Shaluhk's thoughts raced, desperate to find a solution as another claw struck out, cutting across her abdomen. She fought back against the pain, using the only weapons she had, her fists. Knuckles struck the strange creature in the face, and she unexpectedly felt the resistance of flesh.
The entire battle felt like a dream, almost as if this were happening to someone else. Her first opponent fell, but in her own desperate struggle for survival, she had forgotten the other one until she felt him leap onto her back and pain as teeth dug into her shoulder. Shaluhk twisted, throwing herself onto the ground to be rewarded with a grunt as her opponent let go of his grip upon her.
Casting her eyes around, she caught a glimpse of Khurlig. The ancient shamaness was back on her feet, the boar having dissipated into nothingness, but the fight had taken its toll.
Even as their eyes met, Khurlig began to fade. A final shriek escaped her lips, deafening to Shaluhk's ears, then Khurlig was no more, banished once again to wander the spirit realm. Her summoned ghosts vanished in an instant.
Kargen struck out with the head of his axe, thrusting it towards Zahruhl's eyes. The mighty Orc pulled his head back to avoid the blow and then stumbled, shaking his head. Kargen watched as his opponent's eyes went wide, taking in his surroundings.
"What is this?" asked Zahruhl. "What is going on here?"
Kargen lowered his weapon. "You have not been yourself, Mighty Chieftain. Forbidden magic was used to control you."
"I do not understand."
"Look to your left," said Kargen. "Even as we speak, Khurlig battles for control of Voruhn."
Zahruhl turned his gaze to see the bodies of Voruhn and Shaluhk lying motionless.
"What magic is this?" he demanded.
"It is an ancient spirit, one who, in life, was one of our most powerful shamans. Her lust for immortality led her to Voruhn. It is not the first time she has attempted such a thing."
The villagers had gathered around the two fallen Orcs, unaware of the cause.
"Voruhn!" called Zahruhl, rushing towards her.
Kargen followed, watching as Shaluhk rose, shaking her head, trying to reorient herself to the physical world. Everyone was shaken to the core as a distant scream echoed off the trees.
Kargen ran to Shaluhk, and they embraced. Zahruhl knelt down beside Voruhn, lifting her head and staring down into her face.
Her eyes fluttered open. "Zahruhl, is that you?"
"I am here," replied the chieftain. "Tell me what has happened."
"It is all my fault. I was too eager for power, too consumed by my quest for knowledge. I called on the Ancestors for help, and Khurlig answered my request."
Shaluhk released her bondmate, moving closer to kneel beside Voruhn. "You were not the only one to be swayed by her words," she said.
"Initially, she simply advised me, but it soon became clear I was not ready for such things. She offered me a solution, a way for me to find mastery in a short period of time."
"She wanted to inhabit your body," suggested Shaluhk.
Voruhn nodded. "Yes, at first it was just for a moment, but the more comfortable I became with it, the longer her spirit lingered. She convinced me that we could both inhabit one body, allowing us to combine her ancient power with my youth, but soon it became a prison for me." Tears ran down her face. "I had to watch, helpless, as she took control of you, Zahruhl. It broke my heart."
The great chieftain looked at Shaluhk. "And this Khurlig, is she gone now?"
"For the present. She has been sent back to wander in the Afterlife until the opportunity arises for her to again walk the spirit realm."
"I thought the Ancestors lived in the spirit realm?" said Kargen.
"That which we know as the spirit realm is a border between the living and the dead," replied Shaluhk. "Some spirits are strong enough that they can linger there, but others can only make the trip if they are summoned. There is always the risk Khurlig will attempt to return. We must be ever vigilant."
Voruhn winced, causing her to look down at her leg. The blood was still dripping, discoloured by the blue ichor.
"I am done," she said, "for I have been poisoned by dragonsbreath."
"No," said Shaluhk, "it is not dragonsbreath. Rather it is crushed blueseed."
"Blueseed?" said Zahruhl. "But that is an aphrodisiac, is it not?"
"It is."
"But you have placed it in her wounds?"
"I have indeed."
"What will be the effect of such a thing?"
Shaluhk simply smiled. "Well, you are bondmates, are you not?"
* * *
Zahruhl took a sip from the bowl before passing it to Kargen. "Tell me," said the Stone Crusher Chieftain, "why did you enter the spirit realm to do battle? Surely she could not harm you were you to remain amongst the living?"
"It was imperative I distract her," Shaluhk replied, "or else she might have caught onto my ruse."
"If she was so powerful, how did you defeat her?"
"I unleashed a spirit animal to drain her of her essence."
"Her essence?"
"Yes, just as the living have their limits, so, too, do spirits. We call it stamina, but it is a physical manifestation. In the world of spirits, we call it essence."
"You know so much," said Voruhn. "Uhdrig taught you well."
"Even so, there is much we, the living, do not know," replied Shaluhk.
"You have done our tribe a great service," said Zahruhl. "How can we ever repay you?"
"Stand with us," said Kargen, "and let us put our differences aside. Together, the three tribes can face anything the Humans send against us."
"Your words are wise," said Zahruhl, "and yet I know little of these Therengians of which you speak."
