“Danger coming!” Came the words appearing in Finley’s mind from Arach flying high above them. Without delay, he quickly passed the message on to the others, as the dragon sent a further warning of what it was that approached them. “Balgraf, lots of them!” he said as the others all suddenly stopped. All looking to Galdrac for instruction on what to do, the old Mage pondered a while before doing so.
“Finley. Have the dragon remain out of sight. We do not want to engage the enemy unless we have too,” he explained. Finley nodded his understanding and relayed that same instruction to Arach. Although, he for one had thought it might have been an excellent opportunity to see what the dragon could do. Galdrac though explained fighting now would only forewarn Abalyon that they were heading towards Leyna, and they now had a fully grown dragon. Not only would this probably have the God start his war, but there was also a good chance Leyna could be at risk. Finley puffed out his cheeks, he had not thought of the consequences and was glad they had the older, wiser head of Galdrac with them.
Arach sent down reports that there were probably several hundred Balgraf congregating in one single area, but as to what they were doing, he did not know. As a result of this force, Finley and the others were required to take a lengthy detour so not to risk being seen and start a fight they might not win.
The presence of the army out here in the wilderness though clearly had Galdrac thinking. “Why would Abalyon bother keeping so many beasts here out of sight?” he asked nobody in particular. The old Mage mumbled away to himself for several minutes before stopping suddenly and explaining his reasons. “Mazen, I need you to send a message back to the Commander at Durn Raldun.”
Mazen nodded, and without any further ado, waved his half-staff around to call his hawk down to his position.
The Dwarf dropped his pack from his back onto the ground and sat down before taking out a small slip of paper and a pencil. “Right! What is it you want me to say?” he asked looking up towards Galdrac.
The old Mage remained standing, leaning slightly on his gnarled staff looking skywards as if doing so might help him think of the words he was searching for.
After a short pause, Galdrac explained his theory leaving it to Mazen to decide how to shorten it so the main points would fit on the small slip of paper. The only reason he had come up with as to why there would be a large force of Balgraf hiding out in the Dwarf lands, was that they were preparing an attack. “We need the Commander to keep the gates firmly closed. Tell him not to send out any force to try and fight the small group left outside the capital. They are purely there as bait.”
However, knowing that dwarfs could be stubborn people, who did not like taking advice especially from humans, Galdrac asked that Mazen signed the note. “Hopefully Balin will take more notice if he thinks the warning is coming from you,” he told them. Mazen just nodded and did what was asked, as Finley watched the hawk drift down and land just a few paces away from him. As he stood and observed the Dwarf place the note in the small cylinder, he thought perhaps he might be able to make another link. Maybe if he had a bird as well, then he could get a message to Karesh and let him know what was going on. Moreover, perhaps he could even get a note to his mother!” Now there was an idea.
Once they were back underway, Finley immediately made a beeline for the Dwarf Druid. “How do I make a link with a bird?” he asked without saying anything else.
“Same way as you did with the dragon and the wolf I’m told you have,” came the rather short answer.
“Well, in truth I’m not really quite sure what I did with either. The dragon was because I have this thing,” he said pulling the dragon stone still hanging on the chain around his neck. “Sessi, I think kind of just happened.”
Mazen explained that many of the animals and birds used by Druids were often creatures that had been bred in captivity. Doing this ultimately made it easier for the Druids to make links with the animals, as they did not all have to go running about trying to find them. Moreover, he also explained that approaching wild wolves or bears was never a wise thing to do, and those that were bred for purpose made doing so much easier. “Of course, once the link is made they all go back out into the wild,” he concluded.
Finley pulled a face, thinking that perhaps connecting with a bird was not going to be as straightforward as he first thought. Maybe he would have to wait until they got back to one of the capital cities and ask again to see if they would let him do so with one of their captive ones. Other than that he would need to find one somewhere out here in the wild, although he had no idea of where or how to start going about it.
As the last of the daylight was fading away, Mazen told them the building they sought was probably another couple of miles away. Having to take the detour around the balgraf had apparently not added that much more time to their travels, but now they had to decide on what action to take. While Finley thought it best to mount up onto Arach and just fly in, Galdrac suggested something a little more discreet.
Firstly, he thought, that they all needed to get a little closer so they could see the building in question. Finley would need to see what he was dealing with, and they would need to think of a plan rather than just go in all gung-ho. Moreover, even if they managed to get Leyna out, they needed a plan of escape, “You can bet your last sixpence that when Abalyon realises what you have done, he will not be best pleased!” Galdrac said pointing his finger to Finley.
While Arach was large enough to carry Finley, Galdrac doubted the dragon could take two for any great distance. “At best he will be able to bring her back here a short way,” he added. Finley nodded, realising there were so many points he had never even considered, yet now Galdrac mentioned them, they were all very valid ones. He was also aware that once Abalyon learned of him taking his mother back, the God would undoubtedly unleash the full force of his balgraf, something none of them was quite yet ready for.
