The Secret of the Pela Mounts – Part II

I'm on the surface in the company of strangers. Each day we face death, as we make the perilous journey to the immortal strongholds on Dereth. It is an uncomfortable alliance, fraught with more evil, than innocence and good. There is little camaraderie here, and if I face my demise, it will be alone. Will anyone think to send word back to the family I left waiting for my return and their deliverance? I think not.

The immortals have fought back the insurgence in many areas, meting out revenge for generations passed. I am not here for vengeance. My father died an honorable death trying to make a homestead for his family in the outlands - the only free soil available on the surface for the poor. Nine years after his death, I am here to pursue his dream of seeing his family emerge from the oppressive darkness and confinement of the shelters. And his daughters take their place as enchanters and warriors for the Order of Dereth.

Saylah of Thistledown
Apprentice Enchanter
Dark tides hail from dark eyes. Let your soul be a blinding light.

The Secret of the Pela Mounts - Part II

Saylah stood on top of a small sand dune while Makenya and Harbinger waited a short distance behind her. Using her scope, she scanned the eastern plain looking for their final portal jump. Perspiration broke out on her brow and her hands shook, as she studied the map she'd drawn. Silently she asked herself, "What if I'm wrong?" Feeling a set of eyes boring into her back, she turned to see Makenya starring at her with scowl on her face. "So what if I am," she answered defiantly. "I didn't guarantee them anything! They knew the risk and chose to assume it." Deep down inside, Saylah knew that she was right and returned to searching for the portal to Shinoko. According to her map, it should be right in this area but thus far, they'd been unable to locate the portal.

"She's got us lost," Makenya whined to Harbinger.

"Turned around perhaps, but not lost."

Makenya's tail swished side to side as she turned to face her friend. "How can you be sure? You sound too confident."

"I've watched this one closely. She's naïve but nobody's fool. She knows what she's about."

Not satisfied with Harbinger's answer Makenya continued. "Well, if you trust her that's your affair. I don't. And she better make good on getting us these mounts."

Harbinger sighed and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. He contemplated Makenya's impatience and exaggerated sense of urgency since they'd slipped out of camp. "You're in trouble again aren't you? Is that why you're here?"

Makenya turned away from Harbinger's probing eyes and clamped her mouth shut. Her bowed legs caused her to bob up and down as she paced beside him. Dusk was approaching bringing with it a cool breeze and respite from the day's heat but that wasn't enough. They'd been traveling since yesterday evening with no rest. She was hungry, anxious and tired. She wanted nothing more at this point than to complete what they'd set out to do and head back to the encampment.

Harbinger pressed for an answer. "Well?"

Flopping down on a nearby rock Makenya said, "That's my affair."

"I see. That's how it is between us now?"

" Well no but..." Ringing her hands, her voice trailed off. She hesitated before continuing, "I can handle this myself."

"Humph," was Harbinger's only reply as he turned away unconvinced.

"I will! You'll see." Makenya jumped to her feet and began pacing again. "I can make it right on my own this time. Doesn't matter. It's not like I meant to..." Makenya's words were cut short by the sight of Saylah running toward them.

The look on Makenya's face caused Saylah to pull up short. Sensing that the pair was having a private conversation she slowed to a walk. Sure that her apprehensiveness was writ on her face, she was glad for the concealing helm.

Exhaling with a sigh of relief she said, "I've found the portal."

"It's about time," Makenya hissed.

Saylah ignored the comment and spoke directly to Harbinger. "It's just a short distance directly east."

"Fantastic," Harbinger replied enthusiastically, which drew a sideways look from Makenya.

"Sorry it's taken so long. The portal's overgrown with bushes and the force of the light seems to have dimmed."

"Dimmed?" Makenya asked. "What if it's not working?"

Saylah hadn't considered the fact that the dimmed light might be a result of the portal having been damaged. She'd been too relieved to have located its position. As was her way, she replied without candor. Turning to Makenya who she saw has her constant detractor, she said, "I don't know. The thought hadn't occurred to me."

"Guess that means you can go first and check it out."

Narrowing her eyes and speaking in a deliberate tone Saylah replied, "With pleasure."

The trio trotted off in the direction that Saylah had indicated, with Saylah leading the way. The sun had dipped more than half way below the horizon. The magenta hued heavens would soon give way to a violet blue night sky. Encircled by a pale blue halo, the moon showed brightly in the northern hemisphere. Still awed by the changefulness of the elements of life on the surface, Saylah stopped for a moment to stare at the heavens while her companions caught up with her.

