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Silent Watcher
Silent Watcher
Silent Watcher
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Silent Watcher

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Book two of The Crystal Point Legacy continues with the company on the run as they flee the two massive black armies surging up from the Great Southern Wastelands. Having seen their lands brutally savaged by the raw power and magic of the dark wizards who are bent on the total destruction of the races of men, four lone figures struggle to evade capture. Three small Sheimas and an outsider to their world are embroiled in a quest to deliver the one talisman that possesses the magic to prevent annihilation. Their journey has been short but arduous and their company is no longer whole. Death lingers for the outsider and their quest teeters in the balance as they find themselves trapped within the Barrier Forest. They desperately need help and the one place they can look is forbidden to all; the lands of Weredor and the hand of the Outcast.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherRobert Thomas
Release dateSep 25, 2012
ISBN9781301866304
Silent Watcher
Author

Robert Thomas

I welcome all to my world of writing and authorship. I am a husband, father and grandfather and I have been writing for many years and have published several fantasy works available through most major ebook retailers. I have tried to give the tales a feeling of place and circumstances that, although fiction, all readers who enjoy fantasy can relate to. In the past three years I have veered from the fantasy genre that started me down my writing path, with the release of The Home World Series. It currently contains three books, Star Eagle Six, Ghost Fleet, and Battle Wagon. It is a rip-roaring space opera that romps across the galaxy. The Last Elf Prophecy series stands at two books with the release of Decimation of Allingaard. It begins where book one, Sands of Nevertime ends. The series takes the reader through a world of discovery as an aging wizard tries to fulfill his life's dream; revive a long-lost world of elves.The third book of the series is being written; Awakening of Lillestrom. Look for it in the coming year. Also look for my trilogy; The Crystal Point Legacy: The Dream Valley, Silent Watcher and Death of Kings. If you are a fan of short stories, I have partnered with a group of authors on three anthologies: End of the Road, The Kiss, and The Bitten. Look for my works in those as well. I also welcome all to follow along with my blog, Ramblings of a 50 year old man; http://rambling50.blogspot.com. It is just my thoughts on life as I journey along to the fateful end. I also have a blog, http://sheimas.blogspot.com which is an on-going, first-person prequel to The Crystal Point Legacy. I hope you join me in my writing as we discover new worlds together.

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    Book preview

    Silent Watcher - Robert Thomas

    Dedication

    To my brothers and sister

    We are a family

    Acknowledgments

    To my brother Donald who lent his time and talents to

    edit and proof this and other works

    Silent Watcher © 2012 Robert Thomas

    Smashwords edition

    All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means without the express written permission of the author or his representatives

    Silent Watcher

    by Robert Thomas

    Book two of

    The Crystal Point Legacy

    Preface

    In times long past the three valleys of the Chrystum were the peaceful retreat to a world in chaos. The peoples within ignored the outside world and the races of men and their kind. But that has now changed and what once was is no longer. The world of the Sheimas has fallen to invasion and war. With their land pillaged, their homes ransacked and their fields in flames, the fate of the Chrystum now resides in the hands of two young Sheimas and an old adventurer.

    Caught up in events they know nothing about their path becomes perilous as an outsider, a stranger in man-form leads them on a journey across the length and breadth of their valleys. His quest has been a life-long journey, one that holds the fate of the northern lands within its boughs. They search for a talisman long ago abandoned by the race of men. Its place lies only in legends and half-truths, ghost stories and tales told around the fire. Now their lives are embedded in those tales...

    ...and things have not gone as planned.

    Chapter One

    To Weredor

    Even with the grave wounds to the Searcher they knew they could not journey again this night. All the members of the company were exhausted, sore and beaten. They walked for a short time and made camp deep in the bowels of the forest. They would take their turns at watch, for this day, the great Eisldor could not stand the watch by himself. His journey had been long and arduous and he needed sleep. It was decided Reylor would stand the first watch, then Seika, Chimol and Mr. Clancy. They would protect Eisldor tonight.

    Reylor took his turn in the darkness as no fire would be lit. They could not take the chance. Still, even at this distance they could see the outline of the glow in the woods though they were several miles away. The clouds closed in on the night sky covering the light from the heavens further deepening the blackness that surrounded them.

    Seika could not sleep. After just a few minutes he made his way over to Reylor. He had questions for this man and they had to be asked now. Tomorrow might be too late. Seika took his seat across from this new member of the company and was silent for a time.

    You have something to ask of me, wizard. Seika looked up at Reylor, a statement, not a question, he realized.

    If you do not mind, Reylor.

    I can see no harm. Ask what you will and I will answer what I think appropriate. Nothing else can I promise you.

    Indeed, in these times that is all I could expect. The edge Seika had been feeling toward this man began to subside. He was more at ease now than at first. What brings you here, Reylor?

