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Chapter 32

The commander's unwavering scrutiny swept across his fallen comrades, pausing only briefly before assessing the imposing figure encased in armor that stood over them. With an instinctive surge, he propelled himself forward, hot on the heels of the retreating adversary. "Halt!" he bellowed, "Talonheart, attend to the wounded."

With a melodious chirp, she arrived at their side, softly intoning one of her healing mantras. Feathers began to twist and shimmer with a golden light.

"It's Arcturus!" Frostbeak clacked as the commander sprinted by.

Arcturus? The intruder was him? He nearly tripped over his paws as he rounded the next corner. “Arcturus, what is the meaning of this? Why have you maimed my men!”

Silence lingered. This demanded resolution through different means. He compelled himself charge, narrowing the gap between the armored man and himself. Of the two, he had always been the swifter. In mere moments, he was within arm's length, anticipation building—Arcturus would be his. Until, that is, they turned another corner, and he confronted the dragon face to face.

"Why hello there." growled the crimson beast, its voice resonating like thunder. It raised a paw, allowing Arcturus to pass beneath, and its snout brimmed with flames, scales expanding—a clear precursor to impending danger.

"Veledar, no!" Arcturus shouted, hurling himself against the dragon's scales. It wasn't enough to topple the mighty creature, but sufficient to divert its fiery aim. This granted Skywing a fleeting opportunity to seek refuge behind a pillar, shielding himself from the scorching heat. Nevertheless, the flames reached out, licking at his feathers, compelling him to press against the stone to evade the worst, causing a wince of discomfort.

"You brought the dragon!" he finally squawked, talons digging into the stone, desperation clinging to his voice. "Arcturus, speak with me, tell me what is going on! I beg of you!"

His plea was met with a wall of flames, conjured by the dragon's formidable paw. Blue flames danced wickedly between them, restricting the gryphon’s egress, unless he wished to taste their fiery kiss. With a commanding paw, Crimson Sky guided Arcturus away, a threat lingering in the air. "Follow us at your own peril, gryphon. I will not have him taken from me by the likes of you."

Not a word escaped the paladin, only a lingering gaze from the helmed warrior. Skywing's heart sank, ears splayed. "I don't believe it!" he squawked. "That you would do such a thing willingly. I didn't believe it, yet here you are!"

Arcturus halted, as if tethered by an invisible thread. "I have my reasons, Skywing. Please, trust me." he said muffled by the helmet, Skywing could hear the hurt palpable in his voice. "But there is no time for words."

If only there had been time on the mountain. "Then make time!" he pleaded. "Surrender yourself, explain your reasons; we are not unreasonable! They speak of you as a traitor, that you kill our soldiers, that now you conspire with Rothdellian mages, thieves! Please..." He dreaded the answer as he held him in focus. "Please tell me that there isn't an ounce of truth to this. That the blood on your blade was out of self-defense."

"I wish I could, old friend," Arcturus sighed, his voice heavy with remorse. "But all of what you say is true. I however have my reasons, I would not be doing this if there was not a good one."

“And what reason would that be?” He asked, braving the flame’s heat.

"Arcturus, we have to go," Crimson Sky growled, tossing his head. "The others will have need of me... us."

“One moment Crimson Sky.” Pleaded the man, sounds of combat down the hall clearly trying the dragon’s patience ever more.

When those emerald pools beneath that helmet met Skywing’s gaze, there was a conviction that he once knew, that he relied on, of which he trusted.

“There is a darkness beneath us. I’m getting to the bottom of it, that’s all that I can say.”

“Is that it? Do I not deserve more than that?” Scoffed Skywing, “You attack Suntail, cause all this damage and death and that’s all you can say? Is this who Selina would want you to be, Arcturus? A man who betrays his kingdom and harms her people? Do all your oaths mean nothing?”

“Arcturus.” Hissed the dragon, lashing his tail.”

“I said one moment!” Arcturus never averted his gaze, unwavering in his conviction. “My oaths are still to the innocent my old friend, that has not changed. Something is rotten at the core of our kingdom, perverting all that we fought for. What it is eludes me still, but I have seen edges of it’s thick shadow. Below one of their forts, I found a torture chamber of my worst nightmares, made not for villains or murderers, but innocent foreigners.”

