Minzkala Read online

  Darian found Pinky when most of the Luminomes were dressed for battle, “We’ll be leaving shortly. Make sure your men are ready and I’ll have a small group of our people lead you to the surface. If you like, we can place our people within your group. It will allow you to take a break from using those lanterns so much.”

  Pinky smiled at Captain Kellerson, who was nodding his head positively to this idea, “That would be nice, thank you,” he told Darian.

  As soon as the remaining warriors from Rhalas arrived, they began to venture once again through the maze of tunnels. The incline brought them to higher elevations with each continued step, but none as steep as what they had traveled the previous day.

  When they reached the surface, they made their exit through a small opening half a mile away from the main entrance to avoid detection in case the Digvi’ja were monitoring the area. The land near the exit was heavily wooded, making them feel confident they could wait in this spot safely until the warriors from Minzkala arrived.

  It was noon and the Sun’s golden rays beamed down through the trees, striking portions of the ground. The warmer temperature was welcomed by the warriors from Rhalas, as the caverns had proven to be damp and cold.

  They let their curiosity run as they seated themselves around the grassy area, wondering when the King and his warriors would arrive and wondering what they would be like. They felt the same hope inside them that Kal and Mabashi had experienced when journeying closer to the city of Minzkala; hopes of conquering the Digvi’ja and hopes of not becoming a disappointment to the cause.

  Twenty-Four

  Malakael’s Chamber

  “It’s all coming together,” Chesed’reg said to Council leader, Hanbrig, “Send out the patrols for the stations in the south pass first thing in the morning.”

  He had no clue the Maralunians were with the Luminomes in the mines even as he spoke. The Digvi’ja had managed, throughout the day, to build up the remaining walls of the city.

  The only part that remained was the gate, and Chesed’reg struggled with the idea of refortifying it. It was a gaping hole that might become beneficial if it could be used to lure the Minzkalans in like a herd to the slaughter.

  A report from the field had just come in stating that the stations were fully operational and stockpiled with catapults and ammunition, awaiting the groups of fighters that would man them in an attempt to catch the Maralunians coming in through the valley.

  Some of the Digvi’ja called them ‘suicide stations’ for there was no doubt they would be killed when they attacked the Ancients as they entered. The main purpose was to send alerts and information back to Aheb’an. The Digvi’ja were just cruel to have those stationed take cheap shots at the Ancients. They knew what it would result in.

  “Did Kraevit suspect anything when you put him in the chamber?” Chesed’reg asked Hanbrig.

  Hanbrig was almost laughing, “Not a thing. We told him we needed to check out the chains to make sure they would hold the Enchantress. He was screaming like mad when we chained him beneath her cage. Then we put her in the room with him…poor girl. Malakael took the bait in the caverns just like you said he would. He didn’t hesitate to crawl through that tunnel after Kraevit, either. It went pretty smooth, actually…except for those Orcs that were forced in with the Wyvern. I didn’t know he was that big.”

  “And the other bait?”

  “It’s set and ready to go. We have four of the Cerapithali, all capable of taking on an Enchantress’ form. They don’t look exactly like her, but they plan to cloak themselves so that from a distance, they’ll be followed for sure.”

  “Good.”

  Most of the Digvi’ja and Cerapithali were heading to their bed chambers. It was getting late and after a full day of reconstruction, they were weak and needed rest.

  The Grosteques had stopped working in order to store up energy. They would remain petrified along the battlements through the night.

  The Orcs were just beginning to arrive. They had already been pulling supplies from the caverns and dropping them off in the corridors that surrounded Malakael’s chamber.

  Now they were placing them on the walls around the city and checking the catapults to make sure they were operational. There were very few Orcs left deep inside the mines. Even those from the trading docks had been summoned by Killian to join the Warlords in Aheb’an. During daylight hours, they would defend the insides of any building by using the corridor system.

  Around the courtyard of the city, hundreds of Slickers were being held in pens. They looked like a netted catch of fish flopping around, trying to find a spot to get comfortable. Attached to the walls, twelve Giant Slickers, like the ones that were protecting Ceirgral, were curled up like sleeping dragons.

  Hanbrig had gone to Malakael’s chamber to check on things there. In the corridors, he ran into a few Orcs moving supplies, a few lounging and eating between the crates. He immediately took out his lash and put them back to work.

  The main entrance to Malakael’s chamber wasn’t far inside the corridors. The giant tungsten steel door contained a fireproof glass window with bars running through it. The transfer shield was up, preventing Illusionists and Enchantresses from entering with magic.

  As Hanbrig looked inside the window, he could see the Enchantress’ cell, hung from the ceiling in the middle of the room. The side of the cage was also barred with the fireproof glass in place behind it, preventing Malakael from devouring her, but allowing anyone passing through the corridors outside to spot her.

  She was just sitting there, occasionally peering out at the Wyvern. She looked more bored than anything, certainly not frightened. There was about a fifty-foot drop from the bottom of the cell to the floor.

