Free BlackThorn's Doom by Dewayne M Kunkel Page A

stray close to any sizable body of water.
    They did not rest well; the mountain seemed to be growing more active throughout the night. At dawn the mountain let loose a blast so violent that it uprooted many of the dead trees and knocked the men from their feet.
    Casius watched as the column of ash grew too twice its size. It roiled skyward casting bolts of lighting as it swelled. Huge glowing boulders fell from the dark mass, impacting in the forest and setting parts of it ablaze.
    “Sur’kar’s hand!” Marcos shouted. “He is showing his power to the world.”
    A second blast staggered them as a great rent was torn in the volcano’s cone. Molten stone flowed through the opening, a river of light and smoke searing whatever it touched.
    The lava raced downward at great speed slamming into the forest to the south. Trees exploded in the sudden heat as their sap boiled and burst from the trunks.
    “Let’s get going.” Connell urged them. “If that flow expands we may get caught in the fire.”
    They needed no further urging. Suni took the lead and headed away from the still quaking volcano. He only slowed his pace once they had reached some higher ground.
    A steep ridge of naked rock rose out of the ground before them, a lone tree growing upon its crest. They climbed the ridge and stood beneath the tree looking out at the forest.
    The expanse of the wood stretched for miles ending at the base of the Vurgwall on the far horizon. Beyond the jagged peaks a thin sliver of blue sky was visible. This meager sight heartened them greatly, a reminder of the beauty of the world beyond the black walls of this hellish land.
    Vast areas of the forest vanished from sight as huge clouds of ash fell from the sky, burning embers igniting thousands of fires throughout the land.
    Casius looked at the scene below. “I thought we had seen the worst of it.” He said to Connell.
    Connell gripped his friend’s shoulder in a show of support. “We’ve made it this far Casius, do not give in to despair now. For good or ill our journey nears its end.”
    “Will it end well?” He asked looking to Marcos for an answer.
    Marcos measured his companions with a glance before speaking. “Nothing is assured in times such as these. Only the destruction of everything we hold dear should we fail to act.
    “What matters most is that we succeed. To this end we must, one and all be willing to give our lives.” He smiled as each man nodded his understanding and willingness to die to stop Sur’kar’s evil.
    The courage they showed rivaled that of the greatest heroes he had known during the dawn war. Sur’kar was a fool indeed to believe that mankind had weakened over the ages.
    With a nod to his companions he led them back down into the forest and towards their goal.

Chapter Seven
    Night had fallen, Cold and moonless it sapped at the strength of the men upon the walls. Along with the darkness came a harsh wind. Blowing in from the west its freezing fingers tore through the sheltered comb stealing what little warmth the day had left behind. All along the wall the torches flickered fitfully, fighting to stay lit in the wind.
    A strange odor accompanied the zephyr, a foul stench that made the sentries eyes water. They watched through blurry eyes, as the fires of the Morne encampment grew brighter as wood was added to the flames. The increasing heat driving back the worst of the cold.
    D’Yana stood atop the tower, leaning against the rough stone of the merlon; she stared into the darkness looking westward her thoughts for Connell and his companions.
    King Gaelan stepped out of the tower and walked towards her. He stopped several feet away not wishing to intrude. He was about to turn away when she sighed and took notice of him.
    “King Gaelan,” She said with a quick flash of a smile.
    Gaelan nodded in return. How lucky Connell was he thought, D’Yana was both beautiful and strong. The entire keep respected her; a warrior who had proven herself in