Black Smoke: The Dark One, #0

By Rina S. Mamoon

Devoted nobleman Karl White serves the Faith of Kallikratés through his role as the Commander of the Holy Blades. A loyal soldier of the gods, he protects their flock within the land of Ardana, no matter how questionable his actions are.

One day, the Holy Blades' investigation into the infamous Blackthorn Guild takes an unexpected turn. A vigilante has taken arms against the fearsome brigands, capturing the hearts of many people and undermining the Holy Blades' purpose. Determined to learn about the so-called hero, Commander White comes face-to-face with his dark past, steeped in a myriad of secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rina S. Mamoon
• Release date: Dec 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781777131548

Rina S. Mamoon

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Rina S. Mamoon got into writing at the age of fifteen. Her favourite stories include Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen and H. Rider Haggard’s She. A fan of fantasy movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Mummy. She’s also an avid gamer and a fan of Demon’s Souls, Baten Kaitos, Bloodborne, Dark Souls, BioShock, The Witcher 3, and Fatal Frame. She had been a part of the Avatar Media Inc. team, as an artist and graphic designer. Rina also has a side gig as a photographer, contributing both photographs and artwork to Adobe Stock. On August 5, 2013, she embarked on a personal project using a first-generation iPod Touch. It was from there The Dark One was born. The original story and the first remake, which became The Lost & Cursed and The Cursed Herald, were written almost exclusively on that device. Rina loves to write dark fantasy while building worlds and the creatures that inhabit them. She also likes to create artwork of said creatures and characters from her stories. She also likes to write psychological horror.

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Copyright © 2020 – Rina S. Mamoon.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the author or publisher at the website below.

Note: This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and events are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to those mentioned is purely coincidental.

ISBN: 978-1-7771315-4-8

Author Website: rinasmamoon.ca

Acknowledgements

I give thanks to my parents and my brother for their love and support. It seems crazy to be working on another story as if I am a glutton for punishment. But I cannot stress how much I cherish your kind words and encouragement to keep going. Also, thanks for offering up new inspiration for what I should write next, like a tale of Mom versus the slugs devouring her flowers and plants. Or my brother, the firebug, who loves tending to his fireplace. Who knows? It may be the next thing I do.

Thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to read Black Smoke. Whether you are a friend, relative, or stranger, I will always appreciate your support, especially during these difficult times. It is nice to know that there is someone who takes an interest in this twisted tale of good versus evil.

Table of Contents

Chapter One | A Meeting in Mirahyll

Chapter Two | The Coldest Heart

Chapter Three | An Upstanding Noble

Chapter Four | A Vigilante’s Wrath

Chapter Five | The Suspect

Chapter Six | An Unexpected Gift

Chapter Seven | A Belated Present

Chapter Eight | The Commander’s Gambit

Chapter Nine | A Botched Play

Chapter Ten | The Saviour

Chapter Eleven | Crumbling Walls

Chapter Twelve | Hunting a Monster

Chapter Thirteen | A Less Known Duty

Chapter Fourteen | Loose Ends

Chapter Fifteen | Moral Awakening

Epilogue | Blind Devotion

Also by Rina S. Mamoon

About the Author

Chapter One

A Meeting in Mirahyll

It was a chilly morning on December 20, 994ED, when a wooden carriage decorated in gold crossed the border into the northern nation. The driver of the coach was a middle-aged man with pale skin, wearing a dark suit. A few greying strands decorated his black hair as his dark green eyes remained focused on the snow-covered roads. In his gloved hands were the reins attached to two brown horses pulling their transport. The mares snorted and whinnied while breathing in the frigid air. Snow gently fell to the ground while approaching a city in the distance.

Master White, we have arrived in Ardana, called the driver. It shall take a few more hours before reaching Mirahyll.

Inside was a young man looking out the window. His reflection revealed shiny brown hair, parted on the left side with much of it combed to the right. Groomed eyebrows sat above his bright green eyes. Some stubble graced his narrow chin, as well as a small tuft of hair under the bottom lip. His flawless pale face was thin with a proportioned nose. The upper lip was smaller than the bottom. He rested his head on his left hand while silently gazing out the window.

Without warning, the carriage halted. The young man looked away from the window and sat up straight. Why have we stopped?

