Valdjan Page 6

  Elberos nodded and surveyed the wounded. “You should come back to the station with us. Where is General Certh?”

  He shook his head. “She’s one of the people we’re looking for.” He lowered his voice. “But if we don’t find her, I think it’s safe to say the dogs got her. She was . . . unkind to them.”

  Elberos gave a quick nod. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  A short time later, the search parties returned.

  A tall elf came and stood at attention in front of the captain. “The castle is secure, Captain. We didn’t find any bodies, but there was plenty of blood, even in the hidden chamber belowground. I would assume the dogs got them all.”

  “Then let’s get out of this place.” The captain gestured toward the portal. “Levas, you run the portal. Take the most injured first.”

  “Where to?” the elf asked.

  “Back to El Aguhm space station,” the captain said. “I’ll need to report to the High Council on this.”

  The captain turned back to them. “I can’t thank you enough for saving us from those beasts.”

  “You’re welcome. I’d like to ask you some questions, if I may.” The elf nodded, and Valdjan stepped forward. “When did the mutations begin?”

  “They began months ago, and at first, it was little things. The dogs became nippier. One bit an elf when they were out in the forest. Sometime later, another elf went missing, and when we found him, there were only pieces left—dry, bloodless pieces. It was as if he had been hunted.” The captain ran a hand through his hair.

  Valdjan watched as Levas opened the portal and then the other elves began going through it, carrying the ones who were most injured. A few crawled through on their own. “Did you talk to the general? Why did it go on for so long?”

  “Yes, but since they were mutating, I don’t think she ever thought about stopping it. Her answer was to begin experimenting on them, trying to find the mutation. She would taunt them with blood, forcing them to attack so she could figure out how to fight and kill them.” The captain looked at the portal. “Look, it’s all going to be in my report. But I really want to get out of here. Are you going back to El Aguhm or did you want to go somewhere else?”

  “We’re going to Meoi Aguhm,” Elberos answered him.

  “Have you lost your minds? I’ve heard the fire-breathing lizards they’re calling dragons are even worse than our canines.”

  Elberos glanced at Valdjan, who nodded in affirmation.

  The captain sighed. “All right. Let me get a few more men through and then we’ll send you there.”

  “There’s no hurry,” Elberos assured him. “Unless those canines find a way in.”

  The captain nodded once and hurried to the portal, helping an elf stand long enough to get through.

  “What was the general here like?” Valdjan asked Elberos as they watched the number of elves dwindle. “You said you understood that she was unkind.”

  “Yes, she was horrible,” the elf admitted uncomfortably.

  “She?”

  “Yes. She wasn’t just unkind to the canines. She was unnecessarily cruel and belittling to her own troops. She always sent the laziest or most recalcitrant soldiers, and before long, she would have them turned around. I don’t know when she was experimenting, but it doesn’t surprise me.”

  “How did you live here and not know?”

  “I never went down into the labs where they were doing tests. I didn’t think I could stomach it, to my shame, but there were hints of it in the files, and I wouldn’t put it past her.” Elberos shook his head.

  When they got to the front of the portal, Elberos turned to the elf running it. “Send us to Meoi Aguhm.”

  Levas obligingly threw a pinch of powder into the portal, and it flashed a murky green before the portal opened wide.

  This time, when Valdjan emerged on the other side, his head hurt worse than ever. It made him think this planet would be worse. Judging by the battalions of elves rushing by him in full battle armor with reinforced arrows and guns, he was right. He’d never seen the like.

  Valdjan raised his eyebrows. “That is a lot of weaponry.”

  “The brutal beasts outside will kill us otherwise. It’s been impossible to go out unarmed for the past few weeks.” An elf was standing before them, and Valdjan realized he must be the guard running the portal. The elf gestured to room around them, which was more cave than room. “We have to stay inside the caves because they’re the only things the beasts can’t burn.”

  “Where are they?”