As a result, the group decided on a far more thoughtful approach. For now, they would move in a little closer, but it was imperative that Arach remained unseen, and this meant sending the dragon off for a few hours. Finley agreed, and although he just wanted to get on with it, sent Arach a message to keep away until it was completely dark. Then, the dragon was to head back to their location and land to pick Finley up before making the assault on the tall outpost building.
If the rescue went to plan, they were to get out with the minimum of fuss and head back here. Rather than run back to the main gates of Durn Raldun as Abalyon would expect them to, they would sneak back in via the tunnels they had used to get out. “Providing Mazen can find them again of course!” The old Mage added just for good measure.
“I’ll find them. Don’t you worry about that,” the Dwarf replied a little surly as if for once offended by the remark.
“Of course your dragon will have to stay outside and out of mischief,” Galdrac added finalising the last of the details.
Happy everybody knew what they were doing, they all moved on towards their target. With the fading light, making progress amongst the trees a little precariously they pushed ever nearer. With Arach now out of sight, although still in contact with Finley, they had effectively lost their scout, and as a result moved with a little more caution than they had earlier.
Chapter 4.
Finley waited patiently knowing that Arach was moving in closer towards his position. Having arrived at the same farmhouse that Galdrac and Mazen had utilised a few days earlier, the group had taken the opportunity to rest a little. After going over the plan several more times to make sure Finley understood the consequences of what he was about to do, Galdrac finally gave the nod for him go.
The old mage stood in the doorway waving a hand as he watched Finley rather awkwardly clamber up on to the back of his dragon. “Good luck Lad!” he muttered under his breath as he watched the beast flap its broad wings and push up into the air with its powerful legs. Silhouetted in the dark night sky, Galdrac gazed upwards as he watched the shape glide overhea
d before moving towards the tall building where Leyna was being held captive. “The lad will be fine!” Mazen said stepping up beside Galdrac trying to put the man’s mind at ease.
“It’s what happens next that worries me. Abalyon will release his full force, and all our hopes are pinned on a young halfbreed with a wolf and dragon.”
Finley felt the excitement of the wind blowing on his face as Arach darted through the dark night sky. Covering distances in a fraction of the time it would have taken on the ground he was within range of his target within a few minutes. The tall stone tower, once used as a dwarf outpost apparently had only one identified entrance, and that was some twenty feet up off the ground. Unfortunately, Arach would unlikely fit inside it, meaning that once dropped off, Finley was on his own.
After circling around a couple of times, just to check there were none of the flying balgraf about, they considered the coast was clear. Feeling a nervous trepidation, Finley jumped down as Arach hovered just above the stone ledge that gave access to the tower. “Good luck and stay safe,” was the message he received in his mind from the dragon. He did not reply as he watched Arach fly back off into the night, leaving him all on his own.
Taking the staff from off his back, Finley slowly turned about and headed inside. The entrance way was dark and not lit making progress slow, especially as he was quite aware there might well be balgraf lurking in the shadows. After reaching what he thought was a set of stone steps leading down, he could see the flicker of lights a little below his current position. Gripping his staff firmly in his hands he took a deep breath and quietly as he could, ventured on down. Taking each step one at a time, sensing and feeling his way down, wondering why he had not yet come across any of the beasts.
Finley was beginning to think Mazen and Galdrac must have been mistaken. If as they thought his mother was being held here, then where were all the balgraf? They believed they had seen dozens of the creatures being lifted into the doorway, yet thus far he had not seen a single one. Either something was amiss here, or they had been mistaken, something he didn’t think likely. The only other option though worried Finley even more, in that perhaps since Galdrac had left to find him and bring him back here, Abalyon might have moved his mother.
After reaching the bottom of the stone steps, Finley could see a much larger room ahead where the source of light appeared to be coming from. Quietly and slowly stepping inside he saw a shape lying on the floor which moved suddenly, startling him.
“Who’s there?” he heard a familiar voice ask.
“Mother?” Finley answered starting to run towards her.
“Finley? What are doing here? This is a trap!” he heard the words, but they meant nothing as he continued up to her. Placing his staff down on the floor he wrapped his arms around her before looking her in the eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked looking to see if he could find a way of releasing her bonds.
“You should not have come,” his mother warned again, although clearly on deaf ears once more.
“Come on, we need to get you out of these and away from this place,” he said.
Finley was so preoccupied with the moment that he failed to realise several dark shapes emerge from the same doorway he had just passed through. Huge, muscular beasts advanced slowly towards him in a line barring any chance he had of escape, as a familiar swirling mist appeared. “Abalyon!” Leyna gasped, “Finley you must go now!” she snapped trying to get her son to listen.
“I am not leaving you, mother,” he replied ignoring the dangers approaching behind him.
“How very noble of you Zerus Maldhor,” came the familiar dark, chilling sounds of a voice he knew only too well. Abalyon drifted in beside Finley taking his human form looking down upon them. “Your time has come to fulfil your promise Zerus Maldhor. Join me, and your mother will remain unharmed. Fail to do so now, and you will be forced to watch her die,” came the ultimatum Finley had been dreading.
