Fable, page 16
Darphanin took up a position near Shaylee, lowered his head on the soft rug he had laid out, and closed his eyes for some much-needed rest.
Morning rolled around very quickly, and a little before the sun came up an elder sounded the horn. Everyone awoke in haste and they were all on their feet with weapons in hand in the blink of an eye.
Darphanin bolted over to the elder, who was distressed. “What is it, Pharnanin? Tell me what you know.”
The elder Pharnanin held up the owl with an arrow through its heart. He then pointed to the ground at the five guards who were lifeless.
Darphanin’s face dropped. He had never felt so vulnerable in all his life. This had never happened in his time as a warrior. He fell to his knees, looking around in all directions to see if any of the dark horde were around, killed by the watchers. The warrior found nothing. It was as if they had just drifted through the camps and took the watchers and the owl before disappearing once more. It was terrifying.
Darphanin rose to his feet and yelled out to the main warrior leaders in his tribe. “I want a head count. Have they taken anyone or killed more of us? Send out a sparrow to the other tribes. No one is to go anywhere alone. Move it.”
Darphanin then ran over to where Shaylee had been sleeping to make sure she was OK. If they had gotten to the warriors, they could have easily gotten to her. When he arrived at the spot, Shaylee was nowhere to be seen. Darphanin shouted out her name several times, but there was no answer.
A warrior ran over to Darphanin. “Darph, I saw the princess—sorry, queen—riding off not more than a few moments ago. She was heading forward to where the hordes may be.”
Darph patted the warrior on his back, ran to his horse, and mounted it, before galloping off in pursuit of Shaylee, as the others quickly packed up and began heading off in the same direction. Pharnanin was an elder and had chosen five warrior elves to stay with him and help take the bodies back to Toozookus. They could not be left there.
In a matter of minutes, the rest of the woodland elf tribe was well on the heels of Darphanin and Shaylee, riding into a danger none of them were ready to contemplate. They all just knew they had to get their fast.
Darphanin soon reached Shaylee’s horse, abandoned and panicked. He quickly jumped off his and ran over to the large creature to try to calm it down. He had handled horses all his life and had dealt many times with horses in distress. Shaylee’s horse seemed more wound up than any he had encountered before. It was tied to a tree at the edges of the foggy forest, a dense wooded area about five miles from the beginning of Maelenflitt. Many had not used that path in the past, and Darphanin was questioning why Shaylee would deviate off the main road to this place.
“Shaylee, Shaylee, where are you?” He repeated his call for the next few moments. There seemed to be an eerie silence coming from the trees, as if all the creatures were too frightened to make any noise.
Before long, the rest of the tribe had all caught up. Darphanin directed them to make a line along the edge of the trees so they could all enter together. If she was hiding there out of fear, they would discover where she was. “Come on, tie your horses and spread out. If Shaylee is here, we will find her.”
As the entire tribe, now reaching out several hundred yards, entered the misty woods, they heard a scream from the end of the line, then another and another before there was silence again. Darphanin stopped and so did the rest, flowing on down the line. They all stood there not making a sound, trying to determine if this could be something dark and elusive.
The silence was deafening and as Darphanin started moving on again, there were more screams, this time on his right side. He couldn’t even tell whether they were his men or something else. Darphanin stopped once more. As the silence took hold, he heard something incredibly soft flutter behind his neck, before he felt the soft sensation of something small now standing on his shoulder.
Before he could turn or say anything, he heard a whisper in his right ear, “Do not move, Darph, please do not move at all. It is a dullahan, and it knows we are here. We have to move out of the woods slowly and carefully.”
Shaylee then flew off very swiftly back to a hiding place high in the trees.
Darphanin knew it was her and did exactly what she said. He slowly backed up, one foot behind the other, very carefully. At the same time, he gestured without a sound to the others next to him on either side to pass it up the line.
Slowly and very steadily, without a whisper, they all kept in step with each other to escape the harshness of the woods. All the horses were agitated, and it was each elf’s responsibility to keep theirs under control.
