by Lynn Landes
A shadow and the rush of wind warns Phaydra’s guards of their impending deaths as the dragon dives from the sky to land in their midst. She smashes some of the soldiers in her massive claws even as her tail hammers others into the ground. The surrounding brush and trees are covered in their blood as she kills any who stand. She hisses at Phaydra, spitting flames at the ground in front of the fleeing Queen.
Phaydra calls for help in her mind and the buzzing noise begins anew.
The Dragon roars into the sky.
“You don’t stand a chance Dragon Singer,” Phaydra snarls at the massive creature. “Don’t you get it? Defeat me, and another will take my place. There will always be darkness to balance the light!”
‘Exactly, call them all! Bring your kind to their death so I can wipe the world of your existence. Never again will the Drow rule the night!’
The Dragon glares at Phaydra, her eyes aflame with the anger and rage she has held in for so long. She reaches out with a clawed hand to crush the life out of her tormentor when she hears a call to her mind, ‘Syrran?’ Confusion flutters in her mind.
“Stop, Lilliana!” His voice calls to her and she turns to look at him.
‘Syrran?’
“Come back to me, Melamin.” Syrran steps in front of Phaydra pushing her back with his hand.
“My Love!” Phaydra snaps in shock. “You would betray your Queen for this abomination?”
Lilliana struggles to fight back the beast inside of her. How tempting it is to let them all come, so she can destroy the entire species in one final blow.
“Shut up, Phaydra!” Syrran hisses, “Lilliana, come back to me. Let’s go home.” The second wave of hive soldiers are nearing and the noise is deafening. Lilliana shakes her head struggling against the desire to make them all pay.
“Home?” Phaydra laughs, “She has no home you fool! It was destroyed. You remember don’t you, Dragon Singer!”
Lilliana hears the screams of her village in her mind and begins to shift back to her normal body.
Sensing her advantage, Phaydra calls for the second wave to attack and she leaps at Syrran with her sword drawn.
Brynley hears the fighting and she struggles to open her eyes. Francesca and Daniel are fighting now as a new wave of soldiers move forward, even Edward is struggling to fight.
“Syrran!” Lilliana screams and falls tumbling to the ground. Daniel runs forward and catches her just before she hits the blackened dirt of the rain forest. They watch in horror as Syrran is surrounded. He is held by soldiers and Phaydra points her sword at his heart.
“Give me the Singers or watch again as I kill them all!” Phaydra shoves the tip of her blade into his chest and Syrran screams out in pain.
A whisper flutters in Brynley’s mind, calling to her asking for aid. “Okay,” she murmurs and stands on her tiny feet. Lifting her face to the sky she sings a song, her song carries enough power that all on the field are immobilized. Each note is stronger than the last as she walks, weaving her way through the horrors around her to stand before Lilliana.
“Keep singing, Brynley,” Lilliana races to Syrran’s side and gently pulls him back removing the blade and trades places with him. “I’m sorry, beloved.”
Syrran is moved like a chess piece on a board to his knees in the exact position Lilliana was in, while Brynley continues to sing. Again Lilliana whispers to her mind, explaining her plan and Brynley nods, never faltering in her song.
Glancing around, Lilliana has one final move to make. She lifts her voice and joins it to Brynley’s, one innocent and pure, and one deep and magical, but when blended the voices magnify in power. The gate opens and King Riordan is waiting with his army to race through and fight at her side. As the Elf army begins to pour out of the gate, the song is silenced.
Phaydra’s sword continues its deadly path and she shoves it into Lilliana’s heart, silencing her song for all eternity. Syrran roars in rage and leaps to his feet, ignoring the chaotic battle that is now raging around him. The Drow hive soldiers are fighting the Elven soldiers and Brynley is standing back watching. Phaydra stares in shock at Lilliana as she falls over dead at her feet.
“No!!!” Sword drawn, Syrran leaps at the Drow Queen. Just before her head is severed from her shoulders by his blade she gives one final order. Instantly the hive soldiers turn on Brynley.
