The Last of Kel'Thara

by David Partelow

  The group followed Delegas for some time as he traversed the cavern. Behind them, Kaysa could hear the soldiers giving them chase, but could not tell if they were gaining or not. Instead, she kept her focus ahead, fixed on Delegas. She was uncertain if there was another exit, for it felt as if they were going deeper underground.

  Through the darkness and blue flame, Kaysa was soon able to make out the end of the tunnel. Her drumming heart sank in that moment, as it appeared to be a dead end. As the group drew closer though, Kaysa could see dark waters offering the faintest of lights before them. It was then suddenly that a fear gripped her, for Kaysa realized the means needed to escape the caverns.

  “I truly am not in favor of your method of escape,” panted Vienda as she too realized the exit strategy.

  “It is either this or turn and the handful of us face an army,” countered Delegas as he pointed to the waters. “These waters run through below the caverns with spots to surface for air. If we traverse them long enough, they will take us from this place.”

  “I find little reassurance in that summation,” said Kaysa, looking now at the dark pool before them.

  “And I find less in the soldiers swarming us as we speak. Simply take in as much air as your lungs can hold and follow me,” said Delegas as he ventured waist deep into the water.

  Vienda set her jaw as she prepared for their journey. Taking Khey’s hand, she nodded to her chosen. “I am with you all the way,” she said, gripping to his hand. “And I will not let go of you.”

  Khey offered her a tired, serene smile. “I know that you will not. You will hold to my hand as tightly as you do to my heart,” he replied.

  “Into the waters,” said Marro as he and Onzlyn readied their weapons. “We will ensure that they cannot follow us further.”

  “But the sacred waters may still hold some life,” said Delegas.

  “It is the water’s life or ours!” countered Marro as he motioned with his pistol. “Now move!”

  Forced to accept such a choice, Delegas looked at the others as they joined him in the waters. “I will be swift. Follow me closely and be wary of the currents. Let us begin,” he offered before drawing a deep breath and submerging completely.

  Kaysa exchanged a worried glance with her lifelong friend. She reached out and took his hand. “As always, we tempt the fates together,” she said.

  “I’d ever expect no less,” he replied before they both drew breath and pierced the waters fully.

  In their wake, Khey kissed Vienda deep, yet briefly. To Vienda he looked more content and exhausted than moments before. “My love and life are always with you,” he said as she nodded and prepared for their submersion. Drawing a breath, she clasped his hand firmly before they joined the others underwater.

  With the rest of the group gone, Marro spoke to Onzlyn as they held their weapons poised. “Do you think there will ever be a time when we are at peace and not in the midst of such things?”

  “Of course,” said Onzlyn surely. “Death will one day impede our adventures greatly.”

  “I do not know which is worse, the truth of your words or the ease at which you offer them,” said Marro before nodding. “Let us tempt those fates again.”

  Without further words, both friends fired their weapons, striking their intended targets just as Thorindale soldiers cleared the twisting corner ahead. Their bullets pierced the leather-bound spheres, savagely eliciting their desired effect. Violent flame roared from the sphere’s spreading their influence through the cavern and to the other spheres. Soon the pursuing soldiers were engulfed in the blaze, their flesh searing as they cried their surprise and torment. Rock trembled and roared as the cavern collapsed under the fiery assault.

  As the flames reached out in both directions, Marro and Onzlyn dove into the waters. The force of their tactic shook them in their retreat, yet the waters saved them from their enemy’s fate. Securing their weaponry upon them, the two mercenaries swam swiftly to catch up with the others. They could faintly make out the others, but found something else to aid them in their pursuit.

  Trailing Delegas, Kaysa concentrated on the Elder’s son as distraction from the rising fire in her lungs. Wisdom told her to remain calm, yet difficulty arose when she saw no end in sight. A gentle current worked against the progress, furthering Kaysa’s frustration. The young elf channeled her strength, bringing herself closer to Delegas and hopefully fresh air.

