“What is going on?” he heard from right behind him and saw that Bordin had arrived as well.
This was getting better and better.
Bendor’s head was lowered and out of it rose a loud vicious cackle. When his eyes rose to look at him, red fire leaked from the outside corners of the dwarf’s eyes. Hands flipped open and the elven knights flew backwards, landing in a crunch of impacting armor.
Serix was stepping to the dwarf’s rear and Bendor turned and glared at the man. “I’d stop right there, you necrophiliac worm,” a voice bellowed and goosebumps spread across John’s arms; that was not the voice of his friend and tutor.
The head of the dwarf cocked at an odd angle as he turned to look upon his King once more. Stepping forward a wide grin spread further than the dwarf’s flesh was prepared to accommodate. Guards were stepping forward to try and stop him, but John raised his hand, holding them at bay.
Tar Reiz and Uriens had gotten slowly back to their feet and Noelani had pulled his own axe, ready to charge his own kin in defense of Lancaster’s King.
“You wish to know who ordered these young fools around, who ordered your guards away? I made this wretched piece of flesh give the order without him knowing it. You see, it’s not that hard to enter a mortal’s dreams and subvert them, slowly take control of them, make them my own,” the voice sneered, the dwarven general stopping five paces from the dais.
Thunder clapped nearby and the walls shook. Then all at once every stained-glass window burst, sending shards of glass flying across the throne room. Gusts of wind rushed in, torrents of rain scouring the room’s inhabitants.
“You think you defeated my army, that you are free? You are nothing and that was but a small taste of what is to come. They were but a speck of the forces at my command and though War withdrew, he has done exactly what I have commanded and planned for,” the dwarf informed them, turning to face the two elves that had been inching forward. “Your time will come and before the next full moon, Forlorn will be in flames. Nothing you can do will stop that from coming to pass, for I am forever and my power unstoppable. At this very moment, your pathetic elven princess squirms at my feet, begging me to end her life, to make the torture stop. She will bend to my will, as will the rest of your pathetic kin. Your beloved King will fall and the Elves will be forever wiped from this Earth; unworthy to continue their abominable existence under my reestablished reign.”
Bendor turned to face his dwarven brother. “Pestilence is on the move. Tell me, you bag of filth, what news from Kamdeac these days? Don’t worry, soon Branham will fall, and eventually your precious city of Grendweir. Tell me you pathetic half-man, how well can King Waldemar change chamber pots? I’ve recently had an opening in my staff and dwarves are only good for cleaning up other people’s shit.”
Vicious laughter erupted forth and Jenna’s hand reached out and grabbed John’s shoulder, squeezing tightly out of fear. He wished he could comfort her, but his own terror was restraining his every movement.
The dwarf turned his way once more. “Famine has destroyed the villages of Man to the north and nothing will stop my forces as they move against all of you. You’re all nothing but the children of slaves who forgot who your master was. Well, I’m here to remind you that whether you like it or not, you serve me, your Queen, and if you continue to resist, your heads will rot on pikes while your corpses feed my hordes.”
“Nothing can save you, not your brother, not that infernal mage. He will not succeed in finding what’s been lost and even if it were in that insane Elven King’s hands, it would still not be enough to force my armies back. I give you this one chance, petty human, pretender to the throne,” Bendor offered, taking another step forward. “Kneel before me, pronounce your allegiance, and I will show mercy. I will make you commander of one of my armies and all of your kin will survive to forever serve their rightful ruler once more. For I am the Phoenix and I am forever.”
The rain increased and the thunder clapped so loud that his soldiers fell to their knees, hands over their ears. Tar Reiz and Uriens had their weapons drawn, ready to charge the moment the dwarf’s guard was down.
Summoning every bit of courage in his soul, he took a step forward, eyes unwavering, his voice booming. “Never will the people of Lancaster kneel at your feet. Your time is over, and you are nothing but an ancient relic refusing to go quietly to your assured death. Do not pretend to come here, your broken army in flight, your pet orc defeated and on the run, and think that you speak from a position of authority. You do not command here, you never will. My brother will succeed, the sword will be drawn once more and your forces will be forever wiped from this land.”
