Invasion (30 page)

Furthermore he had left behind Master Pilk, his foster father, who was now at the mercy of the wicked Sylestra. Once again he had been handed off and put in the care of someone else. He loved Cressida and she would take good care of him but it wasn’t the same.

He missed his own mother. He missed his father and his sister, Marley. Just when he figured he couldn’t lose any more, he lost Master Pilk and even Decker was far away. Was he destined to lose all those that he loved?

As he scanned the mass of forlorn faces he came across Major Hillsworth and realised he wasn’t the only one suffering from loss right now. The Major had not said a word the entire journey and appeared to be a walking corpse himself. Vik had watched the scene play out from a distance and could imagine the thoughts that were going through the man’s head right now. It was common knowledge that Major Hillsworth and General Kehar were the best of friends.

Vik tried imagining himself in that situation where it was an undead corpse of Trent walking towards him trying to kill him. Would he have the strength to do what was needed? He shivered at the thought.

“We will stay the night in Yulon but first thing in the morning we’ll set off to Zin-Baiden. I’ve been away from Jaz for too long as it is. Goodness knows what mischief she’s been up to.” Cressida’s words interrupted his musings. He knew that would be their final destination but he had hoped they would stay in Yulon a little longer as his legs were about to drop off.

The promise of seeing Jaz again quickened his pulse. He didn’t know what it was about the girl — sometimes he wanted to strangle her and other times he wanted to kiss her. He wondered if that’s how Decker felt about Cressida which had him wondering if it was love that made him feel that way. He shook off the thought as they squeezed their way through the city gates of Yulon.

Master Pilk stood tall and stretched his aching back. All this lying on the ground did him no good. He paced around the small magical cage determined to get as much exercise as possible. O’tukka scrunched up his face and looked up at him from his seated position and then returned to the books he had sprawled out in front of him.

As expected Sylestra soon came to the cage. “It has been two days. The time has come to create another gate. I hope you are well-rested and well-prepared because we are going to play a little game this time.”

“Everything is a game to you,” spat O’tukka as he stood up.

“Perhaps, but this one will be most interesting. In order to give you a little extra incentive, my son, one scout will enter the Gate you create. That scout will be Master Pilk. If he returns to report that Aleri has been found then you will be both free to go. If the Gate does not lead to Aleri then Master Pilk will be forced back through and it will be closed behind him.”

“You promised to let us both go if we agreed to help you. We are helping you but you have set a very difficult task,” said Pilk.

“I did indeed and I will be upholding that promise. You will be free to go no matter the result this time, Pilk. The choice is yours whether that be on this world or on some unknown world.”

“That is not choice, but chance.” O’tukka took a few threatening steps toward Sylestra.

“Then you had best be praying hard to Shardae, Master Pilk, for she is your goddess of luck, is she not?” Sylestra turned to her guards. “Get them out.”

Sylestra pulled out the controlling wand and opened up the cage. Once again the guards marched in, grabbed them roughly and dragged them behind the walls of Fort Dega.

“We are leaving that other Gate open for now as we continue to search the world. You will have to create the new one on the other side of the first. Get it right and you’ll both get to go free.” Sylestra walked off and left them to it.

“This time we are going to use the same amount of power we used to create the first,” said O’tukka to the gathered shamans. “I will still use Pilk to help channel the power as it makes it much easier to control. You all know what to do.”

O’tukka wasted no time and linked arms with Pilk. Once again he freed his mind and allowed the foreign power to flow through him. When they were linked and O’tukka’s thoughts and feelings assaulted his mind, Pilk felt the power growing within him as the shamans fed them.

Great Shaman O’tukka didn’t wait as long this time before he released his spell and formed the beginnings of the Gate. Once the combined energy had been fully expelled, O’tukka severed their connection and they both stood there and watched as the new Gate became stronger.

They weren’t returned to their cage this time but they were allowed to sit while they waited for the Gate to be completed. The wait seemed interminable to Master Pilk as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Finally though, O’tukka announced that it would be strong enough to remain stable. Sylestra was summoned and two orcs dragged Pilk to the Gate.

