On top of that, there was this damned war raging all across Taggitia and the Dragons were helpless to interfear. Other then Ariel, Insa and himself, all the rest of his clan was trapped in some deep sleep unable to wake which left Keanna in a very vulnerable spot. Right now the city had very few defenders to protect it in case of attack and Rage was sure that not only did Lord Larin know about it, but it was him behind the mysterious sleep the clan was in.
As Rage watched, a falling star streaked across the sky. He felt a cold shiver run up along his spine. He could feel the danger in the air almost like a wet blanket wrapping itself around him.
"What is it?" Jax asked as he stepped up on the wall to stand beside him.
"I have this strange feeling that something is about to happen."
"It's just your nerves." Jax smile placing a hand on his shoulder. "The city is well protected. All of the spell we placed around New Keanna are working well. There's nothing to worry about at the moment."
"I'm not so sure." Rage turned to look at the god of justice. "Vasagi isn't far from here. It wouldn't take Lord Larin very long to get here. And we are so few with so many to protect."
"It's true that its just you and I." Jax said trying to reassure him. "But I have faith in what the two of us can do. You are the king of this land with the power to protect it in your hands. If help is needed, it will come."
"I don't know how you can be so trusting in fate. It's had many twists and turns in the past for us. Do you know something I don't know?"
"All I know." Jax said. "Is that I will protect my new home with all the power at my command as I know you will. But if it makes you feel better, why don't you take off and check the lands around the city, make sure no ones out there. I'll stay here and watch from the wall."
"That's a good idea." Rage turned and started out to a spot where he could shift and take off. "A little exercise might ease the tension on my mind. "I'll call if I see anything."
Climbing out onto one of the Dragon perches, Rage opened his arms and made the shift into the form of the great Red Dragon and leaped into the night sky to climb high and ride the winds over New Keanna.
Deep in the dark forest not many miles from the Dragon city of New Keanna, Valkar, lord and king of the Vampires led the refugees from the conquered city of Prafa.Everyone was tired and hungry having escaped from the spell that had held the all entranced. With Athene and Baron Gaelich in the rear helping the weak and elderly, Adam took point to keep watch and avoid and dangers they might encounter. His vampire sight aided by his muted senses of smell, taste and his feeling for vibrations made him highly superior as a scout.
Every breeze, every animal that scurried through the forest was detected with ease by Adam. As he slowly crept through the forest, vibrations from the ground caught his attention. With a raised hand he signaled Valkar to stop.
[What is it?] Valkar asked as he joined him.
"We're not alone out here. There are men ahead." Adam knelt down and put a hand to the ground. The vibrations of many feet walking tingled the hairs on his arm. "I think we're in trouble. It feels like an army on the march."
"Heading to Vasagi?" Valkar asked. He knew his city was close and under siege.
"No." Adam told him. He stood and pointed toward New Keanna. "Heading for the Dragon city."
"It has to be Tayor. Can we beat him there? Rage is practically alone Jandar said."
"No." Adam shook his head. "Not unless we slow him down."
Valkar thought for a minute. He had to get his people somewhere safe.They would never make it to Vasagi and couldn't get through the siege even if the made it to the city. The only choice was New Keanna. That meant he had to hurry them on and somehow slow the advance of Tayor's marching warriors on New Keanna.
"Keep watch." Valkar shouted as he turned to run back and rejoin the others. "I need to know exactly where they are at all times."
Back with the others, Valkar pulled Athene and the two Barons aside to explain what Adam had discovered.
"Majesty." Athere said. "How much further is New Keanna?"
"The Dragon city is only a few miles away." He said. "But there's a problem. Lord Larin and his war have finally caught up with the Dragons. At this moment he and a small number of warriors are marching on the city."
Athene gasped in surprise while Baron Valkar wasn't shocked at all.
"I've been expecting this." He said. "Baron Tyr and I thought this would happen and warned the Werewolves to pass that on to Jandar."
