Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere

by Peter Koevari

  “What would you have done? Run out to meet him and his armies, and give him the advantage in battle? Surely not. You needed rest.”

  Vartan recalled Kassina’s sudden snatching from the parapets. “I suppose you are right. I wonder what happened to Kassina. She was right there in front of me, and then it was like someone just grabbed her and ripped her into the sky. Do we have any idea where she might be?”

  “Sadly, no, but we all know that Crondor is far too close for comfort. Whatever Shindar is up to, it can’t be good. We can only speculate that he is somehow weakened, or I would imagine he would be here already.”

  Vartan managed a chuckle. “Yes, gods willing. Are we prepared for their next move?”

  “As prepared as we can be. It is never easy to ready for the unknown. The wall will be repaired within days, but after the battle, I doubt there are any ships left to mount another assault.”

  Vartan retrieved the scrolls that Kai’En had given him. “I know where to find Daessar. It is beneath us all, deep in the oceans in a place called Alyanti. These will allow us to breathe underwater, but I do not know how long it will take to find it, or what will happen once I find Talonsphere. This is the closest we are to fulfilling the prophecy.”

  Andrielle brightened and put her goblet down. “That is excellent news. Your companions are waiting for us to decide our next move. Of course, we’ve seen the result of having you out of reach.”

  Vartan’s face contorted as his heart lurched. Andrielle placed a warm hand on his. “My son, do not mistake my words. I do not blame you for what happened, or for our losses. In war, we have no easy choices. Death surrounds us at every turn. Choices reduce to lesser evils. Your journey discovered Daessar’s location and the weapon to stop all this: Talonsphere.”

  “I know. If I leave you here, and Shindar attacks, wiping out all of Marithia in the process, then what will there be left for me to save?”

  “We need to trust in the prophecy. If you stay, then who is to say that we can defeat Shindar without Talonsphere?”

  Vartan searched for an answer, but he knew that she was right. The best chance they had was Talonsphere.

  I have to find and activate it, no matter what the cost.

  “I can’t promise anything but this; I will find Talonsphere, and do whatever it takes to protect the lands. After all, it is my destiny.”

  Andrielle nodded and picked up her goblet, drawing an imaginary circle around her before raising her goblet to him. “And this is mine. You travel with our best, and the dragons will remain here to protect Marithians. This is it. Everything we have done, bled for, and hoped for, is right in front of us. For all that is pure.”

  Vartan tapped his goblet against hers. “For all that is pure.”

  He sipped his wine, then stood from his throne. “If I may, I don’t want to waste any time. We depart immediately for Alyanti.”

  Andrielle stood, then pulled him into a hug. “Go, Vartan, and know that whatever happens, I am proud of you. You are the son I wish I had, and now that I have you, I might just lose you, but I will never stop loving you.”

  “I love you too, Andrielle.”

  He turned to leave, heading to the doors with the world weighing on his shoulders. He had to find his companions, and his final journey awaited him. As he turned to speak one last time, the doors burst open. A sweat-covered elf scrambled to reach the queen, dropping to his knees and speaking through puffed breaths.

  “My queen! Apologies for the intrusion, but it is urgent. Shindar and his armies, they march from Crondor.”

  “Are they heading to Greenhaven?” the queen said.

  “Dragons report of their march toward the Elven Woods. We cannot be sure of their intentions.”

  Andrielle and Vartan met eyes, and without a word, Vartan stormed out of the throne room. He marched toward the training room, knowing that if he were the one waiting for himself, then that is where he would be. Vartan’s grim expression joined the melancholy of knowing that the end was far nearer than he had expected. Smiling faces turned serious as he passed them. He barely acknowledged their existence.

  There is no more time left, only actions.

  When he finally reached the training room doors, he pushed them open, relieved that his companions were exactly where he had expected. Yuski, Anakari, and Dryden all lowered their weapons, puffing as they looked to him.

  “Vartan, it’s good to see you. Are you all right?” Dryden said.

