The Right Road

By Andrew T. Suchyna, Grace Suchyna and David Suchyna

A rollicking medieval action-adventure novel about two brothers who must face the dark Wilderness together. The first book of the Adventures of the Realm series.

Since last year when the knights of the North Realm drove out the dinosaurs, Sir Andrew has hidden a secret he'd rather forget. He now lives in fear

• Language: English
• Publisher: Flamestaff Press LLC
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949954029

Andrew T. Suchyna

Andrew T. Suchyna is a Latin and history teacher, a husband, and a father of two. The inspiration for his books are the legends he imagined as a kid with his brothers and sisters. He has always been fascinated by military history, the medieval sense of honor, and the colors of the lauded knight. Ancient peoples had so much of the world left to explore. Andrew hopes his books can reawaken a sense of wonder towards reality and an openness to make believe.

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Andrew T. Suchyna

The Right Road

First published by Flamestaff Press LLC in 2018

Copyright © Andrew T. Suchyna, 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

Andrew T. Suchyna asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Illustrations (drawings): Andrew T. Suchyna

Cover art: Drawn by Andrew T. Suchyna,

Painted by Grace Suchyna

Text contribution by Grace Suchyna

Content contribution by David Suchyna

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-949954-02-9

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

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Contents

Dedication & Thanks

Map for the Right Road

UPON MEETING A CHINMASTER

MONUMENT TO MANLINESS

THE EPIC STALEMATE

THE SPIRIT OF THE REALM

THE CHINMASTER'S IDEA

THE RUMPUS PLUMPUS

WARM MILK

HAIR BE THE TRAINER!

REUBEN'S RUNES

MORE THAN A NIGHTMARE

THE RIGHT ROAD

THE MASTER

THE EZEENS

A FATEFUL FIGHT

THE SCORCHED PLAIN

WHAT THE EVENING HAD IN STORE

OUT OF DARKNESS

THE PRICE OF BEAUTY

MOVING THE MOUNTAIN

HEROES OF THE REALM

THE BOAR WHAT FIGHTS TO THE BITTER END

THE HIDDEN WAY

Dedication & Thanks

To our dad, who let us get up before 7:30 a.m. to play knights.

– Andrew and David

Thank you to those who have supported us –

Dad S., Grandpa S., Mom D., Bob P., Michael S., Maria S., Elizabeth S., Ryan P., Elizabeth G., Tommy H., Ian J., Jane B.

Map for the Right Road

1

UPON MEETING A CHINMASTER

The leafless trees of the Wilderness stood like spiny silhouettes against the late winter dawn. A familiar roar rumbled through the forest just south of Boar Castle. Sir Andrew ducked behind the castle wall. He closed his eyes tightly and tried to forget.

Horse’s hooves clattered from the direction of the dreaded North Road. Andrew peered over the edge of the wall.

A man on a horse sat slumped in his saddle. He wore a blood red coat with a silver crusader’s cross. An arrow stuck out from his back.

Andrew’s heart pounded as he hurried down the rampart. Open the gates! Cranking followed, and he clambered down the stairs.

Andrew paced. He whistled. He twiddled his thumbs and recited Latin verse. The drawbridge finally stretched over the pit surrounding the castle. Andrew’s hand trembled on his sword. He rushed into the dark to retrieve the wounded man.

That was the night before Andrew’s King Hagar, King of War, went to the Peace Tournament. Before he left, Hagar read the message the crusader bore. He directed Andrew to bring the man to the tournament when he awoke.

The crusader slept the entire next day. When he finally woke, he would have it no other way. He must get to the Peace Tournament to ensure his message was delivered! His name was Sir Angelus. Unnatural powers were in pursuit of him. They had no time to lose.

So, duty bound, Sir Andrew mounted his horse and left Black Boar Castle. He and his three dearest companions, Paul, Ellis, and the squire Blackie, formed a square around the miserable man. ‘Twas all that could be done to keep him sane. The crusader urged them on. Faster!

The roar Sir Andrew so knew and feared rolled again from the Wilderness. The horses reared. Sir Angelus fell from his saddle. Andrew’s companions dismounted and hoisted the weak crusader up. Sir Andrew kept his hand on his sword hilt and an eye on the trees.

The sound grew more distant. There would be no encounter today. Andrew relaxed his gaze.

But then a soft rumbling began underfoot. What was this? The horses picked up their hooves as dirt and pebbles below them vibrated.

Andrew pointed at a swell in the ground. Look!

A tangle of thick tree roots shot out of the earth. The horses whinnied and leapt away. Roots quickly climbed the legs of Sir Angelus’s horse and lassoed his foot. The wounded man flailed.

Paul and Blackie dismounted and started to hack at the roots with axes. They dodged to avoid Sir Angelus. Ellis and Andrew grabbed the crusader’s arms and pulled him free. The three stumbled back. The roots receded into the earth, releasing the horse.

Sir Angelus groaned. We must be far from these woods. The others helped him onto his horse and bolted away without question. They left the path and crossed the grass to another roadway.

