Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “I am Kianna Ravenguard of Sheathelm,” she says.

  “I have heard about you,” Kristieana replies. “I am fifth generation Ree, so I believe that makes you my great, great aunt.”

  “Really?” Isen asks.

  “Elves have more complex family trees,” Ya'leigh explains. “My name is Ya'leigh Na'Moon, and that is Isen.”

  “Na'Moon?” she asks looking at Ya'leigh. “Chance's daughter?”

  “Yes,” Ya'leigh answers, sounding confused. “Do you know my father?”

  Looking away nervously she answers, “I have only heard of him.”

  “So are you alone?” Kianna asks.

  “No,” Kristieana replies as she puts her crossbow away. “My sisters are up ahead. They are on their Rite of Passage, and I am accompanying them. Originally it was supposed to be a scouting mission. Now that we know the orcneas have declared war again, we are going to see if we can do more than just scout.”

  Garrin and the others now come around the rock. Kianna says, “That is what we were going to do. Perhaps we should join forces.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Kristieana replies. “We are about a mile ahead of you now, I am sure we can catch up to them if we go fast.”

  Gena sighs and says, “I don't know how well I will be able to keep up but I'll try.”

  Kristieana looks at Isen and says, “You know you are lucky I fell for that. I could have just shot you to prove that I had a crossbow.”

  Isen laughs and replies, “I wasn't trying to trick you. I really didn't think you had one.”

  “Then you are fool, Isen,” Kristieana replies.

  “And you are lucky she wasn't the enemy,” Ya’leigh adds. They all laugh as they begin to follow Kristieana to the others.

  Back in Sheathelm, Allen, Marie, and Fernando are inside another tavern. They are sitting at a table, and their drinks have just been brought to them. “So tell me,” Allen starts, “what do you mean that your actions are not of your own accord?”

  Fernando looks around and then leans in over the table and quietly begins to explain to them his side of the story. “I was approached a couple weeks ago by two goblins. They said they had my father's sword. They told me all that I had to do to get it back was to obtain Ariella's locket. They had a plan all laid out, and all I had to do was to gain her trust so that I could steal the locket. They had a few different plans for escape, however when no opportunity presented itself to take the locket, I had to lead her to that cave. Inside the cave there was a lock pick and this medallion. After I went in first, I grabbed the lock pick and when they were all busy with the door inside, I had the perfect opportunity to escape and lock them inside. That gave me enough time to come back to the ship and take the locket.”

  “Why didn't you take it the other night?” Marie asks. “You were looking in the jewelry box. You could have taken it then.”

  “It was too soon,” Fernando explains. “Had the captain checked on it the next morning I would not have been able to hide it. I had to get a bag of holding in town to hide it from Torgus. The goblins told me where to get one from. The plan worked perfectly except for one detail.”

  “What is that?” Marie asks.

  “Whether you believe me or not,” Fernando explains, “I grew to care for Ariella.”

  Allen thinks about what Fernando has just said. Then he asks, “So that explains how you did it, but who are these goblins and why do they want her locket?”

  “I do not have those answers, Allen,” he replies. “Tonight I am going to turn it over in exchange for my father's sword. I am sorry, but I have to do this. Believe me if there is any way that I can get my father's sword and keep the locket, I will, but these goblins knew a lot. They knew about me and Ariella. I don't know who exactly we are dealing with, but in my experience those who know this much usually are prepared for anything.”

  “We can come with you,” Allen suggests. “We can go before you and sit somewhere else. When they give you your father's sword I will come over and we can make sure we get some answers.”

  Fernando thinks and says, “I am not confident that it will work, but I am willing to try.”

  Chapter 46

  Crossroads

  The Amazons of the Silver Moon are introducing themselves to Princess Kianna and her group. Now the two groups together are fifteen members strong.

  “Sven!” Garrin yells, “How are you?”

  Sven replies, “Garrin! Sven is doing well. How are you? Sven has not seen you in years.”

  “I am alright,” Garrin answers.

