The Shadow of Malignin: The Severance Trilogy, #2

By Daniel Wiebe

Sainte the broken. Devious White Wyverns. The vile Abomination.
With the Malignin in hiding and the Abomination nowhere to be found, life in Crearia seemed to be returning to normal. With allies old and new, Sainte Nore is tasked to find a powerful weapon that he is told can defeat the Abomination. Will Sainte be able to find what he seeks and destroy the Abomination before its inevitable retaliation?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel Wiebe
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798892170918

Daniel Wiebe

Daniel is a prior U.S. Marine who now resides in a small town in central Texas. He works as a firefighter and writes when he can. Currently, Daniel is attending college in the hopes of becoming a paramedic. He lives with his fiance, Stephanie, one dog, and three cats who all give him equal hell. Or that is what he would say if you asked him.

Book preview

The Shadow of Malignin

The Severance Trilogy

Book Two

Daniel Wiebe

United States laws and regulations are public domain and not subject to copyright. Any unauthorized copying, reproduction, translation, or distribution of any part of this material without permission by the author is prohibited and against the law.

The characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialog in this novel are either the products of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2024 Daniel Wiebe

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 979-8-89217-091-8

First Printing: 2024

Follow the author, Daniel Wiebe, at:

https://www.facebook.com/theseverancetrilogy

or

https://wiebewritingblogs.wordpress.com

Life’s full of disappointments.

And so is this book.

Enjoy.

A map of a video game Description automatically generated

My pain is constant and sharp and I do not hope for a better world for anyone. In fact, I want my pain to be inflicted on others. I want no one to escape.

-Bret Eaton Ellis

PROLOGUE

Not for the first time, Jasmine found herself hoping that things would turn out fine for once. She would find Sainte and Aroc alive and well, the Malignin defeated, and Ellie ready to return to her home within the mountain.

She hoped everything would turn out for the best.

But she knew it wouldn’t.

It never did.

The pair of horses grunted as air passed through their searing lungs, lather long since coated their fur, eyes rolled around in their sockets. Reins were taut against them as they pulled the wagon as quickly as they were ushered. It jostled dangerously across the uneven path. Every bump threatened to tear it apart. The woman who urged the horses on seemed not to care.

Five days had passed, and Aroc still had not returned. Jasmine feared that no matter how fast she traveled, the worst had already happened.

It was still dark as the sun had not yet revealed itself. She rode for what felt like a day along the same path, the very one that Aroc and Sainte had traveled a few days before. The almost constant rains had washed away any traces they may have left behind, so Jasmine was vigilant. She looked left and right, scanning the foliage and trees to see if she saw anything. She did not have to look for much longer, however.

The horses whinnied and suddenly reared up, jerking the reins from Jasmine’s hands. Someone lay on their back in the middle of the path. She would have run them over had the horses not come to an abrupt halt. She stared at the person cautiously, looking for any signs of movement. It was too dark to see any of their features, but after a few motionless seconds, she decided to get a better look.

Jasmine gingerly slid from her seat on the wagon, arse sore from the rough ride, and dropped to the muddy path with a groan and a squelch. She stepped through the mucky road and stood over the body. It was a man, that much was obvious as he was stark naked, but there was no way she’d be able to identify him.

She knelt by the body and examined his wounds. His head was smashed and caved in. Skull fragments were visible through flesh and blood, and pink wrinkled brain matter mixed with the mud around his skull. The man’s torso had begun to bloat. This was not a fresh kill. The rain and mud did no wonders for him either. A cool breeze, rustling the trees on either side of the path, blew the stench of his dead body right in her face.

As a healer she was used to the smell and Jasmine continued her examination unperturbed. Cuts and bruises riddled his abdomen, and his knuckles were bloodied. He was in a fight before he was killed. While she prodded him with her finger, she also prodded him with her Light.

Something was off about this man. He had a sense of darkness about him, a fading aura similar to that of the Malignin but different enough for her to note it. His presence all but confirmed that this was the area Aroc and Sainte had to be in. She had to be close.

Jasmine examined her surroundings, looking for telltale signs of where they may have gone. Soon her eyes fell on the foliage on one side of the path. The bushes had been bent and broken when someone pushed their way through. She left the body and made her way toward the edge of the path. Before she could step further, her ears picked up the sound of someone walking closer. Crunching through the forest floor.

