The Dragon Stone

by Andrew G. Wood

  Sessi crouched, snarling and growling showing his teeth as Karesh took up a position alongside him. “Somethings out there boy,” he said probably stating the obvious. As to what though he guessed he would soon find out. He heard another splash and what he thought was the sound of wet feet slapping down on the ground. Was this some kind of creature that lived in the water but could also walk up on the land? Whatever it was, the sound was getting louder, and he knew that was an indication that it was likely making its way towards him.

  “Steady boy. Stay by my side,” he said catching Sessi in the corner of his eye. The wolf growled a little louder, and Karesh steadied himself for whatever was approaching through the blackness in front of them. He thought he saw movement just ahead, no more than a flicker, but he was certain something was there. Karesh turned his blade in his hands, feeling a little nervous, telling himself he was an orc and hence did not show fear. He was a fierce warrior and would fight no matter what revealed itself.

  A pair of large white disc-like eyes appeared just a few paces in front of him, quickly followed by a strange kind of growl showing a set of nasty looking teeth. Karesh wasted no time and immediately held his blade out deflecting what he could only assume was a clawed hand. Before swinging his sword around and bringing it crashing down into the beast before him. Despite being able to see very little, Karesh felt his blade cutting deep and heard the creature let out a different sound knowing he had wounded it. Sessi wasted no time in assisting, leaping up to grab the injured beast and clamping his vice-like jaws around its neck, dragging it to the ground in front of them.

  Now on the ground, Karesh could actually see the abomination he fought. About the height of a dwarf, this creature appeared to have a head similar to that of a rat, but with dozens of razor sharp teeth lined in its exceedingly wide mouth. Sessi though was already putting an end to this particular creature as the wolf pulled Its head back ripping out what was the animal’s throat. Karesh was not one to take chances, especially having seen balgraf before, and slammed his long blade down in the torso sending a stream of blood up into the dark before him.

  Breathing hard, Karesh and Sessi retook their respective defensive positions, as they heard another splash, then another, followed by several more. Whatever these beasts were there was certainly more than he was willing to stand and fight. “Come on boy,” he said slowly backing away and leaning down to collect his lamp, “I think we should move on.

  Although he soon lost sight of the creature he and Sessi had fought, he thought he could hear the sound of animals snarling and scrapping as a pack of wild dogs might do over a kill. He hoped this meant the other creatures were more interested in their fallen comrade than they were in him, and so decided to make good on the window of opportunity given.

  Although not a great runner, Karesh managed to keep a good pace for several minutes before having to slow to a quick walk. Sessi, of course, had no such qualms about running but the wolf slowed down when he did, staying close by his side. Breathing hard, Karesh knew he needed to push on. If indeed there were as many of those beasts as he thought there was no way he wanted to risk them following. All being well they would eat and crawl back into the water where they came from rather than give chase.

  An hour passed and Karesh felt he could not go another step, at least not before taking on board some kind of refreshments. Orcs, although the strongest and largest of all the races of the world were simply not built for running distances or speed. While they could manage a sprint or two, keeping that going for any length of time was simply beyond their physical capabilities. Karesh had often wished he had the ability to run like Finley. Humans and elves were much better designed to sprinting and over quite long distances thanks to their lighter more athletic bodies.

  Karesh thought Sessi seemed content there were no creatures behind them, and if the wolf thought that, then that was good enough for him. After taking on board some much-needed water, both he and Sessi continued on their journey. Thankfully the tunnel had narrowed again, and he could now see the sides and roof above him when he held his lamp up. Happy that nothing was following and that the danger had passed he pushed onwards.

  Being inside the tunnel meant losing all track of time, and when he and Sessi finally emerged at the end, he was surprised to see the sun rising up on a new day. The trip had indeed taken much longer than he had realised, although he felt proud of himself as he had managed to get through what had been a testing part of his journey. “I think we can rest up here for a few hours,” he said looking out across what was elven lands, although like none he had ever seen.

  The area around the cave entrance showed signs that civilisation had once existed around it, although all the buildings had long since fallen. Now nothing more than rubble, he could just make out the outlines of where some of them had stood. Beyond that was a narrow river, somewhere he would need to fill his water bottles, but a mile or so across the river the land seemed barren and lifeless.

  Karesh knew that once he ventured into those lands, the dangers he had just experienced in the tunnel would pale in significance to those he would experience out there. With so little life of any kind and water that was apparently not fit to drink, he would be walking into the unknown. The fact that this was also believed to be the home of the balgraf certainly did not make the next stage of his trip any more welcoming. Yet he knew what he had to do and so after a good rest would set out again in search for a race long believed to be extinct, but apparently clinging on to existence off the coast far to the south-west.

  Chapter 16.

  Leyna awoke and sat up to see what was causing the noise over to her left, wishing she had kept her eyes closed as she saw two large dark shapes snarling and snapping at each other. The last thing she recalled was being picked up and carried up into the air and dumped back down to the ground with a thump. She rubbed the bottom of her back with her hand as the memory reminded her of the pain she had felt at the time. After that, everything had gone a little blurry and dark, but as to where she was now, she had no idea.

