by Jason Sander
Laisarus laughed and replied, “Perhaps I will tell you when we meet again.”
“Goodbye then blood brother,” said Cane gathering some of the food left by the animals. He passed the book to Laisarus then looked at the map in the locket and began to hike out of the valley.
Gaia appeared beside Laisarus. “Good to see you alive again.”
“Good to be alive. Tell me what’s happened while I’ve been asleep,” said Laisarus
“They have returned,” she replied with a tinge of fear.
CHAPTER 120
Dagar
Dagar struggled through the deep snow of the northern mountains. His feet were aching from the cold and his body shook with every cold breeze. Ahead of him Lockjaw led him further and further away from his people.
Finally after days of travelling he could see a light ahead coming from a cave. Dagar stumbled into the warm interior and crawled to the fire to warm his hands and feet.
Around him he could see the eyes of hundreds of wolven watching him.
Finally as the warmth began to filter into his body he looked at his surroundings more carefully.
He was astonished to see signs of habitation, shelves that were falling apart, a broken rotting bed in the corner, a few broken shards of pottery and in the corner something else hidden by the wolven.
Dagar moved forward to get a better look and the wolven parted before him until he could see.
Before him sat a dwarf, taller than most and far older than he had any right to be. His armour was ancient, rusting and in places it had been broken by tremendous blows. The strange eyes were hard and uncompromising as they studied Dagar.
Finally Dagar managed to ask, “Who are you?” although deep down he already new the answer.
“I am the Wolf King. Have you come to fulfil our bargain Dagar?” The voice seemed only vaguely to come from the dwarf’s lips. The wolven stirred at the sound but remained where they were.
“Yes. What do you want from me?”
“Your life for all eternity until the stars no longer shine,” said the Wolf King.
Dagar’s blood ran cold but he did not hesitate, “So be it.” Dagar drew his knife and prepared to kill himself.
“I did not ask for your life blood Dagar, I need you to live for me. My time is near its end and my children must have a father.” The wolf king looked around at the wolven, a tear came to his eye but he brushed it away.
“What do you mean?” asked Dagar sheathing his knife.
“I will tell you my story Dagar so that you will understand.” Around him the wolven lowered their heads onto their paws as if in anticipation.
“I was born to a family of dwarves a long time ago in the Citadel that now lies in ruins. When I grew older I found a beautiful woman and fell in love with her. We moved into the forest to start our own family and soon we had two children of such beauty it made me weep with joy to see them.” The wolven whined as the Wolf King paused in remembrance.
“I was a woodsman, I had to travel quite far sometimes to find the right trees for my customers and it was on one of these trips that goblins came to my home…” The Wolf King fought for control of his emotions then continued, “I saw the smoke rising into the air and raced until my feet were bleeding. I searched and found signs of a struggle, I followed the goblins hoping to arrive in time but when I did finally find them they were already…” the Wolf King choked the wolven whimpered their sympathy.
“I flew into such a rage that I barely remember what happened. When my mind cleared the goblins were dead, their mutilated bodies lying around me and their blood covered my clothes. Sickened I ripped the sticky mess of clothes off and threw them from me.”
“I broke down and cried as I dug the grave for what remained of my family. I lay on the mound of earth covering them and that was when I heard the crying. At first I thought it was me but then I realized it wasn’t even crying.”
“I searched hoping something had survived these terrible monsters and I found wolf pups strung in a net. Their mother’s bones lay by the fire. I knew they had to live, I wanted something to survive and so I fed them goblin flesh to keep them strong as I made my way north. I could not return to my people after what had happened.”
“My children, the wolf cubs, grew strong as the years passed in these cold mountains. I don’t know how they learnt to hunt but they did and they always returned with a piece of meat for me. Time flowed by and I grew older but did not die. The pups were fully grown and had formed packs of their own. Soon other wolves came to me during the coldest winter nights perhaps for the warmth of my fire or perhaps for my company.”
“One day I realized I was no longer alone in the world, but I still ached for revenge and perhaps the wolves felt my need, they went south and crossed the frozen river chasing the goblins and bringing them down. They brought me trophies of their kills.
“On perhaps the coldest day of winter my heart gave out but the wolves lay with me the whole night until I died giving me comfort. When I opened my eyes the next morning I realized that I was dead but not gone.
“The wolves had somehow transformed me into their god. As I came to understand my power I helped them become stronger and smarter. Generations later the wolves became wolven. They have hunted for hundreds of years sowing terror amongst the goblins every winter.”
