by Dawn Chapman
This was better than seeing it from any kind of computer screen. The transitions were getting easier. I didn’t fall off Bracer or run into things as much now after putting more Karma into Familiar Connections.
“There are two lines. They’re easy to see where the rivers meet. It looks like Kamaal’s army is already there waiting for us, but it’s agitating the elves, they’re worried, and a couple of their scouts are running to and fro.”
Abel’s voice came to me inside Zurath’s mind. “Is there any way you can get the elves to calm down and not attack Kamaal’s men?”
There was only one way I could think of to do this. “Zurath, would you fly between the two parties and show them your true powers.”
“Now that would be my pleasure, Akillia. I’ve not unleashed the energy since we arrived, and I think a good blow out would do me a great service.”
I could feel the build-up of energy within him, and he dipped his wing to be able to fly in closer, right in between the lines of both sides. I could sense fire burning off his wings and streaming behind him. The fact it was almost dark would make this one hell of a sight to see.
All the elves and Kamaal’s men were staring at us. Zurath came to a beautiful landing before one of the elven men.
The guy almost wet himself, I was sure, but he dropped to his knees and started praying, instead. I wondered for one moment why I was looking down on him still. Then I realised, as I looked around, that everyone was tiny. “Zurath, what happened?”
But I lost the connection temporarily. Looking to Myleen, I repeated to myself, “What happened?”
“I believe Zurath matured into an adult.” Where she pointed, I was shocked to see not only Zurath, but I could see his magical energy from out here. He was huge, and I mean like building huge. The flames could be seen burning off him with an amazing intensity.
“Wow!” was all I could muster.
“Wow indeed,” Abel said. “Not sure how the hell you’re going to get him on your arm at that size.”
Zurath’s connection came back to me, and I felt the difference in him—more energy and definitely more maturity. “Thank you. I am at full range now. The elves and Night Guild will not attempt to pass me. Continue on, and we’ll see each other shortly.”
I smiled at the others, and nudged Bracer on, taking my reigns back from Abel. “We’ll be there soon enough, and I can talk with the warriors of both sides before we attack the others.”
Chapter 32
I crossed over to where Zurath was, and on seeing me, he started to shrink back down. “That was a wonderful way to get rid of some burning energy. I am glad you released some steam.” I chuckled.
When he was back to something that I considered almost normal, I held my arm out for him, and he flew straight to me and then climbed onto my shoulder with one flap of his wings.
Kamaal used the ridge before us now to cross the river with Patrise at his side. The Elven Warrior before us motioned over to his commander. I could tell that because of the way his uniform fell and noticed the markings on the left of his tunic.
“I am Commander Kelho. To what do we owe the pleasure of a Royal bird?”
“I am here to bridge the gap between the both of you, with Ruadhar’s blessing.” I said.
“What do you mean?” Commander Kelho asked.
“It means, if I may, that we are to fight alongside each other.”
When Commander Kelho looked disgusted, I held up my hand. “That is exactly what it means. You are not going to win against those things without me and without each other. So suck it up, boys, and grow a pair.”
Abel chuckled at me, and for a moment, there was a brief thought to the folks back home. If they ever actually got to see some of this stuff, then I wondered what they would think of my changing personality. I think my best friend really would be proud of me, and thinking of her right now made me homesick—just a little.
I looked out at the greying and swirling mists before me. Wondering how on earth I thought I was going to bring these two warring factions together to fight it, but then I remembered Abel stood behind me. And so were the others. Myleen, Taffie, Uula, Anlea, Alec, Dovol, Abel, Macie, Borroth. I found the strength to breathe in.
I looked Commander Kelho in the eyes. “You will obey me because of my lineage.” I raised the sleeve of my arm, now understanding its significance and the power it also had over this species. I didn’t want to use it as a trump card, but I would. “And not only that but because I’m bonded with one whom you call a god, I want you to know that no order of mine will be ignored.” I glanced at Kamaal, and he lowered his head and crossed his right fist over his chest.
“I will not dishonour our agreement, my lady.”
I wasn’t sure why I internally giggled at the words, but I felt like his words were true.
“Good.” I looked back to Kelho.
Kelho reciprocated Kamaal’s gesture. I think I had both their respect even if it wasn’t their full trust.
“Thank you. Now I need to get as close to that substance and their monster as I can. I need to see it for myself, to understand them a little more.”
It was the Elven Warrior that spoke up now. “You don’t want to do that. Ma’am, there’s a reason why we’re trying our best to hold it off.”
“I want to see the reason why.” I looked at him and noted the shake in his hands. “Is there somewhere I can get a closer look without being too much at risk?”
Kelho moved to the side so I could speak with his soldier a little easier. “Yes, ma’am. We’re holding off on the northwest side, and I think we’ve got a good view from there if you are serious?”
“I am. Abel and Myleen will bring you up to speed on some of our thoughts for the attack. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve surveyed the area.” With one quick push off, Zurath was back in the air. “Be careful,” I said to him. “I’m concerned for your safety. Please be extra wary and return to me if there’s any sign of something bad.”
