rinalashlaya: I havn't mentioned Anya's age yet, but Davyn's age, going by the books, should be around 17 or more likely 18 by now. Hmm, tails are pretty darn cool, so are horns and wings, but giving Anya wings would have been too much, plus I'd have to give her demon wings, which are sorta dragon like, scales and everything. Yeah, sorry if I'm making Icefire sound too mean, Icefire really grated on my nerved throughout the books, and the extent of my dislike towards Icefire might be showing through my writting. I'll try to cut back a bit on how mean Icefire might appear, but I always like to have Davyn and Icefire bickering over Nearra, heh heh. Thanks again for the reviews, they mean a lot, here's the next chappie.
Chapter 6
Deprivation
By the gods this is boring.
I opened my mouth to voice my opinion, but Davyn beat me to it, "What's taking her so long?"
Davyn paced back and forth as he waited for Nearra, his look stern. Jirah's hand fidgeted together as she watched him. His pacing was making her nervous, hells; his pacing was making me nervous.
Icefire crossed his arms and leant back against one of the craggy, pitted stone walls. Torchlight flickered above him.
"She'll be fine," he said, shaking his head, sending waves of black hair tumbling over his shoulders, "Davyn, haven't you noticed by now? She's not a helpless little girl."
Davyn's lips rose into a sneer and he stopped midpace to round on Icefire, "I know, Icefire," he growled, "Don't forget that I've known her a lot longer than you have."
Icefire's look grew cold. "Wouldn't seem that way by how you act toward her, Davyn," He stood to his full height and straightened his shoulders.
Not again. They both needed to find new hobbies, because baiting and insulting each other seems to be all they're good for.
Icefire drew his lips together in a tight line, "After all she's said to you, you still don't seem to understand that she has to make these choices herself. I didn't have you pegged as this dense, Davyn."
"I did," I muttered from where I sat lazily against the wall.
Davyn took two large steps forward and jabbed his finger into Icefire's broad chest.
Davyn's brow drew together in a deep frown, "You still don't seem to understand that this isn't your quest. You're not our leader, mine or Nearra's. You're a dark elf, and for all I know you planned everything that happened with Kirilin at the library and then before with Ark."
Icefire seethed, "How dare you call me a dark elf!"
Jirah crossed her arms and hugged herself, her eyes darting anxiously from one man to the other.
"I call it how I see it," Davyn sneered, "And I can say whatever I like. I don't need you to verify that I have the right to say it."
Trembling, Icefire seemed to have to fight the temptation of shooting out his hands and throwing forth deadly magic or a dagger that I knew was hidden within his cloak's folds.
"Look," Icefire started, "Look what we have let ourselves become. Fighting will get us nowhere, especially not with Kirilin pursuing us. I thought we had made some peace, Davyn."
How thick was Icefire? They hadn't made any peace. They'd been bickering like old men from the minute I first met them. I couldn't help a snort, but the noice didn't seem to disrupt the deadly gaze's they each bore.
Icefire's jaw clenched as he spoke, "I respect you as a fighter and, yes, as a leader. It's just that your feelings are shrouding you opinion of Nearra and how to carry out the girl's quest."
"And your feelings aren't?" Davyn asked, he huffed in agitation before continueing. "Your plays of power, your fake confidence, it's what got us into this. Kirilin is after you more than any of us. She sent Ark to capture us, and he'll be here any minute," he shook his head, "Nearra's taking far too long.
Icefire sighed again, "Just wait. If she's not out soon, we'll find a way to help her."
"Yes, Captain," Davyn said, his tone mocking.
With one last dark glare, the ranger turned on his heel and resumed his pacing.
After a few more minutes of nothing but the saound of Davyn pacing I just couldn't take it anymore.
"Oy, kid, would you come here a minute," I called over to Davyn bluntly.
He ignored me and continued pacing.
"Fine, I'll ask Icefire then. He's a better help than you anyway," I smirked at the reaction this got and made my way over to the sitting elf.
I dropped down beside Icefire and looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"So, it's not that I don't like being left in the dark, or anything, but how is Nearra breaking this curse?" I'd tried asking as kindly as I could, but sarcasm always did find its way into whatever I had to say.
He didn't look at me but spoke in a flat, monotone voice, one that was so unlike the elf's usually musical tone.
