The Saga of Sordic: The Warlock of Ajalk (Novel 3 of 4)

THE SAGA OF SORDIC

The Warlock of Ajalk

by

R.S. Cummings

Smashwords Edition

Published on Smashwords by:

Robert S. Cummings

The Warlock of Ajalk

The third book in the SOS series

Copyright 2012 by Robert S. Cummings

Editors: C. Cummings, J. Colon, M. Hyman

Thanks to our beta-readers: B. Lodge, J. Scherer

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Visit the Sordic website to continue the adventure!

www.wix.com/rscummings/the-saga-of-sordic

Table of Contents

*The Magic Lies Within*

Series Chapters

Book 1: The First Dreamlight

Book 2: Masters of the Art

Book 3: The Warlock of Ajalk

Book 4: title unreleased

Book 3 Chapters

Chapter 1: The Cloaked Figure of Illideur

Chapter 2: Ickabud

Chapter 3: Copper Cross

Chapter 4: Purplexed

Chapter 5: Prelude to the March

Chapter 6: Yellow Buttons

Chapter 7: The Warlock of Ajalk

Chapter 8: North, West, East, and Last

Chapter 9: A Darkened Mansion

Chapter 10: The First Recruit

Chapter 11: Atop the Filter Barriers

Chapter 12: A Warlock’s Cave

Chapter 13: Vindogyre’s Exchange

Chapter 14: Zaeel Marks the Spot

Chapter 15: Scooter Hunt

Chapter 16: Dry Haven Diversion

Chapter 17: The Subterranean Bluffs of Neb

Chapter 18: Sleepy Imps

Chapter 19: Beyond Existence

Chapter 20: Fire and Blood

Chapter 21: From the Back of a Monster

Chapter 22: Revelation

Selected Lexicon

• Red Magic — pain inducing — real form is sinistra

• White Magic — healing & protection — real form is brunite

• Purple Magic — grip & manipulation of objects — real form is fiori

• Green Magic — animation of the nonliving — real form is ingeno

• Black Magic — possession of the mind — real form is luttu

• Art — dominating fighting style — mastery requires intense training

• Aspala — religion that worships martial arts as the ultimate means of protection

• Dreamlight — rare gem used to transport between the eight realms

• Harlq — angelic, powerful being that serves as the eyes of the Titans

• Hellcrum — symbol worn by followers of the Shadow — white feather on fire

• Holotrix — the ability to harbor an invisible weapon

• Krew — the Shadow’s army — not trained in the Art

• Mωrtray — the ability to morph the body into different forms

• M-rod — a weapon capable of firing red, white, and purple magic

• Pacifiser — a neck restraint that restricts the bearer from casting magic

• Pistil-Daggers — handle-less, zinc blades designed for throwing

• Raybok — impenetratable, yellow energy

• Scooter — bracelet used for mansion transport and admittance through Raybok

• Speory — a creature capable of casting magic

• Titans — the two deities that created and rule over the eight realms

• Uthean — fleshy fruit craved by the race of magical cloverfairies

• Xeloforcefiorisham — the purple trampoline used for Art training

• Zaith — a dead spirit that has been summoned back among the living

Hierarchy of Power in the Multiverse

TITANS

Harlqs

Non-human Speories

Human Speories

Non-speories

STRYKWORTH MANSION

(by floor #)

For Serendipity Love,

May the words I write reflect the love I have for you

and the inspiration you give to me.

Thank you, sissy.

Chapter 1

The Cloaked Figure of Illideur

Rylan Young? Doyk asked.

That’s the name I heard, Ke’ondre replied. He singlehandedly killed the colbra.

Sounds like an outrageous rumor to me. How old is the boy?

A teenager. One of the new heroes of Sordic.

Doyk fiddled with his knotted beard, pondering the idea of a child defeating such a legendary beast. It matters not. Our dealings will never force us into the presence of a hero.

I wouldn’t be so sure of that. If we keep communicating with the Krew as often as we have lately, the heroes will be drawn to us… Ke’ondre trailed off.

