by Joffre White
Close to their left, they could see Ameer, his white robe rippling in a sudden breeze. Opposite him on the other ridge was the dark figure of Katar sitting astride a two-tone, black and white Sandspider. Amongst this welcome army were hundreds of white pennants and flags, each one emblazoned with the black spider insignia of Aridian.
Frog caught a movement from the corner of his eye and looked towards the gap in the dunes to their right. Rows and rows of orange-robed figures began to emerge and move forward, spreading out across the desert floor.
‘The Sisterhood,’ acknowledged Nadiah. ‘I should be with them,’ she added wistfully.
They watched as the Sisterhood filled the plain in front of them until nearly two thousand orange figures stood, facing the direction of Lord Maelstrom's army.
‘Some of them look so young,’ said The One.
‘Do not let their youth deceive you,’ said Cassaria. ‘They have courage beyond their years.’
The light from Cassaria's bangles turned yellow, a roar went up from the lines of Sandspiders and they started their descent, down the steep dunes and into conflict.
Jagged shards of lightning traced across the sky, turning everything monochrome with its strobe effect and momentarily blinding anyone who looked at it. Groups of Dreden broke away from the main army and rushed to meet the oncoming Sandspiders, while the legions of ugly, twisted creatures pushed forwards to attack the Sisterhood. The clamour and confusion of battle ensued as the Dreden and the Sandspiders clashed.
The sudden speed at which Lord Maelstrom's vile creations advanced on the Sisterhood was unexpected, propelling them forward onto a collision course.
‘What are they?’ asked Frog.
‘More likely, what were they?’ corrected Nadiah. ‘There is some resemblance amongst them of desert animals and insects, but goodness knows what awful things have been done to transform them into these abominable beings.’
Cassaria's bangles now sent out a deep orange light and with the change in colour, the Sisterhood formed two ranks, the first about 2 metres in front of the other, their arms outstretched and their fists glowing blue-white.
Closer and closer the swarm came and not one of the Sisterhood flinched until, with only a few metres remaining, the first line opened their palms and the shock waves rippled out. The result was devastating. The creatures exploded and disintegrated into dust, row upon row of them nine or ten deep. The next line of Sisterhood stepped forwards and repeated the exercise to the same effect and so they advanced, cutting into the mass, turning the enemy into fine particles, which dropped to the ground to be trampled underfoot and mixed into the sand.
On the sand dunes either side, the Sandspiders were advancing steadily down, their riders firing their crossbows with deadly accuracy. Dreden fell dead before they could reach the Sandspider's legs with their swords and spears.
Cassaria lowered her arms and the bangles returned to normal, but lightning continued to streak out from the tower to illuminate the whole plain.
‘We seem to be defeating them on all sides of our attack,’ said The One.
‘Look.’ said Nadiah. ‘The Sisterhood are forcing the creatures back into the paths of the Sandspiders.’
The creatures were now in a confused panic, turning on each other in an effort to run from the power of the Sisterhood. Behind them, Dreden were caught in the chaotic retreat and found themselves being attacked by the dreadful creations. Very soon, the Sandspiders were upon them all, the riders now using the long-handled spears to keep at bay and dispatch their enemies, the Sandspiders using their forelegs to pick up any adversary that got within reach, piercing them with sharp fangs before throwing the bodies back into the fighting, scrabbling mass.
‘This is too easy,’ said Cassaria. ‘Something's wr –’ But before she could finish, a deafening roll of thunder, which shook the ground, drowned out her voice and great holes appeared along the surrounding dunes. Many of the Sandspiders disappeared into the deep fissures, their legs scrabbling for purchase as the quicksand dragged them down with their riders. The fast-running sand spread out claiming many more victims before finally closing in on top of them and sealing their fate in suffocating tombs. Large gaps in the ranks of Aridian's army now made them vulnerable to counterattack.
The Sisterhood had pushed their way into the centre of the battle and were fighting in all directions. Many casualties were indeed amongst the younger, less-experienced students, who had depleted their power and had lost the energy to recharge and defend themselves.
