Tender Mercies

Nordan ended the second ogres life with a crushing blow to its skull, the other one took a moment longer as it tried to get to its feet and run away. It took two swings, one in the lower back and another to the head.

Kelnozz ducked under the swing from the ogre he had wounded and moved behind it to see the another ogre trying to get around the hopping one so it could attack Martin. Kelnozz thrust with both his swords, piercing the ogres back in two places. Both wounds were mortal.

Coming to Kelnozz's aid, Martin threw his sword over the elf's head, making the ogre pursuing Kelnozz stop and dodge the weapon. By the time it came back up, Kelnozz had turned around to face it, and Martin had reclaimed his longbow. Staring down the shaft of the arrow, the ogre met the eyes of Martin as he loosed. Kelnozz had to leap to the side to avoid the ogre when it fell, an arrow sticking out of its forehead.

Turning again, Kelnozz easily dispatched the hobbled ogre, then looked about for more. Three remained, but kept their distance after seeing the short fight. Martin had an arrow knocked and ready to loose at the first one to advance on them. The ogres looked at each other, then as one, turned and began to walk away.

After a few moments of stunned disbelief, the three companions looked at each other. Amazed, they reclaimed and sheathed their weapons. Martin scouted for any arrows he could salvage, finding only a couple that had not broken. After that, they all collapsed nearby. They tried to set up watch rotations, but Kelnozz quickly fell asleep on the first watch. That prevented him from waking Martin for the second and thus Nordan for the third. Needless to say, they woke up the next morning sore, but well rested.

"Now what?" Martin asked, stretching out his bruised back muscles.

"Now we kill the bitch," Nordan muttered, hand on his hammer for emphasis.

Kelnozz remained pensive for a moment, drawing curious looks from his friends. "Martin, you got dragged into this, you may leave whenever you want to. Nordan and I have been friends for some time now, and our paths seem to run together."

"Uh uh," Martin shook his head. "I've seen enough, I'm staying."

Nordan clapped him on the back in a friendly manner that nearly sent tears to Martin's eyes in pain. Kelnozz chuckled and said, "Alright, we need to learn more then. I have some people I must see. Nordan, I have a feeling we're going to need an army. Martin, we're going to need a really big army."

"Then let us begin. The sooner we start, the sooner we can figure out how to find her and stop her."

"Stop her, stop her from what?" Nordan asked.

"Remember when she came to us?" Kelnozz asked. Nordan shrugged, he knew what happened, but did not see where the elf was going. "The wizard was supposed to be summoning a champion to lead a great conquest. Perhaps the spell didn't misfire after all."

Nordan's eyes narrowed as he realized what Kelnozz was saying rang true. Martin had heard the story, so he nodded his head thoughtfully. "It makes sense. Where will we meet you, Kelnozz?"

"Silverton, I should be there before you are, but if I'm not, wait for me," He said after a moment of thought.

"Well then, let's be off!" Nordan rose to his feet. Martin joined him and with a farewell wave to Kelnozz, who had also risen, they began walking to the south. Kelnozz watched them go for a moment, then sighed and began his own trek, walking to the southeast.

"Where do you think he is going?" Martin asked Nordan after they were no longer within earshot.

Nordan shrugged. "I've been with him for nearly 4 years now, and never seen him like this. A man's business is his own though, and as many times as I owe my life to that rogue, I'm willing to take him at his word."

Martin nodded thoughtfully. "Aye, he's done well enough by me as well. I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid and get himself killed!"

"Ha!" Nordan guffawed. "It'll take a lot more then you think to kill him, damn elf doesn't know how to die!"

*****

After a few hours of travel, even Kelnozz could not see his friends with his elven vision. He stopped and took off his boot. Reaching inside of it he peeled away a false bottom at the heel and turned it upside down. A ring fell out. Replacing the bottom in his boot, he pulled it back on and stood up. Putting the ring on his finger, Kelnozz looked around carefully one more time before saying a single word, "Home."

Between one heartbeat and the next the dark elf disappeared. He reappeared on a small grassy hill surrounded by beautifully groomed trees and flowers. A nearby dark elven gardener gasped in surprise at Kelnozz's arrival. Then he came forward and smiled. The elf looked old, and in a race said to not age, that meant a lot.

