“Avalon?” questioned Beck.
The Saber nodded ruefully. “She got the best of me. Make sure the witch does not do the same to you!”
Another tear slipped down Kiernan’s cheek when Titus emerged looking around hesitantly. As soon as he saw her, he glided over to hover in front of her. “‘Ello agin,” he said shyly.
Kiernan reached out her hands to him. “I am so sorry for what happened to you, Titus.”
He nodded. “I know, and that is why I want you to know what an admirable person you are. I just wish we ‘ad more time to get to know each other.”
She cried out. “Oh, Titus!”
“I must go,” he said. “Tell my Da that I am in a safe place and love ‘im!”
“I will, Titus, I promise!”
More shapes stepped forward to greet the Savitars. There were several shifters from the Magical Kingdom of Pyraan, including young Katrin Allendale, who looked like she could bend an oak tree with little effort.
Kiernan held her fists to her stomach in pain when Colbie Nash stepped in front of her. She reached out to him. “Oh, no. Colbie,” she moaned.
“Princess,” he acknowledged and bowed to her.
“My father?”
“Alive, but needs our help.”
“What happened to you?” she asked.
“Exactly what was meant to happen, Your Grace,” he said smiling and then glided away.
“ANGELS! DRACAS! SAVITARS!” roared Galen Starr interrupting the gatherings. “The time is now!” The Mage soared high into the sky, raised his radiant sword above his head and swung it down and pointed north.
“WE FIGHT!”
With those two words, the angels took to the air and flew north after the departing Mage. The Draca Cats let out deafening roars of aggression and plunged into the Puu Rainforest headed toward the Illian River and Starfell.
The Savitars nodded to each other grimly and turned to follow.
“Wait!”
Beck paused, humbled in the presence of such unadulterated courage. Despite the fact that one would not survive the night, the determination to rush to the aid of their fellow Massans was immutably etched onto the features of each of his friend’s faces.
He looked into Kiernan’s eyes so alive and full of passion. A life where she did not exist would be bleak and empty. He then turned to Rogan who was watching him questioningly as he fingered the short beard on his chin. Beck knew he would grow out that beard with pride and adorn it with gems in the Dwarven custom if he lived. And, Airron, with his violet eyes that sparkled in the moonlight. A world without Airron would be a world without laughter.
Bajan nudged him warmly as if to remind Beck not to forget about him.
“There are some words that must be said before we go,” he said quietly.
“Beck,” Kiernan said sadly. “It is too painful…,” but he stopped her and shook his head.
“It is more painful to live with words unsaid. I do not want to have any regrets, so I will tell you now what you already know in your hearts. You are my family, my best friends, and I thank you for the tremendous meaning you have brought to my life. Remember that always.”
His friends murmured their agreement.
“Despite this!” he yelled with a paradoxical grin. “Despite knowing the outcome! We will still fight!”
The air around the Savitars glowed as the blood oath surged through them in a burst of energy as bright as that of the angels.
“We fight together! As one!”
Impossibly, the light glowed brighter.
The Savitars and Bajan screamed out in unity and then turned north and sped away after the angels and Draca Cats as fast as superhumanly possible.
It was dawn of the first Earthshine in Massa’s history without light. Unrelieved darkness blanketed the skies, land, and souls of the defenders like a shroud. The battle for the Valley of Flame had raged all through the night at a terrible cost in lives.
For a while, King Maximus dared to hope that they might have a chance. King Jerund, now without his Elven Gladewatchers, had admitted to an inborn talent of all Haventhal Elves of the ability to influence animal behavior, and he was able to call forth the most aggressive beasts of the Du-Chu Forest and Puu Rainforest to aid them in the battle. King Rik Rojin arrived with General Klay Arsten and his preeminent Iron Fists, the remainder of the Deepstone Army marching at full speed toward their location. Gemini Starr and her sorceresses proved to be particularly cunning against the enemy. It was somewhat of a challenge initially for the men to get used to fighting alongside women dressed in silks, but they were quickly assuaged by the witches’ talent for destruction. And, there was Vinni Vee and his Halfie Tribe who caused more damage to the enemy than all combined.