Elsewhere, Ameer found himself surrounded. Blackened creatures clawed and bit into his Sandspider's legs and it hissed with pain and rage. One large, long-legged half-insect, half-lizard leapt onto the Sandspider's back. Its mantis-like mandibles snapped open and lunged forward, narrowly missing Ameer's neck. With a spear in each hand, he focussed on fighting off two ugly lizards, intent on tearing at his Sandspider's eyes and was unaware of the dreadful thing behind him as it drew its head back for a second strike. It had moved closer and this time was certain of success. Once again, the jaws opened ready to sever Ameer's head from his body but, instead, an arrow flew into its neck. Green blood splashed out and the creature crumpled sideways. Ameer looked to see it fall into the scrabbling figures below. A second arrow also found its mark and one of the lizards fell lifeless at the spider's feet. Ameer turned to see where it had come from and saw a smiling Katar, loading up another arrow.
Ameer touched his forehead in thanks and turned back to look around him. It seemed to him that the Sandspiders and the Sisterhood were holding their ground against their adversaries, but not without many casualties. He wondered how much longer they could stave off the onslaught when the deep boom of war-drums echoed out.
From the base of the towers, they came. The giant, black, glistening scorpions swarmed out and around the sides of the plain. Their intention was clear: to encircle the battle and trap the Aridian army who would then have no means of escape and nowhere to turn. The snapping, riderless creatures quickly completed their task. They froze, their tails arced and their hooked stings dripping green poison as they waited for a command.
‘They'll cut our people to ribbons,’ said Nadiah.
‘Have faith,’ replied Cassaria. Again, she brought the bangles together and an emerald green beam reached upwards.
This time, a blue glow began to radiate along the high ridges of the dunes. To their left, a lone figure appeared riding a Sandspider. He was dressed in the white robes of Aridian. One hand gripped a tall standard bearing the flag of Aridian; a sudden breeze unfurled the image for all to see. In his other hand, he held a long bladed scimitar, which he raised above his head. Slowly, white turbaned heads began to appear, rising up, their numbers spilling out over the sand and passing all expectations.
Baron and his followers spread out, their ranks joined by many more Sandspiders. Glowing rock crystals hung like medallions from their harnesses.
Frog saw Baron stand on his spider's saddle. He brought his curved sword forward; the blade glinted from the moonlight and a roar went up. The Sand-spiders moved slowly down the dunes, crisscrossing each other's paths as they released long strands of spider silk, which created a meshed web behind them. Then scores of the Dreden allies rushed forwards with long bows. They produced arrows with thin threads of silk already attached, which they tied to the web, then they finally set their arrows into position and stood, ready to fire.
The scorpions sensed a threat and turned to face the oncoming Sandspiders, but they were too late. The arrows were released, lifting the web over the heads of the Sandspiders to drop onto the giant, black, venomous scorpions. The sticky substance of the fresh web stuck to the bodies and as they snapped and twisted to escape, they became more entangled with each move. Then Baron's Dreden army were upon them. The Sandspiders reared up, pushing with their forelegs to lift the scorpions and expose the soft, vulnerable underbellies, which they immediately attacked with spears, swords and arrows.
&n
bsp; One of the creatures managed to cut through enough of the web to free itself and Katar, who was nearby, turned his Sandspider and joined the efforts to stop the beast. He leapt down and sliced into one of the skeletal legs and then another. A pincer arm swung down, snapping at the air in search of Katar, who sidestepped and brought the great blade of his scimitar swinging around in an arc to sever the claw from its owner. The creature emitted an ear-splitting scream as it lost its balance and toppled sideways giving Baron's men the chance to drive their spears home and put an end to it.
Even as it died, it carried out one last wicked deed. The tail flipped forwards and the poisonous sting struck Katar in his back. His death was mercifully instantaneous, but went unnoticed in the clamour of battle.
Lord Maelstrom's army was in disarray. With the arrival of Baron's reinforcements, there had been a new vigour in the Aridian army as they sensed that victory was within their reach. But the battle was far from over.
