Chronicles of Lenaris Volume 1: The Journey to Ventagul

By Matthew Fischer

Lenaris is a magical world with multiple races, monsters, magic and mayhem. A mysterious woman named Key appears and formally declares "carpodem" an ancient, official declaration of war. She announces her "Master" will strike from the south, and Lenaris will be reduced to ashes. Gathering the pivotal races of Humans, Dwarves, and Elves in the sa

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alpha Book Writers
• Release date: Dec 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798869323002

Book preview

Dedication

To all my students, friends, family, and loved ones, thank you for joining me on this journey.

Contents

Dedication

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

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

An ancient enemy has returned and declared war on Lenaris. Representatives from the Elves, Humans, and Dwarves are being summoned to the holy city of Ventagul to form an alliance against the coming darkness, but alongside these kings, warriors, and wizards, three adolescent Elven hybrids are also asked to be in attendance.

It is their journey, and whether or not they can reach Ventagul, which may determine which side prevails.

Chapter 1

Hadley strode through the field, scanning the darkness, passing soldiers under his command who seemed careless, as if they had no concerns in the world.

They don't know, Hadley thought as he saw three soldiers engrossed in a dice game. The soldiers were focused only on the game, ignoring their duties and responsibilities to the kingdom.

For them, this night was no different from any other; they would stand guard, feign doing their job, and repeat the same routine the next day. However, this night differed for Hadley; he felt something, a disturbance so small that most people would never notice. But Hadley was not like most men.

Despite being over seventy years old, Hadley still had the physique of a man half his age. His skin was smooth, his hair intact, and the chain-mail armor could not hide the bulging biceps and ripped physique.

With thin gray hair, a towering six-foot frame, and a great sword always strapped to his back, Hadley was easily recognizable throughout the encampment.

Hadley displayed exceptional dedication and attention to his duties as if the kingdom's fate depended on it. Unfortunately, many of the men stationed at the outpost had been sent there as a form of punishment, a demotion from their previous assignment, or forced to serve to avoid languishing in prison for the rest of their lives.

However, Hadley, a Knight who had once been the right-hand soldier of the king, had requested this command.

This garrison, known as Watch-Post 57, held a skeleton crew of seventy men who performed tasks to keep the base running smoothly. Some hunted and gathered food, others repaired equipment, but most spent their days standing guard, always looking towards the north.

Watch-Post 57 was only an encampment of tents surrounded by wooden pillars. If an enemy had a significant force, storming Watch-Post 57 would be simple. However, the base was not designed to withstand an attack. Its purpose was to serve as a warning post at the northern tip of the kingdom of Burg.

Far to the north, across a hundred miles of ocean, lay Nortos, a frozen tundra reeking of death and destruction.

Legends of monsters with fantastical powers roaming the lands and strange, unchallenged things flying in the night spread far and wide. Many believed ancient magic kept the beasts confined, but texts described creatures of such immense size and strength that the mere arrival of one in Burg meant death for thousands.

In the heart of Watch-Post 57 were falcons, the fastest, swiftest birds in the land. If the creatures of horror returned, the crates would be opened, and the birds would instinctively fly back to the capital, warning the king of the attack and the destruction of the watchpost.

Knowing the dangers of Nortos, Sir Hadley, one of the greatest Knights in all of Burg, campaigned for his current position, seeing it as the perfect way to spend his remaining years in service to the kingdom he loved. However, thoughts of deadly Nortos monsters haunted him as he patrolled the perimeter of the encampment on this dark night.

Captain, what’s going on with you... You look terrible, one of the three soldiers he was approaching said.

This comment shook Hadley deeply, as he had developed a reputation for being stoic and unshakable. The realization that he was allowing his internal feelings to show and that one of his subordinates noticed his uneasiness did not sit well with the mighty Knight.

Any visible signs of weakness were quickly eliminated as Hadley turned to face the three soldiers. He no longer appeared to be a timid commander but a ferocious lion awakened from his slumber.

Have you noticed anything unusual tonight, soldier? Hadley asked purposefully, ignoring the youth's previous question.

The look in Hadley’s eyes was so intense that the first soldier backed away, nearly falling to the ground. The middle soldier, an older and more experienced man, replied, Not a thing, sir. It’s been a boring night as usual.

Hadley gave the man a quick nod, but his facial expression remained unchanged. He still looked as if he was about to ride into battle.

Be on your guard, Hadley warned. He stared north, seeing nothing but ocean, yet possessing an inescapable feeling that something was coming. Something is out there. I don’t know what it is or how powerful it may be, but it is there, still a distance away, but coming straight at us.

The weakest soldier among them started stuttering as he said, But, but, but captain, I don’t see anything.

Hadley shook his head in disappointment at their responses. His soldiers were barely competent in their tasks and complete novices in battle, but the veteran Knight hoped he had transformed them into a functional unit he could be proud of. The naivety of their responses made him question his success.

At some point, you must stop relying on what you can see, hear, or smell and start trusting what you can sense. Ki flows through our bodies. Learn to use it, embrace it, and let Ki be your guide.

