Gods, Myth and Legend: The Journey of the Sage

Gods, Myth and Legend: The Journey Of The Sage

By Robert D. Pomager

Published by Robert Pomager at Smashwords

Copyright Robert D. Pomager 2012

Chapter 1

Long had his journeys been, from adventurer, to guide, to king, he had lived a life few men could ever dream to be possible. And now that his time amongst his people was at an end, it was time to move on once more. Turning and bidding his people a fond farewell, the man known as Lucien Dragomir stepped through the black portal and into the unknown.

However, not all things go as planned. Enemies he had made in the past would not remain lost in the quiet night. From the darkness they reached out towards him and struck, sending Lucien hurtling through the twisting ether. He passed from realm to realm, through one reality into the next, existing one moment in a thousand places, then none in the next, tasting life and death, bliss and oblivion, harmonious order and chaotic discord, all with in what seemed to be the blink of an eye. In the end, it all climaxed in a brilliant flash of sound, light and color, and in an instant, turned to nothing.

The darkness lasted for a while till he heard a familiar sound. Close to his ear was the chirping of a cricket followed by the smell of grass and dirt, then the feel of a cool breeze on his face. Slowly, Lucien opened his eyes and saw a night sky lit up with millions of stars and the glow of a pale full moon. Taking a moment to gather his senses, he stood up and dusted himself off, observing his surroundings, finding himself in a great grassy plain. Though familiar in a way, he could tell this was not the lands he came from. The alignment of the stars above and a solitary moon told him he was on an entirely different world, perhaps in an entirely different reality.

Ever the explorer, Lucien could not wait to being scouting his surroundings. However, his ordeal in the ether had left him a bit wobbly in the legs and he found walking difficult. After a few missteps and trips back to the ground, he got up and found his footing, much like an infant taking their first steps. Soon, he was moving at a full gait. As he walked, though, he stopped and thought for a moment. Which way should he go?

Reaching into his backpack, he took out a compass and tried to get his bearings. At first, the compass' needle spun around, first clockwise, then counter clockwise. After a bit, the device adjusted to the magnetic forces of this new world, divining which way was south and which way was north. Once the compass was adjusted, Lucien decided to start heading west.

Walking for a long period of time was proving to be thirsty work. From his backpack he took out a skin of water. As he was about to drink from it, he stopped and looked at the skin. In it was a part of the lands he had grown to call home for so many years, a land he knew he would never see again. Smiling and chuckling to himself, Lucien corked the skin and put it away deciding that he wasn't that thirsty after all.

Continuing on his expedition, Lucien was disheartened that he had yet to see any signs of civilization. No roads, no outposts, not even smoke from a campfire. He began to wonder if there was any sentient life on this world at all. As the hour grew later, so did Lucien grow tired. Finding a spot by a tree, he set up camp for the night and fell asleep staring at the campfire, his mind drifting off, remembering events from his life, slowly falling into slumber with a smile on his face.

The next morning Lucien awoke to what sounded like thunder in the distance. Groggily he sat up and looked to the skies to see where the storm clouds were coming from. However, the sky was clear and bright with nary a cloud for miles. It was then that he noticed that the noise was not coming from the skies, but from the ground. Kneeling down, Lucien put his ear to the soil. He could tell the rumbling was not of thunder, but of hooves, many of them, and that they were headed right for him.

Not knowing whether or not the sound was just from wild horses, riders on horseback or from some other creature, Lucien decided it would be better for him to see whatever it was first rather than risk being spotted by something hostile. As quickly as he could, he threw dirt on his campfire and stamped it out, breaking camp. Lucien then began to make tracks leading away from his campsite. When he was satisfied that they would lead whatever was coming away from him, he took some reagents from a pouch on his belt and recited an incantation and in an instant he was turned invisible. So, magic exists in this world, he thought to himself.

As quietly and carefully as he could, Lucien snuck back to camp and waited to see what showed up. On the horizon, he saw what looked to be men on horseback. But as they drew closer, he saw that they were not men, but creatures that were half man and half horse. Lucien watched as they arrived at his camp and began to inspect it. One of the creatures knelt down and examined the tracks Lucien had made. Huntmaster, said the creature. Tracks. They appear to be human. The Huntmaster, adorned in decorative armor, came over and looked at the tracks. Indeed, they are human. From the boot marks, I'd say Lutherian, he said. The Huntmaster and the other creature stood up. Whoever finds the human first gets to keep its head as a trophy!, shouted the Huntmaster. The other creatures howled in fury before charging off thirsting for blood.