"I don't think he ever got that message." Arturus cut in. "If he did he would never have left the city no matter how important he thought it was."
"Yes he would." Valkar told them. "Jandar is a protector. If someone needs his help, he won't hesitate. Rage is there. And we will be there to. Arturus, I need you to gather the people and get them to the city as fast as you can. Athene, Adam, the Baron and I will slow Tayor's advance as best as we can. Take wing and fly swiftly my friend. For those that can't fly, have Abram lead them to the south gate. I will direct him by mind speak to a mine near there where they can hide until it's safe to get them in through the gate. Go now, there isn't much time."
With a nod, Arturus was gone to round up the citizens of Prafa and get moving on to New Keanna. As Valkar turned back to Athene and Baron Valkar, the Baron's image faded and disappeared. He looked up at Athene and she smiled.
"We know what to do."
Standing tall Athene raised her arms and dissipated into a cloud of mist and was gone. With the Baron and Athene gone, and Arturus leading the others to safety, it was time Valkar showed Tayor Larin why he was king of the Vampires.
[Where are they?] He asked Adam.
[Now far.] Came his answer. [I can show you where they are.]
[Show me.]
It was dark in the deep depths of the Shyr as Flinar rode on in his one man underwater craft. The craft was equipped with lights, but with the Munos on the move, Flinar couldn't use them and chance attracting their attention. Thank the sea god Sazar, Coral elves eyes could adapt to the darkness of the deep sea.
As Flinar dimmed the inside lights on the console, he steered his way deeper down and through the coral canyons all around him. The sea life here was very sparse. He saw only small fish, nothing bigger then a cod swam in the waters here. They all could sense the trouble and turbulence of the Munos and stayed as far away as they could.
On the surface, men though most sea life to be non intelligent, and mostly that was true. But what they didn't know was that the bigger the fish, the higher its level of intelligence was. Piper fish, box fish and angel fish lived only by instinct, wandering around eating, mating and hiding from bigger fish that ate them. But whales, shark, dolphins and sailfish were completely different. Larger brains, more intelligent. They could sense what went on in the deep seas. They could even communicate through thought to the Mer men and Coral elves what they had seen and were sensing. These were the fish Flinar was counting on to answer his call. If all went well, the sharks and whales he had freed would keep their promise.
Coming out of the coral canyon, Flinar spotted the domed city of Aquilona. Its lights were very dim, they must be low on power. As Flinar guided his craft closer, he saw the Munos all gathered outside of the city bashing at the unbreakable dome with hammers, axes, lightning bolts and cannon blasts. So far the dome still held but with the power so weak, it could collapse at any minute. Quickly he guided the craft into a small cave he had seen. He grabbed bag the reached for his sword and stopped. The sword would be useless down here in the water. He reached up and opens the weapons locker behind the pilot's chair. There he found a dart gun with a belt of ammo and a small axe. He belted on the dart gun and pushed the axe into the belt for close quarter's fighter. Now he was ready to go find a way into the city.
As water poured into the small cabin, Flinar's body began to change. His skin took in the water and scales grew all down his chest and lower half. Fins drew on his thighs and his feet and fingers became webbed. Soon the water level rose over his head and he took in his first breath of water through his gills, Quietly Flinar pushed open the hatch and swam out into the open waters and ducked behind a reef as three Munos warriors swam past. Behind them on a huge clam shell, two Eel men pulled a cannon. Another followed them with a bag of cannon balls harvested from the sea floor.
Looking all along the sea floor, Flinar was surprised at what he saw. Hundreds of Munos and Coral elves gathered across the sea floor around the city preparing to invade. At each port into the dome they waited as warriors tried everything they could to get in. They tried siege hammers and the great long mainmast of a sunken ship. They even tried slamming an anchor dangling from a pole like some strange wrecking ball to smash their way through the dome, but nothing worked.
