The Ebon Crusade

Part Two

      

The three travelers journeyed then to the elven treecity, which lay in the woods not far away. The buildings were modest, and seemed almost a part of the forest; overgrown with lichen and flowing with the contours of the hills beneath them. At the settlements heart rested a massive sequoia, which was hollow and served as a sort of capital building.

The most striking sight however, was the gathering dragons just visible in a nearby clearing, being saddled by a group of armored elves, apparently preparing for battle. Each elf was dressed in a suit of shining plate and a deep green cape.

Rith ran immediately to the warriors. “Hail!” He shouted. “I am Rith, and these are my traveling companions. You appear to be preparing for war. May I ask where the battle is?”

“We are of the Prisidian Guard.” Replied the evident leader of the troupe. “We are bound for Vaskra’aa, for our listener has received word of a series of invasions by some sort of . . . strange beasts. Normally we do not concern ourselves with such things, but four cities have fallen already, and they are not being occupied. The aggressors simply slaughter the inhabitants and move on. We are being sent to investigate, and to drive them back if possible. Now I repay your question with another: What is your business here, Rith?”

“We were passing through really, though we certainly wouldn’t pass up a warm bed to sleep in. We come from the human settlement to the West. It was burned by a group of men who seemed possessed by some ailment, or evil spirit. We are the only survivors. On our way here we passed a Zarkidain outpost, which seems to have suffered the same fate. You wouldn’t know anything about that?”

The elf shook his head. “Very strange, that. I’m not aware of any power that can conquer the minds of intelligent creatures. Though I suppose there are . . . legends.”

The shopkeeper looked to the elf, suddenly intrigued. “What sort of legends?”

“Old stories. I read a bit back at the Cidatel. Lots of old stories there. One in particular though . . . something about souls. A bit over my head really, but it mentioned the connection between a soul and the body it inhabits, and that it could theoretically be corrupted by a sort of dark magic. It was speculation really. Never been done, at least as far as any Prisidian knows. And we know a good deal.”

Rith considered this for a moment. “I wonder if the invasions you speak of might be related. I don’t suppose you would allow me to accompany your battalion to Vaskra’aa? Even if the two events have nothing in common, I could be of some assistance. I’m good with a sword, and I can’t say I have anything I’d rather be doing.”

The elf nodded. “To be honest, I could really use a bit of extra help. I’m hesitant to trust a stranger, but . . . I suppose you can come. Just know that you’ll have to fend for yourself if we encounter these creatures. I can’t spare the manpower to protect you.”

Roswynn leapt up from his seat in the grass. “This is starting to sound like fun!”

Rith turned and gave the gnome an incredulous look.

“What? It’s been months since I’ve almost died! I’m bored as hell, and nearly out of gold to pay for wine and women. This is exactly what I’ve been hoping for, so if swordy is going, so am I.”

The elf smiled. “Very well. I’m called Var’ron. If I’m not mistaken, we should have enough room on our dragons for the two of you.”

Rith climbed onto the back of the dragon, smiling despite himself. “Hold fast, and don’t let go! We’ll not circle back for you if you fall!” Var’ron shouted back as his dragon lunged into the air. The world around him lurched, and Rith looked down to see the beast upon which he sat flap its enormous wings. The ground quickly fell away beneath its feet as it carried its passengers into the sky.

The journey was long, but the two travelers hardly noticed. Too entranced were they by the thrill of flight and the beauty of the ocean below to become bored. In fact, it seemed all too soon when the sea gave way to land. Soon, a city became visible in the distance, a tiny dot on the horizon growing steadily larger with each moment. As they grew closer, it became readily apparent that the city was under attack by a massive army.

Legions broke against the city’s defenses like ocean waves, swarming over the walls and knowing away at its gates. By the time the dragons were close enough to land, the battle had already ended. The city was overrun, its guards in full retreat. The invaders had begun to slaughter the civilians and burn everything in sight.

“Now is your chance to prove yourselves!” Var’ron yelled over the cacophony of battle. “Gather as many innocents as you can and fight your way to the palace. I’ll meet you there. Oh, and try not to die, I would be very disappointed!”