The Slayarians - Book One by JM Barnes (pdf to ebook reader .txt) 📖

it. It died silently as it struck the earth. An elven holler of victory inspired Galen to raise his blade over his head in celebration. He knew that if the sword was not enchanted it would never have cleft through the limb. Galen then looked to Darkon to share a congratulatory cheer but the grim Demonslayer was astride his horse and prepared to continue on their way.
Prince and elf lord exchanged glances as Darkon merely said, “Let’s go, night will arrive soon and I don’t want to be near any carcasses.”
Shrugging to one another the two fell in line behind his steed and continued on.
It was well into evening when the trio finally camped inside a small wooded copse surrounded by tall, grassy fields. A village was nearby but it didn’t even boast an inn so they moved past it. Few words had been said since the earlier battle and the three silently watched the campfire. It was Graton who broke the reverie as he signaled to the others that he had heard something or someone approaching. Neither human had heard anything but they had come to trust elven senses. As they all stood, weapons at the ready, a voice called from beyond the firelight.
“Greetings, Griffon lord! I had not expected to see one of your family so far from the retreats.” Slowly stepping into the firelight was an elf with black hair that had striking golden streaks running through it. He wore a long, heavy leather coat that hung just below his knees. Upon the lapel were strange runes that were also evident upon the cuffs.
“I am Tam Geminilanthis and my companion is Ralac.” With that introduction the elf gestured toward the three and they exchanged confused glances as he said, “Behind you.”
In unison they turned to look behind them and sitting in the very seat Galen had vacated and turning the spit he had just placed over the fire was a one eyed, slender young man garbed in black leather armor. The young man showed no expression as he nodded once. Graton knew then that he had heard the strangers only because they wished it. He smiled then and stepped toward Tam holding his arm out in the elven gesture of greetings. Gemini thrust forth his own arm and they fervently clasped grips.
“Come, sit by our flame! I am Graton and my companions are Prince Galen of Genossia and Darkon Demonslayer.”
The two human warriors looked relieved and nodded their own greetings to the mysterious looking elf. As the two elves sat by the fire Galen sat beside the silent Ralac and began preparing another spit for the second rabbit they would share with these strangers. Darkon merely looked on, staring from Gemini to Ralac and back again as if a question was poised upon his tongue.
Finally he asked, “Have we crossed paths before?”
“Doubt it.” Ralac answered.
Darkon nodded and focused his attention on the conversation between the elves. Gemini spoke of his respect for the Griffon lords and Graton replied, “Your own name is well known among elven mages everywhere. Your accomplishments have set new standards among our people.”
Gemini smiled and replied, “Yes, but my attention now is focused on other types of magic. I have been traveling abroad for many seasons in my search for understanding. I cannot sit idle as our people huddle in the safety of our groves. As, I see, neither can you.”
Graton nodded in solemn agreement and said, “Indeed, you feel as I do but my true purpose away from my home in Ara’moor is to aid my friends.”
Gemini’s eyes lit up at that and looked the two warriors up and down. “Our people’s disdain for human companionship has not swayed you then?”
“No more than it has you, I’m afraid. I have found that not all humans are bad and these two are representative of that.” He answered.
Gemini nodded and said, “I have also discovered this fact. Allow me to tell the tale of my meeting with Ralac and if you would please, return the favor.”
Graton nodded his assent and all present listened closely to the tales told in turn. Soon all five men knew each other much better than before and each learned a new respect for the men sitting next to him. They sat in reflective silence as juicy hunks of rabbit were passed around. Between bites Gemini would ask short questions about aspects of Graton's tale. Most curious to him was the gift of Gaea’s eyes upon Darkon. He yearned to see the Demonslayer’s abilities with his own eyes for it was just those types of rare incarnations he was seeking knowledge about. Once they were done the meal Gemini seemed to relax and even Ralac kept his hand away from his several knives and rested his back against a nearby stump. This seemed to be what Galen was waiting for and he asked if they had seen or heard anything about the coupe in Genossia.
“Ralac and I have come across some guardsmen who must have been employed by this Satar you speak of.” Gemini said.
Ralac reached inside a pouch he wore at his side and revealed a steel chained necklace. “I strangled the mage that accompanied them with this, his own chain. Do you recognize the amulet?”
He then handed the amulet to Galen who seemed to instantly recognize the symbol on its face. A sword clenched in a black fist upon a blood red horizon, throwing it toward Darkon disgustedly Galen cursed the second family and especially Satar.
Ralac continued, “A patrol was harassing a trade caravan and after relieving the merchants of their gold they demanded favors of the women who were with them. Gemini and I followed the patrol to their camp and before they accosted the girls we attacked.”
Darkon looked over the two and asked, “Just the two of you attacked an entire patrol? With a mage no less?”
“No problem.” Ralac answered.
Gemini interrupted, “We abhor the methods used by these vile men and have already decided not to stray far so we can aid good folk when we can.”
Gemini continued, “I hope we are not intruding, Prince Galen, when I ask if we may aid in your quest.”
Galen looked Gemini dead in the eye then and said, “Allies I would appreciate, good elf, but I ask you to consider your decision. We go into a situation where either we succeed or we die. I will ask no one to go to their deaths over what is not their concern.”
Gemini did not answer at first. Instead he looked to Ralac who wore an obvious smirk. The youth had proven himself quite capable and Tam Geminilanthis feared nothing. The two had met their share of obstacles during their recent months together and relished the idea of actually fighting for a larger purpose. Other than mutual defense and the not so occasional rescue they had not completed a purposeful quest. Also, to Ralac this would be a chance to remake his name. He would become hero instead of murderer. Meanwhile Gemini would be able to observe some of the characteristics inherent to Darkon’s gift.
Ralac and Gemini in turn nodded to the other then to Galen and pledged their support. Darkon looked on quietly and wondered if Galen was right in allowing them to join. He wondered who would be next to die because of one of their dangerous quests. Still, he felt relieved for the aid because he knew their chances as a trio to overthrow the throne were slim. Now, with the added skill of an elven mage and deadly assassin he knew their chances had much improved. He then smiled widely, remembering what it was like in his foster home when alliances were made.
Darkon smacked the back of Ralac and loudly exclaimed, “Ho then, let’s drink to the alliance!”
Ralac seemed to hold back an angry retort but realized it was a gesture of friendship by the thick muscled warrior. He decided to return the gesture as best he could. He slapped Darkon in return so quickly across the shoulder the sound seemed to occur out of thin air. Shocked, Darkon looked from his shoulder to Ralac in wonderment. Galen, who shared the look and was standing beside him recovered first and laughed so loudly he frightened a few sleeping birds from their nests. This brought laughter from the elves who were always amused by the human inability to do things quietly. Darkon echoed Galen's booming laughter then, as did Ralac who could not help but join in.

