by Mark Tyson
Gondrial nodded. “Aye, they are under another mindwielder illusion. They think we are their enemy. They probably see us as Dramyds or some other creature attacking Brookhaven.”
“How do we snap them out of it?” Dorenn asked.
“We can try to do it, but we really need another mindwielder and you poisoned the only one we have,” Gondrial said. “Essence has almost no effect on freeing anyone from illusions. Allied with the protection magic from their dragon companions, we won’t stand a chance at breaking it.”
“This is why the wild magic was so feared,” Dorenn said. “No wonder the Enforcers tried to wipe them out or exile them to die in desolation. They can turn friends against one another, not to mention craft convincing illusions.”
“In the days before the war, it wasn’t so much of a problem. Mindwielders can easily see through the illusions of other mindwielders. This sort of thing rarely happened with mindwielder allies in your ranks. That’s why you protected them deep in your line. If their numbers thinned too much . . . well, you can see what would happen,” Lady Shey said.
Gondrial readied his sword. “What concerns me is that someone out there remembers how to mindwield while we are only now just rediscovering it. I fear not all the knowledge of the mindwielders was as lost as we thought.”
“Theosus would be a good ally to have with us right now,” Shey said.
Dorenn hated these moments of indecision where he had to choose between hurting someone he loved or letting someone he loved hurt someone else he loved. It was a no-win proposition. No matter what he did, someone he cared about was going to get hurt.
“We have no choice. We need to stop them from attacking or convince them they are under a spell,” Dorenn said.
“You want us to attack Bren and Tatrice?” Gondrial asked.
“Do you see another solution?” Dorenn said.
The dragons circled above the area where the dragon knights stood poised for the attack. Precious moments came and faded away. Dorenn caught the sight of an eerie, blue flaming arrow climbing skyward toward the dragons, and then another and another. He searched the rooftops, and then he spotted someone on one of the hills almost out of sight.
Almost in slow motion, he saw Trendan firing arrows into the sky while Kimala held up her hand and magically ignited them with searing-hot blue flame as they flew. Sanmir held his arms outstretched, and Tatrice and Bren sank into the ground up to their necks in the blink of an eye. The dragons dived with great plumes of dragon’s fire billowing out over the village. Trendan pointed his arrow to where Dorenn hid with Lady Shey and Gondrial, and fired. The arrow found its mark in the wooden railing nearby.
“There is parchment attached,” Dorenn said. He unraveled it from the arrow. “It says, you were lured into a trap. More devastation to come. We will lure the beasts off and take care of the knights. GET OUT of Brookhaven! Do not fight; do not try to defend the village. This is a fight you cannot win. If you value your lives, RUN!”
As Dorenn read the words, the skies blackened with hordes of black, brown, and green dragons, intermixed with Drasmyd Duil and Dramyds.
Gondrial looked skyward. “All right, time to go!” He sheathed his sword and took Lady Shey’s hand, pulling her up behind him. “Come on, Dorenn!”
“I’m right behind you.”
“Get to the apothecary shop. We can’t leave anyone behind,” Lady Shey said. “Don’t look back.”
Dorenn looked up and saw the aerial army swirling around, getting into attack positions. Suddenly he knew. This is it; this is the end of Brookhaven. An army that size will leave nothing behind but ashes.
They reached the apothecary shop where Morgoran and Jindara were already preparing Rennon for travel. Seandara and Herial, the archer of Endil, were stuffing food into knapsacks.
“How did you know,” Dorenn asked Morgoran, “to come back here and make ready to leave?”
“Seandara and Herial. They saw the horde coming from their lookout,” he replied. “They found me and I sent them after you, but you were already returning. Here, help me with Rennon. If I can get him on this cot, I can pull him along with us by essence so he won’t slow us down.” Dorenn helped Morgoran get Rennon secured on the cot.
Seandara stopped to peer out a nearby window. “It has begun. They are burning the village. People are running toward the edge of town away from the flames. We need to hurry; there is no time left.”
