The Chaos Blade - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Garrick had swung his hammer tirelessly, sending demons and orcs flying from him with every strike. He had waded through them, easily blocking or avoiding the more lethal attacks launched at him, ignoring the lesser attacks. Each scratch or bruise healed in moments, serving only to irritate him as he strove to reach his besieged friend.

In the end, the sheer numbers had prevented him from reaching Kelnozz in time. The dark elf was gone when he reached the spot he had fought from. Dragged away by the superior numbers. In his place was the slain bodies of countless enemies. Garrick had surveyed the scene briefly, challenging any of the attackers to come at him. Few had dared, adding to the pile of corpses.

Luingirth swooped down time and again, shredding and incinerating countless members of Darakor's army with each pass. Now they retreated, returning whence they came. Garrick gave chase at first, pounding any that he encountered into the ground. Soon he gave up, knowing that Kelnozz was gone.

Luingirth and Garrick had left then, searching about the countryside but finding nothing other then scattered bands of orcs retreating towards the Periphery and the Lost Lands beyond. Cursing none to quietly, Garrick knew where Kelnozz lay. Without being told, Luingirth adjusted his course, flying to the north and the west. Garrick regarded their heading solemnly.

Ahead lay, many leagues away still, lay Mezarbolle. The highest peak to the north and east of the city was a semi dormant volcanic peak, once the lair of Ancaruin. It was there, in what had been known as Dragon Mountain to the temporary occupation force, that Garrick and Luingirth would find Kelnozz. The question that plagued Garrick's mind was not if they could battle their way into the impregnable fortress, but whether or not once they did if they would find Kelnozz alive or dead.

"Fly, you scaly old wyrm, fly!" Garrick encouraged.

Luingirth's eyes narrowed at the insult, but other then that he ignored it. Much as he might hate to admit it, no living being mattered more to him then Kelnozz, they had been together all of their lives, inseparable for the first several hundred, in fact. Luingirth put what extra strength he dared muster into his wings, flying as swiftly as only he could.

Garrick shuddered and groaned on Luingirth's back, slumping in sudden surprise at the sensations rushing through him. Luingirth slowed, twisting his serpentine neck so that his head could look back on the former God of War. Garrick straightened up after a moment and saw the dragon regarding him with what he knew to be equal parts concern and annoyance.

"The law of death has been broken," Garrick decreed. "Ancaruin is risen."

Luingirth swung his head back around and quickly spiraled down to land atop a flat spot atop one of the border hills leading to the Periphery. Once safely on the ground Luingirth again swiveled his head around to behold the mountain of a man on his back.

"What of Kelnozz?"

Garrick shook his head. "I don't know."

Luingirth looked back to the northwest, using his heritage to see farther then the sharpest eyed eagle. Garrick stared that way as well, quiet and thoughtful. Quickly he reached the decision he needed to reach.

"Take us to Helmsmasher Isle, old friend," Garrick said, having reached a decision he did not care much for. "Whether Kelnozz is alive or dead, we can do nothing for him with Ancaruin arisen."

Luingirth stared in the distance for a long moment, seeing things no one else could see. "He yet lives."

"Nothing we can do about that, dragon. He's a sneaky bastard, if he can get out, he will."

Luingirth glanced back at Garrick, clearly undecided in his course of action. "He shall not be abandoned," the dragon growled.

"Go then!" Garrick snapped. "Waste your life and see the two of you die you stupid wyrm! There is more at stake here then you realize, Luingirth. Come with me to Helmsmasher Isle and we will go after him. He will be avenged, if naught else."

Luingirth snorted, dry air charged with static electricity washed over Garrick. Luingirth bristled angrily. For anyone else, to challenge and insult any dragon, let alone one as ancient and powerful as Luingirth, was madness in the extreme. For Garrick it was a daily affair, though his patience was running thin. "Look, if you take me there you'll have a chance to capture Alesha or that light elf wench or some other maiden."

Luingirth glared at him more fiercely. Then he glanced back briefly in the direction his friend and companion had been taken. He turned away from it with a hollow pang in his immense chest. "Let us be off."

"Ha! Now you're talking!" Garrick said, clapping the dragon on the back with his muscle-bound arm.

Continued in Chapter 26