Elai Nelson and the Storm on the Sand: Fire on the Clouds, #2

By Michael Ban

So, you think you had a bad day? Let me tell you about mine. My parents got murdered. The ones from Earth who'd adopted me as a kid, as well as the ones I was born to, on another planet. I was chased and almost killed by assassins. I crossed an inter-dimensional portal and found myself on a strange new world. I met some dwarves with the worst dress sense I'd ever seen. I found out that it was somehow my job to save the world from some great evil. And I almost got killed by assassins, again. Yes, that was my Monday. How was yours?

It's hard enough being a teenager. It's insanely hard for a teenager who spent most of his time with a keyboard and a mouse to suddenly have to handle a sword and fight monsters. While having a crush on a couple of really beautiful girls who are way, way out of my league. And don't even get me started about the ships. Great big sailing ships, smelly fishing boats, flying ships. Been there, done that, fell off a couple of them. Did I tell you that I was put in command of a small army? Yes, I was, and I promptly messed it all up. Lots of people died because of me. So now you know, teenagers don't make great army generals. 

But, after all that, I've been given a chance to redeem myself. To try to fix things. The big horde of monsters that I got my ass kicked by the last time? They're still around, and meaner than ever. But I've been given a second try to stop them, and I'm sure as heck not going to waste it. Deserts, rivers, flying monsters, thieves, assassins, vicious bankers. None of that's going to stand in my way. I'm going to finish the job, even if it's just me and my trusty talking sword.

Elai Nelson and the Storm on the Sand is the second book in a young adult fantasy trilogy, charting the hilarious and whimsical journey of a 16-year old city kid, as he journeys through a mystical realm and battles enemies, humans and monsters alike, with his smarts, his courage, and a backpack full of toys. The first book, Elai Nelson and the Prophecy of the Child, is available on Amazon and other merchants.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Ban Books
• Release date: Oct 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540174581

Michael Ban

Michael spent most of his life making and playing games. He loves history and science fiction, but not as much as his wife and two kids. He misses his pet dog, and now keeps guinea pigs. He thinks that most people take life too seriously, and can afford to laugh a bit more.

Book preview

Prologue

I t’s bitterly cold out here,’ lamented Marin. What are we doing just standing around?" He tucked his gloved hands in his armpits, hoping to keep them from completely freezing over.

Saving the kingdom, replied Pendle. Hopefully. He kept his eyes peeled for any movement in the darkness. The courtyard was empty this late, with a full moon casting strong shadows all over. Something’s happening tonight, that was the word on the street. We have to find out what.

Can we do it from someplace warmer? Anything this cold isn’t worth saving.

It’s times like this I wonder how you came to be an operative at all. Bellyaching wasn’t a skill they were recruiting for, I recall.

When I signed up, I imagined doing great exploits in the warm summer heat. I must have read the promotional brochure wrongly. The drawings of girls on the beach fooled me.

I did warn you, reminded Pendle. That working for the King’s Whisperers would involve long, dull periods of dreariness, punctuated by the occasional brief moment of intense excitement. And yet, you went ahead to enlist.

If you’d known me before I joined, replied Marin. "You’d have understood why. My life already involved long, dull periods of dreariness, but without any occasional brief moment of intense excitement. This, then, represents a major step up. I don’t regret it at all, but I do wish I’d worn an extra pair of underpants today."

Hush, someone’s coming, hissed Pendle. His hand went to his sword hilt.

A dark shape loomed out from under an archway, moving quickly past them towards the main castle gate. It was a man in a hooded robe, rubbing his frozen hands and breathing into them intermittently. Wordlessly, Pendle stepped out from the shadows, into the moonlight. The figure stopped abruptly, saw him, and turned to run.

Get him! cried Pendle. The two operatives dashed forward. Within fifty paces, they had bundled the stranger to the ground. Twisting the man’s arms into a locked position behind him, they pressed his head against the ground.

You’re hurting me! the man winced.

Aldric? Marin dragged the hood back.

Please, please, exclaimed the King’s baker. My arms. You’re hurting me.

Pendle loosened his grip slightly. What are you doing here at this time?

I’m sorry, said Aldric, panic rising in his voice. I didn’t have a choice! I didn’t have a choice.

