Angels and Elves- Act I

by William Collins

  “Evan, don’t be rude. The elves have been at war for years, you can’t blame them for being cautious.”

  “I take no offence.” Shyr stated, her face passive as she unlocked their cell door. “If my liege is satisfied, so are we all.”

  “We showed the Duke a Hologram message from Tarensen,” Lok answered Evan. “Tarensen has helped the drow a couple of times and they know him well.”

  “Arch-Duke Durond has granted you all the most luxorious guest rooms the castle has to offer,” said Shyr, inclining her head. “He also offers his apologies for his soldier’s caution in placing you under arrest.”

  “The best rooms in this place,” Xavier said. “What’s that then, a room that only has one leak in its roof and only a bit of mould?”

  Shyr ignored him. “Please, follow me and I’ll escort you to your rooms.”

  “When can the Duke see us,” Evan said swiftly. “As you might’ve guessed, we have important news to tell him.”

  “He is currenlty with his war council,” Shyr replied. “He may be able to see you later this evening, but probably tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s not good enough. Sorry,” he said. “But we really need to speak with him now.”

  “Is your matter urgent?” Shyr arched an eyebrow.

  “Yeah, I’d say so.” Evan shared a flicker of a smile with Brooke.

  “What is it?” Lok asked. “Even Tarensen said he didn’t know, just that you would need our help.”

  “It’s a long story,” he replied. “You can hear it when I tell the duke.”

  Lok looked ready to respond in anger, but Brooke said hastily. “Oh and we’ll need our supplies back, please.” She shot Evan another look. “We have important potions in there.”

  Evan nodded to let her know he understood. Only Xavier would know why he and Brooke would be drinking Emerald Shade, the others might not even recognise the potion. But he knew they had to keep the reason they drank it a secret.

  Shyr bowed respectfully. “Don’t worry, your belongings were already placed in your rooms. But I shall take you to the Duke as you request. Just be warned, it doesn’t matter how urgent your news is, if Liskari attack again, you will instead be confined to your rooms.”

  “Understood,” Brooke replied as Shyr turned and started leading the way up the steps and away from the dungeons. Evan wasn’t sorry to leave the freezing cells behind.

  “Oh, Evan, Brooke, have you met Rorig?” Nova gestured to the large Venator beside her.

  “Ello chaps,” Rorig clasped their hands and shook them enthusiatically. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  “You’re huge,” Brooke replied. “I mean, sorry. Hi. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “Nonsense, I’m used to it.” Rorig grinned behind his beard. “Me dad’s a Mandon giant, as you might’ve guessed. Me mam was just a regular human though, well, apart from being a Venator.”

  “Nice to meet you too,” he said, noticing the huge hammer strapped to Rorig’s back.

  “How is everyone,” Evan asked Xavier the moment he got the chance. “Is Taija okay?”

  “She’s fine,” said Xavier, his attention diverted as he made sure none of the algae had stained his clothes. “Elijah and Emi have been teaching her which statues around Veneseron try to trick people, and what areas around the Fortress itself are mischievious. I’m sure Zeke’s missing me terribly already though. We were lucky enough to have our very first mission together, even if Lyella was also there. But me being selected for this mission will likely turn out to be the most time we’ve spent apart since we met. I hope Zeke doesn’t get too much separation anxiety.”

  Somehow, Evan reckoned it would be Xavier who struggled being away from Zeke more.

  Shyr led them to do rusted double doors, where two drow guards stood either side. She nodded to each of them before knocking and pushing her way into the throne room.

  A giant table in the shape of a map filled much of the chamber. Seated across the table were various drow lords and ladies. The only elf standing wore a simple crown of white wood. This stern, middle-aged elf could only be Arch-Duke Durond.

  They’d entered halfway through the Duke addressing his men. “…due to the Liskari being weakened by first light, we must surmise their next attack will likely be mid-afternoon tomorrow. But be prepared for a midday attack also. As Lady Gishin just pointed out, our food supplies will last us only another year. But these trebuchets are new and have weakened our walls substantionally. We must eradicate the Liskari before our food runs out. Now…” Durond trailed off as he noticed them for the first time.

