The Last of Kel'Thara

by David Partelow

  “Madness,” said Kaysa.

  King Thorien shook his head. “No, not yet, child. But surely you shall see it soon enough,” he said.

  Kaysa watched as King Thorien reached inside his tunic to procure a bronze medallion. The king then held it to his lips as he whispered an incantation, an incantation that grew in intensity as Thorien placed his full will into it. The medallion soon glowed red as the king was now shouting the words. Kaysa’s confusion was soon squashed at the sound of a terrifying roar.

  The intensity of the roar was enough to shake Kaysa’s bones. The young elf searched about as the fervor of whatever beast that bellowed drew closer. At her uncertainty, King Thorien smiled. Clasping the medallion into his closed fist, the king waited, patient and triumphant. Kaysa sought comfort in the magic of the seed, searching about for whatever evil her adversary had unleashed upon her.

  And then, the beast attacked.

  Kaysa jumped back as the skylight above was obliterated. The young elf gasped as a scarred, winged beast landed in the middle of the room. Kaysa had never seen a creature so large before, and its steps shook the throne room as it searched about. Claws tore into the ivory floor as wisps of smoke etched from its nostrils. And as it turned to see her with its ice blue eyes of pain and hatred, Kaysa knew she was looking upon a dragon.

  The dragon roared once more as King Thorien held up the medallion. Despite her fear, Kaysa looked upon the dragon with pity, for the creature was horribly marred. Scars littered the beast from tail to nose, its horns carved down to fine points. Melted to its chest was a medallion similar to the king’s. Currently this medallion glowed as well, and as its glow intensified, so did the glow of the dragon’s eyes. Through caked blood, soot, and scars, she could scantily see scales that were unscathed, shimmering with whispers of silver beneath the grime.

  Stretching its wings, the dragon snorted and growled. Kaysa saw the wings matched the rest of the beast, adorned with agony. Upon its back were a cluster of black eggs. Around its neck a collar choked the beast, adding to its torment. With any resistance, the medallion and necklace seared at the dragon’s flesh. The smell of burnt scales and the screech brought from them sickened Kaysa equally.

  “As you can see, child, there is no hope,” said King Thorien.

  “What have you done?” Kaysa demanded.

  King Thorien held forth his medallion. “With ancient magic, I have bent this magnificent creature to my will. I offer you the last of the dragons, the last matriarch. With the same magics we have revived the birthing process. Soon I will possess more dragons, and with them I will cleanse this world at last.”

  “There truly is no hope for you, or for the world in your hands.”

  “I am the only hope this world has left,” said Thorien.

  “No, you are not,” said Kaysa.

  King Thorien held up the medallion as he willed the dragon to him. “Let us waste no more words and end this defiance at last,” he said.

  At his magical command, the dragon hissed and went to King Thorien’s side. With swift movements, Thorien sat himself upon the black, ornate saddle that appeared fused onto the dragon’s back. The king then pointed toward Kaysa as the medallion glowed more brightly than before. The dragon’s eyes blazed with magic and hatred as it set its sights upon his quarry.

  Offering a blood-curdling roar, the dragon walked toward Kaysa. The young elf backed away slowly, uncertain of what to do. Her instincts told her to run, yet also she realized there was no place to flee from either the king or the dragon. Kaysa’s backing steps halted then, for she understood that regardless of the opposition, she had to take a stand.

  At the thundering behest of King Thorien, the dragon pounced at Kaysa. Kaysa threw up her hands in defense, letting the magic of the seed protect her. The dragon’s teeth and claws buried into the magical defense, and Kaysa cried out at the strain. The dragon set upon the barrier savagely, biting and clawing for purchase. As Kaysa weakened, the dragon offered a heavy swipe of its clawed hand. And though the shield protected her, Kaysa was still cast back a great length, hitting the ground painfully.

  Trying to focus through the pain, Kaysa willed herself to stand. She could hear the thundering footfalls of the dragon as it charged her. Rising to one knee, Kaysa enveloped herself in a shield once more. This time, the dragon drew on its wings for flight and speed as it crashed fully into her shield. Both elf and dragon screamed at the force of the impact. The dragon was knocked back several steps, staggering as Kaysa was again cast through the air, striking painfully against one of the room’s giant pillars.

