Taylon Read online

  Gantha began to rise, when a bolt of lightning sizzled through the air above him. He quickly dropped back down to the ground.

  “Gantha, stay down.” Ynob yelled as he conjured a fireball. It flew at Da’Lynn, who easily sidestepped the blast. The spell struck a nearby chair, turning it into flaming shrapnel. One fiery piece hit Fret’s upper arm where Katrena gripped him.

  Katrena let go of the human. Fret screamed, and ran blindly into the chaos. His shirt started to smolder as he ran from the room.

  “I have no time for you, wizard.” Da’Lynn waved her arms and the doors slammed shut. She quickly turned her attention to Outhsola. “Give me the pass I need, old man.”

  Outhsola finished his chant moments before. He sat, placid in the chair even though lines of worry and fear told a different story. A smile, ever so slight slid among the age lines. “It is too late. The Palace of Nine is locked.”

  Da’Lynn stalked toward the leader. His hands went up in a feeble protest, but her hands grasped the side of his head. There was a twisting snap.

  Da’Lynn stood there, panting, holding the leader’s head. She quickly fed upon Outhsola. Minutes later, nothing remained but a pile of clothing.

  Kerlick still clutched the fallen body of Barth. Katrena stood frozen in the corner. The remaining council member stared on in complete horror.

  Lachad watched as Kerlick slipped against the wall. Katrena’s passive demeanor changed to one of shock. The Councilman glanced back toward Da’Lynn. She closed her eyes, standing a little straighter. Instantly, Kerlick stood, and Katrena’s terrified look disappeared.

  “We must prepare for the guards. I will need to recharge.” Da’Lynn placed her hand over Lachad. His scream never came.

  ***

  After his fireball, the wizard simply ran. Gantha wasn’t too far behind. At least he was on the outside of the meeting room doors. He wasn’t too sure what was happening, but if the wizard was running from it, then it had to be bad. He heard the creature, the wraith, yell something and slam the doors but he was too busy descending the steps to care. As the elf was getting to his feet, the boy ran by screaming, his shirt smoking.

  Smoke made his next move for him. As he turned, the human was running in circles, accidentally encouraging the ember on his shirt. A small fire appeared, and then a much larger one. Gantha quickly went in to smother that flame. He tackled the boy to the ground, in an attempt to choke the fire. Unluckily, a smoldering sleeve came too close to an old tapestry on the wall. Old and slightly decaying, the fabric caught instantly. Gantha gasped and pulled the boy to the floor. The shirt fire went out after a couple of rolls on the ground.

  Gantha stood, and picked up the uncooperative boy who was still in a bit of a panic.

  “Are you…okay?” Gantha asked panting a bit.

  “Uh…ahhh….”

  “We’ll get you fixed up, but we’ve got to go.”

  Together, they ran for the stairs as the tapestry blaze started to spread.

  Elf guards were detaining the wizard. He was not happy about this.

  “He’s with me. There’s a fire and there’s been an attack on the council,” Gantha stated as he came closer. The guards immediately obeyed and hurried up the stairs. Ynob gave him an approving look, before continuing his retreat.

  Once outside the Spire, they looked up. Smoke poured from the side. Other elves had gathered, looking up at the sight.

  “We need to leave!” Ynob shouted, tugging at Gantha.

  “But….”

  “Now!”

  By the time they rode away, fire licked the sides of the Spire. The sky had darkened with black smoke. It looked as if the world had just ended.

  Chapter Four

  Taylon was anxious, impatient. This whole ordeal was slowly driving him crazy. On horseback, one could normally reach the wall in half a day, or less. It took the troops two days to reach the barricade. But when an army of twenty thousand men, with war equipment, moved, they moved slow.

  Rose haunted his nights. Often he awoke with her voice ringing his memory. But an incessant cackle shattered his reality. When sleep overtook him once again, his dreams were plagued with violence and bloodshed.

