The blue ball of fire exploded violently and sent blue flames racing through the high elven army. This magical fire could not be put out by the rain like the red fire he had used earlier. The fire burned as long as Yukio had strength to sustain it, and, in this case, that was not too long. Within seconds, he collapsed from the physical exertion and the drain his magic had on his body. Aiden ran to him before he fell to the ground again. He threw the general over his shoulder and carried him back to the North Gate. The three armies pulled back to their respective camps for the night. They had fought all day through a torrential downpour, and both sides had suffered significant losses. The high elves had lost their famous general, and their queen was not faring too well either. The giants had very few losses, while the men of Nairi lost several thousand.
“What happened to him?” asked General Lang as he surveyed the battered General Yukio.
“He somehow defeated the second best swordsman in all of Tuwa, but what really did him in was his confrontation with Queen Kishi,” replied Aiden.
“Was she the one on top of that gigantic white wolf?” asked Lord Marcello, who had just entered the healers’ tent.
“Yes, she was riding a massive white wolf that killed several of our men without breaking his stride. Kishi killed a couple hundred men with her magic before Yukio confronted her. He sent her flying through the air with his magic. I did not know that he had such powers,” said Master Aiden in disbelief. He had known Yukio for as long as he could remember, but he did not know this about him.
“We saw his unbelievable powers. I do not think that anyone knew of his abilities. He really saved many of us today, but I hope that his madness abates for his own sake,” General Lang said solemnly.
“I am amazed at how much magic he did before finally collapsing. Using magic takes a significant toll on the body and mind. If he had not stopped when he did, he may have killed himself through overexertion,” commented Lord Marcello firmly. He eyed the general a moment longer and then left the tent.
“You should know that his mighty steed was ripped to pieces by that white wolf. That beast tore Yukio’s horse out from underneath him and then made a point of waiting to kill the poor creature until the general was looking. He swore a blood oath to kill Rolon and Queen Kishi. I do not think his madness is near an end. It is only beginning,” Aiden supplied hopelessly.
“At least his madness is helping our cause. I just hope that he can find peace when this is all over,” replied General Lang sincerely.
“As do I,” remarked Aiden as he wiped the fevered brow of his general.
Secret Plans
As Kana flew north on her dragon, she slowed down when she was over the Nairi Canyons. It looked like a massive series of lakes as she looked down on it. She began to circle the handiwork of Lord Neb as she pondered several different issues that required her attention. I need to plan out the next phase in the war quickly before the other side finds out what I know. I must move on what I have learned right away or risk losing my edge. Who knows what Adair would do to me after this treachery? I bet he has no idea that I know his secret. She laughed long and hard as she urged Ryo to continue to their journey. When she reached the camp that the army of Queen Kishi had used as a base for their attack on the Nairi Canyons, she sat down.
She slid down off the back of her massive black dragon. She continued to ponder the several different issues as she began to pace around an empty fire pit. The dragon lazily blew a snort of fire out of one nostril at the pit, and a blazing fire burst into life. Kana eyed her steed for a moment and then returned to the trench she was making by pacing around the fire pit. The black clouds that hung over Landen did not extend this far, so she could see that the sun was already setting in the west. The air began to bite as the temperature dropped drastically with the disappearance of the sun. Suddenly a pair of shiny crystal blue eyes peered at the pair illuminated by the firelight.
“I have been expecting you, Rolon. What took you so long?”
I was delayed a bit because of Queen Kishi. She took a rather nasty fall during the battle. Actually, she was sent flying by that worthless General Yukio. He was using magic like an accomplished druid, explained Rolon from his mind to Kana’s.
“I see. Did she survive?”
Yes, she did. She will not be able to fight for quite some time, which will put the high elves in a difficult position. Yukio also killed the powerful General Jaali as if he was nothing more than a rag doll. I really do not understand how he did this considering I broke his arm in several places before going to the rescue of Queen Kishi. I heard reports that Jaali cut off his own head while he was dueling with General Yukio. What does that mean? asked Rolon seriously. He did not like the ease with which the formidable general fell to the man Yukio.
“No, this makes sense. General Yukio is…never mind. It’s not important to what we have to discuss right now. Do you think you can lead the army in Kishi’s place?”
I killed Yukio’s horse right in front of him, so I do not think it would be wise for me to return to the battle. When I destroyed his fair beast, he swore a blood oath that he would kill me and Queen Kishi. He said it with great power and conviction; besides, once he made the oath, he upped the level of ferocity with which he fought. My presence will only help him to fight with great energy and purpose. I would suggest that we let Queen Kishi pick a new general.
“I am inclined to agree with you on this. I have other work for you to do anyway, so this works out for the best.”
Why don’t you get on with it then? growled Ryo rudely. He did not like how his master rambled on and on about things. Get to the point!