“Run, Brynley!” Nienna screams, fighting her way to the child but she can’t get to her in time.
The hive soldiers leap at the small girl and she runs! Racing through trees, Brynley screams for help as she is followed by the soldiers to the edge of a rocky cliff.
The soldiers grab for her, causing Brynley to stumble backward over the edge of the cliff, falling. Her scream fades and is cut off in silence. Hundreds of soldiers blindly follow the child to their death on the rocky ledge below. Without more orders the remaining hive soldiers fly into a frenzied panic. Without the commands of their Queen, they begin to flee into the forest.
Syrran draws the blood soaked sword from her chest and holds Lilliana against his body. Oblivious to the blood staining the ground around them he watches in stunned horror, wondering how this all went so wrong.
Nienna reaches the edge of the cliff and sobs out Brynley’s name while Gage lands behind her wrapping her in his arms.
Daniel flies down to try to heal the child. With sorrow in his heart, he nods no at his brother.
The battle is over as quickly as it began. The Singers are dead, no longer a pawn for the immortal world.
King Riordan walks to Syrran, “I’m so sorry we couldn’t get to you in time. We will bury her with all the rights of our people,” he offers softly.
“She is for me,” his broken voice echoes. “I will see to her.”
The King nods and orders the cleanup to begin. It will take but a few moments to re-make the house with the aid of magic. The destruction of the forest is restored to pristine condition as well.
Edward watches Daniel return with Brynley’s broken body and falls to his knees, sobbing. “Is there nothing you can do?” Edward begs.
“We were too late. I’m sorry.” He carries the child inside followed by Edward and places her on a bed to wrap her broken body in sheets.
Francesca weeps and guides Nienna inside.
Syrran stands on trembling knees and carries Lilliana inside the house. “I should have told you…how your smile lit the darkest spaces of my soul on fire.” Placing her gently on the bed next to Brynley. “My Lilliana, you are for me.” He covers her with a sheet as the Angels pray over them.
Loss has a way of bringing people together or destroying them. Nienna is determined to not let that happen here. She guides Edward from the room with Francesca’s help. “You should rest.”
Francesca places Edward in a healing sleep. The pain emanating from him has her worried for his mortality. “Rest now, I will watch over her.”
Francesca joins Daniel and the bodies are cleansed in the way of the angels and clothed in white gowns. Two white sheets are placed over the bodies until the funeral can be arranged.
King Riordan calls to Syrran and he joins him outside with Gage and Daniel. “Phaydra will be replaced, but it will take time for them to regain control of the Drow Kingdom. We are sorry for your loss. If ever you have need of us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
“How did you know to come?” Syrran demands.
“Brynley sent Nyx a wounded Griffin. We were in the middle of celebrating the capture of the Micah. The child was a powerful singer.” He glances at the house and sighs. “Again, we are sorry we failed them. They were the last of their kind.” The King turns back to look at Syrran. “Thank you for coming to our aid, your debt is fulfilled. We will remember them in the lore of our people.” King Riordan bows and returns to his kingdom leaving them to tend to the dead.
“I need to see to Nienna,” Gage leaves Syrran to grieve in solitude.
Syrran sinks to his knees as the sun sets joining him in silent ago
ny.
Farley pads through the house, tracking a scent that is foreign to him. It reeks of death and more.
Syrran sleeps in the corner of the room in a chair, unable to bring himself to leave her.
The door is cracked and the scent is stronger now, causing him to growl low in his throat. He grabs the sheet with his teeth and pulls, tugging it free of the body it covers, causing an arm to hang over the side of the bed it is lying on.
“Now?” A soft voice whispers.
“Not yet,” she responds gently.
Farley barks loud, sending out a siren call and waking any who are trying to sleep. His bark turns to howls and he backs from the room dragging the second sheet with him. Syrran leaps to his feet and yells at the dog.
Nienna and Gage, are the first out of their room, followed by Francesca, Daniel, and Edward. They gasp in unison and Edward lunges for the dog with a reprimand on the tip of his tongue.
