Amulet of Souls (The Sentinels of Wizgrad Book 1) (14 page)

Something then happened that even the enemy did not expect. The last of the ghosts were Seckle, Greelong, Yin and many others that were supposed to be Morgoth’s allies. The last ghost to come out was Morgoths.

“You will all die here with me!” boomed the words from Morgoth’s ghost. His ghost shot violently into the ceiling above. The evil men all started to run back the way they came. One of the Greelong thumped into the wall and the exit caved in. Iris and the others were now all trapped and many of their people were injured.

“We must find a way out!” Mr Pannett shouted. The old ruins above them shook like an earthquake and the ceiling began to cave in. With another crash, a huge tree branch filled the room. The tree branch spread out like an enormous outstretched hand, which protected them underneath.

The entire of the old ruins had caved in and they were again in the pitch black. The leaves on the branch flickered softly in a pale blue light, which illuminated their surroundings. A droplet of water landed on Mr Pannett’s head and he knew that his wife had saved them at the last minute even as a tree.

Thorley was trapped underneath a gigantic boulder and his legs and chest were completely crushed. Iris ran over to Thorley in a panic and attempted to lift the massive rock. Plode ran over and went to help. Thorley gave Iris a grim face. “I won’t survive.”

“Astrid, Efrundle. Get here” Thorley beckoned. They came and stood nearby. “Get down here,” Thorley said. Both Astrid and Efrundle knelt down beside him. Thorley then reached up with both arms and placed a hand both on Efrundle’s and Astrid’s face.

“What the hell are y...” Efrundle began to say. Memories of Astrid flowed through Thorley to Efrundle. Efrundle could see all the things that had happened to Astrid. It was like Efrundle watched Astrid's life flash before his eyes.

Efrundle watched Astrid in a prison break with his brother Biren, the loss of his wife and bribes from Dartis to kill Efrundle.

Thorley let go. He knew that Efrundle had seen enough. “But...you were...all this time? I have hated you, and it was all a lie...” cried Efrundle.

“What happened?” Plode asked.

“It is all true, Dartis is our enemy,” Efrundle said.

“I still do not understand, what happened?” Plode asked.

“I saw his memories, everything...Astrid has been doing these things to get Dartis' trust” Efrundle said.

“Iris,” Thorley said. Thorley still had a hold on Astrid’s face.

Iris leant down and Thorley touched her forehead. She also got the same sensation and Astrid’s history flowed through her mind. There was one part that did stick out in her mind. It was a conversation between Astrid and Biren her father.

“You cannot! You know what will happen” Biren argued.

“You think I want to do it this way. He specifically sent me to finish you off on purpose.” Astrid said.

“I am quite aware of his motives, but if I die, and my soul reaches the amulet it’s all over. He will have control of the entire of Aceon.” Biren said.

“Masssster, I have a sssuggestion” came a voice. It was a huge snake that was beside Biren and it talked to him.

“What if we join together and I petrify usss both. It’s the only way to keep our souls intact.”

“But you will still both die, there must be another way!” Astrid argued.

“No... He's right, it’s the only way.”

The memories then faded, she was back with Thorley and the others. Thorley’s hands fell to the floor and his eyes wide open, lifeless.

There was a long moment of silence. Thorley had sacrificed the last moments of his life to repair the damage between three strangers he had barely known.

“He has done something that I could never have done with words,” Astrid said. He ran his hand over Thorley’s face and closed his eyes.

Iris burst into tears. Thorley had never got the chance to be set free. An ear piercing scream sounded nearby and everyone looked over to Liamar, who screamed in agony beside her deceased husband.

Liamar noticed Mr Pannett with a smile on his face.

“What the hell are you smiling for!” Liamar shrieked. Everyone looked at him in shame.

Mr Pannett pointed above Liamar “Look.”

Above Liamar floated a bright white version of Koruko. This Koruko had three tails instead of one.

