Quickly Enelya strode towards the advancing hestur effectively blocking Argus’ path. They both knew if he attacked the Rangers would cut him down without hesitation. Unknown to the Elves, that brutal response would be the end for the only daughter of the Wild Elf Clan’s Spirit Mother. She didn’t need to look up at the Forest Elf’s face to know that it was Dorthonion Celebrindal, the second son of King Elladan, who now accosted her. To say she wasn’t going to enjoy what she was about to do would have been a lie. There was enough bad blood between the two of them to last an Elven lifetime. The young prince openly hated her people with a passion, considering them nothing more than abominations that corrupted the essence of the Elven Race. To end this quickly, she had to act decisively.
In the blink of an eye, Enelya vaulted into the air. Clearing the horn centered in the hestur’s forehead she slammed both feet into Dorthonion’s chest, instantly knocking the obnoxious prince to the ground. Out of control Dorthonion’s hestur plunged headlong into the Minotaurs’ shield wall whinnying in fear and confusion as Tiberius stepped forward unconcerned. Swinging his gauntleted fist, he met the large beast head-on with a resounding crack.
The sudden silence was deafening as the prince’s mount bounced off of Tiberius’ chest before crumpling to the ground in an unmoving heap. For a shocked second, there was only uncomfortable silence as the rest of the Rangers shifted in their saddles unsure of how to react. Every bent bow was now intently focused on Enelya ready to fire as she stood unmoving with her hands by her side. The flurry of action had ended almost before it had begun when Prince Dorthonion pushed himself up to his knees shrieking.
“You dare strike me!” Cradling his broken arm the prince sputtered in rage struggling to stand. “Enelya, you only live now so that I can bring you to justice before the Council of the Clans for your part in my father’s death!”
Unconcerned, Enelya looked down at the obnoxious prince at her feet. “And you Dorthonion only live now at my sufferance for your stupidity.” Seeing his incredulous look, she spat on the ground before him. “These beings standing before you are under my protection. Leave now with the others or face my wrath.”
Scrambling backward fearfully, Dorthonion pointed his shaking finger at Enelya like a weapon still screaming. “One word and my hunters will cut you down where you stand!”
Before she could respond, Enelya felt silk brush by her as Lúthien rushed past. Kneeling next to Dorthonion, she hugged the angry Elf to her chest trying to calm him down. “My love there is more at stake than you know. Tiberius did not attack your people; he tried to save –“
SLAP! The resounding crack echoed throughout the clearing. “Don’t touch me!” Dorthonion’s open-handed smack rocked Lúthien back on her heels, before crumpling to the ground. “Did you actually believe I loved you?” Dorthonion’s blood speck lips formed into a remorseless sneer as he spat in disgust into Lúthien’s shocked face. “I only agreed to marry you at the behest of your father.”
Instantly Tiberius was at Lúthien’s side wrapping her up protectively in his arms as his nostrils flared in anger. Abruptly he froze in disbelief at the familiar scent coming from the Forest Elves around them; it was the same odd stench he’d smelt during the battle in Gravida. Before he could consider the implications, Dorthonion’s cruel laughter rang out across the glade.
“Didn’t you ever wonder why I never kissed you? Did you believe any Elven male would want you after being disgraced by that dumb beast?” Jerking his chin towards Tiberius, Dorthonion continued spouting his hate. “If you weren’t a Princess you would have been exiled long ago for an animal loving whore!” Meeting Enelya’s hard eyes, Dorthonion’s lip curled into a sneer. “Surrender or my Rangers will cut you down where you stand!”
Dorthonion knew he was issuing a death sentence with his words. Unlike the other Clans, Wild Elves didn’t surrender or give up. Their warriors always fought to the death. That didn’t mean they didn’t fall back and regroup when necessary, but they never surrendered. Unlike the many other races of Irlendria, they didn’t hold to the same precepts of honorable warfare. Although Wild Elves greatly respected the physical prowess of individual hunters, they derived no enjoyment from battles or fighting. The Clans focus centered on gathering food, protecting the young and defending their territory from intruders. Otherwise, combat was never sought after for personal gain.
