Dryads rushed from either side to meet the soldiers. Trian watched as a large wolf-like dog lunged at the fighter. The wolfhound bit into the man’s throat, ripping his neck open before unlocking its powerful jaws and jumping at a second fighter. The hound bit this man in the groin, locking its teeth into place and shaking its neck violently as the man screamed and fell to the ground. A sword severed the animal’s head, but not before the dog had done enough damage to where the soldier on the ground would slowly bleed to death.
The dryads sprang from fighter to fighter, taking out many of the larger humans with ease. Men were frustrated as they tried in vain to kill the fairy creatures. Trian knew that there were too many men for the dryads to succeed, but each of the fairies was capable of taking out a good number of men before being felled. They were even capable of killing a few of the trolls that towered over them.
As well as they fought, the dryads paled in comparison to what was happening at the mouth of the cave. Seeing only two fighters guarding the cave, many of the soldiers foolishly charged head long to their deaths. Seebaul used a combination of magic and his spiked staff to dispatch man after man. At his side, Jaylen moved with the grace of a ballerina as he swung his twin swords in a windmill-like fashion, stopping everyone coming his way. Trian had to admire the skill of the old elf. He considered it shameful that this elf would have to die at the hands of humans, when he deserved to be fighting at the head of the army that Trian planned to build, once the Dragon Lords reigned again.
By the time Alister Marlow and Trian reached the cave, they were forced to step over the bodies of many dead men. Jaylen and Seebaul were covered in blood, much of it now coming from their own injuries. Jaylen spotted a troll leaping at him from his side. Clasping his two swords together, the elf swung the blades apart, creating a scissor-like effect that cut into the troll’s neck from both sides, decapitating the vile creature. As it dropped before him, Jaylen watched the last of the dryads fall to her death. The fairies had succeeded in significantly reducing the invader’s numbers, but now it was up to Jaylen and Seebaul alone.
Alister Marlow pushed past two of his soldiers to face Jaylen. Trian recognized the folly of the Supreme Commander’s actions. Marlow succeeded in stabbing Jaylen through the stomach with his sword, but left himself overexposed in the process. Jaylen silently called upon the last of his strength as he pushed his body along Marlow’s blade, before thrusting both of his swords into the man’s chest. Alister Marlow whimpered as he died.
Trian leaped over a pile of bodies, landing beside Seebaul, who was busy fending off another soldier. The Elf Lord struck the man upside the head, cracking his skull open. As the human fell, Trian thrust his sword into Seebaul’s side. The Elf Lord gasped in pain as Trian pulled the sword out of his body. Jaylen turned in time to see what was happening and lunged forward, even though Marlow’s sword was still piercing through his body. Jaylen swung his sword down onto Trian’s right arm, severing it above the wrist. Trian backed away in shock of the injury he had just sustained. His sword fell on the ground at Seebaul’s feet. Trian watched as the fingers of his severed hand wiggled obscenely. He narrowly avoided Jaylen’s second sword thrust. Trian glanced at the stump just below his elbow. The wound was not fatal; he could take many more stabs and cuts without worry. But this was the first time that he had ever lost a body part, and the Dragon Lord felt a moment of fear as a result of this injury. Regaining his composure, Trian called upon his magic to partially shape shift in order to re-grow his missing limb.
Ignoring the open wound in his side, Seebaul struck down another soldier. Seeing what Trian was doing, he called out to Jaylen, “He cannot be killed by normal weapons, unless you behead him and burn the body before he can shift back!”
Jaylen could see a blackish light shimmering around Trian’s body. He rushed forward, swinging both swords at the Dragon Lord’s neck. His right sword struck just above the shoulder, leaving a nasty cut that would have certainly been fatal to anyone other than the dragon. His left sword was stopped by the newly formed hand that now replaced the one Trian had lost. Without time to fully complete the shape shifting, Trian’s hand was that of a dragon. It was covered in black scales. Talons protruded where fingers should have been. After knocking Jaylen’s sword aside, Trian drove his talons into Jaylen’s chest, piercing his heart. Jaylen was dead before his body struck the ground.
