ASMSG Scifi Fantasy Paranormal Emagazine March 2014 | Page 27

EXCERPT FROM A FALLEN HERO RISES
M Joseph Murphy
CHAPTER 1
In the fieldbender guild of Karaj Robat, the Sage closed his eyes
in silent prayer. ‘Some things you can’t come back from. Let’s
hope this is not one of them.’
His red leather boots stepped quickly over white marble floors as
he headed toward the council chamber. Square columns lined
the open-air corridor. A cool breeze from the storm raging
outside ruffled his high-collared military cape. It did littleto cool
his temperament. Acolytes in white robes bowed their heads in
respect as he passed. He ignored them all, clenching and
unclenching his fists, eyes straight ahead. This was no time to
pretend he cared about decorum.
Guards flanked either side of the chamber entrance. They stood
at attention, hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Both
wore ceremonial armor embroidered with the crest of Karaj
Robat: a crow superimposed on a red mountain.
The Sage did not slow down as he approached. One guard held
up a hand, blocking his path.
“No entry,” the guard said. “Fieldbenders only.”
The Sage raised one eyebrow and glanced at the other guard.
“Sorry, sir,” the second guard said. “He’s new. Baubi, stop being
an idjit. Let him pass.”
The firstguard, Baubi, shook his head. “Sorry, Jaymes. I’m not
risking my job based on your recommendation. Why would I let
this stranger in? I don’t even know his name.”
Jaymes, the second guard, coughed and went pale. “He’s not a
stranger. Thisis the Sage. He’s been a consultant to the
fieldbenders since before you were born.”
Baubi tightened his grip on the hilt. “Stop making fun of how
young I am. Besides, the Sage is a position, not a name.”
The Sage cleared his throat. “As amusing as you clowns are, I
have places to be. I’m expected inside. No one here knows my
true name. Names have power. Everyone calls me the Sage.
Now are you going to step aside or do I have to push you?”
Baubi started to draw his sword. Jaymes grabbed his arm to stop
him.
The Sage’s eyes flashed red with an internal flame. “Please go in,
sir,” Jaymes said. He quickly opened the twin doors to the
chamber. As the doors shut behind him, the Sage heard the two
guards continue to bicker.
The meeting had already begun. The council chamber was a
large, round room. Tall, gilded columns encircled the room.
Between the columns, hundreds of fieldbenders spoke to each
other in hushed tones. Most were initiates dressed in white

robes. Many blinked rapidly while others nervously glanced at
the shadows.
‘They look nervous,’ the Sage thought. ‘That’s a good sign. It
means they’re taking this seriously.’
He pushed through the crowd to reach the white marble table at
the center of the room. Like the chamber, it was round. Seven
robed men were already seated around the table. These were the
leaders of the guild, the ones who had summoned him to the
meeting. Two of the chairs around the table were empty. The
Sage sat in one and turned to listen to the debate.
“Eschandel, it’s just not possible.” The speaker, a middle-aged
man in green-trimmed silver robes, looked down his nose at a
man with slender features in black robes.
“Stop saying that, Sirion.” Eschandel slammed his fist against the
table. His ice-blue eyes darted from person to person around the
table. “For the third time, it is flamin’ possible because it’s
flamin’ happened. Sit there and deny it until the moons fall from
the sky. It changes nothing. Last night, fifte en Seers had the
same vision. A blaze of light flew through space. It slammed into
the dimensional prison. Now there’s a crack in the Void.”
“I think what Sirion is saying is that, perhaps, the Seers are
mistaken.” Thiscool voice came from a white-haired man in skyblue robes. Though much older than the first two speakers, his
eyes were sharp and clear. “We need more than their word
before we panic.”
Eschandel took a deep breath. “As I was about to say before
Sirion stuck his head in the sand...again...ewhave more proof. I
present Bender Mikhel from DunDegore. His report should shut
you up.”
The white-ha