The Estian Alliance

by M J Webb

  “Tell us, why do you come here?” Zephany asked, softly.

  The old peasant lifted her head slowly to reveal two piercingly blue eyes. They were full of kindness, even though they seemed to carry within them a lifetime of pain and anguish. “I am addressing the Princess from Rhuaddan, am I not? You are the Leader of the Alliance? Good, I have found you at last. I… I seek the Keeper, the one who claims that title,” she replied, with more emotion echoing in her words than most experience in a whole lifetime.

  * * *

  It was the middle of the night now at Kerralux. The great Thargw city was illuminated only by the moonlight, and a few flamed torches littered here and there to help the sentries find their way around. The inhabitants had no reason to expect an attack on their heavily fortified capitol, so a standing guard comprised of only of older Thargw warriors, the lucky few who had lived long enough to earn the honour of manning the walls, protected them.

  With Jake and Tien riding upon his back Gellsorr flew high over the city, using his superior eyesight to reconnoitre its defences before choosing the best place to land. Then, his wings stopped beating and he glided gently and silently down to an open patch of ground which lay just outside the city palace. He immediately made for the largest shaded area he could find, the darkest corner, where he was confident they would not be seen. It was not far from the palace doors and he allowed his passengers to dismount.

  “Okay,” hissed Jake, “so far, so good. Me and Tien are going in. Gellsorr, you stay here and protect this entrance. Try to remain undetected if you can. If anything goes wrong, save yourself… And help the others at Te’oull.”

  “Do not concern yourself, Jake. I will be here when you return. You need have no fear on that account.”

  Jake smiled at the dragon, scarcely able to believe the absurdity of what he was doing. He gestured to Tien for him to follow. At the large wooden door to the palace the old wizard performed yet another of his spells. He opened the lock with a single wave of his hand and they both disappeared inside. The door was shut silently behind them. Tien began to chant the same spell he had used in the vault at Ilin-Seatt, using his magic to search for the whereabouts of the Eratian Ore.

  “Enuussrialle frettureieste hechniarr eratore.”

  Jake looked anxiously at him once he had finished. “Well? Did it work?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Tien replied. “Come, it is this way, I can sense it,” he added, pointing down the long corridor and up the stairs.

  They crept silently along the magnificent hallways until they reached the doors to a very large chamber. “Here, this must be the room of the Thargw Emperor,” said the wizard.

  Jake’s heart was pounding furiously now, even though he felt as calm as ever. “So, what we waiting for? Open it, and let’s get that stone.”

  Tien unlocked the door, being careful not to make a sound. He pushed it ajar, but it suddenly creaked loudly. Their hearts leapt into their mouths and Jake immediately drew his sword, expecting to be confronted by guards at any moment. Seconds later though, no one had responded to the noise they made and the two raiders breathed a huge sigh of relief.

  They entered the room. It was exceedingly grand, lavishly decorated with valuable trinkets and cloths. In the centre, there was a huge bed and, lying on top and snoring so loudly that the very foundations seemed to be shaking, was the largest Thargw warrior either of them had ever seen. He was colossal and even the old wizard felt a shiver run down his spine at the fearsome sight.

  Jake though, had only one thing on his mind. He scanned the room quickly with his eyes, looking for the emperor’s crown and the precious stone they had come to collect. “There it is!” the youngster whispered, excitedly.

  It was lying on a chair beside the Emperor’s bed. Jake went to fetch it, but Tien held his arm and placed a finger to his lips, stressing the need for stealth. Another spell was performed and the crown lifted into the air. Then, it floated over to them slowly and silently. Jake caught it gratefully and he wasted no time in using his sword to prise the stone free. He placed it in his bag and then lay the crown down on the floor.

  “Come on, we’re done here,” he said, happily.

  Tien nodded to acknowledge the order. “For once, Jake, I am in complete agreement with you.” They crept away quietly and made for the exit.

  Outside the palace, Gellsorr was waiting patiently in the darkness. His huge frame was partially hidden in the shadows thrown by the palace walls. He was confident that he could remain there unseen for as long as it took. However, Thargw warriors possess excellent hearing and eyesight. Though the direction of his approach had enabled the dragon to avoid detection in the initial phase of the raid, a sharp eyed lookout on the wall had spotted something peculiar, and decided to investigate. Against the backdrop of the moonlit sky, the warrior could see a darker mist. It was a vapour of some sort and it was rising steadily from the walls of the palace. The smoke was only slight, but it was rising gently from the dragon’s nostrils and, unbeknown to Gellsorr, every single breath he took was betraying his position to the enemy.

  The ancient dragon saw nothing untoward. He remained concealed, unaware that two experienced Thargw warriors were descending slowly down the stairs to the wall, intending to circle around to both sides of his current position. The soldiers used the buildings as cover. Soon, they were staring from only yards away at the unbelievable sight of a fully grown dragon.

  Both carried Thargw spears and they launched them at the unsuspecting creature before he had time to react. Gellsorr never knew what hit him. The first thing he felt was a thunderous jolt as a spear tip pierced his skin and tore into his chest. It was followed almost immediately by a second, far more deadly strike, which did him lasting damage. The spear came more from the side this time and it pinned his wing so that he could not fly. Moreover, the incredible force of the throw caused the tip of the shaft to lodge deep within his heart.

