Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,103

air. The scorched trolls moaned in agony, curling into balls, as the drake bore his riders northwest, high above the sound of clashing steel. From above, it appeared that the dwarven army was making progress in pushing back the Feral Brood, but already a huge throng of trolls had managed to scramble over the crumbling Dinbell. The wall had all but disappeared in the very middle of its width, forming a V, standing only ten yards high at its lowest point. The trolls smothered each other in their rabid scramble, some now reaching the Enoan Road. Adacon could still spot the silver of Slowin, and the dots that were Remtall, and Erguile—who was again astride Weakhoof. They fought valiantly as a team, together with Terion, Iirevale, and Gaiberth; even Ulpo could be seen hacking a path through the vile trolls.

Falen flew on, closer and closer to Flaer, keeping enough height to outrange arrow attacks.

“Krem!” Adacon began shouting as the little Vapour came into focus atop the great condor. The old Vapour was still too far away to hear anything. Falen was closing in on Yarnhoot when a great flash of lightning overtook him, disrupting his ability to fly in a straight line. The light disappeared, and then all light, until it became as dark as a starless midnight. Frantically searching the sky, Adacon could see nothing. Suddenly the sky returned, flashing back to its midday blue, only to be followed by a chain of light, again followed by total darkness, then flashes of red. Below, Flaer had finally reached Aulterion; he was piercing right through the dark mage’s bubble of energy. Each strike of the Brigun Autilus, Adacon realized, caused the blackness to overtake the sky—and each time the energy field weakened and withdrew, a great flash of red was emitted from the spot where Flaer struck at it. Taking his eyes off the battle below, Adacon leveled his gaze to see Krem was very close. Krem looked at him, pointed his staff down toward Flaer and Aulterion. Falen abruptly followed Krem’s staff. The drake swooped violently down toward the flashing energy field below. Adacon wondered in confusion at how he could possibly help Flaer, who fought one of the most powerful dark mages ever to live on Darkin. Flurries of arrows whizzed by Falen as Feral archers caught sight of the descending drake. Adacon and Calan kept their eyes on Flaer, hoping they could provide some kind of help to him when Falen dropped down into the madness, but Flaer appeared to have the fight well in hand. A loud crack split the black-red sky, and the earth was torn open around the edge of the mage’s bubble. Nearby trolls fell to the ground, some fell into a widening chasm ring. Both armies, good and evil, wherever they stood, shook violently. For a moment all fighting ceased except for the duel of Flaer against Aulterion. Aulterion’s shield bubble had been destroyed, and the beam of light that was cracking the Dinbell started to retract, returning to its sender. Adacon watched in amazement as Aulterion began fighting with his own sword against Flaer. Adacon could not believe what he was seeing: parry after parry was traded between the powerful fighters, each thrust accompanied by a brilliant flash of light. Thunder caused the Great Plain to quake for leagues in every direction. Long red shadows spread like a god’s fingers across the land, scattering the forces that were battling even high atop the Teeth Cliffs.

Adacon looked back at Krem, who smiled calmly atop Yarnhoot and flew in close behind, tracing Falen’s dive toward Aulterion and Flaer.

“Here goes everything I’ve got!” Falen roared, struggling against the turbulent winds coming from Flaer and Aulterion. The drake landed with a thud and a bounce. Up close, Adacon could see Aulterion, recognize him: the stranger who attacked us on the swamp road! Adacon saw Krem land, dismount Yarnhoot. Then he saw Calan—she was trying to stand up after being thrown during the landing. Off to the side, Adacon thought he saw someone that looked familiar: Merol! The dwarf wizard was conjuring a blinding stream of light that poured into Aulterion, giving him strength. Everything appeared to be in slow motion. Flaer raised the sun-bright Brigun Autilus—Aulterion raised his razor-thin gunmetal blade—everything went black.

XI: EROL DRUNNE

Adacon awoke underneath heavy quilts. He was in a small, cozy room he had never seen before. A sweet aroma filtered through the room, the smell of food. Nothing came to