Protector of the Line: Book Two of the Druid Dreams Saga

By Michael Paul Metzger

Up until the day he discovered his friends bodies in the Narrows, McKaelin had never done anything of consequence. His entire life had been spent searching for a purpose, and now that it had found him he only prayed that he was up to the task. In his wake, a cascading chain of events followed that drew him ever farther from his beloved homeland. But it was worth it. She was worth it.

The job before the new Protector of The Line and his companions was simple. Rescue Princess Sannil from an army of orcs and a fate that would alter the course of the free lands for centuries, then free the Druid Vermilon from Castle LindenWoods dungeons after returning her safely home. Only then is there hope of prevailing against the forces of evil. Shaltorayce has risen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463440374

Michael Paul Metzger

A native of Northern Kentucky, Michael Metzger lives with his wife and five children in a small home which borders the Narrows. Inspired by the works of Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, and Isaac Asimov, Mr. Metzger has exercised his passion for writing fictional stories in private for the past three decades. Protector of The Line marks the release of the second book in the Druid Dreams Saga, and is sure to please fantasy readers everywhere.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

The Cat’s Meow

A Name

Any Port in the Storm

An Unruly Awakening

Revelations

Noble Birth

An Unexpected Guest for Dinner

An Unwanted Visitor

Out of the Ashes

Secrets

Sap’s alive

The Sign of a Protector

Breakfast is Served

A Friendly Wager

Friends and Family

Change of Plans

Patients

Plan B

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Allegiance Lies

Words of Wisdom

Krezhan

Wyren Lays the Problem and Solution

The Eye of Needle

Widow Maker

Welcoming Committee

Vanimae

Bait

Fire and Ash

Reverse Proxy

Dedication

This book, as are all my works, is dedicated to my beautiful wife Sandy.

The original Princess of LindenWood and inspiration of

all the pages that follow. Without your constant encouragement

and loving support, none of this would be possible.

I also want to thank my family and friends for providing

me with the fodder to create an unforgettable group of characters.

With the light of the moon to guide me,

I travel deep into my enemy’s domain,

In search of a girl, born to save the world,

My sweet, sweet, Vanimae.

No obligation of oath is more binding,

Than those that the heart has made,

To rescue the girl, who rules my world,

My sweet, sweet, Vanimae.

Over land and sea I shall venture,

No task required is too great,

With sword and bow, I shall vanquish the foe,

For the love of my sweet Vanimae.

The Cat’s Meow

Lowering her hands, Sannil’s lips began to tremble, as the first of many tears started rolling down her sweat-covered face. She had worked so hard to break free of the stiff bonds that held her, only to be caught in the act by her captors once again.

Until that moment Sannil had been fairly optimistic about her chances of escape, but not any longer. The orc had beaten her. As the impact of her situation began to strike home, the cries beneath her hooded veil grew louder and louder.

Be quiet, damn it! You’ll wake the guards, said a hushed voice, but by then the flood gates within her prison had been released.

Why should I care if my sobbing keeps them awake? the princess hiccupped between quivering lips, as a firm set of hands worked to restore the strings of her captivity. Yet before she could expand upon that single-minded line of reasoning, the hood which had isolated her over the past few days was ripped off and placed forcibly against her mouth.

This is very important, the voice continued. I need you to pull yourself together and be quiet! I don’t know how long we have until the orcs will wake up.

In the next instant Sannil ceased breathing and the night fell deadly silent.

Could this be true?

Blinking her eyes in rapid succession, a sudden gulp of air infused her body as she attempted to remove the bitter waters which hindered her vision and regain her minds focus. Yet the man who stood before her left the princess feeling dumbstruck.

What is he doing here?

Shaking her head, Sannil felt certain that their encounter must be a product of the druid dreams, but the warm touch of his hand soon disproved that notion entirely. The druid had said that someone was coming to rescue her, but in her mind she had always assumed that someone would be Rothgar.

As the young ranger began cutting the bonds that held her feet in place Sannil tried unsuccessfully to flash an appreciative smile.

How did he find me?