  Kaysa grimaced, wracked in pain. She willed the seed for healing, though the agony of the assault remained. Before her, the dragon recovered, urged on by its master’s relentless commands. Smoke again billowed from the dragon’s snout as it drew a heavy breath, its eyes raging with its intent. Kaysa held up her hands, knowing what was coming, hoping beyond hope she could endure it.

  And then the dragon spat forth its savage breath of flame.

  The dragon flame poured like a relentless fount, engulfing Kaysa completely. Kaysa could feel the heat through her magical defense, feel the fires eating away at her resistance. Slowly Kaysa stood, her view now only raging fire as she sought a means to endure. Her time was waning and eventually her flesh and spirit would be consumed in hungry flames.

  Reaching with her right hand, Kaysa continued to harness the power of the shield as she willed further magic upon the floor. With the greatest effort, Kaysa gasped relief as the magic of the seed responded to her will. Clenching her fist, Kaysa surged it before her and as she did, the magic responded in kind.

  The floor between the dragon and Kaysa burst skyward, rushing toward the dragon like a torrid wave. The dragon’s fiery assault ceased as it lowered its head. As a wave of stone, soil, and sand washed upon the dragon, King Thorien was cast from his seat, battered heavily by the relentless assault. Crashing upon the floor, the king briefly lost hold of the medallion before scrambling to reclaim it.

  Holding the medallion once more, King Thorien pointed again to Kaysa. “Slay her now! Do it, beast, or know suffering like you’ve never known before!”

  Harnessing its focus upon Kaysa again, the dragon snarled and as it reared, ready for another bout. Kaysa, knowing there would be nothing held back, let herself be fully immersed in the swell of magic within her. And again her eyes flared in brilliant, pure light as magic encircled her being. Clenching her fists, Kaysa readied herself for the conflict to resume, knowing what she had to do.

  With the dragon rushing toward her again, Kaysa raised her hands. With renewed purpose and the magic of Tharador surging through her, Kaysa channeled her full will into her actions. The dragon faltered as the ground beneath it trembled and broke open. Roaring again, the dragon was caught by surprise as vines, roots, and soil rose to ensnare her. With the soil grabbing her limbs, vines and roots wrapped about the dragon’s body and snout. Unable to snap its jaws or breathe fire, the dragon fought relentlessly against the magical power restraining her.

  Holding out her hands, Kaysa let the magic within her pull the two pieces of her conjured staff into them as her power swelled. Holding the pieces together, Kaysa watched as the staff was healed before it shimmered with its own light. Readying it in her hands, Kaysa rushed forward as the dragon continued its struggle. Gathering herself, Kaysa leaped into the air, well above the dragon as she held her staff in both her hands.

  At the peak of her great jump, a leap bolstered by magic, Kaysa used her newfound strength against the dragon, striking it with a tremendous blow. The shockwave of the assault cast out in all directions, cracking the pillars of the room and knocking King Thorien upon the ground again. Kaysa too crumbled at the strength, falling backwards onto the ground. Before her, as the dust and fury settled, the dragon lay still.

  With shaky limbs, Kaysa brought herself to stand once again. Hobbling, she tried to return strength to her hands and legs. As the dust settled, Kaysa set her eye
s upon the dragon. To her relief, the beast was bested. Blood trickled from its mouth and snout as it huffed anguished breaths. The medallion upon its chest now laid in pieces before it. It’s eyes now looked at Kaysa dimly, almost unrecognizable to Kaysa in their softness.

  And Kaysa’s heart suddenly ached for the dying creature.

  Holding a cautious and bloody hand before her, Kaysa crept slowly toward the dragon. The creature watched her, yet none of the malice before remained. What Kaysa saw there was sadness in infinite amounts. Fearing words would scare the beast, Kaysa willed her intentions to it, hoping that they conveyed the fact that she meant no harm.

  Now only steps from the dragon, Kaysa slowed further. The dragon stirred, yet it was evident by its injuries and the restraints upon it that the beast would offer no quarrel. Instead it allowed its head to rest fully upon the floor, accepting willingly whatever fate awaited it. Kaysa understood then, could feel the truth of the matter through the dragon’s anguish.

