-last edited on Jul 11, 2017 17:16:44 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 11, 2017 17:15:56 GMT
Chapter 219
Cottor nodded, joining Neren in a bow, “These three want ta steal somethin’ from tha Whiteblade clan. I told them they would need help.”
“You were right,” said the Baron, “Such a task would be impossible for so small a group. What do they want to steal?”
Hithrol answered, “The Whiteblade.”
The Baron laughed loudly. When he was finished he asked again, “Really, what is it?”
Hithrol simply stared at him, a serious expression on his face.
“You mean to tell me you actually want to steal the Whiteblade?” said the Baron incredulously. Hithrol nodded.
“Forget it. It’s impossible. Cottor, get them out of here.”
Cottor stood, ready to obey, but Gyr held out his hand, “You’re mercenaries, correct? Name your price and we’ll pay it.”
The Baron thought for a moment, “One thousand gold pieces.”
Gyr nodded, “Done.”
Irya stared at him, “We don’t-.”
He held up a finger, “I am the last of the Dragon Knights. I lived alone in that castle for months. Many people left money and valuables behind when they left. I collected much of it, figuring it should be put to a use.”
“So you actually have the money?” asked the Baron.
“Certainly, though some of it isn’t in the form of coins.”
“Alright then,” the Baron replied, “We have a deal. Cottor and Neren will bring your friends to the others to discuss strategy. You stay here to negotiate payment.”
As Cottor and Neren led Hithrol and Irya back to the other room, Cottor introduced them, “Like tha Baron said, I’m Cottor and this is my brother Neren. How ‘bout ya?”
They introduced themselves and named Gyr, so when they got to the other room Cottor was able to say, “This is Hithrol and Irya. Their friend Gyr is talkin’ ta tha Baron. We’re goin’ ta be doin’ a job with them, so introduce yarselves."
The elf spoke first, “I’m Jayden Crow, Dragonslayer.” He pointed at the pale woman who had answered the door, “This is Caisara. She doesn’t talk.”
The dwarf, Dwalin, went next, and then the werewolf introduced herself as Scarlette.
-last edited on Jul 12, 2017 16:58:31 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 12, 2017 16:58:14 GMT
Chapter 220
Legolie heard the flapping of wings high above. She hissed, “Get down!” and pulled Harrox and Fingolfin to the ground. Only when the sound was far gone did she stand back up, brushing off twigs and dirt.
“What was that?” asked Harrox with a scowl.
“The dragons in these parts of the forest are said to be very territorial,” replied Legolie, “I didn’t want to take any chances that it might see us.” Fingolfin nodded his agreement as the elf queen continued, “We should move farther north. Hopefully then we’ll be out of the range of the dragons.”
It had been a couple days since they had seen the Dragonsbane, and they seemed to be no closer to finding the Honorblade. For all they knew, it might have been in an entirely different forest. But they had to keep searching. The fate of the world rested in their hands.
As the day, continued, they found themselves in a part of the forest where the gnarled branches and deep green leaves overhead allowed little sunlight to reach the forest floor. Other branches drooped down to chest-level or lower and many roots stuck out as high as knee-level, making it difficult to walk through the forest. All of the trees were closer together, and it was strangely silent.
With so little light penetrating the thick canopy, it was hard to tell what time it was. But when they found themselves barely able to see their own hands in front of their faces, they decided to stop for the day.
Leaning against a twisted tree, Legolie felt something sticky on her back. She tried to pull away, but her efforts were futile. She heard sounds of struggling from Fingolfin and Harrox and realized they were in the same situation.
A yellow light appeared in the distance, steadily growing larger until at last it was just a few feet from the elf queen and her companions. When Legolie saw its source, she had to choke back a scream.
-last edited on Jul 14, 2017 17:04:57 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 14, 2017 17:04:41 GMT
Chapter 221
Wisdom was right. Bringing Errica along made navigating through the city much easier than it would have been without her. And when a group of soldiers stopped them to inquire about Graylin’s holding of the Honorblade out in front of her, the Mermian quickly defused the situation before it could escalate.
With Errica’s help, Graylin, Link, Leinad, and Harrox soon came to a quiet dock on the outskirts of the city. The sword indicated that their goal was farther out in the water, so they rented a small rowboat. Since there was only room for four passengers, Leinad stayed behind on the dock. The rest of them rowed out until the Honorblade began to point downwards.
