Tales of Eldelórne

by Karleigh Bon

  “You will have to find all the possibilities if you are to succeed,” he drilled him again.

  +++

  Lord Surmanos sat on his throne glaring as the priests went about their business indoctrinating new men into their fold. He scowled at them as they paraded by in ceremonial chains. Watching his priests was tedious.

  “Humans continually find pleasure in their repeated rituals,” he sighed. What he found most annoying was the ever-present horde of followers that gathered around in the shadows of the throne room to revel just out of his sight.

  “They are too afraid to face me,” he snarled. He was tired of this waiting.

  The bloodied men marched away moaning in pain.

  One of the priests offered up their tongues to him on a platter. He mindlessly consumed a few of them and threw the rest, platter and all, out over the lingering crowd. The monstrosities were always pushing and fighting among themselves if they weren’t multiplying, eating and defecating. They scrambled like animals on the floor, grabbing for the last morsel.

  Bored, Lord Surmanos stood up, and went to find his queen for another pleasurable diversion. She was parading the halls as usual with her diaphanous clothes flowing over her body as she walked.

  “Come, my dear." He put his hand out to receive her and lead her away to their private rooms. "We will soon have an heir to our kingdom." He looked at her swollen belly and smiled.

  “Yes, my Lord,” Naalin answered politely and then added, “I wish my sister were here to help me with the birthing.”

  “Sister?” he looked puzzled at her.

  “Do you not remember our sister Fionna,” she said dreamily.

  “Fionna...” he said as if struggling in his mind…

  “Who is she? I demand to know!”

  Surmanos reached into the mind of his possessed body, and he was not alone. His captive could only moan in agony, trapped in the blind darkness of his own skull. He felt stuck in spider webbing, floating, immobilized, without form as he came to consciousness at Lord Surmanos’s bidding.

  “She is important,” the Surmanos hissed. “I will hurt this one,” he looked down upon Naalin.

  “Noooooo!” Roevash shouted, half-aware, into the blackness.

  For the first time since his captivity Roevash could see through his own eyes. He was disconnected as if he stood looking out a window from a dark room, but he saw the horror of his Naalin. Her belly was fully swollen in the expectancy of birth, her face smiling blankly back up at him. She had a deep scar across her left cheek that had not been there before. He could see several more along her neck and arms. His claw-like fingernail sliced into her shoulder, making her flinch. Blood mingled with the dark lines of a tattoo, as it dripped from the fresh wound down her collarbone. Surmanos licked at it with his long, thick tongue, smearing it across her breast with his saliva. Naalin didn’t react to his vile attentions. It was as if she was in some kind of trance. None of this registered with her. She only tipped her head back and watched him with disinterested eyes.

  Roevash howled, struggling against the darkness that held him fast in his captivity.

  “She is our sister,” was all he wanted to tell, but bits of memory and flashes of her face came into his mind.

  “I will KILL YOU! Leave her alone. I WILL KILL YOU!” Roe sobbed. The sight of his beloved took him away into choking despair and madness.

  Surmanos had acquired all the information he needed.

  “I would find your sister for you, my darling. You only need say the word,” the dragon coaxed Naalin for more information.

  “Oh, yes, my lord. I would so love to see Fionna again. You know she is at our home in Vehlevar, on the cliffs,” Naalin smiled stupidly at him.

  “You are so lovely, I could just eat you,” he snarled down at her. He licked his lips, savoring her blood. He struggled with his dragon’s strong compulsion to want to break her neck and savage her corpse. This would have so pleased him right now at the moment, but it would not serve his need for her unborn. Instead, Lord Surmanos pushed those desires out of his head, letting her screams entertain him as he dragged her helplessly down on the bed.

  Roevash, having been awakened from his slumber, paralyzed in darkness, was somehow left aware and watching the whole thing through his own horror-filled eyes.

