Elf World Shadows Rising Read online

  "By Zandues’s nine hells, what is that?" Elise exclaimed.

  "The Queens chief wizard gave it to me; says it will take care of the chain."

  Myst opened the lid and poured the jelly like substance onto the metal chain.

  Nothing happened…

  They waited another minute, nothing happened.

  "Shit."

  "Great, what now?"

  "How the blasted hell would I ---"

  The chain began to sizzle and smoke. A green glow seemed to permeate the link that the jell had been poured on, and the sizzle and smoke became considerably more noticeable.

  One of the raiders singled the waiting boats with a hooded magic lantern to start the next phase.

  Myst softly whistled; not that it was necessary to get the attention of the raiders, all were staring at the rapidly brightening glow.

  [Time to go], he signaled.

  They had just made it to the water, when the first shout of alarm came from the Orc camp.

  "SNAP!" The link had given way and the chain slipped into the deep river with a loud rattling and splash.

  Myst swam as quickly as he could, to get out of bow range from the shore. Deep powerful strokes brought him to the waiting skiffs, long before the rest of his team.

  Climbing over the rail, he called to one of the hooded elves waiting in the back of the boat.

  "Signal your mistress that the chains down. Start the evacuation."

  The mage concentrated on the mind of his master; a faint glow of magic lit his eyes.

  "It is done, Lord. The Cavalry will attack the other bank, and the ships have left the city."

  The sounds of battle rose from the left bank of the river, as the Moon Elf Cavalry unit launched their faint attack, designed more to keep the large Orc unit hunkered down, and engaged with the threat that all infantry fears more than anything; Calvary breaching their formation. Once the Calvary breaches an infantry unit in the open, slaughter of the foot soldiers is the inevitable outcome. And to make things worse, the attack was at night, and Orcs hate night fighting.

  Myst had a small group of mages land on the right bank of the river down from the smaller group of Orc archers that had defended the chain. They were still a threat to the boats sailing down the river; to counter that threat, Myst had come up with an idea. The small group of mages was not the most powerful mages to be found in the city, not by a long shot, but they had something special just for this situation. They were Moon Elf mages that specialized in Air Magic, and so were masters of illusions.

  Suddenly, the sounds of horses moving in mass on the right bank could be heard, signal trumpets and the shouts of Elven officers, sounded from the darkness as what sounded like a regiment of heavy cavalry prepared to charge...

  The battalion of Orc archers panicked. There was not supposed to be any Elven cavalry within a thirty miles of them on this side of the river. That is why no heavy infantry had been brought across to defend them from the terrible destruction wrought by Calvary. They knew they were about to be slaughtered, and so they panicked, and in mass scattered into the bush looking for a hole in which to hide.

  “Funny, panicking Orcs with illusionary sounds, they will never live this down,” laughed Elise as their skiffs pulled along side the embassy barge.

  The flotilla of river boats sailed down the river, past the former blockade, stopping just long enough to pick up the half dozen Air Mages who had panicked the five hundred archers.

  Twelve hours later, they arrived in Port Orland to the shouting celebrations of the residents of the coastal city. There, they would be safe, protected by dense coastal marshes that would stop the Orc advance nearly a hundred miles upriver.

  The Sun Elf embassy was established in a fine stone inn that Elise had spent time at before. As soon as the communication gem was set up, a flood of orders came in. Newly promoted Captain Moss Blackforge was given command of Sun Elf forces and intelligence operations in Tuscan, to assist the Moon Elves in regaining the three quarters of the land they had just lost. Captain Elise Starwood, who had forgot to tell the Dwarf that he had been promoted a few weeks ahead of her, was assigned as his second in command.

  A Dragon flew in the new ambassador to take over for Kayla, who was ordered home. The Emperor wanted her back home. Her new found ability at Fire Magic would be developed, to provide a formidable weapon in the arsenal of the free Elves. Myst would ride back to make sure she arrived in Palantar safely.

  Myst arranged for a ship to take Thomas and Willow to the Gnome city of Zug. There she could be sent to school and learn how to behave like a proper Gnome, and not like a damn Elf. Thomas was going to take a vacation, a long vacation in his home town of Bearn, far away from any sort of adventures, at least for a while. He would miss being the general manager of the resort in Tazco, especially the tropical gardens, but it was time to go home, he missed his own people and the familiar haunts of the high mountains.