  The elf pointed. “Follow those battalions and take a look.”

  They jogged in the direction the elves had gone, and found that where they exited the cave they stood at the edge of a precipice with full view of the valley below. The ground writhed with beasts, and Valdjan squinted in an attempt to see them better. Some were still lizards, while others had grown wings.

  Some of the ones with wings were snorting puffs of smoke while others breathed fire. The lizards and dragons seemed immune to the blasts, but the trees around them weren’t so lucky. Many were already blackened by fire, a few still burning.

  “They don’t look so fierce to me, except for the fire,” Valdjan commented. “Many of them are small. Like children.”

  “That’s because the biggest ones, the ones first to evolve, have all flown away,” the elf explained. “When they come back, you won’t think them harmless. Here comes one now.”

  The elf pointed and then pulled them back into the cave.

  Moments later, the beast howled in pain, and Valdjan glanced out just long enough to see that the elves were shooting at it from several ledges. Again and again and again they loosed arrows at the creature, oblivious to its screams. Its pain was obvious and seemed to go on and on as it tried relentlessly to get to the younger dragons. Finally, the beast fell to the ground on top of them, the force of its impact shaking even the walls of the cave above them.

  A few moments later, they heard a yell. “Good job, warriors. Get down there and kill half the babies. Let’s move the rest to location G.”

  “How many dragons have they eliminated this way?” Elberos asked the elf who kept looking nervously out to the horizon.

  “Quite a few. Maybe dozens. The general uses the babies as bait and kills the parents and some of the babies each time.”

  “It is almost as if he takes pleasure in killing them,” Valdjan murmured.

  The elf nodded unhappily. “General Dengin was always a bit of a dick, but since the dragons came, it’s been worse.” The elf lowered his voice.

  “Has anyone mentioned this to the council?”

  “No. We’re afraid if they send anyone else, they won’t have the balls to stand up to these beasts. If we keep letting them evolve, they are going to kill us all.”

  “I see.” Valdjan turned back to Elberos. “I’ve seen enough here.”

  “Agreed,” the elf whispered as his brows drew together.

  As they headed back to the portal, Valdjan thought about what he’d seen. He hadn’t developed post-traumatic stress from the Ardak invasion or even what they’d done to him as a cyborg. He understood battle, but this? This was unspeakable. A heinous misuse of power and trust.

  “I know they’re deadly,” Elberos said, “but there has to be a better way to deal with the dragon problem.”

  “I agree. What about one of the planets with benevolent magical creatures? Like the pegasus. Why don’t we go there next?”

  “Sure,” Elberos said under his breath. “I’d like to see what they’re doing there.”

  Elberos asked the elf to magic the portal so it would take them to Anorien Aguhm, the pegasus planet. The portal flashed a welcoming color of peach before resuming its golden state, and Valdjan and Elberos stepped through.

  Chapter Ten

  Ithyll

  Once they left the dragon world, Ithyll stood, taking the crystal with her to make a cup of tea. She had a vague idea of what he was thinking,
but it was so far afield that she thought it impossible. The creatures were turning into beasts because the generals were cruel?

  “Hello? Ithyll?”

  “Hi, Paradiso,” she murmured as he entered, trying to keep half her focus on the tests.

  The beautiful, pure white bird nodded in greeting, the white crown tipped in gold at the top of his head bobbing. He stepped in gracefully, dipping his head to brush his beak against her cheek. “I felt your pain and your fear. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. What happened?”

  She closed the entrance behind him, careful not to catch any of the long, beautiful feathers that stretched out behind him, and then took a seat at her table once again.

  “Nirhjar came for a visit and then Valdjan fought some mutated canines in the test. I’m not sure which one was more frightening, to be honest.”

  He blinked. “For you? Nirhjar. He got through your shield?”

  “Yes, but I don’t know how. He said that their children are showing magical powers, and then he offered me a position in exchange for my teaching them. As his wife.”

