“The wheels of change are turning, and not even the pathetic gathering that they call an army can hinder our path to victory. Through Kassina’s power, I will walk the lands of Marithia once again. I want to feel the pleasures that only flesh can provide, pleasures that were torn from me so long ago.
Times have changed since the first war, and now I have Kassina to fulfil the prophecy. The Blood Moon shall rise again and even the so-called great dragons will all bow to me as their new god, or die at my hand!”
Tusdar screamed as he plummeted down. He felt as if his stomach was at his throat. The ground rushed up at him with the promise of certain death. The reflection of moonlight off the water below would have been almost beautiful, if it hadn’t been for the impending impact awaiting him once he reached it. He turned his head to the side and noticed a strange movement in the sky through the flickering of his hair. It was as if there was a slight shadow that was moving, but was only barely noticeable. He felt something powerful snatch him out of the sky, holding him in its firm grip. Feeling his way around, he felt invisible scales sliding under his hands.
Tusdar now realised he was held within the claws of a large creature.
He struggled to regain his energy and yelled through puffed breaths, “What are you? Such a creature only exists in fables and old stories. You couldn’t possibly be a dragon, could you?”
“Please stay quiet and stop your struggling. I mean you no harm and I don’t want to accidentally drop you,” responded the dragon quietly with a deep voice.
It continued its swift flight downstream uninterrupted, pounding its great wings to fly as fast as possible over the infested waters.
After what felt like an eternity of discomfort, they landed on a small clearing beside the river, only a short flight from Greenhaven. The mysterious creature dropped him onto the soft soil and landed beside him, sending a dull shudder through the ground and through his bones.
He shook off the dirt as he got back to his feet, still shaking from the near-death experience. “Thank you for saving my life — whatever you are,” said Tusdar, looking around and wondering where the creature had gone. “So, where are you? And why can’t I see you?”
Tusdar turned around to find nothing but trees and the river before him. He looked around in confusion, then jumped in fright at hearing a disembodied voice addressing him.
“You are welcome, Tusdar. My apologies for the rough landing, but I had my claws full,” replied Nymira as she slowly materialized before him, shaking out her wings.
“But… wha…” stuttered Tusdar, backing away from the immense creature that stood before his eyes.
“Are you finally surprised by something, Tusdar?” chuckled Vartan from behind him.
“ Vartan? Ha! It certainly is my lucky day today. Thank the gods!” exclaimed Tusdar, with a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear. “Thank you both for saving me from my plunge into the river. I would never have imagined having a real dragon standing here before me- truly remarkable. I have great news, Vartan! Aidan and I have avenged the murder of our king. Derian is dead!”
“The tide of war is truly turning in our favour. This will call for great celebration,” beamed Nymira.
“Is what you say true? Did you actually see him die?" asked Vartan. Approaching him, Vartan sniffed the air and raised his eyebrow. "Have you been drinking again, Tusdar?”
I sense only truth in his words, not spirits. Mind you, I think the man deserves a drink after that fall, said Keturah.
“No, Vartan, I have not been drinking. I saw it with my own eyes, and he died at my hands by an enchanted arrow straight through his stone-cold heart. It’s just a shame that we didn’t manage to kill them both. Then this entire war would have been over and done with,” said Tusdar, shaking his head in disappointment.
Vartan put a reassuring hand on Tusdar’s shoulder and closed his eyes. “There’s nothing more that you could have done, and you have done incredibly well to have dispatched Derian and stand here before me. Stay still and relax, Tusdar. I am going to see your last memories through my eyes. You won’t feel any pain, I promise you.”
“What are you going to do? Are you serious? Where on Marithia did you learn such a skill?” asked Tusdar.
“I have learned a lot in my time with the dragons, and I learn new spells and improve my skills whenever I find time. Anyway, we are already running out of time, and I need to see the events that have taken place. We have to hurry,” said Vartan.
“All right then, Vartan, whatever I can do to help,” replied Tusdar, breathing deeply as he closed his eyes in preparation for the unknown.
Vartan steadied himself and breathed deep before whispering a spell. A blinding flash went over his body, and he witnessed the events at Greenhaven as if he were Tusdar himself. Vartan shook his head in throbbing pain as he let go of Tusdar’s shoulder and breathed quickly to dispense the spell.
“You are a very brave man, and even luckier than you are brave. I hope we don’t have to deal with that golem again. Today marks a great victory in the war against the Forces of Darkness, but we may have just stirred up a hornet’s nest by upsetting its queen. I’m really glad that bastard Derian has been wiped off the face of Marithia, even if he didn’t die by my hand and the pleasure was all yours,” said Vartan, managing a smile.
“Yes, I understand. I can’t help but feel that this happy moment is tainted by Aidan’s capture. Who knows what horrors Kassina is subjecting him to?"
Tusdar looked to Nymira's mighty form. "You have a dragon with you. Why didn’t you help us both get away?”
Nymira bristled at the comment and narrowed her eyes toward Tusdar. “There were too many of them, Tusdar. We couldn't do anything by the time Greenhaven was in view, even with you by our side. We all would have been overwhelmed and captured, or even worse, killed.”
