She had floated down river and when she finally struggled to shore, she hiked back up river hoping that the boats were where they had left them. Images of Tuvallis and her other friends haunted her the entire way. She kept hoping to see their faces emerge from the river or the low undergrowth growing along its edge. But no one came out to greet her. She was alone, cold, hungry, and weaponless, and her back felt like it was on fire, the pain intensifying as the burn began to blister. She felt defeated. That was until she saw the ogrillion sitting on the ground near the river bank. She was never so happy to see an eleven foot monster.
Seli maneuvered one of the boats so that Hagar could step his heavy body into it without tipping it over. As soon as he put a foot in and settled his weight on it, the boat sunk dangerously low. Then Hagar stepped all the way in and the boat dropped even further, the water coming up to less than a foot from its edge. It didn’t look very seaworthy and she worried that with her added weight, the current, and their movement as they rowed, that it would surely capsize. She stepped back for a moment to analyze the problem. Hagar looked at her skeptically, realizing that his weight was too much. Then she had an idea.
“Hagar, step out,” she said as she indicated for him to get out of the boat. He did so and then she grabbed another skiff and put them side by side. She looked at Hagar and then back at the boats. “Just might work,” she said to herself. “Hagar, take off your armor and put it and your mace in the boat.” It took her a second to show him what she meant but he caught on quickly. The sounds of the orc army plundering the garrison nearby made her sick and she wanted to get away from this place. Plus there was always a danger that they would be spotted. Once the armor was off she indicated what she wanted him to do. It took her a moment but finally she was able to get Hagar to walk out into the water up to his knees and then lower his body into the water so he was resting on his knees on the muddy bottom. She directed him to put his arms out wide and hold the boats under his big arms like flotation devices. Then she climbed into one of the boats. “Okay, now push off and kick hard until we get to the other side. Whatever you do don’t let go.”
Hagar looked at her nervously. His eyes were wide with fright, a strange look on such a fearsome beast. But she realized that Hagar probably couldn’t swim and the thought of kicking into the current with two boats on either side holding him up frightened him more than an army of orcs.
She used her fingers to show kicking and indicated the length of the river. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “You can do it.” Then she got down in the boat and mimed him kicking off, holding the boats, and paddling his feet. “Go, Hagar.”
Finally the courageous beast took a deep breath and used his big legs to push away from the muddy bottom. Immediately the current caught them and Hagar kicked up great splashes of water as he frantically moved his legs. He looked like a puppy that had been thrown into the water for the first time. He kicked his legs desperately, never stopping as they moved further out into the current. They were rapidly floating down river, but the ogrillion’s strong legs propelled them forward in hard jerky movements. Hagar’s eyes were wide with terror but he kept kicking and kicking. They were now halfway across and Seli continued to urge the beast forward. It wasn’t long before the shoreline was near. The river’s edge was overgrown with thick brush and it would be messy trying to climb through it to the bank above. When they made it to the shore, she reached out and grabbed some brush just as Hagar’s feet touched bottom. Immediately he let go of the empty boat, scrambling to the shore where he grabbed some thick branches and held the other boat in place in the current.
Seli leaped into the brush and crawled up through the thicket and mud to the bank above. She was scratched up a bit by the rough undergrowth, but it wasn’t as difficult as she had expected. Hagar reached into the boat and with one arm heaved his cuirass up and over the low brush to the bank above. He did the same with the mace, the heavy weapon landing with a thud next to Seli. Then he released the boat, the current ripping it downriver, while he pushed his way through the brush and reached the embankment to join Seli.
“Well done, Hagar,” she said as she touched the huge creature on the shoulder. His skin was hard like stone but he smiled warmly at her, clearly understanding her tone. Then his smile disappeared and he stood up quickly looking up river. Seli followed his gaze and saw three men running towards her. Well, one at least was a man. The other two looked to be dwarves.
