They entered. The walls on the first floor were full of wondrous paintings of the earth such as mountains and rivers, valleys and trees—all inscribed with such wondrous detail. There were statues of woodland animals positioned in almost every place they looked, as if the Earth Guardian Thorion was a pack rat. Some of the statues were carved from stone, others wood. The most striking one seemed to be the lion, fierce with a great mane.
“Valuable clutter,” Seth observed, sliding his hand across the face of the lion.
There were also multiple weapons of intricate fashion, spread across a long table; swords, bows, axes; spears, maces, daggers, shields, and things Darshun had never seen before nor could even identify.
“These weapons were used by the champion warriors of the First Great War,” Olchemy announced. “They were made by Elves, Men, and Wizards.”
Nayland gazed at each one, as if studying them. He picked up an elfish long sword and swung it a few times. “Light as a feather,” he noted and put it back in its place.
“Look at this!” Darshun grabbed something that looked similar to a Wizard’s staff, except on the tip, engraved in stone, was the image of a black and red dragon.
“That’s a Dragon Spirit Lance,” Olchemy explained. “An ancient weapon of immense fire power created by the Wizards. Nasharins were even known to possess them, but the secrets to activate their powers have long been forgotten. Even I do not understand how to use it. Perhaps it’s too dangerous a weapon. Put it back in its place of honor Darshun. We have no use for it now.”
“…Very well. You’ll at least have to tell me more about it someday,” Darshun lamented, not seeming to understand why such a magnificent artifact had to be left alone. It existed as a piece of important history and may one day be lost forever. But the elders always seemed to know better, or at least to think they do.
Nayland walked by and briefly stopped to take another look at the lance, then continued on with the group.
They went up the stairs to the dragon’s head and there it sat, brilliantly glowing and sitting within the dragon’s mouth, sealed between the large teeth—the Earth Crystal.
“It’s—magnificent,” Darshun exclaimed, eyes widened. Approaching it, he walked into an invisible barrier that pushed him away, scattering ripples of green wave-like energy through the air. “Eh?” He tried a second time, but again…the same results. “Wonderful!” he snapped. “How do we get it out?”
“Don’t despair,” Olchemy assured them.
In the far end of the room a chair and little round table stood. On the table sat a stone gray mug and an old dusty book with a simple brown cover. It bore no title. Olchemy blew the dust off the book, opened it and grazed through the pages. It described many of the same things as the book of the Apocrypha, and went on in great detail about the dark deeds of the Human Race, and the events that led up to the First Great War. Olchemy flipped to the last few pages and stopped short. “I believe I’ve found the way.”
“What's the title of the book?” Darshun asked.
“It bears no title, but obviously belonged to Thorion. Listen to his words:
'My one thousandth year walk on this realm is finished, as is my guardianship over the earthen elements. Today the spirits of the Light shall come for me, and lead me to the higher realm. But there are no more Wizards with whom I can entrust the Earth Crystal. Not in this hour. For darkness has filled all their hearts. Therefore, I shall seal the crystal within the stone dragon’s mouth. Only the Guardian who is to come can free it.'
They all turned to stare at Darshun.
“What?” He shook his head. “How am I supposed to release it?” As he spoke, the silver star upon his necklace began to shine, and a bizarre force—like a transparent energy—pushed him toward the Earth Crystal. Darshun reached out his hand—suddenly the barrier vanished and the dragon’s mouth opened.
“Well, pick it up, my lad,” Seth urged, as Darshun stood there, hesitant. “Surely now, there can be no more doubt in your heart about the prophecy?”
Darshun sighed, as if hoping they’d been wrong, and everything must one big coincidence. However, the truth spoke clear. He was the Guardian. Abandoning all thoughts, he picked up the crystal and gazed into it. The glow vanished, but its simple green look was astounding, more gorgeous than any treasure. Its surface looked perfectly smooth and its shape spherical. An odd force drew his eyes shut, casting images into his mind. He fell to his knees.
“What is it?” Olchemy asked, stepping forward.
