Power. It flowed through the spirit of the Mrenx Ku like lifeblood. Vibrating. Pulsating. Stabilizing the havoc mess that were its thoughts. It was hungry again, already. The constant need for the energy only magic could bring was overwhelming. As it withered in Sienna’s dead body, it never felt more alive than it did now. Absorbing the Elven shield sent it into a high for a brief period. It ascended from its spiritual state, disappearing altogether into a realm of connectivity, linked by the magic it was bred from. As easy as just a thought, it began to touch base with its kin.
The spirit held a voiceless conversation in the pit of the catacombs where the blackest of souls listened on edge. It told its brethren of how the Elves were now powerless and the Andelline bloodline was extinct. The ball of magic hissed anew in response, commanding the spirit to return and collect the sword. The Takers would begin the war against the ineffective elves and make way for the Mrenx Ku’s arrival. Nothing would stop them now.
The spirit shrieked its pleasure. It would return to the dead woman’s body and finish its tasks. The end of the world was near, it knew. The war was already starting. Soon darkness would fall.
But first, it must find the sword.
“My Queen!”
Lon held on to Sienna’s body as it lied upon a bed. He had taken her into the medical tent to be worked on by the few doctors that they had. Her wounds were too serious for them to suture, he knew. There were simply too many of them. The doctors were doing what they could, but none of them voiced much hope of her surviving. Lon’s shoulder was bandaged beneath his shirt, at his request. He wanted no special attention that a bandage would attract.
Sienna’s body vibrated softly as if she was clinging to what little life she had left. Lon would wait for the doctors to pronounce her dead before returning to the front. Ern knew of her condition; he was more than able to lead the assault by himself. It would be a long and bloody battle, and his men would fight harder now after witnessing the Queen’s death firsthand.
“Will she make it?” Ern asked, suddenly standing in the entry.
Lon turned to see his comrade. “I would not think it possible.”
Ern walked slowly over to Lon. He stood over the Queen, checking out her injuries, carefully looking over her face. “She’s alive?”
“Barely.”
Ern reached out and gently touched her cheek. He flinched at the touch, as if he was expecting a reaction from her. “Word has spread into the Ailia by now. Soon they will meet us. We will need you there, Lon.”
“I will remain with Sienna until she passes. I don’t think it would be long.” Lon reached down and held her cold hands. “She was the last Andelline. What shall befall the House now?”
“We will see what happens after the war, Lon. Right now, we focus on destroying the Elven nation.” Ern looked up to his friend. It was a weird feeling; he could not describe it. But a part of him was happy with the Queen’s death. He felt relieved. He still remembered how she appeared at their last encounter. He would never forget it.
Lon saw the look in Ern’s eyes. “What are you keeping from me, Ern? Why are you not in sorrow?”
Ern stiffened. His face became the mask of anger it had been for the past several weeks. “I have a war at my hands, captain. Return to us when you can.”
The medic walked in the tent then, stepping between Ern and Lon, excusing himself as he did so. He checked the vital signs on the Queen. His head shook slightly in disbelief. He looked up to Ern and Lon, who were watching.
“She will not live through the day, commanders. As I’ve stated before, her injuries are too severe. We do not have the equipment here necessary—”
“Do we in Cillitran?” Lon interrupted.
“She would never survive the journey, captain.” The doctor answered. Ern agreed.
“She is the Queen! We cannot just simply stand here and watch her die.” Lon was growing furious.
“All of her major organs are failing, captain. What time you have with her now, will be all that there is. I’ll send word to Cillitran, and we’ll have her body taken back to the castle.” The doctor pulled a blanket up across Sienna’s body, up to her neck.
Ern whispered to the doctor, pulling him aside from Lon, not wanting the other to hear what he needed to ask. “Did you notice anything strange about the Queen? Did she seem…” Ern sighed, struggling with his wording, “unusual in any way?”
The doctor was confused. “The Queen suffered two dozen arrow wounds to her chest, commander. How do you think she would respond?”
“And you are certain she will die?”
The doctor stared at him quizzically. He did not respond.
Ern hesitated, thinking of how he could rephrase his question without giving away any information. But the doctor said his farewells and left them alone with the Queen. He would return in a short while, he told them. She would be dead by then.
Ern walked over to Lon. “Captain, we will continue our assault along the southern line of the Forest. By midday, the Elves will be burning for their mistakes.”
Lon nodded. He didn’t look up from the Queen’s face. “I will stay with her.”
