The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend
Seku’s mind was beyond conflicted. He was plagued by misgivings, only to create rationalizations for them. Although he was unsure about what was transpiring around him, one thing was for certain: He didn’t like what he’d been seeing.
Inside the castle’s dungeon, he waited in his usual place for Igthu, hoping to intercept him on his daily patrol. Although the youth had been distant lately, Seku still felt obligated to check in on him. Seku strained to see into the dimly lit dungeon. Located near the castle’s furnace room, the air was always warm and humid on this lower level, even in the winter. The extra humidity produced an annoying dripping sound that could be heard throughout the day and night. Amber-colored cobblestones covered the ceilings, walls, and floors. They stretched like honeycombs down the narrow walkways. Black iron bars secured each individual holding cell. For a time, each cell had been filled to capacity. Seku shuddered to think of what tragic fate befell their inhabitants.
Where’s Igthu? he pondered.
His head continued to be riddled with unfinished ideas. He thought briefly about his recent conversation with Reeze, the soldier in the mess hall. His face had been viciously mutilated, and Seku was directly to blame. He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind, for the guilt was too much to bear at the moment.
What was he going to do? Seku was not the type of person to ignore his feelings and stand idly by. Yet, he dared not challenge the Warlord, for every perceived slight—even from his own men—had so far resulted in extreme punishments.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing within the dungeon’s interior. Strange, Igthu never usually ran this late during a patrol. As the footsteps came near, Seku edged his head around the corner and came face to face with General Thane.
“Oh!” Seku said reeling back in shock.
Thane’s face remained blank and slightly disinterested.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the old soldier,” Thane said.
Seku chuckled out of politeness. Although cordial, he never really liked Thane. “General,” he replied, “Good to see you. I heard rumors that you were back. Congratulations on your victory.”
“Yeah,” Thane responded. “I thought you were encamped with the other soldiers?”
“Affirmative. That’s been my assignment since we’ve been in Centre Pointe.”
“Then what brings you down here to the dungeon?”
“Just checking on Igthu. You remember him, don’t you?”
“Barely,” Thane said dryly.
Seku continued. “He’s a patrolman on the castle’s dungeon level, so I’m not surprised you don’t remember him. Nonetheless, he’s like a son to me, so I occasionally check in on him to make sure he’s all right.”
“Well, I doubt he’ll be down here today,” Thane said. “My prisoners have just been locked away to await execution. In the meantime, we have them under tight surveillance. No one but my official detail is permitted in this part of the dungeon, until otherwise noted.”
Oh, no wonder you’re acting so accusatory.
“Well, on that note, I’ll look for Igthu elsewhere.”
“Is something bothering you?” the General crossed his arms.
Seku paused, unsure if Thane was asking out of legitimate concern, or just being facetious. “It’s nothing.” He’d instantly reached a decision regarding Thane’s sincerity. “I’ll be on my way.”
“Stop,” Thane commanded. “I’m serious. From one old soldier to another, you don’t look like a warrior whose army just achieved its ultimate victory. In fact, you look troubled.”
Seku nodded slightly. “Probably because I am,” he admitted. He still wasn’t convinced that all of his misgivings weren’t just overreactions. Was this really an opportunity to gain some clarity into what he’d been torn about? Granted, he and Thane were not friends. However, they shared a common bond through Damian. Thane worked as closely with the Warlord as he did, closer even. Perhaps he really could offer some solid, unbiased insight.
“What’s on your mind?” the General asked.
“It’s not so much what’s on my mind as what’s in my heart,” Seku began. “Since you’ve been away pursuing King Maebus, I’ve seen things, even done things that I’m not proud of.”
Thane laughed. “Have you finally lost the taste for a soldier’s life?”
“Not at all, sir,” Seku retorted. “It’s my soldier’s ambition that’s been giving me pause over what I’ve seen lately.”
“You still haven’t told me anything.”
Seku took a quick glance around and lowered his voice just above a whisper. “I’m worried about Damian.”
Thane’s eyes seemed to pulsate. “Go on,” he said.
“In your absence, the Warlord allowed the Legion to plunder Centre Pointe. Without restraint, they looted and massacred the people of this kingdom. I understand the tactic—create suffering to flush out the Realmsic King. But the level of cruelty was beyond my own expectations. Things quickly spiraled out of control and for a moment, just for a moment, Damian seemed ... off-kilter.”
