Elf Lords: 02 - Last of the Elf Lords

by Richard Saunders

  Jordan looked to Natis, “Have you heard of such a thing?”

  Natis looked downward, “There have been stories of such things. We have Seekers in the Tower of Lonia too, but we do not kidnap children, although there is truth that some are sold by their parents.”

  “You see why the children fear wizards.” Tessa charged.

  “Think what you will, but studying magic beats the abyss out of performing slave labor.” Natis snapped.

  Landis put an end to the discussion, “Our debating the issue is useless. The sooner we get to Seebaul, the sooner we can return Megan home.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Here it comes again!” Jaylen warned, as the dark object flew over the treetops. It was the third time that they had spotted the form as they forced their horses to gallop through the forest in effort to escape whatever it was that had been chasing after them. Though they could not clearly see it, each of them knew at once what it was circling above them. They felt the fear rush through them. Landis and his friends remembered well their experience with a dragon eighteen years previously. Once one has experienced dragon-fear, there was no forgetting it. For Tessa the memory of being hunted by a dragon was much more recent. They had to struggle to keep the horses under control. Only Shadow—Tessa’s black elven-wolf-hound—displayed no reaction to the mystical beast overhead.

  “I wish Konik was with us!” Weslocke yelled. His fist clenched tightly to Jaylen’s vest, as he held on to the elf while the horse they shared scrambled through the trees.

  “I have wished that for years!” Trevor Kahn agreed, remembering how the giant barbarian had used the red elf-lord pearl to deflect the dragon’s fire and destroy it, at the cost of his own life.

  Tessa remained silent as she led them through the trees. She had detected a ground pursuit, even before Jaylen had pointed it out. They knew not what was behind them, but whatever it was, it did not rest. It had been chasing after them for quite some time before the dragon appeared.

  “The horses cannot keep this up for long!” Landis cautioned.

  “We can’t let them rest now.” Jordan replied, “Isn’t there anything that you can do, Natis?”

  “Not while riding hard and trying to avoid low branches.” The mage returned.

  “Maybe we should stop and prepare to defend ourselves.” Trevor suggested.

  “I would not recommend it.” Tessa finally spoke.

  “The dragon is gone!” Jaylen declared.

  Jordan’s horse stepped into a ditch and tumbled to the ground. The Prince-Regent barely jumped away in time to avoid having the heavy animal roll over him. As it was, he struck a tree and had the breath knocked out of him.

  “Jordan!” Landis gracefully leaped off of his horse and ran to his friend’s side.

  Everyone came to a halt. Jaylen and Tessa climbed down from their horses and went to the fallen animal.

  “I am okay, I think.” Jordan said, as Landis helped him to his feet.

  “The horse has a broken leg.” Tessa announced.

  “That is just great.” Jordan spat.

  “It does not matter!” Trevor yelled, as he jumped down from his horse, readying his sword for battle. “Whatever they are, they are here!”

  Landis left Jordan and retrieved his bow. “How many?”

  “I see only three.” Jaylen observed.

  Weslocke raised his battle axe. “Three, that barely constitutes exercise. We have been running from three adversaries? Have we become frightened old men?”

  The trolls appeared out of the trees behind them. The foul creatures screamed manically as they spotted their prey. Weslocke regretted his previous comments, “Never mind the ramblings of an old fool.”

  “Trolls!” Jaylen warned.

  Weslocke cursed loudly at the elf’s announcement. “Trolls do not die that easily.”

  The elven-wolf-hound raced after the oncoming trolls. “Shadow, no!” Tessa called after the dog.

  Landis fired an arrow, striking the closest of the three beasts. The arrow struck the creature in the chest, barely slowing it down. Before Landis could release a second arrow, the dog lunged at the beast striking it full on and sending both rolling on the ground. Landis adjusted his aim and fired at the second creature.

  The troll wrestling with the dog leaped to its feet, tossing the massive dog aside as it turned to follow his fellow creatures. Shadow rolled to a stop, then scrambled to her feet and began chasing after them.

