TOURIN: Worlds of the Creator

By Sidney E. Haney Jr.

In WOTC: year 664177: Zurmone, a yawan prince from the Husurian Kingdoms went outside of the Yawan Ruled Kingdoms into the Onam Ruled Federations and learned of the Dark Arts existence. There, under the tutelage of onam sorcerers, Zurmone began to excel in the Dark Arts and the practice of sorcery. Having become proficient in the practice of sorcery, he returned to his home and secretly introduced the Dark Arts into the Husurian Kingdoms. He was eventually caught, sentenced, and sent to the Crestone level of the Zutacquan Prison System. It was here that Zurmone formulated his plan to escape the Zutacquan Prison System using a Prophecy from the Book of Creation. His plan of deceit turned the lives of four other yawans, Darwor, Thomas, Aerolan, and Celeste upside down and eventually his treachery spread throughout the Tylorian Kingdoms and beyond. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Jun 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781977264862

Sidney E. Haney Jr.

The author, Sidney E. Haney Jr. graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in 1980 and has practiced pharmacy in Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee in both retail and hospital settings. Writing fantasy stories has been a hobby that he has enjoyed for most of his adult life. It wasn’t until he retired that he decided to turn his hobby of writing into a process of writing a series of fantasy books that he would have published. TOURIN is the first book of the fantasy series known as WORLDS OF THE CREATOR. Hopefully, the journey beginning with TOURIN will be an enjoyable getaway for those who choose to read it.  

Book preview

TOURIN

Worlds of the Creator

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2023 Sidney E. Haney Jr

v2.0

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Outskirts Press and the OP logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Author’s Note: This book is a work of fantasy. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used as a fictional part of the story and any similarity to people living or dead are purely coincidental.

Contents

Introduction

Part One

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Part Two

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Appendices

Appendix A: Battlestations of WOTC

Appendix B: Characters/Glossary

Appendix C: Onam

Appendix D: Paah

Appendix E: Panterian Military

Appendix F: Piltilius

Appendix G: Tacit

Appendix H: Tourin Commerce

Appendix I: Tyloria

Appendix J: Types of Beings

Appendix K: Ultraverses

Appendix L: Valturius

Appendix M: WOTC Masterplan

Appendix N: Yawan Ruled Lands

Introduction

Tourin is a planet located in the Owa Solar System. It is a large planet, and it has three large continents, each one ruled by a different type of higher order being. In WOTC: year 649,060: it was first inhabited by the onams, a race of beings from the higher order and those they ruled over; the anons, peons, and sithes. They were transported to Tourin when Onamia, their home planet, began to die along with the vast majority of its population. The Owani after the investigation by the High Council granted permission for the survivors to be taken to Tourin, a planet in their own solar system. Despite the mistakes they had made on Onamia, the onams were given another chance. They went almost six hundred years with good rule and had developed a prosperous civilization until Parg, an onam businessman through his association with Luciferius, fell into corruption in WOTC: year 649,659. He became further corrupted when he began to spread the Dark Arts through his teachings and the practice of sorcery. In response to the onam hierarchy’s non-enforcement of existing laws against the Dark Arts and the practice of sorcery, the Owani brought in the yawans who were also higher order beings, in WOTC: year 649,660. They along with the humans and pleegans were placed on a different continent of Tourin. As the Dark Arts and the practice of sorcery began to spread across the Onam Ruled Federations, the Owani introduced onto the last uninhabited continent, the tacits who like the onams and yawans were higher order beings in WOTC: year 652,060. They along with the taits and casts, were given the mission to populate and control what would be called the Tacit Ruled Unions. The Dark Arts, never the one to sit idle, grew steadily inside the Onam Ruled Federations. In WOTC: year 664,177: Zurmone, a yawan prince from the Husurian Kingdoms, went outside of the Yawan Ruled Kingdoms into the Onam Ruled Federations and learned of the Dark Arts existence. There, under the tutelage of onam sorcerers, Zurmone began to excel in the Dark Arts and the practice of sorcery. Having become quite proficient in the practice of sorcery, he returned to his home and secretly introduced the Dark Arts into the Husurian Kingdoms. He was eventually caught, sentenced, and sent in WOTC: year 664,185: to the Crestone level of the Zutacquan Prison System, located on the Island of Crestone, on the planet Tourin. It was here that Zurmone formulated his plan to escape the Zutacquan Prison System using a Prophecy from the Book of Creation. His plan of deceit turned the lives of (4) yawans from the Tylorian Kingdoms; Darwor, Thomas, Aerolan, and Celeste upside down and eventually his treachery spread throughout the Tylorian Kingdoms and beyond.

