The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two

by Dillon McNaight

  Several miles to the north, the Golden Army decided to rest for the night at the edge of the Separation. Since the Arc of Unity is no more, the only remotely safe way to Riverton is to cross the Separation using an old road that the Ela used before the Arc was built. It hasn’t been used in over five centuries. The road is steep and unmanicured, winding down several miles before winding back up the other side. Once across, Riverton is only a half days’ ride away. Each tribe of the Ela set up their camps separately, for although they are of the same race, they have little in common and not much to talk about. One thing they did have in common though, was their hesitation in going to war for the Kain. Dathian never felt more alone as he set up his own tent away from the rest. He didn’t know the Angels well enough to talk to them freely, so he kept to himself. He just thought of seeing his father and his uncle in just two short days. He did, however, have the White Mare to keep him company, for back in the capital, she was sometimes all he had to talk to. The young prince tried to sleep, but struggled as the thoughts of the fallen Keeper and his love constantly repeated behind his restless eyelids. Nevertheless, sleep finally took hold as the world faded away from his mind.

  Back in the village of Greenglen, on the following evening of the attack, Ethan stood in the town’s center as he waited to be inducted into the Kain’s Guard. The entire town gathered to witness the teen’s ascension into the Guard. Standing in the crowd stood the boy’s proud father Baron and his worried mother Abigale. Ethan stood tall and motionless as Ayden, the Captain of the Kain’s Guard, approached him.

  “You are about to join the greatest and most respected company within the Kain,” said Ayden to the teen. “The Kain’s Guard goes back to the very fore founders of our people. We stand for honor and justice. We uphold the peace of the lands above any of our needs. My brother agrees with me that you are a worthy candidate for the Guard.”

  “I believe I am,” replied Ethan with great humility and pride, “I have wanted nothing more than to be a member of the Kain’s Guard since I can remember. Nothing would make me prouder than to defend the honor of our great people and land. Allow me to help the Guard in retaking Menethiel, beginning with the journey to Riverton.”

  “If you are to join the Guard, you must swear your life to it,” said Ayden with all seriousness, ridding himself of his joking personality for matters of business. “You cannot leave the Guard unless your Captain releases you, or death takes you.”

  Alandra stood in the crowd and watched as the boyish Captain spoke with great authority and poise.

  “Yes sir,” replied Ethan.

  “Yes sir… what?” asked the Captain.

  “Yes sir, I swear to give my full allegiance to the Kain’s Guard until my master releases me, or death takes me,” said Ethan with confidence.

  “Good,” replied Ayden as he drew his sword from its sheath, waiting for the teen to respond by kneeling. Noticing that he was not understanding what to do, Ayden leaned forward and whispered to him, “This is the part where you kneel so that I may induct you into the Guard.”

  “Oh, sorry,” replied Ethan as he immediately took to one knee as he bowed.

  “Ethan, son of Baron, Guardsman of the village of Greenglen, I, Ayden, Captain of the Kain’s Guard, formally accept your induction into the Kain’s Guard.” Ayden held his sword above Ethan’s head and asked him to rise. “You, Ethan, son of Baron, are now a member of the Kain’s Guard. Welcome.”

  Ethan turned around with pride as he witnessed the entire village erupt in applause. His father looked on with both pride and worry as he watched his eldest son become a man in a matter of minutes. A part of the leader of Greenglen was proud of his son, but worried that he might fall in battle, and he would never see him again. Composing himself along with his wife, he walked over to his son and embraced him as he said, “I have never been prouder, my son.”

  Ethan broke their embrace as he said to his parents, “I promise that I will not let you down, both of you, we WILL win the battle to come. I am not going to lie by saying that a part of me is not scared, but I must do this for you, and for the people of Greenglen.”

  “I know you do son,” Baron replied holding back tears as Abigale failed to do so, “I just wish that it wasn’t our son that had to go. Nonetheless, I am still proud. The King chose you over all others to join nothing less than the Kain’s Guard! Not many men of Greenglen can say that, now can they?”

  “We will see peace again,” said the teen, “I swear it!”