  Natis stepped forward, holding his hands outstretched as he mumbled something that sounded like gibberish to those around him. He cried out, just as a burst of fire launched from his hands. The fire struck in the midst of the three trolls, setting the nearest one ablaze. All three were pushed back for only a moment before regaining their senses and resuming their hunt. Even the one on fire ran as if it felt no pain.

  Tessa shot an arrow into the burning creature, striking it in the face. This time when it fell, it remained down, its limbs kicking wildly as the fire consumed it.

  “Here goes nothing!” Weslocke yelled as he stepped forward, swinging his axe into the nearest creature. The strike severed the troll’s left arm just above the elbow before burying into the troll’s side. The blow staggered the creature, but did not stop it. The troll knocked Weslocke aside and lunged at Landis. The half-elf met the troll with a thrust to the chest from the Sword of Alexon. The troll stopped dead in its tracks and fell.

  “The sword can kill it!” He called out.

  The third troll jumped upon Natis, wrestling the exhausted mage to the ground. Natis grabbed at its head, trying to hold the wild creature back as it tried to sink his teeth into the wizard. The dog jumped it from behind, grabbing it by the neck with her massive jaws. Landis ran over and swung his sword downward. As if the dog understood what the half-elf was doing, she released her grip and backed away, just as Landis’ sword sliced into the creature in the neck, severing its head from its shoulders.

  “Thank you.” Natis said as he sat up, wiping the blood of the dead creature from his face.

  “Well done, Father!” Trian called out to them. The dragon had landed and shape shifted into his half-elven form.

  Everyone spun about to face the stranger.

  “Very well done, indeed,” Trian complimented, “I was certain that they would have taken some of you down. I am impressed.”

  “Who are you?” Landis asked.

  The man offered a look of disappointment, “Why father, do you not recognize your own son?”

  “What is the meaning of this?” Landis demanded.

  Trian bowed, “Permit me to introduce myself. I am Trian, son of Landis Half-elven, and Triana, the granddaughter of the White Elf Lord.”

  “He is the one who kidnapped Megan.” Jordan said, as he began to rush forward. Weslocke and Trevor held him back.

  “That is impossible.” Landis answered the man who claimed to be his son.

  “Surely you remember your first encounter with my mother,” Trian continued, “how she gave of herself to save your life. It was not so long ago that it would have slipped your mind.”

  “That was not real.” Landis insisted.

  “Oh, it was real all right, it just was not in this dimension. You and mother made love in between your two worlds, and I am the product of that union.”

  “Do not believe him.” Natis warned.

  Landis did not know what to think. “If you are really the son of Triana, then how did you get from the Dragon Realm to this world?”

  “I am the son of both worlds, father. I came here seeking you.”

  “Why did you kidnap my daughter?” Jordan interrupted.

  “Your daughter,” Trian retorted, “she is Landis’ daughter; and my sister. I brought her here in order to get my father to come and reunite our family. Together we can use the Sword of Alexon to free the Eastland from the grip of the Roolemian Empire.”

  Jaylen sidled up beside of his son. “You do not believe him, do you?”

>   Behind them the elven-wolf-hound growled.

  “I do not know what to believe anymore,” Landis answered, “perhaps he is somehow my son, but that would make him Triana’s son as well, and we both know that she was pure evil.”

  Landis sheathed his sword. Trian opened his arms in a show of peace, just as he took Landis’ gesture to be. As Trian began to come forward, Landis reached for his bow.

  “Father, no!” Trian shouted as Landis drew back on an arrow and fired it at him.

  Trian cried out as the arrow pierced his chest. He stumbled several steps backwards as pain tore through him. “You will pay for this!” He bellowed, before rushing into the trees.

  “Let’s get out of here!” Jaylen ordered.

  “The injured horse!” Tessa cried out, “We must put it down first.”

  “We don’t have time, lady!” Jordan informed her.

