by Eden Redd
Lilly’s heart quickened, hoping Jon was okay. She knew once he was free, his luck could very much turn the tide in their favor, but his weakened state may also have an effect on it. It was a gamble, one where all their lives depended on it, but the sun elf trusted her instincts and her love for the Urth man in a cage.
Lilly turned her gaze to Zelda’s ever watchful eyes. “It’s time,” she whispered.
Zelda nodded and stood up. The sea elf moved to the small cave entrance and looked up. The pit was quiet. The faint outline of two bodies stood on the other side of the main gate. Zelda knew they had crossbows and she mentally prepared herself to take them out.
From her sitting position, Lilly moved onto her knees. Pulling down her raggedy leggings and her small clothes, she squatted slightly and pushed. Hands reached under her as she forced a small tube from her colon. It squeezed out into her hand and she gently pulled it free.
The sun elf sat, memories filling her mind of the night at the Laughing Rat. When she woke to the sound of movement nearby, she knew what was coming. Disappearing into the bathroom, she inserted the tube that was given to her from Captain Thorn. Repurposing it for the grand escape, she kept it inside her to ensure their success.
Lilly twisted the tube and opened it. She pulled out a small knife with an odd finger grip. She pulled out lockpicking tools and a tiny piece of Ambrosia fruit. The fruit was a last resort and Lilly put it in her pocket to give it to Jon. It would give him enough strength to bounce back from his hunger and maybe turn the tide.
The Captain made a small sound, indicating she was ready. Zelda nodded with her back to her. Lilly moved to Zelda’s side, the tiny knife between fingers and the small set of tools in her other hand.
Several elves pretending to sleep, blinked or nodded to the Captain and First Mate.
Like ghosts in the night, Lilly and Zelda moved low and stayed to the shadows. They remained calm as ice, moving from shadow to shadow, hunkering down every few moments before moving on. The climb up the widening stone path led them higher and higher up.
Lilly squatted, Zelda doing the same behind her. The Captain eyed the entrance a mere fifty feet away. The guards leaned their backs to the bars, their heads nodding as they fought to stay awake.
Lilly smirked, thinking this was much too easy. Not wanting to waste any more time, the sun and sea elf moved silently to the gate.
The guards fought slumber’s embrace, one of them yawning loudly. The moment he closed his mouth, a hand clamped onto it and a small blade sank into his neck. Panic and terror filled his eyes as blood spurted from his neck.
The other guard was just turning his head when webbed hands grabbed hold and covered his mouth. The other guard slumped to the floor as Lilly stepped over and drove the small blade in the remaining guard’s neck. Another steamy spurt of blood shot out as the elf’s eyes half-closed and gave a muffled death rattle.
Zelda lowered the guard as Lilly wiped the blood from her hands. Taking the bent metal pieces from her pocket, she inserted them into the lock. The Captain and First Mate glanced past the bars, seeing Jon’s cage swing gently in the breeze and the Warden laughing with a cup in his hand. Lilly worked the lock as Zelda stood guard, knowing it was all going to end tonight.
***
“Marvelous! This is great material for my memoirs!” Warden Kell laughed with rosy cheeks.
Jon sat weakly in his cage, a dour expression filling his face.
Kell scribbled as he talked, “To know that President Dawn Chapman helped to bring prosperity from her administration and General Daniel Schinofen helped pave the way to military reform is just the kind of information to help understand your realm. Even a diplomat, what’s his name, Scottie Futch? He brought international ties closer so governments could work together instead of fighting each other is incredibly interesting!”
Jon gave a knowing, amused smile. He just repeated what he heard online. He had no idea if they had performed any of those things, but the Warden would have no clue if it was true or not. Jon had spent half the night telling the Warden half-made up stories just to keep him busy. Despite the Warden’s threats to harm his friends, Jon knew there was no way he could verify the information. If he managed to leave this island, he would have a lot of fanciful stories that may make no sense.
Kell blew on the ink to dry before closing shut his notebook. “Well, you have been a delight. I look forward to tomorrow night. I want to hear more about your realm.”
