Legends of Marithia: Book 2 - Darkness Rising Read Online Free Page A

you, always.”

    A teenage Vartan rode hard in the
direction of Greenhaven, the thunder of his horse’s hoofs pounding
into the ground was almost calming. The wind whipped his hair
wildly around his face. He desperately tried to shut out the
painful memories of recent events. The thought of his brother’s
body so viciously destroyed by the shadow demon still chilled him
to the bone.
    “ I will make them suffer
for what they have done! And will stop at nothing to rid this world of the
shadows that plague us,” he mumbled to himself, kicking his boot
into his horse. The sound of increasing wind rushed past his ears
and overwhelmed his senses, as if an unknown force of nature was
trying to slow him down.
    Turning his head to the woods rushing
by, his voice growled, “Do you hear me? I will bring death to you
all!”
    His thoughts travelled back to the
conversation he had with his father before he embarked on his quest
of vengeance, tears escaped and ran down his face.
    Stay strong! They will be
fine without you there to protect them. You have to do
this , he told himself.
    The sun shone bright and glittered
when it touched the diamond eyes of Vartan’s sword. Like a
messenger from the gods, Vartan was intent on his purpose. His
father’s sword bounced harshly on his back, reminding him of the
pain driving him forward.
    Powering on, Vartan felt an eerie
emotion of a presence above him, as if the gods were closely
watching his progress. Vartan yanked the reins hard and his horse
struggled to come to a full stop at the last crossroad before
Greenhaven. It complained loudly at his request.
    Turning to the sky above, he struggled
to see through the cloud of dust he had created. With panting
breath, he searched for an answer. The cloud of dust suddenly
dispersed as if something had blown it away from above
him.
    Looking ahead, the wooden signpost was
now clear. To his left was the path to Greenhaven, and to his right
was the path to the Jade Inn.
    “ You won’t stop me!” he
yelled, before turning his horse and kicking into a gallop toward
Greenhaven.
    The city coming into view was
unmistakable for anywhere else. The gold lined bricks glowed in the
sunlight like a beacon of hope.
    As he neared Greenhaven, he saw
coloured flags topping its walls, signalling the festivities
waiting within. Loud cheers erupted from the crowds within its
walls. Royal guards holding silver spears signalled for Vartan to
halt at the entrance.
    It’s now or
never , he thought.
    “ Who goes there?” called
out a guard.
    Vartan straightened his back and
lowered his voice, speaking proudly, “I am Vartan, son of Leon and
Victoria and I seek entry for the annual knighthood
tournament.”
    The guards looked at each other before
laughing loudly and returned their gaze to the young teenager
mounted on horseback before them.
    “ Surely you are not
serious, are you boy? So does every other child in these lands. Are
you trying to get
yourself killed? Never mind that, even if we wanted to let you in,
do you even carry paperwork of your nobility?” they
asked.
    “ Of course, I have my
paperwork with me,” he began.
    Vartan feigned reaching into his pack
and waited for his moment to kick his horse hard. Another cheer
erupted from the city, and the guards turned to peek at the cause
of the commotion.
    Vartan kicked his horse’s side. It
quickly responded, neighing loudly and galloped toward the guards
at frightening speed.
    Before the guards had a chance to
react and lift their spears high enough, Vartan leapt over them and
continued through the open gate.
    The guards gave chase and repeatedly
yelled, “Stop, intruder!”
    Ahead of Vartan was a large, excited
crowd watching Dryden, knight of Greenhaven, dispatch yet another
challenger from the arena. The knight kicked his opponent square in
the chest, sending him flying out of the ring and into the dirt,
blood splattering on the ground around the fallen man.
    The crowd cheered loudly and