Chapter 35
Belzac the Doon
Dorian’s face paled as he drew his sword. Thalen and Alena followed his example, Thalen drawing a sword and Alena unsheathing two circular weapons with sharpened blades. Dorian’s slanted brows furrowed into a deep scowl as flames burned in his eyes. Echo had never seen the elf so angry. She shivered, thankful that Dorian’s rage was not directed at her. “We must assist them immediately!” he shouted. “We must protect the children!”
Echo handed her mug back to the villlager as her thoughts rested on her mother and sister. They’d remained in Thildin to keep supplies and messages flowing out to the warriors in the villages. She had to make sure they were okay.
“I’ll come with you,” Keebo said as he rose into the air, his bow nocked with a flaming arrow.
“Very well, let us--” Dorian began, but another haunting howl sounded from the guarding wolfix. Jia flapped furiously toward them, screeching a nerve-jarring warning. She slithered through the air and hovered over Shimmer. The horse half reared, tossing her mane, and then stared into Jia’s eyes. Through Shimmer, Echo saw what Jia was relaying--fires at the edge of the village were going out and shadows were creeping closer. Echo’s heart jumped when Song suddenly appeared, shouting, “Our fire shield is compromised! It is some sort of dark magic. Our flames only last a short time before they are snuffed out. I have tried to call for the dragons, but they do not respond.” Anxiety was etched in Song’s face.
Cage and his followers were the first to respond. Like haunted shadows, they flew toward the edge of the village astride their kelpies. Dorian ran after them, his sword and torch at the ready. Keebo and Song, along with their kin, flew above with arrows and fists flaming. Echo and Shimmer followed the rest, their hearts pounding in their ears.
A black hole gaped between what remained of the barrier of torches at Ulway’s western border. People were screaming in terror as golden-eyed shadows bore down on them. Echo watched with sickening horror as three men and two women were dragged away into the darkness.
She stood in shock for several minutes, watching the battle. Cage and his wraiths attacked several dark wraiths at the right-hand side of the gap. The kelpies’ chilling screams sounded through the air as they sliced at each other with sharp hooves and tore at each other with pointed teeth.
The wraiths formed thin, sharpened weapons out of water, which proved as effective as any metal blade. Cage growled out commands as he battled two wraiths at once.
Several woodland fae threw a volley of flames at the gap, desperately trying to re-light the torches. Fire would burst up momentarily before disappearing as if the darkness devoured it. Keebo shot a pair of arrows, striking the two wraiths that had cornered Cage. The wraith gave him a quick nod of thanks before resuming the fight.
Dorian and several other elves were attempting to counter-act the spell that doused the flames with their own magic. Nothing seemed to be working. A pack of humans, their faces haunted, attacked the elves. Dorian took advantage of his quick reflexes, using his sword to merely injure the humans and keep them from continuing their attack. They were obviously under the influence of the doons.
A deep rumbling came from the black sky from the south. Echo groaned. They had enough to worry about, they didn’t need a storm. But as the rumbling continued, she realized it wasn’t a storm. Shimmer, Jia, and the wolfix sounded greetings as the giant, shadowy form of a dragon appeared over the village. The fading light of the fires reflected off its shining red scales. The red dragon had come to help!
The dragon gracefully swooped toward the village, blasting a stream of white fire over the torches. The blast not only re-lit the torches, but created a flaming wall between the village and most of the shadow dwellers. Cheers erupted around Echo as she stood in awe.
A doon suddenly leapt at her, grabbing her shoulders and piercing her with his demonic, gold eyes. Misery opened like a deep chasm inside at the doon’s touch. Sadness weighed so heavily that she couldn’t move or even breathe. Shimmer screamed and pawed at the doon, but her hooves only passed through the shadow.
An enormous form dove from the sky toward them. A flash of fur and leathery wings accompanied a deep, thunderous growl. In an instant, the wolfix had the doon in its teeth, pulling it viciously away from Echo. As soon as his hands left her shoulders, the horrid gloom lifted and she was able to move. She watched as the great wolfix shook the doon viciously back and forth until the shadowy form shredded into a million pieces and vanished. Once again, Echo was more than grateful these brutes were on their side, and that they seemed to be able to grasp shadows when no one else could. She gave the wolfix a grateful pat before mounting Shimmer and soared into the sky.
The core-penetrating growl of the dragon reached their ears. Echo turned and watched in horror as a sharp watery weapon from a wraith standing near the river sliced through the air toward the dragon’s throat--the only unprotected area of the dragon’s body. The enormous animal released a pitiful groan as the weapon cut his flesh, and then he wheeled through the sky. Echo screamed with dismay as the dragon crash landed at the edge of the village’s barrier. She saw Dorian and Song racing toward the animal before the flames the dragon had created weakened.
Echo was ready to pull the crystal from her pocket, hoping to somehow help the dragon, when she sensed the presence of her brother. She turned to see him and his steed swooping toward them. Wanting to draw Brecker away from the village, Echo urged Shimmer higher into the air. She felt the horse’s powerful muscles contract as the Shimmer pumped her wings and launched through the sky. She hoped the others would be able to help the fallen dragon.