  Baron paused for a second as he briefly reconsidered his decision to allow his eldest son to go to war. Quickly ridding his thoughts of his reconsideration, Baron replied, “I know you will son, it was what you were born to do. Now, go, take your mother and get ready to leave in the morning, the King wants to leave by sunup.”

  Ethan smiled at his father, as he and his mother rushed back to their house to prepare for the journey to Riverton, and say goodbye to all his friends. Baron looked on as he watched his son run off with more excitement than he has seen in a long time. Long has the stress of protecting the village weighed heavy on the young teen’s life. Ethan rarely had time for his friends as he took on too many tasks and responsibilities. Baron wanted nothing more than to see his son live the life of a normal teenager his age. A life where he works during the day, and plays during the night, and maybe meets a girl that he would one day call his wife. Even though this is what he wished for his son, he knew that Ethan was destined for a much greater calling. He knew that he would someday have to watch his son leave the village of Greenglen and enter an uncertain future.

  Later that night, as Ethan carefully went back through everything that he had packed for the journey to Riverton, his mother Abigale approached the teen behind and wrapped her arms around him.

  “Mom, come on, I have to make sure that I have everything that I need,” said the teen as he tried to gently brush off his mother.

  “Just allow me one minute to hold my eldest son,” replied Abigale as she strengthened her grasp.

  Revealing a smile, Ethan replied, “Mom, I’m going to be just fine.” He turned around and took his mother by the cheeks, “Nothing bad is going to happen to me. I am traveling with the Kain’s Guard and their Captain. There is also the Keeper of the Bow, and the King himself! Don’t worry about me, I’ll be just fine.”

  Just then, Ethan’s two younger siblings ran up to grab onto the teen’s legs. His ten-year-old brother Christophe and his seven-year-old sister Courtney held on tight to their brother.

  “Oh, come on guys,” said Ethan as be bent down to his younger siblings, “I’m only going to be away for a short time, I promise.”

  “No, you’re not, you’re never going to come back,” said Courtney as she sobbed.

  “I don’t want you to go,” said Christophe, also sobbing.

  Ethan laughed as he replied, “Oh nonsense, of course I’ll come back. After all, who will be here to tickle you to death?!” The teen quickly grabbed the sides of the young children and tickled them into submission. Christophe and Courtney immediately burst into laughter, forgetting their tears. Abigale stood in the distance as she tried to hold her composure. Just then Baron entered the home, and the children yelled, “Father!” The two young children then ran over and hugged him with equal strength.

  “How are my darlings this evening?” Baron asked as he bent down to his two youngest children. “I have a treat for us tonight, and I know you will like it. Want to know what it is?”

  “YES! YES!” yelled the children in excitement and anticipation.

  Baron replied, “Then close your eyes.”

  Christophe and Courtney closed their eyes tight as they waited for the signal to open them. Ethan momentarily paused from his packing to watch them.

  Baron took from behind his back a recently plucked turkey, which was a rare treat for the people of the village, even its leader. “Ok, open your eyes!”

  The two children opened their eyes as excitement overtook t
hem. “A turkey?! For us?!” said Christophe. “We never get turkey!”

  “Tonight I thought I would make an exception, seeing how your brother was just inducted into the great and powerful Kain’s Guard,” said Baron. “It’s not very often that a member of this family receives an honor as great as this one.”

  Baron looked over to his eldest son and smiled. Ethan felt a sensation of relief by his father’s acceptance. That night the family enjoyed a lavished turkey meal. Afterwards, they played games until the two youngest children fell asleep. After Abigale tucked her children into bed, she turned her attention to Ethan.

  As she walked up to him, she couldn’t help but begin to start crying. She grabbed him tight as she whispered in his ear, “You stay safe my son, you hear me?”

  Ethan replied as she pulled away and looked him in the eyes, “Haven’t I always? Don’t worry about me, worry about them.”

  Abigale smiled as she replied, “When did you become so mature? It was just yesterday that you said your first words, or took your first steps. Never did I think that one day I would have to say goodbye.”

