Blood on Dragon's Moon

By RFL. BURNS

A time of knights and magic, elves and humans, good and evil.
The races of Nennetta must come together to save their land and their lives no matter what their differences are. The Dark Lord Jerrak has returned to take his revenge on those who had banished him.
A group of friends are drawn into the battle and now must get the races to join together to defeat Jerrak and his minions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Mar 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490732343

RFL. BURNS

Richard F. Lydick was born in Abilene, Texas, on Dyess Air Force Base in December of 1959. Richard lives in the state of Maryland and is the proud father of two and believes family comes first—they will always be family. Writing is a hobby as is fishing and shooting.

Book preview

I

T HE STORM HAD BROKEN DURING the night and now the clouds were slowly dissipating letting in some of the suns morning rays. Richar lifted his coat from under a tree speaking softly as he cradled it in his arms. Slowly he unraveled his coat and a large Desert Hawk squawked franticly as it shook its head. Easy now Ebra, you will be soaring soon. Richar said as he stoked her head feathers gently. Hopping onto his arm Ebra ruffled her feathers and spread her wings. For the past three days since finding Richar and his group in the storm she had been bundled up in Richar’s coat. She had flown through the storm to bring Richar a note from his comrade and close friend Cory, she had taken a beating. Now that the storm was over she was eager to find her owner and to see how he was. Richar smiled at her and held his arm out in front of him Ebra looked at him and spread her wings feeling the cool morning breeze. She leapt from his arm taking flight; she climbed high into the sky. Ebra circled the small wooded area that the group had use for shelter that night then flew off.

The Royal Guard and Alex watched the thick black smoke off in the distance rise high into the sky; the smoke that came from the city of Altrista that was still a good two days ride away. Alex called four of the guards to him and dispatched them, two were sent back to Lamimbia to inform them of the fall of Altrista and the other two were sent ahead to Quenilla to warn them of this Dark Force. Walking over to his cousin Richar who was saddling his horse Alex noted how muddy the ground had become. This mud is going to slow us down and I think that we should pass a safe distance away from the city. We will need to send someone to check on this army that holds Altrista to see what their size is and what they are up to. By the way it looks we do not want to run into them with such a small force. Alex told him as they all readied themselves to ride on.

Yes cousin, you are right that we need to gather as much information on this army as we can. Our force is too small for an attack, so we will travel throughout this day and the better part of the night. We can rest through the next day and start off again at dusk this should let us pass without being noticed. I will take two of your guards with me after the sun sets and check on the enemy and catch up to you later. Richar said looking at Alex whose face darkened at his words. We can send a small party to see what they can find out, my guards will not be seen and your friend is expecting you at the Keep. Alex replied with some concern. We can discuss this as we ride. Richar told Alex mounting his horse.

Cory and the knights helped the mages troche through the muddy fields avoiding the roads. They followed the paths of others that had left before them for Burns Keep. They hurried as fast as they could through the mess the storm had left stopping only to rest when they had too. They had a good twenty days of travel on horse back that they had to do on foot with an enemy that might find them at any moment. They had no provisions and had to live off what they could find and when they did stop they made no fires. At night they would rest for four hours then push on for two more hours before resting for the rest of the night and were off again before sun up.

The knights being somewhat accustomed to this type of conditioning helped the mages immensely and Kris stayed close to ReBeckah’s side helping her when she needed. The mages were tired, sore and worn down, but still they moved on with minimal grumbling. Their feet were blistered and hurt, and now they were soaked to the skin from the storm. ReBeckah told Kris the tale of Satar the Dragon Sword as they traveled. Hillary and Cory watched as these two became familiar and accustomed to each other.

At dusk the next day, Richar accompanied by six Royal Guards and his cousin Alex moved out for Altrista. This was the only way Alex would except his going to the city to check out the Dark Army that now occupied Altrista. The rest of the Royal Guards were to wait for half the night before heading onto Burns Keep to join what forces that were there. As they slowly crossed the devastated fields that surrounded the city the group found no signs that the enemy was still outside the city. They did however find three distinct groups of tracks leading away from Altrista, each following a different direction. Two of these groups appeared to be large groups close to fifty thousand strong had headed off towards the Elven Nations. The third was much smaller maybe about a thousand or two heading across the fields towards Burns Keep, but still it was hard to tell with all the crisscrossing of tracks and the rain.

