"Is that the high priest?" he said, and held her from crumpling to the ground.
"Why were we so stupid? So complacent and self-assured in our illusion of safety? The high priest so often warned us of coming danger. His visions..." Her words trailed off as she mumbled to herself. Tael covered her mouth as he spotted movement on the far side of the chamber. Still invisible, he guided her off to the side of the room where they could inspect the newcomers. Several Vizathian Knights strode into the temple, their eyes beaming in victory.
"We'll soon secure the portal. The few opponents are failing fast again the draenyx." The tall, wiry knight cast a haughty glance at the body dangling from the statue's sword.
"Go and send word to the other knights, kill everyone that you find. Show no mercy. King Braxion has little use for this pompous city after we secure the relics." The Vizathian general grinned as the knight bowed and marched out the room, leaving the man alone to stare at the high priest's twisted body.
"How mighty is your ancient kingdom now?" The general scoffed and spat at the body.
A fury raged in Tael's heart at the cruelty shown to the holy man, and he left Princess Marei alone and stalked over behind the general and raised his sword to strike. The gods demanded vengeance against this man for the brutality he had done again the high priest in such a sacred house. Tael said a quick prayer to Gaa'el and also to the god of the sky, hoping the blood of the Vizathian general was enough to sate the wrath of the gods.
Aiming to puncture the man's back between a separation in his armor, the general turned around instead, blind to Tael's invisibility, and his confident stride towards Tael was met with Balensaar's tip thrusting up under the man's helm and digging deep into his neck.
The general gurgled out a curse as he eyes went wide staring at his now visible enemy, and punching the blade even deeper into his brain, Tael spit on the man's face as the knight crumpled to the ground. He ripped the Vizathian general's gold medal of honor from his breastplate, and pocketed the trophy. Despite the small victory, Tael still felt their situation held little hope of success unless they could kill King Braxion himself.
"We've got to go outside and help them." Tael returned to Princess Marei and wrapped his arm around her shivering shoulders and led her towards the exit. "Can you power a shield over the portal to prevent any more draenyx from coming through? We've got to do something to stop them..."
But the Princess only stared blankly at the god's statue, and Tael was forced to guide her outside and away from the murdered high priest. When they returned to the square, they were greeted by the loud booming sound of something splintering the stone shield from the inside. Princess Marei was weak and delusional, and Tael knew he had to do something to save her. They had to escape and regroup and craft a plan to defend the city.
Already Princess Sebine and Master Shalinor flew back out of reach from the twenty or so draenyx jumping and slicing and flapping their small wings, trying to intercept their departure. The sorcerers had mounted their dragons and flew high over the temple complex, releasing waves of fire and acid and ice at the creatures. After each dragon attack, the draenyx crouched down and shielded themselves from the blow, and later stood triumphantly, brandishing their swords at the dragons, armor barely affected.
Tael tightened his grip around Princess Marei and tried to fly, and with a shock of fear discovered that the flying spell no longer worked. He heard a shattering sound from behind, and glancing back he noticed the stone shield over the portal had been broken by a battering ram. He called out to Sebine and she turned her sight towards him and cast the spell. Soon he carried Princess Marei and they flew over to Sebine and his grandfather. A battle cry could be heard from the portal and more draenyx spilled through the ruined stone shield. Soon Tael spied rat-faced King Braxion strutting through the portal with a squad of Vizathian Knights, his eyes triumphant. Would Shaar'el survive the onslaught?
"Retreat," shouted Master Shalinor, and they soared higher and higher towards the top of the city. They were greeted by the stunned faces of the King and Queen of the Malathian Kingdom, and Prince Jaraz and the other royals stared down at them from the railing. Tael couldn't help but feel a sense of arrogance at seeing their illusion of invulnerability shattered in their vacant gaze. Now they too would feel the ugliness of death and war.
"Did you close the portal?" Prince Jaraz said, and darted over to retrieve Princess Marei from Tael's arms.
