The Lost King by Frazier Alexander

Author:Frazier Alexander [Alexander, Frazier]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FyreSyde Publishing

40

The Fight on Thorna

The Red Phantom had reduced Thorna-town to coals when Thalos and his companions—the dragon included—reached it. Their faces paled in utter dread. Only dragon fire could have done worse destruction. Towers of rippling black smoke ascended into the sky, shielding the sun from the sinister deeds below.

Like a crown upon a craggy brow, the city sat upon a low plateau. The central road, which the company marched down, led to the megalithic feet of a pyramid. It was built of four terraces laid one on top of the other, each diminishing in size as they increased in height. Upon the fifth and final level stood a shining temple, red and black columns upholding a gold-plated roof. From the temple to the lowest tier of the pyramid ran a stairway of more than a hundred steps. Descending those ancient steps with a slow, arrogant tread was the golden-armed band of murderers, the Red Phantom at their head. All told, there were perhaps thirty of them. Some finished their grisly work of slaughtering men, women, children, and elderly upon the steps. Other bodies lay blackened by the fires, whether on the steps of the pyramid or on the road, which the companions trod bitterly.

As the companions marched to meet the Phantom, Nasoka smoked, her eyes glowering.

Without action or plan, Borthus was the first to march down into the town.

As they drew closer together, both forces stared off, raging infernos walling them in on either side of the dusty street. Even with a dragon in Thalos’ train, the Red Phantom and his raiders did not flee or back down. Their eyes had the same mindless look of those who had glutted themselves on the witch’s drink.

“We just made his job easier,” whispered Ruan to Thalos. “He was trying to get our attention.”

“What right had you to destroy this town and its people?” asked Thalos over the roar of the flames, heedless of Ruan’s words. It was too late for caution.

“This town belongs to our Queen to do with as she pleases,” said the Red Phantom. “Lay down your weapons, if you value your lives.”

“We do not bow to the witch, nor recognize her authority as self-proclaimed Queen,” said Thalos, sternly.

“Your sister began to think as you do, Prince Thalos. That’s why we had to get rid of her…”

The others looked at the Prince, worried that he would leap into action at the cryptic half-truths of the Phantom. Thalos restrained the desire to plunge his sword into the heart of his enemy. The Phantom and the witch were masters of lies, of that Thalos was sure. There was still hope for Thara. Nonetheless, another nagging voice in the back of his mind whispered that she was probably dead.

“Drop your swords!” roared the Phantom.

Nasoka shot a jet of fire into the Phantom’s men like a bolt of lightning. A handful of his soldiers flew backward, their skin incinerated.

Borthus, with Kanthus at his side, plunged into the fray. They dashed their first foes’ skulls, splintering their heads into a pulp of blood and bone.

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