by Ed Montalvo
“It is,” she crumpled the message.
“If news is pleasing, what ails you?” Chadzi stepped beside her.
“His remaining forces continue fighting regardless of his fall…” then continued reading, “…Many of his units are unaccounted for,” she answered. Urilah was elated of her victory, though troubled over the Empress and the high priestess’s escape. Chadzi was more concerned with the small army that suddenly vanished with no trace.
“Great lady, perhaps we should send out a few units to finish…” Chadzi started.
Urilah whirled, “They are broken, I wish no time wasted on scattered troops,” she snapped.
Chadzi arced a brow and addressed the others, “Leave us.”
“No, they are here to report…” Urilah started.
Chadzi faced her, “I urge you,” she warned softly.
Urilah studied them and nodded. They exited without question. Once alone she addressed Chadzi, “What is so…?”
The new empress was back slapped to the floor, “Silence, idiotic bitch!” and roughly put her pretty foot on her neck. “Be grateful I do not kill you,” she pulled her cloak tighter. “I want no trace of his existence. It is dangerous now that he is a martyr. He needs to be erased from the memory of the Empire… for all time.”
Stunned, Urilah didn’t expect someone so small to possess such strength. She gently touched her lips with a bland expression, then looked at Chadzi, “Forgive…. I meant no disrespect…” she breathed, fearful she may still kill her.
“Now, order your commanders to hunt down those missing units,” Chadzi stood aside meekly, subservient and out of the way.
***
Tatiana hastened through the brush when she spotted Mirehnah crouched behind a large tree at the edge of a fog. “Ukko, please,” she prayed softly as she approached the Elven princess.
Startled, “Great heavens,” she realized it was the Ayrian princess, “Oh, my lady, he needs help!” to Tatiana’s surprise, Mirehnah was concerned for Dregous.
“Are you injured?” Tatiana asked while glancing at the mist and resting a hand on her shoulder.
“I am unharmed, but he needs aid,” she repeated.
Tatiana saw Dregous pop out from the center of the mist, mumbling. With his back to her, he cast spell after spell. Four fiery projectiles struck the backs of the running Ork's heads sending them face first to the ground. They laid there unmoving.
Lehoneh came up behind the Ayrian, “Mirehnah, are you well?” he studied her as his kinsmen surrounded and shielded her. Seeker watched Tatiana.
The princess approached the fog. “Dregous?” she called gently. Rem glanced about. Tuke put his mace away to examine the Elven princess.
“I am uninjured. Your friend maybe….”
Tatiana’s heart skipped, “What?” she glanced between Mirehnah and the mist.
“What happened?” her brother asked.
“He saved me.”
“A Drouwen? Not likely,” said an Elf, “Take aim and fire,” he ordered.
Tatiana glared at him, “What?” she hissed.
Mirehnah used her brother to stand, “No,” she shouted, unknowingly pushing him down.
Lehoneh managed an order, “Hold.” They held their bows, except for five of them.
“I said no,” she shouted, then looked at Dregous as arrows struck him.
Dregous heard the order to release the arrows. He had no time to recast his ghost armor, except to hope the existing cast had enough energy to protect him. Two arrows removed his protection. The remaining three, two struck his rear shoulder, the third at his lower rib.
“No!” Tatiana screamed, and broke three of their bows with her sword, then ran to Dregous. A strong breeze began to dissipate the mist.
“Great gods!” Rem shouted. “We asked to aid us in helping him! Not put him in the ground,” he scolded.
One of the Elves shouted to Tatiana, “Princess, it is a mere Drouwen.” She ignored him.
Seeker offered a hard stare, “A Drouwen that saved your lady’s life.”
“Dregous!” Tatiana shouted.
Tuke was on the princess’s heels, “He is our friend!” he shouted over his shoulder.
“It was an accident…,” Lehoneh offered.
“Have you not been taught to check your target first?” Rem glared at the five, then addressed the one that commented.
“You did not say he was Drouwen,” he said in a slight whimsical tone.
Rem thought of replying and realized the reinforcements weren’t informed. He simply stared at the Elf.
