The Emperor's Shadow War (Tales of Alus Book 2)

by Donald Wigboldy

  Darius shrugged as he let his gaze wander to the elf woman, who had moved ahead of him with Janus riding beside her. "I turned her down and snuck out of their camp the same evening. I also accused her of trying to use her feminine wiles to get information from me. That would be my guess."

  Tate's eyes widened in surprise. He let out a low whistle. "You are in trouble, aren't you? Let me give you some advice, my friend. Being blunt won't win people to you. The truth hurts as they say." Tate thought a moment. "You still want her, don't you?"

  The question worried Darius, because he knew the answer could bring nothing but trouble. The young man nodded, even so. "Electra told me that she would never give herself to someone that she couldn't love. Electra even kissed me as she parted to find Janus when we arrived."

  "She's trying hard not to pay attention to you, Darius," Tate noted as he studied the woman. "I can tell you one thing though."

  "What?" he questioned at the pause from his friend.

  "The woman has it bad for you too, I think. There are times when you are not looking and she thinks that no one else sees her that I have spotted her staring at you. I didn't know for sure back then, but I had wondered why she looked so intently at you." Tate smiled and added, "It's the same type of look that I see you giving her all the time, if that is any help."

  Darius nodded again and stole another look at the woman before him. He wondered what he would have to do to find a way to soften her resolve against him. Perhaps he would simply need to wait until everything was over with first.

  The following day, the band escaped the woods onto a large plain. It was known as Fel's Reach for the mountain stabbing skyward at the southern tip of the valley. The elves looked on in awe at the thin spire that defied nature to stand thousands of feet high and only hundreds of feet wide. Such a structure didn't seem possible in nature or by construction. Most commented that it looked like the wind would cause it to fall at any moment. The top of the spire was nearly a flat plateau, and at the spire's base was the capitol city of Eirhden, Fel, for which the plain and the spire was named.

  The elves asked about the spire and so Darius took up the story of its legendary making. "It is said that once a man named Fel had godlike powers. When he came to this part of the world, the man thought upon his powers and decided to erect a shrine so that worshippers could come to him and worship, for he thought himself a new god. Fel worked with his great strength and magic to shape the land and began building the earth into the tall spire to prove his greatness. The flat earth of the plain was said to have been hilly before his great work and was used for its creation. Thus it was flattened as he carried the rich earth and stone to the spire.

  "When had finished his towering monument, he built a palace on its plateau that he might look upon his new subjects for Fel had gained many new followers as he had worked. They brought sacrifices to him it is said and paid tribute; but more from the fact, that those who didn't, Fel would attack mercilessly. The gods watched the godlike man and were angered by the misuse of his power and the great arrogance that he displayed before the gods. Fel was not a god, after all, and Turas, the war god, and his brothers came to his palace. There was a great battle up there, but Fel could not win against the true gods. He was defeated, but still the man would not give fealty to the gods. In his anger, Turas slew Fel and threw him from the spire. The man is said to lie beneath the spire and, even now, he gives it his strength to stand in defiance of the gods. Some say that Fel still lives and merely sleeps while he waits a time for revenge upon those gods. At least, that is what the legend says anyway."

  The elves and wizards clapped after Darius' presentation. "You are a wondrous story teller," Janus admitted before he realized to whom the complement was being extended. He had been as mesmerized as had the others by the tale.

  Darius merely bowed humbly to his audience from his place in his saddle. He also thought that he noticed Electra's eyes stray to him with a warm look for one small moment. She found his eyes upon her and quickly looked away to avoid him. The wizard smiled to himself. He was glad to have gotten the woman's attention, if only for a moment.

  That evening the band stopped at the southern edge of Turas Forest, named in honor of the legendary battle's victor. They had gathered provisions in one of the many cities built near the Taltan River, or the Divide as it was often referred to as well. Fel's Reach was a source of great wealth for Eirhden and had been through countless centuries. The plain held farms of incredible size, while cities grew up all along the water course. Boats from many nations used the river, since it literally cut the continent in half providing the quickest route to the north or south. The cities along the river serviced all those that traveled as well as selling the wares of their nation.

  Darius noticed the elves eyeing those travelers that made their path too close to them and the forest they rode beside. All had donned hats that covered their pointed ears just in case. No one seemed to care about the elves, however, as the sight of the wizards caused most eyes to look away quickly in fear. Some of the legends of their caste's powers said that they could steal souls with a look and though many disbelieved such things, few dared to test them, Darius noted to himself.

  They camped at the south end of the forest on their only night on the plain. Darius sent Matalchus and the apprentices to buy food from the local markets that afternoon and the company ate well that evening over their fire.

  Darius tried again to speak with Electra, but again the woman refused to speak with him. With the rebuff, the wizard had simply sighed and moved to be with the other humans and resigned himself to another evening with her seeming to hate him.

  He looked at the map that he had been given by the council and reviewed the route that they would follow in an effort to forget about the entrancing woman. Three days ride should bring them up the river through Turas Forest and thus they would find Willow’s Berg, the capitol and second largest city of neighboring Alia.

