Echoes of the Past

Chapter Fourteen - Part Two

Chapter Fourteen: The James Island That Once Was - Part Two

James raised his brows. He somehow knew what Sam was talking about. 

The eagerness in Sam's eyes told James he had sensed his thoughts. "How about it?"

James's stomach tightened as he nodded and cleared his throat. He had been waiting two years for this.

"A tale?" Evan asked.

"Oh, aye." Sam sat on the far end of James's bed, turning to face him. "I have to tell James how he lost his memory." 

The words sent another chill through James. On the other bed, Evan hugged his knees. He looked like a child who really was settling in for a good story.

James resisted saying anything, not wanting to prolong what Sam had to say. He waited, mentally preparing himself. 

"The James Island that once was," Sam began, "was a gifted Oneron soldier. He attended the Allied Starfield Training Academy, and graduated to join a military fleet, serving on their largest ship as part of their guard squadron. His father, Hayden Island, was a well-known and highly respected war hero, having fought in some of the galaxy's most recent notable wars. But that achievement came at a price, and Hayden made many enemies along the way. His most powerful rival, a warlord named Doon, decided that he would strike a definitive blow against his sworn enemy. A personal blow. He set out to kill Hayden's son, James Island. What happened next was told to me by several people, their accounts piecing together the following events, as I understand them.

"While returning from a diplomatic assignment, the warship James served on, The Keystone, was attacked by Doon's forces. The ship was breached and Doon's men set out to kill everyone on board. Severely outnumbered, James and a few of his surviving guards commenced a daring counter attack. Knowing the warship better than the invaders, they managed to infiltrate the command deck and gain control of the ship. A distress signal was sent out, while James aimed the ship towards the nearest planet. His bravery and fortitude landed that ship, saving the lives of all the remaining survivors on board. But the attackers persisted, taking the fight onto the planet.

"As James and his men fought back, another ship arrived. Doon. Accompanied by hundreds of his guards, along with his personal guardsman, Garland Vas. Another ally of Doon's showed himself that day. Valdragannon, also known as The Dark Sorcerer."

"The Dark Sorcerer," James said quietly. "The one that's been looking for me." He shuddered.

Sam nodded gravely. "The very same. He has been looking for you by command from Doon."

James's brows furrowed. Doon. He thought he had heard the name before.

"Seeking the advantage," Sam went on, "James and his men ascended a surveillance tower that reached dozens of kilometres in the air. As Oneron soldiers, climbing the tower was little effort to James's squad. It was on the summit of the tower that they made their last stand. Using their grapple hooks, they swung in and out and around the tower, picking off Doon's men as they approached them.

"When only James and two other men remained, another ship broke atmosphere. Hayden had arrived, accompanied by his mentor and war friend, the Oneron sorcerer Ghannim. The two of them joined the battle that would later be known as the Dalgredda Valley Attack. During the chaos, the fight was broken up, and James found himself faced alone with Doon. While James was a trained and talented Oneron soldier, his sword and magical skills were no match for the powerful warlord. James suffered devastating injuries and was left mortally wounded. Before Doon could finish the kill, he was pushed back by a great force summoned by Ghannim, which allowed them time to gather James and get away.