The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two Read online

  Glammdreing showed no reaction to the blade that was inches from his throat, and said, “Now that is more like it.” Then, before Dathian could react, Glammdreing spun around and once again took the prince to the ground. “You still have much to learn, but it’s a good start.” He then turned around, once more showing his back to the prince and said, “AGAIN!”

  The two dueled all through the day and into the night. Glammdreing taught the inexperienced prince all that he knew in the way of battle. It wasn’t until Dathian could barely make it to his feet out of exhaustion that he decided to stop.

  “That is enough for one day,” said Glammdreing, showing no signs of tiring. “You will get more experienced as we make our way to the capital of Kain. Rest well tonight, for tomorrow we are mustering the Golden Army, and preparing for our journey to the city on the water. We will be leaving in no more than three days.”

  Dathian tried to catch his breath as he watched him walk away. Even though he was exhausted, he couldn’t wait to meet up with Savannah and tell her about his tutelage with the great warrior Angel. He slowly picked himself up and tiredly walked back to their dwelling, unaware of Savannah’s meeting with Teeca and her newly gifted responsibility and power.

  Just as Dathian was approaching their dwelling, he saw that she was already waiting for him. As he got closer, he saw her as he has never seen her before. There was an immense sense of confidence bestowed on her face. She was calm, and warming in her demeanor.

  Dathian just examined her for a moment, before saying, “Something is different about you? You seem so… so… not you.”

  “I am not the same anymore,” replied Savannah, “I have so much to tell you!”

  Turning his attention back to himself, Dathian replied with, “Me too! I spent the whole day with the warrior Angel training for the upcoming battle. He gave me this sword and everything.” Dathian pulled his new sword from its sheath, and held it out in front of Savannah. She was speechless as she gazed upon the untouched sword.

  “Wow, that’s amazing!” she said as she slid her fingers up and down the blade.

  “Oh, sorry, you were going to say something before, so… why are you different?”

  Savannah took a moment before she raised her hand up to reveal the new gem that rested on her middle finger.

  “Teeca has entrusted me with the Ring of Life, and has asked me to help her protect the Great Forest while you and the others are away at war.”

  Dathian’s smile faded as he said, “Stay here? You’re… you’re not coming with me?”

  Savannah took her hands and gently placed them on his face, then leaned in and kissed him with delicacy.

  Pulling back, she looked deep into his eyes, and said, “Once the battle is over, we will be reunited once again. Go, my prince, take back our homeland.”

  As she said this, leaves and rose pedals started to swirl around them. All worry left his mind, and he was entranced by her beauty and newfound confidence and power. He then grabbed her by the hips and pulled her into him, then met her lips in passion, no longer feeling the strain of tiredness. Very little sleep visited the teens that night as they shared one last evening of passion.

  CHAPTER 3

  ATTACK ON GREENGLEN

  The Dragonkin have not sat idle in their newly claimed fortress of Menethiel. Bargokk has left for Drokkin in search for the entrance to the Krocklin’s domain to bribe them for their aid in claiming the Melentine Mines, since their many attempts to enter have failed. After the fall of the capital, Calthrog sent word back to his fortress in Drokkin to send more warriors and drakes to their aid. The rock trolls that are charged with opening and closing Drokkin’s massive gates also traveled to the fallen capital. He requested that engineers bring iron and wood to enhance their defenses on the wall, and in the city itself. He sent drakes to carry the supplies to avoid any ambush along the way. They flew over the Razor Hills to stay out of sight of the Kain and the city of Riverton. They fortified the wall and main gate with tall iron spikes and watch towers, sealing off the rest, making it the only way into the city.

  Calthrog mostly resides in the Throne Room, and spends most of his time reading over old maps of the northern territories, gaining the much-needed intelligence to overtake the surrounding villages before turning south. He was starting to doubt his decision in taking the capital and declaring war against the Kain, for he was worried about the retaliation that might come from the White Queen and her Golden Army. He raced to claim the northern territory to solidify his hold in case she attacked.

