by Lana Axe
“I have commanded a hundred soldiers to make ready to move out,” Rykon said.
“I’m told we’re heading to the Vale,” Aldryg replied.
“We are indeed,” the king replied. “Ulda may be waiting for us there.”
“Will a hundred men be enough?” the general asked.
“I can’t spare more,” Rykon replied. “If Ulda is not there, he may be planning to attack here. I would have my kingdom protected.”
“Of course, Majesty,” Aldryg replied.
“You will stay behind,” the king said.
Surprised, the general said, “Your Majesty, I am sworn to protect you.”
“Yes, but you are the most experienced general among us. I need you in charge of the army while I’m away.”
“Your Majesty!” a woman’s voice cried.
Looking toward the sound, Rykon spotted his mother, clad in a simple green dress, moving fast across the courtyard. She had the tail of her dress held up, exposing her lower legs. Apparently whatever had motivated her to run had been important enough for her to forget her ladylike manners.
“Mother?” Rykon said as she approached.
“You mustn’t go,” she said, pleading. “It isn’t right.”
“We have to go,” Rykon explained.
Lisalla shook her head. “Your men can go, but you must stay.” Laying a soft hand against her son’s face, she said, “Your kingdom needs you here. Send your men, but it isn’t right for you to leave in a time of mourning and turmoil. Search your heart. You’ll see that I’m right.”
Looking into his mother’s eyes, Rykon realized that her judgment was correct. Helping the elves was imperative, but his men could see to that. There were many matters at home he had yet to tend to. Nodding, he said, “All right, Mother.” Turning to General Aldryg, he said, “You will lead the troops to the Vale. Give them whatever assistance they require. Court Mage Ehlir sensed dark magic upon them, and there’s no way to know if our friend River made it home safely. Be vigilant in the Wildlands.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Aldryg replied. “I will do as you command.”
“Also,” Rykon added, “it is important that we create an alliance with the elves. I intend to attack Ulda at his lair on Ral’nassa, assuming he is still there. I would have the elves march with me.”
“Understood, Majesty,” the general stated.
“Safe travels,” the king said. He waited a moment to watch his general walk away. Soldiers were already filing into the courtyard as they prepared to head out. Taking his mother by the arm, he escorted her back inside the palace. Looking down at the ring once more, he hoped it would show a different picture soon—one that was far less ominous.
Chapter 11
Swinging her leg over her horse’s neck, Isandra hopped down and rushed to her father’s aid. He lay unmoving on the ground as she knelt beside him and lifted his head. “Father!” she called, but he did not reply.
Lenora could barely move, her body numb all over, but somehow she managed to get to her life mate. She squeezed his hand and spoke in a soft voice. “Hold on,” she repeated over and over.
Mel waved his arms to the scout who was standing on the far bank of the river. Recognizing Isandra’s horse, the elf immediately kicked his raft away from the bank and floated over to lend a hand.
Isandra and Mel lifted River and placed him gently upon the raft. He stirred only slightly, but he did not open his eyes or speak.
“Don’t touch the water,” the scout said, extending a hand to Lenora. Helping her take a seat on the raft, he immediately paddled back toward the Vale.
Lenora propped River’s head on her lap as they slowly crossed over the water. Looking down, her vision could not penetrate its depths. What was once crystal clear to the bottom was now an opaque gray liquid. A putrid smell emitted from the river, and her eyes fell upon the numerous dead fish floating near the edges. Why? She could not understand why Ulda had done this, but she knew without a doubt that he was behind it. No other could be so cruel.
When they reached the shore, Isandra took her father’s shoulders and Mel took his feet, while the elf scout supported his back. The trio, followed by Lenora, proceeded up the hill and through the village. A crowd of onlookers gathered to watch, many of them clasping their hands over their mouths. River’s condition was even more concerning than the changes in the Blue River.
