Dragonsphere (The Fallen King Chronicles Book 1) Page 17

  Julian nodded. “Yes. Three monks stayed at the inn I was at when I was trying to infiltrate a group of thugs from Dillenger. The closest chapel is the Abbey of the Divines, so they must be from there.”

  Jovanna took the sphere from him and turned it over in her hands, studying its surface. “It seems to match his description,” she said finally. It was smaller than she expected, fitting in the palm of her hand and being slightly larger than an egg. She opened a small pouch on her belt and slid it inside, pulling the drawstrings tight. “You did well. Where are they now?”

  Julian shrugged. “I know only that they left quickly after our run in with the thugs. They headed back towards the east as far as I can tell.” Jovanna pondered her options. “Perhaps they will realize it is missing and come looking for Julian?” she hinted, turning her blue eyes to meet his gaze. “It’s possible,” he conceded. “Though I think they will have much trouble indeed if they try to find me.”

  “Did you use the guise I told you to?”

  Again, Julian nodded. “I told everyone I spoke with I was a magician, as you instructed.” Jovanna grinned, she liked his obedience. “And?” she asked.

  “No one seemed to care, or believe, that I was a wizard,” he answered. “Though I was also at the edge of the kingdom, where many probably turn a blind eye.”

  “Go farther,” Jovanna instructed. “Go to the city of Talvaarin itself and do the same. We shall see how long the memory of its people are. Return to me in two weeks’ time.” She turned and began to walk towards the small shack she currently used as home.

  “M’lady,” Julian called after her. She stopped but did not turn around. “My payment?” he asked. Jovanna turned her head to look at him. “Your life is payment enough, don’t you think?” The threatening look on her face was more than enough for him to know that no threat lurked behind that mask, but only promises of utter pain.

  “Right,” he said, hesitating only a moment before quickly leaving. She was beyond dangerous, he knew.

  “That was the night my soul died.”

  - Velkyn

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The three monks and Erasen made camp outside the ruined chapel of Hermiston, mostly due to the fact that Erasen refused to stay in the place, using the words ‘accursed’ and ‘forbidden’. Erasen informed them that the area was safe and there was no need to set a watch. They each made their own makeshift beds and settled in.

  Long after everyone else had fallen asleep, Velkyn lay awake staring at the night sky. He considered the last week and all that had transpired. He had traveled so far and seen so much, and yet he had barely entered the kingdom of Oakvalor. What other amazing sights would he see? What other knowledge would he gain? A sound nearby interrupted his thoughts. He sat up slowly, casting his gaze about and trying vainly to see what might have made the noise. Velkyn rose to his feet and made his way cautiously in the direction he heard the sound.

  He paused, the shock evident on his face as he saw his beloved Nydel reveal herself from behind a small copse of trees. “Velkyn!” she whispered, a bit louder than she had intended. Velkyn took her into his arms and hugged her close. “I missed you,” he said softly, giving her a gentle kiss. “And I missed you,” she replied, returning his kiss. They held each other in silence for long moments before Velkyn pushed her back at arm’s length. “Why did you come here? And how did you get past the guards at the mountain? You know it isn’t safe.”

  Nydel smiled reassuringly at him, trying to distill his fears. “I got here two days ago. I thought you’d be here, but this place was empty. I looked around some and decided to wait for you. Your letter said you were headed here for answers. I was afraid you had already come and gone.” She leaned into his embrace, brushing her fingers along his jaw line and up through his hair. “Come,” she said, leading him by the hand. “I found a place for us.” He glanced back at his friends. Velkyn knew they shouldn’t separate from the others, but he knew too what she wanted. His own body wanted it as well. He allowed her to lead him into the abandoned chapel. They went through the courtyard and into one of the rooms that once was used for prayer. Nydel pushed the wooden door closed.

  Velkyn pulled his robes off and laid them on the cold stone floor. They began kissing and caressing each other, slowly moving to lay down atop his robes. She made sweet noises and he knew she was ready for him … had missed him as he had missed her. “I want to spend my life with you,” he whispered to her. That seemed to make her even more wild with passion.

  A loud bang echoed in the room and Velkyn quickly looked up. The door had been kicked open and three figures stood in the doorway. “I can explain” Velkyn began.

