Taylon Read online

  But when he opened the door, before him was a small battalion of humans, who all had their weapons pointed at him.

  “Ahh!” Sank yelled in shock, raising his hands in the air, one still holding the ax.

  “Kill the talking wolf creature!” yelled someone from the group. A second later, an arrow pierced the gnoll. Sank did not even get in one hit. A sword sliced his abdomen and one severed his foot. His last thought was mundane. I am not a wolf. I am a gnoll.

  ***

  Taylon hung back as Euphoria sent seven battalions of men into the Territories.

  “Burn them out! Leave nothing alive! One moment of hesitation can cost you your life!” Her rallying speech invigorated the men into a frenzy. Taylon didn’t know if he would ever see those men again.

  After blowing up the wall, the army made camp and fortifications to protect their land. Nothing came out of the Territories until nightfall. A couple of jet-black wolves ventured forward. Arrows irritated them. One soldier got the idea to try out the ballista against them. It took four men to crank, load, and aim the heavy arrow.

  Fwung!

  The bolt caught the wolf through the skull and pinned it to a nearby tree.

  Thunk!

  This caused several wolves to charge from the forest. The animals slaughtered twelve men before they found a weakness. Fire. The archers switched to flaming arrows, which ignited the wolves instantly. It took only three of the pack to light up, like torches, before the animals decided to retreat.

  After that, all was quiet.

  And now, these men were sent off into the wolf-infested forest, to encounter who knows what else. Taylon shook his head, knowing there was nothing he could do.

  “I know you don’t agree.”

  He turned, startled at her presence. She looked simply beautiful today, glowing and radiant. “I-I….”

  “But you will see that I am right.” She stepped closer and closer as she spoke. Her words were light whispers in the air.

  Taylon became completely entranced. Under her spell, he forgot all about his cares.

  “Don’t you think so?” Her lips were now mere inches from his, their noses barely touching. Taylon’s eyes began to close, waiting for the kiss.

  Because if you don’t, the wraith smiled as the captain’s bliss broke and his heart seized with fear, there won’t be a Rose for you except on your grave.

  The captain staggered back from the shock, his whole body screaming with adrenaline and panic. Chill ice slowly melted from his heart as it beat one hundred times faster. He fell to a sitting position.

  Euphoria smiled, before returning to her tigers.

  Taylon felt like disappearing into the ground. He had let this whole war happen, without a word of warning, and only a feeble attempt at trying to assassinate the queen. If he weren’t out in the open for his men to see, he would wallow in self-pity.

  “Captain?”

  A recruit came up alongside, startling him. He nodded, not trusting his voice to hide his pain.

  “What is our main goal? I know we have sent out scouting and raiding missions, but it is hard to go looking for something hypothetical. So what is our objective?”

  A moment of truth and clarity from someone other than him. Others saw the foolhardiness of Euphoria’s plan. But this recruit was asking him, so all the planning fell back upon his shoulders. If they failed, Taylon would be to blame.

  “The main resistance is a wizard.” Taylon tried to hide his surprise. A wizard? Why was that familiar?

  “A wizard? A wizard of one of the races?”

  “No, a human wizard.” Again, something in his mind worked and spilled forth this information involuntarily.

  “But sir, that’s absurd. Why would a human be helping the other races hurt the humans? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  And in one clear flashback, Taylon remembered the mirror and the standoff. When he was still second-in-command to Kreitan, Euphoria was possessed, bewitched. Flickers of what had come and gone came forth, and now he remembered. A girl and a wizard. A fox and a glowing ball of light.

  “Captain?”

  “We must find this wizard, and a girl.”

  “A girl?”

  “A young girl the wizard travels with. We must find them. They will help us end this conflict.” His voice sounded confident, more confident than it had in weeks.

  The recruit hesitated. “But sir, where do we go about finding them? The Territories are expansive.”

  He paused for a moment before quick-stepping to his tent. The recruit followed him, hesitating slightly. Inside the tent, he pulled out a map of Faldoa.