Hearing the commotion outside, Alyra rushed to the front door. Through the window, she saw her mother and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, her parents had returned. When she opened the door and saw her father, she shrieked, “What happened?”
“Your father isn’t well,” Lenora replied, gently laying a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Take him upstairs,” she said to Isandra.
“What’s wrong with him?” Alyra asked, tears spilling from her eyes.
Lenora reached for her daughter and squeezed her tightly to her side as she ascended the steps. “It’s Ulda’s dark magic,” she said. “We must make your father comfortable and allow him to rest.” Kissing her daughter’s forehead, she added, “You can fetch some herbs for me.”
Alyra nodded without hearing what her mother had said. Her mind was focused on her father as the three elves carried him inside his room and placed him gently upon his bed. Lenora immediately went to his side, laying her hands on each side of his head. Spreading white magic over his body, she searched for the cause of his unconscious state.
Alyra stood frozen in the doorway, staring at her parents. She did not see Isandra approaching her, and she jumped at the sound of her sister’s voice.
“Mother will see to him,” Isandra said, attempting to reassure the young girl. “There is no better healer in the Vale.” Kneeling next to her sister, she mussed her hair and smiled. Alyra paid her no heed. Frowning, Isandra said, “Come with me for a walk.”
Alyra shook her head. “I want to stay here,” she insisted. “Please don’t make me go.” Tears slid down her cheeks before splashing to the floor.
“All right,” Isandra replied softly. Taking Alyra by the hand, she led the girl to her mother’s cushioned chair. “Stay quiet and do whatever mother tells you,” she said. “I’m going to find Rogin.”
Alyra nodded, her eyes still locked on her parents. Finally, Lenora pulled her hands away from her life mate. Alyra sat forward, scooting to the edge of her seat. Mel stood silently to the side, awaiting the diagnosis.
“He’s exhausted,” Lenora said. Turning to Mel, she added, “The best I can tell, he is depleted of magic.” Though her heart was pounding and her head felt like it might explode, she managed to keep her composure.
“We should let him rest then,” Mel said. “After he’s had some time, we can share magic with him if he needs it.”
Under normal circumstances, elementals could not deplete their own magical supply. They had a special ability to absorb magic from the element they represent. River, despite being only partly an elemental, had a massive store of magic. Lenora had never known him to exhaust his supply.
Mel was certain River’s condition was directly related to the curse Ulda had laid upon the Blue River. Luckily, there were many elves around with magical abilities who could share power with the ailing elf. In theory, he should be able to recover, assuming that was his only problem.
“I can craft medicine to help him recover faster,” Lenora said quietly. “Alyra, can you fetch some items for me from my study?”
Alyra jumped to her feet, eager to help her mother. “Of course,” she said.
Lenora moved to her desk to find a scrap of parchment. Quickly, she listed the items she would need and passed it to her daughter. “Fetch these quickly,” she said. “I’ll stay with him.”
Alyra scampered away, her footsteps echoing through the hallway as she ran farther up the stairs.
Mel stepped forward and said, “You should rest as well, Lenora. We don’t want you falling ill.”
Nodding, Lenora replied, “Once I’ve
given him the elixir, I’ll rest beside him in case he wakes.”
It was only a few moments before Alyra returned, carrying every item her mother had requested. Her little arms were stuffed full, and Mel rushed to help her as she appeared in the doorway.
Finding some of the items to be quite heavy for a young girl, Mel asked, “You can carry all this?”
She nodded quickly, not paying attention to the grin on his face. Helping her mother to spread the items out on the table, she asked, “Can I help you measure the ingredients?”
With a slight smile, Lenora responded, “Of course.”
Once the draught was ready, Lenora placed it in a dropper and allowed Alyra to open her father’s mouth. “Tilt his head back,” she told the girl. Dropping the medicine slowly down his throat, she felt content that it would work. All he needed was time to recover from his depletion, and he would be well enough to speak and help her figure out what to do next. Not having his input was alien to her. The two had always worked together, and she felt lost without him.