  As she began to feel her heart pounding in her chest, Kaysa noticed that Lokus was becoming frantic in his motions. Reaching out, Kaysa took him by his arm, pulling her friend up to her as they thrashed together for speed. Before them, the dark waters seemed bleak. The last hopes of the young elves waned, for both surely felt they could endure no longer before their chests burst.

  Suddenly, Kaysa noticed as Delegas shot upward, his head piercing through the water. The sight of this bolstered Kaysa who pushed even harder to freedom. Lokus joined her in the push, and the two friends offered everything their bodies held to remain alive. Kaysa’s focus became the surface and little else mattered until she reached it.

  At last, relief met Kaysa as her face broke through and she tasted sweet air into her lungs once more. A moment later, Lokus joined her, gulping great mounds of air and laughing his relief. Kaysa grinned despite herself, the thrill of reaching safety instilling her with a tremendous depth of relief. She reached over, taking Lokus’s hand as Vienda and Khey joined them in their achievement.

  “That is the worst of it, friends,” said Delegas as he too reclaimed his breath. “We are not far now. There is some footing over here. Let us rest ourselves for a moment.”

  There were no protests to this. Kaysa turned to smile at Vienda and Khey, happy that they had made it when she gasped in horror. While Vienda’s head had cleared the water, Khey’s had not. As Kaysa pointed, covering her mouth, Vienda turned to see what Kaysa saw. Screaming, Vienda turned her chosen about so that his face pointed upwards.

  Khey’s eyes stared lifelessly at the cavern as a serene smile rested upon his face.

  Vienda pushed to shallower waters, holding her chosen close. Kaysa and Lokus rushed to her side. Sitting, Vienda clutched to Khey. The elf was clearly dead and looked as if he fully expected the fate to befall him.

  “Khey! Love, rouse yourself! We are almost free of this place! Khey! Do not leave me, darling. Not now! You are all the light I have left in this world,” sobbed Vienda as she clutched to her chosen.

  “I do not understand,” said Lokus. “What is wrong? How could he have drowned?” asked the elf, to no one in particular.

  “He did not,” said Marro. Kaysa turned to see Marro and Onzlyn join them. Marro ventured to Khey and knelt before lifting the fallen elf to reveal his back. “He was wounded in our escape and told no one. Onzlyn and I were able to find you because of his blood. I am truly sorry, Vienda. Your chosen was quite brave.”

  “No!” shouted Vienda as she pushed Marro away. “I do not accept your condolences! He must live! He protected us and I cannot fail him now. I cannot endure without him,” said Vienda sobbing. It was the first time that Kaysa had ever seen the proud warrior weep.

  “He decided your life was above his own,” offered Onzlyn, lowering his head. “That is the choice of the valorous, for his love for you was undeniable.”

  Vienda looked between those that watched her now, seeking some answer beyond the gravity of truth resting upon her. She clenched her teeth, hoping to hold to the anger that sustained her then. Yet this anger left her completely then and all that she had left were her sorrow and her tears. Clenching to Khey, she kissed her chosen’s forehead before she buried her head upon him and wept openly and unrelentingly.

  In moments, Kaysa joined Vienda in her grief, feeling the loss of Khey herself. Lokus placed a hand upon her shoulder, squeezing as he did so. Delegas and the others offered the survivors of Quenthell their moment of sadness and tears. Khey had saved them all, and unbeknownst to them, he had secretly paid such a price in
his own blood.

  Suddenly, the persistent exhaustion that had badgered Kaysa relentlessly returned. She had no words, nor desire to oppose its fury. Kaysa merely accepted it, adding her own tears to the waters that surrounded her and her friends. The young elf hoped somehow there was a way to endure until the end.

  What she wanted now more than anything was to not lose another loved one.

  Fighting the reluctance he faced to the task, Delegas cleared his throat and spoke. “I am sorry, Vienda of Quenthell, but we must continue on. The time we have been afforded by this will be short. We must stay ahead of our tormenters.”

  “Delegas is correct,” added Marro. His voice was as gentle as Kaysa had ever heard it. “Vakk is relentless in his pursuit, and he has a vast number of soldiers and resources at his disposal. We should press forward.”

  “I will not go,” said Vienda without releasing her fallen chosen. “I will go nowhere without him.”

