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“Lord Batach and his army of the evil undead have reached the outskirts of the city!” screamed Orleo, as he ran into the great hall. Sweat coated his lined face. With the General, he had traveled fast to get to Prahl.
Outside, Eager with his body sheathed in sweat, stood with the other unicorn. Magic was racing up and down Eager's horn, though no one passing could see it.
News of Batach's progress had already reached those in the hall. It was packed.
“The monsters that waited along the River Ek have joined the undead!”
General Baldo's heart beat sped up as he looked around. How could he tell them he wasn't ready? Before he had left with the small company, he had already posted several battalions of his army along the gates of the city. Several other battalions had been ordered further out, to guard the many narrow passes through the mountains. From several of his personal guards, Baldo now learned there had been no word from any of his soldiers in hours. He guessed they were either battling Batach's dead army, or they had been overcome. He had expected word back from Lieutenant Carlo, his most trusted soldier, by now. He was perturbed, that not one of his runners had come to report on the soldier's progress outside the city.
He listened as Orleo explained about the Lady and the small company. Telling everyone they had managed to gain entry to the Silver City. The General knew Orleo was lying to give the people hope. He knew the Lady and the others would be too late. He estimated it would take Batach less than a morning to breach Collegian's walls and enter the city. He regretted having to battle with Batach's army in the narrow streets. He had the advantage, yes, but how do you kill the undead. You could hold them back, but for how long. He called a runner to him.
“Tell Lieutenant Sompan, I order him to secure the inner city. Tell him, I'm on my way.”
When the runner had gone, Baldo addressed Orleo and everyone in the hall. “We have to fight them in the city. We have the advantage... ”
“But how do you kill the undead!” screamed a young elf.
General Baldo glared at the elf. “I don't know!” he roared. “But by hell they'll know they've been in a fight!”
Seconds later, followed by a hundred of his handpicked guards, he was pushing through the panicked crowd to the door of the building.
As several hundred elves ran out of the hall, Orleo turned to the other Elders. “I believe it's time we used the powers,” he said quietly.
“Magic!” hissed one of the Elders. “No!”
“It's the only way we are going to be able to save Collegian. If Batach enters the city and reaches the Sacred Garden the Land is lost. His undead army and monsters will destroy everything. Baldo is the best and bravest General we have ever had, but his army is inadequate. They'll die needlessly. We must use the magic... ”
“No,” shouted three of the Elders.
“We must!” screamed Orleo. “We have to give the Lady and the small company time to find the Amulet... ”
“You say they have gained entry to the Silver City!” shouted a tall Elder named, Roleo.
“Yes,” answered Orleo. “They'll find the amulet. With it, they''ll have the power to destroy the evil Lord Batach. With it... ”
“You're guessing, Orleo!” shouted Roleo, stepping forward. “Or lying. They could be dead.”
“No, they're alive!”
“Show,” said another Elder, pointing to a small table in the middle of the dais. On it was a square mirror.
“You'll have to help me,” said Orleo, going to the table.
Seconds later, the Elders were gathered around the table. Orleo pressed a wizened hand firmly on the mirror and hissed several words in a language, three of the Elders hadn't learned and couldn't understand.
Slowly a misty scene appeared on the mirror. The Elders bent closer. They stared at the hazy scene.
****
“Lady,” gasped Ferol, as he stared, horrified at the giant lion-like beasts that had slipped into the park. The beasts were covered in small square-shaped pieces of thick steel-strong skin, much like an armadillo. Growling, they ran towards the Lady and Ferol. But ball magic was tumbling from the Lady even as she leapt to one side away from Ferol, who was glowing brightly...
****
“They're finished!” shouted an Elder, as the magic faded and the scene vanished.
“No, no, no.” hissed Orleo, waving his hands over the mirror, trying to bring back the scene. He shouted the words again, louder. Nothing happened. He cursed.
“That's it, then,” said Roleo. “The Lady has perished. “And where is the girl? We have to do something else... ”
“No. Listen. I have a plan,” pleaded Orleo. “But you all must help. Please. It's our only chance to hold back Batach and the undead- help our General and his army.”
