Archer and the Anvil- The Queens Prophecy

Having solved the riddle, they were to be awarded title and land. Yet that was far from the truth. So far they have been held hostage, accused of cheating, tricked by the First Minister and his seer, the Oracle, and sent on a quest that was a lie.

Now they find out that Roland is the rightful heir to the throne, while the Druid teased of an even bigger secret that awaits Tomaz. Their lives are in danger. They have no choice but to trust the Druid, for now they begin a quest to see a Queen.

As Dusk hovers in the horizon, teasing the plants with a final ray of day light, the earth trembles. The land heaves and rolls then swirls like a tornado, as a black plume of smoke rises from the torn ground. Darker and faster it spins, sucking every living thing into its maw, until the earth lay bare and the black mist fades away. In it's place a demon sits astride a skeletal horse, dark as night its oily coat gleams in the light of the coming moon, the demon steed glances around with hollow sockets bereft of eyes.

Although human in form, the Maldrake who sits upon the beast, has arms as long as its legs, and leathery wings of a bat, it's lean body rippled with scars. Swivelling its head and sniffing the cool night air. Yellow pointed teeth reveal themselves as the creature smiles. It smells the flesh of humans. For far too long him and his kind have been locked in the second dimension of Hellz. But they have now found a way to break free, with the help of one who lives on this plane. Soon they will find a way to widen the rift, so entire demon armies can fill the fields. But first he must sate his hunger, flickering lights from the cabin below beckon him to feast. The farm is isolated, far from their neighbor's, which is why no one hears their screams.

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The rains came on their third day of travel and has not let up since. Roland was used to the heat from the forge, not this dampness that bites through him. Tomaz on the other hand doesn’t seem to mind, in fact he appears content. They haven’t moved since arriving in the forest clearing and now dusk is creeping across the land. What little light they have is fading away. The Druid, Gar-Tal stands in silence, staring at a rock outcropping, even his companion Dallin gives him space. The decision to see ‘the Queen’ was his, yet he remains sullen. Who the queen was, only the Druid knew.

Perhaps had they not been so concerned with where they were going and instead focusing on where they were, they may have seen the five black horses with demons upon their backs. A howl, reverberating like grinding rock, cuts through the dense forest, startling them out of their stupor.

Suddenly a black feathered arrow slices through the air striking Tomaz’s horse, who rears up depositing him on the ground with enough force to knock the wind out of him. Roland rush’s to his aid, but gets side swiped by another dark rider, rushing upon them. The demon looses his seating, crashing to the ground, he struggles to rise, but a hammer crushes his head into the forest floor.

Dallin cries to the Druid, who is busy fighting against two of the attackers. Blue flames sear the damp trees, engulfing the Maldrakes and burning them to ash. Wheeling around Gar-Tal rides to the three men, his staff raised high, shooting out a wave of wind that swirls around the two final demons. Unfortunately, Dallin too was caught in the cyclone. Inside the center, he battles the two, sword in one hand he meets steel on steel. The clang echoes in the forest. Feinting once he ducks under an axe swinging at his head, swiping up he takes his opponents arm clean off. Spinning around his left hand flew up in defense, yet a yellowish green flame flies from his fingertips and into the last demon. Falling to his knees, screaming like a thousand rats, then implodes.

Dallin collapses.

The wind dies away, yet no-one sees the one arm demon crawling towards the prostrate form of Dallin, raising a dagger ready to plunge it into the fallen man. An arrow flies fast and true, striking the final demon. Who gurgles in shock then collapses. Tomaz, again shot, without realizing it.

After the initial shock wears off, Roland stands above a prostrate demon and yells. “What in Hellz are these things?”

Without looking up, Gar-Tal kneels beside Dallin, who begins to stir. “Hellz is correct.”

“What’s correct Gar-Tal?”

“These demons, were banished to a dimension of Hellz after the Ending War, they should not be here.”

“Maybe some-one should tell them, because clearly they are.” Growled Roland.

Dallin, wobbles to his feet while Tomaz steps towards the two, staring at the Druid he speaks. ”More secrets? You failed to tell us that Dallin is capable of magic?”

Gar-Tal, not removing his gaze from Dallin quietly responds. “That is a good question Elf-ling, and one that I am uncertain how to answer.”

“Try.”

Handing Dallin a water skin, the Druid sighs. “Dallin is my apprentice, a druid in training. Yet how he has managed to produce a spell strong enough to destroy a Maldrake is beyond me.”

“By Gerril, I feel weak. Is this how you feel after a spell Gar-Tal?” Dallin mumbles.

Nodding, the druid sits Dallin on a log. “Yes, we draw power from the earth, every living thing nurtures us. Yet, nothing is for free, the toll wears on the wielder. You get used to it and learn how to store the power within. Eventually, even I must rest. Which is why we return to the Druid keep from time to time and recuperate in the sacred springs.”

Opening his magic satchel, Gar-Tal produces fruit, and a flask filled with a green liquid, handing the items to Dallin. “Drink and eat. You need to rest, soon you will feel better.”

