Monstar Saga: Acolyte: Book 2 Read online

Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Serious Wounds. Critical Bleeding. Critical Arrow Wound.

  Mana: 7/ 12

  Kavan reached up and took hold of the arrow shaft. He snapped it off as the fleeing ferals turned and approached. Seeing the blood and that the dragonkin was stunned reignited their courage. Evil smiles and snickers filled the smaller group as they approached.

  Kavan held up his flaming hands and claws, ready to defend himself. He watched the confidence fill them once again, but they gave him measured looks and glances. Both sides sized each other up, but it was Kavan who felt his own blood soak into his shirt and leggings.

  “Kavan, you’re going to bleed out!” Viz said with alarm.

  I will not let them win!

  “This isn’t like fighting xykks. They have some fighting skills and no matter how skilled you may be, their numbers give them the edge!”

  A faint memory touched Kavan’s mind of Brom’s words and advice. The dragonkin closed his eyes and released three mana points, but didn’t focus them on any sphere. The mana glowed along his spirit as blood pulsed out of his wounds.

  “Kavan?” Viz said with a fearful edge.

  Kobolds, goblins, and two orcs grinned before they roared. They attacked as one, reaching the dragonkin and raised their weapons.

  Kavan’s eyes flashed open before he took two steps forward and slashed wide across. Flames streaked and caused the attacking ferals to hesitate. Kavan’s other arm stabbed forward like a flaming lance. An orc with a raised short sword let out a whimper as fiery claws stabbed into his chest, the tips penetrating their heart. Others closed in and were met with elbows and a boot. Bodies were flung backwards and to the sides.

  Kavan’s senses blazed bright as he heard a sharp whistle. Legs bent and the dragonkin launched into the air. Body spinning away, a black arrow streaked past him a few inches away.

  Kavan landed and weakness drained his muscles. The dragonkin’s eyes widened as he fell to one knee, blood spilling from his wounds. The last few ferals charged as Kavan couldn’t stand up.

  The dragonkin roared and a sliver of energy returned to his legs. He pushed off the ground and energy blazed deep within.

  Gained 1 degree in the Body Sphere. Body Sphere is now 4th degree.

  Gained 1 point of mana.

  Kavan Cynder

  Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Serious Wounds. Critical Bleeding. Critical Arrow Wound.

  Mana: 5/13

  Kavan leered as he took a step back and pressed his flaming hands to his wounds at his side and thigh. Ferals rushed him, blades and maces slashing downwards. New energy filled the dragonkin as he cauterized the wounds and dodged incoming strikes with quick footwork. Confidence filled the dragonkin as he kept the attackers at bay, stepping back and dodging blows. His leer grew wider as he channeled 4 points of mana into his Body Sphere.

  The dragonkin continued to dodge as his body turned on like a powerful engine. Willpower took the reins and Kavan forced his body to regenerate. A switch within him went off and power surged to his wounds. The barbed arrow in his shoulder pushed out as several wounds began to close at once. Pain ebbed as Kavan’s wits grew sharper and his body pushed to heal him as quickly as possible.

  Flaming claws pulled away from closed wounds and when he went to slash at a kobold, muscles became dead weight.

  “It’s a side effect from forced healing! You need time to recover!” Viz shouted in Kavan’s mind.

  “I… can’t… stop,” Kavan said weakly as everything around him grew darker.

  A mace swung and struck the side of his head. Kavan ignored the sudden bloom of pain before a shoulder slammed into him. The dragonkin stumbled back and fell to one knee again, dazed and confused.

  The remaining four ferals charged as one, ready to finish their work when a small figure darted toward them. A kobold glanced to the side and was rewarded with a dagger point in the eye. The blade slid deeper and into their small brain before a monstrous hiss filled the air.

  Kavan’s eyes slowly blinked as he looked over. Onka was pulling out her dagger from the dead kobold’s head. She turned to a goblin, leapt the short distance and stabbed down in repeated blurs. The goblin cried out as a bloody dagger rose and fell in quick strikes.

  Kavan tried to stay conscious, watching as Onka stabbed the goblin under her to death. The dragonkin’s eyes widened a hair, seeing a blazing red aura surrounding Onka. Black horns stabbed up from her forehead as she stabbed down with manic glee. She giggled and growled like an unhinged monster, the goblin under her already dead and their soul departed.

