The Tempest: Book Two: Tide of War

By Aaron James Holland

The magical lands of Seventh Realm prepare for war. With the fall of a sacred city, a new king rises from the ashes and will stop at nothing to exact vengeance on those who destroyed his home.

In the meantime, the reluctant Prince Locke struggles to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, eager to find peace despite the coming battle. Blinded by his chaotic use of magic he had not yet mastered, Locke fights for purpose in a world he can no longer see. In the midst of his loss of sight, he still hopes to save the woman he loves who is a world away.

Meanwhile, Aaradin tries desperately to repair the damage done to an alliance almost a thousand years old. In his quest to uncover secrets his mentor took to the grave, Aaradin discovers a truth that will propel all of Seventh Realminto a Tide of War that will not stop until all life is extinguished. Can the broken Locke and ambitious Aaradin put their differences aside to save the world, or will the new king destroy the land they both love and erase all hope?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491788783

Aaron James Holland

Aaron James Holland was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Through his time in the military he visited many countries around the world that inspired his interest in history, art, and music. He has published one other book called Legacy. He currently resides in the mountains of north Georgia with his wife and two children. He is at work on his second book of The Tempest saga.

Book preview

The

TempesT

Book Two:

Tide of War

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Aaron James Holland

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Book Two: Tide of War

Copyright

© 2016 Aaron James Holland.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, places, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-8879-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-8878-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016901325

Print information available on the last page.

iUniverse rev. date: 01/22/2016

Contents

Part One     Beginnings

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Part Two     Death Comes for Us All

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

The Appendices:  Amoreum Duo

Author’s Note

To Carry,

Without you there are no words

There is no canvas

When I nearly lost you

I realized just how much you breathe life into me

You are my Elindra

All my love

All my life

I can’t imagine a world without magic. While the birth of all life, existence, and death can be seen as something else entirely, nonetheless my dear, it is still Magical … Lord Aaradin

Part One

Beginnings

Chapter 1

L ocke slammed hard against the snow-kissed landscape of the arena. He rolled hard to one side and coughed a mouthful of rust-colored saliva from his mouth. It splattered against the snow directly below his head, and he tried to shake the pain. His thoughts shifted as he rose to one knee, enduring another pummel of magical and physical assa ults.

Erectus Barrier! He screamed as he reached his hand outward. A mystical cone of energy erupted around him as a metal staff came crashing down on its surface with a sickening thud. The prince lowered his head as he kept his arm outstretched. He raised his head upward as he felt the metal staff scratch against the surface of his protection spell.

You think your magic is going to save you Locke? You took my father’s legacy; you took his very life and slew him without warrant or reciprocation. You broke a dozen laws of our sacred land and you expect to be pardoned for your blatant arrogance? Maze stood above Locke, menacingly and full of hatred.

Locke kept his arm outstretched. You have had two elder siblings who have faced me … What makes your attack on me any different than their poor attempts? He grimaced. I will slay every seed of your father if I must. He was an arrogant and senseless man with a blindness that doomed him from the start!

And look at you now, kneeling before me. Maze peered down at his opponent as he unleashed a hellish assault of magical fiery blasts. Each one was effortlessly dissipated by Locke’s spell, only causing him even more frustration. You are a worthless man. Embrace your death and let my family have our vengeance!

Locke gritted his teeth. You expect me to lie still so you can have your revenge? He slowly began to rise to his feet with a new found purpose. Your elder brothers came before me with this same wording of entitlement. Each one of your elder kin came at me with the hope of avenging your father’s death. Each one was met by the same cold wall of defiance.

Locke reached his hand outward and his barrier shattered into crystalline fragments. A bolt of pure white energy erupted from his palm and slammed against Maze’s chest full tilt catapulting him upward and away dozens of feet into the air.

Maze slammed full tilt against the far side of the snow-ridden soil of the arena. He struggled to regain his breathe as Locke surged forward with glowing white eyes. He rolled to his feet and raised his metal staff in a defensive posture.

