Drums of Hadzi: Episode 2

By Stephen I. Carmer

Episode 2 of the Third Age of Timare, the Series illustrated
The adventures of Deki and Hanta continue
Just as the dragons are sweeping down as one Prince escapes Alacantar Castle! The other Prince has vanished! The perilous journey begins!
Plus--the Empresses--Tara and Astanshia are about to conquer the Dragon Empire, much to Toldare’s chagrin.
Read Episode 1 first!
Young Adult Action Fiction

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen I. Carmer
• Release date: Oct 10, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452313726

Book preview

The Drums of Hadzi

Episode 2

By

Stephen Carmer

Illustrated by

Gregory L. Otvos

Third Age of Timare the Series

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The Celtic Dragon

Copyright 2010 by Stephen I. Carmer. All rights reserved.

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Smashwords Edition

Discover other titles by Stephen I. Carmer at Smashwords.com

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way, stored in a retrieval system of any type, or transmitted by any means or media, electronic, or mechanical. Including, but not limited to, photocopy, recording, scanning, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or are used fictitiously.

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

This series is dedicated to all who have helped me along the way, particularly a large number of phantoms who have been dedicated ghost writers.

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See the illustrations full-sized and colorized in the gallery at:

http://oldmagiclibrary.net

More adventures, colorized illustrations, and fun filled pages!

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Ancient Map of Timare

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Land of Timare in Deki and Hanta’s Time

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Visit http://oldmagiclibrary.net for colorized illustrations and more!

Fun facts, fabulous fiction, phenomenal phantoms!

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The Stone of Cuore, a companion adventure to the Third Age of Timare, the Series. Now available for free, visit http://oldmagiclibrary.net for details. New chapters posted frequently.

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Did you read Episode 1: The Four Towers of Alacantar?

Available at Smashwords.com—Read it first!

Previously in Episode 1: The Four Towers of Alacantar.

Prince Deki and his younger brother Hanta return to their homeland after a long journey across the sea. School begins at Tommes’ Academy of Wizardry and History in the voraciously haunted Alacantar Castle. There are plenty of ghosts, odd wizards, and strange visitors to the castle, but only two other students—Tara and Astanshia.

Prince Hanta suddenly vanishes!

And now, the dragons are attacking Alacantar Castle led by Hadrid the Dragon King!

Prince Deki and Oxdure are about to make a perilous journey right through the Dragon Empire!

Chapter 1: Erin, the Wood Elf

Never look into the eyes of a dragon!

The noisy clatter of metal clashing startled Erin. He turned toward the disturbance and listened keenly with his elfin ears. His suspicions were aroused, as he heard breaking twigs and the rustling of brush. Someone was running through the forest, but whom, he did not know. Peeking from behind a tree, he watched as two Hadzis in full battle armor darted between the trees. He knew them both, the younger was Prince Deki, the older was Oxdure. Erin could not think of a reason why the two would run through the forest. He slipped behind another tree to watch them pass again.

Visitors to the forest were very rare. He waited after the two had passed to see who was chasing them. Surely, another creature of the forest could not be intimidating them. They were both heavily armed with spears and arrows. Not hearing anyone else, he sped off. Erin was quicker than either Hadzi and he concealed himself in the bramble to watch them pass again. The spear was too heavy for the smaller Prince, he noted. Still, no one seemed to be chasing them through the trees.

Erin followed for a long time, always ahead of the Hadzis and always concealed from their sight. At last, the younger stopped running. He was out of breath and the spear was bearing down on his shoulder. Erin had seen the younger on the curtain wall of the castle some months before. But why was he running away from Oxdure? He watched as the warrior stopped and noted that they were talking. The younger was not running from the warrior. He had seen Oxdure walking along the road to Alacantar one morning. Erin watched as the warrior took the spear from the smaller and hoisted it onto his own shoulder, next to the spear he already had.

Oxdure took several steps and dropped to the forest floor. He scratched away the leaves and broken branches, and then pulled out a handful of moist clay-like dirt. Here, he said holding it out towards Deki.

Deki stared at Oxdure bewildered.

Here, Oxdure said again.

Deki took the dirt in his hand and held it out.

