David Bishop and the Legend of the Orb by T.C. Crawford (tools of titans ebook .txt) 📕

on what must be done in the days ahead. He thought it absurd that the one person that could ultimately thwart his plans of ruling the kingdoms was none other than a teenager. He quickly shrugged off the growing concern in the back of his mind and focused on the task at hand – he had to get that girl. She’s the only thing that he could use as a bargaining chip with the boy. If he controlled her, he controlled the orb bearer.

When he reached the top of the staircase near the throne room, he noticed General Parker and a group of soldiers standing in the entrance hall at the foot of the stairs, awaiting his arrival.

“What news do you have, General? Is the mage army ready for the attack?” he asked eagerly.

The General bowed low before answering, “Yes, my lord, the scouts have located the rebel camp and have confirmed that the girl is still with them. Our mages are ready for the attack, your Excellency. You need only give us the word and I will send my men along with a company of Elite Wolf Guard to accompany the mages and ensure that this time, all goes as planned.”

“Thank you, general. You will be rewarded well if you succeed. I make sure those who are loyal to me are well taken care of.” General Parker smiled as the worry grew in the pit of his stomach, he knew also how his new King rewards those who fail him too many times, and suspected that if he failed this time, his reward would be a swift death. “Prepare for the attack at once. I expect to have report of a successful operation by morning” General Krauss ordered threateningly. “You are dismissed.”

General Parker and his men saluted their King with a fist to the heart before they all turned and hurried off to relay the commands and begin the march toward the rebel camp. They all knew that to fail again would surely cost them their lives – they didn’t intend on failing.

Chapter XXIV

Tyrius and the King dragged the two soldiers off into a small clearing in the brush outside of the walls of West Post in order to interrogate them. He tied them up to the trunk of a tree, gagging one before splashing some water from a nearby brook to wake up the first soldier. As soon as he recognized that he was tied up he began squirming violently, attempting to break free from his bonds.

“You won’t get through that knot, soldier.” answered Tyrius. “I suggest you stop struggling and conserve your energy. If you tell me what you know, I will show mercy and let you live.”

“And what exactly is it that you think I know, old man?” he asked glaringly.

“A young girl came through here a few days ago; she would have been with a boy roughly her age. She has brown hair and blue eyes with fair skin, and most likely wore a fierce look of determination. She was looking for an old man that lives in these parts. I need to know if you’ve seen her” said Tyrius sternly.

The soldier laughed, “The only girl matching that description that I’ve seen in these parts lately was the day before yesterday. She wasn’t with a boy, though. But it doesn’t matter, you’re too late, if she’s the one you’re looking for she’s probably dead by now.”

“Tell me what you know!” demanded Tyrius furiously at the mention of Erin being in danger.

“She was a crazy thing, pure savage if you ask me” said the soldier, remembering the incident. “She was captured trying to sneak past our guards. It’s a good thing she’s going to the dungeons, she’s a wild wench and needs to be set straight!” he spat on the ground before Tyrius’ feet.

“The dungeons? They’re taking her to the Royal Palace?” asked Tyrius.

“Yeah…probably to be executed, that or used for the King's pleasure…” the soldier gave Tyrius a sly smirk. “She’d be a good one if you ask me, feisty as she is. It’d be fun breaking her spirit.”

“You’ve served your purpose. I have no further use for you” said Tyrius, looking down at the man, disgusted.

“Good. Now let me go.” said the soldier.

“Oh, I intend on it.” said Tyrius.

He quickly drew his dagger and sliced the man’s throat before starting toward the path that leads to the capital.

“What about the other one?” asked the King.

“What about him?” asked Tyrius.

“He’ll die out here alone.” replied the King.

“He’s a traitor, if that is his fate, then it is a better one than he deserves. Now come, we have already lost too much time. We must go!”

Together they set off down the path, following the tracks of the cart leading back towards Eldergate.

After only a few hours hike they came across an area where there was clearly some kind of skirmish.

The cart tracks stopped dead in the middle of the path where a burnt pile of wood and metal lay still smoking off to the side. Tyrius noticed the chaotic tracks scattered all around the area and quickly began deciphering what information he could gather from them.

Tyrius could see where several bodies had lay and were dragged off the path. He followed the tracks into the woods and found the source of the tracks, two dead Royal soldiers, one with a slit throat, the other with an arrow through his back.

By the looks of it, they hadn’t been dead for more than a day or two. Tyrius assumed the soldiers had been ambushed and the cart burned, but he wondered what could have come of Erin and who would have attacked the soldiers. He knelt to inspect the arrow still protruding from the soldier’s back.

“It’s the same type issued to the Royal Guard…interesting. There must be some soldiers still loyal to the King. They must be fighting back!” Tyrius said to himself. “My king, there is hope yet!” he said to