by Ed Montalvo
***
Dregous saw the knight’s horse with an older girl and two smaller children. Moments later he spotted the moving mass atop the hill. He knew the people wouldn’t listen. He ran to the road shouting, “Run!” he waved his arms in the air summoning energy to make his hands illuminate. They screamed and ran for the city gates. The lord knight saw and Drew his sword with a stern intent to kill the Drouwen. His war steed charged with a maddening gallop. “Run, flee…,” Dregous shouted when he heard the galloping and saw the horse on top of him, Bad idea, he thought. “Wait, I….”
Tatiana saw Dregous struck, and sprawl on the frozen ground. Gunthar slowed for another pass. She was horrified, “No!” Her warning went unheard. She prayed he cast his protection. Flushed with rage, she was determined to rip the Knight apart.
Dregous rolled to his knees groaning and gasping for air. His mother’s protection cloak held. “Wait…,” he raised a hand and wheezed. Disparately he tried to catch his breath before the Knight struck again. He held his arms in surrender, “Wait!” He managed before the killing blow came.
Gunthar stopped and dismounted as Dregous slumped over in pain with difficulty breathing. “I gave you the benefit of the doubt Drouwen! And this is how you prove yourself!” He raised his sword.
“Wait,” he wheezed.
“Why should I?” Gunthar replied as he readied his weapon. Some shouted for the Drouwen’s head.
“I attempted to make them flee… I knew they would not listen,” Dregous groaned.
“Why should I believe you?” His blade ready.
Dregous pointed, “They come,” The Knight glanced and saw stars from a face bash, knocking him over.
Rem saw Tatiana strike the knight. He grabbed his sword to aid her. Another knight extended a blade to his neck. “Easy now,” he warned. The Half-Elf slowly raised his hands.
Knights rushed to Gunthar’s aid as Tatiana banked a landing next to Dregous. She set the children down, “What are you doing?” she huffed. “We have no time for quarrel!”
His men charged, “Hold!” he barked.
They stopped short of Tatiana and Dregous. She faced them with a grim defiance. The children were terrified and held each other. Dregous shielded them in his cloak, “You are safe in here,” and slowly stood to look at her. The Dark Elf masked his shock the humans would endanger the children to get at him. His brow creased with a rage he had difficulty containing, “Where did the children come from?” he groaned.
“You do not recall…?” Tatiana whispered, then saw Dregous’s face, “Bad jest,” she uttered.
“Confounded woman! Why in the nine hells did you hit me!”
“You attacked him.”
Gunthar gestured with a hand, “He attacked the people!” he retorted.
Tatiana addressed the prince with a surprised look, “Dregous?” she asked softly.
“I attempted to haste them. The horde crests the ridge,” he answered.
“Damn it. I know the…” his bellowing was interrupted.
“My lord….”
“Not now!” he shouted back.
“But my lord!”
“I said, not now.”
“But…” he insisted.
Gunthar interrupted, “Damn the nine hells, what is it man?” he demanded.
“The horde my lord.”
“I know…,”
“The horde,” he pointed.
“What?” he looked.
“The horde crests the ridge,” Tatiana added.
Gunthar quickly got to his feet with the help of a constable, looked up the road. His jaw dropped. “We cannot save all these merchants,” he said softly.
Tatiana drew her blade, “Dregous….”
“The horde is mine,” he glanced at the constable and exposed the children from his cloak, “Take them.” He took them without question and headed in the gates. Dregous’s shielding the youngsters didn’t go unnoticed. Gunthar will learn more from the Drouwen if time permits.
“Lord Knight, tend to the people,” Tatiana ordered then took flight, “Rem, assist them!”
“You heard the lady! Move!” Gunthar shouted.
Rem looked at the Knight, “Better luck next time,” he smirked with a wink.
It took Dregous a moment to summon a dense mist on the hill. A fog quickly formed as Tatiana approached. People started running. When the Knights arrived, the mist blanketed the hill and base. Those hoping for a quick kill were consumed.
