Randor got to his knees and looked about. "Someone give me a sancten." Seth grabbed the metal rod holding Cailen's fire from the pile of rocks and promptly put it in Randor's waiting hand. Waving the fiery rod below, the wizard was relieved to see Malander a little out of arm's reach, clinging to the hilt of his sword, which was stuck fast in the rocks. He hung limp as a rag, for the slightest movement might wrest free his precarious handhold and send him hurtling into the abyss.
"Your spear, Cailen," said Randor.
Cailen lowered her weapon, butt first, to Malander's free hand as Seth joined the elf-captain in grasping it just below the blade. Meanwhile, Lorn and three of Cailen's guard grasped the two rescuers at the waist to anchor them. As they slowly hauled him upward, Malander's weight came off his sword and he was able to extricate the blade from the stone.
The moment his arms reached the cliff's edge, two more elves grasped him by the elbows and, with one last heave, hauled him up and over. Malander stumbled forward, heading for the arms of Helfare, who stepped aside, letting him fall face-first onto the rock floor. Rolling to his back, he was greeted by the point of Helfare's sword.
Cailen swung her spear low, knocking the sword away from Malander, who then managed to stand.
"I have already warned you!" Malander growled, brandishing his blade.
"Actions truly ring louder than words, I am afraid," Helfare replied haughtily.
"Stand down, both of you," Randor said sharply. "I have told you what will happen if you persist in this childishness."
"No worries, my good wizard," Helfare said as he gave a short bow. "I am just giving him a bout of words."
Arnanor's breath caught as he watched Malander and Helfare standing together. Struck by the sudden revelation, he said, "It is all clear to me now, for I know that Malander is the spy the Oracle spoke of."
"I am no spy, you wretched elf!"
"You have not proved to me otherwise. Still you take leave from the company whenever you feel, you disrespect Randor's wishes, and you cloak yourself in secrecy." The elf-prince thought his points were valid; surely they would be accepted by his companions. He continued his study of the two dark-clad men and continued, "Don't you see the connection between them?" All eyes looked at the prince, baffled. "Their choice of garments is suspiciously alike--this dark gear. Is this the fashion of many these days?" Both Malander and Helfare looked at Arnanor, each insulted at being associated with the other. "Have neither of you noticed the left side of their faces? We have seen the treacherous markings of Helfare, but never have any of us seen what lies beneath Malander's half-mask."
Malander backed to the edge of the cliff again, knowing full well what Arnanor desired.
The elf-prince pressed on, saying, "I'll wager that Malander bears the same markings as the soldiers of the symbol!"
"I do not have that accursed mark on my body!" Malander replied, seething with anger.
"Prove me wrong."
"I owe you proof of nothing."
Unexpectedly, Helfare sided with the prince and added, "I would have you prove me wrong, as well."
Malander held his weapon at the entire gathering, unsure whether anyone would try to overtake him. The cavern was filled with a new tension as the conflict drew to a stalemate. This was one question no one should ever have asked him. It is no one's concern but mine. Nor shall any one of you ever plumb the secrets I guard,Malander said to himself. If they attack, I will plummet to the depths below. Some things are better if taken to the grave--even if by one's own hand.Malander's heels rested at the very lip of the cliff.
"Are you Of-Adian?" Helfare asked.
"Don't you already know?" Arnanor replied.
"The army of Valadure is vast indeed, and I have never seen its every man."
Seth stepped forward from the crowd and asked, "How can you say they are of the same mold? They look nothing alike." Arnanor glared at Seth, irked at being gainsaid by a commoner. "Malander is shorter, and they aren't even of the same build. Also, look at their eyes, Prince, for they are not of the same color. Of-Adians' eyes are gray, not blue."
"Nonsense, boy," Arnanor laughed. "Malander had his eye color manipulated to fool us." It was clear he was not going to budge from his conviction. "Why don't you just leave this to me, Highbinder?"
Seth could no longer hold back, and his strong wish for concord moved him to stand before Helfare, only to be ignored by the man. He tapped Helfare on the arm and said, "You are ordered to cease this deliberation at once."