  As Calthrog was reading over the maps, he heard the door to the Throne Room open, and two members of the Dragonkin entered. They are Krin and Krog, Calthrog’s two most trusted Captains. The two are twins, although they do not share the same appearance. Krin is tall and slender, and Krog is short and stout. Krin is the leader of the Firedrake Army, and Krog is the leader of the Irondrake Army.

  As they entered, Krin spoke, “You summoned us my Lord?”

  “Yes,” replied Calthrog as he turned his attention to them, “I have summoned you so that we may start our attack on the southern villages.”

  Krog smiled as he said, “It is about time, my Lord. We grow restless in the fallen city, and we are ready to claim the villages of Kain for the Dragonkin!”

  “I admire your enthusiasm Captain,” replied Calthrog. “We need to move quickly to establish our presence in the north permanently. I have already sent for the engineers to begin construction on concentration camps to house the captured Kain.”

  Krin looked puzzled as he replied, “Camps? Why would we keep them alive? Are we not to destroy every Kain we can? Why keep them alive?”

  “Because,” replied Calthrog, “we need them alive so that they can construct our new homeland. Why kill them when we can use them as labor?”

  Krin and Krog smiled in agreement with the General.

  “Muster your charges, for you will be leaving the capital as soon as possible. I have divided the northern territory between the two of you. Krog, you will take a charge of Irondrakes and soldiers to the villages in the west. Krin, you will take a charge of Firedrakes and soldiers to the south. As you capture each village, send the prisoners to the concentration camps being built outside the southern gates. Krin, you are not to stop until you reach Riverton. At that time, send for me, and I will aid you in taking the southern stronghold.”

  Calthrog gave each of them maps of the surrounding areas, and outlined where they were to attack first. After they discussed their strategies, they left to prepare their charges for departure. After they were gone, Calthrog walked over to the throne and sat down, deep in thought. The disappearance of the Shade has not left his mind, and he worries that Archimus was not going to return. The army of undead was a burden to the rest of the Dragonkin in the fallen capital. They desired above all else fresh meat, and would take whatever they could get, even if it meant turning on them. They had to seek out game from outside the city to keep the undead full and content. Calthrog then got up and walked outside the Throne Room onto the terrace overlooking the city. As he gazed south of the wall, he could see the concentration camps nearing completion. A renewed sense of hope filled him as he reassured himself of the legitimacy of his actions.

  Krin and Krog set out to their designated areas to attack. One by one, they overtook the smaller surrounding villages and settlements, sending the newly captured prisoners to the camps. Some Kain fought back, but were slain and left in their fields to rot. The ones who didn’t were shackled and chained. In a long line, they were escorted to the camps. Once they arrived, they were placed inside as their shackles were then removed. They were given little food, and overcrowding soon became a problem as more and more arrived. If they obeyed the orders of the Dragonkin, they were left well enough alone, but if they resisted in any way, they were executed in front of the rest of the prisoners as a display of fear. After each village was claimed, the Captains would then set fire to the homes and fortifications. It di
dn’t take long before several plumes of smoke could be seen over the open fields of the Fertile Valley.

  We now travel south to the large village of Greenglen. The village is known for its large surrounding farms of alfalfa and grass and is the main producer of hay. The quaint village is surrounded by a wall of wooden pikes with three gates. Mostly farmers and tradesmen reside in Greenglen, leading modest lives in their simple homes built of wood and clay. They have no army, and what police they do have is nothing more than townsfolk with blunt blades, and no armor. The leader is a middle-aged man named Baron, who has a wife, Abigale, and teenage son, Ethan, as well as two younger children. Ethan is eighteen years old with a strong build. He is a handsome boy of average height, with short black hair and green eyes, but has no girlfriend. He gives all his attention to his father, helping him run the city with his mother. Baron looks after the expenses of the village and oversees their exports. Abigale looks after the matters within the village and controls its finances and development. Ethan took it upon himself to be the head of security.