  “It’s good to see you all too. We have to leave, now, for Alyanti. Shindar walks the lands, and is marching with an army of demons, toward the Elven Woods.”

  Their eyes widened and jaws dropped, and they threw their training weapons to the floor.

  “The time has come to find Talonsphere. Prepare yourselves. We meet at the mouth of Tr’Arch River, in one hour.”

  They nodded.

  “It seems we are destined to keep moving,” Anakari said.

  “It does seem that way. Thank you, all of you, for making this journey with me. Does anyone know where I can find Finn and Leon?” he said.

  Yuski said, “Last I saw them, they were near the fallen wall, helping with the rebuild.”

  Vartan exited the training room, heading down the nearest stair case. Events had unfolded differently to how he had imagined. Everything had shoved him forward to the next step, as if he was caught in a whirlwind.

  This may be the last time I see Marithia.

  He reached the bottom of the staircase with frightening speed, bursting into Greenhaven’s streets, heading straight for the damaged wall. The sun was blotted out for a moment as a dark shadow flew over him.

  Vartan, has the time come? Karven said.

  He avoided bumping into Marithia’s busy population, making sure to smile and return pleasantries as he went.

  Yes, it is time to find Alyanti, and Talonsphere. Sadly, no dragons can follow me there.

  This is true, but we will protect you. There are friends in the ocean that will serve their awaited purpose. Where will you embark on this journey?

  Vartan passed markets, graciously accepting a gift of a fresh red apple from a merchant. He bit into the fruit, savouring the sweet flavour as he carried on.

  Within an hour, at the mouth of Tr’Arch river.

  Then I will meet you there.

  Vartan reached the outer wall, his mouth gaping at the sight before him. The wall had mostly been rebuilt, although he wondered how they had managed to seal it so fast. The replaced bricks were not lined with gold, but were of stone, which would serve as a strong replacement.

  Leon locked eyes with him, and his smile quickly turned to a frown. His father always had a way of knowing things. Ever since he was a boy, Leon would know when he was upset, jealous, or wanted something.

  The ground shuddered as Finn landed in the grounds nearby, puffing smoke before lowering his head to Vartan. “The news has spread among dragons. It’s time for you to leave us again?”

  “Sadly, it is the case.”

  Finn approached his older brother, wrapping his scaled neck around Vartan’s armour. Vartan smiled, seeing his father approaching.

  “My boys, so it has all come down to this? May the gods smile on us and end all this madness.”

  “May it be so,” Vartan said.

  “Then go with our love, and know that no matter what happens, I am proud of you,” Leon said.

  Vartan ran to his father, pulling him into an embrace. His mind raced with things he wanted to say, but the words swirled and left him speechless. He looked into his father’s eyes, and he just knew. No words were needed. Letting his father go, he headed toward the stables.

  I have to see this through.

  The horizon was lit by shades of blood and violet, the sun reflecting from the ocean’s waters. Vartan dismounted his horse, patting her gently on the neck before heading toward the sands of the beach. Hooves thundered behind him. Vartan turned to see Anakari, Yuski, and Dryden following suit. They approache
d him with furrowed brows and gaping mouths.

  “We didn’t know how to prepare for such a journey, so we readied for battle, like usual,” Dryden said.

  “From here in, you all know as much as I do. We must find Alyanti, enter Daessar, and activate Talonsphere. This must be done before Marithia is destroyed by Shindar and Kassina. Nobody knows how long we have.”

  The ground shook and dirt flew upward as dragons landed along the shore line, shifting their scales to reveal themselves.

  Karven stepped forward from the line of dragons. “Brave souls, you are the hope for all of our futures, and worry not of readiness, as your paths are set before you. Our friends know the way to Alyanti, and will take you there. From that point forward, you journey into the unknown.”

  The Dragon King raised his head high, roaring as a stream of fire was sent into the sky. The other dragons did the same. Vartan turned to the sound of movement in the water behind him. The group collectively gasped as they saw what must have been more than twenty sea serpents raise their heads out of the water, their eyes glowing white.