He took another step down and looked the dwarf square in the eyes. “For my mother, for my father, I will personally march every free-living soul into your Deadlands. I will wipe the land clean and purify it. And when there is nothing left, I will come for you and my vengeance will be served. When we finally meet, it’ll be with my sword piercing your heart and my name upon your lips. Now, go back to the hole in which you hide and tremble with fear in anticipation of what comes your way!” he thundered, his voice drowning out the raging storm around them.
“You insolent fool! Your life, all of your lives are mine to take. If an example must be set, let it be your death that provides the rest with a look of what awaits them all!” Bendor screamed, hand raising, black energy pulsing around his thick fingers.
A hand gripped the dwarf’s head from behind and white light flared brightly, Serix’s voice booming as words of magic spilled forth. Screaming in agony, Bendor squirmed as his eyes flew open, light emitting from his open mouth and eyes until it filled the entire hall with its power.
“Eiciam vos de nomine Salvatoris! Daemon autem effugare!” the mage roared, increasing his hold on the dwarf’s head, the light burning even brighter.
He was forced to look away, his eyes seared with the magic’s afterglow.
Screams ripped into every soul present and he could hear the storm rage even louder outside, whipping the room with its chaos.
“From all evil, deliver us, O Lord,” Serix intoned.
Joshua, who’d been thrown against the wall, unseen in the middle of the chaos stepped forward, his eyes severe and riveted on the mage. “Deliver us, O Lord,” Joshua uttered, joining in.
“From all sin, from your wrath, from sudden and unprovided death, from the snares of the devil, from anger, hatred, and all ill will, from lightning and tempest, from the scourge of earthquakes, from plague, famine, and war, from everlasting death, by the mystery of your holy incarnation, by your coming, by your birth, by your baptism and holy fasting, by your cross and passion, by your death and burial, by your holy resurrection, by your wondrous ascension, by the coming of the Holy, Spirit, the Advocate, on the day of judgment,” Serix’s voice was rising and after every pause, Joshua intoned the deliver us, his voice rising as well.
“Save your servant,” Serix commanded.
“Who trusts in you, my God,” Joshua stepped forward, holding up the golden cross around his neck. Other clerics were flowing in from around him, surrounding the writhing dwarf, while Joshua came to stand by Serix’s side, adding his voice to the mage’s commands.
“Let the enemy have no power over him.”
“And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm him,” the other clerics took up.
“Lord, send him aid from your holy place.”
“And watch over him from Sion.
“Lord, heed my prayer.
“And let my cry be heard by you.”
“Let us pray,” Serix told everyone gathered, heads bowing automatically at his words.
He was in awe of what was happening and Jenna had come to his side, arm linked in his, eyes wide while the mage continued on; his voice near a scream.
“Holy Lord, almighty Father, who once and for all consigned that fallen and apostate tyrant to the flames of hell, who sent your only-begotten Son into the world to crush that ro
aring lion; hasten to our call for help and snatch him from ruination, this human being made in your image and likeness. Strike terror, Lord, into the beast now laying waste your vineyard. Fill your servants with courage to fight manfully against the reprobate dragon, lest she despise those who put their trust in you, and say with Pharaoh of old: I know not God, nor will I set Israel free. Let your mighty hand cast her out of your servant Bendor Firefist, so she may no longer hold captive this person whom it pleased you to make in your image, and to redeem through your Son; who lives and reigns within you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever, amen!”
“Amen.”
Bendor fell to his knees and the light flared brighter than ever, rage bellowing forth from the demon witch inhabiting the dwarven general.
