Peg peered curiously at Tom and replied, “You have seen me many times over the years Tom, but you speak as if this is the first time you have seen me since I came to you at the old school.”
As he finished speaking, Bray’s voice called from behind the Sentinels, “For him it is.”
Peg glanced back to find Bray and saw him riding towards Avrit, with the power of Mogya still burning in his eyes. Gwion was following his father, looking slightly more ragged, having just released his grip on his power. Bray clasped Avrit’s outstretched hand and then slid from his saddle, as he said, “It’s so good to see you all.”
Peg moved across to his oldest friend, as Bray released his Mogya, and caught him under the arms, before he could fall forward. Bray fought the inevitable exhaustion that was now consuming him and sat down. He took a deep breath and, as two of Rumar’s men lowered the now sleeping Gwion to the floor, continued, “We’ve got to get to Velumia.”
Peg knelt beside Bray and with curiosity burning his very soul, asked, “Why do we have to get to Velumia and how is it the first time that Tom has seen me since the school?”
However, much to Peg’s frustration, Bray did not answer; he simply closed his eyes and succumbed to the exhaustion, which was racking his body. Tom stepped forward and laid a blanket over him, as he said, “I can explain that one Peg. We’re not the Sentinels you know today, Bray brought us forward in time, because he had no way of contacting the Sentinels in your time.”
Peg’s eyes boggled at the complicated explanation and in utter disbelief, he asked, “Can that be done?”
Tom nodded, as his brother Sam replied for him, “Yes Peg, it can, but until now we thought that only the Tempits could do it.”
Peg sank into a sitting position and sighed in awe, knowing that they would never be able to fathom the power that resided in Bray’s muscular body.
To the West, Rahin and Galivan were still chasing the enemy. The silver-armoured warriors were charging towards the circular gateway, trying to get away from the Elven fury. Eran, Bray and Gwion had taken half of the Elves to meet Peg and the Dwarves, but those following the Elven war leader were determined not to leave an enemy alive.
A huge, heavy jawed hound leapt at Rahin, but his Panther swiped at it with a huge plate-sized clawed paw, sending it sprawling across the ground. As it fell, Rahin leant forward and sliced its throat, killing it quickly. He then glanced across at Galivan, who was slightly ahead of him.
The Elven Second in Command and his Panther were moving with such lithe dexterity that the enemy did not stand a chance. Galivan struck right with his slim bladed Elven sword, as his Panther struck left with tooth and claw. After a while, the enemy realised the futility in fighting him and fled, forcing him to speed up.
As the Elves neared the impressive circle of light, the enemy began to fight even harder. Their assembled numbers gave them greater strength against the oncoming Elves, so Raeywin halted her archers and ordered them to fire at the mass of enemy warriors, who were desperately trying to get through the light. As Rahin heard this order, he told his troops to halt, so that the archers could fire upon the enemy without killing their own.
The first salvo of Elven arrows killed hundreds of enemy warriors and hounds, but still did not thin their numbers enough to give the Elves the advantage. Raeywin’s archers fired volley after volley, enjoying the fact that the enemy had no archers.
However, their confidence nearly cost them, because as they moved closer they came into throwing range. The enemy javelin troops spotted this and released their deadly weapons, killing many of the Elven archers. Horrified at her basic mistake, Raeywin began to run back to her original position shouting, “Get back.”
Hearing her, the Elven archers sprinted back to where Raeywin was now standing and turned to retrain their bows on the enemy. Unfortunately, this brief respite allowed the enemy javelin troops free rein to attack the now motionless Panther Riders. Rahin was still watching the archers retreating, so he never saw the weapon that killed him. The Javelin flew high and smashed through his thin leather armour, piercing his heart. The Great Elven War Leader died instantly, flying from his saddle, as the deadly weapon carried him along its flight.
Galivan watched in horror. He felt like he was moving in slow motion, as he tried to ride across to his leader and oldest friend.
As Rahin hit the ground with a resounding thud and lay still, Galivan became devoid of any feeling. He leant over his Panther’s head and in a terrible voice, whispered, “Let’s kill them all.”