Within seconds of their release, blood began rushing into the under used appendages, and the pain that she received was so intense it nearly caused her to scream. She hadn’t stood on her own two feet in days, and the nerves inside her skin were sending out streams of discomfort as they revolted from the neglect the orcs had placed upon them.

In the hope of regaining mobility to the affected areas as quickly as possible, Sannil sat upon the hard ground and began moving slowly back and forth as though she was taking a stroll within the caste grounds. The tiny pins and needles that wracked her body each time her legs extended begged the princess to stop, but the freedom of movement she now enjoyed felt wonderful.

Looking about the encampment, Sannil was happy to find the orcs still sleeping soundly in spite of the commotion that she had raised. She was far from ready for an encounter with her captors just yet.

Suddenly, the familiar feelings of despair which had greeted her each day since her long ordeal had begun were lifted like a new-day’s dawn upon her windows landscape; replaced with a smug sense of satisfaction. She had done it. She had gotten free.

It’s time to go, a soft voice hummed against her ear, and the man pointed toward a thin weathered path.

Nodding, the princess placed her hands against the ground and attempted to rise, but the support which they offered wasn’t quite enough. Though her mind may have been willing, her body was still being less than cooperative.

Reaching upward with an outstretched hand, Sannil grabbed a branch from a small tree. She had little more than placed her weight against the sapling when the bough began to break. Yet before the princess could feel the sting of her mistake, the strong hands of the stranger grabbed hold of her slender body and gently lifted her upright.

The ranger had moved so quickly that she hadn’t seen him coming, and the princess immediately began blushing from the close contact. Stepping aside to regain her composure, Sannil began striding through the encampment in the opposite direction with the soft shuffle of her rescuer’s feet following frantically behind.

What are you doing? he asked. The way out is back there!

The heat within the ranger’s words concealed little about the displeasure he felt toward her actions, but at that moment she didn’t care. She was grateful for whatever assistance he might yet provide in making her escape, but she refused to accept the idea of leaving her weapons behind. They may have been but a gift from the old weapons master, but the attachment that drew her to retrieve the ancient relics was much more than that. Sannil felt a responsibility to keep them safe from foul beasts such as these, and an orc above all other of God’s creatures was definitely unworthy of their possession. Besides, if the orcs ever caught up to them she would need something to defend herself with, and the princess could think of nothing better to do so with then the light handled blades.

Pulling her belongings from the tattered sack that held them, Sannil felt better than she had in days, and after a cursory inspection felt a smug grin of satisfaction begin to work its way across her face.

It’s all here, she thought happily. The orcs haven’t misplaced a thing.

In the next instant a muffled groan rang out, causing Sannil to turn toward the noise with a start. Directly behind her the ranger stood with his short sword buried up to the hilt in one of her captor’s neck. His free hand closed about the orc’s lips like a vice until well after the creature had released its last breath.

Was that necessary? she asked.

Unfortunately, yes. Now let’s get out of here before the rest of them wake!

Why not just kill the rest of them now? she asked calmly, unable to see the gravity of the ranger’s actions in the soft moon light.

I seriously doubt that I could kill fifty orcs in their sleep without alerting at least one of them in the process.

Fifty! She had only seen five. Maybe it would be wise if they did as he suggested.

Strapping the belt about her waist in a well practiced motion, Sannil signaled to her rescuer that she was finally ready to depart, and the unlikely couple crept out of camp just before daylight.

The rest of the day the pair traveled in silence; only leaving the path to avoid their pursuers before continuing on. Eventually during the night, the ranger ushered her into a small thicket and signaled for her to stop. Handing Sannil an apple and a piece of bread, he uncorked his water skin and took a deep draught.

We’ll stop here for a few hours, he whispered. Bury whatever you don’t consume and then get some rest. Passing Sannil the water skin, he turned his back to the princess and took up a defensive position that allowed him a good view of their surroundings.

At sun rise the pair set off again after a few hours of respite, most of which were filled with the tortured images of her homelands devastation. When they had traveled a considerable distance, she turned toward her protector and stopped. I don’t mean to seem ungrateful, but I was expecting someone else. How, may I ask, did the task of my retrieval come to fall upon you?

