Blackstone

by C E Johnson

  “How will the first attack occur?” the leader of the were-creatures asked in a growl.

  “Maaca wants your were-clans to position themselves by the southern side of Shadoe’s position because you’ll be part of the over-land attack.” The gnome had pointed teeth and a thick mass of brown hair on his head that was sprinkled with dirt. He wore plate mail on his chest in a copper color, with his black eyes shimmering as he discussed the war. “We’ve almost completed our tunnels that we hope to dig right into his compound. We have four passageways angled toward the elves from each compass point.”

  “I thought there were scores of caverns and waterways under his fortifications. Won’t you just tunnel into water and flood your approach?” The shade narrowed his eyes and took a rounded half-helm off his head. He set the helmet on the ground and sat down upon it, the silver skin on his forehead furrowing.

  “We hope not. We’ve been digging our tunnels to avoid the water. Regardless, our numbers should overwhelm Shadoe no matter which way we attack.” The gnome turned silent and stared around the woods intently. “Do you smell dog? I smell dog.”

  The were-creatures began to growl. “Are you teasing us?”

  “Not you.” The gnome threw up his hands in disgust before studying the woods, quiet and guarded. “I smell dogs … strange dogs.” The gnomes dropped their gear except for their picks while gesturing to the shades and were-creatures. “Let’s find these dogs. I’m hungry. We’ll split them with you.”

  The shade studied the woods. “There’s a trace of silver magic in the air.” The other shades began to quietly talk among themselves while loosely forming into an attack position in a triangular formation. Several carried short swords, others held staves.

  The were-creature nodded to his pack and those that were in a human shape transformed into gray, black, and brown wolves. The creatures followed signals from their alpha-leader, fanning out behind gnomes.

  The shade’s silver irises appeared cautious. “I wonder if we should we call for backup? Maybe there’s a battalion of elves here from Shadoe. Could this be a trap?”

  The were-creature shook his head. “There aren’t many of them and I don’t smell any elves.”

  The gnome’s face was darkening with a swiftly building fury. “If you don’t want to share the dogs, be on your way. If you’re staying, let’s find them quickly.”

  Droth and Lambo placed a bolt in each of their crossbows and held their breath. Once the first two gnomes rounded a bush adjacent to their position, their weapons discharged before the creatures could yell. The half-deads evaporated into two grimy gold and black clouds.

  The other half-deads observed the death-mist and stopped their progression. The shade leader took control of the situation instantly. “Gnomes to the rear, wolves flank us, shades to the center. Battle formation!” The gnomes slunk behind the attackers while the shades continued forward. The wolves split into two groups flanking the shades. “Advance slowly. We don’t know how many are in there.”

  “Fire at will as fast as you can, nephew,” Droth whispered. “We want them to think we are great in number.” Bolts began flying through the foliage and occasional death-clouds were erupting with half-deads screaming in pain and rage. Droth signaled to his dogs to remain hidden and they didn’t move from their position at his feet. The shades and wolves advanced slowly, looking around the woods and over their shoulders. The lead shade broke into a trot while yelling, “I don’t think there are many of them. They’re firing too slowly. Rush them before anyone else falls!”

  The half-deads converged on their position in a mad scramble. Droth signaled to his Dobermans and they launched forward from their hiding places, black assassins in heightened motion, ripping through the initial ranks that came forward.

  “I’m calling in backup,” the lead shade yelled.

  How did I let us get cornered? Droth wondered. How could I have been so stupid?

  Run, Arn roared in his head. There’s an opening just to the east. Droth reached an arm up and Arn dropped from a nearby tree onto his shoulder.

  “Let’s get moving!” Droth shot his last bolt, and reluctantly threw down his crossbow. It was too heavy and unwieldy to carry on the run. He drew his two short swords and they began to streak through the woods in the direction of Shadoe’s fortifications. “There are a few openings in their line that Arn noticed.” Droth pointed ahead and his Dobermans followed his signal, crashing through the woods.

  “Uncle!” Lambo gestured ahead, open-mouthed. “Look!”

