Freedom's Cry

By Tim Nalodka

Jeric knew killing the gnome captain would change his world forever but he looked at his scared half naked sister and decided it was worth it. He thrust the broken wood shaft into the pleading gnome's skull killing him instantly. Jeric and his sister would be slaves no longer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Nalodka
• Release date: Jul 9, 2010
• ISBN: 9781465749024

Book preview

FREEDOM'S CRY

By

Tim Nalodka

Smashwords Edition

*****

Published By:

Tim Nalodka on Smashwords

FREEDOM'S CRY

Copyright 2010 by Tim Nalodka

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 person. 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.

*****

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. End of Innocence

2. Good Byes

3. Raylyn’s End/Child’s Play

4. Travels

5. Outlaws

6. Friendship Forms

7. A Beginning

8. Rescue

9. Brothers

10. Confrontation

11. Another Joins

12. Injured Elf

13. Perrath

14. Preparing for War

15. War

16. Fall of the Wall

17. Escape

18. Stonewall

19. Reuniting the Races

20. Final Stand

*****

PROLOGUE

Time and war had washed away the remnants of the modern world. The ways of our world had long been lost and forgotten. New races slowly started to emerge on the plains and mountains. These races were uncivilized but evolved special skills to ensure their survival. As time passed, the strongest races came to power.

The Dieval age was a time of turmoil and feuding among the races. The races were divided between the gods they worshipped. On one side stood the white light of Fintan, a righteous and truthful god. Fintan cared for humans, dwarfs, trolls, and elves as if they were his own offspring. These races are referred to as the Fin’ans from this point on. The darkness of Cathan stood against the white light of Fintan. Cathan was the sworn enemy of Fintan and thrived on battle and the ensuing destruction. Cathan used gnomes, ogres, trackers, and scavengers as pawns to hurt Fintan. These races are referred to as the Cat’ans from this point on. Cathans’ power over the Cat’ans drove their desire to conquer the Fin’ans.

The Fin’ans lived in the rich land of Aisling. The great sea on the west and the Rift Mountain range on the east cradled Aisling. The Cat’ans lived in Haearn, a vast, cold and hard land. The Rift Mountains stretched high into the sky protecting Aisling from Haearn. Bands of gnomes and ogres were ever present in the Rift Mountains seeking passage into Aisling and the riches it possessed. To repel the Cat’ans, the Fin’ans manned fortifications throughout the Rift Mountains.

The sounds of battle plagued the Rift Mountains for years as the races battled. Then one sun-filled morning, the Cat’ans retreated from the Rift and vanished deep into Haearn. The Fin’ans guarded the Rift for years, then centuries, with no hint of the Cat’ans. Slowly the Rift guard dwindled and eventually disbanded. Thieves and killers replaced the once honored soldiers who stood guard in the Rift. These outcasts were the first to fall when the Cat’ans’ army marched into the Rift. They wiped out the outcasts and silently entered Aisling without detection.

The Cat’ans did what was thought impossible; they began to conquer the Fin’ans. The Cat’ans had become no more than myths to the Fin’ans. The Cat’ans conquered the Fin’ans one race at a time. Concentrating their forces on one race gave them a great advantage. One by one, the Fin’ans would fall. It was said that great storms would roll over Aisling during the battles and Cathans laughter could be heard within the claps of thunder.

The first to be conquered were the trolls. Cat’ans knew that the trolls’ greatest weakness was isolation and exploited it. The trolls were powerful with immense strength, living three times longer than humans, but were also smallest in number. They lived in the mountains that created the Rift. The Cat’ans swept over the trolls. The only trolls that survived were those who fled the battlefields and villages in horror. These survivors spread the news of the invading Cat’ an army.

After the Cat’ans crushed the trolls, they marched on toward the humans, for they knew the humans would aid and defend the elves and the dwarfs. When the Cat’ans attacked, the humans were not caught completely off guard. They had listened to the warnings of the trolls. Stone Wall Castle, the humans’ stronghold, was where the humans made their last stand. Its fall marked their defeat. The Cat’ans seized the lands of the humans.

The elves and dwarfs both sent forces to help the humans but were too late. The forces were ambushed on their way to aid the trapped humans. Both forces sustained heavy casualties. If the trolls and the humans could fall, the dwarfs and the elves knew that they could meet the same fate.

