by Doug Backus
Deke was staring at himself in a mirror. His eyes were black, his face was expressionless. A tall looming figure stood behind him. It was Solharn. His hand was resting on Deke’s shoulder, his finger stretched out toward the mirror pointing seemingly at him. Deke looked harder at his image. He looked inside himself and he found himself wanting, lusting for power. It was an uncontrollable urge; he needed it. A smile formed on his face as he began to realize what could be his. He wanted it and reached out for it. It was almost in his grasp when the mirror shattered. Shards of glass flew through the air toward him in slow motion. He tried to grab the pieces one by one as his body jettisoned back through the air.
He awoke to see his friends by his side. For several minutes their hollow voices echoed in his ears, but he couldn’t understand what they were saying. As seconds turned into minutes, he began to understand their reassuring words. Sitting up he looked toward the shroud. It remained undisturbed with Elissa still entombed within it.
“Deke, are you ok?” Deo asked.
“What happened?”
“The shroud began to pull you into it, draining you of your energy. It had the same effect on Mary. Delca found a mirror amongst the Phits’ treasures and placed it between you and the shroud. It redirected the light that the amulet emitted and broke the hold that the shroud held over you and Mary.”
Deke stood up. He could see that the other three were feeling as dejected as he was. They all realized that they did not possess the power, or the knowledge to free the person that they were meant to save.
“If the amulet won’t free her, then what will? Have we come all this way only to find that we can’t break the curse that holds Elissa hostage?” Deke screamed in anger.
“There must be another way, Deke,” Deo reasoned.
“What other way, Deo? Mary, Delca, have you any ideas?” he asked.
“Deke, did Kiran say anything to you before she...”
“Before she died to save me, Mary? Isn’t that what you wanted to say?” Deke harshly snapped at her before continuing. “No, she didn’t. We didn’t have the luxury of spending too much time together. She told you everything, but then it wasn’t you, was it? It was Delca or Solharn or whatever! It makes no difference! We don’t know if she had the answers and she’s not here to help us, is she?”
Deke stared at his three friends. Delca was hugging Mary who was sobbing. Deo just turned and walked away without saying a word. Deke had no idea where his anger had come from. What was happening to him, he asked himself. This step back was not their fault and they certainly did not deserve the brunt of his unexpected anger.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” Deke said. “I know you’re as frustrated as I am. I just wish that she was here, Kiran, I mean. Anyway, there is no excuse. Please accept...”
Deo cut Deke off. “There is no need for a second apology. We are all friends, here to accomplish the same thing. We just have to put our heads together and figure it out. If...”
“Quiet,” Mary loudly whispered interrupting Deo.
Heeding Mary’s warning, the four instantly paused, listening intently. A low whistling noise could be heard, not unlike a light gust of wind. It was steadily becoming louder. They looked toward the stairs, readying themselves for whatever was coming. A low dim light that cascaded a blue glow on the walls of the cavern grew ever so slightly. They stood in silence in the middle of the room. There was nowhere else for them to go while they waited and wondered if this would finally be the end of their quest.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The wind howled and dark clouds moved in extinguishing what was left of the sunlight. It made the afternoon hours appear as if they had been vanquished by the dusk.
Every now and then brief flashes of light broke through the darkness as great branches of lightning boomed down from the clouds. The bolts appeared to strike the top of the mountains as the storm slowly crept over them.
Phanthus saw it first. Solharn’s army had chosen that moment to attack. Ralcriff charged from below followed by troops of Kaltaures. Legions of Phits flew in the sky above them, supporting them as they converged on the ground troops with impunity. Their army was overwhelmingly huge in comparison.
Phanthus took to the skies immediately and came in behind the Phits. News of Phanthus’s sudden change of allegiance had obviously not made it back to them, for when they saw the dragon they rejoiced in the thought that they had just gained a huge advantage.
With Phanthus at their side they were inspired. Inspired that they, the Phits, could end the battle quickly and revel in the glory of it all. With their renewed confidence and a little encouragement from Phanthus, they veered from their original path and headed straight for the cliffs where the Pegapires and the Lealians still stood watching down upon the ground troops.
Excitement took over their common sense as they came within striking distance of the seemingly unaware Pegapires. They dropped their guard in their feeble effort to become heroes. They were sure they would soon bathe in Solharn’s rewards once they delivered the blow that would end Queen Elissa’s empire forever.
The Phits were so consumed with the desire for glory they failed to think it strange that the Pegapires had still not moved, even as they began to descend toward them from above. They failed to comprehend, as one normally would, that this was just far too easy.
The Phits were almost upon them. Their thirst for power and riches had blinded them. It was a blindness that would ever so slowly dissipate though, one that would allow them to see again and see they did. They watched as the Pegapires split their ranks, not flying but running, half to the east and the other half to the west. They were not engaging them but running away. It was only then that they saw again and with their new found sight came logic and reasoning. There was something wrong. Even they knew that Pegapires and Lealians would never run from a fight. Even when facing death, they would take it in stride.
