Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn

by Paul Francois

  CHAPTER 35: Separate Ways

  The Nephilim crept up to the carcass of the dragon. She peered at Megildur and Gaal, “Is it dead?” She took her finger and poked the enormous drake’s tail, holding her breath that it did not respond. She slowly backed away just in case resurrection was one of its abilities. “You know, just to be certain.”

  Megildur laughed, “Well I am not checking for a heartbeat. Let’s just collect what we came for and get back through the portal.”

  “So, we completed our quest?” Gaal asked. “We’re finished?”

  “Well we retrieved Shadowbane as the All-Father commanded,” Megildur replied, walking over to the dragon and yanking the mighty sword from its corpse. “But I’m certain we’re not done. Let’s get back and see how the Gwaridorn Elves faired against the undead army, they may require our assistance.”

  Before reaching the mystical entry, Megildur turned back to see the dragon’s carcass had vanished. This not only puzzled him, but distressed him as well. Did the dragon regain consciousness and slither away? Maybe he just respawned? He did not want to tell the others. He was trying to hurry his friends along without alarming anyone to the dragon’s disappearance.

  Megildur guided his friends through first. When he went through his companions were waiting inside Ithriana’s Keep. To their surprise, the main room where they engaged the Lich Queen was still empty. Weapons at the ready, they remained alert for any unexpected confrontation.

  “Let’s get outside,” Megildur insisted. He did not want to have another encounter with the undead queen. Honoria and Gaal made it through the doorway before the door slammed shut behind them, trapping Megildur inside. The temperature of the air plummeted and the Aelfborn could see his breath. Creaking emanated from every corner of the room, as if the building was breathing.

  A sinister voice crawled down Megildur’s spine, “Did you really think this was over, boy?” He heard Ithriana’s voice, but she lacked physical form. “I have died many times before, but I am still here. Death does not want me, only misery.”

  Megildur’s voice crackled, “I defeated you once, I can do it again. And this time I possess Shadowbane, the weapon that vanquished the Terror of Terrors!”

  With an ominous laugh she bellowed, “You fool! Do you believe that you destroyed Kryquo'khalin? He’s older than I am and survived attacks from more worthy opponents than you!”

  “I am not afraid of you!” Megildur replied. He was trying to control his emotions. By this time, he wielded Shadowbane and was ready for anything, he hoped.

  Ithriana chuckled, “You reek of fear boy! Do not be afraid, I need my beauty sleep before I disembowel you and hang your entrails on my wall. You may leave, for now.”

  Megildur leaving her in a weakened state from their first brawl, reached for the door exiting her Keep. Megildur’s friends barged in, weapons drawn.

  “Megildur, are you alright?” Honoria asked. “What happened with the door closing?”

  Megildur snarled, “Just a goodbye wish from Ithriana. We should get far away from her Keep, before she regains her full strength.” The Aelfborn was trying to remain calm, but that encounter chilled him to the bone, literally.

  The three travelers made their way outside and into an ongoing battle between the Gwaridorn Elves, his mother’s tribe, and the undead army. It did not appear that the Elves were doing well, so Megildur decided to end this. With Shadowbane still in hand, he walked to the edge of the skirmish and thrust the ancient sword into the sky. The clouds parted, allowing the sunlight to burst down upon him, and reflected on the dark blade. Instead of absorbing the light, as you would expect anything black to do, it caused the blade to emit shadows in every direction. However, instead of evil lurking and thriving in these shadows the undead army met fear and dread. These soulless creatures did not rejoice in Shadowbane’s reflections but instead absconded for the safety of the Keep. This was the first time in over a hundred years anyone in Aerynth had seen the last sword forged by Thurin. Silence fell upon the remaining Elven armies, but one word emanated from everyone’s lips…“Shadowbane!”

  Vanya sighed, approaching her son, “You retrieved Shadowbane?” She embraced her son, after he lowered the weapon. “Thank you for saving us from those creatures. I am not sure how much longer we would have lasted. Are you injured?” The Elven Princess motioned for her healers to attend to Gaal and Honoria, who both looked a bit ragged.