Another sudden roll of thunder shook the skies, followed by a further streak of lightning, and on a blade of electric current, Belzeera rode out, her arms outstretched, her long black clothes shimmering with static. She swooped above the throng, flicking her wand down and releasing blue thunderbolts of raw energy into the Sisterhood. Several of them directed their power at the witch, but she seemed protected against the force as if surrounded by a hidden shield.
Nadiah turned away, tears in her eyes. ‘Do something,’ she pleaded to Cassaria. ‘She will destroy them all.’
‘The witch's greed for power will be her downfall,’ said Cassaria. ‘Keep the spear close to your side and be ready to throw straight and true,’ she instructed The One.
‘Touch your brow, young Frog. Let the light of The Chosen flow forth.’
Without question, he did as he was told and the shining sun of The Chosen appeared on his forehead. The golden rays stretched out, changing the colour of the very air around them. As the illumination spread towards her, Belzeera looked up and an expression of greed filled her face. She turned away from her evil business and sped towards the little group.
‘Join hands with me now,’ commanded Cassaria as Belzeera came to a halt a few metres above them, floating on her electric blue platform.
She pointed her black, twisted wand at Frog.
‘Pick up the Hourglass and step forwards,’ she ordered.
He felt Cassaria's hand tighten around his and he stood his ground.
‘You dare defy me?’ spat the witch with rage.
‘We all defy you,’ replied Cassaria. ‘Fire, water, air and earth.’ As she spoke each word, the colours of their robes radiated intensely: Nadiah – red; Frog – deep blue; Cassaria – ice blue; The One – green and brown.
The lightning shard supporting Belzeera blackened and cracked. Her brow furrowed and doubt crossed her face.
‘Now,’ said Cassaria in almost a whisper, but The One heard her clearly.
He moved his hand away from his side and revealed the spear. The symbols on the shaft and blade shone white-hot.
Fear crossed Belzeera's face, an emotion that she had never felt before as The One threw the spear. Belzeera pointed her wand, but it was immediately torn from her grasp. It flew towards the hourglass, passing the spear on its way. Thunder boomed overhead and as it echoed along the plain, the spear reached the witch and stopped, poised, just centimetres from her breast.
She looked down at the pointed blade, its symbols glowing molten. A trembling smile crossed her lips and she exhaled a nervous laugh.
‘Ha! The old Magic fails you.’
The One's voice spoke clear and strong.
‘Fallah. Rania. Hevas. Erith.’
The spear pierced her robe; the blade disappeared into her body followed by the long shaft. However, it did not exit through her. It was absorbed into her.
Her image stretched and warped. She thrashed and clawed at the air around her and a network of fine, dark cracks spread out across the skin of her face. Her eyes bulged as she felt the final fear and recognition that her end was upon her. Her mouth opened into a silent scream before she imploded into nothingness.
Her wand hovered above the Rune Stone, still set into the top of the Hourglass and Cassaria reached forward with one hand and pushed it downwards. As it touched the Rune Stone, it fragmented into thousands of pieces, which changed from black, to blue and the slivers melted into the Rune Stone itself.
At that moment, a thunderous roar shook the ground with the force of an earthquake, knocking them off their feet. In the distance, blood-red flames shot out of the fortress and a firestorm of lightning erupted in the sky. Black and crimson clouds formed overhead, blotting out the stars and twin moons. The pure light that came from Frog's brow reached out and pushed back the darkness. They all watched as the fortress shook and its pinnacles and balconies crumbled, falling into a mushroom-shaped cloud of dust. Then, from the billowing debris, the deafening voice of Lord Maelstrom boomed.
‘By killing my sister you have doomed this Dimension. I shall destroy you all. There will be no mercy. Empty desolation is all that shall remain of this wretched world. Behold, I am come and all shall suffer my wrath.’
The figure, which emerged from the dust cloud, was a monstrous demon, over 10 metres in height. There was no doubt that it was Lord Maelstrom, but his whole being was on fire, even his ragged trailing robes. Flames danced across the material, rippled over his skin; his face burned and moved like the surface of the sun.