“A plan?” exclaimed Roleo, studying Orleo. He shrugged. “Well, anything that will help keep this monster from overrunning our great city. Tell us this plan, Orleo.”
****
The magic shocked the lion beasts. As one of the beast's thick hairy legs was buffeted with magic by Ferol, it tripped over and fell to the ground. As it tried to rise, Ferol took a deep breath. Ball magic, of the strongest type, blasted at the beast's head. Its yellow sharp teeth were ripped from its yawning mouth. At the same time its eyes were sucked from its head.
But by then the other lion beast had sprung at the Lady. As it soared into the air towards her, she shot magic right up into it’s under belly, ripping a huge long tear in its body. It landed a meter from the pale-face Lady. She swung around to see the beast was already dying.
The Lady turned back to see Ferol, screaming like a mad thing, his hands out-stretched, as he blasted magic down onto the lion beast's head. Seconds later both beasts were dead.
But their victory was short-lived, for now, moving slowly into the park, came several other beasts, two of them were much bigger than the lion beasts.
In seconds, the Lady and Ferol were being forced back towards the door of the tower.
****
By then Feverfew was following Maeve along the narrowest tunnel yet.
The elf girl sniffed. The smell coming from inside the tunnel was almost overpowering.
Maeve cackled. “Unpleasant odors will be the least thing you'll have to endure if you wish to claim the Tarsis Amulet.”
“Where are we going?” asked Feverfew, almost unable to speak, the odor was that bad.
“Not far now,” said Maeve. She turned to look at Feverfew. The girl could see the old woman's eyes were glowing. “Feverfew,” she said softly. “There are monsters, guarding the amulet. Mangus has told you that?”
“Monsters...” Feverfew gulped. “He hasn't.” She gulped again, unable to stop the dreaded feeling, as the skin crawled along the back of her slender neck.
“Ah, sure you'll be able for them,” said Maeve, turning and walking on.
Feverfew could hear the old woman cackling softly as she followed her.
****
The roaring of the beasts echoed all around the park. They were joined by three more, snake-like monsters, with steel barbs running along their slimy colorful bodies. Poison dripped from their wide mouths, as they slithered forward, trying to get closer to Ferol and the Lady, who both knew they didn't have a chance against so many beasts.
****
And that's the plan?” snapped Roleo, glaring at Orleo. “Magic... Ancient magic at that.”
“Yes,” said Orleo. “Roleo, look, we have to use the ancient magic. We have to call them. Baldo and his army have no chance. You know that... ”
“No!” shouted Roleo. “We can't break our own law! We can't use the magic.”
“Oh, Roleo, the law is broken every day,” said Orleo quietly. “You know that. We broke the law conjuring up the scene on the skrying mirror to show inside the Silver City. You've broken it many times... you know that.”
Roleo sighed and shook his head slowly. He knew Orleo was right. He had used magic only the week before to help his youngest grandson get over a feverish cold. His daughter had been worried. He looked around the others. He knew they would follow him. Then he said quietly, “You really believe your plan will work?”
Orleo heaved a sigh of relief. “I hope so. But we have to try, don't we?”
Roleo sighed and nodded.
****
By then, Batach had halted his army a hundred meters back from the walls. The monster smiled. He was enjoying savoring the destruction that he knew would end with him being the victor.
Batach stood almost twelve feet tall. His massive frame was covered in heavy muscle. His arms, as thick as tree trunks, were covered in steel netting. A sword, that was almost eight feet long, hung on a scabbard around his muscled waist. Batach's body was almost black and hairless. He smiled, his pointed black teeth trickling with saliva. His dead eyes studied the thick Collegian walls. The sheen of powerful magic covered him completely. He turned to look back. Directly behind him lumbered the undead. Men and women, barely clothed, their bodies covered in dirt, swayed from side to side, awaiting his command. Further back, Batach could see many of the monsters that that broken through the underworld with him. The sound of the moaning undead, the roars and screeches of the monsters, was like music to Lord Batach. He turned now and raised a hand. Magic, of the most powerful kind ever seen before, blasted a wide swathe through the walls, throwing many elf soldiers into the air. Screaming a command, Batach pointed. Immediately the undead began to run towards the huge gap. Nothing would stop them.