On this command, the huge black beast roared loudly and pounced at the closest of the enemy. Galivan stood up on the Panther’s back and then somersaulted forward. As he flew through the air, he flicked his sword left and right in a deadly dance, killing three enemy warriors before he landed. Galivan then became a blur of activity; his legs kicking soldiers in the throat and his sword slicing heads from their bodies, faster than anybody thought possible. Seeing his example, the other Elves joined the attack, killing the enemy with a ferocity born of despair.
Raeywin saw Bray’s Grandfather die and screamed in anguish. She charged across to him, allowing Eran to take control of the archers. Raeywin knelt beside Rahin and began tending to him, as tears came unbidden to her eyes and wracking sobs contracted her body. Next to Eran, Limi closed his ears to his sister’s sobs and roared, “Fire into the gateway.”
Eran turned to Limi and with a grim look, nodded to him, respecting his foresight. The Elven archers aimed carefully and released their arrows through the circular gateway. They fired four volleys into the unknown, before aiming at the enemy troops in front of the Panther Riders. Suddenly, the light began to dim and shrink. A panicked scream sounded from the enemy troops, as they tried to force themselves through the gateway and away from the deadly fury of the Panther Riders.
Galivan continued to cut a bloody swathe through the enemy, as the circular gateway disappeared with a loud crashing sound. Faced with the terrible onslaught, the silver-armoured warriors’ courage left them and those who did not die - fled. However, those that ran away did not get far, because the enormous Elven Panthers chased them down and killed them.
Within a few minutes, Galivan found himself with nobody to fight. He glared around with ferocity in his eyes and watched as the last of the enemy died with an arrow through the chest. Galivan turned and sprinted back to where he had seen Rahin fall.
When he arrived, Raeywin was already kneeling next to him, holding him to her chest, allowing tears to fall freely down her face. Limi and Arlis were standing close by, both trying, but failing to hide their utter despair. Galivan leant down and gently untangled Raeywin from Rahin.
Raeywin peered up at her father, through red, bleary eyes, as she said, “Bray will be devastated.”
Galivan nodded, but remained silent, as Limi ordered four Elves to build a pyre for Rahin. Galivan lifted his best friend and carried him towards the now growing pile of wood that would spirit Rahin away to the next life. Holding back his tears and showing no emotion, Galivan knew that he had to be strong for the Elves, as he was now the War Leader.
Minutes later, the pyre was finished and flames were reaching towards the sky. Limi and Arlis finished building a death cot and Galivan placed Rahin onto it. Between the three of them, they lifted Rahin’s cot onto the pyre. As the flames carried Rahin’s soul to his rightful place, by the Light’s side, the Elves stood in a circle around the fire, in silent contemplation.
Full Commitment
Tal charged at the largest of the warriors in front of him, screaming incoherently in anger. As he sped towards him, the huge warrior swung his heavy mace. If the blow had hit him, it would have taken his head clean off, but Tal ducked nimbly and flicked his sword at the warrior’s throat, slicing through it with ease. A fountain of crimson flew through the air as the enemy warrior died. Tal did not give the dying man a second glance; he spun nimbly and reversed his swinging sword, bringing it slicing through the chest of anot
her silver-armoured warrior.
Tal glanced to his right and watched as Ben blocked a savage blow from an enemy axe. In one fluid motion, the Sect Commander pulled a dagger from his belt and stabbed his opponent through the heart with it. Suddenly, Ben felt a heavy blow to the head and regretting his lack of focus, stumbled forward.
Maerk saw the silver-armoured Cavalryman hit his father from behind with a metal-gloved fist, so rushed to his aid. He thrust his sword at the enemy warrior, stabbing him through the ribs. As the huge soldier fell from his horse, his helmet fell off, exposing his bloated deformed head. Maerk punched the warrior square in the face, crushing his already squashed nose. Gwena saw what was happening, but was powerless to help, as the two enemy priests moved towards her. She drew deeply on her Mogya and concentrated her power on the two hooded figures. A white glow shone around her and fire erupted around the priests.
