Seeing the carnage, she knew she stood no chance of going in as a human. As a large cat, they might leave her alone. Her hands trembled with fear as the thought of losing herself again weighed on her mind. If she did nothing and Berggren hadn’t escaped through the tunnel, she’d never forgive herself.
Just do it, Theyn. Like Nardus showed you.
With a deep breath, she reached within herself and released the beast from within its tiny box in her mind. The shift took only seconds. She prayed to Zhedäƨ Ƨʊn that she’d find Berggren in time and that her form would keep the beasts from attacking her.
She entered the city and started searching for Berggren’s scent. She knew it well. It didn’t take long for her to pick up on it, and she followed it into the heart of the city.
Take care of that girl, Father. I’m coming for you both.
Chapter Forty-Nine
King Zaridus’s forces had come to Elatos in thirty massive ships but Pravus watched them sail away in just one with a hundred men at most. Prince Rictar was among those who retreated, but it wouldn’t be long before Vallah fell as well. The one thing that perplexed Pravus was the fact that the water titan still protected Vallah and the light shield remained over the city as well.
Looks like I must do everything.
The thought aroused his pride. He relished watching Cinolth struggle. Thinking of Cinolth made him wonder what had happened to Käíeƨ. Had she disobeyed his order to come to Elatos, or did she get delayed somewhere? He didn’t doubt her loyalty, so it had to be the latter.
Elatos still burned at his back, and little of the city remained. By the time he and his army reached the north shore of the lake, the city would be nothing but ashes. Already, the majority of his army marched along the western shoreline.
In his haste, Prince Rictar had failed to torch all the ships he left behind. Two remained untouched and would set sail in a few minutes. Pravus would be on one of them.
Cinolth’s minions butchered everyone who opposed them, but Pravus had made clear to his army to take prisoners when possible. After all, what good would it do to rule the realm without subjects? Even so, he had little doubt the orcs and gnolls would exercise such restraint in Borza and Vallah.
Not counting the fallen soldiers on both sides of the skirmish, fewer than twenty thousand had died or been captured in Elatos. Given its population, that number seemed quite low. The city must’ve evacuated somewhere while the water wall held him and his army back. It made little difference though. Once King Zaridus and his two children hung from Vallah’s walls, the people would fall upon their knees and worship him.
I am the god they’ve always sought.
Credan approached and bowed low. “We are ready to sail, my lord.”
“Excellent.”
From his vantage, Pravus couldn’t quite tell if smoke rose to the northeast, where Borza stood. If not, it soon would. He turned his gaze toward the water titan. Confidence swelled in his chest as he envisioned himself taking it down.
If it still stands when we arrive on the other side, I will take care of it myself.
He followed Credan to the lead ship and boarded it. “Set sail,” he commanded.
In his mind, Pravus altered the small fleet of ships, making them invisible. Tapping into his mezhik, he brought the illusion to life. Still, a chance remained of the titan sensing them or crushing them as it continued to battle Cinolth and Aria.
If he were not a god himself, he might’ve prayed to one for safe passage.
Chapter Fifty
Zerenity hunkered down in the side alley along with Rakzar, Urza, Ridan, Bakkan, and Rayah. The orcs had them surrounded. Rakzar had removed the arrow from her shoulder, but the wound continued to bleed no matter how much mezhik she poured into it. To worsen matters, the wound affected her abilities as well. She tried to conjure a fireball, but it fizzled out in her palm almost as quickly as it had burst with life.
Orcs were known to use poisons and mezhik derk on their arrows and weapons so that even a minor flesh wound could kill an enemy target if not treated. Either could also disrupt one’s mezhik, as it had hers. Given her knowledge as Fizärd Näíʈƨzhär, she just needed to find the right herb. Easier said than done in their current predicament though.
“Come on out, little dog,” called Murtag. “I promise your death will be quick once Lord Rosai arrives.”
