The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two

by Dillon McNaight

  The massive torch-bearing crowd of Drykan soldiers all cheered as they yelled ‘NEVER!’

  Calthrog continued, “I didn’t think so. In just two days, we will have our last battle with the Kain and Ela, for after this coming day, only one power will remain. That power pulses through your veins as we speak! That power will allow you to conquer anything! If they come, we will rid this world of those who oppress us, and we will finally be free!”

  The crowd erupted in cheer and celebration as Bargokk walked out in front of Calthrog. He knelt down to one knee and stared at the ground in a moment of silence, before he looked up with eyes ablaze. He then jumped up several feet into the air as a massive fire-filled cloud surrounds his body. As he climbed higher into the air, the cloud of fire grew in size and power, and swirled around the General. Just then, two massive wings extended out through the cloud, and with one flap, the cloud dissipated and revealed the Red Dragon. Calthrog motioned for everyone to take a step back as the mighty Dragon landed on the ground. Bargokk stretched his long neck tall and proud as his bent wings extended upwards from his front legs. He then extended his head upwards and released an inferno of fire into the air, which mushroomed and spread out. Small cinders fell from the sky and landed on the Dragonkin soldiers below. They felt no pain as the red-hot cinders extinguished on their skin. They all lifted their weapons in silence and closed their eyes in prayer to their god Alvane.

  Calthrog also closed his eyes as he whispered, “Be with us, Lord of All...” He then opened his eyes, and completed his prayer with, “…be with me.”

  Back in Riverton, several hours after the sun had set behind the Karn Mountains, and just as Dathian and Ethan were about to fall asleep, they heard a subtle knock on the cell door.

  Ethan was the first to wake, as he rubs his eyes in annoyance, poked Dathian, and said, “Come on, wake up, I thought I heard a knocking sound on the door.”

  Dathian opened his eyes as he replied, “It’s nothing, go back to sleep, no one is coming for us or they would’ve by now. “

  The knocking sound came again, but this time, it was louder.

  “Ok, I’m up,” said Dathian after he heard the second.

  Ethan looked at Dathian and said, “Why don’t they just come in? Who else could it be?”

  “I don’t know,” annoyingly replied Dathian as he stood up and started walking towards the door, “but unless they are here to release us, I’m not very interested in them keeping me awake.” As Dathian reached the door, he pounded back and asked, “Who’s there, and what do you want?”

  For a moment, there was nothing but silence, then came another soft knock, followed with, “Can you guys hear me? It’s Biix.”

  Ethan, who was now standing, walked over to the door and said, “Biix? What are you doing here?! Why aren’t you with the rest of the army?”

  Biix replied thought the door, “And have you guys miss out on all the fun? Not a chance.”

  Dathian, feeling a little apprehensive of what might come next, asked, “Are you here to let us out, or what?”

  “I don’t know,” replied Biix with a sharp tone, “it seems like you guys like going on secret missions without me. I should just leave you two here.”

  Ethan looked at Dathian as if to say, he’s right, but replied instead, “We would have asked you to come, but we didn’t want you to get in trouble if we were caught. We were just looking out for you.”

  Dathian interjected, “No, it’s my fault. I should have never agreed to set them free in the first place. If I hadn’t listened to the White Queen, then none of us would be in this situation.” He then turned to Ethan and repeated in a sincere tone, “I really am sorry... sorry that you are here locked in a cell because of my stupid actions. I’m sorry that you can’t fight for your people and make your family proud... I’m sorry for everything.”

  Ethan smiled as he replied, “Don’t be. For as long as I can remember, all I have wanted to do was go on an adventure, and now I’ve been on two already. I was willing to help because it was the right thing to do. Don’t ever forget that.”

  There was a moment of silence before Biix said, “You know I can’t just leave you two here. We’re friends after all, and before now, I never had any.”

  Before Dathian or Ethan could say anything, the lock made a turning sound, and the cell door opened shortly after, revealing a young teenage Sabertooth soldier behind it. Stunned, all Dathian and Ethan could do was stare at Biix with bewilderment.

