Wings and Claws

By Dallas Releford

In a faraway land called Yuman, in a small village called Darmin, Tara Keene lives in peace and harmony. She is in love with a young, handsome villager named Erin Cla. Their lives consist of taking care of the farms they live on and enjoying the company of other creatures that live in an immense forest that covers their land. Tara has a reputation of being a sorceress because she touched a great golden rock that fell from the sky. Only Tara and Erin know that she uses the power of the stone to create miracles. Very much in love, they have grown farther apart because Erin has accepted more adult responsibilities after his father died. Their tranquil existence is threatened one day as Tara and her two sisters Lita and Serona tend the sheep in the forest. The Batavians, a fierce, warlike race attacks and their lives change forever.
Her magical, golden stone and her ability to control its energy has attracted the attention of Emperor Jaron Len, the cruel, evil leader of the bat creatures. Emperor Len’s army has conducted sporadic attacks against Yuman and nearby lands for many years. The temptation of capturing Tara Keene and the golden stone prompts him to make an all-out attack on the kingdoms.
In the forest, joined by trolls and dwarves, Tara fights a delaying tactic against the winged bats that ride fearsome winged black horses. She sends a messenger to warn Erin Cla that they have been attacked. Erin organizes an army to resist the bats.
Villard Kan, a self-appointed troll king leads an army of trolls and dwarves against the bats north of Tara’s location. He is soon wounded and dies. General Anon Kli, a troll officer takes command and attempts to hold the bats while other armies are being formed. Kli sends Captain Yor Yez to assist Tara and get her to safety. They all know that if Emperor Len gets his hands on Tara and the stone, it is all over.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dallas Releford
• Release date: Jun 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466158047

Book preview

Wings and Claws

By:

DALLAS RELEFORD

Published by

Dallas Releford at Smashwords.com

Wings and Claws

Copyright (C) 2011 Dallas Releford

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Featuring a free short story at the end of the novel.

Earth Is A Star

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This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, places, events, organizations, areas, or locations are intended to provide a feeling of authenticity and are used in a fictitious manner. All other characters, dialogue and incidents are drawn from the author’s imagination and shouldn’t be accepted as real.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without explicit permission from the author or publisher except in brief quotations used in an article or in a similar way.

Smashwords Edition, License notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The ebook may not be re-sold or given 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.

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Dedication

I would like to thank my wife Sharon for her understanding while I was writing this book. She passed away on August 18, 2010. She is dearly missed.

I would also like to thank my agent and typist, Harriet Smith and Martin Smith, my advisor and typist. Their hard work and dedication has made this book much better than it would have been without them.

Credit is also due to my lawyer, Daniel C. Atwood and my financial advisor Ova Helton, Jr. for their sound advice.

I am also grateful to many other people who kept me going through tough times I have faced in the last seven months.

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"Death is the golden key of eternity."

John Milton

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WINGS AND CLAWS

Chapter 1

It was told, and it has been written that in the days before Yuman’s became a species to be reckoned with—long before they presented a dominating presence to other creatures of the great forests that covered the world they lived in—that trolls and dwarves dwelled in a land called Tharvia.

Tharvia was a beautiful land bordered on the North by great lakes and on the East by Yuman, a land where peaceful tribes lived in small villages. To the South was the land of the Vorgos, a swamp place where lizard people dwelled. To the West was Batavia, a territory where evil existed in the form of bat-like creatures who were dangerous and warlike.

Tharvia was bustling with life of every variety. Fairies flew about on warm summer nights avoiding mischievous elves and goblins that wished to capture them. Keeping a Fairy in captivity would surely bring luck to those who had captured them. Fairies were ordained to be magical creatures that could grant wishes at the whim of their captors and so they were exceptionally valued, prized possessions. It was not only fairies that dwelled in the land of Tharvia. Elves, Gnomes and Pixies lived here too. Tharvia was a warm and pleasant land, most of the time.

