The Trinity of Heroes (I Will Protect You Book 1) (25 page)

“Come on, Benni, over here, in this cave!” Lawrence’s voice echoed within the walls that could soon be Razzius’ tomb.

Sweat poured down Razzius’ face. He was short on options. He could pledge his allegiance to the strange apparition, be taken to jail, attempt to flee, or fight to the death. In his mind the phantom was the only one who was making sense, who was on his side. He still couldn’t understand why his friends couldn’t see things from his point of view. He needed to survive, to stay free. He was justified, after all. He thrust his hand out toward the spirit and bowed his head. “I am in your service, Master. Now, please, help me!”

The specter reached out his cloaked arm, but instead of grabbing Razzius’ hand, his own turned into a rattlesnake head. It hissed as its fangs bit deeply into Razzius’ palm, causing Razzius to wince from shock and pain. The infernal contract had been signed with blood. Razzius cringed as the venom coursed through him, entering his veins, then his heart, then his mind. Razzius felt a strange ease, a burst of calm and tranquility overcome him. Yet his heart beat fast and pulsed quickly inside his chest. The apparition disappeared, but Razzius could now hear its sinister voice inside of his own head.

Razzziusss, now don’t move. Your foolissssh friendssss won’t be able to sssee you. Trusssst me,
the spirit’s voice echoed in Razzius’ head.

Razzius sat perfectly still against the damp, jagged walls of the cave. Benni and Lawrence rushed in, their torches guiding the way. “Come on, Benni, he must be in here!” Lawrence shouted. “Razzius, don’t make this difficult!”

The only answer was Lawrence’s echo throughout the cave.

Their torch lights cast dancing shadows about the jagged, slimy walls. Razzius closed his eyes, and breathed as softly as he could. He had no escape. If the specter wasn’t right, he would be captured or killed soon. Razzius could feel the heat from their fires on his face as they stood directly in front of him.

Benni stared into Razzius’ eyes and squinted a little, but was unable to detect his physical presence. Benni and Lawrence searched every inch of the cave. Side to side, top to bottom. They found nothing, no traces of anyone. They looked at each other dumbfounded. “Come on, Benni, he must have doubled back, under the guise of nightfall!” Lawrence shouted, exasperated from chasing Razzius and coming up empty handed. The two Knights dejectedly left the cave and headed back toward Haile.

Razzius breathed a sigh of relief and opened his eyes. He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to regain a sense of composure. How did he go undetected? What magic was this?

Sssee, Razzziusss, I didn’t lie to you. I helped you yet again. You and I can accccomplisssh more than anyone elssse. We don’t need the Knight Guard or your jealoussss friendssss; we jussst need each other. Don’t you agree?

Razzius smiled. Where Benni and Lawrence had deserted him and chased him like a wounded prey, this spirit had been true to him ever since it first appeared. Razzius had lived in fear for much of his life. He liked having this spirit protecting him, and was interested to see what the spirit’s objectives were. He responded eagerly, “Certainly, I do agree. Now tell me, how can I conquer Haile?”

The sinister voice laid out his plan to Razzius.
Firssst take my ssssword. It cutsss deeper than any other known to man. When it cutssss, it tearsss, it ripsss at your opponentsss very ssssoul. It drawsss riversss of blood from woundsss that never ssseem to heal. Take from me the accurssssed Bloodletter.

Razzius watched in awe as a dark longsword manifested in front of his eyes, surrounded by a red glowing light. The sword had nicks and chips all over it and was stained in blood. Dual silver snake heads with ruby eyes coiled around the hilt. The blade was ultra-sharp ebony steel, a rare material Razzius had never seen before. The blade was covered in archaic lettering, a language that Razzius didn’t recognize. Razzius reached out to grab it, and as he did so, the snake heads both came alive and bit his hand, joining themselves to their new owner.

Ahhh, it issss done. Thisss sssword isss yoursss now; no one elssse will be able to wield it. You are itsss masssster.

Razzius smiled and swung the sword a few times.

Next, you mussst sssseek out a man who hatesss Haile assss much assss you do. He livesss in Green Bryre. You know him. Phillip Arcel Galexia. He will make a perfect general for our army. Offer him answersss to what happened to hissss father and he will no doubt ride with usss. That and hissss hatred for Haile. He’sss been wanting hisss vengeance for two yearssss now. Ever ssssince the mayor banisssshed him.

Razzius was listening, nodding his head, but he was still confused. “Army? What army are you talking about, Master?”

Patienccce, my sssson. After you recruit Phillip, you mussst then head north, over the Frozen Mountainsss. I will show you an easssy way to crosss them, and you will then pull my masssssive army of Black Ssssangresss from the Black Ssswamp. They will obey your every command, and with them, a million sssstrong, you will be able to conquer Haile.

