Magical Land: I Fire Heart

By Leonardo Baltasar Casas

During Earth's darkest times, an Oldgandor is called to fulfill a prophecy. The Pacifier, like the scripts say, must restore the balance between good and evil. Climo is summoned by the One to accomplish this mission. To do it, he will have to join his many companions of other races who will travel with him for an as incredible as dangerous adventure, and so he will have to face Casaldir, who is evil itself. Many creatures, among dwarves, elves, men, trolls, ogres and many others will battle representing factions to establish their supremacy. This will decide the fate of the world. Blood and magic, swords and staffs, confrontations that we can see even today. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781507195079

Book preview

Magical Land

I – Fire Heart

Leonardo B. Casas

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Translated by Camilo Enrique Soto Pinto

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Magical Land: I Fire Heart

Written By Leonardo B. Casas

Copyright © 2019 Leonardo B. Casas

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by Camilo Enrique Soto Pinto

Cover Design © 2019 Leonardo B. Casas

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

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To Iván

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Table of Contents

Prologe

1. The sorcerer’s visit

2. Good Company

3. Cuarimon

4. Geonomar

5. The truth

6. A new life

7. Carmiel’s journey

8. The prophecy

9. Disclosed secrets

10. Back to the game

11. The encounter with Rash Corbar

12. Everything is ready

13. Casaldir’s fortress

14. The river incursion

15. War

16. CharLug

17. The fall of Geonomar

18. The end for the dragon

19. The remains of Casaldir

20. Geonomar’s reorganization

21. Corgon’s secret

22. The secret meeting

23. The weddings

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Prologe

The history that’s taught today has made us forget about the existence of other matters. Thousands and thousands of years ago, man could do wonders that now seem impossible. Speak to animals, control the elements of nature, and even fly. These skills belonged to wizards, and they did. Only wizards could do such things. But they weren’t the only ones that could do so. There were others too. Creatures that were born from magic.

Unfortunately, humans stopped believing in these stories. Furthermore, the advance of science and technology, the uncountless wars, ambition, greed and many other aspects that could be named, have forced other races to hide or disappear, apparently, from the earth. However, some say you can still find through the woods some elves or whatever that could be out there. Perhaps hobgoblins in caves, or a unicorn in the hidden valleys. There are also some who say have seen centaurs in the mountains or fairies flying around the flowers.

In present day, these creatures are called mythological or fantastic, since it’s the only way men of science can call them. Nevertheless, the right way to call them is Magical Creatures.

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1. The sorcerer’s visit

In the lands of Emaingh, there was a green valley surrounded by thick forests, where the tumultuous rivers and waterfalls descended from the Coldart mountains singing through day and night. Beautiful and colourful birds lived in this place alongside unique animals. This valley was inhabited by the Oldgandor, people who worked the land and bred cattle. Away from the other kingdoms of the time and with their own customs, they lived in peace and harmony with the nature, without taking part of other people's business.

They were often visited by centaurs, a race from very distant lands, with whom they have been keeping a very old friendship. They would gladly taste their fruits and vegetables, their meat, drinks and candies. The Oldgandor were well known in the area because of their ability to sow the best seeds, to harvest the best fruit and cooking them in the best way possible. When the Lords of neighbouring regions held a celebration, the Oldgandor would be entrusted to prepare their feasts; these included roasted boar, strawberry cakes and mint liquors. They were always very well rewarded for doing so.

There was no recollection of any Oldgandor being a warrior or a soldier. However, when they were once attacked by the northern trolls, they handled it pretty well. Since then, the lands of Emaingh were respected by every race; strong armies have fallen to the northern trolls, but no the Oldgandor, who after the battle returned to their peaceful life.

The picturesque Emaingh houses where made of rock with a straw roof. Through its windows, the morning sunlight strikes like a golden spear to awake its inhabitants one by one. The entrance door was wide and welcoming, and when entering the house, there was a clothes rack carved in oak for coats and hats. At the main hall, there was a strong fire through day and night. Its flames called upon to contemplate it, and they would sit close to it over the fluffy skins they had, where they spent hours telling stories and singing very old songs about the great deeds of their ancestor.

In one of the houses lived an Oldgandor called Climo, son of Sabal Cricar and Rócola; ever since he was young, Climo was different from other Oldgandor. Many times, his parents got mad at him for going out on long adventures with his friends, the elves, just to come back like nothing had happened. The last discussion they had had was because, for one of his trips, it took him eight months to come home, missing his father’s 75th birthday which was important to the Oldgandor, since their average lifespan was of a hundred and fifty years. So, when reaching this age, they were at the midpoint of their lives. They used to hold huge parties with a lot of people. That birthday symbolized the time of their peak and maturity. They were supposed to have lived great adventures and awaiting them were the tranquillity of their homes and the passing of their knowledge. 

Nevertheless, since Climo was his only son and did his job in half the time the rest did, Sabal always forgave him. Climo was very strong and full of energy despite only being twenty–three years old.

