Rise of the Ornia

By Gayle Miller

Malichi joins the angelic Amalyians in a search for the one weapon that will destroy an ancient race of demons who are hell-bent on revenge. Travelling across open plains, through wild woods and over treacherous mountains he battles the forces of darkness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Miller
• Release date: Dec 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301476473

Gayle Miller

Scottish author of fantasy series DARK WATERS and (Abintia series) Book of the Dead.Avid fantasy and science fiction fan. Fundamental Rights advocate.

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RISE OF THE ORNIA

Gayle Miller

RISE OF THE ORNIA

By Gayle Miller

Smashwords Edition

Other Books by Gayle Miller

Dark Waters Series

Dark Waters

Rise of the Ornia

Vallan Warrior

Abintia Series

Book of the Dead (Book 1)

Copyright 2012 Gayle Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Licence Agreement

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 addition copy for each reader. 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 these authors.

Cover Art 2014 Gayle Miller

This book is dedicated to all the dreamers who keep the flame of imagination burning.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 New Beginnings

Chapter 2 A Brief Encounter

Chapter 3 The Ornia

Chapter 4 Incoming

Chapter 5 The Glade

Chapter 6 Clifton Harbour

Chapter 7 The Journey

Chapter 8 Amalyian Village

Chapter 9 Ashbrook

Chapter 10 The Gauntlet

Chapter 11 Return to Ashbrook

Chapter 12 Arrival

CHAPTER 1

NEW BEGINNINGS

Silence crept through the forest like a thick fog on a cold mid-winter’s morning. There were no birds on the branches or small creatures scurrying around on the forest floor. The only sound came from the rustle of leaves as the white stallion brushed past the moss covered trees and made its way towards the bubbling stream that ran along the back of the glade. Spotting the embankment, the stallion swished its tail, trotted forward and stooped over the wild flowers that were protruding from the sun-glistened water.

When all of a sudden a woman’s voice cried out and shattered the silence. Daniel, run!

The stallion stopped lapping from the ice cold stream, raised its head and pricked up its ears. As it listened for further sounds of danger its eyes fell upon an orange glow in the distance. Flames stretching as far and wide as the eye could see were licking at the dry bark causing the trees to bow and come crashing to the ground. Nervously the stallion backed away from the water’s edge, and then the forest cried out once more. Daniel, go now, it yelled more urgently than before.

The stallion flared its nostrils, and with its heart pounding hard against its chest, turned and bolted away from the once beautiful glade. Daniel twisted his dark leathery body through the air, flicked his tail and landed upon the back of the leathery mountain. Digging his talons in deep, he crouched low, and then he sprang off to land with his feet sinking into the soft earth by the fire. As it rose in plumes of smoke entwined with the scent of his kin and wafted high above the trees, he edged forward and prepared to make a dash for it, but a dark shadow was heading his way.

Daniel, we are being slaughtered. You must go now, the voice cried.

I can’t, he yelled above the roar of the fire.

I’ll cover you.

Daniel turned to see a young woman with long blonde hair extend her talons. He gave her a courteous nod and tried to find a way through the maze of fallen bodies while avoiding his kin who were battling for their lives. When he spotted a small gap up ahead, he leapt over the charred remains of an elderly Amalyian, ducked down low and raced forward. Twisting and turning, he aimed for the trees, but as the giant stepped out in front of him, he was forced to back off and find another way through. The blonde haired woman raced forward and whipped the giant with her barbed tail causing it to grunt and turn its attention on her which allowed Daniel a moment to seize his chance. Without hesitation Daniel sped forward and slid between the giant’s legs. He had almost made it when the dark leathery mountain suddenly thrust its talons downwards and sliced through his skin like hot butter.

Wincing, Daniel rushed from the glade clearing with blood oozing from his wounds. His bare feet crunched on the crisp leaves that lay scattered on the forest floor, drowning out his gasps of pain as he wove his way through the trees. When he came to the edge of the forest, he stopped and peered out across the open plain. His eyes scoured the land ahead until they fell upon the stallion that was grazing on the lush green grass. Now if I can just reach it without being seen, he thought. He gave a cursory glance along the tree line, emerged from the woods and bounded across the field, but as he drew closer the stallion raised its head and broke into an open gallop. Quickly Daniel planted his hands firmly on the ground, rolled onto the balls of his feet, sprang up and with a graceful spiral through the air, landed upon its back. Snorting furiously the stallion reared and bucked in an attempt to throw him off, but it was of no use, for Daniel had wrapped his fingers tightly through its mane and was holding on with all the strength that he could muster.