  Gelana rubs the top of Kelik's head and says, “I love his curly hair. Hey, Kel'ana, you can tell the two of you are related.”

  Kel'ana laughs and says “It must be in the Ree bloodline.”

  Garrin, Isen, and Sven move off to the side talking amongst themselves. “Great,” Garrin says, sounding disgruntled, “More women to take care of.”

  Isen laughs and says, “I'll take good care of them.”

  Sven says, “Sven is going to have to say no. Chance warned Sven not to touch them, and if Sven cannot do anything, then you will not either. As far as taking care of them, they do not need us. Sven has fought at their side more than once, and they are very impressive.”

  “So, Chance said not to touch them?” Isen questions, sounding disappointed.

  “Yes, except for her,” Sven says, motioning to Kristieana. “Sven thinks she is older sister who is looking out for them. Be careful, she is not as friendly as others. She told Sven that she has man in her life, but Sven is not so sure. She does not like Sven.”

  Isen laughs and says, “Yes, well, she had a crossbow pointed at my head earlier. So I am not so sure about her.”

  Yentroc walks over to the men and says to Isen, “Hello, my name in Yentroc. What is yours?”

  “Forget it,” Sven says to her. “Sven already told him what Chance told me.”

  “Why?” she questions. “After everything I have done for you.”

  “What are you talking about?” Sven asks.

  Yentroc pulls Sven aside and says quietly, “You know, to help with Lyra.”

  Sven sighs and says, “Lyra and Sven are just friends.”

  “If you say so,” Yentroc says, sounding disappointed as she turns and walks away.

  Kel'ana walks over to Ya'leigh and says, “Your bow looks like mine.” She holds out Glacies.

  “Yeah, it does,” Ya'leigh says as she takes Incendia off her back. “It's called...”

  “Incendia?” Kel'ana asks.

  “Yes,” she replies. “How did you know?”

  “I have its twin, Glacies,” Kel'ana says as she draws back the bowstring of Glacies, showing an icy arrow.

  Ya'leigh smiles and draws back the bowstring of Incendia, and a fiery arrow appears. “I never knew it had a twin.”

  “That is amazing,” Kel'ana says as she slowly releases her grip. “I never expect to ever see it.”

  Evelena walks up to Kianna and says, “So you are the Amazon Princess. I am Evelena Ree I think that makes you my great great aunt or something like that.”

  They both laugh, and Kianna replies, “Please call me Kianna.”

  Rehma is off to the side sitting down. Yentroc sits next to her and asks, “Don't you want to meet your cousin's children?”

  Rehma looks at her with an angry smile and says, “I guess they seem alright to me. Even if they are Chance's.”

  “It looks like you and Ya'leigh have the same swords too.” Yentroc says looking at the two Vallo swords on Ya'leigh's back.

  Rehma looks over and says, “Hmm. So she is a dual wielder as well.” She then smiles and adds, “Maybe she and I will get along after all.”

  Evelena says loudly to everyone, “We should probably eat now before we get moving.”

  Sven says, “Sven will cook.”

  “Good,” Isen says. “I am starving.”

  A short time later as the group begins to eat, Kianna says, “I think it
is incredible that we found each other out here.”

  “It is almost like fate,” Evelena replies.

  Gelana nudges Kel'ana and says, “It's like our different paths have met at the crossroads of life.”

  Kel'ana and Gelana both laugh as Kristieana glares at them both. Kristieana stands up and walks over to them and says quietly, “I need to talk with the two of you, right now.” Kristieana walks away from the group as Kel'ana and Gelana look at each other nervously before following her.

  When Kristieana gets far enough away that no one will hear them she waits. When Kel'ana and Gelana reach her she angrily asks, “When did you read my letter from Chance?”

  “What are you talking about?” Gelana asks.

  “'The crossroads of life'?” Kristieana questions. “Chance wrote those words to me. When did you read my letter?”

  Gelana looks down and answers, “Yesterday.”

  Kristieana asks, “Did you tell anyone else about it?”

  “No,” Gelana replies.