Locke roared in frustration as he reached both of his hands outward. A concussive blast of black energy and white energy rained outward from his open palms. He sprinted forward without remorse; feeling his feet ablaze. he leaped upward into the air a dozen feet. I am blind; I am handicapped because of my love of one woman.

A pattern of blasts erupted around Maze, exploding outward in every direction, raining down a heap of shrapnel and debris. He rolled to the side as the onslaught of white and black magical attacks ensued without ceasing. He could feel the kinetic energy of each of those blasts riddling his very core body with searing pain. He tried to continue to roll but then felt his body erupt in a fiery explosion. He cried out in agony as his metal staff tumbled to the side without purpose.

Locke landed gracefully into the ground just beside Maze, splintering rock and fragments outward chaotically. He snatched his opponent up by his neck and moved him just inches from his glowing white eyes. When you die … when you breathe your last … who else will come after me in this blood vengeance?

I will! A simple voice screamed from behind the prince.

Locke peered back slowly as he grasped Maze’s throat tightly, flames kissing his opponent’s skin and searing it with every second that passed. The prince threw his aggressor to the side like a rag doll. He focused his attention on the simple voice of the one who would answer his question. You are just a child.

Artos grimaced as he pulled his wooden sword from his tunic. He reached it outward and took a defensive stance. I will do what my brothers could not. I will kill you!

I cannot see you, but your voice reveals you are not even the age for the Prima Hunt.

I will kill you Locke Trueheart.

Locke felt a tug at his boot as he began to approach the voice of the youngster who would oppose him. He acknowledged the reach and stopped for a moment.

Please Locke, please, he is just a boy. Maze pleaded.

Does that give him excuse to oppose his prince? Locke fired back as he stood motionless.

You took his father’s life. A Rider of the North was slain by your hand. Yet you question his resolve … Maze laughed as he coughed up more blood. You may be of royal blood but you are not above the laws of our sacred land.

Locke wiped the sweat from his brow. How can I stop this senseless bloodshed? I have killed two of your siblings, and now you hang in the balance. I don’t want to kill anymore. Help me stop this; otherwise I will kill your entire bloodline and the mother that brought you into this world.

Artos is innocent in this. Spare him and take him under your wing and tutelage. Do this and you change this cycle of death forever. Maze said as he struggled for breath.

This boy entered the arena. I am obliged to honor his request in battle.

He doesn’t know … doesn’t understand.

Locke turned his head back down at Maze. And you think I knew what would be unleashed on me by taking your father’s life?

Please spare him.

He is the last of your bloodline obliged to kill me, is he not?

Yes …

Then why shouldn’t I just end his life and be done with this senseless slaughter? Either way it ends with him.

He’s just a boy.

You keep saying that. Yet he stands before me as if he were a man. Locke focused his attention back to the boy who stood bravely before him. Do you still wish to fight me Artos?

I want to restore honor to my family. I don’t know any other way to do that.

Honor my wish to take you under my tutelage and council. Let me raise you up in the ways of our land so that you can become a proper man, and then when the time comes you can choose vengeance or peace. Locke said firmly. Any other choice leaves you for death.

Artos nodded respectfully as he dropped his wooden staff. I want you dead. I cannot lie.

Locke nodded in agreement as he focused his attention back to Maze. And what of you? What of your plight? How does this end?

Give me an honorable death my prince. Give me closure. Maze said as he pulled out a dagger and brought it to his neck. Take care of my brother.

Locke reached outward just as Maze forced the blade into his neck. He collapsed to the side and pulled his opponent into his lap. Maze gasped for air a few times and then his body became limp. A crimson flow bathed the area around the two as Locke held his opponent close and sincerely.

Artos walked up next to the prince as he lowered his head. Is my brother dead?

Locke nodded. He was an honorable man.

I must kill you for what you did to my father. Artos shouted in frustration.

You can try to kill me or you can join me. The choice is yours.

