Chapter 3 - The Fiends of Darkness

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It was nearly two weeks to the day that the Snow-Elves agreed to leave the mountain they had called home for so long. The first carts led by Damani were pulled by wolly ox through the city gates as the sound of hooves clattered atop pathways that had not seen such activity for many a year. Cleared was the snow that choked the city from the main road and pathways as residents within the ancient city did their final errands.

Talia, sat atop one of the crates not yet loaded onto a wagon awaited for her turn to be called and could only watch as the city emptied around her. She watched on as tears spilled at the thought of abandoning Leuven. But whilst there was sadness, it was not desair. She could sense hope and optimism from the small moments of joy and laughter from passerbys.

“Hey!” She shouted wiping away her tears as something caught her attention. “Where are you off too?”

“I’m not in the mood,” Galiron replied, quickening his pace as he swung the rucksack he was carrying over his shoulder.

“What’s the matter with you?” she said, jumping down from where she was sitting and she quickly ran to catch up with the half-elf. "I didnt think you would take it so bad."

“Nothing is the matter and it certainly isnt the thought of leaving this place.”

“It’s obviously not nothing. Go on you can tell me,” she pressed.

“I've to sit up here with the children,” He grumbled, not even looking at her.

“You’re the same age as me,” She shot back, stopping in her tracks as she threw her arms in the air in a dramatic fashion. “Regardless of how big and brave you think you are, you are still a child, Galiron.”

He did not answer, nor did he stop his trot.

“Why do you want to ride at the front anyway?” She said realising he was not going to wait for her. “Oh I get it! You want to ride along with that fancy Prince don’t you?” She teased with a guess.

“That’s part of it.”

“And the rest?”

Galiron hesitated for a moment, pondering if he really should say what was on his lips.

“Well?” She pushed him.

“There is little I have in common with the children here. There’s nothing for me in Leuven or wherever we settle down. It will be more of the same and I want to be more than what I’ve become.” As the words came out of his mouth, he already knew how much he had messed up.

“Nothing?” Talia replied. Taken aback by his words, the corner of her eyes again brimmed with tears. “We’ve accepted who you are. It’s time you start doing the same,” she choked out, turned on her heel and ran off.

A blizzard swirled in the air as the vanguard briefly stopped as the leading carts reached the bend of the mountain ridge, the last place they were able to see Leuven before the turn of the mountain came up. Damani took one last sight of home. In his heart he too felt pain and a tint of regret but as he lingered, he remembered the glory days of Leuven and how such days had long gone. Andris was right, the city was a husk of its former self. The soul of the city was long dead. Perhaps this could be their rebirth.

For two days the caravan traversed the mountain path and into the long and sprawling tunnel that ran through much of the mountain and down to the region of Alpine below. Rumour had it, old dwarves and mountain giants carved the tunnel, but how much of that was true, no one alive truly knew. Not even the great King of Kona, blessed with his longevity knew of its origins. The tunnels had their own perils all the same. Loose rock lay looming above and deep ravines were scattered throughout below which saw the end of many unfortunate adventures over the years. The Icy stalagmites and stalactites glistened in the glow of the fiery alchemy of the Snow-Elves march and their hands of fire as they passed by. At the very least, the mountain pass provided respite from the snow and dangerous wind outside.

The vanguard was made up of the new Maester and the black haired snow elf riding at the front. They where accompanied by the Prince and Princess, along with a mix of both Elven archers and warriors of Kona. A long line of carts carrying supplies, mainly food and clothing and those unable to make the journey on foot or those lucky enough to secure a seat as the rest of the city’s residents walked alongside. Many oxen bred for slaughter were repurposed for the journey off the mountain whilst Tobias himself supplied many horses to aid in the migration.

The rear was followed up by carriages that carried the young and elderly. Dalzell sat amongst one of he carriage with several children to keep them occupied as he carried out his lesson on the use of alchemy but the excitement of a new home and the journey of a lifetime was all too distracting and quickly he found himself answering the many questions they had instead.

“How much further?” Talia pressed.

