Element Wielder (The Void Wielder Trilogy Book 1) (14 page)

“I don’t want to leave,” moaned young Falcon.

“Dad and Mom are dead, there is nothing left for us here,” countered young Albert.

Young Falcon kept his distance from his brother.

Albert pressed the issue. “Besides, I need to train to get stronger, and you need to train to keep Mom’s promise, remember? Don’t you want to find their killer?”

Young Falcon’s features stiffened. Whatever doubt he’d had was now gone. “Fine, let’s do it.”

With renewed vigor they moved toward the gate.

“Wait, I didn’t say goodbye to Faith,” complained young Falcon. “I can’t leave without seeing her.”

“Don’t worry, already took care of it,” Albert replied, grinning. “Look.”

Next to the hinged gate that separated Asturia from the forest sat Faith, waiting for them.

“Make it fast, Falcon, we have a lot of traveling ahead of us.”

“I will.” His brother did not follow the small void wielder when he joined up with Faith. From a distance he observed as the green-eyed girl shed tears as they spoke. Young Falcon hugged her and walked away, trying to hide his own tears.

“Come back, and don’t forget me,” she sobbed.

“I won’t forget you,” young Falcon yelled back as his voice broke. “I’ll return, that’s a promise.”

Time skipped forward…

Young Albert and Falcon traveled through the forest. “Albert, where are we going?”

“To a place where Dad took me once. They have an academy with plenty of warriors there. One of them is bound to teach us, you’ll see.”

“And where is that?”

“The capital city of Ladria.”

Darkness descended again…

Falcon opened his eyes. Mayor Seth, Aya, and Sheridan stared back at him with eager faces.

“So, do tell. How was it?” asked Sheridan.

Falcon proceeded to tell them everything he had witnessed. When he finally finished recounting his story, it was already dark.

Sheridan, who had long grown bored with Falcon’s story, was hard at work bouncing a ball against the wall. Seth and Aya, on the other hand, had listened intently until the end of his recounting.

“Thank you for the memories, mayor,” said Falcon, excusing himself for the night. “I can’t tell you how much I needed that.”

“Think nothing of it. My services are always here for you, if you ever find yourself in need.”

Falcon stepped outside and took a deep whiff of the fresh air. He took a long look at his surroundings. Now that his memories had re-awakened, he saw it all from a new perspective. This was his home, and even though he wasn’t sure what was going to be his next step, he knew he would never be the same again.

CHAPTER 26

Falcon’s and Sheridan’s swords met. The sound of clashing steel echoed through the training hall.

“I will have revenge for my defeat in the exams, Hyatt,” joked Sheridan, bringing his sword down. Falcon parried the attacks and went on the offensive. Sheridan attempted to counter, but with a single swipe Falcon knocked the sword from Sheridan’s hand.

“Calm down. Can’t you see I just got up and I’m still half asleep? Besides, it took me an hour to get my hair to come out like this.” Sheridan pointed at his over-spiked hair, as if it was hard to miss.

“So why did you wake me up if you weren’t ready?”

Sheridan shrugged. “Since you haven’t had any training lately, now that your usual partner is gone, I thought I could take his place for a while. Where is Keen anyway?”

Falcon had begun to worry about Lao, too. “I don’t know where he is, but if he doesn’t show up soon, we’re going to have to go looking for him.”

“So, what’s the story with Hiromy?” asked Sheridan.

“What do you mean by that?” said Falcon, surprised by the sudden twist in the conversation. “And since when do you refer to people by their first name?”

“Hiromy is such a beautiful name I can’t help but say it.”

“Okay…I guess.”

“C’mon, Hyatt. I’ve seen you speaking with her more than once. Tell me, what’s she like? What’s her favorite color? What doesn’t she like?”

Now Falcon understood why he was here. Sheridan didn’t want to train. It had all been a ploy so he could gain information on Hiromy.

“You’re asking the wrong person. I know as much as you do. She’s the daughter of the emperor and she is a water wielder. That’s all I know.” Falcon wasn’t lying. He and Hiromy had only spoken a few times. 

“C’mon,” insisted Sheridan, patting Falcon’s back. “You wouldn’t hold out on your best pal, would you? I know she has a thing for you, but it won’t take her long to see that she has no chance with you. Especially since you and Nakatomi have a thing going on.”

“Aya and I don’t have anything going on,” he said, more defensively than he meant. “We’re friends, that’s all.”

“Sure you are,” scoffed Sheridan. “C’mon, I seen the way you to act around each other. All nervous and chummy.”

“Oh! Look, it’s the heroes of Asturia,” jeered Benoit. He marched into the training hall like he owned it. “The new son of Asturia and the Rohad clown, what a pair.”

For once Falcon was glad to see the commander. At least he didn’t have to continue this uncomfortable conversation with Sheridan.

