The Realms of Animar

by Owen Black

  Avryn had many questions but he decided they could wait. There would be time.

  Gasping for air, his hair damp with sweat, Guderian managed to say, “I ran…nearly the whole way without stopping. So much to tell.”

  “Guderian!” Joli screamed from behind them.

  Avryn backed away and watched as Joli rushed into his arms, hugging and kissing her husband before she finally leaned back and examined him for damage.

  “I missed you so much!” she said as she wiped tears from her eyes. “I was worried I would never see you again.”

  Guderian took several deep breaths. “The Aquan world,” he replied as he struggled for air. “It was incredible. Sorry. I guess I overdid it.”

  “Well I’m just glad you made it back,” she said. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  Joli then wrapped an arm in his and led him deeper into the village. “Alright come on then,” she said with a smile. “Let’s get you to the tavern and scrounge up something warm to eat. I want to hear what you have been up to.”

  Equally anxious to hear his tale, Avryn walked beside the couple. His eyes quickly fell upon the sword hilts that were sticking out from under Guderian’s shoulder-pack. This struck Avryn as odd because he knew Guderian always traveled with only his bow.

  Although he wanted to give his friend time, curiosity took over and Avryn asked, “It looks like you return with new weaponry.”

  Guderian stopped, glanced over his shoulder and then replied, “Wait until you get a look at these beauties!”

  Suddenly Avryn’s face turned to bewilderment, “I saw you! You morphed with them!”

  With a large grin upon his face Guderian reached to his back and grabbed for one of the hilts.

  Joli tugged on his arm. “Come on boys. We can talk about it over a warm cup of cider.”

  ***

  A small group that included Joli, Avryn, Semu and Urso assembled in the arena tavern and there, while sitting around a crackling fire, Guderian told of his journey and about finding out the fate of his lost sister.

  As he relived his adventure, Guderian couldn’t help but feel like he was trapped in a dream. The faces of his friends, faces he had just days before doubted he would ever see again, were filled with wonder as he spoke, his tale destined for legend and likely never forgotten.

  He told them about what he saw beneath the waves, about the people he met, the incredible creatures he encountered and how they lived in secrecy, far away from the troubles of the land. Most importantly he told them about the pledge the Realmlord Arodon had made to send help, although Guderian could not say when they would arrive, or how many they would send.

  Being a blacksmith, Guderian was anxious to show them the weapons he had brought back with him. Standing before the group, he rubbed his hands together in anticipation as he spoke, “Before I left the Realmlord gave me these.”

  He picked up the cloth-wrapped swords and handed one to Avryn and the other to Urso. While the men unwrapped the fine blades carefully, Guderian continued, “They are swords made entirely of a material they call coral, well, except for the green wrapping around the handle. That is some sort of weed from the ocean. Obviously, they are of incredible workmanship. I myself was most impressed by the edge although being able to morph with them is clearly the best part.”

  “Amazing!” Urso said. “A blade you can morph with!”

  “Indeed!” Guderian agreed. “I was thinking that they would make an ideal gift for our best swordsman.” He then looked at Avryn.

  Avryn smiled as he waved the sword in front of his body. “So light,” he said. “Still, I think these belong in the hands of someone more gifted than I.”

  “Thane!” Urso exclaimed.

  Guderian laughed. “Don’t tell me Thane has already mastered the sword! I haven’t been gone that long!”

  Avryn sheathed the blade and then replied, “Well, not quite mastered it but he is definitely a natural.”

  “With these swords he will be unstoppable,” Urso said.

  A look of concern appeared on Avryn’s face but he already knew that the trainer was right. In the hands of Thane, coupled with his ability to move through the air in an instant, the swords would be truly devastating. He nodded to Urso and watched as the trainer’s face lit with excitement. “I will work Thane as we agreed and he can have these swords but my decision stands. He is not to fight, unless he has to.”

  “Agreed,” Urso said. “Unless he has to.”