  It has weeks since the Dragonkin attacked, and the village of Greenglen was on the lookout for attackers from the capital. They knew about the attack from a survived famer that was making his monthly delivery of hay to Menethiel. His caravan was attacked as it approached the fallen city, but the farmer was able to escape back to the village alive. He told Baron of what had happened, and said that the capital was in ruin from the Dragonkin. Baron didn’t waste any time in preparing the village for an attack. He stationed every able-bodied man he could around the wall of the village. They wield bows used for hunting and inadequately sufficient blades they’ve acquired through various trades.

  The sun has only been revealed for an hour, as eighteen-year-old Ethan sits outside the northernmost gate. His dully sharpened sword rests against the wooden wall next to him as he sits on an old wine barrel. He holds an old dagger in his right hand, and a half carven wooden horse in his left. He carefully chips away at the wood, skillfully chiseling the horse’s mane. The toy intended for his baby sister acts more as a distraction as he watches the northern skyline in search of attacking Dragonkin.

  A sixteen-year-old girl of average appearance walks up from behind, and says, “You look like you’re having a lot of fun.”

  Slightly startled, Ethan turned around and replied, “Jessabelle, you scared me.” He then picked up a small twig and tossed it at her.

  She laughed as she dodged it. “Have you even taken a break at all? You’ve been sitting here for days.”

  Ethan smiles as he puts the toy in a pocket inside his dark brown leather jacket. As he sheaths his dagger, he replies, “You know why I am out here.”

  Her smile fades as the undeniable realization of the situation at hand humbles her gleeful tone.

  She walks over to Ethan and says in a more serious tone, “Do you really think that the Dragonkin attacked the capital? Are we next?”

  Ethan turns to face Jessabelle, and says, “Father says that there was no lie in the farmer’s eyes. He sent scouts out a week ago, and they haven’t returned. I asked if I could go, but he forbade me to leave the village.”

  She smiled as she reached into one of the pockets of her plain and weathered dress, then pulled out some cornbread wrapped in a burlap cloth.

  “Here, I thought you might be hungry. I’m not as good of a cook as my mother, but, I didn’t burn it… too bad.”

  Ethan graciously takes the cornbread, and examines the extent of its burned bottom. He has known that Jessabelle was in love with him for quite some time, though the feelings weren’t mutual.

  Although the cornbread clearly looked unappetizing, he politely took it and said, “Thanks, I’m not hungry right now, but I will save it for later.”

  She blushed once she realized that he was only being polite. There is a moment of awkward silence before she finally says, “Ethan, there was something I wanted to ask you.”

  Ethan half smiled as he replied, “Yes? What is it?”

  Jessabelle looks at her feet as she tries to find the courage to say her next words. Just as she was about to speak, she is interrupted by a loud screeching sound from the north. Neither one of the teens have ever heard that sound before, and it startles them as they turn to face its direction.

  “What was that?” asked Jessabelle.

  Ethan said nothing as he stared in the direction of the screech. Just as he was about to answer, they heard another… and then they saw it. Several miles away, a faint and hazy looking cluster of outlines can be seen. Ethan concentrated on the growing cloud until he could make out the subtle movement of wings.

  “It’s them! It’s the Dragonkin!” screamed Jessabelle as she grabbed onto the back of Ethan’s shoulders.

  He turned around and said with urgency, “You need to leave, go home and get your family down to your cellar! I have to warn my father!” Jessabelle hesitated as Ethan yelled, “GO!”

  The young frightened girl felt a fear that she has never felt before as she stumbled and ran back towards her home yelling, “They are coming! They are coming!”

  The villagers appear apprehensive of the girl’s warnings, and look at each other in confusion. Ethan quickly climbed up a ladder on the wall where there is a small platform with a large rusted bell, which is connected to several others all along the wall. As Ethan pulled hard on the rope, the bell rang loudly, causing the other bells along the wall to ring in sequence. He then rushed back down the ladder as the growing cloud of faraway drakes grow larger. The ringing of the bells confirmed the girl’s pleas as the townsfolk stopped what they were doing, and ran back to their homes. The men ran to grab the first weapon they could find, whether it be a pitchfork or an ax. Ethan ran through the village center to the community room and threw open the doors. Baron turned around to see his son standing in the doorway trying to catch his breath.