The one saving grace afforded them was the deep-rooted hate Murtag had for Rakzar. His presence alone kept the entire orc army occupied and the king safe for a while longer. Murtag wouldn’t leave without capturing him.
Ridan clutched her spear. “I’m tired of standing here twiddling my thumbs when I could be sending more of those filthy pigs to Ef Demd Dhä.”
The young dwarf was a firecracker. She reminded Zerenity of herself when she’d been as young. “Kill one or two of them now and face your own death, or show restraint now and live to see them all die later. The choice is yours, darling.”
“What difference does it make? We’re all dead if we just stay here.”
“I’ve got a plan,” said Urza, “but no one’s going to like it.”
“Does it involve getting killed?” growled Rakzar.
Urza shrugged. “All depends on the blood bond.”
“Let’s have it then,” said Ridan.
† † †
Rakzar had to admit that Urza’s plan could work. The two of them just needed to distract the horde long enough for Rayah to fly up the road to the herb shop and find the items Zerenity needed. Once healed, Zerenity could teleport them one at a time to safety. Assuming she had enough power left in her bracelet. If not, it could kill her and whoever she tried to teleport with.
He and Urza walked to the end of the alley and faced the horde of orcs. Murtag’s worthless mug stared them both down. Rakzar returned the glare.
“Imagine my surprise to find you here, dog.” Snot dripped from Murtag’s porcine nose. “I knew you were heartless but cursing an entire city with your presence rivals my own ruthlessness.”
“We’re nothing alike,” said Rakzar. “Käíeƨ lies in a pool of her own blood on the western shore of Trivers Lake, and her curse died with her.”
“Die, pig!” Ridan’s spear flew at Murtag’s face.
Damn you, Ridan!
Murtag easily sidestepped the attack and caught the spear. Ridan charged ahead, but Urza caught her by the hood of her cloak and pulled her back.
One of the larger orcs grunted and shot an arrow right at Ridan’s chest. Rakzar had a single instant to contemplate whether or not the blood bond actually worked and thought about just letting the arrow kill Ridan, but Amicus’s memory wouldn’t allow it. He wouldn’t allow it.
Rakzar dove in front of Ridan. The arrow pierced his left temple and hammered the inside of his skull. He dropped to the ground in a heap, the pain unbearable. When he looked up, Amicus stood over him with a smile.
“What?” Rakzar growled.
“Now you know what you would’ve done for me, given the chance. You’ve done well, my friend. Very well.” A bright light overtook Amicus. “You don’t need me anymore!”
“Wait, Shadowman!” The light faded, and with it the pain. Urza stood over him.
The orc who shot the arrow dropped dead, his own arrow buried in his skull.
Rakzar got back to his feet and glared at Murtag. “Need I remind you filthy pigs that hurting one of us only hurts yourselves?”
“Noted.” He motioned several of the orcs forward. “Keep them occupied. We’ve got more city to ransack and women to rape.”
“Master,” said one of the orcs.
Murtag turned. “What now?”
The orc handed Murtag a book. “A message from Lord Rosai.”
Murtag’s expression hardened as he read the message. Finished, he handed the book back to the orc. He glared at Rakzar. “Today’s your lucky day, dog. Soon, your lucky days will run out.” Murtag turned to hi
s horde. “Move out.”
“That’s right. Run when your master calls,” mocked Rakzar.
Urza grabbed his arm. “This is our only chance to escape. Let’s not squander it.”
They returned to the alleyway, and Rakzar helped Zerenity to her feet. “Time to get you healed.”
† † †
Savric plead with the king for a good twenty minutes to evacuate the palace, but the man was beyond stubborn. King Zaridus reminded him of Zerenity in that regard.
He threw his arm up with exasperation. “Look out there. Elatos and Borza have already fallen. I assure you that Vallah will not be far behind.”
King Zaridus shook a meaty finger in Savric’s face. “My son is still out there fighting, and my daughter is nowhere to be found. I am not leaving, and that is final.”
“I’m here, Father.”