Chaos and horror float in the air as a light is turned on and everyone falls silent. “What the hell is that?” Edward demands.
Two dead Drow soldiers, dressed in white robes are on the bed where Lilliana and Brynley were.
“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Nienna demands fighting back tears.
“Now?” Her child’s voice whispers.
“Yes, sweets, Now!” Lilliana and Brynley hold hands, singing a Celtic lullaby from her youth. A soft light appears shining on the hopeful faces of those gathered and when it fades squeals of delight and joy replace fear and heartbreak.
Edward roars in relief as Brynley launches into his arms, “I s’prised you good, didn’t I Papa?” Nienna stumbles to her knees while Farley jumps around excitedly barking and licking people.
Syrran stares at Lilliana in shock as she walks swiftly to him, “Say it to me now, Drow,” she demands and touches her trembling fingers to his tear stained face.
Francesca, Gage, and Daniel surround them wingtip to wingtip and whisper a blessing over the couple as Nienna stands back with Brynley so she can see.
“You are for me, my Lilliana.” His deep voice grows stronger with every word. “Your bravery and courageous nature shine a light in the darkest places of my soul.”
“You are for me, Syrran. You saved me from the blackest of places, shining your light into my wounded soul. Do you dare take a Dragon Singer as your fated mate?”
His cocky grin is back and he jerks her into his arms, “You were mine from the moment you saved me, Lilliana. I claim you, as is my right.” His kiss is soft and tender as cheers of laughter ring around them.
“You have some explaining to do, wife,” Syrran growls a moment later. Lilliana laughs and wraps her arms around his neck.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
Brynley turns in her Grandpa’s arms and asks, “Can we move away from the yucky ones, first?” Edward roars with laughter and carries her into the hallway.
“Anything you wish, little one.”
Nienna and Gage cover the two soldiers while the others move out to the living area. Once they are all together, Lilliana takes a deep breath and begins.
“It would seem that our magic is stronger when united. When we sing together it enhances the abilities and opens up more possibilities. During the attack when Brynley started to sing, I felt it. I was able to switch places with two soldiers and hold the images while we hid.”
“That’s incredible,” Nienna gasps.
“Why the deception, Lilliana?” Gage asks the question they are all thinking.
Brynley pushes away from her Grandpa to walk to Lilliana and take her hand. “The fairy people want to take us away. I heard him say so.” Lilliana squeezes her hand gently to reassure her.
“What she means is that King Riordan wanted us to return with them and they weren’t prepared to take no for an answer.”
Turning to Syrran, “Even if we managed to escape the Drow would never stop hunting us. We need time to train Brynley and learn the full scope of our powers, together and separate. I will never be caged again. Nor will I allow that to become her fate.”
“We? Are you implying that you will watch over Brynley?” Edward asks.
Brynley smiles and runs back to him. “I want to stay with them, Papa. We need each other.”
“I’m listening, child.” Edward sits and draws her close to his side to comfort her.
Gage stands up to face the angels. “You did not ask for any of this, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect Nienna and her chosen family.”
Daniel smiles at his brother. “I would expect no less from you, Gage. I will not lie, this is not going to be an easy task for you. To protect this much magic will require the strength of more than your small group. Would you expect us to stand by and watch the extinction of a new species?”
“We are the guardians of all creatures on this planet.” Francesca squeezed her husband’s hand. “Your family is our family, Gage.”
Daniel clasps Gage’s arm while Syrran glares at them like they have all lost their minds.
“As beautiful and touching as your sentiments are, you are all forgetting one thing. The Drow will regroup and with a new Queen in place, they will hunt us down for betraying them. We can’t stay here.”
Nienna glares at him. “Syrran, you know better than that. The infighting will be horrible. They will tear each other apart trying to take over the Drow Kingdom. Power is the one thing they crave above all else. They do not care about the death of their own. It only means that they were weak and deserved to die. If anything they will thank you for getting rid of those horrible sisters.”