Jon moved to the bars again and looked down at the bottle of rum. “I am very hungry and some rum would soothe that hunger until some food arrives.”
The Warden stood and looked up. “Yes, yes. I will see if I can bring you some food and rum tomorrow night. You will be here a few days and I don’t wish for you to become too strong once you're fed. Tell me more stories and you may yet eat and drink!”
Jon’s brow wrinkled.
“Don’t be cross. I still have need of you and you will be paid when I have enough satisfactory information. For now, try to get some rest. You will need your strength for our next session.”
A match was lit along Jon’s spirit. Weak calm flipped into a blazing pyre of rage, fury and disgust. The Warden had no intention of keeping his friends safe or feeding him. It was plain on his cavalier grin as he picked up his quill and inkwell and placed them in an inner pocket.
A feeling touched Jon’s senses, causing him to look out across the courtyard. The two shadows moved along the gate as two elves lay slumped on the stone floor. The gate opened slightly, pushing a body away and Lilly stepped out halfway, waving her hand.
Jon’s anger and frustration drained away and hope glowed.
“I must get some rest myself. Tomorrow shall be a busy day and…” the Warden trailed off.
Kell looked up to Jon, turned his head and body to follow the young man’s gaze. He lowered his gaze to the main gate just as boots were dragged in, the gate still partially open.
Horror painted his eyes as his lips parted wide, ready to shout.
A strong breeze twisted the cage in the air. Jon held on as a link strained and snapped. The cage fell from its chain as Jon took in a deep breath. The impact shattered the cage in almost every direction, Jon sitting in the middle unharmed.
Kell choked on his chance to scream, the sound of the shattering cage blasting his nerves. The Warden reached for his pistol on the table, lifted it up and aimed it at Jon as he slowly stood up. A finger fell on the trigger as he aimed at Jon’s chest.
“Stand down!” Kell shouted.
“No,” Jon smiled and took a step forward.
Kell pulled the trigger and the magical pistol clicked. The Warden’s eyes widened as he looked at the pistol, the weapon seemingly jammed.
Jon darted forward with a wide smile. Kell dropped his pistol and snatched up his short sword. The blade cleared the sheath and shined in the moonlight before it slashed out at Jon. The young man easily dodged it by side stepping and moving in. A palm struck an extended wrist, sending the short sword from Kell’s hand and clattering along the floor. Another palm shot forward, striking Kell in the chest and sent him sprawling to the floor.
“GUARDS!” Kell shouted as he slid ten feet across the smooth floor.
Lanterns blinked on along the cannon towers. A bell soon rang as the doors to the main keep opened, guards in red and black uniforms rushing out with crossbows in their hands.
Jon stood as he slowly turned around, watching everyone scramble.
Zelda’s webbed hands clenched. “We have to save him!”
Lilly grabbed her First Mate’s shoulder, “No, not yet.”
Jon whimsically stepped to the table with the bottle of rum. He lifted it up and took a long swig. His throat massaged the liquid down into his stomach as Kell was to his feet and backing off. The Warden made a wide circle before standing to the side of the majority of his guards.
Jon lifted a finger, still drinking from the bottle. The instant the rum hit his starvin
g stomach, it was absorbed. More rum poured in and Jon’s body lapped it up like a thirsty deer by a river. Nerves relaxed and his body nearly went slack. The chaos of the Tentacle Tea drained away and was replaced with warm comfort.
The guards turned their gazes to the Warden, waiting for his command.
Warden Kell’s eyes narrowed. “KILL HIM!”
Crossbows aimed and fingers pulled triggers. A volley of crossbow bolts shot forward as Jon faced them. A burning sensation touched the back of his neck before he leapt and twisted his body. The drunken feeling hit him hard, not sure exactly what was happening. Body falling, he landed on his feet as several dozens of bolts clattered on the floor behind him.
Eyes widened and mouths gaped as every bolt missed him.
“All of you have terrible aim,” Jon burped before he took an unsteady step forward.