Hagar quickly donned his cuirass and grabbed his shining mace. “They must be friends,” Seli whispered as she stood near the beast for protection, just in case. As the newcomers got closer she heard Hagar chuckle. At least it sort of sounded like a chuckle, or a laugh; it was hard to tell. But then she realized why. He must have caught the scent of him before she recognized the man. It was Tuvallis, followed by Durgen and another round bellied dwarf that was struggling to keep up.
“Seli, you are okay!” Tuvallis shouted as he ran to her and hugged her fiercely. They had never showed each other any semblance of affection other than what would by typical between two soldiers. But both knew there was something more between them. And now, the relief of seeing each other safe and alive allowed those feelings to surface. Tuvallis actually kissed her and then held her at arm’s length. “I thought you had died. How did you make it? And Hagar, I am happy that you made it too!” Tuvallis released the stunned Seli and reached up to grip Hagar’s giant hand. They couldn’t really shake hands because of the size difference, but Tuvallis held onto the beast’s hand with both of his and smiled widely at the ogrillion.
“I jumped off the bridge when the dragon came,” Seli said. “I was just lucky that I was near the edge or I’d be dead with the rest. I think my back is burnt pretty badly though. Hurt like hell when you hugged me.”
A look of sudden concern came over his face, “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “Let me see.” Tuvallis lifted up the back of her drenched and dirty tunic. The skin was red and blistering, but nothing was black, which meant they would probably heal, though they would definitely be painful. Infection was always a concern, but luckily it looked as if most of the blisters had not yet burst, which was good as that would lessen the risk of infection. “Looks bad but I think you will be okay, other than the pain of course,” he added. “This is Durgen and Gormly. They were responsible for dropping the bridge, and as far as we know the only dwarven survivors.”
“Well met,” Seli said shaking both of their hands in the warrior style. “I’m sorry about your men.”
Durgen simply grunted in acknowledgement. “I saw another boat get away from the far span so I should have some brethren out there somewhere.” Then his narrow eyes looked up at the ogrillion. “So this be, Hagar.”
“Aye, it is,” Tuvallis said.
Hagar thumped his armored chest in his usual manner. “Hagar,” he confirmed.
“Any other survivors?” Seli asked.
“Aye, Captain Hadrick made it as well as three others, Groban, Jons, and Torum,” Tuvallis replied.
Seli smiled. “That is good news. Where are they?”
“They are on the heels of the refugees. We have little food and no weapons so they are hoping to catch up with them before night comes,” Tuvallis said.
“We joining them?” Seli asked.
“Yes. Let’s get you warmed up first and some food. We have some oats left.”
Seli smiled. “That would be good. What of Hagar?”
“We be needin' something bigger to feed him,” Durgen said.
“Let us see what we can find,” Tuvallis said. With that they ran towards the deserted camp.
* * *
Jonas had no idea what had happened. The last thing he remembered was the Banthra and orcs struggling to get into the secret room underneath the monument on Ullis Hill. The magical weave blocking the entrance had been broken and the enemy had stormed down the stairs. Then Allindrian and Lor-telliam had argued briefly before the Ekahal smashed the stone that had been embedde
d in the tip of his staff. There had been a bright flash and a crack like thunder, and then everything went eerily silent, and dark as night.
Then he smelled the forest, an almost overwhelming fragrance of trees, grass, woodland flowers, and damp earth. It was that rich clean smell that you take for granted while you're there, but when you have been away from it, and are then suddenly exposed to it, becomes almost intoxicating. That is what Jonas was experiencing now. Then the darkness began to subside and he began to hear the sounds of the forest, the subtle sound of a breeze rustling through leaves, the songs of birds as they flitted among the branches searching for food. The darkness gave way to a soft light and Jonas began to orient himself to his surroundings. He was sitting on a mossy patch of ground, leaning against the trunk of a large tree. Once his vision was fully restored, he noticed that everyone else was sprawled around the ground, looking as mystified as he. The only one that seemed at ease was Lor-telliam, who stood before him looking up at something.
Allindrian was the first one up and she walked over to stand next to the elf, while the rest of the group slowly regained consciousness. Each one stood up cautiously, gazing at their new surroundings in awe.
