Omensent: Princess Of Dragons (Book 5)

by Barry Gibbons

  "I wanted you free to concentrate on your task." The dark shadow whispered quietly. "Petra and Her faithful must fall if we are to take our rightful places as rulers of the elven people. That's why I gave the task of drawing the Dragon Lord here to the island to our special friend in the Royal Tower. I wanted to make sure that you were not distracted from your task."

  Yrinn merely frowned.

  "It would not be good for you or your brethren to disappoint me, Yrinn." The dark shadow warned the silver haired elf in a dangerous tone. "I will not grant you the powers that you have requested until the conditions have been met."

  "Do not worry, my lord," Yrinn assured the shadowy figure confidently. "Petra and Her followers will fall, just as I promised. It is only a matter of time now."

  "Good." The dark shadow hissed in a pleased tone. "Very good. It is time that Petra finally knew what it was like to have Her followers hunted to near extinction." The shadow seemed to darken. "There is one more thing that I would like you to do for me, my child."

  "Anything, my lord." Yrinn answered immediately. "I am yours to command."

  "I want you to bring me the Dragon Sword."

  "The Dragon Sword?" The silver haired elf looked confused. "Why do you desire the Dragon Sword? Shouldn't we focus on our plans to destroy Petra's children?"

  "Not when the Dragon Lord has been so kind to bring the sword all of the way to our island. It would be folly to miss such an opportunity." There was a note of hunger in dark shadow's voice. "The plan our friend in the Royal Tower had for drawing the Dragon Lord here worked flawlessly. Unfortunately, the elves that were sent to acquire the sword failed in their task. So now I need you to get it for me."

  "But..."

  "No buts, Yrinn," The shadow snapped harshly. "I want you to kill the Dragon Lord, and bring the Dragon Sword to me, no matter the cost!"

  "Is this sword truly so important?" The silver haired elf asked, his expression confused. "Isn't it more important that we continue to gather more followers so that your power continues to grow?"

  "The sword is the key to everything." The dark shadow whispered, a note of greed in its voice. "Every single god in the heavens covets that blade. The power that it holds is enough to make any god dominant over the rest." The dark shape began to move back and forth through the shadows restlessly. "The Dragon Gem is not only capable of controlling the scarlet dragons, it also holds immeasurable power that it harvested from the serpents over the centuries while they were still enslaved within the gem. Enough power to cast this entire world into shadow, if I so chose."

  "With that type of power in our possession, we would flourish!" The silver haired elf said, a slow grin spreading across his face. "We would no longer need to fear being discovered by Petra's faithful! We would be free!"

  "Yes," The shadow murmured, its harsh voice taking on a seductive tone. "Unlimited power to conquer those who would attempt to oppose us." The dark figure swelled in size. "Bring me the Dragon Sword, no matter the cost. Bring it to me, and I shall grant all of your requests, and more."

  "I'll see to it, my lord." The silver haired elf promised. "Now that I understand its importance, I can see why it is necessary that we obtain the fabled blade." His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "So this is why our friend in the Royal Tower wanted the Dragon Lord to come to our island. You wanted him to bring the Dragon Sword to our isle so we could take it for ourselves."

  "Of course." The dark shadow whispered absently. "And now that he is here, all we have to do is kill him, and then the sword will be ours. Then, no one will be able to stand against us."

  Yrinn frowned. "I have the feeling that it may be easier said than done. I had thought that the tales about the Dragon Lord were nothing more than fabrications, but it appears that there may be some truth to the stories. He has already managed to track a pair of our brothers to one of our safe houses, where they he killed them. I would have never believed a human capable of such an act."

  "He is still just a mere human." Hetris murmured, pulling back further into the shadows until the dark shape had nearly vanished altogether. "Send some of our best warriors to eliminate him, and then bring me that sword. Once I have that blade, you shall be rewarded above all others. Do not fail me, Yrinn."

  "I will see to it, my lord." The silver haired elf promised. He turned to peer into the shadows. "And what about our friend in the Royal Tower?"

