Vegenrage: Dragon Reclaim (5 page)

“This is unbelievable, but there is no bowstring, there are no arrows.” Rifter looks to Kearsebe a little confused and Kearsbe explains.

“Grip the bow in your hand and point it at that tree over there.” When Rifter holds the bow up in his left hand, the grip magically forms to the grip of his hand and hardens, forming a perfect comfortable grip for him. “Wow. That is amazing, Cebleeth. How did you and Kearsebe do this?”

“That is the elven magic working for you. Now point at that tree and shoot an arrow at it.” Rifter scratches his head “okay.” He draws, and a magical bowstring of blue light forms, and an arrow of the same blue light fits his draw. He shoots, and the arrow penetrates right through the tree and disappears.

“Cebleeth, Kearsebe, this is amazing.”

“Now rest the bow on your back.” When Rifter rests the bow on his back, it fits snugly and stays like the magical bow string is holding it in place for him. The elves call for Silgeqwee, Krimzill, Reger, and Dormins. They are presented with awesome dwarven long swords of the same silver color and black hue. All the swords have wooden hilts that magically form to the hands of the dwarves wielding them. The reach of dwarves is not that great, and all of these swords like Glimtron’s ax have the magical ability to have the blade of the sword shot at a target, making them very dangerous and lethal. They all come with sheaths that can be worn on the back or on the hip however each dwarve prefers. Since these swords were made very close in time to one another and were made especially for the dwarves, the elves decided to name these swords together, and they are known as the Fireod Four. The dwarves that did not get special weapons are a little disappointed but are glad to see that their party has been strengthened.

“Glimtron, where are …” Glimtron stops Logantrance by raising his hand and shaking his head. “Not all of us survived the dragons’ attack at Altrar, and Meglasterns attacked us last night. They were led by a Changenoir, and surely, he is the one who casts this evil on the Long Forest. He said he serves Ubwickesdon. The dragons are seeking allies in their quest to destroy all the humanoid races.”

“Yes, Glimtron, the elves have suspected that Ubwickesdon has been motivating the beasts of the bogs, and they have been moving northward. We had better not waste time here. We need to get back to Erkensharie and start to unite the elves as a cohesive unit to fight against this. Logantrance, Cebleeth, myself, and the Dagi should be able to Dimension Door us there.”

“Sounds good, Angribe. Can you bring our horses as well? Ulegwahn, have you not heard from Grenlew and Solmbus? They have gone to Erkensharie to tell you of our coming. They should have met with you by now.”

“No, we have not seen them. They are probably waiting for us in Erkensharie now.”

The Dagi with the use of the Sapphirewell and the elves and Logantrance spend an hour working together and are able to cast Dimension Door spells powerful enough to travel the party with all the provisions and horses to the other side of the Long Forest. The Stone Giants part way with the party here and head back to the Glaborian Mountains. They get this done just in time as they see the winged Crainatours heading their way from the skies. Once on the other side of the forest, it does not take them long to create a Dimension Door that takes them all to Erkensharie. They have to make five different doors to take half a dozen or so at a time, but this is still much quicker than traveling by foot. They arrive in the courtyard, and Ulegwahn sends some elves to sound the gathering call. These horns, when sounded, call for all the Erkensharie elves to meet at an open auditorium where they can all meet and have open communication with one another. These horns are very loud and travel throughout the Erkensharie Forest. Halfway between the courtyard and the Great Erken is a natural divot in the earth that the elves have worked on, making it larger and free of trees and growth where they can all meet in times like this. In a few hours, all the elves have gathered here, and there are nearly two thousand of them, and this is all of them. The auditorium is full of elves, and questions and fears are high. Ulegwahn stands in the front of the auditorium, facing the elves that rise slowly upward and over the sides of the elven-built auditorium. As he speaks, there is a natural acoustic that amplifies his voice, and all can hear him and any within the space that speak.

“As we all know by now, the minions of the south have been moving northward. I have gathered us all here so that we can unite and fight this threat. I know most of you have already taken to the forest to aid the Treestriders and Vinegrowers, but there are some things to make you all aware of, and I will not hide anything from you. Ubwickesdon has been summoned by the dragons to unleash the beasts of the south on us. I have heard that a Changenoir has been releasing Dark Bush throughout the Long Forest, and surely, he will continue to do so. We are all here so we can communicate with one another and come up with strategies to deal with what is most likely the fight of our life. This is not going to be a battle of armies. This is going to be a war of skirmishes, so pick your fights well and act decisively. We are all here, and everyone has input that is valuable and needed to help ensure that we will survive and prosper. I have a very welcome sight to bring to you all. Oriapow, the father of modern Erkensharie magic, has made his way back to us, and here he is.” A hush sweeps the crowd and then cheer and praise as Oriapow makes his way beside Ulegwahn.

