“To die?” asked Lokus bitterly.
“I hope to whatever god you pray favor from, that is not the case,” replied Marro before scanning the street. “Now follow me.”
Still holding to Kaysa, Marro guided Delegas and Lokus through the shadows toward their destination. Stopping only to wait out advancing soldiers, Marro kept their pace swift, yet cautious. With his knowledge of Thorindale, Marro had the group before King Thorien’s stronghold without further contestation. Marro then halted behind a building corner as he scanned the doors to see two guards at their post.
Marro pointed to Lokus, motioning to the entrance with his head. “This is your moment, Lokus. Keep your aim true so that we may press on.”
Marro could see protest rising to the lips of the young elf, but Lokus quelled it as he gazed at Kaysa. Nodding grimly, Lokus eyed the two guards as he procured and readied an arrow in his bow. Drawing a deep breath, he exhaled softly as he released the arrow. The arrow flew true, striking the first guardsman in the chest. As the guard clutched to the arrow and fell to his knees, the second guardsman noticed him in a panic. Lokus moved quickly, notching another arrow to let fly. In his haste, he hit his target in the abdomen and not with a killing shot. As the guard hobbled to escape, Lokus growled and fired again through his frustration, ending the life of the second guard.
“We are clear,” sighed Lokus at the completion of his task.
“Very good,” offered Delegas.
“Now is our chance,” stated Marro as he searched the street and sprinted toward the Fortress of Ages.
Discarding caution, Marro utilized his full speed to reach the keep. Delegas stayed at his side as Lokus kept his bow and arrow at the ready and guarded them from the rear. The three, with Kaysa in tow, sped swiftly up the steps toward the entrance. Lokus procured his three arrows from the slain guards before the group ventured inside.
Now within the confines of the keep, the way was hauntingly quiet. Footfalls and breaths echoed mightily as Marro and the others stopped to reclaim their wits. Lokus and Delegas looked upon the stoic relics of times long passed, taken aback by the extravagance of the hall. Marro paid it no mind as he laid down Kaysa, who was fully stirring at last.
“What now, Marro?” asked Delegas, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“Now is the time we must part,” said Marro as he stood. “Keep pressing to the throne room. I have done my part and gotten Kaysa this far.”
“You are leaving us?” Lokus hissed.
Marro nodded. “My path is different than yours. Keep Kaysa safe. You will be protected by her magics.”
“Why now, Marro?” asked Delegas.
The mercenary’s gaze was grave as he replied. “Because if I do not, then my charge will have been for naught,” he offered before pointing to Kaysa. “Keep her safe at any cost,” he added before turning and exiting the keep.
Lokus growled his frustration as he and Delegas watched Marro’s departure. “I knew we could not trust him,” he spat.
Delegas sighed. “He has his purpose. And we have ours. Let us ready ourselves for what is to come.”
“And what is that?” asked Lokus.
“I truly do not know,” said Delegas.
****************
Kaysa shook her head clear, fighting through the tiredness that had claimed her bones. Opening her eyes, the young elf searched about. The sounds of battle seemed faded and distant, and her vision revealed to her that she was no longer upon the battlefield. Searching, she was relieved to quickly see Lokus and Delegas. Her childhood friend smiled in relief to have her awake at last.
“Welcome back, Kaysa,” said Delegas as he helped her to her feet.
“Thank you, Delegas,” said Kaysa as she looked about. “Where are we?”
“We made it inside Thorindale,” said Lokus.
Delegas nodded. “And now we find ourselves in the king’s stronghold. We are not far from our destination. Are you prepared, Kaysa?”
Kaysa looked about again before nodding slowly. “I believe I am,” she said before returning her focus to the Elder’s son. “Where is Marro?”
“He has abandoned us, Kaysa,” said Lokus with disgust.
“That cannot be true,” replied Kaysa in surprise.
“Well it is true,” said Lokus as he walked past Kaysa and Delegas. “The mission is in our hands now.”
Delegas cleared his throat. “Marro’s path was not our path, Kaysa. We must accept that and press on. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I could ever be, I suppose,” said Kaysa, lowering her glance from the entrance.