He opened and closed his beak, a dark story if true. “And you’re sure of this.”

“Crystal.” Continued the man, “And I think it’s threads can be found here, just look to the inquisitor, the beast in which she employs to do her bidding, I fear that these are just the tip of the iceburg.”

“Arcturus we must go, there can be no more waiting.” Veledar snatched the man with his jaws, tugging at him to depart. “He’s stalling you so that his kitty birds can recover!”

“Think on what I’ve said!” Arcturus added, disappearing from sight.

Was what the man had said even true? For a moment Skywing simply watched with a rapid heart, staring at the flames blocking his egress. Some might have said the dragon had twisted Arcturus’ convictions to his own nefarious purposes, or the Rothdellians had ensnared his mind with a terrible charm or deception. Skywing however new better, seeing the flames behind those emerald pools, the spirit of the friend he’d known far too well. The gryphon shifted uncomfortably on his paws, wondering if he were on the wrong side.

** * * * * * *

"Ye finally made it, weary from yer smoochin'?" Merlia laughed upon their return, the dwarf's visage marked by a seeping cut across her cheek. Her arrows were nearing depletion, yet her spirit showed no signs of dimming. "I was worried ye left all the fun for us!"

Shandalar immersed herself in the intricate dance of spell craft, exchanging mystical energies with Lumarian clerics and mages. Their powers collided in dazzling bursts of light, resonating with such force that it shook the very air. Sections of the wall erupted, casting debris upon the stone below, showering soldiers wielding shields who had boldly advanced, firing their energy crossbows.

The sunelf’s eyes blazed with the intensity of arcane power, raised her hands high, weaving the essence of fire into a concentrated ball of searing energy. With a forceful thrust, she hurled the fiery sphere towards the oncoming guards. The blazing projectile arced through the air, leaving behind a trail of ethereal flames.

Upon impact, the fireball erupted in a cataclysmic explosion. Brilliant tendrils of orange and red licked the surroundings, consuming the souls who dared face their wrath. With a deft wave of her hands, she crafted holes within her spell, shielding her allies from the intensity of the blast. As the magical conflagration roared, the others remained unscathed within an arcane cocoon, leaving the Lumarian guards to be incinerated into blackened husks. Shandalar stood amidst the ashes, her silhouette flickering in the lingering, heated glow.

The lone path entrusted to Asterion was strewn with the fallen, his brown fur and horns besmeared with the blood of adversaries. He appeared almost unhinged, entirely within his element, transitioning seamlessly from slamming one man to the ground to crushing another's face with a mighty hammer.

"That's right, break yourself against me!" thundered the cleric as he thrust out a fist, unleashing a beam of concentrated light down the hall, screams echoing in its wake. With a deep, satisfied breath, a smile cracked across his lips. "Look upon me and know your doom, flee if you value your lives!"

"At least someone is having fun." Natassa winced, the gryphoness rearing up, careful not to make any sudden movements with Lyndis still upon her back. Feku clung to her like a cat who'd known a river's kiss.

"I don't think that constitutes fun." Shandalar grunted, taking refuge behind a risen bit of stone, its surface withered and chipped away. "They got bolder without the dragon."

"Then let me correct that." Veledar snarled, taking his position with a lash of his tail. He gave them a moment to turn tail and flee, to avoid what was to come, but of course, they refused. He would have to teach a lesson to the others behind them. In an instant, he enveloped the hall in his terrible red-orange light. The soldiers' shields tried to protect them, but the flames coiled and enveloped them anyway. Together they stumbled, blackened and screamed as they collapsed in a series of clangs, never to rise again.

Arcturus grimaced over such destruction, bubbling down the misery around him, “We have Lyndis, have we an escape route?”

“How about running through the wall, worked well last time!” Merlia pulled back an arrow as those who saw Veledar’s flames had yet to flee completely, she aimed, letting the tip glow brightly. It raced through the air with deadly intent, piercing through one man and exploding in a brilliant flash. “Fun as this is.”

