Invasion (25 page)

Sylestra inspected the Diamond of Power and was satisfied with its construction. A narrow guttering had been dug into the ground in a diamond shape and within the diamond many smooth pebbles had been laid. At each point of the diamond stood a golden brazier with a lit fire within. A shallow golden bowl had been dug at the centre of the diamond with shallow channels running from the bowl to each point. In front of the forward-most brazier stood a small wooden platform with two steps leading up to it. Sylestra ascended those steps and watched her warriors get into position.

A short time later, Chief Izidorr’s tribe started streaming from the fort gates. They were directed to the centre of the diamond by some warriors and surrounded. Sylestra waited for the noise to settle until she spoke.

“Welcome Chief Izidorr’s tribe. I know not your actual tribe name and I could care less what it is for you have now given your oath to serve the Ta’zu tribe.” She heard a few grunts and objections among the crowd. “You may have felt pressured into this decision but I tell you now that it was the best decision you have made in your lifetime. The Blood Council would have led you to defeat whereas I will lead you to victory.”

“How can you be so sure?” an orc shouted from amongst the throng.

“Because I have conquered much larger and stronger cities than Arthea in recent days and they fell within hours. Because I have an immense army of uncountable numbers, because I have the power and backing of our goddess Nefari, along with shamans of Gr’guck and wizards of the human goddess Tybressa. No army can prevail against our power and you, former tribe of Chief Izidorr, have been selected for special honours. Your combined power will be relied upon by all the Ta’zu.” In the flickering light of the burning fires along with the light of the full moon of the largest of the two moons and quarter moon of the smallest, Sylestra could see the orcs standing a little taller and she smiled to herself.

“What special task would you have us do?” asked the same orc, one that Sylestra figured could well be Chief Izidorr himself.

“I will tell you but first I must bestow a blessing upon you from Nefari, Goddess of Darkness. Close your eyes, remain still and feel the power of our great goddess.”

The orcs did as she instructed.

Necromancers spread around the diamond chanted softly.

Sylestra raised her arms heavenward and said, “Great Goddess Nefari, with beauty beyond words, awe inspiring power, unequalled justice, and wisdom beyond measure, I stand before you now and offer you a gift — a tribe that has offered themselves willingly for the greater purpose of all, a tribe full of brave and selfless warriors.”

The chant grew louder.

“Take them now and renew your power in front of all these witnesses. Let not their sacrifice be in vain and wield their strength against all those who oppose us.”

The volume of the chant increased and the pebbles glowed red. The orcs opened their eyes and shuffled about on the hot stones.

“Close your eyes and remain still, brave warriors, and receive your blessing freely. Nefari has accepted you and will bestow her gift upon you.”

The necromancers chanted louder and many of the Ta’zu warriors joined in bringing it to a crescendo. Sylestra heard the searing flesh and smelt it on the gentle breeze.

“Take your gift now!” shouted Sylestra above the chant.

Ta’zu warriors levelled crossbows at the small orcs. The warriors from inside Fort Lowmount stood on top of the wall and aimed bows at them.

“Take your gift now!” she shouted again.

The warriors released their bolts and arrows and orcs fell onto the glowing stones. Many opened their eyes in panic and trampled their kin in an effort to escape the diamond but they were either shot down or sliced by swords as they neared the perimeter. Blood flowed onto the pebbles and as it did a black mist formed.

As more and more were slaughtered, the blood reached the bowl and flowed along the gutters toward the fire of the braziers where it transformed into their life essence. Inside the diamond became a thick black cloud.

“Take your gift now!”

A strong cyclonic wind gathered the black mist, taking it up high beyond sight. As the wind eased warriors with swords ran into the diamond, slicing apart the orc corpses within to get the most out of their sacrifice. The mist thickened again and the wind picked up as Nefari took all the power from the sacrifice.

The chanting and screaming stopped and once again the night sounded quiet.

Chapter 27

Nydel Falls

“We have decided to accept your proposal. You will come with me now and show me on a map where this magic gate lies.” The orc unlocked the prison door and ushered Gerard out. “Your friends will remain here.”

“I don’t know the exact location but I can point you to the right spot where I believe you’ll discover it quickly as there is no doubt an army camped near it,” said Gerard as they escorted him along the corridor.

“That will do. You will remain locked up in the cell until your story is confirmed. Once it is, you will be taken to more comfortable quarters where you will tell us everything you know and then when we’re happy we will release you.” The orc unlocked the double doors of the dungeon block and led Gerard though.

“All right, but like I said, for everyone’s benefit that had better be sooner rather than later.” Gerard continued to be pulled along by the orc guard through the large entrance chamber and into a small office to the side.

