by C E Johnson
I fear the tide is turning against us, Xena whispered. The wyverns began causing great destruction. The abominable air force was finding success against the elves, crashing downward from the sky and sacrificing their bodies to score a bite with their venom. The ogres were likewise wreaking havoc with their boulders, throwing them into the defenders.
We both can see the writing on the wall, Emily agreed with a heavy heart. There were simply too many battles erupting for even Shadoe’s crack fighters to counteract. The stunning number of invaders became devastating and Shadoe had to command a slow, organized retreat. Once the elves left their outer wall, the half-deads swarmed forward to control the outlying sections of the fortress and even more intruders began to stream forward like a river cresting a dam in a flood.
I should do something, Emily felt guilty.
You would rapidly become more of a liability than an asset, Ammolite whispered in her mind, watching the battle through Emily’s eyes. Close combat on the fields between the inner and outer gates was horrific. The bright spot was the team-work of Elaina and Shadoe, who continued to fight together in perfect synchrony, their blades flashing in the haze as scores of the enemy erupted into smoke from their attacks. However, more half-deads immediately stepped forward to continue the fight. Droth and Lambo fought their way to abut Shadoe and Elaina’s position with Orel, Arn and the Dobermans, but Emily could sense the approaching exhaustion of their unit. The half-deads were attempting to surround the last contingents of elves.
“Gargoyles are coming.” Emily pointed to a group of stone-men moving slowly into the battlefield between the two walls. The other half-deads broke ranks to give the new warriors room. Emily looked to her friends who were staring at them in shock. “If you want to help, go to the top of the wall near one of the inner gates and use the rest of our mage-sand,” Emily suggested, knowing they were dying to do more than watch. “Create a path to allow the elves to escape back through the inner gate to join us.”
“I’m going.” Luke spoke up immediately. “Anyone else?”
“I can’t be a bystander in this.” Elizabeth’s voice was breaking. “I’m going to help also. So many elves are getting hurt.”
“Maybe I can pull some animals onto the battlefield.” Isabelle closed her eyes momentarily and Emily was sure she was questing out to find what animals were in their area.
“I can slow down their wyverns.” Anna spoke the words of her dragon transformation incantation and took to the air. Emily stood, but she reeled and tottered as if she were on a ship.
You’re too weak to fight, Xena protested.
Emily knew she was right. I shouldn’t have helped Arn, she thought in frustration.
You did the right thing, Ammolite assured her.
“Stay here, Em, we’ll be right back.” Luke helped Emily back into her chair before he and Rune raced away with Isabelle and Elizabeth. Emily watched them select an elevated, protected, position. From there, they began to launch their mage-sand, concentrating on the gargoyles and on making an exit pathway. The elves let out cheers for their new helpers as their explosions not only began to clear out clusters of their enemies, but also formed a road for a retreat. Corsairs directed by Isabelle came crashing through the outer gate, fighting powerfully for a short time before the were-wolves downed the creatures. The diversion allowed more of Shadoe’s forces to reach safety. Anna attacked the wyverns that were harrying the withdrawing elves from above their position by streaking down to unleash a burst of flames to burn the wyverns’ wings, but she was soon spent and she pulled back to transform by Emily, her face streaked with blood and charred black with ash. They held hands as they watched the carnage together.
Maaca and the vampires, Xena whispered. Maaca entered the gates like the queen she was. Although she had no aura, she rippled with grace and power. She strode upon the battlefield surrounded by her Black-blades. Her hair was flowing like silver ice, and she wore her circlet proudly. Her moves were lightning fast, pure, smooth and deadly.
She’s unstoppable, Emily thought as Maaca killed several weakened elves with unbelievable finesse, only pausing for moments to absorb and assimilate portions of the memories and abilities before continuing onward. She was moving more and more lithely, with an increasingly inhuman grace. She flashed her two black swords effortlessly into shadowy blurs. Her warriors, her Black-blades, must have fought countless battles with her, because they engaged in their own conflicts just out of range of Maaca’s weapons, always ready to help her if needed.
