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  Trendal spotted Kashien on the southern edge of the field, his sword glowing from some spell coursing through the blade.

  Ravion stepped through with his brothers. He sighed, seeing the battle engulfed around them. “Why do we always find ourselves in the middle of a war? Just once I’d like to emerge on a beach, surrounded by palm trees.”

  “Well, you’re halfway there. Looks like we’re on a beach,” Gareth offered, adjusting Alonia in his arms. She was surprisingly light, but the distance he’d carried her was beginning to weigh on him.

  Demetrix pointed to a random section of beach in the distance. “And if you wait a few years, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a few palm trees over there.”

  “Yeah and my blue box will rest beneath them.” Drawing his sword, Ravion charged into battle.

  Gareth turned to Demetrix. “What the hell is he talking about?”

  “I’ve no clue.” Demetrix chuckled and drew his bow. Nocking one of his salvaged arrows, he charged after Ravion, firing shot after shot into the dreualfar forces.

  Seeing the tents on the back side of the battlefield, Gareth carried Alonia toward them. If he was going to get in on the action, he couldn’t do it carrying her. Reaching the tents he stepped inside the largest one, finding Kashien’s bed resting against the wall of the back chamber. It was a fancy thing, draped with a canopy top and corner posts. The sheets were made of the finest silk he’d ever seen and the thick woolen blankets were plump and soft. Laying her in the center of the oversized bed, he pulled the blanket over her and turned to leave.

  “Gareth?” Alonia’s weaken voice called.

  Stopping, Gareth turned to find her eyes open and staring at him. Returning to her side, he grabbed her hand and knelt down beside her. “You need to rest. You’re in a safe place now. Well, as safe as it can be anyway.” She didn’t need to know there was a war being waged right outside the door.

  “Ya’ got us out. I knew ya’ could.” Her usual strong demeanor was hidden beneath the pain she was clearly suffering.

  “I didn’t do it alone. My brothers came for me.”

  “Ya’ still found a way out. ‘Yer still alive. I’d call that a success.” She smiled and closed her eyes, worn from the exertion.

  “Don’t be dying on me now. We had a deal. I get us out and you hold up your end of a bargain.” He smiled, knowing she’d fight a little harder if she was resisting him.

  Opening her eyes again, she couldn’t help but smirk. “I thought ya’ wanted me ta’ live. Not give me an incentive ta’ die.” Seeing his smile, she felt a little better. “Don’t worry. Ya’ can’t get rid o’ me that easily.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. Rest now. I’m gonna’ head out side and kill some dreu. I’ll be back to check on you in a while.”

  Alonia began to close her eyes. Suddenly, they shot wide open, contorting her face in memory. “I almost fergot. I know what the dreu are plannin’. I saw it in the hydralfar’s mind when he was torturin’ me. They’re gonna’ block out the sun. That’s their big plan. Once it’s gone, it’ll—.” Her eyes fell shut and she passed out, unable to complete the sentence.

  Gareth watched her strength fade away. Making sure she was still alive, he pulled the blanket over her and stood. The information she had could wait until she was able to deliver it. Marching toward the door, he summoned his psionic blades and stepped into the morning light.

  The smell of smoke and blood reached him instantly. A malicious smirk formed across his face. Seeing his first target, Gareth charged toward the eight-legged creature on the edge of the battlefield. The day was young and he needed to work out some frustration.

  Kashien ducked a wild swing. Easily avoiding the sloppy blow. He swung in turn, hearing the glowing metal sizzle upon impact. It cut through the dreualfar with ease, cauterizing the wound instantly. Seeing another pair headed toward him, he thrust his hand out, launching them back into their ranks. Searching his surroundings, he saw Trendal approach the right flank. The captain had only been gone a couple days, but his insight had been missed.

  Stabbing deep into the back of one of the dreuki, Trendal ripped his sword free and spun around, severing the creature’s head. Stepping over the twitching body, he approached Kaileen. She was ferocious on the battlefield. There weren’t many that could best her on a poor day. And today was clearly not one of those.