“That is my story Dagar, I have lived for hundreds of years for vengeance but now I want peace, I want to see my wife’s face once more and my young ones. I need someone to take the burden and gift from my shoulders. My children believe you are worthy Dagar, and so do I.”
Dagar said, “I willingly pay the price of freedom for my people.”
The Wolf King smiled and his armour began to disintegrate, the flesh of his body sank inwards and turned to dust, eventually even his bones crumbled.
Around him Dagar heard the wolven howling their sorrow into the night. He clapped his hands over his ears and prayed for the sound to end but it only faded to a background noise in his mind.
The wolven watched in wonder as his eyes changed and became the eyes of a wolf. As one they bowed to the new Wolf King.
CHAPTER 121
Gabriel
Gabriel watched from the shadows as General Allister discussed his plans with his officers. Gabriel could feel the tension in the room and saw the looks the officers gave each other.
He knew this was the moment as he stepped into sight, the officers immediately reached for guns they no longer carried, realised their mistake and drew their swords. Allister went pale for a moment then turned red with anger and shouted, “Who let him in?”
Officers surrounded Gabriel and held him fast. When no one answered General Allister shouted even louder, “Who let him in?”
Jack strolled in with his axe in hand followed by armed soldiers and answered him. “Your men did Allister. We approached the perimeter and they let us in, we walked through your camp and they let us pass and when we walked towards your tent the guards stood aside.”
Confusion and anger warred for control of the General’s face as he ordered, “Kill them, kill them now!” The outnumbered officers backed away from Jack’s men but still held onto Gabriel.
“You fool, did you really think you could turn humans against humans when there are so few of us on this planet,” said Gabriel. The officers one by one lowered their weapons and released Gabriel.
“What are you doing? Seize them, kill them all!” shouted Allister his eyes wide with madness. When they refused to obey Jack motioned his men forward and they seized the General.
Gabriel approached Allister and asked, “Where is Tasha, where is the commander?”
The Allister spat at him but refused to speak.
One of the officers sheathed his weapon and answered for the General, “The commander still holds her prisoner at Central, sir. With those monsters.”
Gabriel turned to Jack and said, “Get the army back to Central as fast as possible. I think the commander is up to s
omething.”
Jack hesitated a moment then agreed. “Watch out for the commander’s bloodkin, they are fast and strong.”
Behind Gabriel’s back Allister broke free of his captors for a moment and drew a pistol from his shirt.
Gabriel spun in a whirlwind of movement drawing his blade in an arc that severed the General’s hand off and came to a stop against his throat. “I’m quicker,” replied Gabriel.
The General collapsed to the ground clutching his severed arm. Gabriel cleaned his blade on his shirt before sheathing it and stalked out of the room.
Behind him Jack noticed for the first time the change in Gabriel’s build. He no longer had a boy’s thin frame or the emaciated look of hunger. Now he looked like a man strengthened by hardship and training. His muscles held both speed and strength in perfect balance. Unconsciously Jack said, “I believe you.”
CHAPTER 122
Tagier
Within the audience chamber of Blackrock Keep Amelia was in heated argument with McMillan. Tagier had expected to be the main speaker for the emperor when they finally met someone representing the humans but Amelia had taken charge.
Since she had told them of the Emperor’s death he had noticed she had matured from the frightened child he had met into a strong woman. Perhaps it was the journey or the fact that she could now draw upon her power, but deep down Tagier believed Cane was the reason she had changed.
General McMillan agreed to send representatives to the elves as soon as he had the means. He discussed his plans to build a port to the north where the land sloped down to the sea and Amelia and McMillan had discussed various products they could trade.
The problem came when Amelia announced their plans to negotiate with Central as well. McMillan became angry and refused to allow them to go but Amelia’s eyes seemed to burn with fire as she forced the issue and the General relented.
Within days came word that General Allister’s army was turning round and heading back to central. A day later a message was handed to McMillan stating that the General had been removed from power by Jack and Gabriel.
On hearing the news, Amelia announced her plan to journey to Central immediately and McMillan didn’t even bother to argue.
CHAPTER 123
Gabriel
Gabriel walked through the empty streets of Central, crushing snow into ice beneath his boots. He could feel the eyes of the terrified population watching his progress from the windows of their houses. They knew that bad things were going to happen today and had barricaded themselves inside their homes.
Ahead Gabriel spotted the completed church and at the entrance stood Gaia’s ethereal form as if waiting for him. He changed his course and covered the short distance to her as quickly as he could.
Gaia’s voice shook when she said, “You need to stop the commander Gabriel. Only you have the potential to beat him before he opens a gateway to earth.”
Gabriel blood ran cold at her words. “He can’t be that stupid,” he said.
