Chapter 4 - Will of Fire

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“Without the water from the Elvish Glades, she may not make it and the baby will die too if something isn’t done and done quickly.”

“Shut up!” Galiron objected as tears poured from his eyes as he looked at his mother as she lay there unconscious from the stress.

“Listen to them Galiron,” Talia pleaded. “We need to get her to the spring,” Talia choked as she tried to finish her sentence.

"Do you not think I know this? But how can we move her?"

“Someone has to make a decision boy. Either she dies or they go together.”

The clapping sound of hooves resonated and echoed off the sides of the mountain pass as Darmani charged as quickly as his steed would allow. He tried to keep his mind focused but the walls, rough and jagged, whispered to him casting doubt over his mind and body. Yet amidst the storm of his concerns a faint cry through the tunnel ahead snapped the Master out of his trance. Darmani's heart stirred and a flicker of determination burned within his eyes as the reins tightened firmly in his grasp. The Tassinari bloodline, burning strong for half a century would not be extingished this day.

Those within the encampent could only see the glow of the lone rider, but that light at the end of the tunnel was getting closer. "The Maester is coming," Someone shouted that eased the tension in the group and quickly the crowd that had gathered dispersed to make way for the rider.

"Any sign of my boy?" The Maester barked as he arrived.

"We ares still searching the caves for him but so sign so far."

"Can i borrow your horse? Galiron asked.

"What for?" Darmani asked.

"My mother, she..."

"She needs to get to the healing springs." Talia finished.

With a swift motion, Damani leaped from his steed, landing gracefully beside the struggling figure of Andris's wife. His presence radiated authority and with it hope.

"Help me get her on the horse," The Maester said.

"Thank you," Galiron said as they got his mother onto the horse. He proceeded to try and climb atop the horse but was stopped.

"Move aside. Your no rider boy. I will take her."

"But what about Darius?"

"I must put my faith in the will of fire to protect him. Your mother needs help now."

"Will it protect my mother?"

"If it doesn't... then I certainly will try."

Damani, who had only arrvived left as quickly as he appeard.

Hadrian, Andris and the men of Kona had only ridden for an hour when the evidence of a skirmish started to present itself and the first bodies, casualties of the party that travelled north began appear. They had just left the valley leading to the Northern Reaches as the terrain opened up into a large woodland. The sunrise, already dawning illuminated the summer sky with a red glow and yet still the air was crisp. The morning dew on the leaves left a soothing smell in the breeze but Andris senses where anything but lulled. Something foul also lingered in the air. Something rotten.

“They were ambushed here it,” the half-elf spoke. "Trained warriors do not succumb to such fodder so easily."

“Well spotted Andris. Age hasn't slowed you down one bit. My bet is they where waiting in the trees.” The Prince replied.

“Yes... But In what world do such intelligent rabble lay siege to a fortress never mind lay ambushes?” Said Andris deep in thought.

"Such strange behaviour has been reported across the realm as of late. The fiends it seems are evolving in this new world we live in.”

“These two bodies bring the count to nine,” one of the guards spoke and respectfully closed the eyelids of the fallen warriors. “Still no sign of Prince Karadin yet.”

“Nine good men... loyal men with families.” Hadrian cursed. ”Do we know how many men went north?” He added.

“In his party, fifteen including him.” The guard answered.

“Then we find the remaining bodies, dead or alive. We are not leaving until the last six are accounted for,” he rallied. “These poor souls will have to linger little longer, the living must come first.”

The group combed the area looking for signs of life or a any visible clue of what direction.

“The bushes are disturbed here,” a guard declared, touching blood that had spilled onto the leaves. “Yes, someone or something went through here.”

“You fool, since when did fiends bleed with a red hue!?” Snapped Andris as he drew his dual blades and disappeared through the leaves.

Hadrian and his men reacted and followed the raven haired half-elf close behind. The woodland that was supposed to be thick with foliage was anything but and quickly they stumbled upon an unnatural clearing in the forest. Trees were uprooted and dragged to the side as the source of the putrid smell hung in the air. Carcasses of deer, foxes and other mammals littered the ground whilst their bodies seemed drained of their blood but not spilled randomly. In the middle of the clearing, there was a large unusual five pointed star shape painted onto the grass and soil.

“What is this evil,” one of the guards asked.”

“It's a pentagram.” Hadrian replied. “I’ve never actually seen one before,'' he added.

“A pentagram?” Andris asked.

“Blood magic.” A voice came from the bushes.

“Karadin…” Hadrian gasped to see his brother emerge from the treeline. He was not alone as two others joined him carrying a third. Karadin looked like his brother but had shorter hair. He was carrying his sword and shield which he quickly holstered at the sight of his brother.

“Are there any others?” Hadrian asked.

Karadin shook his head.

“What about him?” Hadrian spoke again and gestured to the wounded soldier. “Will he make it?”

“He should pull through. I’ve spent the last few hours working on him.”

“And what of the fiends? Have they been dealt with?” Andris asked.

“For now.”

“What does that mean,” Hadrian asked.

“We gave chase and they fled into a cave not far east from here. I think they expected us to follow but Instead we pulled the shaft down on them.”

“What is this blood magic. What is this the purpose of this symbol,” Andris asked.

“From what I understand, the symbol acts as a gateway to the abyss. A place of pure darkness void of alchemy." Hadrian replied.

“Where did you learn this?”

“I’ve read a few books on it. It’s a forbidden arte linked to the ancient druids and warlocks of the sands. I do not understand all the intricacies of it nor do I wish to find out.”

“The caster of this is playing a dangerous game for sure. If caught... they will hang. I will string them up myself.” Hadrian announced,

“Is this portal still active?” asked Andris.

“No, I do not believe so.” Karadin answered. “The blood has long boiled dry. We should disface it as a precaution however”