Logan abandons the Elves’ system of beliefs, following his father’s brutal slaying by Man. Logan’s loss fuels a destructive hunger for vengeance. Caught slaughtering Men wandering near the Elf city of Sungnaught, he is banished from the only place he has ever called home. Soon he meets a mysterious character, not indigenous to Klilax, who wears the necklace of the gods and bares troubling news - the citizens of Klilax are on the brink of eradication. Logan accepts an unfathomable mission to save his world and aligns himself with a misunderstood Dwarf, a deserted Ronx, and his only friend and love from home. Together they embark on an incredible journey, taking them from the Forest of Sungnaught to each race’s unique habitat and beyond. Filled with thieves, wizards, dragons and powerful ancient creatures, the journey will test the depths of Logan’s fortitude and lead him to a terrible secret that may send everyone to their peril. As the bonds of friendship strengthen, Logan continues to struggle with his greatest conflict; an inner struggle of good and evil. Will Logan be able to suppress his hatred and find the courage to fight for a land that pushed him to the edge of society, or do some wounds go too deep? Every decision Logan makes, could be his last.

Logan

Rise of the Shadow ElfBy J.J. Ryeczek

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 J.J. Ryeczek
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-7451-7

Contents

Prologue......................................................viiChapter 1 Conviction........................................viiChapter 2 The Death of Zohar................................5Chapter 3 Rise of the Shadow Elf............................10Chapter 4 A Lonely Path.....................................18Chapter 5 Clygon............................................27Chapter 6 Reunion...........................................34Chapter 7 Nex and Ronzo.....................................41Chapter 8 Rumgar............................................54Chapter 9 The Red Knights...................................69Chapter 10 Underground Castle................................76Chapter 11 Crimson Blade.....................................86Chapter 12 Battle of Dublas..................................100Chapter 13 A Rogue Mission...................................115Chapter 14 A Time to Celebrate...............................134Chapter 15 A Friend's Plea...................................150Chapter 16 Shock Waves.......................................165Chapter 17 Zomba Mountains...................................172Chapter 18 An Epic Duel......................................193Chapter 19 Safe and Helpless.................................210Chapter 20 Three Days Ago....................................223Chapter 21 A New Ally........................................243Chapter 22 Voyage Across the Great Ocean.....................260Chapter 23 Isle of the Dragons...............................285Chapter 24 Xanzomith.........................................301Chapter 25 Magic is Might....................................321Chapter 26 A Powerful Alliance...............................335Chapter 27 Consequence of a Promise..........................343Chapter 28 A New Age Begins..................................374Chapter 29 End of Innocence..................................386Chapter 30 Fallen Warrior....................................398Chapter 31 Klilax............................................415

Chapter One

Conviction

Deep desire for vengeance raged within Logan; he shrouded himself in shadows, envisaging his next kill, five Man thieves who wandered too close to his Forest.

The five scruffy-looking bandits sat under the full moon, around a small fire they built using sticks and leaves gathered from the ground nearby. The bare carcass of a small animal hung above the fire, its meat plucked to the bone.

"They had a hefty bag of silver pieces for such a young couple," one of the Men boasted, lifting a bulky brown leather coin pouch. "Should have let them live to steal from again."

A black-bearded Man laughed obnoxiously. His annoying, high-pitched cackle halted abruptly as an arrow shot straight through his mouth, exiting the back of his head.

The other four Men jumped to their feet, looked into the dark Forest for their attacker and reached anxiously for their swords.

"Where did it come from?" shouted one of the Men before an arrow pierced his heart.

Only a moment passed before another Man fell, a long dagger between his eyes.

The two remaining Men trembled and begged for mercy from their unseen assailant.

"Please stop! We have silver we can pay you." The Man yelled in a cracked and horrified voice. He took out his own coin pouch and threw it towards the Forest.

Logan stepped out of the darkness, his bow on his back, hatred on his face. The Men stared at Logan in terror; he was only a dozen paces away.

Logan drew his sword, his eyes cold; he stepped closer to the thieves. Without saying a word, he advanced and callously slashed the neck of the Man to his right; Logan showed no hint of hesitation or remorse.

Logan turned to the last Man, who shivered in fear. The thick-boned Man thrust his sword forward. Logan side-stepped the attack and swung his blade down on the Man's wrist. The severed hand fell to the ground, squirming, the sword still in its grasp.