As the two approached she pointed toward a thicket of bushes. "It's right over there. We'll have to cut our way to it." Sand from a five year draught had blown across the steps and portal's circular platform. A fleshly looking vine was wrapped around the platform columns and intertwined between them, creating a pale-green and thorny barrier. The portal's pulsing light was barely visible from a distance. As they approached, Saylah could hear the familiar low pitched hum of a working portal. Its rhythm was synchronized with the pulsating lavender light that projected from the hole in the center of the top platform. Her body began to tingle and her ears buzzed. She knew that both of these sensations would intensify as she got closer to the portal, something she still wasn't used to. By the time she jumped into the light, she would feel as though she was being pricked with a million needles. She would be momentarily rendered deaf and her lungs would collapse, expelling all breath from her body. The sensation was painful and sickening but grew more tolerable over time.

Harbinger drew his sword and began hacking through the vines that were obstructing their path to the portal light. "I'll have this cleared away in no time." He made wide sweeping cuts left, right, then left again, moving forward as the vines gave way. From the sound of his voice, Saylah had the impression that he was smiling beneath his helmet. When he reached the top he sheathed his sword, put his hands on his hips and announced that he was done.

Her anticipation heightened, Saylah asked, "Are we ready?"

Makenya quickly replied, "Yes."

"Let's make sure that we keep to the plan," Harbinger admonished. Pointing to Saylah he said, "You continue leading the way. Mak will cover you while you gather what's necessary." Patting the hilt of his sword he explained, "I'll cover the rear and handle anything that looks big." He paused. "Agreed?"

In unison Makenya and Saylah replied, "Agreed."

"Then we are ready!" Harbinger fingered the dark metal chain around his neck. "May the Gods be with us!"

Saylah was the first person to immerge on the other side of the portal. Hunched over and gripping her chest, she struggled to take her first breath. Tentatively she let the cool night air into her lungs. To lessen the buzzing in her ears she descended from the platform, almost tripping on the final step and moved a few yards away. Harbinger and Makenya arrived almost simultaneously. Seeing their arrival and their unaffected manner, Saylah stood up straight and endured the searing pain of her first deeply inhaled breath.

Using her teeth, Saylah removed the leather gloves from her hands and shoved them under her left armpit. Fishing inside the top of her breastplate, she retrieved her map and studied it closely. She turned to the north and looked at the map. Turned to the west and surveyed the map again. The map that she'd drawn during her short visit to the Shinoko islands a couple of moons ago, noted the number of islands but not lacked information on the pathways that connected the circle chain of small land masses. There hadn't been enough time to include that type of detail. Now she had to use the map as a loose guide, and her recollection of what she'd seen on that brief visit, to lead the way across to the center island.

Turning to her companions that were still taking in the scenery and landscape she said, "This won't be exact and we may wander a bit." She broke off for a moment as she attempted to interrogate her memory before continuing. Pointing northwest she said, "I think we need to go this way."

The trio jogged in the direction that Saylah had indicated. They proceeded in a single file formation, with Saylah out in front but followed very closely by Makenya. Keeping an eye on the dense foliage to the left of them, and making routine checks to the rear, Harbinger trailed his female companions. Each member knew the dangers of being lulled into complacency, by the deceptive beauty of these labyrinth-like islands. Behind the rich green, yellow and orange fauna, dwelled members of the Undead. Beyond the crisp refreshing breezes, lay the stench of eternally scorched lands and the burning flesh of unwise warriors and travelers. Masters in the dark art of fire, the traitors of Lumari were cursed to walk these lands for all of eternity, and guard its borders and secrets unmercifully.

Saylah stopped beside a scorched Elder tree. Makenya was right behind her and watched as Harbinger approached them. Kneeling in the sand, Saylah draw a circle with two lines leading toward it. "I think this tree is the marker to the road that will lead us into the Valley of the Undead." Making an "x" on one of the lines she said, "This road is said to be the most direct path into the valley, but it's guarded by the Skeleton Cavalry."

Leaning over Saylah's shoulder Harbinger said, "We can't out run anything mounted."

Saylah nodded. "Agreed. We're going to take the road that goes around to the east of the valley. "It's much further and supposed to be populated with fissures, but it less guarded."

"Less guarded meaning what?"

"Kiree Burun are likely to be found in this area." Hesitant to repeat warnings that had been going off in her own head, lest her fear show, she stopped for a moment to think. "It's rumored that the Ulu Lords were banished to this part of the valley."

Makenya dropped to her haunches beside Saylah and hissed into her face. "You never said anything about Ulu Lords before."

Refusing to be intimidated Saylah responded. "Yes - I did. We all knew that there was a chance we'd face Undead Ulu."

