Pure Choice dm-6

by Jeff Inlo

  "Explain, please," Shantree requested, trying to weigh the likelihood of such a possibility.

  "We do not know why we were brought here, but we do know that six individual elves have been transported out from under the barrier. We do not know what happened to them, but we have to accept that there is a purpose to this madness. The sorcerer wishes to utilize us for something. In order to meet his needs, he must keep us alive. That means keeping hostile creatures away from us… until, of course, his needs are fulfilled."

  "So you believe we have been afforded additional protection in the form of some second barrier?"

  "It is a possibility. Many of the larger creatures of this realm might have the sheer power to break through one barrier, but not if they are being persuaded by other magical means to stay away. Even if something as large as a thrastil approached, it might have to fight its way through some additional buffer. The sorcerer would potentially have sufficient warning to intervene to save us from such a threat."

  "Then a second barrier works to our benefit," Shantree replied.

  "Not if we hope to break free," Birk countered. "Yes, we have additional protection, but we are also trapped here. What good is it to break out of the first barrier, if we are faced with being trapped by a second?"

  Shantree remained patient in both her tone and expression, but she reminded Birk of their past discussions and actions.

  "We have tried to break free of the barrier and failed. While freedom is our ultimate goal, I'm not certain that a second barrier should cause us any more concern than the first."

  "That depends. So far, you have instructed a conservation of the camps' combined magical abilities. If we reach the point where you allow for a complete assault on the barrier, I would like to know more about what awaits us just beyond."

  "I do not believe we have reached that point of desperation," Shantree revealed. "At least, not yet."

  While Shantree revealed a desire for caution, Birk remained respectful of her authority as the camp elder. Still, it was his duty to protect the elf camp and to secure them from imminent danger. Every moment the elves remained trapped in the dark realm represented unacceptable peril.

  "You still believe we should wait?" Birk asked without the slightest degree of agitation or disbelief. He was simply confirming a strategy.

  "We balance waiting with other alternatives. We focus on surviving… for that we need magic. Without it, we could not obtain food or water. I have always entertained any initiatives to escape this cursed realm, and I have already authorized the use of a great deal of magic. Unfortunately, nothing has worked. Portals fail to construct within the barrier, and the barrier refuses to weaken, let alone fall. Teleportation is useless, which continues to confound me. The sorcerer manages to remove elves from our group one at a time, but not one of our spells of transport work in any fashion."

  "I agree it is confusing. Magic within the barrier works, as proven by our ability to obtain food and water, but not with consistency. As you have said, we can not utilize portals or teleportation, and while our spells do not seem to lack potency, they have little effect where we need them. We attack the ground under the barrier and we fail. We assault the barrier itself and we fail. We attempt to teleport and we fail."

  "I know our failures," Shantree reminded the captain, showing an unusual moment of impatience.

  Birk revealed that his intention was not to simply list miscalculations, but to highlight the need for new methods.

  "Forgive me, but I wanted to emphasize that there is a new plan that is being developed that might work. It takes a different approach."

  "A new idea?" Shantree asked with a hopeful expression attempting to break through the aged lines of her face.

  "We believe the field around us was constructed by pure ebony magic, a power that uniquely condensed the most dominant energy inherent in this abysmal realm. Though the barrier is translucent and allows us to see beyond its borders, it is not completely invisible. We all see the outline of the obstruction, and its dark hue cannot be denied. Those elves capable of seeing the aura of magic assure me that the black energy is undeniable. Unfortunately, we have no elves among us that can cast in the shade of black with any genuine efficiency. That may be why we have failed to break through, but one of my officers proposed a layered attack of individual hues to chip away at a small section of the barrier."

  "Go on."

  "We have several skilled magic casters, but none that can cast in pure white or pure black. Still, there are those who have nearly perfected their own inherent hues. We are considering an attack that will focus one hue after another upon the barrier. Spells will be used in varying sequence, but they will each be focused on an individual color, and the barrier will be monitored as it is attacked. Instead of simply trying to blast through in one great release of energy, we will attempt to peel away at the barrier's strength. The proposal would require significant amounts of magical energy, but if we can find the right combination, I believe we can break a hole through the shield."

  "Only a hole?" Shantree questioned.

  "That is all we would need."

  "We need to get every elf out, not just a meager few. I believe the sorcerer will know if the field has been compromised and will return to repair it, and perhaps punish those that worked to break free,"

  "Those that are willing to make the attempt are aware of the risks."

  "I assume that once you break a hole through the barrier, an elf will attempt to teleport away from this place or open a portal back to our home?"

  "I plan to do both. I will have elves ready to teleport across the dark land. Creating distance from the barrier may be essential. I will have others ready to construct a portal. That will be the priority. The moment we create a breach, the first elf I send through will be instructed to immediately open a portal back to Uton."

  "And then?"

  "Immediate contact with the human wizard in Connel. He can aid us."

