by Bill Mays
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The sparsely wooded area skirting the wetlands was fairly easy to travel. Though there were plenty of biting insects and tangled vines, there always seemed a clear path. Flade led the march, but he kept close and guided them around the edges of the marsh as best he could. He did not want to enter the swamp until it was absolutely necessary. Spouts of sulfuric acid shot up into the air in occasional hissing bursts that warned him when they drew too near. As he moved a little ahead of them, he heard a faint sound. At first, he thought it a bird of some sort, but as he listened, it sounded more and more like singing. Flade paused to clear his head and make sure he was not imagining it. Who would be singing in the middle of nowhere? The slender man nearly let his enchanted dagger fly when a voice took him by surprise.
“And who might you be, handsome?” The silky voice asked from nearby.
“We have company!” Flade called out the warning as he spun about with his blades ready to throw. All he saw were trees, bushes, and more vines.
Dalia led the others as they rushed to join the ranger. Everyone scanned the area for any sign of trouble. There was nothing to be seen. There came a lilting laughter that was musical in an eerie way. It seemed to echo all about them. The companions gathered together and took up defensive positions.
“I see you aren’t alone, either. Well isn’t that nice,” the feminine voice giggled mischievously.
“Who goes there? Show yourself!” Flade commanded.
“Of course, anything for you, handsome,” the voice echoed again as a maiden stepped from inside a nearby tree.
Everyone drew back with a collective gasp. She was a beautiful girl with skin the color of pale brown bark and burgundy hair that fell past her waist accented by streaks of fiery orange. Her emerald eyes shone clear with curiosity as she studied them all. She looked to be an elfin maiden, though her coloring was quite unusual. Another noticeable detail was her complete lack of clothing. She wore nothing to conceal her womanly attributes. In fact, she seemed quite proud to display them. Flade looked away as his cheeks flushed red. Dalia also turned away. Arianna and Petre admired the beautiful girl and Jillian stared in shock until she noticed Petre gawking. The girl punched the boy in the arm.
“Look away already! Don’t you have any decency, you pig!” Petre blushed and looked down though his eyes kept darting up to sneak another peak. “And you, why aren’t you wearing any clothes?” Jillian snapped at the tree maiden. Her hands were planted firmly on her hips.
“Why should I?” The maiden replied dismissively.
“I’ve heard of elves, but in the stories my Pa told they always had clothes.”
“She isn’t an elf,” Arianna stated confidently.
The tree maiden looked Jillian and then Arianna up and down sourly. “There are far too many women here,” she sighed. “We should go somewhere more private, don’t you think?” She directed her statement to Flade.
The ranger could feel a slight pull in his mind for a second, but he easily pushed it away. “I prefer to remain in the company of my companions,” he replied, still avoiding another glimpse of the naked girl.
“Not again!” The maiden pouted. “I must be losing my touch. First my beloved Tark, and now my beloved … what was your name again?” She smiled at Flade expectantly.
“Umm … Flade. I am called Flade,” the ranger stammered nervously under her attentions.
“Flade! What a beautiful name!” The girl danced around singing it over and over until she reached the ranger and leaned against him suggestively.
“Did you say Tark?” Dalia did not miss the statement. The lady dropped all pretense of modesty and stared the naked girl in her emerald eyes.
“Yes, have you seen him? It has been so long since he left me. My heart aches for him to return. Our love is eternal and runs deeper than the grandest river. Those powerful arms, that broad chest and his long, wavy black hair, he is a god among men, just like Flade here. I grow weary of watching the shack and the garden. At least Herrin or Nivit could have returned by now,” the maiden sighed.
“Who are you, and what do you know of Tark?” Dalia demanded a little too forcefully.
“I am Lilelee, and I don’t like the way you talk to me!” The girl snapped back.
“She is a dryad, a tree sprite of sorts,” Arianna added. “I doubt you have anything to worry about, Dalia.”
“A dryad,” Petre whispered in awe.
“I knew she couldn’t be an elf,” Jillian huffed under her breath. “They are supposed to be elegant and cultured, not naked.”