"Is it time at last?" the old elf said.

"Yes, Farathallion, I think it is finally time." Kelnozz replied, taking the old man's hands in his own in greeting.

"Good, I'm not getting any younger!" He said with a twinkle in his eye.

"I'd better tell the council I'm here," Kelnozz said, already turning towards a path to a building.

"I already did," Farathallion said, winking conspiratorially. "I may be old, but I still taught you most everything you know!"

Kelnozz chuckled and followed his mentor towards the secretive high elven council rooms. His mood darkened as he thought of the news he was bringing and the dark days ahead.

Chapter 9

"How longer must I wait?" Kelnozz asked his one time mentor.

Sitting on a bench overlooking a meadow with a rocky stream flowing through it, Farathallion smiled at the other elf's impatience. "We've waited thousands of years for this, my friend, our course of action can not be decided so quickly."

Rising from the bench, Kelnozz paced back and forth in frustration. "I know that as well as any," he spat out. "Each moment we wait allows them to organize and prepare to march. Alesha won't waste the time we are. If she gains the position she seeks, then she will move quickly."

"Is this girl really so dangerous that she would be allowed to lead their armies? Or is she too dangerous? They already control most of the rulers in the cities of Belurian, through guile and deception, and none can doubt the control they hold over the Lost Lands, it was why we were driven away so long ago. That is what the council must decide."

"I know her well," Kelnozz said, stopping his pacing to stare at Farathallion. "She is everything I have said her to be, and more. For her to have accomplished what she has so easily makes her more cunning, powerful, and dangerous then any I've ever encountered. She will succeed where others have failed."

"You sound as though you admire her," Farathallion said, a faint smile upon his face.

Kelnozz smirked. "Nay, friend, I respect her."

Waving the comment away, Farathallion rose and stood next to Kelnozz. "It is much the same thing. Be careful that your heart lies in the proper place, or you shall not survive this storm."

Kelnozz scowled at the lecture. "I learned long ago that hearth, home, and love would not be for me, Farathallion. You, if no one else, should know that, for you were my teacher in lore. I was raised and forged into what I am for this reason, refuting it would do me little good."

Farathallion nodded, smiling warmly and patting Kelnozz on the shoulder reassuringly. "Yes, my friend, I know. Still I must question to be sure you question yourself. Being chosen for this is a hard task, one I do not envy you, but we have done all we could to prepare you. My own heart clouds my judgment at times though, for I consider you the son I never had."

Kelnozz opened his mouth to respond but was silenced by the large shadow that passed over head. Glancing up alarmingly, both elves saw the form of a winged drake descend rapidly towards them. The dragon landed in front of them, its blue scales shimmering in the mid day sunlight.

"Luingirth!" Kelnozz cried out happily in surprise.

The dragon snorted in derision before greeting the elf in a powerful voice. "A score of years ye hath been gone this time, yet ye hath waited two weeks without seeking me out?"

Kelnozz chuckled. "My apologies, my friend, I've been caught up in things. I think the time to test our training draws nigh."

The dragon nodded its head. "It will be good to hunt the skies again."

Kelnozz grinned, his troubles forgotten at the sight of his lifelong companion. Of all the creatures of Viconia, none were said to live as long as elves save dragons. Thus it was a stolen egg from a blue dragon's clutch that was secured and hatched to serve as the ally and steed of Kelnozz when he was first discovered. Using powerful elven magic, a bond was forged between the two as they grew and learned. Training, hunting, fighting, and learning together, they had become an unstoppable team by the time it was judged that Kelnozz should begin his search. Kelnozz remembered flying on Luingirth's back for several days and nights before they had crossed the Endless Ocean and landed on Belurian the first time. There they had parted ways for the first time in over a millennia of life. Kelnozz had returned several years later, only to return to search anew for the signs that had been prophesied by the council of elves.

Now, nearly four thousand years since his first trip off of the secret island of the elves, Innowendyn, his return was as a harbinger of doom.

"Come, we must return to the council, they summon us," Farathallion said, interrupting the reunion.

