Once the wording had been settled upon, and two copies drawn up, the General, Prince-Regent, and Princess signed them both.
All Landis had wanted to do inside the tavern was to ask questions about Katryn, and to meet the young woman who, he had so recently learned, was his daughter. Knowing that it was not the appropriate time for either line of questioning, he held his tongue dutifully. Once they were outside of the tavern he could hold back no longer. “Is anyone going to introduce me to Megan?”
Jordan took his daughter by the hand. “Megan, it is my honor to introduce you to your true father.”
Megan looked at Landis, taking in the image of the man she had always dreamed of meeting. “I do not know what to say.” She wanted to hug Landis, but at the same time she did not want to do anything that might appear to make Jordan—the man she knew and loved as her father—feel disrespected.
Landis smiled at her, “I understand. It came as quite a shock to me too.”
Jaylen stepped forward and placed both of his hands on Megan’s shoulders, “By the one true God of the elves, you are beautiful, child. I can see Landis’ mother in you.”
“Thank you.” Megan blushed
Seebaul giggled like a child, “You have another surprise, Landis.”
The half-elf tore his eyes away from Megan to look at the Elf Lord. “What is that?”
Seebaul motioned to Seth. “Meet your son.”
Landis’ eyes went wide.
“Seth is the son of you and Katryn.” Seebaul continued.
Landis was speechless. This was all too much for him to take in. Jaylen slapped his son across the back. “You have made me a grandfather twice and did not even know it!”
“You are Katryn’s son?” Landis spoke softly.
“I am,” Seth answered, “I am happy to finally meet you.”
Landis shook his head. “This is overwhelming. First I learn that Megan is my daughter, now I find out that I have a son with Katryn, and in addition to that, some damned Warlord claims that he is the son I had with Triana.”
Seebaul rested his hand on Landis’ shoulder. “These two are indeed your children, but not Trian. I know what you experienced with my brother’s granddaughter in your vision. That was nothing but an illusion, Landis. Trust me on that. Trian is not your son. He made that claim in an effort to try to trick you into handing over the Sword of Alexon to him. Even the name is false, chosen as part of the charade. He is a shape shifter; in fact, he is much more. The dragon that you saw was not with Trian; it was Trian.”
“Trian is a dragon?” Landis spat.
Seebaul nodded, “A black dragon who seeks to reclaim the power of the Dragon Lords. I cannot permit that to happen.”
“Thank God!” Landis blurted out, “I am honored to have these two as children, but I could not bear the thought of that blasted Warlord being mine too.” Thinking of Seth’s mother, he asked, “Where is Katryn? She vanished after rescuing us.”
“Mother cannot leave the protection of the magical forest without risking death.” Seth spoke up.
Seebaul began the explanation. “As you learned in Sedau, Katryn is a fairy mix. She is the daughter of a dryad and another magical creature. I do not know how it happened, but it did. Dryads were created with a limited ability to mate and procreate. Somehow Katryn’s mother was an exception to the rule. That resulted in Katryn. You wondered why she was such a talented druid. It is because the forest is a part of her being. She is a healer of nature. When you and Katryn were together, she became pregnant. This resulted in something that should have been impossible; she gave birth to a son.
“Dryads can only give birth to daughters. In all the eons since I created them, not once has one given birth to a son. You and Katryn changed that. I believe that it was due to a combination of Katryn’s exceptional birthright and the magic of the Sword of Alexon, more accurately, the White Pearl in the sword. This combined magic led to the birth of Seth. The White Pearl gave Seth magical abilities just as it did Megan, for her mother possessed the sword when she became pregnant with the princess.
“After Seth’s birth, Katryn began to grow weak. That is something else that she inherited from her dryad mother. Dryads can only live long enough to raise their daughters before dying. Normally that is a matter of months. In Katryn’s case, since she was not fully dryad, it took her many years to grow, just as it does for any human or mixed-breed child. That is why her mother had to leave her in the village where you found her.
