Rise of the King: The Chronicles of Vlandamyuir Book Two

RISE OF THE KING

The Chronicles of Vlandamyuir

Book Two

Bridget Bowers

Smashwords Edition

Rise of the King is a work of fiction. Any names, places, characters, or incidents are works of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual events, locations, or people, living or dead, are coincidental.

© Copyright 2012 by Bridget Bowers

Cover Design: © 2012 by Bridget Bowers

Thanks to the conitued support of my family and friends that put up with listening to all my plot babblings and rantings. Thanks for reading the rough drafts and dealing with constant story changes. Without you none of this would ever be possible.

Other Works by Bridget Bowers

The Chronicles of Vlandamyuir Series

The Path of Light

Rise of the King

Short Stories

Legend: A short story

Chapter One

The village lay silent under the dark star cluttered sky, as it had been each night since the travelers arrived nearly two fortnights ago. When the sun became a glow in the east on the other side of the Draconia Mountains, the villagers would begin to stir. Inside the house at the edge of Hamstead, a flurry of activity belied the early hour.

Karl! Talon! Quick, he is awake! Walis! He is awake! Valencia Merrin rushed out the back door of the house running toward the barn. She gathered her skirts in one hand, keeping them out of her way as she ran.

What are you babbling about this early, woman? Karl Perrin, the captain who trained the young men back in the capital of Livingston, grumbled as he threw open the barn door and ran his hand through sleep rumpled hair.

Jason! It is Jason! She shouted and grabbed his arms laughing up into his face, her brown eyes sparkled with the knowledge her healing talents won the battle with death. He is awake! Karl, he is awake!

Jason is awake? Talon Nedar stumbled out of the shadowy barn as neither man bothered to light a lantern.

How is he? Walis Ater asked as he pushed past Talon to see what caused the commotion.

Come see for yerself, Valencia said and grabbed Talon’s hand to drag the young man behind her back to the house. She knew Jason Militis would be eager to see a familiar face. He and Talon spent two years training together with Kallum Syer Theras at the Ahzyr Palace before the entire group left on the journey that led them here.

Traveling the length of Vlandamyuir in search of the eight orbs of Light in order to reseal the Dark One within his prison void according to a nearly forgotten prophecy, bonded them into a close knit band, much like a true mercenary company. In the three months since they left Livingston, this was the first time they had been separated. Kallum made the decision to leave Valencia, Karl, Talon, and Walis in Hamstead looking after Jason while he went ahead to find the cave behind a waterfall where the second orb was hidden.

He had taken Chance Lering, Arwyn Ranal, Pyck, and Mallen Ormore with him. Once he possessed the orb, they would return to Hamstead, reunite the group, and continue the quest.

In the small chamber off the main house, Jason greeted Talon when he stuck his head in the doorway. There was color back in his cheeks, and although he was weak, he was awake. The wound he had taken when fighting Lag left him in a coma for nearly two fortnights battling the taint of the enchanted blade. Despite Valencia’s assurances, Talon and the others feared he would never fully recover that Lag’s tainted blade had done its work too well.

Methinks I have not seen a better sight, Talon said as he sat down on the edge of Jason’s bed. We had begun to give up hope of ye ever returning to us. I did not relish the thought of telling Kallum ye did not survive.

I did not mean to cause ye to lose faith in me. Where is Kallum, why is he not here? Where is here? Jason asked as he looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. He had no memory beyond confronting Lag. He didn’t even remember getting wounded.

How much do ye remember? Talon asked, looking back over his shoulder to where Karl, Valencia, and Walis hovered in the doorway. Think ye I may tell him what he has missed?

Aye, ye will tell me, Jason said grabbing Talon’s arm. Where are Kallum and the others? Where are we?

Mayhap it would be best if ye rested a little longer, Valencia said. She knew Jason would be upset Kallum went after the next orb without him. In the months they had been traveling together, it was obvious Jason took his self appointed position as Kallum’s personal guard to heart.

Methinks I will not rest until ye have told me. Talon, what have I missed? Jason’s brown eyes were full of questions. He and Talon had been friends since Talon had arrived at Ahzyr Palace with Kallum.

You might as well tell him, Talon. You and I both know he will settle for nothing less. Keeping it from him will solve nothing. Karl came into the room and sat down on the other side of the bed from Talon.

It is good to see ye awake again. We were worried for sometime. After ye hear what Talon has to say, work on getting well. Kallum and the rest of us have a need of ye, Walis said as he stood at the foot of the bed.

With a smile, Jason nodded and promised he would do his best to recover. He then looked to Talon. With a sigh, Talon filled in the gaps in Jason’s memory.

"During yer fight with Lag, ye were cut down before Mallen was able to use his magic to chase Lag away. He tied ye over yer horse and brought ye to Valencia. Ye were in a coma and this is the first ye have been awake since then.