Dorenn also went to the window. “They are burning the spot where Trendan and Sanmir were.”
“Don’t worry; Sanmir can take refuge underground where the dragon’s fire can’t get to him. He will get whoever travels with him to safety. They are creating a diversion because we, obviously, cannot go to ground,” Morgoran said. “Let’s move.”
“We may not be able to go to ground, but we are not without cover,” Seandara said. As they left the building, Seandara and Herial began to recite something in Elvish that Dorenn could not understand.
“Hold on to each other,” Morgoran told them, “or you will be lost.”
Dorenn reached out and grabbed Seandara’s tunic as she began to sing the recitation. Rennon’s cot, floating behind Morgoran, was the first thing to disappear, followed by Morgoran and each party member in succession. Jindara joined in the song, and they all were completely invisible.
“Don’t let go of each other or you might become visible again, in addition to being lost from the group, that is,” Morgoran cautioned.
“Wait!” Dorenn said. “I forgot the tome. I have to go back.”
“Where did you leave it?” Morgoran asked.
“Locked up in the Council of Elders chamber.”
“I’ll go with him,” Seandara said. “Herial can keep you invisible, even through the illusion spell, and I can keep Dorenn hidden.”
“Go on and get the tome,” Morgoran said. “We will meet you at Ashonda’s Pond.”
Dorenn and Seandara broke off from the rest of the group and made their way through the streets under Seandara’s invisibility spell. The attacking dragons had most of the city up in flames, so Seandara dropped the invisibility after a few moments. Dorenn turned to her questioningly.
“The smoke will give us away. There is no need to keep up the invisibility. We will need to sneak from here on in.”
After sneaking along the buildings for a few moments, Dorenn could see the council chambers. He motioned for Seandara to follow, and he bolted across the street. Seandara followed. It was on fire in the upper level. They entered the burning building and immediately went to the council room when Dorenn realized he didn’t have the key to the cabinet where the tome was kept.
“Stand back. I don’t have the key.” He drew in essence and released it. The door remained intact. “It’s protected against magic.”
“Watch the door,” Seandara said. “I have an uncle who showed me a trick once.” She took a hair pin from her head, fit it into the lock, and began to fiddle with it. A few moments later, she had the protected wooden cabinet opened. Dorenn reached in and took the tome. They both ran for the exit and just got clear when they came face-to-face with Tatrice and Bren. Frightened, Seandara instinctively grabbed ahold of Dorenn. As soon as she realized what she had done, she released him and readied a spell on her lips. The small, quick embrace was apparently enough because Dorenn could see the familiar anger in Tatrice’s eyes.
“Dorenn Adair, who is this now?”
“Um, the elf maiden I used to dream about.” He wanted to make sure the illusion was broken.
Fire burned in her eyes, but before she could speak, Bren turned to her and raised his dragon fang.
“Tatrice, look out!” Dorenn said.
She moved to parry with her dragon claw and was successful at blocking his attack.
“You snapped out of the illusion. He thinks you are the enemy now,” Dorenn said.
“What are you talking about?” Tatrice asked as she blocked another thrust.
“You were tricked in
to attacking Brookhaven. Look around you.”
Tatrice glanced around between attacks. “No, this can’t be. We were attacking Dramyds.”
“No, you were attacking the village.”
Bren began to attack with force now. “Go, Dorenn, run. I will follow. I have to get Bren out of this.”
Dorenn nodded. “Meet us at Ashonda’s Pond.”
“I will. Now run!” she said.
Dorenn and Seandara ran in between two buildings and out of sight. He felt a pang of regret for leaving Tatrice; he knew she would be attacked by more than just Bren. “Wait, we have to go back and help her.”
“We can’t, Dorenn.”
“We can and we will.” Dorenn turned around and ran back between the buildings. Bren and Tatrice were locked in a terrible melee. Finally, Tatrice distracted him and rounded on him, thrusting her sword straight through him. She fell to her knees as he fell. Dorenn’s heart fluttered when he heard her mournful cry. He fell to his side on the ground. Dorenn was about to run to her when Seandara grabbed his arm.
