A small avalanche of stone, dirt, and scrubby vegetation followed Crucifus until he landed with a bone-crushing force at the base of the mountain. Dirt and rock partially covered the dragon’s body, so that only the long neck, head, and part of its tail were visible. Crucifus didn’t try to move. The pain was so intense the dragon longed for death. All other considerations were gone. All he knew was pain, the agony so great that it caused him to waver in and out of consciousness.
Rain began to fall, cold fat drops that were whipped in the strong wind until they pelted the helpless dragon mercilessly. Crucifus could feel his life ebbing, like a snowbank in the warm sunshine. His instinct was to survive, but his injuries were so great he could do nothing for himself. Night fell, and the cold rain continued to chill his great body. He couldn’t even fill his lungs to warm himself with fire. The end had come, and all Crucifus could do was wait.
***
The storm was intense, and Feray felt sorry for their horses and even Rolo, who had to wait out the foul weather down below with no shelter. Terreek had sensed the storm and had climbed a tree with an old, abandoned shelter high in the canopy. Once the elf had assured her the structure was safe, Feray had levitated herself and Luc up to it. The magic had tired her, but there was nothing to do in the shelter but sit and wait until the storm passed. They had blankets and food, but no fire. The shelter was little more than an old, one-room hut. The roof leaked in two places, and the floor was slanted from back to front, but in the corner, near the trunk of the huge maple tree, she, Luc, and Terreek huddled together and watched the rain pour outside.
There was no door on the shelter, it had been broken down long ago. The small windows had no glass and no shutters. As night fell, the wind grew colder and Feray found it impossible to sleep. She felt as if everything she wanted had been stripped from her. Marc had been murdered, the Wilderness was not the wondrous place she’d hoped to find, she was thrust into a war she wasn’t prepared for, and even Orin had left. She held Luc tight, trying not to let despair sink it’s fangs into her heart.
“This is so fun, mama,” Luc said.
He was wrapped in a blanket and huddled between his mother and the ivory-skinned elf, who seemed not to even notice the cold.
“I should say so,” Terreek said. “It’s not every day one gets to set out on an adventure.”
“I’ve been on lots of adventures,” the young boy said. “But this is the first time I’ve slept in a tree house.”
“With a storm raging outside too,” Terreek said.
Feray couldn’t join in the revelry of the moment. She understood why her son was thrilled by the adventure of it all, but she felt a sense of doom approaching. It didn’t take long for Luc to fall asleep once they were all settled in. The rain drumming on the rooftop, and the wind billowing through the canopy so that the shelter rocked like a ship upon the sea, lulled him to sleep. Feray longed to join him, yet nothing could break the strangle hold her worries and fears had on her mind.
“You’re quiet,” Terreek said softly, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the storm.
“This is all so strange,” Feray admitted. “Have you ever known a storm like this that didn’t produce thunder?”
Terreek thought about it for a moment, then shook his head.
“Something isn’t right,” Feray said.
“The weather is bothering you that much?” the elf asked.
“No, not just the weather. I feel like something bad has happened. Something we’ve missed.”
“You think the sorcerer might have attacked another village?” The nervousness in Terreek’s voice revealed his own fears.
“I don’t know,” Feray admitted, “and maybe that’s the problem. I just don’t know enough. I don’t know about your people, Terreek. I don’t really know the dragons. And to be honest, I don’t know very much about magic. I’m just trying to hold on while getting swept away in something much bigger than I ever imagined.”
“But you can do incredible things,” he said. “Surely you don’t fear anyone.”
“What I fear is something happening to the people I love. I can’t protect them all the time. I never thought of myself as one of those nervous people who are always worried about what bad thing is going to happen next, but here I am.”
“Well, all I know is that I wouldn’t be here if not for you, my lady,” the elf said. “You saved my life. I saw you save the lives of dozens of my own people not long ago. I think that makes you a good person. I know it makes me proud that I can help you.”
