The Unknown Man: Book 1 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series (28 page)

Through clenched teeth, Jaeden muttered to Matt. “I never intended for my hand to touch her
there
. She shifted as I lifted her onto her mule.”

Matt laughed even harder now, which wasn’t doing much to alleviate Jaeden's mood. When he regained his control he said, “Calm down, Jaeden. We all know you didn’t mean to.” He couldn’t help it and erupted into more laughter. “I don’t think even you would bark up that tree.”

Jaeden rode up closer to Matt and punched him in the arm, which elicited more laughter as Jaeden almost fell out of his own saddle. This went a long way to lighten even Jaeden's mood.

Noticing Matt's raucous laughter, they all turned back. They spotted Jaeden trying to position himself back into his saddle. Tirene could only shake his head as he turned back to Aglina, noticing she laughed as they continued their trek.

Lutheras gazed out a large window peering down to the courtyard, from the room he commandeered in Korloth. He finalized the plans for the next phase of his attack and found a moment for himself. He took a long drink from a large golden goblet. He leaned back, satisfied with himself, and as such, relaxed a bit and opened a bottle of red wine. He kicked his feet up and rested them on the table. Beginning to feel rested for the first time in a long time—as if his plan resumed its normal course—he couldn’t help but smile.

He leaned back in the chair and almost fell over when a voice filled his head.
Hello Lutheras.
He recognized the voice as Dhava’s. The serpent-like hissing voice could only belong to the demented create who serves as Martul’s right-hand man.

What can I help you with, Dhava?
Dhava came from a different world; a species known as the Grahada.

Laughter filled his head and grated on his nerves.
I think you already know the answer to your question. Martul is very displeased with your progress thus far, and wishes to know how you will rectify the situation.

Lutheras stood and stalked around the room.
The situation? I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re referring to. As to our plan, yes I may be a little behind schedule, but we depart for Shakiel tomorrow, and everything will soon be back on target.

So confident you seem, Lutheras. Believe me when I say Shakiel will be more difficult a target than Korloth was. And the situation I’m referring to is the meddling Human Tirene.

Lutheras harrumphed.
He’s nothing but a minor inconvenience. I assure you You can run back to Martul and inform him everything will soon be back on track and he has nothing to fear. He placed his trust in me for a reason, and I will prove to him it wasn’t misplaced.

I hope so for your sake, Lutheras. He doesn’t take failure very well.
Lutheras sighed as the presence left his mind, but after a second he burst back in.
Good luck.
Cackling laughter filled his head.

He turned and walked to the chambers, infuriated with the intrusion and questioning from the Grahada. Two Minotaurs stood watch over his chambers and they acknowledged him as he burst into the hall. He slit both of their throats with streams of energy, and stormed passed them as their blue-green blood pooled on the floor. Anyone he encountered on his way—no matter the race—fell to the same demise. He decided he no longer wished to play games. Too many had failed him and the time to exact vengeance grew closer. He had been too lenient, all too obvious now.
Well, no more!
He thought to himself. It didn’t even matter if his targets were men or women.  A serving woman, farther down the hall saw what transpired in the hallway and uttered a scream that filled the palace. It reached out onto the courtyard outside through the open windows, and commotion erupted there as well. Eldrin stood in the courtyard and made his way to the palace to witness the horrors within firsthand.

Lutheras spotted the woman who yelled instantly. He flung her up into the air where she bounced against a pillar supporting the ceiling. She fell against the pillar with her back, and the sound of bones cracking filled the vaulted space; all life left her eyes as her head slumped forward. Her body fell to the floor in a lump no longer showing any sign of life. Her body lay twisted and contorted, which brought a smile to Lutheras' face.

He killed almost anyone moving inside the main palace hall, as more bodies filed in through the doors. He took up a position about fifteen paces from the entrance and let the anger well up inside of him. He spotted a Minotaur creeping inside. Using his spark, he pulled the creature inside in a rush. It shrieked as it left the ground and flew inside the main hall. Enthusiasm and utter bliss filled Lutheras as the creature tried to fight against him. This is what he had been destined for—what all of his training led to—and he had never been happier.

He flung the Minotaur against the stone wall of the hall with a gut-wrenching smile across his face. He tortured the creature as it clung to the wall, pinned in place. Its screams grew louder as it struggled to hold onto life. Lutheras gathered all of his strength from deep inside his body.

