“I bet you didn’t expect me to retrieve it that way when you told I could get it!” Kaxen said. He concentrated on Dranmalin and felt the bond. “Flames!” The Sword burst into dragon fire and the Krullen Thul screamed.
Kaxen raced for the door. He had to alert someone and get help, but he was struck down by an unseen force as he grasped the bolt. Dazed, Kaxen stood up. The Krullen Thul had removed Dranmalin and tried to wield it, but the sword rebelled, and the Krullen Thul discarded it and picked up its own sword again.
Kaxen made a mad dash for the window but the Krullen Thul intercepted him, cutting a deep gash into his leg. Kaxen tumbled onto the floor, his leg seething with pain. He held out his hand and Dranmalin came to him.
“Pitiful boy, I can heal myself; you cannot defeat me,” the Krullen Thul croaked as it rounded with another sword blow. “Stay still and accept the inevitable.”
“Heal this!” Kaxen said. Dranmalin’s flames burned hot as the sword sliced through the sword arm of the Krullen Thul, severing it.
The Krullen Thul leered as its arm began to regenerate at a rapid rate.
Kaxen took the opportunity to run the Krullen Thul through the abdomen. He thrust Dranmalin but the creature managed to evade his strike.
It retrieved its sword and lunged at Kaxen. he held up Dranmalin for the block. His leg pulsed blood and he could barely move. he surmised the wound was poisoned.
The creature swung, again and again, Kaxen managed to block it. The poison was taking its toll. Kaxen tried to draw in essence, but it did nothing against the poison.
“Now you see, boy, my poison will succeed even if I fail.”
“You fail!” he reached out to Dranmalin and the sword bolted from his hand, igniting in flames as it struck, point first, directly in the face of the Krullen Thul. Kaxen released what essence he managed to draw in and the sword’s flames exploded the head of the creature. It fell backward to the floor while Dranmalin returned to Kaxen’s hand. He closed his eyes. The poison was about to complete its purpose.
“Foul beast, you are no more!” Kaxen heard a familiar voice cry from the darkness. Kaxen opened his eyes to see the light of an ethereal dragon maw clamp down on the creature, cleaving the beast in two, and then the dragon maw dissipated into thin air. Kaxen immediately recognized it as cast by a wielder, the same spells he had witnessed Asterial and Dicarion cast at Vetell Fex. The Krullen Thul burst into flames and began burning in the magical essence cast on it. Kaxen looked up for the source of the spell and blinked in disbelief. Before him stood Morgoran.
“Sorry I’m late, boy, I had almost forgotten about this blasted attack. It was one of the last visions I saw before the curse was lifted,” he said. “Here, give me your hand and I will get you to the clerics.”
“I had already killed it, but thank you for finally getting here.”
Kaxen reached out his hand to Morgoran, and then everything went dark.
Kaxen woke to see Asrion hovering above him. “Am I…”
“You are fine. Morgoran got to you in time,” Asrion said.
“Morgoran!” Kaxen said startled. “It is true then? I didn’t dream him?”
“Aye, it’s true, boy,” Morgoran said. “What did you expect?”
Asterial walked up behind Morgoran and put his hand on Kaxen’s leg. “I was right behind him. I am just sorry we didn’t get to you before that thing got some good whacks in on you. You did a good job on that thing, Kaxen.”
“At lease you know I was the one who dispatched it. Morgoran just mutilated its corpse.”
Asterial chuckled. “I am sure Morgoran didn’t know it was already dead.”
“I blew its fool head off, Asterial. How could he not know?”
“I was too far away to see it accurately, boy.” He turned to Asterial, “I think the brat does have essence sickness, either that or he’s in need of a good woopin’.”
Rennon stood in the corner and Kaxen caught him smile at Morgoran’s words, but he quickly returned to his sour expression when he realized Kaxen was looking at him.