As Flinar watched, he wondered how was he to get in if nothing the Munos did seemed to work. His only answer was he had to get a message in to let them know he was there. Then he remembered something. The message stone. Caldar would have one too. Maybe he didn't have to get in at all. Maybe a message would do.
Sliding back down into the cave, Flinar reached in his pocket and took out the message stone. Holding it in the palm of his hand, Flinar concentrated on Caldar Dylani, king of Aquilona. As the stone flared into life, Flinar opened his hand and the image of the Mer king appeared.
[Flinar! Thank Rimnar! How goes the fighting in Dree?]
[Sadly your majesty.] Flinar sent. [Dree was taken. The city burns as we speak.]
[How?] Caldar asked. [What happened?]
[When we were invaded, we fought as best we could,] He explained. [But Talsara's forces overwhelmed us. They outnumbered us twenty to one. We held out as long as we could but eventually the city fell. I had to use our fuel stocks to blow up the sea port to keep it out of their hands. Talsara won't be using Dree ships to invade anywhere or anyone.]
[And Orym?] Caldar asked worried about his friend.
[The royal family made it out before the invasion. I'm here outside your city in a cave watching the Munos as they try getting through the dome. How can I help?]
[We sent people out to find a new power source for the dome.] He explained. [Without it, It's not going to last very much longer. I need to find that power source and get it back here as quickly as possible. I also need to know who commands the Munos. Talsara we know is in ultimate control but we know she is not here. These mad Eel men are being controlled by someone under her control. Find out who, it could make a difference.]
[I will do my best your majesty.]
[Caldar, Flinar.] The king sent. [You're not one of my subjects, your my friend. Now hurry, we don't have much time. Find Mortimer and Jandar with that power source fast.]
With Caldar gone, Flinar stuffed the message stone back in his pocket. Finding Mortimer and the power source wasn't going to be easy so Flinar decided finding out who was in command of the Munos should be his first step. To do that he would have to find a way to safely go out among the Eel men, and he could think of only one way to do that. Magic. He would need the right spell. And for that, he would need something of the Munos.
Peeking out, Flinar watched as a group of Eel men swam by in precise formation. Over their shoulders, each one held a trident. Caldar was right. They didn't seem like wild primitive savages anymore. Somehow, someone was controlling them. Could Talsara's magic really be that powerful? If they could control a whole vampire city and a werewolf village, why should the Munos be a problem? As Flinar watched the Munos troops go about building there camp, he saw a lone Eel man heading his way toward the cave. In his hand he held a bag. He was collecting something off the sea floor. Flinar watched as he picked something up, ripped it open and ate from it. Lobsters, he was harvesting lobsters to eat. Turning around, Flinar searched the cave floor a found he was standing in front of a huge lobster den. The Eel man would be coming in here to feast and fill his bag.
Pulling the shadows of the cave around him, Flinar waited for the Eel man to enter the cave. Slowly it picked its way to the entrance filling the bag and its stomach as at walked. At the entrance it gazed in and spotted its prize. Like a child finding a new toy it hopped about when it saw the abundance of shellfish in the cave. Quickly it began filling the bag every now and then stopping to gorge itself of a particularly fat one. The Eel man was so busy filling the bag, it didn't notice the hand that reached out fron the shadow and clubbed it over its head.
As it lay there on the cave floor, Flinar had a chance to get a better look at the Munos. They were tall with sleek scaly bodies. They had long necks and a dorsal fin that ran from their heel to the top of their heads. Some kind of bio electricity powered their bodies. It was probably created from friction gathered while they swam.
They had gills in their necks and a long face with strong sharp teeth. They looked very vicious and primitive, a lethal mix. Now that Flinar had seen the enemy, all that was left was to imitate the enemy. Pulling a hair from the Munos chin, Flinar stepped back and cast his spell and took the form of his enemy. As he looked down it himself, he smiled. Another face to fool the enemy, he hoped this worked or the Munos would be dining on Coral elf tonight.
