Demon Slayer: Paladins of Ama - Ragnor Saga, #3

By Juergen Friemel

The adventures of the young Ragnor take you into the remote world of the planet Makar. Accompanied by two moons, it solitarily circles around a red sun. In this medieval-oriented world, which isn’t inhabited by humans only, the young man, whose origin is unknown at first, experiences various adventures. At the same time, the quasar magic of Ama’s guardians, the paladins of light, play an increasingly more important part in his life. Gradually, Ragnor learns to gain control over this mystic magic. The young man desperately needs this power, because the demonic army under the leadership of Ximon, the god of darkness, is already lurking at the portals of the underworld. These demons are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to attack the inhabitants of Makar.

In the third volume of the saga, Ragnor becomes well acquainted with envy, hatred and pride of place, but he finds his great love as well. He makes powerful enemies and new friends. Side by side, Ragnor and his comrades have to fight a cruel war, incited by a protector of a dark god. Now the young man has to prove whether he masters the quasar magic well enough to defeat the personified demons his enemy has summoned from the underworld. Unfortunately, those demons cannot be killed with common iron weapons.

I hope that the English-speaking readers will enjoy reading this book as much as the German-speaking readers do.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Juergen Friemel
• Release date: Nov 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519907844

Juergen Friemel

I am the author of the 12 books of the Ragnor-Saga: Paladins of Ama. I am 58 years old, and live in Germany. Currently there are 9 books published in German and 5 books published in English too. It is planned to publish all books in both languages in the next two years. Overview blurb of the whole Saga: The adventures of the young Ragnor take you into the remote world of the planet Makar. Accompanied by two moons, it solitarily circles around a red sun. In this medieval-oriented world, which isn't inhabited by humans only, the young man, whose origin is unknown at first, experiences various adventures. At the same time, the quasar magic of Ama's guardians, the paladins of light, play an increasingly more important part in his life. Gradually, Ragnor learns to gain control over this mystic magic. The young man desperately needs this power, because the demonic army under the leadership of Ximon, the god of darkness, is already lurking at the portals of the underworld. These demons are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to attack the inhabitants of Makar.

Book preview

Prologue

Have the instructions of the gray legionaries been sent?

Yes, master, as you have commanded. On every known world, which isn't under our protectorate yet, an experienced centurion will be dropped off in order to convert them to Ximon and to supply him with their souls, so that he can appease his insatiable hunger. The hyperspace capsules of the sleepers blast off three days ago.

Then the usual, muffled silence prevailed among Ximon's creatures in the sinister central world of the dark empire of Xitar.

Solely the noiseless screams of the enslaved souls, that contorted themselves in the grip of the eerie deity, echoed throughout the heads of those ones whose mind could perceive the fifth dimension. Except for Ximon's creatures, who took delight in the suffering of those souls, only a handful of other beings existed that had that ability, too; Ximon had destroyed Ama's guardians root and branch.

Nevertheless, the worlds, who still were believers in Ama, firmly believed in the legend that Ama's guardians would return someday and put Ximon and his henchmen in their place.

Noiselessly, a small, oval space shuttle at an incredibly fast speed moved through the hyperspace in the direction of the planet Makar. It was situated on the edge of Andromeda. Along with two moons, it solitarily orbited an old, red sun.

According to plan, the space shuttle left the fifth dimension. Safely controlled by its airborne computer, the shuttle prepared for landing on the northern continent of Makar.

Then something unforeseen happened! Such an accident occurred only every few standard years. Nevertheless, it happened here and today. At the very moment, when the small space shuttle entered the dense atmosphere of the planet, the detection device didn't work for a few seconds. Simultaneously, from somewhere in the depth of Andromeda, a small crystalline meteor, which had been on its way for millions of years, entered the atmosphere as well, and it hit the small space shuttle.

