Raiders of the Dry Coast

Raiders of the Dry Coast

by Billy Wong

Smashwords Edition

Raiders of the Dry Coast Copyright © 2014 Billy Wong

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the Author. Your support of author’s rights is appreciated.

All characters in this compilation are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

If you would like to be notified of new releases and special deals, please sign up for my mailing list and receive my book The Golden Dawn (#1 in Chronicles of the Floating Continent series) for FREE!

https://my.sendinblue.com/users/subscribe/js_id/2rsmo/id/2

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Credits and author page

Sample of The Golden Dawn

Chapter 1

Upon angry waters the galley rocked, its crew fighting to keep balance against the howling winds over the usually calm Womb Sea. Clouds hid the summer sun, crashes of thunder interrupted the rhythm of pouring rain, but nothing could overpower the deep chanting voice.

Why must we do this? Julius asked the towering wizard Zog, who stood with arms raised at the deck's edge, long goatee whipping like a flag in the wind. Isn't there any other way for you to gain the power you need?

The water to port began to glow a nauseous green. Zog paused in his ritual to answer his lieutenant. This is the Womb, from which new forms of life are born. When I harness the source of its energies, I will truly live up to the title King of Power.

Julius shielded his eyes from the slashing rain and shook his head. But the beings created here are monsters! Dark sinuous forms slithered among the waves, curiously circling the disturbance in their environment. Is that really the kind of power you want?

Enough! Since when do you have the right to question me? The power over life and death is what I seek.

Zog continued his chant, which made the water before him bubble and churn. Without warning the ship tilted hard to port, causing sailors to stumble and grab hold of ropes and rigging for support. Yes, the wizard said while foam crashed over the deck, I've done it! The portal is open!

Julius gazed over the side to regard what looked like a giant whirlpool of green light. Its noise seemed an endless, deafening scream, drowning out the rain and thunder like nothing. Even the water itself appeared to be getting drawn in.

What are we going to do? Julius screamed over the wind. We're going to be sucked in! Don't you have any magic to stop it?

Zog chuckled. Stop it? But why would I want to do that? A link to other worlds is what allows the Womb Sea to birth so-called monsters. Now that I have expanded the link, we can search those worlds for the secret.

How will we get back? Do we even know we'll survive going through there?

The ship dipped helm first towards the light, sending a handful of sailors tumbling down along the deck. At least one fell overboard, disappearing into the light. Julius clung to the mast, his muscular arms burning with the strain. Though Zog also had to hold onto the rail, he was smiling.

Have faith, my simple friend, the wizard said as green brilliance swallowed the galley. I expect the journey ahead to open your eyes quite a bit.

Chapter 2

Spittle flew as the muscular man's uppercut connected with Claudia's jaw, snapping her head back. She swayed for a second on her feet before her legs gave out and she fell face first into the dirt. Good punch, she thought through the ringing in her head. She heard the referee begin his count, and the crowd waited in silence. Two, three, four... Claudia stayed down. Smarter to get all the rest she could before resuming the fight.

Six, seven, eight... Claudia tensed and began to push herself up. But the ref's count sped up, and before she could stand he had reached ten. She stared in disbelief while she watched him raise her foe's hand. Her eyes narrowed.

The winner and still champion, Ev- the referee managed to say, before she strode over and leveled him with a ferocious right hook.

Her opponent only gave the unconscious official a bemused look before turning to walk away. Wait, Claudia said, I'm not done with you! How about we fight again, but this time until one of us is out cold?

The tall man looked back, swollen lips twisted into a smirk. A handsome devil, she had to admit, when he hadn't just been through a war with her. What, girl? You already lost. Before you say anything about the count, it was probably for your own good.

Claudia would have gone forward and forced him into a rematch, but a mass of tournament staff held her back. With clenched teeth she watched him blow kisses to the ladies among his delighted fans. That hadn't been a fair win! If she ever encountered that vain dandy of a fighter on the street, she'd beat the arrogance out of him.

She stomped off and met up with her friend Leon at their chosen corner. A big, rangy youth with thick matted hair, he too had participated in today's barehanded boxing events. Like hers, his shabby tunic was scuffed up and soaked with blood, and despite trying not to he slouched with fatigue.

You lost? he concluded with a hint of surprise upon seeing her annoyed scowl. I told you you shouldn't have signed up for the open weight tourney.

She studied his face in an attempt to determine his success, but he was better at hiding his feelings than her. I didn't lose, she spat as they started back for a nearby tavern, people regarding their battered visages with sympathy. Most everyone looked thinner now, and understood the need for odd jobs. They would have fought anyway, though. To their sides passed the drab wooden buildings of this section of town. Worn cobblestones shifted under their feet, and more beggars than ever reached out to them. Claudia would have given them some coin if she could. I was cheated out of a win.