  A kobold rushed with fear in their eyes at the demonic goblin. Onka’s red eyes glanced up before her free hand shot forward and grabbed the kobold by the neck. She growled as her hand squeezed. The kobold’s eyes bulged in their head before the head popped off and fell. A fountain of blood sprayed up and Onka basked in it like she was home.

  For a brief instant, she closed her eyes and relished the blood painting her features. Her eyes flashed open and looked down as the remaining orc as he buried his short sword in her gut.

  “Onka,” Kavan whispered as he fought to stay awake.

  Will power blazed into his spent body, forcing him to stand and lurch toward Onka and the orc. The orc looked down in fearful disbelief, the blade buried in the goblin’s stomach and not even a drop of blood spilling from the deep wound.

  Onka giggled.

  The orc let go as his entire body trembled like a leaf. He watched in stunned horror as Onka’s limbs grew longer and her body taller. Her features twisted between green and red. Teeth sharpened into points and her maddening giggle filled the night. Energy curled off her body like red and black tentacles, they lashed forward and grabbed the orc.

  The orc screamed in terror as the black and red tentacles pulled with supernatural strength.

  “Onka,” Kavan whispered as he tried to put one boot in front of the other, getting closer but not close enough to the demonic goblin.

  Onka’s giggle turned into hysterical laughter. The orc screeched before limbs were pulled from their body with a sickening ripping sound. Blood showered the grass in all directions as the light went out in the orc’s eyes and its head falling from the remaining stump of a body.

  Onka looked down on the falling body parts. Her laughter diminished to giggles and then into sobbing. The goblin’s demonic form began to revert back to normal. Horns slid back into her head. The red aura vanished. The sobbing grew louder as she looked down on her hands and arms, covered in blood.

  Kavan reached her and slumped down to both knees. He watched as she turned around to him in confused terror, blood dripping down her body.

  “Kavan…” Onka wept with tears streaking down her cheeks and blending with darkening blood.

  Kavan used the last of his strength to hold up his arms. Onka fell into them. The goblin’s eyes fluttered as weakness filled her body.

  Kavan tried to speak, but was too weak to say a word. He instead glanced to the forest edge. He watched a shadow slink away and vanish into the inky darkness.

  Kavan held the sobbing goblin to his chest and rocked back and forth.

  A whistle and bell sounded from the town of Moonvale as the moon began to rise in the starry night.

  Two

  An orc in a regal dark blue robe led the way with a lantern in his hand. The lantern swung slightly as he rushed toward the open south gate with wide eyes. Behind him, a younger orc followed with a warhammer in his hands and grim determination in his eyes. Following the pair of orcs, two trolls took up the rear with metal clubs in their hands. A naga slithered with them, potions already in her hands and concern painted across her pale brow.

  Doors opened along some of the homes and medieval buildings. Bodies spilled out to see what was the commotion, a sliver of fear in their eyes. The roars, shouting and screams alerted the town of Moonvale. Some of the residents held daggers or short swords at the ready. Others stayed in doorways, ready to shut t
heir doors if any violence made its way into the walled town.

  Mayor Sunaxe stepped through the south gate and lifted his lantern. The warm glow caused inky shadows to writhe in the light. The mayor turned his attention to the right and then to the left. Dark eyes widened as the edge of the lantern light touched mauled corpses, severed limbs and heads. Blood and organs painted the scene, the lantern light just touching Kavan’s back as he was on his knees.

  “Kavan,” Mayor Sunaxe whispered in fear as he and the small group approached.

  The sound of sobbing rose up from Kavan as he remained on his knees. The group reached him and slowly moved around to see Onka in his arms, quietly sobbing. Kavan’s serpent gaze didn’t leave the goblin as he held her close in his comforting arms.

  “Goddess,” Soki gasped as she lowered down and pulled a cork from a potion.

  Kavan didn’t realize anyone was close by until the rim of a glass potion touched his lips. He glanced up to Soki’s concerned eyes before tilting his head back and taking a drink. The moment the healing potion touched his lips, he lifted a hand to take hold and guzzled down the rest.