Ern left the tent hastily. Seconds later, Lon felt the Queen’s hand begin to shiver. He saw a shadow spread out across her body. He stepped back and looked around the tent, but there was no one. He was alone.
Slina flew through the woods in a blur. She sat atop Xtalt with her head snug to its furry own and her slender hands gripping the leather reins tightly. Xtalt had been born a colorful butterfly but it had since been transformed by magic, a creation of the Dark Elves, and now stood twice as tall as Slina. It had been made to fly at great distances without rest, strong enough to carry two people, and able to change color to blend into the environment. When the Dark Elves were banished, most of their creations had either escaped or been captured for control. Slina had found the monstrous butterfly sick and nearly at death. She nurtured it back to health and now they were inseparable.
“Take us out of the woods! Higher!” Slina yelled.
Xtalt sped into the air, skimming the treetops. Slina looked back. She could see the Cillitran army massed along the grassy hill in the distance. She could also see the orange and yellow lights raining down into the edge of the Lyyn. The shield was gone, she knew. Somehow Men had discovered a way to destroy it. None of them thought that was likely. If so, Estrial would have sent more troops instead of a few scouts. Slina’s heart ached. Soon the sunrise would be curtained off by the black smoke. Bim would be…
She paused her thinking. She was not ready yet to ponder his fate.
“Fly, Xtalt!”
Obeying its master’s command, Xtalt pushed itself even harder. Within a few minutes the waters of the Ailia Springs were seen and Xtalt was descending. Slina gave word to go directly to Estrial’s home. As they swept down through the trees towards the open yard and the garden of flowers, Slina caught sight of Lord Estrial outside, now moving to greet them in the yard.
Xtalt landed softly near the back entrance to the Estrial’s quarters. The guards stationed there moved in to help Slina off her ride, riddling her with questions right away. But then Lord Estrial arrived and the questions were asked anew.
“Slina?” Terill asked as he rushed out of the gardens to join them. “Why have you returned?”
Slina stood wide-eyed, brushing the stands of hair out of her face. “My Lord, the shield has failed!”
“What?” Terill stood in disbelief. He stared skyward instantly, as if he could see a change. “Are you certain? How could this be?”
The guards backed away to the house, whispering to themselves, faces flush with worry. Terill moved in close to Slina, who was shaking her head.
“Bim and I were at the edge, scouting the army. They tested the shield with fire and everything was fine. Then two of them walked down to the Lyyn. One of them, we think was their Queen, found the shield and began to disarm it.”
Terill’s head shook, his face was flush with anger. “Th
ere could have been no way for that to happen!”
“My Lord, it appeared as if she removed the shield. Bim attacked. I fled right after that, to warn you. Then they attacked.” She paused as Terill’s face went pale. “The Lyyn is burning, my Lord. The eastern edge is gone.”
“No!” Terill Estrial looked east then and nearly panicked. He looked to the guards stationed by the house. “Sound the alarm! Find Dornawee and bring him to me!”
The guards ran away. Terill looked at the concern in Slina’s eyes. “Slina, listen to me. I need you to take Xtalt and head north. I need to know what is happening from the Upper Krune to the Mallen Hills. Report back to me as soon as you can.”
“What am I looking for?” Slina was confused.
“Demons. They march towards the Lyyn.” He responded. As she turned to rein Xtalt, Terill asked one question. “Bim?”
“He stayed to fight.” The sadness in her eyes allowed him to see what she could not say out loud. As Terill nodded and wished her a safe flight, she brushed away the tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
“Keep a safe distance, Slina.”
Slina positioned herself comfortably across the back of Xtalt then whistled. Instantly they were airborne, speeding above the Ailia Court and away from the safety she felt there. She was just a scout after all, never having the need to fight or use a weapon of any sort for any real reason. The war was something that worried her. Being out on her own now was something that she was not truly comfortable with either. Scouts usually stayed in pairs, seldom small groups. But not alone, as she was now. She tried not to think about it.
Ride over the Shyl, find the black army, then report back to Terill.
Once Xtalt reached the end of the forest, the land ahead was wide open and clear. Slina pulled on the reins and turned Xtalt skyward, holding on tight as he turned sharp and ascended near cloud levels. The morning sky was fading quickly, and she noticed the color change on Xtalt, turning to a light blue. They would not be noticed, she knew. They were a few hundred feet off the ground and could see for miles.
She could make out the winding Spira far off to her left, disappearing far north at the Upper Krune. Its waters were not visible, but she knew it was there nonetheless. She rode north for some time watching the sun slowly rise from the horizon at her right. She stayed course, searching the plains and the small stretches of woods for anything that might concern Lord Estrial. So far, she saw nothing.