  Shantree knew of Enin, the human wizard with phenomenal power and the skill to cast with two perfect rings of pure white energy. If any single magic caster could obliterate the barrier, it was Enin, but she also knew that the wizard's attention centered on building relationships between the dwarves and the humans. His contact with elves had been minimal.

  "But will he?"

  "He has recently shown a willingness to come to the aid of those in need. We also should remember that our own Holli Brances serves as his guard."

  "She is no longer one of our own," Shantree corrected the captain. "She was banished."

  "She agreed to that banishment for the good of our camp. I have no doubt she would remain loyal to her oath to come to our aid."

  Shantree's hands remained folded behind her, but she rapped her knuckles against her back as she considered the idea. She was always cautious, even when she did not face such a dire predicament. She usually handled the strain of leadership with dignity and poise, listened well and appreciated the council of others, but she no longer faced the normal affairs of life in Dark Spruce Forest.

  The elves of her camp confronted a staggering set of circumstances. An entire camp thrust against their will into a seemingly inescapable prison was not something even the elf guard captain could have anticipated. She understood Birk's concerns, saw the growing desperation in every elf around her, but desperate actions led to mistakes, and mistakes in the dark realm led to complete and painful obliteration.

  "For the moment, let us then consider this secondary barrier you spoke of. Would its existence alter your plan?"

  Birk did not reply immediately. He looked across the barren land, through the translucent barrier that surrounded the grouping of elves. He weighed the options before him, and came to only one conclusion.

  "No. It would be ideal to know what is outside the barrier, but it is not within our power. The main objective remains to break through the initial obstacle. If we can get several elves beyond the first wall, I can only hope they will find a way to
battle through any additional obstructions."

  "That sounds unusual for you. Your strategies have always been much more defined."

  "I do not deny it, but what else can we do?"

  What else could they do?

  That was exactly the question Shantree continued to ask herself.

  "The proposal is interesting," she acknowledged, "but if I understand the concept, you would indeed need vast amounts of magical energy. Do we dare use so much when our very survival depends on utilizing it with care?"

  "Surviving as captives in the dark realm for some sorcerer's twisted purpose is not a path of existence I would accept as living."

  "I do not argue that perspective," Shantree explained, "but I do not believe it has come down to a simple matter of choosing between one last act of desperation or accepting eternal imprisonment in this realm. We have limited magical energy available to us. That is a fact we cannot escape. The plan you offer might be the best utilization of that energy, or it might cause us to dilute our resources that might be used more efficiently elsewhere. The magic continues to keep us alive and there are other magic casters that have used the energy available to them to send out messages of distress. It may simply be a matter of patience."

  "I understand," Birk responded, but then offered his own view of reality. "I just find it difficult to believe that any message we can send will be received by anyone that might help us. Certainly, there is no one on this plane that would come to our aid."

  "The spell casters that are endeavoring to use the magic have stated they believe they can embed the call for help in magic that transcends this dimension. We know magic can travel through portals, even through the veils that separate the existences. Subtle messages can call to an ear that wishes to hear."

  "But is there anyone back in Uton that will listen to our call?"

  At this, Shantree revealed her true hope… the hope that kept her going.

  "There are other elves in Dark Spruce, other camps."

  "That is understood, but why would they search for us?"

  "Because if this happened to a neighboring camp as opposed to our own, I would order a search for them, not simply out of some benevolent desire to help, but for the security of my own camp. The disappearance of an entire camp is not something to ignore. If other elves can locate us, they might be able to bring us the aid we need without jeopardizing our ability to survive in the short term."

  "What if they simply can not determine what happened to us? They may realize we are gone but never find us."

  That was a possibility that Shantree could not ignore.

  "I have considered that. I must admit, I am not entirely certain how it was possible for us to be captured as we were. Still, we must at least give it time."

  Birk almost accepted the assessment of the elder without another word, but he paused before agreeing. He did not wish to create conflict or to struggle over authority, but he had his duty, and the dark realm was a place where such responsibility could not be forgotten.

  "It is not my place to argue with your decisions, but as an elf guard captain-the leader of the elf guard-I am charged with protecting this camp. You must accept that I am in a difficult position. We are in a state of constant peril. It is my duty to bring this camp to safety without delay. In that, even your orders are secondary… no disrespect to you."

  "I understand, and I appreciate the loyalty you have shown to me. I do not think we would have made it this far had we been at odds. I ask only that you balance your desires to escape with regard to the best chance to do so successfully. You believe we need assistance, and so do I. Given enough time, we may get the aid we require."

  Reluctant to wait much longer, Birk revealed yet another concern.

  "It is difficult to determine the passage of time in this realm. There is no sun to mark the passage of a day. Even if there was, we would have no idea how such time might relate to time back in our home. It might seem like several days have passed here, but back in our land, back in Uton, an entire season might have passed since our abduction. You are, in essence, asking me to give you enough time. How do we know what is enough?"

