Chapter 7
Pacing before the fire, Mark noticed that he only had an hour left. Arland was still an hour away. If he can be patient, Arland would be there before the trade even happened. Thirty Elves and two Centaurs, plus he and his nine men should be enough to intimidate the Cathians. He prayed that Karis was okay. His mind kept jumping from worrying about her safety, to wishing she was back in camp with him just to be close to her, to hating the Cathians for taking her. It'd been a smart move on their part for taking a high ranking official in Seth's army, but a big mistake for making Mark angry. Not many were able to stand against Mark when he was angry.
Mark! Serina's voice broke through to his mind. He took a seat to calm himself before talking to Serina.
Hello, Serina.
Are you okay? I sensed something was wrong.
Where are you?
On our way to you. What's going on?
They have Karis.
Who has Karis?
The Cathians. We took their captain captive and sent him to Ashenland as a prisoner, but in retaliation, they attacked us while Trien and Bailey were taking Armadd to meet Serani and his troops. Serani sent Armadd with two of his own men to keep Trien and Bailey here. Iriand's dead.
What? Iriand?
Yes. They surprised us with bombs. They must have grenade type explosives.
Grenades?
They're a weapon from my world. A small explosive device you can carry on you. They're small but pack a big punch. These weren't as powerful, but they packed enough of a punch to knock me out. I was out for hours before Serani and his men arrived and woke me up. I was the only one still alive. They wanted me alive so they could make a trade for their captain.
You aren't going to make that trade are you?
Mark looked to his right as if he were looking away from Serina.
No, he lied.
Good, she said, but he could tell she didn't believe him. What are you planning?
Arland is on his way here with his thirty.
Seth and I are on our way as well. How many Cathians are left?
They had a hundred. I think we took them down to seventy five before they took Karis.
That's not too many. Should be easy enough to get Karis out of there.
I agree.
Seth and I will be there in a little more than an hour. We've been riding through the night.
Mark scrunched his forehead as he noticed something in Serina's mind. Damage. As if she'd run into a dark power.
Serina, what's happened to your mind? I see scarring.
She hesitated before answering, I'll be fine. Seth is working on healing me when we stop.
Did you run into Seilnai?
Another hesitation.
Yes.
What did she do?
She kicked me out when I saw a piece of light. Her mind is full of darkness, but there's a piece of light in her. I saw it. It's centered around a memory. I wasn't able to see that memory, however.
Mark stared at the small flames of the campfire. He had to find out what that memory was so he could bring Jennifer back to them.
Mark, don't worry about her right now. Your focus needs to be about the task at hand. How many do you have with you?
I have Trien and Bailey, plus seven others Serani left with me. They continued on to Fortuna to reinforce the city. Arnath is trying to take it back. We really injured him by convincing them to join us.
Good. So, when Seth and I arrive, combined with Arland, we should have forty-three?
Yes.
Perfect. We will see you soon, Mark.
I pray for safe traveling for you.
Mark broke the connection then stood up, looking around the camp. Looking at the sky he saw that he had less than an hour remaining.
Arland.
After a few seconds Arland responded.
Yes, Mark?
How much longer until you're here?
We ran into a little trouble with some bandits. Must be some of the people of Serpa trying to take advantage of the refugees trying to get to Ashenland. It set us back a half an hour. I'm sorry, Mark. You'll have to hold them off until we get there.
I only have forty-five minutes.
We're doing our best, Mark. Just do what you can until we get there. Remember to think with your head and not your heart this time. What would Karis do in this situation?
Mark sighed then said, Keep our men safe until the promised reinforcements arrived.
Exactly. Now don't go and do something rash.
I won't.
Good, I will see you soon, my friend.
Mark didn't respond before cutting off the connection. He needed to do something, so he walked towards the arranged meeting place. An open area between his camp and the Cathian camp. When he arrived to the designated place, he found three Cathians already waiting for him. They were early. Mark regretted leaving his sword behind. He connected to Trien.
Yes, sir?
I left my swords by the fire. Can you put them in a safe place? I don't want the Cathians getting their hands on them.
Where are you, sir?
I went to check out the designated meeting place to make sure they hadn't set up any traps. They're already here with Karis.
Wait and Bailey and I will be there to assist you.
Come if you must, but it's too late for me to wait. They've already seen me.
“You came alone,” the Commander Alzahd said. “You're either very brave, or very stupid.”
“I believe it takes a bit of stupidity to be brave,” Mark said. He looked at Karis. She was cut and bruised, a blindfold kept her from seeing him. There was no way he could assure her without words that he'd get her out of this.
The Cathian grunted a small laugh, “Too true.”
Alzahd studied Mark for a full minute. Marks anger boiled. He'd never regretted not having his swords with him. He knew if he'd brought them he'd be able to take down all three Cathians before they had a chance to fight back.
“Is something wrong?” Mark asked.
“You are stupid. You came unarmed.”
“I came unarmed as a sign of peace. I'm trusting you to hand Karis over peacefully.”
“You have nothing to trade for her. We demanded our Captain be returned to us, and you have not met that demand. So, I am forced to kill you both.”
One of the Cathian soldiers pulled out his sword, making a move for Karis, while another aimed a crossbow at Mark. Mark wasn't afraid of the bullet aimed at him. He knew he could catch it if he had to, but Karis couldn't see what was coming. He had to act fast.
“Wait!” he said suddenly.
Commander Alzahd held up his hand, saying, “Do you have our commander?
“No,” Mark said, but hesitated before finishing. “Take me instead.”
Mark saw Karis stir slightly. He didn't know what they'd done to her to make her so unresponsive, but he would find a way to deal with them himself.
Alzahd squinted at him, asking, “Why would I do that?”
“Because. Arnath wants me dead.”