Peace existed between the giants to the South in a land called Spartica and the smaller people of the North. It was not so with the Batavians. They did not get along with any of their neighbors. Despite all the good and beautiful things in this world, there were bad and evil things here too. The most evil creatures of all were the Batavians, a cruel and brutal race of dark creatures that showed little piety toward anyone. These gruesome beings were human-like with bat-shaped featherless wings, penetrating yellow eyes and long-clawed hands and feet. Their skin was as dark as the night. They were intelligent with the ability to construct great villages and the power to command other less fortunate folks to do their bidding. They built their kingdom on a foundation of slavery of other races and the sweat off the brow of thousands who suffered and perished under their iron hands with long sharp claws.

Their warriors’ rode on great black, winged horses that carried them into battle. They were so fearsome that few enemies stood before them for very long. Even though they were winged creatures themselves, they had discovered long ago that riding strong winged horses gave them several advantages over their enemies. The horses were stronger and faster, and they presented a fearsome image when they attacked their foes. A bat with a sword held high mounted on a flying horse instilled sheer terror into the hearts of everyone that saw them. The winged horses with fiery red eyes were so powerful and scary they drove the enemies of the Batavians before them like flies from a storm. The horses could fly higher and maneuver better than the bats could when they flew alone. The place where the Batavians lived was called Batavia. The Batavians were ruled by the most evil of all, a vicious warlord named Jaron Len. The mention of his name caused most creatures to shudder with fear. His cruelty toward others was legendary. There were many varied descriptions of Jaron Len floating around. What you heard depended on who was telling the story. To someone that had been terrorized by his evil, Jaron Len was an incredible monster with fiery red eyes, wicked sharp horns and fire erupting from his nostrils. Someone who had only seen him passing by on his mighty steed might offer a completely different description of him. Most of the forest creatures told the same story about his brutality and his incessant quest for fortune and power. Most of the creatures were ready to agree that Jaron Len was evil to the core. Everyone knew someone that had felt his whip or had suffered at the hands of his soldiers.

The land of the Yumans extended from the borders of Tharvia to the land of the gargoyles in the North and to the great ocean to the East that some said went on forever. Yumans lived in huts and wooden houses. They were timid and were only interested in hunting, harvesting and raising food. They were rarely considered a threat to anyone. When they did go to war, it was in their own defense or to assist their friends.

To the north of Yuman and to the East was the land of the gargoyles, a race that few knew much about. Yuman faced the Great Barren Plains of the gargoyles on the East and to the North. Great mountains separated the Yumans from the gargoyles. As long as the gargoyles didn’t intrude on the Yumans, they wisely ignored them.

Great endless forests covered the land. Near the great mountain named Barbir was a small Yuman village called Darmin where Tara Keene lived with her family. Tara was the oldest daughter of Marta and Juon Keene. She had two sisters, both of them almost as beautiful as she was. Their names were Lita and Serona. Tara was the most beautiful woman in the land, and the most feared.

The magic of the forest and of the great world on which she lived flowed through her veins. Tara was a sorceress. Some Yumans called her a witch. She was known throughout the land as a kind and gentle sorceress who was willing to help those in trouble. Still, many feared the powerful magic that she claimed as her own. Fearing her wrath, they accepted her and went about their business knowing that when they needed help, she was willing to provide it. Most of the Yumans, dwarfs and trolls were quite willing to overlook her strange, but welcome magic.

Tara had seen her twentieth year a couple of months ago. Her long silky, golden hair, the color of wheat, rested gently on her creamy white shoulders and her sky blue eyes sparkled in the early morning sun as she helped her sisters drive goats into a meadow where tall grass would keep them occupied for most of the day. Living outside the village of Darmin, they were grateful that they were free from the prying eyes of their neighbors. With the reputation of a witch—albeit a good one—Tara knew she had to be extremely careful about what she said and did. The last thing she needed was a disgruntled enemy. Doing the wrong thing might turn her people against her. Even though most people in the village and the surrounding area loved and respected her, there were those who feared her. They who possessed fear were the most dangerous of all. Fear, she knew, caused good people to do many bad things.

Only Tara knew the extent of her powers although she did not thoroughly understand them. She was aware that she had to be constantly on guard not only for herself, but for her family as well.