“Friends and families of the Erkensharie, I met with very a powerful magic that took me away from you, but it could not contain me, and I am back.” Cheers and whistles fill the air. “Now we all face the greatest threat since the last Dragon Feast, only this time, the dragons know we are too powerful for them, and they have summoned the beasts of the south to aid them. The dragons have been quiet, but they will return. They need the evil in the south to soften us up for them, but that is not going to happen. We will aid the Treestriders and Vinegrowers, and our friends, the Glaborian dwarves, are here to help us as well. Not only that, but with the help of our great friend, Logantrance, myself, the Erkensharie order, and the Dwarven Dagi, we will have the Mystical Erkens back and stronger than ever before. Take nothing for granted the dragons mean to destroy us, and it is up to us to make sure they don’t. Thank you all, and may the ancestors of the Erkensharie be with you.”

The elves in and around the auditorium talk among themselves and seek out those they wish to speak with. This is not a happy gathering, and the elves are all taking it very seriously. Their homeland and lives are at stake. Even the children are treated as reliable adults in this situation. They form groups that have bowelves and warriors and magic users and move out to protect their land. Oriapow meets with Logantrance, Ulegwahn, and the dwarves and advises that they all speak in what was the Mystical Erkens. Grenlew and Solmbus have found their way back to the dwarves. They all listen to Oriapow and move magically to the Mystical Erkens where Logantrance looks on astonished to see that all the Mystical Erkens have grown back.

“Oriapow, how is this possible? How have all the Mystical Erkens grown back so quickly?”

“It was the Octagemerwell. The healing power of this jewel is immeasurable as you can see. The structures that were built by our magic users need to be reconstructed, but the trees and the magic are back. More importantly, the most valuable books and knowledge have been safely hidden from the dragons, which are what they were looking for when they destroyed the Mystical Erkens. Here, I have something very important to show you all.” Oriapow walks a short distance to a small clearing. They all watch as Oriapow chants a spell, and a tree rises from the earth. This tree is very different from all the other trees. It looks like it is alive with thick bark, but there are no leaves on the tree. It grows very tall and very fast and is quite thick with lots of sturdy branches on it. Oriapow starts to chant another spell, and the tree swings open like there is a door built right into the side of the tree. A book floats out from the tree, and Oriapow grasps it. Logantrance looks at the book. There is no writing on the cover, and it is solid red. This is a very large book about four feet high by three feet wide. The cover and back are solid red made out of a type of leathery scale.

“Oriapow, it cannot be. Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes, Logantrance, this is a book written by Hornspire, foretelling the future of dragons.”

“How did you ever get your hands on this book?”

“A very long time ago, you remember I faced off with Trianberris—the turquoise dragon.”

“Yes, I remember it was shortly after that when you vanished without a trace.”

“Yes, well, in my battle with Trianberris, he had me beaten, and like so many dragons do when they think they are victorious, he spilled his guts, telling me about the dragon prophecy written about by Hornspire and how Hornspire had written many books about the future. He told me how he was going to defeat Vlianth and become the supreme dragon, and I would never see this day. Out of nowhere appeared Cloakenstrike, and he saved me from Trianberris. Together, we defeated and killed Trianberris. We made an agreement to seek out the books together and read their secrets. We found the lair of Hornspire, and together, we stole one of the books of prophecy. The Violet Violator, Vergraughtu, showed up at a later time and attacked us, looking to steal the book from us. Cloakenstrike was very powerful even then and took on Vergraughtu head on. I protected the book and escaped, and Cloakenstrike never forgave me for not wanting to fight the dragon. When we met up again, Cloakenstrike captured me in his Genie book, and I was under his command. Fortunately, even under his command, he could not force me to tell secrets about myself or my homeland, and the book remained safe and unread here in the Mystical Erkens.”

Logantrace puts his hands on the book and looks to Oriapow. “Well, the curiosity has the best of me. Let’s read it.” They open the book to see that it is obviously written in dragon. This is not a problem since both Oriapow and Logantrance can read it. They begin to share the prophecy written about by Hornspire over a thousand years ago.

