The Mark of the Legend: Book One of the Mark Trilogy Read online

  The Mark of the Legend

  Book One of the Mark Trilogy

  T. D. Steitz

  Copyright © 2021 T. D. Steitz

  Cover Art, Map, and Logo © 2021 Joshua Steitz

  Chapter Art © 2021 M. Steitz

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 979-8-6650-1765-5

  To my wife, Melissa,

  You shine like the morning sun and radiate like its descent beyond the horizon.

  You are as pure as the falling rain and as mysterious as the ocean.

  You are as gentle as a whisper with the power of a mother.

  Your smile warms like fire, and your laughter is as sweet as golden honey.

  You stand with the strength of the mountains.

  You are as captivating as the night sky.

  You will forever have my heart, and forever my words will fall utterly short.

  I love you.

  To my children, Nyle, Ember, and Brin,

  You amaze me more every day.

  I do not deserve the privilege of being your Dad.

  Like Ardent’s mark upon Terrene, you point me to my Creator and remind me of his goodness.

  May you find his voice among all the others claiming to know who you are. May you remember that you are his.

  You are each a unique treasure beyond compare.

  I love you.

  Contents

  1. The Legend

  2. Tancred’s Tale

  3. The Breaker

  4. The Forest Clan

  5. Jacosa

  6. Alistair’s Company

  7. The Yetta

  8. The Shadow Lands

  9. The Tusk Clan

  10. Battle in the Shadow Lands

  11. Wymond’s Loss

  12. The Dungeons of Malum

  13. Jacosa’s Mission

  14. The Marked One

  15. Harvesting

  16. Long Live the King

  17. Taking Back the Key Village

  18. Osmin’s Stand

  19. The Western Woods

  20. Alistair’s Purpose

  21. His Name is Ardent

  22. Matana

  23. Wybert’s Execution

  24. Calamity’s Strongest Weapon

  25. The Forest and South Unite

  26. The Marked One Has Come

  27. Ardent’s Promise

  28. Mallory

  29. Friends Reunite

  30. Jacosa and Buddy

  31. The Mountain’s Refuge

  32. A Great Feast

  33. You are Mine

  Name Index

  Contents

  1. The Legend

  2. Tancred’s Tale

  3. The Breaker

  4. The Forest Clan

  5. Jacosa

  6. Alistair’s Company

  7. The Yetta

  8. The Shadow Lands

  9. The Tusk Clan

  10. Battle in the Shadow Lands

  11. Wymond’s Loss

  12. The Dungeons of Malum

  13. Jacosa’s Mission

  14. The Marked One

  15. Harvesting

  16. Long Live the King

  17. Taking Back the Key Village

  18. Osmin’s Stand

  19. The Western Woods

  20. Alistair’s Purpose

  21. His Name is Ardent

  22. Matana

  23. Wybert’s Execution

  24. Calamity’s Strongest Weapon

  25. The Forest and South Unite

  26. The Marked One Has Come

  27. Ardent’s Promise

  28. Mallory

  29. Friends Reunite

  30. Jacosa and Buddy

  31. The Mountain’s Refuge

  32. A Great Feast

  33. You are Mine

  Name Index

  Chapter One

  The Legend

  “Once, there was nothing; nothing but deep, shapeless darkness. Within the nothing that was everything, there was a spirit. The spirit inside the waves of darkness was the spirit of light, and that spirit commanded immense power.

  The light spoke all things good and lovely into being. The light thought life into creation, and with a nod, the universe. Then the light did something uncharacteristic of a being with such power. It created us. It formed our world and filled it. The sky, land, and sea teemed with life that the light allowed us to govern, and all was as it should be. It may strike you as curious, that such a mighty spirit would grant people as meek as us stewardship of his creation. That is until you understand that the light was not simply a force of power, but love. The light delighted in us and greatly desired for us to experience his love and blessing. As the people of the world grew in number, they also grew in their understanding of the light. The light revealed himself to them.

  No one knows when as time meant little then, but, a swirling, golden cloud of light descended among the people and from it stepped the form of a man; a powerful, frightening man. As he walked towards them, the warm light they knew became brighter and clearer. Joy filled their hearts, and they felt how precious they were to him. They saw it in his kind face. ‘Who are you?’ they asked.

  ‘I am the Lord of everything,’ he replied. ‘All that surrounds you, all that you are, is from me. I love you more than you will ever know.’

  So, the people called him many names, but the most common was Ardent, for his eyes were like fire; flames of warmth, comfort, and inescapable power.

  For an age, the world flourished. The people basked in Ardent’s love. Their work was fruitful, and the soil produced bountiful harvests. The sun showered them with warmth day after day. The world was perfect. Discontentment and worry didn’t exist. The people knew they would always be safe and loved, and that they would never want anything more. Children were born into light. Laughter and singing became as natural as breathing to all. Ardent came and went, always delighting in his creation, and truly, all was as it should be. But it would not last.