The two enemy figures began screaming in pain, but their suffering did not last long. One of the priests clasped its companion’s hand and began humming loudly. As it did this, an orange light flashed around the two enemy magicians.
Because of this, the flames died in a blast of white steam and two red fireballs shot from within it. The streaking balls of power struck Gwena, sending her flying through the air.
Tal and the remainder of his troops immediately sprinted to surround her protectively, drawing the mass of enemy Cavalry with them. Tal glanced towards the enemy priests and saw them grimacing with frustration at the fact that it was now impossible to finish Gwena without killing their own troops. Maerk helped his father limp into position and then he also moved in front of Gwena. Tal spun around to face the thick mass of enemy cavalry trotting towards them. He glanced towards his troops and saw that as of yet he had lost nobody, but he did not hold much hope for the future, as the enemy were now completely surrounding them.
Tal steeled himself against his despair and called bravely, “Kill as many as you can. Make them remember the soldiers of Sarn.”
A huge figure towered above Tal as he spoke, blocking any view of the mountain to the east. The silver-armoured infantryman lifted a massive broad sword and swung it at Tal’s head. The Duke of Sarn nimbly sidestepped the blow and thrust back with his own blade, grazing the warrior’s ribs.
The soldier roared in pain and sent a vicious punch at Tal. Tal staggered under the power of the blow and nearly fell. He managed to regain his balance and, ignoring his foggy head, kicked his opponent in the knee. The silver-armoured warrior’s leg buckled briefly and he howled in agony, but began swinging his sword wildly, driving Tal back.
Tal’s strength was rapidly leaving him, as the enemy onslaught drained him. The enormous warrior in front of him lunged to his right and Tal ducked away from the blow, but realised too late that it was a feint.
The enemy soldier roared in triumph and then head-butted Tal, driving his helmeted forehead into the bridge of his nose. An explosion of colours erupted behind Tal’s eyes, as his nose split and blood poured from it. His knees gave way and he fell back, dropping his weapon.
As he fell, he grabbed at the enemy warrior, pulling his helmet from his deformed head. The warrior stood over him with his sword held high and an evil snarl on his face. Tal growled and prepared himself for his inevitable death.
He glanced up at his opponent and roared, “Come on then!”
The gigantic soldier took a step forward and then halted with a look of shock on his face, as an arrow struck him in the back. The massive warrior took two unsteady steps forward and then fell, crashing into the soil next to Tal.
Tal stared in shock at the dead warrior, his pain forgotten. He clambered to his feet and saw that the remainder of the enemy were in disarray. Arrows were flying in a thick, deadly mass, killing dozens upon dozens of them. Tal slowly clambered to his feet and glanced across at his troops. Although bleeding and weak, everyone was still alive. Gwena lay still; she was alive, but very weak. Tal knew that she would be fine after a long rest, but he was not sure if she would get the chance.
Suddenly, a loud clarion call sounded from above them, followed by another two, just as loud and just as fierce. Tal glanced up and smiled in relief when he saw the three Greater Dragons flying towards them.
Swarim swooped towards the enemy soldiers and sent a blast of flame at them, before grabbing a couple in his claws. As the mighty black Dragon rose into the air, Ratora flew low, biting and scratching at the enemy Cavalry, as, yet more arrows flew past her to strike the panicking enemy troops.
Ratora killed dozens of them before rising and spitting forth a thick magical fire, which scorched the enemy around Tal and his troops, but did not touch the soldiers from Sarn.
As the Dragons attacked, a strange almost metallic call went up from the enemy Commander and his troops mustered to him. The few surviving enemy soldiers then turned and began fleeing towards the mountain, but Primero suddenly swooped low, sending a plume of flame at them. As he did this, a mass of Nunnupi archers burst from the trees with Annap at the front. The Nunnupi General roared for her archers to keep firing, as Tavin, Peg’s second in command, led a small force of Cavalry from the city of Tamlin, which was flickering into view at the foot of the mountain behind Tal.
The Nunnupi arrows soon thinned the enemy ranks and as the Cavalry charged towards them, the survivors began to panic. At the last moment, Annap gave the command to ceasefire. As soon as the thick carpet of death stopped, the Nunnupi Cavalry crashed into the enemy. Seeing that the Nunnupi were in control of the battle, Primero pulled up from his dive and returned, in a twisting flight to his parents as they landed lightly next to Tal and his troops.
