DragonStone- Fatal Winds

by M A Bernier

  Vanity and Deceit

  Koth dismissed the shadowy creatures from the chamber. Their spies had determined the Eryyn and his band of companions had found some reference to the symbol and birthmark that Koth and Jyn-Taa searched for. If this was true, if Eryyn and the others would know what his masters were up to and how to stop them they would not be pleased. Jyn-Taa and Odien had only been gone for two weeks. There were successful in motivating key individuals to incite a near riot among the forces of the Barren Continent. With the motivation of fear and greed, along with the easy manipulation of their minds by the order of Katanz, they were ready to march as blindly into battle as an army of ants. Nothing now could stop their advance. The land bridge would allow them to gain access to the Evergreen continent by way of its northern neighbor known as the Pinelands. Almost every square inch of land was covered in pine trees and sparsely inhabited by people. The army from the Barren Continent could march hidden and in large numbers arriving upon Evergreen without warning, provided enough other distractions were occurring. Koth already had his plan ready. He only needed to seek approval of his shadow master to set it in motion. The first ritual setting the powers of the elemental demons free was ready, they only needed the one descendent to complete the final ritual that would free them from their prison forever. Koth smiled. It would also be the end of Jyn-Taa as well as the arrogant Dragonman Zelyth. He had never met a creature he so loathed as he did Zelyth whose own sense of superiority and arrogance far exceeded any he had ever seen. It would be a pleasure to see those who felt themselves so mighty to fall and die before him realizing only at the last moments of their life how foolish they had been. He stood within the four pillars in the chamber and lowered his head as he called for his master the Shadow Demon who appeared within moments.

  “Speak.” Shadow's form appeared followed by his brothers.

  “Jyn-Taa returns shortly for the first ritual. The army the followers of Katanz formed already begins to march to our enemies lands and Vuuaan’s creatures are ready. But I bring word that our enemies may know whom we seek.” Shadow leaned so close his insubstantial form met with Koth’s body filling it with an unearthly chill. Koth had to fight to keep the body from shrinking in fear as the demon's cold touched the mind of the cleric within him.

  “If the enemy finds the descendent first and impedes our return, you and Jyn-Taa will pay dearly for your failures.” Shadow’s form withdrew and Wind addressed Koth.

  “Once the first ritual is complete we will summon Zelyth and his followers to the caverns beneath this mountain where his kind will not be able to find them. Once we begin to unleash the chaos of the four elements order Jyn-Taa to set loose Vuuann’s offspring. Shadow will use Zelyth and his followers to impede the dragons while you and Jyn-Taa aid in the search for the descendent of Eriflen. EverGreen and his friends will be too busy quelling the unrest of the elements to confront us directly. ”

  “What of the lost city?”

  “What of it Koth?” The Demon Shadow replied in a tone that implied the question was an insult. “The sorcerers of the four elements and the king of Tre’El are no more. EverGreen will not have the resources of the past. He may be the longest to ever have served to keep the elements in order, but that will not help him and neither will his friendship with these gnats who dare call themselves mages.”

  “It will be as you wish.” The demons departed leaving Koth to attend to the details. He summoned the two of the shadow masters to him. “The two of you are to ready the clerics and witches here for battle. Along with a contingent of the shadow horde are to defend these walls against any invader. The others are to be led by your brother masters into the open lands of the continents beyond to wreak havoc among the populace. The walkers and gathers are to immediately set forth in search of the one descendent our masters need to break free of their imprisonment. If any of the clerics or witches show any signs of betrayal or resistance, make an example of them. Take six of the watchers and place them as guards in the caverns below to watch for intruders, or those who might think of leaving prematurely. At the appropriate time our masters will open the first gateway to the underworld pillars for the first ceremony. Once it is completed they will unleash the havoc of the elemental storms upon the mortal world. Once the descendent bearing the mark of the key is found a second gate will be opened to bring him or her to use at the underworld gate. Once our masters are free all are to return to this mountain to prepare for the final assault on EverGreen and his pathetic band of friends.”