His good nature vanishing, Kelnozz nodded and turned to Luingirth. "We fly together again, my friend." Luingirth gave what passed for a chuckle and opened one mighty paw to allow Kelnozz a ride up to its back. Accepting, Kelnozz was soon on the back of the dragon. Farathallion waved to them and disappeared, magically gating himself back to the council chambers.

"Have you put on some weight?" Luingirth asked after Kelnozz had seated himself.

"Silence wyrm, and get you to the sky if you've not grown to lazy to know how to fly!" Kelnozz bantered back. Luingirth snorted at being called a wyrm, but accepted the trade in insults and launched into the air.

Kelnozz was filled with wonder every time he experienced riding upon Luingirth's back, for below him stretched the island of Innowendyn as far as he could see. Following the stream they streaked over some hills, Luingirth flying low and fast. They cleared a ridge where the stream plunged into a long waterfall, below was arrayed the forgotten elven city of Loralost. Luingirth slowly spiraled down towards the city, aiming for a courtyard outside of the palace where the high council of elves was gathered.

*****

Alesha rode upon the pure black steed through the street, still not totally accustomed to riding the gift from the dragons. Fully 17 hands high, the horse would have been considered magnificent had its eyes not shone with a feral red light and flames leapt from its hooves each time they touched the earth. It was several hours past dusk and only now had she reached her destination.

She had overcome her fears of the steed quickly, knowing by the way it acted and looked at her that it sensed her hesitation. With the five grandest and most powerful dragons in the world looking on her, she knew any sign of weakness would have sentenced her to an instant death. Inwardly she had been terrified throughout the encounter, realizing with each word she spoke and with each deal she made, she was losing a part of who she had been. Having set her course in motion, she found she was swept along, unable to stop what she had started. Every time somewhere inside of her a voice called out for her to stop, Talifernon was there to goad her on. Now she had all but consigned herself to her chosen path.

There were no walls or towers at the outskirts of the city, and no guards to man them. The city was far too lax, and she was determined to change that shortly. She stopped at the first inn she saw and slipped off the back of her summoned steed. Whispering a few words into its ear, she made sure her cloak had fallen about her body before heading into the inn.

The door to the tavern shut behind her, causing a few people to glance her way. It was crowded inside, with all manner of inhabitants, from orcs playing bones and drinking ale to light elves throwing knives at a target on the wall. Either judging her to difficult to deal with, or two poor, the probing looks fell away from her. Alesha fought the urge to smile, had she not hidden herself within her cloak, she was sure every eye in the room would be upon her.

Moving gracefully through the crowd of drunk and nearly drunk people, she made her way to the bar and pushed a passed an orc out of the way. He fell to the floor but not before he bumped into a another orc raising a jack of ale to drink from it. Spilling some of the ale, the orc turned towards her and slammed his ale down on the counter, spilling far more. Snarling, it reached for the dagger at its belt.

Its hand never made it. Sinister looking black flames immolated the orc, making it shriek in agony. It ran outside, bouncing off of people and furniture alike on its way there. At the door a few other orcs looked outside and saw the afflicted orc rolling in the street, trying to smother the unholy fires that took its life a few seconds later. Inside the tavern, the atmosphere had instantly gone quiet. Anyone who had brushed up against the orc on his death flight shivered and tried to warm whatever portion of their body that had touched the flames, for they had sucked the heat from them.

Alesha turned back to the bartender, who now approached her cautiously. She knew that the troll bouncer moved up behind her, ready to crack her skull and toss her outside at the first sign from the bartender.

"I seek Kallendel" Alesha said loudly enough for everyone in the now silent inn to hear. "Where can I find him?"

The bartender, a light elf missing one eye, studied her a moment before responding, "Who are you?"

Alesha threw back the hood of her cloak and shook her raven colored hair free of it. "His replacement."

A few laughs came from behind her. She had expected as much, Kallendel was a powerful light elven warrior and the man in charge of the city of Mezarbolle. He had gotten there by being the strongest and most ruthless, building a reputation around him nearly as great as he actually was. All the fools in the tavern saw was a pretty human girl. She felt anger flush her skin but she fought to keep control.

"Begone girl, this is no place for you," the bartender said when the laughter had died down.

"I leave when you tell me how to find Kallendel," Alesha said, her voice hissing dangerously.

