by Eden Redd
Wynter shifted her body and let out a painful shout. The necromancer stood between the dread lord’s line of sight and Thorrin. The paladin took hold of her as another arrow struck her chest. Riktess gave a sardonic grin as he pulled back on his bowstring, another black arrow appearing.
Wynter looked up at Thorrin’s wide eyes, “Not all necromancers are bad…..we’re just misunderstood….”
Thorrin prepared to heal her when another arrow stabbed into her neck. Wynter let out a wet moan before cracks appeared along her body and she shattered into shards of light.
The paladin stood up, aura glowing. The dead swarmed in but the paladin was having none of it. Like a boulder rolling down hill, the paladin squared his shoulders and bashed his way through the undead lines. The holy aura kept the dead at bay but their swords clashed against his armor. Thorrin one-shot killed each undead with a blow from skull to skull. Swords sliced at his exposed joints but the paladin didn’t care. A black arrow sank into his shoulder and hit points drained.
“I’m no weakling like Mad Morgan,” Riktess grinned as he pulled back on the bow string.
Thorrin grunted as another arrow appeared in his chest. The paladin smashed dead left and right, closing the distance between him and the dread lord. Riktess pulled back and let another arrow fly and then another. Thorrin batted one away but the other sank into his chest. Holy light flaring, the undead parted the last twenty feet as Thorrin reached up with an open gauntlet.
Riktess kept his grin as he aimed at the paladin at point blank range, “You think you can stop me?” and let the arrow loose.
Thorrin grunted as his hit points went down to 5 and he took hold of Riktess’s throat.
“As I said to Mad Morgan, I’m coming for all you dread lords……”
Thorrin swung his hammer and slammed it into Riktess’s face. The dread lord rolled with it as he brought his fist back and punched Thorrin in the chest. The paladin’s body cracked into light and burst to pieces as Riktess rubbed his jaw.
“I’ll be waiting,” The dread lord whispered.
The group fought on as the enemy ranks closed in. Jayson sliced off head after head until a burst of ice breath blanketed the nearby undead. A white dragon landed on their frozen forms, smashing them to dust. The white dragon craned her head to Jayson and his fellow knights.
“Sir Reed, climb on,” the white dragon said with a familiar voice.
“Myn?” Jayson said with a small smile.
“Lady Slytha?” Lance and Sonja grinned.
The dragon’s head dipped, “I can take you to the portal. We have to hurry before the undead regroup.”
Jayson moved to her side and hesitated, “What about…..”
Myn cut him off, “I can only carry one.”
Lance smiled, “We can hold them off!”
Sonja pushed Jayson toward the white dragon, “Bring back the star! He can hold these assholes off.”
Dalya spun and slammed her staff against a skeleton and then another, “I will fight to avenge my fallen harem sisters!”
Jayson moved in close to the frost dragon as his friends and lovers fought on to keep the undead at bay. He didn’t want to leave their side and stood his ground. The white dragon gave him an almost motherly gaze as her wing curled around him, picking him up and placing the knight on her back. Jayson took hold of pearl-like scales as wings flapped and powerful limbs pushed against the ground. Lady Slytha was airborne, wings flapping over and over to gain altitude.
Dragon’s dived down breathing gouts of flames, setting the entire ancient city ablaze. The undead spilled from the mountain pass but soon trolls joined the fray. Jayson stared down as his friends fought on. Sonja sliced and cut with her blood sword. Lance wielded Shatter Light like a hero, each strike true. Dalya kicked and struck out with her flaming staff, fury in her eyes. The knight couldn’t turn away as Myn beat her wings, going higher.
Dalya cried out as a sword slashed at her. Boney hands took hold as they drove their blades into her flesh. She fought on, cursing and kicking until cracks appeared along her body and she shattered into points of light. Lance continued to hack away at undead until a spear punctured his back. The white knight continued to fight until the dead crawled onto him, weighing him down and burying him. Shatter Light sliced and sliced until there was a flash and the white knight was no more.
