Lindon felt somewhat better about what he'd had to do. Following behind the Dwarfs, Lindon brought to mind what the Shade had said. “You have no idea what is to come. This is only the beginning. You may have saved the pitiful little Dwarfs today but be assured that we will hunt you all down and kill you all. The earth shaper and you, the magic shaper, may escape today, but we will find the nature and water shaper, and your prophecy will end.”
As Lindon thought about the words, a thought struck him. They don't know about Aina; that must mean they think she was somewhere else. The more he thought about it the more he remembered what she had said about the Elven home. They were forced to leave because they wanted to bring the magical barrier down and to join the other races, but that didn't make sense. Why would they turn on themselves, unless there was something or someone causing the division between the Elven people?
These masters that the shade mentioned must be the Merrow, and they think that the nature shaper must still be in the Elven homeland. If that's true, it just might give them the time they need to find the water shaper and the Dragons. Lindon was starting to believe the old Dwarven witch. There was definitely more going on in the world than just normal Human conflict. The fact that the shade also mentioned his masters, and the prophecy meant that there was the possibility that it was all true and an evil race was bent on the destruction of every living thing in the world.
The thought of it made Lindon shiver; again he asked, why him. What could he do in the face of such evil? Looking back over his shoulder toward the city and remembering what he had just done, the answer came to him. He can stop them anyway he could. He vowed to himself that he would, no matter what it would take.
Lindon and the party of Dwarven warriors arrived at Organack. “This is too close to the city; we cannot stay here,” Lindon said to Kailid.
“That will be up to the king,” he replied.
When they went into the cavern, Lindon was struck with the feeling of despair. The Dwarven people had suffered the loss of their home; how could he simply tell them they had to move on to someplace safer? The more he looked around at the Dwarfs and where they were, he realized they were just not safe here. Even with the collapsed tunnels, he had the feeling that before long, the enemy would be here to finish what they started.
“Donovan, where are you?” he mindspoke.
“We are just now arriving at Organack,” he answered.
“We must talk; it is not safe to stay here too long.”
“I agree, but let them rest for a bit; I will be with you soon.”
As Lindon waited for Donovan to arrive, there was a bit of a commotion among some of the Dwarfs. Not wanting to intrude, Lindon slowly made his was closer to see what was going on. As he got closer, he could see a Dwarf lying on the ground and some of the Dwarven healers were arguing about what to do with her. Lindon tried to get a better look at the injured Dwarf and when he caught sight of her, he rushed to her, pushing the Dwarven healers out of the way. Lying before him was the Dwarven woman who was hit with the axe that had been meant for him.
Lindon knelt beside her. “I am truly sorry,” he said to the poor woman. “It was meant for me.”
The injured Dwarf looked up at Lindon and whispered, “It is not your fault; these old bones don't move as fast as they used to.”
With a tear in his eyes from the kind words of the brave woman, he said, “I thank you for your words, but there is something I can do for you now—if you will allow me?”
The Dwarven female only nodded her head, not having any more strength to talk.
With her permission, he placed one hand above the wound and like he had done with Kailid in the caves before he brought the energy into his hands and pulled the axe out. When he pulled the axe out, she screamed in pain. The Dwarfs who were closest started protest that the Human was killing one of their own, but Kailid stepped beside Lindon. “Enough!' he bellowed. “Watch and see what happens.”
“He's going to kill her!” more shouted back.
“In the name of the king, shut it and watch!”
Lindon didn't hear what was being said, lost in the flow of the power he poured into the wound. When he had fist pulled the axe, blood spurted out; the more power he sent in, the more the wound closed. Flesh was mending; tendons and muscle were being stitched back together, but Lindon could do nothing about the blood loss.
With a gasp of exhaustion, Lindon fell back. “Her wound is healed, but she has lost a lot of blood.” He blacked out.
Chapter 16
When Lindon woke, he found himself on a litter being carried by two Dwarfs. When he sat up, the Dwarf stopped so he could stand. “Thank you,” he said to the two Dwarfs. “Do you know where I can find Donovan?” he asked.
“Yes, my lord, he is at the front of the line,” the Dwarf said.
“Where are we going?”
“You will have to ask his highness.”
“Okay, thank you again.”
Lindon started walking toward the front of the line of refugees. Seeing the look of despair on the faces of the Dwarfs as he passed them brought a lump to his throat. It wasn't right; these people didn't ask for this. This is what the old witch was talking about: If someone didn't fight, this would be the fate of everyone.
Donovan was talking to Kailid when Lindon approached. Not wanting to interrupt, Lindon hung back a little.
“Are you sure about this, Your Highness?” Lindon heard Kailid ask.
“Yes, Kailid, I am; I know you have a problem trusting an Elf—so did I at the beginning—but she has proven herself time and time again. If she believes the safest place for us right now is to join with her people and with this Aodhan, unless you have a better idea, that is where we will go.”
“No, Your Highness, I can't think of anywhere, but I just don't know...”
“Put your mind at ease Kailid; I trust her with my life.”