  “What’ev we got ‘ere?” a familiar voice chimed. Velkyn felt his heart jump in his chest when he recognized the gruff voice of one of the thugs. He pushed himself to his feet and stood defensively in front of Nydel, who covered herself with his robes. “Leave,” Velkyn warned, “or I will cause you much more pain than the last time we met.”

  The three thugs laughed. The weaselish man rushed into the room then, eagerly swinging a metal rod. Velkyn brought his hands up to block the rod while simultaneously angling his foot up to kick Theo, who followed behind the weasel. Theo grunted as Velkyn’s foot slammed into his stomach. He staggered back, obviously struggling to breath. The weaselish man kicked out at Velkyn and swung his rod back and forth in an attempt to strike the monk. Velkyn was too quick though, and he dove into a roll, coming up behind the weasel and delivering a solid punch to the man’s lower back, followed by another punch to the back of his neck. The weasel didn’t fall, and so Velkyn kicked the back of the man’s leg, which resulted in the weasel dropping to his knees.

  An explosion of pain ripped through Velkyn’s head and he fell forward, crashing hard into the wall. He looked up and through his blurred vision he saw the gruff voiced man, wielding a similar metal rod as the weasel. “Ye caused us a ’ho’lotta pain, monk. Now we’re gonna cause ye some pain.” Theo and the weasel had recovered and stood over him. “Get ‘im on ‘is feet,” gruff said. The two thugs jerked the monk up roughly to his feet.

  “See’in as how ye took somethin’ from us, we’re gonna take somethin’ from ye.” Gruff switched places with weasel. Velkyn’s vision was beginning to clear and he saw the weaselish man unbuckle his pants. “She’ll even the score, me thinks.” Velkyn struggled against their grasp but he couldn’t break free. “Get away from her!” he screamed. Gruff punched the monk in the mouth, causing blood to drip from his lips. “Ye shut yet mouth if ye know what’s good for ye,” gruff said. Nydel tried to fight the man as he ripped the robes off of her, so weasel punched her in the face, knocking her flat onto the floor. He invaded her body with his hand and turned to his fellow ruffians, but more specifically Velkyn.

  “Oh, she is ready, she is.” He grinned wickedly and began to rape her. She screamed and struggled, but he was much stronger than her and kept her pinned down as he did his business. Velkyn fought with all his strength to get free, but the two men just punched him into submission. “Ye’re gonna watch it,” gruff said heavily. “Be quick about it,” gruff yelled at weasel. “It’s my turn next.”

  Velkyn watched helplessly as each of the thugs took turns raping his beloved Nydel. He could taste blood in his mouth and feel his left eye swelling up. When Theo had finished with her, she merely lay there feebly, her head twitching every so often, as if in some silent plea to stop. “I will kill you,” Velkyn threatened weakly. Gruff held up his metal rod and looked Velkyn in the eyes. “Ye just try it.” He lifted the rod up and swung it hard, bashing the monk in the left side of the face. Velkyn crumpled unconsciously to the floor. “What of ’is friends?” Weasel questioned.

  “Who cares,” gruff answered. “Leave ‘em to die.” Gruff looked down at Nydel and spat on her. “Tell yer monk we’re even.” The thugs left then, leaving Velkyn a bloody mess and Nydel laying naked and bruised.

  • • •

  Velkyn grunted as
he opened his eyes. Or perhaps it was only one eye that was open, as his left seemed not to comply. He reached up and gingerly touched the skin around his eye; it was fat and puffy. And it hurt worse than his legs did when he rode the horse. Everything flooded back to him then, and he sat up quickly. Too quickly, for the room spun and he vomited. He spat the nastiness from his mouth and crawled over to Nydel. She lay very still but he could see that she was breathing.

  “Nydel,” he whispered softly. “Are you … are you okay?” He put her hand in his and she whimpered and pulled away. “It’s okay, my love. It’s just me.” He tried to comfort her again, but this time she screamed and thrashed at him. Velkyn could feel the tears well up in his eyes. How could they have done this to her? How could people be so vicious to one another? He needed help. Calderon, he needed Calderon. Nydel was still lying on his robes. He stood up unsteadily, using the wall for support until he felt as though he might be able to walk. He moved over to the doorway and looked out, not sure if the thugs were gone.