Worrying was a common trait of a dymeocor. Ke’ondre tried to hide his anxiety from his partner, though his other characteristics stood out like Raybok amidst a dark sky. Dymeocors were imp-sized and evolutionarily programmed not to associate with members of their own race. Practicing the martial art religion of Aspala, most members of the species wore a circular green cap atop their furry, rodent-like heads. The dark dense hair surrounded the whiskers on their pointed faces, continued over their muscular torso where their stubby arms hung from their chest, before fading into a light shade of gray down each slender leg.

Our negotiations with the Krew have been necessary. Their master offers too much compensation to be ignored. If we continue our deal a bit longer, we’ll have enough money to trade for a dreamlight and escape this awful realm, Doyk declared, folding his encrusted human hands.

He didn’t mean it. The wanted duo would happily flee from Sordic for a fresh start in a realm where their sinful nature was unknown, but that was the only reason. The overweight Doyk once lived amongst humans such as himself, but his friendship with Ke'ondre led him down a path of solitude.

At least tonight is a break from the Krew, Ke’ondre noted, skipping a pebble across the desolate Illideur road. Do you have any idea who tonight’s clients are?

No idea. Word in the forest is they pay very well, Doyk answered.

We sure have been lucky lately.

I hope it’s only luck. I feel a bit more secure knowing our warehouse is full of Krew working on the weapon blueprints we provided. The clients would be insane to try anything funny on us while a section of the Shadow’s army is housed right here, Doyk said, glancing over his shoulder at the tall building behind him.

Ke’ondre and Doyk were experts in constructive contraband. They were hired to lend their building skills to creatures who wanted items assembled in secret. Sneaky species went through the lengthy channels required to contact them for their services. The heroes had many opportunities to capture the duo and shut down their illegal business, but Companion, the head hero of Sordic, deemed it necessary to let them foolishly continue their activities as means to provide leads to more serious threats in the realm. A group of hazco guards, the highest ranking at Strykworth Mansion, were quietly assigned to keep tabs on all of their operations.

It’s almost time, the dymeocore stretched his hairy torso and turned to enter the warehouse.

I suppose we should set up the meeting room. I’m going to let the Krew know we are expecting visitors. We don’t want any sudden explosions to frighten the clients, Doyk said.

A light flashed around the corner of the abandoned Illideur District.

They’re here.

•

The cloaked figure walked down the quiet road alone. His garment encased his entire body—extra fabric covering his shoes and a black hood to shield his face. His pace was sluggish. The Illideur District was the most dangerous location south of Rapier Forest, but the cloaked figure cared not. He didn’t react to the squeaks and rummaging noises of hidden creatures along his path, nor did he increase his rate of travel when the patches of thick clouds would drift across the night’s full moon. The cloaked figure could be perceived as fearless, yet it was confidence driving his mission with such ease. The warehouse where the dealers awaited his arrival was dead ahead. The old building was the largest in all of Illideur. The cloaked figure would only be allowed into the warehouse’s foyer to complete his dealings. If he wished to gain access to the floors beyond, he would have to do so by force.

•

I think I see him, Ke’ondre whispered with his hands cupped against the grimy glass window.

"What do you mean him? I thought there was a group interested in this deal?" Doyk replied.

I only see one…thing out there.

Thing?

Its body is all covered up. Is this a human we are dealing with?

I don’t know, Doyk padded some dirt from his braided hair, but what kind of creature would come out here all by itself?

Ke’ondre thought a moment. One doesn’t. There must be others somewhere. I’m going to tell the Krew we may need help…

That’s not necessary. We’re overreacting. We should be happy there isn’t an army of clients heading our way.

Either way, something is eerie about how slowly it’s moving. The corners of this room are dark. I’ll have some help hide in the shadows.

You better hurry—he’s coming up the entry steps.