Valencia said ye were not stable enough to travel, so we found this village, Hamstead, where we were able to hide from Belad’s patrols and give ye a chance to heal. Kallum waited for a sennight before he decided he would go after the orb –

He went without me? Jason interrupted and propped himself into a sitting position. Both Karl and Talon pressed him back onto the bed and Jason was too weak to fight back.

Relax, if ye continue to get so excited I will not tell ye the rest, Talon said.

Forgive me, Jason whispered. He went white with pain and sweat beaded his brow from the effort to rise. It told him how serious a wound he had taken from Lag. Sera, I have never felt so weak.

Mayhap ye have had enough. The rest will wait until ye are stronger, Valencia said from the foot of the bed. She moved closer as Jason attempted to rise.

Nay, I am fine. Continue, Talon.

With a nod of assent from Valencia, Talon continued, Kallum split our forces, leaving us behind while he went ahead and got the next orb. They will come back for us once they are finished and our journey will continue. He wanted only to be certain ye were healed before ye returned to the saddle. Ye know our pace is not one to encourage recovery.

Aye, Jason nodded. The disappointment and pain at being left behind was evident in his eyes, along with a grudging acceptance. There was little he could do now but heal. He was determined to be fit once Kallum returned.

I will bring ye some broth. After ye eat, ye will need to rest. Valencia waved the other two out of the room ahead of her.

As Valencia dished up a bowl of broth, Karl, Walis, and Talon found seats at the table to break their own fast. Discussion turned to another hunting trip. She added additional herbs to help Jason begin regaining his strength.

Outside, the day dawned accompanied by the village coming to life. It was peaceful. Valencia thought she could convince herself the trouble with Belad Pravus and the Dark One didn’t exist. Staying here, she thought nothing evil could ever touch them. However, she was ready for Kallum to return. The quest waited.

With Jason recovering, tension increased around Hamstead. Karl, Walis, and Talon spent more time traipsing through the woods to keep themselves occupied. Valencia dealt with Jason’s constant grumbling as he was eager to get out of bed and onto his feet despite her warnings to take things slow, being cooped up made them all edgy.

Methinks I can at least move around the house, Valencia. I will go crazy if ye make me spend much more time in this bed gazing at these same four walls. Jason set the now empty bowl of stew on the tray beside him.

Ye have been awake less than a sennight and already ye want to jump back into the saddle and follow after Kallum or go chasing through the woods with the others. Can ye not let yerself rest? Valencia took up the tray.

I have been resting since Lag gave me this wound, he said pulling up his shirt to show her the pink scar that curved just under his ribs on his left side. Now I would like a little exercise.

Valencia knew there would be no stopping him soon. She would eventually have to give him some freedom. Making certain he understood her ground rules, she allowed him to roam the house. Under no circumstances was he permitted to leave the house. Jason agreed. He was eager to get out of his room under any circumstances.

She was glad he felt well enough to push and chafe under her eye, but she knew the lure of adventure and Kallum couldn’t be ignored. Valencia felt her own share of anxiety while being forced to wait for their return.

When Karl, Talon, and Walis returned from their latest hunting trip, they brought disturbing news as well. Large forces of Belad’s men moved through the area. They hadn’t yet come close to Hamstead, but it was certain to be only a matter of time. Even such a small village as this wouldn’t be over looked.

What think ye we should do? Talon looked from Valencia to Karl. They were the leaders while Kallum was away. It would be up to them how they would face this threat.

Methinks we should stay put. If we attempt to run Kallum might not be able to find us. It might also attract the soldiers’ attention, Valencia suggested as she worked on her spinning.

Think ye it would not be better if we were to hide in the woods? Talon and Karl know them well. Better certainly than Belad’s pawns. Jason clenched his fists. He, like the others, wished they had gone with Kallum and didn’t have to worry about hiding.

They will come here to find us, Talon said. If we were to leave it may only lead to more problems.

But what if staying leads Kallum and the rest right to the soldiers? Should not at least one of us try to find them and warn them? Walis asked.

They should be on their way here. We are safe from the patrols for now. We need to wait until we reassemble before we try to do anything. Karl stood up and looked at the others around the table. They will not stumble into a patrol. They will be alert.

And we sit here and do nothing? Jason slammed his fist against the table in frustration.

There is little for us to do. Let us seek our beds. Tomorrow is another day. Valencia stood up and set aside her spinning.

The four men remained sitting around the table before the dying fire. With nothing left to discuss, the dissatisfaction with the decision kept them awake. All four prayed to the Goddess of Light, Sera, their guardian protector that Kallum would return soon.

Outside Hamstead, troops of Belad’s men lead by Commander Arnyl made camp. The scouts had found another little village tucked deep within the woods before them. It was the perfect target, one Arnyl liked to conquer, small enough not to put up any organized resistance, yet large enough to yield a squadron of new men once all the proper training was completed.