Thanks to the complex electronics, the heavily damaged space shuttle managed to land, and the sleeping centurion woke up soon afterwards. The hyperspace radio device, however, was irrevocably destroyed by the collision, and a start of the space ship was unthinkable. Therefore, it was sheer luck or merciful fate that the planet Makar and the small Ragnor, who was just ten years old at the point in time of the landing, was offered the little chance to face up to the messenger of evil who came to this world. Maybe the boy could destroy him, because that creature had no chance of calling for help from Xitar.

Setting

Chapter 1

The equipment for the combat mission against the Harkons and their allies was put out ready for collection.

While packing, Ragnor had realized that it wasn't so easy to restrict his baggage and the belongings of his page to the essentials, so that it could be loaded on one pack animal only.

Count Rurig had explicitly instructed the imperial knights and the aspiring knights, who weren't acquainted with that rule, to pack only the most necessary things. The armored knights of Kaarborg were familiar with that procedure, because they always had to be prepared to be deployed to a new battleground by ship, in case of emergency. The available shipping capacity was always very limited, and it was important to transport as many fighters as possible.

That economy had a string of consequences, of course, especially in view of the comfort. On all parts of their journey, the count's knights always wore their complete suits of armor, in contrary to the majority of the knights in Caer, who merely wore their hauberks, when they weren't in the immediate combat area. That `discomfort´, however, offered advantages though; in the long history of the countship, the Kaarborger knights had never been surprised by their opponents without wearing their panoplies, although it had been the other way round more than once.

There was still some time until they would leave. Therefore, Ragnor hadn't put on his elaborate full panoply yet.

Fifty knights, ten aspiring knights and about five thousand militiamen were impatiently waiting for their final mission command. Most of all, they eagerly wanted to get to know their respective operation areas.

Shortly after the snowmelt, the opponents of the Kaarborgers had begun to attack them in two areas at the same time. All of the soldiers, who were deployed on the Island Kaar, the power center of the Countship Kaarborg, wondered how Count Rurig would allocate the armed forces now. He would certainly figure out a plan how to react to the attacks of his enemies efficiently.

In the long evenings towards the end of winter, the whole island had ceaselessly discussed which strategy their count would choose to defeat his enemy.

Numerous theories were in circulation, how the armed forces of Kaarborg could defeat their opponents best. Lots of different ideas and fanciful suggestions were going round, but the citizens of Kaarborg agreed on one thing: They would defeat the attackers, as they had always managed it. Not even one of them wasted much thought on the possibility of losing this war.

In the evening, one day before the eagerly expected command instructions would be announced by Count Rurig, Ragnor and his two new friends, Ansgar da Lorcamon and Lamar da Niewborg, were sitting in Ragnor's room. While drinking light Kaarborger beer, they were vividly discussing their presumed area of operation.

I am quite sure that we will go to the north, Ansgar da Lorcamon emphatically voiced his opinion.

His father was the Steward of Castle Lorcamon, which was currently besieged by the enemy. It was situated in the north, close to the border of Lorca. It went without saying that Ansgar da Lorcamon hoped for the opportunity to help his father intervening directly in the fight for his castle.

Lamar da Niewborg, the designated heir of the Baron da Niewborg, nodded his approval and he said, I also believe that we will go to the northern border, because the war will be decided there. When my father attacks the Harkons and the Ahrborgers from the back, they will look like complete fools.

Lamar was very proud that his father had decided to become an ally of Kaarborg. He was a very cautious man by nature, and he remained neutral in case of conflicts between the feudal rulers most of the times. The young da Niewborg was convinced that his father and his battle-seasoned vassals would do their very best, if necessary.

Ragnor didn't share the opinions of his friends by any means, and he vigorously shook his head. Then he said, I agree with you on one point; the decision of the armed encounter will be made in the north. In contrary to your opinion, however, I assume that Count Rurig will send the armored riders and us to Santander, because no heavy cavalry has been deployed there yet, whereas one hundred armored riders have already been stationed in the north. The besiegers of Santander outnumber us by a ratio of five to one. If my information is correct, no knights are among them.

