Simon and Ethmira were met with the same kinds of reactions. People were terrified as they saw the destruction crawling toward them. Ethmira did not have to work very hard to convince them of their danger. Indeed, in several of the small towns that they visited, the inhabitants were in such a panic that, as the pair appeared, dozens of elves would swarm around them, begging for their aid.
The main problem turned out to be just how many survivors had to be transported to Alderthal. Even a mage as powerful as Simon could only Gate so many people at one time. If a town or village contained more than twenty souls, the mages would have to make more than one trip back to the portal and that took time and energy, both of which were limited.
But Diane and Simon were focused on their goals and neither of them could pause for a moment to rest. There was simply no time.
After transporting one group of frightened elves back to Alderthal, Diane leaned heavily on her staff as she watched Chase herd the survivors toward the portal. She was gasping for breath and Malfiess watched her with deep concern.
“Diane, you can't go on like this,” he told her as she watched the frightened elves step reluctantly through the shimmering portal.
On the other side of the rift, they could see the newcomers welcomed by Amelda and the other Elders. Nothing could be heard through the portal, but the smiles of relief on the faces of the refugees spoke volumes.
“You are going to collapse if you don't rest for a few minutes,” the councilor added.
“I'll be fine,” Diane replied as she finally caught her breath. “There is still enough ley energy for me to tap into to keep going.”
“Obviously it isn't the lack of energy that is taking its toll on you,” Malfiess told her. “It is the strength to direct that energy that is draining you. Diane, you may be a mage, but you are still mortal. If you fall, that will doom many of my people. Please, pace yourself.”
“I...”
Diane was interrupted by Deakon, who still hadn't gone through the portal. He walked out of his inn carrying a large mug and then hurried over to hand it to the mage.
“Lady, drink this,” he told her as he bobbed his head respectfully. “It is an old recipe of my family. It is a restorative and a tonic. You appear to need it.”
Diane smiled widely as she accepted the mug. Its contents were steaming and a sweet smell of berries rose from it.
“Thank you, Deakon,” she told him gratefully. “But what are you still doing here? Get your family together and go through the portal.”
“They have already left, Lady,” Deakon assured her. “And I am leaving now. But I could tell how draining this effort is on you, so I wanted to brew my old recipe for you before I left. May you succeed in your noble work. And you too, Councilor,” he added with a nod at Malfiess.
“Thank you, Deakon,” Malfiess replied with a smile. “Now go. I'm sure that your family is anxious to see you again.”
“I will. May the Mother watch over you both.”
He bowed to them and then trotted across the town square. Chase motioned for the innkeeper to enter the portal and Deakon did not hesitate. He stepped through and was greeted by one of his daughters, who flew into his arms.
Diane sipped the warm drink while she watched the scene and then she sighed with pleasure.
“That is why I am doing this, Malfiess,” she said with a gesture at the portal. “Saving families, saving the elven race, that is what keeps me going. And I am sure that Simon would say the same thing.”
“I know, Diane. I know. And that is why I am with you. But killing yourself in the process will serve no one.”
She drained the cup and set it down on the ground.
“I have no intention of dying today, Malfiess,” the mage replied. “And thanks to Deakon's kindness, I am certain that I won't. My goodness, I don't know what was in that drink, but I can feel it tingling through my whole body.”
“I've tasted that particular brew,” Malfiess said with a laugh. “And you're right. It has a kick. Bless that old elf for thinking of it.”
Chase trotted over to join them.
“Diane, how are you doing?” she asked with concern.
“I'm fine, Chase. Thank you. How is Callius holding up? He is channeling a great deal of energy as he keeps that portal open.”
“It's strange, but he seems to be getting stronger the longer he stays focused on his task,” Chase replied as she looked across the square at the young scryer. “He appears to feed off of the ley energy as he channels it. Is that normal?”
Diane set her staff firmly against the ground and watched Callius thoughtfully.
“Nothing about this situation could be considered normal,” she told the ranger. “But Callius has an affinity for ley energy that surpasses even my own. I'm not surprised that he is strengthened by it. Let us hope that lasts. Now, Malfiess, we have to go,” she said as she looked at him. “Are you ready?”
“I am.”
“Chase, before we leave, how is Simon doing? I haven't seen him since we began this endeavor.”
The ranger smiled in response.
“You just missed him, actually. I saw you enjoying one of Deakon's concoctions, didn't I? Well, Simon drank one as well. He seemed quite pleased by the gesture and then he and Ethmira left again. That was about ten minutes ago.”
“Ah, that Deakon,” Diane said fondly. “We may owe him a debt that can never be repaid. Okay then. We're off. See you soon.”
Chase nodded and watched as Diane raised her staff. There was a flash of light and the mage and Malfiess were gone.
“Stay strong, Diane,” the ranger whispered. “And hurry. We are almost out of time.”
Hours passed as Simon and Diane transported hundreds of elves to Alderthal. Chase became concerned for Callius as he stood alone and silent, standing vigil while groups of terrified survivors escaped to safety.
