Rise of Centuria Read online

  “The traps are set,” King Erik announced as he rode up to Prince Roberts. “Did Sir William teach you a lesson while we were gone?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “Good, I didn’t want you to think we asked you to stay behind on the trail for no reason. Was it the lesson to how to train your ears to listen carefully?” Roberts nodded. “Excellent! Keep the lessons in mind for as long as you live. Listening is one of the best skills you can develop in just about everything you do. It will become very important when you become king of Salidon.” A wide, hot grin spread across Roberts’ face. “Let’s head to the cliffs and make camp. There are plenty of places there for us to settle in. Sir Adair and Lady Katherine, would you be so kind to gather us some firewood after we arrive?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” they both answered.

  There was a howl heard in the distance as the group traveled toward the cliffs in the Dark Forest. Prince Roberts jumped at the sound. He did not like wolves. He had heard too many stories about how they traveled in packs and devoured just about everything they attacked. The stories had haunted him for all the years that he could remember. Sir William guided his stallion up to him and reassured him that they would keep him safe from even the wolves prowling in the forest. Roberts felt a sense of security by the knight’s words and his edginess eased up a bit.

  The group neared the cliff named Moon Watcher’s Delight. King Erik had given the name to the site after he spent many nights camping out there and hunting with his own father. Roberts looked up at it and marveled at its size. It seemed much bigger than the last time they had visited. King Erik ordered the knights and hunters to dismount and prepare for a climb up the cliff to a cave he preferred to camp in that had an opening in the rock that allowed the settlers to look up into the night sky and watch the stars and moon pass by.

  Prince Roberts was an excellent climber and he had no trouble getting up the cliff. He did, however, feel bad that he had to leave his steed behind. The horses were left untied so they could move about freely as the group set up camp. Another howl filled the air and was much louder than the previous one. Sir Adair looked at King Erik and announced, “Your Majesty, that is an alpha male calling out. Would you like one of us to stay with the horses and keep them safe?”

  “That is a wise suggestion, Sir Adair, but I think the horses will be fine on their own. They are not bound and can run freely as they so wish.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Sir Adair felt uneasy about leaving the horses alone with the sound of wolves being so close. He knew the wolves could smell their scent and if they really wanted to, they would attack the horses, but a king’s orders took precedent over his feelings.

  After the rest of the group had climbed up the cliff and disappeared over the edge, Lady Katherine and Sir Adair ventured off to gather firewood. They heard the howl of a wolf several more times as they did their gathering. Sir Adair shared his concern with Lady Katherine. She agreed that the horses were at risk. They quickly brought the firewood up to the cliff and checked on the horses. They were grazing and keeping a watchful eye. Even Sir Adair could see in the horses’ eyes that they, too, were afraid.

  Katherine and Adair bundled up the firewood they had gathered in several stacks and Katherine made her way up the cliff. They used rope wrapped around the bundles of wood to save from making multiple trips up and down the cliff. Sir Adair tied a new bundle to the rope each time Katherine let it down. With each passing moment, he felt the sense of danger increasing. The wolf was still howling occasionally and became louder and louder. As he bundled up the last stack of wood, the horses neighed loudly and took off running. He could hear many paws cracking sticks in the woods. The wolves had snuck up on them quietly. He knew that the time between howls became longer and longer until he heard them no more. Something was amiss, he thought, but brushed the thought aside. Lady Katherine yelled out to Sir Adair, “The wolves. The wolves are here! Get up here now!” The horses scattered in fright and were going every which way. Sir Adair was right. Although the horses were not bound, they were in great danger. The wolves had surrounded their position and horses fell under the might of several wolves brutally attacking each one.

  Instead of following Lady Katherine’s suggestion, Sir Adair unsheathed his sword and started charging the wolves attacking the nearby horses. He thought he could save them although he was surrounded. Lady Katherine screamed at the top of her lungs to draw the attention of the rest of her companions. Within seconds, they were at her side and looking over the edge of the cliff. One of the hunter’s said, “What the hell does he think he is doing?” as he began to climb down. The rest of the group followed.

