by Ben Hale
“Did he tell you how to stop Draeken and the fiends?” Princess Serania asked, drawing a frown from the first princess of the elves.
Elenyr kept her smile in check. Princess Serania was not one to hold back, and Elenyr liked her courage and bluntness. It reminded Elenyr of Queen Alosia. With two princesses ahead of Serania, it was unlikely that she would take the throne, but Elenyr appreciated her lack of fear in a war council of such magnitude.
“Serak shared a secret that can change the war,” Elenyr said.
Excitement buzzed through the room, with several leaning over to speak to their chosen advisors. The surge of hope was palpable, and Mind smiled, probably at what he’d overheard in scattered thoughts. Then Elenyr noticed Dothlore’s frown.
“So your plan is based on knowledge from Serak?” He jerked his head. “I am uncertain we can trust him so much.”
“Then trust me,” Elenyr said, rotating so she could meet the eyes of everyone in the room. “This is our only way of defeating Draeken, his generals, and his army.”
“Where is Oracle Senia?” Queen Annah asked.
Others looked about as if suddenly realizing the oracle was not present. Before their confusion could turn to doubt, Elenyr swept her hand upwards, into the castle. “The oracle has withdrawn to explore possible futures. Time is short, and she seeks to ascertain the best course for one aspect of our plan. Rest assured, she agrees with my plan, or I would not be here.”
“What can you tell us?” Melora asked.
“In order to be victorious, we must kill the four generals, and then we close the Dark Gate, all within a few minutes.”
“At the same moment?” the orc king scoffed. “How? The Gate is in Xshaltheria under heavy guard, and the four generals are sure to be here.”
“We will send a small force to destroy the Gate,” Elenyr said.
“I understand that was already tried,” Queen Annah said.
“Not when Draeken’s focus is here,” Rynda said, rubbing her steel hand against the table, lost in thought. “Then we faced Draeken, Serak, fiends, even his dragons. This time they would all be here.”
“But at the same time?” The gnome king’s voice was full of doubt.
“We strike when the sun is at its zenith,” Elenyr said. “The generals will be on the battlefield, so we merely need to locate them, and attack at the right moment. To succeed, we must endure throughout the morning.”
“Can we do that?” Dothlore asked.
“Are you doubting our defenses?” Queen Alosia asked.
“Not our defenses,” Dothlore exclaimed. “But from what our scouts say, the fiend army already numbers in the millions, and it’s still growing.”
“Surely we will be swept aside,” the orc said.
“We must survive until noonday,” Elenyr repeated. “And there are several elements in motion to assist with that.” She gestured to the fragments. “Water has a task, as does Mind. Both may bring reinforcements.”
“Who can help us now?” Rynda asked, a frown on her face. “We have already gathered all our forces.”
She wants to know if the Bonebreaker is joining us, Mind spoke into Elenyr’s thoughts.
Tell her the truth, Elenyr replied in the same manner. She deserves the truth.
“That I cannot reveal,” Elenyr said to the group, even as a small smile formed on Rynda’s features. “Just know that we will not stand alone on the morrow.”
“I don’t understand,” Queen Nelia exclaimed. “If we kill the generals and close the Gate, we will still have to contend with the millions of fiends already through the Gate. Surely we cannot stand against so many.”
“The fiends will no longer be a threat to us,” Elenyr said.
“What about Draeken?” Rynda asked.
Elenyr looked to her sons, and they held her gaze. Mind inclined his head, a confirmation that they would do what is necessary. She faced the kings and swept her hand to her sons.
“If you can hold the city until noonday, my sons and I will help with the generals and Draeken himself. If we fail in this, the city and all of Lumineia will fall to Draeken.” She turned to each, meeting their eyes, hoping they would accept her plan. “In this I ask for your faith and trust. If we follow this plan, we have a chance at ending this war. Permanently.”
