by Ed Montalvo
The wall stood about three meters tall and over a hundred meters wide. Earth and grass clung to it. “Dregous, talk to me?” Tatiana shouted.
Seeker looked at the wall, “That was unexpected.”
“I am still here,” Dregous grunted.
“Why did they attack?” Tuke glanced at the deflected arrow in Dregous’s rib.
“We should get the hell out of here before they come around,” Rem suggested.
“Oh no, they are going to answer for that,” Tatiana declared.
Seeker addressed the princess, “The king’s son is among them.”
Dregous grunted aloud as Tuke removed the arrow. It was a light wound, “Fortunately the arrow lost strength,” Tuke muttered.
“I tried…” Seeker said as Tuke cast a curing spell on him.
“But you did. Had you not done so I may be dead… my gratitude Angelique,” he gave her a weak smile.
Tuke finished, “How are you?”
Dregous stood with the priest’s aid, “Sore, but well dear Tuke.”
“What are friends for?” Tuke gave him a knowing smile.
“How is he?” Tatiana addressed the priest.
“He should be fine, though sore.”
Dregous winced as he breathed, “Excuse me,” then took a few more deep breaths and recited a spell to hide their retreat. Seconds later a heavy fog developed between them and the Elves. It grew rapidly, expanding out. With a satisfactory glance, he cast another. Moments later, “Done.”
“Done?” asked Rem, “What is done?
“What did you do?” the princess asked. Tuke and Seeker curved their curiosity.
“I will explain later Angel,” then addressed Tuke. “Come, we must hold hands tightly,” Dregous instructed.
“What for?” seeker asked.
“Tatiana will fly us from here,” Dregous addressed her, “Ready angel?”
Alarmed, “I cannot fly every…” she paused, noting him staring at her.
He gazed into the princess’s near-white eyes, “Trust me angel.”
His white dotted eyes and strong confidence calmed her, “As you say,” she tried to hide her blush. She wasn’t sure if she did.
“Take my hand,” she did and readied to leap into the air.
“Ready… when she jumps, we follow to aid her flight.” They nodded in agreement. As the princess leaped, they followed suit.
Her powerful wings cut through the air. She held him close to her belly to keep him clear of her wings. It must be wonderful being a mage… so many fantastic things you can do, Tatiana thought.
Dregous looked at her, I wish I could fly, then we could soar the heavens together, he thought.
***
Nadefin didn’t care who got in his way. He wanted satisfaction for his mother, he wanted the Dark Elf dead. The arrow deflecting from her armor and hitting Dregous was surprising. His elation was short-lived when his second arrow bounced off the mage. The wall suddenly springing from the ground evoked a wave of greater anger.
Lehoneh was pleased, Dregous appeared unharmed, though shock his kinsmen showed no concern for hitting the Ayrian princess. He rushed and yanked Nad’s bow from him. “Fool,” he raged through clenched teeth, “You could have killed the Ayrian!”
“Ayrian or no, she is just as guilty for traveling with it!” Nad hissed.
The Grey Elf prince tamed his anger, “Damn your stupidity, fortunately for you, she is unharmed.” Nad glare at his prince as Lehoneh tossed the bow aside. “The king said UNHARMED.”
“I am dispensing justice,” Nad finally said.
“That is not your decision. Again, he is to return alive!”
“That killed my mother!” Nad pointed towards the wall.
“He may have the antidote!” Lehoneh shouted. The Grey Elves were surprised Nad disobeyed the prince. “Listen well, for I will not repeat,” he glanced at the others. “This goes for all.” He readdressed Nad. “You ever disobey me again, I will remove you from the King's service… he is to be returned and answer for any crimes. Again, he may have the only means to neutralize the poison?”
An Elf scaled the wall hoping to see a direction they fled. He could see the luminous white mist. “What do you see?” asked another.
“Nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing?”
“Nothing except a white mist coming.”
Startled, Lehoneh glanced at the one on the wall, “Get down!” he shouted as he rushed him, “Are you burned?”