Hands scrambled as many of the guards began to reload.
The Warden looked up to the cannon towers. “Lightning rounds! Wait for my command!” he shouted.
In every tower, two guards in each one moved with purpose. One loaded as the other aimed the cannon toward the courtyard. Hammers cocked back before a hand hovered over the trigger.
Jon tried to keep standing, his body moving in every direction, but what he wanted.
The Warden lowered his gaze on the drunk Jon, rage in his eyes. “Before you die, know this! I will feast on your precious Zelda before sunrise and hand her head to the Empire’s forces as proof of her capture!”
Jon stopped walking. The burning sensation at the back of his neck flared. Golden wings spread out from his heart as Jon’s soul screamed to the stars. An imprint formed and blazed before it cooled. Jon reached up and touched the sensitive flesh at his neck, fingers tracing over a strange mark.
I feel good, really good.
Jon grinned as he flexed his neck.
“OPEN FIRE!” Warden Kell shouted to the towers.
Hands slammed down on triggers. A magical surge followed a small tube until it reached a loaded cannonball. When the energy touched it, the ball exploded, forcing the lightning out the long tube.
Jon looked up as ten lightning bolts flashed, arcing down on his location. The young man relaxed before the bolts came down. In a blink, he jumped, pivoted, hopped, and spun as lightning struck the courtyard, cracking stone and sending up small stones and debris into the air. Jon chuckled as his body moved with the flow. Never in his life had he felt so relaxed. He was in control and not in control, moving like a drunk dancer through a lightning storm.
Elves reloaded their crossbows, lifted them up and aimed. They watched as lightning bolts struck the floor, the prisoner just stepping away from the impact. Watching him move with ease as death rained down caused many hands and arms to shake as they tried to maintain their aim.
“Fire, you fools!” Kell shouted.
Fingers pulled triggers. Crossbow and lightning bolts stabbed outwards and from above, Jon almost lazily contorting his body and dodging every single one. Stone dust and flashing lights filled the center of the courtyard as Jon moved, stumbled and turned. The onslaught was mesmerizing and hypnotic as the lone man seemed to be untouchable.
Lilly and Zelda watched, their hearts soaring as Jon moved with ease through the storm.
“The signal,” Lilly whispered.
Zelda turned to the pit and roared. Sea elves jumped to their webbed feet. Many grabbed pickaxes and makeshift weapons. Like a surging horde, they rushed up the spiraling path, quickly making their way each level, the night air sweet as they ascended.
Jon spun and spun again, his drunken senses shifted and he was in full control. The drunken stumbling shifted into precise movements, stepping with deft skill.
I’m in control. I’m in control!
Jon flipped and dodged the storm of lightning and crossbow bolts. Jon laughed as he felt everything coming toward him and seeing the patterns to dodge them. It became a song, the high notes pushing his body in one direction and the low notes begging him closer. When the lightning stopped and the guards started to reload, a small smoky mist filled the center courtyard as Jon faced the main force again.
“I can do this all night! Surrender and you will go free,” Jon said with a wicked smirk.
Warden Kell seethed and turned to his people. “Lay down your weapons and you will be added to the pit! Kill him!”
The elves nodded to their leader as they all lifted their crossbows and fingers touched triggers.
Jon stood with ease, but his expression darkened. “Don’t do this.”
Anger and rage touched the guards as they pulled back on triggers. Cannons stabbed out light as lightning bolts blasted down.
Jon bowed his head in sorrow as lightning and crossbow bolts blasted the spot he was standing. Smoky debris shot up and engulfed Jon. Warden Kell grinned like a mad elf as he watched with unblinking eyes. No matter what skill the Urth man had, there was no way he could dodge all of it, not forever.
In a tower, two guards reloaded and fired in quick succession. Sweat touched their brows as they worked. A figure came up the stairs and stepped behind them. The elves didn’t notice as they continued to reload.
