Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)

by Julian Saheed

Kilthies watched from the slender window as the enormous trunk of the ancient pine tree cracked and tumbled to the earth in a shattering crash. Fiery stones rained through the forest leaving nothing untouched. Throughout the city of Hiethris, the Misty Forest, home of the Karmanians, was ablaze with the flames of war. The engines of Dargon bombarded the earthen work bailey around the city and amongst the turmoil moved the stalwart warriors of Karmena, unabashed by the vicious assault that had been brought to their city. Kilthies watched his men stand tall upon the outer wall with pride, fighting back against the overwhelming number of Dargonians swarming into the city. There upon the city limits stood the might of Carnaic, come at last to the gateway to Nyrune's domain. And the goddesses children were not about to let them in.

  A boulder crashed into the four story building, sending a tremor though its already beaten foundations. Kilthies moved from the window and returned to his message. The quill scribbled hurriedly as another rock slammed into the building, causing several shouts from the lower levels.

  "Make haste Kilthies," called Fliethu from the stairway. "The supports will not hold."

  Kilthies rolled up the slip of parchment and grabbed his bow from where it hung on the wall. As he rushed down the steps, he saw the barracks alive with soldiers making their way to the exits. True to Fliethu's words, the supports collapsed, raining rubble down from the roof onto the soldiers descending the stairs. Kilthies scrambled out of the building and raised his hand to shield his eyes from the blaze that surrounded the barracks. Fliethu grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away from the crumbling building, to where the flames were subdued.

  "The fires we can deal with. What are we to do about the forces storming the bailey?" asked Fliethu.

  Kilthies turned to the messenger who had been waiting for his dispatch and handed the rolled up parchment to the young woman. Within seconds the messenger was sprinting out of the city, bringing news of the battle to Duathnin. Kilthies turned to Fliethu, "Deal with the fires. I will go to the front and see what I can do."

  Fliethu nodded and sprung into action, calling for water and sand to be brought in by those not on the frontline. Kilthies waited a moment to catch his breath and surveyed the city around him. It was a city designed to withstand a battle, each building fortified with extra supports and strong foundations. Yet, as the siege had continued, the strength of Hiethris had begun to fail.

  A colossal chunk of stone soared over the city and the commander of the Thaldun Blades could only watch as it ripped through the base of a giant oak. The high pitched squeal of the falling tree turned into a low groan and finally the mighty trunk came tumbling down into the city's five storey school. Tearing right through the middle of the building, the trunk came clattering through the rubble onto the burning ground, leaving the two broken halves of the school swaying dangerously in the heated wind. Kilthies closed his eyes as the two halves swayed one final time and crumbled sideways to shower his brethren in the streets with chunks of timber and stone.

  Exhaling his frustration, Kilthies stood up and began running towards the city wall. As he leapt over fallen rubble and avoided the fire, he spotted a figure following his trail. He stopped and swung about to find Utith jumping through the flames of the burning grass.

  "It is good to see you return," greeted Kilthies.

  Utith bowed and clasped Kilthies on the shoulder. "I am sorry for taking so long. I know that I could have been of much use here."

  "You are here now," replied Kilthies with a smile. "What news from Mandigal?"

  Utith's features twisted into a troubled look. "More riddles. Whoever it is within the Council that is working against the Alliance has hidden their tracks well. Mandigal tried everything in his power to find something to lead him to the traitor, yet there was no sound evidence."

  "And what of the Kala?"

  "They have grown angry, Kilthies," Utith answered gravely. "I have never seen them act so violently against us. They would have harmed us had we not fled their caves."

  Utith's alarming news disturbed Kilthies deeply.

  "There is something else," added Utith. "The reason for the Kala leaving the forest."

  "Tell me," implored Kilthies, hoping it was something that could be easily remedied. The Kala were an ally they could ill afford to lose in this war. Any step towards returning them to the fighting was a step closer to victory over Zephra's tyranny.

  "One of the Elders carried a mirror into the caves at their last meeting."

  "Who would be so foolish?" said Kilthies with an incredulous shake of his head. "One of them must be the traitor."

  "We have no proof," replied Utith "The Bordoo was vague in his answer to my question. He referred to the one who carried the mirror as the pale one. We cannot accuse one of them of being a traitor with unclear information."

  "This makes no sense. The Elders have always held good relations with the Kala. Why would they do this? And why has this not been spoken of in the Council? The Elders feign ignorance as to the Kalas retreat into hiding. One of those three that went to the caves must have noticed that the other was carrying a mirror."

  "Perhaps they are all three of them traitors," suggested Utith.

  "That cannot be," said Kilthies, unwilling to believe the Council could be so corrupt.

  "Either way there is not much that we can do about this now. It is up to Mandigal to find the traitor. Our duty still lies here, with the safe keeping of this city," replied Utith resolutely.

  Kilthies agreed, turning to move towards the wall. He forced his misgivings into the back of his mind and shifted his focus to the soldiers that needed his guidance.