  He roared in pain, a resounding cry of agony that was so loud it seemed the whole of Mynae and Estia must surely have heard it. The city of Kerralux appeared to shake and vibrate with the unbelievable din. It was fully awake now, and Gellsorr knew for certain that more Thargws would be coming for him.

  Jake and Tien were almost at the door when they heard the awful noise. It stopped them in their tracks. A look of complete horror overcame their faces as they realised immediately what it meant.

  “Gellsorr! Quick, we have to help him!” cried Jake.

  They raced outside just in time to witness the ancient dragon taking his vengeance upon his two attackers. The Thargw assailants were incinerated by his fire. Then, he trained his other weapon upon the warriors who manned the wall, using his eyes to turn them all into black stone. This afforded Jake and Tien the brief opportunity to approach him, before the warriors of Kerralux could respond in force to the dragon’s cry.

  “Gellsorr, you’re hurt! How bad is it?” asked Jake.

  The old dragon knew his time had come. The wound to his heart was a mortal one and he could no longer fly. His wing was damaged beyond repair, beyond healing. Even if the spear could be removed, he would not be able to take the others to safety. “It is as bad as bad can be, Jake,” he replied. “You must save yourselves. I cannot aid you now. They will be here very soon, in great numbers, to finish me.”

  “No. We can’t!”

  “Go! You have to!” insisted the dragon. “There is no other way. Take this stone and do all you can for your people, for Estia.”

  Gellsorr gave the stone to the wizard, knowing full well that without it, without his life source, he was doomed. Tien thanked him quickly for his sacrifice and turned to Jake. “He is right, we have to go. We have no way of leaving this place now, but we cannot be captured! Thargws do not treat their prisoners well.”

  Jake’s eyes were brimming with tears. He felt totally calm, but inside, he knew his heart was breaking. “Yes, I know. I’m sorry, Gellsorr. I’m sorry it’s ended like this.”

  “N
o need for words. I made my choices. Go!”

  The two raiders ran for their lives. They hadn’t gone far when they were confronted by a group of three Thargw warriors. Jake immediately drew his sword and engaged them. Tien sensed that his own intervention might not be needed and he took a step backwards. Enraged by the loss of Gellsorr, the young Keeper was on fire. Every single nerve in his body was alive. His actions were so swift and ferocious that the three beasts surrounding him could not keep up, despite their own skill and speed. Jake was ducking, diving, weaving and thrusting his sword so swiftly that his actions seem to blur into one. Before long, all three warriors lay dead on the ground and the two fugitives had resumed their flight. Soon, they had disappeared into the darkness of the city streets.

  They stayed in the shadows as much as possible, moving swiftly away from the palace and into the more densely populated zones, where a thousand and one hiding places presented themselves. Thargw warriors and civilians alike appeared all around them, but somehow they managed to stay hidden as the throngs of angry beasts made their way to the palace square, where the incredible roar had sounded.

  Jake led Tien into a quiet alleyway. The complete darkness and lack of life offered brief sanctuary and they stopped to catch their breath. Then, they heard the unmistakeable sound of an enormous fight. The roars and screams were carried on the cool night air. It seemed to last for ages, though in reality it was no more than a few minutes. As they listened and watched the sky, every now and then it was lit up by flame. Finally, they heard the most awful cry; a dragon’s death roar. Estia and Mynae had not heard it’s like for hundreds of years. Piercing, intense and severe, it resonated way above anything they had ever known.

  Gellsorr had fought valiantly until the last ounce of strength had left him. He had taken many Thargws with him to the afterlife. Though his energy had started diminishing as soon as the stone had left his grasp, he had continued to fire his beam of light and breathe his fire, even as a multitude of arrows and spears peppered his stricken body. His final cry, his last almighty roar in life, was heard far and wide, across the land.

  The sole remaining dragon on Estia, the greatest living ally the Keeper had, was dead. Jake and Tien were lost and on the run in their enemy’s capitol. The whole city was now awake and determined to find the rest of the attackers who, they soon found out, had been spotted running away from the palace square in the darkness. It seemed to both Tien and Jake that the astonishing luck they had enjoyed to date, had finally run out.

  Chapter 9

  2nd September - The City of Dassilliak - Perosya

  Sawdon had already departed Dassilliak for Te’oull taking with him every warrior he could muster. Only the elite soldiers of King Vantrax’ Personal Guard remained within the city walls now, besides the King himself, his servant, Nytig and his Sebantan warrior, Melissa. The burned out ruins told a wretched tale. Dassilliak looked like nothing more than the remains of an enormous ghost town, long since laid to waste. Inside the palace, which had somehow managed to survive virtually intact, the vast corridors and chambers that had been so full of life now echoed with emptiness. The only room buzzing with activity was the Throne Room, where the evil wizard and his tiny entourage were entertaining themselves by devouring the food and drink they had salvaged. In one small guest quarter situated towards the rear of the palace however, totally unbeknown to his evil brother, the severely wounded King Artrex lay recovering, still watched over and protected by his ever faithful friend and companion, the spirit of Gerada Knesh Corian. Artrex had somehow survived wounds which would have easily killed lesser men. Amazingly, he was fully conscious and a little of his strength had returned.