“At any rate,” Morgoran said. “Rennon, Asrion, Trendan, Aurelie, Enowene, Gondrial, and Bren may stay, the rest of you clear the room please,” Morgoran said, pointing at each person in turn. After the servants and onlookers left the room, Morgoran put his hands, palms down, on the backrest of the wooden chair. “We have business to discuss. I am told this is the second attack on Kaxen by a Krullen Thul. Yarbrille is the only person missing from the keep that we can ascertain. It doesn’t take a leap of intelligence to single him out as the imposter. From this day forth, we will take turns staying with Kaxen. He is now more dangerous than ever to our enemies.” He circled around the wooden chair. “Ganas Nashe is riding here as we speak with news of the advance of Malanor’s army across Symboria if I remember my visions clearly, and some of his news may split you all apart.”
Asterial cleared his throat. “Morgoran and I have decided that we will divide into two groups. Gondrial and I will ride after Lady Shey, Morgoran will take over training Kaxen and they will continue on to Draegodor—”
“Wait,” Kaxen interrupted. “Draegodor? The red city? Home of the dragons? Are you both mad?”
Bren stood up from his chair. “On the contrary, I advised them to take you to Draegodor,” Bren said. “Although I can’t explain my reasons at this time, I believe that taking you to Draegodor is a vital part of my quest.”
Rennon huffed. “Convenient. You want to take Aurelie to Draegodor, don’t you? I see the way you look at her. You don’t even care about Kaxen, do you?”
Bren drew his dragon fang and pointed it at Rennon. “You go too far, sir. Do you now claim that you care for him when you have so openly shunned him?”
Rennon’s face turned red. “You want Aurelie for yourself, and I will not stand for it.”
“Enough you two,” Morgoran said. “This is exactly the kind of nonsense that will defeat us.”
“Bren, put that sword away,” Asterial commanded.
Bren sheathed his dragon fang and sat back down.
Kaxen gazed intently at Rennon; he knew his friend was out of the herb Sanmir had given him. He wondered if his outburst was due to that fact.
“Do you think Lady Shey is all right?” Aurelie asked, trying to divert the subject away from Bren’s intentions.
Asterial eyed Rennon and then turned to Aurelie. “Aye, I do. Lady Shey knows how to use the jade statuette and the enemy knew that and got her out of the way. She is a strong wielder; they won’t contain her for long. Gondrial and Shey have a pact. If one of them gets lost they have agreed on designated meeting places. We’re going to try the meeting place in Symboria first and work our way around.”
“I am confused then. If Lady Shey can take care of herself, then she will eventually meet up with us, so why go after her at all?” Kaxen asked. “in fact, why doesn’t the enemy just kill her to get her out of the way?”
Gondrial spoke up. “The enemy won’t kill her. If you want to know why, you will have to ask her the next time you see her, but they will not kill her.”
Kaxen scoffed. “No more secrets!”
“All right, Kaxen. They want her to join them. She has some rather complicated ties to them. It is far more likely they will try to recruit her than kill her.”
Kaxen nodded. “I can accept that.”
Melias entered the room with Ganas.
“Ganas,” Trendan said.
Ganas nodded to Trendan. “I bring news of the invading army.”
Morgoran nodded once. “Go on.”
“The army still moves largely unopposed through Symboria and quicker than we would like. They are perhaps two weeks from here. A small militia of farmers has amassed about a day’s ride from here. They plan to lie in wait until the army passes, and then they will attack the dark armies’ supply line. They hope to slow it down.”
“Kaxen and I will go by way of Seabrey to Draegodor. Bren will lead us there. The rest of you must decide wh
ich party you would like to travel with or if it is time for you to return home. No one will fault you to return to your village if that is your wish.” Morgoran stiffened and motioned toward Trendan. “I have a special task for you, Trendan. I need your tracking skills.”
Trendan nodded.
“I need you to take a couple of Defenders and go after the wench, Kimala. I believe she is trying to escape on foot, which means she hasn’t gotten far. It’s a dangerous task I set before you, and I cannot spare anyone you see here to travel with you.”
“I will travel with him,” Ganas spoke up. “Two trackers are better than one.”
“Nay, Ganas. I have another purpose for you.”
Rennon cleared his throat. “I’m not sure if this will help but I saw something hovering over Kimala during the battle at Brightonhold.”
“An illusion?” Morgoran asked.