“But do you trust her with your people’s lives as well?”
Lindon wanted to step forward and defend Aina, but before he could, Donovan did it for him.
“Kailid, listen very closely, because this will be the only time I will tell you. Yes, I do trust her with our lives, all of us. You do not know everything and nor will you, but you will trust in me the same as you trusted in my father, understand. If it weren’t for her and Lindon, none of us would be here now. They risked their lives for our people when they didn't have to. Would you do the same for Elves or Humans? Not very many people would risk themselves for others who are not kin, but they did. They not only risked their lives, but they saved all of us!” Donovan was almost shouting at Kailid. He wanted all of his people to understand what Lindon and Aina had done for them.
Lindon decided it was time to make his presence known. Walking up to his friend, he said, “Be at peace, Donovan, Kailid was not doubting us. His concern is only for your people, as it should be.”
He turned to Kailid. “Where we are going is the only hope in finding people that will help us fight against the ones that attacked us. We cannot do it alone. We will need the help of all the races to defeat them. Donovan knows this, but it is only right that we all know what we are fighting against.” Lindon paused, seeing the frightened faces; he wasn't sure if he should tell them.
Donovan took the choice from him. “The mistake of the gods is behind the attack: the Merrow,” he said with anger in his voice. “They took our home from us; they think us weak, but they will find what being a Dwarf is all about. Attacking us but not being able to finish us will be their downfall,” he shouted. “We will have our revenge, but first we need to regroup and recover, so we will go to sanctuary and join with the Elves and the Humans.”
When he finished speaking, Lindon had thought that the Dwarfs would have been more scared, but what he saw on their faces was not fear but anger. As Donovan's words made their way down the line of Dwarfs, he could feel the atmosphere change from one of fear to one of anger. Now that they knew who it was that attacked them, the
mystery was gone. Now they had a target for their anger, and the Dwarven people would rise up and fight. Donovan, in the lead, started marching with a strong, purposeful step, and the Dwarfs followed, not shuffling along like a people beaten, but one going to war.
It was Kailid that started, it then a few more took up the chant but before long, it sounded like every Dwarf was chanting. Five thousand strong, their voices matched in a song.
Hey...Ho. Hey...Ho
Why they came
We do not know
Hey...Ho
We live to flee
This battle lost
Hey...Ho
Mercy none you showed
Friends saved the day
Hey...Ho
Mercy none we show
When home we come
Hey...Ho
Think us weak
Think us beaten
Now we know
Now we fight
Hey...Ho. Hey...Ho.
Lindon stared in wonderment as the Dwarven people sang their defiance at the invaders. They may have been forced out of their homes, but they were far from defeated.
Marching beside Donovan, Lindon asked, “Where is Aina?” He hadn’t seen her.
“She went to the surface to see exactly where we are and the direction we have to go,” he answered. “She is the only one that knows where sanctuary is.”
Lindon looked up wistfully. “Seems like I have been underground forever,” and quickly added, “Don't get me wrong; it's nice and everything, it's just that I miss the sky.”
Donovan looked up at Lindon. “No need to apologize; to be honest I am quite surprised you have done as well as you have been underground; most Humans go a little crazy when they are here for too long.”
“Thanks,” Lindon said with a chuckle, smiling at his friend. He added, “That makes me feel so much better,”
When Aina returned from the surface, she went looking for Lindon. She found him talking to Kailid. “Lindon, can I talk to you?” she asked quietly
“Of course,” he answered.
“Alone, if I can.”
“I will leave you. I must go and check on the supply train anyway,” Kailid said.
“Okay, thank you, Kailid.”
When the Dwarf left, Lindon turned to Aina. “What's up?” he asked.
The Elf was looking down at the floor when he spoke. “I am not sure if I should ask this—I am not even sure it's possible.”
“You know you can ask anything of me, and if it is in my power, I will do what I can.” He spoke softly.
As she was working up the courage, Donovan approached.
“Good, you're here!” she said.
“What's going on?” he asked.
“I want to ask Lindon to do something, but I don't know if he should and your opinion is needed.”
“Sure, what is it you want him to do?”
“We are only about an hour from where my homeland is, and I would like to know if we should go there.”
“I don't see why we couldn't,” said Donovan.
“That's not all of it,” she said, “I was wondering if it would be possible for Lindon to go through the barrier and see if my people are safe. I have had visions that my people are in trouble behind the barrier.”
The look on Aina's face spoke for how much this was weighing on her. “They might be expecting us to try to do exactly that, the shadow of the magus in the city let slip that they don't know who you are, and if we go out there they might be waiting for us,” Lindon reminded her. However, that is not the only reason; you are the only one of us that knows where sanctuary is.”
“Okay, just forget about it. I knew it was a bad idea; I just wanted your thoughts on it,” Aina said with a tearful voice.
She started to turn away when Lindon spoke. “Wait, Aina, I didn't say it was a bad idea, only that you and Donovan are needed here. You have to lead them, but that doesn't mean that nobody should go.”
Donovan looked at Lindon with a sinking feeling. “And let me guess. You're going to go, aren't you?”