Tatiana knelt beside her Dark Elf, “Dregous,” she whispered. He groaned, “Praise Ukko, for leaving him with me,” she breathed.
Tuke startled the princess, “Pardon…,” he gently rolled Dregous face down. “I must stop the bleeding.” Tatiana stroked his hair with a blood-stained hand. His bleeding stopped after his curing spell. Then prayed for forgiveness for not asking permission. The priest heard an angel whisper, you must fast for two days.
Lehoneh quickly knelt beside the princess, “How is he?”
Tatiana continued to look at Dregous, “I know not,” she kept her emotions at bay.
Lehoneh studied Tuke and noticed the arrows still in. “Why heal with the arrows in place?”
Tuke waited till he was done, “We must stop the bleeding first. Then we can remove them,” and glanced at Tatiana. “Worry not, he will be well,” he assured.
The priest withdrew his blankets from his pack, shoving his gear aside. Then addressed her, “Your pack?” he motioned to the princess. She handed it over as he quickly pulled out her blankets. Then addressed Lehoneh, “Show me your arrowheads.” The Elf Prince drew one from his quiver. The head was single-bladed and double barbed. “Oh my,” Tuke sighed.
He formed a large pad with the blankets to match Dregous’s torso. “On his side… gently now,” Tuke ordered softly. Lehoneh aided Tatiana as he placed the pad under the mage. “Hold him steady.” then took the blanket and folded to form a smaller thicker pad and place it where the arrows would exit. “Now, roll him back.” Dregous groaned. “Tatiana, hold the arrows steady,” he grabbed his mace.
“What are you doing?” as others watched.
Seeker studied Tuke from a distance, his mending skills were alien, then glanced at the princess. The look on her face was angry at best and thought it better keeping her distance. She felt helpless watching the one person that could aid her in restoring her house. He is vulnerable, she thought.
Tuke slid his hand under Dregous where the arrows would exit. “I need to push the arrows through…, pulling may kill him,” Tuke said. “Hold the arrow steady,” then addressed Lehoneh, “Hold him.” He complied.
He groaned as his eyes fluttered, “Ooorkssss.”
Tuke was about to strike when Tatiana heard him, “Wait,” she leaned closer, “What was that?”
“Orks,” he groaned. The Ayrian beauty glanced at Lehoneh.
“Faleh, secure the area,” Lehoneh ordered.
“My prince,” he replied. The Elf reinforcement formed a perimeter while a handful scouted the area.
“We have reinforcements,” the princess whispered then took hold of the arrow. Tuke struck it through the other side. He repeated the procedure. With the arrowheads clear, Tuke broke the heads off. One by one he removed them.
They made a makeshift pallet to carry Dregous. Tuke’s divine curing wasn’t enough. He needed rest and needed to pay his penance.
Before heading back to camp, Tatiana shielded Dregous's face from the sun. Afterward, they marched a few hours entering the lush green forest of the Grey Elves. Redwoods towered over them, floral shrubs adorned the landscape at the base of these magnificent giants. Every vegetation was vibrant, full of life and color.
“I always wanted to see an Elven city,” Tuke said.
Rem thought of commenting but held his tongue. The Elves would most likely be insulted, he thought. His home was no different from the Grey El
ves. Built on the rocky shores with the aid of the Aquatic Elves was a breath-taking sight.
The majestic forest awed Tuke. He was honored given the chance to see an Elven City. Seeker felt she was walking into the mouth of a beast. Fear gripped her and wondered if she’d see her daughter again, she thought sadly.
“Then this is your day,” Mirehnah replied.
They entered a redwood tree with a natural opening and formed stairs within. Tuke immediately wondered how long it took to form the tree. The interior had a thin, smooth textured bark protecting the sensitive inner wood layer. “Fascinating,” he marveled.
Mirehnah gave him a warm and prideful smile. Human reaction of Elven Cities was the same, they gaze in wonder, “I too marvel at its beauty,” she confessed.
Seeker felt as though she walked over her own grave. The way Mirehnah spoke to Tuke dug into her nerves. An uncomfortable ting tugged at her gut. She is not that pretty, Seeker thought, then questioned her own reaction.