The dwarfs came next. High in their mountainous homeland, they fought the Cat’ans. The mighty dwarfs held the Cat’ans off for many moons. Their fortification made up for their lack of numbers. The dwarven race was brought to the edge of extinction. Dwarfs would fight to the death against any odds. They would never leave their homeland. The Cat’ans knew the dwarfs would never flee to the elves and join forces. Stubbornness was their weakness. Orders were given to kill all adult dwarfs. Only the young were allowed to live. The young would work the mines as slaves and, over time, would forget about their glorious history.

The Cat’ans turned their forces against the largest and most treasured race of Fintan, the elves. The surviving trolls, humans, and dwarfs went to the elves seeking refuge. Cat’ans swept over the lands of Fintan. The elves gathered their entire nation at the greatest stronghold of the ancient world, Kean. The Cat’ans realized the end of their quest was near when they swarmed down on the legendary Kean, the city Fintan himself had built. Kean was under siege for many moons. The elves lost more and more warriors as the siege continued. The elves realized they couldn’t win and decided to mount one final offensive. During that offensive, elf families and other Fin’an refuges escaped deep into the forest never to be seen again.

Cat’ans handled elves in one way; all elves were to be killed. No elf was to become a slave. The elves that were captured or surrendered were killed without mercy on the battlefields. Any free elf would be a threat to the newly forming empire.

The Cat’ans put their new slaves to work to support their empire. Humans raised their crops and other food. Older humans would be taken away and never seen again. It was rumored the old would meet their end as dinner for the ogres. The dwarfs and trolls were sent to the mines where they would spend their lives mining the precious stones and metals for the Cat’an.

The Cat’ans took over the castles and land. They would not tolerate any uprising. All troublemakers were to be killed. This ensured the slaves would stay submissive. It had worked for five generations. The fifth generation of Fin’an survivors now worked the land for the Cat’ans.

*****

CHAPTER 1—END OF INNOCENCE

Dark shadows slowly moved across a clearing in a stand of mature birch trees as the sun dipped below the horizon. In the center of the clearing, a small fire fought back the shadows. Sitting cross-legged and silent in front of the fire was an ancient being whose form blended into the surrounding darkness. The flames of the small fire danced across the dry wood. Smoke drifted up into the white tree branches and out into the night air. He could sense them coming. Lifting his head, he sniffed the night air. The foul stench of gnomes invaded his nostrils sparking his anger.

He looked around the small clearing he knew as home. On one side of the clearing stood a rock outcropping with a small opening in it. The opening led to a dark, silent cave where he slept. He had settled here long before the great wars between the Fin’ans and Cat’ans. His people, the Erions, ruled the lands long before the elves, gnomes, and humans. Over time, the elves and gnomes took over the land of the Erions. He was the last of a once great race. After the great wars, his home had become his cage. He was unable to leave the safety of the ghostly trees standing around him for fear of being hunted down by the Cat’ans. Skeletons and decaying bodies littered the clearing. Often, he found himself talking to the long dead bodies. He looked toward the coming gnomes—how they could sneak up on any enemy was beyond his comprehension. Their stench grew stronger as they approached.

The band of gnomes slowly entered the darkness of the birch trees, the smell of a fire drawing them in. With weapons out, they crept forward. It was well known that this area was haunted. Bands of gnomes and ogres had disappeared without a trace. Light from a fire filtered into the trees. The gnomes could make out forms standing motionless around the clearing. Movement by the fire caught their attention followed by a soft whisper. Instantly, a thick gray fog surrounded their consciousness rendering them helpless and frozen.

He watched them enter the clearing, six more for his collection. As he stood, he whispered, Stop. Instantly, the gnomes stopped frozen in time. They would eventually die from starvation. He walked up to the closest gnome and stared into its glassy eyes. It was unbelievable that they conquered the Fin’ans. He picked over the gnomes. It was unusual to find anything he wanted, but on this occasion, he found a small book. He took it and ran into his cave laughing uncontrollably. Laughter echoed out of the cave into the clearing.

*****

A knock came on the heavy timber wood door leading to the rooms that Kalidar had taken when he took control of Stone Wall from his father. A skinny, naked human slave opened the door. I have news for Kalidar. A gnome soldier stated loudly. The slave moved out of the doorway. Kalidar’s quarters were filled with female slaves.