Oh, stop making excuses. He bent forward to meet her downcast eyes. How did you lose? Get beaten around until the ref took pity on you and stopped it? Or did you give up before that?

I was the victim of a fast count.

Leon raised his brows and broke into laughter. Knockout? You got knocked out! He punched her in the arm, hard. I told you it was a bad idea.

Claudia shot him a look that shut him right up. "I was not out. Now, I suggest you stop talking about it before I knock you out. She just hoped her reputation wouldn't take too much of a hit. But how did your day go?"

About the same as yours, he said with a shrug. I lost.

And you were teasing me about fighting out of my weight class! Some good staying in yours did you.

My weight class is the highest one. I'd wager my opponents were bigger than some of yours.

Maybe. She looked sidelong at him, ignoring the strands of rich brown hair that drifted into her line of sight. But did you even make it to the finals?

No, semis. Lucky punch.

She grinned. At least I got to the finals. Looks like my little fists still hit harder than yours.

Your hits are precise, that's all. And it looks like your face took a lot more damage than mine.

My skin bruises easily. Besides, isn't that just proof I can take a beating?

They had reached the tavern, and he reached forward to push open the thin, shabby door. Loud chatter and thick smoke poured out into the street. Ah, taverns, Claudia thought. Like her second home.

So we're completely broke now, huh? Leon said. I warned you not to bet all your money on yourself.

But I would have won! He wasn't close to finishing me. At his dubious expression, she added, And I was a huge underdog. We would have been rich.

What's the plan? Start a brawl and steal some drinks while we're fighting?

Claudia smiled, grabbed the pitcher of ale off a table in front of a sleeping drunk and took a swig. She passed it to Leon, who got his mouthful down before the barmaid could notice. Sounds as good an idea as any. But let's see what easy jobs they have posted first.

They headed through the room to the wooden support beside the bar, where Claudia searched through the cluttered job listings tacked over yellowed layers of older postings. Scraps of paper marked where more attractive offers had been torn away by folks hoping to keep competition down, but no one crowded before the post at the moment.

Bodyguarding? she asked upon spotting one with potential.

Too boring. Leon leaned over her shoulder. Monster hunting?

She studied the listing in question. Sounds tedious. Package delivery?

Pay looks low for our talents. Bullfighting?

Maybe, if they'd let me use my hands. Don't fancy embarrassing myself with a sword.

Leon spread his arms in exasperation. Why are you always so picky about jobs? With the state the country's in now, I'd have hoped you would loosen up.

Just because things are bad doesn't mean there's less needing to be done. Just fewer people willing to pay and more competition to do them.

A low, raspy voice drifted over from her right. You two sound like adventurous youngsters. Why don't you stop considering those lowly tasks, and listen to my proposal instead?

She looked. A solidly built man leaned against the corner of the post. He faced sideways from her, long hair hiding his face. Her own mane was probably less tangled. Where had he come from, and when had he gotten so close? He reminded her of a figure she'd glimpsed at her match, but then many people sported such ungroomed looks now.

And who, she asked, are you? Considering you're waiting around for potential employees instead of just posting your job, can we safely assume it's something illegal? We don't deal in slaves, I'll have you know.

You're a feisty one. I like that. But think about it. Instead of wasting your time with meaningless work, why not see if your skills are up to a more profitable challenge?

Leon stepped in. Wait, bullfighting isn't meaningless! It's fun and entertains the masses. But what's this about more profit?

"More potential profit, the man corrected with a shrug. Unless, you don't think yourselves capable enough?"

You haven't even told us what the job is, Claudia said. Besides, the hassle of dealing with the royal hounds outweighs most opportunities for profit.

Oh, it's nothing illegal if that's what you're worried about. In fact, the monarchy should be quite grateful if you succeed.

"The monarchy..? You work for the government? Beyond her lack of assurance that she could trust his words, Claudia knew that royal backing did not necessarily mean safe to work with. So if you work for the king, why don't you get some of his men to do whatever you need? I think it's something you don't want the people to know you're doing."

The people? No. Certain people? Perhaps. He sighed. You know, I had not expected warriors like you to waste so much time with womanly questions. Maybe you are more cowardly than I'd thought.

Claudia was a woman, but to be called a coward offended her. You won't call me a coward if I break your face. Talk fast.

You know the Dry Sea?

What kind of question is that? Leon asked. It only ruined the economy of this and three other countries. What kind of thoughtless mage would let a whole sea get sucked into his portal?

