Demon Stone

by D E Boske

  “My hands are drenched in innocent blood. Blood that will never wash off. I could not do it any longer. So I faked my own death in an effort to escape a world where I was no longer welcome. I hope you can understand.

  “There are those among us who reveled in it, but it sickened me. It sickens me still. Kryndale did well in turning his back on Kaleika Bay. I took the cowards way out. I’m sorry I left you there Nephraete, I should have taken you with me.”

  “Other Gor Li’ Khan have been sent to Kiri A’ Nouell. I don’t know why, but he sends a larger force of them this time,” she said, her hands shaking.

  “Who?” Rohn asked, actually sounding afraid to hear.

  “Kelindril, Floran, Gibron, Stilhan, Melanor, Nymdal, Whelan and Gavil. He sends more but those are the only ones I could see,” she whispered quietly.

  “He sends the worst of the worst. They are bloodthirsty and will stop at nothing to kill anything in their path. I will not leave your side. Nephraete, tell me true, when this is all over, do you wish for me to stay beside you in Kiri A’ Nouell? Or would you rather I return to Al-Dan-Tir?”

  “You’re kidding right?” she asked, amused.

  “No, I’m serious. I’ve never been more serious. I need to know.”

  “I want you to stay with me, but that is selfish, Rohn. What do you want? Do what feels right in your heart. Did you not swear an oath with the Knights?”

  “Indeed I did. But I would break it if you but ask.”

  “I cannot ask that of you, though it is what’s in my heart. How could I live with myself, Rohn? It must be your decision. No one can make it for you. Should you choose to return to Al-Dan-Tir, I will not be angry, though I will miss you. You have more waiting for you in Al-Dan-Tir than just the Knights, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Larai Windfinder. I don’t know if she would make the forest her home.”

  “I do not want to be the one to break you up. Please, do what you feel is right. Do not do it for me, I don’t want that on my conscience.”

  Calisha stayed out of sight as he usually did, carefully watching everything and everyone. Nothing escaped his notice. He overheard the exchange between Rohn and Nephraete. He knew she would not be upset because she kept nothing from him. He was pleased with how easily she put him in his place. He gave up the right to speak on her behalf the day he walked out on her and faked his death. Calisha liked Rohn and knew Nephraete would want him to stay. But indeed she was right, it must be his choice else he might live to despise her for it.

  He watched the Mage and Kyler for a while. Darian seemed to be upset about something. Calisha saw the transformations his features took on. Worry turned to hatred. Happiness turned to sadness, anger burning bright behind his eyes. That was a dangerous mixture of emotions. He had no idea how the Mage kept it under control.

  Lately, he could feel Darian’s control slipping. Just a little and not for long. But recently, it happened more and more frequently. That bothered Calisha. It should not be. The Order instilled control in their Mages. They either had it or they did not and the ones that did not never made it to be a Mage of The Order.

  He smiled to himself as he thought of what Darian had told Thane. Fallekhan midre Alembekhu, drishanit! That was Shivvendari for: Guard your tongue around your betters, stupid child! And Calisha knew Darian meant it. Calisha had been alive for an eternity already and though he did not know enough of the Mage tongue to negatively affect him, he knew a few phrases and words. His was an ancient magic, born from the very beginning of days.

  They stopped for the night about fifty yards from the great stone door to the wastelands. Everyone felt anxious now that they were this close. Darian sat close to Kyler, enacting a sound shield so they could talk freely.

  “Hey, is that wise? Won’t the dragon sense it?” asked Kyler worriedly.

  “Unlikely. It is a minor blip on the Magical Weave. I doubt he would even notice. Kyler, I need your help.” He sounded so grave, the elf began to worry.

  “What is it, Darian? What do you need?” asked Kyler.

  “Every day I feel my control slip a little. Not much, but it’s happening more frequently. I don’t know what to do. I do not understand what’s happening to me. I don’t know what it is that you can help me with. But I was hoping you could keep me stabilized and grounded. Reign in my temper.”

