“Get in there!” Elmar yelled as he pushed Ellis towards the cage.
Ellis glared at him but said nothing.
The tight circle of Dark Elves closed in. Seth swallowed. What could he do? Could they really fight ten Dark Elves with their weapons drawn? No, no way. They’d be cut down before he could say ‘Staerdale Castle.’ He nudged Jena towards the cage. “Let’s go.”
“What?” Jena demanded. “We don’t know what they’re going to do with us.”
“He’s right,” Brock said. “Another time.”
Sumia snarled at Shania as she passed her. “I knew we couldn’t trust you.”
Shania’s dark-blue lips smiled. “Yes, I know.” She pointed at Seth. “Maybe he should have listened to you.”
Sumia and Keya climbed inside. “You’ll regret this,” Sumia said.
Shania slapped Sumia. “Really? I doubt that.”
“Was that necessary?” Jena asked as she hopped inside.
Seth didn’t move. He stared right into her soul. “I can see things now.”
“What are you talking about?” Shania said.
Elmar heaved Ellis inside the cage. “I’m going to enjoy eating that one.”
“I hope you choke on me,” Ellis said.
Elmar slapped Ellis, knocking him towards the back of the cage. “Stupid human.”
Shania waved Seth towards the cage. “Well? Go. Get inside already.”
Seth just stared at her. A tingle started near his heart. His jaw tightened. “What will happen to them?”
“Examples will be made out of them,” Shania said. “Maybe we’ll feed them to the Feral Orcs.” She leaned closer. “Or maybe we’ll just eat them ourselves.”
Sumia nudged Brock. “Get ready.”
“For what?” Brock whispered.
Ellis grinned. “Fireworks.”
Seth felt the tingle spread throughout his body. “Let them go. You have me. I’m your prize, not them.” If he used his magic, could they win? He’d have to unleash it at the Dark Elves, but not too much. He had to keep it under control. Could he win?
Shania shook her head. “No, never. I lost both my brother and my father to the humans.” She smiled at him. “You might say I had a personal stake in finding you. All humans are enemies of the Darkstriders.”
“What about King Kade?” Seth asked.
Shania sniffed. “Kade? He’s Tanyl’s play thing. No, the only thing humans are good for is food for our dogs.”
Seth glanced over at Jena.
“I see.” Shania pulled out a pearl dagger. “I’ll give her my special attention like I gave your mother!”
Ellis ducked his head. “Oh, crap.”
“Duck,” Sumia said.
Seth’s face reddened. Tiny electrical arcs jumped across his skin.
The Dark Elves jumped back.
Shania’s mouth dropped. “What’s this?”
His clothes became engulfed with the tiny arcs. Seth lunged at the Dark Elves standing over their weapons.
“Shania?” Elmar yelled as he backed away.
Seth extended his arm and his sword jumped into his hand. The blade glowed white with constant cracks of the arcs jumping along the weapon. The burn, the burn raced through his body. His eyes turned white.
“It’s—it’s true. The prophecy is true.” Shania dropped her dagger and bolted into the woods.
Seth swung his sword at a Dark Elf. As soon as the blade struck his flesh, the elf turned to ash. “Come on, fight our way out.”
Two Dark Elves loosed arrows towards Seth.
He sidestepped and charged.
They both notched another arrow.
Seth leaped towards his enemies. His sword descended on one Dark Elf. It split him in two. Both halves fell to the ground like a slaughtered pig.
Jena grabbed her daggers.
Ellis grabbed his.
Sumia snatched up her spell component pouch.
Brock snatched up a Dark Elf sword.
The Dark Elf lunged at Seth.
Seth sidestepped and spun left, taking off the elf’s head with one blow.
His skin grew brighter. The burn. He smelled his flesh burning.
Brock raised his sword over another Dark Elf.
He stepped back, but not far enough.
Brock’s sword slammed into his head. “Seth, go after Shania. If she gets away, she’ll bring the orcs to destroy the village.”
“Yeah, we got this,” Ellis said.
Elmar jumped towards Brock with his ax in hand.
“This is for my wife!” Brock lunged at him, thrusting his sword into Elmar’s chest.
Elmar crashed to the ground.
Brock yanked out his sword. “Go, Seth, go now.”
He ran after Shania.
Seth raced through the woods. The leaves burned as they brushed against Seth’s skin. His sword was starting to glow red, like iron after it comes out of the forge. The burning; he felt his skin burning, but he didn’t care. Nothing mattered except for Shania’s head and what she did to Sally.
“Ow!” Shania yelled in the distance.
Seth ran faster. His eyes narrowed as he caught up with her. He raised his sword.
“No!” Shania scrambled to her feet.
Seth jumped on her back. The electrical arcs jumped from his body to hers.
Shania screamed. “Mercy, please have mercy!”
His face reddened. His jaw tightened. “I’ll give you the same mercy you gave my mother.” Seth wrapped his arms around her. The burning jumped from his skin to hers.
Shania skin began to smolder. She screamed again. Her hair ignited.
Seth jumped off her, staring at her.
“What is happening to me?” Shania’s chest glowed, just for a second, then she disintegrated into a pile of ash.
