by Megg Jensen
The orcs backed off, retreating toward the city gates, as Vron and Dalgron thrust their fists in the air. The human army looked for its leader, finding him standing with the others. Brax couldn't see the expressions on their faces. He knew many of them would feel betrayed, but they had to see the truth. They would perish on this field if they didn't cease fighting.
Jahn raised his sword to Brax, then looked back at the army. His back ramrod straight, Jahn waved his sword at the orc army. The humans sprang to action, their horses' hooves beating out a chaotic rhythm.
Brax's stomach sank. They weren't giving up. The human army was committing suicide.
Alyna squeezed Brax's hand, but he couldn't bear to look at her. His eyes were glued to the humans racing toward the orcs with a bloodlust Brax had never seen.
Jahn lead the charge yelling, "For Queen Lissa! For Jedd!"
The army behind him repeated the words as the arrows began to fly over their troops at the orcs. Brax struggled to see if Nella was one of them, if she had trusted in Brax's judgment, but the crowd undulated with passion. He couldn't find her.
Jahn dug his heels into the sides of his horse, racing faster than the people behind him. He sat high in his saddle, pride emanating from him. Pride that would surely get him killed.
Brax screamed, "NO!" just as the earth began to shake again.
A great hole opened in the ground between the humans and the orcs. Jahn tried to slow down, yanking hard on the reins. His horse's hooves skidded on the ground, kicking up dirt in their wake. The horse attempted desperately to stop, but it was too late. The horse did the only thing instinct allowed—it jumped, attempting to cross the chasm.
Brax held his breath, saying every prayer he knew to Solnar. Jahn flew over the rend, clutching his horse's mane. As he sailed over the midpoint, a pink, sinuous tentacle snapped out of the chasm, wrapping its slimy tendril around the horse, pulling both Jahn and his mount down into the hole.
Brax couldn't handle it any longer. He bent to the side, vomiting until his throat felt as if it would turn inside out.
He wiped his free arm over his mouth, looking again at the land below.
The orcs swarmed into the city while the humans backed away from the tear in the land. Both races had the same realization at the same time.
A monster lived underground, and it was coming for them.
Chapter 50
Maysant dropped coins into the ship captain's outstretched hand. She'd arranged for passage across the Orianna Sea to the Library of Filamir. On foot, it would have taken the three of them too long, and Maysant would have missed the deadline her mother had set. They would arrive early, long before her mother, by ship. But she couldn't think of a better solution.
Her mother would appreciate early much more than she would late. Maysant would stay in her good graces, which would help her cause.
She wanted to get Benin an official position amongst the elves. If he truly had assisted the human queen, he could be very useful to the elven empire. His willingness to help them astounded her. Benin truly was a kind and giving human.
As for Ghrol, Maysant wanted to keep him by her side in some capacity. Maybe as a personal guard? He, too, could be gentle, but she'd seen bloodlust in his eyes. She knew what he was capable of. As long as she remained in his good graces, he would make a good companion.
Her mother had insisted humans were evil. Maysant laughed to herself as the boat departed from shore. Her trip to Doros had proved to be far more instructive than she'd thought.
In the beginning, it was a way to get some independence. It had become so much more. She was finally coming into her own as an adult in the elven empire. She'd gained leadership skills and learned to trust her instincts.
Ghrol gently set Benin on deck and tied a safety rope around the weaker man's waist. Benin still wasn't strong enough to brace himself if they hit rough seas. Ghrol patted Benin on the head and lumbered over to Maysant.
"Msent," he said.
"Yes, Ghrol?"
"Skrd."
"You're scared?" Maysant took his big hand in hers. "Is this your first time on the sea?"
Ghrol nodded.
"I love sailing. Wait until you feel the breeze through your hair and smell the salty sea water. You'll learn to love it quickly. I promise." Maysant squeezed Ghrol's hand. "Now why don't you keep Benin company while I try to contact my mother?"
