by Lana Axe
The medical tent still stood at the far edge of town near the cave. That meant Lenora had not found a cure, but it was obvious her medicine was helping.
“There seems to be a lot of activity around town,” River commented, his voice hopeful.
“I noticed that as well,” Kaiya replied. “Lenora’s doing, no doubt.”
The trio continued down the path, making their way to the cave.
“I might as well try to solve the situation now,” River said, cradling the opal in his hand.
No sooner had he spoken those words than a loud rumbling rocked the ground beneath his feet. An avalanche of rocks fell violently within the cave entrance, filling the air with a blinding cloud of dust. As the air cleared, it was plain to see that the opening to the cave was completely blocked. Entry was now impossible.
Chapter 42
Gazing into the gem, Telorithan smiled with satisfaction. Sirra’s face stared back at him, her hatred for him displayed upon her face. Her entire supply of power was now under his control.
Peering into the amethyst, he said, “I hope you can hear me in there. Is it torment for you?” He laughed at her, adding, “I certainly hope it is. I should have done this before I ever attempted binding the elemental. I could have defeated him easily, as well as his little dwarf pet.”
He vowed not to make the same mistake again. He would save Sirra’s power in the gem until he was prepared to face a fire elemental. That way, he would guarantee her full strength being added to his own. With more research to do on the lasting power of these gems, he did not want to risk wasting her on any less-important spells. He had wasted the thief’s essence when he tossed it in the fire, and he would not do so again with Sirra. Every ounce of magic he could muster would be at his disposal when he was ready to fight again.
As he made his way to the spiral staircase, he paused to admire his reflection in the mirror above the fireplace. There was no sign of his struggle on the island. His face was as pleasing as ever, and he felt pride as he looked upon himself.
I shall have Sirra’s gem placed within a crown, he thought. Once I’ve achieved my goal, I will need a fitting piece of jewelry. Laughing again, he shoved the gem into his pocket before proceeding up the stairs.
Arriving at his library, he was determined to find information that would allow him to properly combine Sirra’s magic with his own. He could not afford another mistake. With the practice of soul binding being banned, it was difficult to find what he needed. Most Enlightened Elves had their own libraries, but he had no friends willing to allow him access except Yiranor. Yet another visit to his old mentor might be in order.
The University claimed not to carry such texts, but Telorithan knew that to be false. Deep within its archives were tomes and scrolls that were not officially recognized as part of the collection. Even with the practice being outlawed, literature on the subject would not have been destroyed. It was also possible that other masters had stolen these items for safekeeping, or for their own purposes. No member of their race would dare to destroy such valuable texts. There had to be a way to find them.
After hours of scouring his own library, he decided the information he needed was not there. It was a desperate hope that it might be, considering he had already been through every shred of paper within these walls several times before. Originally he feared he had overlooked something, but now he knew there was no other way. He would have to visit the University.
There were several masters there who were former teachers of his. None of them liked him as well as Yiranor did. The elderly master was the only one who ever saw Telorithan as a student worth teaching. The others taught him only to the point of his apprenticeship, and then they turned their backs on him. Once he came under Yiranor’s tutelage, he had no need for other teachers. They certainly owed him no favors, but he had ways of getting people to speak.
The idea of torturing some of those elves brought a wicked smile to his lips. They had tortured him during his lessons, and now he might get the chance to return the favor. He was not a forgiving sort of elf, and taking revenge on those he felt had wronged him was a tantalizing thought. He made up his mind to act civilly at first. If his request for access to the archives was refused, they would feel his wrath. Deep down, he hoped they would refuse.
Before heading to the University, he ascended the steps to his bedroom. His servants were not allowed access to this room without him present, so it was the safest place to store the gem containing Sirra’s essence. He could not risk having it on his person when he entered the University. If the masters there discovered what he had done, they would jump at the opportunity to imprison him.
There was little chance he could face down all of them. No single one among them could defeat him, but their combined strength would be overwhelming. Recent events had proved that he was not capable of defeating multiple opponents, and he did not yet know how to properly combine Sirra’s power to his own. For now, she would rest safely in a wooden chest with a few other jewels. He gave her one last look before closing the lid. “Soon, dear lady, you shall serve me.”
After sealing the room with magic, he descended the stairs to the ground floor of his tower. Exiting onto the street, he was less than thrilled to see that several elves were around. The markets were full of shoppers, and several others seemed to be strolling aimlessly along the path. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the fine weather, courtesy of the air mages who kept a careful watch on any storm systems that were moving in. Some days they succeeded well in their efforts, but other days were too hot. Keeping a semblance of summer year-round was no easy task, and it seemed a most boring profession to Telorithan. When presented with his choice of magic to study, he had chosen fire, knowing he would never be asked to manipulate the weather.
To reach the University, he would need to purchase passage by boat. He lived two islands away from the school, preferring to dwell where the fewest number of elves were present to bother him. Today’s crowds were unusual, and he almost wished he could move his tower farther out into the ocean. When he finally achieved his goal of trapping a god, he intended to live a solitary existence. No one would be able to approach his tower without his knowledge, and they would do so at great peril.