Outside the city walls they could hear shouts and screams from the rabble within, giving the impression that this rabble was fighting amongst themselves. Alex instructed the others elves to guard where they would enter and if he and Richar were not back by the suns glow that they were to leave and rejoin the others.

Venturing slightly into the city Richar and Alex came across the gruesome sight, the dead lay in the streets stripped of the clothing and armor as wild dogs chewed on their bodies. Keeping to the alleyways they found that the dark forces were having their sport with the wounded and those that they had captured. Knights hung from lamp posts having been used as practice targets while others had been burned, their charred armored remains lay horribly twisted in agony. The screams of women being hideously taken by their captors rang out around the city.

Hearing these ghastly screams Richar’s mind blurred and his heart pounded, all he could see was the horrid image of his mother and sister lying exposed in the dirt by the burnt remains of his father’s manor. His stomach tightened, his heart felt like it was going burst from his chest and his face turned red with fury as these memories filled his mind.

He started to step out of the cover they had when Alex grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. What are you doing? Alex asked staring at his face, a face hardened with hate and eyes burning with a lust for blood. Yanking away from Alex and blinking several times Richar realized where he was and who was standing in front of him. The blood lust that had seized him eased some and the memories grayed as his breathing slowed. Uh… I am sorry, memories of what happened to my mother and sister clouded my thinking. I wanted to kill them. Richar said as he loosened his grip on his sword and looked down in shame. I understand, I once had those feeling for my cousin. Alex said with a smile. But I think we should be going, we need to return to the others and leave this place. Dawn is not far from us. He added more seriously. Richar nodded his agreement and they backed up into the alleyway and headed for its other end.

The two hurried through the alleys turning this corner and that corner keeping an eye out for the enemy. They moved swiftly and as silently as they could to exit the city and rejoin their comrades.

Turning one of the corners inside the alley Alex and Richar came to a sudden skidding stop as they seized their weapons. There leaning with his right hand against a charred section of what was left of a burnt out building was an ogre relieving himself, strapped on its back was a huge battle axe. Hearing a noise behind him in the alley the ogre looked up wobbly then sluggishly straightened reaching for his axe with his left hand and pissing on his right leg.

Squinting his blood shot eyes in the dark the ogre looked at the two blurred figures that had interrupted him. First he snarled then with a loud belch he slurred in common. W-Wha… we… hav… here? Its breath stank and reeked of spirits that could knock a man down and Richar and Alex quickly covered their noses at the stench. They stood ready waiting to see what this drunken oaf would do.

Wobbling the ogre took a deep breath and released it. Ya… stinkn humanths… (belch) . . . better git… back… ta ya… parth o… city… before sthomeone… eaths ya! The ogre said as it wavered where it stood. Releasing its grip on its axe the ogre turned back to the wall. Richar snapped his head to his left as without any sign or warning Alex leapt into the air, and then in one smooth flawless move drew his sword and sliced the air over the ogre’s broad shoulders. He landed silently and softly, he turned back towards the ogre and watched as he sheathed his sword. Richar having been surprised at Alex’s actions grasped his sword tighter and looked at the ogre, a thin blackish green line appeared along the ogres neck as its drunken blood shot eyes narrowed. A muffled growl escaped its lips as its head tilted forward before its huge grotesque body fell backwards with a loud thud. The ogres head bounced against the wall then hit the ground where it rolled down the alley leaving a trail of blood behind.

Grabbing one of Richar’s daggers, Alex drove it deep into the ogre’s chest and called out. Come on. Then he headed for the end of the alley and the gate. Richar looked at his dagger sticking out of the ogre’s chest then hurried off after his cousin. As they road to where they were to meet the others in their party Alex explained that when the ogres friends find his body they will find his dagger and think the humans did it.

It did not take long before the ogres body was found with the dagger buried in it, and word spread that the humans had killed an ogre. Alex’s plan to stir up trouble between the dark forces worked, the forces that held Altrista were now arguing amongst themselves and tension was building.