Covered in a heavy cloak made of fish skin with his bag of lobster over his shoulder, Flinar swam out and through the ranks on the Munos. There were hundreds of them there mulling about not doing anything other than waiting. Flinar had swam pass a few and saw them up close. They all had the faraway look in their eyes, like they were there but not in control. There was no spark of intelligence in their eyes, just a blank stare. Flinar guessed that had to be because of whatever spell that was controlling them. He would have to be careful no one noticed him.
As Flinar swam through the battle lines, he came to an area the Mer used as a corral for tuna other fish they farmed. There was a hatchery with netted spaces for many different types of fish. There, Munos with deeper blue colored dorsals gathered watching something going on in one of the netted spaces. As Flinar passed, an Eel man waved him over.
He said something to Flinar that he didn't understand. Gesturing to the bag he was carrying. Flinar handed him the bag bag and stepped aside as they tore it open and grabbed for the lobsters, Like piranha they chomped at the lobsters, in a frenzy of hunger an Eel man grabbed at one of his companions. He bashed him in his head then threw him down and they tore into him. Disgusted, Flinar turned away and hurried to the netted pen. He looked around searching for somewhere to hide when he noticed there were Munos in the pen. Not just Munos, there was someone else in there too. Five of the Eel men stood around and watched as a Coral elf beat on a Mer man. He had been staked out, tied down as the coral elf beat and kicked at him. From where Flinar stood, he could hear in his head the elf screaming at the Mer man.
[Tell me!] He kicked him in his side. [How do I get in to Aquilona? There has to be a way in. Tell me! Is there a secret tunnel, a trap door. How do I get into the dome?]
[You' can beat me all you want Laor Blackhelm!] The Mer sent. [I'm never going to tell a traitor like you anything! You're a murderer. You helped kill all the people in Dree, now your helping Talsara invade Aquilona. I'm not telling anything!]
[You will tell me what I want.] Laor sent with a snarl. He reached down and grabbed the Mer man by the chin. [Either I get the answer from you, or I get it from Orym Dree just before he dies. Either way, one of you will tell me what I want to know.]
Laor Blackhelm! Here in league with Talsara? So that's how the Dark elves got into Dree so easily. Laor just let them come right through Melruth. I fact his could be the very warriors that did the inithal attack in Dree. Now here he is and he has Orym in his power too. Flinar had to find a way to free his cousin and the Mer man if he could. Then find Jandar and get that power source into the city. It was just another day in Fay Shrea.
As Maxius swam with all speed, Jandar and Mortimer did their best to stay low on his back. It and just been a few hours since they had left Vanco island. Braddoc, Gird and Viggo were on there way back north to Rage and the city of the Dragons. Jandar had tried to contact Rage but still something was blocking his every try. It had to be something Lord Larin or Queen Talsara was doing to keep the enemy off balance. Cutting of communication was an important step in all stages of conquest. The first thing you do before you invade an enemy. Then you move in, capture the land and remove any leadership that could get in your way. Tayor and Talsara had done just that with each territory they had taken. In Prafa, Eventide, Dree and Remus that had been the exact course. All communications were cut off then the spell was introduced to get the city leaders under control. Next would come the troops and the city under a new rule.
Here in Aquilona things had gone slightly different. Being underwater, Talsara couldn't just stroll in and declare herself the new queen. She needed someone that breathed underwater to do her dirty work and the primitive Munos were perfect lackeys. All she needed was a symbol to represent the ancient sea god Munoecus and she would have a mindless sea force who's every move would be under her control.
The incompetence of Walin Hael for the loss of the sea port, and his transformation into Munoecus was Talsara's move on Aquilona.The betrayal of Laor Blackhelm as he led his Coral elves to lead the Munos was the next move. Now getting into Aquilona and to capture Caldar Dylani was all that was left. Once she had Aquilona, there would be no stopping her. Nothing but Lord Larin her allie who would be her next target.