  Paradiso clicked his beak in a sound she had come to know as anger.

  She shuddered again at the thought, still remembering the thinly veiled anger he carried. “But I refused, and he left. I’m all right.”

  “What if he hadn’t? And how did he get through the barrier? What if they find a way for more of them to get through the barrier?”

  “I wish I knew. If I didn’t have to stay in the cave during these tests, I’d be outside investigating it. But I have to be in range to keep powering the crystal, and if I leave the cave with the crystal, the tests end. Besides, even if they get through, they can’t get to the crystals without the key, and he can’t get the key without passing the tests.”

  “Right. I remember the rules.” The bird’s sigh had a hint of a whistle. “Fine. I’ll try to find out what they’re doing.”

  “I can’t even be that angry at them,” Ithyll said, trying to hide the devastation in her voice. “I found out the elves accidentally created the magical creatures, including the Ardaks and the merpeople.”

  The bird’s long, graceful neck kinked slightly as it cocked its head to the side, eyeing her. “Really?”

  “Yes. I was just a youngling at the time, here for an adventure. I had no idea.” She poured him a bowl of tea, and he sipped it with his beak. “It seems so unfair. We created the monsters waging war across the universe and one of their victims is risking death to stop them.”

  “Perhaps that is his path. Who are we to deny it?” Paradiso eyed the crystal. “How far along is he?”

  She glanced back at the crystal, feeling a slight flutter when she spied Valdjan’s familiar form. She would never admit to anyone how much she was enjoying watching him take the test. “He’s been in the test for almost twelve hours, so he has twelve left to pass. I think he’s making progress.”

  “Do you think he’ll do it?” Paradiso’s gaze was piercing, and she could feel it even though her eyes were locked on Valdjan.

  “Even I don’t know where it goes from here, but he is attacking the problem as best he can, going straight to the front lines.” She forced her eyes away from Valdjan and turned back to Paradiso, seeing the reflection of the crystal in his eyes. “He survived a planet of enormous canines and another of fire-breathing dragons. I believe there is reason to hope.”

  And though she didn’t want to think about it too much, she was beginning to hope he would succeed. He’d actually been kind to her about her reaction to the Ardaks, and his arms around her had felt better than she wanted to admit.

  Chapter Eleven

  Valdjan

  He stepped through the portal to Anorien Aguhm, and the fresh, clean air caused him to unfold his fists. The air was cool and pleasant, smelling of spring.

  They left the portal, asking to see the general, and one of the elves escorted them to the roof of the building. They emerged into a paradise the likes of which he’d never seen, with a full view of the sky and land in all directions.

  The sky shone in various hues of pink, blue, and gold, a few wispy clouds in the distance. The colors blended together to make a vibrant tapestry, and the golden sun lent its hue to the rolling hills of grassy land below.

  An errant thought ran through his mind that Ithyll would probably love it here.

  “Gentleman,” General Cormal welcomed them, rising and bowing his head slightly. “Please join us for tea. I was just having a discussion with Aranrochir, the king of the pegasuses.”

  Valdjan inhaled sharply at the magnificent beauty of the pegasus. His head was held high, his body had almost an iridescent sheen and his mane shone a gleaming gold in the sunlight.

  Valdjan and Elberos took a seat beside them. He noted that, while the general was drinking tea and eating biscuits, King Aranrochir had two larger bowls in front of him, one of water and one of chopped carrots and apples fashioned into the shapes of flowers.

  Valdjan admired the pegasus’s sheer beauty for a moment, glad he didn’t have to contribute to the conversation.

  “What were you discussing?” Elberos asked as another elf poured them both cups of tea.

  “The land to the north is brutally cold.” King Aranrochir’s voice was deeper than he’d imagined. “Several of my people noticed that the inhabitants, the humans, are starving and freezing to death.” He paused, taking a piece of apple and chewing it thoughtfully before continuing, “They don’t trust the pegasuses—or elves, for that matter. But we thought we might somehow combine forces to provide them with some proper housing and food for the winter.”