"The first wizard was cursed with the pain of magical burning fire, killing him over and over again. The curse started over three hundred years ago. Nearra had to go through the pain of the wizard to break that part of the curse. She must do the same for this one, though what this wizard's torture was I know not."
"Sounds painful," I mused, wondering how the blond girl had been so calm before entering.
"The gem she used before was Kirilin's key. The reason the cleric is after us all. It was with the key that she had sealed the cursed wizards in their eternal tombs. The key had given her their life-force. It's ironic that the key is to be Kirilin's undoing."
I gave a curt nod in reply to Icefire's explanation.
"Is she gonna get another magical weapon from this wizard just like she got one from the last one then?" I asked with a frown.
"That's what should happen," Icefire replied.
"Sweet," I cogitated.
"You have an odd way of talking," Jirah pointed out very straight forwardly from where she sat.
"And you have an annoying way of talking," I retorted, earning a scowl from the girl.
"As bluntly as our dear friend put it, you do have a bizarre way of talking and an odd outlook on the world," Icefire said, I knew he wanted to know why.
I just shrugged, "I guess that comes from living in the Abyss for so bloody long." I smirked. "You sorta pick up their way of speaking, you know?"
Davyn was doing his best to ignore us but I could see a show of interest on his face and I flashed him a mocking smile. He looked away in agitation. I knew he was still listening intently.
I shrugged before continueing, "I was born up here, on your world, Solmania somewhere," I started, taking a breath. "A few years back I found myself stuck in the Abyss after a series of unfortunate events. It was a while till I found my way back up here again. Man, I was glad to be back, even with all the prejudiced comments and stuff that I get for being part demon."
The Abyss had been hell, literally. Not much good could be found down there. It was a whole different dimension, being much like a whole new world in a sense. There were many layers to the Abyss, many different hells. It was near impossible to escape. I'd been jumping from plain to plain in the Abyss for years until I'd finally found my way back here.
"How did you find your way into the Abyss to begin with?" Jirah asked, a frown creasing her forehead.
"There are many portals into the hells," I said smirking. "You've just gotta know where to look for 'em. I speant quite some time in a city names the City of Windows."
"Never heard of it," Jirah said with a quick shake of her head.
"Yes, well one such as you would never want to travel to a place like the City of Window, o the Abyss for that matter," I said smirking, "At least I fit in there."
To add to this, I swirled my tail around from behind me and placed it on my lap.
I saw her shudder and, in reply, I gave a small chuckle.
"I managed to escape from the Abyss after a few years and after quite a bit of traveling made my home in Tarsis. I'd been living there 'till I joined up with you guys," I nodded as I finished my brief story.
It was a very brief story of my life. I'm not telling them everything about me when they've shared close to nothing with me about themselves.
Jirah hugged herself tighter. It was warmer down here in the mine than outside, especially with the blazing flames on the walls, but something chilled her deeply. Maybe it was the sudden eerie silence. Each of Davyn's steps seemed much too loud.
I watched the tomb, silently waiting. The spectral guardians were gone, but I could still sense the vileness of their presence. I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to see, but the tomb was still dark gray and streaked with black minerals.
I waited, biting at my nail with lack of anything better to do. Davyn paced before me, his steps a steady rhythm. Icefire hummed to himself, some song I didn't know, it sounded strangely familiar, as if from a dream.
Then, far above, the wooden tracks creaked.
Icefire stiffened beside me. Immediately his slender fingers clutched his earring, and his eyes darted to look up into the hazy gray light above. With his sword unsheathed in an instant, Davyn rounded into a fighting stance. Lazily I rose from my sitting position, not bothering to reach for a weapon.
"It's Ark and his men," Davyn said.
"They've come back to finish us, just like I said they would," Jirah finished for Davyn in fear, her voice high and squeaky.
"No," Icefire whispered, "It's Kirilin. She's here!"
Davyn narrowed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, "So she finally caught up to us. We never should have spent the night at the ships."
"She'd have found us eventually, kid," I pointed out to Davyn.
Trembling, Jirah fumbled with her own sword as she walked towards the boys, "What do we do? How do we stop her? Nearra's not done yet."
Icefire shook his head. We could all hear the noise clearly now. At first it was just Kirilin's steady footsteps. Them, bits of thick, guttural speech drifted down. Heavy clawed feet pounded against the ancient wooden tracks. More draconians.
"Put me down!" a familiar voice cried out.
A dog barked, the tiny yap echoing in the cavernous mine.
Oh boy. We're in trouble.