CHAPTER 5
Mourbarria Revisited

Vegenrage and Farrah enter Mourbarria just inside the entrance doors in the main hall, and this is very bad timing. Xanorax is exacting his revenge for the loss of Belron and has attacked Mourbarria with a small regiment of Grizenlorm. Like he has done so many times before, Xanorax has waited until the dragons have attacked, and then he has moved in to impose his will. He has brought twenty Grizenlorm led by a single Changenoir, and they are actively seeking out all the inhabitants of Mourbarria and eating them. This is as violent as it gets. Like a hyena that finds a baby gazelle hiding in the grassland, it simply starts to eat it and bites through the bones and all and consumes the baby in no time, and the Grizenlorm do the same to the people they come across. Xanorax is battling with Mournbow and Inglelapse, who so far has been able to hold his own, but as Vegenrage and Farrah appear, Xanorax is to their back and hits Vegenrage in the back with three powerful magic missiles, and they explode, sending blood and flesh, splattering Farrah. Vegenrage falls with his spine broken, his back ribs destroyed, and his inner cavity exposed. His magic automatically begins to heal him, but the wounds are very severe, and he is close to death. He needs time to repair himself. Farrah turns, bringing her hands together and pointing them at Xanorax. “Consume this evil. Take this man up and swivel.” Xanorax is caught in a small tornado that forms around him, spinning him up in the air. Inglelapse points his Staff of Power at Xanorax and casts an expulsion spell that shoots from the staff, hitting Xanorax with great force, slamming him against the wall. Xanorax falls to the ground flat on his belly, and his head hits hard, knocking him out cold. Farrah looks at herself covered in Vegenrage’s blood and sees him lying on the floor almost cut in half. Mournbow and Inglelapse rush to his aid, and Inglelapse helps with healing magic of his own.

Three Grizenlorm run into the hall from the west doorway, attracted by the scent of blood. These creatures are terrifying. They have strong thick bear like bodies with long ratlike tails and heads that subdue their victims in fear. The first Grizenlorm attacks Farrah, swinging its long powerful arm at her, looking to disembowel her with its claws. As it gets close to her, Cleapell works its magic, and Farrah draws Quadrapierce, extends its blade, and slices off the arm of the beast. Not at all discouraged, the beast opens its mouth wide with its huge teeth and goes for Farrah’s stomach, trying to bite her in half. Again, as the head gets close to Farrah, it seems to be frozen in time, and Farrah turns a full 360 degrees, swinging the sword with both hands and all her might, hitting it dead center of its head, slicing the top portion off. The beast falls with its head in two pieces, exposing the only white on it that is its brain. The second Grizenlorm charges right for Vegenrage, and Mournbow jumps in front of it, swinging his sword, giving it pause. It lunges at Mournbow with its sharp teeth, and Mournbow keeps it at bay with well-positioned jabs with his sword. It takes a step back, studying its opponent being joined by the third Grizenlorm. Farrah moves beside Mournbow, and the four face off, while Inglelapse works hard to heal Vegenrage. Grizenlorm are not picky when it comes to food, and they notice the dead Grizenlorm and attack the corpse, eating it with disgusted looks from Farrah and Mournbow. They watch the grisly sight of the Grizenlorm biting, ripping, and consuming their own kind. Xanorax starts to move his head and rubs his face, cringing like he has a terrible headache. The Grizenlorm eat with vigor, and their bellies fatten as they quickly consume the dead Grizenlorm. Farrah has re-sheathed Quadrapierce and casts a spell of fire that shoots from her hands as they finish and sets them both on fire. She takes nothing for granted and continues her spell, walking toward them as they back up, burning and crying in pain. Their hair burns fast, and the smell of burning flesh fills the air as Farrah walks them down, shooting flames from each hand on each of them until they are burned to death. Xanorax rises, and the Life Stealer rips from both of his arms. It is just one grisly sight to the next, and Xanorax races toward Farrah, jabbing the Life Stealer at her stomach. Farrah steps to the side and, with a closed left fist, punches Xanorax in the jaw, sending his head sideways. She then comes around with her right fist and hits him dead center on his nose. He stumbles back and falls to his ass. Quite stunned, he feels the blood dripping from his nose with his right hand and looks at Farrah, who is covered in Vegenrage’s blood and raging.