  One day, a new spirit revealed itself; an alluring spirit that spoke from the shadows in whispers to the people of Terrene. Weaving Webs of lies; sowing seeds of selfish ambition and pride, the spirit of darkness convinced the people that what they wanted was power. The atmosphere of the world changed. People began to doubt Ardent’s goodness. Slowly, shadows overtook the light as more of Ardent’s people believed that the spirit of darkness could offer them something he could not. In time, Ardent, knowing the struggle in the hearts of the people, revealed himself again. This time, his arrival was marked by the sound of thunder as a pillar of fire tore through the sky and shook the foundations of the world. Ardent’s return brought renewed life as if the trees and the grass were able to breathe again. The hair stood on the backs of people's necks. Terrene perked up. Ardent strode from the firestorm, eyes ablaze, and demanded that the spirit of darkness, who had corrupted the hearts of the people he loved, reveal himself.

  In a moment, the air went cold. An icy black fog seeped out of the shadows and from the macabre mist, a figure rose. Hunched over, shrouded in gloom, the figure shuffled forward. With lifeless, entrancing eyes he observed the group of onlookers that had gathered there before resting his gaze on Ardent.

  ‘Tell them who you are!’ Ardent demanded. ‘How dare you enter my creation?!’

  The hooded man tilted his head and answered with a gravelly voice. ‘You may call me Calamity, for I am the end.’ Calamity’s face broke into a twisted grin. His emaciated hands flew skyward, and all the surrounding shadows sprang to life. He threw his arms forward and all manner of evil creatures raced out of the darkness.

  Horde
s of twisted and mutilated birds, beasts, and creatures unknown to the world closed in around Ardent with deadly purpose.

  Ardent, however, stood firm with his eyes closed.

  The people looked on with horror.

  In an instant, Ardent’s eyes flashed open. For a moment, time stood still. The fire in Ardent’s eyes burned white-hot.

  There was fear in Calamity’s.

  Then, an unbelievable tremor; a tidal wave of bright light erupted from Ardent. A shockwave shot out from him. The dark creatures surrounding him were obliterated.

  Calamity fell to his knees and the shadows retreated.

  Ardent advanced. Towering over Calamity, he commanded him to leave Terrene, and never return.

  Calamity began to cackle. A horrible sounding laugh emitted from his cold, dead face as he struggled to his feet. ‘But Ardent,’ he croaked between chuckles, ‘you’ve forgotten something. You put them in charge.’ Calamity gestured to the people watching. ‘They want me to stay.’

  Ardent gazed around at the people he called his own, and slowly, heads began to nod.

  The people had been listening to Calamity’s lies for so long. They no longer believed Ardent’s love and provision would be enough for them. They wanted the power and independence that was promised to them in whispers from the dark.

  Ardent stared, stricken by grief, at his people. He gave them the power to choose him, and the power to reject him. He loved them all and yearned for them to love him back for their sake. But without choice, there can be no love. He would honor their decision. With tears in his shining eyes, Ardent addressed the crowd. ‘Do not forget me. Do not forget who you are. An intense struggle for the light in your souls is about to begin, but I promise, I will not let the darkness consume you. I will return and bring your freedom with me.’ Ardent turned back to Calamity, burning hot with righteous anger. He spoke with power. ‘You may have deceived my people with your lies, but I know who you are. I will save them from you. Do not forget this promise. The next time you hear this sound, you will know your doom has come.’

  A single note pierced the air, the sound of a horn trumpeting loud and clear. It was not a horn from this world. Soon, thousands more joined in and the air was filled with the chorus. It was as if a vast, invisible army surrounded the people.

  Then a flame came to life in Ardent’s heart that consumed him. His voice rang out with three words. ‘Do not forget.’ Then, he was gone.

  The chorus of trumpets faded to silence. Immediately, the world exhaled, and a sense of dread fell over it.

  The dust of Ardent’s departure settled.

  Calamity arched his back and howled victoriously.

  The shadows returned, and with them came unspeakable monstrosities. Giant, red-eyed ravens swooped down from the sky and tore into the screaming people. Packs of disfigured wolves, and other beasts that once existed in peace with the people, now sent them fleeing for their lives. They fled into the shadows and colossal serpents descended on them. The darkness bore nightmarish creatures fueled by the fear they created. The people scattered to every corner of Terrene as Calamity’s reign began, and their hearts lamented the decision they had made. They had chosen death over life.

