This week I have a post that is less
theological and more Age of Ornan/Domus-Lux focused. I just wanted to let you
folks know that the book is now in the design phase of publishing which is one
of the later stages. This has me and hopefully those who have already read it
excited!
I also would like to announce that I am
working on my fourth book. This one is also set in Domus-Lux somewhere around
five thousand years before The Age of
Ornan. This one will be titled The
Mercenaries of Domus-Lux. Ironically this is the first story I ever created
for Domus-Lux. I actually began work on The
Age of Ornan first but it was set in another world that really was not
working for the story and so I transferred it over to Domus-Lux.
I would not encourage readers to get too
excited yet as I work full time with a lot of overtime and I only write when I can.
But I am pleased to announce that chapter one is complete and to give you folks
a good taste of the book I will include this chapter in the below for FREE!!!
I hope you enjoy, and in the meantime,
God bless and have a great day!
Warning! This Content is highly unedited. Errors
contained within are the result of being a first draft and is therefore only
slightly the result of a stupid author.
Mockery of said author due to his authorship or
absurd face is prohibited.
The Mercenaries of Domus-Lux
Chapter 1
A Waking of the Dark
The land of Osdoger, a place of wild, untamed, wilderness is a land
where brigands, thieves, mercenaries, and all sorts of unpleasant folk make
their dwelling. Osdoger with its vast forests, high cliffs and deep canyons
make the land unsuitable for commoners but a place most befitting the life of
those who wish to lay low or organize mischief if that is something one’s
occupation might require. Indeed Osdoger is such an unpleasant place that the
descent folk of Domus-Lux never pass through it intentionally. Even if it is
necessary to take a path through it they prefer to go north through Osgedy and
Osurisim or south through Osroddim or Osdod, even though these routs could
easily add weeks to ones traveling time.
The unfortunate towns situated near Osdoger are constantly plagued by
the villains that make their home there. Seeing that there is no king and the
governors of these cities are at best inept the people have learned that losing
possessions due to crime or fleeing their homes when word of bandit raids comes
round is just a way of life. Yet not all who wonder the paths of Osdoger are so
ill intended. On the western boarder of Osdoger one can find a quaint little
road. It leads into the pine forests and winds it’s way north and south but all
the while taking an eastward rout through a valley, with lower lands towards
the south and high cliff to the north. Then all at once the path turns
northward around that mountain and the path leads steady upward. If one were to
follow that path to is height they would discover that it would take them to
the very top of that cliff. They would also find atop the plateau a small
wooden fort, little more than a camp or outpost at the most, but to a man named
Saxon it is home.
Saxon of Osmocdrem was a mercenary, and while this seemed like an
unpleasant and even corrupt occupation for any decent person to hold decent was
quite the word to describe him. Saxon was a man who in former days was one of
high standing. And even though those days were past one could not tell it by
the way he bore himself. He stood taller than most in the land and he carried
himself high. He was a well-educated man for one who was a mercenary and he
preferred spending time in books as opposed to warfare. In fact Saxon found war
very distasteful, but you see this was the reason why he fought. He had been a
military man in his former life. He had fought wars and killed men, and
goblins. He found it all distasteful and decided that these problems would not
go away on their own. After the fall of Osmocdrem and the rise of powerful
bandits and brigands Saxon decided to wage war on these misfits and protect the
towns surrounding Osdoger. He only called himself a mercenary because that is
what the peoples from the surrounding towns labeled him. But they only bequeathed
that title upon the man because they were not sure what to call him exactly.
You see Saxon would come into a town that was struggling with brigands and
would drive away the enemy. He would never demand payment and would in fact
only accept it if he absolutely needed it to continue his work. While this
meant many lean years when he first began people started to learn that if they
paid Saxon then he spent less time raising support and more time protecting
them. Saxon’s kind and generous ways won the hearts of the people surrounding
Osdoger, and while raids were still a way of life for them the people had hope
that one day people like Saxon would rid them of their troubles.