He looked at the prince oddly, “No my prince.”
Confused, “Did you feel any heat?”
“None.”
“Odd…” Lehoneh explained what he saw Dregous do. The mage summoned a mist that cooked the Orks to death.
Another Elf scaled the wall, “It is only a mist. I see no heat, anywhere.”
“A what?” Lehoneh asked.
“A mist?”
“Can you see anything?”
“No, the mist does not allow me to see heat.”
Nad scowled at the prince, “You allowed his escape,” he accused.
Lehoneh offered a glare of his own, “Would you not flee if shot upon,” he said evenly.
“By the blest tree, can you not see. His flight alone is admission!” Nad said loudly.
“Truly?”
“Truly,” Nad replied.
“Well then, would you agree he would have used something more dramatic than a wall and a blinding fog!” the prince snapped. “IF, he got our priestess, what would a few more lives mean to him?” he turned away then glanced back, “Think on that a moment. Forget who is the victim… would he not had used his magic to hurt or kill us, instead he bars us. Had he been the monster we paint him, half of us would be dead or dying. Does it make any sense?”
Nad considered Lehoneh’s argument. His prince was right. It would have used any harmful means. Why didn’t he? Nad wondered. “I pray you are correct… Gods I hope you are correct. Should it be otherwise, you have killed my mother.”
Lehoneh looked at him grimly and prayed he didn’t error. “Juilan.”
“My prince.”
“Softly scout the mist. Inform me of all you discover, no matter how small or unimportant it may seem.”
“As always,” he stepped away, signaling a few to follow.
Chapter 19
The stigma of my kind is well earned. I cannot justify their actions to those who live in the light, yet I blame them not. Those responsible have long since died. The bitter poison brewed, remained to continue infecting our people. As the humans treated me, the very creature that feeds off the Elves, pursues me, the vomitous monster call prejudice. I am an outlaw to the Elves.
Excerpt from a bard’s song titled OUTLAW, written by Cilvermane.
“Holy hell,” Rem breathed as he stared at the darkness below.
Seeker glanced at Rem, “What is the matter… you fear flight?” she teased, controlling her breathing from her own exhilaration. “Fear not, I have you tight,” she assured.
Rem’s swearing didn’t dampen Tuke's excitement. He silently enjoyed himself firmly holding Seeker and Dregous's hands.
Dregous held his focus on his Ayrian angel. He watched her powerful wings, imagining every flexing muscle as they cut through the air.
Moments later he glanced the direction they traveled while counting his spell. They headed towards the snow-capped mountains. “Angel, find a clearing. My spell weakens.”
Tatiana nodded, moments later she spotted an area and descended. Dregous studied everything with a childlike curiosity, it stole the princess’s heart.
Rem whispered his complaint the whole trip. Tuke groaned from the sudden dive. Seeker’s heart rushed to her throat, “Calm, we come to land,” she assured Rem, then addressed the priest, “Tuke, are you well?”
Rem held his breath, “Gratitude Angelique.”
“I am… how is Rem?” Tuke replied.
“Ready yourselves,” Dregous warned. The ground approache
d rapidly, Tatiana swooped then gently released them a hands length from the ground. All landed with a slight stumble. Rem and Seeker flex their hands. Tuke put a hand to his belly and sighed with a groan. Moments later the mage felt the spell’s effects fade.
“Tuke, how are you?” Tatiana asked.
His knees felt weak, “I will be…” he moaned, “…fine, it was coming down that ill me.”
Seeker guided the priest to the nearest tree, “Sit here.”
Tatiana’s heart pumped with life. She realized she hasn’t been flying much. The princess stretched and flexed her wings. She wasn’t aware she still held Dregous’s hand. He seemed oblivious as well.
When the two realized they glanced at their gentle hold. Tatiana’s faced flushed brightly and reluctantly released his hand. Dregous was grateful his dark complexion hid his blush accepting her release. Their minor interlude went unnoticed by the others.