  Throughout the age that followed, the people were defined only by their fear. No one laughed or sang anymore. They merely survived; fighting to live despite being plagued and hunted by the darkness. Some gave in. Many embraced the darkness; allowed it to fill and control them until there was no light left. They were known as The Fallen. The world that was once gentle and full of music, grew silent, icy, and harsh. Everywhere people begged and pleaded with Ardent to return and save them from what they had done, but the darkness was already a part of them, and darkness cannot coexist with the light. Still, people remembered the way the world was when Ardent ruled. Some still believed he was good, and that he loved them more than anything. Many even dared to hope that he would create a way to save them.”

  Alistair’s mother closed the book with a sigh and looked down into his peaceful face. She had told her son the legend of Ardent every night before bed since he was born, and she loved watching him hold onto every word.

  “Please Mama, can we read just a little bit more?” Alistair pleaded.

  Layla smiled. “Not tonight Sweetheart. It’s late, and you need to sleep.”

  Alistair reluctantly agreed. “Mama, is Ardent gonna come back?”

  “Well,” she answered with a smile, “what do you think?”

  “I think he will. If I had to go away, I would miss you and Papa. I would come back. Do you think he misses us?”

  His mother paused. “Yes darling, I think he does.”

  Alistair’s father, Dalibor, returned with an armful of wood, winked at his wife, and fed the dying fire.

  Layla smiled and turned to tuck Alistair in for the night.

  “I think he is real, and he is gonna come!” squealed an energized Alistair. “So do you, right Mama?”

  “Yes, I do. Now lay down. It’s time for bed.”

  Alistair climbed under the covers and smiled up at his mother. “Goodnight Mama!”

  Layla leaned over to kiss her son gently on the cheek. “Sleep well my sweet little boy.”

  Alistair watched his mother blow out the flickering candle dancing on a small table beside his bed. The room went dark. The dark had always frightened Alistair, but somehow this night was different. This time, even though the inky black night made his little heart beat a bit faster, he felt like it wouldn’t last forever. So, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and waited for the sun to rise again.

  Chapter Two

  Tancred’s Tale

  The wind howled through the slats of the old cottage, giving it an icy chill. Alistair woke to the sound of battered shutters beating against the walls. He groaned and watched his breath turn to ice as he prepared himself for another day. Alistair was growing into a strong young man. He wasn’t particularly tall, but his years of working alongside his father had made him sturdy. He had vibrant, green eyes, just like his mother. Looking out the window, Alistair could see his family’s small farm, and beyond that, the village in the heart of the Valley of Plenty. The few people who lived in the valley were pleasant and poor. They wore patched homemade clothes. Their possessions were mainly what they could create themselves. According to books, the valley was once a place of joy and prosperity. The people who lived there flourished, and it was always warm; until the darkness came. The thought of warmth made Alistair envious of the people in those days. His mind wandered to what those days might have been like. The scene in his head was magical. He saw a massive town square full of people exchanging goods and stories as they soaked in the rays from the bright sun overhead. He saw a huge market where merchants sold only the ripest fruits, the freshest milk, and the brightest tapestries. Children squealed with delight at a puppet show nearby, and musicians blanketed the village with song. Oh, what it must have been like, thought Alistair, to live in such a time. A time when no one was hungry or cold or afraid.

  The cold blast of the morning shocked Alistair back to reality as he headed outside to begin his daily routine. Standing alone in the cold, he gazed out into the Valley of Plenty, the same way he had for the last twelve years. He looked begrudgingly at the cold, dead hills, the dried riverbed, and the few cottages scattered along its banks. There was a rundown, old bell tower housing a great bell that never rang. There was an old tavern; one of the only establishments left open. He looked at the town square, which was little more than a few intersecting muddy trails, and he couldn’t help but wonder why. Why did he have to grow up in such a cold, lifeless place? Why did the sun rarely shine? He thought about Ardent, the Lord of light. Where was he? Did he even exist? The darkness certainly did. Alistair had learned plenty about Calamity, and the way he ran the world.

  Occasionally, travelers would pass through his dreary corner of Terrene, and stay in the Inn. Inevitably, they would tell stories; fascinating, dark, and terrifying
stories of the world beyond the Valley. Alistair’s favorites were the stories of the Marked Ones. Travelers spoke of them like they were more than human; men and women who were chosen by Ardent to wield his power against Calamity. Those were the stories Alistair could lose himself in for hours. His young mind wondered at the Marked Ones’ might, and his heart longed for their stories to be true. There was a rumor of a stronghold the Marked Ones helped build in the Eastern Mountains. One traveler had extensive knowledge of the Marked Ones; an old man named Tancred.

  Tancred once stayed in the Valley for an entire winter. He came into town, wearing boots caked with mud, animal furs to keep out the cold, and an old cloak. He carried a battle-ax, a cracked drinking horn, and a satchel with a few meager provisions. Tancred had short, pepper-gray hair. His square jaw was covered in matching stubble, and he had pale-blue, kind eyes.

  Alistair’s father offered Tancred shelter and food during the cold months in exchange for his assistance on the farm.