The world was as beautiful as it was violent and she knew there were those who would love to get their hands on her, and in doing so, control the only obstacle between them and enslavement of the Yuman’s of which she was a member. It was fear of her magic that had kept the bats from invading her land until now. She often wondered how long it would be until the bats summoned up enough courage to invade and kill.

The Yuman’s were not an organized people, at least not yet anyway. They lived in small, but comfortable villages where they raised cattle, sheep and hogs for food and clothes. Gardens and crops provided them with food in the summer. Some of it was processed and stored where it would be used during bitter cold winters. They hunted little preferring to leave the animals alone as much as possible. They were content and happy although life sometimes was rough, especially when bitter cold winters threatened their existence or howling winds carried their villages away. Still, they managed to survive and to thrive in a beautiful land they were happy to inhabit.

Erin Cla was the most handsome warrior in the village of Darmin. Darmin was located in Yuman close to the Tharvian border. Even the village council looked to him when danger threatened. The women of the village adored him and many beautiful maidens went to bed every night dreaming of his long dark hair, deep gray eyes and his muscular body. Erin’s heart longed for one maiden only except Tara Keene had seemed disinterested in him lately. Perhaps she was simply playing her girlish games. Still, he knew he would never give up until she finally belonged to him. He could see the spark of love in her eyes every time he looked at her. It was up to him to extract that spark and encourage her to nurture it until she loved him as much as he loved her. He knew Tara loved him. She had said as much and had never denied it.

Tara lived on a small farm only a few miles from where Erin dwelled with his mother, a younger brother, much younger than he was, and two beautiful sisters. He was content with his life as a farmer. Nonetheless, he knew that he would be happier with Tara by his side, except his people expected so much of him. He’d been busy lately taking care of matters for the village elders and hadn’t seen Tara for several weeks. Maybe when his work for the day was over, he’d wander over to her farm and have a talk with her. He’d explain how things were and she would understand. Kissing her inviting soft lips and caressing her in the right places had always worked. If words failed, he would surely have a chance to explain things to her with his hands and lips, if not with words from his heart and mouth.

He thought about the Yuman situation trying to get Tara off his mind for a little while, a feat that he’d found almost impossible lately. Scouts had been warning him that something was up to the west. Bats were seen more frequently now flying over Yuman and they’d even been seen in the high mountains to the east. One thought disturbed him greatly. Even with all the Yuman warriors gathered in one place, an event that was rare, they were almost defenseless against the Batavians.

So far, Batavian raids had been sporadic. They would appear in a village, capture a few Yumans and then they were gone on their great black horses before Yuman warriors could give chase. Their black poisoned tipped arrows usually left many dead and wounded. Thinking about the raids caused rage to build up in him and he wanted to do something about it, but what?

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That was the way her world was on that beautiful spring day as she and her sisters sat in the shade of a giant oak watching the goats and sheep graze. Lita and Serona spoke softly as a warm breeze caressed their lovely faces and birds nearly sang them to sleep. Tara picked wildflowers to take home to her mother. Her mother loved beautiful things, especially flowers, as much as Tara. As she searched for the most beautiful flowers, she occasionally glanced at her sisters feeling grateful to have them as sisters although they sometimes angered her with their antics. Lita had red hair, beautiful green eyes and a temper that was as fiery as her hair. She often argued with Serona and sometimes with Tara. Tara tried to remember if she had been as rebellious as Lita when she was sixteen years old. Tara understood her problem. Lita needed a good man to give her the direction and love that would make her a woman. Except, Lita still had not taken the first step to find someone who would love her. Tara shook her head in disappointment and continued collecting flowers. Serona was the youngest and the quietest. There was always conflict between the two sisters, Tara realized as she found a bunch of beautiful purple flowers with yellow centers. Her mother would be pleased. Serona’s hair was almost the color of the yellow flower and her eyes were as blue as an autumn sky. Despite their differences, Tara knew she loved her sisters and would do anything for them. They were family.

Lita walked over to where Tara was engaged in a conversation with a small fairy that was sitting on a flower Tara wanted to add to her collection. The fairy would not budge so Tara decided that the flower wasn’t worth the argument. After all, there were thousands of flowers in the meadow, let the fairy have it. They all looked pretty much the same, didn’t they?