Seku watched Thane scratch his scruffy beard, as if contemplating his next words.
“As great and powerful as our leader is, we have to remember that he’s still human,” Thane explained. His words were slow, yet direct. “Although I’m confident of my own skills, there was no guarantee that we were going to capture the King and crystal. Imagine being in Damian’s situation, launching the greatest conquest in Realmsic history, yet being unable to secure the most powerful weapon in creation. Next, imagine facing the constant threat of your enemies retaliating against you with that same weapon. Such a notion may force you into extreme courses of action and unconventional methods of strategy. Who’s to say what any of us would do to achieve ultimate victory?”
“You’re right,” Seku interjected. “We have achieved ultimate victory. Not only have we captured the Realmsic Kingdom, but we now possess that ultimate weapon. Damian has surpassed the ambitions of his own father, yet he still seems ... dissatisfied.”
“The Warlord is insatiable. It’s what separates him from ordinary men. I don’t see a problem with that,” Thane said.
“And neither do I. But, what worries me is what’s next to come. What will he do with this power? It doesn’t seem like he’s going to abolish magic like he said he was going to.”
“Seku,” Thane said. “You’re a great soldier, and I’ve always admired your unique skills. Your finesse and stealth are traits that many times I wished I possess. But a conqueror, you are not. A conqueror, I am not. Who are you to say what is ‘off-kilter’? Who are you to judge the actions of a man who has achieved the impossible?”
Thane leaned in closer to Seku. “You are playing a dangerous game, my friend. A game in which you personally have seen the consequences. Out of respect for you, I won’t have you flogged like I would any other soldier. But I’ll only say this once ...”
He poked his index finger square in Seku’s chest. “Mind your place.”
Without saying another word, the General walked away.
• • • • •
Leoden was uncertain of his whereabouts, of the date, and the time of day. From dawn till dusk, he’d ridden from the Northern Lands until each sun-drenched day blended seamlessly together. Perhaps timelessness was life’s true natural state. Being far from his home, away from any of its comforts and familiarities, he found his mind clear, his spirit free to the wills of the wind, as it blew along the open lands of the kingdom.
Though instinct guided him, it was anticipation that drove him. He rode as the evening sun set to the right of him—making way for the stars. His hands were sweaty, gripping the reins of his horse and speeding as if his life depended on it. Not once did he stop to think about what he was doing, where he was going, why he suddenly felt so anxious. He’d stopped questioning such things shortly after leaving his village. He now simply submitted to the urges that had so far pulled him in this general direction.
“Whooooaaa, Zinly!” Leoden shouted, yanking back on the reins. The horse neighed as it skidded to a stop, kicking up grass and dirt. Inches away from them, a cliff loomed. A few extra steps, and they both would have careened over its edge. Leoden stretched his leg over the saddle and jumped down. His gait wobbled due to days of nonstop riding. He patted Zinly’s snout and carefully walked to the ledge.
He whistled long and low. That’s a looooong way down. But it wasn’t the steep drop that frightened him. It was the ominous structure looming only a couple of miles away. Its towers stretched so high, it seemed to blend into the night sky. Something about it seemed magical and enticing. Upon looking closer, he noticed a number of sentries patrolling the grounds of the structure.
Leoden was usually the type of person who simply minded his own business, but not this time. Perhaps it was their flaming torches flickering in the distance that encouraged him to explore. Leoden could barely take the enticement. He remounted his horse and rode down the winding ledge towards the guarded structure. Upon reaching what he considered walking distance to it, he dismounted again.
“Zinly, don’t wander too far away,” he told his horse. “I’ll call you when I need you.”
Sneaking into the tall grass of the surrounding valley, he inched closer toward the structure. The voices of the guards echoed through the night, alerting him to their location. Staying low to the ground, he darted to the far wall and pressed flat against it.
He rubbed his hands along the rugged stones of the exterior wall and followed their contours partly around towards the east side. However, a drainage pipe big enough for a man blocked his path, impeding his progress. Peeking through the pipe’s steel gate, he saw it was dark and dank inside. The steel gate looked impenetrable. Leoden grabbed hold of its bars, shaking it. Unexpectedly, it came loose.
Was this a trap?
The young warrior glanced around, but saw nobody. As quiet as he could, he dragged the steel gate from the pipe entrance and laid it against the wall. Taking one last glance, he withdrew his wood axe and walked into the darkness.
Chapter Forty-Three