Tael shook his head and glanced at the worry in Sebine's eyes. "We found the high priest slain in the temple of the sky. But I murdered his killer, a Vizathian general, part of the vanguard that has come to conquer your city. King Braxion and his army have just arrived through the portal, and it remains open to his entire army. Now do you believe the threat is real?"
"It's impossible!" declared the King, and he sought assurance from his wife but only found her dazed visage. "How could they have broken through our portal? We set unbreakable codes and only the very highest-ranking priests and wizards know how to unlock the portal. Gods! They brought dragons to kill me?"
The King cringed at the arrival of Master Vhelan's dragons, and he retreated away from the railing as several of the great beasts landed on the massive patio. The King look around as if trying to find a weapon, but soon was assured by Master Shalinor's voice.
"They are our allies, and they aided us in the defense of the portal."
"Hakkadians?" cried Prince Jaraz. "Our allies? But they work for King Braxion. They unleashed magical attacks against my sister and our group in Trikar!"
"No longer," said Master Vhelan, bowing in respect to the King. "We have separated ourselves from the corrupt king. But he has followed us here to Shaar'el. I had hoped for Jolrath and the dark elves to engage him farther away from Khalas Dralorn, but little did we know he had breached the city as we were leaving through the portal to your illustrious city. You have my humble apologies."
"And how exactly did you manage to use the portal?" The King studied the old sorcerer with contempt.
"Quite easily, I just asked the high priest in Khalas Dralorn to request the portal activated. He was most helpful, as he knew I was working to secure the safety of the Mirror of Halien'shur from the reach of King Braxion. Unfortunately I seemed to have lured our enemies a bit sooner than I had anticipated..."
"I should have you tortured and killed," the King bellowed, but when he went to strike the sorcerer, he found Master Vhelan had flown away from his reach.
"King Braxion is after all four of the ancient relics?" Prince Jaraz said, ignoring his father's angry outburst.
Master Vhelan nodded to the Prince. "King Braxion has or has destroyed two of the relics, and seeks out the elven and Malathian relics. I possess the Mirror of Halien'shur, and I suspect the Malathian relic lies hidden in Shaar'el? If you do not surrender the relic to the King, I fear he will raze your city to the ground and murder all your citizens. I've witnessed the destructive power of the draenyx army, and now that they are armed with dwarven swords and armor, they are doubly deadly."
"But I heard the Vizathian general ordering his men to kill everyone in Shaar'el," Tael said, finding the words difficult to say to the horrified faces of the Malathian royals. "He said that King Braxion ordered it, as he has little use for the city other than to retrieve the relic."
The group went silent at Tael's words, and even Princess Marei seemed to sober up in realization of what this meant for her city. Even in such a tense moment, Tael found her pale beauty intoxicating and was unable to take his eyes off her. He discovered a desire to help her growing inside of his heart. Was he feeling this way because he had saved her life? When her eyes met his, they shared a long moment filled with tenderness, like the look between lovers when they realize their world is coming to an end.
"If we surrender the relics to King Braxion, then how can there be any hope for humanity?" The Queen's plaintive voice held the depths of sadness found only in those mourning the loss of loved ones. "Prince Xant
hes will be freed from his prison and a dark, destructive wave will wash over the whole world! How can we ever relinquish our hold over the relics to such a monster?"
"You may not have a choice," said Master Shalinor, who stared over the railing at the draenyx pouring out of the portal like angry hornets. "Not if you value your citizens and the continuity of your civilization. Possessing the relic puts you in a position of negotiating with King Braxion for the lives of your people and the sanctity of your city. You could take the relic and flee Shaar'el and come with us to the north, but this would only ensure the wrath of King Braxion."
"We have to fight them," said Prince Jaraz. "We're wasting too much time talking, it's time to organize our army and wizards to resist the invaders!"
Master Vhelan released a long, heavy exhalation and shook his head at the Prince as if he were an ignorant fool. "Your city is wide open and perfect for assault by the draenyx. They can easily fly from level to level and will likely conquer Shaar'el within hours. I organized the defense of the dwarven subterranean city of Magrad, a supremely defensibly position with only one main gate to defend and fortify. The loss was swift and shocking to both the dwarves and myself. If they failed so easily, how do you ever believe you'll effectively defend your city? Tell me, what's your plan?"
