Journey to a Mystery

Journey to a Mystery

The Legend of Tscon Lightbringer

Book Two

Written by J. S. Eaton

Smashwords Edition

Journey to a Mystery

Written by J. S. Eaton

Copyright J. S. Eaton 2011.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form, without the express written consent of the copyright holder. All names, places and characters in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, or places is purely coincidental.

Journey to a Mystery Written by J. S. Eaton

Table Of Contents

Chapter One Taking a New Road

Chapter Two Little House in the Clearing

Chapter Three A Fateful Discovery

Chapter Four The Djinn

Chapter Five Leng's Choice

Chapter Six Krenhavnar

Chapter Seven Representing the Order

Chapter Eight Regaining the Past

Chapter Nine Naeid Defined

Chapter Ten Staging a Rescue

Chapter Eleven An Ill Omen

Chapter Twelve She Returns

Chapter Thirteen The Village of Ketch

Chapter Fourteen Closure

Chapter Fifteen The Order of Truth and Light

Chapter Sixteen Shagon

Appendix

Forward

Greetings, thank you, and welcome. The book in your hand is Volume Two of The Legend of Tscon Lightbringer. I hope that you have as much fun reading it as I had in writing. If you've read Volume One, you'll no doubt notice that this book has more action, and fantasy. The group of intrepid adventurers travels a lot farther in this book than the previous one. They also have quite a few more adventures along the way. Some old friends leave, and new friends join.

At this point in the series, I feel there is something that needs to be said concerning the manner in which these books are written. These stories, The Legend of Tscon Lightbringer series in particular, are relatively short, falling into the class of book commonly called a novella. This is, in a way, intentional. As the stories became realized, the starting and stopping points for each one became obvious, despite that fact that each book is in fact part of one large whole. Although the argument can certainly be made that the these three books could have been combined, I felt it was more appropriate to the story to divide them on the basis of the major changes that the main character experiences in each story.

Readers of traditional fantasy may also be somewhat dismayed by the relatively quick pacing of these books. This is also intentional. The objective was to keep the story moving, something happening on every page, every paragraph, and every line. The story must flow, so to speak. Rest assured that deep descriptions, long narrations,intricate plot points and steep twists and turns will undoubtably be coming in future stories based in the Aeonith world. But somehow, the story of Tscon Lightbringer seemed to be best served by keeping the pacing of these books fast, if not so furious.

At the end if this volume is a map showing where our heroic monk and his friends travel in this story. An appendix is also included, with descriptions of the various fantastic people, places and things that are to be found in this work. If one finds oneself in search of even more knowledge of the magical world of Aeonith, fear not. A website, featuring all kinds of background, history, and other items of interest will be online by the time you read this.

Again, thanks to everyone who has supported me in this endeavor. The world of Aeonith will survive for years to come, and the stories in it will continue to flow out of it.

Thank you all for everything, and Happy Reading.

Chapter One

Taking a New Road

A man running next to a horse galloping at full speed is a sight to behold, but seeing that man outrun the horse is nothing short of amazing. This spectacular sight is just what Leng saw as he traveled down the dusty road with his friends. The runner on foot was his new best friend, Tscon Lightbringer. Tscon was a monk, a warrior-priest from the Order of Truth and Light, and the men and women of the Order had both tremendous speed and stamina. The other competitor in this race was Naeid, a fiery raven-haired woman who'd proven to be a strong and valuable ally to both he and the monk. She was, however, beginning to fall behind.

Naeid was whipping the reins of her horse, urging him on to run as fast as he could go. It was not fast enough. Tscon came running up from behind her, and in a sudden burst of speed, went roaring off in front of her. Leng laughed to himself when he heard Naeid swear as the monk passed her. He couldn't quite hear what had passed between her lips, but he was sure it wasn't a compliment. Tscon disappeared completely from view as the monk rounded a corner far ahead. Leng saw Naeid slow her horse down as she rounded this same small corner in the road. As he approached, Leng could hear someone breathing heavily. Ah, at last, Leng thought, we've winded the inexhaustible monk.

Tscon had indeed been inexhaustible. He had, for three straight days, kept up with the riders as they rode north along the road. Tscon still refused to ride with either of them, saying he was quite content to run alongside them. Naeid had finally challenged him to a race, and he accepted. She had gotten a good lead on Tscon as the race began, but the monk slowly caught up with her, and at the end, sprinted past his opponent to victory. But he was breathing heavily now, and finally seeing the man with unlimited stamina standing there, gasping for breath, leaning on his knees, brought a satisfied smile to their faces, both Naeid and Leng.

Finally got you winded, didn't I ? asked Naeid, the curly headed warrior woman with raven-black hair, which went far down her back.

Yes, I guess so, Tscon replied, when he could finally speak again.