Glancing back over her shoulder, the predator inside Enelya’s soul recognized the resolve held in the various eyes of her companions behind her. With a sharp nod to his bulls, Tiberius rose to his hooves as the loud clanking sounds of his gauntlets transforming into shield and blade rang out as the rest of the Minotaurs formation quickly shifted into a circle with Nessa, Lúthien and the wounded Paladin at the center.
The movements would have looked more impressive if the legionnaires didn’t look so battle worn and bloody. Still they stood facing the overwhelming force without hesitation as their nostrils flared expectantly with their weapons held at the ready. There was no question as to the message their stance conveyed. If it were going to be a fight to the death, they would make it a fight to be remembered.
Even after everything they’d been through none of them was willing to give into Dorthonion’s demands for surrender. Enelya saw the triumphant grin on Dorthonion’s face. It was as if she could read his hate-filled thoughts. In one fell swoop, he would have the war against the Wild Clan and the revenge that he’d so long desired against Arien Tasartir while slaughtering the Prince of the Imperium. As a sharp chirping bird call broke the silence around them, Enelya felt Argus’ exhilaration flow through their link. A split second later she saw Dorthonion’s look of horror at the predatory grin spreading across her face. Before he could order his hunters to attack, Enelya leaped after him screeching a warbling war cry.
Energy bolts sizzled through the air around her as the surprised hunters released their shots a second too late as everything happened at once. Around the glade the trees erupted with snarling black forms that streaked out from the shadows in leaping bounds. Within seconds, they were among the Rangers as bodies went flying, while riderless hesturs whinnied in fear as they took off in panic into the surrounding woods.
The few Rangers that found themselves on the ground still in possession of their bows struggled to form a defensive line, but they were blasted off their feet like rag dolls before ever bringing their weapon to bear on their attackers. In short ordered the tattered and torn Forest Elves were quickly thrown haphazardly together in a frightened heap near where Enelya held Dorthonion’s face planted into the soft earth. Around the perimeter stalked snarling Wencis as more of her Clan’s warriors bound the intruders to be hauled away.
Numerous Wild Elves wearing skin hides and armed with long spears practically filled the grove as a small Pack of Wencis quickly rounded up the stragglers. Although she recognized most of the hard-faced Scouts, Enelya didn’t fully relax until she heard the hail of a familiar voice from nearby. Turning around, she unconsciously grinned as soon as she saw the mischievous face of the young Elf striding towards her.
“Enelya Tasartir, only you could cause a commotion like this.” Enelya saw Tathar’s steps suddenly falter as he made the sign of the Goddess. His face instantly turning serious at the sight of Dorthonion Celebrindal’s hate filled face glaring back at him. The much larger Elf was white-faced in pain from having his broken arm twisted behind his back. “What in Meliki’s name is going on? Have the Clans finally turned against us?”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Enelya met Tathar’s concerned gaze. Like her, he was a shaman, but being soulmated to Argus’ littermate Anon made him more than just a friend. “I don’t know Tathar. I think it’s more complicated than that. I must speak with the Spirit Mother before I say more, but-” Seeing the warriors beginning to surround the Minotaurs warily, she spoke quickly nodding to the Forest Elf at her feet.
“Can you watch after Dorthonion?”<
br />
“With my life!”
Gripping the young shaman’s shoulder firmly, she wordlessly expressed her thanks. “I need to find the Scout Leader before this turns into a disaster.” Tathar’s sudden grimace brought her up short.
“Dínendal Telrúnya currently leads.” Seeing Enelya’s confused look, he explained in a rush of words. “No one knows what happened to Gwindor, but once we heard Argus’ call, there was no time to debate why he was left in charge.”
Enelya felt a cold sinking feeling begin to form in the pit of her stomach as the full implications of what Tathar said sank in. It made no sense for Dínendal Telrúnya to be leading the Scouts in any capacity. She readily understood the unspoken warning he was passing along. Her disapproval of Dínendal was well known throughout the Clan.
