The Light Bringer: An Epic Fantasy Adventure Novel (The Dragon Gate Series Book 2)

by Randy Ellefson

  “Yeah,” said Matt, “like the last time we saw a dark elf. As they were talking, I was wondering if by some miracle that was the same guy. You know, that wizard who summoned us and was killed, and we went home with all of those goblins and ogres trying to get to us.”

  “And there was that dark elf I hit with a knife,” he Eric.

  “We never learned his name,” admitted Anna, “or what the quest was.”

  Ryan suggested, “Maybe we should get a description. But I don’t suppose it matters.”

  “It could,” said Eric, turning to Matt. “Can one Quest Ring teleport us to another?”

  The wizard cocked an eyebrow. “Well, that’s an interesting idea. We could get to this city quickly if so, and it’s the same place, or where we need to reach. It would save time at least.”

  Eric spread his hands. “Anything pop into your head from Soliander’s memories when I said that?”

  Matt thought for a second and shook his head. “No.”

  “Well,” began Ryan, taking off his armor, “let’s catch up with Anna here, get ready for this banquet, and then meet with whoever else we can talk to for ideas, either tonight or tomorrow morning. As we meet people tonight, grill them for info. You never know what someone might know.”

  Eric nodded. “I’d kind of like to talk to some regular guardsmen who’ve been to Aker. They often know stuff, but keep their mouths shut around official people like kings. Maybe you and I can hit some taverns tonight, dressed like normal guys.”

  “Yeah, I’m up for that.”

  Anna said, “That will give me and Matt time to prepare in other ways. Spells and gods.”

  With that decided, they changed into what Eric called “off duty” clothes that were brought to them, and which were more comfortable for everyone but Anna, who needed the help of a maid to get into a gown. It was more that she didn’t understand how to do it than that it was too complicated.

  She listened with great interest to everything Eriana had told them, but it was overwhelming after the details about the quest. Information overload had her asking for the simple versions, and they covered the highlights just before someone arrived to escort them to dinner. She could hear an orchestra long before they rounded a corner to find a crowd of well-wishers applauding their arrival, parting to let them into a grand hall that stood two stories high, empty balconies, chairs, and golden curtains above. Rows of tables and chairs had been laid out on the hardwood floor, where it didn’t seem like any dancing was expected, to her relief. Anna almost wanted to add dancing lessons to her list of items to study on Earth, though she suspected it wouldn’t help much. The dances had so far been unfamiliar, but then maybe that was normal. The champions couldn’t be expected to know everything.

  At the far end stood more steps to another pair of thrones that sat empty, and just before it lay what she assumed was the royal table. Prime Minister Othor indicated they would be seated there, two of them on each side of the king, who they had learned was a widower with an eye out for a new bride. Others in the room mingled with them as the group tried to stay close together, fielding questions, turning away amorous advances, and otherwise trying to be cordial. They had arrived before either royal, with King Sondin announced first before King Thiat joined them and the festivities began. Red wines, pheasant, boar, brown rice and steamed vegetables made the rounds along with several pies. Anna wondered if the Quest Ring could reduce the caloric content of what she ate when sending her home again, but she decided that eating sparingly was the elegant approach. Fortunately, their hosts weren’t barbarians who expected them to belch to show approval.

  During dinner, she listened to the king of Thiat complain about one thing or another, but sensed he wasn’t as disagreeable as his first impression. He just seemed to find no real joy in life. She hoped to talk more to Princess Miara, who appeared sullen, whether about the recent death of her wizard lover or something else. Anna thought the girl might be trouble because she just acted intent on throwing a wrench into everything. It might have been better were she not around too much as planning went underway.

  After dinner, the tables were cleared but not removed, with so many guests coming around to talk to each of the Ellorian Champions that a line had formed. They mingled as they could, with Anna discussing the gods of Eridos with those who held an interest in them. She hadn’t tried to use the Corethian Amulet to contact one yet but planned to after returning to their rooms.