“Do you know someone else that can possibly go through the barrier? I am not even sure if I can, but I won't know until I try.”
“It's too dangerous; you can't go by yourself,” Aina protested.
“Not really; I was going to have to make the attempt anyway and this way we are only an hour away. You and Donovan can wait at the tunnel and if anyone approaches, collapse the tunnel and make your way to sanctuary.”
Chapter 17
The light of the morning sun was beautiful to Lindon. Coming out of the tunnel was like being born again after almost two months of darkness. The artificial sun of the Dwarven city was no substitute for the real thing.
“I have missed the open air,” Lindon sighed with true happiness.
“I know what you mean,” Aina agreed. “Being underground has its beauty, but unless you're a Dwarf, there is nothing like the open sky,” she said playfully, giving Donovan a pat on his shoulder.
“Hmph, no accounting for the tastes of Elves and Humans,” he teased back.
Aina handed Lindon a piece of parchment, “This is a map to the Elven Homeland, where the city is and the surrounding area. Also, it shows where the sanctuary is. In case anything happens, you can make it back to the tunnel.”
Lindon studied the map Aina had given him; he could see the landmarks and where he had to go. “Thank you; this will make finding my way much easier,” he said, glad to have it. “And don't worry; if anything happens, this will be the first thing I destroy so no one can follow it.”
“No worries, Lindon. If any but your hand touches it, the map will turn to ash.”
“Really? How can you do that?” he asked.
“One of the perks of being a shaper of nature; anything made of wood or plants I can work with, and putting the impression of you on is not hard. Any other impression will undo it and will turn it to ash.”
“That's useful,” Donovan said. “It would be a great way to send messages and not have to worry about them being intercepted.”
Lindon folded the map and slipped it into his pocket. Picking up his pack, he looked at his friends. “Okay, I guess I should get going. The sooner I leave the sooner I will return.”
“Be careful,” Donovan said. “I wish you would allow us to come with you.”
“So do I, but this is the best way; one person can go unnoticed, where more may be discovered. Besides, if they are watching, they would expect to find the three of us, not a lone traveler.”
“I understand that, but it doesn't make it any easier.”
“Thank you, Lindon, for doing this; it means a lot to me. I need to know what is happening behind the barrier,” Aina said with a catch in her voice.
“It's no problem, Aina; we need the Elves in the fight to come. I just hope everything is okay, and I will be able to pass the barrier to contact them.”
“Be safe, and if the barrier is too much, don't risk yourself, we will find another way.”
“I will try; that is all we can do,” Lindon said.
Turning away from his friends, he made his way down the small hill toward the Elven homeland.
Leaving his friends behind was not easy for Lindon; this would be the first time he was on his own. As he walked, Lindon was on the lookout for danger. He wasn’t sure what to make of the fact that there were no birds in the sky and not even any insects buzzing around. The closer he got to the Elven homeland, the more he could see the decay that was happening to the surrounding area. The trees looked like they were starving, and the grass was turning brown. It was almost like something was draining them of energy, leaving nothing for them to survive on.
Lindon's first sight of the barrier stunned him. It was massive. It rose hundreds of feet into the air and went on for as far as he could see. It looked like a giant dome covering the entire forest of the Elves. Nearing it, he could feel the energy from it and looking closer he could see the lines of magic that were being
pulled into it.
The reason for the dead and dying plants and trees became apparent. The barrier was using the energy of the living things to fuel it, to make it grow. Lindon could not believe that Aina knew what was happening to the land because of this barrier the Elves had created.
When he was closer, Lindon brought out the map that Aina had made for him. While studying it, he thought he should be close to where the Elven city was on the other side. He refolded it and put it away, then faced the barrier. Closing his eyes, he felt the flow of the magic. He could feel the pattern and how it was held together. He had no doubt that he could unravel the entire structure, but he didn't know if he could handle that much power or would it rip him apart when it was released.
Looking around one last time to see if anyone was watching and not seeing anyone, he stepped into the magical barrier. It parted to allow him to enter, then closed in behind him. Protected in a bubble, the magic flowed around Lindon as he moved forward.
As protected as Lindon was within his bubble, he could still feel the magic entering his body; it was just too much to be able to keep out. Lindon's body was tingling from the amount of magical energy he was absorbing.
Lindon exited not a moment too soon, for the magic he was absorbing was becoming too much for him to handle. His body felt raw almost like his skin was being pinched all over. When he stepped out, he thought he would see a thriving city full of life but what he saw was the opposite. The trees that once towered over the ground were lifeless, the leaves having fallen leaving only dead or dying branches behind. When they should have been full of life, they instead looked like winter was in full swing and the trees were sleeping. Lindon could tell the difference in the way the trees felt: their life force was being drained into the barrier, and the entire forest was dying.
The Elven city looked no better. Everything looked run down, even the walls seemed to be sagging. Walking closer, Lindon could see lumps scattered all along the streets. He moved closer to see what they were. He gasped in shock.
Shaping Magic (Mistakes Return) Page 17