She was smiling.
He blinked in surprise. It had been a long time since he had happened to look at Calliande and seen her smiling for no reason.
“What?” said Calliande, though she still smiled.
“You look pleased to start the journey,” said Ridmark.
“Do you know, I think I am,” said Calliande. She blinked a few times. “I think, Ridmark…I think maybe I spent too long in once place. Too long at the domus.” She squeezed his hand for a moment. “I think a journey would do me good. Though I admit, this is not the journey I would have chosen.”
Ridmark laughed. “No. But let’s make the best of it, shall we? Sir Parmenio!”
“My lord,” said Parmenio, jogging over.
“Send the scouts out,” said Ridmark. “We are leaving.”
Parmenio nodded, and half the hoplites ranged out, bows in hand.
Ridmark glanced back at the wagons, saw Tamlin explaining to Gareth and Joachim how to steer a scutian. Calliande looked back at them and grinned.
The contentment that fell over Ridmark felt out of place.
He was thousands of miles from home, and he was in the midst of a war and a land that he did not fully understand.
But his wife and children were with him.
For now, that was enough.
Epilogue: The Guardians
The battle raged across the beach below the grim walls of Xenorium.
Rhodruthain, the last Guardian of Cathair Animus, fought for his life.
He had been burned in a half-dozen places, and fatigue made his arms tremble and his legs watery. The Dragon Staff of the Guardian burned in his hand, blazing with arcane fire, and his link to the Well of Storms flooded him with magical power.
That link was the only thing that kept him on his feet.
The seven high priests of the Maledicti glided towards him, dark magic snarling around their undead fingers. Rhodruthain could have taken any two or three of them in a magical battle, but he could not defeat all seven of them at once. The Maledicti fought in perfect harmony, each one of the undead orcish warlocks devoted to their malevolent master.
“It is over, old man,” said Khurazalin, his ornate red robes rippling around his wasted form. “Lie down and die. It will be so much easier.”
Rhodruthain snarled in defiance, summoning more power as he backed towards the pounding surf. The Maledicti were dangerous enough.
The creature coming behind them was worse.
Once the creature had been a mortal Arcanius named Cavilius. Now he wore black plate armor from head to foot, forged of some metal that not even Rhodruthain recognized. A black mask of the same metal covered his face, and a hooded black cloak streamed from his broad shoulders.
In his right hand, he carried the Sword of Shadows, and illusions poured from that cursed blade. The Sword of Shadows was one of the Seven Swords that poor Kothlaric had taken from Urd Maelwyn, unknowing of their power and purpose.
And with the Sword of Shadows, the man who had been Cavilius had instead become the Masked One of Xenorium.
The Masked One raised his hand, and again illusions burned through Rhodruthain’s mind, images of horror and carnage beyond anything even his ancient mind had seen. It was too much, and Rhodruthain fell to one knee with a cry of agony, leaning upon the Dragon Staff for balance.
But still, he held onto his magic.
“Finish him and bring me his Sword,” said the Masked One, his voice metallic and distorted.
The Maledicti began their killing spell.
Rhodruthain grinned at them, for they were too late. All through their battle, he had been gathering power, and at last, he had enough magic summoned to cast his travel spell.
“No!” said the Masked One. “Stop…”
Blue light swallowed the world.
When it cleared, Rhodruthain found himself in the vast white chamber at the heart of Cathair Animus. Shafts of sunlight leaked through the crumbling dome of the ceiling, falling upon the weeds forcing their way through the gaps between the white flagstones. The ruins of the dark elves and the high elves would last forever. The ruins of the gray elves were slowly crumbling into the dust of time.
But the Well of Storms would last forever.
And that was the problem.
The storm at the Well’s heart snarled and twisted, power enough to shatter the world writhing beneath the waters.
The Ring Gate was the other part of the problem.
It stood at the edge of the Well, just where it had appeared on the day Kothlaric had come to Cathair Animus to destroy the Seven Swords. It was a ring of dark elven steel, exactly twelve feet in diameter, its circumference seemingly fashioned of twisted wire. Spaced at equidistant points about the ring were seven slots.
Seemingly perfect for holding seven swords.
Rhodruthain started to rise, and the agony from his wounds forced him back to the ground.