The problem was that once combat ensued Wild Elves did not question those that led until the threat was over, until then warriors followed their designated leaders single-mindedly. Although this was confusing to outsiders, it was the only way her people were able to deal with the competing aspect of their predatorial nature during warfare. Theoretically, only a higher ranking Clan Leader could challenge a Scout Leaders decision but rarely had such conflicts occurred throughout the history of her people. Her status as a Shaman made her exempt from many of these rules, but being exempt didn’t mean she had any direct authority to act either.
Looking at the circling Wenci, Enelya thoughts raced. The current crisis facing her people was too important for Dínendal’s petty differences to play a role in what needed to be done. She would do whatever was necessary to warn the Clan.
“How many shamans are with you?”
Understanding the meaning of Enelya’s question Tathar pitched his voice low as his gaze nervously swept the glade. “Lranel and I were the only Shamans in the range of Argus’ call. We picked up Terus’ small hunting group along the way.”
Watching the Elven warriors surround her companion, Enelya thoughts raced. No matter what happened she had to keep the Klavikian safe, but there was no doubt in her mind that eight Wencis and three shamans wouldn’t be enough if things went bad. “Let’s us hope they are enough of a deterrent for Dínendal’s blundering stupidity.” Grasping the young shaman’s shoulders in thanks, Enelya heading for Lúthien when Dínendal’s voice boomed out across the glade.
“Lay down your arms or be destroyed!”
Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Enelya came to a stop before her companions raising her voice.
“Dínendal, I thank you for your timely assistance, but these beings are under my protection. I’m taking them to–“
“So, you readily admit to the crime of bringing the enemies of our people into our lands.” The outrage in his voice stirred the warriors around the circle as they looked at each other in confusion. Ignoring the Scouts questioning looks Dínendal continued blithely. “Surrender or be slaughtered where you stand.”
“Dínendal, there is no time for your ineptitude! I already told you these beings are here at my request. We were on our way to the Spirit Mother when Dorthonion acco-“
“Shut your mouth traitor!” Enelya’s head snapped back as if she had been physically slapped. Never in her life had a fellow Wild Elf spoken to her with such blatant disrespect! Behind her, she felt the Wenci hunters shifting closer behind her in consternation as they smelt Argus’ anger.
Unconcerned, Dínendal continued spouting his hate. “You shamans always walk around acting as if the rest of us are less than nothing.” With a wave of his hand towards Enelya, Dínendal gave his orders. “Chain the traitor and her cohorts. If they resist, kill them all.”
This was insanity! For a long moment, Enelya could only look incredulously at the Scouts stiffly shuffling towards her in shocked silence. By the look on their faces, they obviously didn’t agree with the orders they’d been given but were unable to fight the compulsion of their assigned leader. Raising her voice, she addressed the Elves around her.
“Dínendal has no authority here. As a shaman of the Clan, I order you to stop your advance. Seize Dínendal and bring him before the Spirit Mother for her judgment in this matter.” Unbelievably the Scouts continued their advance ignoring her words. Seeing her good friend Aliya in the lead, Enelya hissed sharply. “Can’t you stop this?”
With a sharp shake of her head, Aliya spoke haltingly. “I’m sorry Enelya.” Apologetically she raised her spear towards Enelya. “You need to drop your weapons, or I will be forced to kill you.” Backing up with her hands raised, Enelya focused her thoughts.
She felt her soulmate’s barely controlled rage fill her mind as he answered one step ahead of her.
Effortlessly leaping over the advancing Wild Elves, the two eldest Wenci sprang for Dínendal growling deep in their chests as the rest of the hunting group stepped in front of Enelya, placing themselves between her and the advancing Scouts. Clearly the Hunt Leader’s thoughts broadcasted around the glade.
Around the glade the Scouts froze where they stood. A disagreement of Benda Heimild between classes was one thing, but the right of challenge between Wenci and Wild Elf was another matter altogether. Disputes of that nature fell only within the domain of the Clan’s Shamans.