After waiting patiently for the stallion to tire, Daniel gingerly leaned forward, loosened his grip and gave its sides a gentle squeeze, but the stallion angrily pawed at the ground and refused to move. Undeterred, he stroked its neck and hummed a gentle melody. When he felt the tension ebb away, he commanded it once more. The stallion narrowed its eyes, tossed its head high and shot forward with the grass beneath its feet.

He had ridden many miles when the walls of Ashbrook finally came into view. In fear for the inhabitants of the city Daniel glanced anxiously over his shoulder, but seeing no sign of immediate danger he took a deep breath and relaxed. They were safe for now, he thought, as he hurtled into the city with the wind whipping through his hair and the breeze dancing across his many wounds. Letting his body slump across the stallion’s back and his eyes flutter to a close, he made his way through the market square, past the traders, leapt over the stalls and headed for the far edge of town where he gave in to the darkness.

Malichi stood by the church entrance shaking the hands of his congregation as they filed out into the bustling street. I hope you enjoyed the service, he said when an elderly woman took his hand.

Ah yes, it was a lovely service, Father, she replied, handing back her prayer book.

Malichi planted a friendly smile upon his face. Thank you, he said. He gave her a curt nod, and then discreetly sniffed the air, narrowed his eyes and stared off into the distance. A moment later, the white stallion rounded the corner and galloped towards the church. Whoa boy! Malichi cried, stepping forward with his hand raised out in front of him.

With barely an inch to spare, the stallion pulled up sharp and pawed at the ground.

There now, easy does it, Malichi said. He lowered his hand to stroke its nose and then after giving the stallion a few seconds to calm, he turned towards the stables and called, Samuel!

Yes, Father? Samuel replied. He poked his head out of the stable door expecting the usual request to bring Jet to the yard, but when he saw the injured man with jet black hair splayed out across the stallion’s back he quickly emerged from the stables and made his way across the town square towards the church.

Make sure the horse is well fed and watered then come and see me, Malichi said.

Yes, Father, Samuel replied.

Malichi glanced cautiously around, and then he slid his hand across the stallion, walked around the side and pulled the young svelte man, who was dressed in dark leather trousers and boots, onto his shoulder. Grunting slightly under his weight, he headed back into the church, rushed down the aisle and kicked open the door. He knew that time was of the essence as he entered the back room, crossed over to the wooden table and gently laid the young man down. Fortunately there did not appear to be any broken bones. He took a mental note of the most serious injuries that the man had sustained, then he said, I’ll be right back, and ran out of the room.

After a minute or two, he returned with a bowl of warm water, a sponge, and some bandages. He set them down on the counter, dipped the sponge into the bowl, peered over at the unconscious man and shook his head. What the hell happened to you? he asked while he squeezed out the excess water. The church door closed. Malichi cocked his head and listened to the sound of footsteps that were hastily making their way towards him. Recognising the familiar thuds, he turned back to the table and dabbed the sponge gently across the man’s many wounds. Samuel, do you remember what I taught you? Malichi asked when he heard a rap against the kitchen door. When Samuel did not respond, Malichi stopped dabbing and glanced over his shoulder.

Samuel, who was wearing a tight fitting top and trousers with scuffed boots was standing barely a foot inside the door with a look of utter confusion etched upon his face.

Samuel, Malichi repeated, but Samuel just stood there staring wide-eyed at the young man who was shaking violently on the kitchen table as his body contorted. Then, suddenly, the man gave a violent jerk upwards and changed into his true form, no longer able to maintain his human disguise.

Samuel raised a quivering hand and pointed at the shapeshifter. Is he one of...? But before Malichi could answer, the young man stirred.

Malichi, Daniel mumbled.

Malichi looked down at the shifter. Can you tell me your name?

Daniel tried to make his mouth work but was unable to move his lips properly. As his mouth began to fill with blood, he gritted his teeth together, shook his head slightly and held out his hand. Amelia... she asked me to give you this, he spluttered.

Concerned for the young man’s life, Malichi quickly pried the shifter’s jaws apart, thrust his fingers inside to clear his throat and then turned the shifters head to the side. Pacing back and forth, he waited tentatively for a sign that the shifter would be all right. After a few nervous seconds, the shifter’s breathing began to ease. Malichi stopped pacing, wiped his sleeve across his brow and stared down at the scrunched up piece of paper that was protruding from the shifter’s hand, and then with delicate fingers he carefully took the note.

Malichi,

Come to the glade. Be careful,

Amelia

Slowly Malichi turned with a look of utter horror to face Samuel. I’m sorry, I have to go, he said. I need you to look after him. Can you do that for me?

Samuel cast a furtive glance towards the wounded shifter, plucked up his courage and walked across to the table. Yes, Father, he said, and then with a faint smile,