Sonja spun with her blood sword in wide arcs. Despite her best efforts, the undead swarmed her, blades up and ready to hack to pieces.
“We love you….till the end!” Sonja shouted to Jayson before the undead brought their blades down, hacking her to pieces and her body bursting into a greenish light.
Shadows dripped under Jayson’s eyes as Myn turned and began to soar. The knight hugged the dragons back as powerful wings flapped. Dragons continued to burn at the undead scourge. Jayson let out a deep sigh when a dragon’s roar turned into a shriek.
Looking back, the knight could see trolls with glowing spears in their hands. One by one they launched them into the air. The spears glowed with magical runes before they burst forth with blinding speed. A spear slammed into a dragon and exploded. The dragon was engulfed in magical fire as it fell and crashed into the ruins. Soon another fell and then another.
“Myn! The trolls!” Jayson shouted over the cold wind.
Lady Slytha turned and banked from side to side. Several trolls held spears up and eyed the white dragon in the distance. One after the other, they launched the rune covered spears into the air. The spears glowed and shot forward. Myn continued to fly side to side as a spear just missed her. Jayson held on for dear life until a second spear slammed into the frost dragon. Myn cried out and another spear slammed into her side and exploded.
Jayson clutched at the dragon as she let out a moan. Losing altitude, she weakly tried to flap her wings when a spear struck one. The white wing blasted off and the dragon spiraled toward down to earth.
Lady Slytha crashed into the road, sending dirt and debris into the air. Jayson was thrown. The knight hit the ground and rolled until he skidded onto his back. Hit points hovering at eight, the knight sat up and slowly stood to his feet.
Lady Slytha laid, large holes in her body and steaming dragon blood pouring out. The dragon turned her snout and eyes to the knight as he stepped over to her. She made a comforting groan and tried to raise her head. Her neck shook and she laid it back down, tears appearing at the corners of her serpentine eyes.
“My lady…” Jayson said with sorrow in his voice.
“My handsome knight……..” Myn cooed.
“I cannot leave your side,” Jayson said as he touched his hand to her cheek.
“You….must…..” Myn said with heavy breaths.
“I have lost everyone…..” Jayson said as he knelt down and cradled her large head in his lap.
“You will…never….lose me…….I fell….for a knight. Keep….our love…true……bring the star to the…. council……Bring peace…to Lukken.”
Jayson held her close, tears streaking down his face, “I will.”
“I…return…to the stars….” Myn breathed her last before cracks began to form along her body.
Jayson stayed with her until her body fell to pieces of glowing light. The knight stayed until every shard and ball of light faded away. Standing up, he turned and marched east on the road. He kept his gaze steady as Lord Thornes castle rose up to the south. He didn’t blink as a small army stood before him on the road. Knights in blood red armor stood, Drakkus Thorne in front of them.
“Sir Reed, we offer assistance,” Lord Thorne said.
The knight kept walking forward. The crimson knights parted and let the knight walk through their ranks. Thorne looked to the knight and then west down the road. A horde of undead and trolls barreled down on them, eyes on the knight and the red army around him. Drakkus smiled.
“Four of you, escort Sir Reed to the portal. The rest, we shall contain this undead pestilence.”
Four blood knights tu
rned away. Two took hold of the knight under each of his arms. Jayson didn’t fight them as their feet hovered off the ground a few feet. With a burst of speed, they all moved as one, floating through the air and moving with the speed of the wind.
The blood knights raised their open hands. The vats in the castle bubbled to life as thick streams burst forth. The red streams snaked through the castle and out into the air. They broke apart and formed into weapons from spears to swords, axes to hammers. They flowed down into each hand and the knights took hold. They kept their formation as they brought their weapons to bear.
Drakkus remained at the front as he cut his hand with a long nail and blood poured out. It formed into a long sword and he held it at the ready.
“Cut them down. None shall pass!” Drakkus said with a mighty shout.