Seebaul dropped his staff. He opened his arms wide and spoke words of magic that only Trian could understand. Trian cursed as he felt the magic spell wash over him. He realized too late what Seebaul was doing. The Elf Lord had put himself into a vulnerable position. He was sacrificing his life in order to cast a spell that would weaken Trian.
Seebaul knew dragons well. He had been around them long before the one he now faced had lived. The Elf Lord knew that few dragons had the power to shape shift into other forms. What he also knew was that in doing so, dragons drained much of their energy and became weak. They lost some of their natural protection during the process of changing. When Trian had made the decision to shift, Seebaul understood fully that this was the best moment to strike. He released a binding magic against Trian. It was a spell that would slow him down considerably, and prevent him from rapidly re-shifting back into his dragon form, thereby protecting his companions from having to take on the black dragon in all of his might. Seebaul was aware that in order to cast this spell, he would be completely exposed to Trian’s attack. It did not matter; he was satisfied that his actions would help lead to the overall success of his plans.
Trian was enraged at being caught in the binding spell. Still, it would only slow him down, not stop him. And if Seebaul was willing to sacrifice his life, then who was Trian to deny him that opportunity? Before Seebaul could recover from the use of magic, Trian was upon him, burying his talons into Seebaul’s throat, tearing his jugular vein open.
Before charging into the cave, Trian paused just long enough to watch the last of the Elf Lords die.
Chapter Thirty
Weslocke paced impatiently as children of various ages appeared through the glow of the Dragon’s Gate. “I should be out there with Jaylen.” He spat.
Trevor understood how the dwarf felt. “I agree, but our duty is to protect Megan and Jordan.”
“Bah, Jordan can take care of himself, and by the looks of things, I believe that Megan has found a new protector.” Weslocke was referring to Reldoor, who had not strayed more than a few feet from Megan’s side since all of this had begun. The princess was doing her best to corral the children. It had taken the insistence of both Jordan and Landis to force her to enter the gate before all of the kids had done so.
Two screaming girls ran through the gate, followed almost immediately by Doogal, who had remained outside until everyone had passed through. “Trian is right behind me!” He warned.
Landis dropped to his knees, reading his bow. “Katryn, begin the spell!”
Katryn started weaving the magic that Seebaul had taught her in order to begin the teleportation spell. Natis stepped beside her and held his arms outstretched, offering up words that Seebaul had taught him in order to assist Katryn. Natis called upon the energy of the Dragon Realm, allowing it to flow through his body, and from him to Katryn, so that the energy of this place would combine with Katryn’s to create the magic necessary for this incantation to work. As they conjured together, images began to form within the gateway. Those images became men as four soldiers and Trian ran through the portal. Landis adjusted his aim and released the arrow at the spot where he had anticipated Trian’s entrance into the Dragon Realm. The arrow struck him between the eyes, knocking the Dragon Lord to the ground.
“No more can enter!” Katryn cried out. The blonde woman was sweating profusely, and was visibly shaking while she did her best to control the magic.
“Get them!” Landis yelled.
Doogal was the closest to the enemy soldiers. He spun about to meet them, parrying swords with the nearest fighter. Two of the
men hesitated when they saw that none of their fellows were following.
Reldoor left Megan’s side to join with Weslocke, Jordan and Trevor Kahn. Trian began climbing to his feet, only to howl in agony when a second arrow struck him, this one skewering his left eye. Trian raised his left hand; the one that had not turned into a dragon’s claw. He pointed his finger at Landis as the half-elf was preparing another arrow. As Landis released the arrow, the bow was ripped from his hands by an unseen force. The arrow struck Trian in the left shoulder, causing him to wince. His hand remained outstretched as the ivory bow flew to him. “Let’s see how you fare without a weapon made in the Dragon Realm.”
Seeing an opportunity, Reldoor rushed Trian from behind. He swung his sword, just as Trian moved, causing Reldoor to hit him with the flat of the blade. Trian spun around, and used his dragon claw to strike the teenager in the face, sending him tumbling across the yard, where he landed sprawled out and unconscious.