“Yes, Master. I see now. The Black Sangre army.” Razzius nodded. He was starting to truly believe his master’s vision for their future.

One more thing. You mussst recruit a powerful dark ssssorcerer to dessstroy the Everglen, which is home to the ssssorcerersss of the land. Their sssorceriesss and enchantmentsss can posssse problemssss for our army, sssso before you march on Haile, you musssst have them all killed. You can find thisss massster of the dark artsss, Kassstor Char, living in a sssmall cave not far from here. Offer him lordssship over the Everglen, and he will ssserve usss and do our bidding.

Razzius wasn’t certain how his master knew of Phillip’s banishment from Haile, or of his knowledge of the existence of a so-called “Black Sangre army,” but he didn’t care. His master had delivered him from those trying to capture him, and nothing he had said to Razzius had yet been wrong. Razzius wanted the greatness, the power, the grandeur promised by his master. Razzius yearned to control his own destiny, his own life, instead of being at the mercy of others. His becoming the ruler of Haile would be the ultimate revenge against his father’s domination of his life, and the Knight Guard members who had ostracized him instead of helping him. Benni and Lawrence were no longer his friends. They were simply obstacles, obstacles he would overcome on his quest to achieve his legacy. He would trust his master; he would follow his orders. The plan was perfect.

Razzius knew what he must do. He rose to his feet, a new sense of purpose filling his blackened soul. He sheathed Bloodletter and slowly crept to the opening of the cave. He checked both directions to make sure that no Knights were present. Dark clouds had formed over the outskirts of Haile. They would obscure him, and make it easy for him to travel quickly to the caves where Kastor was living. He needed Kastor’s help.

I watched as a massive shadow loomed over our city. A dragon unlike any I have ever seen before. I had to shoot him, what else could I do? I winged him, a glancing blow, but a disabling blow nonetheless. Though I brought the beast down, I doubt this is the last time we will ever cross paths.

- Jeremayah Damascus, North-Tower Watchman, Journal entry during The Great War, undated

Lawrence and Benni mounted their horses and raced back to Haile. They had lost Razzius’ trail in the dark, and their hope of finding him along with it. They needed to warn the people of Razzius’ actions, and see that Wurn receive a proper burial. As they approached the city, Lawrence could feel a sick feeling in his stomach; one of his closest friends was a murderer. Lawrence knew that justice needed to be done. Razzius needed to face some form of punishment. They entered the quiet, sleeping city. Benni raced for the castle and one of its watchtowers. At the top of these towers sat huge iron bells that were used to signal a warning throughout Haile. In years past, these bells had been used to signal the approach of Necromancer Ghast and other evils to the city. Benni ascended a staircase to the top of the tower and he rang the bell with all his might.

Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!

The hollow sound of the bell echoed throughout Haile. Citizens began to pour from their homes, looking around with their torches lit. They were on full alert. Benni and Lawrence reunited at the bottom of the tower and rode frantically through the city. They shouted to the concerned citizens, “Wurn Grimm has been killed, murdered in cold blood, by his son, Razzius!”

They shouted louder and louder as they dashed through the city. They circled back toward the castle. Their horses slowed to a trot as they approached the gate. “Open the gate,” Benni commanded. “There has been a murder in the city of Haile. A member of the Knight Guard has slain his own father. We must see Mayor Flint at once!”

Finneas nodded and quickly opened the gate. The two proceeded to enter the castle grounds where Flint, Elsie, Maggie and Elizabeth stood, waiting for the news that they brought. Flint looked at them and asked, “What business do you bring at this hour that you would ring the warning bell to wake the entire town?”

“Razzius Grimm, a fellow Knight, has slain his father, Wurn Grimm, in cold blood, sire. We saw it for ourselves. He confided in us and told us how Wurn abused him, and how he took his father’s life. When we tried to restrain him to bring him in to face you, he refused us and drew his blade against us. He fled the city on horseback. We pursued him, but were unable to ascertain his whereabouts. We lost his trail in a cave just southeast of town, even though we searched it thoroughly. It was as though he vanished from this world completely.”

The group stood there in astonishment, wondering if their ears deceived them. Razzius Grimm, the proclaimed greatest Knight of his generation had murdered his father, and now roamed the lands of Forme a wanted man. Could this be true?

“I cannot believe this! You mean to tell me that Razzius, our Razzius, did something so unspeakable?” Flint questioned.

“Come with us, sire. We will show it to you,” Lawrence pleaded as he motioned for Flint to mount his horse with him. Flint soon obliged, and the three men raced off toward the Grimm home.