The docks were buzzing with activity as well. He took small comfort in the fact that ferries were coming and going more frequently because of the demand. All that meant was more elves were visiting his island than usual. Doing his best to ignore the crowds, he flipped a coin to the ferryman before boarding. He chose a seat at the rear of the vessel and turned his attention to the sea.
Chapter 43
The thunder of crashing boulders attracted a crowd of onlookers to the cave’s entrance. River looked at the opal in his hand, knowing it had caused the collapse.
Turning to his companions, he said, “It appears Indal has sensed the magic of the artifact. She knows what’s coming.”
“It seems she’s preparing for a fight,” Galen replied.
Kaiya stared at the wall of stone that sealed the entrance. “I never expected her to go quietly. We have to get this cleared away.”
Among the crowd was Rudi, the mine foreman. Kaiya approached him boldly, prepared for an argument. He had the men and equipment necessary to clear the entrance, and she was determined to have his help.
He smirked as she neared, knowing what she had in mind. “Don’t worry your head about it,” he said. “I’ll get this cleaned up.”
She stood silently a moment, stunned by his willingness to help. “Thank you,” she finally remembered to say.
Lenora stepped out of the tent to see the spectacle, but her tired body had other plans. The minute she stepped out into the sunlight, she collapsed to the ground. River saw her from the corner of his eye and rushed to her side, followed by Galen and Kaiya.
As River lifted her into his arms, she opened her eyes and smiled weakly. He carried her inside the tent and placed her gently on an empty cot. Kassie rushed over to see what had
happened, a phial of medicine in her hand.
“Has she come down with the same illness as the others?” Galen asked.
“No,” Kassie replied. “She’s exhausted. She barely sleeps, doesn’t eat, and she keeps using her magic to help the sick. Her body isn’t cut out for that.” She politely pushed River aside to administer some of the medicine to Lenora.
Lenora sat up to take a drink. “I’m fine, really,” she insisted.
“You need to rest,” Kassie scolded. Looking at River, she added, “Make sure she stays here until she’s had a good sleep.”
River nodded. “I will.” He turned his attention back to Lenora, gently stroking her golden hair.
“You have an important task ahead of you,” she whispered. “Don’t let me keep you from it.”
“The cave entrance is blocked for now,” he replied. “I’ll stay here with you until it’s cleared. Rest now.”
“Since we’re here,” Kaiya began, “let’s see about your wound.” Leading Galen by the arm, she sat him on a cot and went to fetch her mother.
“Galen is wounded, Mum,” she said. “Can you treat him?”
“What kind of wound?” she asked.
“An arrow,” Kaiya replied. “We were attacked by Wild Elves.”
“Goodness!” Kassie exclaimed. “I never heard such a thing!” She searched through the herbs for one of Lenora’s mixtures. Galen would need something to dull the pain and prevent infection. Luckily, Lenora’s workstation was kept neat, and Kassie quickly found what she was looking for.
After mixing the herbs in warm water, she brought the concoction to Galen’s bedside. “Drink this,” she commanded.
After taking a sip, he shuddered. “What’s in this?”
“You don’t want to know,” she replied with a chuckle. “It’s better than getting Bron over here, that’s for sure.” She looked at Kaiya and asked, “Who removed the arrow?”
“I did,” Kaiya responded.
Kassie shook her head. “Maybe I should ask Bron to look at it.”
“Please,” Kaiya replied. “All he wants to do is chop things off or sew them up. I sealed the wound, and River’s magic has given him the energy to heal.”
“Well, we should still have Lenora take a look,” Kassie replied. “You seem to have come back without any scrapes or bruises. I’m happy to see that.” She grabbed her daughter and squeezed her tightly. After kissing her on the forehead, she went around the room to check on the other patients.
With the cave’s entryway still blocked, there was little for Kaiya to do but wait. She kept her mother company while Lenora and Galen rested. River sat vigil next to Lenora. As she slept soundly, he placed a hand on the side of her head. Blue magic spread through her body, giving her a small amount of power to rejuvenate her. It was the same spell he used on Galen, and he hoped it would take away some of her exhaustion.
Lenora awoke, her pale eyes sparkling. “I feel much better,” she said. She sat up on her cot, despite River’s protests.
“You should continue to rest,” he said.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, getting to her feet. “I have something for you.” She walked over to her desk to find the ring Ortin had crafted for her.
Kassie gave her a stern look. “Back to bed with you!” she insisted.
Lenora nodded and headed back to her cot. Taking a seat, she presented the ring to River. The band was made of shining silver, and a sapphire stone was set in the middle. “I had this crafted for you,” she said.
Taking the ring, River immediately placed it on his finger. “It’s beautiful,” he said, looking into her eyes. “I thank you for this gift, and I shall wear it always.” Placing a hand on her face, he leaned in to kiss her soft pink lips. “I’m afraid I have nothing to give you,” he said.
“You’ve returned safely,” she replied. “That’s all I could ever ask for.” She paused for a moment and added, “I love you, River.”
