At River's End

by Lana Axe

  Mel startled slightly at the sound of her voice in his head. With a sigh, he ignored her words.

  The trio climbed aboard the raft and sat comfortably as it floated along the current. There were no fish to speak of, but dragonflies had returned to buzz the top of the water. As they continued farther downstream, the water once again became murky.

  “I guess our spell couldn’t reach this far,” Mel commented.

  “At least the water is safe in the Vale,” River said. “I doubt anyone could cleanse the entire river with Ulda still living.”

  “That brings up another question,” Mel said. “Are we going to kill him, trap his essence, or what?”

  River stared off into the distance. “He must be destroyed.”

  Kaiya peered down into the murky water and bravely stuck in a hand. “It’s not poisonous here,” she commented. “It’s just filthy.” Sniffing at her fingers, she regretted having touched the water.

  “The poison had one purpose,” River replied. “It was not needed away from the Vale.”

  Kaiya understood. The Spirit had been Ulda’s target, and this remaining filth was just an aftereffect. Sensing a great feeling of loss emanating from River, she closed her mind to his pain to avoid being overwhelmed. “We will make this right,” she said sincerely.

  Silently they floated, seemingly for hours, as the weather became colder from winter’s chill. No birds were around, and a large section of forest had been cleared back, creating a path through the woods to a tall stone tower standing in the distance.

  “Amazing,” Mel said, pointing to a section of water near the bank. A portion of the river had been cleared and was teeming with life, while all around it flowed the murky water of Ulda’s curse.

  “Even a fire elemental needs water,” Kaiya said, chuckling.

  “Yes,” River replied. “Telorithan has need of the same nourishment as anyone else.”

  “He cleared this section alone?” Mel asked out loud. It had taken both him and Kaiya together to clear the section near the Vale, and there were still no living fish. Somehow, Telorithan had managed alone what they could not achieve together.

  “He has had more years to perfect his art than both of you together,” River explained. Willing the raft to obey him, he moved it to the bank where the three companions could step up onto dry land. As they stepped away, the raft sank into the depths.

  Mel’s brow wrinkled with worry as he watched the raft slip away.

  “I will have the strength to raise it again,” River said with a faint trace of a smile on his lips.

  “Is everyone reading my mind today?” Mel asked, agitated. “It’s getting a little old.”

  River and Kaiya exchanged glances. “It’s part of our nature,” Kaiya said. “Forgive us. We’ll be more guarded in the future.”

  The path beneath their feet remained green, but all around them were signs of winter. Obviously, Telorithan preferred the warmth of summer that graced his native land rather than the ever-changing climate he had come to live in. Despite traces of snow on the trees around them, the travelers stayed relatively warm.

  It was a few miles’ walk to the tower, and Mel enjoyed the duality of seasons around him. It was a trick he decided he must learn. If Kaiya and Telorithan were both capable of it, then he should be too. It could only help his people and the forest around them to be able to extend the growing season when necessary. He would not abuse the spell though. A period of winter was necessary for many of the plants to thrive. The cycle of death and rebirth must not be eliminated entirely as it seemed to be here in Telorithan’s territory.

  Only steps away from the tower, they were greeted by a bright flash of red-orange light. Upon the balcony of his spire, Telorithan stood above the travelers, his stark white hair riding gently on the breeze. Despite his advanced age, he appeared to be in his prime, with no lines or traces of a hard-lived life upon his face. His eyes a piercing blue, he gazed down upon his guests, a smirk gracing his lips.

  “River, I see you’ve kept your promise to visit me,” Telorithan said. “And you’ve brought friends.”

  “I have,” River replied, peering up at the sorcerer. “It is time you released the fire elemental.”

  Telorithan laughed. “I’m afraid I must decline.”

  “You’ve grown too comfortable,” River stated. “Lorith is waning.”

