The Saviors: Locmire's Quest Book Two
A Tales from Calencia Novel
Brian Hutchinson
Copyright Brian Hutchinson 2013
The Saviors
Locmire's Quest: Book Two
A Tales from Calencia Novel
Copyright © 2013 Brian Hutchinson
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976.
e-book ISBN: 978-0-9913241-6-3
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, place, dialogue, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to any persons, either living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Acknowledgments:
First and foremost I want to thank God for giving me my creative ability, as well as everything else he has so graciously blessed me with in life. Without him, I would be lost.
To my family: Thank you for your never ending support. Emily, you are still my rock, showing excitement and encouragement every step of the way. I am a blessed man.
To my editor: Christina Cantrell, you will never know how appreciated you are. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to my project.
To my cover artist: Johan Jaeger, your work is amazing. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I am privileged to have gotten the opportunity to work with you. You can find Johan at: https://www.deviantart.com/browse/all/?section=&global=1&q=johanjaeger or https://www.facebook.com/JJsArtDump
To my beta readers: Deanna and Melissa. Thank you for your hard work, excitement, and dedication.
RS4L
This book is dedicated to everyone who helped make the first book, and the second, possible.
Emily, Christina, Johan, Gregory, Sean, Deanna, Caleb, Melissa, Chris.
Chapter 1
Ambushed
A day's time passed since Thaddeus and the others departed Dysut the Fuan's cabin. They traveled in the forest between the Dead Lands and the main road leading into Dead Marsh. The terrain was rough, but nothing the fit warriors could not handle. Many small hills, downed trees, and low lying mountain ridges lay before them, but they made good time.
They had not crossed paths with any of Hasbarie's forces since the battle at the cabin, and for this, they considered themselves lucky.
The trip was rather peaceful. The group put their differences behind them and were getting along better. Even Rasmere and Azonis became cordial with one another once more.
I can deal with cordial, but how long will it last? Thaddeus wondered.
The King often found his mind wandering to Lot, the brother he never knew of, and the Wizard, Locmire. He had no more visions or feelings, the special bond the twin brothers shared, alerting him to the circumstances concerning Lot, and this worried him. Little did he know, at this exact moment, Lot and the others were traversing the dangerous underground dwelling of the ancient Dainties.
"How much longer till we reach Dead Marsh?" River asked.
"We are not going all the way to Dead Marsh," Thaddeus said, raising his eyebrows, looking upward. "If all goes well . . . tomorrow or the next day." Hopefully.
Rasmere Elmidas, Sword of the Sestian, called out to her, "Why do you ask, River? Surely you mustn't be tired. Caleb, on the other hand, I am not so sure about. He must be close to exhaustion."
Caleb, the Shifter from an unknown place called North Carolina, taking the shape of a lion, let out a loud roar directed at Rasmere.
"You are just jealous that he will not let you ride upon him," River answered as she ran her fingers through Caleb's golden mane. I like it when Rasmere is sociable. He should speak more often.
Azonis quickened his pace to catch up with Thaddeus, who kept several feet ahead of the others.
"I wonder how our kingdoms fare?" Azonis asked.
Thaddeus jerked his head around.
"As well as one could hope in such a situation." He relaxed a little. "Sebastian and Tontal are capable as leaders. We left our kingdoms in good hands."
"This all came on so sudden. It is hard to understand the extent of our situation. I look forward to speaking with the Wizard. It is my hope that he will be able to offer us more details concerning the prophecy," Azonis said.
"I do believe I have our quest figured out."
"Well then, enlighten me? I am quite interested," Azonis replied.
"We reform the Saviors, kill Hasbarie, and save Calencia," Thaddeus said with a smile. "Simple, is it not?"
Azonis, returning the grin, said, "I am glad you have this situation under control, King Graystone. When this is all said and done we should take a fortnight off from our duties. Maybe we could set up camp near Lake Ormavon. I hear the fishing there is the best in all of Calencia."
"Or a nice forest retreat would suit me well," Thaddeus said, looking around at the dense woods surrounding him. "On second thought, Lake Ormavon would be better. I have had my fill of the forest."
They traveled for quite some time without a hiccup in their path, but the inevitable occurred.
Thaddeus stared at the wide, violent river in front of them.
There is no way to cross. "Caleb," Thaddeus said as he eyed the river. "Can you fly us over?"
River climbed off of Caleb's back, and he shifted into his human form.
"I should be able to. You're the biggest of our group, and I have carried you through the air once before," Caleb replied. They will always call upon me when they need a ride or an area scouted. At least I am making myself useful.
"Good. Let us get to it then. I suggest you start with me," Thaddeus told him.
"You ready?" Caleb asked.
