The Guardian Chronicles: Book 03 - The Dark Tide

by Steven R. Burke

  “That is a tremendous loss…do the giants know?” asked Aiden respectfully. His stoic heart broke at the thought of giant women and children being slaughtered by devils out of legend.

  “They are being told now by Mistress Khalida, hence her delay. One thing that I can tell you is that their army is over one million strong and it is clear, from what I am being told, that they have the full backing of the keeper. These facts will be something we have to take into consideration for any future plans. I would be a liar if I did not tell you that I am still reeling with the dark elves involvement and more importantly their unforgivable acts of aggression. This war has a whole new dimension now.” King Ciel looked into the fire after falling silent. There was not much that could be said further until the elder elemental arrived on the morrow. The king’s face fell as he stared into the flames.

  “King, I will take my leave of you then…there is little else we can do tonight and talking further on such dark matters will do little for either one of us.” Aiden bowed low for an overly long moment and then departed. The king continued to look into the flames as he attempted to clear his mind before retiring for the night as well.

  “Thank you for assembling this meeting in private” Khalida said to King Ciel. She had arrived first thing in the morning. She had asked that they not delay their meeting, so here they were in the throne room before the sun was up.

  “We understand the urgency” replied Aiden quickly. He woke up right before he was summoned to the meeting and since being awake he had an unquenchable desire to begin his mission.

  “That is exactly why Adair chose you. We need you to set out right after our meeting. The entry of the dark elves into this conflict has caused a number of issues that we have to confront. So, to avoid further delays I have determined that a northern route to the destination would be the best approach” Khalida spoke briskly. She did not mask the sadness in her voice or the sense of urgency.

  “Will I be meeting someone in the north who will then lead us to where the orb is located?” asked Aiden. At least guardians get right to the point. The elves could learn a thing or two from them.

  A body detached from the shadows that had not been there before, or at least no one seemed to notice the presence of this unseen guest. As the figure made its way into the light of the room, there was a collective intake of breath. The figure was baffling…he was tall like an elf but bulky or muscular like a dwarf. It was like looking at someone that should not exist. The unknown visitor looked around the hall with defiance in his eyes.

  “Welcome Xuzien” interjected Khalida smoothly. She cast a warning glare around the room…lingering a little longer on the king.

  “It is truly an honor to meet you in person” replied Aiden swiftly. He was not put off by how he looked or what his background was. This warrior had lived his life regardless of what people said about him being an abomination. He had no control over that and did not let it rule his fate. Besides, he was the best fighter and tracker in the middle lands. He had a feeling of ease come over him as he looked at Xuzien.

  “It is truly a pleasure to meet you, though I am not really here as you may think” replied Xuzien with a sideways look at Khalida. He arched an eyebrow as he looked the elder guardian.

  “It is true; Xuzien is actually at the place where the orb is hidden. He has been preparing for wanted and unwanted guests for several weeks now. He asked that I introduce him to the team prior to their departure. Once he learned that Master Aiden was in charge of the team heading west he requested a special face to face meeting” Khalida offered warmly.

  “I will meet you on the north side of Mount Quang in three days’ time. It will be at the base of the mountain near an overgrown ruin of the Eldar. I will not be there in person as I cannot leave where I am because of the ever increasing number of players in this conflict” intoned Xuzien. He was beginning to fade already as though the connection was fading. Then, without warning, he disappeared entirely.

  “What happened?” snapped the king in worried tones.

  “It looks as though the dark elves had happened across our magical communication relay and Xuzien, the ever cautious, severed the linked before a trace could be started” Khalida said thoughtfully. She momentarily appeared lost in thought.

  “I know where to go…are the elven warriors and mages ready? How about the travel supplies? Where do I meet them?” asked Aiden in rapid fire succession. He understood better now how difficult this venture had become with the involvement of those cursed elves.

  “They are waiting for you at the north gate for immediate departure. All things are ready, all that is needed is for you to join them” the king stated directly. He really appreciated Aiden’s direct approach…so refreshing and different from the elven way.

  “I think it is best you depart now…the king and I have other matters to discuss that you do not need to be bothered with. Good luck to you and the team. I know that having you and Xuzien managing this most serious matter that we have given ourselves the best chance of keeping the orb away from Kana.” She nodded to Aiden to leave and he departed without another word.

  “What do we need to do about the dark elves? Are they coming here?” asked the elven king. He had been preoccupied with the news of the dark elves and their immediate proximity.

  “I wish I had better answers for you. I know that Adair is doing what he can to discover their next move. We are relatively sure that they will not rush into another conflict after their campaign against the giants. One thing that you should know is that the dark elves’ curse has been removed by Kana. This makes them so deadly that taking them head on with fewer numbers is not advisable. We are still working on a strategy…” Khalida said with a hint of unease. It was clear that the dark elves were not originally part of this conflict and that Kana had recruited them. The question was the cost of their involvement. What were they promised?