“Reldoor!” Megan yelled as she began running to the fallen boy. Jordan rushed to grab his daughter to hold her back. “Let me go!” She pleaded.
Trian laughed. “Seebaul may have slowed my ability to change, but he did not stop it. You cannot kill me with normal weapons. Surrender now and I will be merciful with you. Otherwise you will all die a long and excruciating death.”
Remembering the disk in his hand, Seth tossed it to the ground and quickly banged the bottom of the Green Staff against it. A bright light flashed. Seth felt an unseen force pushing at him, causing him to stagger backwards several paces. When the light cleared, Seebaul was standing before him.
Trian glared at the Elf Lord. “Impossible, I watched you die!”
“Your past; my future.” Seebaul spoke.
Natis raised his bandaged hands and shouted a single word that none but Trian recognized. The Dragon Lord was still transfixed on Seebaul and failed to realize what was happening until it was too late. His eyes went wide as he watched the ball of fire that leaped at him from between Natis’ hands. It struck Trian, it exploding into a powerful fireball, knocking the Dragon Lord to the ground, dazed and momentarily blinded.
“Those of you holding the pearls, come to me quickly!” Seebaul insisted.
Seth, Landis, Tessa, and Doogal rushed to him.
“Place the palm of one hand onto the pearl you carry, and your other hand on me.” Seebaul instructed.
When he felt four hands resting upon his body, Seebaul whispered something in the ancient, melodic, tongue of the earliest elves. The four standing around him felt an odd sensation pulsing throughout their bodies.
“It is done.” Seebaul spoke softly. Pointing at Trian, he said, “He is momentarily blinded, now is the time to fight him!”
Natis rejoined Katryn, who appeared pale and week. He placed both of his injured hands upon the weary woman’s shoulders. “You can do it.” The mage assured her before whispering enchanted words that strengthened Katryn.
Trian was slowly rising to his feet. Seeing this, Landis rushed the Dragon Lord. “Get him!” Landis shouted.
Landis drew his sword as he ran. The four pearl bearers surrounded Trian. Seth was holding the Green Staff in his right hand and a short sword in his left. Tessa and Doogal draped the chains holding their pearls around their necks and readied their blades.
“Let’s finish him.” Doogal decreed, thrusting his sword at Trian.
The Dragon Lord was injured and disorientated, but he was still a match for these mortals. He raised his claw, knocking Doogal’s blade aside. He raked his talons across Doogal’s chest, tearing open the half-elf’s tunic and leaving four bloody gashes in his wake. Seth swung his staff, striking Trian in the face. The Dragon Lord staggered backwards, feeling the magic of the green pearl affecting him more than the blow itself had.
It cannot be, Trian thought, sensing the way the magic of the pearls responded to those attacking him, erasing his magical defenses and permitting the blows of these mortals to cause serious, life threatening, injuries. For the first time in his life, Trian felt true fear.
Seth thrust the base of the Green Staff into Trian’s side. He was surprised to see the wood break the skin, causing Trian to flinch in pain. When Trian backed away, Tessa lunged at him from the opposite direction, stabbing him with her sword. The energy from the red pearl transferred through her body and into her weapon, causing Trian to suffer as any normal mortal would from the injury. Doogal was upon him next, thrusting his blade into Trian’s chest.
Trian fell to his knees. He raised his bloodied face defiantly when Landis stepped before him.
“This is for my father.” Landis proclaimed, swinging the Sword of Alexon as he spoke. The blade struck the back of Trian’s neck, severing his head from his torso.
Trian’s headless body shimmered then changed in an instant, reverting back to his original form. The headless black dragon lay motionless in their midst. They could hear frightened children sobbing nearby. The corpses of the four soldiers that had entered through the portal with Trian were scattered about. Seth saw something lying on the ground near the dead dragon. He recognized the clear crystal dragon orb, and the green gemstone that had been taken from Reldoor. He promptly retrieved them both.
“That will fix that problem for good.” Seebaul said with a grin.
“How are you here?” Landis and Seth asked in unison.
