The Axe's Edge

by Summers, Derick J. M.

  Besides the gardening and with the house finally full grown, there were things that needed doing inside. One of the quirks about a house that was alive was that it was always changing because it never stopped growing. The initial flurry and intensity slowed down when it reached maturity, but it never actually stopped. Ceilings rose, rooms expanded, new nooks and crannies formed over time. The initial plan might be cast but the final result was always in a state of flux.

  With all of these things, El managed to distract herself for a time and though she kept a magical eye on the approaching threat, it wasn’t until mid-afternoon that she really gave it her full attention again. Dropping into her light trance, she sent her awareness back out toward the approaching sensation. It was closer now and definitely coming their way. Casting her senses wider, she searched for the auras of living creatures and was immediately bombarded with the auras of the wide variety of creatures that called the forest home. She quickly dismissed the smaller auras and allowed the larger auras to draw her, though the fact that the smaller auras were still around was telling to her. Whatever was coming had not spooked the normally cautious forest residents. That was neither good nor bad, but definitely interesting.

  As the auras drew closer El was able to focus on them more clearly. With a sinking feeling, she recognized the unmistakable vibe of the approaching creatures. El groaned in dismay. They were to be visited by a party of Elves, and Lan’thor wasn’t with them. She was certain she would have recognized his aura. She focused her thoughts further, counting the individual auras. Fifteen of them to be exact and she realized with a frown, three of them were mages. And, though she wasn’t one hundred percent certain at this distance, she was pretty sure that she knew at least one of them. As to why their presence was making her uneasy, that was not at all clear. Something about their intentions carried through their auras and boded ill for either herself or her companions or both. She peered closer in an attempt to learn more, unfortunately, her scrutiny alerted the mages to her presence and she felt the strongest of the mages, the one that carried the vague sense of familiarity, stiffen in surprise before quickly shielding his aura from her. The other two mages quickly followed suit and then one-by-one each Elf in their party disappeared from her magical sight.

  So definitely not a friendly group, she thought wryly.

  I’m on my way, spoke Logan’s voice in her mind.

  She could see that he was on the road home and making good time. He would be home shortly, she realized with relief.

  I’ll warn the others. They out number us significantly so I think its best we hear what they have to say before we take any action, though saying that, I think we may want Smash to stay in the house. Elves really aren’t good with Trolls.

  Sounds like all we can do, really, Logan agreed. Make sure Tanel and Smash are both ready should we need to fight or escape into the forest.

  El couldn’t suppress the small giggle his words elicited and Logan sent a questioning thought.

  You really want to try escape from a band of Forest Elves, by disappearing into the forest? she asked.

  Well, when you put it like that, he laughed. Tell them to be ready to fight.

  El left the house and went to tell Smash and Tanel that they were going to have visitors shortly and she was pretty sure they weren’t coming to just say hello.

  The next hour passed paradoxically really quickly and really slowly as Tanel, Smash and El made what preparations they could. All were armed, emergency packs were prepared, and Smash concealed himself in the smithy. The big man was not pleased with the arrangement, but he understood that his presence would only make a tense situation worse. Logan was hurrying along the road and would arrive shortly. Tanel and El moved into the centre of the clearing, faced north and waited for their visitors to arrive

  They didn’t have long to wait before the three Elfin mages stepped out of the forest and into the clearing at the northwest edge of the homestead. Only the mages appeared, the rest of the Elves, most likely warriors, stayed hidden amongst the trees and undergrowth of the forest. Not that their concealment did them much good. At such close range, even magically masked, El could feel each and every one of them. There were twelve fully armed Elfin warriors, spread out along the tree line. That meant twelve longbows aimed at Tanel and El, six apiece. And, just for a little added flavour, El could feel the tension flowing off them in waves.

  “Twelve warriors in the tree line,” she said to Tanel under her breath. “Fully armed and twitchy.”