Though his encounter with these horse-man creatures left Lucien on edge, it yielded an important revelation, there were other humans on this world. However, finding them would prove dangerous as the horse-man creatures were aware of his presence and were now hunting for him. Not wanting to tarry too long in one place, Lucien continued to head west, hoping it led to the human settlements and not deeper in the heart of the horse-man lands.

By the time midday came around, the temperature had risen significantly and thirst began to nag at Lucien’s throat and mouth. Thankfully, there was a small lake not too far ahead. He ran to the water’s edge and dropped to his knees next to it then began to drink. When his thirst was quenched he took his spare water skin out and filled it. While he was filling the skin, an arrow whizzed past his head, grazing his ear. Discarding the water skin, Lucien took cover behind a rock and peeked around it to see who or what had fired at him. There, about fifty paces away, were the horse-man creatures. Do not hide, Lutherian! Come out and face your death with honor!, shouted the Huntmaster.

Cursing his rotten luck, Lucien ducked back behind the rock. Quickly, he took some more reagents out of his pouch and recited another incantation. Since the invisibility spell from his home world worked earlier, he decided to give his magic another try. This time, instead of turning invisible, a pentagram appeared on the ground near him after he had finished the incantation. From out of the pentagram a large red demon appeared. However, this demon was different and looked nothing like the ones conjured back home. This one was wingless and much more imposing. What is thy bidding?, asked the demon. Drive those creatures away from me, do not allow them to do me any harm, commanded Lucien. The demon rolled its eyes and sighed. Very well, it replied as it began to approach the horse-man creatures.

The horse-men took a few steps back as the demon drew closer. By Gow'nuk's piss, he's a demonologist!, said one of them. I didn't think Lutherians practiced that magic. The Huntmaster looked at Lucien then at the demon. They don't, he said examining Lucien. While his cloths and armor looked Lutherian, he could tell they weren't.

As the demon stood before the creatures, it looked down at them and growled. Be gone, centaurs, lest I shall tear thy beating hearts from thy chests and break my fast upon them, it said. The centaurs stood firm and drew their weapons readying to attack. The demon looked at them then nodded. So be it, it said. With that, the centaurs launched their assault. They attacked the demon from all sides, hacking and stabbing it with bladed staves. The demon replied by clawing away at them and burning them with various fire spells. The battle raged on until the Huntmaster leapt towards the demon's chest, driving his blade through its flesh and bones. The demon collapsed onto its back as the rest of the centaurs swarmed on it. As they wounded the demon, it began to glow. From the wound on its chest a piercing red light shot out. The light began to emanate from its other wounds as the demon howled in pain. When it did this, the centaurs broke off their assault and began to run. It’s going to explode!, shouted one of the centaurs. Lucien heard this and dove into the lake.

Moments later, the demon's body erupted in a massive blast that killed two of the centaurs and knocked the rest to the ground. The blast stretched for several yards sending fire in all directions. Lucien looked up out of the water and saw a wall of flames pass over the lake. He continued to swim beneath the water until he reached the other side of the lake, emerging on the opposite bank, gasping for air and coughing up water. He looked back across the lake at the centaurs. Two were burnt to death and the rest were on the ground lying motionless. Not wanting to wait to see what they would do next, Lucien quickly got to his feet and started running. He didn't want to be around if they woke up.

Hours had passed since the battle and dusk was setting in. While he was running, Lucien happened upon a road and was following it. He knew it was risky, but he had no other choice. Eventually, he came to a three way fork in the road. At the fork was a signpost with signs pointing in different directions. Lucien approached the post and examined it. One sign pointed north and had the words Leshan'di Falor on it. The next sign said College of the Magical Sciences. The last sign said Kel'ran Falor. Since the middle sign was in a language he could understand, Lucien decided that it must be the way to a human settlement. Breaking into a brisk jog, he began to head down the middle road.