  King Erik looked at Roberts and told him, “You wait here. You are too young to partake in this.” Roberts hesitated but remained behind. He knew that his father’s words were not just a suggestion but a demand. Roberts knew that the wolves were very dangerous and relentless, but he did not like the feeling of being helpless at the top of the cliff watching the carnage playing out below.

  The wolves were biting the horses’ legs and jumping on their backs forcing them to fall over. They kicked, neighed, and fought their way back onto their feet, but the wolves continued their onslaught. The site became a gruesome mess. The king, hunters, and knights tried their best to divert the attention of the wolves away from the horses. It did not work. After the wolves chased down each horse and crippled them to the point of being no longer capable of escaping they turned their attention towards the humans. There were dozens of wolves attacking in groups of three to four and the humans were outnumbered at least three to one. The humans were able to take out many of them, but they were quickly replaced by another group waiting their turn to attack. Roberts watched in horror as the number of bodies piled up from both sides of the fight. His heart leaped into his throat when he saw nine wolves surround his father with no knights or hunters to protect him.

  A loud roar echoed in the skies above. Prince Roberts looked up to see three blue dragons flying overhead. He felt the urge to run for cover, but he did not want to leave without knowing his father’s fate. Two of the wolves jumped from opposite sides and tried to attack King Erik. Fireballs whizzed by the king and struck the wolves surrounding him setting them ablaze. The wolves made one last partial shriek of intense pain before quickly becoming a silent pile of ash. The alpha male was not a part of the group and called out to the remaining wolves. They howled to one another and scurried away, leaving behind their bloodied prey.

  Sir William was the only knight still standing. He ran over to King Erik and covered him. The king fell to his knees and grabbed his side. His shirt became wet with the fluid of life. Sir William ripped cloth for his own covering and placed it over the wound. He looked up at the dragons and waited for them to finish their attack. It did not come.

  The dragons circled the area a few times and flew down to the king’s side and morphed into human form. King Erik, Prince Roberts, and Sir William looked at the dragons in disbelief. They had never heard of dragons being able to change form. They were also surprised that the dragons did not attack them as well. The first dragon to land spoke to the king directly, “King Erik, you are badly wounded. Your blood is draining quickly and you do not have much time to decide. We can help you, but it will require a great sacrifice on your part. You must sacrifice your lineage in order for us to save you. It is the only way our magic will save your life.”

  Prince Roberts heard every word clearly and thought that it meant sacrificing his life. He yelled out, “Do it. Save my father, the king’s life. Whatever it takes.”

  King Erik reached up toward his son thinking the same, “Do not take my son’s life.”

  “It is not his life that will have to be given up, but his ability to pass on the throne to his own kin,” the dragon answered and he began casting a spell. The two other dragons joined in and a blue light illuminated around them. Prince Roberts climbed down the cliff and was by his father’s side. Sir William took a step
back and entrusted the king’s life to Roberts and the blue dragons. King Erik started taking short, shallow breaths and was losing color in his face.

  “Do it!” Prince Roberts commanded. “The king is in no position to make the choice. It is mine to make.”

  “Very well,” answered the blue dragon. Roberts felt a strange sensation spread through his body and the same blue light illuminated around him. It glowed briefly and spread away from him in a wisp leaving his body. The wisp flew straight into King Erik’s wounded side; his eyes closed, and his breathing stopped.

  The dragons said a few more words to finish the incantation and the king’s chest rose slightly. His eyes remained closed, but he began breathing again. Prince Roberts started crying and wrapped his arms around his father thinking that this was going to be his last moment. The dragon said in a gentle voice, “He will survive, but he will need time to recover. Get him back to Salidon.” The wound on the king’s side had healed itself, but his color remained pale and ghastly.

  “Will you accompany us back to the city?” asked Sir William.

  “We cannot.”

  Sir William understood the answer and replied, “Thank you. Your service will not be forgotten.”

  “Nor shall it be known. What has happened here tonight with our presence is only for you two to know. Speak not of it for our sake.”