Errica looked to Graylin and Link, the two who had volunteered to dive for the Honorblade, “Are you ready?” Both nodded. “All right. You will be able to breathe, but the pressure will be dangerous. The deeper you dive, the higher it will get. You need to get in and get out as quickly as possible, or you won’t survive.” They nodded again. Errica had already explained this, but she wanted to be sure they remembered. “Okay,” said the Mermian, “Get in the water.” Graylin and Link obliged, leaving their equipment on the boat so it wouldn’t weigh them down. Errica extended her hands and the two of them began to morph. Their hands and feet became larger and webbed. Their noses sunk into their faces and gills opened up on the sides of their necks. The lenses of their eyes became more convex and their ears folded over.
When Errica was done, she nodded and Graylin and Link began to dive, following the pull of the Honorblade. With their fin-like appendages, it wasn’t too long before they reached the ocean floor. The Honorblade was wedged in between two rocks. Link struggled to grab it with his transformed hands, but at last he wrenched it free. Graylin ended the locator spell and the two of them belted on their swords before swimming back towards the surface. When they reached the boat, Errica reversed the transformations and they hopped on board.
Back on shore, Graylin opened a portal to the castle. She turned to Errica, “Care to join us?”
Errica shook her head, “I’m going back to the Towers to continue my studies.” She leapt into the air and instantly transformed into a bird.
Graylin, Link, Leinad, and Harrox walked into the portal.
I will be gone from tomorrow (Saturday, July 15th) through Saturday, July 22nd. I will not be able to post during that time. I would like to let you know, however, that I have finished writing Part Eight and will start working on the Author's Note stuff and the final Part when I return.
-last edited on Jul 23, 2017 21:05:52 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 23, 2017 21:05:43 GMT
Chapter 222
They arrived at the location where Septimus said the temple was around midmorning. There was nothing there except a large dune, but the sorcerer assured them that it was the right place. “I recognize this spot. Don’t worry. It’s been a long journey. We will rest for the remainder of the day and begin finding our way in tomorrow.”
Skrag was grateful for the reprieve. He leaned back against a dusty rock and looked up at the clear blue sky. As Septimus had said, the journey had been no easy task. Skrag, having never been to the desert before, had not been prepared for the experience. Like the plains to the south it was windy, but with the wind invariably came dust that caught in his lungs and made him cough. The sand was a constant annoyance, and sleeping on it, although softer than in a forest, also got it stuck in his clothing. During the day it was swelteringly hot, hotter than Skrag had ever felt, but during the night it was as cold as the mountains and Skrag shivered all night. There was also the question of nourishment. The desert had few sources of food. Fortunately, they had brought plenty in their packs, but water was a different question. None could be found in the arid desert, and their water skins were only able to hold so much. Now, those water skins were beginning to run low. They would not have as much water for the return trip as they did on the way there, especially if finding the Honorblade took more than a couple days. Still, Skrag thought it could have been worse. He was lonely, tired, and thirsty, but at least he was alive. If they didn’t find the Honorblade he wouldn’t be able to say that for much longer.
-last edited on Jul 24, 2017 19:53:27 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 24, 2017 19:53:08 GMT
Chapter 223
The three of them spent all of the next day moving sand. Skrag and Digls used two shovels Septimus had bought, while Septimus levitated out large piles. It was monotonous, draining work, and Skrag once again began to feel like he was on the brink of insanity. Their water supplies drained alarmingly quickly, as the work dried them out faster than simply walking. Even Septimus was exhausted by the effort involved in using so much magic without rest. The worst part was when sand fell in from the sides of the pit they had dug and covered up a portion of their progress.
During the afternoon of the second day, they finally hit stone. Septimus immediately told them to stop and knelt on the stone slab. After a few minutes, he told them to move back and then with a loud crack that must have carried for miles, he shattered the slab. That night, they slept inside the temple, and in the morning exploration began.
Septimus had to form a ball of light in his hand so they could see. There was not a single torch in the temple, and there were no brackets on the wall to suggest there had ever been any. Septimus led the way, because he had the light and because he knew the temple and its contents. Without him, Skrag and Doli could have been smashed any number of times. At last, they came to a large room filled with treasure of all kinds. Much of it was in coins and gems, but it also contained many items, including several swords. Unfortunately, none of them were the Honorblade. As Digls examined a huge suit of armor covered in astonishingly elaborate designs, some too small to be seen with the naked eye, Septimus stood in thought. At last, he said, “If it’s not here, it must be deeper, with the greater treasures.”
