It was sunny and bright in Prafa and all was quiet. No one walked the streets except the red eyed guards of Lord Larin. The citizens of the city were all in lock down by day, asleep or under guard preparing for the war. In Prafa manor, Tomaz Acros sat at the desk of the former Mayor of the city Baron Gaelich going over the plans for the city and the surrounding area. To the east of Prafa in the flat land's lived scattered human settlements. Kings and queens ruled large lands in walled off cities. Humans of course, could use magic. Not as strong as the vampire or the elves, but strong enough.
In the south, the elves and dwarves, the most artistic and depending on the type, the most savage of people.
Prafa was important to Lord Larin. If he held that city, he held the gateway to many of the different races of Keanna. With Queen Talsara marching and taking the south, the north was lift to Lord Larin to conquer. So far his armies held the humans at bay. Taking cities and countries one after another. The humans so far were no threat to Lord Larin and his forces nor were a majority of the Elven lands.
But now it was time to move on the higher of the magical races and Prafa was the door way to those lands. Lord Larin had ordered Tomaz to begin massing the vampires of Prafa and Yadessa into an army for the move into Orc, Troll and most important, the mountains of the Centaur. With the Dragons out of the way, and the capture of Valkar Zlenka he hoped the combined vampire and werewolves forces would be just what he needed to take the Centaurs. If that wasn't enough, he always had his staff, if its magic held up. If he had the Ring of Endrin, things would be so different. Then he could just walk into each land and take them all under his control.
But we digress from the story. Where were we? Oh yes, Prafa. As Tomaz read his reports, there was a knock at the door.
"Enter." He called without even looking up from his maps. The door swung open and a tall woman with white hair dressed in black flowing silks walked in. Tomaz looked up and frowned as she bowed.
"Aiya Tomaz Acros. I am Sarella, I have been sent by Lord Larin to aid in the invasion of the Orc and Centaur lands."
"I see." Tomaz stood up and walked to the front of the desk. "Just how is it you plan to help me?"
"I have my ways." Sarella smiled, her hair constantly blowing about. "I can be very useful. There are still dragons out there, and then there's the Orcs. You will need my help."
"Has Lord Larin sent anyone else to help?" Tomaz looked over the Orc. "It will take more then one lone mage to defeat the Centaurs in their own mountains"
"I'm more then a mere mage." Sarella floated closer it Tomaz's desk. her winds blew the papers to scatter them across the floor. "There will be more when it is needed. First things first. We invade Ardia. Have your vampires ready. I will need to see them before we march. When will you be ready to go?"
"In two days I will have them ready for a night flight."
"See that they are." She turned and made her way back to the door. "I will be taking over the south tower. Make sure I am not disturbed."
As she neared the door it flew opened. Then stopped and turned back. "There is a young vampire in the courtyard on guard. Have him sent up to my tower. I'm famished. And bring King Valkar too. I think I want him somewhere safer then Prafa."
The sun blazed high as the fighting at the gates of Vasagi began. Lord Larin's werewolves charged out to battle by the dozens and were met by Count Orsa and his vampires fang to claw. Like the war of old, the two ancient enemies once again were at each others throat. Snarling and biting, Remus's werewolves ripped into the enemy. With his sword and dagger Count Orsa hacked and stabbed at the beast that attacked. Beside him raging and slashing out, Barons Tyr and Thorn tore into the ranks of the new wolves. Reaching out Raf Thorn grabbed an enemy and bashed him to the ground. Jumping high to evade the next attacker he slashed out stabbing into the chest of the next. Even though the spell had been lifted his eyes blazed red with rage. To his left, Baron Tyr had memories of the old battles he had fought here on this very spot. Only this time things were different. It wasn't vampires he fought. This time the vampires were on his side. Howling out, his fought one werewolf after another making his way out threw the crowd heading for General Seith who sat smugly on his horse.
Seeing his wolves were beginning to fall. Seith waved on his elven troops and sent out a call for re enforcements. On horse back and on foot they charged in. Seeing the oncoming mass of enemies, Count Orsa raised his sword and called out for his vampires to rally and attack. For hours the battle raged with neither side gaining the upper hand. When a werewolf died it was replaced instantly by and armed armed dark elf ready to battle.
With the help of the elves, the battle began to turn. Silver elven arrows flew though the sky poisonous and deadly to vampires striking them down and knocking them out of the sky. To counter the silver death, vampires dropped iron sharpened spikes from the air. Iron the one metal poisonous to anyone elven. Many elves dropped, but the silver was taking a much higher toll on the vampire. That and fatigue. Though much stronger then any human or elf, the endless fighting was beginning to wear on the exhausted vampire.
Just then the fighting stopped and each side pulled back, Count Orsa and the Barons found themselves side by side. They looked out at the carnage around them. The bodies of both the werewolves and the vampires.
"We're in trouble." Count Orsa slashed out decapitating an attacker. "My men are falling and soon it'll be just the three of us."
"Then we should get to Seith." Raf wiped blood from is brow. "If I'm going to die, he has to die to."
"I'm already dead." Baron Tyr pulled an arrow from his chest and threw it down laughing. "I'll hold on until help arrives if I have to fight alone, but we won't have to. Even now, help speeds on it's way through the forest to our side. We must just hang on a little longer."
"No!" Tovar stopped them. "The city is empty now, my people are gone. Valkar wouldn't want you sacrificing you lives for this. It's time we get out of here and leave the city to these damned dark elves."
"But we could still win here!" Raf couldn't believe want he was hearing. " We can't let them win!!"
"They win only if there's no one left to oppose Tayor Larins rule." The Count looked deeply in Raf's eyes. "Remus needs you. Keya and Tof still need you. Don't throw your life away just to get back at them."
"He's right." Baron Tyr placed his hand on Raf's shoulder. "It's just a city. We can take it back just as easily as it was lost."
"What about the re enforcements coming to help?"
"We turn them back." Tovar turned and with a nod signaled his men to get back into the city. Like a wave they all shifted and took off back over the wall into the city leaving Tovar and the Barons alone on the field of battle. From the city they would all leaving and head to the Wolves Lair to regroup. Once General Seith saw them shift, He smiled and climbed down off his horse and walked out to face them.
"Lose the will to fight, have you?"