  “They are coming!” he yelled.

  Baron said nothing as he looked upon his fear stricken son.

  A few moments later, he said, “Send word to the men outside the wall that we are about to be attacked!”

  “I already sounded the bells,” said Ethan as he turned and ran back to the wall to give further instruction to the men.

  Baron turned to his wife, Ethan’s mother, Abigale, and said, “I need you to go hide in the cellar under our house.”

  “No,” replied Abigale as she grabbed Baron’s wrist, “where you go, I go. I am not going to leave you and my son to die alone!”

  Baron grabbed her hand and said, “We are not going to die today, I promise you that. You mean more to me than anything in this world, and I cannot protect us if I am worried about your safety. Go, get the children and head for the cellar. I promise I will return for you shortly.”

  Abigale reluctantly obeyed and left the community room for their two youngest children, before heading to the cellar. Baron left to meet his son outside the village. As he reached him, he stopped and looked in the direction of his frozen gaze. He witnessed numerous drakes carrying Dragonkin soldiers flying towards the village.

  “They’re going to kill us all!” yelled a nearby farmer-turned-soldier in panic.

  “Calm yourself!” demanded Baron. “They will not take us this day. I do not know why they have decided to declare war on the Kain, but we will NOT allow them to destroy our homes and way of life!”

  “My father is right,” replied Ethan as he drew his poor man’s sword from its hilt, “we are not going to allow them to do anything but die! Are you with us or not?!”

  The surrounding farmers forced a sliver of courage to enter their hearts as they raised their makeshift weapons in the air. They watched in fear as the Dragonkin battalion approached the village. They struggled to keep their composure as the thundering sound of wings flapping grew louder with each second. Captain Krin was the first to arrive as he landed his drake only meters in front of Baron and his son. The wind from the landing drake’s wings caused the men to wince as Baron stood proud and st
rong alongside his son. As the rest of the Dragonkin landed, a nearby farmer clumsily released an arrow at Krin, but it flew past him, and instead, hit the drake behind him, bouncing off its thick hide. Krin laughed as he grabbed a spear from a nearby soldier and threw it into the heart of the farmer, dropping him dead. Ethan watched the man he knew most his life fall as Baron continued to stare at the Captain. Krin then turned his attention to the leader of Greenglen.

  “There is no use in fighting us Kain, for we outnumber you three to one. Do not worry, for we are not here to kill you if you cooperate.”

  “You do not scare us,” yelled Ethan as his father placed an arm in front of him.

  “No son,” said Baron, “just stay behind me.” He turned his attention back to Krin and said, “My name is Baron, and I am the leader of this charge. We do not wish for there to be bloodshed here today. Allow me to invite you into our village so that we may talk.”

  Krin studied the man before saying, “Very well then, after you.”

  Krin followed Baron as he led them to the center of the village. The Dragonkin soldiers dismounted their drakes and followed their Captain. After their masters dismounted, the Firedrakes took flight and spread out around the village to stand guard. As Baron arrived at the center of the village, with his men behind him, he stopped and turned to the Captain.

  “What are your intentions… I’m sorry… I did not get your name?”

  “My name is Krin, and I am the leader of the great Firedrake Army. My master Calthrog sent me to offer you immunity in return for your cooperation. You and your people will remain unharmed as long as you obey your ‘new’ master. You will be well taken care of within the camps. We will need your help in building our new homes, and you will be the ones to build them. In time, the rest of our people with cross the Razor Hills and leave behind their lives scattered amongst the rocks, and finally live in a place where the ground yields more than just withered roots. In return for your service to the Dragonkin, you will be allowed to keep your lives, and eventually return to your homes. Our leader is a gracious master, and his word is his bond.”