“Fingers of death enter this man and rip him apart.” Farrah extends her hands at Xanorax, trying to extend magical fingers into him and pull his body apart. Xanorax casts defensive magic, and the two struggle magically, trying to outdo the other. Farrah stops her offensive magic as her attention is diverted. A Changenoir enters the room through the west door. It walks in, ducking its head under the doorway, slowly tilting its head side to side, peering at Farrah with its deep brown eyes. Its ears high up on its head swivel toward her, and its salivating mouth opening and closing, snapping with frightening sound as its teeth snap together and open, exposing the stained red teeth from its previous victims. This is truly a terrifying sight. It is eight feet tall, towering as it slowly walks confidently at Farrah. It has a more slender body than the Grizenlorm with a bushy tail more like a wolf, and unlike the Grizenlorm, it is a magical being. It looks to see the burning bodies of the Grizenlorm and looks at Farrah.

The interior organs of Vegenrage have been healed, and his spine is fusing back together, and he is breathing normally again. Thanks to the added magical healing of Inglelapse. Mournbow moves to the side of Farrah, and together, they face off the Changenoir. Xanorax moves in beside the Changenoir and whistles. Xanorax starts to chant a spell, and Mournbow is lifted off the ground and brought to him being impaled by the Life Stealer.

“I don’t think I am going to let you live this time, Mournbow.”

Mournbow is in obvious pain as the probes stick deep into his ribs, and he grabs the metallic spears with his hands, trying to push himself off them, but he cannot, and he is getting weaker by the second as the Life Stealer drains his strength. Farrah draws Quadrapierce and attacks Xanorax, slashing at the metal spears in Mournbow. They strike with sparks flying, doing no real damage. She swings at Xanorax’s arm and cuts deep into his arm right down to the bone, almost severing the bone in half. Xanorax handles the pain, and the life force of Mournbow being drained helps his arm heal. She still has the speed advantage, and Xanorax can do nothing to stop her attacks, and she decides to remove his head with her swords. She comes around with her sword, which is caught by the Changenoir, and her sword digs deep into its left hand between its thumb and index finger. It swings its right arm under its left arm, still holding the sword, trying to slam her out of the way, and Farrah spins, slashing with her swords under its right shoulder and under its right rib cage, leaving deep wounds in it. The Changenoir faces her and looks at its hand, which heals, and the wounds on its right side heal as well. Farrah runs at it, ready to strike, and the Changenoir raises its left foot to kick her. She spins to the side, slashing as hard as she can at its thigh, leaving deep wounds in it again. The Changenoir is very tough literally. Farrah thought she would have left more severe and deeper wounds than she has, and again, the Changenoir heals in front of her. Mournbow is losing his life, falling limp on the spears that Xanorax holds high in the air, keeping Mournbow off the ground. Vegenrage is nearly healed completely, and Inglelapse sees Mournbow dying. He races at Xanorax as fast as his old legs will carry him, swinging his Staff of Power at Xanorax’s left knee. This is a good strategy. Xanorax’s left leg breaks at the knee, bending backward, dropping him instantly to the ground, and Inglelapse is able to pull Mournbow off the Life Stealer. Xanorax screams in pain, clutching at his left knee. Farrah is facing off the Changenoir, holding it at bay with her swords. Inglelapse is healing Mournbow, and Vegenrage finally stands with anger in his eyes. The whistle that Xanorax made previously was a call to all the Grizenlorm that are now running into the hall. Unfortunately for them, they are running right into an angry Vegenrage. The first Grizenlorm is cut from groin right up through its head and falls to the left and right. Vegenrage cuts the rest of them up as they enter with his Blades of Sharpness. He walks right at them, swinging his hands and fingers pointed, slicing them into pieces, and they fall dismembered all over. Within three minutes, the floor is covered in blood, and all twenty Grizenlorm lay dead all over the place. The Changenoir sniffs the air, looking at Vegenrage.

“You are the magic user that killed my brother, Belron.”

Vegenrage pulls his hands to his sides, ready to devastate the creature, when Xanorax casts a spell, and the two of them vanish.

“Damn. That is the second time very bad guys have escaped me.” Vegenrage notices Mournbow lying on the ground held by Inglelapse.

“Vegenrage, help me. I can’t heal him. He is dying.”