“Ryo, you are right. The point you are referring to is so much more interesting and important than what we have been discussing. I have discovered a source of power that will decide this war and the fate of Tuwa. It will give me control over the guardian council and the recently reformed druid order. What I need you to do, Rolon, is to retrieve this magical object.”
You want me to go on a journey? What exactly are you talking about? Ryo, what is she talking about?
Listen to her, Rolon. She can be a bit wordy, but what she is asking you to do is very dangerous. However, if you are successful, you will be rewarded with power that you cannot even fathom, replied Ryo darkly.
“What Ryo is trying to say is that this quest is of the utmost importance. If I did not have need of Ryo, I would send him with you. First, let me tell you what it is that you are looking for. It is an orb that possesses such great creative and destructive power that it is by far the greatest treasure on or in the earth. The only people who know about its existence aside from us are the guardian, Mistress Khalida, Lord Neb, and Lord Keb. However, most of them do not know what it is or what it can do. I have had to use some special powers to find out that information. The problem that we face is that the other side will catch on to what we are doing before too long and send a search party after us and the weapon.”
So, where exactly do I need to look to find this…orb thing? And, what do I do with it once I have it? How am I supposed to carry the ball once I have it? asked the wolf skeptically.
“You will need help with this quest. So to answer your first question, you will bring the orb to me once you have it. One of your companions will carry the orb as it would be too awkward to carry for the miles that you will have to cover. The orb lies in the Vida Cavern under the Mia Koda Mountains in the west. So, you will need to take a route that will disguise your approach and retreat once you have the orb in your possession. For that path, you will need to go into the Seda’s domain in the Renshaw Forest.”
You want me to travel for hundreds of miles underground. Are you crazy? asked Rolon in disbelief.
“I understand your reluctance, but I will make sure that you will be all right. The underground passage is roughly thirty feet high, so you should not be too cramped. There is a natural ventilation system that will keep the air fresh. As far as food is concerned, you will nee
d to come above ground when you need to eat and drink. Do not, under any circumstances, eat or drink anything you find under the earth. Do you understand me?”
Sure, but what does that have to do with anything?
“The road that I am sending you on is also referred to as the forbidden path. Nothing that enters it ever comes out alive. I will provide you and your party with the means to survive, but you must not eat or drink anything you find under the ground. I cannot protect you from the instant death that awaits the unfortunate soul who partakes. Do you understand now?” she asked briskly.
Yes, so who do you want to go with me on this expedition?
They discussed the need to take some high elves with him so that he would have a measure of magical protection. He would also need to take some of his fellow wolves with him for security purposes. She recommended taking a wolf from the different clans. This would provide a measure of unity among the clans who had a shaky treaty at best at the moment. Also, she would send some other protectors later, once they were on their way in the Keala path. She would not elaborate as to who or what the additional members would be, and Rolon was wise enough to not pursue it. He probably did not want to know any way.
Can you tell me any more about this orb? What does it look like? What can it do? pressed the giant wolf boldly.
“I can only tell you what I have divined. It should be large enough to stand out when you spot it and yet small enough to fit in my hands. I am not sure what color it is, but I would guess that it is a mixture of all colors. I would also expect it to be exceedingly dense, making it rather difficult to carry for long periods of time.”
I get the picture, but what does it do? Does it contain magic that you do not have? Or, does it have a magic all its own?
“I would say that it probably has a power that no other being on this earth has. I would also like to suggest that something this powerful ought to be left alone. Kana, I have warned you once already and I will do so again. Leave it be. If you gain possession of this orb, it will bring about your end,” said the black dragon Ryo cryptically. There was a feeling of sure knowledge emanating from him as he gave his final warning to his mistress.
“I heard you the first time, Ryo; now be silent. Do not speak of this matter again. Understood?” she said in a commanding tone. It was not a question; it was a serious threat.
“I understand. I will say nothing more of this,” he replied indifferently. He turned around and took off into the air. He had spotted a flock of deer a short distance away and went into a spectacular dive.
“Rolon, this object most likely contains power far greater than anything else in this world. That is why we need to find it first and then get it back to me as fast as you can. I will need to learn to use its power as quickly as possible. Remember that every day you take in retrieving this for me, another group of your kin will be killed by those allied fiends.”
I understand. Does this thing have a name?
“Yes. It is called the Orb of Nitesh!”
FB2 document info
Document ID: fbd-d8b89c-6a63-9449-8abb-81ba-1f19-cde2a5
Document version: 1
Document creation date: 05.05.2013
Created using: calibre 0.9.24, Fiction Book Designer, FictionBook Editor Release 2.6.6 software
Document authors :
Steven R. Burke
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The Fallen Guardian tgc-2 Page 22
