Aslican: The Tablet of Aqthur, #1

By Joseph Wozniak

A stone tablet made of seven pieces, for seven witches, to hold Aqthur in his tomb.

When strange things start to happen, a group of mercenaries must come together to stop an evil warlock from regaining power and renewing his war.

Will they be able to trust each other? Can they stop a power they have never seen before?Will they be able to defeat Aqthur, once and for all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: joseph wozniak
• Release date: Mar 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386458401

Joseph Wozniak

Joseph Wozniak is an avid reader and writer. He grew up in Virginia and his love for reading and telling stories comes from his eagerness to explore the vast coastline and woods around his home. He now lives in the Western United States. His love for reading and writing continues.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

A nother game Sarjin ? The half-elf said as he stared out the window.

You know me too well, my old friend, replied the dwarf as he picked up the deck of cards, shuffled them, and dealt out a new hand. Come, sit. That old bird of yours will be back before you know it. No need to worry. It won't help anyways. You know that Ayen.

Yes, I know, he said as he turned around and headed towards the table. He has never taken this long. Not just for a trip to Brasmos.

Well, it could be anything. He could have stopped to rest. He is getting up there in age and you can't do anything to help anyways. He picked up his cards and looked at them. Today may be the day I finally beat you at this devilish game.

I highly doubt that, replied Ayen as he sat down at the table across from Sarjin. He poured himself another goblet full of the mead they had brought back from Caraolon when they finished their last assignment and picked up his cards. Aaahhhhh, my trusted companion, I do not believe that today will be the day that you finally defeat me, he said as he laid down the card for the Knight of Valador.

Sarjin slammed his cards down onto the table and jumped up.

Rubbish, that's what that is! Ayen laughed at his friend. There is only one of those blasted cards in the whole deck and you get it the first hand. He stomped over to the counter and poured himself something a little harder to drink. You cheated, I say.

Ayen continued to laugh as he placed his cards on the table. When have you ever known me to cheat at anything?

Sarjin took a long gulp of his drink and shook his head.

Never. And that's your problem. Sarjin turned around. Or, maybe it's mine, huh?

May- Ayen started when a crash sounded from the rear of the cabin they had built in the Prontus Mountains only a fortnight before. He pulled his short sword free from the sheath and ran to the back of the cabin. Sarjin quickly drew his knife from his hip and followed Ayen to confront whoever was stupid enough to disturb them.

When Ayen reached the back room, he halted at the door and gasped.

What- He looked at what lay on the floor.

Is that?- Sarjin began to ask, but cut himself short when he saw Ayen's face.

Ayen stepped toward the injured and bloody hawk who lay unmoving on the wooden floor. Sarjin put his knife away and ran to grab a pot of water from the creek near the house and some clean rags.

Ayen returned his sword to its sheath and bent down to pick up the bird gently. From what he could see, his companion was bleeding from multiple wounds and his eyes were closed. He could see that the birds chest was barely rising, so he brought him out to the main room and laid him on the table.

Sarjin came crashing into the room and handed the rags to Ayen, along with the bucket of water. He stood back and let his friend get to work cleaning the hawk.

Verain, if you can hear me, please open your eyes, he spoke as he gently cleaned the wounds with the damp cloth. The hawks eyes opened slowly and he gave a small chirp. Ayen lowered his head to the birds beak. Verain, I know you are hurt, but you have to tell me what happened. Who did this to you?

Verain chirped slowly and Ayens eyes widened.

What did he say? Sarjin asked when he noticed Ayens reaction.

Brasmos...is under attack. Ayen slowly turned to him. He said it was being burned to the ground.

Who? Why would anyone attack Brasmos? Sarjin pulled his knife from his belt and slid it back.

I don't know, but we need to leave soon. Ayen turned back to Verain, who continued to speak to him. He says that he has never seen the creatures who did it. Get our things together.

Sarjin did as he was told. He there was no choice in the matter and didn't ever question his friend when he had that look in his eyes. The look of concentration and certainty. He grabbed their weapons, traveling gear, and enough dry food for a couple of days.

When Sarjin finished and stepped back into the front room, Verain was clean and drinking water from a small bowl.

He is very weak, but should be okay, said Ayen as he slipped his longbow and quiver over his shoulder. He shook his head. I don't understand it.

We will find out who did this, said Sarjin. Will he be okay while we are gone?

"I believe so. It was a lot of blood, but none of the wounds were very deep. He said they shot arrows at