Darkshore

by C S Harrop

  “I have also sent a message to Riven and Willow hopefully they should have convinced Kailan Bourn to join the fight,” Elder Jorik signed but not to Darwin directly more towards to back of the room.

  “He will, I know he will,” spoke Asha appearing from a shadow by the far end of the room.

  “Asha! It’s nice to see you is everything OK?” Asked Elder Jorik silently caught a little off guard his tone in sign slightly apprehensive but also surprised how different her demeanour is, more mature and confident as she stepped towards them.

  “We are prepared on my side Elder Jorik. I have just come to see how the war effort is going. I don’t want to attack the Dark Isle too early, if the battle doesn’t go our way at least we might be able to disrupt them long enough for your forces to close the portal,” Asha said not acknowledging Darwin was even there sitting in the chair static with his jaw dropped.

  “How much did you catch what Darwin here was saying?” Elder Jorik signed motioning towards Darwin who suddenly came back to reality hearing his name and for the first time he actually saw Asha look at him with her green eyes turning his face to a heated shade of red.

  “I caught the gist of it. You have sent a message to our forces to converge on Heres Valley where Onyxia will use a dead tree that as grown there to open a portal to the Dark Isle, is that correct Elder Jorik?” Repeated Asha.

  “You missed out the most relevant part for you Asha. I guess there are two of these trees one in Heres Valley and one in the Dark Isle. I believe they are both linked that is how Onyxia can open a doorway to both worlds. If you destroy the tree in the Dark Isle that would also break the link and the portal would not be able to open,” Elder Jorik advised placing a hand on her shoulder in friendship and showing Asha the image of the tree in his book. “It is good to see you Asha and to see the person you have become. However, I have one question, how are you and the souls you have persuaded going to the actually get to the Dark Isle. I’m assuming they are not located in the same, what should I call it, after-worlds?”

  “I am Shade Elder Jorik and there is one thing I have recently learnt, my ability to transport to a different spiritual plane is not limited to just Darkshore,” Asha stated placing her hand on the leather holder strapped to the rear side of her waist containing the weightless Book of Shariel.

  “Is that what I think it is? I’ve only read stories about its existence I put the book down as a myth,” asked Elder Jorik waving his fingers his jaw now dropped.

  “It is, and I have been studying the pages constantly which would please Elder Fallon. Knowledge is power as he would say.”

  “What so special about this book?” Sputtered Darwin trying to put pieces together of a puzzle he know little about.

  “Let’s just say it’s a gift from the gods and has the power to change the very outcome of a battle,” explained Elder Jorik in the simplest term avoiding any further questing regarding Asha for another time.

  “Good luck Elder Jorik, I will start the assault immediately on my return. Please mention to my friends Willow and Riven that I’m thinking of them and also my Aunt Elora asked if you would pass on a message to Elder Fallon if he wasn’t around, she wished him well and good fortune.” With a smile to Elder Jorik and a farewell nod to Darwin Asha faded away, leaving Darwin once again sat static with his jaw dropped.

  The Isle of Angar become energised with dragons flying around the high table top mountains, some were mounted with Angarian riders readying for battle wielding their tradition spears of melted rock and steel whilst most flocked in a defensive manner around the island. Many warriors had already set sail in a fleet of sailing ships almost nine days ago with a silhouette of a dragon displayed proudly on the on the tanned sails heading for the main land to the south east. Amongst the warriors on the lead ship who also doubling as excellent sailors was Riven, alone on the deck without his friend Willow which is quite unheard of in itself or his unsavoury companion Relg.

  Riven did not actually mind the sea unlike Willow, she would probably be sick to the point of unconsciousness. Riven actually found sailing peaceful with the swaying of the ship and looking out across the different shades of blue waves to the horizon which joined the more lightly coloured blues of the sky brightened by the afternoon sun. Riven had been asked by Kailan to be the guide for six hundred or so warriors, many if not all had never set foot on the main land. Nevertheless, as a fighting force they are second to none wielding their spears and shields, at six hundred strong could have a victory against a horde of a thousand orc. In new lands, even the hardest of warriors need a guide to directing them towards battle.

