Guardian of Maradon

Guardian of Maradon

By L.J. Capehart

Published by L.J, Capehart at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 L.J. Capehart

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

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Names, characters, places, and incidences portrayed in this book are fictitious. Similarities to a real person, alive or deceased, locales, establishments, or events are coincidental and not intended by the author.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the author.

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This book is dedicated to my daughters, Rachel, Beth, Melissa, and Emily: my most loyal supporters. Without their encouragement, tolerance, and technical assistance, this book might never have been completed.

Other Books by L.J. Capehart

Cube of Trevalia

Curse of Trevalia

The Declanite Threat

The Call of Starfire

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Other Books by L.J. Capehart

A Note from the Author,

with contact information

Chapter One

Triana opened her eyes slowly, her mind taking several moments to adjust to the return to the here and now. At first the jarring noises coming in through her open windows meant nothing, she was still so affected by the ‘dream’ she had been in. She sat up, an exultant expression on her face. She had made contact with the Guardian! Only the difficult task of transferring him physically to Maradon remained. That was in itself a daunting procedure-one she had never tried before, as there had been no need for such since long before her lifetime.

But now she would... The outer noises finally penetrating her consciousness, Triana brushed her long brown hair away from her face with one hand, as she hurried to the window of her upper room in the palace.

The large, well-lit courtyard between the palace and outer walls was full of soldiers. One Maradonian soldier sounded the alarm from his position on the wall, while others ran to meet the intruders who had broken through the heavy entrance gate and were fighting their way toward the palace. Despite the efforts of the well-trained guards, and partly due to their recently thinned ranks, they were being overwhelmed by the invading forces.

Triana raced across the room and flung open her door, gathering up the long skirt of her sleeping gown to keep from tripping. She reached the top of the main stairway that led down into the large entry hall, just as the ornate entry doors were forced open.

Enemy soldiers rushed through, wearing the distinctive armor of Brotana, the country to the east of Maradon, over the Kessla mountain range.

They were met by the remainder of King Braeden’s private guard. Many had been sleeping when the alarm was sounded, being off duty. They rushed into the entry hall, most wearing nightclothes, a few wearing hastily donned pants, mostly barefooted. They were ill-prepared for battle, though they had scooped up swords and shields, at least.

They were few compared to the Brotanian soldiers. Triana watched in horror as most of the Royal Guard were quickly struck down.

King Braeden rushed along the hall to join Triana. He had taken the time to buckle on his sword belt. When he saw that most of his men had already fallen, he grabbed Triana’s hand.

Run for the back stairs!

They started down the dimly lit halls together. They hadn’t gone far when they heard the sound of men racing up the stairs behind them. The two made it halfway down the long hall before being overtaken by four Brotanian soldiers.

Braeden turned, sword in hand, to meet them. He pushed Triana behind him, ordering her to keep going. One large, well-muscled man lunged toward the king with his sword. Braeden expertly blocked him, but two others joined the first. The King was quickly overpowered, as one of them circled behind, hitting King Braeden with the hilt of his sword, knocking him senseless.

The fourth had continued after Triana. He caught up to her just as she snatched a small knife from a tray on a hall table. Triana faced him, holding the knife ready to slash at him. The soldier just laughed.

Little girl, didn’t your mother teach you not to play with sharp things? He moved towards her, grinning.

She slashed at the soldier, scoring a cut across his upper arm. He yelled in surprise and anger.

Another of the four approached. She faced them, her back to the wall, and tried to hold them off, but the second man lunged and caught her arm. He twisted it and forced her to drop the knife. Triana struggled as the man spun her around and wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms at her side.

He started down the hall half carrying, half dragging her. She tried to kick his legs and swung her head back to hit his face.

Grab the little wildcat’s legs! he yelled angrily at the other man. Triana tried to push that one away with her feet, but her long nightgown got in the way. They finally got her held fast, and carried her down the stairs, while she struggled, yelling to be let loose.

When they reached the floor below, the two threw her roughly to the floor beside her father, where he had been dropped by the other soldiers.

Triana lay stunned for a moment, but she quickly caught her breath and tried to rise. She sat back when she looked up to find a sword aimed at her throat.