“I am not sure what it was. Something was with her.’ Rennon answered.
“It is as I have seen, Asterial,” Morgoran said.
“We will discuss it later,” Asterial responded.
“Why do I get the feeling you remember more about your visions than you have led us to believe?” Gondrial said, eyeing Morgoran suspiciously.
Morgoran ignored him. “Ganas, I want you to go on to Trigoth as my envoy. There is a man by the name of Theosus Fiderea, an apothecary, whose shop is nestled in a quiet corner of the foreign quarter. Seek him out and tell him I have returned. Once you have convinced him I sent you, he will know what to do next. Rennon, I want to travel with Ganas.”
“Me, why me?” Rennon protested.
“Because you are an apprenticed apothecary. Theosus is also an apothecary. You may be useful to Ganas.” Morgoran said.
“I have never been to Trigoth, and I think it might be the right time to go.” Rennon agreed.
“Where Kaxen goes, I will follow,” Melias interjected. “I have had dealings with Draegodor before. I may be useful.”
Morgoran nodded. “I think that would be a wise idea.”
“I will go with Asterial and Gondrial,” Enowene spoke up.
Asterial took out his pipe and began stuffing it with tabac. “We should try to find where Malanor sent the armies of the West and see if we can get them back in the fight. We will not be able to prevent him taking the Sacred Land, but we will need every last soldier to regain it.”
“How do you propose we do that?” Gondrial asked.
Asterial turned to Trendan. “That task will be up to you, my boy. When you find her, try to bring back Kimala alive; she may know something. I suspect Malanor used Asheth’s Grimoire to send the entire army off somewhere. He went to great lengths to get it.”
“Aye, it does make sense. Do you remember the Migarath Portals? The wielder, Migarath used the grimoire as a basis to build them.” Morgoran said.
“I do remember them,” Asterial said. “Are there any still around?”
“A few, I think. I still have one at the Vale.” He stroked his long white beard, “Anyway, Trendan, Kimala may be able to confirm our suspicions, find her.”
Trendan nodded. “I will.”
Asrion gave Rennon a pained look and then stood up. “I stand by Kaxen and will follow him as my goddess commands.” Rennon shook his head and looked away.
Morgoran clapped his hands together. “All right then, we will move on to Lux Enor tomorrow. Be prepared to leave.”
Chapter 3
Trendan cautiously entered Enor’s Forest, a wooded area a few miles north of the gates of Calanbrough and a few miles south of the city of Lux Enor, and made his way through the dense outer underbrush. The scorch of the Sacred Land had not reached the lush woods growing unkempt between the Sacred Land and the highlord’s city. Up above him, the skies churned, dark clouds formed ominously. Lightning occasionally streaked through the sky and, in turn, thunder boomed. Trendan knew where he was going, and he knew there would be shelter when he got there. Scanning the forest floor, he spotted the faint footprints of the one he hunted. The person leaving the footprints tried to hide their trail, but Trendan could still see the signs. Soon he reached a diminutive clearing encased in young oak trees, and he cautiously approached.
A makeshift tent constructed between branches of four large oak trees lay partially hidden from view. The tent flap was not secured, so he slipped silently into the structure just as the rain began to fall. The interior of the tent revealed its inhabitant as a female with flowers in a vase on a neat and tidy, collapsible table. Trendan could see the dark-haired woman, dressed in light blue, in meditation, facing an opening out into the forest opposite of him. Her manner of dress was scant and see-through. Trendan averted his eyes even though in his heart he wanted to take in the sight of her. Rain fell straight down outside of the tent, turning what snow had fallen through the trees into slush.
“I know you are there, Trendan,” she said, pulling a blanket over herself.
Trendan plopped down on a wooden stump at the center of the tent. “Naturally, I’m surprised to see you still in camp. Aren’t you cold dressed like that?” Trendan was relieved she covered herself. Fayne shrugged but did not answer him. “I thought you had traveled all this way to meet Asrion, yet you have waited here for three days now. I don’t understand you, Fayne.”
“I don’t expect you to. It is our tradition. I have prayed for three days, and now I must fast for four days to purify myself before I approach him in order to secure Loracia’s blessing.”