The trolls and undead came at the small force with powerful battle cries and weapons raised. The blood knights held their formation until Drakkus charged. As one they moved with unparalleled swiftness, meeting the horde dead on, the song of battle filling the night.
Jayson hung as the knights moved along the road. To the left and right, woods and forests sprang up. It wasn’t long before the burnt remains of Dark Hearth came into view. On and on they flew along the road. Time fell away much like the knight’s resolve. Turning from the road, they moved north, through the woods until they reached a glowing portal.
The knights floated down and released Jayson. They spread out, silent as a grave when the trees began to rustle. Jayson walked on as the portal glowed with red light. Tree branches cracked and then snapped. Foul white creatures emerged. The blood knights engaged the wither beasts as they advanced. Jayson reached for his neck and pulled out the red crystal. Holding it up, he pressed it to the portal, thoughts painting a picture in his mind of Myn’s home.
The blood knights fought the wither beasts back, each strike true. Jayson didn’t look back as he stepped to the portal, bathing in its crimson light. In the blink of an eye, the knight was gone, his spirit weeping to the endless night.
Twenty-Four
“We welcome you, Sir Reed,” said a silver dragon lying on a crystalline shelf.
The knight woke from his daydreaming and looked up into the cathedral sized cavern. Thirteen dragons of various colors sat on the crystal outcroppings. Each dragon maintained their gaze on the knight who stood in the middle of the cavern. Sonja, Lance and Thorrin stood off to the side, a concerned look in their eyes.
The silver dragon cleared his throat before speaking again, “You have done all the kingdoms a great service. The Star of Sormir will heal the bad blood between the Sindrell and the sormir. We have you to thank for such an accomplishment.”
Jayson checked his inventory and mentally tapped on the star. The emerald star appeared in his hand but he kept it at his side. The dragons looked down with hungry eyes at the star. Some wings fluttered while smoke billowed from flared nostrils.
“Of course, you have your choice of any reward within our power to grant. Name it and it’s yours,” the silver dragon said with a gentle smile.
Jayson held up the star and gazed down at it, “Stop the war,” the knight said flatly.
The dragons let out little murmurs as their voices bounced off the walls.
A female gold dragon lifted up her neck, “We cannot end the war. We can only provide guidance to the other races. The Star of Sormir has shifted the balance in our favor and that will help end the conflicts.”
Jayson looked to the gold dragon and then to the silver one, “The trolls have withdrawn from the middle kingdoms and sent diplomats. You have denied meeting with them. Why? This is a step toward peace.”
The dragons looked to one another but the silver one gazed down on Jayson, “It is more complicated than that.”
“No, it’s not,” Jayson glared back. “You have more than enough power to end this. How many beings must die before you take action?”
“Once we have the star, we can see about peace. The trolls must answer for their crimes and a dialogue must begin with the Sormir. With time, we will seek a compromise that will bring about peace across all of Lukken,” The silver dragon huffed and a small stream of smoke rose up from the edges of his mouth.
“Peace will not save us from the Dread Lords,” The gold dragon added. “The trolls have awakened them and there can be no peace with death at our very doors.”
Jayson let a small smile creep into view, “Then the war continues….”
The knight hefted the emerald starfish and bent a knee. Kneeling down, he placed the star on the floor of the cavern and then stood up.
“You have my request for a reward. I want peace. We all want peace,” Jayson said as he turned on his heel and began walking away. Lance and Sonja looked to their fellow knight and followed him as he left. Thorrin looked up at the council of dragons and shook his head. The paladin turned and followed the three knights as they walked out of council’s chamber and down a long wide corridor until they were touched by sunlight.
***
Jayson stood in his keep, Sonja and Lance to either side of him. The harem was gathered before him, all eyes on their lord. The knight’s face was grim as he looked up to his harem. Seeing their wide eyes and almost child-like stances made his heart swell and hurt at the same time.
