The Silver Crown

Chapter 13

Kylee

A deep, malicious laugh rolls across the cavern to us. "And so the valiant hero returns to my chamber." The deep voice booms. I shiver again. I've heard that voice before.

Despite the distance, I can see the dark man glance towards me. "Yes, this entire arrangement seems quite familiar Sir Caleb, does it not?" He laughs again, moving around the table. Caleb doesn't respond. "I suppose you are here for this now," Rolcarnagur gestures towards the armored glove on the table. I realize that all the fingers are curled into a fist except the index finger.

The gauntlet is pointing straight at me.

Rolcarnagur laughs again. "Indeed, young miss, you have done precisely as I asked of you, though you are a little late in delivering. You have brought me the Crown. This miraculous device behind me works as a form of compass. It points directly towards one of the Artifacts until it manages to touch that artifact, then it points to the next." He grins evilly. "And it is currently tracking the Crown."

Caleb jumps in front of me, pushing me back towards the door. Rolcarnagur's evil laugh rolls across the room again. "Indeed, I have been aware of your movements since you left Sĩlron. How you are aware of the Glove, I know not as I summoned it into existence only the day before last, but no matter. The crown is here, and it will stay."

I realize that Caleb is shaking. Rage seems to emanate from his form. He steps quickly forward and strides onto the bridge. I move to follow him, then remember what he made me promise before we came in.

Rolcarnagur steps up to the end of the bridge. He points at Caleb with his staff and a thin column of flame shoots out, flying towards Caleb's chest. I scream, but Caleb just holds out his hand and catches the flames. He keeps walking down the bridge, not even pausing. I stare in bewilderment.

Rolcarnagur scowls. With a roar, he throws a huge fireball at Caleb. Caleb drops to one knee and the fire engulfs him and continues, shrinking as it flies. I raise my shield as the ball of fire, now only the size of a basketball slams into it, knocking me to my knees.

I look back at the two men. Rolcarnagur's angry face suddenly clears. He laughs again. "Caleb, Caleb, no matter how hard you try, it is inevitable." His face twists into rage again. "She will die the same as the last one!" He yells.

A tongue of lava flies up from the lake towards me. I hear Caleb yell. With the reflexes that only an emergency can create I summon a wind to blow it to the side, knocking the liquid fire back into the lake.

Caleb stiffens. His body shakes and he turns back to Rolcarnagur. A sub-human roar tears from his lips that makes the trolls seem tame. His body ignites in a violent maelstrom of flame searing the rock beneath him. I can no longer see his figure in the blazing heat and light that surrounds him. Suddenly a massive column of fire blasts from where Caleb is standing and slamming into Rolcarnagur, throwing him into the far wall and somewhat melting the table.

His element is Fire! I realize.

A stone ledge shoots out of the wall beneath Rolcarnagur, catching him so he doesn't fall into the lava-pit. All of Caleb's rage seems focused on attacking Rolcarnagur. The fire around him disappears for a second, but then he steps forward and leaps into the air, fire exploding from his feet and pushing him through the air like rockets. I call a slight wind to carry him forward, making his flight easier.

His sword raised, Caleb smashes into Rolcarnagur. The Black mage blocks his sword with his staff and the two lock in an intense combat, both trying to kill the other. Occasionally I see a burst of flame from either opponent and they both are soon covered in burns. Apparently, though immune to regular fire, they have to focus to be immune to each other's.