  “But we must,” persisted Lokus. “The last thing Khey would want is us to fall as well.”

  Vienda looked at the young elf darkly then. “We can never know what Khey wants again, Lokus. He is gone from us and robbed of all desire. That is a failure I am unable to live with.”

  “Vienda, you are a warrior,” stated Delegas firmly. “This world needs you. Your friends need you. Do not dishonor the memory of his love for you.”

  Vienda clenched again to her chosen, kissing him softly on his forehead. “Do not use his love as a weapon against me,” she uttered with a gravity that was unsettling. “I will continue. But he goes with me. I pity the soul who challenges this.”

  “Very well,” sighed Delegas as he ventured toward their next leg. “But the way ahead will be difficult, so do be prepared. We must traverse this section as well. Not far down the waterway there is a fork in the tunnels. We must take the tunnel on the left. The one on the right is more treacherous and would bring us to an exit more likely to be discovered. But the challenge will be the current. It will want to take us to the right. You must be prepared to oppose it, for once we pass the fork it will be nigh impossible to alter the course.”

  Vienda responded for the lot of them. “There is no going back. We understand that all too well,” she said. To this, Delegas nodded and said nothing more on the matter.

  Wading toward the next leg of their route, Kaysa watched as the water currents gently tugged at Delegas. Talcoros’s son used the stone of the tunnel for support as he motioned for the others to follow him. “The currents will hasten our travels, but again be wary. Follow my lead so you may know where to exit. If not, you may find yourself with not enough breath to carry you.”

  Kaysa began drawing long breaths in preparation. “We are ready, Delegas,” she stated.

  Delegas offered her a quick nod. “Then let us proceed.”

  Gathering air as before, Delegas dove beneath the waters as he pushed ahead. Lokus was quick to follow him. Kaysa wished to help Vienda, but the warrior wanted assistance from no one as she brought her fallen lover into the waters again. Marro watched her grimly as Onzlyn joined Delegas and Lokus in the waters. Marro motioned to Vienda, indicating that he would make sure she made it safely. Satisfied, Kaysa drew a heavy pull of air before immersing in the waters once more.

  Instantly, Kaysa felt her strokes emboldened by the water current. It was easy to see her friends ahead and assured herself that Marro would have Vienda along directly. Kaysa instead relegated her focus to her task, enjoying the feel of the currents as they quickened her pace and ability. This stole from her many of her misgivings and the young elf lost herself in the task.

  Looking ahead, Kaysa saw Delegas reach the fork. Placing himself in front it, the Elder’s son helped guide Lokus and Onlzyn to the left. Nodding within the waters, Delegas reached out his hands, ready to do the same for Kaysa. Kaysa nodded that she understood and readied herself for his assistance.

  Kaysa then witnessed Delegas’s eyes widen as he pointed behind her. Kaysa turned in time to see Vienda still holding onto Khey as she surged ahead. The elf warrior clearly had little control as she held to her dead lover, yet she still refused to let him go. Kaysa kicked out of the way just in time as Vienda rushed by her. The collision between Delegas, Vienda, and Khey was immense, dazing Delagas and prompting the three to drift toward the right tunnel. Delegas reached out to grab the divide as he gripped to Vienda with his other hand. Veinda desperately held onto Khey, who’s lifeless limbs drifted freely in the rising current.

  Kaysa caught herself from calling out underwater and instead rushed to help her friends. Reaching the divide, Kaysa slowed and secured herself as she grabbed hold of Delegas’s arm. The young elf pulled fiercely, fighting bitterly against the current and weight. Much to her frustration, Kaysa’s strength was not enough to pull Delegas to her, despite her best efforts. Yet Kaysa refused to give up as she made another attempt.

  Still holding to Delegas, Kaysa pulled him close enough that she could brace both her legs inside the left tunnel. Placing her legs before her, Kaysa gathered herself and kicked with both of them as she pulled greatly. The young elf received her desired effect, as Delegas finally was pulled into the correct route. But the effort had consequences, for Kaysa’s back and head struck upon the stone behind her, dazing the young elf as she fought to hold her breath and remain awake.