  “Look here to start.” His finger jabbed down on the parchment, almost tearing the fragile thing. It was west of their position, close to where the wall met the river. A small town called Willow Haven.

  Chapter Six

  They were definitely lost now, Kara was sure of it. A day ago, Jesset and she had set out to venture into the Territories. Her father stayed behind, laid up due to one of the horses kicking him in the leg. Kara didn’t wish to leave him, but knew they would travel faster without him.

  She used the assassin elf’s key, shuddering as she inserted it into the secret door. Yes, she would hopefully see her friends again, but there was a chance Katrena could still be out there holding a grudge. Kara shook the nightmare away, and focused on the forest before her.

  The first day started off promising, until night began to fall. Luckily, they found shelter away from the Lyre wolves. Jesset did his best to communicate with the few that wandered close by last night, but all he received were grunts of anger.

  Today had begun hopeful, when they stumbled upon a trail. It was an east-west trail, and of course, Kara and Jesset had split opinions. They compromised by going east, Jesset’s choice, which soon turned out to be a dead end. They backtracked the trail and went west, which also turned into a deadend. Eventually they just trailblazed straight ahead.

  “How much longer should we be hiking here in the Territories?” Jesset asked.

  Now thirteen, she wore her brown chestnut hair in a braid that hung at the middle of her back. Also, her voice had changed from that of a kid to one becoming a grown woman.

  “I know it will be around here somewhere. We need to talk to Hambone, or Snow; warn them about the army.” She rested a hand on a nearby tree trying to peer farther into the depths, without any luck.

  Above them, in a fluttering of wings, something perched in the tree above them.

  CAW!

  “Oh great, a crow.” Kara didn’t care too much for any kind of feathered creature. Jesset had a power to communicate with animals of all kinds. Birds, squirrels, deer, and of course crows. They were always willing to chat, but they wanted something in return, where most animals were just happy to talk with a human. Plus the black birds didn’t always come across as reliable, in her opinion.

  What’s this girl talkin’ about? I hear the sarcasm in her voice. The crow said. Jesset translated for Kara.

  “Don’t mind her. A little put off when it comes to birds.” Kara shot Jesset a snide look before he continued. “I wonder if you could help us.”

  Just call on ol’ Reginald here. I’ll get the job done. The bird fluttered its wings almost as if it were puffing out its chest.

  “Reginald,” Jesset said sounding satisfied with the name.

  “Reginald?” Kara came off condescending.

  Mom named me it. Friends call me Reggie. What can I do for you?

  “Well, we are sort of lost and need directions Reggie,” Jesset began. Kara stifled a laugh. The crow turned its head toward her, glaring.

  That’s easy, cuz. I can direct you anywhere. Lookin’ to go to Aladedas?

  “Um…no. We are looking for the home of a friend. A Dwarc named--”

  Hambone!

  “Yes…that’s the one,” Jesset said, recovering from the interruption by the crow.

  Well, why didn’t you just say so? Hambone and me are good fr
iends. I can easily take you to him, though I don’t know if he’s expecting visitors. Got his girl over with him.

  Jesset turned to Kara. “Hambone has a girlfriend?”

  Before Kara could answer, Reggie interrupted yet again. You bet, doctor. Fine dark elf. Bakes a mean pie as well. Not that I ever had one. Well, once stuck my beak in one. Fine, tasty thing.

  “Yes, he does have one,” Kara said slowly, giving a stern glare at the crow. “I think her name is Ra’na. It’s Katrena’s twin.”

  Oh yeah, that’s right. Forgot about that nasty twin. Fine looking as well, but really up to no good. But ya don’t have to worry about her. She’s gone away for a bit. Lost her hand too. Shame messing up a pretty form like that.

  Jesset translated Reggie’s squawking. Kara took it all in. “Something’s up. We should probably get to Hambone, and quickly. What does the crow want in return?”

  Wow girl, you wound me. Thinking I want something for just simple directions. Hambone’s a friend. And I like to keep my friends happy. I’ll take ya there for no charge. But if ya can, see if his chicky babe can whip me up a pie. I like pie.

  With a laugh, Jesset told Kara, who didn’t laugh as much. The crow flew, and the party followed. Nothing like putting your faith in how far the crow flies.

  ***

  Nobody said much to Fret all day. Gantha made some small talk in the morning, but he looked like hell. His night must have been horrible. Fret had slept soundly, dreamlessly, and for once peacefully. The ale had not left him with much of a hangover. His little headache soon disappeared, with a bite to eat.

  The morning meal was rushed. Ynob didn’t eat anything, and tried to hurry their departure. Before long, they sat in their saddles and rode away, full speed, from Niava and her tavern. The snake woman proprietress did not see them off. Instead, it was a big hairless thing that took their money and grunted. Gantha told him it was an orc.

  Fret wondered if the wizard was angry with him, but he was hesitant to ask. Something in the conversation last night led the boy to believe that maybe he was the cause of the trouble back in the elven city.

  He clung to Gantha as the horse bumped and jolted along. As he looked back at his new life, Fret was amazed at how comfortable he had become in the Territories. Almost drown, kidnapped, exploited, and now rescued. He wondered what was in store for him next.

  They rode hard, trees flashing by in a blur. The rhythm of the horse, the air rushing by, lulled him to sleep. But as his grip loosened, his body’s reflexes woke him up and caused Fret to suddenly squeeze Gantha tightly.

  “What…?”

  “Sorry!” Fret yelled back.

  After what seemed like forever, the riders slowed as the wizard led them into the forest and off the trail. Fret still felt rushed.

  “Why are we going so fast?” Fret asked the elf.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Is…is the wizard upset with me?” Fret asked nervously.

  Gantha answered with a short laugh. “I wouldn’t worry about it. He’s like that. I’m not sure if he gets along with many people.”

  “So how did you get mixed up with him?” His curiosity piqued.

  “Shh. We’re here.”

  Fret quickly looked around, expecting to see a huge house or castle or something that a stodgy old wizard would live in. There was nothing but trees. What was here? Maybe it was resting point.

  Ynob dismounted quickly, leaving his horse free. Gantha nudged Fret, who followed the wizard’s lead.

  Ugg, his legs felt like rubber as soon as they touched the forest floor. They almost buckled underneath him.

  Gantha dropped down and tied his mare to a nearby post.

  Hearing muttering, Fret looked up in time to see the wizard waving his hands. A door appeared in a large trunk in front of him. What the… Gantha turned to see Fret’s expression and smirked.

  “Come on, that’s nothing.”

  Once inside, Fret didn’t know where or what to look at first. Living underneath a tree was unbelievable, but the contents in the house left the boy stunned.

  A young woman came to greet Ynob, but he breezed right by her. She looked a little miffed, but turned to follow him.

  “How’d it go?” The innocent question stopped him dead in his progress. Ynob wheeled around, a strange look in his eyes—anger, yet maybe fear.

  “I’ll tell you how it went. The council’s no more. All dead.” He threw out his hand like tossing a dust ball away. “Well, except for him and what used to be the female member.”

  As he spoke, Snow’s face changed into one of bewilderment and shock. “But…?”

  “How? Remember when we had a little encounter with the wraith that killed your brother and almost killed me? Well, that stupid human helped bring it back.”

  Gantha came forward, a fire in his eyes, but Ynob simply held his hand up. “Don’t, elf boy. There is really no time to argue. We have to go.”

  “What are you talking about?” Snow was still confused.

  “Go? Go where?” Gantha asked.

  “Away from here and that thing, that wraith. I thought even you with your limited elf brain could manage that.”

  “We’re running away?” Gantha remained perplexed by this idea.

  “Again, can someone please explain it to me?” Snow looked on the verge of screaming. Things were getting tense.

  “I can.”

  The three turned to see Fret standing there. He snapped out of his wonderment.