Part One

Chapter 1

TOURIN: YAWAN RULED LAND: MUNSURIA…CALANTARA.

WOTC: YEAR 689,012

Asoundless explosion of light revealed the shadows of the fearsome figures against the corridor walls of the palace. The two guards that were on duty, hardly had a chance for their eyes to adjust to the light before they crumpled breathlessly into a heap. Blood dripped from the mouths of the two krokhounds as they continued down the now darkened corridor. Listening intently to the instructions of the silent melody being blown out from the small instrument in the hand of their handlers, the six krokhounds followed the Panterian assassin as he continued towards the bedroom of the yawan prince. As soundless as he was merciless, the assassin entered the bedroom of Aerolan, the Prince of Munsuria. Just as silent, the tarpa of Aerolan tingled out a warning and quickly formed a shield around him as he awoke, then fell silently to the floor. He gathered up his battlestaff as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Aerolan then did a mental search, and he immediately discovered a human in his bedroom along with six more humans fronted by six beasts waiting in the corridor just outside his door. Panicked, Aerolan shot out toward an escape hatch in the back wall, that he had opened with his tarpa. The assassin, angered by being discovered, made a short and sharp whistle and then shot a fist into the air. The nostrils of the six krokhounds in the corridor flared with excitement as they caught the scent of their prey. Their muscled, two-hundred-pound bodies tensed with anticipation, then they suddenly leaped in the direction of Aerolan as their handlers blew out instructions to chase and destroy. Thankfully, the doorway from which the krokhounds had entered was a good sixty feet from Aerolan’s bed. Even so, they were snarling at his backside just as he slipped through the opening which closed immediately behind him. Two of the heavily muscled beasts slammed into the wall where Aerolan had just passed through. The assassin instantly sent two blasts of fire, one from each of his cueriets, which were the standard weapons for someone of his profession. The wall buckled but didn’t cave in. Curses from the angry assassin flew from his mouth, as he slipped closer to the wall where the six impatient krokhounds waited. He sent two more bursts of fire into the damaged wall causing it to crumble in on itself. The krokhounds didn’t even flinch but lept through the newly formed opening, in hot pursuit of the prince. Aerolan took a quick look behind him as he sprinted through the corridor. Even as a yawan, who could easily outrun a human, he knew he could not outrun these genetically manipulated beasts from the Krok pits of Panteria. These were bred for the assassin’s teams, and they were smaller and faster than their battlefield counterparts. At speeds of up to sixty miles per hour, they were deadly in their use as an integral part of the assassin team. Aerolan, using a much practiced 360-degree turn while in full stride, sent two blasts from his battlestaff into the lead krokhound, causing it to buckle and crash into the corridor wall with its now limp and dead body. The other krokhounds, without missing a beat, reformed the chase formation and continued the pursuit. Aerolan was now certain that he was being pursued by a highly trained assassin team from Panteria. Again, Aerolan used the 360-degree turn and shot once into the lead krokhound, which didn’t fall but continued on with its injured shoulder. This worked in Aerolan’s favor because it slowed the other four krokhounds down, which allowed him to maintain the distance between them. Aerolan raced on, knowing that he was almost to the end of the corridor that led into the Munsurian Forest. Out there, he figured he could pick off a couple more krokhounds, while trying to reach the first guard post of the palace. Aerolan’s tarpa sent out signals causing the wall to open and then close as he shot through. Aerolan looked for the best vantage point to take out a couple of these hellish beasts. Over to his left, he spotted a good place behind a few trees. It was a large boulder, about seven feet in height. He sprinted towards it and easily leaped up on it. He watched, knowing that the assassin would have to take out the wall before the krokhounds could continue their pursuit after him. He quickly looked in the direction he would need to go, to see if he could make it to another safe spot but he heard the explosion of the corridor wall. He turned back and positioned himself, in time to see the first of the beasts making its way out of the palace’s corridor into the Munsurian Forest. He noticed that this was a new leader of the pack and that it was sniffing the air and it quickly changed direction and headed towards him. Aerolan sent a couple of needed blasts of fire into the krokhound when it got into range. Down it went, but