“No, wait, look!” Seandara said.
Behind Tatrice was a man dressed in black Dorenn did not recognize. He held his arms out to Tatrice, and she raised up and embraced him.
Seandara whispered in Dorenn’s ear. “He is telling her it’s all right and that it had to be done.”
“You can hear them?” Dorenn whispered back.
“Aye, quite easily. He is now telling her to forget about him and come back to the camp. Toborne will make her all better.”
“Toborne!” Dorenn said. “We have to follow them.”
“I think he is the mindwielder, Dorenn. He has her back under his illusion,” Seandara said. “We would fail. We need to get back to the others and get your friend Rennon back to health before we confront your tormentor.” She suddenly perked up as if she heard something. “The dragon knight still lives. I can hear his struggling breath. He is close to death.” She bolted out into the street. Dorenn looked to where the mindwielder took Tatrice and made sure they were gone before he followed her. When he caught up to her, she was singing a soft melody and rocking back and forth. Bren was moaning.
“He will be conscious soon, but he will not be able to walk. His wound is too great,” Seandara said.
“We can’t carry him,” Dorenn said. “Wait, I have an idea.” He started rummaging through Bren’s pockets. Seandara was appalled.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Ah, here it is.” He pulled a small stone out of the knight’s pocket. “Bah, it’s tiny. Too small for us all.”
“A Lora Daine?”
“Aye, but it’s only big enough for one person. The dragons have been stingy with them of late.”
“I wonder why that is,” Seandara said.
Dorenn smiled and shook his head. “Will he be awake enough to use it?”
“I’m not sure. I . . .” She froze in fear. “There’s something approaching. Something big that way.” She pointed behind Dorenn.
Dorenn turned to look, and out of the darkness and rolling smoke stepped Amadace, his eyes red and his mouth hot with flame. “I think that’s Amadace. He must have felt Bren go down. Tatrice once told me dragons and knights were connected. I don’t think he will breathe fire this direction with Bren in the path.”
Bren stirred but remained unconscious.
“I think the illusion has dropped on him,” Seandara said, “like it did for the other one. This dragon thinks he’s an enemy, too!” Dorenn said.
Amadace drew in air, and his maw began to glow with fire.
“I believe you are right. Hold on. I’m going to try something I have never tried, and I hope it works.” Dorenn drew in essence and concentrated it on the Lora Daine. He put Seandara’s hand on Bren and placed his hand on her shoulder. He let the essence flow into the stone and thought of Ashonda’s Pond. The stone began to glow. Amadace let loose his dragon fire the same time Dorenn drew in more essence and forced it through the stone. A moment later, they were on the shores of Ashonda’s pond. The Lora Daine exploded in his hand, sending shards of rock into him and Seandara. The last thing he saw before passing out was Jindara and Sanmir above him.
When Dorenn awoke, he recognized by the tapestries on the walls that he was in the Tower of Morgoran. Seandara was at his side.
“What happened? Is Bren out of danger? Are you injured?” Dorenn asked.
“I was not seriously injured by the stone. Bren is resting. He will be fine, as will you.”
Dorenn tried to sit up. “I have to get to Morgoran and tell him what we saw.”
“I have already spoken to him about the man with Toborne and they know that Tatrice is under his spell.”
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Two days. I made sure you slept. The body heals better while you are sleeping. I was going to keep you asleep for another day, but Sanmir said you needed to go ahead and awaken.”
“What about Brookhaven?”
“Herial and Trendan went to scout it. They are expected back at any time.”
Dorenn lay back onto his pillow. “Thank you, Seandara. I am sorry I have been acting the way I have.”
“Think nothing of it. Rest and recuperate.”
Dorenn thought for a moment. “You know, this is going to sound strange to you, but it’s nice to be taken care of. I mean, without being scolded or argued with.”
“What do you mean? You are wounded. Why would someone scold you?”
Dorenn grinned and let himself relax. “Exactly right.”