"Keene," Jirah whispered, clutching at Davyn's sleeve. "No! I told you we couldn't leave him! She's going to hurt him!"
Neither Davyn nor Icefire responded, though a quick flash of some emotion ―guilt? ― seemed to appear on Icefire's face. As one, the two boys began to back towards the broad stone wall behind them, their eyes never leaving the track. I joined on along side Davyn with a shortsword in one hand. I'd run out of proper throwing knives after our fight with Ark, but I had a few dagger's left, which worked almost as well when thrown. I wasn't going to waste them on the draconians though. They'd just turn to stone and trap the remainder of my supply.
Gulping in her fear, Jirah followed our lead.
Keene's voice echoed again, but whatever he was saying was suddenly cut short. Another voice called out.
"Icefire," Kirilin called; her tone singsong. "My dear elf Icefire, I know you are down there. I believe I have something you want."
The footsteps grew louder as the flickering firelight lining the tracks cast long shadows against the walls. Then Kirilin walked into sight.
The cleric looked just like she had in Tarsis, only now her hair was knotted and tangled from heavy winds. Her eyes were wide with manic rage, and her red robes were drastically torn. Still, she walked down the rotting spiral track with long, regal steps.
She smiled as she caught sight of us, "I knew it," she crowed.
"Kirilin, long time no see, did you miss us?" I asked sweetly.
She ignored me and turned and studied the picked-clean room, the pile of carts and the stone tomb.
"Just like I left it," she said as she took another step down the track, she pressed her fingers against the wall, and then looked at her fingertip. "Dustier than I remember, though."
"Yeah, you've really let this place go, broken carts, dust, and cobwebs everywhere," I stated from my spot between the sturdy ranger and Jirah whom noticably trembled.
Behind Kirilin, shadows loomed. As the creatures came into plain sight from behind the cleric, Jirah let out a small cry of despair. I sighed and clutched at her hand reassuringly. Surprisingly, she squeezed back.
The four remaining draconians from Tarsis walked behind Kirilin, two by two. The one in the fronts face was scarred and burned from the flaming oil Icefire had thrown at it back in the library. The said draconian held a struggling Keene in its bulging leathery arms. One clawed hand was around the kender's mouth, while the other held Keene's hoopak, shortsword and pack. The draconian beside them held the little white puff of fur that was Pip. The tiny dog trembled with fright.
Kirilin stopped midway down the track, watching us with a defiant, crazed smile.
"I see the demon-spawn continued to travel with you. Tell me, Anya, did they tell you that in joining them you've cealed your fate?" she smiled sweetly at me, an evil glint in her eyes.
How in the hells does she know my name? It's not like a have that big a reputation.
Kirilin continued to talk, her voice peircing through the darkness, "But, however, you could join me, you've done worse things than helping a cleric of Hiddukel. Plus, you'll get out of this alive."
I felt Jirah's grip on my hand tighten.
I raised an eyebrow and gave a shrug, "Really nice offer, lady, but I'm gonna have to decline on account that I don't like you."
She gave a low hiss and then took in our pradicument, "Seems I have you cornered," she called down, putting her withering hands on her hips, "And outnumbered at that."
Nobody said anything but I noticed Davyn's grip on his weapon tighten considerably. With a reassuring pat to Jirah's hand I pulled my own away to grasp my short sword in a two-handed grip. Icefire raised his fingers to his earring.
"Now, now, Icefire," Kirilin cooed as Icefire's finger's tightened around his earrings. "Play fair."
She held her hands high and muttered. A pulse of black magic shot towards the elf. He made to move out of the way but it was too late.
Moment's passed before a gasp escaped the elf's lips.
"My magic," Icefire whispered as the cloud of misty black dissipated around him. "She made it so I can't use my magic."
"Guess you'll need to get back to brawn, then, won't you," Davyn whispered back.
"I want only one thing, and it's very simple," Kirilin went on from above. "This little curse you're so intent on breaking must stay intact. I will not stop chasing you until all of you are dead or have given up."
Stepping to the side, she gestured towards Keene and Pip, who were still struggling to break free from their monstrous captors.
"Now, you know what I want," Kirilin said and then smirked, "And I know what you want ―for your friends here not to die. So let's do as Hiddukel is so fond of doing and make a bargain. Pull your little friend Nearra from that tomb and give me back my gem. In exchange, I will hand over your friend and his mongrel. I even brought the kender's things so that he wouldn't have to buy anything new. You can all go free," she tilted her head. "Well, except for Icefire of course. You are to be at my side for the rest of your very long life."
