Darkness Falls (Tales of the Wolf)

by A. E. McCullough

  Clang, clang, clang.

  Now his visitor was banging on his door with the hilt of a weapon. Whoever it was, they wanted to speak with him in a rush. Keeping his foot behind the door in case his visitor tried to push it open and rush inside, Gray shifted the dagger into an attack position and opened the door a crack.

  “Yes? Who is it?”

  “Open up, it’s me,” came a voice out of his memory and one that was totally unexpected.

  Gray threw the door wide and gazed out. Sure enough, there stood Chikk Forlorn; the Captain of the infamous pirate ship the Ebony Eagle.

  “Hello Grim, you are looking well.”

  “Chikk! By the Gods you look stunning.”

  Gray wasn’t lying. The dark elven pirate was dressed in skin-tight black leather pants with red trim and corset over a white blouse with puffy sleeves that were held in place with matching leather bracers. On her hip were her ever-present silver rapier and main-gauche. Her whitish-silver hair was pulled back to reveal her fine-chiseled features and long neck. In many ways, Chikk was Lalith’s rival. Granted when the two stood side by side, the Dark Lady was more beautiful but it was more of an ethereal quality and Chikk had a simple down-home attitude that endeared her to everyone who knew her.

  Gray hadn’t seen the dark elven pirate since the day she had completed her servitude to Lalith. The moment her time was up, Chikk turned and walked away. She didn’t pause to gather her things or say good-bye to anyone.

  Chikk smiled at his compliment. “Thank you but where is he?”

  “Pardon me? Who are you looking for?”

  Before she could answer his question, Tamina sauntered into the main room with only a flimsy sheet wrapped around herself. “Grim, who was at the door? Oh, Chikk…hi.”

  The pirate captain flashed her former student a knowing grin. “Tamina, I see that you two have finally become more than friends.” When the two Sicárii began to speak, Chikk held up her hands. “No need to explain. You are no longer my students, so I don’t care. What I do care about is the location of Darnac.”

  That got Gray’s attention. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  Chikk chewed on her lip for a second before gesturing to the couch. “Do you mind?”

  Gray slapped himself in the forehead. “Certainly, sorry about that. Come in, come in.”

  Chikk moved to the couch and the two assassins sat across from her and waited. “It’s hard to explain. You both know that Dar and I have been seeing each other off and on for many years. Well, even though Lalith keeps Dar busy, we meet every few weeks in a certain bar in Otrar. It has become a ritual. If one of cannot make it, we send each other a message. This has been true for the last seven years, until now.”

  Gray scratched his chin. “Well, I saw Darnac just a few days ago and he was heading off to the Highlands in search of whatever was causing problems with our secondary forces. Somehow, every attack failed. Darnac suspects a traitor in the upper command structure but he was unsure of who or if he did know, he didn’t tell me.”

  Tamina cleared her throat. “I’m not sure if this is related or not but there are rumors of unrest in the Highlands. According to my sources, several tribes of orcs have gone rogue and have entrenched themselves in the southern reaches of the Dragonfang Mountains.”

  Gray gave his lover a sidelong glance. “How is it you know this?”

  “I’m called Mouse for a number of reasons. You would be surprised how sneaky I can be.”

  Gray laughed. “You’ll have to tell me about it someday.”

  Tamina gave him a reassuring grin. “Someday.”

  Gray stood up, moved to the war room, and pulled out several maps of the Highlands. Scanning the runes on the Dragonfang Mountains, he pointed. “Here. According to this map, a passageway winds through the mountains and comes out in the Southlands north of Krantos. If Darnac was investing such claims, that’s where he would start.”

  Chikk scanned the map. The closest waterway was at least fifty leagues south of the passageway and it wasn’t a friendly port for pirates, especially dark elf pirates. She shook her head. “If he is in trouble, I cannot reach him in time.”

  Gray grinned. “Yes you can.”

  “How?”

  “I am Sicárii and now, I am the Weaponsmaster of the Lüdüs, who’s going to stop me from using the Scriptorium?” Gray shrugged. “At this moment, there are only a handful of people higher in rank in the entire Dark Alliance.”