Upon viewing Maaca’s carnage, Shadoe yelled, “Fall back,” more urgently to his troops. He pulled Elaina to himself, placed a small kiss on her forehead, and gestured wildly at Crittenden to guide her away from the battle. Shadoe was now the rear-guard. Standing with Droth, Lambo, and several last warriors, Shadoe was the final obstacle in front of the silvery gates of the inner sanctum which were barely open. The last elves were retreating, and Shadoe’s back was against the wall. The half-dead army formed an arc, a half-ring, around the few defenders, only parting when Maaca came forward. The wind swirled defiantly around her cloak and the sun shimmered golden on her crown of hammered gold. Emily could see Maaca and Shadoe exchange words. They bowed to each other and readied their swords among the gloomy shadows and hazy death-smoke. All other combatants stopped to watch. The battle commenced and the two were mesmerizing. Maneuver after maneuver was performed. High, low, up, and down, their steel spoke of blood and death. Time had no meaning, and Emily lost herself in the battle.
“Incredible,” Luke gasped when he arrived at Emily’s side. “Do you think he can win?” Emily didn’t answer, she simply watched. Somehow, Shadoe took the upper hand. Without warning, he performed an especially rapid sword sweep, the Lacerta-move Luke had taught him. The tip of his weapon nearly took out Maaca’s eye and blood sprang from her temple. The attack even knocked the circlet from her head. As the two warily reassessed each other, moving in a circle, Shadoe caught the crown on the tip of his sword and skillfully flicked it to Droth who stood before the gate. Maaca appeared cool and collected, but she launched herself forward in a move that spoke of an inner fury. She had a renewed vengeance, and she wounded Shadoe on his non-dominant arm, staggering him. Shadoe fought back, but Emily could see a growing panic in his whirlwind of glimmering steel. In desperation, he performed his ‘multi’ move, but Maaca dodged his attack as if she knew it was coming. With his failure, they could all see his life force starting to fade. He backed away, gesturing at Droth, Lambo, and his remaining warriors to leave. The men bowed to him before retreating through the great inner gates, leaving Shadoe on his own. The closing metal doors let out a resounding tone of finality as they shut.
“To the ships,” the retreating elves roared. “Follow Shadoe’s last orders.” The sun set in a vibrant nest of fading light. Streaks of red merged with gold in the sky.
“We must go. Shadoe wants us to retreat.” Tears were streaming down Elaina’s face as she arrived on Emily’s hill. Crittenden took over, guiding their departure. However, even as they moved, they watched Shadoe resume his brave battle.
I’m fascinated by him. Emily stared at the shining knight.
He is light, purity and honor, Ammolite whispered.
The two were both covered in blood, but Maaca appeared to be gaining strength while Shadoe was beginning to flail. Light was leaving and darkness was close to falling upon the land as shrouded shadows danced upon the ground in the setting sun. Groups of half-deads became more boisterous. They were organized by their class, cheering and slapping hands with each other. The shades and vampires were the lone creatures standing at attention, appearing disciplined in their formation. The gnomes scurried between the ranks, unorganized, giddy at the results of the battle. The wyverns were on the top of the inner wall in their own flock, looking like vultures waiting for the final kill.
“This is the opening which leads to our ship.” Crittenden pointed to two large wooden doors with ornate carvings of oak tree
s surrounded by vines and thorns. The doors were angled downwards as if leading to a basement or to a cellar. He opened the doors, but instead of descending, they all turned to watch the conclusion of the gruesome fight. The half-deads were making a cacophony of sounds, each creature had its own chant, growl, or shout, and the jeers were becoming louder.
He’s exhausted, Xena whispered.
