by D E Boske
“Darian, are you hungry?” asked Kelindril. “Here, it’s vegetable stew,” he said, proffering a hot, steaming bowl. The Mage shook his head, declining the offer. “You need to eat to keep your strength up. Here, take it and see that you eat it.” The elf demanded, not taking no for an answer.
Darian smiled to himself, but did not let the elf see. Kelindril was right of course, he needed to eat. He just didn’t feel like it, but he took the bowl anyway.
“Come by the fire, Darian. Warm yourself and eat with us. It will do you some good.” Kelindril stood there until Darian followed him back to the camp. The easy conversation did not halt when the Mage joined them. They just simply included him at once.
“Darian, what’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done?” asked Nymdal, taking a bite of the stew. Darian took a bite and found that it was delicious. His stomach rumbled and he realized how hungry he was. He took several more bites before answering Nymdal.
“The wildest thing, hmmm,” he replied thoughtfully. “I’ve done so many it’s hard to pick just one.”
“Tell us your favorite then,” urged Nymdal, eyes alight from the flames of the fire.
“Alright, when I was still in Mogan Dar, I had many different lovers. I saw this young girl down in the kitchens when I went for a bite to eat late one night. She was beautiful, with hair the color of warm caramel and eyes the deepest green…” Darian was obviously reminiscing from the distant look in his eyes and the way he spoke, almost dreamily. “I am not one to pass up an opportunity like that so I flirted with her, telling her how beautiful I thought she was.”
“Darian, what if someone walked in on you? Don’t you get punished for that?”
“Oh absolutely! But the risk is a big turn on to me. I couldn’t help myself. I lifted her onto the table and we made love. Then I snuck her into my chambers where we could be alone and be far more adventurous. We were
actually still lovers when I left Mogan Dar. She is a vivacious beauty. I would definitely like to see her again.”
“Darian, isn’t that against Order law?” asked Kelindril.
“Yes, it is. But I was never one to follow directions too well. Especially ones that didn’t seem to make sense to me. I mean, why let a beautiful girl like that go to waste? Don’t you think she craved the touch of a man? Let me tell you, she did at that! What we did was extremely dangerous, but it was a huge turn on for both of us. Oh don’t look at me like that Kel, I took every precaution necessary. After all, I did not want to get her killed, nor did I want to be beaten.”
“Darian, you sure live an exciting life,” said Nymdal.
“I do at that Nym. I live my life to the fullest, to derive the greatest pleasure that I can. After all, we have but one life to live. We may as well enjoy ourselves while we are here, right?”
“I guess so, but at what cost, Darian?” inquired the elf.
“She remains unharmed to this day. I made sure she was safe. No one has found out about us. I would definitely like to rescue her from that place, but it’s just too dangerous right now. When the time is right, I will set her free.”
Darian finished off his stew and Kelindril refilled the Mage’s bowl. It would not do for the Mage to be malnourished. He’d already lost too much weight. His propensity for pushing his body beyond its limits was taking a toll on him. His only saving grace was his workouts with staff and sword. It kept him toned and in shape.
“What about you Nym? What’s the wildest thing you’ve done?” inquired the Mage.
“After a story like that, how’s anyone supposed to compete? I got nothin’,” said Nymdal, sheepishly.
“We’ll have to work on that Nym. You really need to let loose and live,” replied the Mage.
“Are you implying that I do not know how to have fun?” asked Nymdal, with a ready smile. Darian liked him instantly. The laughter that followed surrounded Darian and let him, for just a moment, pretend that the severity of their situation did not exist.
“Darian, you are unlike any Mage that I have ever met. They are just a bunch of pompous asses. But you, you have true skill and knowledge. You also have a great sense of humor. You definitely need to smile more,” remarked Nymdal.
“I would if there were something to smile about,” replied the Mage.
“Is there something that we can do to help?” asked Nymdal seriously.
“I do not think anyone can help me. Not anymore,” said the Mage quietly.
