Star Dwellers Saga The Warlord

By R. A. Scarborough

the star dwellers saga continues in this next installment.. a battle on a planet where a knight defends his king. After the battle the now power hungry knight attempts to overthrow the kingdom. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.A. Scarborough
• Release date: Jun 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223689348

Book preview

Part One

1.

The scouts had watched as the Tegrall advanced through the clearing and into the village, the Tegrall were an invading army led by a thirst for blood and power.

Their leader called Gundu and been watchful of the hills and saw the two scouts watching them. One of his men saw them and was about to pursue when Gundu stopped him.

Let them tell the tale of us, we will strike fear in them all. Gundu watched the fire behind Phonons once a small village called Phonon, they had no defense against invaders and once the Tegrall entered the village they ran or hid until they left, but they weren’t satisfied with surrender. They wanted complete destruction.

The fires and dead would satisfy Gundu, he wanted a worthy opponent and so far, he found none. Most of the land was conquered by them and those who attempted to defend themselves were destroyed. Gundu watched the scouts ahead of them and he let them think they had a chance. The army would soon have the entire land.

They began to move toward the city of Kulat, a small city ruled by a king named Drannal.

Soon the scouts had entered the city of Kulat and warned them of the invaders. The city would be waiting, a small army led by a warrior named Hortak began to prepare themselves, Hortak went to his friend Brock about weapons. Brock had several swords and a large variety of knives and armor. He nodded to his friend as he chose a breastplate with a symbol of a large bird with flames as wings. One of the scouts, a young man named Shul smiled at the two warriors and hoped they could save their city from the invaders.

We could go to the tower and speak with the mages; they are into mysticisms and sorcery. Shul said excitedly, he had watched them preform for the king on several occasions.

Hortak laughed, what could they possibly offer? But he wanted to see what they would have anyway. Shul couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed from the laughter but saw Brock look at him. We shall visit them anyway.

Shul smiled again. He looked forward to seeing them again.

Hortak had visited the mages once, he was only a boy and thought their magic was entertaining, but it needed faith and belief both of which he had in a weapon he could weld in his hands, the purity of metal on metal, shield, and sword. That was a truth he could understand.

2.

The fires could be seen from the tower of the mages, a group of scientists and those who practiced magic. They were watched carefully by the royal guard; the king trusted them to use their abilities for the kingdom.

Endellion, a tall man with a simple dark green and blue tunic wiped his light brown brow with a soft handkerchief as he watched the others open a portal in the air.

Cytell, an older man with a long, thin mustache had a thin hand out with palm out and his eyes focused on something in front of him. He was teaching his students a spell which would open portals and let them see into other realms.

Aatonel and Byroll the two youngest ones were watching with fascination. Aatonel stood close to Byroll and would give her side glances. Cytell knew about it, there was very little he didn’t know about in this tower. He didn’t care about their romantic intentions as long as they learned what they needed. Someday they will be the teacher.

The air felt thick and the shimmered like a mirage in a desert, soon the air changed to an image of a rock covered area somewhere else. Somewhere beyond their home.

What is that? Byroll asked as she reached out and thought she could almost touch the rock and feel the heat of the desert landscape.

Sweat beaded on her head as she felt the hot sun from the place, the skin on her arm was warm. She smiled at the illusion. And stepped toward the rock face, she could hear the cry of birds somewhere in the cloudless sky, it was hard not to think of it as an illusion.

Soon Aatonel was standing next to her and they both were feeling the warm sun from the other place. Aatonel scuffed his boot into the dry dirt and almost sneezed at the dry air.

It’s a place far away. Cytell said as he smiled at the young couples’ amusement.

Is it real? Aatonel asked as he stepped closer and found himself standing on a hill, sun bleached rock stood like broken monuments.

It is very real my student. Cytell said in a soft voice, a small bead of sweat ran down Cytells’ face as he concentrated.

Short trees jutted from cracks in the rock and he saw something moving far below him, it was big and had a long body. A shell like a lobster covered its back. He stood in fear as it began to move upward toward his direction. I think I want to go home now.

Aatonel found himself back in the tower again, the elder sat in a large chair. His eyes were closed, and Endellion stood over him with concern.

"Is he okay?’ Aatonel asked as he stood closer.

He will be, it took it out of him to bring you back through the portal.

Aatonel felt sorry for making the elder weak, he didn’t know the scene was a portal to another world, he thought it was an illusion. He went outside and stood on the balcony. Byroll saw him and felt his guilt. She went to Endellion. I’m sure he didn’t mean it. She said as she stood near the others.

Mm yes, I’m sure he didn’t, we should have told him it was a portal and not a simple illusion. Cytell said as he opened his eyes.

Byroll saw Cytell and smiled, You’re doing well. She said and stood closer.

Cytell nodded, Yes, it was tiresome, but I am well, we should prepare for our guest.

They all shared a confused look when suddenly they heard someone at the door. Aatonel answered and saw a tall man wearing armor standing in the archway of the door he was one of the royal guard.

I am Hortak, and I had heard you could create something which could help fight against the invaders. He was with two others, a tall dark-skinned man, and a young man he knew was one of the scouts who would ride out to the boundaries of the kingdom and watch for invaders.

Aatonel nodded quickly and turned to his companions, he didn’t know what to do. And hoped the others did.

The warrior walked inside and saw the others. I don’t know what you could do, but I can pay you if it will help.

I think we could, Endellion said as he guided Hortak inside. They had him sit down on a hard-wooden chair and they began talking to each other.

