B006T5JMRC EBOK (31 page)

“She is correct,” Brig continued as he resumed picking at his hairy ear. “You are here because you need to remove a curse Malakhar has placed—a very powerful one from what I’ve learned.” He inhaled, closing his eyelids.

Kale could hear him muttering softly to himself in the foreign words of Draxion, the language of dark elves. It sounded as though he was talking himself into making an important decision—yet again paying no mind that he was not alone within the room.

Brig sighed as he eventually sat upright. “To break the curse and return the Princess to her former self, you must...” he grabbed Kale’s tunic and pulled him directly in front of his creased face, “...kill him.”

Chapter 22: A Warning Arrives

K
ale tugged at his hair in frustration. “So, now we must find Malakhar
and
kill him?”

“Correct,” Brig replied firmly.

“You’re telling me we have to place all hope in fate’s hand? I’m sure he has already begun his return to Jedah, to report our whereabouts.”

“I do not feel you need to worry about this. As I have said before, Malakhar seeks power. Though he obeys Jedah’s word for sake of his pact, I strongly believe Malakhar has his own agenda.” Brig interlocked his bony fingers.

“Interesting.” Thomas rested his bearded chin upon his knuckles. “I do wonder how everything will fall into place.”

“We need to coordinate a plan of action as quickly as possible.” Illadar curled his ebony lips into his mouth, growing silent as he pondered the new circumstances.

The silence was disrupted by glass shattering as Brig hurled another vial against the wall.

“Why in Pan’s name do you keep doing that?!” Kale fought with his temper as he attempted to control an outburst due to the dark elf’s crude behavior.

“Listen here!” Brig shouted before tucking his chin against his chest while whispering to himself. “Shh!” He shivered. “Please, listen to me.” His voice was now calmed. “I need to speak with you, Firehart—it is of the utmost importance. I have made a promise to the red one. May we speak alone?” He motioned toward a small brown door between two of the long tables Kale had not noticed before.

“These are my friends.” Kale glanced toward the three. “They are the closest individuals I have to a family, so anything you can say to me can be said before them.”

“Very well. You have been assigned another quest. This task is one that must be completed by you; there can be no other.”

Kale laughed in anger. “You have some nerve to stand before me and tell me what I must do with my own life. I have been
assigned
to nothing—I choose my own path. I’m already in a situation where I cannot even fathom how we will succeed.”

“Let me speak, dragon child!” Brig’s face shook as he spoke. “In a time when the darkness of despair lies upon us and it feels as though so much has been lost, you must open the window of your heart and allow in the light.” His mood had completely changed. “Some things are worth fighting for—and I assure you this is one of those things.”

“All right, I’m listening.” Kale crossed his arms. “What exactly is it that this
red one
wants me to do?”

“There are more.” Brig smiled.

The room grew silent and Kale caught himself awkwardly glancing around. “More of...?”

“More of you.” Brig shook his head. “No, no, no, I mean more of your kind—dragons! You are not the last.”

“What!?” Kale straightened his posture, sitting immediately upright. “How could you possibly know this? Where are they? Tell me now!”

“Kale, mind yourself!” Thomas interrupted as he placed a firm grip onto Kale’s shoulder. “Listen to what he has to say. Our time is running short, we must soon leave or risk Brig’s safety here in Tyrione. We do not know if the guards already seek us.”

Kale breathed as he gritted his teeth. “I understand. I’m sorry, Brig, please continue.”

“Yes, yes, as I was saying, you are not the last dragon. Well—you weren’t, before becoming a human, that is.”

“I
am
still a dragon!” Kale snarled as Thomas cast him an admonishing glance.

“Control yourself, boy. I am doing you a favor by telling you this information.” Brig pointed a dirty nail in Kale’s direction. “Many years ago, three dragon eggs were to be transported to Eldawin by a human. Along his journey, a dragon who dwelled within the desert, the Emerald Prince, caught scent of his own kind and fought to retrieve them. He only meant to protect the eggs, unsure as to why a human had them to begin with. His attempt was futile as the eggs sank beneath the Earth’s surface, never to be seen again—until now. The red one is certain they have fallen into an underground cavern, safe and unharmed. Only you, Firehart—born a dragon—can save them from extinction. You can reshape this world.”