    As I have said earlier, I am looking for the Searcher. The feeling of ease was not the same for Reylor. He was not accustomed to being questioned by anyone, let alone one he did not know.

    Why do you seek him? For what purpose?

    Let it be known to you now Seika, the only reason I answer your questions is the trust I know from the past with Clancy, and for no other reason. I believe you to be part of this adventure, but I do not know you.

    I could answer the same, Reylor. I do not know you. This is why I have questions. Our journey has not been an easy one. Death has been at nearly every turn.

    I accept your reasons Seika, and I understand them well. I have been sent by my lord to find him, or to learn what may have happened to him. He is long overdue. He has not answered his summons, if that summons was made known to him.

    It was known to him, this much I do know.

    Then why has he not heeded it?

    He has been unable. Until now he has been our protector, and for his own reasons, has remained with us.

    I see. You four have formed a company. It could be the only answer. You must offer him a great deal for him to linger so long.

    Perhaps. Even with all his knowledge, he is a stranger in these lands, and we three are not. There is no one in all the valleys save for Mr. Clancy that knows them as well as I.

    That in itself is a very good reason.

    Seika caught himself smiling at the reply. He choked it back. He needed a clear head in dealing with this man.

    What brings you here to the Barrier Forest just in time to be of service to us? Seika knew Reylor's answer might tell him what he wanted to know. He listened closely, his eyes locked on the face of the stranger.

    It is by mere accident we meet in these woods, the Barrier Forest as you call them. A well-chosen name, I might add. I came to the end of the flatlands just a day past. There was a rumbling in the north of black creatures and other evils coming through these valleys. My best hope would be to avoid them as long as it would be possible until news of Dwylar could be gathered. Then I would strike out for him. I myself was ready to make camp when I came across a battle in the woods. Clancy had already disposed of one of them and was faltering, though I did not know it was him at the time.

    Then why did you help?

    Any creature fighting one of the black ones or their allies is in need of my service. It has also been commanded by my King. Anyone, be they ally or no is to be helped when dealing with the vile things. I had just finished battle with one myself, though I am not sure what it was that I fought. It was not just a black creature, nor was it a Krulgan. I have never seen the like before, as large as I and as strong. With luck I was able to defeat him. Only minutes later did I stumble across Clancy and helped in his effort. This is how I happen to be here.

    For reasons of my own, I will believe your story. What would you ask of me?

    The night passed as Reylor asked of their journey and what they had seen of the black army. Reylor's eyes lit with a fury on hearing the size of the coming force and that another was to the rear only days behind. Seika told the tale of their journey in full as the time slipped by. Some of the details were omitted, but those seemed unimportant now. A full turn had passed by the time Seika had finished his recount. It would soon be time for his own watch.

    Long have you been awake this day, and you must be tired. I will stand one turn longer that you may get your sleep.

    Seika rose and thanked him for the extra time. Sleep was beginning to call heavily to him. Reylor also stood, tall and powerful over the smaller woodsman. Seika reached out with his arm as a gesture of openness to his guard. Reylor in turn, reached forward with his right and the two locked arms, Reylor's massive hand around the small cloak of sleeve, Seika's halfway around the cold, hard metal along Reylor’s forearm. Seika thanked him for his honesty and returned to where the others slept. He would keep his doubts to himself until he was sure. Only Dwylar held the true answer. If he were wrong, nothing would be harmed. He lay down and what seemed only moments later, Reylor raised him for his turn.

    They had been lucky to this point since most of the other nights along this enduring journey had been relatively peaceful. It was not to be so this evening. Twice they were forced to move their camp to evade scouting parties. Reylor had been surprised; the black creatures were normally not so persistent or thorough in their methods. Something had changed with them; something was very wrong.

    Reylor guided them deftly in their evasion of the patrols; their runs were short and well executed. It was evident to Seika that Reylor was a skilled woodsman. Queer he thought for a chief of palace guards to be so skilled in the outlands. After several turns they were able to settle in for the night, though it would be a short one.

    Chimol took the last watch. The sun would be up shortly and they would begin again though Chimol had no idea where this day would take them. He thought about the terrain and where they might be. He knew, he thought, where they were according to the Upper Valley. What path would they take and where would it lead them? Weredor. Where could it be? He had no idea. The word itself seemed to send a shiver down his spine. His imagination was beginning to run wild. His thoughts drifted back to tales he had only heard of in his youth imagining all sorts of strange creatures and things he could only bring to life in his mind. He shook off these thoughts; he had a job to do. He snapped out of his trance and looked about.