"They are a scattered people, much like our own race. Once, many generations ago, they were a powerful kingdom that ruled much of this Continent."
"What happened to them?" asked Voruhn.
"They were destroyed from within," said Kargen.
"As we nearly were," added Zahruhl. "It seems the Humans are not the only ones who must beware such things."
"Indeed," said Shaluhk. "There is much to learn from the fate of the Therengians."
Kargen passed the bowl to Shaluhk, who drank of the milk of life. The ritual complete, she handed it back to Voruhn, who carefully set it aside.
"How can we help?" asked Zahruhl.
"Your tribe is strong," said Kargen, "particularly in the realm of magic. Your master of earth can help us prepare for battle."
"We can do more than that," said Zahruhl, "for we can also provide the perfect place for battle."
"Tell me of this place," said Kargen.
"It is the ancient gateway we spoke of on your first visit."
"Would that not be dangerous? If we were to lose the battle, it would fall into the hands of our enemies."
"True," said Zahruhl, "and yet the benefit to our shamans would be substantial. Not only that, but the terrain can be used to our advantage."
"Is Kirak aware of its location?"
"He is," said Zahruhl, "for we have used it as a meeting place for many years."
Kargen thought for a moment before continuing. "Might I ask how many hunters can you field?"
"Two hundred, half of them archers."
"An impressive number."
"Will it be enough?" asked Voruhn.
"That largely depends on how many warriors the Humans send against us. I expect the army will be larger than the one that attacked Ord-Kurgad."
"What of these Therengians?" asked Zahruhl. "How many warriors can they provide?"
"I do not know," said Kargen, "but they have five villages, and they train their warriors regularly."
"Just how big are these villages of theirs?"
"I have only seen Runewald, but if it is any indication, I would say we could expect a few hundred at best."
"So there is the distinct possibility we may, in fact, outnumber our allies?"
"Quite possibly," said Kargen.
"And who will command?"
"Each chieftain will command their own people, but I would suggest we plan the battle under the eyes of Nat-Alia."
"The Human female?"
"Yes," said Shaluhk. "She is a battle mage, trained for such things. Her expertise could well make the difference between defeat and victory."
"And you would trust our people under her command?"
"I would," said Shaluhk. "She is my tribe-sister."
"What of this Therengian Fire Mage, Athgar?"
"He will command his people," said Kargen.
"And has he experience in such things?"
"He fought beside us at Ord-Kurgad."
"Yes, but from what you told me, that was a siege, not a battle. The fight we must face is a far different thing than any of us has seen in the past."
"The Ancestors favour him," added Shaluhk. "It was their words that sent him and Nat-Alia here."
"Then we must trust in their judgement," said Voruhn.
"My bondmate speaks with wisdom," said Zahruhl. "Very well, we shall make our preparations. When shall we march?"
"I can not say," said Kargen, "for we have yet to learn details of the enemy's plan. Do not fear, as soon as we hear, I shall send word. In the meantime, make your arrows, and sharpen your axes."
Zahruhl stood, reaching out to Kargen. In answer, the Chieftain of the Red Hand did likewise.
"We shall stand or fall together, Kargen of the Red Hand."
"You honour us, Zahruhl of the Stone Crushers. Now we must be on our way. Kirak will be awaiting word."
Prisoner
Autumn 1104 SR
* * *
Natalia awoke to the sound of dripping water. Shifting, she felt the heavy chains that bound her ankles. Her head pounded from the effects of a high dose of magebane, and she wondered how long she had been unconscious.
Opening her eyes to complete darkness, her first instinct was to panic, but then her intellect took hold, calming her. She was still alive, and Nikolai was likely to keep her so for the potential reward. Taking a deep breath, she tried to stand, but the familiar ice in her stomach caused her to double over once more, the pain excruciating.
Natalia willed herself to relax, only to hear the rattle of chains. It appeared she was not alone! She thought back to her capture and suddenly remembered the body that had lain upon the stage.
"Stanislav?" she called out.
"I'm here," the old mage hunter called back. "Is that you, Natalia?"
She moved towards him, reaching the end of her chain. "I'm here."
He shuffled closer, then a moment later, she felt a hand on her arm. "I'm so sorry," he said. "Nikolai used me to capture you."
"How is it that you find yourself in Ebenstadt?" she asked.
"It's a long story," he replied.
"It appears we have a lot of time."
He sighed. "So be it. After your escape, I was taken to the dungeons beneath the Volstrum. There, I rotted until Illiana Stormwind showed up to visit me."
"Let me guess," said Natalia. “She wanted me dead."
"No," he said. "Quite the reverse. She wanted me to find you and keep you safe."
"Safe? From whom? She's the matriarch of the family for Saint's sake."
"It is, in fact, the family that she fears. She's an old woman who wants only the best for her granddaughter."
Natalia sat in stunned silence, the words slowly sinking in. "Granddaughter? Are you sure?"
"She had a son, Antonov Sartellian, an extremely powerful Fire Mage that fell into disgrace after visiting the estate of Baron Rozinsky. Do you remember that name?"
"I can't say I do, why?"