  She flung a dagger, watching the blade disappear into one of the dreualfar. The seemingly metal blade was gone before the creature hit the ground. Summoning the forces around her, a glowing spear made of shimmering color appeared in her hand. Swiping, she knocked three more away and lifted the towering weapon. Chucking it into one of the larger dreuki, it penetrated, tearing a massive hole in its chest. The behemoth fell backward, spasming on the ground.

  “I could watch you do that every day and it’d never get old.” Trendal spoke, making sure he wasn’t in range of a reflexive attack.

  She spun around, looking upon her lover. “It’s about time you joined the fun. I was beginning to think you were having a better time elsewhere.”

  “Not likely.” Stepping close, he kissed her forehead and deflected an incoming strike. Skirting the blade, he shoved the tip into the dreualfar’s stomach.

  “Enough distracting me. Your men could be used at the wall.” Kaileen smiled and pushed him away.

  “As you wish, my dear.” Trendal backed away, looking upon her for as long as possible.

  The seemingly dead dreuki she’d run through moments before, began to stir, pulling itself to its many legs.

  Trendal tried to shout, but the words wouldn’t form. Extending his arm to alert her, it seemed to move in slow motion. He was helpless to stop it.

  The dreuki staggered toward his attacker. Within arms- reach, it hissed. A powerful blue glow radiated from its clawed hand.

  Kaileen froze, hearing writhing behind her. Turning around, a stinging pain ripped through her body. She looked down, seeing the blackened arm embedded in her chest. The power released, burning her body from within. She felt weak. Her senses dulled. She watched the beast retract its blood covered hand. The sharpened nails had chunks of flesh, meat, and organ buried beneath them.

  Squatting low to look into her dying face, the dreuki sprang forward, knocking Kaileen her feet. The arm sized stinger plunged into her repeatedly, refusing to stop even after she was dead.

  Trendal felt a storm of emotion swirl within him. He was angry at himself for distracting her. Angry at the beast for taking her. Confusion clouded his mind. How did I not see that? Why didn’t I step between them? Sorrow bored into his rage induced fit. Is she really gone? What am I going to do about it? The only thing I can do. I’m going to avenge her! Feeling numbness set over him, Trendal charged, his sword angled behind him, ready to strike.

  The wounded dreuki dug his hooked talons into the limp form beneath him. Squeezing her fleshy limbs, the soft meat tore, exposing muscle and tendon. Unable to take the force, Kaileen’s body popped and came apart. Hearing an approaching shout, the dreuki looked up from his work to see one of the dalari flying through the air toward him. The sword was primed and ready. There was no time. It was moving too fast and already too close to deflect.

  A single focus in mind, Trendal brought his sword across, watching it cut into the vile beast that was responsible for his loss. Slamming his knees into its mutilated chest, he felt the balance shift. He was now on top of the creature, falling toward the ground. Carrying his momentum through, he sliced again. The blade cut deep into its collar bone. He was certain it was already dead, which was both a relief and a disappointment. He wanted to spend the rest of eternity punishing it for what it’d taken from him. Straddling the fallen dreuki, he brought his sword overhead and plunged it deep into the creature’s disfigured face, sinking the blade into the blood-soaked sand and rock.

  Exhausted, Trendal rolled from the creature and crawled to Kaileen. Laying his head on her still chest, he held her tight, raining tears upon her.
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  Three arrows released the bowstring at once, fanning out toward their targets. Demetrix watched the wooden shafts plunge into the advancing dreualfar. The bodies were piling, filling the outside trench to the brim. They were little more than a minor trip hazard now. It appeared the enemy forces were diminishing rapidly. He had no clue how many had fallen, but of the reported six-thousand, there had to be at least a third of that bleeding out in the sand. Sadly, about equal number of dalari among them. But they still had the bigger force.

  Another unit of dreualfar made their way toward the broken section of wall. He doubted he could take out the whole group at once, but the more the merrier. Stringing as many arrows as the sight window would hold, he drew back and aimed nearly straight vertical. Releasing the string, the numerous thin shafts flew upward, reaching ballistic trajectory. Momentum shifted, they arched downward, raining into the advancing unit.

