by I K Spencer
"Follow me." The guardsman took the lead, holding the light aloft with one hand and his raised crossbow in the other. He doubted the light would last for more than a few minutes.
The bizarre procession moved slowly through the caves. Anthen watched a horde of the silent beasts moving backward in pace with the three warriors as the moved forward and Kyreial and Teya, walking backwards, kept close watch on another swarm that followed, always within a few feet but never closer or farther. The strange stalemate continued for some time then, without a sound, the draugen abruptly withdrew in unison.
"What is the meaning of this retreat?" Teya asked nervously, now with much greater appreciation for the horrible nightmare Anthen had experienced.
Neither Anthen nor Kyreial answered, equally mystified by the sudden departure. None took heart from the inexplicable behavior of the blood-eaters.
"Hurry," Anthen warned, seeing that the soft red light was waning.
They picked up their pace, following the guardsman through cave after cave. The red glow steadily diminished and soon they were plunged into darkness yet again.
"Will this cursed maze ever end?" Kyreial cried out angrily, even more desperate to be among green life again after experiencing the repulsive cave dwellers first-hand.
When the light failed, Anthen experienced a moment of panic but then a strange peace took its place. Perhaps he had finally reached his limit and something inside had snapped. Whatever it was, he felt a calm acceptance and no longer feared what might come. He had given everything he had and would die of his own hand if the draugen returned.
"Are they coming back?" Teya whispered fearfully, knowing Anthen would sense them before that terrible smell reached them.
"No," Anthen answered without emotion, no longer caring if they did come.
The other two exchanged hypotheses to explain the behavior of the draugen but Anthen ignored them, focused only on choosing their path in the complete darkness. He led them on.
Anthen halted abruptly, causing his comrades to stumble against him. He could see a dim light at the far end of the tunnel.
"Light!" Kyreial yelled excitedly and hurried forward but then halted suddenly, a frown forming on his narrow face.
The light was growing; someone or something was coming toward them. The elf backed up to join the other two and all three watched the dim light strengthen.
"What should we do?" whispered Teya. "It must be Cidrl's men or the dark lord himself."
"Ready your bow," Kyreial answered.
The growing light had an unusual quality; it did not flicker like a torch but was steady. Its brightness too, was already too much for a score of torches and the light continued to increase. Soon they were shielding their eyes against a blinding white light entering the far end of the tunnel.
"What is it?" Teya asked fearfully while backing away from the growing beacon.
"This may be a good time to take cover," the elf said matter-of-factly but he too, was backing away.
Teya and Kyreial hurried back to the opposite end of the cave section.
"Anthen!" Teya screamed, seeing that the guardsman had not moved. "Take cover! It may be dangerous. We cannot be sure!"
"I am sure," he answered her softly, never taking his eyes from the bright end of the tunnel.
As the source of the intense light rounded the corner, the brilliance was too much for the trio. Anthen raised his arms to shield the blinding rays. The white light, though, filled him with soothing warmth.
The elf's keen eyes were the first to adjust to the bright light and, upon seeing its source, he bowed and began to pray in his native tongue. Farther away than Anthen, Teya followed next and she wept tears of joy at the wondrous sight. Finally, the guardsman's vision adjusted to the brilliant light and he fell to his knees in awe.
Before them, stood the shimmering figure of a unicorn.
Can you see me yet human?
Anthen blinked and stared, wondering if he had really heard the ethereal female voice, a voice that was vaguely familiar somehow. The question was repeated, loud enough this time to make his head throb.
"Y-yes," he quickly replied.
The remarkable creature's dark, intelligent eyes looked him up and down as he stared back in wonder, the unicorn's gleaming coat so white it made sunlit snow in the mountains seem grey by comparison. The mane and tail were a sparkling silver hue and the creature's horn flashed, its color undefinable.
Are you alone?
He recognized the female voice. It was the same that had accompanied the vision of Teya that helped him endure the torture. He gestured to the two frozen figures at the far end of the cave and the creature stretched its delicate neck to look past him.
Three? demanded the voice. Two ragged humans and an elf are all that come to face the greatest threat to the world in eons? Three? The ethereal voice boomed in anger, causing the three onlookers to flinch.
"You spoke to me when I was in the hands of the draugen. It was you who helped me escape. Why? ... And why not sooner?"
You are not to question me! the voice flashed with anger, then softened. You needed time to figure out the secret of the labyrinth did you not?
The glowing creature turned and began to walk back in the direction from which it had come.
I will lead you out. Quickly!
Anthen started to follow the mesmerizing figure, then remembered his companions and gestured for them to follow. The three warriors, stunned to silence, followed the unicorn through the dark caves, oblivious to all save the shining creature ahead.
Chapter 50
The trio, hypnotized by the wondrous figure before them, barely took notice when daylight shone in the cave ahead of the shimmering form. They had lost their sense of time as well but it actually was just a short distance they followed. Anthen had indeed, led them through the labyrinth.