Lita was silent for a moment and then she spoke softly as if her words might anger her older sister. You don’t speak much of Erin. Don’t you like him as you used to? Do you not trust him?

Trust has little to do with it. Tara was slightly annoyed with Lita for bringing up the subject. I have responsibilities to our people and to my family. Only I know the source of my power. I cannot risk falling in love and jeopardizing our safety, not even when that lover is as handsome as Erin Cla.

So, you think that love will distract you and you might give your secret away, is that what you are thinking, sister?

Tara listened at the sounds of the forest, the little gurgling brook nearby, the chattering of the squirrels and the songs of birds and wondered what life would be like without them. She knew that eyes were always watching them from the forest and ears were always listening. Somewhere, not too far away she could hear the high-pitched voices of fairies and the growling of agitated trolls. Weren’t they always angry about something? Thinking she had enough flowers, at least for now, she sat down on a log and sighed. Barefoot, she moved her toes through cool blades of grass under her feet. The little fairy had moved on to another flower, a larger one that she seemed to adore. Love is a distracting thing. She had to admit that Erin Cla was the most wonderful man she had met. That had been somewhat distracting to her. She was constantly thinking about him, even now. That isn’t the only reason for my hesitation, though. The council wants Erin to become King Cla and rule over Darmin. Some day he’ll be ruler over all the villages. I would be his queen, should I choose to do so. That arrangement would put an end to my freedom that I enjoy so much. I love the forest, being with my family and protecting everyone. If I were Queen Tara Keene my freedom might be forced away from me. No, I enjoy my freedom too much to make such a choice.

Lita shook her head in disagreement. Couldn’t Tara see the real truth? I don’t think so. She paused and studied Tara’s beautiful face. The little fairy was hovering near them fussing at them, perhaps hoping they’d go away and leave her flowers alone. Your powers depend on a stone that fell from the sky. You told me so and swore me to secrecy. How could that be true if you possess the stone? Only you know where it is. Right?

Love is powerful. Tara expressed herself with a straight face and her head held high. What would happen if I told Erin about the whereabouts of the stone while under the spell of love?

You talk as if he has magic too. Lita had heard rumors that Erin Cla had magic almost as powerful as Tara, except she had never seen him make dragons appear or make mountains belch fire.

Oh, yes. Tara said the words with pride without sounding like she was boasting of her knowledge. Haven’t you felt it when he looks at you with those wonderful eyes?

Maybe so, Lita admitted. I’m two years younger than you, Tara. I know you have first choice with Erin. You will be twenty-one next fall so do not tarry too long. Many other hearts long for the one you are willing to let suffer and float away from you like smoke from a chimney. Don’t wait too long to make up your mind.

Most of what Lita said was true and Tara knew it. Most of the girls in the village and surrounding areas were married by the time they’d seen their sixteenth year. Serona was already sixteen and had a young suitor wanting her to marry him. Lita was waiting for the right one to come along. Tara had already found the one she loved. She was waiting for him to carry her away on a white horse except her responsibilities to her people had kept her from telling him why she didn’t want to marry him. She knew the terrible truth was that she would soon have to forget about other people and think of her own future. If she didn’t marry Erin Cla soon someone else would take him away from her. You speak well and truthful, little sister. Perhaps I should give the matter more thought. Tara made the confession knowing that showing any sign of weakness or indifference on her part would leave the door wide open for Lita and others to converge on Erin Cla like bees after clover blossoms.

Perhaps you should, consider it some more. Lita gave her advice willingly because she truly loved her sister. No man would ever come between them. Some other fair maidens aren’t as honest as I. Perhaps you should take action as quickly as possible.

Before Tara could respond she felt a cold chill drift down her spine and her blood felt chilled as well. They were more than five miles from the village, alone, except for the sheep and the animals in the forest. Something was terribly wrong. Her senses could detect that the character of the forest had changed suddenly. The friendliness it usually offered was now gone. Creatures of varying sizes and shapes were now as quiet as the stones beneath her feet. Tara had noticed the silence in the woods earlier. She had been so consumed with thoughts and stimulating images of Erin Cla that she had ignored the warning. Now, she wished she had been more attentive.

