Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  With two of the airships damaged and now starting to fall, the goblins begin to throw jars containing bright orange potions over the edge of the rail. The alchemy bombs hit the ground and explode violently. Many of the orcneas below are taken out from the bombardment. Because of the sheer numbers of the enemy, many more orcneas make it through and now charge the last two hundred yards to the spiked trench along the front line.

  The orcneas run right through the magical minefield laid by Chance and the Amazons days earlier. More are slain by the explosive effect of the hidden spells. They continue to push forward and once in range, Arioch yells, “Fire!” The archers and spell casters attack relentlessly. The orcneas charge and while many of them fall, some still manage to reach the front line. Now the real test begins for Arioch and his men.

  Out over the battlefield, Chance is still leading the ice drake head on into the last three drakes. Two of the three drakes continue directly toward the third airship, ignoring Chance. The third comes straight for him. With the ice drake getting closer to Chance from the rear, he continues to fly straight at the oncoming enemy. They continue to close in on one another until the last moment when Chance pulls up as hard as he can. The two less maneuverable drakes collide and fall to the ground.

  Chance turns back and tries to catch up with the last two drakes. By the time the drakes reach the ship, Leanara is already there. One of the drakes flies over the top of the large balloon as she shoots an ice dagger at it. Leanara's attack injures the drake and it tries to land on the top of the balloon. The claws of the beast rip the canvas as it lands. Leanara casts another ice dagger and hits the injured creature, knocking it back off the edge of the balloon. The drake is killed as it crashes to the ground below, crushing several orcneas that are not able to move out of its way.

  The third airship is heavily damaged now and the final Drake strafes the balloon with fire. Leanara dodges the claws and transforms before making her retreat. The drake turns to follow her but as it does Chance streaks by and uses his claws from his eagle form to get the drake's attention. The drake follows Chance now but instead of using its breath attack it tries to bite him. Chance dives one last time and the drake follows him blindly to the front line where King Arioch has been fighting the orcneas in close combat. Chance approaches with the drake right behind him, Arioch smiles as he switches his grip on his spear and prepares the throw it. Chance flies over head as the King steps forward throwing the spear directly through the drake's heart. The beast crashes down behind the lines.

  Back at Northwind, an orcnea rushes up to general Vork and says, “Sir! They have just killed all of our drakes.”

  Vork grins and says, “Yes, but it is too late. Look.” Carr Vork points above the battlefield where the three goblin airships are now descending to the ground.

  Inside the healing tent, Namos has been very busy. Rushing from one injured man to another he is pushing the limits of his abilities. He is fatigued and is now only able to heal minor wounds. An orcnea that has made its way through the front line barges into the tent. With its sword it slashes down one of the other healers.

  Namos looks around and finds a staff laying on the ground. He picks it up and charges the orcnea intruder. The orcnea swings his sword at Namos who parries it to the side. Namos uses the long rod to sweep the feet out from under the orcnea. The enemy falls on its back as Namos swings the staff at its skull. The orcnea is knocked unconscious as Namos checks on the man it had attacked. Namos checks for breathing but the man is dead.

  At the front lines, A’ranah fights side by side with King Arioch. They fend off the orcneas that make it through the spears. During a brief reprieve in the action, Arioch looks out and also watches the three airships continue to fall. He turns and can see Resheck laughing. “What is so funny?” Arioch yells.

  Resheck replies, “We have one final surprise for the orcneas, Sire, and in a few moments you will see it.”

  On board the airships the goblins are evacuating through magic gates. One of the crew members says to the goblin captain, “That's all of us, Captain. We must go now!” The captain unlocks a panel on the wall of the quarterdeck. Inside is a lever that he pulls down before walking through the gate. Inside the bottom of the ship, gears are set into motion. A small jar containing a flame is lowered into the cargo hold below and hangs above an open barrel of black power. The entire length of the cargo hold is filled with more barrels waiting to be set off.

  On the front lines, Arioch continues to fight the orcneas, when suddenly, smashing through the spikes, is General Lortec. Lortec yells, “Give me the 'Orcnea Slayer,' give me Chance Na'Moon!”