“Darian, what will happen when we reach the Ancient Mountain?” asked Kelindril, trying to get the conversation back on track and away from the Mage’s love of Tynuviel. That would end up to be a big distraction that they could not afford.
“We will have to be extremely cautious. The dragon will be on alert for anything amiss because even now, he will be healing from his injuries. He will be volatile and try to kill me on sight. I will call the demon to my side, we will need his help along with any of his ilk that he brings through.”
“How will you get Morphindinaetlus to tell us what we need to know?”
“A bargain must be struck. It will be the only thing that will keep me alive. I need the information that I’m sure he has and he will not give it up cheaply.”
“Wait, you do not even know for certain that the dragon has the knowledge that you seek?” asked Kelindril, seemingly the only one of the elves that picked up on the Mage’s wording.
“He must. Morphindinaetlus is working with the Dark Mage and has been for some time, apparently.”
“That doesn’t mean the Dark Mage entrusted him with this knowledge. Mages are a cagey lot and you are
no different, Darian. You know better than any of us how untrusting a Mage can be. How could you bring us all this way not knowing for sure?” asked Kelindril, more than a little upset. If the dragon did not know whatever it was that Darian needed to survive, then they’d wasted precious time. Time that the Mage did not have.
“Relax, Kelindril,” said Kryndale. “I do not think that Darian would have risked this if he was not certain. He knows what he is doing. Besides, this was the best choice. The only choice. For if the dragon does not know, then what else is left for us? Even if he does not know what Darian needs, he has to know something that will be of help. The Dark Mage uses the dragon for only the most important deeds. And this one, I think, would be one of those.”
The Mage stayed quiet during the debate. He had nothing to offer. Nothing that would comfort them at least. Let them think what they will. It matters not to me, thought Darian.
I need them to accompany me and will do whatever is necessary to make that happen…
“What will you bargain for the information that you desire?” asked Kelindril.
“That will not be discussed,” said the Mage firmly.
Kelindril refilled Darian’s bowl with hot vegetable stew to defuse the tension and to make sure that the Mage ate. It had the desired effect. Conversation flowed once more and laughter soon followed. Kryndale caught Kelindril’s eye and he nodded his approval. Kelindril was good with Darian. He’d gotten the Mage to eat not one, but three bowls of stew. The elf smiled and to his surprise, Kelindril smiled back.
The night was silent, cold and dark. There was no sound outside of the wind. The Gor Li’ Khan were tense and on edge from the night before. Kelindril was especially alert. Kryndale came over to stand next to him.
“Do you sense something?” asked Kryndale, feeling nothing himself.
“No. Nothing, it’s just… After last night, I’m on edge I guess. Something just doesn’t feel right. Can you feel it?” asked Kelindril.
Kryndale stood quiet for a few moments before replying, “Yes, I feel it.” He didn’t know if it was the remnants of the earlier conversation or if it… There it was again. But closer this time. The sensation of malice and dissent was palpable.
“I’m sorry about Nephraete, Kryndale. I know that could not have been easy to take,” said Kelindril, in a rare display of concern. “How are you holdin
g up?”
“Every day is just another reminder when ere she is near. I really love her, Kelindril, and I cannot believe that her father would do that to her.”
“Thelarki cares nothing for others’ feelings. He only thinks of himself. Since Mishtari’s death… Not even his own family matters anymore.”
“He has become increasingly obsessed with Nephraete’s visions,” agreed Kryndale. “I will never return to Kaleika Bay,” admitted Kryndale.
“Nor shall I. Though for different reasons, I suspect,” replied Kelindril.
“I cannot do his bidding anymore, Kelindril. I will not kill innocents in his name any longer. They haunt me in my dreams and the guilt weighs heavily on me and drags me down,” confessed Kryndale.
“I know what you mean. That day so long ago… I will never forgive myself. Their deaths are on my hands, Kryndale. You had every right to be angry with me. You were right, your plan was better. I should have listened to you and they would still be alive.” Kelindril’s admission caught Kryndale off guard, he never expected that.