  "I shall visit them myself." Hetris whispered faintly. "I have a special task them."

  "A special task?"

  "The Dragon Lord saw fit to slaughter some of my followers. That is something that I cannot let go unchallenged." An evil growl emanated from the shadows. "We're going to see just how much he enjoys having one of his followers butchered."

  **********

  "With all due respect," Gilroy of Willowdale started in a haughty tone. "I still believe that it was a mistake to invite these outsiders to our beloved island. I have heard the tales about the Dragon Lord, and it seems that destruction follows him everywhere that he goes."

  They had gathered that morning in the throne room with a number of the queen's advisors to discuss the ongoing conflict with Hetris's followers. The meeting had started off with a number of the elves expressing displeasure at the arrival of Damion and the others, and then rapidly went downhill from there.

  "Many of the stories that you have heard about Damion have been embellished extensively." Damarius assured all of the elves in a diplomatic tone. "Damion always does his very best to make certain that no innocents are harmed by his actions." In an obvious attempt to appear as the wise, all knowing wizard, the old man had dressed in his finest white robes, which had been decorated with numerous mystical symbols that were embroidered out of thick gold thread, and he carried an elaborately carved staff topped with a piece of crystal formed into the shape of a writhing flame.

  "You have already made your feelings quite clear on the matter numerous times, Gilroy." Queen Serena replied with a note of annoyance in her voice. "I took your council into consideration, but decided that this crisis was far too serious to take any chances. Too many lives have already been lost in this conflict."

  "I, for one, am delighted to know that the Dragon Lord has come to our island to lend us aid." An older elven woman declared with a relieved looking smile. "The blood elves have been wreaking havoc among our people, and so far we've been helpless to stop them. At least with the Dragon Lord here to help us, our people stand a chance of surviving."

  "With all due respect, Anallia," Gilroy sniffed disdainfully. "We have never needed outside aid to defeat the blood elves in times past. I don't see why we need it now."

  "Because our people are being slaughtered!" Queen Serena told him with surprising heat. "We have already lost too many of our people in this struggle against Hetris and His followers, and we've been unable to stop them on our own. I do not want to see anymore of my people die just so we can avoid a bit of embarrassment!"

  "The blood elves have never struck out against Petra's faithful with such ruthless determination before." Dar pointed out in a reasonable tone. "They have already wiped out several of the ancient families, and you've been helpless to stop them." He frowned. "The elven people are, for the most part, an innocent race. You have been isolated from the corruption that has infested the other races, which has made you all naive. The elven people are not equipped to deal with the various evils that have become the norm for the other races. That is why I advised the queen to contact Damion."

  "You're not fooling anybody, Dar of the Alena." Gilroy scoffed in a scathing tone. "You've been attempting to convince the queen to open the island to outsiders for years now. You have just used this crisis to seize the opportunity to fulfill that goal." He shook his head. "You seem to think that opening the Elven Island to outsiders would be good for the elven race, but you said it yourself, we are not equipped to deal with the various evils that have become the norm for the other races. Allowing outsiders among our people would spell our d
oom."

  "So you think that sitting idly by while the blood elves slaughter Petra's faithful one by one is better than bringing in a handful of outsiders who may be able to save us?" A grim faced elf with short cropped blond hair demanded, his expression displeased. "Nothing that we have done has made a bit of difference. The killings continue to take place, no matter what we try. If this Dragon Lord is able to track Yrinn down, then he could finally bring an end to all of this madness!"

  "I'm afraid that I must agree with Gilroy." A fussy looking elven woman stated with a frown. "Though I respect Dar and Vlane's opinions, I think the danger that the Dragon Lord poses far outweighs the benefits of his aid. If the stories are true about his power, then he could easily conquer our people, and there would be absolutely nothing that we could do to stop him."

  "I can assure you, Bellatonia, Damion has absolutely no desire to conquer this island, or any other place, for that matter." Damarius chuckled in amusement. "He doesn't even want to be Lord of Sevria, but his sense of responsibility always takes precedence over his personal feelings." He smiled fondly. "Damion has never been one to seek out power. He was born with it, and he's found it to be more of an annoyance than anything else."