II

J ENNETTE AND ANDREW LED THEIR party around any town they came upon, keeping well out of their sight not knowing who or what held the town. Matthew and Katiana had scouted ahead and picked out a place for them to rest under cover of trees. The civilians that the Lady Knights were escorting were having a hard time keeping up with the long marches and fast pace that the knights were setting and some of the elderly had to be placed on litters. Once they had the older citizens settled the younger ones looked around for food and water as the knights set watches. Finding some old gourds they quickly opened them and cleaned them so that they could gather water. Matthew, Jennette and Andrew took the gourds and headed back to the stream that they had past outside the wooded area they were now in. I hope Hillary and Cory made it out of the city alright. Jennette said her voice filled with concern for their two fellow comrades. Knowin dat laddie as I do, I doubt dat he an his lass had no trouble makin out, lassie. Andrew stated with a slight chuckle hiding his fears for his friend’s safety.

Cory is a Ranger and well trained as a knight. There is no reason to worry about their safety; they will meet us at the Keep. Matthew said as he filled his gourds and looked back at the black smoke in the sky. While walking back to their encampment Jennette shot a deer, not to her liking, but she knew that the others needed to eat.

Katiana, we will stay here the rest of this day and the night. This will give everyone enough time to rest and by first light we will start off again. Matthew told her as they sat off from everyone. Yes this will help the elders to travel tomorrow. But I want to send some of my knights out to see what is behind us; we need to know if there is a chance that we will be attacked. Katiana informed him in a stern tone and firm look letting Matthew know that she would not back down.

I think that is a good idea, but they must remove their armor first. This will give them more speed and they will be less likely to be seen. Matthew said staring at Katiana who had been taken off guard by his remark. A Knight will not hide his identity; the Code is clear on this. They will wear their armor as you wear yours! She replied with a little huff. Then you send them to their deaths if we are being followed, the sun glints off it and gives them away. But they are your Knights to command not mine and their deaths shall be your dishonor! Matthew said hardening his look as he turned and looked at the lady knights. Katiana looked at him as if she wanted to say something but did not. She tried to figure this Man of Arms out; she had come to know his soft side and knew that he was an honorable knight. But now she was seeing that he had a firm side too. All he had to do was give her an order being of his rank and Order and she would have to obey him, but he left it up to her to decide what she wanted to do.

Cory and the others moved as quickly as they could towards the sea; it was their idea to reach the coast line than follow it to the mountains of Solis. Here they would be able to hide out for a couple of days and rest, they could send a small patrol to check on Solis and see if it was still free. It would be a long march and they were hoping that the enemy would not think that anyone would use the coast and not check it out. The mages were in a foul manner for they were not allowed to us their magic in fear that it would be noticed. This left them to their own wits and the training of the knights.

Kris had learned that Satar had been made by the dragons when they ruled after man had shown up and evil had entered mans hearts. A chieftain of the Dragon Tribes had been give the sword to defend the lairs of the dragons as they lie dormant during the winter months and that it had been thought lost centuries ago.

The Dark Armies of Jerrak advanced quickly across the land without any opposition. Morsel and his force marched for Quenilla as Thomas and his forces marched towards Lamimbia, neither having any inkling of what would be waiting for them. Bardus and his small force rode hard and fast for the gorge of Burns Keep. The mage that his master had left would surely be heading there with any knights that had helped him escape the city. They rode night and day only resting when the horses had to. Bardus was determined to capture this mage and return him to his master.

The five knights that Katiana had sent out came hurrying back to the encampment with news that the enemy was headed their way. Quickly Matthew ordered for everyone to break camp and head deeper into the woods to hide. We cannot hide from this enemy we are Masonic Knights! Katiana said roughly as the other lady knights looked on. This is not the time to debate whether you are knights or not. We have the safety of these people to think of first before our honor and the Code. You will follow my orders and do what you are told. Matthew said in a stern and authorative manner. Katiana dropped her head slightly and gave the order to do as they had been told; the other knights looked at her with reluctance. You heard the orders of the Man of Arms; he is the ranking officer here! She yelled as she turned to help those that were dependant on them. The other knights snapped to attention then started to gather the people.

Matthew called Andrew and Jennette over and told them that they were going to act as decoys to draw off this force. Jennette and Andrew agreed with his decision and gathered weapons and waited for him. Matthew walked over to where Katiana was and took her aside out of the others hearing. My friends and I are going to try and lead the enemy away from you, once it is clear, head as quickly as you can for the mountains of Solis and hide there for a few days. I am trusting you with the safety of these people and your fellow knights. I know that you will not let me down in this for you are a Squadron Leader and an Honorable Knight as well as the others. He told her as he held her hands looking deep into her eyes seeing the fear she had. I will see you at the Keep! He added strongly. Yes, we will meet again at the Keep and there I will ask you a question. But for now as you have said the safety of these civilians come first. Katiana said firmly than after giving him a kiss she ran off to join the others.

