Sorcerer by Susan Bowes (best short novels of all time TXT) 📕

Suddenly a figure dashed from the shadows towards Liam. There was a flash of light that reflected from the many small fires. “A dagger,” someone yelled.

Liam quickly spun around as the figure ran up and stabbed at his back. He grabbed the hand that slashed wildly at him. He was about to jab his sword through this assassin when he caught sight of his eyes. No. This was not a man. This was a female. A mere child at that. Very brave she was. Liam stared into the eyes that glowed from the firelight. Bright blue they were and sparkled defiantly with malice. Her eyes shown with a fierceness that was beyond description, yet he was drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

~~

Liam suddenly awoke from his dream. He’d been having them for quite a while. In his conscious state he’d often daydreamed of leading an army into combat. He wanted so much to prove such courage to his father, but Kydo wouldn’t hear of it. His life was bound for greater things so his father told him. He wouldn’t allow the boy to forfeit his life in battle.

Liam had this reoccurring dream many times. He had assumed it was because he had never taken part in a real battle, but a female had never appeared to him before. This intrigued him. Why should such a figure invade upon his thoughts as she did? Why would he be so attracted to her? Did he not envision this girl to be his enemy? It was her eyes he surmised. They held such fury and passion.

This interpretation might be in err, Liam thought as he felt his manhood rise to full extent beneath the blanket. He was now nearing his third and tenth year; the age when his sexual needs were starting to take possession of him. He often awoke in an aroused state. The lad knew he could take any one of the servants and have his way with them without a word being spoken about such brutish behavior, but he didn’t want to soil himself with those ugly beasts. He wanted a woman of pure blood to be his first experience of manhood. Someone who would willingly give themselves to him. He didn’t know why, but he was troubled by the thought of forcing himself upon a woman. An peculiar idea indeed.

Liam grabbed at himself. He quickly sated his need. He then arose, cleansed and dressed. He went down to the kitchens and had his breakfast while the hounds pestered him for scraps of the meal. He kicked them roughly away.

Kydo had told Liam that he wouldn’t test him on the morrow and gave him the day to do with as he pleased; not an occurrence that often happened. Liam wondered how to spend such free time. He should seek Roland and spend this time practicing his swordsmansip, but he didn’t feel like exerting himself in such a demanding way today. Perhaps he’d spend the day riding in the woods. Yes. That’s what he’d do with his freedom. He would go hunting. The kitchens could well use the fresh meat.

Liam finished his meal and ordered his mount be brought around. As he exited the kitchen he felt proud to own such a magnificent stallion. The beast was black as night without one scar to mar his appearance. Hence, Liam named the steed Perfection.

He walked out of the castle and mounted his horse spurring him to life. He galloped through the main gate and spirited the animal across the drawbridge nearly running down serfs in the process. He rode towards the forest at a fast pace wanting to put the castle far behind him. As Liam entered the woods he knew the dense foliage would hide him from the fortress and the ever reaching eyes of his father.

Chapter Two

- Kydo’s Forest -

Liam spurred Perfection through the tangled thickets deep into the woods. He knew he’d find an abundance of creatures to hunt this far in. He thought back to what his father had told him long ago. These forests once belonged to King Nicolas Haydon the First. He’d been slain while trying to defeat an enemy west of here. Kydo had told the lad that the former king had been power hungry and kept his people living in squalor and under constant threat of death if they voiced their objections. The peasants rejoiced when this suppressive tyrant was slain.

Kydo had risen a strong army since the demise of the former king. He had taken control over the territory that this dictator once dominated and nearly destroyed through indifference towards the peasants that struggled so hard to survive each day. These lands ran from the mountains in the west, to the ocean far on the eastern shores. The provinces were constantly under attack by nearby warlords yearning to claim these far, reaching lands as their own. The ongoing battles had been fought for years on end.

Liam knew these land-hungry mongrels fought for naught. Kydo’s warriors were well practiced in the art of combat and would give their lives to protect their monarch's property. The youth often daydreamed of running away and joining in these battles. He knew he would make a good soldier. He longed to lead an army into combat and vanquish his enemies. Better that than to be stuck at the castle studying the ancient, mystical book day in and day out. What good were incantations against one’s foes? How could a spell defeat an enemy? How could conjuring determine Liam’s strength and leading abilities? Such powers were a thing of the past. Sorcery would not gain him a reputation of valor. Such incantations could not give him fame and glory. Why was he wasting all this precious time?