  Droth peered in the direction where Lambo was pointing, blinking in amazed disbelief. Their path of escape was blocked by a group of vampires that materialized almost as if out of thin air. In the distance, not too far behind the vampires, rose the tall wooden fortifications forming the outer walls and gates of Shadoe’s realm.

  Half-deads are pouring in, Arn whispered as he surveyed the area, and a storm is approaching. A great shadow was whipping toward their position from north.

  Droth mentally ran through his options. “We’re going to have to make a decision,” he panted to his nephew.

  A female half-dead strutted forward to stand a step in front of the line of vampires. Her presence took both of their breath away—full lips, high cheekbones and a lithe body that moved like a great cat. She wore a black fur-lined cape and jet-black leather armor, and she slowly adjusted a thin white gold circlet on her head. The crown housed a blackstone, and her thick silver hair flowed around her head in the wind like the mane of a lion. She reached both her hands over her shoulders and drew two longswords that whispered deadly as they were exposed. Her eyes were like cold icy bluestones, glistening with strength. “I think it’s a little late for either of you to be making any decisions.”

  C H A P T E R 2 1

  Reunited

  Emily’s group continued to follow the main path that Ammolite had initially suggested. The great multi-colored dragon was occasionally tracking their progress from above the forest through her mind-link with Emily, but even her incredible vision could barely penetrate the branches. Time and again, she had to fly back to the edge of the forest for food, disappearing for days at a time.

  I’m going to have to leave you for a long while this time. Ammolite sounded worn and Emily had never heard her so tired. My wings are fatigued and I need to hunt. I’m returning all the way back to the edge of the forest. Stay to the path. There are half-deads everywhere.

  We’re so close, I’m sure we’ll be fine. Emily tried to encourage her bondsmate, knowing she wouldn’t leave unless she was close to collapse and starving, but her skin felt cold and clammy. She couldn’t suppress a tremor as her dragon departed.

  “What’s wrong, Em?” Luke’s expression changed from his usual smile to a frown. “You look pale.”

  “Ammolite just left.” Emily pointed skyward. “She can’t stay any longer. I hate the feeling I get at our separation.”

  “Why doesn’t she just burn a hole in the trees and land when she’s tired?” Luke asked

  “She needs to hunt, and she doesn’t want to start a fire that might burn through the forest, broadcasting our approach,” Emily explained. “She says we’re close though. Hopefully we’ll arrive at the fortress tomorrow.”

  “Thank goodness we’re close because this forest is getting creepier and creepier.” Luke played with his dragontooth greenstone around his neck. “I hope Shadoe has an area where we can see the sun again.” The gloom was thick around them, and it always felt like twilight.

  Crittenden approached with apprehension written plainly on his face. “Our scouts report increased clusters of half-deads ahead. They’re heading in the same direction as we’re traveling in full battle gear, appearing prepared for war.” He glanced furtively to the woods around them. “We may have to make a run for the walls of Shadoe’s domain.”

  “What if he’s already gone?” Luke asked in a hushed voice.

  “He’s there and his kingdom hasn’t fallen,” Crittend
en informed them, his hand curling around the hilt of his sword. “The queen has talked to him many times.” He forced a smile on his face. “We’re going to make it.” He spun away and departed in the direction of Queen Elaina, his boots silent on the dead leaves.

  He’s worried, Xena sniffed the air. Emily’s ki was also on edge; there was danger everywhere. The trees are so thick here, Xena whispered. Emily felt like a dark blanket was spread above them, adding to the shadows as evening approached. You need to help your friends with their spells. I’ll go on patrol.

  You’re right. Emily rubbed her bondsmate before Xena left to perform her rounds with the elves. Emily walked to meet her friends to perform a routine that they had started performing nightly since they entered the Dothan Forest. “Anna first,” Emily spoke softly. Anna could change into a small dragon for over an hour now and she was learning to maneuver through the trees while firing small fireballs with increasing accuracy. “Isabelle.” Emily nodded, directing Isabelle to begin her spell while Anna started flying skillfully through the trees. Isabelle was expanding her range to call animals of the forest to their position.