Like this, Oxdure said as he pulled up another handful of dirt. He smeared it over his chest, turning his skin black with mud. He brushed off several worms and then reached for more. It will hide your smell, he said as he smeared more dirt over himself.

Deki did as commanded and smeared the fungus smelling slimy mud over his chest. Not working fast enough, Oxdure took a handful of dirt and spread it out over Deki. The dirt was icy cold, and once Deki was covered Oxdure smeared himself some more. He did not even take notice of the earthworms crawling on his skin.

Let me do your back, Oxdure said as he pulled Deki around. Grabbing globs of mud and a handful of deer dung Oxdure smeared the foul smell over Deki’s back. Now do mine, he said, when he was done with Deki.

Deki did as told while Erin watched from a nearby tree. Surely, dirt would not hide their trail from the Tomares. He looked through the trees and listened, but neither saw nor heard any Tomares in the forest. Curiously, he eavesdropped while peeking out from behind a moss-covered tree.

They will be overhead soon, Oxdure said. If they see or smell us, they will set the forest ablaze.

Erin watched, as Oxdure hoisted two spears on his shoulders, while the younger was looking upwards through the thick forest canopy.

We must go, Oxdure said.

Erin peeking from behind a tree

Erin scampered ahead as the two Hadzis took off running again. The younger was leading. Erin slipped behind another tree and looked up into the canopy. Then with a backward flip, he sprung, landing on a branch high up in the tree. He climbed, quickly pushing through the top most branches. Erin looked toward the castle and saw the towers, and then he scanned the sky. Still seeing nothing, he turned and looked towards the east. Now he was startled, the air was filled with black specks. Dragons, Erin hissed in disbelief and now he understood who it was that the Hadzis were running from.

This is the business of Tomares and Dragons, Erin said to himself. They will burn my forest to nothing. He remembered his grandfather had told him the story of how the forest burned when the Tomares made war. Erin leaped down the branches of the tree and quickly passed the runners. Their noise and smell would give the Hadzis away, and he needed to act fast! He scouted ahead searching frantically, and once he found what he was looking for, Erin darted back jumping into the path of the runners.

Deki stopped dead in his tracks, nearly causing Oxdure to knock him down. The wood elf jumped up and down waving his hands frantically.

I have seen him before, Deki said, as he glanced back at Oxdure. Deki took several steps forward while Erin jumped backwards. Again, Erin bounced up and down waving his hands in the air wildly.

He wants us to follow him, Deki said, and without waiting for Oxdure, he leapt off after the wood elf.

They ran for some distance and then they found Erin bouncing up and down on a pile of rocks near the edge of the forest. Ahead of them lay open meadows and beyond in the sky the approaching dragons were in sight. Erin dove into the rocks and then jumped up again waving his hands in the air. Cautiously, Deki and Oxdure approached.

He is showing us a hiding place, Oxdure said as he looked down into a deep crevice between the rocks. Climb down quickly.

Deki slid down into the crevice while Oxdure followed. Now they waited while watching the small bit of sky overhead. Oxdure wedged his feet into a crack in the rock and spied through a crevice. He could see the dragons coming and he made ready his crossbow.

Meanwhile, Jonan the butler of Alacantar Castle waited near the Eastern Watchtower. Eons of time had passed since he had ventured to the border of the Kingdom. Once, when he was alive and Alacantar spread far to the east beyond the Dragon Mountains and Hadzi, he had served in the Guard. He had traveled a lot then, marching over the mountains with his battalion on patrols. Now Alacantar was smaller and he was within several miles of the new border.

Jonan had been careful not to be noticed as he slipped away from the castle and he was sure no one had seen him. He took a seat on a rock to wait. He had made his choices and would have to live with them. A Tomares was forbidden to interfere with the destinies of men and wizards. He could not help Tommes the Third, Keeper of Alacantar who frittered away the days and nights consumed with Wizard’s Folly. Nor could he help Deki, and most certainly of all, not Oxdure. Nevertheless, he had a fondness for the Hadzi Prince and warrior. He would see them both safely to Hadzi, even if it meant being banished from Alacantar. Tommes would have wanted it that way. Jonan gazed at the flying dragons overhead and marveled at the sight. The foolish Dragon King, Hadrid, was attacking Alacantar, and that was certainly a noteworthy event to behold.