My dear niece, I must say you exhibit very un-lady-like behavior for a princess. Kelan, her mother’s brother, stood above her, smiling down at her.

Kelan, you shall pay for this with your life. Triana spoke quietly, but her voice held the promise of dire consequences.

Yes? And who will make me pay? Not my dear brother-in-law, Braeden. He looked down contemptuously at the unconscious King and laughed.

You will not talk so boldly when the Guardian comes, Kelan. Then you will answer for your crimes against our people.

Triana, my dear, is that any way to talk to your new King? A woman spoke sweetly behind them.

Ah, Sister, there you are. Kelan greeted Ralana, his twin sister.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news my little Dreamer, but your precious ‘Guardian’ won’t be coming after all. Ralana informed her niece.

You two, hold her. Ralana ordered the men who had captured her. Triana noted with a bit of satisfaction that one had a bloody nose, and the other’s arm still bled freely.

They each roughly grabbed one of her arms, lifting her to stand between them. She wisely decided against struggling when the man with the bloody nose pressed a long knife against her ribs.

Ralana placed a foul-smelling cloth over her mouth and nose. Triana tried to turn her head away, but Kelan had moved behind her and grabbed a handful of her hair, holding her head in place. She was forced to breathe in the noxious fumes. She began to feel dizzy, and her knees buckled.

Don’t worry, dear. It is just a little something to help you sleep; a nice, DREAMLESS little sleep. Triana heard Ralana’s mocking laughter, as if from a long way off. She felt herself being picked up in someone’s arms as the room went dark.

Triana felt as if she were falling into darkness so black that there was nothing left in the world...

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Tristan Daniels sat up suddenly as the phone began to ring. He started to climb out of bed to answer it but fell back when it stopped.

He’d been dreaming. It had started out with the typical nonsense that dreams often do... something about tall stacks of pizza. That part was already fading into nothingness.

Then the scene had changed. Strangely the next part was still crystal clear in his mind. He found himself sitting on a large, flat rock. A wide river flowed past several yards in front of him. Beyond the river, on both sides, trees grew thickly.

He’d taken a deep breath...he could smell growing things. Could you smell in dreams?

This is my favorite place in the whole world. A voice spoke softly beside him.

Tristan turned his head to see a young woman beside him. Her long brown hair flowed down her back, framing a gentle face, with warm brown eyes, and a beautiful smile that grew as she looked up into his face.

I have finally found you! I have been searching for you for quite some time, you know.

You’ve been searching for me? Why? Tristan asked.

The time has come, Guardian. My people need you.

Guardian? What are you talking about? he watched her as the breeze blew her hair back from her face.

What was that annoying sound?

He had woken up to hear the phone ringing then. Tristan opened his eyes and glanced at the clock. Drat! He’d forgotten to set his alarm again. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be late for work. His boss at ‘Pizza Haven’ had warned him he’d lose his job if he was late one more time. Not that he’d mind much. Until he got through this semester of college though, he couldn’t really afford to lose this job. He planned to search for a better job during summer break. He’d have much less competition then, since most students went home for the summer.

Tristan changed into his uniform, put his keys and wallet in his pocket, then ran a comb through his short, dark blond hair. He ran a hand across his cheek and chin. He really should shave, but he just didn’t have time. Maybe he ought to consider growing a beard.

Hurrying through the living room, he slipped on his leather jacket and grabbed the black motorcycle helmet from the table by the front door. Locking the door behind him, he started toward his motorcycle, parked in front of his apartment.

He stopped as he heard a soft sound, almost as if someone had whispered his name. A quick look around showed the area to be void of anyone but himself. Tristan shrugged, deciding it must just be a weird trick of the wind, put his helmet on and started the engine. In the rush to get to work, Tristan forgot about his unusual dream.

Chapter Two

A week had gone by since Tristan had dreamed about the girl by the river. Sitting at the desk in his living room, he tried to study, but he finally closed the book with a sigh. Every time he tried to concentrate, he would find his thoughts returning to that dream.

He left the desk, to stretch out on the couch on the other side of the room. Maybe a nap would help. He’d been studying all day to prep for his finals and was worn out. He yawned sleepily.