The Prince looked dumbstruck as he scowled at the wizard, wringing his hands in frustration. When he failed to issue a retort, Master Shalinor pointed at the dragons. "With those beautiful beasts lies our only hope. Only a small party can flee the city and journey north to the Saarian ruins. I warned you before and now you can see for yourself just how real the threat is to both your city and to the world."
The King glanced at the Queen and a look of resolve hardened his face. "We will negotiate with King Braxion. How do you propose we go about it? We've not much time to stop the slaughter."
"Where is the relic?" Master Vhelan said, a sly smile forming on his face. He displayed the sacred elven tome to the group. "Here is the Mirror of Halien'shur from Khalas Dralorn."
"Do you swear to help us protect our city? And do all in your power to help prevent further bloodshed?" The Queen studied the Hakkadian sorcerer with a hesitant look.
Master Vhelan raised a hand to his heart. "I swear by our ancient Hakkadian gods to help aid your people. In my research I have discovered that our peoples are connected through a common bloodline, an ancient line going back ten thousand years to the Saarian Empire. But we must act quickly. I have an idea that requires us to get close to King Braxion."
"We must not risk the mission to the north." Master Shalinor studied Tael and Sebine, and looked back at Master Vhelan. "Most of our party should leave immediately and venture north. We will confuse our enemies and fly south and circle back around to the north."
"But who will stay and help us?" said Princess Marei, her gaze on Tael clearly indicating whom she wanted to aid her. Sebine caught the girl's gaze and an expression of jealously marred Sebine's pretty face.
"I only trust Princess Sebine or young Tael to deliver our relic safely to our enemies," said Princess Marei. "They both have saved my life. Father, you mustn't allow anyone else to hold the relic. There is too much at stake."
"Then I will go and parlay with King Braxion," said Master Vhelan. "I will have him cease his assault under risk of losing the relics forever." The sorcerer flew back to his dragon and swooped down towards the temple complex.
"One of you must go and help secure the Malathian relic." Master Shalinor's eyes examined both Tael and Sebine, but his face gave no indication of a preference. "I know it is a difficult choice—the hardest choice to separate—but it will only be for a time. Once King Braxion and his army leaves Shaar'el, and the portal is secure, then you can rejoin us."
Tael gazed into Princess Sebine's eyes, realizing that they were both making the most difficult choice of their lives. As much as he wanted to help Princess Marei and her people, he knew he could never leave Sebine. He loved her too much to let her go.
"I will help them," said Princess Sebine, and Tael felt his heart drop down to the floor in surprise.
Chapter Thirty-Two
IN THE DARKNESS of night, Master Vhelan could barely make out the small shape of King Braxion striding across the temple square with his soldiers, preparing to mount his dragon, the great Keraxes. The sorcerer knew he had to act quickly before the King took to the skies. He swooped down and drew in the attention of the Vizathian Knights protecting the King.
"You've come too soon to Shaar'el, Your Majesty." Master Vhelan hovered over the group, feeling secure from bowshot with the magical shield he always kept protecting himself. "Are you perchance looking for this?" He held out the Mirror of Halien'shur and summoned a light to illuminate the relic.
"Traitor," shouted the King, and clucked his tongue in disapproval. "First you attempt a lame rebellion against me in Trikar and turn my daughter away from me, and then you help the pathetic dwarves muster a futile defense against my army. Then if all that wasn't bad enough, you steal the elven relic and flee to Shaar'el. But you failed to bother having the portal closed behind you! Ah, I should give you credit, you did command the temple priest to have it closed, but little did you know one of your own Hakkadian younglings went invisible and sneaked in along with you and slew the high priest."
Master Vhelan cursed himself for not paying attention to his intuition. He had sensed some familiar presence at the portal, but dismissed the feeling as a product of passing through the portal, which often produced ill effects on the mind and body when traveling over great distances.