Echo and Shimmer charged straight for Midnight Sun and Brecker.
As the opposing Kavalah rushed toward each other, Echo drew her daggers and Brecker drew his sword. A shower of sparks flew in Echo’s face as the force of the clashing weapons sent shock waves through her arms. The impact forced her backwards against Shimmer. She righted herself and asked her horse to fly away from Ulway.
Midnight Sun bore down on them from behind, catching them after only a few feet. Echo couldn’t see Brecker’s face beside her, it was hidden in shadow. But his haunted voice was enough to unnerve her, “Give up, Echo! Belzac will be here in a moment. Ulway is compromised, as the other villages will be soon. Dad and Finear are badly injured, the dragon is down. No one is coming to help you. And when the master arrives, no one will be able to stop the shadows!”
Tears streamed from Echo’s eyes. NO! This can’t happen! Then the thought struck her that Brecker might be baiting her. Belzac certainly knew that she was the one to face him, especially since she had so foolishly broadcasted it throughout the villages just two days ago. Belzac wanted her out of the way, and he would command Brecker to do or say anything to get to her. Echo answered her brother’s warnings by sending Shimmer against Midnight’s side. A confused flurry of feathers surrounded Echo as the horse’s bodies slammed into one another. Shimmer snapped her teeth, barely missing Midnight Sun’s neck. They veered apart as Brecker growled in rage.
Horses and riders charged each other again. Echo sliced her daggers through the air, but held back, barely missing her brother’s forearm. He twisted in his saddle and caught Echo’s back with his blade. Pain shot through her spine as warm blood trickled down her back. She lowered her face into Shimmer’s flowing mane to keep from screaming. She couldn’t let Brecker know he had weakened her. Shimmer’s worry and rage sounded in Echo’s senses. She responded, I’m fine. Just keep fighting.
Brecker’s words from their days of training resounded in Echo’s mind, “If you don’t cause the enemy pain, they’ll be more than happy to dish it out to you!”
As the riders came towards each other again, Echo gritted her teeth against the pain and swung her daggers simultaneously in a wide circle. Both blades caught Brecker’s side as he lifted his arms to use his weapon. Echo winced at his painful, angry scr
eam.
Their battle continued for several more minutes, the horses performing incredible maneuvers so their riders could spar. Echo received more cuts to her arms, legs, even one across her cheek. But she had also marked Brecker, leaving his body as bloodied as hers. Every blow made her feel weaker and more helpless.
Echo caught glimpses of the battle raging on the ground below. From what she could tell, the shadows were overpowering the villagers. She wondered if the other villages were suffering the same fate, including Thildin. They all needed help. She worried for her friends and family.
Another jarring clash with Brecker brought Echo back to her own battle. She screamed with Shimmer as Brecker’s blade sliced the horse’s chest. This time, Echo’s rage ignited. She could suffer getting hurt, but she wasn’t about to let anyone harm Shimmer. They made another wide turn, circling over Ulway. Most of the torches were doused and cries of horror and rage rose up to them. From the air, Echo couldn’t distinguish between the good and bad wraiths--one group was overpowering the other, but whether Cage’s group was winning remained a mystery. Fire balls and flaming arrows from the woodland fae streaked through the air toward the adversaries. But their flames seemed weaker as their fury turned into mere sparks, leaving little damage to the enemy.
Echo signaled Shimmer to find a place to land. For the sake of the villagers, her horse, and her brother, she needed to end this.
Brecker and Midnight Sun landed near Echo and Shimmer who’d placed themselves between their brothers and the village. Dismounting, Echo stood shakily beside her horse. Steam rose from the horses’ heated bodies as they flapped their wings challengingly at each other.
She had never won a dual with her brother, but she had to try tonight. Keebo had helped her with her reflexes, so she might have a chance.
The last flickering torches from Ulway highlighted Brecker’s pale face as he raised his sword and strode toward Echo. His black cloak billowed behind him, giving the illusion of wings. Echo shivered, thinking of the vampires she’d recently heard about with their pale faces and hideous wings. At least Brecker had been spared that disease. His haunted face told a tale just as terrifying. He was dark and tortured, and Echo wanted more than anything to free him from everything that bound him.
Crossing her daggers in front of her, Echo readied herself for battle. The teens circled one another as their steeds paced nervously, ready to fight. Echo kept her eyes locked on Brecker’s. His steely glare told her nothing. She had no way of knowing what his first move might be.
Suddenly, the weapons crashed into each other, sending the reverberating ring of battle through the air. Echo caught Brecker’s sword between her daggers and, with the power of adrenaline, pushed her brother forcefully away. The weapons parted with an unpleasant scraping sound. Shimmer released a challenging whistle, the sound piercing through the air like a blade. Midnight Sun returned the call and brothers and sisters fought.
Echo focused on Brecker, trusting Shimmer to her own battle. If she could just get his sword out of his hand, he’d be helpless--sort of. She knew Midnight Sun would defend his companion if he was rendered weaponless. Echo would have to rely on Shimmer to stop Midnight Sun once Brecker’s sword left his hands.
