The next moment, Alric emerged in a gray field. Brown grass crunched beneath his boots. To his left, a small valley in winter’s slumber. To his right, a cavern’s entrance.
“This is known as Pouri Gua,” Sae said. “It sits on the edge of the Blue Mountains. Both elves and men are here. Now, there will be only one haven. Once more, Ser Alric, I asked for you to shield us from his sight. Cloak the Eye of Asmeodai.”
Alric did not hesitate. Tiakina te hunga i roto i tenei whare tapu. Kaua e whakaaturia to maatau.
Once more, magic surged through him. Stronger and stronger until he collapsed.
Sae helped him to his feet. It was done.
Again, the survivors had a sanctuary.
Once more magic…good magic could live.
Arch of Garten
Confusion reigned.
The free Withelegheans were scared…with reason.
Their previous sanctuary had been destroyed. The safety they had once felt was gone.
Asmeodai had found them.
Rentanga had been thrust into a barren place. Fear multiplied that there would not be enough water, food or shelter.
Alric calmed their fears.
Holding his young daughter in his arms, Alric proclaimed to Rentanga the necessity of the move had not necessitated the belief they had been defeated.
We will survive! We will live! Witheleghe is ours! Evil will be driven out!
He meant every word.
He would fight until he had no breath.
Unlike Tuhinga O Mua, water did not flow freely in Pouri Gua. There was only one stream with a pond. The weather was harsher. Yet with the elves, green had already burst forth.
During the turmoil, the Orimons had stayed strong. Their combined strength had held off Asmeodai’s attack upon Tuhinga O Mua until all of the resistance had transported to safety.
Danger still loomed.
Rentanga faced many issues just to survive in Pouri Gua that needed Alric’s attention.
Yet, failure at the Parkua of Death could not be dismiss. Asmeodai would be victorious over Witheleghe, but Siochanta Realm was now endanger.
Unless another plan was implemented soon.
Sangrey had given Alric a grim prediction if the Parkua of Death was not halted.
“There is only one way,” Sangrey stated. “If you have any chance of success.”
“Tell me what I need to do,” Alric said, dismissing any qualms he held toward the Tollin. If the Sangrey had intended on betraying him, Sangrey had had more than enough opportunities.
“Go now to the Arch of Garten. I will send her to you,” Sangrey answered ominously. “It is the only way.”
Sae had transported Alric and refused to leave him.
Returning to what had been his home set Alric’s nerves on edge. The ruins served as a solemn reminder of what had been lost.
In the distant hills, Alric heard the wolves howling. There was nothing left of the manor house. Charred bricks of the chimneys were only thing standing, surrounded by the burnt out remnants of what had been.
The gate had been destroyed, though there was little it could have kept out. The stone wall surrounding the estate had collapsed and was covered in overgrowth of weeds and vines. Nothing was left of his childhood.
He tried to visualize how it once had looked…his parents…his older brothers. He couldn’t. His memories had faded. Why am I fighting? What does it matter?
His self-indulgence into misery was interrupted.
A woman emerged from behind a mound of dirt that once served as the blacksmith shed. “Ser Alric, I am here.”
* * * *
Aurra looked surprisingly young, barely a woman. Her dark brown hair was matted and oily. Though, her eyes were large and expressive. Three triangles entangled with each other marked her forehead as a witch.
She wore rags with an odor that lingered about her. Without question, she had not seen a bath in a long while.
Her expression bore an uneasiness in addressing Alric. Well, she should. I hold no love for an Arachnida witch.
“Noldor told you that we have waited here for over a decade for your appearance.” Her voice was soft and hesitant.
“It means nothing to me. In that time, I have been fighting a great evil. An evil that you came with into this land.”
“Aye, milord, I came with Asmeodai,” Aurra said. “I helped train his dragons. It is what I do. I am known as kai tarakona. Animals talk to me…dragons talked to me. Not many were willing to work with Asmeodai’s dragons…afraid they would be eaten or burned alive. I was not. They became my family.”
