Elementals: Book 3: The Dark World

Chapter Two

"Ix, I thought you said we would be safe here," Ash scolded the red Sergal as he looked around at those who had surrounded them.

"I thought so too, maybe Brill brought us to the wrong place?" Ix replied.

"Hey! I did... no such thing," Brillibands voice was shaky and weak.

Ash looked over and saw that she was on one knee, clutching her chest and breathing heavily. He tried to make his way over to her but a spike of Earth burst out of the ground and stopped him.

"Uh uh uh, don't you move, Dargon boy," the head Sergal spoke.

"But she needs my help."

"You can help her by staying there, and not helping her."

"Grrr, who are you? And what do you want with us?"

"The name's Sawrex, and you are in my territory now, so you'll be wise and shut it until we get back to camp. Is that understood, Dargon boy?"

"My name is Asher," he replied.

"Don't care. Move it," Sawrex turned and began to walk off. The remaining 3 Sergals walked behind them, pushing them along.

The Sergals lead them along the water's edge, following the natural path that the stream formed. Ash tried time and time again to get the leader, Sawrex, to talk, but the Sergal was adamant in his no talking policy. Ash had looked over at Ix and felt a sense of fear from the Sergal, he hadn't said a word since their capture and it was clear that he was spooked by the large four eared beast. Something must have been going on with other Sergals for Ix to be that afraid of this one. Brilliband hadn't been fearing any better, she walked with a strange limp, grasping her chest and often collapsing from pain. Each time Ash had tried to help her, only to be stopped by a wall of Earth from Sawrex. He had to watch as another of the escort Sergals hoisted her to her feet and pushed her along.

The stream led them to a large wooden fence constructed out of logs that reached high above them, atop the wall stood an armored Sergal carrying a spear. Sawrex led them through a wide gate and into a small village of thatch roofed wooden houses, Sergals of all different colors and body types stared at them as they were led to a throne that sat in front of the central house. Sawrex climbed up the throne and took up a comfortable position, lying on it with his legs dangling over the left edge. He watched on as the three of them were shoved to the ground, Brilliband collapsing while Ix was on his knees.

"Now then, what are you lot doin' in my territory?" he asked while taking a bite from an apple he picked from an overhanging tree.

"We're trying to find my mate," Ash replied. "He was pulled here by a Portal that just opened up while we were sleeping."

"You're not from around here are ya? I should have guessed that just from lookin' at ya. You're from up there, aren't ya? From Terra Firma."

"Yes, well I am."

"That's right, and Ix is from here. But where's the cat from?" The Sergal jumped from his perch and walked over to Brilliband who was now slumped over, still holding her chest. Something flashed in Sawrex's eyes and he immediately pulled away. "No wonder we have reports of Soul Watchers skulkin' around. Double the guards! I want extra protection at all times, keep the scouts out in the field, and send for Midnight, I need to get a message to the others."

"Ix, what's going on?" Ash asked.

"I'm not sure."

"I'll tell ya what's going on!' Sawrex yelled at him. "Ya brought a bloody Sovereign into The Dark World, Ruin will have his best Watchers out there lookin' for ya."