  One of Arioch's soldiers runs up to attack Lortec, only to be slashed down. Man after man charges only to be easily killed by the orcnea general. A'ranah is busy defending against orcneas coming from behind them as Arioch charges Lortec. Both are armed with a shield and sword. They clash together as others engage in combat all around them.

  Lortec says, “King Arioch, since Chance is not here you will have to do.”

  Arioch swings his sword only to have it parried. Arioch replies, “Chance may be the one with the title of 'Orcnea Slayer', but you will find that I am as good as anyone in combat.”

  “Good,” Lortec says with a laugh. “I'll enjoy the challenge and put an end to this war at the same time.” He tries to strike the king, but Arioch quickly parries. Arioch follows through with a counter attack that almost hits the general. Lortec pushes Arioch back with his shield before swinging his sword low at his feet. The King jumps over the attack and as Lortec tries to knock the ruler of Sheathelm off his feet with a second shield strike, Arioch angles his shield to safely deflect the blow and maintains his balance.

  The King then uses his shied for offense and swings it at the orcnea. The much larger and stronger Lortec, easily blocks Arioch's attack with his own shield. Back and forth they battle, neither able to get an advantage until finally Arioch is able to catch the big reddish-orange foe off guard for a moment. It is just enough to get through his defenses and cut his arm.

  The sight of his own blood enrages Lortec who uses all his might to hit Arioch with his shied. Arioch is knocked off his feet. Both of their shields are now damaged. Lortec approaches the downed King, who is stunned.

  Lortec draws back his sword and prepares to strike. Suddenly he hears Chance's voice from behind him call out to his king, “Arioch!”

  Lortec stops and turns to face Chance, “I have been waiting for you, Chance Na'Moon.”

  “I am sorry to have kept you waiting,” Chance replies.

  Lortec starts towards the enemy he truly wants to face. Chance casts an explosive fireball and releases it at him. With what little remains of his shield, Lortec blocks the explosive attack. The shield is destroyed and Lortec charges at the Orcnea Slayer. Chance ducks and rolls to the side and, before Lortec can turn around, Chance blasts him with a flame jet from each hand. Lortec is engulfed in flames. To everyone's surprise, the orcnea general slowly turns to face Chance and begins to walk towards him.

  Chance pushes more of his strength into his fiery attack, but soon Lortec is standing before him, unaffected by the fire. Lortec lets out a loud battle cry as he uses his gauntlet to strike Chance with a powerful back swing that sends Chance to the ground. Standing over him Lortec says, “You disappoint me, Orcnea Slayer, I expected more of a fight from you.”

  Lortec draws back his sword as Chance looks up at him and says, “I suppose it is only fair, considering I expected less of a fight from you.” Chance quick draws his sword just in time to stop the blade that was coming straight for him. He then gets to his knees and draws a second sword and swings at Lortec forcing him back. Chance stands up and says, “So, you are protected from fire.”

  Lortec laughs and says, “That is right, Orcnea Slayer, you will find that I will not be an easy kill.” He steps in and swings his sword as Chance uses both swords to stop the bigger blade. Lortec uses his strength to push Chance back enough so that he
can kick him in the chest. Chance is knocked down once again.

  Chance catches his breath as the first of the goblin airships lands on the ground. Orcneas swarm all over the fallen air ship. Chance gets to his feet as the other two ship land and become overtaken by the enemy. Just as Chance is about to attack Lortec, the first ship explodes in a massive fireball. Wood from the ship flies out violently like shrapnel. The thunderous explosion stuns everyone including Lortec. The orcnea army begin to flee.

  Lortec yells at his men, “No! Where are you going?”

  Carr Vork magically appears out of nowhere next to Lortec and says, “We have to go! Our forces are fleeing.”

  Lortec turns to Chance and says, “This isn't over, Chance Na'Moon.”

  Chance holding his attack replies, “Well, you know where find me.”

  Carr places his hand on Lortec's shoulder and they teleport away with a pop.