“I do not care what you have done,” Alric spoke starkly. “I was told you would help me destroy Asmeodai’s tunnel. That is all I want to know. Can you help me?”
“Yes.” Her eyes turned darker. “I flew upon the dread Jordris, Asmeodai’s largest, most deadly dragon. He obeyed my every command as well as the other dragons.”
A shiver ran through Alric’s spine at her utterance. He remembered well the terror the dragons reigned against Troms.
“I see in your eyes you wonder why I did so,” Aurra continued. “To survive.”
“You must have been only a child.” Alric spoke his misgiving out loud.
“My parents were killed in front of me. I was only five. I saw Asmeodai drain their magic from their bodies. I watch them cry out in agony, shrivel up, and die. Asmeodai left me alive for he thought my magic insignificant. You see unlike Orimons, witches and warlocks magic grow with age.
“The dragons called to me in my distress. They took me in when no other would.” Aurra paused. “You question that dragons would have done so. Then you know nothing of dragons. They are more intelligent than you, Ser Alric, realizing that to survive themselves they had need of a human.”
Alric shrugged. “I give no thought to your tale. It is yours as we all have our own.”
“You want only to know how I can help you.” She nodded. “I held no love of Asmeodai before the invasion. When he killed my dragons, I hated him.
“There was no need…no need,” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I could control them…but that was what he feared. I could…but he could not.”
“So you, too, want revenge.”
Aurra raised her head and met his eyes. “I have had a semblance of my revenge. Why do you think you are here? Why do you believe that Asmeodai has been stuck within Witheleghe? Because Jordris and I closed his gateway in the Maunga Mountains.
“Jordris lives.”
Jordris
Above Alric, a dark red scaled dragon circled. He could see it crystal clear in the cloudless sky.
He had to admit his heart raced on the sight. The sheer might and power of the beast sent quivers through him.
Never would he have believed that such a creature could have lived within Rerangi, the rolling hills near his home.
Yet, he stood in the meadow where he had learned to ride watching a dragon fly.
A sudden remembrance of his father’s herd of fleogans flying surged through him. Grand and glorious. Even now, he could hear his father when Alric was learning to handle a fleogan.
Beautiful creatures, but strong and stubborn. You have to show him that you are its master.
Perhaps he should use the same approach with Jordris. But he wasn’t going to be riding Jordris.
Alric was to become one with the dragon.
It is the only way. Sangrey’s words resonated within him.
Aurra walked to the center of the tall, brown grass. She showed no fear, but outstretched her arms. Within her, he saw the love she held for the frightening creature.
He had no love for the deadly beast. Instead, he had an immense desire to stop Asmeodai.
“Let Ewan go in your stead,” Sae pleaded. “We need you.”
“You will have my magic always with or without me,” Alric reasoned. “If I die, it will go to Ewan. He will protect you. I need only your promise that you will care for Thea.”
Sae had given it readily as he knew she would.
A sudden peace overcame him.
At first, Alric had balked at Aurra’s suggestion for him to merge within the beast. He had no trust for the witch. It was a trap.
But Sangrey had said. It is the only way.
The witch’s words suffused within him, an understanding that her words held truth.
“After taking Troms, we Arachnidans celebrated the victory. I chose to stay with my family…my dragons. The guards came then with food for my herd…I helped them feed my dragons…My heart broke as each fell…there was nothing I could do after I discovered Asmeodai had poisoned my dragons.
“Only Jordris lived, having ventured off on his own after the fighting. When he returned, he found me weeping. He wanted no tears, only revenge. On that, I agreed.
“Jordris and I flew back to the entrance from which we came in the Maunga Mountains. I knew Asmeodai had need of it, especially after Asmeodai’s anger that the portal at Nottesdone was closed. Asmeodai wanted a connection back to his Arachnida.
