Maefon’s heart sank into her toes.
The wild bear charged.
Suddenly, the dagger in Maefon’s hands seemed useless. She needed a spell, but there was no time. The bear bore down on her. She stuffed the daggers into her belt and started running away. “Caligin! Galtur! Attack!”
The three dark elves fired a volley of arrows into the bear’s hide. The shaggy beast did not break stride.
Maefon’s legs pumped as fast as they would go toward the shoreline. Fingers fidgeting, she chanted a spell. The savage bear plowed toward her. She stumbled over a log of driftwood and hit the sandy bank, landing flat on her back. She rolled up to the back of her elbows. The bear towered over her. Its huge paws were ready to rip her open. She cringed. “No, Caly, no!”
Galtur jetted over the waters and attacked the bear’s head. Like an eagle snatching its prey from the water, it hovered over the grizzly, flapping wildly. It pecked and clawed at the bear’s eyes.
Calypsa’s great paws swatted the vulture across its ugly face. Claws dug into the big bird’s body and ripped the feathers out. She slammed the smaller two-headed vulture into the bank. They wrestled and squirmed against one another, rolling over the ground and back into the edge of the waters. The bear pushed the vulture’s heads underneath the surge. Galtur’s wings flapped wildly.
Panting, Maefon gathered her thoughts and started summoning a spell. If Galtur died, that would be on her, and Darkken would have her head for it. Just as she started to cast her spell, the dark elves leaped into the fray. Swords in hand, the Caligin hacked at the colossal bear. The steel bit into the dark fur, shaving off hair, but no blood came.
Maefon withdrew her summons, watching as the battle unfolded. Calypsa turned to the elves. Her great claws hooked an elf underneath his arm. She reeled the elf into her massive body and crushed his body in a bear hug. Bone popped and cracked. The elf was slung aside like a dead fish.
Galtur fluttered out of the waters and took to the sky. Calypsa battled against the remaining Caligin. Flanking her, they attacked in turn, darting in and stabbing with their blades. She charged over top of one and mauled them while the last dark elf hacked into her back. She swatted the smaller elf aside with a single swipe that sent the elf head over heels into the water. From all fours, she rose up on two legs, searching for Maefon. Her eyes fastened on the female Caligin. She closed in.
Maefon pointed her hands at the great bear. A fiery glow pulsated between her fingers. She turned loose a stream of energy. “Die, you ugly bear woman, die!”
Calypsa let out a howl. Her singed fur smoked and smoldered. Snarling like a savage beast, she charged Maefon. Pawed feet pounding the sand and jaw hanging wide open, she roared.
“Noooo!” Maefon unleashed another stream of power. The grizzly’s body slammed against the mystic stream and kept going. The great bear of a woman buried her underneath smoking fur and flesh. Suffocating underneath the great mass, Maefon squirmed. She was being squashed underneath the bear’s singed belly. It rumbled. Calypsa was laughing. With her face pushed into the sloppy dirt, Maefon screamed again, “Noooooooo!”
***
With her great paw, Calypsa pushed Maefon’s little face deeper into the bank. Her blood churned like it was streams of fire. Her body ached with pain from the fiery bolts the elf woman shot into her, but she withstood it. With hatred for the woman, she endured. Now she was going to finish Maefon and warn Nath Dragon. She spoke in a monstrous voice, “It’s over for you, Maefon.”
Something splashed down into the waters behind her. With the flailing Maefon smashed underneath her great body, she glanced over her shoulder. The two-headed vulture had returned. Its emerald eyes burned hot as coals. Both heads opened their beaks wide as a river. Green hellfire came out. The flames consumed Calypsa’s body. She reared up and roared.
“The pain!” she moaned. “The pain!” She dove into the waters and rolled like a log. The flames were burning down to her flesh. She summoned her power, taking away the energy of being a grizzly to save herself from disintegration. Her body transformed. The flames that consumed her extinguished. The water bubbled and smoked around her. Sunk to the waist in the river, she found herself surrounded by the vulture, one elf, and Maefon.
