by Renee Greene
Nea walked up to him and insisted, “I should go. My fire may be needed. You know that I can protect you better than Dylan. It’s not fair to put your friend in danger. It’s not fair to put him at that high of a risk, when my risk is lower.”
“I am not worried about being fair,” Bryan corrected. “I am worried about protecting you. I have heard what they did to Dylan. I can’t let them torture you if we fail.”
“But you are more likely to succeed with me,” Nea argued. “I should help you.”
“False,” Dylan interjected. “Guys will do stupid things to protect ladies, particularly girls they are in love with. Let me and Bryan be gentlemen and keep you safe.”
“But you could…” Nea began.
“Seriously, telling me how likely I am to be tortured, or die, or both, does not help,” Dylan countered. “Just let us do this. Perhaps I can get some magical item to help me. Even if I don’t, I should be the one to go.”
“I am sorry,” Nea apologized. “It is true. You should be the one to go.”
King Giles told them it was settled and told them he would inform them when the meeting would take place.
They were all dismissed, all except Dylan. He was informed that Pyria had been fetched and was ready to have him meet with her. After all, Rayne needed to quickly leave to meet with Fardoragh.
Dylan had not only committed to go with Bryan into Evander’s territory, he was taking responsibility for a spy who he didn’t even know was truly repentant and very well could get him taking part of her punishment to keep her from a death sentence. Why couldn’t he ever say no? No… he didn’t even have to be asked. He would volunteer to do dangerous missions. Why couldn’t he learn to keep his mouth shut?
He was showed to the king’s cabinet where Pyria was waiting for him. She was sitting in a chair, and he sat in one near her.
“Do you want to go with Rayne?” Dylan asked. “I assume you have been briefed on the mission.”
“I assume you mean I’ve been told of the quest,” she asked.
“Right,” Dylan confirmed. The land did translate the languages for them, but at times literally. Mission wouldn’t be the same word to her.
“I should go,” she agreed. “Do I want to? No. I am afraid I will be weak. I’m afraid that I will let them control me.”
That wasn’t what Dylan wanted to hear. “If you can’t do it, don’t go,” he suggested. “I know Rayne will need help. You saw what they did to me. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. Yet, I also don’t want to put you into a position where you fall and have me suffer the consequences with you.”
She looked into his eyes and promised, “I will stay strong. You are a hero. You were brave enough to risk yourself to save me. You protected me while we were in the dungeon. You saved me. You spoke for me to keep me from trial, and you did it even though we are not a couple and you are in love with another girl. You are a hero. If I start to feel weak, I will think of you and not let you down.”
Dylan smiled, but there was some nervousness in it. It was a nice promise, and she sounded so sincere. Still, so many people are sincere about a goal until it gets hard. It happens all the time.
“I will try for you,” she assured him again.
He reached over, took her hand, and pleaded, “Please, stay strong.”
They were both surprised when the door opened and Niall walked in. Not only was he there, he didn’t fly in small and grow.
“I’m coming with you Pyria,” Niall informed them. “I think you and Rayne need me.”
“But you will get caught on sight,” she argued.
“On sight,” he noted. “Hopefully, I won’t be seen. I’ll shrink and go invisible. Let’s hope they don’t have anyone who can see invisibility.”
“They likely will since Rayne is a pixie,” she pointed out.
Niall smiled tightly then replied, “It’s a chance that I will take. After all, Rayne is my brother.”
Chapter 19: Niall Learns How Stupid Rayne was Following Fardoragh
Rayne and Niall flew near Pyria, who rode a horse to where Rayne was supposed to meet with Fardoragh, a cottage in the woods so Fardoragh could hide what he was doing from Lord Dakarai.
The meeting place wasn’t too far from the Copper Eagle tavern, which was good because King Giles sent some of his people there as back up if it was needed.
When Pyria rode up to the cottage, Godric stood up from the bench he was sitting on outside of it and walked up to her. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Don’t you train fighters for King Giles?”
“Yes, but I’m a spy for Evander,” she replied. “You can ask him. I am here to…”
“She’s here with me,” Rayne explained as he became visible and grew to full size. “She’s a spy for Evander, so I figured it safe to bring her.”
“Why would she come with you?” Godric asked. “Is this some type of trick, and how would you know Fardoragh is working with Evander?”
Rayne really wasn’t sure how to answer, but fortunately Pyria came to his rescue by saying, “He isn’t a fool. It’s not hard to figure out Fardoragh is working for Evander.”
“With Evander,” Godric corrected.
Pyria ignored him and continued, “I came because I don’t want some fairy girl charming Rayne and stealing him from me.”
Rayne startled a bit, as he didn’t expect her to say that. “My business is with Fardoragh, not you,” he pointed out. “Let me in.”
Pyria ran over to Rayne, took his hand and walked to the door of the cottage. It wasn’t locked, so they went in. Godric came in with them.
It was only a one room cottage, but it was a fairly large one. Fardoragh sat at a table looking at a map, obviously planning something. There were four high elf guards in the room too.
“Hardly a way to treat a prince,” Pyria noted as they came in.
Rayne looked over at Fardoragh and told him, “I will fly around to make sure there are no invisible spies.”
He did shrink, turn invisible, and fly around. There were no pixie spies, so he flew out the window and motioned for Niall that it was safe. When he was sure it was, he turned back visible and to full size. “Let’s begin,” he told Fardoragh as he picked up a decanter and filled a goblet that he handed to Pyria.
“I don’t see the suitcase of weapons,” Fardoragh noted. “It seems you failed.”
Rayne poured another goblet for himself as he explained, “I got the suitcase, but it’s rather difficult to conceal it going through a small arch. Dylan saw it and fought me for it.”
“And a mere human beat you?” Fardoragh asked. “I would have expected more.”
“I was at a disadvantage,” Rayne defended. “He is a strong human, and he only had to stop me, where I had to get it through the arch. Do not worry. I’ll get weapons. Perhaps next time.”
Fardoragh stood up and warned, “I am most displeased. I have heard rumors that you have fallen for the human girl and may not be loyal to our cause.”
“I believe in opening the portal,” Rayne defended. “Yes, I have ingratiated myself to Vanessa to get through. That was the goal, wasn’t it?”
“And her?” Fardoragh asked, pointing to Pyria.
She walked over to Fardoragh and stated, “It isn’t me who you need to be worried about keeping him from going through the arch. It’s Dylan. He is a charmer. What do you know of him? I was put in the dungeon with him when he was captured by Evander.”
“I have heard of him,” Fardoragh replied. “Unfortunately, he may be needed to help us with the guild he works for in his world. If Evander did not see use for him, he’d be dead today. Evander is mad that he escaped.” He stood up, glared at Pyria, and warned, “Evander is angry with you too. You helped Dylan escape.”
“I did not,” she defended. “Dylan would have escaped whether I did anything or not. I merely went with him to not show I spy on King Giles. I am good at what I do.”
“Perhaps not,” Fardoragh corrected. He did not explain his ac
cusation. Instead, he turned to Rayne and asked, “What am I going to do about your failure? I know you are a crowned prince, but you can’t fail us. That just is not acceptable. Everyone in this must do his part.”
He paced around for a moment and then scolded, “Do you know the cost of your failure? Do you know the children who have been killed because we didn’t have the force and weapons to protect them? Do you know the terror of those who have to live in fear because they are raided by ogres and cannot protect themselves? Do you realize the lives that could be saved with human weapons? Do you realize how the deaths of so many will be on your hands because you failed this mission? This cannot be tolerated. I care about these people. I care about the children. Therefore, I care about failure.”
Rayne looked down uncomfortably.
“You obviously don’t care about logic,” Pyria scolded. “You are trying to blame Rayne for deaths, setting a false choice, as if there are only two options, getting the human weapons or having many people die. There are other ways to protect people without having to bring in human weapons. You are manipulative. It’s a good thing Rayne has me around to point out that you aren’t as smart as you try to sound.”
Fardoragh glared at her and warned, “Watch your step. You are outnumbered here.”
“Indeed,” she agreed, “but you are out-skilled.”
Fardoragh stared astounded at her nerve and then said, “I will consider how to deal with your failure, Rayne. You will be kept here as I do.” He then turned and went out the door.
As soon as he did, Godric pulled his sword and stepped over to Rayne. “Go for your sword, and you are dead,” he warned. “You know the two of you can’t fight three of us, and I can call for more men from outside. The door is being watched. Surrender now and take your punishment.
The other guards pulled their swords too. Rayne and Pyria were surround and outnumbered two against one.
That didn’t actually slow Rayne down for a second. He did draw his sword, and as he did, Niall grew to full size, became visible, and struck from behind. Godric saw him changing and turned and parried.
At the same time, Pyria scratched one of the brutes and stung another with her tail. No, it wouldn’t keep him from fighting, but it would make him hesitate.
The fight was quickly on, with three against four. All were skilled fighters, so the battle was intense. It became even worse when two more of Fardoragh’s men came running in from the outside.
The fight became even more intense, but Rayne, Niall, and Pyria did very well outnumbered. At least, they did well until the door flew open and a Sheelaun stepped into the room.
Everyone froze in terror, as sheelaun caused intense fear. They were rare, very rare. In fact, no one had seen them in the fairy world in many years as they had been banished by wizards into a magically sealed land with only a few magical gems that could open the barrier. How would a sheelaun even get there?
Everyone stared at it. They’d heard stories of them, and the stories didn’t do their terror justice. The sheelaun was humanoid, but had very pale skin, very black hair, and very bright red eyes. It also had blood red fingernails that were very sharp claws, and it had blood red fangs. Rumor said they were undead, but the sheelaun seemed quite tangible. It began walking toward Rayne with its hands extended forward. Rayne stood there in fear. If legend was true, the sheelaun would either dig its fingernails into him or bite him with his fangs and drink his blood until he was dead. Legend also said that they were banished to the dark lands where beasts were magically bound, but that even the beasts could not kill the sheelaun, who lived off their blood.
Why would anyone release one? Was there actually a way to control it? It didn’t matter. If Rayne couldn’t beat the fear, he’d soon be dead.
He shook his head. It didn’t matter how afraid he was, he had to conquer his fear and fight.
He struck at the sheelaun and drew his sword out covered in blood, but the sheelaun only laughed at him. It appeared the legends were true. If so, the only way to kill it was with fire.
At times the enemy of an enemy is a friend, so everyone turned on the sheelaun and attacked, knowing they couldn’t kill it, but trying to get through the door.
The sheelaun went straight for Rayne, crying in a haunting voice, “I come for you.” He tried to dig his claws into Rayne, but Rayne hit its hand with his sword. The sheelaun bled but didn’t slow down. He tried again, and while Rayne blocked that strike, he dug the claws on his other hand into Rayne’s side.
Rayne screamed in pain and went into shock. Pyria and Niall ran to his aid. Pyria slashed with her nails across the sheelaun’s back. Hopefully, her paralyzation poison would work on a sheelaun.
It didn’t work well, but it did freeze the sheelaun for a brief moment, so Niall could pull his brother away. Pulling the claws from his side left deep cuts that bled badly.
They pulled Rayne out the door and wanted to get him immediate help with the wound, but the sheelaun pursued. Fortunately, the sheelaun wasn’t particularly fast, at least not as fast as a pixie. “Fly!” Niall urged, but Rayne instead fell to the ground from loss of blood.
Niall grabbed him and flew in the air with him. As he flew up, he looked down and noticed Pyria was running to the horse. She wasn’t doing well, as the sheelaun was coming after her, and Godric was getting on her horse, either to escape himself and leave her to the sheelaun or to have her get on and then kidnap her for leverage.
The reason didn’t matter; Pyria needed help. The sheelaun caught up with Pyria, so she began fighting.
Niall had to help, but he couldn’t leave his brother in danger. He put Rayne down on the roof of the cottage and then flew over to Pyria. She was screaming, likely thinking she was going to die, as she was fighting the sheelaun but could see Godric riding up behind her with his sword drawn.
Niall flew right into Godric, knocking him off the horse and knocking his sword from his hand. A fist fight quickly ensued.
Pyria fought her way to the horse, but as she got on, the sheelaun scratched her across her back. It stung and cut, and she suddenly had even greater sympathy for Dylan being whipped. She fought the pain, mounted, and kicked the sheelaun away.
She then rode past the fight between Niall and Godric. As she did, she stung Godric. It distracted him enough that Niall could fly away. He flew to the roof to get Rayne.
Niall flew with Rayne and Pyria rode her horse to the Copper Eagle. They hurried inside. Rayne and Pyria both needed healing, but Niall’s first order of business was to warn everyone of the sheelaun who was loose.
There was panic in the tavern, and many of the people ran out.
Niall then went to helping Rayne and Pyria heal.
A pixie girl in the tavern came over and helped with the healing. As she healed Rayne, he mumbled, “I had no idea. I was such a fool. If more sheelaun get out, our kingdom could be overthrown. I fear that Fardoragh and Evander will be unstoppable with their help.”
Chapter 20: Bryan Learns Some Slick Moves
Bryan and Dylan left the camp of soldiers who were waiting south of the Ruins of Parval to come if they were called. Neither Bryan nor Dylan felt comfortable on a horse. Fortunately, their horses communicated well, at least with Bryan, so they knew to keep Bryan and Dylan on and take care of them.
They rode cautiously on the path toward the Ruins of Parval, hoping all went smoothly. King Giles had tried to word the arrangement for the meeting very well, but Bryan and Dylan both knew how Evander had tricked him before. Evander was clever, very clever. Surely, something would go wrong.
That wasn’t a pleasant thought to either of them. After all, the last time Dylan had gone to meet with Evander he had been tortured. Bryan was nervous too. He was going to see his father, and his father’s rescue and Dylan’s life were in his hands. How could he, a mere teenager, handle that kind of responsibility? How could he even be a wizard?
As they neared the ruins, ogres came out from each side of the path carrying large clubs.
Evander had agreed to safe passage into the ruins and the meeting, so hopefully the ogres would not harm them.
The ogre escort into the Ruins of Parval was terrifying. Bryan wasn’t used to feeling fear. Honestly, he was used to always being emotionally level. The experiences in Elliad had been firsts in many ways. His first real feelings for a girl was much more enjoyable than his first real terror at going into a meeting that could end in death, his or Dylan’s.
All eyes were on them as they rode into the Ruins of Parval. They were given safe passage, and they were led to the place they were to meet. The conditions that King Giles put in were that they meet outside so they could not be trapped in a building and that Alex would be brought to the meeting.
Bryan expected his father to be brought tied and blindfolded. That sounded like something Evander would do, but at least Evander had agreed to bring him.
He and Dylan were led to a wooden table with benches that were outside of a large tent. Evander was sitting there. His hands were folded calmly on the table, so it was easy to see that he was wearing King Giles’s ring. Unfortunately, Alex was nowhere in sight.
“Where’s my father?” Bryan demanded. “You agreed to have him at the meeting. You must bring him.”
“I did agree to have him at the meeting,” Evander agreed. “Yet, my brother did not stipulate that he must be at the meeting from the very start of it. He never was any good at negotiating. I would make a much better king than him.”
That wasn’t a good sign, Evander was going to try to get around all the rules. Bryan became even more nervous. He had planned on rescuing his father at the start of the meeting. He wasn’t good at thinking on his feet. What was he going to do?
He and Dylan were instructed to take a seat, so they did.
Evander looked over at them and began, “Cocky, aren’t you? It appears you really have come with just the two of you. I expected an army to back you up, or at least pixies hidden in the trees invisible. Yet, I have a pixie or two on my side, and they have seen nothing. You are brave or foolish. Perhaps both.” He leaned closer and asked, “What do you have to offer me in exchange for your father?”