Sannil hesitated calling what he did a rescue, even though in truth that was exactly what he’d done. The druid had told her that a protector was coming. Was this the man that he was talking about? If so, it was an odd choice considering the list of those available from inside the castle to choose from. Breaking the uncomfortable silence that had gathered around them, the deep confident sounds of the woodsman cut through the air like a knife.

I understand your confusion, but I’m afraid I can do very little to illuminate your concerns, and I have no way of knowing whether anyone else was sent as well. I would have been here sooner, but I ran into a bit of trouble.

What happened? Sannil asked. You must tell me everything!

To her delight, her new companion was all too eager to share his knowledge of the events which had transpired during the past few days. He was an excellent story teller.

Walking along side, she listened intently to the words of the stranger; making note of specific passages in order to ask about them further when he was finished. It was rare that she received an immediate answer to her questions with such fluid lucidity, and Sannil was bound and determined to draw out as much information as possible before this newfound well-spring of knowledge dried up.

Over the next few hours the ranger wove his worded tapestry like a practiced magician, and only when he broached the subject of her father’s condition did he seem to pause at all. It was obvious that the woodsman was uncomfortable with the position of being the one who had to deliver the news about the king to the princess, and for a long time thereafter the odd couple walked in silence along the worn earthen path.

Up until that point, Sannil had prepared a myriad of questions for the young man to answer, but inside that one dark moment their importance seemed to dissolve. In their place sat the twisted image of her father’s lifeless body, laying bleeding and exposed upon the royal families bedroom floor.

It’s all my fault, she muttered softly, as a fresh set of tears started rolling down her pale white cheek. If I hadn’t delayed coming back to the castle with those foolish questions, none of this would have happened.

That’s not true.

If I hadn’t delayed, I would have been by my father’s side during the battle, and he would still be safe.

No, you wouldn’t, but it might well have been you lying on the castle floor as well.

I can live with that, she added softly, or die as the case might be. At any rate my parents would have been safe. Their health is far more important to the kingdom then mine.

Not so princess, YOU are the First of Line.

Her inability to change the things that had happened made Sannil’s blood begin to boil, and in a matter of moments a fit of rage overwhelmed the sadness which gathered round her heart. Without warning, she dashed from the ranger’s side and set off back the way they’d come.

Princess! McKaelin cried. Where in the world are you going?

If it hadn’t been for my magic none of this would have happened, she declared unhappily. Mother was right, the magic made a mistake.

Stop! McKaelin commanded, while wrapping a set of steely-coiled fingertips around her upper arm.

Let go of me this instant! she howled, but the cool-headed woodsman held fast. Placing a hand upon her blade to draw it forth, McKaelin quickly grabbed the hilt of the weapon and slammed it home.

That’s enough! he growled, and for the first time in their lives the princess and the ranger’s eyes met. Locked in a battle of deadly defiance, the pair stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity before McKaelin’s gaze suddenly softened and released his iron-clad grip. In the next breath the young princess stomped off from his presence again, but this time McKaelin was content to trail a short distance behind.

At least she’s headed in the proper direction, he thought.

The poor thing, it was painfully obvious that she cared for her father deeply, and had their roles been reversed McKaelin felt quite certain that he would’ve reacted in much the same way. As they walked in silence beneath the forest canopy, he began to study the princess’s movements and couldn’t help but notice that she appeared to be bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was beautiful.

In all his life, McKaelin had never met anyone quite like her, and the fact that she couldn’t stand the sight of him didn’t bother him in the least. After all, it was out of the question that she would ever be interested in someone as lowly as he. She wasn’t just any girl, he reminded himself, she was a princess. And princesses didn’t consort with the likes of him. In her eyes, he was little more than the hired help. That was the way she had seen him on that first morning, and judging by her latest series of outbursts nothing had changed. Even so, he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.

Undoubtedly, he wasn’t the first person to be snared by the allure of her charms, and McKaelin sincerely doubted that he would be the last. Even Marcus, the castle’s captain of the guard, was rumored to have an interest in the young girl, or so his friends had said.