"How do you expect to stop me?" Helfare replied as he crossed his arms.
"I am a diplomat of the Council, and since I represent my masters on this quest--of which you are now a part--I order you to silence yourself on the topic of Malander's loyalty. You are causing more harm than good to our mission."
"I do not answer to the Council," Helfare replied. "So what say you now?"
"If you fail to cooperate, I will have no choice but arrest you and let Mudalfaen handle the matter."
"So this entire mission is overseen by the Council of Mudalfaen?" Helfare asked.
"Yes," Seth was first to say.
"No," Gildan intervened. "It is not."
Seth looked to the mercenary, baffled. "You were there, Gildan, when I delivered the letter in Dunane. You heard King Zelok say it was the wish of the Council for me to be here."
"What did the letter say?" Helfare asked.
Seth shook his head. "I did not read it. The seal could not be broken by my hands." Seth turned to Randor for comfort. "I only speak the truth here."
"I read the letter," Gildan said. "I was fortunate enough to get a glance at it."
"You?" Seth answered. He was highly offended that the parchment meant only for Zelok's eyes had been spied by another. "How did you manage that?"
"You remember where I was sitting when you first saw me, don't you?"
Seth thought back to the scene from many days before. "You were beside Zelok; I recall that much."
Gildan approached Seth and noticed him looking back into his eyes with great worry. Gildan did not want to tell Seth about the letter, for he knew it would only bring discord to the company, but no longer would he lie to Seth.
"What did it say?" asked Seth.
"Dare I say? If you desire, I will hold my tongue. I don't want you to become discouraged."
"I entreat you with all my soul."
"Very well," Gildan said with lowered head. "In the letter, the Council told Zelok not to send forth his investigation party. Apparently, they caught word of his endeavor and had you rush the parchment to Dunane to stop him."
Seth's face blanched; he could not believe this revelation. He began to sway and fell heavily against Lorn, who caught him. As Seth's sword clanged to the ground, he moaned, "This--this cannot be…All this time I thought I was pleasing my masters. But it has all been a lie."
"I am sorry I had to tell you in this way," Gildan said. "No longer will you be misled by distant authorities. Place your trust and devotion with Randor. He would never subvert our journey and ultimate calling."
"Why didn't you tell me in Dunane?" Seth asked as he regained his feet. "At least then I might have confronted Zelok and made sure he followed the wishes of Mudalfaen."
"My dear boy, without the mission, I wouldn't have acquired payment from Zelok."
"But your withheld silence until now has caused both Lorn and me much grief. You have placed my friend in the greatest pain and stress he has ever endured--and you do this only to line your pocket with gold? You had better pray that nothing happens to Lorn, or I will come after you--as a Council diplomat or not." Seth shook his head, disgusted with Gildan's selfish act. He wanted to say more to the mercenary, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
And as Seth's mind was ravaged by his personal maelstrom, he gradually became aware, just as everyone else now was, of a distant sound, coming from the direction Randor led he and his companions from some hours earlier. A faint creaking rolled through the
caverns, growing subtly louder as it drew nearer to the Darnoth camp. Randor opened his tired eyes and wobbled to a standing position. The ground began to tremble, and the Darnoth elves were brought to an instant alert. A strange, frigid wind blasted down the tunnel, annihilating every fire in the camp as it passed. Though it lasted only a moment, it plunged all into utter darkness.
Seth gently nudged Lorn aside and moved in Randor's direction. "Does this happen often, Captain Cailen?"
"Too often," Cailen answered as she fumbled her spear. With weapon in hand, she left the edge of the cliff and stood next to her advisors. Quietly she said, "I thought we had a nine-or ten-day start on the Argos."
"That was our estimate," one advisor said, at a loss.
Randor made his way to the collection of officers. "I gather this wind is a present from the Argos host."
"They are capable of distant magic," Cailen said, readying herself for war. "They will be upon us soon. We must move inward so as not to let ourselves become pinned to this cliff." With a sancten in hand she tapped one end on her shoulder, the metal clanging softly against her dented armor. As it was pulled back and held in front of her, a small fire ignited.