Aroc? she called out.

There was no answer.

Jasmine closed her hands into a fist and prepared herself, not knowing what to expect. The calming surge of Light ran through her veins and made her fingers tingle, reminding her that she was more than capable of defending herself.

But what, or rather, who came out of the brush was no danger to her. She was the most pitiful woman Jasmine had laid eyes on. She was pale-skinned, dressed in torn, raggedy, bloody, muddy clothes. Her left arm hung limply by her side. Blood slowly dripped from her fingers from a cloth tied around her bicep for a wound that long ago had soaked through. Her other arm clung to a low-hanging branch, the only thing holding her up. She seemed unable to have the strength to lift her head.

As if in slow motion, she began to fall. Jasmine ran to her side and cradled her, saving the poor girl from meeting the ground.

Come, I have a wagon just over here. I’ll help you there. Jasmine carefully draped the girl’s good arm over her shoulders. She more or less dragged her to the wagon, taking on her weight. Her feet trailed behind her, and she moaned quietly. Jasmine finally got the girl in the back of the wagon with a little struggle, laid down, and covered with a blanket.

Time to get a look at your arm, Jasmine told the barely coherent girl. As she began to unwrap the cloth, she asked, Who are you?

She received no reply. No matter, she continued her assessment. Carefully pulling the last of the cloth away, Jasmine could see the extent of the damage.

The cut in her bicep was deep, all the way to the bone. The meat and muscle of her bicep were stark red in contrast to the stone white of her bone. The bleeding had stopped, but it made the wound look no less terrible. The girl grimaced and tried to pull away from Jasmine as she inspected her injury.

The way she held her arm made Jasmine think it was broken, but there was no good way to tell how serious the break was out there. Based on how clean the cut was, she was clearly attacked by someone wielding a weapon, not a Malignin. Jasmine doubted the girl would ever have control over that arm again.

The wound was inflamed and warm to the touch, but Jasmine believed she would survive with some help. Lucky for her, that was the exact reason Jasmine came out here. In preparation for wounds like this, she packed salves with her. Pulling out the necessary vials, she gingerly applied some ointment to fend off the infection and hopefully soothe some of the stranger’s pain.

With the ointment’s touch on her wound, the woman stirred. Jasmine knew it would sting quite a bit before the cooling sensation would take effect. The girl opened her eyes and looked around groggily, full of fear but too exhausted to do anything else.

What is your name? Jasmine inquired, hoping to bring the girl back to reality.

My name… is Iris, she said weakly. Sainte found me… I took him to the cave… She was unable to say anything else before she closed her eyes and passed out again.

Jasmine wanted to ask more questions, but she knew she would not get any more from her anytime soon. At least she now knew without a doubt that Sainte was nearby. If he was close, Aroc was too. She quickly rewrapped Iris’s arm with some clean cloth, made her as comfortable as possible, then decided it was time to go hunting for this cave.

Jasmine set out in the direction Iris came from and found her trail was easy to follow. She walked as fast as she could through the thick foliage, eager to find her friend. The trees grew tall, and their canopy blocked out the sky making the darkness seem darker. Ferns and thorns grabbed her with every step, snagging her clothes, but she never noticed.

She heard a noise that made her stop. It was close, just beyond the trees. It sounded like crying. She cautiously followed the sound as she pushed through the latest bush that grabbed her. Soon a cave entrance loomed before her, and a few feet in front of the cave was a man sitting on the ground, hunched over something, sobbing. His shoulders shook as he sucked in a shuddering breath that probably could have been heard three miles away.

Unbeknownst to the man, Jasmine crept closer and saw that he was holding a person.

A lady.

Aroc.

Sainte, she whispered.

He lifted his head at her word but did nothing else. She lightly stepped in front of him and crouched. He turned his head toward her and she couldn’t suppress a gasp. Red eyes stared at her, beyond her, and two rivers of blood ran down his cheeks from each glassy eye.

What happened? She moved her hand away from her mouth, unaware that she had put it there in the first place.

