by Rick Brown
“We fight!” Lillia stated with fire in her eyes.
"Ha ha! Yeah, we do!" I said eagerly. "We have two magic users and some of the finest fighters in the world in our group. Let's use them. I'd think we be best as a floating party. Traveling and causing havoc."
“So, like usual?” Whilhoit asked.
“Aye!” I answered keenly.
Dwarves were now rushing down the various tunnels as we made our way to the public areas of Olingard. Screams and chaos filled the halls as rabid dwarves attacked the trained soldiers of Dommeran. We had numbers on our side, but experienced soldiers were hard to beat.
The Dommerians quickly formed defensive lines, cutting down the dwarves as they wildly attacked them. Pulling Slayer, I chopped my way into the phalanx of soldiers, breaking their line. Flames and lighting chased after me as Abigail and Yagen joined in the attack. With no priests in their group, the soldiers started to panic, which allowed the untrained dwarves to participate in the battle. Soon, all the Dommerians were either dead or on the run, but too many dwarves lost their lives in the struggle.
Always before, I fought with trained soldiers. While I pitied their loss, we all understood the risks. Now, I look upon civilians, eyes wide with shock at the bodies of those that had fallen — some to the blades that those dwarves now held. "Hold heart, my dwarves. We fight for our families! We fight for our freedom! Let's keep moving and chase these Dommerians from our mountains!" I yelled to the crowd. There was a cheer, but not with the enthusiasm I heard earlier. Hopefully, the other dwarven groups were having greater success.
We fought through two other groups of Dommerians before the first ray of sunshine fell on us. My uncle joined the fight. "Haha, Lad! Looks like you started without me!"
“We couldn’t wait forever on ya, Old Man,” I answered with a smile.
“Do you have a report?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Only that we be struggling. We may outnumber them, but these be trained military units. They take twice their number before they fall.”
“Twice?” my uncle said in shock. “Can we last like this?”
“We’ll have to,” I said with a shrug.
“Lookout!” Lillia yelled as she knocked us aside just as a priest’s fire struck the wall we were standing against. Father Yagen struck back first, sending a stream of fire towards the priest until Ryan was able to strike down the now screaming man.
“Thank ya, Councilor,” I said to Lillia as I helped her up.
“That was a close one,” She said as she wiped her face. “I wondered when we be running into one of them.”
A dwarf came running up to us in the madness. "Prince Orlik, Councilor Lillia. We can't hold the gate. We're gonna to lose control."
“The gate must be held,” I responded. “We’ll head that way.”
“I fear you’ll be too late,” the messenger explained. “The said it would be likely lost before I found ya.”
“We’ll go anyway,” I shouted in response. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to lose this kingdom.”
“What is that?” Asked my uncle. Looking to where he pointed, I saw a glowing light moving towards us from down the hall. Whatever it was, you could hear shouts and screams coming from its direction.
“Come ‘on,” I shouted as I started to race in the direction of the glow. “Whatever it be, we’ll find a way to kill it!”
As we approached the chaos, I realized that the glowing nimbus was a man.
“It’s Lee!” Shouted Abigail as she rushed forward.
Lee, with a flick of his hand, sent the Dommerians between us flying into the walls. He truly looked like a god incarnate. He released the glow just as Abigail slammed into him with a hug. He grabbed her back tightly as they embraced.
Barad walked up from behind him, hugging Brianna. "Well, I've brought the King. What do you need us to do?"
“Get them Dommerians out of Olingard,” I answered with a smile.
"Will do," Lee gave a grim smile back. Once again, his body lit with an aura as he marched down the hall, chasing the smart Dommerians to the exit, mercilessly killing any that didn't run — carrying in his hand Eberon's sword. Even after all the centuries, it was still magnificent.
Dwarves that believed all was lost now looked on in hope as the Dommerians retreated from this new ferocious foe. Lee paused as we neared the gates, allowing the soldiers trapped on this side time to press themselves back out of our gate entrance and away from Olingard. Finally, the gate slammed shut as the last of the fleeing soldiers escaped. A cheer went through the halls as Olingard was freed from Dommeran.