  He rode his horse alongside the ocean of soldiers, trying his best to stay away from the queen’s carriage. Rose had a new one built after the wizard had destroyed the last one. This new Euphoria modified it before their departure, so her beloved pets could ride with her, adding a removable roof so she could oversee her men. Control them, more likely.

  At the wall, Taylon supervised the placement of the explosives.

  The men for the job were young, but fast. Taylon saw the markings of failure all over this plan.

  A royal alchemist came forward, followed by a crate carrying what he called starbursts. “Careful, gentlemen.” The crate swayed as four soldiers roughly carried it forward.

  “How many will we need?” Taylon asked, eyeing the dangerous crate.

  “Seven should easily make a nice small hole….”

  “Use twelve.”

  The command came from behind the group, but there was no doubting the voice. Euphoria came forward, tigers trailing behind.

  “But your majesty…” The alchemist looked worried.

  She approached, and traced a finger down his cheek, under his chin. There she poked him with a sharp fingernail, making the man wince.

  “Use. Twelve.”

  “Yes…yes, your majesty.”

  Euphoria pushed him, and he quickly scampered away to distribute the charges. She then turned her attention to Taylon.

  “Do you not approve?”

  He said nothing, turned away, and stared at the wall. This is ludicrous.

  “All is ready, sir,” a soldier reported.

  Point of no return. Taylon nodded.

  With one final look at the wall, he turned and proceeded to his horse.

  “Captain, your glory awaits,” Euphoria proclaimed loudly. Soldiers everywhere watched him. All eyes were upon him. They were scared, and as much as he didn’t want to do this, he held their fate in his hands.

  Slowly he mounted his horse. Many captains would give speeches; suck in the honor and esteem. Taylon would rather puke out his guts than partake in any of that.

  The horse trotted out past the line of men. Birds called out, another horse snorted, but all else remained at rest.

  Goodbye peace.

  Drawing his sword, he raised it above his head.

  “Ready… Light!”

  On the last word, he swung the sword down. Along the wall, twelve figures lit their starburst and ran. The first charge went off a minute later followed by another and then two more simultaneously.

  The roar was deafening, the explosions were blinding, and from where Taylon was, the wave of heat radiating from each blast blistering. His horse cried out, and finally reared on two legs scared out of its mind. With practiced skill, he stayed the horse, but barely. He lost count of the blasts, praying the last of the starbursts had gone off.

  Silence fell again. Huge clouds of dust shadowed the wall. Taylon saw spots before his eyes from the ignition of the explosions. His skin ached from the heat. Scanning the field, the captain looked for his triggermen. A few were still on their feet, and more were picking themselves up after the blast had thrown them. He counted six.

  Kicking his horse into action, he searched for his remaining triggermen. Two he found badly burned. They were conscious but in a lot of pain. Taylon summoned a few of his soldiers to come tend the wounded. He found a third triggerman unconscious. His head had hit a rock. Fortunately, his helmet had taken most of the blow.

  But there were still three missing men. It wasn’t until the dust cleared that Taylon found them—or what was left of them.

  A tumultuous cheering arose as the dust clouds settled and the effects of the explosions were evident. Huge sections of the wall gaped. Weak columns stood between the blast points, continuing to crumble as time ticked by.

 
The captain looked back at his men. Fools. You do not know what you are in for. If only he could tell them, and even now, it was too late. Euphoria had such a grip on the army, her army. They would do anything for her. Even kill him, if she commanded it.

  ***

  Night fell and the three found themselves at Niava’s Niche. Gantha sat there quietly waiting for the other two to speak, but there hadn’t been one word spoken amongst them since the quick retreat from Shalaydis. And now, they sat around a table, empty mugs stacking up before them.

  The tavern wasn’t as busy as the night Gantha stayed there, but he recognized a few patrons. Old Duff, the minotaurian that almost clobbered Lourak, was at the same table minding his own business.

  Niava noticed Gantha right away. He put up with her advances because he didn’t have any energy left. He hadn’t found a way to process everything yet.