“Kale,” Thomas gleamed with excitement for his friend, “do you remember the vision I shared with you? It’s astonishing how we seem linked together now, as this all unravels before us.”

Kale wrinkled his forehead in thought, when suddenly it dawned on him. “General Jedah! The package he was assigned to deliver for his quest to become a knight. With your memories as our guide, we could find the vicinity where they sank.” He glanced upward. “It all makes sense now; the reason the dragon attacked—he was protecting the unborn hatchlings of our own kind.” Kale tightened his knuckles. “Jedah must be stopped or the Emerald Prince will have died in vain.” Kale paused. “Wait a moment, how can we be sure this isn’t a trap? This
red one
you speak of could be working with Jedah in order to lead us to death.”

“I can personally assure you the red one is not in league with General Jedah. The red one means well and even appears to have true concern for your well-being. However, the choice to proceed will be yours. I am but the messenger.” Brig flicked another ball of earwax to the glass-covered floor.

Kale didn’t need to analyze the situation any longer. Despite the uncertainties and possible dangers which lay ahead, there was absolutely no way he would be able to decline; especially if there were eggs remaining. He was willing to try, given the one chance of hope for his kind.

“We should leave now. I’m sure the guards have been alerted of our absence.” Neelan adjusted her bow.

“Indeed. It is time. If there are no enchantments which will prevent it, I can transport us out of the kingdom once we find seclusion outside.”

“We should be all right. The enchantments bound to our city are to keep others out, not in.”

Illadar, Thomas, and Neelan made their way cautiously up the tunnel, keeping a keen eye on the windows in case a guard patrolled nearby.

“Come here, boy.” Brig spoke in a low tone. “Should you find Malakhar, please lay him to rest quickly. It is time his pain and reign of bitter hatred toward the world finally ends.” Tears formed to pool in the corner of Brig’s eyes.

“Are you all ri—” As Kale spoke, Brig held out a palm to stop him from speaking.

“Though, ashamed to have been related by blood to someone with such a cold, hollow heart—he is still my brother. We were born on the same day; twins, though not alike in appearance, nor personality. Some say twins share an eternal bond between one another. We never did. Neither of us cared to be near the other, and I made certain to keep my distance.”

Kale stopped—shocked beyond words. He placed his hand upon the old elf’s arm as he nodded his head.

Brig forced a smile; he understood the message Kale sent with his gesture. Kale would do his best to ensure Malakhar would receive a swift death.

Once they were certain no guards were in the immediate vicinity, the four quickly gave thanks to Brig. Even Neelan was grateful, though she remained distant. Within moments they walked around the side of Brig’s home, squeezing against the wall of a neighboring house.

“Move quickly, we mustn’t be spotted while limited to such a narrow space,” Thomas whispered to the others.

They emerged onto another small street which bordered the back entrances of many homes.

“This should be secluded enough. Now, get us out of here, Thomas.” Kale was anxious to return to the forest with the news they had acquired from Brig. His heart also leapt at the thought of seeking hope for dragon-kind.

“Come, gather, and hold onto my arms tightly, as before.” Thomas closed his eyes, prepared to begin chanting the magical language.

“Halt!” A voice rang out, softly echoing down the enclosed stone street.

Thomas’ eyes shot open and the other three turned defensively.

“Lorin!” Neelan called out.

To their side, stood the golden-haired guard. His silver eyes appeared weary and for the first time since Kale met him, his flawless face was blemished with dim purple rings beneath his bottom lids.

“Don’t do this Lorin; I had to do what I did. You have got to trust me.” Neelan continued to plead her case, but Lorin abruptly silenced her, placing a finger gently upon her lips.

“I am not here to turn you in.”

Neelan tilted her head in confusion as she stepped back from the touch of his finger which had remained upon her mouth.