I will join you. Artos said as he bowed to one knee.

Locke shifted his empty eyes upward towards the place he knew his father was watching the match from high above. I am tired. I will fight no more. This blood feud of Riders of the North is done. You proclaim it and be done with it father, because I will face no other opponents on this day or any other day for that matter! I have lost enough for a hundred lifetimes!

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Grand Sage Landoren looked at the images appearing before him as he leaned back in his noble throne. His most trusted advisers and strongest wizards surrounded him at every corner. The magical scenes of the fall of Utheguard Keep played out all around him through the magic of his wizards across all four surface walls of his inner throne room chambers. They were hard to watch. Such bloodshed and loss of life gave him a pain deep within that could only be described as true sorrow. He knew days earlier that the new King of that fallen sacred city was coming to deal with him and it gave him a sense of worry as the hour arrived for his visitor to appear.

The King continued to lean back in his throne as the entrance doors to his innermost chambers rocked open and the scenes of that fateful day magically vanished into thin air. The weight of the events had already shaken him to the core. His eyes had already seen enough bloodshed for a hundred lifetimes, and now certain death visited his most sacred of places. The visitors had arrived.

An entourage of no less than twenty warriors poured into the main throne room and stopped at strategic locations inside the inner chambers. They did not show any hostilities but remained standing tall and silently as another group of five emissaries moved through the ranks of those who had just entered.

Landoren slowly rose from his throne and raised his hand. Speak now please. You have been afforded the protection and sanctity of Solemn Point.

The lead emissary moved up the steps and stopped only feet away from the king, giving a half bow. As he rose up he lowered his cloak revealing his identity. Grand Sage Landoren, I thank you for your hospitality.

Landoren swallowed hard as the son of the King of Utheguard Keep stood before him with no hint of emotion. The two looked at one another for several seconds. Prince Ryse Sorrowsong. he lowered in reverence as he said those words. I am so sorry for the loss of your father.

It is Prince no more. Ryse said as he leaned forward and locked eyes with Landoren again. It is King. And I thank you for your condolence. My father had a sincere love for you.

Your father was a great man. We mourn his loss still now. Landoren said back sincerely.

Do you? Ryse looked back at the assembled warriors that littered the room around him. Several seconds of uneasy stress entered the room. A silence dominated the gathering for longer than expected. That was when he continued, Do you want to know what my father taught me? He taught me that no matter how much love you have for someone, in the end they will still betray you if they do not see your struggle.

I sent my strongest mages to help you in your conflict. Landoren pointed out.

With all their sheer power they arrived a day too late. The city I was born and raised in was reduced to a pile of rubble. Ryse looked back at Landoren. There was a treaty that was signed long ago. You know what I speak of.

Ryse, the four Human cities answered the call. We did what we could. There was little to no time.

Shut your mouth. You do not get to explain to me anything without due credence. The four Human cities failed in their answer. Not a single ally from my father made it to Utheguard Keep before the city was razed.

I am sorry for your loss, I truly am. Landoren replied.

I call upon the council of Cannondine to assemble. The Four Kings will answer the creed I have sent out or there will be vengeance untold against them. Ryse blinked purposefully at Landoren. There will be blood on your hands my fellow king if you do not answer my call.

Ryse moved quickly down the length of steps away from Landoren. His cloak rippled along the steps, folding around him as he and his entourage quickly moved out of the throne room with a great speed.

You have a month to answer this call, then war comes back to your homeland. Ryse warned as the throne room doors slammed shut behind him.

General Clavicus moved up behind his king, sheathing his sword in the process. I take it the negotiations went as planned.

Landoren looked back at his most loyal general. Ryse will mean to call us all to war. I know it is inevitable at this point, but we must be smart about this. We must plan properly otherwise our entire race could be returned to a life of slavery or worse.

Genocide. Clavicus said as he lowered his head.

We are on a very slippery slope and I fear that Ryse has the upper hand here. He brings with him the ruin of his city and also the worst hatred of the entire Human race.