  “They have already begun the pursuit of our friends, my King. Sawdon leads their forces and they march on Te’oull. Though, for some reason, Vantrax and his guards have not accompanied them?” stated Knesh.

  King Artrex was surprised by the news and he immediately sat upright. A searing pain in his arm and shoulder burned fiercely and almost made him faint. After a short pause to collect himself, he stood up gingerly and only just about managed to remain upright, as his incredibly weak legs almost gave way underneath him. A torrent of blood rushed to his healing wounds bringing even further pain and agony. However, he refused to yield to it and bore it bravely. The Ruddite King was still weak, too weak, but his mind would not accept the limitations that came with his current condition. He tried to lift his sword with his good arm. He could barely hold it. The blade shook furiously as it travelled upwards no more than a few inches. The reality of their situation seemed completely lost on him in his determined and resolute frame of mind.

  “My brother remains, you say? Good! With his entire army gone and with the element of surprise I presume we still enjoy, given the lack of warriors that seem to be searching for us, now is the perfect time to attack. I shall kill him right here and take his stone!”

  Though he shared his King’s desire to see the wizard dead, Gerada Knesh Corian knew immediately that what his friend was proposing was impossible. Even a fit and able bodied warrior would struggle to evade the King’s Personal Guard, and Artrex could hardly walk. “Frah! If only we could make it so. Look at us sire… You are too badly wounded. You should be dead. And I am! In our existing state, a small child with a toy sword could best us. It grieves me to say it to you, but I am unable to fight this time my liege. Raar!!!” he roared in anger and frustration.

  “Sshhh! Knesh!” hissed the King. “Be quiet, lest we be heard! If we are discovered, we will be…”

  “There!” interrupted the Ruddite commander, smiling. “Right there! That is the King I have served and loved all these years. Welcome back, your majesty.”

  King Artrex’ expression of real concern from moments before changed almost immediately to a friendly acknowledgement of Knesh’s sentiment. “Tuh… Yes, thank you. I am thinking clearly now… So, seeing as how I have risen from the path to the afterlife, and am now on the road to recovery, we have to find a way to leave this wretched place and join with our army. We will be discovered sooner or later if we stay here, and I will not do nothing while others fight in my place. That is not my way.”

  “Yes, sire. My thoughts entirely. I will lead the way for you. Sheathe your sword, your majesty, you will have no need of it, I promise. I will use my new powers to clear our path.”

  “What? How?” asked the King.

  “I will deflect attention away from our flight. Those warriors who guard the exits and hallways will be drawn to other areas, allowing us to pass.”

  “Koh, you can actually do that? Excellent! Then, let us go without delay. It is a long way to Te’oull.”

  “Krmmn… Yes, you cannot walk far so we shall need a horse. I will secure one from the stables.”

  “Another of your tricks?” asked the King.

  “A mind technique that is quite effective on animals, learnt from the Heynai but not yet used in anger.”

  “I see. Even more impressive. Still, Te’oull is too far away. The battle will surely be over before we arrive?” said Artrex, his voice low but full of unease.

  “No, my liege. King Vantrax’ army of assassins will be delayed from completing their victory, by the spirits. They work for us once more. We will reach the battle in time to play our part, I assure you.”

  “Grar! Excellent! Srr… What exactly do you mean by, ‘our part’?”

  “You are a vital piece of this puzzle, one without whom it is incomplete, and cannot be solved. The Heynai have stated that there can be no victory without you, no lasting resolution.”

  “Really? You know all of that for certain?” asked the King. Knesh nodded once in reply. “…Then I am glad to play my part, whatever is asked of me… And, I would admit this only to you, Knesh; I am all of a sudden afraid. Strange, that I who have fought so many wars and lived the life I have, should feel that now? I expect it is fear of failure, nothing more. My subjects, my friends, my daughter, we must not let them down. We must prevail. Tell
me, there will be a price to pay in the final reckoning, will there not? At what cost do we make this journey? Can you say?”

  Gerada Knesh Corian turned to look his dearest friend in the eye. He had already sacrificed his life, everything he had, for his beloved sovereign. He said nothing as Artrex stared deep within his soul. But, his eyes revealed everything.

  “Yes… I understand perfectly, my loyal and faithful knight. So be it then. I am ready to do what must be done. Lead on Knesh, lead on… Let us go and save Zephany and her army.”

  * * *

  On the 2nd September, Ben, Brraall and Verastus arrived at the great shield which was barring their path to Te’oull. They had journeyed long and hard with their columns of tribal warriors, across the rugged countryside and through the Kielth Mountains. Brraall had made the decision to leave all those unable to fight behind at Varriann, the wounded and infirm, for their own safety and to speed their march. Now, as they exited the final pass and left the mountains behind them, the only sign that a great, magical wall barred their advance was a slight haziness in the air between them and their destination, the great city which was visible in the distance. It was Verastus who spotted it first.