  The sorcerer’s demeanor changed, becoming more defensive. Straightening his back, the smile faded from his lips. His gaze pierced through Mel, causing the elf to shudder. Next, he looked at Kaiya, but found he could not penetrate her thoughts. Immediately, he knew she was the one who had defeated him in battle hundreds of years ago, when he had attempted to bind River’s essence. “You keep poor company, River,” he stated with disgust. “This one would have been eliminated long ago if I had the energy to spare on revenge.”

  Kaiya stepped forward, but River blocked her path with his hand. With his eyes, he beseeched her to ignore the comment. It was best to try appealing to his ego rather than risk a confrontation.

  “You will come with me,” River said. “The power that has taken Ral’nassa threatens us all. We need your help.”

  “You cannot command me to go anywhere,” Telorithan replied. “Your master is dead, and you lack the strength to coerce me.”

  Kaiya, unable to hold back any longer, stepped forward. “I bested you once, and I’ll do it again!” she shouted, raising her hands to strike.

  The sorcerer only laughed at her. “You can handle this problem on your own. Go and leave me in peace before I run out of patience.”

  “Let’s go,” Kaiya said. “We don’t need this coward.”

  “Master Ulda cannot be defeated without fire,” River reminded her. Turning back to the sorcerer, he said, “Lorith, you know we cannot do this without you. Help us.”

  At the repeated mention of his birth name, the sorcerer cringed. He had taken on the longer form when he became convinced he could bind the soul of a god. It was best to be named properly if one expected to become godlike. Lorith was the name given to him by his parents, who were too weak to defend themselves when the Grand Council had crushed their rebellion. It shamed him to be called by it.

  “He won’t do it because he’s too scared,” Kaiya said. “Forget him.” She turned as if to walk away.

  “Perhaps you’d like to prove you’re as powerful as you say,” Telorithan called to her. “You seem eager to prove your skill, but I warn you. I have not been idle all these years. You might find me a more challenging opponent than before.”

  “I have nothing to prove to you, coward,” she replied hotly. “I beat you once, and you still have the scars to show for it. You’re just hiding them behind one of your ‘aren’t I pretty’ enchantments.”

  “Lorith,” River called, “we need you. I know you’re still in there somewhere. Fire has consumed you, but you have not gone away entirely. This is your chance to be free. No longer will you live in the elemental’s grasp. Now you must control it, as it has controlled you for so long.” River knew the truth behind what Telorithan had done. Instead of binding the elemental to him, he had been overwhelmed by it—losing himself in the process. The two had been locked in internal combat, the elemental constantly besting the sorcerer. “Please help us,” River continued. “Put your torment to an end.” Closing his eyes, he projected a burst of blue light that hung in the air before Telorithan’s face.

  Several moments of silence passed as Telorithan contemplated River’s words, the blue light illuminating his tormented expression. “I am tired,” the sorcerer whispered to himself.

  Sensing the elf’s inner struggle, River spoke again. “You are not immune to Ulda’s evil,” he said. “In time, you will fall to his power as well. The only way to stop him is to join us.”

  Turning his thoughts to the sea, Telorithan stretched his mind to the shores of Ral’nassa. He had been aware of Ulda’s existence for some time, and he knew the elf wielded great power—possibly grea
ter than his own. But so far, he had remained untouched by Ulda’s schemes. After all, Telorithan was aware the sorcerer had learned from his own writings. In a way, Ulda was a protégé of Telorithan. Now, it seemed, the student had surpassed the master. Telorithan had never dreamed of mastering a fifth element. All he had craved was the strength of Yelaurad, the fire god.

  Born on the Sunswept Isles, Telorithan had long exceeded the lifespan of an Enlightened Elf. His body was beginning to age, despite his spells to make himself appear younger. The presence of the elemental within him had taken its toll, and he had grown weary of the constant struggle. One last fight to prove he could best the greatest living sorcerer was just what he needed.

  “It is time,” the sorcerer said. In a flash of red-orange light, he appeared on the ground next to his visitors. “I will go with you.”