  A holler came from above from a woman situated in the crow’s nest pointing ahead towards the horizon, indicating land. All heads sharply turned in the direction, the thin strip of shaded land slowly transformed before their eyes as it stretching wider and becoming taller and jagged as they sailed closer. The landmass, eventually occupying the space the horizon previously filled forcing the armada of ships to a halt in the shallowing waters.

  Every now and again Riven would look around to the skies hoping to get glimpse of his friend Willow flying overhead on a dragon of all things to meet them on the coast of the main land as planned. As he sat in the rowing boat heading towards the beach his thoughts drifted back to Relg and the thought of his interrogation going on longer than anticipated. Relg had however shown a personal dislike for orc and specifically towards Onyxia over the course of their journey and had never shown any reason not to doubt him. Riven was also very aware Relg had shown a kind of respect towards both himself and Willow. Unlike Willow, Riven shamefully admits he had not shown the same courtesy. So maybe just maybe there is hope for him with Willows by his side.

  Willow lent patiently against a wooden post nibbling on some local delicacies watching Kailan Bourn giving orders over by the sunken-seated area located in the centre of the enclave. His emotions became fiery, Willow could feel the intensity emanating to where she stood. There was a mixer of passion, anger, hatred and regret bubbling to explode from within him. She just hopes he saves it for Onyxia and her army of Dark Bloods. Willow quickly realised the rumours surrounding Kailan that the earth would shake if he were ever to meet Onyxia on the battlefield to be quite accurate.

  Once Kailan eventually accepted the realities of an appending war forming on the main land and his daughter was in the centre of it, Willow saw his whole demeanour suddenly change. With the helpful advice from Lore, who now came and went from the enclave more often most likely passing him live information from the main land. Much like Elder Jorik, he has never spoken a single word that anybody could remember but with a difference, Lore’s was from choice. The Elders believe Lore is in a state of a mental struggle beneath the metal mask he wears, but what he fights nobody really knows except maybe Kailan Bourn seeing how close the two were. Willow thought it was more to do with religion why he never spoke, which would relate to the engravings his mask bears. But one thing is clear looking at the Angarian riders, parts of their armour matches the same material as Lore’s mask, which suggests Lore has some link to Angar or maybe even his birthplace, which would fill a big piece of the puzzle about the mysterious character.

  “I wouldn’t stray too far Relg, we don’t want to give some Angarian the chance to nudge you over the edge of the mountain. Even with the orders from Kailan to leave you be the opportunity may be too hard for them to resist,” advised Willow not turning around but caught Relg’s skulking shadow appear to her left.

  “I will show them, I will show you that some goblins want to actually live in peace. If I have to prove myself in battle then so be it,” replied Relg still wrapped up in his hooded cape trying not to give too much attention to himself.

  “Looks like you’re going to get your chance.” A small bright orb came flying at speed to a sudden stop hovering less than an arm length away from Willow. She rested the orb in her glowing palm and concentrated until a voice of Elder Jorik could be heard in her own min
d. She thought it strange hearing a message from a person who could not speak wandering if the voice she hears would be the actual voice of Elder Jorik if he actually spoke. Kailan beckoned Willow over with a wave of his hand. She closed her palm around the orb destroying the message into a puff of harmless sparks and picked up her bow that leant against the post and walked towards the crowd of people.

  Willow made her way through the now parting crowd all eyes turning to Relg with suspicious expressions in their faces as he followed closely behind. Kailan stood on a raised platform wearing body armour that matches the dragon scales surrounded by a dark leathery surface, a material Willow had never seen once except the mask Lore wears. He jumped from the platform landing in Willow’s path fully showing off a pair of black scorched metal short swords with detailed ivory handles strapped to his back.

