The Trinity of Heroes (I Will Protect You Book 1) (44 page)

“What he means to say is we haven’t had any yet, but we are hoping to have either one or two,” Elsie chimed in, saving him from an awkward answer.

“Ah, very good. It is nice to see that Haile has a bright future ahead of it.” He turned back to Flint again. “Say, Flint, do you remember that time when we were younger, before that Necromancer came to our lands. Goodness how old were we then, twelve or thirteen? We used to get into so much trouble,” Drei recounted, laughing louder.

“Father? You got into trouble?” Elsie asked inquisitively.

“Well…not…exactly,” Flint stumbled out. It was the first time that Lawrence had ever seen Flint even slightly flustered by a question.

“Oh come on, you old dog, they used to call us Pyre and Iyce. We were inseparable you and I! I’ll never forget the time when we were both fifteen that we made it to the final round of that big tournament for new warriors in Forstwood and you said, ‘Drei, I don’t care if I win, I’ll throw the match to you.’ When people found out they sure were sore about that. I’ll never forget how we split the prize money, and the next day after we had both returned to Haile, my mother and father told me that we were moving to Forstwood, permanently. I was so disappointed when I found out that I couldn’t spend time with you anymore. I used to try and sneak out at night, but my father was always one step ahead of me. He would tie a bell to the horses so when I went to let one of them out it would wake him up and he always caught me before I could leave. Flint, do you remember…”

Their conversation continued for a long time with much reminiscing and talk of the future of the lands. Things looked bright for both Forme and Melde, and for the time being, the lands were safe.

***

The sky lit up in a bouquet of purples, yellows, oranges, and reds, like a bundle of the rarest flowers handpicked by the evening sun. It was known by the peoples of Veronicia as a Sunburst Sky, and was one they would not soon forget. The toils and sacrifices that had been made by the people of Forme, and the suffering they had endured, would be recounted in history books for all time.

Galvan and Catherine sat in the center of the Everglen, near a small campfire, enjoying each other’s company. Galvan used his tinderbox to light the fire, since he had lost most of his abilities to conjure any sorcery except for Basic Guidance, which helped guide his way to the Everglen. He understood the sacrifices he had to make in order to save his home, but Galvan wondered if Kastor was really banished forever, or if he could return someday. Jameson sat perched on a nearby log, looking at the sky and taking in the sight. Galvan stared deeply into Catherine’s eyes, eyes which mirrored the sky’s beauty. The two sat there for a long time, happy to be able to rest easy for the time being. With the opening of Broken Wing Pass, Galvan knew it wouldn’t be long before other sorcerers traveled to the Everglen to practice and hone their skills.

***

Lawrence sat on the edge of his bed, dressed in a new evening robe that had been given to him by Mayor Flint as a wedding gift. Lawrence had his head firmly clasped in his hands, as he sat hunched over, thinking about everything that had happened to him since he had become a Knight. It had been several months since he married Elsie, and so many things had happened that it felt like a blur. He hated that he had actually taken the life of another human being. It was something that even all his training couldn’t prepare him for. He thought back to his final battle with Phillip, and the rage that overtook him when he began to hit him.
Did I really have to kill him?
He didn’t know he was even capable of something like that.
If I could kill him, what else am I capable of?

“Lawrence, what’s the matter?” Elsie asked gently. She made her way across the bedroom to her husband.

Lawrence shook back to reality. “What happened to me when I was fighting Phillip? I’m afraid it could happen again. I swore to protect people, not harm them. I’m terrified of what I did to him, of the way I felt. It wasn’t honorable. No man should die like that,” Lawrence said regretfully. “I know he killed my father, and I will never forgive him for that, but maybe I’m no better than he. I lost it. I did whatever I could to end his life. What scares me most is that I actually felt
good
killing him, too good. Elsie, what if I’m not cut out for this?” Lawrence asked, looking to her for reassurance.

“Lawrence…my Lawrence,” Elsie mused. She took his head against her stomach and held him close. “I know you will always do what’s right and what’s just. You are a good man, a great husband, and I know you are going to be a wonderful father. I love you, Lawrence, and nothing is going to change that. Now and forever, I love you.” She ran her hands through his hair.

“Father?” Lawrence looked up to Elsie, unsure of how to respond.

Elsie smiled softly as she knelt down to kiss Lawrence. “Yes, my love, I am with child, our child.”

Lawrence was overcome with emotion at Elsie’s sudden revelation.
A child
?
Our child?
He cried tears of joy as he smiled and hugged Elsie close. But in the back of his mind he knew that this would change their lives, forever.

I wonder if we can change our fate. Or is it all predetermined?

- Philosopher Phillanomis, Early Writings

The Silver Shield was mostly empty inside. The streets of Haile bustled with people still helping to rebuild the city. The cloaked figure rested his pale, wrinkled hand against the black folds of the hood that covered his cheek. He sighed irritably. He tapped his long, pointy fingernails against the table, playing a morbid tune.

“Oh, what’s the matter? Have I spoiled your next move?” the woman teased. “Come now, I’m sure you’ll think of something, you always do.” Her white robe rested gently on her shoulders as she crossed her pale, smooth arms over her bosom. Her golden hair glinted in the faint candlelight. She smiled perfect, pearly-white teeth.

“What say you, my dear, should we continue this at another time and place. I could really go for a breath of fresh air, and maybe a walk to clear my head, and plan my next move. You are quite the crafty player, my dear.”

“Well, I don’t see why not. After all, it feels like we’ve been playing for an eternity anyway. Besides, I could use the exercise. I’ve been letting myself go,” the woman said slyly, pointing at her slender, hourglass figure.