“If the walls are enchanted, we will be stopped.” Shandalar stated grimly, “We already tried before. The front door will be sealed off, our options become limited.”

“I can do this all-day you cowards!” Asterion thundered, slamming his hammer against the wall, “Cowering for your lives, you disgrace your lines! You call yourself warriors, hah, you act like children!”

“So, the library then?” Veledar snorted, “If you worry about our success, we know it worked there.”

“Dragon’s right!” Merlia tapped him on the forepaw, giving him a wink. “First time for everything!”

“Oh, piss off.”

Arcturus rose, shield in hand, the die was cast. To Asterion's dismay, Shandalar closed off his section, leaving those behind to batter their weapons against stone. They'd break through eventually, but the group would be long gone when that moment arrived. With the hallway cleared by dragon fire and arrow explosions, their path lay unhindered as they embarked on their journey to the library.

The expedition proved rife with conflict; the guard's courage rekindled after traversing several corridors. Swords clashed against shields, energy crossbows barked, and spells ripped senses from them. Every patrol they encountered was left defeated. Yet, the group's strength dwindled with each skirmish, the Lumarians' attacks taking their toll. Blood was drawn, wounds inflicted, Asterion forced to mend his comrades with his spells to avoid slowing down. As they neared the library, their prepared spells grew scarce, only a few stronger ones remaining. Even Arcturus' lay on hands had been exhausted, they were running out of options and time.

“This your handiwork?” Lyndis laughed wearily as they entered and shut the door. “Wait till I tell Lyyreth.”

“It was like this when we found it.” Veledar huffed, not meeting her gaze, “No one tell her!”

“And you’re certain that it’s still there?” Asterion clopped his way back to where they’d fallen as Arcturus and Merlia barred the doors with several broken shelves.

“No one has messed with it!” Grunted the dwarf, “Ulga had her eye on it since we entered. Your decorations still be there.”

“Hope the spell is swift.” Arcturus grimaced as he left the door, “I saw a construct before we shut it, they’re bringing out the bigger weapons now.”

“How can they still have more after the thrashing we’re giving them?”

“Lumarians are persistent, you can give them that.”

“What’s the matter Thor follower?” Asterion grinned, tossing his head in pride.

Her cheeks flushed, “Course not! Just means I need to bring more arrows!”

They arranged a defensive posture as Asterion recited the pass-through stone spell, his motions and words praying on the time they had.

“We’re going to make it.” Arcturus said, his voice shaky as he laid a hand on the dragon’s chest.

“Of course we will.” Mused the crimson beast, sensing the unease within. He rolled a paw to his chest, sapphire eyes gleaming with arrogance, “We have myself, and I only hire the best.”

“So arrogant.” Lyndis snorted into feathers.

“Need help?” Feku asked the chanting bull, still at Natassa’s side.

“No, just staying with me kitten.” Natassa chirped, tapping Lyndis, “And why is she like this bull? I thought you were a healer.”

“Her body is well.” Growled Asterion, “But what was done to her can only be cured by rest or by spells that I did not prepare.”

Veledar snorted, positioning himself amidst the books, eyes narrowed and fixed upon the door. He could practically count the moments, attuned to the rhythmic beats of his heart, sensing the bubbling anticipation within his chest. With a fluff of his wings, he readied his fire glands, waiting for the precise instant the door would swing open. In that moment, he would unleash a vivid cascade of fiery colors.

Shandalar stood tall, letting Asterion work, “Dwarf, we will need a fog cloud.” She eyed the door.

“Tired of looking at our mugs lassie?” Merlia growled, arrow in hand, her last one.

Voices sounded from outside the hall, guards shouting for those with greater strength as the door shook.

“Asterion.” Natassa said, her ears pinned.

