Fall of a Guardian: Tales of Canai, #3

Tales of Canai

Fall of a Guardian

By Cody J. Sherer

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

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Tales of Canai

Fall of a Guardian

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Cover art by www.selfpubbookcovers.com/Saphira

Copyright ©2014 by Cody J. Sherer

All Rights Reserved.

Tales of Canai Series

Book 1: The Wizard’s Council

Book 2: The Tomes of Magic

Book 3: Fall of a Guardian

Other Works

Legends of Canai Short Story Compilation

Chronicles of George Jackson

Book 1: Pioneers of the Stars

Contents

Map of Canai

On the Hunt

Skirmishes and Squabbles

Invasions

Death and Destruction

Fall of the Holy Order

Separate Paths

Unexpected Guests

Queens of the Seas

Fall of a Guardian

Epilogue

Author Bio

Map of Canai

On the Hunt

Sev glanced around the room as he waited for the others to arrive. The Holy Order had been watching him since he had arrived at the Fortress of Light a week before. Cassandra had been somewhat more successful, but she had also spotted someone tailing her on more than one occasion. Caitlyn was seen as much less of a threat. All three of them understood why the Holy Order singled out Sev more than the others, but Cassandra still made a fuss about it every time they met together. We shouldn’t even be meeting, he thought as he took another drink of his tea. Caitlyn took the seat next to him when she arrived. She brought a drink of her own and took a sip before sitting down. Cassandra was the only one of the three that lacked stealth. She burst into the inn and demanded a mug of ale from the barkeep before making her way to the table.

We don’t need undue attention, can you be quieter? Sev asked as she sat down.

I was the wife of an Emperor. You are a half-elf ranger, this is not company that I want to keep, she replied.

Your company is not exactly exemplary. The last thing we need is for you to blow our cover. We are in danger enough as it is, we don’t need you making things worse.

They are far too stupid to believe that we’ve infiltrated their precious stronghold. We’ve been here a week and they aren’t any closer to figure out our identities.

We don’t have time for this, Caitlyn said.

You’re right. What have we learned? Sev asked.

The man we are looking for is named Zeltos. He has been assigned to the role of Grand Inquisitor. His job is to seek out evil magicians and kill them. He acts as one of the three heads of the Holy Order, Cassandra replied.

The Holy Order is looking to expand east and south. They see Rolin and James as their main adversaries. I’m not certain how they feel about the elves and their allies. It is likely they might push for a truce, Caitlyn said.

From what I’ve gathered, I would say that there is a good chance we can spread mayhem through the Fortress of Light. If we can sabotage them long enough, Zeltos should be vulnerable to an attack. We should continue to whittle away at them while they attack others. Are we in agreement? Sev asked.

*

Rolin slid off of Lethos’ back and marched into Carmalia keep. He had sent Paul to Cardinia. The last time the former Archwizard had traveled to Cardinia, their King had been murdered by a Holy Order assassin. Though they didn’t blame him personally, they did feel he should have been able to stop the man. The guards stepped aside as Rolin approached. He had set up the meeting with the regent a week before and the others seemed happy to see him. The throne room was significantly less regal than he expected. Their previous ruler had always prided himself in being able to welcome guests of any standing. He had always done so in a manner that was respectful to those who were less fortunate than he. Rolin had always revered the King for it. The new regent seemed to have his hands full with other matters and left a neglected throne room.

What brings you to our fair kingdom, Archwizard Rolin? The regent asked.

Just Rolin, if you please. I am here to present you with an opportunity, Stan. My colleague, Paul, and I are forming a sort of protectorate. Desperate times are upon us. The Holy Order has formed a new squad of Inquisitors. We have heard rumors that they are targeting anyone who shows any sign of magical aptitude, Rolin replied.

You want us to join your protectorate. What would we get out of all this?

Our protection as well as the protection of any others that join the protectorate. Paul is offering the Cardinians the same deal. Our hope is that we can start with the southern kingdoms and then swing north to Galimdor. Hopefully, we can pull together a strong enough coalition to force the Holy Order to stand down.

Your offer is a solid one, we would be glad to welcome your protection from the Holy Order. After our run-ins with the Galimdorians, we have felt that our defenses are insufficient.

*

Paul’s anger rose as he strode through the streets of Castle Cardinia. The townspeople were suffering due to recent events perpetrated by the Holy Order and the Knights of Dyamer. Seeing the people in this state only further solidified his confidence in Rolin’s plan. Stay calm, he thought as he got closer to the entrance to the keep’s courtyard. He smiled when he saw Felick in charge of the other guards. The Cardinian soldier called out to him. Paul pushed through the crowd and shook the man’s hand. His thoughts momentarily returned to the last time he had seen Felick. Argos’ emotions and thoughts hit his mind with enough force to physically cause Paul to fall to his knee. He closed his mind to the dragon as he pushed himself back onto his feet.