Lita grabbed her arm. Two sisters stared at each other wondering what was causing them such duress. Sensing danger, Tara dropped the bouquet of flowers. Grabbing Lita’s arm she pulled her toward the shade of the oak tree where Serona sat watching them, wondering why they seemed alarmed.

They heard something, or somebody rustling bushes nearby. They were alarmed and afraid that an evil warlock was near them. Evil spirits visited the forest all the time looking for fair maidens to capture. Many said the spirits belonged to the warlocks who sold the girls to the bats. They could not smell it and that further caused them concern. Normally a warlock could be detected by its pungent odor. When they turned their attention in the direction of the noise, they were relieved to see a dwarf staring at them.

Eminus Vokal. Tara hadn’t seen the dwarf for a long time. Why was he here now? What are you doing here? Why are you breathing so hard? Are you ill?

I r-ran a l-long way. He was almost whispering. His voice was hoarse and his breathing was labored. The Batavians are coming. They plan to a-attack . . . your village and take hostages. They are looking for you, Tara. You must hide, and very quickly.

Vokal was less than four feet tall with long peaked ears, large blue eyes and a long nose. Any other time, Tara would have told him how cute he was, except his words had sunk deep into her heart and mind. They have never attacked our village. Never. Why now?

They seek your magic. The Emperor Jaron Len has sent an entire army to find you and to bring you back to his palace.

We must hide, but where? Sarona looked at Tara and then at Vokal. They must be everywhere by now.

I will not hide while my family is in danger because of me. I will stand and—

Look. Lita screamed before Vokal could slap his hand over her mouth. She pointed to the sky as a dark cloud blotted out the sun. Clouds and they’re moving fast.

It’s not a cloud. Tara warned them knowing exactly what they were seeing. She had seen the ominous clouds before. Batavians, thousands of them are coming for me.

The situation seemed hopeless. There were too many of them, even for her powerful magic.

1

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Chapter 2

Tara shivered as she watched the dark horde approach them. They were still under the giant oak. She was sure they hadn’t been spotted yet although such a thing wasn’t entirely impossible. These creatures were able to send out some kind of wave that bounced back letting them know what was in their path. Their eyesight was such that they could see a mouse in a meadow from half-a-mile high.

She never understood why they rode horses when they themselves could fly. Was it because they loved being able to control the monstrous beasts? Or was it because the horses could move faster and quicker than the bats could?

Reacting quickly would save lives, except everything had happened so suddenly Tara barely had time to think, yet she knew she had to come up with something, and very soon. Should she try to warn the villagers or should she attempt to use her powers—which didn’t seem to work right all of the time—to save her sisters and the others?

Eminus stood looking at the advancing multitude knowing death was descending upon them. Better do magic soon. His voice quivered from fear that came with the knowledge of how treacherous and vile the Batavians were. Their cruelties were known far and wide. He wondered if even the great sorceress, Tara Keene would be able to protect him from them. Better do magic soon. His second declaration was a desperate one. Anytime now will do, Tara. Eminus Vokal knew she had the magic, except he wasn’t certain Tara knew how to use its full power. His words were meant to encourage her, nonetheless, he felt as if he had failed in that endeavor.

Of course, Tara said. Eminus, you go warn the villagers and my family. They will know what to do. I doubt if I can stop all of the bats. Nevertheless, I shall try.

You are not alone. Eminus spoke slowly so she would know that his words were the truth and she would not have any trouble understanding his babbling. I have over five hundred dwarves and trolls here. More will come when they hear of this deceitful invasion. We fight and so will other creatures of the forest.

Tara felt relieved because she would have help against the Batavians. As Eminus rushed away to warn the villagers, Tara closed her mind and focused on the large meadow in front of her. In her mind, the only thing she saw were large blades of grass. Concentrating, she transformed the blades of grass into long green arrows that erupted from the ground by the thousands. The arrows, now as solid as any