“He’s gone, Kaysa,” said Lokus, shaking his head. “Let us accept that and proceed.”
Slowly Kaysa looked at her friend. “Very well. Let’s go.”
Taking the lead, Delegas stayed in front of Kaysa as the three elves pressed forward. The Elder’s son kept the pace soft and slow, taking time to search for sentries as they progressed. Kaysa joined Lokus in marveling at the wonders of the keep, for the majesty was equally disturbing and awe-inspiring. To Kaysa, the keep felt equal parts museum, palace, and mausoleum. And for the first time since possessing the seed, Kaysa felt truly comforted at the powers it offered her.
The three continued to walk the hallways of the stronghold, ever at the ready. Kaysa searched about, uneasy, as her soul screamed of a trap. Lokus offered her a brave smile, showing her that he had his bow prepared. Delegas appeared to share Kaysa’s apprehensions, for his steady pace slowed as they neared the hall’s end.
With reluctance, Delegas led Kaysa and Lokus into a grandiose audience chamber. Kaysa gasped at the size and spectacle of it, its pristine ivory columns and majestic stained windows whispering of lost splendor. Their footfalls echoed as if on hallowed ground. Kaysa felt a life and a death to this place, from the utter stillness in the air to the elegant statues of fallen heroes that adorned the chamber. And as she looked in the distance to the elevated throne, her eyes widened at the sight of the Ageless King.
“It’s him,” whispered Kaysa. Her words froze the others as they too saw what she saw.
The chamber was obscenely large, and while the distance was great, Kaysa could see, almost feel the unusually black eyes of King Thorien. For a moment, Kaysa had believed him to be another statue, yet she could sense the vitality swelling within him. She could feel the influence of the seed upon the king, yet it was different somehow. In King Thorien, she felt a swell of darkness and the taint of greed.
King Thorien said nothing as he evaluated the three before him. Kaysa’s unease deepened, for they were strangers in his domain. The king held the cards, and the fact that they appeared alone with him sent a chill through all three of Kaysa’s group. Kaysa willed for the magic within her once more, and was grateful for it when warmth and light shrouded her fists.
At the display of this magic, the king spoke, and his voice, while soft, carried the great length of the chamber. “And so it is true. The seed has awakened.”
Delegas struck the end of his staff upon the floor as he spoke in response. “And with this seed, Tharador will be reborn, Kel’Thara saved. The needless suffering of this world ends now.”
Humor filled the king’s soft voice as he replied. “Lost child, it is I who garner the fate of this world, not the silly superstitions of Elders or fools carried by vain hopes. The seed simply ensures that I live long enough to see a new world forged from the ashes of Kel’Thara.”
Delegas shook his head. “While it is desolation that ails Kel’Thara, it is clear that it is madness that claims you.”
“Madness is the impossible wishes that soon will lie dead at my feet along with you,” said the king as he waved a hand. “Tend to this, Vakk. And bring me the seed.”
At the wave of Thorien’s hand, a wall rose in the middle of the audience chamber, shielding the king from Kaysa and her friends. Delegas cursed the king’s cowardice before he turned and silenced himself. As silence befell him, he held his staff up at the ready. His
actions drew the attention of Kaysa and Lokus who also readied to tempt the fates.
There standing and blocking the hallway was Vakk and a cluster of his men. Snapping his fingers, the soldiers behind Vakk spread out, swords drawn. To not be flanked, Delegas had Kaysa and Lokus spread as well, prepared to engage the soldiers head on and not be flanked. The two sides stood poised in the growing silence before Vakk clapped his hands slowly.
“Impressive that you made it this far. I must commend you for your skill and determination,” said Vakk before his features soured. “But your defiance ends here. I would ask you to relinquish the seed at once and not make your death more painful than need be.”
Delegas looked well prepared for combat as he took steps toward Vakk. “With our actions we shall restore life as it should be on this battered world. What madness has driven you from such a desire? There could be peace, and elvenkind could flourish again. Why must you respond with only pain and death?”