Their astonishment continued as they stepped from the caves to the bright midday sun, which did not seem that bright after the brilliance of the unicorn. Even in direct sunlight, the heavenly creature seemed to gleam. Somehow Anthen was able to take his eyes from the magical creature and his jaw dropped in surprise. Below them spread a broad, beautiful valley, somehow in spring bloom despite it being nearly winter in the surrounding snow-covered mountains. He could see trees for some distance followed by open meadows, alive with colorful wildflowers of every imaginable color. At the center of the valley lay a pristine lake of vivid blue. Beyond the lake there were more meadows, followed by forest, as the land rose. The valley was completely enclosed in sheer cliffs rising to snow-capped peaks on all sides, the only means of access apparently via the dreaded maze of caves.
Kyreial fell to his knees, kissed the rich earth, and prayed again in his own tongue.
Enough of this childish amazement! You can appreciate the view later! Follow.
The rebuke from the divine being brought the trio quickly back to reality. Kyreial jumped to his feet and joined the other two. Anthen noted several recent tracks in the area, obviously left from the passage of Cidrl's party. The unicorn led them through the trees along a trail, rising steadily higher as they circled the valley below. After a while the trail leveled off at the base of the cliffs. They followed the cliffs through fragrant evergreens until the trees gave way to a small open ridge.
You may survey your enemy from here.
Kyreial pointed to the opposite shore of the lake from their vantage point. From the position of the lake, Anthen guessed they were a quarter way around the valley from where they had emerged from the caves. A glimmering light, like the setting sun reflecting off a pond, immediately drew their attention and Kyreial's gasp of alarm caused the other two to quickly raise their scopes for a closer look.
The light, upon closer inspection, was a cluster of the magical creatures. Their shining coats gave off a strong white aura even in the presence of the bright midday sun. Anthen guessed there were roughly fifty unicorns, and they were tethered and enclosed in a makeshift rope paddock
.
Anthen had several questions for their guide but wasn't sure how to get her attention.
I am called Shayva.
"You can hear our thoughts?" the surprised guardsman asked quickly.
No. But your race is not very skilled at masking your deliberations.
"I see. Shayva can you please tell us what has happened since these, uh murderers, arrived?" Anthen had been about to use the word animals but caught himself just in time.
The dark lord, with the aid of the ancient winged-one I believe you call a phaantor Elf, captured our Queen, Guyenne and another. The other was immediately slaughtered and the Queen's life threatened if the rest did not surrender. All but a few, too few to notice, allowed themselves to be taken.
"Where is the winged-one now?" Kyreial asked quickly.
Somewhere in the forest beyond their encampment. I sense its evil power but it is not close to us here.
"So the traitor has a single horn thus far?" the elf queried.
No, the celestial voice replied sadly. Ten of my brothers and sisters have now passed to the spirit world.
Kyreial slumped, visibly shaken by the news.
Ah. I see the elf comprehends the power your traitor now commands.
Anthen and Teya waited for either to explain.
It was Kyreial who finally broke the awkward silence. "A single horn represents immense power. Ten times that is unimaginable. With Cidrl's using that awesome power to assist them, the Dolonarians will easily crush any resistance. He can see to the ends of the earth and know his enemy's movements instantly. He will likely choose to send spells against them as well ... bad weather, disease, pestilence, even sap their will to fight."
The invasion has already started, she informed them coldly. An attack on your famed mountaintop garrison is imminent.
Now it was Anthen's turn to be visibly shaken. His only hope, stronger, now that his vision of Teya's death had been proved wrong, was that Garrick had evacuated the border plains.
"There is another problem," the elf continued. "That kind of power will drive the traitor mad if he wasn't already insane."
"So what all this means is that we need a plan, quickly," Teya summarized. "We need to free the unicorns and take back the horns, which most likely means killing Cidrl and most of the others."
"And destroy the phaantor," Kyreial added. "Or this could happen again."
The supposedly extinct abomination of your dark cousins. Shayva's tone was derisive. Elf how has this happened? Your ancestors promised the foul creature was banished from the earth!
Kyreial bowed formally. "I have no answer. The elders are searching for the answer as we speak."
I doubt it not. Your elders will likely still be deep in discussion when this mad human turns your homeland into barren, charred earth.
The elf knew better than to reply.
I have one more requirement of your plan. You Guardsman. You alone MUST throw the sacred horns into the waters of the lake. Is this understood?
The three heads nodded in agreement.
Then swear it!
The three warriors did so, then resumed their inspection of the enemy camp.
It appeared from the lack of guards that Cidrl expected little or no trouble. Only a pair of Cidrl's spellbound guardsmen were posted near the captured unicorns. No other sentries were posted and most of the men lounged near a cluster of tents in small groups. Anthen winced when his glass fell upon the feminine form of Urvena. He followed her as she filled a waterskin from the lake and returned to Cidrl's tent.
The guardsman felt a fresh stab of anger as he caught sight of a pile of carcasses beyond the camp. It took him a moment to realize what they were; the gray bodies so little resembled the vibrant white creatures they had been in life. The only other surprise was that the trio could see three unicorns kept separate from the rest, adjacent to Cidrl's tent. When queried about it, Shayva informed them that one was Guyenne and the dark lord kept her close to discourage the others in the main group from attempting to escape.
"Can you communicate with them?" A plan was forming in Anthen's head.
Of course.
