hand. Seth walked beside him, sword at the ready as they made their way on swift feet over the fields. They were out in the open and completely exposed. He tapped Tom's shoulder and pointed to a gully between kn
olls. It would help keep them hidden to some extent.

  Clouds parted slowly, allowing the moon's rays upon the countryside. Hovering like a herald of death upon a distant knoll was one of the creatures who had killed his father. Itching to strike, his hand gripped harder upon the hilt of his sword.

  "Get down." Riley yanked Seth to the ground. "I don't want to see one of those things up close again. Dead or alive."

  "What is it?" Stephen's whisper was directed to Seth.

  He shook his head. "I don't know, but it isn't human. Come on, we've got to keep moving. Stay low."

  The McKenzie Farm was on the north side of Farm Row and a short walk from the outskirts of town. Rolling hills dropped down into a small bowl. It was here Mr. McKenzie had built his farmhouse and barn. The yard was full of wagons and single mounts. Bright lights blazed through the windows of the house as men argued loudly from inside. Shadows paced back and forth, their owners gesturing angrily. Many of the crowd were armed.

  "Constable McTavish is dead along with half the militia. These men are all that's left to protect Haven Bay and the farms." Tom frowned as he gave Seth a thoughtful look. "Come on. We can sneak in the barn."

  Patrick and George muscled the barn door open. Once they were inside, Tom released the light. Their faces were expectant as they looked toward Seth. The world had suddenly gone mad. Murder and evil had come among them this night. He understood their need for answers.

  "What I tell you must remain secret, well, at least until Riley and I are safely off Marianna."

  "You aren’t going anywhere, Riley." Tom shook his head. "You’re going straight inside McKenzie's farmhouse and explain this mess to Dad."

  "We can't stay here long, Tom. Those creatures are following us. If they find Riley and me here, everyone inside the house will be in danger."

  "Explain what’s going on, Seth McCloud." Patrick punched down hard upon a bale of hay.