A lone dwarven soldier pressed his way through the crowd until he found me. “Prince Orlik! The King’s Guard was overrun in battle. I fear to tell you. The King is dead.”
Chapter 27
(Lee)
We rushed our way back through the halls of Olingard to find the King’s chamber door blown off its hinges. His room filled with the valiant dwarves that died trying to protect their Liege. Orlik and his uncle rushed to his father’s chambers while the rest of us waited outside, not wishing to disturb them.
“I feel so bad for Orlik,” Abigail stated as she took my hand. “To come back after being gone so long, only to have this happen.”
I nodded in agreement. I didn’t know what else to say. I feared we brought only sad tiding to Olingard. I could only hope we could win this kingdom’s freedom as repayment.
Finally, Orlik walked back out to join us. “Aye, what they said is true. Me father has been murdered.”
“I’m so sorry, Orlik,” Abi consoled as she stepped forward to hug him.
“Thank ya, Lass. This be a hard time for Olingard,” he said sadly. “Many have lost family on this day.”
“Won’t you be the king now?” Ryan asked.
“I will be,” Orlik agreed, “but I’ll name me uncle regent. More than ever, Dommeran must be driven back to its own lands. I want nothing to do with those people. Besides, Henlark will be a better ruler than I anyway. I have a lot to learn before I take the crown.”
“I think you’ll be in good hands when you are the King,” Bri said with a smile as she nodded towards Lillia who was directing dwarves on the delicate job of removing the bodies. Orlik quietly nodded as he walked over and hugged Lillia. The two found a quiet corner to talk.
“That’s a Councilwoman, isn’t it?” I asked Brianna.
“Yes, but she’s also Orlik’s fiancé,” she said with a smile.
“Fiancé?” I said in shock. “Orlik’s been gone for three hundred years, and he still has a fiancé?”
Brianna shrugged. “I guess some men are worth waiting for.”
“So, how did escaping the werewolves go?” Ryan asked.
“Smoothly, thanks to the sword. That’s still a story I’m interested in hearing. How did you get it?” I asked.
“Oh no,” Barad said with a smile. “You spent days trapped in a room with werewolves. You’re not getting any stories from us until you give us details.”
I sighed. “Fine, but I really would like some rest first. Drawing as much magic as I did was exhausting, even if I was using the stone.”
“Can we at least see the sword?” Ryan asked.
This I was happy to comply with. Pulling the sword from its sheath, I once again gazed on its beauty. The blade itself once again had that sparkling effect of little lights running through it. The beauty of it made it hard to look away.
“It’s beautiful,” Ryan said in awe. Barad just nodded in agreement.
“Even more fantastic than in the stories,” Farloc added.
Lillia surprised us all as she stepped up to our group. “Are you boys done playing with your toy?”
"What?" I asked as if waking from a trance. "Yes, sorry." I quickly re-sheathed the sword.
“I fear Orlik will be busy as they prepare to crown him. He asked that I prepare some baths and see you to the Alsselyian Embassy,” Lillia explained.
“Oh yes, pl
ease,” Abigail said excitedly. “I’ve spent the last week in a prison cell with a bunch of men. A bath and some private time would be wonderful.”
“Then please follow me,” Lillia ordered.
It seems Alsselya still had a suite of rooms in Olingard as well. It wasn’t as grand an area as the one in Vennean, but it had all the comforts I needed. Sadly, here there were no servants to pamper us, but the dwarves had drawn baths for us before leaving.
After spending days with werewolves, which I was convinced were slightly smellier than skunks, I spent some time in the tub scrubbing until there was little left of my skin. Then I scrubbed a little more. Wetting a towel, I covered my eyes and relaxed in the tub, resting my feet on the edge. Even though the blade was across the room, I could still feel the constant trickle of energy feeding Alynon’s Tear. After doing so for so many months, it felt like a familiar friend.
Finally, I pulled myself from the water, quickly drying off as I felt the cool temperatures of Olingard. With a quick jump, I was in bed, appreciating that the dwarves changed the linens before they left. The bed was soft and reminded me of the royal bed in Vaelin. Within minutes I was fast asleep.