King Zaridus swung around. “Zelanora!” The surprise on his face turned to anger in a flash. “Why are you still here?”
She folded her arms and scowled. “You ordered that no one be evacuated, and now you question my presence?”
He waved her off. “I don’t claim to be of sound mind all the time.” When she got closer, he embraced her. “I love you more than this world. You must evacuate at once.”
She kissed his cheek. “That’s not possible. The tunnel has been sealed.”
“You… I… What? Why would you do that?” he stammered.
“We’re under attack, Father. Orcs have invaded the lower city. There was no time left. As you know, someone had to seal the tunnel from this side, and I refused to sacrifice even one person for my own sake.”
“Give me the name of the soldier who allowed this!” demanded King Zaridus.
Princess Zelanora crossed her arms. “You shall have no names, father. I assured the man that I would enlist the help of a wizard to teleport myself into the stronghold as soon as I made sure you were safe.”
Savric smiled. Thank Ƨäʈūr she is nothing like her father.
King Zaridus sighed. “You’re almost as stubborn as I am.”
Thunder shook Vallah and the mountain.
“Dear Ƨäʈūr!” exclaimed Savric.
King Zaridus and Princess Zelanora rushed over to the railing.
“The water titan has fallen back into the lake,” confirmed King Zaridus.
“Druden!” exclaimed Princess Zelanora. “What has happened to him?” asked Savric.
“His body lies in a pool of blood on the stone pathway, and his head is missing.” Princess Zelanora backed away from the railing, her face ashen. “A woman with blonde hair streaked with red holds a bloody sword made of ice in her hand.”
“Feathers.” Savric’s heart sank. “Then it is too late.” He let the light shield drop and sighed. Facing Aria would buy Nardus a little more time, albeit likely very little, but he had no other options.
King Zaridus knelt at Savric’s feet. “Wizard Naphor, I beg you to take my daughter and hide her.”
“Stand on your feet, you fool,” snapped Savric. He stepped back several steps. “Look around. Where is it that you think she will be safe?”
King Zaridus rose and approached Savric. He leaned down and whispered in Savric’s ear, “Take her to the Shattered Realm. No one must know where you’re heading. Find a woman there who goes by the name of Korin.”
Savric grimaced. “If I leave, you will die this day, and your kingdom will fall.”
King Zaridus’s icy blue eyes widened as he looked past Savric. “My kingdom has fallen, and I’m already dead.”
Savric didn’t need to look back. He felt Aria’s menacing presence. Instinct told him to shield himself, and he did just in time. The force of Aria’s fireballs drove him to the ground. He rolled onto his back and stared into the red eyes of death.
Aria stood over him. “The next shot will go right through your light shield and into your heart.” Lightning arced between her fingers and crackled.
The flash scorched the shadows and burst right through Savric’s light shield. Thunder rumbled, but the shot stopped short of hitting Savric. Aria stepped back, her eyes wide.
Savric shot a bolt of his own toward Aria, cracking the air, but she’d already been moving and narrowly escaped its deadly strike.
Savric rose to his feet and dusted off his robes. “Has your master taught you nothing?”
The floor quaked, rattling the debris atop it, and the stones began to crack. Savric didn’t know what was coming but knew his demise was forthcoming if he just stood there. Princess Zelanora stood to his left and trembled as she reached for her father’s arm.
Savric grabbed Princess Zelanora’s hand and teleported her and himself away from the King’s Palace.
† † †
Prince Rictar’s ship had reached the Vallah Harbor moments before the water titan fell. With Morcinda’s help, Nardus knew they’d survived the tsunami created by the sudden downpour of water. Then the light shield had faded. Those two events alone didn’t bode well for King Zaridus. And then Cinolth burst from Trivers Lake, his scales red-hot. Steam plumed from his body as the remaining ice Nardus had encased him in melted off.
Unleashing his wrath, Cinolth spewed a dozen columns of fire at the lower three levels of Vallah. From where he stood, Nardus felt the heat and witnessed the city walls melting before his eyes. Never had he seen such raw power, and it terrified him.