  It was in her dazed state that the currents of the right tunnel pulled her away from the path.

  Still pulling Vienda to safety, Delegas was unable to reach for Kaysa as she drifted away from him. Kaysa tried to work life back into her limbs as she struggled against the daze that held her. Yet her recovery would not be swift enough to save her as she was pulled faster and faster away from her friends and toward the tunnel that Delegas said would likely spell doom. Feeling the rising pull and the futility of resistance, Kaysa closed her eyes as she swirled in the current, exhaustion claiming what fight she had left.

  With the currents dragging her further from her friends, Kaysa prepared for the unknown that awaited her. She knew not where the tunnel would lead her, only that she would be alone. At the moment, she could only feel numbness. Her back and back burned, but she only acknowledged these things faintly. Even the growing fire in her lungs was an afterthought. Kaysa dared not open her eyes, yet knew she must, lest she be thrashed by rock again or miss her chance at air once more.

  It was then that a strong arm wrapped around her, pulling her from the nothingness. Kaysa was then guided as her pull to the nothingness was abated. Her eyes thrust open, and immediately she saw Marro fighting for their lives, swimming feverishly with the current. The realization brought life back to her limbs, and Kaysa pushed with him.

  Soon Kaysa found herself pulled upward by Marro. Dying for relief, Kaysa offered no resistance and continued to push where the mercenary led. Marro never let go of her and Kaysa placed her trust again in him. Rising swiftly, Kaysa discovered Marro’s intention as he found a small pocket of tunnel not filled with water. Both rose above the current as Marro grabbed a jut of rock to hold them in place. The two let cool air quell the burning in their lungs as they recovered themselves.

  “You came for me,” gasped Kaysa as she looked at the mercenary questioningly. “Why?”

  “You and your incessant questions,” breathed Marro absently. Rubbing at his eye he looked about. “I see light ahead. We will have to chance it.”

  “Delegas said it was easy to discover. They may be watching over it,” said Kaysa.

  “Well I see little choice in the matter, Kaysa of Quenthell,” said Marro with heat in his voice.

  Kaysa averted her eyes. “I’m sorry, Marro. I am responsible for our present course.”

  Marro shook his head. “You made a choice, just like I did. Whether it was with our hearts or our heads, we still must accept the consequences regardless. What matters in this moment is that we face this fate together.”

  “I am with you, Marro,” said Kaysa.

  “Just follow my lead and do what I
ask of you. It is all that I ask in this moment. Are we in agreement?” asked Marro.

  “Yes,” said Kaysa.

  “Splendid,” offered Marro as he prepared himself. “We will investigate this light source and face what fate awaits us, for there may not be another beyond it. Now let us be quick and frugal with the breath we are afforded,” he added before he took a final deep breath and submerged. Kaysa soon followed him.

  It was not difficult to follow the light. Kaysa remained close to Marro, following the mercenary’s lead. There before them was another tunnel leading upward and into sunlight. It was not a far span from the looks of it, and currently Marro eyed it sternly. The mercenary soon began his ascension only to stop and retreat. Pausing to look at Kaysa, he pointed upward, wishing her to see. It did not take long for her to make out shadows looming about in the light.

  They were waiting for them.

  Looking between their exit and Kaysa, Marro drew his sword slowly. He then then indicated for Kaysa to wait. He looked at the young elf one more time as she shook her head in protest. She could see the strength building in his eyes as he set his will to the task ahead. Placing his feet upon the tunnel under the exit, Marro squatted and raised his sword before he kicked strongly. Kaysa watched in horror as Marro propelled himself upward and toward danger. She looked up as the mercenary surged, breaking through the water above swiftly to begin his attack against an unknown number of enemies.

  In those moments, Kaysa was caught between her conscience, Marro’s instructions, and the rising fire of her lungs. She could faintly hear the echoes of battle as shadows mingled above her. It took everything in her power to not thrash upward to join the mercenary. This desire could only be quelled for so long before Kaysa could contain it no longer. Mirroring Marro’s actions, Kaysa rushed upward to join the mercenary who was intent on saving her life.