Vallan Warrior

VALLAN WARRIOR

GAYLE MILLER

VALLAN WARRIOR

Copyright © 2014 Gayle Miller

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

Smashwords Edition

Books in the Series

Dark Waters

Rise of the Ornia

Vallan Warrior

Other Books by Gayle Miller

Abintia Series

Book of the Dead (Book 1)

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Cover Art Gayle Miller © 2014

This book is dedicated to all who struggle for freedom.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 The Ancient Scroll

Chapter 2 Death Valley

Chapter 3 The Library

Chapter 4 The Lone Wolf

Chapter 5 The Path Less Travelled

Chapter 6 Out of Darkness

Chapter 7 The Second Scroll

Chapter 8 The Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 9 Carnos

Chapter 10 The Vallan Warrior

CHAPTER 1

THE ANCIENT SCROLL

Irina grasped Amelia by the shoulder as Malichi appeared at the entrance of the cave dressed in fine leather. His long burgundy coat, which covered the deep red top that was tucked into his favourite trousers, billowed gently in the wind. Mal! she shrieked.

Hey, darling, Malichi drawled. He stepped into the dimly lit room, squinted through the darkness and sought out the source of the voice. Then just for a moment, he stood quietly and let his eyes adjust to the light. As the shadowed faces took form, he smiled, removed his wide brimmed hat and ran his fingers through his tousled hair. What a charming home you have, he said, glancing around the room and taking in its natural beauty. It was different from how he had imagined it, although he supposed that it was partly because of Amelia’s partner Daniel. The young Amalyian’s taste was reflected in the carved furniture and wild animal throws that were draped randomly throughout the home while the scent of the forest filled the air from the various plants that occupied every nook and cranny. Enjoying the woody aroma, he took a deep breath and let the scent fill him up. It was not until he exhaled that he realised that the acrid scent of the Amalyians was almost entirely masked. Perhaps the plants were placed there out of courtesy for any human visitors, he thought before consciously wiping it from his mind and refocusing on his surroundings.

The cave, he noted, was rather snug especially given the amount of people who were crammed into the largest of the two main chambers. The smaller of the two chambers had a small recess that he assumed led to the pantry or bathing area, but the most striking feature was the lack of windows. He could not quite imagine being unable to look out onto the beautiful sun-kissed stream that ran through the valley or being unable to see the slivers of silver as the moon danced across the water.

Twisting his hat in his hands, he stepped forward. He opened his mouth to greet his friends when he caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye. Slowly he turned to look in its direction until his eyes fell upon the crib that was rocking gently by the side of the bed. Amelia glanced at the weapons on his belt and instinctively stretched out her hand to caress the cheek of the baby that was cooing in the crib beside her. Malichi lifted his mouth up into a crooked grin as the baby’s tail swished gently around her dark leathery body. Trying not to cause any undue alarm, he made his way across the room and peered inside the crib. She’s beautiful, Amelia, congratulations, he said. He tossed his hat on top of the blanket, brushed his coat aside and sat down on the edge of the bed.

What are you doing here? Amelia asked. Her eyes shifted to the young male Amalyian, who had been standing quietly in the corner of the room.

When he discreetly stepped closer, Malichi sighed. Oh for goodness sake, knock it off the pair of you. Does it look as though I’m going to harm the baby?

Well... Xavier mumbled.

Malichi rolled his eyes.

Sorry, old habit, Amelia said with a nervous smile. She spread her hands across the blankets flattening them out and peered up at the Amalyian who had come to an abrupt stop midway across the room. Sorry, she mouthed reassuringly.

The Amalyian hesitated, glanced between the two of them, then shrugged his shoulders and flicked out his tail to rid himself of the agitation that had coursed through his body. When he had physically relaxed, Malichi patted Amelia on the leg.

I dare say Xavier has been a bad influence on me, he said.

What has he got you involved with now? Amelia asked.

Malichi pulled his coat open, reached his hand inside, rummaged around for a moment and then pulled out an ancient scroll that had been crushed into his inside pocket.

Xavier rushed forward, barely containing his excitement. So, are we going? Where do we start? Did you learn anything about the writing?

Don’t you even think about it! Irina rounded on Xavier.

But, darling, Xavier pouted.

