Standing, the ancient elf looked at Red Crow and shook his head. “No my friend, it is better to wait until the Chosen One can free the gods and they return victorious.”
Red Crow also stood and held out his hand. The elf grasped his forearm in the universal greetings between warriors. “Thank you. I am in your debt. If you ever need me, I am Red Crow, Chieftain of the Raven tribe and member of the Great Council of Elders of the Highland Nation.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you Red Crow. I was known as Eldath Amarth, a humble Bladeweaver of Aurora. I have enjoyed your company, come by and visit from time to time.”
Red Crow shook his head. “I wish I could but I won’t be able too. I’m going back.”
A look of shock crossed Eldath’s face. “What do you mean going back?”
“I’m returning to Terreth. I cannot help anyone sitting here waiting and hoping. I am a warrior. Therefore, I must act. The Chosen One is to be born in the spring and the enemy knows it. I must do what I can to help his mother and father.”
Reaching out quickly, Eldath grabbed Red Crow’s shoulders. The excitement was evident in his voice. “The Chosen One! Finally, the prophecy begins to unfold.”
Then a dark and sinister look crossed his pale face. “What do you mean the enemy knows of the Chosen One?”
“It is a long story but suffice to say, my adopted daughter Red Eagle is to be the Chosen One’s mother. The enemy knows who and where she is. They will probably attack before the end of winter. I must return and do what I can.”
Eldath held onto his arm for a moment. “What can you hope to do? You will be nothing more than a ghost, anchored to one spot on Terreth for eternity.”
“I’m not sure but I have to try. I have wisdom and insight that might be able to help the Chosen One.”
Eldath took a long look at the land beyond the gate. The sun was playing on the leaves of the forests. Several deer could be seen grazing in the shadows of the trees.
When Eldath spoke, his voice was soft and full of sadness. “I have waited patiently for many centuries. Now, I find out my waiting is near an end. Yet, the enemy knows of our only salvation and will do everything in its power to prevent it. How can I sit by and let it happen?”
Turning back, Eldath’s voice took on a stronger tone. “I have made my decision. I have waited long enough. I too am a warrior. I would love a chance to attack my enemies again. If there is something I can do in my afterlife to help the Chosen One and I don’t do it, then how can I face Aurora? If you would have me, I would like to join you.”
Smiling, Red Crow slapped his new friend on the shoulder. “I would love the company and I’m sure I could use the help.”
The two new friends turned away from the gate, the ancient elven warrior and the old highland chieftain walked off into the hills of the Elysium; their quest, to find a way back to the land of the living, to help save the Chosen One and to ultimately free their gods.
Chapter 23
Flying high into the night sky, Halhulingrath trumpeted his freedom with a loud screech and a dazzling bolt of lightning. Freedom had only been a dream for so long that the young air dragon had never truly thought it possible. So caught up in his newly won freedom, the young dragon had completely forgotten his passengers. That was until Khlekluëllin whacked him on the side of his neck several times with the flat of his blade.
“Hal! We must land,” he pointed toward Hal’s tail. “We have another passenger.”
Looking down, the young dragon spied Rjurik holding on for dear life. The hard edge in Hal’s mental voice warned Khlekluëllin of his intent to kill the dwarf. *Is he a friend of yours?*
Nodding his head, Khlekluëllin yelled to be heard over the wind. “Yes, he is a good friend, one that I don’t care to lose right now. Can we land before he falls to his death?”
Hal answered with a lighter tone. *Right away!*
No sooner had those thoughts echoed in Khlekluëllin’s mind before Hal began a rapid descent. As they approached a small clearing several leagues northwest of the fortress, Rjurik screamed. His hold on Hal’s tail failed.
Hal and the twins landed gently several yards away. As soon as Hal came to a stop, Khlekluëllin leapt from his back and ran to his fallen friend.
Climbing down slowly, Mortharona eyed the blue dragon warily. By the time Khlekluëllin reached the dwarf, Rjurik was climbing out of the holly bush that had broken his rough landing. Grumbling and cursing his whole way out, Khlekluëllin’s ears burned at his tone. But since no one other than Rjurik understood dwarvish, the insults and curses were lost on his three companions.