  “I can try, Darian. You know I will do anything to help. I’m always here for you. And I’m glad you told me,” he said, gripping his forearm.

  “Me too. Every step I take, I feel the darkness surround me like a tight shirt. Some days I can banish it easily. Others… not so much. Like today, I feel overwhelmed by it and it begins to drag me down. I don’t understand what I’m feeling. I have no other Mage who I can turn to. I don’t even know if another Mage would be of help or not. I doubt any of them have gone through what I am about to. Or even what I have.

  “I feel lost, alone, though I know I am not. I’m scared because I do not know what’s happening to me. If I cannot control myself, how will I be able to stop the Dark Mage? Delvishan told me I am the only one who can do it. What if he’s wrong?”

  Kyler kept his roiling emotions under tight control. His friend did not need to see how he worried. Darian needed him to be strong for them all. And he would be.

  “Darian, Delvishan would ne’er make such a grievous error. He has chosen you and with good reason. He sees the strength in you as do we all. I will be right by your side, we will overcome it together, you and I. Whatever you need, I’m always here.” Kyler felt their friendship growing stronger. Darian was finally trusting him to confess his fears, leaning on him as he always should have.

  After all, that’s what friends were for. Share your heartache and happiness, your triumphs and failures. Kyler clapped him on the back and Darian grinned. He knew exactly what the elf was thinking.

  He let the shield go, the magical energy going back to The Weave. A soft sigh swept through the room as the magic departed. Kyler watched it go. The things his friend was capable of never ceased to amaze the elf.

  Kyler wondered how it must feel to control such powerful magic. To feel it course through you and work through you. Just being next to Darian when he cast his spells, the elf could sense the power his friend commanded. But to be the medium? To be able to feel such raw power? The elf could not fathom how that must feel.

  Kyler had seen the look in Darian’s eyes when he was casting; glazed over, somewhere deep inside himself. As if it inspired intense pleasure.

  The rest of the group gave them a wide berth. Curious gazes followed them. Kyler knew it was killing them not to know what was said. He knew each and every one of them was intent on finding out.

  Torgyn played his flute, the music washing over them all and calming their spirits. Of course, the spell of Respite mingled with a calming spell seemed to be working. He was sure Darian must know or feel what he was doing, but he never let on. Maybe because the Mage knew he was trying his best to help. Torgyn was not fool enough to believe that Darian was just too distracted to sense his magic.

  The fire was warm and bright. Because of its close proximity to the great stone door, the heat began to melt the rime that had built up on the stone.

  Darian, Kyler, Nephraete and Calisha stayed together. And the Gor Li’ Khan watched over them. A shudder ran up Tansher’s spine at the sight of the elven assassins. Their skill was legendary.

  Their attention never wavered from Kyler and Darian. The forest elves seemed to trust the Gor Li’ Khan, but Tansher was not sure if ever he could.

  11

  At last, the Monarch had made his decision. It had not been easy and Kyler would very probably be upset with him. But he had to do what he felt was right. Besides, if the Gor Li’ Khan could get there in time, they might be of help. Shenna knew they could use all the help they could get. Hopefully, they’d be in time to help Tynuviel. His heart clenched at the thought of his only daughter in the clutches of evil.

  Darian was thei
r biggest chance of success. He’d said he was there before. This made the elf leader pause. Why had he been to the dragon’s lair before? The answer, he was sure, he would not want to know, but it puzzled him nevertheless.

  “Kelindril, you have a long way to go. They are headed to Ancient Mountain and the lair of Morphindinaetlus.”

  “What?! Are you An Gla’ Mah? Is this some sort of joke?” Kelindril was angry. He thought Galavad was lying to him. And who wouldn’t? Who in their right mind would actually go to the lair of a dragon?

  “I tell you true. They go to Ancient Mountain. Morphindinaetlus took my daughter Tynuviel. They go to save her. Shenna be with us!” The shock was evident on Kelindril’s face. He knew the Monarch did not lie.

  “Why would the dragon take her and how?”

