This is an old short story I wrote about two years ago. It takes place before the events in 'Mountain Hold' and sets the scene for the later stories. It's leaning more towards Fantasy and Sci-Fi of pre-biblical days with good old-fashioned survivalist adventure driving it along... There's a poll also for those following which tribe is their favorite. The Way-Captain Copyright 2014 by Tyler Danann All Rights ReservedThe following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual names, persons, businesses, and incidents is strictly coincidental. Locations are used only in the general sense and do not represent the real place in actuality. For two hours the three groups set out across the alien terrain towards their fluid-like destiny. The ground underfoot was dry, stony and unyielding but here and there were gritty mounds and rises. The land they were in was formless and barren but this served only to remind the eye that it was not their home. Behind them was the plateau, before them the vast open desert and before them the distant mountain range. They took a little care in being stealthy, knowing that time was against them. Nevertheless they still took care not to silhouette themselves against the night sky giving way to a murky dawn. Although they arrived together there were no firm bonds except the loosest of agreements and a vow not to break the common-code. It was more a way of life for factions such as these, indeed back on the world of Terra there was much to left to explore and plentiful areas to still spread out to. Watcher Owesion was the leader of his group, The Soliters; kindred to the Aesir and Vanir. Owesion was Way-Captain for the mission and one who commanded over the other two groups as well. He cast oceanic eyes at the two other tribes on both sides of him. On his right were his kindred-cousins - The Vril, those that descended from the Aesir ancients. With the Unity War being long since over and there had recently been a lasting peace forged between they and the Soliters being of their kindred the Vanir. The Vril's dark, armored clothes were worn fairly tightly, with a vague ‘V’ symbol on their chest along with tribal sigil on their upper arms. In some ways they were similar to the Soliters, whose attire was similar; being of fairer shades of gray, brown and burgundy typically. To his left were the Kaslar, an eastern tribe of some note. Something of the nomadic desert folk from east of the great Levant River, but with more caucus-features than that of the southern desert tribes. Compared to the 'Rabian's they were something of an elite people. According to the Soliter and Vril saga-keepers they were more cunning, ruthless and superior than their 'Rabian rivals. Indeed the folk wielded secret weapons of flame, allowing them to be more than capable of holding their own against rivals. By either providence or fortune the gateway stones had there origin in their lands thus permitting them to accompany them on the quest. There was relative peace between them all, for Terra still enjoyed a time that enjoyed a lingering bounty of the golden times. But some of the elders were noticing a shifting of the upper atmosphere, reducing the harmonic elements from entering the world. The orbs they now sought would surely help prevent or possibly reverse the process. Indeed they were all so concentrated that any thought of their home world ‘Terra’ was far from their minds. Any old feuding rivalry’s and clashes were quite distant as the common bonds of questing for greatness took precedent. Owesion ran a hand through his reddish-blonde hair. With luck the outcome of their quest would see a lasting golden age on Terra. Anneas, leader of his Vril trio had a hazy gleam to his eye, he was eager for success, such a thing would grant him good standing with the Aesir and possibly even steal the thunder from Owesion's own greatness back on Terra. All three of them wore helmets but his could not conceal the bright fair hair that spilled back like mane. He rubbed his helm a little, ironing out the crease of the comm-clip, the sound feedback from one of his companions was bothering him slightly. For the comm-clip was only a recent development, just being trialed in the underways and it allowed passive communication over short distances to another vibration-linked set of dual-crystals nearby. All of his companions had them installed, giving them a vital edge. Anneas carried a hollow-metal staff with a charged Vril-Ya tube in it. A deadly and formidable weapon. Yet the Vril Staff or Vril Rod was inherently reliant on Vril-Ya energy. An energy source that did not last long when used without a resupply. Opening them up in the field was not advisable either, for a moist or even dusty environment could ruin the delicate internals. The lone female of the Vril, known as a 'Gy' in the Vril-language, did not carry a Vril-rod, but instead she bore a circular sling-glade. A controllable device, that when thrown was a lethal disc of death and