Everliving Kings (the Heroes of Darkness Saga) (23 page)

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Anya found her father’s estate already empty by the time she got there, not that she had expected any different. The last time they had played this game, everything was gone from his castle except a trap he had left behind, she expected to find the same here, but hoped he would have the guts to face her in person.

And so she searched from empty room to em
pty room until she reached the cellar level. Once there the pulse of prayers and items of protection from the undead were everywhere.

“I am disappointed in you
Lord Rathbone…I had hoped we could meet on even terms.” Anya shouted into the darkness, now sure someone was waiting for her. To her surprise it was her father’s voice that echoed back.

“Anya…so the true Cross did not kill you after all, I am not surprised, disappointed perhaps, but not surprised. I found something that may finally rid me of you…” he grumbled as he stepped out of the shadows.

In his hands, Anya could make out a dark shape that reminded her of the swords the Romans used during the height of the empire. “Do you know what this is demon? This is the blade use to stab that Jesus fellow. Not only is it a relic believed by millions to be able to restore life, but it also has been washed in holy blood! Even you won’t survive the bite of this blade!”

In response Anya drew the b
lade she had hung at her hip. Dyrnwyn burst into magical flames once free of its scabbard as Anya dropped into a battle ready stance.

Rathbone laughed at her, “How appropriate for a demon to use a hell-spawned sword. I am di
sappointed that for all of their plots and schemes not one of these fools could help you or kill you. It seems I must do everything myself.”

“You are wrong as usual father; Shamus helped me, and the Lady Marion. You are the only one who never does.”

That seemed to infuriate the Elder as he smashed a nearby table with a shout. “Lies! Now you will die!” he screamed as he dove at her with his odd little blade leading the way.

Anya blocked his first two strikes and then dove to her left to avoid the third. As she went by, she lifted her left leg and caught him in the groin with her foot.
Anya swung her sword downward as he staggered back and forced him to block her attacks as he backpedaled.

The pair swung high at each other, smashing the blades together, and sending a shower of sparks in all directions.

“You can never defeat me father, must you keep trying?”

“I am not your father whore! My child is dead to me!” his words stung her enough to give him the advantage and drive his blade into her shoulder. “This blade can heal you if you let it!” he screamed as he pushed it deeper into her shoulder.

Anya felt her strength draining away as her sword fell from her hand. The Risen fell to her knees as Rathbone began to twist the blade. “Let go of the demon and return to me my child!” he screamed as tears streaked his face. “It’s working I can feel it!”

Any felt her life draining away along with her strength and knew this would be the end of her e
xistence. As she slumped down, her left hand hit something at her belt and she remembered Soraya’s  words, “I don’t know what you will need it for, but I know you will need it.”

Anya smiled and said, “I guess one of us must die for this feud to end….but it won’t be me!”
with that she drove the age old dagger into his right eye.

Rathbone screamed in pain and jumped back, pulling his sword back with him.

Once free of the blade Anya felt her strength returning and once more picked up her flaming sword. 

The
Risen drove him back as he flailed around wildly, unable to tell where her attacks were coming from. In desperation he shouted, “Tarik help me!”

Anya was stunned to see what looked like Tarik, wrap his arms around
Lord Rathbone and hiss at her.

“Tarik? Is that you?”

“Yes demon it is your son!” Rathbone shouted in response. “You have stolen my child from me, now I will take one from you! This is not over!” he shouted before he and Tarik rushed away.

Anya was so shocked she dropped to her knees and wept.

When Julnar found her, the Vampire Queen had still not moved from where she had fallen, and at first Julnar thought she may have been defeated, but this was just one battle in a long life of struggle that continues to this day.

END

BOOK ONE

The Legend of Zog and Magog

The Brothers Zog and Magog ruled the first kingdoms of man ages before the writing of history. They were of the Elder race, a race of gods among men, immortal and wise and said to come from the sky. They taught man how to plant crops and build cities, how to build boats and how to fish, all language and songs came from them.

For many centuries the Everliving Kings, their people and their kingdoms prospered, but then one day the great plague fell upon them. It came with the suddenness of a foul wind and struck with the fury of the nine hells, sweeping through the kingdoms like a wild fire. Even the Elder gods were not immune to it.

Zog, having spent many long hours tending to the sick and dying of the kingdom, fell ill and himself lay dying in the palace. Magog became enraged, how could the gods of death and sickness dare to inflict his brother with this illness like a mere human? He went to the temples and shouted his challenges to the gods, demanding they change their actions. Day and night he would not rest, cursing the fates with his every breath until he too took ill.

It was whispered in the palace that the gods had heard his words and struck him down in anger, or perhaps Magog made a deal to offer himself to save his brother. Whatever the truth, Zog awoke fully recovered but his brother Magog's life slipped away that very same night.