A solid square table sat in the centre of the room with a large map rolled out atop it. Other orcs, orcs of importance, sat around the table. Gerard was led to an empty chair where he sat while the orc guard took up a spot beside him.

“So tell us your name and the story of how you came to be in our lands,” said the orc wearing the most jewellery and highest quality clothing; perhaps a city mayor or even royalty if they had such.

“My name is Gerard and I am from another world, a world called Ka’ton. There I was a simple farmer” — they didn’t need to know he was a well-trained soldier prior to that —“going about my normal daily activities when this magical Gate appeared a short walk from my farm. Orcs of the Black Skull came through it, slaughtered two members of my family along with the wife of my dearest friend and took six of us captive when we retaliated.

“Soldiers from our army were later taken as captives as they attacked a stronghold and we were all imprisoned in Qunik where we were later released into the centre of an attacking Red Axe army. Despite the odds, some of us were able to fight our way out of the trap. On our way to try and locate the Gate to take us home we were captured by the Ta’zu.

“Recently we were able to devise an escape plan that involved all those enslaved by that tribe. We lost many in the effort but we did succeed and now we are navigating the Black Rock Canyon in search of our one chance home.”

“An interesting and unlikely story. You have fared well for a simple farmer.” The orc gave him a sideways glance.

“The story is true and I’ll tell it in greater detail once you have confirmed the location of the Gate and released us from the cell.”

“Very well. Point out the location for us to search.” The orc leader gestured to the map on the table.

Gerard examined it and got his bearings. It appeared somewhat incomplete with details of other tribes’ lands but the detail of their own territory was more than Gerard had seen from his study of the Black Skull maps. He pointed to a location southeast of the Black Skull’s capital Gnash.

“I believe if you search this area you will soon find the Gate I speak of and that will validate at least part of my story. More than that I have no need to lie to you and wish peaceful relations with your tribe.”

“And yet you have threatened a member of our Guard on two separate occasions,” said one of the other orcs, possibly the leader of the City Guard.

“They were not threats but promises and warnings to make him aware of what he was dealing with.”

“Your people would attack us over the lives of but a few?” This orc appeared to be military and judging by the many ribbons and pins on his uniform, Gerard figured him to be a general or equivalent rank.

“We have been through a lot together and we protect our own. The large group you see in the canyon will not move without us and they will not stay still for long. You would be best to send an emissary to our leader, Major Isak, and let him know of your intentions before he takes matters into his own hands. He is an impulsive man.” Gerard gazed around the table as he spoke, settling his eyes on the orc at the head of the table.

“It will be done, but here is a promise of my own — if any harm comes to our emissary you will never see the light of day again.” The Mayor leaned forward with both hands on the table and stared at Gerard with big black eyes and a crinkled forehead.

“That is understood. While Major Isak is impulsive he will not react violently until threatened. Hold up a white flag as you approach and no harm will befall your emissary. You have my word on that.” Gerard spoke in a soothing voice in order to diffuse the agitated orc. It had the desired effect as the orc settled back into his chair.

“Then it is agreed. We will send a scout immediately to this location and an emissary to your leader first thing in the morning” — the orc turned to the Guard — “take him back to his cell.”

“Land ahoy,” shouted the sailor from the crow’s nest.

Decker stood up, stretched his aching legs and scanned the horizon. He couldn’t see anything.

“Are we on course?” shouted Captain Tobias.

“We look to be. I can see the rooftops of Nydel Falls dead ahead.”

“We be holdin’ our course then.” Captain Tobias turned to Decker. “Back to work then lad, we be not there yet.”

Decker bent down to resume scrubbing the deck until something caught his eye over the Captain’s shoulder which he had come to know as Port Side. Having the light of the morning sun at his back he made out the shape of a dark horse galloping across the waves of the Strait. With a smile and a shake of his head he dropped to his knees and scrubbed.

A little later in the morning they were pulling into the docks at the elven city of Nydel Falls. Decker marvelled at the stone city where nearly every building had a tall spire. He doubted a single tree had been felled in the creation of this city as buildings were built around the towering trees where quite often the trunk would form part of the structure.

Decker had heard many tales about the elves and had seen drawings of them but had never seen one in the flesh. Many of them now swarmed over the docks going about various tasks. They were tall and thin with long hair, mostly fair, and walked so lightly on their feet — they almost appeared as though they were floating across the pier. Pointy ears stood pronounced through their hair and they all wore detailed, loose fitting and colourful clothes. Decker felt as though he had wandered into a dream.

“It’s not polite to stare, my friend. Come along, it’s time for us to get going. Let us hope your horse shows up soon.” Grand Master Reibeck led him along the gang plank and off the ship.