“Magic,” Seebaul replied, “I knew that I would not survive, so I sent a part of me a short distance into the future, so I could be here, inside of the Dragon Realm, to do what needed to be done.”
“At least you are alive.” Seth offered.
“No, I am indeed dead,” Seebaul corrected. “You are seeing me as I was earlier today. I will soon dissipate and return to the past, where I will no doubt die.”
Natis did his best to hold Katryn as she dropped to her knees. “We have arrived.” She whispered.
Landis turned to Katryn. “Get everyone out of here!” He ordered.
Trevor and Jordan ran to Katryn’s side, hoisting her between them as they made their way to the exit. Megan, who was helping Reldoor to his feet, called for the children to run back out through the gate. The kids did not have to be told twice.
Megan halted as she passed through the portal with the children. The tunnel before her was filled with skeletal remains of armed men. She returned through the gate to announce her findings.
Seebaul was becoming translucent, which scared the exiting children even more. “Those are probably the men who were inside of the cave when Katryn completed the spell. I told you that you would not survive if you did not enter this realm. It is fortunate that Katryn lived through it with them out there.” Seebaul’s voice became weaker and his body more transparent as he spoke.
Natis saw the black disk that had been used to transport Seebaul—or at least a portion of his being—to them. He knelt down and picked it up. When he stood, the Elf Lord was smiling at him. Seebaul looked fondly to Seth. “Farewell.” He spoke, and then his image began to shimmer and fade. In no time he was gone.
“By the nameless god of the elves.” Seth whispered.
Landis ushered Natis to the portal and sent him out, then he stood alongside of Seth, Doogal, Tessa, and Weslocke, keeping watch in case any beings from the Dragon Realm arrived. When the last of the children had exited, Landis sent the others out, waiting until he was alone in the Dragon Realm. He looked about the place, noticing for the first time that there was nothing but darkness on the horizon. Landis saw no signs of life anywhere. He wondered if anything even lived here anymore. Dismissing the thought, he turned and walked through the gateway.
“I was beginning to think that we had lost you.” Tessa said when she saw Landis coming through the opening between the two worlds.
The half-elf raised his sword and pressed the hilt against the gate. “Let’s close this thing.”
The amber glow began swirling as Seth put the green staff against the gate. Colors formed, mixing about in a circular fashion.
Tessa and Doogal knelt beside each other and put the red and black pearls into place. The light flickered out. The stone beams were once more crisscrossing the lifeless arch. Shadow ran over to stand beside Tessa, licking her face until the Ranger agreed to rub the elven-wolf-hound’s head. “Good girl.” Tessa said to the dog.
“It’s closed.” Landis reassured them before retrieving the Sword of Alexon. When he turned around, he saw Weslocke gingerly stepping through the bones that littered the cave. “Poor bastards.” The dwarf commented.
“Better them than us.” Landis countered.
“Aye, that is true. But nobody deserves to have their flesh dissolved off of their bones this way. It must have been an agonizing death.”
Natis helped Katryn over to Landis. When she fell into his arms, Landis asked, “How are you?” He asked her.
“Exhausted, but we did it.” Katryn kissed him with great passion.
Trevor coughed, “Perhaps we should be going now.”
Landis reluctantly released Katryn. “You are correct.”
Natis was smiling in a way that Landis had never seen from the mage before. “We did it, Landis. We moved part of the Tilsaw forest all the way to Sedau. Those kids are running around outside in a new land. I can feel the magic of the Tilsaw forest out there. We actually did it!”
“Now we have to lock this cave up.” Landis advised.
Natis held the red stone. “Seebaul told me how to do it.”
Landis and Katryn stood before the four Dragon Gates. Landis was still unable to comprehend the fact that when they stepped outside of this cave, that they would be in the Westland. Doogal, Tessa and Seth stood nearby. Shadow sat behind the female Ranger. They watched as Landis took the Sword of Alexon and thrust it, point first, into the ground. “Doogal, Tessa, hang your pearls on the hilt of the sword.” He instructed.
Elf Lords: 02 - Last of the Elf Lords Page 17