Outside, storm clouds gathered in the sky, which sent the soldiers in the courtyard into a panic. Many of them fled, running with a sense of all-out panic. Eldrin spotted the storm clouds gathering. They were a dark shade of gray mixed with green and they looked menacing. He quickened his pace to reach the palace, knowing only Lutheras could wreak this kind of destruction. He knew he had to confront him and put a stop to his madness.

Lutheras ground his teeth in excitement as he watched the Minotaur struggle. He gathered enough energy to make the beast explode, which would be in a matter of moments now. He focused on the creature, and paid no attention to the gathering storm outside. Lightning rained down from the sky, crackling and striking with such a force, it knocked even old trees over. The lightning seemed to be only the beginning, though, fireballs and large hail stones soon fell from the sky. The fireballs spared no one, reaching the soldiers and lighting them on fire. Many of them wailed as they ran around, trying to relinquish the flames.

Eldrin reached the doors to the palace and the ground trembled beneath his feet. He couldn’t continue and stopped his approach—the need to steady himself on the stone walls of the palace overwhelmed him. He watched soldiers die all around him. He looked to his feet while the rumbling continued to grow; an earthquake tore through the city. The ground cracked open as a wide chasm ripped it apart. Buildings were torn in half and crumbled, collapsing from the disaster ripping the city apart.

Eldrin walked inside the palace and heard the sick laughter of Lutheras down the hall. The ground still shook, making his travel difficult. He rounded the corner and spotted Lutheras torturing a Minotaur he had pinned against the stone wall of the hall. It appeared as though the creature pleaded for a quick end to his life, but Lutheras didn’t accommodate his requests.

Eldrin walked over and stood next to his master. He tried to get his attention, but he seemed too focused on what he unleashed. Lutheras let a laugh escape his tight throat while a white glow exploded from his body. It reached out and entered into the body of the Minotaur, swirling around inside the creature for a moment before ripping the body apart. Chunks of flesh and torn body parts flew through the air, while the blue-green blood created a shower, raining down on the floor of the hall.

Eldrin had a look of astonishment on his face. He stood there gaping at his master, shocked at what he witnessed. He got up the nerve to ask Lutheras if he needed anything. Lutheras cocked his head and turned to face him. Eldrin felt the urge to drop to a knee, so he did, and bowed. “I serve you, my master.”

“Rise Eldrin!” He laughed. “Rise! There is no need to be fearful.”

Eldrin stood up. “What is going on in here? Do you need assistance?”

Lutheras threw back his head and uttered a laugh, sending a chill through all of those surrounding him. “Do I need assistance? No...” He couldn’t continue; the laughter overcame him. “No. I’m afraid I’m alright, my friend. If anything, I feel more alive than I ever have. I’ve been awakened and my eyes are open for the first time in a long time.”

Eldrin wore a confused look upon his face. “What is it then? I heard the scream and fear overwhelmed me.” He glanced to peer out one of the windows. The storms outside subsided. “Did you cause the storms? Over half of our soldiers are dead. I don’t understand the point of their deaths.” He bent to peer behind Lutheras. He marveled at the heap of bodies in the hall. “Did you do this?” He already knew the answer to the question, but he asked it anyway.

A smile crept from the corners of Lutheras’ mouth and his eyes cast an evil glow from beneath the hood of his cloak. “Did I do this? Of course I did. Could anyone else be responsible for so much carnage?” He turned his head and looked at the pile of the deceased before returning his gaze to Eldrin. “Why, I’m doing what I should’ve done when I first entered this forsaken hell hole.” He motioned for Eldrin to lean in closer, which he did of course, and wrapped his arm around the Elf's neck and head so he could whisper to him. “Martul sent me a message; he’s dissatisfied with our progress thus far.” He looked at Eldrin who realized the ramifications of what his master said.

“Martul, my lord? Not pleased with our progress? These things take time, and we’ve already retrieved one orb.”

Lutheras threw his head back and laughed. Many of the remaining soldiers waiting in the courtyard peered inside the doorway. They must have realized Lutheras had been responsible for all of the death they witnessed, and many looked frightened. Murmurs trickled throughout the soldiers, as what they could see passed through what remained of the ranks.