“I—I see another crystal.”
“Through this crystal?”
“No, in my mind. Like something projected it there. It’s red, and I could—feel its energy, in a way…likening to my own.”
Olchemy looked excited. “The Fire Crystal! Where is it?”
Darshun looked up with fearful eyes. “I believe in the hands of the Cullach. I can feel it moving in the direction of the place where Elwin was killed.”
“They must be taking it to the sorcerer of Zithel. Can you judge how soon they will arrive?”
“Judging from the way they’re moving, I’d say a little less than a week.”
“You can sense all of that?” Mythaen asked, unconvinced.
“I do not know how, Mythaen, but I can. When I focus on the Fire Crystal I can also feel its surroundings, and right now it is the nasty venomous spirits of those boar-like creatures—and their thoughts. Strange, I know.”
“Not only has the Earth Crystal given you these visions…” Olchemy marveled at the change in him, “…but your powers are increasing. The familiarity of the crystals is becoming clearer.”
“Have you not been listening?” Darshun retorted. “The enemy possesses what we’ve gone in search of!”
“Then we must get to the city first and take it from them,” Olchemy suggested, “If we can take back Zithel, then we can deceive the Cullach when they arrive and rip the crystal from their filthy hands.”
“How will we do that? There are only four of us—?”
“King Loreus,” Mirabel interrupted. “We must return to Loreladia and have the king send some of his men with us.”
“With what happened the last time we were there, the sorcerer is bound to have Cullach and Draconians patrolling all around the Mountain. Can we not just go after the Cullach carrying it?”
“By the time we reach them, they will already be in the mountain,” Olchemy explained. “Our attack will be heard by the Sorcerer and all others lying in wait.”
“So, how then do we get to the city?”
“At dusk we're going through Arundel Mountain. In truth, the landscape is an old Air Wizard’s dwelling place.”
“Azarius?” Mirabel noted.
“Precisely. And the Dwarves built tunnels for him leading to the mountain’s top, taking half the time of climbing the landscape. I’ve been through there once before, and now that the Cullach are using it, they’ll never expect an army to pass that way. We must leave now.”
Darshun handed the Earth Crystal to Olchemy.
For a long moment, the Wizard gazed upon it. “How terrible it is we have to destroy these majestic creations of the ancients. Who would have thought it would come down to this?” He put both the crystal and book in a sack, and they ventured out of the castle.
From the upper rocks where the serpents caused such damage, water built up, covering the bottom of the cavern by at least a few feet, and it was still rising. The water felt cold, glistening green from the reflection of fire upon the Wizard’s staff while they traveled through swiftly.
Mirabel unexpectedly commanded everyone to stop.
“What is it?” Darshun asked.
“Listen!”
Throughout every hole was the sound of hissing…serpents hissing.
“Good heavens!” Seth gasped. “This place is infested.”
“Just as I told you,” Nayland commented drily while a knowing smirked curved his lips.
The hissing became louder, accom
panied by the…thrash, thrash, thrash! The entire cave began to shake. A moment later, the hideous creatures came rushing from the holes, splashing in the water, rising up on their legs. They screeched horribly, their smell overwhelming, like an acidic musky odor.
“To the tunnel!” Olchemy shouted.
The serpents chased them and the cave came apart. A large section of the ceiling cracked open, and the full extent of the river plunged down. Making matters worse, a large boulder crash-landed in front of the tunnel, blocking the exit.
Olchemy shot a greenish light out of his staff, struck the boulder, lifted it up and flung it at a cluster of serpents behind, slowing down their pursuit.
The group ran into the tunnel and the serpents, now moving in great speeds, were right upon them and prepared to strike.
Mirabel transformed, his yellow glow blinding the creatures, and they scattered away. Then, he cast lighting at the remainder of the ceiling…what was left of it as the roar of thunder filled the lair.
The roof broke apart entirely and falling debris sealed the exit.
“Hurry!” Olchemy pleaded. “This whole place is going to collapse!”