Slina was anxious to be out of the sky and back into the Ailia Court. She was worried about Bim. It occurred to her that maybe she would turn back, quickly fly over the Shyl, then down to the eastern end of the Lyyn Forest to search for her friend. She saw little harm in doing so. As a matter of fact, she thought it was the only thing she should be doing.
As Slina continued talking herself into turning back, she noticed the black smoke billowing north.
Tannindell.
She looked back. The Lyyn Forest was a blur in the distance. She sighed heavily, knowing that she needed to investigate the matters before returning. It was probably nothing, she hoped. But even as she thought it, looking at the dark mass of clouds told her otherwise. She grimaced, lowering her head closer to Xtalt’s neck, feeling her stomach churn.
The sun was fully visible now, its glare shining across the waters of the Upper Krune in the distance. Slina held her reins steady, keeping Xtalt moving swiftly as they neared the great city. Even from miles away she could tell the city was in ruins. Black and grey smoke billowed out from every part in rolling streams. Something terrible had taken place, she realized. She could make out small flickers of light from buildings and structures that were still ablaze.
Slina’s body raced with chills. She decided not to venture any further. Whatever had befallen Tannindell would surely doom her if she was caught. She yanked on Xtalt’s leash with her right hand and he veered sharp, turning east. She rode towards the morning sun for a while longer, finding nothing. It would not be long now before she would have made her way back home. So far, the trip was fruitless.
Almost an hour went by before she turned south. If anything was north, it would take a week to reach the Lyyn Forest, she thought. She could scout again in a day or so, if needed. Right now, she ached to be back, to start her search for Bim. She promised herself she would not think of him in a bad way until she knew differently. Bim was a fighter, a skilled tracker, and could survive on his own. He would be fine, she thought.
Slina was still miles away from the Krune’s water, miles from the destruction of Tannindell, and even further from home when she saw the black horde Terill had warned her about. She jerked back on the reins, slowing Xtalt, lifting her head off his, sitting upright immediately. Even blanketed in the sun’s warmth, she went cold.
Spread out across the Shyl like spilled ink marched the demons, moving directly towards the Lyyn Forest.
“No!”
Slina whispered into Xtalt’s ear and their pace quickened drastically. As she stared down the black pool, she saw no end to it. It was massive; she could not even guess its number. It must have torn through Tannindell and destroyed everything. Just like it would do to the Ailia Court. There would be no stopping an army of this size. It was a juggernaut. Elves and Men would be swept into a fiery death, she thought. Nothing would survive.
“Faster!”
She swung Xtalt wide right and headed back towards the Ailia Court. At a blinding speed, Xtalt tore through the sky, its passenger clinging to the leather harness, lying flat across its back. The wind kept Slina’s eyes dimly open, and at this speed she was scared to move her head far off his back in fear of being sent flying herself, but she eased her head in the direction of the Takers army, wondering just how long it ran. By the time she could not see them anymore, she decided that it must have been a mile long.
Thousands.
Slina kept Xtalt on his frantic speed the duration of flight. She guessed that the demons would arrive near the Lyyn before nightfall. As she reached the Lyyn herself, she passed overhead at treetop level, eyes scanning the ground below for Bim. She would not leave without searching. For several minutes she took Xtalt down beneath the leafy canopy, making large sweeping circles for him. With Xtalt flying as fast as it was, it did not take very long to find Bim. He was still at the eastern tip, struggling to make his way home. Xtalt landed near him, Slina jumping down to help Bim onto its back, anxious to get him home. He was bleeding badly about his waist and his hands were covered in blood, his face pale and sweaty. He had been shot by two arrows. Slina’s heart ached wondering what would have befallen him if she would not have found him. Holding onto him tightly, she told him that it would be alright.
Speeding above the treetops now, Xtalt flew without slowing, heading straight for the Ailia Court. As it came into view, she made way to the Estrial’s home, landing again alongside their plush garden in the side yard. As Xtalt’s legs touched down, and Slina began to dismount, she heard Terill yelling, running outside with Dornawee.
“Slina! Slina, what did you find?” Terill was dressed in all green.
“Bim?” Dornawee saw Bim’s wounds. “He’s lost a lot of blood. Get him inside.”
Slina carefully slid Bim down to Terill and Dornawee. Terill beckoned towards the house, and immediately two more elves came rushing over to them. They carried Bim away into the house.
