Book of Ellagar

Chapter 27 : Heart

Ellagar's heart pounded as she and Ardvek raced through the swamp, dense foliage whipping past. The air was thick with the scents of damp earth and the distant rumble of thunder. They had to reach the Mother Tree before it was too late. The memory of the black dragon's malevolent gaze haunted her, driving her forward with urgency.

Ellagar reached out with her druidic powers, connecting with the whispers of the swamp. The ancient trees and plants responded, guiding her towards Sageclaw. She sensed his presence nearby, and the faint, pained whispers of the swamp told her he was wounded. The black dragon must have battled him first.

"He's this way," Ellagar said, determined. "I can sense him. We need to find him quickly."

The swamp closed in around them, twisted trees and hanging vines creating a labyrinth of shadows. Ellagar's breath came in ragged gasps, her lungs burning. Each step felt heavier than the last, her muscles aching. The ground beneath their feet was slick with mud, making every stride a battle to stay upright. How far had they travelled through the maze?

Ardvek stumbled beside her, his small frame struggling to keep up. His face was pale, sweat mingling with the dirt and grime on his skin. Ellagar heard his labored breathing, each inhale a desperate gasp. She reached out, steadying him with a firm grip, her own exhaustion momentarily forgotten in her concern.

"Ardvek," she urged, her voice a mix of determination and fear. "We can't stop."

Ardvek nodded weakly, his eyes determined despite the exhaustion etched on his face. "I can't keep up," he admitted, his voice trembling.

Ellagar's heart ached at the sight of her youngling struggling. She knelt, her voice gentle but firm. "Climb on my back, Ardvek. I'll carry you."

Ardvek hesitated, then nodded, climbing onto her back. Ellagar stood, her legs protesting under the added weight, but she pushed through the pain. The connection from Thelara's spirit within the silver acorn bolstered her strength, giving her the determination to keep moving.

Ellagar's mind raced with thoughts of the Mother Tree and the black dragon's malevolent presence. The memory of the dragon's eyes, filled with hatred and malice, sent a shiver down her spine. She felt the weight of the broken prophecy pressing down on her, knowing their actions would determine the fate of their world.

As they pushed forward, the sounds of the swamp grew louder, the croak of frogs and the buzz of insects creating a cacophony. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, the roots of ancient trees jutting out like twisted fingers, threatening to trip them with every step.

Ellagar's resolve hardened with each passing moment. The constant warmth of Thelara's spirit within the acorn kept her moving forward, pushing through the fatigue and pain.

"We're almost there," she said, her voice a mix of hope and desperation. "Just a little further."

Ardvek's small arms tightened around her neck, his voice a whisper in her ear. "We can do this, Clutch Mother," he said, trembling but resolute. And then she felt a trickle of energy flowed from Ardvek soothing her aches, but not the deeper fatigue. 

The swamp stretched on endlessly, the path ahead obscured by dense undergrowth. Ellagar's legs felt like lead, each step a monumental effort. Her vision blurred with sweat and fatigue, but she forced herself to focus, to keep moving forward.

A distant rumble of thunder grew louder, the storm drawing closer. The air was thick with tension, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. Ellagar felt the energy of the Mother Tree flowing into her from Thelara and Ardvek, a beacon of hope in the darkness.

As they neared where the Bramble Maze entrance had been, the ground began to rise, the dense foliage giving way to a clearing. The sight filled Ellagar with a mix of relief and dread. Sageclaw, the great emerald dragon, lay on the ground, his scales melted from the black dragon's acid breath, his body covered in claw marks. His breathing was labored.