No, Xavier! How could you, Mal? You know he has responsibilities. She paused, narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips while she tapped her foot. "And what about your responsibilities? You were saying not so long ago that you couldn’t leave Ashbrook, that they needed you."

Malichi tilted his mouth up into a crooked grin. They do, but my assistant has graciously agreed to deliver the sermons while I am away. He carefully spread the parchment out on top of the bed knowing that the intrigue would be too much for Daniel and Xavier, but it was Shekinah who gasped.

Where did you find that? she asked.

Malichi turned to face the female Amalyian. It was with the gauntlet, he replied.

Shekinah made her way across to the bed. There were many scrolls lost during the Ornian battles, she said. She stooped over and delicately traced her elongated talons over the raised letters of the scroll. Madeline will want to see this.

Malichi studied her looking for a hint of deception while she curled her fingers around the edge of the parchment. When he found none, he removed his hand from the opposite edge, grabbed his hat and stood up. Lead the way, he said.

Amelia tossed back the blankets, gingerly threw her legs over the side of the bed and held out her hand for Daniel’s assistance.

Where do you think you are going? Malichi asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

Amelia shook her head. To see Madeline, of course.

Don’t be ridiculous, you need your rest. We’ll fill you in when we return. Now go to sleep. Daniel, I trust you will ensure Amelia does exactly what she is told? Shekinah said.

Yes, Shekinah, Daniel replied. Although he looked relieved that Amelia would have to stay in bed, he could not hide his disappointment at being left behind. Sullenly he watched Shekinah lead the others out of the cave and across the bridge towards the Amalyian queen’s home.

Wait here, Shekinah said when they reached the royal cave, and then she stepped inside. Madeline, are you here? she asked. She glanced around looking for signs of life until Madeline popped her head out of the pantry.

What is it, Shekinah? Madeline asked. She dipped her bloodied hands into the basin of water that sat on the pedestal by the pantry door, then proceeded to dry them on the small square apron that hung loosely from her hips.

Shekinah gave a courteous bow, and then crossed the room and held out the ancient scroll.

Madeline’s hand flew to her chest. Is... is that... Where did you get it?

From Malichi. He claims he found it with the gauntlet.

And where is he now?

Waiting outside, along with several of his friends.

I see, well show them in, she said, removing the apron and tossing it into the corner of the room.

Shekinah bowed, and then turned and hurried to the cave entrance where Malichi was waiting. She will see you now, she said. She waved her hand to the side, stepped back and permitted Malichi and the others to enter.

Madeline, it is an honour to meet you again, Malichi said, bowing respectfully. May I ask, where is Lissa? I had hoped to give her a little trinket when I saw her next. He crossed the room, pulled out a carved harmonica and handed it to the Amalyian queen.

Oh, no doubt she will be leaping around the cliffs or up to some other mischief, Madeline said. I’ll make sure she gets this. She waved the harmonica. Thank you, Malichi, it is most kind of you. Now it is my understanding that you know the whereabouts of the other scrolls.

Yes, well, at least some of them. Unfortunately, the location is too dangerous for an Amalyian to try and retrieve them. I would be willing to retrieve them for you, along with my friends should they so desire, in exchange for some information regarding this particular scroll.

That seems like a reasonable request, Madeline replied. She wandered over to the wooden table and spread out the parchment. Ah, I see why you would be interested in this particular one. Her eyes met Malichi’s. The staff of Carnos.

Malichi peered at the symbols that were etched into the parchment. I am led to believe that it is written in an ancient form of Amalyian.

Indeed it is, but fortunately for you, I can translate it. She smiled at Malichi and then trailed her finger down the scroll. Her eyes darted across the words, eagerly absorbing their meaning, then she stopped and tapped the parchment with the tip of her talon. It is often the way of man to ascribe great deeds to those of mere mortals, to embellish the legends and record them in their doctrines, and this is one such tale. In an ancient land, situated high up on the mountain, there lived a most extraordinary people. So terrifying was their appearance that certain death came to all who looked upon them.

Amalyians, Malichi murmured.

Indeed. Madeline nodded and continued. "Roheim flicked his tongue across his razor sharp teeth, wrapped his tail around a large rock and lowered his body over the edge of the cliff. His long taloned fingers searched for the small nooks that would hold him in place as