Trillius glanced at Rozelle, “Are you crying?”
“It was beautiful,” she was barely able to answer.
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, but his interest piqued slightly when Raina produced, out of thin air, a gold band on Abawken’s finger. Raina said, “I honor your ways with this ring. The custom of the elves directs the bride to assign a bond-name to her new husband. Henceforth, you will be known as Leiv Talhor amongst my people.”
The surrounding elves whispered the new bond-name, “Leiv Talhor.”
El’Korr announced proudly, “The sacred vows these two have exchanged will be forever burned into the Book of Promises, and from henceforth they will be recognized as husband and wife.” El’Korr made eye contact with Abawken and he smirked, “It is the human tradition to seal the deal with a kiss.” Giggles and whispers echoed behind them in the crowd of guests.
Cheers erupted as the new couple embraced in their first married kiss and then they turned to face everyone. The flower petals on the archway suddenly burst into hundreds of butterflies that fluttered about.
El’Korr yelled, “The two have become one!”
Raina and Abawken were swallowed by the many people coming forward to congratulate them.
Trillius glanced to the door and noticed a young boy, head low, fondling an interesting bauble, catching his attention; a diamond ring, a very large, diamond ring.
Rozelle nudged him and said, “How did you like the butterflies? I added that little effect in myself.” She was proud of her work, but Trillius didn’t answer and turned to find the boy gone.
“Rozelle, very well done, but I have to go take a tinkle. I will catch up with you later.”
He took off, leaving Rozelle, who sighed, “Yeah, such the romantic.”
The sounds of the wedding party faded as Trillius stealthily darted from shadow to shadow, following the young human boy. He had not seen this person before, and he couldn’t help but be intrigued by the diamond ring the child held in his possession, and occasionally pulled out to look over when he thought no eyes were on him. Trillius was lured by his curiosity. He easily trailed the adolescent, and wondered how he had obtained such a prize—a prize that would soon be his.
They traversed deeper into the frost fortress, in the lower sections, until the youngster entered a room and closed the door behind him. Trillius waited a minute before making his move. “I’m impressed. This young lad has a giant gem in his possession, and his own quarters. Who does he know, I wonder?” Trillius thought to himself.
Jack slouched his shoulders as he sat on the edge of his bed. Two lit candles spread their aura around the small bedroom. He twirled the ring, trying to catch the sparkles, when all of a sudden, his door burst open. A gnome rushed in, short of breath, and slammed the door closed.
Trillius leaned his back against the entrance and gasped, “Sorry, I am trying to get away from her.”
“Away from who—”
Trillius cut him off, “Shhhhh. Whisper.”
Jack brought his voice down, “Who are you running from?”
Trillius didn’t answer and instead placed his ear against the door. He turned back to the boy and smiled, “I lost her.”
“Who?”
“Oh, just one of the many women who chase after me. It is a tough life, but someone has to do it.” Trillius strolled closer to Jack. “My name is Trillius.”
“I know, I heard about you. My name is Jack.”
“Young Jack, may I stay for a minute?”
“Sure, you are the most excitement I’ve seen in weeks.”
Trillius sat right next to him on the bed. He bounced a couple times, measuring the comfort, and then smiled. “So, where are your parents?”
Jack shifted uncomfortably, “They are not here.”
Trillius read his body language perfectly, “I lost my parents too, when I was young.”
Jack looked at the gnome, “I didn’t know my mom. She died when I was born.”
“Mine too,” he lied. “You must blame yourself for her death, like I did. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I know, my dad said the same thing.”
“I am sure he is very proud of you.”
Jack nodded, “I miss him.”
“Oh, he must have passed recently. I am sorry.”
“He lives in the Holy City now, with God. I will see him someday.”
“Where is this Holy City you speak of? I have heard the others talk of it and I’m not sure it exists.”
“It exists alright; I was there.”
Trillius coughed, “You were there?”
“Yes, with Bridazak and the other heroes. I got to see my dad and I decided to come back with the others.”
“Come back? Why would you want to come back here of all places?”
“To help others know God and to give them hope, I guess. I came back to be a hero, like my dad.”
“Oh, I see, so you are trying to keep the good folk of Ruauck-El, like myself, informed of this glorious God that hid away for centuries and left us for dead with the birth of Kerrith Ravine?”
Jack paused at the gnome’s blighting accusation, “It’s not like that. I don’t know, I’m lost right now. It’s hard to explain anything.”
“I apologize for my triteness. I have lived a long time and heard rumors of this ancient city. I can’t argue that you have been there. Perhaps someday I can visit it. Anyway, why are you feeling lost?”
