Paladin's Rise - Lich Lord Wars Book 4

Chapter 1

"We will attack tomarrow morning."

"Why not tonight? I believe we can be ready by then. The longer we take to attack the longer they have to prepare.

"Tornal is still bringing the prisoners from previous battles for sacrifice. We will attack when we are strongest."

"Should you really be trusting Tornal with such a task. You know his is planning to betray us at his first opportunity."

"Tornal has already doomed himself. It is just a matter of time, you have no need to be concerned with him. Just make sure your people are ready by morning."

"As you will."

High Lord Gidon Aguerius watched from the city wall of Flameshaven as the doom of all that was dear to him dug into fortifications around the city. The army of Kadus Knights and undead had seemingly come from nowhere and had begun a siege of the city.

He had tried to send for aid to the capital of the Forjad Province, but the Lich Lords' armies had moved too swiftly and blocked all paths from the Valley. He had led two counterattacks to try to break through, but both had been a disaster. It was as if the undead knew every plan and trick he would use. For the first time in all his years as Royal Strategist, he felt he was up against a mind far more brilliant than his.

As he gazed down upon the preparations of the enemy forces, his thoughts turned to his two older sons, Almas and Creetan. The thought of Almas being held captive and in the hands of the Lich Lords pained him deeply, and he wondered how his brave, determined son was faring in the clutches of such darkness. There was also the question of what the undead had done to him. With the reports from Debigroc it was clear that Almas had served at least some part of the gates to the city being opened to the army of revenants that had taken the city. He wondered if there was anything left of his son to save.

At least he had some comfort in knowing that Creetan was with Lord Teanas, an elvish prince, attempting to rescue his brother. They were both capable warriors, and Gidon prayed they would return safely.

Determined to focus on the present, Gidon turned his attention to the city below. The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on his heart, but he needed to ensure the safety of his wife and two younger children. With that in mind, he left the city wall and hurried towards the city keep where Izybel and the children were.

He found them in the main hall of the keep, Giddy and Izybel were hard at work. As heir to the lordship of the Forjad Province and leader of the crafter's Guild there was no better crafter in all the kingdom than his wife. At this moment they were making what she called a golem. She was crafting it to assist in the city's defense and it was a formidable creation, resembling a giant warrior made of stone and metal.

Giddy, with his eyes shining with excitement, exclaimed, "Dad! Mom and I are building a golem to protect Flameshaven! It's going to be awesome! I'm naming him Rocky!"

Izybel chuckled, wiping her forehead with her sleeve. "Yes, Rocky will be quite the defender if those invaders make it this far. But let's hope it won't come to that. Your father is a brilliant strategist, and he'll come up with a plan to drive them away."

Gidon smiled at his wife's confidence in him but couldn't help feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "We'll do our best, Izybel. Every defender counts, including this formidable golem you and Giddy are crafting."

Giddy beamed with pride, puffing his chest out a little. "I'm going to make sure it's the best golem ever!"

"Of course, you will," Gidon said, ruffling Giddy's hair affectionately. "You have your mother's talent for crafting, and your determination will make it exceptional."