CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  DRAGONBITER ARROWS

  “Archers! To your horses!” yelled a middle-aged Knight of Aubrelon, riding back toward Garrick and Elias. When the knight was upon them, he looked at Garrick.

  “I do not remember enlisting any mercenaries for this wyvern hunt.” The knight dismounted his big black warhorse, took off his helmet and eyed Elias, who was helping an injured archer to rise. “Or a Knight of Providence.” After placing his helmet onto his saddle, the red-headed knight strode over to them.

  “Can you walk, man?” continued the knight to the archer, who had his arm around Elias’ shoulder. When the archer nodded, the big man continued. “Good. Rialton is just up ahead. I know he will fix you up.” Then he looked at Elias and Garrick and sighed. “I can only hope he has enough power to fix all of the injured.”

  “I have healed my friends. I still have power. Please let me help this knight as well. Then I will assist Rialton with the others,” came a voice off to the side. When the Knight of Aubrelon looked over, he saw Anya standing with Cerelene, Deelah and Maldrin.

  “Now I know where that strong wind came from. Thank you, wizard! And I see you have fought them before,” boomed the knight, seeing the wyvern tooth hanging from Maldrin’s neck. Then he looked at Anya and lowered his voice. “Yes, my lady, I would appreciate your help very much. I am Captain Shaddox of The Knights of Aubrelon. And you are?”

  Anya stood up straighter in her white robes and gripped her staff tigher. “I am Anya, cleric of Valtross.”

  Still a bit confused by the strangers around him, Captain Shaddox courteously bowed to Anya. “Well then, Anya, cleric of Valtross, I thank you. While you assist Rialton, cleric of Aubrelon, I will get to know your friends a little better.”

  “It would my pleasure, captain. Outside of The Holy City, no cleric is more admired than Rialton,” replied Anya in a reverent tone.

  As Anya walked over to the archer, Garrick leaned over to Elias and whispered near his ear, “I think you should handle this one.”

  Seeing one of the weapon wagons still intact, Anya guided the injured archer over to it and then they both sat down. After the healing light from Anya’s staff flowed over the archer's right leg, he thanked her and ran off to an old cleric. When the old man looked over at Anya, he motioned her over to him.

  “Captain Shaddox, I am Elias Romwell. My friends and I were traveling on a mission for the high priest when we came upon the battle.”

  “And when did High Priest Liam Jarstinian start sending elves, mercenaries, and thieves along with his clerics and knights?” questioned Captain Shaddox, as he nonchalantly petted the face of his horse. When no one spoke, he looked from his horse back at Elias and scratched his beard. “I was told Jarstinian was different from most of the high priests that came before him. Now I see it for myself.” A second later, he smiled at everyone else. “What is the mission? Perhaps I can be of help. It is the least I can do for all that you have done.” After the captain looked over his shoulder at Anya helping Rialton heal the injured knights of Aubrelon, he finished, “And all that you are doing currently.”

  “I am sorry, Captain, but I cannot tell you our mission. I mean no disrespect. Let me just say that we are looking for something,” said Elias in a respectful tone.

  “Judging from the direction you came, you are going to Tanisgroth,” said Captain Shaddox. “Having just come through there, it looks like many other people have traveled there lately for something as well.” When no one spoke, the captain continued. “And that something is information, or more of it. My guess is that is the something you are looking for.” Then he looked directly at Cerelene. “Many elves are looking for it as well. Looking for information on the identity of the one behind the invading army from The Barren Wasteland.”

  When Captain Shaddox noticed Cerelene, along with Maldrin and Deelah, look over at Elias and Garrick, the Knight of Aubrelon continued. “Let me save you some time. The battle still rages on in The Dwarven Mountains and sadly, King Ironhearth is losing ground. Before long I think King Brock will have to come to his aid, whether the dwarf king wants him to or not.”

  Then Shaddox crossed his arms and continued. “Make no mistake, the invading army is Landon Rosser’s and he has become strong again. So strong we have learned that he now goes by Lord Grimdall. He has found someone or something out there on that lifeless island. He now wields magic power and has created monsters...”

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Maldrin slammed the end of his staff into the grass, hearing news that proved his thoughts all along.

  “...and now he is coming for revenge,” finished Shaddox.

  “I will not lie to you, Captain,” stated Elias. “That is not the something we are looking for, but it is something that we have wondered about.”

  Captain Shaddox looked surprised and then shook his head, not believing Elias. Before he could ask Elias another question, Garrick spoke up.

  “The arrows your archers used. They easily pierced the wyverns. You are in possession of dragonbiter arrows?” inquired the mercenary, hopeful.

  “Yes, mercenary. You have a good eye,” replied the captain. Then he nodded at Cerelene and looked back at Garrick. “I noticed during your offensive that you and your elven friend are quite accurate with the bow. If you had had any I am sure the battle would have ended much earlier.”

