The Chronicles of Kelor: Book One; The Boy Alpha

Chapter 23

As the sun rose over the mountains, I emerged from my hut, feeling the cool morning breeze and warm sunlight. The quiet and beautiful moment tempted me to take a stroll around the village, but before I could indulge me-self, Ragnar came running towards me.

"What’s wrong?" I asked.

“I got word from the Nightwatch before the sun came up. They’ve been hearing strange sounds all night. They say it sounded like shriekers but every now and then, they would hear a howl. I was going to come and get ya after I finished setting up the defences, but Tumak insisted I call you now.”

“Where’s he now?”

“At the gate.”

We quickly walked to the gate and found Tumak with a few Vikings. “I don’t remember ya being an early bird Tumak,” I said once I got close to him.

“I couldn’t go back to sleep once the howling and shrieking started. So, I came to help with the defenses.”

“And what were you planning to do after that?”

“Create a scouting party.”

“Scouting Party!?”

“Ay. It could be one of your kelorian friends out there, ya never know.”

He’s not wrong, but then again, why would one of me friends be out here. We all just got home a day ago. “Alright then. Let’s go.”

“I haven’t formed the party yet.”

“Tumak and Ragnar, ya’re with me. The rest of ya will remain here and alert the village.”

“I don’t think three Vikings will be enough.” Tumak protested.

“It’s only a scouting party. We don’t need many people. And besides, we only have three horses.”

 We followed the sounds to a valley and thought it best to leave our horses at its edge. Walking a little further off, I signalled my men to lie low in the grass and use the trees’ shadows for cover, as we peered into the valley beneath us for any signs of life.

“Over there,” Ragnar whispered, pointing to the south. “I saw something climbing up the mountain side.”

He started to move in that direction, but I yanked him back and whispered, “For now, we watch and wait.”

I had barely finished speaking when the creature that Ragnar was talking about, began to move in our direction.

“The shrieker has seen us.” Tumak said.

“There’s no way it’s seen us. We’re completely in shadow.”

“Smelt us then?”

“Get a hold of ya’self lad. We’re down wind and I don’t think that thing is a shrieker. Look, it’s using the shadows just like we are. Shriekers aren’t that smart.”

“Speaking of shriekers, I don’t hear any and I don’t see any.”

Tumak was about to speak when the creature stepped on some loose rocks and sent them tumbling down into the valley below. The echoes grew louder and louder the further the stones fell. We froze and held our breath, and it looked like the creature did the same. For a moment it seemed like everything will be fine. The creature begun to move again when suddenly, the shrieks begun and the entire mountain side was full of shriekers scampering and stumbling towards the creature.

“We better go.” Said Tumak

He and Ragnar started to crawl away but before I could join them, I saw him. In that moment of despair, the creature climbed as quickly as he could and by doing so he came into the light.

“Wait! We need to help him. We need to help Deven!”

**********

Monica and I arrived at sunset in the capital of the human kingdom and were led to Queen Verona who, apparently, had been waiting a long time for reinforcements.

“It’s about time,” she said once we entered her throne room.

“Greetings, your majesty. I-”

“Spare me the pleasantries. I have been waiting for two days! Care to explain why you kept me waiting?”

“I was-”

“We share a border, do we not?”

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Then why did you take so long, young prince?”

I will tell you if you would let me speak. “Your majesty, I was attending the Fairy Queen’s coronation.”

“If you were so busy, why didn’t your father send the other young prince, Rurik?”

“My brother is tied up with the Elves at the moment.”

“Excuses. That is all I get from your kind. We wouldn’t be in this mess if you had done your part perfectly.”

How quickly she forgets that she played a part in hindering our progress and ability to play our role effectively.

“In any case, your majesty, we are here now. We will do what we can to ensure the safety of your city.”

“For both our sakes, I pray you’ll do it perfectly. That will be all.” With a wave of her hand she dismisses us but as we turn to leave she says, “Wait! I need to speak to my kind. Monica, remain.”

Monica and I shared a quick puzzled glance before I turned to the Queen, bowed and walked away. I decided to use the little sunlight that was left, to check the city’s defences.

It was well after sunset when I arrived in my room. The Captain of the City Guard was kind enough to escort me around the city, before showing me to my room. I find it strange that most humans are kind and gentle despite having a queen who seems to have no patience nor remorse for any creature in Kelor. I then remembered how the Queen wanted Monica to remain behind.

It mustn’t be easy dealing with a ruler like Verona.

Just then I heard a knock on the door. I was hoping to see Monica at the door, but it wasn’t her. A servant stood there with a loud beating heart. At first, I thought he was frightened of me but then I noticed he was panting.

“Sir,” he said. “The captain is calling for you.”

“Why what’s the matter?”

“A wave of shriekers has been spotted near the southern wall.”

“Lead the way.” Shutting my door, I followed the servant into the dark silent night. Little did I know that I was witnessing the silence before the storm.