  As Anna stood listening to a married couple, her eyes fell on Eric, who stood chatting with two noblemen. He was good at this sort of schmoozing, even if he pretended to not like small talk. Well, he didn’t, as he liked to get to the point and for others to do the same, but maybe these alien worlds fascinated him. He certainly enjoyed trying to get information from people, and they sorely needed some. Hopefully, the outing he and Ryan would do tonight would help give them ideas because she really did not know how they were going to do this quest. Sneaking into an entire kingdom overrun with dark elves was far worse than their other adventures because the enemy was everywhere. Eric needed to find a plan.

  He saw Eric’s eyes go to a balcony and his face become serious. Following his gaze, she saw a curtain moving as if someone had just been behind it. She looked back to Eric to see that he was gone, and her eyes darted around the room, just catching sight of him stepping through the exit. She hurried after him, not liking the idea of getting separated, but when she reached the hall, he was gone. A concerned Ryan joined her, then Matt, but they saw no sign of the rogue.

  Eric had disappeared.

  Chapter 14 – The Prince of Kiarven

  Aside from no one having been on the second-floor balcony all night, something hadn’t seemed right to Eric about the figure peeking out from behind a curtain. The movement had caught his attention, and then the dark skin and a hint of white hair made the words “dark elf” jump into his mind. The moment he’d seen the man, the guy turned away. Eric had seen stairs to that floor on the way here and left from the ballroom to the steps. He saw no one else as he climbed his way to the top, where he found several doors leading toward the ballroom and a hall that presumably led to the other side. He heard a door close that way and dashed after the sound on light feet. The first door he found led away from the ballroom, the sound of faint footsteps beckoning him to follow. Did the man know he pursued? Maybe Eric should have gotten others to come with him, but it was too late now.

  He crept after and regretted that he didn’t have Andier’s leather armor on for the dozen throwing knives he could hide within it, and the rope belt that might help him bind someone if needed. Feeling exposed made him count on stealth and his hand-to-hand fighting if it arose. He still wore the Trinity Ring if he got hurt, but he always wondered how close to death he could get and it still save him. He just didn’t want to find out.

  Eric brushed another door open as he listened for sounds within, seeing dancing light from what he assumed was a torch he didn’t see yet. He suspected no other escape existed. If he’d trapped someone, this would turn into a fight. He shoved the door wide and crouch, and as he did, he heard nothing fly over his head to strike the wall. But he saw someone standing to one side far against the wall.

  “Andier of Roir,” said the figure in elvish, “I am glad you came, and I mean you no harm, even after what happened the last time we met.”

  The room suddenly brightened as the figure touched another torch to the one on the wall. The figure remained still and Eric rose to his full height, casting one look back at the way he’d come. They appeared to be alone, and he stepped into the room for a better look. He had been right about the race, the dark elf before him wearing black plate mail with silver insignias on it. The black skin and white hair made him wonder how this one had gotten so far inside the castle, given that one look at him would have alerted the guards. It gave Eric even more reason to be suspicious. But recognizing the man, partly from the scar on one cheek, was what really put him on alert.

&nb
sp; “You’re the one who tried to kill us at the Quest Ring with the goblins and ogres.”

  The dark elf nodded. “Regrettable, but necessary.”

  Eric wanted to test his opponent before any blows and said, “I could say the same about killing you now.”

  From his smile, the dark elf seemed genuinely amused. “I did not come here to die or threaten others with death.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “For peace.”

  “Explain.”

  “I would rather do so to both King Sondin and King Varrun as well as you and your companions at once, but I understand you must agree to get me an audience. It is why I sought you out.”

  That surprised Eric. “You sought–” He cursed himself. This was a trap. He had been lured here. He needed to be smarter about that from now on. “Why don’t you give me the short version.”

  “It is my intention to remove my king,” the elf began. “I will take his place, withdrawing elves from Aker to Kiarven and brokering a peace between the kingdoms. In exchange for the help of the Ellorian Champions in achieving this, I will also release the royal prisoners. There is no need for the war that is brewing.”