“What is that?” asked Gunthar. Nearby citizens glanced at the mage.
“I summoned a mist,” Dregous answered.
“I can see that. Can you not do anything else? What will the mist do?”
“The thick mist limits their sight, slowing them…”
“…buying us time,” Gunthar finished.
He raised his staff focusing on the lightening element. Without warning, a bolt of lightning arced from the staff’s crown across the fogged area. The mist allowed the lightening to spread further electrifying everything within.
“What in heavens?” Gunthar probed. He spun to Dregous, his staff in the air as the last of the lightning dissipated in the mist. “You command lightning?” Dregous didn’t reply. “What are you going to do now?”
The Dark Elf lowered his arms, “Buy as much time as I can.”
“But the innocent fleeing? They could get caught…. I know what you are going to say, no one was hurt from the lightening. It may have been chance.”
“Magic is an arcane science like the sciences of the church. It is based on formulas and mathematics,” he raised his arms again.
“A science…,” he muttered. “I hope so,” Gunthar sheathed his sword and rested his hand on the hilt. Seconds later a large branching bolt sprang from the staff’s crown. Again, electrifying the mist. Many frantically thrashed at the fogs edge. “That looks horrible,” Gunthar muttered.
“It does,” he replied blandly.
“She said you hated killing,” the knight asked suspiciously arcing a brow.
Dregous saw the bodies. It reminded him of the steam. Many times, he wished he hadn’t used it. Kill or be killed was his only choices. Now he was killing so others may live, “Ironic, is it not?” he replied.
Gunthar’s forehead wrinkled, confused, “How so?”
The mage appeared distant as he lowered his arms, “To save your people, others must die.”
The knight understood and thought, He created his own hell.
Chapter 15
It is terrifying standing in the path of a tempest of detestation and disgust. Woo to whoever closes their eyes, sees not what is before them, are doomed to return again and again… and again…
Translation from the scriptures of Thoth
The Dark Elf Prince called more lightning into the mist at the right of the field. The knight noticed with every casting something was changing in the mage. Something only seasoned warriors could see. His soul was dying. “My Gods, what are you doing?” he muttered. Gunthar has seen many deaths, the worst was from within, but they needed time to get the people inside.
They reached the bend when howling and screaming erupted from the northwest. Goblins poured through the trees fifty meters’ shy of the people. Millie’s husband, Jarred, ran with three children in his arm when four arrows struck his back. The man didn’t slow. He reached the gates quickly releasing the children then collapsed.
Tatiana carried two and three children at a time, her arms and wings ached. She hadn’t considered carrying anyone till she glided with Dregous. She saw the large farmer with the children drop. The princess glanced, the scene was heart wrenching with many frightened and suffering.
The knights mounted mothers and children on their steeds, sending them to the constables who were already over-burdened. Merchants dumped their loads and replaced them with the old.
“My God, they will not make it,” said the Lord Knight.
Dregous held his staff and casted a spell with the other. “They will
,” he muttered. A slight thunder rumbled in the distant sky, warning the final storm of the season coming from the southeast. Again, the mist appeared blanketing the goblins, keeping them for rushing in from both sides. He cast another spell spewing webs from his fingertips into the misted wooded area then repeated at the goblins fifty meters away creating a wall of webs. Another mist spell, semi-circle around the people in case more came from another direction.
Gunthar heard Dregous. The people slowed, warily gazing at the mage. He waved them on. Hesitantly they ran passed the Dark Elf. The knight grabbed a guard, “Watch him. If he asked for anything, do it!” he barked.
“But sir…,” he was nervous.
“Damn it man, he is buying us time!” as Gunthar ran to cover the people were the goblins have broken through the webs. Rem followed him. Both engaged the enemy furiously. A hand full of Knights joined them.
Dregous momentarily lost sight of Tatiana. He found her rescuing a woman with a wound to her ribs. A small wall of Gnolls and goblins rushed her. His heart raced. The thought of Tatiana dying terrified him. He willed himself calm, then, with his staff, conjured a stone wall two and a half meters high by one hundred meters wide, shielding them. It didn’t take her long to disembowel the Gnolls. She pulled the woman ahead, yelling for someone to take her.