Calypsa had no idea what the vulture was that burned her so, but she’d never felt anything like that before. Its eyes were still burning into her. It spread out its wings, blustering, squawking, and shaking off the waters.
Maefon was covered in mud. Chest heaving, she had her daggers in hand. She wiped her forearm across her mouth and waved a dagger at Calypsa. “You are going to pay.”
“What’s the matter? You can’t finish me off by yourself?” Calypsa replied. Her energy was spent now. It took all she had left to fight off the vulture’s fire. Her body trembled in the icy water. “I knew you were weak.”
“I can kill you fine on my own, and I will.” Maefon advanced.
Calypsa stood. “Me and you, then. I can’t wait to get my hands around your bare throat and kill you!” She lumbered forward, summoning all the strength she had left.
Maefon came at her and stabbed.
Calypsa seized her wrists and head-butted her in the nose. She hip-tossed the smaller elf into the waters. Down they went.
Ripping free of Calypsa’s grasp, Maefon stabbed the woman in the shoulder. The blade didn’t break the skin.
Wrestling through the waters, Calypsa said, “Your metal can’t hurt me.” Back and forth they went, shoving, pulling hair, stabbing, and clawing at one another. Finally, Calypsa pinned Maefon down and choked her. Maefon stabbed futilely at her. “It’s over,” Calypsa said.
Maefon’s lips twitched over quick little words. Her eyes turned coal black. Suddenly, the dagger blades she held stretched out like black flames. With a growl, she stabbed Calypsa in the neck with both blades. The blades sank hilt deep. Maefon pushed up out of the water, reversed position, and pinned Calypsa underneath her. In a voice full of triumph, she said, “No, woodland witch, it’s over for you!” She shoved the blades in harder.
Calypsa let out an ear-splitting scream that scattered the birds from the branches. After a last ragged hiss, she said, “You are pure evil, but death will find you soon,” and fell silent.
***
Maefon put her ear to the woman’s mouth. Staring into Calypsa’s glassy eyes, she said, “She’s dead.” She looked at the two wounded elves who had survived the grizzly attack. “Get a shovel and bury her and the bugbear.” The black flame on her daggers extinguished as she stood. “Be sure to make it deep.”
CHAPTER 53
On a sunny morning, Nath and Darkken headed north out of the city of Advent. On horseback, they took the dusty road to the covered bridge that crossed over a stream. The horses’ hooves clomped loudly over the wooden planks. Nath looked through the openings and could see a young father standing on the bank, fishing with his three sons. The man tipped his chin at Nath while the three boys waved wildly. Nath waved back.
Riding right beside him, Darkken said, “The simple life is the best life. Do you fish?”
“Huh? Oh, well, no, I suppose.” Nath’s eyes lingered on the father and his sons. “It looks like a peaceful activity.”
“There’s always time for fishing on the trail. It helps one keep their sanity.” Darkken’s eyes glided up toward the rafters inside the covered bridge. There were birds nestled in the nooks of the beams, cooing and fluttering their wings. “I’d be honored to teach you how to fish. I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s a fine pastime but even better when you cook your own fish right.”
“I’d like that,” Nath said. Making it to the other side of the bridge, they were faced with a cross in the road. The road went north and south and straight ahead west. Darkken led the way north, heading toward the sprawling forest that stretched out over the hills for miles. There was nothing but green treetops as far as the eye could see. The massive greenery waited, ready to swallow them whole. “So, we should catch up with Maef
on and the others soon?”
“We will. We have the advantage. Don’t worry, Nath, our patience will pay off. It has to.”
Nath nodded. They had spent the last four days in Advent, waiting for the dark elves and the Merchant Queen to make their move. They departed at separate times, with the elves going west but the Merchant Queen moving east. However, she circled back a day later and headed west again, into the forest. Nath watched them depart, but the rest of the information came by way of Darkken. The Brothers of the Wind kept a close eye on the Caligin, tracking their movements and getting back to Darkken. They did the same thing with the Merchant Queen.