From Maxius back, Mortimer guided them to a safe place where they could stop and observe Aquilona from a distance. Fear fluttered in Mortimers stomach as he watched all the Munos out in front of Aquilona. There were hundreds out there. He turned to Jandar and Maxius.
[This is impossible.] He sent. [How are we suppose to get through all of them?]
[Is there no other way into the city?] Maxius asked. [A way they don't know about?]
[Not that I know of.] Mortimer looked back out at the domed city as it's lights flickered. The power was fading. There wasn't much time.
[Think Mortimer.] Jandar sent. [A sewage pipe, some kind of garbage dump. There has to be something.]
[I don't know!!] Mortimer screamed in his head. [What about you? Can't you move us in with magic?]
[I can't go someplace I've never been. It would be teleporting blind. We could appear in the middle of something solid and that would kill us.]
[What about shadows?] Maxius asked. [Can you move through shadow?]
[No, I can't. Shadow magic takes a mage years to learn unless it comes to you naturally. I've never studied any of the dark arts, so I can't move in shadows. We'll have to think of something else.]
[Like what?] Mortimer asked scared. [We don't have much time.]
Stumped, they stared down at the Munos surrounding the city. Even invisible it would be almost impossible to move through all the Eel men without being noticed. The Eel men could sense sudden movement in the water. They wouldn't need their eyes to find them.
[I have an idea.] Maxius pulled them down. [It's a long shot but it could work. It would at least give you time to get down to Aquilona. How you get in will be up to you.]
Jandar looked at the water dragon in human form. Jandar was using magic to breathe but Maxius being a water dragon could breathe in and out of water in either form. The way Maxius talked worried Jandar. He had a feeling the dragon planned something he might not be able to survive and that was out of the question.
Feeling Jandars doubt, Maxius sent him a private message.
[Brother, this is why we're here. This is the job we Dragons have taken on for centuries. You know as well as I do our lives are here to protect. It's what we do,what we're meant to do. You get the crown in and find a way to stop this war. Don't worry about me.]
[I worry about all my brother.] Jandar sent back. [Don't sacrifice yourself yet. We still have other options.]
[I'll wait for now, but time grows short.]
Cloaked in mist and keeping low to the ground, Baron Valkar Zlenka stalked out to see the enemy that he would be facing. Out beyond the hedge where he hid, two lines of armored men quietly marched. At the head of the line, dressed in robes of tan and green rode Lord Tayor Larin, self pronounced king of Winterhaven and all the lands around it including Yadessa and a few pieces of Tir Na. In his hand he held a staff of fairy oak with a crystal at its head. The Baron could see the power emanating from the staff. He could tell this was a powerful weapon. He had no idea what it could do used against his spirit form and had no intentions of finding out. As he watched, Athene slipped in beside him.
[How should we attack?]
[Carefully.] He sent. [You create a mist. It has to be subtle, I want it to seem natural not a vampire mist. Those are elves out there, they won't no the difference. Once it's in place, Valkar, Adam and I will slip in and start thinning out his ranks.]
[What about me?] She asked.
[Be patient. Your time will come.]
As the sun dipped down over the horizon, a cool breeze swept in from sea. A lite mist formed and slowly made its way across the land. Lord Larin felt the chill and pulled his cloak tighter against the cold. Up above in the sky, clouds slowly crept in and covered the moon blocking out most of the moon light. The only sound to be heard was the sound of the men and horses as the marched along.
Slowly as the minutes passed, the mist grew thicker. It went from a lite mist that covered there feet to a thicker fog that rose up pass their knees and in a few minutes more it was waist high, and bone chilling. That was when the men in the rear started to slip and not get up.