injury. Faern was very young, not yet twenty-one in mortal years and thus not yet having earned the right to wield a vril-staff. Her own blonde hair, like Anneas's was noticeable; long in fashion but not lengthy. She felt the eye’s of another on her and turned quickly to her left. The moving figures there, in the dark gloomy night gave no indication, but she suspected it was the Soliter keeper Sigrun. A red-headed one, common to Soliter females. The other Vril warrior was Wilderen; a tough, giant of a man with thick brows and fair features. His cleft, lantern-jawline was prominent showing an over-agressive manner that Anneas often struggled to control. He nodded grimly at the large formation of complex mountains and dry channels. Once water would of flown readily on this dark world. Now much of it was a desert, a grayish-beige desert in the dirty, dawning light. The breathable, yet thick atmosphere allowed little sunlight in. Some vegetation existed elsewhere, but even that was fading. It was alien to even these strange intruders. Perhaps the very sun itself was slowly dying, lacking the force and power to properly penetrate the thick atmosphere. It was a matter that wouldn't normally concern them, for their world was light-years away. Yet they were now among a realm where no rescue or friendly support existed except for themselves. The only way of return to their home world was through the gate-stones from which they arrived. Even this was not fixed, but ‘cycled-in’ and ‘cycled-out’ in a complex and patterned sequence fully understood by their elder kin. Should they miss the 'cycle-out' it would be death sentence, for it could be many millennia or even eons before another crossed it's path, especially so far from home. Trust, therefore played a part in what these beings were doing. They all had lofty masters who could locate the roaming gateways with different ways and means, thus allowing travel to ‘off-world’ areas. Such an undertaking did not reflect on their carried technology or technos. In fact there was a curious gulf between what and where they could travel to and their own technos and capability’s on getting there. According to the Navigators the next gate return ‘cycle’ would be within less than a day. It would remain open for only a short duration of three minutes. If they missed this ‘return-gate’ being marooned was a certainty and languishing death would soon follow on such a deathly planet. Water seemed scarce, the weather cycle common to their home world was lacking, if any life existed it must surely be beyond the bone-dry mountains and arid terrain. They moved as one for another five minutes before the Kaslar leader, Prophus Ghone called for a halt. * “What do we know about it?” Prophus Ghone said. His name meant priestly crack or fissure. He was a ruthless man, born from a long-line of high-priests. Ghone spoke the words without his customary harshness though. Knowing it would possibly bother the Soliter and the Vril, the former speaking near-fluent Kaslar and the latter less able. “We know only what our elders have told us.” Owesion spoke, raising his helmet’s visor. The atmosphere was of course breathable, but a whipping wind bothered his eye’s somewhat. He pointed towards the noticeable mountains. “Over there is where we go, to that mountain range. Within it is that which buzzes and intrigues our masters.” “Did your elder Navigators say what dwells here?” Ghone said. The wrappings and head-dress with robes covered the being. Only the eye’s were showing. Faintly hazel and brown. The color a contrast to Anneas’ dark cobalt and Owesion’s pale gray. “Beside’s the artifacts? Unknown. The mountains and closeness of the artifacts make it hard to see life-signs and such. We’ll know for sure once we get there.” Ghone said nothing but shook his head. He knew there was something here. Possibly being with-held from their senses. “This is dead-world, but something lingers here, perhaps sleeping or buried.” He brooded. Apart from himself there were five other Kaslar. The five being Soza warriors. Their mood was even but their temper ready to flare up with a warrior-like fanaticism. All of his folk had been assembled, like the others, hastily and hand-picked for the strange quest. They nodded and rubbed beards nervously. “This is an uncharted globe Prophus of Kaslar.” Anneas said amiably to Owesion. “It has no name, but it reminds me of a place out of the eternal darkness. My elders told me, before we left, that there might even be a greater realm close-by to this world, a realm overlooking it which harbors a great evil within.” Anneas now raised his helmet-visor to look into the cloudy skies. His blue eyes, a common trait in the Soliter and Vril bloodline, glittered in fearless radiance. Out of courtesy he repeated what he said to Ghone who nodded. “I see no demons Anneas and we are in open country.” Owesion said calmly. The exchange now taking a touch of apprehension. Anneas wanted to get moving again, they were against time