The staff’s powerful functions started taking its toll on the rogue mage. He was weakened by the earlier spectral mount and disk casting. The prince discretely leaned against his staff, when he felt the people’s hateful stares like a crippling disease.
Tatiana shouted again the woman’s injury. A constable took her as she headed to Dregous, “Are you well?”
He nodded, “Go…, I must buy them more time.” The people’s hateful intensions affected him. He shoved their loathing thoughts away to keep him from faltering.
“No… we started this together we finish together,” she said stubbornly.
From the west, a large band of Gnolls charged. Dregous casted two more web spells, one from the staff, the other by hand. A small group got through. He cast five small fireballs at them. When done, Tatiana grabbed him from behind and jumped extending her wings to fly away, but she hadn’t the strength, instead glided closer to the gates as arrows came. Some shot through her feathers. One wedged in the armor overlap behind her shoulder, the other in her rear thigh.
They saw the little fireballs, shrieked then ducked. It floated under the chins of the second rank. They screeched before realizing it was harmless.
“I did not know you could do that.”
“Do what?” Dregous sounded tired.
“Cast multiple fireballs,” Tatiana said.
“I cannot.”
“What was that?”
“It was an ordinary light spell split to look like fireballs.”
“You fooled them?”
He glanced at her, “In a manner of speaking.”
“You crafty devil,” she winced. “Forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” he gave her a waning smile.
They reached the large gates as it was closing. Dregous’s heart skipped seeing the arrows on the princess. Tatiana shed them off except for the rear thigh.
A standard size door on the gate allowed the few that remained to enter. They saw their wild eyes as the creatures charged. Arrows showered them as the door closed.
Gunthar looked at the people as Dregous and Tatiana wade through. The fear in their faces concerned him, “We are safe here,” he assured the people.
Knights and constables took to the battlements. Tatiana, Dregous and Rem followed the Lord Knight as he barked orders to fortify the town. Tatiana addressed Gunthar and whispered, “How secure are we?” He made eye contact saying nothing, his creased brow was concerning.
“Allow me…” said a knight. Tatiana looked at where he pointed and nodded. He broke the arrow from her rear thigh plating, then unfastened it.
Another man took the front half and handed it to her. “Gratitude,” she said, he nodded with a smile and stepped back.
The knight slid the rear thigh plate allowing the arrow through the hole. Then used his dagger to cut open her padding. He exposed her thick thigh and lower bottom focusing on her injury. Dregous handed her a minor healing potion and relieved the knight of her plating. The princess didn’t think how Dregous would react having another male tend her wound. She saw him focus on her plating as she consumed the potion. He chanted softly. Before their eyes, the hole sealed. All that remained was a shallow dent. The knight blinked at the mage as Dregous returned the plating. He quickly refastened her thigh armor with Tatiana’s aid.
“My Lord quickly,” shouted a constable. They followed Gunthar to the battlement, he gasped softly. Goblins and Gnolls covered the grounds to the tree line.
“How many men at arms do you have?” Tatiana asked.
“Barely a thousand strong.”
The horde came from all directions. From the main road, they seem to parade a display. “My lord,” whispered a Knight as he pointed.
The old Knight groaned, “Oh dear Gods,” his voice full of pain. Tatiana gasped at the sight.
“Holy damn,” Rem breathed. He was grateful Tuke didn’t witness the horror.
People were paraded as trophies, their limbs flailed as the bodies were tossed tauntingly. Most were pinned on spears mocking the on lookers. The knight’s grieved. Dregous failed his promise as he watched in silent shock.
The prince glanced over his shoulder at the people’s accusing stare. Some mumbled, why he was there? He closed his eyes and concentrated on the minds of those outside. He needed to know if any lived, especially the children. If they were, he will save them or die trying. In the back of his mind he hoped for death, taking the witch’s vision with him. His end would save thousands and free him from the horrors to come. It comforted him knowing he would live on in the minds of those he saved, staying oblivion.