Come, a loud voice came from the balcony. The soldier walked onto the balcony that overlooked Stone Wall’s court and surrounding landscape. Kalidar was sitting at a table eating with a finely dressed female slave. The soldier was disgusted that a royal would be eating with a slave. Kalidar held out his hand. The soldier handed him a note.

Leave, Kalidar ordered as he unrolled the parchment and read the note. Interesting, he thought as he read the note from Gordon, his brother. Gordon and Kalidar were from the royal family Doviler. They ruled Aisling for the Cat’ans. Their heritage could be traced to the beginning of the gnome empire. The land of Haearn was ruled with an iron fist, and that fist was the Doviler family.

I need you to do something for me, Kalidar said to the slave sitting across the table.

I will do anything you wish, Master, the slave responded quickly.

Kalidar expected nothing less. It would seem that royal dwarf blood still survives in the mines. I need you to go and discover who it is. Can you do this? Kalidar looked up from the note.

Yes, the slave replied without emotion. Kalidar knew this would test her loyalty.

You will leave by nightfall. When you discover the one with royal blood, have him killed and then come back to me.

As you wish. The slave stood and walked from the balcony.

Kalidar went to his study and wrote a letter to his brother. He walked through his quarters to a room where a large black iron perch was mounted to the outside of the keep. There on the perch stood a scavenger, a large black bird of prey. Kalidar walked up to the scavenger tapping the letter against his lips lost in thought. Take this to my brother. The scavenger scooped up the letter with its beak and dove off the perch beating its wings.

*****

In the middle of the fertile northern plains of Aisling sat a farm village. Small, closely packed wood houses lined each side of a dirt road that appeared from the plains and vanished into the plains. Behind the houses, fields of crops stretched out into the wild grass that covered the plains. The dirt road widened in the middle of the village forming a circle. In the center of this circle stood two black iron stakes. The village was one of many slave villages created by the Cat’ans generations ago. The Cat’ans stocked these villages with slaves, each a caretaker of a crop. When a crop was ready to be harvested or planted, the slaves would work together to complete the task. Harvested crops were stored in a barn located on the edge of the circle until the Cat’ans came to take it away.

If a crop failed, the Cat’ans would replace its caretaker. The caretaker who failed would be impaled on one of the black iron stakes and displayed in the middle of the circle for the rest of the slaves to see. On occasion, the slave would still be alive when impaled by the stake. Screams of pain would fill the air as an ogre’s war hammer pounded the stake through the slave. The other villagers would watch in horror as their friend pleaded for death. Eventually, the screams would fade only to come back to the villagers in their nightmares. The body was left on display until animals picked the meat from bones. The stench of the decaying body would drift through the village for days. A bleached white skeleton would be the only thing left lying at the base of the black iron stake. This ghastly spectacle lingered as a symbol not to defy the Cat’ans. Anyone who did would meet a painful death.

The Cat’ans didn’t have a name for this, or any other, farm village. To them the villages were the same and did not require a name. The villagers who lived there call it Raylyn. A path ran from the dirt road between two houses and through the crops to a large apple orchard. The orchard ran the length of the crops and was twice as deep. The trees wrapped around a large pond on the west side of the orchard. The apple trees arched over the path. Bright red and green apples spotted the trees. The apples were ripe and ready for harvest. The path led to a large clearing in the trees. A small log house and large pole barn sat on the edge of the clearing. Smoke rose from the small stone chimney of the log house.

The caretakers of the apple orchard are Garet Wynne and his wife, Kera. Their son, Jeric, is quickly approaching his sixteenth year. Their daughter Alyssa is in the middle of her fourteenth year. The orchard has flourished under their care. Every year the harvest has grown larger.

The sun peaked over the Rift mountaintops far in the northeast. The rays met Garet who was walking through the apple trees. Garet loved walking through the orchard before sunrise, especially just before the harvest. The leaves rustled as a light breeze blew. The sweet smell of ripe apples filled the air. Bird song reached his ears as the sun warmed his face. The coolness of the morning vanished from his skin. It was a clear morning, the sky a brilliant blue. Garet couldn’t dream of a better morning. He liked living in Raylyn; it was better than being a slave at a castle or mine. At least, in a farming village, you had limited freedom. He took a deep breath and exhaled. He picked a green apple from a low hanging branch and bit into it. It was crisp and juicy. He continued his walk back to the log house. Then, he heard it. A shrill scream came from above and behind him. It cut through the air like a knife. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Only one animal made such a sound: a Scavenger. Garet turned and looked up into the sky. A black form glided through the air. It was one of two Scavengers that watched the village.