  The Duke frowned and stroked his thin black beard. “Shyr, I already spoke with the Venators, they showed me Tarensen’s message. I’ll speak to them at length later.”

  “I’m afraid the Venators we imprisoned earlier say it is quite urgent they speak with you at once my liege,” Shyr replied, bowing low.

  The Arch-Duke sighed heavily, before beckoning them forward. “Very well, speak Venators, my nobles and I shall listen.”

  Evan cleared his throat, wondering where to begin. “Okay, so we’ve been sent here. Not just by the Masters at Veneseron, but Vanderain himself.”

  “Whoa, that’s big,” Rorig grunted.

  “And Loren Nallador Yaheri will be coming here to aid us too,” Brooke added.

  Several drow nobles stirred at this and Durond nodded. “We have heard of Nallador, but why is our war with the Liskari so important to you Realmers now. Just last year you deemed our struggle not worth your aid anymore.”

  Evan grit his teeth. It seemed the drow were really sore over that.

  “It wasn’t like that,” he said. “Realmers have to combat the demonic and the Rakarn above all else. Brooke and I just came from the Republic and heard from their own mouths how they only left your realm because your battle was a natural dispute between two enemy forces.”

  “So what’s changed?” Durond asked curtly.

  “We believe demons have now allied with the Liskari.”

  The nobles murmured to one another in surprise, hints of panic sparking between them.

  “Nallador even suspects a Disciple may be behind the alliance too,” said Brooke.

  Fright filled the nobles now and their murmurs rose to shouts coloured with hysteria. Durond held up a hand and silence fell once again.

  “We don’t know for sure,” Brooke continued. “But Nallador believes one of the Disciples is looking for the same thing we are.”

  “And what are you looking for?” Durond asked, insantly stand-offish once more.

  Evan saw Lok’s eyes flash with intrigue and hesistated about revealing more. Don’t be stupid, Ev. You can trust other Venators.

  “Nallador believes that the demon god himself placed some gauntlets on your world,” he said. “Gauntlets that are rumoured to have the power to kill gods, or the power to turn any being into a demon with a touch.”

  “Holy ushk,” Xavier’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline. “Why in Rueda’s name was I sent on such an important mission?”

  “Pah. What is this madness?” one drow lord exclaimed. “Venators believe in fairy tales now?”

  “You’re talking about armour Ezanathul himself wore.” Lok frowned, although there was a strange look in his eyes. “I thought even Veneseron believed it was just rumours that he hid his artefacts across the worlds?”

  Brooke shrugged. “Loren seems certain they exist, and that they can be found on this world.”

  “Nonsense,” said another elven noble. “I think we would’ve realised if such gauntlets existed on our world, don’t you?”

  “Not if the gauntlets were buried far beneath the Earth,” said Brooke.

  “What are you saying?” Durond watched them suspiciously.

  Evan took a deep breath before saying, “We have to get to the Hell-Chasms.”

  A hush fell upon the elves, broken by a feeble graon from Xavier.

  “Why’s that then? Going for dinner with the dwar
ves?” a portly elf snorted with laughter.

  “No, they’re going for tea with the trolls,” another drow bellowed.

  Durond shook his head sadly. “The Chasms aren’t a place we drow ever go near. In the old age, the dwarves who lived in these lands alongside us went down there, looking for the rumoured treasure within. It is said they awoke the Liskari, but I don’t think that’s why the dwarves never returned. A century later, the trolls went down, to get the treasure for themselves. They too, never returned. Only madness and death lies beneath our world. Legends tell of a great evil far beneath us. No drow who has entered that place has ever returned to the surface. And we’ve had the sense not to go down there ever since the dwarves first disappeared.”

  “Yep, that’s just the place,” said Xavier sarcastically. “Aren’t we lucky?”

  “But the Liskari?” Nova pointed out. “They’ve come back from the Chasms.”

  “Aye, but they never journey too deep,” the Duke replied. “They are too mindless to realise the treasure that may be miles beneath them. Shame, as the Lisakri disappearing would solve our current problems.”