“Ambitious yes, but not stupid. He plans to steal the power of a Titan to become a god.”
“I’ll stop him!” he said his eyes blazing. “Where is he?”
“First you need to match the power he already has,” she replied.
“How?”
“You must gather the lost souls of Central and become a living god. Come,” she said leading him into the church. As he followed her inside she pointed to the church roof and said, “Look.”
Gabriel gazed in wonder as hundreds of sparks of light spiralled around the roof of the church in a chaotic dance. He asked quietly fearing to disturb whatever magic was at work, “What are they?”
“Those are the souls of the humans slain around Central. They have gathered at this place of worship to find sanctuary from the goblin gods.” Gaia lowered her eyes. “When I saw you on the tower you shed no tears. You watched thousands of goblins burn in the forest without any compassion and I feared what you would become if you continued to gain followers.” Gaia looked him in the eye again and before he could defend his actions she said, “I asked you to help the elven expedition because I believed another could rise to take your place in Central without violence in their hearts.”
“Who?” he asked forcing himself to hold her gaze.
“It does not matter Gabriel. The souls need a god to protect them. If they choose to join you then you will have the power to stop the commander.”
“Whatever it takes to stop him,” he said and when Gaia cringed he immediately regretted his choice of words.
“How do I ask them to accept me?” he asked.
“Words may help but your heart is the key to communicating with them. Fill your mind with your need, what you desire most, and they will respond.”
Gabriel thought about the need to stop the commander but he was only the means to the end. Tasha was what he desired above all else, he had to save her and protect her. Above him he could sense the souls react to his thoughts as they changed the pattern of their dance, becoming more agitated. The spiralling lights began to move faster as if they were reaching an agreement and as they moved faster and faster the individual lights became a ring of light. The ring collapsed in on itself radiating a burst of light, blinding Gabriel for a second before the souls lanced out of the glowing sphere hitting him in the chest. As they passed through him he felt their fear and pain, their love and joy. Flashes of their memories appeared in his mind and he felt them touching his own memories of Tasha, his father and his mother, sifting through his mind. As they returned to the sphere he could feel a bond still joining him to the souls as they seemed to discuss amongst themselves whether he was worthy.
When all the voices reached a consensus the sphere became silent. With one voice they spoke in his mind, “We will join with you to help Tasha.”
The sphere broke apart above Gabriel and the souls drifted down like snow. Where each soul touched his skin it left a spot of light and soon he was glowing all over. He felt them join him, strengthening the bond they had already shared.
A feeling of dread filled him as his senses expanded and he felt Tasha’s distress. Without a second thought he ran out of the church door.
Gaia felt the power radiating from him as he disappeared down the road leaving melting snow where his boots hit the ground. She clenched her dress in her hand and hoped she had done the right thing.
CHAPTER 124
Commander
The commander was not his usual calm self. The bloodkin were doing their best to delay the goblin army marching on Central but they were too few and no match for the shamans. The only good news was that the new gateway was ready.
The commander checked one more time to make sure that all was in readiness then ordered the bloodkin to fetch Tasha.
The commander could feel Gabriel had grown stronger and that he would soon arrive, but not soon enough. The bloodkin easily pulled the resisting Tasha along, its powerful muscles bulging with strength after its last feeding.
The only sound the commander could hear came from the bloodkin’s feet moving through the thick mud made of melting ice and earth. Every other citizen of Central was hiding in the buildings and caves. By the time Tasha reached the commander she was covered in mud and he almost laughed at the sight of her.
Instead he smiled and said, “So glad you could make it.” She glared at him but refused to speak.
The commander ignored her silence and continued, “I apologize for this, but you must realize you were not my first choice. I had hoped to capture Gabriel and use his power but he disappeared. Luckily you seem to have also tapped into this planet’s power.”
Angrily she said, “What do you want from me?”
The commander turned to the gate and said, “I need power, vast amounts of it to open the gate. Unfortunately goblin blood magic would require a vast sacrifice of life in order to achieve it. You on the other hand can tap directly into the planet’s magic. I will still have to sacrifice you but think about it. Your
death will save hundreds of lives, is that not a worthy sacrifice Tasha.”
“You are evil commander. I will not help you,” said Tasha defiantly.
“Perhaps I am evil,” said the commander grabbing Tasha by the hair and dragging her to the altar. The bloodkin followed closely behind and tied her to the altar as the commander held her back against the cold stone. “As for helping me, you have no choice.
“I have timed this just right I think,” said the commander seeing Gabriel approaching. “If you don’t have the power I need then I can use him to finish the job.”