“You can’t just show up and take my position,” said the large man, grinning. “You might have been born in Asturia, but you are not one of us. I am commander and the people will follow me, not you.”

Falcon rubbed his forehead. “I have no desire to take your position. Keep it, it’s yours.”

“Don’t play coy with me; ever since you got here you have been plotting to take my spot.”

“I’ve simply been doing the job I was hired to do. If you don’t like that, too bad.” Falcon made a move to leave.

The commander stepped into his path. Falcon looked up, meeting the man’s hateful eyes.

“Master Falcon, Commander Benoit!” came a cry from a frenzied Asturian soldier who ran through the door. Sweat dripped from his untamed hair. “Mayor Seth requires your presence immediately. It is urgent.”

“What is it?” asked Commander Benoit, without taking his gaze from Falcon.

“I don’t know much, except that the Rohad, Lao-Shan Keen, has returned, and he brings information on the enemy.”

Finally some good news,
Falcon thought. Now he could ease his mind with the knowledge that Lao was safe. Forgetting all about Benoit, Falcon rushed out of the training hall. Sheridan followed close behind.

As soon as he entered the mayor’s musky office, he noticed a change in Lao. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something different about him. Perhaps it was that his friend now wore a metal black-and-silver Suteckh uniform, instead of his usual Rohad uniform.

“Good to see you,” he said, giving Lao a respectful nod. Seconds later Aya arrived.

“So, what did you discover?” asked Falcon as soon as Aya and Lao had greeted each other.

“I fear I bring troubling news,” warned Lao. “The mayor was right, the Suteckh are planning an invasion of Va’siel. None of the capital cities are safe.”

The mayor exhaled. “It’s as I’ve feared.”

“That’s not all,” continued Lao. “Tonight at midnight the Suteckh will attack Ciompi. They plan to take all the crops they have stored, and they won’t be leaving any survivors.”

“What or who is Ciompi?” said Sheridan.

The mayor answered, “Ciompi is our sister village. Like us, they devote themselves to tilling the land and are ill equipped to fend off an invasion. We must lend our aid in any way we can.”

Lao seemed troubled. “I’m afraid that even if you were to leave now, no way could you march your army fast enough to get there in time to help.”

“We can make it if we take the Asturian Mountain pass,” Benoit said. “But why should we bother? Where was Ciompi when our village was ravaged?”

“Commander!” snapped Seth. “I will not have this argument with you. We will do our best to help our neighbors in need, and if you are unwilling to lead our army, I am sure that young Falcon Hyatt will be more than happy to—

“No!” shouted the commander, “I will lead the attack. This is my army.”

“Then take our best men and make haste through the mountain pass.”

“Now that we’ve settled that, I must head back,” said Lao. “I’m supposed to be out making rounds and if I don’t get back soon the Suteckh will grow suspicious of my absence.”

“Thanks for the information, young man. Stay safe on your return trip.”

“I will.” Lao turned to Falcon. “Falcon, Aya, be careful. As soon you begin your attack, I will cause mayhem from inside the Suteckh ranks. It will take them a while to figure out what’s going on, and by then it will be too late.”

“Let’s hope you are right,” Aya answered.

“I am. After tonight my name will live forever in history as the warrior who defeated the Suteckh.” Lao spoke more to himself than to anyone else. He looked at Falcon and Aya with an expression reflecting surprise, as if just realizing they were there. “Oh, and you two will be remembered as well, of course.” He cleared his throat. “C’mon, you two.”

Falcon and Aya followed Lao outside, where he mounted his dark steed.

“This is where our eternal legacy begins,” he said from atop his horse. “This is where we will cement our reputation as the greatest warriors to ever emerge from the Rohad ranks. You ready?”

“Just try to stay alive,” said Falcon. “You can worry about your legacy later.”

Lao laughed. “You never change, Falcon.” He whipped his steed and it took off, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.

For the second time, Falcon settled with staying behind while Lao rushed out into danger. For the second time in weeks he wouldn’t be watching Lao’s back, as he had done most of his life. Lao was the only brother he had left, not by blood, but a brother nonetheless. The thought of losing him was too much to bear.

“What are you thinking about, Falcon?” asked Aya.

“Oh nothing,” lied Falcon. “Just wondering if we will arrive in time to help the people of Ciompi. We’re their only hope. We must not fail them.”

~ ~ ~

Falcon had begun to think they would never make it, but after hours of riding they cleared the mountain pass. The small army took a much needed break beside a raging river. Falcon collected water in his leather sack and took a sip from it. The cool, spring water instantly rejuvenated him.

“That’s enough rest, you maggots. Let’s move out!” ordered the commander.

The Asturian soldiers grudgingly picked themselves up and mounted their horses. They traveled quietly through the cold and foggy night. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the walls of Ciompi came into view.