With a smile, he replied, “And I love you, Lenora.” He leaned in for a second kiss, this one lasting longer than the first. Lenora lay back on her cot, intending to get some more rest. Kassie was staring at them, and the last thing Lenora wanted was for her to come over and scold her for not sleeping.
Kaiya smiled, happy to see the two of them together. She could tell there was a special bond between them, and she hoped they would make each other happy for many long years to come. Glancing over at Galen, she could see that he had slept through everything. She sighed softly to herself.
After a few hours, Rudi entered the tent to tell them the cave entrance had been cleared. It was time to see if the artifact still held the power needed to release Indal.
Chapter 44
River stood, taking one last look at Lenora’s sleeping form. He hesitated before exiting the tent, remembering Ryllak’s words. “Never be too proud to ask for help,” his father had said. Originally, he had believed this was a task he would perform alone. However, Kaiya’s presence had saved him from Telorithan, and her powers were growing ever stronger. She may well be the difference between success and failure.
Approaching Kaiya and her mother, he said, “Kaiya, would you be willing to help me?”
Jumping to her feet, she replied, “Of course.”
“Your assistance is most appreciated,” he said with sincerity.
Kassie looked worried. “Be careful, both of you,” she said, her voice shaking. The thought of her daughter going in there with a dangerous entity was difficult to digest. Indal had brought those rocks crashing down, and she could do so again with Kaiya inside.
Kaiya gently touched her mother’s shoulder. “We’ll be fine, Mum. I promise.” She felt certain that she and River would succeed. If it cost her life, it was a small price to pay to rid her people of a terrible fate.
Side by side, they walked to the cave’s entrance. The sun was setting, and darkness was descending upon the village. A few dwarves looked up as the pair walked by, but none of them uttered a word.
Together they entered the cave, the foreboding presence of Indal still heavy in the air. The ground shook as they neared the pool where her spirit resided, and they took great care with each step. River held the opal firmly in his hand, his mind focused on subduing Indal.
“I hope this works,” Kaiya commented. River did not reply.
As they neared the pool, Indal’s form began to glow, taking shape above the water. Knowing what the elf carried with him made her tense, and her expression was severe.
“You will not defeat me!” she cried, her voice echoing from the stone walls.
Kaiya and River stepped forth, showing no fear. River raised the opal high above his head, all of his energy focused into it. Kaiya created a shield to protect them both in case Indal was still able to attack.
Indal was aware of the danger. Mustering every bit of energy available to her, she pulled power from the cave itself. Blasts of energy emitted from her form as she desperately tried to stop them from performing the ancient ritual. She could feel Nicodun’s energy within the stone, his immense power having left a permanent mark upon it. Her hatred for her former lover only heightened her desire to remain in the cave.
Kaiya readied herself for the attack, determined to protect herself and River from Indal’s energy blast. With both palms outstretched, she steeled herself against the magic hurtling toward her. Her entire focus poured into the shield, and the blast bounced off, returning to the caster. Indal was unfazed, her body absorbing the energy as it struck her.
As River continued to concentrate on the stone, a white light surrounded his hands. His mind was focused only on freeing Indal’s trapped spirit, in hopes that she would cross over in peace. Her wrath was caused by her capture, and freedom, he hoped, would mean an end to her torment.
The light continued to grow, forming into a beam that locked onto Indal’s glowing form.
“You will never be rid of me!” she cried. “I will never leave this place!”
The beam held ste
ady for a moment while Indal continued to mutter as if the stone were speaking with her. Neither Kaiya nor River heard any voice from the stone, but Indal’s desperate cries were plain to their ears. The beam grew more intense, forcing Kaiya to shield her eyes. Her shield faltered momentarily, but she quickly refocused her mind to maintaining its strength.
With a piercing shriek, the beam intensified, centering itself on Indal. In an instant, her form shattered, exploding into dust before their eyes. The blast hit Kaiya’s shield, and she needed all of her physical strength to hold it steady. The opal in River’s hands continued to glow until it too burst into pieces. River fell to his knees, exhausted from the effort.
Dropping the shield, Kaiya reached out for him. “Are you hurt?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Do you sense Indal?”
Kaiya looked around the cave, wondering if Indal was still around. “I sense nothing,” she replied. “Did she cross over?”
“No,” he replied quietly. “She was destroyed.” He looked at his hands, which had once held the artifact. The reality of his actions had not yet set in. Though he had hoped to free her from her torment and allow her to pass into the afterlife, he had instead destroyed her completely.
“I failed,” he said, burying his head in his hands.
“No,” Kaiya replied. “You have saved my people. She would never have stopped tormenting them, and many more would have died as her anger continued.”
“I killed her,” he whispered.
“She chose death,” Kaiya said, hoping to ease his mind. “The stone gave her a choice, and she refused to go. There’s nothing more you could do for her. The torment she felt living here is over, at least.”
River said nothing but slowly rose back to his feet. Kaiya took his hand to lead him from the cave. They walked slowly through the darkness until the moonlight appeared before them.