Do we attack tonight, Commander? Jessal, one of Arnyl’s aides asked as he joined the commander in his field tent.

Nay, tonight we prepare holding pens and call up the wizards. After taking this village, we will have enough for the conditioning to begin. We will attack just before dawn. No one should be awake to give warning and we will triumph with little hassle, Arnyl said as he shuffled through reports upon his travel desk filled with scouting information on all the little villages scattered within a five league radius.

Ye wish to remain this close to the village to begin conditioning, sir? We are only a league away from this Hamstead, the young man explained.

A league? Arnyl asked as he rubbed the pale yellow stubble on his chin that was two shades lighter than the hair on his head and squinted. Nay, a league is too close. We will march down toward Brothwyn Bay after clearing this village. Have the wizards meet us a day’s march from here.

Aye, Commander, a day’s march from Hamstead. Should I send a detail ahead to prepare holding pens for the men?

Send two squads, I wish to have them ready when I arrive with the new recruits. Dispatch both the squads and the messengers to the wizards immediately. Then bed down the rest of the men. We attack two hours before dawn. Their Goddess Sera will not be able to protect them. Arnyl dismissed his aide.

With the plans laid, he had little to occupy him until time to clear the village in the morning. The additional men would put his army back up to full strength. It would be his last recruiting mission until Belad gave them their new orders. The waiting was always the hardest on him. He preferred the thrill of battle.

According to the calendar, it was the middle of fall, but the weather felt more like midwinter. A heavy snow fall a sennight ago froze the dirt despite the fact most of the snow had melted with the rising sun. Now, a thin crust of frost covered the ground, making the grasses brittle and crunch under foot as the soldiers marched toward Hamstead.

The village itself was quiet and still. There had never been a watch posted, the peasants secure that their remote location would keep them safe. The house at the end of the village was little different, except Jason sat staring out his window unable to sleep. The news that patrols moved through the area, combined with his helplessness brought on his insomnia.

The leaves had long since fallen from all the trees within the woods around them, leaving naked skeletons silhouetted against the night sky lit only by the soft glow of the setting moons filtering through the clouds. A white layer of frost coated the ground and only the swiftest water flowed in the center of the little creek as it gurgled passed the house.

No rosy lantern light showed from any of the houses in the village, all in all, a somber picture one that fit his mood. The view held little interest for him. Instead, Jason remained focused on his inner thoughts and brooded over being left in this village. Movement caught his eye as shadows snuck through the forest on the opposite side of the village. At first, he thought it only the wind, but the air was still and the movements were too sure, too deliberate.

Keeping watch, Jason tried to pick out one shadow and identify it. They reminded him of the Kasgars during the encounter the group had with them in the Shindari Plains, but Hamstead was too far from the plains for it to be the Kasgars. That left only one option. One of the patrols must have stumbled across them. He didn’t know if it would be best for them to let the village sleep or attempt to set off some alarm. He hoped the soldiers would pass through and leave the village undisturbed, but something about the way they moved told him neither he nor the village was that lucky.

Leaving the window, Jason pulled on his boots, shrugged into his jacket and grabbed his swords. Hurrying up the ladder, he found Valencia’s bed by touch. He didn’t know how long they had before the men launched an attack, but there was no time to waste.

Valencia, Jason whispered, shaking the woman’s shoulder as he crouched beside her. Valencia, quickly, danger.

Jerking awake, she fought his hold on her. Easy, it is me. Men move through the forest on the other side of the village. I saw none on this side, but that does not mean they are not there. Get moving. We need to head out to the barn. We may need to escape.

The words sunk in, but at first they had little meaning as Valencia tried to clear her sleep fogged mind. Men? Belad’s soldiers?

Methinks it can only be them. Hurry. He pulled the covers off her. Dress in yer trousers and do not forget yer sword.

Turning from Valencia’s bed, Jason hurried back down the ladder and threw his gear into his packs as he waited. It took only a few moments for her to appear in his doorway, wrapping her cloak around her as she rushed around the room stuffing items into her pack. The adrenaline pumped through her as she ran through her mental checklist of everything she needed and what to leave. Jason poked his head out the door and didn’t see any movement within the main part of the village.

The two figures bolted across the open ground separating the barn from the house losing themselves in the deeper shadows. Jason pressed Valencia against the wall of the barn and listened. When he detected no signal that might have suggested they were spotted, he eased open the barn door and they both slipped through the opening.

Wake the others, Jason said as he dropped their packs near the doorway. I will bar the door and begin saddling the horses.

Valencia nodded not thinking that in the darkness he couldn’t see her. He was satisfied she understood when she moved away, feeling along the wall to find the ladder that would take her up to the loft. Her nerves were stretched taunt as she tried to be quiet and strained to hear any sounds from outside the barn.