The Dark Elf mage smiled at her, “I will start the fire,” he stepped passed her.
“Right, and um I will… um set camp…” she motioned with her hands, momentarily trying to figure out what to do.
After some hot fluids, they continued towards the snow-capped mountains. Rem found a trail leading eastward from the highlands. A few hours later they approached the rising peaks from the south.
The princess signaled the group to rest for the night. Rem drifted about gathering wood for the fire. Seeker surveyed the area, while Tuke collected rocks for the firepit. Dregous drew the cooking utensils as Tatiana brought over the rations. When the camp was set and the thick broth brewed, they set in for the night.
Tatiana removed her leg plating and padding. Her exposed thickly muscled legs caught Dregous’s attention and stole a quick glance.
The prince smiled while stirring the rations when he grew cold and still. The party was at ease when Seeker said, “Something is wrong,” then drew her sword.
Tatiana quickly glanced at Dregous, he was staring at the pot, “Rem behind you!” Dregous shouted.
The Half Elf barely had time to react. A three-meter tall, two-meter-wide creature covered with thick ripped muscles tore a young oak tree from the ground. Its rough greenish skin seemed to absorb the firelight. Massive mandibles jutted from its cheekbones and a mouth between them. It resembled a giant ant head.
The mandibles caught Rem, squeezing a scream from him. Seeker immediately drew two daggers while backing away as it passed her, exposing its flank.
Tuke grasped his mace firmly as he prayed aloud. Tatiana secured her bastard sword with both hands. She ignored her dangling thigh plate from her hip before it fell, and struck the creature’s knee. The sword simply creased the skin, barely affecting the creature.
Dregous took a moment to study their attacker, and it appeared the beast’s actions were intelligent. It had Rem against his mouth, chewing on his leather armor while ready to defend against the party. He spotted Seeker sneaking behind it.
The massive thing lunged at the princess without warning, catching her left side and spun her against a nearby tree. Tatiana groaned on impact. With a furious growl, she spun back into the fray. A solid strike resounded with a thud. “By Ukko,” she breathed tasting her own blood from her lips.
It swung again catching her ribs. Rem dangled between the mandibles and screamed again.
Tuke approached it from the right, double handedly striking its belly with his mace. It was a solid hit as it twisted towards Tatiana. Again, Rem screamed as he dangled like a rag doll.
Dregous wondered if he used an opening spell, would it open his mouth and release Rem… and hoped it would work. Then started the cast. Seeker readied for a crippling strike on the hulking beast’s back with her neurotoxin poison daggers.
Tuke received a backhand across his chest, sending him back, atop plush grass. Seeker leaped onto the small of the creature’s back, impaling her daggers deep. It was too tall to get any higher.
It arced his back with a scream, violently shaking her off. The assassin landed on her side with a solid thud, knocking the wind from her.
Dregous completed his spell, it forced the creatures’ larger jaw to open enough for Rem to drop. Rem groaned as he safely rolled away then drew his sword.
The huge creature lumbered towards the princess. Seeker breathed deeply and drew two more daggers and snuck behind him again and stabbed a soft area of its obliques. The princess fended the beasts attacks when it arced its back again with a scream.
“Rem,” Dregous waved him over.
“Why…?”
The mage interrupted, “To charge your blade.”
He thought a fraction of a moment and recalled the last time his sword was magically charged, “Oh,” then rushed beside the mage.
Upon the cast’s completion on the sword, “There, Go,” Dregous urged, then cast a missile spell to help aid his Angel. He targeted his eyes. The missile infallibly struck its mark, sending the creature into a frenzy. It swung wildly about.
Tuke got up as quickly as his bruised ribs allowed. He held his mace firmly and rushed the monster with his glowing weapon. Tuke didn’t realize he drove Seeker's dagger passed the pommel. The assassin abandoned her second set of daggers. The creature roared as it reared for Tuke.
