by Ben Hale
He charged and struck, the impact of his maul on Bartoth’s helmet echoing across the bloody road. For several furious seconds the two traded blows, the whirlwind kicking up dust. But Light’s anger lacked its former might, and gradually it melted away until Bartoth smashed his sword through his maul, the light shattered into splinters.
Light ducked Bartoth’s next swing and struck the troll’s back, his broken weapon sharp enough to pierce the armor and dig into troll flesh. Bartoth reached an armored glove to the wound and laughed. Then he caught the weapon and yanked it free.
“Is that what you have been reduced to?” Bartoth said. “It is truly a pity to see one so mighty fall to such depths.”
“There is one benefit to losing my rage,” Light said.
“And what is that?” Bartoth stalked forward.
“Clarity,” he replied. “Unbridled rage is unbridled power, but it lacks wisdom and intelligence.”
“And what’s that going to do for you?” he raised his sword high.
Light pointed skyward, and Bartoth looked up—catching the full blast of a white dragon’s breath. He bellowed in anger but the freezing current covered his body in ice, seeping into his armor and binding him to the ground. Isray shook the ground as he landed, his frost breath continuing to freeze the armored troll.
With ice forming around his legs and arms, Bartoth pushed for the dragon and raised his sword, his body slowing. He bellowed his fury and forced himself to advance through the dragon’s breath, his blade coming at Isray’s snout, where it came to a halt.
Encased in ice, Bartoth stood with his arms extended, his sword touching Isray’s snout. His eyes glowed through the helmet, the fury evident as he trembled. Light rose to his feet and wiped blood from his chin.
“That won’t hold him for long.”
The ice cracked near his arms, and Willow joined Light. “We don’t need long.”
Senia approached with Lachonus and pointed to the dragon. “Let’s go, soldier.”
He looked to Rilia, who nodded. The woman’s features were bright with haughty pride. “Your name will ring through the ages, my son.”
The ice cracked again, and they climbed onto the dragon’s back. More ice cracked, and Rilia shouted for the soldiers to retreat. Cavalry poured from the road, the wounded and dead loaded onto spare horses. More ice cracked, and Gendor retreated into the cloud of dust.
Light swung his leg over the dragon’s neck just as a chunk of ice fell to the ground. Isray opened his jaws and roared. Then he spread his wings. The ice shattered, Bartoth stumbling from the shards.
He stood, gasping for breath, just feet from a dragon’s maw. He began to laugh, the sound washing over the dead horses and dusty road. Light gathered his magic but Bartoth sheathed his sword and stood.
“Weaker but wiser,” he said. “I enjoyed this fight, but rest assured, the next will be your last.”
“We’ll see about that,” Light said.
Isray launched them skyward, and as they departed the battlefield, Light breathed a sigh of relief and reached for Willow’s hand. She smiled and tightened her grip. He may have survived, but the battle was far from over.
Chapter 13: Battlefield
The allied army advanced out of the trees to enter the valley. Led by Griffin infantry, the soldiers spread out, gradually filling the breadth of the foothills below Xshaltheria. Under the twilight sky, the alliance arrived to destroy the criminal known as Serak.
Thirty thousand Talinorian cavalry, sixty thousand Griffin infantrymen, twenty thousand elven archers, another twenty Erathan swordsmen, and still they appeared at the end of the road. Rock trolls from the north, sand trolls from the deserts, dwarves, gnomes, giants, they all took their place and set up camp at the base of the great volcano.
Fire and Water watched the advance from an escarpment on the northern side of the valley. The two had ridden ahead to survey the fortress, and to Water’s relief, it appeared the Dark Gate had yet to open. For now, only a few thousand of the loyal Order members guarded the winding road leading up to the fortress above.
“The gates are well guarded,” Fire said, pointing to the road.