  Chapter 29

  Fatalis breathed in the cold morning air as he walked through the trees, anxious to reach his destination. He hated winter. It was such a horrible time. And ice. What an awful substance. What purpose did it serve? Everything had a purpose, the trees, the mountains, the rain and, naturally, the different creatures of their world. Each had a reason for existing. It was one of the few beliefs that lived within his blackened heart.

  Of course, feeding this belief was the fact that his purpose, his destiny, to use the word spoken by the aging oracle, was to rule. He was a born leader - strong, powerful, the greatest warrior to ever grace their land, and, above all else, unique. Because he possessed these traits he was feared by his men, a reaction that he relished, a reaction he needed to maintain their respect and obedience.

  Although the region in which they lived rarely received snowfall and the temperatures were generally milder, he preferred not to be outside in the winter, the cave was much more fitting to his taste. But, alas, a number of his minions preferred to live in the wild and thus he was forced from time to time to venture forth, especially when he had an important message to deliver. Like today.

  Fatalis worked his way through the woods until finally he heard voices spill into his remarkably keen ears. A few he recognized right away while others were from strangers. This was to be expected since recruiting had been necessary due to the recent losses in their ranks. He had urged such efforts because their kind was highly valuable. They had a combination of cunning and power that Fatalis truly appreciated. In fact they were one of the few non-feline breeds that he was somewhat fond of, even though they obviously needed to be watched closely.

  He spotted a clearing up ahead. At last he had reached the wolf camp.

  A few moments later he emerged into a small circular clearing that surrounded an inviting fire pit. Around the area sat a collection of men and women that immediately shot up when their master approached.

  Fatalis relished their apprehension. Unfortunately his delight was quickly dispelled when he realized that the one he had come to see was nowhere to be found. He then looked over the small wooden cabins that were scattered around the clearing. They were of fair construction, not suitable for a king, but adequate for those of lesser tastes. He pitied the creatures that preferred to sleep indoors on blankets and beds. It was a shame really. Nothing could beat the feel of cool rock.

  One of those sitting around the fire, a feeble looking miniature thing of a man, somehow mustered the nerve to speak. He likely drew on an untapped source of strength that clearly had not spread elsewhere.

  “F…F…Fatalis,” the man mumbled. “W…welcome.”

  His stuttering was amusing. It was a sign of weakness. Fatalis ignored his attempted greeting and raised a hand to silence him.

  “Where is Ash?” he asked the group.

  They looked at one another nervously, as if trying to decide who should speak. Their indecision was pathetic. The wolves were lost without Mordigal.

  After a few painfully wasted seconds elapsed the frail man spoke once more while he pointed to one of the buildings, “Still sleeping. He hasn’t come out this morning.”

  Without reply Fatalis walked towards the cabin. He was disappointed. He needed them and he needed Ash to step forward and lead. As he approached the cabin, his heart began to fill with rage. He hated failure and he struggled to calm himself. When he reached the door he jerked it open without even the slightest consideration of a knock.

 
Ash was indeed inside, fully dressed and seated atop a small bed with his back against the wall. He looked dismal, depressed and weak, clearly not motivated after being handed the position of Alpha by his traitorous brother. Despite the result, Fatalis was certain he had done the right thing in telling Ash about the insight the oracle had provided. Anger was a powerful weapon that somehow eluded the man before him.

  Upon the unexpected entrance of his master, Ash quickly raised his head and opened his mouth, yet words eluded him. He had to know that he had been a failure since his brother had betrayed them. Perhaps he wondered if his days had at last drawn to an end.

  “Come walk with me,” Fatalis instructed.

  By the look on his face, these were clearly not the words Ash had expected. With a slight nod he stood up and followed his master outside where the others stared with anxious eyes, curious to learn the fate of their new pack leader.

  Fatalis smiled inside when he read their eyes. A cunning lot the wolves were. He knew that some hoped Ash would not return from his unexpected foray into the woods. They would be disappointed to learn that punishment was not the purpose for his visit. Not yet any way.