  +++

  Surmanos called his priests together, ordering them to bring him intelligence about the city on the cliffs. He found out the place was a military fort where men were trained to be guards for the Ainghaille Kingdom. He learned that Roevash was their commander.

  “Not surprising, considering this superior body,” he thought to himself.

  He ordered his generals to surrender what was left of Roevash’s old armor to prepare himself for the part he was to play. Lord Surmanos looked in the mirror and thought that he seemed well enough for someone who had been held captive, and he thought of the story he would use. Behind him Naalin whimpered as she clung to the pillow in her bed.

  “Do not worry darling,” he glanced at her with a smirk. “I will return. There is more where that came from.” He licked his lips again as he turned to go.

  “The shadow court grows. I shall return with your queen’s sister,” his voice boomed out across the cavern answered by cheers from his followers.

  Lord Surmanos mounted the black dragon and flew into the night stars. He did not want to be discovered, so he swooped low against the forest trees as he headed towards the fort.

  Dakein was out patrolling when he saw them. He immediately knew Fionna would be in danger, so he urged his horse into a full speed gallop back to the fort.

  “Roevash!” Fionna bolted upright in her bed, her eyes wide with shock.

  He had stealthily made his way into the fort and found his way into her private chambers.

  “Do not speak,” he said quietly, leaning over and putting his finger up to her lips.

  “Your sister is injured, and I come to obtain your assistance,” he put on an odd looking sad face as he spoke. She wasn’t looking at him. Her mind was on helping Naalin. She got up quickly and gathered her clothes and gear.

  “Tell me what has happened!” she demanded as she hopped around with her leggings. “We have been sick with worry,” she pulled on a tunic, her mind still heavy with sleep.

  “There’s no time,” he pleaded with his pale eyes, “we have suffered so much, bring curatives. Naalin suffers so.”

  Roevash did not look like himself. Even though he had parts of his armor on he stank. His skin was coated in something dark and oily, and his hair was loose and wild down over his back; not in his regular neat braids. If she had only lit a torch, she would have been alarmed at the sight of him.

  Fionna, filled with a thick sense of duty and urgency, hardly noticed. They quickly made their way out the door and into the open, moving across to the gate. When the guard saw them he saluted. Surmanos smirked back at the man through narrowed eyes. He shouted, telling the man they’d be back with Naalin and the guard nodded in understanding.

  “Wait…” Fionna halted, “do you not want your sword,” she asked, remembering it was in his office.

  “That can wait for another time.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.

  “Wait...” she hesitated again, feeling that something was wrong.

  “Your sister needs you...” he slid his voice into her mind even further, soothing her into action.

  They left the fort, running fast towards the north end of the valley.

  “You come so willingly to help poor Naalin ... your sister,” he crooned.

  “She needs me ...” Fionna was unable to stop herself.

  The waiting dragon came sailing down out of the clouds, and with one swift grab, carried them off in its claws.

  Dakein almost made it to the fort when he saw the two running out. They were beyond his ability to catch them, so he rode on to see what had transpired. The guard said they were going to bring the injured Naalin back. Dakein knew otherwis
e because he had seen the dragon.

  “Bring me our fastest runner now,” he growled in frustration. “We must bring Master Eijlam back immediately!”

  Broken Chain

  Chapter Forty One

  Fionna screamed in terror when the monster’s claws snatched her up into the air. She struggled with all her might to break free. The fallen one felt smug in his control. He deliriously craved the use of this captive as he held her firmly in his dragon grip. His sons and daughters would be his dynasty of power.

  “These two sisters. How perfect that I should have the last of them left in the land for my use.”

  Roevash convulsed in the beast's talons angrily growling at the thoughts it was having. He could see Fionna’s anguish as she beat at the scaly claws that held her prisoner, but he was powerless to help or speak. The dragon overpowered her mind and forced her into a sleep so he could easily carry her into the long tunnel back to his lair. When he arrived at the opening with his prize, the twisted crowd cheered. He handed over the collapsed she-elf to his priests for preparation.