Grinning at the sight of the proud dwarf struggling his way out of the holly bush with leaves and berries stuck in his clothes and hair, Khlekluëllin was about to say something witty when he noticed the blood and the smile fled from his face. Rjurik was covered with blood from head to toe and he was holding his right arm close to his body. Khlekluëllin’s first thought was that he might have broken his arm in the fall.
“Rjurik, are you alright?”
Nodding his head, his voice was weaker than normal. “I’ve seen better days but I’m alive and free. That’s what’s important.”
That’s when Khlekluëllin noticed the chain dangling from Rjurik’s left hand. It was one of the manacles they had each worn prior to their fights in the Pit. One end of the chain was still attached to Rjurik’s left wrist, while the other end hung loose. A bloody piece of flesh was still locked inside the shackle. Khlekluëllin was shocked to realize that it was the dwarf’s right hand.
“Rjurik, what happened?!”
With a little laugh and a slight shrug of his left shoulder, Rjurik sat down. “When da sandstorm started, most of da guards were too occupied with what was going on in da Pit ta pay attention ta me. So, I used me chains ta strangle the gnomish guard but he didn’t have da keys to these shackles. I was about to sneak down one of da tunnels when one of those ugly one-eyed brutes noticed me. As he came at me with an axe, I knew I couldn’t out run him, so I had ta fight. Not having any weapons to speak of, I used me manacles to parry his attacks.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he held up his right arm. Blood still oozed through the makeshift bandage. “I missed one of da parries. It was a clean cut, hardly any pain.”
Noticing how pale the dwarf was becoming, Khlekluëllin’s tone took on the edge of command. “Lie down Rjurik, you need to rest.”
Rjurik protested. “But Blackfang will be after us.”
“Correct and that is why you need your rest. We have at least several hours before he catches up to us. Right now, we must stop that bleeding or you’ll die.”
Khlekluëllin turned to his brother. “Mortharona, start a small fire. Hal, could you find us something to eat?”
*What would you like?*
“A deer or a boar, anything meaty.”
As the mighty dragon launched himself into the cold night air, his mental voice floated down over their link. *I shall return shortly.*
Mortharona stepped up to his brother and whispered conspiratorially, “Might I have a word with you?”
Looking down at his friend, Khlekluëllin placed a reassuring hand on Rjurik’s chest. “I’ll be right back.”
The twins walked several yards away before Mortharona spoke in a low whisper and jabbed his brother in the chest with his finger. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m trying to save the life of a friend. What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Wasting time. He’s done for. Let’s leave him and find our sister.”
Looking at his brother in disgust, Khlekluëllin crossed his arms. “I will not leave him, just like I wouldn’t leave you. He is our friend and he needs our help.”
“I think you’re making a big mistake. The old dwarf is food for wolves. Do you think Blackfang will let us escape that easy? Nay, he’ll be on to us soon enough and he’ll catch us if we try to carry Rjurik with us.”
Raising his voice, Khleklu
ëllin looked deep into his brother’s dark eyes. “I don’t know what’s happened to you Mortharona but you’ve changed. I can’t believe you would leave Rjurik behind. What if that was Tatianna and she was injured? Would you leave her behind? What if that was me?”
Seeing the blank look on his brother’s face, Khlekluëllin continued. “I will not leave behind any comrade even if the whole Dark Alliance were on our heels. It would be against the teaching of Eldath, our parents and definitely against the Order of the Dragon. Is leaving behind an injured comrade-in-arms a part of the Way of the Panther?”
Khlekluëllin’s last statement drew an evil look from his brother. For a brief moment, Khlekluëllin thought he just might attack him. The two brothers stared at each other for a moment as the tension increased but then Mortharona’s expression softened.
Rubbing his head, Mortharona’s tone changed becoming almost apologetic. “I’m sorry, Khlekluëllin. You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ll get some firewood.”