"Lead the way, Captain," Randor said.
Cailen moved toward the rear of her army with her advisors at her heels. Randor led his own company behind the group of elves. The Darnoth elves readied themselves, shuffling to their feet and gathering weapons and equipment, falling into formation. Echoes of drums rumbled in the distance.
Peering into the darkened cavern ahead, Randor saw the faint red flicker of Argos torches creeping toward them.
"At last, a true battle," Gildan spoke with excitement. "It has been far too long for me."
"Give the order to charge," Malander said, licking his lips. "This is all I will ever ask of you, Cailen. I need this badly."
"You know your orders, Sir Geil," Arnanor said.
"Yes, my liege."
Randor approached Geil, catching the elf-knight and Arnanor by surprise. He looked at Geil and said, "It is time for you to allow Muron to fight on his own. Although I am not telling you to leave his side, it is time to initiate the prince into battle."
"But, Randor--"
"Does Muron not possess the proper training?" the wizard asked, already knowing the answer and it was justified by Geil's silence. "Then he will aid us from now on." Seeing how this tore at Geil, Randor leaned in to whisper in his ear, "This will be of great benefit to Muron if you do this."
"Do not listen to him," Arnanor said, angered by the wizard's advice.
"But he shall," Randor said sternly. "You cannot protect him forever."
"Yes," Gildan added, "I've been wondering that for a while now. Why did you even bring him if you will not let him fight?"
"Both of us had to leave our father's side if this quest was to remain secret," Arnanor said. "It isn't that Muron doesn't know how to defend himself. You have to realize that our father has ordered Sir Geil to shadow every move Muron makes, and to defend him whenever necessary. I am responsible for his safekeeping."
"I will fight for you, Cailen," Muron said. "We will all fight for you."
"Then I accept the pledge, Your Highness."
The Argos drew nearer to the Darnoth's position as shouts of insult flooded the air, with both sides eager for a fight.
The approaching light of the Argos torches gave Randor his first glimpse of Cailen's curse, showing the mutilated and deformed shapes of the enemy, covered by rotting furs and armor that hung loosely on their gaunt bodies. And there, behind the many ranks of the Argos army, stood the greatest of their kind: an elf whom Cailen referred to only as "The Bane of Darnoth." The Argos leader stood tall and rigid behind his minions, who wanted nothing more than to slay the Darnoth and flee Eln-Radah, for they, too, wished to be victorious and return to their homeland.
"How many are there?" Randor asked Cailen.
"Around a thousand."
Helfare laughed to himself, having fought against worse odds before, winning even when many times outnumbered. In fact, the general had yet to lose a battle.
"Let me handle the fiercest of the lot," Malander mumbled. "I want to see how good he really is."
"Then so shall it be, my good man," Cailen responded. "None of us has ever laid hand or spear upon that spawn of the devil. I wish you luck, because I cannot advise you of any weakness he possesses--since we have never found one."
"I will find his weakness," the grim warrior said. "Hear me--none shall go near him, or they deal with me."
"I am glad to see that you have a plan, Malander," Randor said as he turned to the rest of his companions. "As for the rest of you, separate the army from its leader. Once we have done so, the Argos's line of communication will be broken. Keep in mind, we have not much space behind us to fall back on."
"It is time," Cailen declared.
Unexpectedly, and for the first time, the Argos leader spoke. "Surrender!" His voice, filled with arrogance and menace, shook the very mountain as the echo stirred throughout the cavern.
"We will not yield to you, elf of Argos!" Randor replied.
"Who dares speak to me?"
"The Darnoth army!"
"Foolish being! Do you think I do not already know who fight against my kindred? I have never heard your voice before."
"I am Randor Miithra, servant of Ethindar! I fight for the Darnoth as I would for any other who is allegiant to my master!"
The Argos began to laugh and hurl further insults, finding Randor's words absurd. Then the Bane of Darnoth laughed, his great bellows drowning out the voices of his army. He then raised a huge, muscled arm, sending his minions forward. And with shrieking war cries, the dark elves stormed down the tunnel, carrying torches, spears, axes, and swords, bent on destruction.