“It just seems that nobody wants or needs me. I’m like a shadow no one notices. I don’t have any friends.”
“I know what you mean. I’m kind of lost here also, and I miss someone too.”
“You miss a girl?” Jack smirked.
“No, not a girl, a dragon.”
“Really? I rode a dragon, a bronze one. Did you ride one also?” he excitedly responded.
“Calm down. No, I did not ride one, but had a relationship, a friendship with one. It is hard to explain, but we had a connection. Anyway, Dal-Draydian, he’s dead now, but he gave me quite a bit of knowledge about lost treasures within the realm.”
“Lost treasures? What are they?”
Trillius grinned and looked at Jack, “You know, Jack, I like you. I think we can be good friends. In fact, if you are interested, I could show you the ropes of a great profession. A very lucrative profession.”
“You want to hang out with me? Yeah, I would love that.”
“You said you were like a shadow. I can teach you how to have those shadows become your friend.”
“What, like a thief?”
“You think of me as a thief? No, what I will teach you is beyond that ugly line of work. Much better… but it will cost you.”
“I don’t have anything to give.”
Trillius waited, staring at young Jack, until finally the boy revealed what he clasped in his hand; the diamond ring.
“My dad gave me this. It is the only thing I have of him. Can I loan it to you until I can buy it back?”
“What a grand idea,” Trillius’ eyebrows raised.
“I trust you, Trillius. Thank you for being my friend.” Jack held out the ring. Jack’s innocence pierced into the gnome’s conscience.
Trillius hesitated and then sighed, “How about you keep it and then pay me later.”
“Really?”
Trillius shrugged, “Yeah, I guess so. Well, listen, I got to get going and make sure that woman doesn’t break into my room or something. Let’s talk more tomorrow.”
“Okay, Trillius. Thank you, for everything. It was really nice talking with you.”
The gnome gave a shallow smile and then left.
Jack sat back down and looked at his father’s ring and wondered again where he had gotten it. He always imagined it was his mother’s wedding ring. Jack smiled brightly and giggled, which wasn’t something he had done in quite a while, at the thought of his new friend, Trillius.
Jack suddenly stopped when he thought he heard something. It was a strange voic
e, it sounded distant. He went to the door and peeked, looking down the hallway. No one was there.
He closed it, turned, and then heard his name called, “Jack.” The hollow voice echoed within his mind.
“Who’s there?” Jack said aloud.
“Jack, help us.”
He felt heat coming from the ring in his hand and when he opened to see the diamond, it flared shades of red within the gem, swirling like mist. Jack looked closer and saw blurred faces, weaving in and out of the red smoke.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“The gem will lead you to us. Follow it.” Then the diamond returned to its normal appearance, the cloudiness faded. A strange sense within himself pulled him to leave his room. Jack opened the door and left, longing for adventure.
Coming Soon
Book #3 of the Horn King Series
The Vampire King
Jack descended to the lower levels of the frost dwarf castle, where worked stone and ice turned to more natural tunneling. The diamond ring slightly vibrated in his grasp when he came to a fork in the tunnels, requiring a decision. If he chose the wrong way then the gem remained still, but when he chose the correct way, it pulsed. These lower sections were isolated and much colder. He shivered as he watched his breath rise in front of him. The tunnels were dark, but he was still able to see.
He suddenly stopped when the ring vibrated.
“There is only one way to go,” he whispered. Jack looked confused as he peered back and forth down the corridor. He leaned against the wall and sighed heavily. The diamond pulsed and a small phrase entered his mind. Jack stood upright and repeated it aloud, “Vemptukai.”
Shifting stone sounded abruptly behind him, causing Jack to freeze in pure fright. He quickly turned and stared into a strange hallway that wasn’t there before. The ring pulsed. Jack took his first step inside and flinched as torches sparked to life along the walls as far as he could see. Cobwebs dangled from the sconces and a strong, musty smell abounded. Each step he took echoed, melding into the sounds of the flames leaping from the ancient wood dipped in tar.
“Hello?” he asked nervously. He jumped when the secret door closed behind him, sealing him inside the corridor. Jack ran back, but it would not open as he clutched the edges and strained to move it. He calmed himself and began to creep further, following the endless torches.
Hundreds of feet elapsed, until finally, Jack spotted an open room ahead. The light ended at the opening but shadowy illumination informed him of the chamber beyond. He grabbed one of the ignited sticks, sliding it out of the iron sconce and burned away the dusty webs in the entryway.