With that, Mortharona walked off into the surrounding forest. Watching him go Khlekluëllin worried about his brother. ‘That attitude is so out of character for him. I wonder what they did to him during his torture sessions.’
Making a mental note to research this more when they had time, Khlekluëllin walked back to his injured friend. By the time Hal returned with two deer in his talons, Mortharona had a small cooking fire going. Without a single word of thanks to the young dragon, Mortharona got to work skinning and cooking one of the deer.
Hal made short work of the other. Khlekluëllin, still at Rjurik’s side, mentally heard Hal’s laughter as he consumed the deer. Glancing up, Khlekluëllin looked on with grim fascination. “Are you enjoying your dinner?”
*Immensely! It has been a long time since I tasted anything other than goblin, gnome or cyclops’ flesh. Don’t take this the wrong way but I was looking forward to eating you and your brother. I’m sure elf flesh tastes better than my normal fare.*
Khlekluëllin laughed. “Don’t worry. No offense taken.”
Finishing off the deer, Hal rolled over onto his back knocking over several small trees in the process. *By Terra, I’ve missed wild game. The hunt was almost as fun as the dinner.*
Craning his serpentine head around, Hal looked into Khlekluëllin’s blue eyes. *Thank you my friend. I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me.*
Waving his hand as if to dismiss it lightly, Khlekluëllin pulled a burning brand from the fire and said, “You’re welcome Hal. That’s what friends are for. I’m just glad you didn’t eat me when you had the chance.”
*So am I. So am I.*
Turning back to the injured dwarf, Khlekluëllin’s voice took on a hard edge. “Rjurik, we have to cauterize your arm or you’ll bleed to death.”
Rjurik forced himself to sit up. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get on with it!”
“This is going to hurt.”
“I know that, damn ye. Don’t patronize me! I’m not some sniveling, weak kneed gnome. Do it!”
Rjurik’s last command was so sharp and forceful, that Khlekluëllin had placed the burning brand against the dwarf’s stump before he realized it. For many years to come Khlekluëllin could never remember what was worse; the sizzle and popping of skin as the fire ate at Rjurik’s stump, the dreadful smell of burning flesh or the hideous scream of pain that echoed through the forest.
In Rjurik’s weakened condition, the pain from cauterizing his stump caused him to pass out. Checking on his friend, Khlekluëllin smiled grimly. Rjurik would live but at an extremely high cost. The loss of his right hand would haunt him the rest of his days but it was better than dying. Making his way to the campfire, Khlekluëllin cut himself a slice of the roasted venison and sat down.
“Where do we go now?” Mortharona asked.
Khlekluëllin shrugged his shoulders. “To the Kingdom of Darkmoor, I guess. They will be able to take care of Rjurik and we should be able to restock our supplies.” After swallowing a large piece of venison, “Maybe we can even find out what happened to Tatianna and Hawkeye.”
Nodding his head, Mortharona stared into the fire. “The Kingdom of Darkmoor, I wonder if they’ll let us in. As far as I know, the last elf to set foot inside those gates was Eldath. Legends state that no enemy of the dwarves has ever stepped foot inside their gates.”
Khlekluëllin raised an eyebrow. “We’re not enemies of the Dwarves. Are we?”
“Not that I know of but we have been away from our homeland for many months. Maybe, the Queen has decided to invade the Darkmoor Mountains?”
Neither brother could hold back their laughter at the thought of the elves invading the dwarves. Just the thought was ludicrous. They laughed and laughed. It was like old times.
Watching the two brothers with amusement, Hal was confused. There were times that the twins were so alike Hal could hardly tell them apart, even by their smell. But more often than not, Mortharona’s scent had the flavor of darkness on it. At first he just thought it was the residual effects of being Blackfang’s captives but that thought wouldn’t hold true. Khlekluëllin and Rjurik had spent the same amount of time with Blackfang but neither of them had the scent of darkness on them, only Mortharona. Something was not right with the dark twin. Rolling over to get some sleep, Hal decided he would have to keep an eye on him, for some reason he didn’t trust the dark haired twin.
