Chapter 51: The Second Threat
Orúm sat inside a small tent, rubbing dwarven blood off his sword. The Rider was still at Galfni, he knew it, and he had to wait and bid his time out in the wilds. The prospect wasn't so challenging for him, he hardly needed any food, or water. All he needed was energy, which he could take from the bodies of the dead animals using a simple spell which he had placed on himself many years ago.
Now, he, and about fifty of his men, had made camp several miles away northwest of Galfni and were waiting for the message from one of his men stationed there as a trader, telling them that it was clear to return and enter the mountains and return to the Dream Well. That was all he needed to do, after that, his army would arrive, and they would bring about the doom of Alagaesia.
Although, I doubt if any of these layabouts will stand against those dragons. Orúm thought, frustrated. Just then, the flaps of his tent were pushed aside and a man entered, wearing a leather helm and muddy chainmail, "Commander Orúm?"
Orúm hissed, he hated the phrase, "What is it?"
"We just had a . . . message from our man in Galfni . . . it seems that the Rider and those two dragons attacked the castle there . . ." The man was nearly stuttering.
"What?" Orúm asked him sharply, and the man jumped.
"Sir . . . The Grimstborith is dead, the Rider killed him, as are the men we stationed there. It seems that they were all burnt to death." The man said a little more clearly.
Orúm stared at him for a while, then sheathed his sword and stood up, "Contact him."
"Sir?"
"Contact that man right now!" Orúm commanded.
"But sir, we don't know where he is and-"
"Just do it, you filthy fig!" Orúm exclaimed angrily, and pointed at a bowl of water that was kept on a table to the side of the dark tent.
"Y-Yes sir." The man said and walked to the bowl of water. He spoke the magic words in a moment, then stepped back as Orúm strode over to the bowl. He stared into it.
In the name of hell, what are you doing? Orúm thought, and banged the table on which the bowl was kept. The water rippled, but showed the man. He hurriedly packing his things and searching everywhere for something.
"Are you a coward or what?" Orúm shouted, glaring at the man in the bowl. The man jumped and looked around, and went pale when he spotted Orúm.
"S-Sir?"
"You are not leaving Galfni, is that clear? Now, where is that Rider?" Orúm asked him.
"I-I . . . .I saw them leave and fly northwest sir . . . and I don't know where they have gone but I am sure they are not here . . ." The man said.
The man next to Orúm went pale, "Northwest? That means they are coming here, in our direction."
"That is blithering nonsense, how would they even know where to come?" Orúm said.
"Sir . . . one of the men, our man, was missing from the tower . . . I counted the corpses myself." The man in the bowl said, and cowered as Orúm snarled.
"You are telling me this now?" Orúm asked.
"I apologise sir . . ."The man said.
"Useless piece of scum!" Orúm swore, then turned around. "You! Tell the men to get ready and to expect dragons! I am surprised that it took them so long to attack." Orúm said.
Ephian stood at the edge of the cliff, staring down at Orúm's campsite.
Today's the day . . . We are going to attack those foreigners . . . and trust me, I am going to kill that shade. Ephian told Jiarha, who was waiting for him, next to Eridor.
Ephian, don't let anger cloud you judgment, you are better than this. Jiarha said, while Eridor clawed the ground impatiently.
Jiarha . . . Anger is a good weapon if it can be used properly against our enemies . . . you will see that soon enough. Eridor told her, and Jiarha threw him an angry look. Ephian smiled at Eridor as he walked back to them. He sent them the image of the campsite mentally.
So . . . we are going to attack that campsite head on. First, you will rain fire upon them from above, then we dive in and destroy the place. But I am sure that won't kill the Shade, so we will have to look for him . . . I am sure he will try to flee, just like last time. Ephian explained.
So that's it . . . that's your plan? Eridor asked.
Well . . . yes. Ephian said, a little embarrassed. If you have any suggestions, or a better plan then . . . enlighten me. Ephian said the last words with an air of irritation.
Sure! Eridor said, annoyed. How about you jump off the cliff right now and start slicing and hacking at everything you see? I am sure that will make those fools as frightened of you as they are frightened of Jiarha and me.
Well, I suppose that's worth a try, but seriously, its lady's first! Ephian said and held out his hand towards the cliff, as if inviting Eridor to go ahead of him. Please, after you.
Eridor growled menacingly, and Ephian glared, but Jiarha intervened. Cut it out, both of you . . . She said, and grabbed Eridor by her fore legs and pulled him back slowly. This isn't helping!
Who is he to order me around? Eridor asked her angrily, while Ephian just watched, his furious scowl still on his face.
He isn't ordering you around, he was just telling us how to get things done . . . and he is always open to changes or different opinions, there was no need to take it so seriously. Jiarha told him.