  “No one sullies her. She is mine,” Surmanos reminded them. He glared darkly at the monsters, and no one would challenge him. He could hardly wait to taste this one’s body, and blood when she finally came to him.

  +++

  The unconscious Fionna was taken to the pool and smeared with blood and oils until her skin was painted red.

  She was carried to the throne room where the priests bound her to their altar, readying her for the ritual of marking.

  She woke to the jabs of needles as they stabbed the black ink under the skin. Her thighs and arms burned as if on fire. Her muffled screams exhilarated crowds of glaring men and monsters into action deep in the shadows. When Fionna passed out in agony, the priests brought her back before continuing their task.

  The markings they carved up her spine was the most bloody and painful. When they were through, she was given the salty, bitter-tasting drink that made her sleep until her body healed.

  “Where is my sister?” Fionna howled.

  She stirred, suddenly awake, and found herself yelling from the nightmare she was having. Only this wasn’t a dream. As Fionna came to her senses, she found she was locked inside a cage that was placed next to the blood-soaked profane altar. The whole place reeked of an indescribable suffocating stench.

  “YOU BLOODY MONSTER! Roevash, what have you done!” Fionna yelled through the bars as she tried to bend them apart but found she did not have enough strength.

  In her frustration, Fionna shook the cage until the chains rattled. She screamed curses from her prison into the darkened throne room. The place seemed empty and abandoned as her lone voice echoed back at her.

  “It is too empty,” she thought suddenly fully alert, and sensing that something is going on, she froze in silence to look around.

  The creatures were all sleeping.

  “Hush my love,” Fionna heard EJ’s voice whisper in her mind. “They will hear you all the way back to the fort. Shhhh...”

  With the clunk of a key, the door of the cage creaked open slowly, and Fionna fell out sobbing into his arms.

  “We have to help my sister ... she is not okay! I can feel it,” Fionna blubbered into EJ’s ear.

  “Shhhh ... shh, shh," he cautioned as he consoled her. He held her tight to himself so she could not run off into danger.

  “You and I, we cannot help anybody if we are made prisoners. You and I, both, have to be out of this place Fionna. Escape is most important right now.” He looked her directly in the eyes to get his point across.

  EJ’s voice continued to whisper inside her head that he would explain this later as they escaped. This time, much to his relief, she didn’t argue. Fionna nodded and followed his lead. They picked their way quickly along the wall toward the path that led out of the cavern.

  “Remember the dragon… it waits.” Eijlam spoke in her mind. He entwined his fingers together with hers, and they ran. Both yearned for a breath of fresh air as they followed the long tunnel toward its end.

  “The dragon cannot read minds. It cannot hear us talk to each other with mind-speak. It can only guess cleverly, and lead one into believing false truths. Do not listen if the dragon tries to speak,” Eijlam coached her as they made their way through the darkness.

  “We must both run, and escape past this dragon, no hesitation, or all will be lost.” He looked concerned at her.

  She seemed to understand how serious this was. She nodded silently again and steeled herself for him.

  “Would you wear my armor?” EJ offered to clothe her in his leathers to give her more protection.

  “No... but thank you for your kindness. I want to be rid of this place,” Fionna shook her head. Naked and painted blood red, she blended into the dark stone walls very well. They stopped just inside, beyond the pacing dragon, to gain strength.

  EJ handed her a bite of weybread he had taken out of his pouch and some water. They ate quickly to raise their energy and readied themselves for the race of their lives. Behind them, they could hear the shouting of goblins and ogre-men who had found themselves duped by elven magic.

  Clamoring down the tunnel, they knew their lives were already forfeit because they lost their prisoner.

  “I can hear you are breathing,” the dragon roared. “You must willingly give yourself back to me, or I will kill your sister.”

  Fionna gasped fearfully at the dragon’s words.

  “No, it will not. The dragon needs her alive Fionna,” Eijlam focused her startled mind. He pulled her in closer to himself to steady her.