The Man, bent over in pain, holding his arm as he fell to his knees, crying.

"Stop! Please stop! Spare my life!"

Logan turned his back to the Man, retrieved his dagger and wiped the blood off on the dead Man's face.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The Elf answered in a low chilling voice. "My name is Logan, and I want you to die."

The Man cried hysterically, "Please make it quick."

Without pause, Logan decapitated the Man, silencing the cries and pleas that had disturbed the peaceful sound of the crackling fire burning away in the night.

The next morning, the sun glistened off the dewdrops on the Forest trees. Lord Lexhemius, ruler of Sungnaught, was in his usual morning spot-the middle of Alzavyn, speaking to ordinary Elves who had come to listen to him. Alzavyn was a small flat area surrounded by the enormous roots of six very old trees. The intertwined roots reached as high as eight feet above the ground; two small passages let the Elves enter and exit the nearly enclosed circle. Lord Lexhemius cautioned the many Elves surrounding him about the dangers outside of Sungnaught.

Lexhemius, a wise and gentle leader, loved all Elves as his own children. He took every opportunity he had to counsel Elves both young and old to pass on the wisdom he gained throughout his long life.

"Last night, right outside Sungnaught, five Men were brutally murdered. They were cut, stabbed and beheaded."

His audience gasped.

"What a terrible way to die. Such a tragedy," said Lexhemius, sorrow in his voice.

"A tragedy? Maybe it's a blessing!" A voice yelled out from the crowd.

Other voices in the crowd rumbled: "Logan! He's at it again! How much longer do we have to hear his evil?"

Lexhemius spotted Logan in the crowd and stated calmly, "That is enough. We are not going to do this again right now."

Logan continued, with great conviction: "Every day the Men take more and more land. They have no respect for the other races, no respect for nature, for Klilax. Every night I smell their stench get closer and closer to the city. Soon they will want to claim Sungnaught as their own. Do we wait idly by, do nothing? I say we force them to stick to the promise they made in the REDM Deal-if we even have the strength to stand up to them now."

"Logan, that is enough! People grow tired of your ill will and hateful intent." Lexhemius softened his voice. "Revenge is not our way. If you cannot find harmony in that dark heart of yours, I fear one day you will let it get the best of you."

"Lord Lexhemius, Men spread like maggots on a rotting animal carcass. If we don't start doing something about it, soon, it will be too late."

The rest of the Elf audience grumbled: "He speaks of open war ... he won't be happy until every last Man is dead ... how can he be one of us? You were right ... his heart is as dark as shadows ... the Shadow Elf is dangerous ... his father would be ashamed of him."

Lexhemius took a deep breath and searched his mind for the right words to alleviate Logan's distrust of Men.

"Logan, you know war hurts everyone. And we are protected by the Tiverus River that borders our Forest. Since we have learned to control the river's flow, no Man has ever been able to cross it unless an Elf slowed the current. We are safe here in our Forest. Negotiations and peace talks must take place."

"I see," said Logan sarcastically. "This Forest is our prison. That's why you gave that lovely speech. You don't want any of the Elves traveling past the river."

Lexhemius erupted, anger etched upon his face. "Logan, I will not allow you to spread your evil intent any longer! You have gone too far! I might be your grandfather, but I am also your Lord and I do not want to hear one more war-mongering word. Now get out of my sight!"

Logan opened his mouth to speak. Before he could say another word, a young, beautiful female Elf with fair skin, thick long brown hair and big brown eyes walked up to him, covered his mouth with one hand and held his hand with the other.

"Logan, not again!" She led him away from the crowd; he did not resist.

"Kiki, you shouldn't have stopped me. They need to know Men are evil, even if they don't want to hear it."

Kiki and Logan walked to their favorite spot, under the short bridge that crossed the creek in the village.

"Why do you always have to say something?" asked Kiki, concerned. "Your grandfather has always been lenient with you, but I'm afraid his patience has run out."

"My grandfather doesn't care about me. If he did, he wouldn't have let my father die!"

Logan's body became tense as anger filled his heart. The pain was a constant reminder of the cruel fate life had given him.

