“Hello, my name’s Gareth. We met after the knighting ceremony. But I’m sure you had plenty of names to try and learn, so I won’t hold it against you,” the elf standing at Pendoran’s side teased. He was tall, well-built, with fair dirty-blond hair and sharp blue eyes. His face was smooth and slender, the eyebrows tapered off into points and very thin.
Truthfully, he couldn’t recall meeting him but he took the offered hand and smiled like he did. “Nice to see you again.”
“Let’s go inside,” Pendoran told them, he was looking winded and about to fall down.
Stepping through the doorway, he was surprised to find the room sparse of any decoration or runic writing that he had seen adorning almost every piece of elven architecture since his arrival. It looked quite humble in retrospect. There was a large table in the center of the room with several chairs arranged around it. Six doors lined the walls and he was instantly curious what lay behind them. Maybe they stored their weapons there?
Standing next to the table was a darker skinned elf wearing brown robes with jet black hair and brown eyes. He had a brown beard and moustache, and he seemed to be purposely awaiting their arrival.
“This is Owain, son of Uriens, and a member of the druid order. He will be helping us test your skills today,” Pendoran explained as he took a seat at the table. The knight was not wearing his armor and the clothes he wore appeared very loose upon the elf’s body. “Ah yes, still haven’t gotten used to seeing me just yet. Well, take a good hard look, because after this moment, I expect you to focus entirely on your instruction and quit distracting yourself by criticizing others.”
“I wasn’t—,” he began, but Pendoran cut him off.
“You’ll speak only when asked while you are on these grounds. My King may have taken a quick liking to you, and maybe you deserved being inducted into our brotherhood, but as the commander of the Knights of the Realm, I should have been included in that decision. You are untried in battle and I will not let you cost my men their lives in trying to protect a spoiled prince pretending to be more than he is. I have been ordered to see to your training, so be it. But I will not be holding anything back as our time is short and I don’t have years to make you into the knight you ought to have been before joining our ranks. Some squires train the whole of their lives for that privilege and still never get accepted into the brotherhood. Derek there has been training for ten years, how long have you been handling a sword? Two weeks? Despite your impressive frame, I take you for more for a bookworm than a fighter. So why pretend to be one now?” the elf asked with undisguised disgust.
“If you opposed this, then why didn’t you speak up at the ceremony?” he asked after a moment of consideration.
Pendoran gritted his teeth and reached for a pitcher lying in the middle of the table. Pouring himself a cup of wine, he brought it towards his mouth as he snapped “And oppose my King openly in front of the men? I may be a lot of things, but suicidal I am not. No, we had those words in private, yet he still saw fit to make you one of us.” He took a long gulp of his wine then slammed the cup on the table. “So, this is what we’re going to do. We are going to enter one of these training rooms and Owain is going to enter your mind. You will not resist him. Then we will begin testing your basic skills and work up from there. Gareth and I will observe, and once we are satisfied that we’ve reached a good stopping point, we will further discuss how your training will proceed.”
He bristled with anger. Now that he had his mental defenses in place, he had finally felt safe within the caverns of his mind. To let someone else in there to peruse as they will—
“That is not a suggestion, it’s an order. If you don’t like it, the door is right there. You can go back to the palace and throw yourself into your books, but you will not be allowed to ride with my men into battle. Best make that choice now, because it’s the only time I’m going to give you one,” Pendoran sneered.
“I’m staying,” he told the knight, keeping his face still and unresponsive. He was determined to do whatever it took and if that meant putting up with the knight’s bullying tactics, then so be it. There was truth in everything Pendoran said and he truly didn’t feel worthy enough to fight by their side. But he was here now and the only choice available to him was to push on.
The knight almost looked disappointed, but he looked to Owain and nodded his head. “Let’s begin.”
II
Kylee would have been handy in this situation as elves had better night vision than the other races, but there was nothing for it. He wished there was something they could do about the racket they were making though. Three armored warriors just couldn’t move silently in the armor they were wearing; it was impossible.
He nearly bumped into Riska several times and he could feel Melissa’s hand periodically reach out and touch his back. Suddenly an idea popped into his head and he patted Riska’s back, signaling for the others to come to a halt. Moving towards the front, he nodded to Kore and took the lead position of the group.
Calming himself, he delved into his mind and searched for the multitude of futures that snaked out from this moment to the next. Letting his mind drift from one to another, he searched for the one with the most promising outcome, seeing himself take turn after turn until finally a route began to take shape.
“Stay close on me,” he whispered to the orc, then began walking forward once more. Having memorized the route as best he could, he took turn after turn, leading them deeper into the mountain.
After what seemed like hours, they finally begin to see a feeble light starting to illuminate the caves around them. The soft orange glow was dull but at least it was something. They hadn’t run into any of the Dark Elves yet, and Merlin was trying to ensure that he delayed any interaction as long as possible.
They were approaching a large cavern and it was better lit than the rest of the cave system had been. He searched with his mind to try and detect what would happen once they entered the cavern, but once more his vision was being blocked by some unseen force. All he could be sure of was that Kylee was somewhere ahead.
