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  Black Moon

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  Part One: Heroes of Saelmark

  Part Two: Night Journey

  Part Three: Coast of Taria

  Part Four: The Sleeping City

  Part Five: The Rogue and The Rusis

  Part Six: In the King's Bedchamber

  Part Seven: Holding

  Part Eight: Sunrise in Taria

  Part Nine: The Dwemhar Answer

  Part Ten: The Coward

  Part Elven: Shadows of the Black Moon

  Copyright

  Black Moon

  (Ranger Trilogy #2)

  Stormborn Saga Book Five

  J.T. Williams

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  STORMBORN SAGA

  Stormborn

  Mage Soul

  Elf Bane

  Stormborn Saga Trilogy

  Ranger’s Fury (Ranger Trilogy #1)

  Black Moon (Ranger Trilogy #2)

  Aieclo (Ranger Trilogy #3)

  Stormborn 7,8,9 (2018)

  HALF-ELF CHRONICLES

  Half-Bloods Rising

  Seer of Lost Sands

  Shadow of the Orc Star

  Necromancer’s Curse

  Wrath of the Half-Elves

  The Last Dwemhar

  ROGUES OF MAGIC

  Rogues of Magic Trilogy

  LOST TALES OF THE REALMS

  Ranger’s Folly (Ranger Trilogy Prequel)

  The Dwarven Guardian

  A Stranger’s Quest

  Wizard Trials

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  Part One: Heroes of Salemark

  Saelmark did not rest. Her armies prepared. King Suvasel of the elves of the Varmark Woodlands prepared to march, and two separate hosts made their plans. But in the darkness beneath Saelmark, beyond the sight of singing elves and where the moon was upon the trees of the woods at night and the sun shined down now, out of sight of the friendlier types, King Suvasel had brought Evurn and Fadis down to where the prisoner was kept.

  Blood sprayed against the wall as the would-be assassin was thrown across a wooden table. The two Varmark elves passed the man between them, slapping and striking as his form sank further into the ground each time he fell.

  “You will speak,” King Suvasel said. “I am not like most of my kin, choosing a higher road of excellence. I know what those of Taria do to their prisoners, and I feel returning the same treatment in kind to be the best response.”

  The king chugged from a chalice, wine running down the bottom of his chin. Fadis was surprised to see an elf act like this, but the whispers he had heard just since this morning made sense. Suvasel was the warrior lord of the elves, deemed by the once-king to one day lead the elves if ever war came to the woods. He was not a student of great wisdom but instead had taken himself to the furthest reaches of the lands, even once to the Shadowlands, to learn of war and fighting.

  The two elves held the Rusis in place. At this moment, the king revealed a small grub from the woods.

  “This is a fairy, a fairy of death, I’d say,” he said, allowing the creature to walk over his gauntlet. “They are quite fickle creatures. If fed a diet of flower petals, they create a beautiful garden within a few days, weaving their magic to and from, like a spider creating webs but, in this case, creating beauty as an elf would. But”—he paused, rubbing a substance on the table—“if they consume the ground-up contents of this particular mushroom, not found near these regions, I’ll tell you, they will kill even a great oak of these woods in a matter of a few days. A Rusis? Well, I’d give you three days before death is upon you. I know that before that time, the truth shall roll off your tongue as if you had been pleasured with great wine and beautiful women to coerce you. You’ll give me what I want, and then you’ll die. So to avoid this,” he said, allowing the creature to consume the ground-up mushroom, “I give you one last chance to tell me from where you come from, where the king has summoned so many Rusis, and whom else I must destroy to secure the elves of the West from ever being attacked again!”

  The man stared at the grub eating the mushroom.

  Evurn tapped Fadis. “I see that this elf is well traveled. That is a Shadow Cap, a mushroom that grows in the East. He had to deal with my people to know such alchemy. This king is a strange one.”

