Excalion
folder
Fantasy & Science Fiction › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
17
Views:
1,855
Reviews:
6
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Fantasy & Science Fiction › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
17
Views:
1,855
Reviews:
6
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Dark Clouds and Rumbling Thunder: Chapter Three -- Part Four
Excalion
Chapter Three: Dark Clouds and Rumbling Thunder
=[ Part Four ]=
Rohadin stopped a young man on horseback at the gate. “Easy there. It’s late night and you know the castle is under lockdown.”
“Be that as it may, Captain, the King has ordered me to send an advance message to the Barawani Traveling Fair.” The messenger showed the wax seal on the missive to Rohadin. “By Royal Decree, I must leave the Castle grounds.”
Rohadin frowned as he stared at the seal. Why would the King send a message to the Fair? He glanced up to see the messenger getting agitated. “My pardons, Messenger.” He turned and waved to the soldiers up at the gate. “You’d best be on your way with all due haste.”
“No apologies necessary, Captain. I know you’re just doing your job,” the envoy said as the drawbridge finished lowering and the gate started to rise. He snapped the reins and the horse shot like an arrow past the still-rising gate. Rohadin was about to signal the guards to close the gate when he heard another set of hoofbeats thundering on the drawbridge.
“Captain!”
One of Rohadin’s men slowed his horse to a stop a few feet in front of him.
“Soldier, report!”
“I found the two platoons that were supposed to be at the southern checkpoint and patrolling Mara’s Grove.”
Rohadin frowned again at the shocked look on the soldier’s face. “Well, what happened?”
“They were slaughtered, sir. Every one of them was killed.”
“What? Those were two groups of infantry! How could forty men be killed without any of them escaping?”
The mounted soldier shook his head. “I don’t know, Captain.”
Rohadin shook his head. “All right. Summon up the others. I want every soldier accounted for and holed up in the castle. I’ll inform the General and the King.”
* * * * *
“He did what?”
Galia blushed brightly. “He kissed me, Jaden. That’s all, I swear. He even apologized to me about it before I left.”
“Still…” Jaden began to pace angrily.
“Easy, Jaden,” Shanavale said quickly. “The two of them were in danger of being found out. They wouldn’t have done it if their lives didn’t depend on it.”
“How can you say that, Princess? You weren’t there! You don’t really know what his intentions are!”
Shanavale slowly leveled a withering glance at Jaden. He met her gaze then looked down at the floor.
“What if he didn’t do it, then? What if he was caught and interrogated about your sister? He would have confessed to having her send information to myself and my father, putting you and your family into this conflict and putting us all into another war!” She took a deep breath, her fiery gaze unwavering. “If that were the case, what’s to stop House Omicronus from seeking out House Barawani, or maybe just its Traveling Fair?”
Jaden’s eyes widened, his mind obviously playing out Shanavale’s theory. “My apologies, Princess. Forgive me.”
Shanavale’s stare softened as she crossed towards the desk and picked up the folded piece of paper. “Galia, this is really important. You have to tell me everything that he told you, and I mean everything.”
Galia strained to remember. “He said that though his family knew of mine and Jaden’s early arrival into Overon, only he knew of your meeting with us this afternoon.”
“I’m not surprised,” Shanavale said casually as she broke the wax seal and unfolded the note. “Is that everything he said that seemed out of the ordinary to you?”
“No. He mentioned before I left Omicronus Keep that his message was encoded. He said that what my family had to go through was the key to deciphering it.”
Shanavale turned to Galia with a confused face then turned back to the note. She stared hard at the letter, her eyes skimming over it quickly. After a brief moment of silence, she shook her head and chuckled almost imperceptibly.
“What is it, Princess?”
“Why didn’t I see it sooner?”
Jaden tilted his head. “What is it, Princess?”
Shanavale evaded the question as she opened the door to Jaden and Galia’s room. “Guardsman?”
A guard that happened to be walking down the hall stood to attention and saluted crisply. “Yes, General?”
“Inform the Captain and the Sorceror Superior’s son to meet in my guests’ quarters at the morning change of shift. It is of utmost importance.”
“As you command, General,” he said. He thumped his fist against the center of his metal breastplate and marched off.
“What is it exactly that you meant, Princess?” Jaden asked again.
“I will explain to you both in the morning,” Shanavale replied. “I want you two to get some rest. I’m sure you two have been worried sick about each other.”
* * * * *
Noirus Omicron, patron of House Omicronus, stood at the balcony overlooking Omicronus Keep’s courtyard, his eyes riveted at Castle Overon, black against the purple sky as the last sliver of the sun peeked from over the horizon.
“The black flags of my family will once again fly from the peaks of those castle spires,” he promised to himself, “as it did before the Hydra War.”
“As it should, Lord Omicronus,” a raspy, slithering voice whispered. He whirled around to see a hooded, black-robed figure approach him from the glass-paneled doorway.
“You,” Noirus spat, not bothering to hide the contempt in his voice. “I have already done as you asked, and you have what you need from me and my people. What more do you want?”