“Remember what I said, and if you are entertaining any ideas of not returning, you will be hunted and killed and your friend O’tukka will also be killed once he has fulfilled his mission.” Sylestra walked up close and gazed down as she towered over him. She seemed to enhance the power of her Gaze of Hopelessness staring into his eyes as feelings of doubt flowed through him, but he managed to block it out. Once he had, she smiled at him.

“Now is the time of truth, Master Pilk.”

He couldn’t help but swallow hard as he took a step toward the Gate — the swirling purple energy becoming hypnotic as he stared into its depths. Summoning his last ounce of courage he stepped through.

The End

The Gate

Closure

Book Four of the Gate Series

B.N. Crandell

The Gate - Closure

Decker boarded the ship with a sense of satisfaction. His mission had been a complete success and the land of the elves had been soothing to his soul. On top of that, he was now heading home and very much looking forward to seeing Cressida.

The ship pulled away from the harbour and raised its sails to begin the trip back across Katifi Strait. Decker stood at the stern of the ship and watched Nydel Falls fade into the distance. When it fell beyond his sight, Grand Master Reibeck came up beside him.

“It’s time to go now, my friend.” Reibeck put his arm over Decker’s shoulders.

Decker looked at him curiously, not understanding what the wizard implied. “What do you mean?”

“We are no longer in elven territory. I can use my magic freely and speed our trip back home.”

“You mean you can take us back to Arthea instantly?”

“Of course. Master Pilk has a room in his house set aside for my use. So are you ready?”

Decker smiled. “Of course I’m ready.”

A flow of magic coursed through him and the endless water of Katifi Strait disappeared to be replaced by the wooden wall of a non-descript room.

Grand Master Reibeck went to the door and held up his hand to knock upon it but hesitated. A moment later Decker understood why. Thudding sounds of heavy footfalls could be heard through the door. More accompanied them soon after.

Decker pulled his bow off his back, nocked an arrow and stood at the far wall with a good view of the door. When Reibeck turned to him he signalled for him to open it.

Reibeck flung the door wide and stepped to the side. An orc stood two paces away and Decker knew at once that it was not a Black Skull refugee. The orc’s eyes opened wide and even wider when Decker’s arrow sunk deep into his chest. Decker took no chances and let another arrow fly before the orc hit the floor.

He threw his bow back over his shoulder and drew his sword. Reibeck pointed along the hall and a bolt of lightning shot from his finger. Decker heard the cry of the shocked orc followed by a hard thud.

“We need to find out what’s going on here.” Decker hurried out into the hallway and instinctually headed toward Cressida’s room.

Another orc stood in there with his weapon drawn. Decker blocked the horizontal attack of the sword but was surprised by the strength of the swing.

The orc retreated a step as Decker countered with a skilful stroke. He stepped back in with a jab aimed at Decker’s throat. Decker turned side on and let the attack go by him as he reversed the grip on his sword and plunged it into the orc’s belly. The orc dropped his sword and fell to his knees. With a quick slicing attack, Decker beheaded the prone orc and allowed the body to fall to the floor.

He rushed over to the window and peered outside. His heart sank as he looked upon the streets crammed full with Sylestra’s orcs. They were systematically searching each house and clearing it out. There was no sign of resistance.

A noise from behind had him spinning around in a rush with his sword at the ready but he lowered it as soon as he saw Reibeck standing there.

“The city is overrun,” said Decker.

Reibeck nodded. “We must get out of here. I’ll take us to my home in Yulon. I’m sure we’ll find our answers there.”

Decker hurried over to the wizard and allowed him to lay a hand on him. Taking one last look at the bedroom his heart lightened a little when he noticed Cressida’s herbal bags and small travel bag were missing.

Glossary

Adrianna Gullansworth
— Wife of Jeff Gullansworth. Brutally killed by the orc invaders of the Black Skull tribe.

Aleri
— The Mother world. An ancient world abandoned during the times of the dragons wrath.

Angus, Duke
— Duke of Arthea and the surrounding area. King Cassien’s cousin.

Arkadi
— Human god of death. It is believed that the dead return to Arkadi to be judged and given a new life based on that judgement.

Arthea
— A frontier city in the kingdom of Lertia. It borders the Untamed Lands to the south.

Azos
— God of the gods. Maintains balance between the gods.

Bertraud
— Door warden and attendant to Duke Angus.