  Biix then said, “Get over here,” as he grabbed each one of their shoulders and pulled them in for a hug. Dathian and Ethan groaned with embarrassment as Biix said, “I don’t care if you don’t like it, it’s happening. Friends hug, and that’s that.” He then pulled back as he continued, “Now come on, we have a lot of ground to cover. They must have walked half way there by now.”

  As Biix turned and started walking towards the exit, Dathian yelled after him, “Hey, how did you get the key? Biix... Biix?!”

  Biix stopped, turned around, and replied, “It just something that I’m good at, trust me.”

  Ethan, always the cautious one, said, “We can’t just leave, what if we get caught?! We are already in enough trouble as it is!”

  Dathian then turned and said with an encouraging tone, “Oh, come on man, we’ve already broke enough rules, what’s a few more! Don’t you want to fight? Don’t you want to make your family proud?!”

  Both Biix and Dathian waited as Ethan hesitated for a moment, before cracking a mischievous smile.

  “Well, I guess you talked me in to it,” said Ethan, “like you said, we are already accused of treason, might as well add escaping imprisonment to the list.”

  The three teens then raced back to the Badger Paw’s Inn as fast as they could without being seen by the Riverton Guard. They covered their faces as they entered the Inn, and made their way straight to their room. Once there, they gathered everything they needed for not only the journey there, but for the war to come. If there was one thing in common between the three very different teens, it was their loyalty and proud for their people and where they came from. Whether it be part of the royal family, the bell ringer, or guardsmen of a small village, the teens shared a common goal, which only cemented their friendship further. Biix’s saber Red was waiting for them outside the Inn as they packed enough food and provisions to last them a week. They wasted no time as they made their way out of the Inn, and down to the stables where Cheyanne and Ethan’s horse Talliel were waiting. Once they were outside, Red walked up to them. Cheyanne let out a soft whinny as Dathian approached.

  He gently ran his hand down her neck as he said, “I’m sorry girl, but you can’t go. We can’t be seen, and you are too easy to recognize. You have to wait here until I get back, ok?”

  Cheyanne answered by walking over to a trough of water and knocking it over. Once the water was well mixed with the dirt, she proceeded to roll in the mud until she was completely covered. Now brown instead of white, she walked over to Dathian, snorted, and pressed her mussel against the side of his neck. She needed to say no more.

  “I should have known better than to think that you would let me go without you. Just promise me that you won’t get us caught, ok?”

  Cheyanne relaxed her ears and softened her eyes in agreement. Dathian then saddled her as Ethan did the same with Talliel. Red was already saddled and ready as the three teens mounted. Dathian and Ethan both covered their faces with cloth handkerchiefs and pulled their hoods over their heads. Biix preferred as little clothing as possible and stuck to his usual attire of loose cloth pants and thin leather straps around his chest and shoulders that served as a holster for two daggers, but then again, he wasn’t wanted for supposed treason. They quietly made their way out of Riverton as to attract the least attention. Once out of town, they broke from the main road north and walked a few miles to the west before turning north again. Dathian didn’t know which way his father was headed, but could easily tell which way they went. He
figured if he stayed a little west of the road to stay out of sight, then they would still gain some ground by heading directly north. They decided to walk five or so miles before resting for the night. They would have to leave again early in the morning if they were to reach Greenglen by nightfall. After a few hours of riding, Cheyanne suddenly stopped as if to say, ‘that’s far enough for tonight.’ Dathian knew by now to trust the Mare’s instincts, and told the others that they should sleep here for the night.

  “I think we should ride further,” said Ethan as he stopped and turned to Talliel.

  “I agree,” said Biix.

  Dathian dismounted Cheyanne and took her bridle off as he replied, “Trust me, if Cheyanne says it’s time to stop, it’s time. I’ve learned to not try and change her mind. Besides, we could use the rest. We need all our strength when we reach the capital.”

  Ethan took his hood and face cover off as he climbed down, then said, “Speaking of which, what is your plan once we get there?”

