Landis’ horse stopped at the foot of the crossing, unwilling to go any nearer to the fire that raged at this end of the natural bridge. Landis desperately wanted to break through the barrier of flames separating him from Jandelie but found the task impossible. He dismounted and moved to the downriver side of the ledge and could see Jandelie backing away from the barely visible being looming over her. He watched helplessly as Jandelie swung her sword frantically at the creature with no success. Landis rushed back to his horse and grabbed his bow and the four green fletched arrows that were sticking out of his saddlebag. He returned to the ledge and readied his bow, taking aim at the nearly invisible monster that threatened Jandelie.
“Careful!” Natis warned as he came up behind the half-elf. “That is a Shadowbeast!”
“I don’t care what it is. Tell me how to kill it!” His eyes never strayed from the creature as he watched it close in on Jandelie.
“Normal weapons will not harm it, Landis. It does not live on just one plane of existence.”
“This is no ordinary weapon.” Landis spat, releasing the arrow and reaching for another in one fluid motion. The arrow flew true, striking the creature full in the back, but it passed through flying harmlessly over the edge. Still, the Shadowbeast’s head flung back as it screamed in pain from the arrow. Then it lunged for its intended target, digging one clawed hand into Jandelie’s forearm. She let loose a blood-curdling cry as the chilling cold claw dug deeper into her skin.
Landis turned away from the grizzly scene. He looked to Natis, his eyes pleading with the mage for help.
“I am sorry, Landis. There is nothing I can do for her.”
“Don’t you mean; nothing that you will do?” He shot back.
“You do not understand,” Natis retorted. “That is a Shadowbeast. It does not simply hunt down others for sport. It is too powerful for that. It had to have been summoned by someone. My guess is that one of the snow-elves back in Sedau sent it. It is probably after the Pearls. The unfortunate person who holds them is merely the Shadowbeast’s reward. If I could save her I would. But nothing I can do will save her. I would only kill Jandelie before killing that creature. Once robbed of her life it would then come for me.”
Landis looked at him with growing fear. “You mean...”
Natis did not have to hear the rest of the question. “Yes, Landis, once dead, the Shadowbeast will possess her spirit. Jandelie’s body would then become a monster just like the one that is trying to kill her. She will have no rest.” His voice trailed off in sadness.
Landis turned back around to see the Shadowbeast lifting Jandelie off the ground. She hung back over the ledge on the far side of the crossway, the beast’s left hand now buried deep into her right shoulder holding her in place. It raised its right, taloned hand, preparing to strike the final blow. Landis could see the blurred image of Jandelie’s limp form through the near transparent creature. Readying his bow once more, Landis hoped to move faster than the monster. If it was true that he could not save Jandelie from death, then at least he could save her from eternal suffering: Even if it meant risking his own life in the process. Landis aimed his bow, ignoring the tears that were forming in his eyes as he did so.
“Forgive me.” He whispered as he let the arrow fly.
Jandelie hung helpless in the Shadowbeast’s grasp. The pain in her body had vanished, replaced by a sense of numbness that spread throughout her very being. She could no longer move to defend herself. The monster’s right hand moved closer to her; its claws outstretched in what she knew would be the fatal blow. She tried to prepare to receive the strike. Suddenly her right shoulder was wracked in pain. At the same time the creature’s head rolled back and it too screamed in agony, involuntarily releasing its grip on her body. She saw the green fetched arrow that was the cause of her sudden release as it jutted from her shoulder. Jandelie continued to fall back and away from the threatening creature. As she fell, Jandelie caught a brief glimpse beyond the Shadowbeast. She could see Landis standing across the expanse. The sight lasted only a second. Jandelie closed her eyes to focus on Landis’ face as she fell beyond the safety of the stony ledge leaving nothing between her and the waiting river far below.
She did not scream as she fell.
The Shadowbeast raged in anger. As it roared, the magical fire blocking the natural bridge vanished. Seeing the Shadowbeast looking down at the scattered belongings that Jandelie had dropped, Landis acted on instinct alone. He ran onto the bridge towards the creature.
“Landis no!” Natis called, running after the half-elf. The others did not wait and rushed onto the bridge following them both. No one wanted to face the Shadowbeast, but none of them were willing to allow Landis to do it alone.
The creature turned around to face Landis; instinctively knowing that this was the mortal who had stolen his reward. Anger filled it to the core as it prepared to strike at the half-elf. But Landis was not intending to attack the Shadowbeast at present. Instead he leapt through the air beyond where the mystical creature stood and rolled past it, coming to rest alongside the Sword of Alexon. Landis grabbed the magical weapon and sprung to his feet in one motion.
“Let’s see if this is powerful enough to stop you.” He challenged.
As the Shadowbeast pounced upon Landis, the half-elf dropped low and thrust the sword up into the Shadowbeast’s midsection. He felt the blade meet with resistance as it stabbed the alien being. The monster howled in agony as the enchanted blade sliced into it like no normal weapon. The Shadowbeast staggered backwards and Landis followed, going on the offensive. He stabbed at the Shadowbeast three times, striking home with each thrust as the creature continued to cry out in pain. Then Landis swung the blade, slicing into the Shadowbeast’s neck. The Shadowbeast let loose one final cry then disintegrated before their eyes.