At noon on a mid-summers day Saxon was about doing a daily survey of his
fort. Just a few evenings prior he and his men had fought off a band of
brigands and mercenaries who wanted to bring an end to the only opposition they
had faced in the last number of years. As he observed the escape rout of the
defeated bandits, which looked far more to him like a gaping hole in his wall,
he concluded that training could be skipped that day. After all what good would
better honed skills do them if they were completely open to attack? So Saxon
went inside where he found his small band of helpers. His ranks had risen and
fallen throughout the years but at this time in particular he was at his
lowest.
In the center of his fort where a few makeshift training dummies had
been set up Saxon found his warriors sparring each other. One of them in
particular was standing out from the others. He was a young man called Fadez.
He had been an orphan left on the streets. He used his natural speed and
athletic ability to do what he needed to survive and help out his fellow
orphans until the day he crossed the most powerful mercenary in the land,
Arbor. Rather than killing Fadez or giving him a thrashing Arbor saw the
potential in the lad and employed him. Fadez had made a name for himself over
the years and since Arbor had also discovered and trained Saxon, Fadez met his
future employer. Eventually Fadez left Arbor’s company and joined with Saxon
because it was clear to him that Saxon was out to help people, as opposed to
Arbor who had a rather lucrative business going.
Fadez, while a young man, was the most experienced in Saxon’s group. He
was easily distinguished from the others because of his skill and the fact that
he wore a cape and a plumed hat which certainly hid all appearance that he was
at one time a homeless orphan.
Saxon shook his head as he looked at two more of his men, brothers
called Miles and Taurus, who were locked in epic combat. Taurus rushed towards
Miles and took three wild swings at him with his axe. Miles took a step back
with each as if it were the simplest of maneuvers. With the last he stepped in
and slapped Taurus in the face. “Think Taurus! Think!” he shouted.
Taurus leapt towards him swinging down with his axe but Miles knocked it
aside with his halberd and kicked his brother in the shin. “Use your head!” he
commanded.
Taurus took another strike at Miles and this time as Miles blocked it
Taurus took another step in and smashed him with his oversized cranium. As
Miles fell to the ground Taurus laughed, “good idea!”
Though Miles and Taurus would defend each other to the death it was
difficult to tell it by the way they treated each other. Both of the zealous
youths were younger than Fadez and had very little experience in battle. Miles
had always wanted to be a soldier but could never bring himself to serve one of
the local governors or mayors because of their reputation for corruption.
Taurus on the other hand was more of a simple minded hunk of muscle who just
liked fighting because it was fun. Their town had been attacked when they were
children and Saxon had saved it. From that day forward they had determined that
they would join Saxon if they ever got the chance.
The last member of Saxon’s mercenaries was a girl named Luna. While she
never talked about her age to the others she seemed very young, almost
childlike in appearance yet she had been with Saxon’s group longer than the
others. Throughout the years she had not seemed to age a day, and while this
was strange to her comrades they figured that being a senior member she was not
to be questioned. Luna abhorred violence, and avoided battles as often as she
could. She preferred to cook and mend wounded warriors. She had done an amazing
job throughout the years in her work. Her food and medicine seemed to have a
magical quality about them. Just a sip of Luna’s soup could reinvigorate a
mercenary who trained the whole day and make them want to go out and do it
again. And Saxon’s wounded mercenaries always healed twice as fast as any of
their bandit enemies for which Saxon was grateful.
After observing his men practicing Saxon spoke up, “Very good,” he said,
“But I think we have more important matters to deal with today.”
When the mercenaries heard their commander they all jumped in line and
bowed low. “Yes sir!” they said, “What would you have us do sir!?” Miles asked.
“If you haven’t noticed there is a massive hole in the side of our
wall,” Saxon said, “If it is not repaired soon the bandits will return and we
might not be as blessed as we were before.”
“A brilliant idea sir!” Miles said, “May I suggest you send Taurus. He
works wonders with an axe.”
“Indeed he does,” Saxon agreed, “Taurus will be the muscle but we need
to send someone who will do most of the planning, and seeing that you were so
eager to volunteer your brother I suppose you will be equally eager to help him.”