“Is that why you stopped talking to me and became how you are now?” asked Kryndale.
“In part, yes. I did not become this way overnight. It took a long time. It began with…” Kelindril drifted off, unable to finish the painful thought.
“It began with Elyssa didn’t it?” asked Kryndale, finally beginning to understand the elf who once used to
be his friend.
“Yes. I loved her, Kryndale, really loved her. I was going to ask her to marry me. I even had the ring. I can’t believe I’m telling you this.”
“I can’t believe you haven’t told me before now,” replied Kryndale and he meant it. They used to be good friends and the fact that Kelindril had never mentioned or talked about his experience, slightly offended him.
“I was hurt and embarrassed, Kryndale. It was nothing personal. I just didn’t want to talk about it.”
“It helps to talk about such things. Share the pain with another. Did she ever say why? I mean, we weren’t gone that long. How could she do that to you?”
“I don’t know. I tried to talk to her, but she would never see me. I still don’t know why.”
“Kelindril, you can’t remain alone forever. Move on, you can find someone in Kiri A’ Nouell,” said Kryndale.
“What if I like being alone? At least I can count on myself,” replied Kelindril.
“I’ve seen the way you and Kylee look at each other. The interest is definitely there. You should go for it. Live again. Take it slow if it makes you feel better,” said Kryndale.
“I do not know if I have the courage to start over,” admitted Kelindril. “I never want to feel the way Elyssa made me feel again. That is a pain that I cannot get away from. What if it ends the same way?”
“I do not think it will. Kylee is special. She does not seem like that to me. She really likes you, Kelindril. Take a chance,” said Kryndale.
“What about you?”
“I’m still in love with Nephraete. I have no room in my heart for another right now. Not sure if ever I will,” replied Kryndale.
31
A week and a half later, they stood in front of the Ancient Mountain. Darian did not let his uneasiness show. He needed them to be confident and strong. If they knew he was feeling this way, they may turn back.
The Mage moved to a spot in the base of the mountain wall. He kept his back to the elves as he worked his magic to open the door they all knew was there, but could not see. As he invoked his magic, runes began to light up on the mountain wall. A doorway began to appear. The portal opened silently, much to their relief. Darian was the first to step inside and he motioned for the rest to follow. Kelindril was beside Darian a moment later.
The Mage waited until they were all inside, then sealed the opening so that no one could follow them. The air was dank and stale, the stench of the wyrm overwhelming. Darian took his time, the tunnels twisted and turned back on themselves in many places. They had a long walk ahead of them, but they must take care or become hopelessly lost. The Mage suspected that these tunnels snaked through the whole mountain.
He removed a small orb from a pocket in his Shryvven, whispered an incantation and stroked the orb lightly. A soft glow began to emanate from the orb in the Mage’s hand, giving the elves and Darian enough light to see by. He did not need to tell them the importance of secrecy, for they understood all too well. They were Gor Li’ Khan. No sound came to them from the deep, dark tunnels. Everything was absolutely still. They made their way slowly, not daring to rush for fear of alerting the dragon.
Darian was overcome with memories of his last visit here. Tynuviel remained close to his heart and his thoughts were of her. His anger returned at the horrifying things she’d lived through. He clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. His mood blackened considerably. He had to regain control; else, there would be no bargaining with the wyrm. There would be only death.
Darian motioned for them to stop for the night. The Mage needed rest because he wasn’t looking too good. Kelindril forced the Mage to eat even though he didn’t want to. Darian just wanted to rest, but the Gor Li’ Khan knew that would not be enough.
In the morning, they continued deeper into the mountain. The air became warmer and it was a sign that
they were getting closer to the inner tunnels of the wyrm and his lair. Mid-afternoon on the twelfth day, they stood just around the bend from Morphindinaetlus’s lair. The sound of his labored breathing reached their ears. Good, Darian thought, he has not completely healed yet. He may be in a bargaining mood…
Darian’s nod to Kelindril was almost imperceptible. The Gor Li’ Khan vanished from sight, blending in with their surroundings expertly. Darian could sense their presence and location, though he would never tell them this. They fanned out and began their entrapment of the dragon. Darian waited until they were in place before entering the chamber.
