Realm of Druids

by Mark Hogenelst

  Several hundred elf rangers fought for their lives with swords against the Serpents. They had managed to kill one but had already lost over a hundred of their own. With the clerics now dead, the elves had to rely on mortal combat. Their avenue of escape was cut off. Several yelled as a hundred brawler hounds from the rear-guard had run back and attacked from their other front. The elves guerrilla tactics had failed, and within a few minutes, not one of them remained alive. The Rust-Serpents having eaten their fill suddenly looked around at each other. They dwelt in a land of twilight and were uncomfortable in the direct sunlight. The long deep tone of a horn sounded. Many whirlpools opened in the River, and the Serpents flew down inside the deep holes in the water’s surface to disappear. A thousand brawlers of the rear-guard yelped with victorious bloodlust. Goblin reavers having witnessed what had occurred kept out of the hound’s way and sent runners forward to King Brod. Shum, now in a better mood, shook himself and sent a scout back with orders to bring an elf carcass to him for inspection.

  The blind witch Lilura was pleased, she flew at the head of the Wildpack vanguard with a half dozen skyriders split on either side of her. She followed the Glistening River with an ornate horn hanging from her neck by a black chain, blown to one side by the fast wind. The horn was faded white to an almost yellow colour, having been carved from the skull of a Rust-Serpent centuries ago and covered in intricate carvings of Dread-Realm creatures. This was the horn of ‘Serpentine’, one of three that remained in the mortal realm. The witches’ possessed two and no matter the efforts made through divination, the witches’ could never locate the third. The horn had the magical properties to open and close gateways to parts of the Dread-Realm where particular creatures dwell. The Daemon pets once called upon were compelled to obey the callers bidding before returning to their realm.

  The lady Ravyne had loaned the horn to the witch Lilura for the duration of this campaign. The horn had already proven itself a valuable tool as it had sounded earlier opening the gateway for the Serpents to appear and later sending them back. Lilura was pleased; they had wiped out a company of elves and had managed to track the arcane scent from the elf clerics to locate an entrance to the Grelen maze. Her master, Lady Ravyne of the Night Grove Coven was now preparing on that front while she would take charge of the assault at Duskfall to wipe out the wolves there once and for all. Soon the entire northern moors would bend at the knee to them. This would then be their first victory to better position themselves to take Aledran.

  50.

  TRENCH OF RAGING TIDES

  A strange cold breeze blew directly towards them from the dark opening ahead that slanted downwards into the rock trench. The water rushing up to their feet looked eerily black in the dim light emitted from the small starfish here and there. Shalia muttered something about the passage of rite as she began examining the uneven rock walls adjacent to the entrance of the trench. As she felt about the rocks with one hand, she used her other hand to wave her staff slowly up and down over the stone. Barney was confused. The path they followed had started to incline downwards, and then abruptly stopped at this surging tidewater. The water went back and forth over black slippery looking rock. It was sucked a long way down into the depths out of sight then back up again like a breathing creature. They definitely could not go that way he decided. He was about to ask Shalia what they were to do next when within the dark surge of water and even darker shaped moved. In the distant caves behind them, Haergus chuckled quietly and began making his way along the tunnels behind them. He knew what dwelt in the trench and doubted that this elf knew the rune to pass safely through to the Arch at the other end. It had been a long time since he had consumed a stray elf and he looked forward to the meal.

  ‘Shalia?’ Spoke Barney hurriedly. No response. ‘Shalia?’ Repeated Barney somewhat urgently as he stepped back away from the entrance to the black trench. Without taking her attention from the rock, Shalia replied. ‘I need silence to find the key.’ At that point, Barney did not care what she needed. He held his sword in front of him, glancing left and right as he backed into the wall next to Shalia. In the dim glow, a strange shape climbed out of the water surge. Huge pale luminescent moonlike eyes blinked, and saliva dripped blubbery lips parted in a protruding jaw to reveal several rows of curved Tiger fish-like teeth. A large round bald head with rows of gills behinds its jawbone faced Barney. A long high fin wound down its length from the back of its head to a broad tail. Yet it walked on four squat legs that ended with some sort of clawed feet that clasped the slippery rocks and help it steady against the fast-moving water. Two large holes above its top jaw opened and closed as it inhaled frequently tasting the air. Crystal-like growths protruded from its chin that glowed pale white matching its eyes. Shalia glanced over her shoulder.