Shadoe was now so tired and wounded, he could no longer lift his sword. He dropped his steel and appeared defenseless, barely standing. The half-deads were now sure of the outcome and they began playing with him, taunting him. More and more of the foul creatures flooded into the area to watch the end of the great elf, teasing him and calling him names, deriding him. Maaca wore a frown. She backed away, but she didn’t stop the increasing audacity of her half-deads. A goblin dashed in and slapped Shadoe on his leg, and a shade clapped him on his arm, before running out of the circle. Shadoe fell to his knees. The crowd erupted in pleasure with each half-dead attack. An ogre stepped up to twist his arm. Emily watched Shadoe’s limb twist painfully at an unusual angle. The gangs of half-deads screamed with insane glee. A gnome darted forward and slapped Shadoe’s cheek while spitting on him.
A female goblin cackled, pointing at Shadoe and yelling, “The king of the elves is bested by a gnome.” The congregation erupted in laughter.
Tears began to slowly roll from Emily’s eyes and she turned from the horrid scene. Droth was near Emily’s side. “A dryad,” he whispered with surprise in his voice.
Emily whirled back around to watch a dainty, graceful, feminine figure step out of the crowd. “Adrienne,” she gasped. “I created her.”
“They usually don’t become involved in battles.” Elaina appeared confused and her voice cracked with emotion. “I wonder what she’s doing here. I’m surprised to see her in this mass.”
The dryad delicately stepped forward to stand before Shadoe carrying a bowl of liquid and a towel. She dabbed the towel into the water and cleaned Shadoe’s face. The half-deads became silent watching the dryad, but they didn’t stop her. Adrienne squeezed water into Shadoe’s mouth and he swallowed. He reached a hand forward to touch the dryad’s face, and the dryad became wide-eyed when he whispered something to her. She leaned forward to kiss Shadoe on each of his cheeks before darting away and disappearing into the crowd. Emily could see her streaking out of the outer gate, and running into the woods. Shadoe bowed his head.
“We should go.” Elaina urged Emily toward the doors. “There’s no one else to help him. I hate to forsake him, but this is what he told me would happen. He wants us underground before he performs his final act.”
“His final act?” What is he going to do? Emily wondered.
Sacrifice, Ammolite whispered.
Elaina moved to guide Emily down the steps and Droth closed the great wooden doors. Crittenden took dirt and mud to try and block all the cracks before they dashed down the steps and through a tunnel leading to their ship. Several of Shadoe’s elves were already on the wooden vessel which had an upper deck with two passages leading below. A wooden mast was lying on the deck and Emily saw an opening where they could erect the structure when free of the tunnels. The elves severed the lines holding the ship with their swords, enabling them to move, and they rapidly began to pick up speed as the craft flowed in the center of the churning water.
Just before Emily was out of sight of the doors, the ground began to shake and boulders fell into the water around the ship. Is there an earthquake? Emily wondered.
It’s Shadoe, Ammolite answered.
“Close your eyes!” Elaina yelled.
Before Emily could fully shut her eyes, she saw two shades of white light emerge through the scattered unblocked cracks in the doors and she instantly realized one of the lights was life-threatening, while the other was forming with Shadoe’s death. “Shadoe’s death-light,” Emily cried to the group. More rocks fell and the passage behind them began to collapse, shutting off the tunnel in the direction from which they had come.
“Get down,” Crittenden roared. They all kneeled on the deck of the boat and bowed their heads to guard themselves from the debris, but also to honor Shadoe’s demise. Emily felt mentally and physically exhausted. He’s dead, she whispered to Xena and Ammolite. They were instantly in her mind, comforting her, but she still began to sob on the deck. Queen Elaina was at her side, placing Emily’s head in her lap.
“What was his final act?” Emily asked her mother. “There were two shafts of light.”
The Queen gently stroked Emily’s hair. “Shadoe foresaw this possibility and he knew what might happen. For a time, he was worried he wouldn’t be strong enough to finish it all off, but you gave him the strength to complete his dream. He annihilated the majority of the half-deads on Acacia in one fell swoop.”