  As the men scrambled for their horses, Tessa pulled her sword and walked over to the injured horse. She could not permit herself to leave the suffering animal behind. Tessa used the sword to put the animal out of its misery before running to her own horse. She motioned for Jordan to climb onto her horse behind her then led the other riders into the forest in hopes of escaping before Trian could attempt another attack. They had not ridden far when flames launched through the trees from above them. The woods caught fire, causing the horses to panic.

  “Was that magic?” Weslocke yelled.

  Natis did not look back. “Worse, it is dragon’s breath!”

  Flames tore through the forest a second time. Everyone could feel the dragon-fear as the mythical beast flew overhead.

  “We’re going to be burned alive!” Jordan cried out.

  “Keep going!” Tessa ordered, “I know a place where we can hide out.”

  The black dragon broke through the treetops, sending branches flying in all directions. There was no use in attempting to control the horses any longer. The animals reared up and jumped about until everyone but Natis had either been thrown or leaped from their backs. The mage struck his head against a low hanging branch and fell forward as his horse began to run through the forest with the dragon in pursuit.

  “Natis!” Landis cried out, as he watched the dragon catch up to the mage. The dragon grabbed Natis with one taloned foot and lifted him into the sky.

  “Come on!” Tessa yelled.

  They followed the Ranger into the brush as the fire grew behind them. She led them down a sloping hillside, steep enough that—other than the dog—only the sure footed Jaylen, Landis and Tessa were able to stay on their feet. The others stumbled and fell, rolling to the bottom of the hill.

  “We have to keep moving!” Tessa warned, as they reached the bottom.

  Jaylen could hear the dragon’s wings flapping in the distance. “It’s coming this way!”

  Something caught Landis’ eye. He looked ahead and saw a dryad standing amidst the trees. The frail looking female fairy creature was pointing to something off to her left. He turned to look in the direction that she was motioning and gasped at what he saw. A greenish light was gleaming in a small thicket. Standing in the midst of that light was Katryn; the fairy bread, former druid that he had fallen in love with years ago, who had left with Seebaul following their victory over Twaller Oakleaf and those who had attempted to open the Gate of the Dragon beneath Sedau. Landis had failed for years to locate Katryn; now here she was, appearing as unexpectedly as she had disappeared.

  “This way!” Katryn called.

  Landis pointed to the slender, blonde haired female.

  “I do not believe it.” Weslocke muttered.

  “What are we waiting for?” Jaylen asked, as he grabbed his son by the arm, pulling him towards Katryn.

  “Hurry!” Katryn called out as they ran towards her. Everyone rushed to where Katryn waited. She motioned for them to step inside the odd green light that shimmered amidst the trees. Once everyone was inside, she cried out, “Drop to your knees.”

  Landis could not stop staring at Katryn.

  “That means you too, Landis.” She spoke.

  Landis realized that he and Katryn were the only ones still standing. He quickly fell to his knees. Katryn raised her right hand to grasp a small green stone that hung about her neck by a thin chord. She whispered a single word and the greenish canopy of light that surrounded them began swirling. The light, mist, or whatever it was, appeared to be swallowed up by the stone. Then everything became blurry. The companions’ ears were ringing and nausea overcame them as the forest began to spin about the spot where they knelt. When everything stopped spinning, they were once more kneeling in the midst of the magical green light. A pair of dryads now stood on either side of Katryn. Landis shook his head, unable to guess where they had come from.

  “Where in the abyss are we?” Weslocke asked. The dwarf was on his hands and knees, trying to regain his senses. One of the dryads gasped at Weslocke’s misguided comments. “Do not say such a thing.” She spoke in a soft, melodic voice.

  “He does not mean to insult us.” Katryn spoke, as she released the green stone, allowing it to fall against her chest. “You are safe now.” She addressed the companions.

  “Tell that to my stomach.” Weslocke bemoaned, “First sea-sickness, then dragon-sickness, and now, whatever the abyss you call this. I am getting too old for all this.”

  “Where…” Landis began.

