The Elven Powers

Chapter Twenty Seven: Run (Morgel)

I turned and fled back down the tunnel. Galandria's words rang in my ears. Her face when she had wanted me to flee, danced in my mind. It was full of disappointment, acceptance and hope. It had been the point where I had actually shuffled my feet into motion. Her expression wanted me to run, more than her words did. I knew she felt only one of us could get out of there. I had no idea what she hoped I would do now, it all seemed a bit hopeless. There was no other way to get into the city, this had been our last hope. We both saw how the gates had been shut, a stupid move in my book. The city was sure to starve that way. Though I suppose they did not care for the people.

The air stung the gash across my face, as I continued to run. It was not long until I heard the thundering footsteps following me. It had taken a while; I assume they had been trying to drag Galandria off. She was a feisty one, I just had to hope it wouldn't get her killed. Still I had to admire her for not going down without a fight. Even in adverse odds, I could rely on her to do that. That fight would re-bolster Elrohir. He was sure to be battered by now, so seeing her could be a good thing for him. Still, he would be unhappy about her going through the same thing. I just had to hope they could hold on together. 

I sped around another turn, skidding to make it tighter. The Corkash wouldn't be able to catch me with my Elven speed. I figured I could make a dash for the tree line. I didn't know how many miles I would have to cover before they would give up chase. Hopefully once I was out of the tunnel, the alarm wouldn't have been raised and they would give up chase. After all, the entrance way is only just big enough for two people to jump through. A Corkash is a huge creature, so they would have to come out one by one. That would leave them at a disadvantage when trying to catch me. 

Soon I could see the opening come into sight. Grey light slanted through the narrow square in the ceiling. It created a three dimensional rectangle towards the floor. Studying it from this far, I realised just how far up the opening was. Even with my Elven abilities, a single jump would not reach it. I skidded to a halt directly underneath the opening. My pace began to speed up, as I feared I may be trapped. I quickly calmed myself down, so that I could look around for a solution. I searched the walls for a foothold, but to no avail. I searched the floor for any objects I could use and found none.

I really started to panic, as the growls and thundering footsteps grew behind me. It was as though a storm was flying across the ocean to my helpless dingy. I knew I had to try to reach the opening now. I did not have any more time to search for a way up. Gathering my strength, I flung myself at the wall of the tunnel. I then kicked off and twisted around. The air rushed around me, as I flew towards the opening. I reached out desperately. I caught the edge with one hand, pain shooting up my arm. As the rest of my body dragged me down, my arm pulled in its socket. Luckily it held. Gasping for air, I pulled myself into the light. 

I was greeted by sinister laughter. A whole contingent of Corkash surrounded me. It seems that the tunnel was not only guarded, but set up for an ambush. Whoever had orchestrated this plot, they had known Galandria and I would come after Elrohir. I didn't know how they knew we would find the tunnel, but they had probably figured we would since I had discovered it. They had continually surprised my expectations and this was no exception. This took brains on an academic level. I thought this might go beyond the cult of those against the Powers. 

The first of them charged at me, as I raised my sword. I easily decapitated them. There was no way I was giving up without a fight, Galandria had taught me that much. I ran at the rest of them, slaughtering as I went. Some of them put up more of a fight, things becoming harder over time. I began to feel the effects of fatigue, as my running before had not helped. A jump such as I had accomplished before, was no mere feat. Soon they were surrounding me. With a finally kill, they began to grab at me. At first, I began to lop off limbs. This did not last long, as my blade was soon twisted out of my hand.

I was dragged, then forced to my knees. I squirmed and fought, as nails dug into my arms drawing blood. Chains were secured on my arms and fasted at my back. Then a collar was clipped around my neck, causing me to growl at them. I didn't like being treated like a slave. with some orders from an extremely ugly captain, they began dragging me towards the tunnel. They then pushed me through, casing me to land on my front. Pain shot around my body and my vision blurred. Still the Corkash were not sympathetic and began to drag me down the tunnel. 

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It was a long time before light blinded my eyes. I had been dragged roughly through the tunnel. My wrists and neck burned, where I had refused to co-operate. We now stood in the beautiful central courtyard of the city. Well, it was a pure Eden when I last saw it. The courtyard was still a few hundred meters squared, but now a barren wasteland. The once beautiful trees were now scorched and haggard. I could scarcely look at the central occupation of the area, that made anger course through me. 

The Third realm is home to the great cherry tree. It is the realms power, larger and more majestic than any other cherry tree known to Ardeth. A tree as big as it's monumental brothers, now but ash. Ash thick and white, with only a smouldering base to remain. A base riddled with sharp, smoking shards. A sorrowful ruin, twisted towards the sky. The land had died, because it's protector had been murdered. It was the killing of a God and a saviour. It was blasphemy and evil in its purest form. 

To make matters worse, two dishevelled bodies were pinned to the ruin. Galandria hung there dirty and unconscious. Her forehead was stained with blood where they had knocked her out. Her arm was bleeding and looked bad. Elrohir, stood in defiance. He had many bruises and his skin was dirty and dry. You could see they had starved him as punishment, where his lips were cracked. No doubt he had been against his captors in every sense. His eyes snapped away from Galandria to meet mine, as my captors tugged me sharply forwards once more. They were so ghostly and hollow, my friend was not himself. 

I stared in disbelief at the ghost before me. This was not the Elrohir I knew. Yes his frame was held and his resolve strong. Yet, it did not reach his eyes. They were the eyes of a man wounded. He was probably just trying to keep together for Galandria's sake. At least he had re-bolstered his courage when he saw her, even if he only wanted to keep her alive forsaking his own life. At least, he would not die, not now. I certainly wouldn't allow it. 

I sneered at the Corkash, as they chained my collar to the floor. I was humiliated, like a dog on a leash. The Corkash certainly found it amusing, spitting at and mocking me. One got too close, so I spat back. He did not take that too kindly and grabbed me by the neck. The other goblins began cheering as my oxygen supply was being drained. In the corner of my blurred vision, I could see Galandria stirring. Elrohir was shouting for the devilish creatures to let me go, in vain.

"Release him now!" A booming voice ripped from the sky. All heads turned to face the owner of the powerful voice.