with the gate’s return sequence being as it was. “This is no jaunt Owesion. We do not know if the things we seek are guarded.” Anneas said. Eyeing him warily. He was about to say more but checked himself for the Kaslar leader was listening. “I know, yet the Navigators don't know everything. All I know for certain is that if your Vril staffs can’t protect us in there, nothing can. Then we definitely miss our gateway back to Terra ” Owesion said sharply. At this there was a common bond of silence. Anneas nodded, unfamiliar places were not his peoples forte, even if they did wield powerful things like Owesion had mentioned. Owesion asked Sigrun on the return-gate’s path. She carried no precision astro-instrument for knowing, but instead held a rugged, sensitized pressure stone. Even he did not know it’s workings but she did and after a moment of staring and scrying she turned to him. “It left this world over two hours ago and is on a long circuit around the local system. It should arrive back at the same location within about sixteen to twenty hours before leaving here entirely. There is no re-loop or return after that.” She said seriously. “Can’t you be a little more precise?” One of the bigger Vril said. Wilderen was not known for his finesse. “I can’t be exact like one of your automatons.” She retorted in a cutting way. “This is an art not a science. The gate-force that carried us does not move in a pure linear path-form but one requiring intuition and insight.” She said clearly, giving the helmeted warrior a stinging look. “Alright let’s waste no time!” Owesion said turning towards the mountains again. “Onward!”
Chapter 2 Prophus Ghone and the other Kaslar’s were neither powerful nor weak as a tribe, nor were they known for their optimism. They'd already seen two cataclysms rock Terra in previous times and were intelligent enough to keep one step ahead of others caught up in disasters. Their territory on Terra was large enough and had a large inland sea for resources. But they were otherwise landlocked and unable to easily expand in any direction. To the east it was a mostly barren and useless terrain of desert and tundra. Indeed equally powerful Jade Asiatic folks guarded the border on the other side of it. In all other directions the fiercer tribes blocked their way. The best way lay to the south in Ghone's mind; with an infinity-orb powering their sacred-relics once again they would find warmer lands back on Terra.
Chapter 3 They’d reached the mountain-range and could see no way in, but by following it around to their left there was a saddle-like approach allowing them up to an entranceway. There was no need to climb, apart from the initial entrance-way which was open and exposed. Once inside the laser-cut tunnels made easy their going. For Owesion who led his team it was not a difficulty, he already had experience of mountain exploration. It was he who had emerged from the deadly caverns and chambers of Vochagen near-unscathed. He ascertained that the tunnel ran the length of the mountain range, running spine-like and probably ending in another entranceway, for a similar saddle-depression had been noticeable as they'd moved closer earlier. With his optimism not leaving him he wove a path ahead of the others with Sigrun guiding him. After nearly an hour there was a great chamber opening to their left. The tunnel continued onwards straight ahead. Should they need to flee, the choice of deeper into the mountain, or towards the entrance lay open to them. This was to be the Soliters reckoning. Inside in the center were was the first of the orb-stones. There were white-bluish flames that lit up the chamber showing both it and a vast shape that seemed out of place. Anneas looked to his two kinsfolk and they nodded. The flames were similar to that used in the hollow’s of Terra. If there were some Vril warriors gone rogue Owesion would be out-matched. There were no sign’s or sigil’s on the walls though. “It’s not Vril.” Wilderen said softly. “And that lump before it is alive.” Owesion said, preparing his gear. Between them and the orb was a great lizard-beast, at least twenty feet long. Gray and silver skin that was armored in scales glittered in the strange light. This was to be the Soliter Test and Owesion looked over to Ghone and Anneas. “Wait here. We'll try and get around to the orb without waking it, but be ready.” The Way-Captain said to them. So they did, looking on from the bottle-neck. Sigrun drew her crescent blades and fixed them silently, as they split up. “Should we help them?” Ghone said to Anneas, uncomfortable at being this close. “They’ll be alright, too many near that thing and it might wake-up.” Anneas in the middle, Sigrun and the Ubron to the side. The Great Lizard still slept and Owesion wondered if it was some sign that they were ‘meant’ to trespass. Would it even notice the loss of such a small thing? Or would it wake up now, or in the future then end up stalking the planet’s surface in a relentless search?