  Prince Roberts and Sir William glanced at each other and nodded. “We understand.” Prince Roberts answered aloud. The dragons shifted back to their dragon form and took flight. Roberts watched them disappear over the cliff’s edge, and hoped they would stay close to protect them from the wolves if they decided to return.

  Sir William placed a hand on Roberts’ shoulder and told him, “We must get the king back to his rightful place. Your choice saved his life and he will be proud.”

  Chapter Five

  The lizard on Buun’s shoulder ran up to his neck and bit him. Buun slowly and gently reached up to the lizard and took it into his hand wondering what the tiny critter was trying to tell him. Its tail was stiff and pointed. Buun looked up in the direction that the tail was pointing and saw nothing significant or unusual. He spoke up to Gathar, “My lord, there is something not right about this place!” Gathar looked back at him and noticed the lizard in his hand.

  “What is it, Buun?” he asked.

  “I am not sure, my lord.” He looked down at the lizard to see if it would give anymore hints to what was the matter. “The lizard bit my neck and is acting strange. I believe it is trying to tell us not to continue on this path. Believe me, General Gathar, I sense a danger ahead, one that we should not face if we are to reach Salidon safely and in a timely manner.”

  “Buun, I have faith in what you are saying. Everyone halt! We will take a different path back to Salidon.” A few people moaned, and Gathar looked at Nydraia. Her face had gone very pale. He could see in her expression that she was afraid of something. “Nydraia, is there something troubling you?”

  “Yes. I sense a danger nearby that even your people would not be able to handle. I was doubting my feelings, but Buun’s statements have verified my concern. We have little time and we must get as far away from here as quickly as we can.” Gathar immediately ordered the group to get off the beaten path they followed and to head north. Buun placed the lizard back on his shoulder and pulled out a knife. He walked over to one of the withered trees and sketched a large “X” in the bark.

  The group withdrew their weapons and prepared for a battle with an unknown danger. They turned their mounts, as ordered, and rode north. The sun was no longer beating down from high above them, yet the sky remained clear of clouds with little shade. Sweat covered the warriors but it did not slow them down or distract them.

  Nydraia continued, “General Gathar,” she hesitated and looked around with shifty eyes, “I sense something moving toward us at an alarming rate. Can we move faster?”

  “Yes. Everyone pick up the pace!” The group followed his command and began to move swiftly. Although her request had been fulfilled, Nydraia felt a sense of doom. She gripped her trident tightly and looked around the Dark Forest. Yet, there was still nothing within sight, smell, or hearing distance that triggered the feeling. She noticed that Buun had looked troubled as well. He wore a serious, worried face. The lizard remained stiff on his shoulder.

  A large shadow passed over them. The sun had been blocked out for a brief moment. The group did not slow down and looked up into the skies. Seconds later, a large figure flew over them. It was astonishing that a creature so massive and flying so fast could sneak up on them without making a sound. The creature flew over the trees and disappeared quickly. Gathar could only think of one creature that was so large and able to fly: a dragon. Although he had saved a dragon’s life, not all were in debt to him. He knew all too well that dragons did not care for the affairs of humans. They remained isolated from the human lands and tried not to be seen by them. It was that isolation and usual desire to hide from humans that worried Gathar. Why was this dragon flying over the Dark Forest? he thought.

  “Warriors, this is not a good sign. We do not have the forces to battle with a dragon at this time. I want everyone to spread out fifty yards apart and continue heading north. Drake and Simon will take the lead. Two follow behind and so forth. Keep your distance and stay staggered in case this dragon is hunting us.” Gathar dismounted and commanded his group. “Nydraia, you are a guest to our party and I do not believe I should be giving you orders. Do as you will.”