  For in the grand scheme of things, it too was just another victim.

  Kaysa could bear it no longer. Now before the dragon, Kaysa sat on her knees, placing her hands upon the dragon’s head. The dragon snorted a surprised breath and tried to shy away, yet Kaysa persisted, running her hands across the creature’s skin. Soon the dragon calmed, no longer resisting the care it received. The sight of it brought tears to Kaysa. The dragon had been bent and broken to a selfish will, and the very thought of it was unbearable.

  “I wish we had never quarreled,” whispered Kaysa to the dragon as she continued petting its head and cheeks. “You deserved none of this.” Kaysa then looked upon the back of the creature at the cluster of eggs. “None of you did.”

  The dragon watched Kaysa and her tears softly. To the young elf’s surprise, soon the dragon’s eyes watered as well. Kaysa sobbed through the moment they shared, resting her head upon the dragon. And in that moment, Kaysa decided that she owed the dragon the chance at trying.

  Still holding onto the dragon, Kaysa touched her head to its head, letting the room’s sounds soften to only their breathing. The dragon offered no resistance, closing its eyes as its spirit joined with the young elf. The exchange prompted the seed to stir without effort, and soon soft light rose between both dragon and elf. Kaysa’s hair flowed freely as the energy rose in her. Both she and dragon were soon embraced in a dawning warmth.

  The dragon groaned then as the swirling magic rushed over it. Trembling at the assault, the dragon remained frozen in place as the seed’s power assaulted its scars and wounds. Kaysa held fast, refusing to relinquish her hold until the task was accomplished. Slowly, the pain and soot dissolved as the magic of the seed scoured the dragon of its wounds. Soon, shimmering scales could be seen through the restraints as the fashioned saddle was cast from the dragon’s back.

  With the work complete, Kaysa collapsed next to the dragon. The dragon slumped as well in the restraints, clearly taxed by the process. King Thorien, witness to the magic that had been wrought, struggled to his feet to reclaim his broken blade. Bloodied and limping, he inched toward Kaysa, his intent to finish what he had started, knowing another such opportunity may not come again.

  As King Thorien loomed closer, the vines and soil that restrained the dragon eased their hold, freeing the beast. The dragon rose, stretching its wings and limbs fully. The daylight that found purchase through the broken skylight glistened across its body as it offered no indication of previous injuries. The sight of the dragon stilled King Thorien, for the creature was fully restored to a majesty he had not seen in an age. The dragon then set its eyes upon the Ageless King as it moved to stand between him and Kaysa.

  “You are mine,” claimed King Thorien as he pointed between the dragon and Kaysa. “And so is she. Yield to your master.” The dragon growled as King Thorien resumed his approach. “I said yield!”

  The dragon roared in defiance then, free of the will of its former master. Drawing back one of its massive paws, it swiped once, striking Thorien fully. The Ageless King’s broken body soared through the air, crashing against a pillar before slumping listlessly upon the floor. The dragon roared once more, reclaiming its independence at long last.

  Satisfied that Thorien’s threat was no more, the dragon turned to Kaysa. Sniffing the elf, the dragon soon nudged her with its snout. Slowly Kaysa stirred, opening her eyes to see the dragon watching her. Kaysa gently extended a hand, placing it upon the dragon as she looked in the direction of the fallen king.

  “I believe we are even now, friend,” said Kaysa with a soft smile. She then pointed to where the dragon had entered the hall. “It’s time for you to be free,” she offered before pointing to the renewed cluster of eggs on her back. “You and your children.”

  Gently, the dragon offered a satisfied grumble as it backed away from Kaysa. Unfurling its wings, the dragon pushed itself skyward with renewed vigor. Clearing the skylight, the dragon roared, its call filling the town of Thorindale and ceasing momentarily the battle waging outside. Circling the town once, the dragon called out again before flying off to a new and uncharted future.