  Wherever her location it was dark and had thick stone walls. She looked up to see a ceiling and realised she must have been in a building of some kind. Aside from the two balgraf bickering with each other there were a further four stood upright all along one wall, still and motionless as if statues. These creatures appeared a little bigger than the other two and noticed they were positioned either side of the doorway; a possible way out.

  Despite the present company in the room, she did not feel In anyway threatened. After all had the balgraf wanted to kill her, they surely would have done so when she was unconscious. No, she thought, she was being held as a prisoner and had a very good idea as to why that was the case. Abalyon had made an appearance during the battle at Durn Raldun, that much at least she now remembered. Although the fallen god was evidently visible, it seemed he did not have any physical form, meaning the balgraf were needed to do his bidding.

  Leyna thought that if the balgraf had carried her away after her abduction, then she was still likely to be in dwarf lands, meaning the earlier she managed to escape the better chance she had to make it back to safety. Knowing that her incarceration was going to be used aginst her son, in an attempt at forcing him to fight on the side of the darkness, she knew time was now of the essence. Abalyon, if he had not already would soon be plaguing her son's mind taunting him and using her as leverage. If she could remove herself from the equation and quickly she might be able to stop Finley doing something they would all regret.

  As if knowing she was now awake she felt a chill in the air and looking over to see a dark shape materialising ten paces to her right. “Abalyon,” she muttered under her breath as she watched the figure glide across the stone floor towards her. Taking a human form, at least the top half of one, the fallen god drifted around her position. She was somewhat surprised when he spoke, unsure how a non-physical being could do so.

  Speaking in a deep resonating voice, Abalyon actually intro
duced himself, sounding far more the gentleman than she was expecting. “I know who you are,” she spat back not showing him the same respect he was apparently giving her. However, the fallen god seemed not to care about her little outburst, and quietly drifted around her once more, stopping to face her. “I have promised your son I shall not harm you,” the dark figure said moving its head in closer to her own.

  “He will never join you,”

  “Then you will die, along with all the others,” Abalyon replied as he drifted slightly away from her. “Zerus Maldhor is bound to me you foolish mortal, it is only a matter of time before he comes over to my side. You being here will just speed the process up a little.”

  Leyna made a scoffing sound, and although she hoped her son would never side with the fallen god, she had a horrible feeling that once Finley knew she was held captive, his mind might well be easily swayed. Feeling somewhat deflated and tired Leyna let her head drop and Abalyon just laughed at her pathetic looking state. “These balgraf have been ordered to care for your needs,” the God said waving a ghostly hand to the two smaller creatures that had been bickering before his arrival. “These are to see you do not escape,” he then added waving towards the four statuesque beasts beside the doorway.

  Before Leyna could even think of a suitable reply, the ghost-like apparition of Abalyon merely dispersed into thin air and vanished before her eyes. Leyna felt deflated, although her worries were not for her own wellbeing but for the young son she had not long been reunited with. Yet one thing puzzled her above all others. Why did Abalyon need Finley so badly? Surely the God had already amassed an army more than capable of matching anything the elves or dwarfs could muster. No, she thought, there must be a deeper underlying reason as to why Abalyon needed Finley.

  With little else to do besides watching the balgraf, Leyna was in a pensive mood. So many questions entered her mind, few of which she could actually give answers to. If Abalyon was a god and intent on ruling the world, she supposed he would need a physical being upon in to do his bidding; Perhaps that was the reason for wanting Finley. Yet if that were the case, surely Abalyon could have his pick of any being, and although she was now aware that Finley had powers far in excess of most, he was not really the leader type. Perhaps Abalyon merely wanted to use him as a tool to a greater means? Use Finley to destroy the armies of the world and then have somebody or something else rule them. Realising all this was a speculative suggestion at best, she turned her mind to other things.

  Despite Karesh only being adopted, and the fact he was an orc did not stop Leyna loving him as if he were her own flesh and blood. In a way, she knew that the only reason she had taken him in when she had was to fill the chasm that had been left in having to give Finley up. Despite all the snide remarks and strange looks from the other elves, she had raised Karesh as her own and thought she had done so amicably. However, thinking of him only set her worrying once more.

  Despite orcs being powerful warriors, Karesh was a little different, mainly because of the way she had brought him up. Sending him out on his own had been the first big test in letting him go from her side. Leyna knew and had known for a long time that sooner or later, Karesh would want what all orcs did. The race was brutal and fearsome, and although Karesh had been brought up in a different, more serene environment, she was aware she could never stop him from being what he really was. After the incident outside Lochgorm with Finley in the forest, she had seen then the first signs that he wanted more in life as if the encounter with the balgraf had awoken something deep inside him. Now, he was no longer that poor little orc baby she had found and nurtured, he was a growing Orc and needed to be out in the world.

