The Veredor Chronicles: Book 03 - The Gate and Beyond (11 page)

Meanwhile Quade fired his crossbow as Arthur, Cassiel, and Stella charged forward. The dragon turned about and unleashed intense flames. Stella ducked behind her shield as Arthur dodged the flames and leapt through the air at the dragon. He thrust his curved Vastorian blade out with perfect precision and pierced the dragon’s left eye. The beast screeched in pain and whipped its tail at Arthur. The Desert Knight, displaying awesome agility, ducked away as Stella and Cassiel dashed forward. Cassiel lifted his hands and several bolts of lightning shot out and hit the beast.

Stella then stabbed at the dragon’s neck, her sword only just piercing the thick scales. She quickly ducked back, avoiding the dragon’s barbed tail as it race by. Meanwhile Cassiel sent a lightning bolt into the dragon’s face. The beast covered its remaining eye. Arthur, seeing an opportunity, dashed in once again. He leapt forward and thrust his blade at the dragon’s massive body. His sword cut through the scales and bright red dragon blood sprayed from the wound. The dragon howled and snapped its huge jaws at the Desert Knight as he tried to retreat. Arthur narrowly avoided the jaws, but a moment later the dragon unleashed a surge of fire. The Desert Knight fell to the ground, completely incinerated by the flames.

‘No!’ cried Quade.

Eben stood up and tried to shake off his daze. ‘We have to do something!’

King Ignis was standing on the far side of the hall. Stella and Cassiel were backing away toward where Red, Eben, and Quade were standing. King Ignis looked to Eben. The King was still holding the Sword of Light and preparing to attack the dragon again. Eben watched as King Ignis rushed in at the beast. The dragon whirled around to face him. Simultaneously Red, Eben, and Quade dashed forward.

The dragon swung its tail at the three of them. Red was knocked back and stumbled away. Quade again fired his crossbow, but the crossbow bolt simply bounced off the thick scales. He then cried out and threw the entire crossbow at the dragon as he drew his curved Vastorian sword.

Meanwhile, Eben, without a weapon, charged at the dragon. The dragon unleashed intense flames in his path. Eben ran directly into the flames; the fire circled around him. He was completely unharmed by the flames because of the power given to him by drinking from the Pool of Radiance. Eben leapt through the flames and grabbed hold of the horns directly behind the dragon’s head. The beast tried to shake him off.

Meanwhile King Ignis lunged forward and stabbed out. The dragon recoiled quickly and struck back at the King, sending him flying across the hall. King Ignis landed heavily on his back, still clu
tching the Sword of Light. The dragon then thrashed its head about, trying to shake Eben off. Eben held on with all his strength.

‘The Sword!’ cried Eben.

King Ignis threw the Sword of Light. Eben reached out and grabbed his sword from the air. He lifted the sword and with all his might plunged the blade into the back of the dragon’s neck, driving it up to the hilt. The dragon wailed; flames and sparks burst up from where the Sword of Light had pierced its scales. Eben tried to withdraw the sword, but the dragon thrashed its head wildly, causing him to fall. Eben stumbled away from the massive beast.

Sparks and flames burst out from where the Sword of Light had punctured the dragon’s neck. The beast’s remaining eye fiercely ogled Eben. A moment later the dragon’s neck exploded; flame and liquid fire burst out of the wound. The Sword of Light, broken in two pieces, fell away. The dragon then collapsed and lay lifeless on the cold stone floor.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The company rushed to help Meara; she was still unconscious on the floor. King Ignis limped toward them as Eben dashed for the glass cage that was holding Apherah. Apherah came to the edge of the glass as Eben pulled back the latch and unlocked the glass door. They embraced and held each other.

‘Eben!’ she cried, tears of relief rolling down her face.

‘Apherah.’ For a few moments they held each other in a close embrace. ‘We have to go before the Prince of Shadows comes after us.’

Eben, holding Apherah’s hand, ran back to the others. Red and Quade had already lifted Meara from the ground.

‘She is still alive, but we can’t wake her up,’ said Red. Meara’s eyes were closed, and her face was very pale.

‘We have to get back to the Star King’s gate,’ said Cassiel. ‘It won’t stay open much longer.’