I’m with the dragon on that point. Amazingly enough, I like the thought of both of us staying alive, said Keturah.
I also like that thought, Keturah, but the reality is that everybody dies someday, responded Vartan.
Vartan felt a wave of sadness emit from Keturah and pass through his body. He brought his hand to his face, observing it closely. That’s a strange sensation, he thought.
“I understand. I didn't mean to offend you, dragon. So what do we do now?” asked Tusdar.
“Her name is Nymira,” said Vartan. “She is what we would call the Queen of the Dragons, so I would address her appropriately if I were you. Now we continue on our path past the city. There is something that I have to do, and we may already be too late. Now mount up.” Vartan climbed onto Nymira’s back.
“I give my sincerest apologies to you, Dragon Queen. I wouldn’t know the first thing about dragons, let alone attempt to ride one. Hold on a moment, if we take to the skies, won’t they see us flying past them?” asked Tusdar.
“You didn't see us coming, did you Tusdar? Stop worrying. We will be high above them in the cover of night, so as long as she stays hidden, we will be well-protected,” said Vartan as he helped Tusdar onto the dragon’s back.
“I am happy for you both to ride on my back, but my armour was not intended for anyone to ride it. Can you please jump down for a moment?” asked Nymira.
They obliged, and took a few steps back as Nymira prepared to cast a spell.
“ Vultus meus crusta pro veho, ” chanted Nymira, and her armour shone before moulding itself into the shape of seats and crude handles.
“That is the best that I can do. We can try this now, but be prepared; this will be very different from flying in the safety and balance of my clutches,” said Nymira as she carefully lay down to aid their climb.
“Vartan, before we leave… I believe that this belongs to you,” said Tusdar with a smile as he untied Vartan’s bow from his backpack and handed it over.
“I can’t believe you found this! Thanks, Tusdar,” said Vartan, securing the bow before gesturing towards the waiting dragon. Both Vartan and Tusdar climbed onto Nymira’s back and grabbed hold of her icy-cold armour as securely as possible.
“My word! Why is your armour so cold?” asked Tusdar.
“That is an effect of magical armour. I’m sorry, but I can't do anything about that,” said Nymira.
Vartan smacked Tusdar gently across the head with the back of his hand and laughed. “Tusdar, are you really that timid? Is your seat comfortable? Would you like me to get you a blanket? How about some tea?" Vartan chuckled through his words. Tusdar nodded quickly and tried to hold back a smile.
“All right, Nymira, we’re ready, finally,” laughed Vartan.
Tusdar looked around them shakily and his voice waved as he asked, “Are you sure that this is safe?"
Nymira stretched out her heavy wings, leaned down momentarily and with a thrust and a large gust of wind under them, she took flight. Both men grunted at the sheer force as they held on tightly. Nymira climbed higher into the sky at immense speed, the air rushing past their beaming faces.
“So this is what it feels like to fly? Amazing!” yelled Tusdar.
Vartan took in the picturesque view around them and shouted, “Yes, Tusdar, yes it is."
“I feel like we are flying past stars that are barely over our heads,” proclaimed Tusdar. “I could almost reach out and touch them!” He extended an arm to the sky before snapping it back into place as Nymira banked to her left.
Just as Vartan looked to the sky, a shooting star flew past the countless stars that poked sparkly holes in the black sky.
“Indeed, it is a beautiful night,” said Vartan, “but we cannot afford to be distracted and lose our focus. We need to stay completely out of sight, as Greenhaven is only a few moments ahead of us. Kassina will surely be watching the skies for any signs of dragons. Do not speak a word out loud until we are well out of earshot.”
As they cleared the canopy of Greenhaven’s hills, the fallen city and black clouds of smoke came into view. The section of land where Tusdar and Aidan fought the golem was almost completely empty, save for some defeated skeleton warriors that still clung to life. Fired arrows remained unclaimed in the ground. Vartan shared a glance of confusion with Tusdar, but as they flew over the city, they immediately understood why it was so barren. They could only observe below them as the last group formation of Kassina’s Dark Army marched over the still-lowered gate of Greenhaven.
“May the gods help us. That is a huge army. Where are they all going? I thought it was Greenhaven that they were after,” asked Tusdar.
"So did I," said Vartan. He concentrated hard and chanted the words to the spell of Farsight.
“ Permissum meus opto eo ulterius quam meus animadverto. ”
Vartan opened his eyes again and his vision soared through the air with blistering speed towards the marching Dark Army. Thousands of skeleton warriors and archers in battalions of hundreds marched in formation, and in between those forces was the golem that had captured Aidan. With each step of the golem, a thunderous beat filled the air and set the marching pace for Kassina’s Dark Army.
“I can see the golem and it marches with her. There are thousands of them, Tusdar, but I cannot believe Kassina left Greenhaven undefended. I wonder just how strong her forces are and if any are left behind,” said Vartan. As he pressed his vision forward, Vartan saw many immense wooden catapults being dragged heavily on the ground. The warriors pulling them alongside carts of ammunition were visibly struggling with the burden.