  “They grow up so fast,” she muttered to herself not noticing one of the balgraf strolling over to where she was sat on the stone floor. At first, the beast startled her, but feeling quite confident it was not going to hurt her, she looked up at it. Noticing her watching, the creature snarled, showing its teeth as a wild dog might do as a display of aggression, a warning that it was dangerous. However, knowing the best way to deal with such a creature was not to show any fear, Leyna simply kept glaring the creature’s way. The beast eventually looked away before it dropped something on the floor.

  Leyna afforded half a smile as she noticed it was a waterskin. It would seem that these beasts were to cater for her needs during her imprisonment, although what she would get as far as food went she was not sure. However, feeling her mouth was dry, she waited for the beast to turn away before reaching out and grabbing the water and drinking deeply when she did. Not knowing when she would get more, she replaced the stopper on the skin and placed it behind her for later use.

  The water she had just drunk was another sign that gave her hope. The liquid was cold and fresh as if from a spring, meaning it could not have come from anywhere in the barren lands east of the elven territories. Judging that the building she was being kept in was not of elven architecture, and thought she was probably right on her earlier assumption that she was indeed still in the dwarf lands. Now all she needed to do was figure a way out before Abalyon used her in his little game.

  Leyna knew physically at least she would not be a match for even the smallest of the balgraf. Not only were they stronger, quicker and more agile they also had the use of claws and sharp teeth, whereas she had none of those. Had she managed to keep hold of her staff then she might have been able to muster up something using her magical abilities, but alas she never even had that. Which left her only thing where she thought she might be superior to her captors, her mind.

  Sure the new balgraf had shown signs of intelligence, learning as they went, something she compared to the way a child might do. If that was the case then perhaps using her greater intellect might be the way forward, although how she was going to outwit six of the beasts, she was as yet unsure. Of course, that did not include any others that might be lurking around outside the room she was in, but at least the idea in principle gave her some hope of escape.

  Looking around the room more carefully, she made mental notes of everything within, where it was located and whether it might be of any use to her. Several torches were burning on the walls giving the room its light, perhaps fire might be her weapon of choice. A table and chair in the corner of the room, although she could not see if there was anything on top of it. Perhaps the cupboard up on the wall might contain something of use? The more she looked, the more opportunities she discovered, thinking that perhaps things were not quite as grim as they had first appeared.

  Chapter 17.

  Galdrac, like the dwarf guards beside him, had been helpless in stopping Leyna from being carried away. He had spotted her in the distance being dropped down to the ground, and the ghostly figure of Abalyon enclose around her. As to where she had gone then he had no idea, as the fallen God had surrounded the area in a dark mist covering her from view.

  The Mage knew exactly why she had been taken and was aware of the ramifications of not finding her quickly. Galdrac was wise to the ways of magic, and in all his years had never seen anything quite like Finley. Despite only witnessing his remarkable power only once he knew that in the hands of Abalyon the young lad could and likely would be the weapon needed to destroy the armies of the world. As had been the case for countless centuries, the races had united against the forces of darkness and the one time they nearly tasted defeat had been when Zerus Maldhor had turned to Abalyon’s side. Chance had been the only thing that had saved them then, and Galdrac was quite confident the fallen god would not make the same careless mistake again.

  One thing that had surprised Galdrac was the reluctance of Abalyon to commit his forces fully to a battle. This at least indicated that the God was not yet fully confident of victory. Twice now the odds had seemed in Abalyon’s favour, and twice the God had pulled back as if merely flexing his muscles in a show of strength.

  Once Leyna had been captured, aside from the flying creatures dropping in a few balgraf on top of them, there had been little fu
rther in the way of fighting. Aside from a few dozen still lurking around the other side of the access pathway to the city, the rest of the beasts had turned about and disappeared from view; as to where he did not know, although he thought the surrounding towns and villages around Durn Raldun would likely be bearing the brunt.

  Galdrac had decided that Abalyon must have revealed his newer, flying beasts as a demonstration, showing that walls and chasms were no longer an obstacle for him. Despite there only being a few in number, the flying creatures had managed to drop in a half a dozen of their bigger cousins. Even this small demonstration of power had caused the defenders significant panic and no short amount of casualties.

  Knowing he could not just hang around the dwarf capital, the human Mage needed a way out. He had managed to do what he had been asked and warned the dwarfs of the impending assault, and more by chance and good luck they had managed to prepare just in time to stop the balgraf merely marching straight into the city. Now, Galdrac needed to be on the move again although needed some further assistance from his dwarf hosts.

  Despite holding them in such low regard, if he were to track Leyna down he would need the help of a druid; preferably one who had a link with an animal that could follow a scent. After talking with Balin, the Dwarf Commander at some length, and explaining he owed him a favour, the dwarf finally agreed to one druid. “That is all I can spare. Now we know the forces of darkness are running amok across our lands I will need every available magician and soldier,” he said as if pointing out the obvious to Galdrac.