A strange, lilting whistle carried above the sounds of rain. Feray fell silent and Terreek got to his feet, tilting his head to listen. The whistle came again, closer than before, and louder. The elf turned and smiled at Feray, just as another elfish face appeared in one of the windows. Feray saw the dark green aura and the white eyes of an elf of the Ivory Clan.
“We have a guest,” Terreek said to Feray. “Never fear, it is one of my people.”
The whistle sounded again, and Terreek responded with a new whistle. The shelter rocked and Feray heard feet slapping lightly on the branches outside the small hut. Her stomach clenched in fear, but when a big elf ducked in through the open doorway, she was relieved to see Terreek and the newcomer embrace.
“This is Indobu, my friend,” Terreek said, grinning at Feray. “And this is the great Sorceress Feray.”
“The one we’ve heard of. The healer?” Indobu asked.
“That’s right,” Terreek said. “The little one is her child, Luc.”
“I still can’t believe you’re alive,” Indobu said. “The last I saw, you were nearly dead.”
“The elders couldn’t help me,” Terreek said. “My injuries were too great. But Feray healed me using magic.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. She also saved many others after the attack on Braa’dun.”
“We heard of this. I am returning to warn the others. We have found the sorcerer’s camp. They are ground dwellers. And there are beasts of every kind.”
“You know where the sorcerer’s camp is located?” Feray asked, speaking to the newcomer for the first time.
“Yes, we saw the big wolves capture a human man. He was spying on the camp.”
“Orin,” Feray said, fear wrapping its cold fingers around her heart.
“Tell us what happened?” Terreek said.
“We were searching the forest and happened upon the camp. There were strange creatures in the trees, so we couldn’t get close, but then a human went sneaking toward the camp on the ground.”
“What did he look like?” Feray asked.
“Tall, thick chested, and hairy,” Indobu said. “He had hair on his face.”
“And he was captured?”
“Indeed. He watched the camp for a long time. I don’t know why I stayed as long as I did, but I was fascinated. This man had no hands. So I watched him until the big gray wolf approached silently from behind. When the man started to leave, the big wolf howled and the rest of the pack came racing after the man. He dashed away, running fast, but then he tripped and hit his head. I saw the wolves carrying him back to the camp.”
“Did you see the sorcerer?” Terreek asked.
“I did. It is an elf of our own clan. I didn’t want to believe it, but I saw him giving orders. He had many men in his camp. All held with thick chains. He is doing awful things to the people there. You can hear their screams for great distances.”
“We have to go there,” Feray said. “Can you take us?”
“I must report what I have seen to the elders,” Indobu said. “This is my priority.”
“Did you see what happened to the man the wolves caught?” Feray asked. “Did they hurt him?”
“I did not stay to find out. I left, that was earlier today. I would not have stopped now, if I hadn’t seen your horses.”
“Terreek, please,” Feray pleaded. “Orin needs us.”
“I was instructed to take you north
, my lady. To the mountains, nothing more.”
“And you can do that once we’ve rescued Orin.”
“It is probably too late,” Indobu said. “There are vile things being done to the men in that camp. Unimaginable things.”
“We know about the cross breeding,” Feray said. “We fought humans with bison legs and raptor talons.”
“Then you know the man with no hands will surely be transformed into something horrific by now.”
“All I know is that I can’t stay here and let that evil infect him. Will you take us to him?”
“I cannot,” Indobu said. “Terreek knows this.”
“I do. I’m sorry, my lady. Indobu must complete his task and return with a report on the sorcerer’s camp.”
“Then tell me how to find it,” Feray said. “I’m not leaving this forest without Orin. I don’t care if you help me or not, Terreek. I won’t leave him behind.”
Chapter 22
Rain dripped from his body, which was saturated, and shivering with cold. The man with no hands had come to strapped to a long board. His arms were spread wide and strapped down with thick bands of canvas. The rain fell in his face, running through his beard and into his mouth. His head ached, both internally, and from what felt like a large, hot lump near his left temple. There were scratches across his body, not deep cuts but enough to rip his tunic into tatters.