He had no choice. He drew the Sword of Life from its scabbard at his belt, grasped the hilt, and drew on its power. The Sword blazed with golden light, and that light plunged into him.
Agony exploded through him, and Rhodruthain screamed until, mercifully, he passed out.
A few days later he awoke and stood, his wounds healed.
The Dark Lady stood next to him, translucent and shimmering, her black eyes hard with wrath.
“Are you senile, or merely a fool?” said the Dark Lady.
“Mmm?” said Rhodruthain. He knew she had been human when she was still properly alive, and humans were always so impatient.
Of course, humans hardly had sole possession of that particular vice.
“I told you that Ridmark and Calliande might be able to help you,” snapped the Dark Lady. “I did not tell you to kidnap them and bring you here. I certainly did not tell you to bring their children!”
Rhodruthain shook his head, trying to clear it. He was too old now, far too old. He should have died a long, long time ago.
But there was no one else to carry the burden of his duty, so he kept going.
“Would you rather they have been separated from their children?” said Rhodruthain. “That would hardly have been preferable.”
The other Guardian stared at him. “I would rather you have not kidnapped them at all.”
“No,” said Rhodruthain. “No, there is no time.”
“Their children could have died at Castra Chaeldon.”
“Yes,” said Rhodruthain, gazing at the Ring Gate and the Well of Storms beyond it. “They could have. And if the New God is not stopped, their children and many others will die.”
###
Khurazalin gazed at the sand where Rhodruthain had been, annoyed.
No matter. The troublesome old relic would not be able to hinder them for much longer. Too many things were in motion, and only Rhodruthain, the Maledicti, and the Masked One knew the truth.
And no one in Owyllain would believe Rhodruthain.
That had been one of the Masked One’s cleverer plans.
“Maledicti,” said Masked One.
“My lord?” said Khurazalin, turning towards the bearer of the Sword of Shadows.
“The time has come. Are the disciples in Aenesium ready?”
“They are, my lord,” said Khurazalin. “Even better, the Shield Knight and the Keeper are traveling there now.”
“Excellent. We shall rid ourselves of our most dangerous foes with one stroke. Send word to the disciples in the city. The time has come.”
“With pleasure, my lord,” said Khurazalin.
The city of Aenesium would be ashes, and with it, all the New God’s chief enemies.
Including the Shield Knight and the Keeper.
THE END
Thank you for reading SEVENFOLD SWORD: CHAMPION!
But there are more adventures to come for Ridmark and Calliande in SEVENFOLD SWORD: SWORDBEARER, the next book in the series coming in late 2017.
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Glossary of Characters
ACCOLON PENDRAGON: The son of Sir Arandar and grandson of the High King.
ADRASTEA PENDRGON: The wife of King Hektor Pendragon.
ARDRHYTHAIN: The last archmage of the high elves, and the founder of the Order of the Magistri and the Order of the Soulblade.
AEGEUS: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii, strong with water magic.
AELIA LICINIUS ARBAN: The eldest daughter of Gareth Licinius, and the late wife of Ridmark Arban. Killed at Castra Marcaine by Mhalek.
AGRIMNALAZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban in Urd Arowyn.
ANTENORA: A former apprentice of the last Keeper of Avalon upon Old Earth, cursed by Mordred Pendragon’s dark magic to live forever until she finds redemption. Now the apprentice of Calliande of Tarlion.
ARANDAR PENDRAGON: A Knight of the Order of the Soulblade and current bearer of the soulblade Heartwarden. The bastard son of the High King Uthanaric Pendragon, and the father of Accolon and Nyvane. Plague killed his wife Isolde. Currently the Prince Regent of the loyalist army of Andomhaim.
ARCHAELON: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii.
ARLMAGNAVA: A Frostborn woman, a Seeker of the Order of the Inquisition of the Dominion of the High Lords, the military Order of the Frostborn devoted to spying and recruitment of allies.
AXAZAMAR: The King of Khald Tormen and older brother of Narzaxar.
AZAKHUN: A dwarven Taalmak of Khald Tormen. Caius baptized him into the faith of the Dominus Christus in the Vale of Stone Death.