One with great ambitions. But do you know what was revealed when the water disappeared?

The sea bottom? Claudia said. Some mysterious ruins too, or so I heard.

Your second answer is the one I was looking for. Pirates, or perhaps I should say former pirates, have found an ancient weapon some call the Skyflame. They threaten to destroy Gran's cities if its government does not hand over what remains of its wealth.

Her eyes widened. Destroy the cities? Do they really have the power to do that? Even with the soldiers disheartened by the economic slump, their permanent defenses still stood strong. It unnerved her to think a single device might give lowly pirates the power to overcome them.

It is unknown. But as we cannot be sure it is a bluff, the king dares not mobilize his forces.

So you want to use people outside the government in order not to alert the enemy. But if they can destroy a city, what do you expect us to do about it?

The capabilities of their weapon are unknown. They might not be able to target a few people the same way they could a large area. Our immediate goal would be to learn what they can really do.

Fighting pirates doesn't sound like a bad job, Leon said. I assume they'd have plenty of treasure for us to take?

That, and a few seaside towns have already given in to their demands. Your potential spoils would be significant.

Claudia thought she'd probably end up returning most of said towns' wealth, especially with the difficult times in mind, but figured they could justify keeping a small portion of it. Besides, she did miss having adventures. Her last real one had ended all of two months ago, after all. If only that stupid prince hadn't gotten himself killed. It bored her to pass the days without a true goal.

This might not be such a terrible idea, she said. I've been wondering what a whole sea dried up looks like. Leon?

Let's give it a try! Saving the kingdom is a lot more worthwhile than fighting bulls.

She nodded and looked at the stranger. Though, you still haven't said your name. And how about letting me see your face?

He turned without haste, gradually allowing her to take in a long, rough-skinned countenance. His thick features were not really old, yet his sunken eyes seemed to bear the experience of hell itself.

My name? I hope you will not be frightened into reconsidering our partnership when you hear it. His voice grew lower. I am Julius, former captain of the Knights of Zog.

#

Knights of Zog? the tall, thick-limbed girl asked with a sneer while she followed him out the door. So you used to work for the crazy mage who ruined all those people's lives?

Julius smiled to himself. Most people regarded the name of Zog with awe and fear, but her voice held annoyance more than anything else. Her friend just looked curious, and both seemed full of energy regardless of the beating their faces had recently taken. These two should make suitable partners for the dangerous road ahead.

Not only that, but I followed him into the other realms. I do not believe you could imagine the terrors that dwell there.

She snorted. And you came back? Guess you're just luckier than your master.

He gnashed his teeth a bit. Zog was not dead, as far as he knew, but had chosen to continue his quest for knowledge in the outer planes. Julius wished the wizard hadn't abandoned him. Life after getting back had been hard with every government in sight after him. Good thing he was able to cut a deal with gullible King Luke.

I'm surprised a dark knight like you dares to show his face in public, Leon said.

People don't know me. Just because you've heard stories of the devil, doesn't mean you'll know him when he's standing right in front of you.

"You like putting on a scary image, don't you? Claudia asked. You better not expect to bully us when we work together. She held up a relatively small, though calloused and scarred, fist. When men try to push me around, dark knights or not, I let my hands do the talking."

Her bravado did impress Julius. Looking at her, he wouldn't have expected her to be able to back up her words, but stories of her and Leon's exploits suggested otherwise. He had not picked them out at random, after all. He just hoped their abilities would live up to rumor.

When Julius walked on impassively without a response, Claudia added, So where do we go first?

There is one town that refused to meet their demands, and reportedly suffered the consequences. Let us see what we're dealing with.

#

An hour later Julius headed out of town with Claudia and Leon, all three dressed and packed for travel. Despite their overly playful demeanor, the two showed no trouble keeping up with his efficient gait. Leon wore sturdy armor of scale, while Claudia preferred no armor at all. As they had no gold, he'd paid for their supplies. It still surprised him the girl carried no real weapons. Did she really fight armed foes with her fists like people said? He himself was glad for his heavy spear.

So what was it like serving a dark mage? Leon asked as they hiked over slopes covered with parched grass. Did he do experiments on you and whip you when you did something wrong?

The wind blew Julius' hair across his eyes, hopefully making him look more intimidating. No. If you like to ask stupid questions, I'll ask something of you. What does it mean that you describe yourselves as 'adventurers' instead of something more specific like everyone else? I hadn't thought people really viewed themselves primarily as adventurers before meeting you.

Claudia grinned. What, is calling ourselves adventurers that hard for you to understand? We live our lives doing what feels right and don't let ourselves be tied down to any one thing. Hence, our path is an adventure.