  “Everything is arranged here in my absence or if I shouldn’t return. Your friend Riven should have reached the main land days ago, we are behind schedule but we can catch them up if we stay above the clouds. Our rides can pick up speed on the faster air current,” Kailan said pointing towards a group of dragon taking up a large section of land to the north side displaying a hidden dagger strapped to the underside of his forearm restraint.

  “I have just received word. It looks like the battle will take place at Heres Valley located in the northern parts known as the Downs. We do not want to miss cracking many Dark Bloods skulls. Nothing personal intended Relg,” Willow stated looking down at the goblin.

  “None taken, but I think those dragons we’re expecting to ride look hungry,” Relg said looking nervously over at them.

  “I wouldn’t worry about that they don’t like the taste of Dark Blood, I would worry more about them shaking you off,” replied Kailan giving Willow a mocking smile. “Your message corresponds with what Lore has mentioned the allies all seem to be marching that way.”

  Reaching the group of dragons, only two appeared rider-less. A huge beast of a dragon with a tint of a red underside who clearly shows signs of been the alpha in the group and a smaller dragon with tint of green on its underside that seemed energetic to say the least. Kailan climbed up into the saddle of the alpha indicating to Willow and Relg to climb aboard the second more eager beast. With a little hesitation, Willow used its front leg and climbed up into the saddle with little fuss from the dragon. Relg on the other hand was much than hesitant looking at the dragon’s huge head that could swallow him whole, he felt all eye of the riders and Kailan and even the dragons themselves fixated on him. With a deep breath, he followed Willow’s lead and aimed for the large scaly leg, slipping on his first attempt causing the dragon to sidestep towards him just missing his small frame. His second attempt was more successful he got a good footing then with the help of Willow holding out her hand he climbed into the saddle behind her.

  “Remember, Angarians have a mental bond with their dragon. Only the dragon itself can initiate the bond with the rider, which gives them the ability to indicate what action the dragon should take without speaking a word. Admittedly sometime they don’t listen or think they know better,” patting the huge beast on its head in jest with an acknowledged laugh from the other riders. “Your dragon Azroth here is young and she will follow us like sheep, just hold on tight Willow and enjoy the ride,” advised Kailan not giving any impression he cared if Relg fell or not.

  Kailan Bourn lead the way followed by the remaining four riders then lastly Willow and Relg’s over enthusiastic beast. One by one, the huge dragons spread out their enormous wingspan and jumped off the edge of the table-topped mountain. Relg grabbed Willow’s waist tight as the young dragon picked up speed then with a heart stopping moment the beast leapt from the luscious green grass into nothing but rushing air of the endless drop below. Eventually spreading its wings after a short hair raising dive, which seemed like an afterthought for the dragon or a moment to show off. Either way the dragon finally came gliding up behind the group with its wings pulsating against the air current. They followed at a calm and steady pace with a mesmerising view above the clouds in which Willow would cherish for the rest of her life.

  Chapter 23

  Heres Valley

  The sky above Heres Valley became a variety of grey coloured rain clouds with the late morning autumn sun rising steadily but keeping low for the time of year. Four Scouthawks encircled the vast green valley dipping in and out through the clouds to avoid any unwanted attention. One of the hawks flew directly over the large twisted tree of the Breacher, looking down Darwin saw through the birds eyes the mass of black roots stretching out like veins in all directions killing the surrounding vegetation creating a dry infertile land.

  A second Scouthawk stationed to the east also keeping above the clouds only looking down between the breaks in formation spotted in much more detail Onyxia’s Army. Thousands of orc and goblins marched into Heres Valley fully armoured and in rectangular sectioned formation with a flag bearer within each legion. Onyxia was at the lead riding her beast which was at least one thing less to worry about for Darwin, his hawk not been attacked from the sky.