The crusader sat awkwardly in his saddle. His breathing was burdened, but he fixed his eyes forward. Andrew glanced from the approaching road to the crusader and back.

He failed to notice the lines in the tall grasses that ran against the morning breezes.

At least a dozen velociraptors zipped through the grasses around the riders. Raptors! Ellis said with excitement in his eyes.

Andrew frowned. They’re not supposed to be here.

They are, all the same – Yah! Ellis’s horse veered right as he brandished a long spear. C’mon, Paul! Like old times!

Paul smiled and veered left. His horse kicked a feathered raptor. It snarled angrily as it flew over the grasses. The two circled the raptors and speared them as they pounced from the grass. Blackie cut sweeping strokes with his axe. He cleared the vicious little monsters from his horse.

Andrew rode ahead with Sir Angelus and turned onto the road. This way to the tournament.

His nostrils twitched. What is that smell?

Sir Angelus sniffed too. Feet.

Feet?

Toes, to be exact.

Sir… what exactly is pursuing thee?

The crusader pressed his horse harder. He gripped his steed stiffly and forgot his wretched body was in shambles.

Where have these toes been? Andrew covered his nose with his hand.

Suddenly, a group of small, green ruffians emerged from bushes aside the road ahead, armed with pikes.

Do the fiends ever sleep? What dark forces… Sir Angelus shook his head.

The horses skidded before a dozen salivating goblins. The scrawny creatures were covered with patches of wiry white hair and clothed in tattered leather. They sidestepped forward and threatened with their pikes.

Scummers! Andrew’s troop had caught up.

They’re feisty, but not very sturdy, the crusader said.

Very well. Andrew dismounted and led with his sword.

Blackie guarded Sir Angelus. Paul gripped his battle axe and shield. Ellis swung his spiked flail high above his head.

The eager goblins rushed forward. The Boar Knights knocked their pikes aside. The remaining creatures leapt atop the knights. They clawed at their faces with long nails and gangly fingers.

Argh! said Ellis, What reeks of feet?

Toes! Andrew said. He wrenched a goblin from gnawing on his leg and thumped it with the butt of his sword.

He’s gone! He just left! Blackie shouted.

What? Andrew looked up and saw the tail of the crusader’s horse disappear up the road. He groaned.

Go ahead… we’ve got this, Paul said through gasps.

Surely, see to the mission! Ellis said, twisting to reach a green monster on his back.

Andrew dragged himself free. He ran to his horse, leapt into the saddle, and charged up the road. In less than a minute, the crusader was in sight.

Whoa!

Sir Angelus slowed only a little.

What chases thee?

No time! Look ahead!

They were coming to a bridge over a small river. A large man on a horse blocked the way. He faced away from them and didn’t see them coming. No visible crest. A heavy iron rod hung across his back.

Andrew sighed. Another of thy pursuers?

The roots, raptors, and goblins… all mine. Sir Angelus shook his head. I know not who this is.

Andrew paused. Feel that?

Yes, I—

Hello there! The mounted man had shifted in his saddle and turned round.

Sirs Andrew and Angelus opened their mouths to reply. But no words came. They reared up short, taken aback by what they beheld.

What a jowl! How could any man born of a woman possess such splendor below his lower lip? A master smith must have handcrafted his helmet’s chinstrap for it to bear such stateliness. Even it trembled under the weight of his chin’s glory!

The man removed his helmet. Andrew could have sworn he heard the strap breathe a sigh of relief. His eyes begged for mercy as they beheld the fullness of the chin itself.

Sirs Andrew and Angelus covered their faces and fell off their mounts. They crawled forward, heads turned away.

Hello, down there! the man again boomed.

Your majesty… we mean, your lordship… er…

Ho ho ho! His chin bounced. My lads, I understand your surprise. It happens to many who behold my chin for the first time. Yet I am a mere mortal like yourselves. Ye’ve nothing to fear. The man motioned for them to rise. My name is Sir Chadwick. Affectionately known as ‘Chin-master.’ Do either of you know the way across this North Realm?

Andrew stepped to his feet and mustered his strength. Sir Chinw—er, Chadwick… I hail from Black Boar. Just northwest of here.

What do they call thee, lad? asked the Chinmaster.

Sir Andrew, sir.

Aha! Thou hast naught but peach fuzz on thy face. But thou art already decorated with knighthood. He bowed in his saddle. "Sir Andrew, wouldst thou show me the way to the tournament at Ramshead?"

It would be an honor, sir. I’m taking this crusader there now.

Sir Chadwick’s face fell. He leaned closer. Where’s thy companion, lad?

Andrew turned. Sir Angelus!

Only the two horses were behind him. Beside them was a ragged scroll tied up in string. Andrew bent down. Beside the scroll was a small stick wrapped in green and white swirls.

What’s this?

Sir Chadwick rode down from the bridge. Sir Andrew offered him the stick. Chadwick took it between his thumb and forefinger and ran it in front of his nose. He sniffed lightly and frowned. "Wintergreen…