Dwelling upon that thought for a long moment, the ranger shook his head in disgust. The idea didn’t seem natural to say the least. The man was at least ten years her senior, and the ranger couldn’t imagine a set of circumstances on which the king would ever allow it.

What little he knew of him, King Randolph had seemed like a fine and noble man. With had being the operative word, he reminded himself. At the time he’d left the monarch’s side, the proud king’s outcome hadn’t looked very good; and while he’d tried his best to revive him, the poison had rooted itself deep within his system. In his professional opinion the balance of his efforts had only stalled the inevitable.

Looking ahead toward the proud image of his charge, the ranger tried his best to remain optimistic. Perhaps the healers will have better luck, he chided himself in silence. After all, they were undoubtedly much more gifted in such matters than me, and it is all together possible that they identified the poison in sufficient time to administer an antidote. Watching the sun as it bounced off her long golden brown hair, McKaelin decided to cling to that hope until they heard otherwise. For her sake it was the least he could do.

Suddenly McKaelin caught wind of a familiar growl that caused him to spring into motion. Princess! his voice hissed in a whisper, but the girl was still lost inside her own personal nightmare. Princess!

What do you want now? she asked while turning about with irritation, as the source of her unwanted interruption mouthed wordlessly to get down.

Whether it was due to her unwillingness to submit to his command, or that she truly didn’t understand the meaning of his gesture, the princess ignored his warning and dismissed him out of hand.

I don’t have time for your silly games, woodsman! she spat vehemently and turned around.

What in the world is she doing? Doesn’t she understand we’re in danger?

Pulling Bear from his back, McKaelin fastened its trusty string in a matter of seconds while calling out to the princess again.

What? she shouted with irritation, and at that same moment McKaelin released his hold and let a missile fly.

The arrow buzzed close enough that it tickled her ear drum. Had the ranger just tried to attack me and somehow missed his mark? But just as her mind began to form the foundation of indignation necessary to express her ire, the sound of an arrow penetrating flesh reverberated upon the landscape.

Turning back toward the direction she’d been walking, she was startled to find the lifeless body of a gnome not two feet away. The slanted green eyes that greeted her were filled with a hate that refused to yield, even as the last few embers of life drained from its face.

The sight of pooling blood quickly proved too much for the battered princess’s fragile mind, and immediately she began to retch the empty contents of her stomach at its feet.

She’d never seen a living creature die before.

Feeling nauseated and weak, she lay upon the soiled surface as the sound of arrows hitting their mark filled the air. All the years she’d spent training for combat had never prepared her for anything like this. Sadly, she admitted that nothing could.

A Name

Gazing up from her horizontal vantage-point at the edge of path, the princess felt a huge lump which threatened to engulf her windpipe beginning to grow at the base of her neck. The little yellow men were everywhere!

Though the ranger was an excellent shot, there were far too many of the vile creatures for one man alone, and once again it appeared that her arrogance had spelled her doom.

First my father, and now the woodsman and I as well.

It was in that precise moment that an odd thought occurred to the princess. She didn’t even know his name. The man had traveled half way across the world to save her, and thus far she hadn’t bothered to extend him the common courtesy of asking who he was. Lying face down upon the ground behind the body of her would-be assailant, Sannil suddenly felt a severe bout of shame.

Why did she always treat the stranger with such disdain? In all honesty, he had never been anything but polite toward her, yet she always seemed to treat him like an unwanted intruder in the dark of night.

Crawling across the forest floor, she made her way behind the safety of a fallen tree which had given way to disease and old age. The broken timber wasn’t quite large enough to allow Sannil to stand, but it offered plenty of room for her to maneuver should the time come. Drawing forth her precious metals, she awaited the inevitable.

Behind the protection of her newfound concealment, the princess watched helplessly as the gnomes tried to flank them over and again. For the moment, the ranger and his bow were mounting a valiant defense against their enemy, but it couldn’t last forever. Watching as he fired salvo after salvo, the princess couldn’t help but take notice of her protector’s chiseled frame. The confident stance he wore left Sannil with the distinct impression that he had been tested in ways which she could scarcely imagine.