  It was still dark. There didn’t seem to be any sign of the men, so he stepped out and made his way out of the courtyard and towards their camp. The air was warm but it felt cool to him with nothing but his loincloth on. He made his way slowly to where his companions were sleeping. Finding Calderon, he shook his friend gently. It didn’t do anything, so he shook him harder. Calderon’s eyes opened lazily. Seeing Velkyn’s battered face, he immediately was wide awake. “What happened?” he asked, and Velkyn covered his friend’s mouth. “Not here,” Velkyn whispered and motioned toward the chapel.

  Calderon got up and helped Velkyn walk. When they were a safe distance away, Velkyn told Calderon what happened. “How did they find us?” Calderon asked. Velkyn merely shook his head. “They must have followed us here,” Calderon mused. Velkyn led his friend into the room they were assailed in to find Nydel in the same spot. “She won’t let me touch her,” Velkyn said brokenly. Calderon knelt beside Nydel and reached out to put his hand on her forehead. She jerked and moved her head away from him. Calderon bit his lip and looked to Velkyn. He had his back against the wall and was staring forlornly at Nydel. Tears flowed freely.

  Calderon didn’t know what to do. His knowledge of healing was almost nonexistent and he had never seen anyone who had gone through something so horrific. “We could take her to Donovan,” he said, but immediately Velkyn was shaking his head. “If anyone finds out, I will be kicked out of the brotherhood. And what does the old man know about healing?” Calderon nodded in concession, but they couldn’t just do nothing. “Maybe we can take her to a town somewhere and get her some help?” Velkyn considered the option. “We will have to wait until morning. We can’t move her in the darkness. We don’t even know where we are,” Velkyn said.

  “I agree,” Calderon replied. “Do you want me to stay with you?” Velkyn shook his head. “No, I will be fine here with her.” Calderon stood up and stared down at Nydel. He ignored the fact that she was completely nude, instead focusing on her bruised face and soul. He tried not to cry as he headed back to their camp, wondering how it was that such evil could exist in mankind. It was one of the many mysteries he could not unravel. He lay down but could not sleep. His mind was heavy and his soul was troubled. When the sun began to light up the sky, Calderon was still awake.

  • • •

  Velkyn opened his right eye. His left was still swollen shut. He looked to where Nydel was … only she wasn’t there. Velkyn scrambled over to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. She was indeed gone. He grabbed his robe and put it on, rushing out into the courtyard and calling her name. He didn’t see her anywhere. He noticed Calderon making his way into the courtyard. “Nydel is gone! I can’t find her!” Calderon started to respond but stopped mid-stride, his mouth dropping open in horror. Velkyn could feel a deep fear rise in his throat. He turned around to see what had so horrified his friend.

  Nydel’s body was hanging from the wall. Velkyn dropped to his knees and cried out. Calderon could only stand in horror. Her body was hanging from a rope that had been secured to a metal hook in the wall. Her lifeless form dangled from the other end of the rope. Erasen had called the place accursed. Cursed indeed.

  “The destruction of the Five Islands remains a mystery. Who was behind the magical storm? What was the purpose of killing all those innocent people? One day the truth will prevail.”

  - Anton, Captain of the Guard

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “I’m leaving,” Velkyn said quietly. He and Calderon walked several feet behind Donovan and Erasen. The old monk and the priest of Aio were talking about the differences between their faiths. “What do you mean?” Calderon looked to his friend. “What do you mean you are leaving? Leaving where?”

  Velkyn met his gaze and Calderon could see the tears, barely being held back. He couldn’t blame his friend for being so sorrowful. He had lost the woman he loved, and his secret was now known to Donovan. While Donovan had no authority to cast the young man out of the brotherhood, he didn’t deny that the Abbot would do so. “I will not be welcomed back into the abbey. You know that.”