Flint was a man who had always believed in justice. If Razzius had truly murdered his father then Razzius would face severe punishment, if not death. Upon reaching their destination, he burst through the door. The Grimm home was dark and silent. Lawrence lit a nearby candle. They slowly made their way into the house, and soon the candlelight fell on Wurn’s lifeless body.

“How can this be?” Flint asked. “Just a few hours ago this boy was revered as a hero, a force for justice, and now this! Razzius never mentioned any of this abuse to either me or Bryce.” Flint noticed the multitude of empty liquor bottles, and cringed as the story of his newly appointed Knights rang true. Razzius was no Knight; he was nothing more than a murderer. Flint turned to Lawrence and Benni who stood ready at his side, awaiting their orders.

“Our watchtowers will be on constant lookout. You two are to lead a scouting party and look for that murderer!” Flint shouted in anger. He felt betrayed and deceived. “If you find Razzius, you are to take one of two actions: Arrest him and bring him back to Haile with you, or…” Flint stopped and stared at the dead body of Wurn Grimm for a while. “Kill him!”

***

Kill him!

Kill him!

Kill him!

The words repeated in the two Knights’ minds as they sat together later that night at the barracks. In all of their training Benni and Lawrence had never actually taken a human life. How were they going to take the life of the man who was once one of their closest friends?

Lawrence struggled to sleep that night, wondering if his father had ever faced anything like this. He tossed and turned as the thoughts of the possible battles to come frightened him. A familiar feeling of doubt came across him as Lawrence began to question his own abilities and his reasons for the path he chose. Lawrence knew that violence was a reality of life. His father had told him of his greatest triumphs in battle many times. It was always easy for Lawrence to imagine his father’s victories, to imagine the marauders and bandits and evildoers he had slain, to imagine the grandeur and the accolades that came with winning great battles. But Lawrence had never fully understood that those victories came with a steep price, paid by a man’s soul.

He realized now, as he lay in a heavy sweat, the irony was that the very life he had sworn to protect would mean that other life would have to be taken. Taking a human life was something that Knights became desensitized to. It was what they trained for. And in reality it was simple: kill or be killed. But Lawrence knew that the coming days would no doubt test his resolve, and Lawrence wondered if he would still have his own convictions about right and wrong at the end of it all. Could he ever look at the world, at his duty, at his life the same again after taking another man’s life?

I found the most peculiar tome today. It was just sitting by the edge of the pond in the center of the clearing. It must have floated in from a nearby river. There are drawings and passages unlike any I have seen before in my life. It details spells I’ve never heard of like Carcass Decay, Life Drain, and the opening of a gate to hell. What could they be? Could I actually wield these powers? Surely, I must keep this discovery from Gorbin.

- Journal of Kastor Char, Age 15

The dark evening provided Razzius a black veil to obscure himself as he traveled. His horse had left the spot where he had abandoned it, so he needed to travel on foot. It took him longer, but he would not allow such a small setback to overshadow the greater plan he was trying to accomplish. He scaled the canyon, traversed some thickets, and crossed some rolling hills. He knew the area of caves where the apparition told him that Kastor was living. As he arrived there, he felt a strange, ominous presence in the air. Even in the darkness, he felt as though he was being watched. As he walked amongst the various caves, a hooded figure appeared in front of him, blackness radiating in all directions from around its body. It was dressed in long, black, gold-hemmed robes. It levitated above the ground.

Razzius knew this must be the dark sorcerer. Razzius smiled eagerly and spoke, “The great Kastor Char, I presume. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

The figure removed its hood, revealing the face of a man. His head was bald, his eyes a deep purple. His skin was wrinkled and saggy. He smiled, revealing his yellowish-black, decaying teeth. He spoke in a low, menacing, arrogant voice, “How would you know who I am?”

Razzius didn’t want to waste time fighting; he had goals to accomplish. “I was told about your abilities, your exceptional skills, by a great spirit, a spirit who gave me this.” He unsheathed Bloodletter, showing it off to the sorcerer.

The figure’s eyes narrowed as a sadistic smile crossed his face. “Ahhh, the energy from that sword, it comes from the same darkness I embrace. But what makes you think you are worthy to the company of Kastor Char, Dark Sorcerer of Veronicia.”

“I am Razzius Grimm and I have a proposition for you. I need your assistance. I am going to gather an army and destroy Haile. I am going to conquer the capital of Forme. The sorcerers of the Everglen pose a great threat to my plan. I need you to destroy the Everglen, and all who call it home!”

“Why should I assist you?” Kastor growled, irritated by Razzius’ forward request. “I owe you nothing, boy!”