Chapter Two

The Death of Zohar

The following day, after a long archery training session, Logan continued to practice into the night. He set up rings, a simple tool used by Elves to improve their accuracy; the small silver loops, ranging from one to six inches in diameter, hung on branches of a tree behind his small wooden cottage.

Logan was proud of his cottage; he built it with his own two hands shortly after his eleventh birthday.

He could have stayed in the room his grandfather gave him at the palace, but he chose, instead, to live among ordinary Elves.

Logan backed up 30 paces and aimed. He fired his arrows rapidly, hitting all 12 targets dead center. Logan admired his accomplishment, but Kiki's voice interrupted his approval.

"Anyone can hit targets that don't move. How about trying something a little more difficult?" Kiki scanned the area for a good target.

"Kiki, what are you doing up at this hour? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd see what you're up to. I knew you'd be up doing something to make yourself a better warrior."

"I missed a couple shots in class today," said Logan regretfully. "I need to sharpen my skills."

"Everyone missed those shots today! The instructors can't hit some of those targets," retorted Kiki, implying there is nothing to be upset about. "Running and ducking one way and shooting a one-inch target moving the opposite direction at the same time is nearly impossible."

Logan turned to face Kiki. "You hit that shot today."

"I was lucky. Now, are you ready to hit something that moves or not?"

Kiki knew Logan would not pass up a challenge.

"Sure, what's the target?"

Kiki picked up a short thick branch from the ground nearby.

"I'll throw this in the air. Let's see if you can hit it," she said, looking up.

Logan nocked an arrow on his bowstring; he stared up into the sky, ready to aim.

"I'm ready."

Kiki tilted her head backward, as if to throw the branch up, but instead threw it straight in front of her. Logan, surprised, couldn't shoot before it hit a tree nearby. Logan scowled at Kiki.

"What point are you trying to make this time?"

"My mother taught me you have to be able to hit an unexpected target, fast, in battle."

Logan was upset; he slumped onto the wet ground, dropped his head as if ashamed. Kiki knelt next to him, rubbing his back.

"What's wrong Logan?"

Logan lifted his head, staring off into the distance. For the first time in years, Kiki heard him speak with deep sorrow.

"Life has been cruel since the day I was born. I never knew my own mother. She died bringing me into this world."

Logan shook his head, feeling her death was at least partly his fault. Death in childbirth was extremely rare among Elf folk.

"And that's just the beginning. My grandparents had twin boys, Laxer, my uncle, and Zohar, my father. Laxer was born first, he's heir to the throne. My father had to protect his brother and go on pointless diplomatic missions, visiting the other races. It wasn't fair! He traveled all over Klilax while Laxer enjoyed all the privileges of being next in line to be lord. My father always told me it didn't matter to him. His job was rewarding. He loved to travel and learn as much as he could about the other races. My father would always take me with him and tell me to pay attention and learn what each race does well and not so well. Then that awful day came. Five years and thirty-two days ago. I was 10 years old. We were on another diplomatic mission to Kilgoria. We hadn't gone far, we were surrounded by Man thieves and murderers. They outnumbered my father 20 to one."

Logan had replayed the incident in his head every night for the past five years; he recalled the story for Kiki in detail.

"You can have whatever you want, but leave my son unharmed," said Zohar calmly, showing no signs of fear even though murderous thieves surrounded him and his son. All the thieves looked to their leader, a Man with a protruding belly and red beard; some of the Men called him Red. Red walked up to Zohar and Logan, grinning as he looked back and forth between the two Elves.

"Please allow my son to leave," said Zohar again. "He's young and innocent. He has never harmed anyone in his life."

Red spit in Zohar's face.

"I'll decide what to do with the boy."

Red turned back to Logan as the other Men began chanting, "Kill him, gut him like the animal he is, snap his neck!" They continued to cheer and laugh.

Logan, more afraid for his father's life than his own, was petrified.

Logan saw his father reach into his cloak; Logan's heart beat faster. It was difficult for him to breathe; the lump in his throat began to swell. Tears formed in his eyes; he knew his father would kill to protect him.

Zohar whipped out his sword and thrust the blade into Red's chest before he could react. Zohar picked Logan up with his left hand and threw his sword in his right hand in a side-arm motion, bringing down two Men in front of them.

The other Men grabbed their weapons as Zohar ran, Logan in his arms. Three arrows whizzed and hit Zohar in the back. Zohar dropped his son, yelling, "Logan, run home ... I will fend them off."