  “I am fine,” Megildur replied. He pulled his mother aside and whispered, “Thanks to you and your army. That was just the distraction I needed.”

  Vanya proudly responded, “Son, you are the heir to Cambruin and rightful successor to his throne in Mellissar. You have rule over the Kingdoms of Men and allegiances from many races in Aerynth.”

  “Mellissar?” Megildur inquired. “You mean New Mellissar, right?”

  “No, I am referring to the High Kingdom Cambruin formed. Mellissar became the capital, reuniting the Kingdoms of Men,” Vanya educated her son. This was all new to him since Vanya and Aedan kept the truth of their noble heritage from Megildur and Aranel. “I think a familiar tutor might be able to explain this better than I can. He did live during the time of Cambruin, after all.” Vanya looked past Megildur to another person approaching behind her son.

  “Zeristan!” Megildur remarked. He met the old Wizard and embraced him. This lasted a moment until he realized his mother’s entire army was staring at the new High King. “Uh, I am glad to see you.” The Aelfborn regained his composure and gave Zeristan a slight grin. “So what kept you from assisting us this entire time? We could have used the most powerful Wizard in all of Aerynth.”

  “I suspect the All-Father would not have approved my helping with the quest He set you out upon,” Zeristan replied. “And besides, I had to prepare for your arrival once you retrieved Shadowbane.”

  “How did you know I would succeed?” Megildur asked the wise mage.

  “I never doubted your chance for success,” he grinned at the Aelfborn champion. “Now, let’s get you back to Mellissar for your coronation.”

  Honoria pleaded, “Megildur, wait! What are we going to do about Scyleia? We cannot leave her in that awful place after all she has done for us.”

  “She is right,” Vanya interjected. “We would not have known you needed help on Oblivion, if not for Honoria and Scyleia. They sent the request for assistance along the Bard’s network.”

  Megildur looked puzzled, “Request for assistance?” He turned to Honoria and stared.

  “It was actually Scyleia’s idea,” Honoria commented. “Remember on Stormvald when we chanted with the Bard’s network? It was then out in the tundra that we asked for help. If she did not think of asking, we would not have made it past the undead army.”

  “Honoria is correct,” Megildur replied. “So here’s what we will do. Mother, take Honoria and your army to Fort Irsadeng to rescue Scyleia.”

  “It would honor us,” Vanya replied. She smiled at Honoria, who was happy to hear this.

  Megildur continued. “Meanwhile, Zeristan, Gaal, and I need to gather a few friends and head to the desert. I also have someone I wish to save.” He grinned at Zeristan. The Wizard knew exactly whom the Aelfborn referred to, Zabrina. Gaal, on the other hand, looked disgusted with the idea of traveling to the desert, but he did promise to repay Megildur in exchange for saving his life. Megildur turned to address all who were present. “We will meet in Mellissar, after saving a few friends, and rejoice in the new age of peace!” He thrusted Shadowbane into the air and the crowd cheered. The cheering died down. He turned to Honoria and placed a dagger in her hands. “You might need this.” The Bard looked down to see she had just received the Morloch's Betrayer of Truth Thurin had given Megildur in Korvambar.

  “Thank you, M’Lord,” Honoria responded. “We will meet you in Mellissar once we rescue Scyleia.” She looked concerned for the Aelfborn Lord. “You are going to the desert to save Zabrina?” Megildur nodded. “Be careful, the Temple of t
he Cleansing Flame is powerful. I doubt they will release her willingly.”

  Megildur chuckled, “Oh I know they will not, that’s why I am picking up some help along the way.” Megildur laid a comforting hand on Honoria’s shoulder. “You save Scyleia and we will meet in Mellissar. Good luck.” Honoria worried about where Megildur was going, but knew he could handle himself by now.