“Just one more sleep my dear.” The Maester replied. “And then, it’s just another half day ride or so until we reach the end of the tunnel.”

“And from there?” She followed up.

“And from there you will see our new home in the valley below. It really isn’t much further than that.”

“What’s this place like?” Galiron questioned curiously. “I hear it’s an old war garrison with rotted buildings and fences no longer fit for purpose.”

“That may be true Galiron,” The elder replied. But do you know what Leuven was like before the Snow-Elves left the forest of Meridia and migrated there?” Dalzell quizzed.

“Go on, tell me.”

“I’ll give you a clue. It wasn’t a castle with forty foot walls but a pile of ice and snow.”

Galiron sighed.

“It will take time as all good things do.” The Maester followed up. “But with a little hard work we can etch out our own part of the world within the Alpine Forest. We can create something special, just as our ancestors did before us.”

“And your certain things will be better?” Galiron questioned.

“When a crop fails, Galiron. A farmer must know when it’s time to cut his losses and prepare for the following year regardless of what hardships may lie before him. Dwelling on his woes, he may find he may not live to see another harvest.”

“What is the Alpine Forest like?” Talia asked.

“It’s a vast woodland that is abundant in food. This is where we currently source our food when the weather permits. We will not know ourselves having it at our doorstep. Who knows… Andris may even be asked to step up and help out.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Father says I have to finish my studies first.”

“With my son taking over my duties we could be doing it with another pair of hands. Besides, your father isn’t getting any younger. I’ll talk to Andris if it’s something you would be interested in.”

Galiron had a smile on his face that he tried to hide but it was blatant that this was the responsibility he was yearning for. At that moment the canopy of the carriage was pulled apart and the head of the Prince emerged.

“Do you mind if I join you Master?” The Prince said.

“No not at all,” Dalzell urged, motioning the children to make room as Hadrian climbed inside. Galiron happily made room beside him for the royal guest.

“I thought I would show my face,” he said, taking a seat opposite the Maester. “Congratulations on your retirement Master, though I hope I did not force your hand.”

“It was time enough I stepped aside. I'm not the spring chicken i once was.”

“Why did you do that?” Galiron pushed into the conversation, looking at the Prince with a bemused look.

“Do what?” Hadrian answered back with a question of his own. “I only got here. What are you accusing me of,” he laughed.

“You called him Master. How does that differ from our term of Maester.”

“Just out of habit. I once studied here under the Maester but I have always called him Master out of respect. If you haven't noticed, he calls me Prince.”

“You are a Prince though aren't you?” Tal asked.

“Yes, but I hold no dominion here. I sit before you as an equal. Any titles we choose to use for each other is nothing more than the showing of respect between two people.”

“How could we be equal if you are royalty?” Galiron blurted out confused.

“I am, yes, but only in the realm of my fathers domain. The Kingdom of Kona does not rule this land nor has it ever. As I said. I sit here as a guest and nothing more. You have a lot to learn about the world beyond your borders young Galati.”

“The King who does not command respect nor demand obedience will find he has both in abundance. Dalzell added.

“Wisely put Master, It is how my father has thrived for all these centuries.” Hadrian said with a gleam smile. “So children, are you excited to see what lies at the bottom of the mountain?”

“Before today, I've never left the city gates,” Galiron sighed. “My father had already seen the world by my age."

“And this weighs on your mind?”

“Well yes.”

The Prince chuckled. "Boy at that age I was still unable to wipe my own ass. I wasn't allowed to roam the city until I was the Maesters age.”

“Sorry did I hear you correctly?” Talia expressed thinking she misunderstood the royal guest. “Are you saying that you are older than my grandfather?”

Galiron paused in thought for a moment. He once heard a story that the royal family of Kona aged differently to Snow-Elves albeit they aged differently to normal humans but how much of that was true, he was not so sure.

“Gosh what age am I. I must have lived your grandfather's life three or four times over,” Hadrian revealed.

“You are over two hundred years old?” Talia spurted out.

“And you think I’m old,” Dalzell laughed, choking on his words. See Galiron, you have your whole life ahead of you. There will be ample opportunity for you to get a taste of the outside world when we are off the mountain,” Dalzell promised as the edge of his lips curled into a smile.