Black Skull Tribe
— A tribe of large, intelligent orcs on the world of Ki’arantha. The name stemmed from the punishment of fire they once gave to wrongdoers and enemies of the tribe. They would be burned alive and their blackened skulls would be displayed on pikes as a reminder and a warning to the living.

Burr
— A dwarven soldier in the Goldfist clan. Captured by the Black Skull.

Buster, King
— Dwarven king of the Goldfist clan.

Cali, Mistress
— The only female wizard in Arthea.

Cassien, King
— King of the Lertian kingdom.

Chakun
— Capital city of the Ta’zu tribe

Corwyn
              — A great dwarven city in the Jasper Ranges. The only dwarven city on Ka’ton.

Cressida, Priestess
— Master Pilk’s sister and a powerful healer.

Dator Farenway
— A human Diamond Necromancer in the Ta’zu tribe.

Decker, Master Ranger
— A skilful ranger in Arthea. Deadly accurate with the bow.

Elly Etkins
— Wife of Gerard Etkins. Brutally killed by the orc invaders of the Black Skull tribe.

El Rasa
— A small town between Fort Lowmount and Arthea with its primary production being the stone cut from Stonecutters Defile. The town was burnt to ashes by the united orc tribes of the Ki’hara Mountains.

Elsima
— Human goddess of love. Encourages love and lust among humans. Also grants healing powers to her clerics.

Estermere
— Capital city of Lertia.

Faoura
— The land of the elves on Ka’ton.

Fa’rasha, Chief
— Leader of the Blood Council — the ruling council for the combined orc tribes of the Ki’hara Mountains.

Feygrus, Scoutmaster
— Scoutmaster in the Black Skull tribe

Fort Lowmount
— A Lertian fortification at the base of the Aleppo Ranges used to keep orc numbers under control and to stop them harassing the nearby town of El Rasa. It was captured by the united orc tribes of the Ki’hara Mountains with the help of the Black Skull orcs.

Gerard Etkins
— Once a captain in the Arthean army he was arguably one of the best swordfighters the army had ever seen. He left that life for Elly and a life of a farmer. His best friend and neighbour is Jeff Gullansworth.

Gilkan, Fierce One
— The leader of the Black Skull tribe.

Gnash
— The capital city of the Black Skull tribe.

Goldfist Clan
— The name of the dwarven clan on Ka’ton.

Grenth
— Forward fortification for the Black Skull tribe used for alerting the city of Quinik about incoming attacks from the Red Axe tribe.

Gr'guck
— God of the orcs. Mostly a violent god inciting war and conflict among orcs. Grants magical powers to select orc shamans.

Hillsworth, Major
— A major in the Arthean army. Promoted from captain after his deeds in defending Arthea from the orcs.

Isak, Major
— A major in the Arthean army. Captured by the Black Skull tribe and taken to Ki’arantha.

Jak'ho, General
— An orc general in the Ta’zu tribe.

Jaz
— Cressida’s daughter and apprentice cleric.

Jeff Gullansworth
— Once a sergeant in the Arthean army working under his best friend Gerard. He left the army after a serious injury and started a sheep farm with his wife Adrianna.

Jerzy
— A dwarven soldier in the Goldfist clan and elected leader among the dwarf captives.

Jethro, Squad Leader
— A young squad leader in the Arthean army sent to investigate the Gate and was captured by the Black Skull orcs.

Kade
— A selfless soldier in the Arthean army. One of the few to return from the initial investigation of the Gate.

Ka'ton
— A world dominated by humans. Humans were sent to this world when fleeing Aleri.

Ka'tonian Common
— The common language for humans on Ka’ton.

Kehar, General
— The general in the Arthean army. He was seriously wounded when defending Arthea against the orcs.

Ki'arantha
— An orc dominated world. Orcs were sent to this world when fleeing Aleri.

Koren
— A cleric and good friend of Decker.

Krak'too, General
— An orc general for the Black Skull tribe. He was sent to Ka’ton to gather human captives for the fierce one.

Lertia
— One of the main human kingdoms of Ka’ton.

Ludko, General
— The youngest dwarven general. He was sent by King Buster to help defend Arthea against the orcs.

Marley Etkins
— Daughter of Gerard Etkins. Brutally killed by the orc invaders of the Black Skull tribe.