He agreed with a gesture of his wings and fire. And then he was gone.
I looked at the young soldier. “Please lead me on.” Together, we made our way across the battlefield, away from the others.
“What’s your name?” I asked, but I knew I might not remember.
“Bodo Nace, ma’am.”
Bodo pointed up to a large tree. Its structure was sound, but it had been burnt recently. “There was a time when we burnt everything to stop them,” he said, pointing to the branches. “It’s stable enough for us, don’t worry. I’ve spent many a day and night watching these creatures.”
“Okay,” I put my foot on the first rung and then started to climb upwards to a small watchtower.
From up there, it was clear across the two rivers. This, in fact, was the best place to stronghold the enemy because, while they were dwindling in numbers, the others couldn’t get across to fight properly.
“Tell me everything you’ve observed from here,” I said. “It doesn’t matter if you think it’s important or not. I want to know all the details.”
I listened while Bodo gave me as much as he could. From the tiniest detail to what he thought was the more important few. I listened and watched the land before me.
Then I waited while Zurath drew into position. “If my eyes glaze over, and I go quietly. Listen and note my words. I need you to keep track of what I see from Zurath.”
Bodo’s eyes lit up. “You can see through him?”
I nodded, and within a second, Bodo pulled out a notepad and pencil. “Excellent,” I said and started to feel the tug of a connection.
Before me, the desolated port spread out. The large ships still sat in the harbour. It seemed Zurath wanted to come in around the edge of the seas, and I could now see why. The enemy forces weren’t concentrated anywhere near there.
As he flew inland, the state of the port itself was obvious. Burning building, debris—what stung me the most were the bodies. “Bodo, have you ever seen a body decay?”
“Exactly my thought. How long ago was the port attacked?”
“Weeks ago. Maybe four!”
“If a body turns into a zombie, how long would it take?”
My questions seemed to flummox him. “Again, a matter of minutes. Ma’am, are there still bodies?”
I thought about not frightening him but then realised the truth would come out at some point. So I answered, “Yes, they’re all still there where they were killed. All of them.”
“No zombies though, right?”
“No, no zombies. Remember the zombies we have on this side of the river are with us, yes?”
There was no answer, but I did feel a small shake.
I concentrated back too what Zurath was showing me. Then we both saw it together.
The portal. Or what we could only presume was a portal. It didn’t look quite the same as the others. There was a lack of colour within the port. Large swirling greys and then there it was, tiny spots of colours. There would be a flower in the middle of a splodge of gooey grey something. Then, almost like a tiny trail leading somewhere, there was a blade of grass, another spot of colour, a bird’s feather.
Zurath caught on to what I was thinking, and he started to follow the little trail of colour.
It warranted investigating.
“When you were watching the land, did you ever see anything of colour?”
“No,” he said. “Clear as a bell everything is grey, black, or a shade of grey.”
“Something for us to investigate.” I grinned, following my gut. “We’re going in. Be prepared.”
“Ready,” his enthusiastic voice came back. I urged Zurath on. There were more signs of life, and as we drew towards the furthest point of the Port, I noticed a spot of shimmering light.
“There’s a shield up ahead,” I spoke out. “There’s someone here still inside the port.”
“What? I don’t know how. Those things suck everything dry.”
“No, I can see exactly what they do, but I’m going to send in Zurath to see if I can coax them out.”
“If they’re hiding, Akillia, they need to stay that way. I don’t know if you can get them a message instead, but please, don’t let them be found.”
I listened to his warning and urged Zurath back. Honestly, if there was a survivor in the port, then they’d probably be best staying there a few more days while we went about destroying whatever creature was there.
What intrigued me was that in amongst the darkness was one line of colour. Almost as if it were hiding in plain sight, and they just didn’t care. What was it about the items that made the others not attack?
“Zurath, if you can get in close enough without drawing any attention, could we try and swipe up one of the flowers?”
He didn’t answer in words. Instead, he dipped his wings and dove. With one quick grab, he snatched a purple flower and headed back high into the clouds before anyone could see him.
I watched out from the tower for a while before I said anything else. “The portal isn’t like the others. Has anyone tried to make it over to cross it?”
“Lord no. That would be suicide beyond anything we’re prepared for.”
“Why? What makes you say that?”
“I watched them march two of our soldiers through. The screams were horrendous. And nothing came back.”
“Did the others go through?”
He shook his head. That was interesting.
I let the thoughts percolate in my mind as we started the climb down, heading back to the base camp where my friends had already started to set up. We needed a mutual place for both Rhurdah and Kamaal to sit and talk so this had to be it. Nothing either side of the rivers was good enough, but Kamaal seemed to be the one taking the brunt of the compromising at the moment.
By the time we returned, the others were deep in discussion as Zurath landed smack bang centre table—with the proffered flower now in his beak.
Macie was the one to reach forward, but Kamaal intercepted her hand. “Be careful, precious.”
