Legacy of the Kings: Salvation: The Lost Parchment

As the allied races cheered, the celebration was interrupted by a violent shout that overtook the fierce sound of rushing water. The canyon walls rattled, and the warriors flinched. Rocks and other small debris levitated above their feet to pass their heads.

At great distance, they could see a sinister mass of shadows speedily swirling around the sorcerer. He lifted his staff, channeling the shadows into the sky. The sun dimmed, and Sahib began to cloak the world in darkness.

Legacy of the Kings: Salvation: The Lost Parchment

The trolls stopped running after the river was far behind them. The strange light had disappeared, but ominous shadows were swirling above. The day was becoming unnaturally dark as the sun faded behind the clouds. Chills ran through their arms, while a tangible evil gripped the skies.

The trolls were scared and out of breath. They had lost the battle and would now answer to Sahib. No one was immune from his judgment. Some would even be used as examples through death.

Eagne emerged from behind them. He was going to make sure the blame didn’t fall on him. The trolls would be his scapegoat, because they had retreated without his permission.

Eagne shoved his way towards the middle of their ranks. He stood on a rock and looked them over with a scowl. His towering presence demanded their attention. “Who was the first ta’ run?” he exclaimed.

All the trolls turned from his gaze. Some even blamed others. A few dozen drew their weapons to fight, until one of the trolls glanced back at the lord. He was smaller than the others and cowering under Eagne’s shadow.

“You!” Eagne pointed to the shivering troll. “You were the first ta’ run!”

The troll shook his head. “I-It wasn’t me, lord!”

“You callin’ me a liar?”

“N-no, that ain’t—"

 Eagne jumped off the rock and grabbed the troll by the throat. The troll squirmed and flailed as the lord lifted him. He tried begging for mercy between the gurgles and choking.

“You’re a coward and a liar!” Eagne said.  He squeezed harder, and the troll’s eyes began to bulge. “Try speakin’ louder. I can’t hear you.” The lord grinned, snapped his necked and then tossed him aside. “You!” Eagne pointed at another troll.

Those near him quickly moved away as the lord approached.

The troll bowed. “A just p-punishment for that coward, lord!”

“Think so?” Eagne replied. “Your punishment will be the same for followin’ him!” Before the troll could squeal, Eagne killed him, and then sliced off the heads of three others. “None of you are fit ta’ serve me! Cerdina doesn’t run!”

“Neither does Gathstrom!” Darno shouted.

BOOOOM! Explosions of fire and thunder erupted across the troll ranks. Dozens of trolls disintegrated within the blaze as flames quickly spread. Those still standing were immediately thrown into turmoil and began fighting with one another.

Darno charged Eagne with the bellow of a mighty dwarf. The lord dodged Darno’s axe but stepped into Farel. The dwarf slashed the back of Eagne’s leg, and then disappeared among the trolls with Darno.

The lord scanned the trolls to find the dwarves They could no longer see friend of foe, and even Eagne’s focus had been displaced by the explosion. The trolls were allied with confusion and fighting to survive. Weapons sank into flesh and shields buckled. “Find those dwarves!” Eagne shouted.

Only those nearby heard their Lord’s order, but they were quickly taken down by the dwarves. Darno and Farel were swift and moved like shadows amidst the fire and fading sun. They suddenly reemerged with their blades drawn. Eagne blocked one strike, but the second found his other leg. The lord fell to his knees as the dwarves disappeared once more.

Eagne was tired from his battle at the dam. His strength was far from depleted, but his stamina and speed had been drained by the torrents of the river. He struggled in the rising waters, but the river couldn’t take him. And neither would Sahib or the dwarves. He ignored the chaos and calmed himself to regain his focus.

Darno and Farel swung their axes among the trolls. They were too fast for the others to catch, but the lord was beginning to predict their movements.

Darno and Farel emerged from the flames to face Eagne one last time.

“What magic births fire?” Eagne asked, while slowly standing.

“Not magic,” Darno replied.

“Dragon’s breath,” Farel said.

   Farel pulled out a small brown sack and lit the fuse. He tossed it under the lord and dashed away with Darno. Eagne grinned and waited as the fuse burned. He grabbed the sack and threw it into the trolls with a grin.

One last explosion erupted among the trolls. Darno and Farel soared upward without their blades as the battle paused. Their presence was now evident to every troll as they landed at the lord’s feet.

The dwarves were too disoriented to continue the fight. Their ears were ringing and everything was spinning. The trolls grabbed them and bound their hands.

“That dragon’s breath… that was the cause of our loss, and I know a sorcerer that will be happy ta’ see you,” Eagne told the dwarves.

MUCH MORE TO COME! WORKING ON BOOK FIVE!

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

John 21:25