Pain filled his head. He never tried sensing so many minds. The more he tried the worst his head throbbed, and body ached. He trembled from the pain. Tatiana thought he was cold. “Dregous,” she whispered. His discomfort increased as he continued. He realized it wasn’t his pain, but the people outside.
His teary eyes opened, searching, when he noticed the eyes of a boy paraded on spears. It pleaded, save me! Dregous shook violently as though he seizure. His fingers pressed on the stone as his tears streamed. It filled him with anguish.
The Lord Knight was surprised. He didn’t expect Dregous’s reaction. He realized what the Ayrian said was true. Tatiana moved closer, “Oh Dregous…,” her beauty didn’t yield to her frown.
“Some live!” he strained through gritted teeth.
“What?” she asked in surprise.
“They?” Gunthar jumped in, stunned.
“They,” Dregous growled looking at the spectacle. In the mind link the boy sensed Dregous. He felt the boy’s fear. “He is crying for me,” Dregous said.
“But, we cannot…,” Gunthar started, “…Archers!” he commanded.
The boy screamed in Dregous’s mind, “Help me!”
“No!” Dregous leapt on the parapet and pointed his staff as lightning streamed out. A hand full of goblins shot arrows at him. One grazed his arm. “necehuun ad cue!” he shouted. The lightning arced a semicircle around the families electrifying the creatures. Seeker barely heard him and informed Tuke.
They dropped the bodies and ran, some died holding their bows prepared to shoot. Dregous chased them with another lightning.
“Dregous,” Tatiana called, he didn’t hear her. The enemy’s wails filled him with a morbid satisfaction. He danced to death’s tune, and gestured another spell while leaping off the wall. “No!” Tatiana’s voice cracked. Lord Gunthar tried to grab Dregous and missed. She drew her sword and leapt after him. Seeker stepped outside and saw Dregous leap over the battlement.
Gunthar rushed down the stone steps, “You…, open the gate, open the gate while we still have time,” he shou
ted.
Tatiana realized Dregous drifted to the boy. He cast another lightning, forming a half circle followed by a stone wall sealing them from the invaders. Another group of goblins shot arrows at him, the summoned wall shielded him in time. Seeker pushed her way through the gate to assist and found him standing over the boy.
The knights hurried to bring them inside. The mage guarded the boy and the barrier. The horde started coming over the wall as he cast magical missiles, for every cast two missiles raced striking one per head sending them over. His strength drained with every cast. Some goblins straddled the wall shooting arrows. Soldiers on the battlement returned fire. More goblins came over. An arrow struck Dregous’s thigh and another his shoulder. Soon there were too many for him, but continued. He used the pain of the arrows to help him focus. ‘The children must live,’ he thought, then heard the witch chuckle in the distance, reciting his vision. Two small flaming spheres sprung from his hand.
Seeker ran for the boy, “I have him…!” then addressed the boy, “I have you sweetie,” she saw terror in his eyes. He glanced at Dregous as did Seeker and saw the arrows, “Dregous?” He didn’t answer, “Someone help me!” she shouted. The prince extended his hand releasing more missiles.
Tatiana hammered some goblins back that got past the wall when she heard Angelique. She saw Dregous leaning on his staff when two more arrows struck him. Her heart went cold.
Rem saw a Gnoll lunging for the princess. Angelique’s cry distracted her when she heard metal crashing and a groan. “Go go, I got them!” Rem covered her retreat.
The princess hesitated, “Rem….”
“Go, he needs you,” he readied for the three charging. She ran.
Dregous continued casting trying to hold them back. They poured over the wall as he struggled to stand. He spotted the scroll case and allowed himself to fall.
“Dregous!” Tatiana reached him as they both went down, “Dregous?” her voice cracked, “Do not do this…,” she pleaded as his eyes closed, “No no no,” she held him tightly, “Do not leave me!” she shouted.