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The sounds of the birds and the rustling leaves was soothing to Lazarus’s mind.
It seemed lately that all they had been doing was fighting and sleeping, though he was happy to be alive and sitting next to Cindy. He almost grabbed her hand, but he didn't. He felt she was still angry with him.
"We have studied the Dark War in our classrooms back in the Hive,” said Cindy. “It was between the Magical Races. There were Dark Mages who fought against the Elves. We read the humans didn't want to be involved, until the Dark Lord threatened their homelands."
"Was this before the Vvong?" Professor Jacobs asked.
"Yes," Della replied, then continued. "Merlin and Morgana helped the Elves and the Fairies. It was Merlin who almost single-handedly defeated the Dark Lord."
"Who was this Dark Lord?" Lazarus asked.
"We cannot speak of his name. But he came from the dark pits of Earth. He subjected the orcs and made them his warriors. Then he created his own race of demons that ravaged the Earth, destroying our magical crops and eating our people."
Professor Jacobs said, "How did Merlin defeat the Dark Lord?"
"He crafted a powerful weapon," she said.
"Excalibur," Lazarus said.
"Yes, the weapon was crafted from a stone that came from the stars and the cleric Dwarves fused it with their powers," she said. "He battled the Dark Lord with this weapon and destroyed him."
"Did you know of Middle Earth?" Professor Jacobs asked.
"No, it was not written in our books. But we have heard of Middle Earth through rumors," Della said.
"Amazing," Cindy said with quiet reverence.
Lazarus felt the same. This history was new to him, and he was not sure if it was real or not. Yet, looking at Della and smelling the deep earth and hearing the plants swaying made him believe. He shook his head. All he wanted was a home life with Cindy and their kids.
"I wished I knew more,” said Della. “But the version we were taught was only a summary of what happened. Maybe when we find Merlin, we can talk to him."
Lazarus said, "I don't think when we find Merlin he will give us a history lesson."
"We should try to contact him, though" Grace said.
"I don't know if we should. Remember what happened when we tried to contact him before," said Cindy.
"But that was different. We were back on our Earth. We're closer to him now. What do you think, Lazarus? Should we try?"
They all looked to him. "I, I don't know,” he stammered. “Let's think about this before we try again. I think the elf wizards will help us."
The rest of day was spent traveling. Groton, on horseback, cantered over to them. He told them there was an orc scout following them, and a group of orcs a quarter of a league from there. They couldn’t get closer
Lazarus said, "Maybe they are waiting for somebody?"
They ate while they traveled, not stopping for fear of the orcs attacking them. They ate more of the beef jerky and drank cool water out of their elven skins. The day seemed longer. Lazarus felt as if it should have been night already but it looked like it was mid-day. The tree gave them shelter from the hot sunlight. A large bumblebee flew among huge yellow flowers. He saw the large stinger on the insect, and thought the bee sting might kill him.
Professor Jacobs said, "We have bees back on our Earth the same size. Yet, ours are carnivorous."
Lazarus said, "Yes, I’ve seen those carnivorous bees before, eating a Grog."
Dusk started to settle over the forest. The sun was below the tree line and the shadows of the day turned into night. The Elves, also on horseback, positioned themselves in front and also behind the cart. Royce was sprinting alongside close by.
Lazarus leaned over to Royce. "Royce, did you get anything to eat?"
The Grog's face split in a wide grin. "I hunted. You didn't notice? I'm full."
"Be careful. The orcs are close," Lazarus said.
"I am careful. I don't need you to hold my hand. But I will be careful."
Lazarus saw blood coating the Grog's muzzle. He turned away from Royce. He hadn't wanted to see him eat. Lazarus heard Grace scoff across from him, loud enough for everybody to hear. He looked toward her and nodded his head. She turned away.
Thinking about Royce and how he eviscerated his friend, Mathew, made him angry and sad. He had to trust this creature, because Merlin had told him too. This confused him. He was not sure why they had to have Royce with them.
Groton moved closer to him, and said, "Alpha Mages, we’re moving toward a city. We will travel all night to get there. Are you okay?"
"Yes," they all said.
"Good. The orc patrols are staying behind us. Be alert, I think they are massing for an attack." He nodded, and cantered away from them.
Lazarus suddenly felt worried. The darkness of the forest seemed all-encompassing. He saw orcs jumping out of the trees and bushes. He wished he had light. Lazarus wanted to cast a glowing sphere, but he didn't want to scare the Elves or alert the enemy.
Della said, "Master Lazarus, don't worry, I can defend you."
"No," Lazarus said. "I don't like the dark. I can't see ahead of me."
A pale moon glowed overhead.
Della said, "Elves have night vision."
Cindy bent down and grabbed a blanket that was stored underneath their seats. Lazarus tried to place his hand over her shoulder, but she gently shrugged it away. He was not hurt, but understood how she felt.
