An Alliance of Mortals, page 24
part #6 of The New Earth Chronicles Series
The goblins mounted atop the bats saw their danger and pulled their beasts around, trying to retreat from the advancing attackers. But they were too late. The first small maelstrom engulfed the closest bat and both Larin and Callius were horrified to see the beast and its rider torn into tiny pieces. Gore fell from the sky like chunky red rain, splattering the elves, the dwarves and goblins below with stinking blood.
The goblin warriors stepped back from Shandon and his guardsmen and looked up in surprise. They had been too engaged in the fight to see the clash between the Fay and the bat riders and now they stood gaping up in disbelief.
Not one to pass up an opportunity, the king leaped forward with a yell and attacked the stunned goblins. His guardsmen were quick to press their advantage as well and their dispirited enemies easily fell beneath the keen dwarven blades.
The rangers poured more arrows into the broken ranks of the goblins and a few survivors finally turned together and ran away, screaming in panic.
Shandon stopped his warriors from chasing after their foes. The dwarves were breathing heavily and exhausted after the battle and he did not want them to become scattered and easily fall prey to a possible goblin ambush.
Ethmira glanced up and saw the faeries attacking the bat riders. She smiled grimly and then ordered her rangers to hunt down the surviving goblins.
“Do not leave any of them alive,” she told them. “If even one of them escapes, they could creep back under cover of darkness and do harm to our people.”
The rangers raced after the goblins and Ethmira walked toward Shandon. A harsh cry from overhead stopped her and everyone looked upward.
All of the bats and their riders had been destroyed by the Fay. All except one. The cloaked rider that Larin had noticed was rising away from the groups of faeries. Their queen, Ellas, shouted as she saw her prey escaping and all of her faeries joined her en masse as she shot toward the giant bat.
The cloaked figure suddenly raised its arms and the air around it and its mount began to shimmer and warp violently. A second later, the stranger and the bat disappeared and a blast of sound and wind scattered the crowd of faeries in all directions. Those watching from the ground heard Ellas scream in fury as the Fay regrouped and gathered around her.
“I wonder if she'll come down to speak with us.”
Ethmira looked at the king as he stepped over the heaps of dead goblins and joined her.
“I'm not sure that I want her to, not when she's in such a bad mood,” the ranger replied to him. “The Fay are mercurial and touchy at the best of times. And Ellas is very powerful, as we just saw. If she lost control, the consequences could be...unfortunate. For us.”
She needn't have worried. A few moments passed and then the entire group of faeries began to swirl around Ellas. They vanished abruptly, leaving behind a shower of sparkling motes that slowly faded as they fell toward the ground.
“Well, now at least she'll have a chance to cool off,” Shandon said with a grin.
“I hope so. Her aid was invaluable, as was yours, my lord. You have my gratitude and the gratitude of my people.”
The king offered Ethmira his hand, which she shook firmly.
“It was my pleasure, my friend,” he told her. “I'm just relieved that the attack was fairly minor. I don't know who was riding that last bat, but I assume that they were leading the goblins. And if that is true, their plan to take over the anchor was a poor one.”
“It felt very rushed,” Ethmira agreed. “I wonder if they wanted to strike before we put more protections around the link.”
Shandon looked at her in surprise.
“You were going to do that? Increase the protections around the anchor? That's very interesting. I was trying to contact you to offer some of my troops to help you do just that. When no one answered, I came through with my guards to see if you needed help.”
“A timely coincidence,” Ethmira said, looking amazed. “I sense larger forces at work here, my lord. But for whatever reason, your arrival saved us all and we are forever in your debt.”
Larin and Callius joined them and Shandon greeted them merrily.
“Well done, both of you,” he told them. “I assume you are responsible for calling in the Fay?” he asked Callius.
“Yes, your majesty,” Callius replied shyly. “I could not attack those horrible bats with the ley, not unless they touched the ground, so I used the ley lines to contact the faerie queen. I am just grateful that she decided to help.”
“We all are,” Ethmira told him with a relieved smile. “Did either of you get a good look at the goblin who got away? I assume that it was one of their horrible wizards. They seem to be the leaders of the goblin forces overall.”
Larin shook his head and looked at the king.
“No, I don't believe that was a goblin wizard. In fact, I do not believe that it was a goblin at all.”
Shandon frowned at him.
“What do you mean?” he asked the mage.
“That cloaked figure matches the description of the stranger who hired the merchant in Kingstone to send spies into the palace, my lord,” Larin reminded him. “I believe that they may be the same person.”
The king's eyes widened and he gasped.
“So that's why they attacked the elves,” he exclaimed.
Both Ethmira and Callius looked at the king in confusion.
“You've lost me, my lord,” the ranger told him. “What person are you referring to?”
Shandon pulled a handkerchief out of a pocket and wiped down the blade of his greatsword. Then he swung it over his shoulder and slipped it into its scabbard and tossed away the stained piece of cloth.
“Someone tried to get spies into my throne room and gauge the security around our anchor,” he told the ranger as he settled the heavy blade across his back. “We stopped them before they could do so and I increased the number of guards around it.”