Ragnor briefly interrupted himself, and he curiously looked at his two friends, because he was interested in their reactions to his statement. Maybe they didn't share his point of view at all. Maybe they even disagreed with him. He didn't want to press his counter-thesis onto them by any means. In the past few months, he had become aware of the fact that he frequently tended to force his opinions on his dialog partners, even though he brought forward profound arguments most of the times.

Some time ago, Ansgar had talked to him about that habit in private. Ever since then, he had tried to thrash that habit and to give his respective conversational partners a chance to speak as well. This time, however, his two friends obviously didn't want to contradict him. They looked at Ragnor expectantly and interestedly. Full of enthusiasm, he continued, I am certain that Rurig doesn't have enough shipping space capacities in order to transport sufficient infantry to Santander, so that he could balance the ratio of power adequately. Fifty or sixty knights, however, could change the situation in our favor in the harbor city. Those men would be a powerful offensive weapon for Santander. They would probably alarm our opponents and prevent them from building up an effective besiegement, because they don't have any armored riders at their disposal, as it seems.

Um, Lamar murmured thoughtfully. Then he added with a frown, When I think about your statements and conclusions, I must admit that it sounds quite reasonable.

All of a sudden, he gave a laugh and he added grinningly, Be it as it may. Tomorrow evening, the count will announce the operation plans. Then we will know more, and we can finally take action. I am already so excited!

The young men laughed and they raised their mugs to one another. Although they had met only half a year ago, they were best friends now.

The attempt on Mirana's life, Ragnor's adopted daughter, by Fukur da Seeborg, had significantly contributed to the close relationship of the two young soon-to-be knights towards Ragnor's `family´. In addition to that, Lars, Ragnor's old mentor, had told them the plain truth about Ragnor's mysterious origin and his strange abilities. Count Rurig, whom the two aspiring knights had known by sight only, was a member of his `family´ as well. Due to that fact, Ragnor and his friends usually gained more information about the administration in Kaarborg than the other knights-to-be, and it filled the young men with pride.

The count, however, was not entirely selfless in keeping them informed, of course, because Lamar was an important link to his new ally, Kador da Niewborg. Therefore, Rurig invited the three of them to dinner from time to time. On those occasions, he explained his intentions in detail. Sitting in front of the fireplace, they talked about the approaching war and about the pending fight with Fukur da Seeborg and Hamkar da Loza. In that connection, the heir to the throne, Ralph da Caer, always was subject of their conversation, too.

Initially, Rurig had been furious when he had learned that Fukur of all people, the son of one of his most loyal vassals, had almost killed an innocent girl. Moreover, the young man had had the cheek to commit perjury.

The count highly respected Fukur's father. Therefore, he had made up his mind to talk to him about his wayward son first, before the divine judgment would decide about his perjury. That decision would inevitably be made in fall. Rurig would request Fukur's father to appeal to the conscience of his offspring, so that he would repudiate his false oath and atone for his crime.

The count had already informed the father of the second perjured aspirant to knighthood, Hamkar da Loza, about the happenings in a letter. Rurig didn't take kindly to Baron da Loza; he liked his brother, Mark, much better. In Hamkar's case, however, he had little hope that he would achieve anything. He was convinced that their personal relationship would worsen, especially if the baron's son would be seriously harmed or even killed during the divine judgment in fall.

The count felt concerned about that development, because the Countship Kaarborg and the Barony Loza were traditional allies of the king. Right now, he couldn't think of anything, which he could do about the expected deterioration of their relationship.

Furthermore, this conflict called for a clever decision as to the place of deployment of the knights-to-be in the impending war.

The count hoped that the first field operation of the young men would probably result in comradeship - which hadn't been the case yet.

Among the aspiring knights, it seemed that Ralph da Caer, the heir to the throne, had the most difficulties on his way to self-discovery. Rurig didn't give him credit for giving up his arrogance in the community of knights. Obviously, it was his firm conviction that his position as potential successor to the throne would automatically outrank all of the other young men. Rurig, however, was certain that he would find a solution for that problem as well.