  Chapter 19

  Standing at the forest’s edge, Lenora gave thanks to the Goddess. Her son’s life had been spared, and he was now recovering in the House of Medicine. Through her efforts, he had regained consciousness and spoken to his mother, filling her heart with great joy. Praising the Goddess for her mercy and kindness, Lenora offered a prayer of thanks that few lives had been lost. Only six elven lives and two Na’zorans had been lost to Ulda’s invasion force. However, one was too many, and Lenora wished she could spare their families the grieving they would have to endure.

  She stood motionless, her head bowed in reverence, as the bodies of the fallen were lifted and carried past her. May these souls find peace in the world to come, she whispered to the earth. The footfalls of the bearers moved silently through the forest, carrying home the elves who would wake no more. Lenora wept for her brothers and sisters. Though death only brought a release of the spirit into the next realm, it was painful to lose them in such a way. They should have had many years ahead of them. Knowing they had died to save those who could not fight—the children and the elderly—was of little comfort. Each loss was a heavy blow to her heart.

  Fluttering in a nearby tree caught Lenora’s attention, and she broke from her meditative state. A silver-skinned dryad emerged from her tree, taking careful steps over the grass to speak with Lenora.

  “A somber day,” the dryad said.

  “Indeed,” Lenora agreed, her throat slightly raspy. “You’re Dela, right?” The dryad was familiar to her, but not one she had ever known well.

  “I am,” Dela replied. “I have come to tell you that my sisters and I will not sleep again until the evil that threatens this land is destroyed. Your shaman has awakened us, even those of us who have slept for many long years.”

  Lenora had studied with the dryads in her youth, but as the centuries passed, there were fewer and fewer of the tree guardians awake in the forest. It was a sad loss, but one that Lenora had come to accept. The dryads had shaped the forests for millennia and had looked after its well-being since time began. They were eternal and had earned a period of rest.

  “Your help is most appreciated,” Lenora replied, managing a weak smile. The heaviness she felt inside would not allow more than that.

  “Go in peace, Sister,” the dryad said. “No more harm will come to your people.”

  Lenora nodded her head and turned to face her village. The dryads could do only so much. With the armies preparing to march for Ral’nassa, Lenora knew that harm would likely come to many of those who faced battle. The dryads could protect only the forested side of the Vale, not those who would be leaving it.

  Moving back through the village, Lenora noticed her daughter pointing and shouting orders to the troops who would soon depart for war. Isandra carried herself with such dignity and strength, Lenora could not help but be proud. Though she had chosen a more difficult route than her mother, Isandra was a brave soul and worthy of great respect. Lenora wished only for the safe return of her beloved child.

  Approaching her daughter, Lenora said, “How soon will you be leaving?”

  “I want to be ready when Father returns,” Isandra stated, her eyes still locked on the troops who were filing into formation.

  Lenora looked away, wringing her hands. So many had gathered, which meant few would be left to guard the Vale. Even with the dryads protecting her home, Lenora felt uneasy. She knew she had no skills for battle, but those under her care would need protection. With luck, many of the injured soldiers would be back on their feet before trouble could find them again.

  “How is Rogin?” Isandra asked, startling Lenora out of her worrying.

  “He’s better,” she replied. “I expect he’ll be up and around in a matter of days.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Isandra replied. “I’m sorry he won’t be able to come with us. He will be missed.”

  Lenora looked over the regiments that stood before her daughter. “It looks like they’re more than willing to follow your lead in his stead.”

  Isandra nodded. “They are brave warriors. They will fight to avenge their fallen comrades.”

  “Thirsting for vengeance will only lead them to ruin,” Lenora cautioned. “Have them fight instead for the safety of the families they leave behind.”

  Dipping her head, Isandra acknowledged the wisdom in her mother’s words.

  “How go your preparations?” Aldryg asked as he made his way to the women.

  “We are nearly ready,” Isandra replied. “Shall we prepare the bodies of your fallen to be returned to Na’zora?”