  “This is something that we need to figure out and we need to do it soon” King Ciel replied meaningfully. He had still not regained all of his confidence back after the events over the past year.

  “The guardian will be joining us later today to discuss this situation. You and your people are directly in the path of this formidable army and we need to be sure we can defend against them, delay them, and do whatever else we can to keep them at bay long enough so a sufficient force can be garnered to deal with them.”

  “Until then I would appreciate your insights and recommendations on our defenses. I have done everything that I could think of; however, I know that my analytical mind is sometimes creatively limited and that you can surely see some options that I have over looked.” The king knew how to win over a person, even someone as powerful as an elder guardian. He was being completely forthright with her…he knew that he needed her creativity. Elves were not the most creative people and it was more important to admit that than to arrogantly think that they were something they were not at the cost of lives. Too many have died already…I must make Kishi and Kira proud to call me their father. I want my reunion with them in Ehlidel to be joyous.

  Rage

  King Edric sat in his chambers turned prison brooding over his current predicament. He could not believe that his own general had unseated him. He knew he was right…why did no one else see it. This was merely the affairs of people outside the realm of his concern. He was doing what was best for his kingdom which was his first priority and responsibility as their monarch. Once he was able to win over the guards he would take back his throne from that treacherous villain Chad. He would hang the traitor outside his balcony for all to see. Then everyone would know what happens to those who question his authority and leadership. He had to make an example.

  “I doubt very much that you will succeed” interrupted a voice that was clearly full of rage. The king looked around for the source of voice and the person who had so rudely interrupted his thoughts.

  “Who is there? Show yourself!” demanded King Edric loudly. He expected the gua
rds to come in or to say something…they did not. Silence met his outburst.

  The room darkened even though it was bright outside. The room began to fill with a mist that had a silver hue to it. The king’s hearing strained and everything started to sound muffled. He immediately clutched his heart as though his heart was failing him. He thought that he was being killed by some unseen force. Maybe this was the doing of that traitor Chad…he had sold the kingdom to those cursed elementals.

  “Enough!” boomed a dark voice from somewhere in the mist. The voice was muffled, however it was still clear enough to be heard and it was most certainly felt.

  “Who the hell is there? I say…” the king stuttered quietly and then was unable to finish speaking. Something had truly silenced him. His mouth hung opening uselessly as he struggled to speak.

  “Your right to speak in my presence is forfeit. You do not command me and you no longer command the dwarves of Ennis. You are not worthy enough for me to reveal myself. You will remain silent from this time forward until you recognize your error in judgment. The question of your right to the throne is up to the people and I will not intercede” said the guardian in his magically altered voice. Each word caused Edric physical pain.

  The king tried to retort and found that his voice had truly been silenced. He started to panic and tried to rise from his desk. He was unable to move or to do anything…he was truly trapped. Why me? What did I do?

  “You put yourself first before all else. You were afraid and you let that fear guide your decisions. Death surrounds you and is now heading your way and you would have sat by and done nothing! In all my years I have never known a more inept and useless leader. You have truly fallen and shown that you were only tolerable as a maintenance monarch at best. You have no real leadership and I think that you need to realize what you have done!” blasted Adair loudly. The floor shook and an unseen force started to squeeze the dwarven monarch.

  The king recoiled as though he was just punched and then sat upon. He was thrown on the bed and he lay looking up at the ceiling. It was as though he was now bound by invisible chains. You have no right to torture me like this! I am the rightful ruler of Ennis! You have no authority here! I demand that you release me at once! Edric remained defiant in the face of forces well outside his control or comprehension. He glared at the ceiling since he could not actually look anywhere else.

  “Your rights to the throne were suspended by your own people and in keeping with your own laws and traditions. I do not care one bit what you think I can or cannot do…I will not let you harm your own people. I also will not allow you to interfere until this conflict has past. You can either stay here for the duration or I can move you elsewhere…your choice!” The chill in the guardian’s voice was deadly. It was clear he did not intend to tolerate much from the deposed monarch.

  It is clear that I have no choice here. You will not even let me help you see the error…Silence. Now the king was unable to communicate telepathically.

  “I am done here…I am moving you to the east where you will remain until these difficult times have passed. You are clearly not able to think outside yourself, so away with you!” With a loud crack the king disappeared.

  “You can come in General Chad” Lord Adair said with some satisfaction.

  “Thank you for your timely assistance my lord” replied the general as he entered the room. The entire interaction with the guardian had been in the king’s mind. He did actually disappear…he had been sent to a prison in the guardian’s homeland for the duration of the war.

  “I hate to admit that that gave me a small measure of pleasure, however, he is truly delusional” Lord Adair said with a smirk.

  “Do you know the status of the underground army?” queried the general. He was all about business now that the king was truly out of the way.