  Ravion stabbed, ducked, and spun, avoiding an attack while delivering another. He felt good. Better than he’d felt in quite some time. Spotting one of the dreuki, he altered course to intercept. The creature fell before he could reach it. It was no matter, there was plenty to go around.

  The overwhelming scent of magic reached him. Ravion searched the air, locating its source. The dreualfar mage was charged, ready to release his blackened bolt.

  Bringing his sword across, Ravion watched the blade slice through the threads composing the magical energy. The spell fizzled and disappeared, returning to the nether from once it came. Following through, the sharpened edge bit into the casting dreualfar, cracking his head like a gourd smashed upon rock.

  Gareth stood over the fallen dreuki tasting victory in the black blood clinging to his face. It felt good being back in the battle again. But something was different. He didn’t feel the rage boiling within him. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he was simply fighting because he wanted to. It was as if the hatred he’d carried for so long was no longer the driving force behind his bloodlust. Not to say it wasn’t still present, or that it’d ever go away. But he was certain he wasn’t using it. He had a clear head and a single mission. Defeat the dreualfar and see to Alonia.

  A grating battle horn echoed from the far side of the battlements and the dreualfar began to fall back. They abandoned those closest to them, retreating as commanded. Nearly half of the dreualfar force had been wiped out and a good portion of the remainder had been wounded.

  Seeing the dreualfar retreat, many of the dalari rushed after them, claiming the last few casualties of the long and tiring battle.

  Kashien magically amplified his voice so that all could hear over the fading sounds of battle. “The dreualfar retreat. Do not. I repeat, do not pursue. Gather the wounded and help them to safety!”

  Smoke lingered in the evening air, carrying the scent of burning flesh. Hundreds of blazing fires burned in the distance, piled high with the dead.

  Standing outside his tent, Kashien surveyed his army. They’d lost much in the past days, but they’d managed to force the dreualfar to retreat. While it wasn’t a clear victory, it also meant they weren’t defeated. That was reason enough to celebrate. His ten-thousand strong had diminished to a little over eight-thousand. And at least a third of those had been wounded during the fight. The healers were exhausted and they needed to a more defensive location. But such an undertaking could wait until morning. Tonight, they needed rest.

  “General!” A weak, yet familiar voice sounded from within the tent.

  “Yes, Captain?” Kashien turned, finding the reddened face of his oldest friend. His heart broke for the man, knowing what he’d lost. Even more so, knowing she was with child.

  He’d contemplated telling his friend, but such news was likely to drive him mad with grief. No, that news doesn’t need to be relayed. Not now, not ever. It was easiest to attribute the sorrow to empathy, a part of him hurt as well. Kaileen was one of a kind. She’d been an exemplary soldier and officer, as well as a personal friend. It was going to take some time to get used to her absence, but a day would come when the world would suck a little less for her not being in it.

  “The devonie woman is awake. Gareth said she has news you need to hear.” Trendal held the canvas door open for his general to pass.

  Kashien stepped inside, letting his eyes adjust to the ambient light. Marching through the maze of rooms, he noticed Trendal remained at the door. He considered waiting for him, but what could he do? This was something he was going to have to work through on his own.

  Trendal stared into the field. Even at this distance, he could see where it happened. His sword remained lodged in the earth, buried in stone. They had to remove the dreuki in pieces to get it off the blade. That didn’t hurt his feelings one bit. The sword could remain there for the rest of existence for all he cared. It would serve as a reminder, not to what he’d lost, but to the wonder that was Kaileen. Breaking his gaze on the polished weapon in the battlefield, he turned and stepped into the tent. If what Gareth said was true, all officers needed to be present.

  Kashien stepped into his personal chamber, finding Gareth standing over a woman in his bed. Ravion, Demetrix, and several of his remaining officers stood about the room. It was unorthodox having them here, such meetings were better suited for the war room, but the woman was in no condition to be moved. She needed rest and it seemed his bed was as good as any other.

  The officers snapped to attention and offered salute, seeing their general enter the room.

