Mark of the Princess (13 page)

Tristan and Kaleb began clearing and setting up an area to rest. It took longer using the path they were on but going straight through the clearing in the direction Saros went would have been too obvious and they surely would have been killed.

Unlike the day, night dragged on an eternity. Sleep did not come easy or often. Broken sleep and nightmares plagued the group.

Dawn approached, the morning light unable to break through a thick, sinister fog. An eerie cold sweeping the land, as if the forest itself grieved over the lack of news regarding the princess.

Evyette, Kaleb and Tristan each grabbed hold of their cloaks and held tighter, barely sleeping but trying none-the-less.

“Did you hear that?” Kaleb asked suddenly, sitting and looking at a
yet drowsy Tristan.

The noise was slight but the Prince
searched the surrounding area intently, his eyes working to penetrate the remaining darkness.

Nothing.

Perhaps a bird or creature waking
he thought to himself.

As he began to close his eyes again he caught the brief shadow of a figure and a sudden change in the direction of the wind blew an odd smell towards him. A moment later, the figure had jumped down from the tree and surprised the weary travelers. Kaleb jumped to his feet and pulled his sword with Tristan and Evyette being quick to follow suit.

“We mean no harm stranger. We are but passing through.” The Prince announced sternly, his sword held at the ready.

The tall dark creature said nothing. He slowly crossed both his arms in front of him, reaching for the hilts of the swords that hung at his sides. In an instant, he drew them and leapt forward toward the group.

The swords clashed and sparks lit the damp morning
air. The Drow Assassin was skilled, fighting all three at once. He leaped nimbly through the air and kicked Tristan in the back forcing him to the ground.

Evyette made herself invisible but it was to no avail. As soon as she did, the Drow Assassin kicked up some mud and dirt to mark her before attacking. She was able to block or dodge most of the attacks of the assassin but was caught off guard when one sword sliced through her upper arm and a large boot hit her in the chest, sending her to the ground, her head spinning with the sudden loss of blood.

Tristan, who had thrown himself at the Drow that hurt Evyette was blocked by another sword that came down in front of him.

Another one?
he thought. He turned to fight the newest assailant as Kaleb again confronted the first.

The first assassin finally let out a small grunt of pain as Kaleb’s sword plunged into his belly before he fell to the ground. Kaleb quickly ran over to help his friend but was stopped by yet another Drow. This one seemed to appear out of nowhere much like the others, his sword drawn, and an evil grin on his slim face. This drow was a bit older and taller than the others and it soon became apparent that he was the leader. He was thin but very muscular. His eyes were big and expressive but dark, purpose was in them and it did not favor the prince and his friends.

“As I told the others, we are not here to hurt anyone,” Kaleb announced, his voice loud in the silent fight, “We are merely passing through.”

This Drow spoke. “No. You will not pass through. Your journey and that of your friends ends here.” The assassin took a menacing step towards Kaleb his sword poised to strike.
Kaleb tried to use his power to push or shove the Drow but it did not work.

“I know who you are and what you can do Kaleb, Prince of Talom.” The Drow’s low voice was barely heard over the sound of metal on metal.

“Why then do you wish to harm us?” Kaleb, managing to speak while swinging his sword to block a blow by the assassin.

The swords continued slashing through the air barely missing a chest and then a neck.

Tristan was not far, still fighting the second Drow that had appeared. They had each managed to disarm each other but that did not stop them from throwing spells at one another. Tristan threw himself on the ground when dodging a spell and found himself close to his sword. He scurried over and grabbed the hilt bringing it up just in time to deflect yet another spell. He stood and wiped his mouth which was bloody from a hit he took from a leathered and armored set of knuckles. The assassin had also found his sword and threw himself at Tristan who blocked the sword with his and pulled his dagger free from his belt with the other hand, stabbing the second assassin in the stomach.

The battle ensued for what seemed like forever. Swords constantly clashing. Magic and powers being thrown, blocked and dodged. Dawn had broken and the sun managed to filter weakly through the clouds and fog.

“Who are you?” Demanded Kaleb.

The Drow struck a blow to Kaleb’s sword knocking him to the ground.

“I am Killian.” With that, he thrust his sword forward. Kaleb rolled out of the way, just barely missing the edge of the blade. He stood and quickly retaliated as Killian turned. Kaleb’s sword cutting through the long silver hair. He turned again, this time striking Killian. The sword penetrated the thick leather and thin chains that covered Killian’s body.

“You fight well Prince.” Killian commented, removing
his hand from his wound seeing the dark blood. Kaleb glanced quickly at Tristan who was tending to Evyette. Tristan looked back and motioned for his sword but Kaleb nodded his head, negating the action. He knew he could finish this fight on his own. Kaleb tried with his magic to push the Drow, or even cause him to experience a burst of pain. But it was to no avail. The Drow’s mind was so dark and evil, it was concentrated on one thing only.

Killian swung his sword at Kaleb. “Your magic will not work on me boy!” Killian shouted as Kaleb leaned back, barely missing the blade once again. He came forward and swung his sword only to clash with Killian’s. Using all power he could muster, he shoved Killian back using his magic.

“NOT POSSIBLE !” An enraged Killian bellowed in surprise, stepping
forward. “I have some magic of my own …” he lifted his hand toward the prince and the dark force hit Kaleb’s chest like a boulder, sending him through the air and knocking him hard
against a tree.

Killian rushed to the tree and thrust his sword so hard that it penetrated the trunk, just as Kaleb had jumped up out it’s path. Killian pulled hard on his sword and freed it but upon turning was faced with Kaleb’s blade. The sword cut through the leather and chains again, this time across his chest. He swung his sword at Kaleb but he did not have the strength he held previously. Kaleb turned out of the way and swung his sword against Killian’s back, causing him to fall to the ground and take his last breath.