As they entered the forest, the comfort of the bright warm sun quickly vanished. The woodland was dark and rich with heavy greenery. Strangely colored mosses climbed up the great trees. The critters darted from branch to branch. Birdcalls echoed through the branches. The dank forest had an eerie feel to it. The air was cold and damp.
Riding easy in the saddle, Darkken said, “It’s chillier in the green fold, isn’t it?”
“I suppose. But winter is coming.”
“Yes, the northerners love that saying. As if a chilly season makes their kind any tougher. If they had any sense, they would just move farther south, where it’s often warm and muggy.”
Nath nodded. He missed the warmth of Dragon Home from time to time. The mountain home was always warm, making for a cozy environment. As much as he wanted to leave it when he was growing up, there was still comfort there. It was a one-of-a-kind place. He wondered about his father. Had Balzurth returned from the Land Beyond the Murals? Did he even miss Nath? Were all of the dragons still restricted to Dragon Home? Had they been released yet? He’d been so busy since he left, he hadn’t given it much thought until lately. Now it seemed he had time.
I wonder how my brother, Slivver, is doing?
CHAPTER 54
The forest had many trails. On two occasions, Nath and Darkken passed some travelers, who had very little to say and didn’t recall seeing any elves or merchants. Darkken led the way over the packed, hard dirt, pointing out any discrepancies along the trail.
“Check the ground and the trees. Sometimes a busted branch or an impression in the ground can give you a different direction.” Darkken stopped on the trail where a low-hanging branch blocked the path. He lifted it with his hand. “Take a close look.”
One of the smaller branches on the hanging branch had been broken, and there was a tear in one of the leaves. Nath cocked his head to one side. “That’s intentional?”
“Yes.” Darkken traced his finger over the small broken branch. “See where the wood is bright white? It’s a clean break, recent, within a day or so. If it was much longer, the wood would be darker and faded. Someone is telling us something.”
Nath looked at him. “It’s the Brothers of the Wind, isn’t it?”
Darkken smiled. “Very well done, Nath. Well done. Now, let’s see how keen those eyes of yours are. I’ll let you track them and the signs that they have left. How does that sound?”
“I’d like that.”
They spent the next several hours following the subtle signs in the woodland. The signs led them farther off the main trails and deeper into the woods, where the pathways were mostly overgrown and covered. Darkken showed Nath a great deal of different signs that he would have overlooked before. There were soft impressions in the moss left by animals. When he looked closely enough, Nath could guess if it was a hoof or a paw. There were deer droppings and other kinds he learned to identify. Clusters of bugs on trees or in the dung were other signs that Darkken described. Nath got a pretty good feel for it by the time they were done. They found a clearing, and when the sun’s light no longer fed the high tops of the trees, they made a fire.
Warming his hands over the fire and chewing on a hunk of dried beef, Nath said, “I think I could find more signs in the night. My vision is very strong.”
Darkken lay on his side, staring into the flames. “There’s no need for urgency.” He yawned. “And I’m tired. I don’t have your unique endurance or other gifts.”
“You seem pretty gifted to me,” Nath remarked. “The way you and the Brothers of the Wind work together is incredible. I never would have known such things if you had not shown me. I’m grateful.”
“Oh, don’t flatter me. You are just learning what many skilled hunters already know. Besides, you probably would have figured it out on your own. You are a sharp fella. Not very much escapes you.”
“I don’t know about that.” Nath leaned closer to the flames. A wolf howl echoed from beyond. “Does that mean anything?”
“A howling wolf in the night? I think that just means it’s bedtime.” Darkken yawned again. “Oh my. It’s not that late, and I’m sleepy. That’s not like me. You’ll have to forgive me if I doze off. Normally, at times like this, I make some coffee. Well, Maefon usually would. She enjoys making a warm mix of brown brew.”
“Did I hear my name?” Maefon stepped out of the tree line right behind Darkken. Six Brothers of the Wind also emerged, forming a ring around the small camp.