  “That is a long story. But in short, he has magical bracers that allowed him to penetrate our barrier. He took her as she gathered berries from the Eldoran tree.”

  “How many are they and why would Nephraete be going there? It is far too dangerous.”

  “They number around fifty. She insisted on going, there was nothing I could do to keep her here. She said she must go, that Kyler and Darian would need her before it was all through.”

  “Who are Kyler and Darian?” asked Kelindril.

  “Kyler is my son and Darian is his friend.” Galavad did not trust them yet to elaborate. He kept the truth of the Mage’s identity from them. Besides, a bit of humility would do them good. When they found out he was a Mage of The Order… Well, wouldn’t they be surprised?

  “Are they all elves? How will we know when we find them?” asked the assassin.

  “Oh, you’ll know. Their numbers are mixed. Ni’ Kulana, dwarves and Knights of Shorlan.”

  “Ni’ Kulana!” Kelindril spat. “Why do you allow them to accompany your son?” He said the word them as if it were a contagious disease.

  “As I said before, it is a long story. And one that if you are that curious to hear, you can ask that it be told in full when you meet up with them. Now, I think we should begin preparations for your departure.” Galavad said in a tone that brooked no further argument.

  He sent for his own personal tailor to fit them for cloaks and for the cartographer to draw a detailed map. Kinistaya gathered the rest of the supplies they would need.

  Kelindril could not believe everything he was doing to help them on their way. How did he know that the Gor Li’ Khan would not try to kill them all when they met? He did not seem the trusting sort. A Monarch could ill afford to be.

  “Rest for a few days. It will take time for the cloaks and the map to be finished. I will have rooms prepared for you.”

  Galavad called Dyvana back to duty shortly after the Gor Li’ Khan dismissed him. Even though he knew they were better to guard him right now, Dyvana could still be useful.

  He was a faithful warrior who did anything Galavad asked without question. The Monarch hated to reduce him to servant-like status, but at least he was close at all times. Galavad trusted him implicitly. When the rooms were ready, Dyvana took them away.

  “Are you sure that was wise Gal?” asked Tiriel after the Gor Li’ Khan were gone.

  “What choice do we have? We need all the help we can get to guarantee Tynuviel’s safe return. Besides, I know they speak the truth. They are bloodthirsty killers to the last elf, but they did not come here for a fight.”

  “I hope they return before I give birth.”

  “Why? We have the Shak Ta’ Ru who have safely delivered all our children,” Galavad reassured his wife.

  “I know, but I want Darian here. I want him to deliver the twins.”

  “Are you sure he will do it? He is a Mage, not a healer Tiriel. Why would you want him to anyway?” The Monarch could not believe his wife wanted Darian to deliver their children. It sounded absurd! He was also suspicious as to her reasoning.

  “I have a feeling this will be a difficult delivery. I want him close in case…” She drifted off, stifling a sob.

  “In case what, Tiriel? What aren’t you telling me?” Galavad asked worriedly.

  “Nothing Gal. I’m fine.” She reassured him. She didn’t want to add to his worry. He had enough to deal with.

  Tiriel was afraid of dying in childbirth. She could feel the strength of the babies growing inside her. She knew instinctively that she would bear them with great difficulty. She wanted the Mage close by so he could save her life. But she could not tell her husband this. She would just have to wait for Darian’s return and hoped the twins would wait as well.

  Within a week of their arrival, the Gor Li’ Khan departed Kiri A’ Nouell heading west. They refused the offer of horses, saying they would be better served to walk or run as needed. As soon as they were beyond the barrier, they disappeared, blending with their surroundings.

  “That is always an unsettling sight,” remarked Kinistaya.

  “Aye,” agreed Galavad. “I hope I did the right thing Kinistaya.”

  “What choice did you have, Galavad? We must hope that they can be trusted. In time, who knows. Maybe

  they will call Kiri A’ Nouell home as well. Only Shenna can say.” The ancient elf’s presence was comforting to Galavad.

  “Kinistaya, my wife worries me lately,” Galavad confided in his friend.

