Vendetta's Rise (The Dragon Realms Saga: Book 1)

Chapter 59

Avalon knelt down on the deck of the Wave Skimmer. Adema slowly made her way toward her and knelt at her side. Avalon had already informed her Silent Ones about the drakes and they were all-too-eager to tackle the issue head on. Together, the Silent Ones discussed their plan of attack. After a long deliberation a plan was hatched. For them to be successful, they would need the help of the volunteer mages that were aboard the ship.

"Would it be possible for you and the other mages to get us into the skies?" Avalon had asked a young Kanis vernal mage named Tobian.

Tobian looked into the skies, as if estimating the distance from the ship to the drakes. He rubbed his chin as he thought of a solution to the question. Nodding, he called over two of his colleagues and then turned back to Avalon, "I have a plan, so prepare yourselves.You'll hit the skies fast and reckless. I'm not sure how you'll make it back down safely, though."

"We'll play it by ear," she responded, curious as to how the mages planned to launch her and her comrades skyward.

***

As the Long Whisper armada neared closer to the shore, a shuddering noise broke through the grassy plains like a rolling thunder, followed by the explosive crack of splintering wood as cannonballs blew through the anchoring ships. Orders rang out as numerous skiffs filled with soldiers attempted to make their way to the unwelcoming beaches.

As the Long Whisper soldiers neared the beach, a storm of steel tipped arrows launched from the Estinian rear lines and showered onto the army of skiffs. The men raised their shields to shelter themselves from the hailstorm, but several arrows found crevices between the shields and armor, piercing soldiers as the sailors desperately attempted to move forward to unload their passengers.

Blood stirred within the ocean as wave upon wave of arrows blanketed the skies, whistling down upon the grieved soldiers. An order broke out to push forward as the elves jumped into the waist deep salty waters. Their shields remained raised above their heads and their swords and spears were ready for battle.

Fiery globes spewed from the mouths of the war drakes and crashed destructively onto the clippers below, splashing an oily fire across the decks and onto the sails. Sailors screamed in agony as their skin melted under the intense heat of the corrosive chemical. The drake riders sent their beasts in for a swooping maneuver, heaving a stream of blazing fire across several more ships before pulling the drakes back into the safety of the clouds. Large plumes of black smoke rose, creating a fog that stung the eyes and choked sailors.

***

The thirty-one Silent Ones crouched on the deck, their Silencers poised upwards tracking the movements of the drakes. On either side of the platoon of holy warriors were vernal mages that awaited Avalon's call.

Avalon nodded to the Silent Ones before cuing Tobian, "Do it."

Tobian and five other vernal mages waved their arms in wide counter-clockwise circles before ending their cast in a powerful upward thrust. Underneath each Silent One popped a piston of wood that launched them into the air and through the smoky fog.

Avalon's eyes watered from the stinging smoke and air. Her white coat flapped wildly, trailing behind her as she careened toward her target. Unbeknownst to the rider, Avalon performed a graceful moonsault over him as she grabbed his head, flipped him off his saddle and landed in his place. The rider echoed a scream as he fell through the clouds.

Quick to check her surroundings, she found her Silent Ones dispatching their foes in a similar fashion. However, some were not as lucky and either over shot or grabbed onto whatever body part of the drakes they could.

Avalon raised her sword over her head and rammed it between the drake's shoulders. The scaly beast screeched in agony as it spun upside down attempting to rid itself of its unwelcome guest.