“Screw you,” Seth said as he kicked the ash. The arcs, they were gone. The burning stopped. He looked down at his arms, they were black. His skin was charred. How come there was no pain?
A few minutes later, Seth returned to the camp. All of the Dark Elves were in pieces on the ground. None of them survived.
Jena’s mouth dropped as Seth emerged from the underbrush. “Seth!” She rushed to his side.
Seth smiled. He did it. He—he—spots, black spots appeared. His head began to swim. “I’m passing out.”
“I’m coming,” Keya said.
Seth’s eyes began to close. A blurry face came into view, it was Brock.
“I’m proud of you,” Brock said.
Seth smiled as the darkness took him.
The aroma of freshly cooked rabbit tickled Seth’s nose. He opened his eyes to the bright midday sun. All the Dark Elf bodies were gone and Ellis was roasting a jackrabbit over the fire. He looked down at his arms, they were not burnt. “How?”
Jena kissed him on the forehead. “My mother healed you.” She hugged him. “I love you.” She stared right into his eyes. “Never do that again.”
Seth smiled.
Sumia, who was sitting by the fire, turned towards Seth. “You nearly killed yourself. Your rage and hatred nearly destroyed you.”
“I know.” Seth blinked. “What about the Orcs? The village?”
“The Vulwin Elves are—taking precautions,” Sumia said.
“What Vulwin Elves?” Brock demanded.
Sumia waved him off. “Not important.” She rose to her feet. “I suggest returning to Porp Hollows to rest.”
Jena beamed at Seth. “What do you think?”
Seth kissed her. “Let’s go.”
When they finally arrived at Porp Hollows, Sumia led the little band to the sitting room with the fireplace. There were long sitting pillows thrown about the floor. “Please, everyone, sit,” Sumia said as she sat next to the fire.
Jena sat next to Seth. “Seth—I mean, Galin, what now?”
Seth frowned. What indeed? “I—I think we need to free the kingdom.”
Ellis rolled his eyes. “How? I can’t save your ass all the time.”
Keya took a seat close to Brock. Her brown eyes twinkled at him. “Go home?”
Brock swallowed. “No, we need to raise an army and kick those damned Dark Elves back to their side of the Fadyhl Waters.”
Sumia shook her head. “All that must wait.” Her face softened as she smiled at Seth. “Claim your birth name, Galin Ravenward. There is no reason to hide it anymore. They know what you look like and they will never stop searching for you.”
Seth grabbed Jena’s hand. “I know.”
“You must learn to use your magic; not control it, but wield it.” Sumia stood up. “Remember, not all elves are evil.” Her features blurred. Her gray hair turned into a golden blond. Her skin tightened and became soft.
Seth blinked.
Jena squeezed Seth’s hand.
Sumia’s ears became pointed and her skin was fair. She opened her green eyes.
Brock jumped up. “You’re—you’re a Vulwin Elf!”
Sumia nodded. “I am Princess Sumia, daughter of King Faeler.” Her sad eyes looked right at Brock. “You humans weren’t the only ones to lose your home.”
Brock sat back down. “I—I didn’t know.”
Sumia knelt down in front of Seth. “Galin, you have to go to school.”
“A school?” Seth asked. “What are you talking about?”
“In the center of Methos Lake there is an island with a castle on it. This is where you need to go. Tadus School of Magic. I spoke to a friend of mine, a Snow Elf, and they can help you.”
“How?”
“Magic uses components and incantations, but you don’t need them.” Sumia beamed at him. “You see, you wield dragon magic. Only a handful of mages have ever achieved half your power. There is only one that is alive today. A very old Snow Elf. She’s over six hundred years old and she will teach you.”
“What if he doesn’t go?” Brock asked.
Sumia straightened up. “He’ll die. His power will become uncontrollable and it will kill him—and anyone around him.”
Seth stared into Jena’s eyes. “Not much choice, is there?”
Jena shook her head. “Can I go with him?”
“Me too, don’t forget about me,” Ellis said.
“Good,” Sumia said as she sat back down. She pulled a rough diamond from the small pouch on her belt and held it at eye level in her hand. “Dit onska ni jeg. Dit onska ni jeg.” The diamond glowed a bright white. “Dit onska ni jeg.” She threw the diamond against the wall, right next to the fireplace. A shadowy archway appeared.
Seth walked over to it. He couldn’t see any light; he couldn’t see anything through the magical door. “What is it?”
Sumia grinned. “Bexon’s Dimensional Tunnel. Step through it and you will be at Tadus School of Magic. Step through and you’re on your way to fulfilling the prophecy.”
Seth looked at Brock.
He nodded.
Seth grasped Jena’s sweaty hand. “Ready?”
“Maybe they can marry us there?”
Sumia frowned.
Jena swallowed. “Sorry. I’m ready.”
“Oh, get out of the way already,” Ellis said as he pushed through. As soon as one foot passed through the arch, Ellis disappeared.
“Father?” Seth asked Brock.
A prideful tear rolled down Brock’s cheek. “Sire, it’s your duty.”
He nodded. “Let’s go.” Seth and Jena stepped through the arch together and then they were gone.