  Dathian began taking off saddle bags as he replied, “I don’t exactly know, I figured that would be something we figured out together on the way. Don’t worry, it will all work itself out.”

  With his mouth full of recently bitten off jerky, Biix chimed in with indistinguishable words, “Ya, I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, I mean, he’s a prince, so… he has to.”

  Ethan laughed to himself as he said, “Whatever you say Biix. I’ll try and find some dry wood.”

  Dathian smiled as he unpacked some food and bedding for the night. After they made a small fire, they cooked some fresh meat and tomatoes they took from the Inn, and filled their bellies. They sat around the fire for a bit before Biix decided to go to sleep for the night. Dathian and Ethan were still wide awake, and decided to spar each other near the campfire.

  “Come on,” taunted Dathian, trying to catch his breath, “You can surely do better than that.”

  Ethan was breathing heavy as sweat trickled down his forehead, then replied, “Of course I can, I’m just taking it easy on you. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt before the battle.”

  Ethan revealed a smirk as he clinched the hilt of his sword. He then wheeled it around towards Dathian, who just dodged him.

  “Oh, come on, you have been doing this a lot longer than me,” said Dathian as he taunted Ethan.

  Ethan laughed as he quickly rushed the prince and engaged him in sword play. The two teens dueled each other, growing in experience with every swing of their blades. They finally locked swords as they grew to only inches from the other.

  Struggling to overtake the prince, Ethan said, “Not half that bad… for a high born.”

  Dathian looked at Ethan with a smile, and replied, “High born, huh? High born this…”

  Dathian then used his right leg to trip Ethan and push him to the ground. He laughed as Ethan quickly rushed to his feet in anger.

  Dathian continued to laugh as he said, “You should see your face right now.”

  Ethan’s anger quickly faded as he started to laugh along with the prince. He then walked over to Dathian and said, “I let you do that, you know, for your confidence.”

  “Whatever you say master swordsman of the Kain’s Guard,” Dathian replied sarcastically, still laughing.

  The two teens sat down around the camp fire to rest from their hours of sparring as Biix snored loudly. Their laughter faded as they stared into the fire. Neither one of them spoke for a short while as their thoughts returned to the battle to come.

  Breaking the silence, Ethan turned to Dathian and said, “Are you scared?”

  Dathian said nothing at first as he reflected on the recent past. He once again thought of his mother, the Golden Oak, and Kale, but mostly on his own father locking him away, and accusing him of treason. The guilt of Ethan’s involvement also weighed heavy on his mind.

  After a moment, he turned to Ethan and replied, “Scared? Of course I’m scared. A part of me feels that I should be brave, and not fear the future, but the other part of me fears everything. Fear of what my father will do when he finds out I disobeyed him, fear of losing the battle, and most of all, fear that I will never see Savannah again. With all these terrible things constantly replaying in my mind like I’m watching them for real, I still feel comfort when I remember what Kale told me the last time I saw him, that I must be strong now, and that he would always be with me in my heart.”

  Ethan felt his words deep down, and after a moment, replied, “He must have been amazing. Ever since I was a small kid, I hoped that I would one day meet the Keeper of the Staff. But then again, so did every child in my village. You were lucky to have known him the way you did. And, while we’re on the topic of how lucky you are, I know that you will see her again, you know, Savannah.”

  Dathian smiled as he said, “I hope you’re right. I wonder what she’s thinking at this exact moment. I hope it’s about me, cause she’s all I can think about.”