-last edited on Jul 25, 2017 17:24:38 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 25, 2017 17:24:20 GMT
Chapter 224
Septimus now led them farther into the temple. It was massive, and Skrag knew that he’d never be able to find his way out on his own. Finally, the sorcerer stopped in a cavernous room filled by what seemed an endless amount of scrolls and books.
“This is the greater treasure?” asked Digls, disappointed.
“It is. I believe this is where the most important items in the entire temple are held. There is more information in here than a person could learn in a single lifetime, and all of it is beyond the comprehension of almost anyone alive today. If the Honorblade is somewhere it must be here. Look behind scrolls and books, but take the utmost care to return everything to its proper place.” Skrag and Digls began doing so, grabbing items one at a time before replacing them, but after nearly an hour of work there was nothing to be found.
Skrag walked over to the center of the room. Engraved in the floor were many concentric rings of symbols. In the middle were three symbols, surrounded by eight, and so on. Bored, Skrag began counting. There were one hundred and eleven in all. Most of the symbols were unrecognizable, but a few seemed familiar. One in ring of eight was clearly a stylized eye. Another reminded Skrag of a spider, and a third, for whatever reason, made him think of Terra. Then he saw a symbol in the center circle that he had seen before. It was the rune on the blade of Scalblas and the Honorblade Leif had given Legolie. A little hesitantly, Skrag touched his palm to the rune. At first, nothing happened, but then the three innermost rings began to rotate and lower. Skrag called out to Septimus and Digls and they hopped onto the platform next to him as it descended into a room below.
-last edited on Jul 26, 2017 20:10:44 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 26, 2017 20:10:33 GMT
Chapter 225
Septimus walked around the new room, clearly stunned, “I never knew this was here.”
“Do you think the Honorblade is here?” asked Digls.
Skrag nodded, “I recognized the rune that is on the Honorblades. The floor began to lower when I touched it.”
They began to examine their surroundings. The room was long and narrow, but it was smaller than the treasure room or the room with the books. Septimus’s light glinted off of something at the far end, but none of them noticed. They were too busy looking at the pictures on the walls. The walls were covered in ornate paintings, each presenting a simple scene but at the same time conveying great depth and seemingly unaffected by time or the forces of nature. Each one seemed to tell a story. Many featured one or more of a large group of figures doing any manner of things, from leading armies to nurturing crowds of smaller figures. One series of pictures interested Skrag more than any other. They were painted along the short wall at the back of the room, and unlike all the other pictures they stood alone as a single set. No others were painted above or below them. The first picture was of a large group of figures standing together- those featured in the other pictures. They ranged from practically humanoid to entirely inhuman. Many reminded Skrag of people with animal characteristics. To his surprise, one looked like a Mermian, another like a lizardfolk, and a third like a werewolf. One even reminded him of his old foe Zelfern, from the Arena. Skrag counted them. There were one hundred and ten, almost the same number as the number of symbols on the floor in the room above. The second picture showed them fighting. In the third and final picture, only one figure remained. It was a humanoid figure covered in black armor. Something about it seemed familiar, but Skrag couldn’t tell what.
-last edited on Jul 28, 2017 19:07:38 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 28, 2017 19:07:12 GMT
Chapter 226
As Skrag examined the pictures, Septimus called out from the other end of the room. Skrag turned to see him holding the Honorblade triumphantly. “I’ve found it. Let’s go.” He opened a portal and ushered Digls through. A little reluctantly, Skrag followed. They emerged outside of the temple by their camp.
It was around noon when they left the temple, so they decided to rest for the rest of the day and begin the journey home in the morning.
Skrag awoke to Zargan’s face. He jumped up with a smile and embraced his friend. “What are you doing here?”
Zargan smiled, “It didn’t take too long for Olifin and me to get our Honorblade. Skirj told me to find you. Olifin took the Honorblade and went to collect Hithrol’s group and I came here to find you. Did you find yours?”
Skrag nodded, “Just yesterday. Septimus has it.”
It wasn’t long before Septimus and Digls woke up. The four of them ate a small breakfast with some of their remaining rations and then prepared to leave. Zargan was to carry Skrag, Septimus, and Digls back to the castle of the Dragon Knights, where they could meet up with the others.
At first, Digls was reluctant to ride the dragon, but Septimus reminded him that if he didn’t he’d have to walk back, and somehow get enough water to survive while he did so. When he heard that, the dwarf quickly agreed. Septimus, on the contrary, was excited to ride the dragon. The sorcerer was the happiest Skrag had ever seen him. It seemed as if he had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time.