“Rushing the spell cannot be done, hold yourself.” Corrected Shandalar, arms held up. “Merlia, the reason for the fog is simple, if one of them counters mister Asterion, we’re finished, it requires sight- “

“Aye.” Her eyes lit up, “Ye want a blinding fog, do ye.” She grinned, “Don’t worry your fancy bum, it will be like tryin' to find a needle in a haystack, but the haystack's got a hangover, a blindfold, and a map to nowhere! They’ll be squintin' like a mole in the noonday sun! “

“That is what I require, your flavorful vernacular is not required.”

“Oh, ya take the fun out of it!” With a bellowing incantation that echoed through the library's hallowed halls, she unleashed the mystical might within. Suddenly, a surge of power erupted from her fingertips, a storm of ethereal mist exploding outward like a thunderous sneeze.

The fog billowed and rolled, an insatiable force devouring the air in its relentless advance. It seemed as if an otherworldly tempest had ensconced itself within the very heart of the library. Books quivered upon their shelves as the fog swept through, tendrils of enchantment snaking around ancient tomes like capricious spirits. The ambient glow of the library's magical lights flickered and dimmed, engaged in a futile struggle against the encroaching mist. Even Veledar, a formidable presence, found himself unable to discern more than a few feet in front of him amidst the mystical obscurity that had settled within the hallowed halls.

“Excellent.” Shandalar’s voice came through the fog, “Once Asterion finishes the spell we will have limited time. Dragon we will have need of you to ferry us- “

“I’m not one of your fancy horses.” He growled at such a notion, “One does not casually ride a dragon.”

“Dragon, you can’t be serious.” She replied as a series of groans came from the others.

“Of course I’m being serious! How about if I just casually rode on the lot of you without permission?” He snorted, “Granted, those of you lack the gravitas of a dragon, but still, you’d find it annoying.”

“Ach, blast it all!” Merlia barked. “Can ya not be stubborn for once?”

“And make it become a precedent?” He scoffed, “I think not.”

“What did ya think was going to happen? That we were all going to sprout wings and fly ourselves to safety?”

Veledar shrugged with his wings, “I thought someone as learned as Shandalar would have a plan.” He held his head high even though he doubted she could see him.

“I’ll remind you all, that we are running out of time.” Squawked Natassa, “And when the bull is done with that spell, I will be getting Lyndis out of here.”

“Then I suggest coming up with another plan…and quick.”

Arcturus was the one to offer a solution, “Just carry them in your paws like packages. They get a free flight; your pride is not tarnished. Everyone wins.”

“Wonderful idea.” He purred with a flick of his tail, “Though not like packages- “

“Don’t say it.” Merlia protested. “Don’t ye be saying it.”

“Babies.” He grinned, knowing he’d never let her live it down. “I will accept these terms, especially if I can remind Merlia of it from now on.”

“Why ya red scaled bastard, I’ll turn ya into a purse!”

“I didn’t hear a yes.”

As the door shook from a battering ram, Merlia groaned, “Fine ya oversized weather ballon. Ya win.”

“Another wonderous victory.” He sighed in content, “Pleasure doing business with you.”

“Ah go fuck yourself dragon!”

“That sounds like someone wants to get left behind. “

With that settled, he lowered himself, allowing Arcturus to ascend onto his back. Once the man was securely positioned, he reared up. When Asterion finished his ascent, he seized Shandalar and the bull, beating his mighty wings against the air. Carrying them swiftly upwards, straight for the intended section of stone, he trusted that the bull would not let him down, that he would not collide with a solid surface.

The door cracked open and collapsed, revealing a trio of metal constructs, each the size of ogres, crawling in. They wielded energy cannons within their blunt, gleaming arms, and among them was Suntail, wings tucked, eyes of venom fixed upon the escaping group.

Shandalar's parting gift was the orb she had revealed earlier, pressing a rune upon its surface. As the dragon and gryphon ascended, it fell, rivers of brilliant light spreading across to consume it. It shattered with the sound of thunder, releasing its prisoner upon the library. What emerged was a creature of immense size and heat, built of flame and magma, immediately enveloping the books beneath it. Its radiance was blinding, overpowering, as it pulled back its bulbous, churning head and released an unearthly roar. Veledar almost felt sorry for them as they passed through the stone, making their escape.

** * * * * * * * *