“I was spotted earlier by a patrolling guard. They know you placed an enchantment upon me and fled. I have stalled them until now; they are scattered across the city in search of you and your companions. I was sent here by the elders to personally scout Brig’s home. They do not suspect I would seek to help you after what you had done to me.” He glanced down as though hurt by her actions.

“Bu—”

“Please, let me finish Neelan, time is short.”

She quietly nodded.

“I agreed so I could ensure your safe escape. I don’t believe they are aware that your friend is a sorcerer.” He gestured toward Thomas. “Although it pains me, I want you to promise you will not return here again. The elders informed the guards that should you enter these walls, your friends will be sentenced to death and you are to be imprisoned within the pit for the remainder of your life.”

“They will not catch me,” Neelan attempted to stubbornly argue, though her heart raced at the thought of being trapped in complete darkness for hundreds of years.

“Promise me!” Lorin’s voice was demanding, inflicted with sorrow.

“I—I promise. I won’t ever return to the kingdom again.” Although Neelan despised her father and the memories Tyrione held, the finalization was frightening. This was goodbye forever.

“If you are here to ensure a safe exit, why in Pan’s name did you stop us?” Kale was tired, hungry, and irritable.

“I needed to warn Neelan. You, however, can return if you’d like. It would be quite nice to see your head perched upon a stake at our gates to ward off more filth from coming our way,” Lorin snickered.

“You’ll die for that!” Kale leapt toward Lorin, wrapping his fingers around the elf’s neck as he squeezed firmly.

“Enough!” Neelan shoved Kale off of Lorin, glaring at both men. “Now is
not
the time. Both of you need to stop behaving as though you were children.”

Lorin looked to the street. “I apologize, Neelan.” Without warning, he pulled her into a tight embrace. He leaned down to her long ear, “I also came to say farewell. Please be safe,” he whispered, releasing his grip. “I’ll ensure the council does not know you were here—Brig will not endure punishment for assisting your cause. Though, I cannot understand why you would seek a dark elf, I am sure it is important. Please leave now, with no worry of what shall happen here.” He bowed before turning to leave down the dark street.

Neelan gave a final glance toward him before returning to her friends. “Let’s go.” Her words were monotone and short.

They each gripped tightly onto Thomas’ arm as he once again resumed a clear state of mind. “
Kalora Xenari
.” He called out, then they disappeared from sight.

With a
zap
, they were flung through a void before being tossed onto the leaf coated ground of the Forest of Forgotten Whispers.

Kale, Illadar, and Neelan groaned in discomfort as they slowly staggered to their feet.

“At least you didn’t vomit this time.” Kale half-jokingly teased Illadar as he gripped his own stomach to ease the nauseating sensation.

“Make haste across the river, we do not need a third encounter with Rees’Lok,” Thomas urged.

With everything that had happened, Kale nearly forgot about the snaggle-toothed orc.

The four hurried across the running water and made way through the protected area of the forest where the dryads dwelled. Though Kale displayed a casual exterior, his insides were fluttering at the thought of seeing Judith again.

“You came back!” A shaky voice called out.

Kale squinted through the darkness in the direction of the sound. A round figure moved closer until he could see the hundreds of creases on the old woman’s flesh. The tip of her long crooked nose led to a bumpy bridge between two, close-set, black, beady eyes. Her thin, near balding, grey hair revealed many fat moles scattered across her scalp. This was quite the opposite of what Kale expected upon his arrival. He fought the urge to shudder and step away from the old woman he knew was truly Judith—the stunning Princess of Mirion.

“Y-yes, I told you we would return.” He finally choked the words out, forcing a smile.

Judith wrapped her stumpy, sagging arms around Kale’s torso. “I am so glad you have come back safely.”

“Thank you,” Kale awkwardly replied.

“I hate to come between such a warm reunion,” Neelan crossed her arms, “but we should go inside now. We aren’t staying long.” She narrowed her eyes as she glanced toward Judith. “One night, at most.”