  “This great evil,” said Lok in fascination. “Any idea what it is? Suddenly Loren’s idea about the demon god being involved don’t seem so ludicrous. If he hid something far beneath your world, a great evil would doubtless linger.”

  “We know not whether the source of this evil is artefact or creature. As it takes magic away it might not have any magic at all. We always thought it was just related to the Liskari, seeming as they first came from the Chasms and they drain sorcery themselves.”

  “Wait, what?” This was the first time he’d heard of this.

  “Didn’t your Fortress tell you?” Durond frowned. “The swamps where the Liskari live are magical deadzones, they always have been. Sorcery simply can’t be called upon in those lands. Legends say it comes from the Chasms. Once you pass the elven kingdom’s borders your magic will fade away.”

  “No, Vanderain left that bit out,” said Evan. “Though I suppose he was in a hurry.”

  “Rueda,” Xavier whispered. “Is it to late to back out of this mission?”

  “It’ll be okay,” Nova said with a reassuring smile. “The Masters packed Battle Spheres and enchanted grenades for us. We’ll just have to be smart in how we use them.”

  Evan wished he shared Nova’s enthusiasm, but the fact he wouldn’t be able to access his sorcery as they travelled into an evil place underground made it all the scarier.

  “Let’s assume what you say is true,” Durond said, “where do my people and I come in?”

  “We need your help,” he replied simply. “As you’ve seen, there’s a few things we don’t know about your world. We need to know where the nearest Hell-Chasm is and how to get to it.”

  “I thought you came here to help us?” a haughty female elf at the table asked. “It seems you just want us to help you. If you haven’t noticed, we’re currently preoccupied with a war.”

  “I understand,” Evan said, not wanting to anger anyone further. “I really do. But if a Disiple is involved with the Liskari and gets hold of those gauntlets you won’t just lose the war, you’ll be made extinct.”

  “Evan’s right,” said Brooke. “All we ask is for a map or something.”

  Durond silenced his nobles once again, his brow furrowed as he thought it over. “It seems the risks are too great for us to ignore. We will help you. My wife is in our capital city of Karcia, residing in the high pyramid. She gives strength to our people, whilst me and the main force of my army lured the Liskari here to separate their forces. I believe this war shall be won soon, but not if demons or a Disciple is aiding our enemy. Personally, I think you’re embarking on a suicide mission, but in the small chance you’re successful, I will help you.”

  “Well that’s encouraging.” Xavier rolled his eyes.

  “We have maps with the Hell-Chasms marked on them,” Durond continued. “You’ll have to cross into Liskari territory, feel free to kill any you can whilst you sneak past them.”

  “But how do we find wherever these gauntlets might be once we’re underground?” Nova asked.

  “Loren knows the way,” said Evan, “as long as he can meet us in time.”

  “Why can’t we just portal to these Chasms?” Xavier asked. “Oh yeah, can’t use magic out there,” he realised.

  “It is almost nightfall,” said Durond. “I suggest you set off at first light. Dawn to midday is when the Liskari sleep. It might be easier for you then.”

  “Thank you.” Evan nodded graciously.

  “I can spare one of my best scouts to guide you through the swamps to the nearest chasm entrance.”

  “I’ll gladly volunteer my liege.” Shyr bowed low. “If I have your leave?”

  Durond nodded. “Perfect. Shyr will let you know the dangers of our land. But you must return once the Venators have reached the chasms, Shyr. You’re too valauable to die.”

  “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” said Xavier.

  “But more importantly,” Durond continued, “to let us know whether you saw demons with the Liskari.”

  “Excellent,” said Lok. “Just one thing, how do we leave your castle with the Liskari camped right outside?”

  “Shyr will take you through our cathedral catacombs and our secret exit. Make sure no Liskari see you use it, or all of us elves will be extinct by the time you return, if you return.”

  “Of course,” Nova nodded. “We’ll kill any Liskari if they see us.”

  “Thank you, Duke Durond,” Evan said, bowing awkwardly as the others followed suit.

  “Good luck, Venators. I shall pray to our dragon gods for your safe return.”