  Vartan pulled out his enchanted scrolls, reading their instructions. He focused, invoking Mazu as his eyes glowed once more. He read out the words, casting his eyes over his three companions. A burst of light exploded from the scroll, disappearing into Vartan, then pulsing into his companions. They cried out, Vartan growling as his throat tore slits to reveal gills. It was as if someone had dragged knives through his throat. They looked to each other with wide eyes, and the only sound they heard was choking as they drowned in air. He gaped for breath, but felt himself slowly slipping away. Anakari and Yuski searched frantically around them, as if they could find a solution among the sand.

  Vartan pointed to the water, and they dove in. He followed them into the ocean, filling his lungs as he took in the majestic sight of the many serpents before them.

  Chapter 19 : The Final Journey - Part I

  “My power grows, feeding a hunger that can never be satisfied. The long awaited day of rebirth is coming.

  I can fulfil my purpose and be freed of these bonds.”

  (Talonsphere)

  The fireplace crackled within Kassina’s tower. The former queen of the underworld watched Adela sleep. She ran the dull edge of her blade over her own skin, then placed her hand on her heart. For the first time in her life, she knew she was weak. Her magic was gone, and so was her immortality. She wanted to hate her mother for doing this to her, but she couldn’t.

  She gritted her teeth before cutting a small incision on her arm. She watched as red blood surfaced, and her skin remained injured.

  Fuck! If I can die like a mortal, and I have no powers, then how can I rule?

  Her vision blurred as she wiped her tears into her sleeve. If vampires discovered her weakness, then they would destroy her and elect a new leader. Her life was now reduced to being stuck with protecting a human.

  She watched Adela breathe, then saw her own chest rise and fell.

  When did that start happening?

  She stared at the blade, seeing that there was another solution for all of this. Holding the dagger with a steel-like grip, she placed its tip on her wrist, readying herself to cut from wrist to elbow.

  “Don’t!” Adela said.

  “I have nothing left. Am I to grow old and die a human?” Kassina said.

  Adela reached forward, placing a hand on Kassina’s wrist. “Even if we are stuck like this, until we die of old age, at least we are family, and we get to know each other. You have already saved my life, so let me save yours.”

  Kassina could barely remember the mortal life she had had. It was so long ago. “Adela, you are saying that so I don’t kill us both. I became a monster. All I wanted was to be loved. But nobody cares about me, and why should they, with all I have done?”

  “Nobody wants to die, right? But I meant what I said. You are family, and from when I met you... I have only seen acts of kindness. Everyone has the chance to start again, Kassina, even you. I love you, and you can be the sister that I never had. Whatever your path, I will follow you.”

  Kassina may have lost her magic, but she knew truth when she saw it. She dropped her dagger and pulled Adela into a hug, sobbing into her shoulder. It had been so many years since she had felt anything. She’d almost forgot what it was like.

  She had wanted to take fate into her own hands, but maybe she still could. She would stop Shindar from realising his plans, and do something she would never think possible: join the Marithians.

  It was only a matter of hours until they could activate the portal to Zhendur, which won’t last long with its residual energy.

  I want to live, she thought.

  Tusdar wiped the dirt from his forehead. It had been a difficult journey, but they had reached Eagle’s Drop. He didn’t know who to trust anymore, and the connection with Shindar and Kassina had suddenly snapped. It was as if he had been disenchanted somehow. Mestal complained of the same. The tattoos remained inanimate, and they fed off rare blood clouds, as well as the few strangers they happened upon. There were hardly any Marithians to be found in the lands; it was as if they had all disappeared, presumably into safe havens.

  At one point, they had spotted Shindar in the distance, among an army of demons and skeleton warriors. The demons’ glowing red eyes were giveaways to their true nature. The safest option was keeping their distance and returning to Zhendur. If they were needed, then they would have been called upon.