Much farther north, Captain Dakar was still held in the lost city of Timare. They were well fed, in fact, the Tomares set out a feast throughout the day for them. A small abandoned house with a well-stoked fire had been given to them. They could not leave, or at least there was no apparent means of leaving if Captain Dakar had tried. The road to Hadzi was hidden and climbing the mountains to the south was not practical. Dragons occupied the high peaks that surrounded the ruined city. Still being prisoners in Timare was more cheerful that being locked in the dungeons of Zalkaros.

Captain Dakar decided to make the best of it. He and his men would enjoy the daily feast while he turned his cunning charm on the Tomares. Eventually, the Tomares would show him to the road that led to Hadzi. The Tomares did not trust him though, that much he was sure of. When he talked to them, they maintained their distance. Nor would they offer him any assistance to continue with his journey. He had even tried to convince them to give him a new ship so that he could sail away. The Tomares were glad to oblige and conjured up a fine sailing ship remarkable similar to the Sea Dragon. The ship appeared at the edge of the ruins fully fitted with sails, but unfortunately miles from any ocean. The Tomares truly did not understand what Captain Dakar had wanted and the landlocked ship with sails billowing in the wind remained part of the oddity of the landscape.

Sea Dragon II at Timare

It was while enjoying yet another fine feast of air set out by his hosts, that the most peculiar and unexpected event happened. It came from the southeast and at first only appeared as tiny spot on the horizon. They might not have even noticed since it might have only been a dragon flying over the mountains. Nevertheless, as the curiosity came closer the men could make out the shape of a wind-filled sail with a dark object hanging underneath it. While devouring roasted wild boar, the three watched. The dark object looked like a basket, but in the distance, it was hard to determine for certain. The sail driven basket flew toward them at a fast clip and then it crashed onto the plaza right in the middle of the city. They heard a thump and a distinct sounding yelp.

Crashing into the ruins

Curiously, Dakar and the other two climbed up onto the plaza to see what had crashed. The lid of the basket had been thrown off while the sails were snared on the rubble of a nearby column. Inside was a boy dressed in green coarse clothing, he had blond hair. The boy was not moving in the toppled basket, but lay in a heap as if the fall from the sky had killed him. The Tomares were the first to arrive. They approached the basket slowly, peering down at the wreckage.

Dakar stayed some distance back and watched with curiosity. A moment later, the boy stirred. He was lifted to his feet by a Tomares. Everyone stared as the boy stumbled around. His head must have been hurting as he kept trying to hold his head in his hands.

Captain Dakar recognized him and the most unwelcome thoughts crowded his mind. Greed was setting in as thoughts of a ransom of gold coins, jewels, and even more, kept him staring in disbelief at the boy. He was sure the boy was the Prince of Hadzi, but which Prince he could not be sure. Even more peculiar was how the Prince had come to be flung across the sky and land within his grasp. He marveled. Had the Tomares brought the boy to him as if answering a wish he had not even uttered or even considered? It was too late, Tomares can read minds and they could smell his very thoughts. They turned toward him and stared.

What is your intention? One asked.

I have only seen this most peculiar event just as you have, Captain Dakar answered, while trying to conceal his thoughts behind a very carefully worded statement.

Where does this boy come from? The crowd of Tomares rumbled.

I see greed, shouted another Tomares, the ghost pointed at Dakar accusingly.

Captain Dakar had done his best to gain the confidence of the Tomares. He had been working to present himself in a fine light. Acting as a fine and noble gentlemen, he had been trying to convince the Tomares of his sincerity. Conning the Tomares into showing him the way away from the city had been his only goal. Now he rushed to the boy.

I cannot imagine how this came to be, Dakar said with his most courteous manners. Should we not see that the boy is not hurt?

The rumbling sound of the Tomares agreeing followed.

May I ask what your name might be? Captain Dakar asked.

There is evil! A Tomares shouted.

He is evil! Howled two more, they pointed at Captain Dakar.