We could put a spell of protection on him to protect him from the enemy? Byroll suggested as she looked at him, he was tall, well-muscled and had a mane of dark hair which was tied in a ponytail. His deep blue eyes shimmered in the candlelight.

Aatonel saw the looks she gave the man and felt a ping of jealously, he wanted the man to leave. They could handle the entire invading army all by themselves.

That will be enough, the soft voice of Cytell broke the tension as he walked to the warrior and bowed slightly.

Cytell looked at the warrior for a moment and smiled. Yes, we can increase your strength and make your armor invulnerable to attack.

Aatonel leaned toward Endellion and said, I didn’t hear him asked anything.

Cytell can read a person, you will learn one day. Endellion answered as quietly as he could. They led him to a corner of the tower and Cytell told him to remove his armor. He did exposing more of his skin; he wore a simple sleeveless gray tunic under his armor.

It didn’t take long before the armor was laying on a table. Byroll couldn’t take her eyes off the man.

Cytell began an incantation and a strange glow appeared over the armor, then he collapsed. The spell was to protect the wearer.

Endellion caught the elder before he hit the floor and with help from Hortak, brought him to a bed in the back.

Will he be ok? Hortak asked. He noticed the elder was looking pale.

The elder is the last of the older mages, we are all that is left of the practice. Endellion said as he looked at Cytell.

As Endellion and Hortak took the elder to the back Aatonel went to a shelf and picked up a small box which had several small seeds. He opened the armor and found the inside lining.

He gazed back to where Byroll was standing, she wasn’t looking at him only at the scene going on in the back.

Aatonel stuffed all of the small eggs into the lining of the armor and backed away. He had heard that pupa eggs would be harmless in small doses, and hopefully it would be enough to send this man away to his war and not return.

Shul watched from a corner of the room and watched as the mages did their work, he felt something in the air and saw the elder in the corner of his eye. He waved him over into the room. Shul nodded and went into the room where Cytell smiled at him and reached out a thin hand, Shul touched his hand and a tingling sensation went through him and Cytell fell asleep, as he slept Shul heard a voice in his head. Your time will come soon my young friend.

Aatonel heard someone behind him and saw Endellion standing there. He felt exposed and wanted to hide the box in his hand but knew it was too late. He saw Byroll watching him, he felt embarrassed by her look.

Pupa eggs? Endellion said as he took the box and put it away. Not a bad idea, it will make him feel stronger for sure.

Hortak smiled at the armor and put it back on. Something began to itch as he adjusted the armor over his light shirt.  He said a quick thank you and left the tower. Byroll watched him go.

Keep in mind, you must remove the armor, immediately after the battle and have it cleansed by us after the battle. Cytell told him as he stood up. Brock had fallen asleep as the mages had begun their spells; he wasn’t too comfortable with them. He had nothing against them he just had more faith in his sword than a spell.

He was a trusted warrior of the kingdom and would defend it until the end, it wasn’t his idea to pay a visit to the mages.

He had wondered, even hoped that they had some kind of weapon he could use to destroy the invaders in one swipe. But instead, they gave him itchy armor.

Shul came out of the room and left with the others, as he went to the riding animals, he couldn’t help but remember what Cytell told him, they left the tower grounds and would be in the kingdom within the hour. The ride back was in silence he hoped he could learn to be a great warrior and slay enemies of the kingdom.

He couldn’t help but notice Hortak itch a little at a light red welt which appeared on his arm. Hortak felt a headache forming between his eyes, the itch on his arms weren’t the only place on his body that was itching, and it was beginning to irritate him. His vision felt sharp and he was beginning to look forward to engaging the enemy. He wanted to kill them all. His mount seemed to sense his bloodlust and wanted to charge into the battle right now. He could see the battlefield, open and inviting he had already chosen his first targets, which ones would die first.

His sword and axe were ready, his men were ready, he hoped they didn’t get in the way or they would be slayed as well.

3.

Hortak stood atop the hill and watched the armies of the south gather and prepare for battle. His army was behind him and ready to attack as well. He watched the invaders gather in the valley and could sense something about them, a connection between him and the invaders. He watched as they struck their axes and war hammers on their long, wide shields and as the mid-day sun gleamed off of their deep grey armor, he felt the connection again.

He removed his helmet and wiped sweat off his brow, he felt something was wrong and would consult with the mages when the battle was won.

He turned his beast around called a Sapan, it was as big as a rhino and had four large horns on its massive face and two small eyes which were watching the landscape and making a grunting sound as Hortak pulled gently on the thick reins.

The armor he wore was enchanted by the mystics from the north who trusted him with the armor. They watched from a nearby hill nervously.

As long as he didn’t keep it on after the battle was won, he would be fine.

They hoped.

Hortak led his armies against the invaders and nearly slain the entire enemy forces single-handed. A group of invaders split off from the main group and Hortak gave chase, his beast ran through the retreating army running over the tall, brown skinned invaders.

When any attempted to surrender or defend themselves he would swing his battle axe and sword ripping them apart. Blood sprayed across the field and his bloodlust raged in his ears. He saw his army giving chase and it made him continue to chase down every invader and kill them all.  Hortaks’ army could barely keep up with their leader as he ran through the invaders slaying them as he rode his beast.

Hortak had lost track of his army, something in his armor made him itch and the itch made him angry and aggressive. A Tegrall invader swung an axe at him as he rode into battle, it was a short fight as Hortak pulled on the reigns of his