“What did you promise him?” He heard his mother ask, the worry in her voice easy to detect.
“I said I would join him if he left you alone,” Finley replied as if it were no great deal.
Abalyon glided a little further away as if wanting to get something, and returned with a balgraf at his side. The beast, which stood a good couple of feet taller than Finley and probably twice as wide was clutching a circular object in one of its big clawed hands. Finley went to grab at his staff but was forced to watch on as another balgraf kicked it away before he could reach it. Watching the wooden stave clatter across the stone floor, Finley turned to see two more balgraf standing behind him.
Abalyon waved his ghost-like hand, and the two hulking beasts grabbed his mother, picking her up off the floor. Each creature held firmly on to one of his mother’s arms, and Finley felt panic taking over. “Place this jewel around your neck Zerus Maldhor and make the link to me, or watch your mother die.
“Finley! Do not put that chain on!” his mother shouted.
Finley looked at her and felt tears welling in his eyes. What else could he do?
Leyna tried to remain strong for her son and not let her emotions get in the way of what needed to be done. Since her meeting with the old dwarf Seer, she had presumed this is what she had meant when she had told her that there will come a time when he will need you. Was this the moment Meldra was referring to? Leyna knew the next few minutes could well determine the fate of the entire world. If her son placed the jewelled necklace around his neck, he would become no more than a tool to the Darkness, Abalyon’s slave.
Taking a deep breath, Leyna spoke calmly. “Finley. I need you to look after Karesh for me. You have the power to be a great man, use that power and get yourself out of here.”
Finley felt horrified by those words. Was his mother suggesting he merely abandon her to die while he turned tail and ran? Surely he could never make such a sacrifice. The purpose had been to come here to rescue her, not sacrifice her so he could escape the hold Abalyon currently had over him.
He turned his head just slightly to look at the swirling misty figure of Abalyon, before looking back at his mother. “I’m sorry,” he said having made his mind up on what he was going to do.
“Finley! No!” She screamed at him. “I am not going to let you put that thing on your neck. You doom us all if you do!”
Finley looked at the balgraf obediently holding the crude looking necklace out for him to take. Just an oversized dog doing its master’s dirty work. Reaching his arm slowly outwards, he turned once more to his mother, “I’m sorry,” he said again. “Sorry if this hurts,” he added quickly forcing every last ounce of power he had outwards.
Finley already knew he did not need his staff to channel magic like other sorcerers did. However, he always held it because it appeared to make things a little easier when he did so. With the staff not being within his reach, he had no alternative other than sending out the magic as he had done at the Barilyn outpost. This time, however, it was not a force of lightning he summoned, but the air of the shaman, a force he had become quite adept at using.
Abalyon, of course, was merely a dark mist and Finley knew that in that form he had no physical presence and could do him no bodily harm. The balgraf around him and more importantly those holding his mother were the problem. Using all his power, he watched as the beasts were caught unaware, surprised by his actions as they were sent flying backwards. Unfortunately, his mother was also amongst those affected by his magic, although he hoped the fact she was bound to the floor might help her.
Not wanting to waste his window of opportunity, he quickly knelt down to his mother, taking the small knife he carried to cut her bonds. Not knowing if she was dead or alive, he did not wait around to check, picking her limp body up in his arms and running towards the exit. With no time to reclaim his staff, he knew any magic now would have to be managed without and the chance to prove he was able to do so was already upon him.
A few of the balgraf who had been guarding the exit to t
he stone steps now converged on him. Finley let out a loud scream as he once more pushed his energy source outwards, emitting from his body an invisible force that sent the creatures of darkness tumbling backwards. With his arms already aching from carrying his mother and his legs already cramping, he pushed on through the pain barrier, knowing that any delay would likely cost him his life.
Each step climbed felt like ten, but he pushed relentlessly upwards into the darkness. Despite hearing the noise of balgraf behind him, he did not stop to check how close they were, knowing that in just a few more moments he would be free. He sensed Arach already awaiting his arrival outside the entrance, and thankful the dragon had reacted so quickly. As Finley emerged out into the cold night air, he heard Arach tell him to step aside, which he did without question.
The dragon, still flapping its wings, arched back its neck and sent forth a stream of fire as the first of the pursuing balgraf reached the top of the steps. The air quickly filled with the stench of burning flesh, as each was instantly turned to flame by the intense heat. Without delay, Arach dropped down a little to allow Finley to drape his mother’s limp body onto his back, before clambering aboard. “Let’s go!” Finley shouted.
Arach pushed upwards, flapping harder now he had the weight of two to carry. “Thankyou,” Finley said puffing and breathing hard, holding on to his mother as the great beast glided away from the imminent danger. “Remember if you die, so do I,” Arach replied, although Finley hadn't even thought about that.
The Sword of Light Page 3