Nardus teleported over to the Vallah Harbor just in time to see Prince Rictar bid his sister farewell. Morcinda prepped her boat for sailing as Savric and Princess Zelanora climbed aboard. Prince Rictar and what remained of his army raced toward Vallah’s city gates. Nothing he could’ve said would’ve stopped the man from doing so.
Nardus turned his wrath on Savric. “Where do you think you’re headed?”
“I’m sorry, Nardus, but our destination cannot be known to anyone. Just know that Princess Zelanora must survive.”
This is King Zaridus’s doing.
He shook his head and walked away. Moments later, the ship pulled out of the harbor and headed north. Cinolth circled and spewed fire at Nardus and the ship. Morcinda’s ship outran Cinolth’s fire, and Cinolth gave chase to them. Nardus had no doubt that Cinolth’s speed couldn’t match that of the aquatic elf.
Using his mind, Nardus called out to Theyn but received no response. His heart panicked even as his mind told him Borza lay fifty miles away, a distance too great even for him. He reached into his pocket and retrieved the last bracelet. With it slipped over his wrist, he turned back just in time to see a massive fireball streaking right at him. Pravus had arrived from Elatos.
Nardus stepped forward and teleported away from Vallah an instant before the fireball struck.
† † †
Pravus fumed. A second or two sooner, and Cyrus would’ve been dead. Instead the fireball skidded harmlessly across the sand and died out.
“How many lives does that man possess?” In need of energy once again, Pravus grabbed the nearest soldier and stole the woman’s essence. Her energy rushed into his veins and restored him once again.
The rest of the army still marched across the western shoreline of Trivers Lake. It’d be several days before they arrived in Vallah, well after the war ended. All three cities burned. The only thing left to do was kill King Zaridus and his spawn.
Pravus and his men followed Prince Rictar through Vallah’s city gates and right into the man’s trap. Or so Prince Rictar had thought. In reality, Prince Rictar had been the one who walked into a trap. On his way across the lake, Pravus had contacted Murtag and directed him to set up an ambush for the prince. It’d worked perfectly.
Pravus strolled through the felled gates and right up to Prince Rictar who knelt in front of Murtag. The rest of his men had been executed. To their credit, nearly six dozen orcs lay dead as well. Blood saturated the road and ran down its steep incline.
He looked around. “Where the gods is Käíeƨ?”
> “Dead,” said Murtag.
Pravus took a deep breath to calm his fury. “Dead? I don’t understand. I thought she couldn’t be killed.”
“Anything living can be killed. She was ambushed by two gnolls and several others on her way to Elatos. That’s all I know.”
Now how will I kill the dragon?
Pravus gathered himself and bent down in front of Prince Rictar. “Did you really think you’d get the upper hand on me?”
Blood oozed from Prince Rictar’s split lower lip and a bruise had already begun to form around his left eye, the tender flesh puffy. He spat blood at Pravus’s feet. “Conquering a peaceful people and taking the throne by force doesn’t make you a king. You’re nothing but a spineless tyrant. Mark my words—the people will rise up.”
Pravus backhanded the man. The rage within begged for his blood. But an example must be made. Prince Rictar would hang from the King’s Palace rooftop next to his father.
Pravus grabbed the back of Prince Rictar’s head and shoved him to the ground. “You will bow when in the presence of a god.” He rose and addressed Murtag. “Take him to the King’s Palace.”
Murtag dipped his head. “Yes, my lord. What would you like us to do with the other one?”
Pravus frowned, duly perplexed. “What other one?”
“Bring him,” shouted Murtag. Two orcs dragged a young man forward by his armpits.
Alderan…
Every fiber of his being urged him to take the boy’s life or order it done, but doing so would serve no purpose but ensure his own demise. Instead, he retrieved a ƨäbräƨär from within the folds of his robes and tossed it to Murtag. “Bring him as well.”
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