  Koth dismissed the shadow masters. They floated out of the main chamber and through the walls beyond. He longed to return to his incorporeal form. Koth hated the unknown, to compensate for his frustration he found him walking aimless for hours until he reached the upper chambers where the former lover of Jyn-Taa’s servant now resided under guard. Koth, if he wished, could have had the guards killed but it would serve no purpose at the present. Instead he passed by the guards unchallenged and walked into her room unannounced. He found her putting on her cloak; for a moment her shoulders were bare. He watched for a moment until she realized she was not alone.

  “Is decency also lacking of you and your masters?” She responded coolly. Her words were laced with the sharpness of a knife ready to slit his throat.

  “Decency is afforded to those who have earned it my dear, you have not, and you are a plaything, a toy, an object to be possessed by my masters, as are all mortals.”

  “You must be here to gloat over your perceived victory. You must be pleased Koth, either way the followers of Katanz will be decimated by this conflict. You and Jyn-Taa have made sure of that.” She sat upon her bed placing her hands on either side of her. One hand burnt as was the mark of the witches of Katanz.

  “You and your followers have done a great service for my masters. The years you spent preparing an army mixed of thieves, pirates and cutthroats is no small feat indeed. That effort is no small undertaking; you and your followers performed the manipulation of events, people, and their minds with amazing precision. Such expertise would be well rewarded under the new order that is soon to follow.” Koth took a step closer, but no so close that she could lunge at him, he could see her body tense like a caged animal ready to attack.

  “So it would seem, but either way I will never help you or your masters.” Koth could see the confidence she put forth in her words. It was almost as visible as the room itself.

  “You seem unconcerned witch.” Koth looked at her trying to assess what she was thinking, then it came to him. “Ahh, you think Katanz is going to return and avenge his faithful followers.” Koth laughed at her. “What wonderful innocence and arrogance you have.” He found he was beginning to enjoy this conversation, the feeling to gloat and belittle suited his needs and he intended to continue gloating and pointing out the futility of her beliefs. “How long has it been since Katanz has even given the smallest of signs that he is still watching?” She sat motionless and simple stared at him. “When was the last time you and your followers truly had a union of minds and purpose other than stuffing your stomachs with food and your minds with petty bickering? How long have those few of you truly dedication to Katanz had to operate without telling your former council of overstuffed clerics of your secret plans? How many are you now, would you say, are true to Katanz?” She sat silent and motionless as Koth crossed the floor and stood next to her bed. “You think by being silent your mind is closed to me? Your face betrays your feelings towards me and my masters.”

  ”I make no attempt to hide my feelings.” She replied. “I would kill you where you stand if I had the power within me, and I would take your masters as well.” Koth stepped back trying to appear to do so casually. Her arrogance was as Zelyth’s except that hers lay in her confidence of the one she worshipped. Zelyth’s arrogance was fully dependent on his belief that the universe revolved around him. She stood slowly keeping her arms at her side. “It does not matter what happens to me here in this place. Others like me with faith
will escape and remain faithful to Katanz. We will find others who share our faith and even it takes the lifetimes of mortals equal to the birth and death of the sun we will prevail when Katanz returns.” For a moment Koth felt fear because of the mind of the cleric within him recognizing the certainty of the conviction of her words. “Take heed Koth, though you and others may torture or kill me and those who believe as I do, we will still prevail.”

  “The protection you now benefit from is not infinite.” He stepped closer to her again. “I will enjoy ripping your soul from your body and taking it to torment for eternity.” Koth turned and left without giving her the chance to respond. His masters were the only ones destined to rule he told himself, but the smallest seed of doubt began to cross his mind.

  Jyn-Taa and Odien sat within the darkest corner of the tavern keeping hood of their cloaks almost completely over their faces so that only their mouths could be seen. Jyn-Taa made sure his presence emanated a sense that told others he was a person, a stranger that should not be disturbed. The minds of these people were weak and easy to manipulate. He found it no surprise that the clerics and witches of Katanz had manipulated them to the point where they were willing to march as a mindless army of ants to what most likely would be their end. The only city Jyn-Taa avoided was the central city called Black City that housed the local band of sorcerers of the Barren Lands. They practiced magic that was no threat to Jyn-Taa or Odien, but they may recognize him for who he was even with his power disguising him and his servant. He had encountered two of them over the past two weeks. They would never be seen by their kin again. Jyn-Taa had to admit to himself that credit was due to Odien’s former lover and those who manipulated the army of the Barren Continent. To have kept it secret from the Black City Sorcerers and the Council of Clerics in their own order had been no easy task. The tie to the demons that had fashioned his temporary body no longer bound him to their will. For now he would play along but when the time came Koth and his masters would find that Jyn-Taa was no longer theirs to command. He slid his hand over his chest area and felt the knife from the Tree of Death that had held Vuuaan captive, it gave him comfort to know he would use it on Koth. He felt the presence of a shadow behind him making itself known to him alone. It whispered into his ear and then left as quickly and discreetly as it had arrived.