  Shaking his head, the general replied, “No. Leave them to the forest. It is as beautiful a place as any to rest.”

  “No harm will ever come to them again,” Lenora said softly.

  “How are your patients?” he inquired.

  “Healing well,” she replied. “We are fortunate more were not lost.”

  “There may be more death yet to come in this battle,” Aldryg said.

  “Nevertheless, we must go,” Isandra stated, looking at her mother.

  Lenora offered no argument. She knew it was imperative that Ulda be stopped, but it pained her to see the faces of her kinsmen who might not be returning. With her own daughter and life mate among the troops, she could do little more than pray to the Forest Goddess for their safety.

  At the edge of her vision, Lenora spied River returning to the village. At his side strode Kaiya, an expression of satisfaction on her face. Mel walked a few steps behind them, his demeanor casual, as always. What she saw next sent a chill down her spine. Slowly following behind the others was Telorithan, his mere presence bringing a darkness to the Vale that left Lenora feeling unsettled. The white-haired sorcerer kept a distance between himself and the others, his eyes scanning the area as if he were hatching a plan. Lenora did not trust him.

  Telorithan ignored her gaze, as well as ignoring the rest of the elves in the village. Keeping only himself as company, he leaned lazily against the trunk of a wide silver tree and crossed his arms, his expression one of boredom.

  River approached Lenora, his features softening as he came closer to her. Her face showed concern as she continually glanced over at the sorcerer.

  “Let him be,” River said. “He will not harm anyone here.”

  Kaiya couldn’t contain a laugh. “Not with me around anyway.”

  River turned to look at his companion. “I would ask you not to provoke him,” he said. “If he is angered, he might change his mind about helping us. There is a duality to him, and those two sides do not always agree. We need his help, and we will have it as long as we are careful when speaking to him.”

  Kaiya smirked but kept quiet. She had spoken her piece already, and she had little left to say to the sorcerer. Out of respect for River, she would cease her jibes at Telorithan’s expense. Ridding the world of Ulda was far more important. If that meant working with her enemy, she would do it.

  “How fares our son and the others who were injured?” River asked.

  “Much better than before,” Lenora replied. “We’ve lost no more lives, and our son will recover.”

  “That
is good to hear,” he said. “We must leave soon, and Rogin will be needed to protect this land.”

  “I’m not sure he’ll be in fighting shape so quickly,” Lenora stated.

  “Whether he’s back on his feet in a day or a month, he will always be needed to protect the Vale,” River replied.

  “The dryads will continue to look over this place while we’re gone,” Mel added, hoping to ease Lenora’s fears. “The Vale won’t be left unprotected.”

  “He’s right,” Kaiya agreed. “And anything approaching from the east will run into us.” She was well aware that River’s spells of protection had fallen when the Spirit died. There was no magic to protect the Vale on its eastern border. “I can lay down a few spells before I leave as well.”

  “That’s much appreciated,” Lenora said with a half-smile. “It will bring some comfort to those who are staying behind.” Looking around, it seemed as if the vast majority of elves would be marching off to battle. Few were staying behind who were capable of providing any defense.

  “Maybe you should see if Telorithan wants to put down some protection spells too,” Mel suggested with a grin.

  Kaiya pursed her lips and remained silent.

  “It’s best to leave him alone,” River replied.

  Mel shrugged, wondering why no one had a sense of humor about the situation. It was better to laugh than fall apart worrying.

  “The army is nearly ready,” River said. Taking Lenora’s hand, he asked, “Would you talk with me a while before we depart?”

  “Of course,” she replied.

  The pair walked away from the commotion in town, heading toward the riverbank just outside their home. A large weeping willow stood tall near the water, a silver bench sitting at its base. Here they had spent many long hours discussing various matters throughout their lives together. The sound of the waterfall drowned out the noise of the village, and it gave them the sense that they were the only two people left in the world.

  Lenora sat next to her life mate and leaned her head against his chest. It pained her greatly to think of him leaving. Seldom had they been parted over the centuries.