Like all southerners she had met inside the castle, his tanned skin appeared much darker than it actually was when held against her own. This must have been what Rothgar looked like in his youth, she thought. Brave and confident, the ranger was afraid of nothing and refused to be intimidated by anyone.

It was then that her gaze was broken by a sudden flash of movement in the corner of her eye, and she had just enough time to move out of the way before the length of a sword came crashing down. Rolling away from the safety of the fallen log, Sannil turned to face her attacker, but before she could engage the gnome the ranger materialized out of thin air and dispatched the beast with a single blow.

I was quite alright!

Of course you were, your highness, the ranger replied, as he wheeled around to face his next set of opponents with surprising finesse.

It had all happened so suddenly that she barely had enough time to acknowledge the gnomes were approaching, before the ranger had left their bodies in a twisted tangled mess.

Now see here! the princess shouted. I can take quite good care of myself, thank you. I’ve been practicing with a blade since I was a child, and I can use it as good as any man. Including you!

Of that I have no doubt milady, but it’s my job to protect you. I have sworn an oath to do so even at the cost of my own life.

McKaelin couldn’t help but notice the immense amount of displeasure that she took in his statement, as he eliminated the beast which threatened to overrun their position one by one.

Don’t worry princess, before long there will be plenty of the foul little creatures from which to choose to do battle. This is just the advance party.

Flashing a sly grin, the ranger turned his attention back toward the earthen pathway, and immediately went back to work. We’ve kept them so busy on this slope that the little buggers haven’t had time to organize a real attack yet.

A cold chill of panic began to spread through Sannil’s body at the prospect of facing even greater numbers then what lay littered on the ground before her fractured mind.

Can’t you hold them off with your bow? she asked tentatively, but before the ranger could manage a response three more of the savage attackers appeared from out of a stand of dense foliage on the side of the road.

Tossing the first of the little beasts down the hill after burying his blade into its back, it didn’t take long before the ranger had defeated the other two.

Possibly, he added between huge gasps of air, but I’m about out of arrows.

Surveying the threats before them, the ranger shifted his weight anxiously. You’ve picked a good spot for us to make our defense, Princess. We’ll make our stand here.

Though his remark was meant as a compliment, it only served to thicken Sannil’s thoughts of despair. She hadn’t chosen anything more than a place to hide!

Peeking at the little men from her makeshift fortification, Sannil was surprised to find the gnomes were no longer advancing, but standing at the base of a large clearing not a hundred yards away, just as the ranger had said.

Forcing the lump that had gathered inside her throat to descend, Sannil tried desperately to convince herself that none of this was real, only to have the unpleasant sensation replaced by a nervous flutter inside her stomach. This was madness! Her every instinct told her that she needed to flee, but the ranger’s posture made it clear that he intended to do no such thing.

There are too many of them! she cried, but the resilient face of her protector remained determined and strong.

Perhaps, he said without emotion, and then again perhaps not. But if we run now I’m certain that what you say will be so.

Coming over to sit beside her, he pointed the tip of his sword toward the sprawling mass of bodies below. See that small group of soldiers off to the right of the main body? Do you know what they are?

Of course I do! she replied. And I would appreciate it if you would stop patronizing me. They’re gnomes.

Biting her upper lip, Sannil glared at her companion menacingly, but to her dismay her tirade was greeted with little more than a smile.

Ah but that is where your wrong princess. Those aren’t just gnomes, they’re gnome hunters. And as such, they are among the finest trackers in the world.

Looking down at the valley floor, the princess examined the small group of soldiers in silence, but could see nothing that would distinguish them from their cohorts.

Don’t let their small stature fool you, milady. They’re among the worst things we could have encountered in these woods. If we were to flee they would undoubtedly find us, surround us, and wait until we fell asleep, at which time they would kill us without either one of us ever raising a hand in our defense.

Eyeing the smallish creatures, Sannil found it hard to believe that the unassuming figures were as deadly as he said.

They can travel much farther than you or I without rest, princess, and unfortunately I haven’t slept in a few days. I’m afraid we’d make easy prey.