“Four days? You may not have four days. I have come to tell you. The Defenders are digging in and preparing for battle, and Asrion left with Morgoran and Kaxen for Draegodor this morning.”
“So, the dark armies of Malanor will take the Sacred Land?”
“It certainly appears that way unless the knights of Trigothia can be convinced to join the battle. Kaxen has been acting strange lately, and Asrion and the others fear he may have essence sickness. They say it sometimes happens to first-time wielders.”
Fayne gave Trendan a concerned look. “Asrion knows of such things?”
Trendan looked away from her piercing blue eyes. “Asrion knows many things; he has trained as a cleric all his life.”
“Will Kaxen be safe to travel then? What of his wounds?” Fayne asked.
“He will travel if he has to. If the Defenders are forced to retreat, the dark armies will route Lux Enor, so there is little choice. Besides, Asrion has cured most of Kaxen’s wounds.”
Fayne bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Trendan, but I cannot see Asrion yet. A heaviness grows in my heart. I will have to miss my opportunity it seems.”
Trendan became upset. “But why? He is not but a few hours away from here.” He stood from the stump and reached for her arm. “Come, I will be at your side.” Fayne pulled back sharply from Trendan’s grasp just as a thunderclap rumbled angrily above. Trendan sat back puzzled, disappointment clear on his face. “As you wish, Fayne, but I find this behavior somewhat suspicious.”
“Suspicious? In what manner am I suspicious?”
Trendan fidgeted with his fingers. “I should think that one who has traveled so far to meet the man in her dreams would rush to his side, especially if she were as physically close to him as you are to Asrion at this moment.” He glanced out at the rainfall. “He will pass this way through the western forest for Lux Enor. Why not find your way to him then?”
Fayne became angry but kept her composure. “Don’t you think I want to? I have stood at the edge of this forest straining my eyes as far as I can see to get a glimpse of him to no avail. I can’t wait to put my arms around him and kiss him as his wife.”
“Then come with me now. I can take you to him and still follow Kimala’s trail tomorrow.”
“Trendan, I can’t. Loracia has not given me a sign, and I will only go at her will. Asrion will not know me as his wife without her blessings. I must wait.” Fayne paused for a moment as she realized what Trendan had said. “Kimala? You plan to track her down instead of trav
eling with Kaxen?”
Trendan grimaced then spoke softly. “I do.”
“Why, she is leagues away by now. What do you hope to accomplish?”
“Bren believes she may have been traveling by way of dragon. Do not ask me how he knows such a thing. He also believes the dragon has abandoned her, and she may have been forced to flee on foot. She couldn’t have gotten far.”
“What do you plan to do if you find her?”
“I will take her to Kaxen and Morgoran, of course.”
Thunder cracked and Fayne jumped. She pulled her blanket tighter. “I am coming with you then.”
“You certainly are not!” Trendan was adamant.
“You need a woman with you to fend off Kimala’s womanly wiles.”
“What are you talking about? I can do my duty without falling prey to such nonsense.” He rolled his eyes. “Womanly wiles.”
Fayne stared at Trendan patronizingly and then stood up and let her blanket fall to the ground. A moment later, her frock slid from her lithe body. As Fayne stood before him naked, Trendan could not bring himself to turn his eyes away from her. Her smile grew as his face turned from pink to red. “By Fawlsbane’s beard woman, what are you doing?”
Fayne pulled the blanket up from the ground and covered herself. She sat back on her stump. “Proving a point. You are no more immune to a pretty woman than a thirsty man is from a mug of ale. It is the way of men.”
Trendan scoffed at her logic. “If that is true than how can you trust me to travel with you without succumbing to your wiles?”
Fayne giggled. “Because I am for Asrion and you honor him.”
Trendan waved his forefinger at Fayne. “This is a cruel game, Fayne, and I’m not going to play it with you. I will travel alone.”
“As you traveled to the Sacred Land alone?” she remarked. “I think not. I can track you if need be; however, it would make much more sense to travel together.”
On the Wings of Dragons: Path of the Wielders 3 Page 2