A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Read online

  A Demon’s Quest

  the Beginning of the End

  The Trilogy

  Charles Carfagno Jr.

  Copyright © 2015 Charles Carfagno Jr.

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1515039420

  ISBN-13: 978-1515039426

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Publisher,” at the address below.

  [email protected]

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  Contents

  Chapter 1: The Peril (Blood Knights) Part 1

  Chapter 2: The Siege

  Chapter 3: The Test

  Chapter 4: The Meeting

  Chapter 5: The Town of Waisterner

  Chapter 6: The Lair

  Chapter 7: The Search Begins

  Chapter 8: A Town in Disarray

  Chapter 9: Revenge for the Fallen (Part 1)

  Chapter 10: Revenge for the Fallen (Part 2)

  Chapter 11: Forest of Despair

  Chapter 12: Celthric Part 1 (A Blade’s Quest)

  Chapter 13: Demons Running Wild

  Chapter 14: The Trial

  Chapter 15: A Child’s Dream (Part 1)

  Chapter 16: Finding a Lost Brother

  Chapter 17: The Annihilation of a Race

  Chapter 18: A Demon’s Right

  Chapter 19: A Dangerous Place

  Chapter 20: The Peril (Blood Knights) Part 2

  Chapter 21: Stand Together

  Chapter 22: Quest For The Red Knight

  Chapter 23: The Retaking Of Redden

  Chapter 24: A Child’s Dream (Part 2)

  Chapter 25: Into The Depths

  Chapter 26: The Truth

  Chapter 27: A Spirit At Peace

  Chapter 28: A Long Awaited Reunion

  Chapter 29: An Old Nemeses

  Chapter 30: Celthric Part 2 (a Blade’s Quest)

  Chapter 1: The Peril (Blood Knights) Part 1

  “We’re close, another day or two according to the map,” Gilex said without turning.

  “What are our plans when we reach the Circle of Demise?” Utar asked over the howling wind.

  “The plan is simple; once we retrieve the staff of power we'll go after Togan and his dogs. We owe him a debt of blood, don’t you think?” Gilex turned and faced the slightly smaller man with the short reddish hair and beard.

  “He should have killed us when he had the chance.” Utar squinted, and his dark blue eyes and facial expression took on a sinister look.

  “Yes and that mistake will cost him dearly,” Gilex added. “Get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow. I’ll take the first watch.”

  Gilex was finished with the conversation and turned, staring over the bluff. The wind blew his dark, smoky-colored hair away from his face, revealing a small scar above his left brow.

  “With all due respect,” Utar began, “Togan is a master swordsman with an army to back him up. We didn’t stand a chance the first time around. What makes you think we’ll do any better even with that staff?”

  “Trust me, we will. Now go get some sleep.” Utar left.

  As he walked back toward his tent, he nodded at several men in passing and entered the small pavilion. Utar walked over to his bed, removed his scale armor and matching boots, and placed his broadsword within reach. He fell asleep shortly thereafter.

  ****

  Utar awoke at sunrise to the smell of food cooking on the open fire. Despite his hunger, he decided that he’d look for Gilex and talk about last night again. Still bothered, he left the comforts of his bed, dressed in traveling clothes, and walked out of his tent. Along the way, he greeted the cooks, Turlock and Mogen, and found Broc, dressed in his chainmail, milling about. He continued until he found Gilex performing his morning ritual several hundred feet beyond his quarters. He paused and studied him for several minutes. Gilex’s tall stature, lean frame, and broad shoulders made him look imposing in his leather armor. His moves looked clean, crisp, and his footwork was impeccable. What puzzled Utar was how his friend managed to wield two long scimitars simultaneously, a technique that he couldn’t do a month ago. Gilex suddenly stopped his routine, and Utar took the opportunity and walked over to speak with him.

  “Your abilities are deteriorating, my friend. I heard you approaching long before you even saw me.” Utar shook his head.

  “And where did you learn how to wield two weapons of the exact same length?”

  “That’s my secret.”

  “Maybe someday you can show me how.”

  “Maybe.” Gilex chuckled.

  “We have to get moving.”

  “Good idea. Have the men packed and ready to leave within the hour.” Gilex went back to training as Utar left.

  It was late in the morning when the little band from Tinderush continued their journey westward. Besides Broc stopping along the way for healing herbs, the journey was uneventful. Suddenly, Gilex brought them to a halt with a wave of his hand.

  “What is it?” Rustic asked, moving his mount closer to Gilex.

  “Something is moving in the woods ahead,” Gilex replied.

  “Where? I don’t see anything,” Rustic said, peering in the same direction.

  “I don’t either, but I know something is there. Wait here while I have a look.”

  Before Rustic could protest, Gilex unclasped his long spear and galloped ahead, angering the big man.

  “Damn him, I hate when he does that,” Rustic said in disgust and unclasped his spear from the side of the horse.

  The group watched Gilex race ahead. He was twenty-feet away when a large, thick oak tree came crashing down, from Gilex’s left side, and landed with a thud directly in front of him. The impact caused his horse to rear upward, buck, and then throw Gilex from the saddle.