Mezz
— Master Pilks dog – a Great Dane.

Narva, Chief
— Second in command of the Blood Council — the ruling council for the combined orc tribes of the Ki’hara Mountains.

Necromancy
— A dark magic enhanced by live sacrifices. Once thought to be a lesser magic as only animal sacrifices were permitted, Sylestra unleashed its full potential by sacrificing intelligent races. She instituted seven levels of necromancy. Starting as a necrolyte, students of the dark art could work their way up the ranks. The ranks are as follows: 1. Necrolyte 2. Black Necrolyte 3. Topaz Necromancer 4. Ruby Necromancer 5. Emerald Necromancer 6. Diamond Necromancer 7. Blood Diamond Necromancer

Nefari
— Goddess of Darkness. Grants her loyal worshippers dark magical powers in exchange for sacrifices.

Nuri
— A dwarven soldier in the Goldfist clan. Captured by the Black Skull.

O'hark, General
— A general in the Black Skull tribe defending the northern city of Quinik.

O'tukka, Great Shaman
— The most powerful shaman in the Black Skull tribe. Can render weak minded beings powerless with his gaze of hopelessness. The initiator of the Gate.

Pilk, Master
— A scatterbrained little human wizard with a deep love of his home city, Arthea. The head master wizard in the Arthean army. Not widely liked or respected among the order of wizards due to his reckless handling of magic.

Quinby
— The fastest messenger in Arthea. Excellent rider, fast runner but poor swordsman. He saved Major Isak’s life while defending Fort Lowmount and was captured along with many others by the Black Skull tribe.

Qunik
— The northern-most city of the Black Skull tribe positioned near the Red Axe border.

Raziya
— The neighbouring human kingdom to Lertia. A war-like kingdom with a deep hatred of the Lertians.

Red Axe Tribe
— The Black Skulls major enemy positioned along their northern border.

Reibeck, Grand Master
— Master Pilk’s mentor and good friend. An elderly wizard and the only one willing to train Pilk during the final six years of his apprenticeship.

Riyad, Captain
— A short-tempered captain in the Arthean army. His temper continually held him back from further promotions in the army as he was one of the finest swordsmen around.

Rotager, Grand Master
— Head grand master at the Academy of Mystics. A self-important wizard.

Sarai
— A clothier slave in the capital compounds of the Ta’zu tribe.

Sarkis, Major
— A cavalry major in the Arthean army. Captured by the Black Skull tribe and taken to Ki’arantha.

Shardae
— Human goddess of luck. Heavily worshipped by gamblers, and also often despised by them.

Sylestra, Supreme Mistress
— The leader of the mixed race Ta’zu tribe. Centuries old thanks to the power of Nefari and her dark magic. Nefari’s principal worshipper and without equal in the dark arts.

Ta'zu
— A mix raced tribe on Ki’arantha positioned to the west of the Black Skull tribe. One of the smallest of the seven tribes of Ki’arantha it is strongest due to their powerful and deadly magic.

The Times of the Dragons Wrath
— As a result of Sylestra reanimating the corpses of dragons she invoked their wrath. They awoke with a fury to seek vengeance on the race that would so dishonour their dead and any of their allies. This included human, dwarf and orc. In order to preserve these races the god’s created great gates to take them to other worlds.

Trent Gullansworth
— Jeff Gullansworth’s son. Together with his best friend Vik he was the first to discover the Gate. With his mother dead and his father feared dead he was adopted by Pilk.

Tybressa
— Goddess of magic. Grants magical powers to her faithful wizards.

Vala
— Dwarven god. A god of great healing and powerful enchantments. Grants his loyal followers with a natural resistance to harmful magic’s.

Vik Etkins
— Gerard Etkin’s son. He was the first to discover the Gate with his best friend Trent. Like Trent, he was adopted by Pilk when his mother and sister were murdered and his father was feared dead.

Zaydok
— Sylestra’s wyvern which she controls by means of a heavily enchanted emerald crystal. A magical whistle can summon the black wyvern wherever he is.

Zulma
— Human god of war. He gives strength and courage to his warriors in battle.

Zyneste
— Human goddess of nature. Watches over, protects and maintains balance in nature. Grants special powers and abilities to her special rangers.