THE DRAGON LORDS OF ELEBOR - MIHIGO EMMANUEL (red seas under red skies txt) 📗

death draw near, as his eyes grew heavy and his body felt light, as though he were floating away. Fleeting images crossed his mind; his mother and father worried sick unaware of his fate, Ntende’s lifeless body alone on the forest floor ‘Why did I convince him to watch that blasted meteor storm with me.’ He thought to himself. He saw Alexandria and Nezza’s hopeful glances when he looked through the door. The people of the eternal forest lost without their leader whom he had taken to his death…literally.

“No!” came a voice clear as a bell “You cannot give up now.” All at once his spirit came crushing down to earth. As ambitious as the devil, he clung onto life. ‘I won’t give up.’ he thought. Then reaching deeper than he ever thought possible into his soul, with all his might he bellowed “WE WILL NOT GIVE UP!” A surge of energy left him as another rushed through him. Somehow he knew it was from Amber. A feral like instinct to survive overwhelmed him causing him to sit bolt upright.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The change of scenery was over whelming, the serene forest through which they had traveled now gave the impression of a decimated war zone. The air had a chocking smell to it causing everyone to cough and wipe their eyes. “The waste lands,” Albadeluz glanced at Wizard a pained look in his eyes. “We must make our way out of here quickly before the inhabitants find out about our arrival.” No one dared ask who the inhabitants of such a devastating dwelling might be.

For hours they walked in silence up to a small hill; the only one that could be seen for miles. It made the only hopeful horizon that one could move purposefully towards without doubting his or her direction. Once there they could see signs of life begin to emerge. First as a small foot path then as scattered patches of grass and soon a number of trees dotted their surroundings. Wizard turned off the now clear road to another small path into a clearing where a dwelling of simple structure stood. It was obvious the house had no foundation. The right strength of wind could have easily swept it away. Despite this however, it gave the impression of being worn with age.

“I need something to base my alteration spell on.” Wizard said as he walked towards a line of cloths. He waved his hand over them and a slight shimmer passed over them before vanishing. “I am all done here.” He said as he walked back to them “We should change into cloths suitable to this particular setting.”

When they had all changed they looked like peasants from a long forgotten era. They grabbed their gear and headed back onto the road. As the first stars sparkled in the distance they came upon a town. The road cut right through it flanked on both sides with buildings of wood and metal. People went about their business as usual. Some fleeting glances passed their way but no one paid them any attention. Far different from the welcome they received at the eternal forest noted Ntende.

Weaving their way through the town Albadeluz led them to the crow bar inn; A rundown den of all perceivable goons, some unspeakable. “I will be right back.” Albadeluz headed for the counter. “Tell Nowamani an old friend is here to see him.” Albadeluz spoke with his back to the bar tender who continued wiping a single wooden mug that seemed to be intent on being dirty despite his insistent cleaning. When the bar tender didn’t reply Albadeluz turned to face him. Had it been anyone else he would have run for the hills but Albadeluz stared straight at the face like death. “I said…” “Heard what you said.” Interrupted the bartender, his voice was like rusted metal bars rubbing against one another. “Don’t know old Nowa.” “Never said he was old, nor did I give you his nick name.” Albadeluz could sense him getting ready to run. “I am a friend, I just want to find my friends and i a place to sleep, we hand a long journey and are tired.” Death face stared at Albadeluz blankly. “If you could afford a better place you wouldn’t be here.” “How about a safer place?” Interjected Wizard

Sliding his hands over the table he revealed a silver fork of intricate design. The words blue moon turban sprawled across the handle. The bar tender licked his lips very much like a starved komodo would when placed in a chicken house. The corners of his lips they realized stretched to touch his ears. A voracious hiss escaped his lips as he reached out to grab it. Albadeluz was quicker. Death face gave him a stare so vile, if looks could kill Albadeluz would be six feet under. “A ‘safe’ place to sleep first and make sure we are not disturbed.” The bartender seemed unsure. “You get another in the morning.” Albadeluz added quickly.

Five minutes later they were all in an attic like room; with a warm fire crackling in the fire place. The floor was covered in a soft carpet and the walls concealed by heavy red curtains and once Ntende had handed over the fork to the bartender, the curtains were extended to conceal even the door; plunging them in total silence as the outside world was blocked out.