  Tanel fixed a bright and cheerful smile on her face as she faced the three mages and answered El in the same manner.

  “Wonderful. Can you do anything about them?”

  “If they let loose with the arrows, I should be able to. I just don’t want the mages to feel me drawing magic before I have to... Oh, and I know them.”

  Tanel gave El a sharp look.

  The three mages had formed a loose triangle when they’d stepped free of the forest. It was a standard Elfin battle tactic the strongest mage to take the head of the triangle while the two weaker mages acted as support. As she’d just mentioned to Tanel. El did in fact know them, though in the case of the two support mages, not at all well. They were both low-level mages from her clan and as she recalled, neither was particularly strong or quick on their feet, but they would provide a good, stable base of magical energy for a more powerful mage who preferred to control things. As luck would have it, the Elf standing at the apex of the triangle closest to her was just such a mage.

  So, Not Just A Social Call?

  The lead mage’s name was Ar’n’tor and to El’s constant shame, he was family. In human terms, he would’ve been considered a cousin. His presence here made El frown. She had never been fond of him. Ar’n’tor was a bully and had been one for as long as El could remember. When they were young he had always enjoyed pushing the younger and weaker Elves around, mocking them and chastising them. Despite their family ties El had not been immune to his attentions, and when he’d finally become a mage he’d gotten worse. It wasn’t until El herself had finally developed as a mage that she’d been able to stand up to him, and even then he tried to push her.

  El forced the frown from her face. She honestly couldn’t manage Tanel’s false smile, and her history with Ar’n’tor prevented it. The best she face she could put on was neutral as she waited for Ar’n’tor to speak. As she’d expected, she didn’t have to wait long. The tall Elf plastered his own rather patronizing smile on his face and began speaking in his nasal, whining voice that always made El cringe. He drew magic to ensure his voice would carry across the clearing and likely to attempt to intimidate.

  “El’dreathia!” he boomed, his voice magically enhanced to carry across the clearing. “It is so good to see you again.”

  El’s brow line twitched in response, the only hint of her scepticism as she replied.

  “Ar’n’tor. What can I do for you? You and your friends are a long way from home.” She said, forcing a cheerfulness into her voice that she didn’t’ feel.

  “Have you become lost in the woods?” she added with mock innocence.

  The Elfin mage’s smile faltered at the insult. Catching himself, Ar’n’tor forced a broader smile into place.

  “That’s just it, isn’t it El’dreathia?” Ar’n’tor sneered in reply. “We are such a very long way from home, and so are you. You’ve obviously lost your way and we’ve come to make sure you get home safely. Your father has been so worried about you, especially after Lan’thor turned up with that Dark Elf of all things.”

  You knew this would happen eventually, love Logan’s voice was comforting in her mind.

  El sighed. He was right. El had known that something like this would happen, though Ar’n’tor’s presence wasn’t a particularly pleasant twist.

  I know, and I’m so sorry for pulling everyone into this mess.

  You didn’t pull us in to it, El. We’re all here because we choose to be, and we’re here to support
you.

  Thank you, she sent back with a small smile before she refocused on the grinning idiot before her.

  “Then,” she announced loudly. “I’m afraid you’ve wasted a trip, Ar’n’tor. I’m not ready to go back. I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, when I’m ready I’ll be able to find my own way.”

  “I’m sorry, El’dreathia,” Ar’n’tor replied, his smile worryingly genuine. It was clear that he was looking forward to what was coming. “You don’t seem to understand, it’s not really a choice. You never passed your trials. The decision is not yours to make, we can’t have children running unprotected around the countryside.” The smile on his face turned into a patronizing scowl. “Now, be a good little girl and gather your things so we can leave this place.”

  El snorted in disbelief at his arrogance. Fighting to keep her temper, her voice rose slightly as she spoke.

  “You have no idea what I’ve been through since I left ... ” her frustration and anger threatened to overwhelm her.