“A mere pittance,” the cloaked figure wheezed as he stood beside the patron of House Omicronus and looked up towards Castle Overon. “We need the blood of your firstborn son and that of Overon’s only daughter.”
Noirus narrowed his eyes. “Why my firstborn son? He figures into my plans, plotting whelp that he is.”
“He and the Princess were both born on the Eve of the Goddess’ Grace,” the robed man said. “My master is very much aware of the Daughter of Overon and the Son of Omicronus, as well as that cursed gift that is given to you by one of your filthy goddesses.”
Noirus’ eyes widened. “My son shares Ameena’s Gift with…”
The robed figure hissed. “Speak not that name to me, impudent fool! The names of your false deities are blights upon my ears.”
“Why is it so important that you have Overon’s daughter and my son, despite…” He caught himself. “…Despite the gift?”
“It is of no concern to you, Lord Omicronus. You have other daughters and sons, while Overon has his only daughter. What is one child for the throne your family so rightfully deserves?”
Noirus closed his eyes. “Answer me one question, and you can have him once I have wrested the throne from Overon.”
“You are not hearing me, Lord Omicronus,” the robed figure hissed, annoyance growing quickly in his gravelly voice. “You cannot win the throne on your own. My master can be very particular about what he wants, and right now your needs coincide with his. He has asked for very little…”
“Little?” Noirus nearly shouted. “I’ve given a third of my siege weapons as well as a quarter of my troops and laborers to work for you. And now you ask for my firstborn son?”
“That is little compared to the greater scheme, Lord Omicronus. Bear in mind that my master could simply cut all ties with you and, with the knowledge he has, defend Overon.” The robed man sneered. “No matter how powerful your family is, keep in mind my master merely deems you and your line a convenience and nothing more. If you overstep yourself…”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, my Lord,” the robed man replied. “I am merely stating a fact to you, a fact that, if you forget, will leave your House nothing but a memory. My master could do well without you, but you both want House Overon wiped out. This merely sates both his desire and yours.”
Noirus sighed. “When do you want Jacen?”
“Once the first catapult has launched its attack on the castle, and not a moment later.”
=[ End of Chapter Three: Dark Clouds and Rumbling Thunder ]=
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The medieval tone of the songs of the metal group DragonForce was the initial inspiration for this book, and listening to the music in their CD Inhuman Rampage (I have the CD, but I don't own the actual group DragonForce), as well as a couple of their other songs not in that particular album have really helped me with putting this together. If I could thank them personally, I would. When this novel is finally finished and, God willing, on the shelves in your local bookstore, expect their name, and that of a fellow author, to pop up in the dedications. Thank you, all of my readers, for sticking around with me this far, and remember that reviews and concrit is always welcome and appreciated! See you next chapter!
Chapter Three: Dark Clouds and Rumbling Thunder
=[ Part Four ]=
Rohadin stopped a young man on horseback at the gate. “Easy there. It’s late night and you know the castle is under lockdown.”
“Be that as it may, Captain, the King has ordered me to send an advance message to the Barawani Traveling Fair.” The messenger showed the wax seal on the missive to Rohadin. “By Royal Decree, I must leave the Castle grounds.”
Rohadin frowned as he stared at the seal. Why would the King send a message to the Fair? He glanced up to see the messenger getting agitated. “My pardons, Messenger.” He turned and waved to the soldiers up at the gate. “You’d best be on your way with all due haste.”
“No apologies necessary, Captain. I know you’re just doing your job,” the envoy said as the drawbridge finished lowering and the gate started to rise. He snapped the reins and the horse shot like an arrow past the still-rising gate. Rohadin was about to signal the guards to close the gate when he heard another set of hoofbeats thundering on the drawbridge.
“Captain!”
One of Rohadin’s men slowed his horse to a stop a few feet in front of him.
“Soldier, report!”
“I found the two platoons that were supposed to be at the southern checkpoint and patrolling Mara’s Grove.”
Rohadin frowned again at the shocked look on the soldier’s face. “Well, what happened?”
“They were slaughtered, sir. Every one of them was killed.”
“What? Those were two groups of infantry! How could forty men be killed without any of them escaping?”
The mounted soldier shook his head. “I don’t know, Captain.”
Rohadin shook his head. “All right. Summon up the others. I want every soldier accounted for and holed up in the castle. I’ll inform the General and the King.”
* * * * *
“He did what?”
Galia blushed brightly. “He kissed me, Jaden. That’s all, I swear. He even apologized to me about it before I left.”
“Still…” Jaden began to pace angrily.
“Easy, Jaden,” Shanavale said quickly. “The two of them were in danger of being found out. They wouldn’t have done it if their lives didn’t depend on it.”
“How can you say that, Princess? You weren’t there! You don’t really know what his intentions are!”
Shanavale slowly leveled a withering glance at Jaden. He met her gaze then looked down at the floor.
“What if he didn’t do it, then? What if he was caught and interrogated about your sister? He would have confessed to having her send information to myself and my father, putting you and your family into this conflict and putting us all into another war!” She took a deep breath, her fiery gaze unwavering. “If that were the case, what’s to stop House Omicronus from seeking out House Barawani, or maybe just its Traveling Fair?”