But Climo wasn’t happy. Despite all the adventures, knowing so well both the elves and centaurs, having navigated to the other side of the shore and having had a sword by the hands of Sideron, King of Geonomar. Climo was missing something. He didn’t quite know what it was, but he felt different from the rest of the inhabitants of Emaingh. Perhaps it was just perception. He remembered some incursions when he was still a kid, which he left unharmed, and encounters with mysterious animals which he had dispelled with just his thoughts.

Time passed; days and nights over the heads of the Oldgandor. The Earth had its cycles one after another. Withered branches and blooming trees have moved away.

Climo was still harvesting and breeding cattle. He had improved his sword skills and travelled with the centaurs a couple of times, but these were short trips. During one of those trips, he met Carmiel, a sorcerer, very knowledgeable of magic and experienced on potions and spells.

Just by touching his fingertips, she predicted an upcoming and imminent danger. She never looked at him in the eyes while doing so, like if a disaster was really coming. Climo warned the elders of Emaingh, who just laughed and didn’t pay attention to the young man. But Carmiel’s prediction was as real as Climo’s desire for verifying it.

One hot Summer day, when Climo was resting under a big old oak after lunch, he noticed a thick and black cloud coming from the north. It was very rare to see a storm during that season, but the cloud was getting closer and faster. Suddenly, the whole valley was covered by a shadow, the wind got stronger, about to uproot the trees from the ground. Everybody ran looking for shelter, and the rain started to fall as if a giant had lifted the sea and dropped over Emaingh. The storm lasted seven days. Most of the crop was ruined. The elder did nothing but argue if it had been natural or a product of some dark magic. Sabal had recently joined the council, and would take Climo with him to the meetings; although he wasn’t allowed to speak. The young ones were not allowed to participate during the decision making – they had to stay in silence. And when elders would address a secret or major topic, the meeting would take place behind closed doors.

In the middle of shouts and arguments, Climo was recalling Carmiel’s words. He couldn’t tell yet if her words were a personal prediction for him, or if it was a warning for all Emaingh. It took some time to recover from the storm and put everything on its place. There was a long period of time until the ground was ready to receive the seeds and until the seeds felt ready to grow.

Climo had only one thing in mind: Carmiel’s words. He didn’t know what to do. On one side, this was consuming him, and on the other, he felt the obligation to help his family. His heart was split between the omen and his duty. The anxiety was eating him alive and couldn’t stand still.

The need to leave searching for the sorcerer was completely distracting him from his daily work. It was so much, that he would make a mistake after another. It was a talk of the village that Sabal Cricar’s son had lost his strength and would settle down once and for all so he could be just like the rest of the people. But Climo didn’t care about that. He asked his friend Axul, a centaur, to look for Carmiel and ask her to come see him as soon as possible.

Now on winter, the snow had covered everything, even further beyond Emaingh. It was pretty hard to enter and leave the place. The carts couldn’t go through the roads and the horses would sink in the snow. However, the sky was so blue. Just a few clouds beyond the Coldart mountains, and the sunbeams were weak but shiny enough fall upon the white fields. The weight of the snow would make the trees touch the ground with their branches.

Climo was working with a shovel, cleaning the entrance to the house. He then heard a sweet and calmed voice talking to him. Climo looked to the sides but couldn’t find anybody. It seemed that the voice was coming from his head, and it was a familiar voice. Although he couldn’t recognize it, he did understand what it was saying.

‘You must set forth on a journey, leave everything behind and go towards Beak Harbour,’ said the voice while shaking Climo’s heart, who despite his many travels, he had never thought of leaving everything behind.

Who could think of such a thing?! He thought.

But in that moment, he recognized the voice. It was Carmiel, the sorcerer.

Suddenly, on the blink of an eye, before him there was a svelte figure with a purple cape and an ivory staff on his right hand. Behind the figure there was a light that didn’t let him see her face under the hood. Climo wanted so bad to touch her, but once he approached her and right in front of him, she disappeared.

‘Carmiel! Is that You?!’ Asked Climo.

After that words, he felt that someone was touching his shoulder. When he turned around, he saw Carmiel. She was smiling and looking at him with her blue sapphire eyes. There she was, with her black hair and an uncommon beauty for a sorcerer.

‘Hello Climo. How have you been?’ She asked while extending her hand giving him a small object with a triangle shape; it was carved in a strange and bright stone. ‘I have brought you a gift, it will bring you good luck for your journey.’

‘Journey?! What journey?!’ Asked Climo still confused because of the unexpected arrival of Carmiel as he left the shovel on a side.

‘Come, let’s sit down and I’ll tell you,’ she answered with the often peace of her words.

Climo invited the sorcerer to his house. After taking her coat off and leaving the staff to a side, Carmiel followed Climo inside. He asked if she wanted something to drink or eat.

‘Just a glass of thawing, but don’t worry on getting it now. I’ll come for it during spring,’ said Carmiel.

‘Tell me about this journey. What is it about?’ He asked with great curiosity and fear at the same time.

