Chapter 32: For Elenyr
Water ascended the spiral staircase that wrapped around a thick limb, the city gradually falling away as he climbed to the highest point in Ilumidora. Situated in the lofty branches of Urindilial, the small overlook extended above the aquaglass sphere that held the fortress. Water reached the barrier and placed his hand against it, opening a portal so he could pass above the protective sphere. Higher and higher he climbed, until he could see the great breadth of the elven forest.
The overlook at the top of the limb sat nestled in a crook between two branches, the small hut containing only a peaked roof and wide windows. Water stepped to the eastern side of the hut, his eyes drawn to the destruction in the distance.
Draeken’s fiend army was drawing closer by the hour. Dragon fire from his two beasts poured from the sky, burning the trees of Orláknia, and allowing the fiends to rip them from the earth. By the time they reached Ilumidora in the morning, a third of the forest would be ravaged.
A great cry rose from the elves of the city as their forest was destroyed, the lamentation a deep keening of anger and loss. Water clenched his fist on the railing of the overlook and knew Draeken destroyed the forest out of spite.
The other fragments appeared behind him, one by one joining him in the overlook. Light brought up the rear, panting from the climb. They took places at the window to survey the destruction in the distance, all falling silent as more fire erupted from Gorewrathian, briefly illuminating the great dragon in the twilight sky.
“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” Water motioned to the approaching army. “After all we’ve been through, now we battle the fragment of Power.”
“Elenyr said he was our brother too,” Fire said. “But I don’t believe that.”
“He could have been one of us,” Mind murmured. “He has chosen his own path.”
“I liked having such power.”
Shadow’s voice was disappointed as he reached to the dark night and shaped the shadows into a dragon. The beast was smaller than he’d previously cast, and lacked the sharp definition. Water placed his hand on Shadow’s shoulder.
“The fragment of Power no longer binds us, but that does not mean we are divided.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” Light said softly.
“You won’t,” Fire smiled at Light. “We’ve always come out as victors before. It’s not about to change this time.”
“We’ve never faced a threat like this,” Mind said.
Water chuckled as his words elicited a memory. “Do you remember when we went with Elenyr to fight a nest of reavers for the dwarves?”
“The silver reavers,” Light’s eyes brightened as he recalled. “The one where I—”
“Yes,” Shadow groaned. “The one where I lost my arm.”
“It grew back.” Fire grinned and poked his left shoulder, the one that Shadow had been forced to regrow.
Mind’s expression was fond. “As I recall, Light lost his temper because the beasts weren’t playing nicely. He killed two with a giant spear.”
“And cut off my arm,” Shadow said flatly.
Water laughed at the memory. “You picked up your arm and shook it at Light,” he said. “Your face turned purple you were so angry.”
“You were rather upset,” Light said.
“Not as upset as when you tried to fix it.” Fire grinned at Light.
Shadow chuckled sourly. “I’m glad you found my arm amusing.”
“Didn’t Light keep the arm for a while?” Water asked. “Whatever happened to it?”
“Elenyr burned it,” Shadow said, shaking his head sadly. “She caught me trying to attach it so I could have a third arm.”
They all laughed, and Water tried to imagine his brother with three arms. It was exactly the type of thing Shadow would attempt, or at least would have attempted, prior to losing the fragment of Power.
He looked at his brothers, laughing and talking about their lives together, and it reminded him of the memories Elenyr had saved, and used to help Mind fight Draeken in Blackwell Keep. She’d always seen them as family, even when they had not seen it in themselves.
He looked back on their life, of how much she had taught and guided, always with patience and compassion. Had she ever wavered in her dedication to their strange family? Had she considered a different course?
His brothers were laughing about another incident, this time between Shadow and Mind, when Shadow had gotten Mind ejected from a guild of mercenaries who thought he’d stolen their prized blade collection. Mind smiled as Shadow described Mind’s indignation. Mind reminded them of Shadow’s punishment, to return the blades and complete five contracts for the guild. For free.
“Elenyr always did take care of us,” Water said.
The amusement faded as they all turned their thoughts to Elenyr, the woman that loved them. Light’s shoulders hunched, his brow furrowed in thought. Shadow looked out over the approaching fiend army, while Mind and Fire exchanged a look.
“I wish there was something we could do for her,” Light said.
“She’s shouldered more than anyone,” Fire nodded in agreement.
“And saved our lives more times than we can count,” Mind said. “She even saved us from ourselves.”
Shadow folded his arms. “Plus we might die tomorrow, so whatever we might get her, we have to do tonight.”
“Like a dress?” Light rubbed his chin.