  Chance walks over to King Arioch who is with A'ranah and asks, “Are you alright?”

  “I am fine,” Arioch replies, “but we are also going to have to leave. They still outnumber us three to one, and without any air support we will not have the advantage we did this time.”

  “I can fly ahead and start the evacuation of Dury,” Chance says.

  “Yes,” Arioch says, “We will gather our things quickly and begin to fall back. As soon as you get word to Dury, come back to us. I have a feeling they are not going to make this easy.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Chance replies.

  “Chance,” A'ranah asks, “Did you know that orcnea?”

  Chance looks out over the battlefield full of fire and replies, “No, I do not.”

  “Well, he knows who you are,” Arioch says, “and he seems intent on killing you.”

  Chance looks out at the retreating orcneas and says, “Yes, he does.”

  Chapter 48

  Mysterious One

  It is evening in Sheathelm and waiting inside the King's Shield Inn is Fernando. Off in the opposite corner across a full room Marie and Allen are watching over him. It is so busy that Allen almost doesn't see the two short goblins that walk up to Fernando's table.

  “Mr. Greythorn?” one of the goblins asks.

  He looks up from the table and answers, “Yes, I am Fernando.”

  “The boss sent us to get you,” the goblin says.

  Allen and Marie start to walk over as Fernando asks, “Do you have my father's sword?”

  “First things first,” the goblin replies, “Did you bring Captain Stormrage's locket?”

  Fernando pulls out the small box containing the locket. He opens it and holds it up and says, “Ariella's locket, and you can have it after I get my sword.”

  Allen, now standing behind the goblin, asks, “Why do you want the captain's locket?”

  The goblin turns and replies, “I don't know who you are, boy, but that is none of your concern.”

  “Ariella was my captain,” Allen says, leaning down into the face of the much shorter goblin. “Fernando stole it from her on my watch. So it is my concern.”

  The goblin turns back to Fernando and says, “Mr. Greythorn, if this is some kind of trick?”

  “Not at all,” Fernando answers. “I was hoping to be able to talk with your boss about possibly retaining the locket when he was done with it.”

  The goblin sighs and says, “You'll just have to ask him yourself. Now if you will just follow us, I will take you to him.” Then looking at Allen and Marie who is still standing behind him he adds, “Your friends can come too.”

  “Thank you,” Fernando says as he stands up. The goblins turn and start to make their way through the crowd as Fernando takes off the medallion from around his neck. Allen looks at him puzzled, and Fernando says quietly to him, “Just in case things don't go well, Torgus will be able to at least find my body.”

  At that very moment out at sea, Torgus has been sitting and meditating in his quarters. Suddenly from out of the trance he opens his eyes, smiles, and says to himself, “I found you, Mr. Greythorn.” He immediately gets up and leaves to inform the captain.

  In the Captain's quarters Ariella is explaining to Annalee about Fernando. Ariella says, “And that, my dear, is why Fernando Greythorn will pay dearly when I find him.” The smile fades from her face as she says, “To be completely honest though, I don't know if I'll have it in me to stay mad at him. There is just something about him.”

  Annalee grins and says, “Don't worry, Captain, I'll make sure he pays for what he has done, and I don't care how charming he is. That will not work on me.”

  “I am sure it won't,” Ariella replies. “Very well, if you want to do the dirty work, he is all yours.”

  Just then, Torgus barges through the door and says, “Captain, I have found him!”

  “Fernando?” She asks. “Where?”

  “Unfortunately,” Torgus explains, “as near as I can tell he is back in Sheathelm.”

  “Sheathelm?” Ariella contemplates. “Damn him. We can't go there with all the orcnea ships.”

  Drake knocks at the door and says, “Captain, you have a visitor.”

  Ariella looks confused and as she stands up and walks to the door she asks, “A visitor? Who is it?” Ariella exits her quarters and begins to walk through the officer's quarters.

  Drake answers, “I believe it is the female elf from the Silver Tide.”