Anger flared in Raf as he saw the smug look on the generals face. He made a fist and started forward ready to re engage battle. Gripping his shoulder Baron Tyr stopped him.
"Don't." The Count said. "They can't even enter the city. Come with me friend. Let's get out of here for now."
"You have Vasagi for now," Tovar yelled back. "Not that it will do you any good. Our city has the best magical protection thousands of years could provide. So it's yours, do as you wish. The city will protect itself. But be warned, it doesn't like intruders."
In a flash, they shifted and were gone back into the city. Minutes later, they were out of Vasagi and deep into the back woods.
"VICTORY!!!!"
Cheers went up through the ranks of the elves and werewolves. General Seith ordered men to open the gates and enter the city. As they pulled on the city gates an eerie glow came over the city. It enveloped everyone at the gate and sent searing burning pain through every fiber of their bodies. General Seith stepped back in horror as he watched his men die screaming in pain. The city was now protecting itself.
Deep in the depths of Darkshade castle lay Talsara's dungeons of torment. Here she hid away all those that had opposed or questioned her rule. Not petty offenders like tax evasion. Here she kept those who were a danger to her. Anyone with any knowledge that could cause her harm was either here or dead and buried in the deep forest behind the palace.
But there was a few here she still feared. Two in particular. Two elves that had every reason to hate the queen of Darkshade.
Most dungeons of the land were dark places filled with criminals and dissidents cast down for various reasons. Darkshades dungeon was different. Instead of dark it was brightly lite at all times and cold to sap the strength of the dark elves imprisoned there. That was the nature of dark elves. Though they survived easily in daylight, darkness gave them strength. That was why torches magically blazed non stop at all times day and night.
In the cells of Darkshade lay the poor and almost forgotten prisoners of Talsara's reign. All her enemies were here, from the men that advised against her current endeavor to the village elders, leaders who tried to deny her the warriors she needed to fight. There were old members of her household and members of the Darkshade council of elders which she disbanded and imprisoned along with any members of her military that asked questions. But there were two down there that had been there for decades. Forty years in fact. They had been imprisoned there a few months before a certain elven child had been born. Few knew who they were or that they were even there. The guards that cared for them were mute and never allow out of the dungeon to keep knowledge of their whereabouts secret. What exactly was their crime? Knowledge. What was it that they knew that kept them in prison? They knew the truth. The truth that Talsara would keep hidden.
In his cell, Kel Orama sat staring up at the lone window in his cell. It was the only access he had to any fresh air and his only link to the outside world. Not that much ever came in the window accept the occasional bird which never stayed very long. He looked up at the window shielding his eyes from the glare of the torches and for the thousandth time, wished he were somewhere else. Kel thought about how he had gotten here. How he and Rom had tried unsuccessfully to break in and get Liat out. He remembered the guard they had paid to smuggle them into the dungeon only to find betrayal once they were in. He should have known better then to trust anyone from Talsara's guards. But that guard didn't earn the reward he thought he would get for his misdeed. What he earned was the privilege of being one of the few guards to keep watch over Kel and Rom for the last forty years. And to keep Talsara's secret, his tongue was cut out and he was made a prisoner himself in the very prison he had helped condemn the two elves to.
As Kel thought over his predicament, he remembered his old friend Liat. How he missed him and was so sorry he had failed him. As young elves in the Darkshade guards, they had swore there lives to always be at each others side. But he had failed and now Liat was dead and he and Rom had been imprisoned here. If only there was some way he could get free of his cell and out of this bright blinding prison. Then he could get his revenge on the murderous Queen Talsara. But so far in forty years his wish had fallen on deaf ears.
Kel stood and walked to the door of his cell and looked out it's small window into the dark corridor outside. Oh the blessed darkness felt good on his face. It made him think clearer for a few seconds but it didn't last. The second he turned away from the door, the damned light would cloud his mind again. As he stood there watching, a familiar face came limping down the hall. It was Toross Ash, the guard who had betrayed him. Anger began to build in Kel. He wanted to reach out and grab Toross and throttle him. If he could only reach him.
Toross limped down over to Kel's cell and stopped. He looked at him strangely then motioned for him to get back from the door. What could he want? It wasn't time for his feeding. Toross couldn't be stupid enough to enter his cell. Weak as Kel was, he would still attack him. Kel stepped back away from the door. As he waited to see what would happen, a piece of parchment fluttered in and dropped to the floor. Kel reached down and picked it up and read it.
I know there's no reason for you to trust or believe me but I'm getting you out of here. Darkshade has become a horror for us all and I am partly responsible for it. In an hour the torches in your cell will go out and someone will come to free you. He will ask for your help. Help him and maybe we can help free Darkshade from queen Talsara's evil hands. I'll do my part if you do yours. Once your are out of your cell, I will take your place so no one notices your gone. Forgive me Kel Orama. My ambition doomed both of us.
Wynn.
Kel stood and read the message over and over again. He couldn't believe what he read. It had to be some kind of trick. But if it was a trick, what was the point after all these years? They could have killed him anytime they wanted. He was sure his family and the rest of his friends all thought he was dead already. So why kill him now? And wouldn't it be easier to just stop feeding and let me starve to death then burn my remains? Why go through the trouble of freeing him just to kill him. There had to be something else going on.
Kel walked back to the door and looked out to see if Toross was still there. He was. Toross looked at him as if to ask if he understood and would follow instructions. To prove how serious he was, Toross walked over and stood close enough for Kel to reach him. Kel looked closely at Toross and for the first time in forty years, he saw regret and remorse in his eyes. Hope flared in his heart. He was serious.
"I'll do as you ask." He whispered. Toross nodded and pushed something through the window. It fell to the ground with a thud. It was a knife. Toross put his finger to his mouth in a shh motioned and turned and limped on. Kel picked up the knife and slipped it under his ragged tunic. He was armed. The knife felt good in his hand. Now all he had to do was wait and see who came next to his cell.
In Tir Na, Ryel and the others learned of the elven kingdoms Talsara had conquered. Almost all the elven lands were now under her control. After stealing their magic, she would have to be very powerful by now. They also learned that she was in Darkshade. Tof had listened to their story and told them of what was happening there. One good piece of news was that Elan was still in Winterhaven thinking Aron was safe with them. But for how long. With his connection to Aron, soon he would begin to feel his fear and head home to save him. They had to get Aron free before Elan learned he had been captured by his mother. Tof wanted to send help with them, But Ryel thought to many in his group would cause attention. He thought they could move faster with just the five of them.