  "Thomas, we have some business interest in the Bearnvald. Contact our factor when you get tired of doing nothing. Father was thinking of buying a grand hotel in the city; maybe you could convince him to finally purchase one of them."

  Willow and Kayla hugged as this parting was hard on the gnome, Kayla had become a dear friend and mentor over the last few months.

  “Be of good cheer Willow, we will meet again, and think of the new stories we will then share,” Kayla told her as Myst swung her up behind him in the dragon’s harness.

  "Good bye Myst, Kayla. May The Creator keep and watch over you, until we meet again," Thomas called to them.

  The Dragon leaped into the air, circled once and headed west for home, and Myst thought, a much needed vacation.

  ~

  Colonel Zen-Amon, stood on the battlements of Castle Fontanni, recently captured from the Moon Elves. A pall of smoke hung low on the chilled morning air. A cloudless sky did not promise rain to extinguish the smoldering ruins about him. It was unfortunately just about the only thing in the city of Dara that had not been looted and destroyed by the rampaging Orcs. The Orcs were mightily pissed off that they had not got the chance to slaughter and rape the city’s population, and so they took out their frustrations on what had been left behind.

  “A pity, it used to be a rather pretty city, but these things happen. Even more upset than the Orcs, is the Ogre slaver Krug. He didn't catch the Sun Elf Ambassador, and so gets no pay for that mess, and there were no Moon Elves to enslave here in the city, not a profitable adventure for the Ogre.”

  “But the conquest here is not over, there will be plenty of slaves to take, and plenty new victims for the Death Goddess's bloody sacrificial altar, and more than enough rape and slaughter for even the taste of the Orcs. Why does this devastation not thrill me like it thrills the rest of the Army of Darkness, I'm getting too old for this, or perhaps even more cynical?”

  “Bah, this is counterproductive. I must make a report to the psychopathic boss of mine, and figure out a way to kill off the traitorous Moon Elf Killmara, who makes me sick just to look at,… best get going.”

  High in the air above the lake, Zen spotted a flying speck heading west, that he was sure was a dragon, and he could well guess who was riding on it. For some reason that made him smile, just a little.Taking one last look at the burning city, Zen-Amon, went back inside to contact his boss.

  ~

  Ver Sitha, High Priestess of the Death Cult of the Snake, head of Shadow Elf Foreign Intelligence, and third in succession to the Grand Empress of the Empire of Night and Shadow, sat in her room of dark sorcery. The high walls of gold flecked polished marble shone brightly with the magical flames dancing from solid gold Cobra wall sconces. The walls hung with cloth of gold curtains and rich mosaics done in deep blue lapis-lazuli, pale mother of pearl, and even more rare and precious stones, depicting perversions in which their owner frequently indulged.

  Naked slaves brought her dark wine, poured from a fluted gold pitcher, into a delicate cut crystal goblet. A Sun Elf slav
e girl bowed deeply and withdrew as another brought a platter of some of Sitha's favorite delicacies, pickled Peacock’s tongue, roasted Humming Birds’ hearts, and sautéed Dwarves’ testicles.

  She watched, as the ensorcelled map showed her the great victory that she had planned and executed. Both of the Disputed Zones of the East Continent had fallen to the Army of Darkness, as had more than two thirds of the Moon Elf Kingdom of Tuscan. Only the rift between Sun and Star Elves, over the assassination of Ambassador Kayla Morningstar, had not gone as planned.

  The report from her agent, Colonel Zen-Amon, had reported the complete failure of Major Navdis. She would make him suffer for that failure. Just because he was dead didn't get him off the hook, “the grave is no bar to my vengeance”. No, the High Priestess of the Goddess of Death had a long reach indeed.

  “Ninety nine percent of victory is still a great victory. Now my plans of world conquest for The Chosen people will continue, as do my plans for assuming the throne of the Grand Empress!”

