Dagdron tugged a rope directly above him, but nothing noticeable happened. Not seeing any other pathway, Dagdron stretched over the thorn bushes and climbed up on the closest shelf. He made his way around the edge of the room, climbing up or jumping down to the platforms. When he had successfully navigated to the other side of the room and was heading straight for the pouch, he jumped down onto a shelf. Without warning, the shelf cracked. Dagdron scrambled with his arms, barely catching one of the ropes. Unfortunately, the rope pulled from the wall and he swung downward, straight for the thorns.
Dagdron lifted his legs up and gave a mighty heave, lifting his backside inches above the thorns. When the rope began its upward motion, Dagdron launched himself, grabbing another rope and finding himself hanging in the middle of the room. He moved hand over hand, finding the way to the far corner until he successfully dropped on the table.
As he picked up the pouch, the rogue watched the room to see which traps shifted. The changes were easy to notice, since the ropes attached to the side walls ignited. The small flames began moving across the room, following the ropes like fuses. Having no time to waste, Dagdron pocketed the pouch and grabbed hold of the rope above him. He swung across the room, grasping a different rope with each swing. Three fourths of the way across, Dagdron saw the mass of ropes burst into flames, so he gave one mighty swing, barely clearing the thorns and landing safely in the tiny area by the door.
Feeling the heat as the ropes dropped and ignited the bushes, Dagdron hurried outside, where the teacher was plucking thorns out of different parts of Cort’s body.
“Leave the pouch,” Flip said.
Dagdron tossed the bag of rocks to the ground and left for his tree.
That evening, Dagdron climbed out of his tree when Earl, Lita, and Elloriana showed up after dinner. Earl had brought Dagdron a plate of beef shanks, and he ate it as they left the academy grounds. They headed into the forest to the west before turning upward. Earl and Lita kept their swords sheathed but had their hands ready to draw their weapons in case the Backer or another unwanted creature showed up.
“Any idea what we’re looking for exactly?” Elloriana asked.
“A sign from Mazannanan,” Earl said.
“I know that, Earl,” Elloriana said, glaring at him.
“Look for an arch, wench,” Dagdron said.
“Maybe he’ll surprise us,” Elloriana said.
Elloriana cast detect magic spells as they went but, unlike in Bodaburg, where little magic resided, the mountainside was scattered with traces of magic. In the shrine the previous year, Mazannanan had explained that his cult settled in the northern region because of the high abundance of magical plants, creatures, and other objects. This proved true, as Elloriana’s spells were unable to focus on anything specific.
Earl took time to have Lita and Elloriana turn around so that they could take in the view of the academy and Bodaburg below. Dagdron and Earl had been up the mountainside quite a few times, because Dagdron’s dad stayed in a mountain cave when he visited the area.
“Let’s check out your dad’s cave,” Earl said. “Maybe he’s here already.”
“He’s not,” Dagdron said. “He’s still reliving my fake childhood in Coastdale.”
In spite of his response, Dagdron led his three companions in the direction of the cave. A faint smoky smell lingered as they neared it. Dagdron wondered if his father had really come north already, but then Egon stepped from the darkness, his muscular body framed in the cave entrance.
“Egon!” Earl said.
For once, Dagdron thought, Egon didn’t run off, and he greeted each of the young adventurers with a handshake. Dagdron stared at Egon’s extended hand, so Earl grabbed the rogue’s arm, forcing him into a handshake.
“We’re so glad you’re alive,” Earl said, finally having a chance to talk to the old warrior. “We thought you were done for when you helped us escape from Broodavia.”
“I must admit that I thought the same,” Egon replied. “But, fortunately, through my network of honorable guards in Broodavia, I was able to escape. From what I hear, King Fortigroff has a price on my head, but regardless, my place is here now.”
“Why are you here?” Dagdron asked.
“To hunt down the Backer,” Egon said, nodding to the rogue. “His presence does not bode well. Speaking of which, were you followed up the mountainside?”
“No,” Earl said. “We were traveling very discreetly.”