Vegenrage kneels by Mournbow and closes his eyes, running his hands over Mournbow’s face. He talks with his eyes closed as he learns of the power of the Life Stealer that he has personal experience with. “Most of his life essence has been stolen. He has almost lost the will to live. Inglelapse, talk about good times you and Mournbow have had something he will remember. I will try to bring him back, but he is far gone. You have to help him remember while I work on him.”

“Okay, okay. Mournbow, remember the time I had a crush on Jaygelynn? I know you remember that because I was shaking at the knees, and she said how cute I was. Remember? She gave me a kiss, and you were so jealous. I know you were because she was beautiful. Remember I said I was going to ask her to go for a walk on the outer wall and watch the stars with me, and you said not to because I would end up breaking my own heart, and you were right? I asked her, and of course, she had other plans. I know you remember that.”

“Yes, I remember that, Inglelapse.”

“Mournbow, you’re back. You’ve come back to us,” Inglelapse says.

Mournbow sits up, coughing, and thanks Inglelapse and Vegenrage for bringing him back. He raises his shirt, and they watch as the wounds to his abdomen heal. “Thank you, Vegenrage. That was not a good feeling. Xanorax and those things he stuck me with were draining my life, and I could not stop it. I was able to see the demon that powers the Life Stealer. It was Zabkef, the new demon master of Kronton. He was laughing at me, telling me my soul was his, and I could not do anything to stop him.”

Vegenrage helps Mournbow up and explains about the inner realm. “Well, the demons are stuck in the inner realms. Let’s make sure that Xanorax is not able to get the Life Stealer in any of us anymore. This draws out the demon, making him visible to us.”

“Mournbow, is there somewhere I can wash up?” Farrah is still covered in Vegenrage’s blood and pieces of flesh, and it is really creeping her out.

“Yes, of course, Farrah. There is a bath in my quarters. Just go up and to the left. We have to check and see if any have survived the Grizenlorm.”

“Hey, Farrah, are you okay?” Vegenrage asks.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just a little shaken up, seeing you almost killed and all. You help Mournbow and Inglelapse to find survivors. I need to go clean up, and if you come see me when you’re done, that would be nice.” Farrah looks very quiet, in deep thought, as she heads up the stairs to clean herself up.

“Vegenrage, come on. Let’s see what kind of damage the Grizenlorm have done.” Mournbow leads the way through the west door, and Vegenrage remembers this room where he killed Belron. Mournbow leads through the north door and down a stairway to the left.

“Mournbow, did you know what that Changenoir was talking about? He said I had killed his brother. That must have been Belron.”

“I don’t know, but I knew Xanorax would retaliate in some way. I lost sight of this when the dragons attacked and should have known Xanorax would show up afterward.” They get to the bottom of the stairs, and blood stains the floor where Grizenlorm have made kills. There are no organic remains, just clothing and objects that the Grizenlorm have belched up, which is evident by the slime covering them.

“Hello. Is anyone down here?”

This is a long cellar with many doors, and most of them have been broken into with the signs of feeding Grizenlorm left behind. Vegenrage feels the air with his hands and eyes closed. “Over here. There is life over here.”

This is basically a long corridor with wooden doors lining the sidewalls that have all been broken into, and no survivors left; however, the end of the corridor has a solid stone door, very thick and locked from the inside. The Grizenlorm were not able to break in here. The Changenoir most likely could have gained entry through force but was called to Xanorax before it could do so.

“There, Mournbow. There are survivors in there.” Mournbow rushes to the door at the end of the tunnel.

“Hello. Is anybody in there? The beasts have been destroyed. It is safe to come out now.” The door opens, revealing a couple dozen of people scared and some of them crying. Some of them rush out to see that their loved ones had no chance as the rooms they had locked themselves in were broken into. The cries grow louder, and the feeling of hopelessness grows as well.

“Mournbow, what are we to do? Our army has been destroyed, and this is all that is left of Mourbarria. We are doomed.”

“Terrell, we have to be strong. The evil has forced our hand. We cannot sit around and hide. They will seek us out. We have to fight, and if this is to be our end, then we shall make our passing a valiant one.” Terrell shakes his head, fearful for the unknown, and heads back to the other scared survivors of Mourbarria. Inglelapse helps them with comforting words and looks to Vegenrage as he approaches him. “Vegenrage, is this happening everywhere? This is all that is left of Mourbarria. Are the dragons really destroying all the races of man?”