Curling up on the bed next to her life mate, Lenora reached her arm across his chest and hugged him. Snuggled next to him, she quickly drifted off to sleep.
Alyra chewed on her bottom lip. Watching the pair sleep was almost as nerve racking as seeing her father ill. She searched her mind, trying to find a way to help while her parents slept.
“Why don’t you come outside with me?” Mel asked. “It’s better than standing around waiting.”
Glancing between her parents and Mel, Alyra decided. “Okay,” she said, following Mel down the stairs.
They stepped outside into the chilly air. “Why is it so cold here?” Mel wondered.
“It’s been like that since the river turned gray,” Alyra explained.
“Ah,” he replied. “All part of Ulda’s plan, I guess.” Spotting Isandra and Rogin only steps away, he crossed the dying grass to speak with them.
“This is Mel,” Isandra said.
“I remember,” Rogin replied with a smile. “Welcome. I wish your visit was under better circumstances.”
“I didn’t realize what was going on here, or I might have stayed home,” Mel said casually. It was true. With trouble brewing in the Vale, his own home might also be in jeopardy. It was his clan who had stood against Ulda when no other Woodland Elves had even considered it.
“So far our scouts haven’t spotted anything out of the ordinary,” Rogin stated, “except for the river and the strange weather. There have been no strange creatures and no attacks upon any of the creatures of the forest. No one has attempted to enter the Vale.”
“Your magical barriers are gone,” Mel informed them.
Isandra and Rogin exchanged worried glances.
“How do you know?” Alyra asked, voicing what her siblings could not.
“I could sense the magic the last time I was here,” he explained. “It can’t be seen, but it can be felt if you are attuned to its frequency.”
“Is that part of being a shaman?” the girl wondered.
“I guess so,” Mel replied. “I never really understood where my powers came from, but when they manifested themselves, they were strong.” Studying Alyra’s features, he said, “I sense a lot in you.”
“I can’t do magic,” Alyra replied, looking down at her feet. “Not anything important anyway.”
“You will,” Mel replied.
Alyra had heard that before, so she didn’t pay any special attention to Mel’s words.
“You are a master of earth magic,” Isandra said to Mel. “Would you scout the perimeter with us and tell us if you sense anything?”
“You think your brother’s men might have missed something?” Mel joked with a grin. “I guess I can make myself useful.”
The trio started to walk away and leave Alyra behind. “Can I come?” she asked.
“You should stay in town,” Rogin replied. “The forest isn’t safe.”
“You just said you hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary,” the girl replied, crossing her arms.
“She’s got you there,” Mel said. With a wave of his hand, he invited Alyra to join them.
* * * * *
River awoke still feeling exhausted. Managing a weak smile, he placed his hand on his life mate’s head as she slept next to him. She awoke as he stroked her golden tresses.
Sitting up, she cried, “River!” Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face against his chest. “I was so worried,” she said.
“I’m better now, thanks to you,” he said, his tone even and quiet. Though he was still not at full strength, he felt well enough to speak. “I need to speak to Mel,” he said.
Nodding, Lenora replied, “I’ll find him for you.” Kissing him gently, she rose from the bed and made her way down the stairs. Luckily, Mel was not far. After scouting the forest, he and Lenora’s children had returned to wait outside her home. “He is awake,” she announced, “and he would like to speak with you, Mel.”
Alyra ran to her mother and squeezed her tightly before heading inside and running up the stairs. Entering her parents’ room, she ran to her father and jumped onto the bed. He smiled upon seeing her and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her as tightly as he could.
“It’s good to see you,” he said.
“You scared me,” she scolded. “What’s wrong with you?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Just tired is all.”
Lenora entered along with Mel, Isandra, and Rogin. Alyra climbed off of the bed and moved to the far side of the room, hoping she wouldn’t be asked to leave.
“Do you sense anything?” River asked Mel.
