There were so many of them, bursting out of the quaking ground. And what of her own people, their dragons, or the human army that was helping them?
Everything fell to pieces in one night, all their plans, all their hopes.
Gone. Consumed by dragon fire.
Mari frowns as she remembers the battle, remembers the chaos, death and destruction. If she walked away from this now, she’d be condemning the world to a fiery fate.
She’d be no better than the elves…
“Alright,” Mari sighs, looking back down at the elves. “I’ll do it, I’ll help you save the dragons.”
“Thank you, truly.” The elf woman smiles, her face showing her relief at Mari’s decision.
The Dark-elf translator must have come to some agreement with the Dwarves, as he too smiles to his fellows. “The Dwarves are in agreement as well, they will help us.”
Though not every Dwarf appears happy with the decision, as Mari notices the grumpy one huffing, standing off to the side of the group.
The elves, having gained the allegiance of the Dwarves and Mari, turn to face the valley. Mari can’t see exactly what they’re doing, as the adults shuffle about in their cloaks before holding a handout to the open space before them.
“Open!” They call as one, and another portal begins to form in the space before them.
“This way.”
Trusting them, Mari nods as she guides Aniljem forward, through the portal.
On the other side, they come out in a massive cavern, but unlike the previous ones she’d been in, this one is well lit.
Orbs filled with light float high above as a small town’s worth of elves, Dwarves and even a few humans go about their business. You would almost think you were in a town somewhere above ground, what with all the stalls, talking, laughter and general ease of life.
The peoples only stop and turn when they finally notice Mari, and the others coming through. But rather than be met with fear like she expected, Mari is quite surprised when the gathered folks start to cheer at their arrival.
“They’re back! They made it out with a dragon!” She hears a human shout amongst the many languages bouncing around the cave.
The Dwarf group file through, and seem more than happy about the underground setting, readily moving about to explore and meet the natives.
Coming to stand at Aniljem’s side, the Wood-elf smiles up at Mari.
“Welcome to the base camp of our rebellion. With your help, we may just finally pull this plan off.”
For some reason, in that moment, Mari felt the strangest sense of foreboding.
Chapter 10
Though Mari was reluctant to let anyone near Aniljem, she finally gave in and allowed the resident Dwarves of the camp to get to work on removing the harness. But she stuck close by, never letting them out of her sight.
Never letting Aniljem out of her sight, never again. She thought she lost him once, she won’t risk losing him a second time, no matter what.
“You’re very loyal.” The Wood-elf says, suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
She’d disappeared shortly after they arrived, but now it seems she’s back.
“I suppose I could say the same about you.” Mari quips, watching the High-Elf girl as she wanders over to join the working Dwarves.
“Yes…” The woman sighs, “I suppose that’s true.” She then shakes her head. “Forgive me, we haven’t even introduced ourselves. I am Naevys Farqen, and I am, or rather, was, a teacher of sorts.”
“Was? So, what are you now?” Mari asks, but she thinks she might already know the answer as she watches Naevys’s eyes follow the elf girl.
“Now I am nothing, an outcast, a wanted fugitive among my own kind. And all because I would not abide the Queen’s actions.”
“Why did you turn on your Queen?”
“I never turned!” Naevys cries in her own defence, “Never. I am loyal, as all elves are. But I did not agree, and that is unforgivable.”
Mari frowns, watching the elf girl herself. “And what about her? How does a High-Elf child come into all this rebellion stuff?”
“I am loyal.” Naevys repeats.
“Loyal? To her?”
“Yes. She is Tehlarissa Yesrora, first born of the Second Branch.” At Mari’s raised eyebrow, she explains, “The High-elves rule over all elf kind, and we are loyal to First Family. For as long as it has existed, the First Family has been the ruler of our people. The family is divided into branches, the First Branch’s bloodline can be traced back to the very roots of elven people. For each son born from the main line, a new branch is made. That is why the First Family is so large, it’s branches are numerous and widespread, almost all High-elves have a connection to the First Family.”
“So, the kid,” Mari asks, “she’s from the First Family?”
“Yes, she is niece of the Queen.”
That give Mari pause.
“Wait, wait, wait! If she’s the Queen’s niece, then what’s she doing here?”
Naevys looked away sadly. “She is running for her life.”
“What?” Mari gapes.
“Our Queen, she has become possessed with a need for power. Ordering war after war with our neighbours, more than anything we’ve seen before. I am just a lowly Wood-elf, so I have no right to comment on our ruler’s decision, but…”
Mari frowned as she could sense where this was going. “But she ordered something you couldn’t stand by and watch?”
Slowly Naevys nods, “Yes. She… I don’t understand why, she’d always loved Tehlarissa so much, I couldn’t understand why… but she…” She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to say it, but Mari understood.
“She wanted her dead. Why?”
“I-I don’t know… but Tehlarissa, she is just a child. I couldn’t let her be killed. So, I took her, fled the citadel and went into hiding. Ever since, our Queen has only grown more power-hungry. And now this, capturing and entrancing dragons to destroy cities. Not capture or enslave like we used to, just… destroy.”
Silence fell between them. Mari had never considered that the Elves might also be just as troubled by their own destructive reign as she was.