He drew Eldrin's head close to him again. “Since you seem to be the only one competent enough to follow through on my orders, I feel it’s fitting you should be the one to witness the full effect of my plan. Martul is very displeased, and to be honest, so am I. Since we have one of the orbs already in our possession, I see no reason we shouldn’t use it to our advantage.”
This plan is ingenious
, he thought to himself. He peered out one of the windows and spotted the carnage remaining outside. He could see the number of dead bodies lining the ground. He knew his attack would have repercussions, but he hadn’t expected a storm of this magnitude. It would save him some work, though. “I want you and the other brothers to search the city for the dead. I don’t care what race. Bring them into the courtyard. When they are all assembled, I plan on using the orb to bring them all back to life.” A satisfied grin stretched across his face. “With the force of the undead, we’ll march on Shakiel.”

Eldrin listened to what his master said, wearing such a satisfied look upon his face; Eldrin thought he almost looked mad. “Yes, my master. As you wish, the command will be given.” He turned to walk down the steps of the palace.
This plan of Lutheras' is madness. So many of these soldiers have already sworn fealty to him, and what of the women and children who were unable to escape the wrath of his storm? He must be going mad,
he thought. But accepted the order.

Lutheras delighted in the fact so many of the soldiers who were still alive fled the gathering.
Let them run
, he thought to himself. They had no choice but to return and remain in his service. He watched as the brothers ordered the soldiers to gather the dead. The ground filled with the lifeless bodies, serving as a permanent reminder of what he could do.

Eldrin finished his search of what remained of the city. Many heard the commotion in the courtyard and had already grabbed their family members and fled the town. Some though, hadn’t utilized their time and still dealt with young children—many of the children clung to the dead bodies of their parents. It was a very somber scene, and even Eldrin wasn’t without compassion. He did what he could to shield the young from what happened in front of them. He gathered some of the younger women and pulled them aside. He spotted sixteen of the girls and gave them orders.

The women cowered with fear and some even screamed, which irritated Eldrin more. “Listen to me now, and be quiet. You’re no longer in any danger.” The screams died down as they listened to what Eldrin had to say. “My master, your master, has completed his plan. While many had to inadvertently die, those still alive will be spared their lives.” He paused to let it sink in, so they could understand the gift Eldrin gave them. “You all have a new purpose. You need to ensure you can care for all of these children. Many are already orphaned and others soon will be. I don’t have the time, and some of you know them, so it’s up to you to offer them comfort. Help me get the children out of the courtyard before Lutheras uses the orb. We’ll take them all to the inn across the city where they will become your responsibility. Succeed, and you will continue living your lives.” They all looked at him, stunned. “Move! Go on!” He ushered them back out into the city where they corralled as many of the children as they could. Many didn’t want to leave their parents, and sobbed and screamed. The parents still alive forced the children away, surrendering themselves to their ultimate fates.

The gathering of bodies continued. He walked back out to the courtyard, which stank. He covered his nose and mouth with part of a sleeve from his cloak. The stench made his eyes water, and now he coughed and gagged from the death and decay he breathed. He bent over to retch, but could only accomplish a dry heave. In the process though, he brought up stomach acid which coated his mouth. For a moment, he welcomed it as it seemed to cloak the death and decay he could taste in his mouth. It only lasted moments though, as the taste of death overpowered the bile stomach acid.

He turned around in the courtyard, blood splattered everywhere, and he felt disgusted by their current situation.
So much needless death. This isn’t part of the original plan…
It made him resent his master a little. He spotted a bench where a Minotaur body had died, and the body lay heaped over it. He pulled the dead body off the bench and let it drop to the ground. He noticed when he pulled the body across it, he left a trail of green-blue blood. When he looked down at his black cloak he found it caked with blood. He figured a little more wouldn’t cause a problem, so he sat down and brought his head forward to rest on his hands, which rested on his legs. He stared down at the stone path in front of him. The dead, scared, and pale white face of a Human stared up at him. He sighed as he tried to avert his eyes. He sat for about ten minutes, wallowing in his own grief. He could’ve sat there the rest of the afternoon if it wasn’t for the ominous stench. He turned and looked toward the palace where he spotted Lutheras, walking down the stone stairs. He carried the orb in one of his hands, displaying it in front of him—his eyes aglow with self-satisfaction.