He nodded at the group of dwarves standing a few paces away, all of whom were alertly scanning the area, looking for any possible threats to the king.
“Those guardsmen were only in the throne room because of that failed attempt to spy on us. If the rider of that last bat was the one who arranged that attempt, they might have decided to turn their attention to your anchor, Ethmira. Perhaps they assumed that your security would be much less formidable that ours is.”
He shook his head as he looked at the piles of dead goblins.
“And if that is the case, this attack was my fault,” he added gravely. “I am responsible for any elven lives lost today.”
“You are not, my lord,” Ethmira declared with a frown. “The forces of Darkness and their masters are responsible for all of this. Not you or your people. Please lay the blame where it truly lies: on them. We did not start this war, but by the Light, we will finish it!”
Shandon smiled broadly at her.
“Well said, my friend. Well said indeed. Yes, we must focus on the true cause of all of this strife.”
Some of the rangers began to reappear through the spaces between the houses across from where Shandon and Ethmira were standing. One of them made a gesture at her and she nodded in acknowledgment.
“All of the goblins have been dealt with,” Ethmira told the king. “My rangers will fan out around the borders of Caladur to guard the forest and watch for any more incursions.”
“I can see that your forces are stretched thin,” Shandon said as he watched the rangers move off. “If you agree, I will send you some warriors to protect the anchor itself. I believe that the humans will agree to do the same. I spoke to Malcolm and Tamara earlier and they seemed amenable to the idea, but they had to meet with their leadership and get their votes first.”
“Malfiess went to help organize the townspeople when the goblins attacked,” Ethmira said. “I can't speak for all of the councilors, but I do know that he would welcome your aid. And as Malfiess is now the head of the Council, consider that your answer, my lord.”
“Fair enough,” Shandon replied with a grin. “Let's get back to the anchor and I will head to Kingstone and send through more warriors. These twelve,” he nodded at the guardsmen, “will stay with you for now. They will be relieved by fresh troops within the hour.”
Both Ethmira and Callius looked relieved.
“Please lead the way, my friend,” he said to Ethmira. “I'm a little turned around. We followed the sounds of battle when we arrived and I have no idea where your council hall is located.”
The ranger chuckled.
“It is this way, my lord,” she told him.
Once they were all back inside the hall, Shandon told his guardsmen that he would send fresh fighters to relieve them very soon. The lieutenant saluted and assured him that they would keep the anchor secure.
“I know you will,” the king told her and the others. “You have made me proud today, all of you. You have stood against evil and conquered it. You do honor to your ancestors.”
The twelve warriors saluted him, their faces shining with pride. Then the lieutenant led them outside to form a protective perimeter around the hall and Shandon turned to Callius.
“Would you open a portal to Kingstone for me?” he asked the scryer. “We will open another one back home when I have gathered enough troops to send back to Caladur.”
“I would be honored to do so, your majesty,” Callius said eagerly.
“Good. And it is 'my lord',” Shandon said with a grin. “Not 'your majesty'. Remember? I may be a king, but I don't care for lofty titles.”
“Oh, forgive me, your... um, my lord,” the scryer stuttered.
The king winked at him and turned around to look at Larin.
“When we get back, I want you and your mages to redouble your efforts to find out who or what the cloaked figure was. That person is the key to these attacks and, if we can stop them, we may reduce the threat to the anchors.”
Larin looked dubious.
“As you wish, my lord,” he replied. “But I must tell you that the chances of our uncovering the identity of that person are slight.”
“Just do what you can. Now, let's get back.”
As Callius touched the anchor and began to summon a portal, Shandon shook Ethmira's hand again.
“It was good to fight by your side again,” he told her warmly. “It felt like old times, didn't it?”
“It did, my lord,” she told him with a smile. “All that was missing was having our dear friend, Simon O'Toole, by our side.”
The king's expression changed and he nodded sadly.
“Yes, Simon. Ah but I do miss that mad wizard,” he said softly. “We could use both his powers and his fearlessness right about now, could we not?”
“We could indeed, my lord. But his shining example still lightens my heart when I think of him. And if that is his legacy, as well as his victory over the dragons and their queen, then it is enough for any one man.”
“Aye.”
A portal appeared next to the anchor, its blue aura lighting up the room.
“Until we meet again,” Shandon said to Ethmira and Callius. “Take care of yourselves and your people.”
“We will, my lord,” the ranger replied. “You do the same.”
The king rapped on his breastplate in a salute and then walked through the portal. Larin nodded respectfully at both elves and followed Shandon.
As the portal faded away, Ethmira looked at the young scryer.
“Welcome to the war,” she said simply.
Standing at the window of his study in a tower in Nottinghill Castle, Chao Zhang sipped some green tea and stared out at the angry clouds whipping across the sky. It was just past midday, but the storm clouds made it seem like late evening as they blocked the sun. Rain was falling in waves, splattering against his window, and Chao had lit a fire in the fireplace to take the chill out of the room.