Chapter 32: For Elenyr
Water ascended the spiral staircase that wrapped around a thick limb, the city gradually falling away as he climbed to the highest point in Ilumidora. Situated in the lofty branches of Urindilial, the small overlook extended above the aquaglass sphere that held the fortress. Water reached the barrier and placed his hand against it, opening a portal so he could pass above the protective sphere. Higher and higher he climbed, until he could see the great breadth of the elven forest.
The overlook at the top of the limb sat nestled in a crook between two branches, the small hut containing only a peaked roof and wide windows. Water stepped to the eastern side of the hut, his eyes drawn to the destruction in the distance.
Draeken’s fiend army was drawing closer by the hour. Dragon fire from his two beasts poured from the sky, burning the trees of Orláknia, and allowing the fiends to rip them from the earth. By the time they reached Ilumidora in the morning, a third of the forest would be ravaged.
A great cry rose from the elves of the city as their forest was destroyed, the lamentation a deep keening of anger and loss. Water clenched his fist on the railing of the overlook and knew Draeken destroyed the forest out of spite.
The other fragments appeared behind him, one by one joining him in the overlook. Light brought up the rear, panting from the climb. They took places at the window to survey the destruction in the distance, all falling silent as more fire erupted from Gorewrathian, briefly illuminating the great dragon in the twilight sky.
“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” Water motioned to the approaching army. “After all we’ve been through, now we battle the fragment of Power.”
“Elenyr said he was our brother too,” Fire said. “But I don’t believe that.”
“He could have been one of us,” Mind murmured. “He has chosen his own path.”
“I liked having such power.”
Shadow’s voice was disappointed as he reached to the dark night and shaped the shadows into a dragon. The beast was smaller than he’d previously cast, and lacked the sharp definition. Water placed his hand on Shadow’s shoulder.
“The fragment of Power no longer binds us, but that does not mean we are divided.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” Light said softly.
“You won’t,” Fire smiled at Light. “We’ve always come out as victors before. It’s not about to change this time.”
“We’ve never faced a threat like this,” Mind said.
Water chuckled as his words elicited a memory. “Do you remember when we went with Elenyr to fight a nest of reavers for the dwarves?”
“The silver reavers,” Light’s eyes brightened as he recalled. “The one where I—”
“Yes,” Shadow groaned. “The one where I lost my arm.”
“It grew back.” Fire grinned and poked his left shoulder, the one that Shadow had been forced to regrow.
Mind’s expression was fond. “As I recall, Light lost his temper because the beasts weren’t playing nicely. He killed two with a giant spear.”
“And cut off my arm,” Shadow said flatly.
Water laughed at the memory. “You picked up your arm and shook it at Light,” he said. “Your face turned purple you were so angry.”
“You were rather upset,” Light said.
“Not as upset as when you tried to fix it.” Fire grinned at Light.
Shadow chuckled sourly. “I’m glad you found my arm amusing.”
“Didn’t Light keep the arm for a while?” Water asked. “Whatever happened to it?”
“Elenyr burned it,” Shadow said, shaking his head sadly. “She caught me trying to attach it so I could have a third arm.�
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They all laughed, and Water tried to imagine his brother with three arms. It was exactly the type of thing Shadow would attempt, or at least would have attempted, prior to losing the fragment of Power.
He looked at his brothers, laughing and talking about their lives together, and it reminded him of the memories Elenyr had saved, and used to help Mind fight Draeken in Blackwell Keep. She’d always seen them as family, even when they had not seen it in themselves.
He looked back on their life, of how much she had taught and guided, always with patience and compassion. Had she ever wavered in her dedication to their strange family? Had she considered a different course?
His brothers were laughing about another incident, this time between Shadow and Mind, when Shadow had gotten Mind ejected from a guild of mercenaries who thought he’d stolen their prized blade collection. Mind smiled as Shadow described Mind’s indignation. Mind reminded them of Shadow’s punishment, to return the blades and complete five contracts for the guild. For free.
“Elenyr always did take care of us,” Water said.
The amusement faded as they all turned their thoughts to Elenyr, the woman that loved them. Light’s shoulders hunched, his brow furrowed in thought. Shadow looked out over the approaching fiend army, while Mind and Fire exchanged a look.
“I wish there was something we could do for her,” Light said.
“She’s shouldered more than anyone,” Fire nodded in agreement.
“And saved our lives more times than we can count,” Mind said. “She even saved us from ourselves.”
Shadow folded his arms. “Plus we might die tomorrow, so whatever we might get her, we have to do tonight.”
“Like a dress?” Light rubbed his chin.
Fire snorted in amusement. “She’s the type of woman that would prefer a new set of armor.”
“Perhaps a sword?” Water suggested.
“No,” Mind said. “It is us she cares most about, and there is something we can give her that she will value.”
“A hug?” Light seemed confused.
Mind shook his head. “We survive.”
“You’re saying the best gift we can give Elenyr . . . is us?” Shadow smirked. “I knew I was special, but I didn’t realize I had such value.”
Mind pointed to the fiend army and Draeken, their adversaries. “We all know what we face, and she fears for our lives. If we survive this war, it is the greatest gift we can give her, to not die at the hands of Draeken.”
“She thinks she failed us,” Water nodded to Mind. “She thinks that she failed to protect us from Draeken. If we defeat him, we will show her how much she has done for us, how much she means to us.”
“So we give her a victory,” Fire said. “A victory and her family.”
“For Elenyr?” Water asked.
“For Elenyr,” Shadow said.
Fire inclined his head. “For Elenyr.”
Light smiled. “For Elenyr.”
Last of all, Mind held their gaze. “For Elenyr, our mother.”
Five brothers, standing united for the mother that had raised them. The sight brought a tear to Water’s eye, and he swallowed at the sudden knot to his throat. This was his family, the family he fought for, would die for.
“This could be pointless,” Shadow finally said. “We could all die tomorrow and Elenyr will be in mourning forever.”
“Way to ruin the moment,” Fire said with a sigh.
“What?” Shadow shrugged. “We all know it’s true.”
“It is true,” Water said. “But this time, we aren’t fighting just to win. We’re fighting for each other, for Elenyr, for the ones we care about. Draeken has nothing to fight for.”
Fire shrugged like it would be easy. “Destroy the fragment of Power, end the fiend army, kill the four generals, and seal the Dark Gate at the same moment from miles apart.”
“And not die,” Mind said.
Water chuckled at their words. “Until recently, we were always part of the same soul, so I don’t think I ever said it. But I love you. You are my brothers and family, and I would die for you.”
“But you won’t,” Light said, obviously concerned. “Because we just made a pact to survive for Elenyr.”
“Yes, Light,” Water said with a smile. “That is our plan.”
Shadow groaned. “You know I love you. Now can we get on with this? This war won’t be won with us gushing about our feelings.”
Mind’s jaw tightened in determination. “I will see you the morning.”
“As will I,” Water said.
He embraced the other fragments, all laughing when Shadow pretended to panic when Water approached. Then he nodded to Mind and Fire before turning to Shadow and Light, the only two fragments to remain in Ilumidora.
“Keep Elenyr safe,” he said.
Light straightened. “Always.”
Water smiled and then descended the steps to the aquaglass shield around the castle. He allowed his brothers to pass. Mind brought up the rear, and their eyes met. They did not speak, either in voice or magic, but Water understood the resolution. It didn’t matter how, but they would be victorious.
They left, and Water sealed the shield, closing off the opening. Then he stepped onto the shield and used his magic to pass above the aquaglass, falling down the side to reach the main gates of the fortress.
The guards cried out as he dropped in their midst, but a captain barked for order. His arrival caused Lira to turn, a smile on her face as she pointed to the sphere.
“Couldn’t take the stairs?”
“I was already running late,” Water said.
“True,” Lira said. “But you’re always running late.”
“My apologies,” Water said, not rising to her tease.
“Did you speak to your brothers?” she asked.
“I did.”
“And?”
The two turned away from the fortress and Water collected liquid from a nearby stream, fashioning a wheel of water. Larger than normal, it had spikes on the curve, allowing it to dig into the bark of the limb. He climbed inside and she claimed the second seat inside the wheel.
“We have an accord,” he said.
They sped down the sloped limb, curved around a trunk, and then threaded through the ranks of soldiers to reach the southern gates. Once outside the city, he poured his magic into the wheel, the circle of water spinning so fast the landscape blurred by. Dirt and mud kicked up into their wake.
“What sort of accord?” she had to shout over the sound of the spinning wheel.
“The type that brings victory,” he called back.
“To have that, we’re going to have to be successful,” she shouted. “And those we seek to enlist will be reluctant to join our cause.”
“We’ll find out soon enough!” he called back.
They streaked through the trees, speeding their way down the wide road. Behind them, the fiend army gradually swallowed Ilumidora, ripping the forest apart as it surrounded the alliance. Water set his magic into the wheel, knowing that life on Lumineia hung in the balance.
The hours of the long night sped by, and Lira managed to fall asleep. Water kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, unwilling to pause or rest. This time, they would be victorious. This time they would stop Draeken for good.
“For Elenyr,” he whispered, and pushed the wheel to even greater speed.
Chapter 33: Draeken’s Kingdom
Draeken surveyed the forest of Orláknia, a sneer spreading on his features. He’d though the allied races would have gathered at Terros, an easy victory. But he’d found the city abandoned, and in anger, he’d ordered it destroyed. Then he’d set his sights on Ilumidora. When the fiends had reached the forest, he’d burned it, using his dragons to rend great furrows in the beautiful elven woods. The fiends had leveled the trees, leaving burning logs and limbs scattered in piles across the region.
Destroying the forest did little to the alliance, but they were watching, and to witness
their beloved forest be destroyed would strike fear into the hearts of elves and man. Such destruction required power, and Draeken wanted them to know exactly what they faced.
Already his army of fiends was halfway around Ilumidora, the sound of snapping wood and rending earth filling the air. By dawn, the bright city would be surrounded by a sea of fiends, an island from which there would be no escape.
Draeken could feel the weight of the fiends pull on his willpower, an omnipresent anchor against his mind. The burden was shared by four others, his four generals. He shouldered the bulk of the load, but without them, he could not endure for long.
He fleetingly considered the prospect of ordering his generals to remain away from the battlefield. They were his greatest strength, and his greatest vulnerability. If they were killed, it would force Draeken to shoulder the entire weight of the fiend army, at least until they managed to return to Lumineia through the Dark Gate. (Return to Lumineia? Or Kelindor?)
Draeken shook his head and directed Gorewrathian to swerve around Ilumidora. The generals were almost impervious, their magic greater than any mage. Only a handful posed a threat to the generals, and if they were killed, they would not truly perish. He smiled, pleased that Serak had possessed such foresight to ensure the generals would endure. For all of Serak’s weakness, he’d laid the foundation for Draeken’s future.
From his vantage point, Draeken could see the alliance gathering on the walls. They’d obviously left traps and dangers in the mile outside the city. The fiends halted at the invisible barrier, leaving Ilumidora ringed by the final trees. The dangerous ground of traps and pitfalls had been covered, a needless gesture, as the fiends would not attempt to avoid the traps. They would just perish, and the fiends behind would trod their corpses underfoot.
Draeken chuckled to himself. The alliance thought the fiends were sentient, but they were more like limbs to his mind. They obeyed his will, and when he gave the order, they would charge the city and continue to assault the walls until all those within were dead or the survivors surrendered.
At his command, Gorewrathian came to a hover high above the city. Moonlight filtered through the cracks, but against a backdrop of dark clouds Draeken and his mount were almost invisible.