“I can assure you that if and when the time comes for them to discover the truth, I will be ready,” Lilliana replies.
“We will be ready.” Syrran takes her hand and presses a kiss to it.
“Excellent,” Edward says, “Now all we need to do is plan two funerals and figure out where to live.”
Laughter flutters and they have dinner while discussing the plans.
At daybreak the following morning, a somber group watch as two bodies wrapped in sheets are placed on a bed of rocks. Nienna stays close to her brother careful not to touch him but wanting to be near him in a show of support. “Syrran!” She gasps softly and nods her head in the direction of the trees. Elves, step from the protection the forest offering to witness the death of hope. For that is what the Singers represented. When the Angel’s begin to sing, the elves join their voices and Syrran drops to his knees followed by Nienna and Edward.
Syrran lifts a hand, sending a spark igniting the shrouded bodies with a whoosh of sapphire flames. All singing stops and the mourners are forced to close their eyes against the powerful inferno. Edward weeps with his head bowed as his only grandchild is taken from him a second time. Gage and Nienna are the first to leave, overcome by her grief he carries her inside. Francesca and Daniel coax Edward and guide him away while the elves leave as silently as they arrived.
Only Syrran remains to watch over the funeral pyre. He stays until only ash remains. Daniel and Gage return to help lift the ashes on a wind and drop them with a prayer over the forest beyond the house. The house is silent in its sorrow as everyone takes solace inside. They are all aware that this could have been very real and almost was the truth for Lilliana and Brynley.
“Is it safe yet?” Nienna asks Gage.
“No, we need to take Edward to his family, as we planned. When it is safe he can join us.” Nienna nods and tugs him close.
“Have I said thank you today?”
“For what?” His mouth closes over hers stealing all thought and stress away. She sighs in his arms and savors the feel of his strength.
When he lifts his head from hers, she smiles, “For this. For just being mine.” He throws his head back and laughs.
“Are you feeling a little possessive wife?” He teases her.
“Very, and I am desperate to be alone with you, husband.” Nienna tosses her hair. Gage tugs her towards him and snaps his wings out with
a whoosh of feathers.
“Then fly with me, mi Amor?”
Desire floods her eyes and she responds instantly, “Now.” Gage wraps his large white wings around her, leaping they pass through the ceiling to start their future.
Syrran watches his sister fly off and he smiles softly. Lilliana and Brynley are tucked away safely in Nienna’s log cabin in the Canadian Rockies. They are surrounded by jagged ice capped peaks, dramatic wilderness, and alpine lakes. Brynley will be safe in such a remote area. Her training can begin and Nienna will help Edward raise her.
Lilliana will be free. No one will ever hurt her again. He turns away from the remainders knowing he is supposed to return to his home and wait, but he is through waiting.
“Need a lift?” Daniel asks quietly.
Syrran grins at the large angel. “Not hardly. I may not have wings, but I have my own ways. He walks to the back door of the house and draws a magical glyph over the wood. The moment his hand touches the knob it begins to glow. “Thank you.”
Stepping through the door frame Syrran ignores the glacial cold Canadian air that threatens to steal his breath away. He runs swiftly through the forest across the snow covered ground and determination fill his eyes. Lilliana draws him without even knowing it. Her soul seeks his calling him home.
The moon is high in the night sky lighting the path to Nienna’s log and stone cabin. Warm lights glow, beckoning him forward and he smiles as he nears her.
Lilliana feels him the moment he steps through the gateway and her heart fills with joy. Finally, she is free to make her choices and be with the one she loves. Whispering a spell she sends Brynley to sleep, ensuring privacy for them and safety for the child.
Her purple gown drops into the snow and she leaps into the sky shifting to the dragon with only a thought this time. She flies above the woods watching Syrran race through the forest and into the clearing near the front of the cabin.
He gasps when he sees a shape overhead and draws his bow notching a magical arrow, ready to face any threat to keep her safe. The moonlight glints over crimson scales and a strong wind buffet his body as she gracefully lands in the snow.