  For nearly an hour Fatalis silently led Ash through trees and brush and across a meandering stream. The only sounds made were in the form of rustling leaves and the occasional creak of branches as they swayed in the wind. The stifling silence between them had purpose and Fatalis could sense the anxiety as it stewed within his companion. Fear was a delicacy he truly relished.

  They emerged from the forest onto a small rocky ledge that overlooked an expanse of green and brown hills that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Although the immediate ground below was not visible, the sound of a rushing river could be heard nearby and even to those who ignored the beauty of nature, it was a spectacular view. Unfortunately, neither man had an appreciation for such mundane things. A more significant topic was at hand.

  Fatalis confidently walked to the ledge and looked down without a flicker of hesitation. While some might be nervous standing atop a cliff with an assassin facing his back, Fatalis never flinched, for he had a gift. As if he heard the muscles of those around him twitch, as if he planned their actions before hand, his gift was of superior reflex. Perhaps more finely tuned instinct than ability when coupled with his other rather peculiar talents Fatalis was simply unmatched in battle. He toyed with his adversaries, he squashed them with ease. He had toppled the previous Alpha Lord in mere minutes and under his rule they had extended the carnivore dominion at an incredible rate, leaving death and destruction scattered in his wake.

  Without looking back, Fatalis focused his gaze on the ground far below and said firmly, “Your time has come.”

  He knew Ash trembled while he awaited his punishment like a sheepish child. His words must have struck like a sword and he was quite amused by his cruelty.

  “I’m sorry I disappointed you,” Ash mumbled.

  Fatalis allowed a few seconds of tension to linger.

  Finally he replied, “You were thrown into a difficult situation. Had I been betrayed and the woman I loved murdered, I can’t say I would react differently.”

  His own lies nearly made him vomit, even false compassion was difficult. He peered back at Ash who stood looking at his feet. Ash lacked the necessary tools to lead and the scar on his left cheek stood out like a symbol of defeat. These weaknesses aside, he was an excellent warrior and his pack was fond of him although they craved a sign of strength from their newest Alpha.

  “Do you know why I have asked you here Ash?” Fatalis asked.

  “I can guess.”

  “You could but you would be wrong. I need you Ash. I need your kind in my ranks. Mordigal betrayed you - he betrayed all of us - but most of all you. That day, you could have been killed like most he took on that mission. It is only because you are strong that you survived.”

  Ash shook his head slowly. “But I killed the vulture for nothing. He was right about Mordigal. If the oracle had not told you I would have always doubted…”

  “On the contrary, that was one of your finest moments. Boldness creates respect and your actions created fear from everyone present that day and many who weren’t. Your kind is a master of death Ash and you need to remember that. Never regret your actions. That foul creature deserved to die long before your blade struck his throat. And this woman, Mordigal’s love, you knew of her from the past, correct? Your kind mates for life, does it not?”

  Fatalis worked his words carefully. He had planned this conversation well in advance. He was brilliant.

  “I knew about Trussil, he spoke of her often. He had dreams about her, sad dreams. I just never thought that he would betray me. Betray us.”

  “And Ellyn, you loved her?”

  “I did,” Ash replied painfully.

  How sad, Fatalis thought to himself, Ellyn never even loved the pitiful wretch.

  “A man of your talents, of your strengths, how can you not desire vengeance?”

  “I have thought about it of course, if I ever see him again. But Mordigal knows how we fight. If he is helping them as the oracle told you he will expect the worst and be ready.”

  “Not even your dear brother will know what is coming. Our lands have never seen an army like that I will unleash. When it is over this war will be the stuff of legends and the other realms will fear our kind for eternity. It will be a slaughter Ash, they will fall swiftly and they will feed our bellies for years. They are the weak and this is their purpose.”