Tuke’s eyes glazed with wonder as they climbed. Along the outer wall were natural holes, forming windows. The extraordinary sight was far greater than he could have imagined. They stepped onto an enlarged version of Ganoderma fungus species. A different version of the mushroom spiraled up like stairs nearing other platforms of neighboring trees.
They traveled throughout the maze until they reached a large chamber. “Here, lay him here,” Lehoneh instructed his brethren’s.
The Elven prince whispered to another in Elvish, then left. Tuke examined Dregous's wounds, ensuring they were clean. The journey here agitated the wounds and began bleeding again. With a quick and silent prayer, the priest cast another divine curing. Tatiana sat beside him stroking his hair behind his ear. “How is he?” Lehoneh asked.
Tuke was about to answer when Dregous mumbled. “Fa mac’ka jav brove’ti fahtah ceche… fa teg toddah fahtah deheh.”
Tuke looked at Dregous, “What on earth?” Tatiana shrugged, “What do you suppose he said?” he asked. She shook her head.
“Something about ‘understanding… not killing some female… and agreeing with them’ I think,” Lehoneh said as he grasped his dagger. “I believe your friend may be in league…,” Lehoneh started.
“Not possible,” Tatiana snapped facing him. “I trust him with my life…,” then readdressed Dregous.
Annoyed, but maintain protocol, “Princess…” he started.
“Forgive me, please understand, that is not his way,” Tatiana stated.
“The princess is correct, he addressed death twice in the war with the horde. Does it make sense to risk your life for a people that wish you dead?” Tuke added.
“Of course not,” Lehoneh agreed.
“Yet he did… what does it say of his character?”
“I see your point, however, look at the circumstances from our view,” Lehoneh stated.
“I understand, but that is not my Dregous,” Tatiana said firmly. Her heart pinged at the confession. She avoided eye contact by studying Dregous’s features.
“I understand…”
She whipped back at him as the hair wrapped around her cheeks and neck, “He was willing to die for me more than once!” Tatiana said sternly, her eyes strained to prevent her tears. She despised her admission, more so for revealing it. The painful memory returned, lumping her throat. She tried to continue and failed. It was infuriating, her emotions continued to get the better of her.
Mirehnah stepped behind her brother. She looked at Dregous and wondered for him as the others discuss his alleged treachery. “What grade is he?” Mirehnah wondered aloud.
Confused, Tatiana studied her as did the others. Seeker remained silent and observed. Again, Dregous was helpless before her. He was at everyone’s mercy, yet they protected and watched over him. She hated the fact she was hiding her Drouwen nature and he wasn’t. She visited the surface before, though disguised. No one knew she was Drouwen, except her contacts.
Seeker sensed someone approaching and discretely readied her dagger. An Elven priestess entered, a light lengthy white flowing robe trailed. A golden rope adorned her, tapering to a slender waist, her generous hips seemed to support the cord. Part of her long hair draped over her shoulders. She radiated a commanding, confident and harmonic presence. Seeker mused at the Elven priestess’s appearance.
“How is he,” she approached Dregous and hesitated when she realized he was a Dark Elf.
“Forgive me priestess, I instructed secrecy due to his nature,” Lehoneh indicated.
She gave him a blank expression. He knew she was dissatisfied with him. Then addressed the princess. The priestess sensed a bond between the Dark Elf and the Ayrian, “Is HE a friend?” she asked, to gauge their reaction.
Tatiana felt a surge of anger, but maintained a protocol for Dregous’s sake, “IF my friend offends you, we will take our leave to insult you no further,” she replied gently, though her tone suggested otherwise.
Rem stood by a naturally formed window, halfheartedly listening as he gazed the Elven City from his vantage point. For the first time since leaving, he thought of home. His lovely little seaside village, his adopted brother Seane was so fond of.
His greedy deed before the princess’s returned struck him like a cold spike in his chest. A sudden fear and more regret rushed in. He thought panic would consume him. The urge to flee and not look back was overwhelming.
