by Ben Hale
Mind dropped from his saddle and approached the scouts. “We’re half a day’s ride ahead of them,” he said.
The elf eyed the docile elk. “You got around the fiend army on that?”
“Just the last day,” Mind said. “Do you have a pair of horses we can use? We need to reach Ilumidora.”
The officer called an order to a lieutenant to fetch some steeds, and two were brought forward. The captain offered food and drink, and Mind slaked his thirst from the water skin. Then he shook his head clear of fatigue and nodded his gratitude.
“Did you see Terros?” the captain asked. “Scouts said it was destroyed.”
“It’s gone,” Mind said.
“All of it?” another elf asked. “How is that possible?”
A dull reverberation came through their boots, and as it mounted, all eyes turned towards the road. Winding east and north, it passed over a hill several miles away. As they watched, a dark wave crested the rise and poured down the slope, its sheer size eliciting muttered curses and a prayer from the other scouts.
“Ero save us,” one archer breathed.
“He can’t save us this time,” Mind said, glancing at Jeric. “We’re going to have to do it on our own.”
He mounted and pulled the reins. “I’d suggest you retreat, captain. You don’t have much time.”
Mind and Jeric flicked the reins and their horses accelerated south. They again set a pace that would devour the miles. Mind rubbed his eyes, smearing dirt across his face as he fought to stay awake. He’d never been so fatigued.
They did not camp or rest, and only paused to water the horses at the numerous streams. Ilumidora sat in the heart of the great forest, several days from the exterior of the forest. The empty road wound through towering trees and crossed beautiful bridges, but there was a noticeable absence of animal life, as if they too had fled in the face of Draeken’s army. Several times the shadow of a large dragon passed overhead, and Mind lifted his gaze to Gorewrathian, wondering what he could do to end Draeken for good.
They encountered more scouts as they neared the elven capital, and managed to trade for fresh steeds. The soldiers were of every race and kingdom, but in the various colors of skin and under different armors, one thing was constant in the eyes of the men and women, a gripping fear of the impending battle. Although it was fear on their faces, Mind heard a different emotion from their thoughts.
Resolve.
They knew the threat, they knew to fear. But these men and women were prepared to fight, to die to protect their homes and families. One man thought of his wife and young child, his jaw set in a determined line. The woman beside him thought of her husband, who’d lost a limb in a war several years ago. She had taken his place because he had trained her, and she thought of his kiss on her lips. She fought for him.
As the bright city of Ilumidora rose in the distance, they passed through thousands of elves laboring to increase the city defenses. Men dug holes and set traps while dwarves placed war machines and stonesap barrels. All labored with courage in their hearts, and Mind could not help but feel the swell of hope. Mind had once considered joining Serak, even seen the merit to his plan, but as they made the final approach to Ilumidora he finally understood what Elenyr had tried to teach. To fight on the correct side was more important than retaining one’s life.
They rode to the city gates and dropped from their weary mounts. Elven mages sought to strengthen the charms on the city gates, and reinforce the walls themselves. Unlike standard stone walls, the city of Ilumidora contained walls of aquaglass, the material granted every possible spell by the powerful elven guild of magic. Ten feet thick and fifty feet high, the wall had further been strengthened by the lake at the heart of the city, the water having previously been raised and added to the aquaglass walls.
Barricades blocked city streets, and tens of thousands of soldiers prepared arrows and swords. Dwarven ballistae, taken from Terros, had been placed on the inside of the wall, the large bolts pointed at the wall itself. Crossbowmen lined the base, with hundreds of crates of crossbows. Elven arches ascended the wall to place more arrows above.
Homes, taverns, inns, and other structures ringed the exterior of the lake. All had been converted into barracks or armories. The ring of hammers on anvils gave the bright city a dwarven air, with many of the bearded race laboring in outdoor forges.
