Silevethiel

by Andi O'Connor

  «Unfortunately, there is not much of one other than what we have just done. Irewen is heading northeast as fast as Melldren can carry her. We are slowly gaining on the enemy, but when we do manage to engage them, we will be greatly outnumbered.

  «Because of Irewen’s unexpected change in direction, the Drulaack are now aware that their control of the watchtower is no longer a secret. They chose their positions carefully. By pursuing Irewen so relentlessly from the north, they assumed she would flee to the southeast and return to Dargon. Hoping to receive aid from the tower, she would be driven directly into the deadly hands of their comrades.

  «They were right. We fell into their trap. The fact that we realized the Píllondyn tower is no longer friendly before she’d gotten too close is the only good fortune we are likely to receive. So far the enemy has kept their sights fixed on Irewen. They haven’t displayed any signs to acknowledge the threat of us Guardians. But that will not last. Though we are few, we are strong. They know this. They will not risk failure when they are so close to their prize. They will deploy their men from the watchtower and attempt to dispose of us before we are able to come to Irewen’s aid.

  «Our fellow Guardians from the remaining three groups are attempting to get as near to us as they can in order to transfer their strength to us during the fight, but it will not be enough. Though we are not engaged in combat, the battle has already begun. It is a measure of strength, stamina, and speed. Thus far, the enemy is winning on all accounts. Without a miracle, the hope for our future will perish this day. It will only be a matter of time before Elthad will have dominion over all. The world of Vaelinel will be lost.»

  Ignoring the burning of tears falling upon his frostbitten cheeks, Laegon said nothing. He helplessly followed his Guardian, desperately clinging to the feeble hope that they would find a way to alter the fate of the world.

  23

  FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONLY A MATTER OF WEEKS, Irewen was running for her life. An arrow flew past her head, falling harmlessly to the ground, but she knew it had been luck that caused it to miss. Every second that passed brought the Drulaack closer. It would only be a matter of time before the arrows hit their mark.

  Ignoring the enemy’s attacks, Melldren galloped on, fighting for her life as much as his own. Irewen marveled at his human-like determination. He had a will and personality all his own. It was only because of his incredible instincts and relentless persistence that they were both still alive. If there was anyone who could see them through safely, it was Melldren.

  Another arrow shot past. Her heart jumped to her throat. She’d felt the displacement of air as it whizzed past her neck. Realizing it had missed her by less than the width of a finger, chills ran down her spine.

  «Do not fight him, Irewen!» Silevethiel scream cut through the princess’s momentary daze. «Let him swerve! Use the cover of the trees to your advantage. Blind speed is of no more use to you!»

  Irewen did nothing to stop the war horse when he once again pulled to the side. He turned to the right before cutting sharply to the left, and she breathed a sigh of relief as an arrow flew wide. Two more arrows sped past her. She sensed the Drulaack’s mounting fury as Melldren swerved once again. Using a dense grouping of trees for coverage, he barreled forward, lengthening the distance between them and their attackers. The forest was suddenly showered with dozens of arrows as the enemy’s frustrations grew.

  Irewen felt the comforting reassurance of Silevethiel’s presence. The Dame was closing in on the enemy. It wouldn’t be long before the true battle began.

  Praying for Melldren to continue with his impressive acrobatics, Irewen wondered what she should do once the Guardians engaged the Drulaack. It was obvious that if she asked, she would immediately be told to continue her flight and make her way to the protection of Silverden. If she were honest with herself, she knew she had nothing to contribute to the fight and would simply be in the way. But she couldn’t flee to safety knowing Silevethiel and the others were left to face such a hopeless battle.

  Bursting through a cropping of trees, Irewen looked over her shoulder. There had to be something she could do to aid the Guardians.

  Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the reassurance of the Dame’s delicate purr. «We are here, Irewen. Continue to Silverden. Melldren will take you by the quickest route. We will be able to stall the enemy long enough to give you a significant lead. Trust Melldren. Whatever you hear, do not stop. Do not look back. There is nothing you will be able to do for any of us. You are the key to the future. You must survive. Though our time together was short, it has been an honor, Protector.»