Cailen raised her spear and roared, "Charge!"
Malander was first away from the line, followed closely by Helfare and then the rest of Randor's company. Meanwhile, Cailen thrust her spear forward and led the way for her kind. The sounds of the Argos were matched in full by the Darnoth as they, too, sent war cries into the cavern. The gap between the two armies narrowed until only a few short moments remained before the inevitable clash.
Lorn and Seth slowed their charge, allowing the Darnoth to pass. Seth thought it best to allow more people between Lorn and the enemy. His main concern right now was the dwarf's well-being. They would fight, naturally, but Seth would let it come to them.
The Bane of Darnoth remained standing where he had been before loosing his army. He leaned on his heavy ax, still laughing, waiting for anyone imprudent enough to approach him.
Helfare and Malander remained in the vanguard of the Darnoth assault, with Helfare leading by only half a step.
With one strong slash of the sword, Helfare cleaved two soldiers of the Argos front line, who fell dead in their own blood.
Malander, outraged that he had not claimed the first kill, leaped over the fallen enemy and pursued his own quarry--at the back line of the Argos forces. Along his path he encountered many foolhardy enough to oppose his blade as he hacked, sliced, and hewed his way through, killing all he met. Deeper he drove into the heart of the Argos, now overtaking all others of the Darnoth--even Helfare, who was waylaid many paces behind, forced to contend with a troop of elite Argos fighters. Malander saw his prey come closer, almost within reach.
* * *
Consumed with pain and with no possibility of using magic, Randor had no choice but to arm himself with a discarded Argos blade. All within the cavern were caught up in the battle, with no one exempt. The wizard pressed on toward a great number of the enemy, against which the Darnoth were fighting bravely.
Arnanor, Geil, and now Muron, finding themselves separated from the rest of their party, fought valiantly--even Muron, who had by now felled three Argos fighters. They kept to the cavern walls so as not to be ambushed from behind. Ahead of the Northern elves, a squadron of spear-bearing Argos charged toward them. Geil inst
inctively wanted to shield Muron from danger, but he resisted, remembering Randor's words.
Standing before his kindred with sword held out, Arnanor scanned the approaching squadron for a weakness. Blood ran down his face and into his eyes as he tried to focus; wiping it away, he thought his sight deceived him. This cannot be!he said to himself. Each of the evil elves advancing on them wore a metallic badge bearing the mark of the Northern Kingdom. I will not be the one to bring them to their deaths."Move on!" the prince said to Muron and Geil, waving his sword away from the one-time members of his homeland's army. It pained Arnanor to see former Elves of the Light, the allies of Dunith in the Dark War, now manipulated and reformed under the Bane's evil. And so Arnanor led his companions into the thick of battle once more, allowing the spear-bearing phalanx of elves past them.
Carnage lay all around Gildan and Cailen as they fought side by side. Boulders shifted weight and rolled down the declining tunnel, and great stalactites rained down on the battle, their jagged splinters shooting in all directions, killing and maiming without bias. The mountain quaked ominously, as if angered at the war being fought in its belly. Wave after wave of Argos came at Cailen and Gildan with no letup.
"Press the Argos back!" Cailen yelled.
"Where is Randor?" Gildan asked as he looked through the chaos all around him. Dust swirled like a sandstorm about the battleground. "I'll wager he is leading the way."
"Let us join him," Cailen answered.
Yet it was not Randor at the forefront of the Darnoth, but Malander and Helfare, with the rest of the Darnoth filling the gap in their wake. Only a few more strides remained between Malander and the Bane of Darnoth, and now Malander could see his chosen enemy's glowing red eyes, which burned bright even though the rest of him was cloaked in deep shadow.
You are mine, Malander chanted to himself many times over as he hastened onward.
Leading a large brigade of Darnoth elves farther into the damp caverns, Randor, who still bore the blood-drenched enemy blade, shouted, "Keep them in retreat!" The Darnoth followed the wizard to another troop of Argos mere strides away, where, shouting and charging forth, they left Randor behind.
The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor Page 28