I glanced at both Icefire and Davyn. They met my eyes with sideways glances. Kirilin was most assuredly lying. With her cocky manner and crazed look, it seemed she wasn't even trying to hide it.
"Never," Davyn growled, taking a step forward and brandishing his ornate sword. He clenched his jaw and met Kirilin's gaze with a look of steel. "We won't let you hurt Nearra."
Typical, it's always about Nearra with him.
"Give it up, Kirilin," Icefire called up in his cocky drawl. "You've been alive for four hundred years now, and I hate to break it to you, but I don't date older women."
The cleric took a deep, exaggerated breath, and then smiled, her lips pulled together tightly, "Very well," she said, "I tried being reasonable."
Turning to the draconian holding Pip, she flicked her wrist in command. It nodded, and then gripped Pip by the neck with one of its obscenely large hands. Pip barked, his tiny paws scrabbling at the air in a fertile attempt to escape as the draconian lifted him high.
"No!" Jirah screamed, tears forming in her eyes.
Keene tried to yell and reach out to his little friend, but it was useless. The draconian holding Pip tossed the dog in the air and opened its fang-filled mouth wide in reparation.
With a gasp, Jirah turned away and dug her head into my side. Pip's barking ended, deathly abrupt, and in reply, I felt, rather then heard, Jirah let out a sob. I put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
"I warned you!" Kirilin called down, her anger rising. "Now, give me the girl!"
Crying out, Icefire sprinted forward, holding his sword like a javelin. His knuckles were white from the strength in which he gripped his sword and his sinewy muscles moved in perfect form as he threw it.
Kirilin dropped belly down to the wooden tracks. The sword whizzed above her and pierced the flame-scarred draconian's face right between its beady black eyes. Immediately the creature turned to stone, trapping the sword in its skull and a still-struggling Keene in its grip. Fresh tears fell down the kender's cheeks.
"There's your answer," Icefire called.
I think she got the message.
His voice was steady and even, but it echoed around us with the force of an ocean wave. Kirilin's head shot up. Mud and mold streaked her cheeks and the front of her red robe. She bared her teeth and clutched at the track.
"Kill them," she commanded as I slowly let go of the shaking Jirah.
Bellowing, the draconians bounded past their dead companion and leapt to the ground below.
They were right in front of us. In other words; oh shit.
Kirilin slowly stood, shaking in rage. She started to mutter a prayer to Hiddukel, whilst doing so she clutched at a silver medallion of faith that dangled from her neck. I knew exactly what she was doing ―using her minions to keep us at bay whilst she prepared to cast a dark spell that would kill us all.
"Jirah, pass your sword!" Icefire called back to the girl next to me.
Davyn still stood his ground at my side, casting me a quick look that I couldn't read from the corner of his eye. Icefire turned his head and held out an expectant hand. With a nod, Jirah tossed her sword forward. It spun through the air before the elf caught it. Not losing the momentum, Icefire twisted forward, preparing to defend himself.
"Get back," Davyn clutched my shoulder and roughly shoved me towards the tomb where Nearra still relieved the second wizard's curse. "Stay in the shadows, we'll protect you."
He gave Jirah a warning look and Jirah did not argue. She was weaponless, what more could she do to help? I, on the other hand, didn't want to just remain idle whilst the boys had all the fun.
"No, way," I said, flashing Davyn a quick smile that I knew was beyond cocky. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
They'd killed Pip, innocent little Pip who'd done nothing wrong as far as I was aware.
Davyn frowned at me but didn't argue. It had initially surprised me that he would even bother looking out for me, but I guess it was just in his nature to protect those that needed protection. The thing is, I could take care of myself. With that, Davyn made his way to Icefire's side. Grim faced were the boys, and I fought hard to control the broad smile at the promise of excitement. We were pushed up close, our backs pressing against each other.
In front of us, sharp teeth glinted and wings shuddered in the orange light as the five draconians stalked forward. In their claws they clutched bloodied maces and dulled axes.
A puff of white fur stuck to the scaly cheek of one of the draconians, and fresh blood stained its teeth. I heard Jirah let out a gulping sob and saw her slide down the wall behind her. In the shadows near the tomb, she clutched her knees and let the tears stream down her cheeks.