Ghrol went back to Benin, dropping next to him on the deck. The wood creaked underneath his massive weight, but held. Maysant liked the way the two of them interacted. Pride swelled in her chest as she thought of the way she'd brought their little group together. She'd spent so much of her life shying away from other elves. Their beauty and stature, as well as their intelligence and knowledge intimidated her. She felt less than worthy. Well, not anymore. She'd finally done something worth bragging about.
Maysant wandered over to the bow of the ship. Reaching into her pocket, her fingers found a smooth gemstone set in a golden case. It had been a gift from her mother, a way to communicate while she was on her sojourn. She'd used it only once to assure her mother she'd arrived safely. Since then, Maysant hadn't had anything to tell her mother. The trip had been particularly dull until she stumbled upon Ghrol.
Maysant held the charm in her palm, pressing the ruby with her thumb. The golden case warmed to the touch. Maysant opened her palm as a projection of her mother shimmered over the ruby.
"My daughter," her mother said, surprised. "I'm so relieved you contacted me. I was nearly ready to send half the army after you."
"I'm fine, Mother. No need to panic." Maysant held back an eye roll.
"Did you know Doros has broken into war? The humans are marching on the orcs."
"Yes, Mother. I heard recently. In fact, that's why I needed to contact you."
Her mother squinted. "Where are you and why are you bobbing up and down? It doesn't look like the forest."
"I'm on a boat, headed to the Library of Filamir. I'm arriving early. I have the most wonderful—”
"Early? My no, that won't do. You need to head north, to the orc capital."
"Agitar?" Maysant's stomach sank to her feet. Why would her mother send her there alone?
"I am going there as well," her mother said.
Maysant was so confused. Since when did the elves care what the humans and orcs did? She'd been taught her whole life to ignore them. Both were lesser races, lacking intelligence and sense. They were brutish. The elves often joked the continent of Doros had been made especially for the lesser races. It was ugly and primitive. Though Maysant had to admit she'd see some beauty in the forest, it was nothing like her home, Gailwyn.
"You didn't have to come after me, Mother." Maysant's confusion quickly turned to annoyance.
"I'm not. Don't be silly. We have more pressing matters to attend to. Your brother—”
"What did Kazrack do this time?" Maysant groaned. Her older brother was always gallivanting off on some mission or another. When he arrived home, he'd crow about his accomplishments. Maysant found them dreadfully dull.
"Don't use that tone. Your brother is trying to save our world from invaders. He has done something very brave."
"Probably foolish, too," Maysant mumbled under her breath.
"I'm not going to ask you to repeat those garbled words. I assume they weren't anything helpful." Her mother's lips formed a pout. Even so, Maysant knew her mother was the most beautiful being on the planet. It was hard being her daughter. "Now, you must meet us at the port outside Agitar. If you arrive after my fleet, someone will remain behind for you."
"Mother, I have a surprise." Maysant knew this was the right time to bring up Ghrol and Benin. If the elves truly were attempting to help the humans and the orcs save their world, her companions would be welcomed. Perhaps even celebrated!
"What is it?" The queen looked over her shoulder, but Maysant couldn't see what was behind her.
"I have two humans with me." Maysant spoke quickly so
her mother wouldn't have a moment to interrupt. "We met in the forest. They're good, kind people. One is my own personal guard, and the second can prove useful to you. He is a former advisor to the human queen! He knows things no one else does." She stopped, holding her breath, waiting for her mother's response.
Except the queen was no longer looking at her daughter. She'd turned her back on Maysant completely. Waving an arm, she said, "That's nice, my dear. I'll meet you at Agitar, then."
Her mother's image flickered out. Maysant's lower lip trembled. She hadn't listened, that much was clear. Her mother would never have been so flippant about Maysant's news. Something had distracted her just as Maysant was about to have her own moment of glory.
Frustrated, Maysant sought out the captain. He stood behind the wheel, looking to the southeast. "Excuse me," she said hesitantly.
"Yes?" He stroked his white beard. It reached down to the middle of his chest, ending in a point decorated with beads. Elves didn't grow beards. Maysant wasn't sure if they could, but this human had a magnificent mane.