‘What gate are you talking about?’ asked an icy voice from across the hall. The company turned to see a dark figure approaching the lifeless body of the dragon. Eben instantly recognised Callidus. He was clothed in the same manner as he had been on the headland of Crescent Bay, simple black clothing and no armour. The Sword of Midlight was at his side. Callidus reached down and picked up the hilt of the Sword of Light.

‘What a shame. You destroyed the Sword of Light and our dragon.’ He examined the hilt and then threw it aside.

‘What do you want, Callidus?’ asked Eben.

Callidus smirked and stepped toward them. ‘We want to rule Veredor and to fully control the Cosmic Gate. If it wasn’t for you getting in the way we would have accomplished these tasks long ago.’

‘The Prince of Shadows will never rule Veredor,’ said Eben boldly.

‘Are you so sure, Ecorian?’ asked Callidus, shaking his head. ‘How do you mean to stop him? You have no weapon, your army is insignificant, and most of your friends are dead. Soon this will all be over.’ Eben watched as the Astarian walked closer. ‘I could kill you now, Ecorian, yet that would be much too easy. I have thought of a more unpleasant fate. Beyond Veredor there is a place of utter darkness. For thousands of years the Lord of Veredor drifted through the deserts of the outer darkness. Now I will give your friends the punishment that Fiora gave to my master.’

Callidus reached up and pulled apart the air before him like he was drawing back a curtain. A dark rift appeared and its edges glowed with a bright white light. They all stared into the dark gateway.

‘I reveal to you the Cosmic Gate. Unfortunately we do not fully control it. Casimir still works against us. It will not be long before he pays the price for his foolish resistance. Once we kill Casimir we will fully control the Cosmic Gate. Then we will be able to instantly banish all men and mer from Veredor. Such power is not yet in my hands; however, forcing you through this gateway will not be difficult.’

Callidus lifted his hands. A moment later Eben felt a heavy pressure pushing him toward the gate. Apherah fell forward. Eben reached out and grabbed her hand. The entire company was being pushed toward the gate by an invisible force. Eben struggled to resist the pressure, but it was impossible to fight the Astarian’s spell. Callidus stood back, his arms crossed, and laughed. He mocked them as they desperately struggled against his magic. Stella attempted to use one of her ropes and a grappling hook, but the pressure was too intense; she couldn’t swing the rope. Eben held Apherah’s hand with all his strength as they slid along the floor toward the dark gateway.

Suddenly a blue rippling barrier appeared between them and the Cosmic Gate. Eben and Apherah struck the barrier first. The shimmering transparent shield held them from being pushed any further. A moment later Red, Stella, Quade, King Ignis, and Meara reached the glowing barrier. Cassiel’s hands were shining brightly as he slid through the barrier he had created. The young wizard was being drawn uncontrollably toward the darkness.

‘Cassiel!’ cried Eben, powerless to help his friend.

‘I can’t shield against myself! Go! Save yourselves!’ cried Cassiel as he was pulled into the dark gateway.

‘Cassiel!’

Cassiel, straining with his last strength, pushed the barrier of blue light across the floor of the hall, moving them all back toward the iron doors at the far side. In moments the company was beyond the iron doors. Eben watched the gateway for Cassiel, but he was gone from sight. Callidus then closed the Cosmic Gate, sealing Cassiel in the dark world beyond. His furious eyes looked at Eben and the others. A moment later Cassiel’s shield began to fade away.

‘I will not be defied!’ howled Callidus, drawing the Sword of Midlight. They were all completely shocked at losing Cassiel so suddenly. Eben felt a sense of horror flowing through his veins.

‘We must go before this shield is completely gone,’ said King Ignis.

Red and Quade carried Meara as they ran down the steps. Stella led the way, her sword in hand. They rushed from the hall and through several dark and dank corridors. Stella kicked open a door. They followed her outside into the twilight. Only a little light of day remained.

Eben looked up and could see a dark fortress that towered high into the sky. Zarkanor was built from dark stone. At its highest point, about four hundred yards above the ground, six twisted metal horns rose as a symbol of horror. The three smaller towers, which were also incredibly large, stood like giant fangs surrounding the main fortress. A tall and dark wall joined the three towers and created a barrier around the central fortress. Not a single tree, not even a blade of grass, grew within the grounds of Zarkanor. A gloomy gate stood open at the base of the main fortress.

They could hear the snorts and growls of muckrons in the distance, but the way across the gravel to the northwest tower was completely free, and there were no monsters in sight. Stella continued to lead the way onward and back to the gateway that would lead them home to Faircastle. Eben and Apherah ran together. King Ignis struggled with his injured leg. Red and Quade carried Meara.

Eben looked again at the dark gate of the fortress as they passed by. Something in his heart stirred. He knew that this was his last chance to face the Prince of Shadows. A sorrowful cry, deep within, beckoned him toward the shadowy gate.

‘Stella, wait,’ said Eben. Stella stopped and looked back. ‘I have to face the Prince of Shadows. If I return now to Faircastle I will never have this chance again.’

King Ignis shook his head. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Eben. The Sword of Light has been destroyed. There is no way you can protect yourself against him.’

‘Eben, we have to get out of here,’ said Red hastily, not wanting to delay their escape.

‘Red. I know this is my one and only chance to stop him.’

‘But how? We could not even stop Callidus,’ said Stella. ‘Eben, we have to get back to the safety of Faircastle.’

‘Eben, please, I do not want to lose you again,’ said Princess Apherah.

Eben looked to Apherah. Her eyes pleaded for him not to leave.

‘Apherah, I have to go. I have to try to save our world.’ Eben lifted her hand and gently kissed it. He then turned away toward the dark gate.

‘Then we are going with you,’ said Red, turning to follow after Eben.

Eben stopped in his tracks and looked back at Red ‘I must go alone.’

‘Why?’

‘Red, please trust me. If I go alone there may be a chance.’

‘Eben, take this,’ said Quade. Quade handed Eben his Vastorian sword. Eben nodded to Quade and the others before turning toward the central fortress.

He walked across the gravel and came to the dark gate. A gloomy shadow shrouded the entire entrance. He stepped forward, and his eyes found it difficult to adjust to the intense darkness. There was no one around. The murky gloominess of the place pressed down upon his spirit and sickened his heart. He walked through the gatehouse and came to a large entrance chamber. Four Skatheans stood guard at a large iron door on the opposite side. Their eyes were fixed on him the moment he appeared.

‘My name is Eben Ecorian. I request an audience with the Prince of Shadows,’ he announced firmly.

The Skatheans stepped forward and drew their swords. The palest and most deathly Skathean approached him. His blue piercing eyes examined Eben for several moments.

‘The Lord of Veredor has been expecting you, Ecorian,’ hissed his stony voice; a deathly grin appeared on his thin lips. Eben was shocked by the revelation. How could the Prince of Shadows know that he was coming? Was he walking into a trap? ‘Follow me.’

Eben expected them to take the sword that Quade had given him, but the Skathean turned and walked toward the large iron door without another word. One of the other Skatheans opened the door and revealed an entrance hall that was lined with dark pillars. The floor was covered in black marble. Small lanterns lit the way, but the light did little to push back the oppressive gloom.

The Skathean led Eben down the hall to a second door which was made of bronze and depicted carvings of horrific creatures: dragons, wyverns, ghouls, muckrons, serpents, and other evil creatures that Eben had never seen. The Skathean turned and looked back at Eben.

‘Beyond this door you will enter the Hall of Zarkanor. At the far side you will see the throne. There you will find the Lord of Veredor. From here you must go alone.’

The Skathean opened the bronze door. The hall beyond was far larger than any hall Eben had ever seen. He stepped forward and looked up at the towering ceiling hundreds of yards above. Mighty black pillars rose along the edge, and high above, large portholes revealed the darkening sky beyond. Black polished marble covered the entire floor of the hall. The hall was over a hundred and fifty yards in length. At the far side a group of wide steps led up to a stone platform. In the centre of the platform was a throne of twisted metal. The metal turned in on itself and rose up to form six large metal horns above. Sitting on the throne was the Prince of Shadows, adorned in his full dark armour, with his face covered by a visor.

Baramak stood directly beside the Prince of Shadows. At first Eben didn’t notice, but he suddenly became aware that ghouls were standing at intervals around the walls. There were at least forty of the living shadows. Their red glowing eyes watched Eben as he entered.