They had to stop for one night near a small settlement. It was by far the best Skrag had slept on the whole journey. With Zargan by his side once again, he didn’t feel the need to worry about his friend, and with someone to talk to he felt himself again.
I will be gone from tomorrow (Saturday, July 15th) through Saturday, July 22nd. I will not be able to post during that time. I would like to let you know, however, that I have finished writing Part Eight and will start working on the Author's Note stuff and the final Part when I return.
Update: Author's Note stuff is done. I'll start Part Nine soon, maybe today.
-last edited on Jul 29, 2017 21:50:28 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 29, 2017 21:50:08 GMT
Chapter 227
Hithrol huddled behind a boulder with Irya, Gyr, and the mercenaries as they staked out the clan. It was larger than he had expected, as large as a mid-sized town, and most of the structures appeared relatively permanent. Cottor whispered, “Caisara’s back.”
Hithrol saw the silent woman crouched down nearby. He hadn’t seen her arrive, “How…?”
Cottor smiled, “I told ya. She’s silent.” It was true. Since Hithrol had met her, Caisara hadn’t made a sound. She never spoke, apparently, but she also managed to make every movement silently. She had gone to scout out the area where the Honorblade was kept. The mercenaries had dressed her in an extremely dark gray- it was better than black, or so they said- covering everything except her eyes.
Caisara made a series of hand movements which Jayden interpreted, “It’s a large structure in the center of the buildings, surrounded by guards. The area around it is well-lit so she couldn’t get too close.”
“All right,” said Cottor, “Our best bet is ta cause a distraction while a few of us go ta retrieve tha Whiteblade. Fire would be best, but as long as it draws attention it will work. Hithrol, Irya, and I will get tha weapon. Caisara will stay here ta cover our escape if necessary. The rest of ya handle tha distraction."
The mercenaries nodded their assent. “I’ll give the signal when it’s time for you to go,” said Jayden. Without another word, he, Neren, Scarlette, and Dwalin were off, dragging Gyr with them.
Cottor led Hithrol and Irya closer to the settlement. Soon, they heard a crow’s caw. “That’s tha signal,” said Cottor, “Let’s go.”
-last edited on Jul 30, 2017 18:54:53 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jul 30, 2017 18:54:42 GMT
Chapter 228
They ran into a few giants on their way to the place where the Honorblade was held, and Cottor took them down without hesitation. Hithrol wished there was another way, but the entire world was in danger and there was no time to waste. He supposed such sacrifices were necessary.
It didn’t take too long to actually reach the building, but while maybe one or two of the guards had left to investigate the distraction the others had created most of them were still there. Cottor charged towards the nearest one and smashed him. Hithrol and Irya followed. Five more giants were defeated before they reached the entrance and made it inside. There they found gold jewelry hanging from the ceiling and mounted on the walls. In the middle of it all was a pedestal with the sword perched on it. An elderly giant knelt before it. He turned around as they entered, but before he could shout for help Cottor’s sword was at his throat. “Not one word.”
Hithrol waved Irya towards the pedestal, “This one’s yours.” She nodded and grabbed it, sheathing her own sword. The task done, Hithrol turned to Cottor, “Let’s get out of here.” Cottor shoved the giant aside and the three of them ran out of the building.
On their way out of the settlement, they ran into a few more giants, all of whom Cottor dispatched. When they reached the hiding place, they found their companions already waiting. Most of them nursed small injuries, but on the whole they seemed to be okay. “We need ta leave before they come lookin’ for us,” said Cottor. The others agreed. They began making their way back towards their camp- the clan was more than a day’s travel from the town- as quickly as they could in the dark.
When they reached their camp, Neren lit a fire and everyone gathered around it to banish the chill of the night. As Hithrol, Irya, and Gyr warmed their hands they suddenly found themselves surrounded by the mercenaries, all holding their weapons. “We’re really sorry ta do this. Ya seem like nice enough people,” said Cottor, “But tha Baron knows ya have more than a thousand gold pieces. His orders were ta rob ya after tha job was done. And it’s done now.”
Hithrol placed his hand on Scalblas’ handle, “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, we do. Baron’s orders. But we won’t do it right away. I have some questions.” Cottor lowered his sword a little, “Why is it that yar sword and the Whiteblade are exactly tha same?”
Hithrol turned to face him, “It’s a long story.”
“We’ve got time.”