  Katryn interrupted him, “We are on the other side of the Tilsaw, just outside of Seebaul’s sanctuary.”

  “That is not what I was asking,”Landis corrected her, “where have you been all these years, and why did you leave me?”

  “I had to.” Katryn answered.

  “Is Seebaul here?” Jaylen asked.

  “I do not know,” she answered. “I was called by the dryads when the dragon appeared. That is why I came to get you. This is the only place that I can take you to. You must go now.”

  The light vanished. Landis continued to glare at Katryn while the others looked about at their new surroundings.

  “Come with me.” Tessa insisted, pointing the way towards the Elf Lord’s encampment.

  Katryn offered a smile to Landis. “Fear not, you will see me again.”

  Landis stepped closer to her, prompting Katryn to raise her hand to ward him off. “Not now, Landis. I really must go with my sisters. You must go to Seebaul.”

  “She is correct.” Jordan spoke up.

  Landis faced the prince, “I know she is, damn it.” He turned back to Katryn, only to find that she had vanished, along with the two dryads. “How?”

  “We must go now!” Tessa insisted.

  Shadow led the way as they began stomping through the forest. The sound of children’s voices could be heard as they walked. Shadow burst through the brush as the compound came into view. Several small children cried out in delight as the elven-wolf-hound bounded into their midst, frolicking and licking the children who gathered about the fierce looking animal without fear. The children ignored Tessa and the others as they stepped into the clearing, until Weslocke came into view. The dwarf became the instant object of infatuation for the children, who had never seen anyone like him before. They marveled at the appearance of the Westland creature with his long, thick beard and rushed to greet him. Weslocke, who had bravely stood against many life threatening dangers during his lifetime, looked absolutely terrified by the youths surrounding him.

  “What is this place?” Landis asked Tessa.

  The Ranger patted one of the smaller children on the head, “This is Seebaul’s sanctuary. A place of safety for orphaned children, who would otherwise be enslaved by the Warlord.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  McRawl used his hand to wipe the water off of the black crystal orb. Even through the hard rain slapping against the crystal, he could see the seething anger in Trian’s face as he spoke. “I have turned the mage over to Kataard. If he knows anything of where Landis is taking the sword, Kataard will get it out of him.

&nb
sp; “What progress have you made in your task?”

  “This rain has apparently slowed Kadoola’s progress,” McRawl answered, “but everything is in place. He should be arriving here within the hour.”

  “Good, at least we will be rid of the heart of the Libertines. That will clear the way for Alister to make his claim to lead both factions of the rebellion. The arrows should help throw the blame on Landis, tying Alexon to the Empire, and giving all the more reason for a united effort.”

  “I would think that you would want nothing to do with any more of the half-elf’s arrows.” McRawl commented.

  Trian rubbed his chest. “I have never experienced such pain before. It is a good thing that my organs do not necessarily position themselves in the same place as you mortals when I shape shift, otherwise that last arrow would have pierced my heart, no doubt killing me. Imagine that, a dragon killed by a common arrow. I knew that his ivory colored bow was powerful, but it must be even stronger when used near the white pearl. Even though I survived, it slowed my ability to shift back, giving them time to escape.”

  McRawl could not comprehend anything being powerful enough to harm Trian.

  “Enough babble,” The Warlord continued, “I have other matters to deal with. Contact me as soon as Kadoola is dead.”

  The light in the orb vanished. McRawl carefully placed the ball back into his black cloth bag before slipping it into a pouch on his belt. He looked out over the rooftop, where he crouched in the pouring rain. From here he had a perfect view of the town. His scouts had informed him that Kadoola would be traveling this way, and would no doubt seek shelter here before moving on to the summit with Alister Marlow in Ducaine the following day. Off to his right, his archer would be well concealed, waiting for Kadoola to be identified. The troll squatted in the corner, oblivious to the falling rain. Despite the wizard’s assurance that the beast would be of no danger to him, McRawl remained uncomfortable in its presence.