Jack saw a circular room with twelve stone sarcophagi lining the wall. There were no exits, he noticed as he cautiously entered. The unmarked graves lay eerily still, thick layers of dust covering each one. A stone pedestal with etched runes stood in the center of the chamber.
The mysterious hollow voice returned to Jack’s mind, but now stronger and not quite so distant, directing, “Place the ring on the altar.”
The frightened but determined boy, bent on adventure, did as instructed. The clear diamond abruptly illuminated into a bright light and then slowly faded. Jack investigated his ring, but before he could touch it, a blast of energy shot out at each of the stone lids, forcing Jack to fall to the ground to dodge the beams. He watched from his sitting position as the rays crumbled the covers, revealing the corpses within.
Rotted flesh dangled from their sunken faces, arms crossed over their chests, and a fine dust covered them from head to toe. Their eyes shot open, black as night, and the crack of joints and bone echoed as they took a step out of their graves. Tattered clothing hung from their heightened frames.
Jack scrambled to his feet and clung to the pedestal, trying to distance himself as much as possible from the beings. His shaky voice asked, “Who are you?”
In unison they spoke aloud, their voice, haunting and hypnotic, “We are the Twelve.” They stood motionless and resolute, arms still crossed over their chests.
“What do you want?”
“We want you, Jack.”
“Me? I’m just a boy. I don’t understand. Did the ring call you?”
“Not the ring, but your soul. We walked your realm two-thousand years ago, until we were not needed any longer and here we have harbored ourselves, entombed for all eternity. New evils have surfaced. Darkened hearts have invaded the land once again, but entrapped by our own demise, we are unable to stand against the threats.”
“But what can I do? I don’t even know how to fight with a sword yet.”
“For what we offer, you will not need a blade.”
“But why me?”
“Your strength is beyond measure, Jack. We sensed it when you arrived at this place. We used the ring in your possession as a conduit to contact you. Your soul is the strongest we have felt, unlike any before.”
“What is it that you want from me?”
“You have been touched by the hand of Adonai and thus your spirit rests in his hands, never to be taken.”
“Adonai?” Jack questioned.
“Adonai ha’adonim—the Lord of Lords, God Almighty, Ruler and Creator of all.”
Stunned, Jack responded enthusiastically, “You know God?”
“Yes, but it was too late for us. We condemned ourselves to being forever separated from him.”
“But why? What did you do? Why are you here instead of—,” he paused.
“It matters not, but what does matter is the choice set before you. Remain the child, learning your way until united with God once again. Or help us.”
“Help you, how?”
“You can save us, Jack. We have longed to be in the arms of Adonai, but our souls are no longer ours to give to him.”
“Who has your soul?”
“We made a deal with darkness. At the time, we were human, living a finite timeline, but we longed to live forever to battle the evil of the land. We were paladins, determined to vanquish all impurities from the realm. We have lived with the regret of making that deal ever since. When we sensed you, we decided to make contact and to give you a choice. Will you help us, Jack?”
“What is it you need me to do?”
“There is an ancient artifact, called the Mirror of Lost Souls. You will need to find it and bring it back to us here.”
Jack laughed, “I don’t know about these things, and I’m too young and inexperienced.”
“We will bestow upon you powers from each of us, but what we give will alter you greatly from what you now know.”
“Powers? What kind of powers?”
“Strength, knowledge, wisdom, speed, endurance, and more—but Jack, do not be enticed only by these gifts. Your transformation will be severe and you won’t be able to go back to being a child.”
“You mean, I will age also?”
“Yes, twelve years added to your life. It saddens us to burden you with the loss of childhood and we will not be angered if you choose to ignore our plea.”
Jack paused, thinking and pondering his life thus far. He didn’t have his family any longer, Bridazak was gone, and he longed for something more to help those in need. He felt this to be his calling, his time to make something happen.
“I will help you.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brae Wyckoff is an award winning and internationally acclaimed author, born and raised in San Diego, CA. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Jill, for over 20 years, and they have three children. He has a beautiful grandson named Avery. Brae has been an avid RPG gamer since 1985. His passion for mysterious realms and the supernatural inspired him to write The Orb of Truth, the first in a series of fantasy action adventures.
In addition to writing the Horn King Series, Brae is the host of Broadcast Muse blog talk radio program, featuring interviews with authors, artists, and world changers. He is also the CEO of LR Publishing, a one-stop publishing service provider geared specifically for the growing genre of Destiny Actio
n Adventure Fantasy, which brings life, purpose, and ultimately a message of hope.
www.braewyckoff.com
Brae Wyckoff, The Dragon God
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