Deke Brolin Rhol (27 page)

He could see Palto come through the smoke toward him. It was so thick by
now that he could barely breathe.

“I am sorry, Solko,
” was all Palto could muster.

Solko could not respond. He still did not want to come to terms with it.

“It is just us now, Solko. Let us do what we can to avenge your sister and all of the souls that have been lost due to Phanthus.”

“And what of Jayden?” Solko responded with hate in his eyes.

“I cannot believe that Jayden is acting on his own accord, but we are left with only each other to fight Phanthus now. We do not have the luxury of trying to protect him, and I am sure he would rather be dead than assisting Solharn,” Palto said.

Solko nodded and both flew through the smoke to find Phanth
us. They knew their chances of victory where slim.

When there was no more grass left to burn, the fire slowly died and the smoke began to clear enough for them to see the destruction the blast had caused below. Everything was burned aside from one patch of green grass. Solko wept as he looked down
upon it.

Ω

Duffy could see the inferno of fire shooting from the dragon’s mouth as he approached Preta’s side. With the square end pointed straight toward the sky he drove the round end into the dirt. The shield spanned around them blocking the flames. From inside
it looked as if they were trapped in the center of a large sphere of fire. The flames roared out and over the walls of energy surrounding them. 

When the flames died
, Duffy flipped the staff in the opposite direction sending orbs of electric currents into the sky toward Phanthus, as he flew over and away from them. Several hit the dragon but did little to slow him down. As Phanthus glided across the ground toward the cliffs, Duffy took one more shot in desperation. The wave of electricity missed the dragon, but struck its passenger. Duffy could see the person fall and strike the ground several hundred yards from him.

Phanthus did not seem to notice. He disappeared into the clouds flying at a high rate of speed. Duffy wondered if he had wounded the beast. He seemed to be retreating.

Ω

“Palto, do you
…..”

“I see Solko, I see. It seems we are indebted to Duffy. L
et’s get them out of harm’s way,” Palto responded happily.

“And look Palto, behind us, our armies have arrived.”

Palto turned to see Issa and Kaelyn leading the charge with Oisin flying close beside her. Hundreds of Lealian warriors followed them on the backs of the Pegapires. That would explain why Phanthus had retreated.

“The fight is ours Solko. Go to your sister!”

Palto looked toward the approaching armies. It was indeed an impressive sight. He was flying toward Oisin and Kaelyn when he saw Oisin break off and fly quickly toward the ground. He looked down to see a lone figure waving frantically at him. It was Jayden. Palto raced toward him. It seemed Jayden was luring Oisin in, just as he had Preta. Oisin too, was obviously unaware of Jayden’s sudden change in sides.

Ω

Oisin could not believe his eyes when he saw him. “Orulla, it is Jayden!” He had somehow made it out alive. Perhaps Palto had saved him. It did not matter. His friend was waving for help and he would get those answers soon enough.

Orulla dropped down from the ranks and flew to
ward him. “It is a miracle Oisin. How could he have survived?”

“We will find out soon enough!” Oisin responded.

Orulla was coming in for a landing when she suddenly stopped several yards from Jayden.

“Orulla, what are you doing? He is over there. He could be hurt.”

Oisin did not wait for an answer. He jumped off Orulla and began to run toward Jayden.

“Oisin do not go
any closer. Palto communicated with me. He believes Jayden no longer fights for Rhol.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,
” Oisin said ignoring Orulla.

“Oisin!” Orulla shouted.

Oisin turned to face her. “You can stand back there if you wish. I will not leave Jayden. He needs our help!”

Oisin did not see Jayden coming up behind him
with his sword drawn ready to strike.

“Oisin
, behind you!” Orulla yelled.

When Oisin
turned he could see the glare of steel coming down upon him. He reacted immediately by rolling away to the left. The blade struck the ground beside him. He looked up to see Jayden. His eyes were black as coal. Oisin had not even brought a weapon. He was helpless as Jayden lifted his sword above his head and turned the blade in a downward direction.

Oisin knew the person that was about to end his life was no longer his friend. His eyes had the same hollow e
mptiness that the Nightstalkers had when they too turned on their own. Oisin knew he was not looking into the eyes of Jayden but those of Solharn.

“I have no re
grets and no ill will my friend,” Oisin said as the blade moved downward toward him.

Oisin was sure he saw Jayden pause if only for a second
, before the blade once again resumed its path toward his chest. It was not Oisin’s time though. Orulla had moved up behind Jayden and grabbed him within her jaws, flinging him to the side. Even that would not stop him. He got up from the ground and ran toward Orulla in a fury.

“Jayden, no!” Oisin yelled.

Jayden would not advance any further. Palto appeared between them, and Jayden froze as he gazed into his eyes. He was no longer what he once was. The mighty warrior was now just a feeble reflection in Solharn’s evil game. It was a dark day, one of many more to come.   

Deke shivered as he awoke. He had needed the rest, but the cold dampness of the ground had not provided him with the most memorable sleep he could remember. He stretched as he crawled to his feet and looked down at Mary. She was still fast asleep. Deo rumbled and slowly rose rubbing his eyes, trying to focus in on Deke.

“We have to save her Deo. I can
not bear to think of her turning into something like Torrell.”

“I know, b
ut it is not like there is a cure. Half her soul is missing Deke, and I don’t think there is any way to stop it. If we cannot find her paladin, then that will be her fate.”