Seeker noticed Rem’s uneasiness while the others were occupied with the mage. “Rem…,” she whispered. He reacted with a start, his eyes wild, then relaxed and studied her for a moment. “Are you well?” she continued softly without drawing attention.
“Fine,” he croaked. Confused he exited the room. Once Rem was outside, he felt relieved as though freed. The air grew dark… heavy with maliciousness. He panted, leaned against the railing, trying to regain his composure. “Gods damned… what the hell was that?” he whispered, with his head low his body trembled as though drained from exhaustion. Everything around him felt oppressive.
“That would be me,” said a grumbling malicious voice.
He dreaded who spoke in his mind. Rem was afraid to close his eyes for fear he may see the demon he summoned many days ago. Terror held him still. There was nowhere to run or hide. Panic gripped his throat; his eyes burn with tears at the verge of weeping. “What… do you… want?” he whispered a shaky breath.
“What is mine,” he groaned mockingly. Rem has never been so afraid. Sweat covered his brow as his eyes darted trying to think. The wrist bearing his burden grew hot and heavy like a slow heating skillet. Though it didn’t hurt as much when he first got it. He caught the faint scent of burnt flesh or was it the memory of the scent. His current situation rendered him enable to know the difference.
Seeker followed Rem with her eyes, studying him. He was trembling like a frightened animal. She wondered what happened to him in the past month. Curious oppression seemed to descend upon the tracker, like a transparent dark cloud.
***
Blackness engulfed Dregous as if he was back home. Clouded images formed at a distance. Events from his childhood played out before him. Others during his puberty stage also played out. He saw Ayrians scuffling with deformed Ayrians. One Ayrian had talon feet and mud-brown feathers with a lighter underside. He lost a battle with a powerful creature while saving someone he couldn’t see. He saw himself sink into the ground while still fighting. Moments later the face cleared, revealing Rem, staring into the ground running his hands through his hair repeatedly in frustration.
“Yes, Rem,” said a sweet female voice.
Dregous turned and faced the pale female resembling his mother. “Mother… What happened?”
“Rem will die a horrible death.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
He wondered what the Half Elf did to merit such an end. The Dark Elf held nothing against him. But it wasn’t in his nature to stand by. “I will aid him if I could.”
“Yes, you could, but by you killi
ng him would be a better fate.” The prince didn’t understand what she meant by that. He remained silent pondering, the how and why of his demise, let alone his death would be better by his own hand. “You are still with her,” she said.
He studied his mother, “I cannot leave her. She needs me…”
She interrupted him, “You need her,” she corrected.
Dregous fought from scowling. She was right, he needed her, and considered his mother, “She is my heart,” he confessed.
“She is fated to die in your company.”
“I promised to be at her side, always.” He recalled the many tender moments they shared since they met, it made his heart thump hard, “Traveling with her is not a means of professing one’s love. It is simply that, traveling together.” Sounding indifferent how he truly felt about the princess was painful to think, horrible to say.
“To be at her side YOU must not love her or share your love for her.”
The thought of removing his affection for her was heart-wrenchingly painful. To save her, he would do anything, “If I agree…?” he hung his question and awaited her reply.
“She will be spared to live her life.”
A dreadful void opened within the Drouwen prince, leaving a numbing sensation behind. Watching her die would be worse than death. He reasoned he could keep his feelings hidden and still be with her. “Spare her and I will do as you say.”
“The princess will live out her life to follow her destiny, and you follow yours,” she said. Her eyes grew stern and cold, “Be warned, stray your affections in her direction, and all your fates will change,” she cautioned, then softened her eyes, “Now rest my beloved Dregous,” she gently pushed his forehead back. Dregous felt himself on a bed. She kissed his nose and lips. “Rest,” she whispered. “You will need your strength soon.”
He wondered what she meant when he sensed a powerful blackness. So malevolent, he trembled and filled him with an empty coldness he experienced once before. The day they freed the demon.
Chapter 14
I sometimes wonder why surface dwellers hate us so. I studied the fact and learned a misconception. All Elves deep-rooted hatred evolved from a long and harbor fear of the past… the beginning of our history…. All records were lost or destroyed over time. My people had always known it was due our appearance and…