    The morning was here, day breaking quickly over the horizon far off in the distant reaches of the Far Wilderness. Orange flame streaked across the dull, gray sky fighting back the blackness of the night's shadow. They would have to be moving soon. Chimol raised them from their sleep and quickly had a breakfast cooking. The fire he thought, would not give out much light as the day rolled in. It would be worth the risk and a hearty breakfast would do them all a world of good. One travels better on a full stomach than on one that growls with hunger, he had told them. They were grateful and the meal was quickly finished and though Chimol was not as fine a cook as Mr. Clancy or Seika, no one seemed to notice.

    Their plans were set forth and their journey soon began. Reylor and Mr. Clancy took the lead with Chimol again acting as the rear guard. Eisldor would scout ahead and bring them news of scouts or patrols as they moved toward the edges of the forest. He would be free to roam while the others would take turns caring for the wounded snow-hawk. Their pace would not be as fast as with Eisldor running at full speed but the ride would certainly be more comfortable.

    They would make their way for the eastern side of the forest and hope to come out above the Upper Valley at the western breach of Shallows Reach. There would come their greatest challenge on this leg. Shallows Reach was a wide, open tract of grassy lands that curved south around the Barrier Forest, a passage that connected the Flatlands with those of the Far Wilderness. The far side of the Reach was where they intended to escape, the foothills of the Badir Mountains and the stronghold of Weredor, the place of Shirim. Here lay the only hope for the wounded Dwylar, and the quest.

    As a forward scout Eisldor was unmatched. He could cover ground as no other, his powerful frame gliding through the tangled woodlands far ahead of the others. With him their pace was far quicker than even Reylor would have believed. Within a turn after sunup they had reached the deepest parts of the forest. It was a far different place here than anywhere else along the barrier. The canopy was high and solid letting little light fall cleanly to the forest floor. The trees were close and bunched together making travel difficult. The tangle of underbrush and the knitting of the tree roots created walls of living bark which would guide them away from their intended direction. Each turn seemed to be the one they did not want to take, always seeming to lead them away from their intended path. Reylor constantly had to make corrections in their course to drive them back to the path that would be the most direct. The constant weaving was consuming valuable time though the light would not be a problem for some time. Even here in the light of day the woods were dark and somber as a twilight that never faded until night came to reach down and snatch it away. At this rate they would not make the edge of the forest until well after dark. It would be as a double-edged sword. The night would serve them well to cross the openness of Shallows Reach but they would be tired and shredded by the battle with the woodlands.

    At what they thought might be noon they took time to settle in for a quick meal. They were tired and hungry. The relentless winding back and forth wore heavily on their spirits. It is hard for men and their kind when pressed on by higher matters to struggle and fall with what seemed trivial trials. But the winding course of the Barrier Forest had taken its toll on them all. It seemed the harder they raced through the winding paths the more complex they became. On and on they strode with each step taking more and more from them. They could take no more and lunch was called.

    Their break was short for they could not afford to stay in one place too long. Even in these woods as thick and tangled as they were, they would not be safe. Seika sat alone with his thoughts as the others gathered to discuss their course. Something was not right here. He had never known these woods to be so queer in their behavior. Perhaps it had something to do with the strange glow the night before. No, he shoved that thought out of his mind. That he thought was a work of evil, the evil that had penetrated his homeland. Still, there was something wrong here, something he could not quite place.

    The company again took up the charge through the woods. The Barrier Forest. The name alone was trying to tell him something. How did the name come to be, he wondered? The Barrier Forest, the Dream Valley. There was a connection there; he just had to figure it out. They moved along with a savage speed. Reylor drove them on relentlessly winding back and forth seemingly cutting across paths they had already crossed. The day was slipping by and they had not traveled forward except a few short miles. They again stopped for a short rest as the light was beginning to fade. They would not make the edge of the forest this day and Dwylar was growing worse.

    They were again ready to move. Reylor rose to his feet and staggered, nearly falling to his knees. He was tired, more, he was frustrated by their lack of success. He knew he was a skilled woodsman, skilled more than most and certainly more than a match for his fellow travelers. Still, they had kept up with his every step.

    Clancy.

    Clancy turned and looked to his old friend, a boy when they had first met, though he was more than glad to have him here with them.

    What is he doing? Seika, there by that tree.

    Both looked to the lone figure standing between two, tall trees, his eyes closed, a peaceful look washed across his face. Chimol was quick to join the others. He too stood looking at Seika in his trance. Then, Seika calmly strode forward, his pace slow at first then gradually picking up speed yet still quite leisurely. The others closed in behind him so as not to lose him in the gathering twilight.