The fortress and road were a testament to dwarven engineering, and paranoia. The road curved its way up the slope, passing through several smaller gates, the fortifications built so soldiers higher up the road could attack the lower approaches. The allied army would have to fight through the teeth of the defenses to reach the top of the mountain, where large openings led to the citadel. Suspended by giant chains, the entire fortress of Xshaltheria hung in the throat of the volcano.
“Serak’s forces are small,” Water said. “But it’s going to be hard to fight our way up that road.”
Lira appeared below them and hiked to their position. “As we assumed. Just a few thousand men. They look nervous.”
“They should be.” Fire swept his hand at the allied army below, already two hundred thousand strong with more entering the valley. “We’re going to crush them.”
“Not if the Dark Gate is opened,” Lira said.
“We should attack quickly,” Fire said.
“That’s what Rynda wants,” Lira said. “But King Justin opposes her. He and the orcs want caution.”
Fire snorted in disgust. “They’ve gathered the mightiest army Lumineia has ever seen, and now he wants to wait?”
“It’s a ploy,” Water said. “King Justin now controls the armies of Talinor and Erathan. He wants to consolidate his power now, so after the battle his reign will be unchallenged.”
“Perhaps Rynda is right about men,” Lira said sourly. “King Justin has gained more power, but instead of using it to stop Serak, he wants to demonstrate his strength.”
“I suspect he wants to acquire the other two kingdoms,” Water said. “I overheard many Griffin soldiers boasting about the great kingdom of Griffin, which will own the entire southern lands.”
“I still can’t believe King Porlin never existed,” Fire said.
After the fragment of Mind had unmasked Porlin for his real identity, the truth had spread like wildfire. King Porlin’s predecessor had failed to have a son, and formed a secret arrangement with Serak. He gained an heir, while the heir would serve the Order of Ancients. None but Porlin, his supposed father, and Serak had known Porlin’s identity. But over the years others had learned the truth, all from Porlin himself, who was actually Zoric, son of Zenif. In his pride, he’d enlisted the aid of soldiers and nobles of Talinor, all of which were quick to turn on the false king the moment his true identity was revealed. The Talinorian throne now sat empty, and several of the nobles vied for the vacancy. All four were present with the army, for they needed King Justin’s support.
“Erathan is in worse shape,” Fire said. “King Numen had finally managed to get his kingdom under control, but reports say the people are preparing a revolt. Princess Nelia has managed to keep the peace, but the people view her as weak.”
“King Numen betrayed Erathan, served their enemy, and is now dead,” Lira said.
“At least his daughter is there,” Water said. “She is smart enough to lead in his absence.”
“Not if Griffin decides to conquer Erathan,” Fire said. “They wouldn’t last a month.”
Water sighed, disliking the truth to the conversation. The political tension on Lumineia was visible in the valley below. The Erathan soldiers had claimed the northern slopes, where the duke leading them insisted they make camp. Talinorian cavalry argued with them as to the choice in position, saying they should be at the center of the line, where all infantry were positioned. The cavalry could operate better from a flanking position.
Other sections of the valley were equally as tense, with various groups arguing, their heated conversations reaching to Water’s position. Higher officers struggled to maintain control, while the dwarves, elves, rock trolls, and dark elves tried to avoid the complications.
Water scowled at the tension of the allied army. Why did King Justi
n behave with such arrogance? Did he not see that it could destroy them all? Water then recalled a statement Elenyr had frequently quoted regarding nobles.
“They are raised to nobility, wealth, and privilege. It’s not their fault they act with arrogance.”
“It doesn’t make it right,” Water had argued.
Elenyr had shrugged. “I know. But who can teach them?”
Water lifted his gaze to the volcano, annoyed that Serak’s plan made a sort of twisted sense. He could enforce the rule of law and justice, and the nobles would live in perpetual fear of the fiend army.
One of the dark elves spotted Water and separated herself from the rest of her soldiers. With a small personal guard, Queen Erisay climbed the slope. She waved at her guards, who remained behind as she picked her way up the slope.
“Fire, Mind, Lira,” she said, greeting them each in turn.
“Queen Erisay,” Water offered a bow. “Your soldiers look ready.”
“Don’t patronize me,” Erisay said with a smile. “We all know the alliance hangs by a thread.”
Water sighed and pointed to the camps being erected. “Even against a foe like Serak, the nobles cannot set aside their ambition and greed.”
“The surface races have always been on the brink of turmoil,” she said. “A precipice they will tumble from without those that protect their unity.”
Water met her gaze, and realized she was speaking of them. Elenyr, the fragments, the oracle, all had kept the nobles in check, their actions preventing those in power from falling to their darker impulses.
He frowned and looked to Xshaltheria, wondering what the fragments would do after the war with Serak. And Draeken. Few knew of Draeken’s role yet, but it would not be long before the people understood that Serak was merely a servant.
If they survived, would the former fragments return to their former life? Water doubted that, not without the power that had kept them living such a long life. Water alone retained a piece of Draeken, a piece he was not certain he desired to keep, even if it kept him ageless.
“When will the assault begin?” Lira asked.
“Dawn,” she replied.
Fire chuckled at the answer. “I wager Queen Rynda is the source of that decision.”
“Indeed,” Erisay said. “She insisted there was no reason to wait, and King Justin was forced to agree.”
“Do the other human armies now obey his authority?” Water asked.
“They do,” Erisay replied. “As you know, Princess Nelia ceded temporary command of her army to him.”
Fire cursed and pointed to the bickering soldiers. “Justin isn’t going to give up that authority after the war.”
The dark elf smiled faintly. “Rynda, Dothlore, and I will not give him a choice.”
Erisay’s statement bordered on a proclamation for war, and Water chuckled. Justin desired the other two kingdoms, but could not conquer them if he had to defend against the dwarven, rock troll, and dark elf armies.
“You told him that?” Lira asked.
“That’s why he agreed to attack at dawn,” Erisay said. “He may command the largest army on Lumineia, but he is not immune to fear.”
Fire laughed and pointed to the crafty dark elf. “You and Rynda are a dangerous combination.”
“It is only prudent,” Erisay said with a smile. “If the three human kingdoms become one, my people will be threatened. Talinor and Erathan must remain intact.”
She turned and returned to her guards. Water recalled her ability with sound magic, so he kept his silence until she was far enough down the slope that she would not be able to hear his words. Still, he whispered.
“I’m fervently grateful that she is on our side.”
“Aren’t we all,” Fire said.
“It’s no small wonder that she and Rynda have become friends,” Lira said. “Both are women who care nothing for ambition, and merely wish to serve their people.”
“Dark elf and rock troll,” Fire snorted in amusement. “Who would have thought they would be allies.”
“Certainly not I,” Water said.
He turned and watched the soldiers of Xshaltheria casually prepare for the coming onslaught. Most knew that Serak had manipulated the alliance into coming, but for what purpose? Was it just so the fiends from the Dark Gate could destroy the allied armies? Water shook his head. Serak was a brutal tactician, but he was not wasteful, and killing so many would not serve any purpose. So why bring the army to his door?
“We should return to our place,” Fire said. “I don’t want to miss Rynda’s plan for tomorrow.”
“You just want to charge the gates,” Lira said.
“True,” Fire said with a grin. “It’s been ages since I was part of a good assault, and whatever happens, tomorrow will be a battle of legend.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Water warned. “We have yet to understand all that is arrayed against us.”
A distant roar echoed across the valley, stilling the army. Soldiers froze in the midst of erecting tents and sharpening weapons, their eyes turning skyward, searching the fading light for the source of the unmistakable sound.
“Serak must be coming back,” Fire scowled. “This is going to frighten the men.”
“How could it not?” Water asked, searching the skies. “Everyone fears a dragon.”
“Everyone except us,” Fire said.
Water frowned at his brother’s willingness to fight. As a fragment of Draeken he’d been strong enough to stand against the great beasts, but now? Water stole a look at Fire, wishing his brother was not so quick to rush into battle. The thought of losing him again made him shudder.
Another roar echoed, and all eyes snapped to look south, where the rumble of a dragon’s challenge faded into disturbing silence. Water and Fire exchanged a look, and for the first time Fire looked uncertain.
“That didn’t come from the same beast,” Water said.
From the east, a dragon burst into view, soaring above the mountains and banking around the valley. The rider on his neck was obviously Serak, his customary cloak billowing behind him. Water ducked back into the trees above the escarpment, out of sight as the red dragon passed above them. He caught Fire’s arm when he noticed flames appearing on his fingers.
“Don’t,” he warned.
“It’s Bendelinish,” Fire said. “He’s big, but the three of us could handle him.”
“Not with Serak on his back,” Water said.
“If that’s Serak,” Lira said. “Why is there a second dragon?”
Another beast appeared on the horizon, quickly growing larger as the great wings flapped. Water sucked in his breath as the gigantic beast approached. The soldiers shouted and scrambled for weapons, the tumult one of fear.
“You’d think they’d be braver,” Fire sniffed.
“It’s twice the size of Serak’s mount,” Lira breathed.
Water spotted the tiny figure on the neck of the great dragon and dread filled his chest. “It appears Draeken has his own mount,” he said.
Chapter 14: A Daring Plan
“That’s Gorewrathian,” Fire said.
“Who?” Water asked.
Water didn’t take his eyes off the enormous dragon. From snout to spiked tail, the beast was over a hundred feet long, it’s scales thick enough to stop spear and arrow, blade and magic. Horns grew from its head, and spikes ran the length of its tail.
“See the scar across his eye and down the side of his skull?”
Water saw the jagged edges to the broken scales, the scar marking an ugly wound from a past conflict. Another dragon perhaps? Other scars marked its scales, the legacy of conflicts with other dragons.
“Gorewrathian is the strongest red dragon his kind has seen in ages,” Fire said. “And a mortal enemy to the phoenixes.”
“How do you know him?” Lira asked.
“I gave him that scar,” Fire said.
“So I take it you’re not friends?” Water asked.
> “We’re not the type to get together and share a pint of ale,” Fire said.
The great dragon banked into a hover, each stroke of its wings gusting air onto the army below. Water’s gaze remained fixed on the rider. Draeken, whole and unhindered by the fragments. A flicker of yearning kindled in Water’s chest, and he sensed that his piece of Power wanted to join the whole.
“Armies of Lumineia,” Draeken called. “You’ve come to destroy Serak and the Order of Ancients, but instead of Serak you find another. I am Draeken, the greatest of all, Master of Serak, the fragment of Power.”
“We are not afraid of you!” Rynda’s voice came from her army.
The enormous dragon dropped lower as Draeken chuckled. “Queen Rynda, bold to the end. Before blood stains this ground, I will give you one chance. Relinquish your thrones, your castles, your kingdoms, and kneel before me. Do that, and you may live to be my slaves.”
“I’d rather rip your limbs from your body!” Rynda called.
Draeken laughed. “I did hope you’d say that.”
Gorewrathian rose into the sky and turned to the volcano, Serak following as well. They alighted on the volcano edge as the sun fell below the horizon, darkness settling on the valley. In the ensuing silence Fire muttered a curse.
“I’m going to enjoy destroying him.”
Water continued to watch the great dragon as he wrestled with the sense of dread. The fragments had been unable to stop Serak when they’d possessed the fragment of Power. Now they had to face both the Father of Guardians and the fragment of Power.
“We’ll find a way,” Lira murmured.
She caught his hand and squeezed, and he smiled, grateful for Lira at his side. Muttering to himself, Fire turned and descended to the army below, leaving him alone with Lira. As the stars appeared in the dark night, he swept a hand to the lights of the valley.