THE ARTIFICER: A dark elven noble and wizard, formerly the apprentice of the Warden. His spirit was bound to the Iron Tower. Defeated by Ridmark and his companions.
AVENTINE ROCARN: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine.
BORS DURIUS: A son of Dux Kors Durius of Durandis.
CADWALL GWYRDRAGON: The Prince of Cintarra, the largest city in Andomhaim.
CAIUS: A dwarven noble of Khald Tormen and a friar of the mendicant orders. The first of the dwarven kindred to convert to the church of the Dominus Christus.
CALAZON: A dwarven stonescribe and advisor to Prince Narzaxar.
CALLIANDE ARBAN: The Keeper of Tarlion, the guardian of the realm of Andomhaim against the powers of dark magic. The daughter of Joanna and Joachim, and the former student of the Magistrius Marius and the Keeper Ruth.
CAMORAK: A Magistrius in service to Joram Agramore of Dun Licinia. Prone to drunkenness and boorish comments, but nonetheless a skilled healer.
CARADOG LORDAC: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine.
CEAROWYN MARDIUS PENDRAGON: The High Queen of Andomhaim and wife of the High King Arandar Pendragon.
CLAUDIUS AGRELL: A knight in service to Tarrabus Carhaine, serving as Constable of Castra Carhaine.
THE CONFESSOR: A dark elven lord, once the lieutenant of the Sovereign. Now the ruler of Urd Maelwyn and the bearer of the Sword of Air.
CONNMAR PENDRAGON: The founder of the realm of Owyllain.
CONSTANTINE LICINIUS: The son of Gareth Licinius, and a Swordbearer, wielder of the soulblade Brightherald.
CORBANIC LAMORUS: A vassal of the High King, and current Comes of Coldinium. Now serves as Constable of Tarlion, defending the city from Tarrabus Carhaine.
CORTIN LAMORUS: A knight and the son of Corbanic Lamorus. Appointed as the new Dux of Calvus.
CROWLACHT: A headman of the orcish kingdom of Rhaluusk and a warrior of King Ulakhamar. Fought alongside Ridmark and his friends at the Iron Tower.
CURZONAR: A Prince of the Range, son of the Red King Turcontar and the First Queen Raszema.
THE CUTTER: An urdhracos bound to the service of the Sculptor.
DAGMA: Sister of Jager, and former seneschal of the keep of Dun Licinia. Now the seneschal of the Shield Knight and the Keeper.
THE DARK LADY: A mysterious sorceress who appears in the dreams of Tamlin Thunderbolt.
DECIMUS: A man-at-arms under the command of Sir Ector Naxius.
DIETER: Husband of Dagma, Jager’s sister. A skilled carpenter.
ECTOR NAXIUS: A knight in service to Dux Sebastian of Caertigris. Familiar with the manetaurs, the tygrai, and the Range.
GARETH ARBAN: The eldest son of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.
GARETH LICINIUS: The Dux of the Northerland, and father of Constantine, Imaria, and Aelia.
GAVIN: A young man from the village of Aranaeus in the Wilderland, now a Swordbearer and the wielder of the soulblade Truthseeker.
GOTHALINZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban at the village of Victrix.
HEKTOR PENDRAGON: King of Aenesium, wife of Adrastea, and father of Kalussa and Rypheus. Bearer of the Sword of Fire.
IMARIA LICINIUS SHADOWBEARER: The youngest daughter of Gareth Licinius, and a former Magistria of the Order. The new bearer of Incariel’s shadow after the death of Tymandain Shadowbearer. Defeated in the final fight at the Black Mountain.
JAGER: A bold halfling thief and merchant, married to Queen Mara of the Nightmane Forest. Serves as her Prince Consort.
JOACHIM ARBAN: The youngest son of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.
JORAM AGRAMORE: A knight and vassal of Dux Gareth Licinius. Currently serves as the Comes of Dun Licinia.
JUSTIN CYROS: The King of Cytheria and bearer of the Sword of Earth.
KADIUS: A decurion of men-at-arms in the army of Arandar Pendragon.
KAJALDRAKTHOR: A Frostborn warrior, and Lord Commander of the Order of the Vanguard. Leader of the Frostborn forces in Andomhaim.