^ ^ ^

Time passed by much more quickly as conversation was expanded due to the added company and seven days went by the wayside. They soon found themselves in the last town before the city, Tarmone`. Galen knew the owners of the local inn called the Barren Wench. The Mironue were a large family. The elder sir and lady had eight children and twenty one grand children and always had some of them at home at the inn.
When they saw Galen enter their door they immediately ushered him into the back rooms. There they pelted the returned prince with question after question. He did reply as best he could but his store of answers was small. The Mironue were a kindly couple but the years had not been kind to them it seemed. Aleema Mironue was nearing sixty winters and she could barely work an entire day in the kitchen due to her aching bones and dizzy spells. Her husband, Dirren, was even worse off. He tended the bar while sitting and still could barely keep up with patron’s orders. They were soon to either sell the inn or hand it down but none of their children seemed overjoyed at the prospect. All of that had been made worse when Satar overthrew the throne. His idea of taxes was to give him everything you had except what you needed to live. Their life savings had been wiped out with one short visit from Satar’s new militia.
Galen was now enraged and would never settle for anything less than the death of Satar. The fact his parents were known to still live gave him some relief though. At least he had a chance to save them even if he wasn’t there for them when the time was most important. He arranged for he and his allies to rest the night in the Barren Wench and all three steeds they had purchased in Havoctown were given to the elder Mironue's for them to sell and perhaps buy back some of their dignity. They would walk the rest of the way to Mastalon. Gemini promised his spells would allow them to enter the city unnoticed under the guise of poor travelers. To be on the safe side he cast his spell on the next day when they left Tarmone`.
The Mironue’s gave them plenty of food and water for their journey explaining they should eat well before battle so they’d have an edge on the malnutritioned idiots Satar installed as his guards. Galen promised them he would return to restore their savings and for aiding the prince as they did they would be made lord and lady Mironue.
Thus they walked an uneventful day through and into the evening. No patrols had been sighted their entire journey which suggested Satar had no great number of soldiers to spare. The next morning they found themselves short one member, for Ralac was gone. By his resting spot sat a short stack of