  “It’s not goodbye,” replied the teen with a reassuring smile, “not really. The war will be over before you know it and I will be right back home. I promise you.”

  Abigale wiped her tears as she moved the back of her hand across Ethan’s cheek and said, “I know my son… and I hope so. Be safe.” She then gave her son one last smile as she picked up a lantern and walked towards her bedroom.

  Baron watched his wife walk away as he turned to Ethan and simply said, “Get a good night’s rest my son, we will talk in the morning before you leave.”

  Ethan replied, “Ok, talk to you then.” Just as Baron turned to follow his wife to bed, Ethan added, “Oh, and dad?” Baron turned as the teen continued, “Thank you… for everything.”

  Baron smiled and nodded as he said no more and walked into his bedroom. None of them slept well that night. Baron and Abigale laid awake in worry of their eldest son’s departure to war, while Ethan laid awake with a mixture of excitement and nervousness for the events to come. There was little fear in the brave teens heart, for he always knew that he was destined for something greater than Greenpine, and now, the time has finally come to prove it. After an hour or two, sleep finally took hold of the young teen as the day came to an end. On the following day, Ethan and the Kain’s Guard, as well as the White Queen and the Golden Army, would make their final journey to the City on the Water, which most of them would be seeing for the first time. There, they will decide on how to reclaim the capital of Kain, and rid the world of the Dragonkin’s threat… forever.

  We now move to the city of Menethiel. It is the night after the armies of Kain and Ela ascended on the fallen capital. The city is surrounded by a thick cloud of toxic and sulfuric laced smoke as subtle wisps of displaced ash traverse around the fire illuminated streets. A blood moon blankets the city in light. There is not a sound to be heard for miles as silence fills the void of the previously scream-ladened backdrop. The harbor is riddled with the broken and bloodied bodies of fallen Griffins, as their rider’s mutilated corpses bobble up and down as the soft tide crashes them against the stone walls. The lower levels of the city are littered with the bodies of Kain and Ela soldiers, as well as countless slain horses and sabers alike. The drying blood of the defeated completely cover the once gray cobblestone. Crows feast on their corpses as their screeches begin to echo throughout. The undead wander aimlessly throughout the city, waiting for their next command. Just then, Calthrog walks through the lower levels of the city around the numerous dead at his feet. In his left hand, he holds his mighty bloodstained sword, and in his right, he holds the blood dripping decapitated head of the King of Kain by his matted red-blonde hair. Calthrog stops with no emotion on his stoic face as he looks up to the tall iron spires on top of the wall. They impaled the bodies of the Angels, and the Captain of the Kain’s guard, as well as the remaining Keepers. As Calthrog gazes upon each body of the fallen Guardians, he finally rested upon the last. The last body to behold the Black Dragon’s gaze belongs to none other than the Prince of Kain… Dathian.

  Just then, Dathian awoke from his sleep, and violently sat up in terror as sweat poured off his face. His heart was pounding as he struggled to catch his breath. He collected himself as he put his shirt on and got out of his bed. He walked outside of his tent to see the full moon shining high above him. Dathian quietly walked towards the ravine’s overlook, trying to forget the nightmare he just had. He thought of Savannah, and of his father. He still mourned over the loss of Kale, and feared the battle that lay ahead. No such burdens should have been placed upon someone on Dathian’s young age. The teen grew stronger every day, but still struggled to maintain his composure and restrain his emotions. As the teen walked closer, he looked up and saw the outline of Kalorah facing the ravine. She replaced her silver plate armor with soft white silks. They flowed in the soft breeze as her long white hair, which had escaped her silver crown, also swayed. Dathian stopped and thought of turning around before the White Queen spoke.

  “It’s a little late to be wondering outside of your tent, young prince.”

  Dathian froze, and then turned around slowly as he shyly replied, “I am sorry my lady, but I couldn’t sleep.”