  They could be viewed as traitors that escaped the sea battle, instead of fighting to the death. They decided over their freshest meal that they would recoup before forming their next move. They had let the young man turn, as they knew that their kind needed the numbers.

  It would not be long before daybreak, and they had to make the fall to Zhendur. Mestal gripped his hand and they shared a kiss before leaning over the edge, staring into the fog below. The wind was always strong at Eagle’s drop, but especially brutal that night.

  They both crouched down, then launched into the night air, plummeting through the fog as if it were a pillow. The wind whipped their clothes, slowing their descent for seconds at a time as Zhendur’s lowered drawbridge came into view. Torches flickered and lit up the cliff’s walls. The first thing Tusdar noticed was that there were no bats flying upward to catch them. They were usually out already.

  Looking into Mestal’s eyes, they knew they only had one option left.

  “This is going to hurt!” Tusdar said.

  Mestal grimaced. Her hair flickered around her face as they soon neared the drawbridge.

  He knew they would survive, but doubted it would be a painless experience. He braced himself, tightening his body, but being glad that a strong gust of wind blew upward and slowed their descent, if only a little.

  They met the drawbridge with a sickening thud and the sharp snap of bones. The impact rattled the connecting chains and sent dirt flying around them. Tusdar pushed his body upward, groaning as he realised his jaw was hanging loosely from his skull. He went to scream, but as he looked to Mestal, his jaw snapped back into place. Her groans were distressing, but not as much as her injuries. Her brilliant white bones protruded from her shins, and her stomach had torn open, letting her intestines slide out of her body. He looked away as her organs pulled back inside her. Healing was expected, but it always stung. He winced as the rest of his broken bones mended themselves, as did his internal organs and torn skin. The pain was too much, and he cried out as he hunched over. It took many gruelling moments before his body had repaired.

  He looked up to see Mestal’s hand reaching to him. He grabbed it to rise to his feet.

  “What happened to Zhendur?” Tusdar said.

  Mestal led him through the entrance, limping as she walked. Tusdar noticed that the guards’ arrows no longer glowed. Stepping through the streets, the first thing that shocked him was how dark it was. There was no moon-like glow inside the city, but some lit torches provided small pockets. There were
not many vampires left after the battle. They had enough to defend the city, no more than fifty.

  As they walked, the remaining vampires gathered behind them, following them toward the training grounds. They passed a fountain, blood no longer flowing through it.

  Mestal grimaced as she said, “Shindar no longer provides for us. It seems our bond with him is over.”

  “It would appear that way. What do we do from here?” Tusdar said.

  Mestal shook her head. “I truly don’t know.”

  They had reached the training grounds. The passage out of Zhendur had been left open, but the portal was not active. He saw nothing inside it but a deep cavern wall.

  “If we leapt off the drawbridge, then many vampires may not survive the fall,” Tusdar said.

  Mestal nodded. “We may have no other choice.”

  The crowd gathered around them, many of their hushed voices speaking questions. Mestal raised her hands, waving them down. “Zhendurians, it pains me to say this, but all of us standing here may be the last of our kind. Shindar has abandoned us, and it is only a matter of time before we need to find a way out of here.”

  A male vampire stepped forward. “We’re starving! Time is something we don’t have.”

  Just as Mestal opened her mouth to speak, they heard a hum from behind them, and the portal opened. Kassina stepped through in her black armour, her hair flowing down her shoulders. “All of you. If you want to get out, then come through right now! Run!”

  Tusdar’s eyes widened as the vampires sped to the portal, throwing themselves into it. Tusdar charged through, following the others. He was pulled through the many layers, but this time, something was different. They travelled slower, as if the power was diminishing. As Tusdar fell into the fangs of Kassina’s tower, he heard screams far behind him. With a flash, he fell to the tower’s cold floor, smashing his head into a female vampire’s back. She hissed as she shoved him off, getting to her feet. Many other vampires followed, hitting the ground as the others did their best to step out of the way.