“Lord Norrlen requested to join the Maiden’s company. He was denied.”
“Then why do you suspect he may be a Guardian?”
“The Norrlen House is known in the Vale for its deeds in serving the throne. He is a soldier of great renown we should not underestimate.”
“Rawn Norrlen…” Tarn mulled. “Where have I heard that name?”
“He led the Battle of Fen Muir that won Greenwood the recent war against Red Highland.” Elon held Von’s stare, and what he said next sunk a chill through him. “Rawn gave the Maiden an oath of protection, and an oath from an elf is binding.”
Thus, follows a warrior bestowing his vow.
The divination was rapidly coming together. More Guardians would soon follow.
“Then we shall not wait for him to keep his oath.” Tarn’s eyes were two orbs of ice as he looked at Von. “Bring her to me.”
Before he could answer, there was a clamor of voices outside the tent. Abenon shouted for the men to take up arms.
Geon burst through the tent. “Commander, the Azure Guard has found us! We’re under attack!”
Chapter 31
Von
How had they been discovered? That was impossible. They had cloaked the camp. But Von heard the clash of steel, the shrill of neighing horses, and the cries of his men as they fought or died. He ran out of the tent. The first thing he noticed was that the protective barrier around the camp had disintegrated, leaving them exposed for any to see.
Benton. Damn him.
Neither the old bastard nor his sons were anywhere in sight. Von would see to them later.
“Commander,” Geon caught up with him.
“Find Yavi. Protect her.”
“Aye.” Geon split off in the opposite direction.
Von sprinted for the sounds of the melee as Elon appeared by his side. They came upon a battle, or what could only be a massacre.
Azure Guard and Rangers on horseback rode into the blazing camp, cutting down Raiders where they stood. Their swords gleamed in the torch fires that had caught on the grass and fallen tents. Smoke and the stench of charred canvas filled the air. His men scrambled to arms, most falling before they could defend themselves from the ambush. They were outnumbered three to one.
“Let’s even up the odds,” Von snarled.
Elon drew out his blade and laid his hand on the flat side, bringing it to his mouth.“Nev emah’cucse narg naidraug led ot’nemaruj, edeneita im adamall,”he murmured to it softly, as though waking a lover from sleep.Power crackled around him, and the atmosphere grew thin. The wind churned, debris swirling at his feet as he extracted Essence from the trees and earth. He continued chanting, voice growing into a haunting echo.“Nev at’reipsed. Nev leif, recen’va sim sogimene. Nev ye ratroc, Anadoug Luza.”
Vivid blue vines sprouted from Elon’s hands, gripping the hilt of his sword. Light flared and coiled up his arms, setting the blade alight.
“Down!” Von bellowed to his men. The Raiders all dropped on his command.
Elon brandished his sword in a graceful swing. A blue ray ruptured from the blade. It sliced through the air in a blazing wave, passing over his men, and cleaved through the unprepared Rangers in one fell swoop. Bodies split in a volley of limbs and heads. The field became a crimson sea.
Von gritted his teeth, his stomach churning at the gruesome devastation. The Blue Scythe, the elves called it. A deadly and powerful spell. It cut down the first company of Rangers, but their victory was short-lived. Two more units of Rangers and Azure Guards waited on the far end of the field.
Elon breathed heavy, sweat shining on his face. The spell had cost him. He couldn’t perform it again without losing the stamina he needed for the fight.
The enemy knew it too. The lead Azure Guard on a white horse drew his sword. “Lay down your arms and give us Tarn!”
Von took out his knives as Abenon and his Raiders lined up behind him and Elon. “You’ll find no cowards here!” he shouted back. “If you want him, then come and get him!”
The Azure Guard bellowed for an attack. A cavalry of horses reared and charged across the field. The ground vibrated and the night thundered with the pounding of hooves. Von looked to his men. They braced, readying their weapons, their faces a mix of dread and wild adrenaline.