  Ariella follows Drake out to the main deck as she sees the familiar female elf standing right outside the door.

  “Captain Stormrage,” Eveoh greets.

  “I remember you,” Ariella replies. “You were the elf that helped us fight the orcnea ship.”

  “Yes, Captain,” she says. “My name is Eveoh.”

  “What can I do for you, Eveoh?” Ariella asks.

  “We are on our way to Sheathelm to help the humans against the orcneas,” Eveoh explains.

  “Who is we?” Ariella asks.

  Eveoh walks the starboard railing. She holds her right hand up over her head and a bright light emanates from her palm. The cloudy sky has made for an exceptionally dark night. A few moments later a light from off in the distance appears. Then another followed by a few more.

  “Captain! They're ships off the port and starboard bow!” the man calls down from the crow’s nest.

  Ariella looks off the port bow as more and more lights appear. Soon the sea looks as if the stars themselves have descended upon it as dozens of lights from ships alongside of them appear.

  Eveoh says, “We were hoping you would join us, Captain.”

  Ariella looks at Torgus with a smile. He smiles back and Ariella says to Eveoh, “It would be a pleasure.”

  “I will tell Resif immediately,” Eveoh replies. “Thank you, Captain.” Eveoh closes her eyes and disappears with a popping sound as she teleports away.

  Ariella says with a smile, “Well, this is a cause to celebrate. Come, Torgus, Drake, and you too, Annalee.” Ariella walks up the stairs to the top of the quarterdeck as the others follow her. Ariella enters the lounge and stops suddenly.

  Sitting at Ariella's desk with a black cavalier's hat with the left side cropped up is a woman. Instead of the typical feather usually placed on hats, there is a dark violet daisy. She is wearing a long black coat over her white blouse and has matching black trousers. Her leather boots extend almost to her knees and her feet are up on the desk as she leans back in the chair and is reading Ariella's journal. The brown haired woman turns to them and says with a mild Irish accent, “You know, Ariella, you really need to run a tighter ship. I feel like I just walked in here without anyone stopping me.”

  “Captain Fidelma McMurphy,” Ariella grumbles. “What are you doing here?”

  The woman, who is a few years younger than Ariella, laughs and replies, “Now, Ariella, is that any way to welcome me?”

  Drake steps towards her as Ariella holds him back and says, “It's alright, Drake.” Ariella looks over and sees Leon standing at the wall, staring straight ahead. “Leon
?” she says. “Leon, what are you doing?”

  Leon does not respond to Ariella. “Oh, I am sorry,” Fidelma says, “allow me.” She then turns to Leon and says, “Leon, you may leave now.”

  “Yes, ma'am,” Leon says. He turns and walks with a blank expression pass the others towards the door.

  Ariella says to Drake, “Take Leon down below and make sure he is alright.”

  “He is fine,” Fidelma says as Leon walks out of the lounge followed by Drake.

  “Mind control, Fidelma?” Ariella asks, “That is against the laws on every continent, including Bruen.”

  “Please, Ariella,” Fidelma says as she stands up, “it is no more illegal than, let's say, draining someone's youth.” She closes Ariella's journal and tosses it onto the table.

  Ariella glares at the intruder. She grabs the journal and angrily says, “Enough of this! Why the hell are you here?”

  Fidelma smiles and looks at Annalee. She says, “You would think that she would be nicer to her sister, wouldn't you?”

  Annalee looks at Ariella. “She is not my sister,” Ariella says as she walks over to her desk. She places the journal inside a drawer before closing and locking it.

  “Not by blood,” Fidelma replies, “but you were very much like a sister to me.” She looks at Annalee and says, “She taught me my first spell.”

  “That was a long time ago,” Ariella says.

  “Yes,” Fidelma replies, “it was.”

  “Are you going to tell me what you want or not?” Ariella asks, sounding angry.

  Fidelma laughs. “Why are you so angry?” she asks. “After all, I am the one who should be angry with you.”

  Ariella sighs heavily and says, “That also was a long time ago.”

  “Captain, if you don't mind...” Torgus says.