How long can he hold the portal open? Chase wondered as time ticked away. And can I aid him in any way? I feel helpless just standing here, herding our people through the rift. They are heading for a new life, but what of Callius? Will he be able to last long enough to save himself? I don't know.
As the sun crossed the sky and edged toward the horizon, the young scryer began to show signs of fatigue. His clenched hands, held stiffly at his sides, started to shake and his slim body began to sway as if blown by an unseen wind.
Chase watched him for a time and then rushed across the square and entered Deakon's inn. She grabbed the closest chair and hurried back outside.
“Here, Callius,” she said urgently. “Sit down. There is no need for you to stand while you hold that portal open.”
The scryer did not answer her, but his rigid expression softened as he reached back and touched the arm of the chair. He sat down slowly, still staring at the portal, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips.
Chase smiled as the young elf seemed to regain his strength. Without having to focus on keeping his balance, Callius could now concentrate fully on his task.
Maybe this will buy us a little more time, she thought as she stepped back and stood behind the scryer again. But I pray that Simon and Diane are almost finished or this door may soon be closed permanently.
At that very moment, Diane had reached the last village on her list. Fortunately for her and Malfiess, she would always cast a shield before Gating, because the pair of them landed in the center of a nightmare.
The magical shield flared and sparked around Diane and Malfiess as it vaporized tangles of twisted vines and tentacles. Smoke obscured their vision as the pair stared around in horror.
“The entire village has been infested!” Malfiess exclaimed, his face twisted in disgust and grief. “By the Mother, all of the people, the children. All gone.”
Diane stared at the writhing, burning mass of unnatural growths and nodded somberly.
“Such a horrible way to die,” she stated sadly. “Damn it, if I'd only been faster, I might have saved them.”
; “Don't blame yourself,” Malfiess replied as he looked at her sternly. “You did all you could. Do you think I can't see how drained you are? You can barely stand, my friend. I don't know how magical powers work, but yours have taken a huge toll on you. Have you enough strength to get us back to Alderthal?”
The mage looked up at the vines that loomed overhead. They were standing in the shadows of the twisting mass and her shield was now flickering weakly as it fended off the mindless attacks of the corruption. It appeared to be losing power under the assault and Diane hissed under her breath as she watched it.
“I hope so. I would not have you die to these foul things the way that the people of this village did,” Diane told him. “Come then. One last effort and then we will leave Trillfarness to its sad fate.”
She raised her staff and cast her Gate spell. Malfiess hurried to support her as Diane staggered slightly. She smiled at him gratefully but shook her head.
“I'm fine, Malfiess. Really. I may be fated to fall to the evil gods some time in the future, but that day is not today.”
And with that, she slammed her staff into the ground which was smoldering under their feet and both of them were pulled away to safety.
Simon and Ethmira almost had the same experience. They arrived in the village of Wesathal as its outermost houses were being engulfed by voracious waves of slimy vines. The handful of inhabitants gathered in the center of the village, only a dozen souls, were watching the approaching corruption blankly. They seemed to have already accepted their fate.
The burst of white light that signaled Simon's arrival seemed to shake them out of their trance-like states and the villagers looked at the mage and Ethmira wide-eyed, as if they thought that they were dreaming.
One woman, clutching the only child in the group, rushed toward the pair and held out her young son.
“Please, whoever you are, please save my baby!” she screamed frantically. “Please! He is innocent. He does not deserve to die in this blight!”
Ethmira smiled reassuringly and gripped the woman's shoulders.
“It's all right,” she told the mother calmly. “We are here to save all of you. My name is Ethmira. You may have heard of me. My friend here will take all of you, including your son, to safety.”
She raised her voice as she looked at the stunned villagers.
“There is no time for explanations. All of you gather around and we will take you to Alderthal. Hurry!”
There was no hesitation. The houses around the village center were being smashed to splinters and a distant howling, like the sound of some ravenous beast, shook the air.
All of the survivors stumbled forward to join Ethmira and Simon and the hooded mage silently nodded at the ranger.
“Take a deep breath,” Ethmira told the terrified elves.
Simon gestured and raised his twisted staff. It pulsed with light and then they were gone. A moment later the clearing with covered in putrid green tentacles, grasping futilely for victims who were no longer there.
Both Diane and Simon reappeared in Alderthal at almost the same instant, as if they had coordinated their efforts. Diane pushed her hair off of her face and sighed with relief as they arrived and Malfiess smiled at her.
“Well done,” he said softly. “Your efforts today have helped to save my people.”
“Our efforts, Malfiess,” Diane corrected him. “I couldn't have convinced many of them to come with me if you hadn't been there. You did a great job.”
A burst of light interrupted his reply as Simon and Ethmira appeared on the other side of the town center, a small group of elves standing with them. They cried out with wonder as they took in their surroundings.
“Looks like they managed to save a few more,” Diane said sadly, clearly feeling the loss of the people from the final village that they had visited.
“Thanks be to the Mother,” Malfiess muttered. “But you have no reason to recriminate yourself, my friend,” he added. “You did the best you could and we both know it.”
