Chapter 15
usual disclaimer applies, please do not read if illegal in your area for whatever reason. I appreciate any and all feedback, including questions, clarifications, or details about the realm, please email bate.night@icloud.com, please support Nifty, and enjoy!
The Shadow's Reach
The wind howled through the jagged hills, carrying with it the sweet scent of the forest. Jace's sapphire eyes scanned the uneven terrain ahead, a constant tension humming beneath his skin. The last two weeks had taken their toll, but the closer they came to their goal, the heavier the weight on his shoulders felt. Somewhere out there, near the edge of the sea, the egg lay waiting--but so did dangers they hadn't yet faced.
Connor's plan to retrieve this egg while a second team of knights secured the remaining two eggs in Manthe was based solely on the potential power it possessed. The scrolls led Connor to believe that this egg was from the Dragon of Flame, long revered as the most powerful of all dragons. Harnessing its power would be necessary to go against the Veiled Shadow, who were already in possession of their own egg, likely of the Dragon of Frost. In the old times, the greatest of realms managed to rule the kingdom by wielding both dragons at the same time. If the Veiled Shadow somehow captured the Dragon of Flame's egg, they would likely be unstoppable. Jace shuddered at the thought of a world in which both of the most powerful dragons were under the control of such a dangerous group.
Connor rode beside him, his light brown hair tousled by the wind, his brow furrowed with focus. Jace could hear the soft rustle of maps in his saddlebag, Connor's mind likely churning over the intricacies of the scrolls he'd spent weeks deciphering. Behind them rode Kael, his sharp gray eyes scanning the horizon with a calm vigilance. Jace tried to ignore the flicker of unease Kael's presence still stirred in him, a reminder of past desires and unfinished emotions he didn't want to revisit. After their intimate moment at the castle, Jace had done his best to avoid being alone with Kael. He hadn't mentioned it to Connor, but Jace had a feeling that Connor could sense his unease.
"We're not far from the Estylla River," Connor called, his voice steady despite the fatigue that marked his features. "We should reach it soon."
Jace nodded but didn't respond. They would follow the river until it eventually emptied out into the Voltai Sea. From there, Connor would guide them to the location of the egg.
Jace looked Connor up and down, noticing the bulging biceps as he gripped the reins of his horse. His arms were slick with sweat, with veins wrapped around like vines on a tree trunk. He was shirtless, and the many days of riding had tanned his skin. Jace's eyes moved to Connor's muscular chest, thinking of how badly he wanted to bite each nipple and squeeze each round pectoral. He had to turn his gaze back to the path ahead before his imagination could the better of him.
As they exited the wooded area, he shifted his focus on the shadows gathering on the ridges to the left and right. The wind shifted, carrying with it a faint, unnatural chill that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Something wasn't right. The terrain here was rugged and unforgiving, the path narrowing as it wound between steep cliffs. The cliffs, sparse with trees, cast long, jagged shadows that seemed darker than they should have been in the waning sunlight.
"Stay alert," Jace said, his voice low but firm. "I don't like this."
Kael's voice drifted up from behind, tinged with dry humor. "You don't like anything, Jace. But I suppose that's what makes you so careful."
Jace didn't bother with a retort. The air here was wrong--thicker, heavier, as if something unseen was watching them from the shadows. He rested a hand on the hilt of his sword, the familiar weight of it grounding him as they pressed forward.
It happened just as the path narrowed further, forcing them to ride single file. The first sound was a faint rustling, barely noticeable over the wind, but Jace caught it. His hand tightened on the reins, his sapphire eyes scanning the cliffs above. And then the shadows moved.
Jace noticed the wind blowing the trees to the west, but the shadows began moving on their own, pouring down the cliffs. They spilled over the ridges like ink poured from a vial, their forms shifting and writhing as they descended toward the group. Glowing green eyes blinked into existence, dozens of them, accompanied by the sound of long, bony claws scraping against stone.
"Shadeborn!" Connor shouted, his voice sharp with alarm.
Jace barely had time to draw his sword before the first of the creatures lunged toward him. It moved unnaturally fast, its shadowy form twisting and elongating as it closed the distance. Jace swung his blade in a wide arc, the steel slicing cleanly through the creature. It dissolved into a wisp of black smoke, but even as it vanished, two more took its place.
