by Ben Hale
"What can you tell me about the Allegian Trial?" Tess asked.
Alydian bowed her head. "Siarra knows the most about your request." The ancient oracle disappeared as another took her place.
This time Siarra was dressed in warrior attire. Form fitting armor hugged her body and a sword clung to her back. Her blond hair had just begun to silver, indicating that she was older when she'd made this entry. The resemblance to the statue in the Tryton's World Room was flawless.
"The Allegian Trial," Siarra began, "is one of the most brutal methods of execution that I have witnessed. It is a wonder to me that dark elf criminals would ever risk their life in such a one-sided combat. This is due to the inherent danger of facing a black reaver."
"Why are they so dangerous?" Tess asked.
Siarra's expression had become a frown. "Most see a reaver and assume they are lethal brutes, when in fact the opposite is true. They are as intelligent as a dragon, and just as dangerous. It is fortunate that those in the wild have no desire to interact with any race. They prefer to live in solitude and raise their young. Trapped and forced into the Trial, they have never been defeated."
"I have no other way to win the trust of the dark elves," Tess said. Then she had a thought. "Could you have survived the Trial?"
Siarra regarded her for a long moment. "If I may be honest, I was endowed with a great deal of power in the individual magics. On even footing I would be confident in my survival—but the Trial is not designed such."
"What do you mean?" Tess asked.
"Prior to the Trial they give the reaver a taste of blood."
Tess felt the ice of dread fill her, causing her to swallow. The queen had said that in the trial she faced herself. That left only one answer. Praying for another, she couldn't stop the question from escaping her lips.
"Whose blood?"
Siarra's bright blue eyes bored into her.
"Yours."
Tess closed her eyes. What had she done? Had she really signed her death away? No, a spark of anger flared within her. This is who she was. There had to be a way to win. She opened her eyes to find Siarra still present.
"How do you know so much about the Trial?"
"I witnessed a friend go through it."
"And did they survive?"
Siarra flashed a soft smile. "He did, but then, he was always known as the cheater of death."
"Who was he?"
"My companion for life," Siarra said. "He was a thief by the name of Jack Myst. His skill for his craft was only surpassed by his devotion to me."
"You married a thief?" Tess asked in surprise.
The image of Siarra sighed. "To the contempt of my people, I did."
"Why would they feel that way?"
"Because we did not have an oracle child," Siarra replied. "All in our line were joined to a mage with supreme talent, allowing an oracle to be born. I chose to join for love, and the line was broken. Thus the guidance of an oracle was taken from this world."
The sadness to her gaze struck Tess hard, and her thoughts shifted to Derek. If they got married and had a child . . . she jerked her head. The thought of a future with him was both exciting and frightening. She shoved it aside and focused on the problem at hand.
"How did he fight the black reaver?"
"He didn't," Siarra said, and her smile widened. "The reaver never caught him."
Tess released a breath. "So I should run?"
Siarra's gaze drilled into Tess. "If you know what is coming, you will not have to."
Chapter 20: The Black Reaver
Tess closed the book and sought to use her farsight. Tired and worried, her magic was slow in coming. Eventually she caught a glimpse of herself standing before a terrifying creature. Her form bloodied and broken, she raised a hand to it . . .
The disturbing sight caused her to return to the present. Subsequent efforts failed her, so she gave up and lay down. In spite of her fatigue she slept little, and awoke more tired than before. Before exiting her room she tried to gather more information from other oracles, but none had more to share than Siarra. Prior to Siarra's time the dark elves had been reclusive, and did not share their history with outsiders.
Tess rubbed her skull in a vain attempt to soften the pain as she rose and dressed. Stepping from the room she found Robar seated at the table picking food from a tray. He pointedly ignored her while she took a seat across from him. The food was foreign to her, but she selected a bulbous fruit and took a bite. To her surprise it tasted sweet, but she could not place what it resembled.
"Are you set on this?" Robar finally asked.