Vakk’s hands clenched briefly as emotion swept his voice. “Because life is pain. We are born in it, forged by it, and it is the only way we can be strong as steel. I have chosen to not tarry with misguided hopes. Your foolishness has cost the deaths of many. Now I say it once, lay down your weapons and give us the seed.”
Delegas shook his head. “Our cause is just, our path is righteous. You will see that in the end, even if it is too late for you.”
Laughter burst from Vakk then, though it was easily quelled. The field marshal shook his head sadly at Delegas as he replied. “Righteous, you say? Just even? You are more deluded than I even believed you to be. You are exactly where we wished you to be. It was by your actions that our victory is insured.”
Delegas looked over his shoulder at Kaysa before speaking again to Vakk. “We stand as one. We fight as one. And we will defeat you as one,” he said.
Vakk shook his head. “No, you will not, for you are not as one. Your belief to the contrary was your undoing. For even now as you gloat, a traitor amongst your ranks has sealed your fate.”
Kaysa could remain silent no longer. “You speak lies! Marro would never betray us. Your words and threats are hollow!” she cried.
Vakk’s sad grin deepened. “Kaysa of Quenthell, I never claimed that it was Marro,” he said.
Delegas readied his staff. “What trickery are you spea-“ the rest of his response was robbed from him as an arrow pierced his back.
“Delegas!” screamed Kaysa. The horror of the revelation froze her where she stood.
“Kaysa,” breathed Delegas as he fell to his knees. Using his staff to hold himself upright, he spoke as blood spilt down his back. “Be strong, child, for you are the hope in us all,” he said. Delegas then grunted as another arrow joined the first in his back.
Kaysa turned to his killer. “Lokus! Stop it!”
Kaysa’s childhood friend shook his head as he readied a third arrow. “I am sorry. I cannot,” he whispered before he fired once more.
Lokus’s third shot pierced Delegas’s skull, sending him surging forward upon the ground. His body spasmed in response as blood oozed upon the ivory floors. Tears fell from Kaysa’s eyes as she felt the life drain from the son of Talcoros. She suddenly realized again that she was far from helpless and drew magic again to her hands.
Vakk procured a pistol and trained it upon the young elf. “Raise those hands and you shall be dead before you can react. This I promise you,” he said.
Gently, Kaysa lowered her hands, staring helplessly as Delegas spasmed one last time. Then quite suddenly the life in his body left him, joining the blood pooling now upon the floor. Kaysa shuddered, feeling the vitality ripped from his limbs to turn into nothingness. She turned then, in frustration and despair.
Kaysa then set her eyes upon Lokus. As she did, the grief did not elude her, yet anger swelled to join it in equal spans. Lokus held an arrow readied in his bow, yet he did not raise the weapon at his friend. The young elf did shift uncomfortably under Kaysa’s gaze.
At last, Kaysa could endure it no longer. “What have you done, Lokus?” she asked.
It was with considerable effort that Lokus was finally able to look his childhood friend in the eyes. She could see the tears fighting for purchase as he spoke. “It’s complicated, Kaysa, more complicated than you can realize,” he said.
“What complications could begin to justify this?” asked Kaysa, pointing to the body of Delegas.
Vakk spoke up then. “Because, dear Kaysa, it was a matter of blood,” he said.
Glaring at Vakk for a span, Kaysa returned her focus to Lokus. “What does he mean?”
Lokus sighed as he pointed to the field marshal. “Vakk is my father, Kaysa,” he whispered.
The revelation struck Kaysa in the chest. “How is that possible?” she whispered.
Lokus drew a long breath to prepare for his explanation. “He has always known,” he whispered back. We have met in the forests north of town. He visited when he could. He kept Quenthell a secret as long as he was able, Kaysa, longer than what was safe for him to do. He tried to reason with the Elders, but they would not listen, and he was banished. He tried, Kaysa. He…”
“Listen to what? Madness?” Kaysa fought with the magic coursing through her, trying to keep it in check. “How does that justify this? How does it ease the souls of our friends we lost? How could you, Lokus? Why?”