Master White, the Holy Blades are here, the driver answered.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to the door and opened it. The frozen air came rushing in, as well as a few snowflakes. The young man frowned as he stepped out of the coach and greeted four men dressed in golden armour. After a short while, the Holy Blades sank to their knees before him as if he was someone important.

Commander White, greeted one of the Holy Blades, it is an honour to see you. I trust that your time in Corlin was pleasant.

The young man, named Commander White, wore a dark grey long coat reaching down to his feet, with gold engravings decorating his collar and coattails. Shiny golden plates of armour adorned his left shoulder and arm. On the right sat a layered brown shoulder pad holding a red cape. The cape was two pieces of fabric, one shorter than the other. Underneath were a white dress shirt and a pale blue scarf that served as a neck guard. A golden chain held the neck guard together, attached to a ruby pendant. He wore white pants with brown leather armour and matching knee-high boots. Golden plates also adorned his knees.

Holding his hands behind his back, Commander White gazed at each of his men stoically.

For what reason have you intercepted my transport?

One of the Holy Blades rose to his feet and reached behind his back. He retrieved a piece of parchment from the satchel on his belt. It appeared to be an urgent document with a recognizable engraving.

Sir, this is for you, he said, offering the document.

Upon taking a closer look, the commander recognized the seal. It came from the City of Mirahyll, which was his destination. Realizing who sent it, Commander White became less than enthusiastic about reading the document, for he figured what it would detail. Eventually, the commander took the parchment from his subordinate and opened it. After a few moments of silent reading, he lowered the letter and rolled his eyes.

The chancellor requests your presence, said another Blade.

Then the rest of the armoured men stood up. One of them gestured to another carriage, which was grandiose in comparison, and pulled by four white horses.

We shall take you to the Council Hall.

Commander White gave a sour look to each man. In truth, he had no desire to see the chancellor today, but it seemed he had little choice. The letter, meant to summon the commander, had a hint of urgency. After a while, he gazed at the driver of the coach he previously rode in.

André, I shall leave with them, said the commander.

The driver nodded and looked away. The horses began to snort as they moved again. Pulling the carriage, they travelled away from the five men. Commander White walked past the Holy Blades and headed for the newer coach provided for him. His subordinates followed him into the transport. Once everyone was inside, the carriage began to move.

* * *

The commander kept gazing out the window, dreading the meeting with the chancellor. The horses pulling the carriage moved swiftly along the snowy roads. At least the commander would arrive sooner in Mirahyll than riding in his coach. But this left him with less time to mentally prepare himself when facing that boring mouse of a man. The carriage was silent until one of his men piped up.

You went to Corlin to seek an expert blacksmith?

Commander White glanced over to the one who asked him such a question. He saw the Holy Blade’s curious eyes upon his sword. The commander looked down, gazing at the sheathed blade on his lap. Taking his weapon, he lifted it to reveal a very decorative sword in its sheath. Half the grip was black while the other half was deep red, wrapped in thin strips of gold crossing over each other. A ruby gemstone adorned the golden pommel, and the golden cross-guard had a curve towards the blade. Another ruby gem decorated the detailed guard. The matching black sheathe also had accents of gold and rubies.

He partially unsheathed his sword, revealing a steel and silver double-edged blade. Commander White admired the work of the master blacksmith, who cared for his weapon. Unfortunately, he could not remember the blacksmith’s name, for he had seen many when it came to the maintenance of his sword. He gazed at his subordinate and nodded.

I did, Commander White said, to make sure the Hand of Kratés is in top shape.

The Holy Blade then asked, Sir, why travel to Corlin? We have Master Blacksmith Edwin, the best in all of Ardana.

The commander frowned. Edwin is a crook, demanding too much gold. I know a few in Corlin who can offer better services for half the price. He looked back at his sword. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I allow that man to lay a finger on this blade. He sheathed his weapon before lowering it. Although I admit it’s becoming troublesome just to see a blacksmith.

We used to have more until the Blackthorns showed up, spoke one of his men. The thefts became so bad it ended the business of those who didn’t own a workshop in the city.

The commander looked unsympathetic. It is the consequence of running a business in a less secure location.

Another Holy Blade said, Mirahyll wants something done. People are complaining about the attacks on the roads at night.

