The Seals Of The Altior. Gabriele Pratesi

the path and walked through the small wooded areas around the plain. Bypassing the plain took a good part of the day. The grove in the east extended out on the rise of a hill from which the south gate could be seen. At the entrance to the gate there were enemy hordes trying to take down the shield of fire.

      Below me, a patrol of soldiers were sitting on a fire. There were at least eight. I couldn't see anything that could help me figure out who they were. The sounds of explosions and battle were distinct. The screams of the fighters could also have been heard. I stood hidden until sunset.

      The patrol was still on guard. I was only armed with my wand. It was my training weapon. It couldn't generate powerful spells to knock out an opponent, especially if they were a soldier in heavy armor, but I knew some stun spells and someone I could use as a diversion.

      I took a breath as I was about to launch against the first enemy who was separated from the group; an immense explosion blocked me. I looked up. From the council tower,a purple lightning flashed skyward. The shield of fire was dissolved. The patrol soldiers left the outpost and started fighting against the walls. Lightning disappeared in the sky. The earth was shaking. The council tower swayed. A rumble. collapsed in on itself. Red dust rose. The night and the dust blocked the view.

      Suddenly a hum came from the sky. A strong purple glow from the sun was spreading over the city. It Blew up. A magical veil grew from the sky, launched towards the ground, where the Red Tower stood. The veil ran in all directions at great speed. The soldiers were escaping from the walls trampling each other. Those who were captured by the veil were dragged into the city.

      I realized I wasn't safe. So I left the grove. I ran as fast as I could. I entered the valley to reach Orius as soon as possible and escape. The valley was filled with fleeing soldiers. I was able to hear them behind me. I passed the rocks south of the valley, some soldiers were about to join me. I turned around ready to fight with my wand in hand. But the magical veil sparkled behind them. I stared at them, and I recognized them. They were dark elves.

      I swirled my wand and pointed it under my footsteps, a levitation magic. I lifted myself off the ground away from the elves and the magical veil that was sucking them in. Their faces were changing. They were deformed. :Wrinkled, crippled and full of lumps. They were swelled and hunched. To others, the muscles seemed to come out of the body and the slender shoulders were grown larger, transforming them into powerful beings. The magic veil disappeared with them.

      I jumped on Orius and galloped non-stop towards Hombros.

      Old man! Stop fidgeting and screaming. You disturb the other inmates. "- Ordered the guard from the crack in the cell door.

      Chapter I

      The reinforcements

      -2-

      T

      he captain's regiment was on its second day of travel to the largest military outpost in the region. The principality's effort to defend the northern border increased every month and the reinforcements sent never seemed to be enough. The attacks from the north, by the orcs, became more and more frequent and with an ever greater attack power. The means available to the principality were finite and the continuous attacks were consuming both men and resources. The caravan consisted of just twenty and five recruits who were doing the hardest work, hauling the supply wagon.

      The climb became steep and the tiredness began to affect the young recruits. The wagon was very heavy. There were barrels of wine and beer and baskets full of meat, bread and legumes. Tied to the sides of the wagon were secured the weapons, armor and shields that doubled the weight of the tow on the shoulders of the men.

      "Hey, guys! I'm exhausted."– said Teroin, the youngest of the five.

      The belts tied to the chest and shoulders were tight and the leather jacket they wore did not always protect them from the pressure of the rope that pressed into the flesh tearing it apart.

      "You should eat more meat and get stronger."− Helder, the oldest of the five and physically more powerful and strong, replied.

      Everyone laughed. While one of them was thinking elsewhere. He was watching the sides of the path. Even though he was breathing heavily from tiredness, the expression on his face was calm.

      “Balt! Always with your head in the clouds, isn't it?"− Serafin, Balt's best friend loved to tease him when he immersed himself in his world and estranged himself from the reality of the world.

      “He loves his plants and herbs. He is not suited for a military career. He was forced to enlist. Not like me who volunteered."− Vlad ruled.

      "And I'm not even a citizen of Hombros."− replied arrogantly.

      Helder shook his head. Every time he heard Vlad speaking, he felt immediately nervous. Balt, on the other hand, seemed absent. He did not open his mouth. He scanned the edges of the grassy path and tried to memorize what he saw. He raised his head to stretch his neck muscles.

      "There is smoke."− Balt exclaimed softly.

      He was heard by Serafin who smiled at him. The captain gave the order to stop. He nodded to the scouts who went on to study the situation. The path opened into the clearing where the outpost was located. The southern watchtower had collapsed. The black smoke arose from the watchtower to the north, the flames were almost extinguished. The tower was in danger of collapsing. There was no shadow of enemies. The explorers reported the situation to the captain. The caravan set off. It was a few miles from the outpost entrance. The collapsed tower was slowly overcome. The captain stopped his pace by watching the disaster. The soldiers already knew what to do and took their places in the perimeter helping some peasants to extinguish the last outbreak. The sun had now set. The night.

      The boys pulled with their last efforts the cart located in front of the entrance door of the mighty fortress; a stately home which over time was enlarged with lookout towers, fortified with a keep and external walls.

      Before being called for the unloading service, Helder took off his two belts and left the group. Balt threw off the straps, then he stretched and also slipped out. The others did the same.

      The door to the fortress opened and a huge man in heavy iron armor stepped out. The chest was engraved with the coat of arms of Hombros, the golden Sequoia shrouded in mist. He looked at the three recruits then ordered them to empty the wagon.

      “Food supplies in the pantry. At the end of the hall, on the left-side, you'll find a third door on the right. The weapons in the armory. Down the hall on the right. The fifth door."− He explained. A moment later, the captain appeared in front of him and greeted the general.

      "How much formality brother-in-law."− He stared at the general with an unpleasant tone, trying to keep his voice low so as not to be heard by the newly entered recruits.

      "How long have you not been back to a battlefield, Captain Goldeon?"− he said.

      The captain ignored the warm welcome and he went straight away to be made aware of the situation. As they entered the three young men were running with their supplies to empty the wagon as soon as possible. They passed the two superiors who entered the control room.

      "What happened to General Fortdar?"− The captain asked.

      “Do You ask me what happened? you don't see it, perhaps?"− He replied .

      “We have been under attack for three days. Today's was more violent than others. And they attacked during the day-light. With the sun at its zenith. Shit."− Grumbled the general.

      “How many of you have come for reinforcement? In twenty? any recruits? ... Isn't our prince going to defend the borders? Shit!"− He screamed going around the room.

      We are the paladins of Hombros. Damn. We can't stop an orc army. They look immortal.”− He tapped the table .

      The spread map jumps. Some of the army placeholders fell. He bent down to pick up the