After stocking up with supplies, they bid Tof farewell and were off for the elven lands.
"We need to move fast and silent." Ryel said as they rode out of The Wolves Lair. "It will take us three days to get to Darkshade by horse. Anyone know a faster way to get there?"
[I can fly us there.] Denner sent running in his unicorn form. [But it won't be in one flight. The more I carry, the more tired I will be. Carrying you all will take me at least two days and we'll be seen by anyone below on the ground.]
"That won't work." Ryel said his hair blowing in the wind, "We need to stay hidden. We can't let the dark elves know we're coming."
"I don't see a way." Toric called from Starglows back. "I wish there was."
"WISH?" Orek said from behind Ryel. "That's it! A wish!! STOP! I think I know how we get there!"
"What?" Ryel pulled back on the reins stopping the horse. Beside him, Noelle stopped her horse and trotted over beside them. Toric rode closer curious as to what Orek meant. Quickly the dwarf jumped off the horse and rummaged through the saddle bags.
"What are you looking for?" Noelle asked.
"This." Orek pulled something from the bag. It was the gold coin Finn had given them.
"It"s gold." Noelle flipped it over in her hand to examine the coin. "We find it all the time in our tunnels." She then gave it over to Ryel.
"It's a wish." Orek smiled. "This is not just any gold. It's Leprechaun gold. It'll get us to where we need to go."
"I don't understand." Noelle looked from Ryel to Orek. "This is strange to me. My colony has no magic, just instinct."
"Magic is a special force of nature." Toric explained. "It's in almost everything. All plants and animals, even some of the dead have magic. It can give life or take it. Magic can create or alter things, it can curse or bless. Many races of people on Keanna are of a magical origin. Vampires, werewolves, elves and fairy are all magical by nature. You've seen our magic and before this is over, you'll see a lot more. But Leprechaun magic is luck and wish magic. If you get the favor of a Leprechaun, he may give you one of his coins. That will grant you a wish. It won't change the world or solve all our problems, but I think it will get us to Darkshade safely."
"I will take your word on it my friend." Noelle smiled. "When do we go?"
"Now." Ryel said. He climbed down off his horse and took his sword and saddle bag then shooed the horse off back to Tir Na. "Everyone take what you need and send the horse's home."
With Orek taking Noelle's saddle bag and the horse on it's way they were ready. Ryel gathered them around him in a circle with him in the center, He took out the coin and had everyone place a hand on it.
"By the power of the leprechaun I make my wish." Ryel chanted. "One coin, one wish. Take us to a safe place in Darkshade, the land of the Dark elves. Hide us in a place of safety where no one will find us."
In a flash of magic with the colors of the rainbow, Ryel and his four companions disappeared off to the land of Darkshade, Queen Talsara's domain.
High in the city of Eventide, Emrel stepped out of the palace airway entry and looked around. The beautiful city was in ruins. Towers had been torn down, the handsome foliage of the trees were withering. Strange creatures darted about out of sight watching them as they moved through the city. Next to her stood Jayce St. James her protector with Justice in hand. Here in the palace her home the furniture littered the halls. Beautiful elven wall hangings with magical scenes lie tattered and ripped on the floor. Emrel kicked a family painting as she made her way down the hall the picked it up to look at. It had been blasted off a wall.
"The beast destroyed everything here." Jayce made his way in to keep up with her.
"The beast aren't responsible for this." She dropped the painting. "Dark elves did this. They torn our home apart before they left."
Emrel moved on looking around. "Jayce, we have to find everyone. I know Talsara didn't have them moved, they're here somewhere."
"Is there someplace they would hide?" He asked. Jayce pushed pass a pile of broken tables and chairs to keep Emrel from getting to far ahead of him. "A place they would think safe."
"When we were young, Zaoir and Evindal would hide in the top branches where they had a secret room." Emrel explained. She picked up a broken sword that had lay beneath some of the debris. It was Evindal's sword. "It's been years since one of us his been up there. It's the only place I can think of."
"What's so special about it?"
"For some reason, it was hidden." She said. "Mother would search for hours, but she never could find it."
"That's not strange. It was just well hidden."
"You don't understand." She tried to explain. "This is an elven tree. Grown with our magic. Mother could talk with the trees and all of nature in Eventide. If She couldn't find the room, then there was something magic about it."
"I see." Jayce put his hand to his chin and thought on what she had said. "If your mothers magic couldn't find this room, then we'll need something special to find it. "I have an idea."
[Graym.] He sent out. [Any trouble with the creatures out there?]
[Not it the moment.] He answered. [I just flew Finn up. We're searching the lower levels for anyone hiding.]
[Take him and Hema to the very top branches. Emrel says there is a hidden room up there somewhere. Maybe a little will help you find it.]
[We are on our way.]
"Graym's searching the top with the fairies." Jayce told her. "Perhaps a little luck is just what we need. Meanwhile I think we should got and check the groves in back to see if there's anything we can do to help there."
"Yes." She dropped the sword and followed Jayce to the smashed balcony doors. Jayce took her in her arms and spread his wings and launched them into the air. Cool wind blew in Emrel's face as the flew up and out of the tree city. From up there, she could see better the state of the forest around the city. What was once a emerald forest green was now more of a grayish hue. The forest was dying. Tears ran from Emrel's eyes as she shivered in Jayce's arms. He felt her fear and tried to radiate a comforting feeling to make her feel better.
Emrel looked out at the dying forest. She could even hear the trees cry they were in so much pain.
"Over there." She pointed to a stand of wilting trees. It was a large grove of close to a hundred trees. Jayce flew on to come down and land at the entrance to the grove. He could tell these trees were once tall and beautiful majestic creatures. They walked slowly into the grove while Emrel listened to their silent whaling. As they walked, a whisper could be heard on the wind. Emrel heard it clearly but Jayce had to stain to hear it.
(help us) Drifted in the wind. Jayce looked around to see who had spoke, but there was no one there. The wind bellowed and howled, the smell of rotting vegetation wafted through the grove. He looked at Emrel who stared back wide eyed.