  At that moment, two enormous bug creatures thundered out of the forest, back to where the others waited, taking everyone by surprise. Turlock, who was closest, was grabbed immediately by one of the bug’s pincers and hoisted several feet in the air. He screamed a deafening sound as the sharp instrument of death sliced through his scalemail armor and into his stomach.

  The other insect came crashing into Utar’s horse, sending both man and beast sailing headlong through the air. Clay was the first to react and raced ahead after the fast-moving insect as it closed in on Utar. The rider intercepted the bug and used his spear to confuse, slow, and eventually draw the creature away from the fallen lieutenant. Meanwhile, Rustic, Perahn, and Kentra had their bows out and began launching arrows from atop their horses.

  Brim, Mogen, and Broc dismounted and raced over to help Turlock, but they arrived too late as the bug thrashed his body back and forth until the helpless thief was cut in half, sending both halves of his body flying in different directions. Mogen was advancing when he was hit in the head by Turlock’s lower half and knocked unconscious. Brim stabbed the bug several times with his spear before the creature took notice and reared its pincer around and grabbed him by the leg. He was hoisted into the air and swung violently until his leg tore free, sending him flying through the air, screaming at the top of his lungs. After seeing his friend fly by his head, Broc froze and was hit by the bug’s bloodstained pincer, sendin
g the healer sprawling to the ground. Meanwhile, Utar was on his feet again. He took several steps, cocked his arm, and threw his barb spear with deadly accuracy, scoring a direct hit to the insect’s head and piercing its brain. The bug twitched a few times and then stopped moving.

  Gilex hit the ground hard, his spear was jarred loose from his hand, the air was taken from his lungs, and he banged his head, leaving him dazed. He remained that way until he heard one of his men scream, then he snapped out of his daze. Quickly, he scrambled to his feet and his eyes widened when he saw his men fighting with the two enormous bug creatures. Anxious to help, he bent down and picked up his spear, and by doing so, he narrowly avoided the large pincer as it sailed overhead. After feeling the wind whip past his head, he realized that he was in trouble and rolled several feet away. His horse, frightened by the sudden emergence of the new threat, ran in front of the creature and was grabbed immediately by its pincer. The creature lifted the horse in the air and snapped it like a twig.

  Gilex rushed forward, thrust his spear deep into the creature’s side, and then used the weapon to try to push the creature onto its back, but the insect was too heavy and squirmed away, taking the weapon with it, and knocking Gilex to the ground. The bug, preoccupied with the spear, gave Gilex time to scramble to his feet and unsheathe his scimitar. Patiently, he waited for the right opportunity before leaping onto its back and driving his blade deep into the bug’s neck, severing its spinal cord. The insect shook and then stopped moving. Gilex removed his sword and spear and raced back toward his men.

  Clay kept the last bug distracted, with his father’s infamous spear technique, while the others kept peppering it with arrows. The creature tried to strike down the warrior in front of it, but the veteran, with the streaked black and white hair, was far too quick and continued to pierce the bug’s body repeatedly until a thick, gooey substance, which Clay could only surmise was its blood, seeped out of its wounds. In a reckless attempt, the bug was about to lunge forward and crush Clay when, from out of nowhere, a spear sailed through the air and pierced the creature’s pincer at the joint. The attack rendered the weapon useless, and the monster screeched and backed away in obvious pain. Clay stepped forward, jabbed the creature’s head, and watched it fall over and die.

  Utar ran back and saw Broc working frantically on Brim’s leg, trying to stem the flow. He walked over to talk to the healer.

  “How are the men?” Utar asked impatiently.

  “Mogen and Turlock are dead. Brim lost one of his legs, and as far as the rest of the men, they have minor wounds.” Broc rubbed his head, still feeling the effect of his injury.

  “Will he live?”

  “It’s hard to say. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

  “What about you?” Utar stared at the semi-dried blood that was on his armor and head.

  Broc followed his eyes. “Me? I’ll be okay; the blood isn’t mine.”

  “Take a break. You don’t look so well.”

  “But…”

  Gilex held up his hand. Broc nodded and moved away.

  “Utar, finish up for Broc,” Gilex ordered and walked away.

  Next to Broc, Utar was the best healer, but his skills paled in comparison to someone who’d been studying the art since he was a child.

  Broc couldn’t keep quiet. “All you need to do is keep the tourniquet tight and rub ointment all over the wound. It will eventually stop the blood flow,” he instructed from a few feet away.

  Utar did as he was told.

  Gilex looked around as he stood away from the men. He knew that waiting in the open could be disastrous, so he ordered the rest of the men to keep watch until Utar and Broc were certain they could move Brim. It took them the rest of the morning to do so, and by mid-afternoon, they left.

  ****

  The group managed to travel for a couple of hours before they were overwhelmed by a fast approaching storm from the east. The sky grew dark. Lightning flashed and sliced across the sky, followed by a thunderous clap that could be heard for many miles. In the ensuing instance, rain droplets began to fall, light at first and then heavier, until their vision was hindered to the point that the party could barely see. They found shelter in an old, abandoned cave. After they were settled in, Gilex lit a torch and motioned for Utar to accompany him further into the cave. Halfway down the slope, Gilex stopped.