Choice? said Marin. What do you mean?

They forced me to! Aldric’s voice became a shrill whine. I didn’t want to, but they didn’t give me a choice.

Slow down and stop saying that. Who didn’t give you a choice?

I don’t know who they are. Please don’t tell anybody. I didn’t mean any harm!

Start over, growled Pendle. What happened, and why are you here? He drew a dagger and pressed the flat of the blade against Aldric’s cheek. And stop wasting our time.

It-it wasn’t my fault, stammered Aldric. She was already dead, she was already dead.

Someone’s dead? A girl? Who?

She was my favourite, whimpered Aldric. With big eyes and luscious lips. I’ve been with many girls, but she was the one that made me happiest. She had expensive taste, but she was worth every penny. I didn’t kill her! I swear, I didn’t.

Go on, pressed Marin. What happened?

I came to see her, as usual. I brought her flowers, and her favourite fruit, sweet northberries. But she was dead, strangled in her sleep. And they were waiting for me. They said that I killed her. But I didn’t! I loved her. I loved her so much!

And?

They told me they would report me to the constables, said Aldric, desperately. And they would tell my wife all about this. I couldn’t bear that! The constables might whip me for the crime, but my wife would have killed me first!

So, you asked them to let you go.

Aldric nodded sheepishly. I begged them. I told them I’d do anything if they kept my secret.

What did you do? Marin felt anxiety rising within.

I had no choice, cried Aldric. You understand? I had no choice!

What did you do! barked Pendle. He pressed the dagger a little, cutting into Aldric’s cheek. A crimson drop appeared and began to run down the side of his face. The baker winced in pain.

They said they were after gold, he mewled. They told me they only wanted the gold.

Tell. Us. What. You. Did. Pendle enunciated every syllable for emphasis.

I unlocked the back gate, and a door to the keep, sobbed Aldric. I should’ve said no. But I had no choice!

You scum! snarled Pendle. He struck Aldric hard across the face with the back of his hand. Marin took off on a sprint into the darkness.

It’s just gold, pleaded Aldric. The king has lots of gold. They can’t carry that much anyway, can they?

You’re a fool, Aldric. Pendle reached for stiff cords and began to bind the hapless man’s hands and feet. For what you did, and for thinking that people who are capable of murder and blackmail are incapable of lying.

They promised me nobody would be harmed, whimpered Aldric. They promised.

Angrily, Pendle lifted Aldric’s head off the stony courtyard, and slammed it back down, knocking him unconscious.

The kingdom brought down by a fool, he muttered, taking off in the wake of Marin. A fool who can’t keep his pants on.

He was halfway across the courtyard when Marin came running back.

The gate’s open, he reported. They must already be inside the keep!

The two operatives turned and ran towards the imposing stone structure. In the shadows, a small door had been thrown wide open. They entered and found themselves in the kitchens.

The king’s vault should be that way. Marin pointed to a flight of steps that led down into the lower levels.

Damn the vault! growled Pendle. The safety of the royal family is paramount. He took the stairs to the great hall, and then up towards the solar, bounding four steps at a time.

At the top of the landing, he was greeted by two dead guards, slumped against the walls, blood pooling around them. Pendle drew his sword.

Is there another way down? Marin reached for his own.

Stairwell, the opposite corner.

Marin quickly crossed to the other side, while Pendle continued towards the queen’s bedroom. At the end of the hallway, he found two more dead guards. There were signs of a struggle. Both guards had their swords drawn.

Pendle looked over at the bedroom door. It was slightly ajar.

Your highness? He rapped the door softly with his knuckles. There was no reply.

Alarmed, he pushed the door open. He felt his stomach clench into a knot.

The queen was slumped over her bed, bleeding profusely from a wound in her belly. She looked weak and pale, and very near death.

Your highness! Pendle rushed over to her side. She stirred at his arrival, looking up.

They took him, she murmured. They took him.

The prince? asked Pendle. The queen nodded. She let out a groan of agony.

My queen, we need to get you some help now.

No! She pushed him away. I am not long in this realm anymore. Save my boy!