The next morning, Ragnor paid Mirana and his black friend, Maramba, a visit and had breakfast with them. Shortly afterwards, the knights-to-be assembled in the hall where they had classes as always. The castellan had insisted that the education of the young men should be continued to a certain extent, until the military operation would begin.

During their classes, each observer would have clearly noticed that the students were already visualizing the command output by the count this evening. All of them had enormous difficulties to focus on the explanations of their teacher. Except for a short fencing training with their daggers and swords, they didn't have any practical lessons, because their equipment was already packed and the horses had been prepared for departure.

They were so eagerly looking forward to their departure that they even abstained from forming groups in one of their breaks. In the long break at midday, they broke their usual hostilities and Ragnor had an animated conversation with Rolf da Maarborg and Ralph da Caer. The three of them talked about the military situation, their possible place of deployment and the probable process of the fights. As always, Ralph shared the common, martial opinion of the inhabitants of Caer: The imperial knights would `sweep away´ their enemies, if they outnumbered them - in the same manner as they had always done it in the past.

The prince was firmly convinced that the Kaarborgers couldn't lose the war, because they would be supported by the legendary imperial knights, after all.

Ragnor wasn't so sure about that. According to the rumors, he had heard about Kreeg da Harkon, the wirepuller on the other side, that man was everything but a fool. He had challenged Rurig da Kaarborg to a war, and he certainly wouldn't have done it, if he hadn't had something up his sleeve, which would outbalance Rurig's heavily armored riders. His decision to attack not only the border castles in the north, but also to besiege the harbor city, Santander, far down in the south, had been a clever opening move.

In addition to it, he had hired a large pirate fleet from the Island Krala. They threatened Santander and the main traffic artery of Kaarborg, the Mors. Thereby, they kept the majority of the Kaarborger fleet busy. With that move, he forced the Kaarborger to fight on two fronts, and he neutralized the majority of the fleet. Ragnor, however, was certain that even more surprises would wait for them. There had to be something else that none of them expected. If it was a possible interference of the Kingdom Lorca in the war or if it was something completely different - Ragnor didn't have a clue. Therefore, he didn't object to the theories of the prince, as he voiced his opinion on the matter.

Rolf da Maarborg, however, who was one of the prince's closest friends, seemed to be a very talented analyzer, and he vehemently contradicted Ralph's theory. He shared Ragnor's opinion that the Baron of Harkon, who was an allegedly clever ruler, would have several nasty surprises for the Kaarborger troops.

During their seemingly never-ending afternoon classes, Ragnor thought about the conversation he had had with the two aspiring knights at lunch break. He concluded that he had been wrong about Rolf da Maarborg in one point at least. Although he was a grumpy, arrogant young man, he wasn't the stupid apple-shiner as Ragnor had always assumed. That man had more potential that he would have given him credit for, and Ragnor made up his mind to keep an eye on him and find out more about him, as soon as they would have arrived at their place of deployment.

Finally the time had come. In the eagerly awaited evening, all of the aspiring knights and the knights, sixty men in total, who still stayed at Castle Kaarborg, assembled in the knight's hall. Eventually, Rurig would reveal the operational plan to them and the men would receive their commands.

On his way to the knight's hall, Ragnor bumped into his old friend, Menno, who was also heading for that destination. When he asked him if he knew Rurig's plans, he grinned broadly and he answered in an almost embarrassed manner, Of course I do. I am a member of the general staff, after all. Then he saw Ragnor's curious mien, and Menno shook his head in a pretended, horrified manner, before he said, Rurig expects us to maintain absolute silence about the matter, until the command will be announced. I certainly won't tell you anything; otherwise, I would defy his order. For your information, he has been quite strict about such things in recent times.

When Ragnor saw Menno's worried facial expression, he burst into laughter, because he knew that the old rascal was an excellent actor who had never given a damn about regulations, no matter who issued them. Therefore, he said in a markedly sympathetic tone of voice, You poor man. Now you are a commodore, but you are even less important than at Calfor's gorge. I express my heartfelt, deep and sincere sympathy.

Menno couldn't keep a straight face anymore. He burst out laughing, and then he admitted openly, Now you have caught me off guard! Next time, I will have to figure out a better excuse, before I try to lead you up the garden path.

All right then, but tell me about Rurig's plans now, Ragnor urged him. He was bursting with curiosity. In the meantime, they had almost reached the knight's hall.

It isn't worth the effort. We are almost there, and I have to hurry, because Rurig is waiting for me in the anteroom. I am sorry, but unfortunately, I am running out of time, Menno replied grinningly, and before Ragnor could pass a comment, Menno dashed off with a mischievous smile on his lips.

It isn't easy to keep up with that cunning old bird, Ragnor summed up in his mind. He was almost amused, after he overcame his disappointment that Menno outsmarted him once again. He is as slippery as an eel. Even when you think that you nailed him down, he manages to slip away. I think it will take a longer time, until I can really cope with him.

With those thoughts on his mind, he entered the knight's hall, which was milling with curious knights. Purposefully, he went over to the table for the aspiring knights and he took a seat next to Ansgar da Lorcamon, Lamar da Niewborg and Oswald da Kormon.

The last mentioned person said, after he greeted Ragnor with a brief nod of his head, It is about time that we finally get to know the place of our deployment. In any case, I am certain that it will be much more exciting than the never-ending, dry training here at the castle. If you ask me, it is high time that we go to war.

Ragnor grinned, as he noticed Oswald's visible impatience, because it was the first time, if he remembered correctly, that Oswald showed such emotions. It seemed that certain passions were lying dormant under his cool surface. Yet, Oswald da Kormon had conveyed the impression that he always kept his cool, no matter what was going on in the world. He was another, almost perfect actor. It seemed that the world was full of them!

At that moment, Ragnor was dead certain that the soon-to-be knights, after their return from this war - if they survived it - wouldn't be the same anymore. The time for games was over, and the serious side of life would begin, even though the majority of his comrades were sitting here with looks of expectancy, as they were craving for their first military operation. It was written in their young faces that they regarded it as a big adventure.

He silently smiled to himself, when he caught himself thinking that he was one step ahead of them in that regard.

He had seen men and even Orks dying in combats, he had already killed, and in contrary to his comrades, he was almost some kind of an old-timer.

That thought amused him mightily. Nevertheless, one thing was true for him, too: a war was certainly completely different from a short, even though bloody fight with outlaws. He would have to learn a lot as well.

At that moment, Count Rurig da Kaarborg entered the knight's hall. Commodore Menno, Sven da Momland, the field commander of the knights of Kaar and the Castellan Svartan da Kaarkon accompanied him. The vivid murmur of the crowd died down at once, because all attendants focused their attention on the newcomers.

Count Rurig was already wearing his full panoply. Noisily, he threw his gauntlets on the table. Then he reached for the mug of beer one of the footmen had served him, he took a big gulp and he said in a harsh voice, Dear gentlemen, the time has come. The military mission is about to happen. But before I proceed to the command, I briefly want to inform you about the current military situation and the conclusions I and my staff have drawn.

He took another big gulp, and then he began to describe the present military situation, As you know, we are being attacked on two fronts. It seems that Kreeg da Harkon hasn't only recruited a large number of mercenaries with the gold of the Lorcans, but also hired the pirates from the Island Krala. Consequently, we are forced to conduct war on two fronts, because we can't allow our enemies the conquest of Santander by any means. The fortifications of the harbor city are in good condition, but to defend them against a fivefold superiority isn't a breeze, after all. Unfortunately, my old mentor, Admiral Kalavan, fell in the first defensive battle against the fleet of the pirates. Now of all times, the naval fleet doesn't have an experienced commander. We urgently could need one, because the pirates have repeatedly tried to reach the Mors and to advance into the heart of Kaarborg. Their intention is to sack the countship and to cut off our supplies. As we have already expected, Kreeg da Harkon has arrived with a strong army in the north. In the meantime, we have received word that he is marching with more than twelve thousand men and heavy siege engines in the direction of our border fortresses Samarkon and Lorcamon. His intentions are dead serious, and he clearly outnumbers us. Moreover, I have to protect my cities and castles; therefore I can't send all of my men to war.