Are you all right, sir? Felick asked.

Yes, it is complicated and I don’t have time to explain, Paul answered.

I had my doubts that I would see you again.

These are dark times, my friend. That is why I am here.

What do you mean?

I need to speak to the King.

We don’t have a King anymore.

Who is in charge? Paul asked, somewhat taken aback by Felick’s comment.

Captain Graystone formed a council. I believe your friends know who he is.

It wouldn’t surprise me, would it be possible to speak with them?

Yes, they are currently in session. Go ahead.

Paul nodded and thanked Felick. His mood lightened as he strode through the corridor. There was something pleasing about seeing this part of the castle in a similar state to the rest of the castle and outlying village. At least they are not taking advantage of their people, he thought. The doors swung open for him as he approached the keep. Argos’ thoughts began to resurface again, but Paul pushed them back with a grimace. His full attention would be required to convince the council to join together with Carmalia under Rolin and Paul. Both Argos and Lethos protested the plan. They favored using their strength and their rider’s magic to gain control. Paul pushed open the doors to the council room. The behavior of the councilors surprised him. They had been yelling at one another until they noticed the guest in their midst.

May I help you? Councilor Graystone asked.

Felick assured me that you would be willing to listen to my proposal. You may not have heard of me, but I am sure you have heard of Rolin, Paul said.

That we have. Given that you know him, I suppose we can grant you an audience. You may start whenever you are ready.

We live in dark times. Paul used his magic to put out several of the torches. My colleague and I offer a proposal that will bring protection to your people. It is our hope to bring light back into this world. Paul relit the torches even brighter than before.

Tell us more of this proposal, one of the councilors said.

Rolin and I are forming a protectorate. Anyone who joins will not only get the protection of the other members, but also ours. As we speak, Rolin is offering the Carmalians a chance to enter this union. You have all seen what the Holy Order can do. We have a plan to stop them, Paul said.

Your proposal sounds promising. Before we can accept, we need to put it to an official vote. I move to put the motion in progress.

I second that, Graystone said.

Paul smiled as he watched the councilors discuss the possibility of joining the protectorate. Out of the five, two were strongly in favor, one was strongly against, and the other two were in between. You know that I hate it when you invade my mind, Paul said to Argos as the councilors continued their deliberating. He was surprised when the dragon made no reply. Their connection had changed since the death of the dragon King. Paul had yet to decide whether it was for the better. The council finished their deliberations and put the motion to vote. A smile formed on Paul’s face when he saw the third hand go up. He stood up and began to clap.

There is your answer, Wizard, one of the councilors said.

Please, just call me Paul. I thank you for your support in this venture. We will be in contact soon, Paul said.

*

Janessa crumpled the note and tossed it onto the floor. One of her servants picked it up and threw it in the trash. She sighed as she stood up from her throne. Times had only become more difficult since the death of the dragon King. She walked out onto the balcony just outside the throne room. Kimeth lifted her head when she spotted Janessa. The Queen leaned against the railing and looked out over her kingdom. She wanted to run off and be alone, but the kingdom needed her. The deaths of Rodric and Tarick had taught her a valuable lesson about ruling a kingdom. Her own well-being mattered less than the well-being of her people. Now, she, above all others, held the responsibility to make sure that the Gloomvale Isles prospered.

You place much of your people’s burden on your shoulder, young Wizard, Kimeth said.

I was simply Wizard before, not anymore. My place is at the head of my people. These wars have left us with few allies and fewer resources. The gloom prohibits us from growing the amounts of food that we need to thrive. My only option is to find a way to fix it, Janessa said.

Or take more land.

Perhaps you are right, maybe I should embrace being a Wizard instead of pinning myself down to one location, Janessa pushed off from the railing and reentered the throne room, compose a note.

What shall we say in this note? Her servant asked.

Address it to Grand Wizard Kadegar, ask him if he is willing to consider an alliance. Keep it short and to the point, he is not a man known for patience.

The Queen signaled to Kimeth and the dragon met her at the balcony. She leaped off the ledge and onto the dragon’s back. There were few things that matched Janessa’s joy of sailing and one of them was flying with Kimeth. The two of them had formed a bond unmatched by even the other dragon riders. They soared above the island, weaving around the numerous hills and mountains on the island. Kimeth tucked in her wings and went into a dive toward the ocean. We should pay a visit to our allies in the deep, Janessa transferred the thought to the dragon. She could feel the dragon fill with joy as the prospect of dealing with creatures other than humans. The possibility of seeing other water based dragon relatives always made the dragon think of her home. Janessa created a bubble of air around her head as the two plunged into the water.

Who disturbs the depths? A voice boomed through the water.

It is Kimeth and her kin, the dragon answered.