The lady realized she must have looked foolish. Dalia could not explain it, but when the nude girl began speaking of Tark in that way, it made her blood boil. She composed herself and tried again.
“Forgive me if I sounded harsh. Tark is a close friend of mine, and I am concerned for his safety.”
“Tark loves me!” Lilelee snapped. “He said he’d return as soon as he could.” The dryad ran her hand through Flade’s mop of sandy hair. “You have the most beautiful eyes, Flade,” she whispered seductively.
The ranger was beyond uncomfortable under her attention. “T-thank you,” he mumbled nervously.
“Please,” Dalia insisted, “what can you tell us about Tark? We must find him, and quickly! He is in danger.” The lady was growing impatient. Mention of the gladiator’s passing made her anxious.
“My Tark is a powerful warrior. He would laugh in the face of danger. I already said he was coming back to me. You can wait here for his return, if you must.” The girl seemed annoyed by Dalia’s presence but lonely enough to accept it.
“Let Flade ask the questions,” Arianna suggested with a grin. The priestess was enjoying watching the ranger squirm. “I think your answers will come much more easily that way.”
Flade made a slight grimace. “Yes … umm … Tark is a friend of mine, too. What can you tell me about him and his … umm … visit here?” Flade asked sheepishly.
“Why are we talking about him, when we could be talking about us?” The dryad cooed in Flade’s ear.
“We are on a journey to find him. It is an important journey. Please, what can you tell me?” Flade built up the courage to lock gazes with the beautiful, burgundy-haired maiden.
“I can see it is important to you, my love. If it is important to you then it is important to me, too,” the dryad sighed. “Tark and his ugly little gremlin friend came to my woods weeks past. He, too, spoke of an important mission. Why must these quests always get in the way of my love?” She pouted. Flade had to spur the girl on to continue her story. “He sought the advice of my dear friend, Herrin. She’s a sage, you know. As any pure-hearted maiden in love would do, I brought them together. Alas, they all left on a journey to some dusty old library in the distant land of Villinsk and have yet to return. How my heart ached from loneliness until I saw you, Flade.” The girl wrapped her arms around the man’s slim waist. “Come with me, I can show you pleasures that few humans have seen,” she whispered. The ranger again felt a slight tug at his mind.
“Then Tark is not alone. Ado is with him,” Dalia announced happily. The lady was pleased to hear that both were well. “How long ago did they leave here?” She tried asking the dryad another question.
“I said it’s been awhile, weeks past. My heart has been aching, remember?” She turned back to her new love. Flade was trying to pull away with little success.
“I’m afraid he can’t come with you at the moment,” Arianna interrupted as she placed an arm on Flade‘s shoulder. “We need him to find Tark.”
Lilelee glared daggers at the priestess. She then pulled away and crossed her arms defiantly. “I’m tired of being lonely!” The dryad whined.
Her eyes swept across the group, and lingered on Petre. The youth was grown enough. His face was not unpleasant, in a scruffy way. He had developing to do; he was still a bit skinny. She began to saunter up to the boy suggestively.
“And what about you, what is yo
ur name?” Lilelee smiled as she twirled her long hair in her fingers innocently.
“P-Petre … Petre Knob,” the boy grinned eagerly as he looked her up and down. He tried to smooth out his unruly hair and straighten his armor.
“I am Lilelee,” the maiden grinned back sweetly.
“Oh no you don’t!” Jillian stepped between the two. “We need him too, you bitch in heat!”
Lilelee’s face grew angry for a second, but then she began to grin mischievously at the girl. “Why don’t we let him decide? Do you want to go find Tark, or would you rather stay here with me, Petre Knob?”
The dryad locked her gaze onto the youth. Her deep emerald eyes were entrancing. Petre could feel his mind and heart giving in to the tree sprite’s will. Her call was so strong and so enticing. He wanted to spend the rest of his days with her. Nothing else mattered.