Tess gave a curt nod. Robar sighed and put down the spiral fruit he'd been chewing on.
"I spoke to the guards this morning," he said, "and they told me about the three individuals that have survived the Allegian Trial."
"And?"
"One was an oddly popular thief from the surface who was caught stealing from the queen's own treasury. The second was a woman who had been accused of being a traitor. The third was the only man to ever become king of the dark elves."
Tess guessed the first was Siarra's husband, but was curious about the others. "They had a king?" she asked.
He nodded. "What's important to us is that all three have something in common. During the trial they didn't try to engage the reaver, but instead they evaded combat until time expired."
Just like Siarra said. "How long is that?"
"Until the corin drops," he said. "Don't ask me what a corin is, because I don't know, but it's about twenty minutes."
"I have to run for twenty minutes?"
He grimaced. "There's more. They take your blood before the trial, and give it to the reaver." He said it with a note of triumph. When she didn't answer, he frowned and continued. "You will face a creature with all of your magic from the start, making it stronger, faster, and far more deadly than you."
"I know."
"There's still time—wait, you know? And you're still doing this?"
"I have to," she said.
He folded his arms, his face rigid. Ultimately he ground his teeth together and relented. "When I was in the SEALs we were trained to hit hard and kill the enemy before they knew we were there. Then we would exfiltrate faster than they could catch us. In both cases momentum is what kept us alive. Forget any pride and run."
"I plan to," Tess said, and meant it.
"Then you should take a look at the arena." He gestured to the balcony.
Curious, Tess rose to her feet and strode to the overlook. Her eyes widened as she saw that the view had changed. Between the spines of Elsurund a platform had appeared. Even at two hundred feet across the round arena appeared tiny between the gigantic stalactites. Attached by large shimmering chains, the platform was placed so that nearly all of the spines had a side facing it.
The surface of the platform climbed and twisted in complicated patterns, creating a labyrinth of overlooks, twisting pathways, and places of recess. Stunted mushrooms and small streams of water coursed through it. Sources for other types of magic were scattered throughout, giving any mage an equal chance.
And it wasn't just prepared for mages. Even from her position Tess could see that the Trial was littered with weapons. Swords, axes, and blades she couldn't identify hung throughout the arena. No one entered the Trial without something to fight with.
The sight caused Tess's heart to tighten. She'd counted on the idea that she would have an advantage over her predecessors. How many had died inside this maze? She shuddered at the answer.
The door behind them swung open. Tess and Robar turned to find Shirrilis entering with Eidian at her side. Each gave a short bow before the dark elf captain spoke.
"We have come to deliver you to your Trial," Shirrilis exclaimed.
"You did not have to come personally," Tess replied.
"We asked for this duty," Eidian said. "That is what allies do, is it not?"
Tess smiled at that. "They do."
Robar
muttered under his breath. "Allies wouldn't let a friend get herself killed."
"You speak the truth," Shirrilis exclaimed. "But we cannot undo what has been done. Please come with us, Tess."
Tess took a step toward them but Robar put a hand in front of her. She raised an eyebrow to him, but he stepped to the table and picked up one of the spiral fruits. Then he handed it to her.
"It tastes awful, but it has more to it than steak. It will keep you from tiring."
"Robar is wise," Eidian said, and then smiled. "And honest. It does not please the mouth."
Tess took a bite and gagged. "How do you know all this about the dark elves?"
"I told you, I liked to read. I wasn't just a soldier, you know. Now take another bite."
Tess did, and again forced it down. It burned like fire on the way to her stomach, and warmed her core. The texture was like chunky milk, while the taste was like moldy bread. She almost threw up, but Robar forced her to finish. Feeling sick, she fell into step behind the two dark elves, mentally cursing him.
They strode through the curving walls of the spine until they reached a bridge that took them to another spine. By the time they reached it Tess had begun to feel better. Ten minutes later they reached a small balcony that overlooked the arena. The nausea had almost passed, and she could feel a surge of strength in her limbs.