Shaylee had returned to Darphanin’s shoulder, whispering again, “We need to leave. They are after me, Darph, that is why I had to change. They know I am here, but they cannot see me, so you will need to bring my horse.”
Shaylee was shaken up. She still hadn’t explained why she left without them earlier, and there was no time for explanations now. It was time to go.
All of the tribe were now on their horses and galloping away toward the main track to Maelenflitt. As the last of the warriors looked over their shoulders, they could see the horrendous dullahan protruding through the trees with its whip of bones high in the air and several victims attached to the ends of its sword and whip.
The woodland elves could not gallop fast enough, moving ahead of the pack, as the last ones did the same when they saw the destructive chaos behind them. Most of the woodland elves had never seen a dullahan, especially not this close to home, and if that was only one creature called to wreak destruction, what else was awaiting them?
Eventually they got away far enough to feel clear of the dark creature, only to find themselves heading into the path of another danger. There were now several dark goblins in front of them, shooting arrows directly into the middle of the group. There was no cover, and it looked like the dark horde had expected that, and so planned an ambush at different intervals. Darphanin only hoped that the other two tribes were OK, and that they were more prepared.
Arrows kept buzzing by, hitting a target now and then, so the entire tribe slid off their horses, and positioned themselves in the thick green grass. Darph could see smoke coming from the outskirts of Maelenflitt as the dark goblins encroached farther into the safe zone of the woodland elves’ cover.
More arrows whizzed past the closer they got to them all. It confused Darphanin why they were missing at such a short range, as if they were missing on purpose. Then it hit him hard—the arrows were intended to hold them up for the dullahan, which could now be heard screeching only a few hundred yards away behind them.
Darphanin was at a loss. How was he going to save his tribe, Shaylee, or even himself. The goblins had full advantage now, because if anyone stood up, they would be a prime target for the arrows, while the dullahan moved ever closer. Darphanin closed his eyes, pulled out his blade, and stood up, ready to run at them. As he did that, an arrow struck him deep in the shoulder. He kept going as three more warriors stood up and did the same. The goblins were not expecting heroes on that day as they scampered to pick up arrows and aim them. Then an arrow hit Zeexalin in his throat, immediately putting him out of action.
Darph was now only yards away from the first of the dark goblins. He lifted his blade to strike at one, while the goblin, with its bow and arrow, pulled back hard. Darph, in plenty of pain, stood still, waiting for the arrow to find a place in his skull as he closed his eyes in anticipation of what was coming. He heard the whizzing go straight past his head.
He looked up to see the dark goblin fall where it had stood. He turned at the sound of several galloping horses, and saw Nimaalah leading the pack. The goblins fell one by one as Darphanin just stood and watched it all unfold. Shaylee even turned back into her Elvenfae form to cut the head off the last of that goblin pack before racing over to Darphanin and assisting him and his wounded shoulder.
“Are you OK, my love? You are the bravest yet most stupid wood elf I have ever met.”
Darph fell to his knees, then onto his back as Shaylee tended to the arrow with some healing potions. The dullahan had disappeared, which gave the tribe a small amount of time to gather their thoughts and make plans for the next onslaught.
A short amount of time later, after the tribes had rested and Darphanin was healed to the point where he could go on to the next battle, a fireball exploded in the sky, piercing through the clouds, from the direction of Maelenflitt. The battle had obviously taken a turn for the worse, as the last of the tribes were holding off the enemy at the edges of the forest.
Darphanin jumped to his knees, turned to the tribes before him, and yelled, “This could be it, my friends, my people. Can we hold them off, I don’t know, but we have come this far, and we need to protect our sisters who are amid battle right now. Those who are frightened, I will not say one word if you pack up and go. Those who are with me to the end, follow me and let’s stop this horde from destroying our homes and killing our sisters.”
The crowd shouted in unison, “Yes, yes, yes. Darph, Darph, Darph.”