Even so, there were simply too many of the Cyman soldiers. And, with the demons now in the fray, his hopes had crumbled to ash.
“We are beating a dead horse,” he said. “Even if the Savitars appeared on the horizon at this very moment, it would not matter. We have lost too many men.” The leaders were all there, crowded outside of his tent. Bo Franck, Gage Gregaros, and Lords Etin, Winslow and Hamilton and Lady Knapp, along with King Rik and King Jerund and their Captains and vassals, Gemini Starr and Vinni Vee. He could not see the Scarlet Sabers, but knew they were nearby, surveying his every move. “We are outnumbered, outmatched, and fighting creatures of whom we have very little knowledge.”
“Are you suggesting surrender, Max?” asked King Rik gruffly. “Because if you are, the Kings will not live out the day. Ravener could never afford to let us remain alive.”
He shrugged with an indifference he had to struggle to maintain. “Better me than more Iserlohn lives. We cannot throw back another advance of the enemy. When they come again, it will be the last time. We will break.” He looked carefully at the faces around him. Their eyes told him they knew it as well. He went on relentlessly. “As Kings of this island, we have failed our people. If we had not become so isolated and suspicious of one another, we may have had a chance. We should have been working together to create a strong united army, not closing our borders to each other!”
The Halfie Tribe Leader sniffed. “Do not throw your life away prematurely, King. The Savitars will come.” The imp then turned and walked away from the group, throwing a snarky glance over his shoulder as he did.
King Jerund shook his head at Vinni Vee’s departing back. “He is right, Maximus. If we have an island left standing after this, we will discuss all of our inadequacies at that time. Until then, we have to find a way. I have not given up the fight yet. We can….” The Elven King did not get a chance to finish his thought as an alarm went up, and the sound of running boots thundered in the morning air.
One long and two short bursts.
Enemy advancing.
The group quickly ran for their horses and mounted. “Gemini!” Maximus reached down and grabbed Gemini by the forearm and swept her up behind him on the saddle. He spurred his horse roughly forward and dodged men and campfires with careless disregard. Gage Gregaros and the Scarlet Sabers were close on his heels. Slowing as soon as he approached the phalanx, he pressed his mount through to the front line. He had not seen Adrian or Avalon Ravener since yesterday morning, but they were there now at the front of their armies.
Gemini hissed in his ear.
“Good morning, High Priestess,” called Avalon from the space between them. Her mouth moved soundlessly and his horse unexpectedly reared. While he managed to stay seated, the action tossed Gemini to the ground.
Avalon laughed. “No, no do not get up,” she said mockingly. “You are fine right where you are.”
Gemini glared at Avalon as she got to her feet. “Still playing childish games, I see, Avalon.”
Maximus noticed the other sorceresses smoothly materializing behind their leader.
Adrian sat atop his horse and raised his hand. “Enough! I do not wish a fight with the witches.” His eyes narrowed with malicious intent. “I have come
for the Kings. This is the dawn of a new day, a New World, and there is no room in it for ignorant and cowardly leaders! When the three of you are dead, the fighting will cease and all will bow down to me.” He laughed. “The people of Massa will probably thank me as soon as the deed is done!”
“You are despicable, Adrian,” said Gemini.
“Good to see you, too, Gemini. What has it been? A few centuries?”
The sorceress spit toward the Mage.
“Why do you call me despicable, Gemini? Because I wish to return to my homeland?”
Gemini stalked out into the space between the armies. “Because of the innocent lives you are taking along the way, Adrian!”
“A means to an end, Gemini, that is all.” Ravener suddenly screamed out in pain. One of the Halfies was standing below the Mage and pressing a knife into his calf. Ravener kicked out and sent the Halfie flying through the air. Vinni Vee let out a howl of rage, but Maximus jumped down from his horse and restrained the Tribal Leader.