“So, what do you plan to do?” Mari finally asks.
“I am loyal.” Naevys says again, and Mari is beginning to think it’s more for her own benefit than anything else. A mantra to convince her that she’s still doing the right thing. “All I want, is for Tehlarissa to be safe.”
“Even from your own Queen?” To that, Naevys doesn’t answer.
Instead, the loud crash of a metal harness falling away to Dwarven cheers is all the answer Mari needs.
“And all I want,” she says, moving to join Aniljem, “Is to protect the dragons from your Queen.”
Neither say it, but they both know what must be done. The Elven Queen must be stopped.
No matter the cost.
Thurnik will be the first to say, he hates this plan. Of all the plans they could have come up with, this seems like the single most foolish, destined to fail in a spectacular blaze of dragon fire, the worst plan he’s ever had the misfortune of being part of.
Just his luck, he thinks, that the one thing that can break the metal chains used to bind the pesky fire-spewing monsters, he happens to be an expert in.
Of all the things, why did it have to be Kruks Stones? He grumbles to himself as he watches the harness fall away and land at his feet.
Because, sure enough, just like he thought, the stupid elf bastards had reinforced the metal with Al’Qin sand. Not much of a leap to make, since the caverns were full of the gritty stuff.
So, now that he’s done what none of these other slack-jawed idiots could, they’re all looking to him for some sort of Dwarven leadership. Couldn’t one of them have worked it out after the months they’d been hanging out down here. Then they’d be getting the googly-eyed look from this not so merry band and they could lead, instead of him, ‘cos that’ll never happen.
Speaking
of things that’ll never happen. He watches as the weird horned girl who tried to kick him off the dragon, who he saved by the way, saunters up to the beast as if they’re best buds.
Quite frankly, Thurnik is baffled. He doesn’t have the slightest clue what a ‘Dragon-kin’ is, or why that means this dragon hasn’t gone off on a wild rampage to eat all of them. But he’ll take small blessings where he can.
Still, he brought this dragon here, and no pointy eared weirdo is going to take that from him.
“Hey, horn girl!” He shouts as the dragon dips its head to rumble at her.
She ignores him though, and rather than blame it on the apparent language barrier between them, Thurnik take it as a personal slight. “Hey, am talking’ to you!”
Storming over, her grabs her wrist, not letting the fact she’s nearly twice his height get in the way of a good telling off.
“What?” She asks in what Thurnik recognizes as the human tongue, not that that matters. He’s never bothered learning any of the languages of other peoples, a waste of time, considering he never planned to talk to anyone, ever. People are always bothering him, never the other way around.
She blinks, then switches to another language that’s even more nonsensical and Thurnik can only roll his eyes at her. Deciding actions are better than words.
He pushes her away to stand before the fiery beast alone.
“Dragon. Mine.” He says, purposely speaking slowly and loudly as he gestures to the beast and his chest as he says the words.
The girl doesn’t even say anything, she just gives him a look. Thurnik might have been slighted again by that, if it weren’t for the deep growl the dragon makes behind him, showing off its rather large teeth.
“Aniljem, come.” The girl draws something, and Thurnik is for once impressed as the dragon huffs it’s foul hot breath over him, before stepping over him completely to stand behind the girl again.
Perhaps, he considers as he strokes his beard, there really is something to this whole ‘Dragon-kin’ lark after all.
The next several months are spent planning. Every detail of their attack must be considered, every outcome accounted for.
It’s rather simple really; step one, infiltrate the dragon den. Step two, free the dragons. Step three, use the dragons as a distraction so the assassin guard can sneak into the capital of the elven city.
Step four… convince the Queen to give up her mad plan for world destruction, or… kill her and place Tehlarissa on the elven throne.
Step five, the world is saved, and everyone can live their lives in peace once more.
Simple, or so it would seem.
Mari, as a Dragon-kin and the only one with any hope of controlling a horde of enchanted and maddened dragons, is on the vanguard. Thurnik, as the resident expert on how to break the dragon’s chains, is also on the vanguard, making for a rather… interesting team dynamic.
At the stroke of midnight, as the brightest star in the night’s sky shines down upon their camp, the plan is put into action.
“Good luck.” Naevys says as the portal opens.
“And to you to.” Mari nods, then exhales as she focuses on the mission at hand.
She’s no leader, she’s learnt that much in her life. If her failure and running away has taught her anything, it’s that she can’t trust herself to know what’s best.
But she can trust others. So, she’ll put her fate in Naevys and everyone else to do their part, and she’ll do hers. This time, they must succeed.
No more second chances.
“Let’s go, Aniljem.” Her dragon grumbles fiercely in agreement as they head on through the portal.
They couldn’t protect each other last time, but this time it’ll be different.
Thurnik isn’t normally one to put his neck on the line for others, but he’s gotta admit, nothing about this is normal. Still, he’s always wanted to stick it to the Elf Queen for forcing him to work in such a crappy place for the past eight years. A little revenge certainly sounds sweet, and the prospect of all those gems kicking around in the Elven palace as a reward is a good motivation for any Dwarf.
