Tales of Darkness and Light (Book 1 Complete)

Chapter 1: Of Rebellion and New Beginnings

Chapter 1: Of Rebellion and New Beginnings

Addy Freeland crouched down below a barrel of hay as the enemy soldiers approached. From the distance, she could see the almost inhumanly pale skin and dark red and black uniforms that marked them as being part of Mordan's army. She shivered inwardly, imagining the darkness magic rolling off them, their charred and dark auras that she learned about in childhood stories.

Everyone knew that Mordan's Watch brought death and destruction wherever they went. But for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why they were here. Casta was a small farming town in the middle of nowhere, filled with cheerful people who had shown her kindness in her few days here.

Addy watched from behind the barrel as the soldiers marched into the village, ignoring the desperate pleas of the town's single guard.

"Please, please, we're a peaceful town! Mordan has no quarrel with us!" The man's face was taut with terror. He knew exactly who he was dealing with. So the news of Mordan's conquests has reached even a place as secluded as this, Addy thought. 

There were only five members of the Watch, yet the fear that they struck into the hearts of the townspeople who she had been laughing and trading with just moments ago was immeasurable. Blinds were drawn as people ran back into their homes, the panicked squeaks and questions of young children were quickly muffled, and the bustling street shut down in a flash.

"Please, leave us be. We mean no harm." The guard was begging now. He may have been strong and capable - Addy didn't know - but one against five weren't good odds in a normal fight. And Mordan's Watch almost never lost a battle, always leaving destruction in their wake.

She could see the sweat bead down the man's face as the tallest of the soldiers turned to him. The Watchman had a large scar over one of his eyes, and she could almost feel the magic radiating off him. Her arm itched to grab her sword and leap to the man's defense, but she stayed put. She had left her armour at the inn, and had only her sword, her bag, and a few throwing daggers. She would be lucky to escape alive. Biting her lip, she leaned back and ducked her head, watching the events unfold.

The soldier grinned at the guard, a harsh, cruel thing. "You mean no harm, do you?" He mocked. "And yet, Casta sells food and supplies to the country Perrnath, one of Mordan's enemies." The soldier brought his rapier up off his belt, pointing it at the man with a wicked smirk. "I think it's time to teach you all a lesson."

Addy winced internally. So that was what it was about. A trade issue - never worth threatening the lives of all these innocent people - but some dark, twisted part of her, deep inside, understood the logic. If they cut off Perrnath's supply routes, one of Mordan's greatest enemies would fall, and they would be one step closer to dominating the whole continent. Something inside her panged at the thought.

With a single flick of the soldier's sword, the guard moved out of the way and allowed the group to pass into town. The scarred man clapped his hands together twice and Addy could almost feel the collective wince of the townspeople as the noise echoed down the cobblestone streets.

"Alright, listen up! I want everyone outside and lined up in ten minutes or we start killing. One house for every extra minute. Go get your friends, neighbours, I don't care. I have an announcement to make."

The effect was almost immediate. Doors opened as people scrambled to get outside as soon as possible. The few stragglers were forced outside by the remaining guards. Addy watched in silent fury as an old man was thrown roughly onto the street by a smirking woman in black and red, who turned to the scarred man - the group's leader, Addy assumed - and said a simple "captain". The man stayed on his hands and knees, wheezing and unable to get up.