“Why have we stopped?” Asked Roland.

“Because we have arrived, but we needed to wait until sundown before I open the door. Which the demons had to wait for as well.”

Tomaz walks to the large rock jammed into the side of the hill. “Is this where the Queen is Gar-Tal, the one you sealed away those many years ago?”

“It is.”

“Why are we here?”

“We need answers and the Queen has them.” Was the only reply the Druid seems willing to give.

Turning to the group, he says. Once I open the door, we have until dawn, before it seals shut again. I honestly do not know what to expect, as I have only been here alone and can not guess her reaction to being disturbed.”

Roland was angry and started to talk but the Druid cut him off. “No one move or say anything unless spoken too. Clear?”

The three nod.

Gar-Tal approaches the rock, placing both hands upon it, he chants. A red glow emanates from his fingers, spreading across the rocks surface. Soon a grinding noise can be heard and the rock retreats inwards, revealing an opening into a cave. Gar-Tal steps back, a glow grew from within and suddenly an ethereal form emerges. A beautiful woman, draped in a gown of white, floats out. Looking around then towards the heavens she raises her arms to the stars. The moment her hands touch a glow radiates like a globe surrounding the group and sealing them in a bubble of static light. The demons bodies trapped with in began to sizzle then turn to ash.

“Why have you disturbed my rest?”

Gar-Tal approaches the Queen, like he is meeting an old friend. “The Oracle’s prediction has begun. The prophecy is upon us.”

Her eyes take in each of them, wearily she smiles. “I see, you found the king, the mage and the one born of two worlds.”

Turning her back on them she calls out. “I have a message for each of you. Come Roland, my child. I shall speak with you first.” With that she disappears into the cavern. With hesitant steps he follows, as do each of them in turn, the Druid last.

With dawn approaching the group huddles outside, eyes downcast.

The Queen stands before the opening and addresses the group. “The world has not seen danger such as this since the great banishment. Your task will not be easy. Should you fail, the time for all who inhabit this world will be over, it will be filled with demons and their kind. If that happens I do not see us ever returning. Trust in yourselves and in what I told each of you, or all will be lost.” As the morning light begins creeping over the mountains, the rock slowly slides back.

Before Queen Shallain fades with the light, her voice sings out one last time before she disappears. “Gar-Tal, advise him well.”

The three young men glance at each other for the first time since their conversations with the Queen. Each wondering whom that message is for. If Gar-Tal knew he says nothing except. “Saddle up, we have a long way to go.”

In silence they mounted up, Tomaz doubles with Dallin, as his steed had perished from the demons arrow. The Queens conversation running through their minds.

Dallin tries to understand what she meant. ‘Dallin, you are born unto the stars, your gift was always in you. Listen to Gar-Tal, follow what he says, for inside you are both good and evil fighting for dominance. Which one wins will be up to you.’

Rolands heart is mixed, he is really beginning to hate riddles and secrets and that is all he got. Her words ring in his mind, as he tries to make sense of them. ‘Roland, the weight of a kingdom is upon you, it is never lite, nor easy. Before this is over you will feel betrayed by one you trust most.’

Out of them all Tomaz appears the most confused. Earlier the druid hinted of a great secret involving the half man half elf. Yet what she said made little sense. ‘Tomaz, your travels will be the hardest. I fear the expectations will be too much for one so young to bare. Yet I see a strength in you that is remarkable. You must make the two, one again. It will come at a cost. I fear there will come a time when you must battle the one you once followed, before your prophecy may be fulfilled.’

Gar-Tal was weary, at times he wished he were not the one to find the Queen, and at the same time he cannot imagine how his life would be if he hadn’t. ‘My Saviour, you have done so much already and yet I ask more of you. I have visions that you will not survive to see the future. There is a fight that only you, my warrior, may do the battle. I am sorry, you deserve so much more.’

They begin their journey, knowing the future is bleak. What they do, shall determine how events will unfold. Yet in their hearts they each vow to do their best.

Before they move a horn blares in the distance. Gar-Tal freezes, tilting his head to one side, eyes widen in recognition, he yells. “Goblins.”

Suddenly dozens of shadowed forms race through the trees. The Druid raises his hands above his head and like the Queen, creates a dome that spreads over the group. The first goblins to reach the edges disintegrate instantly. The others circle, shaking crude weapons, and howling in frustration.

With their backs to the rock, Roland cries out. “Gar-Tal, open the Queens entrance so we can hide inside.”

Shaking his head. “No. If we lock ourselves in, we would be sealed inside forever.”

Weapons drawn. They struggle, trying to settle the frightened horses. “Gar-Tal how long can you maintain the force?”

“Not long enough I fear.”

A cheer goes up from the horde of goblins when a spark flashes along the side of the dome, creating a small opening. Before the Druid manages to seal the crack, six creatures run through, weapons held high.

The companions we’re trapped.

Thank you,

Jason

For the earlier adventures of this tale, including the Top Story-part 3 The reveal: