The spear whistled upon the wind as it traveled. Vakk watched as the weapon flew true, spanning the distance before it was swallowed in the nothingness, disappearing before the eyes of the third legion. Murmurs of surprise and confusion erupted from the ranks as Vakk waited patiently. In the distance, he heard the spear strike ground as its magical tip started its work.
A great burst of dark magic spat from the spear, blasting forth a vicious pulse of energy. This energy echoed outward, tearing into the magical veil that hid the spear. The magic of the spear ate at the veil like a virus, revealing beautiful forests and splendor. Many of the legion gasped, for few if any of the group had ever witnessed such vibrant nature before.
Satisfied, Vakk drew his sword. “Ravagers, prepare to fire on the marks I’ve given you,” he commanded before lowering his sword. “Fire, now!”
Armaments, fueled and driven by black powder, spat skyward as they reached into the gentle forest. The third legion watched as the gentle landscape before them trembled. Explosions now thundered in the distance as Vakk waited patiently. The Ravagers reloaded and fired again and again, not knowing what they fired upon, yet also offering it no mercy. Many soldiers waited anxiously for a counterattack that never arrived.
After some patience, Vakk was at last satisfied as he motioned forward with his blade. “All soldiers, push forward! To conquest, to glory!” he commanded.
At his words, the near entirety of the third legion rushed forward, weapons at the ready. Their very footfalls caused the forest to tremble as they traversed forward. Wildlife fled against their advance as swift, inevitable doom flooded the forest and lands of Quenthell. The Ravagers continued their barrage as the infantry pressed forward. Vakk watched all this with indifference, for this was the will of King Thorien and as so, it must be done.
The last remaining remnants of Kel’Thara, the final bastion of harmony in the word had been judged.
And the judgment was utter annihilation.
4 A seed of hope
Inside the sanctuary of the Elders, Kaysa and the others heard felt an unnatural thunderclap as it shook the keep. From outside, the screams of villagers could be heard. Kaysa shuddered at this, for the pain of her village could be easily felt. She still could not move, so frozen by the new revelations and enduring agony of the outside world.
At last, the voice of Talcoros rose above all other voices. “Agotha! You and the others must raise the shield at once! It is the only way we will withstand the next several moments!”
Agotha’s features darkened as she realized the implication of the eldest Elder’s decree. “Without you we won’t sustain it nearly long enough,” she countered as she pointed to Kaysa and Lokus. “Surely you do not mean to do what I think you are doing.”
Talcoros looked at his fellow elder gravely. “There is no other choice. Time has escaped us. For the good of all of Kel’Thara it must be done.”
Agotha looked between Talcoros and the other elders. She then fixed hard eyes upon Kaysa as she pointed an angry finger. “You have brought us doom. Now see if you can bring forth some hope,” she murmured before she nodded to her superior. “Very well, Talcoros. We shall offer you what time we can afford. The rest is on you. Be quick as you can about it.”
Talcoros approached Agotha, placing a hand upon her shoulder. Agotha held to his arm with both hands, a gesture that revealed more affection than Kaysa had ever seen from the woman. “Even the darkest of fates can be cast out by the light,” he whispered to her.
Agotha nodded. “Whether here or in the embrace of Tharador’s great spirit, I will see you again,” she said before releasing Talcoros and speaking to the others.
Kaysa watched as Agotha assembled the remaining Elders. Circling the center of the sanctuary around the pyre, the Elders joined hands, sharing with one another their spirits and energies. Thus joined, Agotha uttered an incantation that the others soon joined. A sudden swell gripped the group as they strained in a concerted effort. From the pyre a vision of the village appeared, encased in a mystic green energy.
Watching his brethren, Talcoros nodded as their spell deflected the explosive assaults upon it. “They have done all they can. The rest is up to us,” he said before motioning to Kaysa and Lokus. “You two, come with me at once.”
Kaysa took some pulling and urging from Lokus, but at last followed along. Talcoros walked swiftly as the Elder’s Hall erupted into chaos. Guards helped in injured villagers as initiates set about to heal wounds. Many asked Talcoros for guidance but the ancient Elder pressed on towards an unknown destination. Kaysa and Lokus kept close to him, fearful that the amassing influx of villagers could separate them easily.
As they turned a corner, Kaysa set her eyes on Vienda who held an injured guard while another worked upon him. The young elf saw the short, auburn hair of the healer as he fumbled in his pack for the correct salve. He was not the most graceful of her kinsfolk, but what he lacked in agility was compensated for with vast his knowledge of healing. Kaysa recognized Khey immediately as he hurried to assist one of Vienda’s comrades.
Seeing them, Talcoros called out to the head of Quenthell’s defenses. “Vienda! I need you at once. Bring Khey,” he commanded.
Vienda looked between the Elder and her wounded guard. “Nevin requires care presently,” she stated as she held the elf firmly. Next to her Khey did his best to work more quickly.
“Your blade is required elsewhere, commander. For the good of all of Quenthell, honor your oath!” spat Talcoros as he struck the end of his staff upon the floor.
Unnerved, Vienda exchanged a glance with Khey before looking at Nevin. The injured guard nodded to her as Khey hastily covered the wound at his side. Kaysa watched as Vienda squeezed Nevin’s arm before she and Khey departed. Taking Khey by his hand, Vienda rushed alongside Talcoros as the five elves headed to their destination.
“It is my hope that your urgency outweighs the lives of my soldiers,” offered Vienda grimly.
Talcoros continued his brisk pace, not even looking at Vienda as he replied. “My urgency is for the preservation of all life before it is too late,” he said before pointing with his staff. “Your duty is to me and Quenthell, so honor my command while there is still time.”
“As ordered, Elder,” said Vienda as her features hardened with purpose and duty.
Kaysa remained silent as she watched Talcoros and the others. The Elder was fixed solely on his objective. Vienda too was set toward this motion, as their purpose was united. Khey hovered close to Vienda, securing his bag of supplies as he nearly tripped over his own feet. Lokus’s eyes darted about warily as the sounds outside kept him ever on alert.
Finally, the chaos and uncertainty got the best of Kaysa. “Where are we going, Talcoros?” she asked.
“Where I instruct you to go, child,” he said, offering no more. Kaysa remained silent, knowing that no more words would be proffered on the subject.
Turning sharply at another corner, the group found themselves facing a dark corridor. Talcoros lead them wordlessly halfway down the stretch before he stopped abruptly. Searching both ends of the corridor, the Elder then placed his focus on the wall to their left. Resting a hand on it, Talcoros muttered a series of words and the wall opened, revealing a hidden passageway. Talcoros headed inside, motioning for the others to follow.
Kaysa ventured with the others into the secret corridor. The group waited as Talcoros ensured they had not been noticed before shutting the door. The closing of the secret door left them in complete and utter darkness. In moments, Talcoros mumbled a spell before the tip of his staff coursed with yellow light. The Elder quickly touched that tip to the wall, waiting as the staff surged and pressed its light to the wall.
The conjured light clung to the wall as it neared it, rushing with its own purpose. The yellow illumination quickly shot down the length of the wall, offering a line of steady, gentle warmth and illumination. Moving at its swift place, it did not take long for the magic to cover the span of the sec
ret passageway and end upon the opposite wall. Kaysa marveled at the magic light before she was pulled from the spell by the insistence of Talcoros.
"Come," said the Elder, "for even time has become our adversary now."
Talcoros’s pace hastened as he lead the others through the narrow passageway. After two turns, a series of worn, twisting stone stairs leading downward was revealed. Talcoros paused only a moment to listen to the progress of the outside world before heading downstairs. The others exchanged glances as they reluctantly followed.
"What is the purpose of this?" asked Vienda.
"This purpose is for everything and more," offered Talcoros.
"I tend to worry more when you choose to speak in riddles," offered Khey softly.
"All will be made clear soon enough," sighed Talcoros as he continued onward.
Behind the adults, Lokus whispered to Kaysa. "I don't like this, Kaysa," he offered as his eyes continued to scour about. "Where do we go from here? What do we do?"
Kaysa reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Wherever we go and whatever we do, my only promise to you is that we shall not endure it alone," she offered. To this, Lokus gave her a courageous nod and the two friends rushed to keep up with the others.
From the top of the swirling stairs, Kaysa watched as Talcoros reached a large stone door. Upon this door was a slab of stone with a handprint etched upon it. The Elder placed his hand upon the print as he again whispered a phrase that Kaysa could not hear. The handprint soon glowed as the door released its locks and opened. A cool, musty scent soon mingled with jasmine and whispers of the forest as the contents of the room were revealed. Sighing, Talcoros walked into the room.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Kaysa searched about as the magic light revealed a large room. Instantly the young elf was relieved of her breath as her eyes surveyed what had to be sacred ground. In the center of the room was an ancient cylindrical altar and resting on that altar was what appeared to be a large seed. The seed rested in a bed of soft soil and the altar was held with more of the magic light, keeping the seed embraced in its warmth. Everything in the room was made to elevate the large seed, as nothing else appeared to matter.
Talcoros approached the altar and Kaysa could practically feel the reverence pouring from the Elder. He reached for the seed before pausing abruptly. The pain and revere in the elf's eyes were vibrantly tangible. Kaysa came to stand next to him, looking up at the Elder to see if there was anything she could do.
"Long have I dreaded the possibility of such a day," breathed Talcoros as he tried to steady his hands. "What you see before you now is a glimpse of infinite possibility and the last hope of our world"
"What is it, truly?" asked Kaysa.
Talcoros drew a long breath before responding. "This is a Throngling, a seed of Tharador, the great tree of life. Even in its slumber it is the heart and life that fuels Quenthell and gives us light against death and desolation. And it is the last of its kind and the last of Kel'Thara."
“What are you saying?” asked Khey.
Talcoros looked on the healer gravely. “It is the key to all things. Few know of the veil that protects us and even fewer know the truth that lies beyond it. Outside of our borders, there is nothing left of our world. Tharador is dead and our Kel’Thara withers slowly to oblivion with it. Our only chance now is to save this seed and see it awakened.”
Vienda stiffened. “And what of the rest of Quenthell?”
Talcoros turned from the others, focusing again upon the seed. Soon his head lowered. “The town is already lost. They are already lost. All that is left now is our purpose and the seed of Tharador,” he said.
Vienda clenched her fists as fire filled her eyes. “You would leave them to die so easily? Our friends? Our families?”
Talcoros swung around again fiercely. “You still do not see! If this seed is claimed, then all is lost. Our friends, our families are doomed regardless. For any of them to have a hope we must be away from this place. You cannot see the gravity of our cause, but you will,” he said, looking at all the others in turn. “I assure you now. You will.”
Feeling the gravity of his point was achieved, Talcoros placed his full focus on the seed again. The reverence the Elder felt in those moments merely deepened, making his next actions even more difficult. With trembling hands, Talcoros hovered over the seed before plunging them upon the revered item. Lifting the seed, the Elder nearly wept as he cradled it.
Without pulling his eyes from the seed, he spoke again to the others. "This is our purpose now. There are no other duties other than keeping this seed alive, for its fate is our own," he said.
"What must we do, Talcoros?" asked Kaysa.
Talcoros looked over his shoulder at the young elf. "One breath at a time, Kaysa. First we must be free of this place, then all will be revealed in our continuing purpose. And you must obey my commands without hesitance or question," he said. As the others watched on, Talcoros carried the seed with great care to Kaysa. Kneeling, he placed it in her hands. "Hold this a moment, child," he whispered.
Kaysa held the seed with great care as Talcoros procured a band of leather. Wrapping the seed in it with precise care, the Elder soon fashioned a necklace from the leather. He checked again to ensure the seed was secure, holding it up before him. Soon he was satisfied as he slowly placed the necklace upon the neck of Kaysa.
At Kaysa's surprise, Talcoros spoke. "Kaysa, you can be troublesome, but you are pure of heart. This seed must not only be guarded, but it also must be untainted. This purpose rests upon you and you alone. You must keep this seed close and safe from all dangers, inside and out. Do you understand, child? Please tell me that you do."
"I will help her with this burden," said Lokus adamantly.
"No!" yelled Talcoros as he looked swiftly at Lokus. As the young elf flinched at these words, Talcoros softened. "Kaysa must carry the seed at all cost, Lokus. You cannot share this burden. But you can help ensure she endures the path. Use your bow well, defend her at all costs and make your arrows fly true. You are her friend, so let that friendship fuel your fight, for this is your part in this struggle," he said.
Lokus fought with emotion at the Elder's initial anger but heard Talcoros well. The young elf nodded slowly as he maintained the Elder's gaze. "I understand, Talcoros," he offered as he placed a hand on Kaysa's shoulder. "By my bow, she will be protected."
Talcoros smiled faintly at Lokus before searching the eyes of the others. "This goes for the rest of you. Keep this seed and young woman safe at all costs. At any costs. Do you understand? Do you hear me fully?"
Vienda nodded as she and Khey exchanged a long glance. Khey then spoke for them both. "We hear you very well, Elder, and will do what we must."
Talcoros stood fully upright once more, nodding to the group. "Then it is decided," he said before turning to walk again. "This way."
Kaysa and the others followed the Elder again as he ventured away from the stairwell. Reaching the other side of the room, Talcoros used his hand and another muttered spell to open another hidden passageway. This one was smaller than the last, and offered no warm light as the group traversed the darkness. Talcoros lead them confidently and quickly despite the absence of illumination as the ravages of battle trembled above them.
"We must be mindful, for time is short," mused Talcoros as he navigated through the black. "But we mustn't go unprepared."
After long moments, the group was able to see faint light ahead. Talcoros guided them toward this light, finally using his staff to illuminate a small room with a door waiting for them. The Elder ventured to the corner east of the door, brushing dust off a well-worn chest. Opening it, Talcoros procured travel packs as he handed them to Kaysa, Khey, and Vienda before putting on one himself.
"The packs are old, but they are full of supplies, including preserved foods. They should serve us well on our journey," said Talcoros.
"And what is our destination?" asked Vienda as she secured her pack and
tightened her belt, adjusting her sword.
"Away from this place," replied Talcoros. "More than that, I have no answers beyond the forests of Quenthell."
"No more riddles, Elder," thundered Vienda. "I must know your plans so I can prepare to defend us all!"
Talcoros shook his head softly, his eyes fading with pain and grief. "I have wanted to protect our people and this pocket of life for so long that I no longer know what is beyond our borders, child. And that is the utter truth. What I know is Quenthell is lost, and we shall be too if we do not escape. We must find a place for sanctuary until the drums of war cease. We will not make it far if we do not, whatever that destination may be."
Kaysa gripped the straps of her pack as she thought. "Lokus and I know of such a place and we know it well. We shall lead you to it," she said.
Vienda placed her hands on Kaysa's shoulders. "How certain are you of this place, Kaysa? We have no margin for games or chance," said.
Kaysa's gaze met Vienda's firmly. "It has been kept secret from everyone in Quenthell, save for Lokus and I. It will serve our purpose for the time being, I am sure of it," she offered.
"She speaks true," said Lokus. "It would not be found unless it was truly being scoured for. And even then, it would take time."
"Then that is our destination," said Vienda. "Are you both sure you can get us there in this chaos?"
"With our eyes closed," replied Kaysa. "When the time comes, head north and we'll get you the rest of the way."
"Very well," said Talcoros. "Let us put our hopes to fate then."
With their course plotted, Talcoros took but a moment to collect himself before addressing the door in the room. It took another spell, but the old door opened with ancient reluctance. Beyond the door was another stairway leading up. As the group walked upward, the swirling sounds of battle and pain became quite audible, adding gravity to their purpose. At the top of the stairs, Kaysa prepared herself as Talcoros took her by the hand and pressed on the door above them.
The Last of Kel'Thara Page 4