Landis dropped the sword of Alexon and rushed to the edge of the crossway, standing closer than any human would have dared as he looked down into the rushing waters below.
* * * * *
The eight riders led their horses across the natural bridge then mounted and rode as fast as they dared along the northern side of the Birhirmian River. They rode in silence, speaking only when necessary as they continued on. With only seven horses two of them had to team up, so Natis had agreed to ride behind Jaylen. After riding for another hour or more, they decided to stop and give the horses a rest. Jaylen had reminded them that the animals had been driven all night by him in order to catch up with the rest of them. And if they wanted to use the animals to put as much ground between them and the orcs as possible then they had better let them rest a while.
When they had ridden down out of the hills to where they were now on grass along the shoreline of the Birhirmian River they had agreed to stop. Here the horses could be watered and they could all try to get some much needed rest. As the sun began to rise they could see clearly up into the hillside and would have plenty of warning in the unlikely event that the orcs caught up with them.
Landis walked over to stand beside the river. He had not spoken a word since they had left the place where he had been forced to shoot Jandelie in order to save her from eternal damnation, which Natis assured him would have resulted had the Shadowbeast been successful in taking her life. He withdrew his wooden flute from his leggings and sat down at the river’s edge. Raising the flute to his lips with both hands he began playing a mournful tune. Everyone stopped what they were doing as the half-elf played. The woeful melody struck each of the men. Even the hard-hearted Konik could not prevent the solitary tear that rolled down his cheek into his thick beard. Everything else was quiet; it was as if even the birds refused to make their usual morning sounds as Landis’ grief filled the forest, mingling with the sound of the rippling water that passed at his feet. His audience listened in respectful silence as Landis played his farewell ode to Jandelie Nightingale.
When the half-elf finished, he stood up and looked out over the flowing river. Then he looked at his flute—a gift f
rom Jandelie several years earlier—and with tear filled eyes he tossed the wooden flute as far out into the water as possible, watching it splash into the river and begin swiftly floating downstream.
Chapter 14
Seven worn-out horses bearing eight weary riders rode into the city of Birhirm after a tiring four-day return trip from Sedau. The companions had wasted little time, riding the horses as far as they dared between rest periods to ensure that they did not have to worry about any continued pursuit from behind, and avoiding any possible further encounter with the snow-elves or their allies on the road back. They were now within the safety of Birhirm, and King Jobez welcomed the surviving members of this team heartily. The King had been sorry to learn of the deaths of Alek Jarobohim and Jandelie Nightingale. But he was more than pleased with the results of their actions. He also promised to send soldiers to Sedau to seek out and remove any remaining orcs and snow-elves.
None of them understood why Petra had not greeted them outside in the courtyard; especially when this venture, and those who paid their lives to complete it, was on her behalf. Upon being escorted into the palace they found the Princess waiting impatiently for them. Seeing her cousin, Landis, and having already learned the news of his loss, Petra rushed to meet him and held him tightly.
“I am so sorry, Landis.” She told him, feeling partly to blame for this. In addition to losing her father, Petra now felt that there were three lives lost on her behalf: Monica, Jandelie and Alek.
“I am sorry for your loss as well.” She said to Jordan as she released her cousin and gave the squire a welcoming a hug. “And I thank all of you for what you have done to help me.”
It did not go unnoticed to anyone that she did not greet her intended husband with even a casual embrace.
Landis held the Sword of Alexon before him. “I believe that this is yours.”
Petra accepted the sword that had once belonged to her ancestor. Holding it she felt the loss of those who had died while she sat comfortably in Birhirm waiting for it to be hand carried to her. This has been paid for with blood, she thought silently as she looked over the enchanted weapon.
“We have had problems here at home while you were away.” Jobez informed them. “There was an assassination attempt on Petra’s life.”
“By who?” Jaylen and Jordan both asked simultaneously.
The King quickly provided the known details of the attempt to murder Petra, explaining with evident agitation that they had not yet captured the culprit. “But my Network has been able to provide me some information.” Jobez continued, “It seems that someone has placed a very large price on Petra’s pretty head with the Stalker’s Guild.”
Everyone recognized the nickname taken on by the assassin’s guild in the Westland.
“I believe that you may know the assassin who has been contracted to make sure that the task is carried out, Landis.” The King informed the half-elf. “His name is Diabolis.”
Landis grimaced. “I know him all too well, King Jobez.”
Petra glared at her cousin in disbelief. “You know the man who tried to kill me?”
“We were partners once,” Landis explained, “Diabolis, Jandelie and I were together in Roole.” Landis’ voice became more melancholy at the mention of Jandelie’s name.
“The three of us left the Eastland together several years ago after having a falling out of sorts with the wrong people. We eventually parted ways and I have not seen him for a few years now.”
Jobez’s face showed no change of expression as Landis spoke, making the half-elf believe that the man had already known most—if not all—of the information he had just provided. “It appears that Diabolis is quite resourceful and has an impressive success rate, according to reports. And he has the ability to strike in what would otherwise be deemed pretty secure areas, which gives me concern for Petra’s trip back home to Alexon.”