"Who speaks?" He asked.
"They do." Emrel pointed to the grove of tall elven trees. "Eventide is alive. Every tree and bush, every rock and blade of grass lives. And it's in pain."
Jayce knew she was right. He could feel the pain coming from all around his. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. But that was it. He could felt something. Pain deep inside. Jayce walked on into the grove with Emrel following him. From time to time out of the corner of his eye he saw something move. It had to the beast things from the city. Jayce pulled Salvation then told Emrel to stay close behind him. With Emrel ready he moved further into the grove. Shadows flitted around out of sight, strange noises moaned and called out.
"Wait" Emrel stepped out. "There's something else here."
"What is it?"
"I don't know, but it's something foul. Something not from Eventide." Emrel looked deeper but all she saw was the shadow of one of something run between the trees. "I feel it. There has to be something we can do to help here. I wish my magic could do it but I'm nowhere near powerful enough. We need something stronger."
"I think I know what can help us." Jayce put a hand on Emrel's arm and smiled. "But I don't know if it can be done. Come on. We have a call to make."
High in the sky, a days flight from New Keanna, three familiar figures winged their way south towards home. Ariel with her young brother Adanar on her back, Arik the wind dragon carrying his clan mate Jade, and Insa the once leader of Winterhavens council and head master of the Andrake academy were returning from their trip to the cold north. Adanar dressed in his fur jacket pulled tight was happy to be heading home. He was worried about Emrel and everyone else in Eventide. It had been a few days since they had gone north and with Lord Larin somehow blocking mindspeak, they had no idea what was going on. But that would change as soon as they could land and use the message stone.
"Ariel." Adanar called out to his sister. "Where are we going?"
[Home brother.]
"Who's home?" He asked. "Eventide or Winterhaven?"
[I too am eager to get you back to Eventide to see how the family fares.] Insa sent to them. [But Tir Na first. We need to know how fares the rest of Keanna. If you will indulge me, I promise your next stop will be Eventide.]
"It's good to be south again." Jade smiled and sat back to let her raven dark hair blow in the wind. "The sun feels so good on my skin, just like I remembered it."
[Were you cold Sister?] A rumble echoed in Arik's chest as he made the sound dragons make when they laugh. [I didn't know cold could bother an earth dragon.]
"It can't Brother." She patted his back beneath her. "But I did miss the sun's warmth, the jungles and the forest. The flowers of the south. There wasn't much nature in the frozen north, that's what I missed."
[Then it's time you gloried in it.]
Arik went into a dive as Jade's laughter rang on his winds. He flew down and pulled up to hover just before he hit the ground. Jade dived from his back roaring and shifted to her dragon form. Like the earth dragon she was, she shimmered and dived into the earth to swim in the soil.
[IT FEELS GOOD!!]
[Meet us in Tir Na.] Arik sent as he soared back up to meet Insa and Ariel. She laughed and said she would and swam deep into the earth heading south.
On the wall of Tir Na, Tof walked along with his new mate Keya. They had just heard from Count Orsa and the Barons that they were out of Vasagi and heading out of Yadessa. Lord Larin and his lackeys had the city though they had better be careful if any of them wished to live. Things weren't looking to good for them. Vasagi was lost, the elven lands were lost. Prafa was lost and the dragons still slept. They needed help badly.
Keya looked at Tof who stared out into the open skies. She took his hand and rubbed it to warm his fingers.
"There's so much worry in your eyes." Keya reached up and put a hand to his cheek. Tof smiled then kissed the back of her hand.
"The king always worry's. Even during peace."
"What scares you so?" She asked. Tof looked into her brown eyes and felt worry. She had to be protected.
"That I'm failing." He said. "That I can't protect you or anyone here."
"You haven't failed us yet." Keya smiled. "I don't believe you will. Your family trust you, and so does all your allies."
[As do I.] A voice rang out in his head. Tof looked up to see two great figures riding the winds and flying towards him. He looked closer. It was a magnificent red dragon and a smaller feathered one.
"JANDAR!!" Tof couldn't believe his eyes. His brother and his mate were awake and here. Together the two masters of New Keanna dropped down and switched forms as they touched down. With his arms open Jandar grabbed Tof in a hug.
"It's good to see you." Jandar clapped him on the back. "Tell me, how goes the war?"
"Not good I'm afraid." Rage gripped his hand in greeting then turned to look at Keya who smiled at them. "I have much to tell you. Let's get back to the Manor. Mother and Sharone will be pleased to see you and I can tell you everything you need to know."
As they walked through the city, Jandar and Rage saw many familiar face from the past. Ranjer greeted them excitedly alone with Cheshire who knocked Rage down licking his face. Wolves Lair was very crowded now. Many people had taken refuge in the city including vampires from Yadessa, elves, humans and those who had escaped Winterhaven and Lord Larin's wraith.
Once back in the manor and in the library, Jandar explained to his family that their father had gone on to find Ono and Shayn to bring them home. Tresanda and Sharone were relieved to know Drake had found his way to the two missing boys. Then he went on to tell them that his clan still slept.
"But what of the others?" Rage asked. "Jayce and the Shadows? Where's Ariel, Toric and Insa? We're going to need all the help we can get."
"Insa took Ariel north to find help." Tof told them as Jandar and Rage took a seat in the library lounge. Sharone served tea to the two men as Aggar came in still looking weak and sat down. "The Shadows, Graym and Jayce are in Eventide checking on the damage there. Pelic is in Winterhaven. I haven't heard from him since he arrived in the city. I do know he's not alone. Morganz is there with Elan Darkshade."
Jandar choked on his tea when he heard the Darkshade name. He looked at Tof with raised eyebrows.
"Elan the son of Talsara? That Elan? You trust him, a Darkshade?"
"Not only do I trust him." Tof sat up in his chair. "I'll do anything in my power to help him. He's got just as serious a reason to fight on our side as the Eventide's. He's not like Talsara and he's proven that. There's a lot you both need to know about what's been going on while you've been asleep."
Suddenly there was a flash on Tof's desk. It was his message stone, someone was trying to reach him. He picked it up and leaned back in his chair and palmed it. Above a face appeared. It was the captain of Wolves Lairs guard.
[Sire, something wings it's way towards the gates.]