“What’s happening?” Iris asked. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

“You are all extremely lucky to be seeing this. It is a rarity that very few have ever seen” Mr Pannett added.

A fourth tail sprouted from the ghostly figure of Koruko and then it rushed into Koruko's body. With a gasp, Koruko began to breathe again and he clutched his chest.

“Oh thank the gods,” Liamar said. She squeezed Koruko tight. “But I don’t understand, you died in battle.”

“He was killed with magic, not a blade or weapon.” Mr Pannett said.

“Koruko’s ghost looked just like the ones that came out of the dagger a moment ago,” Iris said. A look of delight shone on Liamar and Koruko's face.

“They are alive! All of them!” Liamar shouted. All of the people in Talimara, the Kijiar town were alive.

“We must find a way out and get to Alphaport before it’s too late,” Astrid said

“Why Alphaport?” Plode asked.

“That is Dartis’s first place of attack. At any rate, we must get moving. How can we get out of here Mr Pannett?” Astrid asked.

Mr Pannett looked up at the tree above, “she will let us when it is time.”

“What are you talking about?”  Astrid remarked.

Mr Pannett did not respond, but Iris understood what he meant. She still worried how a tree could get them out of a collapsed ruin.

Astrid decided to try and find an exit in the rocks and everyone else gathered what weapons and supplies they could find. There were still many wounded and most of the attention was on them.

After several hours, Astrid finally gave up and joined the group that sat in a circle and shared stories.

Astrid told everyone his story and the plans of how Dartis wanted the Legion for himself and he wanted the world to bow at his feet. The Ogres, Seckle, Greelong, Evil Men, Dwarves all at his command. Dartis was a force to be reckoned with and they had no idea what help or allies they would have.

Many people had started to rest how they could. Mr Pannett still had his eyes fixed on the branches above. “What is it you’re waiting for my love?”

It was almost a day later when the group heard raised voices outside. “Search the area completely and make sure there are no survivors!” yelled a voice.

Astrid recognised the voice and he put his fingers to his lips, which indicated that he did not want anyone to speak. They waited for several hours in silence before they heard the raised voices once more.

“No survivors, Master,” said a voice from outside.

“What about the prisoners? Where are their bodies?” came a reply.

“The prison is nothing but ash and rubble, there is no chance anyone could have survived.”

“Very well, bring the place down and prepare the army.”

“Yes, Master.”

With a rumble, the ground around them quaked violently. The entire of Haven collapsed in on itself in a series of deafening crashes. Everyone was still safe under the branch of the magic tree.

When the earthquake subsided, a large nut fell from the branches and landed on a nearby part of exposed root. The nut made a loud thud that echoed inside.

Plode walked over to the exposed root, clenched his fist and punched it. The exposed root splintered open and Plode used his giant hands to rip off the bark around it.

The entire inside of the tree was hollow and was just big enough for the allies to enter one by one.

“Let’s go,” Efrundle said. He was happy to be able to leave.

Everyone stood and made their way to the exit. Another quake started and the ceiling above them began to collapse. Plode and Efrundle rushed to get the injured inside first. Plode had got the last of the wounded inside when he heard another call for help.

Plode turned and saw a young man with a broken leg in the corner. Plode recognised him from the battle, he had deflected a blow from an Ogre than could have killed Plode. Plode looked up and saw small pieces of rock fall.

He did not take any more time to think and charged in. Iris watched as a large piece of rock fell on Plode’s shoulder. Plode dropped to one knee from the force but pushed himself to go further.

Plode picked up the injured man in haste and ran for the exit. More and more pieces of rock fell and it did not look like he would make it. Plode saw the that the entire room was about to collapse. He threw the injured man into the exposed root at the last second. Plode lunged towards the exit, but he did not make it and the room collapsed in and trapped him inside.

All they could see was Plode’s arm stick out into the tunnel. The hand was still for a moment but then started to wriggle. The hand tried to touch the walls around it but could not reach. Iris ran over and grabbed Plode’s hand. It was surprisingly warm and clutched her hand in an iron grip.