“Actually, we were noisy,” Dagdron said, looking at Earl and Lita.
Egon considered Dagdron for a moment. “Noisy enough to be followed?”
Dagdron gave a quick shake of his head.
“I’m sorry for my previous abrupt departures, but the Backer has a tendency to show up wherever you four are,” Egon explained. “And the fact that he came northward can only make me assume that he is here to deal with the Arches of Avooblis.”
“You know about the arches?” Earl said.
“Everyone knows about the arches,” Dagdron said, moving to lean against the side of the cave entrance.
“It is perhaps true that a general knowledge of the existence of the arch crystals as spread throughout the land, but few still know of their history and significance.” Egon paused in thought. “And I am one of those few.”
“Really?” Earl said.
“How do you know about them?” Elloriana asked, impatient to get to the details.
“I was asked for a favor years ago that brought me to this area. I learned more details than most but, never being too magically inclined, I left the area quickly.”
“And why are you staying in this cave?” Elloriana continued.
“I wasn’t sure if old Gwidy would welcome me at the academy, and I wanted to be safely stationed while I search for the Backer’s lair.”
“You’re going to have to share this cave with my dad and an old farmer in a month, and we have to go,” Dagdron said, starting to leave.
“I will welcome them,” Egon said. “Where must you be off to?”
“We’re looking for an arch symbol,” Earl said. “Have you by chance seen one around here?”
“Yes, I have,” Egon said. Earl, Elloriana, and Lita perked up. Dagdron, keeping his face expressionless, turned back around. “There is a cave farther up the mountain. I considered staying there, but there was an evil aura in the air, so I opted for this one. You should find what you’re looking for there. If you will allow me, I will accompany you and serve as your sentry while you carry out your search. I fear the Backer may make an appearance.”
Earl and Lita, and even Elloriana, nodded without hesitation. Egon, keeping his eyes fixed on Dagdron, waited until the rogue gave a quick nod.
The group, now with five members, continued up the mountain. Egon indicated the direction they should go with his sword.
As they went, Dagdron, slightly suspicious, thought about what Egon might be up to. From the looks of it, the muscular warrior appeared trustworthy, and he had definitely protected them from the Backer. But, when dealing with the Arches of Avooblis, Dagdron had learned never to accept someone straight away. During the first year, Headmaster Gwauldron had lied about the number of arch crystals. Last year, Wendahl, though obviously acting as an ally, had also fibbed about all he knew about the blue sphere and Shrine of Avooblis. Now an old warrior had joined them in Broodavia, seemingly just by chance, and he had knowledge of the arches. What role had Egon really played in the past? Dagdron wondered. Elloriana seemed to share his misgivings, and she walked close to Dagdron, glancing at Egon every so often.
Earl and Lita, on the other hand, had no qualms about traveling with Egon. They asked him for details about his life as a warrior adventurer, as well as tips on their sword fighting techniques. Egon, though maintaining an alert attitude as they went, showed the young warriors two or three parrying variations they had never considered.
Regardless of his reservations, Dagdron found it a wise decision to have had Egon lea
d them. With Elloriana’s spells not able to pinpoint anything, they would have had to wander in the mountains for weeks to find the cave. The entrance was hidden by trees and a rock outcropping. Unless they had chanced on the correct angle, it would have been nearly impossible to identify it otherwise. Above the cave entrance, a small arch shape had been magically engraved in the rock.
“How did you find this?” Dagdron asked, keeping his voice casual.
“I have explored this northern country before,” Egon replied.
Earl, in spite of Dagdron’s tone, knew when his friend was suspicious.
“Why don’t you come in with us?” Earl said. “We could really learn from you.”
“As I stated before, I will remain here,” Egon answered. “I will keep watch for the Backer, and the best learning tool is true experience. This is your quest. I have assisted you as much as I can, and now you should fulfill it with your own skills.”
Earl, inspired, nodded vigorously, and Lita grunted. Dagdron headed into the darkness, and Elloriana, rolling her eyes at the two warriors, followed on his heels. The rogue and enchantress moved slowly until Lita and Earl lit their torches and caught up with them.