Limited freedom, he said to himself as he watched the Scavenger.

Scavengers are large birds of prey. Their feathers, beak, talons, and eyes are black as night. The sharp talons and beak could rip through flesh with ease. It was rumored they could lift a grown person off the ground. The Scavengers watched the slaves day and night. They informed the gnomes of any problems or wrongdoing. It was unknown how the Scavengers communicated with the other Cat’ans.

The thought of a Scavenger flying above made Garet feel uneasy. He quickened his pace to the old wood barn. As Garet reached the barn, his uneasiness subsided. He glanced over to the small log farmhouse. There was smoke rising from the small stone chimney. He could see Kera’s outline through the window. He knew she was busy making breakfast. Just the thought made his belly growl. Kera would be waking Jeric and Alyssa soon. He still needed to get some work done before breakfast. He walked into the barn and got started.

Kera looked up from cutting apples to see Garet disappear into the barn. She was busy making apple biscuits. She put the knife down and walked across the wood plank floor to the children’s room. The wood door squeaked as it opened. Kera looked at Jeric and Alyssa, each wrapped up in worn and tattered brown blankets. Kera took two steps into the room and was at the bed’s edge. She bent down and ran her fingers through Jeric’s light brown hair.

Jeric, it’s time to get up. Your father needs help in the barn, she said softly. Jeric’s dark green eyes opened slowly and focused on his mom.

Is he out there already? Jeric asked. Kera nodded as she stood up and walked out of the room. Jeric rolled out of the small lumpy bed. He rubbed his aching back and wiped the sleep from his eyes. Alyssa was sound asleep curled up against the wall. The sunshine came through a small window above her. Jeric reached down and grabbed the blankets with both hands and pulled.

Mom said to get up, Jeric said as the blankets flew off of Alyssa. Alyssa’s pale green eyes snapped opened with a look that could kill. She grabbed the blankets and pulled them back over her head.

Leave me alone! she yelled from beneath the covers. Jeric walked from the room with a smile on his face.

Kera was at the counter mixing batter for the biscuits. She had a pile of apple slices next to the mixing bowl. Jeric took a seat at the table that divided the kitchen from the gathering room. The gathering room had a small stone fireplace running up the wall and two chairs with a small table between. A small fire burned in the fireplace. Kera poured some apple juice in a wood cup and handed it to Jeric.

Fresh, I made it this morning, she said as Jeric took it and drank it all in one gulp.

Your father does need your help. We need to get an early start on the harvest. He thinks this will be the biggest harvest we’ve ever had. Jeric nodded, got up, and walked out of the house into the sunshine. The bright sun burned his eyes and made them water. He heard Kera say that breakfast would be ready soon.

Alyssa walked into the room. She sat down in the same place Jeric had been sitting. She picked up the cup Jeric used and poured some juice from a small wood barrel. Kera told her to start forming the biscuits, so they could put them over the fire. Alyssa took a drink of juice and went over to the mixing bowl. She dipped her hands into the cold batter filled with apple slices. She took a hand full of batter out of the bowl and rolled it in her hands. Alyssa placed the formed biscuit on the griddle and started to make another. When she was done, eight biscuits were on the griddle. She took the griddle full of biscuits over to the fire and placed it on the rack over the small fire. Then, she backed away and sat down in Garet’s favorite chair and watched the biscuits slowly rise.

Jeric walked to a barrel full of rainwater on the side of the barn. He grabbed the rim and thrust his head down into the cold water. His face tingled from the cold. He threw his head back, and the cold water rushed down his back beneath his shirt giving him chills. The shock from the cold water cleared his head and woke him up. He walked into the barn with dripping hair. Garet was sitting on a stool mending a basket. At his feet were other baskets that also needed mending. Garet looked up at him and smiled.

How can you stick your head into cold water? I have a hard time getting into the pond, he said with a chuckle.

It wakes me up, Jeric replied. Mom said breakfast would be ready soon. Garet picked up the waist-high piece of wood and threw it to Jeric. Jeric caught it with one hand and waved it around.

Go through the motions I showed you. When you are done, gather the rest of the baskets and stack them outside.