[What is it?] Tof asked.
[I don't know but it's very big.]
Just then Rage jumped from his seat and ran to the window facing the gate. He opened the window and listened for a second then smiled and turned back to Tof.
"It's Insa and Ariel. They're back."
[At ease captain. They're friends. Welcome them when they land and bring them here.]
"It'll be good to see Ariel and Insa again." Rage walked back and sat down. "I was so worried about them while we slept."
"I remember." Jandar smiled leaning squeezed his mates hand. "And I know how worried you are about Shayn and Ono, I'm worried too. But Father will get them home. I know he will no matter what it takes."
"I hope so." Rage patted Jandar's hand. "Meanwhile, what's next to be done here?"
"We'll eventually they're going to attack here once they're strong enough." Tof told them. "Right now I want to get Valkar free. Yadessa is at the crossroads to many lands, with him under their spell, there's no telling where they could go. I hate to do this but I think we should split up. Jandar, I'd like you to go to Prafa to help Adam and Athene. Free Valkar and see what you can do about the rest of the citizens of Prafa. These people are the fodder for Lord Larin's armies. If we can break his spell, we can turn his army against him."
As they talked there was a knock at the door. Tof called for them to enter. The door opened and Ariel walked in followed by Adanar, Insa, Jade and Arik. When she saw Jandar and Rage she rushed in to jump into Rage's arms for a hug.
"I'm so glad to see you." She cried hugging them together. "Are the others awake?"
"No." Jandar smiled. "They still sleep. Only we were allowed out of the dream."
"Jade, Arik." Rage hugged the two dragons. "It's good to see you both and thank you for coming to our aid."
"It's Dragon work." Arik sat next to Jade on the couch. "This is where we are needed."
"Unfortunaly we have to ask you for one more favor." Tof stood and went and sat on the edge of his desk. "There's trouble in Dree and Aquilona and I think we'll be needing a water dragon. Orym Dree and his family made it here along with Queen Anemone and her children but Caldar is still in Aquilona. We have to help the Mer people. Aquilona and Dree is a major seaport that we can't lose and I know Talsara has plans for them. Plans we don't want to work out."
"We can have Maxius here in a few hours." Rage told them. "Jandar can spell him here through the Dragonspirit. Just let us know where he can find Orym so they can meet."
"Before you make any decisions." Ariel stopped the talk with a hand. "You should know, I'm taking my brother and we are going home to Eventide. We have to know if our Eventide is safe. With Talsara invading, I know they're in trouble."
"And I have to find Emrel and Ryel." Adanar added. "Have you heard anything from Elan?"
"Yes." Tof told him. "He fights in Winterhaven."
"What of Aron. I promised Elan I'd get him to safety."
Tof looked sadly at Adanar without speaking. He didn't know if he should tell him what he knew. But I guess, honesty was best for all of them and they deserved to know.
"Somethings wrong?" He stood and went to stand at the front of the desk. "What is it?"
"I have bad news for you both." As he spoke there was a sudden flash of lightning and the crash of thunder. It was Ariel, her emotions were running high. Jandar took her by the shoulders to comfort her.
[Relax Seven. Let him finish what he has to say.] She looked into Jandar's eyes and nodded.
"So many things have happened in Eventide, I don't even know where to start but you all need to hear this. Adanar, please have a seat." Adanar returned and sat with Ariel and Jandar. Tof stood and walked to the front of his desk to address them. "I talked with Jayce who is in Eventide now with Emrel. She's safe with them but I'm sorry to tell you your mother has passed away."
Just then there was another crash of thunder and it started pouring rain. Ariel grabbed Jandar and buried her face in his chest and cried. Adanar looked like his world had just crashed. He sat there silently in shock..
"They can't find anyone at all in Eventide, so we don't know where your family is. The city was ransacked by the Dark elves before they left." Tof continued. "Jayce reports that there's something strange in Eventide and some kind of beast have over run the city. He asked for help, magical help and Jade, I think that's where you will go."
"What can I do?" She asked.
"Your an earth dragon." Rage told her. "Do what needs to be done, and Ariel and Adanar will go with you."
"There's one more thing." Everyone turned back to Tof. "Talsara has Aron."
"Oh no!!" Adanar groaned and leaned down to place his head in his hands, "You know what that means don't you? She'll kill him!"
"Don't worry. Ryel is on his way to Darkshade with Toric and Denner. They'll get him out."
"Ryel?" Ariel looked up at Tof. "Ryel Eventide? That Ryel?"
"If there's one thing I've learned during all this madness, it's never doubt an Eventide." Tof smiled. "They always get the job done. Your brother has loyal friends that will see him through this. Have faith in him."
"I'm going back to Winterhaven." Insa told them all. "Lord Larin and I have business to finish. What of you and Jandar?"
"Jandar's going to Prafa." Rage said as he looked at his mate who still held Ariel. "I'm going home."
[What?] Jandar sent to him surprised. [Stay here in Tir Na, They'll need you.]
[No love. My place is at home. Our family needs protection to.]
[Jax is there.] Jandar knew this was a battle he wouldn't win, but he had to try.[But someone should be here in Tir Na.]
[Arik can stay here but I have to go home. New Keanna is our responsibility and one of us, you and I, has to protect our home and the eggs.]
"Your right." Jandar stood up. "Is there anything else we need to know?"
"Just that mindspeak isn't working over long distances." Tof opened a box on his desk and gave Jandar, Rage, Arik and Ariel a message stone. "This will keep us in touch. Be careful all of you and beware of anyone trying to hand you anything. It's how Tayor's spell works."
Everyone stood and started talking getting more acquainted. Adanar went to Tof to talk. He wanted to know more about what had happened to Aron. He felt guilty. He had promised Elan he would get him free of the Goblins. As they talked Ariel joined them.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have to be leaving." Adanar nodded his agreement.
"Don't worry about Aron." Tof told them as he walked Adanar and the two dragons to the door. "He's no weakling. Aron can take care of himself and help is on it's way. Have faith."
"We will." Ariel hugged Tof, Rage and Jandar. "Tell Toric I miss him."