In addition to the dank staleness of the cave, the feeling Egon had mentioned was easy to identify. Much like in the Shrine of Avooblis, the sensation that something dark was lingering grew with every step they took. A few small creatures scurried up cracks in the walls as the group moved deeper, but there was no other sign of the cave having been used or explored for years.
Earl lifted the torch when they came to the widened dead end of the cave. The cavern’s jagged walls and ceiling extended twenty or so feet above them.
“I don’t see anything,” Earl said, looking all around. “Did we miss something on the way?”
Before anyone could answer, blue letters flickered against the back wall and an unnerving voice entered the chamber.
“Who am I?”
“Mazannanan,” Dagdron said.
The name of the ancient wizard echoed around the cavern and blue magical flames came to life on the wall, casting an eerie glow over the four adventurers. Then the back of the cave where the magical letters had been exploded in a shower of rocks. Dagdron ducked and rolled out of the way as Earl and Lita, assisting Elloriana, rushed to the side of the cave. An angry roar boomed around the chamber, and then loud, stomping footsteps shook the ground.
Dagdron, Earl, Elloriana, and Lita watched as a monstrous creature stomped into the dim light from the newly blasted hole. The creature’s head was a single large boulder with fiery eyes. The chest and stomach were formed by a massive slab of stone, and the arms and legs were boulders linked together where the natural joints would be.
“What is that?” Elloriana asked.
“An earth elemental,” Earl said.
Dagdron, hearing Earl’s shaky voice, glanced at his roommate. Earl, always so gung ho about fighting and adventuring, was trembling with fear, his quivering hand unable to pull his sword from its sheath.
Chapter 13: Earth Exploded
Dagdron jumped to his feet as the earth elemental plucked a mass of rock from the side of the cave and threw it directly at him. He dove to the side, skidding along the rough floor. In all of Earl’s ramblings, he had never once mentioned an earth elemental that Dagdron could recall. And the rogue had no idea how they could defeat a monster made of rocks.
Earl and Lita, seeing Dagdron’s movement, shook off their initial shock and sprang into action, drawing their swords and charging forward. The earth elemental hammered toward the warrior and lady warrior with its massive fist. Earl and Lita dodged the blow and brought their swords down forcefully. The weapons clanged heavily against the rock arm, the friction creating a shower of sparks. The elemental didn’t appear to be injured by the attack, and it lifted both arms in the air and roared loudly.
In the meantime, Elloriana slowly returned to her feet but remained at a distance with her hands raised, uncertain what spells, if any, would have an effect on the elemental.
Dagdron, keeping his eye on the fight, skirted the edge of the cavern. The stiffness of the earth elemental made Dagdron think he could creep nearer without the monster seeing him with its limited peripheral vision.
The elemental continued its hammer-arm attacks, mixed with an effort to stomp on Earl and Lita. The warrior and lady warrior successfully evaded each attack until Lita was too slow getting out of the way of one arm swing. The gigantic fist flung Lita across the cavern as if she was a flimsy Lordavian vegetation doll.
“Lita!” Earl yelled, but the rock elemental’s follow-up attack prevented him from seeing what happened to her. He dodged the stomping stone leg and thrust his sword with even more vigor, creating a spray of sparks each time he hit the earth elemental.
Dagdron, still creeping around the cave, watched as Elloriana raced to where Lita had crashed into the wall and fallen to the ground. Surprisingly, Lita was still conscious and returned to her feet, shaking off her collision with the wall.
Dagdron resumed slinking along the wall, watching Earl’s continual battle with the earth monster. The elemental’s eyes were blazing brighter and brighter as its anger increased each time he was unable to smash the tiny pest attacking him. Dagdron, now within ten feet of the crack, paused to catch the timing of the arms and legs of the elemental. He darted forward, heading straight toward the opening in the back of the cave.