I killed her… I killed her to save myself. She told me to… he managed to say between sniffs. The Malignin… Ellie… Aroc. I can’t go on… He started to shake again, on the verge of tears. Snot rolled from his nose and over his lips before dripping onto the back of Aroc’s head.

Sainte, are you all right? A stupid question. An obvious answer. Jasmine blinked back her own tears before feeling a numb sensation take over. She had to hold herself together right now. There would be time to grieve for Aroc later.

Tell me what happened. I have to know, she said more forcefully. She placed her hands on his shoulders, transferring some of her calming Light over to the distraught man.

Sainte took a few deep breaths as he gazed back down at Aroc, hands clutched around her tightly. When he looked back up at Jasmine, she realized how wretched he looked.

Blood and mud were caked onto his face and around his eyes. His eyes were so irritated that she could not tell if they were red because of the blood or crying. His clothes were ripped nearly to shreds, and some fingernails were broken.

I heard that Ellie was here, he said with a raspy voice. "I came this way… quick as I could. When I was close, I found Miqel about to kill Iris. I… I didn’t know what else to do other than stop him. I killed him. I checked on her after and did what I could, but I don’t know if it was enough. Iris was in and out of consciousness but managed to point me toward the cave where Ellie was. I left her out by the path as I made my way here.

"When I found the cave, I entered with little hesitation. I don’t think I could’ve stopped myself if I wanted to. Ellie was here. I couldn’t stand to wait any longer. This was my last chance to save her. I’m not sure how deep I went into the cave before I finally found her. No more than a few seconds passed before I was jumped by Malignin.

They held me aloft, completely and wholly at their mercy. At her mercy. But they didn’t kill me, no. What was in store for me was far worse. Ellie walked up to me and said… He faltered, then took a breath. She said horrible things. She said she was pregnant with my child.

The numbness was instantly replaced with icy fear. She regretted asking him what happened. She didn’t want to know this. If she heard no more, it would be too much. But now it was her duty to know, she reminded herself. She had to pass on this information.

Go on, she urged him.

The Malignin… mated, he spit the word out in disgust, with her. I tried to look away, but they tore off my eyelids and held my head in place. I was forced to watch. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t help her. After those words, he slumped over Aroc’s still body. He had stopped crying at this point; he probably had no more tears to spend. This man before her was not the Sainte she knew from before. He was merely a shell. After a moment, he continued to speak.

When they were finished, she gave birth to something… Something terrible. I could see the love she had for it in her eyes. But it killed her, just like that. She’s dead. Everything I had done up to that point… pointless. He paused briefly, then continued, "I was sure I was next to die. My time was up. But then Aroc showed up. She said there was only one way to get out of there alive. I had to kill her. She asked me to… So I did.

"A great white light burst from her. It blinded me. When I could see again, the cavern was empty. I was alone. I don’t know how long I stayed there holding her. Somehow I remembered Iris. She needed me.

I carried Aroc out and found Iris outside. She must have brought Aroc here… I don’t know… but I told her to go back to the path without me. Help would eventually come for her. I don’t know if she made it… He trailed off.

She did, Jasmine said comfortingly. She’s alive. I got her. Not in good shape, but she’s alive. At her words, Sainte was visibly relieved. Sainte… She began again, more than a little reluctant to ask. What else did Ellie say to you?

She… She said that the White Wyverns locked us in with the Malignin. We’re locked in a small portion of land cut off from the rest. She said that Aroc lied about almost everything… I don’t really know… It’s hard to recall… Jasmine put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. To comfort him.

That’s okay. I don’t need to know anything more. She had heard enough to confirm her worst fears. You have to come with me, Sainte. I must bring you to the Council. They need to hear your story.

Sainte did not know what she meant by the Council, but he knew he didn’t want to go. However, he also knew he could not resist Jasmine even if he wanted to in his current state. In defeat, he gazed down at Aroc. His vision was worsening by the second; her lifeless form was nothing more than a cold blur. Jasmine could not help but feel a pang of sorrow for the man.

In a last-ditch effort, Sainte looked in the direction of Jasmine. She was now nothing but a dark shape; her features were all blended together.

Please, don’t make me go with you. His voice was a whisper. I’m so tired. I won’t tell anyone anything. Just leave me… Leave me alone. His voice broke at his last words.