He was lost in thought, his dark green robe and ornately-stitched mantle immaculate as usual. His long black hair was tied back and his youthful features were vaguely wistful. He was remembering his beloved brother, Lei, and how Lei had sacrificed his life to save Chao.
Lei had been only the second paladin to emerge from the ranks of the human survivors. The first one, Liliana Travnikov, had also given her life to save others. In her case, she had died fighting the primal red dragon which had attacked Nottinghill Castle. Somehow she had killed the dragon as she herself had fallen. And now there were no holy warriors, no paladins, left to guard the human race.
Fighters like Malcolm and his troops were strong and brave, but they did not have divine powers to tap into when fighting evil. And Chao was sure that one day soon, his people would need such protections.
“I don't know how to find out who the leader of the goblins was,” he said quietly as he turned from the window to look at his visitor, who was sitting atop the mantle of the fireplace.
Ellas glowered back at him, her wings opening and closing slowly as she fussed with her long gown.
“Well, you must be able to do something,” she snapped at him. “You aren't just mage, Chao. You are also a summoner. The only one in existence, as far as I know. Surely one of the creatures that you can contact has the ability to track down a magic-user like the one I described.”
Chao shrugged and the faerie's frown deepened.
“Don't start yelling, your majesty,” he asked her politely. “It won't help matters.”
Ellas sniffed irritably and then took to the air and flew across the room to land on the window sill. She watched the heavy rain beating against the glass and let out a long sigh.
“I won't yell,” she assured the mage as she gazed out of the window. “If I am angry, it is at myself for letting that evil being get away. I had them, Chao,” she said as she looked up at him. “I had that creature in the palm of my hand and I let them slip away. In my own defense, I had no idea that they could use magic. But I should have guessed. And now they are safely hidden away, and plotting more attacks, I suppose.”
“Well, the dwarven king has sent us several dozen warriors to help protect our anchor,” Chao told her. “And the stonemasons are working on constructing a roof over the anchor's enclosure, to keep out any attackers that might be mounted on bats or other flying creatures.”
He glanced at the sheets of rain hitting the window.
“I assume that they will have to wait for this storm to pass before they do that, of course. It would be dangerous to be working on a roof in this weather. But if the goblins do decide to attack again, we will now have a better chance of defending the anchor.”
“Yes, I am relieved to know that ,” Ellas replied as she watched the rain. “But I sensed something when we confronted that strange being, Chao. Something alien. A power that I have never encountered before. And that is very disturbing.”
“How so?”
“I am very old,” Ellas said softly. “I am perhaps the oldest being still alive on this New Earth of yours. I have fought evil in many forms for years beyond measure. And in all that time, I thought that I had tasted all of the foul flavors of evil that the dark gods could send against me. But this is different, and that worries me.”
Chao put down his empty cup on a side table and took a seat in an armchair next to the window. He solemnly stared at the tiny queen, considering her words.
“When you put it that way, I have to agree. That is very disturbing.”
He tapped his lips with a forefinger for a moment.
“There is someone who might be able to track down your mysterious stranger,” he said finally. “But I am hesitant to bother him. He prefers to be left alone and watch the affairs of mortals from afar. If he deigns to aid me, he will do so on his own terms.”
Ellas rose into the air and flew over to hover in front of Chao's face.
“Who are you speaking of?” she asked him eagerly.
The mage adjusted his flowing sleeves and rubbed his eyes, before looking steadily at the queen.
“A man named Magnus,” he told her.
Ellas looked surprised. She flew back several inches and watched Chao wide-eyed.
“A man?” she exclaimed. “Goodness, there is a human still out in the world living alone? How has he survived?”
“Magnus is a shaman. A few years ago, he aided a group of Changelings, helping them to survive against the forces of evil. Not long afterward, he went his own way and they went theirs. Where they are, I do not know. But Magnus lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, in what was once western Canada.”
“And how did you stumble upon this man?” Ellas asked him.
“I did not. He contacted me,” Chao told her. “Or rather one of his spirit animal friends did. Apparently both of them were intrigued by my abilities. As you said, I am the only summoner that exists on the planet. That got their attention. A shaman lives in harmony with nature and cares for the birds and beasts living alongside him. My ability to summon any manner of creature, including ones that were once considered to be mythical, was of interest to him and his friends. I am not quite sure why. They've never asked me for anything, but we speak occasionally. Magnus is very powerful and probably the only shaman on the planet.”
“Really? That's very interesting. And you think that this person could track down our mysterious enemy?”
“I do. Magnus' powers are unlike any that the rest of us have. He calls upon ancient spirits of nature, totem animals that have served and been served by his people for countless years, to aid him. I believe that those spirits can do what neither you nor I can do. Locate our enemy.”
Ellas descended to land on the arm of Chao's chair. She sat down and wrapped her arms around her knees and watched the rain fall.
“If you feel that this shaman can locate our mysterious foe, then I urge you to contact him and ask for his aid. Explain what our situation is and how important it is that we track down this person. I feel that whoever they are, they are the one who is leading the goblins' efforts to take control of the anchors.”