Twisting around to see her, a delighted Darkken said, “You shameless forest devils. You could spook an apparition.”
Maefon took a knee beside him and tousled his hair. “If you weren’t so sleepy, you might have noticed.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and looked at Nath. “How are you doing?”
Diddling his finger in his ear, Nath replied, “Going deaf, I suppose. I didn’t hear a thing, either.”
Maefon smiled. She was a vision in her dark armor. “Timing is everything. We just backtracked and came upon you moments ago. It’s always best to arrive when one least expects it.”
“Well said,” Darkken replied.
“I learned from the best,” she said. “So, you wanted some coffee?” She made her way to the horses. “It will be my pleasure.”
“Honestly, I don’t want to be up all night long. I’d rather sleep,” Darkken said. “Your brew will keep me up.”
Maefon dropped the flap on the saddlebag, gathered the rolled-up blanket from the saddle, and tossed it to him. “You’ll probably need this.”
The bedroll hit Darkken in the head, messing up his hair. He tucked the bedroll under his head and said, “At least you didn’t throw the coffee mug.”
Maefon chuckled. The Brothers of the Wind joined in, setting their gear aside as they crouched down around the fire.
Nath’s eyes widened. He’d barely heard the Brothers of the Wind talk, let alone laugh. He didn’t know what to make of it. “I didn’t think they could do that. They hardly make a sound.”
“The Brothers of the Wind have their moments,” Maefon replied. She was gathering Nath’s blanket from his horse. She brought it to him. “They are rare moments.”
Taking the blanket, he said, “Thanks.” That’s when he noticed stitches on Maefon’s bare arms. “Maefon, what happened?”
“Oh, well, a hungry little critter got the best of me.”
“Little? Those look like pretty large claw marks.” Nath grabbed her hands and looked over her arms. There were some bruises on her chin and cheeks too. “You’ve been mauled.”
Darkken got to his feet and hopped over the fire. Squinting, he looked her all over. “Shame on me. I didn’t even notice in the poor light. Are you wounded elsewhere?”
“Just my pride. I did something foolish. While the elves scouted, I decided to practice my spellcasting. I was in deep meditation and felt I was safe inside a small cave. I don’t think the bear within took too kindly to an uninvited guest.” She rubbed her battered arms. “It seems the bear hadn’t hibernated yet, and well, you can see what happened. I’m blessed that the Brothers of the Wind came when they did, else I might have been dead.”
Darkken gave her a stern look. “So, this beast is taken care of?”
“Yes, it’s fertilizing the ground as we speak,” she replied.
He wrapped her up in his arms. “Good.”
&n
bsp; CHAPTER 55
Nath and company spent the next few hours discussing their plans. Darkken yawned on and off throughout the entire conversation, even though he did most of the talking. Maefon offered to make coffee, but he continued to pass, and no one else seemed interested. Maefon filled them all in on some other interesting information. They’d followed the elves and the merchants to a fort nestled in the forest, and they weren’t even a day’s walk from it now.
“The fort is more or less a hideout for poachers,” she said, tightening the blanket around her shoulders as she sat hip to hip with Darkken. “It’s made from logs and stone, stacked horizontally, with towers on the front corners. It would be a challenge to get a look inside if we weren’t invited. And the poachers, well, we saw some new faces going in and out. Gnolls and goblins. If I were to guess, no more than thirty. I got a good look at the Merchant Queen. She is striking.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s why they call her the queen.” Darkken covered his mouth. “Oh my, I think my jaw is getting sore. Anyway, did you see any other elves?”
“Just the handful that went in.” Maefon sneered. “It sickens me that elves would consort with gnolls and goblins. I don’t understand how they can stay in the same room and not kill each other. There were some men too. Sorry I didn’t mention that.”
“No, I assumed there were some seedy men as well.” Darkken looked at Nath. “Let’s talk about our mission. On my side of the fence, I want to snare some of these elves and throttle information about Chazzan out of them, but I think Nath has a deeper concern. Please, speak what you are feeling.”
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