“Katryn is not dying as quickly as her sister dryads would under the same circumstance, but she is dying. I discovered that the magic of the Tilsaw helps to slow that process. I used the magic of the green pearl to create a place of refuge for elves in the Tilsaw centuries ago. That magic helped to protect the elves and the forest. When the Delowe’ chose to migrate south, they left that protection. Oh, a few still remain, but mostly the forest is a haven for dryads and other special creatures. No mortal can pass through without being effected. So I chose the Tilsaw as a place to relocate and hide the Dragon Gates and the Pearls of the Elf Lords. Katryn helped me, and in so doing, we discovered that she ages as a normal human while in the magic of the forest. So that is where she lives, and where she must remain, if she is to stay alive for any length of time. As it is, she may only be able to survive a few more of our years.”
Weslocke saw the look of disappointment in Landis’ face. “I am sorry, lad.”
The half-elf pulled himself together. “It is what it is; at least I have found her, and two children that I did not know existed. Once we have finished here, and have made arrangements to get Megan and Jordan home safely, then I can stay with Katryn for whatever time she has remaining.”
“We must take care of Trian and Marlow first.” Seebaul declared.
Trevor spoke up, “About that, why did you reject any help from Kadoola?”
Seebaul looked from face to face before answering, “The General needs to get away from here before Trian can attempt to kill him again. He is the best chance that the Eastland has for abolishing the Slavers Guild, and I will not put his life at risk against a dragon.”
Jaylen asked, “How do you propose to get rid of a dragon?”
“Slay it,” Seebaul replied, “I cannot permit Trian to continue to wreak havoc. Even if the Lardashens fail, he will continue his quest to find the pearls and the Dragon Gates. I must set a trap for him. With Trian dead, Marlow will fall.”
“You can count me in.” Landis offered. Seeing the concerned look on Megan’s face he added, “I plan on remaining in the Eastland with Katryn. We may not have much time together, but it will be even less if Trian is alive.”
Jaylen nodded, “I will stay and fight with you and the Elf Lord.”
Weslocke patted the head of his axe, “I say that the two of you are fools, but I will not abandon you now. Count me in.”
“Just how are we going to kill a dragon?” Doogal asked.
Trevor Kahn pointed to the sheathed Sword of Alexon, hanging from Landis’ belt. “The white pearl in the hilt of that sword is one of the Pearls of the Elf Lords. I saw a friend slay a dragon with another pearl once.”
“At the cost of his life.” Weslocke reminded the Sword-Master.
Seebaul intervened, “The sword is powerful enough to kill Trian. But I admit that there is a risk. However, if we catch the dragon by surprise, then we could use the white bow, the sword, and my staff, to slay him.”
“Then we should ride for Ducaine.” Seth suggested, “We can kill Marlow too.”
Trevor objected, “Hold on a minute. Our first duty is to return Megan and Jordan to safety.”
“I agree about Megan.” Jordan responded.
The Sword-Master of Alexon would not give up easily on the matter, “You are the Prince-Regent. Not only do we need to keep you and your daughter safe, we cannot allow you to be part of an assassination attempt within the boundaries of another kingdom.”
“Trevor is right.” Landis added.
> “Reldoor can take them back to the Sanctuary.” Seth offered.
Reldoor objected, “I want to stay and fight.”
“There will be plenty of time for fighting later in life,” Seebaul told the young man, “tonight you have a greater responsibility. You need to protect the Prince-Regent, and Princess of Alexon, and deliver them safely to the Sanctuary.”
Reldoor was not pleased with the decision, but he already knew better than to argue with the Elf Lord. “Very well.”
Seebaul grinned, “Good, you will lead Megan and Jordan northwest until you reach the forked trail by Kindle Creek. Take the north fork. You will recognize the path leading up into the mountains when you see it.”
Seebaul reached into one of the pouches hanging at his waist and removed a small gemstone. Moonlight flickered off the polished green jewel as he gingerly tossed it to Reldoor. The young man gracefully snatched it out of the air. “I should be able to find my way back home without this.” He said.