  Darius sighed and put away the map. He rolled into his bedroll and knew that he would probably once again sleep badly as dreams of Electra would haunt him all night. Darius had resigned himself to it and so the wizard soon found himself asleep.

  Janus led Electra away from the others before going to rest themselves. He had noted that Darius had fallen asleep already and would not notice their departure. His elves were at watch and so they would not be readily reported in their departure.

  Janus smiled happily, "He is weakening as I'd hoped. If you continue this treatment of the wizard, he'll be begging you to take him back before we find this armor he spoke of to the council."

  The woman nodded wearily and seemed unhappy with events so far.

  "What is your problem, woman?" the knight snapped irritably. "Do you not share happiness for this conquest with me? You have done your work well, Electra. You should be proud of yourself."

  The elf woman made a face of distaste at the thought. She remained calm though Electra still sounded a little sad as she replied, "I hate myself for what I am doing to that man, Janus. He is a good man and doesn't deserve this. If you asked him, he might just give you the answers you seek, you know?"

  The knight frowned angrily. "I fear that you have forgotten your pledge to save your people. You act as if you love this... human," he said the last word thick with distaste.

  "What would be so wrong with loving a human, my lord? You see them. They are much like us. Their cities, their stories, so much of them is like unto us." She paused before completing the thoughts that were swarming through her head. The woman knew that some would consider such words treasonous to her race, but she would not be silent about it any longer. Janus allowed her the time even as he worried over her words. "I once asked Darius how he could believe that he could know me or my people. I lied to myself in saying that he did not. He knows us too well. His people have the same feelings and desires that we do. He said as much and I tried to believe otherwise, but even our bodies are hardly different from each other." T
he woman looked up at the holy knight and he thought that he saw tears in her eyes, but said still he held his tongue. "I tire of these deceptions, Janus. They have already volunteered to help us. Why don't you ask him about the magic and stop this nonsense?"

  Janus’ face was darkened in anger, "You foolish girl, our world depends on my learning that magic! If you cannot see that, you are a fool! No mage would give his enemy the power to defeat him! We can hardly leave it to free will, Electra."

  "Are you his enemy then, my lord?" the woman inquired quietly.

  The woman had not bothered to look at him as she asked the question. Janus felt shame at his words. "No, of course not, but am I his closest friend or brother that he should feel free to trust me? I am an ally, yes, but not a comrade. He dislikes me, though I must say that I am beginning to like him despite myself. I am not a man with a clever tongue or an even temper like him. Even my own people would probably, prefer someone other than myself to speak with most days."

  Electra clucked her tongue in disapproval. "The great holy knight feeling like an outsider among his own people and feeling sorry for himself now as well? You could change, if you wanted, Janus. I don't know why you have let yourself become so distanced from those around you, but only you can change that, my lord. Perhaps you should start with Darius first?"

  Janus wouldn't answer her as he seemed to mull the matter in his mind. Finally, his words came from a man set in his ways after too many years of life. He replied, "Do what you wish, Electra. I still believe that I am right in my actions, but if you cannot fulfill your mission, so be it."

  The woman sighed exhaustedly, "I will fulfill it to the letter, as you wish, my lord."

  "Good," he replied with a smile. "We'd better return before we are missed."

  A shadow moved ahead of the couple unseen and unheard. It had heard all that it needed from the elves.

  Janus stood eating the last of his breakfast near the edge of the woods. He was surprised as Darius walked up to him.

  "Morning," the elf greeted the wizard casually.

  "Could I have a word with you, Janus?"

  The knight shrugged, "Go ahead."

  "In private, please," the wizard replied pointing to the woods.

  Janus thought immediately of the possibility of treachery, but realized that such lengths would not have been unnecessary. He had seen the wizard's power, after all. His warriors would be like sticks added to a consuming fire if they tried to stop the magic anyway. He nodded and followed the man into the woods a short way out of sight of the others.

  "You want my magic," Darius stated bluntly. "If it will end this nonsense of Electra trying to wear me down, then let me show you."

  "What?" Janus asked startled.

  "My magic. It's why you've forced Electra to play all these games. You want it that bad, then I'll show it to you."

  "But I don't understand," the elf protested. He heard the man's words and they were more of sadness than anger. "Why would you give away the secrets to such power? You hardly know me and what you do know has caused dislike."

  Darius sighed, "You are an honorable man, Janus. An annoying one at times, but honorable. You seek to save your people and so do I. If you think that my magic can help, then you are free to use it. I just need to caution you. The Seer has sent me on this quest for a weapon to slay the Emperor. If my magic was enough, then why would he send us to Tolmona for the weapon?"

  The knight thought about that a moment. "Perhaps you are right. But still if you are willing to show me your secret, I would be a most willing student. My arts are powerful, but I am not strong enough to stop the Dark Emperor. I am desperate to save my people, Darius. Can you truly blame me for my attempts to get the magic?"

  Darius stood looking into the eyes of the despondent elf. "No, Janus," he replied. "I wouldn't have come, if I did. Come. Let me show you."