The draconians drew closer, their clawed feet meeting the stone floor with precise, deadly clicks that sent shivers up and down my spine. They weren't of fear though, they were of anticipation. One swung its axe in a showy flourish and growled out a laugh.
High above Kirilin watched as green and black energy built up around her hands, blazing like ghostly bonfires.
Behind the cleric, Keene was still struggling to escape his stone bonds. Around him, the statue began to crumble as the dead draconian began to decay into dust. Finally the claw that had covered Keene's mouth fell away, and he cried out so loud and so full of rage that, for a moment, everyone in the cave turned to look at him.
Keene fell to the track. Dust clung to the tears on his cheeks and his eyes were a puffy red. His belongings and Icefire's sword fell beside him with a heavy thud and a resounding clang. Immediately the kender gripped the hilt of Icefire's sword and swung the blade at Kirilin's side with all his strength.
Steel met silk and then flesh and the cleric tilted her head back and let out an anguished cry. Blood oozed from the wound and down her leg as she dropped her arms. The magic dissipated into the chill air.
"That was Pip!" this Keene cried as more tears flowed down his cheeks. "How could you?" His voice rose to an angered shout. "How could you!"
His arm muscles straining, Keene lifted the sword for another attack. Clutching at her side with one hand, Kirilin turned to face him. Her chest heaved with each breath. She mumbled a prayer, her free hand once again encircling the medallion.
"You killed him!" Keene cried as he brought the sword down.
Sickly green light flashed from Kirilin's hands, and Keene was thrust backward off the decaying tracks. He flew through the air before landing with a loud crack in a pile of old carts. The sword slammed against a wall and clattered to the floor. A few feathers that had torn free from the kender's topknot floated through the air.
"Keene," Jirah whispered from the wall behind me.
Then, the draconians attacked.
I raised my short sword and took a defensive stance, ready for them to reach us. Their bellowing cries ringing in my ears.
But, just before they were within attacking range, I was shoved back. I gaped in astonishment at teh back of Davyn as he fought off two of the draconians. Davyn had shoved me aside, blocking me from the draconian's reach and attacking them on his own
"Dam it, kid, I can manage! They're just draconians!" I shouted over the ring of weapons.
Icefire blocked three draconian's blows with expert swings of his weapon.
"Oy, Davyn," I shouted when Davyn didn't allow me to pass him, my voice outraged. "Stop stealing my lizards!"
Davyn didn't seem to hear me, his mind set on avoiding the swings of the draconian's weapons. There was no easy opening for me to take that wouldn't risk either Davyn or Icefire.
Dam it, Davyn, why'd he have it set in his mind that all girls were incapable of kicking butt?
Icefire ducked and jabbed with Jirah's sword, sweat beading on his forehead already, his eyes dark and set on the task before him. One of the beasts managed to get a blow in, a punch to the elf's gut that sent him sprawling to the floor.
I danced to the side, only to have my way blocked by Davyn once more. This time he hadn't even meant to get in my way. He'd just been ducking one of the draconian's axe's. A draconian lashed out with its foot, clawing through the green leather of Davyn's armour. The ranger stumbled back for a moment, giving me the opening I'd been waiting for.
Finally.
I swung my short sword around in an arc, be-heading the very draconian whom had kicked at Davyn. I pulled my sword free before the monstrosity turned to stone and then crumbled to the floor. I'd barely managed to slide my sword free before the other draconian, who'd been previously attacking Davyn, turned to face me. The large draconian brought its mace around in a wild semi-circle; I shot out my shortsword to intercept it.
That was the worst idea ever.
I felt my hand go slack as a sickening crunch echoed around the area. I gritted my teeth as my short sword clattered to the floor.
Dam it.
Clutching my injured and incompetent hand to my heaving chest I stumbled back. My back coming in contact with that of Davyn, he was blocking the continuous swings of an axe wielding draconian that had previously been attacking Icefire. With my left hand I drew a dagger and flung it at the approaching beast. The small weapon bounced pathetically off its armour.
From my expreience that is never a good sign.
Up above, Kirilin clutched at the wall with a bloodstained hand, leaving a red streak. Again she muttered, again she attempted to bring down spells from her dark god.
Dam it.
I heard Icefire give a shout of outrage as he fought off the other two draconians, his attacks a blur.
Davyn was pushing back against me. I could feel the muscles in his back rippling with the exertion of fighting off the large lizard.
"What do you overgrown lizard freaks have against us?" I shouted out in agitation.