  “Do not listen Fi," he commanded gently.

  The pair looked knowingly into each other’s eyes. He kissed her once, and gripping their hands together they ran.

  The dragon, alerted to the escape, arrogantly waited in the entrance expecting to parley with a single weak minded prey. At top speed, the pair streaked past before the dragon could even turn around. In a surprised frenzy, the enormous black monster galloped after them roaring obscenities and snarling as they fled towards the safety of the forest ahead.

  The men of the fort were waiting behind the line of trees. They fired off a full volley of firebombs, and catapulted rock. They knew their assault would not kill the dragon, but the pain they inflicted would slow the monster down, and distract it enough so the elves could escape. The fighting began in earnest when the goblins and ogre-men poured out at the soldiers. The black drake, too young to spit fire, spun around clawing and whipping its massive tail at them. Men and catapults went flying as it struck.

  “Fall back,” was the order when Eijlam and Fionna were clear of the skirmish.

  +++

  Roevash fell limp to the floor in the private quarters of the dragon lord. Naalin ran to him. Clasping her hands to his cheeks she looked deeply into his face.

  “I can see you!” Naalin’s eyes were huge with fear.

  Roe was horror-stricken as he lay flat out, barely able to move.

  “Kill me, Naalin,” he ordered her, writhing in pain.

  “The dragon ... it controls me. He would tear you to pieces before my very eyes, as I am forced to watch! Pleeeease Naalin, kill me,” Roevash begged.

  She kissed her Roevash’s lips for one last time and prepared herself to use his dagger to pierce him through his heart.

  “I love you,” Naalin cried, looking into Roe’s true face. Their eyes sadly gazed knowingly at each other. Tears flooded over her hands as she held the dagger ready in what was their last seconds together. An eternity of permanent separation of the true death would be their only solace from this nightmare.

  Roe closed his eyes for the blessed release to come.

  She hesitated that one-half-second, and it was too late. The dragon had left the battlefield and was back inside its lair.

  “No, no, no!” She saw him change before her eyes.

  “Bad Naalin,” he quickly took the knife from her struggling hands.

  He jerked her
face violently back by a thick handful of hair and planted a smothering rough kiss over her mouth.

  “I am so sorry,” he sarcastically lamented, intimately close.

  Naalin spat his kiss right back at him.

  “YOUR SISTER DOES NOT WISH TO SEE YOU!” he yelled as he tossed her away.

  Naalin screamed as she slid painfully across the floor and hit the wall hard, knocking the wind out of her.

  “You will kill the little one,” Naalin snarled at him on her hands and knees, dazed and angrily, trying to right herself. “I will kill myself before giving you another body to use,” she screamed, entirely out of the dragon’s thrall.

  “I am sorry you said that,” he snarled back while standing up to his full terrifying height.

  “Guards,” he snapped, glaring hatefully at her. “I am through playing this game," Surmanos growled angrily.

  “She-elf bitch!”

  He suddenly realized her pleasures had made him weak. She had become too much of a distraction.

  The mute attendants came rushing into the room, but this time, they secured her with heavy chains of iron against the wall. Naalin could hardly move under the suffocating weight of it.

  “Watch her every move,” he growled as he turned to leave. “You know...” he looked back at her, his face cold and arrogant, no longer having to pretend.

  “I can hardly wait to consume your quivering bloody flesh. I will make sure you live long enough to know the horror of your final end in my hands.”

  “MONSTER!” Naalin screamed, wishing her words could cut him.

  The dragon lord laughed as he turned and walked away to address his waiting forces.

  +++

  “The time has come to us,” Lord Surmanos bellowed to his priests and generals as he strutted boldly to the throne room. The majestic black dragon perched above them in the mouth of the cavern, echoing his words with roars into the crowd. The cavern echoed with noise as a great shout arose, and everyone moved quickly to ready their weapons and armor.