KALDRAINE PENDRAGON: The eldest son of High King Uthanaric Pendragon and heir to the realm of Andomhaim. Murdered during the battle of Dun Calpurnia.
KALOMARUS: The legendary Dragon Knight, who disappeared after the first defeat of the Frostborn.
KHARLACHT: An orcish warrior of Vhaluusk and follower of Ridmark Arban.
KHURAZALIN: An orcish warlock and a Maledictus, a priest of the Sovereign.
KORS DURIUS: The Dux of Durandis, Andomhaim’s western march against the mountains of Kothluusk.
KURASTUS: A Magistrius and the Master of the Order of the Magistri.
KURDULKAR: A manetaur Prince of the Range and a follower of the shadow of Incariel. Killed by Ridmark Arban.
LANETHRAN: A bladweaver of the high elves.
LEOGRANCE ARBAN: The Dux of Taliand, and the father of Ridmark Arban and Tormark Arban.
LINUS RILLON: A knight of Tarrabus Carhaine and one of the Enlightened of Incariel. Killed by Accolon in self-defense.
MALHASK: The king of the orcish kingdom of Khaluusk and a vassal of the High King.
MALVAXON: The Rzarn of Great House Tzanar of Khaldurmar.
MALZURAXIS: A dwarven scout of Khald Tormen.
MARA: The daughter of the Traveler, the dark elven lord of Nightmane Forest. Now rules as the Queen of Nightmane Forest.
MARCAST TETRICUS: A knight formerly in service to the garrison of the Iron Tower, now opposed to Tarrabus Carhaine.
MARHAND: A Swordbearer, and Master of the Order of the Soulblade. Carries the soulblade Torchbrand.
MARIUS: Known as the Watcher, Calliande’s former teacher in the magic of the Magistri. Watched over her in spirit form after she awakened in the Tower of Vigilance without her memories.
MARTELLAR: A manetaur khalath in service to Prince Curzonar.
THE MASKED ONE: Ruler of the city of Xenorium and bearer of the Sword of Shadows.
MHALEK: Orcish warlord and shaman who believed himself a god. Defeated at Black Mountain, and the killer of Aelia Licinius Arban.
MIRIAM: The sister of Arandar’s late wife Isolde. Her husband died in the same plague that killed Isolde.
MORIGNA: A sorceress of the Wilderland, and former lover of Ridmark. Murdered by Imaria Licinius and the Weaver at Dun Licinia.
MOURNACHT: A Mhorite orcish warlord and shaman, later subverted into
the service of Tymandain Shadowbearer. Killed by Ridmark Arban near Dun Licinia.
NARAXZANAR: The former king of Khald Tormen, father of Axazamar and Narzaxar.
NARZAXAR: The younger brother of King Axazamar of Khald Tormen and the Taalakdaz (chancellor) of the dwarven court.
THE NECROMANCER OF TROJAS: Ruler of the city of Trojas, and bearer of the Sword of Death.
NYVANE: The daughter of Sir Arandar and granddaughter of the High King.
OCTAVIUS: A friar hired as tutor to the children of Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban.
PAUL TALLMANE: A vassal of Tarrabus Carhaine, member of the Enlightened of Incariel, and Constable of the Iron Tower. Defeated by Ridmark Arban and killed by Jager at the Iron Tower.
QHAZULAK: An Anathgrimm orc. Champion of Nightmane Forest, and Lord Captain of the Queen’s Guard.
QUINTUS: A merceny soldier and lieutenant of the smuggler Smiling Otto.
PARMENIO: A Knight of the Order of the Arcanii and a skilled scout and hunter.
RALAKAHR: A manetaur khalath in service to Prince Kurdulkar of the Range. Killed by Ridmark Arban.
RASZEMA: The First Queen of the manetaurs, and senior wife of Red King Turcontar.
RHISON MORDANE: A household knight of Tarrabus Carhaine and an Enlightened of Incariel.
RHODRUTHAIN: A gray elf and the Guardian of Cathair Animus.
RHOGRIMNALAZUR: An urdmordar, slain by Ridmark Arban and his companions in the ruins of Urd Cystaanl.
RHYANNIS: A high elven bladeweaver. Owes her life to Ridmark Arban.
Sevenfold Sword: Champion Page 32
