Chapter Two

This is when Kerowyne's two helpers are awakened. They will wake from a magical sleep brought on by the swords power. You also will get a look at to of the villains that work together in the book.

STONES BREAK AND SLEEPERS AWAKE

(1st Draft)

 

Rikkin

 

 

The clouds rolled in over the mountain peaks of FondÛra. The mountains could feel the static electricity in the air. Trees shifted and animals ran for cover, hoping to be safe from the blast. The animal presence ceased at the moment a lightning bolt ripped through the sky striking a boulder in half along the mountains service. Moments later lightning struck again breaking apart another boulder.

 

Rikkin was awake as was his brother. He didn’t sense any movement of  life nearby. That’s when he stood up from the rubble of the mountain’s destroyed cliff. He looked around taking in his surroundings. He was admiring an old oak when he saw motion off to his left. “A little help, brother, would be greatly appreciated,” said RoÛlle.

 

“Sorry, RoÛlle, thought you could handle those little rocks,” retorted Rikkin.

 

“Shut up and get me out of here,” growled RoÛlle.

 

Rikkin held out his hand to his brother. RoÛlle grabbed hold and Rikkin pulled him onto his feet in one pull. “Well, for having a mountain fall on you, you don’t look so bad,” he said.

 

“I could say the same to you,” RoÛlle said with a smile. “So, what year do you think it is?”

 

“Hmm…” Rikkin bent down and picked up a handful of dirt. He slowly let it run through his fingers with his eyes closed.

 

He delved deep into the earth’s crust with his mind, looking for the signs of the earth’s consciousness. While he looked he could feel the movement of his brother on the surface along with animals scurrying for safety from the storm. He felt the pain of man and plants pounding on his temples. The land was in turmoil. Rikkin finally decided he had enough so he broke his mind connection with the earth.

 

“Well,” RoÛlle asked, “how many damn years have we been imprisoned in those rocks.”

 

“Watch your tone brother,” Rikkin snapped. “You know as well as I do that we had a purpose to be bound by magic into the rocks?”

 

“I know,” RoÛlle said. “Just a little cranky. It feels like forever, since I got to stretch my legs.”

 

“Actually, it has been about three thousand years since we stretched our legs,” said Rikkin.

 

Rikkin looked at his brother and he could see the shock on his face. He always found it amusing how he would let his face show the gears turning in his head. “RoÛlle, the land has told many things,” he began. “If it tells me right, things are meek. The land has lost hope as have the men throughout the kingdoms. The elves hide behind their walls shunning everyone outside. The dwarves have disappeared into their mountains. Men have become vengeful and war hungry.

 

Everything that once brought peace has been destroyed.”

 

“So, you’re saying things are going to be harder than what her majesty planned?” RoÛlle asked.

 

“Yes,” Rikkin said. “But, there is a sign of hope in the wind. Her majesty has chosen her heir, and all we have to do is keep her alive. That is till she is ready for her destiny.”

 

“Hmm…guess the sword called us awake,” RoÛlle said. He was facing the oak tree his brother was admiring moments before. “I wonder if he was called awake also.”

 

“We will worry about that when we have to, brother,” Rikkin said. “Till then we have an army to build and a Queen to train. She won’t be able to face him till she masters that sword.”

 

“Right, so what will be our first step of action?” RoÛlle said with a devilish grin.

 

“We separate,” he began. “I will go to the girl. You will follow the trees to Monk Shogun. I have a feeling we are going to need his help with this one.”

 

“You know he won’t come willingly,” RoÛlle said. “He hasn’t been himself since Zeima passed.”

 

“I know but he will come,” Rikkin said. “He isn’t so naïve to give up a chance at revenge.”

 

“Must I really use that card, brother?” RoÛlle whined.

 

“You will do whatever is needed to get him to fight,” Rikkin growled. “This is no time to be soft, brother. This is war.”

 

“Oh, very well. I will do it,” said RoÛlle. “I will get you your monk. Is there anything else you wish me to do?”

 

“Yes, I have a feeling the King will be a handful,” Rikkin began. “After you get Shogun, I want you to watch the King, make sure he doesn’t do something stupid.”

