With ice forming around his legs and arms, Bartoth pushed for the dragon and raised his sword, his body slowing. He bellowed his fury and forced himself to advance through the dragon’s breath, his blade coming at Isray’s snout, where it came to a halt.
Encased in ice, Bartoth stood with his arms extended, his sword touching Isray’s snout. His eyes glowed through the helmet, the fury evident as he trembled. Light rose to his feet and wiped blood from his chin.
“That won’t hold him for long.”
The ice cracked near his arms, and Willow joined Light. “We don’t need long.”
Senia approached with Lachonus and pointed to the dragon. “Let’s go, soldier.”
He looked to Rilia, who nodded. The woman’s features were bright with haughty pride. “Your name will ring through the ages, my son.”
The ice cracked again, and they climbed onto the dragon’s back. More ice cracked, and Rilia shouted for the soldiers to retreat. Cavalry poured from the road, the wounded and dead loaded onto spare horses. More ice cracked, and Gendor retreated into the cloud of dust.
Light swung his leg over the dragon’s neck just as a chunk of ice fell to the ground. Isray opened his jaws and roared. Then he spread his wings. The ice shattered, Bartoth stumbling from the shards.
He stood, gasping for breath, just feet from a dragon’s maw. He began to laugh, the sound washing over the dead horses and dusty road. Light gathered his magic but Bartoth sheathed his sword and stood.
“Weaker but wiser,” he said. “I enjoyed this fight, but rest assured, the next will be your last.”
“We’ll see about that,” Light said.
Isray launched them skyward, and as they departed the battlefield, Light breathed a sigh of relief and reached for Willow’s hand. She smiled and tightened her grip. He may have survived, but the battle was far from over.
Chapter 13: Battlefield
The allied army advanced out of the trees to enter the valley. Led by Griffin infantry, the soldiers spread out, gradually filling the breadth of the foothills below Xshaltheria. Under the twilight sky, the alliance arrived to destroy the criminal known as Serak.
Thirty thousand Talinorian cavalry, sixty thousand Griffin infantrymen, twenty thousand elven archers, another twenty Erathan swordsmen, and still they appeared at the end of the road. Rock trolls from the north, sand trolls from the deserts, dwarves, gnomes, giants, they all took their place and set up camp at the base of the great volcano.
Fire and Water watched the advance from an escarpment on the northern side of the valley. The two had ridden ahead to survey the fortress, and to Water’s relief, it appeared the Dark Gate had yet to open. For now, only a few thousand of the loyal Order members guarded the winding road leading up to the fortress above.
“The gates are well guarded,” Fire said, pointing to the road.
The fortress and road were a testament to dwarven engineering, and paranoia. The road curved its way up the slope, passing through several smaller gates, the fortifications built so soldiers higher up the road could attack the lower approaches. The allied army would have to fight through the teeth of the defenses to reach the top of the mountain, where large openings led to the citadel. Suspended by giant chains, the entire fortress of Xshaltheria hung in the throat of the volcano.
“Serak’s forces are small,” Water said. “But it’s going to be hard to fight our way up that road.”
Lira appeared below them and hiked to their position. “As we assumed. Just a few thousand men. They look nervous.”
“They should be.” Fire swept his hand at the allied army below, already two hundred thousand strong with more entering the valley. “We’re going to crush them.”
“Not if the Dark Gate is opened,” Lira said.
“We should attack quickly,” Fire said.
“That’s what Rynda wants,” Lira said. “But King Justin opposes her. He and the orcs want caution.”
Fire snorted in disgust. “They’ve gathered the mightiest army Lumineia has ever seen, and now he wants to wait?”
“It’s a ploy,” Water said. “King Justin now controls the armies of Talinor and Erathan. He wants to consolidate his power now, so after the battle his reign will be unchallenged.”
“Perhaps Rynda is right about men,” Lira said sourly. “King Justin has gained more power, but instead of using it to stop Serak, he wants to demonstrate his strength.”
“I suspect he wants to acquire the other two kingdoms,” Water said. “I overheard many Griffin soldiers boasting about the great kingdom of Griffin, which will own the entire southern lands.”
“I still can’t believe King Porlin never existed,” Fire said.
After the fragment of Mind had unmasked Porlin for his real identity, the truth had spread like wildfire. King Porlin’s predecessor had failed to have a son, and formed a secret arrangement with Serak. He gained an heir, while the heir would serve the Order of Ancients. None but Porlin, his supposed father, and Serak had known Porlin’s identity. But over the years others had learned the truth, all from Porlin himself, who was actually Zoric, son of Zenif. In his pride, he’d enlisted the aid of soldiers and nobles of Talinor, all of which were quick to turn on the false king the moment his true identity was revealed. The Talinorian throne now sat empty, and several of the nobles vied for the vacancy. All four were present with the army, for they needed King Justin’s support.
“Erathan is in worse shape,” Fire said. “King Numen had finally managed to get his kingdom under control, but reports say the people are preparing a revolt. Princess Nelia has managed to keep the peace, but the people view her as weak.”
“King Numen betrayed Erathan, served their enemy, and is now dead,” Lira said.
“At least his daughter is there,” Water said. “She is smart enough to lead in his absence.”
“Not if Griffin decides to conquer Erathan,” Fire said. “They wouldn’t last a month.”
Water sighed, disliking the truth to the conversation. The political tension on Lumineia was visible in the valley below. The Erathan soldiers had claimed the northern slopes, where the duke leading them insisted they make camp. Talinorian cavalry argued with them as to the choice in position, saying they should be at the center of the line, where all infantry were positioned. The cavalry could operate better from a flanking position.
Other sections of the valley were equally as tense, with various groups arguing, their heated conversations reaching to Water’s position. Higher officers struggled to maintain control, while the dwarves, elves, rock trolls, and dark elves tried to avoid the complications.
Water scowled at the tension of the allied army. Why did King Justin behave with such arrogance? Did he not see that it could destroy them all? Water then recalled a statement Elenyr had frequently quoted regarding nobles.
“They are raised to nobility, wealth, and privilege. It’s not their fault they act with arrogance.”