But before he said anything more, Dwalin let out a cry as he fell to the ground. Behind him stood Alis, “I’m sorry I had to do that, but no one’s smashing him except for me.” She pointed her sword at Hithrol.
Cottor raised his sword as the other mercenaries prepared for battle, “Who’s this now? And why does she have tha same sword too?”
Hithrol struggled to get the words out, “I don’t know.” There was something familiar about the girl, but he couldn’t place it. As he stared at her, he saw the dragon egg on her back. A million questions were rushing through his mind, but he couldn’t put words to them. He simply stared at the girl who said she was going to smash him.
Then things got even stranger. In a flash of orange light, Skirj appeared in the middle of everything. “Stop!” he shouted, and they did. It was almost as if time itself had stopped at his command. Even the fire seemed to burn more slowly.
-last edited on Aug 2, 2017 17:04:32 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Aug 2, 2017 17:04:03 GMT
Chapter 230
With a jarring sensation, time seemed to move normally again. Alis shouted, “That crown was my father’s! It belongs to me!”
She reached out to take Skirj’s crown, but he waved his hand and she was frozen in place. He sighed, “Hithrol, before you do anything rash, I am here to help. You and the Honorblades need to get out of here in one piece.” He looked around at the mercenaries, “I could obliterate all of you with a single thought. Leave, before I choose to do so.” Jayden and Caisara did so immediately, with Scarlette close behind. Cottor seemed reluctant, but Neren grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. “Now,” said Skirj, “Where were we? Ah, yes, the matter of the would-be assassin.” He waved his hand, and Alis was unfrozen. He looked into her eyes, “Tell Hithrol why you want to smash him.”
She obeyed, as if compelled to do so, “He smashed my father, Marrzak. I need my revenge.”
Hithrol stood up, bewildered, “Who is she?”
Skirj smiled, “A misguided girl. I’m afraid her memories have been altered by Marrzak. Allow me to fix that.” He touched his hand to her forehead and her body rippled with orange light. When it stopped, she fell to her knees and began to cry. He extended a hand to help her up, “It’s okay, Alis. You’re safe.”
“Alis?” whispered Hithrol, but before he could say anything more, she jumped up and embraced him.
As the siblings reunited at last, Skirj called out, “I know you’re there, Virida. You can come out now.”
Virida entered the clearing, and now it was Gyr’s turn to be surprised, “Virida!” He ran over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, “What are you doing here?”
She looked up at him, “Alis said a bad man smashed Uncle William. She said she was going to go stop him. She said his name was Hithrol.”
“Alis was confused,” replied Gyr, “Hithrol didn’t smash your uncle. It was a bad dragon. But he’s gone now. It’s okay.”
-last edited on Aug 3, 2017 15:56:50 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Aug 3, 2017 15:56:35 GMT
Chapter 231
Irya smirked, “When’s my reunion?”
Skirj shook his head, “There is none for you, I’m afraid. But I do have news.”
The orc looked at him, surprised and confused in equal measure, “What about?”
“Leif has already informed you about Morath’s infiltration of the Council,” Skirj replied, “But he was too rushed for time to tell the full story. Hattie, Mystika, Didime, Didima, Petrion, Barkot, and the Wanderer were all smashed in the attack. Fortunately, Beziov, Leif, Elowyn, and Vasilla managed to escape. This means the Council is now crippled. Once the situation with the Well is resolved, it will be searching for new members to replace those it has lost. I expect one of those replacements will be you.”
“How do you know all this?”
Skirj smiled, “The power of this crown is as immense as it is dangerous.” Surveying the whole group, he said, “Your ride will be here shortly. I must go. Good luck.”
Hithrol looked at him, “What ride? Go where?”
He grabbed Virida’s hand gently, “First, I must bring her to a safe place, and then I will return to fending off the souls.” Before anyone could ask any more questions, he and Virida were gone in a flash of orange light.
But soon Hithrol’s first question was answered, as Olifin landed with a smile, “I am here to bring you back to the castle. And I brought this.” An Honorblade dropped out of his claw and Gyr picked it up. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.” The four of them- Hithrol, Alis, Irya, and Gyr- mounted his back and he took off. As they flew, Hithrol introduced Alis to his friends and she told her story. He was still shocked that she was alive, but at least their father’s final words now made sense. Marrzak had kidnapped and raised her. Hithrol wasn’t sure why, but he supposed it might have been the last of his goodness manifesting itself. Whatever the reason, he was glad.