Jeric nodded. He spread his feet apart and went through defensive parry motions, then switched to the lung and thrust. Over and over he practiced. Mentally picturing fighting gnomes and ogres just as his father had told him. Many mornings Jeric and Alyssa found themselves in the barn fighting each other with the practice swords. Garet standing next to them, instructing and watching the two practice. Jeric finished his last attack with a scream and flurry of movements. Garet looked at him fondly and smiled.

The baskets need to be stacked outside, said Garet.

Jeric nodded and put the practice sword down. He went right to work. Most of the baskets were stacked when Kera called them in. Garet and Jeric walked to the farmhouse together.

After we’re done eating, run to the village and tell everyone that we’ll be ready for them by mid-morn, said Garet as they entered the farmhouse.

Alyssa had just taken the biscuits from the fire. Their aroma filled the house. Garet took his place at the head of the table. Jeric sat on his side. Kera and Alyssa brought the food to the table. Kera sat down opposite Garet. Alyssa sat opposite Jeric.

Jeric looked at Alyssa. He couldn’t believe how much she looked like their mom. Both had long straight blond hair and pale green eyes. Their build was similar, slender and tall. Alyssa had Garet’s sharp nose and full lips. Kera had a small round nose and thin lips. Jeric’s nose was neither sharp nor round but fell between. His lips also fell between full and thin. He had Garet’s wavy light brown hair, although Garet wore his longer. Jeric’s deep green eyes complemented Garet’s deep blue eyes. Jeric was almost as big as Garet and still growing. Kera stood two palms shorter than Garet but was tall for a woman. Alyssa was smaller than Kera, but she, too, was growing. During breakfast, Garet talked about the harvest. Kera added to the conversation. Jeric and Alyssa quickly ate their breakfast. Jeric finished and stood.

Where are you going? Kera asked.

Dad wants me to tell the others when they need to come, Jeric answered.

Kera looked at him then nodded. Jeric darted out the door. He didn’t want to help clean up. Alyssa stood and was going to follow.

Alyssa, I need your help. We need to feed the others who are coming, Kera said quickly. Alyssa stomped her feet with disappointment. Kera looked at her sternly.

If you help me for a while, you can go play until we are ready to start the harvest, Kera added.

Let’s hurry, Alyssa said with enthusiasm. She picked up the dirty plates and cups on the table. She took Garet’s plate away before he was finished. Kera was going to stop her, but Garet was chuckling as he watched his daughter take the dishes outside to clean them.

Well, I guess it’s time to get to work, Garet said with a smile.

Did you have enough? I can make more, Kera said looking at Garet affectionately.

It was good. I’m full, Garet said as he stood. Kera stood and walked him to the door. Alyssa walked back in, pushing between the two. She held the clean dishes.

Maybe you want to come with me? Garet said as they stopped at the doorway. Both looked at Alyssa who was quickly putting the dishes away. Both had smiles on their faces. Alyssa quickly finished cleaning up the table.

Mom, what else? Alyssa asked. Kera gave Garet a quick kiss and pushed him out the door with a smile.

The fruit and vegetables need to be cut up. Kera told Alyssa. A smile came to Alyssa’s face. For some reason, Alyssa liked using knives; they felt comfortable in her hands. She had never cut herself, and she would push herself to cut faster. Kera thought it had something to do with Garet teaching her how to use a sword. She watched as Alyssa grabbed the knife from the counter and went to work. The sound of the blade hitting the wood counter started out slowly then turned into a steady flow. After the pile of fruit and vegetables were cut, Kera told Alyssa to go play. She was about to dart through the door when Kera stopped her.

Where is your cover? Kera asked.

Do I have to wear it? she asked. She didn’t like wearing it because it was big and made her hot. Not to mention it was hard to run in.

You know you do. All women and girls must, Kera answered. Alyssa walked to her room. She grabbed the cover from the hook on the back of the door and pulled it over her head. She could feel the weight of the cover on her shoulders. A cover was a thick, full-length, loose-fitting robe. It was dirt brown in color, rough to the touch, and scratchy. The women wore them to hide their form from the Cat’ans’ eyes. Often, women and men would wear hats to help the women blend in.

If the Cat’ans saw something they liked, they would take it. They could take Alyssa anytime. Anything that could hide a young girl’s form must be used. Most young girls in their village had been taken when they were around Alyssa’s age. Alyssa and her best friend, Rin, were the only girls left in the village. Rin is younger than Alyssa by half a year. Jeric was the only boy in the village. The others either escaped in the night or were killed by the Cat’ans. The villagers treated the three as if they were their own kids. The elder women wore covers even though the Cat’ans would only take the young. Anyone taken would be a personal slave to the gnome or ogre leader that desired them. Only Cat’an leaders were allowed to take a personal slave.