"Thanks for the breakfast," she murmured to Robar.
"Don't die on me," he replied.
Before she could answer the queen herself floated out from a much higher balcony. Standing on top of a glowing disc, she glided to the center above the arena.
"Citizens of Deep," she called.
Her magically amplified voice echoed throughout the city, eliciting a swell of noise. Tess looked up to find that every ledge, balcony, street, and bridge was lined with dark elves. Nearly every member of the city had turned out to witness the Trial.
"The Oracle has come below seeking our aid," the queen said, and raised a hand to the citizens. "As young as she is she has volunteered to face the Allegian Trial to gain our trust. If she succeeds she will be one of our own, and I pledge to accept her into my own house."
A murmur swept the crowd, but the queen had already begun to descend. A moment later she alighted next to Tess.
"I have done all I can for you," she said. "Now you must survive to prove your loyalty to them." She nodded to a guard standing in the corner.
Dressed in a ceremonial robe of crimson, he unsheathed an odd sword with a channel down the center. He took a step forward and raised it to Tess. "Step forward."
She raised her head and stepped within reach of the blade, whereupon he placed the tip against the inside of her elbow. She kept herself rigid as it pierced her flesh.
"The blood of the pledge, willingly given," he intoned.
Her blood leaked onto the tip of the sword, darkening the weapon.
"The energy of the soul, freely offered."
When the blood reached halfway he removed it, and passed a hand over the wound, closing it with a touch of magic.
"The demon within, stands to be slain."
He handed the sword to another guard, who departed with the weapon. Then he retreated to the shadows. The queen nodded to Tess and then glided to her own balcony. From there she raised her hands.
"This woman has pledged her life to us," she said, her voice rising. "Her demon will prove her."
The ledge they were on began to push out from the wall and came to a halt above the arena. Tess was motioned forward. She stepped into the air and floated down to one of the rock structures of the arena. Her graceful entrance drew a murmur of praise from the onlookers. Then a second ledge began to extend towards the arena. For the first time Tess got a look at her adversary, and what she saw chilled her blood.
Her vision had failed to capture the aura of menace that the creature exuded. Like an armored lion, it trembled in rage as it sought to break free of the bonds that bound it. Its spines clinked like rusty chains. Angular and sharp, they grew from its neck, back, and flanks. Its legs and neck bore shackles of pure black, indicating anti-magic enchantments, and they alone kept it from moving.
A guard eased up the creatures flank and extended the sword to it. The reaver yanked against the chains, nearly impaling the guard. As the guard recoiled the reaver caught the end of the sword in its jaws and snapped it in half. Then it tossed the broken weapon away. The hilt tumbled into the Well of Shadow, drawing a cheer from the onlookers.
It tipped its head back and sucked in air. The bonds shook as it released a blast of fire like dragon's breath. With Tess's magic coursing through its body, it yanked against the bonds as they began to widen. One by one they clacked open, and the black reaver leapt into the labyrinth. Its snarl of anticipation echoed and re-echoed throughout Elsurund. The queen lifted her hand and dropped a small, fluttering object.
"The Allegian Trial has begun . . ."
Chapter 21: The Allegian Trial
Tess leapt into the air and flew above the arena, gathering fire in her palms. As much as she wanted to stay away from the reaver, she needed to know where it was first. The rustle of its spines drew her attention to the side, and she retreated in the opposite direction. Then she recalled what Siarra had said about their intelligence—and threw herself sideways.
From directly below her position the reaver launched itself upward. Instead of the reaver catching her in its jaws its spines grazed her side, drawing blood across her shirt, arm, and legs. She sucked in her breath and dived into the labyrinth. The ground vibrated as the reaver landed behind her. She added a speed spell and raced down a curving hall. At the end she whirled and slapped her hands together.
The corridor's walls closed, and the impact sent a rumble through the arena. She turned and darted away, but looked back when the barrier shattered. The reaver had plowed through a foot of solid rock like it was made of cotton. Chunks of wall pummeled her back as she accelerated once more.