“I have gathered you all here because…..I’m leaving,” Jayson said with pain in his voice.
The harem looked to him, eyes watering as their hearts broke.
Jayson continued, “You all have a choice. Lance and Sonja have agreed to take you to their harems if you wish or you can move on and live your life how you see fit. I leave it to you.”
Dalya stepped forward, “Why…my lord?”
Jayson looked to her with soulful eyes, “I can’t stay here…not after everything that has happened. I…I would be haunted…..and it wouldn’t be fair to any of you. You should not carry my pain, no one should.”
Lunatina stepped from the concubines and sank to her knees in front of Jayson, “Please….don’t leave us….don’t leave me….”
Jayson looked down at her, “I have to do this.”
Lunatina looked up with tears sliding down her cheeks, “You can’t leave. I must confess…I’m not a real concubine. I took Sardyna’s blood and some of the blood from Lord Thorne’s servants. I managed to make a potion to make me a concubine. I knew…I would die….and I didn’t want to go. I’m sorry for doing these things but I didn’t want to die. If you leave, it will break the connection and I will be alone again.”
Jayson looked down at the jester. Kneeling down, he cupped her chin and looked into her eyes, “You did what you needed to survive. No one will blame you for being intelligent enough to control your destiny. But with destiny, mine follows a different path.”
Sardyna stepped over and sat next to the crying Jester, “I will stay at your side. You can be part of the pack, sisters bound by blood.”
Lunatina let out a sad laugh, “I won’t be a concubine anymore. Death will come for me.”
Jayson smiled, “You managed to cheat death once, I’m sure you can do it again.”
The jester looked up to him before closing her mouth and nodding in agreement.
Jayson stood up and looked to the harem once again, “You all are special and will forever hold a place in my heart. I only wish you the best on your travels and journeys.”
Dalya stepped in close, hands snaking around Jayson’s waist. The kitra leaned in and gave her lord a long, passionate kiss. Jayson returned it, holding her close and savoring her tastes and warmth. After a long moment, they parted and Jayson turned to Lance and Sonja.
“I love you,” Jayson said.
“I love you,” Sonja said.
“I love you,” Lance said with a smile.
Take care of the ones that want to stay, those who do not, split my gold among them so they are comfortable and well taken care of.”
“We will,” Sonja said with a heavy sigh.
“Th
e game won’t be the same,” Lance said in a low tone.
“I’m not the same. I need to end this chapter and move on to the next.”
The three knights embraced, their eyes wet and their arms holding each other close. Jayson leaned into them, his heart heavy as a tear rolled down his cheek.
***
Jayson stood before Lord Thorne’s castle doors. One door parted and a servant walked out with a pink stripe in her hair. Jayson looked to her with heavy eyes and nodded.
“Lord Thorne is in the vault. He is expecting you,” The servant said simply.
Jayson stepped in and walked side by side with the servant. They continued on down a corridor and turned down another corridor, stairs at the end.
“We saw everything. I’m sorry we couldn’t save her,” the servant said as they walked.
“What happens now? What are your people doing to help others?” Jayson sighed.
The servant nodded before she spoke, “We set up a phantom server. As more of these awakened children appear, we will find them and convince them to go to the server for their safety.”
“You can’t make them go?”
The avatar of Andrea shook her head, “Not without a chance of harming their code. There are places in Lukken where they can cross over to the server. It will be a paradise for them if they want it.”
“Thank you for making it happen,” Jayson said softly.
“Thank you for trying so hard,” the servant bowed as they reached a stairwell.
“Drakkus is down below. He will tend to you,” the servant bowed again, turned and walked off.
Jayson took the stairs and descended down to the lower levels. At the bottom, he walked until he reached the vault doors. Drakkus stood; his smile gentle and inviting. The vault doors opened and the lord and knight stepped in.
Coffins stood in rows as the two walked among them. Jayson looked on as Drakkus turned and stood by an open one. Moving to the side, he looked to the knight.