 

“Right, gotcha,” RoÛlle said with a smile. “Keep a stubborn king out of trouble.”

 

Rikkin found himself rolling his eyes. He always has to make everything a joke, he thought. That must be the reason why women always flaunt over him. Well, let’s hope they’re a little smarter in this time period.

 

“Well, brother, I will be in touch,” RoÛlle replied. Rikkin watched as his brother turned into a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, a black bird was in his place. The bird squawked then burst into the sky. Rikkin watched him till he disappeared from his sight. “Good luck, little brother,” he said softly.

 

With that matter taken care of, he turned around to gather a few belongings from the rubble. He rolled his muscular shoulders to get the stiffness out of them. Then he began his journey down the mountainside. He was making sure to take his time so he got a chance to enjoy the scenery. I’ll get there when I get there, he thought. But, the little princess better be ready, because everything is about to change.

 

He put a smile on his face and listened to the rain fall and birds chirp. “It feels good to be awake,” he said. Rikkin whistled a tune and made a rainy day a great day for a walk.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

RoÛlle

 

 

The wind was rough for flying. He found himself fighting to get any headway among the clouds. Guess I should have chosen a different travel method, RoÛlle thought. Bet Rikkin’s down there enjoying his walk and laughing at me.

 

Just as he was about to take a rest, the clouds parted and the rain stopped. “Thank the gods, at least someone is on my side today,” he said.

 

He was fortunate to catch a ride on a warm breeze. He glided for several moments as he opened his mind to his surroundings. RoÛlle delved deep into the self-consciousness of the forest beneath him, looking for any signs of the man he sought. It only took him a few seconds to find a bunny that knew the monk. Luckily for him it agreed to lead him to his home.

 

RoÛlle was expecting it to be a long journey. It came as a complete surprise after what seemed like only one candle mark he found himself perched on a rock outside the monk’s hut. He took in the scenery of the place. There was a garden, mostly with disgusting vegetables.  RoÛlle noticed there was also a stream that ran next to the hut and down into the nearby valley. Hmm…this place isn’t so bad I suppose, RoÛlle thought. Just subtract the damn vegetables and I could live here too.

 

He waited a few moments to rest himself from the flight. RoÛlle didn’t see any hurry to go barging in on the monk with bad news just yet. Besides, the bizarre bunny told him it was the monk’s meditation time.

 

RoÛlle sunned himself for what seemed like forever. He finally decided it was long enough to wait. So, he morphed himself back into his usually charming and handsome self. “That’s more like it,” he chided. “Unfortunately, there isn’t an audience…hmmm.”

 

He straightened his cloak and walked to the door of the hunt. RoÛlle tapped the door three times and waited. No one came. He stood there a few more minutes before he started to get irritated. “Hey, monk, you in there?” RoÛlle yelled.

No one replied. “Damn that fool,” he growled. “Who does he think he is? King monk or something you lazy good for nothing…”

 

“May I help you, RoÛlle,” came the monk.

 

“How did you…,” he began.

 

“How did I know it was you?” chided the monk. “Let us see, how about your voice. It hasn’t changed much after all these years, even after you were changed into stone.”

 

“Hmm…guess your memory hasn’t fogged with you hiding up in these hills,” he said. “Where exactly are we?”

 

“We are north of the festering woods,” said the monk. “We are in the hills of Shurra, the place where the magical beasts call home.”

 

Hmm…thought there was something strange about that bunny, he thought.

 

“Why have you come?” asked the monk.

 

RoÛlle had to step back to allow him to exit the hut. He hadn’t changed a bit since the last time RoÛlle saw him. Shogun was still muscular and thin. Even his hair managed to be brown with no traces of grey. The only difference was the eyes. Last time RoÛlle saw them they were full of fight and vigor. Now when he looked into Shogun’s eyes all he saw was pain and sorrow.

 

“Glad to see you haven’t changed too much,” he said. “You still walk around in those same white cloak and trousers. The only difference is the saying on the back.”

 

“The dead will have their day,” Shogun stated. “That is what the saying is. Now why are you here, swordmaster?”