  “The corsairs are the most challenging,” Isabelle explained after she finished her spell, “but I sense a pack of wolves close by.” She grunted with exertion. “I’m directing the pack into close proximity to our camp.” They were so close that Emily could see a flash of fur through the trees. Isabelle continued, “I can influence the moods in their minds, building an anger in their brains toward a target that I pick.”

  “Elizabeth and Luke,” Emily nodded in their direction. The two had started a nightly contest of target practice with their fire and ice balls, training near the many streams in the woods which squelched any potential blaze. Firing fire and ice into the ground at point-blank range formed tiny plumes of gold and red magus in miniature maelstroms within the soil to produce fire-sand and ice-sand. They put them together to form thick mage-sand, which they placed into small gourds.

  “I wonder how large an explosion they’ll create in battle.” Luke completing filling a small flask-shaped bomb. They hadn’t exploded any ordnance yet.

  Emily bounced a make-shift grenade in her hand. “In battle, you better heave these gourds as far away from us as possible.” The friends split the explosives between themselves, finding interesting ways to dangle their grenades from their belts and clothing. “Enough for tonight.” Emily sighed. She felt on edge. “My mother wants some time with us.”

  As Isabelle discontinued her spell, a lone wolf hovered at the edge of their camp. “He’s the alpha,” Isabelle whispered, “I wonder what he’s doing, I told him to go.” The wolf was silver white in color, with dapples of black outlining his ears, and framing his large head. His ears were pricked forward, and he sat on his haunches, appearing to be waiting for something.

  Luke glanced up and that was when it happened. He fell to the ground and began shuddering. “The vinculum,” Emily roared. The all fell to their knees to honor the process.

  “His name is Rune,” Luke said in a low voice once they helped him to stand. The alpha approached, and Luke buried his head in the dire wolf’s fur. “I can’t believe it.”

  Xena came forward and the two touched noses. I like him, Xena whispered to Emily. Emily smiled to herself. They helped Luke walk over to sit next to the fire. He introduced everyone to his wolf, before Rune disappeared into the woods. They talked excitedly about bondsmates, and both Elaina and Emily taught about different aspects of the bonding while Luke listened in a daze.

  After a time, the conversation changed. “Can you tell us more about Shadoe?” Isabelle asked Elaina. Isabelle chose to sit on a mossy log as close to Crittenden as she could get. Anna sat on the other side of the handsome elven warrior who didn’t appear annoyed by their advances.

  Queen Elaina gave a sad smile. “Most elves have green or blue auras, but Shadoe is unique, he has an orange aura, and his sister was also unique among elves, because she had a black aura.” The queen was silent for a moment and her jade-green eyes were thoughtful. “Shadoe is an expert swordsman who is skilled at prophecy, and I think he’ll be very impressed that young warriors would travel through this forest to see him.”

  “Does he have a bondsmate?” Isabelle asked.

  “No, he’s never bonded with an animal,” Elaina said and Emily could hear a touch of sadness in her voice. “He’s like me, bonded only to the forest. And unfortunately, he lost the one person with whom he shared his greatest bond, his sister, Kelcey. While pregnant, Kelcey disappeared in a tunnel system beneath his fortress where they had discovered a huge structure pulsating with magic.” Elaina’s eyes were wet, like moist liquid emeralds. “He believes she was transported through a portal.”

  Could she have gone to Earth? Emily was fascinated by the possibilities.

  “His life seems marred by tragedy.” Elizabeth bit her lip in thought and wrinkled her brow. “Will Shadoe be able to combat all these half-deads?”

  “Oh, he can fight and you’ll see him in action soon.” Elaina wore a proud expression. “I’ve been dream-linking our position and I’m sure he’ll lead some warriors out to meet us tomorrow. Meanwhile, let’s get some rest.” They were soon under their blankets, and Emily fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of Ammolite, safety, and home.