  Now the elf had his attention. Maybe this was the guy who had information they needed to complete this quest, but there was at least one problem with this, aside from a serious trust issue, of course. “You do not have the authority to make such a deal.”

  The elf nodded. “And yet I can make it happen.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Prince Dravo of the House of Alrond, former general of Kiarven. Some recognize my lineage. Others do not, for I am in exile.”

  Well, that was interesting, Eric thought. “And why are you in exile?”

  “There are those who believe the elves should reclaim territory that was once ours. The king is among these. I do not, nor do many of my kin, and they made an example of me for being outspoken about this.”

  Eric wasn’t prepared to take a single comment at face value. If this dark elf was going to lie, he would have to do it extensively and immediately. “Why didn’t they just kill you?”

  He frowned. “His son Prince Kammer wanted this, but I am royalty, or I was until they stripped me of my titles and land. The king spared me, to humiliate me, I believe.”

  “And yet you would kill him,” Eric interrupted, trying to throw him off balance. He glanced back into the hallway again, since he still stood in the doorway and someone could see him.

  Prince Dravo cocked an eyebrow. “I did not say I would kill him, though it is likely necessary. They thought they would suitably demean me to live among others not of my kind, but they underestimated me. I command a considerable force.”

  “Of goblins and ogres?”

  “Among others. I had thought to use them to strike at the king, but then they invaded Aker. Since then I have been waiting for a good opportunity and often working beside the same elven forces I used to command. Many are still secretly loyal to me, I have learned. This does not surprise me.”

  “You are not exiled from Aker?”

  “I was exiled from Kiarven before the conquest of Aker. Now that they claim Aker as theirs, some say my banishment should extend through it as well. Prince Kammer certainly wants this, but the king appears to find it amusing that I lead a band of brutes, as he calls it. He allows me to remain.”

  Smirking, Eric said, “So you just want to be king? Is that it?”

  “No. That is a means to an end. I want the elves to withdraw to Kiarven and be done with these lands. We do not need them. Many of us don’t want them, but the king wants to reclaim something lost a thousand years ago. He has done great harm to elven kind, and I want it to end.”

  Eric suspected something and had to ask, “Is there more to this? You must want your old life back, or family, or something.”

  “Of course I do. That life is gone, but my family still suffers on my behalf. This, too, must end.”

  Eric had a question that he expected would get a prepared answer, as the dark elf had to know it was coming. He already felt distrustful of an answer he hadn’t even sought yet. “You seek my help now, and yet you tried to kill me just a week ago.”

  Dravo acknowledged this with a nod. “Things have changed.”

  “How so?”

  “I was in Aker, the city Rivina, when we received word of that wizard trying to reach the Quest Ring at Castle Rivina to summon you. Prince Kammer ordered me to find and kill him, so I did. I had no choice but to try the same with you. You would have killed me and nearly did, so you cannot judge me for the attempt on your life.”

  Eric frowned. The guy had a good point, not that he wanted to admit it. In fact, throwing the knife at Dravo hadn’t been necessary. Should he apologize? Instead, he wondered if he could provoke the calm dark elf. “How was the knife in your chest?”

  Dravo smirked. “Painful, but I’ve felt worse. An elixir resolved the matter soon. I do not begrudge you.”

  Eric doubted that. He suspected something else had changed but wasn’t going to suggest it, because it would only help the dark elf lie, if that’s what he was doing. “Why didn’t we have this conversation then?”

  “Goblins and ogres have no patience for such a talk, so it would have gone poorly even had I wanted it. But more has changed. After my king learned I had killed the wizard and undone your summoning, he was pleased. He summoned me and my troops to Kiarven, the first time I have been there in the open since my banishment.”

  Something caught Eric’s attention. “You’ve been there, but not where you could be seen?”

  Dravo smiled, red eyes cold. “Several times, usually alone.”

  “Why did you go?”

  “To plan a way to reach the king. To learn who my friends were. To remain aware of changes in the city. Anything to help my eventual return.”