“I saw her galloping across the water a few hours ago, so I’m sure she is not far away.” Decker scanned his surroundings like a child, wanting to take in as much detail of this place as possible. While the elves traded with the humans they would not suffer them to wander their cities unescorted and very few elves ventured into the lands of humans.

“You return to us so soon, Grand Master Reibeck. It has been but a few weeks since we last saw you,” came the melodious voice of the elf standing in front of them.

“Angrenor, so nice to see you again. Let me introduce to you Decker. This extraordinary young man that could rival even you with a bow.” Reibeck gave a slight bow.

Decker followed his lead and did likewise.

Angrenor returned a slight bow to each of them, “A man of the bow rivalling that of an elf? Now this I have to see. It is a pleasure to meet you, Decker. Any friend of Reibeck’s can be considered a friend of mine.”

“It is an honour to meet you, Angrenor and to be so labelled.”

“Well come, the both of you, to share a noon meal with me and to tell me why you are here, for I am sure there must be a reason.” Angrenor stretched out his arms and beckoned them toward the city.

“Angrenor is a close assistant to the Lord of Nydel Falls and without fail meets me on the docks as though he knows I’m coming, which I am sure he always does,” explained Reibeck.

“Or perhaps it is merely my duty to meet every human ship as they dock.” Angrenor smiled at both of them.

“Highly unlikely as you would never leave the docks and I know first-hand that you have spent many days away from them at a time, but you may hold your secrets if you must,” replied Reibeck.

“I must,” said Angrenor simply.

Conversation turned toward general pleasantries and the recent happenings within the city which meant very little to Decker as he didn’t recognise the names or the places they were talking about and so he continued to admire the sights, sounds and smells around him.

The average height of an elf is five or six inches taller than that of a human and so for the first time in his life Decker felt quite short even though he stood near to six foot himself. While the male elves kept their hair long and immaculately straight, the females would have all manner of decorations in their hair and an array of different styles.

The cobbled city streets though much smoother reminded him of human cities, and instead of being wide and straight they were narrow and windy so as to avoid destroying any natural beauty such as shaped rocks, flowering shrubs and flowing creeks. The elves had a way of adapting their cities to nature instead of desecrating it. Birds sung happily in the branches of trees overhead, wildlife freely roamed the streets unthreatened by any of the inhabitants.

It was a city as it should be.

He breathed deep the fresh, aromatic air and felt refreshed as though all the stresses of his life had been lifted from his shoulders. It seemed akin to walking among the countryside rather than a city. He became so distracted that he almost kept on walking when the others stopped at a doorway; well he figured it to be a doorway as it was a gap between two tree trunks with a spiralling staircase leading up and around a third tree.

He followed Angrenor and Reibeck up the stairs to a landing. On the landing were three doors, one ahead and one to each side. Angrenor led them to the one on the left. Behind the door was an enclosed room but the branches of the trees intruded here and there. Rather than being an obstacle in the room the branches served as decorations or even shelves.

“I sense a lot of love coming from these trees,” said Decker in a quiet voice.

Angrenor turned his head toward Decker with a jerk and raised his eyebrows. “How is it that a human can sense anything from the trees? They usually prefer to cut them down than communicate with them.”

“I told you he was an extraordinary young man,” interjected Reibeck before Decker could respond.

“If I was blind I may very well mistake him for an elf. An aura of energy surrounds him like I have not sensed before.” Angrenor turned to Decker. “Who are your parents?”

“My mother died giving birth to me and my father speaks very little of her. Speaking of her brings the hurt to the surface and my father does not like to cry so I ceased asking him about her. My father is a simple wheat farmer. Like all men around Arthea, he served time in the army as an archer, but he much prefers to live off the land and mostly keeps to himself.” At Angrenor’s bidding Decker sat on a bench seat which on closer inspection was a thick shaped branch with soft cushions on top.

“Do you get your fair hair from your father?” asked Angrenor.

“My father has dark hair, so I assume that I get my hair from my mother.”

“If I was to discover that your mother was an elf, I would not be at all surprised, but it is unlikely an elf would willingly travel so far to the south.”

“And yet a time has come where the fate of this world depends on the elves doing just that,” said Reibeck in a low and serious voice.

Angrenor turned to him at once. “What is it you are saying? Is this the reason for your visit?”

“It is and we must speak to your Overlord at the earliest possible convenience.”

“He will not send elves south to fight the battles of men Reibeck, you know this.”

“This is not just a war of men. An evil force is invading this world which may prove to be more powerful than even the great elven race can manage alone. But I will say no more of this until I have an audience with your Overlord.”

“You ask a lot, my friend. The Overlord is very busy and may not rate this matter high on his priorities.”