The fog fled before me as I walked the halls of Ealinhart. I now had mixed feelings of the palace. While it was the heart of my dreams for Alsselya, it also was the place Lenux almost lost his life to Marcus Hannen.
I knew where to look for Alynon, I made my way to the throne room. There the god stood in all his glory, me only rising to his chest. He gave off a warm, comforting aura of gold as he stood before me. Beside him was Ayisha, goddess of the Vaelin’s. Also, she was my adopted goddess. The presence of them both was overwhelming, and I quickly dropped to one knee and genuflected before them.
“Rise, sweet Eberon,” Ayisha said as she walked towards me. Raising my eyes, I was once again shocked at her beauty. She truly was a goddess.
“You have done well, Lee,” Alynon said with pride. “Retrieving the sword and removing the taint of the lycanthrope, what you call werewolves, from the world. We are very proud of you.”
“But there is much left to do,” Ayisha reminded. “Do not become complacent just because you have the sword.”
Alynon nodded in agreement with his sister. “Gorath’s heart is a great threat. It might even rival the stone.”
“I remember Farloc mentioning Gorath’s heart. What is it?” I asked.
“It is similar to the stone,” Ayisha began.
“It is nothing like my stone,” Alynon interrupted angrily.
“Of course, brother, Gorath’s heart is an abomination,” Ayisha corrected. “While the stone steals its energy only from you, a willing host, Gorath’s heart takes energy from victims by sacrifice. Grenlow stabs the victim with his blade, which strips them of their lifeforce. Transforming it into magic. It is truly an act of evil.”
“And it has as much magic as the Tear?” I questioned.
“Likely, it does,” Alynon admitted. “Grenlow has certainly fed it enough times. The only reason I am not convinced that it is greater is due to my brother. He steals energy from it every time Grenlow communicates with him. His greed might well be his undoing.”
“Does he?” Ayisha asked curiously. “Well, that would explain how he has become so strong.”
“I don’t have proof,” Alynon admitted. “but it would explain much.”
The beautiful goddess nodded. “It does. The more I consider it, the more likely I believe it to be true.”
“Be wary of the High Priest, Lee. I know now that you have tasted the power of the sword you might feel invincible, but you are not the only one of strength on your world.”
“Oh my, no. There are many creatures of overwhelming magic that walk the land and swim in the sea. Luckily, most keep to themselves,” Ayisha agreed.
“One of those creatures you must deal with next,” Alynon started.
“The dragon,” I stated with a nod of my head.
“The dragon,” Alynon confirmed. “The beast lives fifty miles east of the dwarves southern exit to Spellion. Plan on a rough journey over mountainous terrain. It is a large red fire dragon. Orlik will know of it. His great-grandfather died in an attempt to kill the beast after it attacked a dwarven caravan to the south.”
“That monster?” Ayisha asked. “Why didn’t you pick a smaller green?”
Alynon sighed. “Because there wasn’t a green near Ealinhart at the time of the fall. Besides, they aren’t greedy enough. The red took everything in Ealinhart before Dommeran could take it. All I had to do was send a whiff of gold into the air to get the beast to change course and grab it up.”
“Yes, and likely keep the gold for eternity. Even with the sword, these are mortals. Lee would only come up to the shoulder of that red. Even if the sword can penetrate the scales, which I am not convinced it can, it would be just a nuisance to the dragon,” Ayisha complained.
“But if Lee releases enough magic through the blade, then he could kill it,” Alynon argued.
“So, he gets close enough to stab the dragon, without being consumed first, then somehow gets Eberon’s Sword through the Red’s scales, and releases enough energy to kill the dragon. All without killing himself in the process,” she recited as she shook her head.
“That’s why it has to be Lee,” Alynon continued to argue as he waved vaguely in my direction. “You know his family morphed into something more than human centuries ago. He has proven the abilities are still there!”
Ayisha shook her head. “I’m sorry Lee for my pessimism. My brother is right that this must be done. There will be no rebirth of Alsselya without it. I only worry for your safety. What is asked of you is beyond what we would normally request of your kind.”
