Legends Lost Tesnayr

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  They rode hard pounding the solid earth with the trampling hooves of their horses. Time was of the essence. They had wasted much of it freeing the village from a cruel man. Now they must make up that time. Tesnayr hoped that they would not be too late. They had to reach Drynelle at the same moment that King Telinin did. He wanted to avoid missing him. Alone, their army would be easily defeated. But together they had a chance of victory.

  His horse breathed heavily with each mile they covered. Just hold on a bit longer, thought Tesnayr. He did not wish to kill his mount by pushing too hard.

  Damp air seeped through his clothing as he rode onward. Thunder roared behind him from the many horses that followed behind.

  A black mass crashed into the ground in front of Tesnayr. His horse reared up tossing him to the ground. Instantly, Tesnayr regained his feet. The niht’anda hovered over him. A blast of light slammed into the creature sending it flying.

  More niht’andas slammed into the ground surrounding them. Their massive size stood three heads above the tallest man. Tesnayr dove to the ground barely avoiding the five inch claws of one of the monsters. The niht’anda recovered from its miss. Its bat like wings lifted it from the ground. Tesnayr watched his quarry. Suddenly, the creature dove for him. Tesnayr leapt out of the way as it tried to grasp him with the hooked claws on its wings.

  “Aim for the small of their back,” he yelled at those around him.

  Desperately, men tried to kill the massive creatures. Hearing Tesnayr’s order, Idӕas aimed an arrow for the back of one of the beasts. He released a perfect shot. The arrow struck the center of the niht’anda’s back. It went rigid before falling to the ground in a great cloud of dust.

  Taking note of how the elf killed the strange creature, others followed suit. Max and some others cornered one of the beasts. It slashed violently with its razor claws. A bloodcurdling cry echoed among the rocks as it screamed in rage.

  Max noticed a pointed rock jutting from the ground at just the precise height. He stabbed the ground with his staff. Instantly, the ground shook. Rocks and earth broke the ground as a wave of movement headed for the beast. The violence of the earth knocked the creature off its feet forcing it onto the knife like rock. Surprise filled its eyes as it went limp.

  Max glanced about him. All but one remained. “Tesnayr!” he shouted.

  The last creature held Tesnayr in a vice like grip. Drool dripped from its fangs as it leered at him. Tesnayr struggled vainly against the claw that held him. He stabbed at the creature. His blade bounced off of the rock hard flesh.

  Noticing Tesnayr’s plight, King Slyamal gripped his sword tightly. He climbed a small rise that hung just above the niht’anda. Summoning his strength, Slyamal leapt from the rocky ledge to the creature’s back. He held tightly to the protruding scales. The beast whirled and twisted violently to knock King Slyamal off.

  Despite the violent movements of the creature, Slyamal raised his sword and plunged it into the tender part of its back. Repeatedly, he stabbed the beast. The monster swayed ominously. Slyamal jumped to the ground and rolled out of the path of the dying monster. It plunged into the dirt, dead. Quickly, Slyamal ran to Tesnayr who was still trapped in the monster’s grip. He pried the claws open releasing the man.

  Tesnayr sucked in some air, thankful to be free. “Are there any more?” he asked.

  King Slyamal shook his head in answer. He stared at the dead creature and the splash of red that covered its underside. “These monsters are not from here,” said King Slyamal. “They are not from any of the five lands.”

  “They are the niht’anda,” said Tesnayr, regaining his feet.

  “And just how would you know that?” asked Max.

  “They are from my home world,” replied Tesnayr. He noticed people gathering around him wanting answers; answers that he hadn’t time to give.

  “We must reach Drynelle before nightfall. With any luck, King Telinin will already be there.” Tesnayr mounted his horse. “We ride onward!”

  Tesnayr spurred his horse and rode into the distance. The rest of the army followed suit. Explanations would have to wait.