Alyssa emerged from the room wearing her dirt brown cover. Kera threw her a hat before she reached the door. Alyssa tucked her long hair up under the hat. When she hit the door, she took off for the apple trees. Her cover dragged on the ground kicking up dirt as she ran.

Jeric walked between two houses and out onto the main dirt road. A group of houses lay on each side of the dirt road. Jeric went from door to door and told the villagers to meet at the orchard mid morning. Everyone greeted him with a smile; most asked if he wanted anything to eat. He declined their offers.

I just finished eating. Mom made a big breakfast, He would reply and on to the next house he went. Jeric slowed as he approached Rin’s house and looked into the window before knocking on the door. He saw Rin and her mother Hannah eating at the table in silence; sadness filled the air around them. This year had been extremely hard on them. The Cat’ans killed Rin’s brother, Garth, and father, Yuseh, earlier that season. Yuseh was killed because Garth had fled the village. Jeric remembered the night Garth left.

*****

There was a terrible storm. Lightning flashed across the sky. Rain came down in sheets; a tapping on the small window above their bed woke Jeric and Alyssa. They woke to see Garth standing outside the window, water running off his wide brimmed hat. He had a pack on his back and was dressed for travel.

Jeric, come on; let’s go, he said through the window. Jeric got out of bed and pulled on his boots. He took his hat from the hook on the door and opened it. The door squeaked as it opened. Jeric looked toward his parents’ room to see if they had heard the noise. Everything was quiet. He walked through the dark house and into the pouring rain. The rain was cold as it hit Jeric’s body. The wide-brimmed hat kept it from hitting his face. Garth was Jeric’s best friend. Garth was the only other boy left in the village. Jeric knew what Garth was going to say.

I’m leaving. Come with me, Garth said. Lightning flashed and thunder shook the ground. Garth had been talking about running away for weeks. He did not like farming and felt trapped. He wanted to see the land. Jeric always stopped him from going.

There is nothing out there to see. It isn’t like the time before the wars. All the races are enslaved under the Cat’ans, Jeric pleaded.

There must be some place that is free of them. I’m going to find it. I want you to come, Garth said.

I can’t. I don’t want anything to happen to my family. You shouldn’t do this to your family, Jeric chastised Garth. He couldn’t go with him. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to. He himself wondered what was out there. He knew that if he left, the Cat’ans would hurt his family. Jeric pleaded with Garth not to go. It did no good. Garth got mad and ran off into the rainy night. Jeric watched him disappear into the darkness.

May the light of Fintan himself lead your way, he said to himself and walked back into the farmhouse. When he entered, the smell of tobacco hit him. Jeric looked over to see Garet sitting in his chair. Smoke came from his pipe. Garet’s hand went to the pipe and took it from his mouth.

I’m glad you didn’t go, Garet said and put the pipe back into his mouth not looking at Jeric. Jeric did not say anything. He did not know what to say. He walked to his room and tried to fall asleep without success. Garet stayed up. Again and again, he packed his pipe thinking about Jeric and Alyssa’s future. He had talked many times with Garth’s father, Yuseh, about their children. Yuseh was concerned about Garth leaving, and what would happen when he finally ran away. He had stopped Garth from running countless times and tried to make him understand why he couldn’t leave, but the boy was eager to get away. It was only a matter of time before Alyssa was taken or Jeric would run. He and Kera would need to prepare them for the danger they would face. He would discuss it with Kera in the morning. They would need to decide how to help their children. He took one more draw from his pipe, put it down and walked off to bed. He, as Jeric, could not fall asleep.

Late the following day, a Scavenger landed on top of the house and shrieked. Soon after, trackers entered the village. The trackers had iron chain leashes around their necks. Ogres held the other end of the leashes. Gnomes, mounted on black warhorses, entered the village last. They gathered everyone out on the dirt road. A caped gnome with long black hair dismounted his warhorse. He walked over to address the group of villagers.

Who is responsible for the run away? the gnome yelled as he looked into the group. His white eyes scanned the group. They stood in silence. The captain took his sword from its sheath. He walked from one end of the group to the other.