A quiet sobbing in the corner of the room caught Pendle’s attention. He stood and crossed to the source of the noise. The queen’s handmaiden was huddled behind a dresser, trembling.

Get up, ordered Pendle. The queen is dying, she needs help!

The handmaiden stared at him, eyes white with fear.

Get up, he said, harshly. Go and bring a physician! He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to her feet. Now!

The girl stumbled forward, and hurriedly left the room.

Your highness. Pendle knelt before the queen. Help for you is on the way. I will go now, to find and bring back your son.

She nodded again.

Pendle dashed out and met up with Marin.

The queen is dying, he explained. And the Crown Prince taken.

Marin looked at him, horrified. Nobody came or left since you went in. We must have just missed them.

They ran back down the steps and headed out of the keep. Across the courtyard, leaving the back gate, were three men. One of them carried a large bundle slung across his shoulders. The bundle was struggling violently, but the man held on firmly.

Raise the alarm, ordered Pendle. He took off after the men. Marin ran towards the main gate and guardhouse.

When he reached the back gate, Pendle saw the three men mounting horses that had been tied up in the shade of a tree.

Without a moment to lose, he slipped a throwing knife from his belt. Without stopping to aim, he flung it at the horse bearing the man with the bundle. It missed and struck another horse in the hindquarters. The horse reared up in pain, throwing its rider heavily to the ground.

The other two riders turned and saw Pendle running hard towards them. They looked at one another, then took off, leaving their companion to fend for himself.

The man got up quickly, drawing a short sword.

Pendle gripped his own short sword tightly. The King’s Whisperers preferred a compact blade for their clandestine work. It was easy to conceal and easy to use in tight spaces.

Pendle knew that he had to finish the fight quickly, or risk losing sight of the prince.

As he moved forward to close the distance between them, his enemy suddenly reached into a pouch and produced a small black orb. When Pendle was within striking distance, the man threw the orb to the ground, right at the operative’s feet.

There was an ear-shattering blast, and Pendle was thrown violently backwards. He lay on his side, dazed and in great agony. His clothes were singed and smoking. He struggled to move, but the pain was excruciating. He could hardly focus.

As he looked up from the ground, he saw the man walk casually to his side and stand over him, sword in hand.

Why did you do this? was all Pendle could muster. It took every ounce of his strength just to keep himself from passing out.

All good things must come to an end, came the sardonic reply. The man lifted his sword to deliver the killing blow.

There was a whistling sound. The man suddenly reeled back, dropping his sword. He clutched at his chest, where the tail of a quarrel protruded.

A second crossbow bolt struck him in the midsection. He staggered back a few more steps, before falling over completely.

Pendle turned to see Marin running towards him, several castle guards following close behind. Marin fell to his knees and examined his compatriot’s wounds. The look on Marin’s face said everything.

Forget me, groaned Pendle. Go after them! They took the road to Stormhaven.

Stormhaven, breathed Marin. They must be trying to escape on a ship!

Pendle gripped his friend’s arm tightly. Don’t let it leave! he gasped. Or if it does, don’t let it leave without you. The future of the kingdom depends on it!

I won’t, swore Marin.

Pendle let out a heavy breath. His eyes began to close. His body, previously tense and shaking, now became limp and still.

Marin bit his lip in fury. He nudged Pendle gently, hoping to see some stirring of life. There was none. Marin shook his head angrily, gently laying his friend on the ground.

After a moment, Marin stood, his face a mix of rage and bitterness. The castle guards looked at him, waiting for orders.

Get me a fast horse, he growled.

1

Don’t you just hate Mondays

My name is Elai Nelson . I’m just a regular sixteen-year old kid, like you. My life was generally as boring as yours, mostly spent doing homework and playing computer games. The past month, however, was quite a bit more exciting.

For most kids, the highlight of the year would be to go off to summer camp, or some exotic European school trip. For me, I got to travel to another dimension.

Yeah, you heard me. I passed through a portal and ended up on a completely different planet. And that’s just the least interesting bit of it all. There’s too much to recap, so let me just summarise.