“And if it's warrior’s you want to see,” Hadrian followed up. “The garrison is but a few days' ride from Kona, or you have the great cavalry of Barcroft and the Knights of Cilbaen, both nearby. They are retainers to my father and both would be eager to meet the son of Andris Galati.”

“Athol,” Galiron quickly responded. “I want to fight against the Atholians as my father once did.”

“You may get your chance one day,” Hadrian said. “If that’s what you want, but the fight with Athol ended a long time ago.”

“How can the war be over if the King in the east still lives? We never got justice for their crimes."

“No we did not, Galiron but we got much more,” Dalzell urged.

“Why stop there?” Galiron pushed. "How can his crimes be so easily forgotten?"

“Mateusz crimes will never be forgotten Galiron, but there is more to war than just the clashing of steel.” Hadrian answered.

“Or the spilling of blood.” Dalzell added.

“How else can I make a name for myself? I want to be respected,” Galiron said looking down at his reflection on his new sword with envious eyes.

“Like your father?” Prince Hadrian questioned.

“What do you know of him? You say you have fought with him."

“I know that in his day, he was a a remarkable warrior. Quite possibly the greatest swordsman this land has ever seen.”

“And yet you still choose to fight him?” Galiron asked unreservedly, motioning to Prince's arm. “What did you do to deserve that?”

“Galiron!” The Maester snapped, frowning at the boy.

“It’s okay Master, let him speak freely. I somewhat miss the bluntness of a Galati.”

“His sword could not have been that blunt to have-.”

Galiron was going to finish his sentence but could feel the cold gaze of the elder on him.

The Prince laughed. “Really, it’s okay. I am surprised however, that Andris did not speak of our time together. I guess he was always modest in his own way. The scar, it’s from a misunderstanding we had when we first met. He was a child then, no older than you. I guess he was a bit embarrassed by the whole thing."

“My father would never let me leave the city gates until until i complet my lessons on alchemy.”

“He has matured over the years thats for sure. Still, if you are struggling to awaken your inner flame, thats is no fault of your own. We live in strange times afterall.”

“So I keep hearing... but can I really blame my failings on what has happened to the alchemy stone?”

“Why wouldn’t you? The source of magic in our world has been sealed away. That fact has changed our world.”

“But the other children…” Galiron said.

“But nothing. Just focus on yourself and to your own strengths. If the power comes to you then great but if not then so be it. Do not beat yourself up over something you cannot change. I know what it's like to walk a different path to others but there came a time when I realised that I must accept it and walk that path alone. If you truly want to be as renowned as your father, build your own legend and do it your own way. Do not settle for being just the son of Andris Galati. You have a potential boy, I can see it.”

“How can you be so old,” Talia asked.

“Alchemy affects us all differently as I'm sure as Master Dalzell has explained. I cannot explain how my bloodline recieved such power but so is life. Whilst the magic in the world is not as strong as it once was, do not underestimate what remains.” The Prince answered.

“And you were really a student here in Leuven?” She continued.

“Prince Hadrian wasn’t just any student, he was my first.” Dalzell spoke.

“Yes, for three years, I travelled up here to study during the summer months. Three great years.”

"It was a privilege," Dalzell replied.

Hadrian stood up and bowed his head in respect. “Thank you Master. The honour was all mine. Now forgive me, I shall go check on our progress. We should be stopping shortly.

The caravan stopped beside a shallow ford. Frozen over, the icy carpet ran from the higher point and across the tunnel, near where the carts had crossed and disappeared into the small crevice in the wall. A string of torches were placed that surrounded the encampment as they settled down for the night. Darius was off to the side, playfully trying to light a piece of wood on his own using what he had learned from his first lesson. It had been a few weeks since he first awakened his power but now under the guidance of his grandfather he would be able to hone his skill.

“Watch you don’t burn yourself, little dragoon,” came Galirons voice from behind as the large boy approached with a friendful smile. Crouching down he watched as Darius tried and failed to ignite the wood.

“It won’t work,” Darius replied frustrated but with much less fear in his voice. To him, Galiron did not look as big and scary anymore.

“Give it here a second,” Galiron requested, holding out his hand. “I think you bit off more than you can chew with a stick that size,” he laughed as he juggled the piece of wood in his large hands then swiftly in a flash he snapped it and handed it back. “Try it now.”

"Is it true that you cannot cast a flame."

Amadeus was taken back and almost embarrased. replied "No."

“You'll get it someday dont give up,” Darius replied with a smile as he tried a second time. The flame Darius cast now singed at the edge of the wood but before the flame could really take hold they were interrupted by the shouting at the far side of the encampment. A shriek caused Darius to drop the piece of wood. Something or someone had all too quickly caused a stir as the yelling continued.

There were several shouts for the Maester as a man on horseback approached the camp. Damani rushed out of his tent to see what the commotion was about.

“What happened?” The Prince asked, tugging at the mans horse.

"You need to turn around."

"Why?

"The garrison is under siege by fiends."

"Fiends?"

"Take your people Darmani and go back to the castle. I will ride on on the garrison and send word when we have the situation under control.” Hadrian said firmly.

“We can’t go back now,” Damani replied. “Who did you leave in charge at the garrison?”

“My brother, Karadin... and Geraldines daughter."

“Then we will ride to their aid, '' Damani said without hesitation. He signalled for a horse and summoned his kin to follow suit as Hadrian joined him in mounting up.

Quickly horses that were dragging wagons were cut free and bows, arrows and Elvin short blades were handed to warriors that quickly rode past with intent.

“Watch over your mother,” Andris ordered as he ran past his son to where his tent was. Galiron quickly followed him in.

“Can I not go?” Galiron begged, his eyes pleading with him

“Do as you're told, boy.” Andris replied firmly.. “Until you stop acting like a child you will be treated as one.”

The boy hung his head .“I can handle a few fiends.”

Andris placed a hand on his son's shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. “I know you can…”he said with his tone softening. “That's why your place is here. These caverns are crawling with them.” Grabbing his swords, he pushed passed swiftly onto the first free horse. “Do not let me down boy.” was the last thing he said as he left.

There was eerie silence as the riders rode out of sight. It all had happened so fast the crowd that had gathered had not yet fully grasped the severity of the situation. As the silence broke, the rising chatter amongst the caravan of the felled warrior spread. Talk of fighting and loss of life was all too much for the young ears of Darius Tassinari as he wandered through the crowd.

“There you are...” Tal said as she tapped at his shoulder extending her arm to his as she pulled him close and took him to where a group of children had gathered in a circle around a campfire as Galiron stoked it with an old rusty sword.

Talia put a caressing hand around Galiron’s shoulder. She knew that this was certainly not where he wanted to be, not at a time like this.  She refrained from speaking on the subject and instead grabbed a few logs and threw them atop the fire. “We should get a warm meal into us. Has your mother eaten?”

“She’s fine,” he replied.

She immediately noticed a different tone in the way he spoke. “Well that's good to hear,” she smiled.

So are you looking forward to having a sister,” she smile trying to take his mind off what had happened.

“I’d much prefer a brother.”

“Well... It is the summertime Galiron, even if it doesn’t seem like it - And you very well know, all babies born in the summer are girls.”

“It feels like another boy,” Galirons mother said as she appeared from the tent she was in.

“Mother, you shouldn’t be moving in your condition.”

“It’s hard to sit still at a time like this. Don’t mind me. I just need to fetch some water.”

“We will get that for you,” Talia said.

“Really, it’s okay.” She insisted and  grabbed a small bucket. “I’ve been cooped up all day. A little walk will do the world of good.”

“Darius will help you melt the ice, won’t you?” Talia said, as she pushed Darius forward who could only smile.

“Thank you my dear,” she giggled, smiling as they walked towards the frozen stream. “Galiron, I remember when you were this polite.”

“I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier.” Galiron said after a moment's silence.

“It's okay,” She said nervously as his words blindsided her.