  The group was heading north in a well-organized fashion, and the dragon flew overhead several times but did not seem to give attention to their fleeing. Each time the behemoth flew overhead they all gripped their weapons of choice firmly. Not that they would be very effective to a creature in flight. Risaldora and Nydraia had the ability to strike from a distance, but the others would have to give up their weapons if they chose to throw them. The dragon flew between them and the sun again and the large shadow cast over them. In the brief darkness a purple light flashed in front of Drake and Simon. They were fifty yards apart, but a vortex appeared in front of each of them and they disappeared into the spinning chaos. Gathar cried out, “No!” Gathar lost his only daughter to a purple vortex and the pain of losing his dear warriors struck him again. The rest of the group noticed the vortices popping up in front of them in random spots and disappearing seconds later. They dodged them to the best of their abilities. The lizard bit Buun’s neck again, forcing him to veer right, just escaping the grasp of a spinning vortex. Thoris tried maneuvering through the trees in a zigzag pattern, but he lost his balance and fell off his mount. The horse became spooked and took off running on its own. Thoris cursed at the scared horse, and it too was sucked into a spinning vortex. The dragon flew overhead again and was flying slower than it was in previous passes. Gathar raised his fist in fury at the dragon believing it to be the cause of the vortices popping up randomly before them. Each vortex appeared and its forces were so strong that dried branches and leaves were sucked in and the trees creaked as they strained from being uprooted.

  Nydraia dismounted and raised her trident in the air with both hands and spoke in a language they did not understand. The ground moaned and rumbled. Then it started to weep.

  Water rose from deep down to the surface. A vortex popped up near Nydraia and she commanded the water to spray up from the ground and form a wall between her and the gravitational pull. Her eyes were narrowed, there were lines across her forehead, her nose wrinkled, and her lips were pursed tightly. She moved her arms in a fluid motion as smooth as a wave in an ocean. Risaldora’s robe moved in unison around her.

  Water sprayed up from the ground and formed walls around each person. Gathar immediately called out for everyone to regroup. The walls of water flowed between the trees while they edged toward each other. The dragon above had not appeared for minutes and they felt a sense of relief, but the vortices were still popping up randomly in the Dark Forest. When the group had reunited and w
ere surrounded by a wall of water on all sides, the dragon appeared again. Nydraia and Buun looked up at the creature hovering above them. With the magic barrier surrounding them, Gathar knew at once that the dragon was not the threat. The lizard on Buun’s shoulder relaxed and its tail was no longer pointing. The dragon’s bright green light cast itself over the group. Thoris, Risaldora, Ben, Ungo, Buun, Gathar, and Nydraia felt a warm sensation as the light surrounded them. They felt safe. They felt secure. The dragon was not there to attack them. It was trying to null the effects of the portals popping up randomly in the forest. It had tried on multiple passes to stop the vortices, but it was only able to get rid of them as they came. After it discovered the group’s presence it stopped working on the portals and chose to protect the humans.

  The portals began to multiply and pop up faster across the forest floor while the dragon tried its best to use magic and cast them away. Nydraia held control over the water with a green aura that kept them from feeling the forces of the purple vortices. Gathar kept thinking back to the moment when Megan was sucked into one of the portals and disappeared. He worried deeply and had no idea what Megan was up against on the other side, or if she survived. He did not give up hope on her.

  Although it was against everything he believed in when it came to magic, his faith in it grew with each passing day that it was necessary to rid the growing evils of Palatovia and bring his daughter back. His plan was to reach the Council and ask for their help in rescuing her. He was willing to risk his life traveling through a portal just for a chance to see his daughter again. The thought troubled him, but he did not allow it to overcome the current moment and he remained alert to what was happening around him. He had to. He was the leader of the group and a general of an army to a city that no longer existed.

  The dragon stayed close to them to fly through the sky, slowly resting on tree tops to allow the group time to catch up as they traveled cautiously through the Dark Forest. A portal opened up on the green aura and dissipated immediately. The protective magic that surrounded them was powerful against other forms of magic, but was not very effective toward physical threats. Tree branches and leaves flew through the wall of water and the green aura. Occasionally, someone in the group had to throw a hand up and shield themselves against the flying debris. Thoris became increasingly agitated as sticks continuously flew by his head. He stayed on the alert and shielded himself and others, and it seemed that most of the flying objects were after him.