Broken Sword

By J.A. Cunningham

After living twenty years amongst the destroyed lands of Clinderea, Borland and Aria set out on a quest to find the fabled New Land to start a family. As they travel across the broken tundra they are challenged by nature, people, and beast. When Borland finds a broken sword it proves to be more than just a sword. Will the swords powers help them finish the quest or cause them to rethink their future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.A. Cunningham
• Release date: May 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393212782

J.A. Cunningham

J. A. Cunningham was born and raised in North East Kansas, were he currently lives with his wife and three kids.He is an all around fun guy who loves all things techie. outside of writing he enjoys riding his motorcycle, working on art work, hunting, family time, gym time, and video games.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Memories of the olden times were just that, memories. Back then the land was filled with straight green blades of grass with trees and flowers throughout. Nowadays there were small patches of grass here and there and the trees looked like they were lucky to have lived as long as they did. Dirt and sand, Borland kicked at the ground stirring up a small cloud of dust. So tired of this, dirt and sand. Aria walked up beside him grabbing his hand with hers. She leaned her body up against his.

One day. She said looking up at him as he glanced down at her. Borland stood around seven feet tall to her at five foot five. One day we will find the new land. She gave him a smile that was met with one of his own.

That is one thing that I love about you, Borland said giving her a kiss on the forehead. You have always kept positive, no matter how bad the odds have looked. He needed her positive outlook to keep him pushing forward. Having been on the hunt for the fabled New Land for what seemed like an eternity had Borland wondering if they were on a wild goose chase. There were times he tried to convince Aria that they should turn back and head home. Home? Could he really call it home?

Clinderea was falling apart. The vegetation never fully recovered, and the meat sources began to grow thin. Clinderea once was a place full of magic and life. Travelers who were passing through found themselves staying longer than they planned to enjoy the beauty the land of Clinderea offered. Some travelers chose to take up residence within its inner city. Everything changed after the great battle. The great battle lasted for several months. Many Clindereans lost their lives during that time. The warriors of Clinderea weren’t prepared for such a battle, and they had to recruit civilians to join them. Both sides of the great battle fought hard. Both losing a great number of fighters. The Great Battle ended in what some would call a draw. Each side brought a Grand Wizard to aid them. The wizards where there primarily for healing and protecting the Lords. Those who witnessed the last stand of the Great Battle suffered more than the land of Clinderea. The storytellers of the great battle say they witnessed the final event from afar. The lord of Clinderea  took up his sword against the Lord of Hydronea. Their dance of swords was intense. Both showed to be equally matched in skill. The stories say that both plunged their swords into each other’s hearts. The Grand wizards quickly began healing the Lords when the Grand Wizard of Hydronea made an attempt to attack the Grand wizard of Clinderea. This resulted in the Great Battle of the Grand wizards. The magical battle was like nothing anyone saw before. Arcs of magic, bolts of lightning and balls of rolling flames were some of what was said to be seen. It has been told that the Grand Wizard of Clinderea conjured up some sort of large blue orb of light. When he let loose the orb of light, it was met with one of the Grand Wizard of Hydronea’s own. Both wizards continued to cast their magic into the orbs. Once the orbs reached a size unmeasurable that could be seen from miles away, they exploded. Devastation quickly spread from the explosions, killing everyone and everything in its path. The two Lords, Grand Wizards, and the magic of the lands perished as well.

Borland and Aria were children when the Great War took place, and they both lost their families which fought in the war. They were placed in an underground shelter with the rest of the children for protection. During that time, they became close friends, and when the battle was over they made a pact to never leave each other no matter what happened. Roughly twenty years after the battle they both wanted to find a better town to raise a family in. Clinderea did not feel much like home anymore as the new Lord was terrible at ruling. The land seemed to have been poisoned by the blast. There was hope that it would recover one day, but twenty years later it was not showing any signs of that happening. The farmers all have grown irritated over too many failed crops. It was not uncommon these days to have fights break out in the marketplace over the price or the lack of food. Hunting was banned in an effort to keep the meat sources from running out. Only the Lord’s hunters were allowed.

Hey Aria, Borland said as he came to a stop. How much food do we have left? He helped her remove the pack from her shoulders.

Let me see. Aria began sorting through the contents of her pack. Depends on when we plan on getting more. We can stretch it out for maybe another week, but we will have to eat half of what we normally would for meals. Borland shook his head in a disproven manner. Well, what did you expect, Aria said raising her eyebrows at him. We couldn’t pack too heavy, and we really didn’t have much to bring. Maybe we will get lucky and find a deer or something soon.

Borland gave her a smile, Yes. Yes, we might. Only one problem, we have been on the road for two weeks, and have not found a single creature stirring.

As Aria placed the food back in her pack, she dug out the map they took from the library. Look at this, she said happily. We have been heading north this whole time. If my calculations are correct, we are only about two to three days away from the river. Borland came over and knelt next to her where she had laid out the map. In about a day’s worth of walking, we should come into what is left of the forest. She traced the path out with her finger tapping on the forest.

It would be nice if the forest was at least halfway intact, Borland said with a chuckle. Either way, we should hopefully find a source of protein. Rather it be land or water. Aria nodded in agreement and folded up the map tucking it away back in her pack. Borland stood up giving his hand to Aria to help her up. Let us get going my love. We only have a few more hours before the sun begins to set. We need to find a good spot with some wood to make a fire for the night.

I’m ready love, let us go, Aria said slinging her pack onto her back.