Deke glanced over toward
Torrell. His face had a blank expression as he stared in the direction of where she had slept. Observing his face, Deo turned to see what had caused him to go silent. Torrell was gone. Only the vines that had once held her captive remained on the ground along with a small chain and locket that hung from a branch underneath where she once was.

Deke walked over and grasped the chain from the branch
. “It is Mary’s, Deo. I gave it to her one year after we met as a symbol of our friendship.” 

“How did
Torrell get it?” Deo asked.

“I don’t know,
” Deke said running toward Mary. “Mary, wake up Mary!” Deke shouted as he shook her.

“Is she alright
, Deke?”

“She is not waking up. I will never forgive myself if
Torrell has done something to her.”

“What is all the fuss?” Mary asked suddenly sitting up from her deep sleep.

Deke felt an instant relief at the sound of her voice. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. What’
s wrong?” she responded still drowsy from her deep sleep.

Deke held up the locket
. “What is it?” Mary asked.

“What is it? It is the friendship locket I gave you the year we became friends.”

“Oh, yes. I am sorry. I am still half asleep. Why do you have it?”

“
Torrell left it behind,” Deo said.

“Left it behind? What do you mean
, left it behind?” Mary asked.

“She is gone
, Mary. She escaped her bonds. We have no idea where she is. When I saw your locket I thought she may have harmed you in some way,” Deke responded.

“Strange, she must have taken it from me while I slept. What do you think it means?
” Mary asked.

“A sign of some sort, I don’t think she liked you very much. It could mean she plans to bring you harm. We will have to be
extra cautious from here on out,” Deke said.

“If that was her plan then why wouldn’t she have done that while we slept?” Deo suspiciously asked.

“She was probably afraid that I would awaken and scream to alert you two and did not want to take that chance. Who knows, she is crazy,” Mary answered.

Deo was troubled by this turn of events. There were lots of ways to kill someone silently in their sleep
, but she hadn’t, she had just left. Why?

Deke handed Mary back her necklace
. “Well, whatever the reason, we will have to be careful. She knows the way we are heading and knows the swamps better than us.”

“We should start moving. How long will it take to get out of this swamp, Mary?” Deo asked looking around expecting
Torrell to jump out any moment.

“I would
say less than a day if we hurry,” Mary answered.

They did not have much to pack and in a matter of minutes they had started on their journey. Although the night had been fairly cool, as the day wore on, it became sweltering hot. The stench of the swamp did not help
, nor did the insects that nibbled away at their faces and arms. They walked without a break for several miles until finally stopping to douse themselves with cool water from the creek.

“This will be our last chance for water. We must veer off from the creek.
We are almost out of this swamp,” Mary said. “The water is not fit to drink, just dab some on your lips and wet your clothes. We will have fresh water once we are outside the boundaries of Tiqor. Then we will make our way to the Blackpool. I believe that is where Solharn hides Elissa.”

“I cannot w
ait to put this swamp behind us,” Deke said.

“I too
, am looking forward to leaving this tangled, smelly mess. Perhaps it will diminish the distinct feeling I have that we are being followed,” added Deo. 

Mary walked further ahead
. “Well, let’s go then.”

It was slow walking as the three made their way through the thick scrub brush
. Mary seemed to know where she was going as she pushed the overgrown vegetation aside and continued to follow a very narrow path.

After several hours, the bushes seemed to become less dense. Deke wondered if they were finally out of the swamps.

“What is that smell?” Deo asked gagging as he spoke.

Deke pulled his shirt up over his nose
. “I smelled it earlier, but it seems to be getting more and more rancid.”

Mary chuckled to herself
. “Come on boys, it isn’t that bad. We will be out of here soon.”

“We have been walking through this swamp forever with no end in sight. Deke, why don’t you change me into something that can fly and I will scout ahead? I might even be able to
fly you two out, one at a time,” Deo suggested.

Deke thought about it for a moment. It would tire him out
, but at the same time he wanted out of the swamp. He could rest when the swamp was behind them, and flying out would save them valuable time. It was not the first time he had thought about it, but Mary had said it was too risky as any movement in the sky over the swamp would attract Phits and that was the last thing they needed. Maybe if it was a short distance though, it might be worth the risk.

Mary stopped and looked toward Deke
. “We have gone over this before Deke. Did you not hear Kiran when she said you had to use your powers sparingly? It could kill you if you exert yourself too much. You do remember what happened in the Realm of Solace, don’t you?”

“I have grown stronger since then. Don’t you want to get out of here?”

“Of course I do but not at the expense of your safety or ours. The Phits do regular patrols of this swamp, and if they see any one of us it will be the end of our journey. Besides, we are almost out of here. Why risk it now?”

“Let’s just keep moving Deke. Mary is right. It is not worth it. I am sorry I suggested it.”

A small knoll appeared before them in the distance. Mary stopped and looked back at Deo and Deke. “That hill marks the beginning of the end of this swamp. In another hour or so it will be behind us.”

They were both thrilled to hear it. The smell had become so rancid Deke did not think he would ever be able to wash the
stench from his skin. They began their climb and in a short amount of time they had reached the crest of the knoll. There, they found the source of the smell that had plagued them for the last several hours. Thousands of bones had been piled into a large mound; bits of flesh still clung to many of them. This was the source of the smell. Flesh decomposing in the hot sun.