In a sudden flurry of bodies and blades, Echo and Brecker collided again. They both growled as they locked weapons and strained against each other. Echo gritted her teeth, her heel gouging into the earth as Brecker’s superior strength pushed her backwards.
Echo’s vision disrupted in stars as Brecker suddenly released his sword with one hand and used it to punch her squarely on the jaw. She fell back, slamming into the unforgiving earth. Shimmer was between her and Brecker in the flash of an eye, abandoning her own battle to protect her companion. Midnight Sun seemed to respect this and left Shimmer alone as he trotted behind his master, shaking his mane and snorting.
Echo jumped to her feet, trying her best to ignore the painful bruise spreading under her skin along her jaw. Tears stung her eyes. That had been a mean trick, even for Brecker.
Shimmer moved out of the way at Echo’s request and brother and sister resumed circling each other. Echo tried a different tactic. Maybe she could talk Brecker down, get him off his guard enough for her to disarm him.
“Brecker, stop this. You don’t have to be Belzac’s slave. You wanted to protect me, our family, and our friends. Look at what you’re doing!” She gestured with her head toward Ulway. The shouts of battle still coursed through the air toward them from the village.
Brecker kept his eyes locked on his sister. Echo shuddered at his dark gaze. “You don’t have any idea, do you? You don’t know what I’ve endured. I’ve suffered far greater than anything any of those people are going through right now. If I disobey Belzac and let you go, he’ll torture me to my death.” Tears welled in Brecker’s eyes, but his words remained venomous. “I know nothing now but hatred and darkness. There is no hope for the villages or Thildin Valley. There is no hope for you, either, Echo. Belzac has arrived and he’s sweeping through the villages as we speak.”
Echo’s heart skipped several beats. Her greatest fear was closer than ever and she was completely ill-prepared. She looked pleadingly into her brother’s eyes. “Please, Brecker! Don’t let him win. Help me fight him. I can’t do it alone!” Tears rolled down her cheeks as panic reared inside her chest. She felt vulnerable and weak.
Shimmer touched her shoulder with her muzzle, breathing warmth and encouragement. Before she could relay a ‘thank you’ to her horse, Brecker charged again, slicing his blade through the dark air toward Echo. She met his blade with one of her own, causing the sword to ricochet back toward its master. Echo sliced her daggers at her brother, catching his torso and tearing his leather armor. Brecker turned swiftly, spinning his body in time with Echo’s. The flat of his blade caught her already injured back, sending sharp ripples of pain through her body. Echo screamed and staggered, nearly falling to the ground. Still, through the fog of pain, she realized that Brecker hadn’t used his sword to cut her.
Echo turned slowly, trying to gain control over her weakening body. Brecker stood like a dark statue, his blade erect and his cloak floating eerily behind him on the breeze. His face was still pale and drawn and his brows were sharply furrowed. But something felt different to Echo. Why hadn’t he cut her again, weakening her more? Why did he just stand there? He could’ve finished her off while she was down. Maybe she’d reached him, if even in a small measure.
Brecker’s voice was strained, but his words were unwelcoming, “Surrender to us, Echo. Belzac will let you live in his new world if you surrender. You’ll die if you don’t.” His last words hung in the air between them. Echo suddenly felt her brother’s pain, his remorse, his desire to keep her alive.
She couldn’t grant his request. “I’m sorry, Brecker. But I will fight to the death to keep Belzac from taking over our home.” A pang of sadness flooded her chest and more tears sprang into her eyes. “I’m so sorry I didn’t help you, Brecker! I was such a coward that day I saw you and Belzac--” The lump in her throat constricted her speech for a moment. She continued, her voice quivering, “And I tried to save you by seeing a Fate, but I failed there, too. All of this is my fault--you’re enslavement, Degus’ death which allowed Belzac to finish gathering his army, the villages now falling under these horrid shadows. I’m the reason for it all! I am so sorry!” Echo fell to her knees sobbing uncontrollably, but keeping her daggers erect. Although, at that point, she would’ve allowed Brecker to kill her if she hadn’t felt the need to save him from Belzac.
Brecker’s face remained etched with a scowl, but a single tear fell down his shallow face. “Echo, I don’t blame you. I’m the one who was too stubborn to listen, who went my own way.”
“It’s not your fault either,” Echo croaked. She’d been angry with Brecker for his foolishness at first, but her own guilt had long since overpowered her ang
er. She looked into her brother’s eyes with a sudden new sense of freedom. The crystal suddenly felt warm against her thigh and she imagined it glowing inside her pocket.
“Well, well. Isn’t this a touching scene?” The smooth voice emerged from the darkness, sending chills to Echo’s core. She leapt to her feet, blinking away her tears so she could see. Shimmer sidled up to her, offering strength and protection. Echo’s veins felt like streams of ice as two glowing, orange eyes preceded the dark form that owned them.
Belzac the doon sauntered up behind Brecker as Midnight Sun reared in terror.