  Shantree conceded she could not argue. They were trying to gauge the passage of time based on many factors, but none of them could be certain of the accuracy of their measurements.

  "You are right. We have no idea of just how long we have been gone. I ask for time, and yet I cannot tell you how much time is necessary."

  She looked about the makeshift camp. She examined the futile attempts at creating shelters, let alone defensible positions. The few trees that surrounded them were pathetic, half-rotted protrusions from corrupt soil. There was agony in the very air they breathed, and she saw suffering on the faces of every elf around her.

  Her fatigue grew and while she would not surrender to despair, she knew that hope was dying.

  "Is there much you need to do to prepare for an assault against the barrier?" she asked, reconsidering her decision.

  "We must select the proper elves," Birk replied. "Some will cast the spells, others will feed the casters with magical energy. We must also map out a strategy for gauging the strength of the barrier as the spells are cast and for determining a sequence for those spells."

  "Begin your preparations. We will start as soon as you're ready."

  The captain of the elf guard bowed and set off to organize the assault.

  Chapter 11

  "We are ready to make our first attempt," Birk Grund acknowledged, as he returned to speak to the camp elder. "We shall be as efficient with the energies as we can. I know it is important to you that we hold as much in reserve as possible."

  "It is more important that we escape," Shantree replied. She had played out all the scenarios in her mind. She saw each path clearly. She could hope for success, but she had to accept the possibility of failure. The one result she did not relish was uncertainty. There was no sense in making the attempt if it only left them with more questions. "I place no qualifications or restrictions on your plans. I do not want you to hold back in any fashion. Our path is decided and it cannot be a half-hearted measure. We must know if this has a chance for success or not. I would rather use every ounce of our magic and fail than attempt to save energy only to remain uncertain about the results. We either succeed or we fail, but one way or the other, we must know."

  Only minor surprise struck the elf captain. Initially, Shantree wanted to conserve the magic in order to survive, and it was Birk's intention to balance his assault with the camp elder's desire. He would only use what was necessary, but she had changed the course of her objectives. She gave her full support to the assault on the barrier, and like any good leader, once she made her decision, she did not wish to restrain her forces. To do so would show indecisiveness, weakness, and that was not the way of Shantree Wispon.

  "I understand," Birk acknowledged. "I will make the proper adjustments. We will not limit our assault, and I am prepared to face any repercussions should we fail."

  Shantree shook her head resolutely. She would not allow Birk to shoulder her burdens. Despite the weariness that continued to grind at her every fiber, she stood firm in her decisions and expected to be held accountable for each one.

  "It was ultimately my decision," the elf leader declared, "and I will take responsibility for any failure. You offered an opportunity, and I accepted your proposal. Blame shall not be your reward regardless of the outcome."

  "I appreciate that, but I believe blame or praise no longer matters. If this does not work, I do not know what else we can do."

  "Let us worry about that only if that is what we face… and let us hope it is not. What do you need from me?"

  "I would ask that you stand near and watch. It will encourage our spell casters if they know our leader stands with us."

  "I shall do so willingly."

  They walked together to the edge of the barrier where several elves congregated. They took slow, but steady steps. The elf guard captain allowed
the elder to move at her own deliberate pace. He made no attempt to guide her or assist her labored movements.

  She was thankful for the respect. She slept little since their arrival in the dark realm, and though she could not be sure how many days had past, she was certain it was far too many. The tired ache of her muscles made movement difficult, but she did not wish to appear dependent on another. Even the appearance of frailty would not help their cause. The elves of her camp looked to her for strength and resolve, and she refused to disappoint them.

  When they reached the appropriate spot, Birk asked Shantree to give him a moment. He needed to address the other elves-discuss the appropriate utilization of magical energies and adjust the planned dispersal of power. Every elf would be encouraged to unleash every bit of magic.

  Speaking with several elf magic casters, he advised them to concentrate greater energy against the barrier. Once they all understood and acknowledged that no effort would be spared, he returned to Shantree's side.

  "They are going to begin in a few moments." He motioned to a half dozen elves that stood behind several other magic casters near the wall. "The six further back will call on as much energy as they can absorb. They will feed the casters with magic as they weave their spells. They will now pull from all available sources. Do not be alarmed if you feel as if you are being drawn to them. The magic will flow heavily through us all."

  "I understand," Shantree replied.

  Birk pointed to two elves nearest the edge of the domed obstruction.

  "Those two shall monitor the barrier. They have already cast a spell that allows them to see the intrinsic strength of the force field. They are not quite linked to the barrier spell itself, but they have been able to match their vision to the tune of the vibrations emitted from the obstacle. They believe that the vibrations will become erratic as the field weakens. Once all the casters are ready, they will direct the assault. They will determine the order of the spell castings and which hues to utilize."

  "Have they decided who will go first?" Shantree wondered aloud.