The avariel sped into battle. They descended upon the invading griffon riders savagely. Hathorian watched the battle from an Aryvandaaran battle platform. The avariel were a sight to behold. The griffons were swift but the avariel were swifter. He thought the griffons were brutal when unleashed upon opponents, these avariel won the battle in that category as well.
The mages riding atop the griffons were outmatched today. The avariel unleashed air elementals that ripped the mages to shreds. Birds of every species, size, and color filled the air, summoned by the avariel. From small sparrows numbering in the hundreds to giant eagles which numbered less than ten, all aided the avariel. The Aryvandaar mages could not cast their spells, the birds swooped and pecked at them disrupting their casting. Over half the griffon riders fell in the first wave of battle. The giant eagles descended upon the riderless griffons. Spells of confusion casts on the griffons caused them to attack each other and sometimes other griffon riders.
The avariel were true masters of the sky. They dove and manuevered with ease. They were wondrous creatures, Hathorian admired them from afar. Several of the winged elves descended on a battle platform. Each platform carried a score of archers and an equal number of mages. The archers aimed for the avariel wings with little avail. The avariel covered themselves with their wings, cocoon like and the arrows bounced off. A stoneskin spell, placed uon their wings. The Aryvandaar mages on the platforms had a little more luck. They unleashed spells that found their targets and many avariel fell. Fire had little effect on them, their enemies had longed used that tactic and the avariel were well guarded against it either by spell or some other magical item.
The Aryvandaar mages had others forms of attack. Some magically crushed or broke the wings of the avariel. Other mages worked in tandem, one would telekinetically grip a winged elf victim and the other would magically pull the wings right off their target's back.
Hathorian was mesmerized by the battle taking place on the platform to his right. Three were sent into to battle and he commanded the central one. Ten avariel had desended on the platform. Using their magic and their magnificent glass-steel swords, the avariel had almost cleared the platform. The avariel were much like their glass-steel weapons. They looked beautiful, like they would break at the slightest touch. Both were much stronger than they appeared.
"Lord Korianthil, were you just planning to watch the battle?" Gilvathas Vysaan said with contempt as he too watched the platform being overcome.
I thought you were in command, Hathorian wanted to retort. Instead he ordered the mages and archers on his platform to fire. The avariel were prepared for the attack. The arrows bounced harmless off an invisible wall. And before he could speak a hosts of avians descended upon them. Hathorian swatted at cardinals, blue jays and blackbirds. These normally peaceful birds attacked with a viciousness that startled him. He bled from several cuts. Gilvathas raised a wand only drop it. The birds swarmed him instantly. A light wind blew and then gradually grew stronger until the birds were forced to retreat. Hathorian looked to his left and a mage saluted him.
The platform to his right was slowly falling from the sky. The avariel had slain all aboard it. If they continued at this pace, the Aryvandaar elves would be defeated. The avariel could not hold out forever, Hathorian thought. His forces were superior in number. They would slowly overrun their enemy. He looked down toward the high wall of Evaedir. The ground forces were laying seige to it, but it would take time. And then, a horn sounded, alarming Hathorian. He looked behind and smiled though confused by the sight.
Amidaelis watched the battle. A deep sense of pride filled her heart. Her people were peaceful by nature but when provoked they could be deadly. Only ten griffon riders remained after their initial onslaught. Their magical ability coupled with their military skill was holding the conquering elves back. If only we were greater in number, perhaps we could...She pushed the thought aside. There was no time for lamenting their fate.
Jondaroth had to be safe away from the city by now. They had done their duty and done it well. Somehow, they managed to hold the forces of Aryvandaar at bay. There was hope for the future of the avariel. It was uncertain, but at least they woudl survive today. With grim satisfaction, she winged toward the High Mages who stood atop a tower on the wall. Their eyes were closed and they seemed to be in deep mediation. Together, they were lending their strength to the battle.
Amidaelis landed next to them. She closed her eyes and reached out for the weave. It's comforting touch was familiar and soothing to her as it was to all elves. She was about to join the Circle when a horn sounded. She opened her eyes and looked out on the battle and despair nearly overtook her.
A hundred more griffon riders were speding toward the battle. Another battleplatform hovered behind them, filled with mages. Hathorian was grateful for the sight but where did this force come from?