An angry snarl issued from Gemini, and Maximus whipped his head up in time to see that one of the witches had also managed to infiltrate the enemy line. Her braid of red hair flowed out from behind her as she took several long strides, leapt into the air and grabbed Avalon from behind the neck and threw her to the ground. She pummeled Avalon with lightning speed, each fist falling like a heavy mallet against the woman’s body. Avalon groaned in pain, but managed to murmur a spell and the witch on top of her flung back into the dirt.
“Citrine!” yelled Gemini.
Avalon did not hesitate. Before anyone could intervene, she stalked over to the prone woman, lifted her head and twisted, breaking her neck and killing her instantly.
The witches screeched in fury and strode forward until they were positioned directly in front of the three Kings.
“Stand back!” shouted Adrian, lifting his hand. “Gemini! We do not wish to fight you! Listen to me! We need magic in this world. Unlike these feeble Kings, I will make sure that you and all of the witches have a place in the New World.” When Gemini did not move, he went on. “It is really quite ironic if you think about it. King Maximus hates magic so much, he exiled his own daughter and all the while he had a coven of witches living in his backyard! King Jerund is so blind, he does not even realize that all Elves have magic in the way they can summon animals! It is not some innate Elven ability. It is magic! And, King Rik! He killed his own brother because of magic! I promise each and every one of you. Massa will be better served with me leading than these three bloody fools.”
“Avalon must die,” Gemini growled as if she did not hear a word he said.
“Step out of the way, witch,” Adrian threatened.
“Over my dead body.”
“Very well…”
“ADRIAN RAVENER!” The fearsome voice boomed from the Puu Rainforest to the south, and every man, woman, and animal in the Valley of Flame shrank back in fright.
Maximus looked on in shock as Galen Starr and an army of white wraiths drifted over the valley in the sky above.
Adrian Ravener screeched. “Demons!” The Demon Army responded at once and launched from the ground to meet the threat. Hundreds of white and black wraiths took positions facing each other mid-air and all was momentarily quiet on the battlefield as the mortals watched from below. There were a few hushed gasps as several of the soldiers recognized departed comrades now in their spirit forms. One of the wraiths gracefully peeled away from the assemblage to swoop down in front of Maximus. He fell to his knees.
“Gracie,” he whispered.
“Yes, Max, it is me.” She reached out to him to run the back of her fingers down his cheek, but then quickly glided back. Standing behind her as if still on royal guard, was Captain Colbie Nash. Maximus could hardly believe his eyes when his fallen Captain winked at him. His beautiful Gracie bestowed one last heartrending smile on him, and then the duo swept back into the sky to take their places among the angels poised for battle.
Galen Starr, at the front of the line, lifted a sword that glowed brilliantly with light. “You will not have this island, ADRIAN Ravener !”
The angel Mage dropped his sword in a grand flourish, and the demons and angels rushed to close. The concussion of the clash lifted the hair on every person on the battlefield not weighted down by helm. The power of the colossal struggle between the Highworld and Netherworld, angels and demons, echoed through the air, the ground, and the flesh of every being present.
Maximus felt insignificant and small and could only look on impotently.
Bestial roars swung his gaze south to witness hundreds of Draca Cats pour out of the rainforest and over the Illian River shallows to crash into the Cyman’s southern flank.
Then, came the Savitars.
Stalking toward the battlefield with a deadly grace, the air around them crackled powerfully as their eyes quickly roamed over the chaos. Then, as one, they unleashed their magic into the enemy. The earth rumbled and heaved, throwing soldiers several feet into the air. The sky and the battlefield lit up with sorcerous fire. Confusion rang out as mindshifted Cymans turned on one another. Unbelievably, an enormous mantath sprouted up out of the body of Airron Falewir and with terrible noise swept men out of its path and squashed them into the earth.
At the sight of his daughter, Maximus immediately seized the reins of his horse. Mounting, he dug his heels into the animal’s ribs and plunged ahead. “Forward!” he screamed to his front line.
Ravener saw him advancing and turned his horse to flee. Avalon Ravener clutched at him and Maximus could hear the panic in her voice. “Adrian! Take me with you!”
The dark Mage looked back. “You will just slow me down. You are on your own, sister.” Ravener kicked his horse, and the surprised animal lunged forward, crashing through the Cyman Army toward Starfell Keep.