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Guardian, hear me! He knew that voice...

Tristan opened his eyes to find brown eyes looking down at him.

He sat up, noticing that this time he had been lying on the grass. He looked around to see the same river and trees as before.

My name is Tristan, he looked back to the girl. She put a hand on his arm.

Please, Tristan, I do not have much time. They may soon discover that I no longer sleep. I must complete the transfer before that happens.

Tristan looked at the hand on his arm, then up into the girls pleading eyes. What the heck? This may only be a dream, but he was curious to see what would happen next. He stood up, absentmindedly brushing grass from his pants, and looked down into the face of the girl now standing in front of him.

Okay, dream girl. You lead, and I’ll follow. She moved a step closer and reached both hands to take hold of his arms just below his elbows. Without thought, Tristan shifted to clasp her arms as well.

Guardian… Tristan, she corrected, smiling as she saw the look in his eyes. I am Triana. Now, you must close your eyes. Try to relax. Her hands felt warm on his arms.

A moment later, Tristan felt her tense up.

Ralana is coming! No, close your eyes. We must hurry. Her voice communicated fear but held a note of firm resolve to accomplish whatever she intended to do before this Ralana could stop them. Tristan’s eyes flew open, but he finally followed her instructions after a hurried glance around, seeing that there was no one else in sight.

What now?

Tristan, Ralana’s potion is still affecting me. I am not sure I can do this without your help. I need what strength you can give me.

He wasn’t sure what she wanted him to do, but he’d give it a shot. He pictured their clasped arms. Then he tried to imagine strength... no, ENERGY, flowing down his arms and through them, into hers. He heard the girl gasp in surprise.

Tristan began to feel dizzy and disoriented. He could no longer feel the girl’s touch. He was falling forward... There was a strange, rushing sound and he tried to open his eyes, to call out, but nothing happened. He had no sense of time passing in the usual way, and yet whatever was happening seemed to go on forever…

As suddenly as it had begun, it ended. Tristan could feel solid ground underneath him. He opened his eyes and gave a yell as he got a very close-up view of an animal’s face. He moved back as far as he could go, using the wall he found himself against to get to his feet.

Who are you? A boy, about 12 years old, was standing by the horse whose face had been inches from Tristan’s seconds ago.

Where...where am I? Tristan felt totally confused. He’d never had a dream like THIS! Maybe he was sick, and hallucinating.

This is our barn. How did you get here? the boy stepped closer.

I have no idea… This IS just a dream, right? he said, more to himself than the boy. I was with a girl. She said her name was Triana. The next thing I know, I’m here.

Triana! You were with Triana? The boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Are you the Guardian? his voice lowered to almost a whisper. Tristan lowered his voice to match the boys in volume.

That’s what SHE called me. What does that mean?

Instead of answering Tristan’s question directly, the boy grabbed his hand.

Come, I must take you to my father. Hurry! Tristan went with the boy, not knowing what else to do. Outside was a small, plain cottage, its walls painted white. The boy pulled Tristan toward it.

Tristan looked around as the boy pulled him through the grass, and into the open doorway. The cottage was at the edge of a large clearing. There was a heavily wooded area behind. More cottages sat nearby, similar in looks to the one they entered, spread around the clearing. Some lined a small dirt road that ran through the center of the small village. It passed near the cottage they entered. The whole scene reminded Tristan of a movie he had watched once.

The inside of the cottage was simply furnished. There were only a few pieces of furniture, all of them made from a dark, almost black, wood.

Tristan’s gaze settled on a man seated at a table near one end of the room. He had brown hair and a clean-shaven face. The boy closed the door behind them and rushed to the man’s side.

Father, this is the Dreamer’s Guardian. His eyes glittered with excitement.

Kinnead, how do you know this? the boy’s father placed his hands on his son’s shoulders, studying his face.

He appeared out of nowhere. It was very funny to see the look on his face when he found himself staring at our horse. The boy laughed. He continued, his voice full of excitement. He speaks of Triana, and says she called him the Guardian. Can you not feel the truth, Father?

The man stood and faced Tristan, studying him in turn. He took in the dark blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes the young man wore. Then his gaze moved