Morphindinaetlus smelled them at once, his head shooting up from a resting position. “Mage, you are a fool to come back here! Do you know what you’ve done to me?” Morphindinaetlus screamed. The sound was deafening. The dragon was livid. Not a good thing to witness. “Give me a good reason why I should not kill you where you stand, you impudent bastard!”
“I think we can come to an understanding,” the Mage replied confidently. He needed the information the dragon had and he was not leaving without it.
“What understanding would that be, Darian Brade? Why should I not inform the Dark Mage that you are here? He would love to get his hands on you!” the dragon raged.
“Because I can offer you something that he will not,” said the Mage softly.
Darian was crafty, intelligent and thorough. If he was offering something that the Dark Mage would not, that meant he would want something in exchange. The wyrm was not opposed to bargaining with Darian, he just wasn’t sure if he wanted the Mage dead, more than he wanted to know what he was offering. His curiosity won out in the end. “And what would that be?” asked Morphindinaetlus, intrigued.
“Freedom,” Darian whispered, but it was as if he shouted the word. The Gor Li’ Khan could not believe what they were hearing. Was Darian An Gla’ Mah? He couldn’t be serious! Maybe he was playing the dragon. He would not really set the dragon free. Would he?
Darian felt the tendrils of Dark Magic that bound Morphindinaetlus. He realized that he’d felt them as soon as he’d entered the chamber. Something inside of him tugged hard, as if trying to close the distance to the giant wyrm. The Mage felt confident that he could break the bindings, but he wouldn’t even attempt it until the wyrm gave him what he wanted in exchange.
The dragon laughed. Darian didn’t move. “You’re serious? I do not think you have what it takes, Mage. You do not possess Dark Magic or the knowledge to use it.”
“How little you know, Morphindinaetlus. I do possess Dark Magic. And I can free you.”
“What do you want in return, Mage?” asked the dragon, d
reading the reply. “I think I would rather torture you instead.”
“You’d still be the Dark Mage’s bitch in the end, with no hope of freedom without me,” replied the Mage, his tone sharp. He got the desired reaction; the dragon roared in anger, his pride wounded. And for a dragon, that was a serious offense.
“What do you want, Mage?” asked the dragon, seething in anger. “Speak!”
“The Morgonnate,” Darian replied quietly. He held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He needed the book and if Morphindinaetlus didn’t know where it was, he wasn’t sure what to do next.
“You seek the book of Dark Magic? Why would I tell you its location, even if I knew?” asked the wyrm.
Darian tried not to lose hope at the dragon’s words; this was all part of the game. The Mage showed no weakness. “You will tell me what I wish to know or you will remain a slave to him forever!” Darian roared, a touch of magic to his words, as he tugged hard on the dragon’s binding with his magic.
The dragon’s flame came without warning, but Darian was prepared for this possibility. The flames were turned away by his protection spell and this made Morphindinaetlus howl in frustration.
“Are you quite finished?” mocked the Mage. “Are you ready to make a bargain? Or do you need more time to think about all the long years left to you to do the Dark Mage’s bidding?”
To the Gor Li’ Khan’s surprise, the wyrm laughed. “You are a devious bastard, Darian. A credit to The Order. You must have been desperate to come back here to me, knowing that I would kill you and suck the magic from your bones.”
“If you should choose to do this, you will remain tied to the Dark Mage. It is your choice. Freedom? Or slavery?” asked Darian. Long minutes passed as the wyrm contemplated his choices. The Gor Li’ Khan stood rigid, waiting and watching for any sign of the dragon’s treachery.
“Fine, free me and I will tell you what you wish to know.”
“I am no fool wyrm. I will not free you until I have the book in my hands. Where is it?” asked the Mage darkly. He would not give in to the dragon. He was not afraid of him.