  'The Water Drakinos, King Cornelius said we may encounter these. I must complete the cipher.’ The creature crawled up onto the dry rock as the surging water receded back into the trench. A moment later the water surged up again and another creature the same as the first appeared. ‘Shalia if you are going to do something, it had better be now’ said Barney pressingly. The first creature twisted its head sideways and opened its jaws wide to reach towards Barney’s legs. A third creature now washed up out of the black trench and clambered up the rocks to join his fellows. Barney struck downwards with all his might and his sword bit into the snout of the first creature causing it to honk loudly and jump back, its cry echoing through the passage behind them. It raised a front claw and awkwardly rubbed the gash in its top jaw.

  A great crack appeared in the rock on the floor at the entrance to the trench. The walls shook slightly, and several small pieces of rock fell from the roof above to clatter on the rock floor and roll into the trench. The three Water Drakinos spun and quickly disappeared down the trench running on all fours with similar movements to that of a lizard. They followed the water as it spilled into the widening crack and disappeared. Barney turned to Shalia and saw her open hand waving over a panel of flat rock. The rock was aglow with strange blue symbols that faded as Barney watched. ‘What were those things?’ Barney yelled, asking about the fearsome-looking creatures and the glowing blue runes in the rock wall. ‘Shalia grabbed Barney by one arm and led him downwards into the dark trench. ‘They are the guardians of the trench, and we only have a short time before they return with the raging tide. As for the cipher runes to open the trench, that is an explanation best left for another time. We must hurry.’ Shalia replied as she held her staff in front of her. At her command, it lit up again, casting a powerful white glow in front of them. The floor was very slippery with slime and polished rock beneath shallow pools of water. Strange coloured strands of seaweed and barnacles clung to the walls.

  Barney could not tell how extensive the trench actually was. When he focused on one wall, it seemed to shrink away and blur in his vision, yet he could see fearsome-looking shapes lurking at the edge of the light. Shalia breathing hard said ‘The trench and its inhabitants are of another realm. I have invoked the passage of rite enchantment that allows us to pass through the same trench in this realm.’ She continued, ‘However, it is only a temporary spell as it will shift again in a relatively short time.’ They came to a rise in the black rock floor and without a backward glance, were soon out and above it on a small sandy floor inside a dark cave. Almost at once the sound of rushing water came up behind them filling the trench.

  The sand was white and littered with tiny shells, dry seaweed and small animal bones that had been thrown up by the trench. Two evenly sized piles of stones lay several feet apart in the sand. The stones were around the size of a man’s fist and appeared quite out of place as they were a grey and white colour which contrasted against the complete black rock cave they were in. ‘The Arcus Volantes’, Shalia whispered to herself. ‘It’s broken’, said Barney disappointed as if he was expecting to see a glowing magical door or something similar. They took several steps towards it, their shoes making a crunching sound in the san
d that seemed alertly loud in the cave. Shalia ignored Barney’s comment and fumbled around in a small leather pouch she carried inside her tunic. After a moment or two, she produced a white, disproportionately shaped crystal. She told Barney to stand back as she twisted her feet to bury them in the sand in between the two piles of rocks. Shalia held the crystal in two hands and traced an outline in the air.

  A whistling wind seemed to come from behind them, causing the hair on the back of Barney’s neck to prick up. A thin red line appeared in the air that followed the outline Shalia had traced. The piles of stones shook slightly than individual stones suddenly floated upwards in the air, clattering as they rubbed against one another. They positioned themselves along the traced line to form the shape of an arch. They hung there for a moment and then the entire centre filled with a deep red colour. Barney's jaw dropped in awe. He had witnessed events in the last few days that he had always thought were fantasies and stories from his childhood, and this was another strange episode to add to the list. The red centre of the arch turned to a purple-blue colour, and a curious, strange white rune appeared and hovered in the centre. Shalia took Barney’s hand and stepped through the rune as black shapes crawled out of the trench behind them. The colour of the arch faded then disappeared with a loud snap. The stones fell back to the ground and into two uniform piles once more. The cave was now empty. In the distance, a whimper came from Haergus who had sensed that his would-be victims had survived the trench and were now gone from his isle.