Maybe I shouldn't be taunting them when I've only got one working hand.
The draconian before me swung his mace down towards my head, I attempted to roll to my right but even I must admit that it was more of a stumble than anything. My right hand still lay limp against my chest and I could see dark spots starting to dance in my line of sight, taking over my vision piece by piece.
Dam it.
I saw Jirah frantically stand up from her spot in the shadows. Her gaze was on the tomb before her. Though unseen, the spectral guardians still guarded the tomb waiting to strike, that much was obvious. Jirah wasn't seriously planning on―
Leaping from the shadows, Jirah raced to the front of the tomb. She reached forward and touched the stony wall. It rippled as though molten. She could still pass through it. Immediately the ghostly soldiers appeared. They glowed misty blue and held up their long swords in defiance.
Then, Jirah leapt through the stone wall.
Dam it.
I drew another dagger, knowing that I was seriously running short on weapons, in a left handed grip. True, I'm not as good with my left hand as I am with my right, but I'm not that bad either. I gritted my teeth in pain and blinked away the approaching darkness. With a roar of outrage I charged the draconian with my dagger.
Dam, dam, dam.
"Icefire, watch out!"
Jirah, was that Jirah? I don't know…
I forced my eyes open and immediately shut them at the sudden change of lighting. Wait, what happened to my draconian? I snapped my eyes open once more, squinting slightly whilst my eyes adjusted.
I looked around, Jirah stood not too far away with her sister.
Nearra was back.
I must have been knocked out. How long had I been out for? It mustn't have been too long if three draconians are still alive.
I'd caught the draconian's mace to my head. It hadn't been a powerful blow, thank the gods, but apparently it had been enough to knock me out.
I forced myself to sit, using my hands to holster myself up, without thinking I let a yell of pain leave my lips as my fingers hung uselessly from my hand.
Oh, right, I forgot about my injured hand. I placed my said hand to my chest once more, as I heaved myself up. Breathing deeply from that small movement I leant heavily against the wall. I just needed a little break, that's all.
Jirah held a large longbow in her grip. It was almost as tall as she was. It was beautiful, carved at its ends were images of waves that splashed into dragon claws that held two blue orbs. A silver bowstring ran from end to end. She'd strapped a full quiver of delicately carved arrows to her back.
Was that the cursed wizard's weapon? It had to be.
She held the longbow in a tight two handed grip, suddenly leaping forward to join her sister.
It was then that I noticed that one of the remaining three draconians stood stoic still. Two swords jutted from the side of the granite draconian. Weaponless, Icefire ducked and rolled beneath another draconian, my draconian. A dagger deeply embedded in its stomach, having pierced through the armour. I'd managed to stab it before being knocked out. How did that not kill it, or at least slow it down?
I've come to a realization: I hate draconians.
The creature's mace struck the ground where Icefire's head had been moments before, sending chips of stone flying.
Beside them, Davyn slashed with his sword, his movements calm and precise. The draconian he fought roared and lashed with its clawed fists, but Davyn was ready for it. Somehow he'd managed to tire the beast out.
Nearra stood in front of the tomb as Jirah raced to join her. The golden haired girl showed no signs of fear as she held her staff at the ready.
"Hurry up and die!" Davyn bellowed.
The draconian lunged, and Davyn ducked. He rolled gracefully between its legs, coming up directly behind it ―and right in front of the pile of carts. The ranger's eyes darted between the carts and the draconian, Davyn's lips rose in a smile.
As the draconian reared to turn, Davyn reached behind him and grabbed one of the ancient metal wheels and let it fly like a discus. The wheel spun through the air before colliding with the draconian's forehead. The beast roared as it fell backwards.
"Davyn, here!" with that Icefire held his hand out expectantly.
The draconian attacking him had maneuvered the elf right next to its fallen comrade.
For a moment Davyn hesitated. Then, with a shake of his head, he tossed the ornamental sword. The silver blade swirled through the air before Icefire caught it. With an expert flourish, he spun around and sliced the blade right through the fallen draconian's neck. The draconian coughed and spluttered, giving Icefire just enough time to pull the blade free before the monster turned into stone.
Spinning, in the same move, Icefire brought the blade up to attack the final draconian, only to be met with its fists. The elf flew to the floor, losing the sword. The draconian loomed over Icefire.
That was when Nearra fired, "Api anak!"