“We took Arachnida away from Asmeodai. With his dragon-breath, Jordris melted the stone…layer upon layer of iron ore. He closed it forever.”
She laughed. “What good is it to conquer Witheleghe if he could not go back victorious and defeat Siochanta…defeat the Sordarins,” she paused for a moment and stepped closer. “He’s mad. Asmeodai is quite mad.”
It was not the first he had heard the assumption. Alric held no doubt Asmeodai was irrational. But, at the moment, Alric wondered about Aurra.
The tale she wove seemed implausible. She wants me to share the beast’s body.
Stepping back, Aurra pulled a necklace from around her neck. It was a golden chain with a red medallion. She held it out.
“You have wondered why I will help you stop Asmeodai before he reaches the entrance to the Siochanta Realm…why you can trust your friend, Sangrey,” she paused. “Because if Asmeodai succeeds, we all die…not figuratively, but truly all within the three realms will die.”
“How so?”
“When Nottesdone’s portal was created, the Flandigana king cast a charm around Witheleghe. The charm was repelled along the Arachnida border, which had allowed Asmeodai to break through. Asmeodai had seen to that, but he listens to no one about the dangers of breaking this charm once it has been set.
“Asmeodai believes he has done it once before. This time, though, when Asmeodai reaches the pivotal vein that stands between the two realms…if he uses his curse…the result will create a void…a void that will suck the realms into it.
“A black hole where nothing survives.”
“Asmeodai is no fool. If this is true, he would find another way.”
“Then you do not know Asmeodai,” Aurra said with certainty. “He believes he is most powerful…that his magic is stronger than any Flandigana magic. Asmeodai is a fool…no magic is all powerful.”
Her words struck him hard. She was right. All magic has its limits.
“You believe he will kill us all.”
“I do,” she said. “Sangrey has seen.”
Alric heard Sangrey again. It is the only way.
“Why do you not ride this dragon…Jordris?”
“I have not ridden a dragon since Jordris brought Noldor and me here. Jordris has grown. His anger drives him. He does not listen to me now…He abides me for there are no others. He believes me complacent in the deaths of his family.”
“You believe the dragon will listen to me?”
“No, Ser Alric,” she laughed. “It is why I must project your consciousness into his body.”
“I have always considered myself a brave man,” Alric said. “This I don’t understand…if this could be done…why me? You know your dragon. I know nothing about dragons.”
“For you are like Jordris. You are angry and thirst for revenge. It is that anger that can control him…He will respond to you. Take him to Troms. He will once again unleash his fury.”
“Asmeodai has seers. He will know we are coming.”
“Asmeodai won’t be able to stop you,” Aurra said firmly. “He will try. That is the reason you must be swift in your attack. Do not waste time. You need to go now.”
Alric had so many unanswered questions. He needed time to plan. The Highborn Chamber had been moved. No one knew where Asmeodai kept his captives. What if I kill the Orimons? What of the slaves that work the tunnel?
As if she read his mind, Sae said, “All will die if you do not go.”
“Once Jordris lands, I will say the incantation.” Aurra pressed her lips together tightly. “Your elfin and I will watch over your body while you are in Jordris. But be warned, do not stay too long for then you will truly become one.”
“What?” Alric cried. “How long do I have?”
“It is not a length of time,” Aurra explained. “You will know. The pull will become great. It is then that you will need to return to your body. Remember who you are.”
Alric watched the witch call to her dragon.
Flapping his wings, Jordris screeched. The force of the wind the dragon created forced Alric back a step.
Jordris roared.
Instinctively, Alric closed his eyes. When he opened them, the dragon was perched on his back feet. The red scaled dragon stood over twenty-five feet in the air. His wings spanned over forty.
Jordris had a horned head with teeth the size of longsword blades. His nostrils flared sparks.
The beast was not happy.
Neither was Alric.
It is the only way.