Cold and shivering the men of the old guard sat in the sun to take in it's warmth after their terrifying escape from the Winterhaven dungeon. Fresh water had been retrieved from a brook that ran through the Academy lands where they hid and the able bodied men had gone out to hunt to feed the weak men. Morganz and Elan set two men on watch to patrol the walls and alert them if anyone came snooping around. Morganz knew that it was just a matter of time before someone searched here after so many had escaped the dungeon.
Once rested and fed, Marcus Dante got up from the fire and went to speak with Morganz and Elan.
"So what next?" He asked sitting down placing his sword at his side. Morganz looked to Elan for an answer which he really didn't have.
"We find somewhere safe for everyone." Elan told him. "We can't stay here for long."
"Then what?"
"Then we fight to get Winterhaven back." Morganz seemed a little annoyed at the question.
"Just like that?" The sword master said. "We just attack? We'll be slaughtered!!"
"You have any ideas? We'll be happy to hear them if you do."
"Yes I do." Marcus smiled. "There can't be that large a force here in the city. Tayor's got to have his men stretched all through here, Yadessa, Tir Na and beyond. We can't worry about outside the city but If we do it right, we can't take back Winterhaven."
"How?" Elan as interested.
"First we need to know where Tayor Larin is." Marcus looked them both in the eyes. "None of us have enough magic to take him on so we need to know if he's in the city."
"I think we can get that information." Morganz smiled and nodded. "What about Youron?"
"Wherever Tayor is, his toady will probably be with him." He explained. "Though Youron's not as tough as he thinks he is. I think Elan can match him in magic and both of us can beat him with a sword."
"What about the rest of the council members?" Elan asked, "I can't take them all."
"We have magic on our side to." Morganz told them. "That shouldn't be a problem. But I better talk with Pelic and Ashura to find out where Tayor is."
"Good then we start with the gates." Marcus picked up a stick and draw a diagram of the city. He marked the gates and all other access points in and out of the city. He pointed to the south gate. "South gate first. I haven't seen either of the two main gates since we were capture but I can't imagine it's got more protection then when we manned them. There should be no more the four or five men, I want five of our best at dawn. Here's what we do."
It was late at night and the streets of Winterhaven were deserted. No shops or taverns were open to hawk their wares and no strumpets roamed the lanes looking for customers. There wasn't even a sailor staggering drunkenly back to the docks to find his ship. The people of Winterhaven knew the penalty for breaking curfew. death in the dungeons. Lord Larin trusted almost no one. Not in his manor, not even in his own family. the only one's allowed out after dark were his guards and only to patrol the streets.
But this night there were others out. Five hooded figures moved quietly in the shadows going from doorway to doorway hiding to keep from being seen by and of Lord Larin's lazy men. Like ghost they crept along listening for the hint of a footstep or the sound of boots on cobblestones. Where were they going? There's was a mission of rebellion. They were out on this night to take back a city.
From alley across from the south gate, eyes watched as two guards passed a bottle of rum between them to keep warm. They were bored men who had spent many cold hours there with nothing to do except to drink the hours away. And why not? Who would dare attack here? Lord Larin's seat of power. None would be so foolish. At least that was what they thought.
"Have you heard about what goes on in Yadessa?" A tall dark skinned guard named Yanik wiped his mouth and passed the bottle to Dron his partner. "Twelve lost so far."
"How?" Dron asked. "I thought we had taken the city?"
"We did, but don't forget who's city it was. Those filthy bloodsuckers. Who knows what they had hiding in that place,"
"But I heard the Dark Elves were there." Yanik took a swallow of the burning liquid and then passed it on. "Surely they have ways to fight whatever is there."
"Vampire magic?" He shook his head. "Even they can't deal with those monsters. Better to just burn the city to the ground and be done with it."
Just then there was a loud crash across the yard in the alley. Both guards jumped and grabbed for their swords.
"What was that?" Dron turned to head into the gate house. "Where are you going?"
"For help." He stammered.
"We don't need help." Grabbing his partner,Yanik push him out onto the street. "Go see what that was!
"Me?" The young man was obviously afraid. "By my self?"
"Of course. It's probably just a stray dog or something rooting in the garbage. There's nothing to be scared of."
Trembling, Dron took a few steps towards the dark alley. Something flew off from the roof of a building adjacent to the alley. Cold sweat run from Dron forehead. He turned back and looked at Yanik who stood there with his hands on his hips. Pulling himself together, Dron gripped his sword and went in to the dark alley.
From where he stood, Yanik watched as Dron entered the dark alley. There a was another crashing noise like the sound of fighting. Yanik called out to Dron, he didn't answer. He looked closely into the alley. He could see something moving in there about the size of a man. Yanik relaxed, he was right. It was just a dog or cat or stray animal rummaging through the garbage in the alley. With a sigh, Yanik turn and called out to old Edgar in the guard house to get him another bottle of rum then headed in to get it.
Across in the alley, Dron lay knocked out and tied up. The three hooded men watched as Yanik made his way into the guard house then quietly slipped in and made their attack. Two minutes fighting and the south gate was know under their control. But could they hold it was the question.
A freezing cold north wind swept down the coast of Tagittia, the largest continent on Keanna and the home of the Keanna Dragons. As the storm moved over each city, town or village, spring suddenly turned back to winter bringing snow and frost back to the land. Lakes suddenly over and lands that had just recovered from the winter storms were suddenly freezing again.
In the harbor city of Port Ronna all ships were frozen in place unable to get out to sea. No fishing boats sailed out to fish on this cold morning and not one trader ship made it in to dock and unload it's cargo.
A lite snow covered the grounds and fields stopping all work from being done. This was bad. The ground here had just defrosted from winter and had been ready for planting. Now with the freezing storm back, it would take months for the land to be ready again for planting. With war waging everywhere things couldn't possibly get worst, but it did.
As the skies grew grey, a fierce dark cloud swept down to descend over the city. What plant life that still lived died in a matter of minutes. Animals froze and died in the fields, and in the homes, no fire burning in the hearth could keep the cold out. People died in their beds frozen solid, at their tables with fork in hand. And from the cloud heading south for the next town, a piercing cold hearted laugh echoed through the dead city. The lady of winter was back.