Witnessing the brave acts that Darphanin had just performed solidified in all their minds that they would do anything for their leader and anything for their sisters who were in trouble in Maelenflitt. “Then we ride!” Darph shouted as they all galloped off over the hills and in the fiery direction of Maelenflitt.
Serena could hear some commotion coming from miles away. She could also see the smoke rising high into the clear blue sky. Shaylee wasn’t far, she thought. Van Coinan was asleep in Serena’s lap as they rode. He was still exhausted from all the hiding and seeking the pair of them got up to the previous night. Serena was the opposite, wide awake; she was worried about Shaylee and wanted more than anything to get to her and make sure she was alright.
Closer and closer they came to the noises of war and the screams. Vyyuna was moving twice as fast as any horse now, as even her anxious thoughts were hitting her hard. On and on they rode until they came to the edges of the original battle with the dark goblins that had played out earlier in the day.
“Stop, Vyyuna, please,” Serena shouted in a desperate voice. Vyyuna did not need to be told twice. The relationship of these two seemed to be symbiotic.
Vyyuna let them both down as Serena scanned the location. She saw the head of a dark goblin and started to retch. The blood was a dark blue to black, something she thought she would never witness in all her life.
Serena finished throwing up, and then with a slightly queasy feeling ran back to Vyyuna and begged for them to keep following the tracks to Shaylee. Serena was quite worried now as the noises were growing, and the screams were becoming more prominent. Vyyuna sped off, keeping her wits and senses about her in case of any surprise attacks.
Serena had tears in her eyes. She knew something wasn’t quite right. She had a feeling of dread, whether it was the emotions of all the screams or of the unicorn she had bonded with who felt far more than she did.
Vyyuna was deep in the grassy tracks ready to climb a small hill, which would be followed by the descent to the foothills and a clearing before the forests of Maelenflitt began. Vyyuna raced as they started passing woodland elf and goblin bodies. She then reached the peak of the small hill in record time, giving Serena and Van Coinan a view of the devastation below them all. Serena scoured with her perfect vision for any sign of Shaylee, as did Vyyuna, while Van Coinan grew more and more angry at the sight of so many homes of peaceful people obliterated and at witnessing creatures he knew scattered around the place, lying still.
The burning of some forest folk led to some oaken nochkz running out of the dense brush and out to the edges of the Sheeleymoon Lake. There the dark Elvenfae, trolls, and goblins awaited them, tearing at their long limbs and setting them on fire, thus creating clearings inside the Maelenflitt Forest.
The devastation was severe. Not since the dark times over a thousand cycles ago had such destruction taken place. Vyyuna sped down the hill. Warnings from the wisps started echoing into her mind as she continued downward. Van Coinan already had his wooden sword out as they reached the bottom of the foothills. He dove from the back of Vyyuna and straight into a cluster of goblins. Serena turned back and shouted his name, as she continued to search for Shaylee.
Vyyuna was now in the midst of the chaos, with tall trolls eyeing her off, as were greedy dark goblins and dark Elvenfae. They all knew the prize that awaited them if they could get to her.
Vyyuna was smart, tough, and quick. She had finally found a connection to Shaylee and kicked into gear, galloping fast. She knocked down any creature in her way, and tore them apart with her powerful horn. Moments before she reached Shaylee, a large hand grabbed at her ankle. She managed to shake it off, but not without injuring it. She could no longer gallop at full speed.
Serena let out a scream as she dove off the unicorn and into the dense mix of warriors and grotesque creatures, spotting Shaylee who had Howling Tooth working full time. She called out to her, but Shaylee did not hear it.
Serena was very agile and nimble. She could move closer to her half-sister but not close enough, as a dark Elvenfae warrior hit Shaylee hard across the face with a punch, knocking her to the ground. Serena screamed her name and pushed through some injured goblins in the grass.
She was just about to reach Shaylee when a goblin, like the one she saw in the forest days earlier, with pointed ears and long bent nose but without the lower half of its body, grabbed her leg, pulling her closer to it. She let out a scream, as she turned her gaze away from Shaylee, who was out cold on the ground. Serena punched the half goblin as it tried to pull her to its mouth, shouting at the top of its lungs, “You will make a delicious last meal, human girl!”
