The Lords of Valdeon Read Free Page A

anxious to die?
    A single arrow flew from the wall, striking the ground beside his boot. Laughter, coarse and proud, filled the bogs. This last act of defiance was no surprise. From the moment a ranger put the ‘Heart of the Warrior’ ring upon his finger, the Jalora took control of his mind. It was a parasite living off the ranger’s life force, sharing his blood within the crystal mounted upon bands of silver. As a child, Julian had been fascinated by the carnivorous appetite of the crystal. He remembered watching in awe as the host’s blood filled its stony stomach. Sickened with disgust, his gaze fell to the ring upon his own finger. The Sarcion demanded no such sacrifice. It was a partner to its host. He smoothed his finger tip along the surface of the black stone. Of course, it did have its own needs.
    "Hell awaits all of you!" Julian raised his hand and sliced it down again.
    Nine dark figures, shrouded in midnight robes, poured from the rotting trees and tall grass of the marsh. They moved like wraiths toward him. Their passing made no sound, and their feet left no prints. Sniffing the air as one, the creatures caught their quarry's scent. Their blood-stained teeth began to chatter. A nerve-shattering caterwaul emanated from deep inside their billowing forms. They were the Sarcion's advanced guard and special assassin squad. Those unlucky souls who had heard their terrible song called them the Dirge.
    They stopped beside Julian, tense with anticipation and hungry for his command to take the fortress. He watched them, feeding on their savage hatred. They had been men once. The Sarcion had changed them into instruments of death, bound forever to its will.
    The man who joins the Lion Ring and the Sarcion Ring will rule not just Valdeon, but all of Andara! The Sarcion whispered within Julian's mind, sending the euphoria pulsing into his body. It was a drug akin to the deepest gratification. The words — as they always had — gave him the courage to push on. For two years, he had patiently orchestrated his rise to power. He had eliminated any competition for the throne of Valdeon. Then the long hunt for Leo had begun. The final element for his victory was at hand.
    "I will restore the glory of Valdeon!" Julian breathed in deeply the sensation of his invincibility. "My armies will force all of Andara to cower at my feet!"
    Pushing his hunger down, he steadied his emotions. A cool head would see victory this day, not reckless desire. He turned to the Dirge, forcing his gaze to remain fixed on the lifeless orbs hidden deep inside their hooded shrouds.
    "Take the fortress. Leave my father alive. I want to see him in his defeat."
    The Dirge swept toward the walls, effortlessly dodging the volley of arrows showering down upon them. Agile like predator cats, their movements were quick and sure. Nightmarish forms disappeared and reappeared too quickly to anticipate. They were untouchable. Death's song intruded upon the silence of the marsh. Screams of anguish rose up as the Dirge melted into the gaps of the wall. It was feeding time.
    "They move like phantoms," Julian whispered to the Sarcion.
    Yes, aren’t they beautiful? The Sarcion vibrated with pleasure upon Julian’s finger. Its bloodlust never seemed to be sated.
    The lifeless bodies of the defenders flew over the walls, landing with a sickening crunch upon the crumbled stone. Julian kicked the nearest corpse over. Three slash marks crossed the man's left forearm. He was one of Leo's "Lion Friends." There would be no pleadings for mercy in this battle. In their fanaticism to protect the old ranger, they recklessly threw down their lives for his honor. Julian stood away from the zealot. He didn't recognize the man. Leo had many such nameless worshippers.
    Death's music had stopped. It was silent again upon the marsh. Julian followed the slippery stone toward a large, barricaded opening. The wet wood was easily pushed aside now that no one was left to hold the bracings.