Chapter 4 The tunnel led out to a widened chamber about a two hundred and fifty feet long with deep shadows and thick towering pillars. About halfway inside there was a raised section causing them to gaze upwards at the splendor within.
Chapter 5 The Last Guardian The journey to the final chamber took over an hour. All of them had a kind of half-elixir concoctions to keep their ‘edge’, restore energy and vitality. For the Soliters theirs was a liquefied plant extract called 'Selve'. The Vril warriors drank an essence of Vril-Ya that was diluted and blended with honey for taste. The Kaslar had to make do with water skins mixed with water and wine for their needs. Not as effective as the other two, but more readily available in the world of Terra. The going was slow, for they moved at the speed of the injured Kaslar. Nireth had applied a folded cloth that Faern had soaked in Vril-Ya. It numbed the pain somewhat, but it wasn’t enough. The chamber beasts ‘pressure –wave’ attack had cracked at least three ribs and the impact against the wall had broken at least as many. With a pool full of their mystery essence he'd be healed within six hours but as it was this was out of the question. The nomad kept as silent as he could, biting down on a leather strap whenever the pain surged beyond what he could handle. “For the third chamber we’ll be facing the deadliest foe, of that I’m sure.” Faern said to her companions. “What makes you say that?” Wilderen wondered abruptly, he was not one to listen much to Vril maiden's, unless he was in the lusty or best of moods. “Each chamber has been harder than the last. The first was the Soliter chamber that saw us unscathed, then the Kaslar’s saw bloodshed and death. Will this next one have our own pain-fate brothers?” “You keep your glade ready Gy, as I keep my staff charged then we’ll see what comes.” Wilderen said with patriarchal pride.
Chapter 6 Race to the Gate It was only a few hundred yards to a corner and there they saw the relief-filled sight of the entrance. They exited the mountain with an anxious urgency and stumbled through the rocky descent to the dusty desert-plains below.
Chapter 7 Making a Stand The Saken army drew closer, they moved forward as a tight unit, a taller, longer and massive lizard-being led the way. It's four legs pounded the ground as two legged humanoids followed. The beast from the first chamber was relentless and knew that those that had taken the orbs were ahead.
Chapter 8 Nireth's Test Nireth watched as her allies approached closer and closer to the trap. She wanted to say something in warning but the thing that lay in wait was too deadly. One word to them in warning and Prophus Ghone was a dead man by it's taloned hand. Like a shade it had followed both Kaslar hours previously, once they'd arrived at the gate-stones and relaxed the Saken guardian struck. The previous two hours were heavy on her, but she forced herself to remember. The Vril and Soliter were only minutes away, if she could not do something all their fates looked uncertain with the Saken waiting next to her... And if you want to know how it ends you'll have to wait until I can get the story published folks
Okay everyone, it's been a year-long road but The Way Captain is now ready! I've got it onto Amazon Kindle for your enjoyment and adventure! Amazon.com: The Way Captain eBook: Tyler Danann, M. Michaels: Kindle Store Please take a look and let me know what you think...