  Soki looked at Onka in his arms. Pale hands reached down and touched the goblin’s bloody form. Fingers ran along green and crimson covered skin, searching for wounds.

  “She’s not hurt,” Kavan said as he glanced down at Onka's stomach and saw that the stab wound she had taken earlier was completely healed like it never happened.

  Onka’s sobbing trailed off as she slowly blinked.

  Durzol looked around at the carnage with hard eyes. “Ferals.”

  A thin, wiry troll with wild hair scratched his head as he looked around.

  “Were they attacking the town?” Kazko said.

  Rujin looked at the bodies on the grass and then glanced at the south gate. “There are over twenty dead ferals here. If they wanted to get in, I doubt Kavan would have been able to slow them down. No, it looks like they were trying to kill Kavan and Onka.”

  Kavan looked up to the tall, wide troll. “They were only trying to kill me. Onka tried to help defend me.”

  Mayor Sunaxe gave a grave nod. “Let’s get everyone inside town and close the gates. Rujin and Kazko, help Kavan and Onka. They will stay at the Blue Lantern Inn for the night as we try to understand what happened.”

  Healer Soki looked down on Onka, her hand pressed to the goblin’s cheek. “I’ll be staying at the inn tonight as well to keep an eye on Kavan and Onka.”

  Mayor Sunaxe nodded. “Alright, let’s get everyone inside.”

  Rujin glanced at a severed arm with a black symbol tattooed on it before helping Kavan to his feet. The dragonkin gently placed Onka on the ground. She leaned on him heavily, her eyes slowly opening and closing.

  Kavan took inventory of himself as they began walking toward the main gate. His wounds were closed and the bleeding had stopped. The mixture of the healing potion and his natural regeneration had pulled him from the edge of death, but a weakness filled his tired muscles.

  When the group reached the south gate, a thought stabbed into Kavan’s mind.

  “Abby and the farm! I have two new taurs in vats,” the dragonkin said with alarm.

  Durzol nodded, hefted his warhammer up and leaned it against his shoulder. “I’ll stay at your farm and defend it for the night, my friend.”

  Kavan shook his head when the mayor spoke up.

  “If the ferals were trying to kill you, dear Magistrate, it would be for you and the town’s benefit if you stay behind the walls tonight. Durzol can watch over your farm until morning.”

  Kavan looked at the mayor before turning his gaze to the town’s blacksmith and gave him a small nod.

  Durzol grinned before he turned and began marching down the dirt road toward Woodhaven Farm in the small distance.

  “Everyone else, inside,” the mayor said with a gentle authority.

  The small group made their way into town. Kazko closed the gate doors and slid the heavy bolt between them, and then secured it.

  Eyes widened along the street as residents stepped out. Gazes fell on the blood covered dragonkin and goblin as they walked. Mayor Sunaxe led the way with Rujin and Soki on either side of the couple.

  “Kavan,” Onka said weakly.

  The dragonkin looked down to see the goblin was barely standing. Without a second thought, he reached down and scooped her into his arms. Kavan held the goblin to his chest as they walked north on South Street and toward the town center.

  Lantern light touched a statue of a man over a fountain. The statue held up an open book with their gaze firmly to the nighttime heavens. Water splashed along the fountain as townsfolk converged on the center to see the small group.

  Zellee clicked along from East Street, her eyes widening as she saw Kavan and Onka. The arachnix, as did many others, made their way closer.

  Mayor Sunaxe noticed the growing gathering and addressed the crowd.

  “People of Moonvale, our magistrate was viciously attacked. We don’t know the entire story, so I suggest everyone lock their doors this night until we know more.

  “Do not fret for our Magistrate and Master Breeder. They are in Healer Soki’s expert hands and will be cared for. We will have a town meeting tomorrow to address tonight’s events. Try to get some rest and all will be addressed tomorrow.”

  Many listened, but made no move to return to their homes. Instead, they watched as the mayor led the small group down West Street.

  Zellee hugged her own waist as she looked away, fear and concern clouding her heart and mind.