  Kaysa offered a serene smile before setting her gaze upon the throne once more. Her instincts, the magic of the seed, and Tharador called upon her then. She felt where the soil was, even through the taint cast by the Ageless King. Despite her pain and weakened limbs, Kaysa pulled herself to her feet. Taking long breaths to remain steady, the young elf kept her intentions upon the throne as she pushed forward to end the suffering of Kel’Thara once and for all.

  “You do not know what you do, child,” grated King Thorien through his choking and spattering of his own blood. “You must stop while you still can.” All that remained for the king were his words, for the strength of his broken body had left him.

  “No,” said Kaysa, never taking her eyes from the throne. “I must finish this while I still can.”

  “You will die if you continue!” coughed the king.

  “And so will you,” said Kaysa.

  “Don’t do it! It will be the end of all things!”

  Kaysa stopped briefly as she reached the stairs, speaking softly yet she knew King Thorien could hear her well. “It is only the end of these things, the madness you have brought on us all,” she said before continuing.

  With limbs that equally resisted her and urged her on, Kaysa made slow steps upward toward her destination and destiny. In those steps, her heart waged its own war, for she sorely wanted to save Quenthell and all of Kel’Thara but also she did not wish to perish. The acceptance was painful, yet this anguish was washed away by her purpose. For if she did not, there would be nothing left to embrace.

  “Don’t do it, Kaysa.”

  At the sound of the new voice, Kaysa froze before turning to face it. There, entering the throne room was Lokus. She could see even at a distance that his eyes were reddened by tears. Lokus held to his bow, arrow notched, resting at the ready. The look he offered her placed Kaysa further ill at ease.

  “You have done enough, Lokus,” said Kaysa as she watched him warily. “Now you have to let me end this.”

  Lokus shook his head, the sadness never leaving his features. “I can’t let you. My father is gone, Kaysa. Marro took him from me. All that I have left is his dying wish. He said only disaster awaits if you climb those stairs. Please, Kaysa, please cry off and walk away. I beg you.”

  Kaysa trembled at the emotions swirling through her body and spirit. “Your father has sent thousands to their deaths. You have killed in his name. You have lied to me and those closest to us, Lokus. Whatever Vakk had poisoned your mind with will not be solved unless I climb these steps. If you are still my friend, if you ever loved me as your friend, you would understand that.”

  “Kaysa, don’t,” said Lokus.

  Kaysa looked at Lokus sadly, her decision and fate already decreed. “Goodbye, Lokus,” she said softly.

  “Kaysa, no!”

  Kaysa resumed her journey up the steps, to and beyond King Thorien’s
throne. Her legs were still heavy, and she was careful with each progression upward. She gathered herself as she moved, letting the magic of the seed grow as the soil below Tharador called for her. There was no turning back for the young elf, as she and destiny were now intertwined.

  “Gah!”

  Kaysa cried out as pain seared through the back of her right leg. Falling upon the steps, Kaysa steadied herself as the torment remained unrelenting. Reaching for her leg, she instantly felt the shaft of the arrow that had pierced her. And while the pain endured, it was quickly shadowed by the further betrayal she felt as she looked back to her childhood friend.

  Lokus stood closer than before, shaking his head as his eyes stained with more tears. He was drawing another arrow for his bow, his face pleading for Kaysa to relent. He mouthed the words, his plea to end this once and for all. And though his lips trembled, his hands were still as stone.

  Knowing that Lokus’s fate was now set as well, Kaysa turned her head and stood again. Her pain made each new step a deeper agony than the last, yet still the elf continued. Kaysa knew her heart, and now she understood the heart of her friend. This was the turning point. This was destiny.

  One way or the other, this was the end.

  “Kaysa! Stop! Please!” cried Lokus as he let another arrow free from his drawn bow.

  Kaysa grunted as the second arrow pierced the back of her left shoulder, casting her again to the ground. This time she hit her face upon the stairs, bloodying her lips and nose. A fire rose in her through the pain, and again the young elf rose. She took two more stairs in her ascent, before her right leg was assaulted again.

  “Do not make me continue this, Kaysa!” Lokus pleaded.

  “Do it, boy!” goaded the king. “For the sake of your father, stay her hand!”

  “Silence yourself, for you are no king of mine!” retorted Lokus as continued his pleas to Kaysa.