  Tanel, seeing her friend’s composure beginning to slip, spoke out.

  “I’m sorry, Ar’n’tor, is it?” she called out clearly. “El’dreathia is my guest and is welcome here as long as she wishes to stay. You, on the other hand, are not. You and your people are trespassing on my property and need to leave,” she made eye contact with the tall mage, her gaze turning cold. “Now!”

  Ar’n’tor’s gaze passed to Tanel and his lip curled in disgust.

  “I don’t take direction from humans,” he spat vehemently. “Mind your own business!”

  A quick gesture from Ar’n’tor sent a wave of crackling energy racing toward Tanel.

  El had been expecting an attack to come eventually and threw a shield up in front of Tanel and herself, the strength of her casting sending Ar’n’tor’s energy blast back the way it had come. The suddenness of this reversal caught Ar’n’tor by surprise and he found himself sprawled across the clearing from the impact.

  “I told you,” El said icily. “I’m not going anywhere. You don’t want to test me on this! Now leave as you’ve been asked before someone gets hurt.” Anger boiled inside of her and her voice carried well across the clearing.

  Ar’n’tor picked himself up off the ground making a show of dusting himself off. He acted unconcerned, but El noticed that he was no longer smiling. She saw him nod to the other two mages as he prepared to face her again. The condescension was gone from his voice. It had been replaced with anger.

  “You’re father was right. He said you had grown stronger, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are coming with us.”

  Again, Ar’n’tor’s magic flared, this time it came rushing directly at her. He was drawing power from the two mages at his back, making his own attack stronger. Again, El brought up her own magic in defence. And again she was able to stop the attack dead in its tracks. But, with the added strength of the other two mages, El found that she couldn’t push the attack back.

  Great, she thought. A standoff!

  It was then that she heard the roar from the direction of the smithy. Smash, who had been keeping his presence a secret when they were trying to talk their way through the situation, had decided that the time for words was over. He charged from the smithy, bellowing his rage and waving his massive war club above his head. As El registered this new development, her peripheral vision caught the line of Elfin warriors stepping silently out of the woods. They had already released their first arrows which flew unerringly toward the rampaging troll, while they notched their next.

  The Elfin warriors, she thought in horror. She’d been so focused on Ar’n’tor and the mages that she’d forgotten all about them. Tanel gasped beside her.

  With a wave of her hand, El stopped the flying projectiles moments before they could make contact with Smash. A second gesture snapped the bowstrings on the Elfin longbows, rendering them useless as distance weapons. Without missing a beat, the Elfin warriors changed their grips on their longbows, holding them as staffs and stepping forward to meet the charging troll.

  Seeing things play out before her, El was filled with a deep sense of dread. This was quickly going from bad too much, much worse.

  Logan! she screamed across their link. I need you home now!

  Too Late?

  Logan was feeling anxious as he walked the road back home from Solan Bay. He’d completed his business as quickly as possible after El told him about the approaching threat and had made arrangements for one of the village boys to bring the small donkey and wagon he’d bought to carry his purchases back to the homestead for him. He had to admit as he hurried along the road home, that he’d been more than a little apprehensive about making the trip in first place. On one level, he’d hesitated about dealing with the towns people of Solan Bay. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t seem to put the past wrongs behind him completely. The idea of stepping into town filled him with a flood of childhood memories. The bullies, the teasing and the contempt stuck with him, hiding themselves away in far recesses of his mind and sneaking out at inopportune moments. Add to that, his over-protective nature and his compulsion to protect his friends should anything go wrong at home and suddenly, a simple trip became quite the ordeal.

  However, the trip had been going pretty well. The town’s people had sent word that the supplies they he and his friends ordered had arrived and they were holding them for him in one of the new warehouses the town had recently rebuilt. Upon his arrival, Logan found himself welcomed openly and warmly. Everyone was friendly and many took an opportunity to share with him their plans for the future of Solan Bay. Logan was pleasantly surprised to find that his apprehension was washed away in the face of this good will and thoroughly enjoyed his visit into town. Until of course, El had told him about the unknown potential threat coming from the north.