  “How are the men holding up?”

  “Not good, morale is low." His tone became somber. "Brim’s fever is really high. I really don’t know if he’ll make it through the night.”

  “I was wondering, if he does live, do you think he’ll slow us down with the missing leg? Would it be easier to put him out of his misery?” Gilex’s tone was cold.

  “You would do that?” Utar asked.

  “If need be. I would expect the same treatment if that was me.”

  Utar was too stunned to answer, and Gilex didn’t wait for one and walked further down.

  ****

  Upon returning from his uneventful survey, Gilex knew that it was time to address the men and bestow a sense of confidence. He first walked to the mouth of the cave and asked Perahn to give up his post and join the group. The young warrior of twenty-two years was delighted to come out of the rain and join the men seated close to the fire. Perahn removed his scalemail armor and proceeded to dry off his spear while listening.

  Gilex coughed and then began to address the group. “If any of you have concerns, now is the time to speak up.” Each one, in turn, looked toward one another.

  Rustic was the first to say something, “How much longer before we reach the Circle of Demise?”

  “Another day or so,” Gilex replied.

  “I feel this adventure is costing us a great deal of problems. Do you think the risks are worth the reward?” Rustic said, looking around at the others.

  “Yes, I do, and I’ll tell you this, there are over two tons of gold hidden in that place, plus quite a few enchanted items. All for our taking.”

  “Do you know if it’s guarded?”

  Gilex paused before answering Rustic’s question. “It is, but when I use the ancient chant, we should be able to bypass any defensive mechanisms.”

  “What ancient chant?” Clay chimed in.

  “Shortly after I acquired the book, I read it and discovered a lot about the circle and how to thwart its defenses.” Gilex stated catching Utar’s attention, causing him to look up.

  Rustic leaned in close to Utar. “Did you see this book?”

  Utar shook his head.

  “Where do we go from here?” Broc asked.

  “The next day will hopefully take us through the Valley of the Wind. From there we’ll continue west until we reach a cave. The cave will take us through an underground passage and will eventually lead us to the Circle of Demise.” Gilex paused. “Once we arrive, we’ll disarm the traps and have access to the vast horde of treasure hidden there.”

  That was music to Perahn’s ears. He was here for one purpose and one purpose only, and that was to get wealthy.

  “Do we have enough men to complete this mission? We started out with twenty men, and now we’re down to eight. On top of that, Brim is pretty much useless,” Clay said.

  “You’re lucky; he’s still asleep, or I’m sure he would like to ring your neck for that comment,” Kentra stated.

  “What I meant to say was that he requires more time to recover,” Clay fired back at him.

  Gilex waited for them to stop speaking. “I know our current situation isn’t the best, but we’ve been in far worse situations before. Didn’t I promise you on our last mission that we would recover the Book of Skills from the giants? That trip almost cost me my life. Everybody on that expedition enjoyed the benefits and rewards from the rarest of treasures.” Gilex scanned their faces before continuing. “You can’t have rewards without the risk, and the greater the risks the better the rewards. We will succeed!” His words were more of a statement than a promise.

  It was nearing nig
htfall when the meeting ended and the men turned in for an uneventful night of rest.

  By morning, the rain stopped altogether, Brim’s fever broke, even though he still lay unconscious. The group left after sunrise and traveled watchfully through the Valley of the Wind. They stopped just before sunset when the wind brought an unbearable breeze that chilled the men. They found shelter in a cluster of trees and ate their meal in silence by the roaring fire. Everyone felt uneasy within the valley and was eager to pass through the area by tomorrow’s end. Gilex explained his uneasiness and gave the men specific orders to double the watch this evening, then he went off to sleep.

  It was shortly after midnight when Utar awoke, startled by his dreams. They warned him of pending danger and prompted him to seek out Gilex. Quickly, he donned his cloak, over his armor, and left the confines of his tent as he headed into the chilly night air. He reached Gilex’s tent and entered after calling his name. To his surprise, everything appeared as if he had never slept. The makeshift bed, made of straw, was undisturbed, and his weapons and armor were near the bed.

  “Strange,” Utar said just above a whisper, “Gilex left from time to time, but never without his weapons and armor.” He decided to seek out Rustic, whom by now would be on watch.

  Utar found him just outside of camp. He stopped to talk to the ageless warrior. “Did you see Gilex?”

  “No. The last time I saw him was before he turned in. Why?” Rustic shifted his posture in obvious discomfort.

  “I need to see him,” Utar stated.

  “Is he in his tent?”

  “No, I’ve already checked.”

  “What do you make of our situation?” Rustic asked.

  “We’ll be fine. We’ve been with him for nearly two years, and he’s always kept his word. I did notice a difference with him this time.”

  “How so?”

  “Ever since we left the Caves of the Dead, he’s been acting differently.” Utar shifted his gaze from left to right as if he expected their leader to emerge suddenly.