Logan didn't move. He couldn't move. His feet felt rooted to the ground.

"Father, I love you! I won't leave you!"

Zohar screamed.

"RUN NOW!"

The tears poured down Logan's face. He uprooted his feet and sprinted toward Sungnaught. He could not help but look back to see his father's fate.

Zohar pulled a dagger from his boot and threw it at a Man aiming a bow in Logan's direction, then ran to tackle another Man holding a bow poised to shoot an arrow into his son's back. As Zohar landed on the ground, the other Men viciously hacked at him with their swords, over and over again. In seconds, Logan could no longer hear his father's screams.

Logan turned and ran straight for home. His heart pounded faster and faster with each step. He was deaf to his own heavy breathing and the night sounds; he could hear only his own heart throbbing violently in his chest. Logan thought his heart might explode. His lungs fared no better; they felt as if they were shrinking, starving him of air, forcing Logan to slow down before he arrived at Sungnaught.

Logan looked back once more. The Men had given up their pursuit.

When Logan reached the Forest, he tracked down Lord Lexhemius, ignoring others' queries. A terrified Logan did his best to recount the horror to his grandfather.

Lord Lexhemius exploded out of his seat fearing the worst for his son, "Get Zyler and Tiki immediately! Have them lead a troop of warriors to search for Zohar and the Men who did this to him."

Kiki wiped away her tears.

"Logan, I'm so sorry. My parents tell me your father was well-liked and respected. His death was a great loss for Sungnaught."

Without acknowledging Kiki, Logan continued to speak.

"I waited in my grandfather's room, helpless, for any word my father might still be alive. I cried for hours. I cried until I had no more tears left in me. When the search party came back with as much of my father as they could gather, I knew I would never be able to speak with my father again. He would never be there to give me any fatherly advice or teach me any more lessons. They hacked him into pieces! The search party said there was no sign of the murderers. They thought it wiser to bring back my father's remains than to try to track the murderers down. The next day, we had the funeral for my father. Everyone thought my grandfather gave a beautiful eulogy but I didn't hear anything about making the Men responsible answer for their crimes."

"I remember. We were surprised you didn't shed a single tear. You had a stone cold look in your eyes the entire time. Logan, why did you refuse to cry that day?"

Logan had both fists clinched, pressing against the ground. His knuckles turned from red to white. "I was angry. Anger took over all other feelings. To this day, I'm not sure if I'm angrier at the murderers or at myself for not being strong enough to stop them."

"Logan, there isn't anything you could have done. That happened five years ago. You were only 10 years old." It pained Kiki to see Logan hurt. She wished she could ease his suffering.

Logan ignored her encouragement.

"They put my father's body on a raft into the Tiverus River. The river carried him to the ocean and out of my life forever. I changed that day. I vowed to myself I will never be helpless again. I will train every day to be the best warrior Klilax has ever seen. I will become so powerful that even the great Man wizard Magnus himself will bow before me."

Chapter Three

Rise of the Shadow Elf

That night Logan had trouble sleeping; he tossed and turned in his bed as the howling wind beat against his cottage. His conversation with Kiki had reminded him how fast his life changed after his father's death.

He recalled the day after the funeral; he was in his old room at the palace. The room was furnished with a plethora of Elfish ornament and dcor, drastically different from his simple cottage. His grandfather tried to comfort him.

"Logan, I want you to know you are not alone. You will always have my love and the love of all Elves here in Sungnaught. If you need anything, you have but to ask."

Logan stood by his window, looking out over a grove of fruit trees; he whipped his head around at his grandfather's voice and shouted.

"Men are disgusting animals and they all deserve to perish!"

Lexhemius, looking concerned, spoke softly. "We cannot hold all Men accountable for the acts of a few."

"Why aren't we chasing down the Men that are responsible for killing my father?" Logan demanded an answer.

Seeing Logan in so much pain broke Lexhemius' heart. It took all he could muster to stop from breaking down and crying himself.

"The party I sent to find your father was unable to track down those responsible. And we have no authority to march into any of the human territories to enact out our laws. If we did we would risk open war with Man."

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Loganby J.J. Ryeczek Copyright © 2010 by J.J. Ryeczek. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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