The Heroes of the Elemental Academies Book 2: Dragon's Breath

Chapter 14 : Discovery

  Stratos

   Stratos was sure that they wouldn't make it. They had been riding hard now for several hours but to no avail. they just couldn't shake their pursuers. They were still several miles from the capitol but more and more of the Ravagers kept showing up. That's what Strat had come to call them. The Ravagers. A totally new class of demon. In all Strat's two thousand years protecting the academy he'd only come across a new type of demon maybe once or twice but nothing that ever looked like this. These new demons were persistent beyond compare. To deter them Strat had even erected an wall over a mile long of stone. But not even two minutes later the Ravagers were back on their trail. They tried covering their track using earthern abilities but the demons just ignored that and kept following without so much as a hesitation. Now they were galloping out right straight for the Giant Forest of Ancient oaks that within held the Ancient Elven City of Farthratrost Capitol of the Elven Lands and the seat of their ancient kings. Strat galloped to the front pushing ahead of everyone else and pulling even with Seth. Strat looked over towards him.

"Seth you see that Forest over there?" He asked. Seth eyes hadn't been focused on the road ahead at all. It was clear to Strat that his wounds were paining him. Seth looked up and his eyes widened.

"Holy... Those trees are huge!" Strat nodded. Indeed they were.

"Head Straight for them the demons can't follow us inside!" Seth looked up at Strat confused the wind whipped wildly at Seth's hair.

"Why can't they follow us inside?" Strat wasted no time answering.

"That's where the Elven Capitol is. There's a barrier surrounding the whole forest." Seth nodded and pulled on his reins with his uninjured left hand.

The Horses at this point gave them every thing they had Strat had to be going at least sixty miles an hour. as were the rest of their group. But it didn't matter. The demons continued to gain ground. Strat and his group crested the hill that overlooked the valley in which the forest lay. Strat now that he was closer could see the shimmering golden done that covered the entire forest circling around the base still miles away was a patrol of eleven knights resplendent in their golden armor, elegant helms and spiked pauldrons even from where they were and traveling at the speed they were Strat could make them out clearly. Strat looked back to make sure his companions were still heading in the right direction. Rylee and Clovis were leading Aria and Michelle's horses, with them tied into the saddle. Seth was in front leading them and Jack and Travice were behind them. Bringing up the rear were Matt and John, both were desperately fending off attacks from the demons as they yet again closed the distance.
The knights who had been patrolling immediately spotted Strat and his group as they came barrelling down the hill.

"Yangtosh Losphil" (Stop There!) The patrol yelled as it wheeled its horses to face Strat.

"Cartiligar Ownsiph," (Demon's behind us!) Strat yelled gesturing behind him as he spoke in Elvish. The lead Elven knight glanced behind Strat's group and noticed the demons nipping on their heels. The Elven leader seemed to look back and forth between the demons and Strat's group and for a split second Strat was afraid they weren't going to let his group in. But then the elves began to sing. It was a silvery, beautiful voice that sang of protection and power. The Golden barrier explanded in Strat's direction and engulfed both him and his group passing harmlessly over them. But the demons behind him were rejected. Like hitting a steel wall they slammed into the shield at full speed and several died on impact. the rest slid to a stop before they collided with the wall and began to stalk the wall back and forth like predators looking for any sign of weakness. After a few tense moments the demons turned and left running back in the direction they had come. Strat waited till they were out of sight before he let himself relax. Strat turned to the leader of the elven knights and clasped his hand in front of him while bowing his head. "Agates Tylis Secun."( Lord Tylis Greetings.) The lead Elf mirrored the movement.
"Agates Bannot Secun," (Lord Bannot Greetings.) (In Elvish) "What a welcome party for Lord Tylis to be personally patrolling the borders!" Strat said continuing with the pleasantries.

"Indeed, well times are tough within the Elven Lands, I still wouldn't expect the two great figures of the Academy to be chased by a mere pack of demons," The Eleven leader said sighing.

" Yeah well as you said times are tough, Speaking of time we have two injured comrades who need medical treatment immediately." Strat gestured behind him towards Aria and Michelle's horses. John who was still in his boxers got off his horse awkwardly in the back and began to get his armor on. Seth rode up beside Strat along with Jack. The minute Tylis Spotted Seth his eyes widened and he bowed deeply in the saddle. Before Strat could warn him not to speak Tylis raised his clasped hands and said.

"Prince Sethias we have been waiting for your return!"