  ~

  Killin Killmara, the traitorous Moon Elf Clan Chief, sat on the carved throne of Tuscan, deep in the heart of Castle Fontanni. The Orcs had taken the city, and looted or burned down much of it. But the castle was left undamaged, and now it was his! The Orcs were abiding by their agreement to install him as King of Tuscan. Tomorrow morning, he would be crowned King, albeit a vassal King of the Orc dictator. But oh well, it was better than he could have hoped a year ago.

  The Orcs hoped to capture a couple thousand Moon Elves to be sold on the slave market, and as per their agreement, ten percent of the profits, and the best looking females were his. He would also receive one tenth of the spoils and loot of the conquest. He no longer was a poor Chief of an impoverished clan.

  “Yes, things are going better than I could have dreamed.”

  He lounged on the throne, looking at the heap of treasure piled before him, contemplating the further rape of his own people.

  Behind him a wooden panel opened without a sound. Silently, a stunningly beautiful copper skinned Elf girl covered in dark bronze leathers, emerged from the hidden passageway. Her emerald eyes gleamed as she reached around the neck of the traitor, and drew her dagger across his throat.

  Killmara staggered forward, opening his mouth to call for his guards, but nothing but blood came from his lips. Slumping onto the floor, dying, his blood flowed into the pile of stolen treasure.

  “A fitting end to the traitorous scum, and a nice bit of coin earned from Queen Alyn of Tuscan.”

  Zara disappeared back into the passage, closing the hidden door; she made her way out of Castle Fontanni, heading for Port Orland and ten thousand silver Crowns for cutting the scum's gullet.

  “Time to head home, these Moon Elves are just too provincial for my taste. No real challenge for an Assassin, er Operative of my proficiency. And the dear old Kushian Emperor Fazu Albarra would have need of her services to deal with his own traitors…” Zara smiled truly excited at the prospect of more fun and profit, how could anything get better? She thought for a moment, “Only the addition of a certain pair of Sun Elves in her hot bath would improve things, apparently I have aquired a ‘taste’ for Sun Elves…” Shrugging to herself she silently glided down the dark secret passages beneath the castle to the exit hidden outside the city walls.

  Out into the dense woods she stept and the magic door click shut, and she was gone from the city before the traitor’s body was found by the Orc guards.

  CHAPTER 25

  The breeze rustled the white silk curtains of the bedroom window, blowing a pleasantly cool draft of morning air across the bed. The spacious round room beautifully decorated with pale stone walls and dark wood floors, looked much the same as any other bedroom in the capital city of Solara the Empire of the Sun.

  The heavy smell of flowers permeated the air bringing the occupant of the large round canopy bed to consciousness. Myst opened his eyes slowly, and found himself snuggled up, like spoons in a drawer, with beautiful golden haired elf lass. She lay tight against him, head on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around her, each of his hands gently cupping her breast.

  They had been home for two days, most of which they had spent bathing and playing in bed. Except for the short interruption when they had gone to the palace to see the Emperor…

  The Emperor, Myst’s father’s distant cousin, and so no stranger to Myst, had thanked Myst for his service and gave him another medal. Myst told his cousin that he would rather have a vacation than the medal, but was told by the Emperor, "Too bad, I will have work for you, and stop complaining."

  So Myst shut up. Emperor Alexander Sundragon, had that effect on people, even or maybe especially his younger relations. The tall, graying haired, Elf had great power and presence that filled and commanded any room he was in.

  Kayla, the Emperor explained would be sent to the Twilight Fortress, on the shores of Skylake, for further training as a mage. With her abilities as a top ambassador, coupled with being a high level mage, well it had great possibilities that HE wanted to see explored.

  "But first my dear, I am sending you down to the sea to recuperate in that sun-drenched heaven of Drakar for a couple of weeks, YOU need a vacation," he proclaimed while giving Myst a stern sideways look.

  "Myst, you go along to protect her, not that you deserve a break mind you, but there does not seem to be anyone one else I can spare at the moment," the Emperor told him.

  And so Myst found himself lying in bed on this fine morning; the boat to the Azure Coast sailed later that noon, and they were packed and ready to go.

  Myst smiled to himself, “Things could not get any better!”