“Some of what I said was true…” the Half-Elf continued. “But certainly not all of it.” Pulling the scorched sword from the fire his eyes lingered on it for a moment. “My heart is here… But my soul is not and I don’t think I will ever be content until i find that part of myself.

“I.. I understand. Then I won’t stand in your path.”

Galiron was about to reply when the scream from his mother grasped his attention.

"Help," she shouted as two trolls and a goblin approached her and Darius. "Run, child!" She screamed, as her maternal instinct kicked in, her hands clutching at her swollen stomach and to her own baby within.

Heavily pregnant, she was in no shape to run, but Darius did not flee. He was afraid, but his little legs did not move nor in that moment did they wish to. He scooped a few rocks off the floor and launched them at the fiends but with no effect. If anything the stones only seemed to make the monsters angier as they locked their murdering eyes upon him. Pushing the child out of the way, she pleaded with Darius once again to run as she grabbed at the first goblin in an attempt to stall it. Swiping at her, the goblin drew blood with its long sharp claws and proceeded to advance towards the boy.

Darius backed up to a wall as they goblin and the two trolls came closer. Rooted with fear etched on his face, he had no means of fighting back, and it would have been futile to try. His hands lent on the wall behind him and luck would have it he felt a small gap, maybe big enough for him to get through he thought, as quickly he nimbly turned and inched his way into the wall.

The goblin snarled and bared its yellowed teeth and with a vicious screech lunged forward grasping a firm grip of the boys tunic. Darius struggled and broke free but the fiend quickly crawled into the hole after him. Darius had no choice but to retreat deeper into darkness.

The two trolls turned their stare on Galirons mother as she tried to draw them away from Darius. The first troll swung, but Galiron parried the blade away with his superior weapon leaving the troll exposed to a vertical slice as he split the troll’s skull and it collapsed. The second troll met a similar fate as it attacked but again the attack was blocked and this time lost its head with a horizontal slice as it rolled off its body and onto the ice below.

Darius had only recently begun experimenting with his technique, but it was now or never as a strong and constant flame sparked from his hand. The adrenaline he felt was as if his very blood was boiling as if something awakened inside him. His senses heightened and he could hear with clarity his own breathing and that of the unnatural, the grunts of the fiend behind. This was the monster he knew existed, but had only heard of in his grandfather’s stories and from the safety of Leuven’s walls.

The fiend was catching him as he stumbled through, over and under ever tightening gaps. Unable to see more than a few yards in front of him, the corridor twisted, turned and dropped to lower heights. There was no hope of ever going back in this direction should he escape but for now he did not care. Landing on his light feet he panicked with each breath, hoping that each twist and turn did not lead to a dead end. But the light radiating from his hand was also like a beacon to the goblin who reveled in the claustrophobic passages and gained on the boys every misplaced step. Suddenly Darius came to a sliding stop, kicking up dust and stones as he halted. His momentum nearly carried him off into an opening in the ground as she small stones and pebbels fell into the deep ravine disturbed shrieking bats and squeaking rats.

This was his chance Darius thought, as he quickly dispelled his magic, silenced his movements, and held his breath. He stood motionlessly pressed against the side wall, hoping the goblin would not see through his plan and proceed to run into the chasm. But it didn’t work as the goblin’s eyesight could see all and it stopped just before him. The foul acrid smell of the goblins breath pressed against Darius's nostrils as it let out a growl. In that moment, Darius knew he was caught and swiftly he made the first move. He shoved the goblin and it tumbled back grasping at the young Snow Elf as it fell into the chasm below. Darius struggled free and could only watch the monster disappear into the blackness below. The fiend fell deeper and deeper, but no thud came. Thinking he was safe, Darius collapsed as he gasped for air. Letting down his guard, his victory was short-lived as something from below pulled at his leg and the boy was dragged into the hole.

Sounds from warriors armour, mingled with the grunts of their horses below as they carried their riders out of the mountain pass and quickly they disappeared under the canopy of the tall trees. Quickly the all too familiar colour of white was swapped out with a healthier palette of green as the thundering clatter of hooves crunched through twigs and fallen leaves, and battered down on the soft gravel below.

