The Fall of a Kingdom: The Protectors of Elbuga

By Dwayne Grainger and Maria Wood

The book is about the children of five families who are driven from their homes. They go on a journey through the Dark Forest to save their lives. They encounter old family friends, who take them in and teach them to be soldiers and look after themselves so that one day they could return to take back what is theirs by right and blood. Together these children fight and survive. It is also a life journey to them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496976000

Dwayne Grainger

My name is Ria, I am 42 years old and live in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, South Africa. I have one son he is 17 years old and the motivation behind my ideas for writing a book. I love books ever since a young age. My hobbies are too weird to mention, I fish and make teddy bears.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

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THE GREAT ESCAPE

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As the wind blow lightly over the tall green grass of the highland mountains, the sound of wooden swords in battle could be heard. Playful but serious at the same time.

The loser has to swim through the icy cold river, says Ludwiq. No, says Argos. The loser has to carve the winner a new sword with his name on it.

That is not fair, Argos. You are a great craftsman, and yet I have not learned any skills in sword carving. It is not a skill little Ludwiq, if you took the time and patience you could do it easily.

Could you tell me about the time you met the King, please Argos tell me again. I do wish I were you that day. What did he say to you? But Ludwiq, you have heard the story a hundred times. Then please make it hundred and one times, please Argos.

Well, if it pleases you that much, but don’t you think that I know the real reason you want to hear the story. I think, Ludwiq, it is the beautiful and lovely twin princess’s you want to hear about, not our beloved King. You always tease me Argos, one of these days I will knock you on your back and you will swim the icy river as the loser of the day. You need to grow up a little more before you can make me swim this cold river, but if you lay down your sword I will tell you about the day I met the King and he actually spoke to me…

So this is how it happened. My father was called to King Atheme’s castle and I, Argos, was with my father. We were on our way to the market to sell our sheep and cattle. It was a hard winter and we had to sell them, or they would’ve died off the cold. When we entered the great walls of Elbuga, the guards at the gate told my father, the King is expecting him when he comes to the market.

Where did your father see the King?

Patience my little Ludwiq, with that haste you’ll grow old too soon.

How come you always act as if you’re all grown up, you are only three years older than me Argos, and I am not little, anymore!

Do you want to hear the story or not, Ludwiq?

Yes, yes please!

Well we went to the castle, and we were called to the king’s personal chambers. Only then did I realize how good my father knew the king. Because only his closes friends and family were allowed in there. My mother had told me, my father fought side by side with the king in the most feared battles known to our people. I then realized my father were not just a loyal soldier, but also a confidant and friend to the king.

What did they talk about?

I don’t know Ludwiq, but after they spoke the king came up to me and introduced himself to me, like I didn’t know who he was.

What did he say to you?

He said Well young Argos, one day you will make your father proud. Your father was once the greatest warrior I have ever known.

Wow, what did you say?

I couldn’t say anything; my mouth was so dry my tongue felt as if it was made of steel. I could only see this big man with a kind smile and two little redhead girls peering from behind him, at me with big eyes and giggling behind their hands. I tell you Ludwiq I was so embarrassed. At that moment I wished the wind could carry me out of there.

Ludwig stares dreamily in front of him. I only met the king once, he came to my father’s farm and his whole family was with him. We went hunting and we had a picnic in the forest near the Menea caves, it was also the first time I have seen the queen and the king’s daughters. It felt as if I am looking at two angels, hair as red as the sun, skin as white as snow and the one had green eyes and the other blue eyes.

Ludwiq you are bewitched by the king’s daughters. Tell me, did your father and the king also had a long private conversation?

Yes Argos, now that you mention it the king hardly spoke to anyone else that day. My mother and the queen seemed to know each other well. They talked all the time, while me and the princesses played by the river. Silvy my cousin were with them, she is their chaperone. It was very strange to me, the king travelled alone with his family that day. There were only two soldiers with them; they appeared out of the blue on horseback. Riding over the hill onto our farm. My father didn’t look surprised to see the king; it was as if he were waiting for the visit from the king.

I would love to know what they spoke about, maybe it is war Ludwiq or… .

Or, what Argos? What is it they really talked about in secrecy?

We have to get running Ludwiq, my father will be looking for me soon, and the sun is fading.

Only their footfall could be heard above the noises of the forest. Running up the footpath over the green hills, wood swords swaying in the wind all forgotten on their hips.

We didn’t catch any fish today Argos, maybe we were unlucky.

Don’t worry my friend we will be back in a day or two, then we will catch the big one. We have to hurry up Ludwiq, the sun is fading fast.

On top of the hill Ludwiq comes to an abrupt stop.

What is it Ludwiq we have to run?

Don’t you smell that Argos?

Smell what?

Look Argos, smoke! Ludwiq is pointing with an uncertain finger at the big black clouds above the trees. The clouds form unfriendly and sinister shapes in the dark sky.

Argos starts to run. His young strong legs outrunning Ludwiq, he feels a heaviness in his chest and it is not the running. The smoke can be on either of their father’s farms.

Argos wait, I can’t keep up.

Run Ludwiq, they will need us if it is a home or cowshed.

The trees are starting to thin out and the clearing is in sight. Something is not right.

Argos slows down; he jumps behind a tree, trying to peer past the tree line. He can hear loud screaming coming from the farm house. There are soldiers everywhere. Ludwiq stops besides him, he struggles to breath. What is wrong, why did you stop? Ludwiq walk past the tree, Argos pulls him back. No wait Ludwiq, something is wrong. Those soldiers are not king Atheme’s men.

Argos looks down at their house, why would the soldiers burn his father’s farm, and who are they? Stay low Ludwiq we will circle the clearing, behind the house are more trees to hide. We will see better from there.

As they start running from tree to tree, Argos’s mind is starting to reel with questions. His father is a friend of the king, not an enemy. This is a mistake! What should they do?

Argos pulls Ludwig down with one smooth movement, he looks puzzled at Argos. He point with his finger. Shock and horror mirrored on the two young boys faces. All the blood has drained from Argos’s face, right there in front of them; his father is strapped to his own wagon. The wagon is loaded with supplies from their own cellars.

Two soldiers are leaning against the side of the wagon, drinking wine and laughing.

As one, the boys start to make their way around the wagon, crawling at a painful slow pace. Securing a distance from the soldiers.

Ludwiq, do you have your bean shooter with you. Argos whispers. Yes but what good is that going to do against real soldiers. No we are not going to shoot them. I want you to distract the soldiers, move twenty paces along the tree line, in front of the wagon. Count to thirty then shoot a rock into the trees to the north side of the road. Make sure it is as far as possible, and try to hit a tree or something so it can make a loud noise. I will cut the ropes to free my father; we will use the soldier’s horses next to the wagon to escape.

How will you lift him all alone Argos?

I will just have to do it my friend, when the soldiers follows the noise, make your way back as quickly as possible to us. We can do this Ludwiq! My father’s life depends on it. Wait for me to give you a signal before you shoot, I just need to get closer to the wagon.

Argos turns back to Ludwiq. Before you go, do you remember the caves at the river where we use to camp and fish with our fathers?

Yes of course I remember, but why do you ask this now?

If this goes the wrong way, I want you to leave immediately. Go to the caves and stay there until you can find help.

No Argos we will leave with your father, do not ask of me to abandon you.

Argos puts his hands on Ludwig’s shoulders. You will not abandon us you will get help; if they catch all of us how will we get word out of this madness. You run for the rocky path and you keep going until you find the cave. Promise me you will do this.

Ludwiq shoulders slumps; this is all too much to take in.

Promise me Ludwiq please.

Alright I promise.

When I am close enough I will raise my hand, then start to move, just try to be as quite as possible.

Ludwiq stares at Argos as he starts to move closer to the wagon. The soldiers have not moved.

Argos reach the back of the wagon, slowly he removes his knife from his belt and remembering how his father had sharpened it just last night. Quickly he picks up a small rock; he aims at his father’s leg.

Thump! The rock hit Hamon on the leg.

One of the guards turns around. What are you doing back there? He moves purposefully to the back of the wagon.

Argos holds his breath, flattening his body in the tall green grass.

The guard holds up the wine sack and pours wine all over the bloodied body of Hamon

Relieve washes over Argos when his father stirs and mumbles at the guard. His father is alive! The guard is eager to get back to his drinking, quickly he losses interest in his prisoner and return to the side of the wagon.

Argos lifts his hand and signal to Ludwiq, he watch as his friend disappears in the tall grass, making his way up the tree line. He moves towards his father, eyes on the guards and knife ready in his hand. He slowly reaches for his father, he touch his face. Hamon lifts his head, his face bloodied and bruised. There is fear in his eyes when he looks at his son. He shakes his head and indicates at Argos to leave. Argos only shakes his head and begins cutting the ropes on his father’s wrists.

Ludwiq kneels down and immediately starts counting one, two… . His mouth is very dry and his throat hurts. Twelve… . . . . Could this work? His eyes picking out the big oak tree to the right of the tree line. Twenty nine… . He pulls the bean shooter back as best he can. Please let this work! He lets go, the green river rock sweeps through the air. As the rock hits the tree a flock of birds scatters from the tree. Ludwiq puts his head down and starts to make his way back to the wagon.

Wine spills over the footpath as the guard’s jumps to their feet, wine sack forgotten.

It could be the boy coming home. The two guards’ looks at each other, knowing there is a big reward on the boys head. They both starts to run in the direction of the fleeing birds, trying to outrun each other.

Argos cuts through the last rope that is tying his father down. Hamon’s body slumps forward on top of Argos, he tries desperately to keep his balance. Father will you be able to walk? Hamon lifts his head to look at his son. They are looking for you Argos, they will kill you when they find you. Leave me and go son, I beg you.

Father I will not leave you, we can do this. We will take the soldiers horses. Hamon looks at the two horses, for a moment Argos can see hope in his father’s battered face. The sight of the horses gives Hamon strength. He struggles with the help of his son to the horses, holding on for dear life. His only thought is to get his son away from here, their lives depending on it.

As Hamon swing his leg over the back of the horse he hears a hasty footfall in their direction. An out of breath Ludwiq appears behind the wagon, looking very pleased when he sees Hamon on the horse. We have to leave Argos; they won’t be fooled for long.

Father will you be able to ride on your own?

Yes, take Ludwiq with you Argos.

Argos jumps and swings his leg over the back of the horse. He stretch out his arm and grabs Ludwiq’s outstretched arm, swinging him with one sweep behind him on the horse.

Father we have to go. Hamon looks down onto what was his family’s home until a few hours ago. The house he built with his own two hands is burned to the ground.

Father please we have to leave now!

We will go through the woods son; over the rocky lands it will make it difficult for them to track us. We need to get to the caves; you boys will be safe there.

With every step the horses take away from the farm, hope is growing in the horsemen, hope of freedom and hope of escaping death.

Argos we need to stop at my father’s farm, to see if my parents are there. They might need our help.

Hamon pulls on the reigns of the horse to slow down. Ludwiq your parents aren’t on the farm, I am so sorry but your parents farm were the first to be burned down early this morning.

Where are my parents sir?