  "So you're finally awake," Kayla stated as she snuggled even closer, if such a thing was possible.

  "How could you tell, sweetheart?"

  She wiggled her very shapely butt against him. "Guess..."

  "Oh."

  "Well, what are you waiting for, we got a boat to catch in a few hours."

  She wiggled again.

  “Well I guess I was wrong, today can get better after all,” thought a very happy Myst, “better get a move on we have a boat to catch…”

  The next six days sharing a stateroom on a fast sailing sloop went by in the blink of an eye, with early spring the tourist season was about to start and the boat was full of happy passengers. Sun Elves looking for sun after the northern winter frolicked on what quickly became a party on the water. Even the Dwarven crew seemed happy to be heading to the sunny shores and the feeling of growing anticipation was readily apparent.

  The couple found themselves on the prow of the ship as the journey down the Azure Coast and reached the beautiful city of Mentonferat, the white harbor beckoned as the city of nearly thirty nine thousand elves, with its multi reddish colored tiled roofs seemed to glow like a gem set above the sapphire sea. Castle Rock, a granite clifted hilltop separated the main city from the port rose above them on the left and the coastal mountains marched down to the sea on all sides of the city. The Count of Mentonferat’s castle set on top the Rock, keeping a watchful eye out to sea.

  Kayla noticed the profusion of flowers, even on this early springtime day. “What is that lovely yellow flowering tree,” she asked as she stood next to Myst as the ship docked, her right arm around his waist.

  “That my lovely is the Mimosa Tree, the first to blossom each year, but a pale beauty compared to you my dear,” Myst answered with an arm slung around her shoulder and a quick pull of a hug.

  “I bet that is the first time they have ever been called pale; I doubt I have seen a tree more festooned with bright blossoms.”

  The gang plank rattled onto the dock and the passengers made for the shore as crew began hustling up their belongings. Holding tightly to Myst hand Kayla made her way down the gangplank and onto the stone dock.

  “A beautiful mild sunny day here in the south, what a magical place, I can’t believe I have never been to this province before.” Kayla was stunned by at both the brillian
t blue azure water and equally by the cobalt blue sky, in fact brilliant colors seemed to be everywhere, from the tiled roofs in multi hued shades of reds, and everyplace she looked was magically lovely.

  “By late spring the city’s population will double with the part time residence and tourist returning. It seems like everyone in the Old Kingdom has a place down here or knows someone who does. Try getting a reservation at any of the good restaurants then…” Myst grumbled slightly as he led Kayla down the quay.

  An open carriage was waiting for them, pulled by four horses with a pretty strawberry blonde driver who looked to be a Sun Elf, possibly with some Moon Elf mixed in, who sat in the driver’s bench, dressed in snug white breaches, a bright blue short jacket and black riding boots. A very handsome male elf that looked somewhat like Myst, only with darker blonde hair, dressed in grey, stood waiting for them.

  He and Myst grasped forearms then hugged, “Kayla, this is Remi Cortier, Chief Porter for Castle Sunstar, and a distant relative somehow… Remi, this is Ambassador Kayla Morningstar,” Myst introduced.

  Remi, took her hand in his, bowed low, and kissed her hand, “Enchanted your Excellency, I am at your service… Anything you desire and Remi will see to it, anything…” Remi smiled charmingly at her and assisted her into the back of the carriage. She could feel his eyes on her as she climbed the steps into the carriage. “This one is a handsome scoundrel, and definitely a rogue,” she thought as she settled herself on a very comfortable padded upholstered bench, done in cream with a muted gold diamond pattern.

  Another Sun elf carrying a basket came walking up the pier toward them; this one was a beautiful girl with what Kayla thought of as darker flaxen blonde hair done up in long twin braids, and absolutely stunning big cornflower blue eyes. She handed Remi her basket and flew into Myst arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.

  Remi stowed the basket up front and turned to Kayla, “Ah, this is my wife Jacqueline…”

  Jacqueline, laughed and climbed up into the carriage across from Kayla, she was dressed in a white lacy halter and loincloth and simple white sandals. “It is a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for bring our Myst home to us, it has been years since he has been back,” Jacqueline smiled a brilliant happy smile at Kayla.