  Evan tried not to let the Duke’s lack of belief in them knock his confidence as they departed the throne room.

  Everything was happening so quickly. Only this morning he’d almost been imprisoned by the Realmer Republic, now he was preparing to travel deep underground to look for a dead god’s gauntlets.

  “Bloody Rueda.” Xavier was almost hyperventilating. “I don’t even like normal lizards, I really don’t wanna’ spend time with Liskari in the dark. I know we’re supposed to wait for this Nallador chap to call on the Holophone but do you mind if I use it first. I need to call Zeke for my final goodbye. I doubt I’ll make it back to Veneseron alive.”

  “Calm down, dude.” Lok laughed, clapping Xavier on the back. “You know the drill, if things get too dangerous for us, Veneseron can send more reinforcements.”

  “I don’t know if they have any to spare,” Nova countered. “But the Monitors will pull us from the mission if the chances of fatality is too high,” she said quickly to assure a horrified Xavier.

  “It’s not just going deep underground where monsters could be round every dark corner,” said Xavier. “Magic is my speciality. I’m rubbish with weapons.”

  “Yeah, I’m better with spells too,” Brooke grunted. She was trying to act nonchalent, but Evan could tell she was scared, just like him, just like all of them. So far, this sounded like the hardest mission any of them had ever been on. It certainly was for Evan.

  He was confident battling with Ruaden in his hands, but unable to use his sorcery also was a serious handicap. Ever since he’d learned he was a Venator he’d always been able to feel the magic inside him. It had always been there, but from what he understood it would simply fade away as they ventured into the Liskari swamps.

  Evan looked out of the windows as they walked back through the castle. and at the massive army they would sneak past tomorrow. Without magic it was very likely that if they were spotted, the Liskari would overwhelm them and the chances of them surviving was extremely slim.

  If the evil presence that was said to lurk deep in the Chasms was real, maybe he and Brooke would’ve been better off imprisoned. Whether they were more in danger now, Evan was sure of one thing. They couldn’t let anyone else get hold of gauntlets that could infect people with the demonic. It would
n’t just have serious implications on this realm, but all of the worlds.

  *

  Lok lay in the guest room’s elven bed, wide awake.

  Luckily, he’d snagged the only single room. Xavier and Evan shared the room to his left, whislt Nova and Brooke had taken his right. It meant he could sneak in and out of this world without anyone being any the wiser. What fools they were.

  He’d waited in his room for several hours, it had to be past midnight now and his companions fast asleep. There’d never be a better time to enact his plan than now. It was time to leave.

  He’d received the text an hour ago. Everything was already in motion.

  Portals weren’t loud, but nor were they exactly quiet. He was banking on his fellow companions being too fast asleep to notice any slight magical buzzing coming from his room in the seconds it would take him to travel.

  Before he activated the portal, however, he had to check they were all asleep. He walked to his left wall first, placing his hand on the stone and summoning the Stonesee spell. The wall around his hand shimmered before coming a one-way window to the next room. Inside he saw Evan and Xavier, fortunately both asleep.

  Lok took his hand away and the one-way window faded. He used Stonesee again on the other wall, this time seeing Nova and Brooke in their beds. Again, both were asleep, the moons outside their window making Nova’s unnatural golden skin shine. Brooke was in the bed closest to him, and he spent several moments watching her as she slept. Soon, once they were in Velkarath together, he’d be able to watch her sleep every night.

  He reluctantly took his hand away, knowing he’d better leave. Lok didn’t know how long his trip would take, but he hoped it would be under an hour.

  He pulled the knife from his boot and placed the tip on his exposed bicep. Slowly, he cut down his arm, before plucking out the small shard of krism stick. It had been implanted as a way for him to communicate with his bretheren without anyone else being able to pick up on it. He never did it in Veneseron itself, just to be sure, but this wasn’t the first time he’d contacted Velkarath whilst on a mission.

  Ignoring the blood dripping on his shirt, he bent down and scrawled a symbol on the ground with his krism stick. The symbols would appear in Velkarath’s scrawl chamber. It was a code, telling them to send a team of Rakarn to an exact location immediately.