Druid's Warrior (eBook)

Chapter 1

An eerie orange smoke filled the sky, obscuring the setting sun as Adam guided the great Eagleflyer, Regent, down toward the besieged city of West Demlin. From where he sat atop the magnificent bird, Adam could see the vast Eastern armies made up of black-clad Morgs spread out for miles on the flat plains that surrounded the city of man. The smoke that filled the sky came from the city, but from this distance Adam could not tell what, or how much of the city was burning.

Behind him came Brun, Starwald, and Lendussa on their own Eagleflyers, having made the long two-day journey from Mautta a Morg, where Adam had defeated the evil god Crough, and had brought down the fortress that housed the horrible fire of death. In defeating Crough, Adam had been able to extinguish the flame, but now war raged throughout the western lands.

As Adam used mindwaves to communicate with his majestic Eagleflyer, he guided the great bird toward the coast, intending to fly closer to the deep blue waters of the Sea of Man, thereby avoiding being seen by the Morg hoard upon his approach to the city. The other Eagleflyers instinctively followed Regent out over the waters. The smoke from the burning city was caught in the eastern winds, and the sky over the water was clear as they circled and prepared to land in the middle of the city of West Demlin.

Starwald’s great bird had caught up to Regent and he flew not thirty feet away to Adam’s right. The young Druid looked over at his mentor and nodded his intention to begin the descent into the city. Starwald nodded back and began to descend along with Adam and Regent. The other two Eagleflyers followed suit and the four mighty birds found an open clearing that appeared to be some type of open-air market to make their landing.

Regent spread his mighty black wings with streaks of white throughout to slow his descent and landed gently on the dirt of the open clearing that Adam had spied from above. The other Eagleflyers did the same and all landed safely. Adam jumped from Regent’s huge back, making sure his mighty sword, Glimerding, swung around in front of him so that it did not accidentally cut the big bird.

Surrounding the clearing were what appeared to be storefronts, warehouses, and several blacksmith shops, which gave the impression of a main town center. However, there were no people about even though it was mid-afternoon. Starwald and Brun dismounted and approached Adam, as the three looked about, somewhat surprised at the lack of anyone about.

“It’s finally good to get my feet back on the ground!” shouted Brun as he walked up to Adam.

“Yes, I agree,” said the young Druid. “But we are very lucky to have had Regent and the others at our disposal. It would have taken a week if we were forced to walk here all the way from Torg Mautta.”

The harsh smell of smoke filled the air as Lendussa also dismounted his great Eagleflyer and joined the others.

“Sssss, that was horribles,” slithered the Crathian soldier referring to the long journey.

“It is strange, but this city seems almost deserted, even though parts of it are actually burning,” said Starwald, looking about.

The structures that surrounded the clearing in which they had landed were standing, but one could see smoke rising from structures that were located closer to the wall that encircled the great city of man.

“There, I see someone approaching,” said Adam, pointing down one of the dirt streets that stretched toward the northern wall.

“I think you’re right, but it is a group of men that approaches I believe,” said Starwald.

Brun drew his sword as the group approached.

“You there, stop!” yelled the first soldier to come into view, also holding his sword in his left hand. Behind him came a group of about twenty soldiers, all running at a slow pace toward the companions.

“Stay your course!” yelled back Brun, stepping in front of the other three, lifting his sword in a menacing manner.

The advancing soldier slowed his pace and approached at a walk. He wore the black leather outfit of a Bourn soldier and sheathed his sword as he came to a stop several feet away from Brun.

“What has happened here?” demanded Brun.

“Who are you, and what is your intent in landing here in West Demlin?” returned the man.

“I am Lord Brun, son to the King of Bonar, and rightful heir to the rule of this city as well as Bonar,” returned Brun, in a voice that bespoke of power and confidence.

“Lord Brun! I did not recognize you! It has been many years since any of us have seen, or even heard of your whereabouts. Accept my apologies, sir. I am Captain Williams of Bonar at your service!” returned the man with a look of relief.