At the center of the lake, Urindilial, the queen of trees, held the fortress high above the lake, its massive roots growing into the island at its base. Branches from the queen tree extended over the lake, merging with the trees on the opposite shore to form roads and sweeping paths. Smaller branches had been grown into railings, providing a host of balconies and overlooks. They too, had been converted for war, with mounted ballistae and catapults placed beneath graceful flowering trees, the purple pedals floating down to land on the steel-tipped weapons.
Water flowed out of the lake, swirling upward and parting into a myriad of floating waterways. Small watercraft provided transportation in and through the upper city. The crystalline water carried boats filled to the brim with supplies and weaponry. The bright lights of thousands of light orbs clinging to hanging branches, illuminated the tremendous armament, and the soldiers rushed to complete final preparations.
At the heart of the city, the three-sided fortress sat nestled in the branches of Urindilial. A plume of water rose through the center of the fortress and curved into streams that arced around the exterior, making it seem like the castle was contained in an orb of glass. But the water was expanding and hardening, forming a protective sphere around the queen’s castle, a final redoubt in case the outer defenses crumbled.
Mind and Jeric threaded their way through the harried soldiers and ascended a plume of water to reach the upper city. Mounted crossbows and mage catapults equipped with stonesap barrels or explosive fireballs were being fastened to the roof of inns, taverns, and homes. Some had their walls removed to make room for more ranged weaponry.
As they approached the castle, Mind spotted Elenyr talking to a knot of officers from various races. She wore armor over her customary cloak, the green enhancing her fearsome look. The soldiers nodded and departed to obey her orders, and then she turned. Their eyes met and Mind smiled.
“Elenyr,” he said. “Are we late?”
Elenyr looked up at him. “You are right on time.”
Tears formed in her eyes and she closed the gap in a rush, engulfing him in an embrace. He’d never been effusive, but he hugged her just as fiercely. How could he have ever thought to betray this woman? He whispered into her ear.
“In case I have never said it aloud, I love you mother.”
They parted and he fought the sudden tears. She smiled at him. “I love you too, my son.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks and Mind caught the tinge of hope from her thoughts. She believed in her plan, but it would be for naught if she did not have her sons. In that moment, Mind felt sorry for Draeken. The fragment of Power had been raised with the other fragments, been taught and trained by Elenyr, but had never seen how much Elenyr believed in them. He was alone by choice, and Mind felt pity for his fallen brother.
“Tardoq?” she asked, glancing to Ero.
“With the Bonebreaker,” Jeric said, nodding in greeting. “We believe she will come, and I provided means for her arrival.”
Elenyr motioned to the castle. “Come. There is much to discuss.”
Chapter 31: Elenyr’s Plan
Elenyr guided Mind to the queen’s castle and through the aquaglass sphere that surrounded the fortress. With the branches holding the fortress and protective shield, the castle resembled a clawed hand grasping an orb. Only this orb was several feet thick and could absorb tremendous damage.
She cast frequent glances at Mind. He looked different, more mature. He’d always been tactical, but his cunning had carried a darker tint. Now he seemed almost happy, despite the circumstances. And he’d never expressed love for her or his brothers. It seemed unnatural
in the face of such opposition to feel such a sense of joy, but that was what she felt. Her family remained intact, and although the separation had changed her sons, all signs pointed to the changing being for their good. Her sons were here, and she would rather fight beside them than anyone else in Lumineia.
If they survived.
Her joy at Mind’s return seeped away as she listened to their tale of the Krey Empire. The final battle was upon them, and although she had a plan to fight Draeken, the chance of defeat remained significant.
“Draeken devastated Terros,” Jeric said, and briefly described the city.
Elenyr winced, but nodded. “We expected as much. That’s why we gathered here. Queen Alosia agreed to use her city and nation as a focal point for Draeken’s army, drawing them here so others had time to escape to Talinor and into the north.”
“The fiend army will reach the city by morning,” Mind said.
“We should be ready by then.” Elenyr swept her hand to the armament of Ilumidora. “Ero knows we have turned this city into a weapon.”