The Phits were right in their reasoning, but it was too late to avoid the trap in which they found themselves. They could see the ground below them suddenly light up as the air around them became warmer. It was as if the sun was rising in the morning, casting its glow and warmth upon them. But it was not sunlight that was rapidly enveloping them. Their bodies ignited and fell upon the cliffs smoldering away. They had been outmaneuvered by Phanthus.
It had been Phanthus’ idea to use the Pegapire and Lealian army as bait to lure the Phits out over the cliffs and dispose of them there. He knew the Phit’s arrogance would take over whatever strategy they might have had. From the ground it appeared as if Phanthus had attacked the Pegapires; nobody could see the lifeless bodies of the Phits lying upon the cliffs. This would allow him to mount a second surprise attack on Solharn’s ground troops, lessening their enemies’ numbers even more.
Phanthus turned in the sky looking down upon Kaelyn and Issa. It was time and he quickly descended down the cliffs toward the front of Solharn’s battalion. The next phase of the plan was to take out as many Ralcriff as he could before they closed in on the ground troops.
Issa and Kaelyn took flight, followed by the rest of their army. “Stay to the edge of the cliffs. We do not want to be seen until we come up from behind them!” Kaelyn shouted.
This was it, the last battle for Rhol. They had come far and fought hard to come to this point. They could not afford to make any mistakes.
Ω
“I am surprised they don’t give up,” Abednego laughed when he saw Phanthus arrive. He was sure that the dragon was the help Solharn had told him to expect.
Abednego turned to his troops. He was already savoring the victory. His soldiers were feeling it too. He could see it in their eyes which were glowing a brilliant pearl with the impending excitement. The snakes that adorned every one of their massive heads swayed to and fro. Their forked tongues burst from their mouths every few seconds, reaching out into the air to taste what would soon be theirs.
Abednego rode upon his horse, up and do
wn the line of soldiers who obediently stood awaiting his instructions as the rain poured down upon them. The rain made the ground muddy and hard to walk on. They did not care. They had a taste in their mouth, a taste for blood. They would soon be able to gorge on the rotting bodies of the Rholians. The ones who were unlucky enough to survive would serve them their food. Serve them their own friends whom they had fought beside. They would have to watch as their comrades were devoured. Rhol would be theirs and the feeble creatures that inhabited it would be their slaves. They relished in the glory of what was to come.
“Once the Ralcriff descend upon these pathetic fools, we will follow and when we converge on what is left of their dwindling masses, we will show no mercy! We will strike out at them and force them to lie at our feet and beg for their lives. Spare nobody until that moment,” Abednego growled down to his troops.
They stood ready for his next command, drooling at the anticipation of the impending bloodshed, of anarchy. It was what they reveled in, what they lusted for. The promises that Solharn had filled their heads with. The promises of control, power and wealth had long since taken over their minds and their souls. They thought of nothing else.
Abednego turned to look at the Ralcriff fighting to break loose of the thick chains that held them back. Their lips were curled revealing their snarling ivory teeth, teeth that would soon be stained in the blood of battle. Their coarse poison filled manes stood at attention quivering slightly in anticipation. Saliva dripped from their jowls. Their hunger would no longer be hindered as Abednego released them upon Rhol.
Ω
Oisin and Orulla stood out front of their troops waiting. Their plan had worked, but not quite as they had envisioned it. The V formation was meant to draw a large portion of Solharn’s army, not the army in its entirety.
It forced them to make slight changes to their strategy. Kaelyn and Issa had long since left after discussing the new plan with them. They had both been shocked and both were somewhat suspicious when it was revealed that Phanthus now fought for their side. They feared that it was some sort of trap, but it had been Palto’s decision.
That was all they needed to know. Even if they had their doubts, they trusted Palto for he was the most highly regarded warrior in all of Rhol. Their warriors had long since fallen back from the V formation, and had been carefully instructed on when to act. Everything was in place and that was why they were waiting, looking up toward the cliffs.
“There he is,” Orulla said calmly to Oisin.
Oisin could see him now. Phanthus was descending from the cliffs toward the front of Solharn’s battalion. His massive wings cut through the rain and with the wind at his back he moved at a rapid pace. It would not take him long to reach his destination. Orulla must have come to the same conclusion for when Oisin turned to speak with her, she was already gone. He could see her at a distance briefing the archers, ensuring they knew when to strike the army with their arrows.
“When the fire bursts across the fields let your bows guide your arrows. The Kaltaures army will be trapped behind the fire. The other half of our army will be coming in behind them. When your arrows are gone, then and only then will we move up to the wall of fire.”
Oisin joined Orulla, once again taking his place upon her back. She walked toward the front lines while Oisin gave his last orders to the Rholians.
“The time is near. Rhol will once again be ours to live as we should live and to be as we should be. When the fire strikes the fields of Solace follow me, Rholians, and prepare yourself for the battle that will define your future.”
Ω
Phanthus could see that the Ralcriff had already been released. He would not be able to take them all out. The ground troops would have to deal with the stragglers.
Abednego was waving to him, signalling him to join him on the ground. Phanthus thought it a shame that he could not just extinguish Abednego’s life right then and there, but unlike most leaders his death would not do much to discourage his troops. The Kaltaures would replace him in an instant. They had no respect for anyone, including their own kind. Abednego would have to wait for another time. For now, the look of surprise on his face would have to suffice.