“We can send her home with a full escort of armed soldiers.” Eric suggested.
“That would do well if we were talking about brigands,” Jaylen replied, “But we are talking about trained assassins with crossbows waiting in the woods along the road. They would have access to her carriage in many places, and she will have to step outside several times along the trip.”
Landis agreed, “And there are many ways to kill someone without using an arrow.”
“Precisely my point,” Jobez concurred, “Even in a large group of knights, if he knows where Petra is then he has a chance to get to her.”
“You know the man, what would you suggest?” Trevor Kahn asked of Landis.
“It is not as much my knowing him as his knowing me,” Landis began, “so I need to figure out what he thinks I would do and alter that.
“He would not fall for a decoy as that is just too obvious. If we send a carriage out under escort he will have it followed and wait to see if another leaves. He will then cover both of them if he has the manpower—and I can assure you that he does—He may simply wait at a few obvious stopping points and take everyone in both.”
“You fill me with such hope.” Petra said as she listened to Landis.
“Just thinking out loud, Petra,” Landis smirked, “we want to get you home in one piece. Have you ever visited Chio?”
Jobez actually looked offended at the question, “Why would a royal princess ever visit that forsaken shantytown?” He said of the Free City that lie northeast of Birhirm near the center of an outlying territory bordering Alexon, but having no tie to any kingdom. Chio was a small town with a lawless reputation and generally survived on the desire for people to seek out vices that were often forbidden—or at least kept well hidden—in other nearby places.
“That is precisely my point,” Landis began, “Not even Diabolis would think that we would allow the fine young, innocent, Princess of Alexon to visit some piss-hole like Chio, where her life might be in danger and her royal senses would definitely be offended. But if we can take her up the road leading in that direction we could probably go through Chio and then head west to Aeth while Diabolis is either following decoys or believing that she is still hiding here in Birhirm.”
“But how do we get her out of the city without his spies discovering our ruse.” Jaylen inquired of his son, admiring how the young half-elf’s mind worked, and realizing that his son’s misspent youth may have helped provide more of an education than the elder elf had ever thought possible.
Jobez’s thumb rested on his chin as his forefinger tapped his cheek, a trait that the king had always absentmindedly done while deep in thought. “I am planning on sending soldiers to Sedau, Perhaps they could help escort Petra’s chariot and armed escort until the soldiers have to turn off to head to Sedau. Petra and her protective detail could go with them and then head up the northeastern passage to Chio.”
“But the spies will follow the carriage.” Weslocke objected.
“And the carriage will continue going north up the Kings Road as planned. Petra will be riding horseback with the soldiers.”
“The Princess will ride to Chio?” Jordan was appalled at the idea.
“Why not?” Petra asked, “I have been riding since I was a little girl.”
Landis looked the princess over, noticing just how feminine and how beautiful the blond haired sixteen-year-old was. “We would have to do something to disguise her. Put her in some baggy uniform and tie her hair back; perhaps a hooded riding coat. And put her in the middle of us. If anyone sees her face the deception will be over immediately.”
Petra grinned, “Just what every young woman wants to hear, a bunch of men deciding how to make them uglier and unnoticeable.”
“Weslocke thumbed the blade of his axe, “Sounds like a good enough plan, as long as you have a well trained team to protect the Princess. And I believe that this band of misfits has proven our ability to succeed after what we have been through. So when do we leave?”
Jobez looked down at the dwarf, “I am afraid that you will not be going. I have need of your services h
ere at home. However, I would ask that the rest of you go with Petra, Eric included.”
The dwarf muttered something under his breath that was ignored by the King of Birhirm.
Trevor Kahn, who had been listening to the details with interest, addressed the King, “Konik and I are more than willing to act as protectors for the Princess. However, I can go only as far as the border of the Kingdom of Alexon. I was banished from all kingdom lands after being stripped of my knighthood. And I will not violate the laws of Alexon. Konik can continue on, but I will turn back once we reach the border.”
“Nonsense,” Petra spoke up, “You are acting on behalf of the future Queen of Alexon. You will enter the kingdom as my guest, and once I am on the throne I will reverse your banishment.”
Trevor stepped in front of Petra, removing his sword from its sheath he knelt on one knee and presented his sword to her, laying it across both of his upturned palms. “Then I am at your service, Princess.”
“When should we leave?” Jaylen asked.
“The sooner the better,” Jobez answered, “We do not want to give the Stalkers any more time than necessary to prepare. Tonight I will send riders with a coded message to Aeth informing them of our plan. The Knights of Alexon at the Aeth Garrison can send knights to meet you at the border when you come from Chio. Tomorrow we can have the first decoy carriage ride out of the city under armed escort and followed by the soldiers heading to Sedau: Of which you all will be traveling in the rear. I seriously doubt that anyone will follow your progress once the soldiers turn and march east. So when you break off and head towards Chio you should be safe from discovery.
Elf Lords: 01 - Pearls of the Elf Lords Page 11