As Lord Larin sat high on his horse he watched as his men took apart the armies of the twin cities of Cygnia and Derilys. The walls of each city had been battered down by Tayor's magic so his men could enter. War raged in and outside of both cities. Men died by sword and by the magic of the many mages of his army. From where he sat on a hill above the fighting he could see devastating bolts of red and blue energy tearing in ranks of men on both sides. His horsemen charged in with sword and pike raised and ready. They were met by a lesser force and easily mowed down in time. To his left the men of Cygnia were taking a stand beyond the downed walls. Dressed in their shining armor they looked ever bit the heroes they all wanted to be. Brave and true to their kingdoms but in the end, doomed.
With sword in hand the king of Cygnia rode out surrounded by his knights. His sword flashed and slew many of his enemies today but his forces and the men of Derilys were out numbered. In Lord Larin's ranks there were giants and ogres. There were foul things he had somehow ordered out of deep depths no man had ever returned from. Beast with claws and fangs that slashed and tore at the knights. Monsters that no sword or spear could hurt. Though they fought bravely, it was no use. Cygnia and Derilys fell and their kings were dragged out and thrown down at Tayor Larin's feet.
"You know this didn't have to be." Lord Larin smiled down at them from his horse. "You could have just accepted my rule all this blood business would have been avoided."
"And be your puppet?" The king of Derilys spat at him. "That could never be."
"That's to bad." Tayor Larin climbed down off his horse. He took of his gloves and handed them to his aide who lurked at his side. "Now who will protect that beautiful queen of yours? And what about your son Rossa of Cygnia? Who will be there for them?"
"You don't scare us you pig!!" Rossa tried to get to his feet and was knocked back to lay in the dirt. "Our families are gone from here long before your attack. You can't hurt them."
"Can't I?" The aide took a bag from his horse and gave it to Lord Larin. He stuck his hand in and pulled something out and threw it down in front at the two men. "Recognize this?"
With a scream the two kings looked down to see the heads of Irena queen of Derilys and Trent the young prince of Cygnia staring back through dead eyes. Both men thrashed to be free and get their revenge on the man killed their loved ones.
"The king is dead." Lord Larin placed a hand on each of the kings heads and sent deadly energy through their bodies. He laughed as the two men fell to the ground dead. "Long live the king."
Lord Larin stepped over the bodies and looked out at the little fighting still going on. He called to his generals to attend his.
"Gather all the royal family left from both cities and execute them. I don't want even a third cousin left breathing. Then find ten noble and kill them too. I want these people to afraid to ever go against my wishes. Then feed the survivors and have them clean up this mess."
Lord Larin climbed back on his horse and urged it into a run. Gripping the reins he turn it toward the campsite his staff had set up for his comfort. The camp included a private camp for him to rest in. The was a tent for him to plan his offensive in and receive anyone that needed to see him. Behind that the was another tent. This one was for the Lady Ashura who had become one of his most trusted advisors. As he rode up she came stepping of of her tent. Today Ashura was dressed in leather pants and boots for riding. She wore a deep gold blouse and a cloak around her shoulders. Her dark hair had been tied into a bun set in the back of her head. The smell of her enticing perfume rode have on the wind making Tayor smile as he saw her.
"Aiya my Lord." She smiles as the rays of the noon sun sparkled in her eyes. "I trust the battle went well?"
"Of course lady." Tayor climbed down and threw his reins at a slave that had rushed out to serve him. "These people are no match for me or my army. Soon all of Keanna will be mine."
"You forget the Elves and Talsara." She reminded him walking beside him towards his tent. "She is getting very powerful. So she may even be a threat to you."
"No." He frowned. "I can never forget her. But I will deal with her when the time is right."
"That time may be sooner then you think."
"What do you mean?" Tayor stopped at his tent and turned to Ashura. He had that look in his face no one ever ignored.
"Do you know what she has planned?"
"For the elven lands." He answered. "Yes I do."
"Her plans go far beyond the Elven lands." She warned him. "Her agents are on the move, she needs to be watched carefully."
"If you know something, you should tell me now."
As they talked a rider came barreling up the hill towards them. he was dressed in a dirty uniform of his house. He stopped his horse and ran up to Tayor and bowed sweating profusely.
"My lord I have urgent news from our eastern holdings."
Tayor looked at the man then at Ashura who raised her brow as if she knew what he would say.
"What is it?"
"We have reports of trouble in the eastern cities along the shores. Our harbor cities are encased in ice and frozen in. In Port Ronna and a few small villages everyone's dead, It's like some severe magic ice storm is moving south."
"Where's it heading?" Tayor threw open the tent flap and entered with Ashura and the messenger following him. He walked over to a table covered of maps and charts and rummaged through them until he found what he was looking for. Unrolling a large map, he spread it out on the table. The map showed the eastern coast of Tagittia from Kensor in the cold north to the Sorelen islands in the south which included a large part of the Elven lands south of Fay Shrea.
"Show me."
The messenger started in Kensor and traced a line south along the coast. It went down as far as Jorania then turned west avoiding New Keanna, Winterhaven and Fay Shrea. If whatever it was kept on it's southwesterly course, It wound head right to Darkshade.
"Any doubts now?" Ashura folded her arms staring at Lord Larin.
"I'll look into it." He folded the maps and sat in his chair behind his desk. "Better yet, why don't you look into it for me Ashura. Your more the qualified for the task. Take whoever you want and keep me informed."
"As you wish My Lord." She bowed and left the tent. Tayor watched her go then told the messenger to go and have Youron report to him at once.
Like the obedient mutt he is, Youron was there bowing at Lord Larin's feet in minutes. Disgusted with the whimpering fool Lord Larin told him to stand and listen carefully.
"Lady Ashura is going out on a mission for me. I want you to follow her as best you can. Being that she is much better at magic then you are, you will need to be able to move fast. Take this. It's one of her hair pins. It's already has a connection to her so you'll be able to follow her wherever she goes."
Lord Larin took a elaborate black wooden decorative pin from his pocket and gave it to his henchman. Youron looked at it. He has seen Ashura wearing it before. It still had her scent on it. He slipped it into the pocket of his tunic.
"Take my horse." He told him. "He's made of shadow and should keep you hidden. This is important Youron. I need to know if she can be trusted. Don't lose her."
"Yes my lord." Youron bowed then stood facing Lord Larin. "I won't fail you."
"I know you won't." He waved him off. "Not if you want to live you won't."