“Aww man!” Taurus moaned.
“please, send me with anyone other than him!” Miles said.
“You heard the man!” Fadez laughed, “Hop to it!”
Reluctantly Miles and Taurus grabbed their axes and left towards the
woods. As soon as they were out of Saxon’s sight Miles pushed Taurus which
turned into a shoving match all the way to their destination.
Once the brothers had wondered deep into Osdoger Taurus asked, “Why
don’t I just cut one of those trees down.”
“Because their pine stupid!” Miles said, “That wood is as soft as your
head!”
“You didn’t act like it was so soft when I knocked you across creation
with it a while back.” Taurus said.
Miles was preparing to drop his axe and settle the argument with his
fist when there was a sudden feeling like they were being watched. “Who goes
there!?” Miles shouted.
Other than the wind rustling through the trees and birds chirping there
was no sound. Just as Miles was ready to forget it and blindside Taurus, from
the trees Luna bounded.
Miles and Taurus jumped, “Whoa!” Miles said, “Don’t startle us like
that!”
“What you doing here anyway?” Taurus asked, “You can’t use an axe!”
“Saxon sent me.” Luna said.
There was a long pause as the brothers expected a little clarification
on the subject but Luna seemed to think, as was common with her, that the less
information she gave the brothers the better. “So why did he send you?” Miles
asked.
“Because if I did not come then you two would never finish the job for
fighting.” She said as she drew out a flute and sat down to play.
The two stared at her with confused countenances for several minutes
before she frowned, “Get to work now.” She said, “I would rather be home doing
something other than babysitting you two.”
So Taurus turned about and raised his axe to take a chop at a tree that
Miles was not about to approve of when Luna stopped them. “What was that?” she
asked.
“What was what?” Miles asked having not heard a thing.
“Are you scared!?” Taurus laughed as he did a jig.
Suddenly there was a loud rustling that was loud enough for all three to
hear. “Taurus!” Miles said, “Ready your axe.”
“Taurus?” Luna called as there was no sign of the brother.
Miles looked back to see Taurus’ broad shoulders sticking out on both
sides of the tree he was formerly preparing to fell. “I can see you!” Miles
said and the shoulders turned sideways making his chest, back, and nose visible
instead.
Before Miles could scold Taurus further they heard screaming from down
the path. The three whirled around to see two small girls running up the path
with several green creatures behind them.
“Are those goblins?” Taurus asked.
“Nonsense!” Miles said, “they haven’t shown their faces in years!”
“Then what would you call them?” Luna asked.
The goblins charged ahead and shoved the two girls to the ground. One
raise his sword to slay them when the other stopped him, “No, no!” he shouted,
“Let’s torture them a little while!”
“Follow me! Charge!” Miles shouted and the three rushed the goblins.
The green creatures were caught off guard by the mercenaries and were
quickly slain.
“Who are you?” Taurus asked the girls, but before
they could answer they heard the sound of goblins shouting in the distance.
“Let’s get out of here.” Miles advised and the
mercenaries led the girls back down the path.
It did not take long for Miles to realize that his
fighting with Taurus had caused him to forget where he was in the forest. And
knowing that Taurus’ mental compass had been broken since birth he asked Luna
to lead them. She said nothing but stepped ahead to guide them.
As they wound between hills and over mountains it
became clear to Miles and Taurus that they were wondering in circles. Miles was
ready to let his quick temper boil over in a fit of name calling when they came
to the base of the hill on which their home rested. “What took you so long to
get us here?” Miles scolded.
“Why didn’t you take the lead?” Luna asked.
“I…I uh” Miles stammered, “I had to watch our back
to make sure there were no goblins.”
“In that case I am sure that you were aware of the
figure pursuing us.” Luna said.
“We were being followed?” Taurus asked.
“Of course we were!” Miles said, “That goblin
thought he was hidden but the sun was clearly bouncing off of his armor!”
“It was no goblin.” Luna said, “And there was no
armor. And besides I know that you never saw him otherwise you would have been
shouting who goes there alerting all of Northwood to our presence.”