  Kalorah turned around as she said, “I know of the terrors that visit you in your dreams, for they also reside in mine. You see the fall of your people, and the destruction of your city.” Dathian couldn’t find the words to reply. Kalorah approached the prince and said, “Do not let these visions deter you from the truth. We will reclaim your homeland. We will win the battle and restore balance to our world. Do not trouble your heart with the fear of what’s to come, for it is already too heavy.” Kalorah softly placed her hand on Dathian’s chest as she continued, “The loss of the Keeper still weighs heavy on your heart. You also think of your mother and of your father. You worry about the young Savannah and if you will see her again.” Dathian forced back tears as he listened to the Angel describe his every thought. “Do you trust in what I say? Do you trust in me?”

  Dathian softly replied with truth, “Yes my lady, I trust you and the Angels. I trust that we will survive this, and I trust that I will see my love once more… I must. They are all I have left in this world.”

  Kalorah took her hand from the teen’s chest and placed it on his cheek, and said, “Good. Now, go get some rest, I can see in your eyes that you have not slept for days.” The White Queen’s hand started to illuminate as she spoke, “I will help you sleep this night young prince, for we have a long road ahead of us.”

  Dathian’s eye lids started to become heavy as he turned and made his way back to his tent. The Angel placed a spell upon the young prince to help him sleep solid through the night. After he had left, Kalorah turned back towards the ledge of the ravine and continued to stare down into the Separation. Although faint, she could feel the presence of an unknown power at the bottom of the canyon. She has never felt this presence before, and it troubled her already troubled mind. Kalorah knew that she couldn’t delay their passage, and that if the threat revealed itself, that she would have to deal with it at the time. For now, her people needed to rest, even though she couldn’t.

  Dathian awoke from his deep sleep renewed and ready for the long road ahead to Riverton. He gathered his belongings and broke down his tent. Cheyanne was grazing on some grass nearby. Dathian walked over to the mare and struggled to pick her head up.

  “Come on Chy, it’s time to go,” said Dathian as he forced the mare to raise her head, “I don’t want to be that last one ready to leave.”

  Cheyanne looked at the prince in annoyance as she complied. Dathian loaded the mare’s back with his saddle bags as he stroked her neck.

  “I know, I am scared too,” said the prince, “I don’t know why you and I can’t just fly over the canyon, but by the Queen’s orders, we all have to stick together. Come on, let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”

/>   The Golden Army quickly disassembled their camps as they prepared to start the journey through the Separation. The Griffins of the Skyborn stretched their wings as they awoke from their sleep. Their masters packed their belongings and placed them on the backs of their Griffins and secured them tightly. The Sabertooth tribe saddled their sabers and fed them with some dried meat that they had packed for them. The sabers couldn’t fly over the ravine, so Kalorah ordered the entire company to walk through the passage together. The Guardsmen also packed their belongings and secured their Phalanx’s saddle bags. Krendweil, Nexia and Luthar met with Kalorah and Glammdreing near the entrance to the pass to discuss their plan for crossing the Separation.

  The Separation stretches down from the Arch of Unity to the north, south down the foothills of the Karn Mountains. As it reaches the domain of the Ela, it turns east through the plains, and under Lake Andwail. On the other side of the massive lake, the Separation continues to the domain of the Dragonkin. The only way to get to Riverton from Brethiel was to pass through the deep ravine. The road hasn’t been used for over two hundred years. Only Kalorah and Glammdreing remember how to pass through the maze. The passageway starts on the southern side of the ravine. It zigzags down the rock cliff, leading through many carved-out tunnels as it makes its way down to the bottom of the ravine. Once you reach the bottom, you are met with a thick fog. The road then curves in and out of the tall rock formations left from the breaking of the world. The passage way is dangerous to any that use it, as the most undesirable of creatures call this desolate landscape home. Carrion birds circle the sky above, waiting for you to meet your demise. Grayhides used to call this place home, as well as lesser scavenging beasts. If you make your way through the maze, you then arrive at the other end of the ravine. The northern stairs climb more gradually up the ravine’s northern wall. Many pine trees dot the northern slopes of the ravine and grow into the Andwaith Forest. The forest resides southwest of the city of Riverton. It tapers off before reaching the green rolling hills of the southern kingdom.