“I found them!” Slina was in such a hurry, she stumbled off Xtalt and landed awkwardly. Terill helped her stand. Her face was flush with the horrible news. Her eyes were watery from the windy ride.
“They are coming?” Terill asked what he already knew. “How soon? How many?”
Slina nearly cried. She shook her head. “So many. They are heading down the Shyl now. I think by sundown we will see them.”
Terill held a look of unpleasantness for a second before he stiffened. He would not let her be afraid, he told himself. “Do not worry, Slina. Light always follows darkness. And right now there’s an elf traveling into the belly of
the night, carrying the brightest of lights.”
Slina nodded, but she was still scared. “But there were so many.”
Terill gave her a reassuring look. “Slina, I need you to do something. Something dangerous. Something for the war.”
Slina was eager to help, no matter how dangerous. “What is it?”
“I need you to release the Blooders. Bring them to the war.”
Slina felt cold shivers race down her body.
The sun was shining down overhead as Ern Dwull raced away from the fiery hailstorm he was conducting, searching for Lon Ruell. He was bothered now that he had not confided in Lon the way he should have. He was not sure that he would be able to do so now, not with the current status of the war and everything else going on. But maybe after the war they would talk and he would share his secrets. Nevertheless, Lon had been gone all morning with the Queen, and surely she would have passed on by now.
Ern wanted to make sure she was dead.
He had a flashback then of how she looked in the castle’s passage, the last time he saw her. Chills danced down his neck to his feet. He regretted not telling Lon right away. It was something that he should not have kept to himself.
But who would have believed me?
He reached the medic’s tent and stormed in expecting to see Lon still standing over the dead Queen’s body. Instead, he saw Sienna wrapped in a blanket. Two doctors stood next to her, preparing the body for transfer to the castle. Ern walked over to them, his eyes holding a suspicion that would not leave until her body was underground.
“When did she pass?” he asked quietly.
“Some time ago, commander,” one of them replied.
“Captain Ruell?”
The two medics shrugged.
Ern walked closer to Sienna’s body. He pulled back the wrap from her face. The sight was disgusting. Her face was sunken in as though she had been deceased for several days. The smell was horrific. Ern backed away quickly. He left the tent without a word to the doctors, intent of finding Lon Ruell.
He marched back through the linesmen, to the secondary captains serving under Lon. “I am looking for Captain Ruell. Have you seen him?”
“He was asking around about some sword,” one said.
“We have not seen him since,” another added.
Ern was confused. “I need to speak to him urgently. When you see him, send him my words, captains.”
Ern reined his horse again. He would continue to launch the aerial assault until the Elves showed. Then the real fighting would begin. He squeezed the pommel of his sword as hard as he could, his knuckles turned white. He began hoping that Lon would return before then.
As he turned his horse back facing the troops, he saw a wagon-carriage leaving with an escort. It was Queen Sienna’s ride home, Ern knew. She would be taken back to the castle and disposed of.
Buried, he corrected his thinking. Have respect; she was after all the Queen.
He felt melancholy now, watching the last of the House of Andelline being wisped away deceased. No one was left. The King should have been here, Ern thought angrily. His death would be avenged.
As he watched them leave, something caught his eye. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. Yelling and cursing, he cleared the way for his horse as he made way for the departing carriage. Keeping pace with it, he eyed one of the men guarding the dead woman’s body inside the carriage. Ern’s face was a mask of complete puzzlement.
“Lon!” Ern Dwull cried. “What in the name of glory are you doing?”
Lon turned idly. His eyes were cast dark, lost in deep thought. Ern yelled again, but Lon didn’t answer. He simply sat next to the Queen’s mummified body, oblivious to Ern’s intent.
“Where are you going? Lon? You can’t be serious! Lon!”
Ern Dwull could clearly tell that something was wrong with Lon. Surely Lon could see that his place was not with the dead Queen, but at the front with his men. Maybe watching her die had been too much for him. Maybe he thought that by protecting her now, he was making up for not being able to when it had really mattered.
“What’s wrong with you? You cannot leave, Lon! We’re at war! Lon, answer me! Lon!”
Lon stared blankly. A second later, something happened to him, as if he finally became aware of Ern’s presence. He stared into Ern’s eyes coldly.
Ern slowed his horse, watching the wagon drive steadily away. He reeled back his horse, and raced away to the war. Whatever was on Lon’s mind, it had nothing to do with winning the war. He hoped that once the Queen was buried, Lon would return to his senses and come back.
Chills were still running across his skin from the look Lon had given him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE