by Eden Redd
Dax was about to say something when Lyla spoke up from behind him.
“It’s okay, Dax,” Lyla said simply.
The mage stepped to the side as he watched Skullcut and Lyla look at each other, eye to eye.
“I’ll cooperate,” Lyla said in a defeated tone.
The counselor nodded. “We won’t let anything happen to you in our custody, I promise. We will have to take you back to the ship…” Edrin trailed off as calm words spilled into his mind.
Heads and eyes perked up as his voice slid into every mind around and in the Lighthouse. It was simple and direct, the words addressing Counselor Skullcut and Professor Frost, but everyone could hear it word for word.
“Professor Frost and Counselor Skullcut, the Sea Witch and surrounding vessels are under attack by sea monsters. Mages will be teleporting everyone they can to your location while the crews continue to fight,” the voice came out silky smooth along minds.
“Seer, are you on your way?” Edrin asked in an ethereal tone.
Dax watched images as they played out in his mind. A woman in a white robe stood to the back of a large room. She stared indifferently as several men and women slashed and hacked at grotesque monsters pushing to get in and devour them all.
“I fear I will not be joining you. The other Seers with me have been slain. I’m trying to send a message to the academy before my end.”
Flashes of light blinked along the courtyard. Dax turned his attention to the newcomers, students, crew, and faculty appearing in small groups. Chests and packs also appeared on the stone and grassy floor. Terror filled eyes glanced around from some as other students sobbed into their hands.
“Captain Roderick?” Edrin asked.
“He is still fighting, but the enemy is vast. I can feel their simple minds as they rise from the depths. Some are here, destroying the ships. Many others have moved onto land and are making their way in your direction. They have surrounded the island. Defend yourselves and I will…” the seer’s voice fell away.
Dax and everyone present watched the vision as monsters leapt through the cabin, claws and teeth flashing before everything went dark. The connection severed and loss filled hearts.
Counselor Skullcut gave a grave nod before looking to Professor Frost. “You must assume command. I pledge my axe and blade to you.”
Professor Frost eyed the counselor and nodded. “Is the Butcher going to make an appearance?”
Counselor Skullcut said nothing.
Frost looked to Dax and Lyla. “Gather everyone in the courtyard.”
Lyla blinked. “But…”
The professor shook her head. “We do not have time to discuss anything beyond a strategy. Everyone must pull their weight or there won’t be anyone left to care what any of us have done. Go, gather everyone.”
Dax grabbed Lyla’s hand. The pair ran off as Professor Frost and Counselor Skullcut walked and discussed in private.
Dax’s mind raced as he waved his hands, grabbing people’s attention. Lyla joined him, calling out for everyone to gather. Students, crew, and faculty were up and moving to the two mages as they waved them closer.
Fear whipped at Dax’s heart. The mage could not push away the images of deformed monsters attacking. The memory of the sea monster attacking his coterie on the beach glowed and blended with the other horrific images. Primal terror latched on, everyone along the coasts and islands knowing that these monsters snatched people, drowning them and feasting on their bodies in the deep, dark waters. But, to see so many at once, magnified the terror. Monsters from the black depths were rising up and coming for them.
A crowd of a few hundred gathered, filling a section of the courtyard. Professor Frost whispered an incantation and floated into the air. Her stern face looked down at rows of wide eyes. The mage crossed her arms and eyed the crowd with authority and confidence.
“Time is not on our side, so I will be brief. The Sea Witch and other vessels have been destroyed by a horde of sea monsters. These very monsters are now on land and have surrounded the island. They have cut off our escape and may arrive in the coming hours. I am assuming command and everyone is to follow my orders to the letter.”
Heads nodded as almost all looked to the professor in cold fear.
Professor Frost continued, “Mages with Urth Sphere knowledge, you will create a second defensive outer wall around the Lighthouse. Those with lesser degrees in Urth magic, will repair the main walls of the Lighthouse.
“Fighters, berserkers, and spellswords, you will assist with shoring up defenses and guarding the inner wall.