They ran up the path, and a loud crash sounded along with a horrible tremble. The tunnel began to cave in from behind! Hurrying as fast as they could, the men finally reached the surface and darted outside.
A second later, the last section of the cave collapsed, and a thick cloud of dust rose into the sky. They just made it!
“I’ve seen enough underground now to last me a life time,” Darshun noted, catching his breath.
“Nayland, thank you for your help.” Olchemy nodded his head. “You’ve proven yourself worthy. I trust you will continue with us on this quest.”
“Of course,” Nayland answered, brushing pebbles and rock dust from his shoulders. “As I have said before, these woods are my home, and I too will protect them.”
“Your little mud trick didn’t fare too well,” Darshun complained
“Show some respect, Darshun,” Mirabel scolded. “He saved our lives. Have you forgotten?”
“I recall,” he answered, glancing to his father, then fixing his eyes back onto Nayland. “Though…I would say one thank you is enough.”
“I’d prefer if neither of you made an issue over it,” Nayland retorted. “I wasn’t ‘saving’ you. I merely acted to slay another serpent. That makes twenty,” he explained with a triumphant smile.
“Overly proud, are we?”
“Darshun Luthais!”
“Forget it,” Nayland replied. “Just forget it. The discussion ends.”
While Nayland and Darshun exchanged nasty looks, Mirabel felt disappointed in his son, and couldn’t for the life of him, understand why he disrespected the new comer. Odd he may be, but there seemed to be no call for dissension along the quest, especially against one willing to lend aid.
“Look to the sky!” Darshun pointed, his eye catching a familiar creature of flight. “That silver eagle, isn’t that—?”
“Yes it is,” Seth confirmed and called to him, mimicking his common screech. The eagle came gliding down and landed on his arm, gently hooking its claws around his tunic sleeve. “Brother Asiel! It’s been a few years since I last saw you, my friend. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
Asiel indeed was a dear friend to Seth. In fact, their friendship spanned two decades—ever since Seth stopped a band of Western Cullach from attempting to burn down a forest where Asiel’s spouse lived, nesting her chicks.
Blasted Cullach! Darshun cursed them in his mind. They always do such things, hating, and disrespecting life, even to one another. However, this particular battle—they lost, and lost terribly. The silver eagle became his friend and followed him on many journeys, warning him if danger lay ahead, or simply offered fellowship. He’d become a strong ally and a beautiful bird.
Asiel must’ve spoken to Seth in his mind, and Seth spoke back. Though, this time he answered aloud, as he every so often would. “Oh? I see. Well then, come with us. And do tell your little ones and all other creatures of flight to beware.”
Always excited about watching this interaction with animals by Seth, Darshun wondered what Nayland might be thinking. Perhaps that Seth is insane? If so, he wasn’t the first. There were a few in Loreladia at one given time, who’d pronounced Seth crazy before realizing he existed as a Nasharin of Earthen powers.
Oddly, though, Nayland’s eyes never shifted, and his annoying face remained unreadable. But the same could be said about his earlier reaction when Mirabel transformed to fend off the serpents. Besides a mere glance, Nayland didn’t seem surprised at all. It appeared as if he knew what Nasharins were. Either that—or he indeed had the personality of a rock.
“What does Asiel say?” Darshun asked.
“He’s aware of what’s happening, and for that matter, so are all the great creatures of the sky. They see much movement of the enemy, especially Asgoth. The Dark King and Queen never rest in their search for the crystals. Asiel’s going to travel along and be our eyes in the distance.”
“Excellent.” Mirabel nodded.
They traveled the rest of the day and through most of the night; stopping for food and a quick rest, and then continued on.
Nayland didn’t say much and in fact, he barely spoke at all.
Darshun didn’t like him; something about his presence felt disturbing. There were times when he would catch Nayland staring quite unpleasantly at either him, or even Mirabel. Why? Was it because of Darshun's sarcasm the day before?
Perhaps and perhaps not.