If someone doesn’t tell me, I will kill one of you. I will keep on killing until I’m told who is responsible threatened the captain. The villagers stood silent. Uneasiness filled the air. The gnome pulled a woman by the collar from the group.

Get down on your knees, woman, he shouted at her and forced her down. He raised his sword.

Hold, Yuseh shouted. The blade dropped to the gnome’s side. The captain walked over to Yuseh who was standing next to Hannah and Rin. I’m Yuseh, and the run away is my son, Yuseh said proudly.

Step forward, Yuseh did as he was ordered. Hannah held his hand tight. He turned back to her and looked into her eyes and broke the grasp. He turned and walked out of the group. The gnome captain walked around Yuseh looking him up and down.

A man with honor? I thought we got rid of your kind long ago, spouted the gnome. Jeric placed his hands over Alyssa and Rin’s eyes as he watched. He knew nothing good could happen here. The gnome stepped behind Yuseh and looked at him one last time. Then, in one smooth motion, he plunged his sword into Yuseh’s back; the blade erupted from his chest. Yuseh gasped as his hands clutched at the sword in his back. Hannah screamed and started forward, but Kera and Garet took hold of her arms. If she went forward, she would also be cut down. The gnome’s white eyes fixed on Hannah. The captain pulled his blade from Yuseh and started toward Hannah leaving Yuseh behind who fell to his knees. Hannah peered into the gnomes white eyes as he walked up to her.

Was he your mate? He was lucky to have such a beautiful mate, the gnome said, as his white eyes looked her up and down. Kera’s grip tightened around Hannah’s arm, as did Garet’s. Jeric slowly moved the girls behind him.

Let her go, the gnome ordered. Kera looked at Hannah who was still looking into the gnome’s eyes. They let her arms go. The gnome stepped closer to her.

If you were younger, I would take you, he said as his hands ran down her shoulder to take rest on her breast.

A flash caught Jeric’s eye. He looked to see a small knife concealed in Garet’s hand. The group was still. Everyone watched the confrontation. Hannah and the gnome just looked into each other’s eyes. Then, the gnome pulled his hand away.

Your control has saved you, he said and walked back toward Yuseh who was on his knees, both hands covering his wounded chest. Blood ran down both arms and dripped off his elbows. The gnome grabbed his head and pushed him to the ground. Yuseh fell with a gasp. The gnome shouted orders as he walked over to the ogres and trackers. Hannah rushed to Yuseh’s side. Yuseh’s eyes focused on Hannah.

Take the ring. Remember me, Yuseh said. Hannah reached under Yuseh’s blood-soaked shirt and pulled out a silver ring hanging from a leather cord. The ring had been passed down from generation to generation in his family. It had mountains engraved on its surface with an inscription beneath, the meaning and origin unknown.

Then, Hannah heard Kera, Hannah, he is turning around. Hannah bent down, kissed Yuseh on the lips and tugged on the ring breaking the leather cord.

I love you, she whispered as she stood and rushed back to Kera’s side. The gnome captain watched the woman walk back to her friends. Too bad she was old. The Scavenger took to the sky. It screeched as it flew overhead going east. Trackers looked up at the Scavenger. Then, the ogres holding the chains cracked their whips. The trackers started after the Scavenger. Ogres and mounted gnomes followed. The gnome captain walked toward the group. He stopped in front of Yuseh.

We will not stand for this, he said with a face as cold as stone. An ogre picked Yuseh up and threw him over his shoulder. The rest of the soldiers started out of the village. The gnome captain mounted his warhorse and rode to the head of the column. The villagers started to talk and gather around Hannah. Jeric hoped Garth had gone far, for he was now the hunted.

Days came and went. Jeric thought Garth might have gotten away, but Garth’s body was discovered one morning. The Cat’ans must have come during the night. His body beaten almost beyond recognition was displayed on one of the stakes in the center of the village. They could only guess what happened to Yuseh’s body. Ogres have an unquenchable taste for human flesh.

Hannah stood outside her house looking at Garth’s body for days. She had Rin stay with Garet and Kera when Garth’s body was discovered. Rin didn’t need to see her brother like that. The villagers kept a close eye on Hannah. No one knew what she might do. Day and night she stood and watched the body.

One day, she watched as a Scavenger flew down and landed on top of the stake above Garth’s head. Its black eyes looked at Hannah, and then started to peck at Garth’s face. Hannah ran forward yelling at