Monday, May 19, 2008

Woodland Ruins

The sun had already risen and is almost level with Espyre Mountain's peak behind them when they were able to see the outline of the Drakkan Mountain Range. The range's base is marked by a solitary landmark, the ruins of the Southern Abbey which was destroyed by the 99-year war that took place many years ago in this region. As Blackwind gallops through the last acres of level ground, his two riders were too busy watching their backs from possible pursuers that they were not able to notice the strange movements in the trees behind the ruins.

"I don't think they followed us. It is way past daybreak. They appear only at night, right?", the black-armored knight said to the young sorceress.
"Yes, Brynn. But the Scillia are awake during the day; their eyes during the day."
"Well, Blackwind can sense the Scillia. He trembles when he can feel their presence. I think he's not sensing any since he's racing at a steady pace. I think we are safe for now. We should rest by the ruins, we all need it after that terrible ordeal last night."
"I agree. I feel very weak from casting the cloaking mist all night. At least it worked and we have escaped, or there would have been no one to report the ambush. I just wish we were able to take Janos with us. Last thing I saw, he was shooting hallowed arrows at those wraiths and then he was gone, just like a snap of the fingers."
"I'm sorry, Hera. There's nothing that we could have done to save him."

With Blackwind's speed, they reached the ruins in no time, both quickly dismounted and settled in the still standing archways; sitting on the ruined floors with their backs on the broken walls. Brynn closed his eyes as soon as he can, whispering at the same time.
"I don't know why the wraiths appeared last night for no reason. Do you think the Wraithe-Lord has returned, controlling those other wraiths just like before?"
"I don't know... I don't know...", with her reply Hera closed her eyes to rest.
ZzzZzzzZzzzzz...

They were both roused from their slumber when they heard Blackwind rearing in excitement. Two fire dragons are closing in on the horse with deadly efficiency. Brynn unseath his shadow blade and made a dash to Blackwind's side. He keeps himself very low next to the horse by kneeling his left foot and as the dragon is about to gnaw on Blackwind's neck, Brynn made an upward thrust to the dragon's throat killing it instantly.

Hera stood right away and rushed near the second dragon, her eyes glowing in a bask of white light. In an instant, electrical arcs are forming on her hands and lightning bolts were unleashed from her fingertips, incapacitating the dragon. But because she was still weak, she collapsed on her knees. Red dragons have a slight resistance to electrical attacks, and this one have fully recovered from the stunning effect after just a few seconds.

When Brynn looks in Hera's way, it was already too late. He is too far away to help Hera as the dragon pounced. Then suddenly, a frost arrow struck the dragon's right forearm just before it can make contact with Hera, throwing it to a small distance to the left. Another frost arrow hits its right hind leg. Although injured, the dragon is persistent and is now standing in the direction of his unknown attacker with its hind legs, exposing his bare chest. Then, three hallowed arrows hit its heart in quick successions, the first arrows were split into two from the next ones. The dragon is dead.

The two looked at the hooded figure in the plains, which is still a mile away, with a smile on their faces.

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