  Suvasel did not cease his staring at the Rusis. “Truly, so foolish to remain silent when before you were shouting of our fall? Fine. Have it your way.”

  The two elves kicked the man behind his knees, bending his arm backward as they thrust the side of his head on the table. One of them squeezed his face, pushing his lips apart. Suvasel took the “fairy” and shoved it in the Rusis’ mouth. They forced his mouth closed.

  The man tried to spit. He flailed, kicking and stomping.

  Suvasel leaned down to his level. “It is the wonder of this particular creature. You do not eat it; it eats into you. No doubt, it has traveled into the space near where the air is brought into your chest. There, it will wait, poisoning you until your body gives out and it can begin to devour you. I will be patient in my waiting.”

  They pulled him from the table, dragging the Rusis along the floor.

  “Please, elf, I do not know what you seek! I would tell you if I did! Please, elf! I am not what you think.”

  “You are an assassin. You are a shadow elf and a Rusis, a strange combination, but it is what it is in these dark times. Tell me now. Where are you from?”

  “You are a fool, elf. I have told you what you wish. You will be the doom of your kingdom; your rash actions will bring about your death.”

  “As do yours. You came against the elves of the West. I would send your body to that wretched King of Taria, but by the time you’re dead, so will he be as well.”

  The Rusis spat at Suvasel. One of the elves punched him in the stomach in return. The king balled his fist to follow the strike of his elf-kin, but recoiled.

  “I will avenge all that has been lost, and I will be the last king of the West who ever deals with those who would come with open arms against our people, for all shall fear the name Suvasel in time.”

  As the man was dragged into the darkness of the elven dungeons, Suvasel looked at Evurn and Fadis.

  “Do you think your fairy will be enough?” Evurn asked.

  “It matters little. The king will die,” he said, looking at Fadis,” and you depart with Ruak to secure our people from the scourge of the vampires.” He pointed to Evurn. “I have already sent envoys to all elven villages to be on guard. In time, I will lead my people as I did against the orcs of old. The elves of the Varmark Woodlands will forever stand. By my life, I swear it.”

  The king departed, and Fadis and Evurn followed slowly behind him back up to the lower level of the central tower.

  “Is the captain ready?” Evurn asked.

  “The best I know. I meet with others to discuss our path soon.”

  “As do I,” Evurn said.

  As they reached the ground level, Evurn and Fadis took their leave of one another. There was much work to be done.

  In a now smoke-filled room not too far from where they had attempted to sleep the last night, Fadis stared over diagrams and sketches that Kirla had drawn. He, Evri, and Andoc were working to solidify their approach to the king’s castle. The city was Tar Veera, a large bastion that was once a dwarven tower but was given to the race of men by dwarves in the region to help them weather the harsh winters.

&nb
sp; “So, the ship is near invisible?” Andoc asked, sipping an elven ale.

  “Near, it’s power is beyond anything of the elves, to be honest,” Fadis said.

  “Our approach will not be too difficult,” Evri stated. “It will be our execution once within the structure. The rogue Kirla has a plan?”

  Fadis didn’t like it, but she did. He pointed to a spot near the back of the castle. “She says there is a door used by the kitchen staff. We can get into the castle that way. The issue is that the door itself can only be opened from the inside and is only opened once a week to push out old supply from the kitchen. Otherwise, the disgusting rats only stack up their trash. She said that the old cook is a fool.”

  “I worry not of cooks,” Evri said.

  “So Kirla plans to sneak in?” Andoc asked.

  “Yes, as a concubine of the king. He takes new women nearly every night from a rotating group of taverns. She plans to sneak into the group, taking a woman’s place. Evidently, these women are not always so willing, so finding one who will let her assume their identity shouldn’t be too hard.”