There was only eight Wencis present compared to the twenty Scouts under Dínendal’s command, but that wasn’t the issue. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, he knew no Wild Elf would go against the Sáttmála. To challenge the accord would remove any chance he had for satisfaction, that knowledge alone gave pause to the insanity overwhelming Dínendal’s conscious thoughts. Still noxious thoughts clouding his mind drove him to try.
“This traitor is my prisoner!”
Dínendal’s face contorted in rage as Terus’ mind-speak broadcasted around the glade. Standing stock still ready to spring the Wenci Hunters watched the Scout Leader with slitted eyes as a palatable tension of impending violence suddenly filled the air, while the Elven Scouts shifted where they stood nervously eying their Wenci Brothers. The situation was diffused a moment later as Dínendal forced his mask of sanity back into place while his thoughts raced. Maybe there was a way to salvage this yet.
“What of these trespassers?”
“No!” Every eye turned to Enelya as she met the Wenci Hunter’s almond shaped eyes. “Terus, I charge you with my companions’ safety. You will wait here for my return with the Spirit Mother.”
For a long moment, the large Wenci’s only reaction was the whip-like flick of his long tail. Coming to a decision Terus unfroze bowing his elongated head.
Raising his voice, Dínendal played his trump card. “I demand that these enemies of our people be chained until the Spirit Mother can determine their fate.”
In her peripheral, Enelya saw her companions flinch in understanding as around the glade Dínendal’s words caused a stir amongst her people. His grin said it all. Both Minotaurs and Centaurs were known for their extreme hatred of any confinement. To be chained like an animal was the gravest insult to both species. Enelya’s entire argument against Dínendal was based on the principles of Clan Law. Looking into Terus’ eyes, she already knew what his answer would be.
Enelya’s body visibly sagged as Dínendal glared back and forth between her and the Wenci Hunters. Stabbing his spear towards her companions menacingly Dínendal addressed the Elven Scouts under his command. “Chain them! If they resist, kill them!”
Moving ahead of the Scouts, Enelya ran to Tiberius’ side. Gripping the Minotaur’s gauntleted wrist she me
t his dark brown eyes recognizing the seething rage that was barely contained within them. Tearing her gaze away from the large male, Enelya looked towards Nessa seeing the same fury reflected in her eyes. At their feet Lúthien lay unconscious of her surroundings with the Paladin moaning beside her, both of them burning with fever. For a moment, Enelya didn’t know what to say. They all knew what was at stake. Looking into the deadly Prince’s regal face, she could only pray to Meliki that her cousin was right about this unusual bull. Urgently she tried to soothe their anger.
“If we are going to have any chance of saving our people from the Tuonellians, you must lay down your weapons and wait for my return.” Seeing the distrust reflected in her companions’ faces as their eyes flicked towards Dínendal, Enelya dropped her voice low enough so that only they could hear her speak. “I know Dínendal has no honor, but in this, you must trust me. The Wenci will ensure your safety as long as Clan Law is obeyed. You must not resist!”
The internal struggle going on in Tiberius’ mind was self-evident as his great horned head swung aggressively from side to side at the Scouts approaching from every direction. Around the defensive circle, the legionnaires raised their shields preparing to fight. If they didn’t listen to her now, it would be a bloodbath. Almost pleading Enelya tried one last time. “You said you wanted to speak with my Spirit Mother about saving our peoples. Only in this way will your wish come to pass.”
Warily the Minotaur’s head slowly came to a stop as the Prince looked deeply into her eyes. The weight of his gaze felt as if he were weighing her soul. “Do I have your word Wild Elf?”
Standing up straight, Enelya met that intense stare with one of her own. “You have the word of Enelya Tasartir, Shaman of the Wild Elf Clan and daughter of Arien Tasartir.”
Hearing the name of her Mother, Enelya saw the Minotaur’s eyes widened in surprise, suddenly understanding who stood before him. As Tiberius looked over his shoulder, Enelya watched the Minotaur’s gaze sweep the glade for one long second before turning to face her once again. Raising his voice in command, Tiberius snapped a sharp order to his legionnaires.
Destiny Page 30