"I was wrong about our destination. We need to head north, to the port outside Agitar."
"Orc territory? There's trouble up there. It's a bad time to go. I prefer to stay south of their villages. Stay out of trouble."
"Please," Maysant begged. "I'll pay whatever you want. My mother insisted on it."
"Your mother, the elf queen?" The captain laughed, the beads in his beard tinkling. "I can't believe I'm going to say yes. My wife will have my head when I return home."
"Oh, thank you!" Maysant restrained herself from giving him a hug. It would be unseemly for an elven princess, but she had so grown to love the humans she encountered.
"It'll cost you a lot. I still need to sail home to the village outside the library. I reckon triple the original agreed upon price. For my time, you see." The captain looked at her expectantly.
"Yes, anything you require. It will be yours. This is very, very important." Maysant was thrilled he'd agreed so readily. She hated arguing.
"Fine, then. Hold on while we change course." The captain looked over his shoulder, yelling commands to his crew who jumped into action.
Maysant settled next to Ghrol and Benin on deck. She wasn't happy to be headed to Agitar, but the sooner she rendezvoused with her mother, the sooner she could prove she, too, was an asset to the crown. Not her stupid brother Kazrack, who pranced around like a sparkly peacock.
"Why is the ship turning?" Benin hid under a blanket, barely looking at the gorgeous day, where the sunlight sparkled off the water.
"We're going to Agitar."
A gasp came from under the blanket. "No."
"Unfortunately, my mother insisted. It's okay, I won't let your people find you. I'll protect you from them, Benin. They'll never know you're there."
Maysant thought she heard a slight chuckle under the blanket, but then Benin coughed. It must have been a tickle in his throat. There was no reason he'd find delight in returning to those who tried to kill him.
The poor man. Maysant would do everything she could to keep him safe.
Chapter 51
Ademar grabbed Tace's shoulders. "Come on, let me help you up."
Tace was curled on the ground, Jokan's staff in one hand, Hordain's limp hand in the other. Tears glistened on her cheeks.
"He was my mentor," she said quietly.
"He was going to kill you." Ademar wouldn't coddle her. If there was one thing he knew for sure about Tace, she respected strength. It wasn't the time for weakness.
Tace had no response. She didn't defend Hordain's actions. Instead, she let go of Hordain's hand in favor of Ademar's.
Gently, he pulled Tace to her feet.
She brushed the dirt off her pants, straightened her tunic, and turned her attention to the back of the cave. "Nemia, it's safe. Come out now."
The young orc's head popped out from behind Jokan. Her eyes grew large as she took in Ademar and Tace. He could only imagine how they looked to her, covered in blood, holes in their clothes.
Nemia crept out a few steps, then ran into Ademar, nearly punching him in the gut with her head. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "We're okay. Are you okay?"
Nemia nodded into his stomach.
After a few trembling inhalations, she pulled away from him. "What about Raseri?"
"Raseri!" Tace called, followed by a whistle.
They were all quiet, waiting for the sound of the dragon's flapping wings.
Nothing.
"Where did she go?" Tace asked, weariness blanketing her words.
"I'll find her," Ademar said. "Nemia, you stay here with Tace."
Ademar sheathed his sword and grabbed his torch, walking carefully to the back of the cave, to the hole Tace had created with the staff. It had been an impressive beam of light, unlike anything Ademar had ever witnessed. Seeing it assuaged any doubts he might have had about the Staff of Jokan. Its power had severed the back of the cave in two.
As he quickly discovered, the hole wasn't a simple rent. It opened into another passageway. What Ademar couldn't understand was why Raseri had been compelled to fly into it. She had always fiercely protected Tace. It was unlike her to take off when things got tough.
Whatever was behind the wall had to be even more important. Ademar couldn't wait to see what Raseri had discovered.
Ademar thrust the torch into the hole. The light only touched more darkness. Carefully Ademar climbed through the hole, emerging into an enormous cavern on the other side. The light from his torch barely illuminated the place he stood.