Within minutes, the last of the enemy soldiers fell and Tavin called his troops to order, before leading them across to the soldiers from Sarn. Tal wiped his clotting nose on the sleeve of his tunic, trying to clean it up. Tavin smiled as he joined Tal and his troops and said, “Sorry it took us so long. It took a while to get our troops mustered.”
A deep rumbling voice behind Tal suddenly spoke. “We also apologise Duke Okinwantal. We did not realise the danger that Anlam was in,” said Swarim.
Tal bobbed his head weakly in response and was about to speak, but tumbled forward, his injuries finally overwhelming him. Maerk caught him before he hit the ground and laid him down gently. He glanced up at Tavin and quipped, “They don’t make Lords of the realm like they used to.”
Tavin chuckled, as the limping Ben slapped his son playfully across the head and said, “Look at the state of him. He took on more than you would ever be able to handle.”
Maerk peered curiously at his father and replied, “Was it not me, who dragged you out of harm’s way when you were stupid enough to turn your back on a man intent on braining you.”
Ben went silent for a moment and then replied, “It’s about time you earned your crust.”
Tavin chuckled deeply and interrupted by saying, “Would it not be better to stop your family quarrels and get Duke Okinwantal into the city, so that a healer can look at him.”
Hearing his words, Ben nodded and remained silent, knowing that the Nunnupi General spoke the truth. He pointed at Tal’s feet and then said, “Maerk you take his feet and I’ll grab him under the arms.” Maerk took hold of Tal’s feet and waited as Ben continued, “After three.” He then grabbed Tal under the arms and called, “One, two, and three!”
With a grunt, the two warriors lifted Tal, and began shuffling towards the city. Tavin guided his horse across to the two struggling men and then slid from his saddle. He pointed to the steed and said, “Lie him across my saddle, it’ll be far easier.”
Ben nodded and then he and Maerk placed Tal across the back of the horse. Ben sighed with relief and said, “Let’s get into the city then.”
Swarim shook his massive head and in his deep bass voice said, “No need, place the young Lord down and we the Dragons will heal him. We have to get to Velumia as soon as possible.”
Ben peered curiously at Swarim. He then
glanced at Tal, who was in a bad way and said, “He’s badly beaten, I’m not sure if even your mighty powers could heal him quickly enough.”
Primero boomed a laugh, as Swarim’s face grew dark with indignation, and said, “Don’t fear Sect Commander Benib, my parents have yet to show their full power. Duke Okinwantal will be well in minutes, you just have to trust my father.”
Without further comment, Ben nodded to Maerk and the two of them lowered Tal to the ground gently. As Swarim and Ratora moved across to Tal, Ben and Maerk stepped back to allow them to get to the fallen Lord of Sarn. Ratora lowered her head and then in a low soft voice began to sing a gentle but haunting tune. Swarim stamped his front feet twice and joined his wife in the strange melody.
Apart from the haunting melody, there was no evidence of magic from the two Dragons, except a slight twinkling of the air around their mouths. The air surrounding Tal began to glow and he rose from the floor to hover a foot above it.
Primero watched his parents tend to Tal for a few seconds and then moved towards Gwena, who was sitting a few yards away, surrounded by the few remaining soldiers of Tal’s army. He bobbed his head once and then asked, “How are you faring Lady Gwena?”
Gwena rubbed her eyes and then in an exhausted voice, hinting at her close escape from the jaws of a common dragon, ten years earlier, replied, “I’m fine thank you Primero. Again I’m saved from certain death by your timely arrival.”
The majestic gold and black Dragon peered at Gwena, concern more than evident in his eyes and said, “You have taken on far more than you’re used to.” He then lowered his head so that it was on a level with Gwena’s and continued, “Let me help you.”
Gwena merely nodded, as if the effort of talking was proving too much. Primero closed his eyes and whispered, “Energitum.” He then stepped back, watching his patient carefully.
Destruction of a God Page 7