  When they first brought him in, Malakael tried his best to get her soul as well, but the container had proven to be well-made. Not once did Shift seem anxious over the presence of the beast. For years, she had grown numb to the feeling of fear, almost hopeful that something would go ahead and take her life so that she could return to Minzkala once more.

  It was for this reason that not only did the Digvi’ja hold her, they protected her from harm. She was never placed with anything she might use to end her own life. But she would never do such a thing. It was not the way of her people, even if it meant freedom. Nevertheless, the Digvi’ja took precautions.

  Hanbrig became startled at the door to Malakael’s chamber when the Wyvern noticed him standing there and made a mad dash against the window. Hanbrig was knocked back by the frightening appearance of the beast. He quickly scrambled to his feet and moved to the side of the door, out of view.

  He then returned to the surface level of the city, making new plans for an escape route if the fire dragon was set loose somewhere throughout the battle with the Ancients. When he saw that everything else was in order, he decided to get some rest.

  The next day was spent on the battlements and stations throughout the Highlands. The Digvi’ja prepared mentally and physically for the battle with the Ancients. A full day of practice had left the Digvi’jan Warlords a little tired, but confident that they would defeat the measly numbers of Maralunians coming for them.

  They spent the evening feasting, dancing, and celebrating their pre-determined success over the Ancients. When they returned to their chambers, their exhausted bodies and full bellies made falling asleep easy. They would be placed on guard for battle the next day and would remain stationed until the Ancients arrived, so it was imperative that they get their sleep.

  Twenty-Five

  The United Front

  Kaliesto

  As soon as we were gathered together, the Rocs swooped in to lift us into the air; and we began our journey to Sapir. We were flying high over the Mourtaire Forest once again in order to retain an element of surprise.

  “We have one stop to make along the way,” King Naethan told us. No one asked him fo
r details.

  After a while, we flew lower. I could see a city below us.

  “Rhalas,” Cenathor said.

  We hovered over the city as Valkryiex sent Cringle to pick up King Ederich.

  “He wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Stheta smiled and said.

  King Ederich looked knightly, geared in his battle armor rather than the raiments of a King. The crowds below were in the streets looking up at us, cheering at us. With little time spent there, we flew off to begin the trip across the Gaemic Ocean and on to Sapir.

  Our journey across the ocean took us first north, then east, following the same path the ships had made the day before. At one point, I could see the shadow of the ship Rhalas had lost in battle with the giant sea serpent. We flew along at an incredibly fast pace and soon found ourselves along the shorelines of Northern Sapir.

  The Orc trading station was abandoned. Veering to the right, we were lifted over the mountaintops. Zaaid had his field glasses out and was combing the area on the other side for any signs of the warriors from Rhalas.

  After some time had passed, he pointed at a small patch of trees below, southeast from where we were flying. The Rocs were motioned to fly in that direction and made their way lower to the ground to prepare for landing the carriers. I could see a few colorful spots through the tree foliage, created by the various robes the spellcasters wore.

  “They’re here!” I heard someone say.

  After we landed, I found out it was the voice of Captain Kellerson. He had been sitting against a rock wall, rarely moving his eyes from the sky in anticipation of our arrival.

  The warriors from Rhalas stood to greet us. I saw them picking up any loose weapons and supply packs from the ground as they began to cluster near the clearing in which we had landed.

  The group from Rhalas was finding it hard to keep their noise level down. They could now see the warriors that were lost at sea in a third carrier and were anxious to be reunited.

  They began to take long, hard looks at the passengers in the carriers. There was so much to take in; the Herd of Virtue, the Centaurs, the blue glow of those permanently added as citizens of Minzkala. They seemed very interested in the Ancients, much like I had been when entering Minzkala for the first time.

  Those of us from Minzkala could not keep our eyes off the tiny Nomes standing off to the side. There were thousands of them, with an illuminating orange glow.

  When the two Kings stepped off, the people bowed before them. King Ederich made a brief announcement that we would spend a few hours there before beginning the trip to Aheb’an. He encouraged us to spend the time getting to know each other while the leaders discussed plans for war. He sent the Herd of Virtue out with Centaur scouts to keep an eye on the perimeter.

  The two Kings and Zaaid had Pinky introduce them to the leader of the Luminomes. Darian was pleased to meet the Kings and yet another Nome, so strikingly similar to his own people.

  They sat with a small group of the lighted Nomes and discussed the history of their people. Through the years, the Luminomes had passed on stories about the very first Nomes to be transformed.

  In the caverns, they had suffered from shorter lifespans, which made it necessary to bear many children at younger ages. Darian was a seventh generation Luminome. His father had stayed back with the women and children because of poor health.

  There was one name that stood out as Darian shared his stories…Lellith. One of the legendary tales Zaaid remembered most from the Caliginian War involved an ancestor of his by the name of Wirt. The love of Wirt’s life, Lellith, had been carried off by a Carrion Drake Rider right before Wirt’s eyes. Her screams for help resounded in his heart and in his mind as he effortlessly commenced to killing nearly forty Caliginos and Barbarians by himself.

  When they were asked to display their talents, three Luminomes smiled and removed the new chest pieces they had made the previous night. They began to brighten the level of the orange glow, moving the color to yellow and ultimately white, causing the air around to become hotter.