  “What about you?” Kristieana asks Kel'ana.

  “I haven't said anything,” Kel'ana answers.

  “Only the two of you know anything about this,” Kristieana says, “and I want it to stay that way.”

  “Alright,” Gelana replies, “I was only joking.”

  Kristieana takes a deep breath and says, “I know, but those are his children over there. They cannot know about it.”

  “What is the problem?” Kel'ana asks. “Nothing happened between you and Chance anyway.”

  “That's right,” Kristieana replies, “Nothing happened, but I already made the mistake of telling Ya'leigh that I have never met him.”

  “Why?” Gelana asks.

  “What was I supposed to say,” Kristieana asks, frustratedly, “'I met your father just the other day and then I almost slept with him'?”

  “I see your point,” Gelana says.

  “It is important,” Kristieana says, “that no one else finds out about the letter, or that I ever met him. They wouldn't understand. Now promise me.”

  “I promise,” Gelana replies.

  Kristieana looks at Kel'ana who says, “I promise, too.”

  “Good,” Kristieana replies before turning and walking back to the camp.

  Chapter 47

  Rain of Fire

  On the front lines of war, King Arioch's troops scramble into position. The nine remaining drakes have been spotted taking flight. They have split off into three groups each containing three drakes. One group circles above Northwind while the other two split off in opposite directions and come around to flanking positions. They stay far out of reach of` Arioch's archers and wait just above the horizon.

  Arioch commands, “All ranged-fighters, be ready to take those drakes down!”

  Suddenly a goblin appears as he teleports down from one of the air ships above. He says to the King, “King Arioch! They are crossing the river!”

  Chance says, “I can try to destroy the bridge again.”

  “No,” Arioch replies. “I am sure they are ready for you this time. This is it. We need to protect the air ships. If we can protect them, they will be able to drop spells down on the orcnea ground troops. Chance, I need you to help protect them.”

  Chance looks to his left and then to his right at both groups of drakes and says, “I will do everything I can.”

  “You will not be alone, brother,” Leanara says as she approaches with several sisters of the Dri'el. “I am going to fly with you. Yarwin will be protecting you from arrows, and Jadelyn will keep a spell on you that will protect you from the ice attacks. I assume you can protect yourself from fire?”

  “Yes,” he replies with a laugh. “I have the fire covered.”

  “Good,” Leanara replies. “I won't have protection from arrows, so I will have to stay up on the ships and out of their archer's range, but I will be protected from ice and fire.”

  Chance smiles and says, “Excellent, I'll cover the left if you can cover the right. Just watch out for the drake's claws.”

  Jadelyn suggests, “We should get back behind these tents so that we can maintain the spells without interruption.”

  “Great idea,” Leanara replies. They all walk back around the corner of a tent and wait as they watch the drakes hover over the horizon.

  A mile across the field of war, the orcneas cross the Northwind River. First hundreds, then thousands of orcneas take position on the other side and begin to advance. The three generals Lortec Ka, Borak Cron, and Carr Vork are among them. “This is the day,” Lortec says. “The day that Chance Na'Moon will die!”

  “We must take down those airships,” Borak says.

  “Now that we advanced our troops,” Carr says, as he points his staff at the orcnea army, “they will have to come out to us, away from the cover fire of their archers.”

  “Just make sure the beast masters don't make any foolish mistakes,” Lortec says to Carr. “I am going now to the front line.”

  “Good hunting to you,” Carr says with a deep laugh.

  The orcnea armies start their march. Chance anxiously paces back and forth watching as they begin to cross the large field. He turns to the others and says, “Yarwin and Jadelyn, cast your spells now. I am not going to wait any longer. Maybe I can keep those three drakes out of the battle altogether.” Yarwin and Jadelyn cast their protections on Chance as he casts his own protection from fire. Then, he transforms into the giant eagle and takes flight.

  Higher and higher Chance flies until he is looking down on the entire battlefield. He is high enough in the sky that he even looks down upon the drakes. The orcneas are now about one half a mile out, and the three goblin air ships begin to move out over the battlefield to intercept them. Chance begins to dive down as the groups of drakes along the sides begin to move in.

  Leanara transforms to an eagle as well and flies to the airship on the right. She takes position on top of the balloon portion and transforms back into her elven form. She watches the three drakes from the right flank approach as she stands ready. Chance gains more and more speed as he continues to dive towards the trio drakes to the left. The drakes fly directly under him as he turns and matches their speed. Chance glides over one of the drakes in the rear unnoticed. In mid-air, he transforms back into his elven form, and as he falls he draws one of his swords. He lands on the long neck of the flying beast. With both hands holding the sword over his head Chance drives it down into the back of the neck, just at the base of the skull.

  The drake dies instantly and as it begins to fall, Chance quickly puts his sword back into its hilt and jumps free. Chance falls as he changes back into an eagle and dives to gain more speed. One of the other drakes begins to dive after him.

  Chance tries to lose the drake that is right behind him. He flies low and fast as the drake gives chase. The icy cold breath attack of the drake hits Chance but does not affect him thanks to the spell Jadelyn has cast. Chance flies with great speed along the front line. The king's archers fire their arrows at the beast doing it some harm. Chance veers hard to his right and flies through a narrow gap in the spikes along the ditch. The large injured drake is not able to maneuver through the same space and finds itself impaled upon the wooden defenses.

  Meanwhile, Leanara has her hands full as the three winged drakes from the right are coming in fast. She summons a massive ice dagger and releases it at the center drake. The large drake is not able to turn fast enough out of the way, and the ice impales it. The badly wounded drake falls to its death.

  With three of the nine drakes down, General Carr commands the final three drakes that have been circling the city to move in. Chance flies up and lands on top of the airship to the left, and watches as the other three drakes begin to close in.

  The airships, while more intended for bombarding ground troops, are not defenseless on their own. The goblins are ready with harpoons that are fired from ballistas. On the ship protected by Leanara, the two remaining drakes close in and attack
with their fire breath. The goblins shoot their harpoons at the lower one while Leanara shoots another ice dagger at the other.

  It is enough to take out the two drakes, but not before they ignite the balloon on fire with their fiery breath. As the drakes fall to the ground, Leanara tries to put out the fire with a water jet spell. As she tries to contain the fire, the captain of the air ship orders, “Prepare to rain fire!” The goblin crew begins to scramble.

  Chance waits for the remaining drake from the left group to make an attack. The scaly creature flies above the goblin's arc of fire. It has made one pass already, but with only an ice attack. The drake now makes its second pass, and Chance hurls a fireball at it. The drake rolls to the side and the fireball misses. Before he can cast another spell, the ice drake flies by with another ice attack. Though it doesn't hurt Chance, his vision is hindered. The ice drake flies by as it strikes Chance's left arm with its tail. This leaves a gash in his armor right above the elbow and slices into him.

  Chance is knocked back and begins to slide down the side of the balloon. The drake makes a wide turn to prepare for another pass. Chance knows that if he transforms, his injured arm will affect his wing as well. Fortunately, he is sliding down a crease where a rope is tied around the balloon. He grabs the rope with both hands and stops himself just as he is about to go completely over the edge.

  The pain is excruciating as the drake begins to charge once again. Chance has no choice but to try to grab a healing potion from his belt with his injured arm. With his right hand griping the rope, his left arm continues to bleed. Chance fumbles for the vile containing the healing potion. He winces in pain as he brings it to his mouth and removes the top. He drinks the potion just as the drake begins to drag his tail along the side of the balloon, creating a gash as it continues right for him. Chance lets go of the rope and kicks away from the balloon just as the drake flies by.

  Chance free falls as the potion takes effect. Before he reaches the ground he transforms again and pulls up as the orcneas below try to shoot him with arrows. With Yarwin's protection he is still safe from their attacks. The drake that had injured him now dives as well. Chance turns toward the final three drakes and flies low. The ice drake that follows him tries to hit him with its icy breath, only to hit the orcneas close by.