Serena screamed for Shaylee once more as she writhed around, trying to break free from the goblin’s grip, but getting caught up in the dark mess of blood which seemed to be pouring out of the ugly creature. Serena’s attacks on the goblin made its grip tighter. It did not seem concerned that it was losing blood quickly. The young halfling Fae was now nearly unrecognizable, covered as she was from head to toe in tar-like blood.
As the goblin neared its sharp teeth to her exposed calf, Serena knew she was losing the fight. Nearby, the dark Elvenfae warrior was pulling at his scabbard to expose his knife, ready to finish the queen. Serena’s hope was fading as the goblin had her leg and was about to bite. But she continued screaming. She was down low, below the rest of the able bodies fighting around her, and before the goblin could sink its teeth into her tender skin, she saw Howling Tooth right next to her.
Serena snatched the sword up. It was far too large for her to wield, but she had seen Shaylee use it enough. Serena then turned just as the goblin bit into her leg. She let out a bloodcurdling cry as she drove the sword deep into the goblin’s throat, pulled it out, then did it again until the goblin lay spurting blood from its throat and through its mouth.
Her grip on the sword loosened slightly for a moment as she rubbed her leg where she’d been bitten, but then quickly, without thinking, she drove the blade into the dark Elvenfae guard’s heart, watching his reaction as his wings fluttered and bright blood came gushing from the wound. She took the sword out once more, this time driving it deep into the twisted-looking dark elven neck, watching him writhe in pain, all while he screamed and tried to stab at Serena. Eventually he succumbed to his vicious wounds and fell on Shaylee, covering her also with the thick, fiery blood from his fresh wounds.
Shaylee seemed OK for the time being so, knowing none of them were safe just yet, Serena started hacking at the legs of all the dark Elvenfae and goblins. The trolls were overwhelmed by three to four oaken nochkz at once, who ripped them apart and drove their sharp thick trunks into their torsos for setting them all on fire. The tables were turning.
Pixies, sprites, sylphs, gnomes, a dryad, mushroom folk, and pookas were all coming out of the safety of their dwellings to help protect their homes from the destructive forces of the dark creatures.
Stexinzar had returned from the deep of the forest where he had followed three goblins to earlier on and was the only one who galloped out. The dullahan had succumbed to Faiay’aar, the forest dryad, as she put a spell on it, rendering it smoke and unable to take physical form; it retreated away from the woods and dissipated into thin air.
Van Coinan had swapped his wooden sword for a couple of goblin knives, and with one in each hand he was slicing them up as quickly as he could. His wooden sword was packed back into his scabbard for next time. The day was violent and full of death. Neither side could escape that.
Serena continued to cut down as many goblins as she could. She didn’t see a dark Elvenfae coming up behind her with sword ready to attack. As she turned to strike the leg of a troll, Vyyuna raced into the danger zone and stabbed the dark elf right through his heart with her long sharp horn. The creatures that were eyeing her off before she entered the battle ran over and began tearing at her body, pulling her down and attacking her. Serena shouted out her name, as the last of the unicorns was being pulled apart. There was nothing anyone could do.
The wisps started to turn her into tiny sprites so she could fly away and escape. But while she was breaking up into thousands of tiny faeries the spell was broken when a dark Elvenfae warrior cut Vyyuna’s throat with his sharp knife. The fluttering stopped as the parts of her that had turned into tiny wisps and sprites went gray and fell to the ground, while the rest of Vyyuna that was unicorn continued to be attacked, creatures pulling out vital organs and eating them on the spot.
To eat the flesh from such an animal would give them power, they all thought. The dark goblins fought over kidneys, liver, intestines which were being unwound and pulled, to the mouthwatering heart that three goblins stabbed each other for. A dark Elvenfae warrior took his time drinking from the once beautiful creature’s throat, making a crimson mess over his dark, twisted uniform. Serena stared in horror as the rest of the horde stopped what they were doing to get a taste of it.