  When the lighted Nomes were at their brightest level, the warriors could not look upon them. They even found themselves backing away to escape the heat.

  When the Luminomes lowered the light again, they became nothing more than simple Nomes with glowing orange skin. The Kings found this remarkable and began to think about the benefit of having them as an ally.

  King Naethan told Zaaid he wanted to call a meeting among all the leaders and his own small force. We were all welcome to attend but would be instructed to sit behind the leaders, who needed to hear everything in order to lead the battle. Darian and some of the leaders of the Luminomes were also asked to be near the front, as well as the leader of the Centaurs.

  They formed a small army by themselves, almost two thousand in number. They met on the side of the mountain; we seated ourselves along the rocky hillside, facing the ground below.

  The Kings spoke with Darian to finalize the information about the cumulative abilities of the Luminomes as the group settled themselves. They were able to determine that in addition to helping with the Orcs, the Luminomes were very quick with climbing and repelling equipment. They could board the Carrion Drakes using grapples and try to bring them to the ground. They could also scale the walls of Aheb’an to distract the attention of the Digvi’ja when needed.

  With the plans complete, King Ederich began to address the crowd.

  “Tonight, we will lead our forces against the most vile and evil presence in the history of the lands of Gael. Even with the Luminomes by our side, we are outnumbered.

  “Darian and his people will drive the Orcs back from the frontlines. Demon Masters…your primary objective is to focus your attacks on the Slickers and Grosteques. Archers and any leftover Luminomes, you will attach yourselves to the Carrion Drake Riders, board them and take them down. Each Champion present will need to take a Digvi’jan Warlord, Enchanters and Illusionists keep any left unattended mesmerized. Bards, Songs of Slumber and Battle Drums simultaneously at all times.

  “I need not remind the Pyromancers, Conjurors and Blade Mavens of their jobs,” he grinned at the faces around the crowd belonging to these classes and continued, “or Clerics and Spirit Healers, for your duties will remain the same as they always have. Our primary targets will be the Digvi’ja. Once they are taken care of, the rest of the Legion’s forces will crumble.”

  Zaaid and Stheta answered the questions that came from the crowd of leaders. All of us had been trained extensively about the types of encounters we might face in the war. The few questions that remained were answered swiftly. Then King Naethan began to speak, with the intent of addressing every ear that could hear his voice.

  “You all have sacrificed a lot to be here. I am honored to know you as both fighter and friend,” He made eye contact with the faces of the crowd, turning a full circle to catch those who stood behind him, “There will be many of you who will never return home, and for your families, I can only offer you the hope of seeing them once again, for their sacrifice has made them worthy of a life with the Ancients, as yours has.

  “Once the battle is over, we will return home to Celestra, for our work in Gael will be complete. Before you leave the Highlands, I want you all to know what it means to me to have met you and shared in your lives, through both happiness and pain. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

  The King paused and looked to the ground, then to the people once more, “We will replenish the years of hardship you have suffered before we go. Your lands will once again be free from evil, the ground fertile, and the trees green. And after this battle, until we meet again, you will remain in our thoughts.”

  The King motioned for Zaaid to begin assembling the forces. The other leaders helped to draw the group back into team formations. We made the final preparations to our gear, some grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading out.
r />   King Naethan had walked away from the crowd to be alone for a moment. He looked as though he was clearing his own thoughts and gaining the mental preparation needed to face the Legion.

  We set out across the Highlands, staying close to the sides of the mountains. The land was barren beyond the tree groves that ran along the edges, except for the grasses that grew high on the hilly landscape.

  Ruins of buildings could be spotted periodically. A large elephant herd in the distance began to roar as we passed.

  The Sun started to fall behind the mountains to the west, now casting only a dim light. The Luminomes and the Ancients cloaked themselves so that the light emanating from them would be hidden. There were a few patches where the trees grew thin, forcing the warriors to march closer to single file formation rather than in groups.

  In the front, the Ancients led with Darian at their side. Captain Kellerson fell behind somewhat, his class leaders mingled in among the teams of warriors from Rhalas. The Luminomes spread out strategically so that if they happened to be ambushed by an Orc group, they could do their duty.

  Stheta and Zarathustria pulled Alusia off to the side. It was time for her to make the trip to Aheb’an. Stheta called out her personal guardian, a Tianette. As a member of the Court of Minzkala, she had been given one of the prized possessions of Celestra. The scales of the mini-dragon were colored vibrantly and shimmered in the night air.

  It was one of only two Celestial Dragons in existence; Kelara possessed the other. Mounting the Tianette, Alusia set off with great speed toward Aheb’an. Stheta watched until she disappeared, camouflaging herself and the dragon.

  When we were closer to some of the abandoned Orc mines, we began to use extreme caution. One of the Unicorns charged off in the direction of an entrance.

  “Kal, Cyrow, come with me,” Zaaid gave his orders as he rushed off to follow the Unicorn and grant any necessary assistance. Stheta naturally followed the Nome Pyromancer.