“Perhaps,” Seebaul began, “but you might find it more difficult, as I have instructed the guardians to increase the enchantments protecting the Tilsaw, due to the current circumstances. With Jordan and Megan present, you just might end up wandering aimlessly for days without one of those charms. I certainly do not intend to lose the princess so soon after her rescue.”
Reldoor slipped the gem into the pocket of his tunic. “I will lead them there as quickly as possible.”
“I do not like this.” Jordan spat. “You may need my sword in Ducaine.”
“And Megan may need you and your sword to get home.” Landis reminded the Prince-Regent.
Jordan could not argue that valid point. “Come on, Megan.”
Megan dropped from her horse and ran to Landis. She leaped up to him, embracing the half-elf. “Thank you for coming to rescue me.”
Landis squeezed his arms around his daughter. “A legion of dragons could not have stopped me from finding you.”
Megan kissed his cheek before dropping to the ground. After climbing back into her saddle, she spoke to everyone, “You all have my deepest gratitude for everything that you have done to save me.”
Everyone watched in silence as Reldoor led Jordan and Megan up the road leading to Kindle Creek. When they had disappeared into the darkness, Weslocke spoke. “Perhaps she should wait until she is out of the Westland before she thanks us.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Reldoor and Megan rode side by side as Jordan stayed slightly behind them, in order to watch for signs of pursuit. Reldoor kept watch in the darkness ahead. No one spoke a word as they traveled onward. Soon they could hear the trickling water of Kindle Creek as the rain swelled stream flowed rapidly southward. Before reaching the water, they found the forked trail leading off of the road, just as Seebaul had instructed.
“This way.” Reldoor pointed north.
Jordan motioned for Megan to ride behind Reldoor as they entered the narrow path. “How far?” He asked Reldoor.
Reldoor shrugged his shoulders, “I am not certain. I have not come this way before. But I know the trail that Seebaul spoke of. I will definitely not miss it. Once in the Tilsaw, things may appear disorienting at times, but I assure you that the charm that Seebaul gave me will enable us to navigate the forest with ease.”
They rode onward, listening to the distant sounds of the woodlands as they traveled. Jordan was thankful for the wetness of the ground that dampened the sounds of their horses as they trampled along.
Reldoor was the first to hear the snapping twig coming from their right. He turned to look in time to see two figures rising up out of the darkness. “We have company!” He warned.
Jordan reached for his sword.
“Halt!” A voice cried out from ahead of them.
Two men appeared from behind the trees in front of them. A third man arose from their left. Jordan counted four crossbows pointed in their direction. They were covered on three sides, and retreat to the rear seemed doubtful.
“Who are you?” The man ahead of them asked.
“Travelers.” Jordan answered.
“You pick a strange path to travel,” the man suggested. “One usually traversed only by those opposing the Lardashens. Perhaps you are in league with the elf that keeps stealing our slaves.”
“I know of no such elf.” Jordan lied. He moved his horse forward, and past Megan’s, in hopes of protecting his daughter.
“Throw down your weapons and get down from your horses.” Came the expected order.
“What do we do?” Megan asked.
“Under the circumstances, I think we had better do as they say.” Jordan replied.
“I will not permit you to be taken by them again.” Reldoor insisted.
Megan whispered to her new friend, “Reldoor, do not do anything stupid. They will probably take us to the same place that the others are going, anyway.”
The patrol leader was becoming impatient. “Throw down your weapons and dismount or we will shoot you off of your horses!”
Jordan tossed his sword to the ground. “Hold your fire, we will do as you say.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Natis’ back and legs ached. He stood with his arms stretched out their full length. His hands rested—palms down—on two shoulder high wooden pillars. A spike had been pounded through the back of each hand to keep them in place. The mage was unable to do anything other than stand. If he so much as bent his knees, his body weight would pull on his hands. Not only would the agony be great, but it would risk causing the spike to rip through the bones and flesh of his hands, tearing them apart. He had no choice but to stand, as he had been doing for longer than he could recall. The mage wondered just how long he could remain standing before his legs gave out and he would forever loose the use of his hands. Not that it seemed to matter, for he would probably die soon afterwards anyway.