The skies were dark and cold as Jayce and Graym flew high over the trees. There was something here in Eventide. Something evil and deadly. It wasn't the strange creatures that hid all over the city. It was something else. Something dark that Talsara had left there. They all felt it's presence but Jayce felt it more. To him it was a burning pain that ran through his entire body.
Higher and higher he flew feeling the heat of the sun above the clouds warming him. Giving him strength and clearing his mind. He always thought better up here while he soared though the open skies. He thought about what was happening in Eventide. Where could all the people be? What in Rimnar's name were all the strange creatures that inhabited the city and forest. And last of all, what else was down there? What had Talsara had set upon the city? These were all questions that had to be answered. But first things first. They had to heal the city or at least slow down it's lost of magic. Eventide couldn't afford to lose anymore or it may not survive.
Once he felt stronger, Jayce dropped down lower to rejoin Graym in his search of Eventide.
[Find anything yet?]
[Nothing.] Graym answered. [But I still feel something down there. Something dark.]
[We should go back to grove. That's where I first felt it.] Jayce tilted his wings and turned to the right. [This way.]
In the upper reaches of the great Palace of trees in Eventide, Emrel walked along a high walkway with Hema flying brightly over her shoulder. Finn had taken a different branch to search the westerly part of the tree. He wanted to stay with Emrel, but she insisted she could protect herself. And indeed she had proven her magic to be strong enough for the task but one of them had to remain at her side so Hema stuck with her.
It was quiet up in the tree foliage. Every creaking of a branch. Every sound made by the whistling of the wind seemed loud up there. As Emrel walked she noticed a sound coming from behind her. Footsteps.
"Some one's following us." She whispered to the fairy without looking back.
"What?" Hema turned and looked back in the shadows behind them. "I see nothing."
"Fly higher and wait, see who it is." She reached up and let Hema climb on her hand. Then Emrel lifted her into the low leaves and Hema flew off to hide as Emrel kept walking.
For a while Hema saw nothing. She figure with all that was going on, Emrel's imagination had gotten the better of her. Then she heard the creaking of footsteps on the walkway below. Someone was coming. Bringing her glow down to it's lowest illumination, she pulled a leaf in front of her to wait. A minute later she heard heavy breathing beneath hear. Like that of a beast. She looked down to see a tall white furred creature below her. It walked on two legs like a man. I had long fingers and pointed ears. Fur covered it's body but it also wore some kind of green rags draped about it's body. Hema had lived many years in Fay Shrea. She's been abroad to different lands and seen all kinds of beast. But she'd ever seen anything like this before in any land.
Dropping down, Hema flew out to circle the beast making sure to stay out of it's reach. As it swatted at her she got a closer look at the thing. It had a savage look about it. She could tell it was great at climbing from it's huge hands and feet. Then she looked into it's face. It was almost ape like, or like that of the high mountain beast men, but this one had green eyes and it wore something around it's neck. Jewelry?.
Done with her investigation, Hema flared brightly in front of it's face to blind the thing for a minute while she flew off to catch up with Emrel. Scared it leaped into the foliage and climbed higher to hide. Hema zoomed up and watched as it scampered away out of sight. She wondered where it had gone then realized it had gone in the same direction Emrel had went. Worried, Hema hurried on to catch up with the elven princess.
High in the branches of Eventide, Finn Adair zipped along as he searched for the hidden room Emrel had told them about. He could feel the many eyes watching him as he searched and kept a strong grip on his shillelagh for protection. Finn had found many different look out posts and store rooms in the boles of the trees, but so far, no hidden rooms like Emrel had described. Emrel had explain that she had only been up there once with Zaoir be that it would be hidden to the eye and that there would be only one thing that would tell him he was ion the right place. On the trunk of the tree near the entrance there would be a carved sign. A carving of a tree etched into the wood that Shael and Zaoir had placed there to mark their hidden room. In time they had shared the knowledge with Evindel, Jake and Adanar. Seven had not seemed interested since she had her own place to hide and Ryel had been to young at the time to care.
For hours Finn searched with no luck. He was beginning to doubt it was even up there. Then he stopped to think. Emrel had said it was a magical place that not even her Mother could find with her command of Elven magic. Perhaps he needed a little something extra himself to find it. he reached into his pocket and fished out one of his coins. He held it in his hands and looked on it's golden beauty.
"It be luck I'll be needing here." He kissed the coin and dropped it back in his pocket. "Where ya be hidin? I know ya be here somewhere."
Just then something dropped from above over in the distance. Finn looked carefully and saw it was one of the beasties they had been seeing all over the city. As he watched, another dropped down to join it. Then another and another until there were a group of five standing hunched over in front of a rather large trunk. As Finn watched, he noticed something on the tree. A darker spot right to the side of the first beast. As he looked closer he realized it was the carving he had been looking for. His luck had paid off. He had found it. But now there were those beasties keeping him and anyone else from getting anywhere near it. But he had found it, maybe Emrel or one the the Angels could help clearing the way so they could get in. If it was possible to get in at all. Right now he had to get back to Emrel and let her know of his success.
Lurking in the shadows of Eventide, a dark figure hid and watched the skies. He saw the two winged men circling above and knew exactly who they were and why they were here. They were there to stop the corruption of Eventide and save the elven land. Druda's job was to keep that from happening.
Talsara Darkshade had been here and used her magic to drain Eventide of it's magic. She had put her taint deep in the soil which would rot the Eventide trees and make the land useless to the Eventides. Druda with his sorcery had changed he spell. Instead of the magic flowing to Darkshade and the Queen of the Dark Elves, Druda had been able to change that. Now the magic flowed somewhere else. To a place neither the Elven Queen or the Lord of Winterhaven would expect. But to keep it flowing, Druda would have to stay here. Sooner or later one of these damned heroes would discover it, then he would see what they were made of.
But what could he do to keep them from cleansing the land? His magic was powerful for a demon. He could cast spells and conjure lesser demons, but to do that might call attention to himself that could bring the lord of the Underworlds trackers back on his trail. There had to be something less drastic he could do.
As Druda looked out into the forest, one of the long haired beast crept out and darted back after grabbing a rabbit to feed on. Druda smiled. An idea had just come to him. He could use these things to his advantage and the dawning of the Blood moon was the perfect source for the magic he would need.
