Read Online The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) by Jeffrey L. Kohanek - Free Book Online
Authors: Jeffrey L. Kohanek
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passed over the falls and the wagon rolled on into the night.
CHAPTER 13
The fire crackled, sending occasional sparks floating toward the starry sky. The air was cool in the high mountain pass, but the fire wasn ’ t large enough to provide much heat. Armed with heavy cloaks and blankets, it wasn ’ t necessary anyway. Hank said that he built the fire out of habit, stating that he liked to stare into the flames and talk after a day on the road.
Blue veins of glow-stone in the cliff walls illuminated the alcove, giving an eerie feeling to the night. The tall cliffs surrounded them, leaving only the south side open where the road passed just beyond. At the far side of the road was a steep drop to the river far below.
When they first pulled into the alcove, Hank had tended to the horses while the three boys went in search of scrub they could burn. After lighting the fire, the four broke out trail rations and ate while they got to know each other.
Once Ren had become familiar with Brock and Tipper, he rarely stopped talking. The exuberant flow of words finally ended when his eyes lit up and he suggested that Hank tell a story. After some resistance, Hank relented to Ren ’ s pleading. The three boys now listened in silence, hanging on every word.
Hank poked at the embers again, sending another wave of sparks into the sky as he continued his tale.
“ And so, the horrible might of the Banished Horde swept over the lands, destroying everything in their wake. Cities were crushed, crops burned, and the individual armies of each nation they faced were easily defeated. Like a swarm of locusts in a field, they devoured everything in their path. ” Hank ’ s arm swept before him in a flourish. “ The Horde was relentless and unforgiving as they killed any man, woman, or child they found. Their hearts were so dark and twisted that they even ate many of their victims. ”
Hank glared menacingly. In the red light of the fire, the image was effective. After a brief pause, he continued.
“ The Banished Horde crushed one city at a time until a whole country was destroyed and then moved on to the next. None could stand against the might of the Horde, or so it seemed. In mere months, the eastern half of the continent was lost, and it appeared that all of mankind would fall victim to this plague. ”
Hank took a breath and resumed. “ The Ministry sent a call out to the rulers of the western kingdoms, the King of Kantaria among them. The rulers and their armies gathered in a desperate attempt to stop the wave of destruction. It had become apparent that this fight was not about any one kingdom or people, but instead was about all people. They had to act fast or face extinction. ”
Again, Hank paused, his eyes reflecting the orange of the flames. “ Those rulers met and formed an alliance, the first inkling of a unified Empire. Under this alliance, they would work as one and would meet the Banished Horde on a field of their choosing. They would defeat the Horde or die trying. ”
Hank stood and raised his arms. “ Three months after the Horde had first appeared, the united Armies of Issal rode forward to meet the Horde on the Tantarri Plains. When the battle was finished, the Armies of Issal were victorious. The Banished Horde was defeated, and humanity survived. The lands east of the Skyspike Mountains had been destroyed, but they would heal over time. ” He reclaimed his seat on the rock. “ Nobody knows how the Armies of Issal were able to defeat the might of the Horde, who had ravaged all prior to that battle. Perhaps it was the will of Issal himself, for that ’ s what the Ministry tells us. However, events from history become clouded by legend as the years pass, and this war occurred two hundred years ago. The only truths we know for certain are that mankind survived, the Empire thrives, and the Horde is nowhere to be found. ”
Hank quieted, stirring the fire again.
Like most, Brock had heard this story
CHAPTER 13
The fire crackled, sending occasional sparks floating toward the starry sky. The air was cool in the high mountain pass, but the fire wasn ’ t large enough to provide much heat. Armed with heavy cloaks and blankets, it wasn ’ t necessary anyway. Hank said that he built the fire out of habit, stating that he liked to stare into the flames and talk after a day on the road.
Blue veins of glow-stone in the cliff walls illuminated the alcove, giving an eerie feeling to the night. The tall cliffs surrounded them, leaving only the south side open where the road passed just beyond. At the far side of the road was a steep drop to the river far below.
When they first pulled into the alcove, Hank had tended to the horses while the three boys went in search of scrub they could burn. After lighting the fire, the four broke out trail rations and ate while they got to know each other.
Once Ren had become familiar with Brock and Tipper, he rarely stopped talking. The exuberant flow of words finally ended when his eyes lit up and he suggested that Hank tell a story. After some resistance, Hank relented to Ren ’ s pleading. The three boys now listened in silence, hanging on every word.
Hank poked at the embers again, sending another wave of sparks into the sky as he continued his tale.
“ And so, the horrible might of the Banished Horde swept over the lands, destroying everything in their wake. Cities were crushed, crops burned, and the individual armies of each nation they faced were easily defeated. Like a swarm of locusts in a field, they devoured everything in their path. ” Hank ’ s arm swept before him in a flourish. “ The Horde was relentless and unforgiving as they killed any man, woman, or child they found. Their hearts were so dark and twisted that they even ate many of their victims. ”
Hank glared menacingly. In the red light of the fire, the image was effective. After a brief pause, he continued.
“ The Banished Horde crushed one city at a time until a whole country was destroyed and then moved on to the next. None could stand against the might of the Horde, or so it seemed. In mere months, the eastern half of the continent was lost, and it appeared that all of mankind would fall victim to this plague. ”
Hank took a breath and resumed. “ The Ministry sent a call out to the rulers of the western kingdoms, the King of Kantaria among them. The rulers and their armies gathered in a desperate attempt to stop the wave of destruction. It had become apparent that this fight was not about any one kingdom or people, but instead was about all people. They had to act fast or face extinction. ”
Again, Hank paused, his eyes reflecting the orange of the flames. “ Those rulers met and formed an alliance, the first inkling of a unified Empire. Under this alliance, they would work as one and would meet the Banished Horde on a field of their choosing. They would defeat the Horde or die trying. ”
Hank stood and raised his arms. “ Three months after the Horde had first appeared, the united Armies of Issal rode forward to meet the Horde on the Tantarri Plains. When the battle was finished, the Armies of Issal were victorious. The Banished Horde was defeated, and humanity survived. The lands east of the Skyspike Mountains had been destroyed, but they would heal over time. ” He reclaimed his seat on the rock. “ Nobody knows how the Armies of Issal were able to defeat the might of the Horde, who had ravaged all prior to that battle. Perhaps it was the will of Issal himself, for that ’ s what the Ministry tells us. However, events from history become clouded by legend as the years pass, and this war occurred two hundred years ago. The only truths we know for certain are that mankind survived, the Empire thrives, and the Horde is nowhere to be found. ”
Hank quieted, stirring the fire again.
Like most, Brock had heard this story
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