Jeric grinned at her use of his krey name. “Is everyone here?”
“They are,” she said. “You are the last, and you arrived just in time for our war council. I’m sure you’re tired, but you you’ll have to rest after the council.”
“Can we at least change?” Mind wrinkled his nose. “I’m fairly confident we reek.”
“We do,” Jeric said.
A tug at her consciousness came from Mind, and he provided glimpses of what he’d experienced at the Bone Crucible. More importantly, he shared the conversation with Tardoq and Belrisa, and their final words. Elenyr motioned to Jeric.
“Will they come?”
“They will,” Jeric said. “When we’re ready, I will send a message and tell them the hour has arrived.”
They entered the fortress, where a quartet of gnomes used their staves to examine every person entering the castle. Elenyr endured the examination as well, and raised her arms as they passed the staffs around her torso.
“We are employing every caution to prevent Draeken hearing our plans,” she said. “These gnomes are the highest ranked members of their guild and are making sure that everyone that enters the fortress is not using the persona of another.”
“What if we have another Porlin?” Mind asked.
Elenyr frowned at the reminder of King Porlin, a king who had never existed. The man had been placed as a spy in infancy, and raised with an allegiance to his father, Zenif, and Serak. Porlin had served Serak for four decades, and had never been in the royal bloodline.
“We can protect against magic covering the identity of another,” she said, “but we cannot prevent one who is already a servant of Serak. Some elements of our plans are not being disseminated in an effort to protect the truth. We are also limiting the number of people allowed at the council.”
“A wise precaution,” Mind said, and then lowered his voice. “Except for Jeric, of course.”
Elenyr grinned. “Jeric’s persona is based on krey technology, so he the charms we have placed should have no effect on him.”
“Should is not comforting,” Jeric murmured. “I would rather not become Ero in front of the entire council of kings. I wager that would create quite a stir.”
The trio finished passing the inspection of the anti-magic gnomes and entered the fortress, passing through the thick, icy sphere of aquaglass. Elenyr shivered at the cold vapors wafting off the shield and crossed the bridge to reach the great hall.
With sweeping architecture and great chandeliers of pure, solid light, the great hall now contained crates and goods, the great tables for guests having been moved to the side of the room. Elenyr, Mind, and Jeric endured two more checkpoints as they ascended the steps to reach the council chamber, situated in the left wing of the fortress. Elenyr motioned to a side chamber and waited while they changed into clothes less filthy. When they stepped back into the hall, they looked worlds better.
She ascended the final steps and nodded to the guards as she entered the turret. Wide and vaulted, the chamber contained banners of every kingdom on Lumineia, a symbol of the elven view of unity. Now, contingents of every race occupied the chamber, and stood in front of their respective banners, the first time since in Ilumidora’s history that it had seen such a varied council.
Elenyr spotted Queen Alosia standing with her chosen advisors, the Princess Devina, first in line to the throne, and surprisingly Princess Serania, third in line to the throne. As her personal guard, she had chosen Horn, the towering elf and firstborn of the House of Runya.
Queen Rynda stood in front of her own banner. She stood flanked by Warshard Toril, the two speaking in low tones. Beyond the rock trolls stood the gnome king and orc king together, both sitting silent, their expressions forbidding, each with a single advisor.
The three human kingdoms had two young queens, Queen Annah of Griffin and Queen Nelia of Erathan. Elenyr met their gaze and nodded, pleased by their courage and wisdom. Without them, the alliance would have crumbled. Sentara and Rune stood behind Queen Nelia, while the heads of the House of Runya, and a soldier Elenyr did not recognize stood behind Queen Annah.
Melora occupied the seat on the opposite side of the chamber, and spoke to Willow and Light, her chosen advisors. She’d sent for her older sister to take her place, but the woman had surprisingly permitted Melora to stand in her stead. Elenyr had been present when the message had come, and seen the tears in Melora’s eyes. Tears of shame and gratitude that her sister believed in her.