  “Go on,” Snow said, breaking the brief silence.

  “Yes, by all means, enlighten…oof!” As the wizard began, Snow backed up a step and shoved her elbow into his gut.

  “It is my fault. I stole the glass, or whatever the thing was. I helped it across the river. It is my mistake. But I’m not running. I’m tired of being a slave to it, and if I run, it is making me do that. I may not have any means to defeat it like you might, but I am staying put.”

  Eyes turned back to the wizard, who seemed to be taking it all in. “We better get packing.”

  “What?” Gantha exclaimed.

  “Really? You thought just because of some speech that I would say, let’s stay and fight this thing again?”

  Gantha shook his head. Snow glared up at the wizard. “What about Ra’na or Hambone?”

  “They can come too I guess, but they would have to be quick.”

  “And…?”

  “The human girl? Why would we take her along?”

  Snow let loose. “Oh, I don’t know. Because she was involved with that thing too! If it is coming for you, then it would definitely be coming for Kara—who imprisoned it again.”

  Ynob’s expression twisted to that of having mud splattered over him. “That was just luck on her part. Crystal and midnight core…” But he trailed off. Snow’s anger dissipated and concern crept in.

  “What is it?” Her question was left there as he brushed past her and headed toward the library. Fret sat as Gantha tried to console him. When he heard the wizard coming, the elf turned to say something but the wizard kept going to the bookshelf.

  Snow followed and stopped next to Gantha as they watched the wizard. In less than a minute, he had opened his secret alcove and entered it, grabbing a light from the wall. They thought to follow, but he suddenly reappeared, pointing at them.

  “Stay.”

  All eyes watched the secret passageway for the wizard’s return. He came out as quickly as he went in. Ynob held something in his hand, but he approached them rapidly.

  “Gantha, the tome.”

  “Uhh…what?”

  “The book, remember. The one you stole from me. The one I still need to punish you for.”

  The elf quickly ran off. Fret stared up at the wizard and then at Snow who held a questioning look on her face. Ynob moved to a table, sweeping its contents off and on to the floor with a few beakers shattering. Gantha returned with the tome.

  He took the book roughly from the elf and leafed through it. All wa
tched him vigorously turn the pages. It took Ynob another three minutes to find the section. When he did, he examined the text and the corresponding picture.

  Fret stood up as Snow moved in closer.

  “What is it?”

  Suspense was building. The wizard did not answer at first, but kept examining what was in his hand.

  “A possible answer.” The wizard finally looked up. He turned to Fret. “The book I have here is a wizard’s diary. The same wizard that trapped that wraith in the mirror, or in your case, pieces of the mirror.”

  “Oh.” Fret nodded, understanding some of it.

  “What I have here is the ring that he made to try to capture it. Wrong materials, gold and midnight core. So he made the mirror, midnight core and crystal.”

  Fret nodded again, but was still confused. The wizard gave an annoyed grunt and turned to Gantha. “You get it, right?”

  Gantha smiled weakly, and was about to speak when the wizard went into his rant. “All I ask is for some intelligent friends to have a conversation with!” He had thrown his arms up. When he looked back at Gantha, he was smiling even more.

  “What?”

  “You called us friends.”

  The wizard stopped a moment. He then turned away. “Well, don’t get used to it. I grabbed this now because I remembered a picture drawn of this….”

  “Oh yes…I remember it. And then there is another one later in the book where he added crystal to the ring,” Gantha piped up, came forward, and was pointing into the book. When the elf looked up, Ynob was staring at him, his mouth agape. “What? Is that important?”

  The wizard took a moment to compose himself before talking. “Let’s just say you took the fire out of my revelation.” As he turned away, Ynob stopped in thought. Before anyone could ask, the wizard went into a trance and repeated verbatim both prophecies:

  “In the mist I see fire, flames of never foretold.

  They spread as quick as sickness, and devour all.

  At the center, a human princess, a queen become.

  Three but one, meshed in crystal and core.