Hanta still dizzy and bewildered recognized Captain Dakar and remained silent. He was not sure what had happened to him. All he could remember was being in the music room when the wicked ghost blasted through the doorway. The ghost was covered in black spiders and he had no doubt who she was, but now he had no idea of where he was or how he got here. He was certain of Captain Dakar, however. He looked around at the Tomares and then shook his head to say he had no idea of whom he was.

The boy is afraid, a Tomares said.

I do not know who I am, Hanta said.

Hmmm… said the Tomares who had been first on the scene. He held his hand up wanting to heal the Hanta’s injury.

Where am I? Hanta asked as he looked around the plaza. The sight of the ship at the edge of the ruins caught his attention for a moment.

You are at Timare, answered the Tommes.

Hanta did not answer, as the name of the place meant nothing to him.

Come along then, Captain Dakar said. The Tomares have laid out a generous feast today, shall you join us?

Hanta shook his head while the Tomares glanced between the two.

I shall take the boy, the Tomares said after weighing the different feelings he was detecting between the two. Come. He said as he held out his hand.

Captain Dakar lurched forward and made a grab for Hanta, but in the same moment was sent flying backwards. He crashed into the floor of the plaza while his hat toppled off his head. Hanta reluctantly followed the Tomares, glancing back at Captain Dakar and then he went down the steps of the plaza.

Chapter 2: Hadrid’s Folly

The Book of Events

Look! Tara screamed. She was in the library with Astanshia with books spread out on the table. She stared in disbelief as she read the words that the scribe had just penned on the magic manuscript of current events. The ink was still drying on what had caught her attention.

What? Astanshia answered.

Dragons are attacking! Tara shouted. Gwendaline… Quickly she gathered up the magic book and ran for the door. Astanshia was right behind her as they tore off toward the keep.

The sky over Erin’s forest was black with dragons flying toward the castle. With spears raised, the Guard of Alacantar stood along the battlements of the curtain wall. Hogarth stood in the middle of the guard, his eyes burned with fire. He waited for the moment to give the orders. Aroused from its sleep, the Stone Dragon flew from the roof of the keep. Fire blasted from its nostrils as the Stone Dragon swooped into the air. Its massive shadow crossed over the curtain walls. The Stone Dragon blasted a final warning at the attacking invaders. Then it circled in the air, daring the oncoming dragons to come closer.

Dragons attacking Alacantar Castle

Meanwhile, Deki and Oxdure still concealed in Erin’s hiding place waited. They had seen the dragons fly overhead, but Oxdure knew better. He had pushed Deki back down into the crevice while he carefully peeked out over the rocks. He quickly slid back down. Oxdure had seen what he was expecting out in the meadow. Dragons always went into battle the same way. He knew which wretched dragon it was that would be cowering in the rear.

Oxdure slid up and peeked again.

Do not burn the forest, Erin muttered, but the words meant nothing to Oxdure, as he could not understand the elfin language.

Oxdure hissed, he did not know the name of the dragon, but he knew his title. Like cowards, the commander of the dragons always stayed in the rear. He hissed again and tried to pull up his crossbow but it wedged into the narrow crevice. Oxdure slid back down and freed his crossbow. Mounting a poisoned tipped arrow he slid the crossbow up first, and then pulled himself back up.

Deki scrambled up through the crevice with his bow. He mounted an arrow, looked out over the meadow, and saw the dragon.

Stay down, Oxdure whispered.

Elves are peculiar. First, they are not very big and secondly, they wear clothing that makes them nearly invisible in the forest. Finally, an elf can move very fast. To the untrained eye, an elf can be standing in one place one moment and the next they could be somewhere else. But aside from that, a dragon was never welcomed and he had made a plan. With a quick glance, he sized up Oxdure.

In a flash, the elf was gone. He reappeared only a few feet away from the dragon. Erin jumped up and down and he was whistling at the wretched reptile. Startled, the dragon reared up, but Erin vanished as the dragon blasted the very spot where he had been standing with fire. Now thirty feet to the left, Erin jumped up and down again. The dragon followed stupidly and again blasted the spot with fire. But Erin was already thirty feet to the other