  * * *

  Danger, warned Emily’s ki as a feeling of dread gripped her heart in a tight vice. She adjusted the pack on her back and pushed her hair behind her ears. “We’ve got trouble up ahead,” she informed her mother in a low voice. It was late in the afternoon. They were close to Shadoe’s fortress.

  “I can hear the sound of fighting … of steel meeting steel,” Elaina whispered in frustration. “We’re so near to our destination.” She lifted a closed fist to the sky to stop the squad and spoke to Crittenden in a hushed voice. “I think we should advance quietly and evaluate our surroundings with weapons ready.” Warhorns were sounding near to their position with dark and mournful notes and the howls of wolves could be heard. Crittenden made a signal to his warriors and they dropped unnecessary supplies and checked over weapons and armor as the sounds around them grew louder.

  Isabelle advanced to stand by Emily. “If we get into a fight, do we use our heightening to make a break for the fortress or do we fight with the elves?”

  Emily studied her mother making battle preparations. “We have to stay with them.” She adjusted Lightleecher and strung Storm, organizing her arrows before making sure her friends were also tuned for a conflict.

  “What do you think’s out there?” If Luke was scared, he didn’t show any sign of his concern. His fingers were opening and closing on the hilt of his sword and he was breathing easily. Rune had appeared out of nowhere, to stand proudly at Luke’s side with his head held high.

  Half-deads, Ammolite whispered in Emily’s mind. Her dragon was far away, but she was ever advising Emily.

  “Half-deads,” Emily said in a soft voice to her friends. Cold fingers of concern were grasping at her spine, but Emily tried to stay composed. An eagle wheeled through the forest overhead, and Emily could see a faint silver aura around the creature. Stay close to me, Xena, she advised while wordlessly directing her friends to fan out behind her.

  I’ll be at your side, Xena whispered.

  I’ll try and give you counsel, Ammolite promised.

  Their squad darted quietly through the bushes until they came to a small ridge which overlooked a gentle meadow. Towering trees surrounded the open-space and the canopy was still thick, but the grass flowed like a green lake beneath the trees where a massive cluster of half-deads were steadily forming up around two men. One had three Dobermans grouped around him, and the creatures snarled and snapped at the approaching were-wolves.

  “Impossible,” Emily whispered when the aura of the man with the Dobermans registered in her mind. She shook her head slowly, her eyes wide. “It’s Droth.” Emily pointed at him, she could scarcely believe what she was seeing.

  Anna pee
red down at the scene below them. “The black magician who was on the platform with Samil?”

  Xander, Xeno, and Xanthus, Xena whispered with a mixture of excitement and concern in her voice.

  “Yes, and the Dobermans are Xena’s littermates.” Emily relayed the information to her squad. “It looks like the half-deads are getting ready to kill Droth.”

  Maaca, spoke Emily’s ki. This was the first time her ki had informed her of the name of a half-dead. In fact, it was the first time it had told her the name of anyone besides a dragon. “And the female vampire is named Maaca.”

  “She’s beautiful,” Luke murmured. He stared at Maaca, his voice was slurred, and he blinked several times while studying her. A thin film of sweat collecting in the growing furrows on his brow.

  Emily could understand his bewilderment. She couldn’t take her eyes off the vampire either. There was a grace and beauty about Maaca that filled her with wonder. Her smooth black leather armor was skin-tight and appeared as flawless as her features. Emily lost all sense of time watching the intricacies of her movements, enthralled by her power. How many magicians has she killed to attain this strength? Emily wondered to herself.

  Thousands, Ammolite whispered.

  Crittenden and Elaina crept up to Emily’s side while scanning the woods. “I’m worried about the half-deads gathering in enormous numbers all around us.” Crittenden pointed toward several wyverns who were flashing through the trees above their heads, rattling the leaves.

  “Should we help Droth or do we try to sneak by him?” Elizabeth licked her lips which were trembling nervously.

  Elaina’s expression turned grim. “Droth’s fighting the half-deads. I guess he’s on our side in this one. I don’t think we can sneak past these creatures; they’re gathering into a horde on all sides. We need to find some way to force our way through the center before they thicken.”

  Emily turned to her friends. What am I putting them through?