"Don't let them surround us!" Jace shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. He wheeled his horse around, his blade cutting through another Shadeborn as it lunged at Connor's flank.
Connor drew his sword, but didn't swing,"They multiply!" he called, his tone grim. "If you strike through their neck, they die, but if you slice anywhere else, two more will appear!"
Kael swung his own sword, the steel flashed under the setting sun. He sliced right through a creature, and it dissolved entirely as it shrieked. Kael's movements were quick and practiced, and he slashed through two more Shadeborn in quick succession. His gray eyes narrowed with focus. "We can't hold them off forever."
Jace gritted his teeth, his sword a blur as he fought off the growing swarm. The Shadeborn were relentless, their shadowy forms twisting and shifting to evade strikes. There was no way the men could deliver a killing blow with each swing, and there were easily double the amount of Shadeborn surrounding them now. They seemed to emerge from the darkness, their glowing green eyes burning with malevolent intent.
Connor's voice cut through the chaos, urgent and commanding. "The river! If we can reach the Estylla, they won't be able to follow us. Holy waters--they can't cross them."
Jace didn't hesitate. "Move! Now!"
Connor guided his horse in a single fluid motion, his blade still in hand. Kael was right behind him, covering the rear as the three of them drove their horses forward. The path ahead narrowed further as it wound down toward the valley where the river lay. The Shadeborn swarmed after them, their guttural snarls echoing through the cliffs.
The ground was uneven, the horses' hooves slipping on loose rocks as they galloped toward the river. Jace's heart pounded, every muscle in his body tense as he urged his horse forward. The shadows were closing in, their glowing eyes multiplying every time Kael swung in defense.
"Faster!" Jace shouted, glancing over his shoulder. The Shadeborn were nearly upon them, their elongated forms flowing over the ground like liquid darkness. Kael's sword flashed as he cut down one that lunged too close, but even he couldn't hold them off forever.
The sound of rushing water reached Jace's ears, a faint but steady promise of safety. The Estylla River was just ahead.
"Are you sure about this?" Jace yelled desperately in Connor's direction.
"The ancient Venamages placed spells throughout the realm to safeguard certain sacred places, and the Shadeborn cannot cross Estylla so long as the water is flowing," Connor replied reassuringly.
The path opened up as they entered the valley, the river coming into view at last. It was wide and fast-moving, its surface shimmering faintly in the dim light. Jace didn't slow, urging his horse down the slope and toward the riverbank.
"Go!" he shouted to Connor and Kael, his sword slashing through another Shadeborn as it leapt toward him. "I'll cover you!"
Connor hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes meeting Jace's, but then he nodded and urged his horse forward. Kael followed, his blade flashing as he fought off the creatures nipping at their heels.
Jace held his ground, his sword moving in a deadly rhythm as he cut down Shadeborn after Shadeborn. They surrounded him, their clawed hands swiping and tearing at the air, but he didn't falter. The river was just behind him now, its waters shimmering like a barrier of light against the encroaching darkness.
"Jace!" Connor's voice rang out, sharp with urgency. "Get across!"
Jace swung his sword one last time, cleaving through the nearest Shadeborn before turning and spurring his horse into the water. The river surged around him, icy and fast, but he didn't stop until he reached the other side. Connor and Kael were already there, their swords drawn as they watched the Shadeborn halt at the water's edge.
The creatures snarled and hissed, their glowing eyes fixed on the group. They shifted and twisted, their forms writhing with frustration, but they didn't cross. The waters of the Estylla held them at bay, their dark magic unable to breach the sacred boundary.
Jace dismounted, his chest heaving as he turned to face the Shadeborn. They remained on the far bank, their green eyes burning with fury, but they didn't move closer. The river had saved them, but Jace knew this wasn't the last time they would face the Veiled Shadow's servants.
"Is everyone all right?" Jace asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him.
Connor nodded, though his face was pale.
Kael sheathed his sword, his usual smirk absent as he surveyed the creatures on the other side of the river. His bare torso glowed under the setting sun. His barrel chest heaved up and down with each breath. "They'll keep coming. This was just a taste. Maybe the Shadeborn can't cross the river, but the Veiled Shadow will send someone who can."
Jace nodded, his gaze fixed on the Shadeborn. "Then we'll be ready."