  Somewhere else in the world, Savannah wakes to a beautiful morning introduced by a magnificent sunrise. She rubs her tired eyes as she sits up in her bed lathered in the silkiest of sheets. She lets out a subtle yawn as she stretches her arms wide and long. Two butterflies compete over a small opening in a nearby window. She then stands to her feet and slowly walks to the window, still trying to rid herself of the night’s hold. She helps the struggling butterflies and opens the window as she parts the soft white curtains. She then notices a steaming cup of tea waiting for her on the bed stand. She smiles to herself as she carefully picks it up and starts to blow on it to soften its scorch. She takes her prepared cup of tea back over to the window as she stares out with searching eyes. Then she spots him, the love of her young life, but he is not alone. She stares at him while he gleefully plays with a small child, a little boy. She can barely hear his faint yet distinguishable giggle as his father tosses him up in the air over and over, with his own face plastered with enjoyment. She has never been at more peace in her life, and all she feels is warmth and love. What she does not know, is the authenticity of this particular fantasy. She is unaware that her body is actually in a far different place, though her mind is not. That place is the pinnacle of the ruined Black City, Kuul’Drathor. She sits in the broken throne, unaware of her capture.

  After Archimus summoned her to the outskirts of the Great Forest, he then transferred their bodies to the Realm of Shadow. Once there, he was free to take them anywhere he chose. He took them to the Black City in hopes of more easily luring in the Angel, and quite possibly the Jailors with her. He does not yet know if their allegiance was gained by Teeca, for only time will soon tell. His only advantage would be that the Black City is bathed in his Realm of Shadow, which makes him stronger. He just might be strong enough to defeat the Jailors, and the Angel easily after that. The girl is nothing but bait to Archimus, but in order to keep her fresh, he must keep her mind occupied, just as he did to Preston in the Black Forest, though his was a much darker illusion. Now all he can do was wait… wait for whatever may come his way… wait for the Generals to be defeated… wait for an absolution that may never come. Archimus was sure of one thing, that no matter who came knocking at his door, when they do, he will order the Overlords to reveal themselves and their army of shades, and lay siege to the Great Forrest and the capital of Ela, Brethiel.

  DAY TWO:

  We now travel one hundred miles southwest to the Bailyn Clef. The armies of the Kain and the Ela sleep sound within the protected castle Brithehallow, as well as the teens, but someone has yet to rest their tired eyes. A Lore Master by the name of Ella flies atop her Griffin, and begins her decent towards the edge of the Bailyn Clef. All that can be seen, even in the faint starlight, is the grassy plains that populate the tops of the many cliffs.

  As Ella lands her Griffin, she dismounts and pulls an amulet from under her tunic, and holds it up as she chants, “Viscarath’ val’huum, brethne varl’heer.”

  Her words echo forward as if amplified a hundred times, and as they travel,
an invisible barrier pulls its veil, and reveals a magnificent castle of ivory towers, illuminated with endless torches. Ella then leads her Griffin towards the castle as the magic veil restores itself to full, masking the castle’s sight from outsiders. She puts the amulet back under her tunic as she walks towards the entrance.

  This gleaming gold and white castle belongs to House Velen, which is one of the only ancient Houses to still exist. The master of the castle is the High Priest, Lord Velen, and Ella’s great-grandfather. Ella’s proper title is Lore Master, but she belongs to a secret agency known as the Runemasters. Only the High Priest and the Master of the Runemasters, a man by the name of Syphra, know of their true identities. The Runemasters consist of highly skilled Lore Masters, and have mastered the skill of rune reading. The first Lore Master can be traced back to the early days of the Shaman Erelorn. They were given the sight to see beyond the living plain, and into the elemental realm. Erelorn, being the first Shaman, personally blessed a hand full of Ela, and the term Lore Master was soon created. The very first descendent of House Velen was the first son of Erelorn, a boy he named Kyrin. Erelorn was never given a sir name, so he gave his children the name Velen, which was the name of his scepter. Erelorn had five sons and three daughters before he left Kranos and sailed north. He took with him two sons, two daughters, and four of his most promising Lore Masters, as well as many others. It wasn’t until several decades after the Separation that House Velen laid claim to the Bailyn Clef, and built their castle, which is called Castle Velenstein, or Castle Velen for short. Erelorn’s first son, and the first of the House Velen, Kyrin, stayed and became the first High Priest of the castle at the age of three hundred and thirty-four. He died soon after its completion, and his son was named High Priest. Three more sons of Velen would serve as High Priest before its current, Pheydrien, who is currently at the top of the highest ivory tower, locked inside his study.