  Calderon shook his head. “I do not know that. And neither do you. Where would you go? You do not even know where you are.” Velkyn stopped walking and turned to Calderon. “You know where I must go. There must be justice for this crime.” Calderon’s face turned to a horrified look. “Velkyn … there are proper ways to handle this … you can’t just …” he trailed off as he looked at his defeated friend. He realized that nothing he said would dissuade him from this course. “How will you know where to find them?”

  “I will go to the Sly Mare. If I do not find them there, I will go to Dillenger. I will not stop until I find them. I will travel as far as it takes. I will destroy anyone and everything in my way.” Calderon noticed Velkyn had clenched his fists. The sheer rage, hatred, and sadness that his dear friend harbored was so intense, Calderon feared he might snap then and there. He tried his best to console Velkyn, but he knew that ultimately his friend would leave. “I don’t know what to do without you,” Calderon said sadly. “You have been my friend, my only friend, since we were young. I will not stop you, neither will I tell Donovan when you leave. Just do it when I am unaware. It will be easier that way.”

  Velkyn considered his friend’s words and offered a smile. “I can do that.” The two traveled in silence for hours afterward. Calderon took in the beautiful scenery. It was much different than what he was used to. The tall grassy plains around the abbey instilled a peacefulness that he had grown to love, but Oakvalor was like another world entirely. He could still see the mountains they had crossed over clearly in the distance. They walked along a well-built cobblestone road which carved its way through the valley that stretched from the mountains to their west all the way to a massive forest to the east.

  Velkyn kept his gaze at the ground, only occasionally looking up. He was lost in the swirling chaos that was his thoughts. He wanted to fulfill his obligation to recapture the dragon’s spirit, but his love for Nydel compelled him to exact revenge on those thugs. He wasn’t sure he could really abandon Calderon and Donovan after coming this far. He would sleep on it and decide the following morning.

  Calderon learned from Erasen that one of the kings of Oakvalor had worked to pave all of the main roads to every major city. It made it easier for merchants to travel farther and faster, boosting the economy. It also made it easier to move armies faster, though which reason was really behind the upgrade of the roads was anyone’s guess.

  Erasen was an odd one, Calderon thought. The man called himself a priest of Aio. From what he had gathered, some divine figure named Aio came from the heavens and took on flesh, living among the people of the Five Islands. It was Orlek, a powerful Orc wizard turned evil who did battle with Aio and supposedly had resurrected himself more than once. It sounded more like folklore to Calderon, but the more he pondered it all, he had to wonder if there was at least some ounce of truth to what Erasen claimed. In all his years
, Calderon had not once been given an answer to his prayers, or been shown a sign of the Divines’ will for his life.

  They had traveled nearly the entire day, stopping only a few times to eat and rest their feet, before finally they saw the tall gray walls of Palindrom. “The city of wizards,” Donovan remarked. “Built long before the kingdom of Oakvalor was a united nation.” Erasen looked at the old monk. “You know much about this land for one not from it.”

  Donovan didn’t reply, but instead continued talking about the city. “Palindrom is the center of the world as far as the wizards are concerned. When men first began to realize their gifts in the magical arts, they banded together and traveled in small groups, living in tents. Not unlike the tribes of the Five Islands,” this comment he directed to Erasen. “But one of the leaders, the man who would become the first head of the arts, Palin decided it would be easier for them to study magic in a central location that was open to all. The knowledge gained from the wizards would be shared with anyone who wanted to know the secrets. Thus, Palindrom was conceived and then built. The city around the main structure built up over the years that followed. Many people do not know this, but Palindrom isn’t really a part of Oakvalor. It is considered an autonomous state within the kingdom’s boundaries.”

  As they neared the city, Calderon noticed several forms, probably guards, patrolling along the wall. As they neared the entrance to the city, they saw many people lined up waiting to enter the city. “This is different,” Donovan muttered. Calderon looked to the old man with a raised eyebrow, but Donovan didn’t notice.

  At the gate were guards who were questioning the people seeking admittance. They didn’t turn anyone away, but seemed to be asking a few questions and then motioning people in. “What’s going on?” Calderon asked, but if Donovan or Erasen knew, they didn’t answer. After nearly twenty minutes, the monks had reached the main gate. As Calderon looked at the guards, he noticed they were not dressed like the guards he had seen in Talvaard when they attended the coronation.