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A month later …

Locke struggled to gain his footing as he stumbled forward. A splash of yellow absorbed into the snow as half his bottle poured out onto the frigid landscape that was painted all around his personal villa. He raised his bottle and took another gulp of his alcohol content, swallowing it down with a frustrated exhale as it burned going down his throat. He struggled to regain his balance as he rose up, hearing the pitter patter of small feet behind him he held his hand outward towards the approaching Dwarf. Damn Eldritch, why must you invade my moments of coping every chance you get?

It’s never that easy, my fellow prince. Eldritch commented with a grimace has he moved up next to his struggling friend. You are blind, and have been for weeks now. I stand by your side not to anger you, but to support and protect you.

Well I don’t need your protection. I can handle myself. I am well versed in all eight schools of magic. Locke said as he dropped to one knee again, his bottle clanking against the ground several times as it was released and rolled just inches away from the Dwarf.

Look at you. You couldn’t cast a spell of defense right now if your life depended on it man! You’re a mess! You even out drink me at this point. And that is saying a lot Locke!

Because you are getting old! Locke screamed as he shoved the Dwarf backwards several feet. I should drop you where you stand. You have spent more time keeping me here and keeping me drinking than you have searching for the answers I seek so much.

It is true I have kept you here, but the inebriation you have done has been all on your own.

Locke moved the hair out of his face as he stumbled forward again past Eldritch. I have regained my strength. I am ready to find Elindra. I long for her.

I know ole buddy. And you will continue to long for her until you embrace her again. I am just doing what I was ordered to do by Lord Aaradin.

And where is he? Where is our fearless leader? Locke could hear his friend’s breathing patterns change. He paused for a moment before speaking, inhaling softly and purposefully. You still have not heard from him, have you? Have you?!

No Locke, I have not. But we have to give him time. He had his own quest he promised to complete before our companions could reunite. You say you have regained your strength, but you are a mess. You may be physically on the mend, but just by looking at you right now, I can see your emotional and spiritual states are in shambles.

I gave my all to save the woman I love and it still wasn’t enough. What kind of state of mind do you think that would put you in if it were you? Locke tried to smile out of frustration. Promise me that if you do not hear from him at the mark of a month that we will begin our journey ourselves.

I swore to Aaradin that we would wait until he returned.

Either you accept this arrangement, or I leave without you. Locke commented firmly.

And where are you going to go first? Who will lead you Locke? You are a blind Human itching to find trouble and if you go out there alone you will surely find it.

I will take Mischa with me. She will be my eyes.

And she will surely kill you if given the chance once you leave the protection of your homeland. Don’t be a damn fool.

Then that is my fate. At least I won’t have to feel this separation anxiety anymore. I would almost welcome it.

Careful what you wish for young prince. There are plenty across Seventh Realm that would love to see you dead for your actions at Utheguard Keep.

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Elindra looked up at the single window in the farthest corner of her chambers. It was barred heavily and had a magical glow about it, perverting the bright rays of the sun shining down on her. Once the light hit the magical barrier it dulled the edges of the light to give it a sadistic gray hue. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she sat quietly in her chair. Her other free hand cradled her slightly raised belly. She could sense the three daughters within her, stirring, growing, and becoming conscious of the world around them.

She salvaged a smile as she could sense their connection to each other already. It was amazing to her, feeling their thoughts, their rudimentary images they projected outward. She could feel the bond of magical energy within each one, even more powerful than her own.

She closed her eyes again as she heard the outer chamber doors of her cell open. She turned her head in the direction of purposeful footsteps approaching quickly. Her inner chamber room was separated from the entry door by massive bars and another magical wall meant to keep her trapped. She continued to sit in her chair, rocking slowly as her new visitor stopped just inches from the cell bars.