* * * * *
Rjurik regained consciousness the following morning but he was extremely weak. So the companions stayed in the clearing for the next week. Hal did the hunting for them, while all three rested and ate to regain their strength.
Finally, on the morning of the tenth day since they escaped, they climbed on Hal’s back and the four companions flew west. As they soared high in the cold winter sky, they watched in horror as Blackfang’s army began pouring out of the gates of the dark fortress. Pointing at the thousands of troops issuing from the underground tunnels, Mortharona yelled over the rushing wind.
“Blackfang wouldn’t send that many soldiers out just to hunt for us. He must be planning on attacking the barbarians.”
Nodding his head, Khlekluëllin agreed. “I feel sorry for them. I wonder if they’ll be ready for his attack. It is most unusual to attack during the winter, especially here in the Highlands.”
Rjurik was sitting behind Khlekluëllin and in front of Mortharona spoke up. “The Highlanders are a tough lot. They’ll be ready. I have travelled to their main village once with Hawkeye. While it is not as formidable as Darkmoor or even the Black Fortress, the inhabitants make it a dangerous place. My king considers them allies even though there has never been a formal treaty.”
Taking Rjurik’s word on the strength of the Highlanders the twins turned their thoughts on staying warm and enjoying their newfound freedom.
The four companions flew west all day until around nightfall they spied the main gates of Darkmoor. It was an impressive sight. The gates were located high on the side of the Darkmoor Mountains. Chiseled out of solid granite, the crossed axe and hammer of Bromios were carved in the cornerstones. Two huge iron doors, standing nearly fifty feet tall barred the entrance into the dwarven fortress. The area in front of the gate wasn’t very large or easily accessible. A long winding path up the side of the mountain was the only approach to the main gates, making the idea of trying to lay siege to the dwarven fortress ludicrous.
The sun had already passed behind the mountains when Hal landed in front of the main gates. Climbing down from his back, the three comrades stretched their sore muscles.
Casting a sidelong look at Hal, Mortharona said sarcastically, “Dragon riding might be a quick way to get somewhere but it is defiantly not the most comfortable way to travel.”
Shaking his head, Khlekluëllin began rubbing just behind Hal’s left eye ridge. The young dragon almost purred with contentment.
“I disagree. I think it is the most invigorating trip I’ve ever been on. Thanks Hal. Our escape
would not have been possible without your assistance. You are a true friend but now you must go. You are free. Free to fly and roam the wilds of Terreth as you were meant to be.”
Hal’s voice took on a serious tone. *Thank you Khlekluëllin. You are my truest friend. It was your faith in the gods that set us free.*
Flapping his long wings, Hal raised himself to his full height towering high above the three companions. Lifting his head high into the night air, Hal let loose a tremendous roar followed by a brilliant flash of light and a crack of thunder as a large lightning bolt split the cold night air. Rjurik and Mortharona took several steps back, thinking that Hal had gone crazy or was just too hungry to think. Khlekluëllin just stood his ground and watched his friend. Secure in the trust and knowledge of their friendship.
Continuing to flap his wings, Hal roared a second time and even spit a larger bolt of lightning into the night air. Looking down, Hal fixed his eyes on Khlekluëllin. They glowed a yellowish blue. Rjurik and Mortharona felt their knees grow weak as the first stages of dragon fright crept over them.
Khlekluëllin heard Hal’s voice over their mental link. *Do you, Khlekluëllin Amarth the Ice Blue Doom, pledge your lifelong friendship and loyalty to me, Halhulingrath the Ice Blue Death?*
Nodding his head, Khlekluëllin drew his sword and held it over his head. “I do.”
*I also pledge my friendship and loyalty to you and your kin for as long as I or my brood shall live.*
Hal let loose the largest and brightest lightning bolt the companions had ever seen. This time it didn’t fly harmlessly into the night sky but came crashing down on Khlekluëllin. The blast knocked Rjurik and Mortharona from their feet and filled the night air with smoke and debris. Khlekluëllin didn’t feel any pain from the lightning blast, only a slight tingling in his wrists. He did feel the weariness of the last month fade from his body and he felt strangely invigorated.
Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf Page 28