They were in a forest glade, the warm rays of the morning sun breaking through the canopy of giant trees and dappling the woodland floor with soft light. The ground was covered in patches of soft green moss, various outcroppings of stone, delicate woodland flowers, and a thick undergrowth of shrubs, some laden with berries, as far as they could see. It was breathtaking, the most beautiful forest any of them had ever seen.
Jonas got up slowly and gazed up in the direction that was occupying the Ekahal’s attention. Before them stood a massive tree, larger than any he had ever seen, larger even than the tree where Shyann was buried, one, that by her grace, he was able to visit many years ago. Its gray brown trunk, ancient and twisted, was larger around than all their arms linked together. Twisting and curving it rose hundreds of paces into the sky, breaking into more branches than the eye could follow, extending well beyond the canopy of the trees that surrounded it.
“It is magnificent,” Jonas said as he stood next to Allindrian. The tree had caught everyone’s attention and they now stood silently taking in the beauty of it.
Finally, after several minutes, Fil came to his senses. Instantly his good hand went to his injured arm, his expression one of shock. “My arm is healed,” he said, surprise in his voice.
Jonas turned to his friend and felt bad that he had forgotten he was injured. It was as if the forest had put a calming spell on them all. Their recent battles, hardships, and the loss of the Dakeen warriors seemed a faded memory. “I’m sorry, my friend, I forgot you were hurt,” he said.
“It’s okay, I’m hurt no longer,” he said as he showed Jonas his arm. It was completely healed, no evidence of any wound, no bone jutting from torn and bloody flesh.
“How can that be? How can this be?” Jonas asked as he indicated their surroundings.
“It was the Elf Tree,” Lor-telliam said, still gazing at the tree.
“So that is an Elf Tree?” Kromm asked.
“It is,” the Ekahal replied. “Few humans have seen one.”
“What is it?” King Baylin asked.
The Ekahal turned to look at the Finarthian king. “I cannot tell you exactly as it is forbidden. But know this; there are few Elf Trees in existence. They are sentient forms of power and magic older than anything on Kraawn. Think of them as direct lines to the Light of Ela. The stone that was in my staff was no stone. It was a seed from an Elf Tree, this Elf Tree. Her name is Filisstaranthros.”
“This tree is a person?” Fil asked.
“No, not as you think of the word. She is the energy of the forest. She was here during the forging of the world and her energy will be here long after our races are gone. She has seen more than we can understand,” Lor-telliam explained.
“Is the Light of Ela the same thing as the Ru Ach?” Jonas asked.
“Yes, it is the energy of all things,” he said. “It is what made the sky, stars, you, and even your gods. It is simply, everything.”
“Was it the stone that brought us here?” Fil asked.
This time Allindrian spoke. “It was. The seed is linked to the tree from which it came. When it was crushed within the symbolic sphere the energy was transformed, bringing us all back to its source, back to the tree that dropped it. Only an Ekahal can break an Elf Stone and it is very rarely done. Filisstaranthros healed Fil and brought us all to safety. Only an Ekahal can use that power, and only an Ekahal will pay the price.”
“What do you mean?” Kromm demanded.
“Elf Stones are only given to Ekahals and they may only be used in this way once in a lifetime,” Lor-telliam replied softly, still staring up at the magnificent tree. “Filisstaranthros gave me this seed many hundreds of years ago when I took the title of Ekahal. She has loaned me this power for generations of human lifetimes, freely given as protector of her and the forests. But when I shattered it, the magic was used to bring us here, and heal us all. You will find that none of you have any cuts or wounds,” Lor-telliam said. “But the seed's magic is no longer, so now Filisstaranthros will use my own energy to create another seed. That seed will be given to another Ekahal. It is a symbiotic relationship that all Ekahals have with their Elf Stone.”
“So what are you saying?” Fil asked.
“Lor-telliam is dying, Fil,” Allindrian said softly. “He will rapidly age as the Elf Tree takes his light. Then, like a mortal, he will die.”
“You did that for us?” Fil asked incredulously.