  Logan had debated who should make the trip into town and originally Smash wanted to go with him. After a great deal of discussion, they had come to the conclusion that they would both feel better if one of them stayed behind to protect the women, though neither was foolish enough to explain that to the ladies. They quickly realized that Logan was the obvious candidate for the trip. A large portion of the order was his so it made sense for him to be there to check it and deal with any issues that came from that. As well, though many of the residents of Solan Bay had grown used to Smash’s presence on the long ship ride home, neither Logan nor Smash felt they were ready to deal with regular visits to town from the mountain troll. In the end, it was agreed that Logan should make the trip alone. They pointed out to El and Tanel that, given the amount of work to do around the homestead, it didn’t make sense for more than one person to go.

  Now, things had suddenly changed. Logan had no doubt that Smash was capable of dealing with any of the normal day-to-day threats that might come up. For that matter, he knew that El was more than capable of dealing with most threats herself and that Tanel was far more resourceful than he, her over-protective brother, often credited her for. However, this unknown thing on the horizon set Logan’s hackles on edge and he found himself rushing to complete his business.

  Things in town had gone smoothly. Everything was neatly stacked in the new warehouse and, to Logan’s surprise, almost all the supplies he’d requested were present. The friends had placed a fairly large order and hadn’t been certain how much of it was going to be available. But, it seemed that Seli had done well and Logan soon found himself purchasing a donkey and cart to help carry it all back, offering the stable boy some extra coin to lead the animal home. Overall, the biggest surprise had been the number of dinner invitations he’d had to politely decline, stating that he needed to get back home as soon as possible and promising to make good the next time he came to town. It seemed that many wanted to personally thank him for their freedom. Logan was, as usual, uncomfortable with all the attention.

  It was almost easier when I was shunned, he’d thought with a laugh.

  All in all, the day progressed well an
d he was able to get an early start back. But his good mood warred with his apprehension about the threat moving toward his home. And even though the miles disappeared quickly beneath his steady stride, Logan found that the closer he got, the more anxious he became. He wanted nothing more than to somehow magically appear right back home. Unfortunately, teleportation was an ability he simply didn’t possess.

  Logan was rounding the final bend toward home at something close to a light run when El’s mental shout tore through his mind. He’d been following the situation through their link, watching through her eyes as things had begun to spiral out of control. He watched in horror as the first attack was launched toward Tanel, his fear turning to relief as the attack was intercepted and turned back by El’s magic. He needed to be home now!

  Sprinting now Logan couldn’t stop his mind from dredging up the past. Two years ago, running towards home, smoke against the horizon, killers on his families land, the horrors he’d found when he’d finally arrived, too late. Those memories filled him with dread and he ran faster.

  I will not be too late, he promised himself. I will not be too late!

  He pushed himself harder and harder.

  Flying toward the main gate, Logan took in the situation in an instant. Several armed figures surrounded and attacked Smash with bo staffs. His friend fought valiantly, but the Elves had already managed to disarm him, and the big man’s war club laid uselessly off to the side and out of reach. Smash was using his hands and feet to keep his attackers at bay, but even with his powerful claws he would soon be overwhelmed. Worse, the attacking warriors were experienced and knew how to fight as a group. Whenever Smash committed to defend against one, another would attack from behind, smashing his bo staff across the big man’s back or thrusting the hardened end of it into his kidneys. Smash fought well, but the blows were hard and well placed, and even as Logan watched, a number of them cracked hard against the troll’s ribs and spine. Smash was unable to defend from all sides and was soon reacting to blows, spinning to face and opponent who had struck him, only to be struck from behind by another. It was clear that the attackers knew they had their quarry and were enjoying the martial glee that often came in a winning campaign. For Logan it was watching his father’s final moments all over again.