A fireball exploded from the tip of her staff. It blasted through tha air, meeting the draconian's chest. The beast shrieked in pain, and then fell silent. Nearra lowered her staff, a hint of a smile playing at the edge of her lips.
Davyn ran to Icefire ―then leapt past him to pick up his sword. Rolling his eyes, Icefire stood to collect his and Jirah's swords from the pile of dust that had once been a draconian.
A flash of red silk and gray-blond hair caught my eye. I'd forgotten all about her.
"Kirilin's still here, guys," I said through clenched feet as I cradled my numb hand.
At least the pain has practically stopped…
Icefire and Davyn spun around as the dark cleric flew at us from the dark. Screaming as she ran, the woman held both her hands taunt by her side. Green and black power swelled from her palms.
The cleric's scream turned into a word of divine power, and the green and black energy exploded. This caused Davyn and Icefire to fly backwards.
"No!" Nearra ran forward, her staff held high.
Kirilin was still racing forward, straight towards Icefire. Black magic darkened the air around the cleric. Nearra wouldn't make it in time.
"If there's a god up there that likes me," Jirah prayed out loud in fear, "Please help me now."
Her hands trembling, she held up the ancient longbow. From the way she was holding it was obvious she'd had very little experience with a bow. Please make it enough. With one eye closed, she knocked one of the mystical arrows and aimed it directly at Kirilin's chest.
I felt so bloody helpless all because of my stupid hand and its stupid bones.
Jirah let loose. The silver bowstring twanged, scraping along her bare forearm and rubbing her skin raw. She yelped at the action.
But the arrow was flying.
As it flew, splashes of blue light seemed to burst backward from the arrow's tip. It looked very much like a dolphin diving through ocean waves.
As it neared its target, the arrow exploded into a powerful pillar of water. Kirilin barely had time to register the inexplicable waves that pounded towards her before she was caught in their powerful grip. Shrieking in fear and rage, the cleric flew backwards through the torch-lit cavern, spluttering as the water filled her nostrils and seeped into her mouth. She crashed through one of the beams supporting the spiral wooden track, and then slammed into a stone wall with a satisfyingly loud thud.
Unconscious and soaked head to toe, the dark cleric slumped to the floor. Only then did I notice that Kirilin's hair was now pure white, her skin was more wrinkled and withered than ever. The freeing of the second wizard had stolen more of her once 'eternal' life. Couldn't she just lie down and deal with the fact that nothing lasts forever. It would make everything a lot easier.
"Are you alright?" Nearra ran to Icefire side.
The elf sat up, rubbing his head, "Bruised, and my magic was nullified, but I'll be fine."
Davyn dusted himself off and stood glaring in the direction of Nearra and Icefire, "I'm fine too, not that you care."
Jirah raced forward, "Did you see that?" she said in excitement, holding the longbow high, she stared at it with awe. "Did you see what I did?"
Nearra laughed, and then jumped up and pulled Jirah tight in a hug, "I sure did," pulling back she held Jirah by her shoulders and beamed. "We did it, Jirah. There's only one more wizard!"
Groans sounded from behind us, in one of the carts.
"Oh dear," Jirah said. "Keene!" Then, suddenly remembering, she let out a gasping sob. "Pip," she whispered.
Icefire's face fell, "Gods," he said, before meeting our eyes, one by one, he snapped to attention. "Gather our things. We need to get out of here before Kirilin wakes up. I'll get Keene."
Shouldn't we just kill her before we leave? That would solve a load of problems. I didn't vice my opinion, nobody would listen anyway, why waste my breath?
"Yes, Cap―," Davyn started to say in his usual sarcastic tone.
Then we all heard it ―a terrifying rumbling, the creaking of timber under strain. All our eyes turned to the ancient wooden tracks. Rocks fell from the walls as the wood splintered. The track ―our only way out of the mine― was about to collapse.
Gulping in dread, I tucked my injured hand into my leather armour, "That can't be good."
Poor Anya hurt her hand. Bad draconians. I've always had trouble writting fight scenes but I hope this'll do. It took quite a bit of editing to get it to a point where you wern't thinking, 'How'd they get over there, why are they all such incompetent fighters?' It took me so long to get it to sound alright. The first time I read over it all anyone was doing was hitting each other with swords repeditivly, Davyn had somehow managed to be in two places at once, and at one point the number of draconians had even changed. XD.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last!. Reviews are greatly appreciated as always!
just-passing-time
