Whilst Raven was speaking, the small band of warriors had ventured onto another wooded walkway, Taifrae in the lead hit the hidden Portal first. She looked back, frightened, but encouraged by the others, passed through the shimmering gateway. The others quickly followed.
I felt the wind whip and lash at my clothes and hair.
"Not again!" I thought. I had curled up bracing for impact. There was light ahead, followed by brown and yellow. I hit the floor and rolled narrowly avoiding a crushing from Morri who was not so lucky being squashed by Evro.
When I dared, I opened my eyes; again I found I was part of yet another many limbed, bruised beast. Fortunately I lay atop it with only Evro's top half-sprawling over my legs. I lay back for a moment then shot up again at the groaning protests beneath me. Carefully I stretched forwards, shaking Evro; he groaned and rolled off me. I slithered off the pile as nimbly as my aching bones would allow. Dragging myself painfully to standing, I stretched my muscles, trying to ignore the clicking noise coming from my back. Turning, I lent a hand to Morri, pulling him to his feet, both of us helping Evro. As Morri dislodged Wilja, another small squeak could be heard. We looked at each other and tried not to laugh. Bending down I shook the Taifrae ball, she gave another squeak.
"Taifrae, it's safe, you can come out now." Warily she got to her feet.
"Next time," I grinned, "Stay at the back so you can squash us!"
Taifrae's eyes grew wide, "There's going to be a next time!"
"Not for me there's not!" said Morri passionately. "I don't care if I have to run a hundred leagues or climb the highest mountain, I'm not flying again!"
Raven landed deftly behind us, twisting to see his face, I gave him as a reproachful look as I dared. He feigned a look of hurt at me then spoke. "I'm sorry, warriors, I should have warned you about the other Portal." He was met with a few resentful looks as we rubbed our various bruises.
Raven grinned at us and despite ourselves, we grinned back. I think it was a little of Raven's own magic to lighten us so. "Come," he urged, "The Air Spirit has left us in good stead, she has led us to the five plains on Brenyock, shedding many leagues from our journey. We are very close to the third Element we seek, we are far north now at…"
Evro interrupted him.
"At the foothills of the Great Mountains, it's my homeland, I know these borders, but not of the temple we need."
"The Fire Spirit has ways of concealing herself, only because of the tipping scale of light to darkness. The magical barriers separating our world from theirs are fading away. If the worlds merge completely then no power, ancient or new will be great enough to withstand Malgar's might, time is short, let us away."
"Nothing to worry about then!" whispered Morri.
"There's hope yet," replied Taifrae.
"Of course there is!" put in Wilja, "All of us are still strong and we have each other; that's got to count for something!"
"It must do, we are all chosen after all." I added.
"Yes, and if there's power lurking in us to the same strength that Kayra has then we have a fighting chance, though I think we should take things as they come. We've come too far to go to get complacent now. Let's keep together, close to Raven and our wits," finished Evro.
Something caught Wilja's sharp eyes.
"Look, up there in the sky, birds! She squinted, "very big birds."
"Why's that important? You've seen birds before," commented Evro.
"Not recently, and not that big, they're sort of brown…"
Raven's head snapped up, focussed for a second, then.
"They are not birds. Follow me warriors, RUN!"
Fear clutched my stomach as I bent my head to sprint. I stumbled once, Morri caught my hand, and we ran together.
"The sky's changing" shrieked Taifrae," A burning orange, umber smoke!"
"HARPIES!" bellowed Raven, "Keep to the rocks and stay low."
They began to fly low.
At least six were swooping towards us. I got to see them closely then dearly wished I hadn't. We were still running, low as possible, the malicious creatures seemed as dark fairies from Morgothak itself, sharp skeletons, scorched flesh stretched over charred bones. Razored burnt wings of flesh wreathed in flame. Eyeless holes seemed cursed with sight and an unearthly shriek tore from their bodies as they descended on us.
Blind terror took me forcing speed into my screaming muscles. I sprinted harder. It took me a minute to realise I had left Morri behind. Whipping round I saw in horror a flamed Harpie was bearing down on him, bone-sharp claws ready to tear him apart," Morri!" I screamed, "MORRI LOOK OUT!" In desperation I sped back for him, inches from the blades. Evro was hurtling behind Morri; he leapt, crashed into Morri, dragging them both to the ground and safety. I joined them. Each taking a hand we ran low to the other in the fragile haven of stones.
"What are they?" yelled Taifrae over the shrieking.
"Harpies!" shouted Raven; "they are winged demons I haven't seen for many a year. Their claws are deadly as Morri nearly discovered. Their screams can drive a person insane. We cannot escape them on foot and these rocks will offer little protection once they realise how to reach us. I am afraid the Harpies are endowed with brains and cunning as well as weapons and bloodlust. We are not safe for long."
"What can harm them?" asked Morri, "Wood? Rock? Water?"
"Water is the most effective weapon to use against them. Their flame is the key. Without the fire they cannot fly and to touch the cold earth renders them as helpless as infants."
"I have an idea," said Wilja nervously. We faced her as best we could from our crouched positions.
"I'm not sure it will work…."
"Go on my young friend, quickly now" urged Raven.
"Well, we need to lure them in one or two at a time or even more, when they're close we throw water from our skins over them dousing the flames…but …if Raven is willing…" she turned to face him, "you could freeze the water as it strikes them. Because the weight of the ice would pin them to the floor giving us a greater chance of escape."
