The Easel Chronicles; The Burning Hands

Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Three

"How many did we lose?" Aravoen asked.

The army of Ebrithia had marched back across the Rhuri after setting the dark port of Ulan Ude ablaze later that night. The council of war now sat in Siras' library. They were joined by Patmarin, Liana and Thaylor who seemed to have taken her father's place on the Eluncil.

To Aravoen her new found loyalty to him was unnerving but he based it on seeing her father leave them to the hands of captors who turned out to be good people.

"It is hard to say Aravoen," Eadell said. "The numbers vary and more men were lost at the port. Too many if you ask me but at least the land is safe from both Grendels and orcs."

"Let us hope so Eadell," Edron said. He had exchanged his Neeran armor for a more suited robe and tunic of green.

"I can give you the numbers my lords," Allarhad came into the room.

"Go ahead lad," Slithbron had been smoking his pipe since they had entered the city in the late afternoon amidst loud cheers and sighs of relief.

"Three thousand Ebrithians of Mendil died on the battle field," the warrior begun. "Five hundred are receiving attention as we speak. The Ebrithians of Cardamon lost two thousand men and another two thousand are getting attention. As for the elves..."

"I don't expect you to know that," Slithbron raised his eyebrows in anticipation.

"Nor I." Aravoen added.

"We lost as few as possible," Leo said.

"How many prince Leo?" Aravoen used the elf's title in the council.

"Fifty dead, three hundred wounded." Maxine answered.

"Thank you captain."

"I doubt the city is capable of treating such vast numbers," Thaylor said. She had stationed herself at the window looking out at the city.

"Send for help from Cardamon general Eadell," Leo said.

"I will do so."

"Lord Aravoen who were those men or should I say spirits that came to your aid?" Edril asked. Aravoen looked at him and it seemed he had been wanting to ask that question for a very long time.

"The Midgril spirits," Liana answered.

"I thought that story was a hoax," Leo said clearly impressed.

"You have a way of finding the unknown Aravoen," Maxine remarked.

"I don't believe myself," Slithbron said through a cloud of smoke. "The way they changed the battle was completely astounding laddie. Keep them I dare say, they will come in handy in a fight."

"Yes I will keep them nearby." Aravoen said.

"Tell us Aravoen," Leo said leaning forward in his chair. "How ever did you come across such a deadly force."

Aravoen set about filling them in about the trip to Seer's Top and Lothorian's keep. He told them the major and important facts, leaving out the part of holing the blade and seeing the true number, Lothorian's appearance and warnings of respect, the ring of fire and terrifying pain of being marked. As he finished telling them of the Midgril spirits with their true number.

"A hundred thousand." Slithbron almost dropped his pipe.

"I too could not believe it at first burning face," Mindacil said. "But it is so. Ask Sybilla of there."