Nodding slightly, the barman signaled the troll. The troll reached up to put a hand on her shoulder, but she had already moved. Ducking and spinning, Alesha's cloak billowed out around her. The troll snarled at her and turned to come at her again, then realized that its arm ended in a stump. On the bar in front of a surprised bartender the trolls hand twitched a few times, then burst into flames.

"Try it again and you lose more then a hand," Alesha said calmly. The troll looked to its stump in fear, seeing the wound cauterized and sealed, preventing it from growing its hand back.

The troll looked back at her, clearly afraid. It stumbled back a few steps then turned and fled the tavern. Alesha smirked and turned back to the one eyed elf. "Who dies next?" Putting up his hands peacefully he nodded and gave her the directions.

*****

"You know, Silverton won't be pleased with an army of barbarians at their gates," Martin said, striding beside Nordan.

Nordan shrugged, "They need not worry, we seek them no harm."

"Kelnozz said we needed a really big army, is this large enough?"

Nordan shrugged again, "Calling on my tribe is all I can do, how would you have us gain more?"

Martin was quiet for a moment, thinking. Finally he spoke up. "For several years I worked for the resistance," He began. When Nordan showed no sign of caring, he continued. "I delivered messages from one town to the next. They're all ruled independently, but many of these cities are allied. They agree not to bother each other, and instead set their sights upon taxing and oppressing the people. Not to mention how many of them practice dark rights without the commoners knowledge."

Nordan nodded. "Kelnozz and I found that in Yolarch." He grinned at the memory, "We ended it."

"I heard about that," Martin said, chuckling. "It really boosted the morale of the resistance and set the federation scurrying for cover for a little while. You should have followed up on it."

Nordan let the comment go, instead concerning himself with covering as much distance as possible. They had left his tribe a few days before the rest of them had, in hopes of meeting up with Kelnozz back at Silverton.

"It's not to late, you know," Martin said.

"What?" Nordan grunted, missing Martin's point.

"We could overrun a few cities on the way there, it would bolster our armies strength."

Nordan chuckled. "No, it would irritate them. They want nothing to do with laying siege to cities, Yolarch was an example, nothing more. They come with me because our blood sings out for battle and because I brought them victory before. If what the elf says is true, this time it will not be so easy, and my tribe will not remember me as kindly."

Martin nodded at that and continued walking. He was lost in thought after that, trying to figure out what they could do to gain more allies. He knew he could raise at the most a hundred men from his contacts with the resistance, if he had the time. Time seemed to be their concern, from what their missing companion had impressed upon them.

*****

The swords clashed loudly with neither opponent gaining a clear advantage. Back and forth they dueled, the light elven warlord and the human girl. At first Kallendel had laughed when he heard that she sought him out. Then he heard of her exploits and decided to treat her more seriously. When she showed up at his office door, he grew angry. Determined to teach her a lesson, he never stopped to consider the level of prowess she must have possessed to have defeated the extra guards he had put on duty to stop her. Now he reappraised her skills again, continuously amazed at how she could continually thwart his assaults with only her shortsword when he had both a longsword and dirk to wield against her.

"I was going to kill you, girl," He hissed at her in between a furious exchange of blows, "but now I think I'm going to rape you first!"

Alesha grinned fiercely, stepping back into his range and intercepted attack after attack on her. "Or maybe I'll kill you then rape you!" He spat out, growing frustrated at her continuous defense.

Seeing him nearly at the point where the battle would turn, Alesha let her grin show on her face again. This infuriated the light elf even more, making him rain blows down on her. She inwardly scoffed at him, knowing that he was good, but no match for the person who had trained her, and therefore no match for her. Instead of slaying him instantly, she prolonged it, feeding off of the energy he exuded. Any doubts as to what she was becoming were lost in the thrill and excitement of battle.

She sent her magic into him then, knowing he was growing tired. Soon he would lapse and she would be forced to take him. But first, she wanted to have some fun with him.

Kallendel felt himself surging with energy, and redoubled his attacks. Twice he thought he had come close to defeating the upstart wench that attacked him, but both time he was turned away at the last moment. After a few more moments, he began to realize how uncomfortable he was. Sure enough, he was becoming aroused fighting her. Dangerously aroused.