She shook her head futilely, but said nothing more. They both watched with pleasure as Chase hurried over to the refugees and urged them to follow her to the portal. There was no hesitation from any of them. Obviously the elves were eager to get as far away from danger as possible, even if it meant leaving Trillfarness behind.
When the last of the elves had entered the rift, everyone converged at the portal where Callius was sitting, still focused with single-minded determination on holding the gateway open.
“We did it,” Ethmira told the others. “We saved as many as we could. I'd like to thank both of you, Simon and Diane, for your efforts on behalf of my people.”
Simon leaned on his staff and pushed back his hood. His long hair was damp with sweat and his face was lined with fatigue. He smiled wearily at Diane who was also using her staff to steady herself.
“You did good,” he told her.
“Did I?” she replied. “The last settlement we visited had already been engulfed by the corruption. All of the people were gone, killed in one of the most horrible ways imaginable. I failed them, Simon. I wasn't fast enough.”
Simon shook his head and frowned at her.
“No. The infestation was just faster than we were, that's all. Don't dismiss your own efforts, Diane. Hundreds of elves owe their lives to you and Malfiess. Hold on to that knowledge. That is what is most important.”
She sighed with fatigue and shrugged.
“Yes, I know that you're right. But now the elven people are as decimated as our race is. Where there were perhaps tens of thousands of elves on Trillfarness, we only managed to evacuate a fraction of that number. This is a victory for the dark gods, Simon, and we are all weakened by it.”
“That's true,” Simon replied heavily. “They played us for fools. The corruption at the heart of this planet must have begun to grow years ago. It was subtle and devious, very unlike the usual actions of the dark lords. This was orchestrated patiently, with cunning. The evil old gods have neither.”
“It was the Mad King, Serris,” Malfiess said angrily. “History says that he was very clever in life. Apparently he was just as canny in death, or whatever you can call the state that we found him in. He knew our world's vulnerabilities and he also knew how complacent we had become. Thousands of years of peace lulled us into a false sense of security. Well, now we have seen the results of such innocent blindness. Our world is lost.”
The group was suddenly interrupted by a cry from Callius. They all turned to look at him just in time to see the portal flicker wildly and collapse in a shower of blue sparks.
The young scryer was slumped over in his chair and Chase leaped to his side and knelt down. She took his hand and gazed into his face.
“He's alive,” she told the others. “But he is barely conscious.”
“He's exhausted,” Diane said as she laid a hand on Callius' shoulder. “To be honest, I'm amazed that he was able to keep the portal open as long as he did.”
Simon shook his head and swept his hood up and over his face again.
“No, this isn't simple exhaustion. Something cut off his connection to the deep ley lines. I can feel it all around us.”
Simon transferred his staff to his left hand and raised his right. He made a complicated gesture with his fingers and a shield, bright silver and semi-translucent, surrounded the entire group. He had protected them just in time.
All of the houses around the town square exploded at once. Huge writhing tendrils burst from the ground beneath them and thrust up dozens of feet above the earth, their thick stems covered in razor sharp thorns and dripping with green slime.
“What is happening?” Malfiess asked the mages fearfully. “I thought that the corruption was still a long way away from Alderthal!”
Diane watched the twisting vines with narrowed eyes. She turned to scan the edges of the town square, murmuring under her breath as she did so.
“It is,” she said as she stopped moving. “This is a dir
ect attack against us, by whatever is directing the attack on Trillfarness.”
“But Serris has fallen!” the councilor objected. “Callius destroyed him.”
Laughter rang out all around them. Mad laughter that went on and on.
“That isn't Serris,” Simon said from within his hood. “It's something else.”
Chapter 27
The group stood still and watched the heaving, writhing mass of tendrils surrounding them. Ethmira and Chase slipped their bows off of their shoulders and nocked arrows onto the strings. Simon and Diane stood shoulder to shoulder, both of them gripping their staves tightly as they waited for an attack.
Malfiess had helped Callius to his feet. The young elf was recovering from his collapse, but he swayed weakly as the councilor supported him with an arm around his shoulders.
“If it wasn't Serris that we heard laughing, who was it?” Malfiess asked the mages.
“Something worse,” Diane stated.
“Much worse,” Simon agreed. “Whoever or whatever that was, it is the real power behind the undead king. And it appears that it doesn't want us to leave.”
The corruption wasn't advancing on the group. Simon's shield glowed brightly and even Chase, who knew next to nothing about magic, could tell that it was much stronger than the shields she had seen Diane invoke.
He's an Adept, she thought with admiration as she watched the hooded figure. And he shows no fear at all. I can see why Diane speaks so highly of him. And why he is a legend, even among my own people.
The ground shook beneath their feet and a section of the earth between the group and the threatening vines split open. As they watched the hole widen, the elves and humans saw a hand raise from beneath the ground and grip the edge of the gap. A second hand appeared and then a figure slowly pulled itself out of the hole.
The Fall of the Elves Page 34