Ki was an energy that flowed naturally in Lenaris, but Hadley knew his men had little command over it. Seeing the confusion on his soldiers’ faces, he decided to refocus on the task at hand and turned his attention back towards the north, still searching for confirmation of what he was sensing.

Hadley continued manipulating Ki, allowing him to feel things far beyond what a normal person could. Although he was not a Wizard and could not use Ki to cast spells or rain down fire, Hadley had learned to use it to enhance his abilities as a warrior.

Scouting was one technique Hadley had become highly proficient in. Even talented Assassins, killers who mastered dark magic to become warriors of stealth, had trouble hiding from Hadley. But despite his skills, the great Knight of Burg still failed to pinpoint the disturbance that had him on high alert.

Either my senses have steeply declined in the past couple of months, or I am dealing with something I have never encountered before, he thought. The latter scared Hadley far more than the former. In all his years of service, he had seen many things: strong Ki-based enemies, wild monsters standing nearly fifty feet tall, and deadly plagues that ravaged the kingdom. Yet, whatever was approaching now seemed to be beyond anything he had ever faced.

Hadley, determined to find what he had sensed in the ocean, surged his magical power.

Find it, he whispered under his breath, the intensity in his voice apparent.

Suddenly, he detected something approaching. It wasn't coming from the north as he had anticipated, but from the forest in the east. Hadley shook his head at his previous foolishness, realizing that he had been so focused on a potential attack from Nortos that he had missed the more obvious threat from within Burg itself.

The Knight withdrew his energy from the sea and focused on the forest, and that's when he saw her, not a monster or Assassin, but a young girl approaching.

Hadley scanned the area again to try and get a better reading of what the girl was, but she vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of her presence.

Ring the bell and prepare for battle, Hadley ordered as he quickly made his way toward the eastern end of the watch-post.

One of the three soldiers questioned his orders, causing Hadley to lose his temper. In a display of great strength, he lifted the soldier off the ground with a single arm and glared at him with eyes full of rage. Never question my orders again. I would not give them without reason, Hadley warned before setting the soldier down gently.

The soldier quickly saluted his captain and barked, Yes, sir!

Upon the order, the bell rang out, and the soldiers sprang into action. Although they were not as swift as Hadley desired and their movements revealed a hint of panic that he wished they did not have, they ultimately assembled into their formation with precision, just as they had been trained to do.

The Archers stood in the rear with their bows drawn, maintaining perfect spacing. The melee soldiers, armed with swords and spears, were at the ready, and most importantly, everyone was positioned correctly to provide the ranged soldiers with the best possible angle for a shot.

Even as he appeared to be closely watching his troops, Hadley continued pouring his energy into the forest, hoping to catch the slightest trace of the intruder. He refused to accept defeat, even in a battle of detection; his pride demanded victory.

Increasing his energy and expanding his search, Hadley grew increasingly frustrated as he realized the girl’s powers of stealth surpassed his powers of detection. It was only when he ceased flaring his energy and suspended his search that the girl emerged.

There was a bright flash of brilliance behind the last row of soldiers, and despite his men facing east, the girl, who had had a slight build, greenish hair covered with a black hood that draped over her body, and small tattoos of black symbols scattered over her cheekbone, somehow managed to slip behind their defenses and was now standing in the center of the camp.

Even with a tremendous advantage in numbers, seventy soldiers against one girl, the Archers dared not take the first shot. Instead, some began backing away out of fear.

The hooded girl noticed the movement of the troops and turned her gaze toward them, taking pleasure in the fear and hysteria she was causing. Hadley saw the morale of his troops unraveling and immediately leaped into the air, covering over fifty feet in mere seconds.

Hadley’s men were astounded by the display of agility and strength, and as he reached the apex of his jump, Hadley drew his great sword and brought it down with tremendous force on the girl below.

The blade emitted a crimson glow as it descended, but to everyone’s surprise, it passed right through the girl, created a small crater, and sent dirt and debris flying into the air.

The girl, who Hadley realized was merely a projection, hissed at him, Now then, can we talk like adults?

Realizing what had just occurred, Hadley replied, State your business.

The green-haired girl identified herself as Key, then lowered her head as a sign of respect to Hadley.

I have come on behalf of my master. He is wise, powerful, and has declared Carpodem on both your kingdom and the world of Lenaris.

Hadley’s men were shocked by the news, and the commander himself felt a sense of unease.

Carpodem was an ancient tradition that had not been practiced for over a millennium, but all soldiers were familiar with its meaning. It was a blood oath that signaled a declaration of war and destruction, a commitment to fight until one side emerged victorious and the other was annihilated.

Even though Hadley understood the gravity of the situation, he was still taken aback by the decree. A lesser person would have attacked without warning. For that, both you and your master have my respect. However, know this: when you do come, I will be there to end your lives.

Hadley locked eyes with the projection of Key, knowing that she was somewhere far away, perhaps a mile off, but he focused on her image with laser-like intensity.

Strong words, she laughed. But they will not save you. You, your men, and your kingdom will perish. This land will burn, and all living creatures will be consumed by the flames. Your days are numbered.

Many opponents have uttered similar words to me before, yet I still stand here, Hadley replied calmly.