“Of course he does. He wants all of his enemies killed.”
“No, but he wants to kill me himself.”
“And why is that?”
Mark took a deep breath. He was about to spill everything about himself. It could mean his death, but as long as Karis was safe, he didn't care about his own life.
“There's a prophecy, well many prophecies all about the same thing. Me and my sister. Twins brought by Sol from another world. We were given abilities to help put Seth and Serina on their thrones so they may rule Eranithia, as Sol wills it. Arnath doesn't want this prophecy to be fulfilled, so he's trying to kill my sister and I.
“He's already gotten to my sister and turned her to his side. You know her as Seilnai.”
“Seilnai is your twin sister?” Alzahd asked in disbelief.
“Yes, only her real name is Jennifer. Her mind has been poisoned by Arnath. She doesn't remember her real self.”
Alzahd stroked the long, thin bead on his chin, seeming to consider his options. Mark stared back at him, showing no emotion.
“Release her,” Alzahd said. “Bind him and we'll take him to Arnath ourselves.”
“What about Captain Armadd?” one of the soldiers asked.
“I'm your Captain now,” he said, then nodded at Mark.
One of the soldiers hit Karis over the head, knocking her out cold, then dropped her to the ground. Then both soldiers dismounted from their horses and approached Mark. He stretched his arms out so they could see he wasn't hiding a weapon. Both soldiers each grabbed an arm, then twisting them behind his back, they tied them together with a thin but strong rope.
As they dragged Mark past Karis, unconscious, lying on the ground, he twisted his head around to get a look at her. Then the soldiers hit Mark over the head. His world went black once again.
“Check for any survivors!” a muffled voice shouted.
What's going on? She asked inside her head. She couldn't move, but she could hear voices all around her.
“They're all dead, sir!” came another voice. She knew that voice! Sasha? Was Arland and his Thirty here to save them?
Why can't I move?
She was suddenly aware of pain throughout her body. Her eyes popped open as she began screaming.
“Over here!” she heard Arland call out.
She knew her eyes were open, but she couldn't see anything. The pain coursing throughout her body was blinding.
“Karis, I'm here. It's me, Arland.”
Vision slowly returned to her. Arland's form took shape, blurry at first but after blinking many times, she could see him clearly.
“Karis, what happened?” a female voice asked her. At her side knelt a beautiful young woman. Serina!
“Serina,” her scratchy voice said. She was suddenly aware of how parched her throat was.
“Water! Someone bring us some water!” Arland shouted.
“Karis, where are you hurt?” Serina asked.
She tried to think, but she wasn't able to capture a single thought.
“Okay, relax. It will all come back to you soon,” Serina said with a soothing voice.
Then Mark's voice rang through her head saying, “Wait! Take me.”
“Mark!” she said, sitting up, her head missing Serina's by an inch. Karis's head swam with dizziness and pounded with pain. She could feel her head beating in her brain.
“Karis, calm down. Tell me what happened,” Serina said, catching Karis as she started to fall back.
Serina helped her lie back down again.
“The last thing I remember was Mark trading himself for my release. Then I was knocked out.”
“What did he say to convince them to go through with this trade?”
“He told them about the prophecy. He said that Arnath wants to kill him to prevent it from coming true.”
Karis watched Serina as she looked at Arland. They'd said something in their exchange. Not with words, but knowing looks.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing, it's just something Mark would do. He knew it was the only way to keep you safe. He figures he'll be able to find a way out on his own, or that we'll be able to come rescue him. But if he makes it back to the castle, there's no way we'll be able to get him out. The tunnel was sealed off. Only Seilnai can unseal it.”
“Then what are we going to do?” Karis asked, sitting up slowly.
“You, are going to rest until your strength returns. I will talk to Seth and see what he thinks. We'll make a decision from there.”
Serina and Arland then helped Karis to her feet, helping her walk closer to the camp. Everywhere she looked there was a dead Elf. What shocked her more was seeing Iriand lying amongst them.
“Iriand?” she said, feeling her heart break. “IRIAND!”
She pulled away from Arland and Serina, falling at Iriand's feet. Tears streaming down her face, she repeated his name over and over, crying heavier than she'd ever cried before.
“Who did this?” she asked after long minutes of crying.
“The Geoth,” Seth said standing behind her.
“They're in Eranithia?”
“Seilnai must have gone to the Blood Mountains after Trondil,” he said.
“So you're saying the Geoth could be close?” Arland asked looking around the woods.
“They're probably long gone by now. Their orders were probably to assist in taking back Fortuna.”
“Then we should go and help the reinforcements sent there,” Arland said, facing Seth.
Seth nodded saying, “I agree. Serina and I will take Karis back to Ashenland and care for her there. We'll contact you when we've come up with a plan.”
Arland nodded, then grasping Seth by the forearm, bowed then gathered his men and left for Fortuna.
“Come, Karis. Let's get you to Ashenland,” Serina said, helping her to her feet.
“What about them?” she asked about their fallen friends.
“They will receive the warrior's burial,” Seth said.
Then taking Serina's hand, the raised their faces to the sky, with eyes closed, and prayed aloud, “Sol, take your servants. Warriors for You. They gave their lives willingly. Accept them into Your Kingdom.”
A strong wind came from the West, circling around them. It was strong, but gentle. Not harsh like the winter wind. Karis watched as the spirits of the Elves were taken from their bodies. Iriand looked down at her with a smile.
“Iriand?” she said, looking up at him.
“Peace, Karis. I am going to be with Sol now. We will meet again one day.”
“I love you, Iriand.”
“And I you, Karis. Go and return with Seth and Serina to Ashenland. There Sol will lead you all.”
Then the spirits of the fallen vanished, leaving Seth, Serina and Karis alone. Waiting to meet them again one day.
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