Makenya's head swerved side to side on her neck, and her long forked tongue shot out. "No - you - didn't!"

Saylah stood up abruptly and placed her hand on the dagger that hung around her waist. Makenya moved forward and bumped Saylah with her chest, her tongue quickly flicking in and out of her mouth, as she made hissing noises. Saylah stepped toward Mak, her dagger partially drawn.

Harbinger dropped his massive arm in front of Makenya and stepped in between the pair. "She did mention the rumor about the Ulu. But it's just a rumor no one knows for sure."

"Immortals haven't routinely been on these islands for hundreds of years." Saylah barked. "Very few have gone to the valley and made it back out. I've heard tales but have no way of knowing for certain." Stepping out from behind Harbinger she said, "If you want out, now's the time to say it."

Agreeing with Saylah, Harbinger asked, "Well? You in or out?"

Growling back, Makenya said, "I'm in!"

The blackened earth crackled beneath Saylah's feet. The acrid smell of burned and rotted flesh invaded her lungs. More than once, she was seized by nausea that made her gag. The trio moved stealthily through the forest of charred trees as they made their way toward the valley where they believed, that the ingredients needed to summon Pela Ataur mounts would be found. A successful outcome was uncertain but their plan was in place and there was no turning back now. Saylah felt confident that they could over power a single Skeleton Rider and his Undead Mount However, she was afraid that too much of a commotion would alert the entire valley of their presence. If that happened, they had very little chance of getting out alive.

Saylah and Makenya were crouched behind a boulder waiting for Harbinger's signal that he'd spotted a Rider. Saylah peered into the darkness and kept her eyes fixed on the ridge above where she knew Harbinger to be hidden. Makenya fidgeted mumbling to herself.

In a hushed voice Saylah informed Makenya that she'd seen Harbinger's signal. "He's spotted one."

"You sure?" Makenya hesitated while Saylah begin climbing the hill toward Harbinger.

"Yes!" I'm certain it was the signal. Saylah was several yards ahead of Makenya. "Let's go!"

Saylah dropped to her stomach when she reached Harbinger's position. "Is he alone?"

Harbinger's sword was already unsheathed and glowing in the moonlight. "No, there's a Kiree Burun a short distance away."

Concerned Saylah asked, "Should we wait?"

"No, this is likely the best chance we'll get." Turning to look behind he asked, "Where's Mak?"

"She's coming."

Makenya crept up along side Harbinger and sat back on her haunches. "We doing this now?" Peering into the darkening night, she seemed uncertain. "Are we sure about this?"

"Yes," came Harbinger's reply.

"Ok then, let's get this over with." Makenya fell back behind Saylah.

Together they inched their way up to the ridge then slide slowly down the other side. Harbinger was out in front leading the way and setting the pace. Saylah followed closely behind, with Makenya watching the rear. Fissures dotted the landscape inside the small valley, spewing lava and fire. A small cluster of burned trees flanked the eastern side of the basin, where a Kiree Burun sat resting against a large tree stump. Several yards a way a Skelton Rider sat mounted on his snorting mount. His back was facing the advancing trio as he watched the northern path into the valley. Harbinger signaled for Saylah to stop where she was and for Makenya to join him. Together they continued their slow advance on the unaware Riders.

Two small leather pouches hung from a short cord around Saylah's left wrist. In her left hand she had a small dagger. She carried her bow in her right. Her attention was divided between the events unfolding in front of her, and the family she'd left behind waiting in the shelter. Inhaling deeply she worked to bring herself fully into the present, and not the images of home that were flickering in her head. She told herself to concentrate. Timing was everything, if they wanted to survive this night's adventure. The second that Harbinger and Makenya had disabled or killed the Skeleton Rider, she needed to race up to his mount and cut a small square of the beast's hide and place it into one of the pouches. However was necessary, Makenya would obtain three of the Skeleton's fingers and hand those to Saylah who would place them into the second pouch. After Saylah had acquired both of the necessary ingredients, she was to run to safety and not look back. It was imperative that she get safely away with the butchered items. She was not to engage in combat unless directly attacked.

Time slowed as if in a dream. Saylah's grip on her dagger was painful, as she watched Harbinger rise up to his full height behind the Skeleton Rider. Harbinger grabbed his unaware victim from behind, with a firm grip on the creature's throat. The Rider tried to turn his mount, but the mount reared up instead, dumping the Rider on the ground and Harbinger with him. Afraid that the mount would get away, Saylah jumped up from her waiting position and raced toward the fray.