    They walked just a few minutes when Mr. Clancy suddenly realized they were traveling in a straight line. It was still a mystery to him when a smile spread wide across his face. He looked at Reylor, then Chimol. He needed to test his idea. Clancy darted out quickly in front of the others, well in advance of Seika when the trees suddenly closed in around him, barring his path ahead. He let the others catch up. Seika strode by, the trees opening up before him as they seemed to move to get out of his way. Again Clancy raced forward and again the woods closed in quickly. Seika passed by them as if they were not even there. Seika had found the secret, long lost about the Barrier Forest. Even with the night beginning to take hold of the lands, they passed along quietly between the towering entities, rarely adjusting the course Seika walked.

    Chimol was so taken with this new discovery he gave up his position on the rear just so he could see the trees part from his path. The new sense of wonderment eased and was finally replaced with urgency. The time for Dwylar was growing short and they could not afford to waste precious moments. Time was now their greatest enemy. On occasion the pace would become too great and the army of the woods would begin to close about them again. Each time they recognized it for what it was and slowed, the trees opening up before them.

    Reylor noted possibly another benefit. Since early in the day they had not seen any trace of the black creatures or the strange figure that had attacked him the night before. If they had not discovered the secret of the woods, they too would be locked up in the entanglement of these magic trees. The slow pace they took actually was putting more distance between them and the valley than their earlier pace had done.

    They traveled on for several turns as the light drifted overhead and was soon lost behind the western rim of the world. Darkness again had come to the east and the lands before them. The company stopped for supper at last light, fully renewing their strength. With the light now gone completely they had no reference of time or of how far they had traveled. Distance became nothing more than the next step in front and the last tree they had passed. Even the great wolf kept to their pace. Though the darkness hindered him little, it seemed useless to wander off ahead as he too was grateful for the resting pace.

    Without warning the towering woods opened up before them into an expanse of open plain of sweet smelling grass and wildflowers. At last they had come to the edge of the Barrier Forest and their cover. All that lay before them was an open tract of land which offered no cover save the darkness which encircled them in the night airs. The sky was as clear as a sparkling spring, the lights of the night shimmering as the sun off blue waters. It was as beautiful a night as any they had seen.

    Clancy and Reylor believed it to be at least midnight and the start of a new day. Perhaps this one would be more kind to them than the last. A short break was taken, perhaps a half turn as they oriented themselves to the lands before them.

    The woodline fell away on either side and ran for as far as they could see. If Dwylar were well he would be able to pinpoint their position exactly, but that was not the case. Clancy nevertheless believed they had come out exactly where they had originally wanted to, at the very easternmost point of the forest. How they had managed this he was not sure though he was very glad for their seeming good fortune.

    They were quite possibly near the narrowest point of the breach between the forest and the Badir Mountains. Actually the Reach varied little in its width at any given point though any step less would be most welcome. They started out only paces apart. They could ill afford for anyone to be lost in the darkness. The lost would have to be abandoned. Dwylar was their most pressing concern. He would not live long. Eisldor covered the ground ahead and behind. With his great strength renewed he was able to act as both scout and rear guard and would help keep anyone from straying.

    It would be a long walk in the darkness though they could return to a pace which would enable them to cover a great deal more ground in a short time. By his best guess, Clancy believed they would not finish the crossing until daybreak. They would travel as quickly as they could and hope it would be fast enough. Once they breached the Badir Mountains it would not take long for them to be discovered. Eisldor if need be, could spirit away the great bird and journey on his own into the lair of Weredor. It stood to reason, at least to Clancy, if this was his original destination Eisldor may have a special way of breaching the spells of the stronghold. If all else failed he could at least hope for that.

    The darkness would help them covering any sign of their exit from the forest. They had been careful not to leave traces and were relieved to discover how flat the land was. The paths over the last week had been rough and strewn with every danger nature could throw at them. Now, in the pristine light of the stars overhead they were finally able to travel with relative ease.

    The plain was level save for the gently rolling slopes that are prevalent in any meadow. They moved forward quickly with the lands of the Barrier Forest falling fast from sight and the blanket of night closed about them sealing them off from the rest of the world. Now and then Eisldor could be heard making a return visit to check on them. He slipped in and out often, keeping a close eye on the company. The black creatures had excellent sight at night and the presence of a wandering wolf might keep them at a fair distance.

    They journeyed for several turns at a near breakneck pace as Reylor took the lead and drove them on. The small steps of the Sheimas were no match for his loping stride. Chimol at times felt as if he were running to keep up with the others. Finally he could run no more and asked for a short respite. Reluctantly Reylor agreed, though the rest was brief. He had barely shaken off the weariness in his limbs when they were off again.

    The clouds drew together closing off the light from the heavens as a low ceiling now gathered above them. The sky seemed to slowly fall to just above their heads with the airs beginning to coolly roll across the landscape. In half-a-turn a shroud enveloped them, five lonely figures cutting their way through a dense, black fog. Reylor slowed the pace as the thick airs cut into

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