  Vanya had her Wizards started recalling the Elven army back to the Oblivion runegate, Honoria followed. They would have to travel through a few runegates to reach one on the mainland and then open a portal closer to the Amazon safehold. Megildur, Zeristan, and Gaal followed the Elven army to the runegate on the mainland, but Zeristan opened a separate runegate portal once Honoria, Vanya, and her army had made it through to their destination. The wise Wizard did not want to confuse anyone on which portal to use.

  “Where are we going?” Gaal asked. “I thought we were going to the desert?”

  “We are, but first we need to gather some old friends along the way,” Megildur replied. “The Temple of the Cleansing Flame is not going to just hand over Zabrina without a fight.”

  Gaal gasped, “Those religious nuts? Oh man, I should have gone with Honoria!”

  “Do not worry, pale one,” Zeristan replied, stepping off the last runegate and applying the spell for fast travel on all of their boots. “Megildur has a plan.”

  The Shade rolled his eyes but continued with Megildur and Zeristan. He hoped this plan did not involve him dying since he still had no desirable home to return to. With that thought, Gaal remained steadfast in continuing his allegiance to the new High King.

  CHAPTER 36: Saving Scyleia

  Off the runegate, Honoria, Vanya, and her army turned toward Fort Irsadeng. They made good time since they did not travel with siege weapons or servants. All who traveled with Honoria and Vanya were fighters, rogues, mages, and healers. They did not plan to overthrow the Amazon safehold; they just wanted to secure a friend’s safety.

  Their hastened pace made for a quicker return to the Amazon safehold. Allowing them to return within a day and arrive under the cover of darkness. Vanya divided her army into five factions, one for each corner of the safehold and her group. Several Scouts, Assassins, and one Bard, Honoria, comprised Vanya’s unit. Once the four support groups were in place around the outer perimeter, Vanya moved her group forward.

  She advanced on the weakest point where she thought there would be fewer Warriors on guard. The Elven Princess spied a guard along the wall that detected her presence, so she seized her bow and released a single arrow. The guard dropped before alerting the rest of the safehold. However, Vanya knew it would not be long before the guard respawned, alerting the others. She pushed her way through a small opening in the perimeter fence and the rest of her group followed. Honoria guided them the rest of the way toward the holding cells where Scyleia would be. They reached the outer wall of the prisoner barracks. Honoria could hear voices inside. She stopped the group and listened for her friend. From the voices she heard, it sounded like the brute who bullied Honoria and her friends last time was now torturing Scyleia.

  The brute bellowed, “You little wench, did you think I was finished with you? The beating I gave you earlier will not compare to what I will do to you tonight. Before you are about to die, I will bring in a Priestess and have her heal you again.”

  Scyleia murmured with what breath she had left, “Have you not tired of beating me yet?”

  The Half Giant laughed, “I can do this all night!” Honoria could hear the brute smack Scyleia and her friend wince from the pain.

  Honoria heard enough. She transformed into her Nephilim form for additional strength, threw on her invisibility cloak, and crept past the first door into the building. She could see where they held Scyleia. The Amazons shackled her friend to the wall, and it looked like she had been there for some time. Honoria moved into position behind the brute and unsheathed the Morloch's Betrayer of Truth that Megildur had given her.

  The brute taunted Scyleia, clenching her massive fists, “Are you ready for more?”

  Honoria bellowed, “Yes, I am!” She plunged the dagger into the back of the Half Giant with all her might.

  A bright light, from the weapon’s power, filled the room. Blood flowed out of the gapping gash along with a horrific howl from the Half Giant. The brute turned around with what life force she could gather and reached for the Nephilim. Grabbing her by the horns atop of her head, she forced the Nephilim’s head back, attempting to bash her brains into the wall.

  Vanya stepped inside the doorway with her bow aimed at the brute.

  “No!” Honoria screamed out. “This bitch is mine!”

  The Nephilim reached around to pull the dagger from the back of the Half Giant and plunged it into the brute’s chest, ensuring her death. The Morloch's Betrayer of Truth held true to its reputation in vanquishing evil. Honoria tasted vengeance.

  Vanya bellowed, “Grab your friend and let’s get out of here! That brute will alert the others upon return!”