  «Silevethiel — no!»

  «Go, Irewen. Follow your path. Become who you were born to be.»

  When her last words died away, Irewen felt Silevethiel raise her shields, preventing her from sensing anything other than the faint pulse of the lioness’s presence. It would be futile to even attempt communication with Míendvel. The Dame was lost to her.

  With a paralyzing despair descending upon her heart, Irewen veered Melldren to the northeast, realizing that there was nothing she could do to prepare herself for the eternal desolation looming before her.

  Silevethiel had never before experienced such a violent rage. Even as she and the other seven Guardians charged viciously at the enemy, the Drulaack sustained their merciless hunt. Completely ignoring their infuriated pursuers, their arrows continued to rain down upon Irewen. Silevethiel roared with fury when one of them pierced the princess’s shoulder. Despite the shields she’d raised between her and her Protector, the lioness was still able to sense Irewen’s agony when the arrowhead tore through flesh and muscle. Feeling Raina’s added strength pulsating through her body, Silevethiel vaulted towards the nearest Drulaack, causing both horse and rider to fall from the force of the impact.

  Warm blood flooded her mouth as she sunk her acicular fangs into the man’s neck. His body convulsed beneath her. Blood gurgled from his mouth as his throat was crushed between her powerful jaws. When he fell still, she looked up, the bright crimson liquid dripping from her muzzle. Her shocking blue eyes honed in on her next victim.

  Sensing danger, he turned his steed to meet her penetrating stare. When it became abundantly clear how the enemy had been able to outrun Melldren, Silevethiel hesitated for an instant. The horses were possessed just like the men. The animal’s red eyes, sunken and wreathed in shadow, glared at her from beneath the thin metal hoods of the champrons.

  Ignoring the battle raging around her, Silevethiel held her ground. The Drulaack dug his feet into the horse’s sides while the lioness scrutinized the movements of both man and beast charging toward her. Apparently expecting Silevethiel to focus her attention on the crazed steed, the man held his bow uselessly at his side. His eyes widened in terror as she vaulted over the horse’s head.

  A shrill scream leapt from his throat when her deadly claws penetrated the thin leather armour and dug into his chest. Silevethiel’s teeth ripped his unprotected face and threw him from the saddle. Not releasing her hold, she landed on top of the man. His body hit the frozen ground with a nauseating crunch, her enormous paws crushing his ribs. He fell still, dead before she was able to separate herself from his mutilated body.

  Silevethiel turned immediately, bracing herself to deal with the enemy’s enraged horse. She was shocked to see it standing only a few paces away, examining its surroundings with a bewildered expression. The steed met her gaze, its eyes already having returned to their normal deep brown. The ancient spirits had taken control of the horses through the men. Once the Drulaack was killed, the animal was no longer a threat. «Ignore the horses!» she screamed to her seven companions. «Focus on the men! Kill the men!»

  The Guardians instantly heeded her advice. A handful of the Drulaack were killed in a matter of seconds, their ear-piercing screams rising above the other grisly sounds of battle. Another man fell at the mercy of the Dame, his excruciating cry joining those of his dying comrades.


  But the Guardians’ success was short-lived.

  They were still outnumbered almost three to one and had no protection against the volley of arrows that suddenly came flying towards them. An agonizing roar erupted from Silevethiel’s mouth when an arrow impaled her right flank. She plummeted heavily to the ground. Even with Raina’s support, there was nothing that could be done to combat the pain.

  Struggling to stand, the Dame gritted her teeth in anguish. She didn’t notice the horse charging toward her until it was too late. There wasn’t enough time to brace for the collision. The powerful steed rammed into her body, sending her hurtling through the air.

  She landed upon the frozen ground with a heavy thud. The breath was knocked out of her. The enemy would be upon her in seconds. Horrifying images of her failure flashed before her eyes while she lay helplessly on her side, praying that her death would come swiftly. The hoof-beats drew louder as the enemy advanced towards her.