So, he’ll keep his head down for now and play along. For gems and revenge, and not because he likes any of the attention the other half-pint idiots have been giving him.
Dragon girl leads the way, her scaly pet carrying a light orb in its mouth so they can see. It’s funny, Thurnik chuckles, you’d think something that big would make more noise than a quiet scrap scrap of its claws on the cavern rocks.
It doesn’t take them long to locate the first chained dragon, and Miss Horn-head gets straight to work. Thurnik doesn’t care if she’s singing the beast a lullaby, all he knows is it’s oddly distracting as he’s trying to snap of the chains around its legs.
They come off with a resounding clank and drop to the ground, his little posse quickly following suit on their hold points.
“One down, several hundred more to go.” He grumbles as the dragon shakes its head and stretches out its wings. “This is going to be a long night.”
Mari can’t help the smile on her face as she talks another dragon down, the Dwarves making quick work of its chains. Naevys had been rather insightful on the type of magic used to control the dragons. It all made sense, why the black dragon had acted so strangely.
Mental possession, enchantments, bewitching.
Anna has once joked that Mari was like a magical being, but she had never considered herself capable of possessing, let alone learning any kind of magic. If anything, the only magic her people might have been their connection to the dragons.
But this…
She slowly whispers the words Naevys had her memories. Whether it is the words alone, or Mari really does have some skills for magic, she’s not sure. All she knows, all she cares about right now, is that it’s working.
Another dragon freed, they move on. The dragons remain in place, awaiting her signal. Or rather Aniljem’s signal. But of course, things couldn’t stay so simple.
As they round the next corner, they come face to face with a patrolling elf watchman. They’ve silenced others, but this one, as fate would have it, is the same wizard who tried to stop them escaping months ago.
“You!” He hisses.
“Go!” Mari shouts to the group, “I’ll hold him off!”
The cavern may be large, but it’s still a cramped fight for Aniljem. He roars as he spews fire, drowning the whole tunnel ahead in his flames as the group backtrack to find another way around.
But much to Mari’s fear, this wizard isn’t so easily stopped. When Aniljem’s flames end, the wizard glares through the ripping forcefield he raised.
“Subjugation is too good for you! Death is all you deserve!”
Mari’s eyes widen as the elf jumps back, bringing his hands together as he casts a spell.
“Death shall rise to serve me once more!”
Between his hands a shadowy ball of black and scarlets swirl as from out of the group, walls and ceiling shadows of elves rise to face Mari and Aniljem.
“Kill them!” The wizard roars.
“Aniljem!” Mari cries as her dragon steps back before unleashing another burst of flames.
But much to both their shock, the shadow people are unaffected.
“Nothing can kill what is already dead.” The wizard taunts as the pair continue to back up.
Holding tight to Aniljem’s back, Mari closes her eyes and prays this will work.
“Protection!” The elven world comes out sounding somewhat mangled, but as she opens her eyes, she stares at the shimmering light radiating off her.
But more than that, she watches as the shield light around her flows down her hands, into Aniljem.
It’s only a hunch, a feeling of possibility, but Mari knows to trust her gut when it comes to dragons.
“Aniljem, fire!” She calls.
Never one to question her, Aniljem unleashes another wave of flames, and this time the shadows are beaten back. His fir
e, Mari notices, is different somehow, as if her protection spell was entwined with it.
Working on this newfound instinct, she presses her hand to Aniljem’s back and calls with all her might. “Begone!”
From her dragon to fire, the magic flows, and the shadows screech as they dissipate, not even the wizard can fight back the powerful flames as they swallow everything they touch.
Now alone, silence falls as Mari stares. She can’t say she understands it, but she’s thankful for this newfound power all the same.
“Come on, boy, let’s go find the others. We still have dragons to save.”
Far away, Naevys sits hugging Tehlarissa close as they wait with the assassin guard for the signal. She doesn’t like the idea of what they’re about to do, but deep in her heart, she knows that there is only one way they’ll all come out of this alive.
“Naevys?” Tehlarissa ask, looking up from the tight hold of her once teacher.
“Don’t worry Rissa,” she whispers fondly into the young girl’s hair, “I’ll always be by your side to protect you.”
“I know.” Tehlarissa smiles.
The peace of the forest is shattered by the roar of over a thousand dragons taking to the sky, and despite their mission, the assassin guard can’t help but stare at the sight.
Dragons of all colors, large and small flood the night, spewing flames and roaring at their freedom, but leading the charge is one they all recognize.
“Aniljem.” Tehlarissa grins, having grown quite fond of the young dragon.
“They’ve done their part,” Naevys sighs, standing. “Now, it is time we do ours.”
Aniljem’s roar of power and delight is almost more than Mari can take. Never could she have imagined, all those years ago when she was just a kid playing in the forest with her brother and sister, that she’d one day lead the way for hundreds of her once Guardians to freedom.
The dragons flee in all directions, all to safety Mari hopes. Looking down, she can hardly imagine how the elves kept this place a secret for so long. The ground crumbles away with all the heavy bodies breaking through it to freedom. The cavernous earth below revealed for all to see.
Last of the Dragon Warriors- a Will of Fire Page 5