RoÛlle decided to get to the point. He figures Shogun knew why he was here, so it was best to get it over with. “The heir has been chosen,” he stated. “She needs your help to fulfill her destiny. Karigan wanted you to have a hand in helping her.”

 

“My day of listening to Queens and Kings is over,” Shogun snapped. “I have no reason to fight this war. That is your purpose not mine.” Shogun turned and stalked back to his hut. He was about to slam the door when RoÛlle played his only card.

 

“Filthas Dengotta,” he said.

 

Shogun turned around with his eyes blazing with hate. “Don’t ever speak that traitors name in my presence,” Shogun yelled. “I swear to the gods I’ll strike you down where you stand.”

 

RoÛlle put his hands up in surrender. “There is no reason to get hostile, Shogun,” he began. “I just thought maybe you would change your mind. If you knew that he has awoken. Not that you are interested in revenge or anything. Just thought maybe you would want to settle things between the two of you for Zeima’s sake. After all, she wouldn’t be dead if it wasn’t for him and Makias.”

 

RoÛlle knew he hit a nerve by the look on Shogun’s face. He could see every thought flashing over his eyes. I have a feeling he is reliving that day, he thought. I wonder if Rikkin is thinking straight, when it comes to the monk. It seems more like a probably ready to blow than anything.

 

“Fine,” Shogun said. “I will join the two of you, and this so-called Queen. But I want to get this straight. I don’t fight because of her or any of you, it is all for Zeima.”

 

“Sounds like a plan,” he said. “Take the night to prepare; I will have to contact my brother to see our next move.”

“Very well,” Shogun said. “I will prepare a bed for you tonight.”

 

Shogun turned and went back inside the hut. RoÛlle found himself wondering if he should inform his brother now or later. But, the idea of a bed sounded nice after three thousand years of being in a rock. Hmm…bed first, he decided. Rikkin second, after all what could be wrong with waiting. He wouldn’t want me to slack on my own beauty sleep.

 

RoÛlle smiled and had to fight himself from skipping to his bed. It didn’t even phase him seeing the monk over on his knees in prayer by the altar. He just laid his head down and fell into blissful dreams.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Marthred

 

 

He stood outside the cave entrance. Captain Koga stood at his side with several of his guards watching for trouble. “My lord, I don’t think it is safe for you here,” Koga stated. “We never know when those golems will attack.”

 

“Only a few more moments’ captain,” he said. “He is awaking as we speak.”

 

Marthred saw the other guards looking at each other hesitant. He knew if given the chance they would all abandon him. Fortunately for him magic was on his side, along with a powerful god. So, not even these men were stupid enough to challenge a god’s authority. While he was sizing up his men, he heard footsteps coming from the cave’s entrance.

 

Out of the darkness came a man, if you could call him that. The truth was he hadn’t been a man for over three thousand years. But, he was going to be the most powerful weapon Marthred had next to the gods’.

 

“She has returned,” Filthas said.

 

“Yes,” Marthred replied. “Now you will have your chance to avenge the wrong she placed on you. Not even she knew what powerful being you would become till it was too late.”

 

Filthas looked him right in the eyes and Marthred saw the sunken cheek bones, the black eyes, the look of death all in his face. “I suggest, mage, you watch yourself,” he sneered. “One touch is all it will take for my curse to become yours also. The only difference is I will still live and you will die.”

 

“I know exactly of your curse,” Marthred said with a smile. “That is exactly why I am here. I want your help with this war that I’m starting. In exchange I’ll give you the Silver Ryder’s head on a platter.”

 

Marthred watched a lipless smile grow across Filthas bare teeth. He knew then the Death Ryder was officially his to command. “Best we get moving,” Marthred said. “The golems will only stay away for so long.”

 

“No worries,” Filthas sneered. “They won’t touch you as long as you’re with me. Besides they are good eating when smoked.”

 

Marthred highly doubted that. But, from the look on his men’s faces it was better to leave this subject alone.

They started down the path to the ground as Marthred reveled in his accomplishment and pondered his next step to victory. Get ready, Tarzinëa, he thought with glee. I’m coming for you.

 

Author's Note

I am looking for any criticism, mostly grammar and dialogue. Please and thank you. Again, this is only the first draft and your reviews will help with the second.