the remaining four krokhounds, including the injured one, all went in different directions. Aerolan tried to get off another shot, but these well-trained beasts made it behind cover and waited for their handlers to again catch up. Aerolan knew he had to make it to the palace’s nearest guard post before the rest of the assassin team reached him. They would have weapons almost as powerful as his own battlestaff. With their numbers, they would be able to surround him, leaving no chance for escape. If he took the clear trail through the thick forest, he knew he would be no match for three of the four remaining krokhounds, in a full out sprint to the guard post. So, he looked for a better solution through the thick forest. He spotted another place that not only provided protection but could possibly let him take down another krokhound. Aerolan shot out towards the new location at full speed. He could hear the krokhounds following him in hot pursuit. Aerolan reached the boulder and leaped up on it, but this time his foot hit some slippery moss, sending him crashing back down to the forest floor. His tarpa tingled with a warning while it formed a shield around him. The first two krokhounds were too close for him to get off a shot, so he pushed out his battlestaff, which was made out of tueplinium, a combination of tuelerium ore and plinatonium crystals. This caused the shielding power of his tueplinium-based battlestaff to unite with the shielding of his tarpa, just before the first krokhound slammed into his shielding, causing his right hand to lose its grip on his battlestaff. The second krokhound hit his shielding just seconds later, knocking him off his feet and forcing his battlestaff to fly out of his other hand, into his chest. He had barely made it off his back onto his knees when the third krokhound hit the shielding of his tarpa at full speed. He could feel himself flying backwards as he barely grabbed hold of his battlestaff. His head slammed against something hard causing him to crumple to the ground as he slowly sunk into unconsciousness. Hours later, Aerolan sucked in a desperate breath of air as he regained consciousness. Disoriented, he managed to roll over onto his stomach so he could get to his feet, but the dizziness and sharp pain shooting through his head would not allow him to stand. He touched the back of his head lightly where he was feeling the pain. He could tell that the area was swollen but he didn’t feel any blood, which he quickly confirmed by looking at his hand. He slowly got to his knees and looked around, but everything was different. There were no trees or stones near him. There were no krokhounds and his tarpa were no longer tingling. Confusion, tinged with fear and dread, clouded his mind. Was he dead? Had the krokhounds killed him? The last thing he remembered was flying backwards, after the third krokhound had slammed into his tarpa-only shielding, but that was it. He couldn’t remember anything after that. Aerolan tried again to get to his feet. He moved slowly which kept the dizziness to a minimum. Once up on his feet, he looked around again for something familiar, and this time he spotted his battlestaff. He moved cautiously over to it and slowly reached down and picked it up. Even though he didn’t recognize anything else, it was still good news because it meant he was no longer in danger. There was no Panterian assassin team anywhere in sight. Aerolan spotted a road about a hundred feet to his left, so he made his way over to it. He wondered, which way he should go? But what did it matter, nothing was even remotely recognizable, so he continued in the direction he was already going? As he walked, he wondered why Darwor had sent an assassin team after him. It didn’t make any sense. Sure, Darwor had declared war on all the Tylorian Kingdoms, but Munsuria had not declared war on Panteria. There were Yawan Ruled Kingdoms actively fighting against Panteria, but his father had chosen to remain neutral. Why would Darwor do this? Surely, he knows that by doing this act of aggression against them that they would be forced to respond in kind. Aerolan topped the hill and there before him, in a picturesque valley was an immense palace. There was no doubt now that he was no longer in Munsuria…but where was he? Somehow, he must have fallen through a planetary gateway, but which one and to where? At least, he knew this couldn’t be Panteria. He had seen how the Dark Arts and the practice of sorcery had left its ugly mark upon the land, when he had traveled there with his father and a friend. Aerolan continued walking towards the palace and as he got closer, he heard the horns blow. The front gate opened, and three humans walked out. Two were obviously warriors and the other looked like he was from courtside. As they approached, the two warriors stopped, and the other man stepped forward and bowed. Greetings, my lord, said the man.