First one then another went down. With the helmets they wore obscuring their view, the next man in line barely could see to his side to notice the man next to him was gone. Soon a cry went out as someone was grabbed and and pulled away. In a panic, men turned and pulled their swords to defend themselves from the ghost in the mist. Then suddenly right in the center of the column of elves, something attacked growling and slicing men down. The warriors jabbed and stabbed at whatever was hiding in the mist but never making contact with anything.
As they fought the ghost, something else popped out of the mist and started beating and tearing at the warriors. It looked like some huge monster insect with claws and a stinger that stabbed out then disappeared back into the mist. On his horse, General Seith came riding down through the mob of men. He jumped down pulling his sword.
"What madness is this?"
"Get back General." A warrior warned. "Something moves in the fog!"
"Wild dogs?" He kicked something he couldn't see on the ground and almost fell. "Are my warriors afraid of wild dogs? Are you men or children?"
"Its not a dog." The warrior backed away with is eyes open wide in fear. "It's something else."
"What?" Seith yelled.
"Me!" Valkar Zlenka rose up forming himself from the mist. He grabbed Seith by his throat and held high over his head. "I believe you seek a way into Vasagi. Only a member of the royal family can get through the gates. Well here I am. Are you pleased to meet? No? I didn't think you would be."
Closing his fist, Valkar cut off Seith's air and crushed his throat. With no time to shift to his werewolf form, Seith died gurgling blood through his crushed throat.
As he tossed him aside, Baron Valkar and Sting appeared out of the mist and tore into the warriors gathered around them. Thirty men met their end right there before Lord Larin could turn his horse and go join the battle. By the time he arrived with re enforcements, the fog had cleared and there was nothing there but the bodies of his dead.
"Come if you wish Lord Larin. We await you in the Dragon city." Baron Valkar faded away into the last bits of the mist and was gone.
"Nooooooo!!!" Lord Larin screamed and lashed out sending a bolt of magic through his cane. The bolt like a great star burst reached out in his rage for each of his remaining men. Trapped in the web of his spell, twenty more men died screaming in agony as the flesh burned from their bones in seconds as Larin raged.
"This is not the end!" He screamed into the night. "Keanna will be mine! I'll damn you all and send screamimg to your graves! You'll see!"
From high in the night, Rage caught sight of some strange movement in the forest many miles out from New Keanna. He dipped his wings and turned to spiral down to fly over the area to investigate. It only took him seconds and he was flying over a scene what looked to him like a battle field in the forest. Coming in to land, Rage shifted and made his way through the bodies of the dead warriors.
"By Rimnar what happened here?"
"We happened here."
Rage spun around with his hands up ready to send a blast of flame at whoever had just spoke. There walking out of the forest came Athene, Sting and Valkar with the Baron appearing over the trees and gliding down.
"Easy Rage." Valkar held out his hands smiling at his old friend. "Its just us your neighbors coming to help"
Relieved, Rage hurried over to greet his friends. After hand shakes and hugs he ask just what happened here.
"New Keanna had a visitor." Valkar told as he led them back to the city. "Lord Larin and a few of his troops were on their way to pay you a visit. Jandar told us you were here alone so we came to help."
"You've seen Jandar?" Rage stopped them. "Where, when? Is he alright?"
"He was fine when we saw him." Athene took Rage by his arm to calm him. "He was off looking for something. He said to tell you not to worry and that he loves you. He'll be home as soon as possible. He promised me that."
Rage smiled but he was still worried, With Shayn and Ono off who knows where and Jandar playing hero, he was definitely worried. There was also Ariel, Toric, Denner and the Shadows. His family was spread all over Keanna where he couldn't protect any of them. For a king, right now he felt so helpless. But he knew they would all do all they could to get home safely. He just hoped that would be enough.
"OK Rage." Valkar said next to him. "What are we going to do about Vasagi?"
Still in his Munos guise, Flinar swam out in search of Orym Dree. He knew there were caves all over the sea floor here and he could search each one for days and still not find his cousin. The best way he knew to find him would be to follow Laor Blackhelm. It was logical that after the Mer man denied him the answer as to how to get in the city, he would go to Orym with the same question.
