Abigail, A Valaran Chronicles Short Story

By Byron A. Wells

This short story adds to where Amalgam, The Valaran Chronicles Book 1 ends. Learn how the people of Redwood rebuild there ruined lives with the assistance of Hobs and Archon. Abigail must step up as the new leader of her people and overcome obstacles and adversity - will she have what it to succeed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Byron A. Wells
• Release date: Jan 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9780988059061

Byron A. Wells

Aspiring SciFi and Fantasy writer, IT professional by day.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Invasion

BOOOOOOOM!

The sound of an explosion rocked Redwood sending Abigail and those around her to the ground. Three more explosions split the air in rapid succession in violent cacophony. Debris rained down around her forcing Abigail to curl tightly into a ball; her hands raised to cover her head.

With ears ringing from the concussive sounds Abigail watched in horror as figures from her worst nightmares emerged from the billowing dust. Bipedal reptilian creatures strode forth; scales covering their bodies in varied colors ranging from yellow to green. At two and a half meters in height their stature was intimidating; they stood taller than anyone in Redwood. Three lethal-looking claws capped both their arms and legs – muscles rippled as they moved; short tails jutted out from an opening in the back of their shipsuits. Piercing orbs of black perched over a snout which thrust out from their head with ear holes on either side. Razor-sharp teeth were evident as one Scarian, obviously the leader, surveyed the destruction.

Flashes of light stabbed out from the devices held in their scale covered reptilian hands. The lethal flashes of light cut down the family who had lived next to Abigail – a family that was gone in a second as they tried to flee the devastation.

Abigail regarded the ruined buildings surrounding the square; her eyes lingering on her dead friends as the hissing sounds began…sounds that were translated into words she understood.

I am Ssplin, Brood Warrior of the Scarian Empire. You are my prisoners. Who are your leaders?

Silence greeted the reptile’s query and Abigail watch in growing horror as raised his weapon and shot another villager. Rand screamed in pain from the non-lethal wound to his leg. Show me who your leaders are, NOW.

Abigail stood and approached him slowly; Jonaton was beside her seconds later. A clearly reluctant Pol stood beside them shortly thereafter.

What was he doing standing with them? Abigail thought. Considering the events of the council meeting early that morning he had no right. He had been removed by a vote of the people for belligerently aiding his son Roland in escaping justice – justice that was deserved for his part in the rape and attempted murder of her daughter Lena.

Abigail chose to ignore Pol and returned her gaze to the Ssplin.

He stood there regarding them with his cold reptilian eyes, saying nothing. A chill coursed through her as Ssplin regarded her for a long moment before sliding his gaze to Jonaton.

An inadvertent gasp escaped Abigail as she identified the prisoners that another of their reptilian captors led into the courtyard. Ssplin noted her recognition of Roland and his friends.

Where are the Valaran and where is their base? Ssplin asked coldly, waiting a moment for the translator to complete its job.

Abigail and Pol remained silent as Jonaton spoke up in reply. We don’t know what you mean by Valaran, and we don’t know about any base. She saw that Jonaton was keeping his eyes down in respect and did the same.

I doubt that, old man, Ssplin hissed. I tell you what I am going to do, for every half of a standard time unit you withhold this information from me, I will kill one person here. Starting now!

There was nothing Abigail could do to stop Ssplin as he un-holstered his weapon and shot Brem in the face. Blood rained down on those around him as his lifeless body slumped to the ground. Brem’s wife screamed in agony as she moved to his side where she wept as she clutched her dead husband’s body.

A firm wave of her hand