  “It is time to return to the temple.” He said softly to Odien.

  *** Under cover of darkness ***

  Ardant sat within cockpit of his shuttle with the pilot who would be taking them over the area where they were to be dropped in. He knew the pilot was one of the best but he still felt the need to do a system check himself. After finishing his final check he went to the back of the shuttle where Eryyn, Alys and Jaymee were being fitted for the parachutes. He looked at Jaymee who was evidently nervous judging by the way he kept checking and rechecking everything that Ardant’s crew did on his harness.

  “Nervous Jaymee?” The young man looked up at him without saying a word. “Jumping out of a shuttle is as easy as riding water vortex.” Ardant could not help smiling to himself. To Jaymee and the others what they did with magic was routine, to Ardant, it still made him a bit nervous. Ardant admitted he felt a little bit of satisfaction at seeing them as uncomfortable as he usually was.

  “Your enjoying this aren’t you?” Syl’s voice said as she poked her dragon head into the shuttle crew area. Her sudden presence startled the crew working on the harness. They stared at her for what seemed an eternity before Ardant asked them to do a final check on the ships' systems.

  “Wouldn’t you?” He replied with a smile. His face then turned serious and Syl understood why.

  “You will find her, we will find them all.” She said referring to his missing wife and the others who had been taken. Ardant turned to find Eryyn waiting to speak with him.

  “EverGreen is aware of where we will be and what we are doing, he will try to make subtle changes to the winds so that we can land where we need to. It’s a new moon tonight, if necessary I can allow us to see the ground as it gets closer. I am reluctant to do much more in the event we are detected prematurely.” Eryyn turned to Jaymee. “Was there anything else that EverGreen needed us to know?” He nodded his head in the negative.

  “I could not find any more information in Eriflen’s diary about the ritual, even with the help of the others.” Jaymee deliberately did not mention Zandyr or Stephaun’s name in front of Alys, she had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with them. She did look in his eyes and for a moment her anger softened. Ardant sat with Eryyn and the others, then ordered the hatch closed. The ship lifted from the ground silently moving high up into the atmosphere very quickly. Everything was set. Syl and the dragons would patrol the borders of the Evergreen and neighboring continents. EverGreen himself remained joined fully with the Earth searching for any unusual activity in the elements. The mages continued to pour through the library of books and patrol the cities and the MageGuards though mute stood ready to subdue any dark magic or creatures that had as yet been found.

  High above the Barren Continent a lone ship unseen by eyes on the ground slowed and lowered itself enough to that its occupants could safely breathe when they jumped from the shuttle.

  “Is everyone ready?” Ardant looked at Eryyn, Alys and Jaymee. The one hour flight would have taken longer had it not been for Eryyn’s assistance. It had still not been enough time for the three to become accustomed to what they were about to do.

  “I don’t know if I can do this father.” Jaymee did not look up from his feet.

  “You’ll be fine.” Replied Eryyn placing his hand on his shoulder. “Just keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them to you can see the ground coming up at you.” Ardant moved to behind where Jaymee stood and opened the shuttle door, the cold air made them all shiver.

  “I really don’t know if I can do this?” Jaymee said again.

  “I’ll go first.” Ardant replied. “Then you Jaymee, Eryyn and then Alys, wait ten seconds after the person in front of you jumps.” Ardant looked at Eryyn. The most imperceptible nod told them both that Jaymee needed to be nudged. “Just breath slowly Jaymee.” Ardant said as he placed his hand strategically on Jaymee’s harness, then pulled him so quickly he was out the shuttle door and falling before he knew what had happened. In a few seconds Ardant heard the sound of parachute opening, he waited and then stepped out of the shuttle, after his chute opened he heard two more. The night was overcast making it nearly impossible to see the ground under ordinary circumstances. Eryyn had placed his hands on each of them causing their eyes to adjust to the dark so that they could see. The effect would last long enough while they walked for the first night to the nearest town. Ardant landed and rolled not far from Jaymee who was removing his harness already as well as giving him a reproving stare. Ardant smiled and pointed silently to the air where Eryyn and Alys could be seen floating silently to the ground. Moments later they too had landed and were removing their gear. The clouds high above decided it was time to release the burden they were carrying and a light dusting of snow began to fall.

  “Winter has decided to come early this year.” Alys remarked as she watched the snowflakes melt on her hand.

  “Has summer passed so quickly?” Asked Ardant looking at the others.

  “Eryyn, we should camp in those nearby woods for the night, I need to focus and see if I can locate Eriflen’s descendent. If I can narrow down the direction we can communication with the others through EverGreen.” Alys was already removing her storage pack and pulling out an extra later of clothing and her portion of the shelter.

  “Agreed," Replied Eryyn. “Besides, since information is probably bought and sold at any price I am hoping it will be easy to pinpoint any unusual activities here in the Barren Continent.”

  “What about our faces?” Asked Ardant. “I am willing to bet that our reputations, probably you most of all,” he pointed to Eryyn, “has probably been accompanied by detailed visual descriptions. You did s
ay you had a thought on how to disguise us.”

  ”I’m going to age us.” Eryyn replied flatly and started walking to the edge of the woods with Alys. Jaymee and Ardant hesitated only for a moment before catching up to the others. “Don’t worry.” Eryyn replied with smile. “It will only be temporary and only for visual purposes.” It took only a few minutes to set up the tent large enough to house all four of them. While Alys retreated to the furthest corner and sat facing away holding the locket of hair from Eriflen, Eryyn and the others started a very small fire ringed by small rocks to help radiate some of the heat.

  It was four hours into the night when Alys first moved from where she sat, it was Eryyn’s watch, not that he could sleep knowing what she was doing.

  “I don’t think we are going to have to look as far as we thought.” Alys stretched for a few moments then sat down next to Eryyn and placed her hands in his. “I am sure he is here.”

  ”Here? On the Barren Continent?” Alys looked tired and weak. “Get some sleep.” As she lay down he covered with the blanket from his pack, she was asleep as soon as she closed her eyes.

  Eryyn and Alys woke to find Ardant and Jaymee making sure the fire was doused. “Have a seat.” Eryyn said to them. Alys stirred and sat up. “It’s time we took care of our disguises, if there are travelers, or others passing by, we don’t want them to recognize us too soon.” Alys watched as Ardant’s hair turned from dark brown to gray. Lines of age formed on his face followed by a thick beard also turning gray. She looked over at Jaymee. He too was much older with a beard, but only a hint of gray. She was about to tell Eryyn she was ready when several locks of grayish hair fell about her face, her hands were also no longer the smooth skin of youth. Alys felt her face and it too felt as if she were a woman in her later years of life. She was startled as she looked at Eryyn. Gone were his hazel eyes replaced by brown ones. His hair had almost no curls, almost completely gray and a long beard reaching down to his chest. She almost liked him with the beard, if it was much shorter. They packed up the tent, put on the extra layer of clothing pulling their hoods over they faces to keep warm and set out northwest walking a seldom used path covered with snow. The clouds were already parting and the sun would most likely be warm enough to melt what snow had fallen. Halfway through the day there were verbally accosted by a group of thugs. The young boys thought it best to not bother them any longer when Eryyn easily knocked two of them to the ground in a flash of hand and foot contact. As an afterthought Eryyn had Alys braid the lock of Eriflen’s hair into her own where it would not be noticeable. If what he heard was true, if any of the rumors were true then anything out of place could be seen a prize for thieves. It was the end of the first day when they reached the city of Moss, if nothing it was accurately named since moss seemed to grow on everything in sight sometimes covering whole walls of buildings. Taking the time to stop in a small out of the way tavern full of drinkers, smokers and brawlers they found a quiet corner to sit and listen in on the local talk. Alys took the time to concentrate again on her search for the descendent who bore the full mark of the key; to anyone looking they might have thought her to be sleeping and clearly under the protection of the three men with her. The bartender seemed to make it a point to deliver their drinks instead of having the barmaids.