Leave it, Jiarha. Ephian said, He won't listen . . . He will remain adamant, what else to expect of a-
Of a what? Eridor asked him suddenly, trying to free himself from Jiarha's grip. A what, Rider? Don't forget, you are responsible for my Rider's abduction, and I will always blame you for it and always hold you in a low esteem for it . . .
Where were you when she . . . Ephian began to say, but stopped. He knew that it wouldn't do it push the blame away from him and onto someone else, when it had rightfully been his mistake.
Jiarha pulled Eridor back and made him sit down, saying something to him. Ephian didn't bother listening, and instead turned around and headed for the edge of the cliff again. He stared down at the camp, and suddenly saw men running around, from one camp to the other.
And you! Jiarha said suddenly, making him jump and turn around.
What? Ephian asked.
What was the need to trouble him like that? Jiarha asked him.
What was his problem? Why did he mock me? Ephian asked her back.
Ephian . . . I am warning you now . . . we need him on our side . . . I need him, Ephian . . . if not for yourself then at least, for my sake, let him be happy with what he has . . . I know you are upset over Elva's disappearance as well, but please, for heaven's sake, don't lose your temper. Please, for my sake, just try to be good to him . . . Jiarha told him.
Ephian stared at his dragon, then, suddenly seized by the desire, he reached forward and hugged her face. . . . As you wish, Jiarha . . . I just . . . well, I am trying to help him as well, but he is just discarding all my attempts, now that's not right, is it? Ephian asked her.
Then just leave him well enough alone, I will take care of him. Jiarha told him.
King Orik stood in front of a messenger, frustrated.
"What do you mean, two dragons attacked Galfni? That's preposterous!" Orik exclaimed.
"Sire, we have examined the memories of the people as well, and we are certain that there were two dragons . . ." The messenger insisted. Orik stared at him for a while, then turned to the Rider who had just entered the hall.
"Ah, there you are . . . this dwarf here has quite important news that might require your . . . .opinion." Orik told Trellony, who nodded.
"Of course sire . . . what might the problem be?" She asked, turning to the messenger.
"The city of Galfni was attacked by two dragons, just a couple of days ago . . . and we found Grimstborith Larouf dead in his quarters, evidently killed by a sword." The dwarf said, and Trellony frowned.
"Two dragons you say? . . . were they jet black and light blue in colour?" Trellony asked him, and he gaped at her, surprised.
"How do you-?"
"Just answer me." Trellony said calmly, while Orik also stared at her in surprise.
"Yes, Rider, there were of that colour." The dwarf said.
"Jiarha and Eridor? . . . Ephian!" Trellony muttered, while the dwarf and Orik stared at her confusedly.
"You know them?" Orik asked her, and she nodded slightly. He then turned to the dwarf and said, "Go and get rested, I am sure that you must be exhausted . . .I shall call you later."
The dwarf seemed as if he wanted to remain and question Trellony further, but instead he turned around and left.
"Sire . . . you know them as well." Trellony said as soon as the dwarf had left.
Orik raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Is that so?"
"Yes . . . they came here . . . Rider Elva and Rider Ephian, and their dragons, Eridor and Jiarha . . . those two dragons are of the same colour as well . . . I wonder if something happened that made them turn against the city . . . I don't know about Elva, she is a little unstable but Ephian is a senior Rider he would know better than to attack the city." Trellony said.
Orik sighed, then turned around with his hand behind his back, "Whatever the reason, I cannot accept such actions in my kingdom . . . Well, I'll contact the Lead Rider and have those two detained, it is in my power to do so . . . but where are they?"
So, are we going to use my plan? Ephian asked Jiarha and Eridor. Jiarha agreed almost immediately, and Eridor agreed after a couple of seconds. Excellent, then let us get to it at once . . . those men down there seemed to have noticed us, I think I saw them packing up earlier, but they are still there. Ephian said, then climbed onto Jiarha's saddle. Ephian drew Edoc'sil, then turned to Eridor, who was staring straight ahead.
Ready when you are. Jiarha said, and Ephian smiled.
I am ready . . .
Jiarha growled and charged forwards, then flapped her wings and soared into the air, flapping faster. Eridor followed suit, then flapped harder and soared above them. Eridor, what are you doing? Jiarha asked, but Eridor didn't seem to have heard.
Let him do it, Jiarha, it's his neck . . . What? Ephian as Jiarha suddenly snarled at him.
What is wrong with you nowadays? Why are you acting so cold? . . . Eridor is the dragon of the woman whom you love, don't you think you should be good to him? Jiarha asked him.