Ah, it is good to see you again. You have been away for far too long, child. A massive sea serpent came alongside the dragon and rider.

It is good to see you as well, Moreth. Is Queen Eloth well?

The Queen is ever powerful, but we do question your logic and your loyalties.

You are a bold to speak to a dragon in this manner, explain yourself, Janessa could feel the rage building within the dragon as she spoke.

Your human neglected to use us in battle. Are we undeserving of glory?

We did not see it as necessary. There still may be some use of you, I would advise you not make the Archwizard mad.

The sea is our domain, your Wizard would be wise to remember that, the sea serpent snapped at the dragon after delivering the threat.

This is my domain, Kimeth replied.

Janessa felt the dragon’s rage leaving as the majestic creature ignored the serpent. This was her first experience with the underwater creatures in their own realm and she had no idea how they would fare against a dragon. Worry not, my Queen, they are no match for us, Kimeth’s thoughts reassured Janessa of their place in the undersea hierarchy. With the overthrowing of the dragon King, there were very few individuals in the world that could claim the power that Janessa and Kimeth could claim. It seemed that, despite her want to be free, the world loved to toss their obligations and requests at her feet. She let out a sigh, unsurprised that the underwater creatures looked to her to provide them with an opportunity for glory. Why do they come to us? Janessa asked the dragon, not expecting a reply.

Better us than another dragon rider, came the reply.

The Archwizard nodded as they surfaced and continued up into the sky. Whether they wanted to or not, the sea dwellers would listen to her and her dragon when the time arose. She realized that there was something of a tradeoff. Yes, people expected things of her, but they were also willing to do things for her. Or rather, they wouldn’t get what they wanted if they declined her requests. Her position as dragon rider, Archwizard, and Queen magnified the situation to an even greater point. Power creates so many opportunities, she thought. Kimeth nodded as she glided down closer to the water. The dragon waited to let the thought sink in before replying.

Those situations can easily be used to manipulate and coerce. That is why power so often corrupts. Even when people start with good intentions, they begin to see the benefits power can bring them and soon forget the benefits their power can bring others, Kimeth said.

Is there not more to life than power? Janessa asked.

There are many who would argue otherwise, but one only has to look around them to find the important aspects of life.

Janessa nodded as she began to look at her surroundings. She knew that the dragon was speaking figuratively, but there was a sense in which the words rang true literally as well. The sun sparkled on the water, droplets misted the air as waved crashed against rocks, fish and other sea creatures leaped out of the sea often enough for the discerning eye to spot, and the winds made the trees, grass, bushes, and other vegetation seem to dance in the sunlight. Kimeth smiled as she felt Janessa’s emotions through the mindmeld. You mean to tell me to take pleasure in the little things of life, the Archwizard thought. Her clarification brought what could only be called a chuckle to the dragon.

That is one way of looking at it, Queen. However, what I was really trying to tell you is to find pleasure in everything you are able. There is enough suffering in the world as it is. One must constantly make an effort to enjoy life. Whether you do so through the majesty that surrounds us every day, friends that are loyal and true, family that loves without condition, or some other means, it does not matter. Take happiness wherever you can find it.

*

James looked back at his ragtag army. They looked worn, but not beaten. He held up his hand and ordered a halt. Elena smiled at him, which helped to reassure him that he had made the right choice. We need a real home, he reminded himself. His greatest concern was the well-being of his people. They had already fought a war and he was asking them to do so again. Fortunately for him and his people, their enemy had fought a war as well. James thought about his fellow Archwizards as he looked up at Hanoth. A single agitator, the powerful mage Arcantos, had pushed the Wizards to the brink of destruction. His actions proved to be manipulated by an even greater foe, the dragon King, who further tore the Wizards apart. Kadegar and his Wizards on the Isle of Wizardry had managed to escape harm, but the mainland conclaves were no longer. His closest friends had changed or disappeared. Janessa, Paul, and Rolin all left him feeling uneasy. Ector had returned to the elves, leaving James unsure of his allegiances. That left Thanos, the most unlikely of allies.

Sir, we’ve spotted a winged beast on the horizon. It fast approaches, one of the soldiers said.

Thank you, Amos, I shall take care of it, James replied.

He turned to face the coming creature. Riderless, most likely not a dragon, he thought as he left a good distance between himself and his men. The creature slowed and began to descend. Wisps of fire coming from the edges of the wings gave away its identity. James held up his arm in greeting and the Phoenix eagerly approached. He took care not to move too fast as he made up distance between himself and the creature. Though not as large as a dragon, the Phoenix was by no means a small creature. Rowles craned his neck down and let James pet him. The creature seemed content to rest awhile as he ran his fingers through the feathers on the Phoenix’s neck. After a few moments, the majestic bird seemed satisfied and pulled back. James watched as Rowles brought up one of his claws. Someone, presumably Thanos, had attached a small scroll to