“I cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every Satanic power of the enemy, every specter from hell, and all your fell companions; in the name of our Lord. Begone and stay far from this creature of God. For it is He who commands you, He who flung you headlong from the heights of heaven into the depths of hell. It is He who commands you, He who once stilled the sea and the wind and the storm. Hearken, therefore, and tremble in fear, Satan, you enemy of the faith, you foe of the Human race, you begetter of death, you robber of life, you corrupter of justice, you root of all evil and vice; seducer of men, betrayer of the nations, instigator of envy, font of avarice, fomenter of discord, author of pain and sorrow. Why, then, do you stand and resist, knowing as you must that the Lord brings your plans to nothing? Fear Him, who in Isaac was offered in sacrifice, in Joseph sold into bondage, slain as the paschal lamb, crucified as man, yet triumphed over the powers of hell. Begone, then, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Give place to the Holy Spirit by this sign of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever!” Serix bellowed.
“I cast you out!” They all said at once, and suddenly the entire room went silent. The storm went quiet, the rain stopped, and the wind ceased.
The white light blinked out and Bendor’s eyes, full of tears, looked at him with grief and despair, then he fell flat against the stairs unconscious.
Serix staggered backwards and Tar Reiz was suddenly there at the mage’s side, holding him up. Uriens came up from the other side, weapon drawn. Joshua was bending over the dwarf’s prone body, checking for a pulse.
“He’s alive, Sire,” the cleric told him after a moment.
“Is she gone?” Jenna asked in a quivering voice. John put an arm around her and pulled her close. She was crying as well, her head against his shoulder.
“For now,” Serix croaked, then he passed out from exhaustion.
Joshua rose and faced his fellow clerics. “You may take him to my chambers to rest.” The other white robed men stepped forward and took the mage from the elven knights. Then turned to the guards. “Take him back to his chambers, set a guard, I’ll tend to him as soon as I can,” the cleric told the stunned soldiers, who quickly burst forward and attended to their fallen general. “With your permission, of course,” Joshua finished, looking his way.
He nodded his head, finding the words lacking for everything that had just happened. “Will he live, is he free of her?”
The cleric sighed, “Only time will tell. How did that mage know those ancient rites? No one’s uttered those words in thousands of years.”
“Whoever knows the mind of a mage? Yet, he has saved my life and of all those present. See to him personally and ensure that he’s okay,” he told the cleric, who bowed and followed after his brothers.
“Whit in Goibniu’s beard jist happened?” Noelani burst out, eyes uncomprehending, axe held ready in case something else came at them.
He watched as the clerics filed out, followed by the soldiers carrying their general’s unconscious body. “Let’s go to my council chambers, seems like there’s a lot for us to discuss.” He glanced at the elves, who nodded, and then the reluctant nervous dwarf. He bowed his head and Bordin stepped into view.
“Jenna, why not see to Aaron? Take a break from all this?” her father asked her, and Jenna looked up at John’s face and he nodded.
“I’ll see you soon,” he told her in a whisper, then turned and walked away. His nerves were shaken, blood pumping, and his mind racing. That witch had taken his best commander, his friend, and twisted him to her will. If she could get to Bendor—
He shook his head. She was gone; for the moment. He swore his revenge and as he entered the council chambers, plans began to formulate, plans that would eventually let him carry out his promise of seeing that witch at the end of his sword.
Surrounded by his generals and representatives of the dwarves and elves, he took his seat and quickly gained control of his shaking hand. “Windel, order us up some wine, I think we’re going to be here for a while. Shall we begin?”
Chapter 11
Drago
I
“There should be no doubt who we’re dealing with now,” John told the others gathered around the table. Bordin sat on his left, followed by Noelani and Mark. Brigette sat on his right, followed by the two elven knights, Tar Reiz and Uriens. Windel was hovering behind in case needed and Captain Reyes was watching the meeting from the corner, refusing to allow anyone else into the room and taking personal responsibility for his safety. These six people of mixed races would soon help him decide the fate of their known world.
He looked at each in turn, waiting to see if anyone else would want to start. It looked like it was up to him once more. “Mark, you are hereby promoted to Master General, first in command of the armies of Lancaster. I expect you to assume all of Bendor’s former duties until either he is fit for command or the position is made permanent.”