The Snow-Elves knew all too well the terrain surrounding the garrison for it stood as an outpost during the war. A stepping stone off the mountain that stood as a stronghold. One of over a dozen that were established on the borders of Tobias’s realm and all built for the same purpose, a deterrent to any subsequent Atholian attack. As the years came and went so a second attack never came, still the Snow-Elves had never forgotten.

Damani, bow in hand gestured to Hadrian that he was going to veer off left and the Prince nodded in agreement. Swiftly the Maester disappeared up the adjacent path that led back up and round to a vantage point above the garrison. Geraldine, also an archer, followed as Andris continued onwards with the men of Kona.

Some overgrowth of vines and small branches were easily cut down as the Elves stormed up the thinning path to reach their destination. A perch on a steep cliff side that overlooked the old fort and beyond. From there they could see both the northern and western gates and it was there that Damani saw the remnants of an enemy horde below. Bodies, whole and severed, legs and other limbs littered the war torn affray as the light humming of insects traversed the many bloodied corpses below. Human or beast, at first glance, Damani could not tell, though the flies and other insect's feasting within did not care.

A blow of a horn from within the camp signified that those within the walls were now aware of the incoming reinforcements as guards quickly rushed to roll up the western gate as Hadrian and his armored knights flooded in as their horses trampled over the fallen corpses that lay scattered outside.

"What's going on? The Prince exclaimed, tugging at his horse’s reins as his silver mount turned to meet an oncoming guard. His cape billowed behind as he came to a stop. "Where’s my brother and where is the Princess?” He barked.

“I am here,” Astrin announced. Her face, covered in a mixture of dirt and blood and god knows what else.

Andris could only imagine the battle she had seen. She looked young but he knew better to underestimate the royal blood of Kona for she was no doubt older and like the Black Snow, had a reputation to boot.

“And Karadin?” Hadrian asked. "Where is he?”

“He went north. He told me to hold the fort until he returned," she replied.

“What brought my brother up there?”

“We were attacked shortly after you left for Leuven.” Astrin said.

“I can see that but why didn’t he order them killed from the safety of the walls?”

Astrin paused in her response.

“Well?” Hadrian urged.

“We ran out of arrows,” she said finally.

“You’ve used all of your arrows?”

“We have used each arrow twice but their numbers were not thinning. Karadin thought it best to try and lure the horde away. For the most part he was successful but he has not returned. Now you're here, i'll lead a force out to look for him.”

"I’ll go myself. You have done enough. The Snow Elves are waiting in the tunnel. We must ensure this place is secure for their arrival.”

Astrin nodded.

Hadrian drew his sword and ordered the northern entrance open. As the large wooden gates parted he sighted the countless bodies of fiends that lay slain in a battle that must have raged for at least several hours going by the count of dead. There were a still many among the dead that reacted to the gate opening but A volley of Elven arrows quickly rained down on any that remained.

"These ones don't matter. We cut through! The Elves will take care of them.” Hadrian rallied.

"Release," Damani commanded from the hilltop to the northwest as another barrage of arrows pierced the starry sky, arrowhead’s glistening like falling stars as they rained down on those that remained as Hadrian and his men began to push through.

The Maester was about to order a third barrage when heard someone shout as a messenger rode towards them.

"Can’t you see we are busy, grab your bow damn it," Damani barked.

"The caravan was ambushed at the rear,”

“How could this happen?” The Maester cursed.

“All focus was on the garrison. We left the rear exposed.”

“Are there any casualties?”

“I don’t think so but...  in the chaos, Darius... he…”

“He what?”

“He fled into the caves and we've been unable to find him.”

“Go get your boy,” Geraldine urged.

Damani nodded and rushed to his horse, grabbing its reins, the horse reared and bolted back down the track. As the warriors of Kona began to ride north out of the garrison towards the valley. Hadrian noticed the Maester on the hilltop to his left withdrawing from the battlefield. He could not contemplate his reasoning for his friend's actions yet he could not dwell on it either. With blade drawn, he cut down a goblin that neared his mount and the men of Kona surged through the horde as horses clashed through smaller fiends and free of the second wave that had gathered.