He woke up but didn’t open his eyes or make any sounds. The memory of being chased by the huge dire wolves was all too clear in his mind. Despite the pain and the discomfort, he was determined to escape. Things had gone wrong and he should have scouted the camp and set out again to meet up with Feray, but his desire to find and help Via had cost him dearly. The fact that he was still alive meant there was a chance he could return to the sorceress he was sworn to protect, and he was willing to do anything to make that happen.
Unfortunately, there was nothing to hear around him. It was as if he had been left out in the rain like a disobedient pet. Finally, when he opened his eyes, he discovered that night had fallen, but he wasn’t alone. In the gloom he could make out others, human figures that appeared to be chained like animals to trees around a clearing. He could smell the wet ashes of a large fire nearby, and heard movement in the darkness, but he couldn’t see anything.
It was several hours before anyone approached. In that time Orin tested his bonds. Without hands it was difficult to tie his arms, but the sorcerer had managed it. Both arms were spread up and away from his body, with straps that fed through the plank of wood beneath him and bound his upper arm, the elbows, and the forearms. There were more straps around his chest, neck, waist, and each leg. No matter how he strained or squirmed, he was tied fast, with no way to escape. When the rain stopped an hour before dawn, the sorcerer revealed himself to Orin.
“You’re awake, that’s good,” the elf with piercing eyes said. Even in the darkness Orin could see the glow of his white irises. “Let’s have a look at you.”
Fire shot up from the ground, almost as if a dragon had spewed the yellow flames. They rose up high in the air, flooding the area with light. Orin had to clamp his eyes shut at first, but as the heat from the fire radiated out to him, his eyes adjusted. The elf that stood before him was thin, his face gaunt, his long white hair tied back in a tight braid. Beyond the elf were other men, each tied or chained to a tree. They looked at Orin with suspicion and he stared at them in horror. Each one was naked, but covered in reptilian scales. Their feet and hands were morphed into thick, three-toed talons. Most horrifying of all, their faces had become narrow and angular, their mouths much larger than normal, and their eyes had diamond-shaped irises.
“You’ll live, that’s good to know. You must have a head like a stone, but most of your kind do,” the elf said. “My name is Allric, but you will call me lord, or master.”
Orin didn’t respond, he just stared at the strange, reptilian men.
“Do you like my creations,” Allric said with a maniacal grin. “Yes, they are quite something. The finest specimens so far. Human flesh is incredibly susceptible to mixing. I’ve had quite a few interesting days lately, but these fine creatures are the first of my army. I shall take them into battle soon, but not before they are tested. Which is where you come in. I was privy to your skills in Zephyr’s village. You handled yourself well, against man and beast, despite your obvious weakness.
“Have you always been crippled, or is it a punishment of some kind?” Allric asked.
Orin turned his gaze to the ivory elf, but didn’t respond.
“Oh, the strong silent type, how divine. I really am impressed with your fortitude. My experience with humans has not left your race in high regard. Cowards mostly, I must admit, but not you. Even with no hands you are fearless. I can change that you know — the hand issue. It’s really a simple matter. You would like to have hands, wouldn’t you? And not animal substitutes, but actual human hands. Flesh and blood, the ability to hold a weapon, or a woman, or whatever makes you happy for that matter. To touch and feel, that is what I am offering. All I ask in return is that you don’t throw your life away. If you try to flee I’ll let my wolves finish what they started. If you try to harm me, well… let’s just say that would be a mistake. I don’t take betrayal well. I’ll give you some time to think about it.”
“I don’t need to think about anything,” Orin said. “Release me or I’ll kill you.”
Allric laughed. “If you can’t free yourself how could you ever dream of hurting me.”
He left the clearing, and the fire disappeared. Orin was soon cold again, even though the rain had stopped. He couldn’t say for certain how long he had been tied to the thick, wooden plank, his back hurt, his joints felt stiff, and his head throbbed horribly. Tired and frustrated, he leaned his head back, trying not to do anything that might make the pain worse. He dozed, too cold and uncomfortable to really sleep. After another hour or so he was roused by a familiar voice.