Greetings to you, responded Aerolan, still trying to find anything that looked the least bit familiar. May I ask…where am I?

You are in Calantara, my lord, answered the man, who now seemed a little confused by the question. Obviously, this was a yawan prince that would have just traveled through a planetary gateway to get here. I am Sensar, first officer of the court of King Calantar and you must be Prince Aerolan of Munsuria.

How do you know who I am? asked Aerolan, still confused. If he were now in Calantara, this would be his first visit here in possibly fifty years.

We were told of your coming by Tal, a messenger of the Creator. But…come on to the palace…there is much to speak about with King Calantar. Queen Tessa has prepared the dining hall for your arrival.

Aerolan followed Sensar into the palace then to the dining hall where the table was being prepared with a sizeable meal. Prince Danlee was near the back corner speaking with one of the servers when he noticed Aerolan. He dismissed the server back to his duties then walked over and greeted Aerolan. It is good seeing you, Aerolan. I know it’s been at least six, maybe seven years since I’ve seen you. And this palace was newly built since your last visit to Calantara. We had the celebration of its completion on that day. That’s been over fifty years now. I think that is what might have made everyone question…what was going on, since Panterias and Filia were not here that day…nor was Darwor. Who would’ve imagined that he had already killed his parents and it was only a couple of weeks later that he would start this war of his by attacking Tiberia? Well, enough of that…there are bigger problems going on now.

Aerolan, still felt the pain coming from the back of his head. Danlee noticed that Aerolan was looking around and he seemed to be confused. Aerolan…are you alright?

Aerolan didn’t respond but looked instead over toward the food that had already been placed on the dining hall table which was the source of the enticing aromas that were wafting his way. He noticed that it was not something that would be served for breakfast but rather it looked more like a midday meal. He wondered…how long had he been unconscious? Danlee, I’m a little lost on the time. Could you tell me what time it is?

Certainly, it is about ten minutes past noon, answered Danlee, concerned by the question. Are you sure you’re alright, Aerolan?

Again, Aerolan looked past Danlee instead of answering his question. He could see King Calantar and Queen Tessa entering the dining hall. Queen Tessa walked over and greeted Aerolan warmly.

How are your parents? asked Queen Tessa, as she motioned for him to follow her to the table and take a seat. Aerolan noticed that there were only four places set at the table and he wondered where Celeste was off to.

They are doing well, answered Aerolan as he sat down. Danlee had confirmed that it had been over fifty years since he had been here and that would also mean that it had been over fifty years since he had last seen Celeste, a cute little yawan girl who readily played with everyone and that included both young girls and boys that were human.

We just don’t get together anymore, said Queen Tessa. Since Darwor started this crazy war of his, it just hasn’t been safe. I know it has been at least ten years since I’ve seen your mother. It was in Gastonia if I remember correctly.

Danlee passed Aerolan the meat plate and he took a couple of slices then passed it on to King Calantar.

I know it has been at least six years since you and I got together, said Danlee, making small talk. I think Thomas was with us.

I believe you’re right, answered Aerolan, beginning to feel a little awkward. It was strange that he was here, and he barely knew his hosts. At one time, the yawan community got together two to three times a year but Darwor had changed all of that.

I guess you’re wondering where Celeste has been taken? asked King Calantar, noticing that Aerolan was hardly eating his food and that he seemed somewhat confused. Tal said she was not safe here, so he took her to a safer place, to wait for your arrival.

I’m having a hard time understanding what’s going on, responded Aerolan, setting his fork down next to his plate. I was awakened earlier this morning by an assassin team in my bedroom. Then during a fight with them for my life, I fell backwards when a krokhound slammed into me, causing me to hit my head on something hard. It must have knocked me out because when I woke up, I was here in Calantara, and the assassin team was gone. Do you know what this is all about and who is this Tal? Why would they be waiting for me?

Tal is a messenger from the Creator and according to him, both you and Celeste are in grave danger, answered King Calantar. Tal said that Darwor, through the practice of the Dark Arts, has learned of a prophecy in the Book of Creation, which says that the two of you are a danger to him.

How is that possible? asked Aerolan. We have all been taught that no one can look into the Book of Creation except the One who writes it…the Creator. How would Darwor find something about us in there that could possibly threaten him.

I don’t know, answered King Calantar. This is what Tal has told us.

Then…what is this prophecy? asked Aerolan.

Tal was unable to tell us, answered King Calantar. All that he knew was that you and Celeste were in danger and that he was sent to get Celeste to safety and to wait with her, for your arrival. He said another messenger was sent to get you. But, since you had not arrived within twenty minutes of his arrival here, he felt it was no longer safe for Celeste to continue waiting here in the palace.

Aerolan shook his head. I still, have no idea who Tal is, much less why he has taken Celeste. None of what has happened this morning makes any sense to me.

Tal made her leave her tarpa prints for you, responded King Calantar.

That’s odd, responded Aerolan, knowing that yawan tradition taught that the sharing of tarpa prints were for married couples only. Why would he make her do that?