The youth recalled when he'd mentioned that fact to Kydo once. He had received a sharp wallop on the back of his head for the remark. Liam could still hear his Kydo’s harsh words. He had screamed, “You young fool! You think your skill with a broadsword is enough to keep you alive? Good as you thin you are at the art of swordsmanship, you will never be able to defeat your adversaries by that skill alone. Soldiers die in battle. No matter how many or strong your forces are battles can still be lost. Everything you’ve fought so hard for will be taken from you. Look at what happened to King Nicolas. His knights were well trained, yet his fortress was destroyed and he was killed. If it weren’t for me these lands would have been taken and divided up by foreigners years ago. Do you want that for your future? No my son. You cannot depend on warring ways to keep possession of your kingdom. You must be stronger than that. You must make your enemy fear for his life and even for his own children’s lives. Only through magic shall you keep complete command over your adversaries - and yes - even your own people. Only through incantations will you be able to completely dominate your enemies and keep possession of all you own. Only through my tutelage will you learn all that must be done to fulfill your destiny.”

Kydo had demanded that Liam stay in his room for the remainder of the week with strict orders to study the ancient book. Kydo expected him to learn five incantations during that time. Liam did as told. By the end of the week he’d learned twice that amount and gained his father’s praise for perfecting the spells that he’d performed for his master with pride. This punishment had not diminished Liam’s dreams of valor, but the lad kept his daydreams to himself from then on and never mentioned leading an army to his father again.

The bushes suddenly rustled just ahead of Liam jolting him from his reverie. Perfection pranced about hoping to be set at a gallop. The wild steed still yearned for the freedom of racing uninhibited with the wind. Liam had to tighten his hold on the reins least they slip from his hands.

Liam settled his horse and dismounted. He drew his longbow from his shoulder positioning an arrow. The lad went to his knees and aimed towards the foliage waiting for his prey to come into view. There. Just ahead. The bushes rustled again and a stag ran from the tangled underbrush. Liam let go his arrow. It flew through the air and pierced the animal’s chest. The creature staggered and then fell dead to the ground. The castle would have fresh victuals on the morrow.

Liam stood and returned the bow to his shoulder. Perfection started to snort wildly. Something was about to make his steed act so nervous. He walked over and grabbed the reins. The stallion tried to rear. “What is wrong my good friend? Is someone afoot?” Liam stood still and listened. He heard no sound. Perfection was well used to the smell of blood so the lad knew that was not what agitated him. What did his senses pick up that Liam could not? “Come back when I whistle for you my friend,” Liam told his mount then slapped him on the rear. The horse quickly sprinted away.

Liam got to his knees and hid behind the foliage. He waited silently arming himself as he did. Within a few moments he heard a voice in the thickets. The brush moved nearby and Liam saw a man and child break through. He rose to a standing position and pointed his broadsword at them. “Halt. Who goes there?” he asked sharply.

The pair gasped and immediately halted their steps. The man looked stunned to see someone of status standing before him. “Pardon us young sir. We are mere peasants only hunting our dinner,” the man said.

“You’re trespassing on private property. Do you not know to whom these woods belong?”

“I, er---, these lands belonged to King Nicolas once upon a time,” the man stammered.

“They belong to Kydo the Sorcerer now. This forest and beyond its borders. Commoners are not allowed to hunt here,” Liam replied.

“We have heard that sir. It is just that we grow leaner by the day. We have to find food to nourish not only ourselves, but our village as well. We’ve been tracking that stag for over five hours. A good runner he is.”

“Not anymore,” Liam pointed towards the corpse.

“Oh my. Do you claim his carcass as your own?”

“Yes. It’s my kill.”

“Surely you would not deprive my son of food. Your pantries must be fully stocked. I am sure you can spare this one animal. It would be a feast for my village.”

Liam looked at the pair suspiciously. Hungry? What did he mean? How could any one be hungry when Kydo made sure every peasant was content with their lot in life? The man was obviously lying. He was just a thief prowling these woods for easy prey. “I should arrest you and have you hanged for hunting in Kydo’s forest. You are a poacher and no more.” Liam retorted angrily. He looked at the peasant’s son and saw true fear in him. What was he afraid of? “Be gone with thee. Get out of these woods. I warn you; go quickly before I change my mind and arrest you in Kydo’s name.”

The pair quickly paid heed to Liam’s threat and sped into the underbrush. The boy suddenly stopped before he ducked into the greenery. He turned and looked Liam square in the eyes and spat at his feet. “Curse you and Kydo too,” he yelled before following his father into the dense foliage.

Liam heard them rushing from the site. His ire rose at the disrespectful comment the boy had vented against both him and his father. How dare he curse him after