Fire light danced on the curtains making the room even cozier. Ntende walked up to Mihigo and shuddered. “I don’t think the bartender is human.” “You will find few things are in this world, if any still exist.” Wizard said. “Don’t worry we’ve added our own magic to the room. We’ll be safe.” Albadeluz assured them. “So, where to now?” Mihigo asked. Wizard sat himself in a rocking chair nearby and Albadeluz perched himself on the edge of the only bed in the room while the others sat on the carpeted floor.

“We must find the resistance and present Alexandria. It will fill them with new hope.” Albadeluz looked at Alexandria as he said this and she nodded her consent. Already she was being treated as a princess again. She wondered how long it would be before the people wanted her to… No, her father is still out there and she will find him, he was probably leading the resistance right now. Amber put a comforting hand on her shoulder which made her smile, at least she wasn’t alone. By the time she turned to listen to the rest of Albadeluz’s plan he was finished and nodded curtly to Mihigo. “Very good, let’s get some sleep; we have a hard day’s work waiting for us tomorrow.”

“Princess,” he bowed. Alexandria blinked at the sudden show of formality from Albadeluz. “The bed is yours.” She tried to protest. “That was not a request.” He walked to a corner of the room and produced a small plant from his pocket; placing it on the floor it immediately begun to form a living tent at which Albadeluz smiled fondly, then crawled into before it sealed its entrance. Mihigo lay down by the fire and Amber curled herself around his head like a cat would; he smiled patted her on the head and closed his eyes. Wizard was fast asleep in his rocking chair. Ntende smiled at her “Good night princess.” He whispered and lay down staring at the ceiling; defeated Alexandria crawled into the bed and fell fast asleep.

CHAPTER TWELVE

A man of average height rounded a bend in the torch lit tunnel. The light cast shadows over the impenetrable breast plate that fit his broad chest to perfection. Light brown eyes caught sight of every detail in the tunnel. Being descended from the mpologoma clan his eyes had the ability to penetrate the deepest darkness.

Bbale Denis set off along the passage way quiet as a mouse. He moved instinctively guided by the memories of wandering these very passage ways for years. Time seemed to pass unnoticed in the never ending tunnels of the infinite city. Hands clasped behind his back he thought about his predicament. The men were getting tired of fighting a losing battle. Their hope deemed every day despite his attempts of pointing out their small successes, and reminding them of the legends on every child’s lips. If he didn’t find a way of restoring the people’s hope, then the battle will surely be lost. What do we have if not hope? He thought to himself.

A subtle noise caught his attention. He looked up to face Kalende Lyna. She was a short slightly plump woman about 5’1. Her stunning green eyes bore into his, making him feel vulnerable like she was staring into his very soul. Vulnerable as he might feel, he knew he was safe. Her happy smile always filled him with warmth and that chirping laughter of hers always made others laugh as well. Kalende had joined the rebellion after her forest was burned by the soldiers of the death bringer. Her sun kissed skin tone made it easy for her to move unnoticed in the dark tunnels of the infinite city. Her dark wavy hair never grew passed her jaw line; and in her right hand she held a beautifully engraved wooden staff about a foot taller than her. It was the sound of her tapping the ground with this staff that Bbale had heard.

“Do not trouble yourself brave leader.” She smiled her heartwarming smile and he felt his troubles slip away as he smiled back. “A light has returned to our world, it will soon need your protection. Come we must prepare.” Bbale followed her to the cozy round room that was his office. He pulled out a cushy sit for her and sat down in the one across from her. Despite the enticing shape of the chair she sat straight backed. Bbale did not bother; he could be himself around her.

“There are whispers’ in the wind.” She says in a mysterious tone. “The princess has returned. With her she has brought a formidable force, one you must treat with care lest it be turned against you.” Bbale was at the edge of his seat now. “Lyna, this is wonderful news.” He says grinning so much from ear to ear that his cheeks hurt. “Where is she we must send a party to escort her back. No. I will go personally.” As he was striding to the door she tripped him with her staff. He didn’t hit the