“Druids and necromancers, animate trees and undead. They will be the first line of defense beyond the outer wall after it's created.
“Clerics, paladins, and bards, you will take positions in the inner courtyard to take wounded, heal them, and get them back into battle. There will be no rest until the enemy retreats. Paladins, you shall defend and escort healed students back to the wall and place blessings on them.
“Lancers, you will ready yourselves to fight large monsters. Gather your forces in small squads around the Lighthouse.
“Rogues and monks, you will be the first line of defense against any monsters that breach both walls or any that sneak in. Kill them with extreme prejudice. They will give no quarter, nor shall we.
“If you are a former crew member of the Sea Witch, take up arms and prepare for battle. Every single person here must fight for our very survival. We are losing valuable moments and we must come together to fight this threat.”
Professor Frost’s eyes closed for a breath before they opened with renewed confidence.
“If everyone follows my commands, we may survive this night. Rally to each other, defend each other with courage and remember what you have learned. Monsters have tried to destroy us before, but we fought them back! We sent them running! We will do it again tonight! For Sebastian Kinarth, the Academy and each other!”
“For Sebastian Kinarth and the Academy!” shouts roared as fists were raised into the air
Professor Frost continued to float as everyone rushed to their duties. Dax was among them, losing Lyla to the crowd. Bodies moved in every direction, mages moving to the walkway on the wall, cards and spellbooks opened. Magical energies flared as a hundred feet from the Lighthouse wall, the ground shifted and rose to form a second wall.
Many other students rushed to sections, inspecting the crumbling inner walls and calling out to mages to repair them. Groups formed, everyone taking their duties and assignments seriously. Despite the lack of real war time experience, every student moved with purpose.
Dax was about to climb the stairs to the walkway when a hand grabbed his shoulder. Dax turned to see his friends gathered, all their eyes on him.
Symon let go of Dax’s shoulder. The mage looked at everyone gathered. Eyes spoke without speaking. The connection they felt blazed bright between them. Fern flew down and hugged the mage’s neck. Symon nodded to his best friend. Vance and Zarra stood with warmth in their eyes. Isani and Ressa stepped closer, heads bowed low. Noss stood close, looking up with fearful eyes.
Dax’s heart cracked as he looked at his friends. The exams, the tests, and trials seemed pale compared to this moment. His friends trusted and relied on him to be their strength and it showed in this silent moment. Dax saw Symon grow more confident. He witnessed Fern’s choice to be herself, despite what others think. He was there when Vance became more than his family’s terrible legacy. The mage mentally smiled at Noss’s growth and friendship. Dax’s spirit glowed with Isani and Ressa’s tenacity and budding friendships.
The mage looked to Zarra. The cleric’s golden eyes stared into his soul. A beautiful image of a grand clan filled the mage’s heart and wanting to be the best he could for her, for all of them.
Dax lifted a hand before him, palm out, “Heroes of Kinarth.”
The group lifted their hands. Everyone pressed their palms to each other, loving energy binding them all. Fern flew up and
touched her tiny palm to the top.
“Heroes of Kinarth,” the group said in unison.
“We will make it through the night,” Dax stated.
Heads nodded and pulled their hands back.
Bodies peeled away to tend to their orders. When everyone moved on, Dax and Zarra stood.
The cleric eyed the mage for a long moment before she rushed him and flung her arms around his neck. The mage held her close, her body hot as it practically glowed against him.
“Dax, I won’t let anything happen to you,” Zarra whispered.
Dax smirked, “I was just going to say the same thing to you.”
Zarra pulled back, “We just started our clan and it will not be taken away.”
“Not if we have anything to say about it,” the mage said simply.
Professor Frost floated down next to them. Counselor Skullcut stepped closer.
Dax and Zarra parted and looked to them.
Professor Frost was first, “Zarra, we have something to ask of you.”
The cleric bowed. “I live to help. What may I do for you, Professor?”
Skullcut cleared his throat before he began to talk, “We don’t believe the seers managed to get a message to the academy. We will require you to fly to the Academy and inform High Dean Luthis of what is happening.”