The thought of being attacked in their sleep forced another cold chill down the length of her spine that refused to dissipate no matter how much her body shifted its weight. All she wanted to do was go home. Back to the comfort of her daily routine and the life that she knew. Where was Rothgar?

She had always thought that if she were ever in trouble the grizzled old warrior would be there, but sitting behind the fallen shelter Sannil began to feel very much alone. The man beside her was a complete stranger who seemed hell bent on a course of action that in her opinion was tantamount to suicide. How could the woodsman possibly think that he could take them all on and still survive?

I think it’s also safe to say that they weren’t expecting to find us on the roadway, so if I had to guess, I would say they’re still deciding how to handle the situation. As unlikely as it may seem, I’m convinced that our adversaries have been given strict orders to take anyone fitting your description alive. If not, I’m certain we would have been on the receiving end of an endless barrage of arrows by this point.

As an image of Walingsfer’s battered and bruised body flashed within her mind, a sudden chill danced down the length of her spine. The thought of becoming the gnomes’ prisoner frightened Sannil even more then returning into the custody of the orcs.

The terrain here makes a surprise attack on our position fairly difficult, though eventually they will find a way to surround us. But don’t you worry princess, when that time comes I’ve got a little surprise.

Looking into his eyes, Sannil could almost swear the stranger seemed happy. What is he talking about, she wondered? But before she could press the issue further, a small group of warriors separated itself from the main body and began ascending the steep slope.

At first she considered the possibility that they might be leaving to gather reinforcements, but that thought quickly faded. Sitting within her timbered fortress, the princess watched helplessly as the little men drew ever nearer. Yet when the first wave reached within fifty yards of their position, the familiar sound of arrows in flight suddenly filled the air to greet them.

To compound her confusion, the roar of a large animal rose up from the valley floor at nearly the same moment, eliciting a series of blood curdling screams which followed in its wake. Whatever type of beast lurked beneath them in the valley floor Sannil couldn’t tell, but she was glad that it didn’t appear to be coming any closer.

One by one, the hissing arrows found their targets. And it appeared that no matter which direction the gnomes turned, more and more of their numbers fell. Confused by both the losses which they were suffering from the air, and the unending blood curdling screams from below, their adversaries’ taste for battle lasted but a few moments before the entire troop was in a full retreat.

What just happened? she asked her protector with a look of confusion, but the woodsman could only shake his head.

He’d been expecting to receive a bit of help from his feline friend, but nothing like this. It was obvious that someone else had had a hand in their temporary reprieve, but who? McKaelin had little more than enough time to draw his next breath when the answer came in the sound of a small cat.

Devon? the beleaguered woodsman suddenly shouted for joy. Is that you?

Making enough noise to be certain that his movements were heard by every gnome within a mile, a tall thin man emerged from a line of brush with a smile that was warm enough to brighten the entire forest.

By god, he answered laughing. Who else would come all this way to save your sorry butt?

As the two men started to exchange pleasantries, a booming voice sounded out from the ridge directly above them. It would have been nice if you had actually hit something during the battle, the large man chuckled, causing a cacophony of laughter to spring up in response.

I’m just glad he didn’t shoot me by mistake, a third voice chimed in from below. How in heavens name I let you talk me into going down wind of him I’ll never know!

Jamus! the ranger added happily as he spotted the man climbing out of his place of concealment. Princess, I would like to formally introduce you to our rescuers. These two are Devon and Jamus, both of whom you may have already guessed, and last but not least is my good friend Timophee. Gentleman, as always, your timing is impeccable!

Jamus and Timophee were both well over six feet tall with broad shoulders and muscular forearms. Devon was nearly as tall but much thinner than his companions, and appeared to possess an agility that the others lacked. All three were outfitted from head to toe in the uniform of the castle guard of LindenWood.

Eyeing the raucous men as they exchanged heartfelt greetings, the princess felt completely out of place. Inside the castle she had made many acquaintances, but aside from her family she enjoyed the company of very few true friends, and most of them were animals. Speaking to animals was the gift of the druid dream magic when it had selected her to be its bearer.

Listening quietly as the men complained about one another in jest, she felt a tinge of jealousy rise within her. It would be nice to share that