They had come this far, there was no point turning back now. He motioned Kore and Reyna forward, making hand signals to communicate what was ahead. Reyna nodded and he could feel Kore’s red eyes bore into him as he worked through what he was being told. Kore’s tusks were still, indicating impatience. He knew that as soon as the ranger came into sight, the orc would forgo any attempt at subterfuge and charge ahead with total disregard for his life and those of the rest of the group.
Stepping into the large cavern, he noticed a sloped ramp that snaked down the right side to the floor below. There were torches lit and positioned on the walls, but other than a throne on the far side of the room; it appeared to be devoid of anything else. Sitting on the massive chair and secured with ropes sat their ranger, Kylee’s head tilted to the side as if unconscious.
His eyes swept the room around them, sure that this was a trap, but unable to find any sign of how it’d be sprung.
Kore would not be stopped now as he took quickened steps towards the throne ahead. Reyna had her sword ready and was beginning to sweep left as Riska went right. He could sense Melissa on his heels and heard a sudden hiss come from her direction.
The shifting of feet drew his attention and he looked towards the cavern’s roof where the sound had originated. There was another ledge above the one they had come through and lining the walls above were at least sixty cloaked individuals, bows trained on them, ready to let loose at a moment’s notice.
Reyna froze as she took notice of their attackers and he heard Riska curse in frustration. Kore continued on towards the tied-up ranger; ignoring the threat from above.
Merlin began to summon his magic but a hand landed on his shoulder and interrupted his spell. “Wait,” Melissa whispered in his ear, then turned to the figures standing above. “We have come to retrieve our friend, we don’t mean to cause any harm, and once we have her we will leave back the way
we came. You will never see us again.”
There was a low hiss then a reply in a dialect that even he didn’t understand.
“No, she is not your Queen. She is the daughter of the King of Griedlok, and if you continue to hold her, her father will march here with his armies and wage war until either she’s returned or you’re all dead. Is that what you want?” Melissa asked return.
“You speak their language?” he asked in confusion, not liking that he was being cut out of the conversation.
She ignored him as another hissed conversation took place. She sighed. “They say that their seer has foreseen the return of their Queen and that she is of silver hair and eyes. They aren’t going to let us just walk out with her.”
Kore had cut the ropes holding the ranger and the elf was finally beginning to stir. “Tuskar?” she moaned and Kore shook his head in response. It looked like she was trying to choke back a sob as she attempted to get to her feet. Several arrows shifted in her direction and he prepared to try and intercede.
Kylee’s gear had been thrown on the ground at the base of the throne and as she bent over to pick them up, an arrow flew across the room and embedded in the soiled earth next to her weapons. Kore bellowed with rage, axe coming up as he challenged the attackers above. Reyna’s shield was up to block against poisoned arrows and Riska’s eyes were flying from bow to bow, trying to figure out what he could do to protect himself if they should fly.
“That’s enough!” Melissa roared.
“What are you doing?” he asked, stunned as she stepped forward with her arms wide.
She turned and glared at him with sad eyes. “I told you that I got swept along with this without being given a choice, I am making one now. You will not make it out of here if I don’t and there is too much at stake for me to hide from who I am any longer. Damn you for putting me in this spot. Why couldn’t we have just gone on and left this ranger to die? You and your noble ideals, they are going to get you all killed.”
The confusion he felt was complete; what was she talking about?
Her body began to shimmer in front of their eyes and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Her skin began to darken, her ears to elongate. Her brow shifted outward and her chin became pointed. The black hair running down her back began to lighten and as he watched, her eyes paled to an albino white.
Standing before him was a purple and gray skinned elf with white long hair, her face barely recognizable as the woman she was.
“There’s no way, this has to be a glamour.” An increase in hissing rose from above and Merlin felt just as stunned as their attackers were.
“All my glamour is gone, my old friend,” Melissa told him. “Those magical defenses that were created to defend the Lady of the Lake, they were done by a single representative from each race of elf and since the High Elves could not be found, they sought me out to make their magic complete. I was supposed to come home to my mother when it was over, but I fell in love with the outside world and used my magic to blend in; remaining forever apart from my people. A few centuries ago I had word of my mother’s passing, and sent Bleak to find out what he could about who would replace her; it appears that they’ve been waiting for me to come home all along.”
“That’s why you didn’t want Bleak to accompany us, you were afraid he’d reveal who you truly are?” he asked and the witch nodded with a sad smile.
“Thought we’d be able to get the ranger and get out without having to do this, but that is no longer an option available to us. If you try to fight, you will die. Each of those arrow tips have been dipped in toxin and even the slightest scratch will weaken even the strongest foe. I would not be able to live with myself if my fear led to your deaths,” she answered softly. “Tell Tristan—,” she began, then smirked. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Melissa looked at the cloaked figures above, the bows had lowered as whispered conversation echoed around them. “I am Solana, daughter of Lyeyeru, and I have returned home to once more be among my people. This ranger is not the Queen you sought, I am. The Seer foretold of my coming and his vision has been vindicated. I ask that you let my companions leave, as they are working to destroy the Phoenix once and for all, and that is a goal that we ourselves have always worked to attain.”