Chapter 2

The Maridian Forest , home to what wildlife still survived, although trees had fallen it still stood strong. It was clear to see for those who had been familiar with the forest that half the trees had fallen. Before the Great Battle, the outer edges of the forest had been protected by a nearly solid wall of trees. Now large gaps spread between the trees. The look of awe on Borland and Aria’s faces was not due to the fallen trees but the green leaves that they bore. Back in the town of Clinderea, the leaves began to wither almost as soon as they had grown. To see so many leaves still green had been a rare sight. What still stood of the forest gave Borland and Aria Hope. Hope that they would find more food, and have some shade from the blazing heat of the sun.

The previous night they set up their makeshift camp and lit the fire. Aria swore that she heard something or some things scamper past them. Borland was busy preparing more firewood, he didn’t hear anything. Aria figured whatever it was she heard had to be several of them by the way it sounded. Both sat there for quite some time trying to catch the sound again. To their avail, all they heard was the sound of the fire crackling. After they awoke in the morning and got some food to eat they agreed they would check for tracks. There was sure to be something left behind in all of this dirt. Borland thought he found a small paw print. It almost looked like a dog’s print but a little off. After a short time of looking and only finding the one print, Aria convinced Borland that they needed to proceed with their journey.

It took them roughly a day from the campsite to reach the Maridian Forest. Along the way they didn’t find any more signs of tracks nor did they see or hear anything else out there. It is really concerning that we have not witnessed any activity of a single life form as of yet, Aria stated.

I had been thinking the same thing, Borland replied.

I do hope the odds change once we get into the forest.

There does show to be more vegetative life within, Borland said pointing towards a patch of greenery.

Should we go in weapons drawn just in case we find a deer, she questioned. Aria tapped on one of the bows Borland was carrying. I would be happy for a rabbit or squirrel too.

You have always been one to love the art of hunting, Borland replied with a chuckle. It always pleased him to see Aria handle the bow in such a skilled manner. He was quite proficient with the bow himself. Together they made an excellent hunting team. Up until then, the new Lord of Clinderea put a ban on hunting. Competition shoots were all they owned to display their skills these days. I do think it would be a wise choice, myself, Borland while lowering the bows from over his shoulder replied.

The bows were crafted from a fallen Elderwood tree. The wood of an Elderwood tree always remained flexible but as it aged it was compared to the strength of steel. Although it was comparable to steel, a sword could still cut through it. The Elderwood could withstand several good blows from a sword before giving in to the blades sharp edge. The warriors of Clinderea used swords made from Elderwood for training due to the hater of the wood. Borland removed Aria’s bow first handing it to her. For you my love, he said as he handed it to her. Next, he slid his bow off of his shoulder taking it in his hand. Borland still carried both of their quivers which allowed Aria to continue carrying the pack that contained the supplies. Aria looked at her bow then cocking an eyebrow she glared up at Borland. Excuse me, she said. You forget something?

Sorry about that, he replied. He reached back and withdrew an arrow handing it to Aria. I guess you might need that.

Thanks, my love. Now let us see what awaits us.

Aria and Borland both nocked an arrow and proceeded towards the forest. It was a long time since the couple saw such a large quantity of green grass. Flowers peeked out from the tall thick green blades. All of which seemed to thrive in the random shades of the forest leaves. Several locations even sprouted mushrooms. If they were to return to their hometown, they could make a fortune selling the mushrooms. The further they went into the forest it seemed almost as if there must have been some sort of magic spell that preserved it. The sounds of birds chirping appeared from time to time. That was a tell-tale sign that life did exist within the forest. Look, Aria whispered to Borland. She was pointing off to their right. She wasn’t sure what it was she found, from what she could see it looked like the backside of a deer. Borland signed for her to stand ready as he took up a position to take a shot. Borland drew back his arrow and looked straight down the shaft, waiting for the deer to come out from behind the tree. To some hunters, this would have been an intense time heart racing and trying to control their breathing. Not for Borland, he stood there calm and steady.

After what felt like forever, the deer started to move. It looked like it was going to back up but then started walking forward. The tree it was behind was one of the largest ones in the forest. As it moved forward Borland lost sight of it. He moved his sight to the other side of the tree knowing it would come out the other side. Finally, he watched as he saw the points of antlers appear. Still remaining ever so calm, Borland was waiting for the front quarter of the deer to come from behind the tree. When that happened, he would take his shot. The antlers went back behind the tree, and he thought maybe the deer turned back. A front hoof came out from behind the tree followed by another one. Something seemed odd to Borland. What he saw next shocked him. From behind the tree what they thought to be a deer was something they never saw before. The antlers were attached to what looked to be half-human and half deer.

What in the name of the sun, Borland said as he lowered his bow. Aria lowered hers as well and ran up to Borland.

Do you know what that is, she asked.

Not a clue.

The creature continued walking a few steps and stopped. Next, the creature tilted its head as if either listing or smelling something. The creatures snapped its head in their direction locking eyes with Borland.

Chapter 3

The last time Borland felt anything close to being afraid was during the Great Battle when all the children were rounded up and hidden. Not knowing what was going on and if his family was safe frightened him. Standing yards away from this unknown creature staring him down Borland didn’t know how he felt. He wasn’t afraid, yet he didn’t feel safe either. His heart rate began to rise, and it didn’t stop until he thought of Aria. He had to protect Aria. Get behind me, he said quietly to her. As she did so he started to raise his bow once again. He felt the calmness overtake him once again. He had faith in his shot. Borland pulled back and aimed at the bare chest of the creature. As he let loose his arrow, he was surprised to see the creature smiled at him. Shit, Borland exclaimed. The creature caught the arrow in its hand right before it got a chance to hit it.

"Oh,