“Captain Williams! Why, are you the same sergeant Williams who once served within the King’s guard in Bonar?” inquired Brun.

“Yes, sir, I am that person, but now a Captain and in charge of our evacuation from this city. It is burning, and controlled by the enemy, I’m afraid,” he replied.

“Captain Williams, it is good to see you,” said Brun as he also sheathed his sword and approached the man, taking his hand and shaking it with gusto.

“Lord Brun, you have not been seen for almost fifteen years. What fate has befallen your life?”

“We have been busy securing our future. I travel with the great Druid Starwald, and the young Master Druid Adam, along with the Crathian named Lendussa. We return now from the east where we have done battle with Crough,” said Brun, motioning to the two Druids who stood behind the man.

“What has happened here?” asked Brun again, as Adam and Starwald came closer. Even Lendussa was curious as to the answer to Brun’s question.

“I am sorry, my Lord,” replied Captain Williams. “The enemy breached the eastern walls of the city two days ago and began setting fire to certain areas within the city. Most of the city’s residents have already retreated north toward Naylot, but two regiments under my command still battle the enemy here within the city, trying to slow their advance and give our comrades, women, and children time to retreat north. We saw your great birds fly overhead and land and were not sure whether you were friend or enemy,” he explained.

Brun turned and looked at the two Druids and Lendussa, shaking his head in frustration at the apparent loss of West Demlin.

Starwald stepped forward, placing his hand on Brun’s shoulder. “Captain Williams, you and your men are valiant warriors to slow the enemy, but we could see from above that there are thousands of the enemy just east of the city’s walls. You must flee as well,” said the Master Druid.

“Yes, believe me, Masted Druid, that is our plan; we were just trying to slow them down a bit,” replied the soldier.

Suddenly, yelling broke the relative silence and down the dirt street from which Captain Williams and his men had appeared, there appeared a mass of Bourn soldiers and enemy Morg soldiers in the heat of battle. The Bourn soldiers were clearly outnumbered by at least five to one and were slowly retreating toward where the companions and Captain Williams and his squad of twenty soldiers stood.

“Prepare for battle!” yelled the Captain, whose attention was completely focused on the approaching battle.

Adam stepped forward and placing his hand on the Captain’s soldier, said “Let me be of assistance, Captain.”

Without waiting for an answer, the young Druid strode forward past the squad of Bourn soldiers and down the street toward where the battle was taking place. As he approached, he could see that there were about a hundred Morgs, dressed in their black leather, battling what appeared to be another squad of Bourn soldiers, maybe twenty in number. Both sides used their swords in battle, and the Morgs clearly had the momentum as the Bourn soldiers eased up the street toward where Adam stood.

As they approached, the young Druid seemed to rise in stature, and a blue glow outlined his frame as he drew the mighty sword Glimerding from his side. The Bourn soldiers were now being pushed right past Adam, but he stood his ground. As the first of the Morg soldiers came upon the young Druid, Adam became a blur in motion and swung his sword with such force and quickness that the first few Morgs to come upon him were beheaded before they could either advance or defend themselves. The ferocity of Adam’s attack made the other Morgs stop in their footsteps, and even back down.

Eight of the enemy died at Adam’s hand in a mere ten seconds. Adam did not hesitate and leapt into the Morg hoard, sword swinging from side to side and cutting those within reach into shreds of Morg flesh.

Suddenly from behind, blue flashes of bright energy flew past Adam and into the Morg army, incinerating any Morg that was unfortunate enough to be in its path as Starwald came up behind the young Druid to aid in the battle. Adam continued to fight his way into their midst, not letting any enemy blade or thrust get near to him. As the blue flashes of power continued to fly by, the Morgs were now beginning to retreat. Fully a third of their number lay dead in the street. But before they could form an organized retreat, Brun, Captain Williams, and his men were upon them, laying waste to their attempt at a defensive stand. Even Lendussa, with his short sword, pounced upon the...