Eben walked across the black marble toward the steps that led up to the throne. He knew that without the Sword of Light he was no match for the Prince of Shadows. He remembered the words of the Star King. He remembered what Casimir had said in the depths of the ocean. All the lessons he had learned on his journey whirled around in his mind. Walls, barriers, weapons, and power. Men desire power; they seek it all their lives. Walls, barriers, armour, weapons…power. His mind raced. The riddle pulsed through his being. What kept men from forming a relationship with Veredor? Why couldn’t men control the Cosmic Gate? Walls, barriers, armour, weapons…power.

Eben reached up and unlatched his armour at his shoulder. He removed his chest plate as he continued to walk across the floor. He then removed his gauntlets and chainmail and dropped them as he continued. The Prince of Shadows stood up as he approached. Eben looked at Quade’s curved Vastorian sword.

‘Power,’ whispered Eben as he drew the sword and examined the finely crafted blade. He then raised his eyes to the Prince of Shadows. The Prince of Shadows, fully armoured, stepped forward to the edge of the stone platform and stared down at Eben. Eben cast the sword aside and it slid away across the marble floor. He then walked forward to meet his enemy.

The Prince of Shadows clapped several times. ‘This I did not foresee,’ he said, his hissing voice was difficult for Eben to bear. ‘Finally you see that surrender is the only way.’

Eben walked up to the edge of the platform and stared up at the Prince of Shadows, who was only several feet away. He focused his full attention on the dark metal visor that covered his enemy’s face.

‘I have not come here to surrender,’ said Eben boldly.

The Prince of Shadows stared at him for a moment. He then leapt down from the platform, landing directly in front of Eben. Eben held his head high and stared directly into the Astarian’s face.

‘If you have not come to surrender then what have you come for…death?’ Suddenly the Prince of Shadows struck him with the back of his armour clad hand. The impact was heavy, and Eben was knocked to the ground and dazed for a moment. Eben took a deep breath and shook off the pain. He gathered himself and slowly stood back up. Again he looked defiantly at the Prince of Shadows.

‘What happened to my parents? What did you do to them?’

The Prince of Shadow stared at Eben and pondered the question before answering. ‘Your father was captured by Baramak and Callidus. He was brought here in chains. I kept him in the dungeons. When it became apparent that the Fiorians wanted to rescue him I had him executed for resisting my right to rule Veredor. I could not allow an Ecorian the chance to be free. He was a threat to me.’

Eben looked down and felt his heart fall in his chest. A deep grief took hold of him. For several moments he couldn’t speak. ‘And my mother?’ asked Eben, almost whispering.

‘Your mother infiltrated Zarkanor to rescue your father. She arrived not long after I had the Ecorian executed. Kaloren presented a problem for me. She was an impressive warrior and carried the Sword of Midlight. I was forced to lie to her; I told her your father still lived. I promised her that I would reunite her with your father, who she loved, if she gave me the Sword of Midlight. She agreed to exchange the Sword of Midlight for your father. When I had taken the Sword of Midlight from her I had her executed for challenging my right to rule Veredor. She tried to resist, but without the Sword of Midlight she stood no chance.’

Eben fell to his knees; his hands covered his face. His heart burned inside his chest. He dropped his head and bent forward. The pain in his heart was unbearable. The Prince of Shadows stared coldly down at him.

‘Such is the fate of all who choose to resist me. You, Ecorian, do not have to choose such a path. Return to Faircastle and convince men to fall down upon their knees and worship me. If you do this I will allow you to live. Serve me and you shall be revered by men, mer, and muckrons. You will have power over all.’

Eben didn’t raise his head. He remained on his knees and stared down at the cold marble floor. His heart was in so much pain that he could barely move. The hope he had carried for so long was ripped away. Slowly he lifted his head and looked up at the Prince of Shadows, the murderer of his parents. The Prince of Shadows then removed his helm, revealing his deathly pale face. His eyes were sunken and devoid of any light, and his mouth turned sharply down at the edges. His head was completely bald, and an expression of bitterness was etched into his features.

‘Before I killed the Gerish Oracle she told me that an Ecorian would kill my dragon. Until that moment I thought the Ecorians were extinct. This is how I came to know of your existence. I allowed you to kill my dragon because I knew it was your destiny. I then sent Callidus to banish your friends into the outer darkness. I could not allow them to get in the way of my great plan. Unfortunately Callidus failed; most of your friends have escaped my grip, but this does not concern me because you are here as I planned you to be. Your destiny has brought you to me.’