Grabbing the mount's reins Makenya shouted for Saylah to hurry. The Undead Mount kicked and reared in attempt to free itself from Makenya's grasp. Wailing its furry, black foam gathered at the beast's mouth. Makenya wrapped the reins around her left fist and struck the beast with the flat of her sword.

"Come on Saylah! I can't hold on much longer and not kill it!"

Saylah was almost there when she heard a high pitched scream coming from her left. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the Kiree Burun running toward them. The Kiree was firing in Makenya's direction. Saylah pulled a diseased bow from the bow pack. Aiming carefully, she let the arrow sail toward her target. Struck in the chest, the Kiree howled and turned toward Saylah who'd already armed her bow with a second arrow. The Kiree spat his stinging blue flame of magic in Saylah's direction. As her second arrow released, she was hit by a stinging jolt that sent a current of lightening through her body. Her fingers seized up and her knees buckled. But it was too late for the Kiree, Saylah's shot had already landed square in its chest. The Kiree clutched the arrow protruding from his chest while he collapsed into the smoldering earth. Saylah winced, straightened her body and bolted toward Makenya.

Adrenaline pounded through Saylah's veins as she reached Makenya's side. Her palms were sweaty and her head felt like it was going to explode. Her dagger was poised to make the first cut when the Mount swung around knocking her to the ground. Saylah covered her head and screamed as the two hind hooves missed her head. Her armored breastplate dug into her skin as she rolled over several times to get out of the bucking Mount's path.

Back on her feet she charged toward the mount and sliced quickly into its flesh and tore a piece of its hide away. "I got it!" She shouted to Makenya. "You can kill it now!" She screamed as she ran for cover.

Makenya plunged her sword into the beast's chest then arced it across the wailing Mount's throat. Shaken, she turned to see Harbinger still battling with the Skeleton Rider. There was blood oozing from Harbinger's left shoulder. He was on top of the Rider. One hand was on the Rider's throat while the other battled to keep the creature's sword arm on the ground.

"Hurry Mak!" Saylah shouted. "Help him!"

Makenya came back to life and ran to the struggling pair. She used her booted foot to help Harbinger keep the Rider's sword arm still. Using her sword, she hacked its hand off at the wrist, broke off three fingers and raised her arm in the air. "I got them!" Defenseless, the Rider was quickly killed with a couple of blows from Harbinger's massive duel blade.

Saylah ran to the jubilant Makenya, grabbed the fingers and placed them in the second pouch. She removed both pouches from around her wrist and shoved them into her breastplate. "Let's go," she urged her companions, and the trio retreated from the valley.

Saylah dropped to her knees from exhaustion as they cleared the dead forest. She flung her helmet off her head and tried to control the painful heaving of her chest as she gasped for breath. Harbinger was still on his feet but slumped forward. Blood from his wounded shoulder ran down his left side, staining the sand where he stood.

Makenya gulped for air and looked nervously behind them. "We've done it. We're out."

"So it would seem," Harbinger replied. "Well done all."

"Let's get out of here. I don't like being anywhere on the islands."

Saylah grabbed her helmet and rose slowly to her feet. "Agreed." She could still feel her heart pounding in her chest. Her head felt like it was on fire. She didn't know if it was from fear, exhaustion or the after affects of being hit by the Kiree Burun. "The first portal jump is up ahead."

"Okay, lets do this like before. Saylah you lead," Harbinger suggested. "We can't get lax now."

Saylah lead the way back to the portal at a quick, but manageable pace. Her helmet was back on her head, and her bow was in hand. Her legs began to feel as heavy as stone, as she pushed her body forward. She could hear the foot steps of her companions. A sigh of relief escaped her when she saw the purple haze of the portal glowing in the distance.

Saylah pointed in the direction of the portal. "It's right there." She ran ahead excited. Looking back at Makenya and Harbinger she said, "C'mon. We're there!" What she saw when she turned back around pulled her up short. Her mouth fell open as she stumbled backward. Her hands trembled as she reached for her arrows, dropping several at her feet. An Undead Ulu Lord stood in the shadows of the portal. His huge body, three times that of the largest human, slithered toward Saylah. His venomous tongue lashed out like a whip emitting a green poisonous smoke.

"Run Saylah! Run!" Makenya screamed from behind.

Makenya's words were too late. Instinct had made Saylah loose three arrows in the Ulu's direction, and the Ulu was now fully focused on her. Harbinger ran directly at the Ulu, sliced it with his sword then ran in a direction away from Saylah and Makenya. The Ulu quickly forgot about Saylah and slithered quickly after Harbinger.

Makenya shoved Saylah toward the portal. "Let's go." Her voice was frantic. "Get into the portal."

"No! I'm not leaving him here alone."