  “At ease.” Kashien approached the bed. He glanced at the door, hearing Trendal enter, taking position beside the others. Turning back to the devonie woman, he knelt down beside her, hoping to make her as comfortable as possible. “I hear you stumbled upon some valuable information about the dreualfar?”

  “Aye.” Alonia’s voice was exceptionally strong considering her appearance. It was a wonder she was able to speak at all.

  “The hydralfar workin’ with ‘em. When he tortured me, I saw into his mind. He’s not from ‘ere. Nor ‘are they.” She weakly raised her arm and pointed at Ravion and Demetrix.

  Turning her head, she looked to Gareth. “You aren’t either.”

  “Where am I from then?” Gareth asked, confused by her statement.

  “The future!” Kashien stated openly.

  Alonia nodded agreement.

  Ravion lowered his head in defeat of his inner battle.

  “How do you figure that?” Gareth’s gaze darted from Alonia to Kashien, hoping either could offer some explanation.

  “Jorin’otth, as he calls himself, is from a time far beyond even ‘yers.” She spoke directly to Gareth. “Ya’ told me ya’ didn’t remember ‘yer life prior to the island. Jorin’otth is the reason ya’ were there. He found a staff that allowed him ta’ travel through time. The further he went from ‘is own, the more the world shifted in opposition ta’ ‘is ideals. As a result, he tracked what he believed ta’ be the source o’ these changes ta’ a group called, The Order. Unable ta’ destroy ‘em as a whole, he resorted ta’ breakin’ its founders one by one in an attempt ta’ keep it from existin’. He tracked em ta’ the most vulnerable point in their lives and set things in motion. Fer ya’, he went ta’ a pirate ship off the coast of North Korenthia. Using the magics he’d obtained, he chained the captain ta’ the mast and made him watch as he murdered the crew. In his arrogance, he left the captain alive and sabotaged the ship so she’d go down. He then went further back in time, ta’ a small village in Coriath called, Winterhaven. There, he sent a missive that resulted in the entire populace bein’ wiped out, with the exception of a few kids.”

  The room was quiet, hanging on every word. Ravion, Demetrix, and Gareth couldn’t help but believe her. How could she know these details had they not been true? It was both a comfort and curse. Knowing why their lives had shifted the way they had did little but raise more questions.

  “He didn’t stop there. Learnin’ some of the children had survived, he made a deal with a dragon ta’ w
ipe ‘em out. All but one. A dalari child, little more than a toddler, was promised as payment. The dragon could use the child in his adult years ta’ infiltrate the world of men. There he could rise ta’ power and force the mortals to worship him as a god. I wasn’t able to see the details of the other times he interfered in ‘yer lives, but I could tell there were many occasions, always indirect. He was scared ta’ get too close. He knew if ya’ found him out, ya’d go after ‘em. And he wasn’t sure he could escape. Then here, when he came across Demetrix, he knew his time in the shadows was at its end. But directin’ ‘yer lives isn’t the most devious thing he’s done. Right now, he aids the dreualfar ta’ bring eternal darkness ta’ the world. Using an ancient book, he’s found a spell that will snuff out the light permanently,” Alonia paused, recalling the words that lingered in Jorin’otth’s mind. “And in the darkness, the dark lord can move unhindered. For reflections are meanin’less in the dead o’ night.”

  Kashien hung on every word. It was like reading a book of prophecy. It took a certain ability to twist words to their most literal meaning and back again to understand even half of what they were saying. But this seemed pretty clear.

  Reaching into his pack, Ravion retrieved the black book, bringing it out for all to see. “You mean this book?”

  Alonia lifted her head to see the dark binding. “That’s the one I saw in his memory. He took it from a hidden chamber, lying on the floor beside a large mirror.”

  “Where did you find that?” Kashien stood, marching toward the tome.

  “You know what this is?” Ravion asked, cradling the familiar book.

  “It’s the Tomb of Ur. Believed to be crafted when this realm was forged. Legend says it contains every secret this realm will ever know. I believed it to be a myth, having never heard of anyone finding it.” Kashien ran his fingers over the shimmering outer cover. A part of him wanted to explore its contents, but such knowledge had a way of corrupting its bearer.