Age of the Third Arcon: Adventures of Ulden, the Bandit's Agent: Age of the Third Arcon, #1

By S. C. Coleman

The Treaty of Molina has been broken, and shadows grow longer on the Greater Continent. In this next installment, following the Glass Empires the Age of the Third Arcon will see the rise of a new general, a general of generals, to lead a coalition of forces against the enemies of Molina. The continent is growing more and more dangerous, as four champions set-out on their missions. The first of these champions is Ulden, sent to a strange land in search of a famed hunter. On a particular mission, Ulden will be challenged in ways that he could never have imagined. He will encounter strange sights, and stranger companions, as he makes his way through a foreign land. Along with numerous perils, many wayward paths will present themselves; threatening to lead him away from his objective. Tasked with finding a special hunter, within the deep and dark swamps of the southern lands, Ulden must make his way through mist covered waters, and avoid all the dangers that lurk there. Wearing only what he can carry, and sporting a thick sword, Ulden does not speak the language, nor understand the customs. He must rely on the friendliness of the locals, who can be treacherous at times.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. C. Coleman
• Release date: Sep 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201588335

Book preview

Summary:

The Treaty of Molina has been broken, and shadows grow longer on the Greater Continent. In this next installment, following the Glass Empires the Age of the Third Arcon will see the rise of a new general, a general of generals, to lead a coalition of forces against the enemies of Molina. The continent is growing more and more dangerous, as four champions set-out on their missions. The first of these champions is Ulden, sent to a strange land in search of a famed hunter. On a particular mission, Ulden will be challenged in ways that he could never have imagined. He will encounter strange sights, and stranger companions, as he makes his way through a foreign land. Along with numerous perils, many wayward paths will present themselves; threatening to lead him away from his objective. Tasked with finding a special hunter, within the deep and dark swamps of the southern lands, Ulden must make his way through mist covered waters, and avoid all the dangers that lurk there. Wearing only what he can carry, and sporting a thick sword, Ulden does not speak the language, nor understand the customs. He must rely on the friendliness of the locals, who can be treacherous at times.

Chapter One

The Lantern Lodge

Among the endless sounds of frogs and birds, the gurgling of slowly running water, which told of lazy currents invading the stagnant pools, and the occasional burps of swamp gases, the creaking of a single boat would go unheard. This was the swamp that never sleeps, and the domain of the Ikky people. In the southern region of the greater continent this swamp might be found, but traveling through the vast landscape, and traversing its treaturous waters, was a perilous task. This provided the greatest defense for those that lived there, who were the only people that still practiced old traditions from the continent. At least, that is how they saw it. Due to a thick canopy of vegetation, the swamp barely saw sunlight. In fact, this area was like a green mansion, with living walls that never ended. Apart from vines, jagged rocks would break the stagnant watery surface of the forest floor, along with a single raft boat. This was a common method of travel for the Ikky, but this particular raft had a different sort of traveler aboard. While foreigners to the swamp were uncommon, there were a few that occasionally visited the Ikky. This boat did not carry such a traveler, as this mysterious man had never traveled this far south. He sat at the front of the raft boat and kept a cloth over his nose, while his companions left their faces exposed to the elements. As the boat lazy bobbed along, slightly creaking, the four lantern lights on its corners bobbed with it. They were imported glass lanterns from the Hohen kingdom to the north, and highly valued by the Ikky; who added their own decorations and adornments to the lanterns. Meanwhile, the raft boat, shaped like a diamond, was illuminated by these mismatched lanterns, with a myriad of designs engraved upon their glass surfaces. In fact, the Ikky were famous for glass engraving, especially on Hohen lanterns, but the visitor had not come for this curiosity. He was in search of a more elusive prize. A particular hunter, famous throughout the continent, resided in these swamps. Some believed the hunter to be more of a myth; a simple tale to scare children. However, myth or not, this new traveler was determined and desperate. Allegedly, this hunter could track a special sort of prey. In fact, the legend of the hunter was disguised within another local legend. Like the many layers to an onion, there was no certainty that the hunter even existed. This traveler simply hoped that the people of the swamp would be forthcoming with information. The search for the illusive individual, and this mysterious, unfamiliar landscape, plagued the traveler’s mind. He was barely able to sleep, most nights, and would always awake with the weight of worry dragging on his soul.

Ook, Ikky-iaka hik? Of the two companions that escorted the stranger, the oldest one and the boat guide, called out into the misty darkness ahead. Slowly, in reply, some lanterns began to appear in the distance. These lights bobbed less than those on the boat, but still moved with the lazy currents. Furthermore, it was clear to the traveler that these lights belonged to a dock. After a few seconds, two long rows of lights were visible, and the dock became noticable after a few more seconds. It was a very rickety dock, with parts of it already rotted away. However, it was surprisingly large, for how well hidden it had been. In fact, this dock was flanked by rows of large swamps trees, and a maze of treacherous roots just below the surface. To make matters worse, the roots had long, five-inch, thorns that could easily puncture the diamond raft boat. However, fortunately, the old man was a very capable navigator, and easily maneuvered the raft up to the dock.

While the traveler and his companions wore heavy cloaks, the dock attendant wore almost nothing. This attendant had a simple cloth wrapped around his waist, covering his sensitive parts below, with a colorful shawl draped across his shoulders. The attendant was very skinny, with both rib cages showing, and his skin hung off his skeletal frame, like rotting rags. He had some hair, but most had left his body a while ago. In fact, the dock attendant appeared almost dead, and his body shook like a flimsy twig; despite their being very little wind. The dock attendant formed no words on his lips, but simply got to work tying the diamond raft to the dock. Waiting to watch how his companions navigated the dock, the traveler remained within the raft boat. So, the first to exist was the younger man, and son of the raft navigator. He leapt, expertly, from the raft and onto the dock. However, he was over eager and slipped on the slimy dock planks. Falling hard upon the dock, the young man caused a piece of rotting wood to break off, and tumble into the swampy water below. The subsequent splash showered the whole group in stinky water. Grumbling, the raft navigator climbed out after his son. Except, the father did not stumble, easily