King Dothlore of the dwarven race occupied the last chair, and two of his sons were with him, both capable warriors. As Elenyr entered the room, the dwarf inclined his head, the motion drawing the gaze of the four standing in the center of the space, the other four fragments.
Light’s eyes lit up when he spotted Mind, but he did not bound over. “You made it back,” he exclaimed, the lack of impulsiveness demonstrating his change since the separation.
Mind shot Elenyr a look. Does the council know my task in the Krey Empire?
Elenyr also spoke through Mind’s magic. They only know you sought reinforcements, not the source.
Mind nodded. The other fragments greeted Mind while Jeric slipped to the back of the room. Water raised an eyebrow and looked about, obviously searching for Tardoq. Mind spoke in an undertone.
“My assignment appears successful.”
“And what assignment was that?” the orc king demanded. “You have spoken very little and asked a great deal.”
“My apologies,” Elenyr said. “But in this, we cannot risk Draeken hearing the whole of our plan, or he will take measures to stop us.”
“Is that why there are so many charms placed on this room?” Dothlore asked.
Elenyr motioned for the doors to close, and when they clanked shut, there was an audible hiss, like the sound of air escaping a broken seal in a pouch. Elenyr smiled at the sound, recognizing it as sound of magic sealing them inside.
“Until the door is opened, not even a sound mage can overhear what is spoken during this council.”
The gnome king grunted. “No magic can pierce the charms in the wall. For the moment, we are safe.”
“Even with these protections,” Water said. “The truth must be guarded by each of you.”
“Just tell them your plan,” Rynda said, annoyed.
Elenyr inclined her head to the rock troll, and then rotated to meet the eyes of the gathered leaders and their commands. Pride gripped her as she witnessed the alliance of nations, all against Draeken.
“Gathered kings,” she began, “honored dignitaries. Although I desire to share the whole of our plan, that would be unwise. During this council, I will be sharing only the portion you are allowed to know.”
“And why can we not know the whole of it?” the orc king demanded, jutting his chin out.
“Because Draeken and Serak have a powerful mind mage, you thick brained moordraug.” Rynda rolled her eyes as if it w
ere obvious. “They could pick the truth from your thoughts faster than you can swill a mug of grog.”
The orc growled and rose to his feet, but Elenyr raised a hand to Rynda. “Let us not permit insults in this alliance.”
Rynda shrugged and pointed outside. “We’ve got fortifications to complete. Can we get on with this?”
“I agree with Rynda,” Queen Alosia said. “Let us dispense with the formalities.”
Elenyr recognized the wisdom to their words, so she led with the most important piece of information.
“Serak is no longer our adversary.”
That brought them to their feet. The alliance had been formed to stop Serak and his Order of Ancients, and until recently, had been their principle foe. It was not until the battle at Xshaltheria that they’d learned how Draeken had risen to become Serak’s master.
“You killed him?” Rynda nodded in approval.
“No,” Elenyr said. “Draeken thought he would eventually betray him, so he cast him into a prison, one from which even he cannot escape.”
She’d considered withholding the truth of Serak, but had decided it did not matter. Draeken didn’t know Serak’s secret about the Gate, so he wouldn’t care that Elenyr knew of Serak’s imprisonment. But for Elenyr, she needed the alliance to accept her plan, without revealing the truth about the Dark Gate. Only her fragment sons would know everything.
“But the army of fiends is still coming,” Dothlore stated.
“They are.” Elenyr gestured to Mind. “They will arrive tomorrow morning.”
“What does Serak’s absence change in the conflict?” Queen Nelia asked.
The relief in her voice was palpable, and inspired a note of pity for Elenyr. The girl had lost her father to Serak—twice. Once when he’d betrayed their kingdom of Erathan and again when he’d actually perished. To be rid of Serak probably set her mind at ease.
“I spoke with Serak,” Elenyr said. “And have learned a critical piece of information.”
“He turned on Draeken?” Rynda leaned forward, her eyes bright with curiosity.