Zarra looked to the professor and counselor in turn. “I’m needed here. I can help repel the monsters. I simply need the circlet removed and I can use my true form to smite them.”
Professor Frost nodded. “We have discussed it. The distance is too far to teleport and you are the fastest creature among us. We need you to fly to the academy and tell them. We may survive one night. We will not survive a second night.”
“I… can’t,” Zarra whispered.
Edrin nodded. “You must. We wouldn’t ask if we weren’t in dire need of your abilities.”
Dax took Zarra’s hand into his. The cleric turned and looked to the mage with wet eyes.
“Zarra, we need you to get help. We’ll be here when you get back,” Dax said with a soothing edge.
“I don’t want to leave your side,” Zarra said with a rare, adamant edge.
Dax smiled. “You’re not. I know you will return. We will hold the walls until you come back. I promise.”
Zarra stared at Dax for a long, loving moment before she pulled her hand away and stepped back. The cleric took a few more steps until she was about thirty feet away. Professor Frost whispered a few arcane words. The circlet on the cleric’s head melted away to nothing.
Zarra kept her serpent gaze on Dax. The mage smiled and gave a small nod.
The cleric bowed before her body grew larger. Muscles ballooned and pulled as Zarra’s skeleton elongated. Scales burst along her flesh and flattened down, interconnecting. A tail sprouted and whipped around as two golden wings unfolded from her back. The cleric didn’t make a sound as a snout extended and teeth grew larger. Horns stabbed upwards and curved. Front arms became clawed legs as they crashed down on the ground.
Everyone nearby stopped to watch the golden dragon. Zarra’s true form was the size of a large horse, but the wings and tail made her seem much bigger. She peered down at Dax before her head moved closer and rubbed at the side of his head. Dax took hold, keeping her close.
The moment fell away and Zarra pulled back.
Wings flapped as muscles flexed. With a hearty jump, the golden dragon was in the air. Wings pumped harder, lifting her body higher and higher into the air. Everyone watched as the golden dragon rose higher into the night. Flames burst from her mouth before she turned and soared into the night sky.
“I wish she could have stayed. We needed her power,” Counselor Skullcut said in a low voice.
“Me too,” Dax said as he turned away and climbed the stairs to the walkway.
Orbs of light appeared around the courtyard as students and faculty moved with purpose. The outer wall was finished when a makeshift gate was created. Druids sent out power to many trees as necromancers called upon the dead. Once still trees moved with new life. Roots pulled from the ground as limbs moved, orange leaves falling away. Trees moved by the dozens, taking up residence along the outer wall.
Undead rose from the ground. They moved with singular purpose, many of them filling both sides of the outer wall. Zombies rose up next, moving to the skeletons and a few phantoms appeared, hovering with the new undead army.
Fighters, berserkers, and spellswords took up positions along the top of the inner wall. Mages stayed where they were, between the fighters, ready to attack at a distance. Spellbooks lay on the edge of the wall while some mages prepared spell cards.
The courtyard was filled with clerics, paladins, monks, and bards. Tents were set up to house the wounded before they would be healed to reenter the fight. Many others helped with reinforcing the main gates, taking what they could from inside the Lighthouse such as old beams and stones and then bracing them against the gates.
All the groups began to work like a well-oiled machine and before long, students and faculty alike slowed down. Defenses were put in place, walls healed of weathered damage. Tents stood ready for those hurt. Fighters and spellswords ran whet stone over their blades. Monks centered their inner power while bards played a soothing tune to ease heightened nerves.
Dax stood on the walkway staring out at the dark forest and the starry sky beyond. It was peaceful, almost unimaginable that a horde of monsters were making their way to them. A blue light caught his attention and Dax looked on just beyond the outer wall, a mana flame waving.
Thoughts floated back to the night Nuria tried to control the very essence of mana, killing her and allowing Lyla’s soul to inhabit her body. It was such an odd and wondrous moment, life and death happening at once. The messy tangle of memories filling Lyla as she allowed herself to connect with Dax, their fates swirling together.