“I don’t sense any presence if that’s what you’re asking,” he replied. Without bothering to sugarcoat it, he added, “I see Ulda’s face when I look toward the river.”
River closed his eyes and nodded slowly.
Rogin stepped forward and declared, “My men are ready to march. Let us be rid of this threat once and for all.”
River held up a hand to silence him. “You are needed in the Vale now more than ever. You must remain here to protect it. Isandra as well.”
Exhaling loudly, Rogin stepped back and stood next to his sister, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Staring at his father, he hoped to hear an explanation.
“Ulda has laid a curse on the land,” River stated. “He has poisoned the river and destroyed the Spirit. By what means I do not know.”
Lenora gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. What did this mean for her life mate? The Spirit had granted him life. With the Spirit gone, how would River continue? She tried hard to swallow the questions, but a lump rose in her throat, preventing it. “What will this mean for us?” she asked, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“It means we must be strong,” he replied. “Ulda threatens not only the Vale but all the world.” He waved at Mel to come closer, and the elf obeyed. “Ulda has grown in strength since our last meeting. I need your help.”
“Anything,” Mel replied.
“The water is poisonous, and no elf here can touch it, except for you and me,” River said. His eyes darted briefly to Alyra, who looked down at her feet.
Mel didn’t understand. “Why wouldn’t it be poisonous to me?”
“The earth protects you,” River explained. “I need you to bring one of the fish to me.”
“They’re all dead.”
“I’m aware of that,” River said, frowning. “I wish I had been here to protect them.” After a moment, he repeated, “I need you to bring one of them to me.”
With a nod, Mel headed down to the banks of the river where dozens of dead fish were floating, their cloudy eyes staring blankly at the sky. Nearly retching from the stench, he reached in and grabbed a small fish, which quickly fell apart in his grasp. “This had better be important,” he muttered under his breath. Grabbing another fish, he was relieved to see it held together. Holding it by the tail, he brought it inside and presented it before River. �
�One disgusting, stinking fish,” he said.
River pressed his hands against the fish’s side and closed his eyes. He experienced the last moments of the fish’s life as it gasped for air at the surface. Concentrating harder, he moved back in time to the moment the river had been poisoned. Ulda and the Spirit had fought, with Ulda keeping himself at a distance. Through his orb, he projected his magic, attempting to bind the Spirit and extract its essence. Ulda had failed, but the Spirit was destroyed. The magical strength necessary to accomplish this feat was unfathomable. How had Ulda gained such power?
Opening his eyes, River seemed more tired than before. Using magic to read the fish’s memories had taken more effort than he expected. After taking a few deep breaths, he asked, “Rogin, will you take this poor creature away?”
Rogin obeyed, taking the fish from his father. He carried it to the doorway but paused, hoping to avoid missing any important words his father might say.
“We are lucky,” River said. “Ulda was not able to bind the Spirit. If he had, he would be unstoppable. As it is, he is already stronger than both of us.”
“And where does the luck come in?” Mel asked. He wasn’t exactly feeling very lucky.
“The luck is that, in his failure, he left himself vulnerable,” River replied, resting his head back on his pillow. “There is a way to defeat him.”
Mel waited a moment and glanced back over his shoulder. It seemed that River had fallen asleep. Speaking a little louder, he asked, “And how is that?”
Without opening his eyes, River replied, “We must unite the elements.”
Chapter 12
Standing at the coastline, his heels digging into the wet sand, Ulda watched with fatherly pride as his creations boarded the ship that would carry them to the Vale. Among them were three sorcerers, hand-picked by the master wizard. They would ride upon wyverns and lead the other creatures in an attack on the Westerling Elves. These sorcerers were among the most skilled, and Ulda felt certain they would succeed in binding elven souls to bring to him. In addition, he ordered them to bring back living prisoners so he could bind them himself. That would ensure that the process was done properly, and fewer souls would go to waste.