He stepped forwards, crushing his own wicked creations beneath his feet. Molten fire dripped from his fingers and fell around him, burning like brimstone, incinerating anything that came into contact.
Every living thing on that plain – men, women, Sandspiders, even the things of his own and Belzeera's making – turned and ran, scattering out in all directions with one purpose – survival.
26
Blood on the Stone
Frog opened his mind, to let the evil of Lord Maelstrom enter, forcing back the dreadful, despicable and vile thoughts and images that tried to push through and corrupt him.
‘You want me? Come and get me,’ he shouted mentally.
In the distance, Lord Maelstrom's head snapped up. ‘Let us finish this now,’ he bellowed back.
He strode across the plain, his sheer size helping him to cover the ground in a matter of moments. He stretched out a fiery arm and pointed towards the little group on the dune.
‘This will be the greatest pleasure of all. Prepare to die, Guardian. You will not live to see me turn these meddling fools into empty, soulless servants.’
Cassaria picked up the Hourglass. The last few grains of sand were falling into the bottom.
‘You forgot your greatest enemy,’ she said.
She turned the Hourglass on its side and time instantly stood still around them. All movement ceased and the battlefield was frozen. Even the demonic Lord Maelstrom remained immobile.
The Rune Stone suddenly released itself and dropped from the cradle. With a reflex action, The One reached out and caught it before it dropped to the ground.
Even when everything was over, he could not explain what prompted him to do what he did next.
He took out the parchments and wrapped them around the Rune Stone then he threw the package with all his might at the towering Lord Maelstrom, shouting out the words again.
‘Fallah. Rania. Hevas. Erith.’
It flew forwards through the air, struck the evil sorcerer on the chest, and then attached itself to him. The glow of the Rune Stone shone through the parchment and spread out across his body, turning crimson red to bright blue. As they watched, the figure of Lord Maelstrom began to shrink, slowly at first and then the momentum accelerated until he returned to his normal size.
The Hourglass twisted in Cassaria's hands. It turned upright, the sand now in the top chamber. Grains started to drop through the narrow gap and time started again. Black and crimson clouds continued to billow out and fill the sky. Lord Maelstrom r
eached to his chest and took hold of the Rune Stone, still wrapped in the ancient parchment. Now, there was no glow, no radiance. He extended his other hand and a black wand appeared in it.
‘Did you think that you could stop me? Your end has finally come, Guardian.’
He flicked the wand at her, but nothing happened. He tried again to no effect then looked at the wand with a puzzled expression.
‘Your powers are gone,’ said Cassaria. ‘You are mortal.’
Rage filled his face. He shook the Rune Stone in anger, raising it in the air and meaning to dash it on the ground when, suddenly, he stared at the parchment.
‘There is blood,’ he smiled. He tore the material open. ‘There is blood on the Stone!’
The One looked at his hand; a smear of blood trailed across his palm. Protruding from his skin, he saw a small wooden splinter, which had broken off from the spear's shaft as he had thrown it at Belzeera.
‘The blood of the father is enough!’ screeched Lord Maelstrom in crazed triumph.
He brought his wand hand up to his mouth and bit into his own flesh, tearing open the skin and letting his blood drip onto the stone and mix with The One's.
‘This will be enough, Guardian. The parchment; it is organic. This will take me to the Third Dimension. I will find a way to rise up again.’ He looked menacingly at Frog. ‘I will find your world, boy, and I will bring the endless night and deliver eternal torment. I will take the souls of your father and mother as trophies and you shall be my slave for all eternity.’
‘Stop him,’ shouted Frog.
‘Nothing can stop him,’ said Cassaria. ‘He has the Rune Stone in his power. We must let him go.’
As they watched, the Rune Stone regained its radiance, which then spread into Lord Maelstrom. The air in front of him rippled and a tear appeared, a rip in the very fabric of time and space. Through this, a glimpse of darkness and scattered stars was seen before he was drawn in and the entrance to the Slipstream sealed behind him.