I must continue to fight for her, for everyone. I must stand and protect. This is what I’ve always wanted.
Dax’s gaze lowered.
I know what I have to do, but why am I still scared to do it?
A shadow slinked to Dax’s side. The mage looked over as Isani seemed to appear out of nowhere. The shadow elf leaned her elbows on the wall edge and looked out, the tiny dancing mana flame reflected in her crimson eyes.
“I snuck pretty close to your discussion with Frost and Skullcut. I heard everything,” Isani said simply.
Dax leaned on the wall next to her, his voice silent.
The shadow elf continued, “It was only a matter of time before the truth was discovered. It may not seem like it, but you both did the right thing.”
“I never thought I’d hear something like that from a rogue,” Dax said with slight amusement.
“We may be masters of stealth and information, but we are champions too. We can do the dirty work where others may not wish to, or can’t. I’ve made my choices. Lyla couldn’t hide forever. Now that it’s out in the open, she can fight a different battle for her freedom. If we survive, her information on the secret cabal may help many more.”
“Yea, the survival part is key,” Dax said with wilted amusement.
Isani stared out, a gentle breeze touching her white hair.
The shadow elf parted her lips, “Ressa and I worked as serving maids in this small tavern, not far from the Hork Swamps and Shadow Caverns. Our people often mingled since the dranar came to the Shadow Caverns to escape the void spawn. Our people fought side by side as the spawn tried many times to invade us. They had difficulty navigating the endless tunnels and traps which led them to retreat many times.
“Ressa and I have known each other since we were young and couldn’t stay far from each other. When we were of age, we journeyed to Willow Brook. It was our first stop to earn enough gold for our true journey. We talked all the time about Kinarth Academy and very much knew we would join. We just had to get there.”
Isani’s red gaze pointed down as she continued, “Willow Brook has often
had bandit raids, earning easy gold preying on many who couldn’t fight back. We were having a good night, serving patrons with lots of gold to spare. We were getting close to our goal and knew it would be only a matter of days before we bought horses and began the long journey.
“It was a happy dream.
“Bandits attacked the tavern, holding everyone at sword point and demanding their gold and jewels. Some of the patrons fought back and everything fell to chaos. I lost Ressa in the fighting, blood splattering across tables as men and women screamed.
“All I thought to do was hide. I grabbed a knife off a table and rushed to the wine cellar. I still remember blood dripping from between the floorboards above me like red rain. I pulled barrels aside and found a small, forgotten crawl space. I moved the barrel so it stood before it, hiding me.
“I sat in the dark, clutching a simple knife as the screams died down. I prayed to Vala and Umus to watch over me. I had forgotten all about Ressa, my need to survive overriding my logic.”
Isani turned, leaning her hip against the wall edge and looking to Dax. “Ressa screamed and whimpered as men pulled her down to the cellar. I knew her voice and her screams cut at my spirit. The men laughed, talking about what they were going to do to her, even after she was dead. She cried out and I didn’t move. I heard them tear off her clothes. She whimpered and sobbed.
“I can’t remember what exactly happened next. I think I crawled out of the crawl space. I peeked from behind the barrel, Ressa was on her knees as men shoved their hips in her face. The next thing I remembered, I was stabbing one of them in the neck. He gurgled as he drowned on his own blood and it was very satisfying. I wanted to teach them more. I moved to another, stabbing over and over again. Hands grabbed me, but soon they cried out. I buried my knife in guts as Ressa clawed at them. The two of us moved like we were possessed. When it was over, we stood over eight bloody bodies.
“We waited in the dark. The rest of the bandits must have moved on since no one else came down. By morning, we crept out of the cellar to the tavern. Many dead lay. We gathered what we could and took two horses from the stables. We rode on for several days, not speaking a word. When we reached Hydale, we contacted Kinarth Academy with a raven. A few days later, they sent someone to test our skills. We did well for the Rogue Class and were on a ship to the Mist Haven Isle.”