First Laor went to the city dome to see if there was any progress in breaking in. Once he found there had been no success, he went back to his tent and give no orders to his own men. He went into his tent and sat quietly in front of a huge crystal set spinning at a strange altar. Flinar got a quiet peek in and guessed the crystal could only be used for one thing. Laor was in contact with Talsara. Fron the back of the tent he had only a second to listen to what Laor was saying. He heard a fewe mumbled unrecognizable words the something that sounded like Munoecus. at that moment, Munos warriors swan by and Flinar had to move to keep from being caught.
Munoecus? What could that mean? He knew Munoecus was the god the Munos worshipped but he was only a myth right? He couldn't actually exist, could he? Flinar wasn't sure, but he knew the Munos believed and where there is belief, there could also be some reality in there somewhere.
As Flinar swam out, Laor left the tent and started swimming out towards a mound out in the distance. Flinar watched as he went in. He started to follow then stopped. This was his best chance to free the Mer man. Laor would be here with Orym for a while. He wouldn't kill him, Talsara wants Orym to much for that. He might be the key to getting into Aquilona. But the Mer man was expendable. Flinar had to get him free now or his life might be over.
Turning back, Flinar hurried back to the corrals where the Mer man was being kept. Two Munos guards stood at the entrance. They both need that blank look in their eyes, but that could either the spell or just the way all Munos naturally were. Flinar wasn't sure if or how Munos communicated but he was about to find out.
Armed with nothing but a dagger and the magic at his command, Flinar swam to the entrance. He stopped in front of the two guards who neither looked at him or moved. When he tried to slip pass them, one of the guards reached out and touched his shoulder. A wave of electricity shot up through his shoulder sending Flinar reeling back. He shook his head to clear the effects of the shock and looked up just as the two Munos jumped at him to attack. Ducking the first one's arms, Flinar grabbed his dagger and did a quick sweep up slicing open the stomach of the Munos reaching for him. Kicking out, Flinar sent the bleeding body flying back as he utter a spell for a force bolt that knocked the second one off it's feet. Raising the dagger, Flinar dived on him slamming the blade into its chest.
With the two guards out of the way, Flinar slipped in to the corral and hurried to the Mer man.
[Get away from me you filthy Eel!]
Releasing his disguise spell, Flinar started cutting at the ropes that held the Mer man down
[My name's Flinar Dree.] He sent. [I'm a coral elf. I'm here to get you out. Can you swim?]
[I think so.] He said still in shock. Once his hands were free he rubbed his wrist to restore the circulation. [King Orym? Where is he? Have you freed him?]
[No.] Flinar said as he removed the bindings on his feet and helped him up. [But I know where he is. Laor is questioning him right now.]
[Then we should hurry.] He started for the exit. [That other elf will kill him if he doesn't tell him how to get inside the dome.]
"No he won't. Orym is to important. Talsara want him brought back with Caldar to her. Laor wouldn't dare kill him. Tell me, what's your name?]
[Pyor Arren.] He reached out and took Flinar's wrist. [We should get out of here before someone shows up.]
At the entrance, Flinar looked out. Moving around wouldn't be as easy now with his guise down and Pyor at his side. There were Munos and Coral elves everywhere. The Munos might not jump when they saw them, but the Coral elves would. They needed something to hide them or a distraction to keep them looking somewhere else while they make their move.
[Pyor.] Flinar sent. [Is there a way into the dome?]
[Yes.] He pointed over to them where Laor was keeping Oryn captive. [There's a tunnel into the city hidden in the store house over there. If we can make it in there, We can get into Aquilona.]
Fear filled Flinar's heart when it dawned on him that the store house was where Laor was right now.He could stumble on the tunnel at any second.
[There's something you should know before we do anything else.]