“Not just for you, young man, for everyone. If Malbeck is not stopped at Finarth, then I believe that he will eventually bring his evil hordes here and destroy all that you see. I cannot let that happen. We must defeat him now, and if I can do that with my own life then it will be a small price to pay. It is a price that many have already paid, and still more will pay when the Dark One brings his army to Finarth,” Lor-telliam said softly. “Besides, I may not look it, but I have lived a long and full life. Do not feel sad for me, young warrior.”
“How long do you have?” Jonas asked softly, fully feeling the weight of the Ekahal’s words.
Lor-telliam shrugged uncertainly. “Several months I would think.”
Everyone stood in silence, taking in all that the Ekahal had said, and trying to come to terms with his sacrifice.
“Shouldn’t we be going? They will be here soon,” Allindrian said gently to Lor-telliam.
“Yes, you’re quite right,” Lor-telliam replied, finally peeling his eyes away from Filisstaranthros.
“Who will be coming?” King Baylin asked.
“The guardians of the forest, the Silvarious, elven rangers who protect our borders,” Allindrian said.
“But what do you have to fear from them?” Jonas asked.
“Not us, you. You are not allowed here, my friends. I’m sorry, but we had no other choice. We need to leave now before they arrive. It will save us some explaining and we don’t have time to be bogged down with politics. Let us depart,” Lor-telliam said as he moved forward towards the tree.
“How do we leave?” Kromm asked.
“You are standing on a gate. The circle of stones around this clearing is one of many in these forests. Lor-telliam will ask Filisstaranthros to send us away, to another gate close to Finarth,” Allindrian said.
Lor-telliam then placed both his hands on the tree and began to whisper softly. No one could hear the words but again it sounded like a soft chant. After a few moments the Ekahal stopped and moved back with the group who were all standing close together in the middle of the moss covered clearing.
“You will feel a pulse and then there will be a flash. Everything will go dark for a few seconds but do not worry. When you arrive at the other gate the light will quickly return. You will feel a little dizzy at first, but it will go away. Here it comes,” the wizard announced.
Just as he spoke
there was a gentle pulse, then a bright flash momentarily blinded them, followed by complete darkness.
Then, as Lor-telliam had told them, the light suddenly returned, causing Jonas to blink and momentarily stumble forward as his equilibrium shifted. He quickly regained his balance, however, and his vision rapidly cleared. He looked about and saw that everyone else was there and doing as he was doing, gazing around at their new environment while regaining their balance.
They were standing in the midst of a forest of tall pine trees interspersed with large rocks. The ground was covered with a thick layer of pine needles and clumps of dense undergrowth. Everything was wet, and based on the cloud cover it had obviously just rained. It was cold, but it was clear that winter was over and the spring rains were upon them. The forest was beautiful, but it lacked the lush magnificence of the elven woods they had just left. In fact Jonas couldn’t help but feel a bit let down as he looked upon their surroundings. He was afraid that every forest he now gazed upon would bring him a subtle sense of disappointment now that he had gazed upon an Elf Tree and its surroundings.
“Where are we?” Kromm asked.
“We are near the mountain passes west of Finarth,” Lor-telliam said.
“We are not too high, we must be close to Finarth,” King Baylin reasoned.
“We are, a half day's travel at best,” Lor-telliam said.
“Let us go then, I long to see my son,” Kromm said, urging them forward.
* * *
“Come on, son, you have to keep your shield up!” Kromm admonished as he delivered a powerful blow to Prince Riker’s shield.
Both missions had been successful, at least in the sense that they had achieved what they set out to do. But the cost was terribly high, especially for the defenders of the garrison. They had lost nearly everyone, man and dwarf alike. Word had spread quickly about a devil dragon that had killed everyone and destroyed the gate. The people of Finarth had learned that there had been few survivors; several came from the Free Legion, a few dwarves, a traveler from the Tundrens, and something that Kromm still could hardly believe, Hagar the ogrillion.
The Cavalier Trilogy: Book 03 - Glimmer in the Shadow Page 30