I lost both my parents when a couple of savage killers broke into my home on a random Monday evening. They chased me across an interdimensional portal, where my snarky, talking toothbrush turned into a snarky, talking sword. I barely escaped death by hanging and met up with two very badly dressed dwarves. I nearly died (again) picking a fight with a guy many, many times bigger than me. I ended up joining two quite good-looking elves (a dude and his female cousin) on some quest that sounded vaguely fun. See, they promised that they’d take me to a faraway place that I was supposedly born in. Along the way, we encountered crazy storms at sea, a very dangerous and not-to-be-trusted old dude who ruled an empire, and a deserted island that I washed up on after I fell off a boat.

Oh, and I basically got an entire army wiped out because I was too stupid to stay where I was told to stay. You know, when your mom says, Stay here until I come back! But then you wander off, and by the time you’re found again, the whole world and half the local police force have been hunting for you. Yeah, it went something like that, except in my case, a lot of people died. So, kids, please stay where you’re told to stay. Unless it’s getting past midnight, then maybe you should give Mom a call.

Now, I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy myself at some of those moments. I’m not saying that I didn’t meet some really cool people that I liked being in the company of. I’m definitely not saying that I regret meeting two of the most gorgeous girls I’d ever seen in my entire life. And both of them actually spoke more than two words to me.

I do wish, though, that some things didn’t turn out the way they did. I wish I hadn’t been so chicken when talking to Ariel, the hot daughter of Duke Rayniel. I wish I hadn’t disobeyed the Duke’s orders to hold my position at the back of the town. But most of all, I wish Mom and Dad hadn’t died, and we were all together again in our home, watching Agents of Shield on TV.

All I’m saying is, I hate Mondays.

2

Everybody has that one sibling who’s a bit of a jerk

S o, my brother is dead .

Lord Jeiel looked at us, coldly.

A foolish idealist, served by idealistic fools.

Wow, that's your opening line, bro? I thought. Things are only gonna go downhill from there.

I could feel the tension in the air. Jeiel had brought captains of his own, and they stood around him, looking haughtily at us. They all knew that we’d barely escaped annihilation at Escaloth and were in no position to argue.

Now here you all stand, he continued. The ones who ran to save your own hides.

We fought and bled beside the Duke! argued Turos. His death weighs on us heavily.

And yet you live, while he is dead.

We were hard pressed on every side. I was within sight of the Duke when he fell, but could do nothing about it, said Rindon, softly. When all was lost, we decided to break out of the encirclement, to live to fight another day.

Jeiel’s reply was brusque.

Two grave mistakes cost my brother his life. The first, his misguided feelings for the craven inhabitants of this perverse land. The second, having you imbeciles as his advisors.

Turos and Rindon gritted their teeth, seething at the insult. This looks just like a bar fight! If we had some tables, I’m sure someone’d be overturning them, spilling beer everywhere. Unfortunately, Lord Jeiel has an army. We don’t.

A soft voice piped up from beside me.

Uncle, it is good to see you.

Ariel. Jeiel acknowledged her for the first time.

I am disappointed that you chose to dishonour Father so soon after his passing.

Dishonour? Dear child, it is because I honour him greatly, that I am standing here at all. I would not else have left my kingdom open while my army marched into this wilderness.

Father and I are grateful that you came as we asked. I had thought that this meant you were of one heart with us on this campaign.

This campaign is a fool’s errand, Jeiel replied, curtly. An ill-conceived plan, poorly executed by amateurs.

Does my lord mean to question the Duke’s strategy? growled Rindon.

Jeiel scoffed. I already did, in a letter by raven. I told him that he was blinded by sentiment, reckless and impulsive. I had hoped that his battlefield instincts could save him, but it seems I was wrong. He made one error after another. Splitting the army was folly, fighting in the desert even more so. The worst misjudgement of all was trusting the Emperor.

There was a grim silence all around. Jeiel continued.

But so great a catastrophe cannot be the fault of just one man.

He glared at us.

You failed your Duke, all of you. Esseny is now left open to destruction.

Caris was the first to reply.

You were not there, my lord, she said, softly. There was no other choice before us.

There are always choices, snapped Jeiel. You lacked the conviction to pick the difficult ones.

What would you have done in our stead, m’lord? Rindon’s voice was measured, but he was bursting with wrath.