Rem came from behind and thrust his broadsword into its thigh. A light blue electrical energy discharged into the beast. Tiny lightning bolts danced across his skin. The beast trembled and screeched from the shock.
Tatiana waited for an opening as it continued swinging wildly. With its back to her, she raised her blade to thrust, hoping to kill him quickly. “Ukko!” she hissed. Her voice mysteriously carried skyward with a slight echo.
Dregous was casting another spell when he heard his angel. For a moment, he thought he saw a ray of light on her with an armored Ayrian in the beams floating behind Tatiana. “What the…,” he whispered. Her weapon seemed to glow as she thrust into the creatures’ back. The sword traveled to the hilt. It stiffened with an outcry as it fell to his knees, then face. Its mandibles forced its’ head to roll.
The princess studied the beast and slowly raised her gaze heavenward closing her eyes. She felt a beautiful presence and whispered a prayer. Upon opening her eyes, Ukko’s warrior maiden offered a warm smile as she faded into the night. The event went unnoticed by all, except for Dregous.
Tuke approached Rem, “Who else is injured?” he glanced at everyone.
Rem slowly sank to his knees, he didn’t clearly hear Tuke, “I am wounded,” he breathed.
Seeker flexed her shoulder as she stepped beside the princess. Her eyes were filled with tears as she looked heavenward. “Princess…, are you well?” she asked.
Seconds later, “I am,” Tatiana sniffed.
Dregous never thought he would witness anything so beautiful. It was awe-inspiring. His admiration for his princess grew with a tinge of envy. Being godless disallowed him that wonderful experience. A sudden sorrow struck with that realization.
Tuke recited a cure spell as he gently rubbed Rem's ribs. “There, how is that?” he asked.
Rem inhaled deeply, nodding, “Gratitude,” he breathed.
Tuke returned the nod then addressed Seeker, “Lady Angelique, are you injured?”
She glanced and smiled, “No, battered, but good.”
“Princess?” Tuke asked.
“I am fine dear Tuke,” she looked for Dregous and found him staring at her and blushed, “Check on Dregous please,” she whispered.
Chapter 20
A thing that troubled me in the past, an empty feeling, a yearning, deep within. I found one to share my life with, my thoughts with, but a distant feeling tugged at me. Though the manifestations of Immortal intervention curved my path. My first account sparked another struggle. An exertion I thought would be my salvation. Considering my father, it helped matters none, instead, it proved the contrary.
Dregous's traveling journals
Lehoneh walked into the audience chamber and bowed before his father. His sis
ter spoke with the king, “Did you bring him?”
“No… he escaped.”
“Did he?” he questioned suspiciously while studying his son knowingly.
He addressed the king, with a quick glance to Mirehnah, “No father, you said bring him alive…”
He interrupted, “By any means.”
Mirehnah gave her father a sharp stare, “Father?” the princess started. He raised a hand, she fell silent.
He grimaced, “Or dead…” he repeated then explained his decision.
The king and Mirehnah listened while he tapped his index finger, “Your thinking was sound. But understand from his view. Wounding him would have allowed you to bring him in and cure his mother,” the king argued.
“Agreed, Lehoneh display sound mind to save our priestess.” The king nodded at his daughter’s insight.
Lehoneh shook his head, “That is not my point.”
Slightly exasperated, “What is the point son?”
Mirehnah realized what her brother’s point was, “The Dark Elf did not retaliate,” she said gently.
Both studied the princess, “He is a considerable mage. He could have used any means to deter us, instead he barred us with a wall and blanked the area with a blinding mist,” he said, “You had to see it for yourself. Nad’s arrow struck him, and still, he did not attack.”
“He was outnumbered.”
“That matters little considering how he saved me,” Mirehnah added.
“Agreed,” Lehoneh paced, “No father, I have seen what he did to the band of Orks… alone, while rescuing her.”
“Could the wall had been a soft means of attack?”
“That is just it if it was, it was weak at best. I tell you, father, he does not behave guilty…. We gave him reason to attack, still, he did not.”