  Honoria reclaimed her dagger and proceeded to free Scyleia from her shackles. Scyleia gasped, “You, you came for me?” She was half-alive and severely beaten. Honoria felt it would have been more humane if the Half Giant had killed her and ended her suffering.

  “I told you I would,” Honoria replied with a smile. She used a set of keys she found on the waist of the lifeless brute to unlock the shackles. Scyleia fell into her arms, unable to stand on her own. Honoria moved out of the building, assisting Scyleia, although they did not make it far before turmoil erupted.

  A shout pierced the night air, “Intruders!” The alert came from the guard Vanya eliminated earlier.

  They all knew this was no longer a mission of stealth but one of survival. Arrows and spells began flying from each of the four corners of the safehold. It was the Elven army trying to cover Vanya and her group. Fleeing was the only option since they knew they could not stay and fight. If, and when, an Elf kills an Amazon, the Amazon member respawns at this safehold. The Elven army was not so fortunate. They would respawn a half a world away. The Elves would all perish if this battle continued.

  One of Vanya’s Scouts ran ahead to secure the opening they came through earlier, but was unsuccessful. Some commotion radiated from that general direction. The Scout flew out from the darkness and landed on the ground. They could then see who the instigator of the scuffle was, the Half Giant. The same brute they vanquished in the prison cell earlier.

  The brute laughed, “Did you fools think you could just walk in undetected and then leave without a fight?”

  “No, but there are always other ways out,” Vanya replied, motioning to one of her mages on a nearby corner of the safehold.

  A circular beam of light surrounded the Half Giant and she could no longer advance upon Vanya and her group. The mage had surrounded the brute with a root spell. This stopped all movement in any direction. Then one by one, Vanya and her group vanished from the brute’s sight, followed by the Elven army withdrawing from the safehold walls.

  The Half Giant thundered, “They recalled, search the perimeter for them!”

  The Elven healers had indeed summoned Vanya, Honoria, Scyleia, and the rest of her group out. The Amazon Scouts surveyed the surrounding area, but by the time they rallied their forces, the Elven army was gone. Vanya and her kin absconded back to the shore and departed on their ships. Scyleia was starting to show some signs of life, after a healer assisted her recovery.

  Scyleia murmured to Vanya and Honoria, “Thank you so much for coming back for me. They began torturing me right after I returned to their Tree of Life.” She started showing her weakness by drifting in and out of consciousness.

  Honoria whispered, “Get some rest, my friend. We will talk after you get some sleep.” She waited for a minute until Scyleia closed her eyes and she turned to leave the room with Vanya. “I owe you for saving Scyleia.”

  “It was the least I could do for the people who helped my son,
” Vanya replied with a smile. The smile faded as she spoke next of Megildur, “I do hope he’s careful in the desert. Those Cleansing Flame cultists can be dangerous.” Honoria stopped walking and looked at Vanya with empathic eyes. She had the same worried thoughts too.

  CHAPTER 37: The Desert Flower

  Megildur, Zeristan, and Gaal stepped off the desert runegate into blistering heat and dry sand. Instantaneously their spit dried up, their tongues swelled, and they felt grit in their teeth, among other places. All three travelers found the temperature and terrain undesirable. They preferred the lush forest regions of Aerynth.

  Gaal grumbled, “Why are we down here again? This place is worse than Oblivion!”

  “You think this is bad, try walking through this desert for days with no water and no clue where you are going,” Megildur replied. “Oh yeah, watch out for Manticores. They will sneak right up on you!”

  Zeristan grinned at the Aelfborn’s comments. He reapplied the spell on all their boots to decrease their traveling time in this wretched place. “It’s this way,” Zeristan pointed to the west and the three of them departed.

  For hours, they traveled until they reached their destination. There, spread out amongst the sand dunes, was the Temple of the Cleansing Flame safehold, “Gray Sands” in the distant horizon. Megildur hardly recognized the compound. The first time he arrived upon the back of a Half Giant and departed under the cover of darkness.