Mark nodded gravely, his face pale, fingers drumming nervously on the table top.
He turned to Brigette, “You are hereby promoted to Lieutenant General, second in command of the army, answerable only to myself and General Brasten. Roland would’ve been next in line, but until his injuries can be addressed and his ability to return to duty assessed, I need you to take over Mark’s former duties.”
She nodded, unable to speak. It would be inappropriate to show gratitude with her promotion due to how it was coming about.
He understood, he’d recently gone through the same himself.
“I need both of you to furnish me a list of likely candidates for the other posts needing to be filled. For right now, the current colonels of the infantry and cavalry will have to pull extra weight and make sure the job gets done.”
“My friends, we have taken the field, we have won victory, but the costs to our very own have been great. I expect no less than your best going forward, despite the emotional cost we’re dealing with. I know that my father never put stock in magic, never encouraged the practice of the art within the castle walls, and to be honest, I always felt the same. But now I’m forced to have second thoughts and I realize that I must put aside past prejudices and accept that it’s one area our army is sorely lacking. I need a commission formed with the sole purpose of finding others that practice the art and forming a unit to supplement our forces. Windel, you have some recent experience in that area and I’d appreciate if you could help Mark and Brigette with this task.”
“General Noelani, what was that witch talking about in regards to Kamdeac? Has Alamar fallen?” he asked, turning to the dwarven general who was busy taking a long drink of Grog. He had a feeling the dwarf would be drinking heavily tonight, so it was best to get what he could while the stout general was sober.
Noelani grunted. “We’ve received nae wuid th' dyke has fa'en ur ay Alamar’s fate. Th' fleein' horde tells us 'at either Alamar’s gain ur those vermin hae foond a way aroond it. As fur Kamdeac, reports say it feel tae a plague. 'At coods only be thes Pestilence guff 'at witch was spootin’,” Noelani finished, burying his face in his cup.
“And—,” he began, looking to the elves on his ri
ght.
“Princess Isabella, Erik’s daughter, has indeed been kidnapped. My King remained to see to the castle’s defenses as I set out with our Queen. She sent us south to assist you while she maintained pursuit of the kidnappers. I don’t know anything more than that,” Sir Uriens relayed in turn.
His mouth pulled to the side in a grimace while he tried to work things through, try to make sense of what was happening.
“So, she’s attacking the Dwarves from the north, then has the Elven Princess kidnapped in order to draw out the Elven army. Then she sends a token force to occupy our forces and prevent us from acting,” he stated aloud, trying to picture the maps of the lands and track the Phoenix’s movements.
“Windel, bring me a map of the kingdoms,” he ordered his aide, wanting a visual reference to better plan what came next.
Bordin grunted. “You call that a token force? Thirty thousand troops?”
“You heard it yourself. The witch called it a speck compared to the forces under her control,” he countered. “Look, when that army got here they outnumbered us five to one and they did not do much in the way of laying siege other than camp to the south. They didn’t cut off the routes to the castle or prevent reinforcements from arriving. Your army never should have been allowed to enter the castle walls unmolested. They could have swarmed you as soon as you were in range and there would have been nothing either of us could do about it. What did they do? They approached, offer terms, made one half-ass attack, then sat back and licked their wounds for three days.”
“And drop bodies on our heads,” Bordin sneered; he still wasn’t convinced.
He knew it sounded mad to suggest that a horde that size was arbitrary, but the picture forming made the entire thing seem to be a ploy, a stalling tactic.
He sighed. “In response to the undead ravaging their camp, sure. But those winged devils could have created a lot more problems for us than they did. And where were they during the main assault? Where were the orcs? I think I saw three groups of them the entire time. That army was mostly made up of goblins, and Lord knows they have plenty of those vile creatures to spare. Did any of your men actually fight one of those gargoyles that we saw on that first day? Were they even there at the end?”
Pure of Heart (the New Age Saga Book 2) Page 17