  It was nearly daylight when the Arch at Aledran hummed to life. An exhausted elf and mankind animal staggered through the purple Arch at Aledran to land on their knees on the sandy floor. They were in another cave, similar to the one they just left and also lit up dimly not with small starfish but glowing worms on the walls. The first thing Barney saw was an enormous grimacing animal looming over them. A handsome silver Falcon sat upon one shoulder of this creature and looked down at Barney and Shalia with intelligent eyes. Barney yelled and turned to go back through the Arch, but it had shut. He had never seen a bear before and quite frankly did not know what this new monster was.

  Barney contemplated what his chances of survival were if he drew his sword, this creature was over ten feet tall, walked on two legs and was covered in dark red fur. At first, he stood in a passive stance with his great hairy arms by his sides staring at them. Shalia exclaimed with joy, ‘Bragus the almighty and lord of the bears!’ She laughed excitedly. The bear then opened his mouth to display large teeth and suddenly lunged forward towards Shalia with his arms outstretched. Barney saw huge claws protruding from his great paws. He yelled as he held his sword in front of him and went to stand in front of Shalia. To Barney’s horror, Shalia dodged around him and ran right into the arms of this enormous creature. Shalia wrapped her arms around the bear’s middle, and to Barney's surprise, the bear gently hugged her back. Her red hair almost matched the colour of this creature’s fur.

  Shalia stood back, looked at Barney and said ‘This is Bragus the Shah of Aledran. He is our host, and I believe he has much to discuss with you.’ Bragus, the bear, stepped forward to give an awkward bow and spoke slowly as if talking to a cub. ‘Greetings Barney of the mankind species. We have much to discuss, but first, you and my little friend here must eat and rest. Come.’ While talking, Bragus waved his arms around a lot in an attempt to describe what he was saying. Barney looked at Shalia in surprise. ‘The mighty Shah believes mankind animals can’t speak.’ Whispered Shalia with a smile. Barney commented, ‘I had heard of a mythical creature called a bear, and that they were fearsome warriors who once existed in the far mountains.’

  Bragus had either not heard Barney’s comment or heard it and ignored it as he patted Shalia fondly on the head then turned and dropped on all fours to lumber slowly away. Barney sheathed his sword as Shalia reassured him there was no danger and to trust her. ‘I have known bears all my life. I lived here in Aledran for two years during my earlier training as a cleric in the magic arts. They followed Bragus out of the cave and along a narrow tunnel. They passed many rooms and passages, and the entire place appeared to be one big labyrinth of twists and turns in a dimly lit darkness. While Barney did not approve of trudging through black tunnels and caves, he was grateful that it was now dry and warm compared to the isle of Haergus.

  Bragus and Shalia often spoke about their times together. Barney ran his hand along one wall of the tunnel. The rock felt surprisingly warm to touch, and there was still soft sand under his feet. He wondered what it was like outside, whether it was day or night, sunshine or rain, cold or hot. Ever since entering the cave on a beach of the Crimson Isle, he and the elf had been wandering around tunnels and caves for goodness knows how long. After some time, the tunnel widened then completely ended in an enormous cavern. The white worms here and there that gave off light faded away into insignificance as an unusually warm glow washed over him. It came from a source some distance away into the cavern, and as his eyes adjusted, he realised he was looking at a tight cluster of trees. The trees resembled the Pines that they had grown around the village Square at Saltwood.

  Barney did not know why, but the Pine had always been a revered tree in his village. Tall and straight, their brushy tops disappeared up into the dark shadows of the cavern. These were the only source of the light as the trees emitted a warm glimmer. Here Bragus and Shalia walked side by side, chatting away like old friends. The Falcon also spoke to Shalia in a soft voice. Barney hung back a bit, as he was still somewhat cautious of these fierce-looking creatures called bears and now glowing trees! As they neared the stand of trees, the Falcon spread his wings and disappeared up into the dark and out of sight. Barney saw that the Pines looked like real trees, but the thin veins that usually carried their life sap were pulsing pale green, exposed on the outside of their trunks. Barney noticed that the black veins in Shalia’s staff were pulsing faintly in unison with the trees.