  Chikk’s face brightened. “Then you’ll help?”

  “Aye, two is better than one anyway.”

  “Three, I’m coming,” added Tamina.

  “But…but…”

  Tamina pointed her finger at Gray’s nose. “No buts, I owe Darnac. Besides, something tells me you are going to need my help.”

  “Okay. Let me get ahold of Falcon and catch him up on the situation. You two gather the supplies and be ready to leave at dawn.” Gray grabbed his tunic and sword belt and rushed out the door.

  Once he was gone, Chikk smiled at her former pupil. “Does he know?”

  “Know what?”

  “That he’s going to be a father?”

  Tamina blushed as she shook her head. “No. I was going to tell him but I lost my nerve.”

  Chikk reached out and patted her hand. “Don’t put it off until it’s too late, you will regret it.”

  From the conviction in her tone, Tamina realized that she was speaking with the voice of experience. Without anything else to say, Chikk receded into her memories and Mouse began getting ready.

  * * * * *

  Galvorn was overwhelmed. That was the only word he could come up with to describe everything he was feeling. Not only had he defeated Zivën and become a Blademaster, but his mother had actually looked on him with pride and whisked him away to some unknown location. He could tell from the hot humid weather that they were in the deep south and near the ocean but that was about it. After applying some purple goo to his wound, Lalith had deposited him in a luxurious suite and disappeared.

  Galvorn studied his surroundings. On the other side of the room was an open doorway that lead out to a balcony and let in the fresh ocean breeze. The majority of the room was crafted in white marble with highlights of black. It was a bit ostentatious for his tastes but then, he’d been living the lifestyle of a warrior-assassin for the last decade.

  The door opened behind him and in rushed a half dozen deeply tanned and beautiful young ladies. They all had black hair and were naked to the waist with only a thin white loincloth to cover their privates. Without a word to him, they undressed him and gently led him to a pool of steaming water. They began the process of cleaning him from head to toe and as odd as it was at first, Galvorn had to admit it was extremely relaxing. He did find it strange that none of the girls would look him in the eyes or answer any of his questions. They just went about their duties and once they were finished, climbed out of the pool and departed.

  Galvorn gazed around the room. The servants had taken his clothes but had left his weapons untouched and nearby. Reaching out to pick them up, Galvorn noticed that his shoulder didn’t ache. Shifting both tulwars into his left hand, he ripped off the bandage and noticed that there was only a faint greyish scar.

  “Feeling refreshed?” came a voice from behind.

  Galvorn reacted out of habit. Pulling free one tulwar, he dropped the other sword and empty scabbard before diving forward into a shoulder-roll. Landing in a fighting stance, Galvorn had his tulwar up in a defensive position and hesitated.

  Lalith stood on the far side of the pool with her hair pulled back and wearing a sheer red robe that barely hid her perfectly formed body. Ignoring the drawn sword, Lalith let her eyes roam up and down her son’s well-developed body. Flashing him a little grin, she reached up and undid the ties on her robe. With a simple shrug, she let it fall to the floor. She drew her shoulders back and even added a little arch to her spine to enhance her wares as she displayed them to the young warrior. Moving with t
he grace of a panther, Lalith descended into the steaming water of the pool.

  “Come join me.”

  Galvorn was confused. Obviously he was not about to be attacked but he had dropped the scabbard and could not wrench his eyes away from her perfect body to find it. Her body was magnificent. There was something captivating about the female form, especially one as perfect as hers was.

  Galvorn could feel the blood rushing to his manhood but still he hesitated. “Lalith…”

  Her eyes flashed with annoyance and when she next spoke, her tone was more of a command instead of invitation. “Join me…now.”

  Galvorn felt his body drop the sword and climb back into the pool of its own accord. Foot by foot until he was standing close to the dark elf sorceress. Close enough that he could feel her perfect breast on his bare chest while her hands caressed his torso.

  Lalith smiled. “Take me.”

  Galvorn could feel her hands on his manhood. “Mother…this is wrong.”