Land in Stormhaven unannounced. Take and hold the port. Maintain a supply line for the army. March inland as a united force, not splitting up to fight in two places at once.

If we had landed in Stormhaven without the Emperor’s permission, it would have been an act of war!

And how would things be different from now?

Rindon said nothing.

Let me tell you how different. Rayniel would still be alive and the army intact.

It was like a punch right in my guts. If he finds out it was all my fault, he’ll probably skin me alive.

If you had such strong misgivings about this campaign, why are you here at all? Turos rasped.

"My hand was forced. I warned Rayniel that the Emperor would prove faithless. He ignored my advice and insisted on leading this expedition. I could not leave my brother to die in the desert sands, so I reluctantly agreed to call my banners south. And yet, before I could arrive, this very thing has already happened."

He looked around angrily.

Rayniel’s death hastens the end of this reckless endeavour. I see no point in carrying it further. On the morn, my army returns to the Shroudlands, every last man and horse.

Are you just going to abandon Father’s mission? cried Ariel. The Zul’im are still out there!

What would you have me do? Make a futile stand in the middle of the desert, just like Rayniel did? A second mistake will not undo the first.

The Zul’im have been weakened at Escaloth, argued Turos. If we move against them with your army, we will certainly prevail.

To what end? We but forestall the inevitable. The rest of the Zul’im will come for us, eventually. Why should I face them here, in a hostile and unfamiliar land, when I can face them on home territory, on favourable ground and near to my supply base?

If we turn back now, we doom the Stormlands to their fate!

A fate they deserve. They are but a wicked and depraved people, unworthy of the blood that had been shed on their behalf.

I’d had just about enough of that pompous dude. I gotta say something!

The Zul’im killed your brother! I blurted out. Don’t you want to avenge him?

Avenge him? Jeiel fixed me with a piercing stare. Realms fall when men prize vengeance over discretion.

Does Father’s death not matter to you at all? Ariel glared at him.

Jeiel looked at her with sadness in his eyes. You misjudge me, child. I loved him more than any of you could know.

Then join us, to defeat the ones who took him from us! urged Caris.

And who would that be? Jeiel asked her. If someone feeds you to the wolves, do you blame the wolves?

He paused.

No, our real enemy is the Emperor. Before long, he will move openly against our lands. If we do not return to look to our defences, we will soon find ourselves Imperial subjects.

If we leave, the Stormlands are lost. Then Father would have died for nothing! I could hear the bitterness in Ariel’s voice.

Jeiel seemed to notice as well, but he ignored it.

What is the purpose of saving the realm from one group of monsters, only to have it conquered by another? You will find Imperial rule no less harsh than death on the battlefield.

He pointed a mailed finger at her. With your father dead, you are now Lord of Esseny. You would do well to remember that. If you do not return swiftly to Fordica to set things in order, your reign will be far shorter than you imagine.

Ariel shook her head. The people of Esseny are loyal to our family. They will recognise me as the rightful heir.

"The people are loyal to your father. They have never known you as their liege. If you are not there in this critical moment, one of the nobles may decide it is time for another family to rule the kingdom."

Jeiel’s tone softened.

You know that I am right, child. Let go of this folly, and return with me to the Shroudlands. I will arrange safe passage for you back to Fordica from there.

Ariel bit her lip, saying nothing.

I can’t believe you’re asking Ariel to just turn around and run home! I exclaimed. The Duke believed in this cause. He even gave his life for it! We need to press on, to honour his memory and protect the people he fought to save!

Jeiel raised an eyebrow.

Noble words, boy. How will you protect the people without an army?

We still have Lord Harandir’s elves, Count Daric’s dwarves, and Master Frederick’s Hospitallers! They’re fighting in Karelah as we speak.

Half an army will avail you nought. Against the force now arrayed before the Stormlands, they cannot prevail.

Then we will raise the other half, I exclaimed. We must call upon the Duneland lords to join us in this struggle!

Jeiel’s face betrayed a hint of a smile.

And who will persuade them to send their armies to the Stormlands? You?

I scowled.

If needs be, yes! I’ll try, even if all of you won’t. 

Jeiel shook his head. The Duneland takhans will never listen to you, a boy pretending to be a man. You might as well ask the Emperor himself to lend a hand.