  Several giant bears stood in front of the trees and carried clubs and other weapons resembling knives. They also wore amour in the fashion of breastplates and conical helms. One held a tall wooden spear with a black sharpened fine tip. Bragus noted the look of astonishment on Barney's face. He turned and spoke to Shalia ‘Tell the mankind animal that Aledran is older than even the bears. Craftsmen from a race now forgotten have filled the caverns below with weapons and amour.’ Bragus stopped and exchanged a series of low grunts with the guards. They moved aside as Shalia indicated for Barney to catch up. ‘I heard everything he said. No need to repeat it.’ He exclaimed. Shalia raised her eyes and smiled.

  Somewhat nervously Barney passed between two upright bears. They looked down at him curiously. None of the current residents of Aledran had ever seen a mankind animal before, though they had heard the stories both good and bad. Bragus led Shalia and Barney through two Pines that appeared to form part of an outer ring of this miniature forest. A short distance in front of him and in a hollow roughly centre in the Pine circle stood an odd-shaped stone Monolith. Barney followed the others towards it, and he saw that it was ten feet high, grey in colour and radiated irresistible warmth. Strange ornate carvings of runes covered its surface and began swimming before his eyes as he heard whispers in the distance, calling out a language he did not know.

  Suddenly as if waking from a night of sleep and opening his eyes, the Monolith in front of him disappeared, and he was standing in a grassy meadow. Yellow and blue flowers dotted the green landscape, and the earthy smell was invigorating. The sun was shining warmly, and some fat geese were flying overhead. A clear pond lay nearby that had a small timber jetty with a skiff moored to the end. Ducks paddled about the water diving under occasionally and calling to one another. On the far side of the pond, some ponies were leaning down to the water to drink. A magnificent oak tree towered nearby providing ample shade, under which pretty orange and blue coloured butterflies danced in the air. A bird hidden in the mighty canopy sang a lovely little tune over and over. He wondered where this beautifu
l place was. It was a picture similar to that he had seen in his past dreams. Barney had an immediate sense of calm and wellbeing. ‘Welcome, Barney.’ Said a voice he did not recognize. He turned to see Shalia and another elf. This other elf radiated a sense of power and strength and wore a beautifully shaped Ruby around her neck. Barney felt strangely drawn to her.

  'I am Princess Eylon of the Elvene. Welcome to Aledran.’ ‘Where are we?’ Barney said in wonder. The Princess replied warmly. ‘Why you are still in the Ring of Pines.’ Shalia saw Barney’s confused face and added ‘The magic properties of the Pines grant the visitor the vision of their desires.’ ‘It’s incredible’ he answered, looking up at the Oak Tree. The Princess spoke again ‘We each see our own desire that comforts us.’ Barney looked back at the two elves, and this time Bragus was with them. Standing next to Bragus was a muntjac of massive proportions.

  Barney had seen a herd of muntjac when he was younger through the edge of the northern woods near his village, but never again. It was known that they were scarce and kept to their own company. Well, on his side of the world anyway. This muntjac’s antlers were embossed with glowing blue and green veins. It stood proudly next to Bragus sniffing the air. ‘Can anyone else see the muntjac?’ said Barney quietly out of the corner of his mouth and pointed at it. The Princess answered him ‘Yes, Karvu is not part of your illusion, he is real enough.’ This was too much for Barney. He had bravely fought off creatures trying to kill him, saw witches’ flying through the sky and travelled through some magic doorways to get here. He had met a giant talking Octopod, a bear and now a magnificent muntjac. He felt dizzy and sat down on the soft grass. He felt dizzy as his vision went dark, and he fell back and slept. The muntjac stepped forward and sniffed at this mankind animals head, blowing Barney's hair slightly. He let out several low grunts and stepped back. Princess Eylon laughed and said to the others ‘Karvu is concerned as to how this weak mankind creature can help us at all.’ Bragus spoke in a serious tone, ‘mankind will have their part to play never fear. But first, let me tell you the news from the Falcon seeker Scoo.