Kaleb who had only trained with swords and been involved in small quarrels stood amazed, his sword held loosely at his side as he stared at the Drows unmoving form. Had he not trained so hard at the hand of his instructor he knew it would be he that laid on the ground. He looked back at Tristan and Evyette with wide eyes and saw they were bandaged and standing again. The journey had become more dangerous than they had ever feared, but turning back was not an option.

~
Chapter
14~

Alannah sat in her cell touching the necklace she wore and thinking of when her mother had given it to her. She had finished her basic schooling and was discussing her plans for the kingdom with her mother and father. Her mother said that she had a gift for her, and went into a separate room to retrieve it.

The Queen returned a moment later with a pillow in her hand and on that pillow sat a beautiful silver necklace that had been shaped by hand to have flowers and leaves. The flowers were made of shaped and hammered silver with diamonds and emeralds, the likes of which she had never seen.

“I made it and painted it myself.” Her mother said with a smile.

Alannah got up from her chair slowly, looking at the necklace in awe. She had seen many beautiful necklaces but none so intricate as this. “Mother it is amazing. Thank you.”

Her mother removed the necklace from the pillow and walked around her daughter placing it on her neck before fastening it.

The view of the cell haunted her and she was quickly brought back to reality.

She looked around for the hundredth time hoping to find a way out, a flaw, a lapse in security, anything that would give her an upper hand.

The troll from the other night returned to give her food and drink for the evening.

She quickly stood and walked over. “Did you think of my offer?” Alannah asked hopefully gripping at the bars tightly hoping to receive the answer she wanted. The troll looked around for a moment, his gaze landing back on her.

“I have, but there is no need for me to risk myself, for the riches you have promised. You have others coming for you. Such are the rumors here.” He answered in barely a whisper.

“I cannot wait on others.” She told him angrily, although the thought that there was a group searching for her gave her a small measure of relief.

“You have no choice.” The troll replied with a hiss, turning to walk away
just as another came walking by.

It was then that she realized that there were simply too many placed to guard her and winning over one would not be sufficient. She looked down in frustration at her food.
I wonder what slop they have given me today,
she thought to herself.

As she looked closer though, she saw that her drink was not a drink but a potion mix. A mixture of several dews and herbs to assist with spells. The food was a piece of bread covering a fungus, very useful for potion making when ground up. ‘Well done troll. I underestimated you.’ She whispered to herself.

She took the tray to a corner of her cell and began re-counting spells and mixtures she would have to make in order to make it all work. There was no room for error.

Since she had been captured she had been practicing and reciting spells in her mind. Angry at herself for not practicing more and trying to become more acquainted with her gift of spell casting.

She noticed that there was not one but two cups on the plate, one inside the other. She proceeded to separate them and pour a bit of the mixture in one to begin her potion.

“I thought you had already left” the apprentice questioned Maligo as he was walking toward the front of the castle. ”And what is that you hold?”

“As you can see I have not gone, and this is a sorcery staff.” Clearly annoyed, Maligo responded without turning, and continued walking as his apprentice followed.

“I could go with you and assist in…” The assistant began, but
Maligo stopped and turned to face him.

He began making his way out the castle and down the side of the mountain. He knew the trip was not going to be easy. The steep ravines, the protective spells that will prove to be difficult, but if his plan was to work, he had to summon the army of the Mallafays.

~
Chapter
15~

Dawn broke on the third day since Alannah’s disappearance.

The Kings and Queens of the other three nations were arriving at the forest of Meira to meet with King Cavalon and Queen Nalani.

King Alcander and Queen Etana had spent the night at the castle of their friends waiting for the morning meeting.

Each King and Queen were greeted by the guards and escorted through the castle and toward the meeting room. The same room they had used when planning their ambush and successive power removal of Maligo, a room that King Cavalon had hoped that he would never have to use again.

Queen Nalani paced in front of the enormous room frantically, behind her Etana was offering her tea and nectar to calm her down. Etana watched edgily as the Queen stalked past the room filled also with
maps and scrolls, wringing her hands in distress. The table here was much larger than the one in the library but was as intricately carved. Each chair was also carved of the same dark mahogany wood as the table. The cushions were a dark burgundy. They were hand stitched to match the crest of the Royal family that was carved on the wall behind them.

Nalani quit pacing once the Kings and Queens began to walk in. She watched as each couple came in and seated themselves, a knot forming in her stomach.

First entered King Nolram and Queen Airelav, it had amazed the guards to watch them arrive as they had never seen faeries fly through the air almost invisibly and drop like a plume of smoke to the ground.

Within moments King Manco of the Kingdom of Anrad strode proudly into the room. Of all the royals there, it would have been difficult to mistake the King of the Warrior Faeries. He was larger than the other faeries, dressed in elegant battle gear, if one can imagine such. His clothes opened here and there allowing others to see the dozens of marks covering his massive upper body. King Vadimas and Queen Calla had transformed from their animal forms and walked in with King Cavalon.

“I appreciate you all coming,” King Cavalon began, as he walked to the center of the room and stood behind his empty seat, waiting for Nalani and Etana to settle in their chairs, “as you all know by now my daughter has been kidnapped by Maligo. We were, at first, under the impression that he may want a ransom. However, we have now realized that it may not be the case. It seems that she was taken across the clearing to the mountains.”

He pulled his heavy chair back and sat down. “I’m sure you are all familiar with the history of Samil and where he lived.
If
Maligo took her there, we can begin to assume that he may be raising an army. I am not sure what my daughter would have to do with that, but hopefully once she is rescued we will have more information.”