The rocks around Plode then shifted and moved just enough to reveal his body. “HELP ME!” Iris yelled. She pulled with all the strength she had, but Plode was heavy. Everyone who was able took hold and pulled Plode free from the rubble. The rubble then fell behind him.

Astrid smiled. “Earth magic, no wonder you survived.”

Plode got to his feet covered in cuts and bruises but shook it off as if only a pebble had been thrown at him.

They ventured further inside the hollow tree and a ghostly figure of a fox appeared in their way. The ghostly fox did not speak but it gestured for them to follow. They followed the fox through the maze of roots and it took them no more than an hour to get out. The ghostly figure then disappeared and they were welcomed by a bright red sky at dusk.

“We must go and get our people,” Liamar said. Liamar and Koruko dashed off quickly into the distance towards Talimara to find their people once more.

The rest of the group started their journey to Stoweforth. On the second day, not far from Stoweforth, they met a large line of small people they were not expecting to see. The group rushed over to the front of the line to meet the Chieftain and Ponzepen.

“What’s happening here?” Astrid panted.

“You are from the Legion?” the Chieftain asked.

Astrid pointed at Iris and Plode, “I am not…but they are.”

The Gnome Chieftain bowed his head at both Iris and Plode “It is an honour to meet you both, my name is Gelmink Sprocket, I am the newly appointed Gnome King and this is Queen Ponzepen Sprocket. We are glad to meet another of the Legion. We have many unanswered questions.”

Gelmink, the Gnome King, explained the situation and that they were headed to Stoweforth on Dakho's promise that the Legion would help them build their own town.

“Where is Dakho?” Iris asked.

Gelmink lowered his head, “I am sorry. We were attacked, and he fell into the rapids.”

The news was a shock to everyone. The enemy seemed one step ahead and they lost not only allies but friends.

The line of Gnomes had started to gather behind their King in a large circle. They were only a few miles from Stoweforth and they all agreed that it was safer for them to stay out of view behind the hills, rather than waltz into Stoweforth itself.

Everyone agreed that Astrid should head into the town as a liaison to find any of the others that had returned. As he was the only human among them, he would blend in easily.

Astrid arrived in the town within two hours. He asked the local inns and taverns if any other races had been spotted recently. None of them had seen anything, but he continued to search and look.

A loud howl was heard from the distance which Iris and all the others heard clearly.

“What is it?” asked Loona.

“Can you not smell it,” said Zelkith.

“Smells like people,” said another voice.

“It's Iris and the others, they are close by. This way!” shouted Zelkith.

Iris and the others were sat in the middle of the field. A swarm of creatures ran towards them from the woods nearby. It was like a wave of black and white fur rush across the land as if was the sea.

“Prepare yourselves men!” Gelmink shouted.

“No stop!” Iris said. She knocked the wand out of Gelmink’s hand. “That’s Loona at the head of the pack, they are friends.”

The huge wave of great wolves turned from a threat and into a massive relief of extra help.

“Loona, it seems you were far more successful than we were,” Plode said to Loona. Behind Loona stood over a hundred great wolves of mixed black and white fur.

“It would seem so. Where’s everyone else?” Loona asked.

“Dakho got the help of the Gnomes here, Liamar and Koruko have returned to get their people and we have yet to hear anything from Mireylon.” Plode summarised.

“Where is Zelkith!” Iris shouted and she ran to Loona in worry. Loona and a long line of great wolves moved aside. In the centre of the pack stood Zelkith. His blue marks glowed brightly even in the light of the day.

Iris noticed the marks but did not pay attention to them. She ran at full pace towards him and threw herself around his neck in an embrace.

“I’ve missed you so much, I was so worried!” Iris cried. “What the hell happened to you?” she added.

“It's a long story, what’s happening here,” Zelkith asked.

Iris explained about the Gnomes and her journey from Haven with the help of the others and Astrid.

“Hey do you smell that?” interrupted one of the wolves.