I don’t know, answered King Calantar. He just said that the two of you must stay together through this and that the tarpa prints were the safest way to find them. I was hoping that you had more answers, but I see that you don’t.

King Calantar motioned to one of the servers who brought a small travel bag over to them. I see that you have eaten little. Queen Tessa had some food collected for you in case you needed to leave quickly.

Queen Tessa, having noticed that Aerolan hadn’t seemed right, had sent one of the servants to get one of their healer gnomes and he had just arrived.

What can I do for you, Queen Tessa, asked the healer gnome.

If you will, responded Queen Tessa. Our guest here has received a blow to the back of his head, and it seems to be affecting him negatively. I would greatly appreciate it if you could look at it.

Most certainly, answered the healer gnome as he made his way over to Aerolan. He looked at the swollen area on the back of his head and then felt around it. He then took out a small penlight and checked the responsiveness of Aerolan’s pupils. He asked Aerolan several questions and Aerolan was able to give him a coherent answer to each. It looks to me like he has a slight concussion and I know that yawan’s heal quite rapidly from this type of injury. He should be fine in another few hours.

Thank you very much for responding so quickly, said Queen Tessa.

It is my privilege to be of service, responded the healer gnome then he left the dining hall.

With the healer gnome finishing satisfactorily with his examination of Aerolan, King Calantar continued where he had left off. Tal said that things are urgent, so Sensar will take you to Celeste’s tarpa prints. Creator speed and safety to you.

With that, Sensar motioned for Aerolan to follow. Aerolan got up slowly from his seat and followed Sensar out of the dining hall into a long corridor. They had made their way nearly to the end of the corridor, when Sensar stopped and took a silver keystone from his pocket and passed it from left to right, over a section of the wall to his left. A sliding door in the wall opened and Sensar continued, down the new corridor. Aerolan followed for at least another half a mile before Sensar stopped again and pulled out a dark red keystone and passed it from left to right, over another section of the corridor wall. Another door in the wall slid open to a small room, which they entered, and then the door closed. Sensar took the dark red keystone to the center of the wall to his left and passed it from left to right, which made the keystone glow bright red. Then he took the glowing red keystone and began to form letters, one on top of the other…C E L E S T E. The keystone stopped glowing and a small opening in the wall appeared. Sensar then took out a purple keystone and passed it from right to left across the opening and a flat stone came out and remained.

Celeste’s tarpa prints are on the stone, said Sensar. Place both of your tarpa over the stone, matching them up with the imprints.

Aerolan did as he was told. He felt Celeste’s tarpa prints absorb into his tarpa then the flat stone slipped back into the small opening, which then caused the walls to their left and right to open, revealing ten Calantaran warriors.

These warriors are to remain with you until you reach Tal and Celeste, said Sensar, while taking out the silver keystone again, and opened another wall just behind some of the warriors on their right, then Sensar handed Aerolan the silver keystone. You will need this to open the door in the wall at the end of this corridor. Creator speed and safety to you.

As Aerolan made his way past the warriors, he could feel the tug of Celeste’s tarpa prints urging him on. The corridor, after about a hundred yards, became more like a weaving tunnel taking them away from the palace. The tunnel continued for about two miles before it came to an abrupt stop. Aerolan took out the silver keystone and passed it from left to right over the wall and a door slid open, so that they could continue into the forest. Aerolan and the warriors had barely gone three miles, when he began to feel the tingle in his tarpa, warning him of some danger close by. Aerolan slowed down while signaling to the warriors behind him, of the danger up ahead. They continued, looking warily from one side of the forest to the other, for potential danger. They had gone barely a hundred feet when they spotted the first krokhound coming towards them from up ahead. Then they spotted a second krokhound off to their right, then a third just behind it.