•

Foot over foot, one leisure step at a time, the cloaked figure climbed the small case of stairs. Once on the landing, he stopped and tilted his neck to bring the towering warehouse fully into view. With the rickety steel door inches away, there was only one thing left to do.

KNOCK! The metal echoed as the door crept open, darkness peeking from the widening sliver. After a step into the warehouse, the cloaked figure shut the door and made his way down the narrowly lit path to the two business men awaiting the deal.

Welcome, my new friend. My name is Aly, Ke’ondre lied from beneath his green cap.

And I am Reese, Doyk continued the ploy, wiping spit from the crusty corner of his mouth.

The cloaked figure kept his head bowed as he spoke, Funny. I was under the impression your names were Ke’ondre and Doykanoonoo.

PUFHAHAHA! Ke’ondre laughed uncontrollably in his deep dymeocore accent.

Shut up, you idiot! Doyk shouted. He waited for Ke’ondre to regain control before answering, I have never known a creature with such a ridiculous name. We are Aly and Reese. Now enough about us—to my understanding, you are here to exchange weapon information for a large sum of money.

I’ll only give the money if the information serves my purpose, the figure said.

Well that’s a shame because we don’t share any information unless we hold the money in our grasp. I don’t know who you are, but these dealings happen our way or not at all.

"I am both a source of vast finance and a bearer of great magic. I suggest you watch your tone. I’d hate to make a mess of things inside your…home."

Doyk tried to hide his nervous swallow as he glanced at Ke’ondre, who was eyeing the dark areas of the room in hope the Krew were ready to protect them. Though Ke’ondre was trained to fight, he wasn’t a speory. The duo had no means to defend against a magical ambush.

Your threat is noted, the dymeocore replied, adjusting his Aspala cap, trusting the client understood its implied meaning. Perhaps you should tell us the nature of the information you are searching for and then we will decide how the rest of the dealings will go.

Very well, he said, lifting his bowed head an inch.

Doyk leaned to steal a glimpse of the client’s face but forced himself back.

The cloak spoke again, this time louder and with determination, I don’t come to request your services in weaponry. Rather, I am responding to rumors about your harboring of the evil of Sordic. Answer my questions quickly or I will tear this building down with my hands…

The duo’s bones rattled beneath their clothing. Both searched for the rebutting words to stop the cloaked figure’s violating rant, but it was their false faith in the hidden Krew that kept them from fleeing the newly hostile situation.

The client’s long sleeves began to grow in crimson as he finally asked the question that drew him to Illideur in the first place, Are you aiding the Shadow in his scheme against the innocent of this realm? Speak!

Doyk grew bold and slammed his dirty fist on the rotting wood table in front of him, That is an outrageous claim! Even if we were, what business would it be of yours? Are you a soldier for the heroes? I think not—such warriors wouldn’t be wandering our streets at this hour. I have answered your question. Now give me my money or I’ll unleash my army.

The stillness of the cloaked figure was discomforting. Even his breathing was masked by the thick shroud. His charging magic faded away from his dark sleeves and he glanced methodically from side to side. In the darkness of the musty room, he sensed the true answer to his question. He would give the duo one last chance to dismiss their lie before evoking the battle.

He stepped closer to Doyk and made eye contact from under his hood, Repent now and you’ll be spared, he whispered, tell me whether you are housing part or all of the Shadow’s army. Tell me if you are in charge of hiding them or building weapons for them. I will discover the answers to these questions with or without your help. But without will leave you jailed or dead.

Doyk kept his eyes locked on the cloaked figure’s. He was staring into large, blue eyes surrounded by a young face. The words the client used during his warnings was revealing of his true character. There was only one type of a creature in Sordic that would threaten arrest. Ke’ondre had said it best earlier that evening—their dealings with the Krew had led them into this risky confrontation with the most serious of hazards to their business—a hero. However, with a contemptible army filling the upper levels, he was not backing down.

There are no answers to discover, boy, he shoved the cloaked figure to the ground. Now leave us with our payment or, as I said, I will unleash my army and take it.