Miles mumbled to himself and then asked, “Did we
lose him?”
“I hope.” Luna answered, “I’m not sure what he was,
but regardless of his race he is very good. I haven’t seen him in an hour but
that does not stop him from tracking us.”
“Blast it!” Miles said, “If Saxon finds out finds
out it will be a month of watch duty for me!”
“Haha!” Taurus laughed, “Then I’ll get the top
bunk!”
“Let’s just pretend nothing happened and show these
kids to Saxon.” Miles said and led them into the fort and from there into the
simple yet homely living quarters.
“Ah there you are.” Fadez said, as he watched them
come in, “I hope you finished the work.”
“Yeah,” Miles sighed.
“I’m not sure what took you so long.” Fadez said,
“But time is not a gift to be wast-…” He stopped mid-sentence as he spotted to
the unknown girls behind his comrades. “And who are those two little girls?”
“I don’t know.” Miles answered, “We found them on
the road. They were being chased by… goblins.”
“Goblins!” Fadez laughed, “Not very likely. Goblins
do not leave Silva-Nox anymore! They have no need to seeing that the majority
of our race sides with Dux-Mala. But at least this is different than what I
expected. I feared that you had been foolish enough to let someone follow you
home. You know how Saxon feels about that.”
Miles laughed nervously but said nothing.
“We was followed by goblins!” Taurus said.
“What?!” Fadez asked.
“Nothing!” Miles said, “He only meant to agree that
we had seen goblins earlier.”
“Did you see them Luna?” Fadez asked.
“Ugly green creatures bent on inflicting torture on
children seems to fit their nature.” She answered.
“That can’t be good.” Fadez said and then paused
for a moment, “Maybe we should take them to Saxon.” He said at last and then
led them all towards a door at the end of the room. They entered to find
Saxon’s office, the kitchen, and the dining hall for this one room served as
all three. In the center of the room was a long battered table which was more
than large enough to accommodate the whole band of mercenaries. Seated at the
end of the table was Saxon reading a large book. At the sound of the door
creaking open Saxon’s eyes glared up at them, “Unless the matter is of the
upmost urgency it can wait until morning.” He said.
“I believe this might be urgent.” Fadez answered as
he pushed the two children forward.
“And who are these children?” Saxon asked.
“Well apparently these dear little ones were being
chased by goblins.” Fadez said as he rolled his eyes in a wide circle as if he
was not even sure he believed what he was saying.
“Goblins?” Saxon asked, “Please, sit them down.”
The mercenaries and the children sat at the table
and waited in silence as Saxon looked hard and long at them. At last he finally
spoke, “It is strange to see goblins here these days. They keep themselves busy
in the north fighting the Elves. The only way the Black Mirus would ever
concern himself with our lands is if it were a matter of great importance to
him. Yet the object of the goblin’s pursuit is only two small children. What am
I to make of this?”
“It is perplexing.” Fadez agreed.
“Indeed,” Saxon agreed, “So tell me you names.”
“Awis.” The younger said followed by the elder,
“Lucy.”
Saxon seemed to think for a moment and then asked,
“Your clothes may be old and tattered but they do not bear the mark of
peasantry. Who were your parents and how did you find yourself in the position
that my men discovered you in?”
“Our father was a king.”
“Indeed.” Saxon chuckled, “The king of Domus-Lux is
Dux-Mala. Surely you do not belong to him.”
“Father was king first.” Avis said with a level of
knowing too great for her age.
“If you mean to imply that you are the daughter of
the last king then you must be mistaken.” Saxon said, “After all I was once in
his service. I was relieved of my duties when Dux-Mala relieved him of his. But
all those years in the castle the king had no children and no wife for that matter.”
“He did not die in the siege.” Lucy said.
“Saxon,” Fadaz said, “Remember the rumors.”
“I do indeed.” Saxon answered, “Some believed that
the king escaped. If that did in fact occur then that would provide him more
than enough time to find a wife and have children the age of the two sitting
before us.”
“Then they’re princesses then?” Miles asked.