"I've come to parlay, Sir. I know you only desire the relics and we possess both. I will have you and your army cease your assault on the city, or you will never find the relics again. Not even after searching the vast desert for ten thousand years. Make it easy on yourself and withdraw your army to where we can ensure the safety of the Malathians."
"Bah!" The King released a long, easy laugh that echoed across the courtyard. "You really have some nerve negotiating with me. After I'm through with this city you'll be begging to give me the relics. You heard what I did to the high priest? Next I'll do that to the children and their mothers. Hand over the relic now and be done with this ridiculous city. What do you care about their fate? Wasn't my gold enough for you? What do you really want, sorcerer?"
"I want you dead for what you did to my people." Master Vhelan gave the King a hard look. "Your gold has proven useful to our cause, in fact you'll find the nobility across the Kingdom of Valance have turned against you. Quite amazing what loyalty money can buy along with a load of spite against King Braxion the Bovine. While you were marching your foul army around the world, your army and government at home have turned against you. And with your foolish proclamation of freedom for Cranth, you've further tightened the noose around your neck."
The King paused in thought for a moment, then shook his head dismissively. "What do I care what those pathetic mortals do? Let the children play at home while I am out. They'll bear the brunt of my whip when I return."
"The question is, do you want to whip them soon, or play hide-and-seek with me and my allies in the desert? One relic flies west, the other relic flies east, or do they fly north and south? You have the biggest and the best dragon, but still it is only one dragon and I have over twenty. Perhaps you are regretting torching the dragon breeding grounds? I did warn you that was a bad idea... I am the Lord of Dragons, after all."
"You'll be a dead lord if you don't hand over the relics."
"That's the thing, I only have one relic. The Malathians refuse to trust me with their relic. Only to your daughter, Princess Sebine, or perhaps the young man she loves, Tael Shalinor. You do remember murdering his parents? And his wizard grandfather is here with us as well. All this hatred of the pig king assembled together. What is more important, butchering a bunch of innocent people or retrieving the relics that Princes Xanthes so greatly desires?"
At the mention of the Prince's name, Master Vhelan sw
ore the King flinched. Perhaps he'd prodded the right place? The King turned and faced his men, ordering the Vizathian Knights to withdraw the soldiers back to the temple, and turned back to the sorcerer.
"Give the feeble mortals some time to pretend they'll survive the wrath of Princes Xanthes." The King climbed up his dragon mount and took the reigns of the great Keraxes. "I have better things to do with my time." Tens of young Hakkadian sorcerers appeared in the sky alongside King Braxion as Keraxes took to the air, flapping its great wings as the beast rose towards the highest level of the city. Master Vhelan chased after them, hoping his negotiation had proven successful.
As he rose to the level of where the royal family stood watching their arrival, Master Vhelan felt relieved to see Master Shalinor and young Tael and the other Hakkadians allies had escaped with their dragons. He met the questioning eyes of Princess Sebine and floated over to where she stood on the side of the group. When King Braxion was distracted by the frightened sight of the royal family, he leaned in to hear Sebine's voice.
"Listen carefully, I have a plan. But you have to follow everything precisely as I say..."
Chapter Thirty-Three
TAEL HAD TRIED to dissuade Sebine from staying and helping Princess Marei and the Malathians, but she refused to listen. And as Tael flew atop his dragon, the mighty Kraithen, far to the west of Shaar'el, all he could think about was Sebine's words.
"We swore to help kill King Braxion and defeat him, no matter what," Sebine had said. "That's our goal that we made a blood vow accomplish. And now the King is here and I have an idea, something I can do to help us. I don't want to leave but we have no other choice. Wait for me up north. I promise I'll see you soon."
What did she mean when she said there was something she could do? Tael had been thinking over her words in his head, trying to puzzle out her true meaning. Did Sebine hope to assault the King? Or did she have a plan to try and return to the King's favor, and eventually steal or destroy the final relic that protected him? Whatever she planned was extremely risky, and Tael cursed himself for allowing her to stay in Shaar'el. He had tried to convince her to let him remain instead, but Sebine had kept repeating that he needed him to stay safe, and that their only hope lay in the north.
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