She passed an axe on the wall and used her magic to lift it free. Spinning again she sent it hurling backwards. The reaver darted to the side—but reached up and picked it clean from the air. Shocked, Tess slowed as the black reaver lifted itself onto its haunches and rolled its shoulders back. Equally as comfortable on its hind legs, it now stood like a man hefting the weapon. Quick as lightning it hurled it back at her.
Instinct saved her as she flinched to the side. Cleaved by the spinning axe, some of her hair drifted to the ground as she sped away. The reaver dropped to all fours and came after her. The rustle of its spines and a low snarl resounded throughout the labyrinth. Then suddenly it went deathly quiet.
Tess didn't slow, but glanced back in time to see that the reaver had leapt above the twisting corridors and was flying. It dropped into a dive at the same time as she closed the rock above her head. It exploded from the impact of the armored creature, and the reaver landed where she'd been.
Ten feet away she unleashed a massive blast of fire. The reaver spun and opened its maw. A jet of pure cold streaked out, erasing her fire and closing on her form. Shivering, she stumbled away, fighting to stay moving. She pulled heat from the air to warm herself as she went, and desperately tried to stay ahead. The reaver's heavy footfalls closed the gap.
She turned a sharp corner and hugged the wall. Then she grasped the corner and wrapped the stone around her like a sheet on a bed. The reaver turned the corner and skidded to a stop. Tess held her breath as it began to sniff, searching for its quarry.
Tess had fought the Dark, her mother, and countless others, but had never felt such fear. Listening to the reaver prowling outside her slim barrier was a living nightmare. She was terrified, and her whole body trembled with the desire to move. It took all her willpower to wait. If she moved now the creature was too close, and it would tear her to shreds before she could move away.
The footfalls drifted away, and she tentatively eased a gap—but the barrier slammed into her. She pushed back with every ounce of strength she
possessed. The reaver was stronger than her, but Tess had desperation and a wall of rock at her back. Failing to crush her, the reaver tore into the barrier with its jaws.
Rock crumbled under the assault, and in seconds a gap formed. She tried to draw on the surrounding stone to seal it, but couldn't do so fast enough. Through the widening hole Tess could see the steel tipped teeth tearing into the rock, and felt several cut into her arms as she braced against it.
Another tooth cut into her arm, and she cried out. The pain brought a surge of anger. Gathering all of her magic, she sent a massive blast of energy at the reaver. The fractured barrier shattered and the creature was launched into the opposite wall. Rock crunched as it impacted. It fell to its feet and rose to its full stature. Its bellow of rage sent Tess bolting away.
"Don't let it trap you!" Robar bellowed.
Tess could barely hear him over the din from the onlookers. Thousands of shouting voices reverberated throughout the city, and yet could eliminate the sinister clanking of the reaver's spines.
She dived past a mushroom the size of a car. The reaver's strike missed her by inches, and the spikes on its arm cleaved the mushroom's stalk in half. It toppled behind them. Tess didn't have time to look.
She flew into the air, and the reaver followed suit, faster and more nimble. She raised a sheet of water from a stream and the reaver altered her spell and sent it back at her. She ducked, and then cast a tornado charm. A sickening understanding filled her when the reaver lunged right through it, undeterred by the shrieking wind.
Tess could not stay ahead forever. It was evident at every step, every desperate dodge. She was cut and bleeding from a dozen wounds. How long until her reflexes failed her? How long had already passed? She didn't want to risk looking, but did. Her heart sank as she saw that the timer had not even reached halfway. She cast a pair of fire hydras at her flanks, but a moment later they turned on her.
Gasping for breath, trembling in pain, she willed herself to keep running. It was her only hope, her sole chance of survival. The Allegian Trial was exactly what Robar had said, a battle against one's own demon. Born with massive strength and speed, protected by armor, and empowered by Tess's blood, the black reaver could not be defeated.