Many of the large cavernous areas had been evacuated with the occupants being asked to move deeper into the city. The areas close to the entrance were now hastily being fortified with makeshift barriers being placed across the very same streets just a few hours before had been packed with the city’s citizens. A series of defensive lines were being put in place, should the unthinkable happen, and the balgraf gain access to the city.
Finley had to admire the Dwarfs for their industrious work rate. Whereas the humans and Elves would probably have debated and discussed the ideas, before taking a vote on what was best, the Dwarfs just got on with it. Time was clearly of the essence, yet here he was in a quiet corner, now bereft of people, contemplating sleep.
With weighty eyes, he finally succumbed to the will of his weary body, little surprised to see a dark figure waiting for him in his dreams. In this realm, he did not feel the aches and pains of the waking world, and although he knew Abalyon could merely appear and reappear at will, he decided to turn his back on the God and drift in the opposite direction.
As he had predicted the dark swirling figure merely moved and re-materialised in front of him, before taking his now familiar human form.
“You dare defy me Zerus Maldhor?” The figure spoke in a tone that indicated he was far from pleased with Finley’s actions. However, the youngster stood his ground as the dark misty figure moved right up towards him. “You told me you would not involve my family,” he replied sounding rather calm considering the character he was facing.
“And you have unleashed a dragon upon the world,” Abalyon added with a slight smirk on his ghost-like face.
Finley thought Abalyon had looked far too pleased with himself when he had spoken those words but decided to try and keep calm. “I have, and with it, I shall defeat you and your beasts.” However, it was quickly apparent that the God did not feel threatened by the remark, and merely made a sound that would indicate as much. “You are a fool Zerus Maldhor if you think having one dragon will stop me.” Finley thought Abalyon was under the impression that he did not know about the link with Arach was a dangerous one. However, the dragon had already explained the situation to him, and so when the God revealed to him that if the dragon died, he would also die, Finley just waved it away. “I know the risks!” he said feeling far more confident than he usually did when in discussion with this particular being.
As usual, Abalyon wittered on about how Finley was bound to him, and that sooner or later he would come over to his side. As usual, Finley argued to the contrary and even went as far as telling the God that this time would be his last. However, Abalyon was clearly still confident In his statement, something that Finley picked up on. He thought by the tone that perhaps Abalyon still yet knew something he did not. He was, however, not given time to dwell on that thought as the fallen God swirled about him, “Look what you have made me do Zerus Maldhor!”
The scenery around Finley suddenly changed, and it took only a few moments to realise he was familiar with the image being shown.
“This is Whitebridge. Why are you showing me this?” he asked not sure he wanted to know where this was going.
Abalyon did not speak but moved the scene he was depicting skywards to reveal dozens of flying balgraf, but before Finley had a chance to ask any more questions the image was gone and replaced with an entirely different scene.
People, some of whom Finley knew were racing about in panic as the flying beasts swooped mercilessly down upon them, picking them up into the air and dropping them back down to the ground. He saw the body of his aunt lying broken on the ground, and one of his two cousins kneeling down and weeping over her. “Why?” Finley snapped turning his attention to the dark ghostly shape. “They have never done anything to you,” he added.
“You did this Zerus Maldhor, not me. I warned you what would happen if you betrayed me.” Finley just turned his head away not wanting to look at the scene he was being forced to see.
By the time Finley had turned his gaze back, Abalyon had gone, leaving him alone in the vast emptiness of his dreams. Feeling rather sorry for himself he called out to Heralin, Goddess of the Elves. She had shown herself once before when he had called but alas this time she did not appear. However, a figure did materialise but one he had not seen before.
“And which one are you?” Finley asked dryly as the God took a human form before him. This figure though looked different from the other Gods, younger almost, as if no older than himself. “I am Eldan. God and Creator of the humans,” he said introducing himself to Finley.
Of all the Gods, Finley actually felt this one might actually talk sense, rather than the riddles the others tended to speak in.
“Now Abalyon has tainted my lands, I am able to come and talk with you,” he said answering one of the questions Finley had been pondering over. Apparently, as Abalyon had not yet made an attack with the balgraf on human territory, Eldan had not been permitted by the other gods to aid him; something Finley thought utterly ridiculous. He was also surprised when Eldan explained other things the others had just kept avoiding to tell him.
Zerus Maldhor was as he had learned a halfbreed exactly like Finley. Back then he had been permitted to live and blessed with great powers by the gods, meaning he was capable of many things other beings could not even comprehend. However, because of that blessing, it also gave a link to Abalyon; he after all was and still is a God like the others. That link allowed Abalyon to gain influence of Zerus Maldhor, and the more powerful he became, the more his mind was clouded by the darkness.
“You see. The reason the others all refer to you as Zerus Maldhor is because you are him in all but name, and the very reason Abalyon seeks you out again.”
