The Gods' War

Chapter 21

                LUCAS, SARAH, ADRIAN, Druiden, Danae and Bjeu had left the Unbreachable Mountains a day ago. They had just left the tunnel Adrian and Bjeu had made for them to travel through. They travelled west from the hills below Dynnlel, heading toward Libalel.

                 After a few hours, they saw some distance off another party of travellers – there were about fifteen of them. They seemed to be heading in the same direction. The party of travellers was behind them, and Lucas thought that they should slow down and join the party of travellers – perhaps they were refugees from the cities in Dynnlel they had not saved.

                 “Let’s rest,” Lucas suggested, “to let those others catch up.”

                 “Are you sure that is wise?” Bjeu asked, “They could be thieves or bandits, perhaps even New Order soldiers.”

                 “Oh come now,” Lucas said, “There are fifteen of them and six of us – we can’t lose to them in battle. Besides, if they are New Order soldiers then it will be a great time for us to test the skills you and the other gods taught us.”

                 “I suppose .  .  .” Bjeu said, “But it will be a short rest – they have horses.”

                The ten wizards from the Second Home and their five prisoners rode out on the hilly country between Dynnlel and the Unbreachable Mountains. In the kingdom of Dynnlel, the wizards had been surprised to find that the New Order was not in control, and that a new army had taken control. The army called itself the People Protectors and claimed to be under King Argot of Dynnlel’s rule. The wizards had then only travelled at night and did not pass through any other towns. It had been slow travel.

                Marzelle watched as the party of six in front of them stopped and seemed to wait for them. They were obviously New Order soldiers or Corruptive Wizards who came to help in escorting the prisoners – them – to the First Home in the Splitting Forrest. She thought it odd that they had no mounts. Perhaps they were going to replace some of their current guards.

                 The guards started whispering together and muttering to themselves. Why would they be doing that? Unless they had not been expecting this new party of soldiers... or were they soldiers? They didn’t look like New Order soldiers... could they be wizards? No, those two were carrying bjeus, and the blonde woman a bow – wizards never used bjeus – and that one man had too fancy a sword – one sheathed in ivory and ebony – for the Corruptive Wizards who armed themselves with simple weapons. He reminded her of someone, but who? The curly blonde hair, the blue eyes - those blue eyes that she had seen before...

                “Lucas! Help!” Marzelle screamed.

                 Lucas drew his sword at the familiar voice, and sent his friends a message through the mind-link to attack. The guard closest to Marzelle silenced her and the others with a spell. Sarah nocked an arrow and sent it at the wizard who had silenced Marzelle. The arrow flew straight and the man was off his horse before the enemy wizards could react. Druiden cast a spell which made the horses freeze in time, which forced the riders to dismount. Lucas and Adrian charged at the nearest two while Sarah let loose another arrow, making the death total two out of ten. Druiden was battling another wizard in a magic duel – he wasn’t even trying very hard though. Danae hurried over to the prisoners and broke their bonds and helped them to dismount. Bjeu was watching Adrian telling him what he was doing wrong while still in combat. Marzelle and the others joined the fight and made light work of the New Order wizards. Soon, the enemy wizards were destroyed.