  She managed to lift her head in time to see Brégen collided with the steed, causing the unfortunate Drulaack to fall from his horse. The prince’s Guardian swerved to his left, bounding nimbly around the furious horse before pouncing on the hapless man, savagely tearing apart his throat.

  Leaving the man convulsing from the shock, Brégen ran to Silevethiel’s side and clamped his teeth around the arrow protruding from her flank.

  «Do not pull it out!» she shrieked in alarm.

  Brégen’s grunt could be heard above the raging sounds of battle. He bit down on the shaft, snapping it a few inches above the oozing wound. «Despite what you may have heard from my obviously misguided Protector,» he replied with a hint of resentment, «I am not a fool.»

  «If Laegon has ever insinuated that you were a fool, it is because you were,» Silevethiel retorted.

  Brégen moved around to her back, nudging her gently with his nose to help her stand. Once on her feet, she took a few steps to test her balance before turning to face her savior, stopping herself from laughing at his frazzled appearance.

  Brégen cocked his head questioningly, and strands of his thick mane clotted with blood fell in front of his eyes. «What?» he asked defensively, shaking his head in an attempt to clear his field of vision.

  «You look absolutely terrible.»

  Brégen snorted before leaping towards a nearby Drulaack who’d dismounted in the confusion. «You do not look so good yourself,» he replied, digging his front claws into the man’s back. Balancing on his hind legs, he pulled the flailing victim towards him before engulfing the man’s head in his mouth and ripping it from his body.

  «Impressive,» Silevethiel said, watching as Brégen released the headless corpse from his grasp. «I always knew that your big mouth would one day prove useful.»

  He turned towards her, spitting out the head with disgust. «He tasted of fish.»

  She moved towards him, taking him by surprise when she affectionately nuzzled against him. «Thank you,» she whispered, purring softly in his ear before licking his cheek.

  Shaking his head in bewilderment, Brégen watched the lioness rejoin the battle, vaulting through the air and expertly knocking a man from his horse. «You are welcome,» he replied in shock before bounding after her.

  24

  IREWEN SCREAMED IN ANGUISH. STRUCK BY ONE OF the enemy’s arrows, her luck had finally run out. The arrowhead thrust deeply into her right shoulder, propelling her torso forward from the impact. She flung her good arm around Melldren’s neck for support, thankful that her unorthodox position didn’t prove to be a distraction for the great warhorse.

  He continued to gallop through the dense forest, completely unfazed by the abrupt change in her condition. She gritted her teeth in agony. Every jolt sent a new wave of pain coursing through her body.

  Melldren cornered sharply to the left, and Irewen had to fight to keep the contents of her stomach where they belonged. She forced herself to take deep, even breaths, doing everything in her power to focus through the hundreds of black spots obstructing her vision.

  The stallion made another sharp turn, nearly doubling back the way they’d come, allowing Irewen to catch a glimpse of the battle out of the corner of her eye. Silevethiel’s large white form flew through the air. Colliding with the nearest Drulaack, she sent both him and his horse crashing to the ground.

  The sight of her Guardian tearing at the man’s throat caused Irewen to suck in her breath. She’d never seen Silevethiel look so barbaric. Her body stiffened with concern when the other Guardians joined the fight. Melldren changed his direction once more, and Irewen pushed herself up to a sitting position with difficulty, twisting around to look over her shoulder.

  The Guardians were ignoring the horses. A good number of the Drulaack quickly succumbed to their mercy. But Irewen knew instantly that Silevethiel had been right. Two of the Guardians had already fallen. Six would not be enough to destroy the enemy. Once the Dame and her remaining five companions fell, the Drulaack would have their quarry. All of the Guardians’ lives would have been given in vain.

  A third Guardian fell. Screaming in despair, she watched a Drulaack sever his left hind leg from his body. His pained roar tore her soul. Wanting desperately to shield her eyes, but unable to look away, she stared with a mixture of hatred and terror as the Drulaack turned almost ceremoniously to face the lion. He sneered at the animal, mocking him with snarling laughter before cleanly slitting his throat. The Guardian’s anguished cries immediately ceased.