"Raseri!" he called, his voice echoing back to him.
He listened for anything that might hint as to the dragon's whereabouts. A whistle. A click of her nails. Wings flapping.
Ademar took twenty steps forward. The farther he got from the wall, the darker the cavern felt. He could no longer see anything other than the light of his torch.
His stomach felt like a stone. Tamping down his rising fear, Ademar called again for the dragon. Nothing.
Frustrated, he debated whether to go further. Ademar had promised Tace he'd find Raseri. If he gave up because of a little darkness, she'd never let him hear the end of it. All he had to do was remember how many steps he'd taken and do his best to walk in a straight line. He'd take one hundred steps. If he hadn't found Raseri by then, he'd turn back.
Ademar counted out twenty more steps, then called out. No response. Another twenty. Ademar walked more hesitantly. After the final twenty, he called out three times to Raseri.
Hearing nothing in return, Ademar gave up. Perhaps the dragon had gotten lost, just as he was about to. Ademar turned around, prepared to head back the way he'd come, when he heard a quiet mewling.
"Raseri!" It had to be her. The staff had just opened up the hole. Nothing else could be in there.
Unless there was another way in somewhere.
"Raseri! I know you don't like me, but come here right now. You're scaring Tace!" Ademar hoped the dragon would respond to Tace's name, if nothing else.
A quiet flapping noise drew closer. Ademar squinted into the dark, though it didn't help. He was still blind beyond the light of the torch.
A cobalt snout broke into his view. Ademar let out a long sigh. It was Tace's dragon. Raseri circled his head and slapped him on the back of his head with her tail. She flew out of the light.
"Hey, come back here!" Ademar spun around. "Stupid dragon," he said under his breath.
Raseri flew into the light again, curling her tail as she got closer.
"Don't you dare! This isn't the time for games!" Ademar waved the torch at her.
Raseri smacked him on the head again, then flew out of the light the same way she'd come.
Then it dawned on Ademar. "You want me to follow?" He took a few steps forward, finding Raseri again. She flew forward, more slowly this time.
Ademar followed the dragon, trying to keep up without losing sight of her. Raseri seemed to understand h
e couldn't run as fast as she could fly, stopping every so often at the edge of the light.
Ademar was sure she had turned at least once, sending him far off his straight path from the hole Tace had created. At this point, he had no other choice than to trust the dragon wasn't leading him deeper into an underground cavern he'd never return from.
In some ways, Ademar felt like an idiot for trusting a beast he'd only recently met, particularly since the dragon clearly didn't like him. Still, something deep inside urged him on. It was the same feeling he would get when he and Hugh had deep discussions about the meaning of life and what lay beyond. It was a longing that drove him to learn more.
Raseri came to a stop, hovering in the air in front of Ademar. She turned, blinking once and flew out of sight again. He took a few steps forward. She was gone. "Raseri!"
Ademar cursed under his breath. If that dragon had led him to his death, he'd kill her. If he ever saw her again. Ademar took a few steps forward until he saw a wall in front of him. "No!" he yelled.
It was a dead end. The dragon was gone. He had no idea where he was and could barely see more than a few steps in front of him.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Ademar punched the wall, drawing back bloody knuckles. He'd have to find his way out on his own, no thanks to Raseri.
Placing a hand along the wall, Ademar followed it, hoping against all hope it would eventually lead him back to the hole. He laughed bitterly. Maybe Raseri had already flown back after ridding herself of Ademar.
He'd show that stupid dragon. He'd make it back and tell Tace exactly what Raseri had done. He couldn't believe he'd ever trusted that dragon. All it did was...
Ademar paused. The wall ended. He turned, shining the torch on it, surprised to discover a passageway lit with torches illuminating a cobalt dragon. Waiting for him.
"Where have you lead me, Raseri?" Ademar asked, all of his anger stripped away.
Raseri flew down the hall at breakneck speed. Ademar struggled to keep up with her, quickly becoming winded. Fighting with the Consecrated orcs had worn him out.