Jasmine knew what was expected of her and what she was supposed to do, but this man in front of her had been through so much. More than what one man should be put through. He had done what he could, everything in his power to right his self-blamed wrongs. She could not, in good faith, put him through anymore.

Sainte stared at her helplessly, waiting to see what she would say.

I won’t take you, she relented with a sigh, but before I leave you, at least let me clean up your wounds. I may even be able to do something for your eyes, and then we can bury Aroc… together.

Thank you. His relief was apparent and his white-knuckled grip on Aroc relaxed.

Come with me. I’ll help you carry Aroc back to the wagon. I have my supplies there, and, if you like, you can say goodbye to Iris. Jasmine stood up and helped Sainte to his feet. Then, as promised, they made their way back to the path together.

Iris was still asleep, much to Sainte’s relief. He was not sure he could handle any more questions she may have had for him.

He looked at Miqel’s corpse and an odd feeling overcame him. He killed him. The first person he killed was one of his best friends. Too emotionally drained he felt nothing other than sorry for the way things had ended.

Staring at the body brought back the memory of the three of them watching the sun rise together. The memory was so vivid that he could almost feel the sun’s warm embrace on his skin. Jasmine grabbed his arm, practically yanking him back into the cold, dark, present times. She guided him to a spot where he could sit and wait as she prepared her ointments.

Sainte sat still and silent; the only noise that accompanied him was Jasmine rummaging through her supplies. Vials clinking and tapping together. A short while later, he heard her approach him. At this point, his vision was all but gone, and he was only able to see blurred objects if he squinted.

Hold out your hand, Jasmine said.

He did as he was told, and a vial was placed in his fingers.

"This poultice should keep your eyes moisturized. As long as you keep applying it, it should keep them from drying out. It will also help the recovery of your eyelids, but, as you probably know, they will not grow back, just heal faster. My guess is you’ll probably have to apply some hourly, but just put some on when you think you need it.

When you need more, it is a simple thing to make. What you have is half water and half liquid from the plant Alon Zirnia. Do you know it?

Sainte nodded mechanically. I know of it, yes.

Good, now go on. Try it out.

Sainte dropped a few drops in each eye at her request and immediately felt a cooling sensation. His vision began to restore after only a few seconds, almost as good as it was before.

Thank you, he said in disbelief.

You’re welcome. I’m glad I could do something for you. Just be sure you always have some; I’m not sure how long it would take for you to lose your sight completely. Now, let’s see about your other wounds.

He shook his head. None of my other wounds are physical. Please get me a wash rag, and then let’s discuss our business.

After Sainte had cleaned his face and minor scratches, he and Jasmine moved Aroc to a secluded area far from the path so that it would not be disturbed. Together they dug her grave and gently lowered her now-wrapped body into the ground. Once buried, they stacked rocks on the grave to mark it as such.

Sainte listened silently as Jasmine cited words over her fallen friend.

In birth, you grew our numbers; in life, you followed the sects, and in death, you will wait for us. Shrouded in Light, Strode through Dark, Together our Might, Made shadows hark. In peace may you rest, Aroc of Linserim. Jasmine ended, then looked at Sainte. Do you have any words?

He slightly shook his head. None that I wish to speak aloud.

You’re sure you want to do this, Sainte? Go off by yourself? Jasmine placed a hand gingerly on his shoulder. I know Iris would be thankful if you were there for her. You two would be safe with me.

I’m sure. I’d probably only bring her heartache. I’d be a constant reminder of what we once had and how we can never be that way again. This is the best thing I can do for her. For me, he said as if he tried to convince himself of it. Take care of Iris, please.

Of course.

And tell her I’m sorry.

I will, Sainte. Good luck with whatever you end up doing, wherever you end up going. And be careful. You know as well as I that the trouble is not gone- not all of it, not yet.

Sainte nodded and tapped his pocket to make sure that he still had the vials. Then, without another word to Jasmine, he walked into the woods.

Jasmine lingered at Aroc’s grave site, sorting through her thoughts, before eventually returning to the wagon. With every step she took, she tried to convince herself that letting Sainte go was the best choice.

She knew it was the best one for him.