  “Risky,” Andoc said. “I might like to take the front gate with heavy arrow fire, but the bastard has been fortifying. Badur and I have been staying away from those of Taria, but we’ve crossed paths with our fellow Rangers. To be honest with you both, we’ve found significant wealth in the old dwarven mines. We’ve been working to support a resistance within Taria to overthrow the king. Kirla and her guild were part of that. But these Rusis who arrived a few weeks ago complicated everything.”

  “The shadow elf Evurn seems to believe they are paid warriors from the East.”

  “So, could we pay them off?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “We should just kill them,” Evri said.

  Fadis looked up at him. “True, but all options must be examined.”

  Evri sighed. “The Leaves of Saelmark have but one option.”

  As Evri’s companions came into the room, he stood and went to them. “We go to prepare for our exodus and to be blessed by the High Archons. Such oaths are not taken lightly in Saelmark. I suggest you assure your captain is ready.”

  As Evri left, Fadis shook his head and looked over to Andoc.

  “I never thought my son would become nearly an elf himself.”

  “Well, you did leave him,” the Ranger said. “We had thought you were dead. We knew you left, but Taria is small compared to these vampires. We defeated a clan of them once, but it wasn’t easy. We knew they would attempt something again, but nothing to this level.”

  It was one hour from midday. Fadis pushed off from the desk. “Come, the host leaves for the Crescent Lake soon.”

  The two Rangers met up with Badur and proceeded outside. Though the smoldering wreckage from the night before still cast a disgusting smell in the air, a northern wind swept down, bring the sweet smell of lavender upon Saelmark. Even so, as they exited the grounds of the tower and headed into the city, the constant reminders of the events from the last few days were ever evident.

  The destruction wrought by the attacks had more than left an impression. Fikmarkian elves, in their heavy battle armor and unfriendly stares, were everywhere. Archons with glowing staves patrolled the top of the buildings, and the younger elves hid behind their parents as they walked through the city streets.

  The ever-increasing size of the memorial for the once-King of Saelmark had continued to grow. Several archons were at the base of the memorial, and it was here they found Evurn.

  “The host is supposed to depart, yet you are here?” Fadis asked.

  Valrin was not too far from Evurn and walked over to Fadis.

  “Evurn has been praying over the memorial itself. It seems ill thoughts have entered his mind of the coming days.”

  Evurn seemed to mutter something to himself and then looked over to Fadis.

  “When a king dies in the East, it is customary to take many days to grieve him, and even warring clans will not fight when the head of a clan is killed. It is an act of respect among shadow elves. This king will become like a tree within Saelmark, a ceremony to be enacted by King Suvasel before the turn of night. I did not know this king very well,” he said, motioning to the memorial, “but he was fairer than most of those I have known.”

  Evurn bowed, turning then to Valrin.

  “Keep yourself well, young one. You should not be one of the fools going into the King of Taria’s domain,” he said, glancing at Fadis.

  “We took on the Barb King. This is a joke in comparison.”

  “You speak some truth,” Evurn said, “but the Barb King was not of the race of men. This king seems a coward, something Fadis mentioned from the start. I do not trust him in the least, and I do not feel you will simply ‘walk right into the castle.’”

  Fadis laughed. “We will run.”

  “Indeed, Ranger, watch yourself. Take care of your son. We don’t need another quest to save someone else. I do think we need to get back to our Glacial Seas soon.” Evurn turned from them and quickly walked away.

  Andoc and Fadis walked with Valrin.

  “A strange elf,” Andoc said, “and I’ve known many elves.”

  “Yes,” Fadis said, “but be happy he is on our side.”

  They proceeded out of the city to the border of the charred woods where many stags were assembled. Ruak, the warrior from before, was addressing the king over a map with Aeveam.

  “We should arrive by night tomorrow,” Ruak said, “just in time for the Black Moon. We will hold the ground for your arrival, King.”

  Suvasel embraced Ruak. “I’d send my son with you, but I’d prefer to send any other warrior. I have sent him back to Fikmark. Perhaps where he lacks in blade work, he can work into improving with politics.”