Matthew and his friends hurried to the edge of the woods and prepared themselves for the enemy. Ladd, ar ye sure dat ye be able to keep dat promise ye made de lass. Dey said dat it lookid like dere was a dousand of de enemy comin, we ar but only dree? Andrew said with a slight smile. We will do what we have to and that is all we can do. But when it comes time to run Master dwarf you better run as fast as those short little legs can. Matthew replied with a smile and slapped Andrew on the back of his shoulder. Ye jus worry o yeself lad, dis old dwarf out run ye any day. Andrew replied stabbing one of his fingers into Matthew’s breast plate. You both can try to catch up with me when the time comes. Jennette said with a chuckle.

Cory and Hillary looked out at the water splashing upon the shore and listened to its call. This would be nice if we did not have to worry about an enemy chasing us. She said looking at Cory softly. Yes it would be rather nice to be here with you and no one else. Cory replied with a soft smile as he held her hand. Kris and the others had been walking along the shore letting the water lap over their feet when he decided to stop. We will stop here for the night. He called out looking at how low the sun was. The knights found a fairly sandy area and started setting up camp as the mages looked around for wood to build a fire. Hearing a high shriek Cory looked up into the sky and saw a large bird circling over them; one of the knights grabbed his bow and feathered an arrow. Hold that arrow it’s a friend. Cory said as he held out his arm. The knight looked at him as if he were crazy but when a large desert hawk swooped down and landed on Cory’s arm the knight turned and continued looking for wood. Quickly Cory checked Ebra’s leg for a note and found none, this meant that she had reached Richar and he was on his way.

Matthew and Andrew darted back into the trees as two dark soldiers fell to their arrows. Mine fell first, I telled ye it would! Andrew yelled to Matthew. Seeing the two rushed into the woods Bardus ordered his men to follow them screaming, do not harm the mages. Three more soldiers fell from elven arrows that came from the trees. At Bardus’ command his forces charged the trees and several more fell from arrows before they had covered half the distance to the trees. Jennette and her comrades left a trail that a blind gnome could follow in the dead of night as they led this dark enemy away from the others. Bardus and his men hacked their way through the woods following the trail that had been left for them.

Katiana along with her knights and the civilians had pushed their way through the wooded area as quickly as they could and know found themselves at the edge of the trees looking out over an open field between them and the mountains of Solis. She knew that with the civilians it would take them over a day to cross the field and that now was not the time they all needed to rest. We will rest here for the night and start out at the break of day. She told everyone looking the group over, then turned back to the trees as the others settled down. Katiana wondered how Matthew and the others were doing. Closing her eyes she prayed to Pinnette for nothing to happen to Matthew.

Andrew and Matthew broke out of the trees and ran right into the tall grass splitting up, Jennette had no problem blending in with the grass and disappeared quickly. The enemy would have a hard time finding them in this tall grass at night without the aid of Dragons Moon. After covering about sixty yards they all came together and headed for the road. It was not as easy as they had thought it would be, for looking over the grass it all looked the same in the dark. Not wanting to run into those they were trying to elude they settled down in the grass for the night, it would not help them to keep running around blind.

Bardus and his men burst out of the trees into the grass and lost the trail they had been following. Calling for his men to regroup Bardus headed straight through the grass. He knew by now that they had been led away from the mages he sought and the only thing he could do now was to beat them to the bridge at Burns Keep. Pushing his already tired men they cut through the grass and found the road then headed off towards the Keep. By day break they had covered a lot of terrain and now stood dead at the cross road, one fork led off to Solis and the other Turnid, but the main dirt road went on towards the Keep and those Bardus had to capture. Behind them lay Samur which they would take later, looking at his men Bardus gave the order to rest, but only for a few hours.

As Bardus looked around while the others rested he noticed that there seemed to be more discarded belongings heading towards Turnid than towards the Keep. Rousting his men Bardus headed them towards Turnid hoping that the mage