Jaden’s eyes widened, his mind obviously playing out Shanavale’s theory. “My apologies, Princess. Forgive me.”
Shanavale’s stare softened as she crossed towards the desk and picked up the folded piece of paper. “Galia, this is really important. You have to tell me everything that he told you, and I mean everything.”
Galia strained to remember. “He said that though his family knew of mine and Jaden’s early arrival into Overon, only he knew of your meeting with us this afternoon.”
“I’m not surprised,” Shanavale said casually as she broke the wax seal and unfolded the note. “Is that everything he said that seemed out of the ordinary to you?”
“No. He mentioned before I left Omicronus Keep that his message was encoded. He said that what my family had to go through was the key to deciphering it.”
Shanavale turned to Galia with a confused face then turned back to the note. She stared hard at the letter, her eyes skimming over it quickly. After a brief moment of silence, she shook her head and chuckled almost imperceptibly.
“What is it, Princess?”
“Why didn’t I see it sooner?”
Jaden tilted his head. “What is it, Princess?”
Shanavale evaded the question as she opened the door to Jaden and Galia’s room. “Guardsman?”
A guard that happened to be walking down the hall stood to attention and saluted crisply. “Yes, General?”
“Inform the Captain and the Sorceror Superior’s son to meet in my guests’ quarters at the morning change of shift. It is of utmost importance.”
“As you command, General,” he said. He thumped his fist against the center of his metal breastplate and marched off.
“What is it exactly that you meant, Princess?” Jaden asked again.
“I will explain to you both in the morning,” Shanavale replied. “I want you two to get some rest. I’m sure you two have been worried sick about each other.”
* * * * *
Noirus Omicron, patron of House Omicronus, stood at the balcony overlooking Omicronus Keep’s courtyard, his eyes riveted at Castle Overon, black against the purple sky as the last sliver of the sun peeked from over the horizon.
“The black flags of my family will once again fly from the peaks of those castle spires,” he promised to himself, “as it did before the Hydra War.”
“As it should, Lord Omicronus,” a raspy, slithering voice whispered. He whirled around to see a hooded, black-robed figure approach him from the glass-paneled doorway.
“You,” Noirus spat, not bothering to hide the contempt in his voice. “I have already done as you asked, and you have what you need from me and my people. What more do you want?”
“A mere pittance,” the cloaked figure wheezed as he stood beside the patron of House Omicronus and looked up towards Castle Overon. “We need the blood of your firstborn son and that of Overon’s only daughter.”
Noirus narrowed his eyes. “Why my firstborn son? He figures into my plans, plotting whelp that he is.”
“He and the Princess were both born on the Eve of the Goddess’ Grace,” the robed man said. “My master is very much aware of the Daughter of Overon and the Son of Omicronus, as well as that cursed gift that is given to you by one of your filthy goddesses.”
Noirus’ eyes widened. “My son shares Ameena’s Gift with…”
The robed figure hissed. “Speak not that name to me, impudent fool! The names of your false deities are blights upon my ears.”
“Why is it so important that you have Overon’s daughter and my son, despite…” He caught himself. “…Despite the gift?”
“It is of no concern to you, Lord Omicronus. You have other daughters and sons, while Overon has his only daughter. What is one child for the throne your family so rightfully deserves?”
Noirus closed his eyes. “Answer me one question, and you can have him once I have wrested the throne from Overon.”
“You are not hearing me, Lord Omicronus,” the robed figure hissed, annoyance growing quickly in his gravelly voice. “You cannot win the throne on your own. My master can be very particular about what he wants, and right now your needs coincide with his. He has asked for very little…”
“Little?” Noirus nearly shouted. “I’ve given a third of my siege weapons as well as a quarter of my troops and laborers to work for you. And now you ask for my firstborn son?”
“That is little compared to the greater scheme, Lord Omicronus. Bear in mind that my master could simply cut all ties with you and, with the knowledge he has, defend Overon.” The robed man sneered. “No matter how powerful your family is, keep in mind my master merely deems you and your line a convenience and nothing more. If you overstep yourself…”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, my Lord,” the robed man replied. “I am merely stating a fact to you, a fact that, if you forget, will leave your House nothing but a memory. My master could do well without you, but you both want House Overon wiped out. This merely sates both his desire and yours.”
Noirus sighed. “When do you want Jacen?”
“Once the first catapult has launched its attack on the castle, and not a moment later.”
=[ End of Chapter Three: Dark Clouds and Rumbling Thunder ]=
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The medieval tone of the songs of the metal group DragonForce was the initial inspiration for this book, and listening to the music in their CD Inhuman Rampage (I have the CD, but I don't own the actual group DragonForce), as well as a couple of their other songs not in that particular album have really helped me with putting this together. If I could thank them personally, I would. When this novel is finally finished and, God willing, on the shelves in your local bookstore, expect their name, and that of a fellow author, to pop up in the dedications. Thank you, all of my readers, for sticking around with me this far, and remember that reviews and concrit is always welcome and appreciated! See you next chapter!