He had not heard the witch speak, but he felt his essence leave his body. Surreal, he seemed to float in the air. He could see Sae leaning over his limp body and Aurra holding her medallion and whispering to it.
The moment, he moved into the beast’s body, he could not have said. He knew only he was there.
A fury of anger hit Alric.
Alric’s own anger surged. A battle of wills ensued, one Alric refused to lose. Too much was at stake.
Only when Alric locked onto Jordris hatred toward Asmeodai did their battle end.
Alric felt Jordris relent.
Power flowed through Alric. He flapped one wing and then, the other. Alric sensed Jordris’ willingness to help him.
Alric snapped his jaw and thrashed his tail.
He was dragon.
With a screech, Alric took to the air.
* * * *
Night had fallen when Alric caught sight of Troms. He was thankful for the full moon to guide him.
Never had Alric felt so powerful. He flew high over the rubble of the city and dived low with purpose. From his throat, he called forth the heat of his dragon-breath.
Cries and screams of the people of the city erupted on his flight through the streets. Sentries emerged. Arrows flew. None hit him. If they had, he felt nothing.
There was little an arrow, ax or even a hammer could do to harm him. A thought crossed his mind that Asmeodai himself might try with some magical spell. He prayed Asmeodai would show himself.
Alric would end this madness quickly.
Yet, Asmeodai made no showing this night. The wizard had not dared.
The thought of Asmeodai cowering in a corner bolstered Alric’s spirit. He screeched a deafeningly cry.
The dragon did not sway from his mission and quickly came upon the entrance to the tunnel. He roared and flew straight upward.
Slaves scattered. From his view, they looked like ants. Hovering, he gave them time as much as he could to run.
He could wait no longer.
The dragon dove and flared his heated flame toward the entrance. The ground shook. A fire blazed, blistering and searing until the entrance was sealed.
The streets had been blackened. The cries had not ceased.
The dragon took one last look. He had struck at the heart of Asmeodai.
His anger had been dispelled.
He took back to the air and returned to his home…the
ir home.
Flying back to the meadow of Arch of Garten, Alric felt Jordris was anxious for Alric to return to his body.
For a brief moment, Alric had no desire to depart. Within Jordris, he felt invincible. For the first time, he had struck back, regaining a part of Witheleghe.
A flash of remembrance of his life…of Thea…Ewan…Sae.
Alric felt the pull. He made no resistance.
The Awakening
Alric woke.
He was no longer in Arch of Garten.
At first, he didn’t recognize where he was, but he felt a small hand gripping his.
His eyes focused to see his young daughter smiling at him with tears running down her cheeks.
“Papa, Papa,” she cried. “I was so…scared.”
“I am here.” Alric sat upward. He had never been a demonstrative man. Rarely had he even kissed his daughter. His main concern had been her welfare in which, he had entrusted Sae with the venture.
This day, he wrapped his arms about the young one. Thea returned his embraced with a ferociously tight grip about his neck.
He found comfort in her love.
Still holding his daughter, he rose from the small cot and walked to the window. His housing was nothing more than a hut hastily constructed.
The scene before him was a harsh reminder of the world around them. This was not Tuhinga O Mua, nor was it Briar Fuana.
Gone was the beautiful flowers, fields and streams. Instead, he saw a meadow filled with refugees from both places. The meadow had greened, but winter was coming. There would not be enough time to grow a crop.
At Briar Fuana, winter had already come. The elves had prepared and stored the necessary food, but then came the evacuation. They took only what they could bring on one trip.
Tuhinga O Mua had no winter supplies to call upon. The winter cold and snow never came that far south.
At Pouri Gua, the winters were not harsh, but there was not enough time for any crop to take root. Their food would have to be rationed to survive.
There were many mouths to feed.
Today, though, Rentanga celebrated.
Asmeodai had been defeated soundly. It was but one victory, but one Rentanga could take heart with it.
The Path Now Turned Page 18