Arianna began a chant. She moved to place a hand on Petre’s shoulder. The prayer was simple. It was a ward to protect the boy from charms, including the dryad’s call. Suddenly, Petre awoke from the lusty fog that was clouding his mind.
“That’s not fair! What did you do?” Lilelee snapped at the tall priestess.
“Nothing much,” she smiled back. “He just needed a little help in making up his mind. He doesn’t have any natural defenses of his own, like others do.” Arianna glanced at Flade as she spoke.
She hoped Rashas would not be upset with her for her actions. Dryads were a favored creature of her goddess. The fact that her prayer had been granted helped put her worries at ease. The additional fact that a dryad was guiding them towards Tark helped to solidify the fact that she was on the proper course.
“I grow tired of you people and your important journeys!” Lilelee grumbled. The girl seemed to drop all cares. She danced away to disappear inside another large tree. “If you change your minds, my loves, I’ll be waiting. Just call my name and I’ll be there, Flade and Petre Knob.” The voice faded with a playful giggle.
“I’m glad we’re done with that,” Jillian grumbled. “What an annoying creature!”
“Me too,” Flade sighed.
“Lilelee …” Petre whispered to himself wistfully. Jillian punched him in the arm again -- hard.
“We have much to rejoice over,” Arianna all but sang. “Tark is alive and well and we are on his path after all. Fate is truly guiding our steps. Thank you for watching over us, Rashas.”
“Don’t forget that Ado is with him as well. The gremlin has proved to be quite resourceful in the past,” Flade added optimistically.
“Yes, we do have much to be thankful for,” Dalia whispered. “Now let us be on our way, Tark needs us!”
The group moved with a spring in their step and a renewed purpose. Their journey was coming together after all. With a bit of coaxing, Flade was even able to get the elusive dryad to guide them to the same trail the gladiator had taken. Only Arianna seemed a little distracted. The priestess knew there was much more headed their way, and she could not shake the rest of her predictions from her thoughts.
- Chapter 27 -
Striking Back
Manifor Stormblade called out the order for his troops to advance. His sword rose high into the air as his gaze settled on the distant shape that was the great wall of Talipax. The last knight of Kandair led them with pride. On silent hooves, they rode closer. Queen Kathraine had sent the knight to lead her amassed army with her blessing and her prayers for a safe return. She hated the thought of battle but so was the course of things to come. Kathraine knew it was battle or slavery for her people. The call to arms had been more successful than anyone could have hoped. People filtered in from every part of Kandair to join in the resistance’s march against the Dark Lord’s troops. They supported their queen and mourned the loss of their benevolent king. In addition to the Waynan nomads, Lusariss had managed to bolster the forces with not only soldiers from the small neighboring country of Paseth, but also with an impressive sect of the country’s renowned monks from Kosh Keep. The commander of the elite royal guard, Lusariss, wanted to join in the march, but his duty was to guard the queen while the majority of their forces were away. The small western neighbor, Paseth, had thrown in their allegiance after hearing word that Drackmoore was also behind the release of the reivers and the wars spreading across Villinsk and several other smaller countries. It was clear that the Dark Lord had designs that would reach far beyond Kandair.
The intelligence being gathered and spread across the lands was all thanks to efforts of a group known as The Blades of Kahn. Outlaws made great intelligence operatives; they were quite proficient at covert operations. War created strange bedfellows, Vergehen admitted as he worked with the former renegades. The Blades of Kahn were the members of the Order of Kahn, a thieves’ guild that had existed in Kandair for many years despite King Airos’ best efforts to drive the guild’s elven mistress, Shallis Kahn, away. Now it seemed there were only two sides to choose from, Drackmoore or Kandair. The guild, and her mistress, had joined with their countrymen. The skillful rogues proved to be a great asset to the resistance.
