He mounted and pulled the reins. “I’d suggest you retreat, captain. You don’t have much time.”
Mind and Jeric flicked the reins and their horses accelerated south. They again set a pace that would devour the miles. Mind rubbed his eyes, smearing dirt across his face as he fought to stay awake. He’d never been so fatigued.
They did not camp or rest, and only paused to water the horses at the numerous streams. Ilumidora sat in the heart of the great forest, several days from the exterior of the forest. The empty road wound through towering trees and crossed beautiful bridges, but there was a noticeable absence of animal life, as if they too had fled in the face of Draeken’s army. Several times the shadow of a large dragon passed overhead, and Mind lifted his gaze to Gorewrathian, wondering what he could do to end Draeken for good.
They encountered more scouts as they neared the elven capital, and managed to trade for fresh steeds. The soldiers were of every race and kingdom, but in the various colors of skin and under different armors, one thing was constant in the eyes of the men and women, a gripping fear of the impending battle. Although it was fear on their faces, Mind heard a different emotion from their thoughts.
Resolve.
They knew the threat, they knew to fear. But these men and women were prepared to fight, to die to protect their homes and families. One man thought of his wife and young child, his jaw set in a determined line. The woman beside him thought of her husband, who’d lost a limb in a war several years ago. She had taken his place because he had trained her, and she thought of his kiss on her lips. She fought for him.
As the bright city of Ilumidora rose in the distance, they passed through thousands of elves laboring to increase the city defenses. Men dug holes and set traps while dwarves placed war machines and stonesap barrels. All labored with courage in their hearts, and Mind could not help but feel the swell of hope. Mind had once considered joining Serak, even seen the merit to his plan, but as they made the final approach to Ilumidora he finally understood what Elenyr had tried to teach. To fight on the correct side was more important than retaining one’s life.
They rode to the city gates and dropped from their weary mounts. Elven mages sought to strengthen the charms on the city gates, and reinforce the walls themselves. Unlike standard stone walls, the city of Ilumidora contained walls of aquaglass, the material granted every possible spell by the powerful elven guild of magic. Ten feet thick and fifty feet high, the wall had further been strengthened by the lake at the heart of the city, the water having previously been raised and added to the aquaglass walls.
Barricades blocked city streets, and tens of thousands of soldiers prepared arrows and swords. Dwarven ballistae, taken from Terros, had been placed on the inside of the wall, the large bolts pointed at the wall itself. Crossbowmen lined the base, with hundreds of crates of crossbows. Elven arches ascended the wall to place more arrows above.
Homes, taverns, inns, and other structures ringed the exterior of the lake. All had been converted into barracks or armories. The ring of hammers on anvils gave the bright city a dwarven air, with many of the bearded race laboring in outdoor forges.
At the center of the lake, Urindilial, the queen of trees, held the fortress high above the lake, its massive roots growing into the island at its base. Branches from the queen tree extended over the lake, merging with the trees on the opposite shore to form roads and sweeping paths. Smaller branches had been grown into railings, providing a host of balconies and overlooks. They too, had been converted for war, with mounted ballistae and catapults placed beneath graceful flowering trees, the purple pedals floating down to land on the steel-tipped weapons.
Water flowed out of the lake, swirling upward and parting into a myriad of floating waterways. Small watercraft provided transportation in and through the upper city. The crystalline water carried boats filled to the brim with supplies and weaponry. The bright lights of thousands of light orbs clinging to hanging branches, illuminated the tremendous armament, and the soldiers rushed to complete final preparations.
At the heart of the city, the three-sided fortress sat nestled in the branches of Urindilial. A plume of water rose through the center of the fortress and curved into streams that arced around the exterior, making it seem like the castle was contained in an orb of glass. But the water was expanding and hardening, forming a protective sphere around the queen’s castle, a final redoubt in case the outer defenses crumbled.
Mind and Jeric threaded their way through the harried soldiers and ascended a plume of water to reach the upper city. Mounted crossbows and mage catapults equipped with stonesap barrels or explosive fireballs were being fastened to the roof of inns, taverns, and homes. Some had their walls removed to make room for more ranged weaponry.
As they approached the castle, Mind spotted Elenyr talking to a knot of officers from various races. She wore armor over her customary cloak, the green enhancing her fearsome look. The soldiers nodded and departed to obey her orders, and then she turned. Their eyes met and Mind smiled.
“Elenyr,” he said. “Are we late?”
Elenyr looked up at him. “You are right on time.”
Tears formed in her eyes and she closed the gap in a rush, engulfing him in an embrace. He’d never been effusive, but he hugged her just as fiercely. How could he have ever thought to betray this woman? He whispered into her ear.
“In case I have never said it aloud, I love you mother.”
They parted and he fought the sudden tears. She smiled at him. “I love you too, my son.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks and Mind caught the tinge of hope from her thoughts. She believed in her plan, but it would be for naught if she did not have her sons. In that moment, Mind felt sorry for Draeken. The fragment of Power had been raised with the other fragments, been taught and trained by Elenyr, but had never seen how much Elenyr believed in them. He was alone by choice, and Mind felt pity for his fallen brother.
“Tardoq?” she asked, glancing to Ero.
“With the Bonebreaker,” Jeric said, nodding in greeting. “We believe she will come, and I provided means for her arrival.”
Elenyr motioned to the castle. “Come. There is much to discuss.”
Chapter 31: Elenyr’s Plan
Elenyr guided Mind to the queen’s castle and through the aquaglass sphere that surrounded the fortress. With the branches holding the fortress and protective shield, the castle resembled a clawed hand grasping an orb. Only this orb was several feet thick and could absorb tremendous damage.
She cast frequent glances at Mind. He looked different, more mature. He’d always been tactical, but his cunning had carried a darker tint. Now he seemed almost happy, despite the circumstances. And he’d never expressed love for her or his brothers. It seemed unnatural in the face of such opposition to feel such a sense of joy, but that was what she felt. Her family remained intact, and although the separation had changed her sons, all signs pointed to the changing being for their good. Her sons were here, and she would rather fight beside them than anyone else in Lumineia.
If they survived.
Her joy at Mind’s return seeped away as she listened to their tale of the Krey Empire. The final battle was upon them, and although she had a plan to fight Draeken, the chance of defeat remained significant.
“Draeken devastated Terros,” Jeric said, and briefly described the city.
Elenyr winced, but nodded. “We expected as much. That’s why we gathered here. Queen Alosia agreed to use her city and nation as a focal point for Draeken’s army, drawing them here so others had time to escape to Talinor and into the north.”
“The fiend army will reach the city by morning,” Mind said.
“We should be ready by then.” Elenyr swept her hand to the armament of Ilumidora. “Ero knows we have turned this city into a weapon.”
Jeric grinned at her use of his krey name. “Is everyone here?”
“They are,” she said. “You are the last, and you arrived just in time for our war council. I’m sure you’re tired, but you you’ll have to rest after the council.”
“Can we at least change?” Mind wrinkled his nose. “I’m fairly confident we reek.”
“We do,” Jeric said.
A tug at her consciousness came from Mind, and he provided glimpses of what he’d experienced at the Bone Crucible. More importantly, he shared the conversation with Tardoq and Belrisa, and their final words. Elenyr motioned to Jeric.