Battle circle and triangle to me, shouted Aerolan as he remembered the much-practiced defense stance. Two warriors ran to Aerolan forming a triangle with him while the other eight formed a circle around them. The eight in the circle were crouched down shoulder to shoulder with their battlestaffs held in a defensive posture waiting and watching for the attack, while Aerolan and the two other warriors sent blasts of fire from their battlestaffs into the krokhounds. It wasn’t long before Panterian warriors along with more krokhounds and their handlers appeared and quickly began to surround them while the next wave of krokhounds charged toward them. The circle of eight warriors, shot a couple of bursts of fire each, into the approaching krokhounds, then they held their battlestaffs out activating the tueplinium in them, which formed their defensive shielding as they braced for the impact. Aerolan and the other two warriors continued to send out blasts of fire. They took out three krokhounds but three managed to slam into the battle circle, knocking one warrior down. Aerolan instantly sent a blast of fire into the krokhound, killing it before it could harm the warrior. The other two krokhounds that were wounded backed away. Already eight more krokhounds were racing towards them. Some of the warriors in the battle circle sent out a couple of blasts of fire into the charging beasts and then quickly reformed the defensive shielding. Aerolan and the two other warriors continued to send blasts of fire into the hard charging krokhounds. This time they managed to kill six of the krokhounds leaving just two to slam into the battle circle along with the two that had been wounded in the first wave. Having dispensed with the krokhounds, Aerolan and the two warriors in the triangle turned their battlestaffs on the Panterian handlers. Being a yawan, the blasts of fire from Aerolan’s battlestaff were much stronger and they easily passed through the defensive shielding of the human attackers. When there were just two Panterians left, they quickly retreated and activated their transport stones, which they wore around their neck, and they were instantly gone. Seeing this, Aerolan tried to reach one of the necklaces so that he could check it out, but it self-destructed before he could get to it.

What were those explosions? asked the Captain of the Calantaran warriors.

Are you asking about the stones worn around the neck? asked Aerolan.

Yes, my lord, answered the Captain.

From what I’ve learned, that is how Darwor sends his attack forces through the planetary gateways, answered Aerolan. Whether it is true or not, they say that Darwor has his enchanters use the Dark Arts to place transport spells on the stones then he places them on a chain, which is worn around the neck. When the one who wears the necklace dies it breaks the spell and the stones explode.

Aerolan felt the tug of Celeste’s tarpa prints and he motioned for the warriors to follow, then he headed in the direction that it was pulling him. The Calantaran Captain quickly motioned to his warriors, and they all fell back into formation and followed. Aerolan knew that humans could not run as fast or as far as a yawan, so he made sure not to run off and leave them behind. Tal had requested these warriors for a reason, and it was obvious now why he had. They had fought well. Aerolan slowed to a walk whenever he noticed the warriors tiring. He knew it would not be good to have them exhausted if they happened to come under attack again. Aerolan also continued to make periodic mental searches to help alleviate any surprise attacks that might be coming their way. All in all, they were making good time, having covered over a dozen miles through the forest. Hopefully, their good fortune would hold out.

Chapter 2

TOURIN: YAWAN RULED LANDS:

PANTERIA…CALANTARA

WOTC: YEAR 689,012

My lord…the two survivors from the war group fighting in Calantara are here, as you requested, said the palace guard.

Bring them in, responded Darwor as he reclined on his throne.

The two Panterian warriors walked in slowly with heads down, not daring to look up toward Darwor as they approached his throne.

Did you see the Princess? asked Darwor.

No lord, Princess Celeste was not with the host we encountered.

Then who did you run into? asked Darwor. Who decimated your war group?

We do not know, my lord. There were ten Calantaran warriors with a male yawan and it was not King Calantar or Prince Danlee.

Are you sure he was yawan? asked Darwor.

He was larger and much stronger than the Calantaran warriors and we were no match for him and his battlestaff. He also had the tarpa of a yawan.

Darwor looked over at his assembled war council. Why have I not been informed of a male yawan coming to Calantara? Who can tell me who he is?

The members of the war council all looked at each other with questioning expressions on their faces. None of them had an answer and no one dared to bring attention to themself by giving any sort of response. Darwor waited and grew angrier with each passing second of silence.

What use is a war council that cannot tell me about a visiting yawan to Calantara? asked Darwor. What good is a spy network that can’t reveal something as important as that?

The war council sat in silent fear, not knowing what kind of response that would come upon them from an angry Darwor. It wasn’t long before they knew…as his anger grew, he whipped out his royal scepter in the direction of his war council, causing the seven members to propel backwards into the wall.

You sicken me! All of you…get out of my sight! yelled Darwor in a rage.

As the seven members of the war council slowly crawled out of the throne room, Darwor looked over to his advisors that were standing near the two surviving warriors.

Before this day is over, I want a name for this yawan that has shown up in Calantara and decimated one of my war groups and I want to know if Princess Celeste is still at the palace, commanded Darwor. Now go!

The two advisors walked into the war room and crossed over to the leader of the assassin’s mission in Munsuria.

Were you successful? asked one of the advisors.

No, he got away, answered Peltier, the assassin in charge of the mission in Munsuria. "He was fighting fiercely