  “Well, the drugars are much closer than they should be. They are definitely being aided by underworld powers which is giving them speed they do not naturally have. We have to assume that from this moment forward that the keeper has cast his lot in this grab for power.” There was a resounding boom that shook the entire room. All the finery clinked and clanked as the shaking continued for a few moments then nothing.

  “What the ruddy hell was that?” The dwarven general was only stymied for a moment. He immediately rushed to the balcony that overlooked the mountain city. His eye sight was great; however, he could not see what was happening off in the distance.

  “It looks like the drugars have arrived and they are not alone. They came up under the outlying villages and have already begun their attack. A wide variety of demons have joined their ranks.”

  “What made that noise?” asked one of the guards who had entered the room.

  “It matters little at this point, everyone to battle stations!” bellowed the general. He ran from the room barking orders left and right. With a loud crack, the guardian disappeared. A silvery mist hung in the air for several moments before vanishing.

  ***

  The village of DuWarven had just received the news that King Edric had been deposed. There was no small amount of celebration had at this news. The king’s popularity had waned over the last several years. The decline was more like a free fall once news had reached them about their cousins in the south; the people had decided that the time was right for change. How could they sit by and not help their brethren? Many had started covert supply runs to the south. King Edric had not known of the extensive tunnels that connected all the dwarven kingdoms in Tuwa which allowed for this secret support to go unnoticed.

  Along with the news that Edric was no longer in charge, it was made clear that the military was taking charge. This was not disturbing news to the people…the dwarves believed in strong leadership and was huge supporters of the military. Most people of Ennis did not care for Edric’s isolationist ideals. The people were firmly behind General Chad and were ready for action. Or so they thought.

  Boom! The ground shook violently in the fields between the village and the western edge of the lake. It looked like a burning rock from the sky had hit the ground. That was the source of the boom; however the shaking was from the drugars appearing from below the ground. The hairy beasts shrieked loudly and rushed the stunned dwarves. Rising into the air above the hordes was Kana. She looked to be weaving spells or something. Many dwarves did not hear what she was summoning from the underworld.

  As Kana looked to the dwarves, who had recovered and were preparing for the furry hordes of drugars, she did not see the danger she was in. A bolt of blue lightning hit her square in the chest and sent her flying into the field below. She hit the ground with a thud and did not move for a few moments. There was a blue web pinning her to the ground which she was struggling with as the guardian appeared next to her.

  “What are you doing here? I thought this kind of fight was beneath the almighty guardian” spat Kana. She wrenched herself free and stood tall to face Adair.

  “You do not know what you have started Kana…I will tell you this now so it is not a surprise to you later. You started this and I am going to finish this. There is no banishment, no way out…you have made your choice and the consequences of those choices will demand more than you are capable of.” Adair’s eyes turned an icy blue color as he stared her down.

  Kana summoned demonic dogs to distract Adair and she positioned herself for her next move. The massive beasts rushed the guardian who simply vanished and reappeared behind them. He lassoed the five beasts and pulled tight on the blue rope. Each head popped off unceremoniously and they fell to the ground. Kana felt she had the advantage now and used her underworld powers to open a portal to the keeper. A massive black hand reached from the depths toward Lord Adair.

  “Zëgé” bellowed the guardian. The opening snapped shut and the hand disappeared. He turned to look at Kana once more. He had used the sacred language of the elements to close off the portal to the underworld. Kana still underestimated his abilities.

  “You think
you have won? You have done nothing…” chided Kana briefly before she was blasted far off into the distance. Adair had used all the elements to send her back to her new home in Nairi to the west.

  As the guardian turned to the battle at hand, it was clear that his distraction had been costly. The drugars had overrun the village and the dwarves were in full retreat to the capital. Adair quickly identified the most troublesome demons and decided to deal with them. He rose into the air in a silvery mist. The demons below were drawn to his appearance overhead and started for him. Before they got too far, the guardian lashed out with considerable force. A wide variety of lightning lashed out at the various demons…some hit so hard that they were incinerated while others were stunned. Each hit sent out a shock wave that killed hundreds of drugars.

  ***

  The commander of the outer wall watched as a magical battle was fought at the rear of the advancing drugar hordes. The dwarf was not distracted overly long as he waited for the dwarves in retreat to reach the safety of the walls. While he watched the battlefield unfold before him he heard the shrieks of the giant eagles. They cast ominous shadows over drugars who immediately started running every direction at once. The first series of boulders smashed into the beasts below with great effect. The second assault was more up close and personal. Eagles were seen diving in and out of the hordes. The golden feathers turned a dark red color as they continued to attack.

  The eagles made their way to the back and the edges of the aggressors. There would be no escape. While the drugars were initially unsettled, the remaining demons were quick to regain control. The dwarven commander did not want to lose the advantage he had gained, so he ordered the trebuchets to unleash hell on their ancient nemesis. The massive boulders were smooth and completely round. When they hit the ground they did so at an angle. This allowed the bulky projectile to continue its destruction by using its remaining kinetic energy to roll over even more furry beasts.