I almost laughed at his term for her, but actually found it quite endearing and not wrong. She blushed and waited for me to join them.
“Kamaal’s correct,” I said. “This has been picked from the grounds on the other side of the river, deep into the lands that the others now occupy.” Zurath let it slip from his beak, and it dropped to the table in one swift flutter.
I stepped towards the table and reached for Kamaal’s hand. Would you mind if we all tried together?
“Of course not.” He offered Macie his hand, and she took it. I noted he flinched just a little on contact with the furry woman. I wasn’t sure if it was her fur or the fact she was actually a powerful mage.
I spoke out, “Kamaal, I’d like you to lead here if you don’t mind.”
Kamaal didn’t speak back, but with his energies, I felt him reaching out. “There’s an image in here,” he said. “I can just about make it out within the cells of the flower. Can you see it?”
Both Macie and I said no together. Kamaal drew in energy from us both, and then focussing harder at the centre of the table, he managed to start to play the images from the flower. There wasn’t just one or a few. It was like a small snippet of film.
The portal appearing
The grey matter starting to ooze out
The first death
Then lots of death
Running
Hiding
The magical barrier
Trying to reach out
Nothing worked
Then the flower started to grow
Then...
I saw it first as one of the creatures came towards it, having seen the growth. It didn’t have hands or arms even, but thick stick like appendages with slime-covered spikes as fingers, its body large and bloated with oozing pores. The pores gassed off, and I could swear I could smell it.
I gagged, and Kamaal squeezed my hand.
There appeared one word—reverse.
I thought about it for a moment, but I didn’t understand it, and then I pulled away. I’d been connected to these two long enough. The day was setting well into the night, and we needed a little catch up on a plan for the morning—well, at least I did.
Macie then shot off to get both Bodo and myself some food and drink.
Taffie was the one to step forward now. “We’ll go over a plan of attack first thing. I think Commander Kelho is good without suggestions and battle attack. We’ve had many a chance over the years to see and work against the monsters of the sea, there are not many creatures that Kamaal has had the opportunity to fight, so we’ve taken over the strategy of the scene.”
I had to admit I was a little surprised at this, but I let Taffie and Dovol point out the lay of the lands and where they thought was best to try to sneak across before the others could spot them.
“You’re planning on using magic to help you?” I asked, suddenly feeling there was something here I didn’t want to miss. I stared at the plan, and simply said, “No magic.”
“I think they’re attracted to the way the colours of our land and energies mix, especially along the lay lines of the land. You can see these, can’t you, Kamaal, Macie?” I ran a finger through the river and in towards the portal.
The deeply etched magic lines were indeed that deep that even Macie struggled to focus and see them. “Yes, actually, I do. I wonder if this is why they’re here.”
And then it clicked—Reverse.
“Kamaal, Macie, may I speak with you in private just for a few moments.” It was strange to ask them to walk away with me to a different area. There I called for Zurath and waited for him to swoop in and land.
I lifted him up and asked carefully. “Would either of you be able to shield us totally from the view of the others?”
Macie nodded. “I think I can do t
hat.” With a shake of her wrist and fingers, a shimmering shield started to form around us. The wonderful blues and golden veins formed a larger set and then spread out to cover us completely.
I waited until it connected over our heads like an umbrella and then began to speak.
“The word was ‘reverse’—I think what we need to do is remove all energy from the surrounding tree line, even the rivers if we have to. The only way they’ll retreat is if they have nothing to take. I don’t want them to take anything else.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever tried to reverse the way magic flows, I don’t even know if it’s possible.”
“We’ll have to make it possible.”
“For that we need time. Time we don’t have.”
I looked at Macie. “The plan is good to go in and start to push them back, but they’ll see any energy coming at them as a means to keep on pushing. If the men go in, they need to stop, walk through. If I can ask someone to show you this, will you get them to buy Kamaal and I the time to reverse the energy in the area around us?”
Macie looked to the party of our friends. “If it goes wrong, their lives would be lost, you know this.”
I took her hand in mind, and even Zurath nosed on in further to her, touching the side of her face with his beak. It shocked her a little at first. Then she nodded. “It can only be Abel and my brother. They’re the better fighters, and they’re also adept at keeping calm in a horrid situation.”
I let go of her hand, and she pulled back, trying just the once to put a finger to Zurath’s beak. This time, he play-bit at her, and she yanked it back.
“Kamaal, we have a large spell to master, something I know I can’t do, but I know I can create the means to do it. Without you, it wouldn’t work.”
“Because I’m a demon.” He laughed.
I actually found this a little unsettling, but he was correct. This probably was the right spell for him and not for Macie to learn. I was then suddenly glad I pushed her to leave.
“Practice is key for anything new that we must learn. I might be a master of my domain, but I am not a creator of all things. I believe that you were indeed the key to be able to bridge this, Akillia. I am willing to learn. I will ask that my own mages protect us while we are in deep spell creation. There might be a time difference that we do not see.”