“Because there was no other choice, young Kaysa,” said Vakk, motioning to the audience chamber. “Quenthell’s fall was all but inevitable, despite the confidence of your Elders. The death could have been avoided, but they refused to submit, refused to accept the truth.”
Kaysa spun around angrily. “And what truth is that?” she demanded.
Vakk’s features sobered as he responded. “That there was no other way. Those that believe otherwise are either foolish, dead, or both.”
“You are nothing more than a monster,” countered Kaysa.
Vakk nodded. “But I am a living monster. And I will live to see other days. And so will my son. I am sorry that I cannot say the same for you,” he said, before raising his weapon to fire upon the young elf.
That is when Lokus stepped in front of Kaysa. “Father, that was never part of our agreement. Kaysa was never meant to be harmed!”
Vakk sighed. “It is no longer up to us, my son. It is either Kaysa’s blood for the king or ours. And I cannot risk your life in such a way.”
“That is not the way!” cried Lokus.
“It is the only way, child!” thundered Vakk. Kaysa could hear the desperation within his fury. His features softened as he regained his composure. “It is quite simple, my son. It is her life, or ours. Now please, please, I beg you, stand aside so that we may end this at last.”
Before Lokus could further his case, everyone in the chamber was drawn by sharp clanking upon the ground. All heads turned to focus on the sound, only to set their eyes upon an explosive cylinder. Vakk screamed for all to take cover, but it was not nearly enough warning. Soon a shot pierced the canister, releasing its explosive contents. Kaysa, shielded by Lokus, was knocked back with him as several soldiers were engulfed in flames.
Kaysa watched horrified as unscathed soldiers panicked while soldiers aflame thrashed about wildly. Amidst this attack and diversion, Marro entered the room, pistols blazing in both hands. Those soldiers not washed in flame were snuffed out by his precision. As the soldiers of Thorindale fell, Marro rushed across the room, pulling Kaysa up and dragging her to cover. Now safely behind a great pillar, Marro reloaded his weapons as those soldiers unfortunate enough to be set ablaze stumbled and fell to agonizing deaths.
Kaysa looked at the mercenary in disbelief. “Marro,” she breathed, “I thought you had abandoned us.”
Marro offered a grim smirk as he finished his task. “You are my charge, Kaysa. I would not abandon you. I simply needed to replenish my ammunition stores.”
“And what comes when our task is at an end?” she asked him.
This time, Ma
rro’s hardened face offered her the briefest glimpse of sincerity in his grin. “You are my friend, Kaysa. I would not abandon you regardless.”
“Thank you,” whispered Kaysa as she swiftly hugged him.
Marro searched about as he freed Kaysa from him reluctantly. “We must get you inside the throne room at once,” he said as he checked the situation around the pillar. Satisfied, Marro procured another cylinder. “I can aid you, but we will need your magics to gain entry.”
“I understand,” said Kaysa.
“Good,” said Marro as he turned and tossed the cylinder.
Kaysa watched briefly before Marro drew one of his pistols and nudged her behind the pillar. The mercenary fired upon it just before it struck the wall, assaulting the room with another explosion. Kaysa covered her ears this time, feeling the intensity of the explosion even from the safety offered by the pillar. The cylinder assaulted the wall, cracking and tearing at it with its flame before dying out in near entirety.
Satisfied with the damage wrought, Marro then fished in a pouch on his belt, procuring a small handful of seeds before also tossing them toward the wall. Satisfied with his work, Marro nodded to Kaysa. “It is your show now, young one. Work your magic well,” he said.
Kaysa nodded absently as she focused on the wall. “I shall surely try,” she replied before raising her hands and allowing them to swell with magical light.
With her concentration narrowed upon the cracked wall and seeds, Kaysa’s thoughts eluded her once more as she worked on instincts she did not know she possessed. Holding her palms upward, the young elf willed energy into the seeds, filling them with a flood of life. The seeds responded quickly, roots raging and planting within the wall. The growth of the seeds could not be stilled by the stone, and soon the roots tore hungrily into King Thorien’s defenses. Quickly the cracks created by Marro became a ravaged entryway, and the path to the Ageless King was clear.
The Last of Kel'Thara Page 22