“At last an answer I can understand,” Finley replied thinking that of all the Gods he had met the human one seemed at least to be pleasant.
“He knows that you are the only one able to stop him, but yet he also knows that the more powers you gain, the harder you will find to resist his will.”
Finley shrugged, “So I need more power to defeat the darkness, yet when I get them I’ll lose my mind and become his lackey?” he asked summarising what he had been told in more simplistic terms.
Eldan smiled, his ghostly face surprisingly life-like as he did so. Zerus Maldhor apparently had taken everything upon himself, grasped every power the gods made available to him until his mind was so effortlessly turned. However, as Eldan explained to Finley, he was not Zerus Maldhor. “Finally, somebody who makes sense!” Finley replied sounding almost exasperated.
The God swirled around a little before waving an arm and showing several different scenes. A picture of a Dwarf, an Elf, an Orc and even a Troll, all stood beside the other, and at the centre of the line was a young Human. Above these flew a dragon, “Arach!” Finley said recognising his own beast. Eldan nodded, “The way to defeat Abalyon is to unite all the races against him. Do not try and win this fight by yourself or else your fate will be the same as before.”
Finley stood in silence as Eldan swished about a while before taking shape so close to Finley he felt he needed to step back. “The Alliance is hanging by a thread. The Orcs have started invading the lands of the humans, and the Dwarfs and Elves are fighting their own battles. Time is short Finley,” the God spoke in a calm way and placed his ghost-like hand upon Finley’s shoulder. “Seek out the Sword of Light, only with this will you be able to rally all to your cause. Do this, and the races of the world have a chance to rid themselves of this menace forever. Fail, and Abalyon will have dominion over all.” Finley was just about to ask what or where the Sword of Light might be when Eldan did the one thing that infuriated him more than anything. Without so much as a farewell, the God vanished from sight, there one second, but gone the next.
Finley’s eyes flickered open. How long had been asleep for? He was still sat huddled in his quiet corner, and the city was evidently not being overrun by balgraf, so perhaps not as long as he thought. After a few groans, wishing he had
found somewhere a little more comfortable, he stretched his arms upwards before stifling a yawn and hurrying to where he knew his mother was being kept. Firstly he needed to check to see if there was any progress there, before venturing back out to the battlements and seeing if the hordes of the Darkness were looking like making a move.
Chapter 9.
Karesh sighed with relief as the walls of Neylarin finally came into view. With Sessi at the front and Akeev walking at the rear of the group they had made it through the forests safely. Having been forced to divert twice in the past day, he had started to think he was never going to make it back. Trying to keep out of trouble was certainly far more complicated than he had thought, especially when you had three children in your group that seemed intent on giving the enemy as much help as possible in finding them.
Akeev quickly ran to the front, and Karesh could tell that the troll was in awe at the sight of the grand Elven city. “You stay close to me,” he said to the Troll. “Don’t go wandering off,” he added although he was certain Akeev either did not understand or was just not listening. After all, nobody else in the group seemed to heed his words, so why should the troll be any different.
The gates of the city were closed meaning Karesh had to talk to the guard peering through a small wooden hatch built into one of the doors. “Can we come in?” he asked annoyed a little at the holdup.
“No!” came the rather unexpected reply. This single word had caught Karesh off guard a little, and it took a few moments to think. “Look I have a troll with me,” he said stepping out of the line of sight so the guard could see.
“Well blow me down!” the guard muttered, “So you do.”
“So, can we come in then, or are we going to be standing out here forever?”
After a few more looks, more from other guards wanting to catch a glimpse of the strange looking creature, the gate was finally opened. Karesh made sure Akeev stayed close by, riding right up alongside him and having the old elf ride the other side so he couldn’t go wandering off. They had barely made it twenty paces down the main thoroughfare, and already a small crowd was gathering, and while Karesh liked to think they were celebrating him on his find, he knew they were actually being nosey and wanted a glimpse of Akeev.
Unsure of what to do with the two human children Karesh could only think of one possible solution, although it meant having to deal with somebody that he had never thought liked him very much. After bidding farewell to the three Elves in his group, it was once more down to Akeev, Dylan and Rosie. Despite dozens of elves getting in his way, he finally managed to get to the home of his adoptive grandparents. While his Grandmother was somewhat surprised to see a troll standing at her front door, his Grandfather was absolutely dumbfounded.
Although Karesh had never felt particularly welcomed by his grandfather, the elf had never shown any malice towards him. While he at least was busy inspecting Akeev over, Karesh asked his Grandmother as to whether she might be able to find somebody to care for the two young human orphans. Attempting to keep his voice as low as possible he then explained the situation to her and how he had discovered the two children. Moreover, he also felt his grandparents as senior members of society should be made aware of the increased activity by the balgraf.