The elemental, Dagdron discovered, had known of his presence. Before the rogue could slip through the fracture, the earth elemental stepped backward, blocking his way with its left leg. Dagdron was forced to run underneath the gigantic legs to avoid the hammering blow that crashed down at him.
Lita charged over to rejoin Earl in attacking the monster. The elemental began focusing on the fighters again, so Dagdron, carefully watching the stone feet, stayed where he was.
“Are you hurting it?” Dagdron yelled over the crash of rock and steel.
“I don’t know,” Earl said, roaring as he brought his sword down forcefully on the earth elemental’s right leg.
Dagdron stayed underneath the earth elemental, the monster’s leg still blocking most of the opening. He tried to see into the chamber, but the limited space and darkness were too great for the rogue to make out more than a few rock formations.
Elloriana, finally deciding she had been a spectator long enough, started casting flame spells toward the earth elemental. The rock creature roared with fury as the flame balls hit him. It remained guarding the entrance so Dagdron couldn’t slip through, but the earth elemental removed its focus from Earl and Lita and began crumbling rock chunks from the wall to throw at the enchantress.
“Keep casting spells,” Earl yelled as Elloriana ducked and ran from the boulder that had been flung at her. “It doesn’t like the flame spells.”
Elloriana stopped, cast a few more fire spells, and then raced out of the path of another slab of rock. Earl and Lita continued their sword onslaught, creating more sparks with each blow.
Dagdron, feeling the ground tremble more and more, decided he didn’t want to be under the earth elemental anymore, so he dashed out, heading to the wall. He watched from shadows as Elloriana cast her spells and Earl and Lita attacked with their swords. With each flame spell that hit, the earth elemental’s eyes blazed fierier and fierier. The spells, combined with the friction from the swords, were heating up the rock body of the monster.
When two of Elloriana’s spells hit the chest of the elemental at the same time that Earl and Lita dealt a combined blow with their swords below, the monster tilted back its head with a mighty growl as its limbs went rigid. Elloriana froze momentarily with fright, but Earl and Lita, dripping with sweat, clanked their swords against the legs of the elemental with all the strength they could muster.
“Get back!” Dagdron called when he saw fiery streaks spread across the entire body of the elemental.
Earl and Lita needed only a single glance upward before they compli
ed. They raced away from the monster as a tremendous crash resounded around the cavern and the earth elemental exploded, hurling huge rocks in all directions.
Dagdron easily ducked and dodged, and Elloriana cast a protection spell to shield herself from the shower of rocky earth. But Earl and Lita, though covering their heads as they fled, were both hit square in the back by large rocks, which sent them sprawling against the rough ground.
Dagdron and Elloriana, both worried, rushed toward them. In addition to the sweat and dirt that covered their bodies, Earl and Lita were now covered in scrapes and blood from where they had skidded across the cave floor. Elloriana gasped, but then Earl and Lita’s stained faces broke out with smiles as they got back to their feet.
“That was amazing!” Earl said.
“I have never been so invigorated in my entire life,” Lita said.
They chest bumped each other but then groaned in pain.
Elloriana furrowed her brow at them, and Dagdron instantly turned away, heading toward the hole in the back of the cavern.
The inner cavern was lit up by blue flames, highlighting the jagged walls and floor. Dagdron glanced around and then set to searching. When Earl and the girls joined him, Dagdron still hadn’t found anything.
“Cast it,” Dagdron said.
Elloriana, her hands already raised, gave Dagdron a quick scowl. Her hands glowed blue and received a glimmer in response from the right side of the cave, where a small wooden box appeared, identical to the one Dagdron had found in Mazannanan’s dwelling. This one didn’t disappear after Elloriana’s spell wore off, and the lock was already exposed.
“Get the spell off it,” Dagdron said.
“Stop ordering me around,” Elloriana said.
“You were too scared to ever get close to the earth elemental.”
“The advantage of being a magic user is you can attack from a distance,” Elloriana said, giving Dagdron a stiff look. “My flame spells are what weakened the elemental.”
The Howl of Avooblis Page 12