"Our second wave," Gilvathas answered as though reading his thoughts. "Our initial assault was only to weaken them. Our victory is assured now."
Hathorian's military training allowed him to control his emotions. He wanted to throw this arrogant Vyshaan prince off their platform. How dare he! With this force combined with what was lost, they could have easily chased the avariel back to their crystal towers. Gilvathas was no tactician, he would never make a great military leader. To just cast aside your forces with no thought or care, House Vyshaan was truly wicked. That thought fell upon him as the re-inforcements descended upon the avariel.
The winged elves were valiant but they were tired and their spells were depleted. They were slowly being rounded up in a ever tighter circle. The griffons fell upon them from above as the mages on the battle platforms closed off their flanks and the archers on the ground, many of whom had magically flown or teleported to the treetops, fired their arrows from below. The avariel were pinned on all sides.
Amidaelis' heart was breaking, Her people were being rounded up and slain. Verec Ironwing, the stalwart Blade-Major of Evaedir organized the remaining elves, trying in vain to form some sort of defense against this onslaught. Another mage slowing withdrew from the Circle. Careful so as not to break the concentration of the others. The female avariel held the queen's gaze. Her eyes full of wisdom and light as she smiled sadly and flew toward the cirlce.
The old female began to sing. Her beautiful voice carried on the winds. The song pulled upon the weave. A spellsinger, the old female was a spellisinger! She sang a song of avariel valor. Arrows and spells assailed her. She glowed bright as a star, nothing could touch her. Her voice was strong even as she began to fade. The trapped avariel grew stronger. The female high mage's spell had its desired affect. Verec and the other warriors of Evaedir grew stronger and fought on fiercely. The song had rejuvenated them. All the avariel began to sing. The song would carry them to the afterlife to fight at Corellon Larethian's side.
Something whoshed past her. She looked over and one of the High Mages was falling. A javelin piercing his chest. The others' eyes snapped opened. The Circle was broken, many of the mages were dazed from the abrupt breaking on their combined magic. Their personal arcane shields and wards shattered. A hail of arrows fell upon them. Her own magical shield held,not an arrow touched her. The others were not so fortunate. The arrows sprouted from the fallen winged elf mages, their life-blood spilling on the tower surface. Only Bryndael survived, arrows protruding from his body. He smiled at his queen as he fell to his knees.
"One final task, my queen," he said weakly, looking in her eyes. He slowly chanted the words of a spell. This spell was powerful. Amidaelis could feel it in the air. Magic crackled around the old mage as he grew in size and slowly began to change shape. The queen took a step backwards and gazed with wonder on what the mage had become. Before her stood an immense gold dragon. High Magic! She knew of a spell that granted the abilities of dragons but to change into to one. Bryndael must have held power beyond the norm of most mages. He bowed his large reptilian head at his queen and took flight.
The rush of wind nearly knocked her off the tower. The dragon attacked the elves of Aryvandaar as they came over the wall. A burst of dragon fire and a whole brigade of elves were aflame. With claw and teeth, Bryndael tore into the charging elves. Arrow after arrow fell upon the dragon. Arcane energy tore into his new dragon body. He slumped back for a second and launched himself one final time. He used his body to crush his conquerors. Hundreds of elves were crushed under the large dragon's body. Slowly the dragon dissolved and only Bryndael's broken body remained. When the elves were surrounding his body, he vanished in a flash of gold fire burning many more elves. No trace of his body was left.
Amidaelis watched in horror as the elves captured what remained of her warriors. Verec was falling from the sky, refused to surrunder and fought to his dying breath. The others were shackled and placed on the battle platforms. She ran her hand over the selu'kirra grafted to her chest. It contained two spells. As the ruler of Evaedir, she knew House Vyshaan wished to capture her. She did not fight as the elves of Aryvandaar surrounded her. Forcing her on her knees, they waited as one of their battle platforms lowered until it rested in front of the tower ledge.
A haughty and handsome elf strode forward proudly. A more mature, battle hardened elf stood behind him. The younger elf wore the ornate dressings and colors of House Vyshaan. Amidaelis slowed her breathing, she would not beg for mercy. These elves would get no sport from her. She felt the cold comfort of the selu'kirra on her chest. Two spells, her vengeance unleashed waited within the sky blue gem...