"It’s not your army," the cloaked figure planted one foot flatly upon the dusty concrete and lunged himself upward. He shed his covering in one motion, revealing his white silk outfit with green stripes running up the arms. In the same instant, a mob of Krew emerged from the room’s perimeter. Doyk and Ke’ondre backed away as the army slowly pressed upon the sole hero currently in the warehouse.

You should have listened to me, the hero called out to the weapon dealers, all you had to do was say they were here and you would have gotten credit. Now your fate is tied to theirs.

You’re impossibly outnumbered, hero, Doyk yelled back.

Ke’ondre nudged his counterpart in the ribs, Are you crazy? Heroes don’t travel alone. Besides, I think that’s the one I was telling you about—that’s Rylan Young!

As the duo disappeared upstairs to rally the rest of the Krew, Rylan allowed the circle of enemies to close in on him. Two Krew drew M-rods and aimed at his chest. A moment before they engaged the red buttons, Rylan summoned dual streams of Purple Magic at different adversaries behind him. He yanked the Krew off their feet and placed their struggling bodies into the line of fire to protect himself from the M-rod magic. Their brown uniforms smoked as they fell to the ground. The armed Krew regained their composure and prepared to fire again, but Rylan hastily shot Red Magic from his finger tips to halt the offensive.

That’s enough magic for now, he muttered below his breath, eyeing the handful of Krew remaining in the foyer.

The upper floors of the warehouse shuddered as Rylan lunged at his nearest opponents. He fought in a powerful form of the Art, fluidly executing maneuvers the way a mathematician completes an equation. First, he drove his elbows into the stomachs of two Krew. When they bowed their winded heads in pain, he sent swift uppercuts to their vulnerable faces. Next, he used his awareness to detect friction on the walls. He jumped sideways and ran horizontally along the wall for two seconds. The run ended in unblockable, twirling kicks. Then, an overeager Krew charged forward, flailing his arms inaccurately. Rylan dodged the strikes with ease and ended his opponent’s tirade with a one hit victory to the throat. Finally, Rylan was again outnumbered by an enclosing circle of Krew. He resorted back to Artful magic and was instantly the only creature standing in the room.

The intense sounds seeping through the ceiling grew more threatening by the moment—the rest of the Shadow’s army was piling down the warehouse’s elaborate stair plan. Rylan hurried to the far end of the foyer and concentrated on his energy reservoirs within. The mission’s battle was young. He would need more energy to conquer the night’s challenges.

CHINK-CHANK! CHINK-CHANK! The scurrying feet of the Krew sent echoes off the three separate flights of stairs leading to the building’s base where Rylan stood. Each stairway led to a different area of the floors above. Doyk and Ke’ondre had used their masterful constructive skills to convert every floor of their warehouse into a fortifying maze. Much of the Krew housed in Illideur waited in these dangerous upper levels, certain the heroes would bring the fight to them soon enough.

That’s a lot of M-rods, Rylan said to himself, surrounded by a fresh batch of heavily armed foes. He dropped his hand to the scooter fastened around his wrist and shouted, I think more training may defeat our purposes here. It’s time to save Sordic!

Who are you calling to? one of the Krew questioned from the steel stairs, aiming his weapon at Rylan’s brow and smiling beneath his brown uniform.

Them… he pursed his lips and crossed his arms.

BLAST! The wall behind Rylan disintegrated in a flash of crimson ions. Debris and dust filled the air for an instant but were quickly replaced by the bright lights of a single Power Fighter. Six silhouettes rushed through the smoky opening on foot and joined Rylan’s side. He looked over his shoulder in time to catch a glimpse of Skylar Roost piloting the jet. She gave him a thumbs-up and pulled back on the throttle to find a place to land.

Great job, said Davol Acorn, did any of their attacks get through?

I envisioned a shield to survive the battlefield, Rylan smirked, paraphrasing an Art theorem.

I’d of done better, Zaka Rajaheldron kidded, looking at him through her auburn hair.