ONE

-DAWN-

Kial stood on the protective parapet surrounding Munich and surveyed the barren fields across the open pastures. The lines where seeds were planted ran parallel as farmers tended to the ground, desperate to grow crops again. The sounds of their hoes and rakes rhythmically echoed in his ears, putting the older man into a trance-like state.

The smell of wet dirt was faint upon his nose. It must be nearly overwhelming for the people at ground level, Kial chuckled to himself. He had no doubt they were used to it, and it probably didn’t even bother them.

He averted his eyes from the busy men and looked further out to the river that separated Munich’s lands from the Shinta’s. The water glistened in the sun, a sight he had sorely missed during the Dark Days.

Someone plopped next to him on his left side, bringing him out of his internal thoughts. They leaned their back against the parapet, looking into Munich.

Morning, Kial, Peng said, just loud enough to annoy him. Kial tried not to let it show on his face.

Peng. He refused to give his friend the satisfaction of looking at him. He knew Peng doubtlessly had a toothy grin on his face, knowing full well he irked his older partner.

Two weeks of normalcy. Think we’re in the clear again? Peng looked at his fingernails and cleaned some dirt from behind his thumb.

No.

What’re you thinking, Kial? You’re awfully quiet these days. He looked up from his thumb and scanned the tops of the buildings. Smoke lifted from chimneys straight up into the still air. He squinted his eyes, crunching up the scar on his face with many wrinkles.

He sucked at his teeth. Not much ta say these days. Not after Ivan and the others.

Peng clucked his tongue at his friend’s words. Relax a bit. Sun’s out, crops are growing, or at least trying to, and cows are starting to produce milk again. Quit being so damn sodden all the time. Spend some time with your wife and kid. More somberly, he added, There’s nothing we can do about them now. We’ve mourned them, their families have mourned. We can’t dwell… Least Iris seems to be doing all right, from what Jasmine says.

Now he finally turned to Peng and looked him in the eyes. Not just them. Ye and I both know somethins’ not right. Malignin ‘ave been spotted, and did ya happen ta ferget ’bout the butcher? The killin’ spree that happened ’fore we returned?

Ah, yes. No, I did not forget. I just know that that’s been put to rest.

Like hell it has. More like they just want it ta be forgotten, Kial muttered.

Who’s they?

After a moment of silent thought, Kial shrugged.

Look, butcher went crazy. Killed, what, seven people before he was put down? Dark Days drove him mad, Kial, all there’s to it. Tragedy, for sure, but it doesn’t sound like a conspiracy.

Nay, don’t think so. I have a feelin’. He rubbed his stomach. In my gut. More to it.

Peng laughed. That’s just indigestion—one of the first signs of getting old, or of your wife’s cooking. Don’t worry so much. Things are looking up.

Kial shook his head slowly. That’s what they want us ta think. Let our guard down. That’s when shite’ll hit. ’Oughta speak with Madelaine about what ta do with Franceska when it happens, he said absentmindedly.

Again, who is this ‘they’? Peng was beginning to get frustrated. There’s nothing else out there that wishes us harm. Not yet, at least. Malignin are still around, aye, but they’re no threat anymore. I’m sure Madelaine has her hands full enough raising Franceska without having to worry about being attacked. You’re just being paranoid.

Now’s not the time ta get complacent, Kial said. ’Sides, Malignin are still about, don’t care if they’re attacking or not, they’re not ta be forgotten. Not ta mention that butcher that went crazy and killed everyone. They’ve tried ta push that away so hard his name ain’t even common knowledge. Least, I can’t recall it. Can ye?

The butcher again? Peng shook his head. I don’t know his name and good riddance, I say. He’s long dead; no bother now. When you’re mad that you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in forever because your thoughts’re keeping you up at night, don’t say I didn’t tell you, Peng said with a smile.

Two guards walked up to them, their relief of duty. After a brief turnover, Kial’s and Peng’s night shift was over.

Come on, let’s get some breakfast. Or are you too paranoid for that too? Peng punched him lightly on his shoulder.

Kial allowed himself to smile. Nay, that I can do. Maybe after I’ll look into the butcher a bit, if ya want ta help me? He smiled as Peng shook his head in disbelief.

We just talked about this. Let dead things lie. What about Madelaine and your daughter, Franceska? They miss you, I’m sure.

He dismissed