The news that not only had they overrun at least one of the Elven outposts but were now attacking villages and other small communities, evidently came as a shock. “It looks like the war has started,” she mumbled as much to herself as the young Orc. Karesh placed a hand on his Grandmother's shoulder to shepherd her away from the others just a little. “I think they are taking bodies with them,” he said explaining the lack of them in the outpost, and the subsequent discoveries out in the forest.
“You think they are eating the dead?” his Grandmother whispered, clearly disgusted by the thought. Karesh did not speak but merely nodded his head just once to say that he thought that was the case.
“I must take Akeev to Durn Raldun and meet up with mother,” Karesh told her.
“Don’t worry. I shall see the two children are well cared for.
“Thankyou. Have the city ready, because the enemy is coming,” Karesh replied with a little anxiousness in his voice. His Grandmother gave a smile and nodded, “Go to Leyna and do what you must,” she replied as she patted him on the shoulder. Neither of his grandparents had ever shown him an enormous amount of affection while growing up, but considering he was an Orc and they were Elves, he understood why. However, his grandmother especially had always been kind to him, especially in his younger years, his grandfather had just taken a little more time to come to terms with the fact his daughter had taken in a stray Orc as her own.
Despite his Grandfather wanting to take Akeev and show him off to the Elven Council, Karesh apologised and insisted they needed to be elsewhere. After a look of disappointment and some persuasion from his wife, the old elf nodded but asked that they might return when things had settled down. “There are so many questions we need answering about the trolls,” he told Karesh. While he knew this was probably true, those unanswered questions would have to wait for another day. Now he and Akeev needed to reunite with the others.
With Sessi following obediently behind, both Karesh and Akeev headed for the building with the Waygate. The Orc was not sure how he was going to explain that Akeev needed to take a deep breath before travelling but tried his best nonetheless as they walked. Inevitably they once more drew the attention of virtually everybody they passed, but despite several wanting to approach and take a closer look, he moved on regardless making sure Akeev did likewise.
The troll’s face was a picture as he watched two arcanists power up the Waygate to Felham, and although Karesh would have loved to try and explain it to him, they did not have time. Over emphasising himself taking a deep breath, he hoped Akeev would get the message he had tried to relay earlier, as he ushered the troll through the watery pool of blue light.
Reappearing in Felham, Akeev once more quickly became the focus of attention, so much so that nobody appeared to even bother about the fact a wolf was walking amongst them. Without further delay, and although not trying to be rude to the humans at Felham, Karesh headed for the next Waygate. After walking down the steps in one tower, he headed along a corridor, only stopping briefly to ask which for directions when he realised he wasn’t sure of the way.
Stepping through the magical portal one more time Karesh actually felt a nervous kind of excitement at the thought he would see his mother and brother again. Moreover, the sense of achievement having fulfilled his goal and returned safely would surely make his mother proud. He knew she worried for him and was usually far more over protective than she needed to be and hoped this might prove to her that he was now grown up, as least as far as Orcs went.
Aside from the guards beside the Dwarf Waygate, Durn Raldun appeared a far less busy place than he recalled the last time he was there. Being as he had no idea where to find his family, or even if they were still here waiting for him, he thought it best to ask. Naturally the dwarf he decided to ask immediately took more interest in Akeev than answering the question. As a result, Karesh had to be patient and wait before he finally got the answer he wanted. The guard did not even know to whom he was referring to start with, but when he mentioned the fact, his mother was an elf and had been with a human mage the penny dropped. “Last I heard he was heading towards the battlements to face the Darkness.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Karesh replied politely before grabbing Akeev’s arm and half dragging him away. “Uhmm Which way do I go?” he asked having to stop suddenly. The dwarf mumbled something but Karesh could not understand what it was and just waved a hand before walking away at pace.
Turning into the large cavernous areas felt somewhat strange as many of them were all but vacant. So much so that Karesh could hear his footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness. A little further on he then came across a few barriers that had been made blocking the way, and a dozen or so soldiers stood nervously behind
them. None paid him or Akeev any heed as they squeezed through the small gap in the defences and made their way further forward and towards the main entrance to Durn Raldun. It was evidently clear that Akeev wanted to stop and look around at this new environment, after all, Karesh had been the same on his visit to the Dwarf capital.
As he approached the front entrance, he saw familiar figures heading his way, chatting as they were walking. “Finley!” he shouted setting off at a run dragging Akeev behind him. His brother was already aware he was approaching via the link with Sessi and stood with his arms held out to greet him. “Karesh. You made it, and found a troll!” he said. Galdrac did congratulate him, although quickly diverted his attention to Akeev as so many others seemed to do. “Where’s Mother?” Karesh asked suddenly realising the group was one person light.
Finley looked to Galdrac to help explain, but being as the old Mage was evidently preoccupied with watching the troll knew he wold have to do so himself. Suggesting they walk and head that way now, he started telling his brother of how their mother had been taken captive by Abalyon. With the help of his dragon Arach, they had managed to rescue her, albeit not without injury.
The Sword of Light Page 6