"He wants you to go into the portal you idiot." Makenya hissed into Saylah's face. "That's why he distracted it."

"Too bad then." Saylah pushed passed Makenya and raced to where Harbinger was battling with the Ulu. She saw that Harbinger had a sword in each hand, attempting to strike hard at the attacking beast. As she positioned herself for her first shot, she saw Makenya run to Harbinger's aide. She knew that Harbinger was protecting her. She would be careful not to get too close, but she refused to leave him alone to die a certain death. They had to kill the Undead Ulu Lord before it was able to inject venom into one of them. They had no antidote for this evil and even an immortal will die if infected.

Blood splattered from the scene below but Saylah couldn't tell whose blood it was. She could hear Makenya screeching as she attacked with a wild fury. The number of magic arrows she had left were few. She needed to make each of them count. Removing one of her last two diseased arrows she exhaled, lined up her target, inhaled and let the arrow fly. The Ulu was hit in the throat. "Do that again," she commanded of herself. Her second arrow hit in nearly the same spot, drawing a scream and hiss in her direction. Moving in a little closer she emptied her pack of steel tipped arrows into the raging Ulu, as Harbinger and Makenya continued their assault.

The Ulu's tail slowed its swishing and his head dropped a little lower, when the poison from the diseased arrows began to take affect. Makenya circled behind and stabbed it in the back. Empty of arrows, Saylah watched as Harbinger moved in for the kill. Harbinger racked his sword across the right side of the beast's face and jumped back. Ready to meet the final assault the Ulu rose up and lunged toward Harbinger, its long tongue reaching out to exact revenge.

Harbinger dropped his right sword and stumbled away from the fight. Clutching his chest he shouted, "I'm hit. Run!" His body fell face forward to the ground.

Saylah hurried toward Harbinger's fallen body, rolled him over, grabbed his legs and dragged him back. Distracted by the appearance of Saylah, the Ulu didn't see Makenya poised behind. As though she were swinging an axe at a tree, she severed the Ulu's head from its wiggling neck. The headless body weaved violently from side to side, spewing green slime.

"Hurry Mak, help me get him into the portal." Saylah shouted. Makenya rushed forward and helped to drag Harbinger to the portal. "Wait, let me get his head," Saylah said as the reached the portal steps. Together they strained to lift the convulsing body and carry him into the portal's light. Saylah struggled to hold on to Harbinger's head during the painful transition. Just when she thought she wouldn't be able to hang on any longer, they were through, and on the other side.

Harbinger's weight brought them to their knees as they slid his body down the steps and laid him in the sand.

Makenya looked at Harbinger's pale skin, then into Saylah's eyes. "Is he dead?"

With her hand over his heart she said, "No. He still lives - but barely."

Tears were evident in Makenya's eyes. "What happened? Why isn't he recovering?"

Saylah scooted closer to Harbinger and placed his head in her lap. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I think he's infected." Harbinger's body was cold and twitched every few seconds. Leaning over to speak to the human whose head lay in her lap moaning, she said, "Harbinger? Can you hear me?" There was no audible reply other than a moan. Looking up at Makenya she said, "He's in pain but I can't help him."

"You're a mage. Save him."

Saylah removed her helm and gloves. She ran her hands across his face, wiping away the blood and dirt. "I can't. I - I don't know that kind of magic." She paused before continuing. "If I knew how to save him - I would. Truly I would." Saylah slumped forward and became silent.

Pleading Makenya urged, "You must know something! I know you do." Touching Harbinger's chest she said, "He said you were good. Said you came from a family of Enchanters - legendary once."

"That was centuries ago. That craft's been lost to us." Saylah ignored the tears flowing down her cheeks.

Makenya clutched her chest and cried uncontrollably. "Please. Please. Try something." Sobbing into her clawed hands she cried, "He's all I have."

"There's only this." Saylah inhaled deeply. She intertwined her fingers and placed her hands palms down on Harbinger's forehead. When she spoke again her voice was soft and melodic. ""Isnala belin ve reta valra wana." She waited a moment then repeated the chant, ""Isnala belin ve reta valra wana."

"Is he getting better?"

"No."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Easing his suffering." Saylah leaned over Harbinger's now motionless body. She kissed both of his cheeks and rubbed her cheek across his forehead, before resuming her chant. "Isnala belin ve reta valra wana. "Isnala belin ve reta." She sensed Makenya's eyes fixed on her and looked up into her face. "Ease into the light brave warrior. Ease into the light."

"He was all I had you know. My - my only friend. I'm alone again."

Saylah reached out and touched Makenya's shoulder. "That's not true. You have me."