  Fret’s eyes were wide when they had come in. The wizard roughly sat the human at a table. A goblin at another table picked his teeth with one long yellowed nail. Its huge eyes looked over and stared at Fret. The human quickly averted his gaze.

  Things got better as the ale set in. Everyone’s nerves calmed, and things just got smoother. Happier....

  After two rounds with no one saying anything, the wizard finally spoke. “I think…your prophecy is coming true.”

  Gantha stared into his glass. “Ya think? It seemed like a normal council meeting to me.”

  Ynob began to smirk, followed by Gantha and soon they were both laughing out loud. Fret joined in, but his laugh came out shakily and unsure.

  Niava slithered over to the table. Gantha expected Fret to freak out seeing a creature that was half woman, half snake. But, he didn’t even do a double take when he caught sight of her lower half.

  “That is a pretty bodice you have on. It really brings out your eyes.” Gantha looked at the boy, amazed at the human’s blunt words.

  The echidna blushed, tilted her head, and batted her eyes at the boy. “And here I thought all humansss were asss rude as the wizard over here.”

  Ynob started to drink and choked on his beer. “Now, wait just a minute….”

  “Husssh. Let me get your food order asss I can tell you have had nothing to eat in awhile. I don’t mind the happy drinkersss, but anything elssse I usssually frown upon. And you don’t want to sssee me frown now, do you?” She bent low and grabbed Fret’s face, turning it so their noses almost touched. He shook his head and her snake-like tongue darted out and licked him.

  She straightened up and took their order, Gantha ordering for Fret. Once she had departed, talk began again.

  “So, what was that back at Pajote, ’cause I don’t think it was Da’Lynn,” Gantha asked, turning to Ynob.

  The wizard took a deep breath and sat back. “Remember when we first met? I was in a coma and Snow was taking care of me. I had been fighting, and losing, to a creature very much like that.”

  “Lyra,” Fret whispered as he finished off his ale. When he set down his cup, the other two were looking at him. “What?”

  “I think it is time we heard your story. And I am guessing that we need the whole thing, from Faldoa to the Territories.” Ynob leaned forward.

  Gantha watched Fret ponder the request. What did this human know, and why was he hesitating to tell them his story?

  “It started when the queen showed up at the town healer’s door. I used to live in a small town called Smead. I guess I still do. I don’t know. But she showed up needing to be fixed up with her captain.”

  “This would be Euphoria?” Ynob asked.

  “Yea, I think that was her name. Daughter of La’ard. Anyway, I was the bad kid in town. The bully. Yes, I’ll admit it. But I’ve changed, really have. Their horses were tied up outside Hazel’s, and I was sure they were going to have some coins or gold with them….”

  “So you robbed them?” Gantha sounded a bit outraged at this.

  “Um…yea? But wait. I grabbed this bag. It sounded like it was full of coins. I ran. When I opened it though, it was full of glass. Blue glass fragments. And I was so mad.”

  “Blue glass?” Ynob’s face looked a little paler.

  “Yes, but the funny thing is…I accidentally cut myself and the blood made the piece melt together into a sort of fragment. It was very weird.”

  Gantha watched the wizard, whose face fell. This sense of horror slowly crept into his stomach. What was it the wizard knew or suspected?

  Plates of food arrived in front of them. Talk halted as their appetites took over. Gantha watched Fret gingerly examine his food and slowly pick at it, while the elf tucked into his meal. Eventually the human devoured it like the councilman and the wizard.

  The combination of the food and the ale began to make them all sleepy. Gantha wanted to hear more, but closed his eyes every other word. Fret too was drowsy, and his tale came out sloppily.

  Ynob stood shakily, and went to the bar to pay the bill. He soon disappeared upstairs without another word.

  “We…should probably go…up as well,” Gantha mumbled to Fret.

  “What…?” His head snapped up. The elf stood and helped Fret to his feet. As they climbed the steps, Gantha saw Niava wink at Fret and smile. He winked back and minutes later was asleep in a bed.

