Hey yall! Finally got started on this chapter. Here it is!
Chapter Five
The strange man had cat-like maroon eyes that lit up in the dark. His skin was tight over his face and gave it a skull-like appearance.
Hellfire, Kareia swore silently, it's a Shade.
Saveil bared his intimidating teeth and inched closer to Kareia's side with scales gleaming in the moonlight. Emeral stayed silent but watched the Shade sharply. As he glanced at Kareia, his lip curled into a sneer.
"Well," his one word flowed over her like ice water, "it appears I have found what I am looking for. We finally meet young Dragon Rider. You gave us quite a chase but we finally caught up to you," First his deadly gaze targeted Kareia, then his eyes shifted to Calus and Emeral glaring close by his feet and raised his eyebrow, "An elf rider. You elves are showing up all over the place lately. This is unexpected. Even better." He spoke slowly, allowing his words to take over the silence the night once held.
"Who are you?" Kareia asked demandingly.
He waved the question off dismissively, "That bit of information is meaningless to you," he answered slyly, "Perhaps that will change later." Kareia could sense where he was going with this and glared at him.
"We will never go with you," she growled and took a step forward raising her sword higher.
The Shade stood a moment and then laughed in amusement, "Young rider, you have no choice in the matter." As if summoned by these words, armored Urgals appeared before them and surrounded the small campsite. They were in smaller numbers than they were before, probably around ten, but they were massive. Breathing slowly, both Calus and Kareia slowly raised their weapons and so did the creatures. Kareia buried her foot in the forest soil bracing herself for any assault that came her way.
Then the Shade's sly voice began speaking again, "If you come quietly, there need not be any battle."
"I tell you again," Kareia said fiercely, "We will never go with you." The Shades mouth opened into a malicious smile as if he hoped for nothing less. As the Shade himself raised his sword, Saveil gave a ear-splitting roar and began the battle by ferociously whipping his tail and swiping his claws.
Kareia hastily transferred some words and emotions to Emeral and made her understand that she wanted her hidden out of harms way. She watched Emeral hide from the moonlight that so pleasurably bounced off her radiant scales into the camouflage of the dark green tree leaves.
Calus immediately stepped in front of Kareia and shouted over his shoulder, "Get out of here! I will deal with them!" He stabbed an Urgal through the side in one smooth motion while still managing to stay in front of Kareia. Kareia stubbornly stepped from behind the safety of Calus's protection and stabbed an Urgal in the belly that was charging at them from the side. She didn't wait for Calus to attempt to command her again and she stepped quickly into battle.
Kareia surprised herself as she fought strongly by Saveil's side. She noticed she wasn't tired anymore and realized she wasn't tiring as she fought. Her blows became steadily more powerful with each swing of her sword. She noticed her steps were quickening and her hand was becoming only a blur in the air as she beat back an Urgal struggling to defend itself. Unceasing energy was flowing through her whole body despite the fact that she was drained of most of it a few moments ago. With each swing of her sword, Kareia gained more and more energy. She gained confidence and felt strangely powerful… like she could take on a whole Urgal army if she wanted to and still have energy to spare. A strange power welled up inside herself seemed to be lending her strength. As she continued fighting, the power seemed to grow.
Her hair danced across her face as she twirled and blocked attacks and sent many of her own. Kareia saw a trail of fallen Urgals that lead over to where Calus stood and saw he had fought his way through half the creatures over to the Shade and locked himself into a ferocious sword battle. They clashed swords and fought with such elaborate swordsmanship, it was unbelievable. The Shade was swinging his blade so fast and powerful, Calus had to use the best of his swift movements with such speed Kareia was amazed he kept up.
Kareia's mysterious energy built up a ball of fire inside herself. She watched the Shade enjoying the battle. Enjoying the blood. He tried to bring them with him against their own will. He doesn't care that his…creatures are dying fighting for his purposes and causing destruction to those around him. The fire grew larger inside herself and a passion was created. She couldn't keep the fire in, it was growing larger. She looked at Saveil, struggling to keep back the attacking monsters. It was too big, she had to let it out. She saw Calus stumble to the ground and the Shade, with triumph, point his hand toward the tired elf preparing to use magic. Her fire had to come out.
Without thinking Kareia raised her hand and shouted into the moonlit sky, "BRESIGR!" A clash between green and silver colored fire exploded from her hand in the direction of the Shade. The fire hit and passed through every Urgal that was in it's path. Calus immediately rolled out of the way to expose the Shade completely to Kareia's magic. The Shade's eyes showed surprise in her green-silver firelight and at the last second he quickly countered it with his own fire magic. Calus quickly took advantage of his distraction and sliced the Shade in the side with his elf blade. A piercing cry was heard last before a crack of smoke and the Shade disappeared.
The small amount of remaining Urgal's had halted their attack realizing they were outnumbered and retreated back into the forest. The clearing was left eerily disserted and silent.
Kareia stood still gazing down at her trembling hands and heard Calus's distance voice, "I have seen and even used that spell many times. But that has to be one of the most powerful forms of it I have ever seen." He stood watching Kareia carefully. Kareia just stood staring at her hands and slumped to her knees. All the energy she wielded two moments ago had vanished like it was cut off. She only felt exhaustion now as her energy, confidence, and power dwindled in the passing seconds. Emeral had glided from the tree top to her aid and Saveil sat close by.
It is all right young one, he spoke soothingly, you have fought bravely.
Calus spoke again, "Who taught you to use magic so skillfully?"
Kareia's eyes focused on him. He was still half hidden in the night's darkness. His words hung in the air until she realized he had asked her a question, "…no one I guess…it just…happened…it happened once before too…but it was different I think…" Calus shook his head, "You are so full of surprises. This is getting more complicated by the moment." Kareia wanted very badly to shut her eyes and sleep but common sense told her that would be a very bad idea. Sweat dripped from the sides of her cheeks and she inhaled more heavily. Kareia was grateful for the cool air the night had so generously given her.
Calus added, "Well we definitely cannot stay here. We have to move." Kareia nodded while slowly and tiredly pulled herself to her feet.
Calus noticed her difficulty and said, "It would probably be best if you didn't walk. Your dragon may be able to carry you." Kareia reluctantly turned and looked at Saveil's back remembering her last ride. She turned to Calus prepared to tell him she'd prefer to walk when she saw him holding the leather she had bought earlier.
"This would be perfect for a saddle. But we've no time to make one." Instead, Calus pulled the leather over Saveil's back and punctured small notches through it and ran a small strip of leather through to the other side and tied it underneath Saveil's stomach.
"It's not much. But it will last for now."
Do you think you can hold me Saveil?
Of course I can, he sniffed and lowered himself and allowed Kareia to climb on his back. Emeral glided on to his back as well.
"Follow me. I will ride by horse. You should be able to see me from the sky." With that, Calus disappeared among the trees and Saveil leaped into the air.
Kareia braced herself for some sort of pain to sink into her sides but none came. Wind brushed against her face as they propelled into the air. Emeral squealed with excitement and watched the moving scenery below. Kareia couldn't help but smile. She gazed up at the stars that seemed to be so close now that she could pluck them from the sky and hold them in her hand. Below she saw a figure riding a white horse. She guessed it was Calus.
Saveil! This is wonderful! Kareia said lively forgetting she was tired.
I have been hoping you would want to ride me more after this, Saveil's questioning voice said.
Of course! Kareia said wondrously Soon after she said this, her tiredness got the better of her and she fell asleep.
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Yup! That's the end of the fifth chapter. Thanx JANELLE for the many reviews! Hehe…sixth chapter on it's way!
