by Mussie Haile
“Ah.” Eldana chuckled before a stab of pain ran up her side. “Ow.”
Mikko came closer. “You may very well be the future of Toas, Eldana,” he said. “There are talks, out there among the elves, that you controlled the minds of orcs. Is that true?”
“If I say yes, will you leave out any more questions you have, for now, Mikko?” Eldana asked.
“Mhmm,” he replied. “I mean, of course.”
“Yes,” Eldana said.
“That I have never heard of,” D’rmas said. “I have heard of and seen people who act out of control due to magic, but not this.”
“One of the numerous quirks of being a being of Balance and Chaos,” Hermon said.
“Even for a being of Balance and Chaos,” D’rmas said, “this is enormous.”
They could all feel it. Eldana was different from the other beings of Balance and Chaos they had heard in their stories, who went obediently to be slaughtered. She had more strength of will.
“Well, I think what is enormous at this point is us pestering Eldana with so much chatter. She needs some quiet so she can rest.” Siem said.
Turning to Eldana, she told her:
“Meko sends her sympathies and a heartfelt apology at what befell you in the stream. He thinks it is his fault.”
“No, it is not…” Eldana paused, and she furrowed her brows. “How did he know about the stream?”
“Kochob.” Siem replied.
“Kochob?” Eldana questioned. She was not getting it. “But Kochob was not with me.”
“You forget, Eldana, that he is a telepath,” Hermon said.
Eldana groaned. “Of course.” She said, remembering when he must have made mental contact with her during the fight. I need to give more thought towards building walls around my mind, Eldana thought. I cannot have Kochob snooping into my mind whenever he wants to, nor anyone else!
Just then, it occurred to Eldana to enquire about their hosts and how they were faring.
“How about the elves?” Eldana asked.
Siem sighed. “They sustained losses.” She said. “About seven of their own were among the bodies lying in the field. The orcs were ferocious and strong, but we could have finished them without procuring this many casualties if magic had worked on them. Every spell we threw at them was impotent.”
“I know,” Eldana replied. “How is Fraweyni taking it?”
“Exactly as any mother would. She is in deep pain. Even the radiance that usually attends her has dulled.” Siem replied.
Just then an idea dropped into Eldana’s mind. “Our location and the location of the elves were supposed to be a secret,” Eldana said.
“Yes, it was,” Siem replied.
“Then how did the orcs get here?” Eldana asked.
Hermon, Mikko, and D’rmas exchanged looks. Eldana spotted them, and quickly got the sensation that there was something they were not telling her.
“What are you guys not telling me?” she asked warily.
“We should tell her,” D’rmas told Siem.
“Tell me what?” Eldana asked. Nobody replied. “Tell me what, Siem?” Eldana asked again.
Siem looked at Eldana. “Uhm...one of the dead orcs reanimated,” Siem said, ignoring her friend’s question.
“What do you mean by reanimated?” Eldana asked, the look of puzzlement on her face.
“What Siem is trying to say”, Mikko said, “is that one of the dead orcs came back to life.”
“Okay. Is that even possible?” Eldana asked.
“It is,” Siem and Mikko replied simultaneously.
Eldana gazed at them.
“I thought that kind of magic was forbidden?” Hermon questioned.
“I know of someone in particular who practices forbidden magic with impunity,” Mikko said. “There are a few of them, but this magic, in particular, is nasty.”
“How nasty?” Eldana asked.
“You’ll see,” Siem replied.
“What!” Eldana exclaimed astonishment splashed on her face. “You mean the orc is still there?”
“A living corpse. Not breathing, and bloody.” D’rmas said.
“How long have I been out?” Eldana asked.
“I was about to say seven hours,” D’rmas said.
Eldana’s eyes widened with surprise. “Whoever is holding the hex on the orc is very strong and experienced in the forbidden arts. But the elves are beginning to fear that the orc is going to decompose. Already he is beginning to smell. The elves request your presence so whoever is behind the orc will pass across his message, and they can dispose of the body.” Hermon said.
“But Fraweyni understands your current condition and is worried about your healing. She wants you to stay and get as much rest as you would like...” Siem said.
“I want to see,” Eldana said after a while.
“But Eldana, you are not completely healed.” Siem protested. “Meko could not complete your healing, because the effort might have killed you. What you need now is rest.”
“I think I have had enough rest,” Eldana said. “I should get the message the orc has for me. It could be very urgent. And you said it yourself. It wants me.”
Siem saw the steel in Eldana’s eyes and knew that she was resolved. There was no talking her out of it. “When you are ready.” She told Eldana.
“Good,” Eldana said. “Help me up.”
Hermon rushed to her other side, while Siem took Eldana by the arm gently. Eldana winced and hissed as she sat up.
“Easy, easy.” Siem soothed.
Eldana was still in her old clothes – encrusted with dried blood, torn to tatters at some places. However, Eldana was insistent on heading straight to see the orc. As she got to her feet, her eyes picked up the rows of beds that led from hers up to the infirmary’s entrance. They were all filled with elves, all of whom had bandages all over their bodies.
“These are all the injured?” She asked.