"Yes," Thaddeus replied, stretching his arms out to his side.
In an instant, Caleb transformed into the mighty eagle and wrapped his large talons around Thaddeus's arms. He hoisted the King into the air and released him from his grip on the opposite bank. He flew back over and took his natural form once more.
"Who's next?" he asked.
"I'll go," River said, stepping forward.
Caleb shifted again and within a few seconds, River stood next to Thaddeus.
"Next?" he asked, once again.
Azonis eased forward and said, "I will go, but you must be careful. I am not the best swimmer, and this armor would drag me to the bottom in an instant."
"Don't worry. If I drop you, I will turn into a fish and come to your rescue," Caleb said as he patted Azonis on the shoulder. But, by the sheen of sweat on the Sestian's forehead, chin, and cheeks, Caleb knew Azonis did not find comfort in his joke. "Don't worry. I will not let you go."
Thaddeus watched Caleb fly Azonis across. His eyes scanned the thick forest around them. As Azonis touched down, Thaddeus unsheathed his long swords.
"What's the matter?" River asked.
"Something is amiss. Caleb, get Rasmere across. Now!" King Graystone cried.
Caleb secured Rasmere in his grip. As he flew under the branch of a large oak extending halfway across the river, a net fell from the tree and engulfed them. Caleb, along with Rasmere, plummeted into the icy, rampaging, river.
"No!" River screamed as she ran to the bank. For an instant, she thought she saw a han
d jut forth from the water, but just for an instant.
From within the forest, a weighted net leapt out and swallowed River, pulling her to the ground. She kicked and wiggled, trying to free herself, but all the flailing about further tangled her arms and legs into the net. River stopped fighting. Her imagination ran wild upon hearing the strange sounds resonating from the forest behind her. Azonis came to her aid and slashed at the net with his golden long sword.
Where is Thaddeus? River cringed each time Azonis swung his sword. Why is he not helping me?
When Azonis freed her, she understood the reason Thaddeus had not come to her aid. The King stood covered in blood, but not of his own. On the ground around them lay fifty, or more, small, hideous creatures. Tiny wooden spears and cudgels lay scattered about the dead. The net had entangled her for a short time, and for there to be so many bodies, they must have all emerged from the forest at once to meet the hungry edges of Thaddeus's long swords.
"Are you hurt?" Azonis asked, but he already knew the answer. The Sestian drew a deep breath through his nose and let out a quiet exhale.
"No. I am fine." River stood and dusted herself off. She bent over and picked up her staff. "What are those creatures?" she asked.
"They are Hoggins," Azonis replied. He walked over to one of their lifeless bodies and rolled it over onto its back with his boot. Just as ugly as I remember. I never thought I would see another one of these in my lifetime.
"What of Caleb and Rasmere?" River asked.
Thaddeus stood next to them. "The river swept them downstream. We need to search for them." Hopefully we find them alive and not floating face down.
They only took a few steps when a rock leapt out of the forest and struck River in the head. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she collapsed on the ground.
Azonis fell to his knees and inspected her.
"She is alive, but unconscious," Azonis said. Blood oozed down her head, saturating her golden blonde hair. She is lucky it was not a spear.
"Show yourselves!" Thaddeus yelled, whirling around in search of River's attacker.
"The vile little creatures will not make themselves known until they feel they have the advantage," Azonis said as he surveyed the surrounding woods.
"We must come up with a plan. River is in no shape to travel, and Caleb and Rasmere are lost down river," Thaddeus said.
"I will stay here and protect River. Go find them!"
"Are you certain?" Thaddeus asked. "Do you think it wise for us to separate?"
"The Hoggins are vicious and have a craving for Engenium flesh. I fear that Caleb and Rasmere have little time if the Hoggins get their grubby mitts on them. I am capable of defending River by myself. You need to find the others!"
"Very well."
King Graystone gathered his weapons and jogged off alongside the river.
"Thaddeus."
Thaddeus turned back. "Yes?"
"Be very cautious. What the Hoggins lack in size, they make up for in numbers. They are cunning and ruthless. Do not let your guard down."
Thaddeus gave him a nod and continued his search.
King Graystone followed the river for almost a league when things took a turn for the worse. He came to a dead end where the water rushed of a hundred-foot cliff. He was uncertain, but fairly sure, his companions had not escaped the river's clutches up to this point. Thaddeus feared the worst as he looked over the edge of the waterfall and set his gaze upon the multitude of jagged rocks at the bottom.
Quite a drop.
Thaddeus looked around and found a small path beside the cliff leading straight down to the bottom. As he descended, sliding down the steep path, it soon became apparent neither he nor his companions, if they were still alive, would come back this way.