As Mortimer watched the domes power grow weaker, he thought of his family and the last time he had seen them. His father was helping his pregnant mother from their house, while his brother stood the holding a message stone and begged Mortimor to message him to let them know he was alright. Wait! a thought hit him. The message stone, he still had it! Quickly Mortimer dug in his pocket and found the stone.
[Look!] He held it out for the others to see. [I forgot I had it!]
[Message Caldar.] Jandar told him. [Maybe he can help get us into the city.]
Mortimer closed his hands over the stone and sent out his thoughts for the Sea king. Suddenly the stone grew warm and Motrimer opened his hand. There in the glow over the stone was the image of Pyor Arren.
[Pyor? I was trying to get the king. Can you get him for me? I'm with Jandar, we have the power source. We need to get in Aquilona fast.]
[I'm not in the city either.] Pyor told him. [Orym and I were captured trying to get in the city. Right now I'm here in the hatchery with Flinar Dree, cousin to the king of Dree. Orym is being held by Laor Blackhelm.]
[Laor Blackhelm of Melruth?] Jandar asked. He knew the attack on Dree and Aquilona was suspicious, but once he heard that Laor Blackhelm was involverd he wasn't surprise. He was surprised Orym would trust a dark mage like Laor, but then maybe Orym didn't know his history.
[Yes our neighbor.] Flinar added. [He had us completely fooled. We thought he was a trusted friend. We were wrong and now we are paying for that mistake.]
[Friend or not.] Maxius cut in. [We talk to much. Look at the city, the power is just about done. That dome will be down in a matter of minutes. We have to move now or the Munos will be in the palace in a few minutes!]
[I agree.] Jandar nodded. [Its time we make a move.]
Pain seared its way through Orym brain as conciseness brought him back into the world. He opened his eyes then tried to reach up and rub his throbbing head only to realize he couldn't move. Something was holding him down. Orym looked down to find he had been tied to a chair. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was him and Pyor heading back to Aquilona, then there was nothing but pain. What had happened?
[Welcome back Orym.]
That voice, he knew that voice. Orym looked up as someone walked out to stand in front of him. He lifted his head and focused on the voice. There standing in front of his was what he thought was an old friend.
[Laor? Laor Blackhelm?] He pulled at the chains around his arms and legs. [What is this? Why am I tied up?]
[Why else?] Laor laughed. [Because Dree's time is done. Aquilona is done. You are now a prisoner of the Darkshades. Hail Talsara!]
[Are you mad?] Orym pulled and tugged at his bindings trying to get loose. [Darkshade invaded Melruth just like it did Dree. Why are you doing this?]
[Darkshade never invaded Melruth,] He laughed kneeling down to face Orym. [I invited them in. With Talsara's help, I invaded Dree, and now, I'm about to invade Aquilona.]
[Impossible.] Orym spit at Laor. [You will never get through the dome and I'll die before I tell you how to get in.]
[I don't need you to tell me anything.] Laor grabbed Orym's hair and pulled his head back. [With the domes power so weak, I have something that can crush the dome like an egg shell. Can you guess what that is? No? Why do you think the Munos are here? Because we control Munoecus and he is here. That's right. The Sea god is here and he can destroy that precious dome.]
Laor waved over four of his men to untie Orym.
[Bring him out so he can see.]
Leaving both his hands and his legs shackled giving Orym limited movement, the Melruth Coral elves dragged Orym out of the store house where he could see what was going on.
Out in the distance, Orym saw something big slithering through the water. From where he stood, the thing looked to be more the seventy feet long with a great maw and a twisting snake like body. A long fin run along the entire top of the body all the way back to the tail. its color was a strange blue iridescent color with sparks that jumped all along the body.
[By Rimnar!] Orym breathed as it swam over their heads. He turned to Laor. [Don't do this, please don't.]
[It's to late.] He said with a grim smile. [You all had a chance to surrender and hand the city over but you refused. Now Munoecus is here and he will take the city for us. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!
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