I suppose I should . . . and I will behave much better with him if it turns out that he is the dragon my partner of heart-and-mind loves. Ephian said, and he was sure that he felt a surge of joy and irritation from Jiarha, who, it seemed, didn't know what to think.
No need to hide it Jiarha, I can understand your emotions now . . . I know . . . I know that you love him a lot, and don't want to see him the way he is now . . . but there is nothing we can do about it just yet . . . give him some space, give him a chance to let his anger out . . . he'll be alright then. Ephian explained.
I suppose so . . . Has he gone crazy or what?! Jiarha said suddenly.
Eridor had pulled his head back and roared as loud as he could have. Ephian stared at him, surprised himself as the dragon suddenly dived towards the ground, heading straight for the campsite.
We have to stop him! Jiarha said.
No . . . let him do it, my good dragon . . . Ephian replied. Go on, dive after him, he can't do this on his own . . .
Jiarha agreed, although half heartedly. She dove after him, gaining speed as gravity played its part on her heavy body. She flew faster and faster, and in half a minute she was above the campsite, to see Eridor already flapping away, and most of the tents already on fire. There were a dozen large tents there, out of which he had set fire to eight of them in one go.
Jiarha pulled out of the dive just in time, then roared and breathed fire as well, setting the remaining tents aflame. Just then, Eridor dove again, and crashed into a couple of tents. Growling, he swung his tail around and broke apart the pole of one more. Men ran out of the burning tents, all wearing armor and armed with crossbows. Jiarha dived at the men, and sent a torrent of fire upon them, while Ephian recited a spell, giving him inhuman speed and strength.
Take care of these men, Jiarha, I am going after Orúm. Ephian said, making a split second decision.
No, you're not! Jiarha said, but Ephian jumped off her as soon as she reached closed to the ground.
I am sorry Jiarha . . . but I must get him . . . Ephian said, falling to the ground, and rolling to reduce the impact.
Ephian! I . . . Eridor! Jiarha exclaimed loudly, and Ephian looked around. Eridor was roaring, one of the arrows had pierced his snout, but otherwise, nothing had happened to him.
He'll be fine . . . Ephian said, and turned around.
He was standing between two burning tents, Edoc'sil in hand, still wearing his bloody armor. He looked around, searching for Orúm, but instead saw three men with crossbows, aiming and Jiarha, who had landed on the other side of the camp and was tearing apart the place. Ephian drew Nuanen and ran towards the two men, and jumped ahead. The men spotted him and began shooting bolts at him, but he rolled to the side, behind a barrel as soon as he came out of the jump.
This is bad . . .Ephian thought, then dropped Edoc'sil, and aimed his glittering palm at them and shouted, "Kveykva!"
A bold the lighting shot out of his hand and struck the three of them, knocking them down. Ephian grabbed Edoc'sil and ran forward, then jumped and stabbed two men as soon as he landed. The third man got up and swung his crossbow at Ephian, who blocked it with Nuanen. The crossbow was wooden, so he just broke it apart with one swing from Edoc'sil. The man grumbled, and drew his sword, but Ephian struck it aside with Edoc'sil and pierced the man's shoulder with Nuanen. The man yelled in pain and staggered back. Ephian jumped forward and kicked him hard, making him fall to the ground.
"Tell me, where is Orúm?" Ephian asked him furiously. He could feel the energy in him, the power, the strength that he felt only in the midst of battle. "Where is he?" Ephian asked him even more loudly.
"H-He . . . he is near that grey tent . . . towards the right . . ." The man said, stuttering.
Ephian turned to the right, and sure enough, Orúm was there, staring as Jiarha and Eridor killed his men in the other parts of the camp.
"You know, you just saved your own life . . ." Ephian told the man, then struck his head with the hilt of his sword, knocking him out.
He then turned around and headed for Orúm. On the other side of the camp, Jiarha sliced apart two men with her talons, and she jumped ahead, towards the Shade, intending to help her Rider in defeating him. Eridor bashed a man aside with his huge leg, then burned three more. Ephian jumped over a barrel and ran ahead, his swords held tightly in his hands. But suddenly, Jiarha dived from above and let loose a torrent of fire from her maw, while Orúm jumped back in surprise. The fire engulfed three men, but there were five more. Ephian reached his dragoness just as she crushed a man beneath with her tail.
On time . . . Thank you Jiarha, I couldn't have done this on my own . . . Ephian said, and Jiarha roared and swiped the remaining men.
The battle had begun, Rider and dragon against Orúm and his forces in the south. But unknown to Ephian, a huge army waited in the distant land of Alalea, awaiting their commander Orúm's command to enter Alagaesia. The invasion from the south was going to begin, and there was only one hope for the kingdom of the dwarves to survive this assault. The hopes of the southeast depended on the accused Rider and dragons.