  Lalith jerked back and her eyes flashed again. “Why must I be your mother? Why can’t I just be a woman who desire to be with a man? Am I not beautiful?”

  “Yes, beyond comparison.”

  “Then, why won’t you take me? I can tell you want to.”

  “This isn’t right. You are my mother.”

  Lalith frowned. If anything, Galvorn thought it made her look sexier.

  She ran one finger up the center of his chest to his chin. “You realize I could compel you.”

  “Yes…yes I do. To be honest, it wouldn’t be difficult for you to do so. You are the most exquisite creature I have ever seen.”

  “Then why will you not enter me?”

  “It is not right. It is forbidden.”

  “By who? The Trôika? The Dhyana? We no longer serve them.”

  Galvorn shook his head. “No. It is forbidden by my own personal code. The standard I hold myself to is higher than those of the average warrior.”

  Lalith leapt forward and gave him a passionate kiss that nearly broke his resolve but in the end, Galvorn the Shadow remained true to himself.

  Breaking the kiss, Lalith stepped back. She was in a quandary. She desired the young Blademaster but was unwilling to compel him. This both frustrated her and made her proud. Only one other man had been able to resist her charms and that was her son’s teacher.

  “Very well, I will respect your wishes but since I can’t have my newest Blademaster all aroused and nothing to do…” Lalith clapped her hands twice. Two of the prettiest slave girls from earlier rushed in and dropped to their knees beside the sorceress. “Pleasure him. Take care of his every need, those spoken and unspoken.”

  “Yes mistress,” they replied in unison.

  Galvorn furrowed his brow. “But…but…”

  Lalith raised one hand. “Shh…this is my gift to you. Tonight is all about your pleasure. Enjoy it, soon enough the morning sun will rise and I will be sending you into the wilds to do my bidding.”

  Without another word, Lalith climbed out of the pool and pulled on her robe. The last glimpse she had of her son was of the two slave girls doing to his body all the things she had longed to do to him. Storming back to her own chambers, Lalith grabbed the three closest slaves and compelled them to pleasure her. However, considering her mood she acted just like the female black widow spider and killed each slave just as they climaxed. With each kill, she drew in the slaves’ life force and added it to her own in order to power her magic. It wasn’t until the third slave’s dried up husk of a corpse fell to the side that she finally felt sated.

  Now if only Mortharona would return from his mission, she could really have some fun.

  Chapter 41

  The rising sun found Khlekluëllin astride Halhulingrath flying high above the Elfholm, much to the dismay of the Elven Council. As soon as the Queen’s Regent had them ensconced and working on the logistics of the kingdom, he taken off to scout the borders of the elven homeland. The mighty dragon and its rider had already skirted the western border and from their height, Khlekluëllin could see the breakwaters off the islands the dwarfs had claimed as their new homeland. He longed to fly to them and visit with Midach Bonecrusher but duty held him fast to the task ahead and they had shifted their bearings to the northern borders.

  It wasn’t long before they reached the Wall, the great barrier cliffs that separated the Highlands from the Southlands. Hal had begun to turn east but Khlekluëllin urged him northward until they were past the Wall in over the Highlands. In fact, they were flying over the Daggers, a desolate region of the north that connected the fallen kingdom of Darkmoor with the Highlands.

  More importantly to Khlekluëllin, it was the site of his sister’s last moments on Terreth. Tatianna had joined her husband Hawkeye and a small army of Highlanders on this desolate spot. Outnumbered, they fought the larger Dark Alliance army to a standstill. Knowing they had a chance to end the war, the two lovers fought Lalith and Blackfang with spell and blade. Unfortunately, for all of Terreth, Tatianna and Hawkeye were killed along with the young child of prophecy.

  Khlekluëllin had never gotten to meet his nephew before he died. With the Chosen One gone, the free people of Terreth were ultimately lost. For according to the prophecy, only he could gather the legendary Nine that would defeat the One. Just being nearby this site made Khlekluëllin sad. He had lost a good friend in Hawkeye that day and to make matters worse, he knew that his killers still roamed free. One day he would avenge them, this he knew but not now, not today. At this current phase in his life, he had to consider the safety and well-being of all the elves over any personal needs or desires.