Lady Elindra, I hope you have found your amenities these past few weeks somewhat comforting. Obsidius said as he reached his hand outward. The magical barrier rippled slightly, forming an opening as he reached his other hand forward and the massive bars to the cell bent in a curved manner. He stepped through the newly created hole and moved just feet from her.

Elindra continued to rock in her chair, looking up at him with empty eyes. Why are you here? Come to gloat at your victory at Utheguard Keep again?

No my Lady. I have come here to inform you that I will be moving forward with my original plans. Grand Sage Malanok has taken the helm of leadership to the hordes of undead that I rose from earthen grave. This gives me a chance to focus on my own plight.

And what would that be? Elindra wondered aloud.

I have unfinished business with Lord Aaradin. My collective energies and forces will pursue him towards his next objective and ultimately force him to act. Obsidius smiled.

And what is that next objective? she quizzed with a grimace.

He is close to securing the way shrines and anchors. Once he does this then he will move towards his secondary objective, the Marcanus Temple. Obsidius produced a smile as he watched Elindra’s focus turn to him for just a moment.

What would Aaradin want with an old temple on a long sunken ancient city? She asked with a puzzled expression.

Then you know the place I speak of.

Of course I do. You are talking about the temple at the center of the lost city of Karnos.

You really don’t understand what is at stake here, do you? Obsidius laughed hard. This is even sadder than I first assumed. You have blindly followed your precious dead Arcanist Caz Teloth ever since being a mere child. You, like Aaradin, and the rest of your pitiful band of followers never once thought to ask him of his true vision. A unified vision under one central power.

You know nothing but death! You killed him! Elindra spit at Obsidius as she rose from her chair out of sheer frustration. Caz was twice the man you are now standing before me. Even with all of your toxic Dragonkin powers. You are a monster, Obsidius!

And Caz is no less a monster than me? Obsidius laughed again. You only know what truths Caz revealed to you. Let me ask you something little princess as you stand against me assuming I am such the enemy that I have been painted to be. If Caz truly was for the races of light fully, then how did my forces come about the knowledge of the anchors and way shrines in the first place?

Elindra studied his words for a moment but remained silent.

It is true that the scrolls of knowledge on these new modes of travel were given soulfully to the High Elves and that knowledge was passed to the Riders of the North. Yet how did my forces infiltrate the innermost chambers of Norenpath? How did we come to the same knowledge that the High Elves had in such a short amount of time. Mere hours between anchors, the trap was sprung. Obsidius continued to smile.

Spies. You have networks of spies in all corners of Seventh Realm. I should know, I was once among their ranks.

Obsidius nodded in acceptance of her words. Yet they were not involved in this knowledge. There would have been a lapse of time in the delivery of the information, even if what you say is true.

You expect me to believe that Caz shared his discovery of anchors and way shrines with you?

Foolish little princess, Grand Arcanist Caz Teloth did not discover any of that which you speak. He created what you speak of. With that being said, what other secrets lie before us that we have still not discovered about this wizard? I acknowledge he was quite possibly the most powerful wizard ever. Yet he had a side that your band of companions never saw.

Do you expect me to believe anything that comes out of that foul, twisted mouth of yours? Elindra asked in an angered voice.

I don’t expect you to. I simply came here to tell you that I will be leaving your presence in the coming hours. I do hope you miss me while I am gone. For the next time we meet I will siphon the magical energies from the children that grow within you even now and usher forth a new destiny for Seventh Realm.

And what tide would that be? Elindra stood tall as she felt discomfort from the triplets deep within her.

A destiny of war, a Tide of War.

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There was a brief pause in the air as a lone figure stepped forward onto a massive platform. He had two other figures standing behind him at a slight distance. His eyes rose cautiously as the illuminating light of the brightest hour of the day shone down upon him. He concentrated his eyes as he looked down at the slab of mysterious composite material. Its surface reflected an eerie pattern of runes that began to glow a bright orange as the seconds of that moment passed.

He raised his hand slightly as his grungy brown hair was revealed behind his hood. His two companions approached cautiously as he