“There is a few more outback,” Hermon replied. “Those needed critical attention. Severed limbs, and the like.”
Eldana nodded, as Hermon stepped closer, allowing Eldana’s arm to rest on his shoulder.
Eldana’s other arm was bandaged along her chest, so she could not lift it. Instead, Siem placed her hand gently on the arm to support Eldana as they walked.
As they came out of the infirmary, Eldana noticed that it was fully dark. There were globes of light in the air, but the lack of elven merriment that usually characterized the nights gave the atmosphere a touch of gravity. The elves Eldana, and her comrades passed, were of such dull countenances that Eldana could not help feeling sorry for them.
“I cannot imagine what it must feel like for them.” She said. “Having to lose their own over and over again.”
“If there is any race that has been so maltreated in the world,” Mikko said, “it is the elves. Such glorious creatures. Mightier and stronger in every way, yet their undoing is their preference for peace.”
“There is an old tale in our lore,” D’rmas said. “A tale so old, I hear it spans from the very first hour. It tells that the first elves were warriors. The tale tells that they were so fearsome, and so unstoppable, that everywhere they went they seemed to leave a sea of blood behind. But then, the gods arranged a parley with them for fear that if allowed, the elves would kill off the rest of the other races.”
“For some reason,” Siem said, “If your tale were true, and not some figment of someone’s imagination, I would like for the elves to revert to that nature. If only to remind the world that they are not to be trifled with.”
“I wish they shared your sentiment,” Hermon said. “I have been around them, and during conversations, all I hear are wishes to remain secluded, and to live peacefully from the rest of the world.”
“I am Qeltifom,”
D’rmas said. “Battle is our destiny. It is in our blood. The only reason we are brought into this world. However, I tell you, that if the elves are to take to arms, nothing can stop them. I know this from personal experience.”
Just then, Eldana’s leg kicked against a loose piece of rock in the ground, and the pain in her ribs spiked. She hissed.
“Sorry,” Siem said, signalling for Hermon to slow down. “Are you okay?”
Eldana nodded. “Have we not gotten to where the orc is, yet?”
“It is not too far now,” Hermon replied. “It is at the clearing up ahead, and under constant watch.”
“Are the elves trying to determine who is behind the hex?” Eldana asked.
“Kochob was about to try when we came for you,” Siem replied.
As they broke into the clearing, Eldana saw a group of elves a few meters away standing around the body of a very large orc. The elves were rigid, their eyes fixated on the orc. Eldana got the feeling that if the orc so much as moved a finger, the elves would slice him to bits.
Meko espied Eldana approaching in the company of her friends, and whispered to her mother, “She is here.”
Fraweyni looked up from where she sat, and a smile adorned her face. Even with all the sorrow hanging in the air, Fraweyni still shone. It was only when one looked into her eyes that they would be aware of the gravity of pain and loss swirling deep inside her.
Eldana saw Meko break out from the group of elves and walk towards her. Eldana put up a smile as Meko drew closer.
“How are you doing?” Meko asked.
“The pain is less severe than I remember, and I hear I have you to thank for that,” Eldana replied.
“Oh, please,” Meko said. “It was the least I could do, considering that it was my fault that…”
“Meko, Meko,” Eldana called, interrupting her. “Please, look into my eyes.”
Meko did.
“What happened to me was not your fault. And I do not need to read your mind to know that. I did have a good time at the pool though; the best I have had in a long while.”
“You do not mean that,” Meko said, smiling.
“Of course. And thank the stars I woke up when I did! Who knows what those nasty orcs would have done while I slept?”
“I am glad you are alive though,” Meko said seriously.
“I am glad you are alive, too,” Eldana replied. “And I apologize for the kin you lost today.”
“Thank you,” Meko said. “I think I have held you long enough. My mother would very much like to see you. I hear you have beat Kochob as the strongest telepath, now.”
Eldana smiled, “I think some things come to you when you have relaxed, and when danger springs on you suddenly.”
“I expected you to get rest!” Fraweyni chided her when the company approached.
Eldana smiled. “I could not. Not while I heard tales of a living corpse.”
“Ah, that,” Fraweyni said. “There is not an ear that would not tingle at the mention of that. Whoever is behind this is tenacious as he is deeply rooted in the practice of forbidden magic. Reanimating a corpse is no small business.”
“I am so sorry about the children you lost,” Siem said. “We all are.”
Fraweyni sighed. “I have been in this position often,” the Elven Queen said sorrowfully. “But each time, the pain and the sorrow is fresh. Like I have never felt it before. But the elves are a strong people. We will survive this. We always do.”
“Since you are here,” Fraweyni continued, “We should get on with this so we can dispose of this body. No soul deserves such torture. Not even an orc that has slain my children.”
Fraweyni got up, and walked towards the ring of elves, with Eldana and her comrades in tow.
“I hear Kochob has tried to determine the identity of the person behind the hex?” Eldana enquired.
“Yes. But the mental defenses are strong. Thousands of years strong. One thing is certain though, that whoever is behind it, is not a normal mage. He or she must be a master mage.”
The elves surrounding the orc parted to create an entryway, as Fraweyni drew near. With her mind, she controlled a globe of light from the fringe of the security ring and drew it close, and over the orc.
The dead orc half slumped on a log.
Kochob was standing in front of the orc. He turned when he sensed people approaching. He gave Fraweyni a slight bow, then turned towards Eldana.
“He has been waiting for you.” He said, gesturing towards the orc.
“It is about time,” Eldana said. “Please take me closer.” She said aloud to her friends.
“Are you sure about this, Eldana?” Hermon asked. “Anything could happen.”
“Look at the orc, Hermon,” Eldana instructed.
Hermon looked at the orc.
“Can you see how stiff his body is?” Eldana questioned.
The orc’s muscles were still, and his limbs hung stiffly at awkward angles. His lips were parted and hung that way without even the slightest tremble.
“Rigor mortis.” Siem said.
“I bet you he cannot get up from there. Not without difficulty.” Eldana said.
“I agree,” Siem said. “Plus we will be there with you, just in case.”
“Thank you,” Eldana said.
Eldana looked at Fraweyni, and their eyes met. Fraweyni gave her a nod of encouragement.
The globe of light hovering over the orc, illuminating his form and grotesque looks. His eyes had milked over. Suddenly there was a few popping, and cracking sounds coming from the orc. Eldana eyed it, and could not help feeling a wave of horror wash over her, as the orc’s lips spread with difficulty into a smile.
“Hello, my girl.” The orc said. “It is nice to see you again.”
Eldana felt her heart lurch, and then all the hurt she had tried to suppress rose again. There was only one person who addressed her this way.
“Sinto?” Eldana asked. Her voice broke.
The orc smiled wider. “I cannot tell you how glad I am that you even still remember me.” the Sinto/Orc said.
“How could I forget you?” Eldana asked. “You trained me, practically raised me, positioned yourself as my friend, and then tried to kill me. Is that something anyone should be forgetting too soon?”
“Ah, you must be annoyed about last time. And I am sorry about that. You see, the intention was to bring you in. But then things went out of hand, and I apologize for that.”
“What do you want?” Eldana questioned, her voice cold and hard.
“For you to stop being selfish for once.”
Eldana scoffed. “Me? Selfish? You call me not wanting to die in the hands of gods who rule Toas like they are rearing sheep, selfish? I thought you were smarter than this.”
The orc was silent for more than two heartbeats, and then it spoke again.
“While you have been hiding in the safety of the Ciroc, Eldana. The rest of the world has been tearing itself to shreds. The entire kingdoms in Toas are snapping at each other’s throats, and to think that you hold the key to long-lasting peace in your hands.”
“If you are so concerned about peace, then why are you trying to capture me?” Eldana asked. “It is peace that I am after, too.”
“Is that what you think?”
“I am after the peace that does not involve people getting raised for slaughter every 100 years! Beings of Balance and Chaos are living beings too. We deserve to live,” Eldana hissed.
“Is that what these losers you have for friends have told you? Is that what they have gotten into your head?”
Eldana laughed.
“You never had friends, Sinto. I was the only friend you ever had. So, you do not know what it means. When you die, you will die sad, and lonely, and pitifully.”
Suddenly the orc’s voice
changed to a very aggressive one.
“You foolish child!” the orc roared.
Eldana recoiled in shock.
“That is not Sinto.” She said, comprehension dawning on her.
“Then who is it?” Hermon asked.
“Lord Taboon.” Mikko said suddenly, his voice echoing through the clearing.
The orc grew silent and smiled.
“Ah, I see this is what you have come to, my boy.” The orc said. “My Mikko, associating himself with outlaws, and fugitives.” The orc hissed. “You are wasting your talent out here!”
“No.” Mikko cried defiantly. “I am not.”
The orc tsk tsk-ed. Its neck could hardly move.
“You have picked the losing side, boy,” the Lord Taboon-Orc said. “As for you, Eldana. Know that you cannot run far enough. I’ll have you sacrificed, and peace restored to Toas. By the gods, I will. Not even Sinto can stop me.”
“What did you do to him?” Eldana asked.
The orc smiled.
“Ah, so you still care for him?” he taunted. “Well, your old teacher is still alive, but I suspected for a long while that his misbegotten affection for you was getting in the way of his job. His assistant is more eager to see that you are brought back, and the right thing is done. You and your friends seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth after you had left the Middle Kingdom. But I always suspected that Sinto had the means to find you. I was right. Tabeli had someone follow Sinto to where he went to get a locator spell, and when your location was revealed, Tabeli got the information and relayed it to me. And now, here we are!”
Eldana stared with rage at the orc. She wished badly that Lord Taboon was present so she could make him suffer in the worst way possible.
“As it stands”, Lord Taboon continued, “there are only two paths open before you, in which you both die, but one for the greater good…”
“The greater good, being what?” Eldana questioned.
“You are sacrificed to Camin and Lowus, of course, and peace is restored to the world.”
“You said there are two paths before her? Speak, vile sorcerer!” D’rmas demanded.
The orc smiled gruesomely. “A free warrior.” He mused. “How I love your guts. You would make a nice experiment in my chambers. Maybe if your friend, Eldana, makes the wrong choice, I will get my wish with you.”