  Eric couldn’t really disagree with those reasons and didn’t much care to. That the dark elf could get into somewhere he wasn’t welcome was quite apparent, or they would not have been having this conversation. He glanced into the hall and back again. “What did the king want with you?”

  “We were discussing how else I might be useful, given the need of more elves with my skills in military leadership. He intends to extend his conquest of Aker to Thiat, though this is not for some time. I soon learned that a new attempt at summoning you would take place, this time here. I came for your help.”

  “Not revenge?”

  “I seek an alliance between kingdoms, brokered with your help.”

  “Why would we trust you?”

  “I would prefer to reveal this to the kings. Have you heard enough to bring me to them? I, of course, will be disarmed, even bound if you like.”

  “I’m certain they would insist on it.”

  “We have an agreement?”

  Eric sighed. He couldn’t see why not, but who knew what the prince might be planning? He didn’t like it, but it also wasn’t his decision to turn him away. Only the kings should do that. “Yes, I will take you.”

  The dark elf nodded. “Thank you. One last thing. I am not alone.” Dravo didn’t pause long, maybe on account of Eric’s eyes quickly scanning the room. “I have brought someone I do not want harmed. While you have a reputation for cunning, you also have one for honor. Will you do your part to safeguard her? We will both surrender.”

  Eric held his gaze for a moment, gauging him and sensing that if he seemed insincere, the opportunity would be lost. He nodded. “Who is she? Where is she?”

  “My sister.” He raised his voice and spoke in elvish, looking to one side. “Liera, please come.”

  Eric immediately noticed two doors he hadn’t seen. One of them opened slowly to reveal another dark elf, this one wearing a dark gray, slender, ankle-length dress fastened with a gold belt. Two clips held straight golden hair back from her heart-shaped face. Her eyes seemed wary but inquisitive as she looked between Andier and Dravo, who gestured for her to step out of the small dressin
g room she occupied. She came to a stop nearer her brother.

  After a moment of silence, Eric bowed his head at her and said, “Your Highness.”

  She flashed a wary smile. “Lord Andier. We have come at significant risk to ourselves. Our faith in humans is not strong, but you and the Ellorians are unlike most. We are trusting you with our lives.”

  Eric took a deep breath and let it out. He understood not being able to trust those you were with. “If you both behave, I promise no harm will come to you. Now I need to bind both of you.”

  Dravo removed his sword and a few knives from where they were hidden on himself. He came forward slowly as Eric took a sash from a drape and used it to bind the elf, who was slightly taller than him. He did the same to Liera. With them walking before him, Eric carrying Dravo’s weapons, they made their way toward the balconies and then down the stairs, where they were seen at once, a shout going out and guards rushing in. Eric made them stand back as more important people arrived, including the Prime Minister, King Sondin, and Ryan, Matt, and Anna.

  “Everyone remain calm, please,” began Eric, doing his best impersonation of the commanding presence Ryan used as Lord Korrin. “This is Prince Dravo and Princess Liera of Kiarven. They voluntarily surrendered and seek an audience with both kings. I suggest that this be granted at once, with only those who must be there present. King Sondin, I would strongly recommend against Princess Miara being there.” If the princess learned that the dark elf who had her wizard lover killed was here, this conversation wouldn’t go smoothly.

  The king nodded and turned an inquisitive eyebrow toward the Prime Minister, who said, “All of you present keep quiet about this. Take them to the throne room, which is to be sealed. Someone get His Majesty.”

  People began scurrying in various directions as the dark elves followed the Prime Minister with Eric and the others bringing up the rear, his friends giving him looks of frustration, curiosity, and respect. They soon waited for King Varrun, who waddled in looking irritable and slightly drunk. Eric suspected this conversation would go better without him. Princess Miara was fortunately not present. As King Varrun has no real authority, all of it being with Prime Minister Othor, he wasn’t really needed, but keeping him informed was wise. He he took a seat on the throne and turned to those standing before him as if impatient, when they were the ones who had just spent ten minutes waiting for him. The two dark elves stood in front beside Eric, his friends off to one side to watch the faces of the guests.