Darshun only felt the sarcasm because he didn't trust him. It’d been the look Nayland exchanged with him the very first night of their meeting—at the Spring Festival. That glare! Darshun hadn't forgotten it, nor would he anytime soon. For there must be some reason behind it? Then again, what did it have to do with the nasty looks he gave Mirabel? Whatever the cause, Darshun would worry little, simply keeping a glance on Nayland, because he’d more important things to be concerned about.
~~***~~
By late afternoon, they arrived at Loreladia.
Mirabel explained the situation to King Loreus and he handed over a large number of soldiers, along with Captain Alaric…Who’d been in the middle of making a new brew in honor of Elwin’s death. This batch would be made with barely, hops, honey, a tint of brown sugar, and Elwin’s favorite treat: roasted pecans. He’d already gathered materials such as grappling hooks and rope, then left for Zithel.
Together, the group ventured hastily across the landscapes for about two days and on the second night, reached the border of Arundel Mountain, creeping carefully through a small cluster of woods.
“The tunnel may be guarded,” Mirabel observed. “Captain Alaric, have the men stay here.”
Alaric nodded.
“Seth, come with me.”
“Where are you going?” Darshun asked.
“To slay some Cullach.”
“Oooh, can I come?” Darshun pleaded like an excited child.
Mirabel gave him a stern look.
Darshun understood immediately to back off. This one seemed to be only for Seth and him. Probably already made a plan for this particular phase.
Slithering like snakes, they crept through a host of trees, stopping about ten feet prior the tunnel’s entrance, and saw the outlines of two Cullach standing in the darkness like a couple of statues, the moon light reflecting their reddish-yellow eyes.
“Is Asiel ready?” Mirabel whispered.
With a smirk, Seth answered, “He's coming now.”
Asiel flew down and landed in front of the guards, and the ‘statues’ came to life.
“Ah, now that’s a big bird,” one of the Cullach grunted. “Will make a fine snack.”
“I saw it first,” the other growled. “It’s mine!”
“Lower your voice or you’ll scare it away. It’s big enough to share. I’ll rip off its head and you can eat that. The rest is mine.”
&nbs
p; His eyes flashed. “So, you get all the meat?”
“Just shut up and let me do this before you ruin it.”
The Cullach crept up to Asiel and took out a knife. “Here birdie, birdie. Stay there now, you rotten creature.” Abruptly, Asiel spread his wings, hit the Cullach, and knocked him down. “Cursed bird!” He scowled and threw the knife.
Asiel quickly flew up and avoided the strike. Once he flew high enough, he slowed his pace, just daring the Cullach to try a second time.
“Barlett, give me your bow, hurry!” he called as he turned around. His companion—gone. “...Barlett?” Then the guard peered down as a sword pierced through his right lung and he moved no more.
Mirabel pulled out his knife and put the corpse in the bushes with the other—the one Seth had killed.
They signaled the men.
Asiel descended, and landed on Seth’s shoulder. “Thank you, great brother,” Seth stroked his smooth feathery back, the eagle enjoying the attention. “Now, I ask another favor. Spy upon Zithel, so we may know the most sufficient way to sack it. I will see you at the top.”
Asiel returned to the sky.
In single file, they entered the mountain, quietly venturing through the dark tunnel. No one spoke a word unless absolutely necessary, for no one could tell where the next set of enemies might lie. Then, about two hundred feet in, those at the front noticed firelight and overheard voices. Signaling this discovery, the majority needed to stay put.
Olchemy, Captain Alaric, the Nasharins and Nayland crept closer to the fire and counted ten Cullach sitting around talking—arguing while disgustingly eating the flesh of raw animals and drinking blood.
They could smell it, elk blood. Next to Olchemy stood a woodpile. The Wizard reached into a pocket under his cloak…where he kept many ‘trick’ items. He took out a small pouch filled with blackish-gray powder he called shadow dust. Olchemy carefully sprinkled the powder onto the wood and then moved well into the shadows.
There the group waited, listening to the Cullach senseless bickering.
Prophecy Of The Guardian (Guardian Series Book 1) Page 16