  “Let me marshal up some warriors and supplies to go with you. I believe we can give them blankets, food, and clothing,” General Cormal offered. “How many humans did you say there were?”

  “We estimated about two thousand in the northern territory. We also have carts of fruit and vegetables for them. Our harvest was good this year.”

  “So I heard.” Cormal gave him a congratulatory smile. “I hope some of our planting strategies worked.”

  “They did, especially crop rotation, which we have never done before.”

  “I will make arrangements to have the supplies here tomorrow morning just after dawn and will go with you myself to meet them.”

  “Excellent.” The pegasus took another piece of apple. “We can discuss the modifications my people were suggesting to your defenses. As I mentioned before, you really need to take more consideration of potential attacks by air.”

  Valdjan was pleasantly shocked by the camaraderie between General Cormal and the king. On this planet, the elves and the magical race weren’t simply living in harmony, but were actively working together for the betterment of themselves and others.

  “I’m afraid I must be off—so much to do before the morning.” King Aranrochir bowed slightly and then rose to his full height, which was three times Valdjan’s own in his normal body. “Until tomorrow!”

  The pegasus turned and began to canter across the roof, the clop, clop of his hooves going faster and faster until he spread his great wings and lifted off, the clopping sound replaced by the sound of great beating wings.

  Valdjan turned to General Cormal. “Sir, we’re investigating why some of the planets have benevolent magical creatures, such as the pegasus, and others have malevolent magical creatures.”

  General Cormal’s face darkened. “That is a topic that needs investigation. I know how lucky we are that the pegasuses are so civilized,” General Cormal said as he watched the pegasus disappear in the distance. “Their leadership is peaceful and well organized, and they seem to care about the planet even more than we do. But I’ve spoken to generals from other planets, and some of the creatures there are . . . disturbing.”

  “I believe you know most of the generals from the other planets, is that correct?”

  He grimaced, not knowing how to answer. “Yes, probably, but I try not to get involved in the affairs of politics.”
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  Elberos placed a paper in front of him. “Could you tell us if you see any differences between the two lists here?”

  The general set his teacup on the table and picked up the paper. “Hmmm.” About halfway down the page, he looked up. “What am I looking at here?”

  “The planets with benevolent magical creatures are on the left, with the associated generals. And on the right are the planets with malevolent magical creatures with their associated generals.”

  The general’s brows rose, then returned to the page. His eyes grew wider as he scanned both sides of the list. “Jukkete. Canines. Dragons. Swamp rats. Why didn’t anyone see this before?”

  “See what?” Valdjan interjected.

  But the general didn’t answer. He covered his face with one hand, thrusting the page back at Elberos. “You know I can’t officially comment on this. And you’d better drop it or you’re going to end up dead in a ditch somewhere. You both need to leave.” He nodded at two guards who were standing several paces away. “Make sure these two get back to the portal and speak to no one on the way.”

  Valdjan wanted to argue, but Elberos passed a finger in front of his throat to stop him.

  “Thank you for your time, General Cormal.” Elberos nodded formally and then put his hand on Valdjan’s arm so he could steer him toward the door.

  “What are you doing? He didn’t tell us anything!”

  “What am I doing? What are you doing? Please try to act at least a little like Lord Rilien.” Elberos whispered, pushing him out first before turning and bowing before closing the door. Then he took Valdjan’s arm and began dragging him back to the portal. The general’s guard remained close behind.

  Valdjan wrenched his arm away. “You don’t have to drag me around like a fucking youth. I can walk to the portal myself.”

  Tight-lipped, Elberos led them to the portal, only speaking to tell the portal keeper to set the destination for the space station where they had started. The trip was fairly far, and once back at the station, Elberos took Valdjan’s arm again and ushered him straight back to his quarters.