“We shall do our best, My Goddess,” I replied. I had not spent enough time with Ayisha that I felt I could be informal. Besides, right now she had me terrified about battling a dragon. I could hide my fear in being formal.
“I have assembled with Lee the best people I could,” Alynon still argued defensively.
"Of course, my brother," Ayisha responded with a placating smile, and then her smile grew as she thought of something. "Maybe one more could be of service."
“What? From where?” Alynon demanded.
“Lee, make sure Orlik invites Spellion to the funeral and coronation,” Ayisha said as she turned to me.
“I know what you are thinking, Mannoth will never forgive you,” Alynon warned.
“Of course, he will. My brother loves me!” She said with an impish smile. “It may take some time though.”
Alynon smiled. “So long as he knows it’s your idea. Lee, do as my sister requests. Invite the Spellions.”
“Of course. I’m not likely to disobey a goddess,” I agreed.
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Ayisha replied. Then she turned and started walking around this room. “You know, this kingdom does have marvelous potential.”
“My kingdom,” Alynon reminded.
“I have housed your church in Vaelin for three centuries. I believed I’ve earned a stake in Alsselya,” Ayisha argued.
Alynon frowned. “We’ll discuss your recompense later.”
“Lee, you’d like a church of mine in Alsselya, wouldn’t you?” Ayisha cooed.
“I… I think I’d like to go back now,” I answered nervously.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Alynon agree with a frown. Waving his hand, I found myself thankfully back in Olingard.
Chapter 28
(Lee)
“Why would we wait for Spellion?” Orlik asked. “The dwarves need a king. They don’t need to be waiting.”
“The request wasn’t from me,” I explained. “Ayisha and Alynon both wish for the Spellions to be present.”
"But...But, it'll be weeks before they get here," Orlik stammered. "We don't have that time."
“We can use the time,” I corrected uncomfortably, “to go kill the dragon.”
“Ohh?” Orlik asked. “So, ya know
what beastie we have to fight now?”
“I do. Apparently, it’s a red dragon. East of the sout…” was all I got out.
“That thing?! That’s no dragon. It’s death in the flesh!” Orlik bellowed. “Ain’t no one can defeat that!”
“We have to, even Ayisha agreed with that, even if she doesn’t like it,” I stated.
“Aye, I bet she doesn’t,” Orlik sighed. “Well, Spellion will be getting their money out of this trip. They can visit me father’s funeral as well as ours.”
“Excuse me,” Ryan interrupted. “If we are inviting Spellion, should we invite Vaelin and Tiber as well? It could cause diplomatic fallout if they are not invited.”
“Wait now, Boy,” Orlik said as he raised his hands. “It be one thing to invite Spellion, maybe even Vaelin. They be neighbors. We be waiting months if we invite Tiber.”
“Orlik’s right. We’ll have to send some sort of message to Tiber. Maybe explain that the unrest due to Dommeran rushed the event,” I said as I thought it out. “Still, inviting Kendrick seems like a solid idea. To be honest, I am hungry about news from the world.”
“Alright, you and your gods win. I’ll invite them. Best send out the invites today,” Orlik begrudgingly agreed.
“Kendrick will be here?” Abigail asked as her face went pale.
I had to smile. “You don’t know Kendrick. He won’t hold a grudge against you. Especially if we tell him both Lord Hannen and his son are dead.” With a thought, I turned back to Orlik. “What of Benlok?”
“Escaped,” Orlik answered with a growl. “Likely the first one out when the revolt began.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said sympathetically, patting Orlik’s back. I knew he wanted the ambassador to answer for his father’s death.
Orlik sighed. “He’ll answer for it, someday.”
The afternoon passed quickly as we went through our preparations. Ryan and I composed a letter to Kendrick, apologizing for not going to Tiber as planned, everyone else went shopping for supplies for fighting a dragon. What sort of supplies, I couldn’t imagine. Thankfully, that was up to them.
After Ryan and I delivered our letter to Orlik, we finally had a moment to rest. It was really the first time since we left Illiner that we could take a moment for ourselves. I settled for a nap on the couch, privilege of being the King.