Chapter 9: Autumn Leaves
Dorenn sat at the intricately-carved wooden table centered in the dining room of the tower, sipping his bittering tea. The Tower of Morgoran felt safe and warm, and it didn’t hurt that it was extremely opulent compared to the nicest home in Brookhaven. The ground floor was a white and pink marble adorned with rugs from the elves of Darovan and Arillia. The tapestries on the walls were of kings and queens and other romantic scenes. One looked as if it might be a depiction of the War of the Oracle; a golden dragon was being banished by a dozen or so wielders arranged in a circle. All of the furniture was made of cherry-wood and oak polished into a glorious shine. Darovanian divans lined the walls, complimented with matching end tables. As lavish as it was, the tower didn’t have a lived-in feeling to it until one entered the living quarters. Dorenn awkwardly lifted his cup with his left hand. His right hand was still bandaged and throbbed with pain when he tried to use it. He considered trying to work the soreness out of it by moving it through the pain threshold, but he quickly retracted it in pain after he tried to stretch it out.
“What are you trying to do? You will pop out your stitches,” Seandara said. “Here, I brought you some more bittering tea.” She set out a tray with a porcelain pitcher and matching cups. “I just saw Lady Shey and Gondrial. They wanted me to tell you they have gone.” She poured some of the brown liquid from the pitcher into his cup.
“Thank you for the tea,” Dorenn said. “Did they decide where to look for Veric?”
“Aye, Lux Enor. I also heard them tell Morgoran they thought he would be passing through the Sacred Land before going to Lux Enor. Tatrice and Bren were in Trigothia when they were approached by Toborne. Morgoran thinks the logical place for Toborne to go after leaving Trigothia would also be Lux Enor. He says that Veric would likely draw the same conclusion and travel to Lux Enor to intercept him.”
Rennon, looking like he had just woken up from a fitful sleep, came up to the table. “What are you two gabbing about?” He wore a red night robe over cotton linens. “Is that bittering tea I smell?”
“You may as well pour me a cup, too,” Bren said. He walked slowly and a bit hunched over.
Seandara took the cups from the tray and began pouring the tea.
Dorenn took a sip. “If only Vesperin or any other cleric would have been here this morning, we would be nearly completely healed,” he said.
“The clerics of Loracia are r
eturning today in a few hours, I heard,” Rennon said. “They have done all they can for the survivors of Brookhaven.”
Bren took a sip from his cup. “It’s gone, then?”
“Aye, burned to the ground except for a few homes and the archives, which Lady Shey and Gondrial managed to save,” Rennon said. “I wish I could have done something, but I had to be in bed recuperating.”
Dorenn sighed. “I can only say how sorry I am so many times. I didn’t know it was you.”
“Aye, but even if it was Morgoran, what you did was a bit harsh.”
“Veric told me his poison dried up. I thought the dragon spine was just something to cause enough pain to reveal if Morgoran was truly himself. How was I supposed to know Veric reconstituted his poisons?”
“All right,” Bren said. “What is done is done, and arguing doesn’t do anyone any good. We have a lot to think about and a lot to discuss.” He took a drink of his bittering tea. “We need to find some way of rescuing my wife from the clutches of that mindwielder.”
Dorenn was in the middle of taking a sip of his bittering tea. He swallowed wrong and began to cough when he heard the word wife. Seandara was there behind him, patting him on the back to help him breathe.
“Wife?” Dorenn said when he could catch his breath.
Bren looked confused. “She told me she told you about our marriage.”
Rennon hung his head down and drank his tea, trying to wish himself into the background.
“No, she didn’t.” Dorenn felt the sting of betrayal. How could she do something like this to him?
“Well, rest assured, it wasn’t intentional,” Bren said.
“What wasn’t intentional? You telling me here?”
“No, the marriage. The marriage wasn’t intentional. We didn’t realize we were getting married. We were not well-versed in the customs of Trigothia. That’s why we traveled there recently, to get the marriage annulled, but we were ambushed before we could find the right woman to annul it.”
“But you are currently still married.”