Before Zelkith had a chance to ask a white great wolf had run into the distance and into the forest.

“He does that,” said the mother. A moment later the wolf that had run off howled. Instantly several more ran in the same direction. When they returned, there was someone hung over his back.

Plode saw Dakho sprawled on the back of the great wolf and lifted him up into his arms with ease.

“He needs healing” Plode demanded as he laid him down on the floor. Astrid ran over and started to wrap a bandage around his arm.

“Out of the way,” said a squeaky female voice. It was the Queen Gnome, Ponzepen who pushed Astrid out of the way. She placed her hands on the injuries and closed her eyes. The cuts and bruises healed up quickly. Ponzepen was a Cleric, a magical healer.

“Well don’t just stand there, get him some food!” Ponzepen snapped.

“And sum ale” Dakho grunted weakly.

Things were still grim. They did not have enough people to battle Dartis and his army, and many were already injured. They hoped that Mireylon could get the help of the Elves and that the Kijiar had been revived.

“You said there was someone who was seeking the aid of the Elves?” Gelmink asked.

“Yes Mireylon, he sure is taking his times about it,” Plode replied.

“I should check on him and stress the urgency of what’s happening.” Mr Pannett said.

“No we need you here, you are a powerful ally” Plode disagreed.

“I will go,” Iris said bluntly. She was aware that she was not very helpful in a battle so this was the least she could do.

“We cannot risk you going out alone,” Dakho said. He had almost fully recovered already.

“She will be safe with me. Mireylon is too important to not have in this battle, and I can take her there faster than any of you,” Zelkith said.

Iris got onto Zelkith’s back and the blue markings formed a huge pair of wings. Everyone looked on in astonishment other than the great wolves who smiled with pride.

“Hold on tight Iris!” Zelkith barked. He leapt up and they took off into the air.

Even at full speed, it took them a day to reach the Elf town. They landed on the outskirts and walked into the town on foot. They were greeted with hostility by two guards who frowned when Mireylon was mentioned. They were taken through the town with spears and bows pointed at them the whole time. They were taken to who they assumed was one of the Council.

“We will not help you,” The Elf said bluntly. The Elf handed over a piece of paper “but your friend left this, take it and leave.”

Iris and Zelkith were then ushered quickly out of the Elf town. They opened up the neatly folded paper and read:

To my friends,

As you probably know the Elves will not help, so I have left with Roseflame to Icethorpe to try and recover Morton, I urge you not to now follow.

Mireylon

“Fancy an adventure?” Zelkith asked. Iris got on his back with a smile and they took the journey to Icethorpe.

The freezing wind hit them like a wall of ice when they arrived in Icethorpe. They knew that the cold was only the beginning of what would be a long day. Iris pushed her face into Zelkith’s back and wrapped her body around him. The pain of the cold was unbearable, but she knew she had to persist to reach their destination in time.

“Where are we? Are we lost?” Iris asked.

Iris shivered violently from the cold. They had travelled through the thick blizzard for almost six hours and there was nothing to be seen, but the white wall of snow inches from their face.

“Not far now” Zelkith replied. Iris guessed he was in a lot of pain by his tone of voice. They struggled through the pain for another three hours until they finally found the massive ice doors to the Dragon’s keep. They both puzzled how to get through but said nothing to each other. Zelkith walked from side to side to try and keep warm. He suddenly stopped in place and did not move for a few moments.

“What is it?” Iris asked.

“Warm my throat,” Zelkith said. Iris did not give it any thought. Her mind was blank from the cold. She shimmied her way up Zelkith’s back and placed her palms over his throat. She rubbed violently which was mostly her shivering and partly her attempt to warm it.

“Whatever you do, don’t let go,” Zelkith said.

Zelkith began to bark frantically. He croaked to start with, but his bark gradually became clearer, louder and more distinct. Iris could feel her hands warm, even more. Zelkith took in a large breath and let out a bark enforced with magic. The shout hit the door of ice and the bang echoed inside.