  "So you say," Gilroy scowled. "but that could just be your way of trying to get us to lower our guards long enough for the Dragon Lord to strike."

  "Now you're just being an ass, Gilroy." Anallia told the older elf scathingly. "If it were up to you, we'd all just sit here while the blood elves destroyed everything that we love, all because of your foolish pride."

  "Foolish pride?" The stern faced elf suddenly leapt to his feet, his expression angry. "You have some nerve, Anallia of Mapleton! I have acted as one of Queen Serena's advisors for over a century now, and I have always tried to put the welfare of the elven people before my own personal feelings and beliefs!" He let out an exasperated sigh. "If truth be known, I personally have no problem with the Dragon Lord and his companions lending us their aid. In fact, I welcome it! But my position as the queen's advisor forces me to view everything in the worst possible light, and that means considering the possibility that he may turn his considerable power against us."

  Everyone stared at him in shock.

  "You truly have no personal objections to our presence?" Damarius asked in surprise.

  "Of course not," Gilroy sighed again, returning to his seat on the oddly designed throne. "but it's my responsibility to do my utmost to ensure that the elven people remain safe, and it's a responsibility that I take quite seriously."

  "Why, Gilroy," Queen Serena started in surprised pleasure. "This is a side of you that I have never seen before." She smiled at the stern faced elf. "Does this mean that all of the warnings and dire declarations which you have made over the decades have all been for show?"

  "I wouldn't go that far, my queen," Gilroy smiled a bit sheepishly. "but as your advisor, I have to consider all of the possibilities when it comes to making a decision that effects our people. Sometimes that forces me to take a rather stubborn stance on certain issues."

  "You have played your part well, Gilroy." Anallia laughed. "I have always wondered if your stubbornness was genuine, or if it were contrived. Now I know that you're not really that pig headed!"

  "I am sorely disappointed in you, Gilroy." Bellatonia murmured with a scowl. "I have always believed you to be one of the few elves on this island with a sense of tradition."

  "Oh, for Petra's sake," Anallia rolled her eyes. "Quit being such a fuddy-duddy, Bellatonia. The Dragon Lord and his companions are here, and have already set out after Yrinn and his blood elves. We may as well accept it and move on."

  "Your father, Aken, Elder of the House of Spruce, would not just sit idly by and accept these events, Anallia." Bellatonia told her in a reproving tone.

  "My father is not here, Bellatonia." Anallia snapped, a faint blush touching her pale cheeks. "He is very old, so he has charged me with taking his place at the queen's side to give her my advice, and that is exactly what I shall do."

  An awkward silence fell over the throne room.

  "Have there been any more reports of attacks anywhere on the island?" Queen Serena asked, finally breaking the silence.

  "None, my queen." Gilroy replied with a shake of his head. "The attacks seem to have stopped for now."

  "That's because the blood elves are too busy trying to decide what to do about Damion." Dar grinned knowingly. "Word has surely reached them about the deaths of the blood elves that Damion and the others discovered in the lake cottage. I suspect that they are preoccupied with trying to decide how to deal with him."

  "That is reassuring." Queen Serena smiled. "The Dragon Lord's presence here has already made a difference then. I feel much better knowing that the followers of Hetris are already nervous."

  "The timing couldn't be better, either." Anallia agreed. "People are already beginning to arrive in the city in anticipation of the Spring Dawning. Hopefully the Dragon Lord's presence will be enough to keep the blood elves from attempting to disrupt the festival."

  "I wouldn't count on it." Gilroy warned her in a serious tone. "The blood elves are almost certain to attempt something. The Spring Dawning is the most important ritual of the year for Petra's faithful. Hetris and His followers will not pass up the opportunity to disrupt it."

  "They shall regret it dearly if they try." Queen Serena declared fiercely. "Any attack attempted during the Spring Dawning will be met with swift and brutal justice. I will not allow our goddess's celebration to be desecrated." She glanced out of one of the large windows. "It's nearly midday. I shall call for refreshments so we may continue our discussion while we dine."