  As if sensing that perhaps continuing their flight was no longer the proper action to take, Melldren slowed to a trot. Irewen’s heart pounded in her chest. She had no choice but to join the battle. Without thinking, she pulled on the stallion’s reins, forcing him to return the way they’d come. He didn’t resist. Hungrily charging towards the battle, the animal screamed in rage and anticipation.

  The warhorse’s absolute certainty to join the fight provided Irewen with some degree of confidence, but doubt grew with each stride that brought her closer to the action. What good could she possibly do? She had a short sword, but against the thick armour of the Drulaack, she might as well be wielding a kitchen knife. Her skills would be absolutely useless against the brute strength of the enemy.

  She was armed with no other weapon aside from a throwing dagger, which she almost immediately discounted. Supposing she was lucky enough to hit her target, it would be equivalent to one of the Drulaack being stung by a wasp. She had no magic, at least none that would be any good, and although Melldren’s skills were phenomenal, he was beginning to tire. Without any form of assistance, any other horse would have collapsed after this many hours at such a grueling speed. She was genuinely impressed that he remained so energetic.

  She was only a few paces from the conflict, with Melldren giving no indication that he was willing to slow his pace. Desperately trying to think of what she could possibly do, she realized that she was whispering in a foreign tongue. She’d never before heard anyone speak the language and didn’t understand the meaning of the words, yet they continued to flow from her lips, driven to the surface by a force deep within her. Her voice grew louder. A strange power slowly growing in her chest, the bizarre words came with more urgency.

  The world seemed to close in around her. She wasn’t aware of anything but the enemy. She sensed them collectively as a whole, yet was able to distinguish each one of them individually. She predicted their movements, reading their thoughts as if she was one of them. The putrid scent of their evil permeated the clean winter air. But it wasn’t a normal smell. It absorbed into her body, becoming one with her so she was able to recognize it. Smell it. Taste it. It called out to her, coaxing her to join it. To become it.

  Part of her wanted to listen, to cave in to the temptation. The promise of eternal glory. It beckoned to her. She felt herself being lured helplessly into its trap. She almost gave in to the tantalizing bait, then something deep inside her forced her to cling to her sense of being. Reality crashed down upon her. With the horrid memori
es of Elthad’s betrayal flooding her mind, she recognized the Drulaack for what they truly were.

  Though disgust at her weakness seeped into her heart, it had been necessary. Now she understood. She knew what had caused the ancient spirits to choose these men, and she was all too aware of what separated them from her. She possessed the strength and power to resist what they could not. She’d passed the test.

  Ignoring the faint but emphatic protests of Silevethiel, Irewen galloped through friend and foe alike, coming to a stop in the center of the fighting. Still speaking the foreign tongue, she spread her arms to her sides, allowing the uncanny power to gather at her fingertips. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Only the whites were visible, yet surprisingly, she was able to see the Drulaack more distinctly than before. Each one was encased in a putrid green aura that pulsated against an ominous black void. The darkness opened before her, begging her to release the evil spirits from their human cages.

  The power fought to break free of her body. She threw her head back, an inhuman scream leaping from her throat. The already freezing temperature plunged even further as the energy bolted from her fingertips. Brilliant turquoise streaks shot towards the terrified Drulaack, paralyzing them instantaneously and trapping them beneath a glowing aqua mist.

  Their tormented cries pierced the air as the icy vapor seeped into their pores. It slowly moved through their bodies like poison, freezing them from the inside out. Gray tendrils curled from the men as the spirits fled their now useless hosts, only to be immediately sucked into the gaping black void that awaited them.

  The energy streaming from Irewen’s hands vanished, and the temperature promptly returned to normal. The lifeless bodies of the Drulaack collapsed simultaneously before the stunned Guardians. Silevethiel’s anxious voice reverberated through Irewen’s mind. She fell from Melldren’s back, plunging into darkness.

  Irewen once again felt herself drowning, being pulled into the abyss by invisible chains that were stronger than anything tangible. Just as before, she struggled to break free from her bonds, only to be drawn further into the deathly chasm. This time, however, Silevethiel wasn’t there to save her from the shadows.