Phanthus flew at ground level toward the Ralcriff which had only managed to gain about fifty meters from where they had been released. Abednego suddenly stopped waving his hand, yet his arm remained frozen in the air. He was obviously confused, wondering why Phanthus was taking the path he was on.
Minutes later, Abednego found himself crawling back to his feet after being knocked to the ground from the waves of heat that had suddenly filled the air. He looked in disbelief at the wall of fire that stretched out along the plains in front of him. Burning balls of fire were running all over the place growling and snarling. Blinded by the fire that consumed them, the Ralcriff lost all sense of direction. Some were lucky and quickly ended their suffering as they ran into the Kaltaures’ ranks and were met with swords.
“Traitor!” Abednego yelled into the sky.
His words were cut short by his warriors suddenly dropping to the ground. Everywhere he looked, they fell. Hundreds of them splayed out upon the ground with arrows protruding from their lifeless bodies. He was incensed. The rest of his troops just milled about unorganized and in shock.
He screamed at his men. “Gather yourselves, you idiots! Attack! Attack!” he shrieked over and over again, but he too had lost control of his senses. There was nobody to attack. They could only see the fire that burned in front of them.
Realizing this, he yelled back again. “Prepare your shields, you fools! Return to your lines!” His men were scrambling. They tripped over their fellow warriors lying dead on the ground and fell into the mud in the panic of it all. His troops were in disarray. Abednego cursed looking at the fire burning in front of him. It was slowly dissipating. It was slowly revealing what was to come next as shadows suddenly became silhouettes, hundreds of them standing just to the other side of the flames.
He realized at that moment what was happening. “Ready yourselves!” he screamed and cowardly maneuvered his horse to the rear of his men. In the distance, he could see a Kruntulla madly swiping in the air at the very back of his battalion. He squinted in an effort to see what caused its strife. Pegapires and Lealians were attacking from the rear. They were surrounded. They had been betrayed by Phanthus and outsmarted by the armies of Rhol.
Ω
The Rholians were still outnumbered, but the odds had become drastically better. So far their strategy had worked. The ground troops could not have timed it better. Trapped with nowhere to go, hundreds of Kaltaures succumbed to the Orler arrows being fired in their direction.
The ground troops had lost several of their warriors to the hundred or so Ralcriff that had escaped Phanthus, but not one of them made it past the front line to the archers. Eventually, all of the Ralcriff had succumbed to the swords of the skilled warriors that fought them. When their arrows were depleted the Rholians moved in unison, and quickly realigned themselves in front of the wall of fire.
Once Issa’s scout had returned with the news that the ground troops were advancing, she and Kaelyn wasted no time. They led their warriors into the fight, attacking from the rear. Although they surprised Solharn’s forces, they too were met with an unexpected turn. A second battalion of Phits had been held back, and they now took to the air charging after Kaelyn’s warriors.
This posed a problem as they could not assist the ground troops. Even Phanthus was growing tired from fighting the Phits off. In addition, two Kruntulla were advancing and they were not an easy foe to stop.
On the ground, even though the Kaltaures were disorganized, they still posed a significant threat. While their swordsmanship paled in comparison to the Lealians’, their size and strength was much greater. Another unanticipated problem came from the Kaltaures’ soldiers who lay on the ground merely wounded. If their heart still beat, then so too did the snakes that grew from their heads. When a Lealian stepped too cl
ose to a wounded Kaltaures soldier they were bitten and injected with venom. Because of this, many Lealians were becoming ill and weak. In time they would succumb to the poison and die.
In the air, the Phits were slowly losing the battle, but it was far from over. The ground troops would not get their help any time soon. Becoming concerned, Oisin and Orulla took to the air to survey the ongoing battle. It did not look promising. The Kaltaures’ numbers were still far greater than the Lealian’s.
“Orulla, we are losing this battle. There are too many. We need help!” Oisin yelled.
“They had another battalion of Phits hidden in the ranks. The Pegapires have their hands full,” Orulla answered.
“What of Phanthus?”
“I don’t know. We will try to find him.”
Orulla flew as fast as her wings could carry her. The weather did not help. She was blinded by the pelting rain, and the wind currents made navigating next to impossible.
“Look out!” Oisin yelled.
Orulla swerved, narrowly missing a tree flying through the air toward them. “Where did that come from?” Oisin asked.
“The Kruntulla, more than likely.”
“There!” Oisin yelled.
In the distance they could see the mighty dragon. He was swarmed by Phits. Orulla moved in. As they drew near, they could see the Phits had been successful in severely damaging one of the dragon’s eyes, and were working on the other. Phanthus was struggling to escape them.
The Pegapires that had been assigned to fly alongside him following his second attack were no longer there.
“We have to help him, Orulla.”
Orulla swept by the nose of Phanthus drawing the attention of the Phits’. Oisin was able to drop two of them as they flew by. They converged on Orulla and Oisin which gave Phanthus the chance he needed. He gathered his strength and in one breath they were burned to ashes.