As night fell upon the land, Lucien saw lights from a campfire ahead of him. When he drew closer, he noticed there were several carts and wagons set up in a circle around a bonfire. The carts and wagons resembled those of the nomads from his home world. Quietly, Lucien approached the wagons and peeked around one. Much to his relief he saw several humans sitting around the fire. The smell of cooking meat washed over him as his appetite made itself known. It was then that Lucien felt a hand on his shoulder. Quickly, he whipped around and drew his sword. Careful, mate, I mean no harm, said a bald man with a large scar on his cheek. Who are you?, asked Lucien. The name’s Daniel Carne. Who might you be?, said the man slowly pointing Lucien’s sword away from him. Dragomir, Lucien Dragomir, he replied sheathing his sword. Daniel nodded and extended his hand. Well met, Lucien, he said. Lucien shook Daniel's hand and the two headed off into the circle of wagons

Sitting down in front of the fire, one of the caravan drivers handed Lucien a plate of bread, cheese and meat as well as a skin of water. Giving into his hunger, he dug into his meal. Looks like you haven't eaten in days, said Daniel. Lucien slowed down and swallowed his food. My apologies, it's been a taxing day, he said. Oh, we don't mind, we're just pulling your leg. Truth be told, we are more surprised to see a human out this far into centaur territory. Might I ask what you are doing out here?, said Daniel. I am an explorer, replied Lucien.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. I don't see a Privateer's emblem on your clothes. How far do you expect to go out here without one?, he asked. I am not from around here, I didn't know I would need it, replied Lucien. A look of shock crossed Daniel's face. Well, aren't we the confident one. Course, all you Lutherians are a bit cocky, he said. I am not from Lutheria, replied Lucien taking a drink from the water skin. Daniel stared at him for a moment. You certainly aren't from Alathea. Too short to be a Norse, and you aren't fair enough to be a Celt. So, tell me, from whence do you hail?, he asked.

Lucien thought for a moment then answered. What if I told you, I was from another world?, he asked. Everyone looked at him for a moment then burst into laughter. Oh, that's a good one, ha, another world, said Daniel. He's probably an islander, aren't you, Mister Dragomir?, asked one of the other men. Lucien nodded. Aye, I hail from the Islands, he said. That explains it then. You dress strange and have an odd name. A backwater islander, eh?, said Daniel. Well, if you're going to be exploring further, you're gonna need a Privateer's Emblem. Daniel snapped his fingers and gestured to one of the other men who went over to one of the chests and took out a black cloak then handed it to Lucien. There, you can have that one. It might not be as nice as some of our others, but it will keep the centaurs from gutting you, said Daniel.

Lucien unfolded the cloak. Embroidered on the back were two crossed golden sabers with a gold ship sailing above them. Thank you, he said. Daniel nodded to him. Don't mention it friend. If you want, you can come with us. We are heading to the College of the Magical Sciences to deliver some goods. After that, we are bound for Ritalia then to the coast to meet up with one of our ships which will take us back to the Brigand's Hold he said. Lucien though for a moment then agreed.

Chapter 2

Three months had passed since Lucien began traveling with Daniel and the other Privateers. Thanks to them, he had the opportunity to learn a great deal about this new world, which was called Eyratia. The land he arrived on was a continent called Terrai, a place of great beauty, but also of bloody warfare. He learned of the beastians which had been at war with the peoples of the west for as long as history had been recorded. During their stay at the College of the Magical Sciences, Lucien was introduced to the various schools of magic which were native to Eyratia. He was astounded by the wide range of mystical arts which seemed to dwarf those of this home world.

After their time at the College, the band set forth for Ritalia, the capital of Lutheria. It was here that Lucien saw first hand the daily life of the people of Terrai. Ritalia reminded him of the city he once called home, seeing the merchants selling their wares in the street, craftsmen busy plying their trades, adventurers buying provisions before setting out on their journeys, beggars humbly beseeching the privileged to part with their spare coin, even the guards chasing down a thief brought about memories from his past. But those days were behind him and Terrai was now his home.

The privateers had rented rooms at an inn near the docks in the harbor district of Ritalia before setting sail for the Brigand's Hold Isles. Lucien sat in deep contemplation in his room staring out of the window up at the night's sky. Though he had been on Eyratia for some time now, the sight of a single moon was still foreign to him. He thought heavily about the things he had seen in Terrai. Much of it reminded him of his old world before his influence. The seeds of honor and virtue were still fledgling in the hearts of the people, all they needed was nurturing and this world could become a beacon of light against the darkness.

These ponderings were soon interrupted by a knock at his door. Lucien, it's Daniel, may I enter?. Standing up from his chair, Lucien opened the door. Of course, Daniel, come in, he said. Daniel entered the room and went over to the window. We set sail tomorrow. The ship that is going to take us to the Brigand's Hold will be leaving early. It’s a Privateer's vessel which means everyone pulls their weight while on board. Do you have experience sailing?, he asked. Lucien nodded. "Aye, I've spent