Elvish dialect began flowing between the revealed Queen and her subjects and Melissa’s eyes turned to him one last time. Take Kylee and get out of here. Do not worry about me. For once, I am where I choose to be. Goodbye, old friend.
Merlin nodded in understanding and motioned for Reyna to help Kore with the ranger. Riska swept up Kylee’s weapons as the two other warriors each took a shoulder and began helping the wounded elf across the room. Slowly, he backed away from the Dark Elf Queen, the transformation leaving almost nothing of the woman he knew behind. With a grim smile, he followed the others up the ramp and towards the cave’s entrance that would eventually lead them back out and into the open once more.
Goodbye, he said to Melissa, taking one last glance at his old companion. They had known each other for a millennium and it now occurred to him just how ignorant he’d been of the woman he claimed as a friend.
She didn’t look at him but he got the vague impression that it was past time for them to leave. The conversation was growing intense and he could sense that they weren’t happy about just letting them go, Queen or not.
“We need to hurry,” he told the warriors before him and they did their best to pick up the pace. They had already ventured quite some ways without a chance at rest, and the armor they were laden with was not meant for prolonged retreats.
He rushed to the front in order to lead them through the correct passages, leaving the dwarf to cover their retreat. “It’s getting’ looder back thaur,” Riska told them and he quickly led them down a narrow passageway to the right. It wasn’t quite the route they had taken in, but it had the most promising outcome for getting them back out alive.
We have strict laws against intruders into our realm and even as Queen, I am forced to abide by them. I am stalling as long as I can, but you must hurry.
“No shit,” Merlin cursed as he took another right and led the group further into the darkness and away from the screams of fury echoing through the caves behind them.
The Dark Elves were coming for them.
III
“Okay, that is the tenth time you failed to cast this spell, and even a novice could do it with his eyes closed. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Revan asked, eyes blazing.
It was true, it was a spell that she had mastered when she was just a young girl, there was absolutely no reason she shouldn’t be able to do it now, but her mind was plagued with the words of that young sprite and she found it difficult to concentrate on even the simplest of things.
“We are supposed to be working on the book, not teaching you everything from scratch,” the druid muttered and she lowered her eyes from his and tried not to snap back. “Look, whatever we do here,” the druid motioned to the chamber they were using, “it stays between us. If there is something bothering you, then I need to know what it is so we can both work at moving past it.”
She considered for a moment. She hadn’t wanted to tell Tristan because she knew how he’d react; he’d want to leave immediately despite his early protestations and if what the sprite said were true, then she could no longer allow that. Still, it would feel good to tell someone, to unburden her soul and say it all out loud.
“You know how that sprite, Shirl, requested to speak with me alone?” she started softly, eyes drifting away, unable to meet the compassionate glare of the blue haired druid.
“I do,” he answered simply, refusing to push, even though his face showed his eagerness to know more.
She sighed heavily. “She told me that she’d been sent here by this Spirit Mother of hers in order to better prepare me for a choice I’m going to have to make.” Tears were beginning to form again and she forced herself to take a deep breath and try to cal
m her emotions before they overwhelmed her. This pregnancy was making her overemotional and even the slightest thing could throw her into a crying fit.
Not that this wasn’t worth every tear shed.
“I see,’ the druid responded, shifting his gaze towards a nearby window, his eyes drifting as if not really seeing anything. It reminded him of how Merlin looked when he searched the future timelines for a path for them to take and goosebumps rose on her arms. “Did she tell you what this choice was going to be?”
“Yes,” Willow choked, unable to give it voice even though her heart urged her to do so. Forcing another strangled breath, she plunged ahead, no longer able to hold it in. “During the upcoming battle, there will come a moment when I must choose whether or not to give my life in exchange for that of Erik and Amysta’s daughter Bella. By doing so, I will ensure that we all have a chance at survival, but if I don’t, we will all die.”
Revan’s head snapped her way. “What?”
“I know, crazy, right?” she blurted with a quick laugh, wiping her face clear of tears. It all seemed insane to her, even now. She was going to be responsible for every living soul? Her? It was a burden that she did not want and as she put a hand on her stomach, her soul cried with fresh bouts of tears.
“You mean, Bella is coming here? And you’re supposed to give your life to save hers?” the druid pursued with renewed vigor. “When? How?”
She sniffed but couldn’t breathe, her nose had filled with snot. Taking a handkerchief out of her pants pocket, she used it to clear her airway as she shook her head. “All she could tell me is that it’ll happen at some point during the battle. The when is unclear because the choice of when to attack has yet to be made.”
“What of the baby?” Revan asked with concern, eyes drifting to the hand sliding softly across her waist.
She shook her head again, feeling the emotional turmoil she’d been experiencing rise full force, threatening to break her in two. “I don’t know if she’ll be born by the time this happens. I may not be just making this choice for me, but for her too.”
Phoenix Rising (the New Age Saga Book 3) Page 12