"It was on his lands that I found your mother."
"But my mother wasn't a mage, was she?"
"Not as far as I could tell, but if what Illiana told me was true, then your father passed on his power through her."
"That makes no sense," said Natalia. "If that were the case, I would be a master of Fire Magic, not water."
Stanislav shrugged, though the action was hidden by the darkness. "I would have thought so, too, and yet your own awakening was anything but normal. Could he have had some kind of latent Water Magic?"
"That would be contrary to our teachings," she said. "Water and fire are opposites; they cannot exist in one person."
"That has always been the accepted theory," said Stanislav, "but the truth is, no one really knows. Your own family breeds fire and water. According to everything we think we know, that shouldn't work, and yet they've produced some of the most powerful casters on the Continent."
"This is overwhelming," said Natalia, "but it still doesn't explain how you came to be here, in Ebenstadt. Assuming that's where we still are, of course."
"I was told you were in the company of a Fire Mage, a man named Athgar. Illiana gave me access to the family's records. He had become a person of great interest to them after your escapades in Corassus. I thought that tracking him down would prove more successful than searching for you."
"And that brought you here?"
"Not at first," he confessed, "but once we realized he was a Therengian, this seemed like the logical place. Illiana came up with the idea. She thought it the best place for you to hide, amongst his people."
"Then the family knows about Runewald?"
"They've known for some time," said Stanislav, "though it was news to me."
Natalia felt a cold grip on her heart. "They organized the crusade!" she said. "Don't tell me they did that just to find me?"
"They didn't," he replied. "Only Illiana and I were privy to that information. The old woman knew all sorts of things she kept to herself."
"But aren't they here to conquer the Therengians?"
"I suspect so, but the truth is I simply don't know. What about you? I've heard of your fight in Corassus, but little more."
"Athgar and I fled north," she said, "to the Grey Spire Mountains, but fate had something else in store for us."
"Why? What happened?"
"There was a plot by the family to destroy a tribe of Orcs. Someone had discovered godstone in the area."
"And so you helped Orcs?" he asked. "Hardly a way to stay out of sight."
"They were friends of Athgar's. They took him in when his own village was destroyed. I'm surprised you didn't hear tell of it?"
"How long ago was this?"
"Last spring."
"Ah," he said, "that explains it. I was on the road by then. Tell me, this Athgar fellow, what's he like?"
"We met in Draybourne when he tried to save my life, while in response, I almost killed him. After nursing him back to health, we decided to travel together."
"That tells me how you met, but nothing of him as a person."
"He is the most caring person I've ever met," Natalia replied.
"You love him," stated Stanislav. "I can hear it in your voice."
"I do. There's a deep connection between the two of us. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before."
"That's natural when you're in love."
"No," she insisted, "it's more than merely a physical connection. When we fought at Ord-Kurgad, I used my magic to save his life. He had expended too much energy and was starting to immolate. I managed to quench that fire."
"I've never heard of such a thing."
"Nor I, and yet it happened. Kargen once told us we were even more powerful when we were together."
"Wise words," said the mage hunter. "Who's Kargen?"
"An Orc. The Chieftain of the Red Hand. It was his village that we defended."
"I doubt that garnered any sympathy from the family."
"Indeed not," said Natalia. "Nikolai even told me they wanted me dead."
"Dead? The last I heard, they wanted you alive. You must have really annoyed them to convince them otherwise. But tell me, if they wanted you dead, why did Nikolai not kill you?"
"I carry Athgar's child," she said.
<
br /> Stanislav fell silent as he pondered the ramifications. "From what I've heard, Athgar is a reasonably skilled Fire Mage."
"He's more than that," she retorted. "He's disciplined, and that's what makes him dangerous to the family."
"Disciplined? In what way?"
"It was the Orcs who made him a master of flame. They taught him to control fire and use it sparingly."
"That doesn't sound like the Sartellian way," said Stanislav.
"It's not. Like the Stormwinds, they teach their students to let loose with everything they have. Control, to them, is something undesirable."
"And now you carry the child of a Fire Mage, the very thing they had planned for you."
"I didn't choose to fall in love with Athgar," she argued. "It just happened."
"I'm happy for you, but why don't you use your magic to escape your chains? If you froze them, wouldn't they shatter?"
"I wish I could, but my powers won't work. When Nikolai sprang his trap, I tried to cast, only to double over in pain. I'm scared, Stanislav. Scared that my child has been injured somehow. Then, on top of that, he dosed me with magebane. What will that do to an unborn child?"
"I have no idea what effect that might have," he said, "but it's not uncommon for a mage to lose her powers during pregnancy. It simply means the child has magical potential."
"How long does it last? Will it be over in time to escape?"
"I doubt it. Typically it takes a few weeks for the unborn child to acclimatize. The more powerful the child, the longer it takes."
"You're saying my child will have magic?"
"Don't be so surprised. It's why the Volstrum wanted to breed you, remember?"
"It's one thing to hear it, quite another to experience it first-hand. Does that mean it'll have Water Magic?"
"I would assume so, given your own power level, but I can't say for sure. Would you say Athgar is as powerful as you?"
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