Behind him, Jeiel’s captains sniggered.

I could feel my face turning red. I was embarrassed and angry in equal parts.

Before I could say anything, Ariel interjected.

"They will listen, if the one asking is the Lord of Esseny."

3

This is our party, and no grownups are invited

You know how sometimes grown-ups look at you like you’re an idiot, just because you say you’re gonna do something that doesn’t make sense to them? Like a teenage kid saying he’s going to invent an online music-sharing service that will make all record companies obsolete. Come to think of it, somebody actually did do this, but that’s another story.

Right then, Lord Jeiel was looking at Ariel like that.

You will go to the Dunelands? To try to persuade them to stop fighting amongst themselves?

Yes, uncle. Takhan Velmad has assured us that he stands ready to assist in this campaign. It is now only a matter of convincing the other takhans.

Only a matter. Jeiel sneered. Child, you clearly do not know the Duneland lords.

The Dunelands are neighbours to the Stormlands. The Zul’im are as much a threat to them as to the rest of us. Surely they will see their best hope lies in joining with us.

Jeiel sighed.

We have a jape back in the Shroudlands. Let me share it with you. A lady was buying crabs from a fisherman, and she saw three baskets of the creatures. Two of them had covers securely fastened on, one did not. She was curious about this and asked him why the two needed covers. The fisherman replied that these were crabs from the Stormlands and the Northlands, both fiesty and fierce varieties. If the baskets were not covered, the crabs would escape. Why did the third basket not need a cover, she asked. Those crabs were from the Dunelands, the fisherman told her. There was no danger of them escaping. Once any crab tried to climb to the top, all the rest would drag it back down again. They hated to see someone else gain any advantage.

And so it is with the takhans, he continued. They despise each other other, almost as much as they despise everyone else. A proud and ruthless desert people, you will never get them to unite under a common banner. They have been at each other’s throats for the past ten years, and the enmity goes back even further.

Then it will make you proud to know we will be the first. Ariel was undaunted.

You still insist on going south, and not north with me? Jeiel shook his head. Then I am no longer responsible for your protection. I offer this only once more. Come with us, and we will ensure that you reach your home unmolested.

Thank you, uncle, but I must refuse.

So be it. Jeiel looked around at all of us. I have said my piece. What happens from now on, I wash my hands off of it. You have chosen to put your heads into the mouth of the lion, then do so without me. Your blood is on your own heads.

He turned and stormed off, captains following in his wake. A small tent had been erected nearby, and Jeiel retired into it.

We were left alone around the fire.

Milady, I am so glad to see you unharmed, said Rindon. I had feared the worst when the town was overrun.

Captain Jeras fought bravely to bring me to safety. He gave his life defending the perimeter, Ariel observed with sadness.

As did many others, said Turos, softly. I am very sorry about what happened to your father.

Ariel bit her lip. She struggled for words.

Milady, I beg your forgiveness, Rindon bowed his head. I did not manage to save the Duke, even though I was just a short distance away. I should have paid more heed to the danger around him at that moment.

No, do not do this, Ariel touched him on the arm. This burden is not yours to bear. Father knew the risks when we left for Karelah. You all bled for him in that desert. This is not the fault of any of you.

Yes, it was. One day you’ll learn the truth, and you’ll hate me for it.

Father would not have wanted us to be despondent. He always told me that he was not afraid of dying, as long as his death was a meaningful one. She fought back tears. But we must move on. There is nothing more we can do for Father. I will go to him, but he will not return to me.

What will you do now, milady? Rindon looked at her, solemnly.

I will go with Elai to Mosil, declared Ariel. He is right that we must enlist the help of the Dunelands.

"A bold and risky move, milady. Your uncle was not wrong. The takhans are selfish and temperamental, and prone to petty feuds. I fear even you may not be able to make them put aside their differences."

If that happens, and we can only count on Velmad’s army, will that be enough?

Not nearly, and I do not think you will be able to get even that.

Ariel was surprised. Takhan Velmad is my father’s cousin. He is an honourable and wise man.

"Without doubt, milady. But if the other takhans do not send their armies out, neither will he. If his