Well, I'm sorry dear, Leng spoke up, looking in Naeid's direction, but he gets to eat the rest of the spiced rabbit tonight. Wish I could do something with those dried rations from the inn, but they're beyond hopeless.

Leng's reference to the dried rations was an allusion to his cooking skill. He was always saying he loved cooking and had a talent for it. It would not be incorrect to say that he was bragging, Leng had indeed displayed a talent for mixing ingredients and spices in a combination that was quite delectable. He had adequately demonstrated that skill for two days straight now. After they had set out from Lent, Leng worried his lack of combat training might seem a liability to his comrades. But when Naeid had brought back a rabbit to the camp that first night, Leng showed them what he was capable of, born to do, he said. And after that first meal, they had both agreed he was right. So despite their cook's lack of any fighting ability whatsoever, they had been glad to have him along.

He was also referring to the wager that Tscon and Naeid had made before their big race. The winner got what was left of the tasty rabbit, the loser, old rations. Naeid had been looking forward to another of Leng's spiced rabbit stews, but she had lost, and so was bound to honor her agreement.

It was worth it though, she began, to finally see Mr. Iron-lungs here having to take a deep breath.

All three of them got a big laugh at Naeid's new nickname for their running companion. Tscon didn't mind a bit, he knew it was all in fun. He was about to remark on Naeid's ability to quickly come up with new and unusual nicknames for people, when he noticed her horse behaving strangely. It began to paw at the ground with its front hoof. Naeid noticed it as well, and sat tall in her saddle, looking up the road. Nothing presented itself as she scanned the wide lane, but she seemed to sense that something was wrong.

I think we might want to get off the road. she advised.

Both Tscon and Leng agreed, and the trio moved off the road to the safety of the nearby forest. Naeid and Leng got off their horses and moved them deeper into the forest so they could not been seen or heard by whomever was approaching. Tscon took up a watchful position near the road, inside a clump of thick bushes about twenty feet inside the thick woods. After settling their horses far enough away that they couldn't be seen or heard, Naeid and Leng joined him. They knelt as low to ground as they could get and waited. Sure enough, within a few minutes they could hear footsteps, walking in unison, coming down the road. As they watched with growing anticipation, the source of the footsteps marched into view, Imperial Soldiers.

The grand symbol of the Mytarian Empire is a great lion rearing back on its hind legs. This symbol was clearly visible on the worn leather jerkins of the passing soldiers. The armor itself was red in color, with the exception of the gloves and boots, which retained the solid brown of treated leather. There were ten men on foot, each carrying a spear in one hand. They wore short swords at their sides, in undecorated scabbards. A rider on horseback strode ahead of the column that walked two abreast. The rider looked across both sides of the road as he passed Tscon and the others, but there was no sign he had noticed them. The company had almost passed the hidden companions completely, when they heard the mounted soldier give the command to halt. Silence hung in the air for a moment, and Tscon began to think they had been discovered. The mounted warrior's words removed that fear.

Ten minute break. he announced. The soldiers began to slowly disperse, talking among themselves. Then the companion's hearts jumped again, as they saw some of the men heading into the woods. They watched in silent dread as two of the men walked into the forest on their side of the road. One of the soldiers, a young man probably not more than twenty, came within a few feet of where the three friends were hiding. They breathed a small sigh of relief when he passed by, appearing not to notice them. Then they heard his footsteps stop. They waited anxiously, fearing discovery. Then they heard a strange sound behind them. It sounded like someone pouring water on the ground slowly, as if from a small pitcher. It took a second for them to realize what he was doing, but they felt a sense of relief after the sound stopped and the soldier walked back toward the road, apparently oblivious to their presence.

After the young warrior had passed, they heard a loud, gruff voice complaining, the same voice that had ordered this little respite. The source of this voice suddenly loomed into view, walking along the road near the forest, on their side. This was obviously the commander. His leather coat and breeches were not as worn as the other soldiers, and it had a few other decorations that the footman’s armor lacked. The shoulders of the chest piece were padded with red and black leather, and the left front area held a medal of some kind, though the companions were too far away to see the symbol on it. He seemed to be somewhat older, perhaps in his forties, with a scraggly beard and mustache. He was of average height and build, not very imposing in any way. He wore no helmet, and had very little gray hair on his head. He spoke as someone who had been in command for a long time.

This is nonsense Brag,, he began, our being sent to collect wayward prisoners. If the guard lost them, the guard should find them, not the militia. We're supposed to guard the lands from enemies outside the empire, not within it. What were they thinking anyway, letting these people go in the first place ?

He appeared to be talking to a younger man walking beside him. Brag, it seemed his name was, nodded his agreement to the commander's observation.

Yes captain, but we have to do as we're told, being servants of the emperor and all. Still, I think your right about this being the guards job, not ours. No one is patrolling our course while we go off searching for these fools, and if what we've been hearing is correct, now is not the time to be leaving our lands unwatched.