Falcon looked up at the sky. Three white spheres hung in the northern sky “Judging from the moons’ position, I’d say we made it in time. It’s not midnight yet.”

“I’d say you’re right, Hyatt. But where is the Suteckh army?”

“Hiding somewhere in this fog, no doubt,” said Falcon, scanning his surroundings. “Keep your guard up.”

The army slowly inched toward Ciompi. Unlike Asturia, which was open from all sides, Ciompi had fifteen-foot wooden walls encircling it. While nowhere as grand or majestic as the walls of the capital cities, they were better than no protection at all. Two giant double doors met at the center of the village. They were both open wide.

“Falcon,” called Aya, bringing her horse next to his. “I don’t like this, it looks like an ambush.”

“Yes, I was thinking the same. I’d better go inform Benoit.” Falcon rushed his horse to the front of the line. “Commander.” The stern man shot an annoyed look at Falcon. “I believe the Suteckh have planted an ambush. I suggest you have a scout or two jump the back wall to reconnaissance the inside of the village. I am willing to go, if you wish.”

“So you can have all the glory? I don’t think so.”

“This is not about glory, there are lives at stake.”

“There is no time for reconnaissance. Your friend said they would be here at midnight, right?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “As you can see, it is still some time before midnight, so we are here on time.”

Falcon took a slow breath, attempting to keep his growing frustration in check. “Yes, but we must account for unforeseen circumstances. Perhaps the Suteckh changed their plans and Lao wasn’t able to warn us about it.”

“I’m done here. I’m in charge and I say we go into the village
now
.” Benoit faced his horse toward the Asturian army. “Sons of Asturia, follow me now!” His horse galloped through the open gate, while the men rushed in behind him.

“I suppose we have little choice but to go,” Aya responded.

Falcon nodded; ambush or not, they couldn’t leave the Asturian soldiers to their fate. He ordered his horse forward through the open gates and past dozens of dark, lightless cabins. In seconds they reached the village square. Through the entire ride Falcon did not see a single soul. Not even a night guard or a sentry posted at the gates. Suspicious, he darted his eyes about quickly, looking signs of life. 

A ghostly silence fell upon the Asturian soldiers as they huddled together in a small circle. Their quick breaths were the only sound in the still night.

“W-where is everybody?” stuttered a soldier. No one answered.

Falcon covered his nose, as his senses were unexpectedly assaulted by the putrid stench of poison.

Falcon jumped as an eruption of chaos broke out. Suteckh soldiers poured out in waves from inside the surrounding homes. Thousands? Hundreds? The thick fog made it impossible to tell just how many there were.

Surrounded on all sides, they had nowhere to go. Their only hope was to fight their way out and that looked more and more impossible by the second, as dark-leathered soldiers continued to pour toward them.

Once the Suteckh soldiers had the Asturian army surrounded, they held their position.

What are they waiting for?

From the fog materialized a dark silhouette, behind the silhouette twelve Suteckh soldiers carried a large, thinly draped palanquin with a cloaked figure sitting at its center.

The dark figure stepped out of the darkness. “I’m Draknorr, General of the mighty Suteckh armies.” He motioned to the cloaked figure inside the palanquin. “And this is her majesty, the great Blood Empress, ruler of the Suteckh Empire.” Draknorr wore black armor with lines of silver in his chest and helmet. On one hand he wore a dark emblem, on the other a lightning emblem. He was a dual wielder! And to make matters worse, both elements he wielded were advanced. “The Blood Empress is a generous ruler. Lay down your weapons and your end will be short; do it not, and you will suffer a most painful death.”

“We are Asturians,” roared Benoit. “We do not bend to the rule of tyrants. Come at me, Draknorr, I will end you myself.”

“I don’t have to do that or anything else to prove myself,” assured Draknorr, with a loud cackle. “I only fight worthy opponents. Weaklings like you, commander, I leave for someone who finds
much more
pleasure in it.”

Falcon didn’t like the sound of that.

“Cidralic,” ordered Draknorr. “Show them what happens to those who defy the Blood Empress and the power of the Suteckh.”

“At yer command, master,” grunted an unnaturally large figure who materialized from the shadows. The stench of poison intensified. “Me and my ghouls relish the opportunity to serve the Blood Empress.”

Falcon watched in awe; he had never seen such a gargantuan warrior. The creature stood about twelve feet tall and wore thick green armor from head to toe. Chains hung around his boots and two white horns shot out of his helmet. Over his broad shoulders he carried a chained, spiked mace, almost as big as he was. The most outstanding feature of this monster of a knight wasn’t his weapon, though, it was his emblem. Not only was he a poison wielder, but he didn’t carry his emblem in his glove like a normal wielder. Instead, Cidralic’s deep green emblem was planted across his chest, covering most of it.