Vergehen’s magic was strained due to the remnants of the vortexes that had ravaged their lands. He had been unable to send his spells across areas where the storms passed. It was because of this that the old wizard advisor to the crown opted to ride with the army. He wanted to make sure their strike was a success. Talipax was an important part of the queen’s plans for pushing the Drackmoorians from Kandair. It was also an invaluable message they would send to Meiron and the surrounding lands. Kandair was not defeated, not yet. When the massive army faded into view mere yards from the camped enemy forces gathered around Talipax, the Drackmoorian troops did not know whether to believe their eyes or not. Vergehen’s powerful magic had silenced and concealed an army, or at least the first wave of one. The old wizard’s powers were legendary, but his strength had not been seen in decades.
“I’ve still got a few tricks left in me,” the old man chuckled as he watched the enemy scrambling to meet their charge. “Meiron isn’t the only wizard in these parts.” It was the old wizard’s hail of razor-edged ice-shards that initiated the attack, claiming numerous dark land soldiers and goblins. Despite the friendly image he wished to portray, Vergehen enjoyed unleashing his magic on the enemy. It had been quite a while since he let loose and they had definitely earned his wrath.
Mani led the charge on the unprepared dark land forces. “For Kandair!” He shouted as he tore into their ranks. “Take down the commanders first! We want them routed with as little bloodshed as possible, by the queen‘s orders!”
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Duke Markston Waters rushed to stand on the wall overlooking the grounds surrounding Talipax. His long brown curls fluttered about his shoulders in the strong winds, and he bit his bottom lip in anticipation. They had all heard the cries of battle echoing outside their walls. He held his enchanted bow, Festoon, ready to challenge whatever the Dark Lord had decided to throw at them this time. A very tired Callivar Winthrope was quick to join him. Neither man could believe his eyes when they spotted the Kandairian and Paseth pennants flying high over the advancing troops. Just then, a flurry of icy blades wrought havoc on the enemies near the front gates.
“That sneaky old bastard!” Callivar chuckled. “Vergehen’s brought an army to our rescue. I’d recognize that addled one’s spell casting from a mile away. Look at the way each blade spins in a different direction. I knew he was up to something.”
“Well, my friend, we can’t just sit back and let them gain all the glory,” Markston grinned. “Let us join in the action! It seems Airos continues to save us in the nick of time, just like the old days.” The duke turned to face his men. A slight charm provided by Callivar allowed the sturdy nobleman’s voice to reach the ears of all in Talipax. “The time has come to push these Drackmoorian dogs from our doorstep! The crown has sent us reinforcements. Let us not betray their valiant efforts by simply watching. All archers fire on the enemy, and cavalr
y prepare to ride. We will join this battle and crush them between two powerful fists of Kandair!”
The people of Talipax erupted in a roar of cheers. They had been waiting for just such an event. Markston drew back his bowstring and let the first arrow fly. Three goblins died as the powerful enchantment of Festoon split the arrow into three pieces that punched through body after body.
“Just like old times,” Callivar sighed as he stood next to the duke and cast bolts of exploding electricity down into the enemy ranks.
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The Drackmoorian commanders threw their goblin kin fodder at the army with reckless abandon. The attack caught them ill prepared, and they needed time to organize against this new threat. The Kandairian forces were not going to give them that time. The soldiers formed a wall of death that marched through the goblin ranks cutting them down left and right. At the head of this wall was Manifor Stormblade. Here and there, a wild nomad warrior or a skilled monk could be seen lashing out as well. Priests of several faiths cast spells over the men to enhance their attacks and their defenses. An occasional explosion from within the main body of the Drackmoorians signified an attack by either Vergehen or Callivar. Both wizards were slinging battle spells with great success. When the gates of Talipax began to open, the dark land forces knew they were done for. Mounted soldiers poured forth from the fortress city, trapping the enemy in a vice of slashing blades.
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Meiron was just receiving word of the messengers’ escape from Timbre when Arrivand burst into the scrying room unannounced. The Dark Lord was not in a pleasant mood.
“Lord Meiron …”
Before the apprentice could say more, he found his body lifting into the air while his windpipe was being crushed. Meiron’s black eyes glared death at the foreign mage. The old man’s gem pendant pulsed rapidly with bright flashes of crimson light.