You mean the goblins ? the commander asked.

Brag nodded again in agreement.

Unusual in the extreme, I say. The filthy creatures stay to their swamps and caves these days, I bet there hasn't been a goblin sighted within a hundred miles of the capital for a hundred years. And now a whole group is found, less than a days walk from our gates ? Bad omen, I say.

Brag and his commander were standing directly across from the hidden companions now, near their side of the road. Footsteps came rushing up and Tscon could see another one of the soldiers run up to the commander and halt in front of him, folding his arm to his chest in a kind of salute before addressing his superior.

No sign of anyone in the woods Captain Thurg.

The commander was so close to Tscon and the others they could see his face, which became clearly annoyed at this news.

Bah, I don't think you fools could follow a dragon's tracks in the snow. He hesitated after uttering his sentiments, looking around the forest one more time.

Very well, form up and let's get going.

The soldier saluted again, and turned to follow his orders. Captain Thurg turned to Brag and held his lieutenant's shoulder for a moment. They were still within earshot of Tscon and the others.

This is a royal mission, and you know what that means. We have to come back with somebody, or we'll be taking those prisoner’s places. So that's exactly what we'll do. If we don't find this group of nobodies who've escaped, we'll just round up a few other nobodies in one of these pathetic hamlets and turn them in. Understood ?

Brag nodded in agreement, and the two men walked back to the head of the newly assembled column. Thurg gave the order to march, and the column headed south, down the road. After their footsteps were long gone, the three companions stood up, their legs aching from having knelt in one place for so long. Naeid and Leng both saw the forlorn look on Tscon's face, and knew exactly what he was thinking.

O no you don't, Leng said, we're not turning ourselves in to save some villagers. And we can't take out an entire militia patrol. We're just going to have to let this one go, Tscon. There's nothing we can do.

Deep in his heart Tscon knew Leng was right, but it didn't hold back the sadness that guilt can bring on. Guilt had been Tscon's constant companion for so long that even now, after he'd faced his past, the burdening emotion was still finding ways to haunt him. Then Naeid offered a bit of wisdom to Tscon's battered soul, and it lifted his spirits. The monk was beginning to notice that she had way of doing that.

That captain's an idiot. He can't bring just anyone back and expect the guards to take them. Especially if they're supposed to be carrying that book you have. Duh. What a fool, clown as Vetse would say.

Tscon grimaced at Vetse' name, the man's death was still fresh on Tscon's mind. He'd held his friend as the man gasped his last breath, and had buried him near the boulder where both he and Dach had been killed by the merciless assassin Ashila. Tscon wondered where she might be, and when she would attack again. He assured himself that if she did appear again, he would take whatever steps were necessary to stop her, up to and including death. As he was thinking, he heard Naeid's voice, offering more wisdom.

We should probably stay off the road from here on out. I have a pretty good sense of direction, I don't think we'll get lost. We're going northeast right ? She looked at Tscon.

Yes, basically, he replied, thankful Naeid was changing the subject. The Temple is in Mylkar, but I want to stop in a small village on the border of Sivilar first.

What for, if I may ask ? Leng inquired.

I need to visit someone there. was all the answer Tscon offered. His look must have been getting sad again, as Leng let his further questions fall from his mouth without uttering them, choosing instead to ask them at a later time. Naeid and Leng went back to where they'd tied up their horses. Naeid led hers, while Leng leapt back up on his, looked around, and gently kicked it forward. Tscon followed last, trying to fight off the gray clouds forming in his mind.

They walked with Naeid leading the way for the rest of the day, the sun finally settling down past the trees. Naeid stopped when they'd found a small clearing, just big enough for a camp. A fire was ruled out at this point, all agreeing that they were still too close to the road to chance the smoke being seen. Leng took the reins of both horses and tied them to a tree near the edge of the clearing. As he turned toward his two friends, he suddenly stopped and cocked his head, as if listening for a half-heard noise. Tscon and Naeid both saw his behavior and stood up quietly, listening. For a few moments, they heard little save the usual noises of evening birds and insects. Then those too quieted, and an eerie hush fell over the forest.

All of a sudden, an ear shattering scream rang out. A loud noise followed a crashing sound, as if ten trees had all been cut down at the same time. The three heroes rushed toward the sound, hoping the Imperial patrol had moved far out of earshot. The crashing noises continued as they got nearer, and they gasped for air when they saw what was making them.

The three friends suddenly found themselves in a clearing that appeared as though it had just been cut. Saplings and small trees were lying on the ground, their roots reaching in all directions for the nourishing soil from which they had just been ripped. Tscon and his friends looked about for what was causing the damage, and found it immediately. A huge, plant like monster was standing merely ten feet away, a vulgar monstrosity the likes of which none of the companions had ever seen.

It was humanoid in shape, but