The pale-skinned elf wizard taunted Natis with promises of a quick death, if he would only answer the questions asked of him. Natis could not speak—the gag in his mouth assured that—but the elf did not need to hear words. He had the ability to read Natis’ mind. The mage used every bit of his abilities to mask his thoughts, but as his mind and body tired his, defenses were weakening. Fortunately, he did not know the one thing that the wizard desired most; the location of Seebaul and the Pearls of the Elf Lords.
Without the use of his hands or mouth, Natis was unable to use magic. He was at the mercy of this demented elf who tortured his flesh in hopes of finding an answer that Natis could not give. Kataard licked his lips with his forked tongue before making his next threat. “I will pluck out your eyes if you do not tell me where to find Seebaul.”
The rook mimicked its master from its perch in the corner, “Find Seebaul; find Seebaul.”
Natis no longer attempted to explain that he could not answer the questions, even if he wanted to. He just prayed that the elf would kill him and get it over with.
The door to the chamber creaked open. A young man wearing a brown robe cautiously entered the room. “Master Kataard.”
Kataard was not pleased by the interruption. “What is it Torla?”
“The Supreme Commander has sent you more prisoners.” Torla responded.
Kataard turned away from Natis. “Does Marlow believe me to be his new prison warden?”
“These three are special. The escaped princess is among them. I was told that he desires you to interrogate them, in hopes of learning how to find Seebaul.”
At the mention of the Elf Lord’s name, the rook flapped its wings and repeated, “Find Seebaul, find Seebaul.”
“Then by all means, bring them in.” Kataard allowed.
Torla opened the door wider and motioned for the guards. Six men shoved Jordan, Megan and Reldoor into the room. All three had their wrists shackled together. Jordan lunged at one of the guards, who he observed taking the liberty of fondling Megan’s breasts, as she was dragged into the room. The Prince-Regent received a solid punch to the jaw for hi
s efforts.
Torla handed Kataard the key to the shackles as he passed on more information concerning the prisoners who were being deposited into the wizard’s chambers. “The man is apparently the princess’ father. Commander Marlow is hoping that you can learn how he reached Ducaine so quickly, or where his compatriots are.”
“Were any restrictions as to my methods of interrogation given?” Kataard asked.
“None,” Torla answered, “all the Supreme Commander requires is results.”
Kataard’s tongue slithered between his lips in anticipation of what he was going to do to these three prisoners.
“Have you any need for my assistance?” Torla stared at Megan as he made his request to the wizard.
“Not at the moment.” Kataard replied. Seeing the obvious desires in Torla’s eyes, he added, “Perhaps I will let you play with the princess later, if it suits my purpose.”
Jordan had to force himself to remain silent at the obvious taunt. Torla bid farewell to the wizard before backing out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Jordan looked at Natis with concern. It was obvious that the mage had suffered badly at the hands of this wizard. Natis looked at Megan and Jordan with sorrow filled eyes, not for his own predicament, but for what he knew was about to happen to them.
Kataard grabbed Megan and dragged her over to a post, where he fastened a chain to her shackles, ensuring that she could not escape. He then shoved Jordan to another wall post and secured him in the same manner. When he grabbed Reldoor, the young man resisted with every ounce of his being as the elf wrestled him to a table against the wall. Reldoor did his best to fight the elf, using his bound hands to push and punch at Kataard. Kataard was enraged at the defiant behavior being exhibited by this puny human. He reached over to a box of working tools resting on the counter next to the table. He grabbed a metal pry bar and began striking Reldoor across the back as the boy attempted to escape. He struck Reldoor in the back of the head, causing him to stumble and fall. Kataard followed after him, beating him two more times across the back and neck before realizing that Reldoor was unconscious.
Elf Lords: 02 - Last of the Elf Lords Page 13