Sounds more like aimless wanderers to me. But I suppose I can admire your courage. That, and their freedom. His loyalty to Zog hadn't wound up meaning much when the mage dragged him into a hellish realm against his will, then left him to cope with the hostility of his own world alone.

That's right, Leon said. Me and Claudia, we aren't afraid of anything.

They continued towards the region bordering the former Womb Sea, now a crater of unbelievable size renamed the Dry Sea. The roads bore the wear of a great exodus, for many of those living on the coast had left with the onset of drought after the backbone of their economy vanished. Still, some stayed behind in the once-prosperous port towns. But none lived in the settlement ten miles from the sea which Julius brought his companions to. Upon stepping atop a ridge just beyond the outskirts of the town, the trio stopped and stared.

The whole place had been blasted to ashes.

They really have a powerful weapon, Claudia breathed while they took in the blackened rubble that had once been streets and houses. No sign of any people remained, though Julius imagined the ashes of many human beings rested among the indistinct charred mass. A slightly disturbing thought, but he had seen much worse than ashes.

Six hundred people used to live down there, Claudia continued, and now they're all dead. Even the seven children of that tailor we helped here before... Did you know what we would find before coming here?

She sounded a little scared as well as sad, and Julius didn't blame her. Even he couldn't help being awed by the scope of this power, the entire sprawling settlement wiped clean away. I'd heard rumors, but thought it would be better to see myself. He paused, biting his lip. Even Zog didn't wield such might in brute force.

Shaking off his wide-eyed daze, Leon asked, So what does seeing this do for us? We know the enemy can back up their threats, but have we learned anything about how to beat them?

This proves their weapon's power, but its range and whether it can be moved is still unknown. We can't know if they're able to reach the inland cities.

So you were hoping to find a clue as to the limit of their range. Claudia nodded. We should go to another town. Maybe we could learn something from the residents.

Julius didn't even really want to be here, if not for his agreement with the king, but she seemed eager to continue their mission despite seeing what she had. That was my next thought. Be careful though, lest we tip off the pirates.

They left the destroyed town, heading for the port city of Gane. The cracked earth they strode spoke to the lack of rain caused by the disappearance of the water. When they crossed higher ground, they could see the great chasm of the Dry Sea in the distance.

That's incredible, Claudia said in a soft voice. It used to be so cool and beautiful here when we visited that summer, and now... If your boss could do that with his magic, it's not so surprising this Skyflame can wipe out a city.

The drying of the sea was an unintended side effect of a ritual gone out of control. That the ancients could make a weapon with such focused destructive power is still remarkable.

Either way, aren't the pirates down there with it? Dangerous or not, I look forward to exploring that landscape!

You do know the place is notorious for birthing monsters, even before the additional exposure to magic?

So? She smirked. I'm not one to be easily scared by a bunch of mindless beasts.

A few hours later, they reached Gane. Once a booming city whose noisy streets would have been lined with peddlers' stalls, it now hosted a quiet accentuated by the thumping of their boots in the dirt. Some residents still ambled about, gaunt specters sustained by desperate attachment to their homes and the few low-water crops they could grow. Many of the stone buildings looked disused, though that might be as much from their functional boxy design as the windblown dust blanketing them.

Why come here? Leon asked. Doesn't look like these people would bother keeping an eye on the pirates for us, when they have more pressing matters to worry about.

Julius shook his head. This was one of the first places to give in to the pirates' demands, so there's a good chance they have a presence here. And since this was one of the larger cities before the change, there should be more people staying around by default.

They wandered the ill-maintained streets of the half dead city, asking those they saw where they might be able to find gold. There weren't many businesses open, but some residents came out to beg the visitors for food. Another might have thought to seek out information about the pirates, but Julius instead sought to make the pirates find him. At least by not asking directly about them, it might keep them from becoming too aware of the imminent threat.

Their act had gone on for most of the day before Julius noticed someone following them. You hear that? he whispered to Claudia and Leon. Get ready for a fight.

They waited for their stalkers to show themselves. When they failed to do so, Julius decided to pause. The faint footsteps behind them slowed, but did not stop. Some seconds later a cloaked figure stepped out around a corner, followed by another and another. Soon, five dirty and foul-smelling men stood before Julius. He heard his companions' feet shift behind him. Not so daunting a number, and even less so if Claudia and Leon's reputed prowess proved accurate.

Julius? one of them said. We'd been hoping to meet you.

You already know who I am? Then I can't say you were smart to come here all by yourselves.

No? I think it's about time for us to talk.