  “Oh!” Darwin said his eyes fully emerged in a cloud of grey kneeling on a pattered rug within the Spire.

  “What do you see?” signed Elder Jorik to his young assistant Josie whom he has asked for her to help with translation.

  “Cave Trolls,” responded Josie.

  “Just what we needed. Any view on the ally’s front?” Signed Elder Jorik pacing across the planked floor watching Darwin take a long drawn out blink changing his connection from one Scouthawk to another.

  The third hawk encircled the north-western area of the valley showing no sign of any alliance forces only wild deer grazing in small groups. Darwin switched to the forth Scouthawk gliding above the south-eastern skies. Moments on switching a sea of light shone through the hawks eyes to his own. Suggestively telling the hawk to get better view from below the hawk dived from the safety of the clouds to level off at the height of the surrounding hills, which is still considered a safe distance from projectiles. Stretched out across the long embankment overlooking the vast open area of Heres Valley with view of the Breacher tree in the distance were the large organised army of the Frost Elves. Darwin sent the Scouthawk down for a fly pass taking note of Elder Nyran standing front and centre of the endless rows of tinted blue steel armoured elves wielding long decorative spears.

  “Nothing visible in the northern areas as of yet,” Darwin said disconnecting from the Scouthawk. “However the elves have now reached the embankment of Heres Valley.”

  “At least the elves are punctual, where are the damn dwarves?” signed Elder Jorik impatiently. “Better check on Elder Fallon’s current location, would you direct your hawk south please Darwin.”

  Turning his eyes back to a cloud of grey Darwin reconnected to Felwyn and directed the Scouthawk away from the Frost Elves and towards the south. It was mere minutes of flying when Darwin spotted through the hawk’s keen eyesight Elder Fallon atop a steep hill accompanied by his Guardians looking out across the valley. Switching to Sckol his Scouthawk to the east, still hiding above the clouds peering down at Onyxia and her army of Dark Bloods. “The Breacher would now be in her sights,” Darwin thought but to his surprise, Onyxia had brought her whole army to a halt on the flattened unfertile land.

  “Onyxia’s army have just stopped. I do not get it - the tree is in their sights. Why travel all this way just to stop before they reach it?” Asked Darwin aloud to himself in confusion with translation from Josie to Elder Jorik.

  “I believe it’s the calm before the storm. Onyxia will rest her army because she knows resistance will be met in full force from the western allies,” repeated Josie happy to be helping in these dark days especially since her mother death.

  Switching from Scouthawk to Scouthawk was quite disorientating for Darwin having to place his hands on the floor for support as he knelt. Switching once again to Briel flying from the north area along the border towards the we
st. Darwin let out a breath of air when he saw it, a mass armoured dwarves coming over the embankment into Heres Valley followed by an army of Angarian soldiers trailing like a shadow leaving his jaw dropped in disbelief.

  “The dwarves have arrived - and with some additional help - Angarians,” smiled Darwin forgetting Elder Jorik was reading his lips which probably make it a lot harder through a wide grin.

  “The Dwarves are always late but they sure know how to make an entrance,” signed Jorik to a now smiling Josie.

  Message orbs flashed across the grass and rocky landscape in streams of coloured light coming and going from the three battle groups. The Frost Elves forces had nearly doubled in size in a short period of time, the kingdoms of the west had sent what spare forces they could without making their own lands defenceless. Elder Jorik knew a single soul could turn the tide in a war, seeing armed villagers and groups of soldiers sent by their masters was a welcoming sight.

  Onyxia reaction to the now gathering forces massing in the distance along the embankment in an arch formation was an expected one as she sat on her flying beast hovering some distance above her own army. She noticed the distance to the Breacher was relatively the same as her enemies but Onyxia knew she had the upper hand. If she ordered a full charge towards the Breacher, it would take the opposing forces a short period to notice her actions. By this time her forces would have gained enough of a lead to reach the Breacher first and defend long enough until she could open the portal.