“Why did Crittenden block the cracks in the door?” Emily studied the tears running down her mother’s own face, drops of pure crystal.
“A portion of the light was his death-light, but the other beams of light you must have caught a glimpse of was a part of his final attack related to his magestones.” Elaina glanced back behind their vessel. “When his mage-set was used together, he was able to produce a massive light that killed every living and half-dead creature in its path.”
Shadoe wanted the complete set of magestones back before this battle, Emily realized.
He foresaw that Droth was one of the few men alive that could succeed in the mission, Ammolite added.
“He wasn’t defeated.” Emily felt proud of his act. “He won the battle by pulling them in and then giving up his life for all of us. I don’t think I could ever do something so selfless.”
“An act of honor.” Elaina’s tears stopped flowing. “He was a great man.” Even in the depths of the tunnel a breeze sprang up which washed over the group like a gentle caress before dissipating. “We only saw a portion of his death-light, but it must have been incredible.” Elaina wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. “You can’t imagine how he respected you, Emily. He debated retreating, but once he touched you, he knew what he had to do. He was so relieved you decided to save Arn, because he wanted you to be weakened so you couldn’t engage in the battle. If you were healthy, you would never have left that fight.”
Droth approached and went to a knee next to Emily and her mother. He pulled Maaca’s white-gold circlet out of his cloak. “He wanted you to have this, Emily. He said you might need it one day.”
Emily held the circlet in her hand, her eyes instantly drawn to the blackstone in the center. “You want the blackstone, right?” Luke pulled out a dagger as Emily nodded. He used his blade to pry it from the white gold.
“Be careful,” Anna urged as she came closer with the rest of Emily’s friends to watch Luke strain. Abruptly, the stone came free with an unexpectedly rapid release and bounced across the deck of the ship. Emily sat up, gasping. Xena used her heightened speed to spring after the stone in a dark shadowy blur of motion, catching the blackstone in her mouth on its last bounce before it would have dropped into the water. Xena returned the magestone, placing it in Emily’s outstretched hand.
Emily instantly knew it belonged. It totally belonged. She felt its power amplified by its close proximity to the other stones from her mage-set as she dropped the blackstone carefully into her worn leather pouch. Somewhere on Earth a silverstone and a goldstone await me. Shadoe has given us the clues.
Await us, Xena whispered. We will find them together.
Emily pulled out her bluestone staff and expanded it. She stood weakly, leaning on its strength, and letting its light cast out from their ship. Rocks continued to crumble in their wake. Is my fate the same as Shadoe’s? Is he preparing me for my future, showing me the way?
Shadoe saw many threads of your future, but we will make our own path, Ammolite promised.
Emily could tell Ammolite knew they would need the complete set one day. What else had Shadoe seen? Emily wondered to herself, wanting to sort through the
knowledge he had given her, but knowing she was too weak to attempt it at this time. Emily threw Maaca’s stone-less crown into the dark water and stared straight ahead toward the front of the ship.
C H A P T E R 2 8
The White House
The lights went off in the White House and for a minute there was only cold and dusky darkness. “Malachi, where are you going?” There was panic in his mother’s voice. They had been watching a late-night show on the television together; now nothing electronic was working.
“Just going outside for a few minutes to see if anyone has lights on.” Malachi tried to reassure his mother, but his heart was hammering away faster than it had ever beat before and his voice was cracked and breaking. “I’ll be right back.” Secret service agents were flooding into the room, men who were strong, confident and fashioned for action.
“Son, you’re going to have to stay with us. We need to take you to a secure facility.” One of the agents with narrowed eyes and a grim expression pointed at Malachi, sticking tightly to him amidst the tumult of activity. Malachi felt a chill forming around him, a thickening mist that threatened to block his path.
“Don’t worry about him. I’ll take him outside for a minute to get some air,” another agent interrupted. Malachi whirled around to see who had spoken. It was the same brown-haired agent who had accompanied him to his speech. The mist parted and Malachi felt like a drowning man who has just been rescued.