“Orin… Orin, what are you doing here?” Via said, the clearing filled with a weak, gray light. She was standing before him, stroking his face. Her hand felt warm and comforting, but she looked upset to see him.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, of course I am. But why did you come here? Allric will never let you leave.”
“I came looking for you,” Orin said. It wasn’t a complete lie, he had hoped to find Via, it just wasn’t the only reason he’d come.
“You shouldn’t have. You should have stayed far away, but it’s too late for that now. Has he said what he plans to do with you? Will he kill you outright, or mix you like he has all the others?”
“Mix me?” Orin asked.
“He binds creatures together. The eagles with snake legs, wolves with the head of a man. It’s horrible. The magic drives them insane.”
“He said he would give me hands,” Orin admitted.
“Human hands?” Via asked.
“That is what he said. Actual hands.”
“Perhaps you should let him,” she said, changing her mind as a look of excitement lit up her face. “He might even let us be together. He’s shown no interest in me himself. Hollis is a cross breed of some type. An outcast really, just a slave — Allric despises him for it.”
“And what about you? What does Allric want with you?”
“He’s teaching me to use magic,” she said.
Via held up her hand and a flame magically appeared above her palm. It swayed there for a moment, then vanished.
“I’m still learning the basics, but I can feel the magic. He says I have the power, that I can be a great witch. All I have to do is learn to control the magic.”
“I’m so sorry I let you down,” Orin said.
He was appalled that the evil sorcerer was teaching Via anything. He knew the wicked elf wasn’t being friendly. If he was doing something for Via, it was because he wanted something from her. Orin had no doubt that Via was gifted. He didn’t know anything about magic, but he wasn’t s
urprised that she had talents.
“You didn’t. Things haven’t turned out the way I expected them to, but they haven’t all been bad. You know that Feray never intended to teach me anything.”
“Why would you say that?” Orin asked.
“Because she was jealous. She was jealous of us, Orin. You know that right? She wanted you all to herself.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Yes, it is. And she only wanted to hold me back. She kept making excuses, when she had plenty of opportunities to teach me, but she lied. She’s been lying to you, too.”
“I don’t believe that, Via. Feray is a good woman. You don’t know what she’s been through.”
“So we should be made to suffer because Feray had a hard life? Has she offered to give you hands, Orin? She can do that, you know. She could make you whole, but she wants to keep you dependent on her. All she really cares about is herself. I won’t believe her lies anymore. I have my own power and I won’t let her or anyone else hold me back.”
Orin didn’t know what to say. It was obvious that Allric had convinced Via that he wasn’t evil, although looking around the camp he couldn’t understand how that was possible. Still, if he got the chance, he would help Via escape the evil sorcerer. Better still, he would kill the skinny elf and rid the world of his evil once and for all.
“Perhaps it is fate that we’ve met again like this,” Via said, stroking his chest. “We can be together while I learn to use magic.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Orin said. “I’ll never join Allric.”
“Even if he can give you hands? Tell me that you don’t want them, Orin, and I’ll believe you, but I don’t think you can.”
Orin wanted to tell her she was wrong, but as soon as Allric had spoken about giving him hands a hope had sprung up inside Orin. He had honestly never thought about the possibility that he could have actual, working hands like everyone else, even though he’d seen Feray do incredible things. She had healed his wounds after he’d been severely beaten in Glory Keep, mending his bones and reducing the swelling. But the idea of having actual hands, to be like everyone else instead of an outcast, it was almost too much for the big warrior to imagine. Hands that could hold a sword, or caress a woman’s face, to be looked at the way he deserved, as a man, not like he was cursed, it was a dream come true. How many times had he imagined how different his life could be if he only had hands. Perhaps Allric was lying. Orin couldn’t know for sure, but he couldn’t deny the fact that he was sorely tempted.
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