As he stared into Key’s eyes, the muscles in his arms tensed, and he redirected his great sword toward her, holding the tip against her projected chin with unwavering determination.

In unison, his small army began stomping their feet, drawing strength from Hadley’s energy and resolve.

The attack will come from the south, Key finally revealed. With that, I have fulfilled my obligation, and I bid you farewell.

She bowed her head, and her image disappeared into the night without a trace.

It seems I have one more battle to fight, Hadley declared.

He turned to face his troops and spoke in his sternest voice. Prepare the falcons and send word to the capital. War is coming.

Chapter 2

Ash stirred, slowly rolling over in his bed, struggling to rise and start the day. His room was a cluttered mess with clothes and sheets strewn all over the floor and wooden dishes and bowls scattered around, most having been left out for days.

With a small amount of energy, Ash groggily got out of bed and stumbled over to the corner where his black-and-white uniform lay crumpled, exactly where he had left it the day before. Though the idea of taking a day off was tempting, Ash discarded the thought, brushed aside his thick, spiky dark locks of hair, and finally removed his shirt to reveal a body carved in iron.

His abdominals were thick and defined, leading to noticeably cut upper and lower body muscles spread over his entire frame. While Ash may not have been the biggest or strongest, it would be hard to find someone who had a more ripped and impressive physique.

Ash’s people were called Huelfs, a unique, hybrid species that were crossbreeds between Humans and Elves. The physical traits of Huelfs were a blend of both races, as evidenced by their pointy ears, similar to Elves, and their body structure, which was slightly larger than Elves but smaller than most Humans.

Huelfs possessed excellent hearing abilities and had decent strength, but they were not as strong as other races like Humans and Dwarves.

What Huelfs lacked in physical strength, they made up for with their remarkable Ki-abilities. They were innately magical, and many became skilled Ki-users, with some Elders possessing abilities that were truly awe-inspiring.

Huelfs were a race known for their intelligence, although they did not possess the exceptional intellect that some Elves did. This lack of intellectual prowess caused the Elven clans to avoid diplomatic relations with the Huelfs despite their similarities.

Ash’s people lived underground in hollowed-out trees they called Hollows. They had perfected the technique of finding trees, carving out the insides, and using the areas just below the soil to form small homes.

Living in underground trees might have been considered an unsatisfactory living arrangement for most Humans, but for Ash and the rest of his clan, it was their home. As outcasts, shunned by both Elves and Humans, Huelfs limited their interactions with other races over time. With a few notable exceptions, they never left their home to venture into the outside world.

Although a Huelf lifespan extended far beyond what any Human could achieve, they were not immortal like the Elves. This further led to their isolation, as making friends with different races became a painful process, with the Huelfs watching them die while staying relatively young.

Thousands of years ago, the Huelfs made their home in a magnificent forest they called The Fertile Crescent. Using a combination of spells, rituals, and magical items, the village Elders created powerful shields that concealed the Huelfs and their home from the rest of the world.

The Fertile Crescent was situated deep within the heart of Burg, but since Huelfs had stopped interacting with other races hundreds of years ago, Humans remained blissfully unaware of its existence.

The Fertile Crescent was truly breathtaking, but Huelf magic made it appear to be a desolate, uninhabitable swamp. This illusion was further reinforced by a second spell that made Humans who approached the Crescent feel as though they were in grave danger, compelling them to flee.

Huelf's magic was incredibly powerful and kept nearly all monsters from entering their realm. As a result, the Crescent was an exceptionally safe and peaceful community, and members were spared the dangers and hardships that Humans faced, which allowed Huelfs to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Ash possessed many of the same qualities as other Huelfs, but he was somewhat of an outcast among his people. Unlike most Huelfs, Ash did not know his mother or father and was forced to grow up by himself in the town orphanage. Despite his difficult childhood, Ash was fortunate to have an older woman named Helen as his primary caretaker. She showed him love and kindness and taught him how to act properly.

One day, however, Helen disappeared, leaving Ash heartbroken and filled with rage at the lack of loved ones in his life. As he grew older, Ash continued feeling like an outsider among the other Huelfs, who came from strong, family-centered homes. Despite his best efforts, Ash never quite fit in.

When Ash came of age, The Mayor, an older Huelf who had taken a special interest in him, gave him a Hollow for free. This gesture was both generous and meaningful to Ash, but it also contributed to his tendency to live a solitary life.

While exiting his Hollow, Ash muttered, It’s too early for this nonsense, as he shielded his eyes from the sun. Ash was in danger of being late for The Academy, a place that had previously reprimanded him for his tardiness. At eighteen, Ash was still a youth in the Crescent and required to attend classes at The Academy.

The Academy was a center of education for young Huelfs, providing instruction in a variety of subjects. They learned about Lenaris’ history, attended classes on science, math, and received practical training in crafting, agriculture, and the transformation of herbs and other valuable resources.

While all these classes were important to the Huelf way of life, the most crucial focus of the school was learning how to control Ki. The village Elders placed a high value on the ability to use Ki and every adolescent Huelf was trained in its ways.

There were good reasons for this emphasis on Ki; it was the energy Huelfs used to control potent forms of