  The door to the Dragon’s Table opened. A blue and black scaled dragonkin stepped out and looked upon the small group. His gaze moved to Kavan and remained, seeing the dark red dragonkin cradling Onka to his chest. Kavan didn’t look up to see Drayke’s cool and concerned gaze on him as they walked by.

  Rujin rushed ahead and opened the door to the Blue Lantern Inn. Mayor Sunaxe stepped in first. Kavan stepped in with Onka in his arms. Soki and Kazko entered. Rujin stepped in and closed the door behind him.

  The Blue Lantern Inn was filled with warm, inviting air. Rujin moved to the front windows of the inn and pulled the thick curtains closed. The mayor helped guide Kavan to a couch by the main window. Kavan bent down and placed Onka on the couch. When she was settled, he turned and sat beside her.

  Soki stood by the couch. The two trolls made their way to the kitchen and behind the wine bar counter. Mayor Sunaxe took hold of a nearby chair, slid it over, turned it and sat down. He leaned forward, elbows on knees.

  “Alright my boy, tell me what happened.”

  Kavan glanced at the white and purple scaled naga before turning his attention to the mayor. He then began detailing the ambush. Kavan left out the part about Onka turning demonic and simply explained she tried to help as he was overwhelmed.

  Mayor Sunaxe nodded as he listened. Rujin emerged from the kitchen with two plates of cheese and fruit. He placed them on a table and lifted the entire table. He brought it over and placed it by the couch.

  Kazko emerged from behind the bar with a bottle of wine, glasses, and small towels. He brought them over to the table. Glasses down, he poured into them and began to hand them off to everyone. The mayor took a glass and a light sip. Soki took her glass, but put it down as she kept her attention on the dragonkin and goblin. Rujin took his glass and downed its contents in one gulp.

  Kavan waved off his glass as he finished telling what happened.

  The main room of the inn was silent for a moment.

  Mayor Sunaxe broke the silence with a small, tired exhale. “It would seem you made some enemies of a feral clan. The kobolds you killed when you first arrived in these lands may have been part of a larger clan. If they somehow found out about you and tracked you here, this could be dangerous for you and the entire town.”

  Rujin’s eyes narrowed. “Damn ferals can’t leave any town on the edge alone,” the troll growled.

  Kavan shook his head. “No kobolds survived.
I did allow one to retreat after he told me where the nearest town was. The moment I let go, he stabbed me in the leg and I ended his life.”

  The mayor gave a single nod. “It still doesn’t take much to put the pieces together. Your claws would be a dead giveaway and they may have been watching your farm and the town for some time.”

  Mayor Sunaxe leaned back in his chair and held his wine glass to his robust belly. The older orc’s eyes became distant as his mind worked.

  Energy began to fill Kavan’s muscles again as he slowly felt better. “How many ferals are in a clan?” the dragonkin asked everyone gathered.

  “Could be a dozen to a few hundred,” Kazko shrugged and sipped his wine.

  Rujin looked down on Kavan with knowing eyes. “I spotted a tattoo on one of the severed arms. It was a black tusk.”

  The mayor looked over to the seven-foot-tall troll with a raised eyebrow. “The Tusk Clan? This is bad news.”

  “Anyone want to let me in?” Kavan asked with curious eyes.

  The mayor nodded, took a sip and held the glass to his belly. “The Tusk Clan is a nomad clan of ferals. They have crossed this region many times before, often visiting the border towns along the Shadowsand Desert and then making their way to the Treba Kingdoms in the far east.”

  Mayor Sunaxe looked down at his drink as he continued, “They have demanded supplies in exchange for leaving Moonvale alone, most of the time.”

  Rujin crossed his thick arms across his wide chest. “Fucking ferals never stay completely to their word. The kobolds that invaded us and took our gold were smart enough to cover themselves. I’m willing to wager they were trying to earn some extra gold on the side when they attacked us. It explains how they knew where our gold was and how few warriors we had at the time.”

  Kavan looked at the mayor, “You mentioned most of the time.”

  Shadows touched the older orc's eyes as he tilted his head forward. “The clan knew we wouldn’t put up much of a fight. There were a few times where they broke our windows and damaged shops. The orc in charge commanded his clan to not harm us, but it wasn’t the same for our properties.