  “Can you spare any? The information is helpful, but they would be more of service for us,” asked Garrick, thinking of their upcoming combat with Firebaugh on The Cloud Shroud Mountain.

  “I am sorry, mercenary,” replied Captain Shaddox, shaking his head. “If you recognize them, then you know how rare they are. We cannot spare any. The ancient metal inside The Dwarven Mountains that they are made from wears thinner and thinner everyday. It is all but gone to them now and we have been sent to find the wyverns nest. Who knows how many of the monsters are left?” Then the knight pointed out into the prairie. “As you can see, my soldiers are retrieving the arrows from the dead.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Garrick could make out Deelah and Cerelene whispering to each other, as Maldrin walked over to stand with him and Elias.

  “I cannot take any more of this talk,” announced Deelah angrily. I am going to help my sister. I may not be a cleric, but I will be more of use out there with her than here.”

  “I will help you as well,” added Cerelene. Then the two began to walk toward Anya and Rialton. However, when they walked by the remaining weapons wagon and out of view, it was only the elf maiden that emerged seconds later on the other side.

  “We understand, Captain Shaddox. You have your orders,” said Maldrin. “I do thank you, though, for the information you have given us.” Then the wizard looked at Elias and Garrick. “We all know you did not have to tell us.” After walking next to Elias, Maldrin spoke to him in a low voice.

  When the Knight of Providence walked over to the Knight of Aubrelon to inquire about his war horse, Maldrin jabbed Garrick in the ribs and nonchalantly motioned his head in the direction of the weapons wagon. Understanding the cue immediately, Garrick looked over.

  Hanging on underneath the wagon by its undercarriage was Deelah. Both Garrick and Maldrin watched as Cerelene waved at the two knights standing at attention by the open door of the wagon. After a short discussion between the two, one of them left. Then as the other walked out a few steps to see what was going on, Deelah dropped down, rolled out and glided into the wagon. In an instant she popped out with two quivers and dove into the bushes a second before the knight turned around to return to his post.

  After clasping Garrick on the back, Maldrin walked off as both Elias and Shaddox laughed.

  “What is so funny?” asked Garrick, walking over to the knights.

  “Can you believe it, Garrick. The stableman told Shaddox that when his horse was born it was the smallest foal he had ever seen,” laughed Elias. Then he patted the giant black war horse on its side. “Can you believe it?”

  Garrick chuckled and ran his hand down from the horse's neck to its shoulder. Then all three of the men looked out at Cerelene returning with Anya and Rialton. When they arrived, the old cleric looked at Captain Shaddox.

  “I rarely leave the confines of Aubrelon, but King Brock’s magnificent castle, the beautiful orchards, and even the temple I serve in can become commonplace if you see them everyday,” began Rialton. “I left it to accompany you knights to see the wide open grandeur of Pipers Prairie and the beautiful animals of Sheridan Forest,” continued the old cleric fondly. Then after looking back at Anya, he bowed graciously. “However, now I know Elion’s plan all along was for me to meet this wonderful cleric of Valtross.”

  Embarrassed by the praise, Anya looked down. “You are too kind, Rialton.”

  When Rialton took her hand, Anya looked up at the old cleric.

  “Listen Anya. You have done well here. Many men were wounded in this battle,” began Rialton. “But because of your help, none of them will enter Elion’s Embrace this day.”

  “Shall we move on, then?” asked Captain Shaddox, mounting his horse as Maldrin and Deelah came into view with Onyx.

  Rialton nodded at the knight. As he let go of Anya’s hand, he noticed the strands of gray in her long brown hair. After the cleric of Aubrelon lifted Anya’s hair up gently for her to see, he spoke again. “Whatever your mission is, never forget to take in the beauty of Elion’s creation.” Then as he let Anya’s hair fall from his wrinkled hand, Rialton finished, “We only have so much time to do so.”

  “Take care, Knight of Providence,” said Captain Shaddox, leaning down. After the two knights clasped forearms, he sat back up and looked at Garrick and the others. “You should be able to get to Sheridan Forest right before sundown if you hurry.” Then he put on his helmet and nodded humbly. “I thank you all, again.” After Elias slapped the haunches of the big black war horse, sending the Knight of Aubrelon on his way, Rialton climbed into the remaining weapons wagon.

  When the Knights of Aubrelon began to move out, Elias turned to Garrick. “King Brock certainly has a fine knight in Captain Shaddox.” Then he shook his head. “I only wish he would have let us have some dragonbiter arrows.”

  Seeing the regret in Elias’ face, Anya looked up at the knight. “Maybe it is Elion’s will that we will find some in Tanisgroth.”

  “Oh, I would not worry too much about that,” replied Deelah. Then Elias and Anya watched as Maldrin opened his brown robes and tossed a quiver of dragonbiter arrows at Garrick and then one at Cerelene. After they both caught them Deelah smiled.

  “You just never know, sister, we could find them sooner.”