  Their eyes locked for a moment. Fatalis could feel the blood beginning to pulse through the wolf once more, the hunger building. He motioned for Ash to come to the ledge where he stood so that he could see what waited down below.

  Curiosity showed on his brow as Ash approached the cliff. Slowly the valley floor came into view and where he expected to see an assortment of trees and rock, his eyes feel upon an incredible sight, an unbelievable, heart pounding sight that drove his rage and pushed adrenaline through his veins in a euphoric rush. There below, instead of a field of trees or a flowing river, were countless tents and hundreds, no thousands of soldiers, scurrying about like ants. An ocean of warriors of all sizes and makes who had answered the call of war and were hungry for flesh, anxious to serve and give meaning to their otherwise tedious lives. Ash had seen the village; he knew they would not stand a chance against an army of this size.

  As Ash looked upon the masses waiting below, Fatalis continued, “Behold the strength of my voice. More are coming, thousands more from all across the land. Winter passes in just a matter of weeks and we will march toward victory. By my side you can lead us to them Ash. Only you can show us the way.”

  The assassin did not reply, he simply continued to stare in awe, his jaw agape. As he pondered what Fatalis had said, his value finally stuck him. With Critias dead, only he and the other survivor of their original pack, Tobias, knew the way to the village, and Tobias was old and weak. At last Ash understood why Fatalis had not thrown him from the cliff.

  Fatalis saw life return to the assassin’s eyes and he continued, “Imagine the respect, the power you will feel standing by my side as we march this hoard of mercenaries across the land. We will conquer them swiftly and feast upon their remains. Take charge of your pack and lead them to victory and the wolves will bow to you until the end of your days and your children will inherit your honor. Lead us to them Ash and this incredible force will be the element of your revenge.”

  A dark smile then formed on Ash’s lips and Fatalis knew he had succeeded. The fire of hate had been stoked and the wolves were once again empowered. His mission had been successful and another pawn in his army had been placed.

  Chapter 30

  The sun warmed her body as the owl soared, a graceful creature slicing through the air with remarkable ease upon delicate wings formed from a palette of brown and tan feathers. Above trees and rivers, mountains and valleys she flew, pressing onward as an invisible force of cold surged against her,
seemingly anxious to prevent Trussil from reaching her destination.

  Far beneath her elegant glide, the wintry land seemed beautifully tranquil and, like all moments spent flying with the clouds, peace enveloped her in a calming embrace. Oh how she had missed flying, especially in the crisp morning air.

  As Trussil flew her keen eyes surveyed the ground below, at times spotting movement from even the smallest of creatures, and she wondered where the others were in their journeys, in particular of course, the man she loved.

  Although they had lived apart for so long since their recent reunion her heart ached from having to leave him yet again. She knew he had given up everything for her, his way of life and his family, he could never return to them. Now she only hoped they had another chance for a life together, away from conflict and war, where they could enjoy the rest of their days in peace and happiness. She had to hope, it was all she had in the dark days that lied ahead.

  Trussil fought the worry from her mind as she spotted familiar trees on the horizon. Descending as she advanced, her mind was filled with conflicting, anxious feelings. She did not know how she would be received. It had been so long ago that she had left home, abandoned her kind in a bitter show of defiance for their way of life. She vowed never to return to Ovion, never again to walk among her heartless kind who cast aside their own so easily. Never again, that is, until she needed them.

  The towering trees grew closer, massive reddish woods that stretched high into the sky, their tops still covered by a mosaic of brownish leaves, made possible by the more suitable temperatures of the southern region in which they lived. Her tired wings yearned for relief and Trussil searched for a place to land. Then her pace quickened, along with her heart, as the outer edge of the first platform came into view.

  There were numerous bird habitats spread throughout Animar but Ovion was the largest and generally housed several thousand at any given time. It served as home for countless species and had been established long before Trussil had been born, long before the ground dwellers multiplied and the chaos of their ways threatened the peace that was the Avian way of life.