  Khlekluëllin nudged his steed east, the graceful air dragon banked his body and soon they were over the southern region of the Highlands. Suddenly, Hal was climbing frantically and would not respond to any of his commands. “What in the name of Terra are you doing?”

  *Hiding.*

  “Hiding? Hiding from what?”

  Halhulingrath leveled out his flight after they were hidden in the heavy clouds. *Not a what, a who.*

  “What? I mean, who are you talking about?”

  *You didn’t see him? Of course not, your eyes are not strong enough. Close your eyes and look with me.*

  Khlekluëllin had done this before and closed his eyes. Through his link with the blue dragon, his head became filled with visions as Halhulingrath poked his head below the clouds.

  * * * * *

  Mortharona climbed down off of his steed and gazed out over the troops spread out before them. The orc legions were all properly cowed and on their knees. Mortharona wished he could say it was because he was here but it was not that. Turning to look at his steed and the traitorous elf knew why they were intimidated, Astaroth.

  Astaroth was Void dragon and he was massive. His scales were black as night and his claws were the size of longswords. Mortharona guessed that he was nearly double the size of his brother’s pet dragon.

  Astaroth’s serpentine neck allowed him to bring his wagon-sized head to bear on his rider. “Do not think this changes anything between us elf, the moment the Dark Lady orders your death, it will be the last moment of your life.”

  As the enormous dragon spoke, his long tongue flicked in and out between dagger-sized teeth. Turning his head toward the gathered orc chieftains, Astaroth added, “Until then, just say the word and I will devour them…happily.”

  Mortharona absentmindedly fingered the necklace Lalith had given him. Supposedly, it would block the mindreading ability of the dragon and block the scent that elder dragons released which produced fear in mortals. Mortharona hoped it worked because he didn’t feel the bluster he put in his retort. “Not just yet Astaroth. At the moment, the Dark Lady needs these peons. Besides, I’m curious to hear why they summoned us.”

  “As you wish.” Astaroth lowered his head with a snort and made a huge ordeal of running his long tongue along his dagger-sized teeth. Only two of the Orc Chieftains held their ground but they were shakin
g with fear.

  Mortharona took a moment, unhooked his helmet and hung it on the horn of his saddle next to his lance. Now that he had flown on a dragon with a proper saddle, it had changed his mind about dragonflight. It was exhilarating. Bringing his mind back to the task at hand, Mortharona faced the chieftains.

  “Now what seems to be the problem?”

  * * * * *

  Halhulingrath broke the connection and climbed higher into the clouds.

  *That was the Great Destructor.*

  Khlekluëllin rubbed his chin with one hand. “Never heard of him.”

  *You would not have but he is infamous among my kind. He left the teachings of Terra behind long ago.*

  “Astaroth is a Void dragon, correct?”

  *Yes and as far as I know, he is the only one left. He has been destroying dragons, nests and eggs whenever and wherever he can find them.*

  “Why would he be serving Mortharona?”

  *That I do not know but rest assured, wherever Astaroth flies, death and destruction are not too far behind.*

  Khlekluëllin nodded. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s head home. It is clear the Dark Alliance is planning another, even larger invasion.”

  Halhulingrath didn’t answer but Khlekluëllin felt his friend bank south and pick up speed as he flapped his mighty wings.

  * * * * *

  Derek Ironhand did not even wait for the knarr to be tied off before he leapt from the boat. Landing heavily on the dock, the dwarf took off running. Weaving in and out of traffic on the busy docks, he made a beeline for the King in Exile. Like it or not, Ozymandias was their new home. Originally a small outpost on a remote chain of islands off the western coast. The island was dominated by a dormant volcano, which made the ground rich and fertile. It had long been a favorite hunting and gardening spot for the dwarfs but now, it was their home.

  Derek rushed past the busy artisans. If there was one thing he could say about his people, they weren’t lazy. Yes, they were saddened by their exile but until they could return home, they were going to make Ozymandias as comfortable as possible. They had already enlarged the docks and built numerous buildings along the port. In a few short years, it had gone from a small outpost to a bustling city.