"That's an excellent plan!" I blurted out before I could stop myself. All eyes turned to Raven. He was thinking hard, brows knit in concentration. He looked up.
"I shall do it, for I too think it is an excellent idea, but it is dangerous, we are all to risk ourselves in this, I trust your aims are as true as your hearts…" he surveyed our worried faces, "Do not worry overly, try your best and don't waste your water, you'll need every drop."
We carefully slid off our packs and retrieved our bulging water skins.
"Which one shall we strike first?" asked Taifrae.
"The one closest to us, you see the one on the left, if we jump up and attack it we can drop down again with one less Harpy to worry about. Get ready!"
"Wait!" I cried, "wouldn't it be better if only one stood up? If we all did then we would attract a much larger group, even Raven wouldn't be able to hit them all at that speed."
"You're right" conceded Wilja, "then who should be the one to stand?"
"I will, I'm the closest, I'll stand, draw one in, duck down like you said then Taifrae and I can attack. It will save everyone else's water. We can go from there, making our strikes faster and faster."
"Alright," Wilja squeezed my arm, "Good luck!"
Praying to Caeonor to watch over me I gritted my teeth and began to rise.
The nearest Harpy saw me. Instantly it swooped at me shrieking. It took all my courage not to scream. Silently I begged my legs not to buckle. I was about to duck down then I saw another one coming in from the hill.
"Morri, take the right one! Raven, left then right!" I ordered, "Steady!" I cried, "Steady … now!"
I dropped down, grabbing my own water skin. Together Taifrae and I targeted a devastating strike on our Harpy. A blinding streak of blue flashed about us freezing the screaming Harpy's contorted form. It seemed to hang there, frozen. Horrifically beautiful. It grew larger. Stark detail looming down on me. I stayed frozen like the creature above.
"Kayra! Kayra get out of the way! Move!"
A body slam delivered from Taifrae saved me from a heavy fate of ice. We rolled together, panting.
"Thank you…I " I stammered. Taifrae cut me short.
"No time, others to deal with." She grabbed my hand and brought us both to a crouch waiting to strike again.
Morri now stood, luring yet another foul demon as the others struck. Taifrae stood catching us more prey. In the heart of the battle only two thoughts struck me, that the Harpies must be incredibly stupid, and that Raven certainly had his work cut out for him, so much man-made lightning it was a wonder the sky didn't rumble just to accompany it.
Harpies crashed around us in a screaming tirade. The battle ended swiftly. We stood in safety, surveying the twisted, writhing forms, helpless in agony; I felt a stab of pity for them. Raven spoke to us.
"That is one less evil for us to face, but come, there may be more, keep your eyes sharp for we are not in the clear yet."
We started to move out. I hugged Taifrae in simple thanks for saving my life.
We marched on, mountains looming high; our paths became treacherous, picking steps over jagged rocks. Although this was Evro's homeland, Raven stayed in the lead, nimble as any of the mountain folk. I started to feel a little uneasy, all things from the earth hold life, even the rocks of the earth, but these stones seemed dead. I wondered if it had anything to do with the Harpies. Struggling to keep up with Raven's feet I asked, "Where do Harpies come from? Are they to do with these plains? This place, it feels wrong, empty. Is it because of that?"
Raven took a breath, slowing his pace a fraction; he turned his head to view me clearly. He was about to explain, but Taifrae's scream that pierced the air just then stole that knowledge from me forever.
Evro, a native of the mountains could make his way easily across the rocks in time with our leader's feet, but when Raven slowed to speak to me, Evro did not notice and continued heedless into the danger ahead. He was in front of us when the demon struck.
I hadn't realised Evro had gone ahead. As Taifrae screamed time slowed. It took an age for me to turn and see the monstrosity before us. A stone creature, eyes, deep pits full of hate, had lurched out of the rock face ahead and now stood looming over Evro who froze, horrified, paralysed with terror. The creature was vast, 50 feet of it from cracked foot to broken head. All its hideous body seemed joined awkwardly, boulders biting down on other slabs. It raised its rough-hewn club of a hand to strike. Morri was running before anyone else could react.
Pounding strides.
Up and down, beating the ground beneath.
He hurled himself forward, arms outstretched, collided with Evro full tilt. Morri sent Evro sprawling over the rocks, but the heavy hand of doom waited for none.
Time sped up.
I was already screaming.
Morri winded; no chance to escape.
He was crushed to the floor, ground down, life beaten from him.
All in the blink of an eye.
Pain smashed through my ribs as my brain registered what had just taken place. Tears exploded like from a dam…. Lungs never stopping as it turned on us.
The earth shook all around us. Stronger and stronger, blinding light. A tremendous strike of power, red with fury.
Terrible strength .
"GARGARETH DIAE!" Roared a voice more powerful and terrifying than had ever crashed through my ears. The monster bellowed in agony. Then, as if torn apart from inside it shattered venomously splitting shards to the four winds. The blast unnatural and deafening knocked us back to the floor.
I struggled back to my feet mind reeling at the awful sight I had witnessed. I spun slowly around dreading what kind of vicious beast could do that to another. I turned round.
All my eyes met were another pair of incensed eyes, blazing, whole spirit, and essence even quaking with unrivalled rage.
It was Raven.
A/N:
So There we are! Cliff-hanger! (ish) I'll try and get chapter 11 up as soon as possible! Let me know what you of this one, good or bad! Thanks a lot!
Oddments and Tweaks