  When the two men left the woods, Tate held out a canteen of water and a piece of travel loaf. "How did it go?" he asked.

  "Fine. Thanks for finding out what was wrong, Tate. I owe you," Darius answered and put an arm around his friend's shoulders and led him back to the others.

  Chapter 20- Dante

  Light filtered through windows set high up above and cut into the walls of the barn. The sounds of people working and talking outside wafted inside and woke Dante from his dreamless sleep. He started to arise when he realized that there was weight upon his right arm and shoulder. The man found Valenia asleep against him where she had lain beside him. He gave a gentle nudge to awaken the silver haired woman.

  "Morning," he greeted quietly. She looked about and nodded.

  "How late is it?" Valenia questioned as she belted her sword against her back.

  Dante looked around and noticed several of their troops missing and others who were starting to awake. "Maybe we'd better go outside and find out?"

  The two officers went out side by side. They refused to hide their feelings for each other from their troops and would not bother to conceal themselves from some farmers either. The sun lay low in the east and appeared to have crested the hills surrounding Shallowvale less than an hour ago. Dante spotted Sergeant Lane and Riad standing with plates of food on Unger's porch only about a hundred feet from them.

  "Lieutenant, Captain, come on over," Riad greeted cheerfully his tall frame and blond hair making an easily found target in the early morning sunlight. "Mister Unger has been kind enough to offer us a breakfast."

  The two officers had nearly crossed the grasses separating them from the porch, when Unger came out through the open doorway right behind the sergeant. The old man held a pair of plates out to them as they stepped onto the wooden surface.

  "Thank you, Master Unger," Dante responded as he took a plate. "We didn't expect you to go through the trouble of serving us breakfast, though it is deeply appreciated."

  The old man, brushed at remaining white hair on his bald head as he harrumphed in his gruff voice. "I think of it as an investment. My daughter and most of her family lived in Darkwood and were killed. I figure that the sooner you all are fed, the sooner you can go make those monsters pay for their murders."

  Valenia gave Dante a glance of surprise. Their full company numbered only twenty-two now and Dante wondered, as well, how much they could possibly do to an enemy that destroyed cities. He wanted to avenge the others as the farmer had asked, but feared they could not. He did not voice their fears in front of the man, however.

  "You are still planning to go after them?" the old man demanded of them questioningly, his gray eyes looking piercingly at the soldiers.

  Dante nodded automatically. Whatever reservations they had would be pushed back by duty. It wasn't his country being attacked this time, but Dante still felt the sense of uselessness from the fall of Peleth. This time maybe he could make the creatures pay or at least find them for the rest of the Valosian army to come crush.

  The old man seemed mollified by his answer and returned inside.

  Dante turned to Riad and noticed that the private was already finished with his breakfast. It was the habit of a professional soldier to eat quickly, since meals came with uncertain regularity and could easily be interrupted. He was also a young man and had an appetite to match his youth. "Riad, go wake the others. I want everyone up and ready to go within the hour."

  Realizing that he had taken charge of things again, the lieutenant turned to Valenia who shrugged to show that it mattered little to her as she continued eating. The private half ran back to the barn before he could think to say anymore.

  Turning back to Lane, Dante noticed that the man was looking between them with an odd expression on his face that he could not read. "What is it, sergeant?"

  "I was just noticing the way you were acting together. The two of you laying in each others arms this morning nearly confirmed it, though people can do strange things in their sleep. Now looking at both of you, I realize that it wasn't a mistake of being too near each other in your sleep. When did you two st
art your relationship? It must have been before we were attacked when the two of you disappeared into the forest. You work quick, sir. I wouldn't have thought it of you."

  The two officers looked at each other. Dante turned back first. "The circumstances kind of fell together quickly, sergeant. Is that a problem for you?"

  The sergeant shrugged, "It's your life, sir. I've got no problem with it as long as it doesn't get in the way of your responsibility to your men."

  "What about my women?" Valenia asked sarcastically. "No worries about them, sergeant?"

  "They aren't my troops, ma'am. Calla might have something to say about it though," he answered with a grim smile and pointed to the soldiers exiting the barn.

  The others soon joined them, but nothing was mentioned of their relationship. Dante was certain that others in the command suspected as well. He didn't feel the need to make anything of it just yet. It really wasn’t their business if he and Valenia were together after all. The breakfast was nearly complete when several men leading horses came into view. They were headed straight for the soldiers. The leader nodded acknowledgment before saying, "Unger told us that you need horses to give chase to the monsters. We offer you these."

  Valenia answered this time, "We thank you for your offer, but I must tell you that we haven't the money to pay for them. I'm sure that the king can offer something should we survive to tell him..."

  The man shook his head. "We need only one payment, captain, revenge. Slay those monsters for the loved ones that we lost in Darkwood. That is all we ask.

  When you are finished with them, just release the steeds. They know their way home and we'll risk the loss of someone stealing them."

  Dante nodded in understanding. "We'll avenge them, sir, or die trying."