  After a curt gesture from the queen, one of the elven servants who had been standing attentively near the throne quickly hurried off, only to return a few minutes later leading a number of other servants who carried a large horseshoe shaped table which they placed before the throne. Several more servants hurried into the room bearing numerous trays of food and drink, which they began to spread out onto the oddly shaped table.

  One of the servants, an elderly elven woman with long grey hair, and pale, nearly colorless eyes, paused as she drew close to Damarius, who sat at one end of the elaborate throne.

  "Watch out!" Dar exclaimed as she suddenly withdrew a small dagger from her beltline and raised it to strike the old wizard, whose back was exposed.

  Reacting with surprising speed, Damarius whirled around and deflected her deadly thrust with his staff, sending her dagger skittering across the floor. He then leveled his staff at the elven woman's chest and released a blast of energy that hurled her backwards across the throne room, sending her crashing down onto the cold quartz floor in an unconscious heap.

  "By the gods!" Gilroy exclaimed, staring at the old elven woman in shock. He turned to look at Damarius, who was watching the remaining servants with hard eyes, clearly ready to react to any more aggression. "She nearly killed you!"

  "She would have killed me if it hadn't been for Dar's timely warning." The old wizard nodded to the fiery haired Alena in thanks.

  "Seize her at once!" Queen Serena commanded, her face pale with shock.

  A pair of guards who had watched the attack with dumfounded expressions suddenly leapt into action and seized the elderly elven woman, who still lay unmoving.

  "Who is she?" Dar asked, watching as the guards quickly bound the elven woman's hands and feet.

  "Her name is Freedi." The queen replied in a rattled tone. "She has been a servant here in the tower for decades."

  "Why would she attack Damarius?" Bellatonia asked in a baffled tone.

  "Isn't it obvious?" Vlane asked, watching as the guards carried the would-be assassin from the room. "She must be one of Hetris's followers."

  "A blood elf here in the Royal Tower?" Anallia gasped in fear. "How could she have worked in the tower for so long without revealing her allegiance to Hetris?"

  "I don't know." Queen Serena looked troubled. "Freedi has alway
s been a loyal servant, though she was a little on the quiet side. Nevertheless, I would have never expected anything like this from her."

  "Well, I'm pretty sure that Damion's arrival has the blood elves rattled." Damarius said with a note of satisfaction in his voice.

  "What do you mean?" Gilroy asked in confusion.

  "If the blood elves weren't concerned with Damion's presence on the island, that assassin would have attempted to attack the queen." Dar pointed out shrewdly. "Instead, she chose to target Damarius in an obvious attempt to send a message."

  "They're going to have to try a bit harder if they want to use me to send their message." The old wizard grunted, brushing his brow lock from his eyes absently.

  The one of the guards who had helped carry the elderly assassin away quickly returned. "We placed Freedi in a holding cell in the crypts beneath the tower. She was still unconscious, but the healers say that she is otherwise uninjured."

  "Let me know the instant that she regains consciousness." The elven queen ordered, her eyes flashing with anger. "She has a lot of explaining to do."

  The guard bowed once, then hurried out of the throne room once again.

  "Do you really think that she'll tell us anything of value?" Bellatonia asked with a doubtful tone. "Every blood elf that's been captured so far has refused to talk."

  "Don't worry about that." The old wizard told her reassuringly, a bleak smile on his face. "I have ways of making her talk."

  It was several hours before the guard finally returned to alert Queen Serena that the elderly elven woman had regained consciousness.

  "Shackle her hands and feet together securely, and then bring her here before me." The elven queen commanded, her expression stern. "I have some questions for her."

  A pair of guards soon appeared with the elderly elven servant in tow. She looked disheveled. The sleeve on her blouse was torn, and she had a large purple lump on her forehead from where she had crashed down onto the unyielding quartz floor of the throne room. The guards placed her before the throne, then forced her to her knees and secured her chains to a steel loop that was protruding from the floor, preventing her from standing.