Anyone with half a brain should know better than to travel at night or alone, Commander White spoke. With our services, they would not be in this mess.

Looking out the window, the commander saw the City of Mirahyll approaching. With their maintained speed, he reckoned it would take no more than an hour to get to the city.

* * *

Once they reached Mirahyll, their carriage slowed its pace yet continued onwards to the Council Hall. The second-largest city in Ardana had some elegance to it. Quite the opulent place with a slight gothic fashion. Wreaths and holly decorated the street lights, signifying the annual Winter Festival. Though the commander had seen grander locations, all of which came from the southern nation of Corlin. Then again, Ardana was a mere shell of its former glory since the calamity thousands of years ago.

The streets were silent with not too many people around. The cold temperatures had forced many to stay inside. On occasion, there would be an onlooker who spotted their carriage.

Upon reaching their destination, the Holy Blades vacated the carriage and headed towards the Council Hall. People stopped and watched them. The commander briefly saw their leery gazes, noting the slight disdain in their eyes. He knew the reason behind their looks but ignored them as he and his men marched into the chancellor’s office.

Entering the office, Commander White saw a middle-aged man in a dark formal suit with greying hair and pale blue eyes. A full beard and moustache hid much of his thin face. His nose was a little wide. The Chancellor of Terra sat at his desk with four guardsmen standing behind him. The commander also noticed the look on the chancellor’s face, for it mimicked the expressions of the handful of citizens he saw earlier. Even the guardsmen gave a similar look, with the one on the right folding his arms.

The commander kept walking until he was five feet away from the chancellor’s desk. With his hands behind his back, Commander White kept his cold gaze on the chancellor, ignoring the four guardsmen. The chancellor, who looked back at him, appeared so diminutive. He was like a frightened deer before a hunter’s arrow. Commander White realized that he could be intimidating for some people, but he had to look the part. And he was not going to lighten up any time soon.

Chancellor Davis, the commander addressed him. It has been brought to my attention that you were seeking my presence.

Chancellor Davis kept his wary eyes on him before clearing his throat. Yes, we’ve been reaching out to you for the last few days.

I was visiting Corlin for some important business. Commander White glanced back at his men. The Holy Blades intercepted my carriage as it crossed the border, telling me that you called for my presence. He gazed back at Davis. You seek a solution regarding the Blackthorn Guild.

Davis mustered a stern look. We’ve been waiting patiently, but your investigation has yet to yield anything. Another body turned up on the southern road three days ago.

Commander White furrowed his eyebrows. You think the Blackthorns are responsible? It could have been a beast.

The chancellor shook his head. The throat was slit as if by a blade, and the body stripped of all of its possessions. Davis cautiously rose from his desk, for he knew to tread carefully around the commander. It is getting worse! We must do something, or else—

Or else what? Commander White interrupted, making sure to cast his stern gaze upon the chancellor.

Davis took notice and froze. After a few seconds, he regained his courage and frowned at him. Or else it will only grow worse, he spoke softly, sitting back down. The people are scared. Corlin has cut ties with us indefinitely until we find a solution. The chancellor gazed up at the commander. I made a promise to all of Terra that I would deal with the brigands. I would bring Theo Blackthorn, the most wanted man in Ardana, to justice. We would, had the Holy Blades not begun their investigation, demanding we don’t interfere.

The commander looked down upon him. My apologies, but this has not been easy for us at all, he said coldly. Their leader is sly and dangerous. Theo has evaded us at every turn, and our resources are not exactly plentiful.

Silence briefly filled the room. The guardsmen glanced at each other, in which the commander took notice. He suspected that the men did not believe his claim. In response, Commander White shot a glare at them. The men in fluted armour saw the look on his face, but they were nowhere near as intimidated as Davis was. The Guardsmen and the Holy Blades never saw eye-to-eye. Also, many of those who served in Mirahyll’s faction came from the Silver Thorns of Greyward Hold. The monster hunters who honed their skills in Grey Mountain notoriously disliked those who donned the golden armour.

The chancellor cleared his throat again. Maybe we should unite forces? We can work together.

Commander White snapped his glare onto him. We shall do no such thing, he said in a stern tone.

Everyone looked at him with questioning glances, while Davis seemed apprehensive.

Noting the looks on their faces, the commander explained himself. "I apologize,