“That’s quite the claim.” Fadez laughed.
“A claim anyone could make.” Saxon added, “If they
are in fact the king’s daughters I would prefer to have some proof.”
“Does this work?” Lucy asked as she pulled out a
medallion.
Saxon’s eyes fixed on the golden object and stared
as if in a trance, “Where did you get that?” he asked.
“Our father.” Avis answered.
“Let me see it.” Saxon said.
Lucy seemed hesitant to hand it over but eventually
did. Saxon took the medallion and rose from his chair and paced as he observed
its markings. In the center was a picture of Osmocdrem standing tall and strong
with the majestic mountains of the west in view. Above the fortress four stars
were shining. On the other side there were many names engraved. While to the
average person the names would have meant nothing but to Saxon, a historian of his
land he knew that it was the names of the kings of Domus-Lux beginning with the
first Tecer going down to not the last king but to two names, Avis and Lucy.
“What is it.” Fadez asked.
“It is true.” Saxon said, “This proves that they
are the daughters of the king!”
“How do you know it is not fake?” Miles asked.
“Because this is not the first time I’ve held this
medallion.” Saxon said, “Every scratch and imperfection that had ever been on
it is still here in its proper place. If it were fake it could only have been
done by someone who had known the king and no such people survived the siege of
Osmocdrem accept for me and a few friends of mine who are now all dead.”
“Then that’s why they were being chased!” Taurus
said, “They’re princesses!”
“It’s not that simple.” Saxon said, “If they were
being chased by Dux-Mala’s men then I would not be surprised. After all these
two have the right to dethrone him. But these goblins answer to the dark one
and if he is pulling his defenses from his stronghold in order to chase them
then either it has nothing to do with Dux-Mala or he and the dark one have a
shared interest in them.”
“Then let’s ask them.” Fadez said, “So tell me
girls, why were goblins after you?”
“I don’t know.” Lucy answered.
“You don’t know?” Miles asked, “Or are you hiding
the truth!?”
“Silence vermin!” Awis said, “We know nothing.”
“What should we do then?” Fadez asked.
“The goblins are following them for some reason.”
Saxon answered, “And seeing that they are the ones we owe our allegiance to as
servants of Domus-Lux we are bound by duty to protect them.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and waited for Saxon
to give the next order. The stern mercenary’s hard face softened as he looked
on the children with compassion. “You must be tired.” He said, “Fadez! Show
them to a place where they can rest.”
“It will be done sir.” Fadez said as he led them
out of the room. He returned shortly and Saxon spoke once more, “I fear that
this has set in motion something greater than we have ever faced before.”
“Pardon me sir,” Miles said, “But does that not
sound a little dramatic?”
“How many times have you seen goblins in this
wood?” Fadez asked.
“Never of course!” Miles answered.
“That is Saxon’s point.” Fadez said.
“Well there is no sense in continuing to discuss
this.” Saxon said, “We should retire. We have a full day tomorrow.”
“If we have a tomorrow.” Luna said.
“What do you mean?” Saxon asked.
“We were followed most of the way home by a man in
black.” She said.
“Miles.” Saxon said, “Were you not in charge of
this task?”
“Yes,” Miles answered, “But it’s not my fault!”
“And whose is it?” Saxon asked.
“I guess mine.” Miles answered, “There was just too
much going on for me to focus.”
“Perhaps a month of watch duty will help you
focus.” Saxon said.
“As long as I don’t get stuck with Taurus I’ll be
fine.” Miles said.
“Top bunk for Taurus!” the broad brother rejoiced.
“Indeed,” Saxon answered, “Regardless of where we
all sleep I suggest we do it lightly. For goblins and a man in black to arrive
in one day suggests that the goblins are not finished pursuing their prey. We
could soon have visitors of the most unsavory sort.”
“We will keep our weapons nearby.” Fadez said.
“Very good lads.” Saxon said as he rose from the
table. “It is late. We had best be getting to bed.”
The mercenaries departed to their rooms as Miles
went to watch through the long, cold, night.