The hooded figure scoffed at her patronizing remarks. The two stood as one and packed their things.

“After you, sir,” she said. She gracefully pulled the door open and motioned for the hooded figure to lead the way.

“Why thank you, young lady,” he replied. He hobbled through the opening.

The two strolled side by side through the streets of Haile and marveled at the citizens who were all busy continuing to restore homes and businesses. They stared at Knights Runn and the pulleys and levers in place to hoist new bricks to fix the broken wall. They walked out of the city and toward the setting sun, toward a new destination.

***

Razzius stood up from where his horse had fallen dead from exhaustion. He looked around and saw nothing but dying grass, dirt, and large tombstones as far as his eyes would take him. The thought of his master’s last order, telling him to leave because he could not defeat Lawrence and Benni, irritated him to no end. It annoyed him to think that the same Knights that were no match for him individually during his training were his equal on the battlefield when they fought together. But he knew that Bloodletter could easily kill either of them with one solid blow. He had never seen such deep wounds and cuts inflicted before, and it was reassuring to him to know that if he ever did land a blow, it would be deadly.

He surveyed the landscape some more and soon a familiar voice echoed in his head. T
hey await you underground, Razziussssss. They ssssseek to bring back the evil one. You will find them in the catacombsssssssss. Go now and find the Cultusss Necrusss.

The order lingered in his mind for a moment. Razzius looked down and saw a massive gravestone etched with the words:
Here lies Ghaston Murrio, betrayer of the lands.

Razzius looked out over the sprawling cemetery and replied in a sinister voice, “Yes, Master.”

To Be Continued…

In order to truly record every single person, place or thing that in some way, shape, or form had an impact on this story it would most likely take me a year of sitting at my computer and doing nothing but typing. I do not have the ability, or the desire, to tackle that feat. I do, however, want to thank some people who were very instrumental in helping with this project.

The first person I wish to thank is Adam Hopfensperger. Without your mentioning of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I would never have written the story that inspired this literary creation, and would not be releasing my first novel. Thank you.

Second, I want to thank Isaiah Noll. Without your commitment to the project and its many different pieces of art, I would not have a cover for my book because I have zero artistic ability whatsoever. I appreciate every moment that you dedicated to
The Trinity of Heroes
. Thank you!

Third, I need to thank Mervin M. Mason. You have been the best uncle I could ever ask for, and your constant support and love has helped me realize many of my dreams. I still remember your D&D character, the female Paladin, Sunblaze. I’ll never forget the time that Merlin (my mage character) and she quaffed brews at the pub! It was things like this and other games that you played with Jared and me that would inspire me to eventually create this piece. Thank you for your love and for playing all those fantasy games with us!

Fourth, I want to thank Peter Cardinal. The man, the myth, the legend! What else can I say about one of the few people who were willing to read my story and take their own personal time to edit and comment on its contents? Your witty and excellent comments helped us improve and complete this novel. I appreciate every single second that you spent ripping this story apart and helping us rebuild it.

Fifth, I wish to thank Angela Truskowski. I appreciate you giving my story a chance and taking your own personal time to read through and make many grammar, spelling, and structure corrections. Your attention to detail was incredible. I had no idea how you would respond to my creation, and I am forever grateful for your input. You are truly one of the most talented editors on the planet.

Sixth, I wish to thank Colin McCambridge. In all truth this story would never have been finished without your honest input and criticism. I remember sitting down one night early on in the development of
I Will Protect You
and basically running through my entire story with you. Your responses to it were less than positive, and it was that conversation that we had that night that would prompt Jared to join me on the project. Thank you, Colin, for pointing me in the right direction and for giving my story the spark that it desperately needed.

Seventh, I need to thank my aunt Barb. She provided numerous grammar, spelling, and word choice corrections. Aunt Barb, I love you and appreciate the time you spent working your way through my story. I realize how different this kind of story must have been for you, and appreciate you stepping out of your comfort zone to help Jared and me!

My mother and father have been a very important influence in my life. They have always nurtured my creativity and pushed me to explore it to its limits. Mother, thank you for being so active with our initial drafting of
I Will Protect You
, and for giving us advice about character voice and the concept of “would they actually say that?” It’s always nice to have your family’s support while writing a novel and even more important when writing a multi-book series. Father, thank you for always letting me bounce ideas off of you, and I appreciate you always being honest with me. I know if anyone is a good indicator of whether or not something makes sense it’s you, and I can always count on you to let me know how you feel. Thank you both so much for your love and support! It has meant the world to me!

To videogames like
Resident Evil
, the entire
Panzer Dragoon
series, the first two
Dead Space
games and
Tales of Vesperia
, thank you for being so good. In my early years I grew up with games like
Resident Evil
and
Mortal Kombat
and I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, I can’t wait for the next one!” Games like these inspired me to be creative.

Thank you to my brother Jared D. Mason Jr. I have always been a little “different” and never quite fit in with everyone. I appreciate you always including me and making me feel like a part of the group. It has been an absolute pleasure creating this world and the characters that inhabit it with your help. I remember when
I Will Protect You
was just simply “one big battle,” and since you came on board with the project it has grown to so much more. Without you I would not be able to call myself an author. It was your constant asking of the question, “Will that really work in the world that we have created?” that helped me build the world of Veronicia to where it is now.

Finally, I want to thank you, the reader.
I Will Protect You
is a concept over a year in the making, and while many concepts came before it, I firmly believe that what Jared and I have written is an interesting tale of brotherhood, love and devotion. I hope you have enjoyed this first book, and I would like to personally welcome you to the lands of Veronicia. Thank you for reading!