  Chapter Five

  “Arghh!”

  Frustration over the failure yesterday overwhelmed Da’Lynn. Kerlick, her rebel mastermind, had buckled under pressure. She lost her chance to gain entrance to the Palace of Nine—at least easy access. Katrena let the boy slip away, but was effective in their escape.

  A secret passage in the council room, constructed for the purpose of fire or attack, led them to the ground floor. No one had seen her party arrive in the city earlier, so according to all of Shalaydis, Da’Lynn was the only living council member.

  In the early morning hours, they traveled on the road to Shalaydis. Da’Lynn sent Kerlick back to the rebel camp. It was not the smartest plan, but the councilwoman had to arrive without the convicted felon if her plan was to succeed.

  Elf guards met them within sight of the city. “Madam Da’Lynn?”

  “What has happened?”

  “Oh…bless Gaea herself that you are saved.”

  “Report, guard.”

  “Pajote Palace was destroyed. The council members are all dead, except for you.” During their escort into the main city, the guards filled them in on all the details.

  Their elders made laws for every possible circumstance, so there would be a method to follow for each situation. There was not one for an attack on the council and burning of the palace, but there was a law about succession in the council. Should the head council member die or step down, the oldest would be next-in-line. Da’Lynn, being the oldest, would take that seat.

  Also, a law was in place in case the head chair died without passing the secrets and the power of the office over. This included the Palace of Nine secrets.

  “Should this be the case, the new head could receive these through the purity ceremony during a full moon.” A scribe walked alongside as he read from the law book, leading them toward the House of Ode.

  Their escort took them to the House of Ode, the elfin law protectors. The chief scribe sought out the decrees pertaining to this situation.

  “So in three days’ time?” Da’Lynn could feel the blood pumping through her, excited that maybe her plan would succeed.

  “Um…no.”

  “What?”

  “There is a note attached to the law saying that if the next full moon is less than nine days away, the ceremony cannot be performed,” Scribe said and looked up innocently.

  Excitement turned to anger. Da’Lynn watched Katrena approach and place her palm on Da’Lynn’s arm. The councilwoman could have easily slaughtered everyone in the room, but it would do her no good. She wanted the power in the palace and needed these elves for it.

  “Oh,” was the only word Da’Lynn could say without giving away her true feelings on the matter.<
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  “New council members will have to be chosen. The choosing of these three should occupy your time, Madam Da’Lynn, til the next moon.”

  “Three? Don’t you mean four?”

  “No, Councilman Gantha was seen fleeing the city yesterday. We are trying to reach him with crow carrier.”

  Da’Lynn turned from the scribes as her thoughts whirled with the new information. She wanted to hurt something in private. Gantha knew the truth and she could not allow him back before the ceremony. But how could….

  “Who saw the councilman fleeing? I would like to talk to them.” If she could place a seed of doubt against Gantha, make him seem responsible for the deaths and destruction, she could easily make it to the next full moon for the rite.

  But before anyone could answer her, a scout came stumbling in. “Madam Da’Lynn…to the north…the humans.”

  Da’Lynn let out an audible sigh. She was sick of that good-for-nothing race. “Yes? What is it?”

  “They have destroyed the wall and looks like they are planning war.” There was a gasp through the gathered elves. Da’Lynn’s eyes sparkled.

  War meant a distraction, but better yet, it meant more power. There would be no new members picked for the council until the situation was resolved. So, she would reign for the time being.

  “Get me the Generals.”

  ***

  It had been a peaceful night for Sank. The previous day it sounded as if there might be thunderclouds coming, but none arrived. He rose from his cot and stretched, his hands almost touching the ceiling. Sank’s house was more of a one-room log shed. It was comfortable enough; a little small for a gnoll, but it was what he had.

  Slowly he prepared for market. The gnoll helped at a blacksmith’s forge in Aladedas, usually hammering away at various weapons. He felt like today would be a good day as he grabbed his axe for the journey.