"If we can free them but get them to stay put, we can keep the advantage of surprise for the next step."
A simple matter.
Anthen voiced his idea to his comrades. "I can free the queen and the other two while you two free the large group. Once that is done, Teya comes to my aid while Kyreial goes after the phaantor. Teya and I burst into Cidrl's tent, finish him, and carry the horns away. When the commotion begins Shayva, your friends can take flight."
You must take the desecrated horns immediately to the shore and do as I have instructed.
"I would prefer to escape the camp first. We will be severely outnumbered."
No! The magic is too strong. You must follow instructions exactly. You are the chosen one and you alone must do this!
"The magic of the horn apart from the spirit of unicorn is an abomination Anthen," Kyreial added in explanation. "Their essence will seek to come to life in the new bearer; you have been chosen for this task and you alone are prepared."
You have sworn an oath to it!
"Very well," the guardsman promised. "I will take the horns to the lake immediately. Once those are disposed of, Teya and I will offer what aid we may to Kyreial."
"What if I cannot locate the winged demon?" Kyreial asked, stroking his chin as he considering the plan. "You remember what happened at the base camp."
"Aye, I do," Anthen replied. He was silent for a moment, contemplating the problem. "I think that is a risk we must take. We cannot afford to delay. One element in our favor, however, is that Cidrl knew we were coming then. I suspect this time it will be a surprise."
"I agree," the elf replied. "And if we do not have the advantage of surprise, the phaantor will be the least of our problems."
The trio discussed the plan for a good part of the afternoon, going over the details and making refinements, though the essential plan remained unchanged. They spent a good deal of time studying and memorizing the camp's layout. Teya and Kyreial discussed how they would approach the unicorns and free them until every last question had been answered. At one point Anthen caught a glimpse of Cidrl through his telescope, then the location of the horns was no longer in question. The traitor had fashioned a belt to hold the powerful talismans and he wore it around his waist like some primitive barbarian. After all the details had been fully worked out, the three warriors ate and gained some much-needed rest.
Near sunset, Kyreial took leave to scout for his ancient enemy. He would make a careful search of the woods beyond the camp on the far side of the lake, promising to return by midnight. Shayva also departed, leaving the other two alone to watch the sunset.
Teya had shed her heavy sword, armor, and helmet, and sat nestled under Anthen's arm. He gazed at the setting sun but she could tell the guardsman's mind was elsewhere. He had improved some since escaping the draugen, the darkness around the eyes less pronounced, but his face was still drawn and pale.
"You look better," Teya said, stroking his cheek, which was covered with stubble. "How do you feel?"
"As good as can be expected I guess. I am tired and sore." Anthen continued to watch the sunset.
"You look much older," she added.
He chuckled. "I guess you will have no use for such an old man."
"Oh I have use for you Guardsman," she teased. "Your face has matured but that only makes you all the more appealing."
They both laughed, appreciating the rare opportunity to tease each other good-naturedly.
"It is not just the way you look," she continued. "You seemed experienced from the first but even more so now."
"Experience has not been in short supply lately," Anthen reminded her. "For either of us."
"Also you seem more at peace."
"I guess I have come to terms with my lot in life. Bitterness and desperation are too burdensome after a while, especially under the consta
nt threat of failure and death." Anthen shrugged. "You either learn to cope or go insane."
They did not speak for a time as the light faded. The sky directly overhead somehow remained clear while thick clouds enshrouded the peaks all around the valley. Anthen wondered whether it was Cidrl's handiwork or an original characteristic of the magical valley sanctuary created by its divine occupants. The clouds to the west were bathed in red from the setting sun.
"Was that her? The woman in the camp?" Teya asked.
Anthen nodded. "Urvena."
"She is very beautiful."
"On the outside maybe, but her heart is rotten and that makes her ugly."
"You no longer have feelings for her then," Teya concluded from the guardsman's distant tone.
Anthen thought about the question for a moment before responding. "No, that would not be exactly true. I loved her for a time, the person I thought she was. Those memories will always stir feelings I suspect, but the woman I loved is forever gone, dead to me."
"Forever is a long time," Teya countered.
"Nations may rewrite history but people do not. It is impossible for her to be again what she never truly was."
"You could never forgive her?"
"I have forgiven her," Anthen replied quickly. "She is what she is ... but that is a person I could never love."
Teya shook her head and smiled. "As I said, you are old and wise now in experience."
The two lovers talked of many things as the dim light faded to full darkness but both knew better than to talk of their feelings or their future after this night. That could be distracting and they both must remain focused. Instead they talked of trivial matters and shared memories and in the end, what might be their final moments together, held and drew strength from each other without speaking at all, as they watched the stars come out overhead.
Chapter 51
Garrick surveyed the Dolonarian force amassing to the east from his vantage point along the outer wall of Dolonhold. Subtle changes to the dark skies overhead suggested it would soon be nightfall, though the dark mist made it impossible to determine the position of the sun. The black cloud, an evil portent, had rolled over the garrison that very morning. The guardsman had said nothing but he guessed it to be Cidrl's evil handiwork and that its arrival did not bode well for the fate of his comrades attempting to thwart the traitor.