The galvanized Iserlohn Army collided with the Cymans in a barrage of violence. Growling, Maximus tried to drive through the horde to give chase when one of the Cyman’s pulled him from the saddle. Immediately, three lethal sabers lashed out of the dark to deal with the threat.
“Father!”
Maximus barely heard the call over the clamor of battle both on the ground and in the sky. He spun around to see Kiernan running through the throng to reach him. “Kiernan!” She looked so tired and frail as she tried to push through the fighting men. He just wanted to wrap her in his arms and carry her away to safety.
Suddenly, she stopped and turned her head to the side. Someone was calling to her. Kiernan produced a weary smile as one of the sorceresses of Elloree approached her.
Maximus continued forward and then his eyes widened in fright. It was the redheaded witch Gemini called Citrine. How could that be? Avalon had killed her. He saw it with his own two eyes.
His blood froze in his veins. “Kiernan, run!” Kiernan heard his warning and crouched, unsure as to where the danger was coming from.
The dead witch continued to stalk Kiernan, and Maximus saw that she was holding a knife in the palm of her hand. He ran as fast as he could, pushing soldiers out of his way and screaming to his daughter. He would never get there in time, he realized. “Kiernan!”
Galen Starr’s warning flashed through his mind. One of those that went forth on the journey to Callyn-Rhe would not survive. He fell to his knees and hung his head in anguish. “I am so sorry, Gracie.”
Daring to look up one last time, Kiernan was momentarily blocked from his view when a streak of white fur rushed past her out of nowhere and tackled the witch to the ground. The sorceress landed flat on her back, and the large Draca Cat stood over her commandingly. Maximus watched in helplessness as the witch surreptitiously slipped her hand out from under her body and lifted the knife. Her face twisted in a sneer, she swung her arm upward and plunged the weapon deep into the chest of the unsuspecting cat.
Red blood stained the Draca’s fur, and he looked down at his chest in surprise. Then, his snowy head lifted and he turned to find Kiernan. Twin green eyes lo
cked for a long, poignant moment, and then the enormous body crumbled down to the ground as the witch got to her feet and disappeared into the embattled mass of men.
“NO!” The heart-wrenching scream from his daughter propelled him into action. He pressed forward forcefully, and when he arrived at her side, she was cradling the Draca.
It was Bajan.
Tears poured down her face and she screamed and rocked in mortal agony as her lifelong companion took a final ragged breath and was still.
“Get out of my way!” screamed Adrian, slashing at the neck and shoulders of any Cyman soldier who found himself within striking range of his sword.
I am almost there!
The road cut into the eastern side of the valley would conceal his passage until he arrived at the Keep. There, Galen Starr would be powerless against him. Not even the Mage for whom the fortress was named could penetrate the potent wards surrounding the Keep in his current spirit form.
Another Cyman soldier stood in the path before him, so he struck out. The Cyman reacted instinctively and swung around, backhanding Adrian so viciously he was swept from the saddle. “Idiot!” Adrian cast out his hand, and the Cyman scratched at his throat as he began to choke. His face turned red and then purple as he fell thrashing to the ground.
An angel swooped down close to where Adrian was standing, and with a wordless snarl, he dove behind an overturned wagon.
They were hunting him. He could end this now and kill everybody on the battlefield, but that would cost him his own life as well, for surely Galen would know where he was if he tried to conjure magic of that magnitude. His only choice was to make it to the Keep unseen.
Suddenly, two big hands reached out and dragged Adrian from his concealment. He sighed in relief. It was just Lucin.
“It is all over, Mage.”
Adrian shook his head. “Not yet, Lucin. Get me to the Keep! There we will live to fight another day!”
Lucin’s eye narrowed. “I am not takin’ you anywhere.”
The skin around Adrian’s eyes tightened. “I should have killed you a long time ago, Lucin. The only reason I kept you alive was to keep these mutants controlled while I slowly changed them into demons! And you,” he paused, pointing, “would have been my last!”
Island Shifters: Book 01 - An Oath of the Blood Page 39