‘I see in your eyes your desire but your fear too, Climo. I can assure you that this fear is not in vain, but also that you shouldn’t be afraid. This journey is for you to fulfil your destiny.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘The forces of evil are gathering. The storm that hit Emaingh during Summer wasn’t natural. It was magic, and a very dangerous one. The trolls from the lands of Astranious have a new leader, they have allied with other malicious races. This is a threat to everybody. They have gathered an army stronger than the one that attacked your town long ago. Along with the hobgoblins from the Eltherond swamp and the ogres from the Mountainous island they plan to attack every other region.’

‘But what do I have to do with any of this?!’ Abruptly asked Climo, even more confused.

‘You will know in due time, for now I can only tell you to go in the direction of the sunrise towards Beak Harbour across Coldart mountains, the sooner the better. You need to get to the Lake of the Phoenix, and once you have reached Beak Harbour, look for Cuarimon, he is a friend of mine. He will tell you how to continue your journey.’

‘What do I have to take with me?’ He asked impatient.

‘Just the sword that Sideron gave you. Do not rush your leaving. I will send you a signal once the winter ends. In the meantime, you must prepare. And don’t worry about what your family may say, just talk to your father. He will understand.’

After she said that, Carmiel stood up and walked towards the entrance. She then took her belongings and once at the door she said:

‘I wish you have a safe journey Climo. We will see very soon.’

At that moment, Climo was distracted by his dog which entered the house moving its tail, but once he looked back, Carmiel had already left.

The winter went by and everything started to bloom in Emaingh and the grass’s smell covered it all. The streams coming down from Coldart mountain began to sing again. The lakes that have been frozen, were again crystal–clear mirrors. The people were getting ready to work and Emaingh started to move again.

Climo had been trying to find a way to talk to his family about his journey. And when he finally found the opportunity he did it.

‘...I don’t like the idea! Why would you have to leave just because a witch told you to? I don’t get it Climo, what is it that you don’t have here?’ Said his mother so worried.

‘Nothing. Is just that I feel the need to do it. Besides, if Carmiel’s words are true, what’s going to happen? Who is going to defend us?’

‘And who will? You on your own?’ Answered his mother angrily.

‘Climo, we the Oldgandor are farmers, and it has always been that way,’ said his father, very serious but never looking directly at him.

‘But you have told me about your many travels when you were young,’ responded Climo.

‘Also about the problems they have brought me!’ Answered him sighing.

‘That’s right,’ agreed Rócola as she left for some goat milk.

For a while, the two of them remained in silence looking through the window the few white spots left in the valley. The last logs were crunching by the fire, till Sabal finally spoke again:

‘Climo, my son, I’m not going to stop you from leaving. I just want you to comeback soon and safe,’ he said with tears in his eyes. Those tears weren’t of sadness, he was moved by Climo’s bravery.

A few days later, Climo had everything ready to leave. He didn’t know if what was taking would be enough or how long they would last. And even worse, he didn’t even know what was the real objective of doing all of this. Carmiel’s signal hadn’t come yet. Climo was starting to have doubts, but Axul arrived unexpected.

‘Hi Climo,’ said the centaur.

‘Axul! So good to see you! What’s new on other lands?’ asked Climo.

‘I come with a message from Carmiel. The moment has arrived. You must leave as soon as possible. Find me where the Broken River separates. I’ll be there in two days so I can join you towards Beak Harbour. Before that I must prepare and talk to my people. I’ll see you in two days.’

Once he said that, the centaur left in a hurry and disappeared in the horizon.

After Sabal talked to his wife and daughters about the journey, everything was set for Climo’s departure. But his family still tried to change his mind.

It was time. Very early in the morning, before the sun has risen, Climo said goodbye to his mother and sisters, Cristal and Lackar, who hugged him so hard he could barely breath. Then he went towards the stable with his father, who was carrying a torch and a little package.

‘It’s time,’ Climo said.

‘That’s right. But before you go, let me lend you something. You will have to bring it back once we meet again,’ after saying that, Sabal left the torch in a hole by the wall and from the package he took a little dagger. The dagger had precious stones incrustations, ‘This dagger brings me so many memories. I want you to take it with you, it will protect you from the many dangers of your journey. Always keep it by you.’

‘Where did you get this from?’ Climo asked astonished.

‘This is one of the many trophies I got from my youth journeys. Maybe I’ll tell you the story someday. But I took enough time from you, if you don’t leave now your mother and sisters won’t let you go,’ Sabal laughed giving him the dagger, ‘Be careful.’

‘I will.’

After hugging his father, Climo got on his horse and left. When he was reaching the eastern limits of Emaingh, he stopped for a moment to see the village one more time. This time, he felt different from before. Every time he went on an adventure, he was certain he would come home soon. This time, it was different. The sadness in his heart was strong. But his adventurous spirit only pushed him forward. No hesitation. Waved goodbye the land of Emaingh and went towards the western side of the Coldart mountains.

He rode the whole morning, until he found a little forest.