“Because, my friend, in exchange for your help, I promise you complete dominion over your own dark utopia. I give you my word that you will rule the Everglen as you wish. Destroy it, and then rebuild it into your own vision. A place where you, and all who believe as you do, can practice Dark Sorcery undisturbed.”

“Ahahaha!” Kastor roared with a deep, conceited laughter. “And why would I need your help to destroy the Everglen? You have no idea the power that I possess. I can destroy you where you stand!”

Razzius could feel the tension escalating. He believed Kastor’s claims and really didn’t want to test his powers. “Kastor, think of what I am offering you. This is your chance to destroy those who cast you out, a chance to have your ultimate vengeance.”

But Kastor still wasn’t buying it. Egos are a strange thing. There was nothing more that Kastor wanted at this very moment than to have his vengeance against Gorbin Gabrielle and the sorcerers of the Everglen. He had been cast out years ago, and had exiled to these caves. He spent his days and nights studying, practicing, and honing his skills. His abilities in Dark Sorcery had grown to powerful new levels. Yet he felt that he didn’t need to align himself with anyone, especially a young boy. He would have his revenge, on his own time.

“No. Now leave me alone, boy, before I kill you!” Kastor sneered.

“Either help me, or kill me. There are no other options!” Razzius retorted back, his own ego standing tall.

Kastor smiled and formed a black ball of energy in his right hand. He launched it maliciously toward Razzius. Razzius stood his ground, holding Bloodletter in both hands. As the ball flew at Razzius, Bloodletter began to glow a bright, luminous purple. The ball was attracted to the sword, absorbed by it. Bloodletter rumbled and glowed in Razzius’ hands, but it protected him fully from the sorcery’s effects.

Kastor hovered in place. He had never seen any
normal
person withstand his Dark Fireball before. He was intrigued by this peculiar sword, and the young boy who carried it. He reasoned that maybe he shouldn’t meddle with this boy who wielded a weapon of power he had never witnessed or imagined. Perhaps, Razzius possessed some of his own incredible powers that he would be wise to align himself with.

“Your powers are certainly strong, Razzius. Perhaps, we can make a deal after all?” Kastor offered, his tone now much more respectful. “But how can I be sure that you will leave the Everglen to me? How do I know you will not betray me?”

Razzius was still a bit stunned by his involuntary survival, but he quickly composed himself. “Because I have no quarrel with you, and no use for the Everglen. Besides, I will need your abilities again in the future as we conquer Forstwood and Embrydge and all of Veronicia. You can’t much help me if you are dead, or have no true place to train your followers.”

Kastor nodded his head slowly, beginning to understand the logic of Razzius’ plan. He lowered himself to the ground and approached Razzius. He stuck out his withered, bony hand, awaiting Razzius to do the same to finalize their deal.

Razzius shook his hand and said, “I’m glad we can work together. A new era is about to begin. My master will tell me when you have finished destroying the Everglen. I will march on Haile at that time!” Razzius figured that the Knight Guard would be searching for him and he did not want to risk detection. He asked his new ally for refuge for the next day.

Kastor was hesitant, but obliged. Secretly he was excited to have a competent visitor, someone he could view as an equal both in motivations and abilities. Razzius was one of the few mortal souls that Kastor had seen during his seven year exile, and the only one he had ever harbored.

Razzius spent the day resting and relaxing while discussing his master plan with Kastor. Both shared ideas, notions of the world that they wished to create, that they wished to rule. Kastor and Razzius mixed well after their initial spat. Where Razzius was concerned with sword fighting and physical battles, Kastor was concerned with spiritual, magical ones. Where Razzius wanted to control Haile, Kastor only really cared for dominion over the Everglen. They made a perfect, complementary pair.

The next night Kastor was eager to begin. “Razzius, I can start the destruction of the Everglen at any time. I venture that the sorcerer’s there have completely forgotten about me and the incredible abilities I possess.”

Razzius knew Kastor was anxious to destroy those he detested, but still he wanted to ensure his plan was foolproof. “Before we set this in motion, there is still something I need to do. Come with me. I need to recruit Phillip Galexia in Green Bryre. He hates the Knight Guard as much as you hate the sorcerers of the Everglen. It will be much easier to convince him to join me on a journey through the Frozen Mountains if I can show him that I have one powerful accomplice already.”

Kastor had not been out of those caves in seven long years. He longed to see flowers and trees and rivers again, anything but the cold, gray walls of those lonely caves. This request was a symphony of the greatest music to his ears. “Ahhhh, yes….what a great point, Razzius.” Kastor again marveled at Razzius’ aptitude. “I will be happy to join you. It will be nice to see a change of scenery for once.”