At that point, Count Rurig interrupted himself. Once again, he took a big gulp of his delicious beer, and then he continued with a grim facial expression, Due to the just mentioned facts, I have decided to do the following: The majority of the opposing troops are in the north. Most of all, that's where we must defeat Kreek da Harkon decisively in the end, so that we can invade his territories and force him to surrender. That means; the focus of our operations will be clearly on Northern Kaarborg. Therefore, I have decided to leave for that area. Along with five regiments of militiamen, I will march overland from Kaar to the north. On our way, I can recruit another two thousand retired militiamen in order to outbalance the power relations to a certain extent. That means, however, that only the original garrison will stay at Castle Kaar. For that reason, the land bridge must be removed and the majority of the fighting ships of the inland fleet has to remain on the Sea of Kaar in order to protect the island in case of an attack on our center. As a result, I don't have any shipping capacities to deploy any infantry to Santander. However, I wouldn't have any of them at my disposal anyway. Besides the war galley from Santander, I could do without another fighting ship with difficulty. The two vessels will take Commodore Menno, whom I appoint Admiral of the Fleet of Kaarborg now, to Santander. There, he will be in command of the naval defense as well as the defense of Santander, according to his position as chief commander of the fleet. All of you, the rest of the knights and the aspiring knights, who are still at Castle Kaar, will accompany him in a convoy of two freighters that will transport the warhorses. You will be under the command of Sven da Momland. Together with the fleet, it will be your task to prevent the enemy from laying an effective siege to Santander, until we will have defeated the enemy in the north. At the border castle, I have sufficient knights at my disposal, so that I can certainly do without those sixty armored riders.

Your assumption has hit the mark. It almost seems that you have already known the plans. But I know, of course, that nobody has told you anything about them, Lamar whispered to his friend Ragnor.

Ragnor nodded, and he smiled a bit shyly, but Ansgar slapped him approvingly on the shoulder.

The count, however, hadn't finished his speech, and to the surprise of the attendants, he added to his instructions, Oh well, before I forget it; not all of the aspiring knights will leave for Santander. As my adjutant, Ralph da Caer will accompany me to the north. Tomorrow morning, in the gray of dawn, I expect him to be ready to leave and to call on me. All of the other knights will take passage as the day progresses, and they will head for Santander the day after tomorrow at the latest. Admiral Menno will discuss the details of the embarkment with your commander Sven da Momland. Tomorrow morning, he will send a runner to each one of you in order to inform you about the order of your embarkment. Please put out your packed war equipment at the royal stables before noon. Mark them clearly with your coat of armors, so that the seamen can fetch them for shipping.

And now let us drink a toast to our victory we hopefully will achieve, and then I wish us that all of us will gather here alive and well after the end of the fights, so that we can celebrate a jamboree.

The knights got up and they enthusiastically raised their mugs to the count.

After the count finished his speech, all of them had another drink, and they remained in the hall for a little while longer. Ralph da Caer, who was almost bursting with pride, because of his new position, behaved exceptionally affably. Ragnor smiled silently to himself, after he was almost a bit jealous that Rurig had appointed that arrogant monkey his adjutant. Then, however, he thought it over for a moment, and he gradually understood Rurig's motives for Ralph's appointment; it seemed that the count wanted to remove him deliberately from the troop of the soon-to-be knights. Thereby, the young men would have the opportunity to grow into a sincere community without the overly powerful influence of the prince and to prove themselves in battle as a team.

In the late evening, the count requested Ragnor, Menno, Lamar and Ansgar to call on him in his private rooms. When Ragnor knocked on Rurig's door, his old mentor opened it personally. He briefly looked squarely into Ragnor's eyes, and the he said approvingly, I am proud of you. I can see that you have already understood why I appointed Ralph my adjutant. Believe me, I really disliked doing that. With a wistful smile, he