  “With the entire forward guard of Fikmark, archons from both our home and Saelmark, and Aeveam and the shadow elf; I have seen the strangers fight, and between all of us, I dare any bloodsucker to attempt to take those ruins.”

  From Saelmark, the High Archon Reviak came with a large chest.

  “Purification Stones,” he said. “Something to help you upon that first night.”

  Several other archons arrived with him, these on horseback. With them was Rikt, the Purified One.

  “We have blessed all who depart,” Reviak went on to say, “both with you, Ruak, and those who go elsewhere.” He glanced to Fadis.

  Fadis bowed. “Our mission will be underway by nightfall.”

  “Good luck with such,” Ruak said.

  The elf-captain strapped on his helmet and took to his mount. The stag shook its horns as Ruak blew a horn. “Elves of Saelmark, prepare for exodus!”

  The host assembled in a rough half-moon with Evurn now on one of the creatures with Aeveam mounting another.

  Valrin stood next to Fadis. “I like the ocean more than land. I do not like seeing our crew split up again.”

  “Indeed, I much think I’d prefer if we were together.”

  Evurn and Aeveam looked back to Fadis and Valrin. Evurn made a slight bow, and Aeveam smiled.

  Braei happened to run up with Kirla beside her.

  “We made it just in time,” Braei said.

  Ruak blew his horn again. “For the trees of Saelmark, beside Vindas the deep. May the stars and light of Etha be upon us. May the Black Moon rise and sink without fail as its form is upon us these next few nights. May elven steel stand stalwart this night and for all that come after!”

  Another horn call, this one from Saelmark. The city itself gave a trumpeting send-off as the winds blew through the trees. Fadis noticed a large gathering of leaves near the host, and in a flash, around thirty additional horses appeared with Leaves of Saelmark upon their backs. Lord Relia rode up to King Suvasel.

  “Good King, I and many of my guard ride with Ruak. Upon your departure, High Archon Reviak will have steward over Saelmark. The Leaves of Saelmark shall blow from the woods and unto the darkness that comes.”

  Suvase
l bowed. “Light of Etha upon you.”

  Relia pointed to Fadis. “Keep your son alive,” he said. He then spurred his horse and rode quickly off to join the departing host.

  The ground shook with the hoof falls of the many beasts carrying the elves to the East. Suvasel jerked his glance toward Fadis and the others.

  “I trust you are well on your path to begin the voyage to rid the living realm of this King of Taria?”

  “Indeed,” Fadis said.

  “I wish to preside over the ceremony for the once-king, and then I will lead the second host to the East. The ships from Vueric carry a great elven host, a host returning from a voyage across the sea. We sought a great treasure, but it seems our journey must be cut short.”

  “Treasure?” asked Valrin.

  “Nothing for the mind of a boy-captain, but know we elves will defend this ground. Kill that king and rally those of Taria to fight as well, if you can. I do believe it may come time for the race of men to align with the elves.”

  “Perhaps we can,” Andoc said. “And of the dwarves?”

  “I’d rather their ilk remain in the bowels of the world than insult me with their presence. I’ll take allies with men before any of their wretched souls.”

  The king snapped away from them, and the many attendants with him began back to Saelmark. High Archon Reviak bowed to them. “I work to reset the defenses and realign the crystals to overcharge. They will be visible to the enemy with that effect, but we must assure our home is safe. I intend to keep it so. Please, join us for the ceremony for Once-King Tursua. He would have wanted your presence.”

  Valrin and Braei followed Reviak back to Saelmark, and Andoc departed to find his friend Badur. The Rangers were then going to join up with Evri, who was supposed to be meeting Valrin at the docks. Kirla needed Fadis.

  “It’s Rilr. He’s doing better but not great. He’s not too happy about our plans.”

  The rogues led Fadis back into the tower and up to the area where Rilr had been lying. Now, the dwarf was sitting on the balcony with a cup of tea.