As promised, here is the beginning of a new tale set in The Realms. For those of you who have read the Shifting Books in the Twin Cities series, you will find some backstory here on one of my favorite characters. For those of you who have not read the published books, you might want to pick them up. The first, Shifting in The Realms, is FREE on my site.
Now on with the story!
Cleitus the Black, seasoned Greek warrior and Alexander the Great’s honored Companion, hacked at the Persian soldiers trying to pull him from his horse. His sword coming down in an arch which took off hands, arms, and cleaved heads in a single blow. It was the Battle of the Granicus, May, 334 B.C. Centuries before Cleitus the Black would be known as Remy, the Vampire Gatekeeper.
Cleitus could see Alexander not far from him. The young king was small compared to most, but he was unstoppable. Decades, centuries later, Remy would think that the expression ‘the man is like a machine’ would have fit Alexander to a ‘T’.
The young king fought like a man possessed. He had no fear and was always at the head of his companions, driving relentlessly into the battle.
Cleitus had fought with Alexander’s father, Phillip, but the old king was no match for the young one as far as tenacity and overwhelming courage were concerned.
Cleitus could see the king battling his way through the Persian line, his intension to split the forces. His attention was on the enemy before him, and to his right. He did not see the Persian approaching at his rear.
Cleitus dug his heels into his mount charging forward to intercept the warrior gaining ground at the king’s back. The Persian raised his sword ready to bash Alexander’s head in, or take it off, if his swing had enough power.
The king fought on oblivious to the threat at his rear.
Cleitus continued to charge, and kill, his way toward Alexander. His horse stumbled, but by sheer force of will the old warrior pulled his mount up and kept it on its feet as he hacked and slashed at the enemy around him. His eye still on his king, he charged forward toward the danger the man was unaware of approaching swiftly.
The Persian was now within striking range. Cleitus too had reached his target. He raised his sword and brought it down with such force that he cleaved the Persian’s arm from his body.
Alexander heard the man’s cry and turned in time to see the result of Cleitus’ action. He nodded to the old warrior in thanks, only taking a moment from his onslaught against the enemy. Cleitus had saved his king’s life.
Alexander would conquer Persian with Cleitus the Black at his side. Eight years later, during a drunken feast, the young king took exception to something Cleitus said and killed the old warrior… the man who saved his life less than a decade before. A man who had ridden and fought beside him across the length and breadth of Persia.
Cleitus never forgave him for turning on him. On that day of betrayal, Remy the Vampire, was born.
Now on with the story!
The Book of Remy
Cleitus could see Alexander not far from him. The young king was small compared to most, but he was unstoppable. Decades, centuries later, Remy would think that the expression ‘the man is like a machine’ would have fit Alexander to a ‘T’.
The young king fought like a man possessed. He had no fear and was always at the head of his companions, driving relentlessly into the battle.
Cleitus had fought with Alexander’s father, Phillip, but the old king was no match for the young one as far as tenacity and overwhelming courage were concerned.
Cleitus could see the king battling his way through the Persian line, his intension to split the forces. His attention was on the enemy before him, and to his right. He did not see the Persian approaching at his rear.
Cleitus dug his heels into his mount charging forward to intercept the warrior gaining ground at the king’s back. The Persian raised his sword ready to bash Alexander’s head in, or take it off, if his swing had enough power.
The king fought on oblivious to the threat at his rear.
Cleitus continued to charge, and kill, his way toward Alexander. His horse stumbled, but by sheer force of will the old warrior pulled his mount up and kept it on its feet as he hacked and slashed at the enemy around him. His eye still on his king, he charged forward toward the danger the man was unaware of approaching swiftly.
The Persian was now within striking range. Cleitus too had reached his target. He raised his sword and brought it down with such force that he cleaved the Persian’s arm from his body.
Alexander heard the man’s cry and turned in time to see the result of Cleitus’ action. He nodded to the old warrior in thanks, only taking a moment from his onslaught against the enemy. Cleitus had saved his king’s life.
Alexander would conquer Persian with Cleitus the Black at his side. Eight years later, during a drunken feast, the young king took exception to something Cleitus said and killed the old warrior… the man who saved his life less than a decade before. A man who had ridden and fought beside him across the length and breadth of Persia.
Cleitus never forgave him for turning on him. On that day of betrayal, Remy the Vampire, was born.
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