“It looks like they are prepared for a siege, but I am not yet sure of where they are going,” said Vartan. “That is strange; I’d have thought they would use horses to move their weapons.”
Nymira replied, “It is likely they drained all the horses in Greenhaven of blood, or the horses may have been slaughtered in the fall of Greenhaven. From memory, the forces are marching in the direction of Veldrenn, and I think we all know what that means. Vartan, should we warn them?”
Vartan went silent as he carefully considered his next move. The vision of his parents still troubled him deeply, but was it just a dream? He could not be sure. He could never live with himself if he didn’t save his parents when he had the chance.
He spoke softly. “At their speed, they are days out from reaching Veldrenn. It is most likely that Andrielle already knows they are coming; the elves have their own scouts. I must see to my parents’ safety, and then we will return as soon as we are able to warn them. If they have deserted Greenhaven… they must have taken Aidan with them, let me see."
Vartan looked further into the marching army and caught sight of Kassina’s cart as it moved through the Dark Army’s ranks, dragged by two oversized, undead horses. Just beside the dark sorceress’s cart, Aidan lay stretched out on a makeshift rack. He was held tightly by harsh ropes that were tied firmly in place, cutting through his flesh. Surrounding Kassina’s cart stood a legion of raised undead knights, who mindlessly obeyed her every barked order. Their armour was rusty and showed signs of decay from being resurrected from their burial grounds. Two of them carried Aidan’s rack and were slowed from its weight. Aidan struggled fruitlessly against the ropes, causing them to dig further into his torn flesh. Vartan heard his strained voice as his vision neared the cart.
“Damn you to the fires of Mount Wayrin, you wench, Kassina! I hope your end comes soon and I get to watch your flesh melt from your rotting bones!” screamed Aidan.
Kassina’s mocking laugh echoed through the thick forest. She turned to Aidan and snarled, “Shut your trap before I order one of my knights to shut it for you! I found a use for you for the time being, but don’t tempt me to change my mind. Forward! We will crush this so-called ‘Elven City’ beneath our feet.”
Vartan reeled back his vision as if his sight was tethered to a long rope. His vision snapped back into his skull and the discharge of the spell disorientated him momentarily. He shook his head and refocused his attention to the path ahead of them.
“They have Aidan with them. He’s still alive and looks mostly unharmed. Nymira, I need you to move as fast as you can,” said Vartan.
“Of course, Vartan. I suggest you both hang on as tightly as possible-and try not to scream when we are so close to Kassina,” said Nymira.
She ascended into the sky before suddenly diving towards the ground, letting gravity give her a burst of speed.
The rumble of the approaching army's march shook their bodies and vision as they hung onto the tree branches. Nicolai wiped a cooled tear from her face as she turned to her fairy soldiers. They were all dressed in golden armour, and wielded small silver swords and shields bearing the mark of a leaf.
She lowered her golden helmet onto her head and shouted, "Fairies of the elven forest, we knew that this moment would come since their scouts found us. We have already lost some fairies dear to all of us, and I will not allow their deaths to be in vain. Our homes are in their path and beyond that lie our greatest allies, the elves. We have to do everything we can to stop them and to buy Queen Andrielle some time. We may be small in size, but we can make a big difference. We all know what we have to do, so let's fly together and fight together."
The fairies clicked their tongues and cheered. The forest filled with their cries as Kassina's army neared. Nicolai drew her sword and yelled, "Fairies, attack!"
The forest edge lit up with their glistening armour reflecting the moonlight as the swarm of fairies drew their swords, flew high and charged at Kassina's army.
The queen of darkness stood wide-eyed. She had only moments to react before the quick-flying fairies reached her front lines.
" Fairies are attacking us? Kill them all!" she growled, dismissing the attacking army with a flick of her hand.
The flying army landed on the helmets of the Forces of Darkness and stabbed wildly at their glowing eyes. The dark army’s shrieks filled the air as they swatted at the fairies. Some of Kassina’s forces drew swords and smashed them into their own helmets in an attempt to kill the attacking fairy army. The comparatively large swords were easily evaded as the faeries leapt between their targets, sending her ranks into disarray.
Kassina's rage filled her body as she launched to her feet, swung her arms and pointed with her fingertips to burst a fairy open with a bolt of lightning. Its armour shattered as its body evaporated into a cloud of blood. Kassina boomed, "Do I really have to do everything myself? Archers, take aim and fire!"
Nicolai flew through the path of the resulting blood cloud, grunting as she spat the metallic taste from her mouth. She heard only her breath as she surveyed the situation through her helm, helplessly watching as another fairy was destroyed by Kassina’s hand. "Retreat to the cover of the woods, now!"
The fairy army flew upward and a volley of arrows followed the shiny cloud of fairies. A few unlucky fairies were speared by the arrows and plummeted to the ground, whilst the rest disappeared into the safety of the forest canopy.
Kassina's snapped, "So the little insects have run away to hide. Get back in formation! Let's see how much of their forest will remain when we are done with them. There are many ways to flush out our enemies!"