Stumbling into the ladder, she cursed under her breath and then started to climb. Behind her in the dark, she could hear Jason moving around barring the door. She wanted to conjure a light, but feared that it might give them away to the men gathering in the village.

At the top of the ladder, a hand descended over her mouth and she grabbed at the silhouette above her to avoid tumbling backwards. What goes? Karl’s voice growled into her ear.

She moved his hand aside to answer, Jason saw men at the other end of the village. He bars the door and readies the horses.

Is it Belad’s men? he asked still a whisper at her ear. It was so dark she couldn’t discern anything but his darker shadow from the emptiness around her.

He fears it could be no other.

Help Talon and Walis gather the rest of our gear. I will go help Jason, Karl said as he released her and disappeared.

From the rustling in the straw, Valencia located Talon and they clasped hands before he thrust items at her to stuff in the packs between them.

Belad? Talon asked.

Jason fears it is so, she responded.

He didn’t speak again only continued to thrust items into her hands for her to pack. Talon, Walis, Karl, and Jason didn’t seem to have any trouble maneuvering in the darkness and Valencia made a mental note to ask them the trick.

What remains in the house? Talon asked as he closed the packs.

Nothing of importance, Jason and I packed our things before we came out to the barn, she answered.

Come, we must move. Talon grabbed her hand and led her back to the ladder. She managed to find the top rung and hurried to make her way to the ground.

She searched with her toe at each step as she neared what she thought was the bottom. Time seemed to stand still and the silence screamed at her. Around the barn all seemed normal, the village silent. It made her wonder if Jason had only imagined the men.

She dismissing that thought as soon as she had it. Valencia knew Jason wouldn’t put them through this unless he was certain of what he saw. Somewhere out in the night, Belad’s soldiers stalked the village. She imagined they waited for some sign before beginning the attack.

When the ground appeared beneath her feet, Valencia hurried to get out of the way of Talon and Walis who were right behind her. As they landed beside her, Talon grabbed her hand again and led her to where Jason and Karl whispered beside one of the stalls. She could smell horses and straw, but even the animals seemed unnaturally silent on this night.

We wait until they attack and try to slip out into the woods during their own distraction, Karl said opening a stall door and giving Valencia a set of reins. Leading the horse out into the aisle, Jason tossed her packs over her mount.

You ride for the shelter of the trees no matter what. We will follow as we can, but you must escape if only to get word to Kallum of what happened, Karl said and squeezed her hand.

We will all make it to safety, she whispered, her voice coming out harsh. I will not leave without ye. We will all go.

Valencia, no arguing, this is battle. Ride for the woods and do not look back.

He left her standing in the middle of the barn, holding the reins. She patted her mount’s nose finding small comfort in the palfrey’s presence.

Movement startled her out of her internal contemplation, but she realized the men led their mounts toward the door. Talon came back and led her to where they waited. Jason took the bar off the door and cracked it open to survey the village. As he watched, men broke from the cover of the trees from all around the village. Too many shadows slithered through the darkness for it to be a patrol; it seemed the whole of Belad’s army descended on them.

Chapter Two

Slipping into the water, Kallum Syer Theras dove through the waterfall as the icy liquid leeched the heat from his body. He swam with powerful strokes, drawing nearer to the edge of the pool and the waiting warmth of the fire the rest of his companions would have waiting there.

As the water grew shallow enough, Kallum stopped swimming and started walking, his bare feet sinking into the sandy bottom. The wind raised goose bumps along his arms and he shivered as rivulets of freezing water dripped from the tips of his short dark hair and snaked down his back.

He could see the glow of the fire from where they camped during the night. The rosy glow illuminating the small stand of trees they used to act as a windbreak in the tiny valley near this waterfall. Its warmth drew him closer. His steps were sluggish from the cold, unlike in the cave, there was no surge of adrenaline to help warm him. His limbs felt heavy and the fading sunlight took what little warmth there was out of the air with it.

His companions were gathered around the fire, the buzz of conversation reached his ears as he hugged himself in an attempt to keep warm but shivers continued to wrack his body. He picked out the auburn haired shadow out of the bunch and headed closer. The crackling flames muffled the sound of his approach, and it wasn’t until he croaked her name that they noticed him.

A-A-Arwyn, he stuttered.

Kallum! Arwyn Ranal leapt to her feet and immediately ran to his side. She threw herself into his arms ignoring the freezing river water that soaked him. Her warmth immediately seeped into his bones and his arms wrapped around her to hold her closer. We were so worried. You were in there for so long.

Were you successful? Mallen asked from behind Arwyn. An Accenderes to the core, his first desire was to ensure the success of the journey.

Methinks that can wait until he has warmed up some, Chance Lering said as he tossed Kallum’s cloak around his shoulders.

Kallum moaned as the fire warmed cloth wrapped him in its heat and thawed out his body. He