Magog's body was laid out on the grand palace steps for the citizens of the city to see and bid farewell to their beloved King. But the night after his death, Magog awoke with the hunger of the dead. He tore through the streets feeding on the blood of any he could reach.

Men, women, children, none were safe from the
Risen King’s hunger. Many of those who were killed by their king rose up themselves to join the slaughter with the same hunger and lust for blood. Zog, now half mad with grief, went to the forest to seek the aid of the forest kings and the shape-shifters against the undead in a pact still binding to this day. With the help of the forest kin, Zog drove off his brother and his band of undead followers, but each time a new plague has struck humanity, more of the Risen dead have been created, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses.

It is said they still walk among us even now, hiding from view, hunting the blood of the living by night, and waiting for the day when Magog calls them to battle once more. Hoping to finish off his brother Zog and enslave the humans he protects.

COMING SOON:

HEROES of DARKNESS BOOK TWO;

DARK ALLIANCE

Rome 1346 A.D.

A shadow of a figure darted across the roof lines, never once disturbing the uniformed men who were supposed to be on guard. Until at last, it found the balcony for which it had been searching.

Dropping down from the roof without a sound the lone figure snuck into one of the many gilded guest rooms the Vatican had to offer.

The intruder met no resistance, as the rooms were as empty as they were supposed to be, and there on the bed, just as promised was a cloak and frock robe of office. These items, would allow the assassin to walk right in the front door of the most powerful man in Rome, without ever lifting a finger.

Just down the hall from the intended target, fate conspired to make the evening’s festivities a bit more exciting. As the
assassin in priests clothing reached out for the door to the Papal apartments, one of the Royal Swiss guards shouted at him in Italian, “Hey! Where are you going?”

Ignoring the guard the false holy man threw the door open and walked in as if he owned it.

“Hey!” the guard shouted again, as he and his partner rushed into the room to find the intruder.

The room looked empty until the intruder dropped down from the top of the door frame he had been using as a hiding spot.

The intruder knocked both guards down and then tore at one of the guard’s throat with a feral growl. The second guard, managed to only get back to his feet before the growling snapping creature was on him as well.

The assassin then marched into the apar
tment and found his target, cowering wide eyed in fear. “Wait! I am a wealthy man! What is it I can give you!”

The blood drenched figure ignored the Pope’s pleas of mercy and tore at his throat with his fangs.

Behind him the assassin could hear shouts of alarm and bells ringing as his earlier handiwork had by now been discovered.

“Help! Guards! In here! Protect his
Holiness!” a voice shouted from the other room.

The assassin paused in his kill and raced for the balcony, disappearing over the railing just as the guards surged into the room.

“The courtyard you fools! Go!” the Cardinal shouted as he dropped to his knees beside the blood soaked body of the church’s leader. “Holiness….God grant you the peace in death you never knew in life.” He mumbled as he crossed himself.

To the Cardinal’s surprise, the Pope’s hand began to twitch just before his eyes opened, and he dove on the Cardinal with an undead bloodlust.

Along another roofline the shadowy figure made his escape, and stopped to bow low to another black cloaked figure.

“It is done as you say, my
Lord. The plague is loose. Do you think she will come?” the assassin asked, still holding his bow.

“Yes, Tarik, she will come….and this time we will finish her.” Zog threw back his head and laughed.

Other Books by J.D. Ravynsmoon

Chronicles of the Fel Wars Trilogy:

Book One: The Knights of Arnoth

Book Two: The Demon Blade

Book Three: The Three Sisters

Heroes of Darkness Saga:

Book One:
Everliving Kings

Coming Soon:

Book Two: Dark Alliance

Dead Rome:

Graphic novel series of

Historic horror.

About the Author

Award winning and acclaimed fantasy writer, J.D. Ravynsmoon is also an accomplished artist, who works in a large variety of media including historical and fantasy costuming, (including General Boratus himself).

As a Reiki Master Teacher and ordained mi
nister, he is a gifted energy healer and avid practitioner and teacher of the martial arts: Chinese Energy Boxing, Tai Chi Chuan, Chung-Kuo Chuan, Qigong, and European Sword and Dagger.

As a public speaker JD is also a teacher of various self-help and metaphysical classes. He has been a featured lecturer at many new age events and has been a practitioner of the metaphysical arts for more than 25 years.

As an entertainer he has appeared at many pirate and renaissance fairs as a musician, singer, sword fighter and various fantasy characters, reenacting several time periods from the Dark Ages to WWII as well as science fiction and fantasy.

Currently he is the entertainment director for the south Florida based Golden Age of Piracy Re-enactment group The Port Royal Buccaneers.

jdravynsmoon.com