Jon watched what they were doing, noting how they were loading and firing the cannon. He had never fired a cannon before, but he did remember firing a .50 caliber machine gun. The cannon seemed much simpler.
An elf glanced to the side and yelped as he saw Jon standing behind them and watching as brutal carnage struck the center of the courtyard.
“How?” the elf asked as the other elf was up and backing away.
“The door was unlocked,” Jon smiled.
The two elves seemed to regather their courage and pounced on the lone man. Jon sighed as he dodged their punches and drove his palm into unguarded throats. The elves choked and gagged before Jon lifted his leg and slammed his heel down on their shoulders, one after the other. The two elves were laid out before Jon moved to the cannon, re-aimed it to another tower and slammed his hand down on the trigger.
In the courtyard, Kell looked up as one of the cannons in the tower shifted and fired. Lightning streaked across the air and struck another tower. The explosion sent black smoke into the air, the elven guards flailing and trying to gasp for clean air.
“I won’t kill them, but I wish they had surrendered,” Jon whispered to himself as he loaded another cannonball, aimed at another tower and slammed his hand on the trigger.
Lightning burst forth, striking another tower and smoke rising up from the explosion.
“Aim at that tower!” Warden Kell managed before turning his attention to the side, his heart going cold.
A flood of sea elves rushed along the side of the chaos in the center of the courtyard, Lilly and Zelda leading the charge. Kell’s elves were in the middle of reloading when they turned to see the wave of sea elves. Many panicked, dropping their crossbows. Others tried to unsheathe their short swords, only to clear the edge of the sheath and be mobbed by sea elves. Pickaxes raised and came down with deadly accuracy, stabbing into heads and splitting skulls. Sea elves rushed the remaining towers, crashing through thick doors and racing to the top. A breath later, guards were flung from cannon portals to the courtyard below.
Screams, shouts, and cries filled the air as the guards were slaughtered in waves. Sea elves growled, some of their mouths opening and rows of sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight before they crunched down on flesh and bone.
Lilly was with them, stabbing into necks and kicking out. Blood splattered across her face, a maddening smile formed as she moved from guard to guard, slicing their throats with manic glee.
Warden Kell turned and tried to flee. He made it about thirty feet before powerful webbed hands grabbed him. He flailed as Zelda took a firm hold and pulled him along.
“I’m sorry! I’M SORRY!” Kell pleaded as he couldn’t break from Zelda’s grip.
Zelda moved to the side of the courtyard, looking over the low fence of the pit. She lifted the Warde
n up and held him over the vast, deep pit, a conviction etched into her brow.
“I promise to set you all free! Let me live and we can all go on with our lives!” Kell pleaded.
Zelda gave a wide, razor smile. “We are already free.”
Kell gave a pathetic whine as Zelda let go and he fell.
The Warden turned and fell with shock filled eyes. He tried to grasp at an edge of a level, missing it. He tried to grab at the edge of another level, his fingers touching it. As the bottom of the pit drew closer, he extended his arm, clasped on an edge and his fingers slipped. The action was enough to slow his fall, his body spiraling and striking the edge of a level. He bounced and spun, hitting the edge of a lower level. Bones cracked and some broke as Kell lay. Blood spurted from between his lips, but he was alive, just barely.
The Warden let out a weak laugh when shadows came out from the darkness of the level. Kell tried to move, but his body refused to work properly. He was only able to turn his head as old and young sea elves approached.
“No… no… no,” Kell whimpered as he watched the blue-skinned sea elves get closer.
They stared with black eyes, the scent of Kell’s blood filling the air. Mouths opened as rows of sharp teeth stabbed out from inside.
“NO!” Warden Kell screamed as teeth and clawed, webbed hands bit and tore at his body with powerful fury.
***
The Dark Heart cut through dark waters, sails full and bow pointed toward the Worm Pit island.
“I shouldn’t be steering the ship!” Eryn cried out as she clutched the helm.
Below deck, Syndra moved to a chest and opened it. “You’re doing fine! Stay the course and turn hard to port when I give the command!” the witch shouted up a communication tube.
