To the Other Side of the Known World: Ravens and Dragons, #1

By A.P. Hernández

The greatest threat humanity has ever faced is brewing behind the walls of Düré. After so many years of peace, darkness has been reborn, and the goddess Thënda has left the Kingdom of Shadows.

Lord Tovel secretly chooses eight of his best men and entrusts them with a mission: to reach Nebula and request help from King Fird.

Rodrik and his men must leave the safety offered by the walls of Düré and face a journey plagued with intrigue, magic and danger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Jun 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667458472

A.P. Hernández

Ο Antonio Pérez Hernández (Μούρθια, 1989) είναι δάσκαλος στην Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση, παιδαγωγός, με Μάστερ στην Καινοτομία και στην Έρευνα στην Εκπαίδευση και Δόκτορ, με τη διάκριση cum laude (έπαινος), για τη Διδακτορική του Διατριβή Αξιολόγηση της ικανότητας στην επικοινωνία δια της γλώσσας μέσα από διηγήματα στην Πρωτοβάθμια Εκπαίδευση. Εργάζεται ως δάσκαλος και συγγραφέας.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Rodrik was exhausted.

He was galloping with his head down and his gaze fixed on the mane of his warhorse. The animal’s gait was smooth and calm, but Rodrik was holding tightly onto the reins so he wouldn’t fall off. They were now passing through the Black Forest, and the terrain was treacherous. The horses were placing their hooves carefully as if they too were aware of the dangers in the area.

The last rays of sunset were beginning to fade. Only a few imperceptible beams of light were filtering through the leafy treetops.

They’d been riding steadily since noon, and Rodrik assumed they’d reached the very heart of the Black Forest by now.

There’s no turning back, he realized.

In fact, he’d known it from the very moment Lord Tovel had called him to his estate more than a week ago to convey the news. He had been waiting for Rodrik in the middle of the room, standing with his arms crossed and his scarlet cloak billowing out behind him. It was being stirred by the night breeze blowing through the window. Lord Tovel had always been transparent, and over the years Rodrik had learned to read his thoughts. He’d never seen this particular expression on his face before, yet he’d understood it instantly.

Fear, he recalled. His face had shown fear.

Lord Tovel had entrusted him with a mission that could save the lives of thousands of people. He was to go to Nebula and request help from King Fird.

It was a crazy idea of course. For centuries, they’d been strictly forbidden to leave the protection offered by the walls of Düré. Everyone (children included) was aware of the dangers lurking outside.

In all that time, only a few curious people (fools!) had ventured outside the walls and had never returned.

My Lord! To Nebula? he had asked, leaving aside all formality. It’s a suicide mission!

Even in the best of cases they’d have to cross the White Sea, and the possibility of drowning in its waters made him shiver.

I’m aware of what I’m asking of you, Captain, Lord Tovel had explained. And believe me when I tell you we have no choice.

His lordship had begun to walk around him. The sound of his heavy, regal footsteps had echoed from the estate’s stone walls.

Darkness has been reborn, Rodrik, he had confessed. We’re facing the greatest threat we’ve ever known.

Lord Tovel had approached his large mahogany desk. There on its surface was a lump wrapped up in a thick cloth. Whatever was inside was moving.

We can’t fight this evil alone. We need all the help we can get.

Lord Tovel had grabbed the bundle by its topknot and had carried it over to Rodrik. The Captain had taken a step back, suspicious.

What is it, my Lord? he had asked. What’s inside?

Lord Tovel had laid the bundle on the floor and had untied the knot, revealing its contents.

We’re dead, Rodrik had thought.

I need you to inform King Fird as soon as possible, his lordship had explained. Give him this gift as proof of the threat looming over us.

Lord Tovel had knotted up the cloth again and the two men had relaxed once the thing was no longer in their sight.

Choose seven of your most trusted men, he had instructed Rodrik, and leave at first light.

Rodrik had picked up the bundle his lord had indicated. The thing had been writhing inside, full of energy.

Give me strength, Redÿltur, Rodrik stammered, closing his eyes. Guide my way, wield my sword, and protect me from death.

That had been a week ago, yet it had seemed like only yesterday. Time had appeared to advance more slowly behind Düré’s walls.

Rodrik turned his head and watched the silent progress of his seven trusted men. Had it not been for him, these warriors would still be in Düré with their families.

Rodrik sighed.

He felt bad! He felt sorry for them.

But it was necessary.

It was a burden he was obliged to carry with him.

This forest’s giving me the willies, Läss announced suddenly.

No one commented. The group plunged into silence once again and continued moving forward.

Rodrik was pensive. Their journey was long, and he had plenty of time to think. He recalled the stories people in Düré had told them about the Black Forest, its ancient magic, and the nameless beings inhabiting it.

What use will our swords be? he wondered, grabbing his horse’s reins more firmly.

He was a warrior, a knight at the service of Düré, and not afraid to die. He had danced with death dozens of times already and had always managed to survive, but what would become of his family? He had promised Lidya he would return alive, and his promise tormented him.

He had never lied to her before.

But what else could I have done? he wondered. What can any of us do in the face of such a fate?

He was carrying Lord Tovel’s bundle in one of his saddlebags. The thing kept moving and twisted constantly. His seven trusted men had all seen the bulge move, yet none had dared ask him about it.

They rode until the last rays of light had vanished. As soon as the hint of dusk arrived, something changed in the air.

Ancient magic, he mused.

Rodrik had never believed in such things, but now, as the darkness enveloped them, all those stories seemed increasingly plausible.

The gait of his warhorse changed. The animal appeared to be on the verge of panicking. Rodrik gave it a few soothing pats on its neck. Behind him he could hear his men breathing. They rode in silence—silence that was deathly quiet—until the shadows had become so dense it was impossible for them to advance any further. Rodrik raised his hand with a sudden, energetic gesture.

Time to rest! he ordered. We’ll camp here.

The men obeyed and descended quickly from their mounts. A cold wind was seeping through the trees, penetrating their doublets like ice water. If they didn’t light a campfire soon,