  “Why, what has happened?” asked the ancient, his voice full of concern.

  “I don’t know. She won’t tell me. I know she thinks I have too much to deal with now but… Something is wrong, I know it. She told me she wants Darian to deliver the twins.”

  “Whatever for? Would he even do it? Sometimes that one is a bit odd,” responded Kinistaya.

  “Yes, though you are being kind. I think she wants him because she suspects there is something wrong. She knows he is capable of healing… And to be honest Kinistaya, the Shak Ta’ Ru have not been much help with this pregnancy. Darian is the only one who offered her real comfort. I love her Kinistaya. I cannot lose her. Darian must return on time. He must!”

  He sent a message to his son, alerting him to the Gor Li’ Khan on their trail. He could feel his son’s displeasure. But Kyler knew there was nothing else to be done. They could be a valuable asset. He let Kyler know they were not coming to take Nephraete, but said nothing else on the matter.

  ﴾﴿ ﴾﴿ ﴾﴿

  Kelindril took out the map Galavad presented him with. They left the forest behind and had not stopped yet. Weeks of travel still lay before them. Checking the map, he saw they were approaching Mishkalan. With plenty of supplies, they had no need to stop. Yet.

  Winter had not yet released her grip on the land. And it was cold. The wind blowing down from Thunder Peak was biting. Few trees dotted the land between Kiri A’ Nouell and Mishkalan. The Gor Li’ Khan could find no comfort of shelter.

  They drew their cloaks tightly around them walking on. Deliberately putting one foot in front of the other. Kelindril wondered if he should have them stop for the night, but quickly decided against it.

  They walked on without stopping. During the night, the temperature began to drop drastically. The wind picked up and it started to snow.

  Kelindril cursed their ill luck. He even considered stopping at Mishkalan to wait out the weather. If he chose to do so, he knew it would delay them further. His elves would not complain, he knew. About the weather or anything else.

  The snow began to fall heavier. Thick flakes fell from the darkening sky. By the time they reached the gates of Mishkalan, two feet of fresh snow lay on the ground. Sadly, they’d be delayed. But Kelindril did not see a way around it.

  “Halt! State your business!” Boris ordered them. He paled when they came near and he saw that they were elves.

  “We seek shelter from the storm,” answered Kelindril.

  “Where is Kyler? Is he with you?” asked the guard.

  “Nay. We are to meet up with him. But the storm will delay us,” responded Kelindril.

  The guard did not notice the deadly gleam in the elf�
��s eyes. He let them pass. When he looked back, they were gone.

  They found shelter in an inn called The Lone Wolf. The innkeeper was a stout, balding man who had a

  clean apron and was wiping down the counter when they entered. He raised his head to greet his customers. When he saw who they were, his jaw dropped and he forgot what he was doing.

  “Greetings, what can I do for you?” he asked politely, trying to hide his shock and failing. Kelindril let it pass.

  “We are in need of rooms for the night,” replied Kelindril.

  “Not often do we get elves. I hope your stay will be pleasant. Would you like supper as well? We have roast chicken tonight.”

  “Yes please.” Kelindril handed the coins to the innkeeper.

  After locking their supplies in their rooms, they went down to the common room. It was busy, but they were able to find a table near the back. Once seated, it was several minutes before a young serving girl came to take their order.

  Kelindril knew she had not yet seen twenty winters. She was pretty, with a nice smile and dark brown hair. Her eyes were green and a tiny splash of freckles dashed her cheeks.

  “What can I get for you tonight?” she asked, smiling sweetly.

  “Do you have Nykessa?” asked Kelindril.

  “Oh yes. Will that be all?”

  “No, meals as well please.”

  “Alright. I’ll be back in a moment with your drinks.” She winked at them, making her way to the bar. She returned with their wine almost at once. She tucked the coins he gave her into a pocket of her tight breeches.

  She returned a while later with their meals. She placed plates of roast chicken and vegetables in front of each, smiling as she did so. After refilling their wine, she danced away into the crowd. She was attentive to her customers. And though she was friendly, she did not flirt